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UN condemns extrajudicial killings; Duterte ready to face int’l rights group by Dana
SioSon AJPress
mANILA – the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime (UNoDC) released a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 3, condemning the “apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedom.” since President rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs started, 402 drug suspects had been killed nationwide from
July 1 to August 2, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). At the same time, around 114,800 people surrendered as either drug addicts or illegal drug dealers. UNoDC executive Director Yury fedotov said that the UN “remains greatly concerned by the reports of extrajudicial killing of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines.” “such responses contravene the provi-
sions of the international drug control conventions, do not serve the cause of justice, and will not help to ensure that ‘all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity’, as agreed by governments in the outcome document approved at the UN General Assembly special session on the world drug problem,” the statement read. President Rodrigo Duterte arrives at the Ateneo de Davao University with Environment Secretary “UNoDC supports balanced, people-cen- Gina Lopez and university president Joel Tabora for the State of Mindanao Environment Day. PAGE A2 Malacañang photo
Suspect charged for fatally shooting Fil-Am officer in San Diego
USA
DATELINE Obama urges Republicans to drop support for Trump from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
PresIDeNt Barack obama has called on the GoP to discontinue endorsing Donald trump for president, calling the republican nominee “unfit to serve” as Commander-inChief. “this isn’t a situation where you have an episodic gaffe. this is daily,” obama said on tuesday, August 2 at a joint press conference with Prime minister Lee hsien Loong of singapore at the White house. “there has to be a point at which you say, this is not somebody I can support for president of the United states, even if he purports to be a member of my party. the fact that that has not yet happened makes some of these denunciations ring hollow.” the president’s comments come after trump received backlash for his criticism on Khizr and Ghazala Khan, two muslim Americans whose son died in Iraq in 2004 while fighting for the U.s. Army. the Khan family were at last week’s DemPAGE A2
Filipina in Harbor Gateway killed after car crashes into prayer meeting A fILIPINo family mourns the loss of 72year-old elsa De Belen who died after a car careened into a prayer meeting held inside a harbor Gateway, California home on Wednesday, July 27. A red Buick Elsa De Belen, a 72-year-old Filipina sedan hopped who was killed after a car crashed into a the curb and home hosting a prayer meeting in Harbor crashed into Gateway, California. Photo courtesy of the De Belen family a living room on the 14800 block of s. orchard Ave. just after 8 p.m., while a religious gathering was taking place, according to police reports. De Belen was left trapped beneath the vehicle, while the driver fled the scene on foot.
by Eric
SURRENDER. Hundreds of drug users and pushers all over the country have surrendered to the police for drug rehabilitation and assistance to shift to legal livelihood. Inquirer.net photo by Tonee Despojo
anthony LicaS AJPress
ProseCUtors charged a man with murder and attempted murder after allegedly killing one veteran police officer and wounding another during a gun battle in a san Diego neighborhood on thursday, July 28. Jesse Gomez, 53, pleaded not guilty to charges filed against him by the san Diego District Attorney’s office on tuesday, August 2 at UC san Diego medical Center. Jonathan “JD” De Guzman officers took the suspect Photo courtesy of the San Diego Police Department to the hospital after he was found bleeding in the Chollas Creek ravine near the scene of a gunfight in southcrest that left filipino-American police officer Jonathan “JD” De PAGE A2
Duterte confirms US SWS: Self-rated poverty lowest since 2011 to give $32-M for military assistance by Janvic
matEo Philstar.com
Human rights-related issues avoided during meeting with Kerry by JoSEph
aLmEr B. pEDraJaS AJPress
mANILA – President rodrigo Duterte confirmed that the United states expressed commitment to offer $32-million in military assistance, as discussed with U.s. secretary of state John Kerry during his visit to the Philippines last week. Self-rated poverty in the Philippines has dropped to its lowest since 2011, according to a recent PAGE A2 survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).
mANILA – self-rated poverty in the Philippines has dropped to its lowest since 2011, according to a recent survey conducted by social Weather stations (sWs). the survey—conducted from June 24 to 27 and published in BusinessWorld on thursday, Aug. 4—showed that 45 percent of the 1,200 respondents rated themselves as poor, one point lower than the result of a similar survey conducted in April. the 45 percent self-rated poverty was last recorded by sWs in December 2011. the latest data is two points higher PAGE A2
Pacquiao files 3 bills re-imposing death penalty, says ‘it is in the Bible’ by JoSEph
aLmEr B. pEDraJaS AJPress
mANILA – Boxing champ and Philippine senator manny Pacquiao filed three bills on Wednesday, August 3, seeking the re-imposition of the death penalty on heinous crimes on the basis that “it is in the Bible.” Pacquiao met with President rodrigo Duterte last monday, August 1, to discuss the need to impose once again the death penalty in the country on crimes such as drug peddling, kidnapping and rape. PAGE A3 the born again Christian Pacquiao justi-
fied that the death penalty does not go to the teachings of the Christian Bible. “sa romans 13, basahin natin ‘yang one to seven. malalaman natin ‘yan (read romans 13:1-7, we’ll know),” he said to the media at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). “hindi naman ang presidente ang maghahatol niyan, kun’di ang gobyerno (it will be the government who will decide, not just the president),” he added. “sa mata ng Panginoon, hindi bawal ‘yan NEOPHYTE LISTENS TO VETERAN. Neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao listens intently to words of (in God’s eyes, it’s not prohibited).” advice from Senator Kiko Pangilinan before the start of the plenary session on Monday, Aug. 1. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo PAGE A4
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From the Front Page
Suspect charged for fatally shooting... PAGE A1 Guzman dead, and his partner, Wade Irwin, wounded. Gomez allegedly “answered with gunfire” moments after Irwin stepped out of a police cruiser at about 11 p.m. and asked the suspect if he lived in the area, according to Deputy District Attorney Michael Runyon. He said Gomez then proceeded to shoot at De Guzman, striking the veteran po-
lice officer with five bullets as he sat in the squad car. Neither prosecutors nor police have discussed a motive for the shooting. Gomez’s family members maintain his innocence and told the San Diego Tribune they have received little information from law enforcement. “No one in my family believes he did this,” said the suspect’s son,
Daniel Gomez, 26. “I know he’s been in trouble, like when I was a baby, but after that nothing.” The elder Gomez possesses a criminal record that goes as far back as 1983, which included several gun-related convictions. A trail of blood originating near the site of the shooting led police to the ravine where he was discovered. Police also searched for a man who had been walking with Gomez just before Wednesday evening’s violent incident. A second person of interest was detained on unrelated warrants after evading police in two separate standoffs, but was eventually released. De Guzman and Irwin had been equipped with body cameras, but they were not recording as they approached the suspect, according to the Los Angeles Times. Irwin, a nine-year veteran of the police force, did manage to turn on his camera at some point after he was shot in the throat. He and his partner had been rushed to the hospital by other nearby officers. Irwin, 32, is expected to survive his injuries. He has regained consciousness but “is looking at a long recovery,” according to a GoFundMe page raising money to help cover Irwin’s medical expenses. De Guzman, 43, died on Friday, July 29 at Scripps Mercy Hospital as a result of wounds sustained while on duty. He fought to improve the lives of people around him throughout 16 years of service, according to San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman, who used to work with De Guzman before she was promoted. “He came to work every single day wanting to just make a positive difference,” said Zimmerman during a press conference on Friday, and described De Guzman as a “loving, caring husband and father.” The San Diego Police Officers Association is collecting donations on its website to help the fallen officer’s family pay for the funeral and other expenses. On Friday, Aug. 5, Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon will host an open memorial service for De Guzman at 11 a.m., which California Governor Jerry Brown is scheduled to attend. Other public gatherings honoring De Guzman’s memory had been scheduled earlier in the week.
ACTION FIGURES. President Rodrigo Duterte poses with toy maker Dennis Mendoza while showing two custommade action figures of himself. One shows Duterte wearing a checkered polo shirt and jeans while the other shows him as ‘The Punisher.’ Duterte is known to have an iron-fist approach in addressing crime. Malacañang photo
UN condemns extrajudicial killings... PAGE A1 tred, evidence- and rights-based approaches to drug control, rooted in the agreed international conventions and standards.” The international group also expressed its readiness to engage with the Philippines regarding the issue. “UNODC stands ready to further engage with the Philippines and all countries to bring drug traffickers to justice with the appropriate legal safeguards in line with international standards and norms, and promote prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration approaches based in evidence, science, public health and human rights.” In a press briefing with the Philippine Star, Duterte said he is ready to face the UN and even
challenged the international group to instead suggest ways to solve the drug issue in the country. “I am ready to face the UN, if you are ready to solve it for us. I am ready for you,” he said. In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, Duterte said that human rights should never be used to protect drug offenders. “Human rights must work to uplift human dignity. But human rights cannot be used as a shield or an excuse to destroy the country – your country and my country,” he stressed. “We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier and the last pusher have surrendered or been put behind bars or are below the ground if they so wish.”
In her privilege speech on Tuesday, August 2, Senator Leila de Lima asked the administration to put an end to the spate of killings in the country “We cannot wage the war against drugs with blood. We will only be trading drug addiction with another more malevolent kind of addiction. This is the compulsion for more killing, killings that have now included the innocent,” she said. “As a human rights advocate and human being, I plead to the government, this administration, and to the president. There must be another way.” The Palace, however, refused to take a stance on de Lima’s speech. Duterte only said that “it is her job.”
Duterte confirms US to give $32-M for... PAGE A1
Speaking before members of the Presidential Security Group at the Malacañang Park on Sunday, July 31, Duterte announced that the U.S. is willing to financially support the Philippines in its war against drugs, terrorism and crime, and its stand on issues such as of climate change and maritime security. “The money? Oh, 32, ‘Ah, I give you, $32 million,’” Duterte said, quoting what Kerry said. The $32-million financial aid (P1.5 billion) will help to enforce lawful “training and services” including the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Duterte, upon the juncture, consequently told Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to come up with a wish list for the Armed
Forces of the Philippines. “So I asked Delfin Lorenzana, ‘What’s your priority?’ We did a god job in Sulu; I’m impressed. So buy more,” added Duterte, in reference to the military operations in Mindanao and the need to buy more weapons. On the other hand, Kerry opened up the issue on human rights violations, which are being questioned as the killings of alleged drug suspects continue throughout the country. However, Duterte abruptly told Kerry that he has “a job to do” and insisted to “go to another topic.” As of press time, 3,213 individuals allegedly involved with drugs have been arrested, while 239 have been killed by the Philippine National Police (PNP), according to GMA News.
Last Wednesday, July 27, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella clarified that “there was no alarm” shown after Duterte informed Kerry about “the way he has been handling the war against crime and especially the narcotics plague.” Before meeting with the president, Kerry said, “I made it very clear that civil and human rights must be protected, even as we work together to keep our society safe.” Aside from issues of drugs, terrorism, crime and maritime security, the two also discussed motorcycles and hunting. “First, it was a courtesy call, it was a very interesting meeting because they share common interests,” the presidential spokesman commented.
SWS: Self-rated poverty lowest... PAGE A1
than the 43 percent all-time low that was recorded in March 1987 and March 2010. In terms of geographical location, the number of Filipinos who rated themselves as poor increased in Metro Manila from 30 percent in April to 32 percent in the latest survey. It also increased in Mindanao (53 percent to 54 percent), but decreased in balance Luzon (44 percent to 41 percent) and the Visayas (57 percent to 52 percent). Meanwhile, the number of
Filipinos who said that they are “food-poor” – or those who rated themselves as poor based on the food that they eat – retained the all-time low 31 percent recorded in April. The all-time low self-rated food poor rating was first recorded in March 2010. The number of those who rated themselves as food poor decreased in Metro Manila (22 percent to 20 percent) and balance Luzon (29 percent to 27 percent). However, it increased in the Visayas (33 percent to 37 per-
cent) and Mindanao (37 percent to 39 percent). According to SWS, the median self-rated poverty threshold – or the lowest monthly home expense budget needed by poor households in order for them to not consider themselves as such – increased in balance Luzon from P10,000 in April to P15,000 in June. The threshold did not change in Metro Manila (P20,000), the Visayas (P10,000) and Mindanao (P10,000). The survey had an error margin of plus or minus three per-
Obama urges Republicans to drop support... PAGE A1 ocratic National Convention, where only the father Khizr Khan spoke, taking issue with several of Trump’s proposed policies, including a temporary ban on Muslim immigration. Trump criticized Ghazala Khan for her silence, asking whether or not she was even allowed to speak. “The notion that he would attack a Gold Star family that had made such extraordinary sacrifices on behalf of our country... means that he’s woefully unprepared to do this job,” Obama said. Obama added his thoughts on Trump run no different than those of mainstream Republicans, like Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), who Trump had previously criticized for not being a war hero. Throughout the election cycle, Republican legislators have expressed concern over Trump’s controversial comments, but none have withdrawn support. Obama said that he doesn’t “doubt that they were outraged” by Trump’s statements on the Khan family. “The question I think that they have to ask themselves is, if you are repeatedly having to say,
in very strong terms, that what has said is unacceptable, why are you still endorsing him?” Obama said. Obama added that although he has disagreed with Republican presidents in the past, he said that he “didn’t have a doubt that they could function as president.” He added that had he lost to Mitt Romney in 2012 or McCain in 2008, he “would have been disappointed,” but would have had no doubt that they would “abide by certain norms and rules and common sense.” The president said he does not see Trump as an accurate representation of a majority of the Republican Party, and that the party needs to discontinue validating his positions. On the same day Obama made his comments, a Republican congressperson from New York declared support for Hillary Clinton over Trump, calling the latter “deeply flawed in endless ways.” Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY) justified his choice in an op-ed released on Tuesday, August 2, saying that Trump will further “alienate” the Republican Party from historically ostracized groups and will push the party to its extremes.
