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Volume 23 - No. 50 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

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USA

Pres. Duterte: I am no Marcos lackey by alexiS

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

RomeRo Philstar.com

US State Department updates travel warning to southern Philippines

mANILA - he is no lackey of former president ferdinand marcos, but President rodrigo Duterte admitted on thursday, Dec. 22 that he has misgivings about the stringent provisions of the 1987 Constitution on martial law. During an assembly of civilian anti-drug volunteers in Pampanga, Duterte said Ilocos Norte Gov. the United states state Department has Imee marcos supported his presidential bid but it renewed a travel advisory urging Americans to avoid parts of the Philippines and malaysia in light of ongoing terrorist activities targeting travelers in the south sulu sea. the announcement on tuesday, December 20 replaces a prior warning issued on April 21 in response to kidnappings and other crimes perpetrated by militias based in and around the southern Philippines. the advisory outlines an area south of Palawan and Zamboanga City and bordered by the northwest coast of malaysia and the sulu Archipelago as a hotbed of insurgent violence. the state Department also recommends “extreme caution” when traveling through western mindanao, where at least 13 separate abductions have occurred since January. “there have been no reports of U.s. citizens in mindanao targeted specifically for PAGE A2

Electoral College officially declares Trump presidency PresIDeNt-elect D o n a l d trump on monday, December 19, has received the necessary 270 votes in the electoral College, officially securing the presidency. e a c h state’s electors conPresident-elect Donald Trump vened in their respective states to officially cast their ballots. When all the votes were counted, trump received 304, while Democratic presidential PAGE A4

de c e mbe r 2 3 - 2 9 , 2 0 1 6

does not make him a supporter of the political family. “hindi ako bata ng marcos ha (i am no lackey of Marcos),” he said. Duterte added his father Vicente was governor of Davao when he was named a Cabinet member of the marcos administration. the president talked about the term limits of local executives, which he described as a “reckless reaction” to the marcos regime.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, “shall be three years and no such official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms.” “masama ‘yung batas na ‘yan, dapat palitan talaga ‘yan (it’s a bad law. it should be amended). That was almost a reckless reaction to Marcos. Naano lang tayo sa galit natin (We were overwhelmed by our anger),” the president said. PAGE A2

Duterte: 3 out of every 5 Americans are idiots by Dana

SioSon AJPress

FIRST BUDGET. President Rodrigo Duterte signs the P3.35-trillion 2017 national budget in the presence of lawmakers. Beside the president are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel 3rd (seated, left) and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (seated, right). ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

CoNtINUING his series of verbal attacks against the United states, President rodrigo Duterte on thursday, December 22, claimed that three out of every five Americans were “idiots.” “Ang problema kasi sa puti—itong Amerikanong ulol—every five Americans kasi, ang tatlo diyan idioto. Dalawa lang diyan ang tama ang utak (The problem with these white people, these insane Americans, is that three out of five of them are idiots, and only two are in their right minds),” Duterte said. “tumahimik kayong mga Amerikano kayo (You Americans should just shut up),” he added. During the Convergence of Nanay Volunteers as Community Drug Watch in Pampanga, Duterte recalled in his speech the millennium Challenge Corporation’s (mCC) recent decision to withhold its $434-million financial assistance to the Philippines. mCC said it withheld its second aid due to “significant concerns around rule of law and civil liberties.” PAGE A2

James Taylor cancels Manila concert over PH drug war by Dana

SioSon AJPress

AWArD-winning American singersongwriter James taylor announced his decision to cancel his upcoming concert in manila next year due to the reported extrajudicial killings related to the Philippine administration’s war on drugs. on his facebook and twitter accounts, taylor said that he has to make a “political stand.” “It saddens me to cancel our concert there. I don’t think of my music as

being particularly political but sometimes one is called upon to make a political stand,” he wrote. taylor’s concert in manila, scheduled in february 2017, was supposed to be the last leg of his Asia-Pacific tour. In his post, taylor said that “for a sovereign nation to prosecute and punish, under the law, those responsible for the illegal trade in drugs is, of course, understandable, even commendable.” PAGE A4

CANCELLED. A clothing vendor (left) pedals his bicycle past a billboard promoting a planned concert by U.S. singer James Taylor in Manila on December 21, 2016. Grammy award-winning singer James Taylor said on December 21 he has cancelled a February 2017 concert in the Philippines in protest at the alleged extrajudicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal drug war. Philstar.com photo

2016 remittances projected to reach ‘all-time high’ of $28B

Lawmakers, community groups rally in LA against Trump’s anti- immigration proposals by eRic

anthony licaS AJPress

Los ANGeLes — roughly 2,000 demonstrators gathered in Pershing square on sunday, December 18, before marching to the steps of City hall, where lawmakers and community leaders pledged to resist proposals by President-elect Donald trump. Immigration was the most prominent topic discussed at sunday’s rally, which coincided with International migrants Day. At the event, demonstrators, lawmakers and community leaders spoke out in support of the rights of undocumented residents, especially those who may face a greater risk of deportation under the incoming presidential adminis-

tration. “We will not go back to the days when we persecuted [people] because of religion or discriminated against [people] because of the color of their skin or their legal status,” California senate President Pro tem Kevin de León told people in attendance of sunday’s demonstration. “that’s not America, and that’s certainly not California.” he and other elected officials stood behind state legislation — introduced during the first session of California’s recently-elected Legislature on monday, December 5 — designed to challenge trump’s hardline stance on immigration. Among those bills were one that would provide free legal counsel to people facing deportation hearings and another that would improve legal

by Dana

SioSon AJPress

California Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León speaks to the crowd on Sunday, December 18. Photos by Eric Anthony Licas

services for undocumented immigrants involved in criminal proceedings. other proposals submitted earlier this month include legislation that would make it more difficult for the federal government to fund a border wall

between California and mexico and establish a muslim registry. Another bill would effectively end the state’s use of private facilities to house undocumented immigrants. PAGE A3

the overseas filipino workers (ofW) remittances are forecasted to reach an all-time high of $28 in 2016, as reported by the overseas Workers Welfare Administration (oWWA). According to oWWA Chief hans Cacdac, the Philippine Department of finance (Dof) also announced during the oWWA board meeting on tuesday, December 20 that there was an increase in the remittances of ofWs during the 3rd quarter of 2016. “I heard $24-B as of the 3rd quarter and we are expected to hit $28-B at the end of the year which is an all-time high,” PAGE A4

A

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december 23-29, 2016 • Oc/Ie ASIAN JOUrNAL

From the Front Page

Pres. Duterte: I am no... PAGE A1 “Because of what happened to us, everything that Marcos did, although it was not Marcos’ Constitution, was destroyed, including the martial law powers of the president.” Marcos declared martial law in 1972 supposedly to address the communist insurgency but crit-

ics of the late president said the policy resulted in human rights abuses and curtailment of freedom. Duterte said martial law powers are subject to review by the Supreme Court and Congress. “If I declare martial law and there is an invasion now or war, I cannot proceed, especially if

there is disorder. I have to go to Congress, I have to go to the Supreme Court,” he said. “Eh kung magulo ang mundo (What if the world becomes chaotic)? Kaya nga martial law na eh. Para isang tao na lang ang mag-direkta (It’s called martial law so that only one man will call the shots).”

Duterte: 3 out...

PAGE A1 “Bakit mo ako imbestigahin (Why would you investigate me) for saying when I was the president, ‘Stop drugs because if you are destroying my country, I will kill you.’ And if you deprive us of our youth for the next generation’—iyong mga anak ninyo, saan tayo kukuha ng Pilipino na tatakbo ng bayan na ito kung puro gunggong na lahat (your children. Where will we find Filipinos who will govern the country if everybody became retarded)?” he said, lashing back at his critics. Duterte then reiterated how widespread the drug problem is in the Philippines. “Remember four million is four million. It’s no joke and they are spread all throughout the country,” Duterte stressed, referring to the number of drug personalities. Records from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that around 6,000 people have been killed in the campaign from July 1 to December 12—with 2,000 people slain during legitimate police operations while the remaining 4,000 were killed in extrajudicial or vigilante-style killings, most reportedly conducted by unknown suspects. “And we are already a narcopolitics state. We did not realize it until I became the mayor that there were already congressmen, governors, mayors, barangay captains pati pulis by the thousands,” he added. Early this week, Duterte tagged the United States a “land of hypocrisy” for its criticism against his administration’s drug campaign. “America is a land of hypocrisy. There are 40,000 Americans killed every year, drug-related,” Duterte previously said. He also lashed out the U.S. for allegedly supplying firearms to South American drug cartels.

CHRISTMAS RUSH. Shoppers hunt for bargain items at the Divisoria market in Manila on Saturday, Dec. 17, a week before gift-giving on Christmas Eve. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

US State Department updates travel warning...

PAGE A1 their nationality,” the advisory issued by the State Department said. “However, general threats to U.S. citizens and other foreigners throughout Mindanao remain a concern.” The presence of a number of militant organizations in the region that fund their operations by collecting ransom money continues to pose a considerable threat to the safety of foreigners, according to the advisory. Several other countries, including Germany and Canada, have also officially recommended that their citizens avoid traveling near the South Sulu Sea. Recently, representatives of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) claimed responsibility for kidnapping Jurgen Kantner, a German national who had been sailing on a yacht off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia. His boat was discovered by residents of Laparan Island in Mindanao on Sunday, November 6. The body of a woman matching the description of Kantner’s travel companion, Sabina Wetch, was found on board, according to CNN and other sources. In April, kidnappers beheaded John Ridsdel, the second

of two Canadians killed by the ASG following their abduction from a Samal Island resort. He and fellow Canadian, Robert Hall, along with Marites Flor of the Philippines and Kjartan Sekkingstad of Norway, were taken hostage on Monday, September 21, 2015. Hall was executed in June of last year. Flor was released several days after Ridsdel’s death as a gesture of goodwill to the administration of then recently elected Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, according to the Philstar. After being held captive for nearly a year, Sekkingstad was freed on Saturday, September 17. Philippine authorities had initially suggested that as much as P100 million had been raised by private sources to pay for Sekkingstad’s freedom. However, President Rodrigo Duterte told reporters during a press conference on Thursday, August 25, that the Philippine government had paid P50 million to the ASG ahead of the Norwegian’s release. The ASG has collected more than P350 million ($7 million) in ransom this year, according to confidential documents cited by the Associated Press

in October. The largest single payment happened in January for the release of 14 sailors who had been kidnapped while transporting cargo through the South Sulu Sea. “The ASG shifted in targeting vulnerable foreign-flagged tugboats and their crew due to the focused military operations against the group,” read a portion of the government report, according to the AP. The abduction of shipping crews from Indonesia, Malaysia and elsewhere has put international pressure on the Philippine government to bring an end to ASG kidnappings. Duterte has ramped up military operations in western Mindanao and Sulu this year with the hopes of stamping out the rebel organization. Domestically, Philippine security forces have been on heightened alert following a bombing that took place in Davao on Saturday, September 3. The incident was attributed to Maute, a group that has pledged solidarity with the Islamic State, and drove Duterte to declare “a state of national emergency.” (Eric Anthony Licas/AJPress)

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Dateline USa

Lawmakers, community groups rally... PAGE A1 In addition, a bill introduced by de León would prevent U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from utilizing any state or local resources. “We are either resistors or collaborators, and the city of Los Angeles will not collaborate with Donald Trump’s administration,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cedillo on the steps of City Hall on Sunday. Cedillo and other lawmakers applauded policy decisions from state and local institutions that would protect undocumented immigrants from being singled out and deported. A week after Trump won the presidency, California State University (CSU) Chancellor Timothy White said the institution he heads would not take part in federal efforts to identify and deport any of its students. During a Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, November 16, White said the CSU “will not enter into agreements with state or local law enforcement agencies, Homeland Security or any other federal department for the enforcement of federal immigration law.” University of California (UC) President Janet Napolitano followed suit with similar commitments outlined in a statement released on Wednesday, November 30. Los Angeles Police Chief Glenn Beck announced on Monday, November 14, that his department would continue to honor a

1979 special order that prevents officers from stopping and questioning Angelenos strictly for immigration purposes. “This is truly a Filipino issue,” Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) Executive Director Aquilina Versoza told the Asian Journal following Sunday’s march. “The policies that the federal administration will be taking are really going to affect us, and our community doesn’t realize how big the impact will be.” She said that Trump’s positions on issues like the environment, worker’s rights, and education, in addition to immigration, could mean significant changes for Filipinos. Moving forward, Versoza and PWC hope to foster discourse and awareness at the local level to bolster political engagement within the community.

