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Volume 24 - No. 31 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

AUGUST 11-17, 2017 Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

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Palace on North Korea missile threats: DATELINE USA Plans in place for Filipinos in Guam Solon tells US: PH wants Balangiga bells, FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by ROSETTE

ADEL

Philstar.com

not airstrikes in Marawi

THE United States should return the Balangiga bells back to the Philippines instead of conducting air strikes in the conflict-stricken Marawi City, a Filipino lawmaker said on Wednesday, August 9. In a statement, Bayan Muna RepBayan Muna Representative Carlos resentative Carlos Zarate Inquirer.net photo Zarate stressed that the Filipinos “want the bells, not the bombs.” “The U.S. has yet to return the Balangiga bells and other war booties they took from our country as well as apologize for the atrocities they committed during the Philippine American War and

MANILA — The Malacañang on Thursday, Aug. 10 assured the Filipinos in U.S. Pacific territory of Guam that there are contingency plans in place for the anticipated North Korea’s missile attack in the island. “The embassies and consulates in general, including the one in Agana, Guam, have contingency plans that are

regularly updated to enable them to respond to emergencies,” Presidential Spokesperson Abella said at a televised press briefing. “It’s pretty automatic that if there are any threats especially for those that are in affected areas, they have contingency plans for those things,” he added. Abella’s statement came after North Korea announced a detailed plan to launch a salvo of ballistic missiles to-

ward Guam, a major military hub and home to U.S. bombers, a move that if carried out would be its most provocative missile launch to date. North Korea’s announcement warned that it is preparing a plan to fire four of its Hwasong-12 missiles over Japan and into waters around the tiny island, which hosts 7,000 U.S. military personnel on two main bases and has a population of 160,000.

Washington warns N. Korea: US could unleash ‘fire and fury’ Secretaries Mattis, Tillerson clarify comments, emphasize importance of diplomacy by KARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

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PWC, domestic workers group rally against home care firm accused of wage theft THE Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and other members of the California Domestic Workers Coalition (CDWC) gathered outside of Fairwinds, an upscale senior living facility in West Hills, California, to reveal to the facility and its residents of Health Alliance Nurses Corporation’s (Health Alliance) alleged exploitation of its workers. “We are here as part of our campaign to let everyone know that something is very wrong in the domestic work industry, with a special focus today on the home care industry,” said PWC Executive Director Aquilina Versoza at the rally on Wednesday, August 2. The demonstration was part of a public campaign launched on December 1, 2015 towards the caregiver agency which has been accused of exploiting and abusing its employees through unfair wages and intimidation. Former Health Alliance employee Rufina Tubo shared her experience of working with the agency in 2015. “I was paid for $150 a day for my live-in, 24hour stay job. If you calculate it, that’s only $5 an hour, even if there is already a law that provides protection for caregivers,” shared PAGE A3

In a radio interview, Norman Analista, president of the Filipino Community of Guam, said there are more than 160,000 people living on the island, about 40 percent — or 64,000 — of whom are Filipinos. Analista said North Korea’s threat to bomb the U.S. territory worry Filipinos there but it there is no disruption in their daily life for now. (With reports from AP)

SULONG PILIPINAS 2017. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares the stage with (from left) National Economic and Development Authority Director General Ernesto Pernia, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Former President and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Arroyo, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during the Philippine Development Forum: Sulong Pilipinas 2017 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

AS a way to make a point to the Democratic People’s Republic Of Korea (DPRK), President Donald Trump on Tuesday, August 8 warned North Korea that if the country continues provoking the United States, it will not get away with it. During a photo op at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, the president escalated the long-standing hostility between the two nations when he declared, “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States.” He added: “They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen... he has been very threatening beyond a normal state. They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before.” Trump’s jarring statements are likely a response PAGE A2

Recto orders to hunt down new airport modus perpetrators by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

MANILA - Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto called on the National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) to lead the crackdown on the so-called “Maleta Gang” syndicate preying travelers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The senator also urged other non-NAIA based

agencies to conduct a probe against the perpetrators who reportedly steal from the passengers of the country’s premier airport. Recto made the call following the arrest of four NAIA baggage handlers who allegedly stole jewelry owned by the wife of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday, Comelec chair Andres Bautista shows the first ballot printed for the Barangay August 9. and Sangguniang Kabataan polls at the National Printing Office on Wednesday, Philstar.com photo by Shiela Crisostomo PAGE A2 Aug. 9.

NBI to probe Comelec chief’s alleged unexplained wealth by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) will conduct an investigation into the alleged unexplained wealth of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista, according to the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ). Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday, August 9, said he orPAGE A2

ASEAN, China adopt framework for South China Sea code Beijing sets precondition before talks by AJPRESS MANILA - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have agreed to adopt a “framework” for further negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the disputed South China Sea. In a news conference on Sunday, AuUNITY. Ministers attending the 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting show their unity in the group photo at the Philippine International Convention gust 6, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Center in Pasay City on Monday, Aug. 7. The ministers reviewed the progress and future direction of the ASEAN community-building efforts and exchanged views on Yi announced that he and his 10 ASEAN pressing regional and international developments. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon counterparts have “agreed upon and

adopted the COC framework draft,” which aims to prevent an escalation of maritime conflicts in the area. “Today, the 11 ministers agreed upon and adopted the COC framework draft, and we announce that sometime within the year we will start consultation on the text of the COC,” Wang said. He, however, failed to affirm if the COC would be legally binding. “Regarding what kind of COC will be produced, that is up to the discusPAGE A2

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NBI to probe Comelec chief’s alleged... PAGE A1

dered the NBI “to conduct an investigation and case build-up” over the claims of Bautista’s estranged wife that the Comelec chief has an undeclared asset worth P1-billion. “I made a DO (Department Order) for them (NBI) to investigate matters of unexplained wealth, the matter of possible violation

of the Anti-Money Laundering Act and possible anomalies at the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG),” Aguirre told reporters. Bautista served as PCGG head from 2010 to 2015, prior to his appointment as the Comelec chair. Aguirre, however, clarified that the result of the NBI in-

vestigation, if proved that the allegations against Bautista are true, will only serve as evidence in possible impeach complaint against the Comelec chief. “One is to wait for the expiration of his term (or removal from office via impeachment) before any appropriate criminal cases are filed against him,” the Justice secretary said. He then added, “I do not want to make a speculation. I’d rather have the evidence to be gathered by the NBI and then we will submit it to the proper government body assuming there will be (an) impeachment proceeding.” Last week, Patricia Bautista submitted an affidavit before the NBI, claiming that her husband has nearly one billion pesos of ‘unexplained’ wealth that were not included in his 2016 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN). According to an Inquirer report, Patricia, in her affidavit, said her husband “might have had, or currently has, misdealing and corrupt practices while in government service.” For his part, Bautista denied the allegations. In turn, he accused his wife of stealing financial documents, “many of which her lawyers embellished, doctored or fabricated” and used it to “extort and blackmail” him. “It has been 10 months since she stole cash, GCs (gift certificates), ATM cards, and other financial documents belonging to myself and my family, many of which her lawyers embellished, doctored or fabricated,” Bautista said in a statement. He further claimed that she tried to “extort” from him some P620 million as a settlement for their divorce. He also alleged that her wife is having an extramarital affair. Bautista confirmed that he had also filed criminal complaints against Patricia over her corruption allegations. Patricia, however, clarified that she only asked for P260 million, not P620 million, as a “trust fund” for their four children. She also denied having an affair with former commercial model Alvin Lim, insisting that the two of them are only “very good friends” who work together.

EXCHANGING VIEWS. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano exchanges views with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson during the 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Monday, Aug. 7. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Washington warns N. Korea: US could... PAGE A1

to recent findings from U.S. intelligence that concluded that North Korea has produced a nuclear warhead that can fit on long-range missiles. Not long after Trump’s comments, Pyongyang warned the international community that it will strike “an enveloping fire” around Guam, where the U.S. holds a crucial Air Force base. Previously, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho said at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum in Manila that North Korea has no intention to attack other countries “except the U.S.”, as the Asian Journal previously reported. Earlier this week, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution that imposed strict new sanctions, which will cut North Korea’s annual export revenue of $3 billion by more than a third. Just a day after Trump’s comments, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson clarified the president’s statements, arguing that North Korean Leader Kim Jongun’s hostile language prompted Trump’s words. “North Korea’s rhetoric has just ratcheted up louder and louder and more threatening. So I think the president—what the president is doing is sending a

strong message to North Korea in language that Kim Jong-un can understand because he doesn’t seem to understand diplomatic language,” Tillerson told reporters. Tillerson, who has emphasized the importance of diplomacy when dealing with North Korea, added, “I think the President just wanted to be clear to the North Korean regime on the U.S.’s unquestionable ability to defend itself, will defend itself and its allies, and I think it was important that he deliver the message to avoid miscalculation on their part.” Mirroring Tillerson’s sentiments, Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis also issued an ultimatum to North Korea to “cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and destruction of its people.” In the past, Mattis has routinely said that he prefers to resolve tensions with North Korea through diplomacy, emphasizing that military action could lead to disastrous consequences. “Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council’s unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability,” Mattis said in a statement.

Washington lawmakers outside of Trump’s cabinet blasted the president for his comments which may incite further nuclear action from North Korea. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a top ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, denounced the president’s aggressive comments, saying that, more than ever, the Trump administration must demonstrate “steady leadership” in crisis situations. “The president’s ‘fire and fury’ ad-lib was not helpful. Defusing the North Korean threat will take smart, steady leadership and stronger diplomatic ties with our key allies,” Reed said in a statement, adding that the U.S. can utilize diplomatic, financial or other means of negotiating rather than just resorting to military options. For years, North Korea has been constructing and testing missiles, putting the international community on edge. Last month, it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is reportedly capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, U.S., experts said. Officials also said that it is believed that North Korea also already possesses medium-range missiles that could deliver a nuclear warhead to South Korea and Japan. (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

ASEAN, China adopt framework for... PAGE A1 sion by the 11 parties- China and ASEAN countries. We don’t want to prejudge the result of those negotiations,” the Chinese minister explained. He also cited a condition that must be met before Beijing accepts the announcement in November as the formal start of negotiations between the heads of China and ASEAN nations. “If there is no major disruption from outside parties, with that as the precondition, then we will consider during the November leaders’ meeting, we will jointly announce the official start of the code of conduct consultation,” Wang said. According to him, they would discuss the modalities for the actual COC by the end of the month with the approved framework as the basis for their talks. Wang said the start of talks for a COC in the sea may be announced by leaders of ASEAN and China at their annual summit in the Philippines in November. “If there is no major disruption from outside parties, with that

as the precondition, then we will consider during the November leaders’ meeting, we will jointly announce the official start of the code of conduct consultation,” he stressed. In a separate press briefing, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said that a meeting between ASEAN leaders and China is slated by the end of the month to discuss the modalities for the actual COC with the approved framework as the basis. “Parallel to this, Asean and China will continue to cooperate on such practical maritime cooperation efforts including management and prevention of conflicts among parties through confidence building measures as well to prevent miscalculations on the ground,” Bolivar added. China, under its so-called nine dash line, has claimed almost the entire South China Sea. Beijing’s massive claim has been partly disputed by its neighboring countries. The COC

aims to prevent clashes between rival claimants. On Monday, August 7, the foreign ministers of the United States, Australia, and Japan “voiced their strong opposition to coercive unilateral actions that could alter the status quo and increase tensions.” In a joint statement, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Japan’s new top diplomat, Taro Kono, called on rivaling claimants in the disputed sea “to refrain from land reclamation, construction of outposts, militarization of disputed features, and undertaking unilateral actions that cause permanent physical change to the marine environment in areas pending delimitation.” They also urged their ASEAN counterparts to swiftly negotiate a legally binding maritime code with China. In addition to the Philippines, ASEAN-member states include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Recto orders to hunt down new airport... PAGE A1 “It took a foreign VIP to lodge a complaint before authorities finally took action against a continuing crime routinely posted by its victims, our OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), in social media,” the senator said in a statement released the following day. If needed, Recto said that “intelligence fund” should be used, pointing that “it will be a good money worth spending.” He remarked the country would have been “spared of this embarrassing incident” if only Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto the authorities had done it a long same year. time ago. “Sa ganitong kita, ano ba naHe also claimed that money man ang gastos para sa dagdag should not be a problem in trans- na CCTV at pulis sa baggage forming NAIA’s image as an routes (With this kind of in“honest institution” from its bad come, what does hinder them reputation inflicted by “a few bad from installing additional CCTV eggs working there.” and assigning police at baggage According to the senator, the routes),” Recto added. government “was already colHe also noted that P598 millecting P9.3 billion from NAIA lion in Airport Security Fees was passengers and airlines, netting also collected from NAIA users P5.25 billion,” in 2014. in 2014. He said that a third of NAIA’s “Nagbabayad ka pa ng airport P9.3 billion gross income came security fee, tapos ang gamit mo from the P550 international ter- hindi secure. So para saan pa minal fee and the P200 domestic ang binayaran mo para sa iyong terminal fee paid by passengers, seguridad at ng iyong gamit (You which reached P3.5 billion in the have paid the security fee and yet

your belongings are not secured. So, what’s the purpose of that payment intended to secure your things)?” he pointed out. He lamented how controversies surrounding NAIA cause “stigma” and negate the Philippines’ tourism industry. “’Yang Maleta Gang sa NAIA ang negative effect niyan sa turismo ay tulad din ng damage na ginawa ng Maute group (The Maleta Gang at NAIA gets the same negative effect in our tourism, just like the damage brought by Maute group),” the senator said. He added that “a serious airport cleanup drive” should also include all other major airports in the country. “Maganda nga beaches natin, smiling nga tayo (Our beaches are beautiful, we are always smiling) but we’re having a hard time living down the stigma that our airport is either they plant a bullet in your bag or they divest it of its contents,” he said, in reference to the so-called bullet-planting scheme where airport personnels allegedly plant bullets in passengers’ luggage and would later ask money in exchange for their release and record-free passports.

