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Duterte: We need US to protect sea claims Philippines also open to proposals from China, Israel in fighting terrorists by LEILA
B. SALAVERRIA Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Philippines needs the United States for the South China Sea, where it remains locked in a territorial dispute with China, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. Mr. Duterte made the statement on Tuesday, Sept. 20 in the course of explaining his earlier remark that he might later ask US soldiers to leave Mindanao to pave the way for talks with Moro rebels. The Moros or the Muslims in Mindanao have been pressing for a Bangsamoro state and demanding recognition by President Rodrigo R. Duterte participates in a plenary session during the second day of the the US of the brutality suffered ASEAN Summit at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos on September 7, 2016.
De Lima ousted as Senate Abu Sayyaf Group justice committee chair releases hostages over the weekend u PAGE A2
Photo by King Rodriguez/PPD
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
24-year-old Filipina’s unexplained death spurs homicide investigation THE unexplained death of a 24-year-old Filipina from La Puente, California, which occurred sometime during the weekend of Saturday, September 17, has drawn the suspicion of homicide detectives. Nursing student Cassandra Salvador returned home from work on Saturday evening and was found unresponsive when her parents attempted to wake her the next morning, according to KCAL9 News. Police officers who arrived at her house on the 13200 block of East Gyna Lane on Sunday, September 18, sometime after 9 a.m. pronounced the woman dead at the scene. Salvador was reportedly in good health. Investigators are still unsure whether or not foul play was a factor. “It doesn’t look natural, so we’re going to treat it as a homicide until we determine it’s
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Coalition of nonprofits encourages AAPI immigrants to naturalize
ABOUT 150 aspiring Americans found help overcoming language, legal and clerical barriers at the Pan Asian Citizenship Event held on Saturday, September 17 in Los Angeles. Volunteers and staffers representing a coalition of 12 nonprofit organizations serving the city’s immigrant community performed consultations at the East Los Angeles Community Center in at least seven different languages with residents who hope to become American citizens. The event was part of a larger campaign titled Citizenship Now! that is reaching out to the roughly 165,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Los Angeles who are eligible for naturalization. “I was due in 1996 to apply for citizenship,” said Welhelmina Concepcion while going over forms during a session at Saturday’s
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HEARING ON EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS. Former Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chairperson and Senator Leila de Lima (middle), along with Senators Antonio Trillanes IV (left) and Alan Peter Cayetano (right) share a discussion during a break in the hearing on the rise of extrajudicial killings on Thursday, September 15. The hearing focused on several allegations made by a certain Edgar Matobato, who claimed that as a member of the Davao Death Squad to have taken part in various killings of suspected criminals and local critics – estimated to be 1,000 – from 1988 to 2013. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo
by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
More expected to be freed, ASG breaks into smaller groups by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
JIHADIST group the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has released at least six hostages over the weekend with more expected to be freed. The first who was freed was Kjartan Sekkingstad, a Norwegian who had been held captive for a year. He was released on Saturday, September 17 after the ASG reportedly received $638,000 (P30 million) in ransom. One day later, the ASG released three Indonesian hostages identified as Lorence Koten, Theorus Kopong and Emanuel Arakain, whom were abducted from the Sabah state in Malaysia in July. They also released two Filipino captives, Daniela Taruc and Levy Gonzalez that evening. Chief of Western Mindanao Command Lt. General Mayoralgo dela Cruz told Inquirer that operations in regions with ASG presence have pressured the group to release more hostages. “We are not stopping until they are destroyed. We have a strong mandate to destroy these bandits and more hostages are released,” dela Cruz said. Abducted for ransom On September 21, 2015, the ASG — who has been linked to the Islamic State (IS) —abducted Sekkingstad, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and Fili-
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IN an unprecedented move on Monday, September 19, the Philippine Senate ousted Senator Leila De Lima as the chair of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, following the 16-4 vote to declare the chairmanship, as well as the membership of the committee, vacant. Senator Richard Gordon replaced De Lima as the new chair of the committee and Senator Panfilo Lacson was appointed as its vice chair.
The justice committee was the one in charge of the investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings in relation to the present administration’s war against illegal drugs. It was Senator Manny Pacquiao who made the motion after Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, a staunch ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, delivered a privilege speech. In his speech, Cayetano defended the government’s effort to fight crime and corruption, hitting De Lima for being “biased.” “When she got here to the Senate and got the committee,
she refused to be neutral... Let someone else chair it. In my past speeches, I’m not asking that she will be removed from the Committee on Justice, [but] only from certain hearings where we cannot expect cold neutrality,” he said. However, Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon objected to the motion, stating that it has “no basis,” prompting Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III to suspend the session and call for a caucus. When the session resumed, the objection was seconded by
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TIME illustrates dark side of the Philippines’ drug war
The cover — which reads “Night falls on the Philippines: The tragic cost of President PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s Duterte’s war on drugs — feaviolent crackdown on the illegal tures a striking image of the dead drug trade has received inter- body of a suspected drug dealer. The article, written by Rishi national attention since his enIyengar, discusses the administrance into office on June 30. The latest probe comes from tration’s illegal drug crackdown, the Asia edition of the renowned pointing out Duterte’s unconvenTIME magazine which examines tional leadership style that borthe toll of Duterte’s campaign ders on “authoritarian.” Iyengar and his vow to eliminate illegal doesn’t shy away from capturing the human toll of the carnage that drugs from the country. by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
has killed more than 3,000 Filipinos, half of which were killed by vigilantes. Iyengar includes the thoughts of those that support Duterte’s call, including one man from Cebu who trusts Duterte to “straighten out” the drug dealers. On the other hand, Iyengar includes the criticisms of those who distrust Duterte’s policies, like Philippine Senator Leila de
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PH House body drops use of ‘extrajudicial killings’ tigation.” House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu raised the MEMBERS of the House of matter during a committee hearRepresentatives’ Committee on ing, and asked if judicial killing Public Order and Safety agreed is even a practice in the Philiplast week to drop the use of term pines. “extrajudicial killings’ to refer to “I am really curious what the the deaths of drug suspects in the definition of extrajudicial killing government’s campaign against is because extrajudicial would illegal drugs, pointing out that mean outside of the parameters there is no “judicial killing,” or of a judicial killing,” Garcia said. death penalty, in the country. Quoting Wikipedia, the onThe House panel will instead line encyclopedia, Garcia said use the term “death under inves- extrajudicial killing was defined by ANGELA
BALLESTEROS ManilaTimes.net
House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia
1
as “the killing, mainly politically motivated, of a person by governmental authorities or dominant political groups without the sanction of any judicial proceeding or legal process.” “And therefore right now, we don’t have the death penalty in the Philippines. How could we have such a thing as a judicial killing? And yet it is now so commonly used, that even in the Senate, there was an investigation conducted by the Committee on
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A SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Duterte: We need US to protect sea…
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by the Moros as it colonized the Philippines 100 years ago. “I never said get out of the Philippines, for after all, we need them there in the China Sea. We don’t have armaments,” he said. He added that the Philippines would not be ready to go to war with China anytime soon, and he would not want it, because a war with China would be a “massacre.” The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, acting on
the Philippines’ complaint, earlier invalidated Beijing’s claim to almost the whole of the South China Sea. China, though, has refused to recognize the ruling. The President is seeking bilateral talks with China over the issue, and has said that he would insist that discussions between the two countries be based on the decision. But even as he said that the Philippines needed the US, Mr. Duterte said the Americans have
always looked down on the Philippines. “I really do not know what’s wrong with these Americans. They look at us as if we’re lowly,” he said. He repeated his earlier lament over the FA-50 jets the country had acquired, which he said did not have missiles. He said the Philippines had bought them from South Korea, but these were made with
reliable information” and was subject to “psychological pressure” with threats to behead him. He described the past year as “devastating” and added that he was treated “like a slave.”’ “I am very happy to be alive and free. It’s a beautiful feeling,” Sekkingstad said in a press conference, where President Rodrigo Duterte was in attendance. The Indonesian hostages were
abducted from the Sabah state of Malaysia in July. The two Filipino captives — who are subcontractors for a Telecom company — were taken from the town of Patikul in the Sulu province on August 6. A resident recovered them and brought them to a military hospital in Jolo. The Moro National Libera-
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Abu Sayyaf Group releases hostages…
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pina Tess Flor while from a resort on Samal Island in Mindanao. Media reports said that ASG demanded $6.3 million ransom by April 25 for each hostage. Ridsdel was murdered in April, Hall was beheaded in June and Flor was released on June 24. Sekkingstad, 56, said that he was “always kept in the dark and given misinformation, like, not
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APPEAL FOR PLEA BARGAINING. Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta and PAO lawyers show copies of the petition their filed at the Supreme Court asking the tribunal to declare as unconstitutional Section 23 of RA 9165 which prohibits plea bargaining for personals facing drug offenses. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo
De Lima ousted as Senate…
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Senator Risa Hontiveros. Pimentel then decided to divide the chamber and made the roll call vote. Among those who agreed with the motion were Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Cayetano, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Lacson, Loren Legarda, Pacquiao, Pimentel, Grace Poe, Sotto, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. “If we’re talking about the majority members of the Senate, we did not conspire to oust de Lima, but rather, merely reacted to the events,” Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III told DZMM on Tuesday, Sept. 20. He added, “Not all of us are pro-Duterte. We do not want that because the Senate should be independent, but not necessarily an enemy of the Palace… Nothing will be gained from being enemies.” Sotto also assured that the investigation on drug-related killings will continue even after De Lima has vacated the seat. Meanwhile, Senators Drilon, Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan voted against the
motion. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Senator Ralph Recto, on the other hand, abstained. ‘Duterte behind my ousting’ “I have no doubt that the president is involved in this. It’s impossible that the president has no hand in this,” De Lima told GMA News hours after she was removed as the chairperson of the justice committee, adding that she “anticipated the decision based on his statements.” Edgar Matobato testified last week that he killed several individuals on Duterte’s orders when the president was still the mayor of Davao City. These allegations infuriated the president, according to the senator. In an ambush interview in Davao City, Duterte said he will not intervene with the events happening inside Congress. “I do not intervene or dwell into matters not part of my territory,” the chief executive expressed. He added that he doesn’t care how many hearings are there as long as he remains focused on his job. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also denied De Lima’s accusations, stating that the Senate is independent of the executive branch. “It’s a separate branch of gov-
ernment so we leave things to its leadership,” Andanar messaged reporters. ‘I will not attend ‘sham’ House probe’ De Lima also maintained that she will not attend this week’s “sham” congressional probe on the alleged illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still the justice chief. Last month, Duterte released a ‘drug matrix’ showing alleged links between De Lima and several others involved in illegal drug activities at the prison during the previous administration. She said that witnesses or any evidence presented against her are “not true.” “They all hold grudges against me because of the raids I conducted before so their allegations are not true,” she added. According to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, at least 30 witnesses, including National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) personnel and high-profile inmates Herbert “Ampang” Colangco and Noel Martinez, agreed to testify. “I’m not a coddler of drugs lords and I didn’t receive anything from anyone…They have different versions of stories. They fall into their own nets because of their different versions of stories,” De Lima expressed. n
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From the Front Page
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016
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Duterte: We need US to protect sea… PAGE A2 t
US technology. The Philippines could not have acquired the jets without US consent, he said. Earlier, Mr. Duterte had railed against the US for planning to discuss the human rights situation in the country with him, and said the Philippines was no longer a vassal state. But he subsequently said the Philippines would not cut ties with its close allies.
