New York & New Jersey -- October 14 -- 20, 2016

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!

Volume10 – Issue 3 • 16 Pages

O C T O BE R 1 4 - 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858 • 449 Hoboken Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

DATELINE

400 businessmen to join Duterte in China

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

by

US, UK post reminders on assistance to PH

AmID President rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements that he intends to shrug off aid from the United states and the United Kingdom, the two countries’ embassies sent out social media posts referring to their assistance to the Philippines. Using hashtag #friendsPartnersAllies, the Us embassy last october 7 posted photos of personnel from the Us military and the Us Agency International Development helping internally displaced persons in Zamboanga City in 2013. “We were here to help. We are still here to help,” the embassy said. the Us embassy’s post came a day after Duterte dared the Washington and the european Union to pull out their aid to the Philippines, saying filipinos are not beggars. British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad also posted a list of countries which extended their hand after supertyphoon Yolanda ravaged the Philippines in 2013. the United Kingdom was the top foreign donor, followed by the Us on the third place. “the world came to help the Philippines,” he said. replying to a netizen, the ambassador

u PAGE A3

Controversy overshadows substance at second presidential debate stArK differences of temperament and perspective between hillary Clinton and Donald trump — as well as present and past scandals — characterized the second presidential debate at Washington University in st. Louis on sunday, october 9. the two candidates did not shake hands at the outset of the debate and repeatedly went past their allotted response time as they defended themselves against sensational and oftentimes personal attacks on each other’s character and fitness for the presidency. moderators martha raddatz and Anderson Cooper were quick to broach emerging controversies and struggled to contain the reactions of both nominees and the audience. trump offered a fleeting apology in response to a wave of outrage resulting from the release of what has been dubbed the “trump tape.” In a conversation recorded back in 2005, the republican nominee told former Access hollywood reporter Billy Bush that the billionaire’s celebrity status had enabled him to sexually assault women. the republican has attempted to brush the explicit language in that video as “locker

u PAGE A3

Inquirer.net

DUTERTE MASKS. Industrial engineer John Tan makes high quality vacuform plastic halloween masks of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He sells each mask for P700 at the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, Quezon City on Thursday, October 13. Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta

Duterte: No joint drills with US troops next year said stopping of the military exercises is in line with his aim to chart an independent foreign policy. mANILA — he may not be cut“I insist that we realign, that ting ties with the United states but there will be no more exercises President rodrigo Duterte has in- next year,” the president said durstructed the Defense department ing the 115th anniversary of the not to prepare for joint military Philippine Coast Guard in manila drills with American troops next on Wednesday, oct. 12. year. “Do not prepare. I told Defense Duterte, who has been at odds secretary (Delfin) Lorenzana: ‘do with the Us because of its critical not make preparations for next stance on his bloody war on drugs, year.’ I do not want it anymore. by alexiS

romero Philstar.com

And I will chart an independent foreign policy,” he added. Duterte issued the statement a day after Philippine and American marines concludes the PhIBLeX amphibious exercises a day ahead of schedule. the president has said that the exercise would be the last under his term. the Philippines’ relationship with the Us has been strained by the rift between Duterte and

WIth about a month before election Day, a new survey shows that Democratic presidential nominee hillary Clinton holds a staggering 41-point lead over republican nominee Donald trump with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters. the National Asian American survey (NAAs) released the first half of their 2016 fall survey of AAPI called the “Asian American

u PAGE A2

In this September 14 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte meets with former President and Special Envoy to China Fidel Ramos in Malacañan’s Orchid Room. Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano

Ramos: Duterte’s first New petition calls for cancellation 100 days a let-down of Miss Universe in the Philippines by Dana

SioSon AJPress

by Dana

SioSon

AJPress

DesPIte the Philippine Department of tourism (Dot)’s efforts to quell rumors that the upcoming miss Universe pageant will be cancelled, a new petition is calling for the latter organization to reconsider hosting the event in the country. the letter, which was addressed to the miss Universe organizing committee, asked the organization to “not reward a regime that is trying to turn back the clock as far as women’s causes are concerned.” It was also posted on facebook over the weekend by Annie serrano, who has previously DOT Secretary Wanda Teo

u PAGE A2

Miss Universe Pia Wurtzback

AJPress photo by Noel Ty

AJPress photo by Troi Santos

Clinton beats Trump among all AAPI groups by 41 points meDenilla AJPress

reGIstrAtIoN for President Duterte’s state visit to China next week is oversubscribed. Initially only about two dozen filipino entrepreneurs were to accompany mr. Duterte but the number had ballooned, according to trade Undersecretary Nora terrado. At least 400 businessmen have signed up to join mr. Duterte’s trip, according to francis Chua, chair emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Business deals Chua said the business delegation would be a mix of small and big businesspeople looking for opportunities in what he expected would be a “reawakening” of trade and investment ties that went into hiatus due to rising tension in the south China sea. “We expect to have a bounty of business opportunities from this visit, especially with a President willing to explore the limits of a fruitful partnership

u PAGE A2

AAPI survey: Filipinos comprise the highest support for Trump by Klarize

DoriS Dumlao-abaDilla Gil C. CabaCunGan

Voices in the 2016 election” on Wednesday, october 5. the survey explored AAPI voter identification, party preferences, civic engagement and ethnic media consumption. A significant takeaway was that 55 percent of AAPI registered voters are more likely to vote for Clinton compared to the 14 percent who plan to vote for trump. moreover, the survey found that 67 percent of the participants harbored “very unfavorable” or “unfavorable” opinions of trump while

Clinton received 36 percent from the same categories. Both candidates have made efforts to reach out to AAPIs, considered a fast-growing electorate with the potential to swing elections. Last month, trump formally announced his 30-member Asian Pacific American (APA) advisory committee. five fil-Ams were named to the group, which is tasked with advising the republican nominee’s campaign on AAPI issues, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Clinton has also held many

events targeting the AAPI community through her “AAPI for hillary” outreach program. several grassroots organizations have also dedicated themselves to garnering support for the Democratic presidential nominee. Among the registered filipino voters surveyed, a majority said that Clinton was their “presidential vote choice” at 54 percent. But a quarter of filipinos prefer trump for the presidency, the highest trump favorability rating among all surveyed

u PAGE A3

WhILe Pres. rodrigo Duterte got a “very good” satisfaction rating from the public, former President fidel ramos said the Philippines has been ‘losing badly’ during the first three months of the current administration. “In the overall assessment by this writer, we find our team Philippines losing in the first 100 days of Du30’s administration—and losing badly,” ramos said in the first installment of a twopart column published in the manila Bulletin on saturday, october 8. the former president — who served the country from 1992 to 1998 — wrote that Duterte’s leadership is a “huge disappointment” and “letdown to many of us.” According to ramos, Duterte’s remarks about the similarities between the holocaust and his drug war was one of his “most unfortunate gaffes.” “In the case of his recent ‘hitler quip,’ no amount of apology could mollify the long-suffering Jews who have done well for the Philippines,” ramos said. the former president also criticized Duterte’s threats to sever ties with the U.s.: “Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics, and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie just like that?” ramos, however, noted flaws of the current administration can still be corrected so that the Philippines can fully rise as a competitive country. “the outcome aspired for by the majority of us is to insure the better future of our younger generations, who in due time — will assume the mantle of leadership over our nation’s political, security, cultural, economic and other interests,” he said.” n

A OCTOBER 14-20, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

Duterte: No joint drills with US troops…

PAGE A1 t

American officials who have raised concerns over the killings related to his crackdown on narcotics. More than 3,000 drug suspects have been killed since Duterte assumed office, alarming human rights advocates and international bodies. The tough-talking Duterte accused the US of interfering in Philippine affairs and of shaming him before the international community. He has also challenged the US to withdraw its aid from the Philippines, saying Filipinos can survive even without its

“crumbs.” Duterte, who is seeking stronger ties with China, has also suspended joint patrols with the US in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has maritime claims. Despite his harsh criticisms against the US, Duterte reiterated that he would not sever the Philippines’ military ties with the superpower. “We will maintain our military alliances because I said that we need it for our defense,” Duterte said. “We need not really, you know, break or abrogate existing

treaties because they say that it would provide us with the umbrella,” he added. Duterte, however, believes that military alliances would be rendered irrelevant if a world war breaks out. “Should World War III come to a fore upon the civilization, do you think, we still have time to discuss Third World War?” the president, who often foregoes prepared speeches, said. “When all the ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles), when all the Poseidon (are launched), then where will we be? See you in heaven.” n

400 businessmen to join Duterte in…

PAGE A1 t FLASH FLOOD. Rescuers bring an elderly Moro woman to safety in a flooded barangay in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao. Emergency teams late Wednesday, Oct. 12 evacuated 40 Moro families from farming communities in Sultan Mastura town in Maguindanao hit by flash floods caused by heavy rains. The Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Relief Team (HEART) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Thursday said 2,370 families were affected by the flash floods that swept through Barangays Tariken and Solon in Sultan Mastura. Philstar.com photo by John Unson

New petition calls for cancellation…

PAGE A1 t

worked with the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Fund for Women, and the Women’s Crisis Center. “This reason is the objectionable, scandalous, and demeaning sexist attitude demonstrated by the newly elected leaders of our country, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, and his cohorts towards womankind,” the letter read. As of this writing, it has been signed by more than 100 various women leaders and concerned citizens, including businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis and former Ayala Foundation President Vicky Garchitorena. Former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, former Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales, former Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita “Ging” Deles, and singer Leah Navarro were also among the growing list of signatories. The petition argued that Philippine society has “always granted a great amount of freedom and respect to women, but at the same time the gains of womankind in the Philippines have been hard won.” “In recent months, chauvin-

ism, brutal shaming, rape jokes and a sweeping disregard for women as persons deserving not merely of a token, but true, respect has been exhibited by the President of the Philippines with his salacious and sexist comments and treatment of female reporters and opposition figures, which has carried over to his allies in the Philippine Congress,” it added. The letter concluded that to hold the Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines at this time “would serve as a reward of this intolerable behavior and excuse such behavior.” DOT: Hosting Miss U has ‘overwhelming public support’ In response to the petition, the DOT said in a statement that the government’s decision to accept the offer to stage the pageant in the Philippines has gained “overwhelming public support,” especially among Filipino women and their families. “While the DOT gives due respect to such opinion as signified by a group of women leaders and concerned citizens, we assure everyone that we deem it a great honor to host the distinguished event that portrays the most beautiful and talented women with highest regard,” the

department said in a statement on Tuesday, October 11. According to the DOT, the “golden opportunity” of hosting the event would be a big boost to the country’s tourism promotion program. It will benefit local businesses and livelihood, as well as the travel and tour sector, the department added. Meanwhile, reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach expressed on her Twitter account that she’ll do her best to make sure the pageant will be held in the Philippines. “Akong bahala, guys. Kalma lang (I’ll take care of it, guys. Calm down),” Wurtzbach said. She added, “Ipaglalaban ko ‘yan (I will fight for this). I want the competition in my home country!” Last week, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed that venues to be used for the pageant include Cebu, Batangas, Metro Manila, Siargao, Vigan, Palawan, Bicol and Davao, following an inspection visit by Miss Universe Organization representatives earlier in the month. The Miss Universe pageant’s coronation night will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with Steve Harvey as its host. n

with China,” he said. Filipino executives are reportedly eager to talk with Chinese business leaders and government officials about deals in a range of sectors from rail and construction to tourism, agribusiness, power and manufacturing. Big conglomerates from the Philippines, including those led by families with ancestral roots in China, are joining the delegation. Tycoons Business tycoons Ramon S. Ang of the San Miguel group, Manuel V. Pangilinan of Metro Pacific and PLDT Inc., Lucio Tan and son Michael Tan of the Lucio Tan group, Hans Sy of the SM group, Carlos Chan of the Oishi group, Alfredo Yao of the Zest-O group and Henry Lim Bon Liong of the Sterling Group of companies are among those who are joining the state visit to China. Over a hundred officers and members of Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry will also accompany the President, according to industry sources. Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) president Frederick Go said the trip would yield more business opportunities given prospects of closer economic ties between the Philippines and China. RLC has entered China’s residential property market with a 1,300-unit master-planned township project in Chengdu. Opportunities In separate text messages, Ang and Yao replied in the affirmative when asked whether their groups would explore more busi-

CALL FOR CHANGE. Members of militant groups hold a rally in Mendiola, Manila to call for “meaningful” reforms, including an independent foreign policy that has been espoused by President Rodrigo Duterte. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr.

