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Volume10 – Issue 30 • 16 Pages

APRIL 21-27, 2017

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Duterte, De Lima included in TIME’s 100 most influential people by dAnA

SioSon AJPress

thIs year, Philippine President rodrigo Duterte and his fiercest critic, senator Leila De Lima, are both included on tIme magazine’s annual list of 100 most influential people in the world. POWER GUESTS. Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada celebrates his 80th birthday with VIP guests including President the list, which was released Rodrigo Duterte, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Malacañang photo Imelda Romualdez Marcos at The Manila Hotel on Wednesday, April 19. on thursday, April 20, consists of five categories: Pioneers, Artists, Leaders, titans, and Icons. Duterte is listed under Leaders. De Lima, meanwhile, is listed under Icons. former Colombian President César Gaviria wrote Duterte’s from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA profile. In his piece, Gaviria criticized anew Duterte’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs, which death toll alarmed global by Audrey MorAllo rights groups and made internaPhilstar.com tional headlines. UNIteD states mANILA, Philippines — satisfaction with the govern“since Duterte’s inauguration President Donald ment’s intensified war on drugs plunged by 11 points last year, some 7,000 people have trump will come in march 2017, a survey by the social Weather stations to the Philippines (sWs) revealed, as issues such as the need to capture to attend the Assuspects alive and concerns on extrajudicial killings sociation of southcontinue to raise concern among filipinos. east Asian Nations the march 25 to 28 survey showed an 11-point de(AseAN) summit in by ChriStine AVendAño cline in satisfaction with the conduct of the governInquirer.net November, accordment’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, from +77 in Deing to Vice Presicember 2016 to +66 in march 2017. this represents a seN. Panfilo Lacson on dent mike Pence. downgrade from an ‘excellent’ rating to a ‘very good’ Wednesday, April 19 said the auPence made the score. thorities should change tactics in confirmation on sWs said: “the march 2017 survey found 78 percent dealing with the narcotics probthursday, April satisfied with the administration’s performance in its lem as President Duterte’s brutal 20, following a campaign against illegal drugs, consisting of 43 per- war on drugs began to lose public previous statement cent very satisfied and 35 percent somewhat satisfied. support. made by the di- U.S. President Donald Trump ten percent were undecided, while 12 percent were “I think the tactics employed are rector-general for operations of the AseAN 2017 National or- dissatisfied, consisting of 6 percent somewhat dissatis- starting to reach saturation point as far as the public is concerned. ganizing Council that trump would attend the fied and 6 percent very dissatisfied.” the march 2017 survey showed that 78 percent of While the overall strategy is still summit. During his visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, Pence the respondents were satisfied with the government’s effective, I think it’s time the (Philsaid trump will attend three summits in Asia performance while 12 percent were either somewhat ippine Drug enforcement Agency) and the Philippine National Police in November: the U.s.-AseAN summit and dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Last December, 85 percent of the respondents were [made] some adjustments to their the east Asia summit in the Philippines, and satisfied while 8 percent were not, for an excellent rat- tactical offensive,” Lacson said in

USA

DATELINE Pence: Trump will attend ASEAN summit in PH

SWS: Pinoys rate drug war ‘very good’

Sen. Leila de Lima and President Rodrigo Duterte

been killed,” Gaviria wrote. “his ironfisted strategy alarms governments, human-rights organizations and faith-based groups while winning high approval ratings at home.” In an opinion piece published by the New York times earlier in

Inquirer.net photos

february, Gaviria urged Duterte to not commit the same mistakes his administration made by using the same heavy-handed measures in handling problems on narcotics. Duterte, in response, called

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Lacson dares PNP: Solve drug killings

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With war games dropped, US-PH Balikatan shifts focus mANILA, Philippines — the first Us-Philippines Balikatan military exercises under the Duterte administration will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP) said. the Presidential Commission on the Visiting forces Agreement earlier announced that war games have been dropped from the annual exercises between filipino and American troops. “the focus of Balikatan has been shifted to, out of the guidance of the president following receipt of the memos that we got and the guidance of the secretary because it is always definite that we are going to experience so many disasters one after the other every year, we have focused the concept of Balikatan to address our capability together to address humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” AfP spokesperson Brig. Gen. restituto Padilla said in an interview with CNN Philippines’

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The body of drug suspect Jayson Reuyan lies on BAC-11 Street near the Parañaque River in Pasay City after he was killed in a police buy-bust operation on Jan. 13. Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes

Marcos pays P36 million for Remittances electoral protest against Robredo hit $2.17-B in February by dAnA

SioSon AJPress

former senator and defeated vice presidential candidate ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. paid P36 million as part of the first installment required for the proceedings of his election protest against Vice President Leni robredo. marcos paid the supreme Court (sC), sitting as the Presidential electoral tribunal (Pet), for the cost of retrieval of contested poll materials on monday, April 17 — the deadline for payment of the first tranche. “I hope this compliance we have done [with] the sC order will go a long way of getting the process started,” marcos said. In a chance interview, marcos said he was able to raise the P36 million through the help of his supporters. “Buti na lang may mga kaibigan ako na nagmagandang loob (it’s a good thing that i have friends who were generous),” marcos told reporters.

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by Ben

o. de VerA Inquirer.net

Bongbong Marcos

CAsh sent home by filipinos overseas through banks stayed at the $2-billion level for the 13th straight month in february even as year-on-year growth slowed on seasonality. Bangko sentral ng Pilipinas data released on thursday, April 20 showed that cash remittances reached $2.17 billion last february, the same amount as in January. the february figure was up 3.4 percent from $2.1 billion a year ago, although year-on-year growth was slower that last year’s 8.4 percent and the previous month’s 8.6 percent. monthly cash remittances have remained above $2 billion since february last year. In a statement, the BsP said more than threefourths or $1.7 billion of the cash remittances sent home in february came from land-based

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A april 21-27, 2017 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal

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From the Front Page

Duterte and De Lima listed on Time’s…

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Gaviria an “idiot” for “lecturing” him about the Philippine government’s war on drugs. Reiterating his warning, Gaviria said: “When I was president of Colombia, I was also seduced into taking a tough stance on drugs. But after spending billions, I discovered that the war was unwinnable and the human costs were devastating. The cure was infinitely worse than the disease.” Gaviria, who was the president of Columbia from 1990 to 1994, was famous for battling drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. He is also a founding member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy. He then advised Duterte to start treating drugs as a health, human rights and development issue. “He could prosecute the RENOVATED. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada inaugurates the newly built Quinta Market in Quiapo Manila on his 80th birthday on Wednesday, most violent criminals and proApril 19. The two-story market which was renovated by Marketlife Management and Leasing Corp. at a cost of P150 million boasts wet and dry sections, an air-conditioned restroom, a food court and a parking lot that can accommodate 100 vehicles. vide treatment for users rather Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande than condemn them to prison, or worse.” He further added, “There will always be drugs in the Philippines, whether the President saying it is somewhat important police officers are reporting the likes it or not. The tragedy is that PAGE A1 t ing of +77. that suspects involved in illegal truth. many more people are likely goCapture suspects alive drugs be captured alive, for a toIn December, 28 percent said ing to die as he learns this lesSupport for capturing drug tal rating of 92 percent. It was 94 that the police were telling the son.” suspects alive was also still percent in both the September truth, 29 percent said that they strong. 2016 and December 2016 sur- were not and 42 percent were The March 2017 survey veys,” SWS said. unsure. showed that 92 percent of the reOn the veracity of police reFear of extrajudicial killings spondents would like to see drug ports on drug suspects resisting goes down PAGE A1 t suspects captured alive, slightly arrest, opinions remain split, acA silver lining for the admin- a statement. The latest Social Weather lower than the 94-percent sup- cording to the SWS. istration was the decline in the port recorded in December Based on the survey, 24 per- concern of Filipinos on the pos- Stations (SWS) survey showed 2016. cent said that the police were sibility of being a victim of extra- that public satisfaction with Mr. Duterte’s crackdown on illegal “People’s call to capture drug telling the truth while a slightly judicial killing. suspects alive continues to be higher figure of 31 percent said In March 2017, 73 percent drugs fell to +66 percent in the first widespread: the March 2017 sur- that they were lying. A larger were either very worried or quarter of 2017 from +77 percent vey found 66 percent saying it is percentage, 44 percent, are still somewhat worried that they in December last year. Fear of being killed very important and 26 percent unsure on whether or not the u PAGE A3 A majority of the respondents said they were worried that they or someone they knew would be victims of extrajudicial killings. only by a slim margin. PAGE A1 t payable in two tranches. Marcos Lacson said people had grown “Mag-iisang taon na mula has to settle another P30 million tired of reports about the summary He added, “Sila ay naniniwala executions of drug suspects. na tama at makatarunguan ang nung nakaraang halalan hang- on or before July 14. In the same order, Robredo For a change, police can start aking protesta kaya naman sila gang ngayon hindi pa alam ng ay nagkaisa at inipon nila ang taong bayan kung sino ba talaga was asked to pay P15.44 for her by solving vigilante killings in the kanilang maibibigay (They be- ang nanalo bilang bise president counter-protest — P8 million for war on drugs and arresting those lieve that my protest is right and noong nakaraang halalan (It has the first tranche and P7.43 mil- responsible. “The police must therefore show just which is why they united and almost been a year since the last lion for the second. election and until now the pubRobredo, however, failed to solutions of these DUIs (deaths unsaved what they could give).” In June of last year, Marcos lic still does not know who won pay the partial payment of P8 der investigation) and arrests must filed an electoral protest against as vice president during the last million and instead, filed a mani- be made in considerable degree,” festation earlier in April 12. he said. Robredo before the SC, sitting as elections),” he said. The SC has ordered Marcos a According to Romulo MaThe PNP, however, said it saw the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). He accused the vice cash payment of P81.46 million calintal, Robredo’s lawyer, the no need to rethink its approach president of committing massive to proceed with his election pro- vice president’s camp will pay to the campaign against illegal u PAGE A3 drugs. poll fraud after she won the seat test against Robredo, which is

SWS: Pinoys rate drug war ‘very…

On the other hand, it was former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power who wrote De Lima’s profile. In her piece, Power made note how Duterte “has insulted Pope Francis, told U.S. President Barack Obama to ‘go to hell’ and expressed regret he did not go ‘first’ in a gang rape. Power also mentioned the firebrand president’s anti-illegal drugs campaign which she described as “merciless,” citing the supposed high death toll. “Most opposition politicians have kept their heads down, knowing Duterte is both terrifyingly brutal and massively popular,” Power said. “But Senator de Lima has become Duterte’s most vocal critic — a role her friends call suicidal.” Power also emphasized how De Lima, who was detained in February over drug-related allegations, “continues to speak out” against Duterte even from prison. “It is a disturbing testament to the current solidarity among strongmen and the global surge in impunity that de Lima’s cause has not been more embraced,”

Power wrote. “And yet, even from prison, she continues to speak out against her President: ‘It’s not O.K. with me that we have a murderous psychopath occupying the highest post in the land.’” Also included in the TIME’s list were United States President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pope Francis, among others. The official TIME 100 list was selected by the magazine’s editors. Earlier, Duterte topped the magazine’s annual poll for its list of world’s most influential people. In the poll, readers were asked who should be included on this year’s TIME 100. Duterte received five percent of the total “yes” votes, consistently leading the survey which started in March and closed on Sunday, April 16. Following Duterte in the poll results were Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pope Francis, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. They all each got three percent of the total “yes” votes. n

Lacson dares PNP: Solve drug killings

Marcos pays P36 million for electoral…

Sen. Panfilo Lacson

Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the drop in public support for the war on drugs in the SWS poll was a “challenge” for the police, but insisted there were no statesponsored extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. “What is there to rethink? The deaths constitute 0.2 percent of the [people] involved in drugs that

we’ve encountered. The 95 percent, or 1.18 million, surrendered peacefully while the rest were arrested alive,” he said. “We don’t want them ending up dead [but] we give priority to protecting the public and also to [protecting] the lives of our policemen,” he added.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 21-27, 2017

A

Marcos pays P36 million for electoral…

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GRADUATION SPEECH. Senator Joel Villanueva tells the graduates of Baliwag Polytechnic College (BPC) in Baliwag, Bulacan that having a degree will not define a person’s level of success, “it is your attitude, the effort that you exert, hard work, dedication and commitment, and most of all, your persistence to be successful, to be the best that you can be.” Villanueva also shared his journey from being an athletic scholar to senator of the Republic of the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of “never giving up on your dreams. Because if God is with you, no one, and no circumstances here on earth can be against you.” Senate photo

Remittances hit $2.17-B in…

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employees, while the remaining $500 million were from sea-based workers. The top six contributors to cash remittance growth last February were Japan (up 11.3 percent yearon-year), Qatar (up 53.5 percent), Singapore (up 17.5 percent), Taiwan (up 64.4 percent), the United Arab Emirates (up 23.7 percent) and the United States (up 12.8 percent). But the BSP said remittances from Canada, China, Hong Kong

and Kuwait posted declines in February. End-February cash remittances amounted to $4.34 billion, 5.9percent higher than the $4.1 billion during the first two months of last year. During the first two months, cash remittances from land-based workers rose by 9.1 percent to $3.5 billion, compensating for the decrease by 5 percent to $900 million in sea-based workers’ transfers, the BSP said. Nearly four-fifths of the cash

Pence: Trump will attend ASEAN...

