W W W M
Los AngeLes
W E E W K EE N EWD K EE ENKDE N D M I D W E E K
E D I T I OE ND I T I O NI T I O N ED
w w w . a s iwa w nw j o. ua w rs niwaaw nl .j. ca o osu m irannajlo.
EDITION
November 12-15, 2016
wwwww. .a aj ds w ujw n m w ii gawintwja.olae drd iw i iol.t.n ce o i tgaw i it ti ao ln aacj.l o d idgm
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 p A p e r
Volume 26 - No. 91 • 4 Sections – 30 Pages
www.ajdigitaledition.com
1210 S. Brand 1210 Blvd.,S. Glendale, CA Brand Blvd., Glendale 1210 S. 91204 Brand Blv
Tels: 818.502.0651Tels: • 213.250.9797 • Fax: 818.502.0858 • 213.481.0854 818.502.0651 • 818.502.0651 213.250.9797 Fax: 818.502.0858 Tels: •• 213.250.9797 • Fax:• 8 Also published in: • Orange County/Inland • Northern California •Empire Las Vegas • New York/ New•Jersey Also published in: published • OrangeEmpire County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas Jersey Also in: • Orange County/Inland • Northern California •New Las York/ VegasNew • New York/ New Jersey 1210 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204
Obama, Trump discuss policy in first meeting
Also published in: • Orange County/Inland Empire • Northern California • Las Vegas • New York/ New Jersey
Tels: 818.502.0651 • 213.250.9797 • Fax: 818.502.0858 • 213.481.0854
Obama seeks to ease transition of leaders an “excellent conversation.” “my No. 1 priority in the coming two months is to try to faciliPresIDeNt Barack obama tate a transition that ensures our extended an olive branch to president-elect is successful,” President-elect Donald trump obama said in a press conferin the oval office on thursday, ence following the meeting. Nov. 10, in their first meeting “I want to emphasize to you, since trump’s unexpected win mr. President-elect, that we now over hillary Clinton. are going to want to do everysitting side-by-side in the oval thing we can to help you succeed office, the two sought to put their because if you succeed, then the differences in the past for the country succeeds,” obama told meeting. of the nearly 90-minute trump in front of reporters. cordial meeting, obama reported trump said the discussion by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
USA
DATELINE Former NV AG Cortez Masto becomes first Latina in US Senate from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Democrats win key seats in Southern Nev.
former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez masto became the first Latina elected to the U.s. senate beating out republican rep. Joe heck in what was one of the tightest races in the nation during this election cycle. for the seat that will be vacated by sen. harry reid (D-Nev.), Cortez masto won 47.1 percent (520,658) of the votes, while heck garnered 44.7 percent (494,427). In addition to being the first Latina, Cortez masto will be the first woman to hold one of Nevada’s senate seats. the Las Vegas native and granddaughter of a mexican immigrant served as the state’s attorney general from 2007 to 2015. “I want you to know this isn’t my win, it is our win. We did this together” Cortez masto
touched on a myriad of domestic and foreign affairs as well as an introduction to life in the White house. “We discussed a lot of different situations, some wonderful and some difficulties. I very much look forward to dealing with the president in the future, including counsel,” trump said, telling obama what a “great honor” it was meeting with him and expressed “great respect” for the president.
PresIDeNt rodrigo Duterte has appointed real estate magnate Jose e.B. Antonio as special envoy to the United states, according to foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. In a statement, Yasay described Antonio, chair and chief executive officer of Century Properties Group, as the “perfect choice for Jose E.B. Antonio the position” due to his years of experience as a business leader and his “wide network” in the business community in the United states. “Jose Antonio is well-suited to work in advancing the mutual interests of both countries,” Yasay said, adding: “his strong busi-
u PAGE A4
White House photo by Pete Souza
u PAGE A2
Fil-Ams react to Trump’s stunning victory by MoMar
G. ViSaya, chriSTina M. oriel and Klarize Medenilla AJPress
LeADING up to election Day, the National Asian American survey (NAAs) reported that over a quarter of filipino registered voters favored trump, comprising the largest support out of any of the groups surveyed. Given the support fil-Ams had for
the filipino-American community to ensure their voices are heard, and create policies that will make them easier to have the opportunity to live their American Dream. Under a trump Administration and a GoP majority in both chambers of Congress, our nation will thrive and be a huge improvement from the failed liberal policies of the last eight years,” Ninio fetalvo, APA press secretary of the rNC, said.
trump and the republican Party, the republican National Committee (rNC) continued its outreach to the community, especially in battleground states. “through the rNC’s historic datadriven ground game operation from the past three years, republicans up and down the ballot worked with the filipino-American community, and played a significant role in the success in this year’s election. republicans will continue to work with
u PAGE A3
Duterte to keep PH shift to China, ASEAN amid Trump win Pernia says pivot to China a ‘safety net’ for PH economy by dana
SioSon AJPress
u PAGE A4
Antonio appointed as special envoy to US
FIRST MEETING. President Barack Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, Nov. 10. Trump shared that the 90-minute discussion touched on a myriad of domestic and foreign affairs as well as an introduction to life in the White House.
President Rodrigo Duterte
PresIDeNt rodrigo Duterte affirmed that the Philippines’ shift towards China and other members of the AseAN (Association of southeast Asian Nations) will be maintained amid Donald trump’s victory in the recent United states presidential election. “I will pursue what I’ve started. Not into the habit of reneging on my word. And my partnership with China, and rest of the AseAN remains,” President Duterte said on friday, November 11, upon his ar-
rival in Davao City after his visit to malaysia. Duterte also pointed out that his actions will be anchored only on the interest of the Philippines. “I will sail the state of the nation, and it should be pushed by the wind of self-interest only. the self-interest of our nation,” Duterte stressed. Last month during his trip to China, Duterte expressed his intent to severe ties with the U.s. and pursue an independent policy that is geared towards China and other countries in Asia.
Anti-Trump protests erupt in LA, other states by eric
anThony licaS AJPress
DoNALD trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential race, following a campaign criticized by many for its attitudes towards women and minorities, elicited a vocal response from people nationwide in cities like Los Angeles, Portland, Denver and Philadelphia. At times, the crowd’s persistent chant of “Not my President” overpowered the distorted voice blaring from a protester’s megaphone as thousands of people marched through the streets of Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 9. they convened twice, packed nearly shoulder to shoulder on the steps of City hall, to destroy effigies of trump while sharing words of outrage, resistance, and concern for the future of America. the republican nominee’s upset victory defied many exit polls leading into election day and shocked liberal leaning Americans like Beverly Laxa of Long Beach. “I’m in complete disbelief that trump has won,” the filipina graphic designer told the Asian Journal near the steps of City hall on Wednesday night. “I’m de-
u PAGE A3
u PAGE A2
House panel starts deliberation on death penalty bill VACC pushes return
of capital punishment
by dana
SioSon AJPress
the house of representatives subcommittee on Justice begun its initial hearing on the restoration of death penalty in the Philippines on thursday, November 10. the panel tackled seven bills that aim to revive the sanctioned killings in the Philippines, including the house Bill No. 1. the bill, filed by speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, was co-authored by house Leaders and representatives fredenil Castro, rodolfo fariñas, Danilo suarez, raneo Abu, rolando Andaya, Jr., michael John Duavit, and rodel Batocabe. house Bill No. 1 stated that there is a need for the country to re-im-
by llaneSca
T. PanTi ManilaTimes.net
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez
pose death penalty because “the national crime rate has grown to such alarming proportions requiring an all-out offensive against all forms of felonious acts.”
“the imposition of the death penalty for heinous crimes and the mode of its implementation, both subjects of repealed laws, are cru-
u PAGE A3
the country’s faulty justice system should not be made an excuse not to restore death penalty, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez said Wednesday, Nov. 9. Jimenez attended the first hearing by the house of representatives of seven proposals to restore death penalty that will cover heinous crimes, including drug trafficking. “the anti-death penalty groups says it [death penalty]could be meted to an innocent person so we have to strengthen our judicial system instead? that is overly idealistic argument. Just because the sys-
u PAGE A3
A NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
From the Front Page
Obama, Trump discuss policy in first… PAGE A1 t
Trump added: “As far as I’m concerned, it could have gone on for longer,” calling Obama “a very good man.” According to Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama also met with Trump’s wife, Melania, at the White House. “We want to make sure that they feel welcome,” Obama said.
The meeting comes one day after Obama delivered a speech on the White House lawn in which he expressed optimism for the upcoming administration. He urged Americans to welcome the new president, citing his own 2008 transition into the White House following former President George W. Bush. “Eight years ago, President
Bush and I had some pretty significant differences, but President Bush’s team could not have been more professional or more gracious in making sure we had a smooth transition,” Obama said on Wednesday, November 9. “So I have instructed my team to follow the example that President Bush’s team set.” A shaky relationship A meeting in between the president and the president-elect is customary, although the political climate leading up to it was anything but typical. During the campaign season, Obama campaigned heavily for Trump’s adversary, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary MORE INCLUSIVE BODY. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a copy of the Executive Order on the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which Clinton. He went as far as to call he signed in the presence of (from left) MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, presidential adviser Jesus Dureza, MILF chairman Al Hajj Trump “temperamentally unfit” Murad and government peace panel chairman Irene Santiago. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan and unqualified for the presidency, citing his lack of experience in public office. The two have had almost no in-person interaction prior to PAGE A1 t with Beijing that would generate Wednesday, November 9, PresiThursday’s meeting. Previously, Duterte also announced upon 2 million jobs for Filipinos in the dent Duterte expressed his intent Trump has heavily criticized the his arrival from China that he next five years. to maintain cooperation with the u PAGE A4 secured a $24 billion worth deal Even so, in a statement on U.S. under the future Trump administration. Duterte said he “looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-U.S. relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law.” “Ayaw kong makipag-away kasi nandyan na si Trump (I don’t want to quarrel anymore because Trump is now there). I would like to congratulate President Trump.” he added. On the other hand, for some business leaders and analysts, Trump’s win may not be good for Philippines’ interest, particularly for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Filipinos under the business process outsourcing industry (BPO) sector. A study conducted last July by Nomura Holdings Inc. estimated that around 31 percent of total worker remittances comes from Filipinos working in America. In fact, remittances from OFWs is one of the largest financial inflows for the local economy according to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). However, some economic analysts feared that it might be greatly affected under Trump’s campaign promise of
Duterte to keep PH shift to China…
u PAGE A5
Welcome Home! Philippine National Bank has created the Own a Philippine Home Loan program, specifically for you. We’re making it easier than ever to buy a home in the Philippines, while still living abroad. Through the Own a Philippine Home Loan program, you can: • Borrow for a house, townhouse, condominium or lot in the Philippines • Refinance a Philippine home mortgage loan • Make easy mortgage payments from the US • Borrow up to 80% of the selling price (or total bank appraisal value) • Choose flexible term options of 10, 15 or 20 years
Los Angeles Office Hours: M-F 9:00am - 3:00pm Sat 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Call Today! 213-401-1800 Ext. 212 www.pnb.com.ph/losangeles
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
From the Front page
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
A
Fil-Ams react to Trump’s stunning…
PAGE A1 t
“I voted for a change in America,” Cecile Ramos, a Fil-Am community leader in Los Angeles, said. “And I believe Donald Trump represents that. Dolly De Leon, a business owner and avid Trump supporter in Las Vegas, said the Republican’s win was a “real surprise.” “The ‘Silent Majority’ is not silent anymore after Trump wins. Many were shocked not just surprised. Pollsters were wrong and even lied to the public for the purpose of swaying voters or intimidating Trump’s supporters. Many Filipino-Americans did not vote for Trump because they were not really informed of the platform of the Trump campaign,” she said. Ron Villaneuva, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, congratulated Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence for their win. “As a member of your Asian Americans for Trump Advisory
Board, I was honored along with my colleagues from all the Asian American communities to work alongside you and help advance our communities and America. We have a lot of work ahead of us as we work to fix a broken national government. We look forward to working with you and your administration in helping to create and sustain jobs here in America, fix a broken immigration system, restore our prominence in the international community, and have government working for us instead of against us. On behalf of our Filipino-American community, America is great because of its people so let’s all unite, work hard, and move our country forward,” he said in a letter addressed to Trump and Pence. Villanueva was one of five FilAms on Trump’s Asian Pacific American (APA) advisory board, a group tasked with briefing the campaign about issues relevant to the Asian American and Pa-
cific Islander (AAPI) population. “Filipinos in America should rejoice with those who believed in Donald Trump from the beginning I honestly believe that President Trump will be the president for all and will do what he had promised during his campaign,” De Leon added. Poll: Clinton wins AAPI vote Although Trump won the election overall, exit polling shows that Hillary Clinton won over more Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) voters by a landslide. An exit poll conducted by Asian American Decisions on the eve of the election showed that Clinton won over 75 percent of the AAPI compared to Trump’s 19 percent — 5 percent voted for another candidate. Across all the surveyed groups — Filipino, Chinese/Taiwanese, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese — Clinton received the most votes in the poll, titled 2016 Asian American Election
u PAGE A6
Anti-Trump protests erupt in LA…
PAGE A1 t
pressed, I’m emotional, I’m furious at this country.” Laxa, lime many other self employed Americans who pay for their own health care, said she worries what will happen to her if Trump fulfills his campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Others present at Wednesday evening’s protest, like FilipinaAmerican Tanya Lim of Chicago, Illinois are anxious about how the president-elect’s opposition to immigration will affect their relatives. “That really scares me for my family that wants to come over here and find a better life,” Lim told the Asian Journal. “I don’t know if that’s even possible anymore.” Laxa and Lim have had trouble understanding how some members of their family chose to support Trump. Laxa said she hadn’t yet had a chance to have a discussion with her conservative relatives, but predicted that “It’s going to be heated.” Shades of outrage and despondence characterized the mood amongst participants in Wednesday evening’s demonstration. Many noted that Clinton had won more of the popular vote than Trump and called for an end to the electoral college. A few protesters went as far as to advocate for the
SEN. PACQUIAO DONATES BELT TO SENATE. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (right) raises the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt which Senator Manny Pacquiao brought home after winning the title from Jessie Vargas at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, last November 5. Pacquiao said he is donating his belt to the Senate to inspire everybody. “Victory does not belong to me alone,” Pacquiao said after accepting a resolution on Tuesday, November 08 lauding him for his victory. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo
House panel starts deliberation on death…
PAGE A1 t
upheaval of the government. However, the demonstration was mostly peaceful aside from scattered instances of property damage and vandalism. Later, at about midnight, a confrontation between Los Angeles police and protesters who had marched onto the 101 freeway led to 28 arrests. The next evening, on Thursday, November 10, about 300 people returned to continue demonstrations. Police arrested roughly 185 demonstrators who made another attempt to obstruct traffic on the 101 freeway. Although he did not condone the destructive actions of some participants, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti said he was encouraged by the level of po-
cial components of an effective dispensation of both reformative and retributive justice,” Alvarez said. He also suggested lethal injection as means to execute the sanctioned killings. Last month, Alvarez announced that the House plans to approve AJPress photo by Eric Anthony Licas a bill that would bring back the litical engagement evinced by death penalty before the upcomWednesday night’s demonstra- ing Christmas break. tions. He told reporters during “I don’t know with the Sena press conference on Thursday ate, I don’t control it, but as far that he hoped to see that passion as the House is concerned, we channeled into productive civil participation. “It’s our responsibility to speak out, to stand for values that unite us,” said Garcetti. “Democracy PAGE A1 t doesn’t stop just because we may tem is not perfect, it does not be dissatisfied with the outcome render death penalty unfit for exof an election.” ecution,” Jimenez told the House A tweet issued from Trump’s Committee on Justice. official account on Thursday had “The safeguard for this is the initially called the demonstra- automatic review of the death tions “unfair” and accused the sentence by the Supreme Court. media of orchestrating them. The We can’t forever aim for a pernext morning, a followup post fect strong judicial system as an from the account commended excuse [not to restore death penprotesters’ “passion for our great alty],” he added. country.” n The Philippines used to imple-
will approve it before the Christmas break,” Alvarez earlier told reporters in Tokyo during President Rodrigo Duterte’s state-visit to Japan. The reimposition of death penalty was also among Duterte’s promise during the presidential campaign. On the other hand, Subcommittee Chairman Vicente Veloso denied that Alvarez gave an order to the House to approve a death penalty bill. According to Veloso, the passing of the bill will “really depend
on how things will go in the committee hearings.” Other bills tackled during the deliberation include: House Bill 16 filed by Muntinlupa Representative Rozzano Rufino Biazon; House Bills 513 and 3418 by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers; and House Bills 3237, 3239 and 3240 by Sarangani Representative Rogelio Pacquiao. The panel said they would invite the critics of death penalty in the next week’s session. n
VACC pushes return of capital… ment death penalty by a firing squad in the 1970s, then with an electric chair until 1987 when the death penalty was first repealed. The capital punishment was restored in 1993 thru lethal injection before it was abolished in 2006 after it has failed to deter criminals. The VACC chief argued that the death penalty did not serve as a deterrent to crime in the ‘70s and ‘80s because it was never fully implemented because of
pressure from anti-death penalty advocates. “To protect the human rights of criminals is ultimate hypocrisy. We could not fathom why must we protect the rights of killers who massacre families. Reimposing death penalty will send a chilling effect and signal criminals to keep off from doing illegal activities,” Jimenez pointed out. Criminals who commit heinous
u PAGE A5
A NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USa
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Former NV AG Cortez Masto becomes first…
PAGE A1 t
said on Tuesday night, November 8 at the ARIA Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, where the Nevada Democratic Party held its party. Both Cortez Masto and Heck previously spoke with the Asian Journal about their outreach and involvement with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population, particularly Filipino Americans. As the fastest-growing minority group in Nevada, AAPIs comprise about 9 percent of Nevada’s electorate. Several reports stated
that this population would be the swing vote for many of the state’s races. Cortez Masto, who was handpicked as Reid’s successor, had high-profile leaders stumping across the state for her, including President Barack Obama, who traveled to Las Vegas two weeks before Election Day for a campaign speech. “As I look at the room right now, I can see there is just an incredible, incredible group of people out here. The multicolored fabric of Nevada, the diversity here, is
GET FREE
PUBLIC BENEFITS
Receive government funding ƚŽ ƉĂLJ ĨŽƌ ĐĂƌĞŐŝǀĞƌƐ—ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ LJŽƵƌ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͘ Do Estate Planning the right way: 'Ğƚ ƌŝĚ ŽĨ LJŽƵƌ ŝŶǀĂůŝĚ͕ ŚŽŵĞŵĂĚĞ tŝůůƐ͕ Living Trusts, and Powers of Attorney. Protect the family home ĨƌŽŵ ƚĞŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ ŝŶ WƌŽďĂƚĞ ĐŽƵƌƚ ĨĞĞƐ͘ Preserve your assets ǁŚŝůĞ ƌĞĐĞŝǀŝŶŐ ĨƌĞĞ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ͗ /,^^͕ ^^/͕ DĞĚŝ- Ăů͕ ĞƚĐ͘
“
/͛ŵ ŚĞƌĞ ƚŽ ƐĞƌǀĞ ŵLJ &ŝůŝƉŝŶŽ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ ǁŝƚŚ ŝƚƐ ƐƚĂƚĞ WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ͕ DĞĚŝ- Ăů WůĂŶŶŝŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ WƌŽďĂƚĞ ŶĞĞĚƐ͊͟ ŶĚƌĞǁ WĂƌĂŶĂů Attorney at Law
800-411-0546
www.elderlawcalifornia.com dKZZ E ͻ > y ͻ W ^ E ͻ E /EK ͻ KZ E' KhEdz ͻ ^ E / 'K
Catherine Cortez Masto
our strength and I can see from your faces that we are going to continue to be strong and continue to fight for our families, for our future — here in Nevada and across this country,” Cortez Masto continued in her victory speech. Following his defeat, Heck — a physician, small business owner and brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve — released a statement congratulating Cortez Masto. “Our race for the Senate was always about the people of our wonderful state. For months, I had the privilege of traveling to all corners of Nevada. I met patriotic Americans from small towns like Goldfield and populous cities like Reno. My life is better for it,” Heck said. In the past month, Heck’s num-
CHINA VISIT. Sen. Cynthia A. Villar gives a souvenir from the Philippines to Prof. Yuan Longping, the Father of Hybrid Rice, after listening and gaining insights from the latter’s presentation about “Developing Hybrid Rice for the Food Security in the World” at the Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center. The senator, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee of Agriculture & Food, visited the Hybrid Rice Research Center (HRRC) as part of her tour in China. Senate photo
bers slid in the polls, after he distanced himself from Republican candidate Donald Trump, following the release of the controversial tape in which the real estate billionaire bragged about sexual assault. Democrat and political newcomer Jacky Rosen beat Republican Danny Tarkanian in the race for the 3rd Congressional District, which Heck has represented since 2011. Rosen, who has built a career as a computer programmer and
software developer, was personally tapped by Reid to run for this position. “Our government should fundamentally be about the people, your dreams, your hopes, your challenges, and our collective future. For too long, a dysfunctional Congress has forgotten that. In the aftermath of this divisive and often ugly campaign season, I hope that every person elected tonight will remember
that behind every problem, there are people back home who are suffering,” Rosen said in a statement. She added, “Now, the hard work begins of healing our country. The work of crossing the aisle and finding solutions, rather than retreating into partisan corners. I pledge to begin that work right now. I got into this race to make a difference, not just to hold an
PAGE A1 t
and strengthen the economic affairs” of the two countries. The real estate magnate established the Philippine-China Business Council when he served as a special envoy with the rank of ambassador to China in 2005. Antonio currently serves as director of the US-Philippines Society, a group of business leaders. (Marlon Ramos / Inquirer.net)
u PAGE A6
Antonio appointed as special…
ness leadership will steer the Philippines’ trade and economic goals in the right direction and help seize opportunities for both public and private sector Philippine-US businesses while promoting robust relations in the 21st century.” As special envoy, Antonio was tasked to “enhance business ties
Obama, Trump discuss policy in… PAGE A2 t
Obama administration and has vowed to do away with many his predecessor’s policy achievements including the Affordable Care Act. He also promised to eliminate Obama’s immigration programs the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA). He also
announced an end to the practice of not detaining “catch-andrelease” policies. In 2011, Trump notoriously led the “birther” movement, a sincedebunked conspiracy that questioned Obama’s U.S. citizenship. Trump alleged that Obama was born in Kenya and went as far as to donate $5 million to the charity of Obama’s choice in return for the release of his college and passport applications. n
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Dateline USa
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
A
Filipina shoved to death in front of NY subway train NEW YORK CITY — A woman who was shoved in front of an approaching subway train under Times Square has been identified as 49-year-old Filipina cook Connie Watton of Queens. Authorities say Watton and another woman, Melanie Liverpool, were talking or arguing on the platform before Liverpool pushed Watton onto the tracks. Liverpool is being held without bail after her arraignment on Tuesday, Nov. 8, on a murder charge. Authorities have described Liverpool as emotionally disturbed. Some reports say she is schizophrenic.
