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Comelec won’t rush proclamation of winners by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

mANILA—the Commission on elections (Comelec) will not rush the proclamation of winners in order to attain a credible election on monday, may 9. the poll body is not aspiring to surpass its previous performance in the 2013 elections, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said on Wednesday, may 4. “We are not looking at any previous performance as a hard target. We want to improve from the last elections,” Jimenez said.

DATELINE

he said automated election does not mean having speedy results as it is intended to provide the public a better alternative. “If we are fine-tuning automation and if you need to take a hit in some areas so you can boost other areas, I think you should look at it holistically,” Jimenez said. Jimenez, however, assured the public that the proclamation of winners in the upcoming polls would not depart much from the 2013 polls. “In my estimates, we will not be far from the 72 hours (in 2013),” he said.

In 2013, the Comelec proclaimed the six winning senators three days after the elections and the next three senators the following day. the 12 winning senators then were proclaimed less than a week after the elections despite the transmission rate of only 76 percent. former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal earlier warned of possible delay in the proclamation of winners as the poll body adopted a new procedure. Under the new procedure, the Board of Canvassers (BoC) cannot PAGE A2

Binay laughs at Roxas’ ‘Solid North’ claim

USA

by Marc Jayson

US extradites Fil-Am suspect in Olongapo murder

PAGE A3

DC symposium reflects on Philippine growth and relations with the US WAshINGtoN, d.C. – members of the government, private sector, and the academe gathered at the Johns hopkins school of Advanced International studies (sAIs) for a symposium entitled “Philippines 2016: Governance, Growth, development and security” on thursday, April 28. Philippine Ambassador to the United states Jose L. Cuisia, in his keynote adPAGE A3

cayabyab

Inquirer.net

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

the primary suspect of the heinous murder of 23-year-old Karie Ces “Aika” mojica in olongapo City, Zambales in July last year was extradited by the Us back to the Philippines on sunday, may 1. filipino-American Jonathan dewayne Viane, 29, was turned over by agents of the federal Bureau of Investigation (fBI) after getting arrested in Iowa september 3 of last year. Viane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 4 am sunday morning. Viane allegedly murdered mojica, a store supervisor and his wife’s best friend

ELECTION PREPARATION. Workers rush to package vote counting machines (VCMs) at the COMELEC warehouse in at Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where a transmission of mock elections results is also held duing the weekend in preparation for the May 9 elections. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay

Inquirer.net photo

VICe PresIdeNt Jejomar Binay on Wednesday, may 4 laughed at his political nemesis Liberal Party standard-bearer manuel “mar” roxas II’s claim that the latter has the support of the “solid North.” In an interview with reporters in Cauayan, Isabela where he took his campaign sortie, Binay expressed his disbelief that roxas would claim to have the backing

of the north although the latter is not even from there. roxas’ roots can be traced to Capiz, the home province of his grandfather former President manuel roxas. Binay said he, however, is a native of Isabela, because his mother was born in Cabagan. “tiga saan ba yun? tiga saan (Where is from?)” Binay said of roxas, laughing. “tiga north ba yun? Ako, Northern Luzon ako. saka nanggaling

Abu Sayyaf bandits who beheaded IMF: PH to be Canadian threaten to kill Aquino fastest-growing ASEAN economy by yuJi

Vincent Gonzales

for next two years

Inquirer.net

memBers of the bandit Abu sayyaf Group (AsG) who beheaded Canadian John ridsdel on April 25 have recently threatened to kill President Benigno Aquino III. In a 52-second video of ridsdel’s beheading which is circulating online, an AsG member addressed Aquino and threatened to cut his head off if they meet before proceeding to kill the Canadian. “Noynoy Aquino, tignan mo kung hindi mo binibigay ‘yung ransom namin, puputulan ko ng ulo ‘yung Canadian. Pati ikaw kung mahuli kita puputulan din kita. (Noynoy Aquino, watch this; if you will not give us the ransom, we will cut this canadian’s head off. You too, if i find you, i’ll cut your head off),” the man said in the video. the authenticity of the video, which was posted on www.zerocen-

Strong demand to drive GDP at fastest pace among Asean-5 by MayVelin

u. caraballo ManilaTimes.net

A file picture of alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group. Inquirer.net photo

sorship.com, was not verified. the AsG members were uttering the phrase “Allah hu Akbar” (Allah the greatest) as they beheaded ridsdel, who was seen shouting in PAGE A4 Pres. Benigno Aquino III

Slot reserved for Pacquiao on PH boxing team

Manny Pacquiao

kami ni sen. (manny) Pacquiao doon, sobrang init ng pagkakatanggap sa amin. sa Ilocos Norte ha. (is he from the north? i’m from Northern Luzon. Sen. Pacquiao and i went there and we received a warm welcome. in ilocos Norte),” Binay said. he said in the 2010 vice presidential race, he won in all the towns of Ilocos Norte although he had not campaigned much in the province. PAGE A2

there’s a spot reserved for filipino ring idol manny Pacquiao in the Philippine boxing team. “It’s really up to him if he’s willing to join us,” boxing coach Boy Velasco said in filipino during the Philippine sportswriters Association forum at shakey’s malate on tuesday, may 3. the International Boxing Association (Aiba) has proposed allowing professional boxers in the olympics, a move that the world governing body will tackle and possibly ratify in a AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal meeting next month.

the eight-time world champion has shown interest but the representative from saranggani has been busy in his senatorial campaign lately. “In my opinion, he doesn’t need it. to become an eighttime champion is an achievement far bigger than the olympics,” said Velasco in the weekly forum backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Accel and san miguel Corporation. Just the same, the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (Abap) has reserved a slot for Pacquiao, who can

compete in the 64kg division. once he bites the bait, Pacquiao will take over the spot of light welterweight dennis Galvan. Velasco, who coached his siblings onyok and roel to olympic medal-winning performances, said Pacquiao would be forced to adjust to the amateur style of fighting which gives premium on points and speed. “But of course, he’s manny Pacquiao. his mere presence could intimidate his opponents,” said Velasco. (June Navarro/inquirer.net)

the Philippines is poised to be the fastest growing economy in southeast Asia this year and the next, the International monetary fund (Imf) said in a new regional report. In its “regional economic outlook for Asia and the Pacific,” the multilateral institution forecasts higher 2016-2017 gross domestic product (GdP) growth for the Philippines compared to the rest of Association of southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-5. the Imf said Philippine real GdP growth is likely to hit 6 percent this year and 6.2 percent in 2017, higher than Indonesia’s 4.9 and 5.3 percent; malaysia’s 4.4 and 4.8 percent; thailand’s 3 perPAGE A2

In the IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and the Pacific (REO), the Philippines is seen recording the fastest gross domestic product (GDP) growth among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-5 (Asean-5) this year. Philstar.com photo by Paulo Alcazaren

A

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From The FronT Page

Comelec won’t rush proclamation... PAGE A1

transmit the results of the canvassing until all Secure Digital (SD) cards from the provincial level have been imported. Comelec website more secured The Comelec website is now accessible and ready for use by 55 million registered voters one month after it was hacked, according to Jimenez. He said the website contains the list of registered voters and deactivated voters so that the people can check if they can still vote or not.

The Comelec posted on its website templates for the ballots for each city or municipality. The only similar information in the ballots are the candidates running for national posts, Jimenez said. Aside from the voters’ list and template of ballots, the public can also search and download the different Comelec resolutions concerning the conduct of the May 9 polls. Jimenez assured the public that the website is more secure and safe from hackers.

The poll body is not aspiring to surpass its previous performance in the 2013 elections, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

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Defective VCMs The vote counting machines (VCMs) the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has sent to Congress for the canvassing of presidential and vice presidential votes later this month are defective. House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the machines are generating the wrong vote tallies. “The machines cannot generate provincial and city certificates of canvass (COCs), only regional tabulations,� he said. Under the law, the congressional canvass of votes for president and vice president should be based on the provincial and city COCs, Gonzales said. “The regional tallies are useless to us,� he said. The software defect was detected when the VCMs were tested on Tuesday, May 3. Gonzales said he immediately phoned Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and asked him to send technicians to reprogram the VCMs. The canvassing will be done at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives at the Batasan complex in Quezon City. The House and the Senate will convene as a canvassing board shortly after sessions resume on May 23. The Senate is in charge of receiving the manually accomplished COCs showing the votes for president and vice president from the provincial and city board of canvassers. The COCs are to be sealed in ballot boxes. The Senate will have to form a reception committee that will receive the ballot boxes, which will be transported to the House before the start of canvass. In the past, COCs were tabulated in the order the Senate received them. Most likely, this will be the procedure that will be followed in this year’s canvassing. During the canvass, the VCMs deployed in the House will generate electronic COCs for comparison with the manually done vote certificates. The House and the Senate have started enforcing stricter security measures in preparation for the canvassing. After determining the winners, the two chambers will proclaim them in a joint public session. PAGE A4

SOVEREIGNTY. Members of the Armed Forces hoist the Philippine flag in one of five unoccupied islets in Itbayat, Batanes on Saturday, April 30, capping a three-day maritime domain awareness activity. The maritime awareness activities were held amidst growing tensions caused by China’s excessive claims in the disputed areas in the South China Sea and west Philippine Sea, including Philippine territory. Philstar.com photo

Binay laughs at Roxas’ ‘Solid North’... PAGE A1 “Nung 2010 sa lahat ng bayan nanalo ako doon hindi pa ako halos nakapagkampanya. Ito, katulad nung sa ibang lugar, mga pinuntahan ko sa oras ng pangangailangan. Lagi akong nakikita sa field. (In 2010, I won in all the towns of Ilocos Norte although I haven’t campaigned much there. It was here, as well as in other places, where I came in times of need. I was always seen in the field),� Binay said. Binay made the reaction after Roxas’ camp said it has gained the support of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas and 22 mayors in the province. Roxas also got the support of Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, who is the Liberal Party’s regional chair. Binay claimed to have the support of the “Solid North� because of his tandem with Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong� Marcos Jr., who gained support of the officials from the Ilocos region owing to his regionalistic roots there through his father the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Marcos’ family hails from Batac, Ilocos Norte. Meanwhile, Binay also has a following in the north because of his Ibanag roots in Isabela.

Interestingly, Binay’s running mate Sen. Gregorio “Gringo� Honasan II had been missing Binay’s sorties in the north in deference to the local officials there who were supportive of a Binay-Marcos tandem, or “Bi-Bo.� While Binay had failed to regain his lead in the opinion polls, Marcos had been leading the voters’ preference surveys, while Honasan had consistently placed at the bottom. According to the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from April 26-29, Marcos shared the lead with administration vice presidential candidate Camarines Sur Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni� Robredo. Sen Marcos’ vice presidential bid remains hounded by the human rights violations under the martial rule of his father Ferdinand Marcos and the ill-gotten wealth accumulated by his family under the late dictator’s 21-year rule. During the first vice presidential debate at the University of Santo Tomas, Marcos even said he had nothing to do with his family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth and that he could not return what he does not have. Meanwhile, Sen. Marcos’ sister Ilocos Norte Governor

Imee Marcos and her three sons were implicated in the offshore accounts in the British Virgin Islands, a known tax-haven for the world’s elite, according to the Offshore Leaks in 2013 released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. The investigation linked the governor to offshore companies Sintra Trust, ComCentre Corp., and M Trust, which she did not declare in her statement of assets and liabilities networth (SALN), raising suspicions that these could have been used to stash away the Marcoses’ alleged ill-gotten wealth pegged at $5 billion during her father’s twodecade rule. The Marcoses were also subjects of civil forfeiture cases before the Sandiganbayan on their alleged ill-gotten wealth in connivance with their cronies. Meanwhile, the Marcos matriarch Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos faces 10 counts of graft before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly having pecuniary interests in various foundations set up by her and her husband to accumulate ill-gotten wealth.