Sunday’s march also drew representatives of organized labor and the environmental movement, in addition to supporters of immigrant, LGBTQ and workers rights. Ian Kamus, a community organizer at PWC, said the organization’s presence at the event illustrated the wide scope of concerns felt by many Americans in the face of Trump’s impending leadership. “We know that we need to stand together today as never before,” Stewart Kwoh, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, told demonstrators at the beginning of Sunday’s rally. “We will mobilize, we will stand together, we will be in the courts together and we will be in the hallowed halls of legislature to stand up for justice.” (Eric Anthony Licas/ AJPress)

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • dECEmbER 23-29, 2016

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Warning from Department of Consumer Protection about gas pump skimmers ahead of holiday travel THE holiday season is a busy travel time on Connecticut roads, and there is a lot for consumers to think about. The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) has seen the number of skimming related incidents reported nearly double this year compared to 2015. Consumers should stay extra conscious of their surroundings at the pump during this time of heightened holiday travel. “Unfortunately, criminals who commit fraud strike at a time when consumers are most vulnerable, or more occupied than usual. During the holiday season we’re thinking about finishing up work, family travel plans, and gatherings with family and friends,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan A. Harris, “The last thing many consumers are thinking about is whether or not their gas pump card reader is secure. We hope consumers remember to keep checking the pump and their credit card statement in their routines to protect their finances during the holiday season.” “We’ve seen a spike in the past year of skimmers appearing in gas pumps, and are working hard to make sure consumers and others that we work with know what to look for,” said Daryl Owens, an Inspector with the agency, “DCP has worked hard to collaborate with law enforcement to make sure we’re all communicating effectively and quickly about skimming attacks, and educating consumers. We want to be as proactive as we can.” When consumers get their financial information stolen, it

An example of a secured gas pump seal

creates extra work for honest consumers and businesses. That said, it is preventable, and there are steps we hope consumers can take to protect themselves this holiday season: What you can do at the pump: • Make sure the seal on each gas pump isn’t broken or tampered with. If it is, that indicates that someone not authorized to inspect a gas pump has tampered with it. • If you see a pump that you believe may have been tampered with – don’t use it. You should report that pump’s issue to the gas station attendant. • Use your credit card or pay by cash. If you pay by cash, you won’t fall victim to a skimming attack. If you use your credit card, you will be able to recover your funds more easily, and keep money in your bank account. • Pay inside. Paying inside reduces your risk of falling victim to a skimming attack significantly because it’s much harder for fraudsters to place a skimmer

indoors near the cash register. If you must pay outside, pick the pump closest to the building or security camera. What you can do at home: • Check your credit card statement regularly. If you have a charge that looks unfamiliar, it’s important that you notice as soon as possible. That way, you can have a conversation with your credit card company. • Plan your trips. If you’re taking a long holiday road trip, plan ahead so you know where you’re getting gas and you can re-trace your steps if need be. • If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a skimming attack call your credit company first to make sure you get the necessary paperwork to get what you spent returned. Then make sure you alert your local police and DCP. If consumers have questions for DCP, or need to file a complaint related to gasoline, they may contact our Food and Standards Division at dcp.foodandstandards@ ct.gov or (860) 713-6160.

Fil-Am activists urge release of political prisoners in PH by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

MORE than a dozen Filipino-American activists rallied outside the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles on Monday, December 19, calling for the release of hundreds of political prisoners affiliated with leftist rebels. The protest was sponsored by the Southern California chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), which identifies itself as the information bureau of the Philippine National Democratic movement. Participants in the rally say

President Rodrigo Duterte has failed to fulfill earlier pledges to free 400 members of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). “Why is taking so long to fulfill these promises?” Bayan USA’s Secretary-General, Nikole Cababa asked of the Philippine government on Monday. “[Duterte] has every power to grant general amnesty.” Duterte had referred to himself as a leftist president in the past. He has also vowed to make progress on efforts to end hostilities between the government and communist revolutionaries.

A major breakthrough took place this past August when members of the Duterte administration sat down with representatives from the NDFP and the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPA) for the reopening of official peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway. So far, 19 jailed NDFP members have been released so that they could serve as consultants during peace talks. On Tuesday, December 20, government peace panel chair, Silvestre Bello III, announced the scheduled release of 20 additional political

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Dateline USa

december 23-29, 2016 • Oc/Ie ASIAN JOUrNAL

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Electoral College officially declares... PAGE A1 candidate Hillary Clinton received 227. When the initial votes came in on Election Day on November 8, Trump had won 306 electoral votes while Clinton won 232. In Texas, there were 10 electors who ended up voting for a candidate other than who they were expected to vote for: eight who were supposed to vote for Clinton and two were supposed to vote for Trump. As expected, all 55 electors from California, a staunch blue state, voted for Clinton. In a ceremony in the state Assembly chambers, the electors cast their votes. The mood around the chambers was “muted, even a bit glum”, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. “Today’s solemnity and formality reminds us that in our nation, American greatness and American independence, rests on a foundation of law,” Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Cordova), who lead the ceremony, said in the chambers. Flaw in the system? Although Trump won more electoral votes, he still trails Clinton in the popular vote (individual vote) by about 3 million votes as of press time, which raised concerns over the validity of the Electoral College. Lawmakers — including Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and former Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Bernie Sanders (IVt.) — have proposed eliminating the Electoral College entirely and rely on the popular vote to select a president. “If the Electoral College had selected any other person than Trump, then I would’ve believed it had proven its value as a safeguard to protect American citizens from someone unfit to lead us as our President,” New York-based Filipino-American activist Steven Raga told the Asian Journal in an email. “And even though it does not

necessarily mean the current system in place could not do so in the future, the results from yesterday’s vote leaves me unconfident in utilizing the Electoral College for future elections and am open to its possible dissolution,” Raga added. Singing a similar tune to those who fear a Trump presidency, Raga added that the system did not work in the interests of the American majority. Of the upcoming administration, Raga envisioned an apocalyptic future with lesser opportunities for “people of color, women, and those of certain religious backgrounds.” Despite wide disapproval of the results, Trump’s camp still believes it won the election fair and square, and celebrated the reality television star’s incoming administration. Trump’s running mate Vice President-elect Mike Pence tweeted in response to the results, congratulating his partner’s win. “Congratulations to @RealDonaldTrump; officially elected President of the United States today by the Electoral College!,” he tweeted just after the results were in, adding that he is “honored” and “humbled” to become the country’s next vice president. The Republican National Committee (RNC) also celebrated its candidate’s win and a Republican leadership in the White House. “This historic election is now officially over and I look forward to President-elect Trump taking the oath of office in January,” RNC Co-Chair Sharon Day said in a statement released on Monday. “Our unified Republican government will hit the ground running next year so we can deliver real change and make America great again.” Day added: “For the good of the country, Democrats must stop their cynical attempts to undermine the legitimacy of this election, which Donald Trump won decisively in the Electoral College with more votes than any Republi-

can since 1988.” Bipartisan support for Russian hack probe Back in October, the government announced that it was “confident” that Russia was responsible for a hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which resulted in the release of thousands of emails. Those emails revealed damaging information about the Democratic Party as well as its presidential nominee, Clinton. In a turn of events, the CIA revealed earlier this month that the Russian hacks were orchestrated to sway the election in Trump’s favor, mainly by producing and distributing “fake news” aimed to defame Clinton. Although the RNC finds the allegations nonsensical, the proposed investigation on the hack has received resounding support from Democrats and Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). This is the sign of a possible unraveling of the world order that was established after World War II, which has made one of the most peaceful periods in the history of the world,” Sen. John McCain (RAriz.) said on CNN on Sunday, December 18. “We’re starting to see the strains and the unraveling of it, and that is because of the absolute failure of American leadership.” “This is serious business,” the 2008 Republican presidential nominee added. “If they’re able to harm the electoral process, they may destroy democracy, which is based on free and fair elections.” At the meeting of the electors on Monday, after the votes were collected, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) urged the investigation into the alleged hack. “I move that as an Electoral College, we do not normalize this election. We do not accept Russian interference in our election,” Pelosi announced, the electors applauding in agreement.

2016 remittances projected to reach... PAGE A1

Cacdac said in a press conference on Wednesday, December 21. Cacdac attributed the increase in remittances mostly to the money sent by Filipinos who were based in the Middle East and the United States. “Kasi kung titingnan niyo ang BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) data, makikita doon, matetrace

doon, kung kaninong bangko ipinadala at usually nauuwi yun sa Middle East and then yung mga Filipino din natin, kababayan natin, sa United States (Because if you look at the BSP data, you can trace the bank and usually it lead to the Middle East and to our fellow Filipinos in the US),” he noted. On the other hand, the year-

end remittances in 2015 have reached to $25.6 billion, as previously revealed by the BSP. At the same time, Cacdac said that around 100,000 to 150,000 Filipino workers were expected to return to the Philippines during the Christmas season. The rate is the usual figure for returning Filipinos this time of year.