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the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Vietnam. He said the U.S. president’s attendance was “a sign, I hope to all, of our firm and unwavering commitment to build on the strong foundations that we already share.” Earlier this week, Marciano Paynor, director-general for operations of the ASEAN 2017 National Organizing Council, said Trump has reportedly indicated that he would attend this year’s ASEAN summit. According to Paynor, who is also Malacañang’s chief protocol officer, Trump made the confirmation during his phone call with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last year. “As of now, President Trump, for instance, when President Duterte called him up to congratulate him had already indicated that he was coming in November,” Paynor said on Wednesday, April 19. “So at least verbally he said he was coming.” During a telephone call in December 2016, Trump reportedly invited Duterte to visit the White

House this year. In response to the White House invitation, the Philippine president also invited Trump to attend the 2017 ASEAN Summit, which will be hosted by the Philippines. The 31st ASEAN Summit will be held from November 10-14 in Clark Field, Pampanga. According to Paynor, organizers expect complete attendance from ASEAN member states at the upcoming summit — which include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. He said other country leaders from dialogue partners like Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, and South Korea are also expected to attend. “Multilateral meetings of this sort, we usually expect 100 percent attendance. And many of the leaders who do not attend do so because they have internal issues and – which prevents them from coming,” Paynor said. He further added, “So there will be one or two who may not be able to come but this is because of, let’s say, internal issues with their individual countries.” (Dana M. Sioson/AJPress)

With war games dropped… PAGE A1 t “The Source” on Tuesday. The 10-day exercises, which will kick off in May, will also focus on counter-terrorism as the country battles Islamic militants in Mindanao. Padilla noted that there have been a series of small exercises last year when Duterte took office but the Balikatan exercises this year would be the first one after his suggestion to cancel the drills. There will be no more live-fire exercises this year as the joint military exercises will focus on humanitarian and civil assistance. “There will be a few live-fire (exercises) focused only for small units inside camp. There won’t be live fire outside of any military camp... All of these exercises will be held inside military installations,” Padilla said. During his visit to Vietnam on September last year, Duterte said that he wanted to the joint mili-

tary exercises with US forces and called for the withdrawal of American troops. The president said that he wants to establish new trade and commercial alliances with China and Russia. He also said that the war games with the US were something that Beijing does not want. Earlier this year, the president threatened to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement if the US military will not stop unloading weapons in the country. US Ambassador Sung Kim was quick to clarify that that Washington is not building any weapons depot in the Philippines. Duterte has been hostile toward the US following criticism against his anti-drugs campaign. The president, however, has not made a move that would permanently sever US-Philippines ties despite his rude remarks. (Patricia Lourdes Viray /Philstar.com)

Lacson dares PNP: Solve…

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They resisted arrest The PNP insisted that drug suspects who were killed in police operations had resisted arrest, endangering the lives of law enforcers. PNP records show that as of April 18, 2,710 drug suspects were killed in police antinarcotics operations. Carlos said he agreed with Lacson that police should arrest those behind the killings, but disagreed that the killings were extrajudicial. He said that under former President Benigno Aquino III’s Administrative Order 35, extrajudicial killings refer only to the killings of journalists, activists and human rights defenders. “This has to be explained, because if we keep on using the term [extrajudicial killing], then all murders and homicides that we’ve monitored would appear [to be extrajudicial killings],” he said. Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the increasing body count had led to the drop in public approval of Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs. ‘National nightmare’ She said the campaign had turned into a “national nightmare” and it would continue to lose pub-

lic support as long as it continued to “create a climate of fear and impunity.” Sen. Joel Villanueva said the Duterte administration would “not get a passing grade” until it solved the vigilante killings. There have been more than 3,700 alleged vigilante killings— the PNP calls them deaths under investigation—in the war on drugs as of March 24. A new Reuters report on the killings quoted two senior police officers as saying police had carried out most of the killings and they had received cash payments for executing drug suspects and planted evidence at crime scenes. According to the report, the cash rewards for drug killings range from P20,000 for a “street level pusher and user,” to P50,000 for a member of a barangay council, P1 million for “distributors, retailers and wholesalers,” and P5 million for “drug lords.” Carlos denied the report, saying the PNP did not have enough money to offer cash payments to officers for killing drug suspects. Nevertheless, the PNP is investigating the “serious” allegations in the report, he said. n

remittances that reached the Philippines during the two-month period came from Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the US. For 2017, the BSP has projected a 4-percent growth in remittances. In 2016, cash remittances reached a record $26.9 billion, up 5 percent from $25.61 billion in 2015. Remittances are the biggest source of foreign exchange income for the country, helping insulate the domestic economy from e xternal shocks by ensuring the steady supply of dollars in the system. n

the counter-protest fee only after Marcos has been able to prove that there was indeed election fraud. “Kailangan patunayan muna ni Mr. Marcos na talagang meron po siyang ma-rerecover na mga boto. Kailangan siya muna ang magpa-deposit, siya muna ang magpa-bukas ng mga balota at makita natin kung talagang may basehan ang kanyang protesta (Marcos needs to prove first that he could recover votes. He should deposit first and open the ballots first so we could see if his protest really has basis),” Macalintal said. “E bakit kami magde-deposit ng P15- million pero pagkatapos naman pala ay wala naming mangyayari? So iyan ang hinihingi naming sa Korte Suprema (Why would we deposit P15 million if after this, nothing will happen? This is what we are asking to the Supreme Court).”

Vice President Leni Robredo

Following Robredo’s failure to deposit the first installment fee in time, Marcos’ camp said it would seek the dismissal of her counter-protest. “We complied with the ruling of the tribunal and they did not. So I think they missed their chance and we will move for the

dismissal of their counter-protest,” Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesperson, told ANC. He added, “That way, the whole process will be able to run its natural course unimpeded with unnecessary delays being filed by the protestee.” Rodriguez also accused that the manifestation of Robredo’s camp was just part of the latter’s tactics in delaying the electoral protest. Under Section 33 (b) of the PET rules, protestants are required to make a cash deposit amounting P500 per contested precinct, “if they require the bringing of the contested ballot boxes and election documents to the Tribunal”. Marcos questioned 39,221 clustered precincts which are composed of total 132,446 established precincts. Robredo, on the other hand, contested 8,042 clustered precincts equivalent to 31,278 established precincts. n

SWS: Pinoys rate drug war ‘very… PAGE A2 t

would be victims of extralegal killings, lower compared to the 78 percent who expressed the same in December. Seventy percent of the respondents also believed that the government was serious in solving cases of extralegal killings which marred the government’s flagship program. On the government’s seriousness to address the issue, “34 percent answered talagang seryoso (very serious), 36 per-

cent answered medyo seryoso (somewhat serious), 22 percent answered hindi tiyak kung seryoso o hindi seryoso (undecided if serious or not serious), 5 percent answered medyo hindi seryoso (somewhat not serious), and 4 percent answered talagang hindi seryoso (not serious at all).” These figures are comparable with the data obtained in December when 70 percent said that the government was either very serious or somewhat serious in addressing the issue while 22

percent said that they were not sure if it was serious or not. Four percent believed that the government was not serious at that time, SWS said. The March 2017 survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It has a sampling error of plus/minus three percent for national percentages while plus/minus six percent for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao percentages. n

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G7 reiterates call for peaceful resolution of South China Sea dispute by Dana

SioSon AJPress

LEADERS of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced democracies reiterated their call for a peaceful settlement on issues concerning the South China Sea. In a joint communique dated April 10-11, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States reiterated their commitment “to maintaining a rules-based maritime order based firmly on international law,” including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “We consider the July 12, 2016 award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal under the UNCLOS as a useful basis for further efforts to peacefully resolve disputes in the South China Sea,” the joint communique read. The G7 also urged all parties of disputed features in the South China Sea “to pursue demilitarization” and “to comply with their obligations under international law.” “We reiterate our strong op-

position to any unilateral actions which increase tensions, such as the threat or use of force, largescale land reclamation, building of outposts, as well as their use for military purposes,” the group added. It also encouraged dialogues based on international law towards early finalization of an effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. China claims most of the South China Sea based on its so-called “nine-dash line” but in July 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled that China’s claim of sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis. It also ruled that China violated the UNCLOS when it built artificial islands within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China, however, refused to acknowledge the ruling, maintaining its claim over the disputed areas. Asked if the Philippines will raise the ruling during the upcoming meeting between the foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and U.S. Secretary of

Dateline USa

State Rex Tillerson, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said the country will raise it “at the proper time.” “We cannot really commit to any particular date but it will be raised at the proper time and definitely going into negotiations on the framework and eventually the Code of Conduct (in the South China Sea),” Bolivar said. He added, “The primary consideration of the delegation of the Philippines is the national interest.” On Wednesday, April 19, Bolivar confirmed that Acting Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and his ASEAN counterparts will meet with Tillerson in Washington next month. “Lahat po ng (All) ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The meeting is confirmed,” Bolivar said. Details of the meeting, however, has yet to be finalized, according to him. “Inaayos pa po ‘yung (We are still fixing the) agenda.... exact timing nung (of the) meeting but it’s sometime in early May.” n

BPO sector safe, but manufacturing still in danger from US first policy In a meeting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Plaza said the group disclosed that MANILA, Philippines — The “the U.S. government will not Philippines’ business process press for the U.S. IT-BPO compaoutsourcing (BPO) industry is nies operating in the Philippines now expected to be safe from to cut down on their offshore U.S. President Donald Trump’s operations to minimize job dis“America-first” policy, but the placement of Americans.” country’s manufacturing indus“However, the U.S. is seritry remains in the danger zone. ously considering a regulatory Philippine Economic Zone intervention for some countries Authority (PEZA) director genhosting American manufacturing eral Charito Plaza, who visited companies where the U.S. has Colorado last month to meet huge trade deficits with,” she with investors and stakeholdadded. ers who are familiar with the At present, the value of prodpolicies of the US President, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) ucts imported by the U.S. from assured the country’s BPO in- director general Charito Plaza, who visited the Philippines is higher than its dustry that there is “nothing to Colorado last month to meet with investors exports in the country. worry about anymore” as far as and stakeholders who are familiar with the The trade deficit with the PhilTrump’s controversial policy is policies of the U.S. President, assured the ippines, however, is not as large country’s BPO industry that there is “nothing as those with other U.S. trading concerned. “They said BPOs will not be af- to worry about anymore” as far as Trump’s partners such as China, Canada, fected because the America-first controversial policy is concerned. File Photo Mexico, Japan, and Germany. policy of the President is more industry providers will not be Plaza last January said Amerion the manufacturing and not affected with the America-first can BPO locators of PEZA who for service providers. No need policy,” she said. have earlier expressed interest for the BPOS to worry, even our “They are more concerned to expand have decided to hold Philippine embassy says that. for the manufacturing,” Plaza off investments as they await for They were informed that service added. clearer policies from Trump. n by RichmonD

