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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. 39 • 4 Sections – 34 Pages
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International community reacts to Duterte’s win Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey
by Michael Joe
T. Delizo
ManilaTimes.net
DESPITE having offended some countries with his controversial remarks during the campaign period, Rodrigo Duterte has started receiving well wishes from the international community as the Philippines’ presumptive president. The brash and unflinchingly authoritarian leader caused disgust in
DATELINE
diplomatic circles when he made nasty comments against the United States, Australia, India, Mexico and Singapore over the past months. Nonetheless, the US said it is ready to work with the new president. “Washington respects the choice of the Philippines’ people. We will gladly work with the leader they’ve selected,” State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth
Trudeau said. Franz Jessen, ambassador of the European Union, said he is looking forward to taking the EU-Philippine agenda forward with Duterte and his administration. “The EU has been encouraged by the dynamic development of our relations with the Philippines over the recent years in all aspects, from political to economic, trade and development cooperation, and look
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forward to continue on this path with the next administration under the PCA [Partnership and Cooperation Agreement] agreed in 2012 between the Philippines and the EU,” he added. Taiwanese media quoted Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Ruan Jhao-syong as saying that President-elect Tsai Ing-wen will seek to work with the
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USA
Presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte’s economic team said the national government will follow the “Davao model” where licenses in doing business are given in the shortest possible time.
Duterte’s transition team bares economic plan Admin to focus on taxes, infrastructure
FRoM ThE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
FBI smells inside job in $81-M cyber heist WAShINGToN — The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) suspects the computer hacking theft of $81 million from Bangladesh’s central bank was in part an inside job, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. Quoting sources familiar with the matter, the Journal said FBI agents investigating the case “have found evidence pointing to at least one bank employee acting as an accomplice.” But it added that “a handful of others” may have also aided the hackers in breaking into the computers of Bangladesh Bank. Investigators probing the cyber theft have discovered evidence of unidentified hacking groups from North Korea, Pakistan and one other place inside the bank’s network, Bloomberg reported, citing two people briefed on the progress of the bank’s investigation. Digital fingerprints FireEye Inc., the company hired by the bank to conduct the forensics investigation identified digital fingerprints of the hacking groups, the two people told Bloomberg.
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Advocates rally to make overtime pay for domestic workers permanent IN commemoration of Mother’s Day, labor organizations, domestic workers and their advocates demonstrated Monday, May 9, at Los Angeles City hall’s South Steps to support a bill that would make overtime pay permanent for domestic workers. Members of the California Domestic Workers Coalition, which seeks to advance dignity and respect for domestic workers and their families, on Monday gave testimonies supporting the passage of the bill, SB1015. “[It’s] really important that we are creating a society that is really creating dignity and respect for all,” said Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of Pilipino Workers Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Filipino workers that is part of the coalition. Domestic workers are currently granted overtime pay under AB241, a measure signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown in 2013. The law, however, is set to expire in 2017. Filipino domestic worker Emiy Uy touted
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by Jovan
cerDa Philstar.com
OAV VOTES. The Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) led by Minister Patrick Chuasoto (3rd from right) with Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. after the closing of the Canvassing and Consolidation System (CCS) on Wednesday, May 11. There are 1,376,067 registered overseas voters, 275,689 of which come from North and Latin America. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC where all election results were tallied, confirmed that there were 179,242 registered voters, but only 49,671 votes cast. Voter turnout was at 27.71 percent.
MANILA — The transition team of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, May 12, bared the eight-point economic agenda of the incoming administration. In a televised press conference in Davao City, Carlos Dominguez, a member of the Duterte transition team, enumerated Duterte’s plans that centered on taxes, infrastructure, social services and rural development. Dominguez, a former Cabinet secretary for the Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos administrations, said that foremost, the incoming government will continue and maintain the country’s current macroeconomic policy. “however, in the case of tax revenue collection, efforts will be complemented by reforms in the bureaucracy of the tax-collecting agencies. This will fulfill the presidentelect’s promise that there will be less corruption in the government,” he said. Secondly, Dominguez said the Duterte administration will accelerate the public-private partnerships to create
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PH Embassy photo
Marcos: Comelec used ‘new script’ to cheat me by JaiMe
r. PilaPil ManilaTiames.net
SENAToR Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, May 11, accused the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of using a computer command or ‘new script’ to wipe out his one million votes and to pad Rep. Leni Robredo’s votes on Monday evening.
Francesca huang, speaking in behalf of Marcos, said the new script altered the hash codes of the packet data that started the “rather distinctive pattern” of dagdag-bawas (vote padding-vote shaving). “Did Comelec know about the introduction of this new script? how does the new script affect the data and data reception of
the transparency server?” huang asked. “how were the data of election returns from these affected clustered precincts or VCMs [Vote Counting Machines] uploaded to the transparency server? Does this mean that the data could be uploaded to the transparency server through other means of which we
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Palace: Talk about Aquino arrest not good for unity of nation by KrisTine
angeli Inquirer.net
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.
sabillo
MALACAÑANG has said it is premature to speculate on whether Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte will listen to Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison’s request to
have outgoing President Benigno Aquino III arrested. “Baka naman po mas mainam na iyang mga prospective na scenario na iyan ay hintayin na lang natin na maganap sa halip na tayo ngayon ay mage-engage sa espekulasyon dahil baka hindi ‘yan masya-
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Social media changed landscape of PH elections by PaTricia
esTeves Philstar.com
MANILA — Social media has changed the landscape of the recently concluded Philippine elections, according to Twitter. Pratiksha Rao, head for media partnerships in Twitter Southeast Asia, said social media, particularly Twitter, absolutely
played a critical role in the general election when over 35 million election tweets were sent since the start of the year, of which over four million tweets came on election day. “First-time voters accounted for one-third of the 50 million registered voters, meaning that around 17 million votes were up for grabs and social media is the best way
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Senator Bongbong Marcos
A MAY 14-17, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
International community reacts to… PAGE A1 t
Philippines’ new administration to promote bilateral exchanges in areas such as investment, industry, culture, tourism and education. The official said Taiwan’s new government “will push for a “southward policy,” aimed at deepening partnerships between
Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries through exchanges at all levels.” Ruan, however, refused to comment when asked about the new government’s stance on the arbitration case filed by the Philippines against China, saying that concerned government offices will only deal with the
issue after the new government takes office. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing hopes that Duterte will be able to strengthen ties with Manila. “China hopes the Philippines’ new government can work in the same direction with China, properly handle our differences and get bilateral ties back on track with concrete actions,” he added. Lu said he is optimistic that the Philippines and China will be able to adopt practical measures to properly handle a sea dispute between them. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua expressed willingness to personally meet with Duterte, whom he hopes will initiate the resumption of bilateral talks to find a solution that is agreeable to both sides. “We hope to have a new chapter with the Philippines. Of
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IN GOOD HANDS. A member of the Comelec’s Reception, Custody and Safekeeping Group inspects a newly arrived ballot box from Davao del Norte at the national canvassing center at PICC in Pasay City on Friday, May 13. Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc
Duterte’s…
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jobs and inject economic activity in the country. “We are going to hold the people to their contracts,” he said. Dominguez said the incoming administration will also ensure the attractiveness of the Philippines to foreign direct investments by easing economic restrictions and by enhancing competitiveness of doing business in the Philippines. He said the national government will follow the “Davao model” where licenses in doing business are given in the shortest possible time. In addition, Dominguez said this “also means reducing crime in the areas to increase the security of businessmen and consumers.” Fourth in the agenda is the plan to develop the rural areas in the country by providing support services to small farmers to improve their productivity. “It also means that we are going to encourgae more agricultural processing in the agricultural areas,” Dominguez said. He added that the new government will also promote tourism in the rural areas of the country.
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From the Front page
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Marcos: Comelec used ‘new script’ to cheat…
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do not know about?” she said. Huang added that Marcos’ camp on Wednesday sent a letter of inquiry to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and the commissioners, asking them to address their concerns. “We are waiting for their answer. Our next move will depend on their answer,” she said. Huang added that as of 4:15pm on May 11, their tally showed Marcos posting a 189,529 vote lead against Robredo based on the votes from 52.38 percent clustered precincts. The votes that contributed to Marcos’ lead came from Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Sultan Kudarat and provinces under Region 4-B, like Mindoro. The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s (PPCRV) partial and unofficially tally of votes initially showed Marcos having a commanding lead of close to one million votes over the camarines Sur lawmaker. At about 10pm, however, Robredo’s votes came in and
she eventually overtook Marcos shortly before 5 a.m., Tuesday. As of 1:35pm, Wednesday, based on the 78.04 percent of registered voters, the Comelec transparency server showed that Robredo was leading by 231,728 votes. She had 13,958,608 votes compared to Marcos’ 13,726,880. Huang said they sent people to the PPCRV headquarters in Manila after the group’s vice chairman Johnny Cardenas invited the Marcos camp to send observers there. Also on Wednesday, Marcos appealed to his supporters, mostly young people, to stay calm. The Ilocano senator made the appeal after learning that a hundred supporters, mostly university students, staged a rally at the Rizal Park (Luneta) in Manila to show their indignation over the alleged vote padding-vote shaving scheme. “I urge our friends, our supporters who are rallying their Facebook friends to come out and stage a rally to calm down. Cool down your heads,” Marcos said.
He added that his lawyers are preparing data that will show clearly the Liberal Party had orchestrated the alleged fraud to “freeze” his votes. “What was even more puzzling was that the drop in my lead began after the Comelec had said there was a glitch that delayed the updates of the transmitted votes in the transparency server,” Marcos pointed out. Marcos’ presidential tandem Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago came to the rescue of the senator. “The roller coaster ride of vicepresidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invites comparison with a garrison state. In such a state, the authoritarian government feels free to manufacture numbers as they are needed,” Santiago said in a statement. “I find it astounding that Marcos should have led in the vicepresidential surveys for many months, until the penultimate month, when suddenly the administration could jump up survey results to finally overtake him,” she added. n
Duterte’s transition team bares…
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Furthermore, he said the Duterte administration will address the bottlenecks in the land administration system, where four state agencies - Land Registration Administration, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Agrarian Reform - have difficulty cooperating. “Security of land tenure is very important because it encourages foreign investment in the rural areas,” he said. Moreover, Dominguez said they will also strengthen the basic education system and provide scholarships for tertiary education, which he said is relevant to the needs of the private sector. “We will try to match what is taught with what is demanded in the field,” he said. On the area of tax administration, Dominguez said the that the incoming government will make the tax system more progressive by indexing the tax collection gradiations to the inflation rate. Lastly, the Duterte government also plans on expanding the conditional cash transfer program initiated by the Arroyo administration and expanded during the Aquino administration. “We will also index that to in-
A day after President Benigno Aquino III reached out to the camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on the smooth transition of governments, Malacañang released the administrative order detailing the composition of its own transition committee. Administrative Order no. 49, which Aquino has mentioned in a statement, provides for the creation of a Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) and other agency transition committees. Presidential Transition Committee members, (clockwise from left) Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa (PTC head), National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) director general Emmanuel Esguerra; Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad; Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.; Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson; Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene Almendras; Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima.
Palace: Talk about Aquino arrest not good… PAGE A1 t
dong nakakatulong sa paglikha ng isang kaaya-ayang sitwasyon na kung saan ay pwedeng magkaisa tayo at tumugon tayo doon sa lumalawak na panawagan for unity and healing in the nation. (Maybe it would be better to wait for these prospective scenarios to actually happen instead of us engaging on speculations because these are not helping in creating a conducive situation where we
can all join together and heed the call of unity and healing in the nation),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a Palace briefing on Thursday, May 12. He said arrests, for example, could not be made until after June 30 when Aquino’s term officially ends. Sison, who was a former professor of Duterte, on Facebook urged the presumptive president
to have Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad arrested in connection with the anomalous and now defunct Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Duterte earlier promised to visit Sison in the Netherlands where the latter is seeking political asylum. Conflict is one of the issues that Duterte has promised to resolve by seeking dialogue with the CPP and other rebel groups. n
Social media changed landscape of PH…
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Supporters of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte are seen outside his house in Davao City on Wednesday, May 10. Duterte said there would be no lavish celebration once he is proclaimed the 16th president of the Philippines.
flation so that the real value of the money for people under the program will be maintained,” he said. In addition, the new government vowed to expand the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance System. Dominguez said that a number of items in the new government’s economic agenda will have to be addressed through a constitutional convention. “We will push for something more friendly to foreign investments,” he said. Currently, foreigners are
barred by the Consitution from owning more than 40 percent of real properties and businesses in the Philippines. Pressed on the issue of labor contractualization which Duterte vowed to address, Dominguez said the transition team has yet to talk in detail about it but promised that it will be removed in the new administration. He added that the transition team has yet to make economic growth targets pending consideration of the effects of El Niño to the country’s agricultural sector. n
to reach young Filipinos. That’s why we called this the first-ever Twitter Election in the Philippines,” Rao told The Star. He said one of the most important contributions of Twitter was that it was used to provide more transparency and fairness for the general election. “The beauty of Twitter is that Filipinos could see a wide range of political views and comments about the candidates in order to make a more informed voting decision. People come to Twitter for diversity. In addition, people have been reporting voting irregularities via Twitter using the #Sumbongko hashtag and Comelec has been responding in real-time to address their concerns. In fact, one of the most retweeted tweets on election day was a reply tweet from the Comelec spokesman to in-
vestigate selfie photos with the ballot,” Rao said. Twitter also saw the youth voice moved the election. “For example, many of the most shared tweets on election day came from young Filipinos talking about the early election results. Even though they only have several hundred followers, their tweets were retweeted several thousand times, showing how any Filipino voice can be heard around the world on Twitter, Rao said. Because so many young people were active on Twitter, the social media giant created special election emojis for the presidential candidates and for voting day to give the first-time voters a fun way to express themselves on Twitter. “Young people loved the emoji designs, from the faces of the presidential candidates
to an inked voting finger, which increased engagement on our platform especially for live conversations around the key moments during the election,” he said. Last year, Twitter partnered with Comelec to get more Filipinos to participate in the election process and join the election conversation this year. The partnership focused on enabling Filipinos to get live updates on the election, to connect with others for a wide variety of political viewpoints and to express their thoughts and ideas about the candidates and election campaigns. “There’s no doubt that Twitter contributed to the record voter turnout of over 80 percent on election day with over four million elections-related tweets on that day alone,”Rao said.
