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Volume 10 – Issue 36 • 16 Pages
JUNE 16-22, 2017
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SC ends oral arguments on petitions against Duterte’s martial law by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, June 15, ended its oral arguments on the petitions seeking the nullification of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in the entire Mindanao. A closed-door session concluded the three-day oral arguments, as per the request of Solicitor General Jose Calida. Present in the internal meeting Government forces are getting closer to ending the offensive against terrorists were Defense Secretary Delfin occupying Marawi City, but would no longer set deadlines, the Armed Forces of Lorenzana and Armed Forces the Philippines (AFP) said on Wednesday, June 14.
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
MCC mulls second PH compact by 2019 THE Philippine government would likely secure a fresh grant from the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corp. for projects aimed at improving the competitiveness of the agriculture sector by 2019, even as the aid agency continues to monitor concerns on the rule of law in the country. “At both the December 2016 and March 2017 meetings of the MCC’s board of directors, the MCC board did not make a decision on the Philippines’ eligibility for a second compact. This was neither a suspension of the Philippines’ eligibility for an MCC
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Inquirer.net photo
PUBLIC PRESENCE. President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday, June 15. His absence from public view in the past few days has fueled speculations about the state of his health. Malacañang on Thursday doused speculations that Mr. Duterte was sick, saying he was taking “some time off to rejuvenate” after spending 23 days on the road to oversee the implementation of martial law in Mindanao. Malacañang photo
by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
by AJPRESS THE United States this week has reaffirmed its support for the Philippines in its efforts to combat terrorism. In a message for the commemoration of the Philippines’ 119th Independence Day on Monday, June 12, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that Washington “proudly stands” with the Philippines in its anti-terrorism operations in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, Mindanao. For the past three weeks, the Philippine military has been con-
ducting clearing and rescue operations since the Maute extremist group attacked Marawi City. This has prompted Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the Mindanao. Since May 23, the military has estimated the death toll to be at least 26 civilians, 202 militants, and 58 individuals from the government forces. “The United States proudly stands with the Philippines as a longstanding ally, especially as the
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Filipina urgently needs bone marrow donor Asian American Donor Program encourages minorities and mixed heritage to join national registry
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THERE is nothing to worry about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s health condition, Malacañang assured on Thursday, June 15, following the chief executive’s continuous absence from the public eye. According to Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Duterte was ‘‘just taking some time off to rejuvenate” from his “brutal” schedule. “He’s just tired,” Abella explained, dismissing rumors that Duterte might be suffering from grave illness. Duterte, 72, was last seen in public on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
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DOT scraps ad contract, asks public for ideas
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OAKLAND – Lisa Marie Evangelista, a 31year-old Filipina woman who lives in Sacramento, is in a literal fight for her life. Lisa is a speech language pathologist and works at the U.C. Davis Medical Center. On Dec. 27, 2016, she was diagnosed with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia, a rare and aggressive blood cancer. She needs a bone marrow transplant to survive. Lisa’s sister is a 5/10 or half match. However, doctors prefer Lisa find a 10/10-donor match. To
Palace: ‘Pres. Duterte healthy, just resting’
Sec. Tillerson: US ‘proudly stands’ with PH in combating terrorism
HONORING A FIL-AM COMMUNITY LEADER. Mrs. Elizabeth Sinnung, widow of Parade Founder Carlos B. Sinnung, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9th Dist, New Jersey), Consul General Dizon-De Vega and Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro attend the 30th Philippine Day Parade and Cultural Showcase in Passaic City on Sunday, June 11. Another highlight of the event was a tribute to Sinnung who passed away in 2016. The tribute was led by Congressman Pascrell, with Mrs. Sinnung and members of the Sinnung family in attendance. Photo by NYPCG
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is now reversing its course after initially defending the integrity of the accused “copycat” “Sights” tourism commercial developed by McCann Wordgroup Philippines. In a press conference held June 15, the DOT has announced the termination of their contract with McCann. It also said that they are considering filing legal charges and are expecting for a public apology over the negative feedbacks the department has been receiving. “In the midst of the contro-
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12,000 Filipinos overstayed their US visas in 2016, Dept. of Homeland Security reports by ANTHONY
ADVINCULA Inquirer.net
NEW YORK — Amid an uptick in deportation and the unwavering stance of President Donald Trump to remove millions of
immigrants living in the United States illegally, thousands of Filipinos took the risk and overstayed their U.S. visas during the last fiscal year. A new entry/exit overstay report by the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security (DHS), which was released on May 22, says that more than 12,000 Filipinos continued to remain in the United States after their visas expired in 2016.
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Philippine Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue Jose de Venecia
Former Speaker de Venecia eyes interfaith dialogue to ease tensions in Mindanao by DANA
SIOSON AJPress
PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue Jose de Venecia is pitching the prospect of an interfaith dialogue to reduce tensions in Mindanao. In a television interview on Monday, June 12, de Venecia said the interfaith dialogue will play a “very vital” role in achieving peace despite differences in culture and ideologies. The interfaith dialogue, according to de Venecia, is the “best meeting place for Christians and Muslims,” particularly in addressing the crisis in the war-torn city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur, also called the Muslim Capital of the predominantly Christian Philippines.
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From the Front Page
SC ends oral arguments...
PAGE A1 t Chief of Staff Eduardo Año, who also serve as the martial law administrator and implementor respectively. “They (Año and Lorenzana) were there because they had been requested by the court to provide information relevant to the consideration of the court on the discharge of its function,” SC spokesperson Theodore Te said. Lagman initially sought the participation of the country’s top two security officials during Wednesday’s (June 14) hearing but Calida asked them to be summoned instead on Thursday in a closed-door session, citing possible disclosure of national security matters. FREE WI-FI IN EDSA. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo A. Salalima (right), Presidential “Merong presentation na ginaSpokesperson Ernesto C. Abella (2nd from left) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim (1st from left) wa (A presentation was made)... lead the launching of the EDSA Free Wi-Fi Free Public High Speed Internet Project at the Shaw Boulevard MRT Station-South Concourse in Mandaluyong City on Monday, June 12. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr. I think that’s part of the request that there may be certain information that should not be disclosed to the public. That’s the reason they made discussions internally,” Te told reporters. PAGE A1 t and, of course, the technical sup- gelista in Cagayan de Oro City, Following the presentation, country confronts challenges as- port that we are sharing together Duterte said he is unaware of sociated with terrorism and ex- in the fight against global terror- Washington’s technical support in tremism, including recent attacks ism,” Herrera said, following local Marawi. “I am not aware of that until in Marawi City and elsewhere,” reports claiming U.S. spy plane P3 Orion was spotted flying over they arrived. When I declared Tillerson said. martial law, I gave the power to PAGE A1 t The American diplomat also Marawi City. the defense department. Di ako versy, the DOT expects a public On Sunday, June 11, Malacaexpressed the Americans’ admiranakikialam (I did not interfere),” apology from McCann over the ñang reaffirmed that the U.S. tion of the “resilience and strength of Filipino people in battling ad- government’s support to the Phil- Duterte said on Sunday, referring negative feedback the departippine troopers in Marawi was to the Philippine Department of ment has been receiving owing versity.” to the glaring similarities beLikewise, the U.S. government limited to “technical assistance” National Defense (DND). tween McCann’s ‘Sights’ ad and At the same time, Duterte refutand “does not involve any boots honored Manila and Washinged claims that he asked the United South Africa’s ad released in ton’s “enduring” alliance rooted on the ground.” Duterte’s spokesperson, Er- States to help in quelling the ter- 2014,” said the DOT Assistant from “shared democratic values, Secretary, Frederick Alegre. growing commerce, and strong nesto Abella, said in a statement ror activities in Marawi. “We learned this afternoon “I have not done that, I have that the Philippine Constitution people-to-people ties.” Last Saturday, June 10, Reuters prohibits foreign troops from di- not made an appeal. I didn’t even through various news reports reported that the U.S. special op- rectly participating in combat op- know that the American govern- and the press conference of ment is providing technical (sup- [Alegre] of the Department of erations forces were “helping [to] erations. Tourism, that the DOT has deport),” he said. “The fight against terrorism, liberate” the war-torn city “at the While Duterte said he’d rather cided to discontinue its partnerrequest of the Philippine govern- however, is not only the concern ment,” citing a U.S. embassy of the Philippines or the United not have U.S. troops involved in ship with McCann Worldgroup spokesperson in Manila as its States but it is a concern of many the campaign against the Maute Philippines. McCann is waiting nations around the world. The terrorists, he thanked them for for formal communication from source. At a press conference later that Philippines is open to assistance their assistance. He also noted the DOT in connection with its day, Philippine Army 1st Infantry from other countries if they offer that he gave the military the pow- decision to terminate our coner and it was the military’s deci- tract,” the statement continued. Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Jo- it,” he added. We respect the decision made sion to enlist them. U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim, Ar Herrera clarified that U.S. forcUnder General Order 1, De- by the DOT and, while regretes were only providing noncombat meanwhile, refused to specify deassistance and were not partici- tails regarding Washington’s sup- fense Secretary Delfin Lorenza- table, we thank the DOT for the port to the operations in Marawi. na and Armed Forces of the opportunity to serve, and we pating in the ground battles. “I don’t think it is appropri- Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff wish them continued success,” “The presence of the U.S. counterparts facilitate the exchanges ate (to reveal) technical details of Eduardo Año, who were desig- said a McCann spokesperson, of intelligence, facilitate subject what we are providing,” he told nated as the administrator and in an article by Adweek. In an official statement reimplementor of martial law, matter experts exchange, and reporters on Monday. leased by DOT on Thursday, have the authority to “undertake Duterte ‘not aware’ also provides training exchanges During a visit to Camp Evanu PAGE A7 June 15, they announced the
Sec. Tillerson: US ‘proudly stands’...
Te said the Court continued the interpellation of the Solicitor General and of the petitioners represented by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman. “After satisfying itself of the information presented by the respondents, the Court concluded the proceedings,” he added. The SC is expected to wrap up a decision and resolve the case on or before July 5. Three petitions seeking to nullify martial law in Mindanao have been filed before the SC. Petitioners argued that Duterte can resolve the Marawi crisis without declaring martial law in Mindanao. Also included among the grounds raised by the petitioners is the “pretended existence of rebellion and/or invasion.” They pointed out that the crisis broke out when the Mautes tried to prevent the capture of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. They also argued that terrorism does not automatically equate to rebellion. Two other petitions request-
ing the high court to compel Congress to convene a joint review session on the proclamation were also filed before the SC. Under Proclamation no. 216, Duterte imposed military rule and suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the entire Mindanao for 60 days, citing rebellion as basis for his declaration. Duterte issued the proclamation on May 23 following the attack of pro-Islamic State (IS) terrorists in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. Earlier on Tuesday, June 13, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella vowed that the government would respond to terror threats “with continued decisiveness” and “will not stop until it’s finished.” “The president has been very supportive and is quite emphatic that Marawi should be totally settled, and not only Marawi but also the terrorist threats should be completely addressed [on] the entire island of Mindanao,” he added. n
DOT scraps ad contract, asks public for...
Screengrab of the “Sights” DOT tourism video.
“reopening of the procurement process for the production of a new advertising material which will be consistent with the current slogan, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines.’ They also stated that they “encourage those with fresh and original ideas that will showcase our diversely-rich tourist destinations and the unique Filipino hospitality to join this venture.” Earlier, DOT, Undersecretary for Advocacy and Public Affairs Katherine De Castro responded to criticisms and plagiarism accusations.
“It’s just that meron kaming naisip together with our ad agency na kumbaga bagayin yung ipapalabas naming bagong commercial (It’s just that we, together with our ad agency thought of a slogan that would go well with the new commercial),” De Castro explained. She also said that “with all the bad images being portrayed in the news about the Philippines,” she felt the need for another slogan that would encourage tourists to experience the country for themselves.
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MCC mulls second PH...