ness opportunities in China. San Miguel’s beer unit, San Miguel Brewery, currently operates two breweries in China. “We think stronger relations with any country, including China, should be good for the Philippines,” said Ozsen Chan, president of Liwayway Marketing (Oishi group). The Oishi group, which has 16 factories in China, is among the top five snack-food producers in China in the whole sweet and savory snack food category. For the SM group, its strategy is to build shopping malls in second- and third-tier cities at a pace of one mall per year, said SM Investments Corp. investor relations chief, Cora Guidote. “China has always been open to partnering with the Philippines. In fact, here in the Philippines, we have a lot of Chinese suppliers

and tenants. It’s just a matter of continuing to harness these relationships,” Guidote said. Another SM mall SM Prime currently operates six shopping malls in China. Before the end of the year, Guidote said SM would open another new mall in China, the first phase of the SM mall in Tianjin. The visit comes as Mr. Duterte puts aside years of hostility to seek a new partnership with Beijing at a time when tensions between Manila and its traditional ally, Washington, are mounting. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang, said Mr. Duterte would meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in his Oct. 18-21 trip, and they would have a “deep exchange of views” on how to improve ties, cooperation and re-

u PAGE A2

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

From the Front Page

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 14-20, 2016

AAPI survey: Filipinos comprise the…

PAGE A1 t

ethnic groups. Although Filipinos generally support progressive issues, they were the ethnic group with the highest opposition rates to these issues. For example, although 62 percent of Filipinos support climate change initiatives, they had the highest opposition of the surveyed groups at 18 percent. Other issues in which Filipinos comprised the highest opposition ratings included accepting Syrian refugees into the U.S. (41 percent), climate change initiatives (18 percent) and equal rights for black Americans (22 percent). Previous surveys have indicated that AAPIs generally lean toSAVIOR TO STREET OLDIES. Bennielita “Bennie” Sanchez talks with lola Nenita Padilla, 61, who is resting in her sister’s house in Cavite. wards the Democratic Party, and Lola Nenita has suffered three strokes already and is unable to walk on her own. Bennie promised to help them seek assistance from this survey is no different. the local DSWD for a wheelchair and processing of an old age pension. Bennie has made it her life mission to rescue homeless elderly folk off the streets and reunite them with their families. Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon As the Asian Journal previously reported, in May, nonpartisan groups APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and AAPI Data released “IncluPAGE A1 t Documents published by the Ryan reportedly told party mem- sion, Not Exclusion,” a voter surroom banter.” New York Times suggest that bers that he would not attempt to vey examining similar trends. “This is who Donald Trump Trump might have legally avoided defend his Republican presidenAccording to the findings of is,” said Clinton on Sunday night paying taxes for up to 18 years. tial nominee against the backlash that survey, 31 percent of Filipiin reference to her opponent’s The former reality TV star said generated by the Trump tapes. nos reported a favorable view of past comments. Although he has not officially he would close many of the loopthe Republican Party, compared She went on to point out the holes he had been making use of, dropped his endorsement of to 64 percent of Filipinos for the derogatory words Trump has but Clinton said Trump’s tax plan Trump, the speaker has advised Democratic Party. previously directed toward mi- would further favor the wealthy that Republicans should focus on Thirty-six percent of Filipinos nority groups, such as Muslims, while weakening the economy. maintaining their majorities in Latinos and even Filipinos. Over the course of an hour-and- Congress, rather than diverting “Don’t tell me about words,” a-half, the two presidential hope- energy to the presidential camTrump said on Sunday. “If you fuls also displayed vastly differing paign. look at Bill Clinton, far worse.” “Paul Ryan is focusing the PAGE A2 t perspectives and jousted over a The real estate developer variety of other issues including next month on defeating demo- gional issues. also accused Hillary Clinton of healthcare and foreign policy. “China looks forward to incrats and all republicans running tormenting women involved in Trump also appeared to break for office should probably do the creasing mutual trust between sexual misconduct allegations ranks with his own running mate, same,” a spokesperson for the the two countries, deepening against her husband. Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Speaker told CNBC on Tuesday, practical cooperation and conClinton dismissed the veracity regarding how the United States October 11. (Eric Anthony Licas tinuing the tradition of friendof many of Trump’s claims and ought to react to the humanitar- / AJPress) ship via the visit of President encouraged viewers to fact check ian crisis in Syria. the Republican nominees stateDuring the vice presidential ments instead of directly refuting debate on Tuesday, October 5, them on the debate stage. Pence suggested that military Immigration, a topic that has force against the Russian backed inspired some of the most impas- forces of the Assad regime may sioned public discourse this elec- be necessary to end airstrikes tion cycle, was scarcely touched that are targeting rebel forces but upon during Sunday’s debate. also killing scores of besieged ciLittle was said of Trump’s pro- vilians in the city of Aleppo. posals to limit the flow of immiIn contrast, Trump spoke in grants, increase deportations or support of the Assad regime and his plan to have Mexico fund the its supporters on Sunday. construction of a border wall. “I think it would be great if we Trump did, however, shift his got along with Russia. We could support for a ban on all Muslims fight ISIS together,” said Trump entering the country in favor of during the debate. He later added what he has termed “extreme that “Assad is killing ISIS. Russia vetting.” He went on to describe is killing ISIS.” Syrian refugees as a potential Meanwhile, Clinton said that “Trojan Horse,” a term he had counterterrorism efforts were used in past to describe immi- only a pretense and that Russia’s grants from the Philippines and primary interest in the region was other countries where terrorist to keep Assad in power. She went groups are active. on to say that sending American A palpable clash of personali- ground forces into Syria would ties between the two candidates be a mistake. threatened to overshadow other In a statement released on headline-making revelations, in- Monday, Pence expressed solicluding a batch of private docu- darity with his running mate ments published by the transpar- and attributed their seemingly ency advocacy website, Wikileaks contradictory opinions to a mison Friday, October 7. interpretation of the vice presiPreviously unreleased ex- dential nominee’s comments by cerpts from paid speeches given Raddatz. He said both he and by Clinton paint her as a well Trump support creating “safe connected Washington insider, zones” in Aleppo, the establisha characterization she has strug- ment of which may require miligled to rebuke throughout her tary force. campaign. Despite Pence’s public show On Sunday, Trump accused of support, Republican leaders Clinton of advancing programs may be ready to abandon hopes and policies over the course of of sending their candidate to the her decades-long career that White House following Sunday’s benefitted the wealthy over nor- debate, according to sources for mal citizens like unfair tax loop- Reuters, Politico and other outholes. However, the Republican lets. admitted to taking advantage On Monday, during a private of many of the technicalities he telephone conference with GOP criticized. legislators, House Speaker Paul

Controversy overshadows substance at second…

responded that they are planning to vote for Clinton, while 11 percent for Trump. A significant finding from the NAAS survey involves engagement with the community by the political parties. The researchers found that the Democratic reaches out to their AAPI community more with 48 percent reported being contacted. In comparison, 16 percent of Republican voters said they’ve been contacted by their party. Both parties, however, do not engage enough with the AAPI community, according to the research. About 70 percent of the voters surveyed reported never having been contacted by any political parties. In other words, both parties fare poorly among all Asian ethnic groups in terms of electoral contact. “This amplifies the message that we have been telling all the politicians, which is that we matter. We’re not just a margin but a margin of victory and for an election that has been close this is really great news,” Bel LeongHong, AAPI caucus chair for the Democratic National Committee, said in a community phone call hosted by AAPI for Hillary. The survey was directed by Karthick Ramakrishnan, professor

and associate dean at University of California, Riverside, with three co-principal investigators: Janelle Wong of University of Maryland, Taeku Lee of University of California, Berkeley and Jennifer Lee of University of California, Irvine. The NAAS survey was conducted from August 10 to September 29 using telephone interviews. The participant pool included 2,238 Asian Americans and 305 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). The data analyzed came from the following ethnic groups: Asian Indian (274), Chinese (281), Filipino (201), Korean (286), Japanese (147) and Vietnamese (295), Hmong (151), Cambodian (59) and NHPIs (291). The interviews were conducted in English along with nine Asian languages: Cambodia, Cantonese, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog and Vietnamese. The survey also compared results among native born and foreign born AAPI, young (18-34) and older (35+) AAPI and men and women. The overall margin of error was +/- 3.5 percent. The survey is available online at www.naasurvey.com. The second half of the project will survey AAPI voters after the election. n

Duterte,” Geng told a daily news briefing. The two leaders should appropriately handle disputes through talks and promote a strategic, cooperative relationship that is dedicated to peace and development, he said.

“The Philippines is a traditionally friendly neighbor of China. The two peoples have a long history of friendship,” he added. An Inquirer source said Mr. Duterte would be conferred an honorary doctorate by Beijing University. n

400 businessmen to join Duterte in…

Coordinated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police with the support of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P), a total of 10,000 units of bottled water, sleeping mats, blankets, tooth brushes, toothpaste, buckets, and canned goods formed part of a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) 26,400,000 (US$600,000) assistance to provide relief and emergency to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Zamboanga City.

US, UK post reminders on…

PAGE A1 t

said the information is “a window to the world.” “People with issues need a mirror. UK aid was delivered directly to Filipinos in need,” he added. According to the “Yolanda” aid fund report of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), the Philippines was pledged a total of $865 million by foreign states and organizations. The UK offered $122.7 million while the US ranked pledged P90.6 million. The United Nations and its agencies extended $81.5 million, while the EU ranked seventh with its $40.5million assistance. In pursuing what the government calls an “independent” foreign policy, Duterte has taken a strong stance against the US

and other Western nations and blocs which criticized his war on drugs for resulting in thousands of deaths. Duterte did not take the calls for restraint lightly, threatening to cut ties while appearing to turn to China, which pledged to support of the anti-narcotics campaign amid its incursion in Philippine maritime features in the South China Sea the past years. The president had said the Philippines would not sacrifice its dignity as a nation for aid from other countries who do not understand the seriousness of the drug problem. Duterte also vowed to cooperation with China and Russia, while expressing his plan to begin trade talks with countries reputed to be less friendly with the US. (Rosette Adel/Philstar.com)

A

A OCTOBER 14-20, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Fil-Ams respond to ‘Mail Order Family’ cancellation

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Advocacy orgs demand a meeting with NBC execs

by KlARize

MedenillA AJPress

AFTER NBC executives cancelled the projected situationalcomedy about a mail-order bride from the Philippines, Filipino activists are continuing to demand an apology. The sitcom — “Mail Order Family” — was to tell the story of a single father of two preteen daughters who orders a mail-order bride from the Philippines, according to Deadline. The show’s pitch sparked outrage for its stereotypical portrayal of Filipinas, and days after the show’s announcement, executives scrapped the development of the project. Writer Jackie Clarke said the show was based on her experience of being raised by a Filipino nanny in New Zealand. Clarke — who is also a writer and producer of NBC sitcom “Superstore” — has yet to comment on the show’s cancellation. “We purchased the pitch with the understanding that it would tell the creator’s real-life experience of being raised by a strong Filipina stepmother after the loss of her own mother,” a spokesperson from NBCUniversal said in a statement emailed to the Asian Journal in late September. “The writer and producers have taken the sensitivity to the initial concept to heart and have chosen not to move forward with the project at this time.” The show’s announcement had garnered criticism for trivializing

Protesters outside NBC Universal

the issue of human trafficking and for stereotyping Filipinas. Filipino-American advocacy group GABRIELA USA started a campaign on Change.org to get NBC to cancel the show and has raised more than 13,000 signatures. According to the organization’s petition, the show “is the most recent example of how the exploitation and violence women face is normalized in U.S. mainstream media. The mail order bride industry in the Philippines is rooted in historical U.S. colonial occupation of the Philippines, feudal-patriarchal view of Filipinas, and current neocolonial economic policies that have impoverished the Filipino people.” The petition went on to cite examples of Filipina mail-order brides who were abused and eventually murdered by their husbands, including: Susana Blackwell, who was shot and killed by her husband in Seattle back in 1995, and Estelita Villa Reeves, whose husband was also found guilty of murdering two previous wives. On Thursday, October 6, GABRIELA Los Angeles, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and Migrante International organized a protest in front of the NBCUniversal headquarters in Universal City to emphasize their opposal to the comedic portrayals of Filipina mail-order brides. “We were concerned with the fact that it was a comedy mak-

ing light of something so serious [and] something that already isn’t being seriously addressed, so I think it had a greater risk than a benefit to the Filipino community,” Nikole Cababa of GABRIELA Los Angeles told the Asian Journal. “[Clarke] may have one perspective, but there’s a whole other story that isn’t being told, like why Filipinos leaving in the first place and why this mail order bride system is even thriving.” The groups have three goals: demand a formal apology from NBCUniversal, secure a meeting with NBCUniversal executives and educate them on the social and economic ramifications of the mail-order bride industry and encourage writers and producers to consult the Filipino community when crafting stories about Filipinos. “I think part of our demands it to make sure they see us as a community resource so if ideas or stories like this come up it would be great to be consulted, like, do we think this is a show that will accurately portray the Filipino community?” Cababa added. “That’s something that we’d value. As GABRIELA we definitely support the arts and cultural work and Filipino celebrities and story writers, but at the same time it does matter who tells the story and how it’s told.” Many members of the Fil-Am community were outraged by the show’s plotline, but some FilAms thought that the show could have presented a positive view of the community. A script was never released, so Fil-Ams like entertainment industry veteran Fritz Friedman suggested that the protest was simply presumptuous of a negative portrayal. “Not having read the script, I don’t think that I have the right to give any intelligent opinion about the NBC TV series -- that is, whether it was going to shed a good light or a bad light on Filipinos,” Friedman told the Asian Journal in an email. “Who knows? But there was always the possibility that the character might have been a strong, smart funny and proud Filipina who would have demonstrated the strength, pride kindness and in-

Photo courtesy of GABRIELA USA

u PAGE A5

WE ARE

HIRING Asian Journal Publications is now looking for:

Customer Sales and Service Representative Fax résumé to:

info@asianjournalinc.com

POSTHUMOUS AWARD. President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the family of Police Officer 1 Michael Jay Castro who was recently killed in an anti-drug operation in Zamboanga City. ManilaTimes.net photo