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From the Front page
A MAY 14-17, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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International community reacts to… PAGE A2 t
course, we have differences. We hope that we can handle [them] properly and we should not let these differences be the focus of our relationship,” he told The Manila Times in an interview. Spain also congratulated Duterte and wished him “every success in his upcoming mandate.” “The government offers its support to the next President in this new phase that will commence in the country, as well as its commitment to continue making progress in extending the historic ties of friendship and cooperation between our
two countries,” the Spanish government said in a statement. Asean Duterte plans to meet with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after he is proclaimed as the country’s new leader. His spokesman Peter Laviña said Duterte may attend a social gathering of Asean leaders in Brunei Darussalam in August. He added that the event will be a good opportunity for the new President to meet other foreign leaders and show support for Asean integration. Laviña said Duterte will be
sending out personal representatives to key sectors including foreign embassies, Congress, judiciary, media and churches to convey his call for unity. The committee will identify “personal representatives of the mayor so that we will be able to send them out and bring the message of the mayor extending the hand of friendship, calling for unity and cooperation as well as opening direct lines to the new administration,” he added. Duterte is currently the mayor of Davao City in southern Mindanao. (With Catherine S. Valente)
Advocates rally to make overtime pay… PAGE A1 t GETTING READY. Workers arrange documents at the session hall as the House of Representatives prepares to canvass votes for the presidential and vice presidential candidates. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
Social media changed landscape of PH… PAGE A3 t
Twitter also enabled the live conversations around the elections to give people the pulse of the nation. “For example, there were over five million tweets combined for the presidential TV debates, showing how Filipinos loved watching TV and tweeting about the candidates at the same time. Many user-generated Twitter trends and hashtags were creat-
ed during the live TV broadcasts, from the #DuRiam hashtag when Duterte and Santiago hugged each other to the #PilipinasDelate hashtag when the second debate started late. Even on election day, the Twitter conversation peaked at 5,600 tweets per minute at 7:30 p.m. when the early election results came out and people were discussing in real-time on Twitter. He said that on election day,
Twitter saw that mentions of Binay started strongly on Twitter but faded throughout the day, while mentions of Duterte started slowly on Twitter but peaked at the end of the day. “Twitter is a reflection of society and the real-time nature of our platform is a leading indicator of what Filipinos think about the candidates during the election campaign and on voting day,” he said. n
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the passage of AB241 on Monday at City Hall, citing how the pay she received as a caregiver prior to that bill made it difficult for her to make ends meet. She also said employers have justified not paying domestic workers overtime because they sleep during their shifts. “There is no such thing as straight, uninterrupted sleep because during the night, our ears are open wide for us to hear the tiny sounds when our consumers wake up, or cry in the middle of the night because they have a nightmare. Or they call us out because they want their back scratched or they need to go to
the bathroom or ... want to talk to us,” she said. SB 1015, authored by state Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino), would eliminate the sunset provision of AB241 and make overtime pay for domestic workers permanent. “[As] caregivers, as home care workers, we are here to support SB1015 so that we will gain our dignity like every other worker who [is] being paid the minimum wage and the overtime wage,” Uy said. On April 28, Leyva’s bill was approved by the Senate and is now awaiting approval from the Assembly. In a statement, Leyva thanked
the California Domestic Workers Coalition for its continued advocacy and commitment to the issue. “I am pleased that SB 1015 passed from the Senate since it reaffirms our commitment to improved dignity and respect for domestic workers. The work that domestic workers perform every day in homes across California helps to improve the lives of countless individuals, families and communities,” she said. Also in attendance at Monday’s demonstration were domestic worker employees, and individuals involved with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles and the UCLA labor center, among others. n
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Ex-US ship sails for Philippines by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com
MANILA — A former US Navy research ship commissioned as BRP Gregorio Velasquez has sailed out of Pearl Harbor en route to its new home in the Philippines, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu said Thursday, May 12. The US government formally transferred the ownership and turned over the research vessel during an April 27 ceremony in San Diego, California. The vessel was originally R/V Melville. Gregorio Velasquez arrived at Pearl Harbor on May 7 and left on May 12 for Guam and the Philippines. It is not clear when it is expected to arrive in the Philippines. The officers and crew of Gregorio Velasquez received lei garlands from the officers and staff HIGH SPIRITS. Philippine Army servicemen and non uniformed personnel join in a boodle fight at Camp Aguinaldo to celebrate the peaceful and orderly elections last Monday, May 9. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
Mental illness stigma hampers help for Calif. Asian Americans SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new report from RAND Corporation researchers says the majority of Californians who are experiencing psychological distress, regardless of race and ethnicity, feel it is possible to recover from mental health problems. However, these findings also demonstrate that disparities in dealing with mental health still remain among population groups. Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Californians are less likely to seek services for help with a mental health issue, perhaps due to negative attitudes and beliefs regarding mental illness, according to RAND researchers. For example, Asian Americans were more likely than their white counterparts to feel inferior to those who have not had a mental health problem. This study analyzes data from the California Well Being Survey, and is the first to take a comprehensive look at racial and ethnic differences in perceptions of mental health problems and stigma among a representative sample of individuals experiencing psychological distress. It offers insight and information that policymakers and advocates can use to improve API access and use of mental health services. Ongoing stigma “California has begun investing in the kinds of programs that can move the needle when it comes to perceptions of mental illness, but more work needs to be done to address ongoing stigma in API communities,” said Vinya Sysamouth, the executive director at the Center for Lao Studies in San Francisco. “When people with mental
health challenges feel accepted rather than isolated, we can create a state of better mental health in California, and reduce the toll untreated mental health challenges have on California’s communities,” Sysamouth added. New resources Through the voter-approved Proposition 63, California counties produced a wide array of culturally responsive mental health resources for the API community to help break down the barriers that deter Californians from accessing help that meets their unique needs: Fact Sheets on Mental Health Terms and Mental Health Myths and Facts have been translated for use in Lao, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Cambodian, Hmong, Khmer and Iu Mien. The Know the Signs suicide prevention campaign, which teaches Californians to identify the signs of suicide, and take action to stop it, has culturally adapted suicide prevention outreach materials such as posters, brochures, and print, TV and radio ads, for the Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong, Lao, Chinese, Cambodian and Filipino communities. The ads break down the misconception that seeking help is a sign of weakness. The Know the Signs suicide prevention campaign has been shown to increase public awareness of suicide risk and build confidence in taking action that saves lives. The Each Mind Matters Great Minds Gallery hosts many videos with stories of hope and resilience that can be used in outreach to Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The new study was sponsored
New America Media photo
FBI smells inside job in $81-M…
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It was the third group, whose identity and country of origin is unknown, that pulled off the heist, Bloomberg reported. FireEye has not found enough data to determine whether the third group, described by the company as the actual culprit, was a criminal network or the agent of another nation, Bloomberg reported. The spectacular cyber theft has embarrassed the government in Dhaka, triggered outrage in the impoverished country and raised alarm over the security of the global infrastructure linking central banks. Unidentified hackers infiltrated the computers at the Bangladesh Bank in early February and tried to transfer $951 million from its settlement account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Transferred to PH accounts The hackers fabricated official electronic transfer orders to move the money from Bangladesh Bank’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and send it to accounts in the Philippines, where it then disappeared, in part through the Philippine casino industry. But the New York branch of the US central bank blocked most of the bogus transfer orders it received, preventing the theft from skyrocketing to $1 billion. But
$81 million was sent to four accounts at a branch of the Philippines’ Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC). It was then moved through a remittance firm and later to casinos and gambling agents. Most of that money is missing. Turn over complete Casino junket operator Kim Wong recently turned over to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) the fourth and final tranche of funds amounting to P250 million which was part of the $81-million stolen from the central bank of Bangladesh. Wong has so far turned over to AMLC for safekeeping—and eventual return to Bangladesh—$4.6 million as the first tranche, P38 million as the second tranche, P200 million as the third tranche and the final trance of P250 million. The involvement of the New York fed has brought the FBI into the case, but the Fed is not being viewed as blameworthy. Separately, the global financial transfers network SWIFT on Monday rejected reported accusations by Bangladesh police and bank officials that it was to blame for low security protections. “SWIFT was not responsible for any of the issues cited by the officials, or party to the related decisions,” it said in a statement. (Inquirer.net)
by CalMHSA and conducted independently by the RAND Corporation. The report, “Racial and Ethnic Differences in Mental Illness Stigma and Discrimination Among Californians Experiencing Mental Health Challenges,” can be found at: http://www. rand.org/pubs/research_reports/ RR1441.html
of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu led by Consul General Gina Jamoralin and Captain Rey de la Cruz, Armed Forces of the Philippines liaison officer to the US Pacific Command. Also present during the ceremonies were some members of the Filipino community led by Allan Alvarez, president of the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCH). Gregorio Velasquez commanding officer Commander Edwin Nera said it took them nine days to reach the historic Pearl Harbor from San Diego. The surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 forced the US to declare war on Japan. At Pearl Harbor, consulate staff and Filipino community members toured the research vessel, for which Jamoralin thanked the ship’s officers and
crew. The Philippines will use the newly acquired research vessel for the navy’s scientific research, disaster and humanitarian operations and other maritime activities. Launched in 1968, the then R/ V Melville would later be placed on the US Defense Department’s list of excess equipment slated for turnover to the Philippines for the latter’s oceanographic research. The Gregorio Velasquez will be the Philippines’ first dedicated marine research vessel. The US has been trying to help the Philippines bolster its maritime presence in the West Philippine Sea in the face of China’s heightened assertiveness in staking its claim in the region. China is claiming almost the entire South China Sea, citing historical records. n
Trade, investment ties growing fast between PH and UK by MeLissa Legarda
Inquirer.net
aLcantara
LONDON – A two-way street acquisition streak is markedly shaping the trade and investment relationship between the Philippines and the UK. In the past few years alone, a number of Philippine companies have taken the leap of faith onto the UK market, signing off on acquisitions worth billions of pesos.
In October 2014 Andrew Tan made a £447 million (P31.7 billion) acquisition of Scottish whiskey brand, Whyte & Mackay–whose eponymously branded whisky holds around 3 percent of the UK market–under the Philippine-based Emperador Inc. In November 2015, to help boost its global food portfolio, leading Philippine consumer goods group Monde Nissin Corp. acquired UK meat-substitute producer Quorn Foods, for £550
million (P38 billion). In February earlier this year, flag-carrier Philippine Air Lines’ acquired six long-haul A350-900 Airbuses and signed a $600 million (P28 billion) order with RollsRoyce, the renowned British car and aero-engine manufacturers, to equip each aircraft with Trent XWB engines. PH’s leading European investors According to the UK Trade and
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A MAY 14-17, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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New film warns: Hepatitis-B common among Asian Americans by Hiyasmin
Quijano Inquirer.net
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — A documentary fiilm is trying to school more people about a deadly disease, hepatitis-B, that is prevalent among Asian Americans, including Filipinos. Be About It by Christopher Wong screened on May 3 at The London West Hollywood Hotel, followed by a panel discussion with Mimi Chang, MSN, FNP; Dr. Tse-Ling Fong; filmmaker Wong; Alan Wang; hepatitis-B sufferer Shawne Jabonero Lopes and Melissa Jabonero. Wong described his own lack of awareness of the disease and its prevalence before making the film: “The funny thing was that I was not aware of the disease myself. I didn’t know that it even had to do with the liver; that’s how uninformed I was. So when I started to dig deeper I was really shocked by the fact that over 90 percent of the cases are people of Asian descent. That really made me interested.” Gilead Sciences, Inc. approached Wong to make a film that would spread awareness about hepatitis-B. According to its website, Gilead Sciences, Inc., is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company is trying to transform and simplify care for people with lifethreatening illnesses around the world. Be About It is the story of two Asian fathers, their families and their reality of living with hepatitis-B, a potentially deadly disease that affects approximately one million Asian Americans. “Chris, I think you humanize this condition and this is the stuff that politicians who decide funding for hepatitis-B need to watch,” Dr. Fong commented. Fong stressed the importance of continuing to spread awareness: “This should not be just one photo-op today. This is a
SHARIFF AGUAK WINNER. A poll official shakes hand with Akmad Ampatuan, the newly-elected vice mayor of Shariff Aguak town while his son, Marop (third from right), the town’s reelected mayor, looks on. Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr.’s son, Sajid, lost to a cousin, Marop, the reelectionist mayor of the municipality. Shariff Aguak was once known as the center of the political principality of Ampatuan and his children, covering at least 11 vote-rich towns, which crumbled as a consequence of the now infamous Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre. The father of Marop, Akmad, was elected vice mayor of the same town. Philstar.com photo by John Unson Be About It filmmaker Christopher.
message. This is a conversation. This is a discussion you could carry on daily.” Wang explained his interest in participating in the film project: “My main goal in sharing my family’s story is to help erase the ignorance associated with this virus in the Asian American community.” He emphasized the need for more hepatitis-B screening: “There is just absolutely no excuse why an individual with hepatitis B-in this day and age goes undiagnosed.” Affecting Asian Americans Most Asian Americans with hepatitis-B contracted it during childbirth from their mothers. That is why tragically, in this community, it is common to see multiple members of the same family suffering from hepatitis-B. As the film shows, AJ, a Filipino American radiology technician and triathlete, lost his life to liver cancer related to hepatitisB, ten years following his father, who also died of liver cancer related to hepatitis-B.
Hiyasmin Quijano
“It is a silent killer; more people die of hepatitis-B than HIV,” stated Filipino American Shawne Jabonero Lopes regarding the disease’s prevalence. Lopes explained, “I am basically here to tell the story [of my brother AJ Jabonero], a 30-yearold who had hepatitis-B. I have hepatitis-B, and we also lost our father to hepatitis- B.” Lopes added, “I think within our culture there is a huge stigma around talking about disease.” When it comes to stigma, the common misconception regarding hepatitis-B is how it spreads, that is, through blood and sexual contact. Sufferers cannot spread hepatitis-B casually, such as through handshaking, kissing and sharing chopsticks or glasses. According to a Gilead report, first-generation Asian Americans from China, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India and the Philippines are at particularly high risk for hepatitis-B due to low rates of infant vaccination against the disease in these countries. Lopes added, “Out of the 1 out of 12 Asian Americans who have hepatitis-B, 25 percent will go on to have complications, but 60 percent do not know they have it.” She described finding out that she and her brother had the disease: “We found out when my brother was about 3 or 4 and I was about 5 or 6. He had an episode of jaundice. He got really sick, so we went to the hospital, and the doctors ordered a liver biopsy.” After a liver biopsy, the doctors concluded that Jabonero had hepatitis-B and eventually tested all members of their family. Medical Info Lopes shared her family’s experience with the tragic consequences of lack of information: “We knew we had hepatitis-B, we just didn’t know what that meant and so went our entire lives basically not really knowing what that meant. In 2005, my dad got really sick. They found a tumor in his liver, and a year later he passed away.”
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Melissa Jabonero spoke about her and her husband’s lack of awareness: “In regards to my husband, he didn’t know the type of things you had to do. The first and most important thing you need to do is get tested.” Dr. Fong provided some basic information on the disease, stating, “Chronic hepatitis-B is diagnosed by a simple blood test,” and the results take two days. Jabonero urged those with the disease to keep up with testing: “The next important step is knowing where you stand with your viral load. My husband was a very healthy man, mostly vegetarian diet, triathlete, and he didn’t know that he still needed to get his lab work and ultrasounds.” She added, “I wanted to be a part of this because I don’t want anyone to ever be in my position, which could have been different from something so simple that could have been done such as follow-ups [with liver specialists for testing].” AJ appeared healthy, but doctors diagnosed him with liver cancer in December 2014, and he died in March 2015. Most commercial labs provide the test by request. It is not a ba-
sic test, so those with a primary care physician would need to request it. For those worried about treatment costs, Dr. Fong shared, “We have a large number of patients [at the Asian Pacific Liver Center] who receive antiviral therapy uninterrupted through this mechanism [of subsidized treatment options].” Lopes described her medical routine as follows: “I have a liver specialist [hepatologist] and regular visits twice a year for blood tests and ultrasounds.” Necessity Wong wanted very much to spark a conversation about hepatitis B within the Asian American community. “I really want to do films about Asians and Asian Americans, and so when I found these two characters to follow [Alan Wong and AJ Jabonero], I just felt like, man, these people are brave and honest about the disease and through them we could tell a great story.” Dr. Fong described how medical professionals could break the cycle of transmission, ending the prevalence of the disease among Asian American children: “In the last several years, we have come to recognize that we can drop the
failure rate from 5 to 0 percent by identifying mothers who have high levels of virus and actually put them on antiviral therapy to bring down the viral load. With this strategy, I hope in two to three generations we will not be talking about kids who end up with hepatitis-B.” “I have a son, and there is a vaccine for hepatitis-B. He received the three series of vaccines to be immune to acquiring hepatitis-B from me,” added Lopes. “None of my kids or I have hepatitis-B because we all received the vaccine when we were born,” stated Jabonero. Nowadays, health care professionals screen mothers in developed countries like the United States for hepatitis-B. If the mother tests positive, they vaccinate the baby at the time of birth, which Dr. Fong stated, “has been able to cut down the transmission rate from 90 to 10 percent.” Wang said, “I hope this film helps reduce the stigma and encourages more people to talk about it. We really need to create a cultural shift in the way hepatitis-B is perceived in this community.” May is hepatitis awareness month. n
Calif. Senate approves bill to protect safe drinking water in new developments Smaller public systems, including school districts, often lack resources to meet safety standards in the long term SACRAMENTO – On Monday, May 9, the California Senate approved a bill to better ensure the long-term delivery of safe, clean drinking water by public water systems, including school districts, across the state. SB 1263 now heads to the state Assembly. “When a family turns on the tap at their kitchen sink or a child drinks from a fountain on a playground, they should know that the water is safe and clean,”
said Senator Bob Wieckowski, chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and author of the bill. “Unfortunately, in too many cases, small public water systems do not have the economies of scale and lack the necessary technical, financial and managerial ability to provide a reliable supply of high quality drinking water to their customers.” California has more than 7,600 public water systems and
the majority serves fewer than 200 connections. SB 1263 gives the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) a stronger role in ensuring such systems are not approved if they are unnecessary. It requires those seeking permits for new public water systems to comply with several requirements, including reviewing the feasibility of adjacent water systems and annexing, connecting or otherwise
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NO TRASH. Members of Ecowaste Coalition haul election materials that will be recycled into bags and other items a day after the electoral exercise. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
Calif. Senate approves bill to protect… PAGE A6 t
supplying water to the service area. It also requires identifying all proposed sources of water for the new system and conducting a cost comparison between a new system and consolidating, annexing or connecting to an existing public water system. California became the first state to enact a Human Right to Water law in 2012. It says it is “the right of every human being to have safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking and sanitation.” But a report released last week by the Community Water Center and the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, titled “Are We Providing Our Kids With Safe Drinking Water?” found that roughly 1,600 California schools violated drinking water standards between 2003 and 2014. Among the report’s five recommendations is “ensuring safe, robust and resilient community-wide water systems.” The Community Water Center is one of several environmental organizations supporting SB 1263. It is joined by Clean Water Action, Sierra Club California, California League of Conservation Voters, Environ-
mental Working Group, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability and Lutheran Office of Public Policy – California. The SWRCB concluded in its 2015 “Safe Drinking Water Plan for California” that many of the small public water systems are
challenged and lack the capacity to meet safe drinking water standards. Senator Wieckowski represents the 10th District, which stretches from southern Alameda County to northeast Santa Clara County. n
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 14-17, 2016
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A MAY 14-17, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Dateline PhiliPPines
SLOW WHEELS OF JUSTICE. Survivors of a fire at the Kentex footwear factory are asking the help of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte in seeking justice for 72 co-workers killed in the blaze exactly a year ago on Friday, May 13. Ammied Rada, Justice for Kentex Workers Alliance coordinator, said while they immediately filed charges against the factory’s owners with the Valenzuela prosecutor’s office, the case was transferred to the Department of Justice 10 months later. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos
Joma Sison seeks to end 30-year exile
PHILIPPINE communist rebel leader Jose Maria Sison has expressed hopes of ending nearly three decades in exile under the new presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, a potentially explosive homecoming opposed by senior military figures. Sison, now 77, fled to Europe soon after peace talks failed in 1987 and has stayed abroad since, while one of Asia’s longestrunning insurgencies continued to claim thousands of lives. “I will return to the Philippines if Duterte fulfils his promise to visit me,” the Netherlands-based Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder said in comments posted on his Facebook page late on Wednesday, May 11. “The prospects [for peace talks] seem to be bright at the moment,” Sison added. Sison, a political science professor, “reestablished” the CPP in December 1968 and it launched a guerrilla campaign three months later. The rebellion has left at least 30,000 people dead, by official account. The New People’s Army (NPA) is believed to have fewer than 4,000 soldiers, down from a peak
of 26,000 in the 1980s, according to the military. The NPA, however, retains support among the deeply poor in rural Philippines. President Benigno Aquino 3rd revived peace talks soon after taking office in 2010 but shelved them in 2013, accusing the rebels of insincerity in efforts to achieve a political settlement. The talks got bogged down after the communists demanded the release of scores of their jailed comrades whom they described as “political prisoners,” which the Aquino government rejected. Duterte, who was Sison’s student at a Manila university in the 1960s, is the long-time mayor of the southern city of Davao. Some of the communists’ strongholds today are near Davao, and Duterte has maintained relations with them. Last week, local television station ABS-CBN radio and television network released footage of Duterte chatting with Sison via Skype on his laptop. “I’m a socialist,” said Duterte, who won Monday’s elections in a landslide. The network said the chat took place shortly after communist
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rebels freed five police hostages last month in Davao. Peace hopes Sison said in the comments posted on Facebook that he had congratulated Duterte via an intermediary on his win and called for the resumption of peace talks, a ceasefire, the release of political prisoners and the “arrest and trial of Aquino.” Duterte was ready to release ailing and elderly rebels on humanitarian grounds, as well as those whom the communist movement appoints as peace negotiators after vetting by the military, police and state prosecutors, his spokesman Peter Laviña said also on Thursday. “Our people are suffering from the internal conflict… [Businessmen] doing business in these areas have been suffering for long. Any move to still the guns, declare ceasefire would be very welcome,” he told reporters. Lavina said Duterte had planned to see Sison during a trip to Europe before the President-elect takes his oath of office on June 30. Sison’s comments were a transcript of an interview he gave to Dubai’s Khaleej Times
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Aquino’s wealth grew P18.5-M during term by Michael
Punongbayan Philstar.com
MANILA — President Aquino’s wealth grew by more than P18.5 million during his six years in office as chief executive. When Aquino assumed the presidency in 2010, his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) revealed a net worth of P50.194 million. As of Dec. 31, 2015 or six months before he steps down from office, his total wealth stands at P68.775 million. His latest SALN submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman shows that his net worth increased by P464,086 last year based on his net worth of P68.311 million in 2014. Aquino pegged the total value of his real properties at P40.159 million while his other personal FREED. A photo handout provided by office of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan Jr. (right) shows the four Indonesian captives inside his house in Jolo after they were freed by the Abu Sayyaf group Wednesday, May 11 in an undisclosed place in Sulu. properties and cash are worth P36.613 million. When he assumed office on June 30, 2010, he declared liabilities in the form of mortgage possible rocky islands with no ternative to the calls for the re- payables or mortgage debts by christina Mendez amounting to P2.430 million. beaches and plenty of sharks,” imposition of death penalty. Philstar.com The lawmaker added that he is Before leaving Malacañang, his Sotto said. There is already a penal colony not taking offense at Duterte’s re- declared liabilities stand at P8 MANILA — Sen. Vicente Sotto III yesterday suggested construct- in Palawan, and the other prison ported plans for hardened crimiing an Alcatraz-like detention fa- facility – if isolated – will not like- nals and convicted notorious drug cility for hardened criminals and ly hurt the province’s tourism, traffickers “as long as they give credit where credit is due.” high-level drug traffickers on one observers noted. Under his proposed “Anti-Drug Sotto, who wants a good workof Palawan’s 1,028 islands. Sotto, former chairman of ing relationship between Duterte Penal Institution Act,” a facility for the Dangerous Drugs Board, and the Senate, urged the incom- high-level drug offenders would broached the idea after the camp ing administration to look into be built and an Anti-Drug Board, of incoming president Rodrigo his proposed bill 3226, which composed of the secretary of jusDuterte considered the possibil- establishes a detention program tice as chairman and the heads ity of building a structure similar and facility for high-level drug of the interior and local governto the famous top-security fed- offenders within the national ment, social welfare and developeral prison in the US among the penitentiary system under the ment, Philippine Drug Enforcemeans to curb the rampant drug Bureau of Corrections, and see if ment Agency (PDEA), Dangerous this could be included among the Drugs Board and Commission on operations in the country. “In fact, I already talked with priority measures in the upcom- Human Rights as members. Sotto explained that the presPalawan Gov. Pepito Alvarez for ing 17th Congress. Isolating high-level drug con- ent treatment system and dethe site. Palawan has 1,028 islands. He is giving me a list of victs, he added, could be an alu PAGE A11
Palawan eyed for Alcatraz-type prison
Joma Sison seeks to end 30-year…
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newspaper. Sison said he hoped to return home after Duterte begins his term but the communist leader added that the new government must first take steps to ensure his personal safety. “I will not dive into any situation in which the Duterte government is still unsettled and there are unwieldy elements… who violently oppose my homecoming,” he said. Lavina said the new govern-
ment would uphold previous security guarantees for rebel negotiators while the military said it would support Duterte’s peace efforts. “If it’s part of the peace efforts, he [Sison] is welcome to come [back] here. But as for his other enemies, that would be another matter,” military spokesman Col. Noel Detoyato told Agence France-Presse but declined to elaborate. Senator Antonio Trillanes 4th, a Duterte critic and former
military rebel, warned last week that some in the military were “strongly averse” to Duterte’s long-standing ties with communists, and that the reaction “could be violent.” Lavina said Trillanes’ warning was a personal opinion that “remains to be seen.” The spokesman added that Duterte would consider communist figures for his Cabinet, where retired military and police figures would also be represented. (ManilaTimes.net)
When Aquino assumed the presidency in 2010, his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) revealed a net worth of P50.194 million. As of Dec. 31, 2015 or six months before he steps down from office, his total wealth stands at P68.775 million.