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HONORARY DEGREE. Vice President Leni Robredo receives the Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa during the 70th Commencement Exercises at the University of Saint Anthony at San Miguel, Iriga City, Camarines Sur on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Photo from the Office of the Vice President

BSP gov. delivers Tour D’Horizon in DC, expresses optimism on PH financial growth WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. delivered a lecture entitled “Delivering Bold Strokes Without Throwing Caution to the Wind,” at the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC on Tuesday, April 18. Attending his last World Bank/ IMF Spring Meeting before ending his second six-year term in July, Governor Tetangco’s lecture was a virtualtour d’horizon about his tenure as BSP Governor, his observations about current economic developments, and his thoughts about the future of the global economy. The lecture also detailed the gains of the Philippine economy during his tenure and his expectations with regard to its trajectory given the trends and developments in the world today. “Following the Philippine economic team’s forum in Manila on the principles and pillars of DuterteNomics, this lecture completes the broad picture of the state of the Philippine economy today, and the opportunities and challenges in the months and years ahead,” said Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, Minister for Economic Affairs of the Embassy, in introducing Governor Tetangco. On the global outlook and risks, Governor Tetangco noted the growth projections recently released by the International Monetary Fund, and how despite the good prospects for many economies, the global economic upturns seem to be uneven. He cautioned about possible global headwinds resulting from “asynchronous monetary policy in reaction to modest but uneven recovery in global economic activity.” He also noted that dissonance between perception and actual policy moves heightens market volatilities, and that the risks of retreat from multilateralism also produce global policy uncertainty. Governor Tetangco expressed firm belief in the sustainability of the Philippine growth momentum. Describing the growth drivers of the economy at the moment, he noted that there is a broader base for economic expansion. Inflation remains within the target outlook and expectations, and the banking system is sound and stable. He also pointed out the robust external profile in the balance of payments and gross international reserves, and argued that the exchange rate is market-determined and that the Philippine peso remains broadly stable and competitive. On the question of reaping dividends from growth, he told the audience that he expects institutional and systemic reforms to yield further dividends particularly in improved labor market outcomes and income equality. He also said that the national government has laid the foundations for inclusive growth, especially with the projected increased spending in infrastructure. To these ends, the BSP remains committed to maintaining

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco delivers a public lecture entitled “Delivering Bold Strokes Without Throwing Caution to the Wind” at the Philippine Chancery on Tuesday, April 18.

DC Community attends BSP Governor Tetangco’s public lecture held at the Philippine Chancery.

Philippine Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto and BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. at the Philippine Chancery.

price and financial stability. In reflecting on the lessons learned during his time at the helm of the BSP, Governor Tetangco emphasized the importance of maintaining the bank’s “institutional independence as a vital foundation of efficient and effective policy making.” He also underscored the need for central banking not to lose sight of the social dimension of monetary and financial policy. He outlined the BSP’s efforts at enhancing access to credit and finance, including its strategies for financial inclusion; promoting financial education; and upholding consumer protection. During the open discussion, Governor Tetangco fielded ques-

tions on China’s increased role in the country’s development efforts, the prospects for enhanced Philippines-US relations, ASEAN priorities in the financial sector, and his thoughts on the forthcoming leadership transition at the BSP, among others. “The lecture conveyed the sense of endless possibilities and potential that imbue the Philippine economy today. The Philippines continues to be one of the darlings of the global economy, and Asia in particular; we take every opportunity, therefore, to emphasize that we are back and remain open for business,” said Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the Philippine Embassy. n

PH barred from reintroducing death penalty, UN reminds Senate Fax résumé to:

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THE Philippines is prohibited from reimposing capital punishment because of international treaties signed by the government, a United Nations (UN) body reminded the Senate. In a letter dated March 27, UN Human Rights Committee chair Yuji Iwasawa expressed “grave concern” over the passage of the death penalty bill at the House of Representatives and urged the Senate to “refrain from taking retrogressive measures.” Iwasawa reminded Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III that the Philippines is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the two Optional

Protocols. Article 6 (2) of the ICCPR bars States from reintroducing death penalty once it is already abolished, whether through amending domestic law or acceding to the Second Optional Protocol. The same article provides that, “in those States which have not abolished the death penalty, the sentence of death can only be applied for the most serious crimes.” “The Committee is currently in session in Geneva. It expresses its grave concern at information it has received about the passage of a bill through the Houses of Congress to reintroduce the death penalty, for drug related

offenses, in the Philippines. It understands that the Senate will consider this bill soon,” Iwasawa wrote. “The Committee reminds the State party about denunciations of the Second Optional Protocol, as set out in its General Comment No. 26 on Continuity of Obligations. The Second Optional Protocol excludes the possibility of denunciation by omitting a denunciation clause to guarantee the permanent non –reintroduction of the death penalty by States that have ratified it,” he said. The UN official added: “On behalf of the Committee, I call on the State Party to take its ob-

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Dateline USa

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ASEAN ministers to meet with Tillerson in May by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

ACTING Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, along with his Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts, will head to Washington early May for a meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The ASEAN-US foreign ministers meeting has been confirmed, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said Wednesday. “Lahat po ng ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The meeting is confirmed,” Bolivar said in a televised press conference. The details of the meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and Tillerson are yet to be finalized, according to Bolivar. “Inaayos pa po ‘yung agenda. In fact ‘yung exact timing nung meeting but it’s sometime in early May,” Bolivar said. Asked if the Philippines will raise the South China Sea dispute during the ASEAN-US meeting, Bolivar said that the issue will be raised at the proper time. Bolivar stressed that President Rodrigo Duterte and Manalo

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

have already the clarified the country’s interests with respect to the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. “We cannot really commit to any particular date but it will be raised at the proper time and definitely going into negotiations on the framework and eventually the Code of Conduct (in the South China Sea). The primary consideration of the delegation of the Philippines is the national interest,” Bolivar said. On the other hand, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies released a joint communique and called on all concerned parties to

put a stop to the militarization in the South China Sea. The G7 ministers maintained its commitment to a rules-based maritime order based on international law in resolving the maritime dispute. “We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions which increase tensions, such as the threat or use of force, largescale land reclamation, building of outposts, as well as their use for military purposes and urge all parties to pursue demilitarization of disputed features and to comply with their obligations under international law,” the G7 ministers said. n

Roach wary of Horn’s punching power FREDDIE Roach respects Jeff Horn’s punching power, that’s why he assured that Manny Pacquiao will be extra careful when they collide this July. Speaking recently to Steve Kim of boxingscene.com, Roach admitted seeing Horn in action, saying the 29-year-old Australian can pack a punch “Manny is motivated for everybody, he doesn’t take anyone lightly and Horn’s won his last few fights by knockout and he’s supposed to be getting better and a big puncher But I did see one tape on him so far and he’s a little bit wild but he does have a little bit of power,” Pacquiao’s longtime trainer explained. Indeed, Horn has scored stop-

over Rico Mueller and Ali Funeka all in a busy 2016. Of Horn’s 16 wins—the Australian is undefeated, with one draw—11 are bouts that have not gone the distance. But Pacquiao is a completely different animal, and Roach says Horn will have his hands full when he challenges the Filipino icon at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 2. “But I think he’s going to have a tough time with Pacquiao,” the multi-awarded trainer continued. Roach said that even at 38 years Freddie Roach old, Pacquiao is still a fast fighter. AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal “And Manny still does have his pages in his last three fights, speed. He’s not near done, yet,” forcing Randal Bailey to quit on added Roach. (Dino Maragay/ his stool, and posting TKO wins Philstar.com)

PH barred from reintroducing death…

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ligations under the ICCPR and the Second Optional Protocol seriously and refrain from taking measures, which would only undermine human rights progress to date.” In December last year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein also wrote to Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, both allies of President Rodrigo Duterte. He warned that the Philippines would “violate its obligations under international human rights law if it reintroduced the death penalty.” “International law does not

permit a State that has ratified or acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to denounce it or withdraw from it,” Hussein then said. Senators are divided on the fate of the death penalty bill in the upper chamber, where it is not a priority measure. (Inquirer.net)

SAP SPORTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM. The US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is sending two coaches and ten student athletes from Sarangani and Maguindanao on a trip to the United States to participate in a Sports Visitor Exchange Program for baseball and softball from April 9 to 20. While in the United States, the group will travel to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland to attend sports clinics led by local baseball and softball coaches. Participants will attend sessions on leadership and conflict resolution skills with local non-governmental organizations and George Mason University. The group will also have the opportunity to watch a major league baseball game and visit the National Aquarium and National Zoo. Senate photo

Snapchat millionaire is proudly Fil-Am by MaridoL

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

ON the surface, techpreneur Garrett Gee, who made $54 million for selling his company Scan Inc. to Snapchat, is as American as can be. The Utah native speaks like one, and is married to one. He loves soccer. But there is something inside the Snapchat millionaire that says he is also a product of a culture far different from the one he was born into. He hates being away from his family. In fact, he travels the world with them, and has a popular blog, The Bucketlist Famliy, to prove it. Garrett also eats adobo and pancit (his favorite). He enjoys halo halo. That is because Garrett’s mom is a Filipina who hails from Manila (his dad is American). He grew up seeing her make meals “enough for the entire town,” and she would invite everybody. The best thing about it is Garrett is proud of his Filipino roots. That is why the 27-year-old achiever named his second child Manila. The boy is two years old. Garrett could have spent the millions he earned from selling Snapchat to buy a mansion in a posh location and live it up in all parts of the world. But he kept the money, held a big garage sale to dispose all his belongings, and

used the $45,000 he got from it to travel around the world with his family. One of his most recent travels took him to the Philippines, where he tried to soak in everything he can about his Filipino roots in less than a month. Garrett’s charm and no-nonsense attitude captured the hearts of many female students who attended ABS-CBN’s TFCU Talks. Alyssa dela Pena of St. Dominic College of Asia was one of them. She took the microphone during the open forum, asked a question, then requested for a hug. Garrett happily obliged. “Don’t get comfortable,” he told her and other students from Ateneo de Manila University, Centro Escolar University, Philippine Women’s University, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the East, University of the Philippines – Diliman and the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Media Arts Senior High School. “You can get comfortable for a little bit, that’s when life stops,” he explained. Garrett walks the talk. When ABS-CBN invited him to come up with a new travel show on the Philippines called “Discovering Routes,” Garrett envisioned a project that would make him, his family, and his newfound friends in the country proud.

