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Duterte: ‘US, UN, EU leaders DATELINE USA can’t be brighter than me’ from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Controversy overshadows substance at second presidential debate

stArK differences of temperament and perspective between hillary Clinton and Donald trump — as well as present and past scandals — characterized the second presidential debate at Washington University in st. Louis on sunday, october 9. the two candidates did not shake hands at the outset of the debate and repeatedly went past their allotted response time as they defended themselves against sensational and oftentimes personal attacks on each other’s character and fitness for the presidency. moderators martha raddatz and Anderson Cooper were quick to broach emerging controversies and struggled to contain the reactions of both nominees and the audience. trump offered a fleeting apology in response to a wave of outrage resulting from the release of what has been dubbed the “trump tape.� In a conversation recorded back in 2005, the republican nominee told former

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

mANILA - God may have given you the money, but we have the brains. this was President Duterte’s message on thursday, oct. 13 to the United states (Us), the United Nations (UN) and the european Union (eU) as

he vowed to humiliate them in a debate on human rights that he claimed would provide “entertainment� to those who will watch it. Duterte said he has written letters to Us President Barack obama, Us state secretary John Kerry, the UN, and the eU inviting them to visit

the Philippines to probe the killings linked to his war on illegal drugs. “I’m very sure they can never be brighter than me. Believe me,� Duterte said during the 42nd Philippine Business Conference and expo in Pasay. PAGE A2 Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

Senate inquiry absolves Duterte by JeffeRson

AntipoRDA ManilaTimes.net

the senate Committee on Justice and human rights on thursday, oct. 13 officially terminated its investigation into alleged summary executions of crime suspects, and absolved President rodrigo Duterte of any involvement in the killings. PAGE A2

PAGE A2

Calif. infant care now costs as much as Univ. of Calif. tuition PALo ALto — Parents in California are hit hard in the wallet not only when their kids head out to college, but also in the first two REINFORCEMENT. President Duterte joins officials of the Philippine Coast Guard on board the BRP Tubbataha during the PCG’s 115th anniversary years of their children’s lives. celebration in Manila Wednesday, October 12. The PCG assured the President of its full support in his war against illegal drugs and in securing the According to the latest data on Kidsdata, the Senators Richard Gordon and Panfilo “Ping� Lacson during the Senate’s country’s territorial waters. The Tubbataha is the first of 10 multi-role response vessels acquired through a loan extended by the Japan International state’s parents spent an average of $13,327 continuing probe on the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country Cooperation Agency. The second vessel is expected in December and the eight others until 2018. Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales on Thursday, October 13. per year to send their infants to a child care center in 2014, the same year that University of California tuition and fees hit $13,222. Nationally, childcare for children below age five has also exceeded that of in-state college tuition. When broken down by county, san franby KlARize meDenillA cisco Bay Area counties had the highest costs the development of the project. AJPress of infant care, with marin County leading the Writer Jackie Clarke said the show was based pack at more than $18,000 per year, while After NBC executives cancelled the pro- on her experience of being raised by a filipino more rural counties in far northern California jected situational-comedy about a mail-order nanny in New Zealand. Clarke — who is also and the Central Valley had the lowest costs bride from the Philippines, filipino activists are a writer and producer of NBC sitcom “superfor infant child care, at less than $12,000 per continuing to demand an apology. store� — has yet to comment on the show’s year. the sitcom — “mail order family� — was to cancellation. Center-based infant care costs in the state tell the story of a single father of two preteen “We purchased the pitch with the undermade up an estimated 14 percent of the medaughters who orders a mail-order bride from standing that it would tell the creator’s real-life dian annual income for married couples and the Philippines, according to Deadline. the experience of being raised by a strong filipina 45 percent for single parents in 2014. In 2014, show’s pitch sparked outrage for its stereo- stepmother after the loss of her own mother,� California was ranked the 8th least affordable typical portrayal of filipinas, and days after the a spokesperson from NBCUniversal said in a PAGE A2 Protesters outside NBC Universal Photo courtesy of GABRIELA USA show’s announcement, executives scrapped PAGE A3

Fil-Ams respond to ‘Mail Order Family’ cancellation Advocacy orgs demand a meeting with NBC execs

US Amb. Goldberg to PH: ‘We are great friends, allies’ New petition calls for cancellation of Miss Universe in the Philippines by Delon

poRcAllA Philstar.com

mANILA – Despite President Duterte’s tirades, the United states is committed to keep its long-standing ties with the Philippines, outgoing Us Ambassador Philip Goldberg said on Wednesday, oct. 12. “the Us is committed to the alliance; we are great friends and allies,� Goldberg told reporters at the house of representatives, which conferred on him the Golden mace Award for nurturing the two countries’ relationship. Goldberg declined to comment on Duterte’s earlier remarks that the American envoy Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez confers on US Ambassador Philip Goldberg the is “gay� and other unkind words Golden Mace Award in a ceremony at the House of Representatives on directed at Us President Barack Wednesday, Oct. 12. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos obama.

“I’m a diplomat, and I don’t respond to those kinds of comments,� he said. “We have a great alliance and our camaraderie (between Us and filipino soldiers) is great. that’s what I’d like to emphasize.� the outgoing ambassador also refused to discuss outlooks on manila’s Visiting forces Agreement (VfA) with Washington or the enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (eDCA) or the 60-year-old mutual Defense treaty (mDt). “I don’t want to talk about the end of the VfA,� he said. “We have the desire to continue our alliance that President obama said is ironclad. It benefits the Us and the Philippines, as it should. We are committed to PAGE A4

by DAnA

m. sioson

AJPress

DesPIte the Philippine Department of tourism (Dot)’s efforts to quell rumors that the upcoming miss Universe pageant will be cancelled, a new petition is calling for the latter organization to reconsider hosting the event in the country. the letter, which was addressed to the miss Universe organizing committee, asked the organization to “not reward a regime that is trying to turn back the clock as far as women’s causes are concerned.� PAGE A3

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo AJPress photo by Noel Ty

Miss Universe Pia Wurtzback AJPress photo by Troi Santos

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Senate inquiry absolves... PAGE A1

“Definitely not,” replied Gordon when asked if the committee was able to find any indication of Duterte’s involvement in killings in Davao City when he was still mayor, and all over the country now that he is President. Gordon, in a news briefing after the hearing, pointed to efforts past and present to pin down the President over alleged summary

killings. The committee, Gordon said, would come out with a report by Monday, Oct. 10. It was Sen. Panfilo Lacson who made the motion to terminate the investigation, which was based on separate resolutions filed by Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes 4th. De Lima was able to conduct three hearings before she was re-

From the Front Page

placed as head of the committee by Gordon. Gordon granted Lacson’s motion to conclude the committee investigation. “We have enough to report. We will try to get it out by Monday, so that the public will be assuaged that we are all watching out for each other here. It may not be perfect but we will try,” Gordon said before terminating the proceedings. The development came a day after Malacañang announced that it had invited a UN special rapporteur to look into the alleged summary killings in the country. Denied The committee concluded the hearing even if there were still nine witnesses to be presented by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Gordon rejected the presentation and moved to take up the proposal to restore death penalty, introduced by Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Gordon’s decision to disallow the presentation of the witnesses came after the “disrespectful” statements made by CHR Commissioner Roberto Eugenio Cadiz, who called the senator “unfair” and a “coward.” Cadiz, in a statement issued last October 4, criticized Gordon for suspending the hearing the day before, as supposed inconsistencies in the testimony of confessed “Davao Death Squad” hit man Edgar Matobato emerged. Gordon called on CHR officials to distance themselves from the statements of Cadiz. “We are not taking the human rights out of the question. I just said, under the circumstances, kung pinagdududahan ninyo ang committee, huwag na kayo pumunta dito [if you are doubting the committee, don’t come here],” Gordon said. Gordon said CHR chairman Jose Luis Martin Gascon had apologized to him and assured the committee that the commission en banc did not share Cadiz’s position. No second De Lima attempted to give Gascon a chance to speak, making such a motion to the committee. But no member of the panel seconded de Lima’s motion, prompting Gordon to reject de Lima’s plea. PAGE A4

CLOSING RITES. American Marines fold their flag during the closing ceremony of the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

Duterte: ‘US, UN, EU leaders...

PAGE A1 “Come here, investigate me. But give me also the right to be heard. So I will have to ask you questions after questioning me. I’ll let them play into my hands,” Duterte said. He also said that he would use his experience as trial lawyer to question critics who have been calling him out for the alleged extrajudicial killing of drug suspects. “I’ve been a trial lawyer for many years. I’ll play with you in public. I’ll ask five questions that will humiliate you. I’ll ask ten questions where you will agree with me,” the President said. “Watch for it. It will be a spec-

tacle. It will be good. It will give you entertainment,” he added, referring to the debate. “They thought the Philippines is just a small nation. Maybe God gave you the money but we have the brains.” Duterte has been at odds with the US, EU and UN over his intensified campaign against narcotics, which has left about 3,000 drug suspects dead. He said the US, the EU and the UN had humiliated him before the international community and were trying to interfere with the Philippines’ affairs. ‘Holy Life’ Meanwhile, the President said he may be foul-mouthed and was

poor in economics but he lives a “holy life.” The President made fun of his womanizing and low grades while marveling at his victory during the presidential polls, which he described as “destiny.” “I’d like to tell you. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t womanize. I live a holy life,” he said in jest. Duterte does not drink and smoke but has admitted to being a womanizer. During the campaign period, he claimed to have two wives and two girlfriends. “When you begin to delude yourself with too much lies, it becomes the truth in your life,” Duterte said.

Controversy overshadows substance at... PAGE A1

Access Hollywood reporter Billy Bush that the billionaire’s celebrity status had enabled him to sexually assault women. The Republican has attempted to brush the explicit language in that video as “locker room banter.” “This is who Donald Trump is,” said Clinton on Sunday night in reference to her opponent’s past comments. She went on to point out the derogatory words Trump has previously directed toward minority groups, such as Muslims, Latinos and even Filipinos. “Don’t tell me about words,” Trump said on Sunday. “If you look at Bill Clinton, far worse.” The real estate developer also accused Hillary Clinton of tormenting women involved in sexual misconduct allegations against her husband. Clinton dismissed the veracity of many of Trump’s claims and encouraged viewers to fact check the Republican nominees statements instead of directly refuting them on the debate stage. Immigration, a topic that has inspired some of the most impassioned public discourse this election cycle, was scarcely touched upon during Sunday’s debate. Little was said of Trump’s proposals to limit the flow of immigrants, increase deportations or his plan to have Mexico fund the construction of a border wall. Trump did, however, shift his support for a ban on all Muslims entering the country in favor of what he has termed “extreme vetting.” He went on to describe Syrian refugees as a potential “Trojan Horse,” a term he had used in past to describe immigrants from the Philippines and other countries where terrorist groups are active. A palpable clash of personalities between the two candidates threatened to overshadow other headline-making revelations, including a batch of private docu-

ments published by the transparency advocacy website, Wikileaks on Friday, October 7. Previously unreleased excerpts from paid speeches given by Clinton paint her as a well connected Washington insider, a characterization she has struggled to rebuke throughout her campaign. On Sunday, Trump accused Clinton of advancing programs and policies over the course of her decades-long career that benefitted the wealthy over normal citizens like unfair tax loopholes. However, the Republican admitted to taking advantage of many of the technicalities he criticized. Documents published by the New York Times suggest that Trump might have legally avoided paying taxes for up to 18 years. The former reality TV star said he would close many of the loopholes he had been making use of, but Clinton said Trump’s tax plan would further favor the wealthy while weakening the economy. Over the course of an hourand-a-half, the two presidential hopefuls also displayed vastly differing perspectives and jousted over a variety of other issues including healthcare and foreign policy. Trump also appeared to break ranks with his own running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, regarding how the United States ought to react to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. During the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, October 5, Pence suggested that military force against the Russian backed forces of the Assad regime may be necessary to end airstrikes that are targeting rebel forces but also killing scores of besieged civilians in the city of Aleppo. In contrast, Trump spoke in support of the Assad regime and its supporters on Sunday. “I think it would be great if we

got along with Russia. We could fight ISIS together,” said Trump during the debate. He later added that “Assad is killing ISIS. Russia is killing ISIS.” Meanwhile, Clinton said that counterterrorism efforts were only a pretense and that Russia’s primary interest in the region was to keep Assad in power. She went on to say that sending American ground forces into Syria would be a mistake. In a statement released on Monday, Pence expressed solidarity with his running mate and attributed their seemingly contradictory opinions to a misinterpretation of the vice presidential nominee’s comments by Raddatz. He said both he and Trump support creating “safe zones” in Aleppo, the establishment of which may require military force. Despite Pence’s public show of support, Republican leaders may be ready to abandon hopes of sending their candidate to the White House following Sunday’s debate, according to sources for Reuters, Politico and other outlets. On Monday, during a private telephone conference with GOP legislators, House Speaker Paul Ryan reportedly told party members that he would not attempt to defend his Republican presidential nominee against the backlash generated by the Trump tapes. Although he has not officially dropped his endorsement of Trump, the speaker has advised that Republicans should focus on maintaining their majorities in Congress, rather than diverting energy to the presidential campaign. “Paul Ryan is focusing the next month on defeating democrats and all republicans running for office should probably do the same,” a spokesperson for the Speaker told CNBC on Tuesday, October 11. (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