Meanwhile, Mr. Duterte also said the Philippines was receiving offers for anti-terrorism equipment from China and Israel. Regarding intelligence equipment, the country would have to be careful and ensure that it would get only from trusted sources, said Duterte. “There will be at least one or two sources for our intelligence equipment. We just can’t buy these anywhere, because they’re
listening to us,” he said. “There are about two countries where we are safe. They are allies,” he added. But he did not identify these two countries. When it came to firepower, the Philippines could get cheap ones from other countries, he said. Mr. Duterte also promised to arm all soldiers with a Glock pistol as sidearms. His announcement was met with applause. n
TIME illustrates dark side of…
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Lima who sees the current climate of the government as a “slippery slope toward tyranny.” The human rights concerns of the escalated killings have also become a top international concern, for which Duterte has received much criticism. Iyengar also takes a street-level view of the drug war, implementing personal stories from those directly affected by the crackdown. “The poor in the barangays — as the smallest units of municipal organization in the Philippines are called — pay the highest
price,” Iyengar wrote. “In these impoverished communities, children play beside open sewers, families often share one room, and, for a few people, shabu (methamphetamine) is an open escape — both psychologically and financially.” This isn’t the first time that TIME has highlighted Duterte and his controversial drug policies. The president also graced the cover of the magazine’s May 23 issue in which they dub him “The Punisher.” More time required On Sunday, September 18,
Duterte announced that he would need more time to fulfill his promise to eradicate illegal drugs from the Philippines. Despite previously saying he’ll continue the raids “until the last pusher is out of the streets” the ALL ACCOUNTED FOR. A police officer makes a head count of the more than a hundred drug suspects who surrendered under “Oplan president indicated that he needTokhang” in Quezon City. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan ed up to six months. “That self-imposed time of three to six months, well, I did not realize how severe and how serious the problem of drug menace capital punishment. summary execution. May we ask [is] in this republic until I became PAGE A1 t “So such a judicial proceed- what is the stand of the PNP on Justice as regards extrajudicial President,” Duterte said. ing or process is possible, the this? Does it condone extrajudiHe reportedly added: “The prob- killing,” she said. United Nation bodies have in- condition is possible. But here in cial killings?” asked Castelo. lem is… I can’t kill them all.” n terchangeably used the terms the Philippines, there is no such PNP Director for Plans Lazarus “extrajudicial execution,” “sum- possibility because we do not Vargas said the police never used mary execution” and “arbitrary have the death penalty,” Garcia the term “extrajudicial killings” execution” to refer to intentional argued. to describe the deaths of drug The lawmaker then moved suspects during police operamurders of crime suspects by to adopt the terminology of the tions or in the hands of unknown law enforcers. In a 2009 report to the UN Gen- Philippine National Police (PNP), groups. eral Assembly, UN Special Rap- which is “death under investiga“We use the term death under porteur Philip Alston said: “After tion,” “to put things in proper investigation because as you’ve conducting extensive interviews perspective and correctly define earlier said there is no such in Manila, Baguio, and Davao, he the issue.” thing as extrajudicial killing. We Members of the committee, did not define it. It is used by (Alston) reported that extrajudicial executions were widespread, headed by Antipolo Rep. Romeo organizations outside the PNP. and included government sanc- Acop, agreed. It did not come from us,” said The use of the term extrajudi- Vargas. tioned killings of members of civil society groups, and vigilante cial killing was earlier raised by Chief Supt. Camilo Pancratius killings of suspected criminals by Quezon City Rep. Winston Cas- Cascolan, acting director of the telo. a death squad in Davao.” PNP directorate for operations, “The most controversial fea- said there were 1,571 deaths No death penalty Garcia said the term only ap- ture of that campaign is the so- under investigation, but not all plied to countries that impose called extrajudicial killings or drug-related. n
PH House body drops use of…
Coalition of nonprofits encourages AAPI… PAGE A1 t workshop. “I wasn’t earning enough for the filing fee, so I had to wait.” Many people who need immigration services cannot afford them, according to Jennifer Ganata, a staff attorney for the inner city law center who was volunteering on Saturday on behalf of the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC). She told the Asian Journal that the citizenship event and similar immigration workshops hosted year-round by organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice–LA (Advancing Justice–LA) allow eligible applicants to get answers to important questions from qualified attorneys. “Maganda na meron silang ganito, dahil ina-assist nila kami, natutulungan kami kung papaano ang talagang pag fill-up nang forms (It’s good they have [events] like this to assist us and teach us how to properly fill out the forms),” said applicant Priscilla Mencia. “Sa tulong nila ... madali lang (With their help, the process is fast).” The intricacy of the paperwork required for naturalization
Filipino immigrants get citizenship advice
can make the process difficult to approach alone for not just those learning English, but fluent speakers of the language as well, according to Lawrence Shih, the assistant field deputy for County Supervisor Hilda Solis. He recalled having an unexpectedly hard time filling out forms for a former patient when he was working with the Department of Public Health. “I needed to get help from USCIS…it took me weeks to figure out who to contact,” said Shih during a press event amidst
AJPress photo by Eric Anthony Licas
Saturday’s workshop. “If it took me that much time to figure out, imagine what it must be like for other people.” In the past, members of the immigrant community were known to face covert discrimination from authorities, according to the Los Angeles Community College Board Vice President Mike Eng. “Immigration officials colluded to muffle their words together, making it harder for applicants to pass the citizenship test,” said Eng on Saturday.
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Abu Sayyaf Group releases hostages…
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tion Front (MNLF) rebel group, which is undergoing peace talks with the government, confirmed that they assisted in the release of Sekkingstad and three Indonesians. ASG breaks up into smaller groups To avoid pressure from increasing government operations, the ASG has made moves to deflect the offensives, accord-
ing to a spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “The groups have separated into smaller groups and many of the kidnap victims are held by the smaller groups, and we hope to bring fruition to our efforts by a more intense and more focused operation that is still in the offing,” Brigade Gen. Restituto Padilla told the media. Padilla added that more hos-
tages are expected to be freed soon due to mounting pressure from government troops. Still in captivity are 12 foreign hostages and four “locals.” “Based on our monitoring and our feedback from the field, we believe that most of these hostages are still in good condition and that’s what we are aiming to accomplish, to rescue them or recover them safely,” Padilla said. n
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Dateline USa
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Palace urges Pinoys in NY to ‘remain vigilant’ after blast
district,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement. Andanar said the Philippine DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday, Sept. Consulate General in New York 18 advised Filipinos in New York was closely monitoring the situ“to remain calm and vigilant” af- ation. “As authorities begin to invester an explosion in the crowded tigate, the Philippine Consulate Chelsea neighborhood. “We are deeply saddened by General in New York continues the New York explosion that to monitor the situation closely,” left scores injured in Chelsea he said. by Nestor
Corrales Inquirer.net
New York City is home to thousands of Filipino migrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). “We advise Filipinos living in the area to remain calm and vigilant as we wait for further developments,” Andanar said. New York authorities said at least 29 people were injured in the explosion while the cause of the blast remains unknown. n
Several Filipino kids become US citizens in LA ceremony LOS ANGELES — More than 80 young people including several Filipino children became U.S. citizens during a ceremony in honor of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on Friday, Sept. 16 at the Mark Taper Auditorium of the Los Angeles Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) gave U.S. citizenship certificates to children and youth ages 9 months to 15 years old, who immigrated from countries including Armenia, Bangladesh, Burma, China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Gabrielle and her father, Charlie de Guzman at her citizenship oath-taking. Ukraine and Vietnam. Photo by Hiyasmin Quijano
CALL TO END ‘ENDO.’ On Monday, Sept. 19, Senator Joel Villanueva has expressed his support to the call of labor groups to end contractualization and outsourcing, and ensure security of tenure. Under the scorching heat, Senator Villanueva talked with the leaders of Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Partido Manggagawa and other labor groups to discuss their plight. Senate photo
“I can get my passport and I can travel,” said 12-year-old Gabrielle De Guzman upon receiving her citizenship certificate. The USCIS indicated that the majority of the children and youths obtained U.S. citizenship through their parents. A few among the 80 received citizenship after being adopted by U.S. citizens. “It doesn’t require much in terms of speaking in English, it
is easy to apply as long as I was a U.S. citizen,” stated Charlie De Guzman of the application for his daughter, Gabrielle. He filed for her last May. “You only need one parent to be a U.S. citizen. I paid $600 and that’s it after a threemonths process.” “After I got mine it was pretty easy,” said Rosemarie B. Navarro, who got a green card and eventually applied for citizenship after being hired by her U.S. employer who was looking for nurses in 2006.” “Together we are a nation united not by any one culture or ethnicity or ideology, but by the principles of opportunity, equality and liberty,” stated President Barack Obama in a USCIS congratulatory video message. “All of us are here because we
want to make sure that our children have an even better life than we did and we are so proud of everything you have achieved,” stated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as he congratulated parents who filled the auditorium. Garcetti mentioned that many more immigrants are eligible to apply for citizenship in Los Angeles. “There are 150,000 people who are legal permanent residents, who are not yet citizens just in the city of Los Angeles. That is roughly 1 in 11 people you see on the street who are eligible and not yet a citizen,” said Garcetti. Approximately 33,000 immigrants will become new U.S. citizens during the weeklong fulfillment of ceremonies by USCIS. (Inquirer.net)
Photo shows the inside of the East Los Angeles Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 17 for the Pan Asian Citizenship Event, where 12 nonprofit organizations conducted consultations for aspiring American citizens.
Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI) Executive Director Yey Coronel
AJPress photos by Eric Anthony Licas
Coalition of nonprofits encourages…
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Shih also warned of “unscrupulous individuals” who sought to take advantage of the immigrant community. He told the Asian Journal that anyone who suspects that they might be the victim of an imposter posing as an immigration attorney should request his or her bar number and cross reference it against state records. “Be careful of who you seek help from for your application,” said Yey Coronel, the executive director of the Filipino American Service Group Inc. (FASGI). “The information requested is very specific.” She recalled a past client who had been helped by a paralegal before coming to FASGI. She said the client was encouraged to submit unnecessary information that wound up complicating the process and raising questions from immigration officials. Coronel encourages people seeking citizenship to consult with Advancing Justice–LA, FAS-
GI, PWC, or one of many other non-profit organizations offering free or low-cost immigration services in the Los Angeles area. Their efforts, including campaigns like Citizenship Now!, play a valuable role in maintaining the transparency of, and access to the citizenship process, according to volunteers and activists at the event. “The most important thing for us is to make sure that every client has an opportunity to meet with an attorney, get their questions answered, and make sure their applications are free of error,” said Nasim Khansari, citizenship project director at Advancing Justice–LA. “We’re not turning anyone away.” Even if issues regarding an applicant’s travel history or criminal record make their case too complicated to handle at a workshop, they can still get help by contacting one of the nonprofit partners sponsoring the Citizenship Now! campaign. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJ Press)
24-year-old Filipina’s unexplained… PAGE A1 t otherwise “ LA County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina told local station NBC 4. There were no signs of gunshot or stab wounds, but police say strangulation or drug overdose are still possibilities, according to reporters for KCAL9. Fred Padrone, a family member who said he had known the deceased since she had emigrated from the Philippines, described
Salvador as “very lovely, funny. She was a very nice kid.” She had a boyfriend, who is cooperating with police. Investigators are currently going over footage taken from the surveillance systems of nearby homes. Anyone who might have information that might benefit their investigation is encouraged to call the LA County Sheriff’s Department’s homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Philippines, Cebu world’s worst for drivers
the globe. “Waze has more than 65 million monthly active users globally ANGELES CITY, Philippines in 185 countries,” the web navi— The Philippines remains one gation app said. “Waze chose to of the worst countries to drive in, focus on countries and metros while Cebu City is the most mis- with more than 20,000 monthly erable urban center on earth for active users to ensure data accuracy and fair market comparimotorists. This was the verdict of the 2016 sons. This document showcases global drivers satisfaction survey of navigation app Waze, which asked millions of Waze users in 38 countries and 186 metropolitan areas about their driving experience. Coming up with a single numeric score from satisfying (10) to miserable (1), the Waze Driver Satisfaction Index is based on six criteria: traffic density, road quality like high speed roads, road safety, driver services like SEPTEMBER SHOWERS. A boy living near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo enjoys an instant shower from recent overcast skies. Two typhoons access to gas stations and parkearly this week skipped Metro Manila but carried with them gusty winds and rain showers. Inquirer.net photo by Jilson Seckler Tiu ing, socio-economic like access to cars and gas price impact, and satisfaction with Waze. Out of the 38 countries surveyed, the Philippines ranked 37th, just a notch above El Salvador. By area, Cebu City landed at by Alexis RomeRo the bottom of 186 metros surPhilstar.com veyed, with the most miserable overall score of 1.15. Manila was 170th, with a sad SAYING he was shocked by the score of 3.68, along with Tel Aviv extent of the drug problem, Presin Israel. ident Duterte on Monday, Sept. The report revealed that while 19 asked for six more months to Cebu City got a miserable traffic put an end to the drug menace rating of 0.58, Manila hit bottom and criminality, setting aside a in traffic severity, as it got the promise that helped him achieve most miserable rating of 0.33. an overwhelming victory in the Waze explained that while 2016 polls. many traffic indices only look at Duterte, who vowed to end a single quantifiable factor, such drugs and curb crime in the first as time spent in traffic, its Drivsix months of his presidency, er Satisfaction Index measures said he had not expected the both qualitative and quantifiable drug problem to be so serious. Now he wants more time “to put President Rodrigo Duterte, who vowed to end drugs and curb crime in the first six months of attributes to get “an unprechis presidency, said he had not expected the drug problem to be so serious. Now he wants edented look” at what motorists everything in order.” Philstar.com/File photo go through in different parts of “Just give me a little exten- more time “to put everything in order.” sion of maybe another six said his administration is trying months. I did not have any idea its best to address kidnapping, that there were hundreds of terrorism, drugs and other secuthousands already in the drug rity concerns. business,” Duterte said in a “That self-imposed time of press conference in Davao City three to six months, I did not last night. realize how severe the problem “What makes it worse,” he of the drug menace is in this resaid, is that “people in govern- public until I became president,” ment” are now running the drug Duterte said. trafficking operations. He said his war on drugs had Duterte, whose tough stance opened a can of worms. on crime enabled him to win by a “Nobody would believe there landslide with 16.6 million votes, u PAGE A7 by Ding
CeRvAntes Philstar.com
Duterte wants 6 more months for war on drugs, crime
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the data that was collected.” Of the 186 metros surveyed, topping the list were France’s urban cities Valence, with the highest index rating of 8.81; Tours, 8.43; Lemans, 8.39; and Saint Etienne, 8.25. Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, whose locality ranked
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A SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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OpiniOn