The adventure journalist with a long-standing love affair with the water would surely include the places he has been to so far – Palawan, Cebu and Iloilo – in his show. He is excited to feature whale sharks and other wonders he saw in the country he owes half of his character to. “It’s one of the best adventures I’ve been on. I have a life-changing experience almost every day!” he gushed. Garrett is just as impressed with the students who packed ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater and asked him questions at the open forum. He finds them “happy, tech-savvy, optimistic, and very talented.” “They can play musical instruments. They can dance,” he added. Garrett believes it is the Filipino in him that makes him a positive thinker. And he hopes to continue being a role model to the young. They and others he met on his first trip to the Philippines, plus the places he has been to, left such an impact on Garrett that he vows to create an app or a venture that “will enhance Filipino culture” when he returns to the US. Garrett may be miles away from the Philippines. But a big part of his heart will always belong to the land where a huge chunk of what he is comes from. n

A april 21-27, 2017 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSiaN JOUrNal

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OpiniOn

Features

‘Shoot the corrupt’

IT can amuse the audience, and there are people who would love to shoot government workers who demand grease money before doing what they are paid to do. But everyone knows the average person isn’t going to shoot such crooks in government, as President Rodrigo Duterte advised the business community in Qatar last Saturday, April 15. Addressing the Philippines-Qatar business forum in Doha, the President reiterated his commitment to stamp out corruption. If any employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or Bureau of Customs, for example, demanded even P10 in grease money, “shoot him,” the President told the businessmen. The public would prefer to have the government do the shooting – figuratively, it must be stressed in this season of Tokhang and Double Barrel Reloaded. The country has tough laws against various forms of corruption including the most serious, plunder. Anti-money laundering laws also cover graft-related offenses. What is lacking, as is the case in many laws in this country, is proper enforcement. Stamping out corruption, as the President has promised, also suffers from the weakness of the regulatory environment and institutional structures. Processes are designed to force the payment of grease money to oil the wheels of government. Among the biggest hindrances to any attempt to

fight graft are corrupt members of the judiciary. As long as justice is for sale in this country, people can expect to get away with corruption. This is true especially among those who are accused of large-scale plunder. These individuals typically have amassed sufficient ill-gotten wealth to hire topnotch lawyers who know the judges and justices whose decisions are for sale to the highest bidder. A recent report prepared by the US government also specifically cited the problem of corruption in the Philippine judiciary as a major hindrance to bilateral trade. President Duterte has no disciplinary supervision over an independent and co-equal branch of government, but he can use his power to appoint or promote members of the judiciary to help clean up the justice sector. Within the executive branch, he must demand results from his officials in drastically cutting red tape and improving procedures in every agency. It will take more than bullets to rid this country of corruption. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

If Duterte can’t be expected to change, perhaps media should PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has accused media, specifically the Philippine Daily Inquirer and ABS-CBN, of being bastos and unfair and, in the process, he sounded just as foul as the objects of his ire. Perhaps it is too much to expect Duterte to change. But, with due respect to my media colleagues, I believe they – we – can use some frank self-examination and an overhaul. Duterte isn’t the first head of state to complain about the way some members of the press have used “alternative facts” in their reportage, to echo Donald Trump’s Kellyanne Conway. To drive home my point, I would like to re-run a piece that I wrote in January 2002, during the incumbency of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, entitled, “The Making of a Masturbated Story”: Vicky Garchitorena, former head of the Presidential Management Staff, in a recent meeting with the Filipino community in San Francisco, conjectured that “as much as 50 percent” of the stories put out in Manila media were distorted or even fabricated. As a new palace insider with first-hand knowledge of what President Arroyo had said about an issue or how it had been discussed in official circles, she confessed to being often taken aback by the slant given by the media to that issue – stretched or twisted beyond recognition. In the first of this two-part piece, I referred to that practice as “masturbating the news,” a term to which I was introduced as a cub reporter back in the mid-50’s. Perhaps today’s journalists are already using another term but the practice remains. The constant refrain of government officials and prominent personalities in business and civil society has been that Philippine media have a tendency to “sensationalize” the news, to dramatize or exaggerate situations and even to distort or fabricate stories. The media have been quick to protest this “generalization,” pointing out, quite rightly, that it unfairly tarnishes those who operate by the strictest standards of the journalistic profession (and it

should be assumed that they are still legion). Street But it cannot be denied that there are those in media who Talk routinely stretch facts or present stories out of context for a number of reasons, the most benign of which is to grab the attention GreG B. MacaBenta of readers, viewers and listeners. It also cannot be denied that there are those in government and the private sector who are just as guilty of misinformation and even outright disinformation. Or of simply not knowing what to say but saying it anyway. On my recent visit to Manila, I decided to track the making of a masturbated story. On Friday, January 18, the Inquirer ran the headline: “US senator says RP next Afghanistan.” The American official referred to, Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee, never said that. The exact quote, which appeared within the article, read: ‘”It appears that the Philippines is going to be the second, the next target, after Afghanistan on the war on terrorism,’ Brownback said during a stop in Wichita. ‘That Abu Sayyaf group is the target.’” It doesn’t take rocket science to take that statement in proper context. The United States and its allies, the Philippines included, have vowed to go after terrorists wherever they may be. The Abu Sayyaf has been linked to al-Qaeda and Osama bin Ladin. President Arroyo and President George W. Bush have both agreed that the Abu Sayyaf should be eliminated. There is some urgency in this for the US because two American citizens are being held hostage. Thus, to quote Brownback: “That Abu Sayyaf group is the target.” The trouble is that there has been a great deal of fudging and equivocating – too much masturbating – on the part of the Arroyo government concerning the role that the Americans will play in the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf. That, coupled with the hypocrisy and piranha mentality of the opposi-

tion and the age-old “Yankee go home” rhetoric of the militants, has created an opportunity for sensationalizing, for creating suspense, conflict and confusion. This was reflected in the treatment of the Inquirer’s Friday headline which expectedly, set off fireworks which, in turn, made for a perfect follow-up story on Saturday. Its headline the next day blared: “US senator stirs furor for remark on RP.” The subhead read: “No way RP will be next Afghanistan.” The lead rubbed it in even more: “The statement of a United States senator that the Philippines could be the next Afghanistan has triggered an uproar, with senators seeking a personal briefing from President Macapagal-Arroyo on the presence of US troops and activist groups demanding their immediate pullout.” The usual quotable notables wasted no time in jumping into the fray, even if out of context. Sen. Blas Ople “dismissed Brownback’s statement, saying the US senator was ‘speaking from a complete ignorance of Philippine reality.’” Even a media veteran like Max Soliven couldn’t help getting into the act. In his column in the Sunday, January 20, issue of Philippine Star, the headline snapped: “Too much puffery over an American Senator being a loudmouth, too.” And then he wrote: “What’s Brownback supposed to have said? That the Philippines would be the next Afghanistan? We know, and this should suffice, that we are as different from war-ravaged, Taliban-humiliated, feudal-minded (except in some warlord areas) Afghanistan as apples are from oranges.” Max is right. The Philippines is not Afghanistan. But Brownback never said it is. Always feisty, Max (my former boss, incidentally) described Brownback as someone who sounded “like a delegate from Dogpatch high on Kickapoo joy juice.”

Critical of Duterte’s Mideast Lenten visit but silent about Teddy’s ‘blasphemy’ before Catholics and other LENI Robredo is practiChristians commemorate cally politically dead, and Commentary the crucifixion of Christ. the latest SWS survey has What is problematic is the shown this. Her net satease by which people can isfaction rating shed 11 appropriate religion to propoints. vide justification for acts of And you do not have to preferred political personbelieve scientific surveys. alities, even as religion has All you need to do is to antonio contreras been used to diminish or silook at the angry faces that merrily float on the screen everytime her face lence the politics of others. And in the Philippines, what is even more discomfiting is the shows up. Teddy Baguilat, her party-mate, in re- manner by which a secular state such as ours sponse to her steep decline in net satisfac- has allowed Roman Catholicism to influence tion ratings, tweeted on Holy Tuesday, April the direction of our political discourse. It has always been said that the Philippines 11, a biblical explanation. “Ika nga sa bible [as the bible said], the prophet (who bears is the only Catholic country in Asia. This lie has been repeatedly stated over and truth) is sometimes not welcome in his hometown. Kaya [this is why]VP Leni’s rat- over again, effectively blindsiding the intent of the Constitution that installed a state that ings have gone down.” Some devout Catholics have criticized the is separate from any religion. It is a constitutiming of President Duterte’s visit to Muslim- tion that bars the state from discriminating dominated countries, namely the Kingdom against people based on faith. Yet, we have of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain and seen how our government has privileged Rothe State of Qatar, at a time when Filipinos man Catholicism as the dominant religion. were commemorating the death and resur- To privilege one is to discriminate against rection of Jesus Christ. Some painted the visit the others, particularly the religious minorities. In fact, if at all, the state has a duty to as a gross disrespect of our Catholic faith. Yet, these people have not taken Teddy Ba- protect their rights over the dictates of the guilat to task for what can be considered as Catholic majority. However, the state fails to protect the rights blasphemy, where he likened Leni Robredo to a prophet being persecuted even by her of the minority when we have laws that are own people. They did not question the timing crafted not on the sheer logic of secular deof Teddy’s tweet, that of all days he has to mands, but are constrained by religious condeify his embattled Vice President three days siderations. There was a time in our history

when the writings of Jose Rizal were banned from schools simply because he was seen as a heretic by the Catholic Church. When a law was proposed requiring the inclusion of a course on Rizal in the curriculum, the Catholic Church opposed it. The Reproductive Health Law was strongly opposed by the Church on the grounds that it was an affront to the tenets of the faith. Even the President seemed to have bought into this line of thinking when he declared that he could no longer support same-sex marriages, something which he promised during the campaign, on the ground that we are a Catholic country. And the use of religion to discriminate does not favor only the Catholics. Bigamy is a crime, but not for men who are followers of Islam. One needs to realize that the Philippines is not a theocracy. Its secular nature bars us from privileging any particular religion in the conduct of our civic affairs. The deployment of Roman Catholicism as a principal logic that inhabits our political discourse is a gross violation of the very nature of our state. What aggravates the use of religion is when it becomes a weapon that can be deployed selectively by partisans, such as when noise is generated to chastise the President’s visit to Islamic states during Lent, even as there is silence when Teddy Baguilat deified Leni Robredo by likening her to a persecuted prophet. One can condemn this column today as

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Ouch! In a tabloid that picked up the same story, Roilo Golez called Brownback’s statement “grandstanding” and said that “the latter’s fear is baseless and untrue. ‘It’s only part of speculation.’” But wasn’t he also “grandstanding” by making an incorrect attribution to Brownback? The latter never expressed any “fear” about America helping in the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf and, as national security adviser, he knows that the US involvement is not “baseless and untrue” or “only part of speculation.” The ones who are speculating are the militants and the political opposition who insist that, far from just giving advice and training, US troops will actually go into combat against the Abu Sayyaf. And here is where Malacañang has been “massaging the message.” No. Definitely not. The Americans will just train our soldiers. Although they’ll observe on the frontlines. And they’ll fire back when shot at. But no, they won’t go into combat. The fuzz explains the comment of Sen. Joker Arroyo, also in the Inquirer, that “the presence of U.S. troops in Basilan and Zamboanga was an implied admission by the AFP that it could not defeat the Abu Sayyaf.” Malacañang’s retort? Of course we can defeat the Abu Sayyaf ourselves without any US help. But we can use some help. But we really don’t need help. Although we are already being helped. For those of us who live overseas, it’s disconcerting having to constantly strain to read between the lines when going over the news from Manila. First, we’re never sure that the source of the news, especially when it is the government, is conveying it truthfully, with no equivocation, and without any material facts being withheld. And then, we’re never sure that the version being communicated in the media is an objective, complete, unvarnished portrayal of the facts. To put it bluntly, we’re never sure that the news is not being masturbated. Is it any surprise that the image of our country is so screwed up? (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

Why Nevadans need tax reform WHEN it comes to business, government at any level should Letter to the Editor work by a simple principle: help, don’t hurt. But because of an outdated and cumbersome tax code, our federal government today is restraining the potential of businesses in Nevada instead of unleashing it. Consider the high tax rate that American businesses pay versus their foreign competitors. At 39 percent, the tax burden on U.S.based businesses is nearly twice that of other developed nations. For some small businesses, including ones the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce represents, the tax rate can be as high as 44 percent. Added to that burden is the significant time and high cost of complying with a tax code that hasn’t seen meaningful reform in thirty years. The National Taxpayers Union estimates that our unwieldy tax code costs American businesses more than $230 billion annually in productivity. Clearly, something needs to change. The plan put forward by House Speaker Ryan and House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady goes a long way toward making government work for businesses and not against them. The RyanBrady blueprint modernizes the tax code by cutting the corporate tax rate to 20 percent and reducing the rate for small business to 25 percent, their lowest tax rate in decades. These measures, combined with provisions such as border adjustments, create more level playing conditions for businesses in Nevada and across America. As Nevada lawmakers consider the best way to help Nevada businesses, we encourage them to give the Ryan-Brady blueprint the attention it deserves. - Sonny Vinuya, president of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Duterte attends Erap’s birthday bash at Manila Hotel by Nestor

Corrales Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was among the high-profile guests of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on his birthday Wednesday, April 19. Duterte attended the 80th birthday of Estrada at the Manila Hotel after being the guest of honor at the CineLokal grand launch in Pasay City. The President arrived shortly before 10 p.m. Photos released by Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go showed Duterte seated between Estrada and former President and Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The President also shared the table with former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos and former vice president Jejomar Binay. Other guests included former senators Ferdinand “Bongbong”

