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Volume10 – Issue 22 • 16 Pages
F E BR U A R Y 2 4 - MA R C H 2 , 2 0 1 7 Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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USA
DATELINE Trump administration to move forward with immigration plans FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
De Lima surrenders to CIDG by AUDREY
MORALLO Philstar.com
DREAMers unaffected by deportation threats AS promised during President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Tuesday, February 21 plans to conduct a wide crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States. DHS Secretary John Kelly issued two memoranda to go forth with the president’s widely criticized executive orders which include strengthening security at the U.S.Mexico border, removing a policy that released people caught at the border on bail that they attend deportation hearings and detaining any undocumented immigrant convicted of any criminal activity, among other directives. “It implements new policies designed to stem illegal immigration and facilitate the detection, apprehension, detention, and removal of aliens who have no lawful basis to enter or remain in the United States,” Kelly wrote in one memorandum. The new, stricter immigration policies are a remarkable departure from former Presi-
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MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Leila De Lima turned herself to arresting authorities on Friday, February 24, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her by a Muntinlupa court. From her Senate office in Room 502, she was escorted to the agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) led by Chief Superintendent Roel Obusan. The surrender comes after De Lima spent the night in her office at the Senate. The CIDG team also spent the night in the Senate premises. Presiding Judge Juanita Guerrero of the Regional Trial Court Branch issued the warrant after she had found probable cause in the case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). “After a careful evaluation of the herein information and all the evidence presented during the preliminary investigation conducted in this case by the Department of Justice, Manila, the Court finds sufficient probable cause for the issuance of Warrants of Arrest against all the accused Leila M. De Lima, Rafael Marcos Z. Ragos and Ronnie Palisoc Dayan,” Guerrero said in her arrest order. The case in Branch 204 is just one of the three cases filed by the justice department. The other two cases are with Branch 205 (Judge Amelia Fabros-Corpuz) and Branch 206 (Judge Patria Manalastas-de Leon). These cases were raffled off on Monday, February 20. The office of De Lima expressed surprise over the order of Guerrero considering that the judge arrived from a trip only on Thursday, February 23..
Filipino named president of DePaul University Ex-Davao Death PAFCOM celebrates Presidents’ Day Squad leader: feeding the homeless, low-income Pres. Duterte Calls on low-income Filipinos who may be qualified to avail of free services ordered killings DE LIMA’S DILEMMA. Reporters wait outside the office of Sen. Leila De Lima after she has been issued a warrant of arrest by the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on Thursday, Feb. 23. De Lima is facing three charges in relation to her alleged collusion with inmates and protection of the illegal drugs trade at the National Bilibid Prison in exchange for money during her time as Justice secretary of the Aquino administration. Philstar.com photos
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A FILIPINO was appointed the president of DePaul University in Chicago, considered the largest Catholic university in the United States. Dr. A Gabriel Esteban, who is originally from the Philippines, will leave his current post as the head of Seton Hall University, a Catholic institution in South Orange, Dr. A Gabriel Esteban Jersey. When he assumes office at DePaul on July 1, he will become the first non-ordained leader in the institution’s 119-year history. He succeeds the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., who stepped down in June of last year. Esteban said it was a “great privilege and honor” to have served as the president of
WHILE mayor of Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a “death squad” to carry out killings or other criminal acts in exchange for money, a former policeman revealed this week. Alleged Davao Death Squad (DDS) leader and retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas confessed on Monday, February 20 that Duterte personally directed the group to perform killings, usually of drug dealers and
JERSEY CITY – Officers, members and volunteers from the Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) led by its president Rose Javier returned for the second year to The Square Meal Soup Kitchen to provide breakfast and lunch to more than 200 people. “We started last year and we did it again this year. It is our way of helping the homeless members of the community that is why we partnered with Let’s Celebrate,” Javier told the Asian Journal. PAFCOM officers took a day off from their busy schedule on Presidents’ Day to volunteer at Let’s Celebrate’s Square As an organization, PAFCOM Meal soup kitchen in Jersey City and feed the homeless and low-income families and individuals served by the
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AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya
by MOMAR
Philippine Senate to reopen investigation by DANA
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G. VISAYA
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nonprofit organization.
PH hopes to continue its growth trajectory in 2017 Yasay seeks dialogue with Global Filipino diaspora consistent contributor to PH economic growth story by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
NEW YORK — “The Philippine investment climate continues to capture the confidence of the prime movers in global business given the strong performance and sustained growth of our economy,” said Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado as she spoke before more than 150 community leaders who gathered at the Philippine Center on Saturday, February 18 for a general assembly. Terrado was in New York with a contin-
gent to promote health care and business process management in the Philippines through various roadshows in key cities across America. At the general assembly, Terrado delivered a report on the Philippine economy and the current investment climate. “We can be proud of our country as it continues to perform well and it is resilient amidst external shocks,” Terrado said, citing a host of reasons why it is the best time for businesses to invest in the Philippines. “We are very optimistic that the Philippines will continue its growth Consul General Tess Dizon-De
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Vega
US Sec. of State Tillerson
ary 21, Yasay said he “personally would like to see through a possibility of a dialogue” with TillerPHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs son. Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. is “I hope that this can be done seeking a dialogue with United as soon as possible,” he added. States Secretary of State Rex TilPhilippine President Rodrigo lerson as part of Manila’s efforts Duterte had been distancing the to build a “closer relationship” country from the United States with Washington. under former President Barack During the conclusion of the Obama for the latter’s alleged Association of Southeast Asian ‘hypocrisy’ and criticisms of the Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Minis- intensified campaign against ilters Retreat on Tuesday, Februu PAGE A3 by DANA
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DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado
A february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
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From the Front Page
Ex-Davao Death Squad leader: Pres. Duterte…
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criminals, during his 22 years as the city’s mayor. “Totoo po ang Davao Death Squad (DDS is real),” Lascañas said during a press conference organized by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). This revelation contradicts the former death squad leader’s testimony during a Senate probe on the extrajudicial killings (EJK) last year in which he dismissed the existence of the DDS, saying the claims were mere “media hype.” His denial came after self-con-
ASEAN RETREAT. In this photo provided by Presidential Communications Operations Office ASEAN, Foreign ministers from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) link arms during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Boracay, Aklan province on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., who chaired the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, said that a few of his counterparts expressed concern over recent developments in the disputed area which may further escalate tensions in the region.
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trajectory and hopefully, the global Filipino diaspora will continue to be a consistent contributor of the Philippine economic growth story.” Terrado explained that the Philippines receives about $24 billion in remittances from all over the world, with an estimated 30 percent of the total coming from the United States. “This is important in terms of the social impact to their families not only in the cities but in the rural areas as well. It is impactful because it creates dynamism in the consumption economy of the Philippines,” Terrado said. The Philippines ended 2016 on a strong note by posting a 6.8 percent economic growth. It remains one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, ahead of China’s 6.7 percent and fellow high-riser Vietnam’s 6.2 percent. “It is the golden age of infrastructure and it’s all about: build, build, build,” Terrado said. The country’s global competitiveness ranking has also been improving across various groups such as Top 20 Foreign Direct Investment Destination, Economic Freedom Index and Global Innovation Index. Aside from getting higher
Global Competitiveness Ranking, the Philippines’ credit rating continues to receive stable and positive investment grades by the “Big Three” rating agencies — Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. Terrado also talked about how the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to sustain this economic growth through a 10-point socioeconomic agenda, with the ultimate goal of alleviating poverty and uplifting the quality of life of all Filipinos. This 10-point socioeconomic agenda hopes to continue and improve on the current macroeconomic policies, reform the tax system to make it more progressive, equitable and globally competitive, accelerate infrastructure spending and further improve Philippine investment climate to attract more foreign direct investments. The 10-point agenda also aims to address contraction in the agriculture and fishery sector and high food prices as well as uneven growth in the country, along with the promotion of science, technology, and the creative arts to enhance innovation and creative capacity towards self-sustaining, inclusive development.
instructions of (then-Mayor) Duterte to us. All of the killings we did in Davao city, whether we buried or threw them out to sea.” He claimed that Duterte hired him to assassinate radio broadcaster Jun Pala, who was a known critic of the then-mayor, through SPO4 Sonny Buenaventura in 2003. Pala’s murder has yet to be solved, according to various reports. Lascañas went on to reveal that the former mayor commanded the squad to bomb Davao mosques in 1993 to retal-
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De Lima is battling three drug suits in relation to her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade at the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) during her time as justice secretary of the Aquino adminisPromoting healthcare informa- tration. tion management offshoring Aside from the senator, Rafael Consul General Ma. Theresa Ragos, former Bureau of CorrecDizon-De Vega together with tions (BuCor) officer in charge Department of Trade Undersecretary Terrado and Philippine Senior Trade Representative Nicanor Bautista, invited prospective American health inves- PAGE A1 t tors and executives to the Phil- prides itself of helping not just ippines during the recently held members of the Filipino commuPhilippine Healthcare Informa- nity but also the local community tion Management (HIMS) Busi- at large. ness Process Offshoring forum “The city wants us to collaboheld at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine rate with other organizations in Center. giving services to the residents Terrado led a 17-company of Jersey City. It is one way of delegation from the Healthcare reaching out to the needy and Information Management As- homeless people in the city,” sociation of the Philippines (HI- said Helen Castillo, a long-standMAP) who travelled from the ing PAFCOM officer. Philippines to New York for the “We are hoping to do it again first leg of a multi-city roadshow, in the coming years during Presiincluding Orlando, Houston, and dents’ Day and we are planning San Francisco, organized by the to expand this kind of volunteer Department of Trade and Indus- work as well,” Javier added. try (DTI) and its overseas offices, Castillo and Javier were joined the Board of Investments (BOI) by community leaders Linda Ruin cooperation with Philippine pel, Lita Roxas and Juliet PayabyConsulates General in the U.S. ab at the feeding program. They BOI Director Angelica Cayas also took turns in preparing some of formed part of the delegation. the dishes the day before, slicing In New York, the forum attract- and dicing tomatoes and onions ed 50 American companies and for the salad and stocking the individuals from the health care pantry after the breakfast service and medical insurance industry was over. u PAGE A3 The group served Filipino
PH hopes to continue its growth…
fessed hitman Edgar Matobato testified last October that Duterte directed the group to carry out the killings in Davao City. Matobato pointed out that Lascañas was the supposed “team leader” of the death squad, which the latter then denied. However, on Monday, Lascañas admitted that he was one of the “founders” of the group, adding that the members of the squad were paid from P20,000 to P100,000 by Duterte, depending on their targets. “I was one of those who started it,” he said, as reported by CNN. “We implemented the personal
and deputy director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Ronnie Dayan, former driver and lover of the senator, were ordered arrested by the court. De Lima has maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte is behind her legal woes, saying that the president wanted her behind bars because of her intense criticism of the Chief Executive’s Sen. Leila de Lima during her arrest. vaunted anti-drugs campaign. n Inquirer.net photo
PAFCOM celebrates Presidents’…
Angelique Williams, program director, Let’s Celebrate
Helen Castillo, PAFCOM
breakfast to the clients. It consisted of garlic fried rice, egg, fried fish fillet, tomato and onion salad, coffee, orange juice, yogurt and grapes. For lunch it was chicken afritada, salmon and vegetables.
When they first volunteered last year, the group brought a lot of food with some left uneaten because some of the clients didn’t eat pork or beef. “Last year we had tocino and
AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
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From the Front Page
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARY 24-MARCH 2, 2017
Ex-Davao Death Squad leader: Pres. Duterte…
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PARTY COOPERATION. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, President of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban), on Monday, February 20, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on party cooperation with Chinese Minister Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in Malacañang. The event was witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte, chairman of PDP Laban and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua. Senate photo by Ariel Cagadas
PAFCOM celebrates Presidents’…
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tapa because we wanted to share the flavors of a traditional Filipino breakfast,” said Castillo. “They told us later some of their clients didn’t eat meat.” The soup kitchen serves a healthy portion for both breakfast and lunch and clients have the option for seconds once all the other guests are served. Let’s Celebrate program director Angelique Williams is thankful that there are organizations like PAFCOM who assist them in their line of work. “When we worked with them last year, it was a success and I am so happy they are doing it again this year,” Williams said. “One of the things we try to do is to expose our clientele to different kinds of cultures and food. They can experience different kinds of flavors that other communities have.” The organization serves more than 200 people every day, 75 for breakfast and about 150-200 for lunch. Homeless and low-income families and individuals are vetted to make sure they are qualified to avail of the organization’s services. Prospective members go to Let’s Celebrate with their proof of income. They meet with an intake manager and they discuss what the individual’s or family’s needs are. If qualified, they are given a card that they can show to avail of the free breakfast and lunch every Monday to Friday. Beyond meals, clients are also given free groceries. Let’s Celebrate, which is located in the Lafayette section of the City has been in existence since
vide,” Williams added. “Last year, we saw about three Filipino couples who availed of the free breakfast and lunch and we asked them if they were Filipino. They are retired and they don’t have regular income anymore,” Castillo shared. “The notion is if you are a Filipino, you are either a doctor or a nurse and you have income but there are some who don’t. There are definitely Filipinos in the city who live below the poverty line and we would like them to avail of these services.” n
Rose Javier, president, PAFCOM AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya
1982. Onsite is the soup kitchen found on the ground floor of a former church. On the second floor is a pantry, which provides a “consumer choice food pantry”. Consumer choice pantries operate like supermarkets where customers choose their own food based on the size and needs of their family. Groceries are provided, by appointment, on Wednesday and Thursdays. Individuals and families come in and shop like they normally would in a grocery or supermarket. Depending on family size, they are given points to use when shopping. Items range from 1 to 2 points each. “We have a diverse clientele, more so on the food pantry. We have Filipinos, Hispanics, Egyptians, African-Americans, whites. Working with PAFCOM will hopefully help us reach more Filipinos in the city and they will learn more about our organization and the services we pro-
DFA Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.
