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December 10-13, 2016
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Leni Robredo: I don’t want to be president
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by Dana
SioSon AJPress
WRAPPED, NOT GAGGED. Members of militant groups hold a rally in Mendiola, Manila to denounce extra-judicial killings and Oplan Tokhang to mark International Human Rights Day. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
USA
DATELINE Millionaires, CEOs and military personnel comprise Trump’s appointees so far from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
A month after his historic election, president-elect Donald trump wasted no time in selecting the individuals to run his administration. many of them include his millionaire and Ceo peers — of which donated a collective $11.6 million to his campaign — with several military generals and a handful of career politicians. Reince Priebus, Chief of Staff the republican national Committee (rnC) chairman was one of the first chosen in the White house staff and may prove to bridge the gap between trump and the republicans in Congress -- many of whom refused to support trump during the campaign. house speaker sen. Paul ryan (r-Wis.) recommended the well-respected republican leader, who clashed with trump during the election race. he lambasted trump after the infamous
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US Embassy warns Americans of terror threats in PH the United states embassy in manila advised Americans to elevate their level of security awareness against the “ongoing threat of terrorist actions and violence” in the Philippines. in its official website, the embassy reminded its citizens of the recent “Worldwide Caution” issued by the Department of state last september, declaring that there’s “an ongoing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.s. citizens and interests abroad, including the Philippines.” “the U.s. citizen community should remember that terrorists have proven time and again their preference for ‘soft targets,’ or places that offer inherent vulnerabilities, ease of access, and the potential availability of a large number of unprotected people,” the advisory, dated December 5, read. it also cited the recent bombing attempt
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PhiliPPine Vice President leni robredo reiterated on friday, December 9, that she has no interest in becoming the president of the country. “Wala naman akong interes na mag-pangulo (i have i have no interest to become president),” robredo told reporters in a press briefing. this comes after senator Allan Peter Cayetano’s earlier statement telling her to “stop campaigning and thinking of the presidency.” Cayetano, President rodrigo Duterte’s defeated running mate
during the election, told robredo that she should just instead focus on helping the present administration. “in a nutshell, i challenge you to stop campaigning and thinking of the Presidency and help attract investments, build infrastructure, create jobs and redistribute wealth in our country,” Cayetano posted on his facebook account earlier on the same day, addressing robredo. Cayetano made the statement after robredo challenged him to speak up against the marcoses despite his loyalty to Duterte, particularly about the contro-
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Vice President Leni Robredo
UN warns: PH will violate pact Duterte says Trump’s praise of if it restores death penalty drug war made him by Dana
SioSon AJPress
the United nations (Un) high Commissioner for human rights warned the Philippines that it will violate an international agreement if its government allows the reimposition of the death penalty. early this week, the death penalty bill hurdled the committee level in the house of representatives. in an open letter addressed to
senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel iii and house of representatives speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Un Commissioner Zeid ra’ad Al hussein expressed his concerns over the pending measure to restore capital punishment in the Philippines. “the Philippines would violate its obligations under international human rights law if it reintroduced the death penalty, i appeal to you and all members of Congress to up-
hold the international human rights obligations of the Philippines and maintain the abolition of the death penalty,” Al hussein said in his letter. Al hussein also reminded the Philippines that it has signed the second optional Protocol to the international Covenant on Civil and Political rights (iCCPr) in 2007, which “guarantees that no one can be executed within its ju-
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De Lima assures return to PH after scheduled visits to US, Germany next week by Dana
SioSon AJPress
senAtor leila De lima guaranteed the public that she will return to the Philippines after her official visits abroad next week. the senator, who is currently under a lookout bulletin issued by
the Department of Justice (DoJ), is scheduled to be out of the country from December 11 to 22. “After complying with the travel documents required for a public official, i am now preparing to leave on official visits – first to receive an award in the U.s. and secondly, to
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Senator Leila De Lima
US officials seize Marcos properties worth P1B by Gil
Us AUthorities have seized a fresh cache of dollars, prime new York propFormer First Lady Imelda Marcos erties and paintings worth as much as P1 billion believed to be part of the hidden wealth plundered by ferdinand marcos during his two-decade rule, the Philippine Daily inquirer learned tuesday, Dec. 6. the revelation was made on the day the reuters news agency, in a dispatch from new York City, said that Vilma Bautista, a new York resident and one-time secretary
C. CabCaunGan jr. Inquirer.net
to former first lady imelda marcos, would be charged by the manhattan District Attorney in connection with four paintings in her possession, including some by impressionist artists, that disappeared after the fall of the marcos dictatorship in 1986. A top government official, who requested anonymity because Us federal officials had not authorized the release of this information, told the inquirer in manila that the discovery of these assets could lead to more wealth that marcos, his family and associates had allegedly illegally stashed overseas after the dictator was ousted in the edsa People Power revolution in 1986. “We were informed by Us authorities that they have seized several bank ac-
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feel ‘like a saint’ by Dana
SioSon AJPress
PhiliPPine President rodrigo Duterte said he felt “like a saint” after United states President-elect Donald trump praised him during their phone conversation last week for doing a “good” job in his brutal crackdown against illegal drugs. in the speech at the United nations Convention Against Corruption implementation review in malacañang, Duterte said that trump also asked him to not worry about the criticisms against his anti-narcotics campaign. According to the Philippine national Police (PnP), an estimate number of 4,000 deaths has been recorded from July 1 to november 30 in relation to Philippine government’s war on drugs — with around 1,800 people killed during legitimate police operations, while about 2,600 people slain by unknown suspects. this has earned condemnation from the present U.s. administration under President Barack obama and other international rights group, which in turn, supposedly triggered Duterte’s profane-laced speeches against
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From the Front Page
Leni Robredo: I don’t want to be… PAGE A1 t
versial burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos that stirred up the anger of many Filipinos, especially the martial law victims and their families. In response to this, Robredo claimed that she also wanted the present administration to succeed. However, she noted that dissenting voices must be heard.
“Hindi ko sasabihin na kapag nag-didissent tayo, tayo na iyong gustong maging Pangulo (I’m not saying that if we dissent, we want to be President),” she added. The vice president has been always vocal regarding her disapproval of some of the president’s actions and remarks, including the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos in the Lib-
ingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), the extrajudicial killings, and the reimposition of the death penalty. “Ako, iyong unifying the opposition, unifying the voices of dissent. Hindi ito (This is not) opposition against the administration per se, pero (but) opposition against certain policies of the administration that we do not agree with,” Robredo previously said. Earlier this week, Robredo resigned as the housing secretary after Duterte ordered her to “desist” from all Cabinet meetings. Duterte accused the ‘Yellows’ of allegedly plotting to oust him, apparently referring to the Liberal Party, which uses the color as its political symbol. He also claimed that the Liberal Party allegedly wanted to install Robredo as the new president of the Philippines. Robredo, who is the vice the president of the country, holds the highest position in govern-
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SELFIE WITH RODY. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a selfie with Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, one of the guests during of the Christmas lighting ceremony at Malacañang on Monday, Dec. 5. ManilaTimes.net photo
Duterte says… PAGE A1 t the United States. PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, however, claimed this week that only a third of these death cases under investigation (DUI) were drug-related, while the remaining number were crimes allegedly conducted by perpetrators who were only using the government’s intensified campaign against drugs. “You know, you just said something good here and you’re doing great. I know what’s your worry about these Americans criticizing you. You are doing good, go ahead,” Duterte said on Thursday, December 7, quoting Trump. According to Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte’s special advisor, the two leaders had a conversation on Friday night, December 2. Go said the call, which started at 10:30 p.m. (PHT), lasted over in just about seven minutes. “So now, if you listen to Trump talk to me, I have become like a saint,” Duterte remarked. At the same time, Duterte said that during their phone conver-
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From the Front page
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UN warns: PH will violate pact…
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risdiction.” “International law does not permit a State that has ratified or acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to denounce it or withdraw from it,” he added. At the same time, Al Hussein noted that the Philippines passed the Republic Act 9346 or “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines” under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006. In his letter, Al Hussein also acknowledged the Philippines’
intensified campaign against illegal drugs. However, he stressed that ICCPR “considers that the use of the death penalty for drug crimes is incompatible under international law.” The death penalty bill, which will be deliberated next by a Senate committee, listed the use and trade of illegal drugs among the heinous crimes liable for capital punishment. The UN commissioner went on to suggest that the most effective ways to approach drugrelated offenses were “through strengthening the rule of law,
ensuring an effective justice system and reducing drug use by adopting a strong public health approach to prevention, harm reduction and other forms of health care and treatment in accordance with international standards.” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who won the presidency in a landslide victory last May with a vow to kill drug lords and users to prevent the country from becoming a “narco-state,” also promised that he would support the return of capital punishment. n
Leni Robredo… Duterte says Trump’s… PAGE A2 t
ment among the members of the Liberal Party. She, however, denied these allegations. Despite telling Robredo to stop attending future Cabinet meetings, Duterte, however, clarified that he has no quarrels with her. He also assured the public that there is no plot to unseat her from the vice presidential position. “I will assure Leni and the rest of the Bicol region that you will have her until the very end of her term. There is no such thing as removing of a vice president,” he added. n
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sation, Trump told him that he wanted to “fix” the “bad relations” between the United States and the Philippines. “Oh President Duterte, we should fix our bad relations,” Duterte said, quoting Trump. In his previous comment about the phone call, the Philippine president related that he was invited to visit the White House next year. In response to the White House invitation, Duterte said he also invited Trump to attend the 2017 Association of South-
east Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which will be hosted by the Philippines. Trump, who won the recent U.S. presidential election against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will assume office this coming January, succeeding Obama. According to Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Obama earlier suggested that President-elect Trump and President Duterte’s seemingly similar “temperament” could play a great factor in boosting the two countries’ relationship. n
counts after investigating these deposits for unusual large transactions in the past few months. The investigation has led them to seize an apartment in a prime New York location, where more assets and certificates were discovered,” the official said. The source said that among the assets seized were three paintings of “Old Masters,” including a piece by French Impressionist Claude Monet. “We estimate the seized assets to be worth between $20 million and $30 million, or roughly P1 billion,” the source said. The source said that this haul of Marcos assets was not among the fabulous fortune that the government had identified. Officials of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), formed after the 1986 revolution to go after the Marcoses’ ill-gotten wealth, did not return the Inquirer’s calls. In a report attributed to a person familiar with the investigation conducted by US authorities, Re-
uters said that some of the paintings in Bautista’s possession hung in a Manhattan town house used by Imelda Marcos when her husband was in power. The US probe comes a quarter century after the Philippine dictator was forced out by an uprising and fled the country in 1986. He died in 1989. Bautista, who is in her 70s, could not immediately be reached for comment. Joan Vollero, a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., declined comment, according to Reuters. Imelda Marcos, 83, known for her extravagant lifestyle and her collection of over a thousand shoes, is not expected to face charges in the case, the news agency said. Acquitted in earlier US case In October 1988, the Marcoses were indicted in the Federal District Court in Manhattan in a racketeering case that included accusations they embezzled more than $100 million from the Philippine government and used
De Lima assures return to PH after…
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speak at the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin, Germany,” De Lima said in a statement on Friday, December 9. Last October, the DOJ issued a lookout bulletin against De Lima over the allegations that she was involved in the supposed illegal drug trade at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP). “There is, however, nothing to the money to buy three buildings worry about as I will surely rein New York City. turn, along with my staff who will Imelda, described as a “steel be with me during these foreign butterfly” in her glory days, herself testified before the federal grand jury and was later acquitted. In a magazine interview pub- PAGE A1 t lished in February 2007, the 2005 tape of Trump was release former first lady, who is now an in which the reality star bragged Ilocos Norte representative in about using his celebrity to force Congress, was asked about her himself on women. New York trial and her paintings. “No woman should ever be “You’re living now in the Pa- described in these terms or talkcific Plaza, in Manila. They sold ed about in this manner. Ever,” off most of your old masters at Priebus had said after the tape Christie’s years ago, but I under- was leaked. stand there are a few Picassos However, Priebus graciously and Gauguins still hanging with accepted Trump’s nomination you in that swanky condo,” the and has stated that his main goal interviewer said. was to groom the administration Imelda replied: to become more congenial and “The paintings and the jewelry less associated with Trump’s they confiscated, all without any controversial rhetoric. good reason. You know, I won “[Trump] said, ‘We’re going to the case of the century in New calm the waters. We’re going to York, and so the little I have left, I bring people together. We’re not will tell you, was because of some going to brag,’” Priebus said on servants of mine, who were able Fox News following the election to keep a few pieces in the slum results. u PAGE A4 Stephen Bannon, White
US officials seize Marcos properties worth…
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BICOL GETS NEW AIRPORT. President Rodrigo Duterte (second from right) is photographed with Bicolano leaders following groundbreaking rites for the planned Bicol International Airport. With him are (from left) Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding chairman Dante Jimenez and Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rhaydz Barcia
visits,” De Lima said, assuring her critics that she will not escape the charges against her by leaving the country. She added, “I hope my brief absence would provide a welcome relief and respite to my detractors and critics. I will keep them in mind though.” The senator also pointed out that both the international visits are “very important” for her, especially since she will be given a chance to speak about human rights in front of international
figures. Before she was elected as senator in the recent May 2016 elections, De Lima was the former Justice secretary under the previous Aquino administration. She was also the former chair of DOJ Commission on Human Rights. “This is a great opportunity to meet leaders from various fields from around the world and learn from their respective government’s initiatives and challenges about cultural diplomacy,” she said. n
Millionaires, CEOs and military personnel… House Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor One of the more controversial picks, Bannon, the former head of so-called alt-right news outlet Breitbart News, had been one of Trump’s most-trusted advisers during the campaign. Since being selected as the chief strategist and senior counselor to the president-elect, critics have lambasted Bannon as a “white nationalist” for his news outlet’s alleged “racist” and “anti-Semitic” slant. Responding to the criticism of his appointment from organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League as well as some Republican strategists, he said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “Darkness is good. Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That’s the power. It only helps us
when they [presumably, liberals] get it wrong. When they’re blind to who we are and what we’re doing.” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Attorney General Another controversial appointment, Sessions was responsible for helping Trump craft the strict immigration plan that has been a cornerstone of the campaign. He was also among the first senators to endorse Trump back in February. The seasoned senator is wellrespected among his Republican colleagues but is not a favorite among Democrats in Washington. In the 1980s, then President Ronald Reagan nominated Sessions for federal district judge only to be blocked by the Democrat-led Senate after be-
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Millionaires, CEOs and military personnel…
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ing accused of saying racial slurs toward an African-American colleague. Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Considered one of the rising stars in the Republican Party, Trump’s nomination of the South Carolina governor came to the surprise of many. Previously considered for the Vice President ticket, Haley — the daughter of Indian immigrants — is one of the first women of color picked by
Trump, who received flak for previously only picking older, white men. Haley, 44, had sparred with Trump during the race, criticizing his rhetoric and his refusal to condemn hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan. In response, Trump picked on Haley, calling her “weak” on immigration. Despite their rocky history, Haley expressed a “sense of duty” and accepted Trump’s offer. “When the President believes you have a major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation’s standing
in the world, that is a calling that is important to heed,” Haley said in a statement on Wednesday, November 23. “The second is a satisfaction with all that we have achieved in our state in the last six years and the knowledge that we are on a very strong footing.” Trump’s Cabinet picks so far Wilbur Ross, Jr., Secretary of Commerce Committing to Trump promise to save jobs in coal, Ross, a 79year-old billionaire, has built his fortune on restructuring the steel and coal industries. Although the coal industry is seeing strong competition from renewable energy companies, Ross’s commitment to saving jobs in coal strikes a chord with much of Middle America where most of those jobs are located. As an opponent of free trade agreements, Ross has echoed much of Trump’s stances on the economy which likely aided in his nomination as commerce secretary. However, the relationship between the two dates back to the 1990s when Ross aided Trump in the latter’s failing Taj Mahal casino. James Mattis, Secretary of Defense Retired former commander of the U.S. Central Command Gen. Mattis played a critical role in the Marines when he led a division into Baghdad in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. Much like the president-elect, Mattis — whose nickname is “Mad Dog — is known for his crass language
DUTERTE’S KITCHEN. Street children eat hot “lugaw” (porridge) at “Duterte’s Kitchen,” serving free meals three times a day from Monday to Saturday at PDP-Laban Headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City. Program Director Dexter Araquel said the kitchen was adopted from a similar program of then Mayor Duterte in Davao and they hope to expand to other locations nationwide, through the help of volunteers and food donations. Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta
US Embassy warns Americans of terror… PAGE A1 t
near its premises, which, according to the embassy, sets “as a timely reminder of the recurring threat that terrorism and political violence pose in the Philippines.” Last November 28, a street sweeper reportedly found an improvised explosive device (IED) u PAGE A5 in a trash bin around 25 meters
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from the U.S. Embassy’s gate in Manila. The explosive device was later safely detonated, with no one injured. According to the advisory, possible places that could be targeted by terrorists include sporting events, hotels, clubs and restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and shopping malls. “With this information comes the reminder for U.S. citizens
to elevate your level of security awareness. It is imperative that you enhance your personal sense of vigilance and remain alert and cognizant of your surroundings and of those around you,” the advisory added. The embassy also told Americans to immediately report anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement or security official. (Dana Sioson / AJPress)
US officials seize Marcos…
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area where they were living.” P90B worth of assets The PCGG has reported it had recovered over P90 billion worth of assets from the Marcoses and their cronies, including Swiss bank accounts turned over to the Philippine government. A large part of the assets were used to fund the government’s agrarian reform program. A case study by the World Bank-UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative estimated that Marcos had purloined between $5 billion and $10 billion during his reign from 1965 to 1986. The study said: “This ill-gotten wealth was accumulated through six channels: Outright takeover of large private
enterprises; creation of stateowned monopolies in vital sectors of the economy; awarding government loans to private individuals acting as fronts for Marcos or his cronies; direct raiding of the public treasury and government financial institutions; kickbacks and commissions from firms working in the Philippines, and skimming off foreign aid and other forms of international assistance. The proceeds were laundered through the use of shell corporations, which invested the funds in real estate inside the United States, or by depositing the funds in various domestic and offshore banks under pseudonyms, in numbered accounts or accounts with code names.” (With reports from Inquirer Research)
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Fil-Am student among fatalities in Oakland warehouse fire
CHRISTMAS SEASON IN UP. The University of the Philippines opens the Christmas season with the unveiling of Toym Imao’s installation “Budyong.” In line with the theme “Himig ng Diliman,” the Oblation was designed to be surrounded by lantern elements that take the shape of a conch shell or a “budyong” that is used as a horn, an instrument that dates back to the pre-colonial era. Inquirer.net photo by Leo Sabangan
OAKLAND, California — Filipino American Vanessa Quintos Plotkin, 21, was among those who died in a warehouse fire here on Dec. 2, the coroner’s office confirmed. Plotkin was first reported missing following the Ghost Ship warehouse fire that killed 36 young people, in what is known as the deadliest fire in Oakland’s history. Plotkin was University of California, Berkeley sociology student. She grew up in Lakewood, California, and went to electronic concert at the warehouse with her roommate, Jennifer Morris, who was also among the confirmed dead. Fire investigators reported that the fatalities were first overcome
Millionaires, CEOs and military personnel comprise Trump’s…
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and openly expressed enjoying the brutal nature of war. Mattis is also known for his undeniable understanding of military strategy, a characteristic that piqued Trump’s interest. Trump announced the appointment to a cheering rally in North Carolina on Tuesday, December 6, saying that Mattis was “one of the most effective generals that we’ve had in many, many decades.” Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education The billionaire former Republican Party chairwoman in Michigan has been a leader in the movement to drastically change the education landscape. Spending millions to push create programs and laws, DeVos — who has had no experience in the public school domain — successfully expanded the use public funds to pay for private/religious school tuition by way of vouchers and other like program in several states. After her nomination, her provoucher and pro-school choice agenda may play a key role in her new post, which coincides with Trump’s vow to divert funds away from the public education system, which he has described as “a government-run monopoly.” Tom Price, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Another one of Trump’s promises on the campaign trail was an end to President Barack Obama’s landmark health care laws, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. With his appointment of Price — an orthopedic surgeon from Atlanta — as his HHS secretary, Trump may have a perfect solution to that promise. A strong critic of Obamacare, Price has offered a detailed health care plan to challenge and replace Obamacare since 2009 as Obamacare was being written. His suggested legislations — called the Empowering Patients First Act — would repeal Obamacare and offer “age-adjusted tax credits” for individual and group health plans, according to a report from The New York Times. This year, House Republicans have adopted several ideas from his plan in their issued “Better Way” agenda. Gen. John F. Kelly, Secretary of Homeland Security A retired four-star general, Gen. Kelly will be responsible for overseeing immigration under the Trump administration. As Southern Command chief, Kelly — in addition to commanding the Marines in Iraq — organized and managed U.S. military operations in South and Central America, including the border. Kelly’s son, Robert, was killed in combat in Afghanistan, which made him the highest-ranking officer in the military to lose a child during the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan. Critics also say this very quality was pivotal in Trump’s nomination following the backlash he received for criticizing the Khan family, a MuslimAmerican family who lost their son during the Iraq War.