Marcos, Juan Ponce Enrile, former Speaker Jose de Venecia and former first gentleman Mike Arroyo. Estrada’s son, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, was also present after the Sandiganbayan allowed his attendance. The younger Estrada is detained at the custodial center in Camp Crame in Quezon City in connection with a multibillion peso pork barrel scam. Before attending the event, Duterte in his speech in Pasay City recalled how Estrada called him “low class” during the May 2016 elections. “Si Erap naghihintay na ang buang, birthday niya ngayon eh. Sabi niya punta ka na ha,” he said. “Ano ha? Balik kita sa kulungan!” he then joked, drawing laughter from his audience mostly composed of filmmakers, artists and the media. Estrada was ousted in 2001

during Edsa People Power Revolution 2 after his presidency was hounded with corruption allegations. He was later detained but was pardoned in 2007 by Arroyo. Estrada’s birthday party was not the first after Duterte became president. On April 5, the President attended the birthday bash of Arroyo at her house in La Vista, Quezon City. It was the first time since 2012 that Arroyo was able to celebrate her birthday outside detention after she was placed on hospital arrest for the alleged misuse of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds. In July 2016, The Supreme Court released Arroyo after it dismissed the plunder charges against her. During the campaign period, Duterte said he wanted Arroyo freed, saying the evidence against her was weak. n

Duterte declines honorary degree from University of the Philippines UP Administration to confer an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte,” it said. PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte “We must not turn a blind eye to on Wednesday, April 19 said he the deeds of the current regime will not accept the University of by giving it such recognition.” the Philippines’ (UP) offer to conCiting his controversial camfer an honorary doctorate degree paign against illegal drugs in paron him. ticular, the UP Office of the StuDuring a press briefing in Bodent Regent argued that Duterte hol, Duterte said that it has been does not deserve the honors and part of his personal policy to not should instead be held accountaccept recognitions. able for the alleged summary kill“I simply decline,” he told ings. reporters, adding, “With due “Honors are not deserved by respect to the University of the a president whose regime killed Philippines, I do not accept even thousands of citizens and leadwhen I was mayor. As a matter of ers of progressive groups under personal and official policy, I do Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Kapanot accept awards.” yapaan,” the group’s statement The UP Board of Regents stressed. (BOR), the university’s highest President Rodrigo Duterte In 2011, then president Benigpolicy-making body, earlier said dia, using the viral hashtag no Aquino III accepted the same it plans to offer the president a #DuterteNotWorthy. offer but was met with protests. In a Facebook post, the UP Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, The university also offered Office of the Student Regent honorary degrees to former as part of its tradition. But reports of the award expressed its opposition to the Presidents Joseph Estrada and sparked outrage among Duterte’s planned award. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but like “The UP Office of the Student Duterte, they declined to accept critics. Many expressed their frustrations through social me- Regent condemns the plan of the the recognitions. n by DaNa

siosoN AJPress

RUNWAY MANILA. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Andrew Tan of Alliance Global Group Inc. and Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade attend the launch of the P1.9-billion Runway Manila, the pedestrian bridge that links the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 with Newport City. The bridge’s walkalators allows a pedestrian to walk from the airport to Newport City in less than 10 minutes. ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

SC affirms dismissal of PCSO plunder case against Arroyo by DaNa

siosoN AJPress

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, April 18, has affirmed its July 2016 decision, dismissing the plunder case against former Philippine President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million fund from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). In its summary resolution, the SC said it denied the People’s motion for reconsideration due to the insufficiency of evidence. “The Court DENIED the People’s motion for reconsideration of the Court’s July 19, 2016 decision for lack of merit,” the resolution read, penned by Justice Lucas P. Bersamin. It added that “any attempt to reconsider the decision would amount to double jeopardy.”

With a vote of 11-4, the SC denied the Office of the Ombudsman’s motion for reconsideration in its July 19, 2016 decision, which granted Arroyo demurrer to evidence and resulted in her acquittal. Among those who voted to affirm Arroyo’s dismissal were Justices Lucas P. Bersamin, Estela M. Perlas Bernabe, Mariano C. del Castillo, Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro, Francis H. Jardeleza, Samuel R. Martires, Jose Catral Mendoza, Diosdado M. Peralta, Bienvenido L. Reyes, Noel G. Tijam, and Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. Those who dissented, on the other hand, were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno, Senior Justice Antonio T. Carpio, and Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa Marvic and Mario Victor F. Leonen. In a statement, Arroyo’s camp thanked the court for clearing her of plunder case with finality.

“We thank the SC for putting an end to this case,” Arroyo’s legal counsel Laurence Arroyo said. Atty. Arroyo also took note that the former president was already acquitted in July when the SC granted her demurrer to evidence. “That should be the end of the story. The Ombudsman’s filing of a motion for reconsideration clearly placed the former president in double jeopardy,” he added. In a separate vote of 10-5, the SC also dismissed the plunder case against former PCSO budget and accounts manager Benigno B. Aguas. The Sandiganbayan earlier acquitted former members of the PCSO board of directors Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero and Jose Taruc, as well as Commission on Audit (COA) officials Reynaldo Villar and Nilda Plaras. n

Critical of Duterte’s Mideast Lenten visit but silent…

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an ill-timed heretic discourse coming just after we have celebrated the resurrection of Christ. However, belief in the resurrection does not mean closing democratic spaces or silencing the minority and the dissenters. It is about having a faith that is unassailable even in a plurality of voices. A secular state that celebrates pluralism of beliefs, religious or otherwise, is not a threat to a faith that is cemented by belief in the resurrection of Christ as savior and Lord. A law that would allow

divorce, or for same-sex couples to marry, could not assault the faith that is firmly held by believers deep in their hearts. After all, even persecution by Rome did not stop the early Christians from propagating their faith. But more importantly, this column serves as a litmus test for your politics vis-à-vis your faith. If you are uncomfortable with it, it can only mean that you really do not truly understand the freedoms we owe to the fact that the Philippines is a secular state, and not a theocracy. (ManilaTimes.net)

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How Madrid Fusion Manila is Putting PH on tHe MaP as a gastronoMic destination in asia by MoMar

G. Visaya/AJPress

#EATSMOREFUNINTHEPHILIPPINES with more than 1,400 attendees at the recently-concluded Madrid Fusion Manila 2017.

Madrid Fusion Manila, the global gastronomic gathering is back for a third serving and it is larger than ever, and along with it is the more long-term goal of establishing the Philippines as an important and vibrant culinary destination in the region. Held for three days at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Madrid Fusion this year focused on sustainability in the culinary industry as the awardwinning and Michelin-starred chefs invited to deliver their talks discussed ways in which they run their respective kitchens where they showcase innovations and cutting-edge techniques in creating exquisite dishes. “The whole world now gets to see the Philippines as a culinary destination. We really want to promote the Philippines this way,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo told the asian Journal. “More than just a celebration of gastronomy of the highest order, Madrid Fusion is instrumental in spreading the word that Filipino chefs are world-class and that the Philippines is poised to be the center of gastronomy in asia.” More than 1,400 Filipino foodies from around the world, people with passionate love for food and cooking and industry

professionals gathered under one venue to celebrate yet another year of gastronomic experience and thereby giving Filipino cuisine the international prestige it deserves. This year’s delegates come from China, Hong Kong, india, indonesia, Macau, Taiwan, denmark, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. “Today, food forecasts for 2017 have predicted the Philippines as the place where the next big food trend will start, and many articles have been written worldwide about how the food scene in the Philippines is heating up,” said Tourism director Verna CovarBuensuceso earlier this year at the Madrid Fusion 2017 held at the Palacio Municipal de Congresos in Madrid. among this year’s featured chefs for international Gastronomy Congress were 19 celebrated Filipino culinary chefs and Michelin-starred culinary chefs from asia, Europe and the americas led by Gert de Mangeeler (Hertog Jan, Belgium), Jordi roca and alejandra rivas Gomez (El Celler de Can roca, Spain) and Pedro Subijana (akelare, Spain), all of whom have three Michelin stars each, one of the toughest achievements in the

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo, Foru de Debati president Jose Carlos Capel, Tourism Promotion Board chief Cesar Montano and Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo led the opening of Madrid Fusion Manila 2017 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Chef Pedro Subijana is the man behind Filipino Chef Gene Gonzalez Akelarre, a restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain that has been open since 1974 and has three Just desserts Season 2 runner up) and Filipino-British Josh Boutwood Michelin stars.

restaurant industry. Two Michelin star holders Paco Perez (Miramar, Spain), Julien royer (Odette, Singapore) and Magnus Ek (Oaxen Krog & Slip, Sweden) and Simon rogan (L’Enclume, England) joined the aforementioned chefs as presenters. The half-Filipino, half-French sisters Tatiana and Katia Levha (Le Servan, France), Filipino-american Sally Camacho-Mueller (Top Chef:

(The Test Kitchen, Philippines) talked about their respective journeys and how they practice sustainability in their respective kitchens. The Levha sisters talked about cooking from stem to stern and explained their enthusiasm when they learned about Madrid Fusion’s theme this year. “Sustainability is a major concern for us in the restaurant,” Tatiana, who trained in both Continued on Page 6

Regional Lunches: Showcasing the Diversity of Filipino Cuisine FOr a couple of hours, congress attendees and guests take a break to eat a carefully curated themed ad festive lunch showcasing the diversity of Filipino cuisine and the sustainability of the native ingredients. This is where seasoned Filipino chefs such as Margarita Fores, JP anglo and Claude Tayag prepare their dishes based on a specific theme. For day 1, it was rice, day 2 was Nose to Tail and day 3 was Corn. day 1, curated by angelo Comsti, was all about rice. Some chefs focused on heirloom rice, grown and harvested in various provinces in the Philippines, from balatinaw of Mountain Province to the innawi of Banaue. day 2 highlighted the nose-to-tail concept and was curated by Nina dazaPuyat, Sasha Lim-Uy Mariposa, and idge Mendiola. The term did not just apply to the pigs and cows, it also applied to other ingredients such as the coconut and cacao. The third day, curated by alicia Sy, focused on the flexibility of the corn. among the unforgettable dishes we had to partake were the following – Mike tatung sarthou and his tausug Junay with utakutak, which is sticky rice cooked with pamapa (Mindanao spice) and spiced fish nuggets. Kiddo cosio of el union who served dirty white Horchata made with tinawon white rice and Bukidnon espresso. JP anglo’s next generation adobo, a nose-to-tail adobo made with chicken heart, intestine, gizzard, tail and skin. Pam cinco (risa chocolate) and her a toast to chocolate, a nose-to-tail dish using different parts of cacao, from the white chocolate disc topped with cacao nibs to the cacao dessert wine and the white chocolate truffle with dark chocolate ganache and carabao’s milk butter. tina legarda (Bamba Bistro) who served tindahan ni Maria salad of pechay, chorizo-charred corn, kesong puti, tuyopineapple vinaigrette and pork skin crumbs. dedet de la Fuente (Pepita’s Kitchen) and her nilasing na lechon with corn and guinataan mais mousse Margarita Fores and her purple corn ukoy, seared bagaybay with chorizo cream

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

The May 2017 priority dates

An Asian Journal

The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: Application Filing Date

FAMILY CATEGORY:

Visa Issuance Date

First Preference

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

Second Preference

(2A) Spouse and minor children (below April 8, 2016 21 years old) of green card holder

July 15, 2015

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

July 22, 2007

August 1, 2006

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.

February 1, 1995

September 22, 1994

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.