“I have long held the belief that the Republican Party is becoming less capable of nominating a person who is electable as president,” Hanna wrote. “The primary process is geared toward the party’s political base, which ignores the fact that we have largely alienated women, Hispanics, the LGBT community, young voters and many others in general.” In response to Trump’s harsh criticism toward the Khan family, 17 Gold Star families—families of servicemembers who died fighting for the country—have demanded an apology from the business mogul. They said that Trump’s comments attacking Ghazala Khan were “repugnant, and personally offensive.” “When you question a mother’s pain, by implying that her religion, not her grief, kept her from addressing an arena of people, you are attacking us,” the letter read. “When you say your job building buildings is akin to our sacrifice, you are attacking our sacrifice.” “You are minimizing the risk our service members make for all of us. This goes beyond politics. It is about a sense of decency,” it added. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)
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Honoring Joe Montano, our late mentor, friend, and fellow KAYA member: He who held our community together
COURTESY CALL. H.E. John Gomes, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines, paid a courtesy call on the new Senate President, Aquilino “Koko”Pimentel III, to discuss ways to further promote Philippines-Bangladesh bilateral relations, particularly the recovery of the balance of $81-million taken from the Bangladesh Central Bank and moved to the Philippines. The Senate President also assured the Ambassador that the Philippines will help in the recovery of the money. “The Philippines should help Bangladesh because it could also happen to us,” Pimentel said. Senate photo by Albert Calvelo
Poll: voters more likely to support Democratic Party following conventions by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
FOLLOWING the Republican and Democratic national conventions, more Americans have a more positive view of the Democratic Party, according to a Gallup poll on Monday, August 1. Following the Republican National Convention (RNC) — which was held from July 18-21 — 35 percent of Americans viewed the party more favorably. However, after the Democratic convention, held a week after the former, 44 percent of Americans viewed the party more favorably. “Americans’ assessments of the effect of the conventions on their image of each party largely mirror their assessments of how the convention will affect their vote in the 2016 election,” the statement, written by researcher Jeffrey M. Jones, said. The DNC generally left a more positive impression on Americans than the RNC, the results showed, which can predict heftier Democratic support as Election Day approaches. However, Gallup pointed out that these results are no different from previous years’ findings. The DNC’s “historically average ratings” this year were an advantage to the party in comparison to the RNC’s “historically negative ratings,” Jones said. Gallup posed a question regarding the “likelihood to vote for the party’s presidential candidate based on what you saw/read
about party’s convention.” Gallup has asked this question about every national convention since 1984, but this year’s conventions were the first to yield larger percentages of Americans who said they are “less likely” to vote for each candidate. For example, 41 percent of Americans are less likely to vote for Clinton after the DNC, which is the highest percentage who have said they are “less likely” to vote for that candidate since Gallup started fielding that question. The Republican side experienced the same phenomenon: 51 percent said they are “less likely” to vote for Trump. Gallup also acknowledged that the next three months may dramatically shift candidates’ favorability ratings, but these findings are still strong factors and may provide a foundation for future surveys. “These key election indicators suggest the Democrats are in a stronger electoral position than the Republicans, and Trump and the GOP have a little more than three months left to try to change that,” Jones said. Gallup also measured how voters rated each candidate’s acceptance speech, and, again, Clinton comes out on top. Trump’s speech, which, many critics have panned as factually incorrect and appealed to fear, was perceived as “Excellent/Good” by 35 percent of participants; and, 36 percent saw his speech as “Poor/
Terrible.” Clinton’s speech in which she attacked her opponent, delivered a week later was rated as “Excellent/Good” by 44 percent of participants. Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters follow the national trend of supporting the political left over the right. A recent study from Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (Advancing Justice – LA), APIA Vote and AAPI Data found that only 19 percent of AAPI voters held a positive view of Trump, who pales in comparison to Clinton who received 62 percent favorability among AAPI voters. Filipinos’ voter behavior coincides with the national and AAPI trends, with more Filipinos favoring Clinton at 59 percent over Trump’s 23 percent favorability, according to the Advancing Justice et al. study. The Gallup poll results were conducted in the days immediately following each convention. The poll gathered random samples of 1,000 adults across the country via telephone interviews conducted on July 23-24 following the RNC and July 29-30 following the DNC. The margin of error was +4 percentage points and the each sample included a minimum quota of 60 percent cellphone respondents and 40 percent landline respondents. Researches utilized random digit dialing methods.
WASHINGTON, DC — The Filipino-American community has lost one of its fiercest champions and leaders, Joe Montano. As KAYA member, Joe fully embodied KAYA’s mission with his dedication, laughter and commitment: to mobilize the Filipino American and Asian American community in order to build partnerships to increase our electoral power, elect progressive candidates into office, and to foster and develop our community’s next generation of leaders. He was many things to many of us: friend, colleague, activist, historian, critical thinker, strategist and bridge builder. Wearing many hats, Joe always stood for progressive values. “Joe and I came into service for the Filipino American community as the children of immigrants in the 1990s, at a time when national networks were starting to form and new technologies like email made national organizing possible in new ways,” says KAYA member Ben De Guzman. Most importantly, Joe has touched many lives throughout the years, inspiring generations of people to believe that they had talents to contribute to our communities. He made the Filipino American community the backbone of his work to serve
the common good. As the Executive Director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), he bridged connections between generations, both immigrant, and American-born Filipinos, across the country. On both a local and national scale, Joe leveraged his role as a Regional Political Director at the Democratic National Committee to further mobilize our communities nationwide. In addition to national politics, Joe also worked on behalf of local Filipino American candidates such as Kris Valderamma, a state delegate in Maryland, as well as his friend and mentor, Mark Pulido, twoterm Mayor of Cerritos. “For my dear friend, brother, compadre, I rededicate my life to honoring his legacy of public service to which Joe committed his life,” said Mayor Pulido. Many in the Asian American community were expecting his presence at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia last week, only to hear the sad news of his passing. As a political operative for the Democratic Party and as the northern Virginia Regional Field Director for Senator and Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine (D-VA), he was a voice at the table for Filipino-Americans and helped Sena-
tor Kaine champion the Filipino veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act. Joe’s leadership was recognized on a variety of levels, and the news of his passing has saddened many in the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Joe was “a very good friend and wonderful human being,” said Bel LeongHong, DNC AAPI Caucus Chair on Wednesday during the DNC AAPI Caucus meeting. Democratic strategist Toby Chaudhuri, who worked with Joe to pull together a multi-platform AAPI media center at the convention said, “We must honor Joe by doing this work — bringing people together and building power with resources from within our communities.” Joe’s legacy cannot be denied and will not be forgotten; it lives in our actions and voices as long we continue the hard work that he did for our community. Joe’s family and friends have set up the Joe Montano Memorial Fund. To support, please consider donating to https://www. youcaring.com/joe-montano611355. #kayanatin @joe8track #BeLikeJoe #livelikejoe #StrongerTogether www.facebook.com/Live-LikeJoe-1025500774194249/
Filipina in Harbor Gateway killed after car... PAGE A1 Witness Charry Maduma told KTLA News the driver of the Buick was speeding before the accident. She said the driver was moving too quickly to make a turn and went airborne before smashing into the house. “I ducked and saw...so much debris and someone afterward was screaming,” Angie Villanueva, a prayer group attendee told a local ABC station. “They were screaming for help.” Eleven other people were hurt. People nearby rushed to help victims pinned against the car before fire crews arrived. Neighbors and friends of De Belen described her as a devout Catholic who had hosted prayer groups at her home for years. She worked as a teacher in the
Philippines before managing a doctor’s office in Gardena for more than three decades. De Belen had moved into her most recent community about six or seven years ago and lived alone. One of her nephews said, “her laugh was adored by all.” “She had the most hysterical and contagious laugh you’ll ever hear … it was incredible,” Al De Belen told the Asian Journal, adding that “The whole family was devastated upon hearing the news, hoping that it was just a bad dream.” Private memorial services for De Belen will take place at Holy Cross Mortuary and Cemetery in Culver City. Her relatives have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to cover funeral services.
The alleged driver, 34-yearold Rashanda Monique Norman, identified herself as a transient and told reporters for a local CBS station she had blacked out at the time of the accident. She turned herself in at the 77th street police station on Thursday, July 28. Norman is presently being held at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California on a $110,000 bail. She faces one count of felony vehicular manslaughter and a misdemeanor charge for driving with a revoked or suspended driver’s license. Norman has pled not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, August 10. If convicted, she could serve as many as six years in a state prison. (Eric Anthony Licas/AJPress)
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US trying to make Filvets parole program ‘user-friendly’ WASHINGTON, DC – Officials of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services are trying to smooth out the process for the reunification of Filipino veterans of World War II in the US and their relatives from the Philippines, USCIS representatives told Filipino-American community members and veterans’ rights advocates. “We are always looking for ways to streamline this program and to make it more userfriendly and make the processes quickest as we can,” Allison Kent of the USCIS stated at a Talakayan on July 28 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program. In July 2015, the White House released the report “Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century” that announced the parole policy to enable eligible individuals to provide support and care to their aging veteran family members who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents. Since last June 8, USCIS has started to allow certain Filipino World War II veteran family members who are beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions a chance to receive a discretionary grant of parole on a case-by-case basis, so that they may come to the United States as they wait for their immigrant visa to become available. “This is a victory for us and it matters for our veterans and for their families. It matters for Filipinos and Filipino Americans and it matters for Americans who know that their country is trying to do right in the
Filipino-American community member asking questions to the guest panelists during the open forum of the Philippine Embassy’s Talakayan on the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program held at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on Thursday, July 28.
face of historic injustice,” said Atty. Marita Etcubañez, director of strategic initiatives in the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), the largest legal and civil rights organization for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Additionally, Philippine Consul General Emilio Fernandez pointed out that “The parole program’s implementation this year coincides with our two countries’ 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This certainly is an added milestone to our long established ties.” Etcubañez and Fernandez were joined on the panel by USCIS officials Stephanie Kwan and Kent, as well as immigration lawyer Januario Azarcon. The speakers addressed issues related to the implementation of the program. Ravi Chaudhary, a member of President Obama’s Advisory
Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, hailed the parole program as a fulfillment of America’s promise to Filipino World War II veterans. “We have work to do, work to ensure that our Filipino veterans get the recognition they deserve for the sacrifices that they made. We are in it with you. We will remember you and we will not forget you. We are going to work and get this done, and that is a commitment that our President has made and will continue to do so,” Chaudhary stressed. Sonny Busa, regional director of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), closed the program by issuing a call to action to Metro DC residents to push their district representatives to sign on to the bill that seeks to award a US Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 260,000 Filipino veterans in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II. The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015 was already passed by the US Senate and awaiting to receive the required number of signatures at the House of Representatives. The proposed legislation will also recognize US commanders and servicemen who served in the Philippines during the war. The Talakayan sa Embahada is a regular outreach program of the Philippine Embassy to engage the FilipinoAmerican Consul General Emilio Fernandez, AAAJ Director Atty. Marita Etcubañez, USCIS officials Ms. Allison community. This Talakayan was Kent and Ms. Stephanie Kwan, Immigration lawyer Atty. Januario Azarcon, and Commissioner Ravi organized with the support of Chaudhary were the panelists at the Talakayan on the WWII Veterans Visa Parole Program held at FilVetRep. (Inquirer.net) the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy.