Yasay seeks dialogue with US…
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legal drugs. Some analysts, on the other hand, expect warmer relations between the two countries given the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who took office last January. “It will be very important for us as I’m sure it will be important for the United States, in our desire to forge closer ties and closer relationships,” Yasay said. During the press briefing, Yasay also disclosed that ASEAN foreign ministers discussed Trump’s new policies during the retreat. “The ministers had expressed
their views on what they see is an evolving, still evolving policy, of the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump,” said Yasay, who chaired the event. He also related that the ministers are “hopeful” that the new policies under the Trump administration “will be positive for everyone and will contribute toward peace and progress in the region.” Earlier in December, Duterte extended Trump an invitation to attend the ASEAN summit later this year. The 2017 summit, chaired by the Philippines, will be held in November in Clark, Pampanga. n
PH hopes to continue…
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who listened to presentations by Terrado on Philippine economic updates, HIMAP President Cristina Coronel on Philippine offshoring opportunities and HIMS Roadmap 2022, as well as Philippine case study presentations on Revenue Cycle Management by Myla Rose Reyes (SPI Global); on Pharmaceutical/Life Science by Ma. Cristina Coronel (Pointwest Technologies Co.); on Health IT by Vincent Remo (Advanced World Solutions); and on Customer Service by Phil Taylor (KMC Solutions, USA). A testimonial presentation entitled “A U.S. Company’s Offshoring Experience in the Philippines” was shared by John Chess, managing director of KMC Solutions, which was followed by a third-party assessment of the Philippines as a leading location for HIMS Services by Sakshi
Garg, practice director of Everest Group. In her welcome remarks, Consul General De Vega expressed support for the HIMS industry in the Philippines in light of its strategic importance to the country’s BPM industry and lauded the leadership of DTI and its collaboration with HIMAP that deepened competencies from simple encoding to higher-value services. The Philippines’ HIMS sector grew by 41.03 percent (CAGR) or US$1.3 Billion since 2011. The HIMS roadshow is designed to promote Philippines HIMS to U.S. stakeholders. The delegation is also participating in the 2017 HIMS Annual Global Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, an event that brings under one roof 1,200 exhibitors and 45,000 delegates from the health care and IT industry. n
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iate the bombing of San Pedro Cathedral. Around 1,400 killings have been supposedly linked to the death squad based on data from human rights groups. ‘Lascañas was paid to recant’ In a privilege speech on Wednesday, February 22, Senator Richard Gordon, who chaired the earlier probe into the alleged EJKs, lambasted Lascañas for lying before the Senate. Last year, the Senate Committee on Justice on Human Rights concluded that “there is no evidence sufficient to prove that a Davao Death Squad exists.” Gordon said the probe’s conclusion might have been different had Lascañas told the “truth” in the first place. He, however, insisted that Lascañas should not be given another chance to testify before the Senate. “We cannot allow the Senate to be a cockpit of lies. No one should be allowed to trifle with the Senate,” Gordon said. He also accused Lascañas getting paid in exchange of retracting his earlier testimony. “And you want to believe this man? This man who lies frequently, who claims he is paid to murder? He is paid now to talk? Can I ask that question? No, I will not ask that question. I’m sure, I’ll say you are now paid that’s why you’re here and I don’t think you can blame me if I said that,” Gordon said. New Senate inquiry While the former policeman was warned of possible perjury cases for retracting a previous testimony under oath, Gordon said that the cop’s allegations can also be used as grounds for impeach-
ment cases against Duterte. “Well yeah. Betrayal of public trust yan e, kung totoo (if it’s true),” Gordon told Inquirer. “[Because] it goes into character e. It goes into betrayal of public trust.” The Senate Public Order Committee, which is chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson, is expected to conduct a new hearing to investigate the alleged existence of the DDS. Lacson, however, clarified that the new Senate inquiry would not be a reopening of the previous hearings conducted by the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Instead, it will be based on the new revelations brought forth by the former policeman. “I’m coordinating with the office of the proponent, Sen. (Antonio) Trillanes, for the submission of Lascañas’ sworn statement and thereafter, find out who we will invite as resource persons then I will schedule a hearing,” Lacson said in a statement. ‘Political drama’ Malacañang, meanwhile, dismissed Lascañas’ recent statement as “political drama.” In a statement on Monday, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the press conference was another attempt to “destroy the president and to topple his administration.” Andanar suggested that the “character assassination” against the president is nothing but “vicious politics orchestrated by sectors affected by the reforms initiated by the Duterte administration.” He also pointed out that the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Office of the Ombuds-
man, and the Senate Committee on Justice, had already cleared the president of the allegations surrounding the extrajudicial killings. “Bringing change is not an easy task. The Duterte administration has disturbed and disrupted the establishment. However, we remain undistracted in delivering goods and services to serve the people, not just the interest of the few,” Andanar added. Meanwhile, responding to Andanar’s comments, the CHR denied the claims that it has cleared Duterte of his alleged involvement in the DDS and extrajudicial killings. “It is clear from the quoted portions of the resolution that deaths have occurred in significant numbers and no investigations were conducted by the local government. Deaths continued to occur with impunity during the term of the former mayor,” the commission said, citing a 2012 resolution that calls the Ombudsman to investigate Duterte’s supposed connection to the group. The Office of the Ombudsman earlier rejected the complaint but the case was reopened following Matobato’s testimonies last year. The CHR said Lascañas’ revelations would be considered in its on-going probe. In various instances, Duterte has denied his leadership role in the extrajudicial killings and the existence of the death squad as mayor. Since taking office last June, over 7,700 individuals have been killed in relation to the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs — 2,500 of which were from police operations. n
A february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
Poll: 71% of Americans view PH ‘favorably’ by rosette
Adel
In the latest Gallup’s World Affairs survey conducted February 1 to 5, Americans’ views on 21 AT least 71 percent of Ameri- foreign countries were revealed. cans view the Philippines favorPhilippines and Israel were ably, a poll report said. tied for the eighth spot with 71 Philstar.com
The latest Gallup’s World Affairs survey conducted February 1 to 5, revealed that 71 percent Americans view the Philippines favorably.
percent ratings, while Canada and Great Britain emerged as the most favored countries with 92 and 91 percent ratings, respectively. On the other hand, Americans gave North Korea and Iran the lowest favorable rating of 11 and 12, respectively. North Korea has been at or near the bottom of this list since 2003, according to Gallup. The countries were rated into five groups: most favorable, favorable, mixed, unfavorable and most unfavorable. The Philippines, one of the strategic and economic partners of the US, fell into the favorable category along with other partners India, Israel, Taiwan and Mexico. The 21 nations were evaluated by Gallup through telephone interviews amongst 1,035 adults, aged 18 and older. Their landline and cellular telephone numbers were selected using random-digital-dial methods. Gallup noted that all respondents are living in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. The poll had a margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. It added that all reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting. n
Yasay ‘There will be a PH ambassador to US’ THE Philippines will have an ambassador to the United States, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. affirmed on Wednesday, February 22. Yasay made the confirmation amid concerns over Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks earlier this month that he is not yet keen on sending an envoy to the U.S. to replace Jose Cuisia Jr. He took note that Duterte previously tapped Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez as the new Philippine ambassador but the latter reportedly declined due to health reasons. According to Yasay, Romualdez is still “hopeful that he would be given a positive recommendation by his doctors.” “By April, he will be able to get this medical certification and would now be in a position to fulfill his job as an ambassador to the U.S.,” Yasay
added. Following Cuisia’s retirement in June last year, the post remained vacant. The Philippine embassy in Washington is presently headed by charge d’affaires Patrick Chuasoto, a career diplomat. On Wednesday, the Commission on Appointments cited that there are about 310,000 undocumented Filipinos in the U.S. who might be deported under President Donald Trump’s stricter immigration policy. However, Yasay said that despite the number, there is no urgent need to fill up the vacant ambassador post. Yasay remarked that the Philippine consular offices in the U.S. are “adequately manned by people who know what to do.” “It is not necessary at this point in time...Our embassy in Washington has a very competent charge (d’affaires)
who would know what to do in order to address particular needs,” Yasay said. He added that the Philippine consular offices are also “taking proactive steps in determining and spotting these particular individuals who might be in need of legal assistance” in the U.S. Data from the Commission on Appointments also show that there are currently about 3.4 million Filipinos in the U.S. “In the meantime, we continue with the search for having the ambassador to the United States who would really fit in terms of not only in expertise but also in resources to be able to carry out his duties effectively as ambassador,” Yasay said. Earlier this month, Duterte expressed that he doesn’t ‘feel like’ sending an envoy to the U.S. yet.
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Dateline USa
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ConneCTinG And CollAborATinG For ChAnGe
Consulate gathers community leaders for 3rd General Assembly by MoMAr
G. VisAyA
AJPress
THE Philippine Consulate General of New York hosted the 3rd Filipino-American Community General Assembly on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. Almost 200 community leaders representing 95 Filipino-American community organizations throughout the US Northeast participated in the whole day event. Consul General Tess de Vega reported on the highlights of the consulate’s events in 2016 and gave the community a glimpse of new initiatives and programs that the consulate is planning to undertake in 2017. “We would like to have a special emphasis on human services and reaching out to underserved sectors of our community this year,” the consul general said. Next month, the consulate will be holding a human services day and they are gathering various groups, volunteers and organizations that provide counseling, health care, access to medical programs for underserved members of the community such as the aging, seniors and people who have particular health and social concerns, and undocumented migrants. Information sessions and fellowships are also being planned for the household service workers sector and paid caregivers. A focus group discussion will also be held this year to talk about the concerns of the LGBTQ members of the community. “We would also like to pursue a multi-generational dynamic between the millennials or the second, third and even fourth generation Filipino Americans and the perennials or the members of established organizations. We will bring them together, first to connect them and hopefully that will lead to further engagement within the community,” De Vega said. The consul general said she was a part of the planning for the general assembly way back in 2011 when she was still the deputy consul general, for the community to come together and develop synergy for closer collaboration between members of the community and the mainstream. The annual flagship projects
Consul General Theresa dizon-de Vega with officers and staff of the Consulate and members of the Fil-Am Community at the General Assembly. Photo by boyet loverita
Miss Saigon cast member rachelle Ann Go (center) with Consul General de Vega (center left), GMA Pinoy TV representative Grace h. labaguis (center right), and members of the Filipino community.
