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Volume 9 – Issue 48 • 20 Pages
A U G U S T 2 6 - S E P T E MBE R 1 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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fRoM ThE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Filipino gay rights activist diagnosed with cancer Family sets up GoFundMe account to raise money
MARCIAL Bolina Cable, along with his husband of 25 years Ben Cable, made national headlines when they challenged California’s marriage laws in the early 1990s. Now living up north in Alameda, California, the couple has been overjoyed with the strides the LGBT community has made for equal rights. This year, however, their lives took a turn when Marcial was diagnosed with cancer. The signs were noticeable earlier this year when Ben started noticing that Marcial began acting differently. his movement became sluggish and his short term memory was slipping, so Ben decided it was time for a check-up on June 7. After a general check-up and MRI, the couple was sent to Kaiser Permanente in oakland. After a “nerve-wracking” wait, the doctors admitted Marcial to the emergency room where he remained for four weeks. The doctors found several unidentifi-
US ‘deeply concerned’ as death toll in Philippine drug war rises by Christina and
M. Oriel dana siOsOn AJPress
UNITED States officials again expressed this week that they are “deeply concerned” about the extrajudicial killings that have occurred since President Rodrigo Duterte took office and called for a crackdown on illegal drugs. “The United States believes in the rule of law, due process, and respect for universal human rights, and that these principles promote long-term secu-
rity,” U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said on Monday, August 22. Since Duterte became president on July 1, the Philippines has reported 712 deaths of drug traffickers and users, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald Dela Rosa said before a Senate hearing on Monday. Dela Rosa also said that 1,067 other drug-related killings were being investigated. Earlier this month, Duterte reiterated his campaign promise to get rid of ille-
gal drugs and traffickers. “My order is shoot to kill. I don’t care about human rights,” the president said on August 5, dismissing the concerns of his critics. “We have a crisis.” During Monday’s news briefing at the U.S. State Department, Toner said it was “not for me to judge” Duterte, who he called a “plain-speaking” politician. Despite the long-standing “frank and candid” bilateral relationship with the Philippines, the U.S. will not be “turning a blind eye to human rights abuses
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Philippines ‘not leaving’ the UN Duterte brushes off comment as a joke
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by dana and
First Fil-Am elected official passes away at 86 G. MoNTY Manibog, the first filipinoAmerican elected into public office in the United States, passed away at the age of 86 on friday, August 12 after a long battle with lung disease. In 1972, he became one of the first filiG. Monty Manibog pino-Americans elected to a city council, serving the city of Monterey Park. he later became mayor of that same city. The Manibog family made many strides in the United States, with his father Gonzalo Manibog becoming the first filipinoAmerican to graduate with a law degree in 1917. Manibog would follow in his father’s
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WAITING TO TESTIFY. Their faces covered, witnesses, mostly relatives of suspects killed during an intensified police campaign against illegal drugs, wait for their appearance at a hearing on extrajudicial killings being conducted by the Senate committee on justice and human rights. Inquirer.net photo by Raffy Lerma
CHR: Magnitude of extrajudicial killings in Duterte drug war unseen since 1987 MANILA — Commission on human Rights (ChR) Chair Jose Luis Martin Gascon said the rights body has not experienced having extrajudicial killing cases of this magnitude since it was established in 1987. he said this on Wednesday, Aug. 24, during a budget briefing at the house of Representatives. Gascon added that the ChR Special Task force was only able
to look into less than 20 percent of more than a thousand cases of extrajudicial killings. he cited Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa’s report that 1,160 deaths recorded in the past 55 days are still “under investigation,” while more than 700 persons have been killed in legitimate police operations. “We are not able to respond to
every single case at this point,” Gascon said. The ChR task force is reviewing or investigating a total of 103 cases of extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s war on narcotics. Gascon also urged the PNP’s Internal Affairs to investigate “every incident of death resulting from ostensibly legal police op-
Supreme Court puts Marcos hero’s burial on hold by dana
siOsOn
AJPress
RESPoNDING to petitioners, the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the government to hold former President ferdinand Marcos’ interment at heroes Cemetery for 20 days. The court has issued a status quo order effective from August 23 to September 11 and rescheduled the oral arguments regarding the issue from August 24 to August 31, SC Spokesman Theodore Te explained on Tuesday, August 23.
US State Dept. Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier issued a memorandum dated August 7, informing Armed forces Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya of President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal order on July 11 to prepare for Marcos’ hero’s burial. Te added that the high court also granted the request of the SC Public Information office to conduct a live stream audio broadcast of the oral arguments “subject to the usual conditions and restrictions imposed.” on Monday, August 22, two With a little over two months before his fight against Jessie Vargas, Manny Pacquiao has
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kicked off his training.
Philboxing photo by Wendell Rupert Alinea
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siOsOn Klarize Medenilla AJPress
DESPITE President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat that the Philippines may opt to leave the United Nations (UN), the country is staying “committed” to the international agency, Malacañang confirmed on Monday, August 22. foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. said in a news briefing on Monday that the Philippines’ commitment to the UN remains amid “frus- Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. trations.” The international agency is looking to investigate the rising extrajudicial killings in the country associated with the crackdown on illegal drugs. Yasay said that Duterte did not outwardly express plans to withdraw from the UN, but that the president was just merely frustrated with the UN inquiries, stating that “like us, he is only human.” “The president is understandable extremely disappointed and frustrated with this action of the special rapporteurs in arbitrarily concluding that these drugrelated killings were done by or are at the instance of law enforcers,” Yasay said. “But I can assure you that he remains committed to the United Nations, of
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Pacquiao starts training for November fight by dana
siOsOn AJPress
WITh just a couple of months ahead of his November match against reigning WBo Welterweight Champion Jessie Vargas, Senator Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao began his light training on Tuesday, August 22, in preparation for his comeback fight. Vargas, an American boxer, has a record of 27 wins, one loss, and 10 knockouts. Their match is set on November 5 in Las Vegas. The filipino boxing champ has started doing laps and shadow
boxing in the streets around his mansion in North forbes Park in Makati City, and other places near the senate offices in the Manila Bay area. Determined to prove his promise that boxing won’t interfere with his legislative duties, Pacquiao’s camp said his training will be almost entirely done in the Philippines, adding that he will only fly to United States when the Upper house takes a break on oct. 22. After that, he and his team will return to the Philippines to
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A AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
From the Front Page
US ‘deeply concerned’ as death toll… PAGE A1 t
or possible human rights abuses in the Philippines.” The U.S. is committed to urging the Philippines to ensure its law enforcement efforts comply with its human rights obligations. “I’m just going to say that we continue to work with the Filipino Government on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, and while at the same time mak-
ing clear that as [the] Philippines addresses issues that touch on human rights that we’re going to make our concerns clear,” Toner added. Following US Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Manila in late July, Duterte confirmed that the Philippines will receive $32 million in aid from the U.S. meant to fund training and services for security forces. In another outburst against
the critics of his anti-illegal drugs campaign, Duterte over the weekend lashed out against the U.S. police killings of black men. “Why are you Americans killing the black people there, shooting them down when they are already on the ground?” Duterte said on Sunday, August 21. The president added that those cases are “still human rights violations.” n
Philippines ‘not leaving’ the… PAGE A1 t
A JOURNEY FOR PEACE. Peace consultants Adele Berto Silva, Wilma Tiamzon, Benito Tiamzon, Alan Jazmines and Renante Gamara raise their fists before boarding their plane for Oslo, Norway where formal peace negotiations will be held starting Monday, Aug. 22. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
Supreme Court puts Marcos hero’s burial…
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more petitions by a youth group and a group of former government officials were filed against Marcos’s burial at Heroes’ Cemetary, bringing the number of petitions to a total of five. The first group of petitioners on Monday included students of the University of the Philippines Zaira Baniaga, John Arvin Buenaagua, Joanne Lim, and Juan Antonio Magalang, also referred
to as ‘millennials.’ They argued that Lorenzana “may have abused his authority” in issuing preparation orders for the interment and that Marcos had long been disqualified from a hero’s burial when he was ousted by the 1986 People Power Revolution. “We cannot with a clear conscience accept that Marcos the tyrant lie beside the nation’s genuine freedom fighters. Mala-
Pacquiao starts training for… PAGE A1 t
attend to his Senate duties, according to his Canadian adviser Michael Koncz. On the other hand, his coach, Freddie Roach, is expected to arrive in the country several weeks before the fight. Last April 2015, the eight-division world champion declared
his retirement from boxing after winning his match against Timothy Bradley. He later announced on August 10 that he’ll be back in the ring while admitting his excitement. “Boxing is my passion. I miss what I’d been doing inside the gym and atop the ring,” Philstar quoted Pacquiao. n
canang cannot insist its will when laws have been enacted recognizing the human rights violations during the Marcos regime. The government must be consistent,” Baniaga said. The second group of petitioners included former Senator Heherson Alvarez and his wife, National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez, former movie director Joel Lamangan, former Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, University of Santo Tomas political science professor Edmund Tayao, Movement Against Political Dynasties chairman Danilo Olivares and actor Noel Trinidad. They argued that the administration on former President Fidel V. Ramos permitted the return of Marcos’s remains in the Philippines on the condition that the
which the Philippines is one of the founding members.” In a press conference on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella mirrored Perfecto’s statements and clarified Duterte’s claims. “We are not decoupling,” Abella said. “It was a matter of record, it was a statement. [Duterte] was just basically stating the fact that the Philippines is a sovereign nation and should not be meddled with.” The UN’s special rapporteurs — who operate under the Human Rights Council — have announced plans to investigate the rise of killings since Duterte’s entrance into the presidency. “We call on the Philippines authorities to adopt with immediate effect the necessary measures to
protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions,” Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions, said in the report. Data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that more than 1,500 people have been killed since early July. The president has also publicly tied politicians, judges and police and military personnel to the drug trade. He had been aggravated with the comments, prompting the threat to leave the world body. “I do not want to insult you. But maybe we’ll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations,” Duterte said on Sunday, August 21. “Eh ‘di kung ganun kayo ka bastos, p*****i**, eh, umalis na ako dyan sa inyo (If you are that rude, son of a b****,
then I would rather leave) So take us out of your organization — you have done nothing, anyway, also.” However, following the remarks, Duterte clarified that his comments were mere levity. “Can’t you take a joke?” Duterte told the media on Tuesday, August 23. “What will you join, the association of those who sunk?” The president added that he’d “like to talk to that alleged expert of the UN” and urged that expert to visit the Philippines to see the situation firsthand. “You do not just throw that kind of allegations or statement without even coming here. You rely on the reports of the newspapers,” he said. Duterte has expressed his distaste for the UN in the past, calling it a “useless, inutile body.” n
CHR: Magnitude of extrajudicial killings… PAGE A1 t
erations.” “These should all be treated as crime. Therefore, the full force of the law should be directed at investigating these cases and ultimately uncovering the perpetrators and bringing them to justice,” he said. The CHR chairman raised the possibility of the International Criminal Court exercising its jurisdiction over the rampant extrajudicial killings if such scenario still persists. He admitted that the CHR’s response and resolution methods are not at an “optimal” status, but he welcomed the proposed budget for 2017 of P496 million, which would be primarily used to augment personnel services to respond to mounting challenges u PAGE A3 faced by the commission.