Inquirer.net contributed photos
Amid a festive atmosphere, the Philippine flag was formally raised on Tuesday, Aug. 2 inside the Athletes Village as more delegates from the participating countries poured in only three days before the opening ceremony. Inquirer.net contributed photos
Clad in barongs, PH athletes formalize Olympic entry by AbAc
cordero Philstar.com
a festive mood. Filipino chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta was joined by PhilipRIO DE JANEIRO – Amid a fespine Olympic Committee officials tive atmosphere, the Philippine Col. Jeff Tamayo and Julian Caflag was formally raised Tuesday, macho in the flag raising. They Aug. 3 inside the Athletes Vilpresented Arcain a replica of the lage as more delegates from the famous Philippine jeepney. participating countries poured in “To begin with it started officially only three days before the opening the entry and participation of the ceremony. Philippine delegation in this Rio The Filipino delegation, made Oympics,” said Romasanta. up of athletes and officials number It was his idea to have the atharound 20, arrived at the Olympic letes and officials wear their “barPark in their native “barong” to join ong” for the flag-raising ceremony. three other countries, including He said he noticed in the past that Japan and Panama, in the affair that Filipinos came as they were, and lasted over an hour. that some were in track suits while The Philippine national anthem the others came in suits. was played as the flag was raised. “It’s like we were not treating Filipino athletes, led by threethe event formally. It’s the raistime Olympians Hidilyn Diaz and ing of the Philippine flag and we Marestella Tores, held their right should represent our flag the way hands on their chest as the flag we should,” he said. “Now everybody knows that they’re a part of it – from the athletes to the officials. They are part of this Olympics. The next thing now is for them to compete,” he said. Even foreign delegates were impressed with the Filipinos in their “barong.” “Definitely we made an impression in treating this as something very important. We showed everybody our national costume,” said Romasanta. “We stole the show. We were very formal and at the same time Filipino Olympians share a light moment inside the Athletes Village in Rio de Jainero, Brazil. we were festive,” he said. was raised. The mayor of the Athletes Village, two-time Olympic medalist Janeth Arcain, welcomed the delegated to Brazil as dancers dressed in leafy costumes provided the entertainment. Arcain, who won bronze and silver medals for the Brazilian women’s basketball team in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, welcomed the foreign delegates and told them to consider the Athletes Village and Rio de Janeiro their home for the next few weeks. She spoke about the importance of sports and “how it can bring people together.” She also reminded everybody that “fair play is the most important thing in the field of play.” As the delegates were marched away, Brazilians dancers provided
Fil-Aussie Jason Day finishes 2nd in PGA Championship, remains #1 in the world DESPITE a stellar week and a now-iconic 2-iron shot on the closing hole, No. 1 in the world Jason Day narrowly missed repeating a win at the 98th PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey on Sunday, July 31. The Filipino-Australian defending PGA champion lost to American Jimmy Walker, who had topped the leaderboard throughout the four-day affair. Walker, 37, started off the final round with a one stroke lead ahead of Day. The No. 15 in the world played with ease and composure, making par throughout the front nine before making birdie on the 10th, 11th and 17th greens. But come the tournament’s final hours, the 28-year-old Aussie did not go down without a fight. During the par-5 final hole, Walker and Day were at 14 under par and 11 under par, respectively. Day used a 2-iron to tee off the 554-yard hole which brought him within 258 yards to the green. For his second shot, he returned to the 2-iron for a near perfect second shot to the green. The ball landed squarely on the green and rolled to perch 14 feet from the cup. The shot — which Day has called “probably one of the best 2-irons I’ve ever hit” — has been looped on highlight reels and cel-
Jason Day
ebrated on the Internet. “As soon as I hit it, it felt perfect,” Day said. “It was cutting up against the wind. It was going to land soft. It was going to be really nice.” After Day’s expected eagle, he had a chance to send the Championship to a playoff. Walker needed to make par to win the championship. He had missed right on his second shot, but managed to escape the rough on his third shot
and make two putts to clutch the championship. Day told reporters after the tournament that he was unaware that he was a three shots behind Walker; he thought he was two shots behind. Walker had led throughout the entire tournament, but he was not surprised by Day’s dramatic efforts to snatch the title. “I was hoping to relax — I could have used it — but I wouldn’t have expected any less from Jason,” Walker said. This season, Day went into all four majors — the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship and the PGA Champion — as the world No. 1 and the favorite to win. Despite finishing as runner-up in each major this season, Day remains the top-ranked golfer in the world. Day won the PGA Championship last year when he finished with a record 20 strokes under par. The Aussie first achieved the No. 1 ranking in September 2015. Following the 98th PGA Championship, Day had finished with the lowest cumulative score of all competitors who made the cut in all four majors, according to Golf Digest. (Klarize Medenilla/AJ Press)
Pacquiao files 3 bills re-imposing death... PAGE A1 The three bills will punish criminals and have stiffer penalties than existing laws. Senate Bill No. 185 seeks the imposition of the death penalty and increased penalties on certain crimes involving dangerous drugs. Senate Bill No. 186 seeks to impose the death penalty on the heinous crime of kidnapping. Senate Bill No. 187 seeks to impose the death penalty on the heinous crime of aggravated rape. The senator also defined different consequences that criminals will face if not given the death penalty. According to him, a penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine of P1 million to P10 million should be imposed on any person who imports or brings into the country, forces, intimidates, directs, instructs or otherwise cause another person to bring into the country any dangerous drug, including any and all species of opium poppy. The maximum penalty shall also
be imposed upon any person who brings illegal drugs through the use of a diplomatic passport, diplomatic facilities or any other means involving his official status. For a drug protectors, the penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine of P500,000 to P1 million will be imposed. A penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine of from P1 million to P10 million also awaits a person or group of persons who shall maintain a den, dive or resort where dangerous drugs are used, given away or sold in any form. A penalty of P1 million to P10 million and a jail term of life imprisonment to death will be imposed upon any person who manufactures any dangerous drug. The maximum penalty – life imprisonment to death and P10 million fine) – shall also be imposed on any person who possesses any dangerous drugs (10 grams or more of opium, 10 grams or more of morphine, 10 grams or more of heroin, 10 grams of cocaine,
50 grams of shabu, 10 grams of marijuana and 10 grams of other dangerous drugs or ecstasy or other illegal drugs. Aside from his proposal to apply the death penalty, Pacquiao also wanted to push better education for the Filipinos. “Dapat may programa ang gobyerno para hindi maging hadlang ang kahirapan sa pagaaral (The government should have programs to ensure that poverty won’t hinder the student to study),” he said. When asked if he will be incur more absences in the Senate, Pacquiao replied that he will not make any promises. “As a Christian, hindi dapat tama yung mangako ka (it’s not right to promise),” he answered. “For example, nangako kang perfect attendance. Then let’s say nagka-sakit ka, hindi mo na matutupad yung pangako mo (For example, you promised for perfect attendance. Then let’s say, you got sick, then you won’t be able to stand on what you promised).”
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Gabriela pushes divorce bill again in Congress by Joseph
Almer AJPress
pedrAJAs
since marriage, it is just like recognizing a psychological incapacity),” she added. De Jesus, together with Gabriela spokesperson Arlene Broas and other divorce advocates, filed the bill in Congress. They believe that it is high time that the state should give couples in abusive and irreparable marriages the option to divorce. Under the House Bill 2380, the court shall grant divorce only when circumstances are met: The petitioner has been separated de facto from his or her spouse for at least five years at the time of the filing of the petition and reconciliation is highly improbable; The petitioner has been legally separated from the spouse for at least two years at the time of the filing and reconciliation is highly improbable; When any of the grounds for legal separation has caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage; When one or both spouses are psychologically incapable to comply with the essential marital obligations; and When the spouses suffer from irreconcilable differences that have caused the irreparable breakdown of marriage. However, some legislators do not necessarily agree with the proposal, saying that it could damage the sanctity of marriage. “Ako ay hindi sangayon. Kung ano ang sinumpaan sa Diyos at sa tao, dapat panindigan mo (I do
not agree with the proposal. Whatever you swore to God and to the people, stand for it),” said Deputy Speaker Representative Fred Castro. Another Deputy Speaker Representative Miro Quimbo argued that, “the country is not ready to discuss absolute divorce,” expressing disapproval as the said bill is a western-based concept that is contrary to the Filipino culture. Maviv Millora, the secretary general of the pro-divorce group, cited a situation in which her friend could not file for divorce, despite an abusive marriage. “Nung isang araw, tumawag kaibigan ko, tinutukan siya ng baril ng kanyang asawa, sabi ko anong magagawa ko, go to the police, go to PAO (Public Attorneys Office), o kaya sa Gabriela, pero iniisip niya kahihiyan nya (The other day, my friend called, she told that her husband pointed a gun at her. I advised her to go to the police, to PAO or to Gabriela, but she is worried of her reputation),” Millora said. Meanwhile, Divorce Advocates of the Philippines President Cecile Jueco left a message to those who are against the bill. “If you are not in favor of divorce, then do not file for divorce. Thank God, you have a happy married life,” she said. Jueco also added that those who are against divorce should understand the situation of the people who are suffering in their existing marriages.
PNP chief: ‘We value lives’ by dAnA
sison
AJPress
PHIlIPPINE National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa admitted on Monday, August 1, that it is ‘painful for police to be accused of killing innocent people,’ as they continue their campaign against illegal drugs. Since the present administration has been cracking down on illegal drugs, Inquirer has reported 467 deaths nationwide. “Kung inosente yan, masakit rin sa amin kung may madisgrasya na inosente, eh pareho tayong tao. We value lives, we want to preserve lives… (If they were really innocent, it pains us too if innocent lives were dragged into this, we’re humans too. We value lives, we want to preserve lives),” Rappler quoted Dela Rosa. He pointed out that the police does not want people to get killed and challenged the accusers to prove that they’re really innocent. “I-prove nila, kasi masakit naman sa aming mga pulis na lagi nalang ina-accuse ng ganoon. Eh nagtratrabaho na nga yung pulis, inaaccuse pa ng ganoon. Eh yung pulis na yan, may mga anak rin ‘yan eh. May mga pamilya rin ‘yan (They should prove those allegations because it’s also painful for police to be accused of killing innocent people because they’re working hard. Police have children too. They have families too),” he added. As of July 25, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has been investigating and reviewing 103 cases of extrajudicial killings related to the antiillegal drugs campaign. There were 39 cases in NCR; 27 cases in Region I; 15 cases in Region II; 13 cases in the Cordillera Administrative Region; and nine cases in Region XII. It includes cases where suspects were killed in the middle of a police operation, or by an unidentified assailant, according to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. As the number of casualties continued to increase, Dela NO FOREVER. Proponents of divorce gather at the House of Representatives on Wednesday as the Gabriela party-list group filed its version Rosa stressed that he does not of the divorce bill for the fifth time. The Philippines is the only country in the world (aside from the Vatican) where divorce is not allowed, condone vigilantism. FOR the fifth time, women’s party list group Gabriela has pushed and filed anew a bill in Congress that seeks to legalize divorce in the Philippines. “It is high time that the state [should] give couples in abusive and irreparable marriages the option to divorce. We hope that this time, both Houses of Congress will finally approve the Divorce Bill,” Gabriela representative Emmi de Jesus said on Wednesday, August 3. Gabriela has been pushing the 13th Congress to pass the bill since 2005. If House Bill 2380 passes, any of the separated parties will have more leeway once the court grants them a divorce. “Ang weakness ng legal separation, hindi ka maka-move on dahil hindi pinawawalang bisa ang kasal (The weakness of legal separation is that you can’t move on from your marriage since it is not yet nulled),” de Jesus explained. Compared to the existing bills of legal separation and annulment, divorce will be able to help both men and women seeking to dissolve their disastrous marriages. “Ang annulment, kinikilala lamang ang problema ng relasyon noon pang panahon ng kasal tulad ng psychological incapacity na noon pa man nag-exist (While annulment just recognizes that there has been a problem in the relation
except for the Muslim minority.
ManilaTimes.net photo
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“Kung kayo tao, nasasaktan… ang pulis tao, nasasaktan. At kami’y nagmamahal sa aming kapwa. Ayaw talaga namin may masaktan unnecessarily (If you get hurt, police get hurt too. We care for our fellowmen. We don’t want them to get hurt unnecessarily),” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa claimed that policemen were professional enough not to mistake innocent people as suspects during operations against illegal drugs. last week, President Rodrigo Duterte denounced extrajudicial killings and said that it would be put “under control.”