Features
Denouncement
OVER the past three months, more than 3,000 suspected drug dealers and traffickers have been killed amidst the Philippine government’s current bloody war against drugs. More than 600,00 others— mostly drug users—have surrendered to authorities for fear that they might be next on the “Kill List.” Officials said there are about 3.7 million drug addicts in the country, a figure that they said reflects a problem of “epidemic proportions.” “I didn’t realize how severe and how serious the problem of drug menace in this republic (was) until I became president,” President Rodrigo Duterte said. Shocked by the extent of the drug menace in the country, Duterte pleaded for six more months to fulfill his earlier promise to end the drug problem and criminality in the country. Of this staggering death toll, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has only accounted for 1,167 deaths after 18,814 operations from July 1 to September 20. The others—alleged to be involved also in drug-related crimes—were killed in summary executions by vigilantes. To strengthen the accountability of law enforcers and to institute corrective legislative measures to ensure full respect for basic human rights, Sen. Leila De Lima filed Senate Resolution 9 to seek an inquiry into the rising number of extrajudicial killings and summary executions of suspected criminals. “Extrajudicial or summary killing is homicide. Carried out premeditatedly and in conspiracy with other public authorities, it becomes mass murder, which, if left unabated and unchecked, can esca-
late into a crime against humanity under international law,” De Lima said in her resolution. During a Senate hearing last week, a witness who claimed to be a former member of the vigilante Davao Death Squad, accused then-Davao City Mayor Duterte of ordering his criminals and enemies killed. Edgar Matobato also revealed that Duterte ordered to ambush De Lima in 2009, when the latter was still the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. Because of her apparent opposition to the current administration and, De Lima has stumbled upon a legal quagmire of acrimony and fingerpointing. On Monday, Sept. 19, De Lima accused by fellow Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano of “destroying the integrity and reputation” of the Senate by being supposedly biased against Duterte. She was then ousted as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which is investigating the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug criminals. In her privilege speech on Tuesday, Sept. 20, De Lima defended herself and maintained that she was only doing her job as a senator. “Mr. President, I am not the problem. I am not the one giving a bad image to this country before
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
the international media, contrary to the accusation and belief of Senator Cayetano. The problem of this country and this administration is the extra-judicial killing of more than 3,000 of our countrymen in the past three months, or more than a thousand per month,” De Lima said. No matter what side Filipinos are on, they must not miss the point. There are more than 2,000 unaccounted deaths since the recent drug war was
launched. There were lives that were wasted and were deprived of their human rights only because of their alleged connection with drugs. Though it may also seem as a continuous argument, this political travail will contribute to a to a more forthright national consciousness. Every riveting detail that will be exposed for the public to absorb will bring Filipinos to a level political sophistication. (AJPress)
De Lima should have inhibited herself in Senate Justice Committee probe SENATOR Leila de Lima should not have been ousted, but instead, should have inhibited herself from being chairman of the Senate Justice Committee even before any hearing started. After all, she has also been accused of being part of the drug syndicate while she was still justice secretary during Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s term. This writer presents this opinion not because of what the pro-Duterte senators who voted to strip De Lima of that power, which she allegedly used to smear President Rodrigo Duterte’s name and leadership. De Lima should have inhibited herself from presiding over any hearings and investigations in the Senate Justice Committee because of delicadeza. Even before the presentation of the star witness Edgar Matobato — a self-confessed hitman who testified last week that Duterte ordered death squad killings when the latter was still Davao mayor — there were already doubts about De Lima’s impartiality in presiding over drug-related cases in the Senate. Especially so, since she could
But this writer believes the be the subject of the investigation integrity of the Senate should because of her alleged involvesupersede De Lima’s right to ment in the drug cartels inside The Fil-Am be chairman, if only to keep the New Bilibid Prison while she was Perspective Filipino people’s faith in it as an DOJ chief. august body investigating these De Lima’s inhibiting herself in cases. This would even earn the presiding over these cases would respect of doubters who think not mean she was guilty of the acshe is already guilty. cusations fired against her by no Gel SantoS-ReloS HOWEVER, on the flip side less than Pres. Duterte himself, as she had been among the most outspoken critics of this issue, critics of the Duterte administraof the president. She was, after all, the one who tion believe this move of “demoting” De Lima initiated the probe into Duterte’s savage cam- could have just robbed the Senate of its indepaign to kill drug users and drug dealers with pendence in objectively hearing cases against Duterte’s alleged human rights violations in his little, if any, due process. De Lima should be presumed innocent un- war against drugs. An international human rights group already til proven guilty in court, a principle stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights spoke out against the ouster of Lima. As ABS-CBN News reported, New York— which she has been fighting for on behalf of those 3,000+ people who could have been killed based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the without due process and in violation of the rule Senate should seek de Lima’s reinstatement as chair of the committee on Justice and Huof law.
man Rights. “The Senate vote to remove the chair of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights is a craven attempt to derail accountability for the appalling death toll from President Duterte’s abusive ‘war on drugs,’” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at HRW. Kine contended that the Senate “is imperiling the Philippine public by covering up allegations of state-sanctioned murder rather than exposing them.” THE BOTTOM LINE IS: the truth should come out of the hearings for the good of the Filipino people. Should De Lima be reinstated as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are 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
Why is the Philippine government trying to destabilize itself?
BETWEEN Sen. Leila de Lima’s ouster Opinion as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which is investigating extrajudicial drug killings, and Communications Secretary FRanciSco tatad Martin Andanar’s revelation that some Filipino-Americans in New York are planning to oust President Rodrigo Duterte by January next year, we have reason to believe that political instability has scored a big win. De Lima’s ouster is unprecedented, so is Andanar’s extraordinary announcement. Last week, the Senate successfully aborted what threatened to be a bar room brawl between Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes 4th at the committee hearing on the drug killings. After the committee chair De Lima called her surprise witness to testify and Edgar Matobato, who claimed to be a former member of the Davao Death Squad, began talking of the alleged killings which DU30 had supposedly ordered when he was still mayor of Davao City, Cayetano questioned de Lima’s motive in calling the witness and also his credibility. Trillanes tried to bamboozle Cayetano, saying he was not a member of the committee and had already taken more time than necessary. Trillanes apparently forgot that the Rules of the Senate do not bar non-committee members from participating in committee hearings; the only thing they may not do is sign the committee report. In any case, fisticuffs or anything similar, which appeared imminent, were averted when Cayetano, who had been seated next to Trilllanes, moved away. De Lima ousted as committee chair In an obvious effort to counter the ef-
fects of the Matobato allegations, DU30’s supporters in the House of Representatives moved to fast-track their own inquiry into allegations that de Lima had been coddling drug lords in the New Bilibid Prisons while she was President B. S. Aquino 3rd’s Justice secretary. Current Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre was reported to have promised full immunity to all Bilibid inmates who would testify against de Lima. But the prospect of de Lima continuing the Senate inquiry while DU30’s protectors in the House pounce on her for her alleged drug dealing while she was still Justice secretary quickly vanished on Monday after the Senate acted on a motion by world boxing champion-Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is also from Mindanao, to reorganize the Justice committee, and named Richard Gordon chairman in lieu of de Lima. This has not happened before. Something similar but not quite the same The closest to this incident was what happened in the Senate in 1994. In the run-up to the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, where the Senate was expected to nominate one of its members to be part of the Philippine delegation, the Senate had a change of leadership during which committee chairmanships were distributed among the senators. There were three woman senators at the time, but not one of them wanted to chair the Committee on Women. Neither did the lone male senator whom the press and the gender feminists called “honorary woman” want the chair. So the committee ended without any chair. In order to allow the committee to function, the Senate President asked
me, who was the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Senate Majority Leader, to temporarily take over Women. Under the Rules of the Senate, the Rules Committee chair and Majority Leader is a member of all the committees and may not chair any of them. But because of the existing exigency, we had to suspend the Rules. I did not believe in contraception, abortion or divorce and, like St. Pope John Paul II, was labelled by the feminists as a “woman hater.” So I was the wrong person to chair Women. So as soon as I accepted the chairmanship, a group of feminists demanded that I give it up at once. They obviously feared that if I stayed, I would end up going to Cairo to represent Women, but since my views were diametrically opposed to theirs, I would be working against their cause. Pickets erupted in some universities and around the Senate premises. I refused to yield to the pressure, saying I did not ask for the committee and took it only at the behest of the Senate President, because none of the woman senators would take it. It was a matter of principle. Unable to make me budge, they moved to reorganize the entire Senate by deposing the Senate President. Once that was done, they moved to change all the committee chairmanships, and finally installed a woman-senator as chair of Women. In the present instance, Sen. Koko Pimentel remains Senate president; only de Lima has been replaced from her committee, of which she remains a member. What happens to the inquiry? Does this mean the end of the committee inquiry? Not necessarily. DU30 finally broke his silence on the Matobato testimony on Monday, and dismissed it as “all lies.” With DU30 saying he needs another six months to wrap up his controversial war on drugs, the few re-
maining independent-minded senators might insist on keeping a tight watch on the conduct of the “war.” Gordon’s style may be completely different from de Lima’s, but he is no DU30 sycophant and may be expected to be non-partisan. Gordon says he has been misquoted in his reported proposal that Congress allow DU30 to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to go after drug suspects. Under the Constitution, the President may suspend the privilege in case of invasion and rebellion, and when the public safety requires it. The senator has promised to send me a full clarification of his position, it must be in transit. No one expects de Lima to fold up just because she had lost her chairmanship, and is now at the receiving end in a House inquiry run by DU30’s supporters. “The fight is far from over,” she declares. She appears determined to pursue the Matobato allegations, by filing a separate resolution calling for an investigation of the alleged DDS killings during DU30’s mayorship of Davao, before the start of the ongoing anti-narcotics war, which has already killed close to 3,000 drug dealers. The bad and the good from the Senate action De Lima’s ouster is a clear political victory for DU30, but one which could embitter his critics around the world. The next round of editorial comments from TIME, The New York Times, The Economist, The Guardian and the rest of the lot can be expected to be a severe chastisement of DU30’s defenders. But in a sense, this development saves the Senate from committing the same mistake it committed against then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada in 2000. At the time, Senate Majority Leader Teofisto Guingona delivered his “I accuse” speech against Estrada on the
floor of the Senate, with a request that it be referred to the blue ribbon committee. As Senate Majority Leader, I referred the speech to the committee, chaired by Aquilino Pimentel Jr., as a matter of course. Under the Rules of the Senate, the members of the committee should meet to decide what action to take on anything that has been referred to it. But instead of convening the committee, the chairman decided on his own to investigate the charges and quickly scheduled the first hearing. I went to the hearing to point out to the chair that under the doctrine of separation of powers and checks and balances, the Congress had no power to investigate a sitting President unless he had been impeached by the House and was already under investigation by the Senate. My plea fell on deaf ears, and when I raised the issue at the plenary session, I found myself alone, except for Miriam Defensor-Santiago supporting my position. Everybody else wanted to investigate the President. In fact, Sen. Rene Cayetano, who was chairman of the justice committee, which had nothing to do with the issue at hand, decided on his own to co-chair the hearing with Pimentel, without the Senate instructing his committee, through any motion from me, to be part of the hearing. A similar situation appears to have arisen in the case of the Matobato allegations. Although the alleged death squad killings were reportedly ordered by the mayor of Davao so many years ago, that mayor is now the President of the Philippines, and he may not be investigated by Congress outside of an impeachment proceeding. He may also not be criminally charged in court, unless he has been removed in an impeachment trial. In that sense, de Lima’s loss of her chairmanship and the possible archiving of the Matobato ac-
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016
A
Duterte wants 6 more months…
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are about 700,000 new guys in the drug business who surrendered to the police and military,” he said. Duterte has promised to bare a new list of about 1,000 government employees involved in illegal drugs. “The problem is I can’t kill them all,” the President said. “Even if I wanted to, I can’t kill them all because the last report would be this thick.” Duterte said prominent on the list are barangay or village chiefs who are conniving with or extending assistance to terrorists and drug lords. The prevalence of village offi-
cials with connections to illegal drugs, he added, is the main reason why he is in favor of postponing the barangay polls. “We have narco-politicians in the lowest government unit, which is the barangay. That will be the start of maybe our perdition and agony,” the President said. “I receive reports from the military, police and the validation of PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency). The list is there before me about two months ago but I ordered revalidation just to make sure,” he added. Duterte said policemen are no longer allowed to serve as body-
guards of barangay captains to “defang” village officials who are into illegal drugs. “If you’re afraid of being killed in rural areas with NPAs (New People’s Army), don’t run for public office. Find another occupation,” he said. Officials said there are about 3.7 million drug addicts in the Philippines, a figure that they said reflects a problem of “epidemic proportions.” To address the problem, Duterte declared a brutal war against drugs, a campaign that has so far claimed the lives of about 3,000 suspected drug offenders. n
Philippines, Cebu world’s worst for… PAGE A5 t
147th in the Waze survey with a middle index rating of 4.55, was neither convinced about nor impressed with the navigation app’s survey. “We found out that it’s their own analysis. It’s not even a survey. It’s plain data and that is
that,” Pamintuan said. “We cannot say that Cebu City is the worst in the world in terms of traffic situation. I cannot claim that Angeles City’s traffic is better than that of Rio de Janeiro, Honolulu, Quito, Kota Kinabalu, Singapore and Tel Aviv. That would be stretching the data too far. There
are 4,416 cities worldwide and the Waze showed only the WDSI for 186 cities. To say that Cebu or Manila or Angeles are among the worst relative to traffic is incorrect, to say the least. Perhaps if they could present data for all the cities, then we can arrive at a more realistic conclusion.” n
Why is the Philippine govern…