Like Trump, Kelly possesses strict concerns on the U.S./Mexico border, including drug trafficking. Ben Carson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Although former Republican presidential nominee Ben Carson previously expressed disinterest in serving in Trump’s administration, Trump nominated the retired neurosurgeon to head the HUD department. Carson does not have experience in government, bureaucracy or housing policy, however, Trump has no doubt that Carson harbors the qualities necessary to uplifting cities and towns across the U.S. “Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities,” Trump said in a statement on Monday, December 5. “We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message for economic revival, very much including our inner cities.” Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation One of the first women of color that Trump has nominated in his administration, Elaine Chao’s appointment as transportation secretary is crucial to those who call for more Asian-American and female representation in Washington. Chao previously served on former President George W. Bush’s Cabinet as the Secretary of Labor; in his administration, she was the only official to serve all eight years. Before that, she had been the deputy secretary of transportation from 1989-1991 during former President George H.W. Bush’s administration. A solid figure in the Republican establishment, Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and has campaigned for him. Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of Treasury During the election race, the entrepreneur, Wall Street investor and former executive of Goldman Sachs — one of the banks that needed a government bailout during the 2008 recession— served as Trump’s campaign national finance chair. After 17 years of rising to the top of Goldman Sachs, Mnuchin left to begin his own hedge fund and also finances large, blockbuster films in Hollywood on the side. Scott Pruitt, Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) When Trump nominated Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the new head of the EPA, those that support climate change initiatives were outraged. Pruitt, who has close ties to the fossil fuel industry, has been a key player in challenging President Obama’s climate change policies. The appointment of the socalled “climate change denier” — whose stances coincide with Trump’s — outraged those who have been fighting for climate change initiatives in Congress,
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including former Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). “Trump’s nominee to lead EPA, Scott Pruitt, is a climate denier who’s worked closely with the fossil fuel industry. That’s sad and dangerous,” Sanders tweeted on Wednesday, December 7 after the announcement. Linda McMahon, Head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) McMahon — co-founder and former CEO of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a close friend of Trump — donated a total of $7.5 million to superPACs that supported Trump’s campaign in August and September. In 2010 and 2012, Mc-
by smoke before they burned to death. The Ghost Ship warehouse was gathering place for young artists and music enthusiasts. Although makeshift rooms and space dividers, mostly wooden, had been built inside, the space was not
supposed to be residential. A report now says the warehouse hadn’t been subjected to city inspection in 30 years. Neighbors said what appeared to be unauthorized parties and performance were held there every weekend. (Inquirer.net)
Mahon ran for but failed to win the Republican Senate seat in Connecticut. Trump cited the WWE’s upward mobility from a “13-person operation to a publicly traded global enterprise” for McMahon’s nomination. “Linda is going to be a phenomenal leader and champion for small businesses and unleash America’s entrepreneurial spirit all across the country,” Trump said in a statement on Friday, December 9. Appointments for the Cabinet secretaries of State, the Interior, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Labor, and Energy are still pending, Vanessa Plotkin, a Filipino American sociology student at University of California, Berkeley, as of this writing. (Klarize Mede- was among the 36 fatalities in the deadliest fire in Oakland’s history. Photo courtesy of Facbook nilla/AJPress)
A DECEMBER 10-13, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USa
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Multilingual campaign aims to boost local voter turnout in LA by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
CITY officials hope Angelenos will take the opportunity presented by the upcoming primary and general elections in Los Angeles to shape the future of their communities. In an effort to drive more residents to the polls, representatives from the office of the City Clerk’s Election Division launched the “L.A. City Votes!� outreach and education campaign on Thursday, December 8. Projects staged by the division, along with 25 nonprofit groups and 18 media organizations, aim to reverse the trend of low voter turnout in local elections. “I don’t think we’ve done a great job in the past of getting the word out about why it’s important for people to vote in local elections,� L.A. City Clerk Holly Wolcott told the Asian Journal following a press conference promoting voter outreach on Thursday. “That’s what we hope to change this year.� The Election Division and its partners in the campaign will distribute informational materials available in English, Tagalog and 11 other languages designed to educate residents about voting procedures and their options on next year’s ballots. In addition, representatives of “L.A. City Votes!� will put on pre-
sentations and conduct outreach at college campuses, farmer’s markets, festivals and other community events in hopes of boosting electoral participation across the county. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) typically exhibit a low voter turnout rate, according to Josh Alegado, the programs coordinator for the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE). He hopes that the inlanguage information offered by the “LA City Votes!� campaign will help many members of those communities overcome perceived language barriers to the polls. AAPIs, and Filipinos in particular, have the potential to play a decisive role in the outcome of next year’s elections and the development of their neighborhoods, according to Alegado. “[Filipinos] comprise a large part of the population for a lot of the council districts that are going up for re-election,� he told the Asian Journal after Thursday’s press conference. “We are a big force in Los Angeles and we need to go out and vote.� Alegado went on to say that, so long as the electorate stays informed, making the choice to be heard matters more than who or what residents vote for. The information disseminated by the “LA City Votes Campaign�
is not intended to sway voters’ decisions in one particular direction or another. “We’re here to educate, support and just be there for everyone so that they can exercise their right to vote in any language,� Chief of Elections Jinny Pak told the Asian Journal at City Hall on Thursday. All of the campaign’s educational materials are available on the Election Division’s website. In addition, the campaign will reach out to the electorate via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Residents can also submit any questions they might have to the election division by phone, mail or email. Pak also recommended a series of speeches to be delivered by each of the candidates and aired on LA CityView Channel 35 to those who would like to learn even more about the people currently running for office. Transcripts of those speeches will also be made available for those who are unable to catch the broadcast. “Municipal elections are important because the decision makers you are electing have the most to do with your everyday life,� said Wolcott. “They make decisions about community planning, how budgets are spent in your community, police, trash pickup, things that impact you
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EARLY CHRISTMAS. Visually impaired children from Alabang Elementary School in Muntinlupa City (Metro Manila) are given free rides at an amusement park at the Alabang Festival Mall on Tuesday , Dec. 6 as the country celebrates International Day of Persons with Disablities. Ten percent of the Philippine population comprise children, youth and women with disabilities. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.
December deadline approaching to have health coverage by Jan. 1 THE political environment may be changing, but the health coverage realities for many people have not. That is the message Covered California and its Certified Insurance Agents, Certified Enrollment Counselors and other Certified Enrollment Entities are
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delivering to the remaining uninsured as the December 15 deadline to get coverage starting Jan. 1, 2017 approaches. “People are worried about things changing,� said Henry Jin, owner of Henry Jin Insurance Agency Inc. in El Monte, California. “So we’re trying to educate people on what’s really going on. Nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen, but we know there will be coverage in 2017.� Enrollment for 2017 coverage began on November 1 and ends Jan. 31, 2017. But to have health insurance in place at the start of the new year, enrollment must be completed by Dec. 15. Plans offered through Covered California are name brand and in most areas of the state, there are three or more insurance carriers to choose from. For Roberto Ortiz, co-owner of Ortiz & Associates insurance agency in La Puente, it has been a unique open-enrollment period. Ortiz, who has partnered with Covered California since its inception, said the first few days of enrollment were like a rollercoaster. “In the first week, there were a lot of calls and traffic,� Ortiz said. “Then everything went quiet after the election, but as more information has become known,
it’s gotten busier again.� Covered California had more than 1.3 million consumers in 2016 and more than 2.8 million Californians have purchased health insurance through the exchange since it opened its doors in 2014. Covered California has helped reduce the state’s uninsured rate from 17 percent in 2013 to 7.4 percent in the first half of 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While plans in Washington, D.C. about the future of health care remain uncertain, the subsidies available to Californians to help pay for health insurance remain very much in place. Last year, financial help in the form of subsidies allowed nearly 200,000 Covered California consumers to pay less than $25 per month for their coverage. The average household received more than $5,000 in subsidies that year. For 2017, most consumers can save up to $55 per urgent care visit and their copays for seeing their primary care doctor will also be lower. And, for consumers selecting Silver, Gold or Platinum plans, most of their outpatient services like primary care and specialist visits, lab tests, X-
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 10-13, 2016
A
Dateline PhiliPPines
PNP nabs 4th suspect in bombing attempt near US Embassy, finds 2nd IED alleged perpetrators were part of the “Ansar Al-Khalifa,� an alliance of terror groups, which A FOURTH person allegedly include the Maute group, the behind the bombing attempt extremist group allegedly behind near the United States Embassy the bombing in Davao City last in Manila last week has been ar- September that killed 14 people rested, the Philippine National and injured dozens. Police (PNP) announced on The suspects reportedly conThursday, December 8. According to PNP chief Director Ronald “Bato� Dela Rosa, the fourth suspect, whom he did not identify, was nabbed on Wednesday, December 7, in Zambales. Last November 28, an improvised explosive device (IED) was found by a street sweeper in a trash bin reportedly around 25 meters from the U.S. Embassy’s gate in Manila. The explosive device was later safely detonated, with no one injured. Two suspects, identified as Rayson Kilala Sakdal and Jamir Kinar, were earlier arrested in Bulacan on November 30. According to Dela Rosa, the by Dana
SioSon AJPress
INTRAMUROS CLEANUP. Employees of Harte Hanks Philippines wield brooms as they help clean a park in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday, December 8. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Ranada
Multilingual campaign aims to‌
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every day.� The offices of the Mayor, City Controller, and City Attorney, as well as a number of City Council and school board seats, are at stake next year. Proposals related to education, homelessness, and a diverse collection of other issues encountered by many Angelenos will also seek the public’s approval. Alegado encouraged families to sit down with each other to discuss the ballot and how their decisions might decide the direction their communities moving forward. He hopes the outreach conducted by the Election Division and its partners will help add substance and context to those conversations.
December‌
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rays and imaging are not subject to a deductible. Emergency room visits for these plans are now a flat fee. Even consumers in Covered California’s most affordable Bronze plans are able to see their doctor or a specialist three times without having to meet their deductible. These changes for 2017 will help consumers save thousands of dollars. Open enrollment continues through Jan. 31, 2017. Consumers interested in learning more about their coverage options should go to CoveredCA.com or call (800) 300-1506. Consumers must enroll by Dec. 15 to get coverage by Jan. 1, 2017. n
“Now the city is doing a better job of giving us those resources, making us feel confident, and making us feel like we’re part of democracy,� he said on Thursday. The primary nominating elec-
tion scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, 2017 will narrow down the field of competitors for public office. Voters will then cast their ballots for the remaining candidates in the general municipal election on Tuesday, May 16. n
fessed that the bombing attempt near the embassy was an act of diversion to ease up the recent military operations against the Maute Group in Lanao del Sur. Dela Rosa also said that the group wanted to gain the recognition of ISIS by causing a large
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A DECEMBER 10-13, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OpiniOn
Features
A commitment vs corruption IN 2003, the United Nations recognized the adverse effects of corruption on sustainable development, the rule of law and democracy. The recognition of the problem led to the approval by the UN on Dec. 9, 2003 of the Convention Against Corruption, the first such instrument that is legally binding around the world. Since the convention went into force on Dec. 14, 2005, 140 of the 180 parties have become signatories. These include the Philippines, which ratified the pact on Nov. 8, 2006, becoming the second country in Southeast Asia and the fifth in Asia to do so. The convention commits signatories to undertake preventive measures against graft, criminalize a broad range of acts of corruption as well as cooperate with the international community in fighting the problem and in recovering ill-gotten assets of crooked individuals. Public officials must be reminded of these commitments as the nation joins the world in marking the anniversary of the signing of the convention today. Since the Philippines ratified the convention, corruption scandals continued to rock the country. The pork barrel scandal and the anomalous deals involving the Metro Rail Transit are just some of the examples of the adverse impact
of corruption on the delivery of basic services and development efforts. Apart from large-scale corruption, Filipinos are also plagued by petty graft at all levels of the bureaucracy. The need to oil the wheels of government with grease money has turned off investors, dampened entrepreneurship and made life difficult for millions of Filipinos. President Duterte has promised a clean government and is reportedly preparing to go after corrupt public servants. For this campaign to succeed, it must include not only ferreting out and punishing crooked government workers but also structural reforms that will plug opportunities for graft. It must also include a serious effort to identify and recover the fruits of corruption. Along this line, the government must revitalize Marcos dictatorship. Billions in assets have been the effort to hold someone accountable for the recovered and traced to the Marcos regime, but so enormous wealth illegally accumulated during the far no one has gone to prison for illegally amass-
Guest Editorial
Philstar.com photo
ing the wealth. The failure to punish corruption of such magnitude is one of the reasons why the problem persists. (Philstar.com)
What is a good homily? “WE need to realize that God is much closer than we think and to recognize when we have arrived in the presence of God. When you arrive in God’s presence you often experience a kind of serenity and pleasurable sensations. These are called the “consolations of God.” God uses those consolations to lure us, to bribe us into wanting to be with Him. They are like sweets we use to reward children. As our relationship with God matures, we often no longer experience these sweets when we pray. We arrive and yet the journey continues, as we grow ever more in our God awareness. This God awareness is shown by our God likeness, and how we are increasingly becoming what we love.” – Bishop Desmond Tutu, “God Has a Dream, “ 2004. I was requested to describe what I consider a good homily from a layman’s point of view. To me, the homily is like a song, it sings to your soul that when you get home, you can’t help but share the lyrics of the song, hum it a bit, and then, after mastery of the lyrics, you sing it to another person. That is the effect of a good homily, it has a multiplier effect of GRACE, and it multiplies God’s word. I remember getting so excited with Simbang Gabi at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. For nine days, this celebration allows the Word of God to bring us good news. I remember inviting a dozen or more of my friends to come and at the end of the mass; we had similar experiences, tears, awe, admiration and appreciation of God’s word. Imagine this, after the homily: we rush to go a friend’s bakery, because the owner also attended mass. We compare notes about the Gospel, the homily and what we may have missed. We are so happy that we internalized God’s Good News for
the day. I still remember that Jesus came from a lineage of Rhizomes sinners, all imperfect beings, and we gain such comfort that all these generations have been “qualified” to become the “pass through” human beings from whence the Prosy aBarquezDelacruz, J.D. genes of Jesus was derived. When I got excited listening to the names it became a profound transformative experience because before they were just names, but when a good homilist made us realize the significance of tracing the lineage and realizing the depth of God’s love for human kind, tears flowed during Eucharist and Communion. Okay, perhaps those were God’s consolations to us, and it may have been made easier by listening to good music from the choir members who took the time to practice so they are singing in harmony, but it was the homily, the profound revelations being shared by the priest that sets the tone for our beings to be emptied, to focus on God’s reading, to want to do more research when we get home so the homily is imprinted in us permanently. That is the impact of a good homily, much like when a singer and a musician do a great performance, their performances are imprinted within our spirits, and we want to soar with these lyrics. Same with the homily, it is not forgotten. Like the words of Fr. Camilo Pacanza, the buffet of love and he describes that love is a decision, it is action, it is beyond words. He then follows it up with short vignettes of stories of how lovers interact, how they are lost in their time with one another, how they invest in conversations. Then, he switches to what we must do when we pray, when we are enveloped in the warmth of God’s
love for us. I still remember him saying I “sleep by making love” to Mother Mary. I was so touched by his statement and then he described that when he gets tired, that tiredness does not stop him in the practice of praying the rosary and he starts praying and at times falls asleep praying. It was such an organic, honest revelation that prayer is something that one can fall asleep with, of that warm embrace of God that I practiced it one day, camping in the woods. I was scared by the darkness and with no lights to illuminate the ground; I remember what Fr. Camilo said. I took my rosary, prayed and fell asleep praying. But what I remember about that experience is that instead of being afraid, there was a feeling of lightness, of being uplifted, that God has become present in all the molecules of my life, no longer compartmentalized, no longer structured out of my functions of living. God is now not only in the redwood trees, God is also in the clouds, God is in the milky way and God is certainly my beloved! I felt that even as I slept next to my husband, Enrique, my beloved too. Here is another homily I really liked. It was Fr. Rodel Balagtas’s description of a discussion that two faculty members had in the seminary. He described one faculty member as insisting on a gauntlet, drawing the line of including only those who are worthy individuals to become priests and to kick out those who are not. While another faculty member described allowing God’s grace to occupy the life of the incoming seminarians until they become qualified as priests. To me, it showed how we are faced with life’s
choices, daily balancing between being right or being wrong, the hard right vs. the easy wrong, that we can shut the door and say, “exclude this, exclude that so we can purify and cleanse the ranks” or the hard right, that “we can show compassion and allow the person’s evolution and growth, but guiding them to find the inspiration to guide them in their spiritual journey.” I chose the latter even as I have lesser patience listening to homilies that bring out murderous anger than inspiration. I have been confronted with priests who used corporal punishment to discipline young impressionable girls into obedience, submission and control in the Philippines. That made me question what is a good priest from a young age of 6 years old. These priests were preaching love for others, yet, they could not be compassionate to the young students they were interacting with. A homily is made up of important attention getters – a word, a metaphor, an image, song verses. Like a dialogue in a cafeteria, or going out camping with my brothers and sisters, or breathing using an oxygen tank, or bacon, chicken and pork and relating it to what we laypersons do in their ordinary lives. When that connection is made, the parishioners are looking forward to listening to the entire homily. Then when a priest mentions a book he read and what lessons were learned, there is an even greater curiosity to know more about the new ideas being shared. New readings are made more accessible, that the parishioner ‘s curiosity for more depth is encouraged. I found myself buying books about how the saints lived in mission churches we visited on vacation, as priests mentioned their stories in brief during the homily. But
