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Volume 28 - No. 10 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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VP Robredo decries drug war deaths: Filipinos feel ‘hopeless’ and ‘helpless’ stressed that the drug problem took office in July last year, more in the country should be treated than 8,000 people were reportedly as a “public health issue” and not killed in his drug war. the thousands of killings and something that “can be solved by “You cannot kill addicts and human rights abuses in the Phil- bullets alone.” declare the problem solved… We ippine government’s brutal war “the body count due to the drug- must all demand greater transparagainst illegal drugs had left filipi- related killings keeps growing,” ency in the government’s war on nos feel “hopeless” and “helpless,” robredo said. “We are now looking drugs because this is a major, pubVice President Leni robredo said in at some very grim statistics… our licly-funded campaign,” robredo a recorded message to the United people need nothing less than a remarked. Nations (UN). safe environment.” While Philippine government CIVIL. President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo (left), estranged leaders of the nation, attend In a video message uploaded since President rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly insisted that the the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Sunday, March 12. They were placed one on monday, march 13, robredo launched the campaign when he ManilaTimes.net photo by Thom Picaña PAGE A2 seat apart, with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana sandwiched between them. by Dana
SioSon AJPress
DATELINE
Cayetano likely to not replace Yasay as foreign affairs chief
USA
from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Filipinos advised to remain vigilant of imposter scams CoNsUmers in the United states lost a whopping $744 million to scams in 2016, according to the latest federal trade Commission (ftC) report. that number could go up this year, especially considering what’s happening in the news with the executive orders on immigration and proposed legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “fraud tends to follow the headlines. What’s in the headlines is something that is likely to be transformed into some kind of a fraud,” monica Vaca, acting associate director of the ftC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, told reporters during a recent press call. Vaca is urging consumers to stay updated with the news “for a clue on where we might see fraudsters hitting next.” from last year, out of the 1.3 million fraud reports the ftC received, debt collection topped the complaint list. It was followed by imposter scams and identity theft. 77 percent of the individuals who reported their fraud experiences said they were contacted by phone, while 8 perPAGE A2
Filipino immigrants urged to know their rights amid deportations and raids IN recent weeks, raids and deportations by Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICe) officials are reportedly increasing across the country following President Donald trump’s immigration executive orders. Because of this, organizations such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (Advancing Justice-LA) are advising immigrant communities to understand how to prepare for and respond in the event ICe agents show up to their homes, workplaces or any public spaces. At a press conference on thursday, march 9, Advancing Justice-LA President and executive Director stewart Kwoh urged communities to be aware that the trump administration’s crackdown will include many Asian and PAGE A3
by Dana
SioSon AJPress
seNAtor Alan Peter Cayetano is reportedly not going to replace Perfecto Yasay Jr. as the new Philippine Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) secretary. President rodrigo Duterte previously offered the DfA chief post to Cayetano, who was also Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said that recent revelations involving US Navy officers and officials who engaged in prostitution and his running mate in the national lavish parties hosted in Manila by a Malaysian businessman should prod President Duterte to make true his promise to kick US troops out of Philippine soil. Photo courtesy of Bayan Muna election last may. he appointed foreign Undersecretary for Policy enrique PAGE A2 Senator Alan Peter Cayetano
Orgies in Manila, lavish perks mark US Navy bribery scandal by Dana
SioSon AJPress
A NeW indictment unsealed in san Diego, California on tuesday, march 14, added nine high-ranking U.s. Navy officials, including retired Admiral Bruce Loveless, in connection with the so-called “fat Leonard” bribery scandal. the latest federal indictment charged Loveless, four retired Navy captains, a marine colonel and three others of taking bribes – in the forms of sex parties with prostitutes, extravagant dinners, and luxury travel – in exchange for
trading military secrets. “this is a fleecing and betrayal of the United states Navy in epic proportions, and it was allegedly carried out by the Navy’s highest-ranking officers,” Acting U.s. Attorney Alana robinson said in a statement. the indictment claims that the defendants helped former Glenn Defense marine Asia (GDmA) chief executive Leonard Glenn francis, also nicknamed as “fat Leonard,” to pull off a colossal fraud that cost the U.s. government tens of millions of dollars by
overcharging food, water, fuel and other supplies. the Navy officers were facing cases of bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud and obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators when confronted about their actions. “the alleged conduct amounts to a staggering degree of corruption by the most prominent leaders of the seventh fleet – the largest fleet in the U.s. Navy – actively worked together as a team to trade PAGE A2
‘Madam Secretary’ airs controversial episode despite PH embassy protest by AJPress DesPIte the protest by the Philippine embassy in Washington, CBs Corporation still aired the latest episode of American television series “madam secretary” on sunday, march 12. the Philippine embassy earlier called on CBs to take “necessary corrective actions,” following a “highly negative depiction” of a supposed Philippine president on the American tV series. PAGE A3
Beijing says Manila can’t claim Benham Rise as part of PH territory by aJPreSS
DesPIte recognizing a 2012 ruling of the United Nations (UN), the Chinese government on friday, march 10 said that manila cannot claim Benham rise as part of the Philippine territory. the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf in 2012 approved the submission of manila in 2009, acknowledging that Benham rise is within the continental shelf of the Philippines. Also referred to as Benham Plateau, the region is not part of China’s ninedash claim. No other nation has claimed it apart from the Philippines, which is
also the only country within the 200nautical mile exclusive economic zone (eeZ) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLos) of the plateau. Located along the Pacific ocean 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of Isabela, Benham rise is believed to be rich in mineral and gas deposits. While the UN ruling allows the Philippines “to carry out exploration and development of natural resources” within the Benham rise, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng shuang, however, stressed that “it does not mean In this photo released on Mar. 14, 2017, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chair of the House national defense committee, points to the area on the map around Benham Rise, an PAGE A2 undersea plateau which expanded the Philippines’ baseline in a 2012 United Nations award.
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VP Robredo decries drug war deaths... PAGE A1 deaths were not state-sanctioned, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) claimed that majority of the killings were conducted by police, amounting to “crimes against humanity.� Citing other human rights abuses in the drug war, Robredo remarked people were beaten up for requesting search warrants. “Some of those who have told us that when there’s crime, they normally go to the police. Now, they don’t know where to turn,� Robredo said. According to her, poor people were “rounded up in places like basketball courts, women separated from men, those with tattoos asked to stand in the corner, their belongings searched.� She also mentioned the supposed “exchange of head� scheme, in which she said “the wife, husband or relative in a so-called drug list will be taken if the person himself could not be found.� Robredo then called on Duterte
to “uphold basic human rightsâ€? instead of “encouraging its abuse.â€? “We ask him to focus on the war that really matters: the war against poverty instead of just the war against illegal drugs,â€? Robredo further said. “We ask him to direct the nation towards respect for rule of law instead of a blatant disregard for it‌ to be the leader he promised to be and evoke in our people hope and inspiration instead of fear.â€? Reacting to Robredo’s video message, MalacaĂąang said that she “gravely misunderstoodâ€? the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “exchange of headâ€? scheme. “[Exchange of head scheme] refers to a commitment of a drug suspect to provide assistance in the arrest of a ‘bigger fish’ in the illegal drug syndicate, whether an up-line/ superior/supplier of the arrested suspect, in exchange for lighter charges,â€? Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella clarified. In a statement, Abella took note that while the vice president has
the right to speak freely on matters of public concern, Robredo also “has the responsibility to be careful with her statements especially avoiding unfounded allegations from questionable sources.� Echoing Abella, Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo described Robredo’s online video message as “misleading and consists of bare assertions that are not based on evidence.� Recorded in February, the Robredo’s video was released to the press ahead of its scheduled screening on Thursday, March 16 for the upcoming 60th annual meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Austria. “Thus, her intention to present the same tomorrow (Thursday) during the annual meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs is not only misplaced, but also unfortunate,� Panelo added. He also pointed out that the government’s resources is now focused more on the rehabilitation of drug users and dependents.
Filipinos advised to remain vigilant of...
PAGE A1 cent were by email and 3 percent were by mail. Red flags The scammers would usually con their victims into sending money via wire transfer, as evidenced by 58 percent of the cases. On average, consumers lost $450. “If someone is telling you to wire money, it should be a big red flag,� Vaca said. In Los Angeles County, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) is also warning communities to be wary of individuals who pretend to be “immigration consultants,� who often defraud consumers by charging fees for illegal or misleading services. Some examples include that they claim to have inside connections with immigration agencies or encourage consumers to lie on their applications, according to the department. Rigoberto Reyes, chief of investigations at the DCBA, told the Asian Journal that if immigrants — whether a legal permanent resident or undocumented — are seeking advice from an individual, they should verify if he or she is actually a licensed attorney. If not an attorney, he or she must be registered and bonded with the California Secretary of State to offer any immigration-related services and must have visible signs in the office that show his or her name and bond number and a list of services and fees for each one. Failure to display these signs should be an indicator to customers not to do business with this individual. “Even if they are registered and bonded, that only means they can provide only non-legal advice type of services. They can complete forms, translate documents and submit the package to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), but they
may not tell the customer whether they qualify [for citizenship], how they will qualify and what to do to qualify — that only an attorney or Board of Immigration Appealscertified non-profit organization can do,� Reyes said. He added that the immigration consultant must give customers a written contract in English/their native language (i.e. Tagalog) and a receipt that states how much was paid, the date and the consultant’s signature. The consultant shouldn’t keep original copies of documents like a birth certificate or a marriage license because if his or her office closes down, it would be difficult to get those back. “Anytime someone guarantees you an outcome for your case, you know that they are either lying or they’re exaggerating,� he said. “It’s not just thousands of dollars you’re at risk of losing. The big problem is that if someone opens a petition for a benefit they don’t qualify for, it’s going to be denied and it’s going to end up most likely with a deportation order. Once you’re in that process, you can’t back out of that.� Reporting cases If individuals believe they may have been victims of a scam, the FTC and LA County DCBA are encouraging them to report to appropriate agencies as these testimonies will assist in building cases. Reyes said that these reports would help the department compile a thorough list of “bad actors� that are targeting various groups, like Filipinos. “We would welcome calls from the Filipino community and would like Filipinos to know we are available. The sooner they call, the better,� he said. These resources can provide an educational benefit for others so that they know what to watch out for, as well as what to do if they suspect they are being duped.
LEGAL NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING CITY OF HENDERSON 2017 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that registered voters may vote early in the City of Henderson Municipal Primary Election scheduled for April 4, 2017, on the following dates and times listed below:
EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS 2SHQ 0DUFK ZLWK YDULRXV KRXUV GALLERIA AT SUNSET Lower Level, Kohl’s Court : 6XQVHW 5RDG 0RQGD\ 6DWXUGD\ D P S P 6XQGD\ D P S P HENDERSON CITY HALL 2I¿FH RI WKH &LW\ &OHUN 6 :DWHU 6WUHHW VW )ORRU 0RQGD\ 7KXUVGD\ D P S P )ULGD\ 6XQGD\ &/26(' OPEN DAILY D P S P DW YDULRXV ORFDWLRQV Saturday, March 18 Albertsons, 190 N. Boulder Highway Sunday, March 19 9RQV ( +RUL]RQ 5LGJH 3DUNZD\ Monday, March 20 6XQ &LW\ 0DF'RQDOG 5DQFK : +RUL]RQ 5LGJH 3DUNZD\ Tuesday, March 21 Albertsons, 201 S. Stephanie Street Wednesday, March 22 6LOYHU 6SULQJV 5HFUHDWLRQ &HQWHU 6LOYHU 6SULQJV 3DUNZD\ Thursday, March 23 & Friday, March 24 Solera at Anthem Community Center, 2401 Somersworth Drive Saturday, March 25 9RQV ( :LQGPLOO 3DUNZD\ Sunday, March 26 $OEHUWVRQV &ROOHJH 'ULYH Monday, March 27 3DVHR 9HUGH /LEUDU\ 6 *UHHQ 9DOOH\ 3DUNZD\ Tuesday, March 28 *UHHQ 9DOOH\ /LEUDU\ 1 *UHHQ 9DOOH\ 3DUNZD\ Wednesday, March 29 & Thursday, March 30 6XQ &LW\ $QWKHP &HQWHU +DPSWRQ 5RDG Friday, March 31 +HULWDJH 3DUN 6HQLRU )DFLOLW\ 6 5DFHWUDFN 5RDG For additional information or questions, please visit www.VoteHendersonNV.com or FRQWDFW WKH 2I¿FH RI +HQGHUVRQ &LW\ &OHUN DW RU WKH &ODUN &RXQW\ (OHFWLRQ 'HSDUWPHQW DW 927( 'DWHG WKLV WK GD\ RI 0DUFK _______________________________________________ SABRINA MERCADANTE, MMC, CITY CLERK sabrina.mercadante@cityofhenderson.com
“Chances are that we may already have an investigation on a certain business and victims are extremely helpful to make sure they don’t defraud more people,� Reyes explained, adding that the department is currently investigating a business that had a lot of Filipino clients. Vaca also noted that penalties for these scammers can be severe, ranging from prison time to requirements to pay back the money lost. “When the Federal Trade Commission enforces the law, we always seek first an order to get money back for the people who have been victimized and we always seek an injunction, which means a court order requiring the person or the company to stop engaging in deceptive practices,� she said. The protection agency also seeks court orders that impose a ban on a particular type of conducting business. Despite the fear that is being perpetuated in various immigrant communities, Reyes said that undocumented immigrants especially should not be scared to reach out to the DCBA for assistance, whether where to look for a certified attorney or how to recoup their lost money. “Immigration status is something we certainly do not take into account. We will never share that information with any immigration agency,� he said. “We want them to be calm and really research and investigate their situations and get the right help before they make a decision that could make matters worse. Be prepared but don’t overreact.� The Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs can be reached at (800) 5938222. The Federal Trade Commission can receive complaints at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. (By Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)
GIANT PEARL. National Bureau of Investigation spokesman Ferdinand Lavin shows journalists huge pearls confiscated from a group during an entrapment operation. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
Cayetano likely to not replace Yasay... PAGE A1
Manalo as the acting foreign secretary after the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) rejected Yasay’s nomination for the post. When asked about the foreign secretary post, the president said on Monday, March 13 that the issue has yet to be discussed. “Nothing, we haven’t talked about it. But, you know, Senator Cayetano is a very brilliant man. He would be needed by the Senate. Don’t discount him,� Duterte told reporters in mixed Filipino. While a final decision about the role has yet to be made, Duterte noted that the DFA can be headed by an acting secretary in the meantime. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella echoed that, saying Manalo will continue to hold the position. Sought for comments, Cayetano remarked on Tuesday, March 15 that he is willing to wait for
Duterte’s final decision. “The preference of the president during the campaign was for me to join the Cabinet. Now the need changes, we have bills that we want to be passed in the Senate, so I’m helping out,� Cayetano said. Reiterating that the call is up to Duterte, the senator added: “So I told him, ‘Boss, don’t decide yet. Later on, sometime in April and May, whatever your needs will be at that time, I’ll follow you.’ I’m dedicated to helping ensure the success of the administration.� “It’s a few months away. Duterte’s often asked me, but I toss the question back to him. I tell him, ‘Don’t give me a choice. Be the one to tell me where I can help,’� Cayetano said. On March 8, the CA foreign affairs committee unanimously voted to reject Yasay’s ad interim appointment for “not telling the
truth� and for “not being forthright in the question and answer portion of the two hearings.� During the first confirmation hearing on February 22, Yasay denied that he became a U.S. citizen when asked by Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato about his citizenship. Under oath, Yasay also claimed that he “never held any American passport,� saying that the U.S. government had rendered him “not qualified to become a U.S. citizen� in January 1987. But at the second hearing, Yasay admitted that he became a U.S. citizen in 1986. He explained that he said his U.S. citizenship was null and void because the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act “provides that anyone who has preconceived intent to abandon his residency at the time of application is disqualified to that grant.�
Orgies in Manila, lavish perks mark...