DAZZLING. The Mandaluyong city hall complex is lit up for the holidays, becoming a Christmas attraction. Stalls around the city hall sell various goods to residents of the ‘Tiger City.’ ManilaTimes.net photo by Roger Rañada

Women doctors may be better for patients’ health by Shefali luthra Kaiser Health News

WHEN a patient goes to the best hospital, he or she usually hopes for a doctor who is knowledgeable and experienced. Something else to wish for? A woman physician. That’s because female doctors may on average be better than their male counterparts at treating patients in the hospital and keeping them healthy long-term, according to findings published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine. The study, conducted by a team of researchers at Harvard, examined a random sample of Medicare patients hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2014 treated by general internists. Overall, the researchers scrutinized more than 1.5 million hospitalizations, controlling for differences in hospitals and patient cases. Their conclusion: Patients who saw a female doctor were less likely to die within 30 days of leaving the hospital. They were also less likely to get readmitted within a one-month span of their initial discharge. “Women physicians are more likely to do evidence-based medicine, and follow clinical guidelines,” noted Ashish Jha, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the study’s co-authors. “They are more likely to communicate in a way patients report is more effective.” And those tendencies, it seems, result in healthier patients. To be sure, there’s a long-held notion that patients often consider gender when choosing a doctor. But this is the first to suggest that, for patients of all identities, female physicians may be more effective. The findings come as hospitals are increasingly pressed to figure out ways to keep patients healthier, and for longer. The 2010 health law restructured how they get paid so that they’re rewarded for patients’ long-term health,

and penalized when patients get readmitted. And while the Trump administration has vowed to repeal the law, analysts say many of those payment reforms — which enjoy bipartisan support — are expected to stick around. With such incentives in play, hospitals may now see more value in female doctors — who, research has found, are consistently paid less than their male counterparts and less likely to get promoted. “Understanding characteristics that are somehow associated with higher quality of care, and lower cost, is important in this era,” said Yusuke Tsugawa, a physician and research associate at Harvard’s school of public health, and the study’s lead author. Hospitals, trying to improve their bottom lines, “might look at their female doctors slightly differently — as a more valuable professional in the team.” Put another way: Paying female doctors less than men isn’t just unfair, Jha said. It’s actually inefficient. “There’s a little craziness around it,” he said. “The people who seem to provide somewhat better care are the ones who are getting paid less. I think that makes very little sense.” That’s the idea behind an oped published in in conjunction with the study. It argues that the paper’s findings suggest hospitals serious about improving patient health should invest in improving female salaries and other benefits, so that they’re comparable with those of male doctors. Still, it’s unclear why this difference emerges, or even how meaningful it might be. The study’s conclusions suggest women are better about communication and following rules in terms of how they practice medicine. But that’s all conjecture, noted Anna Parks, an internal medicine resident at the University of California-San Francisco and the oped’s principal author. “It’s pretty speculative right now to say what women are doing better than men,” she said.

“We need to gather more data on this, so instead of going off of stereotypes, we have hard evidence.” That said, generalizing the findings gets tricky. The paper only looks at Medicare patients, who are older, and it only focuses on the inpatient setting. Jha said he thinks the hospital-based findings would likely hold if expanded to other age groups. But that’s not necessarily true for other kinds of medicine. The researchers are now examining whether physician gender may relate to surgical outcomes. It’s also unclear whether outpatient cases — for instance, patients seeing a regular doctor to manage a chronic condition — may yield a different result. In hospitals, patients don’t get to choose their doctors, Jha noted, whereas they might pick a surgeon or a primary care doctor. Others note that much more research is necessary before physician gender should be factored into the quality equation. The differences between male and female doctors may not hold under additional examination, suggested Mark Friedberg, a senior natural scientist at the RAND Corp., a non-profit think tank. He was not involved with the study. Other factors, such as a doctor’s age or educational experience, may matter more. “It would be a mistake to change anything in public policy on the basis of these results, or to advise patients to change their behavior based on this information alone,” he said. If the findings hold, they point to a way health care can become more efficient and safer for consumers. “What this should do is to prompt us to look at these specific behaviors these female physicians are practicing,” Parks said. “Those are behaviors we should be inculcating in all physicians.” This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. n

Fil-Am activists urge release of political... PAGE A3

prisoners. “There are still hundvreds left in prison who are in there for trumped up charges,” said Terrie Cervas, the secretary general of Gabriela USA, an organization that advocates for the empowerment of Filipino women and other progressive goals. “[Inmates] include women, even children and the sick and elderly.” Cababa and Cervas listed severe overcrowding and a lack of vital medical services as some of the harsh conditions encountered by jailed NDFP members. They said some activists who were arrested while they were pregnant like Miradel Torres and Andrea Rosal were denied adequate prenatal care before giving birth while they were in custody. Torres was separated from her baby not long after giving birth, while Rosal’s child

was not breathing at the time of delivery and died shortly afterward due to respiratory complications, according to Cababa. Dr. Geneve Rivera-Reyes — a doctor from the non-profit organization Health Action For Human Rights (HAHR) who cared for Rosal during her incarceration — said the physical strain Rosal faced in prison may have contributed to the newborn’s death, according to a release from the Filipino activist group Karapatan. Duterte had denied a request from the NDFP for the release of 130 prisoners on Thursday, December 8, saying he had given “too much too soon,” to the communists. In light of that statement, protesters are urging Duterte to live up to prior commitments, rather than hold the freedom of political prisoners as a bargaining

chip in future negotiations. Peace talks are scheduled to continue in January, however, some NDFP leaders are calling for the release of their remaining colleagues as a prerequisite to further deliberations, according to Cababa. “The ball is really in the court of President Duterte,” Cababa told the Asian Journal. “He really has to make some positive steps and show that he really cares about peace, that he really cares about everyday Filipinos.” The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been in conflict with the armed wing of the NDFP, the New People’s Army, for over four decades. Communist rebels have been pushing for increased independence from Western powers and sweeping political and economic reforms in addition to the release of its members.

James Taylor cancels Manila concert...

PAGE A1 “[B]ut recent reports from the Philippines of summary executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process are deeply concerning and unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law,” he remarked. He then apologized to the Filipinos for “any inconvenience or disappointment” his decision may have caused. Taylor, however, clarified that his performances in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand will push through. Following the announcement of concert cancellation in the Philippines, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano said in a statement that the artist’s remark “only shows international perception about our country particularly on the war against drugs.” “The rising deaths are alarming and cannot be denied. This

perception is also shared at home as 8 out of 10 Filipinos in one of the surveys are worried that they or their friends will fall victims to EJK (extrajudicial killings),” Alejano added. Since President Rodrigo Duterte took office, records from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that around 6,000 people have been killed in the campaign from July 1 to December 12. Of that number, 2,000 people were slain during legitimate police operations while the remaining 4,000 were killed in extrajudicial or vigilante-style killings, most reportedly conducted by unknown suspects. The war on drugs, which has been among Duterte’s main campaign promises during the presidential election last May, has earned the administration condemnation from both local and international human rights

groups, such as the United Nations (UN) and Amnesty International (AI). The PNP, on its part, said in a statement that it respects Taylor’s decision. “The PNP respects the artist’s decision. However, we cannot fault him for basing such decision on incorrect information about our country’s peace and order situation,” PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos told reporters. Carlos said that coming to the Philippines will be “a firsthand opportunity to prove for himself that there is no alarming EJKs (extrajudicial killings) happening in the country.” “At the end of the day, it is a loss for him to experience the warmth and hospitality of the music-loving Filipino audience and also earn his purse from the concert,” Carlos added.

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Dateline PDuterte hiliPPines to Pacquiao: ‘I think

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you will become president too’ Pacquiao previously admitted that he has considered running for president. In an earlier interview with BOXING champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao could be- Agence France-Presse, the sencome one day a president of the ator said he has thought of aimcountry too, according to Philip- ing for the top political position pine President Rodrigo Duterte. in the country when he retires Speaking at Pacquiao’s 38th from his boxing career. Duterte then gave the senabirthday celebration on Saturday, December 17, Duterte tor advice to: “Sundan mo lang called the senator “president-to- ang linya mo at ganun lang ang ugali mo – ’yang style mo, stay be.” “I asked permission from humble. Mababa lang (Follow president-to-be Manny Pac- your path and retain your style. quiao. Ako, nagbitaw na ako Stay humble).” This, however, was not the ng salita, oo, klaro na ’yan (I already said my piece. It’s clear),” first time Duterte mentioned the Duterte said in a speech in Gen- idea of Pacquiao becoming a president. eral Santos City. Last month, during their “Look. Ito ha. Man, magpulitiko ka man, magiging presi- meeting at Malacañang, Duterte dente ka rin, tingin ko eh, totoo. reportedly raised senator’s hand (Manny, you are a politician and and said, “For president na ’to I think you will also become a ha. (This one is for president).” Pacquiao, while still maintainpresident),” he added. by Dana

SioSon AJPress

READY FOR REVELRY. Children toot horns at a warehouse in Manila. The horns await delivery to retailers ahead of the holidays. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene Dilan

DOJ charges Sen. De Lima for disobeying House summons by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, December 21, charged Senator Leila De Lima for disobeying the summons from the Congress and for “advising” Ronnie Dayan, her former driver and lover, to go into hiding and skip the hearings. De Lima was charged with violating Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code or the disobedience for summons after snubbing the second hearing over the senator’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and failing to submit her counter-affidavit. The senator did not also show herself during the first hearing held last December 2. During the second hearing on Wednesday, December 21, De Lima’s lawyer, Filibon Tacardon, reiterated the senator’s appeal for a venue transfer to the Office of the Ombudsman. “We are in the position that this honorable panel has no jurisdiction to try the cases, not

Sen. Leila De Lima

only one but all four cases. So she sent me here to inform the panel,” Tacardon said, adding that De Lima was likely to file her counter-affidavit with the Ombudsman. De Lima’s camp also demanded to have copies of all the parties’ counter-affidavits involved in the case. However, according to Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, who is also the panel chair,

De Lima would no longer have another opportunity to submit her defense. “No other pleadings shall be submitted [from here on]... these cases are now submitted for resolution,” Ong said on Wednesday during the hearing. Ong noted that De Lima was given enough time to submit her counter-affidavit, which she refused to recognize. Apart from De Lima, Dayan and three other respondents, which include NBP inmates Peter Co and Jojo Baligad, and former Bureau of Corrections employee Rainier Cruz, also failed to submit their affidavits. De Lima was also facing charges for allegedly violating the following: Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act; Revised Penal Code, R.A. 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Presidential Decree 46 or Act Punishing the Receiving and Giving of Gifts of Public Officials and Employees; and R.A. 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Senator Manny Pacquiao

ing boxing career, had served two terms as a member of the House of Representatives before winning a senatorial post in the recent May 2016 national elections.

PH gov’t urged to file protests against China, US by Dana

M. SioSon

AJPress

AN international law expert urged Philippine government authorities to file diplomatic protests against both China and the United States for its recent “invasion” of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Last week, a Chinese naval vessel reportedly seized an underwater U.S. drone just 92.5 kilometers northwest of Subic Bay, which is within the country’s 370-km EEZ. “I urge the Philippine government to file diplomatic protests against both the United States and China for this invasion of our EEZ. This incident reveals that both China and the U.S. have acted without regard to the rights of the Philippines,” Kabayan Representative Roque said in a statement on Sunday, December 18. Roque said that while the United States has the “freedom of navigation over the EEZ’s of other states, such acts must be

exercised with ‘due regard’ for the interests of other states.” “Similarly, the act of the Chinese submarine in retrieving the said probe is also suspicious. The Philippines maintains its sovereign claim over various features within the West Philippine Sea and it has no interest in allowing its territory to be used as a battleground between the United States and China,” he stressed. According to Roque, the Philippines should file a diplomatic protest to “register our continuing assertion of our rights in the West Philippine Sea and claims to islands at Spratlys.” “This will also show our resolve as a country and putting flesh in our independent foreign policy,” he added. At the same time, Roque urged President Rodrigo Duterte to “urgently consider the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in order to protect the territorial integrity of the Philip-

pines.” He suggested that the Philippines can adopt a position of neutrality by abandoning the foreign agreements he cited. However, contrary to his earlier statement, Duterte said in a speech on Monday that Philippines and China can hold bilateral explorations on the disputed waters in South China Sea. “I have this arbitral award, so I have to push it. Kung gusto ninyo (If you want), let’s just develop what’s the oil there, hati-hati nalang tayo (we can share). What will I do with the Scarborough Shoal? Swim there everyday? For what? To send my soldiers there to die? Susmaryorsep. I will just have to start with the domestic problem,” President Duterte remarked. Last October, Duterte said he does not want to conduct any joint patrols with foreign military on the disputed waters near the South China Sea, noting that he is not empowered by the Congress to do.