US to provide $180-M aid to Philippines next year by Jose

KAtigbAK Philstar.com

WASHINGTON – The United States is committed to providing $180 million in assistance to the Philippines in fiscal year 2017 and routinely vetting the military to ensure security units that violate human rights do not get any aid, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. Fiscal year 2017 is from Oct. 1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2017. President Duterte, in yet another jab at the US, dared it to end its assistance if it continues to criticize extrajudicial killings in his war against illegal drugs. Duterte’s rhetoric is at odds with the very close relationship between the two countries, Kirby said. “We continue to focus on our broad relationship with the Philippines and we’ll work together in the many areas of mutual interest,” he said. He said Washington is focused on ensuring that assistance efforts truly benefit the people and are compliant with US laws and regulations. To ensure assistance earmarked for law enforcement is

not used in extrajudicial killings, the US government routinely and regularly vet security forces through a process known as “Leahy vetting,” Kirby said. Under a US human rights law named after its principal sponsor Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Washington utilizes the International Vetting and Security Tracking (INVEST) system which tracks all units and individuals who are potential recipients of assistance. “It’s a law we strongly believe in. And whether it’s in the Philippines or anywhere around the world, that review process is near continuous and it will remain so,” Kirby said. Asked to comment on Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay’s statement that the United States has failed the Philippines, prompting Duterte to break the country’s “shackling dependency” on its long-time ally, Kirby said it was not useful to parse every bit of rhetoric that comes out of Manila. “What I can tell you is that in practicality, as you and I talk today, that cooperation continues. Those government contacts continue. The military-to-military re-

lationship remains strong,” Kirby said. The US takes its treaty alliance with the Philippines seriously and “nothing that we’re seeing today tangibly would change our mind about that,” he added. Duterte, well known for a ruthless stand against crime from his years as mayor of Davao City, won election in May on a promise to wipe out drugs and drug dealers. Some 3,600 people have so far been killed in his anti-drugs drive and he has been enraged by questions about human rights, from the US and others, that the bloodshed has raised. Duterte said on Thursday if the United States and European Union objected to his drug war and wished to withdraw aid, they should do so, and the Philippines would not beg. US aid ‘not that much’ In Manila, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday US-Philippines ties are going through “bumps on the road” and the military could manage if the US were to withdraw aid. The Philippines intended to buy arms from China and Russia

u PAGE A5

3 Pinoys among participants of New York marathon by Risnie

Ann C. MARiCuelo Inquirer.net

THREE Filipinos are among the participants in the New York marathon, dubbed the world’s largest and most iconic marathon, which will be held on November 6. Alberto Agulto Jr., Clint Ortiz and Leo Penas, sponsored by their company Open Access BPO, are set to run as part of Ryan’s Run, affiliated with Allied Services Integrated Health System, which helps children and adults with physical disabilities. According to CEO Benjamin Davidowitz, the three employees were chosen based on their passion for running and tenure with the company. As part of their training regiment, Agulto and Ortiz participated in several prestigious events in the country, such as SMDC Run 2016 (Leg 2), Caliraya 360 Run (Lumban, Laguna), 40th National Milo Marathon (Metro Manila), Takbo.ph Runfest 2016, Run GNC 2016, World Vision Run 2016, Colors of Freedom, NatGeo Earth Day Run 2016, SMDC Run 2016 and Condura Skyway Marathon 2016. For his part, Penas joined local marathons like the NatGeo Run, GNC Run, SMDC Run and the Ultramarathon Run. He also trained

Leo Penas, Clint Ortiz and Alberto Agulto are among the participants of New York marathon, dubbed the world’s largest and most iconic marathon, which will be held on November 6.

for two months in the US. “Running an event outside of the country is some sort of a next level to my running career. Participating in one of the most prestigious events–if not the most–The New York City Marathon, will be a game changer for me mentally and physically,” Agulto said. Agulto noted that running in the New York marathon event is his own little way to help differently-abled people. “We are given a chance to do what we love the most–running, in a great place, supported by great groups

of people…. We are lucky, blessed and exhilarated indeed,” he added. Penas cited personal reasons for participating in the event. “I’ve always been a competitive athlete, since my high school days up to my college years. Also, Ben Davidowitz, my boss, motivated me to go back to running and he was very supportive about this event,” he said. He added that his goals are to go back to his healthy lifestyle and to reach the record of three hours and 30 minuntes in the said event. n

Fil-Am anchor Elaine Quijano gets high marks for moderating VP debate by odette

Keely NewAmericaMedia

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Many in the Twittersphere gave Elaine Quijano an ‘A’ for moderating the only U.S. vice presidential debate on Tuesday, October 4. The Filipino-American veteran journalist made history as the first Asian American, first digital anchor and youngest moderator in decades, of a national debate. Twitter users are commending her moderation of the debate, citing that she asked substantive questions and held her own with the two VP candidates, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, specifically by effectively controlling the discussion and keeping it on track. Many particularly lauded her stern reminder to the two when they constantly interrupted each other: “Gentlemen, the people at home cannot understand either one of you when you talk over each other.” Quijano is a New York-based, Chicago native, the lead weekday anchor for CBSN (an internet TV news channel). She also anchors “CBS Weekend News” on

Elaine Quijano

Photo courtesy of CBS News

Sundays and contributes across the network’s platforms. Prior to that, Quijano spent ten years covering politics for CNN Newsource and CNN. Elaine’s CBS colleagues anchoring the network’s post-debate coverage, Scott Pelley and Bob Schieffer gave glowing marks for Quijano, with Schieffer saying: “She did a magnificent job. I’ve been there, done that, it’s not as easy as it looks.” A sampling of some early tweets and Facebook posts from many in the Filipino-American community showed great pride for her historic role, and how she moderated this Oct. 4 debate, especially as the diaspora is celebrating October as Filipino-

American History Month. Praise also came from mainstream media and the entertainment world: “Balitang America” correspondent Don Tagala said, “Taray ni Elaine!!! [Elaine is fierce!]: ‘Governor, It’s Sen. Tim Kaine’s time :)’” Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and immigration activist Jose Antonio Vargas said, “All hail @ Elaine_Quijano, who survived and won the #VPDebate.” Dawn Bohulano Mabalon wrote, “No need to adjust your TV sets. Yes, that’s a #FilipinaAmerican@Elaine_Quijano moderating this debate! #pinay #VPDebate #VPdebate2016.” “That was the nicest way I’ve ever heard someone tell people to shut eff up. Way to go, @ Elaine_Quijano! #VPDebate,” added W. Kamau Bell. Journalist Nicholas Kristof chimed in saying, “Good to see @Elaine_Quijano asking the candidates in#VPDebate about the slaughter in Syria.” Meanwhile, Huffington Post wrote, “Line of the night, from Elaine Quijano: “I will remind you both that this question was about North Korea” #VPDebates”

u PAGE A5

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 14-20, 2016

Dateline PhiliPPines

A

Palace slams French newspaper: ‘Duterte not a serial killer’ by Dana

SioSon AJPress

TOKHANG BINONDO. Drug suspects line up during Operation Tokhang in Delpan, Manila. Three brothers accused of being in the drug trade were killed in an alleged shootout during this operation. Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

Executive order seeks to ban smoking in PH by Eric

anthony LicaS AJPress

AN executive order awaiting approval by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will force roughly 17 million smokers to confine their habit to designated smoking areas or private buildings. The policy, which is expected to be signed sometime this month, will ban smoking of both traditional and e-cigarettes in public spaces including restaurants, parks, and city or stateowned transit vehicles. The ban should take effect nationwide, but decisions regarding enforcement and the specific

language or anti-smoking ordinances will be left to individual municipalities. Smokers will still be able to light up at designated smoking areas that must be at least 33 feet away from any building. “We are not stopping them from smoking,” Philippine Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial told the Associated Press on Tuesday, October 11. “We are just telling them not to smoke around nonsmokers.” About a third of the Philippines’ adult population are smokers according to a 2014 report by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

The tobacco control advocacy group, New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP), estimates that smoking-related diseases kill 10 Filipinos every hour. The popular, but unhealthy practice costs the country an estimated $4 billion in medical costs and lost productivity, according to sources for the AP. When asked about potential opposition from the tobacco industry, Ubial responded with a shrug, according to the Philippine Star. “It is up to you to oppose,” she told reporters on Monday. “It is already the President you will be

u PAGE A7

Fil-Am anchor Elaine Quijano gets… PAGE A4 t

The Hollywood Reporter’s post-VP debate piece: “VP Debate Moderator Elaine Quijano Praised by Twitter Users” highlighted this tweet: “An Asian American Woman telling two old white dudes when to talk..I LOVE IT. #VPDebate,” Hari Kondabolu said. CBS News’s story right after the debate declared Quijano, one of its digital news anchors as “the early winner” of the VP matchup, highlighting admiration from many Twitter users including: Dan Rather who said, “Moder-

ator @Elaine_Quijano does well by pointing out @GovPenceIN didn’t answer the question about @realDonaldTrump and taxes.” The story also included some criticism, citing that “there were some who claimed Quijano let the two men talk over each other and her too.” Journalist Howard Kurtz noted, “Elaine Quijano is losing control, plain and simple. The men just keep talking over each other.” Media Matters zeroed in on Quijano’s question on the national debt in their piece: “Debate Moderator Elaine Quijano

Falsely Equates The Impact Of Trump And Clinton’s Economic Plans On The National Debt.” The web-based, progressive research and information center explained that Quijano presented a false equivalency when she said during the debate that the economic plans of both Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton “would add even more” to “the growing $19 trillion national debt” and asked whether such debt increases “could be disastrous for the country. n

MALACAÑANG on Sunday, October 9, slammed a French newspaper for tagging President Rodrigo Duterte as a “serial killer” amid the string of killings related to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. “It’s irresponsible the way they have termed it and the way they have carelessly used this word and their media power to paint the Philippines in such a way,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told DZMM. Last Saturday, October 8, the French Daily Liberation published a banner article headlined “Rodrigo Duterte, the serial killer president.” The four-paged article, written by journalist Arnaud Vauleri, tackled Duterte’s anti-illegal

drugs campaign that has recorded over 3,000 deaths from the end of June to early October. It also touched upon the president’s verbal attacks against his critics like the United States, United Nations and the European Union, as well as his comments that paralleled the drug war deaths to the killing of Jewish people during the Holocaust. Moreover, the article detailed the president’s supposed involvement with the Davao Death Squad, the group that alleged killed people under his command when he was still the city’s mayor. Abella noted, however, that despite the president’s colorful rhetorics, Duterte took action for the drug problem that “was not given attention” for many years. “For the longest time, the drug

problem was not given attention, emphasis. Now, it has grown so much so that drastic measures have to be taken for drastic situations,” he said Abella also argued that the best reflection of what’s happening in the Philippines is the public’s confidence — not the foreign reports. “The best picture, the best mirror of what’s happening in the Philippines, is the public, the citizens who are affected. So far, the response that we see is they have a very high appreciation of what the president is doing,” he pointed out. Despite the torrent of controversies, Duterte earned a +64 net satisfaction rating or “very good” rating for his first 100 days in the office, according to a recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey. n

Palace letter to UN probers: Allow Duterte to ask questions first Letter sent to world body by nEStor

corraLES Inquirer.net

THE United Nations (UN) officials who will come to the Philippines to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings should be able to answer questions from President Rodrigo Duterte under oath. “Since it is this administration that is maligned as being behind these extrajudicial killings, due process requires that the President of the Philippines Republic, be given the opportunity to propound his own questions which every nation recognizes,” the letter sent to the UN read. “It would be best to put everyone to whom questions are directed to swear under oath that the answers and/or responses they give are the truth and nothing but the truth,” the letter added. The letter, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, was dated September 28. Duterte earlier accepted the

President Rodrigo Duterte

challenge of the UN to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings under his administration provided they follow Philippine laws and they will also be subjected to questioning. Medialdea said allowing the President to question the UN officials would “fortify his right to due process” “I suppose that that would further fortify his right to due process which requires that the party against whom a charge is levelled, is accorded the opportunity to propound his own questions to whomever he deems ap-

propriate, including your good self,” Medialdea said. The executive secretary said Duterte was interested to know the “motive for the investigation, and why the focus is on the Philippines.” “After all, the party charged is entitled to know the motive for the investigation, and why the focus is on the Philippines when there are other nations responsible for the death of innocent and defenseless individuals elsewhere in the world. Those are extrajudicial killings too, are they not?” he said. n

US to provide $180-M aid to Philippines next…

PAGE A4 t

and there had been no adverse reaction from within the military to Duterte’s vows to scale back defense ties with the US, he said. Lorenzana’s remarks suggested he was following other top officials in Duterte’s administration in rallying behind the maverick president’s tough anti-US agenda after weeks of scrambling to manage the fallout from his outbursts and threats to downgrade the alliance. Lorenzana had on Wednesday set a conciliatory tone, saying Duterte may have been misinformed when he said US-Philippine military exercises were of no benefit to his country. But yesterday, Lorenzana said the value of US military aid to the Philippines was “not that much,” and the military could ask Congress to make up for a shortfall of some $50 million-$100 million a year in US military aid. “We can live without (that),” Lorenzana told a foreign correspondents’ forum. Lorenzana said he believed Duterte’s objective was to diversify the Philippines’ foreign ties and cut dependency on a former colonial ruler. “The President is trying to develop a relationship with the US that is not too dependent on one country,” he said. Duterte has caused a diplomatic storm by declaring that joint US-Philippines military exercises would cease, a defense agreement would be reviewed and, at an undisclosed time, he might “break up” with the US. On Monday, Duterte said US