PAGE A1 secrets for sex, serving the interests of a greedy foreign defense contractor, and not those of their own country,� Robinson added. The indictment mentioned two Philippine hotels as the settings for the wild sex parties, citing Manila Hotel’s MacArthur Suite and Shangri-La hotel. It said that Francis hosted and paid for a lavish party and the services of prostitutes in the MacArthur Suite of the Manila Hotel, during a port call to the Philippines by the USS Blue Ridge in 2007. The Navy officers also alleg-
edly even used historic MacArthur memorabilia in their sex acts. In 2008, it said Francis hosted a “raging multi-day party, with a rotating carousel of prostitutes in attendance, during which the conspirators drank all of the Dom Perignon available� at the ShangriLa hotel in 2008. Following the release of the indictment, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to kick-out the U.S. troops out of the country. “U.S. troops are bad news for the Philippines. They have no qualms
violating domestic laws. Duterte must act now and kick U.S. troops out of the Philippines,� Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes told Philstar. According to Reyes, the recent “debauchery and other foul acts� in the scandal should “raise alarm bells for the Philippine government.� Reyes said that the Philippines should also scrap its military agreements and war exercises with the United States, citing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).
Beijing says Manila can’t claim Benham... PAGE A1 that the Philippines can take it as its own territory.� Last week, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said it sent a note verbale to the Chinese Embassy, seeking clarification over the reported
presence of a Chinese ship near the Benham Rise. The note verbale comes after Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana raised alarm earlier this month over the survey ships that stay on the Benham Rise “as if doing nothing, but actually, they are surveying the seafloor, the seabed.� In response, China confirmed that Chinese vessels did sail across the region but only “for marine research� and “without conducting any other activities or operations� as part of exercising the principles of “freedom of navigation� and “right to innocent passage.� “The remarks by some individuals from the Philippines are not consistent with the facts,� Geng said. The Chinese official also took note that based on the UNCLOS, a country’s rights over the continental shelf “do not affect the legal status of the superjacent waters or of the airspace above those waters, nor do they affect foreign ships’ navigation freedom in the coastal state’s EEZ and on the high seas, or their innocent passage through the coastal state’s territorial sea as supported by international law.� Meanwhile, Philippine Presi-
dent Rodrigo Duterte, who has been exerting efforts to forge a closer relationship with China amid territorial conflicts, said he would rather talk than picking a fight with China over the Benham Rise issue. “Let’s not fight about ownership and sovereignty at this time,� he said. “Things are going great for my country. When it becomes commercial to me, whether you like it or not we have to talk about the arbitral ruling.� While expressing his belief that the reports about the presence of Chinese ships in Benham Rise were just “exaggerated,� Duterte remarked that the Philippines will maintain its ownership over the region. “My order to my military, you go there and tell them straight that this is ours, but I say it in friendship,� Duterte said. The chief executive said that he also believes China would not build structures in Benham Rise, unlike what the latter did in some parts of the conflicted maritime territories along the South China Sea. “They’ll not do it at this time. Gugulo yan (It will cause complications),� Duterte added.
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Dateline USa
‘Madam Secretary’ airs controversial... PAGE A1
Based on its trailer, the season 3, episode 15 of “Madam Secretary” showed fictional Philippine President Datu Andrada (played by Joel de la Fuente) clad in a barong and is seen to be making sexual advances toward the lead character, U.S. Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord (played by téa Leoni), during a private meeting to discuss an Asia-Pacific territory treaty. In response to the inappropriate move, McCord reflexively punches Andrada in the face and bloodies his nose. She then tells her husband (played by tim Daly), “I clobbered a world leader instead of saving a major regional agreement.” Entitled “Break in Diplomacy,” the prompted backlash from Filipino officials and supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte. In a later scene in the episode, Andrada is seen wearing a plaid polo shirt, drawing a strong connection to the piece of clothing commonly worn by Duterte. While CBS has yet to issue any statements as of this writing, Leoni wrote on her twitter account:
Actress Téa Leoni says she was thinking of another person, not President Duterte, when she punched the character of a Philippine leader in an episode of the TV series.
“Funny, I had someone else in mind… #relaxduerte (sic).” In her post, Leoni was quoting another tweet that links to a Mashable news article entitled, “People are furious that ‘Madam Secretary’ will feature a lecherous Filipino president.” Earlier on March 6, the Philippine Embassy said that the “highly negative portrayal” of the Filipino president not only casts doubt on the respectability of the Office of the Philippine President but also “denigrates the way our nation navigates foreign affairs.” though the show is a work of
fiction, the embassy said it “tracks and mirrors current events.” “It is, therefore, inevitable that its depiction of world leaders will have an impact on how its audience views the real personages and the countries they represent,” the statement added. Asked if Duterte found the trailer insulting, Philippine Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said: “Well, they engage in something that they would like to — It’s their business. It’s their craft. You cannot deny them their craft. their taste, perhaps.”
at higher risk of deportation now than any other previous administration. however, LA has been challenging the administration’s orders through various ways. In December of last year, the $10 million LA Justice Fund was introduced to provide assistance to immigrants facing deportation proceedings without a lawyer. the LA Police Department (LAPD) has also vowed that it would continue upholding Special Order #40, which means that officers will not initiate investigations solely to determine a person’s immigration status. Home, workplace raids the raids that have happened in the past month were primarily targeted toward undocumented immigrants with outstanding deportation orders. however, in the process of searching for these individuals, other undocumented immigrants would be questioned, detained or arrested as well. “the issue is that often people did not know their rights and would let ICE into their homes, which would result in what are known as ‘collateral arrests,’ where ICE would question, arrest and detain the individuals who were not the ones they were
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Group holds health and immigration fair in Vegas by AJPress
Filipino immigrants urged to know... PAGE A1 Pacific Islanders (APIs) undocumented immigrants, including Filipinos. “A visa overstay is just as undocumented as crossing the border without papers — as long as an individual does not have current legal status, they are at serious risk of deportation, regardless of criminal history,” Kwoh said. “And of course, anyone with a criminal history is a main target of the new administration.” Advancing Justice-LA is also advising immigrants — whether undocumented, green card holders, or refugees with criminal records — to be equipped with “know your rights” resources in the event they have an encounter with ICE. there are Constitutional rights in place to safeguard them, regardless of their statuses. “Our community needs to know its rights so it can be protected as much as possible,” Kwoh added. In Los Angeles County, where over 35 percent of the population is comprised of immigrants, there are an estimated 130,000 undocumented APIs. Nationally, that number is around 1.5 million. Los Angeles City Councilmember David Ryu noted that API undocumented immigrants are
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 16-22, 2017
WIth issues like immigration and health care dominating headlines, the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) in Las Vegas hosted a fair on Saturday, March 11 to let the local Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community know what resources are available. the nearly whole day event touched upon topics such as free health services, rights that immigrants have, and how AAPIs can be civically engaged. As AAPIs continue to be a fast-growing demographic, their voices need to be even louder and heard on a political level, the ACDC said. Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen of Nevada’s 3rd District was present at the fair to meet with participants as well as to answer any questions on the legislation and orders brought forth by Congress and the trump administration. Estimates show that 40,000 Asian Americans in Nevada currently do not have health insurance. On Monday, March 6, Republican lawmakers introduced the “American health Care Act”
(AhCA), which is poised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that was passed under former President Barack Obama’s term. Some of the highlights of this bill include repealing ACA mandates, utilizing refundable tax credits based on age, expanding contributions to health savings accounts, and maintains the ACA’s higher federal financing for expanded Medicaid through the end of 2019. It would also keep some ACA provisions in place like the prohibition on refusing to provide coverage based on preexisting conditions, the ban on annual and lifetime coverage caps, and young adults staying on parental coverage until they turn 26. “We’re all looking for answers. the one thing Republicans haven’t provided us with is that they put this bill together in the middle of the night. they tried to push it through without review and any numbers from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to say what the expense is going to be,” Rosen said, adding “frankly we’re not going to trust them from what we’ve seen already.” the CBO on Monday, March 13
released its analysis of the AhCA, finding that 24 million more people would be without insurance in the next decade. It also found that 14 million fewer Americans would enroll in Medicaid by 2026 and that there would be a 15 to 20 percent in 2018 premiums. Given this, Rosen said that the AhCA should not push through and shared that her constituents, hospitals and insurance companies have called for a “repair” of the ACA instead of a repeal. “Across the board, every call in my office has been for saving the Affordable Care Act and fixing or improving some of the things that are not working as well as they could be,” she said. the only way for the proposed legislation to not go through is for people to call and send messages to their representatives, especially the Republicans who are supporting it. “People have the power — you have the voice, you have the phone calls. the entire Congress has to get elected every two years…Every phone call you make to a Republican who wants to shove this horrible trumpcare down our throats…makes an impact,” Rosen said.
