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Volume 10 – Issue 34 • 16 Pages
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CA approves Cayetano appointment Fil-Am teen killed in car crash after prom as new Dept. of Foreign Affairs chief DATELINE
USA
FROM tHe AJPRess NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
Mother sustains non-life threatening injuries
by Dana
SioSon AJPress
A FILIPINO-American teenage girl was killed in a car crash in the Bay Area on sunday morning, May 14, as she and her mother were on their way home from senior prom. At around 2:30 a.m., 18-year-old shane Alexis Marcelino of Fremont, Filipino-American Shane Alexis Marcelino, C a l i f o r n i a 18, of Fremont, California was killed in a car was riding in crash on Sunday morning, May 14, on her the passen- way home from senior prom. Photo from Marcelino’s GoFundMe ger’s seat of page created by Noah Dela Rosa black toyota yaris driven by her mother, Maria. Just a few blocks from the Marcelinos’ home, the yaris attempted to make a left-hand turn, when it collided with a blue Chevy Malibu traveling in the opposite direction, according to vari-
tHe Commission on Appointments (CA) has approved the nomination of senator Alan Peter Cayetano as the new chief of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Cayetano’s appointment met no opposition from the members of the CA
committee on foreign affairs led by senator Panfilo Lacson. His nomination was approved in less than five minutes before he could even deliver his opening statement on Wednesday morning, May 17 — which, according to Lacson, is likely the “shortest confirmation hearing of a Cabinet secretary.” the CA committee referred Cayeta-
no’s confirmation to the plenary in the afternoon. It also approved the motion to confirm his nomination without objection. Cayetano’s approval came a week after President Rodrigo Duterte announced his nomination on May 10, after the one-year appointment ban on losing candidates in the May 2016 elections ended.
sAN FRANCIsCO – Immigrant rights advocates say that despite the cloud of fear hanging over communities in the first 100 days of the trump administration, there is also a growing and increasingly organized resistance. “We are seeing an increase in the number of people apprehended for removal,” Melissa Chua, immigration director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), told reporters on a national press call organized by New America Media and Ready California. “It’s not just growing infrastructure [for future deportations]…we’re seeing it in reality.” U.s. Immigration and Customs enforcement made 21,362 arrests from January 20 to March 13 of this year, a third more than during the same period in 2016, according to numbers requested by the Washington Post. the figures include 5,441 non-citizens with no criminal record, double the number during the same time last year. the statistics reflect a shift in priorities from the Obama administration, which sought to prioritize certain criminals and recent arrivals for deportation. Under trump, the deportation
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by Delon
Porcalla Philstar.com
MANILA - Deemed lacking in substance, the impeachment complaint against President Duterte met an early end at the House committee on justice on Monday, May 15. All 42 of the 50 committee members present at the hearing voted to declare the complaint lacking in substance, effectively consigning it to the trash bin. Forty-one voted that it was sufficient in form. “We will convene again so that the committee will make its report and submit this to the plenary,” committee chairman Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said after banging the gavel to signal the adjournment of the nearly five-hour hearing on the matter. House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas made it clear to complainant-endorser Rep. Gary Alejano of party-list Magdalo that it was only “for the sake of liberality” that the committee had acknowledged the complaint as having complied with requisites, as per their agreement in an executive session. Alejano’s complaint was based on allegations Duterte had amassed ill-gotten wealth
APPOINTED. President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, May 18 administered the oath of office of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano. Photos of the event held at the Presidential Guesthouse in Panacan, Davao City, were released to media on Thursday evening. With Cayetano were his wife Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, his sister Taguig City-Pateros Representative Pia Cayetano and other relatives. The appointment of the defeated running mate of Duterte was recently confirmed by the Commission on Appointments. Malacañang photo
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De Lima dares Napoles to Ombudsman to block moves to return ‘ill-gotten’ wealth make Napoles state witness by Maila
ager
Inquirer.net
seNAtOR Leila de Lima dared detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles on thursday, May 18 to return the wealth she has allegedly acquired illegally from her “shady deals” with lawmakers linked to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork bark scam. De Lima, who is detained on Detained Sen. Leila de Lima (left) is daring alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles (right) to return ill-gotten wealth she might drug charges, issued the chalhave amassed. De Lima chided Napoles after the latter offered to squeal on lenge as Napoles camp was ranking officials of the Aquino administration reportedly not included by De reportedly in talks with the govLima in the pork barrel cases.
Inquirer.net file photos
Pacquiao is second billionaire in Senate after Villar by Maila
ager Inquirer.net
Senator Manny Pacquiao is now the second billionaire in the current Senate according to his latest statement of assets and liabilities or SALN. Inquirer.net photo
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House kills Duterte impeachment rap
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Outside Washington, a more powerful immigrant rights movement emerges
thanking the CA for the “swift and painless” confirmation, Cayetano reiterated that he will do his best as the new DFA chief. “I will make a commitment to you today that I will do my best na hindi po kayo mapahiya (to not embarrass you),” Cayetano said, who is now deemed resigned as a senator.
seNAtOR Cynthia Villar is no longer the only billionaire member of the senate as she now shares the spot with neophyte senator Manny Pacquiao. Villar remained, however, the richest among the 24 senators based on their 2016 statements of assets, liabilities and networth
(sALN). From P3.5 billion last year, Villar’s wealth slightly increased to P3.606 billion as of December 31, 2016. Pacquiao, came in second with P3.072 billion net worth. He declared a total assets of P3.422 billion but had liabilities worth P350,595,647.
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by AJPress
tHe Office of the Ombudsman will block any moves to turn Janet Lim Napoles into a state witness in the planned reinvestigation of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), according to Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales. “Aszfar as the prosecution is concerned, [Napoles] is one of the principal alleged malefactors. Certainly the OsP (Office of the special Prosecutor) will block any attempt to make her state witness,” Morales told reporters on tuesday, May 16.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales
Last week, Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct a new investigation into the PDAF, also referred to as
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Alex Tizon, the man behind ‘My Family’s Slave’ ON tUesDAy night, May 16, in the Philippines, American magazine The Atlantic shared the story “My Family’s slave”. Less than 24 hours later, the story received thousands of shares on Facebook alone. Alex tizon, a Filipino-American award-winning journalist, beautifully wove the story of a harrowing
reality: his family had kept a slave their entire lives. He tells the tale of eudocia tomas Pulido called “Lola” by his family, her life intertwined with his mother’s who inherited Lola from her father. she was the family’s dark, dirty secret, a modern-day Author and investigative journalist Alex Tizon. slave in the land of the free.
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Image: Website/University of Oregon, School of Journalism and Communication
A MAY 19-25, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
CA approves Cayetano appointment... PAGE A1 t Even as the chief diplomat, Cayetano, who was also Duterte’s vice-presidential running mate in the previous elections, maintained that he would defend the chief executive from critics. Cayetano, however, noted that he would take into consideration his new position by using “more diplomatic language” when speaking, especially before the international community. “I will continue to speak for the President, I will continue to speak pag inutusan ng (if ordered by the) President, I will continue to
speak kung sa tingin ko necessary (if I think it is necessary) but not in the political manner that was available to me when I was in the Senate,” he told reporters in a chance interview. Cayetano replaces Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, who was assigned as the acting foreign secretary after the CA rejected the ad interim appointment of Perfecto Yasay Jr. over citizenship issues. Revealing his plan as the new Foreign Affairs secretary, Cayetano earlier said the department would prioritize the welfare, protection and comfort of overseas
Filipino workers (OFWs). He assured that all the DFA officials would “not have their own agenda or their own foreign policy,” adding that they would “all work hard together to implement the foreign policy of the Philippines.” He also promised to “keep building bridges” with other countries while maintaining good relationships with allies. Likewise, Cayetano vowed to refrain from using “microphone diplomacy” and instead leave the public communications to the spokesperson.
House kills Duterte impeachment... PAGE A1 t JALOSJOS TAKES OATH AS CA MEMBER. Senate President and Commission on Appointments (CA) Chairman Aquilino Pimentel III (right) administers the oath of office to Zamboanga del Norte 1st District Representative Seth Frederick Jalosjos (middle) during the CA’s plenary session on Wednesday, May 17. Also in photo is San Juan City Representative and CA Vice Chairman Ronaldo Zamora (left). Senate photo
De Lima dares Napoles... PAGE A1 t ernment about the possibility of turning her into a state witness if the pork barrel scam probe would be re-opened. “Mr. Aguirre is making a tempting offer for Napoles that is too hard to resist, that is to tell everything she knows against the expanded list of suspects in the pork barrel fund scam in exchange of her security, survival or political concessions,” the senator said, referring to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. “If this government really sees her as a credible state witness because it thinks she is a ‘minimal player’ in the multi-billion pork barrel fund scandal, I challenge Napoles to return the wealth she
has acquired from all her illegal transactions,” she added. De Lima was the justice secretary when the pork barrel scam was investigated and charges were filed against Napoles and other personalities, including former three senators– Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose ” Jinggoy” Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Like De Lima, Estrada and Revilla have been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center while Enrile was allowed by the court to post bail. De Lima stood pat on her decision not to allow Napoles to become a state witness, saying the latter appeared, “as she still appears now” as the most guilty in the pork barrel fund anomaly.
Ombudsman to block moves...
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the pork barrel scam. Napoles, the supposed mastermind of the operation, is being considered as a state witness. While the DOJ has discretion to conduct a new probe into the PDAF case, Morales maintained that it is her office, not the DOJ, which has the final say on whether or not to recommend Napoles as a state witness.
“It is the OSP which will consider whether or not [Napoles] will be a state witness and it’s going to be the court who will finally approve whether or not she is going to be state witness,” Morales clarified. “We don’t find her (Napoles) to be a candidate for being state witness,” she added. Last week, Napoles’s lawyer, Stephen David, said he has met with Aguirre to discuss the pos-
“When we asked her to identify legislators, she asked us instead who among the senators and congressmen we wanted included in her PDAF list of clients. That is when I knew that Napoles cannot be relied upon and is only too willing to fabricate her own testimony to save her skin at the expense of innocent senators and congressmen,” she said. The detained senator also maintained that the Duterte administration might only use Napoles “to get even with its critics and opponents.” “This government is using Napoles to blackmail and bully its critics and opponents. It will stop at nothing unless it can silence its dissenters and have their merry way of plunging our country into disaster,” De Lima said. n sibility of turning her into a state witness. David said they requested the DOJ to give Napoles “proper security” if the proposition passes, adding that she is ready to name “higher” officials involved in the multi-billion peso scam. Sought for comments on the reported “exploratory talks” between the DOJ and Napoles’s camp, Morales responded: “I’m not bothered at all. We are confident of our position.”