million. His second SALN filed six months into office showed his net worth increasing to 54.999 million as of Dec. 31, 2010, which was attributed to the income he earned from the sale of a residential lot in Antipolo City. One year later, the President’s wealth again increased
to P65.130 million as of Dec. 31, 2011 supposedly because of the increase in value of his house in Quezon City, from P13.796 million to P23.6 million. His next SALN as of Dec. 31, 2012 showed a decrease in his net worth but only by a small amount as he declared himself to be worth P65.128 million. n
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OpiniOn
Features
AIDS hour
Since Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome was first detected, the Philippines has largely seen one of the lowest HIV infection rates in the world. AIDS trackers placed the rate at an average of one percent of the population since the affliction was first reported in the Philippines in 1984. Health experts, however, began detecting a rapid increase in the infection rate in 2009, bucking the downward trend in many countries that had grappled with serious AIDS problems. Last year, the World Health Organization declared that the Philippines had the world’s fastest HIV infection rate. From 1984 to March this year, the Department of Health recorded a total of 32,647 HIV cases. Of the number, 82 percent or 26,632 were reported from January 2011. To raise public awareness of AIDS and ways of preventing the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus, the Philippines is observing tonight the world’s first-ever “AIDS Hour.” From 6 to 7 p.m., people are encouraged to light a candle for those who have died of AIDS, including 1,501 Filipinos. Of that number, 415 were recorded from January to November 2015 alone. HIV awareness advocates say the actual toll is higher since many AIDS-related deaths are attributed instead to pneumonia or meningitis.
AIDS Hour is being launched in Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City as the nation joins the rest of the world in observing the 33rd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. The venue of the special event will be changed every year, with the host asked to shine a light on a local landmark. AIDS Hour, organized by the DOH together with the Project Red Ribbon Care Management Foundation Inc. and Pilipinas Shell Foundation, aims to inform the public about the health services available to those suffering from HIV / AIDS. It also aims to eliminate the social stigma attached to those suffering from the potentially deadly affliction. The Philippines has adopted the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, among which is the eradication of illnesses including AIDS by 2030. If the goal is to be attained, the nation must move aggressively to reverse the surge in HIV infections. Female sex workers used to be the group worst hit by AIDS. Today men having unprotected sex
Guest Editorial
Philstar.com photo
with other men account for over 70 percent of HIV infections, with most of them from the 25-34 age group. Other countries in the region have managed
to reverse serious AIDS problems. The Philippines must move decisively before AIDS becomes a public health crisis. (Philstar.com)
Poe, Roxas & Cayetano: Strength and patriotism in conceding WHEN Sen. Grace Poe conceded on the day of the May 9 election after the numbers showed it would be mathematically impossible for her to overtake the lead of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and that she placed third after former DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, many kababayans in the Philippines were surprised. Surely this is something we often see here in U.S. elections, but in a country where there are only two kinds of candidates — those who won and those who were cheated, Poe’s gracious concession speech left many Filipinos perplexed, if not in awe. Sec. Roxas and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano followed the very next day, congratulating their political opponents Duterte and Rep. Leni Robredo respectively, expressing their show of support
for the frontrunners while urging their own supporters to The Fil-Am rally behind and support the presumptive president and vice Perspective president, even when such honorable actions were based only on partial, unofficial returns. There were many among those who supported these candidates Gel SantoS-ReloS who expressed disappointment, saying via social media that they felt betrayed and abandoned when their candidates conceded. They were expecting them to fight tooth and nail to the very end. For some, conceding was deemed as a sign of weakness. On the contrary, I see the action of Poe, Roxas
and Cayetano as a sign of strength and genuine love for the country. They ran for public office to truly serve the Filipino people and not because of the greed for power. They have given their very best in campaigns, trying to convince the voters that they were the best candidate to be the next president of the Philippines by presenting their vision, qualification, and platform. After the election, however, they understood that the election was not about them — it is about the respecting the will of the people upon whose sacred right of suffrage lies the foundation of a democracy. The people have made their voices heard. The
candidates who are true public servants then pivot toward helping the candidates elected by the people fulfill their campaign promises. They help in the healing process so the Filipino people fragmented by the election may begin moving toward unifying again as one nation. Mabuhay kayo, Sen. Grace Poe, Sec. Mar Roxas, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. You have earned the privilege of serving the Philippines. You have earned the trust and respect of the Filipino people. *** 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
My reflections on the 2016 Philippine elections “WHEN I interviewed Rodrigo Duterte for the Rhizomes ‘Philippines Graphic’ prior to his declaration to run for President, he told me: ‘I am not interested in being the President. I do not like Prosy AbArquezto be President. Be- DelAcruz, J.D. sides, I do not have the money. There should always be a prefix here. A prefix that’s something like, if I were Roxas, Binay, Escudero and Poe, then I would use the ‘I’ because it’s more convenient to express it. So, if ‘I’ become the President, I’ll give everybody a chance and tell them let us, at least for once in our generation, vote for candidates that could make a difference. For [our] own good, this time. Okay, maybe this time, we work on it. Let us give ourselves about one year. Then, we try to reform. Everybody—the Judiciary, Congress, the Military. Let us do it for ourselves.’” Well I guess destiny, or maybe collective rage, had other things in mind. I did not vote for you, sir, but just the same, congratulations! I pray for your new calling and wish you all the best. You have six years, sir. I will hope with the rest of my country that despite the issues surrounding you, that somehow you will be able to succeed on a national level. I give you my word, sir, that I will be exceedingly fair (as I have always been) and will be watching you and your administration. Again, may God keep you and bless you, Mr. President. Mabuhay po kayo.” —Joel Pablo Salud of ‘Philippines Graphic,’ May 10, 2016. If several reasonably-minded presidential candidates, Grace Poe and Mar Roxas conceded early, who am I to say that they are not right in doing so? If a respected editor-in-chief of ‘Philippines Graphic’ is affirming his mission to be a guardian of democracy, who am I to say that Rodrigo Duterte should not be the Philippine president? The people have spoken, they have voted him into office. After all, we all want a peaceful world to go about our daily lives. We want a country whose president cares about national security and its citizens’ safety. We want a country where its regulatory folks and police personnel are guardians and contributors to public safety
and security. But, hold, we are not calling for a return of the dark years of decades of Ferdinand Marcos’s type of dictatorship where all industries became his family’s, and where they plundered the Philippine treasury as if their own private checking account. “Daang Matuwid” accomplished changes; in fact, a small businessman, Richard Cavosora wrote of seeing progress in his town in Laguna with more classrooms, more schools, more health clinics and previously poor families able to send their children to school, courtesy of the conditional cash transfer. This current administration accomplished macroeconomic changes we can be grateful for. Once the laughing stock of the world, as the “Sick Man of Asia,” the nation is now the 70th freest economy in the in the world, according to the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., and the Wall Street Journal. The Philippine Star’s Jose Katigbak reported, “Hong Kong topped the 178 economies ranked in the 2016 Index with a score of 88.6 points, followed in order by Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland and Australia. They were the only countries rated as ‘free’ with scores above 80 points.” Imagine that the Philippines not too long ago could not attract new business investors given the pervasive climate of corruption and instability. But these macroeconomic changes were not enough, citizens observed a double standard, one for them, another for the presidents’ men. Yes, our President Benigno Aquino III was honest, but his critical cabinet secretaries in transportation and agriculture left a lot to be desired. They failed to realize transportation and agriculture are major arterial industries that drive life into the economy and support the citizens’ lives. When these industries, as well as power, are not working, the country is not working, despite tall skyscrapers. The 2016 elections 40 million out of 54.4 million regis-
tered voters cast their votes, as Comelec reported a turnout rate of 81 percent. When he takes his oath of office, Duterte will be reminded that 62.5 percent of the registered voters did not vote for him. Only 37.5 percent supported him. As of May 11, 2016, he got 15,877,848 votes, while Mar Roxas earned 9,662,133 votes. It means as the first president from Mindanao, Duterte will have to resolve the peace and order situation in that region, get the negotiated Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBM) approved through Congress and integrate the warring factions into the fabric of Philippine society, so we all can go on with our civilian lives. It means he will also have to unite with the other 62.5 percent of the voters who did not support him and will be scrutinizing him. As of May 11, with 95.59 percent of the voting results tabulated and transmitted, Leni Robredo had an unofficial lead of 230,000 votes in the vice presidential race, garnering 13,966,851 while her opponent, Bongbong Marcos got 13,736,260 votes. I personally gave her my vote, as she connects to fishermen, farmers and poor folks, with her “tsinelas leadership style” walking to visit them and inquiring about their plight. Like what visiting priests do to reach their upland parishioners, she would walk on foot to reach them. I was also inspired by farmers who travelled from Sumilao near Bukidnon, a distance of over 900 miles to Manila and arrived after 19 days. These farmers were grateful for the assistance of Leni Robredo, the lawyer who many years ago helped them acquire titles to the lands they tilled for decades under the agrarian land reform law. As to senators, I intentionally voted for 12 with a slate from multiple parties. I took the time to review candidates profile. Voters did the same, as the top slate of senators are coming from different parties: UNA (1), Liberal Party (5), Akbayan (1), Independent (3) and NPC (2), perhaps to encourage all parties to come together for the nation’s common good. Enough of partisanship and more of
teamwork for the nation -- that seems to be the message. Enough of the divisiveness, become a team of varying perspectives to work for the common good of the Filipino people. Be a good teammate, not a selfish one who resigns and goes his merry way when the going is tough. Did we fail to educate? In the hallways of some call centers, drug dealing and prostitutes were in plain view. Check out Eastwood at night and call center employees are getting off buses to go to work at midnight. With better incomes, they are targets, lured to become users of illicit street drugs. One Christian Church in America considered them “crops to pick” and planned to build a satellite campus for prayer, right in the middle of these drug dealing sites. With Rodrigo Duterte, voters reported, “he got us, he admitted to his mistakes, he admitted to killing 1,400,” to which preaching about the ten commandments, “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” became the compelling response of the Catholic bishops and priests. “I will make the Philippines safe, I will dump the drug lords in the ocean,” Duterte kept saying to the voters. Never mind that his statements bordered on a Mafioso style of governing. His words matched what folks wanted: safe streets, peace and order, even if achieved with unlawful means. They do not remember the dark years of Marcos dictatorship, as the textbooks did not document martial law and they were too young to remember what truly happened then. Question for me: why did President Benigno Aquino III not initiate a curriculum reform and checked into the textbooks being disseminated by Department of Education? Why did he simply build classrooms, without paying attention to the content of the curriculum, miseducating millions who now voted for a Mafioso type of a president? Some of these young voters, I come to know, even did their homework. They visited Davao and checked out how safe they would be travelling at night. They liked the idea of being able to walk at night, free from being accosted by unlawful elements and grateful for honest jeepney drivers in Davao. So they tweeted and reported that Davao is great and
so can the Philippines be great. Not just fun in the Philippines, but truly great. Then, the reality of living in Manila hit them upon returning. The traffic congestion, which took hours to commute, plus the “laglag bala” where bullets were planted by the airport security personnel, further aggravated the citizens who realized that the current president is not with us and does not care about us. Transportation, airport safety and safe streets became compelling issues which cannot be ignored. Even though they knew or have heard about “death squads” and “vigilantes” in the 1980s that reportedly killing 400 -- only to be corrected by Duterte who admitted that over 1,400 suspected street criminals were killed - these young voters reasoned, “People change and that is before our times, let’s move on for progress.” Trefor Moss of the Wall Street Journal reported on May 10 that Duterte told his supporters, “Forget the laws on human rights.” Even though voters went for the current president six years ago, they went for change and that meant Duterte, the anti-establishment candidate. Be that as it may, I believe God has a plan for the Philippines. It is time to bury the hatchet, resolve all conflicts and may this country heal with peace and order, economic prosperity, adherence for the rule of law and respect for all people! “Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation” (1 Timothy 2:2). *** 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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Dateline PHiliPPineS
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 14-17, 2016
A11
Joel Villanueva leads Senate race in Comelec’s 1st national canvass report by Yuji
Vincent Gonzales Inquirer.net
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) on Friday, May 13, released the first partial and official results of the 2016 national elections for the senatorial race. The NBOC released its first national canvass report at the close of its fourth day of canvassing at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The report was based on 108
out of 165 certificates of canvass, covering 108 out of 164 provinces, and 37,411,038 voters. Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) director general Joel Villanueva is leading the Senate race with 16,282,271 votes closely followed by Senate President Franklin Drilon with 16,142,524. At third place is Sen. Vicente Sotto III with 15,364,872, followed by Panfilo Lacson (15,151,189), Richard Gordon (14,871,632), Risa Hontiveros
(13,957,927), Francis Pangilinan (13,877,058), Miguel Zubiri (13,820,044), Manny Pacquiao (13,683,421), and Sherwin Gatchalian (13,228,829). Completing the top 12 so far are Sen. Ralph Recto with 12,489,689 votes, and former Justice secretary Leila de Lima with 12,222,481. At 13th place is former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino with 11,260,789 votes. The NBOC will resume its canvassing 2pm Saturday. n
Binay to spend more time with family by Helen
Flores Philstar.com
MANILA — After losing the presidential elections, Vice President Jejomar Binay will spend more time with his family and catch up on his reading, his spokesman said on Friday, ey Lacuña may be considered “a May 13. bonus.” “For now the VP is looking In Makati, incumbent Mayor forward to spending time with Peña, who has yet to concede his 13 grandchildren and catchdefeat to Rep. Abigail Binay, issued a brief statement addressed to his supporters: “I understand that you are all emotional but I hope we all set this aside first to avoid any trouble. We are continuously studying everything to shed light on this issue.” Peña was referring to allegations of vote manipulation in the city’s District 2, Binay’s turf. Poll watchers for the mayor claimed there were four precincts at Pembo Elementary School where he received zero votes, prompting them to barricade the campus Monday night to stop the teachers from turning over the election returns to the Makati Coliseum for canvassing. In an interview before was declared winner early Tuesday morning, Binay said “they (Peña supporters) cannot interfere with
FOR LENI. Leaders of Kaya Natin! led by former Sarangani Gov. Migz Dominguez (center) and Irene Tañada (left) link arms to show their support to Rep. Leni Robredo. The group maintained that no poll cheating occurred. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
Lim, Peña won’t yield in Manila, Makati battles by annelle and
taYao-jueGo Maricar Brizuela Inquirer.net
LOSING mayoral candidates Alfredo Lim of Manila and Romulo “Kid” Peña of Makati City are not waving the white flag just yet. The two Liberal Party members and their legal teams are studying their next moves that could spoil the party of the declared winners in two of the most-watched local races in the May 9 elections, the Inquirer learned on Wednesday, May 11. A day after election officials proclaimed reelectionist Mayor Joseph Estrada as the winner in Manila by a margin of only 2,685 votes, Lim’s legal counsel Renato dela Cruz said “we are preparing to seek the annulment of Estrada’s proclamation.” Another member of Lim’s team said they were investigating why some of the vote counting machines (VCMs) used in the city were brought to the canvassing
center at Rizal Memorial Stadium more than 10 hours after the polling centers were closed. The VCMs had to be manually opened after failing to remotely transmit results from their assigned precincts. Most of the VCMs that had to be transported to the stadium came from the so-called “Lim territory,” such as Tondo, he noted. Proclaimed on Tuesday after a canvassing that took 17 hours to finish, Estrada garnered 283,149 votes to top Lim’s 280,464. When the two veteran politicians faced off in 2013, Estrada defeated the then reelectionist Lim by a wider gap of about 33,000 votes. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Estrada, who said he didn’t expect Monday’s poll to be that close, had a simple advice for Lim: “Retire.” “The people still trust me. They chose me in 2013 as their mayor, and they chose me again now,” he said, adding that the victory of his vice mayoral candidate Hon-