looking for,” Martha Ruch, an immigration attorney at Advancing Justice-LA, said. Attorneys note that immigrants need to ask the ICE officials to identify themselves and for a search warrant if they show up to homes. If they do not have the said warrant with the individual’s name and address and a signature of a judge, they are not authorized to enter. “It is better for the individual they are looking [to go outside], then to open the door and expose everyone in the home to questioning,” Ruch said, adding that individuals have the right to remain silent and are not bound to sign any documents unless a lawyer is present. they should avoid carrying documents that contain information about their immigration statuses or countries of origin and should memorize important phone numbers and store all important documents that can be easily retrieved if they are detained. “If you are stopped and are asked for those papers, let us know because we are going to challenge that,” Kwoh said. “this is not a society where those are required documents in the vast Rep. Jacky Rosen of Nevada’s 3rd district meets with members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community at the Asian PAGE A4 Community Development Council (ACDC) on Saturday, March 11. AJpress photos by Robert Macabagdsl
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USCIS will accept H-1B petitions for fiscal year 2018 beginning April 3 and notify the public when the H-1B cap has been met. USCIS recently announced a temporary suspension of premium processing for all H-1B petitions starting April 3 for up to six months. While H-1B premium processing is suspended, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for a Form I129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker which requests the H1B nonimmigrant classification. While premium processing is suspended any Form I-907 filed with an H-1B petition will be rejected. If the petitioner submits one combined check for both the Form I-907 and Form I-129 H-1B fees, both formswill be rejected. H-1B petitioners must follow all statutory and regulatory requirements as they prepare petitions to avoid delays in processing and possible requests for evidence. The filing fee for Form I-129 has increased to $460, and petitioners
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2018 cap on April 3, 2017. All cap-subject H-1B petitions filed before April 3, 2017, for the FY 2018 cap will be rejected. The H-1B program allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or higher in the specific specialty, or its equivalent. H-1B specialty occupations may include fields such as “I heard the traffic has gotten 10 times worse? Is that even possible?� Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra shares a light moment with science, engineering andinformation technology. Filipino writers in a video conference call Tuesday night, March 14. Congress set a cap of 65,000 H-1B visas per fiscal year. An advanced degree exemption from the H-1B cap is available for 20,000 beneficiaries who have earned a U.S. master’s degree or higher. The agency will monitor the number of petitions received the Philippines seven, eight years Laguna. by Denison Rey A. DAlupAng Spoelstra’s Heat--which had ago ... the offices over there were Philstar.com smaller. The vision hadn’t been been scorching the league with THE love between the NBA and put together yet,� he recalled. “But wins recently--will partake in the Filipinos has grown so much, and now, I love looking at the list every NBA’s celebration of the Filipino Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra summer to see which players are Heritage Week. The Miami-based PAGE A3 can attest to that. going over there, what camps are club has won 21 of its last 26 as- majority of daily life.� Speaking to Filipino writers via going on.� signments. Moreover, undocumented ima Cisco teleconference on Tues“To be honored in a night in the migrants are advised to prepare “You think about how much day night, the Filipino-American ground and things have changed NBA?� he raised. “At first I thought in case ICE comes to their worklooked back at the humble begin- in the NBA. But to be able to be it was just going to be with (the places by creating “safety plans� nings of the basketball league in recognized at a night like this is Heat). And then I found out Golden with their families and co-workthe country. pretty special,� added the cham- State (Warriors) were involved, I ers. “I think about our first trip in pion coach, who traces his roots to found out it’s going to be honored “It is important to come to an around the [league].� agreement with your co-work“I have goosebumps thinking ers as to what the collective acabout it,� Spoelstra noted. tion would be and in particular, Spoelstra is the first NBA coach it would be ideal if you and your with Filipino descent to champi- co-workers agree to remain silent onship. With the help of LeBron and assert your right to consult James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane your attorney before doing anyWade, he went on to win back-to- thing else in such a situation,� back titles in 2012 and 2013. Advancing Justice-LA immigraBut despite his historic feat, like tion attorney Christopher Lapa true Filipino, Spoelstra said he inig said, adding that immigrants loves engaging with his roots. should ask if they are free to go “My heritage is really important and must remain calm and not BOULDER CITY 2017 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION to me and my family,� he said. “I’m run away. EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE proud being a Filipino. To be able He also advised that if people March 22 (Wednesday) through March 25 (Saturday) to be recognized around the NBA, witness a raid, to take down the it’s a special thing.� name, agency, or other identifyVOTING IS EASY! Boulder City voters may vote early at City Hall The NBA Filipino Heritage ing information of any law enWeek will highlight games of the forcement officer present. CITY OF BOULDER CITY Heat and the Warriors--whose fan Raids can be reported to the CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS base comprise Filipinos both here Los Angeles Raids Rapid Re401 California Avenue, Boulder City, Nevada and abroad--from March 16-19. sponse Network hotline at (888) NBA champion Glen Rice, who 624-4752 (English). For the Filihad stints with Miami and the Los pino community, Advancing JusWednesday & Thursday March 22 & 23, 2017 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Angeles Lakers, will be gracing the tice-LA has toll-free helplines at Friday & Saturday March 24 & 25, 2017 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. events that will include an NBA (855) 300-2552 for Tagalog or Cares stop and a viewing party (888) 349-9695 for English. over the weekend. Rumors of Filipino raids dis-
Heat’s Spoelstra treasures roots with NBA Filipino Heritage Week
no longer have 14 days to correct a dishonored payment. If any fee payments are not honored by the bank or financial institution, USCIS will reject the entire H-1B petition without the option for the petitioner to correct it. Form M-735, Optional Checklist for Form I-129 H-1B Filings (PDF, 278 KB), provides detailed information on how to complete and submit an FY 2018 H-1B petition. For more information on the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program and current Form I-129 processing times, visit the H-1B FY 2018 Cap Season Web page or call the National Customer Service Center at 800-375-5283 or 800-767-1833 (TDD for the hearing impaired). To subscribe to the H-1B Cap Season email updates go to the H1B FY 2018 Cap Season Web page. For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Facebook(/uscis).
Filipino immigrants urged to know... pelled Lapinig told the Asian Journal earlier this week that his organization has not heard of any Filipino deportation and raid cases so far. There had been rumors circulating that ICE had visited Filipino supermarkets but they were debunked, he said. As previously reported by the Asian Journal in February, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles said it would not expose the statuses of undocumented immigrants if they ask for assistance. “Some of our fellow nationals feel that the Consulate actually turns in undocumented immigrants; we would like to dispel those rumors,� Consul General Adelio Cruz affirmed. “We are here to help everyone who comes by our office. We do not ask people if they are documented or undocumented; we are here to provide any assistance we can.� The fate of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — a signature program by former President Barack Obama has spared over 750,000 undocumented youth from deportation — remains unknown under Trump. For now, organizations like Advancing Justice-LA are will continue processing renewal
applications. However, they will not file new applications due to the uncertainty of the program and they are unsure how United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will handle the information. Immigrants with any kind of criminal records are advised to seek legal assistance before applying for any immigration programs. Advancing Justice-LA holds free citizenship clinics every Friday and the fourth Saturday of the month. It is also urging all green card holders who may qualify for U.S. citizenship to consider applying as soon as possible. Despite the rampant ICE activities, speakers at Thursday’s event said immigrant communities should not live in fear. “This is your country, this is my country. So, we are all afforded the same rights being in this country as anybody else, regardless of immigration status. Therefore, while yes, don’t break the law‌we don’t want anyone to be fearful, carrying around their green card or scared to drive in fear of getting a speeding ticket that they feel will lead to deportation,â€? Ryu said, adding “do not let [this] hinder your lives.â€? (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress)
LUNGSOD NG LAS VEGAS ABISO PARA SA MAAGANG PAGBOBOTO 2017-PANGUNAHI’NG HALALAN PANG-MUNISIPAL
Karagdagang impormasyon sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng North Las Vegas www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/departments/city_clerk/elections.php
Ang abiso’ng ito ay nag-bibigay kaalaman na ang maagang pagboto para sa Pangunahi’ng Halalan Pang-munisipal sa Lungsod ng Las Vegas ay gaganapin sa Ika-4 ng Abril 2017.
PAMANTAYAN NANG PANINIRAHAN Ang lahat ng mga rehistrado’ng botante sa Lungsod ng Las Vegas ay maaari’ng bumoto sa halala’ng ito. Hindi ka maaaring bumoto sa munisipal na halalan kung ikaw ay isang rehistrado’ng botante sa lugar na hindi sakop ng korporasyon sa Lalawigan ng Clark.
PAGBOTO SA PAMAMAGITAN NG KOREO Sino ma’ng karapat-dapat na botante sa halala’ng ito ay maaari’ng piliin ang bumoto sa pamamagitan ng koreo. Ang mga nakasulat na kahilingan ay dapat matanggap sa ika-5 ng hapon sa Marso 28, 2017. Maaari’ng hilingin ang balota sa koreo mula sa Kagawaran ng Halalan ng Lalawigan ng Clark sa 702-455-8683 o online sa www.clarkcountynv.gov/election. Kung nakatanggap ka ng balota sa pamamagitan ng koreo, maaari mo’ng isauli ang iyong balota saan ma’ng lugar nang Maagang Botohan o maaari ka’ng bumoto nang personal.
NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING FOR THE 2017 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that early voting for the April 4, 2017 City of North Las Vegas, Nevada Primary will begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 18, 2017 and will close on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 5:00 PM as noted in time tables below and at the following locations. Any registered voter residing in the City of North Las Vegas wanting to vote early must do so at an Early Voting Site located within the City’s boundaries.
CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS EARLY VOTING SITES OPEN THROUGHOUT THE 2-WEEK PERIOD Date
Time
Saturday and Sunday, March 18th and 19th
CLOSED
Monday through Thursday, March 20th – 23rd
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, March 24th – 26th
CLOSED
Monday through Thursday, March 27th – 30th
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday, March 31st
CLOSED
Saturday, March 18th
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 19th
CLOSED
Monday through 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday, March 20th – March 23rd Friday and Saturday, March 24th – March 25th
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, March 26th
CLOSED
Monday through 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday, March 27th – March 30th Friday, March 31st
Location
North Las Vegas City Hall 2250 Las Vegas Blvd North
Aliante Library 2400 W. Deer Springs Way (@ North Aliante Parkway)
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Date
Time
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM March 18th – March 19th Monday, March 20th Tuesday, March 21st
Location Deer Springs Town Center (Trailer in Parking Lot) N. 5th St./Deer Springs Way
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun City Aliante 7390 Aliante Pkwy
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Neighborhood Recreation Center 1638 N Bruce St
Wednesday, March 22nd 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Silver Mesa Recreation Ctr. 4025 Allen Ln
Thursday and Friday, March 23rd – March 24th 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Lowe’s (Trailer in Parking Lot) Craig/Losee
Saturday and Sunday, March 25th – March 26th 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Albertsons Ann/Simmons 3010 W Ann Rd
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
College of Southern Nevada (CSN) NLV 3200 E Cheyenne Ave
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 28th – March 29th 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
SkyView Recreation Ctr. YMCA 3050 E Centennial Pkwy
Monday, March 27th
Thursday, March 30th
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Alexander Library 1755 W Alexander Rd
Friday, March 31st
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Alexander Library 1755 W Alexander Rd
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&DWKHULQH $ 5D\QRU 00& City Clerk City of North Las Vegas 3XEOLVK /9 $VLDQ -RXUQDO 0DUFK DQG
LUNGSOD NG LAS VEGAS 2017 PANGUNAHI’NG HALALAN MAAGA’NG PAGBOTO MGA KAPITBAHAYA’NG LUGAR PARA SA LAHAT NG MGA BOTANTE SA DISTRITO
Las Vegas City Hall, 495 South Main Street
Ika-20 ng Marso – Ika-30 ng Marso Lunes – Biyernes 7:30 n.u. - 5:30 n.h. Biyernes – Linggo SARADO
Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane
Ika-18 ng Marso – Ika-31 ng Marso Araw-araw simula sa 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS NEIGHBORHOOD EARLY VOTING SITES
VOTING BY MAIL: Any registered voter residing in the City of North Las Vegas may choose to vote by mail. A written request for a mail EDOORW PXVW EH UHFHLYHG E\ S P RQ 0DUFK LQ WKH RIÂżFH RI WKH &ODUN &RXQW\ 5HJLVWUDU RI 9RWHUV DW WKH following address to vote by mail for this Primary Election: Clark County Election Center 965 Trade Drive, Suite A North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Dated: March 9, 16, and 23, 2017
MADALI ANG BUMOTO! Ang mga botante sa Las Vegas ay maaari’ng bumoto sa isa sa kahit saa’ng maginhawa’ng lugar nang maaga’ng botohan na nakalista sa ibaba o sa Araw ng Halalan sa isa sa mga bago’ng Sentro nang Botohan, na pumalit sa mga kinaugalia’ng lugar nang botohan para sa Munisipal na Halalan.
Ang mga Lugar ay bukas lamang sa mga nakatakdang araw at oras na nakalista sa ibaba PETSA / LUGAR Ika-18 ng MARSO, SABADO Albertsons Mountain Shadows Community Center Ika-19 ng MARSO, LINGGO Albertsons Mountain Shadows Community Center Ika-20 ng MARSO, LUNES Albertsons Cardenas Ika-21 ng MARSO, MARTES Albertsons Veterans Memorial Ika-22 ng MARSO, MIYERKULES Albertsons Veterans Memorial Ika-23 ng MARSO,HUWEBES Mountain Crest Community Center Veterans Memorial Ika-24 ng MARSO, BIYERNES Mountain Crest Community Center Rainbow Library Ika-25 ng MARSO, SABADO Sahara West Library Skye Center at Skye Canyon Ika-26 ng MARSO, LINGGO Sahara West Library Skye Center at Skye Canyon Ika-27 ng MARSO, LUNES Doolittle Community Center Albertsons Ika-28 ng MARSO, MARTES Doolittle Community Center Albertsons Ika-29 ng MARSO, MIYERKULES Westminster Church Centennial Center Treyler Ika-30 ng MARSO, HUWEBES East Las Vegas Community Center Centennial Center Treyler Ika-31 ng MARSO, BIYERNES East Las Vegas Community Center Centennial Center Treyler
KINAROROONAN PINAGSALIKUPAN NA DAAN
ORAS
Craig/Decatur 9107 Del Web Boulevard
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
Craig/Decatur 9107 Del Web Boulevard
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
Craig/Decatur Bonanza/Lamb
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
Farm/Durango 101 South Pavilion
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
Farm / Durango 101 South Pavilion
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
4701 North Durango Drive 101 South Pavilion
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
4701 North Durango Drive Cheyenne/Buffalo
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
9600 W. Sahara Avenue 10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Drive
10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
9600 W. Sahara Avenue 10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Drive
10:00 n.u. to 6:00 n.g. 10:00 n.u. to 6:00 n.g.
1950 North J Street Buffalo/Vegas
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
1950 North J Street Buffalo/Vegas
9:00 n.u. - 5:00 n.h. 10:00 n.u. - 6:00 n.g.
4601 West Lake Mead Boulevard West Tropical Parkway/Centennial Center Boulevard – Near Home Depot
9:00 n.u. to 5:00 n.h.
250 North Eastern Avenue West Tropical Parkway/Centennial Center Boulevard – Near Home Depot
9:00 n.u. to 5:00 n.h.
250 North Eastern Avenue West Tropical Parkway/Centennial Center Boulevard – Near Home Depot
9:00 n.u. to 5:00 n.h.
10:00 n.u. to 6:00 n.g.
10:00 n.u. to 6:00 n.g.
10:00 n.u. to 6:00 n.g.