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and ordered the killing of thousands in the course of his war on drugs. In a supplemental complaint, Alejano also accused Duterte of failing to defend the country’s sovereign rights and territorial claims when he reportedly allowed Chinese presence in Benham Rise in the Philippine Sea. Fariñas said lawmakers cannot just entertain impeachment complaints, especially if complainants do not have “personal knowledge” or authentic documentation of the impeachable acts being alleged against officials. “I am warning you that you may be subjected to an ethics case here because you are stating under oath but as it turned out, your verification is not true at all,” Fariñas told Alejano. The Ilocos Norte congressman cautioned Alejano he could be haled to court for perjury. “Clearly, it is not of his (Alejano’s) personal knowledge, that’s the defect here,” Fariñas pointed out. “If we follow you and take the complaint to the Senate, we will appear stupid because all we have is evidence based on hearsay,” he said in Filipino. “He didn’t have any personal knowledge, and if you look at the documents, these have not been duly authenticated. These were in effect all hearsay,” Umali said. Alejano and his colleague in the so-called Magnificent 7, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, were allowed to speak and manifest their objections to the junking of the
House Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and Rep. Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro during the meeting of the House justice committee that junked the impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
complaint even if they were not committee members. Lagman accused Fariñas of consistently blocking his request to be a committee member. House Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc, chairman of the rules rewriting committee, told his colleagues in the super majority coalition “we are all within our rights to dismiss this impeachment complaint and submit this to the plenary for (final) approval.” House Deputy Speakers Fredenil Castro and Gwendolyn Garcia agreed, with the former saying Alejano’s fatal mistake was his “categorical, clear admission” of having no personal knowledge of his accusations against the President. Garcia said the impeachment exercise “holds us back from our main job of legislation.” Other administration lawmakers expressed belief it would be foolhardy to attempt to expel a sitting Chief Executive who enjoys
overwhelming public support. “It is an exercise in futility, given his overwhelming support not only in the Congress but from the Filipino people as well. My peers are politically astute enough to realize that no impeachment complaint will gain traction among the people,” Rep. LRay Villafuerte said. “We need this impeachment like a hole in the head. I believe that we could better spend our time crafting reform laws that would help President Duterte achieve his government’s ambitious goal of sustaining the growth momentum,” the Camarines Sur lawmaker added. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said an impeachment complaint will “not prosper in a forum where accepted legal procedures are observed, respected.” Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the com-
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From the Front Page
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 19-25 2017
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Fil-Am teen killed in car crash... PAGE A1 t ous reports. Marcelino was pronounced dead at the scene, while Maria, 39, was rushed to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Malibu, who are in their 20s, also suffered minor injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. The Fil-Am teen was an honor student at James Logan High School and would have graduated in June. She played the flute in the school band and was involved with the youth ministry program at her church, CBS said. According to the school’s newspaper, she was “beloved by her classmates and was always a source of happiness and support for the people around her.” “She was a wonderful young lady,” John Mattos, a spokesman for the New Haven Unified School District, told NBC Bay Area. “She was in band and got great grades taking AP and college prep classes, and students
Marcelino’s mother, Maria, who was driving the vehicle, suffered injuries but is expected to survive. Photo shows Maria and Shane during a senior night celebration for the marching band, wherein the latter played the flute. Photo from Marcelino’s GoFundMe page created by Noah Dela Rosa
really liked her.” No arrests have been made, local police said. Investigators are looking into whether alcohol or speeding played a role in the fatal collision. “It looks like they were traveling at a pretty good rate of speed,” Fremont Fire Department Battalion Chief Richard Dickinson said,
adding that “it was heavy impact. Major damage.” A GoFundMe page has been made to raise funds for Marcelino’s funeral costs, as well as her mother’s medical bills: https:// www.gofundme.com/dk4vmfuneral-expenses-and-medical-bills. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
Outside Washington, a more powerful... PAGE A1 t priorities have expanded so much that they can be used to target almost any undocumented immigrant. Immigrant and refugee rights advocates say the effect on immigrant communities is palpable. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), described it as “one of the most horrendous periods in American history for immigrant families.” “What we’re seeing,” explained Salas, “is just a harsher way by which DHS [the Department of Homeland Security] is dealing with all matters of immigration, especially when it comes to stays of removal or requests for relief.” Over 38 percent of the individuals detained in the Feb. 9 ICE raids in Southern California, for example, had only minor infractions, many of them from years ago, according to Salas. “The other thing that we’re seeing,” she said, “is that they’re being harsher when it comes to individuals who had … stays of removal. “ICE enforcement is going back and making decisions about those cases,” Salas explained. “Instead of continuing their stays of removal, they’re challenging their stays of removal, their administrative closure.” Since taking office, Trump has signed executive orders that call for “sweeping changes on immigration,” said Chua of IRC, adding, however, that “many of these proposed changes face some real, significant hurdles.” Some, like the construction of a border wall, can’t be implemented without funding. Others have been blocked by the courts, including the administration’s attempt to withhold federal funds from socalled sanctuary cities; and both versions of Trump’s “travel ban,” which aimed to curtail travel from certain predominantly Muslim countries and lower the number of refugees allowed admission into the United States. “While many of the changes proposed by the administration may threaten refugees, immigrants and their families,” said Chua, “there still exist some real barriers to implementation, offering some real avenues of hope for immigrant communities.” Advocates say many of these signs of hope lie outside of Washington. “The immigrant rights movement is getting more organized, more powerful,” said Salas, pointing to local and state efforts that seek to protect the rights of immigrants across the country. “What is incredible is the many cities and schools defending immigrants,” she said. On May 1, she noted, about 30,000 people marched in the streets of Los Angeles to defend the rights of immigrants. “California is moving forward a different vision, a different agenda,” said Salas. The state legisla-
ture has proposed various bills that seek to defend immigrants’ rights, from Senate Bill 54 (the California Values Act), introduced by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), which would prevent state and local resources from being used to cooperate with deportations, to Senate Bill 6, by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, which would provide funding for legal services for immigrants facing deportation. By contrast, Texas’ state legislature is moving further to the right on immigration. Texas Republicans just passed Senate Bill 4, a new law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, which threatens law enforcement with jail time if they don’t cooperate with federal immigration authorities. “In the mid-90s, California looked a lot like Texas does today,” said Salas, when California voters passed Prop 187. That ballot measure helped get its supporter, Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, elected. But it led to an even bigger backlash against the GOP in the state, and is largely credited with the mobilization of Latino voters who have changed the face of California politics. “Our community [in California] became engaged,” Salas said. Texas, which has the nation’s second-largest Latino population after California, could see a similar backlash. “What we’re seeing in Texas is the same kind of mobilization,” she said. Meanwhile, immigrant rights advocates are helping their communities stay informed. “There are many families that are afraid,” said Adriana Guzman, immigrant outreach coordinator with Faith in Action Bay Area. “Our message to them is that there are steps they can take right now.” Guzman said she is encouraging individuals to talk to a trusted legal services provider to see if they qualify for immigration relief, to make a family preparedness plan, including who will take care of children if something happens to their parents, and to carry the number of a trusted immigration attorney they can call in case of an emergency. Most importantly, Guzman said, individuals should know that they have certain rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of their immigration status. These include the right to remain silent, the right to not open the door to agents without a warrant signed by a judge, the right to speak to a lawyer and make a phone call, and to not sign anything they don’t understand or that isn’t true. “Thousands of community outreach workers are spanning their communities, delivering Know Your Rights presentations,” said Salas of CHIRLA. From helping eligible immigrants become citizens and register to vote, to protesting in the streets and supporting legal challenges in the courts, she said, immigrant rights advocates have been able to “make a statement in these very difficult days.” (Elena Shore/New America Media)
Ombudsman to block moves... PAGE A2 t In 2014, Morales indicted Napoles of plunder, malversation, graft and direct bribery charges in connection with the scam. Her office denied Napoles’s request to become a state witness, saying that the latter is the “most guilty.” Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile were also charged alongside Napoles in connection with the anomaly. Enrile is currently out on bail, while the other two remain incarcerated. “We are not bothered, we’re not concerned at all by whatever they say about whether or not there is a pending agreement or what is modus vivendi between Napoles and the DOJ,” Morales told reporters. The Ombudsman also maintained that her office is not bound
by the DOJ’s findings. “I don’t know what the DOJ wants to reinvestigate, whether they want to reinvestigate cases filed in court or reinvestigate cases already investigated by us. It’s up to them if they wish to reinvestigate,” Morales said. She went on to say, “But as I said, we are not bound by any findings over cases over which the Ombudsman has the final authority to determine whether or not there is probable cause.” Also on Tuesday, Napoles was transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BMJP) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City after the Court of Appeals acquitted her serious illegal detention case filed by whistleblower Benhur Luy. She was previously detained at the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong.
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DISASTER RESPONDERS. A V-22 Osprey helicopter carrying American troops land on a port in Casiguran, Aurora province, prior to a simulated typhoon relief operations with their Filipino counterparts under the annual Balikatan exercises, dubbed Civil MIlitary Activities from the Sea on Monday, May 15. Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta
Pacquiao is second billionaire in Senate...
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, meanwhile, was the poorest with P6,506,672.13, replacing Senator Francis Escudero, who held the spot in 2015. Trillanes, known critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, declared total assets of P16.012 million and total liabilities of P9.506 million. Trillanes’ net worth in 2016 was higher by more than half-
a-million pesos from his P5.9 million net worth in 2015. Escudero was the second poorest with P6.602 million net worth last year, still higher than his P5.8 million net worth in 2015. He had no liabilities in 2016. The third poorest senator was neophyte Senator Leila de Lima with P6.617 million. She declared total assets of P9.8 million and liabilities of P3.182
millon. De Lima has been detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center over drug charges. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s net worth was P17.734 million while Minority Leader Franklin Drilon had P82.482 million. Senator Grace Poe’s wealth, meanwhile, was reduced by half a million peso after she ran
in the May 2016 presidential election. From P89 million in 2015, Poe’s net worth went down to P88,480,811.91 last year. She declared total assets of P124.349 million in 2016 but she also had total liabilities of P35.865 million, including a loan from her mother, Jesusa Poe, also known as Susan Roces, amounting to P17.760 million. n
A MAY 19-25, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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May 19 is Hepatitis Testing Day: Get tested for Hepatitis B In May, medical experts and community advocates in the United States and across the globe will join forces to mark Hepatitis Testing Day, and to raise awareness of a disease that affects as many as two million Americans: chronic hepatitis B. While anyone can contract hepatitis B (hep B), people of Asian descent bear the heaviest burden, representing nearly three-quarters of individuals affected worldwide. Here in the United States, up to one million Asian Americans have hep B—‚that’s half of all cases in the country. But what exactly is hep B, and why is it such a threat to our community? Hep B is caused by a virus that is transmitted via blood and other bodily fluids. Hep B can be managed, and the disease can be prevented—but if left untreated, the complications of hep B can potentially be life threatening. First-generation Asian Americans from China, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India and the Philippines are at particularly high risk for hep B due to low rates of infant vaccination
against the disease in these countries. In fact, most Asian Americans who have hep B contracted it during childbirth from their mothers. That’s why tragically, in this community, it is common to see multiple members of the same family affected by hep B. Despite its high incidence rate in Asian communities, as many as two out of three Asian Americans who have chronic hep B do not know they are infected. That is because hep B does not always cause noticeable symptoms. Chronic hep B can slowly damage the liver over time, increasing the risk of serious liver disease. As Asian immigrants are projected to be the largest immigrant population in the country over the next 40 years, the need to call attention to this so-called “silent” disease is more critical than ever. The good news is that hep B can easily be detected with a quick and simple blood test. Everyone should talk to their doctor about getting tested—especially if you are of Asian descent. If you test negative for hep B, there is a safe and effective vaccine that can prevent hep
B, and it is widely available in the United States. If you test positive for hep B, talk to your doctor about whether treatment would be appropriate for you. Regular screenings to monitor the health of your liver are very important, and there are treatments that may potentially lower the amount of virus and decrease the risk of further damage to the liver—some are just one pill a day. So on Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19, join millions of Asians here in the United States and around the globe and get tested for hepatitis B. Visit hepBsmart.com for information about chronic hepatitis B, and to learn about the documentary film short BE ABOUT IT, sponsored by Gilead Sciences, which chronicles the lives of two Asian Americans, Alan and AJ, as they battle chronic hepatitis B, and how their families cope with the impact of this potentially life-threatening disease. The film aims to educate, inspire and ultimately dispel myths about hepatitis B. BE ABOUT IT is subtitled in Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese, and community screening kits are now available. n
Alex Tizon, the man behind... PAGE A1 t The article drew mixed reactions, with some labeling him complicit to the abuse of Lola— how was it allowed to go on for so long? Others acknowledged that the story was neither about glorification nor justification, but to give Lola the voice she was made to feel she never deserved. Tizon was only 57 when he died of natural causes March this year. In an editor’s note on Tizon, The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg shared that his death was all the more made painful by the irony that on the same day, March 24, they intended to tell him that Lola’s story would be the magazine’s June 2017 cover story. “Alex did not know that we would be putting his piece on the cover of this issue; he died the day we made that decision, before we had a chance to tell him,” Goldberg wrote. “His death, quite obviously, could have derailed publication of what turned out to be his final sto- The magazine cover of The Atlantic’s June 2017 issue with the controversial cover story “My
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Family’s Slave.”