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AMID President Rodrigo Duterte’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, the Philippine National Police (PNP) proudly reported that the country has also seen a downward trend in crime in the first half of 2016. “We are seeing the reduction of street crimes, particularly crimes against property metro-wide,” Chief Supt. oscar albayalde said. albayalde said that the significant decline in Metro Manila’s crime was due to the implementation of “oplan Tokhang” and “Double Barrel,” the government’s drive against illegal drugs. according to Inquirer.net, “oplan Double Barrel” is the government’s blueprint for its drug war, which supposedly involves exposing the “upper barrel” to capture “high-value” and supply-side targets; and the “lower barrel” to eliminate “lowvalue” and demand-side targets. “Tokhang,” which was first launched in Davao City in 2012, is a combination of “toktok” or knock and “hangyo” or to plead or request. In the last month, authorities have reported a total of 402 drugs suspects killed, 5,418 suspects arrested and 565,806 others who have surrendered. albayalde said that the weekly crime trend data from July 1- 19, 2016 reflected the significant decrease of street crimes compared with the data recorded on the first semester of 2016. other forms of index crimes against persons and properties correlated to illegal drugs have also been
reduced. Meanwhile, beginning this week, an emergency 911 hotline has been formally activated to immediately provide police assistance to the people. The 24 hour-hotline is also available for fire and medical emergencies. Since its activation, various calls for emergencies were received by the emergency hotline, such as ambulance assistance, vehicular accidents, petty harassment and civil disturbances, drag racing, drinking in public places, and drug pushing, among others. It seems that the PnP will help the president fulfill his promise of suppressing illegal drugs and criminality in the country within three to six months. The agency also vowed to clean up its ranks. of the 16,000 police officers drug tested, 11 were found positive. They were relieved from their posts and now under investigation. While these recent reports have been fairly positive, it would also be good for both the PnP and the government to look into the recent spike in Currently, the country has 160,000 policemen killings of suspected drug dealers and users un- manning the streets for a population of 102.3 milidentified gunmen. This alleged vigilante killings lion or a ratio of one cop for every 640 people. For incited fear among the citizenry. the PnP to further ensure the public’s safety and
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
purging misfits from the streets, policemen must be reminded to perform their duties based on respect for the sanctity of life and human rights. (AJPress)
Could this be the beginning of the end of Trump’s sprint to the White House? DonalD Trump’s millions of loyal ardent followers, many of whom are Filipinos in america, would even question the title of this piece as they believe in their hearts that he can indeed “make america great again.” There are kababayans who find it unfathomable how there are people who could not see beyond what they call lies the liberals are spewing against Trump. They say the real estate billionaire is the best candidate and best leader america could ever have, compared to obama, Clinton, Sanders, and any other Democrat. But the liberals and those who affiliate themselves with the Democratic Party are not the only ones speaking out against Trump these days, especially in light of his comments criticizing the parents of army Capt. Humayun Khan, who was killed in the line of duty in Baghdad in 2004. Many people from within the party he is supposed to represent have distanced themselves from his comments, while members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and a group of Goldstar families (an organization founded by individuals who lost family members in the Iraq war) have demanded an apology. The father Khizr Khan gave a speech at last week’s Democratic national Convention against Trump’s plan to ban Muslims in america. The
elder Khan said the plan denigrates the ultimate sacrifice their son and many other men in uni- The Fil-Am form made for the United States Perspective when they offered their own lives for this country they love. Khan claimed Trump “sacrificed nothing and no one,” and this prompted the Republican Gel SantoS-ReloS presidential nominee to retaliate and even speculate why Khan’s wife Ghazala did not even speak up during the convention to deliver her own remarks. In an opinion article published by the Washington Post, Ms. Khan wrote, “all the world, all america, felt my pain. I am a Gold Star mother. Whoever saw me felt me in their heart.” “Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak?” she added. Ms. Khan further said Mr. Trump was “ignorant” of Islam and criticized him for offering his business career as evidence that he had sacrificed for his country. “Donald Trump said he has made a lot of sacrifices,” Ms. Khan said. “He doesn’t know what the word sacrifice means.” The New York Times reported how Mr. and Ms. Khan stiffened their denunciation of Trump,
An open letter to President Rodrigo Duterte Many years ago, in May of 1986, our family — my Community husband and three children — decided to leave our Voice country when weexperienced too much chaos and violence after the aquino assassination. However, only ten teSS MaRino months after arriving in the US, another blow more devastating came to my life: a huge fire in my parent’s Ermita property took the lives of four — my Dad and Mom, who were in their mid-seventies, a balikbayan sister who was to come home the following day, and an 8-year-old nephew. Fortunately, my brother with his wife and six children were able to run away, but he was traumatized as he watched the fire engulf our loved ones. Firemen refused to spray the hose at our building because they prioritized on helping a neighbor whose building was not even burning because the owner had given P40,000 grease money to them! My bitterness and pain were indescribable as I vowed never to set foot again on Philippine soil. I decided to fight depression by writing an advice column for a California Filipino newspaper, praying for my heart to melt and forgive! I made the choice to accept the trials life threw at me, act positively to pursue worthy goals and fill my life with meaning and contribution. I let my heart overflow with joy as I watched our three children grow up to be amazingly responsible, compassionate and loving individuals and a happy marriage with my supportive husband. Ten years after the tragedy, we had to come home to attend the wedding of our eldest son to his beautiful wife in Batangas City. We have come and gone since, have never been to the scene until now. I just released forgiveness
for the evil deeds of men, and think back about good times from the past. Even as turbulence all over the world continues to roll like the waves of an ocean, my day never ends without a prayer for peace to reign in everyone’s hearts. I pray especially for my countrymen who for ages have been suffering from the hands of past leaders who had only self interests and greed, as well as natural disasters, poverty and overpopulation, heinous crimes by mentally impaired drug addicts, and the inability to survive against the odds. With the grace of God, their tools in life were strong faith and resilience! as Helen Keller quoted, “The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of the heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” I feel you, Mr. President, will live up to the challenges — dare mighty things — and win glorious triumphs together with each Filipino whose heart you have aroused. after watching your Sona speech, Mr. President, I can truly say that now I can see the light from the darkness. That my soul can feel the peace that someday, my husband and I, in our twilight years, will not be afraid to come back to our once beautiful beloved Philippines, because finally God has sent a leader like you with a compassionate heart and an iron hand. To be willing to sacrifice at the risk of your life will be your ultimate test, but what a reward you will get from all 100 million Filipinos and our future generations. our endless thanks from our grateful hearts and a prayer for you to never stop fighting for the sake of the country you seem to love at all costs! Very gratefully yours, Tess Marino
saying on the TV show “Meet the Press” on nBC last Sunday that Trump lacked the moral character and empathy to be president. Mr. Khan said Trump had shown disrespect to his wife, and he accused the Republican nominee of running a campaign “of hatred, of derision, of dividing us.” Mr. Khan made his appeal on “Meet the Press” to the “patriotic americans that would probably vote for Donald Trump,” saying “I appeal to them not to vote for hatred, not to vote for fear-mongering. Vote for unity. Vote for the goodness of this country.” Trump tweeted on Monday, aug. 1 that Khan “viciously attacked me from the stage of the DnC and is now all over T.V. doing the same.” He then continued the barrage of comments against Khan on Twitter and in interviews, arguing that he has done a lot of sacrifices as a businessman. He and his surrogates contended that Khan’s remarks against him are just being exploited for political expediency. But many leaders of the Republican Party do not agree with Trump and have been very public about their denouncement of Trump’s statements.
Street Talk GReG B. MacaBenta I WEnT through the transcript of the State of the nation address (Sona) of President Rodrigo Duterte with a sincere desire to experience the emotional impact that it had on Communications office Secretary Martin andanar. He said a preview of the speech made him cry. at the risk of seeming like a cold-hearted individual, I felt no such emotional high. no such luck. First of all, it was hardly a report on the state of the nation in its various facets – and not just the state of criminality in the country, specifically the drug menace, and the broken justice system. In his opening words, Duterte said he had no taste for raking up the sins of his predecessors, although he did state that those found guilty of violations of law would be made answerable, albeit with due process, The Sona was in fact a report on the State of the new administration’ plans, programs and policies - whatever one could make of them, from a rambling disjointed speech. This is not to belittle the honest effort of the new president to express himself in the manner that he thought best. Remember that it was that manner of expressing himself that persuaded over 16 million Filipinos to vote for him. It may be assumed that many of
They condemned Trump’s treatment of the Khans and as the New York Times reported, these leaders have called “his behavior outside the bounds of political discourse.” In a statement released last Monday, Sen. John McCain accused Donald Trump of defaming Khizr Khan and argued the Republican presidential candidate does not represent the GoP. “While our Party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us,” McCain said. Military veterans in Congress even urged House Speaker Paul Ryan to drop his endorsement of Trump. Recent polls reveal that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has widened her lead over Trump after the Democratic national Convention, with an 8, even 9 percent margin. Is this ominous for Trump’s presidential ambitions? Do you support Donald Trump’s statement? Do you agree that he went too far? *** 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
Trying to appreciate the SONA those millions would not recognize a coherent speech if it bit them on the nose. But as someone interested in the wisdom and profundity of national leaders – never mind eloquence, grassroots sincerity is more inspiring – I had to find a way to piece together the thoughts of our president in his first report to the nation. Following Duterte’s trend of thought, frankly, took some effort. The process reminded me of the old copy reading days in the Kislap-Graphic Magazine (circa 1957) where the editor’s mandatory tools, aside from the blue pencil, were a pair of scissors and scotch tape. one had to go through each manuscript to find a paragraph that could logically follow the lead. and one had to search for and piece together sections of the manuscript to come up with a logical and coherent sequence. That’s what I decided to do with Duterte’s Sona. you see, he kept jumping from topic to topic with no apparent concern for developing each one. What made it worse was his penchant for ad-libbing, depending on which subject took his fancy. By focusing on a specific topic – say, the drug problem and the broken justice system – I succeeded in finding related paragraphs in various sections of the entire speech, and transposed them to where I thought they logically belonged. That way, I managed to get a more comprehensive view of Dutete’s thoughts.
For easier identification, I labeled each related topic or paragraph with a heading; ·Justice system, crime and the drug menace · Back to drugs · Uplift people’s welfare by fixing the justice system · People’s welfare with reference to criminality · Media killings · Back to the broken justice system · Back to drugs · Educational development related to drug education · Back to drug problem out of nearly 9000 words in the entire speech, including ad-libs, this topic accounted for 2.137 words. of that only 24 words were devoted to educational development and that had to do with drug education.. Streamlining the civil service was the next favorite topic of Dutete, accounting for 1,250 words. DEnR, Gina lopez, global waming, garbage and laguna lake took up 1,116 words, beating Infrastructure development and the traffic problem which took 1,021 words. The paeans Dutete gave to lopez accounted for the margin. Internal security, the Bangsamoro issue, the CPP-nPa-nDF and lumads accounted for 757 words. Squatters and poverty alleviation rated 593 words. While Duterte’s other favorite topics, Federalsim, took 615 words and the Freedom of Information executive order had 472 words. What about topics close to the PAGE A7
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Ombudsman asks SC to reconsider Arroyo’s acquittal by Dana
M. SioSon
AJPress
MANILA – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales formally asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, August 3, to reconsider its decision after acquitting former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria MacapagalArroyo from her P366-million plunder case in connection with the disbursement of confidential funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The SC granted Arroyo’s petition for demurrer to evidence on July 19, 2016. It was filed after the prosecution has finished its presentation of evidence, which was earlier junked by the Sandiganbayan. The SC ruled that the Sandiganbayan’s conclusion was “plainly conjectural and outrightly unfounded” and that “the [Ombudsman] had no case for plunder against petitioners.” “The corpus delicti of plunder is the amassment, accumulation or acquisition of ill-gotten wealth valued at not less than P50,000,000. The failure to establish the corpus delicti should lead to the dismissal of the criminal prosecution,” the SC decision read, according to ABS-CBN. “There was no evidence, testimonial or otherwise, presented by the [Ombudsman] showing even the remotest possibility that the [Confidential Intelligence Funds or CIF] of the PCSO had been diverted to either GMA or [former PCSO Budget and Accounts Manager Benigno] Aguas, or [former PCSO general manager Rosario] Uriarte.”