Para sa karagdaga’ng kaalaman bisitahin ang lungsod on line sa www.lasvegasnevada.gov/elections o Tumawag sa Tanggapan ng Kawani ng Lungsod sa 702-229-6311
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 16-22, 2017
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
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march 16-22, 2017 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
OpiniOn
Trespassing
Features
BILATERAL ties between the Philippines and China have begun to warm up as soon as President Rodrigo Duterte stepped into office. Following his early anti-American outbursts, Duterte vowed to carry out an independent foreign policy, one that seeks to distance Manila from Washington, but makes overtures toward Beijing. True enough, Chinese investors are lining up to explore business opportunities in the Philippines, with new projects worth at least $10 billion expected to be infused in the country’s aviation, oil downstream, renewable energy, iron and steel, and shipbuilding/ship repair industries. While the bilateral relations are blossoming, a cloud on the horizon appears as a reported incursion of Chinese vessels in the Benham Rise, a 13-million hectare mineral-rich undersea region east of Luzon. Beijing maintained that it was only “exercising navigation freedoms and the right to innocent passage.” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang also said that the Philippines cannot declare Benham Rise as part of its territory despite a 2012-ruling declaring that the resources-rich waters as part of the Philippine territory. Duterte then revealed that he knew that China would be sending survey ships to Benham Rise. The president remains confident that China will not build facilities on Benham Rise the same way that they did with the features in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
The recent incursion is a reminder that another international court exists, where the ruling favors the Philippines’ maritime case against China over its expansive claim in the disputed water of the South China Sea. The Philippines has pleaded its case to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), an intergovernmental organization created through the directive of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea and established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), signed at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Dec. 10, 1982. The two countries have competing claims to some parts of the South China Sea. China claims the largest swathe of the strategic water, which is believed to have significant oil and gas deposits. It has continuously rejected other nations’ claim (including Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei) on the South China Sea. It has also been busy militarizing the strategic waters in the last few years through the creation of new outposts by piling sand atop reefs and atolls, and then adding buildings, ports and airstrips big enough to handle bombers and fighter jets. Despite continuous calls from the international community to halt the construction, China remained adamant over its assertion to the South West Philippine (South China) Sea. It maintained that its mili-
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
tary activities are consistent with its position that the construction of artificial islands was designed to provide public service to the region by helping ships and fishermen and disaster relief efforts. Admitting that the Philippines is militarily outmatched by China, Duterte is bent on discussing
and resolving the issues in the South China Sea through dialogue. Let’s hope that this renewed partnership with China will facilitate regional integration and create dynamic and stable domestic economies—benefitting the needs of both their people. (AJPress)
Congressional Budget Office: Millions of Americans will lose insurance under Trumpcare REPUBLICANS, including then candidate Donald Trump, ran on the campaign promise of repealing President Barack Obama’s signature legislative legacy — the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Republican party, a.k.a. the Grand Old Party (GOP), had been fixated on demonizing the ACA, also known as “Obamacare,” since Obama started pushing for its passing to provide health care to the most number of uninsured Americans. When Trump won, he started repealing most of Obama’s legacy through executive orders, yet Obamacare remained untouched by Republicans, save for their barrage of criticisms of how much of a disaster it had been in the past eight years. Why? Republicans had no concrete bill to replace Obamacare with after eight long years. Members of Congress had the biggest surprise of their lives when the polls showed Obamacare had been at an all-time high in approval ratings among Americans, despite the fact that many of its provisions need modifications to address the rising cost of premiums in several states. Many congressmen faced angry constituents who had benefitted from Obamacare, who hammered them with the questions — “Where is your plan?” and “How do you guarantee we will continue to be covered if you repeal Obamacare?” Finally, on Monday, March 6, the Republican
Trumpcare, however, came Party introduced their health care from the nonpartisan Congresbill — led by House Speaker Paul The Fil-Am sional Budget Office (CBO) Ryan — which was embraced and along with the Joint Committee endorsed by Pres. Trump. They call Perspective on Taxation. it “American Health Care Act.” While the bill would reduce The measure would throw away the federal deficit by $337 bilthe requirement for individuals lion over 10 years, millions of and employers to get insurance Americans will be left without coverage or face penalties as was Gel SantoS-ReloS health care coverage. mandated by Obamacare. As the New York Times reported: What the GOP bill proposes is to give individu“The budget office estimated that 52 million als refundable tax credits to purchase health insurance. It also aims to maintain coverage for people people would be uninsured in 2026 under the with pre-existing conditions and allow children to House Republican bill, compared with 28 million projected under current law. stay on their parents’ plans until the age of 26. “The report foresees huge changes in MedicTrumpcare (or is it Ryancare?) would keep Obamacare’s protections of those with pre-exist- aid. By 2026, it said, federal Medicaid spending ing conditions but allows insurers to charge higher would be 25 percent lower under the House bill than is projected under current law, and the numpremiums to those who let their coverage lapse. The Republican health care bill would restruc- ber of Medicaid beneficiaries would be 17 perture the country’s Medicaid program so that states cent lower, with 14 million fewer people covered receive a set amount of money from the federal by Medicaid.” CNN reported that “health insurance premiums government every year. This bill was rejected not only by Democrats, by are expected to jump up to 20 percent in the inthe more conservative members of Congress as dividual market in 2018 and 2019, but after that, well. They call it “Obamacare lite”, saying it would they would decrease. By 2026, average premiums would be roughly 10 percent lower than under the be “dead on arrival” in the Senate. The most damning report and case against current system.”
“The increase in premiums would be much steeper for some Americans in the individual market,” the CNN report added, “particularly older people with lower incomes. By the numbers, CNN stated that: “A 64-year-old making $26,500 would pay $1,700 for coverage in 2026 under Obamacare, thanks to its subsidies. But under the Ryan plan, that person would get hit with an annual premium bill of $14,600. “However, those who earn too much to receive Obamacare subsidies would be better off under the GOP plan no matter their age. For 2017, the thresholds to qualify are $47,500 for individuals and $97,200 for families of four. “So a 21-year-old earning $68,200 in 2026 would pay $1,450 under the House bill, but $5,100 under Obamacare. A 64-year-old would face an annual premium of $14,600, compared to $15,300 under Obamacare.” Do you support this plan? Will this repeal and replace Obamacare? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column 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
Duterte’s pet peeve: Injustice IF there is one thing President Duterte is Spybits passionate about, aside from the war against illegal drugs, it’s his determination to see that justice is served. In his first State of the Nation Address, the President BaBe Romualdez expressed dismay at people’s complaint that “justice had become illusory, that equity and fairness and speedy disposition of cases had deteriorated into hollow concepts fit only for masteral dissertations.” Having been a former prosecutor, President Duterte knows just how slow cases can go, and now that he is President and “better positioned,” he is more determined than ever to “wage war against those who make a mockery of our laws including those who make life for all of us miserable.” The story of George Jones is one such example of how a large multinational pharmaceutical company has made a mockery of justice and made life miserable for the grandson of P.H.B. Jones, a British vice consul who was assigned to Iloilo in 1911, fell in love with and married a local girl and eventually settled in the country. After graduating from the University of the Philippines in 1971, George Jones joined a multinational company as a medical representative, working hard to meet quota after quota imposed by the pharma firm, getting himself promoted to district sales manager in two years. Jones received many awards and accolades for his exemplary performance – but these also took a toll on his health.
In 1989, he applied for medical leave due to a heart condition caused by job-related stress, but instead of granting the medical leave, the company had him terminated. Jones then filed a complaint for illegal dismissal, with the Supreme Court ruling in 1995 that Jones had been illegally dismissed, and ordered the multinational company to reinstate the dismissed employee to his former position without loss of seniority and other rights and benefits. But since the pharma had a phalanx of expensive lawyers (including a former labor secretary), Jones was not reinstated. Apparently, the company lawyers were able to convince the labor arbiter to “overrule” the Supreme Court with an order that the reinstatement could not be implemented because of “strained relations” – in effect nullifying a final and executory decision of the Supreme Court. Jones filed another appeal in 1995, which was not resolved until 2014 or after 19 years, with the SC issuing another order of reinstatement that was served by the sheriff twice – which the company willfully refused to follow. Adding insult to injury was the claim that it had already reinstated Jones – misleading the Supreme Court with this preposterous claim as the company could not even say how much would be Jones’ salary, where his area of assignment will be and other terms of employment in accordance with his seniority rights and benefits.
Despite the long and tedious legal battle, Jones has not given up and filed another motion for an order of reinstatement with the labor arbiter in Bacolod City where he was last stationed. This motion is pending resolution. Meantime, the multinational earned over P150 billion from its operations in the country in the last 10 years alone – giving it the financial muscle to hire the most expensive lawyers to circumvent the SC’s order of reinstatement and thumb its nose down on our courts and laws that are supposed to protect those who have less in life. We were informed the plight of Jones has reached Malacañang. Once the President learns how this man has suffered for 28 years – going through two heart attacks while the multinational company continues to make a mockery of our laws by refusing to follow the reinstatement order – we won’t be surprised if the President decides to blacklist the company or even order its closure. Knowing the President, he will not allow economic concerns to be put above justice. NLEX can support government infra projects The government’s massive infrastructure program in the next five years can go a long way in moving the country forward and improving the lives of Filipinos as it can spur investments and generate employment, not to mention lower the price of commodities through the construction of roads, bridges and railways that can ease traffic congestion in the country. For instance, the new North Luzon Expressway projects of the Manila
North Tollways Corp., which include 64 new lane-kilometers in Bulacan and Pampanga will help improve travel convenience and promote growth of local businesses in Central Luzon. When finished, the expressway road capacity from Sta. Rita, Bulacan to San Fernando, Pampanga will be expanded from the existing 2x2 lanes to 3x3 lanes in each direction – giving motorists a faster, more seamless travel. The new projects also include the construction of new expressway lanes on both sides of the Candaba Viaduct – expanding the road capacity for the first time since its construction in the ‘70s. MNTC’s four-kilometer expressway in the Mabalacat City portion of NLEX (including two new bridges) will segregate northbound and southbound motorists along separate carriageways
and promote road safety. The tollways firm said the opening of the new expressway lanes would provide easier access to the Clark International Airport and the Clark Green City, the 9,450- hectare development project located within the Clark Special Economic Zone in Tarlac. The new expressway lanes will be opened to the motoring public once government approvals through the Toll Regulatory Board are granted. According to MNTC president Rod Franco, the new expressway projects support the government’s mission to boost socio-economic growth with infrastructures that facilitate more efficient and faster transport of good and services within Central Luzon. *** Email: spybits08@gmail.com
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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D ateline PhiliPPines De Lima refuses to enter plea in QC court Senate votes to ratify Paris climate pact by Jing Villamente ManilaTmes.net
JAILED Sen. Leila de Lima on Monday, March 13 refused to enter a plea before a Quezon City court when she was arraigned in a case accusing her of ignoring an inquiry of the House of Representatives on the supposed drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison, and dissuading her former lover and bodyguard from testifying before it. Judge Ludmila de Pio Lim of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 34 entered a “not guilty� plea for de Lima, who was brought back to the Camp Crame custodial center after the hearing. One of de Lima’s counsels, Philip Sawali, said de Lima did not enter any plea as she does not recognize the jurisdiction of the Quezon City court. The de Lima camp argued that she should have been investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman, not the Justice department, and charged before the Sandiganbayan that tries cases against government officials. The Supreme Court will hold oral arguments today on de Lima’s plea to junk all cases against her, including drug trafficking charges filed by the Justice department before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court. House leaders had accused de Lima of advising her former bodyguard and ex-lover Ronnie Dayan to evade last year’s House inquiry, which prosecutors said was a violation of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code. Sawali said the senator was confident of her legal defense even if this was the price for going against President Rodrigo Duterte. De Lima has been criticizing the President for supposed human rights violations and killings in his war on illegal drugs. Hours before the 2 p.m. hearing, hundreds of de Lima supporters held a rally in front of the Quezon City Hall of Justice. Some 50 protesters, clad in blue shirts and waving posters with the words “Free de Lima,� stormed the hall. One of the female protesters claimed de Lima was a victim of fake charges and fake evidence,
while her companions accused Duterte of political harassment. They claimed the Duterte administration had an axe to grind against de Lima for her investigation into killings involving the “Davao Death Squadâ€? when she was chairman of the Commission on Human Rights and when the president was still Davao City mayor. Members of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption that had filed charges against de Lima were outside the courtroom during the hearing. De Lima, who was escorted by members of the Quezon City Police District, did not entertain questions, and just smiled and waved to the crowd when she boarded her vehicle. The next hearing was set on April 26 at 2 p.m., with Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez expected to take the witness stand. H o u s e c o u n s e l R i g o ro s o Galindez said six witnesses would take the stand, including Alvarez, House Majority Leader Rep. Rodolfo FariĂąas and House justice panel chief Rep. Reynaldo Umali. Amendment in favor of de Lima? Ahead of today’s oral arguments at the Supreme Court, a magistrate sought an amendment into one of the “substantive issuesâ€? to be tackled – whether the Regional Trial Court or the Sandiganbayan has the jurisdiction over the violation of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Law. The Manila Times obtained a copy of an internal memorandum by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen to Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. who is tasked to study and make a draft decision on de Lima’s plea. In the memo, Leonen said the case should not be confined to violation of RA 9165. “So as not to confine the case to a particular crime, may I suggest that in the first substantive issue, violation of RA 9165 be amended to read ‘offense,’â€? the memo stated. De Lima alleges, the memo noted, that the acts charged corresponded to direct bribery. Leonen is an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino 3rd. De Lima, a former Justice secretary, was an ex-officio
by Patricia lourdes Philstar.com
Sen. Leila de Lima on Monday, March 13 refused to enter a plea
member of the Judicial and Bar Council that shortlisted the name of Leonen for appointment to the court. Newly appointed justices Samuel Martires and Noel Tijam will attend today’s hearing. On February 28, the high court let de Lima remain in detention and did not issue a stay order on her plea to stop the trial of her drug trafficking cases in the Muntinlupa City courts. Instead, the justices set the case for oral arguments, and ordered respondents led by Muntinlupa Judge Juanita Guerrero and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa to comment on de Lima’s petition. In her petition, de Lima asked the Supreme Court to nullify her arrest warrant on drug trading charges and questioned the jurisdiction of the Muntinlupa court. The senator said the Muntinlupa court committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing the arrest order, as she had a pending motion to quash the case and had questioned the court’s jurisdiction. She said the Office of the Ombudsman has jurisdiction over her case since she was charged on the grounds that she used her position as secretary of Justice, “specifically that she demanded, solicited and extorted money from the [prison]inmates through her alleged intermediaries/bagmen namely, [Rafael Ragos and Ronnie Dayan].�
Viray
MANILA — The Senate on Tuesday, March 14 unanimously voted to concur with the ratification of the historic Paris Agreement, strengthening the country’s role in climate talks. Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Instrument of Accession for the Paris climate deal, which calls for the reduction of carbon emissions that have been blamed for climate change and extreme weather conditions. Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, thanked her colleagues for supporting the ratification of the Paris Agreement. “The Paris Agreement is a testament of solidarity and a call for global climate action. It shows that developing nations and the developed countries could pursue climate action and uphold climate justice together,� Legarda said in a statement. The accession to the climate deal will allow the country to exercise governance, oversight, leadership and decision-making in the implementation of the Paris Agreement. “The Paris Agreement is an embodiment of a legacy. This will go down in history as one of our shining achievements. The 17th Congress, under the Duterte Administration, can be regarded as the legislative assembly that championed climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development,� Legarda said. The Embassy of France in the Philippines has congratulated the country for the ratification of the climate deal. The Philippines joins 133 other parties to the Paris Agreement, which represents more than 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. “The ratification of the Paris Agreement, which coincides with the 70th year anniversary of French-Philippine diplomatic relations, opens new perspectives for our two countries to develop and implement sustainable solutions towards a greener, more sustainable future for our planet,� the French Embassy said in a statement. In 2015, members of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change crafted the climate deal which seeks to limit the increase in the global average temperature to below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The Philippine vowed to reduce carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2030. Sen. Loren Legarda
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Journal Top Chef’s Sheldon Simeon on finding Lea Salonga named one of Filipinas’ top 3 role models his voice and cooking with his heart by Deni
rose BernarDo Philstar.com
By MoMar
G. Visaya
AJPress
We let the cat out of the bag early and asked Filipino-American Chef Sheldon Simeon how he felt about the last season of “Top Chef,” the one that had its finale earlier this month in Mexico. “It was disappointing to be eliminated. When I went back to the show, there was only one thing I wanted, to go till the end and be called ‘Top Chef,’” the Hawaii-born Pinoy chef expressed. “I showed my feelings during the whole season and in the end, I am a winner because I got to be myself and I was able to share a lot of my culture. It would have been nice to be called top chef…” A consistent fan favorite even during his first season, Sheldon was able to endear himself to “Top Chef” viewers because of his demeanor, work ethic and how he kept on producing dishes that wowed the show’s judges – Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons. When Sheldon received the call asking if he wanted to be a part of the show’s upcoming season, he had one thing in mind: redemption. Little did he know, half of the chefs cast were also gunning for the same thing. It was a few weeks later when he realized that the show was going to mix veterans and rookies because he heard that a few chefs who were also returning. A quick refresher course: Sheldon was a fan favorite in the first season he joined. Unfortunately, he was the last chef eliminated before the finale, which saw the first all-female showdown between Kristen Kish and Brooke Williamson. Kristen, who was eliminated during the Restaurant Wars episode but won all her Last Chance Kitchen challenges to return to the main competition, was declared “Top Chef” that season. This season: Sheldon is still the fan favorite and won $10,000 for it. In a similar three-way battle for the finale, he was unfortunately eliminated. The same spot where he was four years earlier. Fans took to social media to express their dissatisfaction over this decision that same evening that Sheldon got the boot. “The fans have been nothing but supportive and I have gotten so many nice messages from the community. It wasn’t my best cooking. For every single challenge that I was on top, I felt good about it. This was one challenge that I didn’t really feel good about,” he shared. “Ultimately, it sucks as to how it ended but I was okay with whatever the outcome was, knowing that it was not one of my best showing.” James Beard House Chef Sheldon was in New York City last week to
MANY of Filipinas look up to celebrities for inspiration, according to the results of a recent nationwide survey released in time for International Women’s Month. “Filipina Next,” a quantitative and qualitative research conducted by multi-agency J. Walter Thompson (JWT) Philippines, revealed that 88 percent of Filipinas look up to other women, particularly celebrities from film and TV. The survey further bared that the following are the top three role models of Filipinas: The late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago Despite being a political veteran, former Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago is popular among the youth for her humorous remarks and witty advice. Roman Catholic saint Mother Teresa Most Filipinas are Roman Catholics and spiritual, said the research. “Filipinas are prayerful and their belief in God is their “My grandparents were good cooks but I learned a lot of stuff from barometer for success,” the study my dad. My dad was the chef of the family, when we had gatherings or parties, he was the one who cooked for everybody,” Chef Sheldon told further stated. In “Female Tribes,” a 2016 the Asian Journal. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya study on women around the world fulfill one of the items in his bucket list: cooking at conducted by multinational agency the revered James Beard House. He earned the right to cook there when he won a Quickfire Challenge in the show. “It was an overwhelming feeling. It was almost surreal as I stepped inside the James Beard House. A kid from Hawaii, and a Filipino, and to be in a place of such prestige,” Sheldon said, still a little high from the euphoria that enveloped him. For him, it was about finding his voice and staying true to his culture, one among many life lessons he learned from joining “Top Chef” earlier. “Season 10 was not only a lesson of ‘Top Chef’ in general but in life, don’t be someone that you’re not. For me, Hawaii is so unique. Being Filipino in America is so unique. Let’s celebrate that. Let’s be proud about our culture. That was what I wanted to do in the show, just be myself,” he shared proudly. Thus he cooked with his heart out and served Filipino dishes and Filipino ingredients whenever the opportunity presented itself. He fed Tom, Padma, Gail and guest judges with Filipino flavors. For him, the cuisine in general can be shown through so many different styles and flavors. PAGE B2 Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago
Lea Salonga
JWT Global, it was found out that Filipinas are 47 percent higher Mother Teresa in spiritual awareness than other ambitious” countries surveyed. • 33 percent were encouraged Award-winning international to go to school or pursue further singer and actress Lea Salonga education The research also showed that Nevertheless, according to the thanks to role models Filipinas see survey: on mass media: • 40 percent of Filipinas cannot • 15 percent of respondents left relate to celebrities abusive relationships • 76 percent find many celebri• Around 41 percent of those ties superficial surveyed said they “have taken The study was conducted among risks in life that they otherwise Filipinas across socio-economic would not have taken.” classes ABCDe and between the • 40 percent “became more ages of 18 to 70.
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AFTeR passing on the crown more than a month ago, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach happily shared on Women’s Day that that opportunities are continuously coming her way. Currently signed under talent management company IMG, whose headquarters are in New York, Wurtzbach was first a talent of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic prior to joining beauty pageants. Without giving further details, the beauty queen said she has high hopes to return to her first love in acting. “There are offers to go back to showbiz and I’m glad because
I’ve always imagined myself going back to that anyway. So for now we’re still planning things but let’s see how it goes. So far everything is looking very promising,” Wurtzbach told members of the press at her Downy Parfum endorsement event on March 8. “I think I can do both acting and hosting. I would love to explore my acting skills again because it’s been a while since I’ve done so,” she added. According to Wurtzbach, she is still adjusting to post-Miss Universe life but nevertheless keeps herself busy with her advocacies, which are raising awareness for HIV, women empowerment and charities. PAGE B4
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Top Chef’s Sheldon Simeon on finding his voice... PAGE B1 “From kilawen, pinakbet, okra - a lot of my sauces all had patis and bagoong sometimes. It just goes to show a lot of people still do not know what Filipino cuisine is. To have those kind words from Tom that he enjoyed the food is a win for all of us Filipinos,” Sheldon said. When he won the right to cook at the Beard House, the judges heaped praises on the dish he served – home-made chow fun noodle made with Carolina gold rice topped with pork belly, pea shoot salad and annatto seed jus - and the components and techniques he used to come up with the dish. “Being humble is great but at some point, you will take your place amongst some of America’s greatest chefs,” Tom Colicchio declared, anointing Sheldon as the next great American chef. “I am still processing it,” Sheldon told us about the unexpected accolade. “He messaged me a few nights ago, directly following my elimination. To be able to call chef Tom a mentor, and now a friend, is amazing. I have utmost respect for him. It is a win for our culture. My grandparents worked so hard and took the sacri-
fice coming over from the Philippines with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” he added. Sheldon is undoubtedly inspired by the perseverance and hard work of his grandparents who came from Ilocos Norte to Hawaii to become plantation workers, and the way they made something for themselves given this opportunity. “I am cut from that same cloth and to celebrate that on national television is amazing and to have that recognized by chef Tom is great and beautiful,” he said. And during his elimination, the judges didn’t hide their emotions either. Padma even defended Sheldon when they were deciding on who to eliminate. “Padma is stunning, she is beautiful and sweet. She cooked delicious food for us. Two seasons of ‘Top Chef,’ we go through a lot of stuff together a n d with all of
the judges, we get to connect on that level,” Sheldon shared. “To see Padma tearing up as I left is a little heart-wrenching. It goes to show how powerful food is in making connections with people and I am happy that I got to share with them our cuisine.” Life After Top Chef Sheldon and his wife Janice own Tin Roof, a small restaurant in Maui that they opened three days after Sheldon said yes to appearing in “Top Chef” again. “It’s 500 square feet, six seats, that’s it. We just feed the community. By the end of this year, I will be opening Hala, Hawaii-style food with a lot of Filipino influences,” he shared. Tin Roof is inspired by his upbringing in Hilo, “which is a rainy town,” he said. “And like many Filipinos, we don’t cook in the house, we cook outside, like a dirty kitchen. That was our gathering spot. When it rains, the tin roof always reminds me of Hilo and the moments my family shared,” he added. “We wanted a spot to feed the community. I had a restaurant in a hotel in a resort area but the feeling of being able to feed my community in this small place is much more rewarding than I could ever imagine.” Janice herself made it to “Top Chef,” in a Quickfire Challenge where the cheftestants had to work alongside another person without seeing
them. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner there. She came out at the right moment,” he said. “It was a long season already, that was near the tail-end and the energy of being around her was exactly what I needed to continue and I believe that that was one of the biggest reasons why I won the challenges (after) because I was able to hug her and hold her and get that energy back.” Appearing in two seasons of the Bravo hit show has provided Sheldon with a few life lessons, whether it is about cooking on open fire using only traditional Mayan utensils or soldiering it on despite painful back pains that almost led to his early departure from the show. “‘Top Chef’ has taught me not to be too serious about everything,” he said. “Life is about enjoying the moment and celebrating those moments that you share with each other even if it is just over a bowl of food, that is a blessing in itself.” As for the back injury, he is thankful to the two Charleston doctors who helped heal him so he can go back 100 percent into the competition. We concluded the interview with a question on what his personal vision is for Filipino cuisine in America. “My dream is to have Filipino food represented and looked at like Japanese food Everyone knows what sushi is, ramen, sashimi. Why not adobo, why not pancit and be comfortable with that,” Chef Sheldon said.
Sheldon on working with fellow Fil-Ams in the food and hospitality industry: “Let’s continue to support each other and do this all together, let’s celebrate Filipino cuisine and our heritage altogether instead of judging each other.”
He admits that it is going to be a long journey but the more important thing is that we are on our way. “We have mountains to climb but Filipinos in America are persistent so we’re going to continue to dream big and get it out there,” he said. And his biggest learning –
aside from being true to himself – is about cooking with his heart. “I tried to show how we cook with our hearts. Everyone gravitated to that and saw that Filipino food is soulful. You cannot beat any ingredient other than your heart that’s going to be more delicious,” he said.
Chef Sheldon Simeon cooked with his heart and shared a little bit of his home state and took inspiration from his Filipino heritage in coming up with dishes that wowed the Top Chef judges. Photos by Paul Cheney/Bravo and Tommy Garcia/Bravo
OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED BY OUR COMMUNITY “In terms of what you want in a Mayor, Debra March is the real deal – the complete package. It is a trifecta. Debra is intelligent, thoughtful and she is fair. In my opinion any community in the country would be proud to have Debra March as their Mayor.” THE HONORABLE RICHARD BRYAN “Debra has demonstrated great leadership. The people’s interests have been Debra’s interests. She believes public policy should be transparent.” THE HONORABLE BRUCE WOODBURY “Debra March is a strong, effective and proven leader.” LAS VEGAS MAYOR CAROLYN GOODMAN “Debra March is very knowledgeable and works tirelessly to create public policy that benefits the future needs of our people. She is the embodiment of a dedicated public servant.” CLARK COUNTY COMMISSIONER LARRY BROWN
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Is it goodbye to reunion Why Bea Alonzo can’t go beyond movie of Sharon & Gabby? ‘exclusively dating’ Gerald Anderson by Ricky Lo
by MJ
MaRfoRi ManilaTimes.net
Philstar.com
Are they or aren’t they? reteaming up in a movie, that is. Almost three decades after they did a movie together, there are reports that Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion might do a reunion movie under Star Cinema. The report has actually been floated last year but up to now Star Cinema hasn’t issued any official announcement. Will it take forever for the project to materialize? Is the reel SharonGabby team-up co-terminus with their real-life union? All sorts of speculation have been spreading — that Gabby is asking for twice the alleged talent fee of Sharon (P5M times two?), that conflict of schedules is hampering the project, and that Sharon has been doggedly working out in preparation for the shoot that is taking forever to start. “I have been waiting to shoot this movie forever,” Gabby texted back in answer to Funfare’s inquiry. “I have no reason to promote a movie at this time. Up to this day (Sunday, March 12), I have not been presented a script or a contract. However, it looks like the movie will be delayed indefinitely.” Also contacted by Funfare (last Friday, March 10), Sharon said, “Minsan tuloy, minsan no. Now
Those were the days that fans of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion thought would never end. As of now, plans (if there is any) to cast Sharon and Gabby in a reunion movie remain unclear.
tuloy na naman. I’m not believing anything until we are actually shooting halfway through na.” Funfare respectfully refrained from asking Sharon and Gabby about money matters. Late last week, Ahwel Paz reported on his dzMM program Mismo with Jobert Sucaldito that he texted Gabby to ask about the TF (Talent Fee) and Ahwel quoted Gabby as saying that he could do the movie “for free” just to please Sharon-Gabby fans who have been clamoring for their idols’ re-teamup. As it is, Gabby may be too busy to do any project out of GMA with which he has just renewed his contract (two years exclusive). When he texted Funfare at noon last Sunday, Gabby said that he had just woken up because he finished taping early that morning for a GMA soap (he is in two shows, the trending “Ika-6 Utos
“with Sunshine Dizon and ryza Cenon and “Tsuperhero” with Bea Binene and Derrick Monasterio). “My taping days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday,” said Gabby, “and sometimes we do mall or out-oftown promo for ‘Ika-6 Utos’ on Sundays. Family days are juggled between Thursdays and Sundays. GMA is my priority. We may find a way to squeeze in one or two shooting days a week if we do start shooting the movie.” But, added Gabby, “I am still hoping to do a movie someday.” Finally, Funfare texted Star Cinema COO Malou Santos what the real score is. “Actually, nothing is final yet on this project,” she texted back. Anyway, if it would take forever, would the Sharon-Gabby fans still be interested if the movie were made?