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compact nor a withdrawal of funding. As a result, the second Philippines compact remains in development, and has not yet been brought forward for board approval,” Laura Allen, press secretary at the MCC’s office of congressional and public affairs, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an e-mail last month. Separately, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told reporters last week that he already talked about three times with MCC officials who said “they want to have a second compact.” Dominguez said the Trump administration would ultimately decide if it would give the Philippines another grant, so the Philippine government would just await the US government’s decision. Should MCC offer another compact, Dominguez said “we will consider their offer, if it is in our priorities, the terms are reasonable, [and] our sovereignty not affected.” In a report justifying its fiscal year 2018 budget proposal of $800 million to the US Congress, the MCC included the Philippines among the countries for which its board may appropriate funds in “future fiscal years.” As the MCC in 2015 selected the Philippines as eligible for a second compact ahead of the close of the first grant in May 2016, the projected signing for the fresh grant was scheduled for January 2019, with project definition that started in 2016 expected to end in the third quarter of this year, to be followed by project development from the fourth quarter of 2017 until the second quarter of 2018. “The MCC’s board of directors selected the Philippines as eligible for compact assistance in fiscal year 2015, but, following national elections in May 2016, the board raised concerns over issues tied to the country’s trajectory on human rights, due
process, and rule of law. When the board made country selection decisions for fiscal year 2017 [last December], it deferred the vote on continued compact eligibility for the Philippines,” the MCC said. “While the [MCC] board continues to closely monitor the policy environment, the government of the Philippines continues developing project proposals on agricultural competitiveness and productivity after a jointly completed constraints-to-growth analysis identified four binding constraints to economic growth including government coordination and implementation capacity, the high costs of transport logistics, the high cost of electricity, and market failures in the rural economy,” according to the MCC. The MCC said that last year, the Philippine government already submitted preliminary concepts to the US agency that sought to address rural market failures, “with initial ideas for improving public support programs, raising agricultural productivity, and strengthening the infrastructure that allows access to markets.” In another document posted on the MCC’s website last month, a business forecast for fiscal year 2017 midyear update, the Philippines was mentioned several times, including for design and development of transport projects, community development grants, and evaluation of the road segments constructed under the first compact. To recall, the Washingtonbased MCC said that in December, its board of directors gave the go-ahead to new five-year grants to Burkina Faso, Sri Lanka and Tunisia for programs and projects fostering economic growth as well as slashing poverty. In the case of the Philippines, it was “subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties.”
Filipina urgently needs... PAGE A1 t find a perfect match, Lisa needs a stranger to step forward and help save her life. Lisa has partnered with the Asian American Donor Program to find a donor similar to her genetic makeup. A bone marrow transplant, which is needed soon, is Lisa’s only hope for her longterm survival. A committed 10/10 marrow-matching donor must be located to have a successful transplant. Since Lisa is of Filipino, a matching donor will also need to be of Filipino or Asian descent. More about Lisa Lisa learned about her diagnosis just nine months after her father died of a blood cancer. Family and friends note how she brings laughter, joy, warmth, and kindness to each day. Lisa is a speech-language pathologist and board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. Her clinical interests include the evaluation and treatment of dysphagia resulting from radiation and chemotherapy treatments to the head and neck. She works directly with patients diagnosed with throat cancer. Lisa has lectured at the regional and national levels on pulmonary health and ethical considerations in dysphagia management. Lisa is described by her colleagues as a brilliant clinician and scientific thinker who is devoted to helping her patients. Lisa’s hobbies include traveling, hiking, and dancing. Lisa grew up in Laguna Hills in Orange County, California. She attended Laguna Hills High School. From California State University, Fresno Lisa received a bachelor’s degree in 2007 and a master’s degree in 2009. Lisa received her clinical science doctorate in medical speech-language pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA in 2014. What’s the solution? Minorities are more likely to die of leukemia and other blood cancers because there is a shortage of ethnic and mixed-ethnic donors on the Be The Match® national registry. It is vital to expand and build a more diverse registry so everyone has an equal opportunity to survive blood cancers. Encouraging more people of ethnically diverse backgrounds and those of mixed heritage to be committed and join the Registry, potentially saving a life. Each of us can “Be The One to Save a Life!” The Asian American Donor Program (AADP, www.aadp.org) is a 27-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Alameda, CA, that works to educate community members about the shortage of ethnic marrow donors and the importance of joining the Be The Match national registry. It is the oldest nonprofit of its kind in the country. AADP staff is dedicated to increasing the availability of potential stem cell donors for
patients with life threatening diseases curable by a blood stem cell or marrow transplant. AADP is an official recruitment center for Be The Match. “There is a shortage of committed non-Caucasians on the Be The Match® national registry,” says Carol Gillespie, the AADP executive director. “We need everyone of mixed race ancestry to step forward and join the Registry. When a marrow match is not readily available, patients have to wait longer than is ideal to find a match.” Once a match has been found, their disease may have progressed to the point that they are no longer eligible for a transplant. Shortage of ethnic/multi-ethnic donors Approximately every three minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. An estimated combined total of 172,910 people in the US are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2017. New cases of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are expected to account for 10.2 percent of the estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. in 2017. (From: http:// www.lls.org/http%3A/llsorg. prod.acquia-sites.com/facts-andstatistics/facts-and-statisticsoverview/facts-and-statistics) Of the approximately 816,000 Asians on the Be the Match® registry, .5 percent are Filipinos, while Filipino Americans constitute 19.7 percent of Asian Americans (Source: 2010 Census). The Be The Match registry recruits hundreds of thousands of donors each year through an extensive network of more than 155 local and regional Community Engagement Representatives and organizations. You only need to join the Be The Match registry once. “Finding a marrow/stem cell match can be like finding a needle in a haystack,” says Gillespie. “Multi-racial patients face the worst odds. Those diagnosed with a blood disease need a marrow/stem cell transplant as soon as possible. Building the Registry with committed donors is what patients need. You could potentially match anyone in the world, this is truly a global effort.” Marrow/stem cell matches are very different than blood type matches. Just as we inherit our eyes, hair, and skin color, we inherit our marrow and stem cell tissue type. “For thousands of severely ill blood cancer patients, there is a cure,” Gillespie says. “You could be the cure. Those whose marrow/stem cells are not a match for a patient in need now may be a match for someone else down the road, anywhere in the world. I encourage multi-ethnic individuals to commit to registering. It is simple to register – just a swab of the inside of your cheek.” How you can commit to help • Find a registration drive in your area. Go to http://www.
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From the Front Page But an MCC scorecard released last November showed that the Philippines garnered passing scores in 13 out of the 20 indicators, including control of corruption, rule of law and civil liberties—an improvement from the performance in 2015 wherein the country passed in 12 indicators. The Department of Finance had expressed optimism that the MCC board may grant the goahead for the second grant under the Trump administration. In the MCC report, it noted that the first Philippine compact granted in 2010 worth $434 million “improved business processes in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, thereby nearly doubling revenue collections, reducing opportunities for corruption, and supporting increased public investment.” “The [first] compact program also built over 4,000 small-scale community infrastructure projects which benefited nearly one million households, exceeding the original compact targets. In building these projects to help address communal priorities in a sustainable manner, the compact promoted participation by women,” the MCC added. Also, “the Secondary National Roads Development Project on Samar island rehabilitated 222 kilometers of a national road using climate-resilient standards and with significant safety enhancements,” hence it “reduced transportation costs, expanded commerce, and helped to raise the incomes of the island’s people,” according to the MCC. (Ben O. de Vera/Inquirer.net)
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 16-22, 2017
A
SALUTE FOR THE FALLEN. A Muslim woman salutes during a one minute salute for the fallen soldiers in Marawi City, as a solidarity rally is held in Plaza Miranda lead by Sen. Risa Hontiveros and former CHR Chair Etta Rosales on Independence Day, on Monday, June 12. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez
Palace: ‘Pres. Duterte healthy... stirring up speculations that the president is sick. June 11, when he attended the “The president is well. The funeral rites of the marines slain president just needs [rest]… in the Marawi City siege. He was After all, you have to consider supposed to lead country’s 119th that he has been on the road for Independence Day rites the fol- at least 23 days in fulfilling his lowing Monday but skipped the martial law supervision. So, you event. know, it has been really brutal so Since then, Duterte was not we have to allow him this kind of spotted in other public events. rest,” Abella maintained. The schedule for his next public He went on to say, “I’m talkappearance was also unavailable, ing about his general sickness
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condition. I’m saying there is nothing to worry about in terms of sickness, major sickness…I’m saying is that considering the schedule he has been given, he needs to rest.” Malacañang also released two photos of the president in an apparent bid to dispel rumors about Duterte’s health. One of the photo shows Duterte sitting on a table while reviewing some documents. Another photo shows the president
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A june 16-22, 2017 • neW YORK AnD neW jeRSeY ASIAn jOuRnAL
Dateline USa
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Filipinos among injured in London tower fire
THE Philippine Embassy in London has confirmed that Filipinos were among those injured and affected by the massive fire that engulfed the 24-story Grenfell Tower in the British capital on Wednesday, June 14. “A number of them are in the emergency shelters at St Clement’s Church, the St Francis of Assisi Church, and the Portobello Rugby Club on Walmer,” the embassy said in a statement without further specifying the number. As of press time, authorities confirmed 12 casualties but warned the number may rise “during what will be a complex recovery operation over a number of days.” More than 200 firefighters battled the inferno, which broke out past midnight when most residents were asleep. Witnesses described seeing people jumping out of the tower and children beForeign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano met with Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, during the latter’s visit to the Philippines. ing thrown off the windows with hopes that people from below will catch them. While the cause of fire was still under investigation, residents said they had repeatedly raised concerns over safety risks in the building. IN his recent meeting with Phil- ing effectively and efficiently to fectively and efficiently to various “We repeatedly reported concerns to the Tenant threats. ippine Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan various threats. Management Organisation of the Royal Borough of Aside from technical assistance, The U.S. Pacific Fleet’s visit to Peter Cayetano, U.S. Pacific Fleet Kensington and Chelsea including fire safety concommander Adm. Scott Swift as- Manila comes in accord with the the AFP also received counter-tercerns which were not investigated during the reserted the U.S. Navy’s commitment recently-confirmed pledge of the rorism weapons and equipment generation works,” David Collins, the former chair in building stronger ties and har- U.S. to offer “technical assistance” from the U.S. including 300 M4 of the Grenfell Tower residents association, told monizing efforts with the Armed to the Philippines in its fight against carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, BBC. ongoing anti-terrorism operations 4 M134D Gatling-style machine Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Collins said there were “concerns over location Swift was in the Philippines since which has been besetting Marawi guns, and 100 M203 grenade of boilers, concerns about escapes, concerns about launchers delivered May 18-22 to Sunday, June 11, and met with City for a month now. fire escape lighting, the list goes on.” “The Philippine Navy is a valued Clark Air Base. other key officials including DeIn a statement, Kensington & Chelsea FoundaThe U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet is fense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and enduring ally of the U.S. Navy tion, which manages the Grenfell Tower, said they AFP Chief Gen. Eduardo Año and and a close partner of the Pacific the world’s largest fleet encomare “aware that concerns have been raised historiPhilippine Navy Flag Officer-in- Fleet,” Swift said in a statement is- passing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface. Command Vice Adm. Ronald J.S. sued by U.S. Embassy in Manila. Philippines and U.S. has an It consists of approximately 200 Mercado to reaffirm an enduring alliance that offers support in enduring alliance to support the ships/submarines, nearly 1,100 strengthening PH’s national de- strengthening the national defense aircraft, and more than 130,000 fense and capabilities in respond- and capabilities by responding ef- Sailors and civilians. (AJPress)
US Pacific Fleet, AFP assert defense ties
Young Fil-Am leaders invited to apply for PH immersion program
12,000 Filipinos overstayed... PAGE A1 t Of this number of Filipinos, 5,000 came to America on business and tourist visas, known as B1 and B2 visas, respectively, while about 934 were students and exchange visitors, according to the report. But the biggest bulk of Filipino overstays (6,523) last year include temporary workers and trainees, traders and investors, fiancées of U.S. citizens and spouses and children of US citizens and permanent residents whose visas are pending. ‘TNTs’ An overstay is “a non-immigrant who was lawfully admitted to the United States for an authorized period but stayed in the United States beyond his or her lawful admission period.” In Filipino parlance, an overstay is known as “TNT,” which stands for Tago Nang Tago or always in
hiding. DHS described two types of visa overstay: individuals for whom no departure has been recorded, and individuals whose departure from the United States was recorded after their lawful period of admission expired. The fiscal year started from Oct. 1, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2016. Valid periods of admission to the United States vary, and thus it is necessary to establish “cutoff dates” for the purposes of monitoring and determining the entry/exit data. “This [report] only shows that we do have a problem with visa overstays in the United States,” said a senior DHS officer in a press release. Overall, DHS officials announced that during the 2016 fiscal year, there were more than 50 million non-immigrants who were admitted into the United States via air and seaport entries.