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cusations, unpalatable as they may seem, have a positive effect in upholding the separation of powers. The govt’s main problem DU30’s main problem is no longer De Lima but his own government’s careless announcements that there is an active plot to remove him from office or to kill him. Between PNP chief Bato de la Rosa’s announcement that the drug lords are out to kill him, and Martin Andanar’s revelation that some Filipino-Americans are planning to oust him, plus DU30’s own intimations about his own mortality, we get the feeling that there is a conscious and deliberate effort on the part of the DU30 government to destabilize itself. Why is this happening? The risk of assassination is part of the territory, but being removed after less than three months in office seems completely unprecedented, unless he has started frothing at the mouth and climbing walls and has been certified by majority of his Cabinet as being unfit to discharge his duties. Not everyone is enamored of DU30, but everyone seems scared of the alternative if he disappears. One remembers the story of the monarch who ruled with an iron hand and caused great suffering among his people. Yet he went around wining and wenching in the evenings without regard to his personal safety. Asked if he did not fear for his life, he said, there was no one in his kingdom mad enough to kill him in order to install his brother who was a complete nut. The alternative to DU30 A similar situation arose during the most trying days of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when
the former President Corazon Arroyo led a group of bishops to ask her to remove herself from Malacanang. Not a few people seemed to favor GMA’s removal, but not even those who hated her could not imagine the country under a President Noli de Castro, her constitutional successor. Even de Castro himself seemed to share the same sentiment–he rejected all suggestions that he run for President in 2010. We probably have a worse problem. Those who are mortified every time they hear all sorts of expletives from DU30 just cannot imagine themselves being led by a President Leni Robredo, whose “election” as Vice President is not believed by many and officially protested by former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, and who has managed to say all sorts of inanities on important national issues. In Memoriam. Archbishop Emeritus Carmelo Morelos, D.D., bishop of Butuan for 27 years, archbishop of Zamboanga for 12, and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines for four, who died in the peace of Christ last Saturday, will be interred at the Zamboanga Cathedral, after a solemn funeral Mass officiated by his brethren in the episcopate and clergy this morning. Born on December 11, 1930, he was ordained as a priest at 24, and as bishop at 37, one of the youngest (if not indeed the youngest) among bishops. He was a kind, cheerful and holy priest who loved the poor and God’s faithful. He spent his last days in the care and friendship of his successor Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz, who asked him to transfer from his retirement home in Butuan to the Cathedral, which he had built as Archbishop. I ask the gentle reader to remember him in their prayers. Thank you very much. (fstatad@gmail.com)
COASTAL CLEAN-UP. Members of the Philippine Coast Guard hold a clean-up drive in Manila Bay as part of activities to mark the PCG’s 155th founding anniversary. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
Teddyboy Locsin named Philippine envoy to UN by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Former lawmaker and television host Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. has accepted his appointment as the Philippines’ ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Malacañang said Sunday, Sept. 18. Presidential Communications chief Martin Andanar said Locsin had accepted the appointment in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte at the chief executive’s official residence in Bahay Pangarap. “Former Congressman Teddyboy Locsin and I were in touch again last night (Sept. 17) and he said they indeed met at Bahay Pangarap. Congressman Locsin said he accepted the position as UN ambassador,” Andanar said in a text message. Locsin will assume the post as the Philippines is having an uneasy relationship with the UN over Duterte’s brutal crackdown on drug offenders. The UN has repeatedly expressed concerns over the spate of killings in the country, which is a direct result of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and crime. The statements drew the ire of Duterte, who called the international body “stupid” for supposedly failing to understand the seriousness of the drug problem in the Philippines. He also la-
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed that former Makat Rep. Teddyboy Locsin accepted the post as Philippine envoy to UN. Teddyboy Locsin/Facebook
beled UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon a “fool” for denouncing the supposed human rights violations in the country. The president even went as far as threatening to pull the Philippines out of the UN but later on claimed that he was just joking. Locsin will replace Philippines Permanent Representative to the UN Lourdes Yparraguirre. The former lawmaker is one of the hosts of the commentary program “#NoFilter” and a segment anchor of late night newscast “The World Tonight” on ABSCBN News Channel. He is also a columnist for business newspaper BusinessMirror. Locsin’s “#NoFilter” cohost Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, a well-known political analyst and professor of public admin-
istration at the University of the Philippines, was also appointed as commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education and adviser of the government peace panel on the negotiations with the National Democratic Front last week. Locsin served as representative of Makati’s 1st district from 2001 to 2010. He was also a presidential speech writer, legal counsel and press secretary of former President Corazon Aquino. In 2012, Locsin was nominated to replace Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was ousted after he was found guilty by an impeachment court of failing to fully disclose his assets. Then President Benigno Aquino III named Ma. Lourdes Sereno to the post. n
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BUSINESS& COMMUNITY
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016
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Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) at Jupiter Street, Makati.
Inquirer file photo/Raffy Lerma
and the gaming industry, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. told a Senate hearing on the proposed amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act as well as bank secrecy laws. “There are enforcement actions in place for which the bank has committed to fulfill and address concerns,” Espenilla said when asked by Sen. Francis G. Escudero, who chairs the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies, if the P1-billion fine slapped on RCBC was the “end” of the penalties it should face.
To recall, the BSP last month imposed the single-biggest monetary penalty on an erring financial institution in the country’s history in the wake of the Bangladesh Bank cyberheist. The BSP had said that RCBC’s penalty represented “the largest amount ever approved as part of its supervisory enforcement actions on a BSP-supervised financial institution.” The fine levied on RCBC marked a sharp departure from the BSP’s standard practice of imposing a legally mandated fine of P30,000 per violation per day
by Ben
O. de Vera Inquirer.net
BEFORE the end of this month, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) will file charges against officials of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in connection with the entry of money stolen from Bangladesh’s central bank last February, an official said Monday, Sept. 19. The Yuchengco-led bank will also be slapped nonmonetary penalties for insufficiently guarding against the $81-million money laundering scandal that shook the domestic financial system
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Greggy Araneta new Philweb chair by dOris
dumlaO-aBadilla Inquirer.net
GAMING technology service provider Philweb Corp. has named Gregorio “Greggy” Ma. Araneta III, son-in-law of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and a board member in the last two years, as its new chair. Araneta was elected to take the place of businessman Roberto Ongpin who had resigned as chair last month after finding himself “struck by lightning,” having been named by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as an “oligarch” whom he would bring down. In a disclosure to the Philippine Gregorio “Greggy” Ma. Araneta III
Stock Exchange on Monday, Philweb said Araneta was the second largest shareholder of the company and has been a director for a number of years. “In addition to his investment in the company, Mr. Araneta has various other business interests in property development and energy,” the disclosure said. Araneta has been an independent director of Philweb since May 2014. He has around 13 million common shares of Philweb under his name equivalent to a 0.91 percent stake, making him one of the largest individual shareholders in the company. n
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B SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
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PASCPA celebrates 30 years, honors aspiring CPAs with scholarships THIS year the Philippine American Society for Certified Public Accountants of LA (PASCPA-LA) is celebrating 30 years of serving the certified public accountants (CPAs) within the Filipino-American community. On September 24, the PASCPA is hosting its 2016 dinner dance, celebrating its 30 year anniversary as well as installing its officers, board and new members. The PASCPA 2016 Dinner Dance will be held at the Pickwick Gardens at 1001 Riverside Dr. in Burbank. The program begins at 6:30 p.m., but attendees may come early to mingle and network from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Guests must dress formally, and a $65 donation is required. The PASCPA-LA provides CPAs in the Filipino American community with tools to enhance the advancement of its members by encouraging education, fostering relationships and promoting the excellence of FilipinoAmerican CPA’s. Scholarships for aspiring CPAs The PASCPA-LA is a part of the national organization National Council of Philippine American Canadian Accountants (NCPACA), which just hosted its yearly convention earlier this month. On September 4, they honored the winners of the NCPACA 2016-2017 scholarship, which are awarded every year. Granted to both undergraduate and graduate students, the organization’s goal is to recognize exceptional students who exhibit strong commitment and promise in the accounting world, according to PASCPA-LA Presi-
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ABA honors business leaders in the Asian community
LOS ANGELES — Each year, the Asian Business Association (ABA) honors leaders in the Asian American business community. As a leading Asian business organization serving the business community, ABA also recognizes corporations who consistently support the Asian business community and provide opportunities for Asian American entrepreneurs to flourish. This year, the Asian Business Association will be celebrating its 40th Annual Awards Banquet presented by U.S. Bank, which will be held at the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood on Wednesday, September 28
Photos from PASCPA’s Luau celebration over the summer and the NCPACA convention in Seattle.
at 6:30 pm. Ms. Hetty Chang, an Emmy Award-winning reporter for NBC4 Southern California, will be the emcee of the night. “ABA’s eight founding members transformed a ‘wish list’ into a 40-year milestone of historic accomplishments,� said Lynne Choy Uyeda, ABA founder. “This is a testament to ABA’s leadership and benefactors.� Hundreds will gather to pay tribute to the significant and often unheralded contributions that Asian Americans are making in the business community and the Southern California economy. The awardees will be Harrison Tang, CEO of Spokeo for Tech-
nology Company of the Year; Young Lee, CEO of the Flame Broiler, Inc. for Franchise Company of the Year; and Chef John Hong, chef de cuisine at the Restaurant at Meadowood for Chef of the Year. AEG, Southern California Edison, Toyota, Union Bank and U.S. Bank will receive Odyssey Awards. Vicky Harper-Hall of Northrop Grumman will be honored with Advocate of the Year and Clayton Kodama of Gibo/Kodama Chairs with Member of the Year. “The Asian Business Association has a strong commitment to helping diverse Asian-Ameri-
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Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENT is 65 and recently widowed. Her husband was suddenly taken ill and was diagnosed with lung cancer even though he doesn’t smoke. Strange. Husband was in the pinnacle of good health, so it seemed. He had no known illness. His blood pressure was normal. He had no diabetes. He ate healthy, none of the greasy stuff. He was slim, not overweight, when all his friends were obese. He walked around their neighborhood every morning before he went to work as a scientist. He had a complete yearly check up provided free of charge by the large pharmaceutical company that he worked for the last 30 years. They have two children who are both professionals and doing well, with their own families. They have 3 grandchildren. Husband was a doting and dedicated grandfather. It seemed all was well and they were living the American dream, and looking forward to retiring next year. They still had a $600K mortgage on their house which was now worth $800K. The mortgage payment was $3,000 a month, which was not a problem. That’s quite reasonable. Even a rental would now cost $2,000 in Los Angeles. They bought the house 33 years ago for $250K and refinanced it several times. They cashed out for home improvements and to pay for their children’s college expenses. Husband’s salary of $10K a month, make their life quite comfortable with no financial worries. When they retire next year, he would get $2,500 in social security, and client would get $1,500. So, $4,000 a month in social security can pay the mortgage with tight budgeting, or if the decided to do so, they could sell their house and pocket $200K tax free, and perhaps downsize to a condo which they can pay cash for $300K, and taking a much reduced mortgage of $100K, paying $700 a month. Husband started coughing uncontrollably about 4 months ago. He had never coughed this way before. At first, they thought he was just having some kind of allergy, but he felt that this cough was different. He felt pain in his lungs when he coughed.
Community Journal
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016
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Senior seeks relief Calendar of Events across America from $40K credit cards Business owner seeks to discharge $100K credit cards used to buy business
He rushed to see his doctor who determined that he had a lump on his right lung the size of a tennis ball. A biopsy was done and it was cancer, stage 3 which had not yet spread to other parts of the body. He immediately went for chemotherapy but after a month, it was determined that the cancer cells had spread to his liver. From then on, things just started going downhill. Although the prognosis was that there was no problem curing the cancer, husband died last month. After the funeral, client started to get calls from credit cards of husband, collecting from client. Client pulled the credit report of husband and found out that he had $40K of credit card debt, which he did not disclose to her. The collectors told her that California was a community property state; therefore, she is equally liable as her deceased husband to pay for his cards. Somehow, they were able to get her phone number at work and started to call her at work. This was too much harassment for client. She asked me if she was liable for her husband’s credit cards. I said that she was unless they had a prenuptial agreement. I informed her that life changing events such as death and divorces usually create this kind of financial problem. In fact, husband’s creditors can sue husband’s estate then put a lien on the house and eventually sell their house to collect. I asked her if her husband had life insurance. She said just enough to pay for the funeral expenses. Client then opted to file a Chapter 7 case to discharge her liability for her husband’s credit cards. Since they held their house as joint tenants, upon husband’s death, client automatically owns the entire 100% of the house as husband’s share passes to her by operation of law under joint tenancy. The Chapter 7 will discharge the $40K of credit cards and protect her house at the same time so she can live her new chapter of life unhampered by debilitating debt left by her husband. In her plan for the future,
the following is apropos: “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs – 3:5. I mean, you can see, without our God’s direction, even if you think all is well, death is actually knocking at your door. Death comes like a thief in the night. By God, I refer to God the Father, Adonai, El Shaddai, El Elohim, Yahweh, Jehovah whose only and beloved Son, Jesus Christ, willingly died for us on the cross, to redeem us from the consequences of sin because He loved us so. Client’s husband is now in heaven with Jesus and God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. That certainly is a lot better option than spending an eternity of pain and suffering in hell with Lucifer, the evil one. Don’t you think so? I am so happy that our loving God and his beloved Son has given us this option. Even the world’s smartest man, Stephen Hawking, denies that God exists! Perhaps he’s not that smart after all. If he’s the world’s smartest man, how come he cannot heal himself of his disability? Because he is so smart, he denies the existence of his own creator. This is really sad that the greatest intellect in the world thinks he evolved from monkeys. But our God, in his infinite wisdom, created us with free will to choose for ourselves what we want. So you can choose to be a monkey’s descendant if you want to. Maybe someone should tell Trump that the world’s smartest man has concluded that Trump, just like the rest of us who don’t look like him, and who don’t have the “pelo de elote (corn hair) like he does is descended from apes. Oops, sorry did I say that, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, that’s not what I meant. I similarly rely on Trump’s excuse for his racist remarks. He loves everyone who doesn’t look like him, because after all, we’re all descendants of the same monkey; but wait, didn’t Trump also mock Mr. Kovaleski, a disabled reporter for the New York Times? I don’t know how this will sit with Mr. Hawking
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AAPA’s leadership symposium Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) for an all-day event from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with exceptional and diverse keynote speakers and panelists, as well as multiple workshops on diversity and leadership topics. The symposium is open to everyone, and will be held at the Pacific Palms Hotel, 1 Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744. For more information, please visit http://aapamentoring.com/.