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US Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino WWII vets MY father-in-law, Jose Nobleza, Sr., and my eldest broth- Street er, Wilfredo, did not Talk live long enough to see this happen, but 99-year old Celestino Almeda of Gaithersburg, Maryland still GreG B. MacaBenta walks the corridors of power in Washington DC, eagerly waiting for President Barack Obama to sign into law, S. 1555, The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. Almeda is one of only 18,000 surviving veterans, out of 260,000 young Filipinos who answered the call to arms of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt upon the invasion of the Philippines by Japanese Imperial Forces. Both the living and the dead will finally be accorded America’s highest civilian honor for their courage, heroism and sacrifices, by the same U.S. Congress that passed the grossly unjust Rescission Act of 1946 that specifically denied veterans’ benefits to Filipinos who had fought under the American flag in World War II. The Congressional Gold Medal Act was finally passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last November 30. It had been earlier passed by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent. Signing it into law may be one of the last official acts of the Obama presidency. Filipino and Filipino-American veter-
ans will soon be part of the same roster of heroes headed in March 1776 by the first Congressional Gold Medal recipient, George Washington – a roster that includes America’s most honored men and women, including revolutionary hero, John Paul Jones, Major Generals Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. John J. Pershing, Rev. Martin Luther King, Thomas Edison, Charles Lindberg and, among military units, the Navajo Code Talkers, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Japanese-American Nisei infantry men and intelligence officers who fought in the European theater in spite of the incarceration of ethnic Japanese in America at the outbreak of World War II. The roster also includes South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, the United Kingdom’s Sir Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Harry S. Truman, athletes Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson, Hollywood icons, Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra and John Wayne, and astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., Michael Collins and John Glenn, Jr. to mention the personalities most familiar to Pinoys. The Congressional Gold Medal will be minted by the U.S. Treasury, to the tune of approximately $33,000, and
put on permanent public display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, along with all the other medals. Replicas will be made available to veterans and their living relatives in ceremonies being planned in the U.S. and in the Philippines. To cover the cost of the replicas and thus make them available for free to the recipients, a fund-raising effort will be mounted by the same FilAms that President Rodrigo Duterte dismissed as being inconsequential (“They do not count!”), on one of his foot-in-mouth moments. Indeed, it is a rarified pantheon on which our Filipino veterans will be placed. But reaching that apex required tremendous audacity and unrelenting efforts by Fil-Ams, led by Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (U.S. Army, retired), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP). Taguba is the same general who exposed U.S. atrocities in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq at great risk to his military career. Despite being lionized by the U.S. Congress and American media, Taguba was eased out of the service by Pentagon quarters. According to Bing Cardenas Branigin, Washington DC-based Fil-Am community leader and former staffer of the late Minister Greg Cendaña’s Malacañang press office, Taguba had been involved in securing approval for the Congressional Gold Medal of the JapaneseAmerican Nisei units. Branigin assisted
Taguba in the distribution of medals to the aging recipients. And it occurred to them that Filipino World War II veterans deserved the same honor. In 2003, Taguba, retired Maj. Gen. Delfin Lorenzana (then head of the Office of Veterans Affairs at the Philippine embassy in Washington DC and now Secretary of National Defense under Duterte), NaFFAA co-founder Jon Melegrito, Marie Blanco and Jude Saunders met at the Dubliner Irish Pub in the nation’s capital to discuss the idea of national recognition for the Filipino veterans, All they had to start with was a firm belief in their cause. Recalled Ben de Guzman, FilVetREP’s Outreach Director, there was an outpouring of support for the cause which soon became a national campaign. “A coalition of national advocacy groups serving Filipino Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, veterans service organizations, and countless local organizations and advocates at the local level took part in this national campaign. Their engagement with their senators and representatives in the last 17 months was instrumental in moving the CGM legislation forward,” de Guzman said. “Without grassroots support, it would have been difficult to mount the kind of campaign needed to bring us to this historic moment, which we celebrate with pride today.” When the U.S. House of Representatives finally approved the bill, Taguba exulted: “Today is truly a great day, a
significant seminal period in American history – second only to the liberation of the Philippines and surrender of the Japanese Imperial Forces on August 15, 1945. Now we can tell our veterans with pride in our hearts that this grateful nation has, at last, granted them recognition for the selfless sacrifice they endured in war, and restored their dignity and honor in service to their nation.” The Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 was introduced in June 2015 in the Senate by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), with U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) as lead co-sponsor, and in the House by U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI-2), with U.S. Rep. Joseph Heck (R-Nev.-3) as lead cosponsor. All over the U.S., Fil-Am community leaders called on their congressional representatives to support the bill, while other ethnic groups did their own due diligence. The efforts paid off. There was some apprehension with the electoral victory of Donald Trump that the bill would not get the needed support before the adjournment of the current Congress. But last minute efforts by the proponents resulted in 312 cosponsors in the House, complementing the prior Senate approval. One final act is needed to complete this impressive story. A stroke of the pen by President Obama and Filipinos and Filipino-American fighting men will have an indelible place in American history. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
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OpiniOn & Features
PROMISES, PROMISES. PROMISES, PROMISES A woman listens thoughtfully as President Duterte delivers a speech at the Urban Poor Solidarity Week celebration held at Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon
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What is a good…
the best part of the homily is the depth of spiritual wisdom shared. What is the import, the essence of the Gospel? What does it mean to be a carrier of Good News ? I was struck in a retreat led by Fr. Rodel when he said Mama Mary was the first carrier of Good News. It got my attention and realized that he is right as Mary carried Jesus in her womb. That statement from Fr. Rodel conveyed for me his high respects for women and it meant a lot to me. Contrast this to a homily where a young priest told the women they were inappropriately dressed and then proceeded to say these women should do so or they would lose their souls. The feminist in me made me question –“Is God the judging God or the God of love?” Why is he looking at clothes of women when he is supposedly deep in prayer? I still remember this homily of a trip that Fr. Rodel Balagtas took with his fellow visiting priests/friends with Fr. Camilo Pacanza. They were going to Catalina Island and there was only one ferry ride available. After the 7am mass, which ended at 730am, they rushed to go to the Port in Long Beach to catch the 9am ferry. Of course, the distance from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church to Long Beach is at least 30 miles, which is possible to navigate if there is no traffic, but 730am is the peak of workday traffic. So when they got there at 9am, the ferry had already left. But, miracles of a miracle, a special ferry was available at 10 am, and so they got to Catalina Island. They visited the local priests of Catalina Island and for some inadvertent reason, Fr. Camilo got left behind. He found them through his instincts and a built-in compass of finding them at a restaurant by the breakwaters. He kept telling us during the homily how God was with him all day long. Then, on the way back, their car had a flat tire. They were in an isolated part of Long Beach, with car repair shops already closed. But, luck of luck, they found a man whom they asked to repair their tire. They kept praying that the tire would hold up for the trip back to the church and again, at peak traffic hour and the car did get them home. Fr. Camilo persuaded us God permeated their entire trip from IHMC to Catalina Island and back. All throughout that day, we hung onto each word
he uttered and we were on the edge of our seats wondering if they made it. That is the effect of a good homily. Long after the priests have completed their homilies, delivered them with gusto, with depth of content, our love for God has been stoked and the love to read God’s word has been nurtured even more. Homilies light the fires of one’s love for God and homilies gives us an inspiring path when the world outside is in chaos. For where do we draw our strength from to continue our days with? Homilies that preach condemnation, loss of souls, corrupted self are confused, un-generous homilies, that are a result of lack of preparation, lack of reflection and a lack of connection with God who is loving, kind, generous and compassionate. Lastly, a good homily is grounded, relevant and deepens our knowledge about God’s word as if delivered well, it makes us want to read and to research more. I still remember the pastor at a church in Beverly Hills who invited nuns to speak about the conditions in Africa. That invitation allowed us a spectator’s glimpse of what was happening in that part of the world. After mass, he asked us to go next door to look at the arts and crafts. I bought a well-designed pillow cover as it was made by the women refugee survivors whose homes were burned down. The homily allowed us to connect to another part of the world, so distant in geography, but much closer to our hearts in compassion. That is what a good homily does, it connects, it grounds us to God’s word and it inspires to be better angels of our nature. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 9 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Japan, Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 10-13, 2016
A
A10 DECEMBER 10-13, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline PHiliPPineS
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NEW PH NAVY FRIGATE. People waves miniature flags as they welcome the arrival of BRP Andres Bonifacio at Pier 13 in South Harbor, Manila. BRP Andres Bonifacio is a naval warship pledged by US President Barrack Obama to the Philippines during his visit to the country in 2015. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez
Manila won’t shut down for Miss U
by Catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
NO road closures, no hiding street dwellers. This was the promise of government agencies involved in the country’s hosting of the Miss Universe in January, aside from the usual assurances of tight security, as pageant candidates began arriving in Manila on Friday, Dec. 9. Tourism Undersecretary Katherine de Castro said President Rodrigo Duterte did not like what happened during the visits of US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis, and Manila’s hosting of the APEC summit when street dwellers were picked up by authorities and hidden in resorts. “When we presented it to President Duterte that’s the first thing he said. Don’t close the roads, don’t hide people. Let’s show that despite poverty, there is beauty in this country,” she said in a news conference in Malacañang. Interior Undersecretary Emily Padilla said the government would mobilize “to the hilt” resources to secure the pageant, which will be broadcast worldwide from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on January 30, 2017. “We cannot afford any lapses in security, our enforcement
MISS U BETS Candidates to the Miss Universe 2017 pageant have started arriving in Manila. Shown here upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are Miss New Zealand Tania Pauline Dawson and Miss USA Deshauna Barber. Photo by Roger Ranada
agencies will make sure that there will be a safe and successful holding of the Miss Universe,” Padilla told reporters. January will be busy for law enforcement agencies because, aside from the Miss Universe pageant, meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will also be held in Manila. “We have managed to show the world already that we are capable of providing security to major events, like the papal visit and the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), and now the Asean which will coincide with this Miss Universe,” Padilla said.
Padilla said there was no specific security threat to the pageant. Aside from the Mall of Asia Arena, Miss Universe pageant events will take place in Cebu, Vigan and Siargao, among other venues. President Duterte, who is invited to the show, will meet the Miss Universe candidates in the Palace on January 23, de Castro said. Beauties arrive Pageant bets arrived in Manila on Friday ahead of the welcome party for the 65th Miss Universe candidates to be held at the Con-
u PAGE A11
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 10-13, 2016
A11
Bongbong, Leni told: Let PET do its job by Sheila
CriSoStomo Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, Dec. 9 appealed to all parties in the protest case filed by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allow the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) to do its job. Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said it would be better if concerned parties just let the PET resolve Marcos’ protest case against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Bautista stressed the case is now beyond the Comelec’s jurisdiction. “It is now with PET. As far as we are concerned, this is already not our job. And (we should) let the PET do its job,” he said. Bautista said the Comelec could only provide support to PET in the course of hearing the case. “We have already assured PET that we are going to assist them in whatever way they wish us to do, such as to provide whatever information they would need, in order to rule on the matter in
the most judicial manner,” he added. Marcos had questioned the proclamation of Robredo, who won by a margin of 263,473. Last Sunday, Robredo revealed she had been warned of a plot to take the vice presidency from her. She said that no less than President Duterte had introduced Marcos as someone who could be the new vice president by next year if he wins in his protest case. Duterte, for his part, had assured the public that Robredo would finish her term. n
PNP nabs 4th suspect in bombing…
PAGE A7 t
number of casualties. The arrests of Sakdal and Kinar were then followed by the capture of the third suspect earlier this week in Bulacan. The third suspect, identified as Mohammad Jumao-as, reportedly told authorities the location of a venues. President Duterte, who is in- second IED. “As far as that group is convited to the show, will meet the Miss Universe candidates in the cerned, sabi nila dalawa ito Palace on January 23, de Castro (pampasabog). Nakakarga sa Revo dinala nila from Mindanao said. Beauties arrive Pageant bets arrived in Manila on Friday ahead of the welcome party for the 65th Miss Universe candidates to be held at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City on Saturday. Half-Filipina Tania Pauline Dawson of New Zealand was the first to arrive at 3:20 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 219, while Deshauna Barber of the United States came in at around 4:45 a.m. on board PR 103. Also spotted at the Manila airport was Miss Korea Jenny Kim. De Castro and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, chairman of the pageant’s private partners, welcomed the Miss Universe hopefuls. Barber and reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines, who returned to Manila on Thursday, had been roommates. “Pia has told me a lot about what to expect, so I am hoping you guys can still surprise me. This country has been so wonderful to me since my being crowned. And the support that I received from the Philippines has been wonderful, so I am incredibly excited to be here and I look forward to all the festivities,” Barber said. n
CHAMPIONS. The De La Salle University Green Archers celebrate after beating the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 79 men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Dec. 7. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
Manila won’t shut down for Miss U
PAGE A10 t
rad Hotel in Pasay City on Saturday. Half-Filipina Tania Pauline Dawson of New Zealand was the first to arrive at 3:20 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 219, while Deshauna Barber of the United States came in at around 4:45 a.m. on board PR 103. Also spotted at the Manila airport was Miss Korea Jenny Kim. De Castro and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, chairman of the pageant’s private partners, welcomed the Miss Universe hopefuls. Barber and reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines, who returned to Manila on Thursday, had been roommates. “Pia has told me a lot about what to expect, so I am hoping you guys can still surprise me. This country has been so wonderful to me since my being crowned. And the support that I received from the Philippines has been wonderful, so I am incredibly excited to be here and I look forward to all the festivities,” Barber said. Tourism Undersecretary Katherine de Castro said President Rodrigo Duterte did not like what happened during the visits of US President Barack Obama and Pope Francis, and Manila’s hosting of the APEC summit when street dwellers were picked up by authorities and hidden in resorts.
“When we presented it to President Duterte that’s the first thing he said. Don’t close the roads, don’t hide people. Let’s show that despite poverty, there is beauty in this country,” she said in a news conference in Malacañang. Interior Undersecretary Emily Padilla said the government would mobilize “to the hilt” resources to secure the pageant, which will be broadcast worldwide from the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on January 30, 2017. “We cannot afford any lapses in security, our enforcement agencies will make sure that there will be a safe and successful holding of the Miss Universe,” Padilla told reporters. January will be busy for law enforcement agencies because, aside from the Miss Universe pageant, meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will also be held in Manila. “We have managed to show the world already that we are capable of providing security to major events, like the papal visit and the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), and now the Asean which will coincide with this Miss Universe,” Padilla said. Padilla said there was no specific security threat to the pageant. Aside from the Mall of Asia Arena, Miss Universe pageant events will take place in Cebu, Vigan and Siargao, among other
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to Manila na tinambakan lang ng unan para kung checkpoint hindi makita and so far ‘yung dalawa na IED na yan is accounted na natin (They claimed there were only two bombs. The devices were transported from Mindanao to Metro Manila on board a Revo, covered by pillows to escape checkpoints. So far, the police has accounted for these two IEDs),” Dela Rosa said. The PNP chief presented the
second IED on Thursday, which, according to him, has a 75 to 80-meter blast radius and could kill up to 300 people. Dela Rosa said the device is a military unexploded ordnance (UXO) or an unexploded bomb. The second IED has already been safely detonated using a water cannon disruptor, he added. The PNP said the fifth and final suspect is still being hunted down and could be hiding in Mindanao, as of press time. n
A12 DECEMBER 10-13, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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CENTURY PROPERTIES’ CONCEPT DEVELOPMENTS
MOVE RIGHT INTO A BEACHSIDE COMMUNITY, A RESIDENTIAL EDEN, OR A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT JUST IMMEDIATELY after Bicutan exit from the South Luzon expressway in the Philippines is a condominium community that continues to surprise guests. It is the Azure Urban Resort Residences, which attracted a lot of attention when Paris Hilton inaugurated its central amenity called the Paris Beach Club. Not common among urban developments, it has become a huge part of the community’s appeal. If in the past, themes often meant “design,â€? these days, a themed development offers an entirely experiential level. Century Properties, which celebrates its 30 years in Philippine real estate, is pushing the envelope by bringing more than just the sheen of exterior aesthetics into our lives — that is, through dynamic lifestyles that come with beautifully designed homes. If you’re ready to move, consider the following choices: beachside living in Azure Urban Resort Residences in Paranaque City, a residential Eden at Acqua Private Residences in Mandaluyong City, or a nurturing environment at the Residences at Commonwealth in Quezon City. At the Azure, home is beachside OLYLQJ 7KH Ă´UVW UHVLGHQWV RI WKH 9-building development now enjoy what may be the rarest amenity feature among condominium communities in the city. Sunbathing on the sand, beach volleyball, and of course, swimming, are as much a daily option as they wish. That’s like coming home to a resort every single day of the year. Complementing the beach set up is a beach bar that offers the pleasures of sundown cocktails. The community’s own clubhouse — the Paris Beach Club –is also by the water and offers an entire set of lifestyle options such as dining, exercising, VSD WUHDWPHQWV Ă´OP YLHZLQJ DQG gaming. Going much deeper into the city, RQH Ă´QGV WKH $FTXD ZKHUH WZR RI LWV towers are now livable communities — the Niagara and Sutherland. Like all of Acqua’s towers, both overlook a simulation of a tropical rainforest, or trails of greens that open to a vibrant waterfront. In the middle of this is the nowrising amenity called The Pebble, a country club by the water facing an ever dynamic urban center. Located right smack in the center of the development, it’s the perfect retreat for someone entrenched daily in the hustle of an ever mobile city. It is fronted by a Riverwalk Promenade which will house several commercial establishments. In the near future, residents shall have more lifestyle choices courtesy of Acqua Livingstone which is being interior designed by MissoniHome and Acqua Iguazu, whose interiors are by yoo inspired by Starck. Both seamlessly fuse their natureinspired designs with the hugely verdant themes pervading the entire
The Azure Urban Resort Residences offer beachside living daily.
The Lounge at the roofdeck of Osmeùa West, the first tower to rise at The Residences at Commonwealth, offers a glimpse of the community’s priority of its residents’ comfort and convenience even in providing leisure spaces.
