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February 13-16, 2016
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T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r
Volume 26 - No. 13 • 4 Sections – 32 Pages
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Aquino blames Marcos, Enrile for BBL death
Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey
by llanesCa
t. Panti ManilaTimes.net
STILL reeling from the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) debacle in Congress, President Benigno Aquino III blamed the supposed “connivance” of Senators Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Juan Ponce Enrile for the death of the measure that aims to establish a new Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao. “Isang-daang milyon sa ating mga kababayan ang apektado sa pagkaudlot ng pagpapasa sa BBL. Ang masaklap po, dito, tila dalawang senador lang ang nag-
kuntsabahan. Pagkatagal-tagal pong inilabas ang report ng komite,” Aquino said during a meeting with local leaders in Iloilo City Tuesday night, Feb. 9. Though he did not mention names, it was clear that the President was alluding to Marcos and Enrile. The former overhauled the BBL draft prepared by Malacañang claiming that it contained unconstitutional provisions while Enrile had said that he is yet to finish with his interpellation of the measure. The President noted that these critics were nowhere to be found
when the administration reached out for suggestions on how to go about the Bangsamoro measure. The proposed Bangsamoro law was supposed to abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and established a Bangsamoro Region that will enjoy fiscal autonomy and be governed by the Bangsamoro parliament. “I have asked these critics, what do you suggest as an alternative to Bangsamoro law? Nobody came to us. Now, look where it got us. We are stuck in the same situation. And this situ-
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In a joint statement on Friday, Feb. 12, government negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and her MILF counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, expressed disappointment over Congress’ failure to pass the BBL, which is required under a comprehensive peace accord forged in 2014. Senate PRIB/Albert Calvelo
World’s 1st DOT encourages tourists to revisit PH dengue vaccine DATELINE USA Democratic debate launched in Manila ‘ViSiT THE PHiLiPPiNES AgAiN 2016’
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
by MoMar
g. Visaya
AJPress
highlights divide between Clinton and Sanders
THE sixth Democratic debate aired Thursday, Feb. 11 at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, hosted by PBS NewsHour. It was the second debate between only former First Lady and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and Vermont Governor Bernie Sanders, and the final round before the Nevada caucuses. After a sweeping loss in the New Hampshire primary, Clinton worked to generate more momentum in the Midwest, specifically to African American voters who are more supportive of her campaign. Sanders, in an improved performance since the past two weeks, spoke passionately about issues on criminal justice in an effort to reach nonwhite supporters. As the rivals laid out their differences and strategies for American policy, the differences between the two candidates’ rhetoric
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THE New York Times Travel Show, the largest and longestrunning trade and consumer travel show in North America, ended a couple of weeks ago on a high note. The attendance to the show this year was the highest in nine years and the second most attended New York Times Travel Show ever.
Almost 30,000 people trooped to the Jacob Javits Convention Center over the weekend when the show was on, despite nearfreezing weather. There were more than 500 exhibitors, including the Philippine Department of Tourism, an annual supporter of the travel show. This year, the tourism department showcased the Tourism Promotion Board’s newest campaign, ‘Visit Philippines Again
2016’, an offshoot of the successful ‘Visit Philippines Year 2015’ project. Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr., accompanied by Ms. Eleanor De Leon, Philippine Department of Tourism New York (PDOT-NY) Representative Michelle Cristalle Dy-Vera, as well as Consul Felipe Carino III, welcomed prospective travelers visiting the Philippine booth
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Grace: I’m not Aquino’s secret candidate by Christina
“If it’s secret, then it’s really a secret because I have no idea about it,” Sen. Grace Poe said in Filipino after campaigning in vote-rich Toledo City in Cebu last Wednesday, Feb. 10. Facebook/Grace Poe
Mendez and aurea CaliCa Philstar.com
MANILA — She attended President Aquino’s recent birthday party and his appointees in the Supreme Court are arguing in her favor, but Sen. Grace Poe says these do not make her a “secret candidate” of the Chief Executive. “If it’s secret, then it’s really a secret because I have no idea about it,” Poe said in Filipino after campaigning in vote-rich Toledo City in Cebu last Wednesday, Feb. 10. Poe, who is running as an independent, issued the statement on Thursday, Feb. 11 as Aquino’s anointed successor, Manuel Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP), continued to trail her
South China Sea to be discussed at Tagle on Lenten season: Don’t be hypocrites ASEAN-US summit by eVelyn
MaCairan Philstar.com
MANILA — The rising tensions in the disputed South China will be discussed at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations-US summit at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California next week. US Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes said that the summit will be an opportunity for the leaders to discuss China’s test flights on Kagitingan or Fiery Cross Reff in the West Philippine Sea. “The US will be underscoring the importance of resolving any territorial disputes consistent with international norms and international law, and we will continue to underscore the principle that these issues have to be resolved consistent with international norms and not through bigger nations bullying smaller ones,” Rhodes said in a press call
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MANILA — As the Catholic faithful flocked to churches on Wednesday, Feb. 10 to have foreheads daubed with ash, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle had a message in this Lenten and election season: don’t be hypocrites, and don’t use Lenten rituals for publicity stunts. In his homily during the morning mass for Ash Wednesday that heralded the start of the 40-day Lenten season, Tagle said that some people might take advantage of the call to be charitable to glorify themselves. He reminded the faithful of Jesus’ teaching, that when one gives alms, one should do it secretly and not turn it into photo opportunities, like hypocrites who only want to be praised by others. Aside from the “photo ops” when showing off their generosity, Tagle also discouraged people from spending a long time kneeling in church just to project themselves as pi-
A woman has her forehead marked with a sign of the cross in observance of Ash Wednesday at Saint Peter’s Parish Church in Quezon City yesterday. Michael Varcas / Philstar.com
ous. He said the church must also not be turned into a venue for fashion shows in order to draw attention to oneself. “When you do not think of others or God when you do a generous act, and only want to draw attention to yourself, this is an insult
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by Kristine
Felisse Mangunay Inquirer.net
MANILA — Medical authorities launched on Thursday, Feb. 11 what they said was the world’s first dengue vaccine in the Philippines. Dr. Rose Delos Reyes, president of the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases said during a press conference in Parañaque City that Dengvaxia has become available to patients with “private doctors.” “It took more than 20 years to develop this vaccine,” Dr. Maria Rose Capeding, head of the Department of Microbiology Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, said. Capeding said the vaccine–which would be injected– would be for the 9-to-45-year-old age group. It is effective against the four strains of dengue, according to Delos Reyes and Capeding. Capeding said the vaccine — which was developed and manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and received Philippine Food and Drug Administration approval on Dec. 22, 2015 — involved a “robust clinical trial program in which 40,000 individuals participated in 25 clinical trials and in 15 countries.” She said the two key efficacy trials for phase 3 of the vaccine clinical development were held simultaneously in Asia and Latin America. The Asian countries involved, she said, were Viet-
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From the Front Page
‘Visit the Philippines Again 2016’…
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to learn about the latest tourism packages. Also in attendance were Ms. Zeny Pallugna and Mr. Joey Chanco of PDOT-NY and Ms. Daniella Usmanova representing Philippine Airlines. A three-day event for travel enthusiasts, the New York Times Travel Show boasts of exhibitors representing over 150 countries.
The event showcases products like exploring domestic and international hot spots, familiar favorites and under-the radar crowd-free escapades. The travel show features, among others, the Travel Industry Conference, consumer seminars, and an interactive exhibition including more than 500 exhibitors from Africa, Asia,
Australia/South Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Mexico and the United States. In addition to discounts and special offers, the show provides educational seminars and live entertainment for families, individuals, couples and seniors. Consul General Mario De Leon lauded the efforts of the Philippine Department of Tourism and PDOT-New York which are actively promoting attractive travel packages to mainstream travelers as well as Filipino-Americans in cooperation with US travel operators and international air carriers. There were several outstanding travel packages to off-the-beaten-path destinations in the Philippines that are widely popular among American retirees and younger generation FilipinoAmericans that can be marketed extensively, he added. PDOT-New York’s Ms. Michelle Dy-Vera is upbeat for the tourism and travel industry in the Philippines this year. She said
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FARM SCHOOLS. Senator Cynthia A. Villar says the first batch of graduates on the training on Farm Business School are now capable of operating their own farm schools as a business or they can also be trainors of the course. The participants of the Training of Facilitators on Farm Business School or FBS of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Villar SIPAG, completed the 10-day training session. The senator, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food Committee, said farm schools can serve as human capital investment for the countryside growth and development. It will help address several issues and concerns affecting the agricultural sector. Senate photo
Aquino… PAGE A1 t
ation does not solve the Mindanao problem,” the President pointed out. The President bewailed that the lawmakers’ failure to pass the BBL resulted in a status quo. Former Interior Assistant Secretary Ina Ambolodto, one of the senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party, vowed to push for the refiling of the proposed Bangsamoro law. “We have to return to the draft bill because the results did not reflect what was agreed upon under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),” Ambolodto said. The CAB, inked in March 2014 between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), gave birth to the BBL. “The peace agreement has started and ceasefire is in place. [But] The awareness was lacking. We have to make everyone know about this measure, not just in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but also in Luzon and Visayas,” Ambolodto added. (With reports from Joel M. Sy Egco)
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From the Front page
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016
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World’s 1st dengue vaccine launched…
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nam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Latin American countries involved on the other hand were Mexico, Honduras, Colombia, Puerto Rico and Brazil. “Our country has been (at the forefront) of clinical development of this dengue vaccine because (it is only here where) the three phases of clinical development — phase 1, 2, and 3 — were conducted,” Capeding, also the phase 3 principal investigator in the Philippines, said. Capeding said the two efficacy trials in Latin America and Asia followed a similar design: Three doses were given to each subject at a six-month interval. She said the subjects were
“followed up on” 25 months after they received the first dose. From those two trials, she said researchers found a 65.6 percent reduction in symptomatic dengue, 93 percent reduction in severe disease, and 80.8 percent reduction in hospitalized dengue. “Visualize. You have this public health problem, dengue being a major, global, significant international public health concern. And apply this one, the results of the efficacy (trials). Visualize how many children and adults will be protected from dengue. And visualize the overall health benefits from dengue vaccination,” she said. Dr. Cecilia Montalban, president of The Philippine Founda-
tion for Vaccination, said that in figures, they could “guarantee that 8 out of 10 cases will be prevented from (being hospitalized). And 9 out of 10 will be prevented from having severe hemorrhagic fever” with the vaccine. According to Capeding, the vaccine–which will be given to each subject also in three doses at a six-month interval — was effective against the four strains of dengue. Asked how much it cost, Dr. Sally Gatchalian, president of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, said it came at a “very reasonable price.” Zuellig Pharma is the distributor of the vaccine. n
‘Visit the Philippines Again 2016’…
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that her office is aiming to expand partnerships and develop cooperation with US travel operators and agents, mainstream organizations, including air carriers, to include travel packages to the Philippines in their promotional efforts and publications as well as encourage a side-trip to the Philippines for American travelers to Asia. She found this year’s attendees to the Travel Show with increased interest on the Philippine tourism destinations. In order to further promote the campaign in New York, TPB through the DOT have placed ads on the Gray Line double-decker buses that bring NYC tourists to the various landmarks and destinations in the city. 2016 promises to be another good year for Philippine tourism as global publications continue to recommend the county as a must-visit destination.
National Geographic picked the Philippines as one of their top destinations for 2016, along with Burgundy, France; Glasgow, Scotland and Hokkaido, Japan. Cebu and Boracay made it to this year’s ‘Best Islands’ survey of Conde Nast’s Traveler magazine readers who unanimously voted for Palawan to be the best island in the world for the second year in a row. “Visit the Philippines Again 2016” The campaign was launched by the Department of Tourism Secretary, Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. last November at the World Travel Market 2015 held in The Gherkin in London. The campaign aims to attract more visitors from all over the world to the Philippines and encourage them to return this year for more fun and feel-good adventures. As a kick-off to the campaign, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN
Tourism Forum on 18 – 25 January 2016 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Similar to Visit Philippines Year 2015, other exciting activities have been lined up to sustain the interest of the traveling public. Among the major events being showcased are Madrid Fusion Manila 2016 in April for foodies, the MTV Music Evolution 2016 in May for music-lovers and the 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship in August for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Major musical acts such as Madonna and Andrea Bocelli have scheduled concerts in Manila as well. As of October 2015, the Department of Tourism has recorded a total of 4,226,489 international tourist arrivals to the Philippines from January to October 2015. The figure is an 11.13% increase from the same period of the previous year. n
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE. Vice presidential bet Senator Bongbong Marcos holds a motorcade in his home province of Ilocos Norte during the start of the campaign period for national elections on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta
Democratic debate highlights divide…
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became strikingly apparent. “There aren’t enough good paying jobs, especially for young people. And yes, the economy is rigged in favor of those at the top,” Clinton said in her opening remarks. When asked about women by the two female debate moderators, PBS co-anchors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff, Clinton said that she has “spent my entire adult life working toward making sure that women are empowered to make their own choices, even if that choice is not to vote for me.” “And this is the first time there have been a majority of women on the stage,” Clinton added. Sanders, in an effort to appeal to minority voters, talked about race relations in the US. “We are looking at institutional racism,”
he declared, also citing alarming rates of mass incarceration, youth unemployment, and systemic poverty along racial lines, according to ABC News. When asked point blank of race relations would be better under the Sanders administration, he swiftly replied, “Yes, absolutely.” “What we will do is say instead of giving tax breaks to billionaires, we are going to create millions of jobs for low income kids so they’re not hanging out on street corners. We’re going to make sure that those kids stay in school or are able to get a college education.” Clinton sought to damage Sanders’ proposals, portraying them as unrealistic, and said it was important for the American people to support both of their programs.
Tagle on Lenten season: Don’t…
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Pandanon Island along Mactan Channel, Cebu (See story on page 4)
Photos by Mary May Portez
to the one receiving your alms because your true intention is not to help… you are using that person for your own benefit. That is not being generous, that is not being charitable,” Tagle added. He said that during this season, the faithful are encouraged to prepare for God’s resurrection that would fall on Easter Sunday and asked that they return to the Lord. Alms giving is one of three
ways to renew ties with God during Lent. The other two are praying and offering sacrifice such as fasting. Tagle also said that when people decide to fast, they should not be motivated by the prospect of losing weight or saving money. He also asked that the savings from fasting be donated to the Archdiocese of Manila’s Pondo ng Pinoy and Fast2Feed of Hapag-Asa to feed hungry and malnourished children. n
“We should not make promises we can’t keep,” Clinton argued, warning of her rivals plans to push for a single-payer health care program that would “gridlock the political system, and jeopardize the Affordable Care Act [Obamacare],” reported CNN. “Yes, the economy is rigged in favor of those at the top,” she said, agreeing with Sanders on the ongoing issue with Wall Street. “I know a lot of Americans are angry at the economy and for good cause. Americans haven’t had a raise in 15 years.” Throwing shade at Ms. Clinton’s super political action committee, Sanders also mentioned the “corrupt campaign finance system” funded by “extraordinarily wealthy people who make very large contributions to super PACs,” to which Clinton replied, “We are mixing apples and oranges. My 750,000 donors have contributed more than a million and a half donations. I’m very proud.” She also laid out her loyalty to President Obama, promising to strengthen his Affordable Care Act and continue his legacy, mentioning his name 21 times. Meanwhile, Sanders criticized the President’s deportation policies, promising to use his executive power to expand protections and benefits for immigrants, re-
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South China Sea to be discussed at ASEAN… PAGE A1 t
on Wednesday, Feb 10. Rhodes reiterated that the US does not take a particular position with regard to the overlapping claims of several countries in the disputed sea. However, he stressed that military action and militarization should be avoided in addressing the South China Sea issue. “That should be a common interest. Whether you’re a claimant or not a claimant, you want to see stability,” the US National Security official said. Rhode added that the actions of the US in the South China Sea are about upholding principles such as freedom of navigation. “And then lastly, everybody
has an interest in the peaceful resolution of disputes consistent with international law,” Rhodes said. ASEAN-US Summit Senior Director for Asian Affairs Dan Kritenbrink added that US President Barack Obama will emphasize the focus on promoting and sustaining a rules-based order, including maritime domain. “I anticipate that the President will continue to call on claimants to halt land reclamation, construction of new facilities, and to carry out no militarization of outposts in the South China Sea,” Kritenbrink said. Kritenbrink added that all countries are expected to recognize the importance of freedom of
navigation and overflight, as well as the use of international law in solving territorial disputes. The ASEAN-US Summit director refused to give a preview of the kind of statements that will be released in the summit when asked if a joint statement on the South China Sea will be released. President Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will attend the summit which will be hosted by Obama. Aquino’s counterparts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will also attend the summit. (Patricia Lourdes Viray / Philstar.com)
BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Students perform following a day-long dance workshop in celebration of Black History Month highlighting the contributions African American women have made to dance, in the East Room of the White House on Monday, Feb. 8. White House photo by Amanda Lucidon
Legally blind Fil-Am in North Carolina is a top wrestler, student SAN FRANCISCO – A 17-yearold blind Filipina American high In this Jan. 6, 2016, file photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, a China Southern Airlines jetliner lands at the airfield on Fiery Cross school wrestler who is going blind Reef, known as Yongshu Reef in Chinese, in the Spratly Islands, known as Nansha Islands in Chinese, of the South China Sea. Divided opinions got the attention of Raleigh, North within Vietnam’s Communist Party on how to relate to giant neighbor and one-time ally China are among key factors in play at an eight-day Carolina television news recently. Liana Mutia, a Millbrook High congress to choose new leadership. Diplomatic ties between Vietnam and China were restored in 1991, but tensions have risen in recent years due to competing claims to islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Cha Chunming/Xinhua via AP, File School senior, told ABC 11 News
High school student and wrestler Liana Mutia is legally blind.
in Raleigh, “I usually can tell by the handshake how strong (my opponents) are. “The touch of the handshake is about the only pre-match gauge she’s got. She describes her myopia and astigmatism: “It’s like having a large blind spot in the center of my vision with a lot of distortion around the edges.” Mutia has been losing her sight since her sophomore year and is now legally blind. Judo is her primary sport, but she added wrestling two years ago both for the conditioning benefits and self-reliance as her vision dete-
ABC 11 News
riorated. “I didn’t want to be useless. I wanted to be useful to someone, somehow and if that meant getting into a spot and wrestling, then so be it.” Mutia told ABC News 11. Mutia could have graduated last year at age 16 – she has a 4.7 GPA, carrying exclusively AP classes this year. Next year, it’s off to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she’ll train for the 2020 Paralympic Games. She will also be in pre-med at the University of Colorado. n
Celebrating Healthy Hearts Join Us for Our Annual “Kings & Queens of Hearts” Celebration For more than 20 years, Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital has collaborated closely with our patients and families focused on their heart health – offering support during challenges and honoring each success. We invite you to applaud our “Kings and Queens” while enjoying multiple health screenings, lectures from our doctors, education and information on preventive care and health management, and a delicious lunch.