A

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OpiniOn

Features

Desensitization

DESPITE efforts by President Rodrigo Duterte to vociferously fight the drug crisis in the country, many still refuse to see its success. Whether they are guilty or not, the staggering numbers of people who have been killed cannot hide the growing level of violence and impunity in the country. The gruesome photographs of blood-soaked corpses of alleged drugs suspects are constantly shown with headlines in various media outlets almost every day. This shows how there is a level of desensitization to the violence among a certain segment of the population. But waging a punitive war on drugs also has consequences. It generates human rights abuses such as abusive and inhumane punishments. And as the number grows, so does the fear of the populace for their own lives. While Duterte and his hard stance on drugs received high approval ratings, a majority of Filipinos are worried that they or anyone they know would fall victim to such killings. The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that 8 out of 10 adult Filipinos or 78 percent of 1,500 respondents fear getting killed in the drug war. The poll, conducted from Dec. 3 -6, also showed that 39 percent of the respondents consider the issue of extrajudicial killings as “very serious.” For 71 percent of the respondents, it

is “very important” that drug suspects are caught alive. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has asked the public for indulgence after admitting that the killings might continue. He vowed that the police will be relentless in its war on drugs. “Andyan na tayo. Kung merong mamamatay dyan, pasensya na po dahil hindi kami humihinto sa aming trabaho. Hangga’t nandyan ‘yung problema, we will continue confronting that problem. Hindi po mahihinto ito. We cannot guarantee you na walang mamamatay dahil in every action, there is a corresponding reaction. (We’re already here. If there are people killed, forgive us because we won’t stop doing our job. While the problem persists, we will continue confronting that problem. This will not stop. We cannot guarantee you that there will be no more deaths because in every actions, there is a corresponding reaction,)” the police chief said. Dela Rosa earlier has asked for forgiveness from the public on behalf of the police and the government for the killings. Dela Rosa asked

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

the public to pray for the 160,000-member police force so God would forgive them for killing people. This brutal anti-drug crackdown is painstaking and often thankless. Perhaps what it needs

is to re-assess the problem and propose policy recommendations for a radically different approach—one that will not inflict fear among the citizenry but ignite civic participation instead. (AJPress)

The beginnings of our Christmas tradition CHRISTMAS is my favorite season of the year because it just makes us look at what matters most in our life, be thankful for them, and yearn to spread the joy and love with others. A fitting prelude to New Year, Christmas also serves as a good time to look back to the year that was, as we look forward to the year ahead. For us Christians, the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus, who taught us how to live the life of faith, love, charity and service that he exemplified in His own life. The “belen” and “simbang gabi” are the best illustrations of the real meaning of Christmas for many kababayans. Christmas is also a feast that we share among family, friends, and the community, enjoying traditional food like jamon, queso de bola, kakanin, and the usual fiesta fare featuring Filipino food like embutido, menudo, morcon, lechon, buko salad, potato salad, leche flan, ube halaya, and many more. As early as September, Filipinos start working on building that Christmas spirit by playing Christmas songs, decorating the house with a parol and Christmas tree. Christmas is also the time of the year when we all feel generous and giving to make the dreams of our loved ones come true. We shop for gifts for the people we love, both here and back home. For most of us, it means sending balikbayan boxes as early as October to make sure our families back home will get what they wished for, especially if they have been nice rather than naughty to make it to Santa Clause’s list.

But when and how did this celebration start around the world? The Fil-Am Here is how the History Channel Perspective explained it: The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and Gel SantoS-ReloS birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year. The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking. In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terri-

fied of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside. In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun. Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra’s birthday was the most sacred day of the year. In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his

DoMini M. toRRevillaS MANY of us ordinary folks have our heroes. Mine is Jose de Venecia Jr. I write this tribute six days before he turns 80 on Saturday, the 26th day of December 2016. I imagine that on Monday, the Vera-Perez Gardens in San Juan City will be filled to the rafters to celebrate JDV’s natal day. For sure his guests will include foreign dignitaries from many parts of the world, who, ironically, hold him up as a prophet while to my mind, he seems half-forgotten in his own country. JDV is best remembered as the only Speaker of the House of Representatives for five terms, or 12 years – in the 9th (19921955), 10th (1995-1998), 12th (2001-2004), 13th (2004-2008), and 14th (2008) Philippine Congress. He was president of the dominant party, LAKASCMD, and ran for president in the 1998 election but lost to then Vice President Joseph Estrada (who would early in his term be ousted from the presidency), finishing second in a field of 11 candidates. He was one of the 1974 TOYM awardees. No longer involved in domestic politics, De Venecia has reached out to promote peace

among leaders of other countries. He has assumed the role of statesman, respected and held in awe by heads of state. He is founding chairman and founding president of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI). ICAPP is composed of more than 300 ruling and opposition political parties in 52 Asian countries, while CAPDI is a joint political-civil society organization in the Asia Pacific. According to De Venecia, ICAPP is a forum of political parties of Asia-Oceanian countries, which was launched in Manila Philippines in September 2000. The objectives of the conference are to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries in the area and with various ideologies; to enhance mutual understanding and trust among Asian countries; to promote Asia’s regional cooperation through the unique role and channel of political parties; and to create an environment for sustained peace and shared programs of development.” On Feb. 15, 2016, some 150 parliamentarians, representing more than 40 nations, signed a resolution to form the International Association of Parliamen-

tarians for Peace (IAPP). This event took place in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea at an International Leadership Conference. Since the inauguration of IAPP in Seoul in February, regional chapters of IAPP have been launched in the Asian-Pacific, East African, West African, European, Central American and South American regions. A North American IAPP chapter was launched at an international leadership conference in Washington, D.C. last month. De Venecia, with his amiable personality and remarkable intelligence, was elected president and chairman of IAPP. Among the distinguished participants in the conference were IAPP co-chair Dan Burton, former Nepal Premier Madhaw Nepal, first black woman elected to the Parliament of Canada, Rep. Jean Augustine, UPF President Thomas Walsh and Washington Times chair and publisher Thomas McDevitt. In the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, JDV asked governments and parliaments “to combine forces to tackle the almost incredible but all too real problem of the richest one percent (1 percent) or 80 of the world’s richest individuals owning sixty percent (60 percent of the wealth of the world, or the

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Do we really need a gangster as the Philippines’ president?

Joe de V, my hero

From The Stands

birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger. By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. MALIGAYANG PASKO SA INYONG LAHAT! . ***

Street Talk GReG B. MacaBenta Jose de Venecia

same amount shared by 3.5 billion who occupy the bottom half of the world’s income scale.” In the Philippines, the income and social gap is so great that like Disraeli’s Britain in the 1840s, the rich and the poor among us have become virtually ‘two nations’.” In 2011, the richest Philippine families accounted for 76 percent of our country’s gross national income. The two riches families alone together held 6 percent of our entire economy.” He said, “The two nations situation, the incredibly huge gap between the rich and the poor, still exists in many countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and a number of cities in Europe and North America.” He pointed out that in IAPP “We observe that inequality is PAGE A7

FOLLOWING the postings and counter-postings on Facebook of folks whom I regard as righteous and intelligent, I have frankly begun to sense that there is a new standard of right and wrong that has emerged in the Philippines with Rodrigo Duterte’s assumption of the presidency. Duterte has been widely criticized, not only by the local political opposition but by world leaders and international media for his bloody war on drugs. Even Senator Panfilo Lacson, who cannot be classified as “yellow” – a pejorative, that once referred mainly to the Aquinos and the Liberal Party but now includes anyone who is seen as anti-Duterte – has just “sounded the alarm…over daily killings in the country” attributed to the campaign against drugs. Said Lacson on Twitter, “For someone like me who’s not a human rights advocate to get worried about the daily killings,

something very wrong must be going on.” Anyone familiar with the track record of Lacson as a former chief of the Philippine National Police and as an officer of the dreaded Metrocom Intelligence and Security Group (MISG) must take his comments seriously. And yet, supporters of Duterte, including those whom I have known to be morally and ethically straight, have deftly sidestepped the issue of the killings – now going into the thousands and counting – by pointing out the devastation caused by the drug menace and the dire consequences if Duterte were to be deposed and Vice President Leni Robredo were to assume the presidency. Wrote one Manila columnist who apparently believes that the Philippines is a narco-state or one under the thumb of drug lords: “So let us call a spade a spade. We are a narco-state, no quibbling there. Those in denial may probably want to embrace the ‘EJK’ argument. I won’t because no state sanctions what is deemed extra-judicial. But I do recognize that there are killings from police operations and that is murder (if there is intent) PAGE A7

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • dECEmbER 23-29, 2016

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Do we really need a gangster as the... PAGE A6