Roofdeck at The Residences at Commonwealth
A residents’ lounge at the Niagara Tower of Acqua Private Residences
The Niagara Tower has its own skypark on the roof which allows residents to take in 360-degree views of the city.
development. Each tower has its own roofdeck amenity. Where Acqua Livingstone has The Canopy, the Acqua Iguazu has The Cielo. The Canopy spans two levels where varied pursuits
Ă´QG WKHLU KRPH IXQFWLRQ URRPV business centers, gyms, library, and other amenities that promote health, wellbeing, and cultural curiosity on the lower level; an amphitheater, a DJ ERRWK DQG GDQFH ĂľRRU SRRO DQG %%4
facilities, its social and entertainment space on the upper level. Tying these two levels together is an organic wire-mesh tree that winds its way up and connects to WKH PH]]DQLQH þRRU ZKLFK PD\ EH used as an open-air dining area or an observation deck. The Cielo, meanwhile promotes interaction between residents. It has a common dining area, a library, a bar. And looming above this is a Cielo feature, an orb that assumes the sun’s character by day, and the moon, by night. The Residences Commonwealth, meanwhile, is a venue to pursue one’s passion. It takes a multifaceted approach to amenity development. This community bears a nurturing spirit, what with indoor and outdoor spaces that provide holistic, active, and healthy lifestyle experiences. There will be areas that promote activity and wellness such as a basketball court, space for sports activities, athletic bootcamp area, J\P DQG ôWQHVV FHQWHU DQG LWV RZQ version of a children’s playground, The Orchard, a peeled apple-inspired treehouse with slides and ladder. Forget having idle moments as venues for learning on your own or with groups will abound: an arts & crafts studio, a dance studio within the gym, a cooking studio, and a school of rock. Toddlers also get their own space via the crèche (a nursery) and kindergarten. At a Century Properties home, living is an elevated experience, and arrivals are an anticipated daily routine — much more than the usual. Visit www.century-properties. com for information.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 10-13, 2016
SHOWBIZ&STYLE
B
Journal
Hollywood actress Chloe Grace Moretz 3 Miss Universe candidates arrive in Manila surprised by ‘viral’ Filipina look-alike by
Rosette Adel Philstar.com
AFTER photos of young Filipina tagged by netizens as “Filipina-version of Chloe Grace Moretz� went viral, the Hollywood actress herself recognized her “lookalike.� In a series of tweets, Chloe was surprised to see a Filipina who resembles her. Chloe’s “doppelganger� is Edcell Ched. She is working at fastfood chain Jollibee Navotas while she also studies at the Central Malabon University. Photo of young lady tagged by netizens as the “Filipina-version of Chloe Grace Moretz� went PAGE B2 viral in the Philippines
Asian-themed Lucky Dragon Hotel and Casino opens in Las Vegas by ChRistinA
M. oRiel
perity, and drinking tea to welcome guests. LAS VEGAS — An extensive Located on the north end of the lion and dragon dance and burst Strip along Sahara Avenue, Lucky of firecrackers marked the official Dragon is the first hotel and casino opening of Lucky Dragon Hotel in Vegas to be constructed from and Casino in this city over the the ground up and opened since weekend. the recession. Unlike regular grand openings James Weidner, the managing with a lineup of speeches, the cer- principal of Lucky Dragon, said beemony on Saturday, December 3, ing on board with the project was stuck to symbolic Chinese rituals, partly inspired by his and his father such as opening the dragon’s eyes William’s trips to China. to bring in good fortune and pros“It presented an opportunity to AJPress
do something here [in Las Vegas] that really respects the culture directly and approaches the Asian market, which is really powerful,� Weidner told the Asian Journal. The overall aesthetic and ambiance of the hotel and casino buildings were deliberately created to be “culturally correct, authentic and respectful,� Weidner said. That meant employing Feng Shui experts and design consultants who could really craft the Asian theme PAGE B2
THREE contestants of the Miss Universe pageant have arrived in Manila and 10 more are expected to arrive this weekend. Tourism Undersecretary Katherine De Castro confirmed that Miss USA Deshauna Barber and Miss New Zealand Tania Pauline Dawson have arrived in the country. Dawson, who is half Filipina, was the first candidate to arrive on Thursday, Dec. 8. Miss Korea Jenny Kim has also arrived in the country as posted by De Castro on her Facebook page. “The girls are here for a week and as we have announced, we (L-R) Miss New Zealand Tania Pauline Dawson and Miss USA Deshauna Barbers were met by PAGE B5
Tourism Undersecretary Katherine De Castro and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson when they arrived in Manila on Thursday, Dec. 8.
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Features
B december 10-13, 2016 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
Moonlighting by Mylah de
leon
INTERVIEWS come in many ways. Some regard them as battles, others call them theater pieces — even as delightful minuets. But for showbiz interviewing, which tends to elicit mere entertainment, not information, receives much disdain, especially by those who clearly would be considered as “newspeople.� The license to ask virtually anybody in the world, to let the subject come in and ask them everything, is that moment when you have available to you the whole universe of person’s life. Their pains and sufferings, their joys and struggles you can learn from and take with you. Their doings, their loves, their poems, their goals, their music, their meetings, their films, their millions, their misfortunes, and their celebrity. It is so vast and so clamorous, exasperating that plagues and suffocates us, and
The interview: A delightful minuet offers a magnet for great discussion. The power of the interviewer staggers the mind. The breathtaking way they get to walk into people’s lives, and ask them anything they want, ready to bare their souls, if the interviewer had his way. They are the surrogates who think for us, listen for us, and ask the questions people might ask if they were on the spot. What makes a really good interview and what kind of a person makes an excellent interviewer? I have spent 50 percent of my professional life asking questions. I’ve also learned the lesson to shift gears with a subject’s response: that a good serve in tennis does not ensure that the ball will come back where it is expected. You have no idea how our expertly prepared questions will be answered. Interviewers have different goals, time limits, settings and unique personalities, just as our subjects. Nobody is a snapshot. We are all complicated people. But while journalists are free to ask the questions they like, and in the way they like, politeness and civility have always worked better
than hostility and prosecution. In the process, they get the truth. But when is that truth liquid, and when is it solid? In my earlier years as a novice crime reporter, a police general whom I greatly admired and revered, gave me a tape recorder and made me believe I could write police stories. That tape became my Excalibur through the years of interviewing. However, rather than interviews, they are conversations recorded on tape, then transferred into written dialogues — actual monologues provoked by my questions and opinions. If getting a subject to talk is exhausting, getting them to talk into a machine that is recording every pause, every breath could be fraught with tension. With the presence of a microphone, it is like feeling spied on or judged. It was not uncommon for my interviewees to grow pale, red or mutter haltingly or simply fall silent. Sometimes they jump around, especially when asked open-ended questions. I have always thought that letting people talk and faithPAGE B5
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City Blessing Church of Walnut hosts 3rd annual Christmas lights show by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
Hundreds of people from the community came out on the For 12 weekend days leading evening of Saturday, Decemup to Christmas, the City Blessing ber 3 to marvel at the massive Church of Walnut, California is light displays. The event also hosting its third annual “Lights included a walk-through exhibit on Miracle Hill: A Christmas telling the story of Jesus Christ, Promise,� which include magnifi- which includes an ornate nativcent Christmas light displays for ity scene. The main event is the majestic the whole family to enjoy. “It was really heartwarming,� light show that tells a narrative Lacie Pampanga, 25, told the that symbolizes the true meaning of Christmas. The show is accomAsian Journal.
AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla
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G. TĂśnGi Monday, december 12 - A.I. Foods, the makers of the Gold Medal Brand, give healthy recipes for the holidays using their products. Fitness coach and trainer Trish the Ish, gives some workout tips to keep active during the holidays. Tuesday, december 13 - Fashion designer Carl Andrada comes back on our show to feature his latest designs. Wednesday, december 14 The Asian Journal shares the latest headlines relevant to the Filipino
panied by classic Christmas tunes that pair well with the extravagance of the light spectacle. The Magana family of Rowland Heights was one of dozens of families that attended the event’s opening night on Saturday, December 3 to revel in the light installations put up around the vast church grounds. “I really feel the Christmas spirit being here,� Tanya Magana expressed, her kids nodding in agreement. “It’s really cold out, but it’s really worth taking your family here. It reminds me of what the holidays are about.� “Lights on Miracle Hill: A Christmas Promise� will be showing for 12 days of the weekend in December from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m at the City Blessing Church of Walnut at 18901 Amar Rd. in Walnut, California. The special event is jointly presented by the City Blessing Church of Walnut and the Gospel Life Church of Walnut. Refreshments – including hot cocoa to warm up on the chilly December nights – will be available.
Programming of Kababayan Today, December 12-16, 2016 community here in America. Father Albert Avenido talks about the significance of Simbang Gabi and where to go to join in on this tradition. Mia Mcleod of the Real Estate Buzz shares tips and advice for purchasing or selling your home. Thursday, december 15 Join us for a mindful mediation workshop details with Eugene Castillo. Wellness coach Regina Santos shares tips to destress for the holidays. Personal trainer Kelly Bautista shares some fitness tips to stay in
shape over the holidays. Friday, december 16 - Ed Rame shares his accidental profession as a florist and demonstrates how to create beautiful centerpieces for the holidays. *** Giselle “Gâ€? TĂśngi is the host and producer of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that features relevant topics for Filipino’s living in America. Her aim is to bridge not only the cultural gap between America & the Philippines but to help with the generational gap between our own people. She is married with two children and is based in Southern California and makes frequent trips in the Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature fellow kababayans who are empowering the FilAm community.
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Lucky Dragon Hotel and Casino executives participate in the ribbon Dragon dance cutting ceremony
AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal
Asian-themed Lucky Dragon Hotel...
PAGE B1 throughout the property. The nine-story boutique hotel boasts 203 rooms, including 22 suites, with a modern translation of Asian design. The standard rooms are simple and are not too ostentatious, compared to what can be found elsewhere on the Strip. Each room has a wall mural, such as a depiction of ornate red and pink flowers, to represent the “peace and tranquility of ancient China,� according to a release from the hotel. On the lobby level is the pool with a golden dragon mural and the Cha Garden, a tea garden and lounge area. It’s not your average hotel lobby bar; though beer, wine and cocktails are on the menu, the main attractions are the Chinese teas that require a careful steeping and serving process. (A few items bear interesting names when translated in English, including “Peaceful Monkey Leader� and “Golden Beautiful Eyebrow.�) “Some of the teas on the menu are in the United States for the first time,� Weidner said. “We’re the only place in the city with a tea sommelier.� The 27,500-square-foot, twostory casino — which is connected to the hotel by a bridge walkway
— is located at the adjacent building. Though more compact than its casino neighbors blocks away, Lucky Dragon has 37 table games (Baccarat, Blackjack, Pai Gow and Roulette, to name a few) and 287 slot machines. Upon walking in, one’s eyes are directed toward the 2.5 story, 1.25ton glass dragon sculpture that is suspended from the ceiling and hovers above the Pagoda bar on the ground floor. This is reportedly to be a good luck charm for casino players. Higher-end gaming can be found at the Emerald Room and a VIP lounge. Though it may not be a destination for live entertainment or shopping, Lucky Dragon’s food offerings are reasons alone to make a trip. On the ground floor is Bao Now, a 24-hour stand that has dim sum, noodles and Boba, and Dragon’s Alley, a cafeteria-style eatery reminiscent of night markets in major Asian cities. There, you’ll find Chinese staples from roasted duck to dumplings. In coming months, dishes from other Asian countries, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, are slated to be offered. Upstairs are two full-service, sitdown restaurants: Pearl Ocean and Phoenix. At Pearl Ocean, expect an authentic dim sum meal items like
Lanterns at Dragon’s Alley
A sample of the standard room
Hollywood actress Chloe... PAGE B1 Edcell’s photo went viral after netizen Jesse Carls posted a stolen shot of her at work. The photo posted on Facebook last November 30 earned over 40,000
juicy pork dumplings, jellyfish, and peking duck. Next door is Phoenix, the exclusive 60-seat dining room, where you can find more indulgent dishes like shark fin, bird’s nest soup, and black truffle and abalone. With the careful attention to detail, it won’t be hard for international Asian tourists to feel at home at Lucky Dragon. Local Asian American residents and those from California and across the U.S. are also target customers for the hotel and casino. “It’s a growing population and a relatively wealthy population at home and regionally,� Weidner said. Jordan Seager, vice president of marketing at the property, said feedback over the weekend is a good sign of the reception from the Vegas community. “We know we hit a sweet spot when it comes to making our Asian guests feel at home, while giving others the opportunity to experience Asian culture,� Seager said. “Our Grand Opening weekend was a great indicator of things to come.� The property was unveiled just in time for the Christmas holiday, but it will surely be a site to visit for the Chinese New Year in January.
Chloe’s long-lost twin sister while others disagree with her being reactions, shared over 3,000 the actress’ look alike as for some times and garnered almost 6,000 the Filipina only resembles Chloe comments as of posting. in some angles and physical The photo also circulated in features. various social media platforms For her part, Edcell was and earned mixed reactions. amazed and grateful that she Some netizens find Edcell as was recognized by Chloe.
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What a house with a bedroom above the garage means for your health By Sean
Shono
FENG Shui practice considers ! garages and storages as hollow cavities. ! Since cars go in and out of the ! garage, it stirs the flow of energy and can cause unhealthy conditions for the residents. ! To cope with the trouble, ! 1) Put an “Energy Stabilizer Boardâ€? on the ceiling of the ! garage, or place it under the ! bed. ! 2) Place a “natural crystal ballâ€? at every corner of the garage. ! 3) Put a “Ba Gua Flat Mir- items. Ask a Feng Shui master He is the U.S. Chief of the International Feng é˘¨ć°´ă ŽĺŽśă‚ˇăƒŞăƒźă‚şă€€Vol. Shui Association. For more information, please rorâ€? on both sides of the garage how to use them. ! call Sean Shono at (310) 787-1891. Dragon entrance. *** *Dragon God offers specially Feng Shui master Sean Shono owns Dragon God is located at 1580 W. Artesia SQ. Suite A, ă€€ă€€ă€€ă€€ă€€ďź‘éšŽă Œă‚ŹăƒŹăƒźă‚¸ă ŽĺŽś treated and Purified Feng Shui God, a Feng Shui store in Gardena, California. Gardena, CA 90248. ă€€ă€€ă€€ă€€ă€€ă€ˆä˝“čŞżă‚’ĺ´Šă —ă€ ç—…ć°—ă Œă Ąă Ťă Şă‚‹ă€‚ă€‰
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS What is anorexia nervosa? This is a “psychological� disorder where the person has a disturbed sense of body image. He/she has a morbid fear of obesity, refuse to maintain a minimally normal body weight, and in women, amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period). What causes this condition? The cause is still unknown, but it appears that social factors play a big role. In the western society, there is a pervasive obsession among people, especially among the young females, to stay thin. Obesity is looked at as unhealthy, undesirable, and unattractive. Roughly about 85% of prepubertal children are conscious of these attitudes and more than 50% of these children go on a diet themselves, or practice habits to control their weight. But since not many of them develop anorexia nervosa, it is obvious that there are other factors that play significant roles. What other factors could be involved? Some undefined psychologic, genetic or metabolic vulnerability might predispose some persons to develop anorexia nervosa. It is interesting to note that anorexia nervosa is most rare among the deprived sectors of the world, where there is food shortage. Does peer pressure play a
!
Anorexia nervosa & bulimia 　　風水㠧㠯〠蝊庍や倉庍㠯『犺洞ă€?ă ¨č€ƒă ˆă žă ™ă€‚ă ?ă “ă ŤčťŠă Œĺ‡şĺ…Ľă‚Š ă€€ă€€ă ™ă‚Œă °ă€ ć°—ă Œäšąă‚Œă€ ä¸Šă Ťĺą…ă‚‹äşşă Ťć‚Şĺ˝ąé&#x;żă‚’ä¸Žă ˆă žă ™ă€‚
Yes, it is, in fact, a misnomer. role? 　　　 pressure and a sense of Anorexia means lack of appetite. 　Peer ă€€ĺŻžç– competition, especially among These patients have a normal apă€€ă€€â—Żä¸Šă Žéƒ¨ĺą‹ă ‹ă‚ŹăƒŹăƒźă‚¸ă Žĺ¤Šäş•ă Ťć°—ă ŽĺŽ‰ĺŽšç›¤ă‚’č˛źă‚Šă žă ™ă€‚ young girls, could play a role. petite, but do not want to eat for ă€€ă€€â—Żă‚ŹăƒŹăƒźă‚¸ă Žďź”éš…ă Ťć°´ć™śçŽ‰ă‚’ç˝Žă ?㠞㠙。 The only chubby one in a circle of fear of obesity. They only become ă€€ă€€â—Żă‚ŹăƒŹăƒźă‚¸ă Žĺ…Ľĺ?Łă Ťĺ…Ťĺ?Śĺšłé?˘é?Ąă‚’貟り㠞㠙。 friends might feel uncomfortable anorexic once they are cachectic ! under stress to be “as shapely (extremely emaciated and wasted). and asâ€ťăƒ‰ăƒŠă‚´ăƒłă‚´ăƒƒăƒ‰ă §ă Żă€ ç‰šĺˆĽă Şćľ„ĺŒ–ă‚’ć¸ˆă žă ›ă &#x;é˘¨ć°´ç”¨ĺ“ ă‚’ĺ?–ă‚Šć?ƒă ˆă Ś all my friends.â€? The psycho- These persons are manipulative logical impact of this could lead to and conceal their behavior, like 㠄㠞㠙。芳㠗㠄使㠄斚㠯〠風水帍㠍㠊尋ă 下㠕㠄。 misguided and unhealthy practice binge eating followed by induced in dieting and weight control, more vomiting, which is called Bulemia, likely to happen among those with a condition found in 50% of those weaker personality and character. with anorexia nervosa. These anorexia patients also lose interest in are females more prone? Yes, roughly 95% of patients sex, have low heart rate, low blood with anorexia nervosa are female. pressure and slightly cooler body The usual onset is mostly during temperature. Malnutrition, dehyadolescence, much less often dration and electrolyte imbalance among adults. Majority of these can lead to serious complications. What is the treatment for this people are in the middle to upper illness? socioeconomic classes. The two-phase management What are the symptoms of consists of short term regimen to anorexia nervosa? The manifestations could be restore body weight and prevent mild and temporary, others severe death, and long term treatment to and chronic. The classic victims are cure the psychological dilemma usually intelligent, high-achiever, and prevent relapses. In severe compulsive, meticulous, very con- cases, hospitalization may be rescious of how they look, and suc- quired or even crucial for survival. cess-driven. The initial indication Individual psychotherapy, psychois their extreme concern about dynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and their weight (even if their weight even family therapy, are essential. is normal) and their religious diet Some oral medications have been control practices. They study diets, used after the weight loss has been measure everything and count ev- regained. how does Bulimia differ from ery calorie consumed. There is an extreme anxiety and anger with any anorexia? Bulimia is an uncontrollable increase in weight, disproportional to the situation. There is lying and and recurrent binge eating (2-3 denial about what is going on and a times a week) where the individual great resistance to seeking medical consumes an enormous amount of food followed by remedial eftreatment. Isn’t anorexia a misnomer? PAGE B5
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TEL: (323) 727-5107 FAX: (323) 727-1045
Beauty queen’s case denied because of fraud, on aN ENCORE episode of “citizen Pinoy!� Karen married U.S. citizen Paul in 2007. It was a match made in heaven, until their beautiful life was put under extreme hardship when Karen’s adjustment of status was denied, after she was found guilty of immigration fraud. They submitted a fraud waiver, and even that was denied. The couple was devastated and all plans for their family and businesses were shattered. Everything seemed hopeless until leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel took over Karen’s case and fought to convince USCIS Karen never committed any fraud. Watch how the “Beauty Queen� and her family regained their charmed life and Karen’s name was cleared, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy� – on Sunday December 11 at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC
Simbang Gabi in Los Angeles celebrates its 14th anniversary LOS ANGELES — Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will once again host the Annual Simbang Gabi Advent (night mass). It is the 14th anniversary of the liturgical celebration of the Philippine tradition of culture, faith, and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. Our theme this year is “Jesus, Make Us Generous Dispensers Of Your Divine Mercy� translated in Tagalog, “Hesus, Gawin Mo Kaming Masaganang Daluyan Ng Iyong Banal Na Awa.� The annual Simbang Gabi celebration will be on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. The liturgy will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels at 555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
We consider our celebration a rich cultural heritage as well as a service to the Filipino American community. The beginning of the 9 days novena before Christmas strengthen our family relationship and bring God’s presence to unity and peace. The pre-liturgy includes a procession of Parols (star lanterns), a tradition of the Filipino faithful from different parishes and Catholic organizations followed by civic,
business and non-governmental organizations throughout Los Angeles. Ministers from parishes of the Pastoral Regions of Santa Barbara, San Fernando, San Gabriel, San Pedro and Our Lady of the Angels together with Dignitaries, Civic, Business and Non-profit organizations will march with their banner and parol (lantern), a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem. Most Reverend Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, D.D. Other Concelebrants will be the Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese. Cathedral parking - $8.00 or pay at adjacent lots. For more information, please call or send an e-mail to: Lem Amit-Chairperson of Simbang Gabi 2016, tel. no. (323) 793-5141 or e-mail: FilipinoMinistryOLA@ gmail.com.