February 8, 1995

October 15, 1993

September 8, Fberuary 1, 2007 2006

for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. ***

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

Something to ponder: The story of Micah, the good samaritan

JOSHUA hurried outside the inn to the courtyard. A stranger summoned him for help. He had a mule tethered to a post. A badly beaten, wounded man who looked half-dead was splayed helplessly face down across the girth of the pack animal. “What happened?” Joshua asked. The stranger replied, “I came across this man on a deserted part of the roadway to Jericho. He was stripped naked, unconscious and

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

July 1, 2014

January 1, 2013

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

July 1, 2014

January 1, 2013

Current

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

“… He opened his swollen eyes slightly seemingly regaining consciousness. The man moaned asking where he was. Then he drifted out once more. …” bloodied all over. He was still alive, but barely. I couldn’t just leave him.” He paused and pleaded with Joshua, the innkeeper, “Can you help us?” Joshua sprang to action, “Let’s bring him inside quickly. I can have Luke look him over.” They carried the man inside and laid him in a bed in one of the

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

Monette AdevA MAGlAyA

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rooms. Joshua quickly fetched the man he called Luke. He was a physician who spent much of his time writing. They hurried to the wounded man’s room. With his deft hands, Luke diagnosed the injured man’s condition and briskly gave instructions to Joshua to prepare warm water, oil, ointment and strips of clothing to bind the man’s

AFTER 13 YEARS OF WAITING FOR THE FAMILY TO BE REUNITED, THE U.S. EMBASSY STILL DENIED THE RELEASE OF THEIR VISAS. MISERY AND REDEMPTION ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Tatay Lando (2nd from right) went to the U.S. to provide a better life for his family. After 13 years, the petition became current in 2016. However, when his son, Allan (left), and his grandson, Chean (2nd from right) went to the U.S. Embassy for their interview, some doubtful details came up in Allan’s paperwork that caused the Embassy to deny their visas. Father and son left the Embassy heartbroken and traumatized over the incident. Immediately, Tatay Lando sought the help of leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel. Watch how hope was renewed, and a family was happily reunited after many, many years on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.

different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty,

wounds. The man’s breathing was shallow. He opened his swollen eyes slightly seemingly regaining consciousness. The man moaned asking where he was. Then he drifted out once more. Luke felt his pulse. It was weak but steady. They ministered to him as best as they could. The man drifted in and out of consciousness but the bleeding had stopped. Seeing that there was no more they can do for the man at the moment, the three men left the room. “I am Micah from Samaria,” the man said. “I am Joshua,” the innkeeper replied, “and this is

guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation

for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

Luke.” Luke gazing at the two men with kind knowing eyes, nodded, acknowledging them both as he went back to his writing. Micah stayed with the injured man through the night, lying down on a cot on one side of the room for short naps in-between while Luke checked in on the man’s condition from time to time during the night. Joshua made sure there is food for Micah and enough oil for the lamp that burned faintly in one corner of the room. It looked like the man was going to make it. He said a prayer of thankfulness. Micah was up early. He had pressing business to attend to. He looked in on the wounded man. He set aside two silver coins for the man’s care. Micah made a mental note to stop by the inn on his way back. He wanted to cover any other cost.

Sometime during the day, the wounded man opened his eyes and saw he was in a strange room. His body ached all over and his head was spinning. He was hungry and thirsty and was about to call out when Joshua entered the room. “How are you feeling?” Joshua asked him. He had a tray of warm food and a flask of wine with him. The man groaned in reply. Joshua placed the tray of food beside the man. He had great difficulty eating and swallowing but he must have been truly famished. He cleaned up what was on the tray. Joshua asked as he sat down on a chair, “ So tell me. What happened?” The man answered, “A band of four robbers sprang up on me Continued on Page 6

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On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Atty. Nicolas ‘Nick’ Caraquel carved his fate with blood, sweat, and tears

focused and firmly believing that being in the state of poverty could be a motivation and driving force rather than a dragnet pulling him PovErty or deprivation from down. the acquisition of formal literacy For the affluent, rain on their directly affects the majority across the diverse spectrum of society…as roof is a blessing but for the poor who doesn’t even have a hat, it is education remains to be the vital a curse. Nick’s continuing survival key that unlocks one from the never saw poverty as a wall of bondage of extreme deficiency. What could even make matters gravel separating him from his destiny but a ladder to get to the worse is when the youth becomes other side. a victim of such quandary since there were even instances the corrosive cruelties of childhood when begging seemed to be the poverty could possibly impair only recourse but the remaining cognitive development brought about by the effects of “toxic stress” fragment of dignity persuaded him not to…he’d rather clasp his palms on brain functions. Several case in prayer than opening them for studies had concluded that the prevailing gruesome consequences alms. He constantly thought that wallowing in the mire of poverty of poverty are like lurking scythes shouldn’t be a lingering problem that increase the growing number but to consentingly remain in such of education-related “mortalities.” But for Nicolas “Nick” Caraquel, is. Poverty stole his childhood the 6th child of Ladislao Caraquel, since he was deprived of playtime Sr. (a barber) and Constancia hours with children his age. It was Mabale (a fulltime housewife and occasional seamstress) of San Isidro, all work at his tender age to keep his body and soul and sanity intact.. Davao oriental, his unflinching Being aware of their determination to succeed in life underprivileged and impoverished could defy all odds that would condition didn’t stop Nick from hinder his path to attaining his dreaming lofty dreams…most goal. dominant was his most Born cradled in poverty with magnificent obsession: to be a the rumbling sound of empty lawyer and help out the oppressed stomach as lullaby that put him to sleep, young Nick became numbed after providing his family that elusive lifestyle change. and accustomed to such situation Innately equipped with an that intensely aggravated his outstanding organizational skill, aspiration to doubly struggle and as well as great discipline and break out from the claws of dearth tactfulness, such remarkable traits and paucity. of people born on September 7, a Amid sleepless nights and weakening mortal composure was virgo, Nick never failed to establish and demonstrate where he a spirit that remained positively

The smile that was elusive during his trying years

The profile of a successful Immigration Lawyer

excelled academically, especially in mathematical subjects, that consistently gave him salutatory recognition during his primary and secondary levels. Undaunted about the lack of material needs and the consternating condition which seemed bitter pills to swallow, Nick’s daily life was simply directed by the dawning of day and the sun’s setting sans complaints. Some could be frugal despite their affordability but Nick couldn’t even manage to play pennypincher since there wasn’t even a smidgeon in his pocket. Even his uniforms had already shown signs of wear-and-tear with snags that clearly reflected his nipples but Nick still wore them proudly without choice. He and his younger siblings would wake up as early as four in the morning to gather used

barbecue and banana sticks to recycle and would ride a jeep to school hanging by the entrance despite the availability of vacant seats. “I didn’t have money for my fare…by just hanging and holding unto my dear life was free,” low-key Nick flashed a smile that easily cheered his depressed mood. to help augment the family income while simultaneously having had to support himself he peddled banana cue around the local bus station and got employed as a store helper cum houseboy in an enterprising Chinese neighbor. He hated dawdling…for every single second was as precious as a penny… and selflessly shared his meager earnings with his family. For Nick, the very essence of existence is to be able to provide for the ones he loved, his family, before even thinking

Burning the midnight oil during a bar review

The house that poverty built

about his personal needs. He might be juvenile but his sense of responsibility was immeasurable and his concern for his siblings was incalculable. “It was already a feast when we would have chicken or meat which happened only during birthdays and Christmas or New year,” Nick fondly recalled with teary eyes and wobbly voice. “We were lucky to be provided with three square meals…not even complete meals since what we usually had were rice and bits of fish or boiled vegetable tops dipped in either fish sauce or fermented fish.” At this point he could no longer hold back his tears and shamelessly freed them profusely as he repetitively apologized. His disheartening predicament was all the more exacerbated by such pitiful condition that threw him to an inscrutable state… he might be young but already capable to comprehend what and how it was to be in the verge of

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Atty. Nick Caraquel with his idol celebrity lawyer Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel

Atty. Nick during one of his closing arguments

holding unto dear life and losing hope. Lady Luck constantly smiles at those who worked hard and persevere. Having accepted his fate of quitting school after high school per his parents’ decision, a ray of hope peeped through the murky clouds when an admission letter from the Commission on Higher Education offered him free collegiate education. there were initial setbacks like daily expenses, books, housing, and others but Nick’s strong fortitude eased all obstacles. He opted for BS Chemistry course and spent the first one and half years in Immaculate Concepcion College and moved to Ateneo De Davao University as he shifted to Industrial Engineering. If his high school life had been tumultuous and physically draining, well, his college years were tenfold the adversities and sacrifices. there were days when Continued on Page 5

LbC assures more value and convenience for air cargo customers Filipinos in California, new York and new Jersey can now ship to the philippines for less cost and added convenience. lBC, the philippines’ leading company in parcel, courier and cargo deliveries, has flexed their rates and upped the notch for their various services, much to the delight of their customers in the region. They are announcing that their Air Cargo is now ready to cater to customers whose parcels weigh a minimum of one pound. lBC’s superb parcel prices in California are the following -- For the first pound, deliveries to Manila and luzon are now charged $8 with $5 for every additional pound; Visayas is charged $9, with an excess fee of $5.50 while Mindanao is charged $10, with an excess rate of $6.00. For new York and new Jersey, parcel prices for the first pound to Manila and luzon are also at $8 with $4.50 on top of every added pound. Visayas carries a fee of $9 with an excess charge of $5.50; while Mindanao is charged $10 with a going rate of $6 for every excess. To complement their new

rates for parcels, they have also introduced more affordable rates for their courier services. From the states of California, new York, and new Jersey to Manila and luzon, the first 1/10TH of a pound will be charged only $8. Visayas and Mindanao, on the other hand, will be charged $9 and $10 respectively. in all regions, parcels exceeding 1/10th of a pound will be charged $.70. Add-on values for the valuable customers here in the Us includes 7-to-10 day delivery, and free pick-up of parcels weighing ten pounds and above. Consignees will also receive free delivery for parcels six pounds and above. no fee for parcels picked-up by consignee at the branch, and a free sMs notification is also available. What’s better news is that lBC now accommodates parcels, regardless of the packaging they come in, with definitely zero charges! Filipinos in northern America can conveniently transact at any of lBC’s 27 branches in the region. Truly, lBC has continued their responsiveness to the growing needs of the Filipino

public, both in the philippines and abroad. lBC is the philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, lBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. listed in the philippine stock Exchange through lBC Express Holdings, inc., lBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 60 years. Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, lBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to-door delivery in the philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. lBC can move it for you: visit www.lBCexpress. com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (provincial), +632 9086 522 (solutions) and follow lBCExpress (Facebook and Twitter). (Advertising Supplement)

75th Anniversary of bataan Death March commemorated in historic New York Area nEW York – The 75th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March was commemorated in an afternoon long program in orangeburg, new York on April 8. A joint effort of local historian Jerome Kleinman in collaboration with Filipino-American Associations in Rockland County, new York, - the philippine-American Cultural Foundation, pAsAR, and FAR - the Fil-Am Triathlon Team and with the support of the philippine Consulate General in new York, the program started off with a mile-long symbolic march down Bataan Road, organgeburg named in honor of the Battle of Bataan. over 200 persons participated in the march with the FilipinoAmerican contingent comprised of organizations based in new York, new Jersey, and Connecticut. The program featured messages on the significance of the Death March from philippine Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega, new York state senator David Carlucci, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, and orangeburg Town supervisor Andrew stewart. several veterans of foreign wars were likewise present and were recognized at the program. in her message, Consul General De Vega spoke of the importance of honoring and remembering the twin legacies of the Battle of Bataan and the Death March. she also shared how the event was particularly meaningful for her as her late paternal grandfather, longtime resident of Capas, Tarlac,