Ms. Zeny Pallugna (3rd from left) of PDOT-NY conducted a presentation on the 11th Ambassadors’ Tour at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on May 15. Joining her in the photo are (from left) Public Diplomacy Officer Darell Ann Artates, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto, Travel wise representatives Marielle and Max Kabin, and Mr. Nelson Garcia.
11th Ambassadors’ Tour gives focus on emerging destinations, tourism’s role in growing PH economy WASHInGTOn, D.C. — The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the Philippine Department of Tourism office in new York (PDOT-nY) conducted a presentation on the 11th Ambassadors’ Tour on 15 May 2017 at the Embassy’s Romulo Hall, underscoring the Tour’s unique characteristics and its significance to the overall cultural and tourism promotion strategy of the country. “The 11th Ambassadors’ Tour will give participants the opportunity to visit Davao, an exciting, emerging tourism destination in the Philippines, within an affordable package that also includes Manila, the capital city of fun,” said Zeny Pallugna, Officer-inCharge of PDOT-nY. Ms. Pallugna also highlighted the post-basic tour packages featuring other emerging destinations Cagayan De Oro-Camiguin and Dumaguete-Siquijor. She urged audience members to participate in the Tour and take a more active role in promoting Philippine tourism. “If you visit the Philippines, or get even just one person to visit, that will create employment for one Filipino,” Ms. Pallugna told the audience. Mr. Patrick Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy also pitched for the Tour, saying that “This year, the tour for Filipino-Americans has been re-branded to shift the focus to the participants who are envisioned to become ‘Philippine Ambassadors in their own right’ after spending their summer hol-
Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto and Ms. Zeny Pallugna at the 11th Ambassadors’ Tour presentation held at the Philippine Embassy on May 15.
Ms. Zeny Pallugna presents the 11th Ambassadors Tour itinerary, rates, and packages to DC community, encourages the audience to promote Philippine tourism and economic development.
iday in the Philippines. The 11th Ambassador’s Tour features key destinations in Manila and the King City of the South—Davao. It promises to be another fun-filled outing, and in keeping with its tradition of providing a unique and memorable experience, the Ambassador’s Tour offers VIP treatment, guided tours, and world-class accommodations.” “I strongly encourage every one of you to consider joining the 11th Ambassador’s Tour and spreading the word to your networks. Doing so will contribute to the sustained and inclusive economic development of the Philippines. Your support will go a long way in empowering the local communities in Manila and
Davao, and cultivating good will between the people of the Philippines and the United States,” he concluded. Registration remains open until 30 May 2017. Interested parties may contact the Philippine Embassy at info@philippinesusa.orgor PDOT-nY at pdotnewyork@ gmail.com to get more information about the itinerary, rates and registration procedures. The 11th Ambassadors’ Tour will be held on 11-16 July 2017. It is a joint project of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board, the Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the United States, and Rajah Tours. n
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 19-25 2017
A
PH reaffirms commitment to peoplecentered ASEAN at ‘ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN’ launch
of the six thematic priorities that currently guide its Chairmanship. “These themes frame the substantial issues that we wish to address – putting the interests of the peoples of ASEAN at the center of its work; high quality of life; enhancing an environment that is conducive to business; prioritizing health and improved nutrition; promoting peaceful co-existence; advancing work on maritime security; highlighting connectivity and innovation; building a disaster-resilient region; and strengthening ASEAN’s work and standing in the international arena,” said Mr. Chuasoto. “The Philippines is fully committed to developing a peoplecentered ASEAN. Thus, we attach great importance to socio-cultural and educational exchanges among the peoples of ASEAN and the United States that support this goal,” he added. Mr. Chuasoto further stressed this point by citing the fact that of all ASEAN countries, the Philippines has the most sister city relationships with the United States at 61. There is presently 92 sister cities and sister state or sister county connections between ASEAN countries and the US. In his remarks, Mr. Chuasoto also highlighted the progress that the Philippines has made as ASEAN Chair, such as consolidating the members’ consensus in combating violent extremism, attaining maritime security and cooperation, and pursuing an innovation-led growth agenda. ASEAN Matters for America/ America Matters for ASEAN is available for download at http:// Mr. Patrick A. Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Philippine Embassy, delivers remarks at the launch of the publication and web resource, ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters www. asiamattersforamerica.org/ asean. n for ASEAN, on 16 May 2017 at the Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “While ASEAN celebrates its 50th Founding Anniversary, we also look at the milestone we have reached with the 40th Anniversary of its Partnership with the United States. It is an open and strategic partnership that aims to forge a common path towards a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region,” remarked Mr. Patrick Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Philippine Embassy, at the launch of ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN on 16 May 2017 at the Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. ASEAN Matters for America/ America Matters for ASEAN is a publication and web resource “for credible and nonpartisan informa-
tion, graphics, analysis, and news at the national, state, and local level on U.S.-Southeast Asia interactions.” It is a joint project by the East-West Center, US-ASEAN Business Council and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. The publication offers information on the flow of trade and investments, and travel and tourism between ASEAN and the US. It also highlights the vibrant people-to-people ties between the two sides, as evidenced by the large number of ASEAN-Americans in the US, educational exchanges, and sister partnerships. The Philippines, as Chair of ASEAN for 2017, seeks to enhance and leverage ASEAN’s relationship with the US in pursuit
Alex Tizon, the man behind... PAGE A4 t ry, but his family, led by Melissa and his siblings, worked with us during this uniquely trying time to make publication possible.” It was the last he would tell—in fact, it was still due for fact-checking, according to a report in The Seattle Times—in a lifetime spent on what The New York Times describes as “deeply reported articles” of people on the fringes. Born in Manila on October 30, 1959, Tomas Alexander Tizon mi-
grated to the United States with his family and their slave when he was five. His mother, Leticia Asuncion and father, Francisco Tizon, had to borrow money to move the family to Los Angeles. They also lived in Seattle and the South Bronx, and then finally settled in Oregon. Tizon took up political science at the University of Oregon in college and then pursued a master’s degree in journalism in Stanford University. In 1986, he joined The Seattle
Times. As an investigative journalist, he focused on “exposing untold stories of marginalized communities.” During his 17-year stint at the paper, along with two other journalists, he received the 1997 Pulitzer Prize for uncovering corruption in a housing program intended for Native Americans which led to government reforms. From 2003 to 2008, he was Seattle bureau chief at the Los Angeles Times. He also lived in Manila for two years on a Knight Internation-
Fil-Am community leaders in southern New Jersey join Consul General Dizon-de Vega (5th from the right) and Congressman Norcross (6th from the right) during their meeting in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Photos by NYPCG
PH Consul General meets with US Congressman in New Jersey NEW YORK CITY –The Philippine Consul General in New York Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with US Congressman Donald Norcross of the 1st District of New Jersey on May 11 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey as part of the Consulate’s series of calls on US legislators under its jurisdiction. Consul General Dizon-de Vega discussed the developments in the Philippines including the country’s chairmanship of the ASEAN this year and the announced participation of President Donald Turmp in the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-US Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by the Philippines in November. The Consul General discussed with Congressman Norcross the re-launch of the Philippines-US Friendship Caucus in the US Congress and invited him to join the caucus. Congressman Norcross readily accepted the invitation and expressed his intention to join. Congressman Norcross said that Philippine-US relations is al Journalism Fellowship where he documented government efforts to eliminate poverty in the country’s five poorest provinces. In 2011, he began teaching journalism at the University of Oregon and also worked as a freelance writer. He contributed to U.S. national publications such as The Atlantic. During his life, he struggled with his identity as an Asian-American, which he detailed in the 2014 memoir “Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self”. It is described by The New York Times as “a self-lacerating examination of the complexities, humiliations, and
Consul General Dizon-de Vega (right) presents a token from the Philippines to Congressman Norcross (left) during their meeting on May 11 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
strong and he looks forward to travelling to the region in the near future. Consul General Dizon-de Vega
was joined in the meeting by Consul Arman R. Talbo and FilAm community leaders in southern New Jersey. n
small victories of Asian men trying to adjust to life in America.” One such revelation was his attempts to be whiter and taller as a child. Colleagues, friends and family revered and loved Tizon. An introverted man, he was known to be a “deep listener” and could turn the smallest, simplest stories into an insightful reflection on humanity. Lori Matsukawa, a KING 5 news anchor in Seattle, said, “Alex was gracious and kind…but as a reporter he was like a dog with a bone.” She also described his contribution to Filipino-Americans, stating that “he also took pride in carrying
on the legacy of Filipino-American journalists and activists in the Pacific Northwest. We all learned what was important to the Filipino-American community through Alex.” He was survived by his wife, Melissa Quiason, two daughters, Maya and Dylan, and eight siblings. “My Family’s Slave” was six years in the making, something he struggled with, according to his wife. After his death, she and his siblings assisted in its publishing. Quiason said, “This was his ultimate story.” (Niña Guño/Inquirer. net)
A MAY 19-25, 2017 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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OpiniOn
Features
Determined
“SUFFICIENT in form but insufficient in substance,” the House of Representatives’ justice committee declared on Monday, May 15, as it formally dismissed the impeachment complaint filed against Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. A Philippine president is immune from lawsuits while in office, but he can be removed from office through impeachment. According to the Supreme Court, “form” refers to an impeachment complaint’s technical details following established methods, while “substance” refers to material allegations, of whether or not there is a cause for impeachment. A substance is sufficient if there is a detailed statement of facts constituting the offense charged. The impeachment complaint, filed by Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, accused the president of violating the Constitution by having a hand in the killings linked to the war on drugs and treason in his conferral with China on matters of maritime domain. Alejano accused the members of the panel of ceding their independence, neglecting their responsibility as duly-elected representatives of the people and railroading the process to jettison his complaint. He is now considering going to an international court to hold Duterte accountable for his impeachment complaints. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Alejano called on his colleagues in Congress
and the Filipino people to stand up against the rising number of deaths brought upon by the government’s war on the drugs. He warned that if the president is not stopped he will someday turn into a dictator. Back from his recent business trips to Cambodia, Hong Kong and China, Duterte dared Alejano and his other critics to “go ahead” with bringing a case against him to the ICC. “They are free to do it. This is a democracy,” Duterte said. A complaint against Duterte and 11 others was already filed by self-confessed Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitman Edgar Matobato before the ICC last April 24. In his 77-page complaint, lawyer Jude Josue Sabio cited the “continuing mass murder” in the country as shown by the thousands of Filipinos killed in the government’s anti-criminality and anti-drug campaigns that began when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City and continues now that he is the country’s chief executive. However, filing a case against the president before the ICC will only be a futile attempt. “The ICC, or any other court or tribunal here or elsewhere, has no business or jurisdiction in the removal in office of President Duterte or any impeachable officer as such is the sole power of the Congress of the Philippines,” House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas explained to ABSCBN News.