or homicide. Both crimes are in our Revised Penal Code. If there is a country waging a fight against illegal drugs and has an immaculate slate in terms of the number of persons killed, please let us know. That model can be studied and probably implemented in our country, if only to stress the obvious that there is none.” One gets the impression that, in the Philippines, there is no other option between the devil and the deep blue sea or between Duterte and Robredo. As far as this opinion maker is concerned, killings resulting from “police operations” are happening — it is a given — but she considers them the price to be paid in the fight against illegal drugs. The argument actually sounds reasonable if one paints a broad portrait of nameless suspects — drug lords, pushers, users — who needed to be “killed dead” like insects in the Flit commercial. But if one were to take the trouble to go through the body count and identify the fatalities, you would realize that each was a human being with families and loved ones grieving over their summary liquidation. Indeed, it is so easy to generalize and dismiss the fatalities as part of the “just war” — unless, of course, you happen to be a relative or a dear friend of one or a couple of the victims. After all, who bothers about the hundreds liquidated by Rambo in his movies? Yet the columnist’s acknowledgment that there have been police killings — and some could be considered murder — appears more reasonable than the conclusion drawn by the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs after a brief inquiry chaired by Senator Dick Gordon. The report concluded that allegations of “extra-judicial killings” attributed to the Duterte administration and, by extension, to Duterte himself, had no basis in fact. Gordon apparently drew his committee’s conclusion because of the seemingly unreliable testimony and allegations of self-confessed Davao Death Squad member, Edgar Matobato. This conclusion was drawn after only six Senate hearings, which had ostensibly been stymied by the withdrawal of Matobato from the hearings by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Apparently, Gordon and his committee members gave no weight to a report by Human Rights Watch in 2009 to the effect that “there were 124 targeted killings in Davao City from 1998 to 2008 alone, during Duterte’s term as mayor.” A 103-page report included accounts of people with insider knowledge of the so-called Davao Death Squad, the victims’ families, witnesses, lawyers and local government officials. But for some fantastic reason, the Gordon committee concluded that there was no such thing as a Davao Death Squad, based on Matobato’s inconsistencies. I’m sure that Gordon is familiar with the term “due diligence.” That was sorely lacking in the efforts of his committee. Knowing Gordon to be a former Procter & Gamble brand manager and an efficient public official, I can only guess that, after submitting that report, he is embarrassed when he looks at himself in the mirror in the morning. That kind of sloppy work is not worthy of a person of his caliber. Apparently, Gordon and his team did not even bother to recall the instances when Duterte boasted, during the presidential campaign, about personally killing some criminals while mayor of Davao City. Worse yet, Gordon and company have not even taken note of the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after a probe much more thorough than Gordon’s into the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and a fellow inmate, Raul Yap, inside a jail cell. Elements of the PNP had justified the shooting of the two because they had allegedly drawn guns at the police officers who were trying to serve a search warrant on them. In an official statement, the NBI announced, “After conducting an exhaustive investigation of the incidents surrounding the killing of Mayor Espinosa and Yap, the NBI concluded that the testimonies of several witnesses had disputed the claim of an alleged shootout between the CIDG Operatives and Inmates Mayor Espinosa and Raul Yap but a ‘rub out.’’” In other words — in case Senator Dick Gordon fails to understand the meaning of the NBI findings — the killing of Espinosa and Yap was as “extrajudicial” as a Webster dictionary could possibly define it. And how can that killing to

Joe de V, my hero

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an unavoidable result of market operations. Inequality is the price of capitalist dynamism. Left to itself, rapid economic growth accelerates income inequality.” But inequality, though unavoidable, De Venecia pointed out, “can be mitigated, made less painful—by government activities and parliamentary action. And it is right that the states and parliaments should do so—because economic insecurity, if left to itself, will steadily erode the social order and eventually generate a backlash against the economic system as a whole.” He submitted that “the merging and exiting governments today, in search of new platforms, systems, and structures of government might consider a synthesis of the best of socialism and capitalism.” He pointed out that since President-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory, “we have already noticed the beginnings of significant improvement in the deteriorating US-Russian relations and better chemistry between Philippine President Duterte and Mr. Trump (who) begins to assume office only on January 21, next year.” De Venecia pointed out that the U.S. “has been the fulcrum of the regional power balance since the end of World War I and Pax Americana has given the Philippines and the East Asian states the breathing spell to put their houses in order, as it is the American market that has enabled them to expand their economies at the world’s fastest rate during this last halfcentury.” Let’s go to JDV’s roots. He was born in Dagupan City on Dec. 26, 1936, to Judge Jose R. de Venecia Sr., and Casimira Villamil Claveria. He graduated with a bachelor of science in journalism at the Ateneo de Manila in 1955. Before he entered politics, JDV was in business, pioneering overseas contract work for Filipinos as one of the first Philippine prime contractors in the Middle East and North Africa in the mid-1970s. Records show that he hired 51,000 Filipinos for his companies and engaged in

port operations in Saudi Arabia, agriculture in Africa, and mass housing and oil exploration in the United Arab Emirates. His Middle East engagements led to the employment of millions of Filipinos. He conceived and implemented the historic dollarremittance program for overseas Filipino workers. His entry into politics began with his election as congressman of the 2nd District of Pangasinan (1969 to 1972). In the first free election after the anti-Marcos EDSA Revolution, he was elected congressman in 1987. He was reelected in 1992 and joined the newly created party Lakas Tao of President Fidel Ramos. He initiated the move to unite the National Union of Christian Democrats—a cluster of the Progressive Party of the Philippines and the Union of Muslim Democrats—with Lakas Tao to make it a dominant party. In the same year, he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. He created the “Rainbow Coalition,” converging political parties that include the LDP, NPC, Lakas NUCD, and other minor parties to make a solid majority in the House. He was reelected congressman and speaker in 1995. Again, he ran and won as congressman of the 4th District of Pangasinan, and was in his fifth term when he lost the speakership. As President Ramos’ peace envoy, he reached out to secessionist Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the RAM-SFPYOU military rebels, and the Communist Party of the Philippines. He met Libyan President Moammar Qadafi and MNLF Chair Nur Misuari that resulted in forging a peace agreement in Tripoli in 1976. His persuasion of Misuari to accept autonomy led to the signing of the peace pact on September 2, 1996. He met military rebels, and Jose Maria Sison and Luis Jalandoni in the Netherlands, and Hashim Salamat, MILF chair, in Mindanao. As the year draws to a close, we say hello, happy birthday to my good friend JDV. In today’s parlance, my BFF. *** Email: dominitorrevillas@gmail.com

connected to the President of the Republic of the Philippines? Simple. Duterte has declared his support for the accused PNP officers and has dismissed the veracity of the NBI findings. As quoted by the media, Duterte declared in a speech in Mandaluyong City: “I will not allow these guys to go to prison, even if the NBI says it was murder. After all, the NBI is under me, the Department of Justice is under me.” In typical Duterte-speak (where he routinely contradicts himself), he said, “But to tell you, I do not interfere. They have findings, good. File the case but I won’t leave the policemen implicated in the killing.” And in a perversion of his oath of office, Duterte, in effect, declared that his loyalty to the country ends where his loyalty to his policemen begins: “Whatever the police say, that’s the truth for me. The NBI said it was murder. The police said, ‘Sir, he fought back.’ I believe the police. Why would I sacrifice the police for that?” And in his now familiar Duterte bluster (shades of riding a jet-ski to the Spratlys to confront the Chinese), Duterte declared: “As a matter of fact, I’m ready to go to jail for them, no problem.” It may not be a problem for Rodrigo Duterte, but it certainly is for the people of the Philippines. That’s the macho language of a gang boss rather than the president of our hapless republic. Do we really need a gangster for a president? (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

PASKUHAN. Despite rainshowers, students gaze at fireworks marking the end of the yearly ‘Paskuhan’ celebrations of the University of Santo Tomas. ManilaTimes.net photo by Deejae Dumlao

PH military conducts own combined arms exercise by Dana

SioSon AJPress

THE Philippines held its own combined arms exercise, aiming to strengthen its army’s war fighting capabilities. The 11-days exercise, led by the Philippine Army’s Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) under Brig. Gen. Herminigildo Francisco C. Aquino, was held in Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, and ended last Tuesday, December 19 694 students from different schools, such as Combat Arms School, Combat Support School, Combat Service Support School, Army Leadership Development

Center, Armor School, Intelligence School, and Civil-Military Operations School, participated in the drill. Two engineer platoon students of the Philippine Navy also took part in the exercise. “By synchronizing combined arms and applying them simultaneously, maneuver units can achieve a greater effect. To integrate all arms into the fight, maneuver leaders must have an understanding of systems’ capabilities and employment methods that go beyond individual branch competencies,” Aquino explained. “Importantly, maneuver lead-

ers must be able to integrate, not only Army, but also Air Force and Navy service capabilities into operations with a particular emphasis on joint intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and fire capabilities,” he added. Among the activity highlights include: military operation in urban terrain; battle drills and situational exercises; field training exercises; live fire exercises of 105 howitzers and mortars; and command post exercise. At the same time, the Philippine Air Force executed close air support, troops insertion and casualty evacuation exercises.

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Fil-Am actor Jose Llana leads diverse cast of ‘The King and I’

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National tour at Hollywood Pantages Theatre until January 21 by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

RodgeRs and Hammerstein’s “The King and I” prevails as a timeless musical production that has undergone several revivals since it first premiered in 1951. Based on the novel “Anna and the King of siam,” the story follows British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens who was hired to teach the children of King Mongkut of siam in the 1860s. While casting a light on political and gender issues, the musical lives on in American culture for its catchy songs, such as “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “getting to Know You,” and “shall We dance.” Though the storyline may be predictable and well-known, the current national tour of the musical is a must-see with its lineup of talent, strong cast rapport, and stunning set displays and lighting. For the Filipino-American community in Los Angeles in particular, it’s a treat to see a handful of Fil-Am actors on the Pantages Theatre stage, such as Jose Llana in the title role of the King and Joan Almedilla as Lady Thiang, the King’s head

wife. They star alongside Laura Michelle Kelly as the lovable Anna. It’s a full-circle moment for Llana to mark his return to “The King and I,” two decades after a previous revival of it launched his career. As a college freshman, Llana — who was born in the Philippines and grew up in Virginia — auditioned for and landed the role of Lun Tha (Tuptim’s young lover), in the 1996 production that starred Lou diamond Phillips as the King and donna Murphy as Anna. “I think Lou diamond Phillips and donna Murphy will always be mentors for me, and people that showed me what it looks like to be a leader in a company and how to be a good person and professional in the theater industry,” Llana reflected during his interview with the Asian Journal, days before the national tour came to Los Angeles on december 13. since his first shot on Broadway, Llana’s extensive résumé has included “Rent,” “Flower drum song” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County spelling

Bee.” Recently, he portrayed late Philippine President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos in david Byrne’s off-Broadway rock musical “Here Lies Love.” “What was different about [“Here Lies Love”] was that you were actually playing Filipinos. You know we were talking about a time in Filipino history that a lot of people don’t like to talk about. That could not be more relevant now, especially now recently with Marcos being given a hero’s burial. But I think what’s important when Filipinos see other Filipinos performing, the more we all get to together remind each other where we come from,” Llana said. Becoming King For the current revival of “The King and I,” director Bartlett sher eyed Llana in 2015 to replace Ken Watanabe for the royal role during its remaining run on Broadway and eventually in the national tour, which kicked off this fall. Before Llana officially joined the cast, the musical — which was housed at The Vivian Beaumont Theater of the Lincoln Center in New York — had just

Laura Michelle Kelly as Anna with the Royal Children

Stars and their Christmas plans by lhar santiagO ManilaTimes.net

It’s the time of the year when everyone is excitedly busy preparing to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas truly brings a different feel—an unexplainable exhilaration that envelops one and all. the stars feel it too as they join the rest of the world celebrating the birth of Jesus, our savior. And like us, they also have their plans for this very special day. superstar Nora Aunor will just be at home on December 25. “there will be lots of food at home,” she volunteereed. “My house will be open for friends and family. I’m going to cook at kung sino makaalala, pumunta na lang sa bahay. I also invited my co-stars in Kabisera. I have grown close to them, especially my producer RJ Agustin who also acts in the movie as one of my sons.” Alden Richards, Kristoffer Martin and Derrick Monasterio have also made their plans for Christmas. the three GMA Network heartthrobs have been friends since their “tween Hearts” days, and are now busy with their respective projects. Alden is starting his series “Destined to Be Yours” with Maine Mendoza. Derrick is riding high with his top-rating weekly fantasycomedy series “tsuperhero,” and Kristoffer is back with love teammate Joyce Ching for GMA Afternoon Prime’s “Hahamakin Ang Lahat.” Whenever these three Kapuso leading men see each other, guesting in a show usually, it’s never-ending bonding for them. Alden, Derrick and Kristoffer are all staying home for Christmas. Alden is excited because this will be his first Christmas in his new home in Laguna. Derrick will take

won four Tony Awards in 2015: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical (Kelli o’Hara as Anne), Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang), and Best Costume design (Catherine Zuber). Llana said succeeding Watanabe was similar to “wearing [his] father’s shoes” and required three weeks of intense rehearsJose Llana as The King in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I. Photos by Matthew Murphy als. “[sher] wanted to get into the heart of what it meant as a ruler for my character, as the King to try and protect his country but at the same time protect his culture. And whatever decade you’re talking about, that’s always a constant struggle for anybody,” Llana said, noting that this revival really hones in on the “political message.” The director praised Llana’s “superb” portrayal of the King on Broadway that he “begged” the Fil-Am actor to join the touring company. “[Llana] brings such joy and virility and strength to the King,” sher said in a statement. “And he is one of Broadway’s great talents.” Llana’s thoughtful command of the role is evident throughout the show, while simultaneously slipping in moments of humor and compassion. In “A Puzzlement,” the audience observes the King grappling with his identity and capacity as a leader, while iconic number “shall We dance” catches the King in an unguarded moment that paints him with a tinge of humanity. Fil-Am ensemble Though Llana is not the first Asian American to assume the role of the King, representing the community and bringing that diversity shows how much theater has progressed. Continued on Page 4 Manna Nichols and Kavin Panmeechao as Tuptim and Lun Tha, respectively.