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo physically reported for work on Monday, July 25 as Pampanga representative for the opening of the 17th Congress after being in detention for four years. Inset photo shows Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Philstar.com photos
The Ombudsman’s 32-page motion for reconsideration said that the high court has committed “grave errors which amount to a violation or deprivation of the state’s fundamental right to due process of law.” “The evidence presented by the [Ombudsman] was not fully taken into account, including but not limited to the irregularities in the [CIF] disbursement process, questionable practice of co-mingling of funds and [Aguas’] reports to the Commission on Audit (COA) that bulk of the P365,997,915.00 withdrawn from the [PCSO’s] CIF were diverted to the Arroyo-headed Office of the President.” The Ombudsman argued that Arroyo’s demurrer to evidence plea is not reviewable by appeal before the judgment of the case, stating that the court “committed
by Dana
M. SioSon
AJPress
After spending five years of imprisonment in the Philippines, a man from Seattle was acquitted of rape charges and was freed on Tuesday, August 2. Scott McMahon has been detained since April 7, 2011, after being accused of rape by his friend’s wife whom he previously filed a case against after causing an incident that purportedly traumatized his young son. McMahon filed a complaint after the woman allegedly broke into his house with the police, yelling as she looked for her estranged husband. He also claimed that his accus-
er and her cohorts tried to extort money from him in exchange for dropping the charges but ultimately refused. Judge Amelia A. Sabros-Corpuz acquitted McMahon, stating that she found the accuser’s rape allegations to be “merely a leverage or afterthought” to the charge previously filed by McMahon. Records showed that no physical evidence was found to support the claim of sexual assault at the woman’s home early morning in February 2010. Records also showed that the complainant did not report the purported crime for six months. Sabros-Corpuz said that the prosecution’s case “is not suf-
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FVR’s China mission: No hard proposals, just dialogue MANILA – Former president Fidel Ramos, appointed as special envoy to China, is on a mission mainly to break the ice with Beijing and will not present any “hard proposals” on resolving the South China Sea issue. “I’m sending president Ramos for a dialogue. There is no hard proposal yet,” Duterte said. Asked what his instructions to Ramos were, the President quoted Ramos as saying, “I’ll just go fishing.” “I told him, ‘That’s good. Go ahead,’” Duterte said. He clarified that Ramos’ trip is not yet part of the official negotiations on the South China Sea row. In fact, the former president will not be talking with Chinese officials but with “friends.” “He has many friends, but it will not be the political officers,” Duterte said, noting that if Ramos talks to Chinese officials, it may be misconstrued as formal negotiations. Duterte stressed that the government is not yet at the “negotiations” stage. “It is not time to be insistent,” the President added. “When the time comes for negotiations, we will not go out of the arbitral award.” Duterte said he has tapped for-
grave errors which amount to a violation or deprivation of the state’s fundamental right to due process of law.” “The concept of actual personal gain, benefit or enrichment to the offender is immaterial as the important consideration in offenses involving the unlawful taking of property, as in plunder, is the intent to gain,” the motion read. “Unlawful taking or apoderamiento is deemed complete from the moment the offender gains possession of the thing, even if he or she has no opportunity to dispose of the same.” The Ombudsman also argued that Arroyo and co-accused Aguas conspired with their other coaccused “via a complex, illegal scheme which defrauded PCSO PAGE A6 in hundreds of millions of pe- heart of business and related to sos.” the economy? The economy and tax reform rated only 151 words. Jobs and entrepreneurship had 209, health care and reproductive health took all of 111 words, ficient enough to establish his while agriculture and tourism deguilt beyond reasonable doubt.” velopment took 65 and 20 words, “When they finally read the respectively. verdict, of course, Scott’s eyes Also given only passing menbecame so wide and there were tion were women’s rights with 85 tears,” Shelley Campanella, Mc- words and natural calamities with Mahon’s mother, told the Seattle 56. Times. Foreign relations and the West “You could see his shoulders Philippine Sea issue accounted for just loosen up, his whole body 149 words. No ad libs. loosened. I know it sounds cliThat’s one word less than clean ché, but it was like the weight of governance, which had 150 words the world was lifted off of him, – but included a rationale that corand I felt the same way.” ruption and inefficiency at the lowMcMahon plans to return to er local government level could be the United States as soon as pos- beyond the national government’s sible, she added. control. However, he was asked to pay I think this SONA gives the fines for overstaying in the Phil- country an idea of where the new ippines before leaving the coun- president intends to focus his pastry. sion. There are issues and con-
US man acquitted of rape after 5 years in PH prison
OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 5-11, 2016
Asked what his instructions to former president Fidel Ramos were, the President quoted Ramos as saying, “I’ll just go fishing.”
mer interior secretary Rafael Alunan to join backchannel talks. Other people may also be asked to participate in the dialogue, including former ABC News Beijing bureau chief Chito Sta. Romana. “He has been there for a long time. He has been living there since he escaped from the Marcos regime,” Duterte said of the newsman. Last July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) based in The Hague declared that China’s sweeping territorial claim in the South China Sea has no legal basis. The claim covers virtually the entire South China Sea but is being contested by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
The court also awarded the Philippines sovereign rights over Panganiban (Mischief) Reef, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, and Recto (Reed) Bank, all located off Palawan. China has refused to recognize the ruling, which it dismissed as “illegal since day one.” Chinese officials also claimed that the tribunal’s decision would not diminish China’s territorial interests. Duterte previously said that the interest of the Philippines and its allies would be considered in efforts to settle the maritime dispute. He also gave assurance that all bilateral talks with China would be anchored on the ruling. (Alexis Romero, Pia Lee-Brago, Marvin Sy/Philstar.com)
Trying to appreciate the SONA cerns that different sectors may think are important and require more – or at least as much - attention and diligence as those in Duterte’s comfort zone. One would have difficulty understanding why education, health care, agricultural development and tourism development merited only passing mention. I think Duterte is intelligent enough to appreciate their importance, But prudent enough not to discuss topics beyond his full comprehension. That’s the function of the presidential staff – or maybe they’re still warming their seats. Perhaps he intends to delegate those issues and concerns to the heads of Cabinets or to Comgress. But while the President can delegate authority, Duterte cannot delegate responsibility and accountability. Duterte did end on a poignant note: “There are many among us whose emotional wounds are still
fresh and painful to the touch. We cannot erase the images of death and destruction from our minds. We cannot wash away the stench of rotting flesh from our noses. And there are many of us who are still waiting for the help that was promised. ”But we should not despair. Like someone wrote: It is when the night is darkest, that dawn breaks. We are imbued with resiliency that has been tested and proven. More difficult times As in the past. We have a bond to act together. We have to help each other. For then and only then can we truly prevail. “And the Filipino, disciplined, informed, involved, shall rise from the rubbles of sorrow and pain. So that all the mirrors in the world will reflect the face of a passion that has changed this land. “Daghang Salamat.” Let us all hope fpr the best. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com).
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august 5-11, 2016 • OC/IE asIaN JOuRNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
CARPET ,
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entertainment magazine august 5-11, 2016
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august 5-11, 2016
Karla Garcia: First Filipina cast member of ‘Hamilton’ By MoMar
G. Visaya
cast member of the highly successful and Tony award-winning Broadway musical, “Hamilton.” Hard work, a lot of it, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical’s perseverance and determination creator, lyricist and star, and the are some of the ingredients in rest of the cast welcomed her with Broadway performer Karla Puno open arms last February. They even Garcia’s journey to stardom. had a special ‘Ham4Ham’ video that She shared this with young eventually went viral. Filipino-americans in northeast Miranda, introducing the USa who graduated this year and video said, “Hello, hello! Kumusta, joined the Philippine Consulate kaibigan. Welcome to the Taglish General’s P Grad or Philippine edition of the digital Ham4Ham Graduation program at the show.” He then thanked an exKalayaan Hall. Garcia, together girlfriend for his conversational with Michael Vea, founder of KIPP and teach for Philippines, were the Taglish and rattled the phrases he knows like “Mahal kita, minamahal evening’s keynote speakers. kita”, “Kaibigan lang”, “Wanna bet, “To be able to inspire younger kiss my puwet” and the cuss words Filipinos, that is very important to he learned. Ham4Ham is the digital me,” Karla told the Asian Journal. lottery for tickets to “Hamilton,” “I took a day off today and I asked my management for permission to where winners can pay ten dollars – a Hamilton – to watch the show. do this.” Karla said she is having Garcia recalled her own story the time of her life as part of and the challenges she had to go Broadway’s biggest musical in through as she chased her dream years. – to become a star onstage. She shared that just like other an older cousin Lamae Caparas actors before her, she worked hard competed in dance competitions, and took odd jobs in order to make and Karla thought, “That seems fun.” She tried it out herself and she ends meet. “I did retail at Express. I passed fell in love with dance. a few years out flyers in Times Square (similar later, Karla watched her cousin on the Broadway show “The Lion King.” to the girls dressed head to toe in red tights and Bowler hats, passing “I was so inspired seeing her out ads to go see Chicago). I didn’t on that stage … seeing a fellow wear a costume, but it was still Filipina family member from my hometown perform for thousands very humbling. I also hostessed at a Mexican restaurant,” Karla of people on a Broadway stage. I enumerated. wanted to be up there too. I knew She found hostessing easy. I had found my true calling,” she “You just smile and lead people shared. to a table. I was doing so well, that Karla is now the first Filipina AJPress
my restaurant manager decided to promote me to calling in delivery orders to the kitchen. Well, I lasted one night. I sent multiple wrong orders to the kitchen, so the chefs were hustling, making all kinds of food that wasn’t being ordered,” Karla shared. The kitchen staff had to throw some of the food away and Karla apologized to the manager and asked for her hostessing job back. The road to Hamilton raised in Oxon Hill, Maryland, a navy suburb of Washington dC, Karla was surrounded by Filipino culture nonstop. Her elementary school, parish, and even her dance studio were 90% Filipino. On Sundays, her entire family would go to Mass, then come home and eat either adobo or kare kare and rice. She would then go to her dance studio and rehearse for hours then come home and start her homework at about 11:00 pm. “Mom and dad always said, ‘No grades no dance.’ I had to dance, so I stayed up sometimes till 3:00 am finishing school projects or studying for exams,” she shared. The routine of [wake up, school, dance, family meal, homework, sleep and repeat] became quite normal for her. She appreciates that she was brought up to understand the value of hard work, discipline, and building the path to your chosen destination. “Most of our parents immigrated here to ensure that
we had all the opportunities available to us to take on whatever life we envisioned. We could become a doctor, a teacher, a musician, a playwright … and even a secretary,” she said, a dream she once entertained. “There are no limits. We are our own architects and because of our culture and upbringing, we have all the tools necessary to realize our dreams.” after high school, Karla knew she needed structure in her transition to become a professional dancer. She knew she needed time to discover herself so she gave herself time to grow and mature. Her grandfather in the Philippines found out that she wanted to be a dancer and he was almost incredulous. “He couldn’t believe that one of his grandchildren wasn’t going to practice law or medicine, or be an engineer. I told him it was what I loved. He could tell I was serious about it, but he said ‘Just make sure you have a backup plan’,” she shared. Karla heeded this advice. along with her dance BFa at New York University, she also minored in journalism. When she was a junior, she auditioned for a new Broadway show called “Hot Feet” and was immediately cast. “at 20 years old, I was the youngest dancer to be cast in the show. at this point, I think my Lolo was starting to understand my dream a bit more,” she said, adding that she took a few months off from school to do the show, and after a brief summer run, the show closed and she went back to NYU to complete her degree. “I’m so glad that I had those years to improve upon myself both as an artist and an adult.” after her Broadway debut, and armed with an NYU degree under her belt, Karla thought to herself, “Oh, this is a piece of cake! I’ll book another Broadway show … easy! No problem!” She couldn’t be more wrong. Karla faced months and months of rejection. Nothing was happening and she got close to booking gigs only to get passed over for someone else. She was on survival mode and this was when she showed resilience as she took on the various jobs she had to do, gaining further appreciation for every form of hard work. “all jobs, all parts are important and necessary. The boss, for instance, cannot perform their duties without their secretary. In a
musical, the lead actors need their ensemble members to support the energy in a scene, or elevate a moment with choreography,” Karla explained. Tides turned and Karla began to book more consistent work in the industry, from national tours to TV gigs, and a stint on the Fox reality show “So You Think You Can dance”. Then, came “Hamilton.” as a swing in the musical, Karla is not onstage every night, but she has to know five different roles, and be ready to go on at the drop of a dime in case someone calls out. “Before our Tony performance last June, our director Tommy Kail gave the cast a little pep talk. He reminded us how vital each and every person in our company is to the life of the
2
show,” she said, remembering her unforgettable and life-changing Tony awards experience. “From the understudies, to the swings, to the wardrobe department … the show would not go on without every single one of these components. Be proud of your task, your part in the machine … take ownership of your piece in the puzzle.” Throughout her training as a kid, Karla knew her family always had her back and with their encouragement, she ran full force towards her dream. “I saw older girls from my dance studio graduate and go on to perform on Broadway, in award shows and on television. I thought ‘That could be me!’ I never saw a Broadway show and thought I couldn’t be in it because of any Continued on Page 6
Miss Universe to young girls: Dayanara Torres to Filipinos: ‘Enjoy being a teenager’ ‘Miss na miss ko na kayo’ By Joseph
alMer B. pedraJas AJPress
MISS Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach attended Miss Teen USa 2016 pageant held at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas last Saturday, July 30, where she told the young contestants to “enjoy being a teenager.” Wearing a floral gown designed by Sherri Hill, Wurtzbach stunned the mostly american crowd as the pageant’s host Miss USa 2015 Olivia Jordan and actor Cody Johns introduced her. Jordan, Wurtzbach’s former roommate, asked the reigning beauty queen her advice for the next Miss Teen USa. “My advice for the next Miss Teen USa [is] don’t rush into growing up. Enjoy being a teenager!” Wurtzbach answered, drawing cheers from the audience. She added, “The judges will choose a girl tonight based on who they think is the perfect fit to be a role model for girls. Well, not just girls, but anybody your age.” Together with Miss Teen USa 2015 Katherine Haik and Miss USa 2016 deshauna Barber, Wurtzbach crowned Karlie Hay from Texas as Miss Teen USa 2016. Wurtzbach praised Hay for choosing to talk about peer pressure during the question and answer round. “I loved that you weren’t hesitant with how the way you answered. Like some girls would be a little bit hesitant to say the words drugs or peer pressure,” she
by alixandra
Caole Philstar.com
Vila
THE Philippines has remained in the heart of Miss Universe 1993 dayanara Torres after all these years. Expressing just how much she misses the country which she pertains to as her “second home,” the former beauty queen posted a photo of her “Pinoy” stash which includes dried mangoes coated in chocolate, polvoron and the Philippine flag on Instagram.
