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Volume10 – Issue 12 • 16 Pages
DE C E MBE R 1 6 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 6 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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DATELINE Without ACA guarantees, 52-M adults could have trouble buying individual plans from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Duterte: I may not finish my term by LeiLa
B. SaLaVerria Inquirer.net
PhNom PeNh — the realization hit him six months into his presidency: he doesn’t need the job. “I am old,” President Duterte told a cheering crowd of several thousand expatriate filipinos in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on his arrival for a two-day visit. “this is my last hurrah. After this, 77. I am not sure if I will still be around
by the end of my term,” he said. mr. Duterte, who will be 77 when his six-year term expires in 2022, is the oldest person to be elected President in the Philippines. he added that he had “found out very late” that he did not need the presidency at his age. “It’s not a question of having regrets, none at all, because I entered into it,” he said. “I realize now—I do not need it at this time of my life. But I tell you, I take
pleasure at the end of the day, that’s the only consolation, I have a job, I am doing something right,” he added. Yellows and reds he does not need “confirmation,” he stressed, before adding that the “yellows,” referring to the previous Aquino administration and its Liberal Party members, want him out of his post because they cannot accept defeat. But the reds, or the Left, would not allow him to be unseated. “the Left will kill you if you remove
more than 1 in 4 adults younger than 65 live with conditions that private insurers could have declined to cover in some policies prior to the Affordable Care Act, according to an analysis by the Kaiser family foundation. the researchers noted that a large share of those individuals likely get their insurance through their employers, which does not take into consideration prior health issues. But if the health law were repealed and those people lost their health insurance for any reason, they could face problems. southern states carried the highest percentages of adults at risk of being shut out by insurers. the analysis found that 52 million nonelderly adults faced the possibility of being denied coverage due to a preexisting condition if they were purchasing a policy on
home fires claim 2,500 lives and make up the vast majority of the roughly 70,000 emergencies the American red Cross responds to each year in the United states. they happen about twice daily in the greater Los Angeles region. In light of the frequency at which fires wreak havoc, the Los Angeles chapter of the American red Cross (ArC-LA) is encouraging residents of historic filipinotown and surrounding communities to volunteer in efforts to promote fire safety. they have also been offering free smoke alarm installations throughout the city. residents of Pico-Union and Westlake neighborhoods, including parts of historic filipinotown, can now sign up for a free smoke alarm installation provided by the ArC-LA on saturday, february 11 next year. the ArC-LA has installed 8,000 new smoke alarms this year, but many buildings still have faulty units, according to the
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by Dana
SioSon AJPress
STATE VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte and King of Cambodia His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni meet at the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace in Cambodia on Wednesday, December 14. Malacañang photo by Rene Lumawag
by ChriStina
MenDez
Philstar.com
Agnes Callamard Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Released
PhNom PeNh — With nary a hint that she would follow conditions set by Philippine President rodrigo Duterte, United Nations (UN) rapporteur Agnes Callamard would not be allowed to proceed with her investigation into alleged summary executions of thousands of drug offenders as part of his war on criminality. foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay Jr. made this clear to reporters Wednesday, Dec. 14, after attending a meeting with some 1,000 filipino workers at the sofitel ho-
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tel here. “they cannot come,” Yasay said, referring to Callamard and her team. “If they will not comply with the conditions of our president regarding their visit to the Philippines to validate their claims, then the trip will not push through. they cannot come here,” he added. he said Callamard as of press time has not signified her readiness to follow the conditions for her probe set by malacañang. Yasay explained that for the UN representative to formalize her
Sec. Jesus Dureza with Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega and Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz at a Luncheon Forum with members of the Fil-Am media and Filipino-American Community groups at the Philippine Center, New York.
BEYOND PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
Sec. Dureza: PH ends support for peace process moving forward US patrols in the South China Sea u PAGE A2
by MoMar
G. ViSaya
AJPress
AJPress
the Liberal Party (LP), including former President Benigno Aquino III, is slated to have a meeting next year to discuss and arrive at a party stand regarding different national issues. According to Vice President Leni robredo, the meeting, which has been arranged by interim LP President and senator francis Pangilinan, will be held in January 2017. “Nag-usap na kami (LP leaders) kasi iyong dating timetable, march pa magpapatawag ng meeting kaya lang sinuggest natin na agahan (our previous time-
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mALACAÑANG on monday, December 12, slammed the New York Times for allegedly being ‘one-sided’ in its recent report about the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and the supposed spate of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. In a statement, Presidential Communications secretary martin Andanar called on foreign media to maintain impartiality when reporting the Philippine government’s intensified campaign against narcotics. “We ask the foreign media to present both sides of the story when reporting on the Philippine war on
‘UN rapporteur must comply with PH president’s conditions’
Robredo, LP, Aquino to meet in January to consolidate forces by Dana
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Palace hits the New York Times for being ‘one-sided’ in drug war piece
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American Red Cross reps urge Filipinos to prepare for disasters
me. Because I am leftist. I am the child of poor parents. I’m the first left-leaning President. But I am not under or I am not a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said. Rising death toll mr. Duterte told business leaders in manila on monday that he had no fear of being removed from power or assassinated because of the killings in his antidrug campaign. since July 1, nearly 6,000 people
by eriC
anthony LiCaS AJPress
offICIALs in manila said on monday, December 12, that they will prohibit the launch of U.s. patrols from the Philippines intended to contest Beijing’s claims to sovereignty in the south China sea. American forces conducting exercises asserting freedom of navigation in the region had been allowed to stage their operations from military bases in the Philippines by the prior administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. In line with efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ ties with China, representatives of the Duterte administration have set out to Former Pres. Benigno Aquino III and current Vice Pres. Leni Robredo
Philstar.com photo
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NeW YorK — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process secretary Jesus Dureza met with the filipino-American media and some leaders of the filipino-American community at a Lunch forum held last week at the Kalayaan hall Annex of the Philippine Center. Consul General theresa Dizon-de Vega introduced secretary Dureza, noting that the secretary attended the simbang Gabi sa Konsulado the previous night and delivered an address before some 150 filipino mass-goers. At the forum, secretary Dureza reported about his trip to Washington, DC where he led the Philippine delegation to the International Conference on “the role of Citizens in service Delivery and Building state Legitimacy in fragile and Conflict Affected situations” organized by the World Bank’s Global
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A DECEMBER 16-22, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
From the Front Page
Duterte: I may not finish my…
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GIFT-GIVING AT CROSSWINDS. The children beam with joy due to the annual Christmas party and gift-giving of Villar SIPAG led by Senator Cynthia Villar and former Senate President Many Villar and their children, (L-R); Vista Land & Lifescapes Pres. & CEO Paolo Villar, DPWH Sec. Mark Villar and wife Diwa Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar with their daughter Emma Therese, and Camille Villar with son Tristan. The children from Tondo, Manila ang Brgy. Iruhin, Tagaytay City, went home with various gifts from Santa Claus aside from raffle prizes from the Christmas party held at Crosswinds, a Swiss luxury sanctuary along the mountainsides of Tagaytay City. Senate photo
Palace hits the New York Times for…
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drugs,” Andanar said. The statement comes following a New York Times article entitled “They are slaughtering us like animals,” published last December 7. The article — which covers 57 murder victims at 41 sites over the span of 35 days — also includes graphic images depicting some of the incidents. In the piece, writer Daniel Berehulak reported that about 2,000 people “had been slain at the hands of the police alone” since President Rodrigo Duterte launched his “bloody and chaotic” crackdown on drugs.
Berehukak added that vigilantes seem to be “taking seriously Mr. Duterte’s call to ‘slaughter them all.’” According to Andanar, the article “depicts the Philippines as the Wild, Wild West in this part of the world. This is farthest from the truth.” “If the reporter had bothered to check the facts of the 3,000 deaths under investigation by the Philippine National Police, only 1,080 are drug-related. The rest are murder and homicide cases perpetrated by gunmen which the Philippine National Police (PNP) is now investigating, the
results of which will be made public in due time,” Andanar noted, insisting that Duterte has not given any direct order for police to kill drug dealers and users on mere suspicion. Instead, police officers “neutralize those who violently resist arrest” and have the right to defend themselves, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, in his speech during The Outstanding Filipino Awards for 2016 at Malacañang, the president responded to the international criticism. “I am not a killer. I do not relish or enjoy a Filipino sprawled there with all the blood,” he said. n
investigation, she must agree to pre-conditions set by the Office of the President. “They should have requested in the first place that there will be a validation or verification of the alleged violations of human rights. Instead of doing that they just jumped into conclusion, they based their arbitrary decision on media reports and then now, they want to come here,” he said.
In October, Duterte – through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea – formally invited Callamard to check for herself reports of extrajudicial killings allegedly perpetrated by law enforcers and vigilante groups in the conduct of the administration’s war on drugs. In his letter, Medialdea told Callamard that Duterte should also be allowed to ask the UN rapporteur questions in the spirit
the Palace issue medical bulletins, Abella insisted that Mr. Duterte was OK, days after the President himself detailed his physical ailments. “Based on results, he’s doing very, very well,” he said. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, a member of the President’s official delegation to Cambodia, said a medical bulletin on Mr. Dutere’s condition was not that necessary. “What you see is what you get. If you see the President going on leave because he cannot do his job anymore, then you can have some doubts about his health,” said Bello. Only if he begins having difficulty meeting his obligations would a health bulletin be necessary, he said. “He is superhealthy. I don’t understand where he gets his energy,” he said. Bello also brushed off speculations that Mr. Duterte’s condition was worse than what was publicly admitted. “What he is doing cannot be done by someone who is sick,” he said.
Before flying to Cambodia, the President attended late night engagements. “Whatever pains he’s experiencing, the doctors would say basically wear and tear. It’s part of the territory,” Abella said. Earlier this month, Mr. Duterte talked about his health problems, which include daily migraines and pain in his spine. He disclosed that he was taking the powerful painkiller Fentanyl, used by cancer patients. But he denied that he was suffering from cancer, a rumor that arose during the campaign. Fentanyl is a prescription drug similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, confusion, hallucination and seizures. Mr. Duterte no longer smokes or drinks alcohol. Meeting of tough guys The President met with Prime Minister Hun Sen later Wednesday at the Peace Palace. The two leaders known for their tough-guy approach to gov-
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Sec. Dureza: peace process moving… PAGE A1 t
Programs Unit of the Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice, and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. “One of our major advocacies now – and our intention really is to move the peace process forward. So far, for the six months of the Duterte administration, we have moved forward dramatically,” Dureza said. The secretary talked about developments on the peace process and shared results of the first and second rounds of the Peace Talks with the rebel groups. He added that he remains optimistic about the positive outcome of the talks of fair play. as he believes a “level of trust has The president said the UN rap- been reached between the Leftist porteur should also agree to face groups and the Government.” him in a debate so that he can raise “Our talks with CPP-NPA-NDF, issues on the validity of his admin- which were stalled for four years istration’s war on illegal drugs. in the previous administration… “What will be the purpose of we have just finished the second coming here when they already round of talks and will resume made their judgment, so that’s the third round next January. why the president said, ‘if you Communities affected by conflict want to come here, you may have been quiet, with the NPA come here but on my terms’,” and AFP no longer squeezing Yasay said. n their weapons,” he explained.
‘UN rapporteur must comply…
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have died in the crackdown, a key plank of Mr. Duterte’s May election campaign. Police say 2,028 have been killed by officers in self-defense, and the rest “deaths under investigation.” “Oust me—good; assassinate me—better; I have this migraine every day,” he said. “I have a lot of issues with my spine. What I have is really Buerger’s disease. It’s an acquired thing that you get from smoking, because of nicotine.” Doctors had advised surgery on his spine, he said, but his wife, a nurse who used to work in the United States, did not agree because “a lot of operations for the spine went wrong.” He added: “If you guys see me always in a sad mood, I am actually pushing a nerve here to relieve the pain,” and touched the right side of his face. Any aches and pains he may experience are just par for the course for someone his age, said the President’s spokesperson, Ernesto Abella. Asked about suggestions that
Dureza poses for a photograph with some of the Forum participants.