Ogie Alcasid’s Christmas wish–a sitcom on ABS-CBN And why gag show stalwart is hesitant to join the ‘Banana Sundae’ cast

by tessa

MauriCiO-arriOla ManilaTimes.net

MULtI-slashie and OPM royalty Ogie Alcasid finally held his first press conference within the ABs-CBN headquarters since he pulled a surprise some weeks ago, appearing on It’s showtime’s “tawag ng tanghalan.” An erstwhile tV5 talent, who was valued on thirdplacer network with numerous programs, Alcasid’s transfer to ABs-CBN is considered a coup for his well of talents. Besides his title as OPM’s prolific “singersongwriter,” he is also considered a genius in comedy, pioneering both original gag shows “tropang trumpo” on tV5, and “Bubble Gang” on GMA Network. Originally a GMA Network stalwart, Alcasid, who is soon to sign his contract with ABs-CBN as a “multi-platform artist” admits he maintains strong ties with his

“Bubble Gang” family to this day, especially his co-pioneer Michael V. As such when The Manila Times asked him if he would consider joining ABs-CBN’s own gag show, Banana sundae, led by Angelica Panganiban, Jason Gainza, and John Prats, Alcasid took a polite pause and followed on with an honest reply. “Everyone knows how close I am to Michael V… my ex-boyfriend,” joked Regine Velasquez’ better half. “Kumpareng buo ko yon…” he trailed off without needing to say anything else. He revealed however that he already received an invitation from “Banana sundae” to guest in an episode but his schedule was too tight to accommodate the stint. “I never thought about [the possibility of joining them]yet,

Derrick Monasterio

Aden Richards

Nora Aunor

Sunshine Dizon

the opportunity to bond with his mom, his sisters and his nieces and nephews. Finally for Kristoffer, it’s been a tradition for him and his family to spend Christmas at their house in Olongapo. they have agreed to do one thing on Christmas, though—they will cook. Alden plans to grill steak for his family, and Derrick will cook his now signature pasta dish, while Kristoffer will cook prawns in peanut sauce. Even Rhian Ramos is set to invade the kitchen this Christmas. Despite her busy schedule promoting her MMFF movie “saving sally,” Rhian is really determined on making good her promise to her family to cook their Christmas feast. “Dati nagpapabili lang ako ng food but this time, I will do the cooking. I’ve learned a lot from our cooking show taste Buddies. I’ll start with appetizers muna because those are the ones that are easy,” Rhian beamed.

Meanwhile, brother and sister sanya Lopez and Jak Roberto will go home to their ancestral home in Bulacan. It’s been a family tradition that every Christmas, they go home to their nearby province to be with their grandparents and other relatives. “But this time will be a little different. since sanya and I are both earning, we’re giving more gifts. We always look forward to Christmas because we always have a grand time bonding with our cousins,” said Jak. this is the first Christmas that Jennylyn Mercado is celebrating without her Mommy Lydia who passed away in November. the Kapuso Ultimate star said it will be a sad Christmas for her but that doesn’t mean she will not celebrate. “We will celebrate it the way we celebrated it when Mama was still with us. I grew up celebrating Christmas with lots of Continued on Page 5 Singer-songwriter and top comedian Ogie Alcasid

but [in terms of a comedy project], I’d much rather try my hand on a sitcom because I’ve never had one. Yung isang character lang ang ide-develop ko, at hindi iba-iba tulad sa gag show. Yon na lang sana,” he conveyed his wish. Meanwhile, without going into too much detail on his departure from tV5, Alcasid acknowledged he still maintains a good relationship with head honcho Manny Pangilinan, while hinting in a roundabout way that a certain part of his contract failed to materialize. According to The Manila Times sources, Alcasid left GMA for tV5 specifically to become a music executive for the media company. But on thursday’s press conference, the OPM star simply stated the fact, “I was always a talent for the network,” and left the logical conclusion unsaid. Looking forward as he ends 2016 with an all-new beginning, the ever-positive Alcasid excitedly declared there will be “boundless opportunities” for him to explore in his new home in ABs-CBN. “I’m starting 2017 off as a judge on ‘Your Face sounds Familiar: Kids’ together with Gary Valenciano and the Megastar sharon Cuneta,” he enthused, “And from there, there’s so much more we’re going to do.” set to premiere in January 2017, the celebrity kids who will compete in the coming season of “Your Face sounds Familiar” are Alonzo Muhlach, Lyca Gairanod, Elha Nympha, Justin Alva, sam shoaf, Awra and AC Bonifacio.

december 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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Fil-Am actor Jose Llana leads... From Page 2

“I think the biggest shift in the last 10 years has been that the Asian American community and the theater community, in general now, will not stand for someone putting on yellowface,” he said. “It’s a lot less tolerated now — that’s a huge deal for us, as Asian Americans, that there is a part of us and we can actually be cast in it.” But, he said, there is a lot more to be done in terms of making sure writers of color are given the resources and opportunities to write their own stories. “What’s incredible is that diversity is thankfully finding its way into contemporary stories… and it gives us as actors of color opportunities to be part of the stories,” he said. In addition to Llana and Almedilla, this national tour of “The King and I” boasts a cast of Fil-Ams in prominent roles: Brian Rivera as Karalahome; Lamae Caparas, Marie Gutierrez, Michael Lomeka and Rommel Pierre O’Choa in the ensemble; and Almedilla’s son CJ Uy, Jaden and Kayla Amistad, and Adriana and Amaya Braganza as royal children. “I could not be more excited,” Llana remarked. “It’s a really great, strong Pinoy company.” Of her role as Lady Thiang, Almedilla told the Asian Journal that her interpretation is less “submissive” and more of a

The cast of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.

Michiko Takemasa as Little Eva in “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” scene.

“strong woman who means business” and has the King’s best interests in mind. In a “pivotal moment,” she wows the crowd with her emotional, yet forceful rendition of “Something Wonderful.” Though the King and Lady Thiang don’t share big scenes together, both Almedilla and Llana noted a “mutual understanding” of one another to make the audience aware of the subtleties in the characters’ relationship. After Los Angeles, the production will be touring until next August across the United States, including stops in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Washington, DC. With frequent performances, Llana said devoting “quiet time” each night is an important reminder. “I don’t sing as much as I normally do in this show

Anne Curtis finally engaged! by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

After six long years of being together, ABS-CBN host-actress Anne Curtis and restaurateurfood blogger erwan Heussaff are officially engaged. the couple hinted on the good news via their respective Instagram accounts. thirty-one year old Curtis posted a photo of her and Heussaff locked in a kiss with the caption “Je t’aime mon amour,” which is french for “I love you my dear.” Meanwhile, Solenn Heusaff’s little brother captioned his post with the invitation, “Check out our latest video on Youtube, link in the bio. Highlights of our pretty amazing New York and Connecticut trip with this lovely lady. She’s a keeper.” And there, the revelation was made public in a six-minute video [posted both on facebook and Youtube]initially showing the couple on the said US holiday in November. the latter part of the video went on to show Curtis and Heussaff’s adventures since 2010, and finally by the 5:45 mark, the video finds the pair quietly sitting in the woods. Moments later, an emotional Heussaff knelt down, and opened a small box of what appeared to be an engagement ring. He then told Curtis,”“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Surprised and teary-eyed, the

because the King role is not necessarily a huge singing role, but I yell a lot and I speak a lot in the show. It’s very much a three-hour show. Both Laura and I have to really watch our stamina and make sure we can give a full-throttle show at the end of the week as well as the first show of the week. When you’re on the road, the traveling is hard, and when we’re staying in each city, we can pretty much just focus on the show without all the outside influences coming in,” he said. “The King and I” is at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre until January 21 from TuesdaysSundays with select Monday performances. There are no evening performances on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and no performances on Christmas Day. WHILe everyone is busy For more information, please deciding what movie to watch visit www.TheKingAndITour.com come Christmas Day for the or HollywoodPantages.com. Metro Manila film festival, ABSCBN turned heads last week when they presented the network’s first new teleserye for the year with no less than box-office queen Bea Alonzo and one of prime time’s most sought after leading men Ian Veneracion. Dubbed “A Love to Last,” the drama series depicts how difficult love can be, even for those who believe in it. Alonzo plays Andeng Agoncillo in the soap, a breadwinner and successful events organizer. A romantic, she knows there is one man for her with whom she will fall in love and Photos by Matthew Murphy raise a family. Unfortunately, her

Erwan Heussaff and Anne Curtis

popular actress exclaimed, “Yes!” the video has since garnered 5.2 million views and more than 385,000 likes on facebook. family and friends have also gone online to congratulate the newly engaged couple starting off with Curtis’ sister Jasmine, who posted, “I am the happiest little sestra for you @annecurtissmith congratulations to you and @ erwanheussaff! Never doubted the forever everyone sees in your relationship. God may have given you the biggest challenges in life but He also showers you with the best blessings that you deserve! woot woot! what will be your wedding hashtag kaya?.” It will be remembered back

in May that Curtis said in an interview that she is not in a rush to get married even if her friends took the plunge one by one this year. Collectively known as the “It Girls,” Georgina Wilson tied the knot with Arthur Burnand in London on April 30; Solenn Heussaff married Nico Bolzico in france on May 21; and in September, Isabelle Daza exchanged “I do’s” with Adrien Semblat in Italy. While Curtis and her finance have yet to announce the exact date of their wedding, it really does seem like the “It’ Girls” caught the wedding bug in a major way— and everyone is simply happy for them.