The United States is committed to providing $180 million in assistance to the Philippines in fiscal year 2017 and routinely vetting the military to ensure security units that violate human rights do not get any aid, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. Philstar.com photo

President Barack Obama should “go to hell.” Lorenzana said there had been no official directive to scrap a two-year-old Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. He said the uncertainty in the US-Philippines relationship was “just going through these bumps on the road.” “Maybe we should re-assess (the relationship),” he said. “Are we benefiting, are we getting what we should be getting from the alliance? It is part of this growing up.” He said Duterte was sensitive to concerns about his drug war and it was likely the President would dial down his rhetoric if questions from the West about human rights stopped. Asked how changes in the security relationship could impact a strategic US “rebalance” to Asia, he said: “They are not lacking of any place to park their ships

if they are no longer allowed to park their ships here.” He said there may be some issues of compatibility with defense procurements from Russia and China, which were willing to sell to the Philippines. A Philippine dispute with China over sovereignty in the South China Sea would not impede defense procurements, he said, adding there had been no discussion of the two countries working together militarily. “All we are thinking now is buying equipment,” he said. “No talks yet about military alliance. Just simple transaction of buying equipment.” Lorenzana’s show of accord with Duterte’s anti-US stand follows a similar tough line from Foreign Secretary Yasay, who said this week Duterte wanted to liberate the country from a “shackling dependency” on the US. n

Atty. Rio Guerrero

“BEST LAWYERS NATIONAL AWARD” NAPABA

Atty. Tsui Yee

“CONTRIBUTIONS TO EXCELLENCE AWARD” FANHS

“PUBLIC SERVICE AND POLITICS AWARD” TOFANY

Trust Our Award-Winning Attorneys to Win Your Immigration Case — We Are New York’s Premier Immigration Law Firm Helping Our Kababayans.

Ang Pangarap Niyo Ay Pangarap Namin.

Fil-Ams respond to ‘Mail Order Family’… PAGE A4 t

telligence of many Filipinos. But now, with the series cancelled, we will never know. Too bad.” Allen Ongchangco questioned the public outcry against the perceived “negative portrayal” of Filipinas through the mail-order bride character. In a Facebook comment, he made a case for telling the stories of Filipina mail-order brides, referencing his friends that were mail order wives who were “educated, worked in various industries and live quite fulfilled lives.” “Why is a mail order bride a negative portrayal of the Filipina?” Ongchangco said after the cancellation. “Why should a mail

order bride be stereotyped as weak, obedient or seen as just a sex object? They are not a monolith, they have complex lives [and] values just as we do.” “This protest saddens and angers me because some of you have decided that only certain stories should be told. Only certain times of Pinay should be held up to the light. By doing so you have stigmatized, delegitimized the [lives] and stories of my friends,” he added. In the Philippines, thousands of Filipinas marry American men every year through the mail-order bride system even though it’s against Philippine law. In 1990, the Philippine Congress enacted

the Anti Mail-Order Bride Law, but since the emergence of the Internet made it easier for businesses outside the Philippines to circumvent the law. One site called “Pinay Brides” from Montana was able to bypass the law by pretending to be a travel agency, as reported by ABSCBN News and Current Affairs. GABRIELA Los Angeles will be hosting a discussion about the issue of human trafficking and advocating for Filipinas at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles on Friday, October 14. The discussion will feature a panel of speakers, human trafficking survivors and members of the media. n

The Woolworth Building 233 Broadway, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10279 646.545.5000 | win@guerreroyee.com www.guerreroyee.com www.facebook.com/guerreroyee

Watch us on

A OCTOBER 14-20, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

OpiniOn

Features

Undervalued

“AMERICA has failed us,” said Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay as he echoed Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s sentiments against the U.S. Amid a maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea, Yasay lamented that the “U.S. could not assure the Philippines that it will promptly come to our defense under our existing military treaty and agreements” in “taking a hard line towards the enforcement of our sovereignty rights under international law.” This was why Yasay believes that the president is pursuing an independent foreign policy, one that would not depend on the U.S. and will reject any attempt at meddling by other foreign governments or institutions. “Breaking away from the shackling dependency of the Philippines to effectively address both internal and external security threats has become imperative in putting an end to our nation’s subservience to United States’ interests,” Yasay added. The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “the State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to selfdetermination.” In September, Duterte said reiterated that his administration will implement a foreign policy that will observe “sovereign equality, non-interference and commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes to best serve our people and protect the interests of our country.” International relations are regulated by legal

norms in issues such as security, trade, finance, the environment and communication. Countries engage in bilateral and diplomatic relations that are based on universally accepted values and moral standards. This signifies the progress of civilization towards the world ruled by principle and not by force. According to the U.S. Department of State: “The U.S.-Philippine Bilateral Strategic Dialogue advances discussion and cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues. U.S.-Philippine relations are based on strong historical and cultural links and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. The United States has designated the Philippines as a Major Non-NATO Ally, and there are close and abiding security ties between the two nations. The Manila Declaration signed in 2011 reaffirmed the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as the foundation for a robust, balanced, and responsive security partnership. There is also a focus on economic, commercial, and people-topeople ties.” In the last 10 years, the U.S. has provided more that $240 million in disaster assistance to the Philippines. Through USAID, the U.S. has been assisting the Philippines in rebuilding schools and health clinics, investing in livelihood activities, and supporting the government’s national recovery planning and coordination.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

The two countries also share extensive peopleto-people ties: over 350,000 Americans reside in the Philippines, and approximately 600,000 U.S. citizens visit the country each year. There are approximately four million Filipino Americans in the United States. The Philippines and the U.S. have shared a com-

mon ground since time immemorial. Despite Duterte’s deep-seated abhorrence toward the U.S., this time-tested relationship has brought greater regional stability and security, and it has provided political, economic, and strategic benefits to both Filipinos and Americans. (AJPress)

Is Trump’s race to the presidency over after tape exposes him bragging about sexually assaulting women?

The Fil-Am Perspective

Could Trump’s October surprise, revealed a few weeks before the November 8 presidential election, be the beginning of the end of Trump’s chances to be the 45th President of the United States? While this latest controversy may not be a “new” revelation about the republican Party’s nominee with reference to how he is deemed to be disrespectful of women. — with all his sexist comments and public toxic fights with the likes of rosie O’Donnel, Megyn Kelley, Miss Universe Alicia Machado — critics say the video revealed not only the most vulgar, misogynistic statements Trump has made, but a character flaw that many people find disturbing especially in his pursuit of the most powerful position in the world. A video leaked by the Washington Post on Friday, October 7 revealed Trump making sexist and vulgar statements in his conversation with Billy Bush of “Today” and “Access Hollywood.” This audio was reportedly captured in 2005 before Trump’s appearance on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.” As the Post reported, the tape includes audio of Bush and Trump talking inside the bus, as well as audio and video once they emerge from it to begin shooting the segment. The newspaper further said that in that audio, Trump discusses a failed attempt to seduce a woman, whose full name is not given in the video. In that tape, Trump was heard saying, ”I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married…Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look.”

Gel SantoS-ReloS

“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” Trump was heard saying on the tape. “And when you’re a star, they let you do it,” “You can do anything.” “Grab them by the p---y,” Trump said. “You can do anything.” In the second presidential debate on Sunday, October 9, moderator Anderson Cooper pointed out exactly what Trump’s critics have been saying that this is sexual assault. Trump dismissed the accusation, saying his statements were locker room talk that most men engage in, and that he was sorry if anyone was offended by this statement. He again claimed that nobody respects women more than he does. Many athletes and coaches from the NBA, Major League Baseball and the NFL, have spoken out, refuting Trump’s “locker room talk” explanation, contending, “that’s not what happens in their locker rooms.” While his surrogates defended him at all costs, it seems not everyone in the republican Party was buying his defense. Many republican leaders and elected officials have disavowed him, including House Speaker Paul ryan, who said he will not campaign with Trump, but will instead use the final days of the 2016 election focusing on preserving the republicans’ hold on Congress. However, republican National Committee (rNC) Chairman reince Priebus said in a conference call on Monday that he is sticking with Trump despite this latest controversy. He said Trump has already apologized and that the rNC remains in full cooperation with the Trump campaign. Priebus also denied reports that there are efforts to remove

Donald Trump

Trump as the republican Party nominee. Trump’s critics, even among his party, say the nominee has time and time again showed he is unfit to be president because of his character. *** 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

Misogyny and Leila de Lima

Commentary

antonio P. ContReRaS SENATOr Leila de Lima would like us to believe that she is victimized because of her gender. I vehemently disagree. This is not a gender issue. And it is offensive that she plays the gender card. It is pure theatrics, like the many she inflicted on us, in her press conferences, in her walkouts. Now she is seen on campus tour trying hard to be another Miriam Defensor-Santiago. She complains that she is being bullied by the President, the Secretary of Justice, some of her colleagues in the Senate and the House of representatives, all of them men. But Leila de Lima is a woman of power. Her public narrative is lived fighting for, with and against men. As an election lawyer, she lawyered for defeated male candidates. As a chair of the Commission on Human rights, she challenged a powerful and popular male city Mayor, who is now our President.

As a secretary of the DOJ, she openly defied the entire male leadership of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo. She was the attack dog of a weak male President, acting at his behest, and joined the lynching of a sitting male Chief Justice. She was voted out of her Senate committee by her peers, not because of her being a woman, but because of her mishandling of it, by presenting an incredible witness, and by using her position as chair in running a hearing that far exceeded its purpose, with the aim of destroying the President of the republic himself. It should be noted that except for one, all the women senators joined the men to depose her. She is now in trouble not because of her being a woman, but because of her failure to rein in the drug trade within the national penitentiary, with the suspicion that she might have benefited from it financially, and for her audacity to fight the President. Hence, for feminists and the CHr to present her as the new poster girl to fight misogyny, on the premise that she is being bullied as a woman, is in the same

league as when she paraded Edgar Matobato as a credible witness. While I concede that she may have a case for misogyny on the issue of the publication of her alleged private sexual indiscretions, her case stands on shaky grounds. First, a sex video, as proof of a scandal, is as damaging to a man as it was to Hayden Kho. The threat of using salacious sexual proclivities has always been used in history, and victims included men and women, straight and gay. In the US for example, almost all the known sex scandals involved male politicians. Thus, while the misogyny may have been incidental to her case, it is not structural in the entire history of sex scandals and videotapes. Second, while the disclosure of her alleged sexual adventures is, indeed, morally and ethically offensive, aside from being unnecessary, a close examination reveals that de Lima could not claim to be a victim. If the allegations are true, then the Senator is not a clueless victim but a willing participant. Furthermore, the power relation inherent in the alleged illicit relationship

was clear – Leila de Lima was the boss, her alleged lovers were her driver or her bodyguard, men who were her subordinates. She is not a Monica Lewinsky. Clearly she held the power. She was not an innocent schoolgirl who was sexually harassed and forced into submission by a lecher who held power over her. Leila de Lima claims she is a victim. However, people are not buying this story line. It is evident in the angry birds that float across the screen during her videostreamed press conferences, and the fact that when she tried to cry, that such were replaced by icons of laughter instead of sympathy. Leila de Lima claims she is a victim of misogyny. She is not. On the contrary, her life story is littered with male victims, or losers whom she saved from electoral debacles, or weak men she propped up. Men served and guarded her. She bullied men, fired and hired them, used them, took care of them, loved them and destroyed them. And if there is one single icon of a man whose fall she had a hand on, that would be renato Corona, who died a broken man.

Sen. Leila de Lima

And if there is one man that she may have used and destroyed, it would have been Edgar Matobato. Leila de Lima may have been objectified by the testimonies in Congress about her alleged sexual acts, but lest we forget, she

would have been in the scene not as a helpless victim. If the allegations were true, then we could say that she would have been a sexually empowered woman in full control of her sexual agency who knew and got what she wanted. (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.