Secretary Dureza also talked about the “Duterte enigma” and expressed that his optimism in the success of the peace talks stems from his belief that the president’s strong political will is helping the peace process to move forward and ensuring all parties come together in the peace process. President Duterte has already declared a unilateral ceasefire of offense operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army and also released twenty (20) political prisoners based on humani-
tarian grounds to help facilitate the talks. Dureza added, “A big component of our peace work is no longer just negotiations, but it is to improve the lives of the people on the ground, especially in conflict-affected areas or fragile communities that face challenges because of armed conflict in their area.” The secretary said that the Philippines needs support from the international community in order to achieve that. He met with officials from the World
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From the Front Page
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 16-22, 2016
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Sec. Dureza: peace process moving…
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Bank in Washington, DC, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark in New York to discuss the development aspects of the peace process. According to the World Bank, over 60% of the world’s poor population will be found in countries dealing with conflict or areas experiencing issues of fragility. In the Philippines’ case, areas in Mindanao, the southern region of the Philippines that has long been embroiled in insurgency, hold the highest poverty levels in the country. Poverty in the region is almost twice the national average. Secretary Dureza is serving his third stint as Presidential Ad-
CONTRABAND. Around 300 police officers raided eight detention facilities at the 48-hectare compound of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig on Monday, Dec. 12. The raiders seized 100 blue books and ledgers indicating the drug transactions of the inmates, including a bank deposit of P2.5 million and the delivery receipts for orders of 200 to 500 grams of shabu to clients outside the jails, NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
Duterte: I may not finish my… PAGE A2 t
erning witnessed the signing of four agreements on transnational crime, sports cooperation, tourism and labor cooperation. These include opening direct flights between Manila and
Phnom Penh and coordinating best practices on sports management and training, said Philippine Ambassador Christopher Montero. The Philippine and Cambodian police will address drug traffick-
PH ends support for US…
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end that arrangement. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana foreshadowed the country’s decision during a press conference on Thursday, December 8. He told reporters that the Philippines would likely scale back its support for American freedom of navigation patrols “to avoid any provocative actions that can escalate tensions in the South China Sea.” The government’s announcement on Monday may conflict with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed by representatives of the U.S. and the Philippines in 2014. The document grants U.S. forces access to certain Philippine military bases and was recently affirmed as constitutional by the latter country’s Supreme Court in July. Since taking office at the end of June this year, Duterte has pushed to mend ties with Beijing which had soured due to disputes over fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal. Efforts to expand the Philippines’ relationship with China were spurred partly by tensions that grew out of U.S. opposition to the Duterte administration’s crackdown on the country’s illegal drug trade. President-elect Donald Trump had offered a clean slate to his Filipino counterpart and expressed support for Duterte’s
war on crime during a direct phone call on Friday, December 2. Despite that conversation, officials in Beijing have said that the Philippines’ pivot to China will continue, according to Bloomberg and other sources. American forces will, however, be allowed to land, refuel, and resupply in the Philippines on their way back from those missions. Lorenzana told reporters on Monday that the U.S. could still launch exercises from Guam or Japan. The Duterte administration’s decision might have threatened to cancel joint exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the American military. However, the exercises could still take place if they were repurposed into humanitarian and emergency relief training, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander of the U.S. Army I Corps, told Voice of America. Despite a reduction in support from what has traditionally been one of the United States’ closest allies, American officials say they are likely to remain committed to promoting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. “You know, we will fly, we will sail anywhere within international waters and we will continue that,” State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday, December 8. n
Officials in Manila said on Monday, December 12, that they will prohibit the launch of U.S. patrols from the Philippines intended to contest Beijing’s claims to sovereignty in the South China Sea. US Navy photo
Robredo, LP, Aquino…
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table sets the meeting in March but we suggested that we conduct the meeting earlier),” Robredo disclosed on Wednesday, December 14, in an open forum with students at the 5th General Trias Youth Leaders’ Summit in Cavite. She said the LP will discuss various national issues, including pending measures on the reimposition of the death penalty, the age of criminal liability, and amendments to the sin tax law. “Sinu-suggest nila na gusto nila mag-meet at magkaroon ng dating ginagawa na may isang policy body para naiintidihan ng mg miyembro… Iyon ang sinasabi nila na mas mabuti sana bago ito pinag-uusapan sa Kongreso para alam na rin namin ang direksyon. (They suggested that we meet so we can create a policy body so that the members can understand the issues… That’s why they are saying we should discuss this before these are deliberated in Congress, so we have direction),” the vice president added. She also made a distinction regarding the difference between the “voice of opposition” and “leader of opposition.” Robredo, who holds the highest position in government among the members of the LP, previously announced that she is ready
to become the “unifying voice” of the opposition after President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered her to “desist” attending from all cabinet meetings, prompting her to resign from her post as the housing secretary. “Iyong boses ng oposisyon hindi iyan partisan. Oposisyon sa mga specific na polisiya ng gobyerno. Nag-tratranscend ito ng mga political parties (Being the voice of the opposition is nonpartisan because the opposition is specific to the policies of government. That transcends political parties),” the vice president explained. Robredo noted that she wanted to help the administration to succeed by unifying the voices dissenting against some policies of the government that “we believe are threatening our democratic institutions.” “Kapag sinabi mo kasi na opposition leader ka parang lahat na lang ng gawin ng administrasyon kontra ka. Parang hindi naman iyon tama. Parang hindi na natin binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang administrasyon na mag-succeed. (Because if you say ‘opposition leader,’ it seems like you will protest everything the administration does. That doesn’t seem right because it’s like we are not giving the administration the chance to succeed),” Robredo added. n
ing, terrorism, extremism, and financial and economic crimes. Montero earlier said Cambodia had an interest in vocational training, pointing out the Philippines had a high level of expertise in this area. Before his departure from Manila, Mr. Duterte said his trip to the Philippines’ neighbors—he will go to Singapore after Cambodia—was in preparation for the Asean summit meeting which the Philippines would host late next year. n
viser, having already served as peace adviser for two previous administrations, and is responsible for resuscitating the peace talks with communist rebels. “We need to address the historical injustice to the Muslims in the country and setting up a federal system will be the end game, if it happens. But before that, we are able to entrench a new Bangsamoro government unit that will be very close to a federal state for the Bangsamoro,” Dureza said. Among those who participated in the Lunch Forum were members of the Fil-Am media, representatives of various Filipino Community organizations and around 8-10 Human Rights advocates who held a brief protest
outside the Philippine Center calling for the release of political prisoners. The protestors were invited by Secretary Dureza to participate in the Forum. The Secretary entertained questions from the all attendees on other issues such as extra-judicial killings, the move towards federalism in the Philippines, contributions of the FilipinoAmerican community, the situation of the Lumads (indigenous people) in the midst of the peace negotiations, and the economic prospects of the Philippines under the Duterte administration, among others. The Forum originally scheduled to be held only from 12 noon to 2 pm was extended for an additional hour due to the extensive discussions. n
Without ACA guarantees, 52-M adults… PAGE A1 t
the individual market under the common rules used before the health law. In the individual market, consumers buy their own insurance. It serves people who cannot access employer-based insurance or public health coverage, such as Medicaid. A third of the adult population in Alabama, Kentucky and West Virginia fall in that category. The study highlights the risk that some people might face if Republicans go forward with their pledge to repeal the health law and don’t have adequate safeguards against basing insurance on preexisting conditions. The individual market is quite small — about 8 percent of adults — but the number of people affected by it is likely much higher,
researchers note, because people churn in and out of that market frequently, as they change jobs or go through a divorce, for example. The federal health law’s prohibition on denying coverage based on medical history is quite popular. But to help maintain a healthy insurance pool that could offset insurers’ costs for the care of sick customers, the law mandates that most people buy insurance or pay a penalty. It is that individual mandate that has generated strong objections from critics of the law. Researchers analyzed data from two surveys conducted in 2015 by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The age, health status and conditions participants reported in the
surveys were key indicators in identifying this population. Cynthia Cox, associate director of health reform and private insurance at KFF and one of the authors of the study, said as Congress considers overhauling the health law, lawmakers need to consider those people who churn in and out of the individual market. (KHN is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) “I think what the study shows is that the details of a repeal and replace act matter not only for the people that are immediately affected,” she said, “but for the people that might need this coverage at some point in their lives.” Prior to the ACA, medical un-
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Dateline USa
A DECEMBER 16-22, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426
Fil-Am among APIs continuing fight against Dakota Access Pipeline
STAR POWER. Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle thanks Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach for her donation of cash and goods for Caritas Manila’s bazaar to raise funds for 5000 scholars. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez
Millionaires, CEOs and military personnel comprise Trump’s appointees so far A MONTH after his historic election, president-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in selecting the individuals to run his administration. Many of them include his millionaire and CEO peers — of which donated a collective $11.6 million to his campaign — with several military generals and a handful of career politicians. Reince Priebus, Chief of Staff The Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman was one of the first chosen in the White House staff and may prove to bridge the gap between Trump and the Republicans in Congress -- many of whom refused to support Trump during the campaign. House Speaker Sen. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) recommended the well-respected Republican leader, who clashed with Trump during the election race. He lambasted Trump after the infamous 2005 tape of Trump was release in which the reality star bragged about using his celebrity to force himself on women. “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever,” Priebus had said after the tape was leaked. However, Priebus graciously accepted Trump’s nomination and has stated that his main goal was to groom the administration to become more congenial and less associated with Trump’s controversial rhetoric. “[Trump] said, ‘We’re going to
calm the waters. We’re going to bring people together. We’re not going to brag,’” Priebus said on Fox News following the election results. Stephen Bannon, White House Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor One of the more controversial picks, Bannon, the former head of so-called alt-right news outlet Breitbart News, had been one of Trump’s most-trusted advisers during the campaign. Since being selected as the chief strategist and senior counselor to the president-elect, critics have lambasted Bannon as a “white nationalist” for his news outlet’s alleged “racist” and “anti-Semitic” slant. Responding to the criticism of his appointment from organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League as well as some Republican strategists, he said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “Darkness is good. Dick Cheney. Darth Vader. Satan. That’s the power. It only helps us when they [presumably, liberals] get it wrong. When they’re blind to who we are and what we’re doing.” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Attorney General Another controversial appointment, Sessions was responsible for helping Trump craft the strict immigration plan that has been a cornerstone of the campaign. He was also among the first senators to endorse Trump back in Febru-
ary. The seasoned senator is wellrespected among his Republican colleagues but is not a favorite among Democrats in Washington. In the 1980s, then President Ronald Reagan nominated Sessions for federal district judge only to be blocked by the Democrat-led Senate after being accused of saying racial slurs toward an African-American colleague. Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Considered one of the rising stars in the Republican Party, Trump’s nomination of the South Carolina governor came to the surprise of many. Previously considered for the Vice President ticket, Haley — the daughter of Indian immigrants — is one of the first women of color picked by Trump, who received flak for previously only picking older, white men. Haley, 44, had sparred with Trump during the race, criticizing his rhetoric and his refusal to condemn hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan. In response, Trump picked on Haley, calling her “weak” on immigration. Despite their rocky history, Haley expressed a “sense of duty” and accepted Trump’s offer. “When the President believes you have a major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation’s standing in the world, that is a calling that
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VOWING to continue the struggle against the “black snake” of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, 50 Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday, December 11 to hear eyewitness accounts of recent peaceful protests against armed security forces. Those who traveled 1,500 miles to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation said they joined thousands of other peaceful protesters – known as water protectors – to follow the courageous leadership of Native Americans who were determined to save their tribal water, land, sacred sites and sovereignty without violence. On Dec. 4, 2016, the Army Corps of Engineers halted the pipeline construction until it completes an environmental review of alternative routes with full tribal and public input. “It takes a tremendous amount of strength to not act out towards the Dakota Access Pipeline and their allies,” said Hsingii Bird, 35, a Taiwanese immigrant who took part in the protests. “I believe the indigenous people are the guardian of Mother Earth, and we must be their best allies. That is what Standing Rock taught me.” After a long cross-country drive from Long Beach, California, Alex Montances, 32, said he and other protestors were warmly welcomed by Native American women who recounted generations of violence and oppression
against them. Yet when it came time for an all-women march toward the pipeline security forces, they stood strong and calm. “Women were on the front lines. They marched up to the barbed wire and the armored vehicles,” recalled Montances, a Filipino American. “They asked the security officers to join them to protect water.” That didn’t happen, so the 150 women – elderly grandmothers, mothers with babies and small children, teens – retreated, but returned again another time for an all-female march. “The strength of the Native Americans and the Native American women – I have never seen that in my life,” he said. Mato Means, 34, a member of the Lakota tribe and a military veteran who lives on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, said he was appreciative of the efforts by Los Angeles-area APIs. “You are all part of the great turtle island,” said Means, referring to the American Indian creation story of how the world first formed as one land mass on a turtle’s back. More than $1,000 was collected to help the Standing Rock Sioux tribal nation and to send future water protectors when needed. Speakers said they foresee a long struggle because they expect incoming president Donald Trump will attempt to force pipeline construction to resume.