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Pentagon: ‘US may expand role in Marawi’ PH military confident to end Marawi conflict without US airstrikes by Dana

SioSon AJPress

A demonstrator holds a sign aimed at Health Alliace Nurses Corporation owner Emelyn Nishi, also known by many as Emelyn Entino. The sign reads in Tagalog and English, “Entino. Remember, walang forever na pandaraya! (‘Remember, cheating will not last forever’).” The agency has allegedly employed over 200 immigrants between 2013 and 2016. AJPress photos by Rae Ann Varona

PWC, domestic workers group rally against... PAGE A1 t Tubo in her speech referring to the 2016 Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which was recently approved by CA legislature and signed by Governor Jerry Brown. She added that the company was supposed to pay its workers $330 a day for $10 an hour. “From all caregivers past or present, we demand that they [Health Alliance] pay us the correct wages outlined for us,” Tubo said. Upon the start of accusations and investigations, the company’s owner Emelyn Nishi Entino, known to many as Emelyn Nishi, closed Health Alliance and opened under a new name, Hand Homecare Provider. “It’s the same people and same corporation,” said Versoza. PWC and CDWC have reached out to Health Alliance, inviting the company to sit down and talk about the concerns, issues, and violations, and to try and work with them and bring them into compliance. Nishi and her company have yet to do so, as of this writing. Investigations launched Legal action has been taken against the agency. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office and its Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) launched an investigation against Health Alliance, as the company refused to hand over documents throughout the ongoing legal process. In May of this year, L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer filed suit against the corporation for re-

Pilipino Workers Center Executive Director Aquilina Versoza leads a rally aimed at exposing caregiver agency Health Alliance Nurses Corporation for allegedly exploiting its employees through wage theft. The rally took place on August 2, 2017 at the Fairwinds assisted living facility in West Hills, California. The demonstration is part of a public campaign launched on December 1, 2015.

peatedly failing to pay workers minimum wage or overtime earned. “The LA City Attorney’s Office did a lot of evidence gathering and found enough evidence to file case against Emelyn and her corporations,” said Versoza. In a previous report by Asian Journal, Feuer expressed his concerns during a press conference at City Hall back on May 11. “Stealing wages from hardworking people just trying to make ends meet is reprehensible,” said Feuer. “No worker should be forced into poverty because their employer denies them a wage to which the law entitles them.” According to the lawsuit, which goes to hearing soon, Health Alliance has employed over 200 immigrants between 2013 and 2016. Versoza shared that the lawsuit can result in over $9 mil-

lion of restitution for the workers — majority of whom are Filipino — making this a multimillion-dollar case. This does not include extra penalties and damages, she adds. The suit claims clients (“i. e., families seeking a caregiver for a loved one”) were charged between $170 to $250 per day for 24-hour in-home domestic care. Employees were allegedly paid only $100 to $125 per shift, equating to as little as $5.50 per hour or less. Minimum wage in the state of California is $10.00 per hour for businesses with 25 employees or less, and $10.50 per hour for those with 26 employees or more. Caregivers at the home care provider were also allegedly PAGE A4

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is confident that Filipino troopers are capable of liberating Marawi City from local terrorists even without the airstrikes reportedly offered by the United States. Joint Task Force Marawi Deputy Commander Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner on Wednesday, August 9, maintained that the AFP does not need additional troops from other countries to defeat the Islamic State (IS)-linked Maute group. “[The] AFP is capable, we have enough ammunition and troops. Kayang kaya po ng tropa natin to (Our own troops can) finish the mission,” Brawner told reporters. He stressed that foreign militaries’ role in Marawi operations are limited to technical, educational, and training support, as stated in the Constitution. He also noted that the Mutual Defense treaty between Manila and Washington only allows U.S. soldiers to help Philippine forces in combat operations on cases of external aggression. “In the mutual defense treaty, U.S. comes to our aid if there is an external aggression. In the case of Marawi, hindi ito (this is not an) external aggression. In fact, we call them local terror group,” Brawner explained. He further emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Philippine government to protect its territory and people.

Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said eight soldiers have been killed since Aug. 2 as the final phase of military operations to flush out Maute militants began. Philstar.com photo

Earlier this week, reports from NBC news says that Pentagon is considering a plan that allows the U.S. military to conduct airstrikes on IS militants in the Philippines as part of collective self-defense, citing two U.S. officials as its source. Another report from Agence France-Presse quoting a U.S. defense official says discussions are “pretty advanced” and would see the U.S. provide increased surveillance drone capabilities and training for local forces. Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Christopher B. Logan clarified that Washington “respect[s] the sovereignty of the Philippines, and [is] not pursuing unilateral action in the Philippines.” In separate statements, both Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año said that they have not yet received any formal notice about the reported offer.

Both officials also expressed appreciation over Washington’s desire to help Manila in ending the ongoing fight against terrorists in the southern Philippines. “We appreciate Pentagon’s reported desire to help the Philippines in the fight against Daeshinspired Maute group because terrorism is a global menace that the community of nations must unite to fight against,” Lorenzana said. The Defense secretary, however, stressed that such proposition “has to undergo a process” and “a covenant must be had between the commanders in chief of both nations.” Nearly 700 people have been killed in the ongoing operations to liberate the city. According to the official count, 528 militants and 122 government troopers were killed since the attack on May 23, while civilian casualties remained at 45.

Solon tells US: PH wants Balangiga bells... PAGE A1 t

now they have the gall to say that they are going to launch airstrikes against parts of our country?” he added. The lawmaker made the remarks following a report from NBC News that the Pentagon is considering a plan to allow the U.S. military to launch airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS)-linked group in the Philippines that attacked Marawi City in Mindanao. Zarate, however, slammed the report, saying that it “blatantly trample[s]” the Philippines’ national sovereignty. “This is the height of callousness and should be condemned,” the lawmaker said, adding that such move signals the “commission of blatant human rights violations.”

For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that it has “yet to receive any formal notice or offer for such air capability deployment.” Referring to the PhilippineU.S. defense pact, AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año noted that the existing Mutual Defense Treaty provides that “only technical assistance and training” may be allowed under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB). “Direct military actions may only be allowed during actual invasion of the Philippines by another state actor,” he added. He then expressed appreciation over Washington’s desire to help Manila in ending the ongoing fight against terrorists in the southern

Philippines. “We appreciate Pentagon’s reported desire to help the Philippines in the fight against Daeshinspired Maute Group because terrorism is a global menace that the community of nations must unite to fight against,” the AFP chief said. In his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asked Washington to return the bells of Balangiga Church in Samar, which were seized by U.S. soldiers as spoils of war in the 1900s. In response, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim assured that Washington “would like to return all three bells as soon as possible.” (Dana Sioson/AJPress)

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Fil-Am LAPD Officer Matthew Medina still in need of bone marrow match by Rae

LOVE GALA 2017. Taguig City-Pateros 2nd District Representative Pia Cayetano (3rd from left), Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano (3rd from right), UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific Pia Wurtzbach, Department of Health National Capital Region Assistant Director Dr. Corazon Flores (2nd from left), UNAIDS Philippines Country Director Peter Mosende (left) and Executive Director, Love Yourself Inc. and member of Love Gala Secretariat Ronivin Pagtakhan (right), pose for a souvenir group photo at the HIV testing and Unveiling of Love Gala 2017 at SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PWC, domestic workers group rally against... PAGE A1 t

pressured to falsify time records to avoid overtime payments; refusing often meant termination. The lawsuit adds that the company routinely fired employees who voiced any discontent and threatened them with blacklisting within the industry. The suit further alleged that caregivers were wrongly classified as independent contractors in order to maximize company profits, avoid paying federal and state payroll taxes, refrain from obtaining workers’ compensation insurance among other employee protection laws, and to avoid government investigations. As stated in the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking an injunction against unlawful business operations in addition to restitution for those victimized by wage theft during their employment. The defendants may be required to pay up to $2,500 per wage violation. Wage theft in the domestic and home care industry is a big problem with its effects impacting both the hiring parties and employees. As the senior population grows, so does the demand for qualified health aides, and PWC has seen an increasing awareness of their protection needs. Legislative initiatives towards protecting caregivers and other domestic workers have encouraged many to come forward.

Former Health Alliance Nurses Corporation employee, Rufina Tubo, shares her experience with supporters and demonstrators after reportedly having experienced wage theft while employed in 2015. A lawsuit was recently made against the agency by the LA City Attorney’s Office in May of this year. The agency is accused of paying about half of the legal per hour minimum wage. AJPress photo by Rae Ann Varona

“A lot of workers have just been fed up and have seen the success of others building up the courage to demand their rights,” said Versoza. “We’ve seen workers able to take the laws and information and raise their wages and establish overtime in their agencies.” However, issues like wage theft remain problematic, which is why organizations like PWC and CDWC are using large collective campaigns to help educate and encourage families, individuals, and facilities to make sure caregivers are receiving the money and compensation expected.

“This is about changing the standards in the industry of how it operates,” said Versoza. Fairwinds’ administrator has told PWC and CDWC that they would respond within a week. Until then, no public actions will be made by the organizations. If not followed through, PWC and CDWC plans to continue their public campaign of exposing the agency. The Asian Journal has reached out to Hand Homecare Provider, but the company has not returned the calls. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

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IT’s been almost five months since Matthew Medina first learned about his rare blood disease and how his Filipino heritage is affecting his chances of being cured. Just earlier this year, the 40year-old police officer was going about his normal duties as part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) Harbor Division gang unit. By his side was his close friend, Dante Pagulayan, also an officer with the department. The two knew each other since they were about 14 years old in high school and ended up going to Cal state Long Beach together, before eventually joining the LAPD. It was at the college, Pagulaya shared, where Medina met his wife Angelee with whom the latter now has two beautiful daughters. “Matt is one of the funniest guys I know,” Pagulayan shared about his friend during a recent interview with the Asian Journal. “If you want to have a good time, he’s going to be your guy.” Currently, Medina remains in quarantine after having been diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare disease that claims 600-900 people in the United states each year, according to the Aplastic Anemia and MDs International Foundation (AA/MDs). The fact that he’s Filipino presents a larger challenge. Finding a donor Aplastic anemia, or bone marrow failure, is a blood disease in which bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells for the body. According to AA/MDs, it can affect anyone regardless of race or gender but is diagnosed more often in children, young adults, and older adults. It also appears more often in Asian Americans. For Medina, the disease seemed to come out of nowhere. “Matt was a very precautious guy,” shared Pagulayan about Medina’s health habits. “He always took care of himself, took vitamins, went to the doctor… He was that kind of guy.” During a previous interview in May, Medina told the Asian Journal, “I’ve never had any type of serious illness, so a lot of things were going through my head, like wondering if it’s cancer or something fatal or incurable. A bunch of scenarios were just running through my head.” Radiation and chemotherapy, toxic chemical exposure, use of certain drugs, and autoimmune disorders are some factors known to injure bone marrow, thus affecting blood cell reproduction. But for the most part, there’s no telling for sure what causes aplastic anemia. Getting a bone marrow transplant is the only cure for aplastic anemia. However, finding a match is a major obstacle that

those diagnosed are forced to face. In order for a transplant to be successful, both the donor and beneficiary need to share eight human leukocyte antigens (HLA), or cell markers. This explains why more chances of success happen between a donor and receiver of the same ethnic background. For Medina and many others, chances of recovery are greatly reduced simply due to the number of minority-group members registered to be potential bone marrow matches. “Out of the 12 million people registered, only 0.5 percent were Filipino,” said Pagulayan. “It was quite a surprise.” As of 2016, the number of Asians recorded in Be The Match’s registry made up only six percent of the total registered, shared Ayumi Nagata, Recruitment Manager of Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (A3M). The lowest percentage came from those who identified as Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander — their percentage hovered at 0.1 percent. The largest group at 57 percent — with 7.8 million — comprise of those who are White. While transplants between family members have worked, it’s rarely the case, according to Mixed Marrow, a foundation dedicated to increasing bone marrow and blood cell donors for patients of multi-ethnic descent. Finding a match within the family is only successful 30 percent of the time, leaving 70 percent searching elsewhere. Nagata has encountered a number of cultural and religious reasons that explain the low number of Asian registrants, but the lack of familiarity and awareness remain the biggest culprits. Organizations like Mixed Marrow and A3M are working together to disprove these misconceptions by focusing on increasing awareness through outreach within cultural contexts. One common misconception is that donating marrow is painful. Nagata informed that most procedures are done through nonsurgical Peripheral Blood stem Cell (PBsC) donations where cells are collected through the blood rather than the bone itself. Umbilical cord blood is another source, and Be The Match lists a number of hospitals that collect the blood for a public cord blood bank. Hope for Medina There are now currently 1,270 ethnically diverse, and 101 Caucasian registrants through Medina’s campaign, reported Nagata. With the help of Medina’s support group and community, there’s hope that the numbers can increase. “He’s had friends from Crossfit gyms, from restaurants, to churches, all come together and show their support,” said