Thursday, February 18, 2016 9 – 11:30 a.m. Health Screenings 10 – 11:15 a.m. Guest Lectures 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lawrence O’Connor, M.D., “State of the Heart 2016” Presentation and Crowning of the Kings and Queens 12:15 – 1 p.m. Lunch and Raffle
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New initiative aims to reduce childhood obesity in Los Angeles County
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CENTER. The Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) on Thursday launched the Kampilan Public Assistance Center (KPAC), a doorway for peace programs meant to hasten the cordiality of local sectors and the military. The KPAC, where historical visual aids and a collection of firearms recovered by soldiers from rebels in past encounters are displayed, will also function as a press center, where journalists covering the activities of 6th ID can write news reports. The launching of the newly-established KPAC was attended by the vice commander of the Armed Forces, Major Gen. Demosthenes Santillan. Philstar.com photo
Trump, Sanders win New Hampshire Primary by Allyson
EscobAr
AJPress
OVER half a million voters cast ballots on Tuesday, Feb. 9 in the New Hampshire primary, a large turnout across the small Northeastern state. Businessman Donald Trump and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders had decisive victories for the nation’s first primary, paving the way to success for the two outsider party candidates in the election. Trump benefitted from an unusually large field of candidates that split the vote among more traditional politicians, reported the New York Times--including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who came in second. According to exit polling data, Trump ran strongest among Republican voters who were worried about immigration, the fate of the economy, and the threat of a terrorist attack in the US. It was also his first win among first-time voters in a Republican primary. According to exit polls, 45 percent of Republican voters said they preferred a president with political experience, such as Kasich or Bush. However, with more than 80 percent of New Hampshire precincts reporting, Trump received 35.3 percent of the overall vote, around 100,406 total, and 30-40 percent of the vote among many demographic groups. Trump also beat out four Republicans, who each received less than 20 percent of the overall vote. On the Democratic side, Sanders beat out Hillary Clinton by over 55,000 votes, with 60.4 percent to Clinton’s 38 percent. Sanders’ win proved a painful rejection of Clinton, who was known to reflect the views and
have a good relationship with New Hampshire voters, particularly women. The state supported her husband in 1992, while Bill Clinton was on the path toward the Democratic nomination, and in the general elections of 1996. However, Sanders’ rhetoric on a liberal political agenda and greater regulation on Wall Street drew larger support from voters, including young people and women. “Together we have sent a message that will echo from Wall Street to Washington, from Maine to California,” Sanders said. “And that is that the government of our great country belongs to all of the people, and not just a handful of wealthy campaign contributors and their ‘super PACs.’” It was a surprise to both parties, while many believed voters would stick to their roots embracing more experienced candidates like Clinton or one of the Republican lawmakers. However, disastrous debate performances have affected some campaigns, including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who stood out during the Iowa caucuses but slid rapidly towards the fifth and last place in the primary as final results were tallied. The opposition to Trump and Iowa Caucus winner Ted Cruz is divided, CNN said, and the GOP race remains crowded. After doing poorly in the polls, both Carly Fiorina and Chris Christie also dropped out of the presidential race on Feb. 10. The former HP executive promised to “continue to serve in order to restore citizen government to this great nation so that together we may fulfill our potential,” while New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie came in sixth place, reflecting that he had not “an ounce of regret” for the ex-
Democratic debate…
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ported LA Times. “[My policy] aims to keep families together,” Sanders quipped, echoing Obama’s frequent rhetoric on immigration and his delayed executive actions to offer eligible undocumented immigrants legal temporary protection--sweeping policies that both candidates have said they supported, but would go “even further.” Clinton also stated her goals to “deporting criminals, not hardworking immigrant families who do the best they can.” The rivals continued to debate about race relations, the economy, and an unexpected quarrel about former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s support of Clinton. “In her book and in this last debate, she talked about getting the approval or the support or the mentoring of Kissinger,” Sanders said. “I happen to believe [he] was one of the most destructive secretaries of state in the modern
history of this country. I’m proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend. I will not take advice from Henry Kissinger.” “Well, I know journalists have asked who you do listen to on foreign policy and we have yet to know who that is,” Clinton pointed out, to which Sanders fired back, “Well it ain’t Henry Kissinger, that’s for sure.” In her closing arguments, Clinton said that Americans live in a “single-issue country” with many barriers needed to be broken, including racism, sexism, and discrimination: “We’ve got to stand up for unions and working people who have done it before, the American middle class, and those being attacked by ideologues and demagogues.” Agreeing with the big partisan issues which continue divide Americans, Sanders finished, “We have to stand up to the Trumps of the world who are trying to divide us.” (Allyson Escobar / AJPress)
perience in New Hampshire. “I have won both elections that I was supposed to lose and I have lost elections that I was supposed to win,” Christie said on Tuesday night. “And what that means is you never know, and it’s both the magic and the mystery of politics that you never quite know when which is going to happen--even when you think you do.” n
LOS ANGELES — The ongoing effort to battle childhood obesity in Los Angeles County will now include a bigger focus on informing parents about healthier meal choices, smaller portions and choosing water while eating out, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) officials announced on Thursday, Feb. 11. With recent studies showing Americans now spend more money on eating out than on groceries, county officials today unveiled a creative advertising and outreach effort aimed both at parents as well as restaurants to secure healthier-sized portions and healthier meal offerings for children. “As part of our ongoing efforts to battle childhood obesity in Los Angeles County, we will now have an enhanced focus on educating parents about healthier meal choices for their children,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda L. Solis. “Today, we are empowering parents with easy tips to make better choices for their kids and encouraging restaurants to provide healthier options. Healthy options should be available no matter where we eat.” The “Healthy Eating Out” campaign is part of Public Health’s Choose Health LA effort and comes a few months after the county launched an outreach program to warn parents about another cause of childhood obesity – sugary drinks.
LAPH Healthy Eating Out 4
Photos courtesy of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
“A meal away from home can be viewed as a special occasion, but it gets tricky if you are eating out three or four times a week. Studies indicate that families on average consume far more calories than they should when eating out at restaurants, and it’s not just fast food but also sitdown restaurants where calories are over-consumed,” said Dr. Paul Simon, MD, MPH, Director, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The new initiative will feature a series of advertisements placed throughout the county and online with simple, important tips when eating out or at home such as choosing fruits or veggies instead of french fries, and asking for water or low-fat milk instead of soda or juice drinks. Health
officials also are encouraging Los Angeles County’s more than 30,000 restaurants to remove or limit fried foods and sugary
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Filipinos in Los Angeles gear up for Aquino’s visit by AJPRess
US senators Harry Reid (DNev.), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have pressed The White House on this issue. Last summer, the White House announced that relatives of Filipino World War II veterans could seek parole under a program set up by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Though the roll out date of the policy affecting Filipino veterans and their families is yet to be announced, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services and State Department will provide the application process, and will be separate from the general family-based immigration system. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis for a temporary period of time based upon “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit,” according to the White House. On Feb. 15 and 16, Aquino will be in Sunnylands, California for the US-ASEAN summit, where leaders are expected to discuss economic integration, political security and socio-cultural is-
MEMBERS of the FilipinoAmerican community are anticipating the upcoming visit of President Benigno S. Aquino III to Southern California, where he will participate in various events, including a summit with President Barack Obama and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders. Community leaders and World War II veterans on Sunday, Feb. 14 are slated to welcome Aquino when he lands at Los Angeles International Airport. “We welcome President Aquino to California. We deeply thank Aquino and Obama for their ironclad partnership in defending the West Philippine Sea against Chinese aggression, artificial island building and ecocide fishing,” said Franco Arcebal, 92, spokesman of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans. Veterans are hoping Aquino will speak to Obama about extending benefits to them. “We urge Aquino to ask Obama about the implementation of his executive order of July last year for the promised immigration visas for thousands of sons and daughters of US Filipino World War II veterans who have been patiently waitby Agnes ConstAnte AJPress ing for more than 20 years and about the Equity Compensation PRESIDENT Barack Obama VA benefits that were denied to 4,000 veterans and their wid- on Friday, Feb. 12, designated three new national monuments ows,” said Arcebal.
sues, according to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Maria Hellen Barber-Dela Vega. While in Southern California, Aquino will be speaking at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Loyola Marymount University. The invite-only conferring ceremony will be attended by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Rep. Judy Chu. According to a statement, Aquino is “being honored in recognition of his dedication to his country, his integrity and his embodiment of a Jesuit education.” “And as in all his trips, he will also be meeting with at least three major LA-based companies and he will be meeting also with the Filipino community shortly before he leaves for Manila. So that will be the bilateral part of his visit,” DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Andrelita Austria added. n
Obama designates three new national monuments
over a land area of 1.8 million acres that will protect Southern California deserts. The move will create three national monuments -- Castle Mountains, Mojave Trails and Sand to Snow -- and will connect Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks and the Mojave National Preserve to create the second-largest desert preserve in the world, coming after Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia. The designation was requested by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (DCalif.), who has been seeking the protection for seven years “The effort to preserve the California desert has been a long one, and today is a major milestone,” Feinstein said. “This kind of landscape is so much a part of what the West once was, and these monuments are icons of our cultural heritage. Simply put, the California desert is a national treasure. This designation only reaffirms that fact.” Mojave Trails National Monument covers 1.6 million acres of federal land and protects wildlife corridors connecting Joshua Tree National Park and the
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AND THEY’RE UP. Giant balloons float over Clark Freeport as the 20th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta kicked off in Pampanga. The annual event that gathers young pilots also draws local and foreign tourists. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan
thiS Week in RevieW US Supreme Court puts Obama climate change plan on hold THE Supreme Court dealt a surprising blow to President Obama’s final plans on Feb. 9, putting his climate change policy on hold, while a coalition of coal producers and Republican-led states challenges its legality. In a 5-4 vote, the high court justices issued an unusual emergency order that blocks the Environmental Protection Agency from moving forward with its effort to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 32 percent by 2030. The plan would set state-by-state targets for reducing greenhouse gases from power plans, forcing some states to shut down older coal-fired plants, and instead produce electricity using natural gas/solar and wind power. The order said the EPA’s “carbon pollution emission guidelines” for power plants--also known as the Clean Power Plan--are “stayed pending” a decision from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which will hear the case later this summer.
After 1,000 years, Roman Catholic & Russian Orthodox leaders meet AFTER the Great Schism of 1054 divided Christianity, the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches have not spoken due to ecclesiastical and theological disputes, leading to a separation of the Greek East and Latin West. On Friday Feb. 12, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Russia, and His Holiness, Pope Francis (who was en route to a papal visit in Mexico), met at Havana’s José Martí International Airport in Cuba, where a deep, “personal conversation” along with prayer was held, before the leaders signed a joint declaration on religious unity, marking an important step forward in relations between the two churches. “We beed to put aside internal disagreements and pool efforts to save Christianity in the regions where it is subject to most severe persecution,” said the foreign policy chief of the Russian Orthodox Church, alluding to the persecution and brutal killings of Christians by extremists in the Middle East, northern and central Africa.
Millennials get their political news from social media THE Pew Research Center released in a new report that young Americans are engaging in politics now more than ever--mainly getting their political news through social media. Among those millennials engaged in the primaries, Democratic and left-leaning millennials are more likely to learn about the election and get updated through social media. Almost three-quarters (74%) of young Democrats who say they are more likely to participate in their state’s primary or caucus after learning about it from a social networking site, such as Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. It is starkly higher than the 50% of young Republicans likely to participate in the election.
8th Harry Potter series book gets release date HARRY Potter fans, raise your wands! Little Brown Book Group UK, book publisher of the beloved magical series, as well as US publisher Scholastic, announced that both will publish the eighth story in the series, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts I and II)” on July 31st, 2016. “Cursed Child”-a collaboration between the original author J.K. Rowling, playwright Jack Thorne, and play director John Tiffany--takes the form of a script for the forthcoming London play of the same title, which premieres in London on July 30. The play is a sequel following grown up Harry, the father of three, and working in the Ministry of Magic. Both the print and digital editions will publish simultaneously after the play’s world premiere.
New initiative aims to reduce…
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drinks from children’s menus, offer smaller portion options for all meals and deliver a fresher and healthier fare overall. “Whether you are going to a sit-down restaurant or picking up food to bring home, look for smaller portion-size options and
2/2/16
children’s meals that include fruits or veggies, water or milk, and non-fried foods,” Simon said. “The other key tip is to have conversations with your children before going out to eat. Set the ground rules at home that certain foods will be off-limits. This removes the temptation – and a
potentially bad scene – at a restaurant.” Emphasizing smaller portions and healthier meal options is even more important in 2016 given Los Angeles residents are, on average, eating out at least four times a week and nearly one in four children and adults are obese. “Parents are hungry for healthier meal options that are accessible, affordable and convenient,” said Teresa Nuno, chief of programs and planning for First 5 LA, which provided a grant to help research and fund the media campaign. “By partnering with restaurants to offer healthier options for children, along with providing tips and ideas to families on making better choices, we can help parents teach their kids healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.” Public Health partners with restaurants to offer smaller portion sizes for meals and healthier children’s menu offerings. A list of more than 700 participating restaurant locations can be found online at ChooseHealthLA.com. “Choose Health LA Restaurant” partners displayed their modified healthy-choice menus, provided samples of their healthier children’s meals, and demonstrated proper portion sizes. The new campaign was announced against the backdrop of healthy meal preparation conducted at L.A. Kitchen, a social venture training new chefs and providing healthy meals and wholesale products for senior service agencies, hospitals, schools, and retail outlets throughout Los Angeles. The campaign is part of the Choose Health LA initiative operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to prevent and control chronic disease in Los Angeles County. The current media campaign, which runs through March, was funded through a grant from First 5 LA. Under this initiative, Choose Health LA Kids is a communitybased program partnering with county departments and public agencies, community and faith-based organizations, and health care providers to provide skills-building opportunities and give nutrition and physical activity resources to families with children up to age 5. n
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Dateline USa
Filipina Canadian pleads guilty to human trafficking SAN FRANCISCO – A Filipino Canadian woman in Edmonton, Canada pleaded guilty to human trafficking and illegally employing foreign nationals Tuesday, February 2. Jennilyn Morris, 46, originally from the Philippines, pleaded guilty to two counts in Court of Queen’s Bench under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Morris knowingly used false or misleading information to encourage immigration to Canada between 2007 and 2010, according to a report by CBC News. Also, Morris between 2006 and 2010 hired at least 68 foreign nationals in work they were not authorized to do. She offered jobs to two men and a woman from the Philippines in her Canada-based company, Demot Cleaning, and gave them legitimate employment contracts. But three Filipinos, Robert Blando, Michael Faustino and Teodora Bautista, testified that Morris underpaid them for work and overtime stipulated in the contracts. Also she did not use them only in the positions approved in the contracts. Blando, Faustino and Bautista were only allowed to work for Demot, but Morris also used them at Webco. She also paid them two dollars an hour less than their offers. Also she made Bautista illegally work as a caregiver for her children and as a housekeeper. Morris was arrested by the Canadian Border Services Agency. Morris employed at least 68 foreign nationals who were not authorized to work in Canada for her or any of her related companies. These included people who had work permits for an unrelated company, people who were under the Live-In Caregiver Program, held work permits for other employers, and are on visitor visas. As well as owning Demot Cleaning, Morris owns Smokey Joe’s Hickory Smoke House, and she had a contract with Webco Printing to provide workers for certain taskes. She also owned four city homes and used three of them as rental units for the foreign workers. The workers felt Morris would
Filipina Canadian Jennilyn Morris pleaded guilty to human trafficking before a Canadian court.
fire them and send them home if they refused the work or complained. Some of the victims reportedly are no longer in Canada. Human trafficking can lead to
a fine of $1 million, life imprisonment or both, while misrepresentation can garner up to $100,000 in fines and up to five years in prison. (Inquirer.net)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016
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Obama designates three new…
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Mojave National Preserve. The Sand to Snow National Monument, located approximately 45 miles east of Riverside, covers about 154,000 acres of federal land between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino National Forest. Castle Mountains National Monument covers nearly 21,000 acres of land that includes a historic mining camp, Hart, which is about 10 miles away from the Nevada border. Supporters of the designation include groups such as the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, the Mojave Desert Land Trust, the Center for Biological Diversity and the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association. Obama made the designation under the 1906 Antiquities Act, which grants presidents the authority to establish national monuments on federal land that have historic, cultural or scientific interest. The act, however, is interpreted differently by Republicans, who have been trying to limit Obama’s authority to act.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) made an amendment that was considered by the Senate last week, which would have reversed nationalmonument designations if Congress and lawmakers in those affected states did not approve them explicitly and within three years of designation, The Washington Post reported. “Most people do not understand what Antiquities does, or can do,” Bishop said, according to the Post. “At some point, we
have to realize this is a process that is out of control. Whether that actually occurs before Obama leaves is irrelevant.” The new designation will nearly double the amount of public land the president has designated as national monuments since taking office, the White House said, making this potentially among the most expansive environmental and historic preservation-legacies in presidential history. n
A FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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OpiniOn
Features
Resolve this case ASAP THE leaders of Congress aren’t the only ones asking the question: where is the sense of urgency? The question is directed at the Supreme Court, which seems bent on taking its usual sweet time in resolving a case where time is of utmost importance: the disqualification cases against presidential candidate Grace Poe. Already printing of ballots has been put off several times, and the nation knows the reason: the Commission on Elections wants to make sure, and for good reason, that all candidates, at least for president, who are included in the ballot will not be disqualified later by a final ruling from the high tribunal. In some other countries, marathon hearings would be held because of the importance of the time element and the issues at stake. But this is the Philippines, where the wheels of justice can’t seem to move beyond glacial pace, regardless of the consequences to national stability. The arguments about Poe’s qualifications have been extensively argued. For her Senate seat, there was the Senate Electoral Tribunal, where all her peers in the legislature decided in her favor against
all three SC justices who are part of the SET. For her presidential bid, the issues were presented before all divisions of the Commission on Elections, which disqualified her from the race. Despite that Comelec ruling, the possibility that the SC might reverse it may compel the poll body to include Poe’s name in the ballot once printing starts. What happens if the SC sustains her disqualification much later can only spell trouble for the electoral process. And yet oral arguments before the SC are set for next week yet. Failure to resolve this case quickly is unfair to all the presidential contenders. The uncertainty could cost Poe votes even if her name is included in the ballot. If her name is on the ballot raise questions about the winner’s mandate. and she loses with the disqualification cases unreSome things are worth losing sleep over and solved, the number of votes cast in her favor would working triple time. This case must be resolved
Guest Editorial
Philstar.com photo
ASAP. The Supreme Court should rise to the occasion and do its part in promoting orderly, peaceful elections. (Philstar.com)
Survey says Pinoys believe in ‘forever’ love. Do you? THIS is perhaps the reason why Filipinos are happy and resilient people despite all the challenges that they face: they continue to believe in love and happily ever after, in “forever,” as the Pinoy teleseryes call it. The question of whether there is “forever” has in fact been debated on in different teleserye and movie plots, and have been much talked about in social media platform. This same question, among others, has been the subject of the study by the Social Weather Service (SWS). The results of which validate what we all already know about our kababayans: we are hopelessly romantic! Here are the highlights of the SWS study conducted in December 2015: “How much do you believe or not believe in “forever”?” (Gaano po kayo naniniwala o hindi naniniwala sa magpakailanman o “forever”?) was asked and 73 percent answered in the affirmative. Half of those who participated in the study strongly believe it (lubos na naniniwala), 23 percent somewhat believe it (medyo naniniwala), 11
who have indeed gone through percent are undecided (hindi tiyak the peaks and valleys of life and kung naniniwala o hindi), 5 per- The Fil-Am have remained to be in love and cent somewhat do not believe it together. The SWS survey re(medyo hindi naniniwala), and 11 Perspective veals the net belief in “forever” percent strongly do not believe it was very strong among both (lubos na hindi naniniwala). men and women, at +59 and Very strong net belief in “for+56, respectively. ever” among married couples Both married men and womI do not know if this is a sur- Gel SantoS-ReloS en have very strong +67 net beprise or not considering the fact that once couples get married, it is then that they lief in “forever”. SWS further says: Men with live-in partners realize that love is hard work and entails a lot of responsibility. They also discover their spouses’ have very strong +56 net belief in “forever”, one flaws and weaknesses after the honeymoon period grade higher compared to the strong +37 among women with live-in partners. is over. Net belief in “forever” was strong among both And yet, the SWS survey says belief in “forever” is stronger among marrieds than those with live-in single women and single men, at +39 and +32, repartners and singles. Married people have a very spectively. Regardless of sex, net belief in “forever” was strong +67 net belief in “forever”, one grade above the strong +46 among those with live-in partners very strong in all age groups, except among ages 18-24 or the youth, where it was a strong +45 and strong +36 among singles. The next finding deeper explains that those who among men and a strong +46 among women. The next revelation applies to many kababayans truly believe in “forever” are those married people
who may have left their heart in the Philippines or in any other part of the world. According to the SWS survey, net belief in “forever” is a very strong +72 (82 percent believe, 10 percent not believe) among those who believe in long distance relationship, one grade higher than the strong +44 (54 percent believe, 10 percent not believe) among those undecided about long distance relationship, and two grades higher than the moderate +17 (54 percent believe, 37 percent not believe) among those who do not believe in long distance relationship. Perhaps the underlying lesson is this: We have to believe in forever so that the mind, heart, body and soul will follow accordingly and make “forever” manifest in our lives, come what may. This is what faith in love and in each other is all about. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
From collective indifference to a culture of compassion and mercy “THE American dream is in crisis, [Rob- Rhizomes ert] Putnam argues, because Americans used to care about other people’s kids and now they only care about their own kids. But, PRoSy abaRquezhe [Robert Putnam] DelacRuz, J.D. writes,”America’s poor kids do belong to us and we to them. They are our kids. “ This is a lot like his argument in “Bowling Alone.” In high school in Port Clinton, Putnam was in a bowling league; he regards bowling leagues as a marker of community and civic engagement; bowling leagues are in decline; hence Americans don’t take care of one another anymore. “Bowling Alone” and “Our Kids” also have the same homey just-folksiness. And they have the same shortcomings. If you don’t miss bowling leagues or all-white suburbs where women wear aprons—if Putnam’s then was not your then and his now isn’t your now—his well-intentioned “we” can be remarkably grating.” — Jill Lepore, “Richer and Poorer,” New Yorker, March 16, 2015. When I arrived in the United States in 1972, I was exposed to a new way of life. In our network of family and friends, we came to gatherings, concerned about how to take care of the children running around to play. Hosts and friends set up activities to make sure they were playing in a safe environment, while the adults kept “an eye” on the little ones. They were foremost on our minds. It became “de rigueur” for tasks on babysitting, cooking and washing dishes to be distributed. When you sat in a corner, not wanting to contribute, you were talked about by friends and you were “talked to” about how indifferent you were. Mothers and fathers sat around to figure out solutions to their immigrant issues: how to get jobs, where to go for effective health care services, where to go for civic engagement training and eventually, placement for jobs and citizenship. It was a case of more established families helping new immigrant families settle in and be acclimatized. It went on for years, until children grew up to have their own families.