A colorful banner, to be shared with the Standing Rock community of camps and shelters that now face a harsh winter, was also signed by the group. The Dec. 11 event was co-organized by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) Environmental Justice Committee and the Progressive Asian Network for Action. APIs joining in solidarity with Native American causes is a long history, said Kathy Masaoka, of Los Angeles. She recounted the struggle more than 40 years ago when she and other activists traveled to Wounded Knee in South Dakota and were met by armed federal officers, marshals and the FBI. “There was no Facebook, no video, no news coming out,” Masaoka said. “Wounded Knee was the site of the massacre in the 1800s. And treaties were long broken there.” Looking ahead, many participants said they will travel back to Standing Rock when the call for help comes. Several supporting organizations are also planning support activities in the Los Angeles area. “We have to continue standing as allies with our Native American brothers and sisters both in Standing Rock and locally,” said Nancy Kim, a water protector who is ready to return. “And that means educating ourselves regarding the battles and issues they are facing.” (A3PCON) n
Without ACA guarantees, 52-M adults… PAGE A3 t
derwriting was standard practice in 45 states and the District of Columbia, the analysis said. Prospective enrollees typically filled out a survey regarding their medical history that included questions about pregnancy status, medications and lab results. Applications also included an authorization clause that allowed insurers to access all medical records. Insurance companies could deny coverage based on preexisting conditions such as pregnancy, cancer and diabetes the study reported. Additionally, these entities could also reduce coverage by cutting out certain medications such as cancer fighting drugs and antipsychotic
medications. Individuals with certain occupations such as firefighters, taxi cab drivers and air traffic controllers faced an uphill battle to secure coverage from some insurers. Sabrina Corlette, research professor at Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms, said the individual mandate has not provided enough incentives so far to guarantee a robust health pool, but she urged officials to give it more time. “I would argue that before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, we should give the individual mandate a chance to work,” she said. However, Robert Laszewski, a health care industry consultant and president of Health Policy
and Strategy Associates, said the individual mandate has been proven to not work. He suggested Republicans look at other options, including a penalty similar to Medicare Part B, where enrollees pay a more if they choose to enroll after they first become eligible. Regardless of the future health policy in place, Laszewski said it is imperative that individuals living with illnesses have access to health insurance. “You can’t have a workable system without covering a preexisting condition,” Laszewski said. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News. (Carmen Heredia Rodriguez / Kaiser Health-
News)
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UN warns: PH will violate pact if it restores death penalty by Dana
SioSon AJPress
human rights obligations of the Philippines and maintain the abolition of the death penalty,” Al Hussein said in his letter. Al Hussein also reminded the Philippines that it has signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2007, which “guarantees that no one can be executed within its jurisdiction.” “International law does not permit a State that has ratified or acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to denounce it or withdraw from it,” he added. At the same time, Al Hussein noted that the Philippines passed the Republic Act 9346 or “An Act Prohibiting the Imposition of Death Penalty in the Philippines” under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006. In his letter, Al Hussein also acknowledged the Philippines’ intensified campaign against illegal drugs. However, he stressed that ICCPR “considers that the
use of the death penalty for drug crimes is incompatible under international law.” The death penalty bill, which will be deliberated next by a Senate committee, listed the use and trade of illegal drugs among the heinous crimes liable for capital punishment. The UN commissioner went on to suggest that the most effective ways to approach drug-related offenses were “through strengthening the rule of law, ensuring an effective justice system and reducing drug use by adopting a strong public health approach to prevention, harm reduction and other forms of health care and treatment in accordance with international standards.” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who won the presidency in a landslide victory last May with a vow to kill drug lords and users to prevent the country from becoming a “narco-state,” also promised that he would support the return of capital punishment. n
THE United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights warned the Philippines that it will violate an international agreement if its government allows the reimposition of the death penalty. Early this week, the death penalty bill hurdled the committee level in the House of Representatives. In an open letter addressed to Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and House SURPRISE GALUGAD. Police and jail operatives found several contraband items, including at least 70 sachets of methamphetamine of Representatives Speaker Panhydrochloride or “shabu,” during a surprise search inside the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on taleon Alvarez, UN CommisThursday, Dec. 8. Members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, in cooperation sioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein with Bureau of Immigration authorities conducted a surprise “Oplans Greyhound and Galugad” at the MMDJ with over 5,000 inmates. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez expressed his concerns over the pending measure to restore capital punishment in the Philippines. “The Philippines would violate PAGE A4 t Obamacare. With his appointment of Labor; in his administration, its obligations under internationis important to heed,” Haley said of Price — an orthopedic surgeon she was the only official to serve al human rights law if it reintroin a statement on Wednesday, from Atlanta — as his HHS sec- all eight years. duced the death penalty, I appeal November 23. “The second is a retary, Trump may have a perfect Before that, she had been the to you and all members of Consatisfaction with all that we have solution to that promise. deputy secretary of transpor- gress to uphold the international achieved in our state in the last A strong critic of Obamacare, tation from 1989-1991 during six years and the knowledge that Price has offered a detailed former President George H.W. we are on a very strong footing.” health care plan to challenge and Bush’s administration. Trump’s Cabinet picks so far replace Obamacare since 2009 A solid figure in the Republican Wilbur Ross, Jr., Secretary of as Obamacare was being written. establishment, Chao is married Commerce His suggested legislations — to Senate Majority Leader Sen. Committing to Trump promise called the Empowering Patients Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) to save jobs in coal, Ross, a 79- First Act — would repeal Obam- and has campaigned for him. OAKLAND, California — Filipino year-old billionaire, has built his acare and offer “age-adjusted tax Steven Mnuchin, Secretary American Vanessa Quintos Plotkin, 21, fortune on restructuring the steel credits” for individual and group of Treasury was among those who died in a wareand coal industries. Although the health plans, according to a reDuring the election race, the house fire here on Dec. 2, the coroner’s coal industry is seeing strong port from The New York Times. entrepreneur, Wall Street inves- office confirmed. competition from renewable This year, House Republicans tor and former executive of GoldPlotkin was first reported missing folenergy companies, Ross’s com- have adopted several ideas from man Sachs — one of the banks lowing the Ghost Ship warehouse fire mitment to saving jobs in coal his plan in their issued “Better that needed a government bail- that killed 36 young people, in what is strikes a chord with much of Way” agenda. out during the 2008 recession— known as the deadliest fire in Oakland’s Middle America where most of Gen. John F. Kelly, Secretary served as Trump’s campaign history. those jobs are located. of Homeland Security national finance chair. After 17 Plotkin was University of California, As an opponent of free trade A retired four-star general, years of rising to the top of Gold- Berkeley sociology student. She grew agreements, Ross has echoed Gen. Kelly will be responsible man Sachs, Mnuchin left to be- up in Lakewood, California, and went much of Trump’s stances on for overseeing immigration un- gin his own hedge fund and also to electronic concert at the warehouse the economy which likely aided der the Trump administration. finances large, blockbuster films with her roommate, Jennifer Morris, in his nomination as commerce As Southern Command chief, in Hollywood on the side. who was also among the confirmed secretary. However, the relation- Kelly — in addition to commandScott Pruitt, Head of the En- dead. ship between the two dates back ing the Marines in Iraq — orga- vironmental Protection Agency Fire investigators reported that the to the 1990s when Ross aided nized and managed U.S. military (EPA) fatalities were first overcome by smoke Trump in the latter’s failing Taj operations in South and Central When Trump nominated Okla- before they burned to death. Mahal casino. America, including the border. homa Attorney General Scott The Ghost Ship warehouse was gathJames Mattis, Secretary of Kelly’s son, Robert, was killed Pruitt as the new head of the EPA, ering place for young artists and music Defense in combat in Afghanistan, which those that support climate change enthusiasts. Although makeshift rooms Retired former commander of made him the highest-ranking initiatives were outraged. Pruitt, and space dividers, mostly wooden, the U.S. Central Command Gen. officer in the military to lose a who has close ties to the fossil fuel had been built inside, the space was Mattis played a critical role in the child during the conflicts in Iraq industry, has been a key player in not supposed to be residential. Marines when he led a division or Afghanistan. Critics also say challenging President Obama’s A report now says the warehouse into Baghdad in 2003 during the this very quality was pivotal in climate change policies. hadn’t been subjected to city inspecinvasion of Iraq. Much like the Trump’s nomination following The appointment of the so- tion in 30 years. Neighbors said what president-elect, Mattis — whose the backlash he received for criti- called “climate change denier” appeared to be unauthorized parties nickname is “Mad Dog — is cizing the Khan family, a Muslim- — whose stances coincide with and performance were held there every Vanessa Plotkin, a Filipino American sociology student at University of California, Berkeley, was among the 36 fatalities in the deadliest fire in Oakland’s history. known for his crass language American family who lost their Trump’s — outraged those who weekend. (Inquirer.net) Photo courtesy of Facebook and openly expressed enjoying son during the Iraq War. have been fighting for climate the brutal nature of war. Mattis Like Trump, Kelly possesses change initiatives in Congress, is also known for his undeniable strict concerns on the U.S./Mex- including former Democratic understanding of military strat- ico border, including drug traf- presidential nominee Sen. Beregy, a characteristic that piqued ficking. nie Sanders (I-Vt.). Trump’s interest. Ben Carson, Secretary of “Trump’s nominee to lead Trump announced the ap- Housing and Urban Develop- EPA, Scott Pruitt, is a climate depointment to a cheering rally in ment (HUD) nier who’s worked closely with North Carolina on Tuesday, DeAlthough former Republican the fossil fuel industry. That’s sad cember 6, saying that Mattis was presidential nominee Ben Carson and dangerous,” Sanders tweet“one of the most effective gener- previously expressed disinterest ed on Wednesday, December 7 als that we’ve had in many, many in serving in Trump’s adminis- after the announcement. decades.” tration, Trump nominated the Linda McMahon, Head of the Betsy DeVos, Secretary of retired neurosurgeon to head the Small Business Administration Education HUD department. (SBA) The billionaire former RepubliCarson does not have experiMcMahon — co-founder and can Party chairwoman in Michigan ence in government, bureaucra- former CEO of the World Wreshas been a leader in the movement cy or housing policy, however, tling Entertainment (WWE) and a to drastically change the education Trump has no doubt that Carson close friend of Trump — donated landscape. Spending millions to harbors the qualities necessary to a total of $7.5 million to superpush create programs and laws, uplifting cities and towns across PACs that supported Trump’s DeVos — who has had no experi- the U.S. campaign in August and SepAtty. Rio Guerrero Atty. Tsui Yee ence in the public school domain “Ben Carson has a brilliant mind tember. In 2010 and 2012, Mc— successfully expanded the use and is passionate about strength- Mahon ran for but failed to win public funds to pay for private/re- ening communities and families the Republican Senate seat in ligious school tuition by way of within those communities,” Trump Connecticut. “PUBLIC “CONTRIBUTIONS “BEST LAWYERS vouchers and other like program said in a statement on Monday, Trump cited the WWE’s upSERVICE AND TO EXCELLENCE in several states. December 5. “We have talked at ward mobility from a “13-person NATIONAL AWARD” POLITICS AWARD” AWARD” After her nomination, her pro- length about my urban renewal operation to a publicly traded NAPABA TOFANY voucher and pro-school choice agenda and our message for eco- global enterprise” for McMaFANHS agenda may play a key role in her nomic revival, very much includ- hon’s nomination. new post, which coincides with ing our inner cities.” “Linda is going to be a pheTrump’s vow to divert funds away Elaine Chao, Secretary of nomenal leader and champion from the public education system, Transportation Trust Our Award-Winning Attorneys to Win for small businesses and unleash which he has described as “a govOne of the first women of color America’s entrepreneurial spirit Your Immigration Case — We Are New York’s Premier ernment-run monopoly.” that Trump has nominated in his all across the country,” Trump Immigration Law Firm Helping Our Kababayans. Tom Price, Secretary of administration, Elaine Chao’s ap- said in a statement on Friday, Health and Human Services pointment as transportation sec- December 9. (HHS) retary is crucial to those who call Appointments for the Cabinet Another one of Trump’s prom- for more Asian-American and secretaries of State, the Interior, ises on the campaign trail was an female representation in Wash- Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Laend to President Barack Obama’s ington. Chao previously served bor, and Energy are still pending, landmark health care laws, the Af- on former President George W. as of this writing. (Klarize Medefordable Care Act, also known as Bush’s Cabinet as the Secretary nilla/AJPress)
Millionaires, CEOs and military…
Fil-Am student among fatalities in Oakland warehouse fire
American Red Cross reps urge Filipinos to…
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organization’s Regional Disaster Program Manager, Jeanne Woo. “We dealt with multiple fatalities over the Thanksgiving weekend,” she told the Asian Journal on Tuesday, December 6. “There are very positive and easy steps that we can take to make sure that doesn’t happen to our families and loved ones,” she added following a disaster preparedness presentation put on by the nonprofit and hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles. On Tuesday, ARC-LA representatives and volunteers said Angelenos need to stay vigilant of the potential hazards around them and outlined strategies for surviving fires and other catastrophes. They encouraged residents to develop and practice emergency plans for a variety of possible emergencies. In addition, Woo said poorly placed alarms have a tendency to go off when they shouldn’t and
become a nuisance. As a consequence, some homeowners significantly increase the likelihood of a serious fire by removing the batteries from improperly mounted units, or neglect to replace them when they run out of power. The ARC-LA hopes to properly outfit 400 homes in the Pico-Union and Westlake areas during next February’s round of free installations. Funding for the program comes from a combination of donations, grants, and the ARC-LA budget. The organization is looking for volunteers willing to assist with installations and help reduce the likelihood of fires. They need no advanced knowledge to participate and will receive training at the event. A smaller percentage of the ARC-LA’s volunteers come out of Pico-Union and Westlake neighborhoods, compared to other parts of the city, according to Woo. “This is a great opportunity to
reach into the Filipino community,” she said on Tuesday. “We could use more volunteers from within the community who will respond to localized disasters.” Woo said that people from the immediate vicinity of a disaster are especially effective at coordinating relief efforts. In addition to reduced transit times, emergency responders from within the community face fewer language barriers than those from further away. They also tend to possess a deeper understanding of their neighborhood’s specific needs and challenges. More information for those interested in taking part of any of the ARC-LA’s community events or volunteering on a more regular basis can find more information on its website. There, individuals can also set up an appointment for a smoke alarm installation and learn how to better prepare themselves for a wide variety of potential disasters. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)
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A DECEMBER 16-22, 2016 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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He said, she said
“I WILL continue to fight against things I do not believe in. If being an opposition leader entails that, then I will be an opposition leader,” Vice Pres. Leni Robredo told the media after she resigned from Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet last week. Robredo quit being the chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) after being ordered—via a text message—to desist from attending all cabinet meetings. She alleged that there’s a plot to eventually remove her from vice presidency. “We had hoped this day would not come. I had been warned of a plot to steal the Vice Presidency. I have chosen to ignore this and focus on the job at hand. But the events of recent days indicate that this plot is now being set into motion,” Robredo said in her resignation letter. Malacañang officials said that the “separation” was caused by irreconcilable differences, as there are certain policies that the two leaders disagree on. Robredo has been a staunch critic of Duterte’s ongoing drug war and has lamented the rising number of casualties. She insists that the rule of law must prevail and urged the public to remain vigilant. “It’s not about deciding who dies or who lives. It’s also about making sure that when the fighting dies down, what’s left is a community that trusts more than fears,” she said in August.