It wasn’t clear if she had a lawyer who could comment on her behalf. Authorities have described Liverpool as emotionally disturbed. Subway deaths from pushes are not common, but there have been a few in the past few years. Watton spent decades as the housekeeper for billionaire Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman’s family. She emigrated from the Philippines, was a skilled cook who worked for years at the Schwarzman home on Park Avenue. (Inquirer.net with reports from the Associated Press and the New York Post.) Connie Watton
Still no PH ambassador to US — DFA
President Rodrigo Duterte previously announced the possible nomination of his protocol officer THE Philippines has fielded Marciano Paynor for the post. a special envoy to the United Jose said that President Duterte States with still no ambassador named Jose EB Antonio, Century to Washington. Properties Corp chairman and According to Foreign Affairs chief executive officer, as special spokesperson Charles Jose, there envoy on trade, investment and has not been an official appoint- economic affairs to Washington. ment of an ambassador to the US Antonio, the spokesperson making the post vacant. said, will represent the country in by Jeannette
andrade Inquirer.net
ASEAN CRAFTS TO THE WORLD. Senator Cynthia Villar tells the participating ASEAN master craftsmen from Indonesia-Mr. Masulin Lim, Malaysia-Ms. Roselyn Lam, Thailand-Mr. Rush Pleansuk and Vietnam-Mr. Truong Phi Duc and the entire delegation from these countries that their joint efforts and collaboration will further boost the great potential of their crafts in capturing a bigger chunk of the world market. Despite their excellent craftsmanship and creativity, Villar, who was the speaker during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Masters Craft Designers Festival (“ASEAN Crafts to the World�) at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, cited the need to enhance strategies to improve products’ marketability due to a competitive world. Senate photo
107-year-old Fil-Am votes for the first time by Klarize
In 2012, his son Joaquin Guzman, Jr. said that he opted to become a citizen over renewing his green card because he feared he would lose his health benefits. To the regret of the family, Guzman’s wife did not live to see the ceremony. She died in 2007 at 89 years old. In 2016, Guzman continues to live a long, accomplished life with his family in North Hollywood. At 107, he’s one of the oldest living Americans. How has the former farmer lived such a long life? “By eating a lot of vegetables,� Aguinaldo said with a laugh. n
Medenilla
AJPress
WHEN Joaquin Arciago Guzman became a United States citizen in 2012, the steadfast Filipino-American made headlines as one of the oldest individuals to gain U.S. citizenship. In a 2012 ceremony in downtown Los Angeles on the Fourth of July, Guzman sat in a wheelchair — miniature American flag tow — as he recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang along to “The Star-Spangled Banner� and took the citizenship oath with about 7,300 newly naturalized citizens. He was 102 years old at the time. In addition to maintaining health care benefits, Guzman had another reason to become an American citizen: to vote and contribute to a country that has provided him with countless opportunities. Still going strong at 107 years old, Guzman became one of the oldest voters in the country to cast a ballot in the 2016 general election. With the help of his niece Julie Aguinaldo, he sent in his ballot by mail weeks before Election Day, happy to have done his duty as an American citizen. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was Guzman’s pick at the top ticket, and when the results came in and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump won, Guzman can only express one thing. “[I’m] very disappointed,� he told the Asian Journal with dejection. Aguinaldo said that Guzman always supported the Democratic Party, saying that he believed that the party prioritized the interests of “the working class people� and ensured more health benefits for Americans. He also wished to witness the election of the nation’s first female president. Although the presidential election didn’t swing in his favor, he believes that “Clinton is still the winner.�
Joaquin Arciago Guzman
Of his decision to vote, his family expressed pride and happiness for their elder. “This was something he really wanted to do as an American, so we’re all happy that he got to do it,� Aguinaldo said with a smile. A fruitful life Born in Paniqui, Tarlac in the Philippines in 1910, Guzman has lived through two world wars, Philippine independence and 18 U.S. presidential administrations. At the age of 18, he took a 23-day journey by boat across the Pacific Ocean to work as a farmer in Salinas, California, picking lettuce throughout the late 1920s into the Great Depression. In 1939, he then went back to the Philippines to marry the love of his life, Paz Irene Gatchalian, the daughter of a mayor. Before the birth of their first child of six, Guzman went back to work in the U.S. to support his family in 1941, continuing to work in the fields through World War II. In 1948, he moved back to the Philippines where he and his wife would raise their family. It wasn’t until the mid-1980s when he, his wife and two of their adult children moved to California for good, settling in the Los Angeles area.
Duterte to keep PH‌
PAGE A2 t
immigration restrictions. At the same time, the country’s BPO sector is at risk because of Trump’s earlier pronouncements to restrict the outsourcing of products and services to generate more jobs for Americans. John Forbes, senior adviser of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) of the Philippines, said the country’s BPO industry will mostly be affected because “about three quarters of the firms in the sector are American firms and these are private firms and these are firms providing services for Filipinos who do call center work or software writing.� But amid financial concerns, the Philippines’ chief economist said President Rodrigo Duterte’s
pivot to China acts as ‘safety net’ for the country’s economy. NEDA Director General Ernesto Pernia said Duterte ‘foresaw’ that Trump’s more likely to win the election so the Philippine president “decided to pivot to China instead of depending on the U.S.� “We’re now diversifying our friendship so that we don’t crash when the country we depend on is in trouble,� Pernia said on Wednesday, November 9. Pernia also argued that most of the U.S. companies investing in the Philippines were run by private sectors. “It’s the decision of the firms and not the government, where their investments would go, unless there is a way of penalizing them,� Pernia added. n
LUNGSOD NG BELLFLOWER PAUNAWA NG HALALAN
ANG PAUNAWA AY IBINIBIGAY SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO na ang isang 3DQJNDODKDWDQJ +DODODQJ 0XQLVLSDO D\ JDJDQDSLQ VD /XQJVRG QJ %HOOÀRZHU VD 0DUWHV LND QJ 0DUVR SDUD VD PJD VXPXVXQRG QD 2SLV\DO 3DUD VD GDODZDQJ 0L\HPEUR QJ .RQVHKR QJ /XQJVRG %XRQJ WDQLQJ QJ SDnunungkulan na apat na taon) $QJ SDQDKRQ QJ SDJPXQJNDKL SDUD VD PJD NDWXQJNXODQJ LWR D\ PDJVLVLPXOD VD LND QJ 1RE\HPEUH DW PDWDWDSRV VD LND QJ 'LV\HPEUH VD JDQDS QD LND QJ KDSRQ .XQJ DQJ PJD SDSHO QJ SDJPXQJNDKL SDUD VD 0L\HPEUR QJ .RQVHKR QD DQJ SXQXQXQJNXODQ D\ PDWDWDSRV QD D\ KLQGL QDLKDUDS EDJR OXPDPSDV DQJ LND QJ 'LV\HPEUH DQJ PJD ERWDQWH D\ PD\ KDQJJDQJ LND QJ 'LV\HPEUH XSDQJ PDJPXQJNDKL QJ PJD NDQGLGDWR QD LED VD PJD KXPDKDZDN QD QJ NDWXQJNXODQ ELODQJ 0L\HPEUR QJ .RQVHKR .XQJ ZDOD R LLVDQJ WDR ODPDQJ DQJ LPLQXQJNDKL SDUD VD LVDQJ LQLKDKDODO QD NDWXQJNXODQ DQJ SDJKLUDQJ VD LQLKDKDODO QD NDWXQJNXODQ D\ PDDDULQJ JDZLQ JD\D QJ QDNDVDDG VD † .RGLJR VD PJD +DODODQ QJ (VWDGR QJ &DOLIRUQLD $QJ PJD OXJDU QJ ERWRKDQ D\ PDQDQDWLOLQJ EXNDV VD SDJLWDQ QJ PJD RUDV QJ LND QJ XPDJD DW LND QJ JDEL 0D\UD 2FKLTXL .OHUN QJ /XQJVRG 3LQHWVDKDQ ,ND QJ 1RE\HPEUH
talks in business and commerce. The special envoy to Washington has business dealings with President-elect Donald Trump through the US$150-million Trump Tower Manila in the Makati Central Business District. He served as special envoy for trade and economics to China in 2005 and is the founding chairman of the Philippine-China Business Council. n
VACC pushes return of capital‌ PAGE A3 t
crimes are beyond redemption, he added. He cited Bilibid inmates like Herbert Colanggo, Vicente Sy and Jaybee Sebastian who continued their involvement in the drug trade while in detention. “The argument that death is a cruel punishment does not hold water. Look at the Bilibid inmates. They live a life of comfort and luxury,� Jimenez, whose
brother was killed by drug syndicates in 1990, said. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said death penalty cannot be restored because human justice is fallibl. “The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that “Courts should be guided by the principle that it would be better to set free 10 men who might be probably guilty of the crime charged than to convict one innocent man for a crime he did not commit (Atienza
vs. People, G.R. No. 188694, February 12, 2014),� Lagman said. “The execution of the death penalty is irreversible, including on those who may be innocent. Only God can forfeit life. No human authority has the power to kill, even if judicially mandated as a recompense for another lost life. The death penalty exacerbates the culture of violence and emboldens the monster in man,� Lagman added. n
Dateline USa
A NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Clinton’s Filipina housekeeper figures in email brouhaha SAN FRANCISCO — A Filipina housekeeper appears to be caught up in the email controversy that dogged Hillary Clinton and her failed campaign for the US presidency. As secretary of state Clinton reportedly asked as a matter of course her Filipina housekeeper, Marina Santos, who had no security clearance, to print out sensitive government emails and documents from her house in Washington, DC, emails and FBI memos show, according to the New York Post.
Santos took care of Clinton’s DC residence, known as Whitehaven. Clinton would first receive highly sensitive emails from top aides at the State Department and then request that they, in turn, forward the messages and any attached documents to Santos to print out for her at the home. Among other things, Clinton requested that Santos print out drafts of her speeches, confidential memos and “call sheets” or background information and talking points prepared for the secretary of state in advance of a phone
Hillary Clinton’s housekeeper Marina Santos. Inquirer.net photo
call with a foreign head of state. Santos was never subpoenaed during the email investigation that cleared Clinton. (Inquirer.net)
ASEAN CRAFTS TO THE WORLD. Senator Cynthia Villar tells the participating ASEAN master craftsmen from Indonesia-Mr. Masulin Lim, Malaysia-Ms. Roselyn Lam, Thailand-Mr. Rush Pleansuk and Vietnam-Mr. Truong Phi Duc and the entire delegation from these countries that their joint efforts and collaboration will further boost the great potential of their crafts in capturing a bigger chunk of the world market. Despite their excellent craftsmanship and creativity, Villar, who was the speaker during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Masters Craft Designers Festival (“ASEAN Crafts to the World”) at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, cited the need to enhance strategies to improve products’ marketability due to a competitive world. Senate photo
Fil-Ams react to Trump’s stunning… PAGE A3 t
01/03/17
Eve Poll. Clinton handily won the AAPI electorate in eight key states: California (79 percent), Nevada (60 percent), Texas (73 percent), Florida (72 percent), North Carolina (73 percent), Illinois (84 percent), Pennsylvania (83 percent) and Virginia (78 percent). Researchers also measured “emotional drive” in this survey. When asked whether each candidate ever made them feel angry, afraid, proud or hopeful, 51 percent said that Clinton made them feel “proud” and 62 percent made them feel “hopeful.” In comparison, 68 percent of AAPI voters said that Trump made them feel “angry” and 54 percent said he makes them feel “afraid.” “Roughly one out of every
three Asian American voters nationwide lives in California — that’s 1.8 million Asian American voters in California alone,” Dan Ichinose, Director of the Demographic Research Project at Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, said in a statement. “This poll showed that Asian American voters in our state were particularly angry at Trump and afraid of the consequences of him being elected,” he added. Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic in the United States, according to Census Bureau statistics. Moreover, they are the fastest growing electorate in the country, mean- ing to Jill Hanauer, President of ing the Asian American vote Project New America. becomes more influential with “Despite the results of last every coming election, accord- night’s election, this poll shows that the Asian American electorate is quickly becoming a significant factor in national elecDemocrat Ruben Kihuen won tions and only underscores the by 48 percent for the state’s 4th need for progressives to invest Congressional District, triumph- more research on AAPI voters,” ing over Republican Cresent Hanauer said. Hardy who finished with 45 perShe added: “Like the Latinos, cent of the votes. AAPI voters are not monolithic, “Thank you, Nevada, for mak- and both parties will need to beting this son of a housekeeper & ter understand the community if a former farmworker your next they want to tap into unrealized representative in the U.S. Con- potential in this growing electorgress. #AmericanDream,” Ki- ate moving forward.” huen tweeted following his win. The poll comprised of a sample (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress) of 2,391 registered voters and
Former NV AG Cortez Masto…
PAGE A4 t
office. I can’t wait to take your stories to Washington and fight for you.” Also in Southern Nevada, Dina Titus (D-Nev.) of the 1st Congressional District easily retained her seat with 62 percent of the votes. Her district is home to the city’s Chinatown and has one of the largest concentration of AAPI businesses in Southern Nevada.
was conducted from November 1-7. The group samples included Chinese or Taiwanese (496), Filipinos (329), Indian (589), Japanese (216), Korean (217), Vietnamese (380) and “Other Asian” (164). Participants were contacted through phone calls and online polling. The national margin of error was 2 percent. The poll was initiated by AAPI Civic Engagement Fund and was sponsored by Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Education Association and Service Employees International Union. n
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Dateline PHiliPPineS
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
150 DAYS OF MATERNITY LEAVE. Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday pushed for the passage of a law that will provide women workers 150 days of paid maternity leave. Senate photo
PNP chief Bato faces probe over free trip to Pacquiao-Vargas bout by Dana
SioSon AJPress
THE Office of the Ombudsman has started its investigation over the alleged travel perks received by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa when he went to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao’s match with Jessie Vargas last Saturday, November 5. Dela Rosa reportedly flew to the United States last week with all expenses shouldered by Pacquiao. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has initiated the probe to determine whether Dela Rosa violated the Philippines’ Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. This was confirmed by Acting Director Rawnsle Lopez of the office’s Public Information and Media Relations Bureau on Friday, November 10. According to Republic Act 6713, “public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation
Manny Pacquiao with PNP Chief Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa.