of the consulate such as Filipino Restaurant Week, Paaralan sa Konsulado, Sinehan sa Summer, Homecoming sa Konsulado, Simbang Gabi, among others, will continue this year, along with a number of new initiatives. Among the other projects this 2017 include Know Your Rights information sessions, commemorative events, cultural events such as the Fashion Arts Autism Benefit, the launching of Nick Joaquin’s anthology, Independence Day events, Filipino American History Month and ASEAN cultural events. The general assembly has become a platform for community leaders, members, volunteers and organizations to develop closer linkages, synergy, and collaboration. Consul General De Vega further emphasized that the Consulate is honored to organize this undertaking in cooperation with partners in the community in order to develop a stronger sense of connectivity among the Fil-Am community. The general assembly also held a breakout session where all participants contributed their inputs on six discussion topics namely, Promotion of Philippine Culture and Tourism; Filipino-American Political Engagement; Philip-
pine-US Economic Engagement; Migration and Immigration Related Matters; Giving Back to US Communities; and Giving Back to the Philippines. The inputs will be considered for possible implementation in the future, according to Consul General De Vega. These inputs were also presented to the plenary by the representatives of each group. Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado provided the community with updates on the Philippine growth story, the current business and investment climate in the country and the Duterte Administration’s centerpiece 10point socio-economic agenda designed to ensure the country’s sustainable and inclusive growth agenda. “The general assembly is not the end all and be all. It is a learning process and we try to make things better. Hopefully, we will be coming up with more innovative ideas to spark greater connection and synergy within the community,” De Vega added. “It is an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other, that is the biggest takeaway here. We are very grateful for the great turnout this year.” n
Many employer plans don’t include habilitative services, which help people with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy or autism maintain, learn or improve their functional skills. Federal officials issued a regulation that defined habilitative services and directed plans to set separate limits for the number of covered visits for rehabilitative and habilitative services. Those rules could be changed. “There is real room for weakening the requirements” for habilitative services, said Dania Palanker, an assistant research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms who has reviewed the essential health benefits coverage requirements. Oral and vision care for kids Pediatric oral and vision care requirements, another essential health benefit that’s not particularly common in employer plans, could also be weakened, said Caroline Pearson, a senior vice president at Avalere Health, a consulting firm. Mental health and substance use disorder services The health law requires all individual and small group plans cover mental health and substance use disorder services. In the regulations the administration said that means those services have to be provided at “parity” with medical and surgical services, meaning plans can’t be more restrictive with one type of coverage than the other regarding cost sharing, treatment and care management. “They could back off of parity,” Palanker said. Prescription drugs Prescription drug coverage could be tinkered with as well. The rules currently require that plans cover at least one drug in every drug class, a standard that isn’t particularly robust to start with, said Katie Keith, a health policy consultant and adjunct professor at Georgetown Law School. That standard could be relaxed further, she said, and the list of required covered drugs could shrink. Preventive and wellness
services and chronic disease management Republicans have discussed trimming or eliminating some of the preventive services that are required to be offered without cost sharing. Among those requirements is providing birth control without charging women anything out of pocket. But, Palanker said, “if they just wanted to omit them, I expect that would end up in court.” Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care Before the health law passed, just 12 percent of health policies available to a 30-year-old woman on the individual market offered maternity benefits, according to research by the National Women’s Law Center. Those that did often charged extra for the coverage and required a waiting period of a year or more. The essential health benefits package plugged that hole very cleanly, said Adam Sonfield, a senior policy manager at the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research and advocacy organization. “Having it in the law makes it more difficult to either exclude it entirely or charge an arm and a leg for it,” Sonfield said. Maternity coverage is often offered as an example of a benefit that should be optional, as Verma advocated. If you’re a man or too old to get pregnant, why should you have to pay for that coverage? That a la carte approach is not the way insurance should work, some experts argue. Women don’t need prostate cancer screening, they counter, but they pay for the coverage anyway. “We buy insurance for uncertainty, and to spread the costs of care across a broad population so that when something comes up that person has adequate coverage to meet their needs,” said Linda Blumberg, a senior fellow at the Health Policy Center at the Urban Institute. This article was reprinted with permission from Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit health newsroom that is an editorially independent part of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Health law’s 10 essential benefits: A look at what’s at risk in GOP overhaul by Michelle
Andrews Kaiser Health News
AS Republicans look at ways to replace or repair the health law, many suggest shrinking the list of services insurers are required to offer in individual and small group plans would reduce costs and increase flexibility. That option came to the forefront last week when Seema Verma, who is slated to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the Trump administration, noted at her confirmation hearing that coverage for maternity services should be optional in those health plans. Maternity coverage is a popular target and one often mentioned by health law critics, but other items also could be watered down or eliminated. There are some big hurdles, however. The health law requires that insurers who sell policies for individuals and small businesses cover at a minimum 10 “essential health benefits,” including hospitalization, prescription drugs and emergency care, in addition to maternity services. The law also requires that the scope of the services offered be equal to those typically provided in employer coverage. “It has to look like a typical employer plan, and those are still pretty generous,” said Timothy Jost, an emeritus professor at Washington and Lee University Law School in Virginia who is an expert on the health law. Since the 10 required benefits are spelled out in the Affordable Care Act, it would require a change in the law to eliminate entire categories or to water them down to such an extent that they’re less generous than typical employer coverage. And since Republicans likely cannot garner 60 votes in the Senate, they will be limited in changes that they can make to the ACA. Still, policy experts say there’s room to “skinny up” the requirements in some areas by changing the regulations that federal officials wrote to implement the law. Habilitative services The law requires that plans cover “rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices.”
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Know Your Rights session gives tips to community members What to do when ICE agents knock or immigration scammers prey on undocumented immigrants by MoMar
G. Visaya
AJPress
WALK FOR LIFE. Catholic faithful join a march against summary killings and the death penalty bill at Rizal Park in Manila on Saturday, Feb. 18. Among the participants was embattled Sen. Leila de Lima, a vocal opponent of the government’s drug war who faces drug trafficking cases that she claims were manufactured to silence her and other critics. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
Filipino named president of DePaul… PAGE A1 t
Seton Hall since 2011 and that it was a “difficult decision” to leave. “DePaul University has an excellent academic reputation, and I am honored to have the opportunity to shape its future in partnership with the university community,” he said in a statement released on Thursday, February 16. He added that the university’s mission and values align with his “personal beliefs.” During his tenure — also as the first lay leader in its history — Seton Hall created a new School of Medicine in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, a new health and medical sciences campus, and a new College of Communication and the Arts. Additionally, fundraising reportedly reached “all-time highs,” with more than $40 million raised in the last year and a half alone. Seton Hall Board of Regents Chairman Patrick Murray noted how under Esteban’s leadership, the university “made tremendous progress and growth.” “Working closely with Dr. Esteban for these past years has been a blessing,” Murray said. “His
love for learning and his dedication to making higher education available to individuals from all walks of life is unparalleled.” Previously, Esteban served as interim president for six months and had the roles of provost and chief academic officer, in which he oversaw eight colleges and schools, university libraries and enrollment services. In a statement, DePaul’s Board of Trustees chair William E. Bennett touted Esteban’s “extensive experience in higher education and strategic planning.” Added James T. Ryan, chair of the search committee and vicechair of the board, “In the search for DePaul’s next president, our committee sought a proven academic leader and strategic thinker with a deep personal commitment to DePaul’s Vincentian and Catholic identity. Dr. Esteban not only shares the values that reside at the heart of our community, he also has the vision and compassion to champion DePaul’s distinct educational mission.” The university’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of Esteban’s appointment on February 6. According to his biography, Esteban holds a bachelor’s in
mathematics and an MBA from the University of the Philippines. He was the first Philippine recipient of the Fujitsu Scholarship, taking him to Chaminade University in Hawaii, where he earned a master’s in Japanese business studies. He holds a doctorate in business administration from University of California, Irvine. He has received multiple accolades, including “Great Immigrant” from the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2015 and one of New Jersey’s 100 most powerful state leaders by NJBIZ. Esteban is a board member and former vice chairman of the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education, a national organization established to address issues affecting Asian American students, faculty and staff. He also serves as a commissioner on the Commission on Inclusion of the American Council on Education. His past experience also includes senior-level leadership and faculty positions at high education institutions in Arkansas, Texas and the Philippines. He and his wife, Josephine, have one daughter who is a medical resident at the University of Chicago. PAGE 4 t (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress) “Iyung USA, wala tayong ambassador. Walang ambassador na papunta doon. Hanggang wala tayong ambassa-
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“Not my Presidents’ Day” Rally. Thousands of Americans across the country marked Presidents’ Day on Monday, February 20 by holding rallies against President Donald Trump. In New York — along with dozens of other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago — hundreds of anti-Trump demonstrators trooped to Columbus Circle, in front of the Trump International Tower and Hotel.
A Trump supporter holds a “Build a Wall” sign, referencing the president’s promise to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico border in an effort to prevent undocumented immigration.
Kathy Robinson waves her “Not My President” placard beside Trump supporter Tim, who did not give his last name. He was among the Trump supporters — most of whom were wearing the red “Make America Great Again” caps — who showed up at the rally in New York. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya
We’ve been very clear it’s not the responsibility of LAPD,” Garcetti told reporters in January. “We participate all the time with our federal immigration authorities and we will continue to do so. We just require, as the courts have decided, that there be a warrant.” In response to the hundreds of counties and cities that have declared themselves sanctuary cities, the White House has warned them to abide by the law or face
Consulate generals usually receive consular notification from the Department of Homeland Security/ICE as provided under international conventions on diplomatic and consular practice. “We’ve had this in the past and we expect that we will get notices in the coming weeks and months. Whenever we do, our first step will always be to request permission to reach out and have access to the Filipino national concerned,” she explained. ICE said nearly 95% of the foreign nationals arrested in the New York area over the past week were criminal aliens, fugitives or illegal reentrants, according to the New York Daily News. They were among more than 600 people arrested across the nation in 11 states, officials said. The agency also called the raids “routine, daily, targeted operations.” Unscrupulous individuals have been preying on immigrants and some of them have been posing as immigration officials ripping off the vulnerable community members asking them for cash or face the possibility of immediate deportation. This has come to the attention of ICE, which has issued warnings to people to stop impersonating immigration officials. They also said that if “members of the community are approached by someone purporting to be a federal immigration officer, they should respectfully request to see the person’s badge and credentials.” “If the individual is unable to present a badge and credentials it should raise a red flag. People should also be suspicious if the “officer” demands money or if he/ she detains someone and refuses to disclose where they are being taken,” the ICE notice said. Lastly, if members of the community suspect they’ve been contacted by an “impostor” immigration officer, they should report the encounter immediately to local law enforcement and/or call ICE’s 24-hour toll free tip line at 1-866DHS-2-ICE. n
Yasay ‘There will be a PH ambassador…
Trump administration to move forward…
dent Barack Obama’s immigration policies which were far more lenient and focussed more on assimilating the undocumented community into the American economic system. Previously, under Obama, only those convicted of serious crimes were automatically detained. Moreover, the “expedited removals” of those who have only been in the country for 14 days was only implemented within 100 miles of the border. Under Trump, that will now include those that had been in the country for two years and located anywhere in the U.S. The documented released on Tuesday also detailed that the DHS is planning to expand U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by hiring 10,000 new immigration agents and creating more detention facilities across the nation. The motions would also reintroduce a Customs and Border Protection program that will draft local law enforcement officers to assist in the identifying and removal of suspected criminals who are undocumented. DHS officials told reporters that none of the orders will affect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has provided more than 750,000 DREAMers — undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children — protection from deportation, work authorization and driver’s licenses. However, Washington may see a battle with so-called sanctuary cities, which have directed their police forces to not help the federal government in the crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Los Angeles — in which approximately one in 10 residents are undocumented immigrants, according to 2013 USC study — declared itself a sanctuary city shortly after Trump was elected. The LAPD, along with the California State University and University of California school systems, have vowed not to assist in the identification and detention of unauthorized immigrants. “We have built relationships by effective law enforcement that doesn’t focus on where a person was born or the color of their skin. And we don’t intend to change that,” LAPD Chief Charlie Beck told reporters in November. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti has also been adamant about the city’s stance in refusing to assist in the crackdown with respect to the federal government’s policies. “Immigration is the responsibility of our federal government.