IMF: PH to be fastest-growing ASEAN... PAGE A1 cent and 3.2 percent; and Singapore 1.8 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. Domestic demand “The modest uptick in growth is expected to be driven by the continued strength of domestic demand, which will more than offset the drag from net exports. The latter will remain subdued, but spillovers from China are and will continue to be smaller [in the Philippines] than in other parts of the region,� it said. The IMF added that domestic demand would benefit from higher public consumption and investment growth, but private demand was also expected to re-

main buoyant, helped by low unemployment, low oil prices, and higher workers’ remittances. “Private investment growth is expected to remain robust owing to improvements in public infrastructure and implementation of public-private partnership projects,� it said. The IMF forecasts were lower than the government’s 6.8 percent to 7.8 percent target for 2016 as well as the 6.6 percent to 7.6 percent range set for 2017. GDP growth eased to 5.8 percent last year from 6.1 percent in 2014 on the back of a slowdown in exports and other factors. Asia growth engine Meanwhile, the IMF said

growth in Asia and the Pacific is expected to remain strong at 5.3 percent this year and next, accounting for almost two-thirds of global growth. Despite a slight moderation, it said Asia remains the engine of global growth. While external demand remains sluggish, domestic demand continues to show resilience across most of the region, driven by low unemployment, growth in disposable income, lower commodities prices, and macroeconomic stimulus, it added. “Of course, Asia is impacted by the still weak global recovery, and by the ongoing and necessary rebalancing in China,� said Changyong Rhee, director of the Asia and Pacific Department at the IMF. “But domestic demand has remained remarkably resilient throughout most of the region, supported by rising real incomes, especially in commodity importers, and supportive macroeconomic policies in many countries,� he added. Facing risks However, IMF stressed that the region faces a number of external challenges, including slow growth in advanced economies, a broad slowdown across emerging markets, weak global trade, persistently low commodity prices, and increasingly volatile global financial markets. These risks compound domestic vulnerabilities, such as high debt incurred in recent years. In the short term, China’s transition to a new growth model will disrupt its regional partners, especially those heavily exposed to the region’s biggest economy. Geopolitical tensions and domestic policy uncertainty add risks of potential trade disruptions or lower domestic demand, it also said. Natural disasters, too, can reverse economic gains, particularly in lower-income countries and small states, including many Pacific islands. Small states also face the challenge of reduced financial services by global banks or “de-risking� which could hold back financial inclusion and growth. The report also recognizes, however, that the outcome could turn out more positive than forecast. Low commodity prices could be a bigger boost to the region’s economies than expected; and regional and multilateral trade agreements, such as the TransPacific Partnership, could benefit Asia-Pacific even before they are ratified, it said.

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US extradites Fil-Am suspect in Olongapo... PAGE A1

last July 25. The murder went viral on social media after Mojica’s body was found burned, strangled and shot before being disposed in a dike in San Felipe, Zambales. Reports say that Mojica had a conversation with Viane the night before her murder. She was convincing him to allow his wife to bring their 4-year-old son back to the US. Viane fled outside the country after the crime while the second suspect, Niño Dela Cruz, also a

Fil-Am, was arrested by the Philippine National Police’s Special Action Force in Tondo, Manila, last August 12. Aika’s father Josar Mojica was in deep sorrow because of his daughter’s murder. Viane’s return in the country gave hope to the Mojica family that the case would push ahead. “It’s a good development that he has been brought here but his face is a painful reminder of my daughter’s death,” Josar Mojica said. Aika Mojica’s murder was

linked to the custody battle between Viane and his estranged wife back in the United States. Viane left the US and took their son to the Philippines which led to Mojica intervening in the issue. Viane is temporarily detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office, as of this writing, while Dela Cruz has already been charged before the Zambales RTC Branch 71, and is now locked up at the Zambales Provincial Jail. (Ian Jamotillo / AJPress)

DC symposium reflects on Philippine growth...

Workers unbolt the San Pedro bell from its base outside the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel in West Point, New York. Photos by Troi Santos

West Point chapel returns San Pedro bell to Bauang, La Union church by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

WEST POINT, NY – The parish priest of the church, Filipino officials and community members, a few cadets and parishioners took turns in ringing the San Pedro bell one last time on April 29, before it was sent back to its rightful home in Bauang, La Union after remaining for 101 years in West Point, New York. “The return of the San Pedro Bell embodies the strong bond and deep understanding of our nations, particularly when we were allies during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. We are therefore extremely grateful as a country and as an ally to the United States,” said Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel chaplain Matthew Pawlikowski led a mass for the event participants before leading a procession to the bell outside the chapel. The chaplain also blessed the bell in a valediction ceremony, right before the bell was rung for the last time, then unbolted to be prepped for shipping.

“Last November, we received a letter from the pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, established in 1587 and through that letter, we learned that the church is also the home of the San Pedro bell,” said Col. Wayne Green, Chief of Staff of the United States Military Academy. “There was no question on the proper disposition that we should take. We knew the right and honorable thing to do was to send San Pedro bell home.” Col. Green also said that for the past six months or so, they communicated back on forth with the Bauang parish on how they can return the bell. “We’re now here today in the spirit of friendship and cooperation to say farewell to the San Pedro bell which has been part of the West Point community for many years and return it to its rightful place,” Col. Green added. “In doing so, we not only affirm our commitment to one another but also return to Sts. Peter and Paul its voice and it is our hope that through this bell, the church will speak to the community for many generations to come.”

San Pedro bell history “It is said that the history of West Point is the history of America. The bell is part of that,” said Sonny Busa, a community leader representing the US-Philippine Society and the West Point Society of the Philippines. “The return of the bell is a manifestation of the strong bilateral ties between the United States and the Philippines,” he added. In 1833, Father Mariano Garcia, assistant priest of Bauang, La Union was given a large bell by the province’s Lieutenant-Governor, D. Mariano Balancio and a Lieutenant D.D. Hilario Calica. The 834-pound bell, an alloy of gold, silver and copper, was baptized and named San Pedro. It was almost destroyed during the Philippine-American War. Engraved on the bell are these words: ‘Siendo Cura Parroco El M.P.P.F. Mariano Garcia Ano de 1883 / Donacion del Gobernadorcillo D. Mariano Balancio y del teniente D. Hilario Calica A su Yglesia de Bauang’. The bell was brought to the PAGE A4

PAGE A1 dress, described the Philippines’ path towards good governance, growth, and development as challenging, fulfilling, and dynamic, crediting the country’s economic transformation to the good governance program of the Aquino Administration and economic policies centered on inclusive growth. Ambassador Cuisia also cited the deepening PhilippinesUS relations along the defense and security, people-to-people and economic tracks as an avenue of continued cooperation for the next administration. “The Philippines is committed to be a proactive, reliable and responsible ally of the US, but more importantly, a strong Philippines is critical to the stability of South East Asia, and I do look forward to the Philippines continuing along its current path,” he said. During the first panel on governance, growth and development, Motoo Konishi, former World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, emphasized the importance of addressing corruption and improving governance, protecting the population from climate change and environmental disasters and having peace in eliminating extreme poverty. “Fighting poverty and eliminating poverty means that you have to know each poor, who they are and where they live, and your investments need to be targeted to those people. Fast growth doesn’t eliminate poverty, you have to choose your policies carefully,” Konishi said. The Aquino Administration has actively pursued these three objectives, according to

Konishi. “The Aquino Administration focused on pro-poor policies,” Konishi further added, stating that the Philippine experience will be a highlight of the World Bank’s flagship World Development Report this year. Gloria Steele of USAID highlighted the accomplishments of the Aquino administration in competitiveness, transparency, corruption, infrastructure, education and health. “The Filipino people are looking forward to more changes and to the continuation of reforms that the Aquino Administration started,” she said. However, Steele added that more needs to be done by the next administration, such as improvements in airport infrastructure and quality energy regulations. Matthew Bohn of the Millennium Challenge Corporation lauded the first compact with the Philippines, which supported poverty reduction, inclusive growth, and elimination of corruption, as being one of MCC’s best compacts. He also expressed confidence that despite the challenges ahead, the Philippines will be able to sustain its growth and development largely because of the ground work that the Aquino administration has set in place. “The Aquino Administration has successfully put down deep and important roots for creating the conditions for (sustained) economic growth,” Bohn said. The second panel discussion on security and peace focused mainly on internal and external security challenges. Professor Zachary Abuza of the National War College described the modernization of

the Philippine air force, military and marine forces, the deepening defense relations with the United States through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), and Balikatan exercises as some of the major accomplishments of the Aquino Administration. However, peace and security challenges remain in Mindanao, one of which is the coercive capacities of political dynasties and political families through the use of private armies. “For any lasting peace to happen in Mindanao, you have to eliminate the private armies,” Professor Patricio Abinales of the University of Hawaii at Manoa said. Professor Abinales also linked the private armies with the pervasive presence of the illicit sector, stating that the presence of illicit trade in Mindanao cannot be weakened without first eliminating the private armies. “Unilateral naming doesn’t change the status of a territory, sea or land,” Professor Ruth Wedgwood of Johns Hopkins SAIS said, switching the discussion from internal to external security challenges. Referring to the impending decision of the Arbitral Tribunal, Professor Wedgwood further stated that “China will be put in a very difficult position to defy it” considering the interest of ASEAN member countries in the case. The last part of the symposium was a keynote address delivered by Senator Richard Lugar, speaking on the hallmarks of the Aquino Administration and the strong ties between the Philippines and the United States.

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Return-to-sender mailed overseas ballots piling up by Jun

nucum Inquirer.net

SPECIAL POWER. Policemen secure the front of the BPI office in Julio Vargas Pasig City as supporters of both Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Antonio Trillianes troop the area after Duterte’s lawyer and Trillianes faced off to settle the alleged P211 million pesos Duterte account. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

Comelec won’t rush proclamation... PAGE A2 Manual counting Votes cast by detainee voters for local candidates will be counted manually, according to the Comelec. Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia, chairman of the committee on detainee voting, said the poll body has decided to separate the ballots containing votes for local positions.

Guia said ballots containing the votes for national posts would be counted using the VCMs while the votes for both local and national positions would be counted manually. “Since the temporary restraining order (TRO) came in late and our process is already in place, this is the least disruptive system we thought we can have,” Guia explained.

The Supreme Court (SC) had earlier issued a TRO stopping detainees from voting in the local elections. Guia said the commission came out with a resolution to address the issue following the SC ruling. Under Comelec Resolution No. 10112, detainee ballots with votes only for national positions will be fed into the machines. Ballots containing votes for local positions will be placed in separate envelopes so they could be counted manually. Votes for local candidates will be considered stray votes by the Special Board of Election Inspectors, Guia said. There are around 64,000 prisoners who are registered to vote in 248 detention facilities nationwide. PCG on alert for polls Philippine Coast Guard commandant Rear Admiral William Melad placed the PCG on heightened alert in preparation for the May 9 elections. PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo yesterday said that Melad mobilized the PCG’s sea marshals, quick response teams, K-9 units and shore patrol teams. The PCG will assist the Comelec in transporting the ballots and other election paraphernalia. (With Jess Diaz, Evelyn Macairan/Philstar.com)

With the May 9 deadline for overseas absentee voting approaching, the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco announced that it has been getting back a number of return-to-sender (RTS) ballot packets they sent earlier to voters for mail-in voting. In an exclusive interview with Deputy Consul-General Jaime Ascalon and Consul Reginald Bernabe at the consulate voting center, it was learned that as of May 1, some 500 names were posted on the consulate website whose ballot packets were returned to the consulate as they could no longer be located at the last address on record. These voters have changed residence without informing the consulate of their new address. “We average around 90 RTS packets per day and as of May 1, around 1-2 percent of the estimated 46,000 eligible voters are listed and more are expected in the coming days. The listed names on the website would be updated as the other RTS come,” Ascalon disclosed. “Just this morning, a voter came in to claim he did not receive his ballot after transferring residence. But since his ballot packet has not yet been received back here, we advised him to leave his new address and phone number and he will be informed if he may claim his returned packet personally or, if time still permits, have it mailed to him,” Ascalon said. Ascalon clarified that they cannot issue another ballot as voters are allowed just one ballot each. “Only when the ballots are received back by us can we have their ballots sent back to them or have their ballots claimed here personally. So i advise those around 500 voters whose names are on our list as posted on our website http:// www.philippinessanfrancisco.org./ (as of May 1, 2016) to inform us right away through email atvote@ philippinessanfrancisco.org of their new contact details particularly the new mailing address,” he said. “It would be much better if they can come over to the consulate to personally claim their ballots and actually fill-out their forms here so they can hand-in the accomplished forms right away. No need to mailback that takes time especially now that we are only days away from May 9,” Ascalon added. Bernabe reported that the number of mailed completed ballots is picking up, but the consulate is not allowed to give an estimate since the voting process is still ongoing and they expect a lot more to be

