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Volume 27 - No. 33 • 2 sections – 16 Pages
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from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Trump wavers on immigration, plans to adopt Obama’s deportation policy DoNALD trump is softening his call for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, saying that he plans to mirror President Barack obama’s policy of deporting criminals but “perhaps with a lot more energy.” the republican presidential nominee said that he would double down on distinguishing between the “bad” immigrants and “everybody else.” “the first thing we’re going to do if and when I win is we’re going to get rid of all the bad ones,” trump said in a town hall-style event on fox News on monday, August 22. When asked about possibly changing the law to providing legal status to law-abiding undocumented immigrants, PAGE A3
First Fil-Am elected official passes away at 86 G. moNtY manibog, the first filipinoAmerican elected into public office in the United states, passed away at the age of 86 on friday, August 12 after a long battle with lung disease. In 1972, he became one of the first filipino-AmeriG. Monty Manibog cans elected to a city council, serving the city of monterey Park. he later became mayor of that same city. the manibog family made many strides in the United states, with his father Gonzalo manibog becoming the first filipinoAmerican to graduate with a law degree in 1917. manibog would follow in his father’s PAGE A2
august 25-31, 2016
US ‘deeply concerned’ as death toll in Philippine drug war rises by ChriStina anD
M. oriel Dana SioSon AJPress
UNIteD states officials again expressed this week that they are “deeply concerned” about the extrajudicial killings that have occurred since President rodrigo Duterte took office and called for a crackdown on illegal drugs. “the United states believes in the rule of law, due process, and respect for universal human rights, and that these US State Dept. Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner principles promote long-term secu-
rity,” U.s. Department of state Deputy spokesperson mark toner said on monday, August 22. since Duterte became president on July 1, the Philippines has reported 712 deaths of drug traffickers and users, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief ronald Dela rosa said before a senate hearing on monday. Dela rosa also said that 1,067 other drug-related killings were being investigated. earlier this month, Duterte reiterated
his campaign promise to get rid of illegal drugs and traffickers. “my order is shoot to kill. I don’t care about human rights,” the president said on August 5, dismissing the concerns of his critics. “We have a crisis.” During monday’s news briefing at the U.s. state Department, toner said it was “not for me to judge” Duterte, who he called a “plain-speaking” politician. Despite the long-standing “frank and candid” bilateral relationship with the PAGE A2
Amnesty Int’l: Killings indicate lawlessness, not crime control by Dana
M. SioSon
AJPress
the spate of killings related to the present administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign in the Philippines indicates “lawless, not crime control,” according to international human rights group Amnesty International. In a statement released on Wednesday, August 24, Amnesty described the number of deaths as “a terrifying indication that the authorities are grossly failing in their obligations to respect and protect the right to life.” the group’s statement was made after Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief ronald “Bato” Dela rosa earlier this week confirmed that at least 1,067 killings by unidentified people and an estimated 712 killings by police have been recorded in the country since July 1, when President rodrigo Duterte took office. Amnesty stressed that these summary killings PAGE A2
COP KILLED IN BUY-BUST OPERATION. Police Senior Insp. Mark Garcia’s wife watches over the body of her husband at the Antipolo District Hospital. Garcia was killed in a police buy-bust operation against drug pushers in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City. Inquirer.net photo by Raffy Lerma
Philippines ‘not leaving’ the UN Duterte brushes off comment as a joke
by Dana anD
SioSon Klarize MeDenilla AJPress
DesPIte President rodrigo Duterte’s threat that the Philippines may opt to leave the United Nations (UN), the country is staying “committed” to the international agency, malacañang confirmed on monday, August 22. foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay,
Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr.
Jr. said in a news briefing on monday that the Philippines’ commitment to the UN remains amid “frustrations.” the international agency is looking to investigate the rising extrajudicial killings in the country associated with the crackdown on illegal drugs. Yasay said that Duterte did not outwardly express plans to withdraw from the UN, but that the president was just merely frustrated with the
UN inquiries, stating that “like us, he is only human.” “the president is understandable extremely disappointed and frustrated with this action of the special rapporteurs in arbitrarily concluding that these drug-related killings were done by or are at the instance of law enforcers,” Yasay said. “But I can assure you that he remains committed to PAGE A2
Pacquiao starts training Supreme Court puts Marcos hero’s burial on hold for November fight by Dana
by Dana
SioSon
AJPress
WIth just a couple of months ahead of his November match against reigning WBo Welterweight Champion Jessie Vargas, senator manny “Pacman” Pacquiao began his light training on tuesday, August 22, in preparation for his comeback fight. Vargas, an American boxer, has a record of 27 wins, one loss, and 10 knockouts. their match is set on November 5 in Las Vegas. the filipino boxing champ has With a little over two months before his fight against Jessie Vargas, Manny Pacquiao has kicked off his training. Philboxing photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea started doing laps and shadow
boxing in the streets around his mansion in North forbes Park in makati City, and other places near the senate offices in the manila Bay area. Determined to prove his promise that boxing won’t interfere with his legislative duties, Pacquiao’s camp said his training will be almost entirely done in the Philippines, adding that he will only fly to United states when the Upper house takes a break on oct. 22. After that, he and his team will PAGE A2
SioSon AJPress
resPoNDING to petitioners, the Philippine supreme Court (sC) has ordered the government to hold former President ferdinand marcos’ interment at heroes Cemetery for 20 days. the court has issued a status quo order effective from August 23 to september 11 and rescheduled the oral arguments regarding the issue from August 24 to August 31, sC spokesman theodore te explained on tuesday, August 23. Defense secretary Delfin
Lorenzana earlier issued a memorandum dated August 7, informing Armed forces Chief of staff General ricardo Visaya of President rodrigo Duterte’s verbal order on July 11 to prepare for marcos’ hero’s burial. te added that the high court also granted the request of the sC Public Information office to conduct a live stream audio broadcast of the oral arguments “subject to the usual conditions and restrictions imposed.” on monday, August 22, two more petitions by a youth group PAGE A2
A
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AUGUST 25-31, 2016 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
From The FronT Page
US ‘deeply concerned’ as... PAGE A1 Philippines, the U.S. will not be “turning a blind eye to human rights abuses or possible human rights abuses in the Philippines.� The U.S. is committed to urging the Philippines to ensure its law enforcement efforts comply with its human rights obligations. “I’m just going to say that we continue to work with the Filipino Government on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues,
and while at the same time making clear that as [the] Philippines addresses issues that touch on human rights that we’re going to make our concerns clear,� Toner added. Following US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Manila in late July, Duterte confirmed that the Philippines will receive $32 million in aid from the U.S. meant to fund training and services for security forces.
In another outburst against the critics of his anti-illegal drugs campaign, Duterte over the weekend lashed out against the U.S. police killings of black men. “Why are you Americans killing the black people there, shooting them down when they are already on the ground?� Duterte said on Sunday, August 21. The president added that those cases are “still human rights violations.�
Philippines ‘not leaving’ the... PAGE A1
the United Nations, of which the Philippines is one of the founding members.� In a press conference on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella mirrored Perfecto’s statements and clarified Duterte’s claims. “We are not decoupling,� Abella said. “It was a matter of record, it was a statement. [Duterte] was just basically stating the fact that the Philippines is a sovereign nation and should not be meddled with.� The UN’s special rapporteurs — who operate under the Human Rights Council — have announced plans to investigate the rise of killings since Duterte’s entrance into the presidency. “We call on the Philippines authorities to adopt with immediate
effect the necessary measures to protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions,� Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions, said in the report. Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that more than 1,500 people have been killed since early July. The president has also publicly tied politicians, judges and police and military personnel to the drug trade. He had been aggravated with the comments, prompting the threat to leave the world body. “I do not want to insult you. But maybe we’ll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations,� Duterte said on Sunday, August 21. “Eh ‘di kung ganun kayo ka bastos, p*****i**, eh, umalis na ako dyan sa inyo (If you
are that rude, son of a b****, then I would rather leave) So take us out of your organization — you have done nothing, anyway, also.� However, following the remarks, Duterte clarified that his comments were mere levity. “Can’t you take a joke?� Duterte told the media on Tuesday, August 23. “What will you join, the association of those who sunk?� The president added that he’d “like to talk to that alleged expert of the UN� and urged that expert to visit the Philippines to see the situation firsthand. “You do not just throw that kind of allegations or statement without even coming here. You rely on the reports of the newspapers,� he said. Duterte has expressed his distaste for the UN in the past, calling it a “useless, inutile body.�
Amnesty Int’l: Killings indicate lawlessness... PAGE A1 constitute as crimes under international law. “The unlawful and deliberate killing carried out by order of a state actor, or with the state’s complicity or acquiescence, is an extrajudicial execution. This is a crime under international law,� the group said. It added that “incitement to violence and discrimination are prohibited under international law and risk escalating a cycle of violence in the country.� The group also reminded the government of its duty to safeguard the people’s right to liberty and security, including the guarantee to a fair trial. Amnesty stressed that these must be applied equally for drugrelated cases as well. “The State has a duty to protect people from all forms of violence, including an obligation of due diligence to prevent killings and to promptly, independently and impartially investigate such killings and bring perpetrators to justice. Recent statements by high-level authorities and police directives have further endangered the right to life,� it said. Instead of inciting violence against people who have developed a dependency to drugs, Amnesty recommended that authorities should ensure they have access to medical care. “The Philippine authorities
THE CRY REMEMBERED. A group of employees pose for a photo at the Cry of Pugad Lawin Shrine in Quezon City. In August 1896, katipuneros led by Andres Bonifacio started their revolt against Spain. The country marked the event’s 120th anniversary on Wednesday, Aug. 24. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
First Fil-Am elected official passes away... PAGE A1
footsteps, opening up his own practice at the Law Offices of G. Monty Manibog in Los Angeles after graduating from Loyola Law School. He practiced law for more than 50 years, representing individuals and families in personal injury lawsuits. He was also a professor at the School of Law at Van Norman University in Los Angeles from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. He also served in the U.S. Army just after the Korean War, serving as a leader in the FilipinoAmerican community. Manibog was a jack-of-alltrades, making his mark in many other enterprises. In the 1950s, the Ilocos-born
go-getter was a champion in wrestling and gymnastics in the Philippines, winning two gold medals at national championships. As a student at the University of the Philippines (UP), he was twice named “Athlete of the Year.� He took his athletic talents abroad, competing at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. His leadership skills and role in the sporting world converged in 1984 when he was ambassador to the Southeast Nations in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Even in his old age did he show athletic prowess. In the 1990s he won three consecutive gold medals at the California Senior Olym-
pics at the ages of 63, 64 and 65. As a student at UP, Manibog also proved ability in the arts, serving as president and lead actor at the UP Dramatic Guild. Through the guild, Manibog performed leading roles in “Six Characters in Search of an Author� and “I Remember Mama� among others. Manibog’s family held a viewing on Thursday, August 18 at the Miraculous Medal Church in Montebello, California. The funeral was held the following day at the same church followed by a burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello. Manibog is survived by his five children, 18 grandchildren and his wife Jean of 62 years.
Supreme Court puts Marcos hero’s burial...
WAITING TO TESTIFY. Their faces covered, witnesses, mostly relatives of suspects killed during an intensified police campaign against illegal drugs, wait for their appearance at a hearing on extrajudicial killings being conducted by the Senate committee on justice and human rights. Inquirer.net photo by Raffy Lerma
should further ensure the rights to life and health of people who use drugs are respected and protected by guaranteeing their access to health-related information and services on a non-discriminatory basis.� It added that the drug issue should be considered as a public health matter. Citing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the “repressive policies� and “use of force� to curb drug use and addiction has not led to the decline in drug use. The group also suggested that
the Philippines form an independent complaints commission -- “free from the influence of the Philippine National Police� -- that would handle complaints about possible human rights abuses by policemen. “The commission should have the mandate to receive complaints and other reports of human rights violations committed by the police, be required to report publicly on its activities, and have the mandate and resources to provide any necessary protection to complainants, victims and witnesses,� Amnesty said.