“If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents come to your homes, don’t open the door and remain silent. They cannot come in without a signed warrant by a criminal court judge and they can only enter your house if you open the door. Do not sign anything ICE gives you without speaking to an immigration attorney because you might already be signing your deportation papers,” a representative from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and an immigration activist advised members of the Filipino American community who are worried about news of recent federal raids happening in New York and New Jersey. ICE has reported that the 683 undocumented immigrants they arrested in early February constitute a mere 0.07 percent of the 950,062 undocumenteds with court-issued deportation orders as of May 21, 2016. Out of this number, only 11,000 are in the custody of ICE. The Philippine Consulate General in New York gathered representatives from the New York City Mayor’s Office, Jersey City’s Office of Welcoming Immigrants to let the community know of their rights when faced with ICE agents knocking on their doors. Nearly 40% of New York City’s population of 8.2 million is foreign-born, according to a 2013 study by the City Planning Commission. In at least nine neighborhoods, more than half the residents are foreign-born. New York City is a sanctuary city, which means that if someone reports a crime, the police are not allowed to ask about that person’s immigration or legal status. In Jersey City, out of the more than 200,000 who call the city home, about 40% of residents are foreign-born. Like New York, Jersey City is also a sanctuary city, it has been since 1996 but last month, because of the current political climate, city officials led by Mayor
Steven Fulop reiterated the city’s commitment through an executive order. This was followed by the filing of Council President Rolando Lavarro of a resolution supporting the sanctuary city status of Jersey City. Yves Nibungco, who works with Jersey City’s Office of Welcoming Communities called on the community members to check out their office for possible services they can avail of, like free legal assistance. “Check if you qualify for waivers and save filing fees when you apply for citizenship. They also offer free legal consultation with pro-bono lawyers,” he said. He also called on people to be more responsible when it comes to sharing things they see on social media networks. “Please do not share unverified rumors,” he pleaded. “Some people are panicking and there is a proliferation of people taking advantage of undocumented kababayans.” During the past weeks, there were rumors on Facebook on Twitter about arresting undocumented individuals and warning people to avoid Roosevelt Ave. and Junction Blvd. in Queens and Journal Square in Jersey City because ICE officers had set up a checkpoint to detain undocumented immigrants. “We’ve been getting reports about enhanced enforcement in some areas from Filipinos who are understandably worried about this situation,” Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega said while on the sidelines of the 3rd General Assembly of the Filipino-American community. The consul general said that the Philippine consulates across the United States are ready to help undocumented Filipino nationals. “Please be assured that we’ve already put together a system in place to respond to any request for assistance [to Filipino nationals] who may find themselves in a challenging situation here in the United States. We are ready to assist them and that we are at their service,” De Vega said.
consequences. Washington has threatened to withdraw federal funds from Los Angeles, but Garcetti warned that such a move would be detrimental to the nation’s economy. “It would be a folly for any administration to take away funds to protect America’s port or take away vouchers that help veterans who have fought for our country off the street,” Garcetti said at a news conference in January. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)
dor sa States, I don’t feel like sending one (We don’t have an ambassador to the U.S. No ambassador is going there. Until now, we don’t have an
ambassador to the States. I don’t feel like sending one),” Duterte said during a speech on February 2. (Dana SIoson/ AJPress)
A february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
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AS Filipinos commemorate the 31st anniversary of the EDSA (People Power) revolution this year, they are not called to dramatize the wrongdoings of the past. Instead, they should do so with a critical understanding of the aspirations and the historical realities that made this movement the catalyst for a democracy that most Filipinos enjoy today. Malacañang is marking its first EDSA anniversary under President Rodrigo Duterte this weekend. It earlier announced that this year’s commemoration will be simple, quiet and focused on moving forward — three months after Duterte allowed the burial of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). “It’s time to move on from just celebrating the past, remembering the past, and to move on to the whole aspect of nation building to give it a more positive outlook and give it a more positive understanding,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said. “The whole nation is evolving. We can’t get stuck in the past.” The 1986 EDSA revolution is not just a mere political event in Philippine history. It will be forever remembered—and taught in schools—as the pivotal moment when Filipinos dared to challenge and determine their own destiny despite hostility and dictatorship.
It seems like a lifetime ago when former Pres. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines on Sept. 21, 1972. Forty-five years have passed, but the wretched moments of the martial law era have continued to linger on, especially for the people who had to endure it. It was on February 25, 1986, that Filipinos to finally refuse to submit to oppression and degradation. They were not aiming for utopia, they fought for a society in which liberty and justice are treated as complementary. Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos joined the nationwide protest that brought People Power revolution to life. In this historic uprising, the voice of the people resonated through the country and has been forever etched in the pantheon of Philippine democracy. The People Power revolution continues to this day, as a reminder to Filipinos of how supporting a common stand can turn them to a formidable moral power. The People Power revolution ignited the people’s longing for genuine democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
antics of politics. While the EDSA revolution is just a story of the past, it serves as a reminder for all generations to come: that as ordinary citizens, we are still capable of inciting change in our day-to-day existence. Each of us should remain vigilant in
guarding the democracy that Filipinos before us have worked so hard for. We are called to embody the values that sparked this political movement, to celebrate the ideals of democracy, and to pursue happiness and freedom for every Filipino. (AJPress)
Trump’s new guidelines and executive orders: Nail-biter week for the undocumented THIS may be one of the most unsettling weeks for kababayans who are living and working in the United States without legal status as the Trump administration unveiled new guidelines to be implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These provisions make good on Pres. Donald Trump’s campaign promise to deport the almost 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Trump is also to expected to sign a new executive order this week, in lieu of the executive order that had been frozen by the federal court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. As the Washington Post first reported, the new guidelines signed by DHS Secretary John Kelly is expected to “aggressively detain and deport illegal immigrants inside the United States and at the border.” USA Today reports that new guidelines call for the hiring of thousands of additional enforcement agents and increasing the number of immigration judges, expanding the pool of immigrants prioritized for removal, enlisting local law enforcement to help with arrests and speeding up deportation hearings. They also propose prosecuting parents
and family members in the U.S. who pay smugglers to bring over The Fil-Am unaccompanied minors. Whereas former President Perspective Barack Obama focused his administration’s deportations exclusively on hardened criminals and those with terrorist ties, Gel SantoS-ReloS the Trump administration’s deportation efforts dramatically expand the scope of enforcement operations, giving ICE agents the power to determine the operational definition of the word “criminal record” or “crime” committed by those in the U.S. without legal status. This means that ICE agents have the prerogative to include an apprehension for a reason like a DUI or just being in the country illegally as reasons enough to deport the undocumented. According to the Washington Post, the new guidelines would now allow authorities to seek expedited deportation proceedings. Currently, this procedure is limited to undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for two weeks or less.
The new order will be expanded to cover anyone who has been in the country for up to two years. The Post further stated that under the new guidelines, Mexican immigrants who are apprehended at the border would now be ordered to immediately return back home, pending the outcomes of their deportation hearings. They would no longer be detained in the U.S., an effort that would reportedly save detention space and other resources. The guidelines also aim to stop the pouring in of the growing wave of 155,000 unaccompanied minors who have come from Mexico and Central America over the past three years. Under the new guidelines, their parents in the United States could be prosecuted if they are found to have paid smugglers to bring the children across the border. The new guidelines also give the go signal for Trump’s promised border wall to begin construction, mandating the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to “immediately begin planning, design, construction and maintenance of a wall, including
the attendant lighting, technology (including sensors), as well as patrol and access roads.” Funding for the wall’s construction and maintenance, however, would still need approval by Congress. While the new guidelines failed to make good Trump’s campaign promise to overturn the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that has provided work permits to more than 750,000 immigrants who came to the country illegally as children, the Trump administration clarified that these DACA recipients would be spared for now, temporarily. IF YOU THINK these guidelines and Trump’s soon to be released new executive order on immigration could make you and your family vulnerable, then you better consult a reputable immigration attorney to know your rights and options as provided for by law. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column 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
Pinoys in America THE Trump administration’s drive to Demand flush out and deport so called illegal im- and Supply migrants has started to spark fear among Filipinos, according to a report from Los Boo ChanCo Angeles by ABS-CBN News reporter Steve Angeles. While no Filipino has so far been picked up in raids by US immigration officials, volunteers working at the Pilipino Workers Center — which advocates for undocumented Filipinos — told Angeles the fear is real in the Filipino community. It does not help that President Duterte has said he would not “lift a finger” to help Filipinos in America who would be affected. Filipino community leaders told the ABS-CBN reporter they felt bad about President Duterte’s position. They contrasted it with Mexico’s more sympathetic reaction to help their citizens who find themselves in trouble with US immigration. Filipino “green card” holders or legal immigrants, as well as Filipinos with tourist or other visas, should not have problems at US airports. The controversial Trump order stopped by the courts does not include the Philippines among the seven countries covered by the travel ban. There are, however, those who think it is only a matter of time before Filipinos start getting closer scrutiny. The increased activity of ISIS affiliated groups in the south, including much publicized kidnapping and beheading of Western victims, is giving our country unwanted international notoriety. According to an analysis by CNN, more than 2.73 million non-immigrant and immigrant visas were issued by the US State Department to citizens of coun-
tries that were either labeled “terrorist safe havens” (the category of the Philippines), “state sponsors of terror,” “nations where terror networks are based and operate” or “countries with active terror cells.” Of the 2.73 million visas issued, more than 235,000 were issued to Filipinos, the second highest number among those on the list. These people are on top of the 3.4 million Filipino immigrants already living in the US in 2013, according to the 2010 US census. Many of us consider America a second home. Many Filipinos have relatives there. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco on the West Coast, New York on the East Coast and Chicago in the MidWest can make us feel like we never left home. Indeed, Manila does not seem so far away on the other side of the vast Pacific Ocean because stateside Pinoys can follow the latest Senate hearings aired live on The Filipino Channel or TFC. They can also watch a somewhat sanitized version of TV Patrol, minus most of the gory police stories. The Pinoy community is so large that ABS-CBN has a newscast specially designed for them, Balitang America. It is easy for a Filipino in America to forget he is in a foreign land. Everything we miss from the home country can be bought in Asian or Filipino stores, including the dried fish or “tuyo.” One of my US-born grandsons loves his “stinky fish” for breakfast on weekends. We also brought adobo, Jollibee and Gerry’s Grill there. We assimilate well. Indeed, many Filipinos forget their US citizenship papers do not change the color of their skin. A blue passport does not change
the shape of their nose. Yet, many start acting and thinking like they have become white Americans and look down on their fellow Pinoys, Hispanics and African Americans. In many cases, our kababayans brought bad habits with them to the US. “Crab” mentality, for instance, is alive and well among US Pinoys. Our lack of unity is evident in many of our Filipino-American communities. I have been told that many Filipino associations break up because two or more people feel they should be its president. Filipino associations along regional lines are also prevalent. Ted Laguatan, a veteran Filipino lawyer in San Francisco, describes the appalling situation of how “some Filipinos, who are legally here — are so willing to denounce and demonize out of status fellow Filipinos who work so hard and send regular remittances to their families in the Philippines. These hateful selfish types are the kind who sometimes even report to ICE out of status Filipinos. Shades of the hooded ‘makapilis’ during the Japanese times in WW II.” Ted continues: “…some Filipinos and others in the first immigrant group who acquired their immigrant visas relatively easily expect everybody else to come to the United States like them. They express so much antipathy for those who are here illegally. “They support harsh immigration laws and policies and even wish out of status fellow Filipinos and undocumented others to be deported. They demonize undocumented immigrants falsely, accusing them of taking jobs from US citizens or receiving welfare funds (which is not true as the undocumented are not qualified for these funds). They show no compassion for their fellow human beings. “Filipinos who are in unlawful status
often work hard at different jobs and are able to provide food, shelter, health care and education to their families back in the Philippines with their regular remittances. They also contribute so much to the Philippine economy. They deserve much respect, admiration and support.” I share the view of Ted that the Philippine government should be more committed to helping them. While many Philippine embassy and consulate personnel are well meaning, they cannot provide the needed competent expert legal advice on immigration matters. We ought to take the stance of the Mexicans who retain expert counsel to help their citizens. After all, the T-N-Ts are part of the Filipino diaspora or overseas Pinoys who send home much needed foreign exchange for their families that benefit the country’s economy as well. We constantly laugh at the T-N-Ts, forgetting they are kababayans who brave the unknown to give their families a better life they can’t get by staying home. They are modern day heroes to their families and to the nation. The hands-off attitude of President Duterte is unfortunate. Just because they are in the US rather than in the Middle East, they are also overseas Pinoys who help boost our economy and deserve the nation’s gratitude and help. American-based Pinoys account for a third of OFW remittances. The statement of the Department of Labor urging the T-N-Ts to just go home and they will receive assistance
from the government is nothing but a press release. Of course the T-N-Ts know government cannot deliver on the promise. That’s why they became T-NTs to begin with. For as long as our economy is unable to address our high level of unemployment and underemployment, our people will seek greener pastures wherever they can find it. Helping them is not necessarily condoning their illegal act. As Filipinos, they have the right to seek the assistance of their government if they get into trouble. It is also in the Philippine culture to help kababayans in need. Post Valentine joke A cockroach’s last words to a man who wanted to kill it: “Go ahead and kill me, you coward. You’re just jealous because I can scare your wife and you cannot!!!” *** Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARY 24-MARCH 2, 2017