being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.” The PNP chief previously admitted that Pacquiao invited him to watch his boxing match. Dela Rosa claimed that it was the senator who shouldered his trip expenses. “Libre ito ni Manny…Baka sabihin nila, government funds. Hindi naman ako ganoon kayaman (Manny paid for this…Because they might say government funds was used. I am not that rich),” he clarified upon his arrival in the Philippines early
this week. Defending the PNP chief, Pacquiao said it’s better to treat people than do illegal activities. “It’s an honor na lahat sila, naka-suporta sa akin (that they all supported me). Si Bato, Aguirre, at marami pang iba. ‘Yung mga kasama na congressmen, si Toby Tiangco, Senator Villanueva. Maraming kaibigan na pumunta dito (a lot of my friends went in Las Vegas),” Pacquiao said. The boxing champion reportedly shouldered the travel and accommodation expenses of some of his other supporters as well. n
C
ffi
ffiffiffi
tititititi fififi
U
titititi
Add tititititi ffiffiffi
A
A NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
OpiniOn
Features
Trumped
DONALD Trump is president-elect of the United States. It is only fair to say that his unexpected win—even his closest advisers found it difficult to dispute the overwhelming number of polls that predicted a victory for Hillary Clinton—stunned the world. It is staggering news, because it is possibly the biggest election upset in US history, with serious implications for both American domestic policy and world affairs. It is almost certain that he will do everything he can to repeal US President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare initiative. Obamacare has helped place a safety net under the feet of millions of previously uninsured Americans; Trump will seek to replace this safety net with something inchoate within his first 100 days in office. It is also almost certain that, within several months, or perhaps a year, Trump will precipitate an international crisis, either by rejecting the Iran nuclear deal or forcing a confrontation with Mexico or, possibly the worst of the worstcase scenarios, inviting Russian adventurism in Europe by signaling a strategic refusal to come to the aid of a Nato ally in Vladimir Putin’s crosshairs. As someone who thinks global warming is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, he will preside over an economy that is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases; it is almost certain that his assumption into office in January will mean the Paris Agreement on climate change will be unable to meet the urgent need to slow down the rate of increase in global surface temperatures. But his election victory is also stunning because of who Trump is: a deeply flawed, indeed abnormal, candidate. It is for this second reason, rather
than the first, that many people remain in shock at the result. Trump ran a vile campaign: He called Mexicans rapists and promised to build a wall to keep more Mexicans out (and to make Mexico pay for it); he proposed to ban all Muslims from entering the United States; he encouraged his supporters to do violence against hecklers or protesters at his rallies, even offering to pay for their legal defense; he attacked the Muslim parents of an American soldier who died in battle; he egged on his supporters to call for Clinton’s arrest, to chants of “Lock her up!” He tapped into the resentment many white Americans felt, to preach an alternative gospel of hate and intolerance. Intriguingly, while running on a promise to “Make America Great Again,” he kept pointing to authoritarian leaders like Russia’s Putin as role models. Is it any wonder that his victory was welcomed by the Kremlin, the Ku Klux Klan, and Isis? But the candidate was as loathsome as the campaign. Many women have emerged to accuse him of sexual harassment or sexual abuse; a recording of his remarks shows him boasting how as a celebrity he could just “grab” any woman he fancied by the genitals; he turned out to have a record of shortchanging his contractors and suppliers, and had figured in or filed over 3,000 lawsuits; he refused to disclose his tax returns, even though
Guest Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
nothing prevented him from disclosing them; he mocked the disabled; he criticized perceived enemies with offensive tweets at 3 in the morning; he told copious (and documented) lies. No candidate is perfect, of course, but there is a difference between imperfect and criminal: Trump’s record of sexual harassment, racist baiting, and fraudulent business schemes would have disqualified any other candidate for their criminal implications. Instead, he went on to sweep the Republican Party’s field of candidates and against Clinton forged an extraordinary victory.
Clinton won the popular vote; by the time the last of the ballots are counted, her total tally will likely be about a million more votes than Trump’s. But America’s antiquated system known as the Electoral College ensured that, like George W. Bush in 2000, the candidate with fewer votes would end up in the world’s most powerful office. In 2012, in one of his characteristic tweets, Trump called the Electoral College a “disaster for democracy.” In that it now helps normalize what is abnormal, many people, not only in the United States, will agree. (Inquirer.net)
Donald Trump wins: What must he do to heal the nation of hatred, bigotry, discrimination and sexism? AMERICA has spoken — business mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump will be the 45th President of the United States, defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in a surprising turn of events on November 8, election day. I could not be more proud of President Barack Obama and Sec. Hillary Clinton for going past the defeat and the toxic divisive campaign by immediately urgingthe American people to accept the outcome of the election and give President-elect Donald Trump the support he needs to have a successful presidency. But despite this, there were thousands of disappointed and angry Americans who protested in the streets of major cities of the country, declar-
ing that Donald Trump is NOT their president. The Fil-Am These protesters have been voicing out their disdain against Perspective what they say Trump has ignited in the hearts of his followers: the fire of hatred, bigotry, discrimination, and sexism. They contend that a person who brings out the Gel SantoS-ReloS worst in people does not deserve to be president. For many Americans these allegations are so real, especially after Trump won the election. Muslim Americans, people of color; including many kababayans; lesbians, gays, bisexual, transgenders
‘We are Americans first’: Surrogates of grace and hope “OUR campaign was never about one person or even one Rhizomes election. It was about the country we love — and about building an America that’s hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted...To all the women, and especially the young women, who put their Prosy AbArquezfaith in this campaign and in me, DelAcruz, J.D. I want you to know that nothing has made me prouder than to be your champion. I know that we still have not shattered that highest glass ceiling. But some day someone will — hopefully sooner than we might think right now. And to all the little girls watching right now, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world.” — Hillary Clinton, Nov. 9, 2016. I do not know how and where to begin. It feels like mourning my father, a friend wrote me. Another said, “All I could do is lie in the couch, unable to make coffee. This is unlike Bush, who was just dumb. This man is hateful and hates half of America and the world. How have we become this?” And, like majority American voters, I expected a Hillary win. Or did the pollsters lull us into thinking that way? After all, who would excuse a bully, a sexual predator, a person who bankrupted six businesses, a hater of Muslims, disabled, veterans, Filipinos, Mexicans and perhaps even half of the American population? Yet, the New York Times Election Exit Polls show that 29 percent of Latinos voted for Trump, an increase of 8 percent in his direction from 2012; while 65 percent voted for Hillary. Amongst Asian Americans, 65 percent voted for Hillary, while 29 percent voted for Trump, an increase of 11 percent. Amongst Blacks, 88 percent voted for Hillary, while 8 percent voted for Trump, an increase of 11 percent from 2012. Amongst Whites, 58 percent went for Trump, while 37 percent for Hillary. Do we attribute this to messaging? Had these young in age and young in spirit folks been acknowledged for their anger, and how they have been left out by an improving economy, would they have given support to Hillary and come
out to vote in the swing states? For the one-issue Catholic voters, the wrong jacket on Hillary stuck, that her stance on women’s rights as human rights, was translated crudely and inappropriately as “pro-abortion” and grossly as “baby killer” in very conservative and doctrinaire Christian communities.” Indecent below the belt labels stuck as they are easy to remember and do not require inquiry, critical thinking or even research. “The most appalling moment came two days before the election, when Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life and an unabashed Trump supporter, streamed a live, 44-minute Facebook video, featuring himself and the naked, intact corpse of an aborted baby on an altar. His message? If you can’t stomach this sight, vote for Trump. “It’s hard to think of any more literal, explicit way to trade the dignity of the unborn for a political prop,” Elizabeth Hansen of Cruxnow.com wrote Nov. 10. Fr. Pavone is now under investigation, and “a long standing pro-lifer says Fr. Pavone’s actions show how the pro-life old guard has lost its way and must be renewed.” As of this writing, the “Amarillo Bishop Patrick J. Zurek has harshly criticized the exploitation of the body of an aborted baby by a pro-Trump activist priest, Fr. Frank Pavone, as “against the dignity of human life,“ Elizabeth Hansen noted. This has gone on for five decades now, as she described it “as a liberal – conservative dichotomy.” To me, it is schizophrenia, which I surmise comes from the built-in prohibition of women as priests, yet the institution canonizes women as saints, like Joan of Arc and Mother Teresa. “That is because they are dead,” a friend quipped. Elizabeth Hansen wrote that Pope Francis in 2013’s interview said: “We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods,” adding, “The teaching of the Church, for that matter, is clear and I am a son of the Church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.” With these obsessions, the American culture has
u PAGE A9
— they have all been verbally, emotionally, and even physically attacked by Trump supporters. For many Americans with undocumented family members, the fear of separation becomes even more overwhelming, as Trump has vowed to deport those who have been living and working in the United States illegally. This is perhaps the most important executive action that Donald Trump needs to accomplish first as president-elect — to call on his supporters and lead by example on how to respect and reach out to those who did not vote for him.
Trump needs to show that he will be the president for and of ALL AMERICANS, as he promised, and the first step is to affirm this in his words and action. As president, Donald Trump must now take off his reality TV show hat and begin preparing for the biggest role he will ever play — to be the Commander-in-Chief of the United States. Enough of hatred and condemnation — healing will have to start from him. *** 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
The inconvenient truth about Duterte’s war on drugs BORROWING the term used by former US Vice-President Al Gore Street to sound the alarm about global warming, I believe there are cer- Talk tain inconvenient truths that need to be confronted concerning the war on drugs being waged by President Rodrigo Duterte. I think the first inconvenient GreG b. MAcAbentA truth is that, no matter what the anti-Duterte factions and the human rights activists might say, the drug menace poses a real and present danger to the Philippines and Duterte is the only President who has waged an aggressive campaign against the scourge. In other words, he has lighted a candle – nay, many candles – instead of just cursing the darkness. The second inconvenient truth is that, if Duterte’s intention was to “light up the house” amidst the darkness, he should realize by now that the candles are burning the house down. The third inconvenient truth is that Duterte can only slaughter so many thousand drug lords, pushers and addicts during his incumbency, but he will not succeed in ridding Philippine society of the scourge, if killing is the principal recourse. Already, he has admitted that his vow to rid the country of the drug menace and official corruption in six months is not possible. He has asked for another six months. Unfortunately, even if he has all of six years to bury the scourge of drugs, it will merely rise from the grave as soon he steps down from office - as long as the causes of drug addiction are not addressed and the law of supply and demand prevails. Obviously, Duterte wants “dramatic results” during his brief incumbency. Perhaps, he doesn’t believe in the age-old saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” He wants a quick fix. Thus: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try a gun.” But the question is, what happens after he leaves office? Will he just shrug his shoulders and say, “Bahala na kayo diyan – I’ve done my part!” or would he rather take the long view and forge a solution that he can leave as a lasting legacy? This applies, as well, as to those who are condemning the extra-judicial killings. While some have suggested preventive and rehabilitative measures, their voices have been drowned out by the anti-Duterte rhetoric, fanned by sensationalist me-
dia. The question is: Will those protesting the EJK be willing to help launch a more lasting solution to the drug problem, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with the Duterte government? In this regard, Filipino-American business and community leader, Loida Nicolas Lewis, whom Duterte has unfairly accused of leading a plot to depose him, has, in fact, made a logical suggestion in a letter to the incoming US ambassador to the Philippines: “As a president dealing with four million Filipinos under the grips of drugs and poverty, President Duterte wants to rid the country of that plague, that curse. “With all due respect, may I suggest that you offer him assistance in the rehabilitation of the 800,000 drug addicts and drug dealers who have surrendered and are now in prison all over the country?” If Duterte’s outreach to China has resulted in substantial aid for the construction of drug rehabilitation centers, it should make sense for the US to also offer assistance, not only to help those who are already in custody but also potential victims of drug abuse, as well as those who remain in the shadows, tormented by their addiction. Will anyone argue against rehabilitation as a better option than liquidation? A close relative of mine was into drugs. At the time that we learned about it, we couldn’t tell the difference between uppers, downers, grass or heroin. Just the knowledge that someone in the clan was afflicted was enough for us to close ranks. A caring family is one of the best cures. Our relative resolved to drop the habit, got married, raised a family, took up a career as a seaman and has since been promoted captain of his own ocean-going vessel. Wasn’t that a better solution than sending him to his grave? In an earlier column, I related how my wife and I addressed the drug menace that had begun to surface in our neighborhood in Parañaque, threatening our four growing children. I put up a gym in our garage, took up running and physical fitness in the hope that they would follow suit. Our three boys and
u PAGE A9
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board
CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President
ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Boulevard Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 Fax: (818) 502-0858 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com
Manila Office: 2nd Floor Units D&E, Fort Palm Springs 30th St., Cor 1st Ave, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • Fax: (632) 856-1661 New York: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858
Northern California: New Jersey: 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136 449 Hoboken Avenue Burlingame, CA 94010 Tel.: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 Jersey City, New Jersey 07306 Tel: (212) 655.5426 • Fax: (818) 502.0858 Las Vegas Sales Office: 3700 W. Desert Inn Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
BELLE M. SISON Executive Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal
MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA Senior Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal
IVY MANALANG Vice President - Marketing Los Angeles Asian Journal
SHARON ANN SAN PEDRO Vice President - Sales Balikbayan Magazine
MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor DANTE SAMBILAY Art Director
DING CARREON Videographer ANDY TECSON Photographer
ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation. Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publication. Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement. Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.
ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively. Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions. Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
OpiniOn & Features
‘We are Americans first’…
PAGE A8 t
become a misalignment of worship with beliefs and actions. Which is perhaps why Pew Research Center’s Gregory Smith and Jessica Martinez reported that 81 percent of Evangelicals, 52 percent of Catholics, 61 percent of Mormons and 58 percent of Protestants voted for Trump. Their vote to Trump became a compelling religious necessity, whereas perhaps they should have examined a religion that compels them to hatred and bigotry. But do they pause to examine and to research the information on what it means to be an advocate for the sanctity of life? Or do they simply absorb the doctrines without question, as surrogates to Trump? The good news: even with these innuendoes and ‘below the belt’ slanders of Hillary, with Trump’s debate-staged, repeated putdowns of “crooked Hillary” and “liar,” she embodied grace and professionalism. It is heartwarming to know that 67 percent of Hispanic Catholics, 71 percent of Jews, 62 percent of other faiths, and 68 percent of the religious unaffiliated believed her and voted for Hillary. Also, Hillary for America’s Jason Tengco reported 75 percent of Asian Americans voted for Hillary, while 19 percent voted for Trump. Post-mortem electoral comments Which is perhaps why I found the timeline Facebook post of Atty. Claire Navarro Espina refreshing and a challenge to be responsible in being informed citizens and voters: “TO MY FELLOW CATHOLICS AND CHRISTIANS WHO VOTED FOR TRUMP ON THE SINGULAR ISSUE OF ABORTION: I ask you educate yourselves on the greater issues pressing our world: climate change, racial and gender inequal-
ity and religious freedom. To end a pregnancy and issues related to it - no matter how divisive and emotion fraught is a limited and narrow issue. “But climate change and protection of the environment is one which affects all. In my opinion, to have voted for Trump over the issue of abortion is myopic. Individuals can directly affect whether a pregnancy ends - focus your attention to your churches and education and promotion of alternatives such as adoption, sex education and yes, birth control. “Individuals cannot avert climate change and environmental catastrophe. Only institutions and governments can. And this is where your vote for Trump has hurt all of us, including the future of the children you so want to protect with your prolife policies. This agenda under current Obama Administration is one of those in danger of being on the immediate chopping block under Trump’s administration.” On Nov. 10, CNN reports that Hillary got 60,233,982 votes, 47.7 percent of the votes with 232 electoral college votes, while Donald Trump got 59,896,586 or 47.4 percent of the votes but with 290 electoral college votes. On the same day, Elijah Berg started a petition on Change.org to encourage the electoral college voters to vote for the majority vote-getting candidate, Hillary Clinton. Elijah argues “Hillary won the popular vote. The only reason Trump “won” is because of the Electoral College. But the Electoral College can actually give the White House to either candidate. So why not use this most undemocratic tool of our institutions to ensure a democratic result?” In less than 24 hours, it had garnered 1,292,236 signa-
u PAGE A10
The inconvenient truth about…
PAGE A8 t
one girl did – and so did their friends. And among themselves, they established a rule: no drugs. If the US were to actively help fight drug abuse in our country, applying America’s long experience in battling the scourge, Philippine media and civil society cannot do any less. My old friends in the advertising industry should also step forward to be counted. There is much that media and the ad industry can do, aside from either rising in defense of Duterte or condemning him. All of that creative talent and the communications resources can be harnessed to educate the youth and those who are in the early stages of addiction. I myself would be happy to volunteer. One may ask, what about the human rights abuses that have already been committed? What about the victims of extra-judicial killings and their families, particularly those too poor to seek legal redress? I think that is a separate issue altogether. Let those who have committed human rights violations, particularly cold-blooded killings, be answerable before the law. And that includes Duterte himself, and those in the Philippine National Police who have acted as prosecutors, judges and executioners. I hope they realize that the late President Marcos himself and his family could not escape the long arm of international law. Soon after arriving
in Hawaii after being deposed in 1986, Marcos was sued in the US District Courts for human rights violations committed during his presidency. He was adjudged culpable under the Alien Tort Claims Act which provides, “The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.” A Hawaiian jury awarded over 9,500 Marcos human rights victims almost $2 billion in compensatory and punitive damages, a judgment that was affirmed on appeal. In another celebrated case, Gen. Augusto Pinochet was indicted by a Spanish court for human rights violations committed by the former strongman of Chile in his native country. Pinochet was arrested in London and incarcerated for a year and a half before being turned over by the British government to Chile, where he was indicted for his crimes. According to an Internet entry, it was the first time that European courts applied the principle of “Universal Jurisdiction,” declaring themselves “competent to judge crimes committed by former heads of state.” Will these apply to President Rodrigo Duterte and the PNP? Who knows? Maybe if Duterte stays only in Davao and the others don’t apply for green cards in the US, they will be beyond the reach of the international courts. Only their conscience will bother them. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
Nurturing hard work and passion into real possibilities.