SHe’S been in the business for over a decade now but 29-yearold Bea Alonzo remains one of the most in demand actresses in tinsletown. In fact, when we saw her at the Fujifilm Instax “Memory Lane Kit” event, she had just finsihed taping for her current soap, A Love to Last, in Baguio City. Her secret is that she reinvents herself every now and then. In the Know noticed this via her new lob hairstyle and edgier clothing styled by rex Atienza. Bea shared, “Grabe, everyday
ako may work this year. Ngayong buong summer nga four days lang ang bakasyon ko! But I’m not complaining.” When asked who she wanted to spend those four days with, she gave a candidn reply. “I haven’t decided if family or friends, or if makakasama siya,” she added meaningfully, referring to Gerald Anderson, her ex-boyfriend back in 2010, and now her special someone anew. “We make an effort to see each other pero yun nga we’re both so busy so that’s the very reason why we can’t jump into a relationship.”
Bea Alonzo
Lauren Young on sister Megan’s relationship with Mikael Daez by Rosette
adeL
Philstar.com
FOr actress Lauren Young, her sister Miss World 2013 Megan Young can marry anytime she wants. “Honestly, it’s none of my business,” she told reporters during the recent launch of the L’Oreal Professionel’s Smartbond Transforms. Lauren admitted that she has been asking her sister, who happens to be the girlfriend of her colleague, Mikael Daez, since her batchmates are already getting married. Nonetheless, she said Megan is not yet sharing plans of settling down to her. “They’re all getting married, they’re all having kids but I always ask them [Megan and Mikael], ‘O, when are you getting married?’” Young shared. “Saab got married, Maxine’s engaged… Her friends in high school, when they do reunion it’s not drinking anymore because there are kids, so now, it’s just like playing… I’m like, ‘O, how about you? When are you gonna get married?” she added. Although she has been asking her sister about tying the knot, Jake Cuenca Lauren said that what she likes Piolo Pascual, ryan Agoncillo, about her sister is she does not erwan Heussaff, Drew Arellano, give in to the pressures of society Iya Villana, and richard Gutierrez and everyone else around her. “It’s just like you know when have participated in a number of triathlons here in the Philippines you’re in high school, kailangan ko ng boyfriend kasi lahat ng barkada and abroad.
Jake Cuenca injured in road accident by iza igLesias ManilaTimes.net
ACTOr Jake Cuenca sustained injuries after he figured in a bike accident on Tuesday, March 14 at around 7 a.m. His father, Juanto Cuenca, said in a radio interview on DZMM that a truck made a sudden stop in front of his son while he was biking in the vicinity of the Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City. “every morning, Jake trains for Ironman in MOA. That big truck suddenly braked, but he was not able to brake his own bike anymore so he hit the truck,” he said. According to him, his son was immediately taken to the hospital, and while conscious is still in a lot of pain due to two broken bones on his hands. “His driver was the one who took him to Medical City because
there were no ambulances on site. He also had to have stitches on his chin. They’re still making tests to know if there are any other damages he sustained,” he said. The Manila Times entertainment columnist MJ Marfori updated on Twitter later in the day that Cuenca was released from the hospital but is scheduled to have his surgery on Friday. Cuenca has been training for his next IronMan in Cebu. Just last Sunday, he and co-actor Gerald Anderson joined the Ironman 70.3 for the first time in Subic. The two actors will portray the roles of triathletes in the upcoming series of ABS-CBN Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin with Kim Chiu. While Cuenca and Anderson are relatively new to triathlon, celebrities like Dingdong Dantes, Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli,
Megan Young and sister Lauren
ko may boyfriend. Si Megan hindi siya ganun,” Lauren said. Lauren, who is also now a producer, said that she will support her sister’s decision and that she believes Megan is only working for her future. “It’s really like you know, she’s worked so hard and a lot of good opportunities have opened up for her ever since she won Miss World and so many good things are still happening to her, so I think she should really focus on that because like what I said, showbiz is not forever,” Lauren said. For Lauren, when the right time to get married will just come. She shared that when she was younger, she thought she will get married at 28, but when she became
older, she said it does not matter anymore. “If you really do love each other, then it’ll happen,” she concluded. Megan, 27, and Mikael, 29, just recently confessed their six-year relationship. The celebrity couple said it took them six years because of their obligations at work, including having love teams as well as Megan’s Miss World. Mikael said the announcement of their relationship was not planned but he informed Megan about it. “Nasanay na lang kami na hindi umaamin. Lahat naman ng friends namin, lahat ng workmates namin, alam na nila,” Mikael said in an interview with “Tonight with Arnold Clavio” last week.
EntErtainmEnt
B march 16-22, 2017 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
Iza Calzado talks about her Osaka Festival winning role by Christina
alpad
ManilaTimes.net
After bringing pride to the country with her Yakushi Pearl Award or Best Performer Award from the prestigious 2017 Osaka Asian film festival on Saturday, March 11, Iza Calzado is still on cloud nine. On her Instagram account @ missizacalzado, the ABS-CBN actress shared why the Jerold tarrog-helmed movie was both special and challenging for her. “I wanted to work on it because I wanted to do something out of the box. I auditioned for it, got the part and then went on a roller coaster ride for a month last May 2016,” Calzado wrote. In the psychological thriller “Bliss,” Calzado plays Jane Ciego, an actress in her 30s who decided to produce her own film to win some respect in the industry where she started as a child. However,
things get awry when she gets injured on set and suddenly starts to hear strange sounds. She soon finds herself in a company of people who seemingly want to harm her. Calzado further talked about the demands of her role in her post. “I got sick twice while filming because the role was very physically and emotionally demanding, especially when you’re on set for almost 24 hours. It was challenging but fun, thanks to the whole team behind it.” Yet in another post, the social media darling also talked about the Land of the rising Sun to be a special place for her parents, making her win in Osaka more meaningful. “Japan is a special place for our family. My father [the late choreographer and director Lito Calzado]had a business in the 70s-80s-90s which sent filipino entertainers to Japan. Both my parents spoke fluent Japanese, even
‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ winner is proud of his roots by Kane
errol Choa Philstar.com
Iza Calzado
my brother had a brief stint DJing in some clubs in Japan. Osaka was one of the places they frequented and my mom studied Japanese language there,” Calzado wrote. Also starring Ian Veneracion and tJ trinidad, Adrienne Vergara, and Michael de Mesa, Bliss was one of the three filipino films that competed in the 12th edition of the Osaka Asian film fest. the other two were Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s Kita Kita and Borgy torre’s tisay.
Pia Wurtzbach has high hopes for showbiz return
PAGE B1 “right now though, slowly but surely, I’m moving to a new house. I’m still adjusting with the afterlife of Miss Universe but I will get there. I am just slowly unpacking my stuff—it’s 20 boxes!,” Wurtzbach shared. “I still have my advocacies, and there are those reaching out to me to ask for appearances. for me I can still do those with the use of social media for example, or attend or go to school and talk about them. With my management—IMG and Jonas Gaffud of Mercator, we accept [these offers]and we’re open to them. We don’t charge for them because they’re something that I like to do,” she added. With all the clothes she wore during her reign as Miss Universe, Wurtzbach is planning to sell much of them and donate the proceeds to her hometown, Cagayan De Oro (CDO), which had been ravaged by flash floods in January. “the clothes that I wore in Miss Universe, I collected them and put everything in boxes and sent them here to the Philippines, because I’m actually planning on doing like a garage sale or an auction. then for each garment, I’m going to label which event I wore it as Miss Universe, and I’ll
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give back all the proceeds to the Cagayan de Oro because I never had a chance to do a homecoming there. It will be my way of giving back,” she added. Love life Wurtzbach meanwhile kept calm when asked about her reaction to people who bash her and her boyfriend, filipino-Swiss race car driver Marlon Stockinger, on social media. the couple has been dating since September 2016. “I don’t really understand why people would have to say anything bad to us because I think we’re just a reflection of any other couple out there. We’re happy. Being a beauty queen or Miss Universe was never a distraction to me because I am always dedicated to my job and I still am. the same goes with him, so we’re just pushing each other to be the best we can be,” Wurtzbach said. In describing Stockinger, she said, “He is sweet. He is sweeter than me actually.” All the same, Wurtzbach said she does not see herself settling down any time soon. “We haven’t talk about getting married. I’m not thinking about it as well. I’m very career-driven and my focus right now is work. I have many things to achieve yet and I’m still young,” she related. the 27-year-old also reacted
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to speculations that her boyfriend already has children. “I actually never heard about it. Are you sure it’s the same Marlon? I don’t know anything about that,” she said. She then requested for the public, especially media to double check the facts, before fuelling such stories. “People have to be careful with what they say also because if it doesn’t turn out to be true, then the credibility of the media would be…,” she trailed off. “All I’m saying is that we just have to check the facts first.” One wish It does seem like everything is still rosy for Wurtzbach even if she no longer has the Miss Universe crown. But when asked if there is anything she wishes for at the moment, the goddess all too humanly shared, “I wish I can eat a lot without getting fat.” “But aside from that it’s good to know that I am able to take care of my family [with what I do]because I’m the breadwinner. I guess my worry now aside from making sure that I am stable, is making sure that my sister and my niece are okay, and that my mom is healthy. So it’s really just going back to what I usually do—taking care of my family.”
EMPLOYMENT
WHeN rice farmer Noven Belleza first appeared in It’s Showtime!’s tawag ng tanghalan — the first televised singing contest he joined — in July 2016, he performed Air Supply’s even the Nights are Better,hoping to get through the first round and get as far as he could in the competition to pay for home repairs. He would go on to nab a spot in the Quarter 3 semi-finals with another Air Supply song. And last Saturday at resorts World Manila, Noven’s journey came full circle as he was crowned the competition’s grand champion, walking away with P2M and an all-new house and lot, after impressing both viewers and thehurados with a spectacular medley of the Australian rock duo’s hits. “Hindi ako makapaniwala. Nabago po talaga ang buhay ko dahil sa tawag ng tanghalan. thank you so much sa Showtime family, pamilya ko, kay Lord. ‘Di po ako makapaniwala na sa libo-libong nag-audition,ako po ang nanguna. Ang bait po talaga ng Diyos,” said Noven in an interview with the media after the announcement of his victory. the 22-year-old Bukid Boy Wonder of Negros Occidental nabbed the title after receiving the highest average score of 99.96 percent from the combined
‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ champion Noven Belleza
judges’ scores and madlang people’s votes, beating final three contenders Sam Mangubat (49.09 percent) and froilan Canlas (45.78 percent). As the first-ever grand champion of tawag ng tanghalan in It’s Showtime!, Noven also won a recording contract with Star Music, a musical instruments package from JB Music, a negosyo package and a family vacation package. When asked what he would do with his prize money, he said, “Una po, sa pamilya ko po talaga, sa mga kapatid ko para po mabago ko rin ang buhay nila at maipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral
nila. At sa magulang ko po kasi hindi ko na rin po gustong makita sila na nagtatrabaho pa sa tanda nila sa bukid. Ang mga nabenta at nasanla po naming lupa, kukunin po namin ulit.” A veteran of local singing contests in his hometown Victoria City, Noven has charmed viewers and the program’s hosts since day one with his easy smile and positive disposition. the conclusion of the competition’s more-than-a-year-long search for its first grand champion pulled in viewers nationwide and prompted netizens to post their comments about the grand finals online.