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com Northern California: 1001 Bayhill Drive, Suite 200 San Bruno, CA 94066 Tel.: (650) 616-4150 • Fax: (650) 616-4152

Manila Office: 2nd Floor Units D&E, Fort Palm Springs 30th Street, Cor. 1st Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Tel.: (632) 856-4921 • Fax: (632) 856-1661 New York and New Jersey: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858 449 Hoboken Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306 Tel.: (212) 655-5426. • Fax (818) 502-0858

Las Vegas Sales Office: 3700 W. Desert Inn Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

ELIZABETH HILARIO SISON Chief Financial Officer MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief New York/New Jersey Asian Journal

Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation. Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an a greement to continue publication. Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement. Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

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

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline PhiliPPines

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 14-20, 2016

A

PNP intercepts bombing plot in Quezon City raid Suspected terrorist arrested

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested an alleged bomb maker and at least two other suspected terrorists on Saturday, October 8, in Quezon City, likely preventing an imminent attack planned to take place in Metro Manila. Agents serving in the AntiTransnational Crimes Unit (ATCU) of the PNP’s Central Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided a home on the 100 block of Cotabato St. in Barangay Culiat and took Malaysian national and alleged terrorist Mohamas Amin into custody. Officers also

uncovered explosives, ammunition, I.D. cards, and evidence suggesting that the home’s occupants were preparing for an upcoming terrorist act. “Our operatives confiscated a blueprint of a building, a condo mall,” acting director of the PNPCIDG, Chief Supt. Roel Obusan told the Inquirer. Police also arrested the home’s owner, Bilal Taalam, and one of the building’s tenants, Adnan Malangkis. They and eight other occupants are under investigation for possible links to the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf. Talaam has been charged with obstruction of justice and the harboring of a fugitive or

wanted person, according to the Inquirer. Amin had been sought by police in connection to a murder case originating in Sulu, and a P600,000 bounty had been placed on his head prior to his arrest on Saturday. He now faces charges of illegally possessing explosives and ammunition and attempting to conceal his identity in addition to prior allegations. The discovery of the would-be attack comes just days after members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arrested three alleged members of the jihadist group, Maute, on suspicion of bombing a crowded night market in Davao in September. n

Aguirre: Sebastian to be given protection if he tells truth MANILA — Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said that high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian will only be placed under the Witness Proection Program if he tells the whole truth behind the Bilibid drug trade. Aguirre noted that he doubts some of Sebastian’s statements when he testified at the House of Representatives Committee on Justice’s inquiry last Monday. “Hindi namin inofferan si Jaybee Sebastian ng any WPP protection after reading the affidavit, sabi ko marami dito hindi totoo at mayroon rin totoo if you are admitted into the Witness Protection Program you must tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” Aguirre said in a press conference. He added that Sebastian was lying when he said that he did not know Ronnie Dayan, the former driver and alleged lover of Sen. Leila De Lima. “Tapos tinanong din siya, alam mo ba kung ano ang relasyon ni Secretary De Lima kay Ronnie Dayan. ‘Wala po. Wala po akong

Beijing: PH, China ‘neighbors of traditional friendship’ by PAtriciA LourdEs Philstar.com

fighting against.” The current draft executive order is closely modeled after a smoking ban in place in the city of Davao, where Duterte served as mayor for over two decades before being elected to the presidency. The slated restrictions coincide with a recent push to amend existing tobacco regulation so

VirAy

MANILA — The Chinese government is looking forward to developing relations with the Philippines as President Rodrigo Duterte is set to pay a visit from October 18 to 21. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said that Beijing stands ready to work with the Philippines to advance bilateral relations in a “sound and steady manner.” High-profile inmate claimed that he raised campaign funds for the senatorial bid of Sen. Leila “I want to stress that China and De Lima in the May 2016 elections. the Philippines are neighbors nalalaman na relasyon.’ Doon pa week, Sebastian claimed that he of traditional friendship. People lang, naniniwala ako hindi sya gave payola worth P2 million a of the two countries have been nagsasabi ng totoo,” Aguirre month to De Lima through San- friends with each other since anchez. said. cient times,” Geng said in a press Sebastian also claimed that briefing. Aguirre also noted that Sebastian seemed to be witholding in- he raised funds campaign funds Geng noted that bilateral relaformation about Dayan and Joe- from the Bilibid drug trade for De nel Sanchez, the former security Lima’s senatorial bid in the May 2016 elections. (Patricia Lourdes of De Lima. During the hearing earlier this Viray/Philstar.com)

tions have developed constant progress in cooperation in political, economic and cultural aspects which delivered tangible benefits to both countries. “Amity between the two countries is not only what the people aspire for but also where the development trend of the two countries and the region leads,” the Foreign Ministry official said. Duterte will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation across the board and regional issues of common interest. The chief executive will also meet with Premier Li Keqiang and Zhang Dejiang on separate occasions. “The Chinese side hopes that the visit by President Duterte

will help increase political mutual trust, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, extend traditional friendship, properly address differences through dialogue and replace the strategic cooperative relations for peace and development on the track of sound and steady growth,” Geng said. Meanwhile, Geng stressed that China’s position on the South China Sea dispute is consistent and clear. “We are willing to peacefully address relevant disputes with countries concerned including the Philippines through consultation and negotiation, explore possible ways for pragmatic cooperation with them in the South China Sea and turn it into the sea of peace, friendship and cooperation,” the Chinese official said. n

De Lima files anti-extrajudicial killing bill

Executive order seeks to ban smoking…

PAGE A5 t

GLOBAL HAND WASHING DAY. ARMM Education Secretary John Magno flashes a thumb up sign during a photo session with officials of various entities that participated in the commemoration of the Global Handwashing Day on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in a public school campus in South Upi, Maguindanao.

that it would be illegal to post cigarette advertisements at cash registers and other points of sale, as reported by Philstar. In addition, the Graphic Health Warning law (GHW) requires cigarette packaging in the Philippines to feature prominent, sometimes shocking depictions of the health risks associated with smoking. Anti-smoking groups and

health advocates have lauded the president for his longstanding position against tobacco. Following Duterte’s election in May, NVAP President Emer Rojas told Philstar that “having a nationwide no smoking policy will certainly boost what the GHW and Sin Tax laws intend to achieve, which is to help discourage the public especially the youth from tobacco addiction.” n

trajudicial killings. The bill defines extrajudicial killing as the “unlawful, and deMANILA — Sen. Leila De liberate killing of targeted indiLima filed a bill Tuesday which viduals or groups thereof, carried defines extrajudicial killing (EJK) out by agents of the State and unand provides for its penalty amid der its order or acquiescence in the spate of killings of drug sus- lieu of arrest, investigation and pects. prosecution.” Senate Bill 1197 or the “Anti“Extrajudicial killing includes Extrajudicial Killing Act of 2016” summary killing perpetrated by seeks to strengthen the Commis- private individuals for purposes sion on Human Rights (CHR), the of carrying out on their own or National Bureau of Investigation in the context of vigilantism, (NBI) and the Philippine National a campaign or policy of the Police (PNP) in investigating ex- State,” the Senate bill read. by PAtriciA LourdEs Philstar.com

VirAy

The measure also seeks to promote human rights, ensure public awareness on the sanctity of life and respect for rule of law. “In the light of the thousand deaths, the Filipino as a nation cannot negate that EJK is a clear and present phenomenon of the times boldly challenging our constitutionally protected human right against taking of life, transgression of due process, and presumption of innocence of criminal suspects,” De Lima said. n

A OCTOBER 14-20, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

october 14-20, 2016

people events arts culture entertainment

†Ü¯†ÅºÊåÙņ¿Ö咿¯“†â¯ÊÅÜ

dž†Ü¯†ÅºÊåÙņ¿“ÊÄ

dž†Ü¯†ÅºÊåÙņ¿

XXX BTJBOKPVSOBM DPN -PT "OHFMFT LJ -BT 7FHBT LJ 0SBOHF $PVOUZ *OMBOE &NQJSF LJ /PSUIFSO $BMJGPSOJB LJ /FX :PSL /FX +FSTFZ

2

An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 4 , 20 1 6

Consul General Mario l. de leon, Jr.

Bids Fil-Am Communities GoodBye by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

“I will truly miss the community here in New York and the northeast USA, along with the Broadway shows and the sporting events here,” a wistful Consul General Mario Lopez de Leon, Jr. told us a couple of weeks ago at the kickoff event launching the month of October as Filipino American History Month. It was supposed to be ConGen Mario’s last day at work. It was not. He continued to attend community events and go to the consulate a full two weeks after that. Consul General de Leon arrived in New York in 2011, replacing then ConGen Cecile Rebong. Since then, he has had a number of Deputy Consuls General – from Millie Sta. MariaThomeczec (who is now the ambassador to Germany), Tess Dizon-De Vega (who is going to be the next PCGNY Consul General), Zaldy Patron (now the executive director of DFA’s Office of ASEAN Affairs) and Kira AzucenaDanganan (who will be moving to the Philippine Mission to the United Nations). It’s a little-known fact that ConGen Mario was first assigned to New York about 25 or so years ago as a consul and he and his family lived then in Jersey City and Bayonne. A career diplomat, ConGen de Leon has extensive experience in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy. He served as Philippine Ambassador to South Africa with concurrent accreditation to eight other southern African countries. He was also posted to the Philippine Embassy in the United Kingdom (including Ireland and Iceland), the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York, and the Philippine Consulates General in New York and San Francisco, USA. At the Department of Foreign Affairs, he was designated the Chief Coordinator of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Fiscal Management. A lot of things have happened in the Northeast Fil-Am community during the past years where ConGen Mario was at the

helm. For the first time in the history of the Philippine Independence Day parade along Madison Avenue, the three major networks in the Philippines agreed to work together and bring their best talents to appear before the northeast Fil-Am community at the parade and festival. That was in 2013. We heard news that had it not been for the consul general, the deal would not have happened. In fact, one of the network representatives told us, ‘We only did it because of Consul General de Leon.’. Unfortunately, that was a one-time, big-time deal as it never happened again. “When someone says “He is a good man”, what comes to my mind is ConGen Mario De Leon. An emphatic listener and helpful to those who ask for advice, he epitomizes a true leader. As the saying goes, he walks the talk and when he knows that something has to be done, he places himself where the action is needed,” said Joji Jalandoni, a community leader and former president of Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI), the organization tasked to mount the parade on Madison Avenue. Since news of ConGen’s return to Manila spread in the community, various organizations set their farewell or despedida dinners in honor of the outgoing diplomat. From Boston to New Haven, Tom’s River to Jersey City and Staten Island to Jackson Heights and Astoria, events were held to thank ConGen Mario and his wife Eleanor for their service to the community for the past few years. Awareness, respect, cooperation In some of his speeches during these events, ConGen spoke about the achievements and the experiences he amassed during his tenure. From the projects the consulate has supported to events that

ConGen Mario de Leon, Jr. and his better half, Eleanor.

the years, ConGen said that the common denominator among the four were their efforts to help him raise awareness of Filipinos and the Philippines. “That’s the only way I think mainstream Americans can recognize us, and as long as we have that awareness, we get respect, which is very important,” ConGen de Leon said at the farewell dinner tendered by the PhilippineAmerican Friendship Committee (PAFCOM), an organization generated currently led by its president Ledy funds to help kababayans Almadin. back home to organizing the “If you have listened to my community to become a stronger speeches throughout the years, force in the diaspora, the consulate you will realize that I talk about general was there, instrumental in similar things. I always say that making things happen. you have to give back to the ConGen also spearheaded community and to the Philippines a project called Build a Shelter and strive for leadership positions Project for the survivors of in your community, no matter how typhoon Haiyan that devastated small it is,” ConGen added. central Philippines a few years Community leaders such as ago. Through his leadership, Almadin are united in their profuse BASP raised approximately praise for the departing diplomat. US$366,522.00, to build 102 “We thank God for sending us houses in 4 villages in areas a sincere public servant. ConGen immensely affected by Haiyan, de Leon embraced our community namely Hernani, Giporlos and whole-heartedly and we Quinapondan in Eastern Samar, experienced it through all the work and Tanauan in Leyte. we at PAFCOM did with the PCGNY This was on top of supporting including all the community other non-profit organizations outreach projects,” Almadin said. in their fundraising efforts to “ConGen helped us realize to see help victims of calamities in the what the community needed and Philippines. what we had to do to serve the Troi Santos, a former president serve the community better. He is of Handang Tumulong Foundation, just plainly one of the best human Inc. said, “Through Ambassador de beings I’ve met and worked with.” Leon’s efforts, he contributed so Juliet Payabyab, president of immensely to the intensification United Mindoro International, Inc., of mending relations and for echoed this sentiment. further cooperation among Filipino “ConGen is so approachable organizations.” anytime of the day and even late As he talked about the nights when we report a case of a deputies he has had through Pinoy or group of Pinoys in need! He is also very supportive of our Mindoro group, too. We will surely miss him,” Payabyab said. At this particular speech he delivered, ConGen challenged the various Filipino-American community organizations to become more proactive in their goals and missions. “I encourage you to try and repurpose your organizations in order to be more relevant to the times,” he said, mentioning that those who have been in existence for the past 40 to 50 years to take a look and review their by-laws in order to adjust to the changing times. And before he concluded his talk, ConGen Mario talked about his Benedictine and Jesuit education – from both San Beda ConGen de Leon with Joji Jalandoni, community leader and a former PIDCI and Ateneo de Manila. He is president