cally by residents.” “We always take all concerns seriously and these will form part of our forthcoming investigations. While these investigations continue with our co-operation, our core priority at the moment is our residents,” it added. They also expressed anew their “sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those who have been affected” of the “devastating event.” The Philippine embassy, meanwhile, assured assistance to the affected Filipinos. It said Filipinos can ask the Casualty Bureau for information about their relatives in London by dialing (0800) 0961 233 or (0020) 7158 0197. Filipinos may also contact embassy through its emergency number +44 7802 790695 or e-mail address embassy@philemb.co.uk. (AJPress)
This figure does not include individuals who either walked or drove across the U.S. Canada and U.S. Mexico borders. Most follow terms of admission Interestingly, only 1.47 percent of those individuals— about 740,000 — overstayed their visas. It means that 98.53 percent of non-immigrant visitors actually departed the United States on time and abided by the terms of their admission. But the number of Filipino overstays is comparatively much lower than many other countries in Europe, South America and Asia. The top 10 countries with highest number of overstays are as follows: 1. Canada (129,311); 2. Mexico (52,958); 3. Brazil (43,722); 4. China (36,568); 5. India (30,399); 6. Venezuela (25,481); 7. United Kingdom
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THE FYLPRO Immersion Program identifies 10 outstanding Fil-Am leaders in the U.S. for a week-long, all-expense paid trip to the Philippines to meet leaders in various fields and strengthen the ties between the U.S. and the Philippines. The official dates of the 2017 Immersion Program are October 8 to 14. This is the sixth FYLPRO Immersion Program since its inception in 2012. The deadline to apply is July 7. Who can apply 1. Leaders no younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by Oct. 8, 2017, the first day of the 2017 Immersion Program 2. Ready and capable of traveling to the Philippines, arriving in Manila by Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 and departing no earlier than Oct. 14, 2017. If selected, the program will shoulder airfare and accommodations. 3. Demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community,workplace or other area of involvement 4. Have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino community,or in issues and/ or activities that align with the interest of the Filipino American community or the Philippines.
2017 FYLPRO application requirements 1. Fill-out the Intent to apply form at http://www.fylpro.org/ apply/. 2. Completed application form. 3. Resume 4. Two letters of recommendation 5. A selfie and 200-word bio Email everything to mabuhay@ fylpro.org by July 7. FYLPRO recognizes the need for young leaders to have a stronger connection with the Philippines and to immerse delegates in the country’s
current political and socioeconomic climate. The program helps FYLPRO leaders better position themselves in advocating for the Filipino-American community. Today, FYLPRO continues to work on ventures to give back to the community in Legacy Projects. These projects are as diverse as its alumni roster, from leadership summits, launching political campaigns to seek for elected office, creation of social enterprises that feature Philippines’ culture and traditions, or through collaboration with other entities with similar values. n
Former Speaker de Venecia eyes interfaith... PAGE A1 t Based on a study conducted by U.S.-based Pew Research Center, about 92.6 percent of Filipinos belonged to Christianity while 5.5 percent to Islam. “It will mobilize the moderate Muslim communities and Christians and begin to isolate the extremists,” De Venecia told ANC’s “Headstart.” He then added, “In the same way that the extremists were so isolated, the Abu Sayyaf, that they are only limited to Basilan and parts of Sulu because of the active participation of the moderate Muslims and the Christians.” On May 23, clashes erupted
between the government forces and Maute extremist group, which has alleged links to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. With the conflict now on its third week, more than 200 casualties have been recorded by the military, of which more than half were from the extremist group. Referencing the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC), de Venecia urged, “We have to revive the classical conferences [from a] few years ago between the Catholic and Protestants’ bishops, and the Muslim Ulamas.” The BUC, which was formed in November 1996, is composed of Catholic bishops, Ulama and Ustadz, and Protestant bishops
Filipina urgently needs... PAGE A3 t aadp.org/drive/. • Register on line here: https:// join.bethematch.org/lisa. You must be 18 to 44 years old and meet general health requirements • Fill out a consent form and do a cheek swab. • Be committed. Be ready to donate to any patient in need. • Contact friends/family and encourage them to go to a registration drive or register online. •Set up a drive in your area or for more information, call AADP at 1-800-593-6667 or visit our website http://www.aadp.org.
• Volunteer to help at registration drives. Please take a few minutes of your time to learn more about how you can help save a life and register as a marrow donor. Upcoming registration drive • Soy and Tofu Festival, Saturday, June 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open to the public at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco, CA 94109. • Malayan SF Outdoor Festival, Philippine Independence Day, Sunday, June 18 from noon to 8 p.m. at Union Square, 333 Post St., San Francisco, 94102. More about the Asian American Donor Program (AADP)
Palace: ‘Pres. Duterte healthy... PAGE A3 t standing near a flat screen television with his aide Christopher “Bong” Go. According to Go, the photos were taken at before 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 15. Hours later, Malacañang released another set of photos showing Duterte being welcomed by Philippine Air Force officials. The time was not mentioned but the caption says it was also taken on Thursday, during the chief executive’s visit to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
‘Transparency is a must’ Opposition lawmakers, meanwhile, demanded a more specific information regarding Duterte’s state of health. Pointing out that the president’s health is a “national issue,” Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano insisted that Malacañang “should be forthright in informing the public” about the matter. “The absence of the president from the public is very unusual especially there is still an ongoing crisis in Marawi. Much more to be absent for a week without explanation except to rest,” Alejano said in message to reporters.
and pastors. It seeks “to initiate dialogue aimed at improving understanding between Muslims and Christians.” According to de Venecia, such meeting “has not continued over the last few years.” “We have to revive that now because it is the best meeting place for Christians and Muslims now in war-wrapped Mindanao,” he added. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed de Venecia as the Foreign Affairs’ Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue. De Venecia previously served as speaker of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2008. n The Asian American Donor Program (AADP), with its offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, is dedicated to increasing the availability of potential stem cell donors for patients with life threatening diseases curable by a blood stem cell or marrow transplant. AADP is a community-based nonprofit for social benefit (501©3) organization and specializes in conducting outreach and donor registration drives in and with diverse communities. AADP is an official recruitment center of the Be The Match registry. To learn more about scheduled upcoming marrow drives, visit http://www.aadp.org/drive/. n Echoing Alejano’s statement, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said, “The president’s health is a national concern. Transparency is a must.” “The most plausible explanation for a president going on leave for a week or more is health reasons. So it’s most likely that he had to undergo a medical check-up,” Baguilat added. Both Alejano and Baguilat are members of the “Magnificent 7,” an independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives. Article VII Section 12 of the 1987 Constitution states that “in case the president has a serious illness, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.” n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
A
PH upholds sovereignty over Philippine Rise by Dana
SioSon AJPress
In celebration of the country’s 119th Independence Day, the Philippine government planted a national flag on the Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise. The Philippine navy raised the underwater flag on Monday, June 12 as a symbol of the country’s sovereignty over the waters. “This underwater marker serves as a symbol of Philippine sovereign rights over the Philippine Rise, which shall forever be under the vigilant watch of the Filipino people,” the marker of the flag’s base read. Another Philippine flag was simultaneously placed above the navy’s newest and largest ship, BRP Davao del Sur, which conducted a sovereign patrol in the area. “We gather from all walks of life to put up the most powerful symbol, driven by passion of our collective cause, to re-echo our sovereignty over the Philippine rise,” northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo said in a speech. Under Executive Order no.25, President Rodrigo Duterte officially renamed “Benham Rise” to “Philippine Rise” in a bid to uphold the country’s sovereign rights following reports that Chinese ships were spotted in the area. While foreign ships can sail in the area as part of freedom
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CLAIM STAKED. A diver carrying a fiberglass Philippine flag begins the descent toward the Philippine Rise, the undersea region that is part of the country’s extended continental shelf. The Philippine Navy planted the national flag in the resource-rich area on Independence Day, in a symbolic assertion of the country’s claim to the 13-million-hectare ridge. ManilaTimes.net photo
of navigation and the right of innocent passage, the ruling states that the Philippines can “carry out exploration and development of natural resources” in the region. “We have the right to explore according to the United nations… they cannot do any other activities na sa atin binigay gaya nitong ginagawa natin (like what we are doing)” Capt. Richard Gonzaga, the commanding officer of BRP Davao del Sur, told Inquirer.In 2012, the United nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf acknowledged that the Philippine Rise is within the continental shelf of the
Philippines. Located along the Pacific Ocean 250 kilometers (155 miles) east of Isabela, the Philippine Rise is believed to be rich in mineral and gas deposits. Unlike in the South China Sea, Manila has no rival claimants in the region. “It is our inherent duty as citizens to ensure that the Philippines fulfills its destiny as a great and prosperous nation,” the president said on Sunday, June 11. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is scheduled to visit the Philippine Rise on Thursday, June 15. n
Immigration Services a sixmonth extension. Flaws in agency estimates That demonstrates that there could be some flaws in each agency’s estimates, as a result of lack of hard exit data as well as of the challenges coordinating more than 27 information systems and database between agencies. According to the Pew Research Center, the general visa overstays account 45 percent of the 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. “I’m aware of the risks,” said
DOT scraps ad contract, asks public for... PAGE A2 t
It was in August of last year that the DOT announced the need to change the department’s slogan, explaining that creating a new slogan is nothing new when there’s a new administration leading the country. In turn, the department received negative reactions from the public. “Being a tourism industry veteran, I think the country slogan shouldn’t be changed every administration; it takes time for the brand or the campaign slogan to achieve its maximum potential. It’s only Rory, a 52-year-old Filipina who now that ‘It’s More Fun in the came to Chicago, Illinois to at- Philippines’ has gained actend a trade show last year and ceptability here and abroad. then decided to stay past the du- Maganda ang dating nya sa ration of her U.S. visa. “I know tourists (It is received by tourI have a choice, but this is my ists positively),” said Cesar decision to become a TnT.” Individuals voluntary depart the United States after overstay- Immigration Customs and Ening their visas could be barred forcement (ICE), oversees the from returning to the United national program dedicated to States for three to 10 years, the enforcement of non-immidepending on the period over- grant visa violations, the report added. stayed. Those overstays who pose a Counterterrorism The Counterterrorism and potential national security threat Criminal Exploitation Unite to the United States are priori(CTCEU), an arm of the U.S. tized and referred to ICE field
12,000 Filipinos overstayed...
(23,422); 8. Germany (21,756); 9. Colombia (20,351; and 10. Italy (17,297). However, the DHS has acknowledged: “Determining lawful status is more complicated than solely matching entry and exit data.” Here’s one scenario of its complexity: A lawfully admitted person may receive a sixmonth admission from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon entry into the United States, but then he or she may apply and receive subsequently from the U.S. Citizenship and
ANTI-DENGUE VACCINE. A grade six student of the Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in Tondo, Manila gets a free anti-dengue shot on Tuesday, June 13. Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the immunization of more than 12,000 elementary students against the deadly dengue virus. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
Cruz, president of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) in an article from Business Mirror. Meanwhile, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said that the new advertisement goes beyond featuring the country’s top destinations but more importantly, it encourages tourists to experience the Philippines themselves to know how is it to be a Filipino. “We are shifting our focus in our promotional campaigns towards the unique experiences that each destination could offer, Filipino hospitality, and security,” Teo said. During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on June 5 , DOT Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegrerevealed there are more than 27,000 registered retirees from
120 countries who are currently residing in the Philippines, prompting the department to target this lucrative market in the new ad. “Remember it’s targeted to the retiree. The aging population of the world. They have the money,” said Alegre. The controversial ad, which was released on Monday, June 12, had reached over 1.9 million views on Facebook as of 5 a.m on Wednesday, June 14. It drew flak from the netizens just a few hours after its release, pointing out many similarities to the former South African tourism campaign in 2014. However, the video from the official account was taken down from Facebook almost immediately. (With reports from Jennifer Soriano/AJPress)
offices for further investigation or removal operations. According to the report, “the goal is to identify, locate, prosecute where applicable, and remove those overstays posing real or potential national security threats to the United States.” Rory says that, part of the reasons that she had overstayed, is
that she was only given a twoweek visa at the U.S. Embassy, in Manila. “It was very difficult for me to get the visa, and I am afraid I won’t be able to get another one again,” she said. “I don’t know how will I legalize my status here in America, but I do need to be very careful.” n
A6 JUNE 16-22, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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FEATURES
OPINION
Silent partner
AS FILIPINOS celebrated their nation’s 119th Independence Day on Monday, June 12, the U.S. congratulated the Philippines and emphasized the enduring U.S.-PH alliance built on “shared democratic values, growing commerce, and strong people-to-people ties.” “The United States proudly stands with the Philippines as a longstanding ally, especially as the country confronts challenges associated with terrorism and extremism, including recent attacks in Marawi City and elsewhere. We admire the resilience and strength of Filipino people in battling adversity and building a more prosperous and secure future,” Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson said on behalf of President Donald Trump and the American people. The revelries across the Philippines were marred by moments of silence offered to the fallen men and women who were killed in the ongoing conflict in Marawi City. The military operation aimed to crush Maute rebels in Marawi City, which is now in its fourth week, has left over 200 people dead, including 191 terrorists, 29 civilians and close to 60 security forces, the military reported. The siege forced Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to place Mindanao under martial law. Echoing Tillerson’s statement, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim assured that the U.S. would provide counterterrorism support for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) during this ordeal.