PAGE A1 and a group of former government officials were filed against Marcos’s burial at Heroes’ Cemetary, bringing the number of petitions to a total of five. The first group of petitioners on Monday included students of the University of the Philippines Zaira Baniaga, John Arvin Buenaagua, Joanne Lim, and Juan Antonio Magalang, also referred to as ‘millennials.’ They argued that Lorenzana “may have abused his authority� in issuing preparation orders for the interment and that Marcos had long been disqualified from a hero’s burial when he was ousted by the 1986 People Power Revolution. “We cannot with a clear conscience accept that Marcos the tyrant lie beside the nation’s genuine freedom fighters. Malacanang cannot insist its will when laws have been enacted recognizing the human rights violations during the Marcos regime. The government must be consistent,� Ba-
niaga said. The second group of petitioners included former Senator Heherson Alvarez and his wife, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez, former movie director Joel Lamangan, former Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, University of Santo Tomas political science professor Edmund Tayao, Movement Against Political Dynasties chairman Danilo Olivares and actor Noel Trinidad. They argued that the administration on former President Fidel V. Ramos permitted the return of Marcos’s remains in the Philippines on the condition that the exiled president’s body would be flown straight to Ilocos Norte. The agreement also specified that Marcos will not be buried at the national shrine nor be given military honors. “Our petition is not only of local significance but macro – global. The atrocities during Marcos’ time is like Hitler in scale. Would Hitler be a hero in Germany? Would Mussolini, who was killed by the guerilla in Italy be a hero?� Alvarez said. The Marcos family, however, told the SC that the allegations of human rights violations during the martial law years are irrelevant to the issue of the late president’s hero’s burial. “Apart from being irrelevant
to the issue at hand, the allegations may not be assumed as facts but needs to be established with competent evidence,â€? the former president’s family said through counsel Atty. Hyacinth E. Rafael-Antonio. “Since the purported standing of the petitioners is predicated on those facts‌and would require the presentation of evidence and the factual determination beyond the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, this by itself will warrant dismissal of the petition,â€? the comment stated. They also argued that Duterte’s order is supported by RA 289 or the Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the Country. “President Duterte understands that if this country really intends to extricate itself from the quagmire it is presently embroiled in, history must be viewed differently... President Duterte’s order to allow former president Marcos’ interment at the (Libingan ng mga Bayani) is based on his determination that it shall promote national healing and forgiveness, and redound to the benefit of the Filipino people,â€? Solicitor General Jose Calida told the Supreme Court on Monday. Duterte previously said Marcos was worthy of a hero’s burial as a former president and soldier.
Pacquiao starts training... PAGE A1 return to the Philippines to attend to his Senate duties, according to his Canadian adviser Michael Koncz. On the other hand, his coach, Freddie Roach, is expected to arrive in the country several weeks before the fight. Last April 2015, the eight-division world champion declared
his retirement from boxing after winning his match against Timothy Bradley. He later announced on August 10 that he’ll be back in the ring while admitting his excitement. “Boxing is my passion. I miss what I’d been doing inside the gym and atop the ring,� Philstar quoted Pacquiao.
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Sen. Reid predicts Clinton victory in Nevada by Eric
MOTHER OF PEARLS. A report by the local Palawan News said a fisherman from Puerto Princesa has been keeping the world’s biggest pearl under his bed for years. According to the report, the fisherman stumbled upon it while fishing decades ago in the waters of Puerto Princesa. Palawan has always been known as an island with beautiful scenery and a diverse array of marine life. Never really knowing its economic value, the fisherman kept it for “good luck.” According to BBC, the pearl is 61 centimeters (2 feet) wide and 30 centimeters long. Once gemologists confirm its size, it will easily beat the current record holder, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, which weighs 6.4 kilograms.
Court guarantees hearings for detained immigrants with felonies by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
IMMIGRATIOn and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California can no longer detain undocumented immigrants convicted of felonies for extended periods without bond, thanks to a federal ruling issued Tuesday, August 4. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the ninth Circuit struck down the practice of mandatory detention for anyone found guilty of a felony. The policy permitted ICE agents to imprison some people for months without providing them with a bond hearing. The ruling delivered by Judge Jacqueline nguyen will apply in California, where 20 percent of all immigration detentions occur, as well as eight other states and two territories within the court’s jurisdiction. “A broad and incorrect interpretation of federal law...denied [detainees] the opportunity to
challenge [their] detention,” representatives at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of northern California said in a statement released earlier this month. A felony conviction would have been grounds for mandatory detention regardless of how long ago it occurred, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs in the class action suit. In her ruling, nguyen decried what she called “robotic detention procedures” and said mandatory imprisonment “smacks of injustice.” One of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, Ashok Ramani of the law firm Keker & Van nest, told the Asian Journal that many of those held for months by immigration officials had moved on from their pasts and become productive members of their communities. “They all had jobs. They had families. Some were taking care of elderly relatives,” said Ra-
mani of the clients represented by his firm, the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP), and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “[Mandatory detention] disrupted all of that.” Ramani said at least two plaintiffs from California had been granted bond hearings and released prior to the court’s decision because a ruling from an earlier case in the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals guarantees detainees a day in court within six months. Most other jurisdictions do not host similar provisions. According to Ramani, between 800 to 1,000 people will now have a chance to petition a judge for their freedom. “[The court’s] decision is a victory for fairness and due process of law,” said Michael Tan, a staff attorney at the ACLU’s IRP. “In America, everyone should get a chance to see a judge before their freedom is taken away.”
Anthony LicAs AJPress
SEnATE Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-nev.) told reporters during a question-and-answer session in Reno, nevada on Tuesday, August 23 that he expects Hillary Clinton to win the pivotal state in the upcoming presidential election. The senior Democratic senator from nevada suggested that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump lacked a wide enough base of support to beat Clinton in the Silver State, according to the Las Vegas ReviewJournal. Reid went on to say that Trump’s bid for the presidency was likely to fail. “I think there aren’t enough white, uneducated men in nevada to elect him,” said Reid on Tuesday. “He’s going to lose. I am convinced the American people will not vote for Donald Trump.” A public opinion poll published by Suffolk University on Thursday, August 18, showed Clinton ahead of Trump by 2 percent in nevada. The Senate minority leader’s optimism this week mirrors statements he made on Thursday, August 4, regarding Clinton’s chances in the traditionally Republican states of Arizona and Georgia. Reid said he believed both those states were likely to vote Democrat for the first time in at least 16 years, according to Politico and other sources. “[During the] last re-elect for President Obama, he never stepped foot in Georgia, but yet he lost by about three percent,” said Reid. “Georgia’s Hillary Clinton’s,
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
and I’m glad she’s going to be campaigning there.” Georgia hasn’t gone to a Democratic candidate since Bill Clinton defeated incumbent George H. W. Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot in 1992. Clinton and Trump were tied at 43 percent approval in the state, according to a public opinion poll published by Opinion Savvy on Thursday, August 18. A poll released by YouGov and CBS news on Sunday, August 7, showed a two percent lead for Trump in Arizona. Republicans have not lost there since 1996, and have claimed the state’s electoral college votes in nine out the past 10 election cycles. In 2012, Arizona gave former Republican candidate Mitt Romney his widest margin of victory out of the 24 states he won during his campaign for the presidency.
Earlier this month, Reid had also said Clinton would send staff and resources into the Republican stronghold of Utah, according to Roll Call. On Monday, August 22, the former secretary of state announced the opening of her first campaign headquarters in the state, a general election office in Salt Lake City. However, that state hasn’t swung Democratic in a presidential election since 1964. According to data published by Public Policy Polling on Tuesday, August 23, only about a third of Utah’s voters support Clinton, versus 53 percent who lean in favor of Trump. “Utah, you know, they don’t like Donald Trump and he’s their nominee,” said Reid earlier this month. “I don’t know about Utah, but I am confident she will [win] in Arizona and I’m confident she will in Georgia.”
Trump wavers on immigration, plans to... PAGE A1 Trump acknowledged the law can use “softening because we’re not looking to hurt people.” He did not outwardly say he would be open to proposing a pathway to citizenship, but he said that he plans to follow the law which includes deportation. “What people don’t know is that Obama got tremendous numbers of people out of the country. Bush, the same thing. Lots of people were brought out of the country with the existing laws. Well, I’m going to do the same,” Trump added. More immigrants have been deported under the Obama administration than in any other
administration. Since 2009 (Obama’s first year in office), the Department of Homeland Security has deported more than 2.5 million people, which is 23 percent higher than former President George W. Bush’s total deportation numbers. The year 2013 comprised of the record high at 438,421 deportations of undocumented immigrants, according to data from Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE). Since then, the number has been decreasing due to the administration’s call to be more selective in who they deport, specifically targeting those who threaten public safety or national security.
Although attacking Obama’s presidency was a key to his campaign strategy, Trump supporters at the town hall seemed to support their candidate’s call to adopt an Obama policy. The news comes after the Trump campaign announced that the candidate would go softer on his immigration rhetoric. In the past, Trump has been steadfast on deporting more than 11 million undocumented immigrants, proposing to ban immigration from countries with known terrorism (including the Philippines) and building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico (and having the latter country pay for it). (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)
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DOT Sec. Teo asks Fil-Am community to become ambassadors of PH tourism by MoMAr
G. VisAyA
AJPress
President Barack Obama hugs a home owner while viewing her flood-damaged home in the Castle Place subdivision in Zachary, near Baton Rouge, La., on Tuesday, Aug. 23. White House photo by Pete Souza
Obama visits Louisiana after criticism of delayed response by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
PReSIDeNT Barack Obama toured southern Louisiana on Tuesday, August 23, where residents are recovering from historic storms and flooding that damaged approximately 60,000 homes and led to the deaths of 13 people. Approximately 110,500 displaced people had applied for federal disaster aid and $74 million dollars have already been distributed as of Tuesday, according to Reuters. In contrast to the controversies associated with the Federal emergency Management Agency’s (FeMA) response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, state and local officials have praised the federal government’s handling of Louisiana’s current crisis. “They’ve gotten good at it, and they actually do care,” Louisiana’s Lt. Governor, Republican Billy Nungesser, told the New York Times. Despite bipartisan approval of the government’s management of the situation in Louisiana, the president had received criticism for choosing to finish a two-week vacation before making his visit. An editorial published in the Louisiana-based newspaper, The Advocate, on Wednesday,
August 17, noted that Obama made time to attended a “swanky fundraiser for fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton,” before deciding to “show up for a catastrophe that’s displaced thousands.” However, Louisiana Governor John Bel edwards had requested that White House officials delay the president’s trip in order to avoid diverting the state’s resources away from disaster response. On Tuesday, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump said via his official Twitter account that Obama’s appearance was “too little too late.” He flew to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday, August 19 to meet with survivors and assist in relief efforts. The Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, which has been organizing volunteers in flood-damaged communities, confirmed the receipt of a $100,000 donation from Trump via its Facebook account on Monday, August 21. The charitable contribution faced scrutiny after reports surfaced of the Church’s association to a conservative lobbying group that supports the traditional Christian definition of marriage. The interim pastor at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, Tony Perkins, is also the president of the Family Research Council
(FRC), according to an LGBT-focused online publication, similarly titled The Advocate. The publication referred to the FRC as a hate group. Despite earlier reservations, edwards told CNN that Trump’s appearance in Louisiana helped bring national attention to the disaster in his state on Sunday, August 21. He had said he worried that the Republican nominee’s plans would boil down to a “photo-op” in a statement released ahead of Trump’s visit. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she would come to Louisiana “at a time when the presence of a political campaign will not disrupt the [disaster] response, to discuss how we can and will rebuild together,” in a statement released Monday, August 22. Like Clinton, representatives for the White House say they have been keen to avoid politicizing the suffering of thousands of Louisiana residents. “But the survivors of the flooding in Louisiana are not well served by a political discussion, they’re well served by a competent, effective, strong, coordinated government response,” White House spokesman Josh earnest said during Monday’s press briefing.
DePARTMeNT of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo Teo attended this year’s Fiesta in America in Secaucus, New Jersey, as its featured guest speaker, both at the People’s Ball on the 12th and the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremonies the following day. Tourism is one of the major drivers of the economic growth of the Philippines. In 2015, the country welcomed 5.3 million visitors and Sec. Teo said the country is poised to exceed this by the end of 2016. “This industry accounts for a big share of the country’s Gross Domestic Product but beyond these numbers, the growth of tourism continues to translate to more jobs and providing employment and livelihood to many Filipinos. Last year, the industry employed approximately 5 million people, accounting for 12.7% share in national employment,” Sec. Teo shared in her speech. Tourism is an industry that supports and promotes inclusive growth and the proceeds go to where it matters – putting food on the table for many families. Under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, the department is working hard to post a higher growth in tourism as a sector that is identified in the 10-point economic agenda of his administration. Sec. Teo said that she decided to accept the offer to attend the Fiesta in America in New Jersey to ask the Fil-Am community here to make this tourism aspiration a reality. “Your second home – the United States of America – is the sec-
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo aims to develop more tourism destinations in the Philippines. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
ond biggest visitor-generating market,” Sec. Teo announced. “In 2015 alone, it accounted for 15 per cent of the total arrivals, providing 779, 217 visitors. With your help, we hope to see this number balloon to hopefully reach the 1 million mark by the end of 2016.” The secretary also said that she is looking forward to count on the millions of Filipino-Americans in the US to become Philippine tourism ambassadors themselves. “If you can entice even one among your numerous friends to visit the Philippines, we will see our arrivals soar and that will translate to more jobs for your kababayans back home and better economic growth for our Philippines,” Sec. Teo added. From small things like posting of vacation photos on social media to sharing stories during parties about new destinations in the country, the community members
are living testimonials who can help drive more tourists to consider exploring the various places the Philippines had to offer. “For all of you who have not been home for sometime, the Philippines awaits you. Let’s take time to get to know our roots again, visit your old haunts and be surprised at how much they have changed for the better,” Sec. Teo said as she challenged the audience to pack their bags and enjoy a week or two in the homeland. Sec. Teo was in the news recently when she announced late last month that the Philippines will be hosting the Miss Universe pageant in January 2017, with the hopes that the international event would drive more foreign visitors to the Philippines. This will be the third time that the country is hosting the international beauty pageant. The first was in 1974 when Amparo Munoz won, then twenty years later in 1994 when Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe. She is also a strong believer that the global Filipino market is a strong market that needs to get encouraged more to travel back to the homeland. Secretary Teo graduated with a degree in Business Administration from St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City. She is the owner and past president of Mt. Apo Travel and Tours in Davao City and an active tourism player in Davao. She is also a member of the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA), the Davao Association of Tour Operators (DATO), the Davao Regional Tourism Council (DRTC), and the president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS).