Now, the secondgeneration families have more resources and have better access to all kinds of ethnic foods, that gettogethers are catered by Asian restaurants, mobile taco trucks or traveling caterers with creativity and specialties. They seek new activities: Martin Nievera’s concerts, Adele’s, Hamilton musical, Broadway and dance shows, hiking, jogging, marathons, Ciclavia, and even deliveries of UberEATS brought to their workplaces in ten minutes or less, faster than it would take to drive to the local fast-food chain of McDonald’s or Jack in the Box. What becomes of our culture? The culture that once bred nurturing of families, of organizations within communities, of solving social issues as primary concerns, has now become an individualist culture of making oneself productive and efficient, caring for what UberEATS has to offer daily, all for the sake of “convenience,” and making oneself pretty through facials, spas, massages, including reversing aging process, through Time Machine, and presenting oneself as fabulously dressed in the latest haute coutures or leather jackets for sale, but also our worship rituals in churches or synagogues. The once caring mother who got up early to prepare breakfast simply gives a few dollars and the high school student walks to a nearby Starbucks to get her Green Matcha Tea Latte and her blueberry muffin. Or walks to nearby Coffee Bean to get a pomegranate lemonade and a scone. These scones and muffins that were baked in a bakery, where workers are paid at times, less than a minimum wage; now the campaign calls for living wages to be at $15/hour. Are we touched? Do we socialize with immigrant families, who subsist less than $15/hour? Are they within our circles of care and networking? Where I live -- what used to be occupying sounds of children on the streets and sidewalks -- now has walkers and
joggers walking dogs. We now have to come out of our house and engage neighbors in conversations or visit sick families. Before our hearts were primed open to care for one another, including babysitting another family’s children on weekends, while their parents/our friends work extended hours, our community organizations were also about civic engagement, as we saw direct correlation of our political involvement translated into jobs programs, or affordable housing for seniors and even decent preschools for children. America’s poor kids did belong to us and we to them. They became our kids. From collective indifference to mercy Steve Fraser fumes in “The Age of Acquiescence: The Life and Death of American Resistance to Organized Wealth and Power,” as cited by Jill Lepore, “Steve Fraser fumes that what’s gone wrong with political discourse in America is that the left isn’t willing to blame anyone for anything anymore. There use to be battle cries. No more king! Down with fat cats! Damn the moneycrats! “Like Putnam’s argument, Fraser’s is both historical and nostalgic. Fraser longs for the passion and force which Americans of earlier generations attack aggregated power. Think of the way Frederick Douglass wrote about slavery, Ida Wells wrote about lynching, Ida Tarbell wrote about Standard Oil, Upton Sinclair wrote about the meatpacking industry, and Louis Brandeis wrote about the money trust. These people weren’t squeamish about villains, ” Jill Lepore continues to quote him. Now, we have US Senator Bernie Sanders, slaying pharmaceutical industries about outrageous prices on drugs, making them inaccessible to those who need them. We have a crisis of drinking water in Flint, Michigan and it takes Hillary Clinton to hold a dialogue with the local mayor, on his invitation, and offer cursory solutions like testing children for lead intoxication, yet no one talks about replacing water pipes while GM got new water pipes into their factories built by government, because
corrosive water cannot create new cars, at the cost of close to half a million dollars to the municipality. Both candidates offered a much clearer vision on how to proceed, while the Republicans are calling each other, liars on national television. Martin Shkreli angered many in how he priced the drug, Daraprim, used to treat toxoplasmosis, a disease that can be fatal to HIV patients, once priced at less than $20 per tablet to $750 per tablet, an astronomical increase of 2,666 percent. He was called into Congress for an inquiry, covered by national television networks. We watched how Martin Shkreli seemingly unmoved by the comments of Congressman Elijah Cummings to care that he can make a difference to many people. Under a Republican-dominated Congress, the hearing became a charade, of questions for not probing for truth, “This is a great opportunity, if you want to educate the members of Congress about drug pricing, or what you called the fictitious case against you.” Martin Shkreli, short of contempt, simply responds, “On the advice of counsel, I invoke my Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and respectfully decline to answer your question.” Recall how big tobacco industry CEOs responded then when subjected to a congressional inquiry? They too refused to answer, invoking Fifth Amendment privileges against self-incrimination. Why is Congress appealing to him? Where are their legislative analysts? Why are they not asking the right questions, probing? Have they lost their sense of legislative responsibilities and their public oath of office to serve the American people? What does Martin Shkreli use his money on? Kalefa Sanneh of the New Yorker described how Shkreli spent $2,000,000 on a music album by WuTang Clan. Must we rail against Shkreli’s avarice or greed for profits? Or must we rail against a Congress who fails to represent our working families’ interests?
What is in the horizon, now? Pharmaceutical industry is gearing up for ads to attack government on why their industry is the way it is. It sounds like a battle for ads, competing for our attention, and when truth emerges, will it take years from now? Or will Congress undergo a transformation into a caring institution after Nov. 15, 2016? Must we be concerned? In “The Church of Mercy” Pope Francis remind us, “Let us think about this: it is the greatest mutation in humanity’s history. It is a true revolution; we are the revolutionaries and, what is more, revolutionaries of the revolution. For we have taken this road of the greatest metamorphosis in humanity’s history. In this day and age, unless Christians are revolutionaries, they are not Christians. They must be revolutionaries through grace! Grace itself, which the Father gives us through the crucified, dead and risen Jesus Christ, makes us revolutionaries because -- and once again I cite Benedict XVI -- he [Jesus] is the greatest mutation in this history of humanity” because he changes the heart.” When young ones project their anger on a political system and go for a candidate, do they really know what they want for America? Will they be content to express their passions into $34 contribution to the unique voice of Bernie Sanders? Do they understand that it also requires that they too, become more engaged, more politicized, more involved so they create and renew the culture of indifference into a more caring culture? *** 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.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016
Dateline PhiliPPines
HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL. A paraglider tows a Philippine Flag during the 20th Hot Air Balloon Festival kick off at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Thursday, Feb. 11. Inquirer.net photo by Jilson Seckler Tiu
Mar’s low ratings worry LP by Jefferson And
AntipordA Joel M. sy egco ManilaTimes.net
SENATE President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday, Feb. 10 said the consistently poor showing of Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (LP), is a concern, but he expressed confidence that the ratings of the former Interior secretary will improve with the help of the ruling party’s machinery. “Of course it is a concern. No question about that,” Drilon, the vice chairman of the LP, said. In all the past surveys, Roxas consistently trailed his rivals in the presidential race. In December last year, Vice President Jejomar Binay topped the Pulse Asia survey with 33 percent, dislodging Sen. Grace Poe who got 21 percent. Results of a survey released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on January 15 also showed Binay leading other presidential bets with 31 percent. Poe placed second with 24 percent. Roxas got 21 percent, while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had 20 percent. Poe regained the lead in the latest survey released by Pulse Asia last week, getting the support of 30 percent of the people polled. Binay got 23 percent while Roxas got 20 percent. But Drilon said he believes that
Roxas’ ratings will rise once the LP machinery kicks in. “We have the biggest political machinery in the country. We have the most credible ‘general campaign manager’ and that is President Benigno Aquino 3rd,” he told a weekly news forum in The Senate chief said they expect Roxas’ numbers to go up in the next three months as the ruling party will be maximizing its political machinery with the help of local officials. “We have many governors, congressmen, mayors who are [running] unopposed and therefore, we will have them campaign for our national candidates,” Drilon noted. He said members of the Cabinet will also campaign for Roxas since there is no law prohibiting them from doing so. Some Cabinet members were present in the kickoff rally of the LP in Roxas City, Capiz, on Tuesday, including Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. “Under the law, Cabinet members are not prohibited from campaigning. They can campaign,” Drilon said, adding that what is prohibited is the use of government funds for political purposes. Roxas was reported to be the top overall ad spender last year, shelling out P774 million from January to December 2015. Binay was said to have spent P695
million while Poe paid P694 million for her campaign ads. Drilon expressed confidence that Roxas will win the presidential derby. He also expressed dismay over supposedly slow resolution of disqualification cases filed against Poe. “I am not happy with the pace of trial in the Supreme Court. It appears that the High Court lacks a sense of urgency. These are] not ordinary case[s]. [They] will have a vast impact on our future,” the Senate chief said. He maintained that it is within the High Court’s power to hold marathon hearings on cases of great importance. “Having oral arguments once a week, that is not giving it the urgency it deserves. I’m not dictating on the court, but it is very frustrating because we know for certain that the court could hasten the process by conducting marathon hearings but it has chosen not to do so,” Drilon said. Defending Mar The President also expressed confidence that Roxas will recover in surveys, scoring opposition candidates for taunting the LP standard-bearer because of his poor survey ratings. In his speech before local leaders in Iloilo City on Tuesday night, Aquino took potshots at Binay, saying he regretted that
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Marcos wins support of La Union’s Ortegas ator. The three brothers are running against the sons of current Gov. Manoling Ortega, whose AFTER his successful initial sons Francisco “Pacoy,” Alfred campaign in Ilocos Norte and Ilo- and Mannix are running for govcos Sur, Sen. Ferdinand “Bong- ernor, vice mayor and congressbong” Marcos took his vice pres- man, respectively. “We are now on our third day idential caravan to La Union and won the support of the Ortega of the ‘Solid North’ campaign. We are gearing to extend it to clan. San Fernando City mayor Pab- ‘Solid Philippines’,” Marcos told lo Ortega and his brothers Mario his audience in San Juan town. On Wednesday, Marcos acted and Pepe, who are running for governor and vice governor, re- as a peacekeeper in Bangued spectively, accompanied the sen- town in Abra province after he by Jaime
PiLaPiL ManilaTimes.net
successfully gathered the clashing families of the Valeras and Bersamins together. Abra is considered an election hotspot by the Commission on Elections. “Talagang napakainit ng pagsalubong at syempre nakakatuwa makita na mukhang mabubuo ulit ang Solid North at dito mag-start ang pagkakaisa (The people really welcomed us and I am happy to see the unification of the Solid North. Hopefully, this will be the start of national unity),” Marcos told reporters. “Natutuwa ako na nakarating kami dito at nakasama natin lahat ng iba’t-ibang kandidato. At ang magandang development dito ang magkabilang panig sa pulitika ay sumasama kaya very encouraging ang naging bisita dito sa Bangued [I am glad to have come here and we were able to mingle with the candidates. What is good is that even warring sides came together during our visit in Bangued],” he added. Provincial Board Member Brix Bachiller told Marcos that leaders from different political affiliations waited for the senator to show their support for his candidacy. n
Mar’s low…
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IMELDA JEWELRY. The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) announced on Friday, Feb. 12 that the three Marcos jewelry collections are now worth at least P1 billion. Based on the report of auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the PCGG said that the value of the Malacañang, Hawaii and Roumeliotes jewelry collections “significantly increased,” with some of the items now worth more than 10 times since its last appraisal. The collections were last valued in 1991 between $6 million to $8 million.
Marcos jewelry amount to at least P1 billion by JoVic
yee Inquirer.net
THE Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) announced on Friday that the three Marcos jewelry collections are now worth at least P1 billion. Based on the report of auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the PCGG said that the value of the Malacañang, Hawaii and Roumeliotes jewelry collections “significantly increased,” with some of the items now worth more than 10 times since its last appraisal. The collections were last valued in 1991 between $6 million to $8 million. In November last year, the government asked Christie’s and rival Sotheby’s to appraise the three sets of jewelry so it could decide whether to sell them or exhibit them in a museum.
Roxas did not make it as Vice President in 2010. “We need leaders who share our same mindset, who loves Filipinos, and will put the country before self. They are none other than the tandem of Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo,” he said in Filipino. “Mar and Leni are candidates who don’t do deeds to earn brownie points with the public, who have no drama, who have no gimmick but just all work. With them, we don’t need to hear promises because Mar and Leni have been serving the public especially the needy for a long time now,” the President added. Also on Wednesday, he called on mayors to support candidates of the Liberal Party so that the reforms that his administration started will continue. “If you think that we were on the right path for the past six by Patricia Lourdes Viray years, why change it?” Aquino Philstar.com said in a speech at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ MANILA — Outgoing Foreign general assembly held at MarriAffairs Secretary Albert del Roott Hotel. n sario on Wednesday said that the Philippines is expecting the final ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on its case against China by May. In January 2014, the Philippines filed an arbitration case against China before the international tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands to invalidate the latter’s excessive claims in the South China Sea. “We hope that the decision will come out before May. We don’t know what the chances of that might be but it looks doable from where we sit,” Del Rosario told members of the press Del Rosario also expressed his concerns over China’s aggressive activities in the disputed sea that undermine the territorial claims of its smaller neighbors. Last month, Manila protested China’s test flights on Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose said that China’s action was provocative and restricts freedom of navigation and
During the latest appraisal, a rare pink diamond estimated to be worth at least $5 million was found in the Hawaii collection that was not among the jewelry pieces appraised two decades ago. The Hawaii collection, composed of around 300 jewelry pieces, was seized by the US customs bureau in Hawaii where the dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family fled into exile following the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution. The Malacañang collection has over 400 pieces of jewelry left behind in the Palace by the dictator’s family. The Roumeliotes collection was seized from Greek businessman Demetriou Roumeliotes who attempted to smuggle out of the country a week after the Edsa People Power Revolution at least 60 jewelry pieces, in vio-
lation of the Tariff and Customs Code. Roumeliotes was allegedly a Marcos crony. PCGG Chair Richard Amurao said that the Privatization Council approved this week the sale of the Hawaii collection in the international market. “We hope that the Filipino people will finally benefit from the proceeds of the collection,” Amurao said. He added that prior to the sale, an exhibit of the collection will be held in a venue and date that will be announced later. “We believe that the exhibit of these ill-gotten jewels will be a great vehicle to raise awareness, especially for the younger generation and those who have forgotten, to remind the Filipino people of the perils of the twodecade regime of corruption that was under the Marcoses,” he said. n
Philippines expecting Hague ruling vs China by May
In this Nov. 26, 2015 photo, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario confers with University of Wollongong ocean research and security professor Clive Schofield, one of the expert witnesses presented by the Philippines, on the third day of oral arguments before the United Nations arbitration tribunal based at The Hague, Netherlands. Abigail Valte/Released, file
overflight in the disputed sea. China, however, insisted that the flights conducted by its aircraft fall completely with its sovereignty. Beijing accused the Manila of having ulterior motives with its claims. Del Rosario said that the South China Sea dispute will be discussed in the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian NationsUS Summit in California from February 15 to 16. US President Barack Obama will host the meeting which will also be attended by President Benigno
Aquino III and his counterparts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. “We want to bring to the fore the rule of law, we want to discuss freedom of navigation, we want to look at the island-building, as well as the question of de-facto ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) and arbitration. Those are the topics that we will be looking at,” Del Rosario said. Del Rosario will step down as Foreign Affairs Secretary on March 7 due to health concerns. n
Nearing their terms’ end, Aquino, Binay lose majority approval ratings by Kristine
angeLi Inquirer.net
sabiLLo
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay both lost majority approval ratings for January, the latest Pulse Asia survey said. The survey, conducted January 24 to 28 among 1,800 registered voters, showed that Aquino’s approval ratings declined from 55 percent in December to 49 percent in January. His trust ratings also fell from 53 percent last quarter to 45 percent in January. Binay also suffered the same fate with an approval rating of 47 percent in January from 52 percent in December, and trust rating of 45 percent from 49 percent last December. The other top officials included in the survey — Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno — also experienced a drop in their ratings. Only Aquino and Binay enjoyed “near majority approval ratings,” while Drilon received almost the same approval and indecision ratings. On the other hand, respondents were more undecided when it came to Belmonte and Sereno who posted approval ratings of 24 percent and 25 percent, respectively.