COP KILLED IN BUY-BUST OPERATION. Police Senior Insp. Mark Garcia’s wife watches over the body of her husband at the Antipolo District Hospital. Garcia was killed in a police buy-bust operation against drug pushers in Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City. Inquirer.net photo by Raffy Lerma
Interventions include increas- ating a digitized docket system ing the number of special investi- where all of the investigators can gators per region, as well as cre- input cases. (Philstar.com)
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Trump wavers on immigration, plans to adopt Obama’s deportation policy by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
DONALD Trump is softening his call for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, saying that he plans to mirror President Barack Obama’s policy of deporting criminals but “perhaps with a lot more energy.” The Republican presidential nominee said that he would double down on distinguishing between the “bad” immigrants and “everybody else.” “The first thing we’re going to do if and when I win is we’re going to get rid of all the bad ones,” Trump said in a town hall-style event on Fox News on Monday,
DUTERTE STAMPS. Apart from action figures and game applications, supporters of President Duterte can now add to their collection copies of his inauguration stamp recently issued by the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhlPost). Since Aug. 1, PHLPost has made available in the market the commemorative stamp marking the inauguration of the country’s 16th president that took place last June 30. The 71-year-old Duterte is the country’s oldest Chief Executive and the only one from Mindanao. Philstar.com photo
Filipino gay rights activist diagnosed with… PAGE A1 t
able masses in his brain that had been causing Marcial’s slowness, walking problems, speech problems and memory issues. After preliminary diagnoses following a brain biopsy in Redwood City, the results were inconclusive; the doctors had determined he had cancer but were unsure of what kind. Through a series of tests—including biopsies and a spinal tap—the specialists determined that Marcial had Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a condition in which the body produces an abnormal amount of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Ben said that at the hospital, Marcial started to go “downhill”, and his memory had gotten so bad that he could not remember anything from the previous day. “Everyday I came in and I told him everything that had transpired up to the new day,” Ben told the Asian Journal. “I would have to start from the beginning which was very difficult to do. I just felt thankful that he remembered me. That would have been very hard if he didn’t know who I was.” Marcial Bolina Cable was born Marcial McCarthy in Cavite, Philippines in 1963. His mother and stepfather moved the family to the United States in 1966. Marcial worked for American International Group, Inc. (AIG) and the American Red Cross. He also served in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit of the U.S. Army where he worked in supplies. “He would have been the Radar of their unit,” Ben quipped, referencing the hit American television series M*A*S*H. “He’s kind of around that height, too, since he was only around 5’4”. He was like a Filipino Radar [laughs]. He’s like that. He’s funny and lively, and has an adorable personality.” Marcial first met Ben in 1990 in a nightclub in West Hollywood. Ben reminisced seeing “this handsome guy” when he first saw Marcial, describing that night as a “cat and mouse game.”
They became friends, but the friendship soon blossomed into a relationship. They had been dating for a year before Ben proposed. The couple was married in 1991 in a church wedding in Glendale, California with over 200 guests present. Of Marcial, Ben said that he is “soft-spoken, yet determined. He’s 5’4”, but tall. He’s a soldier, a lover, a wonderful husband and friend.” Pioneers for marriage equality Before the national conversation of marriage equality took off in the early 2000s, the Cables— who were very active in LGBT activism—were on the forefront of the contentious issue a decade earlier. At that time, the hot topics concerning the LGBT community were the AIDS epidemic and gay rights in the military, but gay marriage didn’t receive the attention that Marcial and Ben thought it deserved, Ben said. “We were wondering, ‘why don’t we look at marriage?’ We just wanted the same rights and responsibilities that were granted to other couples, so why not?” Ben said. Two years after their wedding, the couple went down to LA City Hall to submit an application for a marriage license with the city clerk. Ben said that since that was the day before taxes were due, the city clerk’s office was crowded with other couples, all of whom were heterosexual couples. “We were being looked at, I could feel my face getting red, and I know Marcial was nervous. He was real quiet and we were filling out these forms with our heads down, and we knew some people had noticed us,” Ben said. The city clerk then called a judge to receive the application, but Ben said that they never saw that application again. But Ben recalls one moment on this day that ignited a spark within the couple to continue fighting for marriage equality. One woman working behind the clerk’s desk had written on
Marcial Cable (middle) with his husband Ben (left)
Supreme Court puts Marcos…
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exiled president’s body would be flown straight to Ilocos Norte. The agreement also specified that Marcos will not be buried at the national shrine nor be given military honors. “Our petition is not only of local significance but macro – global. The atrocities during Marcos’ time is like Hitler in scale. Would Hitler be a hero in Germany? Would Mussolini, who was killed by the guerilla in Italy be a hero?” Alvarez said. The Marcos family, however, told the SC that the allegations of human rights violations during the martial law years are irrelevant to the issue of the late president’s hero’s burial. “Apart from being irrelevant to the issue at hand, the allegations may not be assumed as facts but needs to be established with competent evidence,” the former president’s family said through counsel Atty. Hyacinth E. RafaelAntonio. “Since the purported standing of the petitioners is predicated on those facts…and would require
the presentation of evidence and the factual determination beyond the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, this by itself will warrant dismissal of the petition,” the comment stated. They also argued that Duterte’s order is supported by RA 289 or the Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the Country. “President Duterte understands that if this country really intends to extricate itself from the quagmire it is presently embroiled in, history must be viewed differently... President Duterte’s order to allow former president Marcos’ interment at the (Libingan ng mga Bayani) is based on his determination that it shall promote national healing and forgiveness, and redound to the benefit of the Filipino people,” Solicitor General Jose Calida told the Supreme Court on Monday. Duterte previously said Marcos was worthy of a hero’s burial as a former president and soldier. n
the back of her blotter, “Let ‘em get married.” Ben said knowing that they had at least one person supporting them lifted their spirits to continue the fight for marriage equality. “At that point, I go, ‘this isn’t right!’ and this is not just a stunt,” Ben said. “We knew we were going to be rejected, but we didn’t think of what kind of impact it would have on us. So we didn’t let it drop.” They challenged state’s mar-
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August 22. When asked about possibly changing the law to providing legal status to law-abiding undocumented immigrants, Trump acknowledged the law can use “softening because we’re not looking to hurt people.” He did not outwardly say he would be open to proposing a pathway to citizenship, but he said that he plans to follow the law which includes deportation. “What people don’t know is that Obama got tremendous numbers of people out of the country. Bush, the same thing. Lots of people were brought out of the country with the existing laws. Well, I’m going to do the
same,” Trump added. More immigrants have been deported under the Obama administration than in any other administration. Since 2009 (Obama’s first year in office), the Department of Homeland Security has deported more than 2.5 million people, which is 23 percent higher than former President George W. Bush’s total deportation numbers. The year 2013 comprised of the record high at 438,421 deportations of undocumented immigrants, according to data from Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE). Since then,
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First Fil-Am elected official passes away…
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footsteps, opening up his own practice at the Law Offices of G. Monty Manibog in Los Angeles after graduating from Loyola Law School. He practiced law for more than 50 years, representing individuals and families in personal injury lawsuits. He was also a professor at the School of Law at Van Norman University in Los Angeles from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. He also served in the U.S. Army just after the Korean War, serving as a leader in the Filipino-American community. Manibog was a jack-of-alltrades, making his mark in many other enterprises. In the 1950s, the Ilocos-born
go-getter was a champion in wrestling and gymnastics in the Philippines, winning two gold medals at national championships. As a student at the University of the Philippines (UP), he was twice named “Athlete of the Year.” He took his athletic talents abroad, competing at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. His leadership skills and role in the sporting world converged in 1984 when he was ambassador to the Southeast Nations in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Even in his old age did he show athletic prowess. In the 1990s he won three consecutive gold medals at the California Senior Olympics at the ages of
63, 64 and 65. As a student at UP, Manibog also proved ability in the arts, serving as president and lead actor at the UP Dramatic Guild. Through the guild, Manibog performed leading roles in “Six Characters in Search of an Author” and “I Remember Mama” among others. Manibog’s family held a viewing on Thursday, August 18 at the Miraculous Medal Church in Montebello, California. The funeral was held the following day at the same church followed by a burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello. Manibog is survived by his five children, 18 grandchildren and his wife Jean of 62 years. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
Obama visits Louisiana after criticism of delayed response by Eric
NINOY REMEMBERED. Former president Benigno Aquino III stands near the tomb of his father as he and his sisters and supporters marked the 33rd death anniversary of Benigno Aquino Jr. at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Aquino Jr. was assassinated on Sunday, August 21, 1983 upon his arrival the Manila International Airport. ManilaTimes.net photo by DJ Diosina
Court guarantees hearings for detained immigrants with felonies by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
IMMIGRATION and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California can no longer detain undocumented immigrants convicted of felonies for extended periods without bond, thanks to a federal ruling issued Tuesday, August 4. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down the practice of mandatory detention for anyone found guilty of a felony.