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Supreme Court affirms Napoles indictment over pork barrel scam by aJPress THE Philippine Supreme Court (SC) upheld the charges filed against businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles and two others in relation to the supposed anomalous distribution of the multi-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2004 to 2010. The high court also dismissed the petitions filed by Napoles and co-accused John Raymund De Asis and National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR) President Alan A. Javellana to junk the cases filed against them. The respondents are facing charges for malversation of public funds, corruption of public officials, and violation of the AntiGraft Law, for the alleged misuse
of over P25-million PDAF, also referred to as pork barrel, of former Agusan del Sur Representative Rodolfo Plaza. “The court upheld the Ombudsman’s determination of probable cause and reiterated its deference to the Ombudsman performance of said duty,” SC spokesperson Theodore Te said in a press briefing on Tuesday, February 21. The SC ruled that it has found no abuse of discretion when Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales filed criminal charges at the Sandiganbayan. The high court also dismissed the claims of Napoles and De Asis that they should not be charged with graft since they were not government officials. “Petitioners’ contentions that the absence of the elements of
the crimes they were charged with is a matter of defense to be ventilated at the trial as these are evidentiary matters requiring a full-blown and not during [the] preliminary investigation,” the high court said. Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida recommended the acquittal of Napoles, claiming that the Regional Trial Court wrongly convicted her guilty of detaining her cousin and principal scam whistleblower, Benhur Luy. Calida, however, clarified that the Office of the Solicitor General’s move in Napoles’ serious illegal detention case will have no implications for her PDAF cases. In 2013, the Supreme Court declared the PDAF, a discretionary fund for lawmakers, unconstitutional. n
Robredo: EDSA revolution deserves ‘more dignified’ anniversary rites
AUSTERE. Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways clean and replace the old Philippine flag at the People Power Monument on EDSA in Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in preparation for commemoration of a 1986 revolt that ousted then-President Ferdinand Marcos. The Duterte administration has opted for “simpler” rites to mark the uprising’s 31st anniversary. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
Duterte spent P277-M for foreign trips last year by Catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
by Dana
SioSon AJPress
FOR Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, the upcoming 31st commemoration of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution on Saturday, February 25 deserves more than just a simple and quiet celebration. “This anniversary is an event that to me deserves a more dignified treatment than a ‘quiet celebration’ in the guise of moving on,” Robredo said during a speech before Ateneo de Manila University students on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Robredo made the statement days after Malacañang revealed that the present administration would be holding a low-key commemoration of the event. Last week, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella announced that this year’s theme for the celebration will shift from “just celebrating the past” to “moving the nation forward.” “It’s time to move on from just celebrating the past, remembering the past, and to move on to the whole aspect of nation-building to give it a more positive outlook, and give it a more positive understanding,” Abella said. But Robredo, for her part, believes that the country should instead preserve the lessons learned from the historical event to avoid committing similar mistakes in the future. “I believe that the truth of our past will ensure clarity of direction in our future. Moving on and forgetting may leave us in danger of making the same mistakes all over again,” the vice president said. Responding to Robredo’s comments, Malaca-
Vice President Leni Robredo
ñang affirmed that a simpler commemoration does not indicate that the government is giving “less significance” to the 31st anniversary of the event. “The theme for this year’s celebration is, ‘A Day of Reflection,’ and that’s precisely the reason why there’s no pomp in this year’s anniversary celebration,” said Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra. In 1986, the non-violent and bloodless revolution ended the regime of late and former President Ferdinand Marcos as the country’s dictator, who was replaced by former President Corazon Aquino of the Liberal Party. “Just like any young lady who’s celebrating her 18th birthday, we normally celebrate it with pomp. But when she celebrates her 19th birthday, that doesn’t mean that if there’s no celebration similar to her debut that her birthday is given any less significance,” Guevarra explained. This year, Malacañang will hold the People Power anniversary rites on Friday – instead of Saturday, February 25 – inside Camp Aguinaldo. n
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s foreign trips last year cost tax payers around P277 million. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the money allocated for the President’s trips included airfare. “The President made a total of seven foreign trips, visiting a total of 12 countries since he took office,” Abella told reporters. “These visits incurred a total of about 277 million in expenses, which included airfare, charter lease and others,” he added. Among the countries the President visited were Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Peru, New Zealand, Cambodia, and Singapore. The Palace official said Duterte’s visit to neighboring countries aims to enhance diplomatic relations and boost the economy. He cited the President’s visit to China that resulted in the signing of over 20 agreements, yielding investment commitments valued at $4 billion and projected to generate more than 100,000 jobs.
President Rodrigo Duterte
“Included in the agreements were a 50 million Renminbi grant for the provision of drug rehabilitation facilities and another 50 million Renminbi million grant for the supply of law enforcement-related equipment,” Abella said. He noted that the visit to Japan produced investment commitments estimated at $1.85 billion and will generate about 250,000 jobs in the next few years. “There were also about five government-to-government agreements signed, including the exchange of note and agreements up to $184 million. Moreover, 15
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pipeline loans were acquired by several national agencies during the visit in Japan, which includes the construction of a subway from North Avenue to Taguig and a high-speed railway from Manila to Clark,” he said. “These official trips are part of the President’s obligation to maintain and strengthen diplomatic ties with neighboring countries and has clinched numerous economic investments and commitments amounting to billions of dollars — to billions of pesos and generate thousands of jobs in the following years,” Abella added. n
A february 24-MarCH 2, 2017 • NeW yOrK aND NeW JerSey aSIaN JOurNaL
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Filipino brands Mele + Marie and Ann Ong bring global flare to NY NOW Winter 2017 Market by MoMar
G. Visaya/AJPress
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Journal. He is referring to the clutch bag line they brought for NY NoW which they will also showcase in paris. It is called the Hannah bag, made of abalone shell and named after their daughter. This is not the couple’s first time participating at NY NoW, they were also part of a collective group of companies from the philippines that participated a couple of years ago. They decided to return again this year. “We’re actually getting better feedback this year compared Mel & Rosemarie Oamil, the husband and wife team behind the brand Mele+Marie, at the NY with last year. We have a few NOW Winter 2017 Market. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya buyers already and they have placed their orders. We are also talking with representatives from boutiques and museums who want to carry our products,” Mel added. The Hannah bag is a labor of love for the couple. Mel shared that Hannah’s original shape has evolved. The final mold was the seventh, he said, the first one was straight and angular and there were no curves. “We had to engineer the Mel said they brought their original products including their jewelry line and they are also focusing on pushing their clutch bags and minaudieres to the market. design and exact dimensions to what to do with it. I know he bring life to these things. These something new every time I a character, hindi sila paremake sure that it is not heavy strength of my artisans so from come here because it is one way are the kind of things that make pareho. Manipis siyang tingnan for the buyers. every bag has this strength, I create the designs, my brand grow.” to excite the clients. This is a pero dalawang cell phones ang which need to have a purpose or Beyond growing her brand highly-competitive industry so puwedeng ilagay sa loob. The a meaning in a woman’s life,” ong and exposing it to a more global it is one way that the Filipinos previous bags we had were more explained. market, ong said she keeps on can be set apart from other on the heavy side,” he said. Ann ong creations, which returning to the NY NoW show designers,” ong said. The businessman/designer cater to a very specific niche because not a lot of people get ong’s hand-made products attributes their longevity in the market, can best be described are made mostly out of salvaged inspired by salvaged materials business to their evolving design as statement pieces and every yet she has found buyers who wood and other materials such philosophy. single piece has a story to tell. appreciate the products that she as twigs that have fallen due “We have an advantage when “Through this, I help create has been showcasing. to harsh winds from strong it comes to design. We keep on jobs for the Filipino artisans, “My buyers come from all typhoons that batter the country changing and we adjust with uplifting their lives in the over. I have one who flew all every year. the times. our products evolve, process,” she said. the way from puerto Rico just “The salvaged wood is very whether it is color or material. Divided into three collections to see me. That is why I keep on close to my heart. I have been Ang mga buyers kasi laging – Home, lifestyle and Handmade coming back here,” ong added. recognized internationally for naghahanap ng bago.” – NY NoW showcased thousands “I really need to promote Filipino this kind of aesthetic,” ong told Their neighboring booth, of innovative products created craftsmanship - that is really my the Asian Journal. “These are fellow Filipino Ann ong agreed by designers across the globe journey. Along the way, I have found objects that people just with Mel’s assessment. who perfectly balance design and met loyal clients who always throw, I bring beauty to them, I “I really try to make function. Tens of thousands of come to see me, whether it is the inventive products were shown winter or the summer show.” from more than 2,300 emerging last year, ong participated in and leading established brands. seven shows including two shows Most notably, many exhibitors each in paris, london and New had exclusive product launches York and one with the American at the market, providing a firstMusic Awards in los Angeles look opportunity for buyers and where she presented her brand. the industry. ong also won the “Best New This was the market that both product” award at the NY NoW Mele+Marie and Ann ong want last year for her SustainAbility to tap which is why they continue clutch bag made out of salvaged to return with or without wood. government support. “I have always believed that “I owe it to my artisans,” ong creativity is a gift from God and I said. “It is one way of helping have a high frequency, meaning, uplift the lives of the Filipino I am very sensitive to a lot of Ann Ong says that she prepares a lot when she joins expos and global markets. “You really have craftsmen.” things. When I see a stone, I know to do your homework, research the trends and check on the right pricing,” she advises.
couple of Filipino-owned companies were among the almost 400 international exhibitors that participated in the winter 2017 edition of NY NoW, the Market for Home, lifestyle + Gift, held at the Jacob Javits convention center earlier this month. Mele+Marie and Ann ong were both part of NY NoW’s Artisan Resource, a production sourcing market for overseas artisan enterprises to showcase handmade product collections and custom artisan production. They are among the hundreds of companies from 46 countries, showcasing home and lifestyle products. Mele+Marie, the brand, is culled from the names of the husband and wife team of Melecio and Marie oamil. The couple started their company 15 years ago and focused on jewelry. Through the years, their product line has grown to include clutch bags and minaudieres. “My family is my inspiration in designing. This is the first time that we made something in 24 colors,” Mel oamil told the Asian
“It validates me as a designer when my old clients keep on coming back. Sometimes they are even ahead of me, waiting for me in my booth. I am very grateful for that. It feels good that people look for you and seek you out,” Ann Ong says, describing the niche she has found at NY NOW and other global markets, whether it is in Paris, London or New York. “The products I bring speak for myself, for what I am and what I represent.”
NYC’s Children’s Museum of the Arts holds Filipino Cultural Festival By MoMar
G. Visaya
AJPress
NeW YoRK - The children’s Museum of the Arts (cMA) celebrated Filipino culture on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a full day program that focused on special events and workshops that highlighted Filipino art, food, music and history. potri Ranka Manis and her group, Kinding Sindaw led the performances while chef Neil Syham and his team at lumpia Shack provided the food part of the celebration. Ms. Manis, the Founder, Tradition-Bearer and Artistic Director of Kinding Sindaw Melayu Heritage Theater engaged the children with various folklores and stories of legends as she and her group showcased a couple of dances as well as traditional Filipino martial arts.
consul General Theresa DizonDe Vega opened the philippine Day with a brief show and tell for the audience on the philippines. She told the audience, composed mainly of young children and their parents, that the philippines is one of the most diverse countries in the world, a place where east and West meet and where various cultures are welcomed and celebrated. cMA Director for community programs Michelle lopez thanked all the guests and participants for spending the day at the museum and taking an active part in the various activities featuring the philippines. The children’s Museum of the Arts is a nonprofit arts facility that brings hands-on art programming to children throughout New York city. The museum’s staff of practicing teaching artists guide and mentor
young artists ages 10 months to 15 years through fun and advanced art projects, ranging in a variety of techniques and mediums. “once in a while, we focus on one country to highlight so that our members and the children who come visit will learn about other cultures,” lopez said. This activity is
in line with the museum’s mission to introduce children and their families to the transformative power of the arts by providing opportunities to make art side-by-side with working artists. Among the art workshops offered include, a clay-making workshop at the clay Bar where
Children’s Museum of Arts hosted a Filipino Cultural Festival was held Sunday, Feb 18 to celebrate Philippine culture, art, food, music and history. Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega (third from right) thanked the museum’s director for community programs Michelle Lopez (right, standing) for showcasing the Philippines. Kinding Sindaw, led by founder Potri Ranka Manis (second from left, standing) performed a couple of traditional Filipino dances and martial arts. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya
children were able to sculpt their very own tiny islands inspired by the geography of the philippines;
a stop-animation lab where kids learn about the rich biodiversity and Continued on Page 5
Immigration Corner
The March 2017 priority dates
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Beginning last October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month). This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance Date column) in order to both file for adjustment
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAGlAyA THE world we live in is conditioned to emulate extremes. We delight in the most beautiful, the tallest, the largest, the richest, the brightest, the fastest and anything else you can think of, as well as pay attention to extremes at the opposite end of the spectrum: the ugliest, the
Magazine
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
May 1, 2006
December 15, 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
May 8, 2015
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holder
February 1, 2007
May 1, 2006
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens.
January 1, 1995
September 8, 1994
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens.