Dolores Alontaga carefully fills out her ballot right at the consulate premises to make sure it gets submitted on time and not lost in the mail. Inquirer.net photo by Jun Nucum

received from the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the coming days. “Rest assured that all the ballot packets were sent individually to the voters to fillout and send back here in time to be counted,” Bernabe said. “We are making an appeal to the voters not to wait too long to accomplish their ballots so they can be sent soonest, through mail or hand-in, right away for it to be counted in as time flies fast.” Only around 30 voters so far have indicated that they would be personally voting in the consulate, the bulk of the ballots cast would really come by the mail. Ascalon disclosed that so far they were happy with the turnout of completed ballots but that they also want more people to send back the ballots right away to avoid having their votes wasted due to late receipt. “In terms of absolute numbers, we will surpass, if we haven’t surpassed it yet, the turnout in the last election in 2013. But we also have to consider that the number of registered voters have increased since the last registration from 15,000 to the present 46,000. The number has more than tripled,” explained Ascalon. Ascalon also reminded the voters to follow the proper way of accomplishing or filling out the forms, specifically by darkening or shading the oval beside the name of choice and not make any markings on the name itself such as encircling the name, which cannot be read by the VCMs. “Another reminder is not to vote more than the number of choices allowed which is one choice each for the position of the president, vice-president and party-list and 12 for senators. There may be less than 12 for chosen senators and still be valid but not more than 12,” reminded Ascalon. Ascalon and Bernabe also said

that they will not be canvassing the votes as this will be done at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC. “We have 46 precincts here and we will have results one from each precinct. Grand total will be done in Washington, DC,” Bernabe divulged. “We will come up with a precinct count, all 46 of them, individually. By then, votes for individual candidates will be posted also by precincts.” Aside from San Francisco, there are 55 precincts in LA, 33 in Vancouver and 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Seen filling out her ballot in the consulate was Dolores Alontaga of Bicutan, Taguig, who came with her husband Victor of Cebu and Laguna. “The instructions in voting are clear and simple enough for easy understanding. This is my first time to vote since we have been here for only two years. We live near the consulate so i decided to fill out my ballot here so i can just hand them over my accomplished form to be sure it reaches them on time,” Dolores said. “Voting here is much easier, more convenient and stress-free than when we were voting back in the Philippines. In Taguig, precincts were usually full of voters with hot and humid room conditions, especially when the polling places were about to close.” Victor hopes that the voting process today is fool-proof and will have no more problems that the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines had before. “I didn’t have any problem voting here in the consulate. It was even faster and easier than I expected. I exhort everyone to exercise their right to vote. Do not waste this chance to be heard. I also hope that everything will be fine and we will be able to vote for the right leaders of our country,” Victor related.

Abu Sayyaf bandits who beheaded... PAGE A1 pain, with a knife. A male decapitated body found in Sulu province was turned over to Marine Battalion Landing Team on April 27, days after Risdel’s beheading. The Canadian’s severed head was found in a yellow sack near a police station inside the municipal hall premises in Jolo last April 25. A P20-million ransom had been raised for delivery to the Abu Sayyaf captors on the day Ridsdel

was beheaded. The ASG initially demanded P1 billion for each of the four kidnap victims for an April 8 deadline, but later reduced the ransom to P300 million each due April 25. Risdel’s companions—fellow Canadian Robert Hall, Norweigian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipino Maritess Flor—remain captives of the bandit group. They were kidnapped at a marina on Samal Island in September last year. The ASG released a video of

the remaining hostages pleading to the Canadian and Philippine governments to meet the militant groups’ demands. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who first broke the news of the beheading, said his country will not pay ransoms for the release of its citizens following Ridsdel’s gruesome killing. Aquino previously revealed terrorist plot to kidnap his sister Kris and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

West Point chapel returns San Pedro bell to... PAGE A3 United States in 1902 after the U.S. forces took it in 1899. In 1915, the bell came to West Point. “It was during the process of chasing Emilio Aguinaldo then. The U.S. Army had an SOP that if they see things that could be converted into bullets, they would confiscate them. The bell was one of the things they seized in the town of Bauang, La Union,” explained Busa, a retired Department of State foreign service officer. “They heard a rumor that the insurgents, the insurrectos were making artillery out of church bells, so they took the town’s bell.” Thomas Barry, a West Point graduate from the Class of 1877 served in the Philippines during the Philippine-American War and subsequently became the 27th Superintendent of the Military Academy. Through cooperative efforts in the Philippines, Barry was instrumental in sending the bell to West Point in 1915. The bell remained in the church belfry for 44 years unhung and unrung only to be discovered during the 1959 expansion of the chapel. Before being shipped to the Philippines, the bell stayed outside the chapel on a base which was designed in the 1980s and funded by the West Point chapter of the Daughters of the U.S. Army. On November 10, 2015, the pastor of St. Peter and Paul Church in Bauang wrote a letter to the Military Academy Superintendent, requesting the Academy to return the bell to its home in the Philippines. “Gen. Caslen read the letter and they conducted an investigation. Their historians verified this claim

and the conclusion is that the bell belongs to the people of Bauang. He made a moral and ethical decision to return it,” explained Busa. “Now, the bell will be on its way home. We can very well call it our Balikbayan Bell.” Last January 28, 2016, Lieutenant General Robert Caslen, Jr. wrote back to Fr. Ronald Chan obliging his request. “I have a special interest because it is going back to the Diocese of San Fernando,” added Consul General de Leon, who added that his father is from the town of San Juan, the town after San Fernando. Bauang is part of the Diocese of San Fernando. Community response “It is very heartwarming. I am so elated because this bell is going back to Bauang, which was our vacation place then. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity,” said Josephine Gopiao of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC), an organization based in Northern Virginia. She joined a group of community leaders who drove from Washington, DC and Maryland to attend the bell’s send-off. Members of the group sang ‘Bayan Ko’ after Busa delivered his speech. Filipino and some FilipinoAmerican cadets joined members of the community in the singing. “I am very happy that the bell is going back home, this is an important part of our history,” said Don Stanley Dalisay, one of only two Filipinos from the Philippines who are currently enrolled at West Point. “This highlights the strong relationship between the United States and the Philippines espe-

cially considering our jaded history. We’ve fought against each other before, now we’re allies in the Asia Pacific region.” Dalisay comes from the town of Tingloy, Batangas. He is a junior cadet at West Point taking up economics and operations research. He spent a year as a plebe at the Philippine Military Academy as a part of the Gabay-Laya Class of 2016. “This bell (San Pedro) was incidental. The group is trying to get the Balangiga Bells back and that is why they have been communicating with me. Admiral McKinnon told me that he heard there’s another bell at West Point so he told me to look into it and do some research,” Dalisay explained. The group he was referring to is the group of Rear Admiral Dan McKinnon, Dennis Wright and other U.S. Navy veterans who have been heavily involved in getting the Balangiga Bells of Samar back to the Philippines. The cadet went to the library to do his research but he stumbled on a dead end as there was nothing about San Pedro bell. West Point officials just took photos of the bell and sent it to the group and the Balangiga historian in Leyte, Dr. Rolando Borrinaga who was able to trace the origin of the bell and cross reference the Spanish inscription on the bell with records of parishes. Armed with that information, Father Chan of Sts. Peter and Paul wrote that letter to the US Military Academy Superintendent Robert Caslen. Almost six months have passed, and now the San Pedro bell is on its way back home.

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 5-11, 2016

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PH bets sign TRUTH Covenant 3 airport men charged over ‘tanim-bala’ by EvElyn

onG Philstar.com

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MANILA—Presidential candidates Vice President Jejomar Binay and former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II and 15 senatorial candidates on Monday, May 2 vowed not to use guns, goons and gold in the remaining days of the campaign period. The candidates attended a concelebrated 9am mass presided over by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at the Manila Cathedral. They later signed the covenant for Truthful, Responsible, Upright, Transparent and Honest (TRUTH) elections. The 15 senatorial aspirants were Sen. Vicente Sotto III, Maria Susanna Ople, former interior secretary Rafael Alunan III, former Philippine National Police-Special Action Force director Getulio Napeñas Jr., former justice secretary Leila de Lima, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, lawyer Lorna Kapunan, Manila Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, former PhilHealth director Risa Hontiveros, broadcaster Rey Langit, Princess Jacel Kiram, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Vicente Paez and Diosdado Valeroso. Meanwhile, Robredo was represented at the occasion by her relative Gail Robredo.

at the final X-ray counter of the departure area. The couple was supposed to MANILA—Two agents of the fly to Los Angeles to visit their Office for Transportation Security daughter and for Salvacion’s (OTS) and an airport wheelchair medical checkup for arthritis. In their joint sworn statement, attendant at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were the Cortabistas alleged that Mocharged by the Pasay City prose- rales, Go and Namba might have cutor’s office in connection with the alleged tanim-bala or bulletplanting scheme that recently victimized an elderly couple. OTS agents Ferdinand Morales and Fatti Dame Go and attendant Niño Namba were charged for planting evidence under Article V, Section 38 of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Law, robbery with intimidation and unjust vexation. Salvacion Cortabista,75, and husband Esteban,78, filed the complaints. The couple claimed that they were victimized by the OTS personnel who found a live .38 caliber bullet in the hand carry bag of Salvacion at the departure area of the NAIA Terminal 1 on April 19. The couple denied owning the bullet. The bullet was found in a pocket inside Salvacion’s brown handbag by Ghio

Macairan

DIVINE INTERVENTION. Presidential candidates Vice President Jejomar Binay shakes hands with Manuel Roxas after signing the covenant for Truthful, Responsible, Upright, Transparent & Honest (TRUTH) Elections after a Mass at the Manila Cathedral on Monday, May 2. The signing was witnessed by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista, among others. CBCP photo by Roy Lagarde

Radio Veritas president Fr. Anton Pascual said they sent out invitations to all five presidential candidates, six vice presidential candidates and 55 senatorial candidates but unfortunately, many were unavailable as they were busy in campaign sorties. In the covenant, the candidates promised “to strongly admonish our relatives, friends, followers and supporters to desist from using violence, deceit, fraud and other unfair and dishonest practices.” “We will uphold the credibility and the integrity of the remaining campaign period and election

process and the dignity of the Filipino people,” they added. “We will remember always that we are God’s steward on earth and must therefore promote at all times a safe, clean and wholesome environment and an unequivocal respect and reverence for life.” They also promised to encourage voters to exercise their right to suffrage. In his homily, Tagle said that Filipinos should treat their right to vote as a “blessing” because there are other countries where this right is enjoyed only by some classes in society. PAGE A7

Comelec asked to probe Poe, Roxas for vote buying by rosEttE

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MANILA—Senatorial candidate Greco Belgica on Tuesday, May 3 filed a petition before the Commission on Elections for an investigation into alleged vote buying by the Liberal Party led by its standardbearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and by presidential bet Sen. Grace Poe. “Wherefore it is respectfully prayed to this Honorable Commission to create a body to conduct an investigation on the above-stated vote-buying scheme by the Liberal Party,” Belgica, a former Manila councilor, said in his petition. Belgica said there are videos to prove his claims that the two

presidential candidates tried to buy votes. The senatorial aspirant also said he is filing the petition through his own initiative as a registered voter and a taxpayer of the Philippines saying “it is the right of every citizen, voting or not, to report incidents in violation of any laws particularly those pertaining to election laws.” He asked the commission “to conduct a cautious investigation on an untoward vote-buying scheme spearheaded by the Liberal Party to assuage the votes in favor of their standard-bearer Mar Roxas.” Belgica said the investigation may lead to the disqualification of Poe and Roxas.

“Ito ay para himukin ang imbestigasyon sa vote buying na nakita sa hinagawa sa kampo ni Secretary Roxas at Senator Grace Poe. Hopefully, imbestigahan ng Comelec for potential disqualification,” Belgica told the reporters. Belgica, the lead petitioner at the Supreme Court against the pork barrel system and the Disbursement Acceleration Program, is a known supporter of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. He is also the chairman of Reform Coalition Philippines, a political watchdog calling for the restoration of security features in vote counting machines to be used in the May 9 elections.