2017’s first new soap to star Ian Veneracion and Bea Alonzo ideal fairy tale love story was robbed of a happy ending when she caught her fiancé cheating on her just days before their wedding. She quickly picks up the pieces, and unlike others whose hearts have been badly broken, she resolves to still believe that true love will eventually come her way. Meanwhile, Veneracion is Anton Noble 4th who thought his was happily married until his wife Grace (Iza Calzado) asks for an annulment. He is suddenly left with three children as he juggles his responsibilities as president and CeO of his company. fate brings these two souls together in the most unexpected time and place, and wills them to try a love to last.

Ian Veneracion and Bea Alonzo

Also in the cast are enchong Dee, Julia Barretto, ronnie Alonte, JK Labajo and Hannah Vito. the series, which airs in January 2017, is directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and richard Arellano. (ManilaTimes.net)

Asian Youth Center awarded $5,000 from Royal Business Bank, announces annual campaign and installation dinner

december 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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The grant will fund employment services for low-income youth in Los Angeles County SAN GABRIEL, Calif. — On Friday, December 16, the Asian Youth Center (AYC) a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering low-income, immigrant and at-risk youth through education, employment, and social services, received a $5,000 grant from Royal Business Bank during a press conference. The $5,000 check for AYC’s Youth Employment Services was presented by Simon Pang, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Royal Business Bank. Mr. Pang attributed the success of Royal Business Bank, which opened its doors in 2008 and now has 16 branches, with its dedication to serving the needs

of the community, especially the Chinese immigrant community. Jim Smith, AYC Board President and Police Chief of Monterey Park, accepted the check on behalf of AYC. AYC announced its Annual Campaign, “English Rules!” which will run until the end of 2016. Verena Kwan, AYC development manager, spoke about how English skills are important because it is the foundation of all other learning for youth. The $30,000 fundraising goal of the campaign will help AYC provide intervention tutoring to over 200 youth in 2017. AYC also announced its Installation Dinner which will be held on January 11,

2017 at the Empress Harbor Seafood Restaurant in Monterey Park. The theme is “Double Happiness” to celebrate the merger between Project NEO and AYC. At the event, Helen Romero Shaw will be installed as the AYC Board President, and Mary Wong, Bruce Chen, and Bryan Chau will be installed to the AYC Board. Current President Jim Smith will step down to become the Immediate Past President. “AYC deeply appreciates the grant of $5,000 from Royal Business Bank for employment services for low-income youth.” said Michelle Freridge, executive director of AYC. “Every dollar donated to our year-end

campaign “English Rules!” will help AYC help youth with English Language skill development - a critical skill for success in school and employment.” Chin Ho Liao, mayor of the City of San Gabriel, spoke

about the importance of AYC’s programs and commended Royal Business Bank’s commitment to giving back to the community. Other special guests included Jason Pu, City of San Gabriel councilmember; Alan Wong,

AYC board member; and Keith Thomas, senior vice president of Royal Business Bank. Online donations for the “English Rules!” campaign are accepted at http://bit.ly/ AYCenglishrules.

Coleen Garcia, Billy Crawford now engaged LOOKS like noontime show “It’s Showtime” is ending the year with a bang as two more of its hosts got engaged. Celebrity couple Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford, tagged by netizens as “BiCol,” will walk the aisle after Billy popped the question on Tuesday evening, Dec. 20. Director Gino Santos, who worked with Coleen in various projects, such as on independent film “#Y,” steamy drama movie “Ex With Benefits” and romance flick “Love me tomorrow,” shared the news on Instagram and sent his congratulatory message to the “It’s Showtime” alumni Coleen Garcia and Billy Crawford just got engaged. newly engaged couple. The director was also able to actress, however, denied that she colleague Anne Curtis made capture Billy’s proposal as well as will marry Billy this year. headlines after she and fiancé Coleen’s engagement ring. The two Erwan Heussaff recently In April 2016, Billy said he got have a ten-year age gap and have the blessing of Coleen’s father announced their engagement been together for almost three for the proposal. The actress, during a trip to the United States years now. meanwhile, said there’s no rush to in November. He said Billy prepared for the getting married. Coleen left the noontime engagement for more than a year. The couple has not released show in January to focus on her The “It’s Showtime” couple’s other projects while Billy remained any official on their engagement engagement came after their yet. (Philstar.com) to be one of the show’s hosts. The

PH bets win ‘Amazing Race Asia 5’ by Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes.net

FILIPINO beauty queens Maggie Wilson-Consunji and Parul Shah were declared winners at the conclusion of Amazing Race Asia Season 5 on Thursday in Bali, Indonesia. The duo won $100,000 in the AXN reality TV show. Via Instagram on Friday, 2007 Binibining Pilipinas-World Wilson thanked her partner 2015 Miss Grand International 3rd RunnerUp Shah and everyone who supported them in their once-ina-lifetime experience. “@wilsonmaggie ‘We did it!!!!! Aaaaaaah!!!! To everyone who supported us from the beginning till the very end, I have read all of your comments, words of encouragement and felt your love!!! Thank you so so much!!!! Words cannot even begin to describe our experience! To my partner in times of stress, frustration, tears, laughter and happiness thank you @ parulshah88 for always being there through the storms and sunshines! I could have not asked

Maggie Wilson-Consunji (left) and Parul Shah (middle) receive their US$100,000 check for winning ‘Amazing Race Asia Season 5’

for a better partner!! We did it BABE!’” Disproving the notion that beauty queens come weak in the physical and psychological departments, another duo of beauty queens—Yvonne Lee and Chloe Chen of Malaysia—placed second. Married Filipino couple Eric and Rona Tai, placed third. They were leading as they won the previous leg and had ease in the many tasks that ensued, but had a hard time finding a taxi that would take them to the venue of the final challenge, and when

finally hailed one, the driver didn’t know where the Pit Stop was. The race took them to six countries, 12 cities and 12,000 kilometers. Happier of the win is Shah, who said that her prize money will be used to cover her father’s medical expenses. The Filipino beauty queens are the second team from the country to win the race, after buddies Richard Herrera and Richard Hardin in 2010. TV hosts Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez placed third in the second season of the show in 2008.

Stars and their Christmas... From Page 2

food and gifts. I want to continue the tradition that Mama started and that’s how I want to pass it on to Jazz,” Jen enthused. Last year, Jen cooked almost all the dishes for Noche Buena but this year, she will let her helpers do the cooking with her supervision. “First time kong ginawa yung magluto ng maraming putahe for Christmas. I don’t want to do it again. It’s so tiring. But I will be the one to list down all the food that will be cooked. Siyempre kasama na do’n lahat ng food that my son Jazz loves.” “Ika-6 Na Utos” leading man Gabby Concepcion has already left for the States to join his family in celebrating the holidays. Despite his busy schedule doing two shows, as he is also part of “Tsuperhero,” Gabby and his family had long planned their Christmas bonding in San Francisco. He will have to be away from them just for a little bit because Gabby has a concert somewhere in California before New Year. He will be back in Manila first week of January too to resume taping for his shows.

Also an “Ika-6 na Utos” star, Sunshine Dizon will play Santa Claus to her two children, a role her estranged husband used to do. It’s her first time to play St. Nick for her kids and they’re gifts are all ready under the tree, which they can’t wait to open. Of course, the actress will also celebrate Christmas with her Mommy Dorothy who has always been there for Shine and the children. The superb villain in “Ika-6 Na Utos,” Ryza Cenon, will be a Good Samaritan this Christmas as she has been doing ever since entering show business. Every Christmas Eve, she cooks food, packs them in individual servings, and in the evening, before 12 midnight strikes, she takes to the streets to share her blessings with the homeless. “It’s only once a year that we celebrate Christmas. I believe one of the best ways to celebrate the birth of the Savior is by sharing our blessings. Since I live alone, I’ve decided to do this every Christmas.” Ryza will have some help

though distributing Noche Buena this year because her sister is coming home from abroad. And of course on Christmas Day, she may just get a surprise visit from boyfriend Cholo Barretto. Meanwhile, the four handsome leading men of Barbie Forteza are all set to celebrate Christmas too. Jak, as we have said, is going to Bulacan with his family. Ken Chan will also spend time at home with his family with a traditional Noche Buena, followed by their exchange of gifts. For Christmas Day, they may visit their relatives in Pampanga. Ivan Dorcshner, whose family lives in California, is unable to go home because of taping, but will spend Christmas with buddies James Reid and Bret Jackson. Addy Raj, on the other hand, is not used to celebrating Christmas since he was born and raised in India, which of course, is not a Christian country. So this will be the first time the young actor will experience celebrating Christmas, and he’s so excited since a Filipino family has invited him to celebrate the holiday with them.

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december 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA JOSHUA was excited with his new job at the inn. It sure beats having to herd sheep this time of the year when the cold nights chilled his bones on the hillside pasture where he tended his family’s small herd of sheep and cattle. The job fell to his younger brother this time. Jacob, the owner of the inn was his father’s friend who had asked if Joshua could help him mind the inn for a little while as he and his wife will be going on a long journey. Jacob liked and trusted Joshua like the son he never had. The young man was a good worker and a natural who quickly picked up the ropes of the business. Not long after, Jacob and his wife left for their journey to the town north of the country where they were born many miles away to comply with the Roman emperor Augustus’ decree that everyone be counted for the census. Few, if any, in Israel dared disobey the mighty Roman Empire. The inn was busy. People for miles around were on the move going back to their own hometowns. The brisk business brought by overnight travellers in their otherwise sleepy town tired him out. Yet, he felt pretty proud of himself of the work he was

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A Christmas story: The innkeeper’s untold tale ‘As he told the story of that wondrous night to Luke, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone.” doing. Today, just before sundown, he had filled the 12 modestly furnished rooms with tired and hungry travellers. He thought of meeting up with his shepherd friends in the pasture once he had turned over the inn’s affairs to the night attendant. He had heard his shepherd friends on night watch talk about an unusually bright star that has been moving in the heavens for many nights now. They said it was a spectacle to behold and he wanted to see it for himself. The rumor buzzing around town was that the soothsayers in King Herod’s palace studying the unusual heavenly display were cowering in fear, loathe to tell the king the meaning of the unusual star. Eventually, they had to tell the king for nothing escapes him. Herod did not suffer fools gladly. The prophecy will come to pass. The king to rule all kings was to be born very soon within the kingdom. It was no wonder King Herod was in a vicious mood. Joshua thought the ruthless king would remove all threats to his kingship by all means fair or

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foul. It was bad enough he had to bow to the superior might of the Roman conquerors who had allowed him to be king within his territory. Just as Joshua was about to lock up for the night, a couple came in. The man, visibly tired and leaning on his staff with one hand, was supporting the woman who was heavy with child with his other hand. The woman looked to be in some pain. Still, Joshua noted the stately calm, grace and beauty about her. There was this mysterious glow. The man asked Joshua for a room and told him his wife was about to give birth. Alas, the last room has been let and Joshua told him so. Joshua glanced at the woman and his heart was filled with pity. He thought quickly of his own home for them to stay for the night but it was some distance away. He had to think and act quickly. It looks like the woman was about to give birth at any moment. Joshua had seen to his own mother at childbirth. He had helped his own father deliver some of his brothers himself. “Maybe, I have something for

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Simbang Gabi at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles Everyone is invited to Simbang Gabi at St. Brendan Church in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. on both Thursday, December 22 and Friday, December 23. The church is located at 310 S. Van Ness Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020. For more information, please call (323) 936-4656.