Jolina Magdangal is a happy, practical mom fOrMer teen idol and now wife and mother, Jolina Magdangal looks every inch a happy and contented mother to two-year old son Pele Iñigo. Her demeanor also shows her very good rapport with musician husband Mark escueta when it comes to taking care of their child. the singer-actress has a resurgent career as mainstay of Sunday variety show “ASAP” and as daily host of talk show “Magandang Buhay” with fellow moms Karla estrada and Melai Cantiveros. With 1.2 million followers on twitter, she happily shares how she has peace of mind running her home. Besides imparting parenting tips and ways to bond with her toddler, she also provides practical advice for fellowhomemakers, such as having running an energy efficient home
with the right choice of home appliances. In her latest post, she raved “full-blast aircon bonding nights kasi made even better by the ‘orange tag’ –we’re assured of our cost per hour!” In another post also on twitter, the actress singer shared: “tonight’s mission: Look for perfect bedtime snacks for Pele. No worries ‘cause according to the ‘orange tag,’ it’s around P18 per day to have the ref working.” How does Magdangal know the electricity cost of using major home appliances? She told the Manila times this is made possible by that round, bright orange label from electric company Meralco, found on some appliances on display in stores. the labels inform buyers how much it costs per hour to operate a certain type of electric appliance. “Next time you go shopping
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Jolina Magdangal
for big-ticket home appliances, make sure to look for the orange tag so you can choose the most electricity cost-efficient brand and model of appliance,” she advised her followers. (ManilaTimes.net)
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Your Immigration Solution atty. Brittany MilliaSSeau & nanCy Miller In this time of rapidly changing immigration directives and uncertainty regarding the immigration policies of the Trump Administration, noncitizens and their family members are desperately seeking answers and looking for solutions to their immigration issues. Unfortunately, fear and worry regarding the Trump Administration’s stance on immigration has caused individuals to look for help in all the wrong places. Many of these individuals are exploited by unqualified immigration consultants, or “notarios” who are only seeking to make money at the expense of desperate victims. Don’t become a victim! Be wary of individuals providing immigration advice and charging for legal services they are not qualified to perform. Only obtain legal advice from a competent and qualified attorney and never retain help from someone who fails to pro-
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS YOU and I are social animals. Our two-legged and four-legged friends are also “social” creatures. They are usually in pairs or in herds. Like us, humans, these animals apparently also value, long for, and enjoy companionship. The loners among them usually do not survive long. Most obviously, social life, a sense of belonging, a comfortable feeling of security in number, a natural mental sense of community, is essential to health, mental and otherwise. That social nature starts the day we are born, in the arms of our mother, nurtured in the crib, and developed into a complete positive mental state through interactions with both our parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends. All this enables us to develop lasting relationships and a rewarding mental health, which affect and influence all other lives we touch. Human beings’ capacity to live a stable and happy life and our survival as a species heavily depend on our social skills, attitude, and social behavior. The history of man on earth shows that cavemen started forming small groups, literally for security and for survival against the harsh and unforgiving environment, and vicious attacks from animals preying on them. That dependency on each other is still very evident even today, in this modern, technologically advanced society of ours. Indeed, no man is an island, and a loner is, comparatively, at a much graver risk of ill-health and attrition. Like our need for proper nutrition and shelter, humans also need that sense of belonging,
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Monette aDeva Maglaya First of 3 parts
(Note: I am reprising a series of how-to articles originally written more than a decade ago but tweaked for today’s readers. I believe these still hold true now as they did back then for many people, including myself.) REMEMBER the story of the three little pigs? Everyone does. But we relegate the story to children’s lit and condescendingly forget that these cute little porkers bring home an important point about the choices we make when we embark on building something worthwhile — like choosing the foundation on which we live our lives. The first pig built his house of straw and the second one built his house of sticks and went partying till the cows came home. Enter the big bad wolf. Hankering for crispy chicharrones, he came down huffing and puffing and blowing both houses down in a snap, much to the utter dismay of the two hapless, lazy porkers. Running for their lives with their curled, tiny tails and the hair on their chinny, chin chin a-quivering, they dashed over to safety, straight to the house of their other stolid, somewhat stodgy brother pig who had built his house methodically, meticulously, slowly, brick by solid brick. Enter the big bad wolf again, now crazed with the thought of wolfing down not one but three pigs. He does his blustery huff-
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Don’t become a victim: The rise of immigration scams during periods of uncertainty in immigration policy vide you with a written contract explaining the nature of the work to be performed and the fees to be charged. It is important to keep in mind that obtaining the wrong legal advice and receiving assistance from ill-equipped sources can have dire consequences. Even seemingly minor mistakes can place one’s immigration case in serious jeopardy, ultimately causing one to be denied an immigration benefit he or she may be clearly qualified for or may even cause an individual to end up in removal proceedings or be physically removed from the country. While fraudulent immigration consultants have been around for years, it is more important than ever to be cautious of fraudulent immigration practitioners who have been taking advantage of the recent changes in immigration policy. If you have questions regarding your immigration situation, be sure to seek experienced immigration counsel who can provide sound advice and
zealously represent your case. Further, in the wake of the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the country in February, there were reports of fake immigration officials wrongfully apprehending immigrants. Recently, a man was approached by several men dressed as ICE agents who threatened to arrest and deport him unless he provided the fake agents with money. Be sure to keep yourself informed of these incidents and remember that ICE agents should never solicit money from you. If you or a loved one is questioned or detained, quickly seek the advice of experienced immigration counsel. Additionally, numerous officials have warned of an increase in general immigration scams in light of the changes in immigration policy. Common immigration scams include email notifications regarding selection in the Diversity Visa Lottery, suspicious job offers via email, and the cre-
Social life impacts health
within the family, among friends, in a community, in society, and in the world at large. This support-group structures and interactions, emotional, recreational, even informational, are vital to people’s health and life. The last one has led to the popularity and proliferation of social media. This modern-day phenomenon is a tangible testimony to the value of social behavior as a natural need of homo sapiens. A lonely person, alone, without friends, is doomed to be more depressed and more likely to die of ill-health, or even kill himself/herself, compared to another lonely individual who has a ton of family and friends providing him/her love, friendship, inspiration, and moral support. A sense of belonging keeps us, humans, connected with our fellowmen, within our own circle, our community, conferring upon our being the reward of acceptance, a gratifying inner satisfaction that we are “in,” and “one of them,” akin to being a member of a club or a fraternity/sorority or a party. This sense of belonging is fundamental for our emotional and physical well-being, a powerful prescription that effectively enables each of us to cope with the sometimes unfriendly and harsh environment and social order. Attitude and social skills Our social skills, which are vital to our acceptance as a member of a group or community, are developed or impeded by our attitude, which, like social prowess, also significantly impacts our life and our health. Both are pre-requisites to health, happiness and inner peace in each of us human beings. Show me a man with an attitude and I will show you one abandoned by his friends and scorned by strangers he irritated and riled. A good attitude compli-
ments and boosts our social skills and acceptability to “belong.” Here are some quotes of wisdom I have come across which are inspiring philosophical parachutes in life for those who, like many of us, sometimes find themselves falling towards the pit of discouragement and despair. With the proper attitude, these sage proverbs lift our spirit by allowing us to view and accept the trials and tribulations in this world in their most positive and best light. Indeed, all of us need a psychological boost, an inspiration, every now and then. Here are some that inspire and guide me: Anthony J. D’Angelo, in The College Blue Book, said “Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” To quote Oscar Wilde, “If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things you don’t get that you don’t want.” Voltaire expressed it beautifully when he stated, “Life is like a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” An ancient Persian saying puts a great perspective on our daily aches and pains in life, “I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.” And as some of us may curse some bad days we encounter and wish they never came. Cavett Robert offers these poignant words: “If you don’t think every day is a good day, just try missing one.” Indeed, every day is a good day, although others are better, and others not as good. But each day is a gift. not waking up to another day is a deadly waste, but not appreciating another day as we open our eyes each morning in our journey through life is a tragedy. How each of us greets the day depends greatly on our attitude. Indeed, attitude impacts our health, our life, and our everyday happiness
How to build a house of bricks Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 16-22, 2017
ing and puffing… well… you know how the story ended (that is, unless Disney produces a blockbuster sequel with their spin on the ending.) Any structural engineer will agree with the third porker and allude to the biblical reference about a house built on a rock and the wind and rain could not prevail upon it. He will tell you that solid foundation work taking stress points into account is basic in building anything of value that’s meant to last. The same is true in living one’s life. I am certain there are countless other pointers hundreds of thousands can add to the growing pool of knowledge that hopefully, translates to wisdom in this continuing saga of human life. In the interest of brevity I’ll cull out only 15 bite-size pointers. 1. Get your ducks in a row. Set your priorities. Align your time, decisions, actions and resource allocation according to your set of personal priorities: health, happiness, family, peace, wellbeing, wealth, time, fame, recognition, and applause. There’s a whole menu to choose from. You choose what’s important and what’s not. Without an internal value system and a firm sense of direction, you’re more than likely to be distracted by the many pitfalls along the way. Consider technology and its spawn, social media, as a double-edged sword. It can either help or hinder, depending on how you use it. As a tool, it is awesome but become obsessed with it and you’re a goner. FOCUSED MInDFULnESS is the antidote to all distractions. 2. Ask for help. Fold that ego to the size of a postage stamp. There is help out there. Use it. We need others to help us on the
first get-go during the first years of scrambling, scraping and just getting our bearings straight. Don’t be too proud to ask and seek out only those who mean well. Don’t forget to say thanks and show appreciation to those who have helped you every step of the way. There is a place in Hades for the grossly ungrateful. 3. Open your mind. Be informed. Observe the patterns of human behavior and the seasonal patterns of life. We are living in the throes of the Age of TMI (Too Much Information). The challenge is in sorting out the essentials from the ton of crud out there particularly on the internet. But above all, fear not the predictions of doom and gloom. If TV or social media are your constant companions, you will become a fearful, paranoid nutcase. The cycles of boom and bust, recession and bumper crop years happen over and over again with the regularity of night and day. More often than not, life is a roller coaster ride, with its thrills and spills. Enjoy it. Learn to live and move with the seasons. As Ecclesiastes reminds us, “Everything passes.” 4. Slow down. Pace yourself. There is a learning curve that most of us will have to go through. There are a select few who can hit the ground running but for mere mortals, like you and me, we have to take a step at a time, at least in the beginning stages. Small mistakes and errors in decision-making are rectifiable; the big ones on the things that truly matter, will set us back years. 5. In going for the brass ring, know the price you have to pay to get it. Even with America on a major slump these days, conPAGE B7
ation of fraudulent government websites providing immigration “assistance.” There have also been reports of phone calls and emails from individuals pretending to be immigration agents who ask for personal information and request payment. Beware of any individuals that ask for sensitive personal information or payment. If you have questions regarding the legitimacy of a request, be sure to reach out to competent immigration counsel and allow them to respond on your behalf if necessary. In response to these immigration scams, advocacy groups and various government agencies have made efforts aimed at preventing immigrants from falling prey to these various scams. Specifically, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has released several fact sheets with useful tips. A few of those tips include: USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services) does not charge for blank forms. They
are free and can be downloaded at HYPERLInK “http://www. uscis.gov/forms” www.uscis. gov/forms. Don’t trust anyone who claims to be able to speed up the process and guarantee immigration benefits because of a special relationship with immigration officials. Don’t trust someone who promises immigration benefits by applying through them instead of directly with USCIS. USCIS will never ask for payment over the phone. They will not call and request personal information (social security number, passport number, A-number) or identify false problems with your immigration record and ask for payment to correct it. InS (Immigration & naturalization Service) no longer exists. Any reference to InS is coming from a fraudulent source. Do not sign any forms, applications or petitions containing false or missing information. Always get a copy of your docu-
ments and a receipt of filing If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. With all the uncertainty created by the recent changes in immigration policy, save yourself some worry by making sure you have qualified and experienced immigration counsel handle your case. If you have specific questions regarding your immigration situation or current immigration scams, do not delay in contacting knowledgeable immigration counsel. ***
and success. A person with a chip on his shoulder, with a negative attitude or pessimistic view of life, will obviously be miserable most of the time. And the opposite is true, as Annette Goodheart brilliantly points out: “Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life.” Happiness is basically an attitude. Gaining inner peace is an attitude. We have that God-given power to feel what we want to feel. And we can even psyche ourselves. I do. Our attitude and social behavior play an important role here. In a world where global peace is still a dream, a world beset with
an economic crisis, with terrorism, with greed and corruption, with energy, food and water shortage, global warming and its devastating side-effects on typhoons, earthquakes and flooding, a good social skills and attitude, in the midst of all these disasters, are one of our best weapons against helplessness, despair and depression. They indeed impact our health and life. With all these complex problems confronting us, we often find ourselves in the gutter of hopelessness, wherefrom, Oscar Wilde suggests, we can look up at the heavens and “see the stars.” Indeed, a positive attitude, a happy
outlook in life, especially these days, can help us tremendously in conquering our fears, insecurities, and dilemmas. Without total surrender, when we sometimes lose or fail, we should remind ourselves to get up and fight even harder. After all, “defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it,” as Joe Clark states. To this, I will add my own: “no one can succeed in life who does not have the courage to fail”; and, “The greatest risk in life is in not taking any risk at all.” Someone said, “You cannot adjust the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sail.” Very true, indeed. Simple words PAGE B6
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)
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CAAMFEST35 in San Francisco & Oakland Come to the 35th anniversary of CAAMFest from March 9-19 and immerse yourself in expansive and diverse programs celebrating the best in Asian American film, music and food. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. The annual CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. It presents approximately 125 works in San Francisco and Oakland over the course of 11 days. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. For more information, please visit http://caamfest.com.
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Free vision screenings & walk for sight in San Fernando, CA On Saturday, March 18, the Lions Club event Lions Eyes Across America will be having free vision screenings and a “Walk For Sight” at San Fernando Recreation Park (208 Park Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340). Registration is at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m. Donate your old eyeglasses and hearing aids. Gather family and friends to support low vision resources throughout Los Angeles. The $15 registration includes a 2017 Lion Eyes T-Shirt. Contact Vangie Tabberrah at (818) 399-7965 or csvangie.tabb@gmail.com.
FASO’s “Swing the Night Away” in Glendale, CA Swing the night away with Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) on Saturday, March 18 at the Glendale Hilton! Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of swing, two-step, rumba, cha-cha, tango and waltz! Dance Instructors will be available on the floor. You can feel free to sit back, relax and enjoy the music! No host cocktails at 6:00 p.m, with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets (dinner included) are $125. You can also contact Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850, Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 or JL Garcia (310) 936-2988 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities information. FASO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Proceeds will be used to sustain the orchestra, and to fund its education and outreach programs. More information is available on the FASO website at http://www.fasofoundation. org.