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Fresh Catch Seafood Market: A true one-stop-shop A MOSt welcome addition that enhances the lives of the members of the Filipino American community in the neighboring cities around the Cerritos-Artesia area is Fresh Catch Seafood Market. these days, Fresh Catch is getting so much attention not just about its unbelievably low and affordable pricing but also because of the many ways it has taken to making the food shopping experience in that part of the busy megalopolis such a great experience. Its great location that is so close and accessible to the Cerritos Mall, its ample parking spaces offers a valuable one-stop-shop convenience to the hurried, harried yet fulfilling lives of many FilAms, who must juggle many roles. It is located right off the 605 freeway on busy South Street, seconds away from the newly renovated Cerritos regional mall. It is, by design, a center that aims to become the cultural hub for many. What’s not to like? Fresh Catch is a largescale Filipino supermarket boasting an extensive array of fresh and live seafood selections. Its wide array of live seafood tanks are impressive. they offer live lobsters, crabs, fish, shellfish and many more seafood delights that Fil-Ams crave, not only for parties but in their daily lives. Fresh Catch Market aims to carry on the 20-year tradition of the famous Sea Palace Market, its predecessor, which made a pioneering
8j`[\ ]ifd k_\ ^i\Xk j\X]ff[ j\c\Zk`fe# =i\j_ :XkZ_ ZXii`\j ]i\j_ d\Xk Zlkj k_Xk K_\i\ `j \m\e X [\jj\ik YXi% ?X`c kf :_\] 8ccXe Ifd\f :ilq =`c`g`efj cfm\# ]Xid ]i\j_ m\^\kXYc\j Xe[ gXekip ]Xmfi`k\j Xk kilcp Zfdg\k`k`m\ ]fi _`j Zlc`eXip \og\ik`j\ :_\] 8ccXe _\cdj k_\ kXb\$flk YXi n`k_ _`j ^i\Xk mXi`\kp f] G`efp Zfd]fik ]ff[j Xe[ Xcc$ gi`Z\j% k`d\ ]Xmfi`k\j n`k_ k_Xk [`jk`eZk`m\ =`c`g`ef ÕXmfi%
mark in the live seafood business decades ago. But with a fresh management team that is steeped in both traditional and modern management techniques, Fresh Catch intends to do so in a much cleaner and contemporary environment while fully cognizant of the food needs of the communities it serves. take note seafood lovers! the market provides free seafood frying and steaming services. Particularly for those who are on a healthy living binge, the free steaming service ought to be big. So check out the seafood section and have seafood entrees ready in time for lunch or dinner. there is a take-out bar. Yay! this is big particularly for weary office and healthcare workers who simply do not have the time and energy to cook at home after a long, arduous day at work. this is certainly a feature that is in complete alignment with the lifestyles of many in a worka-
day world. Customers can request for items to be grilled at the take-out bar, but this time, for a small fee. Hail to Chef Allan Romeo Cruz! He was formerly with Azon Restaurant. Chef Allan helms the take-out bar with his great variety of Pinoy comfort foods and all-time favorites with that distinctive Filipino flavor. His delicious breakfast feeds the hungry stomachs of Filipino nurses weary from their night shifts. His lunches and dinners are also crowd favorites. And with the Christmas season fast approaching, Fresh Catch is geared and ready for the food demands of the holidays. Let’s face it. Filipinos love to party a lot. the market has a catering menu and is available for pre-orders during the holidays. Aside from the great seafood selection, Fresh Catch carries fresh meat cuts that Filipinos love, farm fresh vegetables and pantry favorites at truly
competitive prices. And Fresh Catch doesn’t stop here. Look around the plaza and you find trusted, long-time Filipino brands that answer the needs of the typical Fresh Catch Market patron. this place is well and truly a one-stop-shop! • LUISA & SONS BAKESHOP, serving traditional Filipino baked items such as ensaimadas, pan de sal, hopia. A bite reminds you of grandma’s recipes. • PNB REMIttANCE CENtER, (Philippine National Bank) LA’s no 1 Filipino remittance agency boasting of 12 branches in Los Angeles. • CAFÉ 86 pays tribute to American-born Filipinos who look to Filipino favorites and mashed it with modern American culture. top sellers include its calamansi jasmine tea, ube monster drink, ube tres leches cake, ube bundt cakes, ube crack cookies etc. • AtLAS CARGO, is one of the longest- serving, trusted
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balikbayan brands in the community. Who can forget family back in the Philippines? So come and make FRESH CAtCH SEAFOOD MARKEt your go-to place for great food shopping experience on
a regular basis. You will be glad you did!’ FRESH CAtCH is located at 11618 South Street, Artesia, CA 90701. For information, you can call (562) 402 2133. 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek
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Fall in love with these fall makeup trends The interview: A delightful... By Monet
Lu
SOME weeks ago we welcomed the fall season with an article on hairstyles. Today, we tackle another one of my fortes—and a soughtafter subject for women—the latest makeup trends. I can describe this season’s makeup peg in two words: fresh and minimal. With that image in mind, I invite you to experience “Valentine’s in October” and fall in love with these autumn-inspired makeup styles. Go easy on the eyes Whoever said that sexy smoky eye is so 90 degrees ago must learn how to carry the classic eye-do with just a teeny bit of flaw. Allow me to elaborate before I give the impression that carelessly applied shadow is a thing – please…never been, never will be. What I meant by a little flaw is how you would do your smoky eye look at home. You know, the kind that gives off an ultra diffused shadow that looks intense while feeling soft. Makeup artist Pat McGrath created this look at Diane von Furstenberg by using a black and brown liner. You can also use gray shadows with just a hint of sparkle to keep it soft enough for daytime. A bronze shadow is another equally striking-yet-with-an-easy feel. You can maybe give your me-
tallic shadows a break this season by using bronze shadows instead of the classic gold or silver. This type of hue warms up your face and gives you a good reason to put a natural-looking lip color. Paint outside the lines It’s this time of the year when you feel a bit more adventurous. It shows on your outfit and your hair, and well, your eye makeup better match that mood. As they say, the eyes are the windows of the soul. And your carefree soul needs an audience! One article writes, “ Tweak the classic cat eye by opting for a more straight across swipe of black kohl like we saw at Oscar de la Renta. This is a more modern way to wear liner that elongates and lifts the eye and adds intrigue to the face.” Add more spice to your usual winged liner, by scribbling some double-winged lines. seventeen.com suggests, “Use a soft kohl pencil to trace your lower waterline, then smudge it out with a makeup sponge for an extremely edgy and perfectly un-perfect vibe.” Tip of the lashes Close your eyes and think: silver, water droplets, rhinestones. Now open your eyes and give your volumizing mascara, falsies and lash add-ons a much-needed upgrade. It’s time those lashes shine as bright as your eyes! Silver sparkles on the tip of the lashes give your eyelashes a water droplet effect. A bit of gold layers on the lashes will make it look like
Anorexia nervosa...
PAGE B3
forts to avoid weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, vigorous exercises or fasting, use of diuretics and/or laxatives. Only about 50% of Anorexia Nervosa patients have bulimia. The other half simply eat very little or not at all for fear of gaining weight. About 2% of young women have bulimia, of varying severity. Bulemic patients have wide variation in their body weight. Because they frequently induce vomiting after binge eating, they have swollen parotid glands, scars on their knuckles and fingers, and dental erosion. Bulemic patients usually have normal weight, and more revealing of their problem and more likely to seek medical care, compared to Anorexia patients. What is the treatment for Bulimia? Psychotherapy and use of antidepressant drugs are the mainstay of the therapy for bulimia. Experts now believe that the combination of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and antidepressants is the treatment of choice. While antidepressants and diet suppressants help a lot, psychotherapy is more effective with more lasting results. The patient should be under the care of a specialist in diet disorders and a psychiatrist. Any new development in the management? Recent studies on the role of the family and social media have been found to have positive impact on the enhancement in the effectiveness of the overall man-
agement of anorexia nervosa and bulimia, on top of psychotherapy and pharmacologic treatment. Family support and compassion and beneficial social interaction with peers are of paramount value to individuals affected by these conditions, whose prognosis is generally good. Any preventive measures? Family and friends can help minimize the development of these eating disorders by showering our children early (starting in the crib) and often with love and reassuring words as they grow up. This will reduce the social and environmental stress on these young individuals, making them feel loved, secure and accepted. As they grow, children must learn that inner beauty and character are more attractive and more important than physical appearances. That while having a nicely shaped body is great, having a beautiful personality, good character and brain is more important, admired, and adored in today’s society. Visit www.philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
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it has rhinestones tips. Bring on the prettiest lashes by layering, lengthening, or volumizing your top and bottom lashes. Rush that blush Now is the perfect time to embrace your “just stepped out of the gym” look. Or for some people; “I just went on a brisk, wintry walk.” This is the season for flushed cheeks and naturally rosy blush. You had a good run with your sculpting tools, it’s time to give them a break. Grab your warm peach blush powder and head out the door. That’s all you need. Now, fly. Lips like berry Let’s talk about that lip color, shall we? This season, I am delighted to see a sea of lip colors that remind of the 90’s. That almost black but not quite is making a comeback and I LOVE it! From ripe berry to plum black to oxblood red, they are undeniably luscious. It may sound scary but
I dare you to rock a dark lipstick this fall! Nude is out. Let’s make way for the plums, magentas and berries. Fall Season isn’t just about tucking away your tank tops and covering up with cozy sweaters and cool scarves. It is also “wearing” the best look of the season. Although the weather isn’t as cool as we usually expect it to be around this time, it is best to plan your ensemble ahead – and stock up on the latest makeup finds.. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary allnatural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
PAGE B3 fully reporting what they might say can contribute to written profiles. But the subject would down the microphone in a chaos of words. As the tape wounds, inexorably, afterward comes the worst moment when I would listen to silences and torrents of talk, for me to transpose into conversation and profile. Thus for the sake of clarity, we find it necessary to put more order into the answers we receive, but not to destroy the beauty and color of the language. I like dramatic questions and responses, written eloquently and colorfully. Listening to someone talk isn’t at all like listening to the words played on a machine. At times a flashing glance or a movement of the hands will make the blandest remark acceptable, just as a disagreeable nose and a humble attitude can at times detract from the value of the richest remark. Reported remarks are not enough to give an idea of
who is speaking, the shape of his features, the gestures they make — the complete profile. Some of the characters I’ve interviewed are my friends, or almost friends or possible friends. Possible enemies are those who condemn for not having the good sense to censor the remarks they did not have the good sense to refrain from making. The loud protest of betrayal could be deafening, but it’s cleansing if you’re brave enough to write it. Now in my twilight years, I’ve always realized that I haven’t said everything about them. But now I will. I’ve decided to be fearless with a conscience as clear as the conscience of a babe. I will no longer be keeping anything back. Now, I feel as if a weight has been lifted from my heart. I feel fresh and clean, ready to fly up to paradise. *** *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com
3 Miss Universe candidates...
PAGE B1 will soon be traveling to the different islands of the country so these girls can have a glimpse of how awesome out country is,” De Castro said during a televised press conference at the Malacanang. The Miss Universe candidates are scheduled to visit Siargao Island, Cebu, Vigan and Manila next week. The contestants will do photo shoots in different locations across the country. The shoots
will be used to make audio-visual presentations for the pageant. “A lot of the unknown destinations will be featured in the final show of the Miss Universe. Rest assured that all the islands will be well represented — Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” De Castro said. The Miss Universe coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 30, 2017. (Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar. com)
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COMMUNITY Journal
Your Immigration Solution Devin Connolly & nanCy Miller HOLIDAYS are here and that means travelling to see family members. But before you go, here are a few things to remember. Departing the United States when you are not a U.S. citizen can lead to serious problems upon your attempt to return. This is true for both lawful permanent residents and for noncitizens with pending applications or non-immigrant visas. Many lawful permanent residents mistakenly believe that a green card guarantees their re-admission to the U.S. after traveling abroad. However, all persons seeking to enter the U.S. are subject to inspection. If the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer suspects that the alien is inadmissible to the U.S., she may issue a Notice to Appear (NTA) that refers him to Immigration Court. In Immigration Court, the alien will have to fight to remain in the U.S. and to obtain or keep his lawful status. There are many reasons why a person already granted permanent resident status may face problems when attempting to return to the U.S. One common reason is based of the amount of time the alien has spent outside of the U.S. The reasons for wanting to remain out of the U.S. for a significant period of time include attending school, working abroad, caring for an elderly relative, etc. The issue is a matter of intent. Did the alien always intend to continue to live in the U.S.? The question is one of fact and must be resolved by sufficient persuasive evidence submitted by the alien. To help reduce the risk of being charged with abandonment, the permanent resident who foresees being out of the U.S. for an extended period of time should obtain a re-entry permit. The re-entry permit may allow a resident to remain outside of the U.S. for up to 2 years while maintaining permanent resident sta-
What to know before you go
tus. This travel document must be applied for before departing the U.S. and is usually granted for a 1 or 2 year period of time. However, while the re-entry permit makes admission at the end of the period of absence more likely, it is not a guarantee that the green card holder will be readmitted as a lawful permanent resident. Again, the question is one of intent and the evidence provided to show proper intent is essential. A special immigrant returning resident visa (SB-1) may become necessary if the resident failed to obtain a re-entry permit before leaving or remained outside beyond its expiration date. The SB1 is issued by consular officers at a U.S. Embassy. It will only be issued if the resident is able to clearly demonstrate that he or she always maintained the intent to reside in the U.S. They must also demonstrate that the cause of their protracted stay outside of the U.S. was beyond their control. Consular officers are skeptical in adjudicating these applications because they believe that one who intended to remain a permanent resident would have applied for a re-entry permit prior to departing the U.S. Another reason why a green card holder might be refused admission is a prior criminal conviction. Crimes of a serious nature (and sometimes even those that might not seem serious) may result in a refusal of admission. At that point, the alien could be paroled into the United States
and given a chance to fight for their green card status in Immigration Court. Resolution of this potential problem might include obtaining a waiver of inadmissibility or naturalizing (if eligible) prior to departing. A person who has a pending application for permanent resident status may encounter difficulties upon their attempt to return to the U.S. If the applicant did not obtain advanced parole before she left, she will be deemed to have abandoned her application. So, advanced parole is essential if one wishes to travel out of the country and continue to pursue her application for a green card. Advanced parole is also necessary in order to avoid incurring the 3-10 year unlawful presence bars for having remained in the U.S. in unlawful status beyond a period of time. The Board of Immigration Appeals has ruled that aliens who travel on advanced parole are not considered to have departed the U.S. and, therefore, have not triggered these bars. Non-immigrant visa holders who changed status should remember that the only official evidence of their status may be on the I-94 that they will be required to turn in upon leaving. They may be required to apply for the visa at their U.S. Consulate before they return to the U.S. Anyone without U.S. citizenship should keep in mind that
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C DECEMBER 10-13, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
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Consequences of failing to disclose material assets, income, facts and information in a divorce case
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth urSuA reyeS THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse and understate income. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/ her know of this account?” Parties to a divorce proceeding have a duty to disclose financial information to each other. This duty arose based on California’s policy (1) to marshal, preserve, and protect community and quasi-community assets and liabilities that exist at the date of separation so as to avoid dissipation of the community estate
before distribution, (2) to ensure fair and sufficient child and spousal support awards, and (3) to achieve a division of community and quasi-community assets and liabilities on the dissolution or nullity of marriage or legal separation of the parties as provided under California law. To promote the above public policy, the family code requires a full and accurate disclosure of all assets and liabilities in which the parties have or may have an interest be made in a divorce or a legal separation, regardless of the alleged characterization of the property as either community or separate. Parties are also required to disclose all income and expenses of the parties. The parties also have a continuing duty to update and augment that disclosure to the extent that there has been a material change
to their financial position. The purpose of the duty to augment and update the disclosures is so that at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or trial, each party will do so with full and complete knowledge of all relevant underlying facts of the case. The disclosures are made by the parties by serving each other with a preliminary declaration of disclosure and a final declaration of disclosure. The preliminary declaration of disclosure should be served within 60 days of serving the divorce, separation, or nullity petition. The commission of perjury on the preliminary declaration of disclosure may be grounds for setting aside the judgment in addition to other remedies available under the law. The preliminary declaration
Couples filing bankruptcy: Two incomes but still going broke
Minding Your Finances Atty. rAyMond BulAon ONE of my clients told me recently: “My wife and I both work very hard to raise our two children. On some days we work long hours and don’t even get home until late. It doesn’t seem fair. No matter how hard we work, we are flat broke every single month. We don’t even see our paychecks anymore. After paying all our bills every month, our bank account is back to almost zero, sometimes even negative! It’s very frustrating. What are we doing wrong?” Does this sound familiar? Are you married and have children who depend on you for support? If you belong to a two-income household and are supporting dependent children, do you find yourself working harder and harder than ever before and yet still find yourself falling farther and farther behind in your financial obligations every month? You are not alone. And it’s not your fault. We are all living in tougher times. Unlike the old days, most families nowadays can no longer survive on just one income. Two paychecks are usually needed in order to make ends meet. But it seems like even having two incomes doesn’t leave much at the
end of the month for working parents who are supporting dependent children. Elizabeth Warren, Harvard law professor and author, said in her book, “The Two Income Trap: Why Middle Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke”: “The people who consistently rank in the WORST financial trouble are united by one surprising characteristic. They are working parents with children at home…” See, if you are a parent who is still raising children, you are probably at a stage in your life where your living expenses at their highest. And then as you grow older and your children become self-supporting adults, your expenses begin to decrease. Hopefully, at the end of your working days, you would also have saved enough money for a comfortable retirement. You would think that with both parents working in a household, all of the above should not be a struggle and that these households should be financially well. But why is it that parents with dependent children still rank as being in the worst financial trouble according to Professor Elizabeth Warren? One of the likely answers to the above question is this: A lot of people have simply overextended themselves on debt. A big chunk
of their income goes to paying personal debts each month such that very little is left to pay for living expenses and personal needs. And with the outrageous interest that the big banks and credit card companies are charging, most people will remain in debt for the rest of their lives. The so-called “credit card debt trap” is a reality that a lot of people live with every single day. No matter how hard these people work, there is never enough money to go around. In some cases, they borrow even more in order to pay other creditors, and thus perpetuating this vicious borrowing cycle with no end in sight. Did you know that if you borrowed $4000 on a credit card and paid only the minimum required each month, it would take you about 17 years to pay it off? That’s not the worst part. Over that period of time, you would also have paid more than $7000 in interest alone! If you belong to a two-income household but are still struggling to make ends meet each month, I suggest you review your finances and find out exactly where your money goes every month. If you are one of the few people who have made it to this point without getting buried in debt, more pow-
of disclosure is not filed with the court but only exchanged by each party. The preliminary declaration of disclosure shall set forth 1) the identity of all assets and liabilities which the declarant may have an interest regardless of the characterization of community, quasi-community, or separate property; 2)The declarant’s percentage in the asset or liability; 3) the declarant’s characterization of the asset or liability. In addition, the declarant shall also provide the other party with a completed income and expense declaration. The declarations may be amended without permission from the court. The parties shall serve each other with a final declaration of disclosure at the time the parties enter into a settlement agreement, stipulated divorce judgment, or if the case goes to trial, at least 45 days prior to the first assigned trial date. The final declaration of disclosure shall include (1) All material facts and information regarding the characterization of all assets and liabilities(2) All material facts and information
Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
MARRIED couples buying property are asked to decide how they should hold title: • Joint tenancy or • Community property. Basically, it is a choice between the ease of transfer to the survivor for joint tenancy and the tax benefits of holding property for community property. Unfortunately, it also a choice between the loss of “step-up basis” (meaning the increase of acquisition cost to fair market value to reduce capital gains tax) for joint tenants and the inconvenience of having to change titles when the first spouse of a community property dies. Fortunately though, there is a new third choice that combines the benefits of the first two choices: community property with right of survivorship. Community Property with Right of Survivorship: • Allows double step-up of u PAGE C4 both bases.
regarding the valuation of all assets that are contended to be community property or in which it is contended the community has an interest. (3) All material facts and information regarding the amounts of all obligations that are contended to be community obligations or for which it is contended the community has liability.(4) All material facts and information regarding the earnings, accumulations, and expenses of each party that have been set forth in the income and expense declaration. The parties may agree to mutually waive the final declaration of disclosure requirement but not the preliminary declaration of disclosure. A party who fails to comply with the disclosure requirements under the family code may be held in breach of the party’s fiduciary obligation to the other spouse under family code section 721, 1100, and Marriage of Feldman. The party that failed to disclose material assets, income, facts, and information may be sanctioned by the court by awarding attorney’s fees and sanctions
to the other spouse under family code section 271. When hiring an attorney to represent you in a high asset divorce case with complex property issues, it is important to hire an attorney that understands the disclosure obligation under the family code. ***
• Guarantees that the survivor inherits the property, no matter what. • Allows the property to pass to the surviving spouse without court action. Let’s illustrate how each of the above works: • You and your spouse own a rental house that you purchased for $200,000. • Assume that your spouse dies and the house appraises and sells for $500,000. • The capital gain for joint tenancy would be $150,000 ($500,000 less ½ of 200,000 and ½ of 500,000). • The gain for community property and community property with right of survivorship would be zero ($500,000 less all of $500,000 stepped-up basis!). • Assuming capital gains tax rates for: • Federal: 20% plus 3.8% to fund ObamaCare • State: 12.3% • Total federal and state capital gain taxes would be about $54,000 which you would save if
you step up basis by using Community Property designation. That’s a lot of tax savings for simply using this preferred title to your real estate properties. Bottom line: Consider transferring deeds from joint tenancy and community property to community property with right of survivorship. Combine the benefits of ease of transfers on your spouse’s death and lower capital gains when you sell your properties. As always, consult your lawyer before making any decision. Good day.
Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. (Advertising Supplement)
Community property with right of survivorship
*** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
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Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. KIMBERLY Murphy worked at a Caremark CVS pharmacy in California. As a pharmacy employee, she was required by her employer to undergo a security inspection of her bag every time she leaves the store. The employer also required employees to label items brought from home or items purchased at the store. This policy applied to all employees. The employees who underwent the inspection were off-theclock. This means that the time they spent going through the inspection line is unpaid. Should the employer pay employees for the time spent for these inspections? In the retail industry, employers set up elaborate security measures to minimize thefts. These can include bag checks when employees leave the work premises. However, the procedure may result in wage losses, as employees are required to undergo security checks on unpaid time. Employees are not able to leave unless and until they are checked. Depending on how efficient the procedures are, and how many employees are checking out at the same, the time spent during the checks could
Community Journal
Are you entitled to additional pay for time spent at work on ‘bag checks’? easily add up for employees. Under California law, employees should be paid for all hours worked. “Hours worked” is that time during which an employee is subject to the control of an employer. It includes all the time the employee is suffered or permitted to work, whether or not required to do so. Hence, employees should be paid when required to do the following: a) preliminary work before they actually start their workday and perform their main job, or b) postliminary work which are tasks performed after their main job is completed, (such as cleaning or maintaining tools or equipment, removing protective gear, sanitizing or disinfecting, or security inspections after the end of their shift) It does not matter if an activity is not part of the employee’s “principal activities.” Under California law, employees must be paid for the time they are ‘subject to the control’ of their employer even if they are not working (i.e., not performing their principal activity) during that time. This so-called ‘unproductive’ time is still compensable. During litigation of the case against CVS, the court ordered a survey of CVS employees which found that 100 percent of the survey’s respondents reported undergoing the bag checks while
off the clock during the class period. After several years of litigation, CVS decided to settle the employees’ claims by paying $12,750,000 million. Employees who spend time under their employer’s control before or after their scheduled shifts should not take their time for granted. Fifteen minutes spent going through security checks at work may not sound like a lot. However, if it occurs regularly over several years, the additional wages owed to the employee may be significant. Moreover, if it happens to several employees, then the employer has saved on labor costs, by passing the costs to its workers. Workers should inquire with experienced employment attorneys to determine if additional wages are due to them under the law. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully obtained significant recoveries for thousands of employees and consumers. He is named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently Aselected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. (Advertising Supplement)
Preventing abandonment of your green card due to travel abroad
A GREEN card holder can travel outside the US and return with some limitations. If a green card holder is outside the US for an extended period of time, he may be considered to have abandoned his permanent resident status. Brief travel (such as for a vacation) normally will not affect permanent resident status. However, abandonment of permanent resident status is a potential issue for green card holders who have to leave the US for an extended period of time (over 1 year) for one reason or another, such as to finish studies or work abroad. In such situations, how can a person avoid losing his green card? If a person plans to be outside the US for an extended period of time (over 1 year), an application for a reentry permit must be filed. A reentry permit establishes that one did not intend to abandon his green card, and it allows one to apply for admission to the US after being outside the US for up to 2 years without having to obtain a returning resident visa. Reentry permits are normally valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. A permanent resident can re-apply for subsequent reentry permits. Each subsequent reentry permit would be valid for 2 years. As aforementioned, if one is outside the US for an extended period of time without a reentry permit, he may be considered to have abandoned his green card. If a permanent resident has been outside the US for more than 1 year and attempts to re-enter the US, he may be referred to an Immigration Judge to determine whether he has abandoned his permanent resident status. An application for reentry permit should be filed at least 60 days prior to the contemplated extended trip outside the US. While a person does not have to be present in the US at the time his reentry permit application is approved, it is important to file it with sufficient time prior to the trip to allow time to receive the biometrics notice after the application is filed, and have biometrics taken. An applicant must provide his biometrics while in the US. If an applicant leaves the US before biometrics are taken, the USCIS may deny the application. What if a permanent resident has already left the US and either has 1) been outside the US for over 1 year or 2) been outside the US for over 2 years with an expired reentry permit? The Department of State on its website advises to apply for a Returning Resident Visa. To qualify for a Returning Resident Visa, you must show a valid reason why your stay abroad was extended, and that the reason for the extended stay was beyond your control or for which you were not responsible. Another (perhaps better) option would be to re-enter the US--if US customs denies admission due to abandonment of your green card, you will have an opportunity to argue before an Immigration Judge here in the US that you did not abandon permanent resident status. Obtaining a green card often is a difficult process. For some, it takes many years. It is accordingly important to take all steps necessary to maintain permanent resident status once attained. If you plan to be away from the US for an extended period of time, or have been away from the US for an extended period of time without a reentry permit, or a reentry permit that has expired, it is recommended that you consult with an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philipp ine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw. com. (Advertising Supplement)
How to obtain a waiver for immigration fraud and misrepresentation Further, to be eligible to file IF you are an applicant for an for this type of waiver, the folimmigration visa, K visa, or V lowing are required: non-immigrant visa, your appli(1) the qualifying U.S. citizen cation may be denied if you are or permanent resident relative found inadmissible under cer(spouse or parent only) or the tain circumstances. In this case, K-1 visa petitioner would expeyou may file an application for rience extreme hardship if the waiver for pacific grounds, such alien applicant is denied admisas health-related grounds of insion, or admissibility, certain criminal (2) The alien applicant is a grounds of inadmissibility, or imVAWA self-petitioner and his migrant fraud and misrepresenUS citizen, lawful permanent tation. resident, or qualified parent or A waiver is a request by the Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos child would experience hardalien applicant to the US govship if the alien applicant is deernment, through the USCIS, for “forgiveness” for the ground that the alien nied admission. Remember, as stated above, there are different applicant has been found inadmissible so he can be granted the visa or green card despite of that grounds of inadmissibility, and the waiver that is ground. For instance, X, an alien married Y, a US granted will only apply to the ground/s of inadcitizen. During his adjustment of status interview missibility stated in the application. It is therefore (or visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate important to apply for all the grounds of inadmisabroad), X was found to be inadmissible because sibility that pertain to you. Just make sure you are he previously used a passport under a different eligible for the other grounds of inadmissibility as name upon entry in the US. In this case, the only well. In succeeding articles, I will discuss the other way he can be issued a green card is by getting an types of waiver. If you are contemplating of filing any waiver apapproved waiver application for fraud or misrepplication or any immigration petition for that matresentation. Under Section 212(a) (6) (C) (i) of the Immigra- ter, it is advisable to seek the counsel of an imtion and Naturalization Act, “(a)ny alien who, by migration lawyer to guide you on the intricacies of fraud or willfully misrepresenting a material fact, filing for such a petition. seeks to procure (or has sought to procure or has *** procured) a visa, other documentation, or admis- Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of the State Bar of sion into the United States or other benefit provid- California and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. To schedule ed under this Act is inadmissible.” Please note that for a free initial in-person consultation, please call Tel. Nos. (213) there must be a finding that: (1) the alien applicant 284-5984 or (626) 329-8215. Atty. Santos’ office is located at 3450 must have committed fraud or misrepresentation, Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010. (2) the misrepresentation must have been done *** willfully, (3) the fact was material, and (4) that act Information contained in this article does not, nor is it intended to, constitutes was done to procure a visa, other documentation legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a lawyer-client or admission to the US or any other benefit. The relationship. It likewise does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or requirements under the provision seem straight- prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. forward enough but this specific ground of inad- We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under missibility is very complicated at times. (Advertising Supplement) the Bankruptcy Code.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 10-13, 2016
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Have we invited the celebrant?
A Dash of Salt and Pepper (A simple thought of inspiration with biblical encouragement) by Henjie Pimenta
A YEARLY celebration is something everyone anticipates. It creates an increasing excitement as it approaches the appointed date — company anniversaries, town fiestas, birthdays and the likes. I always admire the people behind the preparations, a collaboration of minds, talents and abilities to pull off a great and wonderful celebration. Some years ago, a small group of Henjie Pimenta friends gathered to create a surprise party for my wife, Mary Ann. They did all the thinking and preparation and the only job left for me is to make sure that she would be there at the location. The date arrived and I told her that we were going to watch the Manny Paquiao fight at a friend’s house. She insisted, though, on just staying home to rest and watching the fight at our place with the comfort of wearing pajamas and curled up under the warm blanket on a cold winter evening, which I agreed. However, what about the surprise party waiting for her? Everyone was anticipating to see her reaction when she arrived. I wasn’t so successful in convincing her to go out because she already made up her mind that she just wanted a private night on her birthday. I ran out of reasons to convince her. She was beginning to be annoyed by my persistent reasoning to go to our friend’s place. I was thinking, the only job I needed to accomplish was to bring her to our friend’s place and I couldn’t make it happen. So, nothing was left for me to do but to tell her that ‘there is a surprise party waiting for her and she has to be there because everyone is waiting.’ Then, she had a big laugh. Now, I have to tell her to act surprised when we get there! Eventually we were at the door and when we got in, they yelled in unison ‘Surprise, happy birthday!’ There is a celebration for someone who is really important and the preparation started as early as September like in the Philippines. And to many of us, as the day approaches there is an increasing excitement for everyone to gather, a reunion to some family members. Some may travel from afar to be with the important people in their lives. Why gather, what is so important about this celebration? Who and what is to be celebrated? The Son of the Father in Heaven, born into human flesh. John 1:1-5, 14 says, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him
nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. We are God’s precious children and He wants us to partake in the grace and mercy envelope in Jesus deity so that we can enjoy his eternal fellowship (John 3:16). And even centuries before the coming of Christ, His arrival on earth has been prophesied through the lips of many servants, including the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 9:6-7 says, 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. There is absolutely nothing that was said in the bible that will not be accomplished, even to the last dot. Hallelujah! All glory and honor are yours alone our Abba Father for giving us your Son Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. We humble ourselves to the King. We bow down to Your throne. We welcome you in our lives, homes, work places, relationship…what is life without You? Friends, brothers and sisters….do not forget to invite The Celebrant on His very occasion. He is the reason for this celebration, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! And all who agree say, Amen. If you need prayers and healing, please do not hesitate to call or visit us on any Sunday at: Praise Christian Fellowship of the Valley, 9051 Woodman Avenue, Arleta, CA 91331, (inside Helping Hands ADHC, behind the CVS drugstore and Vallarta Supermarket at the back alley) at 4:30 p.m. or call Pastor Emmanuel Madeja at (818) 813-3971; or at Praise Christian Fellowship, Los Angeles, 2235 Beverly Blvd. (corner Roselake/Rosemont), Los Angeles, CA 90057 at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. or call Pastor Courtney Hall at (213) 484-8294.
What to know before you…
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re-entry is not guaranteed. It is the non-citizen’s burden to show that they are eligible for admission. Give yourself the best chance of making your readmission to the U.S. uneventful. Consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration
lawyer before you go. ***
Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009
E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
C DECEMBER 10-13, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Debt Relief
Community Journal
Young seniors file Chapter 13 for $145K unsecured debt Another young senior files Chapter 7 for $10K credit cards
Atty. LAwrence yAng CLIENTS are 59 and 58. Husband had a solid and well paying job for the last 20 years. He grossed about $150K a year working for the State. But the job caused his mental health to deteriorate, as it was a high stress work environment where he saw the “evil that men do”. Since he could no longer take the mental stress, he resigned. I asked him what was so stressful about his job. He said that he would see dead people every day and how they died. He would see people with their heads cut off as an example and that image would stay with him in his mind for some time, which prevents him from sleeping. Well, if that’s the case, I can’t really fault him for losing $150K a year of income. Nobody wants to go insane from work or any source. The oldest woman in the world, the Italian woman who just turned 117 this week, when asked what was the secret to her long life, replied that she ate 3 eggs a day and divorced her husband in 1938. She said that leaving her husband was the best decision she made for her happiness. So, whatever the source of the stress, I guess you should remove that source of stress from your life if you want to keep your sanity and live longer; makes sense. So avoid people who are nasty and mean to you, and you should feel better because the source of harassment disappears, right? So client must be on the right track. What does he do now for work? He drives for Uber. There’s no stress. He makes decent money but nowhere near $150K, but he has peace of mind and he keeps his sanity. Wife makes $3,500 a month. Their household income has been reduced by 50% but they are happy with their decision to give up the higher income.