The government’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs has left more than 3,600 suspects dead, including more than 1,300 killed in gun battles with authorities—an average of 36 killings a day since he took office on June 30. This brutal crackdown on drugs has also led to killings on the streets and violations of human rights, including the right to life and to due process. Another divisive issue that might have pulled the trigger on this short-lived partnership was the controversial decision of Duterte to allow the burial of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). Robredo is the highest ranking leader of the Liberal Party and a known ally of former Pres. Benigno Aquino III. She also defeated the late president’s son, former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, in the vice presidential race. Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr, who related the president’s order to Robredo, denied that the decision to cut her loose was connected to Duterte’s close ties with the Marcoses. On Thursday, Dec. 8, Duterte assured Robredo that there are no plots to steal the vice presidency from her. “I will assure Leni and the rest of the Bicol re-
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
gion that you will have her until the very end of her term,” Duterte told reporters. “There is no such thing as removing of a vice president,” he added. Duterte has also accused the “Yellows,” or allies of the previous Aquino administration led by the Liberal Party, of plotting to oust him. This political divide led by the country’s top
leaders is set to continue well into 2022 if they both finish their terms. This is not democracy at work because it brings heightened uncertainty and increased tensions. Instead of inspiring intelligent opinion on the country’s current issues, the continuous disagreement causes national bickering and it is deeply un-
Warning to DREAMers: Do not leave the US when Trump becomes president AS most kababayans in the United States are joyfully preparing for Christmas, there are Filipinos who are weighed down by feelings of uncertainty as President-elect Donald Trump’s oath taking comes near. These are Filipinos who are living and working in the United States without the required immigration papers, while some have benefitted from President Barack Obama’s DREAM Act — deportation relief measures that protect these young people brought to the United States as kids and have considered America their home. However, President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind Obama’s executive orders on immigration which may put many of these kababayans at risk of being deported once Trump becomes President on January 20, 2017. These may include those
who may have been granted advanced parole so they may The Fil-Am be able to leave the U.S. to visit their families back in the Philip- Perspective pines and be able to come back to the United States. However, immigrant rights advocates, lawyers and universigel SantoS-ReloS ties have warned these undocumented immigrants, particularly the beneficiaries of the DREAM Act, against traveling. They say it is best for them not to leave the U.S., or if they have to and have the advanced parole documents, it would be in their best interests to come back to America BEFORE Trump takes oath as president. Immigration is a privilege and not a right,
and therefore, if the new president chooses to issue an executive order barring these undocumented immigrants from coming back to the U.S., even if they have the advanced parole documents, then they may not be able to enter the country again unless immigration laws and guidelines change. DREAMers as many fear he would, but he would instead focus on prioritizing the removal of undocumented immigrants with serious criminal convictions. This segues to a very important reminder to kababayans in America who may have already been granted their green card/permanent resident
status. Atty. Lou Tancinco said it may be wise for them to apply for citizenship NOW because having a green card does not protect you from deportation if you are involved and become convicted of a serious crime. There are benefits and protections accorded to naturalized citizens which green card holders do not enjoy. So what are you waiting for? If you are already eligible to naturalize, give yourself and your family this Christmas gift: apply for U.S. citizenship now! *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos
Why police shoot to kill, not to wound the center of which ONE of the ideas policemen are trained advanced by some Commentary to aim at. Targetpeople is that our popractice figures never licemen under Presiinclude the legs but dent Duterte’s adminonly the torso to just istration have become after the crotch, which so ruthless that they is also a target. shoot illegal drug This shoot-justsuspects to kill, when RigobeRto tiglao to-wound issue isn’t they should just fire new, and had been widely debated in a their guns to disable or wound them. I am surprised that the idea seems to few US cities, after an uproar over pohave gained some traction. In a recent lice fatally shooting a suspected crimiconversation with former President Fi- nal, who turned out to be unarmed. del Ramos, a soldier most of his life and A bill was filed in New York in 2005, the founder of the Army Special Forces, requiring police to “shoot-to-wound,” he said that he strongly suggested to calleda “minimum force” bill. This Philippine National Police Chief Ronald would require officers to “shoot a susdela Rosa that he issue an order to all pect in the arm or the leg” and to use policemen to aim their guns at crimi- firearms “with the intent to stop, rather than kill.” The bill was withdrawn, after nals’ legs, and shoot only to disable. That seems to be a logical sugges- it was scientifically shown to be impostion. The problem is that reality doesn’t sible to implement. Force Science Institute work that way. A key study by the Force Science InPolice do shoot accurately only at criminals’ hands (and even their guns) stitute—a respected institute that scienor at their legs—but only in the mov- tifically studies combat situations— revealed some of the practical problems ies. If you’ve ever fired a gun, you’d real- with a shoot-to-wound policy. Some of ize that it’s so different from the mov- these: • “Hands and arms can be the fasties, that you can even miss a man just est-moving body parts. For example, an across the room. When I had to train for security pur- average suspect can move his hand and poses how to use a gun when I was in forearm across his body to a 90-degree government, the instructor in combat angle in 12/100 of a second. He can shooting would always shout at us nev- move his hand from his hip to shoulder er ever to fire only once, but to shoot height in 18/100 of a second. The average officer pulling the trigger as fast as three times in rapid succession. The reason is obvious: Just a few mil- he can on a Glock, one of the fastest-cylimeters’ deviation of the gun muzzle cling semi-autos, requires 1/4 second to from the target, which almost always discharge each round. There is no way happens when you improperly pull (in- an officer can react, track, shoot and stead of squeeze) the trigger, and you reliably hit a threatening suspect’s foremiss your opponent, who of course arm or a weapon in a suspect’s hand in would be defending himself to kill you, the time spans involved. • “Even if the suspect held his weapeither with his own gun, or even just a knife. Your chances obviously of stop- on arm steady for half a second or more, ping your opponent increases when it’s an accurate hit would be highly unlikesecond nature to fire the gun thrice, ly, and in police shootings the suspect and his weapon are seldom stationary. rather than just once. So, training in combat shooting, Plus, the officer himself may be moving which all policemen go through, never as he shoots. • “The upper arms move more slowly ever involves shooting at the arms or even the legs, which are almost always than the lower arms and hands. But moving targets, compared to the torso, shooting at the upper arms, there’s a
beings. greater chance you’re going to hit the suspect’s brachial arIf Berehulak was so tery or center mass, areas with aghast that the police have a high probability of fatality. So been slaughtering Filipinos where does shooting only to “like animals,” as his piece wound come in when even arwas entitled, why didn’t he eas considered by some to be document exactly what po‘safe’ from fatality risk could in lice units—and what were fact carry the same level of risk the names of the policeas targeting center mass? men–were involved in the • “Legs tend initially to move 57 homicide scenes he phoslower than arms and to maintographed? This could have tain more static positions. Howhelped the Commission on ever, areas of the lower trunk Human Rights or even the and upper thigh are rich with justice department in their vascularity. A suspect who’s hit investigation of these cases. there can bleed out in seconds Or at least just shame them. if one of the major arteries is “What I experienced in the severed, so again shooting just Philippines felt like a new to wound may not result in just level of ruthlessness: police wounding. officers summarily shooting • “An officer’s survival instinct anyone suspected of dealing may exert an overpowering influor even using drugs, vigience on target selection. If your lantes taking seriously Mr. life is threatened you’re going to Duterte’s call to ‘slaughter go for the surer thing first and them all’,” he even wrote to worry about your assailant’s life caption his photo essay. But being saved second. If a guy is he didn’t even bother to try running at me with a blade, the getting the names of those last thing I’m going to be thinkpolice officers. ing is, ‘I’m going to shoot him SHOOTING TARGET: Why do you think legs aren’t included, and the bullseye is Berehulak would likely win in the arm’. Hence, shooting for in the torso’s center? journalism awards with his center mass is the psychological photo essay. He has been with practical suggestions that could default. plainly unethical though. He • “Poor shot placement is bound to prevent police from undertaking sum- seems to think that his sole responsibilincrease. Even when officers are trying mary executions of criminal suspects. ity was to photograph the killing, not to to shoot center mass, they often miss. Require every raiding party –-whose protest them as a human being, which Hitting an arm or a leg on a moving operations after all are planned days he could have done by identifying the suspect with surgical precision will be in advance — to have a non-policeman police he claimed did the summary record through video such encounters? shootings. Professional photographers virtually impossible.” Of course, we’re barking at the wrong Require as much as they are available, would even conclude that he used camtree if the real problem is that our po- media to cover such raids? era filters—obviously a red one in that Perhaps I’m dreaming. But I don’t haunting photo of a coffin with a child licemen actually have been executing unarmed suspected criminals, as in the think Duterte will call back his dogs of crying beside it—to make the scenes case of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espino- war (vs drugs) during his term. We just appear so horrible. sa. The police fantastically claimed that have to come up, as a civilized nation, If Berehulak had covered the MaguEspinosa had a gun in his cell, which he with the means to restrain them from indanao massacre that took the lives of fired against the Criminal Investigation slaughtering unarmed Filipinos, even if 57 human beings, he would have come and Detection Group officers serving a involved in illegal drugs. up with a gory photo essay, but without Unethical search warrant— on his jail cell run by mentioning at all who were the suspectWhile the New York Times photo ed perpetrators and masterminds. the Department of Justice’s Bureau of essay by Daniel Berehulak has drawn Jail Management and Penology. *** Instead of this fantasy of requir- raves as an excellent piece of photo- tiglao.manilatimes@gmail.com ing police to shoot to wound only, we journalism, it’s an example of how jour- FB: Bobi Tiglao and Rigoberto Tiglao as a civilized nation have to come up nalists often forget that they’re human Archives: rigobertotiglao.com
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Dateline PhiliPPines
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Duterte claims he ‘personally’ killed drug suspects by Dana
SioSon
AJPress
PhiliPPine President Rodrigo Duterte said he had ‘personally’ killed drug suspects when he was still the mayor of Davao City. Duterte made the confession during his speech at Wallace Business Forum in Malacañang on Monday night, December 12, to set an example for police. “i know it because—i am not trying to pull my own chair—in Davao i used to do it personally. Just to show to the [policemen] that if i can do it, why can’t you?” Duterte said. Before winning the presidency last May, 71-year-old Duterte served as mayor of Davao city for seven terms (22 years). “And i’d go around Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around and i would just patrol the streets and looking for trouble also. i was really looking for an encounter so i could kill,” he added. Records from the Philippine national Police (PnP) show that around 6,000 people have been killed in relation to the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs from July 1 to December 12—with 2,000 killed during legitimate police operations while the remaining 4,000 were killed in extrajudicial or vigilante-style killings, most
reportedly conducted by unknown suspects. Duterte’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs has earned him condemnation from different local and international rights groups. The president, however, remarked that the allegations of human rights violations thrown at him would not stop him from continuing the campaign. “if i am afraid [and] stop because of the human rights … sorry, i am not about to do that,” he stressed. “You [want to] arrest me? Oust me? Go ahead,” he added, challenging his critics. Following Duterte’s remarks that he had killed drug suspects before, Amnesty international, an international human rights group, said the Philippine president’s claim “takes the meaning of ‘state-sanctioned’ violence to a whole new level.” “The climate of impunity in the Philippines has intensified even further since President Duterte began his brutal crackdown on suspected drug users and dealers in July, with a wave of unlawful killings claiming more than 5,000 lives across the country,” Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty international’s Director for South east Asia and the Pacific, said in a statement released on Wednesday, December 14.