Matthew Medina

Pagulayan. Just last June, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-stars played against the LAPD in Carson, California where a blood drive for Medina was hosted. since the start of Medina’s match campaign, two others in need of bone marrow transplants were able to find a match. On June 25, Medina personally posted on his Match4Matt Facebook campaign page, “Even if they never find a match for me, I can say that this campaign has been a success since it has already helped save the lives of at least two people (so far).” For Medina, the search continues but he remains optimistic. On his Facebook post, he shared that his blood cell counts have increased and he hopes that the upward trend continues toward remission. “I am not out of the woods yet,” he added. “There is still a long road to recovery ahead, but the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is definitely getting brighter.” But as Pagulayan shared, the only way to really revert it is through a bone marrow transplant. Medina’s condition can change just as quick as how he found out he had the disease. To those thinking about registering to be a match, Pagulayan said to think of a loved one and what would happen if you woke up and found out they had the disease. “Even when I say it, it gives me a bit of a chill,” said Pagulayan. “It’s just not something you anticipate. Today everything is fine and the next day, your whole world is upside down.” To join a registry, anyone up to 60 years old can sign up, but donors between ages 18-44 are preferred. There are also medical conditions that may make someone ineligible. The process itself takes less than five minutes, according to Nagata. As Pagulayan put it, “It takes less time to swab your cheeks than it takes to fill out the paperwork.” More information on registering can be found on Be the Match’s website. To join Medina’s registry, visit www.join. bethematch.org/match4matt.

Tillerson: No conflict between US gov’t anti-terrorism aid, rights concerns in PH by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE United states does not see any contradiction between its anti-terrorism assistance to the Philippine government and its human rights concerns in connection with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. U.s. secretary of state Rex Tillerson pointed out that helping the Philippines to combat terrorism, particularly against the Islamic state (Is)-affiliate that attacked Marawi City in Mindanao, is part of Washington’s “national security interest.” This, he said, is not at odds with Washington’s concern about the alleged human rights abuses and summary deaths linked to Duterte’s drug war. “I see no conflict, no conflict at all in our helping them with that situation and our views of FRIEND AND ALLY. President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes United States Secretary of State Rex other human rights concerns we Tillerson at Malacañang on Monday, Aug. 7. The president assured Tillerson that the Philippines ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma have with respect to how they will remain a friend and ally of the U.S. carry out their counternarcotics in the fight down in Marawi and tion. activities,” Tillerson told report- Mindanao,” Tillerson said. Tillerson met with Duterte ers on Monday, August 7. He said that the U.s. has been when he visited Manila for the In a press briefing, the Ameri- providing Manila with informa- Association of southeast Asian can diplomat called the attack in tion and surveillance equipment, Nations (AsEAN)-related meetMarawi as a “tragic situation” which includes a few Cessna air- ings. but added that the Philippine craft and a few drones. Contrary to earlier reports, forces are “beginning to get that “We’re providing them some Tillerson did not raise Washsituation under control.” training and some guidance in ington’s human rights concerns The fight has been ongoing terms of how to deal with an in his talks with the Philippine since the Is-linked Maute rebel enemy that fights in ways that is president. group attacked Marawi City on not like most people have ever While refusing to provide speMay 23, resulting in the deaths had to deal with,” he added. cific details of their discussion, of nearly 700 militants, soldiers, With regard to human rights, Duterte said their conversation and civilians. the U.s. has repeatedly criti- mostly revolved around terror“With respect to the assis- cized the Philippine drug war ism. tance we’re providing the Phil- because of the thousands of re“No, no. There were no talks ippines Government to respond ported state-sanctioned killings on human rights concerns,” the to IsIs, there is – there really is and abuses, which have been chief executive said in a press no, I think, contradiction at all in vehemently and repeatedly de- briefing after his meeting with the support we’re giving them nied by the Duterte administra- Tillerson.

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A

Decision on 26-year-old graft cases vs Imelda delayed anew by ElizabEth

MarcElo Philstar.com

ASEAN LIGHTING CEREMONY. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Hellen dela Vega (sixth from right) and National Commission for Culture and Arts Chairperson Virgilio Almario lead the ASEAN lighting ceremonies at CCP Complex in Pasay City on Tuesday, Aug. 8. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

SC affirms Marcos burial with finality by Dana

SioSon AJPress

The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed with finality its November 2016 decision allowing former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). On Tuesday, August 8, the high court dismissed the motions for reconsideration filed by former Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and Albay Representative edcel Lagman. In an en banc (full court) session, 10 magistrates voted in favor with the late strong man’s burial, while five voted against it. “Wherefore, the motions for reconsideration as well as the motion/petition to exhume Marcos’ remains at the LNMB are Denied with Finality. The petition for indirect contempt in G.R. No. 228186 and G.R. No. 228245 are dismissed for lack of merit,” the high court said. In its ruling, the SC maintained that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of President Rodrigo Duterte in ordering the burial of Marcos at the heroes’ Cemetery. It also maintained that Marcos qualifies to be interred at the LNMB as a “former president and commander-in-chief, a legislator, secretary of national defense, a military personnel, a veteran, and a Medal of Valor awardee.”

Voting 10-5 in session on Tuesday, Aug. 8, the Supreme Court affirmed its ruling last November upholding President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to allow former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos’ interment at the cemetery for former presidents and fallen soldiers in August 2016.

The 10 justices who voted to junk the petition were Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Teresita de Castro, Jose Mendoza, estela Perlas-Bernabe, Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam and Andres Reyes Jr. The five justices who voted in favor of the petition, meanwhile, were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Francis Jardaleza, and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa. In a statement, Malacañang acknowledgedtheSC’sdecisionasthe “final arbiter of all legal questions.” “We hope the matter on the FM (Ferdinand Marcos) Libingan ng mga Bayani will be finally laid to

Philstar.com photo

rest and that the country will move forward as one united nation,” Presidential Spokesperson ernesto Abella added. The late strongman’s remains were buried at the LNMB on November 18 of last year, 27 years after his death. For its part, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), the group which represented the petitioners led by Ocampo, described the high court’s ruling as “unfortunate and utterly disappointing.” “What do we tell our children and generations to come who to emulate? It does not inspire & even virtually canonizes a fascist dictator thief. But the evil that men do is remembered after their deaths. They must be exorcised in time,” NUPL President Atty. edre Olalia said. n

MANILA — The trial of the 26year-old graft cases against Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, former first lady, ended in January but the Sandiganbayan cannot rule on the cases yet. In a motion filed before the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division early last month, the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel asked for 30 more days to submit its memorandum, which must contain its allegations against Marcos, the description of each of the documentary evidence it presented, as well as the summary of the testimonies of its witnesses. The prosecution team cited “the sheer volume of the documentary evidence and the lengthy transcripts of stenographic notes” of the hearings that they need to review and summarize. The prosecution further said two of their lawyers handling the cases also attended a five-day workshop as well as hearings in the provinces. The Fifth Division granted the request and gave the prosecution until August 4 to submit its memorandum, but a day before the deadline lapsed, the prosecution filed a second motion for extension. In its new motion, the prosecution asked the court to give them until August 26 to file the memorandum, the same deadline that the court has given Marcos’ camp, after it also asked for a 30-day extension on July 25. Under the Rules of Court, a case can only be deemed submitted for resolution after the parties have submitted their respective memoranda. The court granted the prosecution’s second motion, but warned that should it fail to comply with the new deadline, it will rule on cases with or without its memorandum. It was only in 2015 when the prosecution finished its presentation of evidence against Marcos, 24 years after the cases were filed in 1991. The presentation of evidence

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, first lady to ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, at the House of Representatives session hall in July. Philstar.com photo by Rosette Adel

of the defense, meanwhile, was prematurely terminated last February after Marcos lawyer Robert Sison failed to attend two consecutive hearings, where he was supposed to present his client’s last documentary evidence. The evidence was supposed to include testimony from the late Manila Regional Trial Court judge Cesario del Rosario, who originally handled the cases. Sison complied with the court’s ruling, waiving Marcos’ right to submit additional evidence. Sison made a formal offer of evidence for his client on March 7, which the court admitted in full amid opposition from the prosecution. The evidence that the defense offered included the transcript of the trial of the Manila RTC. Filed by the ombudsman in December 1991, the ten counts of graft against Marcos stemmed from her alleged creation of several private foundations in Switzerland and holding of financial

PAGE A7

interests in various private enterprises from 1978 and 1984 while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa. The ombudsman said Marcos violated Section 3 (h) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials having financial or pecuniary interests in any business, contract or transaction in which he or she has the official capacity to intervene. The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) had earlier identified a total of $658 million deposits in the conjugal Swiss dollar accounts of Mrs. Marcos and her husband, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The graft cases, are apart from the civil forfeiture cases that the PCGG filed before the Sandiganbayan in 1987 which seek to recover an estimated $10 billion in alleged ill-gotten of the Marcoses and their cronies, including paintings and jewelry collections and shares in various corporations. n

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OPINION

General meeting

FEATURES

CONTRARY to popular opinion, none of the world’s top diplomats, who gathered in Manila on August 2-8 to attend the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings, brought up the alleged spate of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. Not a single member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has indicated an interest to be briefed on the extrajudicial killings allegedly perpetrated by the current administration, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). It maintained that the Philippine government remains committed to combating the drug problem jointly with the ASEAN and the international community as Manila underscored the 10-nation bloc’s position on sovereign rights and responsibility of each country to decide on the best approach to address the drug menace. Led by DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, ASEAN foreign ministers discussed the region’s progress on ASEAN-community-building efforts and its stance on critical political and security issues, with their 17 other dialogue partners from major powers, such as the U.S., Russia, Japan, and China. “We were able to passionately argue our national interests but, at the same time, we put first regional interest to come out as friends with solutions to our problems,” Cayetano said in his opening speech.