Mysterious fire destroys Filipino family’s home Investigators unsure of cause, but say incident unrelated to an earlier fire
by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
A FILIPINO family in Northern California woke up to find their house threatened by flames during the predawn hours of Saturday, August 13, less than a day after firefighters had put out an earlier blaze in the same area. Fire crews extinguished a fire that consumed a shed, pumphouse and less than an acre of rural land in Coarsegold, California near the corner of Highway 41 and Black Oak Road shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, August 12. Investigators told one of the homeowners that the fire started in a shed on the property and might have been caused by an electrical issue involving a malfunctioning heating blanket. Power was cut to the house while the investigation of the first fire took place, then restored at about 8 p.m. The home’s occupants fell asleep sometime after 11 p.m., but were forced out of their beds by a second fire just hours later. “At about 3 a.m. my husband woke up, noticed there was too much light for that time of night, and heard the bullets popping,” Mary “Lyn” Aguillon, 59, told the Asian Journal. She owns the home along with her husband, Antonio, 69. At that time, eight people were inside as the conflagration circled the home, including the couple’s 1-year-old grandson. Two of the house’s tenants and Antonio Aguillon suffer from disabilities affecting their mobility. Lyn Aguillon helped the home’s occupants get to the family’s car, then had to run back inside to retrieve her keys. She said flames had spread to inside the home when she returned from the vehicle and saw windowpanes shatter due to the heat as she raced back out. “We could have lost our lives,” Aguillon told the Asian Journal over the phone. Firefighters returned to the property just after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, but multiple reports of gunfire in the area prevented them from immediately approaching the scene. Sheriff’s deputies investigated and determined that heat from the fire was setting off loose ammunition. Crews used eight fire engines and a bulldozer to put out the blaze. They managed to contain the situation by about 5 a.m. No people were reported injured as a result of the incident, but firefighters were unable to prevent the Aguillon’s home from burning down. “I loved that house,” said Aguillon, who wishes she could have saved her jewelry to help the family pay for expenses while an insurance company processes their claims. “We don’t have anything.” The couple hasn’t yet decided whether to rebuild the home or move to a new one. Relatives have set up a GoFundMe page to
Aguillon family home ravaged by a fire.
help the family recover from the disaster. Investigators are still working to discover the cause of the second fire, but say it was unrelated to the initial blaze. Madera County Fire’s Public Information Officer, Jamie Williams, told the Asian Journal that the department has no reason to believe one caused the other. However, Aguillon alleges that firefighters failed to conduct proper cleanup and followup procedures after the initial fire, thereby contributing to her home’s incineration. “They didn’t remove the trees that were burned,” said Aguillon. “They didn’t chop them down. They didn’t dig them [out].” She also said a vehicle belonging to the sheriff’s department blocked their exit when they reached the end of their driveway while fleeing the burning property on Saturday. Aguillon accuses a deputy of harassing her family after she drove offroad and around the other car. She said the fire’s survivors were accused of making drugs. “He said ‘why do you have so much ammunition … do you have a meth lab?’” Aguillon told the Asian Journal. Aguillon said the deputy went on to suggest that the residents were manufacturing honey oil, a concentrated version of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The production of both drugs can pose fire and combustion
Photo courtesy of Lyn Aguillon
hazards. A honey oil lab operating in the Parkwood area of Madera exploded on Saturday, July 23, destroying the house it was run out of and displacing the 18 residents who lived there, according to the Madera Tribune. Representatives for the Madera County Sheriff’s Department question Aguillon’s accusations. “Ten years ago, we used to get meth labs all the time, but we’re just not seeing them anymore,” the department’s Public Information Officer Commander, Bill Ward, told the Asian Journal. “Something about that [accusation] doesn’t seem right.” He adds that deputies have no record of interviewing any of the destroyed home’s occupants. On Thursday, August 18, Aguillon said she didn’t know the name of the deputy she accuses of misconduct. At the time she spoke to the Asian Journal, she had not yet filed an official complaint with the department, but said she planned to go to the Madera County Sheriff’s headquarters to learn the deputy’s name and make her claims known. She added that the other occupants who fled Saturday’s house fire can corroborate her version of events. The Aguillons’ misfortune transpires amidst a destructive fire season that has razed homes and evacuated families throughout the state of California.
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D ateline PhiliPPines Duterte won’t discuss sea row at ASEAN summit 6,000 Aquino-appointed by Dana
M. SioSon
AJPress
MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed on Wednesday, August 17, that he will not bring up the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) territorial issues during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next month. The president expressed that he prefers to tackle the issues during a formal talk, adding that he would not want to antagonize China by making unnecessary “noises” and ruin the chances of having bilateral meetings. “I will only bring the issue when we are together face to face,” Duterte said, referring to China.
“If you quarrel with them now and you claim sovereignty, make noise here and there, they might not just even want to talk.” Duterte also noted that his envoy, former President Fidel Ramos, has been working to pave the way for formal talks between the two countries. “We maintain good relations with China. Let us create an environment where we sit down and talk directly. That is the time we would say we proceed from here. We proceed from this judgement.” he said. The president reiterated his stance that going to war with China is not an option. “What if (China) says, I do not
want to quarrel or even speak with you’? Bahala kayo sa buhay ninyo (You go mind your own lives), can we do anything? Can we declare war? It is not an option,” he said. “I would not be stupid to do that. It will only be a massacre for all...still war is not an option nowadays.” The ASEAN summit is the first international summit Duterte will be participating in as President. It will take place from September 6-8 in Laos. Although not an ASEAN member, China also has territorial disputes with other ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
De Lima’s former driver called to be star witness in House inquiry by JoSeph
alMer B. peDraJaS AJPress
SENATOR Leila De Lima’s former driver and alleged lover is now being eyed as a state witness against the senator in a House of Representatives inquiry. During a press conference on Monday, August 22, House Deputy Speaker Karlo Nograles said that De Lima’s driver, Ronnie Palisoc Dayan, could testify before the House about the senator’s alleged role in protecting drug syndicates inside New Bilibid Prison (NBP), while she was justice secretary. “The probe is for the sake of transparency and accountability. If it involved the driver, Congress must send an invitation for him to air his side,” Nograles said. In House Resolution No. 105, 11 house leaders have requested to investigate De Lima’s and other Bureau of Corrections officers’ (BuCor) negligence regarding the illegal activities existing inside the Bilibid, which were mostly perpetrated by drug lords. Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he could use Dayan, the said “driver-lover” to witness against the senator. “I can use many people. I can use a prisoner. I can use her lover who is her driver,” he said. “[De Lima] created the scandal. She knows she is a public official.” Duterte publicly accused De Lima of having an affair with her former driver, who allegedly was
Sen. Leila De Lima
the senator’s crony in covering illegal drugs that had persisted in the correctional facility. “Here is an immoral woman flaunting, well, of course, in so far as the wife of the driver was concerned, it’s adultery. Here is a woman who funded the house of her lover and yet, we do not see any complaints about it,” Duterte said, referring De Lima. Asked to react to De Lima’s appeal to spare her family, Duterte replied, “if you are in public office, De Lima, your life is an open book.” On the other hand, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar charged back at the criticism following Duterte’s reported misogynistic tirades against De Lima wherein he called her an “immoral woman.” “The president was merely
stating the facts and laying down the legal bases of his argument,” Andanar argued. Last Friday, August 20, De Lima said there were some “snippets of truth” in the president’s allegations. “This is what I can say at this point, may konting totoo dyan pero karamihan ho dyan (There were snippets of truth there but most of them were) exaggerations, distortions and lies,” she said, without disclosing what the truths were. However, she denied that she and her driver were tied to illegal drugs. “That’s completely false. I will never do that because I’ve never betrayed my oath as a public servant and I don’t intend to ever betray my oath as a public servant,” she said.
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officials ordered to vacate posts by JoSeph
alMer B. peDraJaS
tesy resignations within seven calendar days.” MANILA—At least 6,000 govThe vacated posts will be ernment appointees are set to filled with next-in-rank officers vacate their posts as President until the president appoints reRodrigo Duterte demanded a placements. “massive revamp” to end the corruption that persists in the bureaucracy. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella clarified that only former President Benigno Aquino III’s appointees and two transport regulatory agencies mentioned by Duterte will be affected. These include the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). “These are appointees from the past administration and do not refer to appointees of the current administration, except those who have been made reference to,” Abella said, clarifying that the current appointees, unless compelled, are exempted from the revamp. In a press conference, Duterte stressed that “the most corrupt agencies” are the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs and the LTO. The Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Corrections and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency are also subject to an overhaul, after the deaths of five people during a concert at the Mall of Asia grounds. “It was a failure of intelligence on the part of the police and other agencies concerned. How did it pass security?” Duterte said. “They have to go,” the president said, “there are those we want to get, but the low pay in government discourages them from being part of my administration.” Aside from the LTO and LTFRB, the order does not also include officials from state universities and colleges, judiciary, and government-owned and controlled corporations. On Monday, August 22, Malacañang released Memorandum Circular No. 4 that “all presidential appointees [should] tender their unqualified courAJPress
The memo added that any presidential appointee who fails to tender his or her courtesy resignation may be held administratively liable and given the appropriate penalty.
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August 25-31, 2016 • LAs VEgAs AsIAN JOuRNAL
OpiniOn Impasse
Features
HISTORY will tell that the Philippines has one of the world’s most celebrated democracies today. On Sept. 21, 1972, former Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. For today’s Filipinos, 42 years may seem like another lifetime—a bygone period with sketchy details of what martial law entailed for the people who had to endure it. But for those who lived through the wretched moments of this tumultuous era in Philippine history, the horror and pain live on. In February 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the nationwide protest that brought People Power Revolution to life. In this historic uprising, the voice of the people resonated through the country, and has been forever etched in the pantheon of Philippine democracy. The People Power Revolution continues to this day, as a reminder to Filipinos of how supporting a common stand can turn them to a formidable moral power. The People Power Revolution ignited the people’s longing for genuine democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics. The impact of this period may very well be wiped in Philippine history following the order of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to allow the remains of Former Pres. Marcos to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). “The only requirement of the law is for one to be president . . . that law provides for the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Deputy Speaker
Fredenil Castro said. Republic Act 289, which provided for the construction of a National Pantheon or the Libingan ng mga Bayani for President of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the country states that it was erected “to perpetuate the memory of all the Presidents of the Philippines, national heroes and patriots for the inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still unborn.” The issue has caused a public divide, even among the president and his allies. “I see the point of the President that if it’s a completely legal issue, he (Marcos) is entitled to it. But the name [of the cemetery] is Libingan ng mga Bayani. While he had heroic moments in his life, we do not consider him in totality heroic because of things that happened during martial law. Unless we change the name to Libingan ng mga Bayani at Diktador,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. But for Vice Pres. Leni Robredo, this recent decision is complete disregard of the human and civil rights violations accounted for during the martial law period. “How can we allow a hero’s burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos? Those who have greatly committed crimes and moral turpitude to the Filipino people cannot be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Robredo emphasized.