It’s the people who empower and support you. The ones who say, “yes, you can do that”. And inspire you to take the first step. Possible is about achieving your dreams with small accomplishments. At U.S. Bank, we’re here to support your dreams. We offer competitive products and services that can help you make it possible. Because when you have people who are confident in you, the impossible suddenly becomes, well, possible. Find your possible at a U.S. Bank branch, call 800.825.BANK (2265), or visit usbank.com/possible
Member FDIC. ©2016 U.S. Bank 160547 11/16 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
A
A10 NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline PHiliPPineS
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Bongbong appeals ruling on Comelec, Smartmatic case by eveLyn
MacaiRan Philstar.com
MANILA — The Department of Justice was asked Friday, Nov. 11 to reverse the Manila city prosecutor’s resolution dismissing former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Smartmatic personnel for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Former lawmaker Jonathan de la Cruz, the political adviser of Marcos, filed the 28-page petition for review Friday, Nov. 11. Marcos was one of the candidates in the May 9 vice presidential race won by then Camarines Sur congresswoman Leni Robredo. De la Cruz said the panel from the Manila prosecutor’s office committed a reversible error when it dismissed the complaint on the ground of insufficiency of evidence against Smartmatic technical support team Marlon Garcia; its project director Elie Moreno and team member Neil Baniqued, and Comelec information technology officer Rouie
Bongbong Marcos
Peñalba. The prosecutors also dismissed for lack of merit the case against Smartmatic engineer Mauricio Herrera and Comelec employees Nelson Herrera and Frances Mae Gonzales. They pointed out that De la Cruz failed to present evidence that the tweaking of the script of the transparency server had compromised the integrity of the elections or caused widespread
anxiety. However, De la Cruz said good faith is immaterial in the Cybercrime Prevention Act. In alleging that no damage was caused by respondent in changing the script, the prosecutors might have overlooked the fact that the change was committed without authority as declared by the Comelec commissioners, which is an act punishable under the Cybercrime Law, he added. n
CBCP laments SC decision on Marcos burial: ‘We do not forget’
Law years, said in a statement that the sane strong-hand opthat “motions for reconsideration pression may not happen again,” are in order for a reversal of the CBCP added. MANILA — The Catholic Bish- majority decision.” CBCP further added that the CBCP said that Marcos is no burial is an insult to the EDSA op’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it is saddened hero and that he should not be spirit and that it “mocks our fight by the Supreme Court’s (SC) de- presented as one, citing several to restore democracy.” “We are puzzled and hurt and cision to bury the late dictator human rights violations done in in great grief. It calls on us for President Ferdinand Marcos at his regime during Martial Law. “We do not forget this! We will greater courage to make the full the Libingan ng mga Bayani. According to the CBCP, bury- not allow that this be forgotten truth of the dictatorship known,” ing Marcos at the Libingan will by future generations in order CBCP said. n not bring peace and unity to the country. “We see this as another step to build the culture of impunity in the country,” the CBCP said in a statement Wednesday, Nov. 9. The high court’s decision to allow Marcos to be buried at the heroes’ cemetery came out Tuesday, Nov. 8 with nine votes for it, five against and one abstaining vote. Several petitioners, however, asked the SC to reconsider its decision with at least one of them planning to file a motion. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, whose activist brother Hermon disappeared during the Martial Petitioners say Marcos is “No Hero” as the Supreme Court makes its decision. by KRisTian JavieR Philstar.com
MESSAGE TO SENATE EMPLOYEES. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel thanks the Senate employees for their hard work and service to the institution, during the morning flag rites on Monday, November 7. Pimentel said that the Senate’s workers efforts are the reason for the Senate’s majority public approval and public trust ratings as recorded in the September 2016 Ulat ng Bayan Pulse Asia survey. “That is not because of me, or the senators. That is a collective effort of everybody. We senators could not do our mandate without the whole organization of the Senate,” he said. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo
Court upholds dismissal of NBN raps vs Arroyo by Ma.
Reina Leanne ToLenTino ManilaTimes.net
SANDIGANBAYAN’S Fourth Division stood pat on its ruling dismissing the graft and breach of conduct charges filed against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal. In a five-page ruling dated Nov. 7 and made public on Wednesday, Nov. 9, the antigraft court threw out the prosecution’s plea to reconsider the dismissal of the cases.
“After a reading of all the arguments of the prosecution and the accused, this Court finds the arguments of the prosecution insufficient to warrant the reversal of the questioned resolution,” the court said. “The prosecution failed to raise new and substantial arguments, and no cogent reason exists to warrant a reconsideration of the Court’s Resolution.” The charges against Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, were filed in 2011 but the court dropped the complaints in August for lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has a pending motion for reconsideration on the dismissal of a separate graft case filed against Arroyo, her husband Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. also in connection with the NBN deal. They were accused of violation of Section 3(g) of the antigraft law which prohibits public officers from entering, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction that is manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government. n
Aguirre: Kerwin Espinosa wants witness protection MANILA — Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr., the alleged big-time drug lord from the Eastern Visayas, wants to be placed in the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice once he returns from the United Arab Emirates. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the statement after he received a letter from the Philippine ambassador to UAE Constancio Vingno Jr., saying Espinosa has expressed his intention to be placed under the WPP. “He could qualify for WPP because he appears to be not the most guilty (in the drug trafficking crime). When there’s someone else from the government, then that person could be the most guilty,” Aguirre told reporters in a press conference. Aguirre said Kerwin must first execute an affidavit before he can be admitted to the WPP.
Undated photo released by Interpol shows Filipino major drug kingpin Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. who was arrested in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
He said that while the affidavit executed by his father lost its probative value, he could corroborate it through his own affidavit. Espinosa, who was arrested in the United Arab Emirates after months of hiding, is set to return to the country as he would be
fetched by the Philippine National Police from the UAE, Aguirre said. He said three PNP officers are set to leave for Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Aguirre said once Espinosa arrives, he will be brought to the PNP custodial center before being turned over with his sworn statement to WPP custody. Kerwin’s father, Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who was earlier tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as one of the politicians linked to the illegal drugs trade, was shot and killed along with another inmate at the Baybay Sub-Provincial Jail on Nov. 5. The Senate held a hearing on Espinosa’s death on Thursday over concerns that it was an extrajudicial killing. Aguirre said that the government needs to be extra careful in securing Espinosa after the
u PAGE A11
‘We are Americans first’…
PAGE A9 t
tures and just short of 207, 764. In just five minutes, 5,088 more signed. At 230am, Nov. 11, it had 2,082,962 signatures. What will happen come Dec. 19? Will this ‘sacred cow’, a traditional system of electoral college be used democratically to correct an enshrined electoral wrong, where a citizen’s vote becomes less than a full vote, at times - marginalized and made irrelevant, because of the electoral college? It does serve a purpose as politicians are compelled to visit even the least populous state and perhaps be made aware of their state’s issues. But now, this tool of compelled access has now become a tool of marginalizing voters and installing Presidents with less than majority votes, and the loser of majority votes is inaugurated. How do we respond with an enshrined contrived undemocratic system of voting, defeating the majority will? Surrogates of Hope and Grace Grace characterized Pres. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. He cancelled all his appointments on Thursday, Nov. 10 to do a transition meeting with Trump. Expecting only a ten-minute meeting, Pres. Obama briefed Trump for an hour and a half, while Michelle Obama met with Melania Trump. A day after the elections, Pres. Obama held a conference and challenged us to be Americans first, to give each one a presumption of good faith as a citizen, as this is the very foundation of a vibrant, functional democracy. He reminded us of our invisible social contract, that we belong to one nation. “Now, everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first. We’re not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country. That’s what I heard in Mr. Trump’s remarks last night. That’s what I heard when I spoke to him directly. And I was heartened by that. That’s what the country needs — a sense of unity; a sense of inclusion,; a respect for our institutions, our way of life, rule of law; and a respect for each other. I hope that he maintains that spirit throughout this transition, and I certainly hope that’s how his presidency has a chance to begin.“ Another young artist had this reflection: “The reflection I have had with many of my closest circles is that we are in a time when because of widespread urgency from a very real imminent threat on our communities, with the election of Donald Trump, we are being called on around us and within ourselves to serve our communities deeper than ever before. It is such a complex feeling to look around you and see people who you could never get to a rally, or who never cared to talk “politics” finally show a sense of need to MOVE. “For those of us whose life’s work has been connected to decolonizing mentalities, resisting the structures of oppression that are in place, defending and protecting communities, speaking and helping others to speak who feel they cannot, healing those (including ourselves) who have been broken by experiences of hate, violence and inhumanity of this country - this time is very differentbecause this time we are not working behind a veil
or iron curtain, this time those who could not see, can see because it’s being lifted so abruptly and loudly to the surface. And because of it they also are looking to us to lead. “It is complex in the way that it feels so important to be there ready with urgency, to respond to that call to lead, and also, in moments it feels like we didn’t have to let it come to this, had all those that are waking up because of the very real violence and threat that is happening [moved] with immediate response in the streets. They are seeing what we as activists and community workers, just how much we were being fooled into upholding a system that has been built upon the back, the bones and the blood of the marginalized. “I release this, because this is not the time to divide and stand in any resentment rooted in ego — this is rather the time that we have to look to one another and invite a more powerful unity than ever before. I take deep breaths and look to all those around me rising, and I hold together the pieces of my heart that have been aching and I speak, I act, I create from my deepest prayers of love, that I have always held and I seek to remind us that we belong to each other, and we have so much work we can finally do TOGETHER so that truth can ring the truest for all of humanity.” - Jana Lynne Umipig I interpret that to mean we as American citizens, whether Filipino-American or Asian Americans, or Blacks or Latinos or Whites, we must be surrogates of grace, hope and love. When we become that to each and everyone, we become the peace we want to see proliferate in the world, much like an ad-hoc group of Fil-Ams, who identified themselves as FilAms For A Progressive America (FAPA) tonight, with this theme, “Love not hate.” They sang “My Way” and some Christmas songs, as if to imprint love on all their hearts and they went home in peace. #LoveNotHate Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She is on her 10th year of writing for Asian Journal, this Nov 2016. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in the field of 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 and Mexico and 23 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts. *** 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.
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Dateline PHiliPPineS
Duterte warns public: Brace for more traffic jams by Christina
Mendez
Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — Get ready for more traffic gridlocks. President Duterte warned the public on Friday, Nov. 10, to brace for more congestion in the country’s major roads as the government’s infrastructure development program goes into full swing in the next few months. The Duterte administration plans to implement major infrastructure projects by yearend in a bid to address the country’s infrastructure deficit and to prop up the economy.
“We will really be focused on infrastructure, including agribusiness…There are a lot of projects on deck, so I would say that it would keep our country busy in the coming months,” Duterte said. “By the way, I have to remind you that there will be a lot of projects on the streets. There will also be commotion and sometimes derailment of the traffic situation. “It’s just a warning and (to the) people who continue to complain…there’s always a drawback. But I’m sure that with the implementation, in the coming year, and I would (say) that may-
be, next year early, we would see the developments,” he added. Early this month, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary General Ernesto Pernia said the NEDA Board, chaired by the President, approved last September nine infrastructure projects, which are being carried out by different agencies. Projects include the P200-billion South Line Railway Project from Manila to Bicol, road widening from Tutuban to Valenzuela and road improvement project connecting Valenzuela City with Quezon City. n
riding motorcycle. “I was told even the family because of what happened to his father, Kerwin is afraid of his safety as well as that of his family. So, either we are going to accept him at the WPP kasama yung pamilya niya (Either we are going to accept him alone or we will also place his family under the WPP),” he added. Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who spearheaded the probe
on the killing of the Albuera town mayorsays the government must protect Kerwin once he is brought back to the Philippines, as he can identify his supposed protectors in government. Sought for comment on the ongoing Senate hearing, Aguirre urged Sen. Leila de Lima to inhibit from the investigation since she was implicated by the late mayor in Kerwin’s alleged illegal drugs operations. (Philstar.com)
Aguirre: Kerwin Espinosa wants witness…
PAGE A10 t
mayor’s death. The DOJ has already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the mayor’s killing during a supposed shootout with policemen serving a search warrant. Aguirre said Espinosa’s family also needs be secured. Last October, his former wife Annalou Llaguno, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
A11
A12 NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
(213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
SHOWBIZ&STYLE Journal
Celebrities who vowed to leave the US if Trump wins by Arlo
Custudio ManilaTimes.net
In the heat of the US presidential elections, deeply rooted Democrat celebrities campaigned passionately for Hillary Clinton, and vowed to leave the U.S. for overseas should Donald Trump win. now that their worst nightmare has happened, with the bombastic billionaire’s shocking victory on Tuesday, nov. 8, American netizens are urging the Hollywood bigwigs to pack their bags. “They’re your problem now, Canada!” blasted tweets in jest. now who exactly are these famous personalities who should be getting one-way tickets before president-elect Trump takes his oath of office in January? Topping the list of Clinton’s showbiz supporters is music and screen icon Barbra Streisand who hit the campaign trail hard for Clinton. Ready to jump ship if candidate lost, she said she would decide between moving to Australia and Canada if Trump takes office. Lena Dunham, one of the most active celebrity supporters of the Secretary of State also declared she would migrate to Canada if former reality show host wins: “I know a lovely place in Vancouver, and I can get my work done from there.” While promoting “The Hateful Eight,” Samuel L. Jackson told late night show host Jimmy Kimmel that in the wake of a Trump victory he would “move my black ass to South Africa.” The Super Tuesday result also left Miley Cyrus distraught. She hasn’t said where she’ll go, but promised on Instagram, “I am moving if this is my president! I don’t say things I don’t mean!” The ever vocal Whoopi Goldberg had meanwhile said, “When they just use a blanket statement to talk about black people or when they use a blanket statement to talk about white people or women or any other group—I don’t think that’s America. I don’t want it to be America. Maybe it’s time for me to move.” Eddie Griffin was previously quoted: “If Trump wins, I’m moving to Africa. If he wants to build
a wall to keep Mexicans out, I know what the f— he feel about a n—.” As to where she might go following a Trump victory, Amy Schumer told the BBC, “My act will change because I’ll need to learn to speak Spanish because I will move to Spain, or somewhere. It’s beyond my comprehension if Trump wins. It’s too crazy.” Cher, who has a history of feuding with Trump even before he announced his candidacy, said long before she “will move to Jupiter” even if he attempts to be president. now she can board a spaceship with Jon Stewart who joked to People Magazine he “would consider getting in a rocket [ship] and going to another planet, because clearly this planet’s gone bonkers.” Even before Trump won his party’s nomination, Raven-Symoné promised on “The View” that she would leave for Canada if any Republican were elected: “I literally bought my ticket, I swear.” While natasha Lyonne has no plans to leave the U.S., she told Starz that she might check herself into a mental hospital.
George Lopez told TMZ that he would move south of the border if Trump won, and that other Latinos would come with him: “If he wins, he won’t have to worry about immigration; we’ll all go back.” Al Sharpton said in February that he had “reserved his ticket” to leave if Trump won and that he would support anyone necessary to beat him. “House Of Cards” star neve Campbell is a natural-born Canadian citizen, so for her moving to another country is easy, and she added she is ready to do it. Chelsea Handler told Kelly Ripa on “Live!” that her plans to move aren’t just words. She has already bought a house in Spain and is ready to go if necessary. In the final days of the campaign, Bryan Cranston added his name to the exodus list, saying, “I would definitely move. It’s not real to me that that would happen. I hope to God it won’t.” Rounding up the list, Chloe Sevigny, said she would move to nova Scotia; Elizabeth Moss, to Italy; Kathryn Hahn to Iceland; Lily Rose Depp to France. Gabrielle Union to the Bahamas; PAGE B3
B
Features
B NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Moonlighting by Mylah de
leon
GettinG old is a natural thing and no one must not be afraid of the natural. trees age, as well as animals and everything that is alive. i am not afraid to look old. i don’t know indifference, i ignore bitterness. if something unpleasant happens to me, i put it behind. Women in that certain age are in their oneness: their hands brushed tears away. Hands that were once held by and warmed husbands, are indomitably widowed by men who couldn’t cry, couldn’t touch and died of heart attacks. i never expected to be such a poor sport about aging, because i never expected to be old or at least accept aging very badly. But i am not clutching it in high pitched sighs and smiles that tell of pain forgotten. in a fragile package are my age spots, menopause and arthritic hormones. Many times, during this examination of
http://www.asianjournal.com • (213) 250-9797
Beyond age lies a gentler joy the woman of a certain age and the world she lives in, i’ve asked myself, who cares? the only reason that i’m adding words to this subject is to clear away what i consider to be a thicket of misconceptions if not timidities. George Bernard Shaw said that it’s a pity, youth in wasted on the young. this is untrue! Youth is wasted on the old if all they do is pine away to be young again. By embracing the loss of youth, i’ve transcended my anxieties and the dread of growing ancient. i speak of growing old not gently, perhaps not even gracefully; but with a wonderful outrageous sense of style: i will wrap, a scarf around my neck to hide a turkey’s neck, flutter my bosom with bold Swarovski beads that will blind an eagle’s gaze, swathed in glitz and glamor. i’ll be sweating glitters. My voice will be lighter and i will dress myself — Christian Dior, Valentino and buttered with flower in an Oscar de la Renta — if you have the taste and money to acquire it. i will defy the grave with bright colors and perfume (guaranteed to wake the dead and kill the living)
First Queen Lola Bernie Targa Ganon and the Moonlighter
tending time which is more fragile than youth. Be unduly dignified, having earned the right to dress and sing and dance anyway you please. i could even take up belly dancing, and unlock all my inhibitions. Our identities are not tied to our age. We’re never our own age, as we come to terms with aging, we create our identities in our own terms. now, i can demand the freedom
Cora Aragon Soriano
Soprano, Aida Reyes
to take life less seriously. i will flaunt my gray hair, wrinkles and double chin, and falling wombs; with the acceptance that beyond age, lies a gentler joy and peace that sanctifies old age. i shall stop reflecting on such things as the nature of melancholy, or how sickness could be caused by the states of mind. i shall transfer my affections to more attainable men, and forego with the men out of range like Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Henry V,
and Clint eastwood — perhaps at which point throw away the books, along with self restraint. But in no time will i throw away a sense of fierce independence as a human being and the desire to attain distinction in terms of mind and spirit and expression, and its existing horizons. i am not going to be worried of what others think of me, or by what standard of morality i am judges. i will not stand the gaff or independence for long. You want to be young? But
Newshen Lydia V. Solis and Vina Nacionales who just turned 70
you cant be — older is what we all get. By the time a woman is seventy, she is either wanted as a woman of seventy or not really wanted at all. She doesn’t have to fool anyone and accept the fact that competing with women for younger than she is, over anything is not only degrading, but futile. the affection i now receive is for me, the real me. this was worth waiting for.
Janella sings theme song of Disney’s Moana by nathalie
toMada Philstar.com
Paboritong Hang-out place ng mga Pinoy!
"UY ,B 'ET ,B &2%% #OME #ELEBRATE 9OUR 3PECIAL $AY AT 4OWNSENT
,ARGE 3ELECTION OF ,)6% 3EAFOOD
1069 W. San Bernardino Rd., Covina • 626-915-8982 2222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222
,)6% ,/"34%2
&2%%
"UY ,B
'ET ,B
7HILE 3UPPLIES ,AST ,IMITED 4IME /NLY
,5.#( 30%#)!, 3ERVED WITH 3OUP UP
3TEAMED 2ICE
Janella Salvador was handpicked to sing a version of “How Far i’ll Go,� the theme song of Disney’s “Moana,� in time for the film’s Philippine release on nov. 30. last tuesday, nov. 8, the 18year-old singer/actress was introduced alongside other popular young artists from Southeast asia — Maudy ayunda (indonesia), Myra Molloy (thailand), ayda Jebat (Malaysia) and Minh nhu (Vietnam) — at the Sands expo and Convention Centre during the asian presscon of the new animated film. each one interpreted and recorded the song composed by Broadway superstar lin-Manuel Miranda in their own language, except for Janella who sang the original english lyrics. in a roundtable interview afterwards, Janella said that being chosen by Disney over other young singers in the country came as a shock to her. She considers the project as “my most international Kapamilya star Janella Salvador was selected to cover Disney’s Moana theme song titled How Far I’ll Go along with four other singers from Southeast Asia. Photo from Star Magic Facebook page PAGE B4
Features
(213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
B
House facing big trees or electric poles Awkwanrd flow of good energy
By Sean
Shono
Trees and/or power poles in front of the house disturb the entrance of good energy and let the minus energy go in. (Countermeasure) Put LION & BA GUA MIrrOr on the entrance hall wall, and place an AMeTHYsT DOMe in the house to draw good energy in. *ALL Feng Shui items must be purified by the TAOIST way. *** Feng Shui master Sean Shono owns Dragon God, a Feng Shui store in Gardena, California. He is the U.S. Chief of the International Feng Shui Association. For more information, please call Sean Shono at (310) 787-1891. Dragon God is located at 1580 W. Artesia SQ. Suite A, Gardena, CA 90248.