Personnel from the Public Attorney’s Office accompany Salvacion Cortabista, 75, to a preliminary hearing at the Department of Justice on the charge of illegal possession of ammunition on Monday, May 2. Cortabista and her husband, Esteban, 78, were barred from leaving for Los Angeles on April 19 after a .38 caliber bullet was found in one of their handcarried bags at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. They denied owning the bullet and insisted that NAIA personnel planted it in their bag. Philstar.com photo

conspired to execute the alleged tanim-bala scheme. They also stressed that Namba was the only one who got near their baggage. The statement also said two personnel in uniform, later identified as Morales and Go, prevented PAGE A7

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may 5-11, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOURNaL

OpiniOn

Public interest

Features

THESE last few days leading up to May 9—the Philippine national elections—are critical. This moment is intense as aspiring leaders are rushing to mount campaigns that will boost in public support, which in turn, they hope will manifest in actual votes. For Filipino voters, this moment is a chance for them to relish the power they have and take this exercise with tenacity and good cheer. The Filipinos’ support is essential to any leader. They are after all, the ones who get someone into office, and whom leaders are representing. On the other hand, an elected leader plays a central role in every Filipino’s life. He or she shapes the system, make crucial decisions, and represent the hopes and interests of every Filipino. On Monday, May 2, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle gathered candidates for national positions during a Mass at the Manila Cathedral where he also made them sign the covenant for Truthful, Responsible, Upright, Transparent & Honest (TRUTH) elections. In his homily, Tagle urged the political aspirants to evaluate what the real needs of the people are and to do everything in their powers to foster better and safer communities in the country. “In being candidates, you need to know that it is a blessing that comes with a responsibility. If you win, it means you must represent the people’s dreams and common good,” Tagle said. Meanwhile, Cardinal Orlando Quevedo on Tuesday, May 3, reminded Filipino voters to “not to

be mesmerized” by promises of “change” by candidates seeking the country’s top post. He said that what the country needs is a “radical” and “profound” change in mind, behavior and values. Quevedo urged voters to throw their support for the candidates who have an option for the poor and those with moral integrity or someone “that is not tainted by corruption, unexplained wealth, and properties, and enrichment in office.” He encouraged them to choose a leader who is competent to govern 100 million Filipinos and lead them to a better life. Filipinos have signaled an inclination for a progressive, ideal government—a that system is committed to the common good, shared and personal responsibility, and one that finds opportunity for everyone. Next week, we will see if election results will usher in a new presidency that would mark a significant change in the country’s political landscape. Until then, may voters ruminate on who they think will be a good leader before casting their votes. May they choose an inspiring leader who will stand for the highest values and ideals of every Filipino—all 100 million of them. (AJPress)

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

With Roxas and Robredo surging in polls, can Duterte’s lead be overtaken? DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte may have had the most challenging week of his campaign, just a week before the all-important presidential election in the Philippines, following allegations made by VP candidate Sen. Antonio Trillanes. Trillanes alleged that the Philippine presidential front-runner has multiple bank accounts with millions of pesos not declared in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). This allegation of corruption and many other attacks on Duterte’s character have been branded as black propaganda by the Duterte camp and his followers, alleging that his opponents are so desper-

killed people and is ate to pull him down afwilling to kill more ter his dominance in the The Fil-Am to get things done recent polls all over the Perspective as his approach to country. governance; his cursBut as some say, all ing the popular Pope is fair game in politics, Francis; his blatant especially when a canunapologetic and didate has given his Gel SantoS-ReloS even bragging statedetractors ammunitions to fire back at him. Duterte has been ment that he is a womanizer; the allecriticized over many issues like his rape gations that he has ghost employees; statement wen he said he, the mayor, his reported statements that if elected, should have been the first one to rape the he will release former Pres. Gloria Arroyo; that he will allow deposed dictator murdered Australian. Then there were more among many Ferdinand Marcos be buried in Libinothers: his own words admitting he has gan ng mga Bayani; and that he will let

Bongbong Marcos take over if he fails to resolve crimes in the first three months of his presidency. Just this past week, something has been happening in the polls. From placing fourth below Duterte, Poe and Binay, we see the rise of DILG Sec. Mar Roxas in surveys, especially following the last debate hosted by ABS-CBN. In the Pulse Asia survey for the period April 26-29, Duterte may have stayed at top place at 33 percent, unchanged from the April 19-24 survey, but Roxas has climbed up to second place with 22 percent, a 2 percent rise from the previous poll.

The D’ Strafford Research and Strategies Poll for the period April 25-29 could be more problematic for Duterte. It showed Roxas on top with 27.8 percent, followed by Duterte with 25.4 percent. If this trend continues, could Roxas pull an upset on May 9, and be elected president? ABANGAN! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

The elite’s desperate push for the hopeless Mr. Roxas Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Commentary

MaRlen V. Ronquillo THE last failure of the economic elite–and their surrogates in the media and civil society– was the one involving Mrs. Arroyo. They wanted her out of power right after the 2004 elections through means fair or foul, and preferably via the Nicaraguan version of crippling the capital with massive protest actions. There were constraints, though. One was protest fatigue. After EDSA Uno and EDSA Dos—and the short-lived EDSA Tres—the middle class and the urban poor were no longer predisposed to mass at EDSA and cripple the main transport route of the metropolis to topple down the Arroyo administration. The middle class just wanted to vent their ire in the 2010 elections and humiliate Mrs. Arroyo’s chosen through their votes. The urban poor had been calmed down by former First Quarter Storm activists then working in Mrs. Arroyo’s camp to rein in their anti-Arroyo angst. With the middle class bone weary and tired of political protests and the anger of the urban poor reined in, the economic elite and their surrogates fought their war through the major media outlets they controlled and still control. The last few years of Mrs. Arroyo in power saw the explosion of corruption stories that was unparalleled in the country’s political and media history. The Arroyo administration also saw to it that the other vital institutions of government, the Congress and the judiciary, stayed out of the fray and did not go along with

the grand agenda of the elite. The leading lights of the legislative and the judiciary also shared the general view of the tired middle class – the 2010 elections, not the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo, was the preferred option on leadership change. Congress and the LGUs—and the military—were most opposed to the elite’s wish for an extra-constitutional option to oust Mrs. Arroyo. The glory of Gloria Arroyo came to pass and in the 2010 elections, the elite’s anointed, Mr. Aquino, was unanimously elected president. The demonized image of Mrs. Arroyo was enough to sink her candidate, actually the most qualified candidate in that election cycle. Mr. Aquino, to show his fealty to the elite, truly fulfilled the economic elite’s grandest hope, an “all-business president” who measures his accomplishments on growth rates and credit upgrades, and how much wealth has been transferred to the already-awesome wealth of the economic elite. Six years of unprecedented upward redistribution. Through six years, not a single one was a down

year for the elite. Steve Forbes, the failed US presidential candidate whose family owns the magazine that measures the wealth of the global elite, was so caught up with the elite’s gushing over Mr. Aquino that he wanted a clone of Mr. Aquino to be president of the US. In his country, bridging inequality is primordial in the political debates. Here, we are stuck up in the ‘80s mania for growth, balanced budgets and credit upgrades. As if this Catholic country has never heard of a pope named Francis who has debunked trickledown economics and the kind of reckless, unfettered capitalism bannered by Mr. Aquino. In the current election cycle, the elite is in yet another state of despondency and frustration. The chosen one, Mr. Roxas, has been lagging in the polls and is now in third place – more than 10 percent behind the polling leader, Mr. Duterte. After six years of cruel capitalism that tilted 100 percent into their direction, the elite can’t let go. The problem is they have a weak and near-to-hopeless candidate who has failed to catch up despite the sky-is-the-limit support

extended to him by the influential institutions the elite controls or owns. Mr. Roxas is supported by all sectors with a national megaphone, from Big Business to Big Media. The Aquino administration precisely crafted the BUB in the national budget to help Mr. Roxas’ candidacy and that is throwing money into the LGUs to get votes for Mr. Roxas. Even the cash transfer program has been politicalized. (That sounds more correct than “politicized.”) In the blighted rural areas, the Aquino government campaigns with the threat that the conditional cash transfer will be gone with Mr. Roxas defeat. Despite all these, he has been mocked by Mr. Duterte as a “ loser.” After Big Media was done sliming Mr. Binay, the early leader in the presidential poll who has slid down to 4th place from his commanding lead, the new target is Digong Duterte. Duterte is now facing questions about a banking history that involved alleged more than P2 billion in recent transactions. It is now the big story, supplanting the Makati City tales

cine, law and THE United government States has al- Commentary fields. They ways been a have enriched nation of imthe lives of migrants. At many Amerievery turn in cans through our history, we cultural exhave become SenatoR HaRRy Reid change, fought stronger and in wars to procloser by recognizing the richness in each tect our freedom, and played an of our many cultures. Nevada, important role in our economy. like America, is stronger for its And with each new generation diversity – not only from the comes the promise of stronger, greater Asian-American and more vibrant communities —and Pacific Islander community, but the same is true for our country also the great diversity within as a whole. Asian Americans and Pacific it. In May, we recognize and Islanders have helped build, decelebrate the rich heritage and fend and strengthen our nation diversity of the Asian American through their work as civil rights and Pacific Islander commu- activists, rail-road workers, farmnity. Our nation is enriched ers, scientists, entrepreneurs, by the more than 16 million artists, servicemen and women, people—representing 45 dif- and public servants. Even through ferent ethnic groups and 28 times of hardship and a long hislanguages—that make up this tory of injustice, this community vibrant community, and I am has persisted and forged ahead, grateful for their immense con- helping to shape a more perfect tributions to Nevada’s cultural union. Our nation is made stronger and economic development. Each year, more and more Ne- by its diversity, and America is a vadans can trace their roots back better place because of the AAPI to the Philippines, China, Japan, community and its accomplishVietnam, Korea, India and many ments. I extend my best wishes other Asian and Pacific nations. for a joyous Asian American They have excelled in the arts, and Pacific Islander Heritage commerce, academia, medi- Month. of alleged big-time constructionrelated corruption. It involves the same narrative, the leading presidential candidate enmeshed in a morass of corruption and unsuccessfully wiggling away from the charges. Only the name has changed. It is now Duterte instead of Binay. The current charge is “ bank accounts” the one that successfully led to the ouster of Erap in 2000.

As the Makati-centric stories on alleged corruption faded from the national discussion, it is Davao City and its arriviste mayor that are now hogging the headlines. The problem is the timeline. It is just a few days from May 9 and the hardcore devotion of many voters to the arriviste mayor is for real. There is doubt that the elite can deliver a Hail Mary pass for Mr. Roxas. (ManilaTimes.net)

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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ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLITIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern lifornia Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern lifornia, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively. Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions. Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please ll the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

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Deguito denies money laundering raps by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA—Former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) branch manager Maia SantosDeguito denied on Monday, May 2 the money laundering charges filed against her in connection with the $80.9 million stolen by hackers from the Bangladesh Bank and laundered to the country. In a 15-page counter-affidavit, Deguito asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the complaint for violation of Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act filed against her by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) last March. Deguito’s lawyer Ferdinand FREEDOM’S FULL MEAL. Ten Indonesian sailors who were freed by the Abu Sayyaf eat a hearty meal of fried chicken, fish and rice at the house of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan II in this photo released to the Inquirer. The Philippine government on Monday, May 2 said it is glad that Topacio said the complaint should the Indonesians kidnapped by the bandit group Abu Sayyaf are now free and safe after five weeks in captivity. be dismissed for lack of probable cause. She refused to grant journalists’ request for an interview.

PH bets sign TRUTH Covenant PAGE A5 He also reminded the candidates that they need to keep in mind the responsibility that comes with winning the elections, which is to uplift the lives of Filipinos. Value of honesty Roxas said the signing of the covenant was very important to re-instill the value of honesty among candidates. But he declined to comment when asked about the absence of

some of his rivals. “Maybe you should ask them. I don’t know what it means to them. Maybe this is not important to them. We are leaders. We are expected to uphold the highest and best values as Filipinos. And these are our values – the truth and what is the truth being suggested there? Upliftment, transparency, honest elections. For me, this is not just taking time out (from the campaign),” Roxas told reporters.

He, however, took potshots at Binay, saying his rival apparently was not afraid of “being hit by lightning” for entering a holy place despite the corruption allegations against him. “Other candidates apparently are afraid of being hit by lightning because one must be truthful inside the church, right?” he asked. Roxas said he shook hands with Binay and greeted him “peace be with you.”

3 airport men charged over... PAGE A5 them from undergoing final inspection of their baggage as something suspicious was found inside Salvacion’s handbag. Morales later found the bullet, saying it was found in the handbag pocket during the final check. He also said “mahina ang singkwenta mil (P50,000 is peanuts),” which the couple believed was an attempt at extortion. The couple also said Morales was gesturing at Go and this was captured by a security camera, according to the couple’s statement. Salvacion also said in the statement she was treated as just another prisoner “without consideration for my old age and condition” when she underwent booking procedure by police. The incident, the couple said, traumatized them and forced

them to cancel their US trip. The Public Attorney’s Office, counsel for the Cortabistas, included in an affidavit 46 resolutions recommending dismissal of previous tanim-bala cases due to lack of evidence. Meanwhile, a Bureau of Immigration officer at NAIA Terminal 1 praised the Office of the Ombudsman that found two former BI commissioners and another employee guilty of grave misconduct for the illegal suspension of a bureau officer. The ombudsman’s order, signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Blesilda Ouano last Jan. 26, but released only last April 4, ordered the dismissal from the service with all the necessary penalties of former immigration commissioners Ricardo David Jr. and Siegfred Mison and BI head executive assistant Grace Lara.

Complainant Paulino Verzosa, a former Immigration Alien Control Officer at the BI Laoag Field Office, had accused David, Mison and Lara of grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming of a public officer and oppression. Verzosa was suspended for one month and one day on Nov. 13, 2007 for simple misconduct by then BI officer in charge Ronaldo Ledesma and Felino Quirante Jr. Verzosa immediately filed a motion for reconsideration but was denied by the BI in July 2010 when David was the new BI commissioner. He brought the case to the Manila regional trial court in September 2010 and the court issued “a Writ of Preliminary Mandatory Injunction directing the BI officials to desist from implementing the penalty of suspension upon complainant.”