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
“This decision will not bring unity to our country; it will only deepen the unhealed wounds of the survivors and family members of victims of the terrible years under the Marcos presidency. Furthermore, his heirs continue to deny that these sins against our people happened. They continue to have no remorse and still prevent the return of the wealth that they stole,” she added. Groups opposing the planned Marcos burial has brought the issue to the Supreme Court. The High
Court has issued a status quo ante order against Marcos’ burial set in September. on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The halt order is effective for 20 days as the court prepares for oral arguments on the petitions against the former president’s final interment at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig. Until then, Filipinos are once again reminded how the martial law period and lessons of the People Power Revolution have impacted how they live today. (AJPress)
Human Rights Watch: Killings in Duterte’s war on drugs a national emergency
INTERNATIONAL organizations like the United Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) did not mince words in their concerns about how Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is governing the country, specifically on his war against drugs. The United Nations may send observers to the Philippines after it has expressed concern regarding what the international organization deems as Pres. Duterte’s empowerment of the police to eradicate the drug problem. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has condemned this, and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime referred to as an “apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings.” ABS-CBN News reported that the number of drug-related fatalities since May has reached 1,179. With this alarming number and trend, the
Human Rights Watch organization believes that what is hap- The Fil-Am pening now in the Philippines is now a national emergency and Perspective that governments like the United States the members of the European Union should make it clear to Duterte that this will have diplomatic and economic conse- Gel SantoS-ReloS quences to the Philippines. In a report by Balitang America New York Correspondent Don Tagala on The Filipino Channel, HRW Deputy Asia Director Phelium Kine said, “In terms of foreign aid or foreign support for various Philippine Agencies and programs — this is something -- an obligation of the international
Duterte’s eulogy for Marcos Street Talk GReG B. MacaBenta WILL it be a test of will between President Rodrigo Duterte and those who protest the burial of the remains of President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani? It will require an irresistible force to make a seemingly immovable object budge. Do the protestors have the dogged determination to become that irresistible force? Duterte has given every indication that he is an immovable object. His says his decision is firm even while he will tolerate demonstrations and protests, and will refrain from using water hoses on the rallyists. Of course, he hasn’t said that the Philippine National Police will not use force, if given an excuse. Many of the old guards in the anti-Marcos protest movement have passed away. They were the people who braved the fire hoses and who dared to rush the gates of Malacañang headlong. Those who remain are aging and, while they may be active on social media, one wonders if they still have the zeal to bang heads and bodies against the PNP whose members have just begun to taste blood in their hunt for drug lords and pushers. There are pragmatists who suggest that Duterte should be left to have his way but, after his six-year term, the remains of Marcos can be dug out and moved elsewhere. But they are forgetting that the Marcos family is not exactly powerless. And, who knows, in the next election, Bongbong could win the presidency. The question, however, is
whether Marcos deserves to be or can rightfully be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, according to regulations, the last of which was issued on April 9, 1986 by then Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos and approved by President Corazon Aquino. That regulation, entitled The Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the LNMB lists the following as being entitled to be interred in the cemetery: • Medal of Valor Awardees; • Presidents or Commandersin-Chief, AFP; • Secretaries of National Defense; • AFP Chiefs of Staff, General/ Flag Officers, active and retired military personnel, and former AFP members who laterally entered/joined the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); • Veterans of the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the First and Second World Wars, as well as recognized guerrillas; • Government dignitaries, statesmen, national artists and other deceased persons whose interment has been approved by the commander-in-chief, Congress or the Secretary of National Defense, and • Former Presidents, Secretaries of National Defense, widows of former Presidents, Secretaries of National Defense and Chiefs of Staff. The regulation does not allow the internment in the LNMB of those “personnel who were dishonorably separated/ reverted/ discharged from the service and personnel who were convicted by final judgment of an offense involving moral turpitude.” The disqualifying provision apparently applies to everyone listed, including former Presidents and military officers or guerillas,
which Marcos was. Marcos was deposed in the People Power Revolution of 1896 and was, in effect, dishonorably discharged. That clearly disqualifies him from admission to the hallowed grounds. There are no bleeding heart provisions or exemptions allowed due to forgiveness and letting the past bury its past. Surprisingly, even a level headed person like Senator Dick Gordon, has used this rationale. And then, there are those who either do not understand plain English or are simply bullheaded. Duterte appears to be one of them. Thus, whatever the rules say and whether the protestors scream to high heavens or to hell, Marcos will be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani by presidential fiat. Perhaps Duterte can explain why he insists on honoring Marcos, the way Mark Antony honored the slain Julius Caesar after the Ides of March. I have, thus, taken the liberty of adapting Mark Antony’s eulogy for use by Duterte in a Eulogy for Ferdinand Marcos: Friends, kaigsuon, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Marcos, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones: So let it be with FM. The noble Senate President Koko hath told you, Marcos was a dictator and a plunderer: If it were so, it was a grievous fault; And grievously hath Marcos answer’d it. Here, under leave of Senator Cayetano and the rest, PAGE A7
community to support the Filipino people, and to support their universal rights and freedoms which the Philippine government right now is absolutely trampling and streamrolling.” On “Balitang America,” Kine said, “What we have seen in the last seven weeks since President Duterte came to ffice is an almost unprecedented scale of government-sanctioned bloodletting on the streets of the Philippines.” “President Rodrigo Duterte was not elected with a mandate to trample on the Constitution, to absolutely ignore and abuse human rights and legal process,” Kine pointed out.
With Duterte’s much publicized dismissal of international critics, Kine contended: “President Duterte is a former lawyer he should know these things. And so for him to either profess ignorance about the idea of due legal process, or to announce that he will not honor it — this is a very disturbing development in terms of where the Philippines is going.” DO YOU AGREE with the perspective of the UN and the Human Rights Watch? *** 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
Once a teacher, always a teacher Commentary
euSeBio S. San DieGo SHE turned 95 years old last May 15 but she still vividly reminisces with fondness and thanksgiving her life as a teacher. She is a classic example of the truism that “once a teacher, always a teacher.” Ma’am Maxima Salac-Santos, reverently called “Ima” (the common affectionate name for mother in Pampanga, Tarlac, and some parts of Bulacan and Malabon, Rizal) was nostalgic when she related how she became a teacher, recalling the time when she and her classmates were struggling hard in their aspiration to join the teaching profession which she considers --- and continue to consider --- as “the greatest and noblest in the world.” After graduating from high school, Ima decided to take up education course at the then Philippine Normal School (PNS) which was later converted to Philippine Normal College (PNC), and now called Philippine Normal University (PNU) “Our professors at PNS were really knowledgeable, competent and dedicated to their profession as they efficiently and effectively taught us the rudiments of teaching,” Ima said. “Most of them were Thomasites.”. Thomasites were American teachers who came to the Philippines in 1901 on board the ship called U.S. Army Transport Thomas , hence the term Thomasites. U.S. President William McKinley sent these teachers to our homeland to help establish a Philippine
public school system. Many of them were assigned to teach in the PNS which was founded in the same year (1901). Significantly, PNS (later known as PNC, then PNU) has been highly regarded as the premier teacher training institution in the Philippines. In fact, many students of neighboring Asian countries, up to now, have been coming to the Philippines to take up education course at the PNU. It has been, since its foundation, producing topnotch teachers and educators; many of whom have been promoted to the positions of school administrators, supervisors and superintendents and even directors of both public and private schools and at times, undersecretary or secretary of the Department of Education. An alumnae of PNS, Class 1941, Ima recalled that during her time, PNS only charged a token tuition fee to students at P5.00 (yes, five pesos) per school year. “But we had to pass a very difficult and competitive admission/entrance examination before we could enroll,” she said. “Almost all our professors were very strict about our attendance, punctuality, assignments in different subjects, studying and reviewing lessons and, most of all, deportment,” Ima said, “However,’they were kind and compassionate. They understood the predicament of the students, especially those who came from the far provinces.” She emphasized that their professors “fully understood the problems confronting us. They were always ready, able and willing to help us. “We loved them for their concern, as well as their commitment and dedication to their profession. We also loved the way they instilled discipline and values in us,” Ima added. Ima dedicated the best and
most productive years of her life to teaching which she considers more of “a mission rather than a job or calling. She said that “teaching gives very little in terms of monetary compensation and material rewards.” “But no amount of money could equal the happiness and feeling of fulfillment of teachers as they see their pupils and students learn how to read and write, express themselves in front of the class, build their self-confidence, speak to their parents, teachers and elders with politeness and respect and, especially see them become doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects, writers, artists, public officials and --- of course --- teachers,” she said with her eyes twinkling. Ima first taught for several years at Candaba Elementary School in Candaba, Pampanga where she was born, and grew up. When she got married to a Bulakenyo from Baliwag, she transferred to teach in her husband’s hometown, famous for its so-called “buntal” hats and native delicacies. In Baliwag, she experienced teaching in three levels of education --- elementary, secondary (high school) and tertiary (college). She taught in public elementary and secondary schools but in the tertiary level, she taught in the privately owned Baliwag Academy and Baliwag Junior College. She was a teacher for a total of 41 years. Ima has four children (two boys and two girls). A girl is a dentist and the other girl is a nurse. The two boys have their respective career in the U.S. military service and business management. Her fifth child, whom she adopted since a baby and whom she considers and treats as her own daughter, runs a private complete elementary school in Candaba. PAGE A7
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.
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‘Napoles case needs 2nd look’ MANILA – The plot thickens. After accusing Sen. Leila de Lima of benefiting from drug money, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to disclose “revealing” details about the pork barrel scam case that he said would “horrify” the senator. Duterte said the case of Janet Lim Napoles, the businesswoman tagged as the brains behind the multibillion-peso fund scam, deserves a second look. “Wait until we revisit the Napoles case, Secretary or Senator De Lima. And I assure you, you will be horrified,” Duterte told a press conference in Davao City. “It involves corruption and De Lima,” he added without elaborating. Napoles has been accused of diverting congressional allocations or “pork barrel” to dummy non-government organizations for ghost projects worth more than P10 billion. She has denied the allegations and insisted all of her earnings were legitimate. De Lima was justice secretary when the investigations into the funding scam started. Several officials have been charged in connection with the scam, prodding some groups to question the legality of the pork barrel before the Supreme Court. The pork barrel fund, officially known as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013. The SC said PDAF violated the principle of separation of powers because it allowed lawmakers “to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, post-enactment authority in vital areas of budget
executions.” Duterte lamented that “a lot of billions and billions of pesos” were lost because of the pork barrel scam. He noted that some lawmakers were placed behind bars only because the accusation against them of plunder is nonbailable. “In the meantime, they (lawmakers) are in prison but is not enough vindication for the Filipino people,” Duterte said. Last week, Duterte accused De Lima of having an illicit affair with her married driver, whom, he said, collected drug money to support her senatorial bid this year. De Lima, who has been criticizing the Duterte administration’s anti-drug war, has denied any involvement in narcotics and even claimed the President would lose face for making such allegation. Duterte said he made the expose because De Lima made herself popular at his expense. He cited De Lima’s effort to link him to the Davao Death Squad, the vigilante group believed to be behind the killing of suspected criminals in the city. “I have to quarrel with you (De Lima). It was you who started this ruckus many years ago,” Duterte said. “Now that you are at the receiving end of all of these, you should not be heard complaining because there are serious matters already arrayed against you,” he added. Lawmakers said they are ready to conduct an investigation into the allegations against De Lima. Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez stressed the need for the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged link of De Lima to drug syndicates, noting that il-
Janet Lim Napoles has been accused of diverting congressional allocations or “pork barrel” to dummy non-government organizations for ghost projects worth more than P10 billion. She has denied the allegations and insisted all of her earnings were legitimate.
“ I am glad and thankful that she also teaches in the school she owns. She is the one who followed my footsteps. Oh, how she loves teaching! At times, I send her some money to help augment the funds for operating expenses of her school,” Ima disclosed. In the course of our conversation in an adult day health care center in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California, I asked her if she regrets in having devoted more of her years in a lowly paid teaching profession rather than in a more financially lucrative job. Without any iota of hesitation,
she quickly and excitedly responded: “Oh, no regrets whatsoever! As a matter of fact, I always think of my experiences as a teacher. I will always cherish and treasure the memories of my profession.” “I really loved to teach. I miss teaching my young charges in the classroom. If I will be asked what profession will I take and practice if I live all over again, definitely and surely, it will be teaching.” Ima said. “You know, as they say, ‘once a teacher, always a teacher!’ “ Ima claimed and exclaimed with glee and jubilation. ***
We must acknowledge our hypocrisy; The plague of freedom and democracy When Leftists did their dark agenda bare, Marcos was forced to martial law declare. Yet while he could have been a President-for-Life, Over the vain objections of his kids and wife, A snap election he agreed to call, Which thus began his inadvertent fall.
In truth, what is a grave but mud and soil Did that in Marcos seem ambitious? Where bones are laid which time and worms deAmbition should be made of sterner stuff: spoil? Yet Koko says Marcos was a dictator and a plunWhat honor can a man pretend to claim derer; When history consigns him to his shame? And Koko is an honourable man. You say that Marcos, a dictator was; Then let his sins be pardoned, let them pass. Marcos, a soldier and a President, Deserves to go where men like him are sent.
You can protest and march till shoes should rot; legal drugs had a heyday inside But my decision stays and yours will not. the national penitentiary when The bottom line is that I’ll have my way the senator was still head of the Although you may hold rallies night and day. Department of Justice. He brought back Yamashita’s treasures from the “Let us investigate why dur- wars ing the term of now Senator De That made his family the wealthiest by far; Lima, illegal drugs proliferated Did that make Ferdinand a plunderer? inside New Bilibid Prison. That is what we should investigate,” You say that Marcos stole the country blind, Alvarez said. Yet those who shared the booty did not mind. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert And tell me why the son did almost win Ace Barbers, chairman of the And could have been next to the president. House committee on dangerous drugs, said a resolution has been referred to the House committee on justice, but he sees no problem should there be a joint hearing. “I think it’s possible (joint hearing) because the subject of the inquiry is the proliferation of drugs at NBP without specifying who was the head of agency but of course we cannot avoid to mention the name of Senator De Lima,” Barbers said. (Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado, Delon Porcalla/Philstar.com)
The author is a former columnist and editorial board member of “Ang Pahayagang Malaya” while concurrently serving as editorin-chief of “Tinig ng Masa,” Malaya’s sister daily broadsheet in Filipino language. He authored the books “Teacher Power,” (2005), “Lakas ng Sambayanan” (1987 and “Tugmang Kulay” (1981), a book on children’s verses and colors, and a dozen books in Values Education. He also served as an education supervisor in the Department of Education in the Philippines and as a professor at the Philippine Normal University. A lecturer and resource speaker in leadership, values and alternative learning system, he also served as president of the Quezon City Public School Teachers Association, director and national spokesman of the Philippine Public School Teachers Association and president of the Alternative Learning System Association of the Philippines.
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Duterte’s eulogy for Marcos
PAGE A6 For Cayetano is an honourable man; So are they all, all honorable men,-Come I to speak of Marcos’ burial spot.
A campaign promise did I in Ilocos make To Bongbong, Imee, Irene and Imeldific. My word of honor solemnly I gave; A vow to grant the President a hero’s grave.