Kris Aquino asks for second chance after Duterte skips interview By RoSette
adel
Philstar.com
HOsT and actress Kris Aquino asked for a second chance after President rodrigo Duterte on Friday, Nov. 11 failed to make it to their scheduled interview at the National Micro, small, and Medium entrepreneur’s (MsMe) summit 2016 in Davao City. Duterte missed the townhall interview because he was not feeling well. The president had just returned early Friday , Nov. 11, from a two-day official visit to Malaysia and a stopover in Thailand. Trade secretary ramon Lopez announced that Duterte could not attend the summit, where the interview would have been held due to a migraine. Kris then asked the president for a second chance. “Hindi ko rin po alam kung dahil sa mga sitwasyon na nangyari sa ngayong linggo kaya ini-snub ako, pero, President Duterte, please give me a chance. I hope one day, mamahalin mo rin ako,” Kris said. In jest, Kris said she will prepare for her next meeting with Duterte by going on a diet. “Minsan, ang first date hindi natutuloy. President Duterte, pinaghandaan kita...26 na lang ang bewang ko ngayon. Sisiguraduhin ko pong magiging 25
FAke toUrISt vISA reSUlteD In beInG Sent bACk to tHe PHIlIPPIneS “A to A”, AnD lAter jeoPArDIzeD HIS ImmIGrAnt vISA DUe to FrAUD– on An enCore ePISoDe oF ‘CItIzen PInoy!’ johnnatan (second from left) got a tourist visa through a newspaper ad that advertised “non-Appearance” visas for $2500. He entered the US in 2002 without any problems, but when he returned in 2003, he was held at the airport and sent back to the Philippines, after US Customs and border Protection (CbP) accused him of using a fake or counterfeit tourist visa. that meant a possible lifetime ban. years later, his mother’s petition became current, and he was afraid how his fake tourist visa would affect his and his daughter’s chances of immigrating to the US. Watch how a family was able to overcome a fraud charge and be reunited, on an encore episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’ – this Sunday, november 13 at 6:15 pm (PSt) on tFC.
Celebrities who vowed to leave...
kris Aquino was supposed to make a television hosting comeback with an interview with President rodrigo Duterte, however, he failed to make it due to a migraine. Instagram.com/kris Aquino
para sa next time na pagkikita natin,” she said. Kris said upon learning that the president was going to miss the interview, she sought advice from her brother former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. “Sinabi ko ‘Noy, I’m alone’ sabi ko sa kanya, ‘What do I do?’ sabi niya ‘You made a commitment, nandiyan ka for Go Negosyo, nandiyan ka because you believe in the Philippine economy at nandiyan ka be-
cause you want everybody to be included in the growth of our economy,’” Kris narrated, adding that colleagues have missed shoots in the past. she still pursued the interview with entrepreneurs despite the president’s absence. It was her hosting comeback after a sevenmonth hiatus from Philippine television. Around 500 entrepreneurs attended the summit. The interview aired on TV5 and was hosted by Go Negosyo.
PAGE B1 declared he’ll let a train run over Abaya doesn’t get the LrT project Zosia Mamet to siberia; Omari him [“Magpasagasa ako sa tren”] to Cavite done during his Uncle Hardwick to Italy; and model-so- if former DOTC secretary emilio Noy’s presidency. cialite-entrepreneur Amber rose to Canada. But some threats to leave America are a bit more tonguein-cheek. Take spike Lee, who vowed to react to a Trump victory by “moving back to the republic of Brooklyn.” exactly six months ago, there were also prominent Filipinos who said they would leave the Philippines should Davao City rodrigo Duterte win the presidency. Now into his fifth month as President, however, they are still very much around. Presumably too, there will be no such major exodus from the United states what with Clinton herself accepting the results, and President Barrack Obama echoing his successor’s call for national unity. Clearly, the habit of giving threats and ultimatums—and leaving them as such—transcends race and culture. Much like that of senator Benigno Aquino III who
B NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Features
Derrick Monasterio suits up as the newest Pinoy superhero EvEN when he was younger, Derrick Monasterio had always been helping other people. He would extend a helping hand to those in need at every chance he gets, from members of his family to others he doesn’t even know. When Derrick entered showbiz and started earning his own money, he stepped up to help his mother, former actress Tina Monasterio, in sending his siblings to school. “My mom was the only one working then and I know that it’s not easy for her to send us all to school. Since I was already earning, I volunteered to help not only in my sisters’ schooling but even in most of the expenses at home,” the young and responsible actor opened up to Showbuzz. With Derrick’s current status as one of the top leading men of GMA Network, it is prudent to say he’s earning more than what needs, considering the simple lifestyle he’s chosen to lead. He can very well afford to have his own house or condo unit, but unlike many of his peers on the business, the actor doesn’t even entertain the idea of moving out leaving his mom and siblings on their own. “I am now the breadwinner in the family. I’ve asked my mom to stop working and just to enjoy life. She’d been working for all of us for so long already, and It’s about time that she takes life easier. It’s my turn to work
now and give our family a more comfortable life.” True to his word, Derrick has busied himself with his career. He tapes for shows, promotes his album, and takes on guestings and out of town appearances. Through this hectic schedule, you will never hear him complaining. Moreover, through all his success, he still continues to help others whenever he can. He is the go-to guy of relatives when they need help paying the hospital bill of an uncle, the tuition fee of a cousin, or even the electric bill of a distant kin. Given these discoveries about Derrick, his latest role on Tv as Tsuperhero certainly fits him to a tee. Premiering as a weekly fantasy sitcom this Sunday, he plays plays the role of Nonoy, a street smart but good-natured jeepney driver who always gets into trouble. He then becomes an accidental superhero when inhabitants from another planet crash into earth and give him their powers. As Tsuperhero, Nonoy becomes the defender of the oppressed and rescues those who are in need. “I was so happy when GMA entrusted this role to me. I always want to play characters that impart positive values. To top it all, I’m a super hero too in this show so I can surely inspire kids at the same time as teaching them good values.” (Lhar Santiago/ManilaTimes.net) Derrick Monasterio as ‘Tsuperhero’
Janella sings theme song... PAGE B2 (gig) representing the Philippines in Southeast Asia.” “They said they observed stars from the Philippines, that’s all I know,” Janella said, when asked why she got the part. “Actually, this is the second time I’ve worked with Disney. Last year, I sang for Hong Kong Disneyland’s 10th anniversary. I sang their theme song. I’m also going to do a Disney concert (in Manila),” she added, referring to the Disney in Concert: “Tale as Old as Time” show with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra at the Kia Theatre on Nov. 19 and 20. Janella first heard “How Far I’ll Go” on the day she would also
record it. “I recorded on the spot. It was very confidential. I couldn’t let anyone know about it. Walang pwedeng makarinig. They (Disney people) didn’t even want to e-mail it; that’s how confidential it was. I was surprised sobrang ganda ng kinalabasan ng song. I’m so proud of this project.” Janella is one of the lucky few who also got to preview Moana ahead of its release dates across Southeast Asia. The latest Disney offering is about a Polynesian young heroine Moana (voiced by Hawaiian actress Auli’i Cravalho) who goes on an adventure on the high seas with a wisecracking demi-god named Maui (voiced by Dwayne
Johnson) to find — not a prince charming — but herself and her destiny. “It’s really nice. Super funny, maiiyak ka din and there are lessons (to learn from it),” Janella said of Moana. “I think we can all relate to Moana. Because the lesson of the film basically is to follow your heart. Ang daming tao around us, who are telling us, this is who you should be… Everyone’s gonna give you a piece of their judgment. But what you’re going to become — it will depend on you. You’re gonna choose who you become really.” For Janella, she now has a fairly good idea as to who she wants to be, or what she wants to become. She has already fully embraced the showbiz path even if initially, she didn’t imagine herself in it.
why ORGANIC? Organic products meet stringent standards Healthier for you & kids Organic food tastes better Organic farming respects natural resources Avoids pesticides & are artificial-fertilizer-free Non-GMO, no synthetic pesticides, no growth-promoting antibiotics There are many, many more reasons to go Organic. But in short: You’ll leave the world a better place than when you found it
http://www.asianjournal.com • (213) 250-9797
Programming of Kababayan Today, November 14-18, 2016
The Global Kababayan
Monday, November 14 - The Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF) discuss their services available for kababayans should they find in a domestic violence situation. Tuesday, November 15 - Larnie Boquiren, the sports medicine manager and head athletic trainer for U.S. Water Polo team, comes to the show. Boquiren is in-charge of evaluating and assessing injuries, designing and implementing treatment and rehabilitation plans, and providing injury prevention and recovery
methods. She recently returned from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. Wednesday, November 16 Midweek News Updates from the Asian Journal and Mia McLeod of McLeod and Associates gives real estate advice. Asian and Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Alliance talks about the services they provide. Thursday, November 17 - Immigration Updates with Attorney Diza about most common problems encountered by Filipinos when it comes to immigration. Digital spearheader and talent booker Rosalynn Cobbarubias
Health@Heart
Drinking your own urine?
G. TönGi
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IF you are, hold that glass and do not say “cheers or ganbei” yet until you read the information on urine therapy in this column. Informational technology is a wonderful gift to humankind. But just like anything else which makes access to tons of data easy and widespread, interpretation of the information or its abuse could negatively impact some people’s lives, especially those who are gullible or those who do not do due diligence and simply believe everything they read on the internet. One example of this is the widely-circulated claim (in a dozen or more websites) that urine has a wide range of medicinal use. Why do we urinate? Urination is one of the detoxification processes of the body. Humans and other animals urinate to eliminate the toxic by-products of the body’s physiology. The system is eliminating these waste materials contained in the urine through the kidneys in order to get rid of them. This is the same when we move our bowels. The body is excreting the stools (feces) from our body because it contains toxic waste. What is the basis for this claim? Urophagia (drinking urine) and urine therapy or urotherapy (also known as urinotherapy or auto-urine therapy) is a practice that dates back to the ancient times in countries like Egypt, India, China, and the Aztec empire. Some of the uses for urophagia are for ceremonial services, sexual practice, for survival, and as an alternative cure for illnesses. Even today, some misguided people think urine is beneficial for teeth whitening, migraine, asthma, skin wrinkles, skin allergies, as hormonal therapy, or for prevention or treatment of arthritis and other diseases, including cancer. The Ayurveda ancient holistic healing practices of India advocate uro-therpay. There is no scientific basis for the belief or assertion espoused by “practitioners of urophagia” that urine has medicinal benefit. Is drinking urine safe? Drinking your own urine or other people’s urine – even infant’s urine – is as safe as drinking the urine of dogs, cats, mice, or other animals. It is just like recycling waste material: out from your kidneys and bladder, and back into your mouth and gastrointestinal tract, with all the toxic ingredients in the urine your body is trying to get rid of through your kidneys. Urination,
like bowel movement, is a part of our body’s natural processes (physiology) to cleanse the blood and the body of toxic waste to maintain health. Swallowing back the urine, or vomitus, or feces our body has eliminated does not make sense, and certainly is not safe, besides being repulsive. One does not even have to be a physician to understand the fallacy of urophagia. What are the risks in drinking urine? Urine could be contaminated with bacteria. Urine normally contains urea, sodium, potassium, creatinine, magnesium, calcium, ammonia, sulfates, phosphates, hippuric acid, citric acid, glucoronic acid, hormones, and drug metabolites for those on medications. These waste products, when reintroduced to the body by drinking urine, will put a stress on the kidneys. The adverse effect is worse among those who are dehydrated. If one is allergic to, or could not tolerate, a certain medication and drinks the urine of a person taking that specific medication, the drinker might develop allergic or a worse reaction to the metabolites of that drug in the urine. Drinking the urine of a drug addict or a patient with cancer is obviously more scary than drinking one’s own urine. Either way, urophagia is not medically accepted and is unhealthy, even in a desperate marooned situation. Is urine therapy effective for cancer? No, urine is useless in the treatment of any disease, including cancer. The American Cancer Society states that “available scientific evidence does not support claims that urine or urea given in any form is helpful for cancer patients.” Some cancer clinics in Mexico and other countries are offering urine therapy as an alternative to treating cancer, which is obviously inspired only by financial greed, giving false hope and victimizing desperate cancer patients and their family who are already suffering. If urine could effectively cure cancer, there won’t be any cancer left in this world, and its advocates would win the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Who are some celebrities doing urophagia? Some popular personalities drinking their urine posted on the internet include Madonna, the 5th prime minister of India Morarji Desai, British actress Sarah Miles, former major league baseball player Moises Alou, martial arts fighter Lyoto Machida, and boxer Juan Manuel Marquez, who fought Mayweather. Of course, everybody has the right to consume anything he/she wants, but common sense dictates that what our body rejects and kicks out must remain out. Medical science
shares her success story in the music industry! Friday, November 18 - Despite the holidays upon us, get fit doing Zumba with Nonie Belarmino and Idance Studio! *** 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 lucidly clear on this. How about urine for topical use? There are also claims that urine could be used effectively as a topical agent (applied directly to parts of the body). Some examples of the asserted topical application is for jellyfish bite or insect bites, eye infection, skin allergy or ulcer, acne, ear infection, etc. No, urine is not effective or beneficial for any of these conditions, or for any disease at all. Is urine totally useless? No. Urine is very useful as a plant fertilizer. According to ModernFarmer, “Across the Atlantic, studies have long established urine as a powerful fertilizer. A study conducted by the Stockholm Water Company in the late 1990s diverted urine from four housing projects to a grain farmer outside the city. The scientists concluded not only that urine could replace quick-acting mineral fertilizers, but also calculated that one Northern European adult pees enough plant nutrients to grow 50 to 100 percent of the food requirement for another person. Other successful trials have taken place in China and Mexico, though none as detailed as the Swedish one. In other studies, urine-treated farms had twice the productivity compared to unfertilized ones.” What is NASA’s FOB urine filter? The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been working on a FOB (Forward Osmosis Bag) system to transform urine and gray water into water that is safe to drink, “to address one of the challenges of outer space travel.” The FOB system uses a semi-permeable membrane and a concentrated sugar solution. This appears to be very promising but studies are still ongoing. What is the latest on urine therapy? Down here on earth, all available scientific data and information from evidence-based medicine today clearly confirm that urine has no medicinal value whatsoever and people are advised not to practice urophagia. Future technology might change all this. In the meantime, for me, I will stick to drinking filtered water, regular coffee, and my Pinot Noir.
*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
A Disney themed first birthday for Joel Cruz’ pair of princes by Becky
Garcia ManilaTimes.net
JOEL Cruz, dubbed as “The Lord of Scents” for his best-selling Aficioando Germany Perfume, recently celebrated the first birthday of his second set of twins Prince Harry and Prince Harvey in a magical Disneythemed children’s party at the Solaire Hotel and Resort Grand Ballroom. The fabulous fete—enjoyed not only by kids but family, friends, godparents and business partners as well—kicked off with photo booths at the foyer area that carrry Winnie the Pooh, Frozen and Toy Story themes. Snacks were served as well to satisfy the sweet toothed. Kids played games and fabulous prizes were given away. Upon enterting the ballroom, Disney characters and prince and princesses welcomed the guests. The program then started with videos of the family to introduce Joel, Prince Sean, Princess Synne and the celebrators Prince Harry and Prince Harvey. In time for dinner, a parade of waiters served the dishes to the tune of Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest” played by the symphony orchestra. The sumptuous dinner was properly paired with select wines from Spain, California and France. The highlight of the event was the costume contest for both kids and adults with kids wearing Disney characer costumes and adults national costumes from the country of their choice. Angelo Gabriel Cruz, who came as Pinocchio, won the kids category and was given a trip to Boracay via Cebu Pacific and stay at The District Hotel. The national costume category with a prize of a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland via
‘The Lord of Scents’ Joel Cruz with his two sets of twins—Prince Harry, Prince Harvey, Prince Sean and Princess Synne.
Philippine Airlines and a stay at the Hollywood Disney Hotel went to Ernesto Laurente who dressed as a Chinese Emperor. As if not fantastic enough, guests were treated to a variety of giveaways such as toys for all ages and Aficionado Perfume products. Joel was so overwhelmed with the number of guests who came to enjoy the fun party. Indeed, it was truly a happy, birthday celebration. Looking forward to another theme party which only Joel can create!
(213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
EntErtainmEnt
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
B
A new perspective on beauty and ‘70s OPM icons gather for ‘Yugyugan Nation’ image with Imee Ong-Maghanoy by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net
By Monet
Lu
“IT’S not really just serving someone’s vanity but more like making a difference in a person’s self-esteem. You help them feel better about their physical appearance and ultimately about themselves. I fell in love with the profession of being indirectly involved in changing a person’s lifestyle but somehow directly changing their life on a deeper level.” Such beautiful words by Ms. Imee Ong-Maghanoy. Imee is an established aesthetician, a business owner and a managing partner for Image Spa MD. She talked about how she started in the aesthetics industry and how she loves her job, but more importantly, she gave me a whole new perspective on beauty and image. Imee Ong-Maghanoy has a degree in Biology and Doctor of Dental Medicine. She works for a corporation/partnership that is founded by a known plastic surgeon. Their spa is now one of the most reputable medical spa facility in LA and has branches in Rancho Cucamonga, encinitas and West hollywood. Imee has been in the aesthetics industry for 20 years. She started in the Philippines, which paved the way for her to learn the practice. She also believed it was at that time that she realized it’s what she wants to do for the rest of her life. “honestly speaking, it was more like a product of my own experience growing up. I had acne when I was younger, and because of that, I am always around dermatologists and skincare specialists. I became exposed to the practice and familiar with conversations about skincare. Knowing firsthand how it feels to have your skin treated or pampered, as well as feeling better about it made me love this practice. And that’s when I realized that this is where my heart is. When I was a patient at Marie France in the Philippines, I was very attentive during consultation sessions, so when I applied as a staff some years later and got the job, I knew then that this is definitely the industry I belong to.” Imee said when asked what influenced her to become an aesthetician. For Imee, it was a revelation that took years in the making. “I took BS Biology and premed courses and shifted to dentistry but only until I started working for a spa facility that I found my calling. Something I didn’t expect – I even thought (they) – don’t exist.” she continued. “When I moved to the US as an immigrant, I ended up work-
ing for a Canadian company for a few years, then I got into this partnership for the spa I’m connected with now It was around early 2000 when the medical spa era has officially made its debut. So the timing was right.” Imee also handles the marketing side of the business and is involved in training the staff. She’s made an impression to most of her clients because she focusses primarily on customer care and making her clients feel satisfied. “When clients walk into your spa, we take each of their concerns to heart. That is when you get to know clients, what their concerns are or their problem areas and our job is to really listen to their needs and customize the plan of treatment to their needs. We give recommendations and motivate them,” Imee added. “I have a client for ten years, who was my client back when I was in the Philippines. She was sitting next to a new client at the lobby and I heard her telling the new client that I have taken care of her for ten years and she’s really happy with us. She was vouching for us without me telling her to. And that feels great when your performance speaks for itself, she happily recalled. I’m always excited when clients walk in and and knowing that can be part of the solution to their concerns. Being part of the process is an exhilarating and rewarding experience – seeing the improvement and the joy it brings to your client.” Imee is married to Richard Sarte Maghanoy who is an electronics and communications engineer. Despite their busy schedules, they make it a point to spend quality time over the weekends. They have a daughter named Shannen, who is taking up nursing at the University of California in Irvine. Bonding for Imee means driving out to Irvine on the weekends to visit Shannen and catch up with her over some great food. When asked if her daughter has expressed a desire to continue her legacy, she sweetly answered, “My daughter is so passionate about her studies and what she does. She may someday think she wants to continue the family business, or maybe she won’t but whatever it is, we always support and encourage her.” As a parting advice, I asked her to share some words of wisdom to those who want to follow the same path: “If you really want to pursue your passion, you do everything it takes to make it work. You take risks, and you learn from your experiences. Also, don’t forget to look back. Cherish the people you meet in your journey. I’ve always been grateful to my past employers. They took a chance on me and that means a lot. You should also see your competitors merely as opportunities or options to help more people. Some (spas) are better in certain areas,
Imee Ong-Maghanoy
so that makes it a win-win for everyone in the industry; it means more people to help and more people to provide help.” *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning 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
The title may sound kind of cheesy but if ‘70s music is your thing, then you should definitely be part of Yugyugan Nation come November 23 at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater. “Yugyugan” comes from the unique Filipino word “yugyug,” which means “to shake” or “to dance.” As a slang, the term was used in the 1970s through the 1980s when “disco fever” was scorching hot. Given this etymology, trust that Yugyugan Nation with the country’s top hitmakers from the said decades for a one-night only song and dance party. “One thing is definite: What does not know any age is the love for fun. Millennial or not, that’s what we’re giving. We’re giving fun,” enthused noted director Freddie Santos at the concert’s media launch at Maxim’s hotel. According to Santos, Yugyugan’s concept came to be during the wake of ’70s composer and vocalist Snaffu Rigor, who passed away earlier this year due to complications from lung cancer. A small group of friends initially wanted to give Rigor a small tribute, but it eventually turned to be a special reunion for the hitmakers of the “golden era of Original Pilipino Music.” The concert will feature Gary Arriola and Bob Guzman of Boyfriends (“Dahil Mahal Kita,” “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal,” “Sumayaw Sumunod”); Sonny Parsons of hagibis (“Katawan,” “Nanggigigil,”
‘Yugyugan Nation’ brings the country’s hitmakers from the ‘70s and 80s for a one-night only song and dance party.