Calif. infant care now costs as much as... PAGE A1 state for center-based infant care in the nation. Despite the high costs of childcare relative to income, nationally, the median hourly wage for childcare workers is $9.77, and nearly half of this work force receives government assistance in the form of food stamps, welfare benefits, or Medicaid. Early childhood is a critical period for cognitive, biological and social development. The quality of children’s environments and experiences during these years can have lasting effects . From infancy, children are learning to relate to others and their environment while developing the skills to successfully navigate social, emotional, and educational challenges. Children who attend high-quality preschools tend to have better test scores, fewer behavioral problems and higher rates of high school graduation, among other

CALSTATE.EDU_

long-term benefits. Policies that could improve child care include improving the state’s professional development infrastructure to prepare and support an effective early care

workforce, making the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit fully refundable at the state level and encouraging other federal solutions to address the high cost of child care. (Inquirer.net)

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AAPI survey: Filipinos comprise the highest support for Trump Clinton beats Trump among all AAPI groups by 41 points by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

SEN. PACQUIAO BATS FOR DEATH PENALTY. Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed a bill calling for the re-imposition of the death penalty. Pacquiao, who authored Senate Bill 185, said during the continuation of a public hearing on extra-judicial killings Thursday, October 13, that “the legislature must enact a measure that will provide the certainty of punishment and more severe penalties to traffickers as well as a clear application of heavier consequences to law enforcers who protect and coddle violators.” Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

New petition calls for cancellation... PAGE A1 It was also posted on Facebook over the weekend by Annie Serrano, who has previously worked with the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Fund for Women, and the Women’s Crisis Center. “This reason is the objectionable, scandalous, and demeaning sexist attitude demonstrated by the newly elected leaders of our country, by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, and his cohorts towards womankind,” the letter read. As of this writing, it has been signed by more than 100 various women leaders and concerned citizens, including businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis and former Ayala Foundation President Vicky Garchitorena. Former Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, former Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales, former Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita “Ging” Deles, and singer Leah Navarro were also among the growing list of signatories. The petition argued that Philippine society has “always granted a great amount of freedom and respect to women, but at the same time the gains of womankind in the Philippines have been

hard won.” “In recent months, chauvinism, brutal shaming, rape jokes and a sweeping disregard for women as persons deserving not merely of a token, but true, respect has been exhibited by the President of the Philippines with his salacious and sexist comments and treatment of female reporters and opposition figures, which has carried over to his allies in the Philippine Congress,” it added. The letter concluded that to hold the Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines at this time “would serve as a reward of this intolerable behavior and excuse such behavior.” DOT: Hosting Miss U has ‘overwhelming public support’ In response to the petition, the DOT said in a statement that the government’s decision to accept the offer to stage the pageant in the Philippines has gained “overwhelming public support,” especially among Filipino women and their families. “While the DOT gives due respect to such opinion as signified by a group of women leaders and concerned citizens, we assure everyone that we deem it a great honor to host the distinguished event that portrays the most beautiful and talented women with highest regard,” the depart-

ment said in a statement on Tuesday, October 11. According to the DOT, the “golden opportunity” of hosting the event would be a big boost to the country’s tourism promotion program. It will benefit local businesses and livelihood, as well as the travel and tour sector, the department added. Meanwhile, reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach expressed on her Twitter account that she’ll do her best to make sure the pageant will be held in the Philippines. “Akong bahala, guys. Kalma lang (I’ll take care of it, guys. Calm down),” Wurtzbach said. She added, “Ipaglalaban ko ‘yan (I will fight for this). I want the competition in my home country!” Last week, DOT Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed that venues to be used for the pageant include Cebu, Batangas, Metro Manila, Siargao, Vigan, Palawan, Bicol and Davao, following an inspection visit by Miss Universe Organization representatives earlier in the month. The Miss Universe pageant’s coronation night will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with Steve Harvey as its host.

Fil-Ams respond to ‘Mail Order Family’...

PAGE A1 statement emailed to the Asian Journal in late September. “The writer and producers have taken the sensitivity to the initial concept to heart and have chosen not to move forward with the project at this time.” The show’s announcement had garnered criticism for trivializing the issue of human trafficking and for stereotyping Filipinas. Filipino-American advocacy group GABRIELA USA started a campaign on Change.org to get NBC to cancel the show and has raised more than 13,000 signatures. According to the organization’s petition, the show “is the most recent example of how the exploitation and violence women face is normalized in U.S. mainstream media. The mail order bride industry in the Philippines is rooted in historical U.S. colonial occupation of the Philippines, feudal-patriarchal view of Filipinas, and current neocolonial economic policies that have impoverished the Filipino people.” The petition went on to cite examples of Filipina mail-order brides who were abused and eventually murdered by their husbands, including: Susana Blackwell, who was shot and killed by her husband in Seattle back in 1995, and Estelita Villa Reeves, whose husband was also found guilty of murdering two previous wives. On Thursday, October 6, GABRIELA Los Angeles, the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and Migrante International organized a protest in front of the NBCUniversal headquarters in Universal City to emphasize their opposal to the comedic portrayals of Filipina mail-order brides. “We were concerned with the fact that it was a comedy making light of something so serious [and] something that already isn’t being seriously addressed, so I think it had a greater risk than a benefit to the Filipino community,” Nikole Cababa of GABRIELA Los Angeles told the Asian Journal. “[Clarke] may have one perspective, but there’s a whole other story that isn’t being told, like why Filipinos leaving in the first place and why this mail order bride system is even thriving.” The groups have three goals: demand a formal apology from

NBCUniversal, secure a meeting with NBCUniversal executives and educate them on the social and economic ramifications of the mail-order bride industry and encourage writers and producers to consult the Filipino community when crafting stories about Filipinos. “I think part of our demands it to make sure they see us as a community resource so if ideas or stories like this come up it would be great to be consulted, like, do we think this is a show that will accurately portray the Filipino community?” Cababa added. “That’s something that we’d value. As GABRIELA we definitely support the arts and cultural work and Filipino celebrities and story writers, but at the same time it does matter who tells the story and how it’s told.” Many members of the Fil-Am community were outraged by the show’s plotline, but some FilAms thought that the show could have presented a positive view of the community. A script was never released, so Fil-Ams like entertainment industry veteran Fritz Friedman suggested that the protest was simply presumptuous of a negative portrayal. “Not having read the script, I don’t think that I have the right to give any intelligent opinion about the NBC TV series -- that is, whether it was going to shed a good light or a bad light on Filipinos,” Friedman told the Asian Journal in an email. “Who knows? But there was always the possibility that the character might have been a strong, smart funny and proud Filipina who would have demonstrated the strength, pride kindness and intelligence of many Filipinos. But now, with the series cancelled, we will never know. Too bad.” Allen Ongchangco questioned the public outcry against the

Photo courtesy of GABRIELA USA

perceived “negative portrayal” of Filipinas through the mail-order bride character. In a Facebook comment, he made a case for telling the stories of Filipina mail-order brides, referencing his friends that were mail order wives who were “educated, worked in various industries and live quite fulfilled lives.” “Why is a mail order bride a negative portrayal of the Filipina?” Ongchangco said after the cancellation. “Why should a mail order bride be stereotyped as weak, obedient or seen as just a sex object? They are not a monolith, they have complex lives [and] values just as we do.” “This protest saddens and angers me because some of you have decided that only certain stories should be told. Only certain times of Pinay should be held up to the light. By doing so you have stigmatized, delegitimized the [lives] and stories of my friends,” he added. In the Philippines, thousands of Filipinas marry American men every year through the mail-order bride system even though it’s against Philippine law. In 1990, the Philippine Congress enacted the Anti Mail-Order Bride Law, but since the emergence of the Internet made it easier for businesses outside the Philippines to circumvent the law. One site called “Pinay Brides” from Montana was able to bypass the law by pretending to be a travel agency, as reported by ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. GABRIELA Los Angeles will be hosting a discussion about the issue of human trafficking and advocating for Filipinas at Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles on Friday, October 14. The discussion will feature a panel of speakers, human trafficking survivors and members of the media.

WITH about a month before Election Day, a new survey shows that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton holds a staggering 41-point lead over Republican nominee Donald Trump with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters. The National Asian American Survey (NAAS) released the first half of their 2016 Fall Survey of AAPI called the “Asian American Voices in the 2016 Election” on Wednesday, October 5. The survey explored AAPI voter identification, party preferences, civic engagement and ethnic media consumption. A significant takeaway was that 55 percent of AAPI registered voters are more likely to vote for Clinton compared to the 14 percent who plan to vote for Trump. Moreover, the survey found that 67 percent of the participants harbored “very unfavorable” or “unfavorable” opinions of Trump while Clinton received 36 percent from the same categories. Both candidates have made efforts to reach out to AAPIs, considered a fast-growing electorate with the potential to swing elections. Last month, Trump formally announced his 30-member Asian Pacific American (APA) advisory committee. Five Fil-Ams were named to the group, which is tasked with advising the Republican nominee’s campaign on AAPI issues, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Clinton has also held many events targeting the AAPI community through her “AAPI for Hillary” outreach program. Several grassroots organizations have also dedicated themselves to garnering support for the Democratic presidential nominee. Among the registered Filipino voters surveyed, a majority said that Clinton was their “presidential vote choice” at 54 percent. But a quarter of Filipinos prefer Trump for the presidency, the highest Trump favorability rating among all surveyed ethnic groups. Although Filipinos generally support progressive issues, they were the ethnic group with the highest opposition rates to these

issues. For example, although 62 percent of Filipinos support climate change initiatives, they had the highest opposition of the surveyed groups at 18 percent. Other issues in which Filipinos comprised the highest opposition ratings included accepting Syrian refugees into the U.S. (41 percent), climate change initiatives (18 percent) and equal rights for black Americans (22 percent). Previous surveys have indicated that AAPIs generally lean towards the Democratic Party, and this survey is no different. As the Asian Journal previously reported, in May, nonpartisan groups APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and AAPI Data released “Inclusion, Not Exclusion,” a voter survey examining similar trends. According to the findings of that survey, 31 percent of Filipinos reported a favorable view of the Republican Party, compared to 64 percent of Filipinos for the Democratic Party. Thirty-six percent of Filipinos responded that they are planning to vote for Clinton, while 11 percent for Trump. A significant finding from the NAAS survey involves engagement with the community by the political parties. The researchers found that the Democratic reach-

es out to their AAPI community more with 48 percent reported being contacted. In comparison, 16 percent of Republican voters said they’ve been contacted by their party. Both parties, however, do not engage enough with the AAPI community, according to the research. About 70 percent of the voters surveyed reported never having been contacted by any political parties. In other words, both parties fare poorly among all Asian ethnic groups in terms of electoral contact. “This amplifies the message that we have been telling all the politicians, which is that we matter. We’re not just a margin but a margin of victory and for an election that has been close this is really great news,” Bel LeongHong, AAPI caucus chair for the Democratic National Committee, said in a community phone call hosted by AAPI for Hillary. The survey was directed by Karthick Ramakrishnan, professor and associate dean at University of California, Riverside, with three co-principal investigators: Janelle Wong of University of Maryland, Taeku Lee of University of California, Berkeley and Jennifer Lee of University of California, Irvine. PAGE A4