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
There are far more ills in the country that warrant much more attention and resources. Duterte bears these problems as he inherits the shortcomings and wrongdoings of his predecessors. The dilemma comes with the title, the people
voted for him to have. The distinction as the country’s “president” does not compensate for the responsibilities his job entails, and the incorrigible stigma of not meeting the Filipinos’ expectations—administration after administration. (AJPress)
Did Trump commit an impeachable offense when he asked FBI Director Comey to drop the Flynn investigation?
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS “HE is a good guy. I hope you can let this go,” was what President Donald Trump told his sacked FBI Director James Comey. This was documented by Comey in a contemporaneous memo he wrote on February 14, 2017, to document the details of their one-on-one meeting after Trump asked VP Mike Pence and Attorney General Jeff Ses-
sions following their meeting on national security issues. Comey wrote memoranda after meetings with Trump that made him feel appalled, which he shared in confidence with select colleagues in the FBI. This was characteristic of Comey even during the Bush years. It’s a bombshell that may be deemed as obstruction of justice: to be asked by the president of the United States to drop the investigation into his own campaign which involved
his friend Michael Flynn’s conversation with Russia to ease sanctions Pres. Obama imposed on the country for interfering in the 2016 presidential election. This was reported by the New York Times on Tuesday, May 16, a week after Comey was fired by Trump, the details of which were corroborated by CNN’s reporting through interviews with officials in the FBI who were privy to this turn of events. Zooming out to look at the
big picture, Trump explained that Comey was fired because he has lost in his leadership of the FBI. Despite Trump’s “request”, Comey proceeded with the investigation of the president’s campaign alleged collusion with Russia in interfering with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Trump administration has denied the story -- on the same day that news broke about Trump divulging classified information to Russia during his
meeting with the Russian Prime Minister and Envoy in the Oval Office. Trump threatened Comey with a “tape” before he fired him, which lawmakers said Trump should turn over to Congress. What Trump did not know was that Comey had been writing those contemporaneous memos that could be material evidence if a case against Trump moves forward. Would Trump bring out the “tape” he tweeted about to support his
side of the story? Expect testimony under oath as this will surely be the subject of investigation. Did Trump abuse his executive power? Is he guilty of “obstruction of justice”? ” *** 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
Inauthenticity and contradictions
Commentary
antonio ContReRaS WE now live in a period of inauthenticity and contradictions. We have a sitting vice president who prides herself in being familiar with the world of the marginalized, which she lovingly refers to as the “laylayan,” yet seem to have been surprised that malnutrition is prevalent among the poor, to the point that she is amazed at its “uniqueness.” In her debut as a host of a public service radio program, Leni Robredo used the words “nakamamangha” and “katangi-tangi” to describe her experience of coming face to face with the poor and malnourished. This makes you wonder what took her so long to be familiar with a sector of the population that she brandished as her constituency. And in so doing, Leni Robredo has painted herself as inauthentic. And then you have the impeachment complaint filed by Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano against President Rodrigo Duterte, which was quickly dismissed by the House committee on justice on the ground that it was insufficient in substance. The committee’s basis for such a conclusion was the failure of Alejano to show that he had personal knowledge of the acts for which he was accusing the President. Alejano, as it turned out, depended on media reports, such as those by Rappler and ABS-CBN, for his complaint. To
make matters worse, he failed to back his allegations with authenticated documentary evidence. This is just symptomatic of how the authenticity of traditional media has been diminished. Instead of providing a stable warrant to provide basis for an allegation, news reports have been dismissed as insufficient to provide substance to it. The Nixon Watergate scandal was exposed through investigative journalism, at a time that investigative journalists were seen as bearers of truth and facts. Now, Rappler and its cohorts have, through their own conduct, practically diminished the power of journalism to bear witness to truth and facts. It is easy to blame the internet as the cause of the decline in the power of traditional mass media. But on the contrary, mass media would have been an effective way to neutralize the tendency of social media to propagate fakery had it been authentic to its ethic of fairness and neutrality. And when traditional media became active players in partisan politics, as propagators of propaganda lines and practitioners of public relations masquerading as journalism, people migrated to social media as their sources of information. Thus, it could be said that it is not the excesses of social media that caused the decline of traditional media. Instead, it is the shortcomings of traditional media that fueled the rise of social media. Again, what we see is a problem of inauthenticity.
Yet, inauthenticity is not a problem just of Leni Robredo, or of traditional media. It is a problem that infects ordinary people as we live our everyday lives. And examples will show that inauthenticity leads to contradictions. You have advocates of women’s rights, who deplore as misogyny the manner in which the case of Sen. Leila de Lima has been handled by government, while in the same breath protesting the appointment of Mocha Uson as an assistant secretary on the basis of her being a sex celebrity. People who carried #EveryWoman hashtags in their FB profiles posted, liked and shared posts that slut-shamed Mocha. Several students and alumni of my university went on overdrive when a woman who defended Mocha Uson claimed that she was an alumna, even going to the extent of threatening to sue the pretender. Some students and alumni who disliked my politics, and who probably do not have an appreciation of academic freedom, and of how universities operate, demanded that I be censured, to the extent that some threatened to initiate an online petition to have me ousted from La Salle. Yet these very same people who think that the exercise of a political choice that runs counter to their biases is a blot to the name of La Salle are silent on the continuing appropriation by a political analyst of their alma mater as his institutional affiliation despite having been separated from it, perhaps because they agree with his politics.
Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary C. Alejano files an impeachment complaint against Pres. Rodrigo Duterte at the Office of the Secretary-General, House of Representatives last March 16. Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta
We have leaders of organizations who claim to work for social concerns and action, and are at the forefront of fighting for human rights and against the evils of the Marcoses and of martial law, but have abused their power and violated their workers’ rights. We have people who purport to be scholars that propagate knowledge on good governance, that counts as one of its tenets the ethos of transparency, yet fail to
be transparent in their dealings and actuations. We have people who are experts in elections, and theorize about democratic processes, yet have gone against what they preach by helping politicians undermine the process, if not being involved more directly in sustaining traditional political practices that privilege politicking over transparent electoral processes. There are more examples that show inauthenticity as the domi-
nant modality in how we exercise power. And you come to the realization that to be authentic is now a rare gift. Many people blame social media for causing an epidemic of inauthenticity and fakery. But lest we forget, inauthenticity is already a problem that infects our body politic, and social media has just given it a new domain to thrive. (ManilaTimes. net)
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
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PH rejects $278.7-M EU grants ‘with conditions’ Palace: Refusal of aid attests PH independence
by Dana
SioSon AJPress
THe Philippine government has stopped accepting aid “with conditions” from the european Union (eU) to attest to the independence of the Philippines as a nation, Malacañang said on Thursday, May 18. According to Philippine executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Duterte administration has decided to reject new eU grants to “prevent” the latter from “interfering” with the internal affairs of the Philippines. “To enable them not to interfere with our internal affairs. We’re supposed to be an independent nation,” Medialdea told reporters. This could mean a loss of about €250 million or $278.73 million worth of grants, which are mostly allocated to peace processes in Mindanao, according to eU Ambassador Franz Jessen. “The amount possibly concerned by the new decision is 250 million euro plus. For this year the amount affected could be 100 million euro,” the ambassador said. Spokesperson ernesto Abella, however, clarified that the Philippine government would only refuse new grants from eU which “impose certain conditionalities that will interfere with the way we handle things, that we consider objectionable.” “These grants pertain to particular projects or programs that have the potential of affecting the autonomy of the country,” Abella said in a media briefing. He also clarified that the Philippines would still accept develop-
European Union Ambassador Franz Jessen earlier said that the Philippine government has informed them that they will no longer accept grants from the economic bloc.
ment assistance which are given unconditionally. “We’ll take it on a case to case basis. We can accept or respectfully decline that which we find objectionable,” he said. existing development assistance from eU will not be nullified either, he added. “In other words, if it’s already accepted, we will assume that — we will assume that that can continue unless further specified.” According to Abella, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation of the Department of Finance (DOF) not to accept grants from the eU “that may allow it to interfere with the internal policies” of the country. The DOF made the recommendation after eU “recently” offered a conditional grant that seemingly affects the Philippines’ internal affairs, he said. Abella, however, refused to
specify the grant, explaining that it was a “delicate matter.” Likewise, Abella underscored that the Philippine government “reserves the right to accept loans and grants that help attain its objectives of promoting economic development inclusiveness and reducing poverty, attaining peace within its borders and with its neighbors, and fostering a law-abiding society.” “It also reserves the right to respectfully decline offers that do not achieve these goals and offers that allow foreigners to interfere with the conduct of its internal affairs,” he added. Duterte previously dared the eU, along with the United States and other critics, to pull out their assistance from the Philippines amid criticisms against his administration’s drug war, and alleged human rights violation and summary killings related to the campaign. n
HELPING HANDS. Volunteers paint a classroom at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo, Manila ahead of the official launch on Monday, May 15 of the Education department’s Brigada Eskwela. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
China refuses comment on reported reclamation halt in Scarborough by Patricia LourDeS
Viray
MANILA — Days before the inaugural meeting of the bilateral consultation mechanism between the Philippines and China, Beijing refused to comment on the reported halt of land reclamation activities in Scarborough or Panatag Shoal. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed that Beijing’s position on issues surrounding the shoal in the disputed South China Sea is consistent and clear. “Whatever we choose to do or not to do is within our own sovereignty. China will properly deal with relevant issues,” Chinese For-
eign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a press briefing Wednesday, May 17. Hua made the statement after being asked to comment on reports that China would not conduct land reclamation activities on Scarborough Shoal in the next 12 months. The Philippines and China are enjoying a sound momentum in developing bilateral relations, Hua said. Located 120 nautical miles from Zambales, Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc is a traditional common fishing ground. Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio earlier warned that Beijing is likely to
start building military facilities on the shoal as part of their strategy in countering the United States. “Scarborough Shoal guards the exit to the Pacific because the Chinese submarines, nuclear-armed submarines are based in Hainan (Island) and if they fire their missiles in the South China Sea, those missiles will not reach the US because the range is only about 7,500 kilometers,” Carpio said in a television interview a few weeks ago. Scarborough Shoal may be the last feature in the Spratly Islands that Beijing will reclaim and build into an artificial island to house air and naval base, the SC magistrate said. n
group, said while the rejection was totally expected, it was still a source of dismay. PAGE A2 t “We were expecting that ConNograles’ brother and fellow tee on justice’s decision, Senate mittee on appropriations, said the lawmaker Jericho Jonas of party- President Aquilino Pimentel III gress will be an instrument to find impeachment complaint is more list Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta said the upper chamber has “no out the truth,” Trillanes said. than just an issue on sufficiency also welcomed the decision of other choice but to respect it be“Now that there’s a cover-up, in form and substance. cause in the first place, they were we’ll go through other modes of Umali’s panel. “I’m just happy that this is over “Why would we allow the im- the ones who examined thor- how to expose these truths… but and the House can finally attend peachment of the President when oughly and in detail the impeach- we can’t control the outcome,” he to other more important issues. we are fully supportive of his pro- ment complaint.” said without elaborating. He, howThere is no wisdom in this im- grams, especially so that some of “The senators sit as judges, ever, stressed the other modes he peachment complaint which was the issues raised in the impeach- hence we should really be pas- was referring to were not extraobviously a haphazard effort to ment complaint were based on sive,” Pimentel pointed out. constitutional. malign and discredit the Presi- hearsay?” he said. For the President’s chief legal Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a coldent,” he said. Reacting to the House commit- league of Alejano in the Magdalo counsel, the junking of the im-
peachment complaint was expected. “The impeachment complaint will not reach first base because the allegations are based on hearsay. Others are outright false,” Salvador Panelo said in a statement. He said Alejano was just after free publicity. “The complaint is intended to besmirch the reputation of (President Duterte) and to get the three minutes of fame of the complainant,” he said. Asked to react to Alejano’s
plan to take his complaint against Duterte to the International Criminal Court, Panelo said: “Tell him to plant trees in his province to protect our environment instead of creating a forest of lies against the President.” Presidential spokesman ernesto Abella said the junked impeachment complaint “was from rehashed, trumped up charges aimed at undermining the duly constituted government.” (With reports from Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero, Helen Flores, Edith Regalado, Edu Punay) n
House kills Duterte impeachment...