Once a teacher, always a... PAGE A6
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUSt 25-31, 2016
You all did see that when rebels dug in, Marcos refused to send the tanks and planes, He could have ordered troops to shoot and kill, But he refused and thus his troops stood still; And yet protestors say thousands were slain During his over two decades of reign I speak not to disprove what Marcos haters say, But here I am to speak what I do know. If Marcos was a killer, so am I; And if you say Marcos’ dictatorship was dirty, You still don’t know enough about Duterte. O loud protestors, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And though you may have reasons – so have I; But since I am the President and you are not, Ferdinand Marcos will still have a hero’s plot. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
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VEGAS&STYLE
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Journal Loving Love Marie’s hand-carried emblems latest press conference. “I was on a high for finishing something really big, and since then I unceasWhen you have transitioned ingly painted.” As everyone knows by now, from teen star to leading lady, and survived a string of unwanted evangelista successfully made a controversies, what are you meant name for herself as an artist over the last couple of years, earning to do next? For actress heart evangelista, repute as Love Marie Ongpauco, the answer was to turn to her love the painter. Dedicating her time to her art, she surprised both of painting. “I was really sad at that stage friends in show business and the in my life when I [publicly]fought art scene when she held her first with my parents so I started to painting exhibit at Art Space, paint again. It was very thera- Ayala Museum. A feat indeed, peutic for me. I was painting a lot she became a sought-after artist on small canvasses and my then- from that first exhibit with a sold boyfriend and now husband [Sen.] out debut show.” “I was pressured because I Chiz [escudero] suggested, ‘Why not get a bigger canvass?’ he was didn’t want my work to be so comthe one who got me my first ever mercialized. I didn’t want people big canvass and I was able to paint to think ‘she sold out because on it,” the actress recalled at her she’s an actress.’ So I got really by Christina
alpad ManilaTimes.net
conscious about the idea and I thought maybe my next exhibit won’t do well and stuff like that. But looking back, I’m happy that they appreciate my artwork,” the artist said. The accolade did not end there. The following year, she became the first Filipina to hold an exhibit at Chan hampe Galleries in Raffles hotel, Singapore. Today, Ongpauco-escudero’s artworks have begun to amass followers. While others think that she has a bit of Gustav Klimt—an artist who used fascinating symbolism, gold leaf details, and a romantic palette—in her, others point out that senator’s spouse has developed her own style that they can recognize when mixed with other art works. how she developed her ex-
quisite eye for detail and soulful touch through broad strokes and swathes of vibrant color was something she too gladly shared. “A super duper talented artist named Ivan Rojas, used to teach me when I was 13. At one time that he taught me how to paint, he said that I was very stubborn and I wouldn’t follow. So he said, ‘You have a certain style that I don’t want to touch so I’m just going to sit here and watch you paint. We became friends ever since,” Ongpauco-escudero detailed. She continued, “he was the one who told me ‘Don’t be afraid of people saying, you’re not a realist or you don’t paint a picture perfect painting. You have a certain style and that’s art and you should Actress-painter Love Marie Ongpauco-Escudero, also known as Heart Evangelista, and her PAGE B3 hand-painted Hermes bags
More on Aga Muhlach’s TV comeback Richard Yap on showbiz success, family & businesses by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net
AFTeR The Manila Times entertainment columnist eric John Salut first broke the news in “Ripples” that the Philippines’ original heartthrob and ultimate leading man Aga Muhlach is making his big return to television after six years, showbiz has been buzzing about the actor’s long overdue decision. Two weeks ago, Muhlach signed a contract with ABS-CBn to be one of the celebrity judges of its latest talent search, “Pinoy Boyband Superstar”—his first ever stint in the kind of panel that make up TV competitions today. “I was in ABS-CBn for 19 years but the only difference now is that I was gone for six years, and did work for three years [in TV5], but then stopped. So this is my first time to hold a microphone again, to be taken pictures of, and to be interviewed in a long time. So I’m still kind of shy but it’s nice to see old faces here,” a very excited Aga Muhlach confessed. he went on to admit that he had
to think about his comeback over and over again before he arrived at his decision. “It was a question of ‘Am I ready [to return to TV]?’ The question of coming back to ABS-CBn was nothing [to be worried about]because this is where I really belong. It was returning to work again that was the big question for me,” Muhlach related. “It took me weeks to think about it–we prayed about it. What I said before that I kind of got tired of working, and I was burned out already [was all true]. So I lived a normal and regular life, and I’ve been really having fun with it,” he added. “But then one day, someone pointed out that I was only 46— well, at that time; I just turned 47—and that it’s too young for me to retire. I realized I wanted to do more, but didn’t know how. I didn’t know how to come back again. I mean, what would I do? What I only know and what I love to do is making films.” Serendipity then stepped in and he received an offer from ABS-
Aga Muhlach will be one of the judges of ‘Pinoy Boyband Superstar.’
CBn to be part of “Pinoy Boyband Superstar.” And so did his wife, former beauty queen and actress Charlene Gonzales and their good friend Lea Salonga who convinced him to say yes. “I got a message from Lea and then my wife that they heard the news about the offer. So I said, ‘Maybe this is it.’ [The show] is light, it’s different, and there isn’t so much pressure because there’s four of us [on the panel]. I figured maybe this is the right time for me to come back,” he said. Richard Yap
RIChARD Yap has become one of the most soughtafter leading men in showbiz. Starting out as commercial model for a popular Chinese fastfood chain, he has proven that age is not a factor in being a star. Yap became known as “Papa Chen” in My Binondo Girl and “Sir Chief” in the long-running drama series Be Careful With My heart. Since then, he made several appearances in movies and television shows. now at 49, Yap continues to make waves in his acting journey. “With one word I will describe my showbiz career as blessed. I guess I’ve been very blessed that I was there at the right time, at the right place and maybe at the right age too. I have accomplished so much in five years while others have been trying to do it their whole life so I think I’m just very fortunate to be in this position,” Yap told The Manila Times. he considers his late morning teleserye “Be Careful With My heart” along with actress Jodi Sta. Maria the highlight of his career. It is undeniable that his fame was at its peak during that time as the series lasted for two-and-a-half years. The screen partners reunited two years later topbilling the Star Cinema romantic comedy “The Achy Breaky hearts” along with actor Ian Veneracion. Whe asked about his reaction on being compared with Veneracion he answered, “Ian has been in the business for so long. I’m sure he has a lot of fans. We have different looks, he’s more on the mestizo side and I’m on the ‘Chinoy’ side. I guess we’re just both PAGE B6
B august 25-31, 2016 • Las VEgas asIaN JOuRNaL
Features
Building your career: Tips on how to love what you’re doing It’s not uncommon that we hear people say that they only go to work because they are being paid and that they need the money. Most workers you’ll come across have that mindset and only a few would really honestly say that they love their jobs. the whole concept of getting a job you love and the excitement of working after school wear off fast when reality sets in. Many wonder
if there’s such a thing as “going after your passion.” According to a 2014 Global Workforce study by towers Watson, only 4 out of 10 workers are highly engaged. the same year, the Us Department of Labor Department released a survey that showed that Americans are quitting their jobs at the fastest pace since early 2008. For those who have been in and out of the job market too often, they’d tell you that an inconsistent employment history looks bad on one’s resume. Aside from a potential employer seeing this as a lack of loyalty and possibly an inability to adapt to a new job or work environment, the lack of a career foundation can be detrimental. so is there hope for someone who hates getting up in the morning just because it’s a workday? Kerry Hannon, career transition, retirement and personal finance expert, and author of the book “Love Your Job: the New According to a finance expert, there are ways Rules for Career Happiness” beyou can fall in love with your job — even if lieves that there are a few ways you don’t like it right now. you can fall in love with your job Inquirer.net photos — even if you don’t like it right
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On retirement and preparing for your ‘nest egg’ By Eric
now. In an article she wrote for Forbes Magazine, Hannon shared some tips on how to make it work where you are right now: (1) Focus on what you like about your work and ramp it up. Knowing what you like in and about your work can help you get through the tough parts. Weed through the negative things you don’t like, and consider things like your coworkers, opportunities for
Anthony LicAs
goals.” Most experts recommend that NO career lasts forever. How- people begin saving as early as ever dedicated individuals might they are able to provide as much be their professions, health and time as possible for their wealth other concerns will eventually limit to grow, according to a special money and retirement edition their ability to work. When that time comes, it is of AARP magazine. In addition, unlikely that seniors will be able the Internal Revenue service to rely on their social security (IRs) places limits on how much pension to live comfortably in people can pay each year into an Independent Retirement Account retirement. the social security Admin- (IRA), 401(k) plan, and other reistration (ssA) estimates that tirement funds. In 2013, 45 percent of workthe average beneficiary receives about $15,600 a year. that leaves ing-age households did not have about a $20,000 annual shortfall any retirement account assets, for a retired couple planning to according to a study by the live off of the median household National Institute on Retirement income of about $50,000. Factor- security (NIRs). In order to combat what the ing in some interest, they would need to set aside about $450,000 NIRs and others have called a to fund 30 years of retirement. retirement savings crisis, lawthe exact amount a person would makers in California proposed need to stop working while liv- legislation last March 28, that ing comfortably can vary greatly would create a state-operated depending on their intended life- 401(k) plan, according to the Los style, projected healthcare costs Angeles Times. senate Bill 1234 calls for the creation of the Caliand other expenses. the importance of saving has fornia secure Choice Retirement increasingly resonated with Amer- plan, which would be available to icans, according to a study re- workers at companies that do not leased by Bankrate.com on March offer savings plans with 5 or more 28, 2016. their research shows employees. those getting a late start at that the number of people saving at least 10 percent of their income retirement planning should congrew to 28 percent, compared to sider setting aside more of their 24 percent in 2015. Meanwhile, income by reducing their exthe number of Americans saving penses, according to AARP. Workers over 50 can make 5 percent or less dropped from 28 catch-up contributions that allow percent to 21 percent. “the bad news is that 21 per- them to pay more into their IRAs cent of employed Americans each year than younger people. there are also benefits to claim not to be saving any of their paycheck,” said Bankrate. delaying retirement. Working com Chief Financial Analyst, Greg longer allows more income to McBride in a statement announc- contribute to retirement. In ading the study. “Nothing for retire- dition, social security benefits ment, nothing for emergencies, increase 8 percent for each year a and nothing for other financial person delays retirement. AJPress
learning, whatever respect you get and/or any perks — whether free coffee or a 401(k). (2) Kicking boredom out and making a change. One of the roots of unhappiness at work is boredom. the challenge is gone and there is no drive left to do your best. Making a change — even a small one — can give you more joy at work. Who knows, if the change persists, it can add worth to your job and chances are your boss will notice and reward you for it. Hannon also suggests to sign up for continuing education or professional development programs that your employer may offer. Learning new things turns your mind on, thus keeping boredom at bay. (3) Take out the clutter. Usually when people see unfiled papers on their desks or their inbox overflowing, their energy becomes low. they can’t think properly and the clutter only adds to the stress. Hannon shared that decluttering is liberating and empowering. As career coach Beverly Jones said, “You are saying, ‘this is valuable, this is not.’ It’s a physical, practical way to engage in making decisions about your life and what you want to do with it.” (4) Inspire yourself with a positive image or view. We all have our “happy place,” that one image or moment we go back to when we feel down or stressed out. It could be that one sunny day at the beach or the childhood town you grew up at. It could be Disneyland or just your favorite nook at your home. Whatever and wherever it may be, try to have a picture of that happy place and tape it on your of- According to AARP, Those getting a late start at retirement planning should consider setting aside more of their income by reducing their expenses. Photo from USA.gov PAGE B6
Sources: (“Foreign-born healthcare workers in the United States”) (“Filipino immigrants in the United States”) from www.migrationpolicy. org and www.pewsocialtrends.org/asianamericans-graphics/filipinos/
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EntErtainmEnt
Jed Madela recreates iconic voices in style by Yugel losorata Philstar.com
For the cynics, watching intimate concerts by talents regularly seen on popular TV networks sounds a bit impractical. Why pay for it and brave the Friday traffic when you can see them on surround-sound TV for free on Sunday afternoons? Noted World Championships of Performing Arts (WYCoPA) champ and balladeer Jed Madela, whose face definitely “sounds familiar,” proved he could deliver a facet of himself not usually viewed on the boobtube. And did he in style, competently mimicking voices of iconic singers to the delight of last Friday’s (Aug. 19) crowd at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City. With numbers that kept him more often vocally stretched out and sweating, Jed paid tribute to diva Celine Dion for the second leg of The Iconic Concert Series produced by Dreamstar Events Management and Calvin Chua, and directed by Marvin Caldito. Yet, the segment where he spontaneously sang in the style of other singers’ voices somehow stole the thunder from the show’s main theme. Why not, he did so much justice to the vocal and body language impersonations that it is the very reason why many applauded. “Pakipatay lang po ang mga cellphone, o kung ire-record niyo ito, ’wag nyo po sya itatag,” Jed jokingly told the crowd, referring to his Lea Salonga takeaway. of course, there was something comical about him intently staring somewhere and “seeing something we don’t see” (as Jed would like to put it) like Lea does. But his singing of I Still Believe from the Miss Saigon fame was “plakado,” a musical term pertaining to proper covering of a song. And before we forget, Jed’s a male voice. He may be trying to make
For the next show of his Iconic Concert Series come October, Jed Madela will pay tribute to Madonna.