In her affidavit, Dequito denied facilitating the laundering of the stolen money, insisting that it was former RCBC president Lorenzo Tan who ordered her to open the four fictitious accounts where the $80.1 million was deposited. She said all transactions at her branch had the approval of Tan, and the bank officials are using her as a scapegoat to avoid criminal liability. Topacio asked for another extension for the filing of their reply to the charges, citing the recent complaint filed by the AMLC against the executives of remittance firm Philrem Service, where part of the laundered money reportedly went. The AMLC lawyers opposed the move, calling it a dilatory tactic. Assistant state prosecutor Gilmarie Fe Pacamarra denied

Topacio’s request, saying the respondent was given enough time when she was granted an extension during a hearing on April 12. Topacio questioned the motive of the AMLC in rushing the preliminary investigation of the case at the DOJ. “We are puzzled why the money laundering council is rushing to end the hearing at the DOJ without first filing charges against the RCBC officials. When will they run after those who are really behind the laundering?” he said. Meanwhile, the camp of casino junket operator Kim Wong did not file an answer to the charges, and instead appealed the decision of the prosecutor. Casino operator Weikang Xu did not appear or send a representative.

SC extends anew suspension of Arroyo plunder trial by TETch

TorrEs-TuPas Inquirer

THe Supreme Court (SC) extended up to June 20, 2016 its order stopping the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the plunder trial of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the alleged misuse of P366million in funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) from 2008 to 2010. In a resolution released Wednesday, May 4, the high court granted the request for extension filed by Arroyo’s counsel. “The status quo ante order (SQAO) under Resolution of March 8, 2016 is extended until June 20, 2016, unless sooner revoked by the Court,” the high court said. This is the third extension issued by the high court that stopped the Sandiganbayan trial. On October last year, the high court issued a 30-day SQAO. After its lapse last November, the high court then extended it for 90 days that lapsed last Feb. 20. Then, from Feb. 20, 2016, it was extended up to April 20, 2016 and eventually to June 20. The high court issued the SQAO after Arroyo filed a 115-page petition asking the high court to reverse the final ruling of the Sandiganbayan First Division last February denying her bail in the PCSO case. Arroyo is detained at the Vet-

Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

erans’ Memorial Medical Center plunder over the alleged misuse of P366 million in intelligence funds for the PCSO from 2008 to 2010 for personal gain. Arroyo went to the high court after the Sandiganbayan denied her bid to post bail. In her petition, Arroyo cited her deteriorating health in asking the high court to reverse the rulings of the Sandiganbayan. Arroyo said the high court had ruled in many cases that detainees are entitled to bail “if their continuous confinement during the pendency of their case would

be injurious to their health or endanger their life.” The petitioner invoked the case of De La Rama, where the high court ruled that hospital arrest “fell short of meeting or accomplishing the humanitarian purpose or reason underlying the doctrine adopted by modern trend of courts’ decisions which permit bail to prisoners, irrespective of the nature and merits of the charge against them, if their continuous confinement during the pendency of their case would be injurious to their health or endanger their life.”

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Journal

The first of everything: First-time The origins of Mother’s Day mothers share their joys and challenges & how Filipinos celebrate OF the joys and challenges women face in life, none is more extraordinary than having their first baby. From the moment they find out about the pregnancy to the day they give birth, women will experience many changes and learn new ways to take care of their life and their growing baby. In this Mother’s Day special feature, we asked a first-time mothers about their experiences, emotions and how they deal with their life now with their first born. “Holding her for the very first time was when I knew that life was going to be so much brighter and happier.” - Aileen B. Castañeda, mother to Sophie Nicola Castañeda (born March 3, 2016) Aileen said she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions when the labor and delivery nurse informed her that she was going to be admitted. “I was very happy that I would be meeting our baby girl soon. It was exciting since I was exactly 40 weeks into pregnancy—baby was very punctual because she decided to come out her exact due date,” she said then added, “I was also very scared since being a first time Mom, everything was all new to me. I did not know

Aileen Castañeda with baby Sophia Nicola

what to expect and did not know how painful labor was going to be. I had my husband (Ryan) with me the whole time and he was a very good coach throughout the process, so I knew everything was going to be okay.” Apart from the usual paranoia new mothers have such as not producing enough breast milk and not knowing what the baby needs when it cries is the fear of failing to become the best mom to Sophie. “I wanted to be prepared—read books, went to birthing classes, stocked up her nursery so there would not be any surprises, I even downloaded some apps so I can be reminded when the next feeding will be and for how long!,” Aileen shared. “But at the end of the day, it was what it was, just a preparation. I did not know what the future holds, I knew there would be challenges ahead but I have my husband, family and friends willing to support and do anything and everything. That support and assurance alone helped overcome any first time mother fears.” She takes cue from her hardworking mother to become a better mom to Sophie. With this, she only has one wish for her daughter. “There will come a time when she will face her own challenges in

life. I wish she can embrace and be passionate of the good values my husband and I will instill in her. I hope that she will decide and choose her paths based on those values. “ “I was full of gratitude, and I said my prayer of thanks to God, that after more than five years of wishing and praying for a child we have now received His blessing, as we have now my child in my arms.” - Maria Lourdes Nitro-Puzon, mother to Aldrei Mateusz Puzon (born September 16, 2015) For Maria Lourdes or Marie Nitro-Puzon, nothing could really have prepared her and her husband, Aldrin, to see their son come out of this world. The couple had been through years of trying to have a child. “It was just overwhelming. It was the most surreal experience,” she shared. “[I} still couldn’t believe that I was able to push that baby out of me. My husband and I were tearful for a moment, then we posed for the picture to have our first family photo and we were all smiles.” As a nurse working at a government birthing facility in Makati City, Philippines, Marie does counseling about breastfeediing

by Charisse Trinidad / AJPress

Marie Nitro-Puzon with baby Aldrei Mateusz

with mothers. Ironically, it was the same thing that she faced during the first days after Aldrei was born. “I did not know that it was going to be that painful until I experienced it myself. I was struggling during the first few days, feeling pained and lacking sleep; as it was a round-the-clock job,” she shared. “It was discouraging as I was producing very little milk at first. I almost thought of giving up, but I can’t. I just continued breastfeeding and my milk supply increased.” With the difficulties in breastfeeding, being sleep deprived and tired; Marie always reminds her of her mother’s advice. “[My] mom told me that when you are tired, it’s ok to ask for help so that you can rest. “My mom is a woman of prayer. She tells me that despite those fatigued moments from diaper change and long nursing sessions, I still and should find time for prayer, seek help, ask for blessings and to guide me through motherhood,” she said. “I am teaching my son to pray and call on God to bless him and the people around him. I want him to be God-fearing, PAGE B6

MOTheR’S Day is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American existence of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Reeves Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. While dates and celebrations may differ, Mother’s Day most often falls on the second Sunday in May and traditionally involves presenting mothers with flowers, cards and other gifts. Celebrations of mothers can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele. however, the most modern version of Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” The roots of the modern Mother’s Day date back to the 19th century. Years before the Civil War (1861-1865), Ann Reeves Jarvis of West Virginia helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how to properly care for their children. These clubs later became a unifying force in a region of the country still divided over the Civil War. In the US and Philippines on the second Sunday in May, Mother’s Day is a time when children and fathers both spend a day pampering and showering mothers with presents, as a sign of gratefulness for all that they have done for the family. Mothers in the Philippines go by various titles: Ina, Nanay, Mama, and Mommy, to name just a few. Mothers are recognized as the “ilaw ng tahanan,” which is translated to the “light of the home.” This Filipino expression serves to describe mothers as the light who brings warmth and comfort to her family by caring for them in the best way possible, sometimes even putting aside her own happiness and well-being just to do so. This material sacrifice is also highlighted in another popular Filipino saying: “Ang ina, isusubo na nga lang, ibibigay pa sa anak,” which means “even with the food all ready for her to consume, the Mother will always find the need to still give every last morsel to her children.” having a dedicated day to mothers is no surprise, especially in Filipino culture wherein motherhood is a revered role. Filipinos tend to have tight-knit families, so it is common for Mother’s Day to also include grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and other women in the family who are also mothers. Children often make cards or drawings for their mothers, with some even bringing breakfast to mom in bed. Fathers, on the other hand, generally give their wives a present they have been asking for, or a trip to the spa for a day of relaxation. Celebrations for this day usually consist of treating the moms to lunch at their favorite restaurant. The rest of the day is usually spent with the family in the malls or wherever the mothers want to go.

B may 5-11, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOURNaL

Features

5 Mother’s Day gifts money can’t buy by

AlixAndrA CAole VilA Philstar.com

Mother’s Day is almost upon us. While others are in panic searching for the most expensive gift that they can buy, why don’t you think of giving something that any amount of money can’t buy instead? on Mother’s Day, you could give your mom a stunning jewelry set, a signature purse or a blouse, or you could turn the day into an experience she will never forget for the rest of her life. Prepare a nostalgic meal start the day right. remember the dish your mom used to prepare when you were a kid? try to remake her signature breakfast! on a Mother’s Day tribute held in Manila Peninsula on May 6, the value of scent was discussed. scent conjures memories more lucid than any other sense. so is it any surprise that the simple whiff of something familiar evokes so much emotion and nostalgia? More than just the aroma of her signature dish, the comforting smell of your blanket as she tucks you in at night, the scent of her dress as she hugs you tight also

trigger nostalgia. so make sure that you prep her bed the night before using Downy’s timeless from the Parfum Collection to evoke the sincerity and simplicity of unwavering, genuine love. Take the chores off her hands Make an effort to do the household chores. If you can cancel plans for a friend’s wedding, why can’t you do the same for your mom’s special day? A random act of kindness will take you far. Do the dishes, clean your room, wash a load of laundry. Bring back old photos, opt for personalized gifts Again, you do not have to shell out big bucks for a mother’s day gift. rather than hitting the malls, rummage through your home! Use your creative skills and make a scrapbook filled with photos of her though the years. It may seem quite plain and traditional, but with today’s digital age, doing a collage, which takes up a lot of time and effort is more thoughtful than paying bucks in a retail store. spend some time placing captions and descriptions on the photo to make it more touching. If you are good in making videos, record some video or

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Even the most intelligent, beautiful and successful people in the world needed their mothers. Here are few famous quotes about mothers: “The only love that I really believe in is a mother’s love for her children.” - Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer

“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.” - Maya Angelou, writer, poet and civil rights leader

Mother’s Day is almost upon us. While others are in panic searching for the most expensive gift that they can buy, why don’t you think of giving something that any amount of money can’t buy instead?

audio clips she can listen to. Make her do the things she had always wanted to do one thing that always makes a big splash is acknowledging their lives outside of motherhood. What’s something they really like to do but never get to because they’re too busy taking care of everyone else? treat her to a spa or go travel outdoors! Make Mother’s Day really her day. Find out where she would most like to

go and do some real planning. Simply spend the whole day together A simple visit can be the most meaningful gift, especially if you don’t come around as much as you’d like. Make her the boss of everything. Let her choose what you should do together, may it be going to church or watching DVDs. Let her guide the day and just go with it. Focus on making her happy.