ing up with his reading,” Joey Salgado, communications head of the Binay-chaired United Nationalist Alliance, told The Star. Still placing fourth based on the partial and unofficial tally, Binay has finally accepted his defeat in the presidential race. On Thursday evening, Binay called up incoming president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to congratulate him. Binay was the last presiden-
tial candidate to concede defeat. “The Vice President respects the voice of the people,” Salgado said. He said Binay called Duterte before 6 p.m. and described their conversation as “light, cordial and filled with laughter.” “During their conversation, the Vice President addressed the president-elect as ‘Mr. President,’” Salgado said. n
u PAGE A12
Palawan eyed for Alcatraz-type…
PAGE A9 t
tention security measures of the Bureau of Corrections have not been effective in dealing with hard-core criminals, citing reports of the high-level inmates’ continuing drug operations even behind bars. “These incidents prove that
convicted drug lords could continue their illegal drug business inside the premises of the national penitentiary, probably with the aid of regular inmates with whom they are co-mingled,” the senator added. Sotto said his proposal also aims to decongest existing penal
institutions and accommodate the increasing number of inmates committed to the existing seven prison and penal farms in the country. Aside from this, isolating highlevel drug offenders would also cut any chance of interaction with ordinary offenders. n
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A12 MAY 14-17, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Trade, investment ties growing fast… PAGE A5 t
Investment (UKTI) and British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP), bilateral trade between the two countries reaches around $1.8 billion per year. With a net foreign direct stock of over $5 billion, Britain is considered the country’s biggest European investor. At present, the BCCP directory shows that there are 14 British companies under negotiations to enter the Philippine market. One company, Paywizard–a UK software and subscriber management firm–has already built a shared services office in the Philippines. Scheduled by the UKTI and BCCP this June, Philippine trade missions will promote the country’s energy, infrastructure, food and beverage sectors to UK companies. Strong UK interest in PH market On May 6 the BCCP confirmed that at least 12 companies from the United Kingdom are actively looking for access to the Philippine market. Chris Nelson, BCCP chairman, announced that existing UK companies in the Philippines remain optimistic about continuing fruit-
Investph photo
ful trade and investment partnerships, regardless of a newly elected president. “Whoever is the eventual winner, we consider that our relationship will not be affected,” said Nelson. “Regardless of the eventual outcome, we only see businesses growing and that interest is shown by the UK companies here.” According to Nelson, over 800 member companies belonging to BCCP have “expressed interest” in expanding into the rapidly developing Philippine economy. The sectors that UK firms hold specific interest in includes the infrastructure and power sectors – renewable energy, particularly – as well as electronics and air traffic control support
markets. Alongside their sustained interest in the Philippines, British companies are also expecting an MAKATI RECLAIMED. Makati City is back in the hands of the Binay family after Abby Binay was proclaimed city mayor on Tuesday, My 10. easier business relationship with Also declared winner by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is her husband, Luis Campos, for Makati 2nd district representative. the country. Winning the vice mayoral seat is Monique Lagdameo while former Monsour del Rosario was proclaimed 1st district representative. “In general, our wish list is to Binay beat incumbent mayor Kid Peña who took over the office after Binay’s brother, Junjun, was dismissed over charges of graft and continue to grow and make dofalsification of public documents. Inquirer.net photo by Maricar Brizuela ing business easier in the Philippines,” said Nelson. “The Philippines is an emerging market that remains abundant with business opportunities that British companies can take advantage of, and we are here to government that resulted to the magpapabaon ng sorry sa inyo by Maila ager support [them].” Inquirer.net arrest of some “innocent” indi- kay Nanay Gloria dahil hindi po Nelson added that the Philipviduals, who were detained and namin alam talaga kung may pines will be a participant in the TRANSPORTATION Secretary charged for alleged possession trabaho pa siya o wala sa Hong upcoming International Festival for Business 2016, to be held in Joseph Emilio Abaya admitted on of ammunition while traveling in Kong?” she asked. (Not even a sorry as keepsake Liverpool, England. -@illumela- Thursday that there were “cer- Manila’s airports. tain lapses” on the part of the Abaya said that from the very for Nanay Gloria because we tion n start, he believed that Gloria Orti- don’t know if there’s a job waitnez, an overseas Filipino worker ing for her in Hong Kong.) who was detained and charged “From the very start, noong for allegedly carrying a bullet last nagsalita ako, naniniwala ako na October 25, was innocent. walang kasalanan po si Nanay If Ortinez was indeed inno- Gloria at ang iba pang mga bisita cent, OFWs advocate and senato- natin dito,” Abaya said. rial bet Susan Ople then asked if But Ople insisted that Ortinez, the government would apologize who she said was “completely” to the victim, who now risks of innocent, has to show something losing her job in Hong Kong be- that the government made a miscause of the incident. take. Ople, who also heads the Blas “I do agree, I could write a letOple Police Center, said she and ter right now. She could bring it Ortinez will go to Hong Kong this with her. I could personally make Saturday to talk to the employer a call to her (employer), if I could and explain the incident. get the number , I’ll call the em“Wala pa akong naririnig kung ployer,” Abaya said. may regret man lang po ba; “Obviously, there are certain mayroon po bang pabaon man lapses, may pagkukulang ang lang na humihingi ng depensa ating pamahalaan. Whatever sa isang OFW na halata naman Nanay Gloria would request me pong inonsente?” the senatorial to do, I’ll do,” he added. bet said during the joint hearing After the hearing, Abaya apof the Senate blue ribbon and proached Ortinez and apolopublic services committees. gized. (I still yet to hear if there’s Earlier in the hearing, Abaya regret; is there an apology as a promised to come out with a keepsake for an OFW who is ob- clear policies to look after OFWs viously innocent?) “and at the same time also pro“Wala man lang po bang tect our enforcers.” n
Abaya admits lapses in filing cases vs innocent ‘tanim bala’ victims
Stickers bearing Stop Tanim Bala warnings are handed out to passengers entering the NAIA Terminal 2, in Pasay City, by militant group Migrante to discourage anyone from planting bullets in their baggages. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez
CBCP assures new officials of church support MANILA – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has assured the new government officials of the church’s support. “The greatest promise the Church can offer any government is vigilant collaboration, and that offer, we make now,” CBCP President and Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a statement posted on the CBCP website. He added that members of the Catholic Church are urged to “work with the government for the good of all.” The church also called on to next leaders to address the issues of women, children, and the indigenous people. “Children need care that cannot be postponed. And many
women still find themselves in situations of exploitation. Indigenous peoples remain marginalized and the vaunted growth in the economy still has to mean something significant for Filipinos living outside urban areas,” noted Villegas. Although the Church expressed support, it also noted that it would remain “vigilant” of the government officials’ actions as the church “speak out to teach and to prophesy, to admonish and to correct - for this is our vocation.” Villegas also encouraged those who didn’t win this elections to “contribute to the building of the Kingdom of God. It is for you to discover your paths, in faith and in docility to God’s spirit.” (Joyce Jimenez/Philstar.com)
Lim, Peña won’t yield in…
PAGE A11 t
the transmission of results because that is an election offense. It is also a sign of desperation. It seems that they do not want to respect the results and even want to do a manual count.”
Her camp could not be accused of election fraud since they were not the ones in power, said Binay, who led Peña by about 16,000 votes. “We are not administration candidates. He (Peña) has the machinery to do that.” n
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A13
EXCITING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CEBU
T
he bustling investment haven of the country is once again the chosen location of a world-class development project. Cebu City continues to be the top of mind choice for more investors and the excitement is palpable in the real estate sector. With the upswing in real estate development in the country, investors are also directing their focus away from congested Metro Manila and finding Cebu as the perfect location. In the center of action, Cebu posted an increase of 42.09% with estimated earnings of Php 27.49 billion pesos in tourism activity alone as compared to its performance last year in the same period of P19.35 billion pesos. More foreign travelers are finding the Cebu experience incomparable and Filipino retirees from across the world are coming to enjoy and settle in their homeland; in fact, there are already available non-stop flights from Cebu to Los Angeles. Worldwide Central Properties, with over 40 years of experience and expertise in the steel and construction supply business raises the bar of development a notch as it moves towards the final stage in its partnership with an international brand for the management of its serviced residences. The strong partnership of an established Cebu-based business conglomerate with a world-class hospitality management company shall develop THE RESIDENCES AT GORORDO, centrally located in Gorordo Avenue across the Cebu Business Park. The landmark avenue is where one finds a mix of the old and modern Cebuano cultural experience all within a long stretch of commercial establishments
and institutions in education, religion, medical facilities, hotels and restaurants, and old homes dating back to post-war history. Taking inspiration from the iconic Flatiron Building in New York City, The Residences in Gorordo offers 310 units of luxury homes. There are 160 Residential Condominiums with more spacious room areas and premium unit materials for the tasteful international traveler, retiree or Cebu resident. Another 150 Serviced Apartments managed as a long stay hotel will add more opportunities for investors to own income-generating assets. Worldwide Central Properties is also behind Sundance Residences located at Banawa, Cebu. The project was designed by a worldclass design team headed by Kenneth Cobonpue. It has a Party Hall where residents can hold parties with family and friends. For the health and fitness enthusiast, a gym with the latest equipment is available. A jogging path, outdoor playground, prayer room, meditation garden and a poolside lounge within the property are all part of the whole design.
A14 MAY 14-17, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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SHOWBIZ&STYLE
B
Journal
Arnel Pineda jams with Journey on Ellen DeGeneres show
Filipino vocalist Arnel pineda, together with his band Journey, graced the audience of American talk show “Ellen” in its episode aired on Wednesday, May 11 with their spectacular hit “open Arms.” With his compelling vocal prowess, pineda ‘killed’ the ballad flawlessly and wowed the show’s audience. Ellen Degeneres, the show’s bubbly host, described their performance as “fascinating” and “amazing.” Aside from the performance, the band promoted their tour with American rock band The Doobie Brothers. The audience cheered as they were lucky to get free tickets to their upcoming rock gig. (Gianna Francesca Catolico/ Journey frontman performs on the Ellen Degeneres Show on Wednesday, May 11. Inquirer.net) Screengrab from Ellentube.com
37 lbs lighter, Sharon bent on regaining leading lady form by Marinel
r. Cruz
Inquirer.net
ShAron Cuneta, saying that sh e’s now 37 lbs lighter, hopes to do movies again soon. “But first, i have to get back to leading lady [form],” Sharon said. “i dropped 37 lbs. already.” She then recalled the reason behind her determination to lose more weight. “i was supposed to guest in other ABS-CBn shows early this year. The truth is, after i saw myself on ‘ASAp’ at the birthday special that the production gave me, i said, ‘i can’t come out on TV looking like this!’ i apologized and canceled my other TV appearances.” When she’s ready to face the cameras again, Sharon wants to tackle roles she hasn’t done before. “i am committed to doing one indie movie. i will do that after my project with Star Cinema, but it has to be worth my while. i want fresh ideas. Give me a good story.” What’s the secret to her longevity in show biz? “i wish i knew,” she answered. “Everything just fell into place for me. There are things you can’t
Sharon Cuneta
plan. Just when you think you’re done, something good comes along.” She added: “i’d like to think that i’m still here because i bring some substance to the industry and not just entertainment.” Sharon recently inked a twoyear deal with ABS-CBn. The contract includes working in “The Voice Kids” and “some other
Inquirer.net photo
reality shows.” “i got burned in the past. i’ve learned my lesson,” said Sharon, who promised to become “a fair judge” and be “less maternal” as she assumes the role of coachjudge in the TV talent search, “The Voice Kids.” “i tend to spoil contestants,” she admitted to reporters. Sharon PAGE B5
John Lloyd Cruz ‘taking his time’ before entering new relationship
MAnilA—John lloyd Cruz said he’s over going into a lot of dates. “i’m really taking my time. Kasi medyo may edad na rin tayo, di puwede pa-date-date lang,” he said in an interview on Wednesday, May 11. it was in April when John lloyd confirmed his split with Angelica panganiban, after their more than two-year relationship. Despite parting ways, the Kapamilya actor said that remains friends with Angelica, something he says is not impossible. “it’s normal,” he explained. “Kasi dalawang tao kaming may
pinagsamahan.” he’s also not bothered with the “hugot lines” that the Kapamilya actress delivers for a segment of her Sunday afternoon gag show “Banana Sundae.” “it’s a gag show, it wouldn’t be great if isipin ko para sa akin,” he said. “not everything is about you, John lloyd. napaka-arogante naman kung isiipin ko na patama ‘yon sa akin.” he added that, “alam ko ang totoo, alam namin ang totoo and i think that’s more than enough para hindi ko isipin ang mga gano’ng bagay.” John lloyd also thanked Angel-
John Lloyd Cruz wants to take his time before getting into another relationship. Philstar.com photo by Joyce Jimenez
ica for promoting his film “Just the 3 of Us,” which also stars Kapuso actress Jennylyn Mercado and has earned p100-million on its first week. (Philstar.com)
Features
B may 14-17, 2016 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL
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Glowing goldies and the magical fun of dancing Toni Gonzaga on her knees after
finding out she’s pregnant
Moonlighting by Mylah de
leon
I AM struck by women who are no longer young. At the same time, startled by the beauty of their old faces. Lived, grooved and puckered as they may be, their hair grizzled; they make their glossy contemporaries at any senior center seem parodies of women. They show that they Dr. Carlos Manlapaz and Aida Reyes
TONI Gonzaga was literally on her knees when she found out that she was pregnant. “Nang mag-positive ‘yong test, natigilan muna ako tapos napaluhod ako,” she recalled in her interview with MJ Felipe aired in ABS-CBN news program “Bandila” on Thursday, May 12. “Nasa CR ako no’n, e, nanghina ‘yong tuhod ko. Napaluhod ako, napakapit ako sa sink tapos bigla akong umiyak.” She first told her sister Alex about her pregnancy, before relaying the good news to her husband Paul Soriano. Their parents, Toni said, were Maestro Dexter Grey and Dr. Linda Grey with more excited than they were when Paul and Claire Julian (couple on the left).
Dr. Sal Abiera and the Moonlighter
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have lived and have not yet found the means to hide it. Their lotions have done well. I wasn’t sure why I was there, but it was always a proud day or night when dancing is involved in any event. It is not the kind of topic one usually pursues to write. There was no edge to it, no compelling plot, no dynamic change. Just a lot of golden seniors in bundles of accelerated energies, whirling, stomping and laughing, doing it right, doing it wrong — and doing it again — flinging themselves about with a guilt-free exuberance that was contagious. The unbridled happiness was in contrast to the outside world, where violence burn like hot cinders. Adults their age live in fear…even hunger, who knows. Not that life is sweet for all these energetic dancers in the twilight of their lives. Opulence is no assurance to happiness and loneliness is a curse among the elders, but the total involvement required of dancing momentarily frees them from all that, as it frees realities that imprison them. Everyone shared the floor as the DJ banged his music away. As the dancers threw themselves in the dance with unrestricted moves of magical creatures whirling in the wind. It was almost magical fun. It doesn’t attempt to encourage discipline, nor the pursuit of excellence through dancing, but self expression. Art is never wasted in the old, whether it is dancing, painting, singing, playing an instrument or simply jumping up and down in rhythm. As we watched them on this PAGE B4
age gracefully
Chia Seeds Inspire New Southwestern Fettuccine Recipe BY GRACE O
The ancient Aztecs of Mexico began eating unsprouted chia seeds over 500 years ago. In the Mayan language, “chia” means “strength.” The tiny seeds come in white or black varieties and are native to Mexico and Guatemala. Today, Mexicans drink chia frescas: chia seeds stirred into water or fruit juice. When soaked in liquid for an hour or so, chia seeds grow to many times their normal size and develop a jelly-like coating. It’s this ability to absorb liquid that makes chia seeds a filling snack. Chia seeds are healty, too. They are also great to add to rice and pasta dishes (see my Chia Fettuccine recipe below). I had read that chia seeds were nutritionally similar to flax seeds in that they were high in fiber, high in omega-3
oils, and good at lowering cholesterol, but I had put off experimenting with them until a friend of mine gave me a good reason to look more closely at these tiny seeds. In my new book, The AGE BEAUTIFULLY Cookbook, I created a delicious new recipe for fettuccine with chia seeds. I think you’ll love it!