President Benigno Aquino III (right) and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
A similar trend was seen in their trust ratings. Events that coincided with the survey are Aquino’s veto of the bill increasing monthly pension of Social Security System (SSS) members, the anniversary of the Mamasapano encounter, and the conclusion of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee probe on corruption allegations against Binay. Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the results of the latest survey still show that Aquino enjoys “high approval and trust ratings.” “We note further the most significant increases in the President’s ratings came from socioeconomic class ABC at both +7, indicating that the government’s programs to institutionalize good governance and transparency
Inquirer file photo
as well as ensuring continued economic reform and inclusive growth have resonated well among the leaders of the professional and business communities,” he said. While Aquino’s trust ratings was highest among class ABC, Binay received a higher trust and approval ratings among class E. Aquino’s approval ratings were more than 50 percent for class ABC and E and was at 49 percent for class D. “Across geographic areas and socio-economic groupings, approval for the President’s work eases in Class E (-15 percentage points), while Vice-President Binay’s approval scores drop in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Class E (-11 to -12 percentage points),” Pulse Asia said in its report. n
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Dominant political families in vote-rich Pangasinan cross party lines to support Marcos for VP SENATOR Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. today bared that he has secured the support of the two dominant political families in vote-rich province of Pangasinan as he began a twoday sortie of his “Unity Caravan” in the province to fortify the socalled “Solid North”. In a press conference at Mangaldan town Marcos said he is buoyed by the warm reception he got from the people of Pangasinan as he also thanked his supporters for helping organize his visit to the province. “I think I can report that the socalled “Solid North” is still very much alive and very solid,” Marcos said after motoring through various towns of Pangasinan including Pozzorubio, Manaoag, San Jacinto, San Fabian and Mangaldan. Marcos said his claim is backed not only by the warm response from the ordinary people but also from political leaders even from opposing camps who are willing to cross party lines to support his vice presidential bid. “Let me give you a prime example: your two groups that are running for governor are both friends of mine. Gov. Spine (Amado Espino, Jr.) is a good friend of mine and of course, Mark Cojuangco. His father is my ninong and has been a very close family member,” Marcos said. The governor’s son, Amado Espino III, is Liberal Party’s bet for governor of the province and would square off for the post with Cojuangco of Nationalist People’s Coalition. “I have asked them both for their support and they have both said that they will support me. So that’s a very important example,” he added. Marcos said Pangasinan vote is crucial to his campaign strategy of reviving the “Solid North”. But Marcos said he is getting similar kind of support in other areas of the country as well. He noted that in his visit to La Union on Thursday members of the Ortega clan, some of whom are running against other members of the family, expressed their support for his candidacy. “Even in Davao, for example, mayroong nabuhay na grupo ang pangalan ALDUB. Sabi
OPLAN BAKLAS. Clearing teams deployed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have removed some 1.83 tons of illegally posted campaign materials as it entered its second day of operations on Wednesday, Feb. 10 According to Francis Martinez, head of the MMDA’s Metro Parkway Clearing Group said the clearing teams were deployed Wednesday afternoon to clear the stretch of España Boulevard in Manila and along Araneta Avenue and E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City. Philstar.com photo by Mike Frialde
Errors found in source codes, voting machines by Sheila
CriSoStomo Philstar.com
ko ano yung Aldub? Alyansa ni (Mayor Rodrigo) Duterte at Bongbong,” he said. In addition Marcos said there were groups like BiBo (BinayBongbong), Aroma (Alyansang Roxas-Marcos), and even Marimar (Mar-Marcos). “I was just informed early this morning na me tinayo na Bicolanos for Bongbong dahil yung aking mga katung-
gali marami sa kanila galing sa Bicol and yet I’m still able to gain support even in their socalled ‘baluarte’. So that’s what I mean when I say that people are willing to cross party lines,” Marcos said. Marcos has been calling for national unity as key to the realization of his vision and platform for a more progressive future for the country. n
MANILA – Less than three months before the May 9 polls, more errors have been discovered in the source codes of the automated election system (AES). In a press briefing yesterday, Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista said SLI Global Solutions Inc. notified the Comelec that there were problems with the source codes of the consolidation and canvassing system (CCS) and the vote counting machines (VCM). Based in Denver, SLI was contracted by Comelec to certify the source codes of the VCM, CCS and Election Management System (EMS) before they are put together for use in the coming polls. “In a way, they are our independent adviser and in doing their work, their job is to look for things in the system that need to either be addressed, improved or rectified. Over the past few days, they have seen certain findings which they believe should be addressed,” Bautista said. Consolidation and canvassing system Last Monday, Comelec had to postpone depositing the source codes at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas after SLI detected compatibility problems in the CCS. SLI found that while the CCS
had to be “stand alone,” the system was found to be “network dependent.” This prompted the Comelec to re-do the “trusted build” of the EMS, which serves as the brain of the entire system. Just like the VCM, the CCS was supplied by the joint venture of Smartmatic-Total Information Management Corp. According to SLI senior test manager Michael Santos, the firm also found that the ISO image in the CCS source code could not be installed during the trusted build process. “That necessitates a rebuild of the trusted build of the CCS ISO image. We don’t see it actually during the build process itself but once we got done building that image, we sent it to the laboratory, we went to install it and realized there was an issue,” Santos explained. Vote counting machines During the testing of the VCM, SLI also found that it could detect even small ink spots, causing the machines to reject the ballots. The VCM posted one- to two-percent rejection rate. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez maintained that the issue should not be a cause of concern. “This is a new VCM… The situation we are facing here is an ‘overly sensitive self-diagnosing mechanism’ that wasn’t in the old precinct count optical scan machines. There has been a lot
of changes and a lot of improvements and so, definitely, you expect a new crop of issues to come up,” he said. Jimenez said that to address the problem, the threshold of the sensitivity of the VCM would be adjusted. Bautista explained the Comelec could not turn off the detection feature of the VCM as it was meant to address the problems on digital lines, which he described as a “dangerous ailment” that surfaced on the ballots in the 2013 elections. He gave assurance that the Comelec would be reviewing its contact with Smartmatic-TIM to determine if the joint venture can be held liable for the errors. ‘No worry’ The Comelec chief also maintained that despite the technical issues in the machines, there is no cause for concern. “The problems have been contained. It is good that we discover these things now than later when we could no longer correct or improve them,” he said. Bautista expressed confidence that the printing of official ballots would be completed by April 25 as scheduled since the ballots would be shorter by four inches, from 27 inches in 2013 elections. “We are just fine-tuning the system… we still have 88 days. We still have time. The problems now are still manageable,” he added. n
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Journal Report: Toni Gonzaga is pregnant Paulo Avelino finds JaDine’s closeness romantic MANILA—Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano will welcome a new addition to their family soon. Citing a source close to Toni and Paul, a report by showbiz news site Philippine Entertainment Portal on Thaursday, Feb. 11 said the couple is expecting their first child. Toni and Paul got married on June 12, 2015. In previous interviews, the 32-year-old artist said she and Paul are planning to have a baby in 2017. Toni said she wants to finish her commitment with “Written in Our Stars,” the ABS-CBN soap opera she’s slated to do with Piolo Pascual and Sam Milby. “Hindi naman porke’t kasal na ako, ‘yung commitment ko sa trabaho I will set it aisde,” she said in a press conference for “Written in our Stars” last year.
by Marinel
r. Cruz
Inquirer.net
PAuLO Avelino insisted that there was “something going on” between James Reid and Nadine Lustre, his costars in the top-rating soap series, “On the Wings of Love.” Paulo, who plays Nadine’s boss in the series, said: “I don’t know what to call it specifically, but there’s really something to their closeness. It’s romantic, sometimes.” Paulo is Simon, Leah’s strict and no-nonsense boss who’s secretly in love with her. James plays Clark, Leah’s husband. Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano are expecting their first child, according to a report. Leah’s relationship with Simon is Photo by Oly Ruiz the cause of Clark’s heartaches, Toni added, “I want to fulfill dito sa soap, na ma-fulfill ko and as well as several cases of nasty online bashing for Paulo from my commitment with the soap. matapos ko.” And, of course with God’s grace, However, according to re- JaDine die-hards. “I always treat every project or (sana) matapos ko siya so I can ports, the show will temporarily role seriously. It doesn’t matter fulfill yung binigay kong word be shelved. (Philstar.com)
whether I’m the third wheel, or a supporting character—or just a warm body on the set. I will perform whatever is demanded of me for my character,” Paulo told reporters during the launch of Avon’s “Best of Beauty” campaign on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Paulo is Avon’s ambassador for its new line of Black Suede fragrances for men. “On the Wings of Love” is set to conclude its successful run this month. Paulo said ABS-CBN is cooking up another teleserye for him. “I don’t know when this will start airing. I’m also doing a film coproduced by Viva and Star Cinema,” he said, adding that the big-screen project will also feature Anne Curtis. On the report that his ex-girlfriend LJ Reyes, mom of his son Aki, is now dating his namesake, Paolo Contis, the actor’s short but meaningful reply was: “I’m happy
for them.” Asked how he plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Paulo, who claims to be single, said he would be spending it on a plane going to the united States, where he will perform in a show for the Filipino community with fellow ABS-CBN artists, Maja Salvador and JC de Vera. “I’ll be in the company of a glass of champagne and some reading materials,” he shared with the Inquirer. “Wouldn’t it be better to treat every day as if it’s Valentine’s day?” Paulo was equally mum on the issue of show biz celebrities endorsing politicians running in the coming May presidential elections. “I don’t mind endorsing someone I believe in, but at this point, I’d be glad to simply perform during their events. Part of our job as a show biz personality is to entertain the crowd,” he pointed out.
John Lloyd Cruz says he’s been dying to work with Jennylyn Mercado MANILA—John Lloyd Cruz and The movie, slated to open It is also the first time Jennylyn, Jennylyn Mercado are excited to in theaters next month, is John a home-grown GMA-7 star, will do be working together in an upcom- Lloyd’s follow-up after the widely a movie with John Lloyd and Star ing Star Cinema movie. successful “A Second Chance.” Cinema, the film production arm of ABS-CBN. “I’ve been dying to work with Jennylyn,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN late night show “Tonight with Boy Abunda” aired Tuesday. The actor is also happy for the opportunity to work with a talent from a rival network. “Mas maganda ‘yun para sa industriya.” John Lloyd said. Meanwhile, Jennylyn told “Tonight with Boy Abunda” that she’s a long-time fan of the “Honor Thy Father” actor. “Alam ng nakararami na I’m a fan. Halos lahat ng pelikula n’ya pinanood ko,” she said. The movie, still untitled, will be Jennylyn Mercado will work with John Lloyd Cruz for the first time in an upcoming Star Cinema directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina. Paulo Avelino on James Reid and Nadine Lustre tandem: “I don’t know what to call it specifically, but there’s really something to their closeness. It’s romantic, sometimes.” Inquirer.net photos movie project. F acebook photo by Jennylyn Mercado (Philstar.com)
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Derek Ramsay comes to ex-girlfriend Angelica Panganiban’s defense by Cai
Subijano Inquirer.net
severAL media outlets have all but confirmed the breakup of power showbiz couple Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz. oddly enough, the one person we haven’t heard much about this entire time is Angelica, which is uncharacteristic for the usually
outspoken actress—she was, after all, one of “Honor Thy Father’s” most staunch defenders, especially during the MMFF controversy. Her silence is perhaps the reason why her every move is being followed and scrutinized: When the breakup rumors first surfaced last month, a few astute followers noticed the she re-followed
Derek Ramsay
Inquirer.net photo
ex-boyfriend Derek ramsay on Instagram. (When the two broke up in 2012, she un-followed him on all social media.) To whoever helps Angelica manage her social media accounts: There’s nothing wrong with letting a girlfriend follow her ex on Insta, especially if both parties have moved on, but to let her do it while people speculate that she’s having trouble with her current squeeze? Bad timing! No wonder people won’t quit with the rumors, which must be reaching fever pitch because Inquirer.net recently published a statement from Derek on the issue: “Let’s give respect to Angelica—she isn’t that kind of girl. I don’t believe that they broke up, and even if they did, she wouldn’t try to communicate with another guy just because of that. she’s a strong woman—she knows how to handle pain. I don’t believe the rumors going around because, from what I know, she is very happy.” Which confirms what we’ve suspected all along: You know nothing, Derek ramsay. And with that, the hearsay continues until we get an official statement from either Angelica or John Lloyd’s camps. ICYMI, here’s what we know so far: Last week, there were rumored sightings of John Lloyd going on a romantic get-away with “one More Chance” co-star Bea Alonzo to Balesin Island Club. And while Bea’s relationship status with ex-boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo was made crystal clear last month, the score between John Lloyd and Angelica still hasn’t been settled, at least with the public.
Moonlighting
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The many faces of love
by Mylah de
leon
Love’s vistas are inexhaustible. But for all the ardency of love’s idealism and romance, it can only be taken as an act of faith. To be ruled under the spell of love is to be ruled by the possibilities of the unknown. each encounter provides us with the opportunity to remake the past, and it is said that it is a process, a destination in the suburbs of eden. You can’t legislate love, nor can one be expected to be educated in its realities — we simply allow ourselves to be romanced by its fantasies. When terrible things are done in the name of love, or when love goes wrong, it could be the most painful experience of a lifetime: secrets, disappointments, betrayal, fantasies, losses, obsessions, even violence. It is a treasure trove of memorable human experiences shared — from humorous to horrific — and can enrich the life of anyone. People tell tales of love with such force and quality, and most often spin their stories on valentines Day. Disparate women spun stories and deliver anguished monologue; others give some with nearly operatic intonations, some deliver with prayer-like words of thanksgiving about their beloved, while others rise and speak of bewitchment and intoxication — the pangs of love unrequited! Their voices and language of love were manifold. one tale had the trap-
Brave Ladies in Love
pings of a lovesick escapee from an asylum. I made mine in poetry, in love with literature as well, yielding to shakespeare’s quote: “Age cannot wither her, nor custom stake her infinite variety.” For me, to love someone is to take on the myriad values that your beloved embodies (philosophy, literacy, the erotic: figurative or allusion), embracing it with the abandon of a healthy pagan. For the doctor (of letters), her account of love is pure illusion — love could only have a central setting: idyllic or catastrophic, or both. still, some of the more interesting “confessions” deal with the magical and transforming properties of love — with an expansion of the heart taking gentler and more realistic guises, too. For the charming pharmacist from Iloilo, the alchemy of love (she declared) converts poverty and disappointment, even failure into gold. It counts love as bewitching, for better or for worse.
Immigrant colleagues are still wearing the mantle of our puritan heritage, and it appears that love often happens in a foreign country. An unforgettable grief could come from abroad, as if love were an exotic land itself. Love is always hopeful and can be tenacious, it can flourish even in arid or unlikely soil. As they spoke of the time, the place and the loved one, others lamented specifically to the shadow side of love. In some context, to validate sad experiences, exploring a topic that intrigues and compels — in areas we often do not acknowledge. They walked in love’s shadow, until they found their way in that darkness, seeing the beautiful and smelling the fragrance before they were able to move into the light again. That night, we learned that not everyone’s life is what they make of it. some of our lives are what other people made it to be. Dramas of love that were staged at home, with some winding down and subsiding in a bittersweet tribute to divorce. We were shown that divorce is an honorable condition — tempering impatience and lightening despair. What else do these stories have in common? Humor. every storyteller seems to be saying that when all else fails (or even when it doesn’t), comedy can be counted on for consolation, to soothe love’s fever. For my dearly beloved who’s on a journey back home, our mantra continues. “But neither of us, would ever die for love…we would part, separate and grieve… for we were not meant to be tragedians, we we’re meant to be comedians…” ***
Without the men – there is no romance
com
E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-16, 2016
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Ryan Reynolds, ‘Deadpool’ co-star give out ‘sisig’
FAKE TOURIST VISA RESULTED IN BEING SENT BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES AND LATER JEOPARDIZED HIS IMMIGRANT VISA DUE TO FRAUD– ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Johnnatan (center) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “Non-Appearance” Visas for $2,500. He entered the US in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after US Customs and Border Protection accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. That meant a possible lifetime ban. Years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the US. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
Who wants sisig chimichangas? Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool in the new superhero film, gave out free servings of the Filipino fusion food during a promotional event in San Francisco this week. Together with TJ Miller, who plays Deadpool’s best friend Weasel, Reynolds visited the Filipino fusion food truck to promote the film. Señor Sisig, the lucky food truck business visited by the two actors, posted on Instagram photos of the event. Together with TJ Miller, who plays Deadpool’s best friend Weasel, Reynolds visited the Filipino fusion food truck to promote the film. Señor Sisig, the lucky food truck business visited by the two actors, posted on Instagram phoScreengrab from Señor Sisig’s Instagram account tos of the event. Instagram account. Comics character in the 2009 The Yard, which houses the Reynolds originally played the film “X-Men origins: Wolverine.” food truck neighborhood, also announced the event on their anti-hero version of the Marvel (Inquirer.net)
The real score about the Eugene-Jose ‘split-up’ Richard Gutierrez: I’m here to stay The followers (this one included) of “Celebrity Bluff” are grieving over the sudden “demise” of the game show that has been enliven-
Jose Manalo and Eugene Domingo
ing Saturday nights for almost four years. The show hilariously hosted by eugene “Uge” Domingo had its last airing last Saturday, Feb. 6, to be replaced by “Lip Sync Battle” Philippines. Personally, I will miss CB like I sorely missed my two front teeth way back when. I don’t know why the Kapuso Network would axe a show as widely-followed as CB. There are all sorts of speculations what happened to CB. Was it precipitated by a rumored fight between Uge and co-host Jose Manalo? The two were such a perfect match, a casting comic coup, that proved to be as much a delight as the celebrities pitted against one another in the games. early on, the show was almost shelved until its rating started getting higher and higher, prompting the network to let it go on indefinitely...until last Saturday. Well, some good things never last, do they? According to Funfare sources, the quarrel between Uge and Jose has nothing to do with the show’s axing. “Yes,” confirmed the sources, “Uge and Jose did have a misunderstanding after Jose made a comment that offended Uge. on screen, good actors as they are, they were acting a-okay when actually they were not
talking to each other on the set, as in walang kibuan, each pretending that the other didn’t exist. But Jose did apologize and that patched things up.” At that time, Jose disappeared from the show because he ran an errand (“very personal”) in the US, came back home but not to the show. Along with him also disappeared Brod Pete. Minus the two, the show wasn’t the same. The good news is that Celebrity Bluff might come back — that is, after the “Lip Sync Battle Philippines” finishes its allotted one season. Meanwhile, Uge will host Dear Uge on an early Sunday afternoon slot (which was used to be occupied by Lovingly Yours, helen). DU is an advice show with a comic twist (not like the Ate helen/Tiya Dely/Ate Charo serious type). With sidekick Divine, Uge will first dramatize (rather “comedize”) stories sent via e-mail (not via letters like the good old days) before dishing out pieces of sisterly advice. If and when “Celebrity Bluff” returns, will Uge still have Jose (and Brod Pete) as hosts? “Anything is possible,” said Funfare’s “insider” source. oh well, as they say, in showbiz there’s no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. (Philstar.com)
by Joyce Jimenez/Philstar.com
MANILA—Richard Gutierrez is back into acting via TV5’s upcoming TV series “Ang Panday.” “Matagal ako nawala pero ito na ‘to. I’m here to stay,” said Richard on Tuesday, Feb. 9 during the press conference of “Ang Panday.” he was away from the limelight for two years, with his last project “Love and Lies” under GMA in 2013. Richard described the offer to do his upcoming show as “the right project, the right time.” “Kinailangan ko rin ‘yon, e,” he added, referring to his short break. “I had to step back and look where am at in the moment.” As for portraying the iconic character, Panday, Richard said: “Malaking karangalan sa akin na maging isang Panday. of course, si FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.) ang unang nagpasikat sa character ni Panday. Kaya malaking shoes ang kailangan ko i-fill.” he’s also happy to be working with a familiar production team led by Director Mac Alejandre. “We’re on the same page, and that’s to give the viewers the best possible show,” he said. “I realized na this is what I want, and I’m happy na I’m here.” “So expect the best version of me in this project,” he added.