The policy permitted ICE agents to imprison some people for months without providing them with a bond hearing. The ruling delivered by Judge Jacqueline Nguyen will apply in California, where 20 percent of all immigration detentions occur, as well as eight other states and two territories within the court’s jurisdiction. “A broad and incorrect interpretation of federal law...denied [detainees] the opportunity to challenge [their] detention,” rep-
resentatives at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California said in a statement released earlier this month. A felony conviction would have been grounds for mandatory detention regardless of how long ago it occurred, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs in the class action suit. In her ruling, Nguyen decried what she called “robotic detention procedures” and said mandatory imprisonment “smacks of
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Filipino gay rights activist diagnosed with… PAGE A3 t
riage laws in the case McCarthy-Cable vs. Los Angeles City Clerk. Civil rights groups, including the prominent American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), assisted the couple by writing amicus briefs for the case. The couple also got to meet civil rights figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson during national press events for the case in Washington, D.C. After the case was denied review at the city level, the couple flirted with the idea of taking the case up to the California Supreme Court. The ACLU advised against this because if their case got a negative ruling, it would negatively affect future rulings in
the similar vein. “At that point, we had to make a hard decision not to pursue it, and I think it was a wise move because years later, it became the law of the land,” Ben said, referencing the legalization of same-sex marriage across the U.S. in 2015. “And it might not have been had we just proudly gone forward with something that could have been reckless.” On the day that gay marriage was nationally legalized, Ben remembered them being overjoyed and proud that their efforts in 1993 had “helped do that.” Ben said that he felt that their efforts had come full circle. They had fought for the rights and privileges of marriage, including caring for a
loved one in times of need. Marcial is currently undergoing his first few rounds of chemotherapy in Redwood City. The couple is hopeful that Marcial will have a speedy recovery, but they know it’s going to be an uphill battle. The family is currently taking donations by way of a GoFundMe account (www. gofundme.com/cable) that Ben set up to raise money to cover treatment costs and transportation expenses. “I asked him today (Monday, August 15), ‘What do you think about cancer?’ ‘What are you thinking about right now?” Ben said. Marcial bluntly answered, “Cancer sucks.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
Anthony LicAs AJPress
PRESIDENT Barack Obama toured southern Louisiana on Tuesday, August 23, where residents are recovering from historic storms and flooding that damaged approximately 60,000 homes and led to the deaths of 13 people. Approximately 110,500 displaced people had applied for federal disaster aid and $74 million dollars have already been distributed as of Tuesday, according to Reuters. In contrast to the controversies associated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, state and local officials have praised the federal government’s handling of Louisiana’s current crisis. “They’ve gotten good at it, and they actually do care,” Louisiana’s Lt. Governor, Republican Billy Nungesser, told the New York Times. Despite bipartisan approval of the government’s management of the situation in Louisiana, the president had received criticism for choosing to finish a two-week vacation before making his visit. An editorial published in the Louisiana-based newspaper, The Advocate, on Wednesday, August 17, noted that Obama made time to attended a “swanky fundraiser for fellow Democrat Hillary Clinton,” before deciding to “show up for a catastrophe that’s displaced thousands.” However, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards had requested that White House officials delay the president’s trip in order to avoid diverting the state’s resources away from disaster response. On Tuesday, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump said via his official Twitter account that Obama’s appearance
President Barack Obama hugs a home owner while viewing her flood-damaged home in the Castle Place subdivision in Zachary, near Baton Rouge, La., on Tuesday, Aug. 23. White House photo by Pete Souza
was “too little too late.” He flew to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday, August 19 to meet with survivors and assist in relief efforts. The Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, which has been organizing volunteers in flood-damaged communities, confirmed the receipt of a $100,000 donation from Trump via its Facebook account on Monday, August 21. The charitable contribution faced scrutiny after reports surfaced of the Church’s association to a conservative lobbying group that supports the traditional Christian definition of marriage. The interim pastor at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, Tony Perkins, is also the president of the Family Research Council (FRC), according to an LGBT-focused online publication, similarly titled The Advocate. The publication referred to the FRC as a hate group. Despite earlier reservations, Edwards told CNN that Trump’s appearance in Louisiana helped
bring national attention to the disaster in his state on Sunday, August 21. He had said he worried that the Republican nominee’s plans would boil down to a “photo-op” in a statement released ahead of Trump’s visit. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said she would come to Louisiana “at a time when the presence of a political campaign will not disrupt the [disaster] response, to discuss how we can and will rebuild together,” in a statement released Monday, August 22. Like Clinton, representatives for the White House say they have been keen to avoid politicizing the suffering of thousands of Louisiana residents. “But the survivors of the flooding in Louisiana are not well served by a political discussion, they’re well served by a competent, effective, strong, coordinated government response,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said during Monday’s press briefing. n
Trump wavers on immigration, plans to… PAGE A3 t
the number has been decreasing due to the administration’s call to be more selective in who they deport, specifically targeting those who threaten public safety or national security. Although attacking Obama’s presidency was a key to his cam-
paign strategy, Trump supporters at the town hall seemed to support their candidate’s call to adopt an Obama policy. The news comes after the Trump campaign announced that the candidate would go softer on his immigration rhetoric. In the past, Trump has been
steadfast on deporting more than 11 million undocumented immigrants, proposing to ban immigration from countries with known terrorism (including the Philippines) and building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico (and having the latter country pay for it). n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
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De Lima says Duterte linking her to pork barrel ‘too unfair’ by DAnA
sioson AJPress
MOTHER OF PEARLS. A report by the local Palawan News said a fisherman from Puerto Princesa has been keeping the world’s biggest pearl under his bed for years. According to the report, the fisherman stumbled upon it while fishing decades ago in the waters of Puerto Princesa. Palawan has always been known as an island with beautiful scenery and a diverse array of marine life. Never really knowing its economic value, the fisherman kept it for “good luck.” According to BBC, the pearl is 61 centimeters (2 feet) wide and 30 centimeters long. Once gemologists confirm its size, it will easily beat the current record holder, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, which weighs 6.4 kilograms.
Mysterious fire destroys Filipino family’s home Investigators unsure of cause, but say incident unrelated to an earlier fire
by Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
A FILIPINO family in Northern California woke up to find their house threatened by flames during the predawn hours of Saturday, August 13, less than a day after firefighters had put out an earlier blaze in the same area. Fire crews extinguished a fire that consumed a shed, pumphouse and less than an acre of rural land in Coarsegold, California near the corner of Highway 41 and Black Oak Road shortly after 5 p.m. on Friday, August 12. Investigators told one of the homeowners that the fire started in a shed on the property and might have been caused by an electrical issue involving a malfunctioning heating blanket. Power was cut to the house while the investigation of the first fire took place, then restored at about 8 p.m. The home’s occupants fell asleep sometime after 11 p.m., but were forced out of their beds by a second fire just hours later. “At about 3 a.m. my husband woke up, noticed there was too much light for that time of night, and heard the bullets popping,” Mary “Lyn” Aguillon, 59, told the Asian Journal. She owns the home along with her husband, Antonio, 69. At that time, eight people were inside as the conflagration circled the home, including the couple’s 1-year-old grandson. Two of the house’s tenants and Antonio Aguillon suffer from disabilities affecting their mobility. Lyn Aguillon helped the home’s occupants get to the family’s car, then had to run back inside to retrieve her keys. She said flames had spread to inside the home when she returned from the vehicle and saw windowpanes shatter due to the heat as she raced back out. “We could have lost our lives,” Aguillon told the Asian Journal over the phone. Firefighters returned to the property just after 3:30 a.m. on Saturday, but multiple reports of gunfire in the area prevented them from immediately approaching the scene. Sheriff’s deputies investigated and determined that heat from the fire was setting off loose ammunition. Crews used eight fire engines and a bulldozer to put out the blaze. They managed to contain the situation by about 5 a.m. No people were reported injured as a result of the incident, but firefighters were unable to prevent the Aguillon’s home from burning down. “I loved that house,” said Aguillon, who wishes she could have saved her jewelry to help the family pay for expenses while an insurance company processes their claims. “We don’t have anything.” The couple hasn’t yet decided whether to rebuild the home or move to a new one. Relatives have set up a GoFundMe page
SENATOR Leila De Lima on Tuesday, August 23 called President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to “reveal” her alleged links to the pork barrel scam issue “too unfair.” “That’s a rehashed issue. Why do they keep digging old issues? Who is responsible for the detention of Napoles? Then they link me to Napoles? That’s too unfair,” De Lima said, according to Philstar. The senator stressed that she was the one who sought the imprisonment of Janet Napoles, the person alleged as the brains behind the multi-billion peso fund scam. The pork barrel, also known as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2013 because it allowed lawmakers “to wield, in varying gradations, non-oversight, postenactment authority in vital areas of budget executions.” De Lima also stressed that she handled the cases of Napoles herself when she was still a justice secretary. Earlier this week, Duterte announced that he will reinvestigate the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam case. “Wait until we revisit the Na-
Senator Leila De Lima
poles case, Secretary or Senator De Lima, and I assure you, you will be horrified,” the president said, adding that it “involves corruption and De Lima.” Duterte also claimed that he received information about De Lima’s phone conversations between her and her driver, Ronnie Dayan, that would reveal her alleged connection to the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison. The conversation also provided information on their ATM records, according to the presi-
dent. De Lima, however, denied these accusations. “The Committee on Justice conducted also a series of hearing twice or thrice inside Bilibid. We had an ocular inspection with the Congressional committee last Dec. 15, 2014,” she said. “I initiated it (the probe) so why will they investigate me? I found a way to expose the drug problems there. Don’t they know that I exerted certain efforts, steps after discovering all of those inside Bilibid?” n
Duterte won’t discuss sea row at ASEAN summit by DAnA
sioson AJPress
MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed on Wednesday, August 17, that he will not bring up the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) territorial issues during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next month. The president expressed that he prefers to tackle the issues during a formal talk, adding that he would not want to antagonize China by making unnecessary “noises” and ruin the chances of having bilateral meetings. “I will only bring the issue when we are together face to
Aguillon family home ravaged by a fire.