“This is a cooperation that has continued for some time now. It’s a cooperation that’s appreciated by the Philippines’ military. It’s a cooperation that has continued with the knowledge of the Philippines’ government,” Kim said. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that U.S. military advisors stationed in Zamboanga City have provided a surveillance plane to identify the location of Maute fighters, as well as to train Filipino soldiers, and for the past weeks gave some pieces of equipment to the Philippine Marines involved in the operation to flush out other Islamist gunmen in Marawi City. Lt. General Carlito Galvez, Western Mindanao Command Chief, added that American troops have supported their Filipino counterparts in capability enhancement, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance civic actions. Duterte thanked the U.S. for its support of the Marawi City offensive but clarified that he did not appeal for any assistance. The Manila-Washington relations have turned sour last year when Duterte’s berated the U.S. and former Pres. Barack Obama, over their criticisms of his anti-drug war. Despite Duterte’s initiative of a foreign policy
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
that is less dependent economically and militarily on the U.S.—in favor of China and Russia—the U.S.-PH relations remain bound by a 66-year-old treaty that obliges them “to defend themselves against external armed attacks, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that ei-
ther of them stands alone.” More than the defense treaty, this relationship was built on strong democratic values and moral responsibility to ensure peace and security not just for their own people, but for every citizen of the world. (AJPress)
After Comey, Trump wants to fire Mueller: Why is Trump so afraid of the Russia investigation? the deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein to head the investigation into the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in interfering in the 2016 election. This was confirmed by no GEL SANTOS-RELOS less than Trump’s friend Chris Ruddy on a TV interview on WHAT IS President Donald PBS NewHour with anchor Judy Trump so afraid of when it comes Woodruff on Monday, June 13. to the ongoing Russia probe? This would coincide with the First, he fired former Federal many news stories and opinions Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Di- from Trump supporters disrector James Comey because the crediting Mueller despite their president had the Russia inves- approval of his appointment by tigation in mind. And now, this: Rosenstein. Trump is reportedly considering Mueller had earned the refiring Special Counsel Robert spect by both Democrats and Mueller, who was appointed by Republicans during his 12-year
The Fil-Am Perspective
leadership as FBI director, serving both the Bush and Obama presidencies from 2001-2013. He was highly esteemed for his integrity, fairness, diligence, and hard work in getting things done. While legal analysts say Trump cannot do this as the law mandates that the special counsel can only be appointed and fired by the Office of the Attorney General and NOT by the president, this news just all the more highlights the nagging question as to why Trump has been demonizing the investigation. He has even called it a “witch hunt” and a tactic “used by the obstructionist Democrats
who cannot accept and move on from the loss of Hillary Clinton”. Trump has over and over again professed his innocence on allegations raised against him and his campaign but both the bipartisan Senate and House intelligence committees, the DOJ, FBI and other U.S. intelligence agencies have found reasons and basis to push the investigation forward because at the core of this probe is to protect the integrity of the democratic institutions that Russia has been trying (and succeeding) to meddle in. The ongoing probe investigates if indeed the Trump
campaign colluded with the Russians to help Trump win. If Trump is innocent as he claims he is, then he should be helping, or better yet, he should be pushing to get to the bottom of this grave assault on our democracy. This will also help him clear his name and will make him focus on governing without this cloud of doubt hovering over him. He said in a news conference last Friday, June 9, that he would be cooperating 100 percent with the investigation and would be willing to give his testimony under oath to prove his innocence. Then, he should match his words with his actions.
Perhaps he should listen to Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said, “I think the best advice is to let Robert Mueller do his job…I think the best vindication for the President is to let this investigation to go on independently and thoroughly. That, to me, is the smartest thing to do, and that’s what I think hopefully will happen.” *** 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
The arts and the CCP president
Commentary
PABLO A. TARIMAN ON Tuesday, June 13, the board of trustees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines formally elects its new president in the person of actor-director Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso, who is quite visible as father or grandfather of heroines and villains in afternoon and evening TV dramas.
But before Lizaso can even take over the CCP, social media has been abuzz with endless speculations that boil down to the question: What has he done to deserve the position? For the record, the first CCP president, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, is a prominent businessman whose term started in 1969 and ended in 1976. He continues to be devoted to photography and the other visual arts. The second to hold the post, Lucrecia Kasilag, who became National Artist for Music, was a composer and music educator
and probably the most accessible CCP president to the arts community. She once told one that her appointment to the CCP was “sweet revenge” for when, in the distant past, she made things difficult for a certain voice student of the Philippine Women’s University who became first lady. As for the rest of the presidential appointees, two were finance people (Francisco del Rosario Jr. and Baltazar Endriga) during the term of Fidel V. Ramos; another was an arts patron (Armita Rufino) during Joseph Estrada’s. A former character dancer of Ballet Philippines (Nestor Jardin) and a
former ambassador (Isabel Caro Wilson) held the post during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s term. The pianist and then head of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory (Raul Sunico) came in during the term of Benigno Aquino III. What’s in store for actor-director Lizaso? Whatever his management style, he will face a 300-plus workforce used to the personal approach of previous CCP presidents. He is expected to make sense when he addresses the Filipino artists and the Filipino audience. Long used to the language of theater, he has to know (and
quickly) the psyche of the ballet dancer, the inner motivation of the opera singer, the quirks of orchestra members, as well as the thousand and one other cultural concerns outside the CCP turf. He will have to deal with ballet teachers, music teachers and their assorted “prodigies,” and most of all the volatile, if dwindling, audience for the performing arts. Lizaso as CCP president is expected not merely to connect with audiences outside Metro Manila. Most of all, he is expected to connect with the heart and soul of the Filipino artist who is
always regarded as the last priority in any administration’s agenda for nation-building. Because, after all, with or without the CCP, the Filipino artist will endure and will continue to make a difference on the global stage. As the great Maria Callas once said: “You are born an artist or you are not. And you stay an artist, dear, even if your voice doesn’t have the impact of the fireworks. The artist is always there.” (Inquirer.net) *** Pablo A. Tariman worked at the CCP as editor of Arts Monthly for six years and has covered CCP performances for various publications since 1975.
Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso has been endorsed as CCP head by the Office of the President. He says, “Art should be made available to everyone — maids, drivers, students, the elite. When you see kids with cancer listening to the PPO… these are beautiful moments.” Photo by JOEY VIDUYA The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Team Pacquiao unfazed by Horn camp’s warning
Manny Pacquiao
Jeff Horn
WITH the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship on the line, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has been warned by Jeff Horn’s camp that he may be in for a rude awakening. “Manny has never fought anyone like Jeff,” Glenn Rushton, Horn’s trainer, said in a report by Grantlee Kieza of The Courier-Mail. The upcoming showdown between the Filipino champion and the Australian boxer will be held on July 2 at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Rushton said that the 29year-old Australian is different from Pacquiao’s previous opponents. He claimed that Pacquiao struggles against opponents who are unpredictable and has strategic moves as opposed to those who come forward and go toe-to-toe. “Most guys Manny has fought come into the ring and they are
predictable. Even Tim Bradley who is a very good boxer—they all start with the left jab, right hand, left hook. But Jeff throws punches from everywhere. He can throw right-hand leads as fast as jabs and he can turn southpaw quickly to throw opponents off their game. His pressure technique upsets his opponents’ rhythm,” Rushton explained. Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s camp seems unbothered as it began its closed-door training in General Santos City three weeks before the big fight. In a report by GMA News Online, Pacman Wildcard Gym was seen with tightened security only allowing members of Team Pacquiao, his family, and select media to enter the facility. During his latest training session, Pacquiao underwent sparring and mitts while he jogged and did core exercises at Acharon Sports Complex with Team Pacquiao. (AJPress)
all measures to prevent and suppress all acts of rebellion and lawless violence in the whole of Mindanao.” “They can take all measures to prevent and suppress all acts of rebellion and lawless violence, including seeking technical assistance from the United States, within the limits prescribed by the Constitution,” the president added. Last year, Duterte said he wants the Philippines to be “free from foreign troops.” He also declared Manila’s shift away from Washington in favor of his administration’s independent policy. Duterte, who assumed the presidency in June 2016, has been highly critical of the U.S. government, particularly of former President Barack Obama’s adminis-
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 16-22, 2017
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ASEAN STUDENT MOBILITY FORUM. Photo shows the group photo of the First ASEAN Student Mobility Forum at the Conrad Manila Hotel, Pasay City on Wednesday, June 14. The forum brings together ASEAN students and graduates who are recipients of SHARE (Support to Higher Education in the ASEAN Region) scholarship, a joint undertaking of ASEAN and the European Union. The forum is part of a series of events in 2017 commemorating 50 years of ASEAN and 40 years of ASEAN-EU relations. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Bongbong Marcos slams House defiance of court order by DJ
YAP Inquirer.net
Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he was “aghast” at the leadership of the House of Representatives for continuing to defy a Court of Appeals (CA) order to release six Ilocos Norte officials and employees who were detained following a hearing on alleged corruption in the provincial government. Marcos on Thursday visited the six detainees who have been detained since May 29, after they were held in contempt by the House good government and public accountability committee for allegedly refusing to answer questions during an inquiry into tration. He, however, apparently the alleged irregular procurehas taken a softer stance towards ment of P66.45 million worth of current U.S. President Donald vehicles by the provincial govTrump. “As far as Trump is concerned, he’s my friend,” Duterte said. Constitutional According to Philippine Senby JULIAN OCAMPO ate President Aquilino “Koko” Philstar.com Pimentel, the U.S.’ support is “presumed constitutional” unless MANILA — Money sent home “there is a case decision to the by Filipinos abroad contracted contrary.” He took note that the Philippine for the first time this year on Constitution does not prohibit April, its worst performance in technical and intelligence support 17 months, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Thursfrom the U.S. military. “The Philippine military has in day, June 15. Cash remittances coursed place numerous agreements with the U.S. military. They can do through banks dropped 5.9 perthings under these agreements cent to $2.083 billion, the worst for as long as they are not against since the 6.2-percent contraction our constitution,” Pimentel told in November 2015. It also followed three straight Inquirer. ■
Sec. Tillerson: US ‘proudly...