The Puerto rican beauty, who is also the youngest Miss Universe ever at 18 years old, also said she is excited over the news that the Philippines will be hosting Miss Universe early next year. dayanara, who was previously tagged as the Philippines’s “dancing Queen,” spent more than five years in the country in the mid-90s where she did movies and regularly performed on aBSCBN’s variety show “aSaP.”
Dayanara Torres is the youngest Miss Universe to be crowned.
Solenn Heussaff slammed over ‘foxy’ magazine cover by JoyCe JiMenez Philstar.com
SOLENN Heussaff was criticized by the netizens for agreeing to use a fake fox costume for her FHM magazine cover. On Monday, aug. 1, Solenn posted a photo of the magazine’s cover and in the caption clarified that “the fox is fake. No animals were harmed for this shoot.” However, this didn’t pacify the netizens who said that even if it is Miss Universe 2015 during the Miss Teen USA pageant held last Saturday, July 30 in Las Vegas. a fake fox, it somehow promotes Photo from Miss Universe Facebook page “animal cruelty.” thing,” she said. told Hay. The Kapuso actress then The beauty queen also ‘I am very happy’ explained in the comments boasted that she has advocated On the other hand, section that the use of the fake for HIV awareness during her Wurtzbach noted that she is “very fox is only for the theme of the reign. happy” with her reign as the Miss shoot “like any movie, like ‘Game “I’m finally able to talk more Universe. of Thrones.’” about my advocacy, which is “I am very happy that I go She also reiterated that the fox HIV awareness,” she announced, to all these countries, learning is “fake what else do you want.” “just recently I had myself tested about culture, learning about the “don’t start lecturing me on publicly… to lessen the stigma.” people… it’s all about a good what I support and don’t because
Solenn Heussaff was criticized by some netizens for agreeing to use a fake fox fur in her FHM magazine cover.
you don’t know me,” she said. She also expressed her “frustration” over why she should explain what they do in the name of art. “It’s so sickening now a
days how people always have to explain things like this. Frustrating really,” she said. “You don’t like the shot, don’t comment, get on with your life. Thanks,” she added.
3 Louis Yan ‘The Moment’ Magic World Tour at Pechanga Resort & Casino this August Charo Santos-Concio shares secret of ‘MMK’ August 5-11, 2016
www.asianjournal.com
InternatIonal Champion Magician, louis Yan, will be at the Pechanga theater at 8pm on august 27, 2016 (Saturday) and at 4pm on august 28th (Sunday). He will be sharing his joy with the audience by means of his amazing magic performance. louis Yan is a new generation famous magician. His magic shows are not only limited to the commonly seen sawed apart beauty on stage, he also flexibly uses objects encountered in day-to-day life as magic tools, combined with his endless creativity, to come up with all kinds of wonderful magic. In his own magic tV show, as the host and lead, he performs a variety of amazing street magic, such as, turning something in a picture into tangible objects after one shake, bringing back dead fish to life, turning old cars into new ones. His tricks go against rules of nature and leave people in awe. What’s more, he is an award winner in parts of europe and america, having been the winner of multiple international magic open competitions, and proudly received the Best Stage Showmanship award from “Merlin award,” the equivalent of an oscar in the magician world. He even broke the Guinness World record, setting the Guinness World record for “the largest Magic School” and “Underwater Speed escape from Chain”, which gave him the title of “Hong Kong David Copperfield”. this year he also appeared on Year of the Monkey Spring Festival Gala on CCtV China, using a series of creative technology products as the theme for his magic show. Don’t miss out on louis Yan’s amazing and creative magic show at Pechanga. He will use all his tricks to let you enjoy a fantastically electrifying performance. ticket prices are $98, $68 and $48, available while supplies last. to purchase tickets, call (626) 284-4861. For more information, please call (877) 711-2946 or go to www.Pechanga. com. Shows in the Pechanga theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience.
by Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com
tHe drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” is one of the tV shows that has been followed by the public every Saturday. It features inspiring stories by the Filipinos for 25 years now, which is being hosted by Charo Santos-Concio. When asked what she thinks is the secret of their show, Charo replied, “Hindi dahil sa akin kung hindi dahil sa mga kuwentong ibinahagi sa programa.” She also pointed out that it was not an easy journey for their show. In those 25 years, she said, “‘MMK’ has gone through its ups and downs. It’s not like a program that faired from the challenges of the competition. Mayro’n din siyang maraming challenges, pero sa awa ng Diyos hindi kami tinalikuran ng mga manonood.” In the past few months, Charo had the chance to get up close and personal with some Filipino overseas workers (oFWs), the ones who often send in letters to their show. During those moments in Madrid, Spain and Hong Kong, she heard stories of struggles
encountered by oFWs. “Isang tanong ko lang po sa kanila ng ‘kamusta kayo?’ tuluy-tuloy nang nagkukuwento ng kanilang buhay,” she recalled. “the challenges that they went through to be able to survive in a foreign land, to be able to take the pain of being separated from their children, and lahat ng hirap nila, lahat ng hard work, pagpupuyat only to give better quality of life to their families.” “they talk about the pain of being separated, and yet I don’t hear them talking about coming back home,” Charo said. Yet after hearing their stories, she realized that “they have found peace elsewhere.” “Some of them said, ‘well, you know, we’ve met so many kind employers who made us part of their families. Naging miyembro kami ng pamilya nila, tinuring kaming kapamilya. Naikot namin ang buong mundo dahil sa kanila, so to repay them for their kindness hindi namin sila maiwan,’” she recalled. She added, “‘Yong iba naman sinasabi, ‘okay naman na, napatapos na namin ang mga anak namin. May pamilya na sila, nakapagpatayo na kami ng maliit
Charo Santos-Concio said their show draws strength and inspiration from the life stories of their letter-senders.
na bahay, nakapagbigay na kami ng kaunting business na tricycle, sari-sari store, jeepney. okay na kasi nahanap ko naman na ang pagkatao ko dito.’” no matter how ironic it may sound, Charo said these oFWs felt that “when they’re able and ready to come back home, they have found peace elsewhere.” these inspiring stories were translated by Charo, with the help of Jonathan Manalo of Star Music, through the “Maalaala Mo Kaya” commemorative album titled “MMK life Songs.”
Pokwang deals with a family crisis With 1,200 seats in its theater, each show features state-of-theart and acoustically perfected sound. enjoying favorite artists at Pechanga versus other venues proves effortless with free valet and self-parking for guests, complimentary casino/resort shuttles, gourmet and casual dining options on site, plus comfortable chairs and an upclose view from every theater seat. Pechanga Resort & Casino Pechanga resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in america by readers of USa toDaY and rated a Four Diamond property by aaa since 2002, Pechanga resort & Casino
provides an unparalleled getaway. offering more than 3,400 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PeCHanGa or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga resort & Casino on Facebook and on twitter @ PechangaCasino. Pechanga resort & Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino. (Advertising Supplement)
by eric John Salut ManilaTimes.net
In my latest interview with Pokwang, she shared how hard she cried when she realized her mother no longer recognizes her because of the latter’s battle with alzheimer’s disease. the comedienne’s 75-year-old Mommy Gloria has no memory of Pokwang as her daughter, but instead remembers her from an old aBS-CBn noontime show. She’s completely lost her memory. What she remembers is ‘Si Pokwang ng Wowowee!’,” she lamented. “It was as if the whole world caved in on me,” Pokwang continued. “I love my mom so much, and it pains me seeing her like that—as if she was a child.” Despite her busy schedule,
much the family loves her. “When I’m off work, I would walk her around the village. She still loves to play bingo. every time she would see our youngest brother Dino, she would keep crying,” Pokwang said. She has hired a personal nurse to take care of her mom as well. “But they say there should still be at least one of her children there aside from the nurse.” Because of her mom’s degenerative condition, Pokwang has decided to move into a new house that will be Pokwang with mom Gloria who is afflicted more conducive for their living with Alzheimer’s disease arrangement. Pokwang makes sure to spend as “a two-storey house is more much time as she can with her ideal so mom can stay on the first mom. For even if Mommy Gloria floor. My house now has four floors, no longer remembers her, she but both properties are located in wants to make sure she feels how antipolo,” she pointed out.
August 5-11, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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One BBQ: Delicious eat-all-you-can Korean barbecue at the right price In the last few years, Korean cuisine has established itself name in the American dining scene. As Americans cozied up to the ever-popular carne asada from Latin America, Korean bulgogi is making its own statement. Korean barbecue has blown up in the U.S. for quite a while, especially in Southern California; and, One BBQ in La Palma fits right in with the hype. Conveniently located near the 91 freeway, the all-you-can-eat One BBQ promises high-quality meats and fast, excellent service at extremely competitive prices. Customers have their choice of a myriad of high-quality cuts of meat, such as beef brisket, beef and pork bulgogi, marinated chicken, marinated pork belly and unmarinated pork fingers, just to name a few. The portions are hefty to ensure each customer gets more bang for their buck. The beef bulgogi at One BBQ stands out among other establishments. The sweet and savory selection is not too tough and packed with flavor. The server might recommend the white pork
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jowl and for very good reason. Like the beef bulgogi, it’s not too tough, and it’s not too soft – it’s just right. But perhaps one of the highlights of the menu isn’t even the barbecue. The fresh steamed egg is a fluffy sensation in a hot pot bowl that perfectly pairs with any meat. Drinks include the standard fountain beverages as well as a wide selection of draft and bottled beer and three kinds of soju. Customers can choose from three menu options at different price points: Menu A ($9.99), Menu B ($13.99) and Menu C ($17.99). With a multitude of options at convenient pricing, One BBQ is sure to satisfy every Korean BBQ lover at any budget. Menu A items include: beef bulgogi, beef brisket, pork belly, red pork cheek smoked bacon, chicken teriyaki, curry pork belly, curry chicken, large intestines, marinated squid, spicy pork bulgogi, jalapeno chicken, garlic pork belly, marinated pork chop, beef belly, pork steak, beef belly steak, steamed rice, miso soup
McDonald’s USA announces big changes to its food Latest efforts further company’s journey to build a better McDonald’s
OAK BROOK, Ill. – On Monday, August 1, McDonald’s USA announced a number of moves across its menu as the company continues to evolve. This includes: • removing artificial preservatives from several items which also don’t have artificial colors or flavors, including its iconic Chicken Mcnuggets. Across its breakfast menu, the pork sausage patties and omelet-style eggs served on McGriddles, Bagel and Biscuit breakfast sandwiches, along with the scrambled eggs on its breakfast platters, also now have no artificial preservatives. and rice paper. • rolling out new buns this The large team of friendly and month that no longer contain high attentive wait staff offer perfect fructose corn syrup, including recommendations tailored to the buns used on Big Macs, everybody’s preferences. The Quarter Pounders, hamburgers spacious dining area can easily and cheeseburgers, Filet-O-Fish accommodate large groups of and McChicken sandwiches. The family and friends as well as Artisan roll introduced in 2015 couples looking for an excellent never contained high fructose date night option. corn syrup. One BBQ is perfect for • completing a major anybody looking for a high commitment to only serve chicken quality, affordable dining not treated with antibiotics experience. important to human medicine* One BBQ is located at 6901 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623 and nearly a year ahead of schedule. In total, these changes touch it is open Monday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. To contact One ingredients in nearly half of the food on McDonald’s menu. BBQ, call (714) 522-2996. “More than ever, people care (Advertising Supplement) about their food – where it comes from, what goes into it and how it’s prepared,” said Mike Andres, president, McDonald’s USA. “We’re making changes to ensure the food we’re proud of is food our customers love and feel good eating, and we remain committed to our continuing food journey at McDonald’s.” McDonald’s originally set out to achieve its antibiotics chicken commitment by March 2017. Through a collaborative effort with its suppliers and farmers on a large scale, the company was able to make this change a reality and bring it to its customers nearly a year ahead of schedule. now every chicken item McDonald’s serves is made from chicken not treated with antibiotics important to human medicine, including its new Chicken Mcnuggets. “I applaud efforts such as those undertaken by McDonald’s
in close collaboration with its suppliers and poultry farmers, to greatly reduce the use of medically important antibiotics in its animal agricultural food supply chain,” said Dr. H Morgan Scott, professor of epidemiology in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University. “McDonald’s and its suppliers have worked to identify appropriate alternatives for sustaining broiler flock health while implementing protocols to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised. Sourcing decisions by industry leaders such as McDonald’s have great potential to positively influence appropriate antibiotic stewardship in food animal sectors around the world.” These changes are the latest in a series of actions McDonald’s has taken across its restaurants and kitchens, such as: • making an industry leading commitment in September 2015 to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025 in the U.S and Canada. According to the Humane Society of the United States, more than 100 companies have since announced their commitments to do the same, showing positive impact across the industry. • refreshing McDonald’s premium salad blend in June 2015 by replacing iceberg lettuce with fresh romaine, baby spinach and baby kale, and making further enhancements in June 2016 with the addition of Tuscan red leaf lettuce and ribbon-cut carrot curls. The freshly prepared Premium Salads offer at least 2.5 cups of vegetables. • revitalizing its classic Egg McMuffin, moving from margarine to 100% real butter*, and continuing to serve a fresh cracked Grade A egg at the center of it all. • sourcing milk in its low fat milk jugs and Go-GURT® low fat yogurt from cows not treated with rbST*, an artificial growth hormone. • introducing Buttermilk Crispy Chicken in August 2015, made with 100% chicken breast filet, real buttermilk and a blend of spices including black pepper, garlic and