to help the family recover from the disaster. Investigators are still working to discover the cause of the second fire, but say it was unrelated to the initial blaze. Madera County Fire’s Public Information Officer, Jamie Williams, told the Asian Journal that the department has no reason to believe one caused the other. However, Aguillon alleges that firefighters failed to conduct proper cleanup and followup procedures after the initial fire, thereby contributing to her home’s incineration. “They didn’t remove the trees that were burned,” said Aguillon. “They didn’t chop them down. They didn’t dig them [out].” She also said a vehicle belonging to the sheriff’s department blocked their exit when they reached the end of their driveway while fleeing the burning property on Saturday. Aguillon accuses a deputy of harassing her family after she drove off-road and around the other car. She said the fire’s survivors were accused of making drugs. “He said ‘why do you have so much ammunition … do you have a meth lab?’” Aguillon told the Asian Journal. Aguillon said the deputy went on to suggest that the residents were manufacturing honey oil, a concentrated version of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The production of both drugs can pose fire and combustion
face,” Duterte said, referring to China. “If you quarrel with them now and you claim sovereignty, make noise here and there, they might not just even want to talk.” Duterte also noted that his envoy, former President Fidel Ramos, has been working to pave the way for formal talks between the two countries. “We maintain good relations with China. Let us create an environment where we sit down and talk directly. That is the time we would say we proceed from here. We proceed from this judgement.” he said. The president reiterated his stance that going to war with China is not an option.
“What if (China) says, I do not want to quarrel or even speak with you’? Bahala kayo sa buhay ninyo (You go mind your own lives), can we do anything? Can we declare war? It is not an option,” he said. “I would not be stupid to do that. It will only be a massacre for all...still war is not an option nowadays.” The ASEAN summit is the first international summit Duterte will be participating in as President. It will take place from September 6-8 in Laos. Although not an ASEAN member, China also has territorial disputes with other ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. n
Photo courtesy of Lyn Aguillon
hazards. A honey oil lab operating in the Parkwood area of Madera exploded on Saturday, July 23, destroying the house it was run out of and displacing the 18 residents who lived there, according to the Madera Tribune. Representatives for the Madera County Sheriff’s Department question Aguillon’s accusations. “Ten years ago, we used to get meth labs all the time, but we’re just not seeing them anymore,” the department’s Public Information Officer Commander, Bill Ward, told the Asian Journal. “Something about that [accusation] doesn’t seem right.” He adds that deputies have no record of interviewing any of the destroyed home’s occupants. On Thursday, August 18, Aguillon said she didn’t know the name of the deputy she accuses of misconduct. At the time she spoke to the Asian Journal, she had not yet filed an official complaint with the department, but said she planned to go to the Madera County Sheriff’s headquarters to learn the deputy’s name and make her claims known. She added that the other occupants who fled Saturday’s house fire can corroborate her version of events. The Aguillons’ misfortune transpires amidst a destructive fire season that has razed homes and evacuated families throughout the state of California. n
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injustice.” One of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, Ashok Ramani of the law firm Keker & Van Nest, told the Asian Journal that many of those held for months by immigration officials had moved on from their pasts and become productive members of their communities. “They all had jobs. They had families. Some were taking care
of elderly relatives,” said Ramani of the clients represented by his firm, the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP), and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “[Mandatory detention] disrupted all of that.” Ramani said at least two plaintiffs from California had been granted bond hearings and released prior to the court’s decision because a ruling from an earlier case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals guarantees de-
tainees a day in court within six months. Most other jurisdictions do not host similar provisions. According to Ramani, between 800 to 1,000 people will now have a chance to petition a judge for their freedom. “[The court’s] decision is a victory for fairness and due process of law,” said Michael Tan, a staff attorney at the ACLU’s IRP. “In America, everyone should get a chance to see a judge before their freedom is taken away.” n
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A AUGUST 26-SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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Impasse
HISTORY will tell that the Philippines has one of the world’s most celebrated democracies today. On Sept. 21, 1972, former Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. For today’s Filipinos, 42 years may seem like another lifetime—a bygone period with sketchy details of what martial law entailed for the people who had to endure it. But for those who lived through the wretched moments of this tumultuous era in Philippine history, the horror and pain live on. In February 1986, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the nationwide protest that brought People Power Revolution to life. In this historic uprising, the voice of the people resonated through the country, and has been forever etched in the pantheon of Philippine democracy. The People Power Revolution continues to this day, as a reminder to Filipinos of how supporting a common stand can turn them to a formidable moral power. The People Power Revolution ignited the people’s longing for genuine democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics. The impact of this period may very well be wiped in Philippine history following the order of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to allow the remains of Former Pres. Marcos to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). “The only requirement of the law is for one to be president . . . that law provides for the burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro said. Republic Act 289, which provided for the con-
struction of a National Pantheon or the Libingan ng mga Bayani for President of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the country states that it was erected “to perpetuate the memory of all the Presidents of the Philippines, national heroes and patriots for the inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still unborn.” The issue has caused a public divide, even among the president and his allies. “I see the point of the President that if it’s a completely legal issue, he (Marcos) is entitled to it. But the name [of the cemetery] is Libingan ng mga Bayani. While he had heroic moments in his life, we do not consider him in totality heroic because of things that happened during martial law. Unless we change the name to Libingan ng mga Bayani at Diktador,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. But for Vice Pres. Leni Robredo, this recent decision is complete disregard of the human and civil rights violations accounted for during the martial law period. “How can we allow a hero’s burial for a man who has plundered our country and was responsible for the death and disappearance of many Filipinos? Those who have greatly committed crimes and moral turpitude to the Filipino people cannot be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” Robredo emphasized. “This decision will not bring unity to our country; it will only deepen the unhealed wounds of the survivors and family members of victims of the terrible years under the Marcos presidency. Further-
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
more, his heirs continue to deny that these sins against our people happened. They continue to have no remorse and still prevent the return of the wealth that they stole,” she added. Groups opposing the planned Marcos burial has brought the issue to the Supreme Court. The High Court has issued a status quo ante order against Marcos’ burial set in September. on Tuesday, Aug.
23. The halt order is effective for 20 days as the court prepares for oral arguments on the petitions against the former president’s final interment at the Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig. Until then, Filipinos are once again reminded how the martial law period and lessons of the People Power Revolution have impacted how they live today. (AJPress)
Human Rights Watch: Killings in Duterte’s war on drugs a national emergency INTERNATIONAL organizations like the United Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) did not mince words in their concerns about how Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is governing the country, specifically on his war against drugs. The United Nations may send observers to the Philippines after it has expressed concern regarding what the international organization deems as Pres. Duterte’s empowerment of the police to eradicate the drug problem. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has condemned this, and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime referred to as an “apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings.” ABS-CBN News reported that the number of drug-related fatalities since May has reached 1,179. With this alarming number and trend, the
Human Rights Watch organization believes that what is hap- The Fil-Am pening now in the Philippines is now a national emergency and Perspective that governments like the United States the members of the European Union should make it clear to Duterte that this will have Gel SantoS-ReloS diplomatic and economic consequences to the Philippines. In a report by “Balitang America” New York Correspondent Don Tagala on The Filipino Channel, HRW Deputy Asia Director Phelium Kine said, “In terms of foreign aid or foreign support for various Philippine Agencies and programs — this is something — an obligation of the international
community to support the Filipino people, and to support their universal rights and freedoms which the Philippine government right now is absolutely trampling and streamrolling.” On “Balitang America,” Kine said, “What we have seen in the last seven weeks since President Duterte came to ffice is an almost unprecedented scale of government-sanctioned bloodletting on the streets of the Philippines.” “President Rodrigo Duterte was not elected with a mandate to trample on the Constitution, to absolutely ignore and abuse human rights and legal process,” Kine pointed out.