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Know your people, Know your roots: Celebrating Asian pacific American Heritage Month
Photo from Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
by Klarize Medenilla/aJPress
To honor the extensive and often overlooked achievements of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community, the United States designated the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). Just as the U.S. celebrates Black History Month in February, members of Congress in 1977 decided to introduce resolutions to designate a period in which to celebrate the rich history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. It started off in 1979 when Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was celebrated during the first ten days in May. Presidents in the 1980s then continued that tradition until 1990, when then-President George H.W. Bush signed a new law which expanded the observance to the entire month; then in 1992, the U.S. officially began observing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May. Soon after Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was established, Congressman Norman Y. Mineta (DCalifornia) in 1994 founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), a caucus made up of Congress members who were of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to advocate for the APA community. According to the official legislation that established the caucus, CAPAC is designed “to ensure that legislation passed by the United States Congress, to the greatest extent possible, provides for the full participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and reflects the concerns and needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.”
It was important to designate the month of May because it coincides with the first wave of Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843; the month also commemorates the construction of the first transcontinental railroad— which was built largely on the labor of Chinese immigrants—on May 10, 1869. Designating a month honoring the APA community was a huge step in recognizing the historic achievements and celebrating the cultures within the community. The APA community—as detailed in the resolution— encompasses all nationalities, cultures and ethnic populations in the Asia continent as well as the Pacific Islands; altogether, that includes hundreds of unique cultures. “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to our nation,” Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-California) said in a statement released earlier this month. “From the Chinese railroad workers who helped to build our first transcontinental railroad, to trailblazers like Dalip Singh Saund, the first Asian American ever elected to the U.S. Congress, to visionaries like Patsy Mink, a fierce champion for women’s rights who helped to pass Title IX legislation – AAPIs have played an integral role in
contributing to the vibrancy of our country.” APAs who have made great strides in entertainment and pop culture have also been commemorated in various ways this month. Earlier in May, IDENTITY LA, a concert commemorating the community, returned to Los Angeles to celebrate the work of APA artists and creatives, to inspire young artists in the community to chase their dreams and to share the Asian American identity with folks of all heritages. “It’s to show [our] pride as being Asian American because we’re not guests in this country,” LA Councilmember David Ryu told the Asian Journal earlier this month. “This is our country and we’ve helped build this country. It’s to empower the younger generations. It’s also not to only celebrate amongst ourselves but share our culture with our neighbors who are not Asian American because we draw strength from diversity, and it’s only when we learn about each other’s differences that we grow stronger together.” Throughout the month of May, all branches of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) are hosting special events for Asian/Pacific American Heritage month like film screenings, calligraphy lessons, Japanese tea ceremonies, Bollywood nights and professional panels. For a calendar list of events, visit http://www.lapl.org./
Illustration by Kendrick Tan/AJPress
Sharon Cuneta rules out third party rumors amid showbiz hiatus by rOsette adel Philstar.com
In ‘Versace: American Crime Story’, Darren Criss plays Andrew Cunanan, the Filipino-American serial killer who shot Gianni Versace.
Darren Criss tells the story of Fil- Am Andrew Cunanan in ‘Versace: American Crime Story’ by Olivia estrada Inquirer.net
EXCITEMENT builds up as we get more glimpses into the production of “Versace: American Crime Story.” A point of interest is how Darren Criss is playing Andrew Cunanan, the FilipinoAmerican serial killer who shot Gianni Versace on the steps of his house in Miami Beach. Ryan Murphy, producer of the show, gave a sneak peak of Darren as Andrew. one must note that Andrew was a gigolo who craved for attention and the limelight. Darren is with Andrew Greenfield in this photo, whose role in the show has yet to be revealed. According to Vanity Fair, Gianni and Andrew had a
connection before the murder. “They had come in contact in a San Francisco nightclub, Colossus, in 1990; Versace was in town because he had designed costumes for the San Francisco opera. That night, october 21, an eyewitness recalls, Cunanan was smugly pleased that Versace seemed to recognize him,” the report said. It also detailed how Andrew “gushed over” meeting the fashion designer and how it was unclear how and when Gianni met him before recognizing him. Before Gianni’s murder, Andrew had aleady been on a killing spree, landing him in the Most Wanted list of the F.B.I. Continued on Page 4
“THERE is no truth to the rumors going around that Kiko (Sen. Francis Pangilinan) and Sen. Risa Hontiveros are having an affair (or held hands).” That is what “Mega Star” Sharon Cuneta said as she broke her silence on her personal problems and dismissed rumors of third party on her marital woes in a lengthy Facebook post published on Sunday, May 14. Cuneta recently announced that she will take a break from work, saying that she has been through “way too much pain and fatigue in the past few weeks” that she has to “collect herself and regroup once again.”This hiatus sparked rumors that she is undergoing a marital problem. Photos of Hontiveros and Pangilinan appearing to be holding hands also surfaced online amid Cuneta’s vacation. Cuneta, however, clarified that the photo circulating online was only edited and there is no Hontiveros-Pangilinan affair. “okay. Here is the truth. Kung anuman ang pinagdadaanan ko/ namin ngayon, HINDI Po ITo KASALI DooN,” Cuneta wrote. “Some people are evil. They have nothing better to do than ruin people’s lives. Wala bang mas matalino or mas challenging na paraan na hindi naman nakaiinsulto sa utak ng karamihan kung maninira
ka rin lang ng kapwa?,” she added. Cuneta said that if indeed she discovered that Pangilinan is cheating on her, she will not discuss it publicly because she was raised to be a decent private person. “So if I am indeed going through anything now, IT DoES NoT INVoLVE A THIRD PARTY,” she reiterated. ‘lost with personal problems’ The singer-actress admitted that she is currently “lost” and that she has just being going through so many things. She cited that in the past few weeks, two people close to her have died, her favorite aunt is sick, and her film with Star Cinema has been moved to September. Cuneta also cited money problems and being taken advantage of. She lamented how she should be retired by now and reaping the fruits of her labor, but instead, she is still working for the benefit of others. “I owe so much money (on very good investments not stupid stuff) and I have No oNE IN THE WoRLD To HELP ME. I am probably the poorest, most cash-strapped billionaire you know (!). Etc., etc., etc. So much more, and you don’t know half of it. So I left Manila,” she explained. “Being somewhere else lets you see things from a whole different perspective. Can’t be effective as a mother, wife, sister, aunt, co-worker, friend, etc., etc., etc. if YoU yourself
are lost and need to breathe. Siguro naman may karapatan din ako malungkot at mapagod? I am a human being. I want to rest my mind, body, heart and soul. I am tired of being all things to all people, and I realize no one has really done or been the same for me,” she added. Cuneta then thanked God for all the blessings He has given her. She also assured the public that she is all right and that there is no need to worry about her. The actress, who said she will only take a backseat to focus on her problems for the moment, also promised to be home soon. “Thanks so much for your love, support, and encouraging words. Now, please don’t worry about me na. I am okay. I always am,” Cuneta said as she greeted mothers “Happy Mother’s Day.” Meanwhile, amid Cuneta’s personal dilemma, Pangilinan took to Twitter to greet his wife on Mother’s Day and express his support for her. “Know that as you go through your own life journey I’ll be here beside you & even if I may not be able to solve a number of problems you face,” the senator wrote. “My shoulders will always be here for you to lean on & my arms will always be available for big hugs should you feel the need for them. Always,” he added.
Sharon Cuneta thanks God for all the blessings He has given her. She also assured the public that she is all right and that there is no need to worry about her.