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Consular outreach mission in Dallas, TX A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Mission in Dallas, Texas on March 18 and 19. It will be held at Dallas Events Center (4343 Sigma Rd., Suite #600, Farmers Branch, TX 75244) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Please email outreach.dallas@gmail.com (attn: Dallas, TX Outreach) with submissions and applications; incomplete forms will not be processed. All applications must be received no later than March 10. No walk-in applicants will be accepted. The following consular services will be rendered: renewal and/or first-time applications for electronic passport ($60 processing fee + $24 mailing fee). New passports will be released to the applicant by mail twelve (12) weeks from March 22, 2017. No lost passport applications will be accepted; Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to the Dual Citizenship Law ($50 processing fee). Oath taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants. Applicants are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the occasion; Applications for report of marriage & birth ($25 processing fee + $7 mailing fee); and registration for overseas voting for the 2019 national elections for senators and party list representatives. Fees must be paid in person at the scheduled appointment. Only cash, postal money order or cashier’s checks are accepted. Personal checks will not be accepted. For more information, please visit http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/. A final list of all applicants will confirmed appointment schedules will be posted on the website by March 15.
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The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups’ Lenten retreat in Pomona, CA Please join the The Federation of Filipino Rosary Groups for its Lenten retreat on Saturday, March 25 at St. Joseph Church Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a liturgy at 5 p.m. The theme is “Growing in Faith,” as it is a time to renew and energize one’s faith. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. St. Joseph Church is located at 1700 Holt Avenue, Pomona, CA. For more information, please contact Tess Domingo at (909) 8552208 or Carol Evangelista at (909) 969-3316.
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Business leaders invited to support improved educational outcomes at Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit 2017 Additional event details available at: BeEngagedNevada.com
LAS VEGAS - Nevada business owners and executives are joining Southern Nevada’s leading business organizations to support effective educational programs, improved student outcomes, and create a pathway to a more diverse economy in Southern Nevada at this year’s Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit 2017. The summit, which takes place on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., at The Smith Center, seeks business participation and support of educational improvements through commitments of time, talent or resources. The Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit 2017 is a direct invitation to Southern Nevada’s business leaders to become involved in solutions which are improving the public education system. Through donations of time, talent, and resources, business leaders can have a direct, positive impact on improving student proficiency and ultimately strengthening the region’s ability to attract new businesses in the future. The event this year is again co-sponsored by a diverse group of business organizations, including: The Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), Las Vegas Metro Chamber, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, Latin Chamber of Commerce, Urban Chamber of Commerce, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada as well as the Council for a Better Nevada and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Corporate sponsors include Bank of Nevada and Station Casinos, Boyd Gaming, Toyota Financial Group, Caesars Entertainment, and VegasPBS. The 2017 BE Engaged program will again focus on specific areas of need within the public educational system, and the possible solutions to address those needs. This year’s discussion topics will include a “Workforce Report Card” presentation by the LVGEA that clearly illustrates the important relationship between education and economic development; attracting business leaders as mentors for
“Dancing With The Stars” Professionals Valentin Chmerkovsky, Maksim Chmerkovsky and Tony Dovolane celebrated the grand opening of Dance With Me Dance Studio at Tivoli Village in Las Vegas on March 9. Actress Pia Zadora was also at the red carpet. Photos by Raoul Gatchalian
Medical Mission at Kamay ni Hesus, Lucban, big success public school principals dealing with material organizational and cultural changes under AB 394, the Clark County School District reorganization plan; early literacy programs that are improving reading and comprehension proficiency; and efforts to expand Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum in Nevada. Immediately following the BE Engaged main program, and before a keynote luncheon presentation by Google’s Jaime Casap, business leaders will have the opportunity to network with Nevada nonprofit executives, who will also be seated at each table, and will illustrate their specific programs which are addressing unmet educational needs and improving student outcomes. Many of these programs could expand educational improvements to a wider student population with additional support from business leaders. Google Chief Education Evangelist, Jaime Casap, will be the luncheon’s keynote speaker. Casap was part of the original team that launched Google Apps for universities and K-12 classrooms. As Chief Education Evangelist, Casap brings awareness to the power and potential of the web, technology and Google tools to create powerful learning models. Born and raised as a first generation American to
a single mother on welfare in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, Jaime fully understands the power that education has on changing the destiny of a family in just one generation. Now in its second year, The Business + Education (BE) Engaged Summit is led by a team of volunteer community and business leaders, and nonprofit organizations that understand improving educational performance is essential to the growth of Nevada’s economy. “The strength and success of Nevada’s K-12 education system are directly linked to a business owner’s decision on whether to relocate or expand in our state,” said John Guedry, Bank of Nevada CEO. “As members of the business community, we must be part of the solution in improving our public education system to the level it needs to be. As business leaders, we must be involved in finding solutions to improve student achievement and expect graduates who are career or college ready.” Last year’s inaugural BE Engaged Summit resulted in a $1.4 million in-kind donation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum and teacher training for Nevada’s public middle schools by the STEM Academy, Inc. Furthermore, many of Nevada’s busiPAGE B7
PHYSICIANS and allied healthcare providers from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other cities in the United States held their annual medical mission at the Kamay ni Hesus Shrine Infirmary and Clinic in Lucban, Quezon, Philippines, last month. As in the previous years, the missionaries provided free medical and surgical care and medications to more than 2500 patients from February 26-29, 2017. The volunteers paid for their own international airfare and contributed funds for local transportation
and for the purchase of boxes of medications and medical supplies for the mission. Healing priest Fr. Joey Faller, the founder of the world-famous Kamay ni Hesus Shrine and Pilgrimage Resort, gratefully acknowledged and recognized the medical missionaries for their “unselfish and compassionate care for our needy and less fortunate fellowmen,” in a ceremony that followed a healing mass for the missionaries. The Medical/Surgical missionaries, headed by Danny and
Melinda Fabito, included Rudy Almase, Tony and Angie Bolinao, Manny and Evelyn Casanova, Philip and Farida Chua, Honorio and Elda Cruz, Amelia de Vera, Sheillah Chua-Gentile, Mike and Luz Micabalo, Grace Obena, Filemon and Josie Oligario, Evelyn Roque, Nap and Lynn Santos, and Pio Villar. The team of surgeons, medical internist, ophthalmologist, pediatricians, nurses, med tech, and nutritionists from the United States was joined and supported by the local allied staff at the Infirmary and Clinic.
Social life impacts health PAGE B4 of wisdom that could make our day, if not our life. But, of course, we should not simply leave everything to God. We must do our share. He promises to help those who help themselves. While we cannot cure the cancer of poverty in our country, we, as individuals, who are more blessed, can at least open our heart to help the homeless and the hungry, and gain that sense of satisfaction and inner peace. As I have stated a few times in the past, let us not wait for surgery to open our heart. Let our social behavior and good attitude and compassion for our fellowmen reign. As I live my life each day,
I remind myself of an ancient proverb that says, “To everyone is given the key to heaven; the same key opens the gates to hell.” It’s indeed a matter of personal choice. And that choice inevitably depends on our attitude in life. Some people believe their fate is predestined, and that they can’t do anything about it. Others, inspired by good attitude and a positive social frame of mind, design, create, and charter their own destiny. Finally, I strongly believe that leaving this world after this life is not a tragedy. Dying without significance, without making a difference, without leaving behind a good legacy as a social being, is.
Let’s all develop good social skills and a positive attitude to help us enjoy life. It’s a potent prescription for health and happiness. *** 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
ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
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Top Model of the World Inc., Slimmers World International Philippines ink partnership Canoga Park dentist builds another charity dental clinic for indigent Filipinos WORkING through the Dentistry For Every Village Foundation, Inc., a non-profit corporation he established to help improve access to dental care for many indigent and underserved residents in poor villages in the Philippines, Ed de la Vega, DDS of Canoga Park, California recently. completed the construction of a fully equipped dental clinic built for the Rogationist Catholic Congregation in Paranaque, Philippines. The Congregation provides free medical and dental services to indigent residents in their area of responsibility as part of their health care ministry. The dental clinic was blessed and opened on March 6, 2017. It was funded by many donations and grants. Leading the list of biggest donors are the Academy of Dentistry International Foundation in Hicksville, Ohio, Marifi Pipkin, DMD of Apple Valley, CA., Matthew Okui, DDS of Encino, CA., Russell Rayman, MD of Arlington VA., and the DLV Family Trust. Dignitaries from the St. Matthew Province of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus Congregation led by Provincial Superior Rev. Herman Abcede, RCJ and Provincial Vicar Rev. John J. Lucas, RCJ headed the list of more than one hundred guests that witnessed the blessing and the opening of the clinic. Following the opening of the clinic, a dental mission was conducted by Foundation volunteers
and more than 50 children from the surrounding villages were treated. The volunteer dentists in a three-hour mission did more than 100 procedures including extractions, oral prophylaxis, pulpotomies and fillings. All the children that came to the mission were provided with toothbrushes and toothpaste as well as basic oral hygiene instructions. The clinic is furnished with top of the line equipment including a digital x-ray system, UV-lit cabinet to store surgical instruments, E-generator LED handpieces, a large steam-driven sterilizer, a wireless endodontic handpiece, an intra-oral camera system with a 32-inch monitor, a computer and a dental lab. The Foundation also installed the first ever amalgam waste separator in the Philippines at the clinic. The clinic built for the Ro-
gationist Congregation is the second charity dental clinic built by the Dentistry For Every Village Foundation. In April of 2016, a similar dental clinic was build and endorsed to the St. Scholastica’s Mission Hospital in Pambujan, Northern Samar, Philippines. The International College of Dentists Global Visionary Funds and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation extensively supported that project. The clinic is now fully operational and sees and average of 30 charity patients a week. “We build the clinic to help address the lack of access to dental care for many indigent Filipinos, particularly children and young adults who are essentially neglected and ignored by the local government”, stated de la Vega. “Certainly, one dental clinic no matter how modern and well equipped can’t solve all the dental problems in the many impoverished villages around the country. But, it is a beginning” he added. The Foundation aims to complete another dental clinic in the province of Capiz in the spring of 2018. It is now in the middle of a fund raising drive to complete funding for that project. Tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation will be highly appreciated. Please visit the Foundation website, www.D4EVF to get more information about the organization and how to donate and support its projects.
TOP Model Of The World Inc. (TMWI) and Slimmers World International Philippines (SWI) recently signed the agreement formalizing the Launch of Top Model of the World Philippines 2017 (TMWP 2017). The agreement signals for the cooperation between TMWI and SWI to the launch of the TMWP 2017 jointly with Miss Bikini Philippines 2017 in Metro Manila. According to Miss Shyla Marquez, Marketing Manager of Slimmers World International Philippines, the search and screening has started in various key cities and regions of the Philippines. The TMWP organization announced that the Filipino Communities are expected to field participants among their accredited overseas-partner organizations. The events will begin on May 2 to start with the Press Presentation. The Finals is scheduled May 12. Last year winner’s of the Top Model of the World Philippines 2016 was won by the delegate representing the Filipino Communities of Southern California. She was sponsored by the Asian Journal Publications, Inc. and Pageantry Global, Inc. The 1st Runner-Up represented the Filipino Communities of Canada and was sponsored by International Professional Entertainment Network (IPEN) of Toronto Last year’s 2016 Finals of the Top Model of the World Philip-
pines was held in Melbourne, Australia and managed by Face Australia Promotions Management organization - the partner organization of TMWP in Australia. Already confirmed to join in
this year’s event are delegates presenting West Australia, Melbourne, Canada, the East Coast and the West Coast of the USA. The locals are expected to put up a good fight and surprises are in-store.
Business leaders invited to support improved...
PAGE B6 nesses have partnered providing funding and mentoring commitments in support of nonprofit programs which are addressing educational gaps and leading to improvement in student performance. “In the past, the LVGEA led Southern Nevada’s business community in efforts to reform PAGE B4 is no free lunch. You may be family, your marriage and your Nevada’s and Clark County’s educational system, to create the ditions will improve and make achieving your goal of a whop- sanity. competent workforce that busiit possible for ordinary people ping six figure income that al*** nesses demand and that families with extraordinary dreams to re- lows you the material status you Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is moving to our region deserve,” alize them. But you have to be seek, but see what the price of willing to pay the price. And no, putting in 16 hour shifts or tak- SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. said John Delikanakis, Chairman you can’t cheat. You can’t have ing on double or triple jobs is To send comments, e-mail monette. of the LVGEA Board of Directors. “The LVGEA looks forward to a your cake and eat it too. There doing to your own health, your maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
How to build a house...
(L-R) Caroline C. De Venecia, President of TMWI, Shyla Marquez representing SWI Philippines, and Christina C. De Venecia, Treasurer of TMWI.
continued leading role in that effort.” “The Las Vegas Metro Chamber, as the largest business organization in Nevada, has been at the forefront for decades for advocating at the local, state and federal levels for the policies, funding and accountability necessary to improve education for the benefit of students and employers. The Metro Chamber is proud to join with other members of the business community as we work together to do our part to ensure our students are workforce ready, now and into the future,” says Bill Noonan, 2017 chairman of the Metro
Chamber and senior vice president of Governmental and Industry Affairs with Boyd Gaming. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling The Smith Center box office at (702) 7492000 or by going online www. thesmithcenter.com. The cost is $20 per ticket for the BE Engaged program. A separate VIP luncheon, limited to 500 guests, is $50 per person. Ticket price includes VIP luncheon and seating for the morning’s BE Engaged program. Additional details and a link to purchase tickets are available at www.beengagednevada. com.
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