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4th Annual Rizal Day in Carson and 120th Martyrdom Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal Let us honor our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. on Thursday, December 29, through a wreath-laying ceremony in the City of Carson – home to the very first full size statue of Dr. Jose Rizal in Southern California. Unveiled in 2012, the 8 feet bronze statue (on top of a 7-foot granite pedestal) is the first and only monument to be installed in the International Sculpture Garden of the City of Carson. The 4th Annual Rizal Day in Carson and Commemoration of the 120th Martyrdom Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is organized by the Philippine Consulate General – Los Angeles, Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement, Kalayaan Inc., Knights of Rizal, in collaboration with the City of Carson. Light refreshments will be available at 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. This one-hour program promptly starts at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony will be held at Carson International Sculpture Garden at 801 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745. For more information, please call: Councilmember Elito M. Santarina (310)952-1713; Riezl Pe Benito (310)952-1743; Chito Mandap (626) 823-8752; Wilma Bautista (213) 637-3031.

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Grand Park + The Music Center in Los Angeles host New Year’s Eve celebration Los Angeles will put its mark on New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world as Angelenos join together with friends and family to share their hopes, dreams and resolutions for 2017 at the fourth annual Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. The West Coast’s flagship New Year’s celebration will feature three stages with live music, DJs and dancing throughout the night; large scale inflatable art; and 3D digital video mapping on City Hall along with an integrated light show to count down to the new year in true L.A. style. The free family-friendly event, which attracts thousands from all over Southern California and beyond, reinforces Downtown Los Angeles as a destination for a grand-scale New Year’s Eve experience. Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. takes place from 8:00 p.m. on December 31, 2016 to 1:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day, and will cover 90 acres from The Music Center Plaza to City Hall (Hope Street to Spring Street) and from Temple Street to 2nd Street. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend. For more information about Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A., visit grandparkla.org/nyela or musiccenter. org/nyela.

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Historic Filipinotown Scavenger Hunt Explore the cultural gems of HiFi (Historic Filipinotown) by joining the 2nd HiFi Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser on Saturday, January 28 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m! Meet Filipino-specific challenges (from a Balut eating contest to dancing Tinikling to a hip hop beat!). You may find yourself meeting a little-known community hero, tasting a Filipino food challenge or receiving your very own Filipino nickname! You will be having a blast while building your bayanihan spirit by asking your friends and family and even your Facebook fans to donate money to sponsor your Team to take this challenge. You and your team choose your own fundraising goal! Funds raised by this event will go to the programs and services of 2 HiFi community organizations, Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) to provide vital services to families, workers and seniors in our community. Services include free or low-cost citizenship application assistance, human trafficking survivor support, civic engagement, wage theft claims assistance, cultural programs and more! Have fun, Discover Historic Filipinotown win prizes and support your community while doing it! Go to www.pwcsc.org/HiddenHiFi to sign up now. PWC is located at 153 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

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

you. It’s not much but it would get you through this cold night at least,” he told the couple. “Come with me.” Joshua gathered some blankets and sheets quickly. He gave instructions to his attendant to heat water. He then gathered food and other provisions. He moved in haste leading the couple to an empty stable a few yards at the back of the inn. Earlier in the day before the sun was up, he took to clearing the stable himself. He didn’t know why he did it. But now he was glad he did so. He thought the squalid stable with its walls and roof can shield this poor couple from the cold night as the woman delivers her child. Joshua gave the man the blankets and clean sheets, the warm water and some extra oil for the lamp to burn through the night. He set a makeshift table for the bread, fish and wine and lit the lamp in one corner. He moved quickly as he helped the man make his wife comfortable. He could see the woman’s face etched in pain for the birth pangs seem to be stronger now. Beads of sweat lined the woman’s brow. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to meet up with his friends tonight. Somehow he knew his place was right here where he was needed for the long night ahead. Just before he went back to the inn to fetch a few more things, he said to them, “I’m Joshua. Let me know if you need anything else.” The man replied, “I’m Joseph and

Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS AS the happiest season of the year — religious and secular — comes around, we present some interesting facts about Christmas. The Philippines, most likely the country with the greatest Christmas spirit, celebrates the holiday the longest and in the most festive way. Starting from September, streets, stores and homes are already decorated in preparation for Christmas. Of the 102,250,133 population in the Philippines, about 90 percent identify as Christians — 80 percent of them Catholics. The tradition is from the influence of the Spanish colonial years, from the 16th to the 19th century. About 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold annually in the United States. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold. Obviously, hundreds of millions are sold around the world; not to mention the artificial trees. Did you know that between 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was illegal in Boston, Massachusetts? Law-breakers were fined five shillings (about 27 U.S. dollars), which was a lot of money then. Christmas is celebrated today in the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches 13 days after the 25th, popularly known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, the day the three wise men found Jesus in the manger. Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous in the Middle Ages, much like today’s Mardi Gras parties, except that they were destructive, “free from arrests during the season.” Definitely pagan rituals. Christmas legally became a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870. There were 69,470,686 registered Catholics in the United States (22 percent of the US population) as of 2015. The 2016 U.S. population is 324,118,787. Dutch settlers to America changed Kris Kringle to “Sinterklass,” (we now know as Santa Claus), which was actually from St. Nicholas, who was generous with gifts to a lot of people before he died. St. Nick was born in Patara (Asia Minor) and went to Myra (now Demre in Turkey), where he became a bishop. He died on the 6th of December between A.D. 326 and 341. In 1828, Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, brought home the red and green plant from Mexico. That festive plant is what we know today as a Poinsettia. As a gimmick to attract customers to Montgomery Ward

this is Mary. Thank you. You have done more than you can possibly know. The Lord’s light burns bright in you.” Mary looked up at Joshua and smiled through her pain. For as long as he lived, Joshua will never forget that smile. Mary’s child was born that night. Joshua could not remember a night more filled with wonder, mystery and myriad points of light. It was a night like no other. Joshua’s entire being was engulfed with the mystery happening before his very eyes. He remembered Mary wrapping her child gently in swaddling clothes and placing the child in a manger. The child was bathed in light. The whole stable was filled with warmth. Soft, sweet music seem to emanate from a choir of angels above the stable and a sweet heavenly fragrance wafted through the air. Joshua’s shepherd friends came to visit the child. How could they have known? His friends told him that an angel told them about the good news. They were led to the stable where they found the child. Filled with awe, they knelt before the child who was to be king. Later on that night, three men garbed in royal splendor and bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh travelling from afar, came to pay the child homage. They had been following the bright star hovering about the heavens for many nights leading them to that dusty town called Bethlehem. Many years later in his old

age, the memory of that night still stayed with Joshua. He had remained the innkeeper. He had struck a friendship with a man called Luke, a physician who was a regular guest at the inn. He observed that the thoughtful, quiet Luke was always writing in rolls of papyrus in his room. Not wanting to keep the wonders of that night to be forgotten when he passed, Joshua told the story to Luke. As he told the story of that wondrous night, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone. Joshua’s life was never the same again. The light of that bright night burned in his soul forever. He could not have known at the time he was witness to the unfolding of the greatest mystery on earth. *** HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY READERS!!! Here’s my Christmas prayer to one and all. May everyday of your life be Christmas Day. May Christmas fill your hearts and homes with the myriad points of light, love and joy! May we always remember God showed His love for us when Jesus Christ was born and lived among us more than two thousand years ago so those of us who believe may have eternal life. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

All about Christmas department stores, writer Robert L. May invented “Rudolph, the most famous reindeer of all,” in 1939, with a poem about reindeer. The famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting tradition was started in 1931. The Christmas tree tradition actually started by Germany in the 16th century when Christians decorated pine trees in their homes as a part of the Christmas season. The Vikings in Scandinavia considered evergreens as a special plant of the sun god, Balder. Ever heard of Christmas Disease? Christmas Diseases has nothing to do with the Christmas season. Christmas Disease is a blood disease, also known as Hemophilia B or factor IX hemophilia. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to a deficiency in coagulation factor IX. This condition is an X-linked recessive inheritance, affecting only males, and occurs in 1 in 100,000 male births. This illness causes spontaneous bleeding in the joints. What is the Christmas blues? It is a form of mild depression (called Seasonal Affective Disorders, or SAD for short) that happens to some of us, normal and healthy people, during the Christmas season or other festive family occasions. Empty nest syndrome — where the grown-up or married children have left home, creating an empty and lonely feeling in the parents, especially the mothers — is one such type of emotion that is magnified by family occasions like Christmas, New Year, birthdays, etc. Frequent visits from the children or family reunions during the holidays minimize these “blues” and provide a sense of parental security and happiness, especially among the elderly parents. The other common cause of this extreme sadness is a poor financial situation in life, where self-pity, panic, a sense of hopelessness and helplessness prevail, especially on a holiday like Christmas. How long can food be left safely at room temperature? Different types of food have different “spoilage time.” Fresh fish, processed meat, cream-filled pastries, custards, fruits salads, noodles (pancit), food cooked with tomatoes provide good media for bacterial growth after more than six hours of exposure to room temperature, depending on how warm the ambient temperature is. Common food contaminants are Staphylococcus Aureus, E. Coli, and Amoeba, and water contaminants are (non-typhoidal) Salmonella and Shigella. Staphylococcal Food Poisoning is due to the enterotoxins produced by the Staph bacteria. Some dishes,

like adobo or paksiw, could last for even a week in room temperature without spoiling, unless contaminated by handlers. The prudent thing to do is to refrigerate the leftovers as soon as the meal is completed. Those who do not have a refrigerator should not cover the food airtight, since this will not allow the food “to breathe” and would tend to increase the heat and pressure, leading to a much shorter “spoilage time.” If using a plastic wrap, poke a few holes on it to allow for a better ventilation. Keep the food in the refrigerator, an ice box, or in the coldest part of the house, and eat it within 24 hours. What is Chinese Food Syndrome? This condition could sometimes mimic a heart attack. It causes chest pains, facial pressure, and burning sensations throughout the body, sometimes with dizziness or fainting. This phenomenon is a pharmacologic reaction to monosodium glutamate (MSG or vetsin), a popular white powder food seasoning used in cooking. The symptoms are not really due to an allergic reaction and are dose-related. Most people are not bothered by MSG, but some react to it more severely. Although death is very rare with this syndrome, a surgeon classmate of mine, who was attending a meeting in Nice, France, several years ago, had such violent a reaction after ingesting Chinese food with monosodium glutamate that he passed away within an hour thereafter. Those who develop any of the four symptoms enumerated above after eating food cooked with MSG should clearly request chefs or cooks in restaurants, at home, or anywhere else, not to use MSG in preparing their food. Because of this syndrome, most Chinese (and other) restaurants today no longer use MSG. If in doubt, ask the manager or waiters, and instruct them accordingly. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us remember His teachings and embrace our suffering fellowmen with compassion and care during this sacred season of sharing. That is the best gift we can give ourselves. Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with love, good health, joy, peace and prosperity. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

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december 23-29, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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