With Duterte’s much publicized dismissal of international critics, Kine contended: “President Duterte is a former lawyer he should know these things. And so for him to either profess ignorance about the idea of due legal process, or to announce that he will not honor it — this is a very disturbing development in terms of where the Philippines is going.” DO YOU AGREE with the perspective of the UN and the Human Rights Watch? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos
Duterte’s eulogy for Marcos WILL it be a test of will between President Rodrigo Duterte and those who protest the burial of Street the remains of President Ferdinand Marcos in the Talk Libingan ng mga Bayani? It will require an irresistible force to make a seemingly immovable object budge. Do the protestors have the dogged determination to become that irresistible force? Duterte has given GReG B. MacaBenta every indication that he is an immovable object. His says his decision is firm even while he will tolerate demonstrations and protests, and will refrain from using water hoses on the rallyists. Of course, he hasn’t said that the Philippine National Police will not use force, if given an excuse. Many of the old guards in the anti-Marcos protest movement have passed away. They were the people who braved the fire hoses and who dared to rush the gates of Malacañang headlong. Those who remain are aging and, while they may be active on social media, one wonders if they still have the zeal to bang heads and bodies against the PNP whose members have just begun to taste blood in their hunt for drug lords and pushers. There are pragmatists who suggest that Duterte should be left to have his way but, after his six-year term, the remains of Marcos can be dug out and moved elsewhere. But they are forgetting that the Marcos family is not exactly powerless. And, who knows, in the next election, Bongbong could win the presidency. The question, however, is whether Marcos deserves to be or can rightfully be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, according to regulations, the last of which was issued on April 9, 1986 by then Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos and approved by President Corazon Aquino. That regulation, entitled The Allocation of Cemetery Plots at the LNMB lists the following as being entitled to be interred in the cemetery: • Medal of Valor Awardees; • Presidents or Commanders-in-Chief, AFP; • Secretaries of National Defense; • AFP Chiefs of Staff, General/Flag Officers, active and retired military personnel, and former AFP members who laterally entered/ joined the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); • Veterans of the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the First and Second World Wars, as well as recognized guerrillas; • Government dignitaries, statesmen, national artists and other deceased persons whose interment has been approved by the commander-in-chief, Congress or the Secretary of National Defense, and • Former Presidents, Secretaries of National Defense, widows of former Presidents, Secretaries of National Defense and Chiefs of Staff. The regulation does not allow the internment in the LNMB of
those “personnel who were dishonorably separated/ reverted/ discharged from the service and personnel who were convicted by final judgment of an offense involving moral turpitude.” The disqualifying provision apparently applies to everyone listed, including former Presidents and military officers or guerillas, which Marcos was. Marcos was deposed in the People Power Revolution of 1896 and was, in effect, dishonorably discharged. That clearly disqualifies him from admission to the hallowed grounds. There are no bleeding heart provisions or exemptions allowed due to forgiveness and letting the past bury its past. Surprisingly, even a level headed person like Senator Dick Gordon, has used this rationale. And then, there are those who either do not understand plain English or are simply bullheaded. Duterte appears to be one of them. Thus, whatever the rules say and whether the protestors scream to high heavens or to hell, Marcos will be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani by presidential fiat. Perhaps Duterte can explain why he insists on honoring Marcos, the way Mark Antony honored the slain Julius Caesar after the Ides of March. I have, thus, taken the liberty of adapting Mark Antony’s eulogy for use by Duterte in a Eulogy for Ferdinand Marcos: Friends, kaigsuon, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Marcos, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones: So let it be with FM. The noble Senate President Koko hath told you, Marcos was a dictator and a plunderer: If it were so, it was a grievous fault; And grievously hath Marcos answer’d it. Here, under leave of Senator Cayetano and the rest, For Cayetano is an honourable man; So are they all, all honorable men,-Come I to speak of Marcos’ burial spot. A campaign promise did I in Ilocos make To Bongbong, Imee, Irene and Imeldific. My word of honor solemnly I gave; A vow to grant the President a hero’s grave. In truth, what is a grave but mud and soil Where bones are laid which time and worms despoil? What honor can a man pretend to claim When history consigns him to his shame?
You say that Marcos, a dictator was; Then let his sins be pardoned, let them pass. Marcos, a soldier and a President, Deserves to go where men like him are sent. You can protest and march till shoes should rot; But my decision stays and yours will not. The bottom line is that I’ll have my way Although you may hold rallies night and day. He brought back Yamashita’s treasures from the wars That made his family the wealthiest by far; Did that make Ferdinand a plunderer? You say that Marcos stole the country blind, Yet those who shared the booty did not mind. And tell me why the son did almost win And could have been next to the president. We must acknowledge our hypocrisy; The plague of freedom and democracy When Leftists did their dark agenda bare, Marcos was forced to martial law declare. Yet while he could have been a President-for-Life, Over the vain objections of his kids and wife, A snap election he agreed to call, Which thus began his inadvertent fall. Did that in Marcos seem ambitious? Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Koko says Marcos was a dictator and a plunderer; And Koko is an honourable man. You all did see that when rebels dug in, Marcos refused to send the tanks and planes, He could have ordered troops to shoot and kill, But he refused and thus his troops stood still; And yet protestors say thousands were slain During his over two decades of reign I speak not to disprove what Marcos haters say, But here I am to speak what I do know. If Marcos was a killer, so am I; And if you say Marcos’ dictatorship was dirty, You still don’t know enough about Duterte. O loud protestors, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And though you may have reasons – so have I; But since I am the President and you are not, Ferdinand Marcos will still have a hero’s plot. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
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Forbes lists 50 richest Filipinos in 2016 by Dana
SioSon AJPress
FOR the year 2016, American business magazine Forbes released its new list of the 50 richest Filipinos on Thursday, August 25. “Several tycoons with interests in development and construction enjoyed a particularly robust year, and the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, with its plan to invest in a ‘golden age of infrastructure,’ could boost them even higher,” it said. Ninety one-year-old shopping mogul Henry Sy still topped the annual ranking of Forbes for nine years consecutively, despite his net worth declining from $14.4 billion in 2015 to $13.7 billion in 2016. Sy was followed by JG Summit Holdings’ John Gokongwei Jr. with a net worth of $6.8 billion, and the Aboitiz family with a net worth of $5 billion. Percentage-wise, the magazine said this year’s biggest win-
ner was new billionaire Edgar Sia II who ranked No. 17 with a net worth of $1.2 billion. He was also named as the youngest richest Filipino. The 39-year-old tycoon’s wealth increased by 200 percent due to the fast-growing mall and residence developer, DoubleDragon Properties, which he co-owns with Tony Tan Caktiong who ranked no. 6 on the list with a net worth of $4.3 billion. Caktiong is also the founder, chairman and CEO of Jollibee Foods, the biggest fast food restaurant chain in the Philippines. Also occupying the top 10 spots on the list are: Lucio Tan (no. 4 with $4.9 billion), George Ty (no. 5 with $4.6 billion), Jaime Zobel de Ayala (no. 7 with $4.1 billion), Enrique Razon Jr. (no. 8 with $3.5 billion), David Consunji (no. 9 with $3.1 billion) and Andrew Tan (no. 10 with $3 billion). Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., the 95year-old co-founder of Rustan’s
Group, was the oldest businessman on the list with a net worth of $165 million, ranking 46th. “At least five of the 50 richest are invested in San Miguel, one of the nation’s oldest conglomerates. They have benefited nicely from the company’s growth strategy in energy and other infrastructure, which propelled its stock’s value up 50 percent,” according to Forbes. Ramon Ang, the leader of San Miguel Corporation, ranked 16th with a net worth of $1.21 billion. While Forbes’s record consisted mostly of males, five businesswomen made it to the list. Filipina tycoons include Ayala Corporation and San Miguel Corporation stakeholder Mercedes Zobel who ranked 14th, Mercury Drug’s Vivian Que Azcona who ranked 24th, Monde Nissin’s Betty Ang who ranked 26th, Unilab’s Beatrice Campos who ranked 27th, and Banco De Oro’s Juliette Romualdez who ranked 48th. n
Ombudsman eyes to end PDAF scam probe by 2017 by Dana
SioSon AJPress
OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales on Thursday, August 25, said her office eyes to end all investigation of cases related to the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or also referred to as the pork barrel scam, by the end of 2017. After the deliberation of her office’s budget for 2017, the Ombudsman said her office is still investigating 240 officials tagged by the Commission on Audit allegedly involved in the scam. “Some are undergoing factfinding, some are undergoing preliminary investigation, some have been filed in court,” Morales told Inquirer in an interview at the House of Representatives. Cases that have been filed in court include one against Janet Lim Napoles, who was accused as the brains behind the multibillion peso fund scam. “About 240 congressmen ang namention ng (were mentioned
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales
in) audit report. So ang dami dami (There are many of them) but we target to finish all of our investigations by the end of next year,” she added. Morales said her office is prioritizing the probe of officials allegedly misused heftier amount of funds. “We decide which cases should first be investigated. We do it in accordance with the amount. The higher the amount, the higher the priority to investigate these big amounts involved in the PDAF.” Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte called to revisit
the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam case. “Wait until we revisit the Napoles case, Secretary or Senator De Lima, and I assure you, you will be horrified… It involves corruption and De Lima.” the president said. When asked to comment about it, Morales said the president’s statement is ‘vague.’ “I don’t know what he means, what revisiting the Napoles case. Hindi natin alam (We don’t know). That’s vague to us. No comment.” The Ombudsman also denied the allegations that her office sanitized the original list of lawmakers involved in the scam, stating that she is not alarmed about Duterte’s call to revisit the case. “No, we’re not worried, because what we did is what we think is in accordance with the law,” she said.” The Office of the Ombudsman sought an office budget of P2.29 billion for 2017. n
OPLAN DOUBLE BARREL. A PNP operative arranges the 536 loose firearms confiscated from June 1, 2016 to August 22, 2016 during the police authorities’ “Oplan Double Barrel” in Calabarzon area. “Oplan Double Barrel” is a strategy by the policemen for an all-out anti-illegal drugs simultaneously attacking big-time drug lords and street-level pushing. Inquirer.net photo Richard Reyes
China collaborating with PNP, urges Duterte to end public allegations by Eric
anthony LicaS AJPress
CHINA hopes to play an active role in capturing Chinese citizens accused in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, according to statements made by the country’s ambassador to the Philippines on Tuesday, August 23. Ambassador Zhao Jianhua told reporters that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Chinese National Police Agency (NPA) have engaged in joint training exercises and intelligence sharing in support of Duterte’s crackdown on the illicit drug trade. However, Zhao pressed Philippine officials to provide the NPA with specific information on suspects that might be from China instead of outing and shaming them. “If you find there are Chinese nationals who got themselves involved in drug-related crimes, give us solid information before you say they are Chinese,” Zhao said. “These
allegations or generalizations must be avoided.” Duterte has appeared on national television on multiple occasions to publicly identify suspected drug lords. He has also said some of those involved in the Philippine drug trade were Chinese. “The Chinese or Filipino-Chinese drug syndicates dominate the drug market in the country,” according to PNP documents acquired by the Associated Press. “They facilitate production, manufacturing and bulk smuggling of dangerous drugs in the country.” Those documents also reportedly list the names of 14 Chinese and two Taiwanese nationals suspected of dealing drugs who have not yet been outed as of Wednesday, August 24. Duterte has promised to kill high-ranking dealers and pronounced a shoot-to-kill order against criminals in May, according to the Inquirer. Over 673,000 alleged drug pushers and dealers have turned themselves into police and nearly
2,000 suspects have been killed as of Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Zhao conceded that there are likely some Chinese nationals involved in illegal drug trade. However, he said it was “utterly wrong” to assume all of the Philippines’ drug kingpins were from China. “We are not protecting them … please give us information, so that we can identify them if they are Chinese nationals, they are Chinese citizens, or they are fugitives carrying Chinese passports,” said Zhao. “So far, for most of the cases we did not get anything at all.” A general agreement on joint crime fighting is already in place between the Philippines and China. Officials in Beijing would consider upgrading the arrangement to a bilateral agreement and are ready to provide the PNP with law enforcement equipment, according to the AP. “We can have a healthy framework or guidelines for cooperation in the fight against drugs,” said Zhao. n
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Building your career:
Tips on how to love what you’re doing IT’S not uncommon that we hear people say that they only go to work because they are being paid and that they need the money. Most workers you’ll come across have that mindset and only a few would really honestly say that they love their jobs. The whole concept of getting a job you love and the excitement of working after school wear off fast when reality sets in. Many wonder if there’s such a thing as “going after your passion.” According to a 2014 Global Workforce Study by Towers Watson, only 4 out of 10 workers are highly engaged. The same year, the US Department of Labor Department released a survey that showed that Americans are quitting their jobs at the fastest pace since early 2008. For those who have been in and out of the job market too often, they’d tell you that an inconsistent employment history looks bad on one’s resume. Aside from a potential employer seeing this as a lack of loyalty and possibly an inability to adapt to a new job or work environment, the lack of a career foundation can be detrimental.