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US to provide $180-M aid to Philippines next year 3 Pinoys among participants of New York marathon by Jose

KatigbaK Philstar.com

WASHINGTON – The United States is committed to providing $180 million in assistance to the Philippines in fiscal year 2017 and routinely vetting the military to ensure security units that violate human rights do not get any aid, State Department spokesman John Kirby said. Fiscal year 2017 is from Oct. 1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2017. President Duterte, in yet another jab at the US, dared it to end its assistance if it continues to criticize extrajudicial killings in his war against illegal drugs. Duterte’s rhetoric is at odds with the very close relationship between the two countries, Kirby said. “We continue to focus on our broad relationship with the Philippines and we’ll work together in the many areas of mutual interest,” he said. He said Washington is focused on ensuring that assistance efforts truly benefit the people and are compliant with US laws and regulations. To ensure assistance earmarked for law enforcement is not used in extrajudicial killings, the US government routinely and regularly vet security forces through a process known as “Leahy vetting,” Kirby said. Under a US human rights law named after its principal sponsor Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Washington utilizes the International Vetting and Security Tracking (INVEST) system which tracks all units and individuals who are potential recipients of assistance. “It’s a law we strongly believe in. And whether it’s in the Philippines or anywhere around the world, that review process is near continuous and it will remain so,” Kirby said. Asked to comment on Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay’s statement that the United States has failed the Philippines, prompting Duterte to break the country’s “shackling dependency” on its long-time ally, Kirby said it was not useful to parse every bit of rhetoric that comes out of Manila. “What I can tell you is that in practicality, as you and I talk today, that cooperation continues. Those government contacts continue. The military-to-military relationship remains strong,” Kirby said. The US takes its treaty alliance with the Philippines seriously and

State Department spokesman John Kirb Philstar.com photo

“nothing that we’re seeing today tangibly would change our mind about that,” he added. Duterte, well known for a ruthless stand against crime from his years as mayor of Davao City, won election in May on a promise to wipe out drugs and drug dealers. Some 3,600 people have so far been killed in his anti-drugs drive and he has been enraged by questions about human rights, from the US and others, that the bloodshed has raised. Duterte said on Thursday if the United States and European Union objected to his drug war and wished to withdraw aid, they should do so, and the Philippines would not beg. US aid ‘not that much’ In Manila, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday US-Philippines ties are going through “bumps on the road” and the military could manage if the US were to withdraw aid. The Philippines intended to buy arms from China and Russia and there had been no adverse reaction from within the military to Duterte’s vows to scale back defense ties with the US, he said. Lorenzana’s remarks suggested he was following other top officials in Duterte’s administration in rallying behind the maverick president’s tough anti-US agenda after weeks of scrambling to manage the fallout from his outbursts and threats to downgrade the alliance. Lorenzana had on Wednesday set a conciliatory tone, saying Duterte may have been misinformed when he said US-Philippine military exercises were of no benefit to his country. But yesterday, Lorenzana said the value of US military aid to the Philippines was “not that much,” and the military could ask Congress to make up for a shortfall of some $50 million-$100 million a year in US military aid.

“We can live without (that),” Lorenzana told a foreign correspondents’ forum. Lorenzana said he believed Duterte’s objective was to diversify the Philippines’ foreign ties and cut dependency on a former colonial ruler. “The President is trying to develop a relationship with the US that is not too dependent on one country,” he said. Duterte has caused a diplomatic storm by declaring that joint US-Philippines military exercises would cease, a defense agreement would be reviewed and, at an undisclosed time, he might “break up” with the US. On Monday, Duterte said US President Barack Obama should “go to hell.” Lorenzana said there had been no official directive to scrap a two-year-old Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. He said the uncertainty in the US-Philippines relationship was “just going through these bumps on the road.” “Maybe we should re-assess (the relationship),” he said. “Are we benefiting, are we getting what we should be getting from the alliance? It is part of this growing up.” He said Duterte was sensitive to concerns about his drug war and it was likely the President would dial down his rhetoric if questions from the West about human rights stopped. Asked how changes in the security relationship could impact a strategic US “rebalance” to Asia, he said: “They are not lacking of any place to park their ships if they are no longer allowed to park their ships here.” He said there may be some issues of compatibility with defense procurements from Russia and China, which were willing to sell to the Philippines. A Philippine dispute with China over sovereignty in the South China Sea would not impede defense procurements, he said, adding there had been no discussion of the two countries working together militarily. “All we are thinking now is buying equipment,” he said. “No talks yet about military alliance. Just simple transaction of buying equipment.” Lorenzana’s show of accord with Duterte’s anti-US stand follows a similar tough line from Foreign Secretary Yasay, who said this week Duterte wanted to liberate the country from a “shackling dependency” on the US.

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by Risnie

ann C. MaRiCuelo Inquirer.net

THREE Filipinos are among the participants in the New York marathon, dubbed the world’s largest and most iconic marathon, which will be held on November 6. Alberto Agulto Jr., Clint Ortiz and Leo Penas, sponsored by their company Open Access BPO, are set to run as part of Ryan’s Run, affiliated with Allied Services Integrated Health System, which helps children and adults with physical disabilities. According to CEO Benjamin Davidowitz, the three employees were chosen based on their passion for running and tenure with the company. As part of their training regiment, Agulto and Ortiz participated in several prestigious events in the country, such as SMDC Run 2016 (Leg 2), Caliraya 360 Run (Lumban, Laguna), 40th National Milo Marathon (Metro Manila), Takbo.ph Runfest 2016, Run GNC 2016, World Vision Run 2016, Colors of Freedom, NatGeo Earth Day Run 2016, SMDC Run 2016 and Condura Skyway Marathon 2016. For his part, Penas joined lo-

Leo Penas, Clint Ortiz and Alberto Agulto are among the participants of New York marathon, dubbed the world’s largest and most iconic marathon, which will be held on November 6.

cal marathons like the NatGeo Run, GNC Run, SMDC Run and the Ultramarathon Run. He also trained for two months in the US. “Running an event outside of the country is some sort of a next level to my running career. Participating in one of the most prestigious events–if not the most–The New York City Marathon, will be a game changer for me mentally and physically,” Agulto said. Agulto noted that running in the New York marathon event is his own little way to help differently-abled people. “We are given a chance to do what we

love the most–running, in a great place, supported by great groups of people…. We are lucky, blessed and exhilarated indeed,” he added. Penas cited personal reasons for participating in the event. “I’ve always been a competitive athlete, since my high school days up to my college years. Also, Ben Davidowitz, my boss, motivated me to go back to running and he was very supportive about this event,” he said. He added that his goals are to go back to his healthy lifestyle and to reach the record of three hours and 30 minuntes in the said event.

Mayweather on Pacquiao vs Vargas: May the best man win by Dino

MaRagay Philstar.com

FLOYD Mayweather Jr. refused to predict the winner for the upcoming tussle between Manny Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas. Instead, the retired Mayweather wished both fighters the best, even as he pointed out that Pacquiao is one of the best opponents he’s ever fought. “May the best man win. Out of all the fighters that I’ve faced throughout my career, Pacquiao is one of the best fighters,” he said in a video posted on fighthype.com. Mayweather outpointed Pacquiao in what turned out to the most financially successful boxing match in history. So far, he has stayed retired and focused on his new role as a promoter. But he will always remember the Filipino icon for his remarkable combination of speed and

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

power. “His (Pacquiao’s) movement, I mean, he’s fast. The power comes from the legs and how he turns his shots,” added May-

AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal

weather. Nevertheless, Pacquiao’s gifts weren’t enough to beat the best pure boxer of this generation.

US Amb. Goldberg to PH: ‘We are great... PAGE A1 help the economic wellbeing of the Philippines.” Goldberg thanked Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez for acknowledging his efforts to enrich Philippine-US relations.

“I thank Speaker Alvarez for the great honor for me, most especially for my country,” he said. Goldberg started his tour of duty in Manila in November 2013. Upon his arrival, he immediately went to Tacloban and Palo town in Leyte province, places that were hardest hit by Super

Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest catastrophe in recorded history. “His (Goldberg’s) diplomatic mission to the Philippines focused on bilateral cooperation, particularly on humanitarian assistance and security matters,” stated a portion of House Resolution 15, which gave the US envoy the honor.

Senate inquiry absolves...

PAGE A2 De Lima appealed to the members of the committee to reconsider their decision to disallow the presentation of the CHR witnesses. The witnesses, she said, had been waiting for their chance to be heard by the committee since day one of the investigation, with some of them even traveling from the provinces. But Gordon did not budge and proceeded with the hearing on the death penalty bill. Gascon was eventually allowed by Gordon to give a statement to the committee. “We do want to say that we respect the honorable chairman of the committee as well as all the other members of this committee,” Gascon said.

Not prepared After her first motion was junked, de Lima asked the committee not to take up the death penalty bills, saying the resource persons were not properly notified. According to the senator, there should be a three-day notice issued to the members of the committee and the resource persons to allow them to prepare for the hearing. Gordon called for a vote, but no member voted, prompting the chairman to turn down de Lima’s second motion. “The motion is overruled because there is no vote,” Gordon said, and called on Pacquiao to proceed with his proposal. The committee however was not able to tackle the proposed death penalty measures thor-

oughly because resource persons from the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the CHR were not prepared to discuss their positions on the bill. This prompted Gordon to return to the issue of summary killings, asking the PNP about the latest data on the government’s antidrug war. The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the PNP said it was handling a total of 1,411 cases of killings of suspects during police operations, covering the period January to October. Lawyer Maria Lynberg Constantinopla, chief of IAS Intelligence and Investigation Office, said that of the number, 1,298 killings were recorded from July to September.

AAPI survey: Filipinos comprise... PAGE A3 The NAAS survey was conducted from August 10 to September 29 using telephone interviews. The participant pool included 2,238 Asian Americans and 305 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). The data analyzed came from the following ethnic groups: Asian Indian

(274), Chinese (281), Filipino (201), Korean (286), Japanese (147) and Vietnamese (295), Hmong (151), Cambodian (59) and NHPIs (291). The interviews were conducted in English along with nine Asian languages: Cambodia, Cantonese, Hindi, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

The survey also compared results among native born and foreign born AAPI, young (18-34) and older (35+) AAPI and men and women. The overall margin of error was +/- 3.5 percent. The survey is available online at www.naasurvey.com. The second half of the project will survey AAPI voters after the election.

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DUTERTE MASKS. Industrial engineer John Tan makes high quality vacuform plastic halloween masks of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He sells each mask for P700 at the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus, Quezon City on Thursday, October 13. Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta

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D ateline PhiliPPines PNP intercepts bombing plot in Quezon City raid Ramos: Duterte’s first 100 days a let-down Suspected terrorist arrested

by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested an alleged bomb maker and at least two other suspected terrorists on Saturday, October 8, in Quezon City, likely preventing an imminent attack planned to take place in Metro Manila. Agents serving in the AntiTransnational Crimes Unit (ATCU) of the PNP’s Central Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided a home on the 100 block of Cotabato St. in Barangay Culiat and took Malaysian national and alleged terrorist Mohamas Amin into custody. Officers also uncovered

explosives, ammunition, I.D. cards, and evidence suggesting that the home’s occupants were preparing for an upcoming terrorist act. “Our operatives confiscated a blueprint of a building, a condo mall,” acting director of the PNPCIDG, Chief Supt. Roel Obusan told the Inquirer. Police also arrested the home’s owner, Bilal Taalam, and one of the building’s tenants, Adnan Malangkis. They and eight other occupants are under investigation for possible links to the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf. Talaam has been charged with obstruction of justice and the harboring of a fugitive or wanted

person, according to the Inquirer. Amin had been sought by police in connection to a murder case originating in Sulu, and a P600,000 bounty had been placed on his head prior to his arrest on Saturday. He now faces charges of illegally possessing explosives and ammunition and attempting to conceal his identity in addition to prior allegations. The discovery of the would-be attack comes just days after members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) arrested three alleged members of the jihadist group, Maute, on suspicion of bombing a crowded night market in Davao in September.