April 1, 1994
August 1, 1993
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Application Filing Date
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
and be eligible for a green card. The priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not
Visa Issuance Date
Current
Current
September 1, 2013
March 15, 2012
September 1, 2013
March 15, 2912
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)
Hail to the ordinary “… but some sage once pointed out quite rightly that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” shortest, the smallest, the poorest, the darkest, the slowest. You get the idea. We’re conditioned to pay no mind to the ordinary, the middle ground, the average run-of-the-mill, the shades of gray, the humdrum of everyday
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The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
An Asian Journal
life or the predictably dull and boring. The heroes and heroines made immortal in books and movies were extraordinary characters. We do not particularly care for bland characters who live lives of quiet despera-
WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S “ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES” AFFECT YOU, ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” After President Trump signed the Executive Order on “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the U.S.” on January 25, 2017, (listing those who are “enforcement priorities,”) the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to DHS agencies on how to carry out the President’s executive orders. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel explains the Homeland security memos and enforcement priorities and how they could affect you, on a brand new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
How will President Trump’s ‘enforcement priorities’ affect you? – on Citizen Pinoy On January 25, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order on who is now considered an “enforcement priority.” On February 20, 2017, the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to Homeland Security agencies
on how they are to carry out the president’s executive orders for both border security and interior enforcement. These memos serve as a guide to federal officials on how to implement President Trump’s immigration executive orders. Leading US immigration
attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel explains the DHS memos and President Trump’s enforcement priorities, and how these could affect you, on a brand – new episode of Citizen Pinoy – this Sunday, 6:15 PM PST/EST (9:15 PM EST through selected cable/ satellite providers).
tion. We want to live vicariously through the lives of characters who are defiantly shaking their fists at the gods and beating all odds. We are tempted to look at movie stars, fat cats and other luminaries who dare defy conventions basking in the public limelight pursued by TMZ cameras as people worthy of awe and respect. And if you let it, a tiny tinge of envy gnaws at our souls when you see their images commanding megabucks. They appear as titans walking among ants. Granted a select few of them deserve the attention
we give them but most can be reduced to fodder for the gristmill of entertainment. The truth is, those who deserve our awe and respect are the ones who orbit our daily life. Perhaps we need to look at another firmament to gain a genuine and lifelong perspective of celebrating what is ordinary, of celebrating you and I and everyone of us, mere mortals cut from the average cloth, who have to get up every single day to slay our dragons with our rusty sword and trusty steed, that is, after we’ve
gulped down our java and said our prayers. Look to the stars in the true celestial firmament, to gain a soul-searing appreciation and even love and respect for our tiny place in the universe. Nature is a great teacher. A layman’s appreciation of astronomy and cosmology teaches us that there is every reason to celebrate the ordinary. Our own sun is an ordinary, average, ho-hum star shining steadily in the suburbs of the center of the Milky Way (what Sagan termed as the boonContinued on Page 6
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Joel Arapiles dances for self-gratification and entertainment On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong DANCING, aside from singing, is another performing art form Filipinos are well-adept with. Being an extra variety of emotional interpretation through body locomotion, dance had been an effectual tool of social interaction with a compelling visual implementation of religious and cultural aspects, and an efficient method of self expression. Ballet, being a classic dance form, was the principal entertainment foundation during the renaissance and full-pledged Filipino dancers won’t just let famed Soviet ballet dancer-choreographer Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev to solely control the scene. Filipino danseurs had also impressively dominated the world stage with the emergence of Nonoy Froilan of Ballet Philippines, Nicolas Pacana of the Boston Ballet, Rey Dizon of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Enrico Labayen, a full scholar of the American Ballet Theater. The Filipinos’ passion for dancing had seen brighter future following the international supremacy of John Derick Co and Edna Ledesma during the 2005 UK’s Blackpool Dance Festival
Joel, in shades, with the Body Rhythmix
A souvenir shot with Kuh Ledesma
Joel with Jay-R
when they were declared the year’s Best in Senior Latin category and the resounding victory of the brother-sister tandem of Craig and Samantha Abaya-Campos when they were unanimously voted 2010 Junior Division Champions of “Dancing With The Stars.” Just like singing, majority of the Filipinos need no formal training in dancing since they were believed to be innately born with such talents. Yet, it’s probably all in the genes…and culture! But oftentimes, male dancers are wrongly judged as gays or with effeminate tendencies…reasons why they could effectually deliver and express a wide gamut of emotions through body language. The misconception had been proven as mere hackneyed misinterpretations since their mesmerizing and elating
terpsichorean locomotion was eventually induced by their earnest passion for dance. Famous dance connoisseurs collectively concluded that what female dancers can do their male counterparts could even do better. While female dancers are constantly praised for their smooth flowing body movements, male dancers could also communicate powerfully through his unparalleled ability to cut the rug…especially with a well-built body that exuded attractiveness and brazenness. Another aspiring Filipino slowly carving his niche and stamping a mark in this realm is Joel Navarro Arapiles, a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree holder but an obsessive dancer and art lover. His compulsive fascination with dancing made him easily abandon his diploma and staunchly embrace the art of dancing.
The fast-rising dancer-choreographer with his treasured motorcycle
The Body Rhythmix with Ai-Ai Delas Alas
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
Joel with Julia Montes
“Actually, I made use of my HRM course but for only a short span of time,” Joel readily shed light on the issue. “I first worked at Paradise Hotel in Candelaria, Quezon and in Jollibee San Pablo City (Laguna) and Valenzuela (Bulacan). But my body hankered for active and strenuous activities. I persistently loved to be on-thego…I hate just being nailed down into one place.” Dancing became second nature to Joel after being influenced by the late Pinoy rap master Francis Magalona during his elementary days. The addicting persuasion became intense that it totally awakened his consciousness to take dancing to graduated levels then finally decided to make it as a career. “There was never a moment that I didn’t dance… from soft to mellow rock to up-beat music, I always have a ready move for every music genre. I don’t know
Pops Fernandez being sandwiched byJoel and Allan
how it comes so naturally,” the dance enthusiast openly admitted. His incessantly tedious practice made his muscles and bones completely inured to the twinges and aches of his crus and brachium (especially during discordant movement) but he just didn’t give up. Perseverance, sacrifice, and dedication kept him driven and motivated. In his inquisitiveness to prove his worth as a dancer, Joel joined Eat Bulaga’s Calle Ocho dance contest, Pitbull’s “I Know You Want Me” promo, and walked away as grand champion and a few thousand pesos richer. Under Joy Concio’s management, he was signed up to a non-exclusive contract as Eat Bulaga’s mainstay dancer from 2005 to 2011 and enjoyably performed in different live programs, German Moreno’s Walang Tulugan, G. Pilipinas and Bb. Pilipinas coronation nights, different corporate events of LTO, Dole Philippines, Shell Philippines, ESPN Philippines, and several road and promotional tours that covered different key cities and provinces. The constant exposures and well-rounded experiences topped by his instinctive dance moves
SERVICES
Joel with Kris Lawrence
easily made him one of the most in-demand choreographers in Manila. Joel’s peculiar dance style is unmistakably original with precision and well-calculated rhythm. While some male dancers are merely dancers, Joel’s empowering choreographic knowlegeability sets him apart and above the rest. He maybe a bit inferior in height but his electrifying dance moves more than make up for what he’s short of. Joel knows his limitations. He doesn’t really dream to be like famous male celebrities that catapulted to fame via their dancing prowess like Fred Astaire (Singing In The Rain), John Travolta (Saturday Night Live), Kevin Bacon (Footloose), Patrick Swayze (Dirty Dancing), Antonio Banderas (Take the Lead), Channing Tatum (Step Up), or Sean Patrick Thomas (Save The Last Dance). “To master the style they’re best known for or to do a choreographed performance with them would already be a paramount achievement for me,” he said. Joel’s painstaking journey to earn a name in the industry while saving for a living was worth his Continued on Page 6
Fil-Am chef gets James Beard Award nod for Bad Saint By MoMar
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G. Visaya
AJPress
Tom Cunanan, the chef behind Bad Saint, the 24-seat Filipino restaurant in Washington, DC, has been nominated for a James Beard Award, one of the most coveted honors in the restaurant industry. The James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for its annual awards last week. Cunanan is one of nine DC-based chefs nominated for Best Chef: midAtlantic. Cunanan co-owns the restaurant with Genevieve Villamora and Nick Pimentel and collectively, they came up with the menu that captivated both diners and food critics alike. Bad Saint, named after St. malo, Louisiana, where the first Filipinos settled in the United States, is the trio’s passion project. Bon Appetit declared Bad Saint as the number two Best New Restaurant in the United States for 2016. Atlanta’s Staplehouse was number one. “I felt super surprised,” Cunanan told the Asian Journal. “I woke up the next day and got all these crazy texts from friends and co-workers saying ‘Congratulations!’” He said he didn’t know what the congratulatory messages were for so he asked them. “They showed me the JBF link and I was super stunned to see my name for Best Chef: mid Atlantic,” Cunanan shared. The nomination is a validation of the trio’s hard work in coming up with a restaurant that offers a carefully curated and evolving menu. “It pretty much says that I’m on the right track with my career and I am showcasing Filipino food the best way I can and people are finally appreciating it,” he added. The finalists for the restaurant and chef awards, as chosen by judges, committee members and previous winners, will be announced march 15. The winners will be revealed may 1. Classic dishes In an eventual Bon Appetit feature, Cunanan, Villamora and Pimentel talked about how they came up with the dishes they serve, particularly the five that have become bestsellers and instant classics - ukoy (shredded sweet potato and carrot fritters), sinigang (pork, vegetable and tamarind stew), ensaladang palapa (coconutvegetable slaw), adobong dilaw (yellow chicken adobo) and black rice bilo-bilo. on the adobong dilaw,
Ukoy AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
Chef Tom Cunanan with partners Genevieve Villamora and Nick Pimentel are behind the success of Bad Saint, a 24-seater Filipino restaurant in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC.
Calendar of Events across
Pancit Palabok
Cunanan said, “I wanted a new way to do adobo. Classically, it’s made with just vinegar, soy sauce, bay, black pepper, and a lot of garlic. But in the south of the country, closer to malaysia, they use a lot of turmeric and coconut milk, which seemed cool. We grill our chicken first, which gives the whole thing an underlying smokiness. It’s about building all these small layers. You get the salty, the sour, the sweet.” The complexity of the flavors in the dishes at Bad Saint has made the restaurant one of the most sought-after restaurants in Washington, DC. “The food that Tom Cunanan and his cooks prepare under columns of wok smoke is richly compelling no matter how many prior run-ins you’ve had with Filipino food,” wrote Pete Wells, the New York Times food critic. And as he reviewed each of the dishes he tried, he came up with words to describe them, and did so using superlatives. Wells called the squid adobo “astonishing, its sauce deepened and darkened by squid ink and given a slow, lingering burn by long peppers” and the oxtails and bok choi stewed in peanut sauce with an intense undercurrent of shrimp and anchovies as “amazing whether this is your first encounter with kare-kare or your hundredth”. “I love bitter melon, but even the skeptics I’d brought with me were won over by Bad Saint’s stir-fry, in which the vegetable’s aggressive tendencies are offset by fermented black beans, softened
help promote and support the United Nation’s Sustainable Developmental Goals wherein one must adapt a new perspective towards the economical, social, and environmental component of our planet. The competition will include Best in Gown and Question and Answer portion. miss Green 2017 winner will then serve as JCI’s
Goddard Riverside on College Access programs; University Settlement on early Childhood and Youth programs; Asian Health Center on Health services for Filipino Americans; APICHA on health, LGBTQ and supplemental support; the New York Immigration Coalition on immigration; and elmcor on senior services. A number of Filipino-American human service organizations will also present their programs and services. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions after the panel presentations. Helpful brochures and materials will also be available. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Consul General Tess de Vega noted that: “The Philippine Consulate General is pleased to collaborate with the FAHSI on this new initiative which aims to raise awareness of different services
Clams
Anniversary of People Power Revolution remembered in Los Angeles, CA
by eggs and sweetened by a topcoat of fried shallots,” Wells said of this ampalaya con carne dish. Cunanan’s pancit canton was “startlingly good” and Wells praised his arroz caldo for its “homey simplicity”. The food critic also acknowledged the chef’s use of local ingredients such as kale for a traditional Filipino dish such as laing. “In the Philippines, laing would be made by stewing dried taro leaves in coconut milk. At Bad Saint, the leaves are kale, braised to a velvety tenderness and swaddled in Chesapeake crab meat,” Wells wrote. “This laing is so luxuriously flavorful, I can’t get it out of my head, and I don’t want to.” overall, Wells was happy with the experience and called the food from the wok to the plate as “relentlessly delicious”. And as a clincher, he wrote, “Because the cuisine of the Philippines is so closely tied to home cooking, it’s been hard to imagine what a three-star Filipino restaurant would look like. Now I know that it looks like Bad Saint.”