people laugh by exaggerating the distinct moves of artists he mimics. But when he sings like them, he creates the impression he’s there giving salute. Even Lea herself would have clapped. The fact Jed can sing like others in a way a good actor loses himself in certain characters makes it a special gift outclassing those forever attached to only one impersonation. His list, too, is a gang of bonafide legends here and abroad: Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Elvis Presley, regine Valasquez, Lani Misalucha and anyone he can think of right on the spot. He related, “You are iconic if people want to become you, and what you do make you remarkable.” The Iconic Concert Series, a spin-off from his Star Music album Iconic and to which Jed is involved hands-on, is living up to its title by paying tribute to real icons, not just singers with titles given overnight. Last summer, he took on Mariah Carey songs. Then last Friday, he announced he’s paying tribute to Madonna for the next leg come oct. 21, same venue. Jed took note of Celine as exp e r t t o i n t e r p re t i n g s o n g s about love and heartaches to which emotional Filipinos eas-
ily relate to. He wanted to have a big boat prop placed on stage while singing My Heart Will Go on. In true dramatic sense, his voice had that power to bring up Titanic, at least in the mind, especially once he raised the key for the last chorus. He and guest Denise Laurel, stunning in her red outfit, passed up as Jack and rose singing a duet and “keeping the music playing.” That they’re comfortable being with each other turned it into a good watch. Later in the show, Jed performed with WYCoPA product act 5th Gen, staying true to his aim “to pay it forward” his success to new acts. Violinist Jake Juleous Gacang, who recently won multiple awards at WYCoPA, also front-acted. It mattered a lot to the classically-trained musician performing modern hits that he’s part of Jed’s show. Expressing his thought about why Jed and other Filipinos excel at WYCoPA, he said, “There’s something natural when you see a Filipino perform. You know he does it from the heart.” Chatting with the press a few days before singing Celine, Jed revealed how much attention to detail he deals with in staging a show with a challenging concept. He noted, “The hardest part of putting this show together was making sure it doesn’t come across as forced and staged.” Surely, Jed thrives in letting things flow as nature intends. When he mused that Jaya, Janno Gibbs and Jessa Zaragoza sing in the same way and mimicked all of them to nodding heads, and then he realized that Zsa Zsa Padilla is another candidate to the pool, singing Hiram impromptu, he reacted as if he discovered a new invention to change the world. Those who saw Jed for the first time live and not on TV may have concluded they witnessed not just a singer vocally copying icons. But someone brewing into an icon himself.
Martin Nievera: The past, the present and accompanying lessons by Christina
alpad ManilaTimes.net
WHILE other artists would rather sweep their past under the rug, Martin Nievera is not shy to talk about his. In fact, “The Big Mouth”—a moniker he has earned for doing a lot of singing and hosting—can be quite talkative about it. Answering questions from the press for the promotion of his new album Kahapon… Ngayon and an upcoming concert titled The Best of Martin Nievera: Kahapon… Ngayon, Nievera gamely responded when asked of his past that keeps recurring. “Probably bad habits, things that I can’t seem to outgrow like watching too much TV when I have free time, not sleeping enough, or not watching my health the way I should,” the 54-year-old initially confessed. Turning more somber, Nievera continued, “I guess, some of the wrong decisions you make in life. You seem to think that you’ve corrected them but you didn’t and they come back over and over again.” When probed to be more specific, the “Concert King,” caved in. “Not spending enough time with my children; I have one in Las Vegas and I’ve got two here. That haunts me, that’s the past that haunts me. I should have corrected it back then by being more of a hands-on father, by being a better husband before. These things still come back and bite me in the butt,” Nievera shared. But he was quick to point out that despite his shortcomings, he still maintains a good relationship
‘I learned that the most important thing to do is to listen; stop talking, stop dictating. My new motto in life is, listen to the people around you because they know a lot more than you do’
with his former partners, most especially with former wife, Pops Fernandez. “I’m good with my exes most especially with Pops. We support each other. Whenever she needs me, I’m there maybe not physically but I’m still the first or second guy or person that she calls and she’s usually the first girl that I run to for advice or help. So we’re all good,” Nievera related. 54 albums and more Career-wise, recording an album is one recurrence in Nievera’s life that he is more than willing to do over and over again. For the past 34 years in the business, the Concert King has already released 54 albums under PolyEast records. But irony of ironies, the latest collection has been conceived with never-done-before melodies. “At this stage of my career, I
learned that the most important thing to do is to listen; stop talking, stop dictating. My new motto in life is, ‘Listen to the people around you because they know a lot more than you do’,” Nievera proudly imparted. overall, Nievera is proud to have recorded an album consisting of vintage oPM. He also noted that it is his way of honoring his roots. “My grandmother was an opera singer and she also sang a couple of these songs so I’m also honoring my grandmother which I’ve never done before,” Nievera shared. The grandmother he’s referring to was Lourdes Corrales, a Cebuana mezzo-soprano. “That’s the reason why I’m a singer today. A lot of people think it was because of the father side but mostly it’s because of the mother side,” Nievera concluded with pride.
Loving Love Marie’s hand-carried... PAGE B1 be confident and comfortable with that stamp so people would know that it was you.’” Hand-carried emblem Letting herself grow even bigger, the artist has also decided to put her stamp on a new, albeit smaller, canvass: the luxurious Hermes hand bags. The Manila Times’ Showbuzz Lhar Santiago earlier reported how ongpauco-Escudero accidentally got herself into this new medium—by accidentally dripping her precious orange Birkin with unforgiving oil. “I had an oil map and it was so big and I felt so bad. I asked my friends if there’s any way we can take it out, how to repaint, any thing. The thing is, if you repaint it, Hermes won’t accept it if you want to repair it in the future. So I was afraid to do anything about it,” she recalled for the media. Her eureka moment came when she saw Kim Kardashan’s painted
Birkin bag being auctioned. “I thought it is such an amazing way to cover up the stain and so I researched and it took some time before I got the right paint—which I’ll never reveal—that would actually be suitable for me to dribble and splash on my Birkin,” she said. But when she finally started painting, ongpauco-Escudero revealed that she was so conscious of touching her Birkin that she began developing nightmares. “When I started painting on my bag I was so engrossed and concentrated the whole time that when I slept at night I had a dream that I made a mistake and my painting got bigger and bigger in my effort to cover the mistake!” the artist exclaimed. But the nightmare eventually faded as when the paint finally dried and she was able to carry it around, much more share it on her popular Instagram account, ongpauco-Escudero got the sur-
prise of her life, she received not only praises from her friends but admiration from the other parts of the globe – Hong Kong and Dubai just to name a few. Since then her equally exquisite handbag collector friends commissioned ongpauco-Escudero to do their bags as well. The commissioned works have exceeded a handful that she is now ready to let the public see and be inspired with her hand painted Hermes bags in an exhibit playfully titled Carry Your HeArT. The said exhibit will be on September 3 to 9 at Volkswagen Showroom in Bonifacio Global City. Finally asked how she thinks her Hermes bags would affect its carriers, ongpauco-Escudero said it is all about putting a stamp. “I wanted to be original, I wanted to be different and to wear my personality on my bag. Your bag says so much about your personality so might as well put a stamp on it, on who you are!” ongpauco-Escudero ended.
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The perks of being Liza Soberano Monet Salon’s bridal beauty advice By Monet
Lu
SOME people just have it all—beauty, brains and personality—plus the fame and fortune that come with having all three. But if the bearer of “all things beautiful” is as lovely and kind as this lady, I guess the ‘perks’ are thrown at the right person. Liza Soberano is one of the most sought-after stars of her generation. Even as a total standout among her peers, she is very amiable and her simplicity just makes her even more attractive. I admire her beauty and style; and apparently, I am not the only one. Soberano placed 6th in the 26th annual Independent Critics List of the 100 Most Beautiful Faces 2015. The half-American, half-Filipina actress was born in Santa Clara, California to Filipino father John Castillo Soberano and American mother Jacquelyn Elizabeth Hanley. She moved to the Philippines at the age of 10 to be with her father and relatives. She started as a print ad model at age 12 and was discovered by a talent scout when she was 13. Soberano received her first leading role in the romantic comedy television series “Forevermore” in 2014 alongside Enrique Gil. The “Serena Marquesa” of Dolce Amore After the success of “Forevermore,” which birthed the loveteam, “LizQuen” (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil), Soberano graces the TV screens again as she plays the role of Serena Marquesa in the toprated primetime series, “Dolce Amore.” Soberano plays the Filipina who was adopted by a rich Italian man as an infant. Despite being raised as a ‘princess,’ she longs for a simple life, which her adopted mother disapproves. In an attempt to escape her arranged marriage to her best friend, she travels to the Philippines to search for a young
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Liza Soberano
billionaire who can save her family’s company. While staying in the Philippines, she meets Tenten (played by Enrique Gil) by accident. He soon reveals that he was her childhood pen-pal. The plot of “Dolce Amore” is the opposite of what “Forevermore” had. In “Forevermore,” their roles were reversed: Gil played the son of rich hoteliers, while Soberano came from a strawberry-farming family. “Dolce Amore” is now on its third season and is set to end in three weeks. “LIZ” in the LizQuen loveteam Not only is LizQuen one of the most popular love teams today, they also have the chemistry every tandem dream of. Soberano and Gil were already friends before they got paired up by their TV network. Incidentally, they have the same handler at Star Magic, which brought them even closer. As their friendship got “deeper and better,” according to Gil, their chemistry became more real on and off screen. While Gil has openly admitted his intentions of courting Soberano, they both agree that being friends for now is better for them
professionally and personally. Their “status” may have been interpreted as an ‘open door’ by Soberano’s admirers. Just recently, Grammy-nominated performer Charlie Puth admitted to having a crush on Soberano, as he talks about her during his concert. Puth invited Soberano to his concert but the latter wasn’t able to make it. Last January, British pop band The Vamps lead guitarist James McVey gave a special shoutout to the Filipino actress. McVey told ABS-CBN News in an interview, “Liza, if you’re watching, I’ll sing to you tomorrow at the show.” The newest Maybelline girl Bold, empowered, and confident – this is what Maybelline New York is all about. Qualities you can certainly find in Liza Soberano which makes her the perfect fit for Maybelline. On August 3, Maybelline New York officially announced their newest endorser. This marks Soberano’s first global beauty label endorsement. She officially joins the ranks of Gigi Hadid, Jourdan Dunn, Emily Didonato, and more. “I believe that girls should be confident innately, and makeup
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BEING a bride is one of the most important moments in a woman’s life. Whether simple or grand, a wedding always takes a huge amount of work, with planning and preparation. Most of the time the couple is overwhelmed with stress and worry. I dedicate this to the future brides, so that all of you can have a pleasant wedding experience through my bridal beauty tips. Allow me to count the reasons. One, who needs the added stress? On your special day, do you really want to deal with blending colors and uncooperative hair when there are family and friends who need entertaining? Two, hiring a stylist comes with all the special effects. If you have chosen wisely, the stylist will come with all the cutting edge tools to glam you up. I always come overprepared with an entire suitcase containing all the materials I will need for a makeover. As professional make-up artists, we make sure to stock up on brands and colors that are in vogue as well as classic shades that never go out of style. Three, a professional stylist can execute a glamorous look you want. But I have to say that this will depend highly on how clearly you have communicated your vision to the stylist. This is why I always recommend a consultation session before the special day. There are clients whose minds are set on a certain look without taking into consideration what the stylist has to work with. I believe achieving the best look is always a collaboration between the client and the stylist. Most of the time, the heavy weight rests on the stylist because, after all, we are the professionals and we know what works based on experience. My advice to clients, don’t be afraid to express your vision. It’s
your big moment! Be bold, be clear, but don’t forget to be kind as well. A pleasant rapport with your stylist will make things run smoother and faster. C o n v e nience is a major reason to hire a stylist. I always offer my clients the option to either go on location (to do the style service where the event is going to be) or it can also be at the salon. There’s a surcharge for on-location service but for the convenience of our busy clients, the price is very reasonable. Confidence is another important reason to hire a professional stylist for your special occasion. We can recommend make-up and hairstyles that will best suit your face shape, your skin tone and your personality. I’ve personally been applying the Velvet make-up brush paint on my latest clients and have received rave reviews! This is a brush paint on high-definition make-up that provides impressive coverage and flawless results. The Velvet technique also has staying power, more than regular make-up. The price for this make-up application is more than regular make-up but also quite reasonable for the quality you get. In terms of choosing a makeup style, the trends vary. Our “Perfect Glow” is the naturallooking make-up. This doesn’t mean “everyday” or “washed out” make-up, however. I define natural-looking make-up as a
look that emphasizes natural features and skin glow. When done properly, the facial complexion radiates with the clever use of neutral tones. It’s ethereal, elegant and pure. The “Dazzling Diva” is the version of smokey eyes make-up a for more dramatic look. As for the hairdo, there’s a variety of choices depending on the wedding theme, gown, body and face shape. The “Glam 40s” is half up, half down with very big and soft waves. For a more relaxed look, the Messy Bun is great or the Regal Up-do are some of the options brides can choose from. It’s advisable to plan ahead when booking a stylist. You can talk to the stylist about your vision and that the stylist, in turn, has the range and experience to pull it off. At Monet Salon, we reward clients who plan ahead. If you book us for bridal make-up service three months in advance, we offer a special discount. Call us at 213-216-4923 or go to www.monetsalon.com. (Advertising Supplement)
helps because it gives them the extra boost that they need,” shares Liza, who reveals that confidence is her ultimate beauty secret. Through the years, Liza has risen to become one of the most iconic teen stars in the Philippine industry with contracts and starring roles she can barely count. As the perks of being Liza Soberano continues to pile up, she never stops showing her
gratitude and love to her fans and supporters. And while being a “Serena,” “Liz” and Maybelline Girl comes with great responsibility, it certainly comes with so much fun that she ought to enjoy more than anyone. To Liza, more blessings to you. Keep up the good work, you make us all proud! *** 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