Chia Fettuccine with Southwestern Pork and Vegetables Pasta infused with ground chia seeds is a bit chewier than traditional pasta but packs an extra nutritional punch. Pork, chiles, and Southwestern spices perfectly complement the taste and texture of this nutritionally dense fettuccine, but I have provided substitutions for ingredients that may be more available or familiar.1 lb. sliced pork loin 1 tsp. salt or salt substitute 1 tsp. minced garlic ¼ tsp. black pepper ½ tsp. dry mustard ½ tsp. ground cumin ¼ tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. piment d’Espelette (or regular paprika or crushed red peppers) 4 Tbs. olive oil, divided in half ½ cup chopped red onion 1 cup chopped red bell pepper ¼ cup sliced jalapeños 1 cup chopped pasilla chile (or 4 oz. canned green chiles or 15 oz. canned corn) 1½ cups fresh corn kernels 1 package (10 oz.) BonaChia Fettuccine (or regular pasta or brown rice)
Garnish ¼ cup chopped scallions 2-4 Tbs. black or white chia seeds 4 Tbs. Parmesan cheese (optional)
1. Mix the pork and the spices until evenly incorporated. 2. In a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed pan, cook the meat in 2 Tbs. of the oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. 3. Add the vegetables and remaining oil to the pan. Cook another 5 minutes. 4. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Toss with the meat and vegetables. 5. Garnish with the chopped scallions, Parmesan cheese (if using), and chia seeds.
GRACE O – Combining her passion for food and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, GRACE O has created FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. Grace O is a fusion chef and cookbook author with a mission: to introduce delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com
© 2016 by FoodTrients.com
Serves 4
they announced her pregnancy. However, it was not an easy first few months for the Kapamilya actress after experiencing bleeding and hemorrhage, which was also the reason why she kept mum about her pregnancy. It was only last month when she confirmed it through the Sunday variety show “ASAP.” “I was asked to take medicine na pampakapit,” she said. Yet after hearing the heartbeat of the baby on her first ultrasound, Toni said they were emotional. This month, the gender of the Toni Gonzaga recalled that she was on her baby will be identified. (Joyce knees when she saw in the pregnancy test that she was pregnant. Jimenez/Philstar.com)
Twitter suspends Alma Moreno’s parody account THE parody account of actress Alma Moreno was suspended by Twitter on Wednesday, May 11. Moreno berated the unidentified user of her parody account on Twitter, @LovelinessAlma. She told Jobert Sucaldito and Ahwel Paz on DZMM’s “Mismo” that she is deeply hurt and offended by whoever it is that keeps on making a fool of her. “Masyado naman ako pinaglalaruan. Masyado naman ako binabastos na. Parang...alam... diba...Masakit, tama na,” she said. The fake account was created following her controversial ANC interview with Karen Davila. Moreno said that she had taken actions to have the account taken down. “Ewan ko kung sino yan na ayaw
akong tigilan. Ano ba naman to talo na nga ako anong nginingitngit nito. Bakit kailangan akong maliin diba kung anu ano pinaglalagay. Tama na,” she lamented. She also made it clear that she has no Twitter account. “Wala. Meron ako dati pero wala na hininto ko na yan. Kasi nga ayoko na, ayoko na. Yung Facebook meron ako yung sarili ko talaga. Yung akin yun..pero Twitter wala ako,” she explained. Meanwhile, the senatorial candidate who failed to enter the cut this election said she has accepted defeat wholeheartedly. The actress-politician ran as senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), the party-list of presidential bet Vice President Alma Moreno berated the unidentified Jejomar “Jojo” Binay. (Philstar. user of her parody account on Twitter, @ LovelinessAlma. com)
37 lbs lighter, Sharon bent on... PAGE B1 also played coach in the reality shows, “Star Power” and “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” and host in “The Biggest Loser.” “I have a tendency to nurture and treat contestants like they’re my kids. Often, this gesture isn’t reciprocated, and I’d feel abused and rejected. I’ve realized that I should treat the show the way it should be—as a contest,” she explained: “This is not a competition where the person with the saddest story wins. This is a showcase of talents.” Sharon added: “I don’t talk much about what I do—let’s just say I took care of some of them, and even sent one to school. I got
burned. Now, they can tell their sad stories, but I will no longer give in. I will still get those who are talented. However, this doesn’t mean I was unfair before. All the winners were deserving.” Sharon, who will join Lea Salonga and Bamboo Mañalac as a coach-judge, said it was unfair for people to call her a mere replacement for Sarah Geronimo. “If a good artist leaves, somebody has to take her place, naturally. I don’t think the network bosses see me as panakip-butas. They won’t ask me to be part of the show if I do not deserve to be there,” said the Megastar. “Sarah should be allowed to pursue interests that she wants, as well as her personal
happiness.” She said she hoped people would not pit her against Lea. “We’ve been friends forever. I have tremendous respect for her because she has achieved so much, locally and internationally, that no other Filipino has. It’s just sad that people like conflict—they want to turn good friends into enemies. If you pay too much attention to them, they will drive you crazy.” In spite of her many years of experience in performing, Sharon said she still gets butterflies in her stomach. “If it’s something that doesn’t excite me, I won’t do it. If I leave my children at home, it has to be for a good reason. I also like to work with people who enjoy working with me,” she pointed out.
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Philanthropist Imelda Cojuangco passes away by AlixAndrA
CAole Philstar.com
Imelda also known as “Meldy Co” is an icon of elegance and grace in Philippine society.
VilA
MANILA—Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco passed away Tuesday, May 10. PeopleAsia reports. Imelda, also known as “Meldy Co,” is an icon of elegance and grace in Philippine society. A lady with a big heart for people and a mother with endless affection for her five children, including business tycoon Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco, Imelda survived aneurysm she
suffered last year but eventually succumbed to death after her immune system was weakened by the disease. Reports say she was rushed to the hospital after complaining about her breathing. Throughout her life, she has been known as a butterfly in Manila’s high society, who loves to throw in activities for the benefit of the children and the poor. She was the founding chairperson of the J. Moreno Foundation and the Cofradia de la Inmaculada de Concepcion.
Los Angeles announces entertainment lineup for ‘Pacific Bridge’ Concert New outdoor event featuring prominent Asian Pacific American entertainers and performers
LOS ANGELES — Councilmember David Ryu and the City of Los Angeles will be rounding off the end of Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (LAAPAHM) with “Pacific Bridge,” a high energy family friendly concert that invites some of the most renowned Asian Pacific American(APA) artists and entertainers for an evening of celebration and live performances. This free event will debut on May 21, 2016 between 6:00pm 9m on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall. Pacific Bridge aims to recognize
Tribal Theory
Run River North
Awkwafina
the historical and cultural ties between the City of Los Angeles and the Asian Pacific American community through art, food, and live performances. “This community concert is a Dumbfoundead new effort from the City of Los Angeles to highlight the talent and diversity of APA artists and entertainers in the entertainment industry” said Councilmember David Ryu. “Pacific Bridge gives an opportunity for residents and families all over Los Angeles to join us in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage with a fun, and free evening of live performances.” Pacific Bridge is part of a series of events LA APAHM is hosting throughout the month of May to highlight that APAs are part of the fabric of the City of Los Angeles and reinforce the 2016 LA APAHM theme “We Are LA.” Below is a sneak peak of the performance lineup: Awkwafina Awkwafina is a Queens born rapper, comedienne and actress. She is best known for her viral music videos with a feminist tint, and has been featured in the New York Times, Vice/Noisey, New York Magazine, The Daily Beast, NBC News, Jezebel, Gawker and more. She is currently a featured cast member on MTV’s Girl Code and will appear in the upcoming films Neighbors 2 and Dude. She currently resides in Brooklyn, PAGE B4
Young Filipino leaders invited to LA FYLPRO event LOS ANGELES area FYLPRO alumni invite local Filipino-American young leaders to learn about FYLPRO and the 2016 Immersion Program. At this event, FYLPRO will also honor Ambassador Jose Cuisia, founder of FYLPRO, and Consul General Herrera-Lim, both of whom will be vacating their respective posts this June. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, at Los Angeles City Hall, Tom Bradley Tower, 200 North Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Rising Los Angeles Fil-Am tastemakers will also be providing Filipino inspired treats for the reception. Space is reserved for the first 75 people to register. To register: Visit https://FYLPRO.eventbrite.
com. FYLPRO is a volunteer-run non-profit organization of highperforming, next-generation leaders with a passion for advancing the Philippines and the Filipino people. According to Ryan Letada, 2013 alumnus and founder of Filipino diaspora engagement organization Next Day Better, “FYLPRO is a gift and responsibility - the gift of discovering the Philippines in meaningful ways and the responsibility of answering the call to action to help Filipinos abroad and in the homeland.” FYLPRO President Bea Rico urges “high-performing and passionate Filipino young professionals with strong interests in (1) making meaningful and life-long connections back to the Philip-
pines, (2) developing leadership potential, (3) contributing to the growth of the Filipino community to come to the event and apply for FYLPRO 2016.” FYLPRO is a group of nextgeneration leaders that have a passion for advancing the Philippines and the Filipino people. FYLPRO was established in 2012 by Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. in cooperation with Ayala Foundation Inc. to provide delegates with invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to a distinguished network of captains of industry and government. For more information on FYLPRO, visit www.fylpro.org. (Advertising Supplement)
Celebrate Pentecost Sunday at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Walnut
MAY 15 is Pentecost Sunday. On this day, Christians will commemorate the Miracle of Tongues when the Holy Spirit, taking the form of tongues of fire, descended upon the apostles enabling them to proclaim the Gospel in different languages. An exceptional parish in many ways— a Pilgrimage Church for the Holy Year of Mercy— the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Walnut, California is celebrating this occasion with a full weekend affair on May 13 to 15, 2016. The leaders and volunteers of SLR, under the most capable guidance and direction of Fr. Tony Astudillo, have put together meaningful and exciting activities for parishioners and friends to enjoy.
A Mass followed by a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner commences the three-day event at 6:30pm on Friday, May 13. The following day, Saturday, will begin with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus. The fun-filled day with then continue with the Pals & Paws Fun Run where registrants, led by Father Tony himself, will run (or walk) miles around the church grounds for a cause. This year, funds raised will be used to continue repairs of SLR’s Vellucci Hall. Other highlights of Saturday’s festivities is a Food Sale that will feature affordable and delicious delicacies, as well as a Plant Sale. There will also be a Praise and Worship Program from 12pm to
3pm led by SLR’s ministries. To crown the entire celebration, Archdiocese of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop, David G. O’Connell, DD will preside a Multilingual Community Mass at 11am on Sunday, May 15. This will be meaningfully concelebrated by a number of invited clergy members of different ethnicities. “We are all looking forward to this occasion. This feast day holds a special meaning to us as a multiethnic, multicultural faith community. For when we hear God’s voice and message through the accents of others, or see His face among the varied ethnicities that surround us–that, my beloved brothers and sisters, is Pentecost,” says Father Tony emphatically.
Luis Manzano keeps it cool by euden
VAldez ManilaTimes.net
Luis Manzano
on ABS-CBN. Manzano and Billy Crawford have served as the reality talent AFTER his break up with girl- search’s hosts since it premieres friend Angel Locsin earlier this on local TV in 2010, while Locsin year, Luis Manzano is keeping only joined the latest season as things cool as always. one of the new judges alongside Despite their differences— Robin Padilla and Vice Ganda. or lack thereof—the ex-lovers In one episode, Manzano even m a n a g e t o w o r k t o g e t h e r expressed concern over Locsin’s harmoniously in the ongoing fifth back pain. season of “Pilipinas Got Talent” PAGE B4
FATHER AND DAUGHTER REUNITE AFTER 40 YEARS OF LIFE-CHANGING CHOICES AND “MISFORTUNES” ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Decades ago, Tatay Rolando left his wife and daughters in the Philippines to seek a better life in the US. After getting his green card, he petitioned his family, except for Anna Lyn who had turned 21, and was left behind. The years that followed became a series of rough twists and turns for Anna Lyn, including being caught attempting to enter the US on a fraudulent visa. After a fraud waiver prepared by another attorney was denied, leading US immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL put together a convincing fraud waiver package that was quickly approved, paving the way for the much-awaited, happy reunion of this family on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday, May 15 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
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Celebrating new mothers WHeN a parent holds their baby for the first time, it is one of the most beautiful moments. Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital celebrates that first look and first touch between a mom and her new baby. This moment captures a lifetime of love and also represents a lifetime of healthy emotional and physical development for the baby. Research has shown that this simple but profound moment
sets in motion many tremendous physical and emotional health benefits. This includes increasing hormone production that is calming for moms and stabilizing breath and heart rates for babies. In the longer term, babies who experience this skin-to-skin connection typically cry less and connect socially with ease. Interim Manager for Dignity Health Glendale Memorial’s Mother/Baby Care Unit Cathy Belangue, BSN, shares, “Skin-
‘Change is Coming:’ A warm welcome to the newly-elected PH President By Monet
Cathy Belangue, BSN, Interim Manager for Dignity Health Glendale Memorial’s Mother/ Baby Care Unit
to-skin can make the transition from fetal to newborn life easier. That is why, as the first Baby-Friendly Hospital in Los Angeles County, Glendale Memorial promotes breastfeeding as the best source of nourishment and mother/baby bonding to create a healthier future for our babies.” Although breast-feeding is a natural process, many women struggle in the first few months to feel comfortable and confident with their decision. We are committed to helping each mother by offering educational classes and support groups which provide moms the opportunity to learn and share in a supportive, welcoming environment. During this month of celebration for mothers everywhere, let’s get your bundle of joy off to a great start. To learn more or to register for a maternity tour or class, please call (818) 502-2378. (Advertising Supplement)
Luis Manzano keeps it... PAGE B3 It can be recalled that the award-winning actress flew to Singapore late last year to undergo a spinal surgery. Meanwhile, at the press conference of his game show “Family Feud,” which also currently airs at ABS-CBN, he was quoted as saying: “Siguro for a while [it became awkward], pero eto magkaibigan kami. Let’s leave it at that. Mas gusto namin ‘yon kesa sa magkaaway kami.”
Lu
CHANGe. A six-letter word that’s easily spelled than done. This concept is basically embedded in every platform and in any campaign speech we heard from presidential candidates. But if there’s one thing we have in common with these aspiring presidents, it is our desire for change. In fact, it is most likely the only thing the candidates agree amongst themselves. We all want change to happen in our country. We’ve wanted it since we realized our lack of it. Which is why the mere mention of it does not just give us the goosebumps, it also leaves us hoping. “Stay calm. Change is coming.” – this was the campaign message of the Duterte-Cayetano tandem. And after all the counting (and cheating allegations), the “hope-full cry” for change grew even louder as former Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte won the Philippine presidential elections. According to election officials cited by CNN Philipines, Duterte was in the lead with more than 38%, according to an unofficial tally from the PPCRV poll monitor. The result was staggering; yet highly anticipated. Duterte has been leading in surveys and mock polls since the election campaigns started. During which, there was a “yoyo” reaction from the people because of the latter’s responses to interviews and an alleged bank account that contained millions. Still, the Maverick anti-crime candidate prevailed. I noticed a slight change in his disposition and speech nearing the proclamation of his victory. In one of Duterte’s interviews with CNN, he said that he would humbly serve the people of the Philippines. “If I get to live to the day (of) my oath of office, I don’t have other desires than to serve the interests of the people of the Philippines. Nothing follows,” he said, promising to focus on improving education, health and
The Global Kababayan G. TönGi Monday, May 16 - Fil-Am actor Andres Ramacho comes to the show to promote a play he’s in which opened over the weekend at the Odyssey Theater in West Los Angeles. Watch the show to get details to support our kababayan in the performing arts. Tuesday, May 17 - Get to know Angel Bonilla, a Fil-Am transgender and performer who is off to compete internationally to represent the Philippines in Bulgaria. Angel is a resident of Los Angeles and very active in the
agriculture.” Following Duterte’s anticipated victory is the concession of his opponents. Main rival Mar Roxas admitted defeat after polls gave Mr. Duterte an unassailable lead. Prior to that, a “graceful” and classy exit was declared by fellow candidate Senator Grace Poe, who consequently earned praises for her well-intended and respectful speech. I wouldn’t call myself a solid “Durterte fan” but I somewhat had a paradigm shift when I swathe video of him sobbing over his parents’ grave. For me, that wasn’t an act but more of an expression of his vulnerability and love for his parents. And even if it was released with malicious intent (to project his soft spot or something to that effect), it pulled a heartstring for me as one who highly regards parents. I see Duterte as a man of the people. I believe that’s what he wanted everyone to think. He is straightforward and brutally honest – to a fault. But in my humble opinion, these would not get him anywhere if he doesn’t have a solid plan to fulfill what he promised our nation. I am hoping that the “change” he wanted is not just the change we love to happen but The change that our nation needs. One solution may not change the traffic situation in the Philippines but maybe (try to) change the way public transports are maintained and operated. everybody likes tax exemptions or at least a decrease but it would primarily benefit us more if the tax goes to where it should go – for a change. And who doesn’t love a safer nation? Going by the number of people who supported Duterte all the way, I would assume majority are inclined to agree with his “methods”– yes, including the killing of convicted criminals, if that’s what it takes. As for me, I still believe in rehabilitation for criminals. I still believe in achieving a safer nation without having to resort to a killing spree. Yet, I digress. Because
Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte Philstar.com photo
the bottom line is, if our newly elected president wants change, so do all Filipinos – however that change may look like to any individual. I sincerely hope that our newly elected president will get all the support he needs in changing what needs to be changed. I hope he would be more schematic; extra-vigilant if possible. He may have won the hearts of his fellow public servants but I hope he can get into their heads as well in terms of making better decisions for the Philippines. “Change is coming,” says the “iron-fisted” man. We are now looking to him to lead us to change not just what we can but most especially, what we have to. But before we start our list of things we wanted to be altered, I hope we start within ourselves. To President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, I wish you all the best. Welcome to (an even more) changethirsty nation. *** 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 all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
Programming of Kababayan Today, May 16-20, 2016
performing arts scene. Wednesday, May 18 - Midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal and Mia Mcleod of McLeod and Associates gives real estate advice. Professor Brandon Reilly shares about the PhilippinesMariana Islands connections for Asian American Pacific Islander Month. Learn what’s going on in the community and get a chance to win a giveaway from Paradise Cove in Malibu Thursday, May 19 - Get immigration updates from Atty. May Zhang. Dr. O visits us to talk about
the importance of the media in not forgetting about FilipinoAmericans Friday, May 20 - Meet the director and an actor from the Philippine indie film “Toto for our #FilmFridays segment. *** 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.