S E P T E M B E R 24
PASCPA-Los Angeles dinner dance event Philippine American Society of Certified Public Accountants (PASCPA) is celebrating 30 years of promoting excellence for the future leaders! Join PASCPA on Saturday, Sept. 24 as it installs officers & board members and inducts new members of the organization. Networking will begin at 4:30 until 6:15 p.m. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at Pickwick Gardens, 1001 Riverside Dr., Burbank, CA 91506. Attire is formal and there will be no host bar. A donation of $65 is required. For more information, please visit http://pascpa.org/.
8th Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Region invites everyone to the 8th Regional Celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint. Festivities will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at this year’s host parish, Holy Family Church - Glendale (209 East Lomita Avenue, Glendale CA 91205). Procession starts at 4:30 PM , then Mass at 5:30 PM with Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, as Principal Celebrant. Reception , fellowship and program will immediately follow at the Holy Family Grade School Auditorium across the church. For more information, please contact Ping Bayani at(913) 558-4332 or bayani0950@yahoo.com.
Annual celebration of Sr.San Miguel Archangel The Association of Iligan City & Lanao del Norte of Southern California (AICLNSC) invites everyone, Iliganons, Lanaons and friends to come and celebrate the annual celebration in honor of Senior San Miguel de Archangel, Patron of Iligan City. The Diyandi 2016 Fiesta Celebration will be at Carson Park, 21411 South Orrick St., Carson, CA 90745 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a Holy Mass at 11:00 a.m. and followed by Sinulog/ Procession at 11:30 a.m. On September 24, 2016, a Dinner Dance/Induction of new set of Officers 2016-2018 to be held at St. Philomena Parish Hall, 21900 South Main St., Carson, CA 90745 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For details, please call Lenard Castillo (310) 8869374 or Edna Cabreros (562) 316-9541.
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Virgen de los Remedios Festivities at the Los Angeles Cathedral Thousands of Marian devotees all over Los Angeles will gather at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels for the Diamond Jubilee of Virgen de los Remedios Canonical Coronation on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. The Glendale High School Band, conducted by Grammy nominee Amy Rangel, will lead the afternoon procession participated by both Filipinos and Latinos in their traditional costumes. This will be followed by a Solemn High Mass with the joint choirs of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, St. Columban, Couples for Christ and the award winning Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Choir accompanied by musical artists from the Filipino American community. Everyone is invited to come and bring their Marian images. Organizations are asked to bring their banners for the procession to begin at the Cathedral Plaza. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels is located at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012-2707.
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White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders community town hall The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) Southwest Regional Network is holding an Asian American & Pacific Islander community town hall on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Las Vegas. Officials from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Department of Labor (DOL), Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and Social Security Administration (SSA) will present their agency’s overviews and answer your questions. The event is hosted by the Asian Community Development Council at 2610 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 3, Las Vegas, NV 89146. To RSVP, please register at www.whiaapiroundlasvegas. eventbrite.com.
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Bataan Legacy Historical Society multimedia presentation Bataan Legacy Historical Society, a non-profit educational 501(c)(3) organization, will hold a multimedia presentation at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, please visit www.bataanlegacy.org.
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Artisan Made Philippines’ pop-up event in Los Angeles Celebrate the start of Filipino-American Heritage Month with Artisan Made Philippines on Saturday, October 1, a pop-up event showcasing some of the best social enterprises emerging from the Philippines. The event will kick-off at 1 p.m. with an Eco Fashion Show featuring the beautiful pieces from each of the various collaborators such as Filip+Inna, Rags2Riches, and ANTHILL that are part of the Artisan Made Philippines Capsule Collection. After the fashion show, at 2 p.m., meet some of the founders at the Founders Fireside Chat and learn about the wonderful work that these organizations are doing in the Philippines to make a difference in the lives of artisans, indigenous tribes & women’s collectives. There will also be some surprise performances from various international artists during the event. Culminating the festivities is a VIP Kamayan Style Dinner with New York Timesfeatured Chef Yana Gilbuena, who will be creating a five-course meal using ingredients influenced by artisan-made and Indigenous Filipino tribes. The address of the venue in West Los Angeles (Marina Del Rey / Culver City / Venice area) will be provided to those who RSVP & revealed before the event. For general admission and VIP tickets, please visit: www.artisanmadeph.eventbrite.com.
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25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is proud to announce the date & venue for the anticipated Silver Anniversary edition of its annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. FPAC 25, the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), will take place Saturday, October 8 at the beautiful Echo Park Lake. Admission is FREE. The popular festival, the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event, is the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. Audiences can expect to enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. This year’s theme, “Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the FilAm Community,” lends its meaning to the Tagalog phrase which loosely translates to “diversity.” While certainly a hot topic in today’s society, FilAm Arts focuses on the vast contributions of Filipino American artists to the creative tapestry of the City. For more information, please visit www.filamarts.org or call 2133803722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts.org.
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Screenwriting seminar with Ricky Lee at the International Film Festival Manhattan Filipino scriptwriter Ricky Lee is coming to NYC! Join him as he imparts his talent and shares his 50 years of experience. Mr. Lee’s legacy started way back 1966 as an aspiring high school student who has pushed on with hard work and determination to become the Ricky Lee we know now; recipient of numerous awards, including the CNN Asian Viewers’ Choice Award for his film “Himala” and this year’s honorable guest at the International Film Festival Manhattan as the Lifetime Achievement Awardee; with hundreds of produced scripts to his name; novelist, journalist, playwright and mentor of the most notable writers and directors of Philippine Cinema. Be part of his workshop series entitled, “Writing Your Story,” on Oct 17-19. Laugh with him, cry with him, reminisce with him, feel with him and most importantly, write with him by your side. Who knows you might even be watching the movie “Himala” with him during those nights. Please email LuisPedron@gmail.com (Ricky Lee Seminar on the subject line) to get more information.
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 SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 1 of 2 parts)
ON a visit to my father’s grave site on a quiet, lush, manicured patch of Forest Lawn Glendale, my husband, daughter and I trudged along several tombstones of husbands and wives who lived in the 1850’s and died just before the mid-1900’s buried side by side. My daughter noted the pattern in the headstones of a generation ago. I commented that it is getting harder to find such longevity of devotion these days among younger married couples of the current generation. Call this the Age of Distraction for the “Selfies” generation. It seems we love ourselves far too much to the exclusion of others. Perhaps it is because society as a whole, is engaged in far too many distractions and mired in too much self-absorption. Social media enables and encourages a popular culture that fosters self-love to the worrisome point of extreme narcissism. It has become a struggle for many couples just to stay together. One might argue that the generations before us didn’t have the same challenges that we are having. True. It may have been a far simpler time compared to the complexities we are all faced with. And yet they leave behind lessons of love that result in devotion and fidelity. Surely, we can learn a lot about nurturing human relations from those who have gone before us. This I have learned from an older generation at an early age. Of all the powerful words in the English language, the words “Thank you” are like magic wands in helping transform human relationships, marriage in particular, happier. Not perfect … just happier. You don’t even have to say the words. You can acknowledge anything good done for you by your partner by a sweet gesture, a nod, a smile, a touch or anything else that works for you that says “thank you.” In short, don’t take your partner for granted. Whether you’ve been together 50 days or 50 years, those words never get old. If you want that most powerful emotion called love to live on,
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Community Journal
Two magical words
“…And I think about those people who mean so much to me And for so many years have made me so very happy And I count the times I have forgotten to say “thank you” And just how much I love them.”
— “Sometimes”, Richard & Karen Carpenter
treat your partner like a gardener takes care of a plant. Most plants cannot survive without water, light, soil and other optimum conditions kept at a consistent basis. The human heart is like that. It grows strong and beautiful with constant, devoted care. Saying “thank you” to your partner in life as often as you can, simply means you appreciate him. You are validating his worth as a person. Perhaps, being appreciated and shown respect, is next on the list of the most basic needs of a human being after the needs of food, clothing and shelter are met. The words may not come naturally to you and your partner may be stunned at first but go ahead. Give it a try and say “thank you.” Say it like you mean it. Look for the small gestures such as giving you a cup of coffee, opening your car door, doing housework, cleaning your car or filling up your gas tank. Just don’t take what he does for you as a given. Or how about taking the initiative yourself? If you do it long enough and often enough, he just might mirror your behavior. What goes around comes around. If he brings home the paycheck that pays for your family life, then treat him like a king. Often, the goodhearted partner will treat you like his queen. There are exceptions, of course. It is only the jerks and the jackasses who abuse their positions of strength. That holds true for both sexes. If there is constant, sincere appreciation shifting back and forth between partners, you are, in effect, cementing a foundation for a relationship that would be tough to crack even if a threat to your marriage, like a pretty, young vixen with mile-long legs comes along making a play for your partner. Likewise, a smooth talking, slick Pepe Le Pew character with washboard abs would smell more like Brad’s sweaty armpit and would have no chance with a woman who already has a man at home she can canoodle with. The same is true for men. Paul Newman simply explained why he remained faithful to Joanne
Woodward, “Why fool around with hamburger when you have steak at home?” What is good for the gander is good for the goose. There may be scores of women out there right now who feel neglected by their spouses. Maybe there’s another woman or man waiting in the wings. But more often than not during this Age of Distraction, the disaffection is rooted in self-absorption. And there lies the problem. Women need, want and crave appreciation just as much as men, if not more. Self-love takes many forms — whether it is playing video games or social networking on FB, Twitter or Instagram or some such platform on the internet for hours on end; binge drinking; gambling; watching or playing golf or any other sport; vain, selfobsession as a health nut or on becoming an Adonis body-building hunk or going to the deep end of things, deviant sex and pornography. With few exceptions, obsession is unhealthy not only for the obsessed but also for those who live within his or her immediate orbit. Excessive time spent on these obsessions is time stolen from nurturing the love relationship. Watch out for these modern-day distractions and addictions that are just too many to list. Admit them if you have them and break the bonds with firm resolve. If you want true love and happiness, strive for balance and moderation. In all cases of neglect, love is left to wither and die. Women who feel neglected, if driven to their limits, may throw all caution to the wind and look for love from the first opportunistic guy that comes along ready to engage in mild flirtation, an occasional dalliance or a full blown affair and gives them the attention and validation they crave. Such women can make disastrous, life-changing decisions that cause not only personal damage but also leave behind in the wake of a messy split, massive psychological, irreversible damage to children and other people involved in the
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EMPLOYMENT
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What’s New Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA NONRESIDENT Alien NRA tax withholding is applicable to U.S sourced income paid to foreign person and does not apply to payments made to U.S. persons. Foreign persons includes nonresident alien individual, foreign partnerships, foreign corporations, foreign estates, and foreign trusts. The tax generally must be withheld from the payment made to the foreign persons. If you are a withholding agent, you are responsible for withholding tax on payments made to a foreign person and is generally personally liable for any tax required to be withheld and is subject to penalties and interest for failure to withhold. What You Need to Know: • NRA withholding generally requires 30% withholding on payment of US sources income. • Income is subject to withholding if it is fixed or determinable annual or periodical (FDAP) income. These are: interest, alimony, dividends, royalties, pen-
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper ser-
Foreign person NRA tax withholding sions and annuities, original issue discount, and compensation for personal services. • Requires filing of Form 1042S to report payments subject to NRA withholding and file a tax return on Form 1042. • Payments to all foreign persons, including nonresident aliens, foreign entities and governments, could be subject to NRA withholding. • When to withhold: At the time you make payment to amount subject to withholding. • U.S. tax identification number TIN is generally requested from the payee by the withholding agent. • TIN can be: SSN, SS-5, ITIN, EIN. • Foreign person provides the withholding agent Form W-8 to claim for treaty benefits. • Form 1042-S information return reporting must be filed by every withholding agent to report payments to foreign persons for U.S source income even if there is no tax withheld or is exempt from tax under U.S. tax treaty. • A separate Form 1042-S is required for each type of income
that was paid to the foreign person but only one Form 1042 has to be filed consolidating all Form 1042-S recipient information. • The Forms 1042 and 1042-S must be filed by March 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the income subject to reporting was paid. • Form 1042 is a calendar year tax return. • If Form 1042-S is filed on paper it must be filed with Form 1042-T for transmitting purposes. • Where to file: All forms are filed with the IRS Center in Ogden Service Center, P.O. Box 409101, Ogden Utah 84409. In accordance with IRS Circular 230, this communication is not to be considered a “covered opinion” or other written tax advice and should not be relied upon for IRS audit, tax dispute, or any other purpose. *** Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and ta x s e r v i ce s to i n d i v i d u a l s, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. (Advertising Supplement)
I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it vice on that party is done properly. Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied. Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition. If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment. Child Support requested is not guideline Child support in California is
EMPLOYMENT
FOR RENT
SERVICES
based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court. Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement. QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan
u PAGE B5
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Community Journal
LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 21-23, 2016
B
PASCPA celebrates 30 years, honors… AAPA to hold leadership PAGE B2 t
dent Vic Sy. To be eligible for the undergraduate scholarship, students must... • Be enrolled, full-time undergraduate declared accounting students attending a four-year/upper division college or university • Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and a GPA of 4.0 in accounting courses • Have completed at least 60 semester hours, or 90 quarter hours or equivalent coursework • Have completed 12 semester hours (or equivalent coursework) in accounting To be eligible for the graduate student scholarship, students must: • A full-time graduate student enrolled in or has been accepted in a master’s-level program in accounting, business administration, finance or taxation OR • Have completed an undergraduate degree and has been accepted in a master’s-level accounting program For both awards applicants must complete the NCPACA Scholarship Application Form (information to obtain below), official transcripts, signed personal essay (essay prompts in link below) and attend the next NCPACA convention. partment of Justice against RCBC For more information about officials, but he declined to say the scholarship, call NCPACA who and how many executives board member Monette Santillan would face charges. Rivera at (818) 970-8317. The “We go back again to the defi- scholarship application is availnition of money laundering. The able at http://www.ncpacafounissue there is, who has knowl- dation.com/shout-out.html. n edge of the existence of the crime in the chain? That’s the hard part—how do we know that they’re aware? In fact, if you look at the counter-affidavits of the other personalities, they have all denied having knowledge of the predicate crime. So that defense will already weaken the compliant. Money laundering without knowledge of the predicate crime, there’s nothing,” Salido noted. “But, of course, there are other ways to establish knowledge; not only direct knowledge but also circumstances like [those in the] documents. You know exactly that the transaction is illegal, but why did you allow it? So we had to find documentary evidence. In so far as testimony, no one will tell us from the banks,” he said. n
AMLC to file charges… PAGE B1 t
on financial institutions found to have violated banking regulations. During the hearing, AMLC deputy director Vencent L. Salido said cases would be filed against RCBC officials “in the next two weeks.” “We filed cases against the branch managers, against [casino junked operator] Kim Wong, against the officers of Philrem (remittance firm). Now, there’s a missing link there. We have an ongoing investigation on RCBC officials,” Salido later told reporters. “Definitely, we will file cases because the facts are incomplete—the facts wouldn’t be complete without them,” Salido added, pointing out that the transactions went through the bank, hence making its officials liable. Salido said the AMLC secretariat would recommend to council members the filing of moneylaundering cases before the De-
I filed my own divorce… PAGE B4 t is not divided. Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties. Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor. Trying to save on legal fees by handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the
help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** 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
Two magical… PAGE B4 t
couple’s life. Say “thank you” and mean it. Don’t just do it out of habit. Cut off the cellphone “umbilical cord” and make eye contact. Open your eyes and see the good in your partner. Wisdom, as they say, is knowing what to overlook. Rein in that critical sharp tongue. The tongue is a small yet powerful muscle that can lash out capable of slashing and burning a relationship forever. The effect
is amplified a million times when you write it down or use the web to vent your fury. When you document your anger on paper and more frequently these days online, you have entered “scorched earth” territory. There is little chance of ever going back. (To be continued) *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.
Senior seeks relief from…
PAGE B3 t
whose current physical state is worse than Kovaleski’s. But despite Trump’s Oscar winning performance on T.V. mimicking Mr. Kovaleski’s disability and therefore undisputably mocking Mr. Kovaleski, Trump categorically denies that he was mocking him and that he would never mock a disabled person. This guy is totally unfit to be president of our country. Our society is not a homogenous block of corn hairs. People from all over the world migrate here and eventually become American citizens. All of us are Americans, disabled or not, Christian or not, regardless of all our different ethnicities. This is why America is the greatest country in the world as it has always been, and we don’t need Trump to make us great again, because Americans are a just and kind and courageous people who seek what is good and seek divine mercy and guidance. It is our
God, Yahweh who makes our country great. It is all of us Americans who make America great. It is not Trump who makes America great. It is all Americans, you and I, all of us Americans, all of us a lot handsomer and prettier than Trump, all of us guided by the one true God, who make America great! I will discuss the rest of the subject matter next week, including why Hilary will beat Trump to become the first woman president of the United States. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acnoledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5 *** 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
symposium & awards gala
THE Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) Leadership Symposium & Awards Gala on Friday, Sept. 23 is the premier outlet to challenge mindsets, develop key strategies to increase business value through multi-dimensional diversity, and inspire diverse leadership. Themed “Challenging Our Differences. A Future Worth Imagining,” the biennial Leadership Symposium will bring together more than 350 executives, managers, professionals and community leaders to provoke ideas, share experience and engage in meaningful dialog. Improving workplace diversity and inclusion and developing future leaders is what AAPA has been doing for the past 17 years. And now, AAPA is organizing its largest gathering of leaders, including more than 20 distinguished speakers and 300 attendees from the financial, technology, communications, healthcare, utility, engineering,
and aerospace industries, among others to invest in the next generation of diverse leadership talent. Symposium Keynote Speakers include Sachi Hamai, CEO of Los Angeles County; Jason Hsu, founder & chairman of Rayliant Global Advisors; and Dilawar Syed, president of Freshdesk. Achievement Awardees include California State Treasurer John Chiang for the Community Award, RSM US LLP for the Corporate Award, AT&T for the Diversity & Inclusion Award and Pin Tai, President and Director, Cathay Bank, for the Executive Award. Panelists and Idea Talk Speakers include Caroline Choi, senior vice president of Southern California Edison; Erwin Furukawa, executive director national advisory, Ernst & Young; Jennifer Li, president of Novotech Nutraceuticals, Inc.; Jeanne Mau, vice president of diversity at CBS; and Chris L. Yamada, vice presi-
dent and general manager of aerospace products at Northrop Grumman Corporation, to name a few. Speakers will discuss the business value of a multicultural workforce, critical leadership skills, and strategies to expand diverse leadership. For over 17 years, AAPA has been dedicated to inspiring, developing, and promoting professionals to become valued contributors and leaders in their organizations. The Mentoring Program is a year-long program of one-on-one mentoring and leadership training sessions, providing an opportunity to build trusting mentoring relationship and leadership skills. The program has produced highly successful results, providing career coaching to over 1,000 professionals through 70+ volunteer mentors. For more info, please visit: www.aapasymposium.com. For questions, please contact us at info@aapamentoring.com. n
ABA honors business leaders in Asian…
PAGE B2 t
cans. Not only are they making a difference in business locally but also impacting the community and our great economy,” said awards banquet co-chairs Amanda Ma of Innovate Marketing Group and Jay J. Chung of Lee Anav Chung White Kim Ru-
ger & Richter LLP. “We selected these individuals and organizations because of their business success and their contributions to our economy,” said Dennis J. Huang, ABA executive director and CEO. “We’re grateful also to our sponsors this year for supporting the im-
portant work we’re doing in the community.” Sponsors include: Toyota, Union Bank, Southern California Edison, AEG, U.S. Bank, Northrop Grumman, Southern California Gas Co., Herman Miller, and The Walt Disney Company, among others. n
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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
Mae Cendaña Torlakson seeks to be first Fil-Am woman in California State Assembly by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress EvEn with 1.5 million Filipinos — considered the largest Asian population — in California, the group’s representation in the state Legislature has been disproportionate. Rob Bonta made history as the first Filipino American elected to the Legislature when he won the 18th Assembly
District seat (covering Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro) in 2012. However, this november, another Fil-Am is eyeing a seat in the Assembly, with hopes to become the first Fil-Am woman to serve the state in that capacity. Mae Cendaña Torlakson announced her bid for the 14th district seat in July 2015, and came out on top in the four-candidate race during the June primary, despite the millions of dollars raised
to discredit her. Though Torlakson fell into politics by chance years ago, the motivation to run for a higher office stemmed from her passions for helping people and representing the Fil-Am community. “Did you know we are the largest-growing population and there’s only one Filipino assemblymember in the Legislature out of 80?” she said during a recent interview with the Asian Journal. “Actually 120 if you include the [state] senators. Rob said we should at the very least have six.” The 14th District seat, which will be vacated by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, covers parts of Contra Costa and Solano counties, includes areas with large Fil-Am populations, such as Concord and vallejo. (According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Solano County had 52,641 Filipinos reported and 61,161 in Contra Costa County.) Advocating for access to education Before migrating to the United States, Torlakson — who holds a tourism degree from University of the Philippines, Diliman — owned a fashion boutique and traveled around the world as a singer. For those who remember, her most famous rock hit was “Hoy Lalake.” When her visa for the U.S. arrived, she joined her family in South San Francisco and continued doing performances throughout California. However, a point came when she needed a stable job to support her son and daughter, Yves and Tallulah. “I realized I needed to get a real job because singing would not do it,” she said. “I needed health care for my kids.” A brother-in-law referred her
Torlakson with Assemblymember Rob Bonta
Torlakson campaigning around District 14
to an opening at the Duty Free inside San Francisco International Airport. She was hired immediately as a sales supervisor. “Two weeks before my first job, I was singing and everyone was there having fun and I was the star,” she shared. “Two weeks after, I was putting sourdough bread in a bread rack at the airport...I was putting newspapers up and doing the cashiering. It was very humbling, but I started from the ground up.” From there, Torlakson applied for a ‘typist’ position at a retirement planning company in San Mateo. She stayed at the company for five years, working her way up as the assistant to the controller. When she received her citi-
Photos courtesy of Mae Torlakson for Assembly
zenship, she moved back to the Philippines to get her children. They all settled in California in 2000. For the past 16 years, Torlakson has worked for the University of California, beginning with the alumni office — a position she said she got because of her work with the alumni association of St. Paul Manila, where she went to high school — and then the student affairs office. She is now a manager for the UC’s Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, which connects educationally disadvantaged students from middle school to university level with resources needed to get into a related industry. The program reaches 25,000 students, including a large num-
ber of Filipinos, across the state. Many of the students are the first in their families to attend college or already have families of their own. One of Torlakson’s efforts in the role was forging a partnership with Cisco three years ago, wherein an employee of the technology company would agree to meet with a collegelevel MESA student for an hour once a month. “The [employees] were impressed so they…talked to the leaders [and] put together a recruiting day. It became a win-win because Cisco found out they could actually home grow their talent, that they don’t have to go outside their area to find the talent,” she said, adding that Continued on Page 5
features
Pop-event event in LA puts spotlight on Filipino social enterprises
3
The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
By Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
OctOber marks FilipinoAmerican History Month and what better way to celebrate than highlighting Filipino social enterprises. On Saturday, October 1, Artisan Made Philippines will hold its first pop-up event, which will bring several Philippine-based fashion and lifestyle enterprises to Los Angeles. the event is the brainchild of social entrepreneur Kristine Surla, founder and creative director of the organization, which was inspired by her Filipino heritage. She is also the founder and founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of Young Women Social entrepreneurs. “I’ve always loved everything about the artisan, handmade goods in the Philippines,â€? Surla told the Asian Journal. “I was born there but grew up here. I always had a strong connection toward the Philippines and wanting to do something back there‌to support and make a difference in some way shape or form.â€? the event begins at 1 p.m. with an eco-fashion show, featuring artisan-made pieces from Filip+Inna, designs made from
G. Tongi with Kristine Surla on Kababayan Today
tribal weaving, embroidery and beadwork; rags2riches (r2r), which uses upcycled, overstock cloth & indigenous fabrics for accessories; ANtHILL, handloomed fabrics; and Woven. Models will be wearing makeup by Human Nature, an all-natural personal care and cosmetics brand that carries the slogan “pro-Philippines, pro-poor and pro-environment.� One of the #roleModels* featured during the fashion show will be Ivan Altamirano, mayor of the city of commerce, Surla shared. “to me, these are some of the best in the social enterprise space. Hopefully, this is just the
Speakers & founders at the fireside chat
h
Brands participating in event
Kristine R. Surla
beginning of sharing what can be created in the Philippines,� she said. the event is not just for Filipinos, Surla said. It can serve as a good introduction of Philippine-made products to the broader LA community. “Our hope is that it will really shift...the perspective of what can be made in the Philippines because I feel that often times, if things are made in Southeast Asia...it doesn’t have as a high caliber,� she said. Following the preview of clothing and accessories, there will be a Founders Fireside chat, featuring Surla; Anya Lim, cofounder and managing director of ANtHILL; Maricel Villanueva, executive director of Gawad Kalinga USA; and video commentary from reese Fernandez ruiz, co-founder and president of r2r and Lenora cabili, founder and creative designer of Filip+Inna. the day will end with a VIP
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five-course dinner influenced by indigenous Filipino tribes prepared by chef Yana Gilbuena of SALO Series, a moveable feast that has caught mainstream attention. (tickets, which are limited, must be purchased separately for this.) In-kind sponsors, Human Nature, Social Products, and theo & Philo, will also be featured at the event. “before I got in contact with Yana, I thought it would be great if we could do a Kamayan-style dinner as part of the event to really showcase not just the products that social enterprises are creating, but to also show that food is such a big part of our culture,� Surla said. the event will be held at an open loft space in the Marina Del rey area, which will be revealed once guests purchase tickets. though this event may seem to be catered toward the younger crowd, Surla invites
Filip+Inna with T’boli artisans
older Filipinos to come on October 1 to see how the next generation is keeping the culture and traditions alive. “For the older generation, it is about taking pride that this is occurring in the Philippines in terms of young entrepreneurs creating these businesses in a way that brings beautiful products that show that creativity and artistry are in our blood,� she said. For more information about the event, please visit artisanmade.org/event. Discounted tickets can be purchased at www.ArtisanmadePH.eventbrite.com with the promo code AsianJournal.