“Legs”); and the ‘70s SuperBands featuring Nonoy Tan and Rey Magtoto of Wadab (“Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay,” “Parang Ulap”), Mon espia of Labuyo (“Tuloy Pa Rin”), Jun and Nitoy Mallillin of Abrakadabra (“Bote Diyaryo”), and Monet Gaskell and Male Rigor of VST & Co. (“Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko,” “Magsayawan,” “Rock Baby Rock”), with a very special guest in the iconic Sampaguita (“Nosi Ba Lasi,” “Bonggahan,” “Laguna”). “When they told me they were able to gather all these top stars, of course my first reaction was, ‘Wow! They’re old.’ But it’s amazing. When you visit their music, these are the songs that filled our jeepney and taxi rides when we were growing up,” the ever lively Santos continued. “It’s very hard to avoid the ‘age issue,’ but one thing I tell you is it is not an issue. We want to show everyone that we are a nation of
fun people—people who enjoy being together instead of fighting. This is the closest we can get for being nationalistic when that night comes,” he added. “That’s the thing I learned about Filipinos —that we are all born shaking and singing. So what we will give you is a celebration of country and the state of our spirit.” Asked to compare the music of the “Yugyugan” era with today’s sounds, Filipino Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (FILSCAP) chairman Nonoy Tan of the ’70s Superband replied, “You know, music has evolved but during the ‘70s, which we still consider the golden era of OPM the songs were very melodic. Lyrics-wise they were beautiful. The ‘70s were the prime of Filipino music, and that’s what we are going to show the young generation – that it is incomparable.”
B NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (213) 250-9797
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
COMMUNITY Journal
Your Immigration Solution NaNcy Miller PEOPLE come to the United States to make a better life for themselves and their families. Sometimes, they sacrifice time they could spend with their families in order to be able to earn money to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care or an education to their loved ones. When, for whatever reason, they can’t bring their family members with them, they come alone. It is hard. Sometimes, the loneliness becomes too much to bear. They go home and persuade their family members to join them in the U.S. If the family members can obtain and enter with a valid visa, all may be good. But where that is not possible, the family may choose to enter unlawfully. They may be caught at the border during the attempt. And, even when they actually enter without being caught, all is not well. Instead of the problems being over, they may just be beginning. The Immigration & Nationality Act states that any alien who at any time has knowingly encouraged, induced, assisted, abetted or aided any other alien to enter or to try to enter the United States in violation of law is inadmissible. The Act provides a waiver of the ground of inadmissibility for an alien who is a green card holder who temporarily and voluntarily left and is eligible to re-enter the U.S. or an alien who is applying for a green card through a family petition, and the person he brought in was, at the time of entry, his (lawful) spouse, parent or child. The Act also states that an alien who (prior to the date of entry, at the time of entry, or within 5 years of entry) knowingly has encouraged, induced, assisted, abetted, or aided any other alien to entry or to try to enter the United States in violation of law is deportable. Here a waiver may be available for one who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the alien has encouraged, induced, assisted, abetted, or aided only an individual who
Attempt to reunite family can result in deportation at the time of the offense was the alien’s spouse, parent, son, or daughter (and no other individual) to enter the United States in violation of law. Simply put, this means that a non-citizen who tries to help someone enter the U.S. in violation of law can be refused admission, denied a green card or deported. Those aliens may still be able to get or keep their green cards under limited circumstances if the person whom they sought to help is a relative as defined above – at the time of the attempt to enter. The person who brought or attempted to bring someone else (even his parent, wife or child) into the U.S. is considered an alien smuggler. Under case law from the Ninth Circuit, he cannot be found to have good moral character. In Sanchez v. Holder, the court held that, under the Act, no person shall be found to be a person of good moral character who, during the period for which good moral character is required to be established is, or was, a person whether inadmissible or not, a smuggler. The court held that, even if the waiver would cure the ground of inadmissibility, it would not allow the alien to be found to be a person of good moral character. This finding impacts those who might be eligible for another form of relief. For instance, someone who does not qualify for an immigrant visa may seek to remain in the U. S. and seek status by means of cancellation of removal for certain non-permanent residents. Cancellation has
four requirements: (1) that the alien have been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of not less than 10 years immediately preceding the issuance of a notice to appear in immigration court; (2) that he has been a person of good moral character during that period; (3) that he not have been convicted of various crimes that would render him inadmissible or removable; and, (4) that he have U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parents, spouse or children who would suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if he had to leave the U.S. Based on the holding in Sanchez, he cannot meet the statutory grounds for cancellation because he cannot show good moral character. The desire to reunite families is understandable. Aliens who wish to bring family members to the U.S. should consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney to accomplish this goal legally. ***
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)
* 1 >693+ 9,56>5 :05.,9 :65.>90;,9 (*;69
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
C
C NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
Atty. rAyMond BUlAon
How you can get your family out of debt — safely and legally
AS we prepare to wrap up another year, I still see a lot of families who are at the end of their financial rope with no place to turn for help with all types of debt problems. Some of them are paralyzed and feel stuck in their situation, unable to move forward and afraid that they
might make the wrong decision. So they continue to live in fear not knowing what creditors might do next. This is a scary situation to be in, I understand, but let me tell you that things don’t have to be this way. If you have ever been in debt, you know what I mean. Have you
Minding Your Finances
ever received that dreaded collection letter that says you need to pay now or else something really bad is going to happen to you? That could mean that you’re being sued by a creditor or if there’s already been a judgment, that your wages will now be garnished. And then there’s also the bank levy- every bill collector’s sneaky way of freezing your bank account without warning. How are you going to pay your bills if one day you find out that whatever little money in your bank account has been wiped out to pay a judgment? That will not be a good day, I guarantee you that. Fact: You’re NOT Alone, And It’s Not Necessarily Your Fault! The truth is that we are living in extremely difficult times. Over the last several years, I have seen a lot of people lose their homes, savings, retirement plans and everything that they’ve worked hard for in their struggle for financial survival. More and more people are finding it difficult or impossible to pay their credit card bills, mortgage, personal loans, medical bills and all other debts they’ve incurred for living expenses. Contrary to what some people may think, these people are your
u PAGE C3
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA
IF you are unable pay all your taxes owed to the IRS, you may make an offer to pay a smaller sum to fully pay all taxes, penalties, and interests. This is called Offer in Compromise (OIC for short). Let’s discuss the pros and cons of OIC. Advantages: If the offer is accepted, you will be left alone; tax liens will be removed and enforced collection avoided. The IRS, through a policy statement, declared that they will accept an offer in compromise when it is unlikely that the tax liability can be collected in full and that the amount offered “reasonably reflects collection potential.” The goal is to achieve collection of what is potentially collectable at the earliest possible time and at the least cost to the government. The ultimate goal is to arrive at the compromise that is in the best interests of both the taxpayer and the IRS. Acceptance of an adequate offer relieves you of a financial burden and gives you a fresh start toward compliance with your future filing and payment requirements. Disadvantages: 1. You must list all your assets. In the process, you are giving them a roadmap to seize and sell your assets if the offer is not accepted and nothing else works.
Should you submit an offer in compromise (OIC)? 2. Offers have been tough to get approved. However, IRS demonstrated some humanitarian aid: A. Acceptance rate increased from 16% to 39%. B. Rejections decreased from 21% to 17%. 3. The statute of limitations for the assessment and collection is suspended during the period plus another year thereafter. 4. One missed payment results in a default that gives the IRS the right to resume collection. 5. You must comply with all provisions relating to the timely filing of returns and payment of taxes due for the next five years. Of course, if things do not work out, you can always consider the alternatives of installment agreements and bankruptcy. In the meantime, there is a hold in the collection process that in itself is an accomplishment as you straighten out your financial affairs. I suggest that you use an enrolled agent, CPA, or tax lawyer to prepare it for you. If you cannot afford their fees, prepare it yourself and just pay a professional to review your offer before submitting it to the IRS. National Taxpayer Advocate Criticizes IRS’s Collection Practices In her annual report to Congress, former National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson noted her “continuing concern that IRS collection practices inflict un-
necessary harm on financially struggling taxpayers and fail to achieve the IRS’s overriding objective of increasing long-term voluntary compliance with the tax laws.” By filing a lien against a taxpayer with no money and no assets, “the IRS often collects nothing, yet it inflicts long-term harm on the taxpayer by making it harder for him to get back on his feet when he does get a job,” she said. A filed tax lien on a credit report can render someone unemployable, unable to obtain housing (owned or rented), and unable to obtain car insurance or a credit card, at least at reasonable rates. A tax lien can be particularly devastating to small businesses, as it often cuts off their access to credit. TIP: If you file for bankruptcy, timing is critical. The IRS cannot and will not entertain your OIC after you file bankruptcy. *** 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)
Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS
Can I get reimbursed for my separate property contribution from all subsequent community properties purchased during marriage?
QUESTION: I contributed money which I saved before the marriage into purchasing a property during the marriage which I acquired with my spouse in joint name. During the marriage we cashed out most of the equity in that house to purchase several properties. The first house we purchased no longer has a lot of equity due to the cash out refi but the subsequent houses we purchased has a lot of equity. My spouse just filed for divorce. Can I seek reimbursement for my separate money that I contributed from all the subsequent
houses we purchased during the marriage? Answer: Family Code Section 2640, subdivision (b), provides, “In the division of the community estate under this division, unless a party has made a written waiver of the right to reimbursement or has signed a writing that has the effect of a waiver, the party shall be reimbursed for the party’s contributions to the acquisition of the property to the extent the party traces the contributions to a separate property source. The amount reimbursed shall be without interest or adjustment for change in monetary
Barrister’s Corner
values and shall not exceed the net value of the property at the time of the division.” Section 2640, subdivision (a), provides, “ ‘Contributions to the acquisition of the property,’ as used in this section, include downpayments, payments for improvements, and payments that reduce the principal of a loan used to finance the purchase or improvement of the property but do not include payments of interest on the loan or payments made for maintenance, insurance, or taxation of the property.” Under Family Code Section 2640, the separate property contribution is reimbursed
prior to the division of community property. In re Marriage of Witt (1987) 197 Cal.App.3d 103, 105, 108–109, 242 Cal.Rptr. 646; In re Marriage of Tallman (1994) 22 Cal.App.4th 1697, 1698–1700, 28 Cal.Rptr.2d 323; Hogoboom & King, Cal. Practice Guide: Family Law 2 (The Rutter Group 1997) ¶ 8:466, p. 8–118.1 In other words “A reimbursement award comes off the top of the community property item in question ***859 **1127 before the [community property] interest in that property is divided.” (Italics omitted.) ].) If there is insufficient equity
u PAGE C3
FILIPINO PROGRAMMING
ONLYON LA18 All New “LolaBasyang.com” begins Sept.13th
3:00 PM
Lola Basyang.com
Boots Anson-Roa comes to LA18 via TV5’s LolaBasyang.com , playing Lola Basyang , who shares classic stories
Keeping You Connected
na may modern-day twist for our viewers! In this modern-day version, Lola B is a tech-savvy grandma, and she shares her stories with children via blogs and a webcam.
3:30 PM Kababayan Today with G Töngi 4:00 PM Aksyon News (Produced by TV5)
NEW ON LA18 !
G Töngi
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. THE Uber app allows riders to call, arrange and pay for taxi cab rides and other transportation services electronically via their mobile phone. On September 9, 2012, Caren Ehret used the UberTAXI option to arrange for a taxi ride in her city. When she signed up for the taxi driver to come pick her up, Uber charged a 20 percent gratuity for the driver. During the ride, Ehret asked the driver about the 20% gratuity. The driver told her that he actually received only half of the gratuity. After her trip, Ehret received a receipt that broke down the $15.90 charge as a $13.25 meter fare, and a $2.65 “Gratuity & Service Charge.” Ehret filed a class action against Uber alleging that Uber’s representation of a “20% gratuity” is false, misleading, and likely to deceive members of the public, since the term “gratuity” suggests an amount paid in recognition of the driver’s service and not the actual fare. The case alleged unfair, unlawful, and fraudulent business practices, and violations of the California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Ehret contends that Uber advertised the 20% automatic charge solely as a “gratuity” for the drivers. However, the driver only received about half of the 20% gratuity charged to riders, with the rest going to Uber. At issue is whether Uber’s representations of a 20% automatic charge is considered gratuity or tip. If it is a tip/gratuity, then the
Community Journal
Where does that tip go? – A question for consumers and workers
full amount should go to the driver. If it isn’t considered a tip, then the amount should go to Uber. In California, tips or gratuities are monies voluntarily given to a worker by a customer of a business for an amount over and above the costs of goods sold or services rendered. Tips properly belong to the employee and not the employer. Even where involuntary tip pooling is the practice, supervisors, managers and business owners are not allowed to share in the tip pool. In the context of employment, an employer who permits patrons to pay gratuities by credit card must pay the employees the full amount of the gratuity indicated on the credit card slip. The employer cannot deduct the gratuity amount for credit card payment processing fees or costs that may be charged to the employer by the credit card company. The employer must pay employees gratuities charged on credit cards by the next regular payday following the date the patron authorized the payment. Tips and gratuities, however, are different from the mandatory service charge. The latter is the amount that a guest is required to pay based on a specified service amount listed on the menu. For example, the restaurant can charge an additional 10 or 15 percent for the banquet. These charges are not gratuities or tips voluntarily given by customers to the employees but are owed by customers to the establishment itself. The employer has the option to distribute all or part of a
service charge to its employees in the nature of a bonus. (This bonus shall also be included in the employee’s regular rate of pay when calculating overtime payments.) The court in the Uber case allowed the consumers, who received Uber’s representations that the 20% charge would be gratuity only, to collectively claim damages against Uber under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Before the case could proceed to trial, the parties agreed to settle the case, with Uber paying over 340,000 to about 47,000 customers who used the app for one year. This amount represents essentially a full refund of the tips paid by the riders. Tips and gratuities are the norm in the service industry. Both consumers and workers should pay a closer attention to the tips/gratuities being charged to consumers to make sure these amounts go where they’re supposed to go – the workers’ pockets.