Beijing: PH, China ‘neighbors of traditional friendship’ by PAtriciA LourDEs Philstar.com

VirAy

MANILA — The Chinese government is looking forward to developing relations with the Philippines as President Rodrigo Duterte is set to pay a visit from October 18 to 21. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said that Beijing stands ready to work with the Philippines to advance bilateral relations in a “sound and steady manner.” “I want to stress that China and the Philippines are neighbors of traditional friendship. People of the two countries have been friends with each other since ancient times,” Geng said in a press briefing. Geng noted that bilateral rela-

tions have developed constant progress in cooperation in political, economic and cultural aspects which delivered tangible benefits to both countries. “Amity between the two countries is not only what the people aspire for but also where the development trend of the two countries and the region leads,” the Foreign Ministry official said. Duterte will hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation across the board and regional issues of common interest. The chief executive will also meet with Premier Li Keqiang and Zhang Dejiang on separate occasions. “The Chinese side hopes that the visit by President Duterte

will help increase political mutual trust, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, extend traditional friendship, properly address differences through dialogue and replace the strategic cooperative relations for peace and development on the track of sound and steady growth,” Geng said. Meanwhile, Geng stressed that China’s position on the South China Sea dispute is consistent and clear. “We are willing to peacefully address relevant disputes with countries concerned including the Philippines through consultation and negotiation, explore possible ways for pragmatic cooperation with them in the South China Sea and turn it into the sea of peace, friendship and cooperation,” the Chinese official said.

De Lima files anti-extrajudicial killing bill MANILA — Sen. Leila De Lima filed a bill Tuesday, Oct. 11 which defines extrajudicial killing (EJK) and provides for its penalty amid the spate of killings of drug suspects. Senate Bill 1197 or the “AntiExtrajudicial Killing Act of 2016” seeks to strengthen the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in investigating extrajudicial killings. The bill defines extrajudicial

killing as the “unlawful, and deliberate killing of targeted individuals or groups thereof, carried out by agents of the State and under its order or acquiescence in lieu of arrest, investigation and prosecution.” “Extrajudicial killing includes summary killing perpetrated by private individuals for purposes of carrying out on their own or in the context of vigilantism, a campaign or policy of the State,” the Senate bill read. The measure also seeks to

promote human rights, ensure public awareness on the sanctity of life and respect for rule of law. “In the light of the thousand deaths, the Filipino as a nation cannot negate that EJK is a clear and present phenomenon of the times boldly challenging our constitutionally protected human right against taking of life, transgression of due process, and presumption of innocence of criminal suspects,” De Lima said. (Philstar.com)

by DAnA

sioson AJPress

WHILE Pres. Rodrigo Duterte got a “very good” satisfaction rating from the public, former President Fidel Ramos said the Philippines has been ‘losing badly’ during the first three months of the current administration. “In the overall assessment by this writer, we find our Team Philippines losing in the first 100 days of Du30’s administration—and losing badly,” Ramos said in the first installment of a two-part column published in the Manila Bulletin on Saturday, October 8. The former president — who served the country from 1992 to 1998 — wrote that Duterte’s leadership is a “huge disappointment” and “let-down to many of us.” According to Ramos, Duterte’s remarks about the similarities between the Holocaust and his drug war was one of his “most unfortunate gaffes.” “In the case of his recent ‘Hitler quip,’ no amount of apology could mollify the long-suffering Jews who have done well for the Philippines,” Ramos said. The former president also criti-

In this September 14 photo, President Rodrigo Duterte meets with former President and Special Envoy to China Fidel Ramos in Malacañan’s Orchid Room. Also in the photo is National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. Malacañang photo by Toto Lozano

cized Duterte’s threats to sever ties with the U.S.: “Are we throwing away decades of military partnership, tactical proficiency, compatible weaponry, predictable logistics, and soldier-to-soldier camaraderie just like that?” Ramos, however, noted flaws of the current administration can still be corrected so that the Philip-

pines can fully rise as a competitive country. “The outcome aspired for by the majority of us is to insure the better future of our younger generations, who in due time — will assume the mantle of leadership over our nation’s political, security, cultural, economic and other interests,” he said.”

them not to smoke around nonsmokers.” About a third of the Philippines’ adult population are smokers according to a 2014 report by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance. The tobacco control advocacy group, New Vois Association of the Philippines (NVAP), estimates that smoking-related diseases kill 10 Filipinos every hour. The popular, but unhealthy practice costs the country an estimated $4 billion in medical costs and lost productivity, according to sources for the AP. When asked about potential opposition from the tobacco industry, Ubial responded with a shrug, according to the Philippine Star. “It is up to you to oppose,” she told reporters on Monday. “It is already the President you will be fighting against.” The current draft executive order is closely modeled after a smoking ban in place in the city of Davao, where Duterte served

as mayor for over two decades before being elected to the presidency. The slated restrictions coincide with a recent push to amend existing tobacco regulation so that it would be illegal to post cigarette advertisements at cash registers and other points of sale, as reported by Philstar. In addition, the Graphic Health Warning law (GHW) requires cigarette packaging in the Philippines to feature prominent, sometimes shocking depictions of the health risks associated with smoking. Anti-smoking groups and health advocates have lauded the president for his longstanding position against tobacco. Following Duterte’s election in May, NVAP President Emer Rojas told Philstar that “having a nationwide no smoking policy will certainly boost what the GHW and Sin Tax laws intend to achieve, which is to help discourage the public especially the youth from tobacco addiction.”

Executive order seeks to ban smoking in PH by Eric

Anthony LicAs AJPress

AN executive order awaiting approval by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will force roughly 17 million smokers to confine their habit to designated smoking areas or private buildings. The policy, which is expected to be signed sometime this month, will ban smoking of both traditional and e-cigarettes in public spaces including restaurants, parks, and city or stateowned transit vehicles. The ban should take effect nationwide, but decisions regarding enforcement and the specific language or anti-smoking ordinances will be left to individual municipalities. Smokers will still be able to light up at designated smoking areas that must be at least 33 feet away from any building. “We are not stopping them from smoking,” Philippine Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial told the Associated Press on Tuesday, October 11. “We are just telling

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“AMERICA has failed us,” said Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay as he echoed Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s sentiments against the U.S. Amid a maritime dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea, Yasay lamented that the “U.S. could not assure the Philippines that it will promptly come to our defense under our existing military treaty and agreements” in “taking a hard line towards the enforcement of our sovereignty rights under international law.” This was why Yasay believes that the president is pursuing an independent foreign policy, one that would not depend on the U.S. and will reject any attempt at meddling by other foreign governments or institutions. “Breaking away from the shackling dependency of the Philippines to effectively address both internal and external security threats has become imperative in putting an end to our nation’s subservience to United States’ interests,” Yasay added. The 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “the State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right to selfdetermination.” In September, Duterte said reiterated that his administration will implement a foreign policy that will observe “sovereign equality, non-interference and commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes to best serve our people and protect the interests of our country.” International relations are regulated by legal

norms in issues such as security, trade, finance, the environment and communication. Countries engage in bilateral and diplomatic relations that are based on universally accepted values and moral standards. This signifies the progress of civilization towards the world ruled by principle and not by force. According to the U.S. Department of State: “The U.S.-Philippine Bilateral Strategic Dialogue advances discussion and cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues. U.S.-Philippine relations are based on strong historical and cultural links and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights. The United States has designated the Philippines as a Major Non-NATO Ally, and there are close and abiding security ties between the two nations. The Manila Declaration signed in 2011 reaffirmed the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as the foundation for a robust, balanced, and responsive security partnership. There is also a focus on economic, commercial, and people-topeople ties.” In the last 10 years, the U.S. has provided more that $240 million in disaster assistance to the Philippines. Through USAID, the U.S. has been assisting the Philippines in rebuilding schools and health clinics, investing in livelihood activities, and supporting the government’s national recovery planning and coordination.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

The two countries also share extensive peopleto-people ties: over 350,000 Americans reside in the Philippines, and approximately 600,000 U.S. citizens visit the country each year. There are approximately four million Filipino Americans in the United States. The Philippines and the U.S. have shared a com-

mon ground since time immemorial. Despite Duterte’s deep-seated abhorrence toward the U.S., this time-tested relationship has brought greater regional stability and security, and it has provided political, economic, and strategic benefits to both Filipinos and Americans. (AJPress)

Is Trump’s race to the presidency over after tape exposes him bragging about sexually assaulting women? COUlD Trump’s October surprise, revealed a few weeks before the November 8 presidential election, be the beginning of the end of Trump’s chances to be the 45th President of the United States? While this latest controversy may not be a “new” revelation about the Republican Party’s nominee with reference to how he is deemed to be disrespectful of women. — with all his sexist comments and public toxic fights with the likes of Rosie O’Donnel, Megyn Kelley, Miss Universe Alicia Machado — critics say the video revealed not only the most vulgar, misogynistic statements Trump has made, but a character flaw that many people find disturbing especially in his pursuit of the most powerful position in the world. A video leaked by the Washington Post on Friday, October 7 revealed Trump making sexist and vulgar statements in his conversation with Billy Bush of “Today” and “Access Hollywood.” This audio was reportedly captured in 2005 before Trump’s appearance on the soap opera “Days of Our lives.”

As the Post reported, the tape includes audio of Bush The Fil-Am and Trump talking inside the Perspective bus, as well as audio and video once they emerge from it to begin shooting the segment. The newspaper further said that in that audio, Trump dis- Gel SantoS-ReloS cusses a failed attempt to seduce a woman, whose full name is not given in the video. In that tape, Trump was heard saying, ”I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there. And she was married…Then all of a sudden I see her, she’s now got the big phony tits and everything. She’s totally changed her look.” “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” Trump was heard saying on the tape. “And when you’re a star, they let you do it,” “You can do anything.” “Grab them by the p---y,” Trump said. “You

can do anything.” In the second presidential debate on Sunday, October 9, moderator Anderson Cooper pointed out exactly what Trump’s critics have been saying that this is sexual assault. Trump dismissed the accusation, saying his statements were locker room talk that most men engage in, and that he was sorry if anyone was offended by this statement. He again claimed that nobody respects women more than he does. Many athletes and coaches from the NBA, Major league Baseball and the NFl, have spoken out, refuting Trump’s “locker room talk” explanation, contending, “that’s not what happens in their locker rooms.” While his surrogates defended him at all costs, it seems not everyone in the Republican Party was buying his defense. Many Republican leaders and elected officials have disavowed him, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said he

will not campaign with Trump, but will instead use the final days of the 2016 election focusing on preserving the Republicans’ hold on Congress. However, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus said in a conference call on Monday that he is sticking with Trump despite this latest controversy. He said Trump has already apologized and that the RNC remains in full cooperation with the Trump campaign. Priebus also denied reports that there are efforts to remove Trump as the Republican Party nominee. Trump’s critics, even among his party, say the nominee has time and time again showed he is unfit to be president because of his character. *** 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

Too many credible witnesses claim Bilibid drug lords gave her tons of money Commentary

RiGobeRto D. tiGlao THeRe’S just too many credible witnesses alleging that Senator leila de lima, when she was President Aquino’s Justice Secretary, protected the lucrative billion-peso drug trade in the Bilibid National Prison, and that the drug lords who were inmates there, upon de lima’s demand, raised at least P20 million for her campaign to get a senatorial seat in the last elections. I listened Monday to the testimonies of seven out of the more than 30 witnesses whom the Justice department said submitted sworn testimonies linking de lima to the Bilibid drug lords. Contrast that to the single, very dubious witness Norie Unas who accused former Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “electoral sabotage” in the 2007 elections, for which she was incarcerated for four years. Unas was a longtime assistant of Governor Andal Ampatuan, Sr., the top suspect in the Maguindanao Massacre,. He was threatened to be included among the 36 accused for the massacre if he didn’t testify against Arroyo. Or to another single witness, an admitted killer edgardo Matobato, who im-

plicated President Duterte in the operations of the Davao Death Squad. I watched the whole afternoon the other day until the evening the House of Representatives’ Justice Committee’s hearing (which lasted 13 hours) in which Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre presented the witnesses, together with their signed, sworn testimonies. You can only appreciate how credible the witnesses are, how much De lima is in deep trouble, if you endured the many hours listening to the hearing, as I did. The hearing revealed how far from being an Inquisition the hearings were, in contrast to those conducted during the Aquino administration. Justice Committee chair Reynaldo Umali, who presided over these recent hearings, was a liberal Party stalwart, its treasurer during the past regime. The hearing showed how certain congressmen grilled the witnesses in their clumsy attempts to destroy their credibility but failed, as Rep. Vicente Veloso tried to do in an irritating, stupid way. How deep de lima’s personal and financial involvement had been with the drug lords, that she visited its maximum-security section a dozen of times. How much the National Prison had been made into a drug lords resort, that one Chinese-Filipino drug lord claimed he paid Jus-