The problem now is that they owe $145K of unsecured debt of which $100K is credit cards and $45K is student loans. The cards need minimum monthly payments of $3K a month. They don’t have the income to make that payment anymore. They actually want a Chapter 7 discharge of all credit card debt of $100K. Is this possible? Let’s see. They have an older house built in 1920 that has equity of $140K. This fact alone knocks them out of Chapter 7. In Chapter 7, they will lose the house and get $100K of cash as their exempt homestead equity. I don’t think they want to lose their house for credit card debt. They confirm to me that they want to keep their house. They also have a car loan in which they pay $250 for a small new car. Chapter 13 will reduce the car payment to $85 a month. They have a car lease for a luxury car, a Lexus, which they lease at $585. The lease ends in 2018. At the end of the lease, they have the option of converting to purchase at the same payment. Chapter 13 will allow them to assume the lease and do the conversion in 2018. Considering all relevant factors, debtors plan payment will be $680 a month for 60 months. It pays 16% or $16,000 of the $100,000 credit cards; pay the new small car in full at $85 a month. Clients will pay the Lexus lease payments directly to Toyota at $585. Student loans of $45K will also get paid 16% during the term of the plan. The $100K credit cards will be discharged after $16K is paid through the plan. However, 84% of the student loans are not dischargeable. They will own the new small car after the end of the plan and they will keep the Lexus lease. Their residence will not be affected. They keep it. They have no arrears on the house. They just continue their mortgage payments. The bankruptcy court pro-
Couples filing bankruptcy…
tects their house from judgment liens from credit cards as well as wage garnishments on wife’s salary. The pending lawsuits for two credit cards will get dismissed. Order and peace of mind out of chaos will be achieved with Chapter 13. Client gets to keep his sanity. He doesn’t want to enter sanitarium. I am very glad to help him keep his sanity. Next client is 61. She is single. Never got married. Her problem is she just got sued for $2,500 for a credit card debt. Her total debt is only $10K. However, her income is only $600 a month. She has a part time job doing inventory work. She counts inventory for an accounting firm. She rents a room for $250. Well, even though she only owes $10K, she obviously can’t pay $10K of credit card debt because the minimum monthly is $300, which is half her income. I guess she lives a really simple life; nevertheless, she needs debt relief. Chapter 7 will wipe out the lawsuit and the $10K of credit cards giving her a fresh start at 61. She tells me that her creditors call her everyday starting at in the morning up to nighttime and she can’t stand the stress of the phone calls. Here comes the stress factor again. It makes sense to get peace of mind to wipe out all her cards to remove the stress factor in her life doesn’t it? People just want to live their lives in peace and stress free. Chapter 7 will give her what she seeks. “We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.” — Psalm 33:20 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
you can reach us at Toll-Free 1866-477-7772. We have offices in your current situation may not Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. PAGE C2 t er to you. But if you are part of only have a significant impact on *** the majority who is still not mak- your own financial future as it may None of the information herein is intended ing it in spite of the two incomes also affect the future of the ones to give legal advice for any specific situation. that you have, perhaps you need you love. These are the people Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thoukeep your debt obligations in who have no one else but you to sands of clients in getting out of debt. For a check before they get out of hand depend on for their financial sup- free attorney evaluation of your situation, port. If you need help and don’t please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL (unless they already are!). If you are experiencing serious know what to do, we are here to FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. debt problems, how you handle help. For immediate assistance, (Advertising Supplement)
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To Live With Faith reverend rodeL g. BALAgtAs “THE Lord gives sight to the blind; the Lord raises up those who were bowed down. The Lord loves the just; the Lord protects strangers.” – Psalm 146:8-9 Archbishop Gomez bore some good news to us in the seminary at the end of our fall semester during the Mass of the Solemnity of Immaculate Conception. After saying that God’s action of looking for Adam and Eve in the story of creation has always intrigued him, he proclaimed the simple but profound message that “God is always looking for us.” “God cares for each one of us,” the archbishop elaborated. “He cares for the weak, the poor, the migrants and the refugees.” The archbishop expressed his concern for those that Pope Francis refers to as being at the peripheries of our society. They are the ones who wait at the borders of the U.S. and other wealthy nations, wanting to escape poverty, violence, war, famine, and death. The archbishop’s message fits
SKT Immigration
eLiot Krieger SPOUSES of deceased United States (“U.S.”) citizens may apply for green cards, if they selfpetition within 2 years of their spouse’s passing. The unmarried children under 21 years of age of the petitioner are also eligible for green cards as derivative beneficiaries. To qualify for a green card as a widow(er) of a U.S. citizen, the petitioner must meet the following requirements: • The widow(er) was married to a U.S. citizen at the time of the citizen’s death; • The deceased spouse was a U.S. citizen at the time of death; • The widow(er) and citizen spouse were not legally separated at the time of the citizen’s death; • The widow(er) spouse has not remarried; • The widow(er) filed the immigrant visa petition within 2
To be prophets of hope well into the Gospel on this Third Sunday of Advent, when John the Baptist who was in prison sent his disciples to ask Jesus the question, “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?” Jesus responded not by saying “yes” or “no” in front of the crowd but rather by delineating what people had seen and heard about his ministry. “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.” In today’s times, it seems to me that our continuous role as members of the Church is to be prophets of hope, especially to those who are alienated in our society. We may not be able to resolve the legal status of migrants and refugees; we might not be able to provide the needs of the unemployed and the homeless; and we might not able to give medical aid to the sick, but we must be a church that advocates for their rights and our duties for them. We must be their voice in appealing for government aids and we must do what we can to help them with their immediate needs. One of our seminarians on internship conveyed this hope to an
undocumented couple sitting on a bench on the patio of the church he serves. Disturbed by the unfortunate flight of the young poor couple, he stooped before them, looked into their eyes, assured them of his prayers, and gave them a rosary and a few dollars. It was not much what he offered this couple, but at least, his gestures gave them hope and made them feel that the church cares for them. The church’s prophetic role in the lives of poor migrants and refugees is to provide them hope that “the deserts and the parched land” of their hearts will exult and “abundant flowers” will bloom in their lives. The church must say to them who are frightened: “Be strong, fear not!” (See Isaiah 35:1-5) *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of ImmAaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
Green card petition for widow(er)s years from the date of the citizen spouse’s death; and • The widow(er) and citizen spouse were in a bona fide marital relationship until the time of the spouse’s death. Previously, the petitioner had to have been married to the deceased citizen for at least two years at the time of the deceased citizen’s death, in order to immigrate as the widow(er) of a citizen. This requirement was removed, effective October 28, 2009. There is no longer a minimum requirement on the length of marriage. After the I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant is approved, the petitioning widow(er) may apply for a visa at the United States Consulate or Embassy abroad. Alternatively, if the widow(er) is lawfully present in the U.S., he/ she may apply to adjust status to a green card holder. The application for adjustment of status can be filed concurrently with the immigrant visa petition. If the U.S. citizen spouse had already filed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of
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beneficiary spouse before his or her passing, the widow(er) does not need to file another petition. The Petition for Alien Relative (I130) is automatically converted to a Petition for Widow(er) (I-360). Additionally, spouses eligible for widow(er) status and their derivative children are exempted from the affidavit of support requirement, which would normally be necessary with a familybased green card petition. Applying for a green card based on widow(er) status can be lengthy and frustrating without the help of experienced attorneys and staff. Our seasoned team can assist and guide you through the petition process. *** Eliot Krieger is a Partner at Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, and Klausner, LLP. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Department of Justice. He has a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Website: www.sullivankrieger.com Contact us at any of our offices: Long Beach + 1 (562) 597-7070 Irvine + 1 (949) 390-5270 Philippines + 63-2-788-5196 (Advertising Supplement)
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Taking some of the mystery out of an attorney consultation
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ WITH the election of Donald Trump as president, and his statements about deporting millions of illegal aliens and getting tough on immigration, many people are scared, anxious, and worried about their future in America. They are mystified at the complex immigration laws, and may be totally unaware of their rights, possible immigration benefits, waivers, or relief available to them. Now, more than ever, it is vital that people seek the advice and representation of attorneys. But some people have never consulted with an attorney, and are nervous about doing so. If you are among those people, I would like to take some of the mystery out of what goes on during a consultation. Naturally, I will speak about what happens at a consultation at my office, which may, or may not, be similar to consultations with other attorneys. First, I am not judgmental in terms of a potential client’s immigration violations, or what he has done wrong, or is being
accused of. I know most Filipinos simply want a better life for themselves and their family, and try to be law–abiding. But sometimes, in their desperation, they have not complied with the immigration law. I understand they have problems. That is the reason they came to me. Just as a doctor should not get angry at a patient because the patient is sick, an attorney should not get angry with a client because the client has a legal problem, or got himself in trouble. That’s what the attorney is there for: to help, guide, advise, and hopefully solve the client’s problem, if possible. Second, in advance of the consultation, the client fills out an intake questionnaire which provides background information on their immigration history as well as details concerning their immigration problem or issue. This questionnaire (as well as what is discussed at the consultation) is confidential and privileged (like a confession to a priest), and we do not disclose or divulge their information to the government, even if the person does not retain us. Filling out the written consultation saves a lot of time,
Business leaders back Cha-cha Pres. Duterte creates panel by iris
Gonzales Philstar.com
MANILA - Business heavyweights have revived calls for amending the Constitution to make the country more attractive to foreign investors. At the Pilipinas Conference organized by Stratbase ADR institute, Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, ports tycoon Enrique Razon and RFM president and CEO Jose Concepcion III expressed support for efforts to amend the Constitution, especially its economic provisions. This developed as President Duterte signed Executive Order No.10 creating a 25-member body that would study proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution. “There is a need to review the 1987 Philippine Constitution to ensure that it is truly reflective of the needs, ideals and aspirations of the Filipino people and to ensure that the mandate of the people as expressed thereon, is responsive to changing times,” Duterte said in the order.
Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said liberalizing the economy can boost foreign direct investments in the Philippines, which are very low compared to those in neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
A Charter change is also seen to set the stage for federalism as espoused by Duterte. Zobel said liberalizing the economy can boost foreign direct investments in the Philippines, which are very low compared to PAGE D2
PH int’l tourist arrivals up 12% in 9 months by Mary
GraCe Philstar.com
D
Padin
MANILA – The Philippines welcomed 4.46 million international tourists during the first nine months of the year, up 12 percent from the same period a year ago. On the sidelines of Pasko sa Intramuros, Tourism Undersecretary for Administration Rolando Canizal said the increase was driven by the “steel confidence in the Philippines as a key destination and the fact that we’re trying to improve our accessibility to the source markets.”
With this increase, Canizal said the Philippines is on track towards reaching its six million tourist arrival target for the year. Korea, US, China, Japan and Australia remained the top five source market of the Philippines, he added. Canizal said the DOT is currently working on increasing air seats from certain markets, including China and Japan. He likewise noted the success of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visits to China and Japan, PAGE D2
On the sidelines of Pasko sa Intramuros, Tourism Undersecretary for Administration Rolando Canizal said the increase was driven by the “steel confidence in the Philippines as a key destination and the fact that we’re trying to improve our accessibility to the source markets.” Philstar.com photo
Business Quote of the Week “Many think of management as cutting deals and laying people off and hiring people and buying and selling companies. That’s not management, that’s deal making. Management is the opportunity to help people become better people. Practiced that way, it’s a magnificent profession.” - Clayton M. Christensen, Harvard Business School professor
versus asking all those questions verbally at the consultation, when they may not have the information readily available, such as date of entry, priority date, or other details. By filling out the questionnaire in advance, they have plenty of time to find or obtain that information, and write it down on the questionnaire. Third, I prefer that the client brings their immigration file or documents, especially the documents relating to their problem or issue. If someone wants to consult with me about a “denial,” they should have a copy of that denial. If they have been placed in deportation/removal, it is helpful that they bring along the notice to appear (NTA). Of course, if they do not have those documents, it is possible to later obtain their file from the government. Fourth, I clarify with the client exactly what their problem or issue is, to make sure we are “on the same page” with respect to what the problem is, or what relief the client is seeking. Fifth, I explain to the client the various options that may be available to them. If I believe
there are no options based on the current state of the law or their situation, I will tell them, and the reasons why. I think it is important to explain these things to the client in plain English, rather than fancy legal terms. For me, it is important that when a client walks out of a consultation, they understand what the issues, problems, and possible solutions are, versus scratching their head, having no idea what is going on. I also encourage them to ask any questions, if I was unclear or if they did not fully understand something. Sometimes they may have heard rumors or gossip about laws or possible benefits. But sometimes the gossip is wrong, and I explain what the actual state of the law is and whether they are entitled. Finally, if I believe there is something that can be done on their case (or they have pagasa), we discuss the cost of our services (or legal fees), such as down payment, monthly payments, etc., trying to work within their budget and the time frames of seeking the particular immigration benefit. I PAGE D3
Arvid Lukauskas, executive director at the Picker Center for Executive Education and the Program in Economic Policy Management at the School of International and Public Affairs at the Columbia University.
PH to stand impact of US policies by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
THE Philippine economy has strength to stand the negative impact of the tougher trade policy of new US President-elect Donald Trump, but must invest further in human capital and continue to improve its investment climate to attract more investors, a Columbia University economic policy expert said. Arvid Lukauskas, executive director at the Picker Center for Executive Education and the Program in Economic Policy
Management at the School of International and Public Affairs at the Columbia University, said Trump’s trade policy could provoke strong opposition from China, which could also stir tensions among the US’ other trade partners. The Philippines, he said, should be able to deal with any fallout from that by using its strengths. “In his campaign he talked about putting a 45-percent tariff on China. Obviously, according PAGE D2
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Understanding ‘reverse ‘PH will hit $100-B export target by 2020’ mortgage’ and its benefits by Raadee
S. SauSa ManilaTimes.net
IN a capsule, a reverse mortgage is a loan that enables senior homeowners ages 62 and over to convert part of their home equity into tax-free income without having to sell their home, give up title to it, nor make monthly mortgage payments. The loan only becomes due when the last borrower permanently leaves the home or their heir can keep the house by just paying 95 percent of the current market value even if the market value is below the payoff amount. A reverse mortgage loan does not require much income or a FICO score to qualify. There are many benefits in doing a reverse mortgage • No monthly mortgage payments are required. Borrower need not pay back the loan nor make any monthly mortgage payments until you permanently move out of the home. • Borrower remain independent. A reverse mortgage allows you to remain in your home. You don’t need to down size your lifestyle which you are used to all these years • Keep title to your home. You are still the owner of your home and still may pass title of your home to your heirs upon your passing. If balance is more than the market value, borrowers’ family has the privilege buy the property at 95% of the market value. • Tax-free money. Because the money you receive from a reverse mortgage is not considered income, it is tax free and will not affect your Social Security or
THE government is confident the Philippines will achieve its target of $100 billion worth of exports by 2020, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Wednesday, Dec. 7. “If we grow between 3 percent and 5 percent, we have a good chance to breach the $100 billion [target]by 2020, because we want to reach $120 billion by 2022. Ideally, if we can reach 7 percent by 2019, $100 billion is achievable, Henry W. Chen (NMLS 327682) has 28 years of California real mstate mortgage experience.
Medicare benefits. • Enjoying your retirement. The money you get from a reverse mortgage is yours to use in any way you choose. Many borrowers started travelling as soon as the reverse mortgage loan was done because they don’t need to worry about the monthly mortgage • Pay off credit cards and other debts. You may improve your cash flow further by using some of the tax free proceeds to eliminate other monthly debts and payments. The size of reverse mortgage loans is determined by the borrower’s age, Location of the property and the Market value of the subject property. Reverse Mortgage can also be applied for a home purchase as long as you are within guidelines. For more detailed information, you can call me at 818 612-4500 or email me at henry@getassured. com. (Advertising Supplement)
if 3 percent to 5 percent that’s by 2020,” DTI Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora Terrado told reporters during the National Export Congress at the Philippine Training Trade Center in Pasay City. “Earlier, when exports were going up, we wanted to reach $120 billion, a very ambitious goal by 2016. And then the market went down, so now we’re moving our targets – let’s breach $100 billion targeted by 2020, and $120 billion by 2022,” Terrado added. With the strategies laid out in the Philippine Export Development
Business leaders back Cha-cha...
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those in neighboring Southeast Asian countries. “We should do what is good for the country and I think an open environment for investment is good for the country and I think there are limitations in our Constitution that make foreign investments uncomfortable. We should release those clauses and allow those people to come in and invest,” Zobel said. “I think the economic provisions should be opened up,” added the head of the country’s oldest conglomerate. The country’s 1987 Constitution restricts foreign ownership of property to 40 percent (Article XII), a clause often blamed by businessmen for the lack of foreign investments in the country. “What’s so great about the Constitution anyway? I think we should change it all the time, change it every five years or change it every three years. It’s a piece of paper
and what’s the use of it if you don’t follow the laws. We should change it every five years. It’s just a document,” Razon said. “What is good for the country is to open up for investments. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for me as a businessman but it’s good for the country. It’s good for everybody,” Razon, chairman of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), said. He also chairs Bloomberry Resorts Corp., operator of Solaire Resorts & Casino. Concepcion agreed there is need for changes in the Charter but that any change should be done carefully. “We have to start to understand the pros and manage the change. This has to be managed really well,” he said. In the forum, the businessmen said the government should make sure any deals it forges would benefit the Philippines. “It’s important
Plan (PEDP) 2015-2017, the DTI implements targeted interventions and support services in the export sector. The PEDP includes discussions in eight key strategies that address export bottlenecks and provides comprehensive approaches in driving industry growth. “Through PEDP, our goal is not only to increase our total export revenues, and make Philippine products known in the global market but also to address constraints in export growth. As we do this, we expect to open more opportuni-
ties for employment and increase household income in the coming periods,” Terrado said. Following declines over the past 17 months due to a slowdown in global demand, Philippine export receipts rose by 5.1 percent to $5.2 billion in September 2016 from $4.9 billion a year earlier. “As we diversify our markets, and urge our exporters to innovate products and services, we are keen on having positive growth in the coming months,” said DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Senen Perlada.
to keep in mind what’s good for us,” said Razon. He also said corporations should keep track of global trends that could affect businesses. These include rapid advancement in technology. For Concepcion, there is also need for the government to strengthen the educational system to prepare the youth for emerging global trends that could affect the corporate world. EO on Cha-cha Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea told the Senate committee on constitutional amendments chaired by Sen. Franklin Drilon of the issuance last Tuesday of an EO creating a “committee for consultative study of the Constitution. Medialdea also said Duterte’s preferred mode of changing the Constitution is through constituent assembly (Con-ass), citing cost efficiency. Duterte originally preferred to review the 1987 Constitution through a constitutional convention, whose delegates would be chosen through election, but House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said in a previous interview that the President eventually settled for Con-ass after learning that a constitutional convention would cost P7 billion. Some critics, however, said having a con-ass might tempt sitting lawmakers into inserting provisions that would advance their vested interests. Drilon said most senators appear to be convinced of the need for Charter change and that debates are focused on which path to take to achieve such goal. “There appears to be a consensus that our Constitution needs to be reviewed. That’s number one. Number two, the resource persons are divided as to whether or not it should be through a constitutional convention or a constituent assem-
bly,” Drilon said after the hearing. On the con-ass proposal, Drilon said senators were of the opinion that the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote separately on whatever amendments to the Constitution are introduced. Medialdea reiterated the President’s position that cost considerations, credibility and effectiveness were generally his basis for favoring con-ass. “And to the matter of voting, we confirm that during that meeting he (President) believes that both Houses should vote separately but we would require further legal study to determine the intent of the framers of the Constitution,” he said. He also said that based on EO 10, the consultative committee tasked to study Charter change would be given six months to present its findings. At the Senate hearing, retired Supreme Court Justice Vicente Mendoza said that under a constitutional convention, Congress should still determine the agenda to be taken up. “Whether the Con-con will adhere to the agenda is of very little concern. The point is there should be a focus for the work of the Concon, otherwise we would have the spectacle of a runaway constitutional amendment. Considering the time and the expense involved in calling a Con-con, the danger of a runaway Con-con or you may call it free-for-all is a danger that should always be guarded against,” Mendoza said. Federalism or bust In a related development, Duterte warned that failure to implement federalism would make lasting peace in Mindanao impossible. “If federalism is not implemented in Mindanao, we will lose it,” he said during the 7th anniversary of PAGE D4
PH to stand impact... PAGE D1 to WTO [World Trade Organization] rules, that cannot be done easily. We could see this sort of aggressive approach towards what he calls unfair trade deals,” Lukauskas told reporters in a press chat hosted by the Investor Relations Office held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) complex on Thursday, Dec. 7. “This will likely set a bit of a trade war because countries like China would not take this sitting down. This scenario is already a bit scary because this could impact international trade and could increase tensions across a wide range of different countries,” he warned. In the case of the Philippines, Lukauskas said there are a couple of strengths that can serve as a buffer for its economy. “The Philippines has experienced a period of relatively fast and sustained growth for a number of years. That is why it is seen as a good place to invest in right now. That will definitely help in this process,” he said. Besides strong growth, the Philippines has good ties with the US, the Columbia University professor said. “On a political level, I think that helps. The recent comments by your President maybe putting a little bit of tension on that relationship, so that’s a little bit of a concern. But ultimately, I think that relationship is strong enough to weather those comments,” he pointed out. Improved governance Lukauskas also mentioned that the Philippines is making progress in terms of governance. “A lot of investors are focused on that. It’s not just the opportunities in terms of accessing markets, but are there investments going to be governed or regulated in a fair way? And I think there has been some progress here in that regard. Certainly, there could be more progress,” he said. Nevertheless, the professor said the country still has a lot of work to do to be attractive when it comes to foreign direct investments (FDIs). Ease of doing business “Can you do more to make the Philippines a more attractive place? Yes I think. Definitely in the area of ‘ease of doing business,’” he said. Lukauskas said the Philippines does not rate very well in many of
the standard indices in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, with the country ranking 99th in the world. “That is not terribly good and I think working on that would be a very positive thing because it would make the Philippines more attractive,” he said. “I think if you have a better investment climate in terms of rules and regulation on how long it takes to open a business, I think that would be very positive,” he added. Human capital The professor also urged the country to invest further in human capital, which he said is a critical development to attract FDIs. “Investors are looking for investment destinations where there are high skills, variety of different skills, and flexible labor markets. I think that is a great deal for the Philippines,” he concluded. Filipino workers have long held an edge over their Asian neighbors in terms of their English-speaking skills, education level and cheap labor, but over recent years have faced stiffer competition from other contenders for foreign investment and employment. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Human Capital Report, out of 124 countries worldwide, the Philippines ranks 46th, with a score of 71.24 in terms of optimizing its human capital endowment–the skills and capacities that reside in people and that are put to productive use. The Philippines ranks in the mid-range of the overall Index scores and failed to enter the 80 percent threshold in terms of ability to nurture talent through education, skills development and deployment at all stages of the human life cycle. The report said the Philippines has best helped reach the maximum potential of its talent pool aged 15 to 24. It ranked 20th in human capital development for the 15 to 24 age group. Partly due to low primary education enrollment rates, however, the Philippines ranked relatively low at 76th in developing the talent of those aged below 15 years old. The country ranked 51st, 40th, and 33rd in helping reach the potential of its talent base aged 25 to 54, 55 to 64, as well as 65 and above, respectively.