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DATELINE PHILIPPINES
ernment. Arrest order Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez ordered the six arrested and held by the sergeant at arms. He later blasted the CA justices who ordered their release for their “gross ignorance of the law,” calling them “idiots.” “I do not think that this has any precedent because those who are usually detained here are those who bomb or kill people,” said Marcos, whose sister, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, was entangled in the controversy. “But here, they were imprisoned just because [the congressmen] did not like their answers,” he added. The House has rebuffed three attempts by the CA to serve its June 9 release order. Pedro Agcaoili, chair of the bids
and awards committee and provincial planning and development officer, provincial budget officer Evangeline Tabulog, provincial treasurer Josephine Calajate, accountant Eden Battulayan, and treasury office staff Genedine Jambaro and Encarnacion Gaor, were on their 17th day in detention when Marcos visited them. Some of them were ill, Marcos said. He said he had written to Alvarez, urging the Speaker to comply with the CA’s directive. “Although we are separate branches of government, it is very rare that any branch defies the order of the judiciary, which is exactly what is happening now. And over what?” Marcos said. “We are all aghast at what is happening,” he added. Estelito Mendoza, a lawyer for
the six, said the refusal to comply with the CA’s order after the court granted their habeas corpus petition was “shocking.” Mendoza, who had served the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos as Solicitor General, said the CA “is an independent part of the judiciary and the judiciary is an independent and separate part of government.” Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas was the main “proponent” of the defiance to the CA, even though the so-called “Ilocos Six” had served under him when he was governor, according to Marcos. Fariñas, an Ilocos Norte congressman and a political adversary of the Marcoses, has alleged that as the provincial governor, Marcos’ sister was involved in the allegedly anomalous transactions “from step one to the last step.” ■
Remittances slump to worst performance in 17 months months of expansion and brought the four-month tally to $9.036 billion, up 4.2 percent. The BSP forecast remittance growth to hit four percent this year. “This was attributed to the 7.6percent drop in cash remittances from land-based workers which offset the marginal increase (0.3 percent) in transfers from seabased workers,” BSP said in a statement. According to the central bank, part of the reason for low remittances was the lesser working
days in April than other months due to the observance of Holy Week. Third-country currencies—or those aside from the US dollar-—also weakened against the greenback, resulting in less value of earnings when exchanged. However, BSP also noted that remittances also took a hit from an amnesty program by Saudi Arabia for overstaying overseas Filipino workers. Last month, the government announced that around 4,000 OFWs will avail of the amnesty
to be granted exit visa from the Middle East kingdom. Aside from Saudi Arabia, the US, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Qatar, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Canada accounted for 80 percent of total cash remittances during the period. Including hand-carry transfers and those in kind however, another gauge called personal remittances rose 4.7 percent to $2.317 billion in April. They are up 4.7 percent at $10.026 billion for the first four months, figures showed. ■
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An Asian Journal Magazine
• Fun Facts about Father’s Day •
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u N E 1 6 , 20 1 7
• in 2008, there were about 70.1 million fathers in the United states. it was estimated that there were about 199,000 stay-at-home dads in 2015. These married fathers with children younger than 15 have remained out of the labor force for at least one year so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home. • The number of single fathers in 2015 was 1.9 million. About 45 percent were divorced, 33 percent were never married, 17 percent were separated, and 6 percent were widowed. • Roses are the official flower for Father’s Day. A red rose is worn in the lapel if
your father is alive, while a white rose represents a father who is deceased. • Annually, 72 million cards are given every year, making Father’s Day the fourth-largest
card-giving occasion. • One of the earliest Father’s Day cards is said to be over 4,000 years ago when Elmesu of Babylonia made a card out of clay to “wish his father good health and long life,” according to the Daily Meal. • 22,508 is the number of clothing stores, department stores, warehouse clubs and supercenters around the country where you could buy dad a dress shirt in 2012. sales totaled an estimated $2.6 billion at these locations. (AJPress)
According to the Library of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson — who established Mother’s Day by presidential proclamation in 1914 — approved of having Father’s Day in 1916 but it was never signed as an official proclamation. Nearly 50 years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Inquirer.net photos
that the third sunday in June be devoted as the day for fathers. A decade later in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law calling for a permanent recognition of Father’s Day through issuing a proclamation. The proclamation should urge “the people of the United states to offer public and private
expressions of Father’s Day to the abiding love and gratitude they have for their fathers.” Whether you call him dad, father or tatay or celebrate another father figure in your life, this sunday is not just about gifts — but also about quality time together. happy Father’s Day!
Father’s Day: Celebrating our fathers and father figures by AJPress
This sunday, June 18 is that time of the year we dedicate to the fathers and other paternal influences in our lives. Generally celebrated on the third sunday in June, Father’s Day was inaugurated in the
United states in the early 20th century to complement the Mother’s Day celebration. it was founded in spokane, Washington in 1910 by sonora smart Dodd, who wanted to recognize her father’s
contributions. Dodd’s father, Civil War veteran William Jackson smart, was a single parent who raised her and her five siblings, and Father’s Day in June coincided with his birthday.
Tom Rodriguez: ‘I am forever thankful for my father’ by IzA IGlesIAs ManilaTimes.net
Malang: self-taught painter charmed with imaginative use of color by JuAn
T. GATbonTon Inquirer.net
MALANG—a leader of the second generation of modernists that rejuvenated Philippine painting in the postPacific War period—died at his home in Quezon City last saturday (June 10), just short of 90. Largely self-taught, he was noted for his imaginative use of color. Malang’s contemporaries include Arturo Rogerio Luz, Ang Kiukok, hugo Yonzon, Juvenal sanso, Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, Robeerto Rodriguez Chabet and Romulo Olazo. Born Mauro Malang santos in Manila’s sta. Cruz district in January 1928, he used his maternal surname—that of a pre-spanish clan in san Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan—for his artistic signature. Malang took no formal art lessons beyond those given by a retired art professor in his neighborhood, and half a semester’s classes at the UP College of Fine Arts. After a few months of drawing comics strips for the Roces chain, he moved to the Manila Chronicle in 1947. There he was encouraged to paint by the abstractionist h. R. Ocampo, then one of the editors. Malang also developed friendships with Carlos V. Francisco, Vicente Manansala, Cesar Legaspi, Emilio Aguilar Cruz and the younger “neo-realists” of postwar Manila. Among the international masters, he was most influenced by the Russian-French expressionist Marc Chagall. constant themes in the 1950s, Malang started painting vignettes of Manila’s folk culture in gouache— opaque watercolor—that he found the easiest to use. As it matured, his work became more and more abstract. That it was still capable of engaging the viewer with its variety surprises, since his subjects remained the same: the graceful and sad Filipina; curiously decorative barong-barong; and our archipelago’s exuberant vegetation. Malang’s infectious optimism brought him commercial success long before the critics discovered his work. his first one-man show in 1962 sold out, and he never looked back.
Malang also promoted artists’ causes until, worn out by their incessant factionalism, he retreated into evangelical religion. engaging optimism Malang regarded his life’s work not as art but as a craft. “i don’t make social statements,” he often said. “When i look around me, i see patterns. i just enjoy what i do; and perhaps it shows in my work.” Using gouache, Malang would paint quickly, adding layer after layer, but allowing some of the earlier layers to shine through from underneath— “letting the viewer’s eyes themselves mix the colors.” color the painter’s blood “Color is the blood of the painter, as poetry is the blood of the poet,” said Chagall, who ascribed the qualities of color not only to objects but also to feelings, moods, voices. Filipino critics agree that a great deal of Malang’s painterly charm comes from his highly imaginative use of color. Cid Reyes has described Malang’s paintings as the most color-irradiated ever done in the history of Philippine art. “There is no color he avoids; no color he cannot orchestrate in his palette…” Arturo Luz in 1981 noted that Malang’s “colors glow, running the spectrum from end to end. Each painting is a visual feast—saturating the canvas and filling the senses…” the artist as Filipino The post-war neo-realists—seeking to redefine Filipino aesthetics—thought that Philippine forms and not subject matter would finally differentiate Filipino art. The painter and occasional critic E. Aguilar Cruz seemed to discern this emerging aesthetic in Malang’s work. As early as 1973, Aguilar Cruz wrote that “while Malang’s art is as unlike those of the traditional schools represented by Amorsolo as a straight line is from a scroll, yet they both bear the same stamp of that quality Filipino art lovers mean when they say “Filipino.” “The Artist as Filipino”: that’s a summary of his life and work i’m sure Malang would have liked.
ThE pain from his father William Albert Mott sr.’s death less than three months ago is still heavy in Tom Rodriguez’ heart, as he braces himself from feeling the blow of his loss all the more come Father’s Day on sunday. The Filipino-American actor is grateful, however, that he was able to fly to his hometown in Arizona, UsA a week before Mott succumbed to lung cancer on March 25 to be with his family and was by his father’s side during his last moments. The 29-year-old actor stayed there for almost a month since and didn’t accept any projects after what happened. According to Rodriguez, it was a shock for their family and they were not able to prepare that it will happen anytime soon. The Manila Times together with other members of the media was able to catch up with Rodriguez during his media launch as the newest brand ambassador of Essilor’s Crizal Prevecia. Rodriguez admitted that it was a tough time for their whole family but they are still partly happy that he’s not suffering anymore.
Tom Rodriguez his late father, William Albert Mott Sr.
he added that celebrating Father’s Day come sunday would be different as it will be the first time he wouldn’t be able to greet his dad. “it was a tough thing that happened to my family and none of us have ever encountered or faced anything like that. But that’s life. You have to move on. You have to keep going and the best thing that i could do for
dad is be the best that i can be because everything that i am, partly is because of him,” he shared. “he helped mold and shape the person i am now. i am forever thankful for him so hopefully that will be the best father’s day gift that i can give for him—to show that he inspired me and impassioned me with so many Continued on Page 6
Albert Martinez finds a deeper purpose in life with his children ALBERT Martinez is undeniably a formidable actor with immense talent. Even with the many awards and critical acclaim under his belt, Albert’s greatest trophies—his most precious rewards—are truly his kids: Alyanna, stylist and fashionista; Alissa, online entrepreneur and foodie; and Alfonso, certified car nut and restaurateur. in fact, Albert is first to admit how fatherhood completely changed his life and his outlook. “From a happy-go-lucky lifestyle,” he reveals, “i became more responsible. Being a father really gives you a more purposeful way of looking at life, and makes you more success-driven in order to provide a better future for your family.” The untimely passing of his loving wife Liezl two years ago dealt a painful blow to family. While the void will forever be felt, Albert is grateful that Liezl did an excellent job in laying a strong foundation for their kids as they were growing up. “They’re all very focused and grounded,” he beams with pride. And indeed, the Martinez brood is a picture of a contented, tight-knit family that is supportive of each other’s diverse interests and respective of each other’s personalities, where they make time to bond—to live deeper — just like friends. “My dad and i have a lot of things in common,” shares eldest child Alyanna. “We love traveling, we love the outdoors, and we’re both moody at times,” she confesses. And while Alyanna was steadily making a name for herself
Albert Martinez finds a deeper purpose with his children.
in the world of fashion, Albert was always around to lend his support, attending shows and launches even with his hectic schedule. he even took a break from the hit series “Ang Probinsyano” just to be with Alyanna on her winter wedding in the U.s. last year. For Alissa, on the other hand, her being a foodie and love for animals are the ties that bind her close to her dad. Apart from helping set-up her online business PoppyLuca, an online pet accessories store, they can often be found in the kitchen together trying out new recipes. “My dad and i love to cook and we both love to eat!” she shares with a laugh. And then, of course, there’s Alfonso, the unico hijo and bunso, whose love for cars and karting
is something he picked-up from his dad. “My dad loves tinkering with cars during his free time,” he relates. Alfonso recalls fondly how he and his dad would join car clubs and go to car shows. “it’s really his passion aside from acting, and a hobby that i enjoy myself!” Another thing that runs common among the Martinezes is their love for animals. They currently have seven dogs and translated this passion into a thriving family business: Ask a Vet. With all these blessings and more, Albert Martinez is no doubt the perfect embodiment of TechnoMarine’s Live Deeper spirit. “For me, living deeper is all about knowing yourself more, being yourself, and enjoying life to the fullest!” (ManilaTimes.net)
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
The July 2017 priority dates Application Filing Date
FAMILY CATEGORY:
Visa Issuance Date
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
September September EAch month, the Visa Office of 8, 2007 15, 2006 the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates (2A) Spouse and for that particular month, for the Second Preference minor children (below April 8, 2016 September 21 years old) of green various family and employment 8, 2015 card holder based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a (2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 visa, meaning immigrant visas (or July 22, 2007 November years old or older) green cards) would be available 1, 2006 of green card holder for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed Married sons and below. If your priority date was February 1, December daughters of US Third Preference “current,” but later retrogressed (or 1995 15, 1994 Citizens. “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant Brothers and February 8, February visa was issued (or before you sisters of US Fourth Preference 1995 15, 1994 Citizens. adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes Application Filing Date Visa Issuance Date LABOR CERTIFICATION: current again. Beginning last October 2015, Advanced Degree Second Preference (Masters) Current Current the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Professional/ Filing Date.” If a person’s priority Third Preference July 1, 2015 May 15, 2014 Skilled Workers date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work July 1, 2015 Non-Skilled May 15, 2014 authorization (provided they Other Workers Workers are otherwise eligible and UScIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that member of the State Bar of California and New month). This could allow people to column) in order to both file for York. All immigration services are provided by, adjustment and be eligible for a obtain work authorization much or under the supervision of, an active member sooner than before, where they had green card. of the State Bar of California. Each case is *** to wait for the priority date to be Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active different. The information contained herein current (in the Visa Issuance Date
Monette AdevA MAGlAyA BE on guard. The electronic age has brought us wonders and unbelievable convenience defying space/time constraints and accomplishing things we can only do in previous times if we were physically present in one place. With an internet connection, we can do great and wonderful things that were the stuff of science fiction not so long ago. But there is a sinister side to the internet. The amount of available crud (translate that
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u N E 1 6 , 20 1 7
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:
First Preference
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
An Asian Journal Magazine
ABUSED AND ACCUSED WOMAN GETS THE ULTIMATE REDEMPTION IN HER GREEN CARD ON A BRAND NEW EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY”. Imagine being broken on the inside by your husband’s constant verbal abuse and then getting a signed confession from him saying that yours was never a real marriage.That’s the hellish nightmare that Evelyn (center) suffered from her former husband. That same confession jeopardized the petition by her current spouse, Glenn (left), for her. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) proved the allegations wrong and eventually delivered Evelyn’s ultimate redemption in the form of her green card on a brand new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” - on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice
Of scams, suckers and the wheels of justice “There is a sucker born every minute.”