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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
Trump’s ‘extreme vetting’ of visa applicants
last fifteen years; • Employment history during the last fifteen years; DURING Pres. Trump’s • All passport numbers and candidacy, and after he was country of issuance held by the elected, he stated that among applicant; the ways he would combat • Names and dates of birth terrorism would be through for all siblings; “extreme vetting,” which would • Name and dates of birth for include a “rigorous evaluation” of visa applicants to determine if all children; Names and dates of birth for they support terrorism. all current and former spouses, Recently, the State or civil or domestic Department listed possible partners; additional questions for • Social media platforms visa applicants who have and identifiers, also known as been determined to warrant handles, used during the last five additional scrutiny in years (such a Facebook, etc.); and connection with terrorism or • Phone numbers and email other national security-related addresses used during the last visa ineligibilities, in order five years. to more rigorously evaluate • People may also be required applicants for terrorism or other to turn over their cell phones, to national security-related visa see who they have been calling, ineligibilities: etc. If a person is suspected of Most of this information having terrorist ties or sympathy is already collected on visa for terrorists, he or she may be required to provide the following applications, but for a shorter time period, e.g. five years rather information, if not already than fifteen years. Regarding included on an existing visa travel history, applicants application: • Travel history during the last may be requested to provide fifteen years, including source of details of their international or domestic (within their country of funding for travel; nationality) travel, if it appears • Address history during the
Making time for the things that matter Carpe diem! Seize the day! - Horace
There is a vast array of things that children are offered to learn outside of school—activities that by themselves are intended to prime and prepare them for success in their adult lives, to Monette make them more intelligent, AdevA MAglAyA more artistic, more poised with greater self-esteem, more athletic FOR a steadily increasing and basically more well-rounded number of people who are intent supposedly to be able to compete on finding meaning in life—time in the real world. The focus of has eclipsed money in importance. these activities is on the future In America as in anywhere else rather than the present moment. on earth where time is equated Try not to rob them of the joy of with money, there is a tendency to the moment in the name of the trade each hour for the relentless future. pursuit of the trappings of an Well-meaning but basically economically successful life. What misguided immigrant parents we do has become what we are. tend to overcompensate and And yet, the truth of the matter is stretch themselves to give their that not all our hours are billable. children the advantage they For immigrant parents with themselves did not have. Some younger children, one of the push their children onto too best things to give of yourself is many activities to give them an having more free, unscheduled, edge for the outside world at unencumbered time with them some future date. As promising so that you can make yourself as these activities may seem, available to them, without one needs to achieve a sense having to put them on schedule of balance and understand as though accommodating if the tendency to do so is a them in your already crowded personal response to a sense appointment book. of insecurity. It could be that In the eighties and nineties parents are merely sublimating of the past century, the idea of their inadequacies and imposing “quality time” meant that since these on the lives of their own there was only a limited amount children. It is not necessary to of time to spend with children, enlist children in each and every a busy parent “squeezed” as activity that promises to give much as could be squeezed out them an edge. of spending an hour or two or Spending real time with an afternoon with his children children and kicking back can once in a great while. While yield even more tangible results spending limited quality time was in improved relationships and a definitely better than being an better quality of family life. absentee parent altogether, there *** is still no substitute for spending nota bene: monette adeva maglaya real“quantity time” with children, is svp of asian Journal publications, even if it means merely hanging inc. to send comments, e-mail out with them. monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
National smoking ban
Providing a smoking area within the same building with one ventilation system is like designating a urinating area in a swimming pool
Health@Heart PhiliP S. chuA, MD, fAcS, fPcS HEAlTHJUSTIcE Philippines, a vigilant think tank and advocacy group with legal expertise in tobacco control and health promotion and a Bloomberg Awardee for Global Tobacco control, sent out a press release on May 12, 2017 praising “Davao city Vices Regulation Unit for its strict enforcement of smoking ban and apprehension of 4,487 violators since its formation last month.” “We commend the local government of Davao city and its Vices Regulation Unit for strictly enforcing the provisions of its
pertinent local ordinances and national and international laws banning smoking in public spaces. Davao city has been recognized by no less than the World Health Organization for its landmark tobacco control ordinance, and since then it has continued setting a sterling example in crafting and implementing tobacco control measures for cities across the country and the whole world to emulate,” said Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza, president and trustee of HealthJustice. “We hope that President Duterte will soon sign the ‘smokefree’ Executive Order that will not only strengthen the enforcement of existing smoking bans, but also direct local governments to pattern their anti-smoking ordinances after that of Davao, which includes a ‘no smoking indoors’ policy,” she Continued on Page 4
to the consular officer that the applicant has been in an area while the area was under the operational control of a terrorist organization. These questions may not always be required for every visa applicant. But you can see the type of information that may soon be required for anyone applying for a U.S. visa. *** michael J. gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the state bar of California and new York. all immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the state bar of California. each case is different. the information contained herein including testimonials, “success stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. no 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 (advertising supplement)
Crewman went home to manila on provisional waiver and Came baCk to the U.s. with a green Card—on a speCial enCore episode of CitiZen pinoY! leading U.s. immigration attorney michael J. gurfinkel obtained a provisional waiver for Jerome, a crewman who jumped ship. Jerome had filed for adjustment of status on his own, but it was denied, because he was not eligible. with the approved provisional waiver of the 3\10 year bar, Jerome returned to the philippines for visa processing at the Us embassy in manila. his wife and children wondered and prayed if Jerome could make it back to the U.s. every crewman and their Us spouse should watch the outcome of this provisional waiver case on an encore episode of ‘Citizen pinoy’ — this sunday, may 21 at 6:15 pm (pst) on tfC. (advertising supplement)
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Daniel Matsunaga shows his post-erich Gonzales body by Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com
“Yes po!” Daniel Matsunaga quickly declared when asked by Philstar.com if he has already moved on from his breakup with
actress erich Gonzales. “Do I look sad? No na!” he assured. How was he able to move on? “Workout! s’yempre nagfootball ako!” he said in jest. The effects of his workout really showed in Daniel’s “revenge body,” which he eagerly paraded in an underwear show last week, as he was announced as the first celebrity endorser for direct-selling brand Avon’s men’s underwear line. “I prepared myself for this Avon event, of course! And I always prepare myself in everything I do. Being the first male celebrity endorser for Avon is such a huge opportunity for me. Being an ambassador, I really have to take care of myself. I have to train myself wearing underwear because it’s not all the time that I do an underwear show and show myself to you, guys!” These past months since the breakup, Daniel has been making himself busy with a lot of CrossFit, football, and gym. He complements his
Meet the young filmmaker who’s representing the Philippines at the Cannes Film Festival
in the country. “It makes us question circumstances in ways like ‘Is “NuNG una, hindi ko alam life really a bitch?’ To which I kung anong ginagawa ko, pero answer, ‘Yes, it is!’ but always with nung nagets ko na, sinakyan ko exercises with a low-carbohydrate, na lang kasi enjoy naman,” Angeli the recourse for choice,” shares fiber-rich diet, courtesy of his own Bayani told me after an actress Manatad over an email interview healthy food delivery business. with Philstar.com. roundtable with CNN Life. Bayani “When you stand in an Manatad is no stranger to the is talking about her experience in underwear in front of so many festival circuit. He’s known as an filming Carlo Francisco Manatad’s people, it’s awkward, but then, I’m short film, “Jodilerks De La Cruz, editor in the local film industry, used to it. I’ve been modeling in with films such as “Badil,” “The employee of the Year,” which has different countries, but I’m doing it the distinction of being the only Trial,” and “I’m Drunk, I Love in the Philippines for the first time. Filipino selection in the 2017 You” under his belt. But he’s Amazing experience!” he shared. made a stronger impression as Cannes Film Festival. According to Avon Philippines a filmmaker in his short films, It will premiere at the festival’s Marketing Director Jean Reyes, such as Junilyn Has — which was parallel sidebar, semaine De La they chose Daniel to become selected for the Locarno Film Critique, which aims to spotlight their first make celebrity endorser Festival — about a nightclub for intimate apparel because the dancer trying to learn new moves actor is “a man of style, adventure, to attract customers during the and confidence that perfectly Pope’s visit in the Philippines; reflects the modern gentleman. and “Fatima Maria Torres and the He knows what makes him Invasion of space shuttle Pinas comfortable in his own skin.” 25,” a sci-fi short that won Best Daniel, Reyes told Philstar.com Comedy at this year’s 65th Aspen in an interview, gives inputs on shortfest in Colorado. the underwear’s styles and colors. “Jodilerks” is about the titular “He likes earthy hues like blues, character, a gas station attendant, blacks, the classics,” Reyes said. and her last day at a gas station she has observed that men in soon to be closed down. The their early 20s are more into prints, short film was supposed to be a while those 30 to 40 are more into treatment to show to producers classics like plain colors. but it was submitted to and Like in choosing the right accepted at the semaine De La underwear, Daniel believes that he Critique (International Critics will soon find the girl that fits. Week). Jodilerks is played by “You know, a lot of things are Bayani, who is no stranger to going on in my life right now. I’m Cannes herself, having flown to very happy with my new show, the French Riviera for Lav Diaz’s ‘I Can Do That!’ and I’m happy Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan because God has the right person and Anthony Chen’s Ilo-Ilo (which for you…You just have to wait,” he Carlo Manatad talks about his dark comedy, Jodilerks — which will premiere at the 2017 won the Camera d’Or Award) at affirmed. Semaine De La Critique — and why it’s an exciting time to make short films in local cinema. the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
by Don JAuciAn Philstar.com
first and second films of emerging filmmakers and has had in its roster films by Wong Kar Wai (“As Tears Go By,” 1989), Guillermo Del Toro, (“Cronos,” 1993), and Jeff Nichols (“Take shelter,” 2011). Bayani’s initial suspicion about her inclusion in the project comes from the fact that her filmography tends to veer towards the dramatic end of the spectrum. she’s hardly ever done comedy and Jodilerks happily falls under dark comedy, which might suit someone like Bayani since the subgenre deals with taboo topics played in a humorous light. And in this case, it’s about unemployment
Photo by Krista Ortega
Darren Crisstells the story... National smoking ban From Page 2 Apart from this, we also recently got to see Penelope Cruz donning platinum-blonde locks along with sleek and sexy ensembles as she takes on the role of Donatella Versace. edgar Ramirez, who will play Gianni Versace, also dropped a few photos from the set which feature the lavish Italian taste of
EMPLOYMENT
the designer. Ricky Martin, who will play Gianni’s partner Antonio D’Amico, gives a more candid glimpse of the cast together. Versace: American Crime story along with Katrina: American Crime story are both lined up for 2018, following up the successful debut of the series which re-told the story of the O.J. simpson murder trial.
From Page 3 added. *** Cebu in the 1990s, expanding on its existing ban on smoking in public establishments then, proposed its laudable goal to make Cebu city a smoke-free city by year 2006. I was among its staunchest supporter and stated then that achieving this would earn
EMPLOYMENT
Cebu the enviable distinction of being one of the healthiest cities and tourist spots in the world. unfortunately, wisdom, health, and medical science were no match to the power of money and political correctness. I remember that there were some brainless city legislators who wanted to amend the ordinance to allow smoking after 9:00 P.M. and
for the creation of smoking areas in shopping malls, restaurants, etc. Did these obviously ignorant officials think that active and passive smoking would only cause cancers, cardiovascular illnesses, and lung diseases before 9:00 P.M., and that smoking after 9 PM would be safe? Did they honestly think that the smoking areas (within a building) will prevent the 4000 harmful (200 of them cancer-causing) chemicals in tobacco smoke from getting
SERVICES
into the ventilation system and expose and hurt everyone in the premises, including non-smokers and children? What in this issue was NOT clear? I bet even the kids in the kindergarten can see how ludicrous these proposed amendments are. unless the designated room is air-tight and totally excluded from the main building (of shopping malls, restaurants, Continued on Page 5
Consulate Administrative Officer holds 2nd solo exhibit in NY NEW YORK– Reynaldo Cardenas, Administrative Officer of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, held his 2nd one-man exhibit at the LobbyGallery of the Philippine Center in New York this month. The exhibit dubbed “Bagong Landas” presents 17 new works by Cardenas who has been involved in painting for the last seven years. Mr. Cardenas’ first solo exhibit at the Philippine Center took place in 2016. Mr. Cardenas’ works explore the impressions made by the diverse places he has visited in connection with his work in the Philippine Foreign Service. Approaching retirement from government service in June of 2017, the latest exhibit also provides some ideas about the future artistic direction of Mr. Cardenas. Mr. Cardenas is part of an informal group of artists from among staffmembers of the Philippine Consulate General in New York who have been studying various artistic mediums. He also currently serves as Vice President
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Calendar of Events across America L-R PCMB Manager Arman Talbo, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Mrs. Rosalind Cardenas, Mr. Reynaldo Cardenas, Amb. Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., and Mrs. Louie Locsin at the exhibit ribbon-cutting. Photos by NYPCG
of the Society of Philippine American Artists (SPAA). On hand at the exhibit’s opening were Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Mrs. Louie Locsin, Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Philippine Center Manager Arman R. Talbo, officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General,
Philippine Mission, Philippine Center, New York-based artists, community members, family, and friends of the artist. The exhibit is being presented by the Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Center in New York, and the SPAA. The exhibit takes place during Philippine Heritage Month and AsianAmerican Heritage Month.
ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS M AY 1 9
National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day Stakeholder Breakfast and Conference in Pasadena, CA National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day Stakeholder Breakfast and Conference, co-sponsored by Hep B Free-Los Angeles and Hepatitis C Task Force for Los Angeles County on Friday, May 19. It will be held at Huntington Hospital (100 W. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, featuring a hepatitis/liver expert panel and roundtable discussion groups. Continental breakfast will be available. Please RSVP by May 12 to Koy Parada at kparada@apu.edu or (818) 599-9132.
AMBOY presents ULAM dinner in LA AMBOY presents a special night on Friday, May 19 with a six course dinner presented by Filipino chefs who will each make one course using their culinary technique and cultural background. Guests in attendance will also receive a VIP ticket to the preview of ULAM – a Filipino food documentary, showing at the Million Dollar Theatre on Saturday May 20th. It will be held at the second floor of Far East Plaza (727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012) at 5:30 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. It is $75 per guest (includes a ticket to ULAM screening). To book online, please visit www.universe.com/amboydinnernight or email eatatamboy@ gmail.com for any inquiries.
M AY 2 0 Mr. Reynaldo Cardenas delivers a message at the exhibit opening.
Mr. Cardenas and Consul General Dizon-De Vega with officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in New York.
National smoking... From Page 4 stores, hospitals, public libraries, theaters, the workplace, etc.), and has a ventilation system of its own, it would be ineffective and useless. Providing a smoking area within the same building with one ventilation system is like designating a urinating area in a swimming pool. This is the same scientific and medical principle why the smoking ban in commercial airplanes also includes the toilets, besides all the cabins and the cockpit. A simple common sense. The issue is crystal clear. Smoking and second handsmoking or passive smoking maim and kill millions in countries around the world, the Philippines included. Spraying poison in the air, as in passive smoking, adversely affect everyone in the area. The simplest, totally cost-free, and medically effective solution is to allow smoking ONLY outside of, and a distance from, public buildings. What could be more obvious? A national smoking ban, while unpopular and controversial, would provide an immeasurable boost to people’s and the nation’s health. While I abhor smoking and inhaling secondhand tobacco smoke for health reasons, I defend the right of smokers to smoke. That is their constitutional right…so long as the exercise of that right does not offend or hurt the people around them and infringe upon the rights of others. After all, non-smokers have rights too: not to be exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke. Where there
of victims of passive smoking (as in the airline stewardess’ case). is a conflict, the right of the nonIn 1986, the Surgeon General of smoker prevails. This is an accepted the United States reported that legal tenet. involuntary (passive) smoking What is secondhand smoke? can cause lung cancer in healthy Secondhand smoke is the fume non-smokers. In fact, the U.S. that one involuntarily inhales after Environmental Protection someone who smokes exhales it Agency (EPA) has now classified (called mainstream smokes), or secondhand smoke as a known the fume that goes directly to the carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). atmosphere from the burning If we, as a people and as tobacco (cigarette, pipe or cigar) a nation, are really serious in called side stream smoke. When eliminating all the smoking-related non-smokers breathe in these killer diseases that snuff out more smokes or fumes from other than 240 lives a day, yes, a day, people’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes, not a month, causing the loss of this is involuntarily inhalation loved ones and family devastation, called passive smoking. As stated promulgating a national smoking earlier, tobacco smoke contains ban truly makes sense. about 4000 chemicals, 200 of them But don’t hold your breath. known poisons and carcinogens. History shows that majority of Smoking around people is similar our elected politicians, leaders to spraying known poison gases we voted for to protect us, do not into the atmosphere, victimizing have balls and the wisdom and the and posing even greater health will to eliminate this vicious serial hazards to non-smokers. killer amidst us. The illnesses and Does passive smoking cause deaths from tobacco far exceed the cancer? morbidity and mortality from illegal Yes, active and passive smoking drugs. cause cancers, besides bronchitis, Let’s see if President Rodrigo R. premature births, smaller babies Duterte can extinguish this political with higher risk for impaired mental insanity that is holding the people’s development, respiratory illnesses health hostage. among children, emphysema, *** heart attack, and stroke. In the Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac United States, cancer victims of Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and smoking, and family members of chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 smokers who died from cigaretteat Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he related illness, have sued cigarette holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, manufacturing companies, and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow have won millions in awards. While of the American College of Surgeons, the they vehemently denied it before, Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton cigarette companies today have A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is admitted in public that tobacco the chairman of the Filipino United Network – causes cancers and other lung USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the illnesses. The courts have likewise United States. For more data, visit philipSchua. ruled in a similar fashion in favor com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Carlos Bulosan book club in LA The Echo Park Branch Library* of the LA Public Library system will host the launching of the Carlos Bulosan Book Club (CBBC) organized by Friends of the Echo Park Library (friendsechopark.org) on Saturday, May 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The first book will be “America is in the Heart” by Carlos Bulosan. The moderators will be James Castillo, Dr. Enrique dela Cruz, Vicky Perez & Jaime Geaga. The CBBC’s mission is to provide a forum to explore and learn about the Filipino-American immigrant experience as reflected through Fil-Am literature. It will be held at the Echo Park Library Community Room (1410 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026). To RSVP or for more info, please contact James Castillo at (626) 241-7010 or admin@friendsechopark.org.
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Filipino Medical Program hosts mini health fair in Bergenfield, NJ Holy Name Medical Center’s Filipino Medical Program will take part in a mini health fair on Sunday, May 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church - Conlon Hall at 19 North William Street, Bergenfield, NJ. For more information, please call the FMP at (201) 833-3355 or email lavarro@holyname.org.
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AMBOY presents lechon festival in LA AMBOY presents a Lechon festival on Friday, May 26 where six different chefs will compete and be given the chance to show their version of our beloved lechon. All attendees and judges will get the chance to taste each chef’s representation and get to vote for the best version of lechon in Los Angeles based on flavor, originality, plating and crunchiness. VIP guests and judges will have additional courses made by each chef competing for the grand prizes. It is $75 for VIP (entrance at 6 p.m.) and $50 for GA (entrance at 7 p.m.). It will be held at the second floor of Far East Plaza (727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). To book online, please visit www.universe.com/amboylechonfestival or email eatatamboy@ gmail.com for any inquiries.
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Global gathering of Bulacan High School and Marcelo H. del Pilar High School in Rosemead, CA Graduates of Bulacan High School and Marcelo H. del Pilar High School of Malolos, Bulacan will hold their first ever global gathering on Sunday, May 28 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Rosemead, California. Please call up any of the following for more details: Rosario “Charito” Aldaba Gabriel (Class ‘66), Tel. No. (818)-982-1165; Lourdes Ople Smith (Class ’64) Tel. No. (310)-662-1948; Gerry “German” Torres, Jr. (Class ’66) Tel. No. (818)-646-3286. You can also visit the website at www.mhpnhs-maa.com.
Filipino Medical Program hosts community health screening in Jersey City Holy Name Medical Center’s Filipino Medical Program will have a health screening from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 28 at the Santacruzan Festival at St. Mary’s Church on 254 2nd St, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302. For more information, please call the FMP at (201) 833-3355 or email lavarro@holyname.org.
June 3
5th annual Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown The 5th Kalayaan Parade in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown will be held on Saturday, June 3, beginning at 9 a.m. to celebrate the 119th Philippine Independence Day. LA Councilmember Mitch O’ Farrell of District 13 will be the guest speaker of the program. The assembly area is in front of the Silverlake Medical Center (SLMC) at Temple Street at 8:00 a.m. The parade starts at 9:00 a.m. and will end at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) compound. For more information please call Art at (213) 318-9065 or visit www.jfavusa.org.
Kalayaan Incorporated’s Philippine Independence Gala Night in Garden Grove, CA Kalayaan Incorporated Southern California, with the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, invites you to its Gala Night in commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on Saturday, June 3. It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Orange County (11999 Harbor Blvd. Garden Grove, California 92840). Doors open at 5 p.m. with the program beginning at 6:15 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. It is $75 / per ticket (pre-paid). Attire is formal/barong/Filipinana. For more information, please visit https://www. kalayaanincorporatedsocal.com/.
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
An Asian Journal
Jones Bridge paintings turned over for Jones Law centennial celebration
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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY m AY 1 9, 20 1 7
PH Embassy, Fil-Am community hold routable on PH arts
WASHINGTON, D.C. — “I come from a league of Filipino artists who practiced their art in the post-colonial era. What I hope to achieve in this discussion is to show how our lives as artists in the Philippines are shaped by our historical and cultural milieu. I have chosen to discuss, the master, Fernando Amorsolo, a young master, Julius Legazpi, and a novice, who happens to be myself,” thus began Manila-based artist Celeste Lecaroz in leading an afternoon discussion on Filipino art and culture at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on May 11. Surrounded by paintings of National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and Arturo Luz; and Manuel Baldemor, Ms. Lecaroz did an inter-generational comparison of Amorsolo, J. Legazpi and herself. She described the early lives, family backgrounds and respective works, styles, and inspirations of the three artists. Drawing from the lives of these Filipino artists, she suggested a number of comparisons and contrasts. Her primary reflection focused on how their lives followed “the mythical cycle of the hero as an artist.” Called to be artists as children, leading to an adventure in the arts, there were nevertheless many distractions along the way such as commercial art for the master Amorsolo, the allure of Toon City and Hollywood animation for Legazpi, and the pressures of employment, motherhood, and homemaking for her. “But in the end we, followed our bliss. Art was what we wanted. We were going to do this no matter. And, along the way, in this adventure, we meet our mentors who teach us the ways of art,” Ms Lecaroz concluded. She also noted how galleries
Manila-based artist Celeste Lecaroz speaks on the lives of three (3) Filipino artists, Fernando Amorsolo, Julius Legazpi, and herself, focusing on their works, styles, and inspirations.
Mr. Paolo Galang’s presentation focused on Filipino Komiks, emphasizing the need to spread awareness about the Philippines’ own superheroes among the young generation of Filipino-Americans in the U.S.