Colangco’s testimony. It was Colangco who was the top drug lord, Sebastian claimed. The witnesses’ backgrounds were so diverse and their involvements in activities inside the Bilibid Prison so different. Among them: the Filipino-Chinese drug-lord inmates Vicente Sy and Peter Co, who procured the supply of shabu from abroad and in the country; the three gang leaders who distributed within and outside the prison camp the illegal drugs supplied by the Chinese-Filipinos, Herbert Colangco, Jaybee Sebastian She needs a miracle: Alleged druglord inmate Colanggo, among many, testifying against De and Nonilo Arile; Colangco’s Lima at the House hearing. De Lima Praying at the CBCP chapel. “talent manager” Reynante Diaz, tice Undersecretary Francisco Mass at the CBCP chapel. (Are a non-inmate who managed the Baraan P1 million just to be these priests and nuns who al- gang leader’s concerts in the transferred back from its pris- lowed her to do so ignorant or national prison, and procured ons in an island province to Bili- plain stupid that they didn’t see high-class prostitutes for him; bid. How huge the illegal drug that she was simply using them a former National Bureau of Intrade had been under de lima to stage her fake drama of be- vestigation deputy director who and Aquino, with two Chinese- ing persecuted, as Jun lozada supervised Bilibid for a time, RaFilipino drug lords estimating it did?) fael Ragos; former police officer No doubt on witnesses as a billion-peso industry. How and kidnapping convict Rodolfo I have watched so many such Magleo; and even de lima’s two intimate De lima’s relationship with her driver-security aide hearings in Congress, and I have close-in security personnel, who Ronnie Dayan, with the man re- to say there can be no doubt on were soldiers assigned from the portedly even dominating her, the veracity of the witnesses’ Presidential Security Guards. at the same time acting as her main testimony. “Main,” as Such a diverse a group of agent, who collected the dirty there were differences in some witnesses against de lima – all details they presented, but such accusing the former justice secdrug money for her. It is a shame, and even scan- inconsistencies only mean that retary De lima of mainly two dalous, that the TV networks they weren’t given a script to things: devoted only a few minutes to follow, and they were in certain First, that she made her seits coverage of the hearings. cases, quite naturally trying to curity aide and driver Ronnie GMA 7 even had a much lon- save their own necks. For ex- Dayan not only her lover but her ger coverage of de lima crying ample: Jaybee Sebastian claims personal assistant and accom(literally) that she is being per- he wasn’t the top drug lord plice in asking for and physically secuted, and speaking in a Holy in prison, contesting Herbert receiving bribe money from the

Bilibid drug lords amounting to tens of millions of pesos. Dayan, through de lima, asked the drug lords for more money to finance her bid to become senator in the 2016 elections. “De lima and Dayan were the “powers that be” at the justice department and in Bilibid, former NBI deputy director Ragos, who claims his family had been close friends of de lima, said. De lima had fallen for Dayan so much that in a quarrel, one witness claimed, the driver even pointed a gun in anger at the justice secretary. Dayan has refused to appear before the committee on justice hearings, so that the committee issued an arrest order for him and directed law enforcement agencies to capture him. Second, De lima, according to the witnesses, received tens of millions of pesos from the drug lords in exchange for their luxurious life-styles inside Bilibid and for their illegaldrug operatiions. De lima, according to two witnesses, was given P800,000 by the enterprise that provided the Bilibid staff’s meals. While the precise amount the drug lords in Bilibid gave de lIma could not be determined as it wasn’t clear if money delivered to her by different people, for instance by NBI official Ragos, was different from those the drug lords claimed they PAGE A7

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObER 14-20, 2016

A

UN body: Poor ‘disproportionately affected’ by war on drugs

PH gov’t urged to reconsider criminalization of drug users by yuji

Vincent GonzaLes Inquirer.net

THE United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has urged the Philippine government to take necessary measures to ensure that its relentless war on drugs does not discriminate the poor and marginalized. In its recent report, the UN panel expressed concern that poor neighborhood and individuals “have been disproportionately affected” in the Duterte CONFIRMED. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Finance Secretary Cesar Dominguez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Presidential administration’s antinarcotics campaign. Communication Office chief Martin Andanar are all smiles after breezing through the Commission on Appointments. ManilaTimes.net photo by Bob Dungo Jr. “The Committee is deeply concerned that declarations made by high ranking officials in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ may be seen to encourage and legitimize violence been relieved from their duty at since July 1. by Patricia Lourdes Viray Duterte considers the killings as against drug users, including the Tanza Police Station in Cavite. Philstar.com PNP Director General Ronald Dela proof of the success of his war on extrajudicial killings. Indeed, the number of extrajudicial MANILA — Overseas Filipino Rosa earlier said that the National drugs and urged the police to seize killings of drug suspects has workers (OFW) rights advocacy Bureau of Investigation os han- the momentum, Kine said. Kine warned that Filipinos living groups appealed to the Duterte dling the criminal case that will be outside the country will not be safadministration to spare them from filed against them. The OFW rights groups earned er than those living in the country extrajudicial killings. This statement comes after the that the death of Culata may have unless the government rethinks its PAGE A6 killing of a vacationing OFW who a “chilling effect” on workers who “abusive war on drugs.” raised for her. The NBI official Meanwhile, Malacañang counted P14.5 million as the may decide not to go home to the was last seen in police custody. The United Overseas Filipinos Philippines for Christmas in fear of spokesman Ernesto Abella an- amount he delivered to de Lima. Worldwide and the OFWs for their lives, according to interna- nounced that Executive Secretary Incumbent Justice Secretary Peace Coalition expressed con- tional group Human Rights Watch Salvador Medialdea has sent the Aguirre said he has proof that formal invitation to United Nations the total bribe money de Lima cern that the circumstances of the (HRW). “Such fears aren’t unjustified. special rapporteur on extrajudicial got since 2013 would not be less death of Mark Anthony Culata indicate the he was a victim of extra- Since Duterte took office on June executions Dr. Agnes Callamard than P100 million. 30, he has declared a ‘war on to visit the Philippines and invesjudicial killing. I think De Lima had been so CCTV footage showed that drugs,’ resulting in an alarming tigate drug killings. confident that her involvement Callamard has welcomed the in the Bilibid drug trade would PO2s Yves Luyun and Emerson de surge in killings of alleged crimiOcampo and PO1s Edgardo Fon- nals,” HRW Asia Deputy Director invitation but is yet to formally never be exposed since she exreceive the invite. A similar invita- pected the Liberal Party stantanilla and Herman Romanes took Phelim Kine said. Latest PNP statistics show tion is being readied for represen- dard-bearer Mar Roxas to win custody of Culata, whose body was later found with gunshot wounds. that as of October 10, 3,844 have tatives of the United States and the the presidency, and that her The four police officers have died in the war against drugs European Union. becoming a senator would make her politically invincible. Hubris has often been the cause of a haughty politician’s fall. Complicated operation The Sandiganbayan ordered MANILA - Ombudsman pros- the accused, which led to the disNot by any stretch of imagiecutors have asked the Sandigan- missal of the cases against them the dismissal of all graft cases nation could this administrafiled by the Office of the Ombudsbayan to reconsider its junking of last month. tion have its justice secretary The prosecution insisted it was man against the Arroyo couple graft cases against former presischeme in such short a time as dent and now Pampanga Rep. able to prove that the NBN deal and Abalos, citing the prosecuto have hatched and implementGloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her between the government and ZTE tion’s failure to prove its accusaed such a complicated operation husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and Corp. was anomalous and disad- tions halfway through the trial. involving over 30 diverse witMagistrates granted the deformer elections chief Benjamin vantageous to taxpayers. nesses to make such allegations Furthermore, evidence pre- murrer to evidence filed by the Abalos Sr. in connection with the against de Lima. anomalous national broadband sented also showed other irregu- accused, noting that the $329Such project is simply beyond network (NBN) deal with China’s larities like the alleged bribe try million contract was actually canthis administration. So far, it against former National Econom- celled and that conspiracy among ZTE Corp. has even demonstrated such Government lawyers said the ic and Development Authority the respondents was not estabclumsiness and lack of central anti-graft court’s Fourth Division (NEDA) director general Romulo lished in the evidence presented control — it has even forgotshould reverse its ruling granting Neri, ombudsman prosecutors by the prosecution. (Philstar. ten to fire officials of governcom) the demurer to evidence filed by said.

Spare OFWs from extrajudicial killings, groups say

drastically increased in recent months and a large number of people have been arrested and detained in already overcrowded prisons,” the report read. “The Committee urges the State to stop and prevent extrajudicial killings and any form of violence against drug users; to promptly and thoroughly investigate all reported cases and punish the perpetrators with sanctions commensurate with the gravity of the crime; and to take all necessary measures to ensure that the fight against drug trafficking does not have a discriminatory impact on the poor and marginalized,” it added. The UN body also called on the government to reconsider the criminalization of drug dependents, saying that it hindered them from receiving treatment and rehabilitation from “treatment centers that

incorporates evidence-based health services, such as opioid substitution therapies.” The committee said the Philippine government should instead adopt a “right-to-health approach to drug abuse with harm reduction strategies, such as syringe exchange programs; and increase the availability of treatment services that are evidence-based and respectful of the rights of drug users.” In a series of expletive-laced remarks, President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the UN, the United States and the European Union for calling him out over alleged extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses in his bloody war on drugs. Malacañang on Wednesday said it had sent a formal invitation to UN rapporteur Agnes Callamard to investigate drug-related deaths in the country.

Too many cred ible witnesses claim...

Ombudsman appeals GMA acquittal in ZTE graft case

ment corporations appointed by, and extremely loyal to, the past president —that it would be impossible for it to have orchestrated thee accusations against de Lima. With the level of commitment and intelligence those congressmen have, they would never have been able to stage a persecution. It is striking, really, that de Lima has not denied that Dayan was her lover. She dismisses this as something personal she has the right not to discuss. Her accusers, though, say their relationship had moved out of the personal dimension, since it was Dayan who had mainly received the dirty money for her, and because of her reputation as de Lima’s lover and accomplice, had even his own money-raising rackets in Bilibid and even in other justice department jurisdictions. The number of credible witnesses against her has demolished her pretense of being victimized by people “who don’t have balls”, as she claimed. What kind of a country have we become under Aquino that Bilibid, the national prison, where those convicted of the most heinous crimes are supposed to be locked up and

suffer, had become not only some kind of a hotel resort, a little “Las Vegas” as the drug lord inmates themselves dubbed their maximum-security compound? How could it happen that Bilibid had become the headquarters of drug lords, where they directed their lucrative illegal-drug operations, the huge revenues from which allowed them to enjoy luxuries only millionaires can enjoy, It was even disclosed in the hearing that the drug-lord inmates routinely procured prostitutes, even high-priced ones that one inmate paid former starlet Rosanna Roces P25,000 just for pimping one, as she claimed. What kind of a country have we become under Aquino that the justice secretary had become one of the country’s worst violators of the law, and yet was able to acquire a seat in the Senate? If corruption under the Aquino administration could transform Bilibid National Prison into such criminals’ paradise that they could generate tens of millions of pesos from their illegal-drug business there, what other dark secrets of the past regime have yet to be brought to light? (ManilaTimes.net)

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25th annual festival of Philippine Arts and Culture brings Apl.de.ap closer to home