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short Film ‘Angelito’ Bridges luna and Upcoming Goyo; streams Exclusively on Cinetropa JERRolD Tarog’s much talked about short film, “Angelito”, is now streaming exclusively on Cinetropa. The 20-minute short film that bridges the stories of the blockbuster film “Heneral luna” and its upcoming sequel “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” (The Young General) was just released in the philippines this past February along with the acclaimed romantic comedy “i’m Drunk, i love You”. Fans of “Heneral luna” from around the world can now catch “Angelito” with this exclusive Cinetropa digital release. set right after luna’s assassination, “Angelito” focuses on Antonio luna’s aides-de-camp, Jose and Manuel Bernal. Alex Medina and Art Acuña, who play Jose and Manuel Bernal respectively, reprise their roles. Aside from the Bernal brothers, some central characters from “Heneral luna” such as Arron Villaflor’s Joven Hernando are also part of this mini-sequel. With fallen heroes at the forefront of this thrilling film, the release of “Angelito” this April also serves as a commemoration of the philippines’ Araw ng Kagitingan (Bataan Day) in honor of all the country’s heroes who fought for independence throughout the nation’s history. “Angelito” started streaming

on Cinetropa.com last April 16 for the price of $Us 2.00 and php100.00, respectively. The global online availability of “Angelito” marks another first and exclusive digital release on Cinetropa. As a special promo, viewers in the United states can get a 50% discount from any movie of their choice if they stream “Angelito”. please email us at team@

cinetropa.com for the coupon code if the discount is not applied automatically. Cinetropa.com is the first and only movie-streaming site in the market exclusively dedicated to Filipino films. For more details and updates on upcoming movies, visit cinetropa.com. on Facebook, Cinetropa is at https://www. facebook.com/cinetropa/

Black nazarene Enthronement Holy Week Ceremony held in new York City

Jerome Kleinman introduces veterans of WW II

donated a plot of land to the philippine Government for the establishment of a Capas Death March memorial. The men of the 31st infantry Regiment and the philippine scouts were recognized for their critical roles in the Battle of Bataan. While popular Afro-Filipino-American singer Joe Bataan, named for the famous battle rendered special musical numbers. The program ended with the unveiling of a new memorial plaque on Bataan Road in historic Camp shanks, orangeburg. Camp shanks functioned as a training ground and embarkation point for troops to be sent to Europe during WWii. As Camp shanks was being built in 1942, the streets inside the camp were

Photo by NYPCG

given nondescript names except for Bataan Road. The Filipino-American Triathlon Team likewise invited the public to take part in their Run for Veterans causes which will take place this year in four major Us cities including new York. A symposium on the Battle of Bataaan and the Death March featuring West point Historian sherman Fleek, Jerome Kleinman, Jerry Donnellan, and Dr. scott White, of the Dominican College Department of History took place after the program. other panelists included Donald plata, Victor Verano, and Jay Chabot who discussed the philippine scouts and the film “Forgotten soldiers” directed and produced by Mr. plata.

nEW York – The Filipino American Holy Black nazarene organization of new York organized an Enthronement Ceremony and service for the image of the Black nazarene originating from the philippines on April 14, Good Friday, at the pontifical shrine of our lady of Mount Carmel in new York City. The service was presided over by Filipino Archbishop Bernardito Auza,.Apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy see to the United nations with co- celebrants Rev. Fr. Marian Wierzchowski, sAC, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel okpalauwaekwe, and Msgr. oscar Aquino. With the enthronement, the

image of the Black nazarene now has a permanent home in new York City. The image of the nazareno came from the philippines.The pontifical shrine of our lady of Mount Carmel is under the authority of the Archdiocese of new York and enshrines aside from the image of the Black nazarene, a vested image of our lady of Mount Carmel which is widely venerated by Marian devotees. The philippine Consulate General in new York was represented by Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega who joined over 150 Filipino Community members in witnesses the special ceremony.

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other participating associations in the event include: Friends of 2000 Hail Mary Devotion outreach program for the needy and Underserved, our lady of Mount Carmel nYC, st. John’s Third Friday Devotees, st. John’s God the Father Third sunday Devotional Group, Anthony Dan Regina Foundation, st. John the Evangelist leonia, nJ prayer Group, st. padre pio pilgrims, nYC-pA Group, st. Brigid prayer Group, Confraternity of the passion, 2017 Hermana Mayor Esmeralda Jimenez, American Catholic Children and Youth UsA (ACCY UsA), and the our lady of Guadalupe Apostolate Music Ministry of new Jersey.

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Fundraising event to benefit the first-ever Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum in Las Vegas The Filipino American Heritage and Arts Museum (FAHAM) will host “Heritage Celebration - Filipinos Landing in California,” a fundraising event on Friday, April 21, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Dallas Ballroom of Texas Station Hotel and Casino. Festivities include a buffet dinner, arts exhibits, vendor booths, cultural entertainment a native fashion show, a Philippine history presentation, and dance performances. The cultural entertainment will be provided by the FAHAM Cultural Dance Group, Heart of Polynesia, Gina Kim Korean Dance Group, Filipiniana Dance Company of Las Vegas, Sophia Ramos, Sharon Tanyag, and DJ Mike. Emcees will be Amie and Leo Belmonte. The donation is $50 / person. Attire is formal. FAHAM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is currently America’s first Filipino American Museum, Archives, Legacy, Culture, Innovation Research Center, and Library Garden founded in Delaware by Mrs. Ditta Camomot, M.Ed., M.A. Its holdings are artifacts, ethological materials, and ecclesiastical, historical, arts and ephemera collections, as well as environmental projects. Texas Station is located at 2101 Texas Star Ln, North Las Vegas, NV 89032. For tickets and more information, please contact Salve Edelman at (702) 418-8968. Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega with Filipino Community members in Rockland County

Photo by Almar Solis

Atty. Nicolas ‘Nick’ Caraquel...

From Page 4

he didn’t eat…not because he skipped his meals but because there were no means to sustain his intensifying starvation. in one occasion he collapsed due to lack of sleep and food while tutoring… and at times, just allowed his classmates to copy his test answers in exchange of a snack or lunch. He lived not even in a day-to-day basis but merely in an hour-after-hour existence… hoping that the remaining hours would be better. When one is truly destined for a total life-changing bolt from the blue, nothing could get in the way or hamper its realization. He was instantly employed as san Miguel Brewery’s a Regional production planner after graduation. Conscientiously

resolute and innately adamant, nick’s performance paved a better way when he signed on nestle philippines’ dotted lines as Factory industrial Engineer with a hard-torefuse triple salary. promotion came in handy following his meticulous ways to yield production in favor of the company. in the midst of his flourishing managerial career the huge aspiration to be a lawyer was kept stuck on his mind and in his heart. Through an amicable agreement with his superior, nick was allotted special periods to enroll at Xavier University (1998 – 2003) and an exceptional leave to review for the Bar at the Ateneo de Manila University. on september 2003, he took the bar and successfully passed it on April

2004. Dedicated hard work begets reward. nick was recommended as the head of one of the three biggest warehouses of nestle in Meycauayan, Bulacan but inside politics cut short his assignment to only more than a year… and to take a respite, he openly welcomed a friend’s invitation to spend a vacation in seattle, UsA. As if never ditched by trials and hitches, his entry to the Us underwent mortifying scenarios worthy of cinematographic exposure but his cleverness and wit straightforwardly released him from farther dilemma. His stint in his friend’s house, ‘though convenient and free, fueled the almost dying ember of optimism within him that Continued on Page 7

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Tri-County’s ‘maiden’ induction in Alhambra The newly-formed Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Tri-County (Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties) — with the motto “Empowered to Lead, Committed to Serve” — will have an induction of executive officers and board of directors on Friday, April 2, 6 p.m., at Almansor Court (700 South Almanzor St., Alhambra, CA 91801). FACC Tri-County President Merwynn Montenegro has invited Philippine Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz to induct the officers and give the keynote speech. Councilmember and former West Covina Mayor James Toma will be the inspirational speaker. Boardmember Atty. Abraham Lim serves as Legal Counsel while Noel S.V. Omega and Mary Ann Omega are Chamber Advisers. Cost is $40 with free parking. Business attire is required. For more information, contact Secretary Ed Cansino (909) 263-7297; Asst. Sec. Grace O. Vaughn (951) 261-0601; or 1st VP Elen Yuhico (909) 636-6271, or lvsolis@aol.com.

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Afternoon of bowling and networking with Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACC-GLA) proudly presents an “afternoon of bowling fun and networking” on Sunday, April 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Matador Bowling Lanes at 9118 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325. Enjoy the Sunday afternoon with fun, laughter and meet new friends. Please RSVP to Connie Mapue, secretary of FACC-GLA at (323) 337-7714. Fee for bowlers, $25 / person (FACCGLA members); $30/person for non-members. $15 / person for non bowlers

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

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How Madrid Fusion Manila... From Page 2 L’arpege and L’astrance shared. “We choose what’s seasonal, healthy and sustainably grown. and that also applies to our wine selection.” Filipino chefs Gene Gonzalez (Café Ysabel) and robby Goco (Green Pastures), delivered the opening and closing plenaries, respectively. Gonzalez talked about the evolution of Filipino cuisine and told the audience to watch out for artisanal and Philippine-made chocolates. The past two years have been an incredible journey for the food industry with the chefs from the different parts of the world coming together, discussing their knowledge about their food and cuisine and sharing best practices that chefs from this part of the world could emulate. Madrid Fusion is divided into three components: the International Gastronomy Congress, where award-winning chefs shared their views and techniques in cooking; the International Gastronomy Expo, which featured the finest food products and gourmet food, ingredients and technologies from asia and Spain; and Flavors of the

Philippines, a month-long festival across the country featuring the finest delicacies from every region. The expo had anchor booths from both the Department of agriculture and Department of Tourism, featuring various forms of culinary tourism, farm and agritourism models, along with other exhibitors involved in sustainable farming and fishing in keeping up with this year’s theme. From fine food to gourmet products and new ingredients, from equipment and services to culinary and farm tourism primemovers, the gastronomy expo is meant to reach out to the trade and tourism buyers and decisionmakers. Destination and lifestyle stands showcased the culinary tourism attractions of the country, along with their respective and iconic food, beverages and ingredients. There were also “food and beverage tunnels” which became a venue for delectable tasting sessions of wines and spirits, heirloom rice and grains, fresh farm produce, artisanal chocolates, various coffee varieties and other products. Food seminars were also held throughout the three-day affair. With Madrid Fusion Manila

Le Servan’s take on pork belly adobo

Pig’s Head Skewer with Brown rice Porridge

on its third edition, the culinary industry of the Philippines is beginning to expand and grow as it serves to challenge the country’s aspiring chefs to bring out the best in their crafts and how to make Manila the center of culinary excellence in all of asia. Madrid Fusion Manila is the first and only asian edition of Madrid Fusion, the most important international gastronomy congress in the world, organized annually in Madrid since 2003. When it was first staged in Manila in 2015, the theme focused around the 300-year gastronomic journey between the Philippines and Spain, and the celebration of the 450th anniversary then of the Manila Galleon that opened up trade routes between asia, Europe and the americas. “There’s a lot of interest in the event now. We have Fil-ams coming in from the United States and foreigners signing up for the congress. We also have the tourism buyers program and we have tour operators specializing in gastronomy and food tours from different parts of the world here,” Buensuceso added. The Tourism department is pushing culinary tourism

further and they are encouraging these global tour operators to meet with their local travel trade counterparts and develop packages to the Philippines that are centered on food and gastronomy tours. This year’s theme, according to Buensuceso, aligns well because this is also the International Year of Sustainable Tourism, one of the advocacies of the many chefs in the world and many of the chefs speaking at the congress are pushing for sustainability. “We are on the right track because we have so far generated a lot of buzz about the Philippines as a food hub and many of the publications in the world are already saying that Filipino cuisine is the next big food trend. We also have enclaves of Filipinos living abroad where Filipino restaurants are now coming out and they’re getting to be very popular so it also creates that awareness and helps build the awareness about the Philippines as a center of food and gastronomy,” Ms. Buensuceso explained. “I think all these elements are conspiring together to push the Philippines into the limelight,” she added.