Djamin urged Duterte to fulfill his obligations as the country’s president by “ordering investigations into these killings and bringing those responsible to justice, not claiming a part in them.” he also urged the authorities to stop pursuing a “bloody path they have set out on, and fulfill their duty to protect all people by ending incitement to violence.” Meanwhile, according to Philippine Senator Richard Gordon, the president is opening himself to impeachment if his claim of killing people is really true. “When he says that, he’s opening himself up, di ba (isn’t it)? Sya ang nagsabi e (He’s the one who said it). So [what’s the] legal way, e di mag impeach kayo, mag impeach kung sino man ang may gusto (impeach him if you want) because i’m sure he knows how to defend that,” Gordon said. The senator, however, pointed out that a person cannot just immediately file an impeachment case against Duterte because of his claims, noting that the issue must first be investigated. “if the killing was done in selfdefense, there is no liability. if he killed someone, then he is liable...The president is prone to making exaggerated statements. i think that is part of his strategy but i think he said this for a reason,” Gordon added. n
New US envoy meets Mayor Sara Duterte, pays tribute to Davao blast victims by roSette
aDeL
Philstar.com
MAnilA — new United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Wednesday visited Davao City and met with presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. it was the first place Kim visited outside Manila, 13 days after his arrival in the country. Duterte-Carpio said she is happy that the ambassador chose to visit Davao City. Kim also paid tribute to the victims of the night market blast in Davao City last September 2. “My meeting with him, albeit
our fight against terrorism as he commiserated with the families, the survivors, and the victims of the grisly September 2 bombing in Davao,” she added. For his part, Kim said he was pleased to meet Duterte-Carpio. “Pleasure meeting Mayor inday Sara Duterte today. Wishing US Ambassador Sung Kim all the best for her, her family, very brief, was cordial and was and all Davaoeños!” he said. Aside from meeting Dutertean opportunity for us to renew our friendly relationship and ties Carpio and paying tribute to the with the United States govern- Davao explosion victims, Kim met ment and the American people,” with Mindanao business leadDuterte-Carpio said in a state- ers and visited the Davao Public Safety and Security Command ment. “We are also very grateful for Center. he shared his activities his expression of support for on his Twitter account. n
IMEE MARCOS AT MALACANANG. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte with Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos inside Malacanang Palace during the 2016 The Outstanding Filipinos (TOFIL) Awards on Saturday, December 12. Gov. Marcos is chair of the board of judges for this year’s awards. Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc
Satellite photos show China weapons in South China Sea by Patricia LourDeS Philstar.com
Viray
MAnilA — China appears to have constructed point-defense capabilities at each of its outposts in seven of the Manila-claimed islands on the Spratly (Kalayaan) islands in the South China Sea. Washington-based CSiS Asia Maritime Transparency initiative (AMTi) reported that China has built large anti-aircraft guns and probable close-in weapons systems (CiWS) in the Spratly islands. The think tank started tracking China’s construction of hexagon-shaped structures on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan), Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamora) Reefs earlier this year. Smaller facilities were also seen on Gaven (Burgos), hughes, Johnson (Mabini) and Cuarteron (Calderon) Reefs based on satellite images. “These gun and probable CiWS emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea,” the report read. hexagonal platforms, which are likely hosting anti-aircraft guns roughly 20 feet long were seen at two of the smallest of the features, hughes and Gaven Reefs. Smaller platforms which hold roughly 10-footwide objects were also observed but cannot be definitively identified. Center for naval Analyses’ Admiral Michael McDevitt and RAnD’s Cortez Cooper said in a podcast that these are likely CiWS to protect against cruise missile strikes. The central facility on Johnson Reef sports an anti-aircraft gun in the south and an apparent CiWS in the north.
Fiery Cross Reef
“Another gun and probable CiWS, along with a radar, were constructed on a separate structure, consisting of three hexagonal towers on the eastern side of the artificial island,” the report read. identical structures including an anti-aircraft gun, probable CiWS and radar were also observed on Cuarteron Reef. The same model was seen at China’s larger bases on Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs. The structures were positioned in such a way that antiaircraft guns and CiWS installations would cover all approaches to the base with overlapping fields of fire. Such facilities would serve as the last line of defenses against cruise missiles launched by the United States, according to the AMTi. “They would back up the defensive umbrella provided by a future deployment to the Spratlys of mobile surface-to-air missile platforms, such as the hQ-9 deployed to Woody island in the Paracel islands,” the think tank said. n
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Maligayang Pasko: Filipino Christmas traditions by Klarize
Medenilla /AJPress
The Philippines touts the longest Christmas celebration of any other country in the world. As early as September, Filipinos begin the holiday festivities by partaking in the many customs and traditions unique to the global Filipino community. Christmas traditions comprise both native customs and the West, which comes from Spanish colonization. Filipinos have adopted Santa Claus, Christmas trees, carols and cards as well as other Western holiday fixtures while still keeping true to native Filipino traditions. Philippine holiday décor Although Americanization of the holidays has found its way to Philippine culture, like Christmas trees, tinsel, reindeer and even snow, Filipinos still keep true
to their heritage by decorating their homes with traditional ornamentation. The parol — which comes from the Spanish word farol, meaning “lantern” or “lamp” — is one of the most notable adornments seen on Filipino homes and buildings. These extravagant, colorful star-shaped lanterns connote the Star of Bethlehem that helped the Three Kings navigate their way to the manger of the baby Jesus Christ. The decoration was originally designed and crafted by artist Francisco estanislao in 1908. he used bamboo strips as the skeleton of the design and overlaid it with papél de japón, or Japanese paper. A candle would
be placed in the middle for the star’s famous illumination. Famously, before electricity was available, Filipinos who lived in the provincial areas would use a paról to illuminate their paths on the way to Simbang Gabi. Another popular mainstay of the traditional Filipino Christmas is the belén, which is a nativity scene depicting the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem. The expansive installation often includes a threewalled barn house with the infant Christ in the manger flanked by the Virgin Mary, Joseph and the Three Kinds, the shepherds and stable animals. The scene is often surmounted by an angel or a star. Belén is almost always seen at churches, but Filipinos often implement them in their homes, schools and office buildings. Belén can be minimalistic, but the
ones that garner the most public view are more extravagant with folks adorning them with Christmas lights, painted backdrops or even paról. Simbang Gabi Filipino Catholics around the world often partake in the “Simbang Gabi” (night Mass) celebration, a devotional nine-day novena of Mass from december 16-24 to celebrate the coming of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Masses begin as early as 3 a.m., but in some parishes, masses are held the previous evening. The last day of the service on Christmas eve is called Misa de Gallo, Spanish for “rooster’s Mass.” Simbang Gabi began as a tradition in 1669 in the early days of Spanish colonialism in the Philippines. As Christmas approached, novenas were often held in the evenings, but priests noticed the fatigue on the faces of those who had been working in the fields all day. To compromise, clergymen across the country began holding Simbang Gabi in the early dawn before folks headed out to work in the fields. Today, Filipino parishes hold Simbang Gabi either early in the morning or later in the evening. Some local parishes hold partial novenas while many are hosting full services per the 9-day tradition.
Recipes for the holidays from Chef Eric Pascual ThOuGh born and raised in the Bay Area, Chef eric Pascual spent a good amount of his childhood in hawaii. his passion for cooking started at a young age when he was introduced to cooking by his grandparents and parents. Chef eric’s family told him that he share his grandfather’s passion for cooking, who would prepare meals for large groups of people using ingredients sourced from his backyard. To this day, he can still see his lolo’s passion for cooking and food through the bountiful 50-foot mango tree that he planted in his aunt’s backyard in hawaii nearly 40 years ago. Growing up in a household with two working parents, he had to learn independence at a young age and it began with cooking. When his mom wasn’t working she was showing Chef eric around the kitchen. Something that began as a responsibility soon turned into a curiosity, slowly turned into a hobby, and is now one of his passions. Through the meals he has hosted, he has been able to portray my style of cooking, which is a blend of his travels, upbringing, experiences, and Filipino culture. Follow him at http://eatsbye.com and Instagram/Twitter @eats_by_e
Cassava Cake by Chef Eric Pascual IngredIents:
Ginataang Alimasag at Hipon by Chef Eric Pascual IngredIents: • Meat from 2 large dungeness crab (approximately 1 lb. of meat) • ½ lb. shrimp (shells removed) • 1 cup green jackfruit, chopped (fresh or 1 can large, seeds removed) • 3 tbsp bagoong (shrimp paste) • 2 tbsp patis/fish sauce • 5 garlic cloves, minced • 1 onion, minced
• 3 ½ cups of frozen grated cassava or fresh cassava if available • 1 ½ cup evaporated milk (or ¾ cup of whole milk and ¼ cup half and half ) • 2 eggs • ½ cup cane sugar • ½ cup condensed milk • 1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz.) • pinch of salt • ½ cup melted butter (save 1 tbsp to grease bottom of pan) • ½ cup of unsweetened toasted coconut TOPPING • 4 egg yolks • ¾ cup of whole milk and
• 1 1/2 tbsp grated ginger • 3 tbsp cooking oil • 5 cups coconut cream • 1 tsp ground black pepper • 1 stalk of green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish) • 3 birdseye or Thai chili, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp. fried onions (for garnish)
CookIng ProCess: PrePArING The CrAB 1. I suggest using live/fresh crab. 2. Steam or boil crabs in a large pot at 7 minutes/pound,
lid on but not completely covered to allow a bit of venting. 3. rinse and cool crabs. Continued on Page 5
CookIng ProCess: 1. In a bowl combine the egg yolks, condensed milk, and evaporated milk and stir well. Set aside. 2. using the melted butter or margarine, grease bottom and all sides of a 13” x 9” baking pan. 2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, grated cassava, coconut milk, and condensed milk. Stir well and pour mixture into
greased baking pan. Bake in a 350 F oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 3. remove from oven and let cake settle for 5 minutes. 4. Pour custard topping mixture over surface of cake. return back to oven and Continued on Page 5
How to cook ginataang bilo-bilo A Filipino sweet soup snack perfect for chilly winter nights Contributed by Sarahlynn Filipino Kitchen
BeyONd the brown sugar and coconut milk, my aunt said, any available fruit or vegetable may be used for the Filipino ginataan recipe below, like taro root (gabi), corn (mais), even mongo beans or guava (this last one she said was especially good). The important
Pablo
things are that, like the work of a farm, everyone pitches in — peeling, chopping, dough-ball rolling — to make the dish a sweet success and that the ingredients are local, seasonally available, excess crops. eating seasonally and locally
makes sense, right? In much of the world, this is the only way to eat. In fact, in America, we are used to eating out-of-season, far away and/or foreign. When I was growing up in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago, my family was one of a few Filipino families there. For a large part of my childhood, we would drive into the
city to Chinatown to stock up on Asian groceries. For Thanksgiving and other holidays, my ninang made lumpia and pancit canton, and little girl me tried to assist her. Of course we had turkey with stuffing and gravy or honey-cured hams, too, but holidays wouldn’t feel special if there wasn’t Filipino Continued on Page 5
Consul General Ms. Theresa Dizon-de Vega’s yearend message to the community I joIn the men and women of the Philippine Consulate General in new York in conveying our wishes for a happy, peaceful, and meaningful holiday season to all our compatriots and friends in the Filipino-American Community in the United States northeast Region. As we close this year we can look back on the significant strides made by the Philippines and our own community in the US northeast. Under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the country is Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizonvigorously pursuing a path of peacede Vega building, transparent governance, peace and order, and sustained economic growth. on the economic front, the Philippines notched record economic figures with a 7.1% GDP growth in the third quarter of this year with expectations for yet another strong performance by the close of 2016. To date, the Philippines is the fastest growing economy in Asia. Working closely with the Filipino-American Community, our other Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, and various advocacy groups, we witnessed the historic passage by the US Congress of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 in recognition of the sacrifices of our veterans. The Filipino-American presence will be felt even more strongly in various aspects of governance in the northeast Region in the coming year with the appointments and election of some of our community members to public office. In the US northeast, the Consulate General continued to receive the invaluable support, involvement, and assistance of the Community for flagship projects in political advocacy, economic diplomacy, cultural and public diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges, sectoral engagements, and in our frontline services. As the Philippines prepares to take on the enormous responsibility and honor of Chairing the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAn) in 2017, which also marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAn’s establishment, we are poised to take on a more instrumental role in regional developments. We look forward to even more active engagement of the FilipinoAmerican Community in the coming year as we work towards genuine change and the realization of our common aspirations. Isang Maligayang Pasko at Makabuluhang Bagong Taon!