the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully obtained significant recoveries for thousands of employees and consumers. He is named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently Aselected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. (Advertising Supplement)
Dear Attorney Tan, I have an approved I-140 immigrant petition which was filed by Company A on my behalf. Company A would like to employ me as a bookkeeper. Based on that approved I-140 petition, I filed an application for green card (I-485 adjustment of status) in August 2014. Since that time, my green card application has been pending, as USCIS has requested additional documents in support of my application. Recently, another company, Company B, has expressed interest in hiring me for a payroll clerk position. Company B is a more established company based in the Midwest and pays $10,000.00 less but offers much better benefits. Is there a way I can substitute Company B as the employer in my green card application? — P.T. Dear P.T. Under INA Section 204(j), commonly referred to as AC 21, an approved I-140 employment-based immigrant petition filed by one employer can be used by or “ported” to another employer providing certain requirements are met. First, a green card (I-485 adjustment of status) application must have been filed and must be pending for at least 180 days. Second, the “new” job offered by the second employer must be in the same or similar occupational classification as the job for which the first employer filed the I-140 petition. In your situation, you meet the first requirement in that your application for green card (I-485) was filed in August 2014. Your application has been pending for over 1 year, which is more than the required 180 days under AC 21. In depth analysis in your case is needed as to whether Company B’s job of “payroll clerk” is considered a “similar occupational classification” to Company A’s job of “bookkeeper,” for which Company A petitioned you. In determining whether one job is similar enough to another job for AC 21 purposes, the USCIS takes into account the totality of the circumstances, including the job duties of both positions, the Standard Occupational Code (SOC) from the approved I-140 and the SOC code for the job offered by the new prospective employer, as well as the offered wages for each position. In your case, analysis would begin with the job duties of each position. The more similarity in job duties between bookkeeper and payroll clerk, the greater the likelihood that USCIS would consider them similar. Also, the SOC code for the 2 jobs would be taken into account. In addition, the wages offered by each employer would be considered. The existence of a big disparity in wages offered by each employer is not by itself a reason to conclude that the jobs are not similar. In your case, the fact that Company B is offering $10,000 less than Company A has to take into account the fact that the Midwest has a lower cost of living, as well as the fact that better benefits are being offered by Company B. If it is considered a “similar occupational classification,” Company B may be substituted in as the employer in your pending green card application, and Company B will not have to start the process from the beginning by filing a labor certification application and by obtaining an approved I-140 petition. The analysis of whether you can use or “port” your approved I-140 requires additional analysis, and consulting with an experienced attorney is recommended. *** 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)
Can I get reimbursed for my separate…
at the time of dissolution in the property to which the contribution was made to fully reimburse the contribution, the entire asset is awarded to the contributing spouse. In re Marriage of Witt, supra, 197 Cal.App.3d at pp. 105, 108–109, 242 Cal.Rptr. 646. The right of reimbursement under family code section 2640 goes further than the initial property purchased during the marriage. In Marriage of Walrath, 17 Cal. 4th 907, (1998), the California Supreme Court held that a spouse’s reimbursement right upon dissolution for a separate property contribution to a community property acquisition carries through to other community property subsequently acquired with proceeds from original acquisition. Marriage of Walrath, 17 Cal. 4th 907, (1998). In other words, you can seek reimbursement for the separate money you contributed, not only from the initial property purchased jointly during the marriage but also from any subsequent properties you were able to purchase during the marriage by refinancing the initial property provided you can trace the separate funds through the various purchase transactions. However, your right to re-
imbursement is limited to the separate money you actually contributed. You do not get to share in any of the of appreciation of the community property houses. Any appreciation above your separate contribution gets credited to the community. Where spouse contributes separate property to an acquisition of community property, and proceeds from original acquisition are later used to acquire other community property, spouse’s recovery of proceeds from subsequently acquired property is limited in dissolution proceeding to the amount of spouse’s original contribution that can be traced to that subsequently acquired asset; community is entitled to any appreciation in that asset above the amount necessary to reimburse spouse for original separate property contribution. Marriage of Walrath, 17 Cal. 4th 907, (1998). In Walrath, Husband contributed $146,000 of his separate property into a house purchased jointly in California during the marriage while Wife contributed $20,000 of her separate property into that house. During the marriage, the couple refinanced and took out $180,000 which was used to purchase a house in Utah and a house in Nevada. Due to
To Live With Faith reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS
“BUT for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its rays of healing.” — (Malachi 3:19-20) Many of us are deeply concerned about the things that are going on in the world today. Our generation has seen enormous violence, war, and poverty and destructions of societies. Our generation has not only seen death of fellow human beings but also death of morality and human decency. We’re concerned about our nation, the United States of America. Never in the past decades have we witnessed disturbing divisions in politics that have destroyed the morale of our nation and citizens as we did during past presidential campaign and election. We close our eyes and hope that everything would be fine — that our children would have food to eat, good education for a better future, and safe cities and towns to walk, to work, *** and to play. The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes We pray that our Presidentinquiries about this topic. All inquiries are elect, Donald Trump, would confidential and at no-cost. You can contact lead the country well by forg-
Ac 21: changing the employer of your employment-based green card application
PAGE C2 t
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
the refi and due to a decrease in real estate prices, the California property only had $1,000 in equity which was clearly insufficient to reimburse husband and wife during their divorce of each one’s separate property contribution. However, the couple was able to get reimbursement from the subsequently purchased Utah and Nevada property by tracing their respective separate property contributions to the subsequently purchased property. ***
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 (Advertising Supplement) is not a solicitation.
C
Praying for the nation ing unity in the country among legislators as they seek what is right and just for the welfare of every citizen and every human being in this country. We pray that our leaders will be true to their promise to eradicate corruption and greed in business and politics. We pray that they work to preserve the sanctity of life, marriages, and families. We’re not an isolated nation, and so we pray that our newly elected president and his cabinet will create paths of greater dialogues among leaders of other nations so that peace and wellbeing of all people will reign in this world. When our leaders assure us of these things we can sleep well and not live in fear. So the best thing that we could do now is to pray for God’s intervention that his Kingdom would reign in the senate, in the congress, in the halls and courts of politicians, governors and judges. Meanwhile we continue to speak up when we see any form of evil and any violation of human rights and justice. We continue to be vigilant citizens in protecting our jobs and families. The Kingdom of God must reign on earth. It must be en-
trusted to men and women who are selfless in service, pure in intentions, courageous in making right decisions, and true to their promises to lead with moral integrity. The Kingdom of God must have people who work hard to bring order in their personal and family lives. The Kingdom of God must have neighbors who care for one another; citizens, lawmakers and administrators who bring shelters to the homeless, food for the hungry, and good schools for those who cannot read. Let us never be discouraged! Let us live in hope that God’s Kingdom in his Son, Jesus Christ, will reign in this world through the power of the Spirit! *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of ImmAaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
How you can get your family out… PAGE C2 t
everyday, honest, hard-working individuals just like you and me who just want the best for themselves and their families- but for mostly reasons beyond their control, they have found themselves in a very tight financial spot. You may be currently having trouble paying your bills for any number of reasons: – You lost your job. – Your business failed. – You separated or got divorced – You suffered an illness or injury that left you with uncovered medical bills. – You have maxed out your credit cards because you’ve been using credit out of necessity to pay even for basic necessities like food, clothing, rent, mortgage or property taxes. – You cannot get a home equity loan like you used to because your house has no equity. The interest rate on your mortgage has reset from the
initial rate and your mortgage payments have become unaffordable. Whatever the reasons might be, you need a solution to get out of the financial mess that you’re in- the sooner the better. Marriages and families often break up during a financial crisis because it puts an enormous amount of stress on relationships. And if you have children who are depending on you for support, the family’s security and financial future are at risk. If your family’s welfare is at risk due to pending collection actions against you, you need to act quickly before it’s too late. Sadly, most people don’t get the right information that they need to get help because they are fed all kinds of misinformation- some of it from the bill collectors themselves. For example, they may tell you that bankruptcy is the ‘worst thing you can ever do’ or that you will probably not qualify anyway so
what’s the point. These are typical lies that bill collectors often tell you because they don’t want you to know your legal rights. Don’t fall for this. Seek the advice of a competent bankruptcy attorney who can help you review your options. I offer a free one-hour consultation to everyone who needs help in getting out of debt, whatever debt problems they may have (credit cards, personal loans, judgments, student loans, medical bills, IRS taxes, just to name a few). For a free CONFIDENTIAL 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)
C NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Community Journal
Atty. LAwrence yAng
Client with good income seeks Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 relief for $84K credit cards
CLIENT is 58. He is not divorced but separated for 20 years. His income is good. He nets about $7K to $8K a month. He lives by himself and does not even own a car. He goes carpooling with a relative to go to work. His rent is $800 a month. So, he doesn’t really have too much monthly expenses of necessities for himself, except his food expense is about $1K a month with 3 meals a day; spends at least $30 a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner eating out. His problem is $84K of credit cards. He needs $2,800 a month for minimum credit card payments. He appears to be able to afford making that payment because his disposable income, based on net income of $7K to $8K and actual monthly necessities, excluding credit card debt payment of $2,800 is about $3,000. In other words, every month, he has $3,000 available to pay $2,800 of credit card debt, which he has been paying for 15 years. He therefore has paid $504,000 in the last 15 years for minimum monthly credit card payments but still owes the same $84K of credit cards! Well, half a million dollars is a fortune by most standards, unless you’re a billionaire who can afford to pay half a million dollars for 3 or 4 Ferraris without flinching. I’m sure that many people would rather have half a million dollars sitting in their retirement account, instead of $84K of credit cards! But $84K of credit cards is what client still has even after paying $504,000 to master card and visa in the last 15 years. If he had wiped out these credit cards in 2001, client probably would have about $1M of equities in his portfolio by now. But instead of being a millionaire at 58, he has a lot of problems. He lives by himself, has chronic back pain and has received a lawsuit from one of the credit card companies. Now, where is his $3K monthly disposable income going into? Because I can see clearly that based on his current income and expense, he is able to float out $3K of disposable income every month. So I ask him if he has relatives who don’t live with him that he sends money to. His
face lighted up as he informs me that he sends about $1K to his son abroad, and $1K each to his brother and sister who also live abroad. His son has just started college abroad and client pays for all his college tuition and living expenses abroad. He sends $2K abroad, which is split 50/50 between his brother and sister who have their own families abroad. Apparently, both his brother and sister do not make enough to make ends meet so client takes care of both of them. His remits to his son, brother and sister more than $3K a month. This eats up all of his current monthly disposable income. It’s either he pays $2,800 a month to credit cards, or sends $3K a month to his son, brother and sister who need the money to survive. It’s not a hard choice to make. It appears that client was making a lot more than $7K to $8K a month before when he was younger. When he was younger he was making a net of $120K a year, or $10K a month. But his back has been giving him problems starting last year when he could not work at all because of chronic back pain. In his line of work, he has to do a lot of physical work, which has taken a toll on his back. He was on disability for the last 12 months until August he has been off disability. But when I saw him today, he was still contorting and grimacing due to back pain. I’ve had back pain too and believe me, as you get older, it does not take too much physical activity to trigger back pain. I used to be able to do my gardening for 3 or 4 hours straight without any back problem. But nowadays, the most I can garden is one hour straight. If I do more than one hour of gardening, my back begins to act up and the pain from the pelvis starts to rear its ugly head. So, I have no doubt that since client has gone back to physical work, I don’t really know how long he can continue working with that kind of back pain. Faced with the foregoing circumstances, what client needs is bankruptcy relief to get rid of $84K of credit cards. But will client qualify for Chapter
Debt Relief
7 relief where all of the $84K will just be wiped out without a single payment from client, or is his case really a Chapter 13? Well, this could be a nail biter just like the 2016 presidential elections. I was for Hillary, who, according to all the polls and pundits in the last 12 months was a sure winner, but in the end, she lost. Well, it must be God’s will for Trump to be our president. God’s ways are truly mysterious and unfathomable by us mere mortals. I’m really concerned for all the 11M immigrants who appear now have no path to be legalized under Trump. Let’s wait and see what happens. Let’s pray that our God, the one and only true God, the God of Moses and Israel, my God as well, will speak to Trump and guide him on the immigration matter. I am praying for a miracle on this matter for God’s greater glory. If we file this as a Chapter 7, there could be objections from the US trustee on the $2K that he sends to his brother and sister since he is not really required by law to make these payments. In other words, Chapter 13 would be a safer bet. Maybe the court will accept a $400 a month plan payment for 60 months. This means he pays $24K out of the $84K credit cards, and the court discharges $64K. That’s a 30% payment. It’s not too bad. But let’s see, I still have to crunch out the means test to see what is possible and not. This remains to be seen but certainly he needs bankruptcy relief and will go for it. He doesn’t want a 25% garnishment of his wages from the lawsuit he just received. Can’t blame him, nobody wants to lose 25% of one’s gross wages to a garnishment. “This God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” — Psalm 48:14
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Blessings in the unity
A Dash of Salt and Pepper (A simple thought of inspiration with biblical encouragement) by Henjie Pimenta
MAYBE I was not born and raised the way you were; nor think, act and speak the way you do; or eat the same food as you do. We are different in so many ways, but one thing I know is that we can still live harmoniously, make a difference and help each other. One of the reasons I decided to stay in this beautiful country many years ago was because I love the Henjie Pimenta diversity of people that get along so well. Maybe I was so naïve back then that I refused to see and entertain the different ideologies that divide people in so many ways. I didn’t really care about the color of skin because I know everyone has red blood cells running through their veins and arteries. But best of all, Jesus loves everyone just the same. So my point is — can we just get along? What do we do now and where do we go from here? A lot can still be done whether you are satisfied or not with the result of the election. Let us do the best that we can, cooperate with one another and respect authority. Remember the saying, “United we stand, divided we fall”? Well, let us not wait until we fall apart as a nation before we realize that it is too late. The enemy can actually take advantage of the vulnerability of this nation and stir up the hearts of unsatisfied citizens and provoke us to turn against each other. We all know is that eventually if our disagreements with each other escalate, some countries or group of people against America will rejoice over our miseries and would love to see us all go against each other and lose the glory and blessing God gave this country. Let us put aside our indifferences and regroup for a better country and future. God bless America. Psalm 133 1How good and pleasant it is
SKT Immigration
eLiot Krieger
THE H-1B visa enables foreign professionals from all over the world to live and work in the United States (“U.S.”). It is a particularly great option for international students whose academic *** program or practical training is Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in near-completion. bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil Through the H-1B visa prolitigation and has successfully represented gram, U.S. employers can temmore than five thousand clients in California. porarily hire foreign professionPlease call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) als for specialty occupations in 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. the U.S. A “specialty occupation” Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite is defined as “an occupation 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803. that requires (a) theoretical and (Advertising Supplement) practical application of a body
when God’s people live together in unity! 2It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, 3It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. In most cases when we come across the word ‘oil’ in the bible, it could mean the anointing oil or the oil of blessing. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first anointed high priest of Israel. Mount Hermon reminded me of Big Bear, a mountain so high that any precipitation from the top when melted kept flowing. It ran down the streams that flow from Mt. Zion to the lower streams and lands reaching Jordan River, Sea of Galilee and even the Dead Sea, which is the catch basin in the lower ground of the Israel. Just imagine the life that springs out near the water, a continuous flow of blessings. The oil of blessing running down from God the Father to our High Priest Jesus Christ, down to the body of believers. “…For the LORD bestows his blessings, even life forevermore.” Key words—“…when God’s people live together in unity…” And all who agree say, Amen. If you need prayers and healing, please do not hesitate to call or visit us on any Sunday at: Praise Christian Fellowship of the Valley, 9051 Woodman Avenue, Arleta, CA 91331, (inside Helping Hands ADHC,behind the CVS drugstore and Vallarta Supermarket at the back alley), 4:30PM or call Pastor Emmanuel Madeja at (818) 813-3971; or at Praise Christian Fellowship, Los Angeles, 2235 Beverly Blvd.,corner Roselake/Rosemont,L.A., CA 90057; 8:30 AM,11 AM and 6 PM or call (213) 484-8294 (Pastor Courtney Hall).
H-1B Visa: live and work in the United States of highly specialized knowledge and (b) attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.” Essentially, a specialty occupation is one that requires higher level education and specialized skill or knowledge. To qualify for an H-1B visa, the sponsoring employer must first file a Labor Condition Application and obtain certification from the Department of Labor. The sponsoring employer must then file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigra-
tion Services (USCIS), evidencing the following: • The sponsoring employer and beneficiary will have an employer-employee relationship; • Beneficiary’s job qualifies as a specialty occupation; • Beneficiary is qualified for the specialty occupation based on his or her education and work experience; • Beneficiary will be paid the prevailing or actual wage for the specialty occupation; and • Employment of the beneficiary will not negatively affect the working conditions of similarly
u PAGE C5
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Calendar of Events across
Community Journal
America
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS N OV E M B E R 1 4
Film showing of “Curiosity, Adventure & Love” in New York The Philippine Consulate General New York invites the public to a film showing of “Curiosity, Adventure & Love,” a film by Sunshine Lichuaco de Leon and Suzanne Richiardone. The showing will be on Monday, November 14 at 6:40 p.m. at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center at 556 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10036. To reserve a seat, please send an email to events@newyorkpcg.org (Subject: Fil-Am History Month) or call 212-764-1330 ext. 3866.
N OV E M B E R 1 5
Build a shelter project appreciation and book launch in New York Build a shelter project appreciation and book launch in New York The Philippine Consulate General New York in cooperation with the Assumption Alumni Association invites you to Build a Shelter Project (BASP) Appreciation and a book launch on “Yolanda: An Oral History in Verse” by Tim Tomlinson. The event will be on Tuesday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center at 556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036. To reserve a seat, please email events@newyorkpcg.org (Subject: BASP Appreciation) or call 212-764-1330 ext. 3866.
N OV E M B E R 1 9 -2 0
Consular outreach mission in Pensacola, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death; and administration of oath of allegiance for dual citizenship. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and indicate “Pensacola FL Outreach” in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate the complete name(s) of the applicant(s) and the corresponding service(s) required by each application. The outreach will be held at the Fil-Am Community Center at 234 West Oakfield Road, Pensacola, FL
H-1B Visa: live and work in the United…
PAGE C4 t
employed workers of the sponsoring employer. The H-1B visa is initially valid for up to 3 years and can be renewed for a combined total of 6 years. Beneficiaries of approved H-1B petitions can bring their spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to the U.S. in H-4 status for the duration of the Beneficiary’s stay. Additionally, unlike most other nonimmigrant visas, the H-1B visa is a dual-intent visa, meaning that the H-1B beneficiary may file for a green card without potentially jeopardizing his or her
visa status. There is an annual limit of 65,000 visas for each fiscal year allocated to H-1B. 20,000 additional visas are available for professionals with masters or doctoral degrees from U.S. universities. Certain beneficiaries are exempted from this cap, including recipients of H-1B extensions and beneficiaries of employment offers from institutions of higher education, nonprofit research entities, or governmental research organizations. Applying for an H-1B visa can be lengthy and frustrating with-
out the help of experienced attorneys and staff. Our seasoned team can assist and guide you through the H-1B application process. ***
Eliot Krieger is a Partner at Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, and Klausner, LLP. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Department of Justice. He has a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Website: www.sullivankrieger.com Contact us at any of our offices: Long Beach + 1 (562) 597-7070 Irvine + 1 (949) 390-5270 Philippines + 63-2-788-5196 (Advertising Supplement)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016
C
C NOVEMBER 12-15, 2016 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 12-15, 2016
MARKETPLACE SHOWROOM
&
D
Could Congress block President Trump’s immigration plan? gress, as the legislative branch of the Government. So let’s say Trump proposes the massive deportation. He would need to have both the House and Senate pass a law, which he can sign. (After all, Donald Trump is Atty. MichAel against “executive action”, and Gurfinkel, eSQ so he would likely act based only PeoPle are justifiably con- on a law proposed and passed by cerned, anxious, and even ter- Congress.) even though both the House rified over Donald Trump’s proposed plan to deport the approxi- and Senate would be under GoP mate 11 million undocumented control, Congress still has the abilimmigrants in the US. However, ity to oppose or even block various let’s remember that the executive proposed pieces of legislation. If branch does NoT pass laws, nor is you recall, a few years ago, Pres. the president in charge of funding obama, along with a coalition or the budget. Those powers, du- of Democrat and Republican ties, and functions belong to Con- lawmakers, proposed comprehen-
Immigration Corner
PH property market awaits Trump policies by Catherine
talavera ManilaTimes.net
THe Philippine property market is in a wait-and-see phase as the election of Donald Trump as US president poses uncertainties to the two main growth drivers of the country’s real estate market, real estate services firm Colliers International said on Thursday, Nov. 11. In a quarterly property briefing, Colliers International director for valuation and advisory Julius Guevara said that the Trump presidency as well as President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-America sentiments could have a negative effect on the country’s business process outsourcing (BPo) industry and overseas Filipino workers (oFW) remittances, which are the main drivers of the property sector’s growth. Guevara noted that the fears the office property market currently face are founded on Trump’s protectionist stance, which he was very vocal about during his campaign period. “He would protect American jobs going outside through outsourcing. It’s something that he would like to reduce,” Guevara told reporters on the sidelines of the briefing.