- A quote mistakenly ascribed to P.T. Barnum but actually said by an unknown competitor to disgusting things like porn and some such variation of evil) on the net is staggering. In the book I wrote for immigrants, for old-timers as well as for johnnycome-latelies, there is a chapter dedicated on avoiding the pitfalls of scams and the schemes of con artists designed to separate you from your hard-earned money. This time, the level of sophistication is up a notch. We
are all at risk, unless and until we take the necessary psychological precautions to deal with this and become relatively “scam proof.” No one is sacrosanct.These scams are designed to prey upon two basic weaknesses in our human nature: GREED and FEAR. here’s one blanket caveat to keep us on our toes about how lottery scams play out in cyberspace. REMEMBER — and
I can’t emphasize this often enough, on this matter, and perhaps, other significant areas of life — IF IT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS. Okay, repeat that as your mantra. The scams that feed on greed are so sophisticated that they can send a seemingly authentic check by mail from a real bank with so many zeroes on it. If you bite at the first overture, they then ask for a processing fee from you for you to get the rest of the winnings. This is called the Nigerian scam apparently because the first perpetrators allegedly were well educated but destitute Nigerians who found that their facility for the English language could be
regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for
anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES
exploited to scam millions using the internet. The scam has spread and morphed with mind-boggling variations but with only one nefarious purpose. No one race or culture has the monopoly on these. These can originate anywhere in the world. I have had mine come in purportedly from G8 as well as impoverished countries. If you have not consciously joined any lottery, why in heaven’s name would you think you have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning even one thin dime? Also, legitimate lotteries will NEVER, repeat NEVER, ask you for money in order for a winner to claim a prize. There’s this cautionary tale of a young wife and her pastor
husband in Tennessee.She shot him dead when things came to a head, having fallen victim to such a scam. They were out $17,500 and her husband, she claimed, was short-tempered with her, criticizing her for every little thing. A night of bickering over money apparently caused her to snap. Of course, there may have been existing cracks in the marriage and the trigger that blew it apart is a supposedly innocuous email. The lives of this couple’s three young children are forever changed. Some scams feed on your fear. One of the most deceptive things is to receive an email from your bank instructing you to click on a link and verify your information
(Advertising Supplement)
Continued on Page 6
An Asian Journal Magazine
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On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong ThE genesis has elaborately provided us with the accurate knowledge about Creation and Adam, being the first ever human being justifiably symbolizes the supremacy of man over the rest. Man’s role since had been associated with fatherhood…as somebody who sires, rears, and provides for his offspring. A father, aside from being known as the male parent of a child, has a parental legal and social relationship with his progeny that carries certain rights and obligations. he could also be an adoptive father through the legal process of adoption; a biological father if he’s the direct genetic contributor in the creation of the child either through sexual intercourse or sperm donation; a putative father if his biological relationship to a child is alleged but hasn’t been established; a step father when he marries somebody with a child; a posthumous dad when he died even before the child was born; a foster father when he raises a non-biological child as his own; or an inventory father if he has registered and patented an original innovation. And to fervently show and express our appreciation for all the wonderful things fathers have done for us, observing Father’s Day is one significantly heartwarming way to celebrate their greatness. Although history has unearthed a stunning fact that could sufficiently attest to the early practice of Father’s Day when a Babylonian youth named Elmesu carved the first known Father’s Day card (wishing his father good health and long life) in clay nearly 4,000 years ago, still, the world continuously recognizes the modern-day origin of Father’s Day. Complementing one of the world’s biggest celebrated
EMPLOYMENT
In honor of all fathers in the world occasions - Mother’s Day, Father’s Day honors its great male counterpart every third Sunday of June, although other countries celebrate it on other days. Currently Father’s Day is the 4th largest card-selling occasion in the US alone…coming close to Christmas, Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. Arkansas-born Sonora Smart Dodd is duly credited for inventing Father’s Day for a very personal reason. her own father, William Jackson Smart, a civil war veteran, has amazingly accomplished a great job by rearing his six children as a single parent in Spokane, Washington. She recommended the reading of her poem in a mass to honor his father’s birthday on June 19, 1910 although his actual birthday was June 5. Because of the occasion’s social relevance, a bill to set a national recognition of the holiday was introduced in congress in 1913 but failed to attract the necessary number of votes to pass it. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the special day also failed. In 1957, Maine senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing congress of ignoring the bill that could have honored the other half of our parents. Fifty six years after the initial awareness of Father’s Day in 1910, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Presidential Proclamation designating the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. In 1972, the celebration became a permanent national holiday when President Johnson finally signed it into law, like Mother’s Day which was signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 for national observance. Summing it up, Father’s day is actually 58 years younger than Mother’s Day. Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd, in addition, encouraged the wearing of roses on this special occasion: a red rose for living dads and white
My father (standing extreme left) with my youngest brother, Joji, my mom, and his three grandchildren
for those who had died. A personal account of my own father is something inflexible to decipher since I felt a seemingly imperceptible wall that detached me from him…maybe due to his being the archetype of a supreme martinet and formidable disciplinarian. Cecilio Salvador Yalong, a native of Pulong Gubat, Bigaa, Bulacan (now Balagtas town), was strappingly well-built and brawny, and his military background was relentlessly extended until his maturing years…setting house rules to be imperatively followed and observed sans question or hesitation. We became acclimatized to the imposing implication of his sharp looks, brusque whistle, and incontrovertible lip motions or else a waft of stick or raging whip of a belt would instantly make us grasp the degree of our blunder and bungle. his presence was physically powerful enough to make us cower in fear. But behind his authoritative nature was the image of a munificent provider, a skilled handy man, a dauntless hunter, a green thumb gardener, a simple man with simple tastes and preferences, and a frustrated singer. When he was good, he was the best…but when he got mad, he could be the most horrible. Being the first born among
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SERVICES
And yes, I got reprimanded after he showed me Mousy’s bald spot. My father wasn’t picky with food but peanuts, roasted or plainly boiled, made him really full. he would mix his rice with peanuts and bagoong (sautéed shrimp paste), and he felt like feasting over a five-star meal. having a good natural voice his nine children, I was literally was something my father was delegated to take over in his deprived of. During my youth, absence since he became a bus I remember how his voice driver plying between Manila permeated in the stillness of the and Rizal province completing night during a harana (serenade). 6 to 7 round trips daily. I could The funny part was, every time he still vividly bring to mind how I would be requested to sing, he closely supervised my siblings would readily oblige but the song on their assigned task for fear was the same…”Pipit Puso” (a of getting scolded if they failed native lovebird) which he would while simultaneously assisting my effortlessly deliver in a nasalized mother in her everyday chores. tone. After being away for days, I knew he was very proud of my father would come home on me although he never verbalized weekends and that would jolt it. he would brag among his me…not because I was scared of friends about my achievements being ticked off or yelled at for and how far I’ve journeyed. But any gaffe but because he would there were instances when I could require me to pull out his white feel he’s jealous of my mom since hair after shower. I could hear my I was extremely close to the latter. playmates’ screams and laughter And when my mom died there while I was pinned down with was a huge change in him. he tweezers trying to collect as much became a loner and all his strong white hair for him to check upon traits gradually putrefied and his waking up. silence was loud enough to be A clever idea flickered on my heard and understood… until he mind upon sight of our black finally closed his eyes while I was and white cat, Mousy. Being away. naturally clingy it was easy for It was only when he left me to gather a few strands from us when I came to realize that its white spots…and voila! I was we, me and my siblings, are able to escape from my sleeping absolutely orphans… with father and joined my siblings and nobody to call “Inang” or playmates outside. “Amang…” nobody to celebrate The height of my delight was Mother’s Day and Father’s spoiled by my father’s alarming Day with… no parents to run whistle. Only a few giant leaps to in times of grief or when instantaneously brought me in lost…no words of wisdom front of him. I already knew my to enlighten our path. It was clever idea wasn’t smart afterall. too late to appreciate that my
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father’s presence was more than a manifestation of my mother’s absence. ... that his sternness and being a disciplinarian were the compelling forces that molded me to what and who I am. I say, shower your father with the same degree of affection as your mother. Make him feel all the love that you can give while he could still appreciate everything rather than making up and forever be sorry for what you failed to do after the world’s greatest man in your life has finally been gone. Take it from me… I still could feel its lingering guilt! Father’s Day could be a very opportune time to reconnect, establish a stronger relationship, or express dormant emotions to the man you always consider the paragon of heroism, the chief shepherd of the flock, the master of the house, the patriarch of the family, and the guy you constantly look up to… your father. Father’s Day or not, our fathers rightfully deserve the unconditional love, consistent understanding, unfailing support, and unending gratitude expected of us. The bible strongly attests to the definite roles of a father: “A father encourages and comforts his children, urging them to live lives worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12). He is in charge with the instructions (Proverbs 1:8-9) and discipline (Hebrews 12:10) of his offspring. He is expected to provide “good gifts” for his children (Matthew 7:9-11). And most of all, he is to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)”. For comments and suggestions, please email: gemini0646@yahoo.com.