B february 13-16, 2016 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL
The Global Kababayan
Features
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Programming of Kababayan Coco Martin on his journey to fame Today, February 15-19, 2016
G. TönGi Monday, Feb. 15 - One of the most talked about and watched shows online of Kababayan Today was about American David Haldane finding love online with his Filipina wife Ivy Sumando. David, a former journalist, joins us to share excerpt readings of
By Monet
Lu
“PAlOmA,” “Cardo” “Daniel Guidotti” “Bestfriend Emman.“—these are just some of the roles he portrayed and yet these are the very characters that were etched in our memories and became part of our lives as avid teleserye fans. Each of the roles are so distinct from each other and yet, all of them attest to the quintessential chameleon acting of Coco martin. I’ve heard great stories about the young actor. It’s one of those stories that would inspire anyone who is just starting out in the tv and film industry. Such is my delight when I’ve seen how people enjoy his teleserye, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” As I am currently visiting manila for a much-deserved homecoming vacation, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how much things have changed in terms of who is getting more exposure in the entertainment arena. But I am so glad that Coco martin, who is one of the most talented actors of this generation, is getting his share of fame and recognition that he so very much deserved. An online bio of him states: “Coco martin is one of the celebrities in the Philippines that earned his break through the indie scene. Coco or born as Rodel Nacianceno was dubbed as “The Prince of Philippine Independent Films.” his book called Nazi’s & Nudist’s, Coco was born on November 1, a memoir about his experience of 1981 in Novaliches, Quezon City. going to the Philippines to meet He was once an OFW based in his bride and her family. Alberta, Canada. He worked as Tuesday, Feb. 16 - Join our a janitor for housekeeping. He panel to discuss #selflove and earned a Bachelor’s Degree on #selfcare. Joining us are with HRm in National College of BusiChristine Sumiller, Irene Soriano ness and Arts.” and Alison De la Cruz. Wednesday, Feb. 17 - midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal and mia mcleod of mcleod and Associates gives real estate advice. SCPASA, the umbrella organization of Filipino-American Student Organizations, fills us in on their event this coming Feb. 20. Professor Brandon Reilly discusses the history of the national dish of the Philippines, the Sini-
His website narrates his journey to stardom saying; “While his early years in the limelight were plagued with uncertainty, he still grabbed the opportunity to make every new experience count. Coco was launched as part of Star Circle Batch 9, landing him supporting roles in several films like luv Txt and other television shows. Nothing remarkable came out of this endeavor, so Coco went back to pursue his studies, putting his mainstream showbiz career in the backseat. Coco was already starting to feel comfortable partaking in Coco Martin smaller-scale projects instead, when he came across with Ferdinand lapuz, a respected promoter of Filipino films in international festivals. He offered Coco the lead role in the movie masahista, his initial foray into the independent film genre. Innocent to the provocative nature of the project directed by Brillante mendoza, Coco jumped into the so-called œindie film scene amidst personal doubts in high hopes of competing abroad, so he can seek a better job prospect in another land.” I guess that explains his great talent in internalizing almost any role that was given to him – including a very beautiful woman cop undercover named, Paloma in the hit series, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” (recognized as the Best Primetime Show by Platinum Stallion media Awards). In the said series, Coco played the role of twins Ador and Cardo who were estranged from each other, yet they both pursued the path
of law enforcement. Ador was a celebrated police officer, who is married with a kid. Cardo on the other hand, loves the solitude of the mountains as a Special Actions Forces Trooper. Their lives take a turn when Ador gets murdered due to his entanglement in a syndicate. To cover the crime, Cardo was ordered to become his brother and live his life, and in order to seek justice for his brother’s death. Coco’s life story as a regular OFW starring in several indie films, to being one of the finest actors in Philippine cinema has taught him – and those who want to be like him – that dedication to one’s craft will reap success, if he or she is just patient, hardworking as most of all, humble. I admire him for being one of the truest person in showbiz. He doesn’t try as hard to associate himself to controversial personalities or gimmicks. He is just plain, old, PAGE B5
Dignity Health Glendale Memorial’s ‘Kings & Queens of Hearts’ celebration on Feb. 18
PAGE B5
Liza Abcede, BSN, MBA, CCRN, VP, Chief Nursing Executive at Glendale Memorial
Mango Mix
It’s true that healthy hearts love longer. Your heart deserves extraordinary care. millions of people have at least one risk factor for heart disease, but many never get the help they need. In fact, at least 200,000 people die each year from preventable conditions. Don’t wait – let us help you. Come visit Dignity Health Glendale memorial Hospital and Health Center’s FREE “Kings & Queens of Hearts” Celebration on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 9am to 1pm in the Cardiac Fitness Center, 2nd Floor. Attendees will receive screenings and educational lectures presented by Glendale memorial’s leading physicians along with lunch and participation in a raffle drawing. No reservations are necessary and parking will be validated. Check out our
celebration and find out why Glendale memorial’s Heart Center and Cardiovascular Program is nationally recognized for its dedication and commitment to the prevention and treatment of heart disease. “At the heart of the Heart Center,” says liza Abcede, BSN, mBA, CCRN, VP, Chief Nursing Executive at Glendale memorial, “are the physicians, nurses, and staff who are committed to serving every patient with dignity and humankindness: treating the whole person and not just the condition.” If you know you’re at risk for heart disease, visit glendalememorialhospital.org or call (818) 502 – 4533 to connect with a Glendale-affiliated cardiologist and get the care you deserve today. (Advertising Supplement)
World’s most interesting animals
by Martin
Jason L. ita-as
WITH the Earth being such a huge place with a hundred different types of environment, it isn’t a big surprise that there are so many different kinds of creatures of all shapes and sizes. But even with this diversity, some creature’s tend to stand out a lot more than the rest. Here are a few of the strangest and most mysterious of them: Tarsier Found in Southeast Asia, most notably in the Philippines, The tarsier is a tiny creature with long bony hands and some of the biggest eyes you’ll ever see on a small primate.These nocturnal creatures are well known for their huge peepers and are a great tourist attraction in Bohol where these little creatures are native to. They use their eyes to see properly in the dark, jumping from tree to tree and hunting for sizeable bugs and even small birds with their long finger. angora Rabbit The Angora rabbit is a rabbit in every way: sharp, rabbit-like teeth, two long ears, four jumpy little legs. What sets the Angora from its other snuggly relatives? lots and lots of fur. Often raised for its soft fluff, Angora rabbits have been bred domestically into the large puffballs that they are today. There has been quite a bit of controversy regarding how their fur is harvested, though and it has lead to many protests against animal cruelty. Matamata Turtle The matamata turtle is the strangest thing most people have ever seen. A creature with
mottled, brown skin, wide, beady eyes, spiky shell and a horn which is actually a handy little snout. The skin and shell are actually great camouflage for the dead leaves and mud under the South American waters. When a fish or another river creature gets close and tries to nip at some of the plant-looking appendages around its neck, its mouth acts like a vacuum and swallows the creature whole. Kakapo A large, flightless bird, the kakapo has existed sunce ancient times in New Zealand, since back in the days when they were devoid of mammals. It is the heaviest of parrots among the world and is rare for being the only one that is nocturnal. With the arrival of Polynesian people a long time ago, the cats and dogs they brought turned to be the downfall of these poor creatures who could not escape from the new predators. Fortunately, the remaining numbers (62 kakapo) have been relocated to a safer island habitat free of threats and are slowly growing in number. olm Found within Europe, this pale and sightless creature is very sensitive to sunlight and so have adapted to living in water-filled caves. A re-
silient creature, they are said to be able to live on even without food for 10 years and can live up to 58 years of age. Able to hunt in the darkness, the lack of eyes has helped the lm evolve its other senses such as smell, taste hearing and a special electrosensitive skin. Know any other interesting and strange animals from across the globe? maybe your own country has a creature that is probably bizarre to the rest of the world. But never judge a book by its cover as even the most disgusting or peculiar of mother nature’s children are often the most fascinating. *** Mango Tours is a provider of quality, affordable and convenient travel services that include low-priced airline tickets, customized Philippine and International Tour Packages, Cruises, Land Transfers, Passport and Visa Concerns. It is the #1 producer of reliable travel services particularly when it comes to Philippine travel arrangements to the FilipinoAmerican community in the US Mango Tours is able to provide its customers with a number of travel options at affordable rates because of its consolidator contracts with over 11 airlines. Book your travel bookings with Mango Tours by calling its 24/7 U.S. toll-free number at 1866-2-MANILA (1-866-2-626452). Visit www. mangotours.com to know more about its latest promos and travel offers. (Advertising Supplement)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-16, 2016
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Wi Spa: An urban sanctuary in the heart of LA
THINK of a spa and the immediate perception is an air of pretense and privilege that only a select few can indulge in, given the exorbitant prices. However, if you live in Los Angeles, Korean spas have sprouted up, contributing to the idea that pampering oneself and affordability are not mutually exclusive. Though the options are abundant, among the best is Wi Spa, known as the “Disneyland of Korean day spas.” While there are no shiny bells and whistles to it, the spa certainly lives up to its reputation as an urban sanctuary, and it’s family-friendly too. Prior to venturing into a Korean spa, one must understand the significance it plays in Korean
culture: a communal place for friends and families to gather, bathe and receive the therapeutic benefits rooted in ancient bathhouse traditions. Conveniently located in between Koreatown and Downtown, Wi Spa itself is an expansive, multi-level facility (48,000 square feet, to be exact) that blends the bathhouse tradition with the modernity of marble and glass interiors. It is open 24/7, so you can go anytime, even on a whim. Enter Wi and the process of unwinding begins. For starters, valet parking is complimentary to relieve you of the stress of having to find parking, especially when there are a lot of guests checked in.
Programming of Kababayan... PAGE B4 gang! Thursday, Feb. 18 - Tune in to get Immigration Updates from Reeves & Associates. Nicole Barredo, Joan Almedilla, Samatha Cutarana and Giselle Tongi are set to star in the new production of East West Players, “Criers for Hire” that will begin its run on March 13. Get to know the cast and why the play is so relevant to the Fil-Am community. Friday, Feb. 19 - For Film Fridays, we re-air our episode with
Fil-Am Oscar winner, Stephen Dypianco. Make sure to catch the Academy Awards which is only just a week away. *** Giselle “G” Töngi 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.
Coco Martin on his journey... PAGE B4
down-to-earth “probinsyano” like the character he plays. Coco also starred in the blockbuster hit and Star Cinema’s entry to MMFF, “Beauty and the Bestie” opposite Vice Ganda. The latter earned over 500 million and was the season’s number 1 top grossing entry. Throughout Coco’s journey to achieving his dreams, he remained simple, humble and grateful. To date, he has won more than 50 awards and showing no signs of fading out of the limelight. I say this to most of my friends but I say this again to those who admire this
young man: It is not always about the destination, sometimes – or more often – it is the journey that makes it all worth it. To Coco Martin: congratulations on your journey. *** 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
With the $25 admission fee, you gain full access to amenities like a fitness room, pools, showers, saunas, a restaurant, and the rooftop deck. A wristwatch is given as your locker key and form of identification during your stay. The rush of cramming in the day spa experience and trying out all the rooms is practically gone, as you are welcome to stay for hours on end. There are spaces to lounge in between services and even designated “sleeping rooms” for those who want to doze off in peace. Wi is divided into gender-specific floors, where the spa and other facilities are located, as well as locker rooms and changing areas. For Korean spa newbies, it’s best to take a shower once you get settled in to wash away the day’s grime (dirt and the tubs do not make a great combination) and to ensure you get the maximum benefits of anything you decide to do, like sweating it out in the sauna. Outside the bathing areas, you’ll find changing rooms, complete with vanities and toiletries. And take this as a fair warning to expect nudity from guests of the same gender, but any judgments and awkwardness should be left at the door. If you want to treat yourself further, the spa offers a menu of body treatments at the fraction of the price tag you’d find at a spa
elsewhere in the city. Better yet, if you purchase a treatment worth $110 or more, the entrance fee is waived. The usual spa treatments, like acupressure massages, facials, manicure/ pedicure, can be booked by reservation. But one must try the full-body scrub, perhaps Wi’s signature offering. Based on the traditional Korean technique of buffing, the scrub entails a procedure of sloughing off dead skin cells with an exfoliating towel, as you lie down on a table and get doused with water every so often. It may take a few minutes to get accustomed to the intensity, but the person (of the same gender) administering the service repeatedly asks you if you’re doing fine. The service can last 35 minutes ($30) or can be reserved as a $90 package complete with the scrub, aroma oil massage, a face mask and hair shampoo, which all lasts for 90 minutes. Depending on one’s pain tolerance, the impression afterward may vary, but you’ll feel cleaner after the dead skin
is washed off to make way for the lasting effects of radiating, supple skin. On the co-ed floor (called the Jimjilbang, which translates to “bathhouse”), guests are required to wear the yellow Tshirt and khaki shorts received upon check-in. There you’ll find families and couples convening at one of the five specialty sauna rooms, noshing on Korean cuisine staples at the full-service restaurant, or taking in fresh air on the rooftop deck. The floor also features a kid’s area, a library and computer room. It’s worth noting that the five sauna rooms—Bulgama, Salt, Clay, Jade and Ice—boast unique characteristics that contribute to the detoxification and healing powers. The Bulgama is set at 231 degrees, inviting guests to lie down somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes to sweat out toxins from the body; Salt features minerals to purify and strengthen the body; layers of clay improved from Korea are placed in the Clay
sauna to aid in lymphatic stimulation and heavy metal detoxification; the Jade room is hot to relieve any tension and stress; and the Ice sauna is recommended to end your visit to cool the body’s temperature, tighten the skin and improve circulation. If you felt like you’ve detoxed enough from technology, free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the building to bring you back from your moment of zen, as are TVs in lounge areas. Before you leave, don’t forget to take another shower and close out your tab. Whether you stay for an hour or the whole day, it’s nearly impossible to not feel rejuvenated and make you itch for another visit. Good thing, Wi won’t leave holes in your wallet. (AJPress) Wi Spa is located at 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (on the corner of Rampart). Visit http://www.wispausa. com/ for more details on spa services and specials. (Advertising Supplement)
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016
COMMUNITY Journal
Hope after an order of removal
Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves AndA Kwong And nAncy MilleR
In absentia orders cannot be appealed. However, they can be fought by means of a motion to reopen. This is true whether the alien had notice of the hearing or not. The Notice of Hearing is mailed to the alien’s last known address. If the immigrant did not receive the Notice to Appear that specified the court date, the question is whether the lack of notice is due to the alien’s failure to keep the court advised of the current address. Those in court proceedings are required to notify the
stance includes a serious illness to oneself or an immediate relative or the death of an immediate FOR some, the path to the relative, but nothing less comAmerican Dream does not go pelling. One who did not receive smoothly. One may have been oral warnings of the consequencfighting for status for years only es of failing to appear may file to to hear the immigration judge orreopen proceedings. If the case der him removed. Is it over? Is is reopened, the removal order is there any hope? revoked and the case proceeds Adverse decisions can be apon its merits. pealed to the Board of ImmigraIf the immigration judge detions Appeals (Board) provided nies the motion to reopen, that that the noncitizen or her attordecision can be appealed to the ney reserved the right to appeal Board. If that appeal is denied, at the end of the proceedings a stay of the execution of the reand provided that the Notice of order or Appeal is timely reIf a Notice of Appeal is not timely filed, moval deferred action ceived by the Board the removal order becomes final. It cannot be may be sought in Falls Church, Virginia. Valid appeals appealed to the Board and cannot be reviewed from ICE. This relief is discremust be based on by the Court of Appeals. However, if new tionary and rean assertion that the judge made an incor- evidence becomes available, or the law changes, quires a showing rect interpretation of or new relief becomes available, one may file a of why the alien is deserving of the law or misapmotion to reopen the proceedings. such considerplied the law to the facts in the case. If the Board court of any change of address ation. So, in addition to providupholds the immigration judge’s within five days of moving. One ing proof of the need to remain decision, that decision may be who fails to do so cannot then here, persuasive evidence must appealed to the US Circuit Court claim lack of notice. However, be submitted to show that posiif the court mistakenly sends the tive factors outweigh negative of Appeals. If a Notice of Appeal is not notice to the wrong address, lack ones. Length of time in the Unittimely filed, the removal order of notice can be claimed as a ed States, family ties here and in becomes final. It cannot be ap- valid reason for failure to attend the home country, hardship to pealed to the Board and cannot the proceeding. This can result US citizen and permanent resibe reviewed by the Court of Ap- in the revocation of the in absen- dent family members, criminal history, prior immigration viopeals. However, if new evidence tia order. If one did receive notice of lations and other factors are all becomes available, or the law changes, or new relief becomes the hearing but failed to attend taken into consideration by ICE available, one may file a motion for exceptional circumstances when considering the request. If to reopen the proceedings. Here, beyond her control, she may file it is granted, the alien may apply too, specific time limits apply for a motion to reopen within 180 for work authorization. days of the date of the removal Judicial errors of law may also when the motion can be filed. One who does not attend his order. An exceptional circumu PAGE C3 removal proceedings can be ordered removed in his absence (in absentia). One who is ordered removed in absentia becomes ineligible for voluntary departure, cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status for ten years after the date of the Order. At some point, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may seek to enforce the order by taking the non-citizen into custody and physically removing them from the United States.
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C FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon DO you have sleepless nights worrying about your credit card debts? Are you feeling hopelessly trapped with no way out? If you are up to your eyeballs in credit card debt and have no way of paying back what you had borrowed, a lot of things may be going through your mind at the moment. You may be feeling ashamed, helpless, confused, or even angry. Perhaps you’ve heard of bankruptcy and how it may help you obtain a fresh financial start but you think that this option may be too drastic for you. Or maybe just the thought of going to a lawyer’s office to discuss the possibility of filing for bankruptcy is enough to send chills down your spine. I feel your pain. Listen to me! You can relax and get over your fear. I mean it. First of all, it’s not the end of the world. At one time or another, we all face financial difficulties in life so you’re not alone. But it is important for you to at least explore all available options instead of making a rash decision. In some cases, bankruptcy may be your only solution. In other cases, it may be the worst
Family Law Atty. EthElEnE F. SAlAS I HAVE had many clients who come into my offices and ask questions about what to do with their child or children that are born out-of-wedlock, meaning the biological parents are not married to each other. Many concerns have to do with child support/financial help or biological fathers wanting to see their child or gain some custody or visitation rights. These concerns can only be resolved through a Paternity Action. A Paternity Action is a civil case wherein a biological father will be deemed the father of the minor child under the eyes of the law. Biological mothers are already deemed the biologi-
Community Journal
Credit card debt trap: How to come out alive thing you can do. When appropriate, bankruptcy is a legal remedy that allows you to either discharge (wipe out) debts that you can no longer pay or at least restructure (consolidate) other problem debts. Sometimes, all people need is time to get caught up after having fallen behind in payments. For example, if you are in danger of losing your home or your car (How are you going to work if you lose your vehicle?), bankruptcy may help you stop the creditor from taking legal action. The reason that I am writing about credit cards in this week’s article is because this type of debt seems to be the most common. In many instances, people have simply charged more on their credit cards than they are able to pay back and this could have serious consequences. Creditors may sue and obtain a judgment. They then enforce the judgment by placing a lien on your property or garnishing your wages. A lot of people feel embarrassed about being called at work by bill collectors and they fear that this may cause them to lose their job. Bill collectors are often rude, obnoxious and abusive and their only job is to make your life miserable so you can cough up the money to pay
them. Filing bankruptcy immediately stops creditor harassment and for once, you are able to breathe again and clear your mind. Being in debt is very stressful. It can destroy marriages, family and business relationships. The stress can affect your health and your peace of mind. People who are in debt often feel alone, helpless and because they are embarrassed about their situation, they don’t even tell others about their problems or seek legal help until it’s too late. But again, the question remains: Is it the right solution for you? I don’t know- until I know more about your situation. And only then can I give you my best and honest recommendation. If bankruptcy can be avoided, I will point out other alternatives that may be available. For a free consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866477-7772. I have offices in Los Angeles, Cerritos, Pasadena and Valencia. ***
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Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA
OF course not. Why should I pay taxes based on the highest tax rates? The lowest rates belong to joint filers and widows, followed by heads of household and single taxpayers. Certainly, it does not make sense to file married filing separate and pay those sky-high rates. Or does it? Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of married couples filing separately. Advantages: 1. Your spouse may have some undeclared income or other potential tax problems and you do not want to be left holding the bag. This gets more complicated if you have more assets or income than your spouse. Expect the IRS to come after both your assets and income but with more interest in yours. 2. Your spouse owes back taxes from before the marriage. 3. Your spouse has back child None of the information herein is in- support (the state Franchise Tax tended to give legal advice for any specific Board could come after your fedsituation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has success- eral and state tax refunds). fully helped thousands of clients in getting 4. Your spouse has unpaid fedout of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.
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Paternity actions
Barrister’s Corner
Atty. Kenneth cal mother just by birth alone. who the father is. Therefore, she uRSuA ReyeS However, biological fathers must pursue a civil Paternity Action to get his rights, even though he is listed as the father in the child’s birth certificate. Once paternity is established, the biological father will have the same rights as if both parents were married to each other. There are many reasons why parents should initiate this type of action and should initiate it as soon as possible. One of the most important reason is the guarantee that biological fathers will have access to the minor child and have the California protections before it is too late. For example, a mother could cross state lines with her child without telling the biological father where she is going and without the consent of the father. The mother could always make-up a story that she does not know
is free to leave and go to a different state or a different country. Where will that leave the biological father? With a Paternity Action, a biological father will be able to have specific court orders preventing the child from leaving Southern California without his written consent. He can immediately get orders preventing the mother from boarding an airplane if the child is with her. Of course, the mother could always leave, but she cannot take the child with her. With those specific orders, the biological father could also have the assistance of the police officers or marshals to help execute the Court order. In other words, the biological father will have the assistance of the entire California judicial system if he initiates a Paternity Action.
MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the u PAGE C3 Court is unable to exercise juris-
Should married couples file separately? eral student loans. 5. You do not need and would rather force passive losses from real estate rental to be suspended. 6. You have disproportionate medical or itemized deductions that would be lost in a joint return. Disadvantages: 1. You are forced to use the highest tax brackets. 2. You lose earned income credit. 3. You lose child and dependent care credit unless you lived apart for the last six months of the year. 4. You cannot use standard deduction if the other spouse itemizes. 5. You could lose IRA deduction because lower phase out amounts unless you lived apart for entire year. 6. You could end up paying for taxable social security in the higher second tier rate of 85%. 7. You cannot exclude interest income from Series EE bond. 8. You cannot claim the $25,000 passive activity loss from rental activities. 9. You lose credit for elderly or disabled unless you live apart for
the entire year. 10. You lose education benefits: Hope, Lifetime, student loan, tuition and fees deduction. Now, if your spouse happens to fall under any of the first four categories under “disadvantages,” would you consider filing separately? I would. However, if your spouse were innocent from any of these situations, a joint return or head of household status would generally result in lower taxes, unless, of course, you fall into the marriage penalty trap. But then, that’s another subject for your future reading. Good day. *** 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. (Advertising Supplement)
How to complete divorce papers diction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly. Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied. Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judgment must conform to the divorce petition. If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment. Child Support requested is
not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court. Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement. QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be di-
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Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. MICHAEL Landri worked as a bartender for the Marriott Del Mar Hotel in San Diego. In December 2009, the hotel held its annual holiday party for its employees. Marriott managers provided each party attendee with two alcoholic drink tickets. Landri did not work but he attended the party later that night. Before coming to the party, Landri drank a beer and a shot of “Jack Daniel’s” whiskey. A coworker drove him to the party, where Landri drank more liquor before leaving the party to go home almost three hours later. About 20 minutes after arriving home, Landri decided to drive home a coworker who had become drunk at the party. While doing so, Landri struck a vehicle driven by Dr. Jared Purton, killing Dr. Purton. Landri was found to have a .16 blood alcohol level. He pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol and received a six-year prison sentence. Purton’s parents sued Landri and Marriott. Mariott asked the trial court to dismiss the case, arguing that Landri was not driving during the course and scope of work when he got into an accident, and that the employer’s liability ended when he arrived home. The trial court agreed with the employer
To Live With Faith reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS RA Paulette has spent his life for the past twenty-five years pursuing his passion, which is transforming caves into breathtaking, poetic and massive pieces of art out of sandstones. Every day, alone with his dog, Ra Paulette would scrape and sculpture sandstones of Northern New Mexico’s caves. Some of his friends think that he is crazy to spend his life doing this solitary and tedious work. But in 2013, people in the media recognized his artistic works and efforts through a documentary film entitled Cavedigger, which gained nomination for the Oscar Awards for best short documentary film. I’d like to use the images of “scraping” and “sculpturing” during this season of Lent. Beneath the practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving is the fundamental call of Lent: to scrape the rough edges of our hearts in order that their beauty would come out and to sculpture our souls according to the image of Jesus Christ. These acts of “scraping” and “sculpturing” hearts and souls take patience, perseverance and humility. It takes patience to curb bad habits; it takes perseverance to stay away from sin; and it takes humility to realize our weaknesses and need for growth. But these virtues are full of promises of beauty, healing, and peace. They help us endure the pain of personal scraping and sculpturing. And to have them requires a strong faith in God. This is why Lent is about dying to our sins so that the original masterpiece of God in each of us
Community Journal
Are employers liable when employees injure others outside work hours? and dismissed the case. Purton’s parents appealed. In the appeal, Purton’s parents argued that Marriott held the party for its benefit. Landri became extremely intoxicated at Marriott’s party, and it allowed Landri to leave the hotel and drive. Landri arrived home and then decided to drive another person home, while he was still intoxicated. It was in this drunken state that he drove over 100 miles per hour, and rear-ended Purton’s vehicle and killed him. Purton’s parents argued that Purton’s death was proximately caused by the employer negligently providing alcohol to the employee, getting him drunk, and allowing him to drive home. Once home, it was foreseeable that the employee would drive someone else while still drunk. The Court of Appeal agreed in favor of the parents, saying that the jury should have been allowed to determine whether Landri was still in the course and scope of his work during the accident. The employer’s liability extends beyond his actual control of the employee to include risks created by the business. Thus, an employer’s liability may extend to the employee’s negligence. An employer may be liable for an employee’s harmful conduct if the employee’s act was an
“outgrowth of his employment,” or “incidental to the employer’s business.” There is no legal justification for terminating the employer’s liability simply because the employee arrived home safely from the employer hosted party. In serious personal injury cases, the stakes are higher, so that a different level of skill and persistence is needed to pursue all avenues of remedies in order to obtain maximum recovery for the client or their families. Knowledgeable and experienced attorneys find creative applications of legal principles to successfully recover compensation for serious injuries. Our law firm has achieved results in the past, and we are honored to have brought justice to the injured and their families. *** 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 recovered wages and other monetary relief for thousands of employees and consumers. He is named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. (Advertising Supplement)
Of ‘scraping’ and ‘sculpturing’ during this season of Lent would come out. Lent is about coming out of our caves of sinfulness so that we can dwell in the light of the Resurrected Christ. The Good News is that we have the grace of the Sacraments, particularly the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, to help us with this task of scraping and shaping. And we have one another’s love and support to fulfill this task. We’re a family that encourages and challenges one another to be the face Christ in a world of arrogance, violence, and hatred. We’re never alone in these humble acts of scraping and shaping. The Church is with us! And so, we must never give up or feel discouraged in our desire for growth and spiritual healing. For sure, God would never give up on us for he is slow to anger, abiding in love, patient and forgiving. We must continue walking on the path of righteousness. Other people might discourage us as we walk this path of righteousness, but we must carry the arms of love and mercy as we encounter this people. In fact, we must carry their names along with us in our prayers. We pray that they too would realize their need for conversion and growth. In the Letter of Paul to the Romans on this First Sunday of Lent, we read that one who believes with the heart is justified and one who confesses with the mouth is saved. Let’s remember these words as we follow the mandates of the Gospel, because as Scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” (Romans 10:8-13)
As I often say, there is one person who would never be happy as we walk the path of righteousness. That person is the enemy of Christ, the devil. It’s no wonder that he even tempted Jesus Christ at the beginning of our Lord’s ministry. He tried to disrupt God’s salvific action--Christ’s life, death, and resurrection-- but he never succeeded. Like Jesus, let’s not listen to the voice of the devil. Let’s resist his temptations. Let’s be firm and courageous, unwilling to be trapped into Satan’s deceit and despair. Lent then is the season of taking care of God’s masterpiece: the human person. Its beauty has to come out; its strength of character has to shine; and its hopes and dreams should never cease. The human person is destined for greatness, not according the materialistic standards of the world, but according to the eyes and will of God, our Creator. Let’s do these tasks of “scraping” and “sculpturing” during this season of Lent. Let the best version of ourselves come out! *** 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 Immaculate 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.
How to complete divorce… PAGE B2 t vided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided. Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties. Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor. Trying to save on legal fees by
handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and
Paternity actions PAGE B2 t
With biological mothers, they will have the financial support to rear the child. She does not have to support the child by herself. She does not need to. She could get help from the biological father. These financial support orders are court orders. Therefore, the amount can and will be taken out of his wages automatically. She does not have to keep asking for the monthly check. If the biological father does not pay the court ordered child support, then that amount accumulates and will earn 10% compounded interest. Either way, the child
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.
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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)
the case and is a cause of much confusion. That is why it is very important that we Pilipinos know is always better off in the long our rights in this family law area run. The child will know both so that we could plan ahead of the mother and the father and at time before it is too late. Underthe same time, be able to live a standing your rights in family law more comfortable life with the fi- could and would protect you. *** nancial help of the father. As stated previously, through- Ethelene F. Salas, Esq. is a practicing family out the years that I have practiced law attorney. Ms. Salas is a Filipino-American family law here in Los Angeles, born in the Philippines, raised in the United I found that my Pilipino clients States, and speaks Tagalog fluently. The Law have to be briefed about the Offices of Ethelene F. Salas is located at two law and what the law could and locations – the main office at 100 N. Barranca would provide for them. They St., Suite 700, West Covina, CA 91791 and tend to bring their own knowl- affiliated offices at 18000 Studebaker Road, edge of the law from the Philip- Suite 700, Cerritos, CA 90703. To schedule pines and expect that the Philip- an appointment with her, please call (626) pine law would also apply here in 858-4646 or visit www.EFS-Law.com. (Advertising Supplement the United States. This is rarely
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016
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Will my divorce reduce my wait time for a green card? DEAR Attorney Tan, I am a Filipino living in Los Angeles. I am a US Citizen who filed an immigrant petition for my adult son in July 2005. At the time when the petition was filed, my son was unmarried and 25 years old. In 2010, my son became married. Due to difficulties in his marriage, his wife is presently in the process of obtaining a divorce in Nevada. Is my son eligible for a green card? --Concerned Parent Answer: Dear Concerned Parent, When you filed the immigrant petition in July 2005, your son was classified under the “First Preference” category, as an unmarried adult son of a US citizen. As a preference category relative, your son has to wait for a visa number to become available before he could obtain an immigrant visa or adjust status to permanent residence. The wait time for visa number availability varies, depending on preference category. If an unmarried adult son or daughter beneficiary is married before an immigrant visa or green card is issued (i.e. while waiting for a visa number to become available), the beneficiary’s petition automatically converts from a “First Preference” petition to a “Third Preference” petition--a petition for a married son or daughter of a US Citizen. In your case, when your son married in 2010, the petition that you filed for your son automatically converted to a “Third Preference” petition. As a “Third Preference” beneficiary, your son became subject to a longer wait time to obtain an immigrant visa or green card, compared to when he was classified under the “First Preference” category prior to marriage. If a “Third Preference” beneficiary (married son or daughter of US Citizen) becomes widowed or divorced, the petition filed on his behalf automatically converts to the “First Preference” category. In your case, once your son gets divorced, the Petition that you filed in July 2005 automatically converts back to “First Preference” category. With the automatic conversion, the wait time for a beneficiary is significantly lesser. Under the March 2016 visa bulletin, immigrant visa and green card applications are being accepted for “First Preference” petitions that were filed September 1, 2005 or earlier. For “Third Preference” petitions, visa and green card applications are being accepted for petitions that were filed on or before August 1, 1995. Your son would be eligible to apply for a green card immediately upon divorce since USCIS is presently accepting green card applications for petitions filed September 1, 2005 or earlier for those in the “First Preference” category. Until he gets a divorce, as a “Third Preference” beneficiary, your son is subject to an approximate wait time of 10 years before he can get his green card. He would have to wait until USCIS advances the date for the Third Preference category from August 1, 1995 to the date on which you filed the petition for your son (July 2005). P.S. I warn against getting a “quick divorce” in Nevada if neither your son nor daughter-in-law is a resident there. There are certain residency requirements for a valid divorce decree in Nevada. Your son will have to present a valid divorce decree to USCIS to show that he is unmarried, and properly classified under the “First Preference.” *** 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 Philippine 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)
Hope after an order… PAGE C1 t
be attacked by means of a motion to reconsider. However, choosing that avenue may result in forfeiting the right to appeal the erroneous decision. The one definite is that ignoring a removal order does not make it go away. It must be dealt with and the sooner the better. The Board and the courts are reluc-
tant to vacate the existing order if the alien has known about the order for a long time and done nothing about it. Therefore, as soon as one receives a removal order or as soon as he learns he has one, he should consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney. *** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in
numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City. 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 FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng Business owner with $1.0M labor lawsuits CLIENT is 65. He operates a service-oriented business with 3 outlets in strip malls. He has been in business for 8 years. Of the 3 outlets, two are losing money, while the third has some profit that subsidizes the loss of the first two, and provides client with some disposable income that is barely enough to cover his monthly living expenses. The gross receipts from one outlet, is about $10K a month. 40% goes to rent, 50% goes to labor, so what else is left? The gross receipts from the second outlet is $4K a month, barely enough to cover rent. The third outlet, which turns a profit keeps client from becoming a homeless person and puts food on the table. So, it’s not a great business, but allows client to survive. He has no retirement accounts, no 401K or pension, and expecting minimum social security when he turns 66 next year. In other words, client still needs to keep the business going beyond retirement, just so he can live a decent life in a rented home. He doesn’t even own a house. The problem with client’s business is that a service, is performed by individuals who are not technically speaking, employees. When the service is rendered, client takes a cut from the receipt and gives the rest to the individual who performed the service. Let’s just say that these individuals are more independent contractors than employees. Business owners, if they can get away with it, prefer the independent contractor to the employee. Independent contractors are paid on a per customer basis. If a customer walks in and the service is performed, client just gives the independent contractor his share of the payment for services rendered. If there is no customer, there is no salary to pay. In addition, there is no overtime pay to worry about. For instance, trucking companies prefer to have their drivers buy their own trucks so they can classify them as independent contractors. As independent contractors, drivers do not qualify for employee benefits and do not get paid a salary. Instead, they get a check for each delivery they make. At the end of the month, they prob-
Community Journal
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Business owner files chapter 7 Calendar of Events across due $1.0M labor lawsuits Seniors seek chapter 7 relief for $48k credit card debt
ably get about $10K. From that amount, they deduct their operating expenses. Whatever is left is their net profit for that month. Are truck drivers employees of the trucking company or are they independent contractors? The same thing can be said for UBER drivers. They own their cars. But UBER gets them the passengers and cuts them a check for each ride. I have clients who make $2K a month gross with UBER doing part time driving. Some make $4K a month gross. Are UBER drivers, employees of UBER or are they independent contractors? The IRS uses the “control” test. If the business owner has control over most of the time of the individual, that individual is deemed an employee, not an independent contractor. Going back to client, he has 4 individuals who perform the advertised service for client’s business. He takes a cut from the gross receipt, then, gives the balance to the individual. There are no set “work” times (9 to 5). If a customer comes in at 9.30 pm, the individual performs the service for the customer and then client and individual split the gross receipt for services rendered. Client has operated his business using this method for 8 years. Certainly, he considers the individuals independent contractors, and for 8 years, the individuals appear to agree. But recently, all 4 individuals filed 4 separate state court lawsuits for overtime and back pay with each claiming $250K of unpaid overtime and back pay!! That’s $1.0M of overtime of back pay. Where will client get $1.0M? If he had $1.0M, he would probably just close his business and retire somewhere in the world where no one knows him and where he can live like a king. Maybe in the Caribbean or some remote island country where there’s plenty of sunshine everyday, and live the rest of his life in peace. Last he checked, he only had $1K in his business checking account. He’s just short $999K. Client opts for Chapter 7 for a fresh start to discharge the $1.0M lawsuits. But can bankruptcy wipe out claims for unpaid overtime and back pay? It sure can. They are not exempted from discharge; therefore, they
are dischargeable. Even if plaintiffs attempt to prove that these claims are not dischargeable under say, “intent to cause damage” or “fraud”, client would prevail because client’s intent was to enter into a business contract with these individuals and these individuals voluntarily and freely agreed to this business relationship between client and them. Client did not put a gun on their heads to force them to perform the service. It’s clearly a business relationship that worked for both client and plaintiffs for 8 years. Seniors with $48K credit card debt The next client is 68 with equity in his residence of $150K but owes $48K of credit card debt. He started getting social security of $1,800. His wife gets social security of $1,200. After the house payment of $1,500 and necessary expenses, there is no money left to pay minimum credit card debt of $1,400 monthly. This is a no brainer. Client and wife opt for a fresh start as seniors to discharge $48K of credit card debt, which they carried for 20 years. They only paid $312K of interest in 20 years and they still owe the same $48K. If they did a chapter 7 even 10 years ago, they still would have saved $156K of interest!! Since client is 68, his equity exemption is $175K. That is more than enough to cover his equity of $150K, so there’s no problem with his house. He keeps everything he owns, but got rid of $48K of credit card debt. It’s a great deal and gives them a fresh start in their retirement, and in another 3 years, their credit score will be over 620. In 5 years, it will be 690. In 7 years, 720. In 10 years, there is no record of their chapter 7 petition filing. As it is written: “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God (Adonai/ El Elohim) has conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 *** 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) 2841142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
America
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PCCHS/ PUPLHS 1996 Golden Jubilee The Philippine College of Commerce High School Laboratory Batch 1966 (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee from February 20-21 in Manila, Philippines. According to the President of the PCCHS Batch ‘66 Alumni Association, ROLAND ATIENZA, about 55 batchmates from Australia, Canada and USA have confirmed attendance to the Homecoming and 50 from Manila local chapter. Activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee Celebration are as follows: February 20, 2016 -- 6:00-12:00 pm. Formal Program/Dinner at the Banahaw Ballroom, The Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City, Philippines February 21, 2016 -- 8:00 am - 9:00 pm - Visit the ANAWIM Home for the Abandoned Elderly, Montalban, Rizal Province (Fellowship/Lunch/Donate basic needs of the elderly) - Tour of Manila (Former PCCHS in Lepanto, Intramuros Tour (old churches and Cathedral, Rizal Park, Fort Santiago) - Dinner/Cultural Show, at Barbara’s, Intramuros February 22, 2016 - BREAKUP GROUP (To Palawan, Laguna and respective hometown provinces of the guests) For inquiries, please contact the following members of the CORE group: Agnes T. Sule #09165567000 suleagnes@yahoo.com, Roland Atienza #09062947156 atienza8@yahoo.com, Rebecca T. Sayed 09064032624 rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com, Lourdes T. Flores lulutflores@yahoo.com, Rebecca Sayed rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com.
Take the ‘Journey to Success’ at Cal State LA WHAT: Asian American and Pacific Islander students and families are invited to California State University, Los Angeles for “Journey to Success,” a college exposition open to high school and community college students who are interested in Cal State LA. “Journey to Success” will feature workshops on how to prepare and pay for college, information on CSU requirements for admission and application processes, and representatives from Cal State LA and other CSU campuses to answer questions. The outreach event will include free parking, breakfast, special giveaways, college resources and student panels. The college expo is sponsored by the California State University’s (CSU) Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative. WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm WHERE: The Golden Eagle Ballrooms at Cal State LA. (5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA) For more information and details, please go to calstate.edu/journeytosuccess or call the Office of Outreach and Recruitment at Cal State LA, (323) 343-3839.
MARCH 4-6
GK USA National Summit 2016 There is no better time for Gawad Kalinga (GK) to present the Philippines as the new land of opportunity, with a steadily rising economy--the fastest growing in the world next to China, according to Bloomberg--and alleviating poverty. GK continues to evolve as a movement, starting with philanthropy expanding to sustainability, and creating hybrid, innovative systems to end poverty. The Summit will provide an opportunity for Filipinos, GK volunteers, partners, and millennials to reconnect with their homeland, contribute to their country and social entrepreneurship, and help to build bridges for a thriving nation. Asian Americans will have a taste of the emerging market of world-class, affordable Philippinemade products, such as Bayani Brew, First Harvest Peanut Spreads, Human Nature beauty products, and Theo Philo chocolates. Support GK’s humanitarian efforts to provide home and livelihood to the poorest of the poor, and learn about GK, GK USA, and GK Enchanted Farm programs. The Summit will take place from March 4-6, 2016, at the Radisson Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). To register, please visit gk-usa.org.