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Your Immigration Solution atty. GreGory J. Boult & NaNCy Miller MANy individuals seeking an immigration benefit in the United States encounter inexplicably long delays in receiving a final decision on a pending application or petition. Too often, individuals who find themselves experiencing such a delay are frustrated and uncertain as to what, if anything, can be done to pry loose their case and get a decision. Many simply resign themselves to waiting for the government to act. However, there are options beyond simply waiting indefinitely. One such option is to sue the government in the United States District Court (USDC) aka federal court. Not all petitions and applications for immigration benefits in the United States are processed in the same fashion. Some petitions
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MoNette aDeva MaGlaya (Part 1 of 2 parts)
IF there is one issue aside from the fearsome economic downturn we are currently experiencing that must be given due attention particularly during this election season, it is the issue of ABORTION that all God-fearing and /or God-loving citizens everywhere across the nation should fully engage in. As a dyed-in-the-wool Catholic conservative in agreement with millions of Christian evangelicals in many parts of the country, I staunchly believe that the gift of life is from God and that life begins at the moment of conception. For me personally, there can be no equivocation on this issue. Abortion is nothing less than the murder of innocents — a most grievous offense against the Holy Spirit from whom all life emanates. It is the duty of all who hold human life sacred
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Ending the long wait: Suing the government when it fails to timely act or applications require interviews. And no decision is made until all the applicant’s files are located and given to the adjudicating officer. As a result, some cases will naturally take longer than others. However, that does not mean that United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has carte blanche to take as long as it sees fit to process a request for a benefit. Ultimately, there comes a point in time when a petition or application has simply been pending too long. And while administrative means exist to follow-up a pending matter with USCIS, often such action yields little or no results. It is at this point in time when an individual should consider exercising his or her rights in federal court. When an individual files a petition or an application for an immigration benefit, there is an expectation and a requirement that the government will timely process the submission. In effect,
the government cannot simply let an application or petition languish – the government must make a decision within a reasonable period of time. USCIS posts its normal processing time on its official website. These processing times typically state how many months it is currently taking to process various petitions and applications at its numerous offices. When a petition or an application is pending beyond its posted processing time, it is appropriate to consider additional action, including a lawsuit in federal court. Unreasonable delays and erroneous actions by the U.S government are nothing new. In fact, Congress passed the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in 1946 to deal with these same problems. This act was specially designed as a “bill of rights” for individuals who have been aggrieved by certain conduct by the government. Specifically, the APA entitles individuals to sue the government
Take a stand, you all! Fight for dear life “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
— Edmund Burke
to fight for it and uphold moral laws that guarantee the life of future generations. It’s not easy to stick your neck out these days particularly with the so-called intellectual pundits of the liberal media spewing bile and sarcasm over those who believe differently, relying on their Ivy League credentials for their authoritative take on social mores. It takes courage that comes from deep down to confront the issue of immorality that has become so pervasive and ingrained in popular culture, we can drown in it just by switching on the television or watching the movies. The scripts and the stories on TV are skewed towards political correctness, rather than what is true, good and moral, while most
pander to the least common denominator in order to serve the largest demographics and the biggest markets all for the sake of profit. It does not help that our scandal-plagued churches and political and religious leaders appear to have lost the moral high ground. The voice that once seemed so sure and resonant in matters affecting life, is lost in the din and cacophony of so much chatter. The task seems overwhelming. As daunting a challenge as it is, the wholesale murder of innocents must be addressed. The family unit, which was once the cornerstone of a strong society, has to be revived and energized to take charge of a child’s upbringing — not society, not
Weight and premature death
pets of those who are overweight or obese are also overweight. Chubby kids are at risk In Asian culture, a chubby kid is somehow considered a healthy child. Plump and rotund children are often used in food and vitamin PhiliP S. Chua, other ads and TV commercials. MD, FaCS, FPCS This sends a wrong and dangerous message, and is a disservice to the A CLINICAL study of 3.9 million public, especially to our youngadults in 189 countries, published sters. Nothing is farther from the in the medical journal Lancet, truth. Overweight children, as revealed that our risk for illness shown by countless studies, are (like hypertension, diabetes, heart more likely to develop a cluster diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and of health problems (metabolic cancer) and premature death is im- syndrome) and their complicapacted by our weight. Overweight tions, compared to their peers with and obese individuals have the normal weight. highest risk. Obesity is actually The risk factors that characsecond to smoking as the cause terize Metabolic Syndrome are: of premature deaths. elevated triglycerides (blood fats), The World Health Organiza- blood sugar, and blood pressure, tion (WHO) reported that there low HDL (high-density lipoproare about 1.3 million who are teins, the good cholesterol), and overweight worldwide; about 600 abdominal obesity. These precede million are obese. The prevalence the development of type 2 diabetes of obesity in North America is and cardiovascular diseases. 31 percent and 20 percent in The increase in the global Europe. incidence of diabetes (in all age In the Philippines, the incidence groups) has also catapulted: from of obesity is rising and so is dia- 2.8 percent in 1980 to 4.2 percent betes. We have one of the highest in 2000 and extrapolated to be 4.4 numbers of diabetics, if not the percent in 2030; from 171 million top, in Asia. Most blame it on our globally in 2000 to 366 million in culture of eating a lot of carbohy- 2030. Diabetes and cardiovascular drates, including white rice, bread illnesses parallel the rate of our and soft drinks. increasing waistline. Fifty percent In 2008, one out of every five (20 of all obese adults also have high percent) Filipinos had diabetes. Ten blood pressure. Premature death years before this, it was only 3.9 is defined as one occurring before percent, a jump of over five times. age 69. The risk of premature Extrapolated, the actual incidence death for those who are obese is today might be around 22.4 mil- 10.5 percent higher than those lion, and diabetes is among the top with normal BMI. causes of mortality, with more than Sleep affects obesity risk in 20,000 deaths annually. children Alarming obesity statistics A ten-year study of 977 children Obesity in children has tripled from age 4 ½ all to age 15 revealed in the past 30 years. If the trend children’s bedtime habits also is allowed to continue through influence their BMI. Those who our parental neglect, inaction, or went to bed at 8 p.m. or earlier indifference, it is conceivable that were linked to the lowest incidence obesity will quadruple in another of obesity, 10 percent, when they ten years. And since obesity in- reached age 15. Those who went creases the risk for diseases—like to bed between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., hypertension, diabetes and other had a 16 percent rate of obesity; metabolic illnesses, heart attack, and among those who went to stroke, and cancer—longevity sleep after 9 p.m., 23 percent would obviously be shorter. All became obese by the time they the gains mankind has achieved got to 15. the past six decades through the The “simple” equation advances in medical science and In a nutshell, diet (quantity and technology (preventive, diagnos- quality of food) and daily physitic, and therapeutic) could simply cal exercise (at least 30 minutes go to waste for this segment of the a day) are the key ingredients world population, where prema- in maintaining a normal weight ture death would rise to an even and a healthier body. The other greater level. important factors in the equation Today, among the affluent are abstinence from tobacco, people around the world, includ- intelligent moderation of alcohol ing those in developing nations, intake, and stress management obesity afflicts about 20 percent and relaxation. Naturally, reguof children aged 6 to 11, and more lar medical and dental check-up alarmingly, about 10 percent of and religious compliance with those aged 2 to 5 are obese. Among prescription medications are also those between ages 12 and 19, 18 essential. percent are also obese. Even the Loving our children
Health@Heart
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Some of us may be shortening the life of our children without realizing it, unintentionally, unwittingly, and all in the name of love, but nonetheless devastating to them when they reach middle age and beyond. “Love not our children to death” is the message in my coffee-table book on disease prevention starting at the cellular (DNA) level, published in the United States and in the Philippines, entitled “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children,” which is listed in the US Library of Congress. (My be viewed at www.philipSchua.com). Its Philippine edition was printed by Central Book Supply in Quezon City, and may be viewed online at philipSchua.com. Timing of the strategy The most effective disease prevention, including maintenance of a normal weight, must begin during childhood. That’s when the brain is more receptive to teaching and when preferences and habits are just beginning to develop. Our children learn by example and copy our bad dietary and exercise habits. A child with one obese parent is three times more likely to be obese as an adult; one with two obese parents has ten times the risk. In general, the fault lies in us parents, whether we want to admit it or not. For the rest of us, it is never too late to start, no matter how old we are. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is always beneficial at any stage in life. However, as I stressed in my book, dieting should start during infancy, in the crib if we are to prevent damage to our children’s DNA and end the massive epidemics of obesity in children and adults. It can save our youth from eventually developing what society considers “normal and expected” diseases of adults like arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s and cancer. On the contrary, if we protect the integrity of our children’s DNA, starting from the womb and in the crib to adulthood, almost all of these diseases are preventable. Among us adults, healthy lifestyles will minimize our risk for diseases and disability, and will even improve our longevity. View philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
when it unlawfully withholds action or when it unreasonably delays action. As an agency of the government, USCIS can be sued by an individual when it unlawfully withholds action, or unreasonably delays action, in rendering a decision on an individual’s pending petition or application. In addition to suing the government under the APA, an individual can also seek to compel the government to act upon an unreasonably delayed petition or application through a lawsuit for a Writ of Mandamus. When filing a Writ of Mandamus in federal court, an individual must establish a clear and certain claim, an administrative duty which is plainly prescribed, and establish that no other administrative remedy through governmental process is available. In most instances this legal standard is met by showing the unreasonable delay by USCIS. While a Writ of Mandamus is a separate and distinct legal action
from one undertaken under the APA, the result sought in both of these types of actions is identical - to compel the government to act when it has failed to do so in a reasonable period of time. Unfortunately, too many individuals who are victims of unreasonable delays by the government are unaware of their rights or afraid to exercise them. However, prompt action can save months or even years of unnecessary waiting. Filing a U.S. District Court action for relief under the APA or a complaint for a Writ of Mandamus are both very effective in compelling USCIS to act on an unreasonably delayed petition or application. It is important to note that neither an action under the Administrative Procedures Act nor a Writ of Mandamus orders USCIS to make a specific decision. The U.S. District Court Judge orders the USCIS to make a decision. That in itself is beneficial because, even
if the decision is not positive, the applicant may be able to appeal it or renew it in another venue. An action seeking that the federal court Judge order USCIS to make a specific decision is called a complaint for declaratory relief. Some delay is a normal part of the process when dealing with the federal government but inordinate delays are not. An experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney can help get your case “unstuck”. ***
government, and certainly NOT media. A moral grounding that starts from childhood, nurtured in the teen years and blossoming in adult life is basic in order to see through the twisted and depraved logic of political correctness and pervasive immorality that afflicts many nations in the world today and confront these evils head on. The moral issue of abortion far transcends any earthly concerns. The battered economy made worse by the rampant, mindblowing corruption in the finance industry and in government at the highest levels, the war on terror, national security, taxes, energy independence, global warming, health care— all these are important issues of our time. But as history will attest, all these will be overcome in due time. Our problems in the material world will find resolution
and eventually come to pass. This issue is fundamental to our humanity and our connection to divinity. Our decision to take it down or uphold it, will reverberate for centuries beyond our time. Abortion strikes at the root of our essence as human beings. It is pure evil. Without action on our parts to confront this, it will prevail. As Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This is a call to fight for the unborn — the most defenseless of all creatures, a call to preserve the life of a thinking, feeling, spiritual being in human form. Estimates of the number of abortions in this country alone have reached way past the 48 million mark, the population of a small country. Worldwide, the figures could be staggering. China, one of the economically advantaged nations of the world today, is beginning to pay the
price for its one-child policy that has brought on a serious and detrimental societal imbalance in its male-to-female ratio, in a culture that puts a higher stock on sons. With the recent accidental discovery near the Ural Mountains of discarded, plastic vats of 250 near full-term human embryos mummified and preserved in formaldehyde still with tags of the mother’s name on some of the babies’ legs, it is even possible to guess that some scientists have been experimenting or conducting studies in the name of research and disposing of the evidence as biological waste. The sale of fetal body parts by Planned Parenthood for research purposes is a horrific offense against all of humanity. (To be continued) ***
Calendar of Events across
Reeves, Miller, Zhang & Diza Law Corporation’s offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
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St. Margaret Mary Parish Luau The St. Margaret Mary Parish will celebrate their Annual Luau on August 27 at the SMM Parish Hall on 12686 Central Ave., Chino, California. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Duo. For more information, please call SMM Filipino Ministry President - (909) 315-9812, Adel Rellora.