Photo by Paco Guerrero
Rags2Riches’ artisans
features
Pop-event event in LA puts spotlight on Filipino social enterprises
3
The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
By Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
OctOber marks FilipinoAmerican History Month and what better way to celebrate than highlighting Filipino social enterprises. On Saturday, October 1, Artisan Made Philippines will hold its first pop-up event, which will bring several Philippine-based fashion and lifestyle enterprises to Los Angeles. the event is the brainchild of social entrepreneur Kristine Surla, founder and creative director of the organization, which was inspired by her Filipino heritage. She is also the founder and founding member of the Los Angeles chapter of Young Women Social entrepreneurs. “I’ve always loved everything about the artisan, handmade goods in the Philippines,” Surla told the Asian Journal. “I was born there but grew up here. I always had a strong connection toward the Philippines and wanting to do something back there…to support and make a difference in some way shape or form.” the event begins at 1 p.m. with an eco-fashion show, featuring artisan-made pieces from Filip+Inna, designs made from
Speakers & founders at the fireside chat
G. Tongi with Kristine Surla on Kababayan Today
tribal weaving, embroidery and beadwork; rags2riches (r2r), which uses upcycled, overstock cloth & indigenous fabrics for accessories; ANtHILL, handloomed fabrics; and Woven. Models will be wearing makeup by Human Nature, an all-natural personal care and cosmetics brand that carries the slogan “pro-Philippines, pro-poor and pro-environment.” One of the #roleModels* featured during the fashion show will be Ivan Altamirano, mayor of the city of commerce, Surla shared. “to me, these are some of the best in the social enterprise space. Hopefully, this is just the
Brands participating in event
Kristine R. Surla
Photo by Jun De Leon
beginning of sharing what can be created in the Philippines,” she said. the event is not just for Filipinos, Surla said. It can serve as a good introduction of Philippine-made products to the broader LA community. “Our hope is that it will really shift...the perspective of what can be made in the Philippines because I feel that often times, if things are made in Southeast Asia...it doesn’t have as a high caliber,” she said. Following the preview of clothing and accessories, there will be a Founders Fireside chat, featuring Surla; Anya Lim, cofounder and managing director of ANtHILL; Maricel Villanueva, executive director of Gawad Kalinga USA; and video commentary from reese Fernandez ruiz, co-founder and president of r2r and Lenora cabili, founder and creative designer of Filip+Inna. the day will end with a VIP
ANTHILL & Artisan Made Philippines Photo courtesy of Kristine R. Surla Photography
five-course dinner influenced by indigenous Filipino tribes prepared by chef Yana Gilbuena of SALO Series, a moveable feast that has caught mainstream attention. (tickets, which are limited, must be purchased separately for this.) In-kind sponsors, Human Nature, Social Products, and theo & Philo, will also be featured at the event. “before I got in contact with Yana, I thought it would be great if we could do a Kamayan-style dinner as part of the event to really showcase not just the products that social enterprises are creating, but to also show that food is such a big part of our culture,” Surla said. the event will be held at an open loft space in the Marina Del rey area, which will be revealed once guests purchase tickets. though this event may seem to be catered toward the younger crowd, Surla invites
Filip+Inna with T’boli artisans
older Filipinos to come on October 1 to see how the next generation is keeping the culture and traditions alive. “For the older generation, it is about taking pride that this is occurring in the Philippines in terms of young entrepreneurs creating these businesses in a way that brings beautiful products that show that creativity and artistry are in our blood,” she said. For more information about the event, please visit artisanmade.org/event. Discounted tickets can be purchased at www.ArtisanmadePH.eventbrite.com with the promo code AsianJournal.
Photo by Paco Guerrero
Rags2Riches’ artisans
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features
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
Dingdong Dantes thrives as ‘Alyas Robin Hood’ by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net
GMA Network’s “Primetime King” Dingdong Dantes is back on television as he headlines the series “Alyas Robin Hood,” which carries the inspiring message that there is a hero in every person. A combination of action, drama, adventure and comedy, “Alyas Robin Hood” revolves around the life of Pepe de Jesus (Dantes), a man who finds absolution in doing service to his community. “All the projects I’ve done are very special this is different because I am in a new phase in my life,” Dantes said in a group interview during the program launch on September 10. “I have a family now, and I was able to count just a while ago that I’ve been with GMA Network for 18 years so the feeling of gratitude is overwhelming especially to be entrusted with such a meaningful role in
A new and exciting role for Dingdong Dantes
Alyas Robin Hood.” Besides thriving in such a positive role now that he is a husband and father, the 36-year-old actor is even more excited that “Alyas Robin Hood” allows him to live his dream of becoming an action star. “I remember as a kid, I was fond of watching action movies, so this is a dream come true for me to star and be the lead in an action packed series,” he enthused. “I do a lot of training [for my role]but everything is not hinged on that because we make sure that all my movements are correct and precise to highlight the sport we’re promoting—archery,” Dantes continued. As for Alyas Robin Hood’s inspirational component, he said, “It is an amazing feeling that I get to solve a problem and help others in my community from episode to episode, but what is more important is of course the search for truth and justice. What’s also different is that my character makes it a point to find the root causes of different problems in society, and they’re all very real and relevant.” Controversy More than a week ago, after the trailer of
forthcoming drama-action show was released, it quickly became a trending topic on social media and garnered over a million views. Just as soon, there were comparisons made between “Alyas Robin Hood” and American TV series “Arrow” starring actor Stephen Amell, who plays a character inspired by DC Comics’s Green Arrow. “Arrow” is also a costumed vigilante who a fights crime with his bow and arrow. Amell shared Robin Hood’s video complete with a shocked emoticon. When asked by a fan what he thought of the show, he replied: “I mean, I have no idea what it is and frankly, I don’t care—at all. But boy, oh boy does it look familiar.” Dantes, in the trailer, wore a costume that looks almost identical to what Amell’s in “Arrow.” And yes, he drew a lot of flak from superhero fans both here and abroad for the many similarities. Asked to comment on the controversy, Dantes began, “I was talking about being here [in showbiz] for 18 years. Those 18 years were also the years I entrusted myself—practically more than half my life–to GMA. I know that all the shows went into thorough review and research and we have exceptional creative team behind the network. That’s why I am confident of all the programs they give me and I also trust them. So for me [despite all this]that is what I am holding on to—my trust in them, and their trust in me.” More specifically he discussed, “Robin Hood is based on an English folklore, from a legend. More or less we all know the story. I think what is important to me is the core and the reason why we are doing this. For us, it is because of our love for the craft and our goal to entertain. Whatever their reaction is, it’s normal. You cannot please a hundred million Filipinos but what is important is the 37-percent—the loyal viewers of GMA—are happy and we hope that number will grow.”
features
ABS-CBN on Kris Aquino: She will always be a Kapamilya ABS-CBN has released a statement regarding Kris Aquino’s departure from the network. Hours after Kris confirmed her exit on Instagram, Kane Errol Choa, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications released a statement via ABSCBN News. “We thank Kris for the many years that she has been a Kapamilya bringing joy, hope, and inspiration to our viewers worldwide. She will always be a Kapamilya and we wish her well in her new journey.” On a series of Instagram post, Kris thanked the network which served as her home for more than 20 years. She revealed she was not given a guaranteed slot when she returned from her recent hiatus
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
Mae Cendaña Torlakson seeks to be first... From Page 2
Kris Aquino
in showbiz. “We spoke in July but there was no definite show (and) no assured time frame of my return on air. I perfectly understood— as much as I wanted to believe I was a pillar of the network, everybody is dispensable. And I
several students have been hired by the company. The program has been so positively received that other major tech companies have approached Torlakson about partnerships. “When you get people right when they graduate from college, they stay and that’s the problem with a lot of the tech say that with no bitterness - just jobs now — it’s like a revolvHONESTY,” her post read. ing door — and those are the The “queen of all media” people they want to keep,” she said she is slated for a TV prosaid. “[Companies] are always gram courtesy of APT Entercomplaining that they don’t have tainment Inc., a subsidiary of the diverse workforce. But that’s TAPE Inc., which is Eat Bulaga’s because they’re not going out producer. (Philstar.com) there...Now they’re realizing that there’s talent out there.” Foray into local politics Torlakson’s first experience with local politics came from voicing her frustration with neglected community parks. “My son suggested Bay Point, where I could still afford a house. I see there’s water and I thought there would be a trail by the water. I go and there’s no trail, no park. There was a piece of land that said ‘park’ but a sign that said ‘no trespassing’…Someone said, ‘why don’t you go to the park district board meeting and ask what’s going on?’ So I did,” she recounted. She was eventually encouraged to interview for an open seat on the Ambrose recreation and Park District’s board, which James Reid has no shortcuts in health and fitoversees recreation services for ness—he sticks to his diet and exercises even when 26,000 residents of the Bay Point busy and Oak Hills community of “Actually for my body type, Pittsburg. I have a speedy metabolism, so Though she was appointed I focus more on heavy lifting— to the position in early 2005, she more isolated lifting. Cardio was told that she would have [is]not so much, but if I do, it is more intense. I only do cardio if to run for it come November of that year. I really want to get ripped but “Luckily, I had a good camI’m just more on the weight and paign manager. [My husband] strength training.” Tom’s chief of staff, Gloria OmaOn the other hand, reid nia — a Filipina who has been is very strict with his diet. He with Tom for 32 years — adopthas no cheat days, nor does he reward himself with a treat when ed me and she was my campaign manager. She was relentless,” he achieves a fitness goal. Torlakson said. “She ran three “I’m not much of a sweet tooth so I’m lucky. But the thing of my campaigns and I was top Continued on Page 6 vote-getter. I was the newbie
James Reid: No shortcuts to health and fitness by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net
THErE is no denying that James reid is one of the hottest young actors today. He is also a social media phenomenon with millions of followers online, not counting the various fan accounts that his devoted followers set up. The highly bankable love team JaDine, where he is paired with reel and real life girlfriend Nadine Lustre, has further sent their legions of admirers in a frenzy, whether at mall tours, concerts, meet and greets, and again online where their tandem is high up among trending topics. Clearly, reid is on a winning streak as proven by his barrage of brand endorsements. Last week, he joined the ranks of TV goddess Anne Curtis and ultimate movie hunk Derek ramsey as endorser of canned product Century Tuna. For this campaign, reid is seen at his fittest—with sculpted abs, toned muscles and firm biceps—which he attributes to a rigorous fitness regimen and a proper diet loaded with good protein. At his endorsement launch at Makati Shangri-La on September 6, reid openly shared
his journey to achieving his enviable form. He drove the point home that lack of time, given his very busy showbiz schedule, need not be an excuse to living a healthy lifestyle. “Yes, my schedule is very hectic but times like this that I’m working a lot, it’s the diet that helps me get by. I go by high protein diet with some carbs and a lot of fiber,” he said. “If I have free time I definitely go to the gym to do weights, but then there’s still so much you can do even without weights. Like when you’re home or when you’re at work, there are strength exercises that you can do. And I guess when you really have a proper diet and make time to exercise, it’s possible [to achieve your body goals].” When it comes to working out, the showbiz heartthrob shared that he does not have a single routine he specifically follows. Unlike others who go by set exercises, he admits to changing what he does often because it allows him to target different body parts more. “If you repeat the same exercise over and over again, it’s not going to be effective,” he added.