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“Great reception, always. Unconditional love, always. I feel at home.” This was Apl.de.ap’s reaction after performing in front of a screaming crowd at the 25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) held at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, October 8 -- one of the largest gatherings in the country to celebrate Filipino American History Month. The Black Eyed Peas star took to the stage in the afternoon and opened with the crowd favorite “Bebot.” After he performed the Black Eyed Peas hit “Where is the Love?” he brought out Tess Paras and Vincent Rodriguez III — the Filipino-American cast members of the CW show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” — for the 2009 hit “I Gotta Feeling.” “I just feel like I’m at home with the warmth and reception. I just feel like me. When I’m with the [Black Eyed Peas] I represent

the Filipinos, but this time it’s all of me just being proud to be Pinoy and just being around my kababayans,” he told the Asian Journal with a smile. He added: “I’m proud of who I am and I don’t want to forget where I come from. Our culture is so beautiful, especially the people. We’re hard-working, kind, helpful and really family oriented. I’m just always really proud of our culture and where we come from.” Apl — whose real name is Allen Pinedo Lindo — mentioned the significance of the 2016 reboot of “Where is the Love?” which originally came out in 2003 as a response to the tumultuous aftermath of 9/11. Apl said that the group decided to reboot the song 13 years later because “the same problems are still occurring” but now on a global scale. The reboot

included a long list of celebrities including Quincy Jones, Mary J. Blige and Fil-Am stars Nicole Scherzinger and Vanessa Hudgens. The reboot, in particular, addresses recent terrorist attacks such as those that occurred in Paris, Belgium and Orlando. Apl said the song also confronted the issue of police brutality in the United States and the strained relationship between law enforcement and Americans. “There’s a misunderstanding going on, and when you’re confused about something, it always makes you ask that question, ‘Where is the love?’” he said. “It felt like it was a calling to revisit the song and get everyone involved to raise awareness and to ask that question again.” Philanthropy work Always one to give back to

AJPress photo by Andy Tecson

the community, Apl serves the community through the Apl. de.Ap Foundation International, which is committed to empowering Filipino youth through the arts, education and health care. The foundation has so far established 14 classrooms in the Philippines; the most recent project was a 20-classroom public school in Zamboanga. As a part of his campaign to serve disabled kids, he also brought a RetCam -- an ophthalmic imaging system -- to Bohol to treat children with vision problems. The cause is personal to Apl who was born legally blind and said his vision made it difficult for him to “excel [in school] as much as I wanted to.” “Growing up in the Philippines is hard enough, but imagine being blind,” he remarked. “So I’m trying to prevent that from happening, so we brought a RetCam to diagnose premature babies from being blind.” Through his foundation, he also teamed up with the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to promote the treatment and diagnosis of premature Filipino babies who have developed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Last year, his foundation sent its first set of RetCams to the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. Trip to the Philippines As a way to more kababayan in touch with their roots, Apl is hosting a special trip to the Philippines through a project called FAM: Core Trip. The project came out of a trip Apl took with a group of friends

AJPress photos by Ding Carreon

-- including Fil-Am celebrities including JoKoy, Chanel West Coast and Cassie -- to the Philippines this year, and Apl decided to open the trip up to other kababayans. Travelers get to travel with Apl who will act as a tour guide

throughout the Philippines. According to the brochure, the trip will be held from March 12, 2017 to March 19, 2017 and will start off with three days in Boracay and two days in Manila. For more information, visit. www.facebook.com/famcore.

Alma Moreno: ‘I can only ask for prayers for Mark’ Where Kris Aquino’s career is at by lhar Santiago

hard it is for him. When I see him in jail, parang dinudurog ang puso ko SADNESS was all over Alma [it’s as if my heart’s been shattered Moreno’s face during Showbuzz’ to pieces]. At this point, I can only exclusive interview with her ask for prayers for Mark to be able to one morning this week. Her hurdle everything that he is going eyes conveyed great worry, and through right now. understandably so, with her eldest “Kilala mo si Mark, Lhar, mabait son Mark Anthony Fernandez still ang anak ko, magalang. Walang languishing in an Angeles City, inaagrabyadong tao, walang Pampanga jail as of this writing. sinasaktan. You know it, Lhar, dito sa [Editor’s note: On Wednesday showbiz, maraming nagmamahal Fernandez had been transferred to kay Mark. [You know my son Lhar Pampanga’s provincial jail]. he is good, he is respectful. He’s As everyone knows, Mark never abused nor harmed anyone. was arrested and charged with You know it, Lhar, in showbiz Mark is possession of illegal drugs. well loved],” Alma said, tears rolling Alma had just finished the down her cheeks. pictorial for her new show on GMA There are days when visiting Network, Tsuperhero, when she sat the inmates is not allowed but down with Showbuzz. whenever possible, Alma comes “Buti maaga akong natapos [It’s to see Mark to bring him food and a good thing I finished early],” she other necessities. quipped, forcing a smile despite her “We follow the rules—what day emotional turmoil. and time he’s allowed visitors, we “I’m really trying hard to follow that. We’ve never asked for smile because I’m at work,” she any special treatment. Basta sabi acknowledged, sensing Showbuzz’ ko kay Mark, magtiis lang siya at concern. “I have to do my job, mag-pray. [I just tell Mark to bear it follow my bosses tell me and what and to pray].” is stipulated in my contract,” she Alma also expressed gratitude added in the vernacular. Rudy Fernandez’ [Mark’s dad] Alma confided she only widow, Lorna Tolentino for returned to Manila for the pictorial supporting her son. “She is Mark’s of Tsuperhero, where she plays second mother. She went to visit mother to lead actor Derrick Mark with [his half-brothers]Rap Monasterio, and across Gabby and Renz. I know LT is greatly Concepcion. Otherwise, she would concerned about Mark and I really have still been in Angeles where she appreciate it.” Many friends too in the biz have been calling Alma and texting her messages, but the actress hasn’t found the time to answer them. “I would like to take this opportunity to say sorry to those who’ve been calling me, to those texting me. Hindi ko po kayo masagot dahil hindi muna ako ang humahawak ng phone ko. Pero alam ko maraming nagmamahal sa anak ko at nagpapasalamat ako at sana po, tuloy-tuloy ang prayers ninyo para kay Mark. Na bigyan ng lakas ng loob ang anak ko. [I’ve decided not to take calls and texts for now but I know that so many of you love my son and I’m so thankful to everyone. I hope you will all continue to pray for strength for my son to get through this],” Alma finally said as she tried yet ‘Showbuzz’ comforts Alma Moreno after talking about her son in an exclusive interview for again to hold back tears. ManilaTimes.net

GMA Network and ‘The Manila Times’

chooses to stay these days in case Mark needs her. Amid her family’s latest trial, the actress shared how she is grateful to her co-stars who sympathize with her. “They don’t say anything. They don’t ask me about Mark but you know they care. Nandu’n yung tatapikin ka sa balikat. Alam kasi nila na once pinag-usapan yun, hindi ko pa kaya. Bibigay ako talaga. [They’ll just pat me on the back because they know that once we talk about it, I’ll break down]. Alam nila [they know]that as a mother, I’m putting up a [brave]front–tapang-tapangan at pilit kinakaya.” She shows the same attitude whenever she faces Mark. Alma makes sure she shows her son that she is confident everything will be alright. But she confessed there are times when she feels like giving up, crying out loud and just letting go of everything going on inside her—especially when Mark just looks at her without saying a word. “Wala, naka-akap lang siya sa akin. Pag nagkikita kami, higpit lang, higpit. [He just hugs me when I come to see him; he hugs me tighter and tighter]. It’s so hard on my part but as much as I can, I don’t cry in front of him. He’ll just hold my hand—tight—that’s all he does.” As a mother, Alma’s prayer is that Mark will be able to surpass this very difficult time. “I know how

by MJ Marfori

recently in her career. “He knew what I’ve been going THERE is no such thing as through professionally and there’s shock-value anymore when it enough there of a history so that comes to anything the inimitable he also knows how much this has Kris Aquino can say, do, or post for affected me.” that matter. Their much talked about On Tuesday, at her endorsement relationship in 2015 also became event for laundry brand Ariel, she one of their topics. “Napag usapan brought with her the much talked namin lahat ng kapalpakan, about necklace she was accused pagkakamali and all [We talked of wearing from former First about all our blunders and Lady Imelda Marcos’ sequestered Now rarely seen in public appearances, Kris mistakes], and the one thing Aquino covers a whole range of topics at her from that lunch that came out is jewelries at November 2016’s APEC endorsement event on Tuesday, Oct. 11. dinner. that we both realized if you want weeks since the deal went south. Knowing the endorsement a relationship-—I’m not talking Plan B right now is for Kris to go about him ha because we’re already event would gather a huge crowd digital. of bloggers—the accusation was in the ‘friends zone’—but if you “There’s always an advantage mostly made online last year—she really want to have a chance with to being first. Pero idol ko ang resurrected the issue Sunday night someone, you should keep [the nagawa ni [I admire what] Arianna on her Instagram account and relationship]to yourself. It was very promised she would show everyone Huffington or Buzzfeed [have healing for both of us.” done]? So ganon [it’s something like the controversial bling-bling. Finally, taking the cue from her that] but of course centered on the And so, with the prim and brother former President Noynoy brand that is Kris,” she elaborated. proper Bianca Gonzales beside her Aquino who is staying quiet amid “[It will be] centered on authenticity; all the issues with the current as program emcee, Kris whipped my priorities and things like. Faith is administration today, Kris also out the $2,000-plus cubic zirconia important to me, I read a lot, I love necklace she bought from Bottega said she wants to give President to travel, I love food, I love to cook, I Duterte’s administration a chance. Veneta for all to see. love to interact. And sayang naman She said, “The last thing I think “Of course there will be yung pagiging Creative Writing my family will do would be to steal missteps—because not everyone major ko if hindi ko gagamitin. [I’d someone else’s jewelry.” will be on your side—but I want his be wasting my college major in That aside, the actress-host, administration to succeed.” whose career many seem to believe Creative Writing if I didn’t do this].” She also has a message for all the Moving on, Kris also talked is in limbo right now addressed “tard” [Dutetard, Yellowtard] name about her ex-boyfriend, Quezon questions about her next career calling that has been happening move. In all honesty, she related her City Mayor Herbert Bautista who online. “I resent calling anyone apparently asked her out for lunch. comeback project was supposedly [a]‘tard’, kasi… I have a special son so She said they had friendly banter set in September but felt I’m sensitive to that even though it’s over what she’s been dealing with emotionally down in the last three a term used widely.” ManilaTimes.net

Showbiz personalities pay tribute to Dick Israel by roSette

adel

Philstar.com

MANILA – Celebrities on Wednesday posted messages to commemorate the legacy of veteran actor Dick Israel who passed away on Tuesday evening. Actors’ Guild of the Philippines President Rez Cortez said their organization will hold tribute for their colleague. “Sabay kami halos nagsimula sa pelikula,” he recalled in a televised interview. Likewise, actress Nadia Montenegro, who considers Dick as her father, mourned her

colleague’s death. Nadia was among the celebrity members of Damay Kamay Foundation, who gave aid to Dick when his house went ablaze last July. Damay Kamay Foundation is a charity group assisting medical emergencies of showbiz personalities. It is also ran by Vivian Velez, Bianca Lapus and Peter Serrano. Dick, whose real name is “Ricardo Vizcarra Michaca,” was known for his villain and sidekick roles. He was 68. In 1986, the veteran actor was awarded Best Supporting Actor in

1988 for his role in “Patrolman” at the Metro Manila Film Festival, and in 1995 for his portrayal in “Kanto Boy 2: Anak ni Totoy Guapo” at the FAMAS Awards.

october 14-20, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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Jessy Mendiola, first Filipina to win Asia Pacific Actors award TAlenT management group Star Magic proudly shared with the Manila Times that one of its prime female talents Jessy Mendiola received her very first international award at the 5th Asia Pacific Actors network (APAn) Star Awards in Korea. Held on October 2 at the Sangnam Culture Plaza and MBC headquarters, Mendiola emerged as the “Best Asia Pacific Star” in what is usually a Koreandominated awards night. The actress is the very first Filipina and celebrity from South east Asia to bring home the regional recognition. In an emailed statement, Mendiola said, “It’s a big achievement for me, and a very fulfilling one, that I was able to win an award for our country, and to be ‘the first-ever Filipina recipient