Join members of the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 25 for the 31st anniversary of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, which led to the fall of Ferdinand Marcos’s presidency. The event will be held at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) at 153 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA from 4 to 7 p.m. To RSVP, please call (213) 318-9065 or (657) 215-1212. Sponsored by individuals who were active in the antimartial law movement (1972-1986), as well as organizations including the following: Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), Filipino American Human Rights Alliance-Los Angeles (FAHRA-LA), AF3IRM, Kabataang maka-Bayan(KmB) Pro People Youth, Justice For Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the Knights of Rizal- Historic Filipinotown Chapter.
Ambassador of Goodwill and will receive other special prizes. Instructions on how to join the pageant is provided at www. jcimissgreen.com. For guests and supporters, tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/jci-missgreen-gala-tickets. For further information, contact JCI Phil-NY at (347)-855-5323 or email info@ philnyjaycees.org.
available to the most underserved sectors of our community - in this way we hope to provide a venue for greater community empowerment and service.” FAHSI co-founder and Board member Dr. Jean Raymundo Lobell, chair of the Human Services Day and Chief Program officer at CRe Consulting remarked: “our community will benefit from having information and access to the free programs and services that major human service agencies provide with great success to vulnerable community members.” The current Board members of FAHSI are Zultan Bermudez, Board Chair; Joseph Barretto, Vice-Chair; Laura Lopez, Secretary; Jason Cardinez, Treasurer; Aleli Alvarez, Cora Custodio, emerson ea, mia Fernandez. Jean Lobell, Reuben Seguritan, Jaena Valles, Board members.
NYC’s Children’s Museum of the Arts holds... From Page 2
variety of animals and creatures that live in the waters of the Sulu Sea; and at the Sound Lab where the children are able to create their very own soundscape inspired by the dense world found inside the Luzon Rainforest. on the other side of the museum is the Fine Arts Studio, which focused on kut-kut Inspired Art. kut-kut is the ancient Philippine artistic practice that is made by layering sgraffito and surface inlay to create a textured illusion of dimension on a flat surface.
In celebration of the Filipino Cultural Festival, CmA visitors were able to make their own kut-kut inspired prints and learn about the technique that influenced contemporary Filipino artists, such as elito Circa. CmA visitors were also able to create their own shadow action figures, inspired by the work of contemporary Filipino artist Ronald Ventura. Children had to look closely at Ventura’s fiberglass sculpture titled “Shadows” so they can build a 3D silhouette of their own shadow in motion using wire, tape and
America
F E B R UA RY 25
FAHSI invites community to a Human Services Day NeW YoRk, NY — February 13, 2017. The Filipino American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI) is sponsoring a Human Services Day in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General on Saturday, march 25, 2017, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Philippine Center, 556 Fifth Avenue, NYC. This first of its kind event will provide community members with key information on how to access free services from major human services agencies for women, the youth, the elderly, those needing health services, and the undocumented. The program will feature two panel discussions composed of leaders from successful NYC human service agencies. Among the panelists are representatives from the following agencies who will present their programs and services -- WomenRising on Domestic Violence services;
AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
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Are you the first miss Green 2017?
NY, USA- Junior Chamber International Philippine-New York is proud to present the search for the first miss Green 2017. The event will take place at the 3 West Club, 3 West 51st Street, off 5th Avenue, NYC on Saturday, march 4, 2017 from 7pm-11pm. JCI Phil-NY is in need of a formidable woman ages between 18-40, single or married, to
Line outside of Bad Saint
recycled materials. This specific activity will be ongoing in the museum until the end of the month.’ Consul General Dizon-De Vega assisted by her daughter montserrat turned over a Philippine doll handcrafted by Anthill Fabric Gallery of Cebu and a book for children on Philippine architecture as donations to the CmA collection. The CmA event provided an important opportunity for Philippine culture and arts to be introduced to young FilipinoAmericans and mainstream audiences.
MARCH 6
Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Monday, March 6 at the Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights from 6 to 8 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. Books will be available for sale. A book signing will follow after the talk. The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights is located at 320 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.
MARCH 9
Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in New York Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Thursday, March 9 at the 67th Street New York Public Library from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. A book signing will follow after the talk. The New York Public Library is located at 328 E 67th St. (between 1st and 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10065.
M A R C H 9 -1 8
CAAMFEST35 in San Francisco & Oakland Come to the 35th anniversary of CAAMFest from March 9-19 and immerse yourself in expansive and diverse programs celebrating the best in Asian American film, music and food. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. The annual CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. It presents approximately 125 works in San Francisco and Oakland over the course of 11 days. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. For more information, please visit http://caamfest.com.
MARCH 11
CSFLU to hold dinner-dance in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando La Union Association (CSFLU) will hold its annual dinnerdance at the Embassy Suites in Brea, CA on March 11. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, please call Vangie So, president of the association at (626) 485-3110.
MARCH 18
FASO’s “Swing the Night Away” in Glendale, CA Swing the night away with Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) on Saturday, March 18 at the Glendale Hilton! Bring your dancing shoes for an evening of swing, two-step, rumba, cha-cha, tango and waltz! Dance Instructors will be available on the floor. You can feel free to sit back, relax and enjoy the music! No host cocktails at 6:00 p.m, with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets (dinner included) are $125. You can also contact Arlene Ferrolino (213) 248-9850, Bob Shroder (818) 395-8936 or JL Garcia (310) 936-2988 for tickets and sponsorship opportunities information. FASO is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Proceeds will be used to sustain the orchestra, and to fund its education and outreach programs. More information is available on the FASO website at http://www.fasofoundation.org.
M A R C H 25
National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Region 10 Empowerment Conference in San Diego, CA You are cordially invited to the “RISE UP” Regional Empowerment Conference of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), sponsored by AARP Real Possibilities on Saturday, March 25. Registration is $40 per person, which can be done online or at the door. The conference will be held at Clarion Hotel National City, 700 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950. To register online, please visit http://www.NaFFAASDEmpowermentconference.eventbrite.com.
Golf tournament for a cause in Escondido, CA St. Joseph College (Olongapo City)’s High School Class of 1987 will be holding a golf tournament for a cause at the Vineyard at Escondido Golf Club on Saturday, March 25. It is $109/person to register, which includes rounds of golf and a BBQ buffet. Registration is at 11:30 a.m., with shotgun at 1 p.m. and dinner and prizes at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Gemma Gutierrez Hornilla at (949) 861-1732 or Miguel Uson at (760) 7158216. The Vineyard at Escondido Golf Club is located at 925 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido, CA 92025.
APRIL 20
CAUSE’s annual gala in Los Angeles , CA Join Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) for its annual gala on Thursday, April 20. It will be held at LA Hotel’s California Ballroom at 333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a VIP reception. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact kim@causeusa.org or visit www.causeusa.org.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 24 , 20 1 7
As villain, Aiko expects the worst James Reid, nadine Lustre spend first anniversary in Japan By deni
Rose M. AfinidAd-BeRnARdo Philstar.com
“SuPER SAyA!” actress nadine Lustre said of her first anniversary in Japan with onand-off-screen partner James Reid. It was February last year when the two made their relationship official at the Araneta Coliseum, during the concluding concert for their hit soap opera “On the Wings of Love,” which was then followed by “Till I Met you.” Lustre said James had no anniversary gift, but for her, being with him was a gift
already. “Actually, umalis po kami 11 ng gabi, kaya ang anniversary namin [ay] sa airport!” she gushed in an interview with the press at last night’s Pond’s event. “Ang bilis nga e! nung nagone year, ang sabi ko, ‘Feb 11 na?’ Sabi sa’kin ng friends ko, ‘O, tomorrow na! Tomorrow na!’ Tapos ako naman, ‘Oh shoot! Feb 11 na pala tomorrow! Super bilis! I’m really happy kasi we’ve grown. Parehas kami, individually, we’ve grown up,”
Nadine Lustre kissing James Reid. This photo has been captioned: “I miss u already.”
nadine said. She denied that she had been rejecting projects because she wants to rest. “Viva really wants to give us a break kasi last year sunod-sunod na ang projects,” she explained. In Japan, the two toured around the fashion district, Shibuya, as well as in Tokyo. What else did they do there? “More on food [trip]!” Jadine shared. She said James is nervous to be on a duet with Sarah Geronimo in the variety show “ASAP” this Sunday. “Pero I’m pretty sure kaya naman n’ya i-pull-off yun. Magaling naman s’ya kumanta. So ang sabi ko, ‘Go mo lang yan. Kayang kaya mo yan.’” As of now, she plans to continue promoting her perfume line, while she and James are finishing their individual albums. They also have a scheduled tour this March. When she and James have a misunderstanding, how do they fix it? “Wala! Hug lang,” she said. “Kung meron man, really simple lang naman. Ayaw na lang namin pansinin yung galit namin. Wala namang ‘di kayang ayusin!”
By Boy
ABundA Philstar.com
MAny actresses can play a meanie on screen. But not all pray before and after the director shouts “Action!” or “Cut!” the way Aiko Melendez does. Aiko knows it’s not right to take her bad character’s attitude home, where she’s a devoted mom to Andrei and Marthena. It defeats the very reason why she greets each day with joy in her heart. So Aiko makes it a point to snap out of her character the minute she hears “Cut!” “Since I’m already a Christian, I pray, ‘Lord, role lang po ito. Make me effective without sacrificing my real being and attitude,” reveals Aiko. Therefore, those who see her pausing for a moment of silence before and after a take in ABSCBn’s revenge drama “Wildflower,” aren’t surprised. She’s praying that her character, politically powerful Emilia Ardiente-Torillo, who doesn’t mind committing bloody murder to protect the family reputation, stays where it should — on the set. It’s so far so good for the award-winning actress. Aiko is tickled pink that Maja Salvador’s (as lead female protagonist/ antagonist Lily Cruz) fans are cursing her on Twitter. It only means Aiko is playing her cruel character well. “As the villain, I’m expecting the worst,” she laughs. And because she knows the lead character is just as good as the villain, Aiko not only gives her all. She loves getting “meaner” by the day. But first, she must know her character inside out. And what she discovered moved her to pity. Aiko found out that Emilia is a victim of circumstances, a woman pushed to the wall because of things beyond her control. “I understand where her attitude is coming from,” Aiko shakes her head. Her reputation as a good actress and her role demand that Aiko lives up to high
Aiko Melendez as Emilia Ardiente-Torillo
expectations. It is Emilia who takes the story to the proper direction, adding drama to Lily’s life and pushing her to take drastic action. So Aiko always listens to Maja, their co-stars and director Onat Diaz’s suggestions. “We sit down and they give us the right to suggest. That’s why I love our Wildflower team. Everyone puts in effort,” adds Aiko. She’s also all praise for Maja. Aiko admires the way Maja attacks her role, and her dedication on the job. Aiko saw for herself how Maja studies her character so she becomes her character through and through. “Working with her makes me so excited. She’s the best in her generation. Maja delivers, and her acting nuances are great!” gushes Aiko. The 41-year-old actress’ list of things to be grateful for is not just limited to good acting. It has
Hail to the ordinary From Page 3
ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
docks, from the Tagalog word “bundok” meaning mountain but extended to mean far from the core). In the hierarchy of stars, our own sun is a lowly commoner and it is located a third of the way from the center where a black hole exists, according to educated guesses by scientists. This black hole is sucking in, like the drain in your kitchen sink, all the brightest stars within its vicinity. The biggest, brightest stars in our galaxy are energy guzzlers and therefore, have short lives, about half the life span of our solar system, and thus cannot support planets that need a longer span of time to support the existence and development of thinking, feeling beings such as our home planet. Our sun, according to scientists, is approaching middle age and has enough fire in its belly to support life for another 4 to 5 billion years before it goes into its death throes and gets recycled back as dust and gas to repeat the process of giving birth to a new star, possibly with one special planet supporting intelligent life all over again. The universe is the ultimate recycling bin after all. This is probably what it means by the phrase “world without end.” Consider that the Milky Way
is only one ordinary spiral galaxy out of billions of others in a universe that according to evidence gathered by Edwin Hubble in the 1920’s is still expanding with billions of galaxies moving away from each other at a furious pace. To simplify the imagery, perhaps we may be given license to view the universe in its near incomprehensible vastness, as a single mega structure in infinite space. The entire cosmos could be one unit composed of galaxies as its building blocks like cells and molecules of a human body but with gravity and plasma collectively emitted by the energy of countless stars, functioning as its cosmic lifeblood holding everything together. Whew! The cosmos, according to evidence so far gathered by probes and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), is so inconceivably vast with more stars than there are grains of sand on earth, it strains the limits of human imagination. It is more than likely, there are other forms of intelligent life in places where there is water, complete with soul and spirit, following the laws of nature and teeming in wild abundance in the cosmos. We may never have any evidence of what sounds like science fiction, but some sage
grown longer with the recent demise of her fashion designerfriend Pepsi Herrera. Pepsi was Aiko’s kumpare twice over. He stood as godfather to Andrei and Mathena. As Andrei’s manager, Pepsi made sure the young actor’s contracts advance his showbiz career. Pepsi signed on the dotted line under which the phrase “parental consent” is printed. you can’t blame Aiko for crying every day for a friend who never left her, even when the chips were down. But every loss has a bright side. It carries a lesson for those who care to find meaning in it. “His (Pepsi’s) sudden death taught me to live each day with gratitude. Life is indeed short. So make the most out of it and tell people who matter to you how much they mean to you,” relates Aiko. once pointed out quite rightly that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Yet for all this awesome grandeur, consider the glorious ordinariness of the earth in the celestial heavens. It’s like Goldilocks gravitating to the porridge in the middle. Neither too hot nor too cold, earth is the only place in the solar system with a slim ecosphere that allows life to not only survive, but to thrive with astonishing tenacity, as long as the sun shines steadily while it faithfully orbits the center of the Milky Way every quarter of a million years. The earth’s size, its tilt, its distance from the sun, its companion moon, the presence of water in various states all conspire to make it and its inhabitants the crowning glory of creation as far as human life is concerned. Our blue marbled dot is a place so wonderfully made that of all the eight orbs of different sizes and makes, revolving around that ordinary star we call the sun, it is the only one uniquely qualified to sustain life, as we know it, in our tiny neck of the cosmic woods. Value the ordinary. Value your life. The sun, the earth and the stars at night remind us daily. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
Joel Arapiles dances for self-gratification... From Page 4 every effort. He had successfully choreographed for his groups: Dance Focus and the Brat Boys while doing stage choreography for clubs like Airforce One, the Pegasus, Classmates, and other entertainment productions. Despite his already fully loaded calendar, Joel could still manage to squeeze in his obsession for motorcycles. Aside from dancing while in college, Joel was also a varsity volley ball star player but tinkering his motorcycle was his most pleasurable pastime. “Due to my intense love for this sport I was motivated to form a motorcycle riders’ group where I eventually assumed the Presidency, the Road Runner Ryders’ Club with more than 200 Quezon City
resident members… some were policemen,” Joel braggingly stated. Despite the mounting achievements and growing celebrity status, Joel still aimed for a higher status and a change of lifestyle so when the opportunity came, instantly he opted to migrate to the uS. “It was hard during the first few months of my uS stint. I tried to survive on limited and minimal resources just to keep my body and soul intact,” he candidly confessed. “But I was prepared to combat all the odds and I couldn’t even be choosy with work…much less I feared ending up biting the bullet with closed fist and sunken eyes. Living in such dismal situation was a whole new ball for me.”