Is Mariel Rodriguez pregnant again?
Mariel Rodriguez
MARIeL Rodriguez is pregnant again, reports said. This news was posted by columnist-radio host-actor Ogie Diaz on his Twitter account on Thursday. “Wow! Buntis pala uli si @ marieltpadilla! Congrats, mare! Yan na yun!” he said in his post.
The Kapamilya host and her husband Robin Padilla have yet to confirm this report. This is the third time that Mariel has conceived. Last year, she had two miscarriages. The first was in the first quarter of the year, while the other was when she hadtriplets. (Philstar. com)
Glowing goldies and the magical fun...
PAGE B2 sun drenched afternoon we begun to realize why we were there. A vague notion that had a existed in the first place, became clearer like a memory pressing in to focus. I wrote as I was projecting myself into moment. Dancing is intense, but joyful and there is a redemption as well as escape. Just like the ballet classes I once
had with Ricardo Cassel, when I was ten and unhappy. I’ve asked some of the participant why they were there. ”dancing makes me happy” was the simplified and collective reply. Total and utter bliss is a rare human condition, often limited to a moment during childhood that begins to fade, when the world beyond dancing opens to grow-
ing, frought with peril. At the end of the day, watching the glowing goldies, I had a clearer version of what the dancing meant….it afforded fantasies that took them to a place where no one hurts and everyone dances. When their partners sweeps them in their arms, even their hearts dance.
Los Angeles announces entertainment lineup... PAGE B3 New York. Dumbfoundead From the battlegrounds to silver screen, Jonathan Park (a.k.a. Dumbfoundead) in less than a decade has built a legendary history in the LA hip hop scene. While he grew up listening to all genres of music, the hip hop scene in the nineties was no doubt bustling and through that Dumbfoundead found his initial hip hop clique that clicked and clacked from a Macarthur Pa r k c o m m u n i t y c e n t e r t o Project Blowed, an open mic workshop in south central LA. Dumbfoundead developed his skills with an exponential rise to local and even national acclaim with everything from rap battle videos with views in the millions, to spotlights on shows like Late Night with Carson Daly, to most recently his curator role in one of K town’s most happening parties: Spamneggs
alongside Far east Movement and Tokimonsta. Tribal Theory Tribal Theory of San Diego, C a lifornia ha s e sta blishe d themselves as the originals of Urban Reggae music. Continuously producing fresh musical compositions that are undeniable masterpieces. Formed in 2005, Tribal Theory’s signature is the fusion of their Pacific Island culture with the feel good vibes of Reggae, grittiness of Urban Ska, and the soulful harmonies of R&B. This hybrid sound has the depth and versatility to span across many different genres including Reggae, Island Reggae, R&B, Alternative, Roots, and World music. Run River North Since the band’s beginnings just over four years ago, their rise has been steadily spectacular, marked by appearances on national television, sold out shows at historic venues, tours with rock
and roll royalty and heaps of praise from fans and critics alike. As they blossomed, they embraced their initially folk driven sound, which found its harmonic home alongside rootsy, foot stomping, sing along leading peers like Mumford & Sons, The Head and the Heart, and Of Monsters and Men. Powered by the acoustic guitar and vocals songwriting of frontman Alex Hwang, their 2014 self titled debut record, produced by Phil ek (Fleet Foxes, Modest Mouse, Band of Horses), was released with their lineup rounded out by the strings duo of Daniel Chae and Jennifer Rim, Joe Chun on bass, Sally Kang on keys, and John Chong on drums. In addition to live performances and entertainment, Pacific Bridge will host some of Southern California’s most popular food trucks. This event is free and open to the public. Visit http://apahm. lacity.org/ for more information. (Advertising Supplement)
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Duke Bakery now baking in Glendale Duke Bakery, the bakery that prides itself on the creation of exquisite handcrafted breads using only the finest quality ingredients, is now open at Caruso Affiliated’s award-winning retail, dining and lifestyle destination, The Americana at Brand in Glendale, California. A group of dedicated, highlyskilled craftsmen combines the Japanese, european and Taiwanese styles of breadmaking to create an impressive lineup of artisan breads. To date, Duke Bakery has created over 60 different innovative kinds of delicious breads. enjoy Duke Bakery’s lavish bread selection that is well received by all the caprices of the appetite. Simply visit any of the outlets near you to have a
bite and a whole new experience. The first outlet in Singapore opened its doors in 2013 to a rousing response. Following the success of the store, Duke Bakery has continued to serve even more guests, expanding to 27 locations worldwide (6 in Southern California, 14 in Singapore and 7 in China).
Duke Bakery is located at The Americana at Brand, 889 Americana Way, Glendale, California. Hours are 10am-8pm on Monday to Thursday; 10am9pm on Friday to Saturday; 11am7pm on Sunday. The Americana at Brand has made Glendale one of the most desirable shopping destinations in Los Angeles. It recently added American lifestyle brands Tory Burch (opened in November, 2015) and under Armour Brand Julie Jauregui, Senior General Manager of the Americana at Brand, Allen Tsai, partner and master chef of Duke bakery, David Chao, president House (earlier this year). and CEO of Duke Bakery and wife, Connie Chang.
New stores at The Americana at Brand
Tory Burch embodies the personal style and sensibility of its chairman, CEO and designer, Tory Burch. The collection includes ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, accessories, watches, home and beauty.
Roy McConnell, Tory Burch general manager
The Americana at Brand is Under Armour’s first Brand House location on the West Coast and features men’s, women’s, and youth apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Jenny Renderos, Under Armour manager
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COMMUNITY Journal
Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller ONE of the most common means of entering the United States is through a visa for temporary visitor. An applicant for such a visa must be a foreign national who has a residence in a foreign country that is the actual dwelling place in fact. However, it is not necessary for the foreign national to own the home in which she lives. The nonimmigrant must have no intention of abandoning that foreign residence and must be coming to the United States to visit temporarily for business or pleasure. The visa for business is called a B-1 and the visa for pleasure is called a B-2. A visitor for pleasure includes those coming to the US as a tourist, for medical purposes, to participate in a convention of social organizations, to participate in amateur musical, sports, or similar events with no remuneration, a dependent of US Armed Forces personnel, one accompanying a transit visa holder or a visitor for business, a non-spouse partner accompanying a principal E [treaty investor or treaty trader], F [student], H [temporary worker] or L [intra-company transferee] for duration of stay who can demonstrate eligibility for the B-2 (i.e. they do not have immigrant intent or other grounds of inadmissibility). Visitors for business include those coming to the US to engage in commercial transactions not involving gainful employment. Acceptable activities include negotiating contracts, litigation, consulting with clients or business associates. Making phone calls, giving employees instructions or accompanying clients to their cars are not considered gainful employment. However, full-time management of a US enterprise is. A B-1 visa holder may study if it is part of work or recreational activities. She may participate in scientific, educational, professional, religious or
What are visas for temporary visitors?
business conventions. He may receive an honorarium and incidental expenses for usual academic activities from an academic institution as long as it does not last more than nine (9) days at a single academic institution and the foreign national has not accepted more than five (5) such honoraria in a 6-month period. One who would ordinarily qualify for an H-1 [worker] visa may enter the United States on a B-1 if he receives no salary or remuneration other than an expense allowance or other reimbursement incidental to a temporary stay. The time must not exceed 6 months and the applicant must engage in hands-on work that would require an H-1B. The work must meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard. And the applicant must show that he does not have immigrant intent. As stated above, the applicant for a visitor’s visa must not have immigrant intent. That means that the applicant must intend to depart when the period of lawful stay expires. He must not be using the B-1/B-2 non-immigrant visa as a means of entering the United States when he actually intends to permanently live here. This type of visa differs from H1Bs and L visas which allow the foreign national to have “dual intent.” Dual intent means that the alien has the intention to work in the United States temporarily on that non-immigrant visa but also intends to remain in this country
permanently. Foreign nationals seeking visitors’ visas must be “otherwise admissible”. That means that they must not be inadmissible under the various categories set out in the Immigration & Nationality Act. These categories include foreign nationals who have certain health disorders that may pose a threat to the alien or others, those who have been determined by the US government to be a drug user or abuser, those convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, those who the consular officer has reason to believe has engaged in or intend to engage in certain forbidden activities, such as controlled substance or human trafficking, money laundering, violation of espionage laws or terrorist activities, those likely to become a public charge, those who have entered the United States without “papers” or whose visa has expired, those who have made a material misrepresentation in order to obtain an immigration benefit, stowaways, smugglers, those previously removed from the United States, those who incurred the “unlawful presence bar” by having been in the United States unlawfully for between 6months to one year and who departed the United States less than 10 years prior to the current application for admission, and those unlawfully present in the United States after previous immigration violations.
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Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon PERHAPS you’ve considered filing bankruptcy but in the back of your mind, you have one or two questions that you’ve always been afraid to ask. In counseling thousands of people over the years in my practice as a bankruptcy attorney, I have found that most people have the same fears and concerns about bankruptcy. From experience, I have found that the following misconceptions often stop them from making a decision to go forward in spite of the fact that they know and realize that bankruptcy is
Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA
YES, you can be. Terrible, but it happens. In a landmark case, the Supreme Court held that a conviction for willfully filing a false tax return is a deportable offense under our immigration laws. It reached the same conclusion with respect to a conviction for aiding and abetting in the preparation of a false return. Background: • Tax evasion is a felony punishable by a maximum fine of $100,000, five years imprisonment, or both. • A person who willfully makes and signs any return, statement, or other document verified by a written declaration that it is made under the penalties of perjury and which he (includes she) does not believe to be true and correct in every material matter is guilty of a felony. • A person who willfully assists, counsels, or advises in the preparation or presentation of a return, affidavit, claim or other document, which is fraudulent or is false as to any material matter is guilty of a felony. Facts: • Akio and Fusako Kawashima, both Japanese citizens, are lawful permanent residents of the US. • Mr. Kawashima pleaded
Community Journal
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7 common bankruptcy misconceptions that stop people from getting help
their only way out of debt. In this article, I will try to address most of them. “My immigration status may be affected and I will never become a U.S. Citizen.” FALSE: The truth is that filing bankruptcy is NOT a crime, and it will not affect your immigration status or your application to become a U.S. Citizen. “I heard that if I file bankruptcy, I will have to pay back everything anyway so what’s the point of doing it?” FALSE: If you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, debts are completely wiped out except certain taxes, student loans and child support. In Chapter 13, in most cases, you only pay a small percentage of what you owe and all your bills are consolidated into one affordable monthly pay-
ment. “Bankruptcy means that I’ve failed.” FALSE: Bankruptcy is nothing more than a legal remedy to cope with debts you can no longer pay. Most bankruptcies are also caused by factors beyond your control so it doesn’t make sense to blame yourself. “I’m better off hiring a debt settlement company so I can avoid bankruptcy.” FALSE: From experience, I have seen very few people succeed in getting out of debt through a debt settlement company. That is due to the fact that most of these companies will sell you the idea of paying your creditors slowly over a 3 to 5 year period while all your debts go to collections. However, creditors will not simply sit and wait for
Can you be deported for filing false tax returns? guilty to one count of willfully filing a false tax return. • Mrs. Kawashima pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. • Following their convictions, the Immigration and Naturalization Service charged the Kawashimas with being deportable from the US as aliens who had been convicted of an aggravated felony. • Aggravated felony is an offense that involves fraud or deceit in which the loss to the victim exceeds $10,000. • In this case, the victim is the US government and the loss exceeded $10,000. • Therefore, their conviction was considered as aggravated felony. • At their deportation hearing, taxpayers argued that their convictions did not qualify as aggravated felonies. • The Immigration Judge disagreed and ordered their deportation. • They appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals, which affirmed the Immigration Judge’s decision. • In short, the taxpayers lost their case. Supreme Court affirms. The case went up all the way to the Supreme Court which agreed with the Ninth Circuit that convictions in which the Government’s revenue loss exceeds
$10,000 qualify as aggravated felonies. • The Supreme Court rejected the Kawashimas’ argument that they could not be deported for the commission of an “aggravated felony” because their crimes did not involve fraud or deceit. • The Court stated that the taxpayers involved in deceitful conduct when they knowingly and willfully submitted a tax return that was false as to a material matter. • Mrs. Kawashima committed a felony involving deceit by knowingly and willfully assisting her husband’s filing of a materially false return. • Their tax evasion case was therefore a deportable offense. Ouch. Citation for further research: Kawashima v. Holder, Attorney General, (S Ct 2/21/2012) No. 10-577. *** 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)
their money for that long. They will often sue you within the first 12 months of not getting paid. If you do get sued, these companies cannot protect you and chances are, you will end up filing bankruptcy anyway. So you just end up paying the debt settlement company a lot of money for nothing. Beware. It’s often a complete waste of time and money. “My credit will be forever ruined and I will never be able to buy a car or house again.” FALSE: You can buy a car after your bankruptcy discharge although you will often pay a high interest rate until you get your credit re-established. After Chapter 7 bankruptcy, most people can get credit again after approximately 3 years. It is a matter of understanding how the credit
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth uRSuA ReyeS AN action under the DVPA (Domestic Violence Protection Act) seeking a restraining order often is necessary to protect parties from abuse or domestic violence perpetrated by the other spouse or significant other. At times, it is effective in preventing harm to one of the parties. At the same time, this process is sometimes abused by family law litigants as a strategy for obtaining an advantage in a child custody case. The basis for this is the presumption against sole or joint custody under California family code section 3044. California Family Code Section 3044 (a) provides “Upon a finding by the court that a party seeking custody of a child has perpetrated domestic violence against the other party seeking custody of the child or against the child or the child’s siblings within the previous five years, there is a rebuttable presumption that an award of sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of the child, pursuant to Section 3011. This presumption may only be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. In determining whether the presumption in family code 3044(a) has been overcome, the
system works and taking the steps needed to rebuild credit after bankruptcy. One way to start is by applying for secured credit cards after bankruptcy and paying your bills on time again. “I might lose my home and everything I own if I file.” FALSE: More than 90% of Chapter 7 cases are “no asset” cases. Bankruptcy laws also allow you to exempt most of your assets. Personally, 99.9% of my clients lose nothing. If losing an asset is a concern in any case, filing a Chapter 13 is always an option in most cases. “I need to be behind on all my bills to file bankruptcy.” FALSE: If it is clear to you that you are headed towards debt trouble, do not wait until your situation becomes a financial emergency.
The best time to consult with an attorney is now, not later. From what I’ve seen, people suffer needlessly (when they should be filing bankruptcy to get out of debt) simply because they have not taken the time to find out if their fears or concerns about filing bankruptcy are even real or legitimate. To schedule a free consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
Will a domestic violence finding affect my claim for sole or joint custody of our children? court shall consider all of the following factors:(1) Whether the perpetrator of domestic violence has demonstrated that giving sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to the perpetrator is in the best interest of the child. In determining the best interest of the child, the preference for frequent and continuing contact with both parents, as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 3020, or with the noncustodial parent, as set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 3040, may not be used torebut the presumption, in whole or in part.(2) Whether the perpetrator has successfully completed a batterer’s treatment program that meets the criteria outlined in subdivision (c) of Section 1203.097 of the Penal Code. (3) Whether the perpetrator has successfully completed a program of alcohol or drug abuse counseling if the court determines that counseling is appropriate. (4) Whether the perpetrator has successfully completed a parenting class if the court determines the class to be appropriate. (5) Whether the perpetrator is on probation or parole, and whether he or she has complied with the terms and conditions of probation or parole. (6) Whether the perpetrator is restrained by a protective order or restraining order, and whether he or she has complied
with its terms and conditions. (7) Whether the perpetrator of domestic violence has committed any further acts of domestic violence. A person has “perpetrated domestic violence” when he or she is found by the court to have intentionally or recklessly caused or attempted to cause bodily injury, or sexual assault, or to have placed a person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to that person or to another, or to have engaged in any behavior involving, but not limited to, threatening, striking, harassing, destroying personal property or disturbing the peace of another, for which a court may issue an ex parte order pursuant to Section 6320 to protect the other party seeking custody of the child or to protect the child and the child’s siblings.The requirement of a finding by the court shall be satisfied by, among other things, and not limited to, evidence that a party seeking custody has been convicted within the previous five years, after a trial or a plea of guilty or no contest, of any crime against the other party that comes within the definition of domestic violence contained in Section 6211 and of abuse contained in Section 6203, including, but not limited to, a crime described in subdivision
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Community Journal
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Work-related activities before you clock-in: Should these be paid?