Among the issues discussed were the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, violent extremism and terrorism, and transnational crimes. “If there is a single characteristic that makes our community truly unique and admirable, it is the existence of the peaceful settlement of regional disputes and on regional cooperation as the best, if not the surest means of achieving peace,” Cayetano added. It was U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s first time in the Philippines as he represented Washington during the ASEAN meetings. During his courtesy call at Malacañang Palace, Tillerson met with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to discuss the PHU.S. alliance and their shared goals in addressing global terrorism threats and economic cooperation. In return, Duterte thanked the United States for its assistance as he called himself its “humble friend” in Southeast Asia. The president also emphasized that there were no talks on human rights tions, ASEAN and its dialogue partners are moving forward to pursue higher goals. concerns during his meeting with Tillerson. Now in its 50th year, the ASEAN community is Despite obstacles set by conflicts among na-

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

sure to meet its vision of becoming an alliance that has withstood the test of time, assuring regional peace and stability for its people. (AJPress)

Sanctuary cities that protect undocumented immigrants: Good or bad for Filipinos in America? PRESIDENT Donald Trump ran on the cam- The Fil-Am paign promise that he would intensify the Perspective crackdown on illegal immigrants — and he is doing just that. There are places in the country, though, GEL SANTOS-RELOS that have declared themselves as “sanctuary cities” to provide a safe haven for undocumented immigrants in their jurisdiction by limiting limit how local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration agents. Barely five days after taking office, Trump signed an executive order aimed at blocking federal funding to “sanctuary cities.” This issue is very close to the heart of the Filipino-American community, as we have a lot of kababayans who are living and working in the United States without all the required immigration papers. Many of the sanctuary cities are densely populated areas across the United States with numerous Filipinos living within and their jurisdiction. SAN FRANCISCO is among the about 300 “sanctuary cities” which have barred local police from helping federal authorities kick out any immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally. To understand their policy and how they operate to provide a safe haven for undocumented immigrants, let me share with you the information provided by the city: In 1989, San Francisco passed the “City and County of Refuge” Ordi-

Opinion

RICARDO SALUDO HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and other supporters of the easy marriage dissolution bill just got another reason to facilitate matters for couples in discord: the claim of Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista’s wife Patricia that he had nearly a billion pesos in hidden wealth. The election czar’s conjugal wealth and woes were brought to no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, himself no stranger to annulled unions. The Chief Executive turned marriage counselor to the Bautistas, reportedly eliciting tears from the husband. But that didn’t stop the wife from paying a visit to the National Bureau of Investigation and swearing an affidavit detailing the alleged assets of her husband. The latter denied such wealth, though he didn’t declare, as others accused of ill-gotten gains did, that those who find the

nance (also known as the Sanctuary Ordinance). The Sanctuary Ordinance generally prohibits City employees from using City funds or resources to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the enforcement of Federal immigration law unless such assistance is required by federal or state law. In 2013, San Francisco passed the “Due Process for All” Ordinance. This ordinance limits when City law enforcement officers may give ICE advance notice of a person’s release from local jail. It also prohibits cooperation with ICE detainer requests, sometimes referred to as “ICE holds.” These ordinances were last amended in July 2016. Under current law, City employees may not use City resources to: a) Assist or cooperate with any ICE investigation, detention, or arrest relating to alleged violations of the civil provisions of federal immigration law. b) Ask about immigration status on any application for City benefits, services, or opportunities, except as required by federal or state statute, regulation, or court decision. c) Limit City services or benefits based on immigration status, unless required by federal or state statute or regulation, public assistance criteria, or court decision.

d) Provide information about the release status or personal information of any individual, except in limited circumstances when law enforcement may respond to ICE requests for notification about when an individual will be released from custody. e) Detain an individual on the basis of a civil immigration detainer after that individual becomes eligible for release from custody. WHAT is the rationale behind San Francisco’s adoption of the “sanctuary ordinance”? “The Sanctuary Ordinance promotes public trust and cooperation. It helps keep our communities safe by making sure that all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel comfortable calling the Police and Fire Departments during emergencies and cooperating with City agencies during public safety situations. It helps keep our communities healthy by making sure that all residents, regardless of immigration status, feel comfortable accessing City public health services and benefit programs.” MORE cities in the United States have been urged by their residents to declare their cities as “sanctuary cities.” Since Trump became president, the apprehension, detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants — with or without criminal records — have spiked under his Administration. Just last week, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that sanctuary jurisdictions will lose access to certain federal law enforcement grants in 2017

if they: 1) Prohibit their local officials from communicating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement; 2) Block ICE from interviewing jail inmates; or 3) Fail to notify ICE of the pending release of criminal aliens in 48 hours ICE is seeking to deport. THIS is now being challenged in court for the first time by the City of Chicago, another city with a big Filipino population. On Monday, August 7, Chicago filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice for what many sanctuary cities contend as “illegal bids to withhold public safety grants from so-called sanctuary cities.” Chicago has received the grant funds since 2005, and as TIME has reported, the city has spent $33 million in grants to buy nearly 1,000 police cars in that 12-year period; it got $2.3 million last year. In addition to cars, funds were also used for radios and SWAT equipment. CHICAGO’s ARGUMENT: “The government can’t “unilaterally” set new conditions that weren’t approved by Congress “and that would federalize local jails and police stations, mandate warrantless detentions in order to investigate for federal civil infractions, sow fear in local immigrant communities, and ultimately make the people of Chicago less safe.” TIME reported that Chicago has been adopting sanctuary city policies since the mid-80s, and like San Francisco, “the city prohibits police from providing federal Immigration and Customs officials access to people in

police custody, unless they are wanted on a criminal warrant or have serious criminal convictions. Local police are also barred from allowing ICE agents to use their facilities for interviews or investigations and from responding to ICE inquiries or talking to ICE officials about a person’s custody status or release date.” Chicago’s city authorities point out in the lawsuit that these policies help encourage the residents of the immigrant community to inform police when they are victims of crimes. “If Chicago submits to the Department’s demands, it will forfeit decades’ worth of trust and goodwill that its police force has built in the communities it serves…And as those decades of experience show, that kind of trust, once lost, is lost forever.” Sessions responded: The Trump administration “will not simply give away grant dollars to city governments that proudly violate the rule of law and protect criminal aliens at the expense of public safety.” “So it’s this simple: Comply with the law or forego taxpayer dollars.” WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are “sanctuary cities” good or bad for the Filipino-American community in America, and to the United States in general? *** 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

Telling numbers at Comelec and Customs purported money and property could have it all. No matter. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre 2nd instructed the NBI to “conduct investigation and case build-up over the alleged failure to disclose pertinent information required in the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of Chairperson Andres D. Bautista contained in the affidavit of Mrs. Patricia Paz Bautista, including possible determination of violation of Anti-Money Laundering Law and other related laws.” Last time a wife detailed conjugal property, a former comptroller of the Armed Forces, Gen. Carlos Garcia, was hauled before the Sandiganbayan. His missus and his son were caught by San Francisco customs with far more cash in their luggage than the $10,000 amount requiring explanation where the money came from. Mrs. Garcia then listed the family treasures in a signed declaration, which the U.S. government promptly shared with our Ombudsman. While she could

not be made to testify against her husband, her enumeration of bank deposits, real estate, and other assets accumulated on a general’s pay gave investigators a roadmap to find what the Garcias had stashed away. If his wife’s testimony also leads to far more wealth than he had listed in his SALN, Chairman Bautista could perhaps explain his understated assets by saying they were tabulated by vote counting machines used in the provinces where candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lost to Vice President Leni Robredo. Here comes the bribe Also feeling hugely uncomfortable this week are officials of the Bureau of Customs named by broker Mark Ruben Taguba as having received bribes from him, as he continued his testimony to the House committee on dangerous drugs. Among the alleged BoC bribe takers were: Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Teddy Raval, district collector Vincent Philip Maronilla of the Manila International Container Port, di-

rector Niel Estrella of the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, director Milo Maestrecampo of the Import and Assessment Service and the Assessment and Operational Coordinating Group. Somewhat luckier were nine others whose full names Taguba missed. What he gave them, however, he remembered clearly. For every cargo container released, he gave the following amounts: P3,000 for the port collector; P2,000 for the intelligence group, P500 eachfor the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director, the Enforcement and Security Service Director, and the ESS Command; P1,000 for the container x-ray person, P10,000 each for cargo tracking Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista holds a press conference at the poll body’s Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban and the Import Assessment Ser- main office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday, Aug. 7. vices; and P7,500 for the sector million daily. for BoC’s bosses. One wonders if staffer. And since President Duterte those named are now quaking in Assuming that only 100 con- aims to base his decision on their shoes—or making a mountainers go through this payola Customs Commissioner Nica- tain of hay before quitting time. system every day, just a frac- nor Faeldon on congressional And to think it all began when tion of the thousands released reports about the bureau, the a lady lawyer called the fourthby Customs, the grease would Taguba testimony sounds like an highest official in the land an range between P50,000 to P1 exit call, if not a trial summons “imbecile.” (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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Duterte puts up P2-M bounty for cops who killed for Parojinogs by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, August 9, announced a P2-million bounty on each policeman involved in the killings allegedly ordered by the influential Parojinog clan in Ozamiz City. Duterte said the Parojinog family, whom he accused of having ties with drug syndicates, used law enforcers to silence those who defied them and to perpetuate themselves in power. “Like the policemen who are now shortlisted in the killing BATTLING TERRORISM. Multi-Role Response Vessels Capones and Suluan dock at the headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in of so many civilians buried in a Manila on Tuesday, Aug. 8 while waiting to be commissioned for active service. The two vessels built in Japan will augment PCG boats in cemetery there at the back of a Mindanao to fight terrorism. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr. barangay hall. Each of you, those policemen, carry on their head now, I am announcing two million per head,” the president said during the 116th anniversary of the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame. “I’ll cut short my speech here so that you will have a chance for a crack at the two million for by DAnA sioson those idiots of your men there AJPress f***** the Filipino. Yun lang ang PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo iwan ko (That’s what I will leave Duterte on Wednesday, August 9, behind), P2 million per head. reiterated his vow to step down Dead or alive,” he added. from his seat if his son, Davao “Better dead because I have City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte is to pay for the funeral parlor. That proven guilty of committing coris an added expense. I’d rather rupt practices. buy rice for the people.” In his speech at a business Some members of the Paroforum held in Mandaluyong City, jinog clan, including Ozamiz City Duterte stressed that he does not Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., condone corruption, adding that were killed in an anti-drug raid he would not hesitate to fire anyby the local police in the family’s one involved in the act. compound last July 31. “Corruption was really one I The mayor was included in do not like. Now, even my son the list of politicians believed to is being dragged in the Customs have links with drug syndicates controversy,” Duterte said. that was turned over to President He then stressed, “I told you be- File photo shows then-President-elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte taking his Oath of Office as the 16th Duterte last year. Also killed in fore and I’m telling you now again, President of the Republic of the Philippines with his children standing at his back as witnesses. the raid were the mayor’s wife Supreme Court Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes administered his oath. Malacañang photo if any of my children is involved Susan, his brother Board Memwill press charges against you and ber Octavio Parojinog Jr., his sisin corruption, I will immediately last May. During the inquiry, Taguba said my relative wherever he is and you ter Mona and 12 other individuresign. You have my word.” The president’s statement came he was giving P10,000 as bribe per will have the luxury of seeing me als. days after Customs broker Mark container to certain a “Tita Nanie,” go down,” Duterte added. Police officials claimed that a For his part, the president’s son shootout ensued after supporters Taguba mentioned his son’s name who told him that the money would in a House of Representatives go to a “Davao group” backed by denied the allegations, pointing of the Parojinog fired at the raidout that Taguba himself admitted ing team. The Parojinog camp inquiry on Monday, August 7, the city’s vice mayor. The broker, however, admitted that it was all based on hearsays. has denied this and even called into the alleged bribery activities “Taguba admitted that his tes- the law enforcement operation a within the Bureau of Customs that he could not prove the allegation as his remarks against the timony against me was based “massacre.” (BOC). Congress is currently investi- vice mayor were merely based on entirely on rumors. Why would Last Monday, August 7, we entertain or believe a hearsay? Duterte said the Parojinogs cregating the alleged involvement of hearsay. “That’s why I said, any official, One does not dignify lies with a ated an anti-communist vigilante BOC officials in the 600-kilogram shipment of shabu worth P6.4 bil- who entertains the intervention of response,” the Davao City vice group called Kuratong Baleleng lion (US$126 million) that slipped any of my sons and daughter that is mayor said in a statement released that degenerated into a criminal through the agency’s express lane enough for me. I will fire you, and I Tuesday, August 8. gang. He said the clan used the

Duterte vows to resign if son is involved in corruption

FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

( Mt Carmel, Mt Beatitude, Mt.Tabor, Cana, Capernum, Nazareth, Mt. of Olives, Old & New Jerusalem, Bethlehem Qumran, Masada, Jericho )