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SERVICES
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onion powder. This followed the introduction of Artisan Grilled Chicken in March 2015. McDonald’s continues to innovate its menu to include new tastes and ingredients that customers are looking for, such as turkey sausage, guacamole made with real Hass avocados, Sriracha and freshly prepared pico de gallo as part of local tests and regional introductions. “From our test kitchens to what we serve in our restaurants, we’re zeroing in on how to bring new flavors and choices some never seen before on our menu to customers across the country,” said Chef Jessica Foust, RDn, director of culinary innovation, McDonald’s Corporation. “Our focus on culinary innovation at McDonald’s is essential as we continue to evolve.” McDonald’s is appealing to local tastes with innovations and new ingredients relevant in certain regions of the country: • Gilroy Garlic Fries in the San Francisco Bay area, where McDonald’s world famous fries are hand tossed in stainless steel bowls with a purée mix including garlic from Gilroy, California, olive oil, parmesan cheese, parsley and a pinch of salt • Old Bay Filet-O-Fish sandwich across the Mid-Atlantic, made with 100% sustainably sourced, Marine Stewardship Council certified wild caught Alaskan Pollock • Lobster Rolls in new England, the birthplace of the dish, made with 100% north Atlantic lobster As a restaurant company, McDonald’s prepares quality food in its kitchens and has served iconic recipes for more than 60 years. Today, that same focus and care for its food matters more than ever. For more information, visit news.mcdonalds.com/us. McDonald’s USA McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and Continued on Page 6
August 5-11, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
SKT Immigration
L Visa: Come to the US by expanding your business
L-1 Process To begin the process, the United states company must file Filipinos can acquire visas a petition with the United states by expanding their business to Citizenship and immigration the United states. The l-1 visa services (UsCis). The petition enables United states employers must demonstrate that the to transfer existing executives, following requirements are met: managers, or employees with 1. Qualifying relationship specialized knowledge from an between the U.s. company and affiliated foreign office to an office company abroad; in the United states. Alternatively, 2. U.s. company and the foreign company can send company abroad will be doing an executive or manager to the business; United states to set up a new 3. l-1 Transferee has worked office or company. for the foreign company for at There are two types of least 1 of the 3 preceding years l-1 visas: l-1A visa pertains to before the filing of the petition; executives or managers, who will 4. l-1 Transferee’s oversee the business and daily employment overseas was in operations of the United states an executive, managerial or company; l-1B visa pertains to specialized knowledge capacity; professional employees with 5. Employment in the U.s. will specialized knowledge of the be in an executive, managerial or product, services, or process of specialized knowledge capacity; the foreign company. 6. l-1 Transferee is qualified Beneficiaries of approved l-1 for the job; petitions can bring their spouse 7. Employment in the U.s. is and unmarried children under the temporary. age of 21 to the United states for The maximum length of stay the duration of the beneficiary’s for managers or executives with stay. in addition, authorized l-1A visas is 7 years, whereas spouses may work in the United the maximum length of stay for states. specialized knowledge employees
Eliot KriEgEr
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond
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with l-1B visas is 5 years. Conclusion The l visa is a popular option for foreign nationals seeking to relocate to the United states due to its many advantages and potential pathway to permanent residence. As dual-intent is allowed for l visas, l visa holders can file for a green card in the United states without potentially jeopardizing their visa status. Additionally, there is no annual cap on the number of l-1 visas available each year so there is no wait time. This advantageous visa option allows the l-1 Transferee’s family to obtain l-2 visas, where the spouse and children can lawfully work and attend school in the U.s. *** 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)
Rewriting your own story “A useless life is an early death.”
— Goethe
MonEttE AdEvA MAglAyA iF you’ve been given the chance to restart a new life after you’ve gone through some life-changing, miraculous experience, such as surviving a horrific accident when everyone else perished, or finding yourself inexplicably healed from a deadly disease, then you’ll know what it feels to be given a reprieve, a fresh slate, a clean paper, what the Greeks call a tabula rasa, on which you can begin writing your new story. or if you use a computer, click on a new blank document and chase the cursor. How does one use this new lease on life? Most people lucky enough to be given a second chance, will quickly realize that this new lease can just be an extra few months or years, and in the most blessed scenarios, a decade or two. Each day beyond that critical turning point is a bonus, every single moment, a gift. sometimes, God mercifully knocks some sense into us through drastic means by throwing us a curve ball to bring us down on our knees so that we have no choice but to look above and beyond our own
petty, selfish concerns and total self-involvement in order to grasp the concept of our own mortality and to know that we are here for a purpose. We’re not here to merely consume resources or take up space. Consider the fearsome dinosaurs. Grazing the earth for millions of years, that is essentially what they did — consumed resources and took up space. not by intelligence but by sheer size and numbers, they had dominion over all other species for millions of years, until one day, as scientists try to explain their extinction, a rogue asteroid about 7 miles long, possibly got unhinged off its orbit in the asteroid belt, hit the earth with such impact, setting off a series of volcanic eruptions that covered the atmosphere with ash far above the stratosphere, so that sunlight could not penetrate through the haze for years, killing off the plant life, upsetting and destroying the food chain balance and effectively starving and wiping the dinosaurs off the face of the earth 65 million years ago. Here is earth’s tabula rasa story — starting on a clean slate,
a new lease on life. When the reptiles died, mammals, of which we are classified under, began their ascent. Human beings with purpose came to be. Yet each man’s purpose is nebulous and not always obvious. purpose does not come as clear as the light of day. We have to seek it out. Either by choice or circumstance, some exceptional ones find their purpose early enough and proceed to fulfill it. But the great majority of people on the bell curve don’t have the nose to sense their true north. Most of us of the garden variety meander about our lives trying different things until we finally stumble upon it by trial and error. The annals of history are rife with such stories. st. paul, almost single handedly nourished the beginnings of the early Christian church through his numerous travels. But he didn’t start out that way. He was just as passionate about persecuting Christians before he was tapped from above to do a complete conversion. Edwin Hubble, the great astronomer who lived in the Continued on Page 6
Making sense of the changing values in the 21st century The Metamorphosis
ErniE d. dElfin (Part 2 of 2)
nEvErTHElEss, i continue my quest for that state of perfection. But in my adult years, i have found that this is always a constant process — the unending quest for that “better or ideal” life. oftentimes, the roadmap we choose also leads to or create other problems that we never imagined. in the 21st century, materialism has become a dominant force that constantly tangles with our idealism. Many people prefer to be known for the material wealth they possess, as opposed to who they are as human beings. This hedonistic love affair and the pursuit of the trappings of material success have exacerbated the socio-economic-culturalspiritual conditions in our homeland, as the philippines continue to search and find her own destiny. But your concerns, although normal and valid, should not petrify you into inaction as problems are an integral part of our lives. i may have been out of the country for many decades now, except for the many ‘balikbayan” (homecoming) trips i have taken, but the pulse of the common tao runs strong in my veins. i can still hear the silent cries of the poor tenants in the fields, the market vendors in the palengke (market) or the beggars
or cigarette vendors in the cities of Manila in their daily struggle just to survive the day. it’s really sad that it seems that God loves the poor so much that He made so many of them. i often ask, “Why lord, that there is so much inequality in this world where a few wallow in unconscionable wealth while others cannot even feed their families?” To rationalize, perhaps, i also hear that despite all these poverty that existed since biblical times, the opportunity to change one’s self, no matter how difficult and challenging it is, still exists, like what you and i did in our lives! Console yourself, then, that in this life you can never force a man to change unless he wants to. The best way you can do, i believe, is to provide the role model, or better still, if you can provide some opportunities to others. But then, the person must exert at least 51 percent of the efforts to change. if you do not succeed in all the people that you wish to help, don’t be alarmed. Do not be utterly disappointed and make yourself unhappy or discouraged. Go ahead, just do your best and not be concerned with the results all the time! Every day in our lives, we are confused with the challenges and with it comes the problems to be solved, which we alone must tackle. in the final analysis, we cannot ask others what the meaning of our life is, but rather each man must recognize that it is something he must ask himself. Truly, each of us is questioned by life and it is only us who can answer to our own
life and we can only respond by being responsible. life is indeed a mystery to be lived, and never a problem to be solved. lastly, i would like to mention, letty, that your frustrations and urge to question many things is not uncommon. it happens to each one of us often. We can still be that lotus plant that is thrown into a polluted pond of water. in God mysterious ways, that lotus plant with water and sunlight thrives and bear beautiful flowers and in the process also purifies the water beneath its roots. During those moments of self-doubts, which they always come, it is worthwhile to remember and pray st. Francis’“prayer for serenity”: “lord please grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, the courage to change the things i can, and the wisdom to know the difference!” As your elder brother, i must tell you, letty, that life never offers any guarantees. There are no simple solutions to our problems. There really are no safe roads to take. Each day comes is a new adventure, a new experience, and there will be no promises. Anything else that contradicts this maxim probably is really unimportant in the scheme of things and you must try not to waste time thinking about it. Therefore, just spend and enjoy your life every day as if it’s the last day of your life here on Earth! love and prayers always, Your brother Ernie *** Email writer: ernie.delfin@gmail.com Website: www.gkerc.com
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Vianney, renewing the heart of the church Leonardo De Filippis of St. Luke Productions will perform the role of Vianney. The message of Vianney is a vital one as it goes along with the charism of Holy Name of Mary Church. Please come and be present at this evangelization event sponsored by the Sacred Hearts Secular Branch, Inc. / Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The performance will be held on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at Holy Name of Mary Church at 724 E. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, California. For more information, please call Stephany at (909) 260-2033 or Jacki at (760) 221-3255 or email scaredheartssb@ymail.com.
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Disco Manila at LA’s Grand Performances Put on your boogie shoes and embrace the resurgence of disco from the Manila Sound era, the next wave of global groove music. Manila Sound was a catch all moniker during the ‘70s describing Philippine popular music that embraced its American soul/folk/pop/jazz influences, combined it with Filipino modern aesthetics and polished it off with the musical proficiency of the vibrant Manila scene that somehow flourished during the Marcos-era Martial Law. Live Performances of classic Disco dance floor fillers by the original purveyors of the sound and those who lived it. The event will begin at 8 p.m. at Grand Performances, located at 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071. For more information, please visit http://grandperformances.org/disco-manila.
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St. Margaret Mary Parish Luau The St. Margaret Mary Parish will celebrate their Annual Luau on August 27 at the SMM Parish Hall on 12686 Central Ave., Chino, California. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Duo. For more information, please call SMM Filipino Ministry President - (909) 315-9812, Adel Rellora.
SEPTEMBER 1
Startup Business Expo Tour (with Tagalog translation) Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration invites you to the 2016 Startup Business Expo Tour. The series of events is intended to help startups, small businesses, entertainment and production companies, food services, event planners, home-based businesses, entrepreneurs, fashion & beauty businesses, e-commerce, accounting services, cleaning services, consultants, childcare and more! Topics include: starting a business in LA, predicting your financial future, choosing a legal entity & access to capital. This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6313 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Ste. 2140, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. The event is FREE & open to the public. There will also be free food & refreshments for participants. To RSVP, please visit www.startuptourla.com.
SEPTEMBER 3
Filipino Association of Leisure World Annual “Luau” The Filipino Association of Leisure World will hold its Annual Hawaiian Luau at the LW Hall (1232 Golden Rain Rd. Seal Beach, California) on Saturday, Sept. 3. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. Please call the president of the association, Ren Villanueva at (323) 854-6209 for other related questions.
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42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) invites everyone, Bicolanos, devotees and friends to come and celebrate the 42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivities will start on Sept. 9, with the translacion at 5pm at the Immaculate of Mary Church (4954 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029. A nightly novena Mass follows from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16 at 6 PM except on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 PM and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2;30 PM and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrated Mass at 10 am at Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90031. Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Berrei (818) 281-3169 or Gene Leano (818) 439-6896.