So is there hope for someone who hates getting up in the morning just because it’s a workday? Kerry Hannon, career transition, retirement and personal finance expert, and author of the book “Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness” believes that there are a few ways you can fall in love with your job — even if you don’t like it right now. In an article she wrote for Forbes Magazine, Hannon shared some tips on how to make it work
where you are right now: (1) Focus on what you like about your work and ramp it up. Knowing what you like in and about your work can help you get through the tough parts. Weed through the negative things you don’t like, and consider things like your coworkers, opportunities for learning, whatever respect you get and/or any perks — whether free coffee or a 401(k). (2) Kicking boredom out and making a change. One of the roots of unhappiness at work is Continued on Page 3
On retirement and preparing for your ‘nest egg’ By Eric
Anthony LicAs AJPress
NO career lasts forever. However dedicated individuals might be their professions, health and other concerns will eventually limit their ability to work. When that time comes, it is unlikely that seniors will be able to rely on their Social Security pension to live comfortably in retirement. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that the average beneficiary receives about $15,600 a year. That leaves about a $20,000 annual shortfall for a retired couple planning to live off of the median household income of about $50,000. Factoring in some interest, they would need to set aside about $450,000 to fund 30 years of retirement. The exact amount a person would need to stop working
According to AARP, Those getting a late start at retirement planning should consider setting aside more of their income by reducing their expenses. Photo from USA.gov
while living comfortably can vary greatly depending on their intended lifestyle, projected healthcare costs
and other expenses. The importance of saving Continued on Page 3
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
Filing a new fraud waiver if your first one is denied
recently diagnosed illness, loss of job, death in the family) which were not previously submitted. DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: If the person appeals to I entered the US under an the AAO, they’re limited to the assumed name. When I filed for “record on appeal,” or the same adjustment of status, I had to showing of extreme hardship they file a fraud waiver (Form I – 601). made to the USCIS officer. If their Unfortunately, USCIS denied presentation or packaging was my fraud waiver along with my not strong enough, then their adjustment of status application. I chances of winning on appeal are am so depressed and want to know if greatly reduced. In addition, it can there is anything I can do, or if there sometimes take years for the AAO is hope with my case. Please help. to decide an appeal. Very truly yours, An alternative is filing a new L.S. fraud waiver, with a stronger Dear L.S.: presentation and perhaps new If a person commits fraud or evidence of additional extreme a “material misrepresentation,” hardship factors on qualifying the person is ordinarily required relatives. I have had many to submit a fraud waiver, waiver people come to me with denied of inadmissibility, or form I–601, fraud waivers, and in evaluating basically asking USCIS to “forgive” whether to appeal or file a them, based on the “extreme new fraud waiver, the original hardship” being suffered by the presentation was very weak and person’s spouse or parent who is sparse, with hardly any evidence a US citizen or lawful permanent of extreme hardship. In those resident (qualifying relative). cases, it might be a waste of time In some cases, the fraud waiver to file an appeal, as it is likely to is denied, usually because the be denied. person has not demonstrated Instead, we filed new fraud sufficient evidence of extreme waivers, with stronger showings hardship on their qualifying of extreme hardship on the relative. At that point, the person qualifying relative. Fortunately, has the option of either appealing those new fraud waivers the denial to the Administrative were approved. Now I am not Appeals Office (AAO) in guaranteeing that if you file a new Washington DC, or filing a new fraud waiver, it will be approved. fraud waiver, with a stronger and It all depends on the facts of better package or presentation of the case, and if the evidence of extreme hardship on a qualifying extreme hardship is properly relative, including any new packaged and presented. But evidence of hardship factors (e.g. sometimes a better packaged
On retirement and preparing...
An Asian Journal
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“new” fraud waiver could be more productive than appealing the denial of a poorly presented original fraud waiver. And remember, nothing in the law forbids a person from filing a new fraud waiver if the original one is denied. If your fraud waiver was denied, seek the advice of an attorney, who can evaluate your situation, and determine the best course of action-- whether to appeal or file a new fraud waiver. And if a new fraud waiver is to be filed, make sure it is properly packaged and you have a very strong evidence of extreme hardship on your qualifying relative. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
operated 401(k) plan, according to the Los Angeles Times. Senate Bill 1234 calls for the creation of the From Page 2 people begin saving as early as California Secure Choice Retirement they are able to provide as much plan, which would be available to has increasingly resonated with time as possible for their wealth to workers at companies that do not Americans, according to a study grow, according to a special money offer savings plans with 5 or more released by Bankrate.com on March and retirement edition of AARP employees. 28, 2016. Their research shows that Those getting a late start the number of people saving at least magazine. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) places limits at retirement planning should 10 percent of their income grew to consider setting aside more of their 28 percent, compared to 24 percent on how much people can pay each year into an Independent Retirement income by reducing their expenses, in 2015. Meanwhile, the number Account (IRA), 401(k) plan, and other according to AARP. of Americans saving 5 percent or retirement funds. Workers over 50 can make catchless dropped from 28 percent to 21 In 2013, 45 percent of workingup contributions that allow them to percent. pay more into their IRAs each year “The bad news is that 21 percent age households did not have any retirement account assets, according than younger people. of employed Americans claim not to a study by The National Institute There are also benefits to to be saving any of their paycheck,” on Retirement Security (NIRS). delaying retirement. Working longer said Bankrate.com Chief Financial In order to combat what the allows more income to contribute Analyst, Greg McBride in a statement NIRS and others have called a to retirement. In addition, Social announcing the study. “Nothing for Security benefits increase 8 percent retirement, nothing for emergencies, retirement savings crisis, lawmakers and nothing for other financial goals.” in California proposed legislation last for each year a person delays March 28, that would create a stateretirement. Most experts recommend that
ENCORE EPISODE: ANOTHER “DEATH OF DOMA” SUCCESS STORY ON A SPECIAL EPISODE OF ‘CITIZEN PINOY.’ Benny (center) found love in Tom (right) after the most challenging experiences in life. After watching “Citizen Pinoy’s” special episode on another LGBT couple, they consulted with leading US immigration attorney Michael Gurfinkel who paved the way for their union. As Tom’s spouse, Benny could be petitioned and get a green card. Watch this inspiring love story on a special encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
Building your career...