ConGen de Leon in various consulate events and activities. AJPress photos by Troi Santos

an alumnus of the Ateneo de Manila University (College and High School) and the San Beda College (Grade School). In 2013, he was honored by the San Beda College Alumni Association with a Distinguished Bedan Award in Government Service. The Benedictines, he said, had a motto called ‘Ora et Labora’, which means ‘Pray and Work’. “As long as you do that – pray and work – you can achieve the kind of life that would make you closer to the Almighty,” he shared. Then he went to Ateneo, where he lived on ad majorem Dei gloriam (AMDG), which means ‘For the greater glory of God’ and he was taught to be ‘a man for others’. “Those are two things that were a big part of my upbringing,” he added. Engaging the Young Ones Among ConGen de Leon’s projects and priorities had something to do with getting the younger generation of Fil-Ams more engaged and involved in the community. He was able to do this by meeting with student organizations and young professional groups and telling them the importance of their involvement in things related to the community. “Over the years, Ambassador De Leon has consistently proven that 2nd Generation Filipino Americans can play a greater role in pushing the dialogue on Filipino concerns,” shared Steven Raga, one of the founders of UniPro and a young community leader. During last year’s UniPro Summit in NY, ConGen was not scheduled to speak, but he still showed up and participated in the morning ice breakers. “A conference volunteer came up to me with a smile and said “well it looks like ConGen is having fun”, as he was right in the middle of the crowd of 300 FilAm millennials. It showed us just how sincere he was in outreaching to 2nd Generation Filipino Americans, a promise that he’s kept since he met with UniPro in 2010,” Raga added. “Ambassador de Leon was a great partner to the Filipino community in the NY area, especially to the young Filipinos,” said Zultan Bermudez, agreeing with Raga’s observations. “The work he has done to encourage a more inclusive environment for young professionals and millennials in community

organizations and events is something that will have lasting effect long after his term.” Business community Businessman Edwin Josue calls him as “everybody’s Congen” and says he will be sorely missed. “ConGen Mario de Leon has proven his worth to be a good diplomat and ambassador to the Filipino-American community in the Northeast region. Tirelessly, he attended most if not all of the Fil-Am functions,” Josue said. “ConGen Mario de Leon is one of the most dedicated, compassionate public officials I’ve met and worked with in some of my projects. He has the fundamental characteristic of a servant-leader. I’ve seen his high engagement in our community and have introduced projects and programs to help elevate our race & culture,” said Grace Labaguis, marketing consultant of Essential Consulting Services & Synergy Production & Marketing, Inc. “He is supportive, progressive and dynamic. That is ConGen Mario de Leon in a nutshell,” shared Agnes Jamora of 13D and the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce. “He was instrumental in moving the Filipino community onward and upward!” And through the hundreds of dances and galas he has attended over the years, he has shown his not-so-serious side as well. Community members have seen him break into a song, whether it’s a classic or a kundiman duet with Sylvia La Torre. “ConGen can be seen serious most of the time, but not everyone knows that he loves to sing and was a member of a band in his younger years. Ask him a Beatles song and he will sing-a-long with you,” Labaguis added. As he closed his speech at this one farewell event, ConGen Mario said something that resonated well to the community. In a nutshell he said that disagreements are common and necessary but they should not dictate whether a project pushes through or not. “We should lose ourselves in the service for others,” ConGen Mario said. “If we all do that in our own community organizations, we can achieve what we all want. We’ve been successful in our activities that we agree on, despite differences in leadership and opinions.”

Alma Moreno: ‘I can only ask for prayers for Mark’ by Lhar santiaGo ManilaTimes.net

SADNESS was all over Alma Moreno’s face during Showbuzz’ exclusive interview with her one morning this week. Her eyes conveyed great worry, and understandably so, with her eldest son Mark Anthony Fernandez still languishing in an Angeles City, Pampanga jail as of this writing. [Editor’s note: On Wednesday Fernandez had been transferred to Pampanga’s provincial jail]. As everyone knows, Mark was arrested and charged with possession of illegal drugs. Alma had just finished the pictorial for her new show on GMA Network, Tsuperhero, when she sat down with Showbuzz. “Buti maaga akong natapos [It’s a good thing I finished early],” she quipped, forcing a smile despite her emotional turmoil. “I’m really trying hard to smile because I’m at work,” she acknowledged, sensing Showbuzz’ concern. “I have to do my job, follow my bosses tell me and what is stipulated in my contract,” she added in the vernacular. Alma confided she only

returned to Manila for the pictorial of Tsuperhero, where she plays mother to lead actor Derrick Monasterio, and across Gabby Concepcion. Otherwise, she would have still been in Angeles where she chooses to stay these days in case Mark needs her. Amid her family’s latest trial, the actress shared how she is grateful to her co-stars who sympathize with her. “They don’t say anything. They don’t ask me about Mark but you know they care. Nandu’n yung tatapikin ka sa balikat. Alam kasi nila na once pinag-usapan yun, hindi ko pa kaya. Bibigay ako talaga. [They’ll just pat me on the back because they know that once we talk about it, I’ll break down]. Alam nila [they know]that as a mother, I’m putting up a [brave]front–tapang-tapangan at pilit kinakaya.” She shows the same attitude whenever she faces Mark. Alma makes sure she shows her son that she is confident everything will be alright. But she confessed there are times when she feels like giving up, crying out loud and just letting go of everything going on inside

her—especially when Mark just looks at her without saying a word. “Wala, naka-akap lang siya sa akin. Pag nagkikita kami, higpit lang, higpit. [He just hugs me when I come to see him; he hugs me tighter and tighter]. It’s so hard on my part but as much as I can, I don’t cry in front of him. He’ll just hold my hand—tight—that’s all he does.” As a mother, Alma’s prayer is that Mark will be able to surpass this very difficult time. “I know how hard it is for him. When I see him in jail, parang dinudurog ang puso ko [it’s as if my heart’s been shattered to pieces]. At this point, I can only ask for prayers for Mark to be able to hurdle everything that he is going through right now. “Kilala mo si Mark, Lhar, mabait ang anak ko, magalang. Walang inaagrabyadong tao, walang sinasaktan. You know it, Lhar, dito sa showbiz, maraming nagmamahal kay Mark. [You know my son Lhar he is good, he is respectful. He’s never abused nor harmed anyone. You know it, Lhar, in showbiz Mark is well loved],” Alma said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

There are days when visiting the inmates is not allowed but whenever possible, Alma comes to see Mark to bring him food and other necessities. “We follow the rules—what day and time he’s allowed visitors, we follow that. We’ve never asked for any special treatment. Basta sabi ko kay Mark, magtiis lang siya at mag-pray. [I just tell Mark to bear it and to pray].” Alma also expressed gratitude Rudy Fernandez’ [Mark’s dad] widow, Lorna Tolentino for supporting her son. “She is Mark’s second mother. She went to visit Mark with [his half-brothers]Rap and Renz. I know LT is greatly concerned about Mark and I really appreciate it.” Many friends too in the biz have been calling Alma and texting her messages, but the actress hasn’t found the time to answer them. “I would like to take this opportunity to say sorry to those who’ve been calling me, to those texting me. Hindi ko po kayo masagot dahil hindi muna ako ang humahawak ng phone ko. Pero alam ko maraming nagmamahal sa anak ko at

‘Showbuzz’ comforts Alma Moreno after talking about her son in an exclusive interview for GMA Network and ‘The Manila Times’

nagpapasalamat ako at sana po, tuloy-tuloy ang prayers ninyo para kay Mark. Na bigyan ng lakas ng loob ang anak ko. [I’ve decided not to take calls and texts for now but I know that so many of you

love my son and I’m so thankful to everyone. I hope you will all continue to pray for strength for my son to get through this],” Alma finally said as she tried yet again to hold back tears.

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

The November 2016 Priority Dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. a priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and UScIS indicates on its website it will use the application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

May 1, 2006

September 1, 2005

First Preference

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below November 22, 21 years old) of green 2015 card holder

January 22, 2015

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder

February 1, 2007

February 15, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

January 1, 1995

August 8, 1994

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

April 1, 1994

May 8, 1993

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-

Visa Issuance Date

Current

Current

September 1, 2013

April 1, 2011

September 1, 2013

April 1, 2011

client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Showbiz personalities pay tribute to Dick Israel by Rosette Adel Phillstar.com

MaNILa – celebrities on Wednesday, Oct 12 posted messages to commemorate the legacy of veteran actor Dick Israel who passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 11. actors’ Guild of the Philippines President Rez cortez said their organization will hold tribute for their colleague. “Sabay kami halos nagsimula sa pelikula,” he recalled in a

televised interview. Likewise, actress Nadia Montenegro, who considers Dick as her father, mourned her colleague’s death. Nadia was among the celebrity members of Damay Kamay Foundation, who gave aid to Dick when his house went ablaze last July. Damay Kamay Foundation is a charity group assisting medical emergencies of showbiz personalities. It is also ran by

Vivian Velez, Bianca Lapus and Peter Serrano. Dick, whose real name is “Ricardo Vizcarra Michaca,” was known for his villain and sidekick roles. he was 68. In 1986, the veteran actor was awarded Best Supporting actor in 1988 for his role in “Patrolman” at the Metro Manila Film Festival, and in 1995 for his portrayal in “Kanto Boy 2: anak ni Totoy Guapo” at the FaMaS awards.

An Asian Journal

Magazine

3

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 4 , 20 1 6

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA WhEN something goes wrong regarding personal finance, our mental default setting is that we need someone else to help fix the problem. But if we stop and think about it, there is really nothing new under the sun, as Ecclesiastes says. Our guidelines for how we should live then as now, come from the Good Book and those the holy Spirit has chosen and guided to explain and interpret its doctrine in the context of modern life. These days, we click on Google and make it our personal adviser, our own impersonal Yoda. For anything we need to know, we’re just a click away online for mountains of information to inundate us. It can all be disconcerting and confusing. It’s like tackling the Library of congress in one go. Don’t despair. There’s hope yet. We can simplify and refer to that old why and how-to manual for all times and seasons. The sub prime mortgage mess was a sorry and foolhardy attempt by liberals in the government power structure to democratize what was never meant to be a level playing field. This made it possible for millions who could not afford and should not qualify for a mortgage to be approved for loans they could not carry. a little known phrase in the Book of Proverbs for those who put up “security for debts” serves as stern warning, “… your very bed will be snatched from under you.” If only we took heed of the wisdom of the ages written in the Bible, we could have saved ourselves a lot of grief and gnashing of teeth. Strive to live relatively debtfree. Sharply define what is a need and what is a want. For most things, frugal gurus tell us to buy only when we have the cash for it. Don’t mortgage your future for a mere whim, particularly that which strokes your ego. Debt can have you in a stranglehold. Many have found this out a tad too late

The good book on money “Life is a journey and the heavier the luggage, the shorter the distance covered.” when the recession hit. Steer clear of scams particularly from high places. Bernard Madoff, the biggest Ponzi convicted scammer doing time in jail, had a Wall Street address. he had a steady gaze and an air and demeanor of respectability and trustworthiness about him belying a heart of darkness. But greed went both ways. Madoff’s victims did not question why they were getting consistently great returns on their investments for as long as their phony statements were rosy year after year for decades. Then the financial bomb exploded when the US and the global economy ground nearly to a halt in recent times and no new investors can be suckered in by the monumental Ponzi scheme Madoff and his cohorts hatched. Built on a big fat lie, it collapsed like a house of cards. What a monstrous mess it was and still is. The tedious efforts at clawing back some of the money spent on a shamelessly luxurious lifestyle was as grueling as pulling teeth from a Tyrannosaurus Rex. One of Madoff’s sons, unable to bear the shame and ignominy sadly hung himself with a dog’s leash in his Manhattan apartment leaving behind a wife and children who would like to escape the stigma of the Madoff name. The other son died of an illness. his wife now bears the brunt of his crime. Madoff’s sentence is 150 years behind the slammer. considering the distress and sorrow he has brought others, a thousand years would probably still be inadequate. Was there something from the Good Book to caution us about this? The one that comes to mind intended for scammers like Madoff and his ilk, is of course, “Thou shalt not steal.” Scams are no more than sophisticated thefts generated these days from the comfort of one’s computer in the guise of

legitimate sounding paper and lately, quite easily, electronic communication like the Nigerian scam or identity theft. This is the modern version of a hooded, masked robber using a gun in a dark alley. New laws on tracking and enforcement procedures are decades away from dealing with this worrisome social phenomenon that seems able to breach all kinds of barriers. The antidote: continuous education, a smidgen of cynicism and a ton of common sense. What’s the mantra worth remembering and repeating to one”s self particularly during these days of tight money when scammers are getting more creative and brazen? Of course, tt’s still that one that says: “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” Well this one isn’t in the Bible but it might very well be. a similar quotation from the Book of Proverbs bears reiterating: “The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” In a word, “ThINK.” The fictional character Gordon Gecko in the film “Wall Street” asserted that to be rich, “Greed is good.” Not so, said the Bible… Jesus was clear on the subject. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Life is a journey and the heavier the luggage, the shorter the distance covered. Though that’s the physical explanation of energy required to carry the luggage weighed down by gravity as we travel, it has some bearings about a spiritual journey towards eternal life. Getting far too attached to material wealth and all its trappings makes one lose his focus of the journey’s goal. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

An Asian Journal

4

Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 4 , 20 1 6

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Travelogue: Israel sojourn, the Holy Land Diary

The Western Wall

souvenir items and within a filthy neighborhood. The Station signs were deplorably unnoticeable, (store signages and commercial billboards are even larger and prominent), that one could miss them if not keen and observant. The demoralizing situation seemed to test our Christian faith and devotion that defied the intimidating scenario. While the 9th station was located inside St. Helen Coptic Church, the 10th to 14th stations were at the open courtyard before the Byzantine church’s excavated dome. The lofty mount was a quarry site before where a huge stone shaped like a skull was unearthed ---thus the name Golgotha. This was the exact place where Jesus was crucified, died, buried, and resurrected. To commemorate the sanctified occurrences, Queen Helen built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is also known as the Church of the Resurrection and “Anastasis” to Eastern Orthodox Christians. We were lucky enough to have touched the venerated rock where the Holy Cross was planted, the wooden bench where the dead body of Christ was laid after being brought down from the cross, and the piece of pillar where He was scourged and flagellated. A special mass was celebrated for us by fr. David, a visiting priest, before the altar of the Holy Sacrament. Later we continued our journey down to Al Buraq Road to visit the Western Wall, better known as the Wailing Wall…an ancient limestone wall remnant of the Herodian era where Orthodox Jews gathered to lament the loss of their temple. Currently all faithfuls join the Jews by stuffing their written petitions in between the crevices of the stone wall. Our next timetable brought us to the Dormition Church at the crest of Mount Zion where the Blessed Virgin Mary was believed to have dormented and died. The current church and Monastery is owned by the German Benediction Order. We drove back to Jerusalem for another venerated site---the Upper Room, a place where Jesus