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Health@Heart
Red meat and cancer
condition that increases the risk for the development of heart attack and stroke. PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS In 2005 alone, 32,180 Americans and 60,000 Europeans A DIET high in processed meat were found to have pancreatic (sausages, luncheon meats, etc.) cancer, a disease that is often may increase the risk of carnivores diagnosed late because they are developing pancreatic cancer not readily obvious clinically. Less by almost 70 percent, reported than 5 percent of these patients a recent major study that was live for more than five years after published in the Journal of the the cancer is first detected. National Cancer Institute and Other risk factors include APICHA officials and guests led by its CEO Therese Rodriguez (extreme right) cut the ribbon at the newly-expanded facility at 400 Broadway. released to the public in October smoking, family history Plans are underway for the opening of the agency’s Jackson Heights facility in 2018. 2005. of cancer of the pancreas, The report showed “an obesity, diabetes, age (older average of 41 cases of pancreatic ones), gender (male), ethnicity cancer were diagnosed per (African), exposure to certain 100,000 people each year among dyes, pesticides, and chemicals those who ate the most processed related to gasoline. Helicobacter meat compared with 20 cases pylori infection that causes the Chin, Daniel Dromm and Corey primary care, preventive health NEW YORk, NY- Apicha among those who ate the least.” common ulcer of the stomach Johnson for helping make the services, mental health and Community Health Center This research, which included is also a predisposing factor. clinic expansion at 400 Broadway 180,000 individuals, also found support services. It will allow on Tuesday, June 13 officially African Americans appear to have possible,” said Gertrudes us to significantly increase our opened its expanded that individuals who ate even higher incidence of pancreatic “Ding” Pajaron, Apicha CHC’s outreach to those who often operations at 400 Broadway in non-processed red meats, cancer and poorer prognosis Chief Development Officer. have the least protections,” the Chinatown-Tribeca area. including pork, beef, and any than Whites. “The clinic expansion allows said Rodriguez. “Health care is Apicha CHC CEO Therese R. other red meats, had a 50 percent Abdominal ultrasound, CT us to help more members of a human right, a social justice Rodriguez gathered with staff, higher risk of having cancer of the scan, and Endoscopic ultrasound our community and the new issue, a racial justice issue, an elected officials and community pancreas. While this is 20 percent are some procedures, together pharmacy adds additional LGBTQ issue, and an immigrant members for an official ribbon lower compared to those who ate with some blood and liver convenience for our patients. All processed meats, 50% increase rights issue. Today we rededicate cutting ceremony, unveiling function tests, that aid in the of our staff are thrilled to serve ourselves to ensuring even more the facility’s new state of the in the risk is still too high for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. even more of our NYC residents underserved and vulnerable New art ground floor and lower comfort, since pancreatic cancer The treatment of pancreatic and increase our capacity Yorkers are afforded top notch, level space that adds to the is a very painful and fatal disease, cancer varies according to the to further the work we are culturally competent care aimed organization’s current fourth with no known cure. stage of the malignancy. The committed to doing.” at improving their health and floor clinical operations. Scientists think the culpritmanagement includes surgery, In addition to this expansion, carcinogen (cancer-causing wellbeing.” The expansion more than radiation, chemotherapy Apicha CHC plans to open Plans to expand Apicha CHC doubles the number of exam agent) may not be the saturated alone, and chemotherapy a second facility in Jackson began in 2013 when the agency rooms and counseling rooms at fat in red meats but the nitratewith a targeted treatment. The Heights, Queens this in the received a Vital Access Provider the center, allowing Apicha CHC based preservatives and the Whipple Procedure is the most spring of 2018. The Jackson grant from New York State to to serve even more people who cooking method, like charcoal popular surgery for cancer Heights site will offer primary hire additional primary care live in Lower Manhattan and grilling and broiling. Apparently, of the head of the pancreas. care for adults and children, and mental health providers, its core constituency including the cooking method and the Modern advances in surgery dental, mental health, lifesupport services staff, and other Asians and Pacific Islanders, the nitrate preservatives each play a today have allowed resection stabilizing support services, and great role as carcinogens. essential administrative staff. LGBTQ community, individuals of pancreatic cancers which an LGBTQ meeting room where Apicha CHC then set plans in living with and affected by While the saturated fat were considered unresectable the organization will engage motion to expand clinic space HIV/AIDS, and many other in fresh (no preservative) red in the past. Completely resected with the community. to accommodate additional underserved and vulnerable New meat appears not to be linked pancreatic cancer provides the Apicha CHC’s Jackson patients. Clinic expansion Yorkers. The new space includes to pancreatic cancer in this best opportunity for a survival Heights expansion project is designs were completed in the 7 new exam rooms at street level, study, other studies have shown on a longer term, albeit still not funded by the New York State Spring of 2015 and construction 5 private rooms for other services that people who eat red meat a cure. Delivery System Payment (DSRIP) regularly have a higher risk for began in October 2015. and an on-site pharmacy on the The most common drug program’s Capital Restructuring “We are extremely grateful lower level. developing cancer of the colon, used is gemcitabine (Gemzar), Financing Program (CRFP) and t New York State for its vital “This expansion is a breast, and other cancers in but recently this drug, in the New York City Economic support and incredibly thankful recommitment to Apicha’s 27-year general, compared to those who combination with erlotimib Development Corporation’s to the H. van Ameringen history of improving the health of minimize eating red meat.Red (Tarceva), has proved useful in Community Health Center PreFoundation, as well as City our communities and increasing meat also causes a quick rise in advanced cases. Chemotherapy Development Support project. Council Members Margaret access to comprehensive the cholesterol blood level, a may be used in combination with
Apicha Community Health Center to serve more vulnerable New Yorkers
radiation, which uses high energy x-rays to shrink the tumor or slow its growth. The other option is biological and targeted therapies, which “enhances the body natural immune system to stop tumor growth, changing cellular signals that permit tumor growth, making tumors more susceptible to an immune system attack; and blocking the process that change normal cells into cancer, thereby stopping the abnormal growth behavior of a tumor.” Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors, besides eating red meat. For prevention, minimizing red meat ingestion, abstinence from cigarettes, maintaining a normal body weight, daily exercises, and eating a lot of vegetables, fruits and whole grains have all been found to significantly lower the risk of the development of pancreatic cancer, not to mention heart disease, stroke, other forms of cancer, and even Alzheimer’s. In cardiovascular illnesses, like heart attack and stroke, in metabolic diseases, like type 2 diabetes, and in most cancers, lifestyle and personal behavior are the greatest factors in the causation of these maladies, and these killers are, therefore, preventable. As always, as far as our health is concerned, the ball is in our court. How we play it will determine the quality of our life and our future. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA,a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
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An Asian Journal Magazine
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u N E 1 6 , 20 1 7
To the newest ‘Kapamilya’ star Richard Gutierrez: Keep your head high and your feet on the ground
By Monet
Lu
I was watching the news the other day when I saw a report about Richard Gutierrez’s transfer to aBs-CBN. as I watched him talk about the move to his former rival station, my mind wandered off to memory lane. I recall the time when this young man was just a little kid – yes, I’ve known him since he was still a child star and as part of their on-screen duo with his twin brother, Raymond. I remember how I used to take him to the movies and we would eat ice cream afterward. He was a simple kid with such a kind and innocent heart. It scared me a little when he finally decided to move to the Philippines to take his showbiz career seriously. He was growing into a typical adventurous teenager. It felt like letting go of your own son so he could spread his wings. I remember telling him that life in the Philippines would be different and that no matter what happens, he should always look back and remember his fans who were there for him when he was just starting out. several years later, standing before me now, is a fine gentleman with a string of accomplishment up his sleeves – the greatest of which is becoming a father to his son Zion. Fatherhood seems to suit Richard pretty well and he is
Richard Gutierrez
maturing in so many ways. His relationship with his partner sarah Lahbati is going strong and this network-move seems to be heading in the right direction. among his projects with aBsCBN are a movie with his former onscreen GMa partner, angel Locsin, and angelica Panganiban, and the upcoming series “La Luna sangre.” In “La Luna sangre,” Richard will play the role of sandrino, the supreme vampire and the long lost son of Magnus (Jake Roxas). “La Luna sangre” is the third installment of the hit fantasy franchise, after Lobo and Imortal, both produced by star Creatives. This is Richard’s first role as a vampire and is definitely a mustsee. I am looking forward to seeing him again perform in a teleserye. without a doubt, he is definitely going to rock this role! “Everything fell into place
Calendar of Events across
perfectly. I believe that it’s a blessing. I believe that God won’t give me this blessing if He knew I’m not ready. an opportunity, an offer like this doesn’t come very often. I’m not going to take it for granted. I’m going to embrace it and enjoy it and work hard for it! My whole family is very happy. actually, napanood nila ‘yung live stream. They’re very supportive and very happy. I’m so blessed to have my family with me all the time,” he said. Richard is very thankful for the trust the network has given him. “at ‘yung pag-welcome nila sa’kin, ang sarap ng feeling. Pati sa set, napakabait nila sa’kin...I couldn’t ask for anything better…” Richard said at a press conference. It’s been years since Richard went on a hiatus from the limelight and now that he is back, he brings such a calm and renewed demeanor like we’ve never seen before: “I’ve been away from the limelight for a while now. I really needed that to grow as a person, as a man, to spend time with my kid and my family. I needed that time away. Now, I’m back. Now, I’m ready. I’m reenergized and focused and I know myself better now.” “I chose to rest, to really step back, to look myself, to look at people around me, what really matters to me, to my family, and I needed that just to re-energize myself,” he added. In many ways, Richard has grown into the very person I wished for him to be. without taking credit, I really believe that he has taken all of my advice to heart – and for that, I will always Continued on Page 7
Gal Gadot praises Paolo Ballesteros for ‘Wonder Woman’ transformation
by Rosette Adel Philstar.com
NO less than wonder woman herself, Gal Gadot, praised actor and host Paolo Ballesteros for his “wonder woman” makeup transformation. Gal took to her social media accounts, Facebook and Twitter to recognize Paolo’s transformation. The Israeli-born former beauty queen turned actress posted the 45-second makeup transformation video of Paolo and tagged him. “wow! This is incredible Paolo Ballesteros. Bravo #wonderwoman,” Gal
Paolo Ballesteros pulled another incredible makeup project, this time, copying the iconic female superhero, Wonder Woman.
wrote. Gal’s Facebook post earned over 51,000 reactions while her Twitter post gained more than 8,200 favorites as of posting. In his makeup transformation video, Paolo copied the iconic DC female superhero wonder woman from her makeup look to the attire including her tiara and metallic-looking top. Paolo previously showed this transformation in a livestream
Is Rachelle Ann Go in a relationship with US businessman Martin Spies?
America
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FASO to hold gala benefit in Los Angeles The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO), the only Filipino symphony orchestra outside of the Philippines, will hold “A Night of Symphony,” its first ever gala benefit dinner on Saturday, June 17 at the majestic estate of Hollywood legend Mary Pickford in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. The special evening will honor FASO’s first Excellence in Music awardees and distinguished contributors to the pioneering orchestra’s mission and objectives. The names of the honorees will be announced soon. Filipino chefs who are part of the movement that’s making Pinoy cuisine a worldwide sensation will prepare the sumptuous dinner. The exciting gala, sponsored by Bank of Hope, Pacific Western Bank and Silver Saddle Ranch & Club, will feature two parts. There will be a meet and greet for a limited number of guests, starting at 4:00 p.m., with a guest of honor, the awardees and other distinguished guests. The second part will be the main event – awards program and dinner – which will begin at 5:30 p.m. For inquiries, contact FASO board members Rocio Nuyda, the gala’s chairperson at 818-602-3214 or rocio@msn.com, or Jose Luis Garcia at 310-936-2988 or jl.garcia@aol.com. More details are also available at www.fasogala.org.
“Dancing for the World,” a fundraiser for the Columban Mission in Los Angeles Kalayaan Incorporated southern California, with the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate GenDancing for the world is hosting an event on saturday, June 17 to raise funds for the Columban missionaries all over the world. It will be held at the Friendship auditorium (3201 Riverside Drive, Los angeles, Ca 90027) from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The Columban missionaries help poor communities that need spiritual, material and organizational assistance. Priests and lay missionaries alike follow the examples of Jesus by witnessing and helping people, crossing boundaries of culture, language and dialogue with other religious beliefs. The dinner dance event ticket is at $40 and raffle ticket is at $2 each. If you buy a booklet of $20 raffle tickets, you can get 2 extra tickets. The more tickets you buy, the more chances of winning. First prize is a cruise for two along the Mexican Riviera; second prize is a Flat screen TV and third prize is an iPad tablet. If you have anything to share for consolation prizes, we are also collecting. You can send it to this address: Dancing for the world (c/o Bernie santos), 2912 Moss avenue, Los angeles, Ca 90065.For tickets and more information, you can contact Carmencita Enriquez at (213) 880-5075 or ariel Presbitero at (323) 691-5262.
J u n e 25
Fiesta ng Calamba in Carson, CA The Calamba Association of Southern California invites everyone to the Fiesta ng Calamba (St. John the Baptist Feast Day) on Sunday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be held at the Veterans Sports Complex at 22400 Moneta Ave., Carson, CA 90745. For more information, please contact Teresita Pinuela Hermosura at (626) 335-1008.
“Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab” in Glendale, CA Come to the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 25 for an unforgettable performance! The Ryan Cayabyab Singers will be joined by local Fil-Am artists, including Giselle Tongi, Annie Nepomuceno, Miguel Vera, The Harana Men’s Chorus, Edsel Sotiangco, Michael Keith, the Los Angeles Young Ambassadors (LAYA), Josie Gonzalez, Louisa Tampi and more from the Pilipino Artist Network. Presented by Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA in cooperation with FilamARTS, tickets are available at the Alex Theatre box office and online links are posted on www.musicartsevents.com. Venue address is 216 North Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203.