in making decisions about your life and what you want to do with it.” (4) Inspire yourself with a From Page 2 sign up for continuing education positive image or view. We all have or professional development boredom. The challenge is gone our “happy place,” that one image programs that your employer and there is no drive left to do or moment we go back to when may offer. Learning new things your best. Making a change — we feel down or stressed out. It turns your mind on, thus keeping even a small one — can give you could be that one sunny day at the boredom at bay. more joy at work. Who knows, beach or the childhood town you (3) Take out the if the change persists, it can add grew up at. It could be Disneyland worth to your job and chances are clutter. Usually when people see or just your favorite nook at your unfiled papers on their desks or your boss will notice and reward home. their inbox overflowing, their you for it. Whatever and wherever it may energy becomes low. They can’t Hannon also suggests to be, try to have a picture of that think properly and the clutter only happy place and tape it on your adds to the stress. office wall or on your desk. It’ll Hannon shared that dehelp you transport there even for a cluttering is liberating and few minutes and revive your mind. empowering. As career coach (5) Laugh more. Yes, we get it Beverly Jones said, “You are saying, — how can you laugh if you don’t ‘This is valuable, this is not.’ It’s a love what you’re doing. But then physical, practical way to engage again, the saying “Laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just words. A Gallup poll found that people who smile and laugh at work are more engaged in their jobs. Thus, the more engaged you are, the happier and more enthusiastic you’ll be. Plus, laughter is infectious — you are not just making yourself feel better, but also your co-workers who may be in the According to a finance expert, there are ways you can fall in love with your job — even if you don’t like it right now. Inquirer.net photos same boat just like you. (AJPress)
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Tourism secreTary Wanda Teo VisiTs neW Jersey, KicKs off FiesTa in america eVenT
T
The Philippine Department of Tourism led by its Secretary Wanda Teo participated at the 18th annual Fiesta in America held on 13-14 August 2016 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. At the People’s Ball, she also met with community leaders and shared the Philippine government’s plans in the tourism sector. The Asian Journal, through its publisher Roger L. Oriel, invited Sec. Teo to visit New Jersey to attend the Franchising and Business Opportunity Forum and be the keynote speaker at People’s Ball, the pre-event gala of the annual Fiesta in America gathering. Sec. Teo was also the lead Philippine official at the fiesta’s ribboncutting ceremony. Sec. Teo was also the Guest Speaker at Pistahan sa Yerba Buena in San Francisco during the same weekend, where she also had a Dinner Meeting with Airline executives and Officers of Philippines Consulate Office in San Francisco hosted by Asian Journal, Christina Oriel, GTT International, Eliza Chung and Manny Ilagan and SF DOT Director Pura Molintas. The Meadowlands exposition was preceded on Friday, 12 August, by a People’s Ball where Secretary Teo was the keynote speaker and called on the attendees, particularly the Filipino American community, to visit anew the Philippines and witness the positive developments that are ongoing. She announced the Philippine hosting of the upcoming Miss Universe beauty pageant to be held on 30 January 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. Secretary Teo also helped in the awarding of the com-
munity empowerment achievers in the US Northeast, both Filipinos and Americans, during the Ball. Consul General Mario L. de Leon Jr, was one of the awardees and was cited for
his outstanding achievements in diplomacy and community service. On the same day, Consul General De Leon, Jr. tendered a welcome luncheon for Secretary Teo, together with her delegation from the Department of Tourism. The two-day Fiesta in America started as Philippine Fiesta in 1998 that showcased primarily Philippine trade and a cultural exposition. It has evolved in the last three years into a unique multicultural platform not only for Filipino participants but also for other Asian and Latin communities, in assisting their businesses to penetrate the mainstream US trade and consumer market. Free business/franchising networking seminars led by Prof. Enrique Soriano and experts were also held for guests. Secretary Teo flew to
DOT Secretary Wanda Teo and her husband Roberto with Fiesta in America’s Nanding Mendez and Laura Garcia at the opening of the Fiesta in America 2016 held at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ. Among the special guests who joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Mahwah Council Member Jonathan Wong, Jersey City City Council President Rolando Lavarro, Prof. Enrique Soriano and ABS-CBN artists Paulo Avelino and Julia Montes.
San Francisco to attend the Pistahan event in the city. She also had a chance to meet airline executives from Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Eva Air, Korean Air and Philippine Airlines and other guests at a dinner organized in her honor at The Grand Harbor Restaurant in Burlingame, CA in the evening of August 14.
In her brief remarks, Secretary Teo emphasized that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is committed to properly developing the tourism sector in the Philippines. She revealed that they are finalizing details that will go into the National Tourism Development Plan for the period of 2016 to 2022.
Asian Journal publisher Roger L. Oriel with Sec. Wanda Teo
The owners of Organique, Inc., Luisa, Cathy and Martina Salimbangon.
Sec. Wanda Teo, Mr. Mendez and the guests went around the Expo Center to greet the owners and representatives of small businesses and corporations both in the Philippines and in the US in their respective booths. Two of the Manila-based businesses - Organique and Mr. Softy - flew to the US to participate in the fiesta and tell the world that they are open for expansion via franchising.
The Secretary also shared the government’s vision and goals for the tourism industry, noting that they are working on a master plan to make Philippine tourism stable, resilient, sustainable, transformative, inclusive and a shared experience. Secretary Teo invited the attendees to become a part of the vibrant tourism industry in the Philippines and asked for assistance and cooperation in ensuring that their department is able to “offer more and better tourism products and services in aggressively marketing and promoting our destinations.” Secretary Teo ended her remarks by stating that they are a very easy partner to work with. “Let us work hand in hand in making the tourism industry fulfill its promise to improve the lives of the Filipinos because at the end of the day, that is the real mission,” she said. At the brief Q&A following her remarks, Sectetary Teo discussed major events taking place in the Philippines in 2017, including the Miss Universe Pageant, Madrid Fusion Manila and the ASEAN Summit. Earlier in the day, Secretary Teo had the opportunity to address a crowd of mostly Filipinos and Filipino Americans attending the Pistahan sa Yerba Buena event in downtown San Francisco. She conveyed the importance placed by the government in developing responsible tourism in the different parts of the country and encouraged kababayans to visit the Philippines, reconnect with family and friends and take advantage of the many tourism packages and programs available via the department and their attached agencies. (Joseph Peralta/Momar Visaya/AJPress)
Sec. Teo and her husband Roberto with Roger Oriel, Nanding Mendez, Laura Garcia and Susan Gross.
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Sec. Teo delivering her keynote speech at the People’s Ball
Sec. Teo poses with the evening’s Empowerment Honorees, among them Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr.
People’s Ball guests donned in their Roaring 20s attires pose with Sec. Teo and Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. and their respective spouses.
Sec. Wanda Teo, Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. and Mrs. Eleanor De Leon.
Sec. Teo with her husband, Roberto, Prof. Eric Soriano, Roger Oriel of Asian Journal and Zeny Pallugna of DOT
Sec. Teo, executive assistant Marinella Miranda and Zeny Pallugna with Makilala TV hosts Rachelle Ocampo and Jen Furer
Sec. Teo poses with the evening’s Empowerment Honorees, among them Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr.
The New York office of the Department of Tourism led by Zeny Pallugna with Milay Blaza and Joey Chanco with Sec. Teo, her husband Roberto and executive assistant Marinella Miranda.
Sec. Teo and her husband Roberto with Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. and his wife Eleanor. Photos by Boyet Loverita/Zeny Pallugna/Momar Visaya
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Enrique Gil thanks late dad for lessons in life By Boy
ABundA Philstar.com
IN Enrique Gil’s most recent movie — the Star Cinema and Ten17 Films co-production “Dukot,” which was written and directed by Paul Soriano — he played Carlo Sandoval, a young man from a prominent family who was kidnapped and held for ransom. Carlo’s father, played by veteran actor Ricky Davao, went to great lengths to rescue his son. “‘Dukot’ is about crime, but it’s also about family,” Enrique explains. “It asks the question, ‘How far would you be willing to go for your son or daughter?’” Based on the things Enrique has told the media about his reallife father Enrique Amadeo III, the late ex-Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight attendant’s response to that question would most likely be, “I’d go as far as he or she needs me to.” Because he did — especially in the case of his famous son. In the early days of Enrique’s career, his father was his biggest supporter. He would gladly take time out from his own busy schedule to shuttle Enrique to and from the ABS-CBN compound for acting workshops, go-sees and the like. Also, when Enrique and his older brother Javy were younger, the elder Gil also made time for what he called “male bonding” with his sons. On his days-off, he’d pick them up from school and they’d watch a movie together before finally heading home. But all that came to an end when Enrique’s father fell ill. “My Papa had a check-up at that time. His test results were OK, except that he didn’t have a blood test. He would still take me to my acting workshops, but after a month, he felt pain in his chest area — from rib cage all the way to his back,” Enrique shares. “Eventually, it reached the point na kahit nakahiga na lang siya, konting galaw lang niya sa bed nasasaktan
EMPLOYMENT
In the early days of Enrique Gil’s career, his father was his biggest supporter. He would gladly take time out from his own busy schedule to bring Enrique to workshops, gosees and the like.
na rin siya.” Further tests revealed that Enrique’s father had leukemia, and he eventually passed away — but not before having a talk with his son that prompted Enrique to take showbiz more seriously. “Papa was about to leave for his last flight at the time,” Enrique recalls. “Before he left, he told me, ‘O, you’re the man of the house na, ha.’ Looking back, yun na pala yung parang premonition niya. He also said that I should try showbiz, check out all the opportunities being offered to me. When he said I’m the man of the house, that was the moment I told myself, ‘OK,
I can’t be just a boy anymore. I have to be a man now — a man of the house.’” That conversation Enrique had with his father sparked his desire to become a success in the industry. It also gave him enough strength to power through the things that come with a showbiz career, including countless intrigues and a grueling schedule. Enrique’s father would be proud of his son’s achievements — successful movies (“Just the Way You Are,”“Everyday I Love You” and the aforementioned “Dukot”), teleseryes (“Forevermore” and “Dolce Amore”) and wellattended concerts here and abroad. On a recent trip to Canada, Enrique recalls being bowled over by how the audience reacted to seeing him and his love team partner Liza Soberano in person. “We enjoyed our time in Canada. Solid yung reaction ng mga tao, grabe. The Hershey Centre was jampacked kahit medyo may economic crisis daw or something sila ngayon.” Enrique and Liza weren’t able to do much sightseeing on that trip, but he says that was a small sacrifice to make in exchange for a chance to give back to their fans even just a little bit of the love and support they’ve received. “Dolce Amore” is reportedly set to end in a few months to give way to the new projects in store for Enrique and Liza’s winning tandem, but their fans remain as enthusiastic about the show as they were when it began. “May gagawin daw kaming movie. No details about it yet but we’re going to shoot outside the country. They’re cooking up a new teleserye for Liza and I. We are happy with all the support our fans are giving us and Dolce Amore,” Enrique says. Enrique remains thankful to his father, who no doubt continues to guide him from up above.
EMPLOYMENT
Alice Dixson in full bloom By dolly
Anne CArvAjAl
Inquirer.net
ALICE Dixson’s belated birthday bash at Marco Polo Ortigas was such a blast. It was not the usual “show biz circus” sortie—just an intimate gettogether of Alice’s closest friends. Spotted at the fête were Gloria Diaz, Ruffa Gutierrez, Donita Rose, Amy Austria, Maricel and Anthony Pangilinan, Jackie Aquino, Pia Magalona, Kookoo Gonzales, Sabrina Artadi, Joyce BurtonTitular, Rufa Mae Quinto and her fiancé Trevor Magallanes. We savored the sumptuous eight-course lauriat dinner.