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AAPA’s leadership symposium Join the Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) for an all-day event from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with exceptional and diverse keynote speakers and panelists, as well as multiple workshops on diversity and leadership topics. The symposium is open to everyone, and will be held at the Pacific Palms Hotel, 1 Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry, CA 91744. For more information, please visit http://aapamentoring.com/.
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8th Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Region invites everyone to the 8th Regional Celebration of the feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the First Filipino Saint. Festivities will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at this year’s host parish, Holy Family Church - Glendale (209 East Lomita Avenue, Glendale CA 91205). Procession starts at 4:30 PM , then Mass at 5:30 PM with Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, as Principal Celebrant. Reception , fellowship and program will immediately follow at the Holy Family Grade School Auditorium across the church. For more information, please contact Ping Bayani at(913) 558-4332 or bayani0950@yahoo.com.
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FAPCCA Media Awards The Filipino American Press Club of California invites you to The First FAPCCA Media Awards Gala Night 2016 at Glendale Hilton Hotel, 100 W. Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale CA 91202, Sept. 25, 2016 Sunday 5pm (www.facebook.com/fapccamediaawards/) Tickets: $65/person includes dinner and entertainment. Call: 626.475.3052; 310.600.9913;8 18.357.4566 or pay by Paypal at www.paypal.me/fapcca (please indicate the amount, number of tickets, name, mailing address and cell number on the Special Instruction field). FAPCCA Contact Persons: Chairperson Thelma Calabio - 301.600.9913; President Andy Z. Edralin - 626-475-3052; VP Isidric Panganiban - 818.357.4566; Treasurer Christie Rosacia -818.451.6606; Auditor Sonia Bermejo - 818.653.3177; Joe Cobilla - PRO 323.804.9959; Director Rose Sarreal 213.321.1119
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25th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is proud to announce the date & venue for the anticipated Silver Anniversary edition of its annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. FPAC 25, the 25th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), will take place Saturday, October 8 at the beautiful Echo Park Lake. Admission is FREE. The popular festival, the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event, is the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. Audiences can expect to enjoy traditional and contemporary Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. This year’s theme, “Samu’t Sari: Showcasing the Diverse Creative Tapestry of the FilAm Community,” lends its meaning to the Tagalog phrase which loosely translates to “diversity.” While certainly a hot topic in today’s society, FilAm Arts focuses on the vast contributions of Filipino American artists to the creative tapestry of the City. For more information, please visit www.filamarts.org or call 2133803722. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please email info@filamarts.org.
If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com
August 5-11, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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Mariel Rodriguez won’t spoil kid by Boy
ABundA
children. Her sister-entrepreneur, gushes Mariel, is her role model as a mom. WHEn you’ve waited six long Mariel is proud of how Kaye’s years for your first child the way kids grew up level-headed and Mariel Rodriguez has, you expect responsible because they were her to smother her baby with taught good values early on. all things good and beautiful. “It can be done. You can raise You expect her to spoil hers and husband Robin Padilla’s first bundle your kids the right way,” insists Mariel. of joy. The challenge for this product Mariel — bless her — doesn’t of a broken home lies in proving believe in spoiling her kid rotten. that she can reverse the hand of “There’s no greater joy than seeing your child happy. Pero para fate. Mariel is deadset on making sure history doesn’t repeat itself. siya lumaking responsible at may She’s hell-bent on giving her soonrespeto, you have to train him or to-be-born child a home where her from the very start. Dapat may dad and mom are always together, takot na balanced naman. I’ll be a disciplinarian,” the expectant mom where all conflicts are resolved before they go out of hand. says. It’s the kind of home Mariel Mariel, a self-confessed lola’s would have wanted to grow up in, girl, knows she’ll be doing her future kid a huge favor by using the except that circumstances beyond her control got in the way. rod of discipline. Is her first baby a he or a she? She saw The “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)” it in older host’s lips are sealed — until her sister Kaye, 32nd birthday on Aug. 10 comes who got along. married at “I’ll reveal the baby’s gender 16 and and name maybe on my birthday,” now she declared. has This much Mariel owes fans four who cried with her when she had two miscarriages, and jumped up and down for joy when she announced that she was pregnant again. Gratitude is also the reason why Mariel won’t hide her baby from her adoring public. “Everyone was there for me. I’ve bumped into people who were really happy for me after everything I’ve been through. But she also knows where to draw the line between her baby’s privacy and need Mariel Rodriguez is deadset on making sure history doesn’t repeat itself. to grow up She’s hell-bent on giving her soon-to-be-born child a home where dad and healthy and mom are always together. Philstar.com
strong. Mariel has decided against allowing anyone — except Robin — to take photos or videos of her newborn. Like any devoted mom, Mariel was scared stiff after reading an article about a baby who became blind after someone took the infant’s photo with a camera flash. Although there are conflicting views about this, Mariel is right in choosing to play it safe. She waited years for this baby. now that he or she will soon be here, Mariel will move heaven and earth to make sure her son or daughter starts life on the right foot. “A newborn baby’s eyesight isn’t fully developed yet. not that I’m a snob. But I don’t like other people taking shots of my baby at this point. Sometimes, the one holding the camera forgets to turn off the flash,” she reasons out. Robin offered Mariel a Plan B: Ask the baby’s well-wishers to take photos of her, not the baby. Whatever Mariel decides on, one thing’s sure. She’ll post the baby’s pictures on Instagram. She’ll proudly show off videos of the baby Robin took on social media. So there’s no reason to worry or to fret. It’ll ruin Mariel’s feel-good, ontop-of-the-world vibe. “I was telling (my PBB co-hosts) Bianca (Gonzales, who now has a baby girl) and Toni (Gonzaga, who’ll also be a mom), ‘God is so great! It would be painful if I don’t have one of my own. God just told me He’ll take care of things, that I can always catch up.’” Mariel’s faith quantupled when her OB-Gynecologist told her the baby’s expected due date falls on nov. 23, Robin’s birthday. Gestational diabetes can change the said date, but the fact that the baby is due on his or her dad’s 47th birthday is a big blessing in itself. It means the celebrity couple will mark two birthdays around mid-november this year, and the years thereafter: Their baby’s and Robin’s. Call it perfect timing. Call it sheer coincidence. Mariel calls it God’s wonderful timing. I agree a hundred percent.
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Ian Veneracion not separated from wife, says manager IAn Veneracion is not separated from his wife Pam. This is according to his manager Ricky Gallardo, after reports came out linking Ian with Jessy Mendiola. “Natatawa lang kami kasi nabasa namin ‘yon sa isang tabloid. Natatawa rin lang silang mag-asawa,” Gallardo said in a report of push.com.ph. He added that the couple is not affected by the issue, especially that Ian’s wife trusts her husband so much.
Gallardo also pointed out that the Kapamilya actor is very family-oriented. “He values his family a lot,” he said. “Kaya minsan may mga trabaho at nakikiusap na ganyanganyan, pero ‘pag apektado yung anak niya, apektado yung pamilya niya. Hindi niya tatanggapin, kahit P500 thousand or whatever pa ‘yan.” Jessy on her part has already denied the issue, and said she would never wreck a family. (Joyce Jimenez/Philstar.com)
Ian Veneracion’s manager Ricky Gallardo denied the rumors that Ian and his wife are seperated.
James Reid, Nadine Lustre ‘Teen Vogue’ feature finally out by
AlixAndrA CAole VilA Philstar.com
US-based magazine “Teen Vogue” finally released their article featuring Philippines’s favorite celebrity couple, James Reid and nadine Lustre. Titled “James Reid and nadine Lustre Are the Filipino Love Team You need to Know,” the write-up tells the story of how the two won over the hearts of the Filipino community and how their on-cam romance transcended to reality. “James and nadine say they never tried to be anything they weren’t and this transparency is what set them apart from other love teams. A partnership that started out as a mere example of what the ideal love looks like transformed into a real, undeniable romance that the country fell head over heels for,” the article said. James and nadine first appeared together in a music
video in 2013. “After that music video, nothing really happened…[until] our first movie,” James told the magazine, referring to their hit movie “Diary ng Panget.” “That’s when the JaDine love team started, the fans made the name,” the article read. It took two years before “real feelings” finally kicked in. Last February 20, James summoned the guts to tell the whole world about their real status. It happened during their concert “JaDine in Love.” While longtime fans rejoiced
over it, some others criticized them for being too public about it, saying it might have been just a publicity stunt to boost their careers. Regardless, they admitted they are both happy and it does not matter what other people think. The pair was interviewed by the publisher during the D.C. Washington leg of their world tour dubbed as “JaDine High On Love.” Viva Artist Agency which handles the celebrity couple has previously shared a photo taken during the interview.
Richard Yap excited to work with Judy Ann Santos by JoyCe Jimenez Philstar.com
RICHARD Yap said he is excited to work with Judy Ann SantosAgoncillo. The two were supposed to work together last year but the project was put on hold after Judy Ann got pregnant. “I’m still very excited to work with her,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.
He said their last project just came in the “wrong timing.” “Kapag nagka-project ulit, why not?” said Richard. For now, the actor is gearing up for his Regal Film movie “Mano Po” and his upcoming concert with Richard Poon. The concert is dubbed “Richard x Richard: The Chinito Crooners” which will be on August 26 at The Theater in Solaire Casino
and Resort. “Actually hanggang ngayon hindi ako makapaniwala,” he said about the concert. Jodi Sta. Maria, Maricar Reyes and the “We Love OPM” finalist Voice next Door are some of the guests whom they’ve tapped to be part of the show. They’re also planning to release their album before the concert.
Karla Garcia: First Filipina cast member... From Page 2
reason, especially my ethnicity,” she shared. “I watched dancers like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, or Savion Glover and I wanted to dance like them. I wanted to be them, and it didn’t matter that we didn’t look the same.” She credits her parents for this positive outlook since she was brought up in a household that encouraged excellence no matter what they looked like. And this pretty much sums her inclusion in Hamilton. “I am blessed to be a part of a production that sees absolutely no color, and at the same time celebrates the diversity that we, as Filipinos, add so richly to this country,” she said. “Landing a spot in this production where the colorblind casting is intentional, I feel so fortunate to be living in this time.” Karla is the first Filipino cast member in the show, but in the orchestra, there is Robin
Macatangay, a brilliant guitarist. “Meeting him on my first day made me even prouder to be a Filipina in this industry. It reminded me that we are really one of the most talented, hardworking ethnic groups in the world,” Karla added. “Even our writer and creator Lin Manuel Miranda recognizes the beauty of our culture and our language.” Which brings us back to that Taglish Ham4Ham viral video. Lin-Manuel was so welcoming that when Karla joined the cast, he did a special Ham4Ham with her and now Tony Award winner Lamar Odom, who plays the role of Vice President Aaron Burr. “He was like ‘We should definitely speak Taglish!’ It was his idea! I said, ‘Well … I know my numbers really well! We could do ‘Ten Duel Commandments’ but in Tagalog and English!,” Karla shared, reminiscing that moment. Lin-Manuel loved the idea and he named their bit “The Taglish
Commandments!” “Lin likes to do a prayer circle with the cast every night before the show. The night of my Hamilton debut, he gave gratitude to my mom and dad, who helped get me to that very moment. He ended the prayer with, ‘Mahal kita!’,” she added.
McDonald’s USA announces big changes... From Page 4 women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www. mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and
Facebook www.facebook.com/ mcdonalds. *Farmers still use ionophores, a class of antibiotics that are not prescribed to people, to help keep chickens healthy. *Applies to all breakfast sandwiches
* no significant difference shown between milk from rbSTtreated and non-rbST treated cows. Trademarks and/or registered trademarks are owned by their respective companies. (Advertising Supplement)
Rewriting your own... From Page 5
Fax résumé to:
info@asianjournalinc.com
nineteen twenties and for whom the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is named for his outstanding achievements in expanding our view of the universe, tried different things before finding out what he was meant to do. In college, he played championship basketball and even tried boxing. After fighting in World War I, he studied law, tried lawyering for a year and obviously didn’t like it. Something must have happened because he went back to college to study astronomy and finally found his footing and his purpose in life. That’s what most of us do. We try different lives until we find
the one that matches heaven’s purpose. Just don’t run out of time. no one wants to leave with unfinished business. If our stations in life allow us the luxury of choice, then more than likely, we will be meandering too and trying different things before coming on board to the ship that will likely bring us to the port of our purpose. We don’t really have to wait for something dramatic, traumatic or tragic to happen to get us on track to finding that purpose. But do go to the right source. nix the harebrained ideas coming from most of the dishonest, agendadriven media, both the entrenched
tradional media and social media about what that purpose might be. When it comes to things that matter, most of media these days have proven themselves to be unworthy of trust. Tune out of the external world and go deep within. If you pray hard enough and long enough and live in the silence for a little while, chances are, you’ll find it. You can then begin rewriting your own story on a new document page. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
August 5-11, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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August 5-11, 2016 www.asianjournal.com
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