Mendiola takes part in the traditional hand printing ceremony with popular Korean star Kim Min Seok

from South east Asia.’ I’m over the moon because this is the first major award I’ve ever received and it’s from an international award giving

Jessy Mendiola beams with her Best Asia Pacific Star award

body. I’m very grateful for this.” The actress, whose comedic chops came to the fore when she joined ABS-CBn’s “Banana Sundae,” won the prize for her performance in the gag show, and promptly shared her latest feat with her co-stars. “At first I didn’t know this award is a big deal over here, which makes me even grateful to receive it,” she added. In her speech, Mendiola thanked MBC for the recognition, and said, “I am so happy to be standing here tonight in front all of you and I am greatly honored to be the Filipino recipient of Best Asia Pacific Star Award. Tonight is a celebration of promoting cultural exchange and opening up of new opportunities in Asia. I am extremely proud to be part of this prestigious ceremony.” According to Star Magic, besides walking the event’s red carpet and sharing it with the biggest Korean stars of the day, Mendiola also took part in a hand printing ceremony. In both activities, FHM Philippines’ Sexiest Woman of the year rubbed elbows Coffee Prince’s Chae Yung An, Cho Jin Woong, TV hosts Honey lee and Shing Dong Yup, as well as the lead stars of the hit Koreanovela Descendants of the Sun Song Joong Ki and Kim Min Seok. (ManilaTimes.net)

october 14-20, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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Just call her Jona to grow,” explains Jona. Jona knew the decision to Philstar.com transfer to another network was It’s not unusual for female risky; she would have to start celebrities to make a major all over again and her decision change after a breakup. Gigi Hadid could backfire. But she steeled and Katy Perry cut and dyed their herself and signed on to become a hair after their relationships with Kapamilya anyway. Joe Jonas and Russell Brand, Besides, her industry friends respectively, crashed and burned. encouraged her by reminding But in the case of the her to believe in herself; that her recording artist formerly known attitude and talent would see her as Jonalyn Viray, she didn’t do through. anything drastic when she “broke “Honestly, I was scared. I up” with her former network considered it a big risk to me and moved to ABs-CBN earlier and to my manager. But I got this year. Instead, the changes encouragement from my friends she made were less in-yourwho kept telling me that I should face. she changed her name to believe in myself and in my talent,” “Jona” (which she explains is her she says. real nickname) and adopted Jona made her first a happier and more cheerful appearance as a Kapamilya at the outlook in life. presscon for We Will survive some she’s also more confident months back. onstage these days, probably “they were all friendly because, as Jona herself said to — the staff, the artists. It was so the press months ago, she feels heartwarming. I felt their warm like the Kapamilya network really welcome,” Jona recalls. believes in her and her talent. One of the things that Jona says she left GMA 7 after convinced Jona to transfer to ABsa decade because she wanted to CBN was the promise of a record grow artistically and personally. deal with star Music. she is about “Your eagerness as an artist to to start working on her first album aspire for more opportunities and for the Kapamilya Network’s to learn new experiences does in-house label, which she’s very not stop. I decided to transfer to excited about. another network because I want “One of the things I love about by Boy

Rufa Mae Quinto reveals wedding and baby plans by LhAr SAntiAgo ManilaTimes.net

ABundA

my transfer is that they have lined up projects for me. they have plans. One of which is an album and a concert. With the album, people will be hearing radiofriendly songs and songs that they can relate to. And also, I will be on some exciting collaborations in my album and a few duets,” adds Jona. she has also joined AsAP as part of the Birit Queens, and every sunday, she joins forces with Angeline Quinto, Klarisse de Guzman and Morissette. However, she isn’t entirely comfortable with being called a queen yet. she would rather be known simply as Jona. “I don’t think I deserve to be called queen. I have so much to learn and so much to prove. If you ask me to choose what title I’d like to give myself, I’d say, ‘Just call me Jona,’” she says.

Another boy for Kristine & Oyo

RufA Mae Quinto’s baby bump is very much noticeable these days. the comedienne is on her fifth month of pregnancy and says she’s getting more excited by the day for her first child’s birth. “I can’t wait to see and hold our little princess. When we learned I was carrying a girl, I was so happy. We [the baby’s father, trevor Magallanes]made a deal I’d be the one to give the name if we had a girl. so I’m calling her Alexandria with the nickname Alexa Mae… teka, parang mas mahaba pa ang nickname sa totoong pangalan. [It seems like her nickname’s longer than her real name!]” she joked with that familiar Rufa Mae laugh. It has not been an easy pregnancy for Pitchi (Rufa Mae’s nickname), especially in the beginning. she had to stay in bed during her first four months. “I was very dizzy and couldn’t stand ‘cause I’d fall. I also had spotting, once on the second month and another on the fourth month. I was hardly touching any food. We just ordered from restaurants actually because I couldn’t even stand the smell of food being cooked. Kasi nga maarte eh,” she laughed again. Rufa Mae is thankful that her fiancé trevor has always been by her side, from the very start of her pregnancy. she proudly said he takes good care of her.

Now that she is already feeling well, Pitchi even goes swimming with the advice of her doctor. she also busies herself preparing for her wedding with trevor’s help of course. “We do things together, and we decide on everything

by ricky Lo Philstar.com

Kristine Hermosa and husband Oyo Sotto with their children Kiel, Ondrea and Kaleb.

Less than a month from now, Kristine Hermosa will deliver a baby boy she and husband Oyo sotto are naming Vin, the couple’s fourth child after Kiel, Ondrea and Kaleb. Asked if Baby Vin would be the final addition to their family, Kristine revealed that she and Oyo agreed that if their next child was going to be a girl, that would be the end to her child-bearing days. “Kasi Ondrea has been asking for a sister,” Kristine told a friend. “stop na sana kami, para two boys, two girls. Pero hindi, naging boy. I think the Lord was telling us, ‘No, you cannot stop yet.’ Hindi kami ni Godpinag-damutan ng baby, so Continued on Page 5

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

together,” she beamed. Rumors that Pitchi and trev have already tied the knot circulated when she posted a picture with him with their hands raised as if taking an oath. “We’re not married yet. that picture was taken at the city hall when we got our marriage license,” she explained. the wedding, according to Rufa Mae will be on November 24 at Blue Leaf in Ortigas. she will wear a filipiniana inspired wedding gown by Pepsi Herrera, while trev will wear an edwin tan groom’s outfit. Pitchi also revealed the members of her entourage, among them Ai-Ai delas Alas, Aiko Melendez, Jean Garcia, shalani Romulo, Camille Villar, LJ Moreno, and her sisters and nieces. “Joyce Jimenez, will even come home from the states to be part of the wedding,” she happily added. “On trev’s side, they’ll all come the states—fil-Am lahat! Yes, mga borta [hunks]din, mga macho like him,” she said happily.

EMPLOYMENT

FOSTER HOMECARE

october 14-20, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

SKT Immigration

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Naturalization – Becoming a United States Citizen

the U.S. from the date of filing for naturalization until actual Eliot KriEgEr admission to citizenship; • Applicant is able to read, If you are a United States write, and speak ordinary English; legal permanent resident (“LPR” • Applicant has knowledge of or “green card holder”), you may U.S. history and government; be eligible to become a United • Applicant has good moral States citizen. United States (“U. character; and S.”) citizenship opens the door • Applicant is attached to the to substantial benefits, including having the right to vote, eligibility principles of the U.S. constitution. Determining eligibility for federal benefits or jobs, and for naturalization can be a unlimited length of international tricky matter. An application travel. In order to qualify for to naturalize invokes the citizenship in the United States, United States Citizenship and LPRs must meet the following Immigration Services (“USCIS”) requirements: • Applicant must be admitted to perform another review of the applicant’s permanent resident to permanent resident status; • Applicant is at least 18 years application. If USCIS concludes that the applicant unlawfully of age; obtained LPR status, the finding • Applicant has been will render the applicant continuously residing in the U.S. ineligible for naturalization and for a minimum period of time (generally 5 years, but 3 years may jeopardize the existing LPR status. Additionally, the for spouses of U.S. citizens); principal beneficiary’s unlawful • Applicant has been residing procurement of LPR status may in the state of application for a affect a derivative beneficiary’s minimum of 3 months; • Applicant has been physically ability to naturalize. Eligibility present in the U.S. for a minimum is further complicated if the applicant has engaged in fraud period (at least half the period of or any criminal activity. The required continuous residence); following actions undermine a • Applicant must reside in

finding of good moral character for naturalization purposes: • A criminal record, regardless of the nature and date of the criminal conviction; • Unlawful voting or false claim to U.S. citizenship; • Tax fraud or willful concealment of income; • Smuggling of undocumented persons; or • Giving false testimony for purposes of obtaining immigration benefits. Applying for naturalization can be lengthy and frustrating without the help of experienced attorneys and staff. Our seasoned team can assist and guide you through the naturalization application process. *** Eliot Krieger is a Partner at Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, and Klausner, LLP. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Department of Justice. He has a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Website: www.sullivankrieger.com Contact us at any of our offices: Long Beach + 1 (562) 597-7070 Irvine + 1 (949) 390-5270 Philippines + 63-2-788-5196 (Advertising Supplement)

Another boy for Kristine... From Page 4

we are thankful that our family is growing.” The friend said that Kristine, who came from a small family, always wanted to be part of a big family.“Kasi gusto ko,” Kristine was quoted as saying, “pag may gathering, masaya. So thank God, answered prayer.” During the early years of their marriage, Kristine and Oyo decided not to have household help and only recently hired yayas, helpers and a driver. Still, even if she’s just a month away from giving birth, Kristine continues to run the household, take care of the kids and shoot for her and Oyo’s weekly GMA showHay, Bahay! “Medyo nakaka-harass,” admitted Kristine. “Our daily routine

revolves around our TV work. When we didn’t have a driver, Oyo and I would drive the kids to school and back home. Same when we had shoot or we had to attend a party, ganoon. When we didn’t have a cook, I prepared the food for the family. We would wait for the kids to come home, spend time with them and help them with their homework.” Her priorities have also changed. When she was single, she splurged for herself. Now, it’s all for the kids. “She can’t resist getting the newest and cutest items for the kids,” said Kristine’s friend, including a lightweight infant Aprica stroller for Baby Vin. These days, free from pressure, Kristine chooses the projects that

wouldn’t get in the way of her family duties. “I’m okay with my career now,” according to Kristine. “Solved na ako d’un. I have done what I wanted to do kahit papaano. It’s really up to you when to stop and when to go on. Hindi kasi puede buong buhay mo career na lang because you just can’t give it up.”

october 14-20, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

Calendar of Events across

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS O c tO b e r 1 3 -1 5

“Fiesta Atenista II” at the 12th all-Ateneo Alumni Convention in Las Vegas The festivities will be held at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. For complete event activities and registration, visit the convention’s website at www.aaana-atenista.org. For more information, contact Liz Carpenter at (702) 862-9212 / ecarpenterh@ aol.com or Dr. Rodrigo ‘Jun’ Farrales at (702) 373-4326 / jun_farrales@yahoo.com.

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Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in San Francisco Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab perform ‘100 years of song’ at Herbst Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Tickets are at www.cityboxoffice.com, Herbst Theatre is at 401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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Free parenting class in Eagle Rock, California A free parenting class will be offered on Saturday, October 15 at Eagle Rock Lutheran Church. The class will be at 10 a.m. and will focus on resolving family conflicts. The address is 5032 Maywood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90041. To RSVP, please call Mira Gonzaga at (323) 304-9898.

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Screenwriting seminar with Ricky Lee at the International Film Festival Manhattan

Filipino scriptwriter Ricky Lee is coming to NYC! Join him as he imparts his talent and shares his 50 years of experience. Mr. Lee’s legacy started way back 1966 as an aspiring high school student who has pushed on with hard work and determination to become the Ricky Lee we know now; recipient of numerous awards, including the CNN Asian Viewers’ Choice Award for his film “Himala” and this year’s honorable guest at the International Film Festival Manhattan as the Lifetime Achievement Awardee; with hundreds of produced scripts to his name; novelist, journalist, playwright and mentor of the most notable writers and directors of Philippine Cinema. Be part of his workshop series entitled, “Writing Your Story,” on Oct 17-19. Laugh with him, cry with him, reminisce with him, feel with him and most importantly, write with him by your side. Who knows you might even be watching the movie “Himala” with him during those nights. Please email LuisPedron@gmail.com (Ricky Lee Seminar on the subject line) to get more information.