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

BoBBy T. yalong (Part 2 of 3)

If you thought the first three days of our pilgrimage were exhaustingly draining enough, think again… for the following days were earmarked for much challenging trudges, energyconsuming treks, and breathcatching rumbles underneath the scourging heat of the sun. But there never was any sort of grumble and protest from among our group since we were already conditioned to such venture beforehand. The fourth day, Thursday, September 22, provided us to

The 9th Station inside St. Helen Coptic Church

experience Jerusalem’s old city. We entered through Herod’s Gate that directly led us to the Via Dolorosa after passing along guarded narrow passage ways densely occupied by Muslims. We started the “Way of the Cross” at the Chapel of flagellation, built by the Crusaders in the 12th century, purchased by the franciscans in 1838, and restored by Antonio Barluzzi in 1929. It was disheartening to see the main location of the 14 stations of the “Way of the Cross”, a Catholic devotion that commemorates Christ’s last day on earth as a man, so congested… surrounded by a multitude of vendors selling religious articles and

The dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Mount Nebo’s Serpentine Cross

Petra’s amazing rock formations

Petra’s The Treasury, an archeological tourist attraction

A sacred marker at Mount Nebo

Close-up view of the Western Wall with written petitions inserted into its crevices

The encased top part of the rock where the Holy Cross was planted

gathered his disciples for the Last Supper and where the Holy Spirit came down upon them. St. Peter’s notable denial also took place here. Two more biblical spots to see came successively: the Church of St. Anne (Mother of the Virgin Mary) in Bethesda, the birthplace of the Blessed Virgin, and where Jesus performed miracle on a lame man who had been crippled for 38 years; then finally, the House of the High Priest Caiphas where an underground cave served as prison cell. Jesus, before being tried, was thrown into the dungeon overnight. Our fully-loaded day ended with an early hotel retreat, a revitalizing shower, and rewardingly capped with a hearty dinner buffet. The following morning, our 5th day, premeditatedly infused

an unprecedented excitement for us since we were in for a different experience…this time, Jordan, an Arab nation on the east bank of the Jordan River and home to the famed archeological site of Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Unnoticeably it took us 35 minutes to reach the Jordan border since we enjoyed the marvelous sight of the Israeli desert. It took another 10 minutes or so for us to be cleared by Jordan border authorities and another checkpoint upon passing through King Hossein Borders. The strict custom procedures took us an hour for passport and miscellaneous paper processing. Although our new bus driver (Mazdi) and tourist guide (Emad) seemed friendly and approachable we still felt edgy upon our entry to the City of

Shuna where our baggage and passports were checked and inspected again. Being provided with a military escort (Abdullah) gave us even heightened fear instead of security. But the dreadful sensitivity diminished gradually as we travelled along. Jordan is closely similar to Israel’s geographical set-up but with steeper macadamized roads and grander rolling hills. It is bordered on the west by Israel and the Dead Sea, on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq, and on the south by Saudi Arabia. Currently ruled by King Abdullah II, Jordanians speak Arabic and English, Islam as religion, and Jordanian dinar as monetary unit (although they accept US dollars) with US$1=1.4 JD conversion. Jordan has 5 religious sites declared by St. Pope John Paul II: Continued on Page 7

SERVICES

An Asian Journal

Magazine

5

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 4 , 20 1 6

Dennis Trillo tests negative on drug test By Lhar

Santiago ManilaTimes.net

When the issue on celebrities using illegal drugs became a hot topic, Dennis Trillo was one of the stars who volunteered to undergo drug testing. his results just came out last week and the actor tested negative for both shabu and marijuana. Getting tested, according to Dennis, is his way of showing support for the government’s drive against the use of illegal drugs. For now, Dennis busy promoting his movie with Anne Curtis and Paolo Ballesteros, Viva’s Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo, May Boyfriend, where Dennis gets to do separate intimate scenes with both Anne and Paolo. “I can’t help but laugh whenever I’m asked to describe those scenes. I don’t even consider them intimate, but funny really, especially my scene with Paolo,” Dennis averred. “This is not the first time I worked with Pao. We were together in Zaido, one of the

Dennis Trillo

series I did for GMA. But that was several years ago and it’s only now that we were given the chance to work again together. This time, I tell you, you’ll surely have a good time laughing because he is so good, and so funny. even in our supposedly intimate scenes, he had ad libs that even I found so funny, I couldn’t control myself

laughing during the shoot! even our director and the crew were laughing,” he happily shared. now that Dennis’ movie is about to be shown, people say that his rumored girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado will surely help him promote it through social media. When Jen’s latest album came out, Dennis wasted no time in doing just that for her. now that it’s the actor who has a project, it is certainly the Ultimate Star’s turn to return the support. “I’m happy that she’s always there to support me like I support her. It’s really like that when you consider a person very important.” Does Dennis also support Jen’s decision not to get married yet? In a recent interview, Jen said she does not see herself settling down at this time, and is looking at six more years before she gets married. Is Dennis willing to wait? “Wala namang problema sa paghihintay, di ba? [no problem in waiting right?]” the actor said with a smile.

expect more from Liza Soberano by Boy

aBunda Philstar.com

IT can’t be denied that Liza Soberano’s career took off when she was paired with Kapamilya heartthrob enrique Gil. The longer they were together onscreen, the closer they became. Liza and enrique have been there for each other through every phase of their careers. It was when they started working in the teleserye Forevermore that their reel romance took its first steps towards becoming real. By the time that show aired its finale, everybody believed that they had feelings for each other. So when their next teleserye “Dolce Amore” began airing in February 2016, their fans were hungry for more on- and off-screen kilig moments from them. They weren’t disappointed, hence the show’s success.

Aside from a possible foray into the music scene with her own album, Liza Soberano is set to make another movie and teleserye with Enrique Gil.

“Our show’s ratings were high, despite stiff competition from others. even when we were up against a Koreanovela which they say was no. 1 in Korea, we were 35 percent high,” she says proudly. When Liza turned 18 early this year, showbiz-watchers

thought she and enrique would finally become an official couple. however, Liza maintains that she isn’t exactly chomping at the bit to get a boyfriend, even if she’s a legal adult now. While enrique proclaimed that Continued on Page 7

An Asian Journal

6

Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 4 , 20 1 6

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHAT children eat greatly determines their growth and development, the integrity of their immune system, their body’s ability to ward off infections and diseases, and their morbidity and longevity. The other essential factors are their daily physical activities, abstinence from harmful substances, like tobacco and illegal drugs, and disciplined intake of alcoholic beverages. While genetics play a role in all this, it has been proven that

Our children’s food a healthy lifestyle can significantly benefit even those individuals with some of the so-called “bad” genetic traits. Whatever healthy habits parents want to teach their children must always start with them leading by example because kids do as their parents do. They mimic adults around them. Preaching good habits, without practicing them, almost always fails. Dieting must really start in the crib. Babies are taught discipline this early, whether we realize it or not. Giving them their formula at a set amount and at a scheduled interval teaches the baby about the rules of feeding. And their young brains soon

Calendar of Events across

learn this. When the baby is four to six months, pediatricians usually recommend introducing them to solid foods, like a teaspoon of semi-liquid iron-fortified rice cereal and other grains like oats or barley, mixed with breast milk or formula, and gradually increasing it to a tablespoon twice daily. At age six to eight months, introduce pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches) and vegetables (squash, well-cooked carrots, sweet potato, avocado). Until 3 years old, it is the best time to teach children to love and eat healthy food like vegetables, fruits, fish, white chicken meat,

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS O c tO b e r 1 3 -1 5

“Fiesta Atenista II” at the 12th all-Ateneo Alumni Convention in Las Vegas The festivities will be held at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. For complete event activities and registration, visit the convention’s website at www.aaana-atenista.org. For more information, contact Liz Carpenter at (702) 862-9212 / ecarpenterh@ aol.com or Dr. Rodrigo ‘Jun’ Farrales at (702) 373-4326 / jun_farrales@yahoo.com.

O c tO b e r 1 4

Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in San Francisco Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab perform ‘100 years of song’ at Herbst Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Tickets are at www.cityboxoffice.com, Herbst Theatre is at 401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102.

instead of pork and beef and other red meats, which are all high in unhealthy animal saturated fats and cholesterol. When bad habits have settled in at age 2 or older, they are hard to break. This where we, as parents and as a society, have failed our children — the future leaders of our country. And since effective teaching is by example, we, parents and grandparents, must practice what we preach. The do-what-I-say, not-what-I-do, command will never work. Those children, whose parents eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, stay away from red meats, do daily exercises, do not smoke, and drink only socially and in moderation, grow up to develop the same healthy habits and preferences. The menu for school lunches in the United States, by and large, is a social injustice, says chef Ann Cooper, known as the Renegade Lunch Lady, who is “transforming how U.S. children eat, one federallysubsidized school lunch at a time.” The fatty red meats, carbo (sugar)-loaded and processed food lunches are out, and salad bars, whole grains, organic milk, and fish are in. As Cooper says, “when we feed children with a diet high in sugar and corn syrup, they just can’t think, and if kids are not well-nourished, they can’t excel.” Around the world, it is not rare to find kindergarten student with type 2 diabetes, or kidney stones among pre-teens, and teenagers with high cholesterol and clogged arteries. This is terrifying and unfortunate because this is preventable. At least 32 percent of children and teenagers in the United States

are overweight or obese. And Asians, especially Filipinos, are not lagging far behind in this pandemic. Obesity leads to increased risk of developing diabetes and other metabolic illnesses, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. In this day and age of lightning speed telecommunication, media, and rapid internet access, we simply have no excuse to remain ignorant of scientific data on how to live a healthy lifestyle for maximum longevity and productivity, and protecting our loved ones along the way, especially the young children. Having said all that, there is really no such thing as too late in our quest for healthy lifestyles, no matter how old we are. Simple changes in diet and institution of exercise, for instance, even among those who are over 50, have been shown to positively affect the control of, if not prevent, metabolic diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes, and hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. So, while the ideal is to start teaching our kids how to live a healthy lifestyle, as early as in their crib or toddler life, we — whose parents did not know any better when we were growing up — can always mend our ways and start living a healthier lifestyle. Indeed, it’s never too late. The following excerpts are from my previous column about 14 years ago, entitled “Let’s Stop Killing Our Children With Love”: About nine persons die every minute in the world from cardiovascular diseases brought on by arteriosclerosis, resulting from daily intake of high fat/high cholesterol foods, lack of exercise, and smoking. There is no question

that hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol serum level) plays a major role in hardening of the arteries. Medical science shows that while the genetic factor is important, only one out of 500 people has the genetic predisposition to develop familial hypercholesterolemia. That one unfortunate individual has the alibi to have hypercholesterolemia, but the 499 of us simply have no excuse whatsoever to have this problem. And yet, we do — all because of self-abuse. This is nothing but an act of slow suicide on our part! Just like many illnesses, heart attack and stroke are best prevented. The best time to start these preventive measures is during infancy, way before the hardening of the arteries begins. We have to stop killing our children with love and start instilling discipline in them while they are in the crib, if we want them to lead long, healthy, happy, and productive lives. We must learn to say “no” to our children, where and when appropriate. The power is in our hands. Let us not allow them to slip through, especially not in the name of love. And if we truly love them, we will do what’s best for them, even if it hurts. *** 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

Erik Santos & Angeline Quinto in NYC

O c tO b e r 1 5

Free parenting class in Eagle Rock, California A free parenting class will be offered on Saturday, October 15 at Eagle Rock Lutheran Church. The class will be at 10 a.m. and will focus on resolving family conflicts. The address is 5032 Maywood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90041. To RSVP, please call Mira Gonzaga at (323) 304-9898.

O c tO b e r 1 7-1 9

Screenwriting seminar with Ricky Lee at the International Film Festival Manhattan Filipino scriptwriter Ricky Lee is coming to NYC! Join him as he imparts his talent and shares his 50 years of experience. Mr. Lee’s legacy started way back 1966 as an aspiring high school student who has pushed on with hard work and determination to become the Ricky Lee we know now; recipient of numerous awards, including the CNN Asian Viewers’ Choice Award for his film “Himala” and this year’s honorable guest at the International Film Festival Manhattan as the Lifetime Achievement Awardee; with hundreds of produced scripts to his name; novelist, journalist, playwright and mentor of the most notable writers and directors of Philippine Cinema. Be part of his workshop series entitled, “Writing Your Story,” on Oct 17-19. Laugh with him, cry with him, reminisce with him, feel with him and most importantly, write with him by your side. Who knows you might even be watching the movie “Himala” with him during those nights. Please email LuisPedron@gmail.com (Ricky Lee Seminar on the subject line) to get more information.