Alice Dixson
Alice told us to use the hashtag #thisishowido47 in our pictures. But we all agreed that the more appropriate hashtag would be #hownottolook47atall. She
doesn’t seem to grow older, only fiercer. After dinner, Alice requested each of us to share our fondest memory of her. All our stories boiled down to how fun-loving, nurturing, free-spirited and genuine she is. What a funny revelation it was when Alice told Joyce that she used to be her “girl crush” during their Binibining Pilipinas days. Gloria kept teasing Alice to have a baby soon or adopt her daughter Ava. The birthday girl’s love life is in full bloom with her Belgian beau. Alice has indeed found her forever wonderland.
Robin Padilla tells Duterte: Don’t reveal drug users in show biz By MArinel
r. Cruz
Inquirer.net
ACTOR Robin Padilla has pleaded to President Rodrigo Duterte not to reveal the identities of show biz celebrities included on his list of those involved in the use of illegal drugs. Robin, who campaigned for Duterte in the May national elections, instead asked that a dialogue be set among artists, their managers and government agencies responsible for the crackdown on illegal drugs. “These people are taxpayers, and they also obey the law. I’m sure that whatever mistakes they might have committed could be sorted out in a more diplomatic way,” he said at the recent launch of Bravo Food Supplement for Men, which he is endorsing along with brother Rommel Padilla. He clarified, though, that his appeal does not cover drug pushers. “I am not talking about the pushers—they don’t have a place in this industry. I’m more concerned about the users, because I know that they are the victims here,” Robin explained. “I cannot speak on behalf of these celebrities. I also don’t know how they will accept this news
Robin Padilla bats for industry-wide dialogue.
from the President. I will not be surprised if most of them would say this is a violation of their human rights,” the actor said in Filipino. “But the President meant no ill will. This is what he has promised to do for us and the country. He is kind and just. He is giving these drug users a chance to change their ways.” Robin also said that while there were offers for him to assume a government position, he could not “because I’m an exconvict. It is also because of that that I was not allowed to vote.” Robin was sentenced and
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Inquirer.net photo
convicted in 1993 for illegal possession of firearms. On a personal note, Robin said he has agreed to his wife Mariel Rodriguez’s request to give birth to their daughter in the United States. “This was actually what her daddy had asked. It would also be best for her to be in an environment that’s peaceful and free from intrigues,” Robin shared with reporters. “It will also be better if she would be with people who can take care of her—her parents and sister— because she is having a difficult pregnancy.”
33rd Ninoy Aquino Day commemorated in New York A solemn but meaningful program, organized by the Philippine Consulate General in cooperation with the Benigno Aquino Triangle Foundation, Ateneo Alumni Association and Fordham University PilipinoAmerican Club, to commemorate the 33rd Death Anniversary of Benigno s. Aquino, Jr. was held on sunday, August 21 at ninoy Aquino Triangle located at Hollis, Queens, new York. The commemoration commenced with a flag raising ceremony and concluded by a wreath laying of yellow flowers on the marker installed by the Filipino-American community in Queens, new York in 1986. Consul General mario l. de leon, Jr., in his opening remarks, emphasized that like Jose Rizal, ninoy believed in peaceful change, and that it is responsibility of everyone to cause change. He said that it is important, particularly to the millennials, to know that the eDsA Power Revolution was not just a four-day march but was the culmination of months, even years, of struggle that resulted in the rebirth of democracy for the Philippines. “I hope the social, economic and technological resources of this century will pave the way for more leaders who share the same virtues, convictions and courage as ninoy, particularly from the millennials who are recognized to be confident, decisive, well informed and civicminded,” he said. In his remarks, mr. michael Gonzales, a senior college student of Fordham University and President of the executive Board of the Fordham University Pilipino-American Club (FUPAC), underscored the importance of the commemoration of ninoy’s death anniversary to the millennials like him. He thanked the Consulate General for giving them the opportunity to know more about ninoy and his role in the Philippine history. mr. Antero martinez, President of ninoy Aquino Triangle Foundation, recalled the meaning of the slogan during the time of ninoy “Hindi ka nagiisa” (You are not alone), which was a chant and
Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., joined by (L-R) Cynthia Ilagan (Ateneo Alumni Association), Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan Azucena, Mrs. Eleanor de Leon, Michael Gonzales (Fordham University Pilipino-American Club) and Antero Martinez (Benigno Aquino Triangle Foundation), led the wreath laying ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino Triangle Marker to commemorate the 33rd Death Anniversary of Benigno S. Aquino Jr.
The Benigno Aquino Triangle, a triangular area located between the Hillside Avenue and 89th Avenue, bears the marker honoring Ninoy Aquino. The marker was installed as a result of legislation by the Borough of Queens on 9 October 1986 in honor of Benigno S. Aquino, Jr and in recognition of the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the Queens community.
a revolutionary slogan in 1983 during the time of mourning of Filipinos on ninoy’s death. He remembered the support of the thousands of Filipinos on the street as they accompanied the hearse on its journey from manila to his province in Tarlac and back to manila. He expressed appreciation to the Consulate General and invited more partners like FUPAC to celebrate this important event. The Benigno Aquino Triangle is a triangular area located between the Hillside Avenue and 89th Avenue. The installation of the marker was approved by legislation by the Borough of Queens on 9 october 1986 in honor of Benigno s. Aquino, Jr and in recognition of the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the Queens community.
martin nievera: The past, the present and accompanying lessons by Christina
alpad ManilaTImes.net
WHIle other artists would rather sweep their past under the rug, martin nievera is not shy to talk about his. In fact, “The Big mouth”—a moniker he has earned for doing a lot of singing and hosting—can be quite talkative about it. Answering questions from the press for the promotion of his new album Kahapon… ngayon and an upcoming concert titled The Best of martin nievera: Kahapon… ngayon, nievera gamely responded when asked of his past that keeps recurring. “Probably bad habits, things that I can’t seem to outgrow like watching too much TV when I have free time, not sleeping enough, or not watching my health the way I should,” the 54year-old initially confessed. Turning more somber, nievera continued, “I guess, some of the wrong decisions you make in life. You seem to think that you’ve corrected them but you didn’t and they come back over and over again.” When probed to be more specific, the “Concert King,” caved in. “not spending enough time with my children; I have one in las Vegas and I’ve got two here. That haunts me, that’s the past that haunts me. I should have corrected it back then by being more of a hands-on father, by being a better husband before. These things still come back and bite me in the butt,” nievera shared. But he was quick to point out that despite his shortcomings, he still maintains a good relationship with his former partners, most especially with former wife, Pops Fernandez. “I’m good with my exes most especially with Pops. We support each other. Whenever she needs me, I’m there maybe not physically but I’m still the first or second guy or person that she calls and she’s usually the first girl
‘I learned that the most important thing to do is to listen; stop talking, stop dictating. My new motto in life is, listen to the people around you because they know a lot more than you do’
that I run to for advice or help. so we’re all good,” nievera related. “At this stage of my career, I learned that the most important thing to do is to listen; stop talking, stop dictating. my new motto in life is, ‘listen to the people around you because they know a lot more than you do’,” nievera proudly imparted. overall, nievera is proud to have recorded an album consisting of vintage oPm. He also noted that it is his way of honoring his roots. “my grandmother was an opera singer and she also sang a couple of these songs so I’m also honoring my grandmother which I’ve never done before,” nievera shared. The grandmother he’s referring to was lourdes Corrales, a Cebuana mezzo-soprano. “That’s the reason why I’m a singer today. A lot of people think it was because of the father side but mostly it’s because of the mother side,” nievera concluded with pride.
An Asian Journal
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY Au g u ST 26 , 20 1 6
Two Pinays selected for international leadership program TeACH for the Philippines Ceo Clarissa Delgado and Human Heart nature co-founder Anna melotoWilk were selected for 2016 class of the prestigious Asia 21 Young leaders Initiative, the Asia society announced. Asia 21, named for the need to cultivate a new generation of leaders for the 21st century, is a robust network of professionals under the age of 40 working together to shape a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific region. now in its 11th year, Asia 21 counts with more than 800 young leaders. Delgado and meloto-Wilk were named members of the 2016 class along with thirty other professionals from 24 countries. The members of this year’s class will meet at the Asia 21 summit this December in seoul, south Korea. There, they will share best practices in leadership and develop group public service projects. Delgado was selected for “transforming lives through quality education.” she is the co-founder and Ceo of Teach for the Philippines, the non-profit organization that enlists promising young professionals to teach for two years in public schools throughout the Philippines. “The further into my leadership journey I get, the
Teach for the Philippines CEO Clarissa Delgado
Human Heart Nature co-founder Anna Meloto-Wilk
more I realize that my role is not to be the answer-provider but the facilitator,” Delgado said. much of the success of Teach for the Philippines, she noted, “results from a commitment to find competitive professionals, brighter and more talented than I in their functions, and invest them in a common mission, building an environment of trust.” meloto-Wilk was chosen for “championing fairness—and profit—in business.” she is the cofounder and president of Human Heart nature, a natural personal care company that promotes fair wages, fair trade with farmers, and ethical and sustainable businesses practices. since 2008, the company has grown from a team of three to almost 400 people with
distribution in five countries. “leadership is about authentic and purposeful living,” melotoWilk said. “I am inspired by my father who started and led a movement for Filipinos to love and rebuild their country by caring for the poorest among us. His example has taught me to be resolute in the face of disappointments and setbacks.” Delgado and meloto-Wilk were selected through a highly competitive process based on outstanding achievement, commitment to public service, and a proven ability to make the world a better place. For more information about the Asia 21 Young leaders Initiative, visit http://asiasociety.org/asia21young-leaders/.
An Asian Journal
Magazine
8
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY AuguST 26, 2016