MARCH 5
“An Enchanted Evening” Dinner-Dance for Gawad Kalinga As part of the GK USA National Summit, you are cordially invited to a dinner-dance, themed “An Enchanged Evening,” to benefit programs of Gawad Kalinga and GK Enchanted Farm. The Dance will take place on Saturday, March 5, 7:00pm, at the Radisson Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). The cost is $100, with formal attire. The all-night program will include dinner, induction of the GK-USA Board of Directors, remarks from the Chairman of the Board, and all-night dancing. For more details on sponsorship packages for Gawad Kalinga builders and feeding programs, as well as GKEF programs and scholarships, please visit gk-usa.org. For tickets, please visit gk-usa.org/dinnerdance.
M A R C H 1 1 -A p R I L 1
Eagle Rock High School Monthly Open House Tours Eagle Rock High School invites the community to International Baccalaureate Open House Tours, from 8-10am during the spring semester on March 11; and Friday, April 1. Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School serves students in grades 7-12, and was the first school in the LAUSD to be authorized to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (grades 7-10) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (grades 11-12), a project-based program for concept and content-based learning to promote global mindedness and service to others. The IB Open House is open to all interested students, and will include an introductory presentation in the ERHS library, followed by campus tours, classroom visits, and a short question-and-answer period. To register for the Open Houses, please visit www.erhs.la, and click on the “IB Open House Registration” link. Please email Mylene Keipp mylene.keipp@lausd.net for more information. We look forward to your visit!
MARCH 12
Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. Grand Marshals Gala The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) will launch the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence on Saturday, March 12 with the Grand Marshals Gala at the Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Boulevard in Astoria, Queens, New York 11102). The gala will take place from 7:00pm until 12:30am, honoring Dr. Leonidas “Ned” Pulido and wife Carmencita “Menchie” Pulido, who were chosen as the Grand Marshals of the 2016 Philippine Independence Day Parade in June. Gala tickets are $100 per person, with formal or Filipinana attire. Please contact the Chairwomen of the Grand Marshals Selection and Gala Committee, Ollie David (732-499-7995) and Helen LaBarbera (516-581-8830), ir OUDCU President Dr. Prospero Lim (347-248-5106) for gala invitations and more information. Interested parties may also call any of the Committee Co-chairs: Drs. Emilio and Fely Quines (347-254-2945), Drs. Rod and Elma Castillo (201-869-4044), Dr. Ely Parico (908-265-1293), Dulce Barangan (516-343-8592), Lauren Martinez (347-284-9886), Thelma Cabralda (631-331-5891), Zita Lapena (917-454-9344), Nida Cortez (646-649-5531), or Angie Molina (917-478-6754) or any of the PIDCI Board of Directors.
FACC-SLAA Induction Gala The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce for South Bay Los Angeles Area (FACCSLAA) presents the annual fundraising gala and induction of its board members, to be held on Saturday, March 12 at 6:00 pm, at the Holiday Inn Los Angeles Gateway-Torrance (19800 S Vermont Ave. Torrance, CA 90502). Philippine Consulate General Leo Herrera-Lim will be the inducting officer, with guest speakers Assemblymember Rob Bonta and former Assemblyman Warren Furutani. Attire for the dinner is Filipiniana/formal. The gala dinner is also a fundraiser for the FACC-SLAA Scholarship project of the chamber raising funds for deserving, eligible Filipino American students who are business (or related) majors in colleges and universities in the South Bay area. Four scholars who will each receive a $500 scholarship award. Fil-Am students applying for the scholarship should have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average, low income/financial need, have no criminal record, must submit a one page essay on why the student is applying, and must be willing to volunteer or intern at FACC-SLAA for 80 hours. The deadline to apply is on Feb 15 to apply. Interested students, please email facc.slaa@gmail.com or fekoons@aol.com. Tickets for the FACC-SLAA Induction and Fundraising Gala are $60 each. Please email facc.slaa@gmail.com for more information, or contact President Cynthia Tan (310) 748-9688 or Fred Docdocil, VP Programs (310) 619-8101.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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Community Journal
California tax rates and exemptions for 2015 tax returns
Tax Relief Arlene Al-os, CPA, MBA EXEMPTION Credits: a. $109 - Single, Married filing separately, Head of Household. b. $218 - Married filing jointly. c. $337 - Dependent. d. $109 - Age 65 or older. e. $109 - Blind. Exemption credits are phased out by $6 or $12 for each $1,250 or $2,500 that Federal AGI exceeds certain amounts over $178,706. Itemized deductions are also phased out if federal AGI exceeds certain amounts over $178,706. Standard Deductions: a. $4,044 - Single and filing married filing separate. b. $8,088 - Married filing joint, head of household, surviving spouse. c. $1,050 Minimum standard deduction for dependents. Nonrefundable Renter’s
Credit: a. $60 - Single or married filing separate with California AGI of $38,259 or less. b. $120 - Married filing joint, head of household, or surviving spouse with California AGI of $76,518. individual tax rates: a. 12.30% - Maximum rate for regular income tax. b. 7.00% - Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Corporate Tax Rates: a. 8.84% - Income tax rate for regular C corporations. b. 1.50% - Income tax rate for S corporations. c. 6.65% - AMT rate for regular C corporations. AMT Exemptions: a. $43,812- Married filing separate, estates, and trusts. b. $65,721 - Single and head of household.
c. $87,627 - Married filing joint, surviving spouse. FTB (Franchise Tax Board) Recovery Fees is assessed to recover program costs for individual and business failing to file tax returns imposed under the authority of R&TC §19254. a. $79 - Personal income tax filing enforcement fee. b. $226 - Personal income tax collection fee. c. $92 - Corporation filing enforcement fee. d. $334 - Corporation collection fee. *** Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. The firm celebrates its 38th anniversary in 2015. (Advertising Supplement)
People and Events
Happy 1st birthday to the adorable baby of Rhio & Chris Ann Sercena of Washington. Together with the Sercena family, relatives and special friends their daughter’s 1st birthday was celebrated on Feb. 6 at Monterey Hills Restaurant. Greetings from: Mr & Mrs. Loyd Aler of Carson, California
Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association Fiesta THE Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate their fiesta on Sunday, March 13, at 1:00pm at Sliver Star Financial office (217 N Azusa St. Azusa, CA).
For further details, please call Willie Manacsa (818) 400-7391, Ofie Villanueva (626) 3834152, Rosie Sancianco (951) 898-7628 or Myrna Jaurigue at (909) 545-9876. n
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016
C
Gawad Kalinga Hope Summit 2016
LOS ANGELES, CA — This Spring, GK 1 World Foundation (dba Gawad Kalinga USA), in cooperation with Seafood City, will host the Hope Summit 2016, a three-day event on March 4-6 at Radisson Hotel Los Angeles at USC. A team from the GK global network that includes GK founding father Tony Meloto and GK Executive Director Jose Luis Oquinena, along with social entrepreneurs, will lead discussions on inspiring social innovations toward sustainable transformation. Leaders and advocates of GK in the United States will share collaborative solutions to attaining their mission. Gawad Kalinga, headquartered in Manila, aims to end poverty for five million families by 2024. In the United States, GK is officially represented by GK USA, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization registered in California. The event aims to bring together 200 of GK’s existing strategic supporters and welcome new partners. Rod and Tess Castro, Summit leads, say the event will be a celebration of the strides made employing GK’s model of Social Transformation in ending poverty in the Philippines. Partners and GK friends will re-connect as they revisit GK’s history and propel plans in delivering results-oriented programs and projects. While the Philippine economy is rising steadily and is one of the fastest growing in the world today, GK has been recognized as one of the most credible organizations that is dedicated to ensuring that the poor are not left behind. GK has now evolved as a global movement, with a large philanthropy platform spanning over 2,500 villages in the Philippines and southeast Asia and taking the lead in post-conflict and post-disaster reconstruction and community building. It has also expanded to sustainability, creating hybrid, innovative systems to discover and pursue radical solutions to end poverty. Registration fee for this 3-day event is $200 per person. Students can avail of a discounted rate of $100. The registration fee includes all workshops and meals and a dinner dance featuring esteemed talents and GK supporters including Tateng Katindig, Ner de Leon, Mon David, Val Villar, and other surprise guests. To register, visit www.gk-usa.org. Earlier this year, GK USA announced its new leadership and
location in La Mirada, California. Dr. Jose Raffinan Jr. of Tampa, Florida is Board Chairman. Maricel Villanueva of LA, California has been appointed Executive Director. Raffinan, popularly known as Tito Jun among GK volunteers, has been a long-time GK worker and advocate and has served as member of the Board since 2009. On the other hand, Villanueva is one of the first volunteers of GK in the United States. Former Chairman Tony Olaes remains in the Board of Directors. The other Board members are Dr. Eustaquio Abay; Dr. Mark Asperilla; Dr. Primo Andres; Dr. Carlos Capati; Dr. Wilfrido Feleciano; Mr. Rick Munda; Mr. Sonny Ramirez; and Ms. Carol Tulud. The new Board is committed to continue the work of GK in the United States. “In pursuing our mission, we may find our actions springing from different fountainheads; to give back, to search for our identity, to leave a legacy to our children, to be patriotic,
to be our brother’s keeper,” said Dr. Raffinan. The leadership of GK USA extends its invitation to all to join the GK network as future collaborators while building bridges between the Philippines and the United States in sustaining HOPE for a kinder, fairer, safer, happier world; building a HOME for all; and expanding the HUB for social enterprises as sustainable models for ending poverty. Gawad Kalinga, translated in English meaning to “give care”, is a Philippine-based movement that aims to end poverty by first restoring the dignity of the poor. It employs an integrated and holistic approach to empowerment with value-formation and leadership development at its core. Established in 2003, the Foundation currently works with over 2,500 communities and has been recognized as a 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and 2012 Skoll Awardee for Social Entrepreneurship. n
C FEBRUARY 13-16, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-16, 2016
MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
Women in Power: Q&A with minority business owners CAUSE hosted a panel discussion with Toni Ko, CEO of Butter Ventures and founder of NYX Cosmetics; Ellen Chen, co-founder and president of Mendocino Farms; and Pooneh Mohajer, CEO and co-founder of tokidoki. Here are a few highlights:
Q: TALK about your uniquely positioned brands/unique brand positioning TK: My whole business idea is value proposition and I always want to stress the fact that cheap is not value. Value is very different. Value is when you are able to purchase or receive merchandise at a lower perceived price value than what it really should be. And that’s what NYX Cosmetics was. We were selling $15 quality lipsticks for $5 and that it’s what’s going to be for PERVERSE Sunglasses as well. We’re going to be selling $150 priced sunglasses at $50 and I find happiness in delivering value, and by delivering value, I deliver happiness as well. EC: We sell sandwiches. One of the things we always train our team members is what we sell...we don’t sell sandwiches, we sell happy. And what that really means is, when we were creating this concept, there was the fast food segment and there was casual dining...the segment we’re in right now is an up-and-coming segment in the industry. PAGE D2
(L-R) Congressmember Ed Royce (CA -39), Nita Song (President and Chief Momentum Officer of IW Group), Pooneh Mohajer (CEO and Co-Founder, tokidoki), Charlie Woo (CAUSE Board Chair), Ellen Chen (Co-Founder and President, Mendocino Farms) and Toni Ko (CEO of Butter Ventures and Founder of NYX Cosmetics). Photo by Christina Cabrera
Advice to next administration: Prioritize PPP transport projects by LoueLLa
DesiDerio Philstar.com
MANILA—The next administration will need to focus on public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the transport sector to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion, the PPP Center said. PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao said in a press briefing that the next administra-
tion should prioritize PPP projects “on the transport side and connectivity between the islands and also decongesting Metro Manila and other urban areas.” In particular, she said the new leadership would need to look at the development of airports and revisit the proposed subway for Metro Manila to ease traffic congestion. PAGE D2
PPP Center executive director Cosette Canilao said in a press briefing the next administration should prioritize PPP projects “on the transport side and connectivity between the islands and also decongesting Metro Manila and other urban areas.” Philstar.com photo
How to explain the small business failure rate 4 things entrepreneurs may be doing wrong
WITHIN the timeframe of a year and a half, about 80 percent of new businesses fail, according to Bloomberg Business research. And, throughout the past 30plus years, the amount of new businesses has drastically declined, according to Gallup. During the economic meltdown of 2008, it was the first time in several decades in which more businesses failed than new ones were started. About 70,000 more businesses fail than are launched. “We see it all the time in our communities – signs on doors that read, ‘Due to circumstances beyond our control we have to
close our business…’ What business owners today don’t seem to understand is that what’s required, not only to survive but to thrive, is absolutely within their control,” says Pamela Herrmann, author of the bestseller “The Customer Manifesto, How Business Has Failed Customers And What It Takes To Earn Lasting Loyalty,” ranked No. 3 on the list of customer service books every business owner should read by Business.com. “The truth is, what is required is way outside their skill sets. The typical business owner has no idea how to create leverage, how to PAGE D4
Business Quote of the Week “The media wants overnight successes (so they have someone to tear down). Ignore them. Ignore the early adopter critics that never have enough to play with. Ignore your investors that want proven tactics and predictable instant results. Listen instead to your real customers, to your vision and make something for the long haul. Because that’s how long it’s going to take, guys.” — Seth Godin, author, entrepreneur, marketer, and public speaker
& Immigration Corner
The March 2016 priority dates
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the US), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization
D
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
September 1, 2005
April 1, 2004
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Second Preference
(2A) Spouse and minor children June 15, 2015 (below 21 years old) of green card holder
September 22, 2014
(2b) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
May 1, 2005
March 1, 2005
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
August 1, 1995
December 8, 1993
Fourth Preference
brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
January 1, 1993
August 15, 1992
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date Visa Issuance Date
Third Preference
Professional/Skilled Workers
January 1, 2010
March 15, 2008
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
January 1, 2010
March 15, 2008
(provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.
*** 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 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)
D february 13-16, 2016 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL
Marketplace & ShowrooM
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Women in Power: Q&A with... PAGE D1
What we really wanted to do was create a total experience, so it wasn’t just about the food, but it was about connecting with our guests, building relationships and having them feel welcomed and loved. And that really is what I think sets us apart from other brands. For us, it’s [about] taking someone who thinks they’re coming in just to satiate their hunger, but really nourishing their souls. And we get emails every day from guests who tell us how much they love coming into our restaurant not to just eat the food but for that whole experience. That idea of selling happy and that total experience is really what gets me excited and up every single day to come to work. PM: Tokidoki is a very dynamic, interesting brand in that we basically are in every category of consumer product that I can think of from cell phone covers to cosmetics to writing utensils to toys, apparel fashion, it’s a really dynamic brand. And not only are we in consumer product, we also have animation that we produced. So we have this rich world of characters and the brand is so dynamic because we basically live in the fashion environment but we also live in the entertainment world and I feel like we’re just getting started. It’s been 10 years but I feel like we’re a startup and so does my business partner Simone. We both feel that way, that we’re just getting warmed up. In terms of its positioning, our core market tends to be predominantly female. However, we do have a male audi-
ence... The core market tends to be 16- to 24-year-olds.... It’s not necessarily gender specific. Q: Is your personal brand similar to your company brand? TK: Yes it is. I have a certain personal style and when I look back at all the products I had produced, I see everything’s black and 90 percent of the time I wear mostly black. So I see my personal style, my outer style being reflected in the merchandise and the products that I sell. But at the same time I think it’s my inner self as well that gets reflected. I talk about delivering value and that’s kind of my lifestyle, too. For instance, I’m really cheap with paper towels. I’ll cut a paper towel in half or in quarters and use it. So I guess that says the value that I bring in the product and the company I have as well. EC: I don’t know if I have a distinction between my personal and my professional brand because I’m [working with] my husband so everything we do literally revolves around what’s good for the company, what’s good for our team, at the end of the day what’s good for our family too. And the way we coach our team members and the way we grow our business is the same exact expectations I have [for] myself and for my kids. PM: That’s a tough question. My personal brand, I’m very much of a caretaker and I love to inspire others to pursue their dreams, so I suppose that’s consistent with the tokidoki philosophy. Q: What was it like when you first started out and how did you get your seed money? How did you get that capital? TK: I received my capital actu-
Nita Song (President and Chief Momentum Officer of IW Group), Toni Ko (CEO of Butter Ventures and Founder of NYX Cosmetics), Ellen Chen (Co-Founder and President, Mendocino Farms) and Pooneh Mohajer (CEO and Co-Founder, tokidoki), Photo by Christina Cabrera
ally through family funding, aka Mom. But this has to go back to 1986 when my family immigrated to the US. When my family moved here, just like any other immigrant, we started a small store. And I call myself the byproduct of child slavery by Asian parents, so I worked every weekend, every after school, every summer school, I never had a day off and she never paid me a dime until I was 25. And that’s actually why I left the family business, too, because I realized that my friends actually make money by working. When I told my mom that I was going to go off and start my business, my mom gave me $250,000 to start my business. But I paid her very handsomely back, and she’s a very smart woman so she turned me from her slave to her 401K. So, family money for me. EC: Initially, the first business my husband and I were partners in, I actually worked at a company that was a startup and it was acquired – it was during the internet boom – it was acquired … and so I was
able to take some of the money I cashed out with and invest it back into that [acquiring] business. We took that business, sold it and invested into Mendocino farms. So we were fortunate in the beginning that we didn’t have to look for capital from family or from banks. But as we went along, we actually did get investors that came along the way. PM: When we started Hard Candy...we started with a couple hundred dollars. Then my parents ended up helping us out, so we were really fortunate. We did pay them back with interest, that was very important. And then the second and third companies, I was able to finance those companies with the money I made after we sold, so they were self-financed. And we’re still self-financed to this day. However, we do have an SBA loan and our bank is super supportive. It takes money to make money, and as you continue to grow and expand, working capital is very important. We have been approached
a multitude of times for people to come in and invest but we’ve been able to grow through our own resources and loans up until now. I don’t know what we’ll do in the future, but there’s always a need for capital for growth. Q: What are your thoughts on stats showing minuscule funding for women and what should we thinking about to help make that better? TK: After I sold my company I realized how difficult it is for other female entrepreneurs to raise capital so I started a very small fund called Butter Ventures and our sole goal is to invest in companies that are female or female-partner founded companies. EC: I don’t have the answer but I think the most important thing is building that network and making sure that, just like you were saying, calling out, ‘Hey this is the right place for you to go to,’ or ‘East West Bank,’ just building that network and making sure that support system is out there for them. 30 percent of businesses are owned by women. You can’t turn your back on that. We’re growing and we need to get financing and they need to provide financing, so I think the time is going to change. I think as more women start their own business. PM: And it’s important to reach out to each other and help each other, support each other through that process, because there is a process and talking to somebody that has gone through it before can help guide you, mentor you, another female entrepreneur, I think that today, compared to when I started my company, my entrepreneurial journey 20 years ago, it’s so completely different, there are so many more resources. You just have to reach out. There are a lot of people there who are willing to help. You just have to ask. Q: What’s it like to work for you? TK: I always tell myself that they don’t work for me, I work for them. That’s very important to me, and I
want to say that I lead by example. I’m probably one of the hardest working business owners or CEOs out there. I maybe sleep four hours a night these days, trying to get this new company launched and I want to be involved in every detail. And I know that’s kind of micromanaging, but because it’s at the very early stage of the business, until I can bring in more executives to take some of the load off me, I think I have to, as a business owner, have to know every aspect of the company. And that’s just my style. EC: I want to say people do enjoy working for us and for me, because we do have people whove been w us since we opened our doors on day 1. But for the men out here …. [The] idea of playing with perfect effort I think for myself is what I ask of my team members. It’s, you know what, the outcome, we all know what the outcome is, and the outcome is to basically win. But I care more about the process and I want to see them learn and grow so that the ultimate outcome could potentially be perfect. But … there’s no perfect. So I hope by having that style, our team likes to work for me. PM: We have a lot of fun but there are times when I’m sure it’s difficult because I tend to want perfection. Everybody that works, I don’t think of them as working for me, I really think of us working for each other. That’s kind of my philosophy because I’m working just as hard for everybody as they’re working for me. We’re all working for each other as a team and for our mutual success. Everybody [knows] that I really care about them as individuals and it’s a great environment to work in that sense because you can’t always find that within an organization. I think the challenge for [my business partner] and I, it’s going to be as we grow our business: how do we maintain that culture? And that’s going to be something that’s going to be front and forward and important for us to maintain.