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Longo Lexus offers the ultimate Holiday charity scam warning from conveniences in customer amenities Dept. of Consumer Protection OvEr the past year, the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has processed nearly 150 complaints specifically related to charities, which is a sharp increase from previous years largely due to DCP’s outreach and education charities regarding proper registration. During such a busy time of year where consumers are eager to give back – DCP wants to make sure consumers are prepared to say no to scams or bad deals, and reputable charities are appropriately registered. “We understand that consumers want to give back to their communities, and we encourage them to. That said, it’s important for consumers to do their research on charities ahead of a time, and make a giving plan this holiday season,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner, Jonathan A. Harris, “We want to make this process easy for consumers, so
in addition to going after bad actors, we have also been proactively working with new or smaller charity organizations to make sure they’re registered appropriately. That way, we can spend more of our valuable time on the sham charities that are stealing consumers’ hard earned cash.” DCP encourages consumers to make a plan for giving this season, and stick to it in order to protect their finances, avoid falling victim to a scams, or giving to charities who misrepresent how they’re using a consumers hard earned money. Here are some tips that consumers can follow in order to protect themselves: How can consumers spot a charity scam? A scammer will: • refuse to give you details about its identity, mission, costs or how your money will be used;
• Not give you proof that your donation is tax deductible; • Use a name that is similar to a well-known charity to impersonate them; • Thank you for a pledge that you do not remember making, and ask for more money; • Pressure you to donate right away; • Ask for donations in cash or via a wire transfer; • Offer to send a delivery service to pick-up the donation immediately • Promise you a sweepstakes winning in exchange for the donation. (You never have to give money to be eligible for a sweepstake). What can consumers do? Don’t engage If a phone caller or door to door sales person displays the traits listed above, hang up the phone, or don’t engage. We understand consumers want to be PAGE D4
Taking some of the mystery out... PAGE D1 also make it clear that as an attorney, I cannot, and will not, “guarantee” results. By law, attorneys may not guarantee results. If I think the case is uphill, I will make sure the client understands that, as I do not want anyone to mistakenly believe that I have guaranteed success, especially if their case is extremely difficult. A client should not be traumatized over the thought of seeking legal advice from an attorney, and my office makes every
effort to make that experience as painless as possible. But if a person will be facing problems on their immigration situation once Trump becomes president, it is critical they seek the advice of an attorney through an initial consultation. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein
Business leaders back Cha-cha... PAGE D1 the Federalismo Alyansa ng Bicol yesterday in Albay. “I don’t know how much blood will be shed but magulo yan (it will be chaotic),” he added. “Either we lose the island or to maintain the sovereignty, quote and unquote, we have to invest more money for more lives, bullets and all.” Duterte said the unitary form of government was introduced by the country’s colonizers and has resulted in the concentration of power in Manila. “So you have one throne there
and that is why Manila continues to lord it over us,” he said. But at the Senate hearing, Mendoza warned of the dangers that this would bring to the country, particularly on the way the administration wants to go about it. He noted that the usual way is for independent states or territories and colonies to come together and form a federal system but in the proposal of the administration, it goes the opposite direction. “We are already one nation. When you convert the several administrative regions we have into states, the effect is to divide
including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
this nation. For a unitary system or a nation like the Philippines to divide itself into several states independent of the national government is, if I may say so, courting disintegration and fragmentation for what was once a nation,” Mendoza said. “So the danger of division is a very real one. Should that experiment fail, should the federation formed that way disintegrate, the several parts will find themselves without moorings and will be easy prey to annexation by other states,” he added. He said federalism would only intensify regional differences or create one where there is none.
We all know that the process of buying a car is not just as simple as buying a new pair of shoes at the mall. It is a long process that involves careful comparison between vehicle models, reviewing the car’s specifications with regards to the needs of the buyer, and of course, the negotiations for the financing packages and promos. As such, it is very important for Longo Lexus that its customers are supremely comfortable and well-pampered if they are going to make that important decision of which Lexus they will drive home. As a car dealership, there are many reasons why Longo Lexus has been an elite of Lexus dealer since 1992. One of those reasons includes the ultimate conveniences that they offer in customer amenities. As one of the leading Lexus car dealerships, Longo Lexus provides not only pre-sales conveniences, but also noteworthy post-sales services. Longo Lexus is known for the unique amenities that they offer to dealership customers. One of those unique amenities include an on-site Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) center. The AAA branch offers DMV services, airline, car, and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, AAA membership application processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, auto and home insurance, and more. Sign up at our AAA branch in Longo, and you’ll receive a special $13 discount off the original membership price. Aside from from the on-site AAA branch, Longo is also the first dealership in the US to offer Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless Neighborhood services on-site. Offering the latest technologies in telecommunications, mobile accessories, and services, Longo’s on-site Verizon branch makes it even more convenient for customers to stay connected with the world. Our Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer is open from Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday, from 7am to 5:30pm; and Sunday, from 8am to 4pm. Please call (888) 8115201. While waiting for your car to come out of our premium carcare service lines or while you’re going through our wide inventory of luxurious Lexus vehicles, you can enjoy a quick bite at Sub-
way or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks. If you want to pamper your car, you can also shop at the Longo Lexus Parts Boutique, which carries a wide selection of genuine Lexus parts and accessories for your vehicle. M`Zkfi I\p\j With over 31,000 parts and accessories in stock, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. The after-sales services of a dealership is just as important as the pre-sales amenities. And it these after-sales services that make buying a vehicle at Longo Lexus a truly rewarding experience. We offer complimentary loaner vehicles for your use while your car is in our service center. For inquiries, on our loaners, please call our coordinators at 1-800-5970813. For your convenience, we also offer complimentary shuttle service to take you to your office, home, or even the mall—basically anywhere within a 15-mile radius—while your vehicle is being serviced. If you don’t have time to make the drive to our dealership, our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck can provide routine maintenance services, such as oil changes and tire rotations, right at your home or office. Appointments can be made up to 6 months in advance. Similarly, if your service requirements need the car to be physically present at our Longo service center, we offer complimentary flatbed truck pick-up and delivery of your vehicle to and from our dealership. Our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck, and our complimentary flatbed truch pick-up and delivery service are exclusively for cars that are purchased from Longo Lexus, and are located within 60mile radius from Longo. Please call 1-800-597-0813 to schedule your appointment. Also, for every service appointment, each vehicle receives a complimentary car wash in our Longo Lexus Car Spa. For our clients who wish to use other cars, aside from those among our fleet of loaner Lexus cars, they can avail of the services of our enterprise Rent-A-Car offices.
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With two branches on the Longo Premises, enterprise is ready to address all your car rental needs. Please call (800) 969-6519 for more information. We understand that life’s daily grind requires our customers to be always on top of everything while keeping up with an onthe-go lifestyle. Which is they are more than welcome to work at our Longo Business Center where they can work on our computer terminals, free of charge. We also offer complimentary Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) to our customers throughout the facility. This is particularly useful for our customers with mobile devices, laptops, and tablets. While you wait for your car to come out of our service center, your kids can enjoy and have a good time at our Children Play Area, where we offer video games and other activities for the young ones. Longo Lexus customers will also be offered complimentary use of our iPads while they are waiting for their vehicle. For more information on our Longo Lexus Guest Services, please log on to www.longolexus.com/GuestAmenities or call (626) 539-2956. Longo Lexus is located at 3530 North Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731. 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek
D december 10-13, 2016 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
Marketplace & ShowrooM
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Fitch sees sustained Philippine growth by
Lawrence agcaoiLi Philstar.com
MANILA - BMI Research, a unit of Fitch Ratings, expects an average growth rate of six percent over the next five years for the Philippine economy amid the fiscal stimulus measures being undertaken by the Duterte administration. “We believe that President Duterte’s fiscal stimulus measures will be positive for economic growth as most of the increases in spending have been earmarked for infrastructure development and social services like healthcare, education and security, which will boost long-term productivity,” it said. BMI Research said further improvement in public procurement to reduce wasteful spending would likely be positive for fiscal sustainability. Recent data released by the Department of Finance (DOF) showed a four-fold increase in the country’s budget deficit to P216 billion in the first 10 months from P52.6 billion in the same period last year. The research company said the country’s deficit to GDP ratio widened to two percent in 2016 from 0.9 percent in 2015. “It is clear that fiscal stimulus measures under the Duterte administration will be more aggressive than its predecessor, and we expect spending on infrastructure and social services to pick up over
PAGE D1
the coming quarters, in line with the 2017 budget which targets a deficit of three percent of GDP,” BMI Research said. BMI Research also said the Philippines has a severe infrastructure deficit which has dampened investor interest in non-construction sectors. The World Economic Forum (WEF) has cited the infrastructure gap as the second largest hurdle for doing business in the Philippines. According to the WEF global competitiveness index, the Philippines ranks a dismal 95 out of 138 countries in terms of infrastructure,
with quality of roads, port, and air transport systems among the worst in the world. Similarly, the research arm’s operational risk team also assigns a poor score of 40.4 out of 100 (emerging market average is 43.7) for the quality of the transport network in the Philippines. The WEF also cited rampant corruption as well as the failure of the Philippine government to take advantage of the lower cost of borrowing since the Philippines achieved investment grade rating under the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III.
International tourist arrivals...
which boded well for the tourism sector. However, he said there has been no noticeable increase yet in tourist arrivals from both countries. “So far there is none yet, but we’re hoping it will get a big lift
by next year,” Canizal said. For one, he said Chinese operators have already committed to bring in more tourists to the Philippines during the Chinese New Year. The DOT earlier said it was targeting one million Chinese visitors in 2017, as ordered by
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo after the state visit in Beijing. “We need to lay down the foundation in terms of making sure of the connectivity. In terms of visa, we’re trying to work out with the Department of Foreign Affairs how to smoothen the visa processing,” Canizal said.
Holiday charity scam warning... PAGE D3 polite, but if you don’t engage, you don’t get scammed. Research a charity - Get the exact name of the charity so you can research them if you’re considering giving; - Verify that a charity is registered appropriately at www. elicense.ct.gov; - Search the name of the charity online with the word “scam”
or “complaint”; - Do some research on the charity’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau, Charity Watch or Guidestar. - Learn how the charity spends its money with Charity Navigator. Make a plan Make a plan for giving each giving season by researching charities you trust, and reviewing your budget. Stick to your plan. If a charity
OR a scammer sends you a solicitation that doesn’t fall inside of your plan - don’t adjust what you have already planned at the last minute. Consumers may file a complaint regarding a charity at dcp.frauds@ct.gov, and charities with registration questions may email us at dcp.charities@ ct.gov. We also can always be reached at (860) 713-6100 or Toll-Free in CT at (800) 8422649.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DEcEmbER 10-13, 2016 D
Nissan’s future car development lies in Intelligent Mobility by Ulysses
Ang
Philstar.com
MANILA – Last year, Nissan Motor gave a glimpse of their future at the Nissan 360 event in Yokohama, Japan. That future has zero fatalities and zero emissions. Dubbed “Intelligent Mobility,” it’s a development philosophy that’ll shape all Nissan vehicles to come. Though the world of self-driving cars and fully electric vehicles is still some decades away, especially for countries such as the Philippines, it’s not stopping Nissan from integrating the foundations of Intel“The Philippines imposes the lowest minimum rate of two percent on taxable motor vehicles ligent Mobility in their cars; after all, compared with five or 10 percent in minimum tax rate in other member countries,” the state- they believe it makes driving more led National Tax Research Center (NTRC) said. personal, empowering, and exhilarating. At the same time, as they move towards fully autonomous vehicles, the resulting technologies will make them smarter and safer. Nissan has identified three pillars of Intelligent Mobility: Intelligent Drive, Intelligent Power, and by Prinz MAgtUlis (CAMPI), declined to comment. Intelligent Integration. Philstar.com He, however, said the group Although the goal of IntelliMANILA - Automobile excise was “studying carefully” the gent Drive is one that’ll produce tax is the lowest in the country proposal of the Department of fully autonomous vehicles (and across Southeast Asia and cov- Finance to increase vehicle levies it’s something Nissan promises ers the least number of vehicles, under one of the five packages of by 2020), Intelligent Drive is first justifying government reform the comprehensive tax reform and foremost about offering a plans that seek to discourage program. more confident drive. It’s all about In a statement Tuesday, Dec. performance, comfort and safety, car purchases to ease traffic in 6, the DOF said it was pushing to reducing stress from a daily comMetro Manila. “The Philippines imposes the lift the minimum tax to five from mute, and minimizing the risk of lowest minimum rate of two per- two percent for vehicles priced unsafe conditions. As such, many cent on taxable motor vehicles P600,000 and below. of these advancements are already At the higher end, luxury cars available or are made readily availcompared with five or 10 percent in minimum tax rate in other worth over P2.1 million will have able in current Nissan cars. member countries,” the state-led a fixed tax of 60 percent, which is A perfect example of Intelligent National Tax Research Center currently imposed on the excess Drive is the X-Trail’s Around View of that amount. (NTRC) said. monitor. Offering a 360-degree The NTRC said even this bird’s eye view of the area surThe findings were included in the study, “Comparative Excise structure of marginal tax on rounding the vehicle, it offers inTaxation of Motor Vehicles in excess amounts depending on creased confidence when tackling ASEAN Countries,” published on seller’s price is unique for the tight spaces be it when parking or the NTRC Tax Research Journal Philippines, with other ASEAN countries charging a fixed rate in October. Aside from low levies, the based on the vehicle price. For instance, Brunei and country’s vehicle taxes also exclude the most vehicles versus Singapore charge a 20-percent eight of the nine other mem- “standard rate,” while the latter bers of Association of Southeast levies motorcycles 12 percent. Myanmar has a two-tiered Asian Nation (ASEAN), except fixed rate of five and 25 percent, Thailand. Under the law, NTRC said the depending on the automobile term “automobiles” refer to four type, while Cambodia uses three or more wheeled vehicles run at 10, 20 and 30 percent. Thailand, meanwhile, considby oil or electricity, excluding ers vehicle carbon emissions to motorbikes. Specific exemptions were also charge taxes between five and given to public utility vehicles 50 percent, NTRC said. Finance Secretary Carlos such as jeepneys and buses as well as trucks, cargo vans, Dominguez said the governsingle cab and special purpose ment’s goal is to increase taxes by 2018 to lower vehicle sales, vehicles. “While the Philippines does which grew 24.5 percent in the not subject buses and trucks first 10 months based on data to the excise tax, Lao PDR and from CAMPI. To compare, the construction Myanmar include them in the coverage of their respective sector, which includes building excise tax structure. Singapore of roads and bridges to absorb also subjects buses to the tax,” cars, only expanded 13.2 percent as of the end of September. NTRC said. “What’s the point of buying a “While the Philippines does not tax special purpose vehicles, new car and not moving in the Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore streets? That point of the matter impose the excise tax on these,” is we want to direct the people to go to public transport, and we it added. Rommel Gutierrez, president are making big investments in of the Chamber of Automotive public transport...,” Dominguez Manufacturers of the Philippines said.
Study shows PH auto excise tax lowest in ASEAN
JLL analyst: Weaker peso to impact property market by CAtherine
tAlAverA ManilaTimes.net
THE continued weakening of the Philippine peso may dampen demand from local real estate buyers and investors, although it may attract foreign buyers into the country, a property analyst said on Monday, Dec. 5. In a text message to the Manila Times, Jones Lang LaSalle head of research, consultancy and valuation services Claro Cordero Jr. said the continued weakening of the Philippine peso against the US dollar “can negatively affect the local buyers and investors.” The Philippine currency has recently been depreciating compared to the greenback, falling to a 10-year low of P50:$1 level during midday trading on November 24. On Monday, the peso closed at P49.69 to a dollar, still hovering near the P50/$1.00 level. Cordero said that a depreciating peso will have short- and long-term effects on the country’s property markets. “In the short-term, authorities such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas might be forced to increase interest rates to arrest the further weakening of the Philippine peso,” he said. As interest rates increase, Cordero noted that the cost of borrowing money from banks will also increase, affecting borrowers’ existing and future decisions to avail of
housing loans or mortgages. “In the long run, it may mean foreign buyers will be drawn into the property market and [this would]drive property prices up,” Cordero said. In a recent report, JLL said that the continued weakening of the local currency could lead to stronger demand for residential properties from overseas Filipinos because of their higher spending power. “The recent PHP depreciation against the US dollar may strengthen the purchasing power of overseas Filipino families, potentially increasing overseas Filipino demand for residential units,” JLL said. Cordero agrees with this view, noting that “dollar earners like overseas Filipinos may find the housing property market attractive, driving new demand.” In contrast, he said that demand from local buyers will likely decline. “As property prices become more expensive, the local buyers will be constrained from investing further,” Cordero noted. Meanwhile, Cordero noted that a weaker peso may bode well for the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. “The higher dollar value further diminishes its operating costs from doing business in offshore locations such as the Philippines. This will make us more attractive to BPO firms,” Cordero said.
maneuvering through obstacles in city streets. Moving further, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Emergency Brake are two other technologies that fall under this category as well. Next, there’s Intelligent Power which is all about providing truly usable power and acceleration without sacrificing fuel economy. It’s not all about outright power and torque that, in the end, may not be usable to the customer (the GT-R notwithstanding). The ultimate goal of this pillar would be to produce vehicles with zero emissions, but with outstanding range and performance. To this end, Nissan isn’t just looking at improving current battery technology in products such as the Leaf, but they’re also looking to other alternatives like hydrogen fuel technology. However, as the world still moves towards electrification, Nissan is also investing in technologies that offer seamless power and acceleration with improved fuel economy. The use of the X-TRONIC Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT is one such example. Currently available in most of Nissan’s gasoline offerings: Almera, Sylphy, Altima, Juke, and X-Trail—CVTs are renowned for offering improved fuel efficiency by keeping engine speeds at optimal levels. Meanwhile, the use of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel paired with the 7-speed automatic on the NP300 Navara is yet another example. Not only does it offer 190hp and 450Nm of torque, but the smaller displacement offers up to 11 percent better efficiency than the previous Navara. Finally, there’s Intelligent Integration where Nissan aims to have
its cars communicate with a common infrastructure. By networking cars, as opposed to making them run separately from each other, roads, charging stations, and even parking spaces will all be optimized. Eventually, this will reduce traffic jams and create a more efficient use of urban space. Unfortunately, that sort of connectivity is more science fiction than science reality at this point. At the same time, Nissan knows that they need the help not only of lawmakers, but of other carmakers to create laws, standards, and policies that support autonomous driving and data sharing. In the here and now, Nissan is offering Intelligent Integration in the way its vehicles work and operate to help a customer with his daily routine; it’s not all about power for the sake of power or size for the sake of size. It’s all about understanding what the customer needs and wants, and fulfilling those requirements. A product of this way of thinking is the Navara EnGuard Concept, which showcases how a production pickup can be re-fitted as the ultimate rescue machine. The Navara EnGuard Concept is fitted with various equipment
that helps it operate in some of the world’s harshest and most extreme environments. Compared to the standard Navara, it’s been raised by 50mm and features requisite over fenders and emergency strobe lights. A nice touch is the fluorescent green applique, so chosen because it’s a color most seen in daylight and most identifiable by people with color blindness. At the back, there’s a pull-out tray filled with two-way radios, rescue equipment, life jackets, oxygen tank, and even a resuscitation kit. There’s even a portable battery pack that acts as an alternative to a diesel generator that harvests power from the Navara’s engine. Pursuing a goal of zero emissions and zero fatalities, Intelligent Mobility will help guide how Nissan vehicles are powered, how they are driven, and how they integrate into society. Ever since the world’s first mass production electric vehicle, the Leaf, came out in 2010, Nissan has invested significantly in R&D. And while the fruits of Intelligent Mobility won’t be fully realized for decades to come, it helps move the world towards a safer and more sustainable future.
D december 10-13, 2016 • LA WeeKeNd ASIAN JOUrNAL
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