Food, glorious Food: The noche buena spread
There is no doubt that Christmas is one of the Filipinos’ favorite holidays. Aside from having the longest holiday season (starting in September until January), Christmas is the time for parties, gift-giving, and of course, a multitude of culinary delights. On Christmas eve, the last Mass of Simbang Gabi is attended; and then noche buena — a family feast — takes place after midnight. Noche buena (“good night” or “holy night” in Spanish) is a Filipino custom adopted from Spain and Mexico. It is not your typical meal, as it is very much like an open house celebration where everybody who drops by is invited to partake in what is served on the table. Food is in abundance, often served buffet style. Among the noche buena staples include favorite Filipino dishes such as lechon (roasted whole pig), pancit, barbecue, rice, adobo and native rice cakes (kakanin — biko, sapin-sapin, bibingka, puto bumbong, or cassava cake). however, Western influence has brought in spaghetti or fruitcake, and a fusion of Filipino with international dishes. here are some of the noche buena spread favorites: • Hamon/hamonado - ham, (from the Spanish jamon). Pork marinated in pineapple juice, sugar, salt and spices; then baked. • Keso de bola - Literally, a ball of edam cheese (a semihard cheese from Netherlands), usually with a red paraffin wax covering. • Bibingka - Flat cake cooked in banana leaves with salted egg, kesong puti, served with butter and grated coconut. • Lechon - roasted pig, pork belly, chicken, fish — it means anything that’s roasted over coals. But in Filipino households, it is always the lechong baboy (pig) that rules over the table. • Leche flan - The Filipino version of a creme brulee — but better. A mixture of egg yolks, condensed milk, fresh milk and sugar; this sweet concoction is steamed and topped with caramelized sugar. • Macaroni salad - Although every Filipino has their own version, this dish starts with the same ingredients — pasta,
mayonnaise and chicken. Others add carrots, celery, cheese and sometimes pineapple. • Spaghetti - Filipino-style, that is. Made with tomato sauce and paste, ground beef or pork, cheese and a little sugar to sweeten the taste, the spaghetti is a Filipino staple in parties and for noche buena. There is no doubt that Filipinos love to celebrate occasions and holidays with food. however, this brings the Filipino value of being family-oriented. Though the noche buena’s central focus may seem to be on the feast being served, the real reason for getting together is partaking the food over laughter, storytelling and love.
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Immigration Corner
The January 2017 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ 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 Continued on Page 7
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
May 1, 2006
October 1, 2005
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
Second Preference
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below November 22, 21 years old) of green 2015 card holder
March 22, 2015
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
February 1, 2007
April 8, 2006
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
January 1, 1995
September 1, 1994
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
April 1, 1994
June 8, 1993
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Visa Issuance Date
Current
Current
September 1, 2013
July 22, 2011
September 1, 2013
July 22, 2011
A MOTHER’S AND HER ATTORNEY’S PERSISTENCE RESULT IN HER DAUGHTERS FINALLY BEING ISSUED CSPA VISAS BASED ON “EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES” — ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY”! Lolita left her two daughters in the Philippines to seek a better life in the U.S., with the dream that she would eventually have them join her. However, her previous attorney missed the one year “sought to acquire” filing deadline for CSPA eligibility, resulting in the Embassy refusing to issue their immigrant visas. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was her beacon of hope, as he did not give up in trying to convince the Embassy that the daughters should be entitled to visas, despite missing the one-year deadline. Find out how Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to prove extraordinary circumstances, have the two “aged-out” daughters be issued visas, and reunite this family on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.
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On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places
Looking through the lens of ace photographer Filbert Diego Kung
BoBBy T. yalong IF the world is a stage and each has to play a part…easily then, a camera is one imperative device that will capture every single facet of one’s performance. Its importance isn’t mainly in the gadget but in the wonders it produces. Since we consistently wanted to record and preserve monumental occurrences, there ought to be somebody with keen eyes behind the lens. The sterling power of photography (and an ace photographer, for that matter) cannot be ignored…for it is the concerning link with the past, the people, the events, and places that had been of enormous significance. Whether choosing photography as a hobby, or merely being an enthusiast, or even embracing it as a full time job, the astute preference readily ensures a gratifying end result. Aside from allowing us to share and communicate, photography offers a complex language expressed and interpreted in limitless ways with such nostalgic impact that resplendently turns back the hands of time. Through the use of cameras people are allowed to highlight social norms and the world gets the opportunity to document and create profiled history. Photography entails the captivity of every single detail of everyday life and the environment…even outer space. Its expanse is limitless with unbounded possibilities. A great photograph should
The photographer could easily pass as a model
EMPLOYMENT
Filbert’s photographic expertise has brought him far and wide....
High fashion beauty Bessie Badilla as captured Filbert Diego Kung in action by Filbert’s lens
not only capture the beholder’s attention but must say much more about who took it and the truest character of the subject. According to leading Indian fashion photographer and portraitist Gautam Rajadhyaksha, photography freezes the fragment of the time spent with the subject. Ace fashion lens man Mark Lamey also views taking pictures as a visual recording of an era’s lifestyle. Not far from rising to the ladder is world-class Filipino shutterbug Filbert Diego Kung, a Restaurant & Hotel Management degree holder from De La Salle University College of St. Benilde in Manila, who inevitably experienced the irresistible beacon and insurmountable magnetism of photography at an
early age…and felt as if he was deliberately born with a camera for a twin. “Growing up amid sets of cameras inevitably stimulated my curiosity to-focus-and-shoot the way my Dad did…and instantly enjoyed the result and loved the experience,” the soft spoken fashion photographer zealously recollected. “Even while in college I incessantly indulged in shooting fine-looking people and other subjects I found interesting…until I gradually learned the ropes and essential aspects in perfecting my craft,” the self-taught photographer added. His first professional shoot was an astounding challenge for Filbert. “Imagine being commissioned by a huge and established communications
Filbert shoots aspiring Brazilian fitness model Yuri Weir
SCHOOL
SERVICES
Filbert, of Filipino-ChineseSpanish descent, ambitiously hopes to be at par with either the world’s famous fashion photographers Annie Leibovitz, Peter Lyndberg, Mario Testino, Sebastian Kim, and Horst Diekgerdes or famous advertising or commercial photographers like Neelutpal Das, Rob Grimm and Kremer Johnson. If and when given the chance, The enigmatic stance of an ace photographer he might invade the movies as an who is Filbert Diego Kung award-winning cinematographer in the likes of Emmanuel Lubezki, company to do their promotional Leon Shamroy and Darius Khondji. campaign.... and that was merely Per my personal observation three weeks after I bought my during this interview and the first camera, a Canon 350D,” his manner Filbert responded to eyes widened as he recalled the my queries, the low-profile guy incident still with astonishment. behind the camera intrinsically Although utterly hooked owns that kind of sophisticated to and already earning from air of stubbornness and volatile photography, Filbert still endeavored to exploit his schooled mood. “I could not fully accept competence by working as a Front Desk personnel in Shangrila Makati a rejection of my work. I was confident I delivered what they Hotel and still tried working as a Medical Representative of a known actually wanted…that’s why we have a collaborative exchange pharmaceutical laboratory but sadly, photography was what gave of ideas before the shoot. If they’re not happy with what him pleasure and contentment. came out, I don’t feel guilty. Not Patience, perseverance, and armed with a creative mindset are at all! It could have been just a all what he needed to an assigned matter of miscommunication or misinterpretation,” he replied photoshoot…and of course, his straightforwardly after I asked if reliable camera. there was an instance when he “A photographer needs a lot of patience and persevering ways,” thought he had achieved the best but the subject or the client he verbalized in a low tone. “It’s refused to agree. unavoidable that you encounter I tossed a few relevant models who aren’t keen observant of time element…or locations that questions related to his almost eleven years being in the field are not suitable for the shoot’s that easily gave away the type of theme.” photographer that he is. Filbert elaborated and Before any shoot, do continued: “That’s why it is imperative to sit down and discuss you already have in mind or visualized what the outcome details with either the designer would be? “To perfect a concept or the company’s big boss. There I always collaborate with the should really be a ‘meeting knowledgeable people in the of the minds’ to thresh out production but the final say is still whatever probable impediment mine. I wanted to think that they encountered during the shoot.”
SERVICES
hired me because they believe in my work… or else, they could have took into service other photographers.” As a professional photographer what cameras do you use to achieve the best results? “I’ve already accumulated the best that I’m comfortable shooting with. My Mark II and Mark III Canons are very dependable. I’ve mastered these two models completely with reliable results!” What gives you satisfaction after a shoot… the pay or the good results? “Well, I would say both…but the excellent result comes on top since it could promise additional clientele.” What is favorite subject for a photoshoot? “I love to shoot fashion shows and models…and also portraitures. I’m consistently challenged to capture the best angles of a person….especially plain looking ones.” Which, for you, is more impressive: colored, sepia, or black and white photographs? “I always find black and white dramatic and with depth…and effectually captured the very essence of the subject. Black and white photographs are timeless…aside from the fact that the centuryold technique also serves as a litmus test of the photographer’s ultimate competence!” How far has photography taken you? “My job has enormously offered me the opportunity to travel to different places I’ve never been. Aside from traveling around the key cities of the USA, I have projects and clients as far as Europe and Asia.” In your more than a decade in the industry what had been your biggest challenge… biggest project…biggest compensation? “Shooting cars for Top Gear was Continued on Page 6
Cassava Cake by Chef Eric Pascual From Page 2 reduce temperature to 325 F and continue to bake until top sets and lightly browns (Approximately 20-25 minutes). 5. Allow to cool for at least
45 minutes for the cake to settle and then slice into serving pieces. For the Flan/Custard Topping 1. In a bowl, combine egg yolks, sweetened condensed
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milk, and milk. Stir well. 2. Pour over surface of cake and return to oven to bake until set. 3. Top with toasted coconut
Ginataang Alimasag at Hipon by Chef Eric Pascual 4. Remove the carapace/top shell 5. Remove gills 6. Remove crab meat and set aside PRePARIng The gInATAAn 1. In a large pot, sauté the garlic, onion, and ginger until the garlic is slightly browned and onions are transparent.
2. Add the jackfruit, birdseye chili, ground black pepper, and bagoong 3. Add the coconut cream then bring to a boil 4. Add the fish sauce, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the coconut milk’s texture starts to thicken (approximately 25-30 minutes) 5. Add the shrimp and stir
How to cook ginataang... From Page 2
food at the table. Far from home and surrounded by the unfamiliar, the migrant clings tightly to what she knows best: music, holiday traditions and food. Migrants bring their “stinky” fish sauces and other spices. They pick up from the butcher for free bags full of what would be thrown away and turn it into culinary creations like fish head sinigang or kare-kare with oxtail. They seek out the markets of other, older, more established migrant groups – Chinese, Indian, Mexican – to find ingredients for a taste closer to their own. Though ginataan calls for seasonal and local, I’m grateful that my family flew in the face of those practicalities / limitations in our little part of America, holiday after holiday, meal after meal. In the spirit of the cold, Christmas-y season, I’d like to share one of my favorite Filipino late-evening snacks: ginataan bilo-bilo, or coconut milk and rice flour balls – a sweet, hot dessert-y soup perfect for when the mercury dips low. My aunt reminds me that this dish is actually a snack, or merienda. Though sweet, ginataan is too heavy to serve as a dessert at the end of a meal. Merienda, I should note, is a very important part of agricultural life in the Philippines.
occasionally for 3 minutes. 6. Add the cooked crab meat and simmer for an additional 3 minutes. 7. If needed, add additional fish sauce and/or black pepper to taste 8. Remove from heat and serve over rice. garnish with sliced birdseye chili, green onions, and fried onions.