Dec 3 to 14, 2017

Spiritual Director: Rev. Fr. Alvin Cachola

group to impose a “reign of terror” and to silence critics and police officers who d e f i e d them. O z a miz ‘mass grave’ On the same day, Philippine National Police Di- Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. arrive at the NAIA-3 with police escorts on their rector Genway to Camp Crame. Philstar.com photo by Edd eral Ronald “I tell you now: Do your duty dela Rosa said local authorities have found human and animal and I will protect you. Do not bones in a mass grave created by abuse, do not commit crime, not a gang associated with the Paro- the extra-judicial killing pictured jinogs. The local police started by the human rights (advocates), digging the alleged mass grave just leave them alone. You know, in Barangay Cogon last Friday, people judge best when they August 4, but only found sacks of condemn,” he said. Duterte hits De Lima anew garbage. Duterte also described as “naDuterte vowed to protect the police officers involved in the ïve,” the Liberal International Ozamiz City raid and the opera- members who visited Sen. Leila tion that left another suspected de Lima in her jail cell in Camp narco politician, Albuera, Leyte Crame. A critic of Duterte’s antinarcotics campaign, de Lima is Mayor Rolando Espinosa, dead. “The police chief who super- now facing charges for allegedly vised the killing of Parojinog and receiving bribes from detained (Police Supt. Marvin) Marcos, drug lords during her stint as who are being prosecuted now, justice secretary. “But you know, the one thing they will have my protection. Not to disrupt justice. I will allow jus- that I really hated and that’s why I’d give them a bad mouth is betice to run,” the president said. “But there is a time where a cause they are so naïve and stupresident will have a part of it. pid that they come here and visAnd that is where I can assure ited the Secretary of Justice who you: You will have the justice that was all along running the show we all want. Remember that,” he of shabu and illegal drugs inside the prison,” Duterte said. added. Duterte also ordered the miliDuterte was referring to Ozamiz City Police Chief Inspector tary and the police to train elite Jovie Espenido, who oversaw the troopers to strengthen their caanti-drug operation in the Paro- pabilities against threats like illegal drugs and terrorism. jinog compound. “I do not have the money yet Marcos, whose unit was tagged in the killing of Espinosa, but I am ordering the AFP (Armed has returned to active duty after Forces of the Philippines) to start being suspended for six months the training of about 5,000. And and has been promoted to re- in the police, 2,000, I want you gional director of the Criminal In- SAF (Special Action Forces)vestigation and Detection Group trained,” he said. “I want tough and learned SOCCKSCARGEN. Duterte reiterated that he is soldiers. I want a strong military, ready to kill drug lords who will a strong Armed Forces and a strong police. And when we are “destroy the youth of the land.” The president, who has been there, we’ll be able to fight the accused of encouraging summa- enemies of the state better and ry executions, also reminded po- more equipped. I said you will have a priority in governance.”n licemen not to commit abuses.

Havan�, Cub� May 22 to 29, 2018

May 22, 2018 (Tuesday - Day 1) Los Angeles to Havana, Cuba Depart from LAX to Havana, Cuba. Upon arrival in Havana, meet our guide and transfer to the hotel for dinner. May 23, 2018 (Wednesday - Day 2) Havana, Cuba Our day will begin with mass at the Cathedral of Havana located in the center of Old Havana. After mass, proceed for a city tour of Old Havana with an experienced local tour guide. The tour will take 4 DEC-Day 2 - (Mon) - Arrive at Ben Gurion airport Tel-Aviv/Tiberias place on foot and you will visit all the squares of Old Havana. Take in the astonishing beauty of the After you have finished Immigration, collect Luggage then Meet our guide and driver. Transfer to Tiberias , Dinner /overnight Gai Beach Hotel historical buildings, sculptures, and monuments. After lunch you will have free time to bargain at the 5 DEC-Day 3 - (Tues) Cesarea /Haifa San Jose Craft Market. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 3 DEC-Day 1 - (Sun) LAX/TLV On board meals are served

There was a certain man in Caesarea” Drive north to the sparkling port city of Haifa, viewing Caesarea en route, the city built by Herod. In Haifa, we will ascend Mt. Carmel; home of the two prophets Elijah and Elisha, Visit the Stella Maris Church celebrate Holy Mass in the main Altar, after enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean, continue to Tiberias for dinner and overnight. Gai Beach Hotel (BB,D)

May 24, 2018 (Thursday – Day 3) Havana, Cuba This morning, we will visit the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. This religious complex is the most extensive of those surviving in Old Havana. Here you will attend mass. After mass, you will meet with the 6 DEC-Day 4 - (Wed) - Tiberias/ Cana/ Nazareth Holy Eucharist at the Church of annunciation “And Mary said, Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your nuns and assist with projects of the day. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the evening you will assist word” We head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle – changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we’ll a Cuban cultural demonstration. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Continue to Nazareth, Celebrate Holy Eucharist at the Church of Annunciation, visit St Joseph workshop. We return to Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

07 Dec-Day 5 - (Thurs) Mt Tabor/Mt Beatitude/Capernum/ Sea of Galilee/Tabgha

We drive to Mount Tabor, celebrate Holy Eucharist at the church of Transfiguration, Visit Mt. of Beatitudes the site of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached to the people. enjoy a scenic boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, proceed to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Gai Beach Hotel for our dinner and overnight. (BB/D)

May 25, 2018 (Friday – Day 4) Havana, Cuba You will have mass at the Convent and Church of Our Lady of Bethlehem. After mass, you will continue to assist the nuns. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. This evening in Havana, we will plan an exciting tour of the historical complex of Castillo del and La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana. If the timing and weather conditions permitted, you will witness the special nightly cannon at the fortress. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

08 DEC-Day 6 - (FRI)-Jordan valley/Jericho/Bethany/Jerusalem

May 26, 2018 (Saturday – Day 5) Havana, Cuba Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Havana. After, you will visit the Abel Santamaria School for the blind, located on the grounds of an old military base. The school aims to integrate the children into mainstream schools as soon as the child is ready through an outreach program which continues to support children at their secondary schools. You will spend time meeting the students 09 DEC-Day 7 - (Sat) - Jerusalem (old City) - Via Dolorosa and teachers. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Cintio Vitier Community Project Center, where arts Holy Sepulcher Church “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place of a skull, which was called in Hebrew Golgotha” Enter the old city of Jerusalem, Sing a hymn in the Church of St Anne and view the pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Programs of all types including painting, ceramic and dance hosted. You will learn about this community project and hear from Lithostrotos, where the soldiers played the Game of Kings, and Arch of the “Ecce Homo”. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the the director of the program, Pedro Pulido. End your day with a panoramic drive through Modern Havana riding in old classic cars holiest shrine in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, visit Golgotha and the tomb of Our Lord. This afternoon drive to Mount Zion, from the 1950’s. Be sure to have your camera ready for this unique experience. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Drive the Jordan Valley to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. View the Mount of temptation, where Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert. Visit the ancient ruins of the wall. Drive through Wadi Welt to view St George’s Monastery. Continue to Bethany celebrate Holy Eucharist, and then visit the tomb of Lazarus. Arrive in Mount Scopus; enjoy the first view of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Notre DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

to visit the upper room, revered as the site of the last supper. Then survey the Dormition Abbey’s, St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus three times. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME Vatican Hotel (BB.D)

10 DEC-Day 8 - (SUN) - Mount of Olives/Gethesemane/Bethlehem/New City

Holy Eucharist celebration at the Church of all nations Main altar Arrive at the Mount of Olives and enjoy the beautiful view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster Church and the Dominus Flevit Church”God wept “& walk the Palm Sunday road to the Garden of Gethesemane and the Church of all Nations. This Afternoon drive to Bethlehem, a city whose name the whole world recognizes ,visit the Church of Nativity, the manger, Church of St Catherine, The Grotto of St Jerome, and the shepherds fields. Dinner and overnight at NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB ,D).

May 27, 2018 (Sunday – Day 6) Havana – Las Terrazas – Vinales Valley Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Havana. Then you will be transferred to Las Terrazas for a tour of the community. Visit the neighborhoods, their schools, artists and community projects in the area. You will then continue to Vinales. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in and rest. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

May 28, 2018 (Monday – Day 7) Vinales Valley Start the morning off with mass at a local church in Vinales. Then you will have a sightseeing Visit the Western Wall , the only part of the Herodian temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. We drive to Dead tour. There is an opportunity to visit a Tobacco Farm and learn how to expertly roll a cigar. You will Sea, the lowest spot on earth. Visit Qumran; see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. Continue to Masada, visit Herod’s also have the chance to visit an interesting site called the Prehistoric Wall and to take a Boat Ride fortress and the Jew’s last stronghold against the Roman. Return to Jerusalem Overnight Notre Dame Vatican Hotel (BB,D) through underground caves known as The Indian Caves. Then visit Finca Agroecolgica El Paraiso 12 DEC-Day10 - (TUE) Jerusalem New City where you will have lunch. After you will visit the gardens with the breath-taking views. Return to the hotel where you will have Return to the new City, Including the Temple Model to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. Here we will have a dinner. (Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 11 DEC-Day 9 - ( MON) - Jerusalem/Dead Sea/Qumran/Masada

better understanding between old and New Jerusalem. Next to Ein Karem, birthplace of St John the Baptist, visit the Visitation church where Mary proclaimed her famous “Magnificat Overnight NOTRE DAME VATICAN HOTEL (BB,D)

13 Dec-Day 11 - (WED) Jerusalem/TLV/LAX

Breakfast rest of the morning Free time early PM dinner has to check out from the hotel, around 8:30 PM flight from TLV/ LAX in the 13 Dec flight depart TLV at 1:00 Am Dec 14,2017 ( end of Service )

May 29, 2018 (Tuesday – Day 8) Vinales – Havana – Los Angeles Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home as your trip comes to an end. (Meal: Breakfast)

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AUGUST 11-17, 2017

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2 august 11-17, 2017

2

Chess grandmaster Wesley so

Making it to the top through skills, hard work and dedication By

IT all turns deadly after the first handshake. Silence all throughout, bowed heads and downcast eyes, not out of dismay, but out of concentration. Every piece is essential, every move, crucial. Under scrutiny, each motion is analyzed, and what comes next is highly anticipated. There is no room for even the slightest error in this game, as miscalculation screams defeat. and defeat is one’s end game. This is Wesley So’s environment. at 23, he is now the second best chess player in the world. considered one of the youngest grandmasters on the planet, his position in the chess world proves that mastery and skillfulness lie not on age, but on dedication and ability. In the Philippines, So started playing chess when he was 6 years old. With an incredible skill at such a young age, he was normally seen roaming around the community daring people to play with him. “I started as a kid then kept working at it,” told the Asian Journal. He did work — real hard. at age 9, he acquired his very first major tournament victory in the 2003 Philippine National chess championships. A win year after year During the 2004 6th asian age-Group chess championship, So received gold medals for both standard and rapid chess under the individual category, and silver

Nathalie roBles / AJPress

on the team category. He was also 13th place in the World Youth chess championship in Greece that same year. In 2005, So won gold awards in standard, rapid, and blitz chess under the individual category at the 7th aSEaN age-Group chess championship in Thailand. aside from that, he also tied in first place at the World Youth chess championship in Greece. He also won ninth place in the 12th Nice Open International in France and was declared best among under — 12 players in Masters/ challengers International Open Tournament in Singapore. In 2006, he was awarded his first Grand Master (GM) norm, a title signifying a high level of performance in a chess tournament at the Offene Internationale Bayerische Schach Meisterschaft in Bad Wiessee, Germany. The following year, So gained his second GM norm during the World Junior chess championship, later that year, he achieved his third in the 3rd Pichay cup International Open in the Philippines. So went on to became the youngest National Junior Open chess champion in 2007, wherein he was awarded with a gold medal on board one, at the World Under16 Team championships. Sacrifice, discipline and dedication at 14, Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) or World chess Federation,

the governing body for international chess competitions, labeled him Grandmaster, making him ninth youngest grandmaster in history and was then the strongest player in the world under 16. “To be on this level is a full time commitment not an easy ride,” So told the Asian Journal in an interview. adding that sacrifice and discipline are two key factors in his conditioning, he explained that unlike majority of people his age, he rarely engages himself online. “I do not use social media and I stay off the internet,” he said. “I work every day on the board and have some form of physical exercise every day. I do not use social media and I stay off the internet. Time is very precious and I have a lot to learn. The wise use of time is critical to being the best you can be.” The grandmaster also utilizes his schedule in the best way possible. “Time is very precious and I have a lot to learn. The wise use of time is critical to being the best you can be.” In 2008, during the aSEaN Masters chess circuit Grandmaster Tournament in Indonesia, So won fourth place this was followed by a Battle of Grandmasters in his home country, the Philippines of the same year. He also went to UaE for the 10th Dubai Open chess championship and 2008 JaPFa chess Festival wherein he both got first place. Out of 73 players in the 2nd Philippine Open International chess championship, Wesley So was ranked 10. also, he won second place in the 1st Subic Bay International Open chess championship. Despite his titles and achievements, humility still stems out of the chess grandmaster as he described the love he has for the sport. “They say this sort of work is not something you choose, it chooses you. I am grateful to be chosen,” he said. “It (chess) is my job and I am good at it and the people I work with treat me with respect. It is an arena I am comfortable in.”