“At this point, all you can really do is wait and see whether or not real policies will be placed by the new Trump government,” Guevara said. As the country awaits the policies to be pursued by the Trump administration—primarily policies on US job protectionism—Guevara noted that so far, there has been no change in activity in the BPo sector or the wider property market. “So far, as far as our clients are concerned, none of them have actually reduced their requirement in the BPo space but the due diligence period has increased,” Guevara said. Apart from the issue of Trump’s stance on US job protectionism, Colliers noted that another issue affecting American companies operating in the country is the antiAmerican sentiments of President Duterte. “Recent statements by President Duterte against the United States and its economic interest in the country have shaken American businesses operating locally,” Colliers said. Meanwhile, Guevara noted that US-based companies who are PAGE D2
NIA Administrator Florencio F. Padernal chats with (Left) Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan of Chinese Embassy
PH-China to craft 6-year economic cooperation plan by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
CHINA and the Philippines intend to craft a six-year economic cooperation plan to better facilitate trade and investment deals between the two countries, a Chinese embassy official said on Wednesday, Nov. 9. “After President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to China, we signed a lot of MoUs [memorandum of understandings]for cooperation. At present, our job is for these MoUs to be fully implemented,” Jin Yuan, commercial counselor at the Chinese embassy in Manila, said during the concluding press conference of the Philippines Development Forum here. Duterte’s four-day state visit to China in october yielded $24 billion worth of loans and investment pledges. The Philippines will also get $9 billion worth loans including $3 billion credits from mainland private lenders.
The two countries also signed seven joint, including a memorandum of understanding on tourism to help boost Chinese arrivals in the country. To better implement the MoUs, Jin said Chinese representatives together with the National economic and Development Authority (NeDA) will craft the six-year Philippines-China economic Cooperation Plan and complete the draft by the first quarter of next year. “At the end of this year, we will send our draft plan and it will be crafted jointly with NeDA’s by the first quarter of 2017 because it should conform to the release of the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan,” Jin said. earlier, the Philippine government announced that the NeDA Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC) will be the focal point when it comes to managing the country’s economic relationship with China. “once the President has actuPAGE D2
Business Quote of the Week “For a successful entrepreneur it can mean extreme wealth. But with extreme wealth comes extreme responsibility. And the responsibility for me is to invest in creating new businesses, create jobs, employ people, and to put money aside to tackle issues where we can make a difference.” - Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group
sive immigration reform, which passed in the Senate. However, the House blocked that legislation, and would not even bring it up for a vote. As a result, that piece of legislation, urged by the president, went nowhere. So, if Trump proposes a piece of legislation, the House or Senate could always block it, or Democratic Senators could “filibuster,” which would also result in the proposed legislation going nowhere. Congress is also in charge of the budget and funding. There are estimates it waould cost over $400 billion to deport the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants. This might include the cost of building new courtrooms, hiring new judges and their staff, building more detention facilities, transportation for the mass deportation, etc. Congress may not be willing to spend that amount of money for such an unnecessary endeavor. If Trump can’t get the money to carry out his plan, the plan would go nowhere. While Trump talks tough about immigration, he must take a step back and consider the practicalities (or impracticalities) of his plan, and we must always remember Congress could always block
his attempts or refuse to fund it. And even though Congress has a Republican (or GoP) majority, many of these Republicans were opposed to Donald Trump running for president. Some did not even vote for him, and almost all were unwilling to campaign on his behalf. Just because there’s a Republican majority in Congress does not mean they will blindly accept Trump’s immigration plans. Congress still has a say. *** 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 reenactments) 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 attorneyclient 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)
The peso nearly breached the 49 to $1 level amid the strengthening of the greenback on expectations that President elect Donald Trump would boost the US economy and raise interest rates.
Peso retreats to 7-year low by lawrenCe
agCaoili Philstar.com
MANIlA - The peso nearly breached the 49 to $1 level on Friday, Nov. 11 amid the strengthening of the greenback on expectations that President-elect Donald Trump would boost the US economy and raise interest rates. The peso hit at an intraday low of 48.96 to $1 after opening weaker at 48.77. The peso ended a trading week 29 centavos weaker to close at a
fresh seven-year low of 48.95 from Thursday’s 48.66 to $1. This was the lowest level since the peso closed at 48.995 to $1 on April 28, 2009. The weakness of the currency was not unique to the Philippines as the dollar strengthened broadly on expectations that the policies of Trump would stoke inflation paving the way for the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. PAGE D2
D november 12-15, 2016 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL
Marketplace & ShowrooM
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Proposed coco levy trust fund moves to Senate plenary by Jefferson
antiporda ManilaTimes.net
A PROPOSeD measure allowing 3.5 million coconut farmers to benefit from the P75-billion coconut levy fund has moved closer towards enactment as Senator Francis Pangilinan sponsored the bill at the plenary level on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Pangilinan, chair of the senate committee on agriculture and food, presented to the plenary Senate bill 1233 or “An Act Creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, Providing for its Management and Utilization, and for Other Purposes.” The bill seeks to establish a trust fund to free the P75-billion coco levy fund for the benefit of coconut farmers and the industry since the levy was established over 40 years ago during the Marital Law years. “Today we sponsor the committee report on the bill, Creating the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, Providing for its Management and Utilization, and for other Purposes,” Pangilinan said
PAGE D1
in his sponsorship speech. According to the senator, once the law is in place the country will be able to produce and export more value-added coconut products instead of mostly raw materials and coconut oil. he cited virgin coconut oil, coco sugar and coco milk. The trust fund will be perpetually maintained, with the initial funding to be sourced from the proceeds of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) shares that were bought with the coconut levy money and remittances from the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB). According to the draft bill, some P62.5 billion is available including the principal sum of P56.5 billion as well as P3.6 billion in interest, P854 million in SMC dividends and P1.48 billion in UCPB remittances. “The Trust Fund shall thereafter be augmented with all proceeds of privatization/disposition of the Coconut Levy Assets remitted directly thereto by the Privatization management office in accordance with this Act,” the bill stated.
Peso retreats...
earlier said monetary authorities are ready to provide liquidity to the market as needed amid the renewed risk aversion surrounding market surprise over the Trump victory. “We will continue to closely monitor developments and provide liquidity to the market as needed to address market price action on renewed global political
risk,” Tetangco said. he explained cautiousness on a possible retreat by the US Federal Reserve from a rate hike next month is weighing on regional currencies including the peso. For his part, BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the weaker peso is expected to contribute more inflationary pressures for the next two years. The BSP raised its inflation
The bills tasks the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to do a complete accounting and inventory of the coconut levy assets that cover the amount, value, description and nature the funds, properties and assets related to the coconut levy fund. The PCGG will then submit a report on its findings to the Office of the President, the Committee, and the Commission on Audit. A key feature of the bill is the creation of a fund trustee or the Trust Fund Committee, with six of its eleven members coming from coconut farmers or their representatives. It will be chaired by the secretary of Finance and co-chaired by the secretary of Agriculture. The bill also specifies the creation of a Coconut Development Plan ensuring the active participation of coconut farmers at every stage of the law’s implementation. Sixteen senators from the Senate committees on Agriculture and Food and Finance signed and approved committee report. forecasts over the next three years. The central bank raised this year’s inflation forecast to 1.8 percent. “So we are not concerned about the level of the exchange rate. It’s more on the volatility in the foreign exchange market that we have to monitor regularly. It is important that we keep the volatilities in check because that can affect the sentiment of the business community as well as the investors’ sentiment,” Guinigundo said.
(L-R) Cebuana Lhuillier General Manager Noel Fernando Cristal,; Cebuana Lhuillier Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier; Cebuana Lhuillier President & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier; PNB President Reynaldo Maclang; PNB Executive Vice President Bernardo Tocmo; and PNB First Senior Vice President Benjamin Oliva
PNB inks partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier
ReMITTANCe is now made easier with Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Cebuana Lhuillier! The money you remit at PNB overseas branches and offices can now be picked up in any of Cebuana Lhuillier’s 1,800 branches nationwide. With Cebuana Lhuillier as a partner, PNB maintains its position of strength to serve its clients by enhancing customer experience and convenience. As one of the leading banks in the Philippines, PNB has 72 overseas branches and offices which span Asia, europe, the Middle east, and North America. Philippine National Bank The Philippine National Bank is the country’s fourth largest private commercial bank in terms of assets and deposits. It is a universal bank providing a full range of banking and other financial services to its highly diverse clientele comprised of individual depositors, small and medium
enterprise, domestic and international corporations, government institutions, and overseas Filipinos. For the past century, PNB has always been the bank that customers can lean on. Backed by 100 years of stability and excellence, PNB looks forward to yet another hundred years of serving You First. PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies established in 1988, the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies (PJLGC) is a dynamic, multi-
industry institution that owns and operates businesses dealing with microfinancial products and services such as pawning, remittance, microinsurance, and microloans. The company is also involved in other industries such as retail, hotel and restaurant management, IT, sports management, and real estate. PJLGC is the proud parent company of Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ largest microfinancial services provider with over 1,800 branches nationwide. (Advertising Supplement)
PH is 3rd in the world in financial inclusion by Mayvelin
U. Caraballo ManilaTimes.net
The Philippines ranked third in the world in terms of having a conducive environment for financial inclusion, according to a report by The economist Intelligence Unit. In the newly released Global Microscope on the enabling environment for Financial Inclusion, the Philippines is once again named as one of the global leaders in terms of financial inclusion, tied with India with a score of 78 out of 100. The country’s ranking, however, was unchanged from last year. Colombia and Peru tied for the No. 1 spot. According to the 2016 report, Colombia, Peru, India and the Philippines are the four leaders performing consistently well across all indicators considered in the study. These include government support for financial inclusion, regulatory and supervisory capacity, requirements for non-regulated lenders, electronic payments, and the existence of credit reporting systems, market conduct rules, and dispute resolution mechanisms for financial consumers, as well as regulations on credit, deposit, microinsurance, and branches and agents. The report said four leaders
stood out from the rest in terms of regulation on insurance for low income population, digital financial services, and consumer protection. “In the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also measures transactions in e-money accounts and is concerned about the lack of account use—an average of eight transactions in 2014 in each of 26.7 million accounts. Dormancy remains an issue but there is hope that this will change over time as people become more familiar with the possible uses of the accounts,” it stated. The report recognized positive changes in the financial inclusion landscape of the Philippines since 2015. These include the signing into law of Republic Act No. 10693 or the Microfinance NGOs Act which aims to strengthen nongovernment organizations engaged in microfinance operations for the poor, and Republic Act No. 10846 which amends the Charter of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation to strengthen its institutional and governance framework. The study also cited the revised reporting rules for cooperatives issued by the Cooperative Development Authority.
PH property market awaits... PAGE D1 outsourcing their operations in the Philippines are starting to look for other outsourcing locations. “They’re just more wary of what they’re doing. Of course, some companies are looking at other options—if there are other options apart from the Philippines. Of course, we continue to be a very strong option for them in terms of the talent, the cost and so forth. But if another option emerges where there’s less political risk then they will probably entertain those as well just to lower their operating risk,” Guevara said. One of these alternative locations as cited by Guevara is Latin America, which is geographically closer to the US. “It’s closer so it’s near shore but of course the pricing is different. The level of english is also good in some Latin American countries,” the real estate analyst said. Guevara noted that the wait and see period will last for about six months, similar to the wait and see period witnessed when President Duterte was elected into presidency earlier this year. Despite Trump’s protectionist view, Guevara expressed his sentiment that the interest of American companies will prevail. “At the end of the day, the interest of the American companies will prevail,” Guevara noted “If you’d take a look at the revenues of these American companies, most of them are outside of the US. So, they would have to consider where they could continue to get very good margins while also answering to the regulatory requirements.” “Apart from the threat on the BPO industry, Guevara noted that Trump’s protectionist’s view could
also impact the remittances from the OFW market, which is growth driver in the property market. “This might affect our undocumented Filipinos in the United States if they are forced to come back and we might see a slight reduction in the remittances,” the real estate analyst said. Guevara noted that this could result in a decline in OFW sales in the residential property market. “It might. I cannot quantify that at this point, but of course we might have to anticipate that kind of downward trend,” Guevara said. Moreover, with the challenges the BPO and OFW markets are facing–which could impact the property sector– Guevara said there is a need for Philippine markets to transition to offering higher value services, and catering to other countries, to better protect the growth of our industries and economy. “I think our two growth stories are now being challenged so our growth stories might be history. So, that’s something that we carefully need to think about,” Guevara expressed.”You have to transition. For higher value services, I think it’s easier. It’s easier to protect.” Based on the latest roadmap of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the organization is pushing for a shift in higher value, knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) jobs as lower skilled employments by the BPO industry are projected to drop in the next six years. “With this shift, developers should assess the needs of KPOoriented tenants, which are different from the requirements of call centers and other BPO-type occupiers,” Colliers said.
PH-China to craft 6-year...
PAGE D1
ally signed an order to do that, the ICC will go to China and ask the Chinese government to designate a single focal point also in China so that the dealings can be government-to-government,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd earlier said. “ICC will ask the Chinese government to designate and accredit
the companies that they believe can do the projects to accredit them so that the Philippine side will know which companies to deal with in China,” he added. Next week, a delegation of working groups and importers from China will visit the Philippines to buy more bananas, pineapples and other tropical fruits, Jin said.
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Showroom
Filipino customers guaranteed top service at Hooman Chrysler Hyundai Dodge Jeep Ram For many folks, buying a car is often stressful and laborious. Figuring out finances, picking out the right make and model and deciding on the right dealership are just among the few things to worry about when making one of the most important purchases. But at Hooman Chrysler Hyundai Dodge Jeep ram, consumers are guaranteed honest service from an unrivaled team of sales consultants and managers. General Manager Manny Martinez – who describes himself as a “die hard Filipino” -- has been in the automobile industry for decades and understands the importance of customer satisfaction. At Hooman, he and his expert team make that a company priority. Hooman is dedicated to providing quality service and reasonable prices, regardless of customers’ credit. Working with reliable banks, they are able to approve clients no matter the circumstances: first time buyers with little credit history, customers undergoing bankruptcy, families who have experience home foreclosures and customers with credit issues. Whatever the situation, Hooman is sure to deliver. Where other dealerships merely claim to cater to those with credit issues, Hooman makes it a prime concern to make sure that credit doesn’t deter anyone from purchasing a car. Moreover, Hyundai and Chrysler, in particular, are able to grant generous rebates, which can help when putting a down payment on an automobile. Since taking over as GM in September, Martinez has been putting together a special team of Filipino American managers and salespeople to help Filipino clients. Martinez sought to cater to the Filipino community in this way because he knows that trust and loyalty are huge elements in the business of automobiles. “We love the Filipinos because they deserve to get a new car because they work hard and they are very, very good people.
DXeep DXik`e\q# >\e\iXc DXeX^\i
GXki`Zb Kfc\[f# Lj\[ :Xi I\ekXc =c\\k ;`i\Zkfi
8im`e 8Y\i`ccX# =`c`g`ef ;\gXikd\ek
They are good citizens of this country and they deserve to be assisted even if they have really bad credit,” Martinez said. Currently on his Tagalogspeaking team are Used Car and rental Fleet Director Patrick Toledo and Sales Consultant Arvin Aberilla who were handpicked for their experience, integrity and their dedication to deliver first-class service to clients. Serving the Filipino-American community has always been a mission for Martinez, who was a part of the first car dealership to advertise to the Filipino
community in 1995. “My priority is always the Filipino community since I got into the car business in 1989,” Martinez said. “We’ve always treated Filipinos with a lot of respect, and they’ve always been very loyal.” Hooman Chrysler Hyundai Dodge Jeep ram is located on 333 Hindry Ave., Inglewood, CA 90301 and are opened Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To call for more information, call (310) 846-1300. 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 12-15, 2016 D
D november 12-15, 2016 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
EMPLOYMENT
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Showroom
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 12-15, 2016 D
Angelina Mead King’s Black Manta does SEMA by Patrick
EvErEtt tadEo ManilaTimes.net
The annual Specialty equipment Market Association (SeMA) Show is the world’s biggest automotive aftermarket trade event held annually in Las Vegas. Needless to say, to be part of it is no small feat. After all, an exhibitor gets to display products and services to a global audience—or to at least 60,000 industry professionals (the show is not open to the general public) from more than 100 countries. One such exhibitor is Car Porn Racing’s Angelina Mead King (formerly Ian King), who partnered with California-based Gi Automotive to bring a heavily modified sixth-generation Chevrolet Corvette from her humble shop in Taguig to the entertainment capital of the world. King has labeled the C6 Corvette as the Black Manta, and if the name sounds familiar, that’s because it was actually first shown at the 2015 Manila Auto Salon. Using a 2013 Corvette as a donor car, King first tapped the services of renowned digital automotive rendering artist Jon Sibal to redesign it. King then had her Car Porn Racing crew strip the vehicle of its fiberglass skin and replace it with a wide body made entirely of carbon fiber. This added an additional 12 inches up front and 14 inches at the rear from the car’s stock measurements. King’s shop also distributes the AirRex air struts and the AccuAir air suspension system locally, so it’s no surprise to find these fitted underneath the Black Manta. After all, a car like this needs these components to safely navigate Metro Manila’s potholed roads. King has also swapped the show car’s 6.3-liter LS3 V8 engine with a supercharged LS9 engine, and tweaked it further to boost the mill’s output from 638hp to a whopping 800hp. The Black Manta is shod with 20-inch gold and chrome DPe wheels wrapped with Toyo tires that measure 305mm up front and 345mm at the back. Keeping the car in control are Johnny O’Connell signature sway bars from Pfadt Race engineering together with the car’s stock safety and stability systems. To keep the vehicle’s noise level down in the city—yet allow it to open up on the highway—a custom remote-controlled Varex active exhaust system has been fitted as well. To finish off the Black Manta’s aggressive look, King chucked
EMPLOYMENT
Black Manta owner Angie Mead King shows just how durable her car’s rear wing is.
Filipino car fans with keen eyes and an even keener memory will remember the Black Manta from last year’s Manila Auto Salon. Last week, the car was displayed at the SEMA Show.
the stock C6 headlights for a pair from the current-generation C7 Corvette. The Black Manta’s interior likewise underwent some changes, with most of the plastic components now clad with Alcantara, while the stock bucket seats have been replaced with a pair from Recaro. For SeMA, King had to alter the car’s hood to accommodate the larger LS9 powerplant, redesign the rear wing and diffuser, and resculpt the body. To further differentiate it from the matte-black car at last year’s Manila Auto Salon, King gave the updated Black Manta a glossier finish and added satin camo, silver and gold accents. Speaking of the hood, the car wouldn’t be complete without the popular Victoria Court logo. The motel chain, as you know, is owned by King’s family. King and Gi Automotive want to prove that this isn’t just a show
Frankly, this car wouldn’t look out of place as Bruce Wayne’s next Batmobile.
car—that it has the muscle to match its aggressive looks—by putting it through some time-attack and top speed runs in 2017. “I’m so happy to be able to finally share my passion project on the global stage,” King said of the car prior to its international debut. That’s Angie Mead King, doing the Philippine car scene proud both here and abroad.
EMPLOYMENT
FOR RENT
SERVICES
SCHOOL
D november 12-15, 2016 • LA WeeKenD ASIAn JoUrnAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797