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Screening of ”Curiosity, Adventure & Love” in Washington, D.C. As part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Philippines-U.S. relations and in celebration of Filipino-American History Month, a community screening of the film, “Curiosity, Adventure & Love” will be held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Sunshine Lichauco De Leon, co-producer and co-director of the film will be available for a brief Q&A session after the screening. To RSVP, please email info@philippinesusa.org.

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Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Los Angeles Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers perform ‘100 years of song’ at the Plaza Del Sol Performance Hall at the Valley Performing Arts Center at 6pm. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Tickets are at www.ticketmaster.com, Venue is at CSU-Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330.

Harana in Glendale, California The Federation of Filipino-American Associations, Inc. in association with the DreamAgeGroup Art Entertainment presents ‘Harana: a journey for every Filipino.’ It will be held at Alex Theater on 216 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91203 on Sunday, October 23 at 2 p.m. For inquiries and reservations, please call (818) 937-3071 or email The DreamAgeGroup@gmail.com. Box office tickets are available at Alex Theater; please call (818) 2432539.

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Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers in Honolulu Ryan Cayabyab and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers perform ‘100 years of song’ at the New Life Theatre at 7:30pm. Maestro Ryan, the Philippines’ top composer (“Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” Tuwing Umuulan” and more) presents his handpicked vocal group singing his arrangements and beloved hits. Contact Honolulu Broadway Babies for information (808) 783-2296. New Life Theatre is at 1190 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96817.

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Consular outreach in Orlando, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Orlando on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death; and administration of oath of allegiance for dual citizenship. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa. org and indicate “Orlando FL Outreach” in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate the complete name(s) of the applicant(s) and the corresponding service(s) required by each application. The outreach will be held at Hilton Garden Inn Orlando at Seaworld, 6850 Westwood Blvd. Orlando, FL 32821.

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University of Baguio High School 40th anniversary in Chino Hills, CA Come join us in celebrating University of Baguio High School’s 40th Anniversary on Saturday, November 12 in Chino Hills, California. For more information please contact, Romy Vidal at (951) 733-7140.

Hyatt Baguio/Manila/Palawan Reunion in Las Vegas Former and current employees and guests of Hyatt Terraces Baguio, Hyatt Manila and Hyatt Palawan are having a dinner/dance reunion on November 12 in at the Hampton Inn Tropicana in Las Vegas. The address is 4975 Dean Martin Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89118. For more details, please send an email to: Beng Paraguas-Flores (Hyatt Terraces Baguio) at bengparaguasflores@gmail.com or Marian Nobleza (Hyatt Terraces Baguio) at minobleza@ yahoo.com.

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Consular outreach mission in Pensacola, Florida The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. - Central Florida Chapter, the Filipino-American Association of Pensacola, Inc., and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Miami, is pleased to announce that it will conduct a consular outreach mission in Pensacola on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services offered include: Philippine passport applications; legalization of documents (acknowledgment, authentication, etc.); and receipt of reports of birth, marriage and death; and administration of oath of allegiance for dual citizenship. For an appointment, please email consular@philippineusa.org and indicate “Pensacola FL Outreach” in the subject line. In the body of the email, indicate the complete name(s) of the applicant(s) and the corresponding service(s) required by each application. The outreach will be held at the Fil-Am Community Center at 234 West Oakfield Road, Pensacola, FL

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

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA WHEN something goes wrong regarding personal finance, our mental default setting is that we need someone else to help fix the problem. But if we stop and think about it, there is really nothing new under the sun, as Ecclesiastes says. Our guidelines for how we should live then as now, come from the Good Book and those the Holy Spirit has chosen and guided to explain and interpret its doctrine in the context of modern life. These days, we click on Google and make it our personal adviser, our own impersonal Yoda. For anything we need to know, we’re just a click away online for mountains of information to inundate us. It can all be disconcerting and confusing. It’s like tackling the Library of Congress in one go. Don’t despair. There’s hope yet. We can simplify and refer to that old why and how-to manual for all times and seasons. The sub prime mortgage mess was a sorry and foolhardy attempt by liberals in the government power structure to democratize what was never meant to be a level playing field. This made it possible for millions who could not afford and should not qualify for a mortgage to be approved for loans they could not carry. A little known phrase in the Book of Proverbs for those who put up “security for debts” serves as stern warning, “… your very bed will be snatched from under you.” If only we took heed of the wisdom of the ages written in the Bible, we could have saved ourselves a lot of grief and gnashing of teeth. Strive to live relatively debtfree. Sharply define what is a need and what is a want. For most things, frugal gurus tell us to buy only when we have the cash for it. Don’t mortgage your future for a mere whim, particularly that which strokes your ego. Debt can have you in a stranglehold. Many

Health@Heart

The good book on money “Life is a journey and the heavier the luggage, the shorter the distance covered.” have found this out a tad too late when the recession hit. Steer clear of scams particularly from high places. Bernard Madoff, the biggest Ponzi convicted scammer doing time in jail, had a Wall Street address. He had a steady gaze and an air and demeanor of respectability and trustworthiness about him belying a heart of darkness. But greed went both ways. Madoff’s victims did not question why they were getting consistently great returns on their investments for as long as their phony statements were rosy year after year for decades. Then the financial bomb exploded when the US and the global economy ground nearly to a halt in recent times and no new investors can be suckered in by the monumental Ponzi scheme Madoff and his cohorts hatched. Built on a big fat lie, it collapsed like a house of cards. What a monstrous mess it was and still is. The tedious efforts at clawing back some of the money spent on a shamelessly luxurious lifestyle was as grueling as pulling teeth from a Tyrannosaurus Rex. One of Madoff’s sons, unable to bear the shame and ignominy sadly hung himself with a dog’s leash in his Manhattan apartment leaving behind a wife and children who would like to escape the stigma of the Madoff name. The other son died of an illness. His wife now bears the brunt of his crime. Madoff’s sentence is 150 years behind the slammer. Considering the distress and sorrow he has brought others, a thousand years would probably still be inadequate. Was there something from the Good Book to caution us about this? The one that comes to mind intended for scammers like Madoff and his ilk, is of course, “Thou shalt not steal.” Scams are no more than sophisticated thefts generated these days from the comfort of one’s computer in the guise of

legitimate sounding paper and lately, quite easily, electronic communication like the Nigerian scam or identity theft. This is the modern version of a hooded, masked robber using a gun in a dark alley. New laws on tracking and enforcement procedures are decades away from dealing with this worrisome social phenomenon that seems able to breach all kinds of barriers. The antidote: continuous education, a smidgen of cynicism and a ton of common sense. What’s the mantra worth remembering and repeating to one”s self particularly during these days of tight money when scammers are getting more creative and brazen? Of course, tt’s still that one that says: “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” Well this one isn’t in the Bible but it might very well be. A similar quotation from the Book of Proverbs bears reiterating: “The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” In a word, “THINK.” The fictional character Gordon Gecko in the film “Wall Street” asserted that to be rich, “Greed is good.” Not so, said the Bible… Jesus was clear on the subject. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Life is a journey and the heavier the luggage, the shorter the distance covered. Though that’s the physical explanation of energy required to carry the luggage weighed down by gravity as we travel, it has some bearings about a spiritual journey towards eternal life. Getting far too attached to material wealth and all its trappings makes one lose his focus of the journey’s goal. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Our children’s food

we preach. The do-what-I-say, not-what-I-do, command will never work. PhiliP S. ChuA, Those children, whose parents Md, FACS, FPCS eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, WHAT children eat greatly stay away from red meats, do daily determines their growth and exercises, do not smoke, and drink development, the integrity of their only socially and in moderation, immune system, their body’s ability grow up to develop the same to ward off infections and diseases, healthy habits and preferences. and their morbidity and longevity. The menu for school lunches The other essential factors in the United States, by and large, are their daily physical activities, is a social injustice, says chef Ann abstinence from harmful Cooper, known as the Renegade substances, like tobacco and illegal Lunch Lady, who is “transforming drugs, and disciplined intake of how U.S. children eat, one federallyalcoholic beverages. While genetics subsidized school lunch at a time.” play a role in all this, it has been The fatty red meats, carbo proven that a healthy lifestyle can (sugar)-loaded and processed food significantly benefit even those lunches are out, and salad bars, individuals with some of the sowhole grains, organic milk, and fish called “bad” genetic traits. are in. Whatever healthy habits As Cooper says, “when we feed parents want to teach their children children with a diet high in sugar must always start with them and corn syrup, they just can’t think, leading by example because kids and if kids are not well-nourished, do as their parents do. They mimic they can’t excel.” adults around them. Preaching Around the world, it is not good habits, without practicing rare to find kindergarten student them, almost always fails. with type 2 diabetes, or kidney Dieting must really start in the stones among pre-teens, and crib. Babies are taught discipline teenagers with high cholesterol and this early, whether we realize it or clogged arteries. This is terrifying not. Giving them their formula at and unfortunate because this is a set amount and at a scheduled preventable. interval teaches the baby about the At least 32 percent of children rules of feeding. And their young and teenagers in the United States brains soon learn this. are overweight or obese. And When the baby is four to six Asians, especially Filipinos, are not months, pediatricians usually lagging far behind in this pandemic. recommend introducing them Obesity leads to increased risk of to solid foods, like a teaspoon developing diabetes and other of semi-liquid iron-fortified rice metabolic illnesses, hypertension, cereal and other grains like oats or heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s barley, mixed with breast milk or and even cancer. formula, and gradually increasing In this day and age of lightning it to a tablespoon twice daily. At speed telecommunication, media, age six to eight months, introduce and rapid internet access, we simply pureed or strained fruits (banana, have no excuse to remain ignorant pears, applesauce, peaches) and of scientific data on how to live vegetables (squash, well-cooked a healthy lifestyle for maximum carrots, sweet potato, avocado). longevity and productivity, and Until 3 years old, it is the best protecting our loved ones along the time to teach children to love and way, especially the young children. eat healthy food like vegetables, Having said all that, there is fruits, fish, white chicken meat, really no such thing as too late in instead of pork and beef and other our quest for healthy lifestyles, no red meats, which are all high in matter how old we are. Simple unhealthy animal saturated fats and changes in diet and institution of cholesterol. When bad habits have exercise, for instance, even among settled in at age 2 or older, they are those who are over 50, have been hard to break. This where we, as shown to positively affect the parents and as a society, have failed control of, if not prevent, metabolic our children — the future leaders of diseases, such as arthritis and our country. diabetes, and hypertension, heart And since effective teaching disease, stroke, and cancer. is by example, we, parents and So, while the ideal is to start grandparents, must practice what teaching our kids how to live a

healthy lifestyle, as early as in their crib or toddler life, we — whose parents did not know any better when we were growing up — can always mend our ways and start living a healthier lifestyle. Indeed, it’s never too late. The following excerpts are from my previous column about 14 years ago, entitled “Let’s Stop Killing Our Children With Love”: About nine persons die every minute in the world from cardiovascular diseases brought on by arteriosclerosis, resulting from daily intake of high fat/high cholesterol foods, lack of exercise, and smoking. There is no question that hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol serum level) plays a major role in hardening of the arteries. Medical science shows that while the genetic factor is important, only one out of 500 people has the genetic predisposition to develop familial hypercholesterolemia. That one unfortunate individual has the alibi to have hypercholesterolemia, but the 499 of us simply have no excuse whatsoever to have this problem. And yet, we do — all because of self-abuse. This is nothing but an act of slow suicide on our part! Just like many illnesses, heart attack and stroke are best prevented. The best time to start these preventive measures is during infancy, way before the hardening of the arteries begins. We have to stop killing our children with love and start instilling discipline in them while they are in the crib, if we want them to lead long, healthy, happy, and productive lives. We must learn to say “no” to our children, where and when appropriate. The power is in our hands. Let us not allow them to slip through, especially not in the name of love. And if we truly love them, we will do what’s best for them, even if it hurts. *** 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

october 14-20, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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october 14-20, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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