During the 37th chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy, So became the youngest Filipino International Master and the youngest member of the national men’s team. So acquired a gold medal during the World Youth U-16 chess Olympiad in the individual category, followed by a tie for second best in Vietnam’s 1st Dragon capital chess Open or also known as 1st aSEaN Grand Prix all in 2008. Willpower and dedication strongly emanates from the chinese-Filipino chess player. He frequently exercises calm and tranquility that even stress cannot tear down. “I am not a person who gets stressed easily. It rarely happens to me. I think prepare well and get your work done and no reason for stress,” he shared In 2009, he won first place for the 71st corus chess in Netherlands wherein he was given the Beste Jone Talente award. He also won the Battle of Grandmasters in the Philippines and became the top junior winner for aeroflot Open in Russia both in 2009 and 2010. The following year, he won in NH chess Tournament Rising Stars vs Experience and he acquired silver medal for the Team Philippines on the 16th asian Games in china. It was in 2011 when he was awarded with a gold medal during the 26th Southeast asian Games by finishing undefeated with 9 points in the Blitz chess competition. He was first place in Blitz chess and was undefeated in all 18 games during the 11th asian Individual Open/ Blitz chess championships. He also became the 2012 champion in French League Top 12 also undefeated in 10 games. He won first place in canada for two separate meets: Quebec Open chess championship and Toronto International chess championship. He also ranked first place in SPIcE Blitz 2012. So had nine victories in 2013 alone. He was first place in the

Photos courtesy of Antonio Milesi for Wesleyso.com

Reykjavik Open wherein he was the first player from the Philippines to ever participate and he was also the first player in the 67-year history of american collegiate chess to break the 2700 rating mark. From then on he was known as the no. 2 ranked junior chess player in the world. asked on how important the sport is to him, So described chess as something he holds dear. “It is my job. It has given me a present and a future. I feel God have given me a gift that I love and respect,” he said. More wins His other wins for the year include Final Four of college chess and The Bill Wright Saint Louis Open both won also in 2014, calgary International chess classic and Blitz championship, Las Vegas International chess Festival, 27th Summer Universiade, 2nd Noel Skelton Open, 17th Unive chess Tournament Hoogeven and Pan american Intercollegiate chess championship. In 2014, So won first place in the following tournaments: capablanca Memorial, National Open Blitz Sectionals Las Vegas International chess Festival, acP Golden classic, 3rd Noel Skelton Open, Millionaire chess and North american Open. 22nd Bunratty chess Festival, cez chess Trophy 4 Game Match, Bilbao chess Masters were among the tournaments he won first place in during 2015.

Last year, he won The Sinquefield cup, 42nd chess Olympiad, London chess classic and Grand chess Tour. “I am close to challenging for the world championship. It brings me more support and I get better invitations to the biggest events. Plus you learn more when working with the top players and my ambition is always to expand my understanding,” he shared. He also urges those who aspire to excel in the field of chess to dedicate themselves to the sport and commit wholeheartedly. “If you love to work and study, this is the job for you. If you need more socialization, more hanging out, more party time, it is definitely not for you. Most importantly pray and ask God to guide your way.” at present, So now plays for the United States. He migrated for a better opportunity abroad but was absorbed by the chess team. “If you are willing to work hard every door opens. They respect talent and hard work here. I have never felt discriminated against or disrespected,” he said. He also mentioned that he had to make an effort in order to be a Filipino athlete in the U. S. “I made an effort to learn what they want here and have already received so much in the way of encouragement and practical support and I am not even a U.S. citizen. I love to work hard here because there are rewards for your efforts,” he said.

Still just friends: Ellen Adarna Jake Cuenca not after profit as indie producer explains video with Baste Duterte by Bot Glorioso Philstar.com

Back into each other’s arms? Such a thought bubble popped into people’s heads upon seeing actress Ellen adarna’s recent viral video showing her in the arms and locking lips with presidential son Sebastian “Baste” Duterte during a party only last month. So, does this means they have kissed and made up? “That was nothing! Okay, he’s my ex-

boyfriend. We’re still friends, we still talk, but wala na talaga,” enthused Ellen during an interview with Philstar.com. “We did it just for a show,” said Ellen, who was shown in the viral video singing a Visayan song, which, according to her, was her “moving on” and “hurting” song when they broke up. “Nilasing nila kami, ‘di ba? So after the song, he went up and kissed me. It was really very friendly.” Ellen said that moment that they kissed, she did not miss Baste, though she admitted that sometimes, she misses him. She assured that she no longer feels hurt by the breakup. “Wala na, wala na. I’ve moved on. He’s, I don’t know, seeing others?” For now, she is also closing her doors for a second chance with him. “Not now, wala, wala,

wala.” Besides the kissing video, Ellen’s reactions to current events, such as the proposed tax on sweetened drinks, also went viral. In the interview, she said that she vetoes such a law because “even non-caloric food tina-tax nila.” as a smoker, she is also not purely for the nationwide smoking ban. “I’m a smoker. Wala eh, that’s the law. You have to follow it. There are designated areas and nahuli na ‘ko before. Sa Davao pa ha! I had to pay P10,000, bwiset!” she recalled an incident four years ago. Was Baste able to help her? “Ay hindi! Wala pa s’yang kuwenta pa nu’n,” Ellen joked. It seems that there are no special treatments under the law nowadays, even for a friend or a lover of President Rodrigo Duterte’s son. (Deni Rose M. AfinidadBernardo/Philstar.com)

JakE cuenca has made a career out of portraying different roles on the big and small screens and he never stops improving his craft through attending acting classes here and abroad. Now, he is set to try his hand at another endeavor by taking part in this year’s cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival not just as an actor but also as a producer of “Requited,” which was written and directed by Nerissa Picadizo. Requited is one of the 10 finalists in the Full-Length Features category of the 13th edition of the indie filmfest. It is Jake’s second cinemalaya outing — after his lead starrer “Nuwebe” in 2013 — and his first venture as a producer. according to the kapamilya actor, he fell in love with the story right after reading the script that was personally presented to him by Nerissa. In fact, he didn’t just agree to star in it but he also waived his talent fee and shelled out an undisclosed amount — aside from the P750,000 grant from cinemalaya — for the film. “Making this film was very fulfilling for me that I didn’t think about the returns but in what way I could help for it to come out more appealing than what it was,” said Jake during the presscon for Requited held last week. He added, “at the same time, sobra ‘yung attachment ko dito kasi on- and off-screen, nakasama ako sa proseso kaya nakakatuwa.” The dramatic biking love story with splashes of adventure took three years to complete. Direk NerisBaste Duterte and Ellen Adarna goofing around. Photo from Ellen Adarda’s Instagram account sa shared that writing the story

lasted a year with only Jake in mind out flaws. One challenge was the as the most fitting to play the char- need to finish shooting the scenes acter. She knew then that the actor before dusk rapidly falls. Scenes were was busy with his aBS-cBN soap mostly shot at Mt. Pinatubo “kaya “Pasion de amor,” “but I was willing may oras (na sinusunod) kasi pagkagat ng dilim, kailangan na namin to wait for him.” Until the two met during award- umalis,” recounted Jake. The filmmaker also expressed ing ceremonies for ani ng Dangal and Indie Bravo where they both admiration for the kind of attitude won awards for their respective Jake displayed towards his work. works. The director took the op- He’s already in character even before portunity to pitch a proposal to the cameras started to grind. But his Jake that led to their partnership for character didn’t require him to show “Requited.” But prior to becoming a an intense level of acting. Direk Nerissa had instructed him cinemalaya official entry, Requited has already been selected as a final- to portray the character as natural ist at the 2015 Manila Film Financing as natural can be. “Ako kasi ‘yung Forum and the 2016 cinemalaya hiniwalayan at iniwan dito at ako DGPI Film Pitching. “and I presented Continued on Page 4 the story to Jake even before it was accepted for the filmfest,” direk Nerissa said. The film centers on the journey of former lovers Matt (Jake) and Sandy (anna Luna) who travel from Manila to Mt. Pinatubo on a bike in order to fulfill the former’s wish who is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Jake is certain that the film’s narrative can be easily understood by everyone. He was impressed at how the director clearly put the message of the story without requiring an extended viewing time. “and one more thing, unlike other indies na pag-iisipin kang masyado instead of you enjoying the film, ito madaling sakyan; it is easy to understand.” Despite several challenges during the shoot, “Requited” was completed withJake Cuenca ABS-CBN photo

Bianca Gonzalez on balancing her 3 life as wife, mom and career woman A boy for Erika Padilla & Jeff Cariaso august 11-17, 2017

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compromise date namin (laughs),” relates Bianca. if husband and wife are too ReadinG from the press busy, Bianca says her in-laws, who handout about the things Bianca live five minutes away from their Gonzalez does already makes it home, will gladly look after Lucia. obvious that downtime is pretty Bianca’s mom is based abroad rare on her schedule. True enough, but she flew back home when the now mom of the one-yearBianca gave birth and stayed with and-nine-month-old Baby Lucia them to assist her until she fully admits setting a timetable in regained her strength. no wonder, order to accomplish her duties Bianca appreciates the kind of as a mom, a wife and as a career support her mom and JC’s parents woman. are giving them. “every day is different. every equally showing support for day is a struggle. every day you try Bianca are her followers on her to find time to do everything you social media accounts that already want but we sort of have figured ballooned in numbers. She has it out already,” Bianca tells The 6.3 million followers on Twitter; STAR. “Ako kasi i have to stay with Bianca Gonzalez (with husband JC Intal and 1.8 million, instagram; and 2.7 my baby for the daytime usually, million, Facebook. Her feed shows their daughter Lucia Photo from Bianca’s Instagram account a mix of her family life, home because of the nature of the work, kaya pang i-schedule ang and travel, thoughts for the day thought about my career, i was mga bagay-bagay. i schedule my and observations on issues big already out of the house at 10 in work from afternoon to evening or small. Small wonder, she is the morning then i would return so during mornings i’m able to considered as an influencer. But by 8 or 10 p.m. My schedule then be with the baby and it works out was like work then meet up with Bianca is not one to brag. instead, since my husband is training for friends or shopping. and now that she humbly says, “Parang it’s basketball in the morning and by such a big word as in literal na i am a mom, i always find ways the time he comes home, it’s time to be home early and spend time big word but Tito Boy (abunda, for me to be out for work.” her manager) insists i am one with my child.” She notes, “as much as probably because of the nature of it can also be recalled that possible, one of us has to be at my work. i think it all started with six months into her being a new home with the baby.” my first show, Y Speak, where i was mom, Bianca shared through Bianca never denies that she giving my opinions then i had a her column 10 Things, in this was surprised at how life had morning show. now i also write for newspaper’sLifestyle section, drastically turned 180 degrees a newspaper. i also wrote a book some things she wished she had when she and husband-cager (Paano Ba To!? How to Survive been told about motherhood. JC intal jumped from being a Growing Up) at parang lahat ’yun among them were, “Motherhood twosome to a family. put together, naging ganun ang isn’t like what you see on your “Yeah, downtime is hard tingin ng tao and then with social instagram feed” and “it’s easy to because when i wake up, baby lose your sense of self when you’re media, it just evolved into that. time agad until she goes to take “and i’m flattered, of course. a new mom.” a nap and that’s my time to go to Who wouldn’t feel that way when So far, Bianca is happily the bathroom, answer e-mails, people think what you have to embracing the change. “i guess, arrange things and when she say matters.Nakakatuwa but i also you surprise yourself with a lot of wakes up, baby time again until i look at other people’s opinions.” things when you become a mom. leave for work.” in her assessment, Me, i never thought i was the type With her hands full with work, she has made a trip to the salon Bianca is thankful that a lot of who (will) breastfeed at all but only five times since she gave what she had wished for in her because i saw how good it is for birth to Lucia unlike before when the baby to have a strong immune career came true. She continues she was still single, that it was to host Cinema news on Cinema system, i’m still breastfeeding a monthly routine. it was her One, which has been airing for her akala ko kasi hanggang few choice to put aside her “me” time nine years now, and Modern months lang ako.” so as not to feel that “mom guilt” How about going out on date Living on anC that is set to air its whenever she is away from home. nights with JC? Bianca shares Season 8 in September. “That’s what i find hard, ’yung that they prefer to stay home and “Siguro dati wish ko i wanted managing the mom guilt which catch up on sleep. “But we watch to do shows abroad mga ganun, i know i should not feel because ngayon hindi na kasi ang hirap na a few movies sometimes or if we moms deserve to have time alone want some sort of a date night, may maiiwan kang anak at asawa. but i really can’t help it probably we’ll just call for a delivery service now i’m happy to have a stable because i’m still in the adjustment of our favorite Japanese food job that can help provide for my period. family,” concludes the asian artists so we will eat while watching “When i was single and i only agency, inc. talent. movies at home at ’yun ang

by Bot GLoRioso Philstar.com

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

iT’S a boy for erika Padilla and Jeffrey “The Jet” Cariaso who met and matched literally on the hardcourt. a basketball fan, erika (besides an actress) is a courtside reporter for the PBa (Philippine Basketball association) and he’s the assistant coach for team alaska aces. They crossed paths in 2011 and have been inseparable since then. Last June 20, the two got married in civil rites at the San Francisco City Hall, USa. “it wasn’t supposed to be anything fancy,” said erika, “just memorable and fun.” They plan to have a church wedding on July 22, 2018. Why that date? Jeff’s jersey number is 22, that’s why. Meanwhile, they are waiting for the birth of their first child in September. it will be Jeff’s third child, the first two aged 17 and 11 are with his first wife from whom Jeff is separated (divorced?). The couple got officially together on nov. 11, 2014, when Jeff asked erika out for the first time. “When he became the