Photo courtesy of Mae Torlakson for Assembly
and everybody said, ‘She’s new, she doesn’t know anything.’ But I still made No. 1 because I had a really good campaign.” Currently, she is in her third term on the board and boasts some of her accomplishments, including being the first Filipina elected to office in Contra Costa County and garnering $4.5 million for the Great California Delta Trail, a plan to connect all five Delta counties. “I found out that by being an elected official, I can do things. remember that park I asked about? I got that to open two years before it was supposed to,” she shared. State Assembly bid When the District 14 seat opened up, Torlakson saw it as an opportunity to make an impact outside of Pittsburg, where she and her husband live. “It’s just to help more people. That’s the short answer to that. I’ve helped 25,000 students in MESA. I helped about 26,000 constituents in Ambrose and I just want to spread out,” she said of why she’s running. Among those areas of importance on Torlakson’s platform include preventing gun violence, increasing educational access, providing affordable housing, creating jobs, opening up more transportation means and protecting the environment. “I have a passion for education and I have ideas that I can share with people, be a team player with people in the As-
sembly and promote economic opportunities for people like what I’m doing with MESA, making sure that people invest in the people in their area. Protecting the environment is also important to me,” she said. She went on to expound on revitalizing the plan to transform portions of the Concord Naval Weapons Station into a state university. “My goal is to put that back on the table. Universities are business magnets. Silicon Valley was born because there was Stanford, San Jose State and Santa Clara,” she said. “We have the potential to have a Silicon Bay Delta there. Why? Because we have Highway 4, the BArT system and the Delta…We have one of the best community college systems in our area. Most of our students go to UC Berkeley or UC Davis. But they have to go away. If we had a fouryear comprehensive university, a UC or CSU, then they could stay there. We wouldn’t have to spend for transportation and housing. When students leave, they stay where they go and don’t come back.” The main strategy of Torlakson’s campaign has been utilizing “people power” by knocking on doors and talking to voters around the community. “A lot of money was thrown at my opponent but I still came in at No. 1. My opponent (Concord Mayor Tim Grayson) Continued on Page 6
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features
sunshine Dizon sees no reconciliation with hubby
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
As prepArAtions rAmp up
Arts councils, sponsors, & artists come together for FpAC’s 25th anniversary NumerouS arts councils, corporate sponsors, nonprofit organizations, artists and entrepreneurs have come together to pledge their support and participation at the 25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture. Dubbed as the “biggest Filipino party in Southern California,” FPAC is one of the longest-running cultural festivals in Los Angeles. As 2016 marks the silver anniversary of FPAC, many are expecting it to be the biggest Pinoy party LA has seen in recent memory. And to ensure that FPAC will be no less than a rousing success this time around, many arts and culture organizations from the private and public sector have pledged grants for ‘FPAC 25 – Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the Fil-Am Community.’ Arts councils and organizations that have given support to FPAC include the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, LA County Arts Commission, the Getty Foundation, the California Arts Council, and California Humanities among others. FilAm Arts officials have expressed their gratitude for the backing of the arts organizations. FAA interim executive director Tina Salonga-Bulchand said in a recent statement that she was glad that FPAC received significant amounts of support and grants from these groups.
“We really value their commitment to Filipino arts and culture,” Salonga-Bulchand said. “They are very much invested in our community. Without the grants from our partner organizations the FAA and FPAC would not be as successful as it is today, much less last 25 years!” Salonga-Bulchand also added that aside from the arts councils, corporate sponsors have pledged to take part in this year’s FPAC. These companies include household names like Toyota, mcDonald’s, Wells Fargo, and Western union among others. This is the 3rd year for the Southern California Toyota Dealers Association to be a proud sponsor of FPAC. Salonga-Bluchand also praised media partners Asian Journal and Kababayan Today for their generous assistance to the FPAC cause by way of media exposure and coverage. “Asian Journal and Kababayan Today are both integral in our thrust to spread Filipino art to the greater Filipino-American community. AJ and Kababayan Today are excellent platforms for promote our art because of their wide reach and substantial following,” Salonga-Bulchand said. Artists and entrepreneurs have also pitched in to make FPAC25 as lively and as diverse as possible. Festival headliner
Apl.de.ap of the Black eyed Peas said that he’s excited for the “historic moment” that FPAC25 will sure be. “I’m excited to be a part of this year’s celebration, especially that it’s celebrating it’s 25th year, returning to echo Park, it will be a historic moment,” Apl. de.ap said in a statement. The artist, whose real name is Alan Pineda, said that he continues to work through his foundation the Apl.de.ap Foundation to give back to the community and promote the arts. other artists and events include Katipunan Poetry Slam, Tinikling Battle, Stahyl (Jabawockeez/my Digital Kids) DJ et, Jon-Jon Briones, odessa Kane, malaya Filam Dance Arts, Kayamanan ng Lahi, Pakaraguian Kulintang ensemble, Digital martyrs, mama Bares, Adapon Sisters, ranella Ferrer, rocksetady rondalla, Jhing Sillona, matt Almodie, Chris Alanis, Zigzag Theory Band, Asia Aragon, and a number of special surprise guests. *** FPAC25 – Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse creative Tapestry of the Fil-Am Community will be on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, form 10am8pm, at the Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles. Echo Park Lake is on 715 N Echo Park Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. The event is free and open to the public.
by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
We caught up with Sunshine Dizon at Quezon City rTC on Thursday, and the strong mother of two made it clear that she is focused to pursue her Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) suit. The hearing for the unjust Fixation and Concubinage complaints she filed against her husband Timothy Tan and alleged third party Clarisma Sison has been reset to September 29. Furious, Sunshine was quick to clarify that she is already in good terms with her estranged husband. Admittedly, she
allowed Tim to see their two children at the mall recently and explained to In the Know she was just being civil and a wellmannered human being. “I’m not one to be rude, and I neither think it’s right to do that, especially when children are involved,” she added. In the end Sunshine asks netizens to pray for her as she gets ready for an ugly battle in court. “I will appreciate prayers, especially with so many things I’m hearing that the other camp plans to do. I really hope the law will protect me and my children,” she ended.
mae Cendaña torlakson seeks to be first... From Page 5
got $3.4 million from SuperPACs and $500,000 of that, he used on radio ads against me, telling lies about me,” she said. During the June primary, Torlakson placed first with 32.5 percent of the vote, while Grayson narrowly trailed behind with 32.1 percent. Heading into the November election Her husband Tom Torklason — the current state superintendent of public instruction — said his experiences serving three terms in the Assembly and two terms in the state Senate have in part helped shape her campaign. He disclosed the advice he shared with her: “First, ask yourself: ‘why do you want to do it? How much do you want to do it? How much are you willing to give?’ Because you have to give up a tremendous amount of your life to do the campaigning.”
To date, her list of endorsements continues growing with backing from California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, state Treasurer John Chiang, Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Legislative caucus, Filipino-American Democratic Club of Contra Costa County and emILY’s List, among many others. In an email to the Asian Journal, Bonta praised Torlakson as the “best candidate” because of her work in providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged Californians. “mae is a tireless advocate for increasing access to STem education and creating good jobs for the next generation, and if elected she will fight for a CSu in Contra Costa county,” Bonta wrote. “I have long pledged that I am the first Filipino-American California state legislator, but I won’t be the last. We need mae in the Assembly as an inspiration
James reid: no shortcuts to health... From Page 5
is, if you put chocolate in front of me, I’ll eat it till there’s no more left. That’s the only exception,” he laughed. Asked about the most challenging part of reaching his Century Tuna body, he pointed top the first two weeks of the
challenge. “I just came from finishing a world tour, a television show, so it was really hard to go to the gym, just on those first two weeks. You really have to persevere and stick to your routine and eventually it becomes easier.”
Sunshine Dizon
Indeed, it is a pleasure to see James reid transform in the public eye both figuratively as a teen heartthrob to a more mature actor, and literally with his handsome face and beautifully ripped physique. Determined as ever, this young man’s star will only soar even more.
for our daughters and the next generation of Filipino-American leaders.” Though the primary results in June were a slight triumph for the campaign, Torlakson acknowledged that the work isn’t over given that there are less than 50 days until the election. “even for this November, it’ll be even harder because the people who put money into [my opponent’s] campaign…will come back with a vengeance since they weren’t able to put me down,” she said. She added that doing events and meeting with community leaders has helped her gain recognition among Fil-Ams — but actually getting them to vote in November will be the challenge. “Some Filipino republicans say, ‘even though you are a Democrat, I’m going to vote for you.’ It’s Filipino first, before party. I appreciate that. A lot of Filipinos may be registered but they don’t vote either, so we need to continue doing outreach,” she said. She called on Fil-Ams to support her even if they don’t live in her district, because as a legislator, her actions will have a broader impact on the state. “The policies I say yes or no to will affect the entire state,” she said. “Having the voice is very important and I could be that voice for the Fil-Am comPhoto courtesy of Mae Torlakson for Assembly munity.”
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Moonlighting by Mylah de
leon
It was a day on the brink of autumn that came with ribbons of mist under an impossibly blue sky. Clear and temperate burnished it as a perfect day to celebrate the 42nd Penafrancia Eucharistic celebration in honor of Our Lady of Penafrancia at the Lincoln Park lake. the great gathering unleashed a kind of controlled religious anarchy (3,000,000 have people gathered to pay homage in the Philippines), at a time of national crisis. the United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) — headed by president Lanie Berrei and volunteers Bernie and Rey Ganon — toiled without much fanfare. What they have is abundance in energy, a cohesive camaraderie and the drive to make things happen in a labor of love. Others simply call it the Bicol mystique. What makes them tick? Reviled by myth and malice, the overrated sensuality of Bicolanos as volcanic creatures (years back, if statistics were accurate, they have the highest birth rate in the country) is summed in the sardonic clincher “Bicolanong.” It never fails to hurt and injure, but does not seem to lessen the fact that they do indeed thrive on hot dishes, for everything that swims in coconut milk, burning pepper and a fistful of “siling labuyo.” Yet, Bicolanos are deeply religious. For years it gave the biggest contribution to the priesthood. Each city has its own religious festivals and even its fiestas trace their origins to the deeply rooted devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. the feast is the grandest and the most celebrated fluvial festival; here in Los Angeles, the UBLA has had an ongoing project since 1983 — a shrine for the Lady of Penafrancia. Bound together by parallel efforts and a common goal, this year’s 42nd anniversary and celebration is the most revered as the main celebrant of the Holy Mass is
Bicolandia celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia
Knights of Rizal in full regalia
Consul General Angelito Adelio Cruz with Mr. and Mrs. Rey Ganon at the most popular Sorsogon both
the Blessed Mary or “Ina,” the Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia, the Patroness of the whole of Bicoloandia. the Archdiocese of Los Angeles attests to this special affinity honoring her with the title of Our Lady of Angels. “the celebration of this annual feast with mass, novena prayers and fluvial procession serve as the sources of inspiration and great opportunity to foster the spirit of solidarity and unity as a faith family,” said his Eminence Archbishop Arturo M. Bastes of Sorsogon. He also reminded us that every gift that we receive from God we should share. “Balaog
Consul General and Mrs. Adelio Angelito Cruz and UBLA Pres. Lanie Berrei
inako, Balaog itao (a gift received is a gift shared).” Consul General Adelio Cruz and Mrs. Cruz were obviously happy and content with the camaraderie among the fellow Bicolanos that they stayed the entire day exchanging pleasantries and breaking bread. the food extravaganza was a huge production of nourishment set on tables. You would groan, as there was food as far as the eyes can see — just gazing gave you bad cholesterol. But hospitality and goodwill filled the air all that merriment is said to have surpassed the 42 past celebrations. Berrei had outdone herself
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
Fluvial Parade highlights celebration of Penafrancia Feast Day.
Consul General and Mrs. Adelio Angelito Cruz with his Eminence, Sorsogon Archbishop Arturo M. Bastes.
features
with her sincerity and kindness. Her labor of love is said to have enhanced the glorious celebration as fellow Bicolanos bestowed support on her selflessness. She thanked everyone, each entity for their great support. the UBLA executive members with Bernie and Rey Ganon and the sponsor, donors and advertisers. Benefactors and all that the UBLA president had dearly acknowledged with overflowing gratitude not discounting the presence of the communities, like the best among the brightest lensmen, who were there to flittering and moving about. Sorsogon was the most
popular booth, where most of the VIP converged. the colorful “sakay” where food was offered and served to everyone, the Bicol organizations that laid out their booths laden with delicacies, “the velada,” and the musical program were the most fun-filled gaiety in the celebration of the Fiesta. Here in the United States, Filipinos especially the
Bicolanos render honor due to the Blessed Mother by celebrating the beautiful spiritual and cultural traditions which play a play a big part of this Feast day to show that a gift received is a gift shared. From UBLA President Lanie Berrei to each and everyone, “Mabalos!” ***
E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.com
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 21, 2016
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$6.99 SAVINGS
14%
Jumbo White Shrimp H/L
$
17.99 WAS
SAVINGS
$21.99 18%
$ Nido Powder Milk 1.8kg
“WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE SALES PROMO WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REPLACE ITEMS WITH PRODUCTS OF APPROXIMATE VALUE. NO RAIN CHECKS. PROMO GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON OR PROMO. PRICES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. GIVEAWAYS NOT VALID FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISCOUNT.”
14.99 WAS
SAVINGS
$16.99 12%
2$
Nestle Milo Powder 1.5kg
for WAS
3
SAVINGS
$2.29 34%
Indomie Fried Noodle Valuepack 5pack
$
5.99 WAS
SAVINGS
$9.99 40%
Nutella Hazelnut Spread 26.5oz