“I started as a dishwasher in a Filipino restaurant, a barback (a bartender assistant) in a Spanish eatery, a food server-housekeeper in a Chinese KTV, and a construction worker doing house painting, carpentry, and sanding floors,” Joel vividly reminisced his self-effacing start in the land he initially thought to be of milk and honey. But fate had it that his real passion was put to test when a flourishing restaurant cum event and dancing venue (where he worked as a waiter) discovered and utilized his innate skills that gave him that much-awaited opportunity to showcase his terpsichorean capability. Since then, Joel’s intrinsic Continued on Page 7
Denise Laurel tries to be whole again after breakup “One thing we should remember is that it’s not our timing; it’s God’s. Things go wrong MOnTHS after she and once we say this is what we’re basketball player Sol Mercado going to do. It’s got to be God’s called off their engagement, plan for you. nothing is too short Denise Laurel is still trying to be nor too long (for God). Everything whole again. It is not easy, but the has a purpose.” actress is thankful she has work to That is why Denise called turn to. “The Better Half,” where she plays “I was whole before I met Bianca, Marco’s (Carlo Aquino) him. Then I became half (since wife, a “present from ABS-CBn.” It she and Sol got engaged). now, will break the dam of emotions I’m learning to be whole again. she reined in for months after the This show is helping me,” Denise, breakup. referring to her new ABS-CBn “I started worrying, because suspense-drama “The Better Half,” I’m an actress, and I can’t afford to said. be numb with emotions. I have to She refused to reveal why she be very into my emotions so I can and Sol ended their long-running pour it all into my character.” relationship. Denise Laurel with “The Better Half” co-star Denise explained that her “no, we didn’t get tired of Carlo Aquino breakup is making it hard for her each other. He was the one who Denise recalled his words: to draw the line between the initiated (the breakup). Toward “Mom it’s okay. It’s like when personal and the professional. the end, it was on and off (for us). I have a stomach ache. Suddenly, she feels numb The final word was from him, but Sometimes it’s painful. Then, – emotionless – a big no-no for we’re friends. In fact, he hang out the pain disappears and returns. actresses like her. It is a first for with my son last night,” shared Sometimes it doesn’t come back. Denise, who never faced this the star. You’ll be okay because you’re problem before. Her voice bore no trace of strong.” And that is why she admitted bitterness as she described how Even if she wanted to, Denise Bianca is her most difficult role. peaceful she feels, “because did everything she could to keep This is also why Denise is grateful everything in my life is as it should herself from crying in front of to her director, Jeffrey Jeturian, be.” her son. She had to live up to his and co-stars for their patience and She and Sol are talking. And impression of her. assurance that she can do it. her six-year-old son, Alejandro, now, all she wants is to be a “I’m trying to be the actress I understands. The boy and his good mom. Looking for another used to be. I was very disciplined, words of comfort have become love is out of the question. no matter what happened to me,” her source of strength. Besides, Denise knows it is not Denise said. Denise did not say a word. her who will decide when the The good news is she is not But Alejandro sensed how sad his right time for love is, or if a short alone. Denise has friends and the mom was. So, he tried to cheer engagement is better than the whole industry behind her to help her up. long-term one she had. her get back on her feet again.
An Asian Journal
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By Maridol
ranoa-BisMarK Philstar.com
Joel Arapiles dances for self-gratification... From Page 4
ingenuity and distinct ability to create dance from out of his inventive nature became well-known and almost every entertainment producer in the east coast desperately seek for his services. “It was really an immense blessing! After I’ve formed my own dance group, the Body Rhythmix, the demand was great. We have performed with and provided support as backup for: Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Pops Fernandez, Jay-R & Kris Lawrence, Kuh Ledesma, Retrospect, Billie Crawford, PIDCI Parade, PAFCOM Gala, Fiesta in America, and a number of Filipino-American events,” he shared. The past seasons have been good and productive years for Joel despite having encountered some really stern predicaments
that oftentimes nearly ruined his booked commitments. “Scheduling of my co-dancers repeatedly put me in a dilemma… here, my dancers have regular jobs so it’s hard for me to commit without prior consultation with them while back in Manila, it was easy…much easier…since almost everyone is a professional dancer,” Joel remorsefully stated. Incidentally, Joel is also an artist with the mastery in pastel and oil. It’s noteworthy to mention that he had won several on-thespot painting contest during his intermediate and secondary level years. If there were other future plans Joel has on his mind they should be (in chronological order): to study and work in a hospital as either a nurse or as a caregiver; to be able to save and fully pay the 300 sq. meter property he
bought in a prime subdivision in Quezon Province; and to invest in photography, his other passion. The coming weeks will see Joel and his dance group supporting the JaDine love team and Coco Martin when they come to perform and entertain their Filipino fanatics in the east coast while openly proffering his loyalty to D’Haven Restaurant for the opportunity accorded him to work as waiter, zumba instructor, DJ alternate, and events coordinator. After having overcome the odds and living life normally Joel Arapiles continuously battles every single challenge that crosses his path while trying to uplift the inadequate moral and spiritual decadence that almost put his innate talent in jeopardy. For comments and suggestions, please email to: gemini0646@yahoo.com.
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 24 , 20 1 7
And more hugot in Vice’s show by Kane
errol Choa Philstar.com
A nIGHT that was expected to be all jokes and fun turned out to be a fellowship of sorts for people who have been wrecked and fixed again by love as boxoffice star Vice Ganda laid his heart bare to a sold-out crowd at his “Pusuan Mo si Vice Ganda” concert on Valentine’s Day — his fifth major solo concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Vice did not hold back on his “rated SSSSSPG” jokes. However, he served up an unexpectedly massive dose of hugot dispensed in parts throughout the concert, with the performance of his first-ever spoken word piece serving as the emotional highlight. Grim-faced and teary-eyed, he spewed lines about a failed relationship with somebody who called him his “Juliet.” While the poem offered not-so-new speculations about his love affair, it revealed the struggles of Vice in loving someone and keeping it from the scrutinizing eyes of the public. “Sa bawat laro mo, sa bawat three points mo, gusto ko sanang nandoon ako para mauna ako sa palakpakan at gusto kong isigaw na… jowa ko ‘yan!’ Pero hindi natin magawa kasi natatakot tayong parehong mapag-usapan,” Vice recited in his spoken poetry number. He continued recalling about their hidden love, “Parang mga kriminal na natatakot mahatulan ng mapaghusgang lipunan na ang tanging pamantayan ay hindi pwedeng tayo, dapat sa babae ka lang dahil bakla lang ako.” In the end, Vice said, they had to let each other go, a pain that he said felt like dying, “Ang sakit sakit pero masarap dahil hanggang sa huli, kahit masakit, tinawag mo akong Juliet.” Overall, the concert celebrated the twists and turns of love: Falling in love, getting hurt and moving on. Romance and kilig filled the air as Vice interviewed real-life couples in the audience, most notably Eddie
Vice Ganda with guest Awra Briguela.
Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama. Vice went wild and bold with his jokes, which threw spectators into long fits of laughter. At time, he would pull the breaks on sensitive subjects. And as the audience laughed on his pauses, Vice would chide them for enjoying his jokes but would desert him when he is attacked and criticized. The concert also hosted notable numbers, including Vice’s amusing banter with FPJ’s “Ang Probinsyano” star and “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” performer Awra Briguela, whose comic timing and quick wit prove he might just follow in the footsteps of his idol Vice. Appearing as Vice’s past, Awra got pieces of advice on love from Vice like: “Kahit sino pwede mong mahalin, pero bago magmahal ng iba ay mahalin mo ang sarili mo.” Maja Salvador gave a sizzling dance number, Kris Lawrence, Michael Pangilinan and Daryl Ong crooned their soulful renditions of popular love songs, and heartthrob Daniel Padilla worked his charm and swooned the ladies. Vice, meanwhile, showcased his singing chops, performing Little Mix’s “Shoutout to My Ex,” his single “Hanggang Kailan Aasa,” heartbreak anthems such as Joey Albert’s “Tell Me,” Agot Isidro’s “Sa Isip Ko,” Whitney Houston’s “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” Jimmy Bondoc’s “Let Me Be the One,” and
closed out the concert with Adele’s smash hit “All I Ask.” While the concert was a musical and comedy treat, the audience also took home nuggets of wisdom from Vice, who drew from his own experiences to share valuable lessons on life and love: On moving on: “Ang heartbreak, parang sugat ‘yan. Hindi natin pwedeng sabihin, ‘Hoy! Gumaling ka na.’ Ang sugat kailangan munang linisin, gamutin. Sa tamang oras, gagaling din.” On family: “Lagi mong tatandaan, ano man ang pinagdadaanan niyo sa sitwasyon niyo, mayroon kayong isang laging mapupuntahan na inaantay lang kayo para tulungan kayong bumangon, samahan kayong umiyak, palakpakan ka sa muli mong pagtayo, at suportahan ka sa susunod mong gagawin — ‘yan ay ang pamilya.” On loving again: “Pinipili ko pa ring magmahal, kasi tuwing nagmamahal ako, doon ako pinakabuhay…. ‘Wag nating sukuan ang pagmamahal. Hanapin niyo ang pagmamahal na pinakabubuhay sa inyo.” “Pusuan Mo si Vice Ganda” is just one of the several concerts ABS-CBn Events and Star Events lined up this year. In March, the Birit Queens of musical variety show “ASAP,” namely Angeline Quinto, Morissette, Jona and Klarisse will come together for an astonishing vocal showdown at the MOA Arena.
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY FEbRuARY 24, 2017