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I WORK as a “team member” in the service industry in Los Angeles. Before we clock-in for our shift, we are required to attend a “huddle,” or a meeting where we discuss events during prior shifts, our assignments, etc. These “huddles” last 15 to 20 minutes every day. Should we be paid for these meetings even though we are not clocked in and the meetings are not part of our main job? A: Your “huddle” sounds like “hours worked” and must be paid. “Hours worked” is the time during which an employee is subject to the control of an employer. This includes all the time that you are required to be present at the workplace. It also includes any “off-the-clock” time
you spend performing job-related activities which benefit the employer. Under California law, “offthe-clock” hours are considered “hours worked.” “Off-the-clock” hours are hours worked by employees before or after their regular scheduled hours, even if the employer has not directly required or authorized that the offthe-clock activities be performed. Off-the-clock hours may include coming to work early to work before the shift’s official starting time or continuing to work after one has clocked out for one’s official end time. Off-the-clock work may also include preliminary or preparatory activities that employees do before they do their main tasks. For example, employees may spend time putting on a special uniform or gear before they start work. Or employees may spend time cleaning equipment after the close of a
shift. Some employees may take work home or are contacted at home by telephone for work-related reasons or are “called back” to work. All of these post-shift activities fall within hours worked and should be paid. If any of the activities above caused the employees to work overtime hours, then California law requires that the employees be paid at the premium rate of 1 ½ times the employee’s regular rate if the employee worked more than 8 but less than 12 hours in a work day. If the employee worked more than 12 hours in a work day or in excess of 8 hours on the seventh day in a work week, the employee is entitled to double the employee’s regular rate. An employer’s failure to pay its employees for work hours incurred in excess of the employee’s scheduled hours may result in an expensive employment lawsuit
USCIS to begin parole program to reunite families of Filipino WWII veterans
AmericAn DreAm Allison Aquino-silvA, Esq ON May 9, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally announced that it will be begin the much deserved “Filipino World War II Veterans Parole” (FWVP) policy on June 8, 2016. The FWVP program help expedite the reunification of certain family members of Filipino WWII Veterans. The parole program recognizes the “extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II.” Of the more than 260,000 Filipinos who fought for the US during WWII, there remains an estimated 2,000 to 6,000 Filipino American WWII veterans still alive in the US today. Many of these heroes, however, remain separated from their family members, who are unable to obtain visas to join them in the US due to the excessive visa backlogs. The program will allow certain family members to expeditiously obtain a temporary visa known as parole, which will “enhance the ability of such elderly veterans and their spouses to obtain care and support from their family members abroad.” To submit an application for parole under the FWVP policy, an individual must fulfill the following requirements: 1) is a Beneficiary of an approved Form I130 Petition for Alien Relative (or is the spouse or unmarried child under age 21 of the Beneficiary); 2) the qualifying relationship with the petitioning relative must have existed on or before May 9, 2016; 3) the petitioning relative is residing in the US (or, if de-
ceased, was residing in the US at the time of death); 4) the priority date on the approved Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative is not yet current; and 5) establish that the petitioning relative is either a Filipino WWII veteran or the surviving spouse of a Filipino WWII veteran. Those who are considered to be a Filipino WWII veteran under the FWVP policy include those who served honorably in an active duty status with either the Philippine Army; a recognized guerilla unit; or within the Philip-
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port for the applicant, as well as an interview at the US Embassy and possible biometrics. If the parole is granted, it will allow the individual to enter the US to join their family member. Although not yet entirely clear, it appears that individuals entering the US under the FWVP program may be eligible to obtain work authorization after entering the US. Individuals will need to seek extensions of their parole to remain in the US, or apply for their green cards through either the adjustment of status process or at the US Embassy overseas once they become eligible. The DHS announcement strongly encourages all qualified applicants to seek parole within five years of June 8, 2016. The DHS will evaluate the program after four years to determine whether to continue the program or phase it out after the five year period of time. The parole program is a significant recognition by the US government of the great contributions that Filipino WWII veterans and their families have provided. It is with great honor that such a program is finally being implemented so that Filipino WWII Veterans can finally be together with their loved ones once again. ***
It is with great honor that such a program is finally being implemented so that Filipino WWII Veterans can finally be together with their loved ones once again.
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pine Scouts or within any other component of the US Armed Forces in the Far East at any time during the period beginning September 1, 1939 to December 31, 1946. As noted, individuals may still be eligible to apply for parole under the FWVP policy even if the Petitioner on the Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative has already passed away. However, before an individual can apply for parole, the policy requires that the Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative first be approved for reinstatement under the humanitarian reinstatement process. The DHS will begin accepting applications for parole from individuals who meet these criteria beginning June 8, 2016. The application process will require submission of an Affidavit of Sup-
For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; info@ aquinoloew.com. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996. (Advertising Supplement)
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 June 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-inlaw 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 Philipp ine American Bar Association. LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@ dtanlaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
against the employer. Consider the case of employees at a sheriff’s department in San Francisco as reported by the Daily Journal: A group of San Francisco Sheriffs Supervisors sued the city and county of San Francisco, on behalf of themselves and other employees, claiming that they were not paid for conducting or attending “muster time” prior to the start of their shifts. “Muster time” is a kind of meeting where deputy sheriffs were given instructions regarding the upcoming shift. Aside from not being paid for attending muster time, the employees also complained about not being paid for putting on and taking off their uniforms and equipment before clocking in or out for their shift. Rather than proceed to trial, the parties agreed to settle the case. The employer agreed to pay $1,035,000 to about 103 sheriff supervisors, and an ad-
To Live With Faith reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS “THE Spirit is present only when charity, joy, peace, patience, endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity are deeply in our lives— and permeate the air around us.” –Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday—the great feast when we commemorate that time when the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles and assembled as believers fifty days after Christ’s resurrection. On that day, as Leo the Great said, “the clarion of the gospel has rung out, a rain charisms, a river of blessings, has watered every desert and dry land, for the Spirit of God has swept over the waters to renew the face of the earth, and a blaze of new light has shown out to dispel our former darkness.” From that day, the apostles came out boldly from their timid selves to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations and to bring conversion to Christianity to many people. Succeeding apostles and believers would continue to spread this faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to the whole world.
ditional $250,000 for the employees’ attorney fees and costs. An additional $5,000 in service awards will be paid to the three employees who had come forward to sue. The case settlement totaled $1.3 million. In determining whether additional wages are due, employees should not be discouraged if the work performed was “off-theclock” and not recorded. They should also not simply accept that they’re not entitled to additional wages just because the work performed was “voluntary,” “unauthorized” or “unapproved.” Work performed voluntarily, or without authorization or approval, may still be compensable if the employer knows or should know work is being done and permits the employee to do it. In addition, all the time spent performing work-related activities for the benefit of the employer, whether “required” by the
employer or not, would still be hours worked. These would include work performed at the employer’s premises or work performed “at home” or at another place that is not the usual work site. Employers who accept the benefits of the work performed by its non-exempt employees must pay the wages due to these employees. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully obtained significant recoveries for thousands of employees and consumers. He is named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. (Advertising Supplement)
Living, working, and governing in the Spirit We all have become part of this great task and commission. We continue to speak boldly about our faith in Jesus Christ and all the He stands for, especially in times when people and governments are not living the mandate of the Gospel to bring love, justice, and peace in our world. In connection with the recent outcome of the presidential election in the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Philippines is right in making this bold statement: “The greatest promise the Church can offer any government is vigilant collaboration, and that offer, we make now. We will urge our people to work with the government for the good of all, and we shall continue to be vigilant so that ever so often we may speak out to teach and to prophesy, to admonish and to correct—for this is our vocation.” We hope too that we, bishops and priests, would preach not just by words but also by example. It’s time that we show a genuine apostolic life marked by humility, simplicity of life, and chastity. It’s time that we too become vigilant about our conducts and lifestyles. After all, to live in the Spirit
means to live by the Law, which St. Paul describes as not living in “lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factionalism, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like” but living in “charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity.” (Gal 5:22) On this Pentecost Sunday, we pray for a new era of life in the Spirit in the Philippines. We pray that the new government, the church and all civic and religious groups work together to bring progress of peace, justice, safety, unity, education, and economy in the Philippines. *** 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.
Community Journal
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Seniors plan their golden years
Debt Relief
One gets rid of debt, while the other attempts to collect monies lent
Atty. LAwrence yAng I GOT my senior’s week last week. Two different seniors, both over 80 came to see me for different reasons. The first was 83. He was in good health, just a little stooped. Still works full time and receives social security. Wife receives a small social security. He and his wife live with their son, so they have no mortgage or rent expense, which is good. He has a new car and pays a car loan of $400. He wants to keep the car. He has an old car that he used as collateral for a high interest loan. He does not want to keep the old car because the high interest loan requires $500 a month at 50% annual interest. Yes, that’s pretty high interest for a secured debt. His problem is $35,000 of credit card debt that he has kept current for the last 15 years, paying $1,000 a month. He though it wasn’t such a great idea keeping them current in the last 15 years because he already forked over $180,000 in the last 15 years to keep them current, and surprise! He still owes the same $35,000 now. He thought he certainly would have been happier now if he had that $180,000 in his pocket. He could take his wife, his sweetheart of 60 years cruising all over the world and pay cash for those cruises. His wife wanted to take a cruise to the Greek isles and the Mediterranean coast, maybe spend a couple of days in Barcelona, enjoying the artwork of Dali and the whimsical architecture of Gaudi. He wanted to see the office of the Philippine tobacco company, which was in Barcelona when the Spaniards were still lording it over the islands. I asked him what’s your connection with the Philippine tobacco company anyway? He said his grandfather worked for that company his whole life and all he got from it was a gold plated watch and a gold plated cigar. Not even a good pension that he could live with. Why was your
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grandfather a Spaniard, I asked? He was an illustrado, he said, with a moustache that made him look like Pancho Villa. I asked him if he could still speak Spanish and he said “Claro que si, senor abogado.” In fact, he told me that he still had many relatives in Barcelona, that’s why he wanted to bring his sweetheart to visit, and he wanted to meet all his Spanish relatives. Well, I told him that if you had gotten rid of your $35K of credit card debt 15 years ago with a Chapter 7 petition, then today, you could actually buy a condo in the south coast of Spain, and retire there with your sweetheart for a quarter of the cost of living in LA. Instead of being able to retire there with a fully paid condo overlooking the tranquil Mediterranean, you now have
$40K to a brother who wanted to buy a restaurant. You know what I mean. The money lent has stacked up over the years and have not been repaid. He feels unsecure now because he has maintenance expenses now, which are escalating. Just the caregiver costs $2K a month. Well, the problem of course is that it’s easy to lend out money, but it’s very difficult to collect. First off, would be to file lawsuits to collect. So, at least you end up with money judgments that accrue legal interest at 10% yearly. In addition, placing judgment liens on real property can enforce these money judgments, wages can be garnished, and bank accounts can be levied. This is a lot better than waiting for his beloved relatives to start paying him back, which knows when. The truth is, which is better left unsaid, beloved relatives are probably waiting for client to kick the bucket so they can forget about paying him back. After all, he won’t need cash in heaven, would he? Nope. The third client is a young senior at 58. She is a single mom with a good paying job as a registered nurse. She has two kids in college who need support. Her problem is $50K of credit card debt. The choice is making minimum payments of $1,500 a month to visa and MasterCard, or giving the $1,500 to her college kids to help them pay their rents in out of state colleges. It’s a no brainer. Client decides to discharge her $50K of credit card debt with a Chapter 7 petition. “This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” — Psalm 34:6-7
Well, the problem of course is that it’s easy to lend out money, but it’s very difficult to collect. First off, would be to file lawsuits to collect. to get rid of your $35K of credit card debt, and live in a tiny room with your son. Think about the opportunity you missed to live in the South coast of Spain now, just because you wanted to keep your $35K of credit cards current for 15 years. And even if you prefer to live here in LA, the $180K of cash in your pocket, well managed, can give you an extra $700 of income a month which you can use to indulge what you and your wife want to do now. Otherwise, you wake ip everyday and just stare at each other, or watch TV the whole day. Not really an exciting way of living your golden years, is it? He chooses to file a Chapter 7 to get rid of $35K credit cards even though it’s way late. Better late than never. The second senior is 80. His wife passed away recently. They have no children but have a lot of relatives who owe him money. He and his wife were generous in lending a helping hand to their relatives when they were younger. $50K to a cousin who wanted to buy a UPS store.
”
*** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
The officers and board members of USTMAASC (UST Medical Alumni Association of Southern CA) has begun its planning session for the USTMAAA 24th Grand Reunion and Medical Convention from July 3 to 6 at Hilton Long Beach. The meeting was held at Pres. Lino de Guzman’s residence in Newport Beach. For more information, call the USTMAAA Executive office at (812) 238-1216 or (248) 626-2878 or log on to www. ustmaaamerica.wildapricot.org Register on or before June 17 to get good rates.
Will a domestic violence finding affect my…
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(e) of Section 243 of, or Section 261,262, 273.5, 422, or 646.9 of, the Penal Code.The requirement of a finding by the court shall also be satisfied if any court, whether that court hears or has heard the child custody proceedings or not, has made a finding pursuant to subdivision (a) based on conduct occurring within the previous five years. In Christina L v. Chauncey B, 229 Cal. App 4th 731 (2014),the Court of appeal held that because a Domestic Violence restraining order must be based on a finding that the party being restrained committed one or more acts of domestic abuse, a finding of domestic abuse sufficient to support a DVPA restraining order
necessarily triggers the rebuttable statutory presumption that an award of sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of the child. Cal. Fam. Code §§ 3044. The presumption that an award of sole or joint physical or legal custody of a child to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence is detrimental to the best interest of the child changes the burden of persuasion, but may be overcome by a preponderance of the evidence showing that it is in the child’s best interest to grant joint or sole custody to the offending parent. Cal. Fam. Code § 3044. In that case, the father had a history of perpetrating domes-
What are visas for temporary…
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The list, which is not exclusive, appears daunting. However, a non-immigrant visa waiver exists for many of the grounds of inadmissibility. As with all things immigration, the waiver is more difficult to obtain than it would seem at first glance, but it is certainly possible. One interested in coming to the United States for any reason would be wise to consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration lawyer before applying for a visa.
***
Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
tic violence against the mother. Domestic Violence restraining orders has been issued multiple times over the years including within the last 5 years. The trial court ignored both the existing restraining order, the legal effect of such a judicial finding, and failed to apply the family code 3044 presumption and instead awarded joint custody to father. The Court of appeal reversed and remanded the case back to the trial court. (copyright 7/7/15) at Kenreyeslaw.com *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. (Advertising Supplement)
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Families of Filipino WWII veterans may be allowed Majority of Asian Americans to come to the US ASAP, and wait for their petitions have financial goals but Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ BEGINNING on June 8, 2016, certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans may apply to come to the US (through “humanitarian parole”) and wait in the US until the priority date on their family based petition becomes current. This program, announced on May 9, 2016, is called the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Policy (FWVP), and offers “certain beneficiaries of approved family – based immigrant visa petitions an opportunity to request a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis”. USCIS announced this policy in recognition of the “extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II. The policy also enhances the ability of such elderly veterans and their spouses to obtain care and support from their family members abroad.” In other words, family members with pending petitions can come to the US years ahead of their priority date being current, to help care for their elderly parents. The basic eligibility requirements are: • The person seeking parole must be the beneficiary of an approved Form I – 130 relative petition, filed by the Veteran or his surviving spouse. Therefore, it
could be a petition filed not only by the Veteran, but also by the Veteran’s spouse. • The family members eligible for parole would include beneficiaries “under any family – sponsored preference category.” This would include married (F-3) or unmarried children (F-1), or even brothers or sisters (F-4) of Veterans. (Immediate relatives of Veterans (spouse, parent, child under 21) are NOT eligible, since their visa is immediately available.) • Also eligible for parole would be accompanying or following to join spouses and children of the principal beneficiary. For example, if Tatay petitioned an adult, married son in 2004 (F-3), not only will the son be eligible to come to the US right away, but also the son’s spouse and minor children. • The petitioner (the Veteran) is living in the US, or, if deceased, was living in the US at the time of his death. So, there may be issues if Tatay went back to the Philippines to retire, and died there. • If the petitioner is the “surviving spouse” of the Veteran, the persons eligible for parole would include only the children of the surviving spouse who are also the children of the Filipino World War II Veteran. This could also include “stepchildren” of the Veteran. • If the Filipino World War II Veteran has died, the family members must first seek “humanitarian revalidation” from USCIS, to have the petition “reinstated”. Although humanitarian revalidation (or
Makati Business Club Co-Vice Chair Jaime Augusto Zobel De Ayala shakes hand with presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte last April 27. Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toledo IV
Business groups express support for new gov’t by Kristyn
niKa M. ManilaTimes.net
Lazo
with the government in order to sustain the positive economic IN a turnaround from pre-elec- trajectory of the country. “We congratulate the newlytion criticism of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, business groups elected leaders. We assure them of have expressed their “cooperation the cooperation and support of the and support” for the new admin- Philippine Chamber of Commerce istration, vowing to work together PAGE D2
More airlines investing in flight connectivity, says Honeywell by LoueLLa
DesiDerio Philstar.com
PHOENIX—More airlines all over the world are expected to invest in connectivity to cater to the passengers’ need for reliable in-flight Internet and for the upkeep of the aircraft, according to Honeywell Aerospace. Carl Esposito, vice president for strategy, marketing and product management at Honeywell Aerospace, told visiting interna-
tional media here more airlines are likely to spend for providing connectivity on flights to enhance services to passengers. While connecting to the Internet on-board a plane was impossible before, it has become part of passengers’ considerations when purchasing tickets. Citing a company-sanctioned survey, Esposito said 28 percent or one in four passengers would PAGE D2
Business Quote of the Week “The lessons I learned from the dark days at Alibaba are that you’ve got to make your team have value, innovation, and vision. Also, if you don’t give up, you still have a chance. And, when you are small, you have to be very focused and rely on your brain, not your strength.” - Jack Ma, Chinese business magnate and executive chairman of Alibaba Group
reinstatement) can be difficult or uphill, I believe being eligible for FWVP would be an excellent ground for having the petition reinstated. After all, if this parole authority is being exercised in recognition of the extraordinary contributions and sacrifices of Filipino World War II Veterans, it would have no value if USCIS does not reinstate the petition. • Finally, it must be established that the petitioner truly was a World War II veteran, based on records maintained by the US government. There are many Filipino family members under petition by a parent who is a Veteran of World War II, but the priority date on their petition is still years away. This new program would allow these family members, and their spouse and minor children, to come to the US and be with their elderly parents and help care for them, while waiting for the priority date on their petition to become current. Then, once current, steps can be made for them to either adjust status in the US or consular process in Manila.