President Benigno Aquino III approved the Philippine Export Development Plan for the years 2015 to 2017. Philstar.com photo
Aquino OKs 3-year export plan by Rosette
Adel
Philstar.com
MANILA—The Export Development Council (EDC) on Wednesday, Feb. 10 said President Aquino III approved the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) for the years 2015 to 2017. “The PEDP 2015-2017 is approved by President Benigno Aquino III in a memorandum circular, which also instructs all concerned government agencies to collectively work and review all relevant policies to facilitate exports and eliminate those that hamper its free flow,” EDC said. The PEDP lays out the threeyear targets and strategies for the development and growth of the country’s export industry.
EDC said the three-year strategic development was an important part of the International Trade Strategy of the Philippine Development Plan which is a a comprehensive economic and social development program designed to achieve inclusive growth and ease poverty. “It (PEDP) lays out a threeyear plan of providing a business environment supportive of trade, growth and innovation that would enable domestic industries to establish their niches in regional and global markets, in turn, raising the status of the Philippines in the global value chain,” EDC said. Aquino last approved the PEDP for the years 2011 to 2012 on July 2011.
Advice to next administration...
PAGE D1
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has conducted a pre-feasibility study on the P374.5-billion Makati-PasayTaguig Mass Transit System Loop, which covers an underground railway system as well as an elevated rail, to connect and ease traffic congestion in the three cities. At present, the government is offering PPP projects involving the transport sector for bidding. These include the Operation and Maintenance of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2, LRT Line 6 Project, North-South Railway Project (South Line) and the Regional Airports Development Project covering New Bohol (Panglao) Airport, Laguindingan Airport, Davao Airport, Bacolod Airport
and Iloilo Airport. With the elections set to be held in May this year, Canilao said the PPP Center expects to be able to roll out the LRT Line 4 Project, as well as two to three more projects requiring the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, before President Aquino steps down. Among the projects awaiting the approval of the NEDA Board chaired by Aquino are the Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project, Batangas-to-Manila Natural Gas Pipeline Project 1, Philippine Travel Center Complex Project, Ninoy Aquino International Airport PPP Project, and New Nayong Pilipino at Entertainment City Project.
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Showroom
WIN Hyundai and WIN Chevrolet: Three giant locations to serve you There’s no better place for kababayans to shop for hyundai vehicles than WIN hyundai in Carson, Calif. established in 2011, the young dealership started with the goal of becoming the premiere hyundai dealership. since then, it has lived up to its aim by consistently ranked among the top five dealers in the district. In 2012, the dealership, which is also equus Certified, was also ranked No. 1 in district sales. WIN is proud to carry hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power and Associates ranked the automaker No. 2 among nonpremium automakers in the 2015 Automotive Performance, execution and Layout (APeAL) study. “Finishing among the top two non-premium brands in this year’s J.D. Power, the APeAL study shows hyundai takes design, technology, features, and performance seriously across the entire lineup. having the bestselling sonata ranking among the top two in its class is a remarkable accomplishment and we are committed to delivering the highest customer experience possible to our owners,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning at hyundai. WIN hyundai offers a wide selection of quality hyundai vehicles and extends its offerings across the Los Angeles area with its two locations: one in Carson and another in el Monte. On both sites, customers can find new and certified pre-owned vehicles – including the santa Fe, sonata, elantra and Genesis Coupe – to meet a variety of budgets and preferences. Because the Carson and el Monte locations serve just about anyone and everyone in southern California, its experienced sales representatives are prepared and eager to help customers find the cars that best fit their preferences and needs. When it comes to purchasing a hyundai, WIN specializes in working with all types of credit, good or bad, and has the ability to refinance current loans. Additionally, although it sells hyundai cars, the dealership services vehicles of all makes and models and currently has an oil change special of $19.95 For Chevrolet owners and
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shoppers in Los Angeles, you may check out WIN’s third location at WIN Chevrolet, which will make sure to handle everything from helping you purchase a new or used Chevy. schedule an appointment or just stop on by to take any of our 2015 Chevrolet models for a test drive including the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro, 2015 Chevrolet Impala, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. Beyond the highly-praised brand WIN offers southern California residents, it has departments dedicated diverse groups found throughout the Los Angeles region, including Chinese, Korean, hispanic and Filipino communities. “ We w a n t t o m a k e t h e buying process as easy as possible, so we understand communicating in your native language can be important to completely understanding the purchasing and financing of your vehicle,” said Munir Younis, general sales manager of the dealership. Younis, who is of Middle eastern descent, grew up in the Philippines and can speak Tagalog fluently, just as the Filipino sales representatives at the dealership. “We have a dedicated team that serves the largest Filipino community in the U.s. We believe in giving back to the community and have participated in multiple sponsorship opportunities with multiple Filipino groups and organizations, including the Philippine Independence Day Foundation,” he said.
Among Filipino members of the WIN hyundai Carson team include long-time car industry veterans Jun Milan and Jay Trinidad. “WIN is a great dealership and customer service is the best it can be,” Milan said. Also on the Filipino team is Franklin Magarro, the dealership’s internet sales manager. In addition to its on-location offerings, those shopping for hyundai cars can browse WIN’s inventory online with userfriendly filters. Whether you know specifically what make and model you’re looking for, are trying to shop based on a budget, or simply want to browse through what is available, the dealership website makes it easy to shop around from home. Live chat is also available and sales representatives are happy to assist customers via phone. WIN Hyundai Carson 2205 e 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (877) 354-4253 Monday through saturday: 9am to 9pm sunday: 10am to 8pm WIN Hyundai El Monte 3462 N Peck road el Monte, CA 91731 (877) 290-2164 Monday through sunday: 9am to 9pm www.winhyundai.com Win Chevrolet 2201 e. 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (818) 639-1216 www.winchevrolet.com 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-16, 2016 D
D february 13-16, 2016 • La WeeKeND aSIaN JOurNaL
Marketplace & ShowrooM
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Why deepening EU-ASEAN ties GMA doubles income to over P2B in aviation is a win-win situation by Maria Laura
angeLes Manilatimes.net
GMA Network Inc. enjoyed robust growth in 2015, recording a two-fold increase in net income after tax as it earned more than P2 billion for the full year. GMA chairman Felipe Gozon told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Makati that 2015 had been a good year for the media network. “our net income is more than 100 percent of 2014’s,” Gozon said.
by LoueLLa
D. DesiDerio Philstar.com
AVIATIoN is a strong driver of growth, jobs, trade and mobility for the world’s economy. The European Union (EU) was one of the first markets to be fully deregulated in the 1990s and owes this to its success. As a result, European aviation today represents 26 percent of the world market, contributes €110 billion (P5.890 trillion) annually to Europe’s Gross Domestic Product, and directly employs 2 million Europeans. As for consumers, they now benefit from lower fares, more choice and better connections. This is why I am following with great interest the process within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to create a single aviation area, and I am convinced that it would lead to a boom similar to what the EU experienced. The rapid economic growth of Asia is already pulling the world economy’s center of gravity, and the air transport industry that serves it, to the East. The AsiaPacific region will account for around 40 percent of the world air traffic in 20 years and demand for air transport between the EU and the ASEAN region is booming. The air traffic between the two regions has grown by more than 75 percent over the past 10 years. These figures clearly illustrate the need for the EU and ASEAN, to strengthen our aviation relations as our two markets represent a combined population of 1.1 billion. The Asia-Pacific region will account for around 40 percent of the world air traffic in 20 years. That is why in December 2015, the European Commission adopted a new aviation strategy where we propose to negotiate the first ever bloc-to-bloc aviation agreement between the European Union and ASEAN. Such agreement would be an important building block in our ambition to bring the EU-ASEAN overall relationship to a higher level. This new partnership would improve mutual market access, provide investment opportunities and foster regulatory cooperation. In particular, it will create commercial opportunities for enhancing direct flights between Europe and ASEAN destinations, such as Singapore. Demand for air travel
GMA earned P1.01-billion income after tax in 2014, down almost 39 percent compared to 2013. Having earned more than P2 billion in 2015, Gozon said GMA is bracing for another good year in 2016. Even just two months into the year, the forecast is already looking good, he said. The broadcast giant expects to do better this year and is even hoping for another 100 percent growth or more by the close of 2016, Gozon said.
“January and February is already better,” he noted. In a previous interview, Gozon has said GMA was gearing towards shifting to digital. when asked for an update on such a plan, he said GMA was not in a rush to execute the shift. However, he said the digital shift could be expected to happen within the year. “Digital shift, we are working on that. within this year siguro, hindi kami nagmamadali [Perhaps this year, we are not in a hurry],” Gozon said.
“The rapid economic growth of Asia is already pulling the world economy’s center of gravity, and the air transport industry that serves it, to the East,” writes European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc. EU photo
between the EU and ASEAN may be growing, but nearly all of it is currently channeled through indirect routes– notably through the Gulf, with neither European nor ASEAN carriers benefiting from it. I therefore hope to be in a position to soon start negotiations, which is why I will travel to Singapore to directly discuss the matter with ASEAN Transport ministers who are gathered there for the Aviation Leadership Summit. This approach has proved to be a win-win situation in the past. with the US and Canada the number of passengers increased by 3 million, with Morocco the number of direct routes increased by 87 percent, and with the western Balkans the number of scheduled airlines increased by 59 percent. As we know more traffic means more jobs and more wealth. Evidence also shows that better connectivity leads to more trade and is a major determinant in the location choices of large firms’ headquarters. As we know more traffic means more jobs and more wealth. while air traffic growth offers tremendous economic opportunities, it poses an increasing challenge to the environment.According to the International Civil Aviation organisation (ICAo),
emissions from aviation are forecast to grow by at least 63 percent by 2020 compared to 2006. According to the United Nations office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), over the past 20 years the Philippines was fourth in the world among countries hit by the highest number of natural disasters, the majority of which were weather and climate related. At the CoP21 in Paris, both the EU and the Philippines, through its chairmanship of the Vulnerable Forum, played an instrumental role to broker an historic deal, which gave the world a lifeline and I hope that we will now be able to build on this momentum. This year we will be working closely with ICAo on two ambitious global measures, the first is an unprecedented standard to cap Co2 emissions, which will push industry to be as fuel-efficient as possible. The second is a global mandatory system to offset aviation emissions, to stabilize emissions from 2020 in a cost-effective manner. I am convinced that deepening the cooperation between the EU and ASEAN will be beneficial to our respective industries and citizens, and will also send a clear message: that the competitiveness of the aviation sector can be reconciled with its sustainability.
Word on the street is that it was no less than PAL owner Lucio Tan who made the final decision. Our source said the tycoon was impressed by the A350’s flight performance, especially the fact that the inside of the cabin is so quiet even when the jet is climbing at full power.
PAL’s shopping spree
BARRING any last-minute hitches, it looks like Philippine Airlines is set to announce a deal to acquire six Airbus A350 aircraft to augment its long-range fleet. Biz Buzz learned that the purchase agreement would likely be announced by PAL and the European plane maker during next week’s Singapore Air Show in the island city. we know that the flag carrier had, for several months now, been evaluating the A350 and its rival from Boeing, the 787 “Dreamliner.” The contest was tight, with both advanced aircraft being touted by their manufacturers. But in the end, word on the street is that it was no less than PAL owner Lucio Tan who made the final decision. our source said the tycoon was impressed by the A350’s flight performance, especially the fact that the inside of the cabin is so quiet even when the jet is climbing at full power. The aircraft will be used for
PAL’s long-range routes, including new ones that are likely to be opened between Manila and Paris, and Manila and Frankfurt, we were told. The A350s—which runs on only two engines—will also replace the last of PAL’s previous-generation Airbus A340s whose four engines are gas guzzlers. we understand that PAL specifically wants the A350-900 model which is the long-range variant that competes directly with the Boeing 787 and the older Boeing 777. The A350-900 has a sticker price of $308 million per aircraft, but this is often subjected to a secret discount rate and favorable financing terms courtesy of a European export-import bank. If history is any indication, PAL may also execute a “sale-andleaseback” strategy for the six new Airbus aircraft, which means it may immediately sell them to a third party and lease them back making regular rental amortization
(a strategy that may or may not pay off depending on one’s reading of the volatile aviation market). PAL is also expected to benefit from the sharp drop in petroleum prices, given that fuel costs typically account for one half of an airline’s operating expenses. Expect these benefits to be reflected in PAL’s income statement for the previous fiscal year, barring any last minute surprises, of course. All these point to an auspicious Year of the Monkey for the people at PAL, especially after a minor incident just before the Lunar New Year that saw one of its precious long-haul Boeing 777s (flying from New York to Manila) accidentally hitting a passenger boarding bridge during a stopover in Vancouver. we hear there was minor damage to the aircraft and the airbridge and the plane had to be towed to another part of the terminal where passengers were offloaded (and the rest of the flight was cancelled). whew. (Daxim L. Lucas/Inquirer.net)
Electric vehicles take the fast lane to promote green mobility Two years ago, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)—the Paris-based organization that governs all four-wheeled motor sport worldwide— initiated a motorcar racing class exclusively for vehicles running on electric motors: the FIA Formula E Championship. According to the Formula E website, the race is meant to represent the “vision for the future of the motor industry,” which is to serve as a framework for further research and development on the electric vehicle, and thus promote clean energy and sustainable motoring. Inaugurated in Beijing in September 2014, the Formula E Series participants drive single-seater fully electric motor vehicles. It was the first Electric Grand Prix in the world and gained global momentum and recognition after its premier season ended in June 2015 in London. Currently, ten teams are com-
peting in the world’s leading cities on temporary city-center circuits designed to create an exciting environment. The teams are: ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport; Andretti Formula E; Dragon Racing; Virgin DS; Mahindra Racing; Nextev TCR; Renault E.Dams; Team Aguri; and Venturi. In Auto, the international journal of the FIA, Virgin DS Team Principal Alex Tai described what it’s all about: “what we are looking for in Formula E is to see if it can find improvements in technology that will improve the lives of people, including the environment that we live in. we sincerely believe that the planet is in trouble and we need to do what we can to reduce Co2 emissions and clean up the atmosphere. A large contributor to this is transportation. what we need to do is work with these oEMs [original equipment manufacturers] to see if we can come up with better forms of powering the cars that you and I drive.”
Mahindra Racing Team Principal Dilbagh Gill added that their ambition for Formula E “extends far ahead of racing. It has to push electric vehicle technology; it has to make it more exciting; it has to make it more relevant. . . we would like to see if we can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. we want people to see that these vehicles are a genuine alternative and pushing the boundaries of the sport will help that.” Here in the Philippines, the e-vehicles most visible are e-jeepneys in Makati City and e-tricycles in some towns. They are a welcome sight to environment-conscious people and the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP), the only FIA club member in the country. AAP shares the FIA’s commitment to promote green mobility. AAP president Gus Lagman said the club lauds the government’s efforts to support the commercial PAGE D5
How to explain the small...
PAGE D1 utilize new technologies, how to strategize on any level that makes them competitive or how to stop the hemorrhaging of cash in the form of failed online marketing investments. Herrmann is co-founder, along with Patty Dominguez, of CREATE Buzz (www.CreateBuzzNow.com), a Fortune 50 branding expert which is changing the way small businesses connect with their customers – both online and offline. Dominguez and Herrmann review four mistakes – and ways to correct them – to keep businesses thriving: • They miss their biggest revenue opportunity. “when we look at traditional marketing, so many solutions providers are focused on customer acquisition and how to get prospects into their marketing funnel – which is totally necessary and valid,” Dominguez says. “However, the biggest revenue opportunity is in knowing how to keep these customers, because that’s where the higher profits are in the lifecycle of a customer.” “we teach our small business clients not only how to get new customers but more importantly, how to keep their existing customers,” Herrmann says. “Most small businesses don’t have the foundational strategy for how to build their business for growth. once you have that in place, marketing tactics such as word of
mouth online can be fully leveraged, and that is the key to organic growth.” • Entrepreneurs not only track the wrong metrics, they don’t even know what they are. In the absence of a strategy, business owners make marketing decisions based on short-term data, like how much money is in the bank or how many sales they made last month. This is reactive — not proactive. “In life and in business, it’s often not the ability to answer a question, but rather whether or not you’re asking the right questions,” Dominguez says. So, what are some of those questions? – The duo have come up with the following: How many new leads did you get this month? How much did it cost you to acquire that new lead or customer (CAC)? what’s the average value of a single transaction? what is the lifetime value of your customer (LTV)? • Businesses don’t manage their message across all customer touch points. Technology brings customers to us from so many sources. Most businesses are not aware of all the ways consumers are using technology to find businesses to transact with. Businesses should go through the process of creating a Customer Journey Map so that they can see all the touch points across all chan-
nels and first measure how well they are doing and then identify gaps and opportunities. The goal in this process is to know exactly what your customer is thinking, feeling and doing throughout their engagement at touch point. This one exercise alone will show you where your profits are being won or lost. •They don’t know the fundamentals of marketing that are the cornerstones to any long term growth strategy. Just like an archer tries to hit the bull’s-eye, an entrepreneur tries to reach her customers. No matter how many arrows that may be in her quiver, if she doesn’t know how to aim, she’ll probably miss with each attempt. The same is true with marketing: you can spend vast amounts in a campaign, but you need to know the who, the how and the why of your aim. Dominguez, a Fortune 50 business strategist, says: “You need to know who you’re marketing to. why are you marketing to them? what are their wants and needs; what keeps them up at night? Are there emotional triggers that make your marketing relevant? what is your brand promise and what makes you different from the guy down the street? And, you when you do you this effectively, you shift from sinking money into fixing problems and into growing your business through strategic decision making.”
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Longo Lexus offers the ultimate conveniences in customer amenities
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.
Ferrari GTC4Lusso to debut at Geneva auto show
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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
Ferrari announces the addition to its range of the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, the new four-seater which hails a major evolution of the sporting Grand Tourer concept by integrating rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the first time. This is a car designed for clients wanting to experience the pleasure of driving a Ferrari anywhere, anytime, be it on short spins or long journeys, snowy mountain roads or city streets, alone or in the company of three lucky passengers. Drivers who demand exceptional power but refuse to compromise on in-car comfort, sporty elegance and impeccable detailing. in short, the GTC4Lusso brings unprecedented versatility to Ferrari driving, like the FF before it which won the Prancing Horse a new, younger client base that, significantly, also makes greater use of its cars, clocking up 30% higher mileage than average. The GTC4Lusso’s name references illustrious predecessors, such as the 330 GTC or its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT – one of enzo Ferrari’s favourites – and the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, which represented a sublime
combination of elegance and The official world premiere high performance. The number 4 of the GTC4Lusso will be at the alludes to the car’s four comfort- Geneva international Motor Show able seats. in March. (Inquirer.net)
Electric vehicles take the fast... PAGE D4 development and wider use of alternative-powered vehicles such as e-vehicles for public transportation. recently, for example, the Filipino-owned Tojo Motors Corporation, a member of the electric Vehicles association of the Philippines, secured a loan from
the Development Bank of the Philippines via the DBP’s Green Financing Program. Lagman noted that the Land Transportation Office collects from car owners about P10 billion a year for the Motor Vehicle Users Charge (MVUC.) The revenue goes to the road Board, which allots 7.5 percent of the money for
the implementation of the Clean air act. Perhaps the government can allot a portion of that amount to encourage e-vehicles manufacturing, Lagman said. Meanwhile, aaP stands ready to help propagate e-vehicles and other alternativepowered cars in any way it can. (ManilaTimes.net)
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