“My mother is a walking miracle.” -Leonardo DiCaprio, actor

World’s most beautiful in the world’s most important role JeNNIFer Aniston broke into the limelight with her role as rachel in the global tV hit “Friends.” the last episode aired in 2004, but that has not stopped the spotlight from shining on the trendsetting beauty who built a career on

portraying relatable characters onscreen. she was recently surprised by a cover on People magazine that proclaimed her as the Most Beautiful Woman for 2016. the girl-next-door who is now enjoy-

ing wedded bliss to actor, director, and screenwriter Justin theroux, exclaimed that it was a very teenage-y moment. In an interview with People, the 47-year-old actress says she’s learned to embrace her appear-

People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Woman for 2016 Jennifer Aniston is currently cast in the Mother’s Day movie, along with other top-rank celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson and Robert Sudeikis.

ance over the years, and insists she feels her best when she’s healthy and strong. her secret to her lovely looks is exercising at least six times a week, balancing it out with her favorite chips and her husband’s carbonara. Aniston is currently cast in the Mother’s Day movie, along with other top-rank celebrities such as Julia roberts, Kate hudson and robert sudeikis. the movie, which was megged by rom-com expert Garry Marshall (“Pretty Woman,” “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s eve”) talks about the funny, poignant side of motherhood – the world’s toughest and most important job. Mother’s Day shows Aniston as sandy, a divorcee who is now forced to come to terms with her ex-husband’s much-younger new partner. It also takes a look at her hectic life as a single mom who does everything in her power to raise her rambunctious boys properly. she gets by with a little help from her friends, portrayed by the zany and lovable characters in the cast. (Philstar.com)

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” - Abraham Lincoln, US President

“God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” - Joseph Rudyard Kipling, - English journalist, writer, poet and novelist (1865-1936)

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Features

Words of wisdom from the most important woman in my life By Monet

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I was told on numerous occasions that everybody eventually turns into their parents when they grow old. I believe that now to be true as I see so much of my “Nanay� (as I fondly call her) in me – now more than ever. Things like her gestures, or when giving advice, I just can’t help but notice myself talking the way my mother would talk to me. I talk to my friends the way she would usually talk to me when I ask her for advice. all I can say is that my friends are just as lucky as I am that I learned so much from my dear mother. This coming Mother’s month, I want to dedicate this piece to her. she tried her best to instill in me precious nuggets of wisdom (that I hope I’ve retained all these years). The woman I owe everything to; the most important woman in my life – My Nanay: Mrs. Catalina Francisco Lu. It has been years since my mother joined the Lord yet her memory stays forever. The pain of losing my mom still remains. I guess the heartache will never be completely gone but I learned to accept the fact that she won’t be around anymore. and that I’ll always keep her memories with me. That way, she lives on in my heart and in my dreams. My Nanay is your typical “charismatic and caring� mother. But don’t let her composed demeanor fool you. she could be feisty and quite the disciplinarian if she wanted to. But no matter how she carried herself, she never failed to express her love and concern for her children. “Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you.� “Don’t talk with your mouth full.� “Pray before you eat.� “Don’t waste food, finish it all. Think of the hungry children in the world.� “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.� “Call me when you get there so I’ll know you’re okay.� These are my mother’s widely used reminders. I say them back to myself whenever I’m reminded of them and with gratitude in my heart, I tell myself how lucky I am

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mAy 5-11, 2016

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Mrs. Catalina Francisco Lu

to have a mother like my Nanay. she was fond of reciting quotations when she can. Of course at that time, I really didn’t fully understand what they meant. she’d talk mostly about gratitude and work ethics. “ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.� (He who doesn’t know how to look back from where he came from, will never reach his destiny), she would often say to me. I think it was her favorite. Most of the time she would talk more about “remaining humble and never forgetting the people who helped you along the way.� when I opened my very first salon, she was there to remind me that I should always thank those who made my dream possible, especially my sisters who paid for my tuition so I can study styling and design. she also challenged me to be more mindful and conscientious about work and money. she would always tell me: “Para kang kalabasa, gapang ng gapang naiiwan naman ang bunga.� which meant that I often worked myself to the ground but I never saw the fruits of my labor. Nanay’s constant prodding urged me to be more responsible in my fiscal affairs. Thanks to her, I’m still learning. Looking back, I learned from her a basic truth about life: that there are some lessons we won’t fully understand until we are ready to accept what it requires – so we

can really do what truly matters. Years after her death, Nanay still continue to teach me these lessons. I’m just glad that I am still here to pass them on to my nieces, nephews and grandchildren, or anyone who needs a motherly advice. My mother is my hero. I believe she deserves a medal even if she never would have asked for one. I miss her more than words can ever express. all of us were born because there was that one person who decided we deserve a chance to be in this world. They may be our biological moms or those who raised us as their own. Motherhood is a 24-7 duty with no days off or sick days. a thankless job that we sadly take for granted or often overlook. I hope that this Mother’s Day, we will take the time to honor and appreciate our mothers. To the most important woman in my life, I love you always. Happy Mother’s Day, Nanay. *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

Infographic by AJPress. Sources: American Psychological Association, Pacific Post Partum Support Society, Journal of American Medical Association, National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation and Depression Facts

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Traveling to Asia? Fly China Airlines and enjoy a free half-day tour courtesy of Taiwan Tourism Bureau The thought of flying halfway across the world for more 12 hours is sometimes too daunting for many people. Understandably, long haul flights do not hold any appeal even to the most seasoned travelers. Long haul flights are intimidating if you travel infrequently. The journey could be very exhausting. Not only does it wreak havoc to your body but affects your sleeping pattern as well. And for us Asians who had made America our home, taking long haul flights had been the norm rather than the rule if we are to maintain our close relationship with our families and friends back home. When travelling halfway across the globe to see family and friends or attend some important business engagement, the last thing you want is to arrive at your destination dragging yourself due

to exhaustion. Surely there are ways to address this. Fortunately, airlines are constantly upgrading their services to address and meet the needs of their passengers – especially their loyal customers. And the good news is that some flights are certainly better than others because some airlines have fine-tuned the long-haul experience to make it as comfortable and pleasant to the passengers as possible. One such airline is China Airlines, which operates twice weekly flights between Los Angeles and Taipei. The airline is one of a handful of carriers that are really reinventing their passenger experience from the ground up. Among China Airlines’ many innovations is the Family Couch, which it launched in 2014. It is a cost-effective and new alternative

to business class’ 180-degree flat bed seats. Available on all its B777 routes, China Airlines’ Family Couch is a row of three economy Class seats that together adapt to create a flat flexible space to stretch out and relax in, giving the passenger the opportunity to enjoy a comfortable sleep inflight. The Family Couch is perfect for those travelling with small children because the seats are specially designed to convert into a sofa. China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest airline, is reported to be the first airline other than Air New Zealand to install the Family Couch seats, which are not only revolutionary but also provide comfort and ease to those flying long haul. What could be more appealing than arriving at your destination well rested, refreshed and eager to plunge into the day’s

The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall is an impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Tourism Bureau

A product presentation seminar jointly conducted by Taiwan Tourism Bureau and China Airlines features the Free Half-Day Taipei Tour. Filipinos traveling to the Philippines who are in transit or have a layover of at least 7 hours in Taipei can participate in the Free Half-Day Tour courtesy of Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Photo courtesy of Taiwan Tourism Bureau

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activities? China Airlines’ Premium economy cabin also offers a pleasant comfortable flying experience. China Airlines Premium economy Cabin features wider seats perfectly suited for sitting in pairs, and a lot more passenger space that increases your personal space from your neighbor. Other features include enhanced dining options compared to economy, improved amenity kits, inflight entertainment is extensive with an excellent range of current blockbusters and classic films which can be viewed on individual 12.1” touchscreen monitor. Plus, there’s Wi-Fi onboard. And if you are a transit or transfer passenger with 7- to 24-hour layovers before your next connecting flight, who have a valid visa, or from a country eligible for visa-exempt entry to Taiwan, you can avail of the Free half-Day Tour offered by China Airlines in partnership with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Passenger can choose from two tours that are available depending on your arrival in Taiwan: the morning tour or the afternoon tour. The morning tour will give you an opportunity to visit Taiwan’s Shou Sin Fang Creativity Wagashi and Cultural Center, a pastry factory in Taipei, which showcases Taiwan’s local cakes and pastries. here visitors experience the production process, see artifacts displays, and experience other services, which provide them a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s culture and customs. From there, the tour takes the visitor to Sanxia, about 22 kilometers southwest of Taipei. It is a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and brick buildings, many of them over a century old. The main attraction here is the Zushi Temple, which was built in honor of Song Dynasty loyalist Chen Chao-ying, a famous general who was deified as “Protector of the Country” for his achievements and valor. The temple is known for its intricately carved stone and bronze columns and statues, and especially for its unique bird art. There are also carved stone lions, camphor woodcarvings, and exquisite bronze bas-reliefs. The afternoon tour, meanwhile,

Zushi Temple, one of the destinations featured in the free half-day Taipei tour, was built in honor of Song Dynasty loyalist Chen Chao-ying, a famous general who was deified as “Protector of the Country” for his achievements and valor.

features the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial hall, an impressive monument built in commemoration of the late President Chiang. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, pavilions and ponds. here you will find the statue of the late president looking out over the city from the main building. Another highlight of the afternoon tour is a visit to Longshan Temple, located in Taipei’s Wanhua District. The temple was founded in 1738 and is dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The temple houses hundreds of statues of Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian deities. Paintings of various creatures grace the temple walls, while stone statues of mystical creatures stand guard on the temple grounds. Citizens from India, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia who have a valid visa or hold a permanent resident certificates from US, Canada, Japan, UK, Schengen countries, Australia or New Zealand are also eligible to avail and participate in the Free half-Day Tour. Remember, however, that you must have a valid travel documents, such as your passport and a completed immigration disembarkation card. The Taiwan Tourism Bureau and China Airlines make it easy for passenger to participate in the Free half-Day Tour. All you have to do is book a tour upon your arrival at the airport at the designated Tourist Service Center in the Arrival Lobby. One thing to keep in mind: passengers can join only one tour during each

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stopover. It is also worth nothing that the tour is offered on a first come, first serve basis, with each tour limited to 18 passengers. For group application of four passengers or less you may email your application to the airport at cks@ tbroc.gov.tw within 10 to 5 working days prior to your departure date. however, for bigger group of five passengers or more, the application must be sent directly to Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s head office at tinghung@tbroc.gov.tw within one month or 14 days prior to departure date. Filipino-Americans who plan on traveling to the Philippines for the coming Christmas season may want to consider taking advantage of the comfort offered by China Airlines’ Family Couch seats or its Premium economy Cabin. Promotions are ongoing right now, so you may want to contact your travel agents as soon as possible and avail of the free half-day tour in Taipei courtesy of Taiwan Tourism Bureau during your layover before continuing on your onward journey to the Philippines. *** Manny V. Ilagan is a Tourism Specialist with over 23 years experience in the tourism and travel industry. He provides travel consultancy services to some of the biggest wholesalers and tour operators in the country as well as to some airline companies. He is the former Tourism Director-OIC of the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles, where he worked for over two decades. As a writer, he has written numerous articles about travel and tourism, which have been published in various Filipino-American newspapers in Los Angeles and San Diego.

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Your Immigration Solution angela K. ho & nanCy Miller US CitizenShip and immigration Services (USCiS) has released long-awaited policy guidance for adjudicating O nonimmigrant petitions in cases where comparable evidence is introduced as an alternative standard. the government grants O-1A and O-1B visas to those individuals of objectively “extraordinary ability” in the fields of science, education, business, athletics or the arts. Ballet dancers and choreographers, Olympic champions, movie and tV production crew, pioneering researchers and professors, innovative artists and designers, fine dining chefs and nobel prize laureates are just a few examples of individuals who can be eligible for an O visa. For many, the challenge of a successful O petition is convincing the government that the body of

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS AS A common presumption goes, “one isolated incident of bad breath, like a first-time thief who is caught, permanently tarnishes the reputation, and the condemnation sticks for life.” What is halitosis? halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Dental reports in the United States say there are about 65 million Americans who have bad breath. in the philippines, as in other regions in Asia, the incidence, conservatively speaking, may be 75 percent or higher for the general population. this is a rough guesstimate, and the figure, of course, varies for different subgroups in the community. Compared to rural areas, halitosis is less found among those who live in the city -- those who are more affluent and of a higher socio-economic status; those who are more educated or professional; and those in the younger generation. Obviously, the financially handicapped cannot afford the luxury of toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, regular dental check-up and proper dental care.