Filipino-American community of Metro DC attends a roundtable discussion on Filipino art and culture held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on 11 May 2017.
are slowly becoming irrelevant to artists and buyers of art because of social media and the internet. The need for conduits or middlemen in the
business of art is somewhat becoming irrelevant. In contrast, Amorsolo’s reputation was passed by word of Continued on Page 7
ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two paintings of the William A. Jones Memorial Bridge in Manila were turned over to the Richmond County Museum and the family of Congressman William Atkinson Jones on May 12, as part of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Philippine Autonomy Act, otherwise known as the Jones Act for Philippine Independence, which was enacted by the 64th Congress of the United States of America on August 29, 1916. The paintings are the works of Manila-based artist Celeste Lecaroz, who adopted the style “spontaneous realism,” which is popularized by the Austrian contemporary artist Voka. “When I set to the task of painting the bridge, I tapped into the significance of Philippines-US relations and what it meant to me. With palette knife on hand I set to paint an image of the Jones Bridge in Manila. What immediately came to mind is bridging the gap, exchange between the two sides,” Ms. Lecaroz said. “But I came to realize eventually that Congressman Jones did more than that. It was more than bridging. It was giving us an alternative path from that of remaining as a colony. So again, it is my honor and pleasure to be leaving the Richmond County Museum and the Jones family a crafted symbol of our strengthened ties as sovereign nations,” she added. The Jones Law, as it was commonly referred to, laid down the framework for a more autonomous government, preparatory to the grant of independence to the Philippines by the United States. Through this law, the Philippines saw the creation of a bicameral legislature, the introduction of a representative electoral process, and the recognition of the fundamental civil and political rights of persons living within the bounds of the Philippine Islands. Ms. Becky Marks, Board Chair, and Mr. David Jett, curator, received the painting on behalf of the Richmond County Museum. “I just want to say how much we appreciate the effort, creativity and thoughtfulness that you all put into this,” said Mr. Jett. In the brief turnover ceremony at the Jones Family Home in Warsaw, Virginia, Ms. Elizabeth Hart Jones, representing the Jones Family, expressed appreciation for the painting and its symbolism. She referred to the monument with the inscription, “A Tribute of the Undying Gratitude of the Filipino People,” erected over the grave of Congressman Jones at St. John’s Episcopal Church in 1926. “We are so touched that after all these years, it has not changed.
Ms. Becky Marks (right) Board Chair, and Mr. David Jett (2nd from right), curator, receives the Jones Bridge painting on behalf of the Richmond County Museum from Ms. Celeste Lecaroz (left) on May 12.
Ms. Celeste Lecaroz (right) presents the Jones Bridge painting to Ms. Elizabeth Hart Jones (left) and her sister, Anne (center) at the Jones Family Home in Warsaw, Virginia on May 12.
So we are very, very grateful. We do feel a big responsibility to represent the family,” she said. “At that age of empire building, it was a radical idea to let go of a treasured territory like the Philippine Islands. However, Congressman Jones had a profound belief that the United States had a more important mandate to promote freedom around the world,” she further said. Ms. Jones was joined by her sister Anne, and Anne’s husband Rusty Gilfillan in welcoming Ms. Lecaroz and other guests to the Family Home. The Executive Director of the US-Philippines Society, Hank Hendrickson, remarked that the Jones Act capped an intensely dynamic period in the history of relations between the United States and the Philippines, characterized by debates in Washington, D.C. that were cast in moral terms, on what the US should do with the Philippines
and other island possessions. “What evolved from those debates was a compromise. Simply put, the US would stay in the Philippines, but on the condition that as it did so, America would work to strengthen Philippine institutions as a basis for modern, twentieth century governance. What Congressman William A. Jones did was to nail down legislation and legislative assurances that that political bargain was kept,” Mr. Hendrickson stated. “For our part, Americans might better understand and appreciate the role of Filipino leaders at the time. In both Manila and Washington, the leadership skillfully engaged American counterparts to break down preconceived notions, prejudices, and provide assurances about the capacity for independent governance,” he emphasized. Renowned Filipino historian Continued on Page 7
Derek Ramsay, John Estrada to represent PH in international golf tournament IN an unprecedented turn of events, long-time buddies and celebrity colleagues Derek Ramsay and John Estrada won in the National Finals of the Jack Nicklaus International Invitational (JNII) golf tournament. After qualifying into the finals at Sta. Elena Golf Club, John and Derek have had no inkling that they would win the National Finals at all. In fact, Estrada was not sure of playing in the finals because of his prior commitments. But as fate set in, Estrada managed to fix his schedule, played true to form with his partner and finished with a 69 in the Peoria format and beat 33 other two-man Long-time buddies and celebrity colleagues Derek Ramsay and John Estrada won in the National Finals of the Jack Nicklaus International Invitational golf tournament. teams vying to compete in the worldwide. International Championship in Ohio perfection. But more than the “With any sport, luck is part victory, the thrill will become even this May. of it, and we’re very lucky to have more exciting since part of the “I was dreaming of winning this opportunity to represent winnings are the chance to watch here at least once because it’s an the Philippines and to meet the live the Memorial Tournament in open secret that all of the best best golfer in the world,” Estrada the US as well as meet and greet, amateur golfers are here. We were added. mingle and jingle with golf’s living kind of happy when we were told Since 2006, the Jack Nicklaus legend, the “Golden Bear” Jack that there’s a new scoring system, International Invitational has been Nicklaus. which I think suited our games,” giving recreational golfers a chance “Most definitely, number one Estrada noted. to play tournament golf on worldis to meet Jack Nicklaus, shake his Ramsay added: “When we got class courses. Open to all who love hand and have a picture,” Ramsay through the first qualifying day, the game, men and women of enthusiastically stated. “I saw Jack we were excited because we really any skill levels are invited to enter Nicklaus as a teenager, from afar had a fun day at the Sta. Elena golf this social event that promotes and a long time ago and I always course.” camaraderie as much as it lights looked up to him.” “We had a little game strategy the competitive fire. Winners of “I’m really, really excited to before the first hole, but later on we qualifying tournaments advance to decided to just play our game. And meet him, I have to make so many the international final Tournament adjustments in my schedule but we played decent golf as we only of Champions held annually in had one bogey. Honestly, we played since this a once in a lifetime chance to meet the best golfer who Ohio, USA concurrently with the good, we played better really, PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament ever lived, then we gotta move today,” he also said. hosted by Nicklaus. Teams get a things around.” Ramsay added. “You know it’s a good thing chance of a lifetime to play for their This winning pair will represent Derek told me, let’s just play our country while being Jack’s guests the country in the JNII culminating game then bahala na!” Estrada at The Memorial where they watch event, where they will battle other chimed in. the world’s best. (Philstar.com) winners from other countries Their strategy worked to
An Asian Journal
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PH Embassy, Fil-Am community hold...
LBC continues to move love to children through Project Pearls LBC Express, the country’s leading courier and cargo, logistics, and remittance company, continues to move communities and help underprivileged Filipino children. This endeavor is in partnership with Project Pearls, a Californiabased foundation. Starting this month until June 16, 2017, LBC will be setting up boxes in all their California branches which will serve as drop-off points for school supplies that will be solicited by Project Pearls. These donations will be shipped by LBC to Project Pearls Philippines for distribution to beneficiary students. Project Pearls has advocated to help the financially-challenged Filipino children to have a better life through education, empowerment, nutrition and health services. Patricia Garcia, LBC’s VicePresident for Sales and Operations in North America states, “We are happy to be part of Project Pearl’s noble cause. Through this, we hope to be able to encourage the Filipino community in California and other civic-minded citizens to donate what they can so that
less fortunate children would be well-equipped with the materials they need when they go back to school this year.” This is the second time that LBC and Project Pearls have worked together to move assistance to those in need. Two years ago, LBC kicked off Box a Smile, where customers can donate a portion of their shipping fees to give a Christmas gift to a sponsored child in the Philippines. The drive was culminated with a gift-giving event. Through their various platforms and facilities, LBC hopes
to make a difference by bridging lives and communities of Filipinos from all across the globe. LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 6,400 branches, hubs & warehouses, partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC
Jones Bridge paintings turned over... From Page 6 and author Dr. Bernardita Churchill gave the family a copy of an article on the commemorative dinner organized by the Philippine Embassy, in cooperation with the USPhilippines Society, on 30 August 2016, that replicated the dinner hosted by then Philippine High
Commissioner Manuel L. Quezon on 29 August 1916 at the New Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Ms. Darell Artates, the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Officer, expressed the Embassy’s appreciation to Ms. Lecaroz and the Warsaw community, including the Jones Family, for their commitment to
strengthening Philippines-US ties. “During this time of major changes and uncertainty, it is useful to have events like this that serve as a reminder of the enduring friendship between the Filipino and American peoples,” she said. The participants in the
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mouth, and recognition took time. Social convergence for artists and adherents is also easier and more accessible today. On being a woman artist, Ms. Lecaroz said that, “I feel today is the best time to be a lady artist in the Philippines. We just had two women presidents, women are no longer just relegated to doing domestic tasks. My strokes are bold and fearless, as bold and fearless as the steps I’m taking in a predominantly male world of art in the country.” In a second presentation for the afternoon, Paolo Galang, one of the resident artists of the Philippine Embassy, provided a brief survey of hope and inspiration in Filipino Komiks. After a history lesson aims to deliver value to all of its on the evolution of American stakeholders, as it has for over superheroes such as Superman, 60 years. Founded in 1945 as a Wonder Woman and the X-Men, brokerage and air cargo agent, he talked about early practices LBC pioneered time-sensitive in the Philippines such as Jose cargo delivery and 24-hour Rizal’s Ang Matsing at ang door-to-door delivery in the Pagong (The Monkey and the Philippines. Today, it is the most Turtle), which is considered trusted logistics brand of the to be the first Filipino komik. Global Filipino. LBC can move it He also narrated the story for you: visit www.LBCexpress. of the early 1929 satirical com, or call telephone +632 8585 portrait of a Filipino called the 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 Misadventures of Kenkoy. 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 Mr. Galang then (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress introduced Mars Ravelo, who (Facebook and Twitter). Filipinos embrace as their (Advertising Supplement) own Stan Lee, the American comic writer who created a number of Marvel Comics turnover ceremonies also visited characters. Ravelo created such the Jones memorial at St. John’s Filipino superheroes as Varga Episcopal Church, upon the and Darna. Mr. Galang also gracious invitation of its rector, described other superheroes The Reverend Torrence Harman. like Captain Barbell, Lastikman, The William A. Jones Memorial Flash Bomba and Tiny Tony. He Bridge, popularly known as the emphasized the importance Jones Bridge, was inaugurated in of increasing awareness 1921. Spanning the Pasig River, it among the Filipino American connects Binondo, the location community, especially the of Chinatown, and Ermita in the younger generation, that the heart of Manila.
Philippines also has its own indigenous superheroes. “These are not only part of the childhood of many Filipinos but are as much a part of their cultural heritage, characterized generally by a constant sense of humour and a prevailing sense of hope,” said Mr. Galang. The afternoon presentations were anchored by a discussion led by Ms. Darell Ann R. Artates, Public Diplomacy Officer of the Embassy, on the possible thrusts, direction, priorities and programs of the Sentro Rizal that the Embassy will inaugurate later this year. The main purpose of a Sentro Rizal, as mandated by the National Cultural Heritage Act, is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language throughout the world, including in countries where there are large Filipino communities. “The establishment of the Sentro Rizal here in Washington DC later this year is important for the Embassy because we want the Filipino American communities in our jurisdiction, particularly their children, to have the opportunity to reconnect with their culture and heritage. And we hope that this will be a collaborative effort among all of us because culture belongs to the people,” Ms. Artates told the group. At the end of her presentation, Ms. Lecaroz asked the question that another National Artist NVM Gonzalez posed, in reflecting on the work of Philippine artists, “what does this all mean?” It’s a question NVM Gonzalez himself answered simply: “that perhaps through his artistic effort the Filipino can contribute to the dialogue of cultures now going on all over the world.... We cannot hope for too much, but we can do no less.”
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