Filipino-British Chef Josh Boutwood

Fil-Am pastry chef and Top Chef Just Desserts finalist Sally Camacho Mueller

Half-Filipino/French Levha Sisters of Le Servan in Paris At the expo, various regional specialties and native Filipino ingredients were on full display. Sampinit Tres Leches Cake

Pepita’s Lechon showcased their specialties: stuffed lechon

Kilawin Kambing Terrine

Kare Kare

Kinunot

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Sharon Cuneta on diet and healthy lifestyle By Maridol

ranoa-BisMark Philstar.com

ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

Sharon Cuneta needs to be congratulated. She lost a whopping 65 pounds in the past year or so, when she vowed to lose weight on her birthday, January 6. But while she is happy to get compliments for it, the “megastar” admits it is not enough. She needs to lose 20 pounds more to look “underweight” on TV, where she acts as one of four coaches (Lea Salonga, Bamboo and Sarah Geronimo are the others) in aBSCBn’s new singing reality show, “The Voice Teens.” “nag-plateau ako. I relaxed for a while and got tired. naumay ako sa diet,” she professes. Sharon knows the risks. She admits the feeling of food deprivation can lead to binging and weight gain. all her efforts to control her eating for the past year will be wasted. So, she came up with a plan to lose weight as fast as one to two weeks. That tried-and-tested plan is the Cohen Diet. Sharon says the medically driven diet tailor fits your meals according to your health condition. The doctor himself designs the diet for you. and because it worked for her, Sharon is thinking of seeing the same doctor again “based on my old prescription.” otherwise, she is reversing everything she did when she gained weight. “remember what you did when you gained weight? Just do the opposite if you want to shed pounds,” Sharon says. She takes small meals and

Actress Sharon Cuneta then and now.

satisfies her sweet tooth now and then by taking a bit of cake. This is a big improvement from the old Sharon who cannot keep her hands off two slices of cake, bread and butter. “Bread and butter were my downfall,” she admits. She has since replaced them with cold cuts and controlled her cravings. “You may undergo lipo(suction). You may chop off your body fats. But you can’t maintain your weight if you don’t control your eating. It’s got to be a lifestyle change,” adds Sharon. If her reunion movie with ex-husband and former love team Gabby Concepcion pushes through, Sharon must discipline herself even more. She herself pushed for the project because she wants to please fans who long to see their favorite love team on screen again after so many years.

Something to ponder... From Page 3 while I was traveling on a deserted road on my way to Jericho. They beat me up so badly and left me for dead. They took all I had, even my clothing.” The man continued, “hours had passed when I saw someone, coming up the road. he was garbed like a priest. I shouted for help and he saw me. alas, he went on the other side of the road and hurried along. no one else came for hours. My heart was sinking. and then, in what seemed to be forever, a Levite came by and saw me but he too could not be bothered and went to the other side of the road and went on his way.” he paused for a while and said,

“I was losing hope. I asked God for mercy to send someone, anyone to help me. The sun was going down and it will soon be cold and dark when I saw someone coming up the road. he was riding in a mule. I managed yet again to shout for help. This time, the man stopped, got off his animal and quickly hurried to where I lay bleeding. I must have passed out since that was the last time I remembered anything.” Joshua told him, “The man who brought you here saved you just in time. God heard your prayer. a physician has been treating you.” Joshua looked at him squarely and added, “The man who saved you is named Micah, a Samaritan. he was

The reunion project can also serve as closure for her and Gabby now that they feel they have “matured.” at the same time, Sharon thinks it could mark a new beginning, which could lead to TV projects and others. But Sharon cannot wait forever. She has a concert tour abroad in June, after the first season of “The Voice Teens” wraps up. Whether or not the movie pushes through, KC Concepcion, the couple’s daughter, has one wish for mom and dad. She wants them to become friends in the same way former married couple ogie alcasid and Michelle Van Eimeren enjoy each other’s company when they go on trips with their children. Sharon wants to grant KC’s wish. and it seems Gabby, does, too. Theirs is a happy ending, after all.

up all night looking after you. ” Samuel’s swollen eyes grew wide. Joshua noted the man seemed stunned at knowing who had saved him. “I’m the innkeeper. I’m Joshua. What is yours?” he asked him. “Sam … Samuel of Jerusalem,” the man stammered. Joshua nodded, stood up and took the tray away. “Well, rest and feel better,” he told him in a quiet voice, headed for the door and left the room. Joshua thought to himself as he went about his day. In the many years he had been an innkeeper, he knew Jews and Samaritans took great pains to avoid one other. They were like oil and water. They just did not mix. Jews considered Samaritans as half-breeds, inferior Continued on Page 7

Kris Aquino ready for her Hollywood closeup by ARlo

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INSTAGrAM is officially Kris Aquino’s medium. In a series of posts, she has kept her fans and followers updated of what’s going on with her Hollywood adventure. on Monday, April 17, the flamboyant Tv host—who is definitely one of Philippines’ biggest and most controversial personalities—posted, “I am now being managed by east West Artists headquartered in Los Angeles … My entertainment career will be under the direct supervision of one of their partners, @agentchrislee. #NewBlessing #NewJourney.” She followed it up with a greeting, “Good morning Philippines. #Grateful #BeBlessed.” With another text that said, “Work hard in silence. Let your success be the noise,” she furthered, “obeying the request of @agentchrislee, believing in

Gerald on relationship with Bea: We have a high level of trust By Deni

Kris Aquino with son Bimby (extreme left), agent Chris Lee, and financial adviser Nicko Falcis.

the wisdom of @nix722, and for the peaceful hearts of my sisters. #challengeaccepted.” The Queen of All Media flew to Los Angeles on Sunday, april 16 to sign a contract for a Hollywood project, which she said she could not disclose the details yet as she signed a non-disclosure

agreement, but shared she was excited to read the script with her name watermarked on every page. Meanwhile, showbiz website Pep.ph reported that Aquino has landed a role in the movie adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s hilarious bestselling novel “Crazy rich Asians.”

Atty. Nicolas ‘Nick’ Caraquel... From Page 5 induced him to seek for any job opportunity. After several attempts and acceptance, his enthusiasm nearly disintegrated when being turned down all because he’s just holding a tourist visa. But still Lady Luck tagged along with him to the US… a Kentucky-based Nestle Company hired him while his status was under process. expectedly, Nick’s performance was beyond anticipation that entailed a promotion. He was sent to Morris Plains, New Jersey as a Corporate Improvement engineer on March 2010. Meeting knowledgeable new friends in several occasions enlightened him about the possibility of taking the New York State Bar which he did. After reviewing for just 6 months, he successfully hurdled the NY Bar on May 2, 2012 and took his oath on June 19 of the same year. In November 4, 2016 he formally terminated his affiliation with Nestle and started his fulltime private practice. Now, on his almost fifth year as an Immigration Lawyer, Atty. Nick couldn’t believe the several life’s episodes that transpired and brought him where he is.

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With such a munificent heart and especial concern for the needy, this he has to say with humility: “I want to share what I’ve gained for I know how it is to be in such situation!” There couldn’t be a more fulfilling feeling than having achieved what one had aimed for. For Nick working hard to attain his goal was a healthy addiction coupled with progressive and relentless dedication toward his other personal goals. Looking back, Nick was like a visionary genius who could see what lies ahead and beyond, imagined what’s to come, and made things happen. For him there’s no substitute for a close relationship with his bitter past. His self-taught circumvent technique and well-learned experiences from his anfractuous yesteryears led him to better paths. Although he sowed the seed of his fate on stony ground under a stormy weather, he indefatigably cultivated its soil with his own hands, watered it with his blood, sweat, and tears coupled with buckets of hopes…nurtured it with unadulterated perseverance until it grew and in time reaps the fruit of what he has scrupulously toiled for. Truly, David Brinkley’s pronouncement has the same

effectual impact on Nick when he said that: “A successful man is one who laid a firm foundation with the same bricks others have thrown at him.” Atty. Nicolas “Nick” Caraquel’s poverty case was overwhelmingly won with unrelenting uphill struggle and unparalleled integrity. For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com

Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo

“A Love to Last” star Bea Alonzo keeps the photos of her exes — and her boyfriend, actor Gerald Anderson, does not mind. “Part ng buhay ng isang tao ‘yan e, something na ‘di natin mabubura,” he told Philstar.com in a recent interview following his successful finish at the Skechers LA Marathon. He does not feel jealous, even now that Bea is seen in romantic scenes with actor Ian veneracion in “A Love to Last.” “Ako naman ‘yung tipo ng tao na ine-enjoy ko ‘yung moment. Kung anong nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon, ‘yun ang focus ko, hindi ‘yung past,” added Gerald, who is also working with his ex-girlfriend, Kim Chiu, for another ABS-CBN soap opera. He and Kim are even in a

in every way, since they had married pagans and had included pagan rituals in their worship. In the Jewish tradition, they were outcasts, tolerated but not welcome. Joshua guessed Samaritans probably felt just as resentful toward Jews. They probably regarded Jews as high-handed, arrogant stiffs, rigidly set and unbending in their ways and traditions. So deep was the resentment between them that Samaritans and Jews did not even talk to each other. But now somehow Joshua knew it did not have to be so.

sexy magazine cover shoot lately. He assured that he and Bea have a high level of trust. “Kasi hindi ako nag-dwe-dwell sa past,” he said. Last Holy Week, Bea and Gerald had a beach vacation in Davao together with their families. When the actor celebrated his birthday last March 7, Bea’s gift for him was “support and time.” He also got his wish of “wisdom, strength and motivation.” Shortly after his birthday, Gerald finished the 42k Los Angeles marathon. Bea was so happy when he crossed the finish line and called him right away to congratulate. Will he be running with Bea in the next marathon? “She joins runs. Kaya n’ya (magmarathon). Kaya ng kahit sinong

Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson

Something to ponder... From Page 6

Philstar.com

regaled his wife and children with these stories at the dinner table. He knew and felt better about He thought that maybe one this bit of wisdom about who true day when the time is ripe, he could neighbors are. He refused the two share these stories with as many silver coins Micah was giving him. others who cared to listen. These Joshua felt good doing his bit for stories are just too good to keep to the wounded man. one’s self. Maybe he can tell Luke Joshua went about his day with who can then write about these a lighter heart. He felt sure God stories to pass them on to many made him an innkeeper to meet generations. people on the crossroads. Since that Samuel, the wounded man, glorious night long ago when he was in deep thought too. He felt witnessed something rare, precious sure the priest and the Levite who and mysterious in a childbirth at had both passed him by were the stable at the back of the inn going to help him in his hour of that only a few men had ever seen, need. They were supposedly men stories have been unfolding right of God. Samuel was a man of some before his eyes. means and had given generously People and their stories have to the temple’s coffers. He even sat been opening up his heart and with these men in places of honor. enriching his soul. Joshua often Like them, he grew up bound by

may gusto, basta paghihirapan,” he assured. “It’s one thing I want people to experience, kahit hindi ‘yung 42k, kahit ‘yung mga half-marathon man lang. Kasi ‘yun ang gusto kong maranasan ng mga tao, ‘yung fulfillment.” Crossing the finish line has its own joy and offers a different feeling altogether that Gerald cannot compare it to the happiness he felt during his birthday, Christmas, or first kiss with Bea. “The fulfillment, the emotions, do not compare with anything… Kasi alam mo na pinaghirapan mo s’ya, ‘yung emotions at fulfillment na binibigay sa’yo na isang marathon or isang race, iba s’ya.” He was at the brink of giving up at 20 to 35 kilometers. But what kept him going were cheers from fellow Filipinos saying, “Malapit na!” “It was very challenging, especially the last part,” he recalled. “My entire body aches, especially the legs. I saw people fainting along the way…Kasi pinu-push mo sarili mo, pinu-push mo katawan mo to a point na ‘di pa nararating ng katawan mo. That’s why nung kinakabit na ‘yung medal, iba na ‘yung pakiramdam… The cheers really gave me a boost of energy. Inisip ko ‘yung mga taong naghintay sa’kin sa dulo. Inisip ko ‘yung pinaghirapan ko para sa event na ‘to.” tradition and despised Samaritans. And yet, here he is, still alive by an unexpected grace. Here he still is because of a surprising deed of kindness from a man whose tribe people thought, including himself, were good for nothing. He closed his eyes and felt deep shame and remorse. Samuel knew he could never repay the kindness this Samaritan man Micah had given him. Yet, Samuel now knows in his heart he can look at Samaritans and perhaps, even other groups who worshiped the same God, with fresh eyes and treat them like his own. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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