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O Visa: New guidance for individuals of extraordinary ability achievement submitted rises to the level of “extraordinary ability” and relates to the requested period in the United States. normally, the beneficiary can demonstrate “extraordinary ability” by submitting evidence listed in the regulations—such as awards, publications, and other widely recognized distinctions—that prove that the individual is operating at the highest level in their field. in some cases, demonstrating extraordinary ability in particular fields does not neatly comport with the list of acceptable evidence. For those individuals, the “comparable evidence” provision exists as a catch-all umbrella for USCiS to accept equivalent forms of evidence not enumerated in the regulations. however, in order to even use this provision, petitioners have had to first establish that the majority of the listed criteria do not readily apply to the beneficiary’s occupation. Once that case is made, only then will USCiS consider the comparable

evidence provided. USCiS’ new guidance firmly does away with this numerically driven requirement. USCiS will now consider equivalent, comparable evidence in support of the beneficiary’s claim of extraordinary ability instead of disregarding it if they believe other means listed in the regulations would suffice. By interpreting the regulations in a more open manner, the government acknowledges that extraordinary ability in an occupation can fit more than one conventional measure of achievement. Comparable evidence can now be considered on equal footing with the other listed evidence in the regulations rather than a last resort alternative after other avenues have been exhausted. By allowing comparable evidence to be more readily considered in adjudications, the government has expanded the scope of O visa eligibility to be more fair and inclusive. in this day and age, innovative or unconventional occupations that

Do you have bad breath? they also may not be as well-nourished, and as healthy, as those who can afford. But realistically, just about anyone, in any profession or walk of life, may have annoying bad breath, persistently or occasionally. What causes halitosis? there are a variety of causes of bad breath: eating foods like garlic and onions, poor dental hygiene, decayed tooth or infection of the gums or oral cavity, and diseases like diabetes, esophageal diverticulum, esophageal reflux, sinusitis and emphysema. But the most common underlying cause is poor dental hygiene wherein taking care of the teeth and mouth is neglected. there are people who do not brush their teeth at all and go to bed at night with food particles stuck in between their teeth. they may gargle and rinse their mouth with water (or water and salt) after each meal, or even use mouthwash, but the food caught in between their teeth (especially meat and fish) rot and stink like dead animals on the street. this is putrefaction and the foul smelling odor is from the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) produced by the decaying meat, which usually results in gramnegative (anaerobic) bacterial infection (and more bad odor), and

this makes for a vicious cycle. Does the tongue harbor bacteria? Yes, as a matter of fact, the tongue is a major culprit of bad breath. Bacteria hide in the furrows of the tongue, especially in the back (base) of the tongue. hence, the regular use of a tongue scraper or brushing all the way back to the base of the tongue (until you feel like gagging) at least twice a day is essential. What can be done for persistent halitosis? if proper daily oral hygiene is done and if there is no tooth decay or any infection in the mouth or throat, the bad breath may be coming from sinusitis, emphysema or from the stomach (as in esophageal reflex, where the controlling valve between the stomach and the food pipe is airtight and isn’t closing properly). A dental, or even medical, evaluation may be needed to ascertain the specific cause of this persistent halitosis. Can mouthwash eliminate bad breath? Mouthwash alone cannot do the trick. First, the food particles that can rot must be removed from in-between the teeth immediately after each meal (by dental flossPAGE B7

nonetheless entail extraordinary ability should be eligible for O visas and the government’s new guidance concurs with this new reality. in the policy memo, USCiS lays out how officers should now adjudicate O visas when a beneficiary wishes to use comparable evidence. if a particular criterion in the regulations does not apply to the beneficiary’s occupation, the comparable evidence provision can then be used to provide additional relevant evidence even if other listed means are available. Before, USCiS officers would deny O visas on the grounds that the other listed evidentiary means were not exhausted. now, the guidance states that summary denial should not result in those grounds. Some guidelines apply for employing comparable evidence. First, the petitioner must explain why a particular evidentiary criterion is not easily applicable to the beneficiary’s occupation. Second, the

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA BeCAUSe times have been so tough for an extended length of time, many are looking for ways to cope financially. Job growth in many US industries has ground to a halt. Yet in good and bad times, there are many offers of opportunities to make money in multilevel marketing and direct sales organizations that depend on a network of people (bodies) to push their products or services. properly and ethically done, multilevel marketing can work for some. One caveat: if you don’t like selling or dealing with people and all that it entails, you would do well to look elsewhere. here’s an article that may shed some light on this practice should you decide to go this route. For some reason, multilevel marketing organizations find ethnic communities fertile ground for their recruitment campaigns. the promise of riches to the unsuspecting immigrant is a bait that works nearly all the time. Know that there are legitimate

petitioner must give an argument for why the submitted comparable evidence is equivalently significant. third, even with the revised acceptance of comparable evidence in O visa adjudications, petitioners must still take care to satisfy O eligibility requirements under the regulations. Additionally, the standard of review for establishing eligibility requirements of the O-1A and O1B remains a preponderance of the evidence—the petitioner must show that what it claims is “more likely true” or “probably” true. nevertheless, this is undoubtedly good news for those individuals of extraordinary ability who may have less recognizable accolades of excellence. Although we will have now have new considerations on how to approach O-1A and O-1B petitions, USCiS’ guidance shows that the government is willing to take a less rigid position on these nonimmigrant visas. Overall, USCiS asserts that it will assess the petition on both the quality and quantity

of evidence offered. Arbitrary dismissal of good, probative evidence, which aggrieved past O-1 hopefuls, should hopefully be an uncommon occurrence. A final version of the policy memorandum should be released by the end of this year. Applications for a visa for one with extraordinary ability are best done by an attorney with extraordinary ability. For that reason, be sure that the lawyer you hire is one who is an experienced and knowledgeable immigration lawyer. *** 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)

What you need to know “The darkest hour of any man’s life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it.”

— Horace Greeley

companies who operate this way and may be worth your while and a host of others on the pyramid scheme that operate bordering on the illegal and/or unethical. here is how it works. A company sells different products ranging from such mundane products as household cleaners; vanity products such as cosmetics or health and diet formulas as well as financial products such as travel, insurance or securities. there are supposedly two ways to make money. You generate revenue as a direct retailer and salesperson of the product yourself buying products from the company and reselling them to your own customer base initially consisting of a circle of relatives and friends. As you run out of family and friends to sell to, you eventually expand to other prospects, including strangers by using cold calling and other

prospecting techniques. note that the company will stress that the more lucrative way to make money is to recruit people as your downline into the company. You earn override commissions from the sales of those you have recruited who in turn, can recruit others for their downline. On and on it goes with recruitment providing the lifeblood of the multilevel marketing organization that suffers eventually from the natural law of attrition as members often lose interest or bail out. the one who recruited you, your upline, earns a commission off of you. the company’s structure resembles a pyramid of hundreds or thousands of other pyramids. this concept feeds on the dream of most immigrants that with a minimum of investment on their part and a consuming desire to succeed, PAGE B7

B may 5-11, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOURNaL

Features The Kite Runner Prof. EnriquE M. Soriano

INTRIGUE NIGHTCLUB OPENING. The beautiful Fil-Am young actress Vanessa Hudgens joined the red carpet at the Grand Opening of Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas on Friday, April 29 with Mr. and Mrs. Steve Wynn, actress Kate Hudson and many others. Vanessa Hudgens appeared in various films and television series for the Disney Channel. She was raised as a Roman Catholic in California and her mother Gina Guangco is a native of Manila, Philippines. Photos by Raoul Gatchalian

The first of everything: First-time mothers... PAGE B1

morally upright and a responsible man.” “Your child does not need the latest of most expensive toys/ clothes to be happy and healthy, they only need your love and your attention.” - Marge Maceda, mother to Maktan Maceda (born March 2015) When asked what they felt when their child first came out, Marge Maceda said, “Sobrang saya at takot, mga magulang na kami (Overwhelming joy and fear, [because] we are now parents!” Just like any other first-time mother, Marge shared that not getting enough sleep is one of the major challenges she faced especially during the first few days. Still, this does not stop her from doing everything so that her son, Maktan, gets everything he needs to be healthy and happy. Marge also looks to her own mother in raising Maktan. Through her mother’s actions, she shared that materials things are secondary in making your children happy. What’s important is giving your love and attention to them. “When she was in my tummy, I have been longing to hold, hug, smell, and kiss her. She finally arrived. It was so surreal.” - Nina Berroya-Carlos, mother to Andi Mireille Carlos (born March 7, 2016) Overwhelmed with happiness, Nina Berroya-Carlos and husband Dino Carlos were finally holding their first-born, Andi. And just like any other first-time mother, she went through the challenges, such as breastfeeding and balancing their time. “Even I want to purely breastfeed Andi, I cannot [do it] since I do not have enough milk. I still try by diligently doing breast pump,” she shared. Nina added they struggle at times trying to understand Andi’s needs and wants as a newborn. Also, getting ready is a balancing act. “We need to allot more time in dressing up since we need to prepare [about] Andi too,” she said. Still, she sees Andi as a blessing and only wants the best for her. “I wish that she may continuously to grow healthy,” Nina said and then added, “I also wish that she grows to be kind, smart, responsible, patient, obedient, diligent [and a] God-fearing woman.”

Mae Manubay with baby Mason

I HAD a wonderful time exchanging notes with the participants of my Family Business Talk last Friday, April 29 at the Holiday Inn in Makati. It was a sold out event with whole families coming in droves and occupying several tables armed with loads of questions related to governance. To those who attended, many thanks! It is my sincere desire that the key learnings highlighted in the talk can translate into actual application and pocket wins leading to harmony and growth in your respective family businesses. Family feuds in the Philippines, and elsewhere in the world, have always been about money -- lots of money. However, although estate fights are commonly perceived to be just about money, there is almost always more to a family war than just the money. Many estate disputes are sewn by the seeds of jealousy, greed, thirst for control, bitterness, hatred, and hurt feelings resulting from real or perceived preferential treatment by a parent. The infighting becomes more intense if the patriarch or matriarch had another family on the side or children from previous marital relationships. A significant number of inheritance disputes also involve testators and beneficiaries who come from dysfunctional families, are mentally ill or addicted. According to lawyer P. Mark Accettura, author of the book “Blood & Money: Why Families Fight Over Inheritance and What To Do About It,” the combatants can always trace their problems back several years, if not all the way back to childhood. It is clear that inheritance conflict doesn’t come out of nowhere; it is a continuation of long-term

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Family feuds and shattered families relationship problems that resurface upon the illness or death of a loved one. And they aren’t just about money or greed; they are about more, much more. But what is it that so often drives people to wage war against their own flesh and blood over a loved one’s estate? There are five basic reasons why families fight in matters of inheritance. Author Mark Accettura accurately points to the following: 1. First, humans are genetically predisposed to competition and conflict; 2. Our psychological sense of self is intertwined with the approval that an inheritance represents, especially when the decedent is a parent, 3. We are genetically hardwired to be on the lookout for exclusion, sometimes finding it when it doesn’t exist; 4. Families fight because the death of a loved one activates the death anxieties of those left behind; and finally, 5. In some cases, one or more members of a family has a partial or full-blown personality disorder that causes them to distort and escalate natural family rivalries into personal and legal battles. Accettura cites that these sources of family conflict are not mutually exclusive; in most cases, some combination of the five elements present themselves in a combustible cocktail of family rivalry and conflict. Case in point: The bitter family squabble over the estate left by Lawyer and businessman Potenciano “Nanoy” Ilusorio, which included shares in Philippine Communications Satellite Corp. (Philcomsat) and the Baguio Country Club, valued at between one and two billion pesos at the time of his death in 2001. Pitting one set of siblings against another, the Ilusorio fam-

ily feud has dragged on for more than 15 years now, clogged the court system with more than 300 legal suits and counter-suits, and entertained the idly curious as it played out in the media over the years. To quote media covering the conflict... “It’s not the first “prominent/ wealthy family” inheritance battle waged nor will it certainly be the last, but the on-going estate litigation of Potenciano ‘Nanoy’ Ilusorio’s heirs has emerged as one of the longest, nastiest, most public, no-holds-barred litigious family feuds in Philippine history or in the annals of jurisprudence.” Far from easing tensions, the death last Feb. 17, 2016 of Potenciano’s widow, Erlinda “Nena” Kalaw-Ilusorio, in New York City, seems to have raised the simmering bad blood between the rival family factions back to boiling point. In a newspaper article that came out two months ago, the rival factions are now said to be fighting over the ashes of the dearly departed, a weird echo of the tug-of-war they played over the custody of their aged and non compos mentis father just before his death in 2001, and quite possibly, a prelude to renewed fighting on the legal front over her estate, on top of the pending tussle over other Ilusorio assets. (To be continued) *** Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author and Executive Director of ASEAN-based Consulting group, Wong + Bernstein Advisory. He is slated to deliver a series of talks in the US this May. Grab Prof Soriano’s book as he shares his insights and offer solutions to Family Businesses through his second book entitled “Ensuring The Family Business Legacy.” For those interested, please call Marianne at +639255224713 or email her at mrevilla@wongadvisory.com. Prof Soriano’s business articles can also be accessed at www.Faminbusiness.com.