SEPtEMBER 1
Startup Business Expo Tour (with Tagalog translation) Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration invites you to the 2016 Startup Business Expo Tour. The series of events is intended to help startups, small businesses, entertainment and production companies, food services, event planners, home-based businesses, entrepreneurs, fashion & beauty businesses, e-commerce, accounting services, cleaning services, consultants, childcare and more! Topics include: starting a business in LA, predicting your financial future, choosing a legal entity & access to capital. This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6313 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Ste. 2140, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. The event is FREE & open to the public. There will also be free food & refreshments for participants. To RSVP, please visit www.startuptourla.com.
SEPtEMBER 3
Filipino Association of Leisure World Annual “Luau” The Filipino Association of Leisure World will hold its Annual Hawaiian Luau at the LW Hall (1232 Golden Rain Rd. Seal Beach, California) on Saturday, Sept. 3. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. Please call the president of the association, Ren Villanueva at (323) 854-6209 for other related questions.
S E P t E M B E R 9 -1 7
42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) invites everyone, Bicolanos, devotees and friends to come and celebrate the 42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivities will start on Sept. 9, with the translacion at 5pm at the Immaculate of Mary Church (4954 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029. A nightly novena Mass follows from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16 at 6 PM except on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 PM and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2;30 PM and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrated Mass at 10 am at Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90031. Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Berrei (818) 281-3169 or Gene Leano (818) 439-6896.
SEPtEMBER 10
17th annual Asian Small Business Expo The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. Admission to the expo is FREE! It will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Almansor Court Banquet & Conference Center, 700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801. To register, please visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-asian-small-businessexpo-tickets-23824155691. Walk-ins are also welcome on the day of the expo. For more information, please visit www.apisbp.org.
SEPtEMBER 16
CAC to celebrate Town Fiesta The Cabatuan Association of California will celebrate their Annual Town Fiesta in honor of their Patron Saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10, 2016 with a mass at 11:00 am at Nati Matitu-Mercado’s residence - 15255 Knapp St. North Hills, CA, 91343. Please invite four friends and relatives. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa. For other inquiries, please call Esoy Tavarro, president, (714) 797-0073; Sally Bilbao, adviser (951) 8785589; Boboy Mosqueda, adviser (714) 519-8973; or Nati Matitu-Mercado, adviser at (818) 894-5142.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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Nathan Adelson Hospice enters into agreement to acquire Las Vegas Solari Hospice Care LAS VeGAS —Nathan Adelson hospice, the largest nonprofit hospice in Nevada, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Las Vegas Solari hospice Care, an end-of-life health care organization in Southern Nevada, owned by healthCare Partners Nevada, LLC. Nathan Adelson hospice and Las Vegas Solari hospice Care are finalizing the details of the transaction and expect the acquisition to close by Sept. 7, 2016. Acquisitions in the hospice industry are becoming more 3 dozen volunteer teachers, from commonplace throughout the sushi making to Mandarin; Body country. healthcare systems recpoints (acupressure) to Martial ognize that hospice leaders, such Arts. It’s Free to members, and membership is free. Visit acclv. org for more information. Asian Culture Center is also the home of ASIAN NeWS, a LAS VeGAS - Smith’s Food & weekly news magazine program Drug Stores invites customers to on TV which airs on Newsmax- try ClickList, an online grocery orTV Las Vegas channel 31.2 on dering service, offering customers Fridays and Mondays 1230 PM 40,000 items from their desktop or and on over 10 Million Roku mobile device for next-day curbhouseholds worldwide. side pick-up. As an introductory offer, Smith’s will waive the $4.95 service charge for a customer’s first three orders. The ClickList service will be available for first time orders at the Smith’s Food & Drug located at 3850 e. Flamingo Rd., beginKumu Pang is the first Kumu ning August 24, 2016, with curbhula to receive a Master of Fine side pick-up available the next Arts Degree in Dance Chore- day. Smith’s anticipates offering ography, with an emphasis in additional Las Vegas locations hula from the University of with the new service by the end hawai’i at Manoa. Currently of 2016. The introduction of ClickList to Kumu Pang conducts fifteen classes a week at his h’lau and the Nevada market illustrates the is a Lecturer at the University of evolution of customers embracing hawai’i at M’noa Music Depart- technology to enhance their shopment teaching hawaiian Dance ping experiences. “We know today’s customers and Chant. During his career he has graduated 22 Kumu are continuously looking for ways hula, through the traditional to increase their productivity yet ‘uniki ceremony. A handful of simplify their lives,” said Marsha Kumu Pang’s students now run Gilford, Smith’s vice president their own hula schools and are public affairs. “We are certain this committed to perpetuating the traditional arts of hula on the Islands of hawai’i, O’ahu, in Chicago, and Japan. Ticket information is available by calling the University of Nevada Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Box Office at 702895-ARTS (2787) or go online to: https://www.pac.unlv.edu
Asian Culture Center holds grand opening ceremony on Aug. 29 The new ASIAN CULTURe CeNTeR, located at 928 S. Valley View Blvd., will have its Grand Opening ceremony on August 29, 2016 with no less than the honorable Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman cutting the ceremonial ribbon in a program hosted by emmy-Award winner Steve Schorr. Festivities begin at 3 PM, according to Cavin Fung, Fo u n d e r o f A s i a n C u l t u r e Alliance, a 501c3 Non-Profit
organization that owns and operates the Center. More than 300 business, politicaland community leaders are expected to grace the special occasion. everyone, especially in the Asian-American community of Las Vegas is invited to join the festivities. The 5,000-square foot facility barely opened a few weeks ago but is already bursting with activities. More than 40 FRee classes are being held with about
Kumu Pang. Mrs. Pfaff, was the Manager of the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, on the Island of hawai’i, where hālau hula Ka No’eau presented their first concert in 1991. That performance sparked a relationship that would lead to the formation of hawai’i Arts ensemble, a professional hula company that showcases traditional hula at theatres, universities, and colleges in North America and Asia. Now retired in Las Vegas, Mrs. Pfaff was only too happy to be working with this group once again in presenting this special performance. Joining Kumu Pang will be hawaiian musicians Jeff Teves, Ainsley halemanu, Jeff Auhoy along with hawaiian vocalist Marlene Sai. The performance will showcase a collection of hawaiian dance that will tell the story of the evolution of hula and particularly hula associated with h’lau hula Ka No’eau.
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the customer arrives for pick up. Finally, the customer drives up to the clearly marked pick-up area to notify the ClickList team of their arrival, purchase their order and have the groceries quickly loaded into their car. ClickList includes no minimum or maximum orders and online shoppers may purchase most products Smith’s offers, including over-the-counter health and beauty products. Some seasonal items, apparel, hot foods, liquor and pharmacy prescriptions cannot be purchased. Smith’s is a division of the Kroger Co. (NYSe:KR), one of the nation’s largest retail grocers. From its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Smith’s manages 138 stores, including 37 in southern Nevada, and 95 total fuel centers throughout seven western states. In 2015, with support from associates, customers and suppliers, Smith’s Food & Drug donated a total of $13.2 million worth of product and cash to local nonprofit organizations. To learn more visit: www. smithsfoodanddrug.com.
by Ricky
caldeRon ManilaTimes.net
We are excited with the news that Sharon Cuneta is finally doing her first Cinemalaya entry for next year titled “Ang Pamilyang hindi Lumuluha.” This will be Sharon’s first indie film. Aside from preparing for her first Cinemalaya entry, Sharon is also set to have a two-night intimate concert this October and a new pure-OPM album. The Megastar is also doing a movie with Star Cinema and this is why she is taking her dieting seriously because she really wants to start with the project real soon. Sharon mentioned before that Vic del Rosario of Viva Films wants her to do a reunion film with Gabby Concepcion. But this has yet to materialize. The thing is, Gabby signed a contract with GMA Films. With this development, should the SharonGabby diehards still hope for a reunion film featuring them? But what we’re truly excited about is Sharon agreeing to do an indie film.
Building your career: Tips on how to love... PAGE B2 fice wall or on your desk. It’ll help you transport there even for a few minutes and revive your mind. (5) Laugh more. Yes, we get it — how can you laugh if you don’t love what you’re doing. But then again, the saying “Laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just words. A Gallup poll found that people who smile and laugh at work are more engaged in their jobs. Thus, the more engaged you are, the happier and more enthusiastic you’ll be. Plus, laughter is infectious — you are not just making yourself feel better, but also your coworkers who may be in the same boat just like you. (AJPress)
Richard Yap on showbiz success, family... PAGE B1
Fax résumé to:
online shopping service will offer busy families, seniors, people with disabilities and other shoppers an easier and more convenient way to grocery shop.” how does ClickList work? A customer goes to www.smithsfoodanddrug.com/ClickList and creates a free, online account. Next, the customer selects a participating store and selects from 40,000 items, which are categorized and sorted for easy viewing and selection. The customer builds their digital cart by clicking and adding products. Once the customer has completed their online shopping, they select an available pick-up time. Orders placed before midnight are available for next day pick up between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. A specially -trained ClickList Smith’s associate then handpicks the customer’s items based on personal preferences provided. Special attention is given to the selection of produce and other perishable items. The products are stored appropriately (including refrigeration or freezing) until
Sharon Cuneta sparks excitement in first indie film
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strengthens our position in the post-acute continuum and as the hospice of choice in Southern Nevada.” Bard Coats MD, Market President of healthCare Partners Nevada, LLC, said, “Throughout the years healthCare Partners and Nathan Adelson hospice have worked closely together. Our mutual respect and confidence in one another allows for a seamless transition in the quality of care for our patients and families.” Fisher says that Nathan Adelson hospice will retain its long-established community identity and will continue to explore strategic relationships and partnerships that ensure sustainability.
Smith’s introduces online grocery shopping
Hālau Hula Ka No’eau – Las Vegas ‘9th’ Island Performance on Sept. 24 hONOLULU, hawai’i – Kumu hula Michael Pili Pang and Mu’olaulani, will present hālau hula Ka No’eau at the Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 24, 2016, 2pm and 7:30pm. hālau hula Ka No’eau is a hula school and performing company. established in 1986 by Kumu hula Michael Pili Pang, they will celebrate their 30th year of hula with a special performance in Las Vegas. Often referred to as the 9th hawaiian Island, by hawai’i residents, Las Vegas may seem like an unusual choice but it will be a reunion with a long-time friend. “We wanted to create a special event to celebrate our 30th anniversary and Las Vegas was brought up as a ‘high in the sky’ suggestion; and through a contact “reunion” with Virginia Pfaff, our original Booking Coordinator, the idea became a reality,” say
as Nathan Adelson hospice, have a unique delivery system. “We are excited to announce the acquisition of Las Vegas Solari hospice Care,” said Nathan Adelson hospice President and CeO Carole Fisher. “As the leader in end-of-life care in Southern Nevada for more than 38 years, Nathan Adelson hospice continues to forge a path forward resulting in improved access for patients and their loved ones. We respect healthCare Partners’ deep knowledge and passion for providing high quality patient care, and share a commitment to ensuring a seamless transition for patients, families, employees and volunteers. This acquisition
lucky that we have been able to work with Jodi and our partnerships have worked like we did a movie together and it clicked also. We’re very fortunate.” Yap revealed that beyond shooting, the three were able to hang out, setting aside their work as actors. “Behind the shooting, the three of us have been able to spend time together. Just like after the movie, we went out and we really had good times,” he shared. At his age, he has surprisingly become a lady’s man, whether teens or grown-ups. humbled, he said, “Maybe they’re just idolizing my character onscreen but I’m just glad that I made a lot of people happy. I think it’s a blessing also.” Despite the frenzy of juggling schedules in his career, on which added to the hecticness is topbilling the seventh installment of Regal entertainment’s Mano Po movie, Yap sees to it that he always give quality time for his family.
“I think I’m very lucky to have a family that’s very supportive of what I do. So they know that most of the time I’m working. If I’m not working I usually have time for them, mostly on weekends. We go out, we have lunch, dinner, watch a movie together or coffee,” the actor said. Venturing businesses Upon his rise to fame, Yap added another side to his persona, which is being an entrepreneur. he partnered with friends to establish Wang Fu Restaurant, which specializes in Chinese cuisine. “It’s something that I started with my partners, we grew the business from one branch and then it’s now up to four. We’re trying to grow it more so we have another branch coming up,” Yap shared. Aside from being a restaurateur, he is also a division manager of a leading brand of Americanmade office furniture. “With the furniture business I’m very hands-on. I’m the one in-charge of day-to-day op-
erations. On the other hand, I’m more on the marketing side for Wang Fu. I help them with leasing, when we’re trying to get a new space or when we need to indulge in marketing promotions—that’s where I come in,” he said. On August 16, Yap kicked off the next chapter of Manulife Philippines’ “Start Your Story” campaign as one of its brand ambassadors. According to the actor and businessman, he learned the importance of having a plan and preparing for both good and bad times as it will allow him to protect the fruits of his hard work. “Life insurances helps a lot because if you have businesses you have to be insured also. You have to insure yourself also for your family. You need to have a financial adviser because you can’t just put your money in the bank. So if you’re not into business right now, you can choose that avenue also by putting your money somewhere else so that it can grow,” he shared. (ManilaTimes.net)
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