violet. Two notes on ingredients. One: Where available and possible, fresh Life on a farm, day into day and ingredients are best. Most of these months into seasons, is a dance. It ingredients may be available in has a rhythm. canned or frozen form in nonIn the couple of hours after tropical climes where there are lunch, it’s much, much too hot for communities of Asians or Filipinos the workers, the kids, the farmers to nearby. Substitute canned or frozen do strenuous physical activity in the counterparts if you need to and sun. You look to do some activity don’t feel any shame about it. that’s still necessary to make the Two: I’ve added suggested farm run but doesn’t require a lot. amounts of each ingredient but suit Maybe you’d take a short siesta the proportions to your taste. If you (nap). Bring the goats out to the like more cassava root like I do, add field. Thrush some rice. Make feed more of those. If you’re on a lowfor the pigs. Dress some tobacco sugar diet, put less. leaves. Or maybe you could take on InstructIons a few of those things. After a few 1. Open the coconuts carefully hours of low-key activity, you need and set aside the milk. Scrape the merienda before the hard work meat from the husk into strips. begins in earnest again at 3 o’clock. Or you can just buy fresh scraped enter ginataan. coconut meat and fresh coconut IngredIents milk if you don’t have the tools (we Milk and meat from two did). Squeeze the remaining milk coconuts (gata). This is the critical from the coconut flesh with your ingredient. bare hands or with a cheese cloth. Brown sugar. The second of two Simmer the coconut milk in a large critical ingredients. pot with brown sugar. Make sure Six plantains or cooking the brown sugar is fully dissolved. bananas, peeled (saba) The brown sugar pictured Ten pieces of jackfruit, pitted is unrefined, wrapped in a leaf (langka) and formed in a coconut shape grated cassava root (kamoteng called panutsa (also known by kahoy), two medium-sized pieces panotcha or panotsa, which are glutinous rice flour (malagkit), also the words for peanut brittle). two cups, and water for bilo-bilo. It was so tasty, I think, owing to its Yep, literally, that’s ball-ball. smoky molasses quality. I was lucky One medium sweet potato, enough to have shared some with peeled (kamote) my cousin in the netherlands in the Three small purple yam, peeled ginataan she made. She used about (ube). If you add this, obviously, a third of this half-dome of sugar. If your ginataan will have a tingle of Continued on Page 6
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Pia Wurtzbach fought for Miss Universe to happen in Ph by Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
MISS Universe Organization president Paula Shugart said that it has always been a dream of hers to bring the pageant to the Philippines. Miss U is happening for the third time in the country come Jan. 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The reason she’s “more excited” in the Manila staging than in any past shows she’s done, is because of her special connection to the Philippines. her late father who was a US navy pilot was stationed for a time in Subic during the Vietnam War. “As a child growing up, I remember always being so afraid he was at war in Vietnam. But I always knew he was safe when he called from the Philippines,” she told The STAR in an exclusive interview. Paula was in town this week to lead the kick-off activities of the pageant. “My father was here quite a bit. When I was in 10th grade, we actually had orders to move to Subic Bay. We packed up the house, and I remember I was looking at the map and was ready and was very excited. But at the last minute, the order changed and we stayed in San Diego.” When Paula became the president of the Miss U pageant 15 years ago, she reconnected with the Philippines.
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach
“For 15 years, it has been my dream, absolutely, to bring the pageant here,” she said. Paula also recalled that her father used to tell her “that Filipinos are the most genuinely kind people he’d ever met… good people, hard working. When I came here, I realized that the Philippines has the hospitality of Asia combined with the passion of the Latin people. It’s the perfect combination. You see it in the fanbase. There’s such a pure national pride that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.” She has since come to the country for roughly nine times already. The first time was in 2013 with then Miss U gabriela Isler to bring their donation to the victims ofSupertyphoon haiyan from the
The January 2017... From Page 3 Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance
Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-
Miss U fund in partnership with the Dutch development agency Cordaid. The financial aid has since built houses and launched projects to empower women and children. The Miss Universe Organization is working on having Pia check on these projects next month. During the first visit as well, Paula drove all the way to Subic to visit the house where they were supposed to move into back in 1975. Paula revealed that she initially wanted Miss U to happen in 2014 or 40 years after the first Miss U was held in Manila at the Folk Arts Theater. “I’m a strong believer of destiny and I really thought at one point, because the pageant happened Continued on Page 6
enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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Ogie Alcasid: Kapuso, Kapatid, Kapamilya by Arlo
Custodio ManilaTimes.net
Pia Wurtzbach fought...
Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid has joined ABS-CBn via “it’s Showtime’s” popular From Page 5 “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment. here in 1974 and actually my father After rumors circulated for was here around that time, I was sometime that he was leaving really thinking that 2014, we would TV5, his appearance on the have to bring it here. noontime show as one of the “We were working on it, and judges of the singing contest just for whatever reason it didn’t on Saturday, Dec. 10 confirmed happen. Whenever I go to the that while it is uncertain whether pageant, wherever it is held, he is an exclusive artist of the there’s just so many amazing Kapamilya network, he will be Filipino fans. So, when it didn’t very visible on ABS-CBn. happen in 2014, I was incredibly effectively, Alcasid is now disappointed. But now I realized, also in competition with his wife it was waiting for Pia to win. It regine Velasquez mother studio taught me that patience is really, gMA network, where they really important.” met and fell in love before he She also said that to have the pageant happen here is like paying Paula on reigning Miss Uniservse Pia Wurtzbach: Come Jan. 30, 2017, I don’t see Pia giving up jumped ship to TV5. Alcasid posted a photo on the crown and walking away from us. I think our relationship is continuing. tribute to her father and “coming instagram on Saturday, saying full circle.” had been made, Paula shared: yourself and get up onstage, that’s he had fun singing with “it’s When asked to describe “Oh gosh! Usually, I know who not comfortable and everyone Showtime” host Vice ganda, her working relationship with the winner is just seconds before, up there is scared to death. Once “Just sang with @praybeytbenthe reigning Miss Universe Pia and for some reason (that) year, I you’ve survived that, you can jamin ang saya! @itsshowtimeofWurtzbach (the third Filipina was backstage and the producer survive anything.” ficial_ig #tnt.” to win the title after Gloria Diaz said on the headset, ‘Do you want Meanwhile, Paula said that The post garnered 1,343 and Margie Moran), Paula said, to know?’ And for some reason, audiences will be seeing a lot likes, and the reaction from ne“Everything I said about the Filipino former Miss Universe winners from I covered my ears and so I didn’t tizens was unanimously positive, people is perfectly embodied in Pia. all over among the guests and know when they announced with some saying they wish his She’s genuine, she’s real, she’s kind, judges in the upcoming pageant, Colombia. I said, okay, wow a wife would follow suit. she’s not perfect (laughs). The year repeat! Although I thought after which marks its 65th anniversary, User iamjc23 said, “Welhas gone by so quickly and I’m glad a milestone year. She’s also open her answer, Pia was the winner, come to Kapamilya Sir Ogie. we had the extra month with her.” but well okay, that’s why I’m not to the idea of having an all-former Sana next si Ms. @reginevalcasid She foresees a continuous a judge ‘cause I don’t know. And Miss U judging panel. “It’s a good naman lilipat!” working relationship with Pia even idea, we’ll see.” then all of a sudden, I realized Jaya (@jayasoul), who transafter she passes on the crown to Steve Harvey, who (in)famously (there was a mistake). People were ferred to ABS-CBn in July, also her successor. running around, like what are we committed the gaffe of expressed her thoughts. “ConPia, for her part, told The STAR going to do? And our accounting announcing Miss Colombia as the that what she learned from Paula firm Ernst & Young was going, winner (and not Pia) during the is going after what you want and ‘What happened?’ There was 2015 pageant finals in Las Vegas, is what makes you happy. pandemonium!” back as host. Paula said, “The organization is Asked what she thought of Paula recalled the shocking NEW YORK- The Philippine about women and for women, and incident: “There was absolute Harvey’s move to immediately New York Junior Chamber being confident and being able to return on stage and rectify the chaos going on.” do whatever you want. Any woman blunder, she said, “I cannot imagine (Jaycees) now known as the JCI She said the talent Philippine-New York is proud to can do whatever she wants and what Steve was going through. management firm IMG had just hold its year-end celebration with not let anyone tell her no. Everyone acquired the pageant (from He was devastated. But there’s just the “Icons of Impact: A New Breed will tell you a million reasons why one thing to do. And the fact that then business tycoon and now of Excellence” Awards Banquet on you can’t do one thing but you only incoming US president Donald he did it, and did it graciously, says Wednesday, December 28, 2016 need one good reason to try it. a lot about him. The fact that he’s Trump) two months earlier and the at 7:30pm. The chosen venue is “We all hold ourselves back so excited to come here to the producers were all new. the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel because we’re afraid. If you look located at 135-20 39th Avenue, Philippines, I think in some way, “Everybody had a different Flushing, NY. at any time you haven’t achieved this is going to be some closure (view on) how do you handle During this affair, JCI anything, everyone has a story that somethin’. There’s no handbook for him.” Philippine-New York will they didn’t try something because Nevertheless, in the coming on this and so, everybody just did be honoring distinguished they were afraid. Women are guilty the best they could and everybody Miss U, Paula assured with a wide community leaders who have of that than men are. smile that the announcement “will handled it including Pia and made noteworthy contributions “And my goal is to really get be the slowest read ever” to avoid Ariadna (Gutierrez, Miss Colombia) to the betterment and welfare women to challenge themselves. any mistake. the best way possible.” of our local and international That’s what happens at Miss “I guarantee, it’s something Asked how she reacted the communities, and continue Universe. When you challenge that no one will repeat,” she said. moment she learned a big mistake to serve as a challenge and an inspiration to outstanding young professionals. We are also launching a new program in the chapter for a select group of outstanding young individuals ages 18-40 who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world’s young people, recognizing the important role of young men and women in the world of the day in line with the United States Junior Chamber and the Junior Chamber
In his first ‘It’s Showtime’ appearance, Ogie Alcasid shared a duet with host Vice Ganda.
grats Pare @ogiealcasid sayang wala ako dyan to witness your performance. See you next week. god be praised.” There were even those who wished his pal Janno gibbs will also make the big move. As of press time, The Manila Times has yet to hear from ABSCBn on whether Alcasid signed an exclusive contract with the network. in the meantime, corporate communications released the following statement via email, detailing the singersongwriter’s duties for the show.
“Like the other hurados (judges), [Alcasid] will evaluate the performances of hopefuls from contestants from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila. in his first appearance in the competition, Ogie made the audience laugh with his light jokes as he was giving his commentary as a hurado.” On Saturday, during the “Pinoy Boyband Superstar: The grand reveal,” Alcasid was also named as one of the judges of Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids to premier in 2017.
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International (JCI) programs. Nomination forms were sent out to various community organizations and to young professionals for submissions. “The man or woman of Arete is a person of the highest effectiveness; they use all their faculties—strength, bravery and wit—to achieve real results. In the Homeric world, then, Arete involves all of the abilities and potentialities available to humans. The concept implies a humancentered universe in which human actions are of paramount importance; the world is a place of conflict and difficulty, and human value and meaning is measured against an individual effectiveness in the world.” A third component of the evening’s awards recipients are the Outstanding Young New Yorker (OYNY) competition winners who will be announced and awarded with medallions and cash prizes that they can use to assist with college expenses. The OYNY is a community development project of the NY State Jaycees and was also relaunched by the local chapter recognizing exceptional high
Looking through the lens...