Erika Padilla and husband Jeffrey ‘The Jet’ Cariaso during their civil wedding in the States.

head coach of Ginebra which happened to be the team i was assigned to most of the time,” recalled erika during the recent baby shower held with the help of the stroller brand aprica, “i was given the opportunity to talk to Jeff more often. That gave us a chance to be more candid and more comfortable with each other, although we kept things on the professional level. during the interviews, he made my life easy by explaining things. i was impressed by the way he conducted himself and his generosity.”

erika is still getting used to her new marital status. “nothing much has changed,” she said. “i just need to acquaint myself with being referred to as Jeff’s wife, as Mrs. Cariaso. and i have to create a new signature with Cariaso in it.” The baby will be named Jet, after the “title” given to his father. The youngest in a brood of four, erika is excited to have a baby of her own. “i love babies,” admitted erika. “Mga pamangkin ko nga natatakot sa akin kasi lagi kong pinanggigigilan.”

Onemig not keen on going back to showbiz by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

LaST seen almost a decade ago, Onemig Bondoc at 40 still looks good; in fact, he seems not to have changed at all. Tipong artista pa rin, as they would say. “i’m not really closing my doors,” clarified Onemig who is estranged from his wife with whom he has two kids, one aged 10 and the second, four years old. “as of now, i have my kids to think of. i am also in the process of setting up my own company (in food business).” The Bondocs are into several businesses (real estate, etc.). They run the Benedictine international School of Quezon City (near ayala Heights in Q.C.) which Onemig is helping manage. Funfare talked to Onemig the other day at the launch of Jay

Taruc’s new show, “Ride Ph” with Jay Taruc, which premieres on aug. 20 (Sunday) at 10 p.m. on GMa news TV. along with drew arellano, Randy Santiago and Jamir Garcia (Slapshock), Onemig was there to support dody arcaya, head of dickies which is among the show’s sponsors. all of them have been dickies endorsers. although there’s a pending case between them, Onemig and his wife (who “doubled” for Rachel Weisz in “Bourne Legacy” which was partly filmed here) are, according to him, “cordial” to each other for the sake of their kids, with the older in Onemig’s care and the younger in his wife’s. “Hindi na talaga kami magkasundo,” said Onemig, “so we separated three years ago. Our younger kid was only a year old at that time. The kids see each other

Onemig Bondoc

Philstar.com photo

every weekend pero ipinaglalaban ko yung custody case that i have filed.”

august 11-17, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

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Ayen Munji-Laurel expecting her 5th child; bows out of ABS-CBN soap by ElviE

Matias Philstar.com

In the thick of her wonderfully challenging kontrabida role in the ongoing ABS-CBn teleserye “Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin,” Ayen MunjiLaurel had to make the painful decision of quitting the show because of her pregnancy. In the series, Ayen played Victoria dela Vega. She served as the main protagonist in the story that intertwines the lives of the characters of the soap’s lead actors — Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu. Jake Cuenca and Coleen Garcia also star in the Dreamscape production. Ayen, who is married to singer-actor Franco Laurel and a proud mother of four children, is already on her fifth month. When she was just nearing the end of the first trimester of her fifth pregnancy, as in all her past pregnancies, this period proved to be high-risk if not most challenging for her physically and emotionally. Thus, Ayen, who is due to give birth on Dec. 12, needed to leave the show. Ayen said they started working on the soap in October, last year. She found out she was pregnant in April, one month before the soap was launched on May 1. Knowing that the conflict in the story emanating from her character would last until the end, her manager Popoy Caritativo discussed with Dreamscape’s Deo Endrinal the changes that needed to be done since her tummy would undoubtedly show before the end of the program. Major changes were undertaken in the production, script re-written and her character had a major revision. Consequently, Victoria reached the end of her saga. And it was quite a spectacle. Ayen appreciates the support of ABS-CBn and Dreamscape all throughout. “They were very, very supportive and very caring. They even had a medical team on board while I was taping. They also reduced my cut-off time from

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2 a.m. to 12 midnight. They were films and the good thing is, this very considerate. I couldn’t ask for early, she knows how to go about a better team. Sobrang bait nila,” responding to these offers. “She she said. knows what questions to ask,” The actress said that she is in Ayen said. a much better place now. “I have Of all her kids, Ayen believes learned to accept it with all my Mariella is the one most likely to heart. God showed me that no follow her footsteps. “I feel that matter what I have planned for this is the right time for her to my life, in the end it is still God’s penetrate this industry. She is plans that will prevail. I’m enjoying ready, even her temperament is my pregnancy and relishing the right,” Ayen said. rest from all my days of non-stop Her only son Hasan, 22, is also working. Come to think of it, the very musically inclined, a gift he only time I am really able to rest certainly got from his grandfather is when I get pregnant!” she said, Emy Munji. He plays the bass laughing. guitar in a Christian band called She said she was about to Saved and is now on his junior launch an album when Angia, year in college taking up Music now 14 (with a voice of an angel), Production. He is also interested in was conceived. For her three-yearfilms. old Sofia, she also had to take a leave from the soap she was working on then on GMA 7. And now this. “Maybe God knows that I will not voluntarily stop working that’s why He makes sure I get pregnant again when He thinks I needed to rest,” she joked. The former princess also takes stock of the beautiful family life she has. She said she was reminded of the truth that all her children bring her so much joy. Her eldest Mariella, 26, is now trying her wings on stage — acting, writing and directing. In fact, come October, she will launch her first directorial project, a sung-through musical where she will also be performing under the music division of Artists Playground’s Playlist. She also wants to study abroad to further hone her craft. Television and films are also part of her future plans. Mariella has also been getting offers to do indie and short Ayen Munji-Laurel

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Rocco Nacino declares love for Sanya Lopez by lhar santiago ManilaTimes.net

BArELy two days since arriving from his weeklong vacation in Europe, rocco nacino already buckled down to work. He wasn’t complaining though; the actor says working helps him shake off his jet lag. rocco joined the panel of “Bar Boy’s” press conference, one of 12 movies featured in the upcoming Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. The film has been ready for release since 2016 but its producers were looking for the right time to hit cinemas. “What we really want is for the movie to be seen by a lot of people. It has a very good theme and a very engrossing story. The first time the poster of the movie came out people thought it was about boys working in a bar, but this is actually the story of a group of young men aspiring to be lawyers—Law graduates preparing to take the bar,” rocco said. That the movie is finally showing, and part of the newest film festival at that, is an exciting development for the actor. “Our movie will have a one-week run nationwide, and I can’t wait to visit the theaters when our movie opens. Ang dami kasi tiyak makakarelate. Dapat mapanood ito ng mga lawyers, ng mga gustong maging lawyer and their parents.” Besides promoting “Bar Boys,” rocco is also working on the afternoon prime series “Haplos” on GMA network. Likewise, he was happy to return from his vacation to see the show’s ratings shooting up and clobbering the competition. “It’s because of the good story,” rocco opined. “I think the viewers

Rocco Nacino and Sanya Lopez

like the conflict between good and evil with a touch of something super-natural. ‘Yung panggagayuma ni Lucille (Thea Tolentino) sa character kong si Gerald, the viewers siyempre would like to find out if she will succeed in stealing me away from Angela who is played by Sanya (Lopez).” now as soon as rocco uttered Sanya’s name, his face lit up, compelling Showbuzz to ask what’s the real score between them. After all, since their first team up in “Encantadia” where Sanya played Sang’re Danaya, their pairing has drawn a horde of fans who hope they will also get together in real life. “She’s the closest girl to my heart right now. She’s very special to me,” rocco answered candidly. “We still can’t say where this closeness will lead us but we’re not in a hurry. As of now, we’re happy with the way things are going between us. We’re so close that we confide our problems to each other. We’re relaxed together na hindi na kami

GMA photo

nahihiyang sabihin what we feel about certain things.” Sanya celebrated her 20th birthday on Wednesday, Aug. 9, but rocco had already surprised her with a birthday gift three days before her birthday—a pet dog. “I really surprised her,” he enthused. “She was having an advance birthday celebration with her fans at the rufo’s branch that I own. She didn’t know that I was coming so she was so shocked when I walked into the restaurant. I gave her my gift and from her reaction, I can say she very happy with my gift. Kinuha niya agad yung puppy and I thought her thank you’s would never end. I’m just glad I was able to make her happy.” In three weeks time, rocco is leaving again for Europe with his parents and brother. “It’s my gift to them. I want them to experience rome, especially my mom. After rome, they’ll get to see more of Italy while I’ll be flying back to Manila for Haplos.”

Jake Cuenca not after profit as... From Page 2

yung kawawa,” said Jake. “requited” revolves around three themes: Unrequited love, health struggles and the process of moving on. Jake also admitted that his attachment to the film is on a more personal level. Is it because he invested so much particularly in the financial aspect? “I am not looking at the numbers; ‘di ko tinitignan ‘yung returns pero sasabihin ko rin naman na may potential ‘yung movie na maging commercially-released kasi ang ganda nung story. When direk and

I were talking, we’re really wishing for a commercial release after Cinemalaya. From there, maybe we’ll think about the numbers and returns. But when it comes to doing the film, gusto ko lang makabuo ng magandang pelikula,” answered Jake. Are they, at this point, wishing to bag an award? Direk nerissa replied, “In the beginning, of course, those thoughts came into my mind but the process of making the film and how hard it was, just finishing it was the biggest achievement. There were finan-

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cial problems that came along so nung natapos nakakatuwa talaga. Everything is just icing on the cake. Indie film is such a hard thing to put together sobrang saludo ako sa gumagawa ng indie. With an award, we can only hope but I feel good about the project and I’m really proud of it.” Asked if Jake has plans to produce more films in the future, the actor said he sees himself leading towards film directing. “One day, I want to study (film directing) and then be a director also, parang mas doon ako papunta.”

august 11-17, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

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AUGUST 11-17, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

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Metropolitan offers water-savings incentives to users via bewaterwise.com COMMERCIAL, institutional and agricultural water users looking to save water and money can now apply online for financial incentives offered by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for customized conservation projects. Metropolitan’s Water Savings Incentive Program is a pay-for-performance program offered through the district’s online conservation portal—bewaterwise.com—that goes beyond rebates to help consumers develop creative, customized water-saving projects at their work site.

Metropolitan expanded the program, which originally focused on industrial processes, to include any commercial, institutional and agricultural water user. Projects may include using recycled industrial wastewater, retrofitting waterusing equipment with highefficiency models, upgrading irrigation systems for agricultural or large landscaped areas, and capturing and reusing water condensation in cooling towers. Metropolitan’s online approach allows customers to submit an application faster and easier, reducing the need for contracts between Metropolitan

and the customer. It is expected to result in faster review and approval times as well as expedited incentive payments. Each project must save a minimum of 10 million gallons of water during its projected life or over a 10-year period (whichever is shorter). Projects are considered on a first-come-first-served basis until funding is exhausted. Visit bewaterwise.com for more information and to submit an application. Additional watersaving tips are available by following Metropolitan on social media using the handle @ mwdh2o.