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APALA’s fundraising awards dinner in San Francisco The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)’s San Francisco Chapter will hold a “fundraising awards dinner” on June 29 at 5:30-10 p.m. at Fort McKinley Restaurant (101 Brentwood Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080). APALA will honor individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocating and defending worker and immigrant rights and promoting economic justice. For more information, please call Celia Rivera of APALA-SF at (650) 296-9623.
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
session last May. He also posted this in his personal Instagram account. The Filipino actor is popular for his makeup transformations. He was previously recognized by International websites such as the Daily Mail of the UK, Cosmopolitan magazine and MTV, as well as america’s Next Top Model host Tyra Banks, whom he previously copied in one of his looks.
Rachelle Ann Go with rumored boyfriend Martin Photo from Go’s Instagram account
COULD Rachelle ann Go have been in a rhapsodic relationship with a foreigner for the past three months? The singer, who is currently based in New York to perform for “Miss saigon,” might have introduced her new love through her Instagram posts in March. On Monday, June 12 on Instagram, Go shared a photo of her with american businessman Martin spies with the caption, “Thank you for being amazing! Happy 30th Marthinus.” It appears that Go has been posting photos of spies over the past three months— they were photographed in the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York and during an escapade in Brooklyn, among other occasions. Go’s rumored boyfriend galvanized the interest of her fans, who stormed her Instagram page with congratulatory messages. Go was previously in a relationship with “Pinoy Big Brother” winner slater Young, but called it quits in 2014. she continues to give Filipinos something to be proud of as she will also join the cast of the west End production of the hit musical “Hamilton” later this year. (Gianna Francesca Catolico/Inquirer.net)
Tom Rodriguez: ‘I am forever... From Page 2 things,” Rodriguez added. It is obvious the sadness of Rodriguez while he was talking but it didn’t prohibit him from sharing his fondest memories with his late father. “when I was five years old, he would open and fix the computer and when he was able to put it back together, I would copy once he leave and do what he just did but instead of fixing it, I broke it. The next day, he called me and ask to help fix it with him without even getting mad. whether it was drawing, computers, whatever I wanted to learn, he let me and he knew that if you want something you’re passionate about, you explore and I am forever thankful for that. I miss him so much,” Rodriguez said. “But the most memorable thing I miss and I will remember of him is with the horses. Right after highschool, before I went to college—I am with him always in the stables. Everytime that a
horse would kick a post from the stables, we’d hammer it back in, everytime the roof of the stables would fly off from harsh winds, we would put it back together. we spend a lot of time with the horses, training them, making sure they were okay. That was the hardest part when he has to leave our place before, and that’s one thing he doesn’t want to talk about because he knew he was going to leave his horses—it was very hard for him,” he added. Rodriguez’ ardent passion in digital art is evident in many of his Instagram post and according to him, he inherited the interest of art through his father. Many of his artworks comprise of creatures from Philippine folklore, plus superheroes and characters from animer, games and comics. He sketches and sculpts in between takes during drama filming or photo shoots. and now, he is also aspiring to become an app designer and
have own company in animation and production. “Ever since I am artistically inclined. I got it from my dad and my sisters. My dad draws also but they don’t like the chemical smell so for one Christmas, my dad got us all little graphics tablet. That’s how I started. I took up digital animation in college but even before that I was already self-taught and my dad help me with it,” he said. “I am now considering investing. I just invested in the equipment and I’ve been trying to bring everything over here for a few years now. It’s for a different way of postproduction in animation. I’ve been proposing it, I spoke about it when I did a talk about animation before using real time renders and no one seem to want to do it so I said I will do it myself. I will be putting up my own animation and production company,” Rodriguez updated.
Of scams, suckers and the wheels... From Page 3 since someone supposedly is accessing your account and if you don’t verify your information, particularly your pin number or password, this can result in a temporary hold on your funds. Yeah, right. I received a legitimate authentic looking email from Bank of america with such a story line. The thing is I don’t have an existing account and reading the fine print below and editing the grammatical errors are red flags that tell me these con artists have breached my spam guard. No legitimate financial entity will ask you for information of such nature. If you do have an account, cut these scammers off at the knees with the simple
expediency of calling the fraud unit of your bank or credit card company yourself. Take the bull by the horns. Generate the call. Get the telephone number from your statement or your card and DO NOT CaLL THE NUMBER that the caller or e-mailer provided you with. It’s a trap. Report such emails as spam. Don’t just delete it. sure, they will morph into another form but be proactive and make it more difficult for them. These scams are like viruses or shape shifters and can mutate faster than the speed of light. PC users are more vulnerable to spammers/ scammers and pesky pop-ups than Mac users. C’est la vie. Is there karmic justice? Because con artists on the internet rarely ever see the faces
of their victims or know the full extent of the damage that they wreak on real people with real lives, these crimes seem impersonal in nature and rarely, if ever, do con artists get their comeuppance. The wheels of justice grind ponderously, exceedingly slow and you sometimes wonder, if they would ever catch up with this distinct phenomenon of the interesting times we live in. Be on guard. For now, a healthy dose of cynicism and a smidgen of common sense work as well as an ounce of prevention. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Fil-Am Jacob Batalon on being best friends with Spider-Man on and off screen by MJ
by Bot
be thankful and proud of him. To Chard, You’ve heard me say this one too many times but I’ll say it again: keep your head high and your feet on the ground. I wish you all the best on your projects with your new home. In your journey as a parent, I have no doubt in my mind that you will carry with you all the lessons you’ve learned
Glosorio
Philstar.com
Tom Holland, lead star of ‘Spider-Man,’ tells In The Know how he and Batalon are now good friends
I mean look at the guy! He’s amazing! He gave so much life and humor to who I was portraying in the film and now we have a brotherhood.” Their chemistry was such a hit apparently that Spidey fans may be seeing more of Jacob’s character in the future. Speaking of brotherhood, before the red carpet festivities for “SpiderMan: Homecoming,” Tom and Jacob hit the infinity pool and golf course together, and said they could not wait to explore the rest of the world together for the press tour. Tom added he finds it hard not to have Jacob by his side, and even revealed they want to visit the Philippines together! Jacob is a full-blooded Filipino who was born and raised in Hawaii. “I don’t speak Filipino but I do understand Tagalog like it’s English. We grew up in a Filipino household.” More than the language, Jacob says that he is
Filipino-American actor Jacob Batalon plays Spider-Man’s loveable sidekick in the hero’s upcoming film
more well versed with the dishes. “My mom cooks adobo, sinigang all the time. I also like the chicken soup with malunggay (tinola).” “Spider-Man: Homecoming” is showing on July 6. According to comic experts, it is the closest thing to the comics version of Spidey. Marvel and Sony introduces him this time as a high school student and new superhero enjoying his powers and out to prove that he can belong to the world of the Avengers.
To the newest ‘Kapamilya’ star Richard Gutierrez...
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J u N E 1 6 , 20 1 7
Zanjoe Marudo on fatherhood: ‘It will happen in god’s time’
Marfori
ManilaTimes.net
LIvIng it up in Singapore was what Marvel’s latest superhero Tom Holland and our kababayan Jacob Batalon were doing last week when In The Know had the chance to hang out with them at the red carpet of the ArtScience Museum in Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The Lion City was their first stop for the fresh and muchanticipated take on the well-loved superhero’s latest flick “SpiderMan: Homecoming.” Tom and Jacob were really having the time of their lives as they danced on the stage in sync to the tune of Walk The Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance!” with thousands of Spider-Man fans and comic experts cheered them on, many dressed up as Spidey themselves. But while Tom Holland was of course the star of the show, it was also evident how FilipinoAmerican actor Jacob Batalon was winning the hearts of fans with his mild demeanor and sudden punch lines, which made everyone roll in laughter. Our kababayan was adored indeed as he gave in to selfies for a line as long as the lead star’s. Tom even told In The Know that he wouldn’t have done as well as he thought he did in the movie if it weren’t for Jacob and their friendship. They were given the freedom to add in improvs in their scenes, which even made it to the final edit. “Ours is the real deal. He is now my BFF on and off screen.
growing up and teach Zion everything he needs to know to grow up to be like his dad. Stay as loving as you are now to your family and friends, and most especially to Sarah. She is such a great influence and an amazing partner to you. Advance Happy Father’s Day! Hope to catch up soon! *** Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-
a r e l a V y e
winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
DESPITE being single, Zanjoe Marudo has no qualms about portraying daddy roles on the big and small screens. He was a responsible dad guido Querubin in “Annaliza,” a role model dad Baste Javier in “Dream Dad” and his portrayal of natoy villadolid was equally memorable in “Tubig at Langis.” In “Maria Leonora Teresa,” the Kapamilya actor impressively displayed great love for his daughter as Julio Sacdalan. no wonder being a dad already feels like second skin to him as Jude de Jesus in “My Dear Heart” which is now on its last week of airing. During the fantasy drama series’ thanksgiving presscon held recently, Zanjoe even claimed that he is ready to take on the responsibilities and challenges of being a father in real life. But he cannot exactly tell yet when it is going to happen. “It seems to me that when you plan things like that, chances are, it would not materialize,” Zanjoe said. “So, I’m not giving myself a deadline. You just have to trust that it will happen in god’s time. Doon ako sa kung kailan n’ya ibigay sa akin.” After the presscon, Zanjoe further discussed the matter with The Star. He said that at his age — turning 35 on July 23 — he certainly has an aspiration to be an active and energetic father. Problem is, he cannot force it to happen soon. “gustuhin ko man ngayon, parang ayoko naman puwersahin ang sarili ko na maghanap (ng bagong mamahalin) o bumuo ng pamilya kung di pa naman ‘yun ang nararamdaman ko. “But I do believe that the time will come when I am ready to raise a family and I’m sure when that day comes, everything is going to be perfect.” Off-cam, he has been showering his nieces and nephews
With his ‘My Dear Heart’co-stars including veterans Coney Reyes (third from left, front row), Rio Locsin and Robert Arevalo (third and fourth from left, back row) during the thanksgiving presscon for the primetime fantasy drama series.
with his “daddy kind of love.’’ That’s why he feels he would be a spoiler dad “because I am the type who finds it hard to say no to other people. What more to my child? But I hope I will learn to balance everything when I become a dad.” The thought of running around with three children excites him no end. “Whether they are boys or girls, the gender does not matter to me. What’s important is they come out healthy and normal.” That said, he gushed about Jude, his character in My Dear Heart, whose daughter Heart (played by nayomi Ramos) is fighting for dear life. Zanjoe admires fathers who go through the same dilemma in real life. “Si Jude, di nawawalan ng loob sa mga pagsubok na dumarating sa kanya. I admire fathers who possess that quality. I can say that Jude and I share the same trait when facing life’s many challenges. Jude remains positive in spite of the hardships; na kahit ano pa yan, dadaan lang yan at malalagpasan yan. “I think all the characters that I have portrayed showed an admirable trait of giving everything they’ve got for their child — tunay man na anak o hindi. In a way, I have learned a lot from my roles.” Apart from taking care of a sick daughter in “My Dear Heart,”
Just the Start of the Star-studded List!
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Zanjoe Marudo reveals he would love to have three children in the future.
Zanjoe’s Jude is handling the issue between his wife Clara (Bela Padilla) and Doc gia (Ria Atayde). If you are tuned in night after night in the primetime series, then you already know that the latter is Jude’s former girlfriend and the mom of Heart. “If and when that happens to me in real life, I will do what is right. S’yempre paninindigan ko kung sino ang asawa ko at di ko hahayaan na maapektuhan kami ng mga pangyayari bago kami naging mag-asawa. We promised each other to stick together in bad times and in good so we have to be together in whatever circumstance we are in.” With only a few tapings left to complete the drama series, Zanjoe looks forward to playing golf again “because I really missed the outdoor fun of it and look (pointing to his skin) I’m beginning to turn white, hahahaha.”
SHOW OPENS: Saturday, August 12 Starts at 12noon with participation of VIP’s and Top Guests Performers Sunday, August 13 Starts at 10am with Mass and colorful Santacruzan Parade
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