O c tO b e r 2 0

Screening of ”Curiosity, Adventure & Love” in Washington, D.C. As part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Philippines-U.S. relations and in celebration of Filipino-American History Month, a community screening of the film, “Curiosity, Adventure & Love” will be held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Sunshine Lichauco De Leon, co-producer and co-director of the film will be available for a brief Q&A session after the screening. To RSVP, please email info@philippinesusa.org.

O c tO b e r 22

BINGO SOCIAL: Save a Life from Malaria JCI Philippine-New York (Jaycees) chapter in partnership with the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI) and Nothing But Nets, will have a bingo benefit event to raise funds that would be donated to buy mosquito bed nets and save people from malaria. The event will be held on October 22, 2016 (Saturday) from 2:00-6:00PM at VSPOT 12 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003. It aims to It would not only strengthen the community relations but most importantly to increase the awareness about this pandemic event we are facing now. Bingo cards are $25 PER BUNDLE ($30 ON SITE) which is good for 6 GAMES. GET THE CHANCE TO TAKE HOME $300, $200, $100 and special prizes. To purchase, contact Stevenson at 646-270-1087.

O c tO b e r 23

Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Los Angeles Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers perform ‘100 years of song’ at the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall at the Valley Performing Arts Center at 6pm. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Tickets are at www.ticketmaster.com, Venue is at CSU-Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330.

Harana in Glendale, California The Federation of Filipino-American Associations, Inc. in association with the DreamAgeGroup Art Entertainment presents ‘Harana: a journey for every Filipino.’ It will be held at Alex Theater on 216 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203 on Sunday, October 23 at 2 p.m. For inquiries and reservations, please call (818) 937-3071 or email The DreamAgeGroup@gmail.com. Box office tickets are available at Alex Theater; please call (818) 2432539.

O c tO b e r 28

Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Honolulu Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers perform ‘100 years of song’ at the New Life Theatre at 7:30pm. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Contact Honolulu Broadway Babies for information (808) 783-2296. New Life Theatre is at 1190 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

Western Union crew with Angeline Quinto and Erik Santos

Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto with producers Alex Santos and Martin Cayabyab, and sponsor from Novo Nordisk, Christine Sakdalan.

Producer Martin Cayabyab (third from right) with Con Gen Mario de Leon, Jr. and his wife Eleanor and (from left) Cosette Malig, WU brand ambassador; PAL’s Charisse Arboleda, Mayette Ocampo and Chef RJ Estor of Promdi Kitchen and Bar in Queens.

Consul General champions PH IT-BPO in 4th Annual Digital BPO Innovations Conference NeW YORK, New York – As global interest in Philippine Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) continues to grow, Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. participated at the 4th Annual Digital Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Innovations Conference at the Bohemian National Hall in Manhattan where two FilipinoAmerican corporate officials, Ms. Judy Arteche-Carr, CRM Program executive for Fordham University, and Mr. Rembert DeVilla, executive Vice President of eXL Service, were recognized as experts in their field and served as panel members in separate sessions. Consul General De Leon was joined in the Conference by Consul Felipe Carino, director of the economic section; Trade Representative Katrina Banzon, and Mr. Wendell Gaa, economic assistant. The annual Digital BPO Innovations Conference, organized by The Outsourcing Institute, invites industry leaders to get together to discuss and strategize how the BPO industry is rapidly evolving and enabling organizations to transform into digital enterprises. Focused on the next wave of innovative technology trends and business models, the conference serves as a beacon for business and outsourcing executives to develop strategic decisions and produce successful business outcomes. The Philippines was further highlighted as a prolific BPO investment destination to the attending corporate officials due to its innovative and prolific englishspeaking population. In the morning, Mr. DeVilla

New York Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. (center) with attending corporate panelists at the 4th Annual Digital BPO Innovations Conference (L-R) Mr. Anupam Govil of Avasant, Ms. Lynne Chernow of Fordham University, Mr. Lars Kielhorn of BostonCIO and Ms. Judy ArtecheCarr of Fordham University.

(L-R) Ms. Emma Spektor of Ernst & Young, Consul Felipe Carino, Mr. Dan Goodstein, President of Outsourcing Institute and Trade Representative Katrina Banzon.

partook in the conference program module “BPO In the Digital Age: Lessons Learnt from Digital Disruptors” together with moderator Mr. Anupam Govil, Partner, Avasant and fellow panelists Mr. Peter Nag of AIG; Mr. Albert eng, Managing Director, M&A and Coroprate Development,

TIAA; and Mr. Robert Smits, Global BPO Leader, Ge Global Operations. Addressing how digital technology could further enhance current applications that many BPO companies utilize was the focus of the discussion. . In this panel, Mr. DeVilla Continued on Page 7

Travelogue: Israel sojourn... From Page 4

Bethany beyond Jordan (the baptismal site), Mt. Nebo (where Moses stood and saw the Promise Land), Machaerus (where St. John lived), Thesbe (where Elijah was born), and Our Lady of the Mount in Anjara (where a statue of the Virgin wept tears of blood). The authentic Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ in Bethany beyond Jordan was the first ever venerated place we visited in Jordan. The valley is 400 meters below sea level like the Dead Sea. Alhough the Jordan River, patrolled and guarded by uniformed military men, has tremendously loss its voluminous water content, the strong faith of Christian believers remained undiminished and unyielding. Later we drove up long zigzag roads with breaths held due to open deserts, deep ravines, dreadful gorges, and abysmal gullies on our way to Madaba, an ancient town known for its 6thcentury Byzantine-era mosaic map of the Holy Land. Had early lunch at Talet Nebo Restaurant atop the mountain ridge where fresh organic vegetable salad was always a prime choice in the area. Our next destination was just a couple of minutes drive down the road: Mount Nebo, a holy site for both Muslims and Christians on an elevated ridge, approximately 817 meters above sea level, where

is a vastly unique city carved into sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, a breed of industrious Arabs, more Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land and where he died than 2000 years ago. A huge edifice with columns akin to a palace, The at the age of 120 years old. The Serpentine Cross is one of the most Treasury, has a massive façade believed to have been carved photographed sculptures in Mt. during the early 1st century. In Nebo that represents the serpent taken by Moses into the desert and 1982 the Jordanian government built housing projects for Petra’s the cross upon which Jesus was original cave settlers and opened crucified. the amazing archeological site for Toward mid-afternoon our the world to see. guide took us to Nebo’s Pearl, By noon we were back to Jordan’s best manufacturer of the bus for lunch at Petra Super mosaic tiles, before driving for 3 Restaurant where we couldn’t get hours south to Al Hasa, Jordan. enough of Petra and its wonders After a light snack midway, we while feasting on sumptuous finally reached our new home: Shawarma (a Levantine Arab meat the Petra Marriott Hotel along preparation where grilled lamb, Queen Rania Al Abdullah St., in Wadi, Mousa. Our dinner was made chicken, turkey, beef, or veal serve as fillings of pita bread) and Falafel even more enticingly appetizing (Middle Eastern food served in a by the generous view of colossal pita with deep-fried ball or patty rock formations and breathtaking made from ground chickpeas or panoramic scenery. fava beans). The cold but sunny morning After lunch, we had a long greeted us on our 6th day. After 2-hour drive to Amman, Jordan’s having been equipped with capital. Our eyes got the muchthe highest spirit and mustered enough vigor, our group was ready needed relief upon sight of a modern day metropolis after for the best escapade Jordan has being familiar with barren deserts, to offer: Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its most valuable archeological sites, and antiquities. We checked in at Amman treasure and greatest tourist International Hotel (Al Habbab lbn attraction. Al Mundhir St.) and had a hearty Originally known to the Nabataeans as Raqmu, Petra (from dinner after a brief respite and cold Greek word “petros” meaning rock) shower. More on next issue: our last is famous for its tombs and temples days in the Holy Land. carved into pink sandstone cliffs For comments and suggestions, earning its alter-moniker, the Rose City. A fitting movie set for “Indiana please email to: gemini0646@ Jones and the Last Crusade,” Petra yahoo.com.

Consul General champions PH IT-BPO...

In the afternoon, Ms. ArtecheCarr served as a panelist for the opined that in a highly competitive module “IT-BPO Convergence: field, providers are advised to “walk Is BPaaS Finally Coming of in the shoe of their customer”, Age,” together with moderator which is a difficult task because Ms. Lynne Chernow, Senior they fail to understand the needs Consultant, Fordham University; of clients. The market is moving Mr. RG Conlee, Chief Innovation towards reliance on analytics, but Officer, Xerox; Mr. Steven Allsopp, there are too many analytics in the Category Lead, Bloomberg; market. The job of a provider is to and Mr. Al Crew, formerly UBS, understand and be agile enough to Principal, Crew & Associates. Ms. devise ways to interact with specific Arteche-Carr shared her views and clients and infrastructure, he added. perspectives with the audience Mr. DeVilla also said that in on how internet technology could insurance and banking BPO, there continually expand as an effective is a need for agility and speed that tool for BPO professionals around results in innovative practices. At the globe. this juncture, technological and In her panel, Ms. Arteche-Carr financial risks, not only BPO, are said that cybersecurity is now starting to be outsourced, which as important as ever and that comes with innovation. The American companies have set providers are expected to address protocols in place. She advised the clients’ overall needs, he that with innovations such as underscored. Business Process as a Service From Page 6

(BPaas), BPO companies are encouraged to view issues from the consumer point of view to arrive at a holistic solution, she added. Other model panels of the forum were entitled “Going Up the Value Chain with F&A and Transactional Services,”“The Next Wave of Automation: Scaling with High Value Processes,” and “From Hype to Reality: Do Outcome Based Business Models Work?” The Consulate General is highly supportive of IT-BPO activities in New York where Ms. Arteche-Carr heads the Philippine IT-BPO Advisory Council while Mr. DeVilla is a Senior official of EXL Inc. which counts among its clients, Aetna Health Insurance, which has a significant operation in the Philippines, employing at least 2,500 full-time employees (FTEs) in Manila and Cebu.

An Asian Journal

Magazine

7

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY O c TO b E R 1 4 , 20 1 6

Another boy for Kristine & Oyo by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

LESS than a month from now, Kristine Hermosa will deliver a baby boy she and husband Oyo Sotto are naming Vin, the couple’s fourth child after Kiel, Ondrea and Kaleb. Asked if Baby Vin would be the final addition to their family, Kristine revealed that she and Oyo agreed that if their next child was going to be a girl, that would be the end to her child-bearing days. “Kasi Ondrea has been asking for a sister,” Kristine told a friend. “Stop na sana kami, para two boys, two girls. Pero hindi, naging boy. I think the Lord was telling us, ‘No, you cannot stop yet.’ Hindi kami ni Godpinag-damutan ng baby, so we are thankful that our family is growing.” The friend said that Kristine, who came from a small family, always wanted to be part of a big family.“Kasi gusto ko,” Kristine was quoted as saying, “pag may gathering, masaya. So thank God, answered prayer.” During the early years of their marriage, Kristine and Oyo decided not to have household help and only recently hired yayas, helpers and a driver. Still, even if she’s just a month away from giving birth, Kristine continues to run the household, take care of the kids and shoot

Kristine Hermosa and husband Oyo Sotto with their children Kiel, Ondrea and Kaleb.

for her and Oyo’s weekly GMA showHay, Bahay! “Medyo nakaka-harass,” admitted Kristine. “Our daily routine revolves around our TV work. When we didn’t have a driver, Oyo and I would drive the kids to school and back home. Same when we had shoot or we had to attend a party, ganoon. When we didn’t have a cook, I prepared the food for the family. We would wait for the kids to come home, spend time with them and help them with their homework.” Her priorities have also changed. When she was single, she splurged for herself. Now, it’s

Expect more from Liza... From Page 5 he and Liza are “parang boyfriend and girlfriend” and that he and Liza’s father are on good terms with each other, Liza just giggled and said, “We are not into the boyfriend and girlfriend thing. My grandfather told me to wait until I’m 25.” Liza makes no effort to hide the fact that Enrique makes her heart flutter even when the cameras aren’t rolling. For instance, when she was asked for her opinion on Enrique’s new

hairstyle, Liza’s face lit up with a smile. “For me, short hair looks plump in a guy. But when Enrique had his hair cut, he looked like Justin Bieber of the Philippines with his new short hair,” Liza shares. Liza also reveals that she has shared with Enrique details of what kind of wedding she wants to have in the future. “I like simple weddings with just family and close friends. I don’t want lavish affairs because the

all for the kids. “She can’t resist getting the newest and cutest items for the kids,” said Kristine’s friend, including a lightweight infant Aprica stroller for Baby Vin. These days, free from pressure, Kristine chooses the projects that wouldn’t get in the way of her family duties. “I’m okay with my career now,” according to Kristine. “Solved na ako d’un. I have done what I wanted to do kahit papaano. It’s really up to you when to stop and when to go on. Hindi kasi puede buong buhay mo career na lang because you just can’t give it up.” solemnity is diminished. Enrique loves to have a house by the beach while I would love to have a wedding by the beach maybe in Maldives or Bora Bora.” With “Dolce Amore” just ended, LizQuen fans won’t have long to wait to see what else she has in store. Aside from a possible foray into the music scene with her own album, Liza is set to make another movie and teleserye with Enrique. “It’s going to be different and meant for more mature audiences. We’ll be doing it with another famous love team, but I can’t tell it yet.”

An Asian Journal

Magazine

8

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY OcTObER 14, 2016