Textile & Dye Company filtering and reusing process water

Calendar of Events across

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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 AU G U ST 1 2

Silliman University Alumni Association of Southern California’s annual picnic in El Monte, CA The Silliman University Alumni Association of Southern California invites alumni, their family and friends, to its annual picnic and membership meeting on Saturday, August 12, at Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Picnic Area D #9 ((near Legg Lake area with free parking for the early birds). The address: 750 S. Santa Anita Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733, 10 a.m. to sundown. For more information call: Jessie Mario Duran 626.715.2525, Joji Amparo 909.991.8919, and Zeny Duran Bennett 626.824.3595.

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University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) Induction Ball in Whittier, CA The Univeristy of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) will hold its Induction Ball on August 13, 2017 Sunday at the Double Tree by Hilton - Whittier on 7320 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602. Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz will swear in Mutch Carino as President of UPAAGLA for 2017-2019, together with the newly elected officers composed of Ethel Rubio (President-Elect), Nati Matitu Mercado (1st VP), Evelyn Andamo (2nd VP), Joy Angeles (Recording Secretary), Yvee Tadeo-Guevara (Corresponding Secretary), Gil Guinto (Treasurer), Melette Lampino (Assistant Treasurer), Dick Cu (Auditor), Benny Uy (PRO) and Bobby Canseco (IT Officer). The 2017-2019 UPAAGLA Board of Directors are Ivy Manalang, Atty. Mary Lyn Sanga, Ellery Atienza, Mary Trinidad, Sonny Gancayco, Annie Nepomuceno, Mary Drees, Jess Espanola, Bob Shroder, Carina Slepian, Ivy Cosio-Bautista, Ellen Gomez, Relson Banas, and Angie Alvarez. The advisers of UPAAGLA are Dr. Arnel Joaquin, Vicky Gancayco, Jazmin Gaite, Alma Onrubia, Frank Mamaril, Doris Maligalig, and Sonja Menor. Red carpet arrivals and No Host Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. Program and dinner start at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, sponsorships and souvenir program advertisements, please call Dick Cu (562) 547-0560.

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24th annual Pistahan Parade and Festival in San Francisco, CA The Pistahan Parade and Festival is an international celebration of Filipino community, culture and cuisine. Experience the best of Filipino art, dance, music and cuisine at the Yerba Buena Gardens. On Saturday, August 12, the Pistahan Parade will feature elaborate floats, marching bands and colorful contingents as it marches down Market from Civic Center to 4th St. The festival will include live entertainment, popular balut eating contest, delectable Filipino cuisine, cultural exhibits, hands-on workshops for kids and adults. It will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Admission is free. For more information, please call 415. 625. 3976 or visit http://www.pistahan.net.

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Philippine Madrigal Singers to perform in Northridge, CA Philippine Madrigal Singers in Concert on Saturday, August 19 is the long-awaited return to Los Angeles of the world-renowned prize-winning choir. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall at the Valley Performing Arts Center (VPAC) located at 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330. The theatre is part of CSUN, and tickets are $70, $55, and $40 online anytime at www.ticketmaster.com. Special student pricing is available only in-person at the VPAC box office, call or visit (818) 677-3000 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Tour information at www.musicartsevents.com.

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Philippine Madrigal Singers in Loma Linda, CA An Evening with the MADZ on Sunday, August 20 is an opportunity to hear the awardwinning first-ever two-time European Grand Prix winning choir, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, at Campus Hill Church, 11057 Hill Dr Loma Linda CA 92354. The performance is at 7 p.m. $40 General Admission, $20 Child/Student. For tickets, call Ephraim Dela Cruz at (909) 8314225, Marjorie Ann Reyno-Huynh at (909) 965-6936 or Nemuel Enriquez at (323) 229-0506.

SEPTEMBER 1-4

Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School international reunion in Las Vegas Come and celebrate with RMCHS alumni and guests for the third biannual international homecoming. Sing, dance, party, share precious memories and join the fun from Friday, September 1 to Monday, September 4 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89103. Join the golf tournament in the morning of Saturday, Sept. 2 and then wear your best (black and white) for a dinner dance later that evening. Make this event an opportunity to reunite with your own batchmates, watch a show, visit tourist spots, and stroll along the Las Vegas Strip. For more information, visit the RMCHS 2017 INTL REUNION Facebook page.

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26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park Save the date! The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.

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

The Metamorphosis

Why a man must save and invest

magical rewards of responsible parents in witnessing their children metamorphose into good citizens and becoming ERNIE D. DELFIN their own successful and fulfilled human being. OUR education, experiences With that emotionally and memories are three things charged introduction, let me now that we can never bequeath share top 10 reasons why a man to our heirs. When we die, all must save and invest: these “precious” things go with 1. Your savings affect the us and are gone forever. After way you stand, the way you living over half century on Earth, walk, and even the tone of your as a precocious child of God, I voice. In short, your physical well have learned so much from the University of Hard Knocks — many being and self-confidence. A man without savings is always valuable lessons which I now feel running. He must take the first the urge to share with all those I job offered, or nearly so. He sits love dearly. nervously on life’s chairs because Had I known and applied any small emergency throws these sound and time-tested him helplessly into the hands of Principles of Success (in all of others. Life’s quadrants: physical, social, 2. Without savings, a man mental and spiritual) much earlier in life, I would have been a better, must be too grateful. Gratitude is happier and more fulfilled person a fine thing in its right place. But a constant state of gratitude is today. However, considering my a horrible place to be in. A man humble beginnings in a modest with savings can walk tall. He progressive farming village in the may appraise opportunities in a Philippines, versus an affluent more relaxed manner, have time Orange County, where I live for judicious estimates and not be the last 40 years, I feel that life’s rushed by economic necessities. journey is not that bad after all. 3. A man without savings I used to say I am a selfis always prone to react, often made man, but it is now more appropriate (with humility) to say displaying more form than substance. Without savings, that I did the best I can with the a person’s confidence is easily talents that God has graciously eroded as his daily chores given my human efforts that brought my family and I to where revolve around tension-relieving activities instead of indulging we are today. Indeed, our life is our gift from God, and what we do in income producing endeavors while surrounded and probably with our life is our gift to Him. intimidated by more relaxed, Among the things I have powerful and productive people. learned early in life that became 4. Without savings, a man more valuable every year I’ve delays decisions that are good lived in America is in the area for him and his family and of savings and investments. As often misses opportunities in workers, employees, laborers and his lifetime, like associating or breadwinners, young and old are pre-occupied with the business of running with true winners in life. living, I feel the importance (like a For lack of savings, he is relegated parent to a child), to convey some to the backseat of life, envying the gaiety and camaraderie of gems of wisdom so that the child those who have. can have a better life than his 5. A man with savings can parents. To all the millennials, the young people of the world, I plead afford to resign from his job when his principles so do dictate. And you to heed this financial advice on savings which everyone who is for this reason he will never need to do so. A man who can afford earning a living has the power to to quit is much more useful to create and control its continued him company, and therefore existence or cause its premature more promotable as he can afford death. to give his company the benefit You must start believing of his most candid judgments. He saving has that profound value that becomes more apparent with does not need to kiss somebody’s you-know-what. the passage of time. The growth 6. A man with savings can of your savings is somewhat afford the wonderful privilege analogous to the invisible yet

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA IF you’ve been given the chance to restart a new life after you’ve gone through some lifechanging, miraculous experience, such as surviving a horrific accident when everyone else perished, or finding yourself inexplicably healed from a deadly disease, then you’ll know what it feels to be given a reprieve. It is a fresh slate, a clean paper, what the Greeks call a tabula rasa, on which you can begin writing your new story. Or if you use a computer, click on a new blank document and chase the cursor. How does one use this new lease on life? Most people lucky enough to be given a second chance, will quickly realize that this new lease can just be an extra few months or years, and in the most blessed scenarios, a decade or two. Each day beyond that critical turning point is a bonus, every single moment, a gift. Sometimes, God mercifully knocks some sense into us through drastic means by throwing us a curve ball to bring us down on our knees so that we have no choice but to look above and beyond our own petty, selfish concerns and total self-involvement in order to grasp the concept of our own mortality and to know that we are here for a purpose. We’re not here to merely consume resources or take up space. We were not meant to spend the greater part of our lives posting or browsing through our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts. Consider the fearsome dinosaurs. Grazing the earth for millions of years, that is essentially what they did — consumed resources and took up space. Not by intelligence but by sheer size and numbers, they had dominion over all other species for millions of years, until one day, as scientists try to explain their extinction, a rogue asteroid about 7 miles long, possibly got unhinged off its orbit in the asteroid belt, hit the

of being generous to this family or to his neighborhood’s emergencies. He can take the level stare of any man, friend, stranger, or even his enemies. This priceless commodity adds to his personality and character. 7. With savings, a person can afford to order from “left to right” fine dining restaurants, stay in more expensive hotels or resorts without being nervous with the bill. A Man without savings is forced to stay with friends and relatives’ homes when he is out of town. 8. With savings, you do not have to feign your happiness or contentment; you do not have to live in a far-away fantasyland. While it is true that money (savings) can never buy true happiness, it definitely serves as a nice down payment! Believe it or not, it is more fun to suffer in comfort than to agonize in misery. 9. The ability to save, fortunately, has nothing to do with the size of one’s income. Many high-income people spend it all. They are on the treadmill, darting through life like minnows. In his classic book, “The Riches Man of Babylon,” Clayson strongly admonished that every person must affirm and declare, “I must pay myself first because a part of my earnings is mine to keep!” 10. Lastly, heed the advice given by the Dean of American bankers, J.P. Morgan, to a young broker, “Take waste out of your spending; You’ll drive the enjoyment out of your life!” After all, next to our personal relationship with our own God, faithful action in taking care of our families is our primary responsibility and this can be fortified by habitual savings and investing them wisely. Religiously doing this habit builds not only our character but increases a comfortable nest egg. What we do now, not tomorrow, is the beginning of what we do next. Our savings are the seeds of what we can harvest tomorrow. (You can have a free consultation with this writer, who is also a retired CPA and a financial advisor or any one of his PENmates) *** Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.org www.gk1world.com

Rewriting your own story “A useless life is an early death.” – Goethe earth with such impact, setting off a series of volcanic eruptions that covered the atmosphere with ash far above the stratosphere, so that sunlight could not penetrate through the haze for years, killing off the plant life, upsetting and destroying the food chain balance and effectively starving and wiping the dinosaurs off the face of the earth 65 million years ago. Here is earth’s tabula rasa story — starting on a clean slate, a new lease on life. When the reptiles died, mammals, of which we are classified under, began their ascent. Human beings with purpose came to be. Yet each man’s purpose is nebulous and not always obvious. Purpose does not come as clear as the light of day. We have to seek it out. Either by choice or circumstance, some exceptional ones find their purpose early enough and proceed to fulfill it. But the great majority of people on the bell curve don’t have the nose to sense their true north. Most of us of the garden variety meander about our lives trying different things until we finally stumble upon it by trial and error. The annals of history are rife with such stories. St. Paul, almost single handedly nourished the beginnings of the early Christian church through his numerous travels. But he didn’t start out that way. He was just as passionate about persecuting Christians before he was tapped from above to do a complete conversion. Edwin Hubble, the great astronomer who lived in the nineteen twenties and for whom the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is named for his outstanding achievements in expanding our view of the universe, tried different things before finding out what he was meant to do. In college, he played championship basketball and even tried boxing. After fighting in World War I, he studied law, tried lawyering for a year and obviously didn’t like it.

Something must have happened because he went back to college to study astronomy and finally found his footing and his purpose in life. That’s what most of us do. We try different lives, different hats, until we find the one that matches heaven’s purpose. Just don’t run out of time. No one wants to leave with unfinished business. If our stations in life allow us the luxury of choice, then more than likely, we will be meandering too and trying different things before coming on board to the ship that will likely bring us to the port of our purpose. Try reading all or portions of Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life” written a few years back. Warren is the pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. His book continues to be received widely for its clear, well-structured and succinct explanation of what living with purpose means. True, its skewed towards his ministry but there are valuable truths about purpose and meaning to be gleaned by both the secular and spiritual, particularly in the early parts of the book. We don’t really have to wait for something dramatic, traumatic or tragic to happen to get us on track to finding that purpose. But do go to the right source. Nix the harebrained ideas coming from most of the media about what that purpose might be. When it comes to things that matter, most of the mainstream media has proven itself to be unworthy of trust. It pushes its own agenda of power that comes from profit. Tune out of the external world and go deep within. If you pray hard enough and long enough and live in the silence for a little while, chances are, you’ll find it. You can then begin rewriting your own story on a new document page. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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august 11-17, 2017 www.asianjournal.com

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