Pops Fernandez returns to the stage at Silverton Casino About Silverton Casino Hotel SILvERTON Casino Hotel presSilverton Casino Hotel offers ents Pops Fernandez performing inside veil Pavilion on Saturday, 300 deluxe rooms and suites and world-class amenities all located June 25, 2016. Philippines native Pops Fer- within an upscale, contemporary nandez, entertainer, Tv host, luxury lodge-themed resort. Silactress and most notably, vocalist verton Casino Hotel is home to a will be taking the stage inside veil variety of restaurants and dining Pavilion to demonstrate just how options, including the Seasons she earned the title of “Concert Buffet, the 24-hour Sundance Queen.” The performance at Grill, Shady Grove Lounge, Twin Silverton Casino on Saturday, Creeks Steakhouse, Mi Casa Grill Marge Maceda with baby Maktan Luchelle Del Rosario- Tartaglia June 25, 2016 at 8 p.m. will have Cantina, WuHu Noodle, Starbucks fans singing along to their favorite and Johnny Rockets. In addition to “I have always wanted to be a lenges first-time moms go through hit songs such as, “Dito”, “Don’t the flagship 165,000-square-foot mom. So for me, it was a dream — the lack of sleep, getting ready, Say Goodbye”, “Gusto Ko Nang Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, come true. I’ve always loved be- traveling with their son and plan- Lumigaya”, “Little Star” and many Silverton offers 90,000 square feet ing around kids and taking care of ning for the future. more. Tickets start at $34.00 and of gaming with more than 1,500 them, but it’s true what they say “Cutting down on expenses to the concert is open to all ages. slot machines and 23 table games that the feeling is different when prepare for the future is important. Guests under 18 years of age must and the Mermaid Restaurant & you have your own child.” Budgeting has definitely changed be accompanied by an adult 21 Lounge. The property features a - Mae Ermita-Manubay, moth- in terms of buying more thing I years of age or older. 117,000-gallon saltwater aquari- ton Casino Hotel is located at I-15 er of Mason Manubay (born need as oppose to more things I To purchase tickets visit the Sil- um with more than 4,000 sharks, and Blue Diamond in Las vegas. November 10, 2015) want,” she said. verton Box Office, by calling (702) stingrays and tropical fish, which For more information, please call As a person, Mae Ermita-MaAlthough no amount of prepara- 263-7777, or online at http://www. was voted “Best Free Attraction” (702) 263-7777 or visithttp://www. nubay likes to be organized and tion will be enough, Mae believes silvertoncasino.com. in the Best of City Search®. Silver- silvertoncasino.com. on time for everything. This is a that some sort of plan will help must for her life, especially in her new and future moms after their work as an assistant to the Deputy baby is born. Consul General at the Philippine “Have a plan for childcare. Be Consulate in New York. However prepared! It can get expensive if after giving birth to her son, Ma- you don’t have family to help,” she son, she realized that she has to shared and added, “Read/sing to let things go. your baby! it’s [a] great bonding “Time is no longer my friend. I time. Record your milestones, feel like it goes by so fast. In the be- take all the pictures you want.” ginning we (with husband, Robby) Lastly, she also would like to found ourselves late for everything impress the importance of keeping until I realized that I just have to a healthy marriage. give myself an extra hour (or two) “Still go out and have a date to get everything ready before with the hubby. You’ll feel guilty at we’re out the door just to make it first but it’s important to continue on time for an event,” she said. “I to nourish your relationship as a also had to accept that baby things couple as well!” will take over the house no matter “Honestly, I still can’t believe how organized you try to be. Sleep that I brought this human life out will be a thing of the past, but I’m into the world. Yes, there are thankful that I have a supportive sleepless night and it get tough husband who takes turns with me sometimes…but when I see her during night shifts. Every minute smile at me, it’s all worth it.” counts! At the end of the day, - Luchelle del Rosario-Tartano matter how sleep deprived, glia, mother of Luana Tartaglia how unorganized you get, or how Motherhood has indeed time will sometimes get the best changed Luchelle del Rosario-Tarof you, just seeing Mason smile taglia, a Risk Management director and knowing that he’s happy is all for a banking institution in the East TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK. Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Clark County School District (CCSD), Dunkin’ Donuts and WGU Nevada are giving worth it.” Coast. Her perspective in life was away more than 20,000 donuts statewide to teachers as part of the Teacher Appreciation Week. The Mayor surprised teachers at Gibson Yes, Mae reaffirms that her directed into wanting to do better Middle School on Tuesday, May 3 with donuts and words of thanks. perspective on life has changed, for her daughter, Luana. as everything now revolves around “Like I wanted to be healthier her family, especially Mason. She so I can live longer for her,” she does acknowledge the same chal- shared. “I’m extra careful on my decisions in life whether it is driving above speed limit or investing because I have her in mind and to consider. “ Like most mothers, she had difficulties in producing enough breast milk for her child. In fact, when the pediatrician said that Luana’s dehydrated, Luchelle cried non-stop for 10-15 minutes. Still, she saw this hurdle as part of learning, along with other challenges. Luchelle shares this advice to fellow first-time mothers: “Patience. There would be days na mahirap talaga (There would be days it would really be hard), but it would get better. Nina Berroya-Carlos with baby Andy And sleep whenever you get the Teri Kennedy chance!” Mireille

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Comcast promotes diverse film and TV line-up in celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Content Includes Movies from Center for Asian American Media, Well Go USA Entertainment, Eros Now and TV Japan

CONTENT Includes Movies from Center for Asian American Media, Well Go USA Entertainment, Eros Now and TV Japan. In recognition of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Comcast will promote a collection of Asian-American content across Xfinity On Demand platforms, highlighted by a selection of new films from the Center for Asian American Media such as “Am I American,” “American Arab,” “Off the Menu” and “Someone Else.” FIRST HOLY COMMUNION. 8th year old American-Filipina Aubrey Spence received her First Holy Communion in St. Matthew School & Church The collection will also feature in Franklin, Tennessee last week. She’s an A-plus charming student and a passionate hockey player in her age group. Aubrey was born in Las Asian Action films from Well Go Vegas before moving down south. Her grandparents Mr.& Mrs. Alcantara retired in Henderson, Las Vegas. Photos by Raoul Gatchalian USA Entertainment such as “IP Man 3” and “The Assassin.” “We are thrilled to bring this year’s remarkable stories that represent the diversity of voices of the Asian American community to our PAGE B5 spun by spin doctors. Recruits: what you do? How reputable is customers,” said Javier Garcia, SVP the organization can help them BEWARE! the outfit? Are there pending and GM of Multicultural Services, Before you give up your regu- lawsuits and of what nature? become rich quickly. Multilevel marketing compa- lar job or sign up to do this on a Has it been around for a connies spend tons of money to part time basis, ask yourself this siderable length of time or is it about nothing else but the prodproduce slick and smooth pre- question: Do you like to sell? a company that is merely riding uct you are selling. If you are sentations replete with testimo- This is a nonstop selling job and high on current hype—here to- not careful, you will transform nials—very often emotional—of for you to realize your dreams day and gone tomorrow? How yourself to a boring, predictable people within the organization of wealth, you have to sell pro- many of your friends and rela- person to your friends and relaclaiming that being in the com- digiously and tirelessly because tives are already part of it and tives who will tend to scamper in pany, doing everything the com- no product, no matter how ex- how are they faring with their all directions when they see you, pany does, has done a tremen- cellent and necessary, ever sells sales efforts? thinking up all sorts of excuses dous difference in their lives with itself. Here is a caveat for those em- to avoid being sold to. Keep Do you believe in the product? barking on a multilevel market- your balance even as you try to tremendous wealth and a quality of life beyond imagining. The Does it have value and merit and ing career. To be good at selling succeed in a multilevel sales cawebsites of successful multilevel is it fairly priced? Is this some- something, you must believe in reer. marketing organizations gush thing that is really up along your it with passion. And because An early warning flag that the in florid, emotional language alley, something you can do for you want to succeed so much, organization may not be what it claiming individual success. A long periods of time and from you then have a tendency to talk claims to be is if you are asked few of these stories may be true; which you can really make a others however, may have been good living and be happy with

What you need to know

Smith’s to raise funds for Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican children’s unit

LAS VEGAS—Smith’s Food & Drug Stores is at it again. Beginning April 25, Smith’s will begin its fifth annual fundraising campaign to benefit the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation Charity Care Program. Through May 21, Smith’s customers are invited to join store associates in fundraising efforts throughout Southern Nevada and Northern Arizona, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Mesquite, Pahrump, Fort Mohave, Kingman, Lake Havasu and Bullhead. Customers will be asked to make a donation at the check stands and participate in fun in-store events. In addition, any change dropped into the check stand coin boxes will be added to the effort. This is the fifth annual campaign launched by Smith’s. The funds raised are a combination of efforts

between associates, customers and Smith’s corporate gifts. The contributions are being used to assist families struggling to pay their child’s medical costs after trauma or serious illness. “To date, Smith’s has donated $1.3 million to support the children’s unit at the hospital. By helping St. Rose heal the children of the Las Vegas community, we are helping many families who need our support,” said Smith’s president Kenny Kimball. Smith’s has a long history of supporting children’s hospitals. In the 1940s, company founder Dee Smith collected pennies and delivered them to the nearby children’s hospital. Since 2002, Smith’s associates, suppliers and customers have contributed more than $12.5 million for children’s charity care throughout Smith’s seven western states of operation.

Do you have bad breath? PAGE B5 ing, since a toothpick alone will not do the job). Then, brushing the teeth using toothpaste (that contains fluoride and other ingredients like Poly (methyl vinyl ether) maleic acid copolymer and triclosan) for added tooth protection, is essential at least 3 times a day, after each meal. Mouthwash (with Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide) is an impressive regimen that suppresses bad breath. A study made on 15 mouthwashes showed that most masked the bad breath for a few minutes, only a few were still effective after a few hours. Those products with Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide are impressively effective. What are the dental problems caused by bacteria? Besides bad breath, the other problems caused by germs in our mouth include cavities, gum problems, plaques and tartar formation. Therefore, the routine regimen of dental flossing, tongue scraping, toothbrushing, and gurgling (with a mouthwash that contains bacteria killing, and plaque-andtartar preventing ingredients, like Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide), and visiting your dentist at least every 6 months will not only eliminate bad breath but lead to a healthier dental and oral state. Can mouth containing alcohol cause cancer? Yes, according to a 1991 study in the Journal of the American Dental Association, which stated that mouthwashes “containing more than 25 percent alcohol could increase the risk of oral and pharyngeal (throat) cancer by 50 percent.” Fortunately, most, if not all, mouthwashes in the market today contain less than 15 percent alcohol. The safety of chlorine dioxide “has been confirmed by Richardson et al in an extensive study of the reaction of chlorine dioxide with water-borne organics by the EPA (Environ. Sci. Technol., 1994;28:592).” How effective are breath freshener sprays and gums?

If used as a part of the comprehensive regimen we have outlined here, these various forms of breath-fresheners could be of help, in between flossing, teeth brushing and rinsing with Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide mouthwash. Chewing parsley, cilantro, basil, or mint also helps maintain a fresh breath. In general, the incidence of halitosis is less among vegetarians. But the regimen must include all measures listed above in order to be effective. Do people know they have bad breath? It is odd but most people with chronic halitosis do not know they have it. Their own sense of smell is so conditioned to the bad breath in their mouths to the point that they do not even perceive or know they have halitosis. And their friends and relatives (including most spouse) would not even tell them, “to spare” them the embarrassment (which actually leads to more widespread embarrassment because of the persistence of this very offensive but treatable problem, one which can ruin one’s reputation, business, and social life.) One trick to find out is by licking your forearm and smelling it. The next time you see your lover or a close friend, or relative, beg them to be brutally candid with you and tell you if you have bad breath. This honesty will show them you care and are considerate. The revelation might even change your reputation and love life forever -- for the better. Please visit philipSchua.com *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Comcast Cable. “This curated collection of programming once again underscores our commitment of offer prime international programming to Xfinity On Demand viewers all year round.” Additional programming that will be featured this month includes: • The new collection of on demand programming from TV Japan • Best of Interpretations from “Fast & Furious” director Justin Lin’s YOMYOMF • A collection of films from Eros now including “Singham Returns,” “Raanjhana,” and “Grand Masti” • Programming from Filipino On Demand, GMA Network, MyX Network and TV K-Pop Music Videos. • A collection of free films from HI-YAH! including “The Thieves,”

“New World” and “A Simple Life.” • A free month-long preview of GMA Pinoy TV including its latest program launches ‘“Yan Ang Morning,” “Once Again,” “Magkaibang Mundo,” and “Juan Happy Love Story”—and its anticipated coverage of the upcoming Philippine presidential election. Select programming will be featured on Xfinity’s Asian website (www.xfinity.com/asia) and all programming will be available under the “Multicultural” section on Xfinity On Demand, under Asian Heritage Month or Asian American Heritage Month. Most content will also be available on mobile devices via the Xfinity TV Go website and app. Learn more at xfinity.com/ Asia.

to pay an up-front fee just to get in on the ground floor—in exchange for a starter kit consisting of some brochures, a video and sample products. You might as well kiss that money goodbye. Organizations with good solid reputations in existence for some years with no major lawsuits might be your best bet. Regard with deep suspicion any group that pushes recruitment with very little emphasis on the product or service it is selling. It could be an outright

scam. On the other hand, if the product, just by word of mouth, gets great reviews from ordinary people who have nothing to gain by pushing it, it is likely that the company is a good one worth looking into if you are truly a salesperson at heart and you feel strongly that a sales career is where your talents lie. ***

(Advertising Supplement)

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

B may 5-11, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOURNaL

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