If you believe you or your family members could be eligible for this program, you should seek the advice of an immigration attorney, who can evaluate your situation, help package the parole request, assist in processing through the US Embassy, and otherwise ensure you are eligible and can document and meet the applicable requirements. *** 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)
need a plan to achieve them
M I LW A U K E E — R e c e n t studies* show 54 percent of Asian Americans hold at minimum a bachelor’s degree, making them the most educated ethnic group in the US. As a result, Asian Americans are yielding betterpaying jobs, yet incurring greater educational debt than the rest of the population. Northwestern Mutual celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by revealing key insights into the financial beliefs and habits of Asian Americans and offering ways they can improve their financial futures. “We believe everyone deserves financial security and the chance to achieve their piece of the American Dream—however they define it,” said Rick Hu, financial advisor and managing director at Northwestern Mutual. “Our goal as financial professionals is to help guide individuals and families along the path of achieving their financial goals and dreams in ways that are meaningful to them and aligned with their cultural
values and identity.” Key findings from the research reveal contradictions among Asian Americans and their finances: • Asian Americans are more likely than non-Asians to be better educated and earn more. Yet fewer than half feel they are successful in their lives right now. • More than 7 in 10 Asian Americans agree they are responsible for their own financial success; and two-thirds are confident they can manage their money. Yet only 1 in 3 have a written financial plan, while only 1 in 4 has met with a financial professional. • Younger Asian Americans (ages 18-29) are most likely to believe that an inheritance is a form of financial success. The insights represent an opportunity for Northwestern Mutual to help bridge the gap for Asian Americans with educational tools and resources to help PAGE D2
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Jollibee earnings grow 18% by Richmond
meRcuRio Philstar.com
locally and abroad. In a disclosure to the Philippine MANILA—Jollibee Foods Corp. Stock Exchange, JFC said earn(JFC) posted higher earnings in ings grew 17.7 percent to P1.4 the first quarter of the year on billion as systemwide sales rose robust sales across company- 14.8 percent to P34.3 billion. “The sales increase was driven owned and franchised stores
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, JFC said earnings grew 17.7 percent to P1.4 billion as systemwide sales rose 14.8 percent to P34.3 billion.
by an eight percent same store sales growth on a worldwide basis and store network growth of 6.8 percent. Same store sales growth pertains to restaurants that were already open for at least 15 months. It excludes sales growth from new store opening,” JFC said. Election-related expense, which boosted consumer spending also helped drive the company’s sales growth. JFC’s foreign business recorded a 10.5 percent year-on-year system wide sales growth with the US, Southeast Asia and Middle East businesses posting double digit hikes. The firm’s China business, however, improved by only 1.9 percent on sales pressure from recovering competing brands. As of the end of March, JFC had 2,493 restaurant outlets in the country and 650 outlets abroad.
Majority of Asian Americans have financial... PAGE D1 empower them in their financial journeys. 1. Financial success starts with personal success Personal success often translates into professional success. A positive cultural identity, staying rooted in culture, customs and family, makes it easier to share your successes with others. This also helps you teach others about how to best plan for the future. 2. Education and planning lead to financial freedom
Education has traditionally been the backbone of progress. And seeking education about your financial options will help you progress personally and financially. Just like the choice of what field to study, planning now will only lead to successes later. Whether it’s as simple as plotting out a financial roadmap or as involved as setting a budget for each step of your life, planning is always a step in the right direction. 3. Make your plan work for you
Focusing on financial security is sometimes easier said than done. That’s why financial experts are available to help you plan for the future, at any stage of your education or income level. A personalized financial plan can help position you for future financial success. *About the research Harris Poll conducted over 4,300 interviews in June 2015. The interviews were completed among US adults age 18+ and included members of the general population.
BSP says banking system ‘sound and stable’ by Ben
o. de VeRa Inquirer.net
THE country’s financial system as a whole remained “sound and stable” last year as the banking sector was awash with resources to sustain robust economic growth, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). “As the BSP pursued sustained reforms with financial sector stakeholders, the banking system posted sufficient capitalization, improved asset quality and continued growth in assets, loans and deposit liabilities,” it said. The BSP noted that universal and commercial banks’ current capital adequacy ratio of 14.9 percent indicated sufficient capitalization as banks’ expansion activities and operations as a whole impacted manageably on the industry’s total capital and profitability. BSP data showed that the Philippine banking system’s net profit slightly declined by 0.2 percent to P134.6 billion in 2015 from P134.9 billion in 2014, but the BSP maintained that industry
profit “was relatively stable despite tempered trading gains on the back of rising interest rates.” The banking system also contained its year-on-year profit drop from the steeper 6.9 percent posted in 2014. Last year, “funding remained largely sourced from retail and peso deposits of residents,” the BSP said. Foreign currency deposit liabilities comprised 16.7 percent of total deposit liabilities. Banks were generally compliant with the required asset and liquid asset cover ratios of 100 percent and 30 percent, respectively, in 2015, it added. As for the trust industry, the BSP noted that it posted a modest 0.3-percent year-on-year growth to P2.7 trillion on the back of increasing concentration and faster growth in financial assets, particularly corporate debt securities over equity investments. Overall dollar-denominated assets propped up the expansion in trust assets, the BSP added. Also, foreign bank branches
and subsidiaries similarly ended 2015 with improved solvency, asset quality and liquidity, according to the BSP. “Profitability was maintained on higher interest income. The four new foreign bank branches and subsidiaries brought in fresh funds to the Philippine banking system when they commenced operations in 2015.” Other non-bank financial institutions, meanwhile, exhibited prudence in their overall risk-taking activities and provided sufficient capital buffers for unforeseen shocks from their operating environment, such as rising interest rates last year, the BSP said. In particular, non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions (consisting of investment houses and finance corporations) reported positive net profit and sufficient capitalization with borrowings mostly in the form of deposit substitutes, it said. Moving forward, the BSP said it “continues to bolster the banking system’s capabilities to address potential risks.”
Business groups express... PAGE D1 and Industry (PCCI) in providing a stable and enabling environment for further growth of the economy. In full partnership with all sectors of our nation, we join in the effort to create more businesses, more employments to benefit more people,” George Barcelon, PCCI president, said in a statement. “The voting on May 9 resulted in an orderly, peaceful and credible election. It set a high standard of quality for free and fair elections in the future. With the tabulation and transmission of a big portion of votes from all over the country overnight, the automated process has strengthened public confidence in our democratic process,” he added. A day after the elections, the Makati Business Club (MBC) also issued a statement, saying that the “process of healing must begin” among Filipinos that may have crossed the line in defending their bets, and that the people should “come together to support our new leaders.” “Let us focus on those aspirations that unite us, rather than on the issues that divide us. After all, despite our divisions, we all aspire for the common goal of authentic freedom and inclusive development,” the MBC said. “The Philippines remains in a special spot with numerous positive forces converging in our favor. Propelling the country to greater heights requires the cooperation of all sectors of society. On the part of the business community, we welcome the clear mandate given our new leaders by our people and the credibility of the elections, and we stand ready to be an active and participative partner of government in ensuring sustainable and
inclusive growth that benefits not just a select few but all Filipinos,” the business group said. “It is our hope that the 2016 elections bring forth a country grounded on the principles of protecting and strengthening our democratic institutions, and on decency, integrity, justice, empathy, competence, peace and order especially in Mindanao, and respect for the rule of law,” it added. Prior to the elections, both the MBC and PCCI’s Barcelon had expressed doubts about Duterte, citing the lack of details in his economic plan and concerns about his unconventional personality. The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) also said that it would “support the new leaders of the country” in carrying out their mandate to serve the best interests of the people, as well as the business community. “FPI sincerely congratulates the newly elected President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as well as the other elected officials who are all enjoined to steward the country in a manner that is for the best interest of the people and the country,” the FPI said in a separate statement. “For its part, the [FPI] has assured its full support to the new leaders which it has consistently and usually done in the past irrespective of personalities, not only because it is apolitical, but, because it is the right thing to do for our nation,” it added. All the three business groups in the country commended the Commission on Elections and the teacher volunteer safeguarding the ballots for the effective delivery of the whole election process, seen as “highly credible, clean and honest.”
More airlines investing in flight...
PAGE D1 give up their first class seats for fast and reliable in-flight Wi-Fi. The survey also found the top complaints of passengers on inflight Wi-Fi are slow speeds and interrupted connections. As passengers want reliable Internet connectivity while on-board the plane, Esposito said airlines are now looking at providing cost-effective and reliable Internet on flights. “Airlines focus on differentiation and connectivity is a way to differentiate service,” he said. Given the clamor from airlines, Honeywell and Inmarsat, which provide global mobile satellite communications services, have developed the first reliable, global high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi service. Esposito said Honeywell is now working on installing the Global Xpress (GX) Aviation system on different aircraft to be able to provide passengers seamless in-flight connectivity. By using the GX Aviation system, passengers can experience Internet services similar to what is enjoyed in their homes, allowing them to check and post social media updates, send emails as well as watch live streaming TV. “We’re working around the globe with airlines, aircraft manufacturers. It is rolling out now,” Esposito said. Among the airlines that have adopted GX Aviation to bring
high-speed in-flight Internet to their passengers are Lufthansa, Vietnam Airlines, Air China and Singapore Airlines. Michael Edmonds, vice president for services and connectivity at Honeywell Aerospace, said different business models for charging for the use of in-flight Wi-Fi are expected to emerge as more airlines start offering the service. “Some will have it part of the loyalty program,” he said. Apart from investing in connectivity for better passenger service, Esposito said airlines are also seen to spend for connectivity for the maintenance of the aircraft. He said Honeywell is currently working on research on how to connect mechanical parts of aircraft so it would be easier to determine if such need to be checked or repaired. Through connectivity solutions, he said Honeywell’s goal is to help those in the aerospace industry to make their operations more efficient. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing company. Through its Aerospace business unit, Honeywell is involved in developing innovative solutions for more fuel-efficient automobiles and airplanes, more direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity services and logistics.
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Civil Cars: the vehicles of ‘Captain America: Civil War’ by Jason
K. ang
Inquirer.net
The Avengers, the superhero team led by Tony Stark aka Iron Man, and Steve Rogers aka Captain America, always have interesting means of transportation. They have at their disposal the harrier-like Vertical Take-Off and Lift Quinjet, or the ShIeLD helicarrier. But when they have to go fast on the ground, cars are still the best way to travel. The Marvel movies have gone out of their way to make Tony Stark a certified car lover. his workshop in the first “Iron Man” movie included a 1967 Shelby Cobra and the then-unreleased Tesla Roadster. As is appropriate for the technology-based superhero, Iron Man has had a soft spot for Audi, in particular the R8. he has driven the R8 Coupe, then the R8 Spyder, and then the electric R8 e-tron in his own movie series. he had a brief dalliance with the new NSX sports car, as Nick Fury seems to have had struck a supply deal with Acura for “The Avengers” movie. For “Captain America: Civil War,” Mr. Stark is back behind the wheel of an Audi, this time the new-generation R8 V10 plus Coupe supercar. Corporate sponsor Audi supplied the vehicles for several set pieces in the new blockbuster movie. For a car chase in Germany, it’s Captain America who takes control of an Audi SQ7. The SQ7 is the performance version of Audi’s seven-seat Q7 SUV. It’s the most powerful diesel SUV in the world, with 435 horsepower and 900 Newton-meters on tap, making it fiercely fast when you’ve got the Winter Soldier to catch. It’s not just the large 4.0-liter V8 diesel that makes it powerful. It is equipped with twin turbochargers, and—with a uniquely Audi technological touch—an electrically powered compressor to help minimize turbo lag. The electric supercharger can provide boost in less than 0.25 seconds. The 2.2-ton SUV can sprint to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 250 kph. The twin exhaust valves per cylinder each feed a separate turbocharger. At low engine speeds, only one exhaust valve per cylinder is activated to feed the first turbo. At higher engine speeds, both are opened to use the two turbos.
Royalty gets special access to Audi’s future vehicles, such as the Prologue concept car. From right: the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and the Black Panther’s unsmiling security chief (Florence Kasumba)
Even Captain America (Chris Evans) has a tough time catching up with the world’s fastest diesel SUV, the SQ7.
Tech mogul and part-time armored superhero Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) drives to the Avengers headquarters in the new R8 V10.
The SQ7 uses a 48-volt electrical subsystem to activate the electricpowered compressor. It’s also used for the active roll stabilization system. Stabilizer bars provide reduce body roll and better handling, but can compromise the ride comfort. In the SQ7, a compact electric motor can separate the two halves of the car’s stabilizer bar on rough-road surfaces for improved comfort. Captain America’s frenemy Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier, probably took scant notice of that as he zoomed away in what appears to be a modified harleyDavidson XR1200X. The XR1200 is a sport model that features a 91-hP engine and four-piston dual front disc brakes. Other Audis that featured in the movie included the Audi prologue show car, driven by Chadwick
Boseman’s Black Panther character. emily VanCamp’s Sharon Carter aka Agent 13 uses the new Audi A4. even Daniel Bruhl’s villainous Zemo goes for the A7 Sportback. The most memorable cameo of the movie (sorry, Stan Lee) would have to be Steve Roger’s ironic choice of a getaway car: a Volkswagen Beetle. The Beetle was the original “people’s car” or, in German, Volkswagen, developed by Ferdinand Porsche under the orders of no less than Adolf hitler. Perhaps it turned out to be a nostalgic choice. There’s also a big of good news in his selection of the Beetle: If the good Captain could become fond of a German car, then perhaps there’s hope that he and Tony Stark can eventually learn to get along.
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Longo Lexus offers the ultimate Longo Toyota delivers world class experience 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.
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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
BEING the premiere Toyota retailer in the nation, Longo Toyota aims to deliver a truly world-class experience to our guests on every transaction, everyday. It all starts with our friendly and welcoming staff, a clean and modern environment, and a wide range of services to make your visit pleasant and convenient. Here are some of our key amenities at Longo Toyota: Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) In November 1999, Longo Toyota became the first automotive dealership in the US to have the Auto Club on its premises. For 14 long years, our Auto Club branch has served countless satisfied Longo customers with its wide array of services Today, our on-site branch offers DMV services, airline, car and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, membership processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, and more. Sign up at our Longo Toyota branch and get $13 off the original membership application price. Located in our new car showroom, our AAA branch is open Mondays thru Saturdays, from 11am to 7pm. Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer Longo Lexus is the first car dealership in the US to provide Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless Neighborhood services on-site. Our Verizon branch offers the latest in telecommunications, mobile devices, accessories and services. We also offer complimentary cellphone charging stations for our customers. Our Verizon retailer is located inside our parts retail center. Our Wireless Playground is open Monday-Friday, 7am7pm; Saturday, 7am-5:30pm; and Sunday, 8-4pm. Please call (888) 623-2133 for more information. Starbucks and Subway While waiting for your car to come out of our car-care service lines, you can enjoy a quick bite at Subway or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks. We offer healthy dining options with Subway’s wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps.
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If you’re thirsty and you’re looking for that quick coffee fix, you can grab a refreshing Hazelnut Macchiato or a smooth Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks. Offering only the finest coffee specialties, teas, juices, and assortment of pastries, there’s something for everybody at our on-site Starbucks branch. Both our Subway and Starbucks branches are available for catering services. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Longo Toyota also has two Enterprise Rent-A-Car offices on its premises. One is located adjacent to the Service Drive in the Pre-Owned Vehicle Showroom, and the other is in the Collision Repair Center. Customers are welcome to utilize the Enterprise rental services, regardless of whether or not they leave their vehicle in Longo for any car service. Complimentary Vehicle Delivery Service Longo Toyota also offer complimentary vehicle delivery service. Our delivery service is available 6 days a week, Monday thru Saturday, anywhere within a 60-mile radius of Longo Toyota. Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department You can also shop at the Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department, which carries a wide selection of genuine Toyota parts and accessories for your vehicle. With thousands of parts and accessories in stock, we definitely have whatever it is you’re looking for. Our boutique also carries a selection of Ray-Ban and Oakley sunglasses, women’s and
men’s apparel, and so much more. Shuttle Service For your convenience, Longo Toyota offers complimentary shuttle service while your vehicles are being serviced. Our shuttles can take you to virtually anywhere within a 15-mile radius of Longo Toyota – be it your home, work, the mall, or even the parlor! Anywhere! An engaging stay While we understand that our customer’s time is precious, we realize that many of them may need Internet connectivity at all times. As such we are more than happy to provide FREE WiFi throughout our facility, and FREE use of our great business center. In our business center, we provide a quiet setting where our guests can work on our computers or on their own laptops. We also provide free use of an iPad for Longo guests who are waiting for their vehicles. Our Guest Check-in representative will be more than happy to arrange this for you. If you decide to bring the kids to the dealership, boredom will never be a problem. We also offer a variety of video games and DVDs just for kids so that they can also enjoy their visit to Longo Toyota. For more information on our Longo Toyota Guest Services, please log on to http://www. longotoyota.com/dealership/ amenities.htm. Longo Toyota is located at 3534 North Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731. Call (800) 617-4516 to set up your appointment. 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek
D may 14-17, 2016 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL
EMPLOYMENT
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 14-17, 2016 D
EMPLOYMENT
D may 14-17, 2016 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOURNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797