From Page 4
one assignment hard to shoot since (obviously) my subjects were lifeless and couldn’t harmonize with my energy but an internationally patronized bottling company gave me my biggest project matched with a huge compensation.” For you, what lighting could be more effective in shooting closeups? “Using available light either indoor or on location offers the best results. It has the propensity to furnish that much endeavored natural and unaltered effect which is best for portraitures. Artificial lights or flashes sometimes agitate the subject and the results are not as candid.” Digital photography has been a main discussion point amongst professional photographers…what
for you gives the best result, digital or film? “For me, it’s film. One can control the light and shadow effects according to your preference during dark room processing. Digital makes one dependent on hit and miss shoot which does not develop a photographer’s skill.” Aside from photography, what other field could you excel? “I can paint human faces and landscape in oil. I could also sing (which he concluded with an impish grin). I was a choir and band member before I became hooked to photography,” he justifiably expounded. Incidentally, according to American travel writer and novelist Paul Edward Theroux: If somebody wants to be a photographer, one must first leave
How to cook ginataang... From Page 5
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school senior students in New York. Schools in New York who exhibit leadership abilities, have an exemplary academic record, and are involved in school and community service activities. For over 100 years, Junior Chamber International (JCI) has been working to provide young people throughout the globe development opportunities that empower them to create positive change. We are a membershipbased nonprofit organization of young people ages 18 to 40 in 5,000 communities and more than 100 countries around the world. Our alumni boast leaders such as Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Howard Hughes, Hubert Humphrey, Kofi Annan, Taro Aso, and Prince Albert of Monaco. Each JCI member share the belief that in order to create lasting positive change we must improve ourselves and the world around us; and live by the Jaycee Creed’s last line that “Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life”. JCI Philippine-New York is a New York City-based local chapter that has been serving our community for over 50 years. Continued on Page 7
you’re not lucky enough to get this awesome sugar, granular brown sugar works just fine, too. 2. Now, the remaining ingredients – plantains, jackfruit, cassava, rice flour balls, sweet potato, purple yam – need to be cut or formed at approximately the same size, I’d say half-inch to one inch pieces, so each spoonful has a few small bits of awesome. All the kids are going into the coconut milk pool later. 3. Glutinous rice flour bilo-bilo. Put a cup of the flour in a bowl, add water slowly, a spoonful at a time, stirring slowly. What you want to form from the flour and water is a paste that holds its own. You can tell when it’s “done” when the paste will come up off the bottom of the bowl cleanly when you scrape it with a spoon. After you get the paste to this point, let it rest for a few minutes on the counter. This paste is called galapong, the sticky rice flour dough that is the basis
for an infinite number of kakanin, rice-based desserts like bibingka. Get a plate and sprinkle it with rice flour. Pick up a little divet of that flour with your fingers and rub it around your palms. Snip off a bit of the dough paste, and form it into a ball by rolling between your floured palms. Set the little ball on the floured plate. Repeat. 4. Cassava root. If using fresh cassava, cut a narrow, diagonal line the length of the root. This will help you shave off the root’s bark. Grate the root, though at the core of the root is a very stringy and tough core. Don’t include that. The core left will be about as wide as your pinky finger. Squeeze out the water from the grated cassava root with your bare hands or with a cheese cloth. Form the grated root into balls. Add a little of the glutinous rice flour to help it stick together. These cassava truffles – if I may coin this phrase – are really delicate. You can also use frozen,
home, go as far as you can, and become a stranger in a strange land. How do you decipher it? “Yeah, it’s very true. One cannot explore the world by just being confined in seclusion. The outside world has a lot to offer with unlimited possibilities for growth. I simply love shooting in farflung location and allow myself to be lost amid its undiscovered grandiosity.” For now, his moniker may not yet ring that deafening resonance but given ample time and that proverbial break, with his keen eyes and photographic skills, it won’t be startling if Filbert Diego Kung’s name reverberates vociferously sooner than expected. For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com. packaged cassava. Defrost and treat it the same as the fresh root. 4. Now that the sugar’s all dissolved in the coconut milk, layer your cut-up ingredients inside, with the heavier, denser ingredients going in first: sweet potato, purple yam, jackfruit, glutinous rice balls and cassava root truffles. Once you’ve layered everything inside, DON’T STIR THE POT. The cassava’s really delicate (just reminding you!) and, with all that starch, stirring too much will make the ginataan too thick. Just let everything get warm, and come up to a simmer. Get a hot bowl and a spoon and go to town. Sweet, stick-toyour-ribs, warming taste of home. *** Sarahlynn Pablo is the co-founder of Filipino Kitchen, a food media and events group whose mission is to connect Filipinos across the diaspora with their culture and history by celebrating our cuisine. With fellow co-founder, Natalia Roxas, they produce the annual Kultura Festival in October. Pablo, 38, lives in and loves Chicago. For more stories and recipes, please visit http://filipino. kitchen.
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya 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 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 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 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 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.
A new twist on an old tale — Micah of Samaria “… He opened his swollen eyes slightly seemingly regaining consciousness. The man moaned asking where he was. Then he drifted out once more. …” “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 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 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 from 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 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. He knew and felt better about this bit of wisdom about who true neighbors are. He refused the two silver coins Micah was giving him. Joshua felt good doing his bit for the wounded man. Joshua went about his day with a lighter heart. He felt sure God made him an innkeeper to meet people on the crossroads. Since that glorious night long ago when he witnessed something rare, precious and mysterious in a childbirth at the stable at the back of the inn that only a few men had ever seen, stories have been unfolding right before his eyes. People and their stories have been opening up his heart and enriching his soul. Joshua often regaled his wife and children with these stories at the dinner table. He thought that maybe one day when the time is ripe, he could share these stories with as many others who cared to listen. These stories are just too good to keep to one’s self. Maybe he can tell Luke who can then write about these stories to pass them on to many generations. Samuel, the wounded man, was in deep thought too. He felt sure the priest and the Levite who had both passed him by were going to help him in his hour of need. They were supposedly men of God. Samuel was a man of some means and had given generously to the temple’s coffers. He even sat with these men in places of honor. Like them, he grew up bound by 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
Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado Commences at the Philippine Center in New York NeW YOrk — The Philippine Consulate General New York, in coordination with 10 sponsoring Filipino-American community groups under the Coalition of Schools and ANCOP opened the 9-day Simbang Gabi sa konsulado. The main mass celebrant was Papal Nuncio to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernardito Auza and concelebrated by Fr. ed Jocson. An overflow crowd packed the kalayaan Hall and the kalayaan Annex for the first night of Simbang Gabi. Now on its 29th year, the Simbang Gabi sa konsulado’s theme for 2016 is “MapayapangPasko Para sa Maunlad na Pagbabago” (A Peaceful Christmas Towards Progressive Change). The Simbang Gabi sa konsulado provides a venue for the Filipino-American community to continue celebrating Filipino Christmas traditions overseas as well as gives them an opportunity to collaborate, coordinate and work together to organize masses, salu-salo and other events like gift-giving and community Christmas caroling. In her remarks, Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega thanked all the sponsoring organizations
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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IN this day and age of health consciousness and the appreciation of the value and role of weight on longevity, interest in weight control and dieting is greater than ever, especially during holiday seasons. This leads to the question as to what controls our appetite. What triggers hunger and satiety? The urge to eat (hungry or not) is, to a large extent, controlled by hormones in our body. And these hormones fluctuate depending on how much sleep we get, what types of food we eat and how much calories we take in, and on how much physical activities we indulge in daily. Scientific researchers are focusing on four specific substances they call “fat hormones,” which our own endocrine glands in the body produce. There are hormones that make one eat and there are also hormones that signal the brain to tell the person to stop eating. These substances control hunger and satiety. Which is the “hunger hormone”? The hunger hormone is Ghrelin, which is secreted by our guts (stomach and intestines). When its level goes up, we feel hungry and have the urge to eat. The level of Ghrelin goes up when we get less sleep or not enough sleep. This is the reason why those who are trying to lose weight should get adequate amount (about 8 hours) of sleep. An imbalance meal and stress also elevate the Ghrelin level. Food deprivation obviously increases the Ghrelin level, hence it is better to keep the level of this hormone on an even keel and not fluctuate too much by eating regularly (or even more than 3 times a day) but at a controlled total calorie ceiling, to maintain health and body weight. So, starving oneself is not a good way to lose weight, since this will lead to a Ghrelin “boomerang” in the latter part of the day. Which is the “satiety hormone”? The opposite or counterhormone, which is called Leptin, signals the brain when to stop eating. It controls the appetite. This “satiety hormone” is produced
Appetite regulators by fat cells in the body. When a person loses weight, the leptin level in the blood stream also goes down. As a result, there is a “rebound” weight gain. The best strategy in losing and maintaining a desired weight level is to lose in a slow and steady pace, about one to two pounds a week, and not more. In this manner, there will still be an effective level of leptin in the body to control the urge to eat. What’s the effect of imbalance meals? High carbohydrate diet (rice, bread, sugar, pop drinks, ice cream, and other sweets) leads to a faster metabolism of these food items that have high glycemic indices and floods the blood stream with high glucose level. This is why those who eat a lot of these food items (rice is a great culprit!) are feared to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Personally, much as I loved rice (a 3-meal rice addict), I had decided to give it up following all the convincing scientific evidence today of its link to diabetes. Could this be the reason why the incidence of diabetes is very high among Asians, especially among Filipinos? The research on this is still in progress. How about emotional stress? When one is high on stress and low on energy, the body tries to compensate by producing more cortisol hormone. This substance mobilizes the blood sugar transformation (glycogen into glucose) and increases the blood sugar level to provide energy. But it makes the person hungry. And so the person eats more. The connection between cortisol level and obesity is not a settled question yet. Physical stress, like regimented physical exercises daily, is another story. This has a positive effect on our body in more ways than one. While it also raises the cortisol level and increases blood sugar, exercise burns calories and also helps put our body hormones in good balance. As a matter of fact those who do daily exercises have lower risk of developing heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. What is Obsetatin? This is a hormone recently identified by researchers at Stanford. This substance has been shown to slow down the digestive process. While the studies on Obsetatin are still ongoing, it is postulated that this hormone,
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like the first three above, could be held in check by adequate sleep, balanced diet, physical exercise and minimizing stress. Are Appetite Suppressants Safe? Most appetite control pills, juices, solutions and powders on the market are not physiological and unnatural ways to suppress (by force) the appetite for weight control. While they are readily available and very popular, they have potential adverse side effects on the heart, liver, kidneys and brain in the long haul. Some serious complications, and even deaths, have been reported from the use of these diet substances. Since greater calorie intake than output is the cause of increase in body weight, the safest, most natural, strategy is to eat less and burn more calories with physical exercises, making the output of calories (energy) greater than the intake of calories (food). The use of appetite suppressants could be dangerous. Consult with your physician before using any of them. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people, especially parents, whose way of life inevitably impacts the health of their children, to live a healthy lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life for themselves and for their offspring. My articles are general medical information for the public and not intended to be applicable to, or appropriate for, anyone. The data, statistics, and personal commentaries presented here are not a substitute for, or inferred to be superior to, the professional opinion and recommendation of your physician, who knows your total condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
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Simbang Gabi at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles Christ the King Roman Catholic Church will have Simbang Gabi on Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 17 at 5 p.m. The church is located at 624 N. Rossmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004. For more information, please call (323) 465-7605.
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SIPA’s 2nd annual toy drive & distribution in Los Angeles
More than 200 members of the Filipino-American Community attended the first day of the traditional Simbang Gabi on 6 December 2016 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.
throughout the 9-day activity as it allows the different community organizations to work together for a distinctly Filipino Christmas tradition. She likewise noted that while the Simbang Gabi is now on its third decade, by opening our hearts to the genuine meaning of Simbang Gabi the ritual will remain fresh and meaningful. In his homily, Archbishop Auza emphasized the significant role of the Filipino community in addressing the cultural challenges that migrants face in particular the transitions and gaps from one generation to the next. He
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From Page 6 We would be very honored if you can grace us with your presence. We would appreciate it if you can be a sponsor or contribute for a full-page greeting to include in our souvenir journal. Among the projects that we have accomplished this year include Bingo Social Against Malaria, Peace is
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Possible Awareness Campaign, entrepreneurship Workshops, re-program Your Mind on Success and Significance, and many others. This journal will enable our chapter to support and donate to 100 homeless kids for “A Heart for the Homeless” and “Nothing But Nets Against Malaria” campaigns. All organizations interested to submit nominations please email
thanked the community for sharing traditions like Simbang Gabi alive in New York and sharing it with the younger generation and mainstream US society. The Couples for Christ Music Ministry provided the music for the first night of the Simbang Gabi mass. Simbang Gabi sa konsulado will be held at the Philippine Center until December 14, 2016. This year’s edition will be co-sponsored by more than 50 Filipino organizations and 5 business organizations owned or headed by Filipinos. iconsnominations@philnyjaycees. org. Separate Invitations will be provided should you wish to attend this momentous occasion or you may email info@ philnyjaycees.org, To participate as a supporter, advertiser, or sponsor you may contact project manager Jeanette Bocobo at edmarcoart@ gmail.comor call at (917) 889-0184 and we will be happy to send the materials.
The Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) will have its second annual toy drive and distribution in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 17. The toy drive will be from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; please bring in an unwrapped toy for children between the ages of 0-15 years old or make a $25 donation to SIPA. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a toy distribution by the Purist Group, SCPASA & special celebrity guests. Activities include free kids haircuts by celebrity barber JayR Mallari and holiday music by DJ Icy Ice. Light food and drink will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. SIPA is located at 3200 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Alumni of Greater Los Angeles’ anniversary celebration Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Alumni of Greater Los Angeles (APOGLA) will have its 36th anniversary celebration with the theme “Christmas in the Inland Empire” on Saturday, December 17. Registration and no-host cocktails will take place between 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. while buffet dinner will start at 7 p.m. During the event, the organization’s new officers will be inducted. The event will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton on 222 N. Vineyard Ave., Ontario, California 91764. To RSVP, please contact Bro. Rocky Marte at rsmarte@ sbcglobal.net or at (626) 482-3410.
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Consular outreach mission in Miami, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death. No applications for dual citizenship will be accepted at this time, as oaths of allegiance must be administered by the Philippine Consul General or Consul. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and copy furnish honcon.miami@gmail.com. The Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami is located at 12/F 1200 Brickell Ave., Miami, Florida 33131.
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY dEcEmbER 16, 2016