Orange County / Inland Empire -- August 19 -- 25, 2016

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w w w. a s i a n Volume 23 - No. 33 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

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De Lima slams abuse of presidential power DATELINE USA by Marvin

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Court guarantees hearings for detained immigrants with felonies

ImmIgrAtIoN and Customs enforcement (ICe) in California can no longer detain undocumented immigrants convicted of felonies for extended periods without bond, thanks to a federal ruling issued tuesday, August 4. the U.s. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down the practice of mandatory detention for anyone found guilty of a felony. the policy permitted ICe agents to imprison some people for months without providing them with a bond hearing. the ruling delivered by Judge Jacqueline Nguyen will apply in California, where 20 percent of all immigration detentions occur, as well as eight other states and two territories within the court’s jurisdiction. “A broad and incorrect interpretation of federal law...denied [detainees] the opportunity to challenge [their] detention,” representatives at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California said in

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she vowed to continue with her investigation next week into the apparent extrajudicial killings in the course of the Chief executive’s war on drugs. Duterte on Wednesday, Aug. 17 alleged De Lima’s married driver, whom he also branded as her lover, collected money from illegal drug operators at the New Bilibid Prison. he said the senator seemed to have benefited from it but did not provide evidence to back his accusations. De Lima maintained she would an- President Duterte is seen making faces (right) after shaking hands with Sen. Leila de Lima during his first State Philstar.com photos PAGE A2 of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25.

Philstar.com

mANILA - she was emotional and admitted to having “some degree of fear,” but sen. Leila de Lima on thursday, Aug. 18 vowed not to be silenced as she decried the “abuse and misuse” of executive power by President Duterte when he came out with personal and other attacks against her. De Lima, after delivering her statement to reporters at midmorning, caught up with the senate hearing on the multisectoral campaign against illegal drugs.

Malacañang: Marcos burial will push through unless SC issues TRO by Dana

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Trump: ‘Extreme vetting’ needed for immigrants to US rePUBLICAN presidential nominee Donald trump on monday, August 15 proposed a “new screening test” for immigrants seeking to enter the United states. Delivering a foreign policy address in Youngstown, ohio, trump echoed the call for stricter immigration — a cornerstone of his campaign — and reiterated his belief that “radical Islamic terrorism” is the biggest threat the world faces today. he went on to cite examples of terrorist attacks on U.s. soil — including the Boston marathon bombings and the san Bernardino and orlando mass shootings — and abroad. to defeat IsIs, trump proposed a “new immigration policy” with “new screening procedures,” similar to the ideological screening test used during the Cold War era. “A trump Administration will establish a clear principle that will govern all decisions pertaining to immigration: we should only admit into this country those who share our values and respect our people,” he described. the screening test would question how potential immigrants align with American values. It is intended to weed “all members or sympathizers of terrorist groups” as well PAGE A4

M. SioSon

AJPress

KEEP MARCOS IN BATAC. Hundreds of people gather at the Lapu Lapu monument in Rizal Park, Manila to protest the burial of President Ferdinand Marcos, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. President Duterte is determined to allow a state funeral for the late dictator. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

UN rights expert urges PH: Stop extrajudicial killings by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

mANILA - the United Nations on thursday, Aug. 18 urged the Philippine government to put an end to the current wave of extrajudicial killings in the context of an intensified campaign against crime and the drug menace. two UN human rights experts said “allegations of drug trafficking offenses should be judged in a court of law, not by gunmen on the streets.” the Philippine National Police reported yesterday that over 1,600 drug suspects have been killed since Duterte assumed power, with 665 at-

tributed to PNP members and the rest to vigilantes. “We call on Philippine authorities to adopt with immediate effect the necessary measures to protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions,” said new UN special rapporteur on summary executions Agnes Callamard. “Claims to fight the illicit drug trade do not absolve the government from its international legal obligations and do not shield state actors or others from responsibility for illegal killings,” Callamard stressed. PAGE A2

mALACAñANg on Wednesday, August 17, said late and former President ferdinand marcos’ burial at heroes’ Cemetery will push through unless the supreme Court (sC) will issue a temporary restraining order (tro). “It seems that everything is starting to move according to arrangements, so unless there is a tro (temporary restraining order) or anything like that, it will proceed as planned,” presidential spokesman ernesto Abella said in a news conference. “If there are any motions and any cases filed, let it proceed and then president will respond as he sees fit. the president will abide by the rulings.” Although september 18 is the date eyed for marcos’ burial, Abella however, clarified that no official burial date has been set yet. “the process is ongoing, nobody’s rushing anyPAGE A2

MORE SURRENDERS. Drug surrenderers make a vow to change for the better after a personal—but different— encounter with the Pasig City police. As of Monday, Aug. 15, the PNP counted 612 individuals who were killed in drug-related operations and a total of 576,176 drug users and pushers across the country who surrendered to police. Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta

Clinton, Trump campaigns court AAPI voters by ChriStina

M. orieL

AJPress

Former President Bill Clinton stumps for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Friday, August 12 at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Clinton was one of the speakers during the historic presidential forum -- featuring representatives from four presidential campaigns -- organized by APIAVote and the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

LAs VegAs — the hillary Clinton and Donald trump campaigns were in this city last week in an effort to make pitches to Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), a crucial electorate that has the potential to be the swing vote this November. Co-hosted by APIAVote and the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), the 3 1/2-hour presidential forum held at Caesars Palace on friday, August 12 drew an estimated crowd of 3,000. Watch parties were also organized in 20 states.

In addition to the campaigns of the Democratic and republican presidential nominees— represented by former President Bill Clinton and Utah Attorney general sean reyes, respectively—Libertarian candidate gary Johnson and green Party candidate Dr. Jill stein appeared at the beginning of the program in a Q&A format hosted by msNBC’s richard Lui. It marked the first time presidential nominees from four political parties were represented and addressed the AAPI community at one event. though Johnson and stein

have not received as much coverage, they presented themselves as alternatives to both hillary Clinton and Donald trump. If either Clinton or trump is elected, Johnson said the country “will be more polarizing than ever.” “A wasted vote is voting for someone you don’t believe in,” the former New mexico governor said. meanwhile, stein said she’s the “only candidate who doesn’t take money from corporations, lobbyists and super PACs” and has welcomed dissatisfied voters who supported Vermont senator PAGE A3

Special Feature

California’s right-todie act put into effect by KLarize

MeDeniLLa AJPress

tWo and a half years ago, eurika strotto of san Diego was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou gherig’s disease. During those two and half years, strotto, whose story was reported by san Diego City Beat, had found comfort in her favorite La-Z-boy recliner until her death by physician-assisted suicide. strotto’s funeral was on sunday, June 26. she was 54. According to friends’ and family PAGE A2

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august 19-25, 2016 • OC/IE asIaN JOuRNaL

De Lima slams abuse of... PAGE A1

swer the allegations against her before the proper forum and that she would continue to fulfill her duties, though some people advised her to keep quiet so not to fan the controversy. Others, she said, expressed support and asked her to defend herself. “Tama na po ang pananakot at panghihiya. Bumalik na po tayo sa

kaayusan na dulot ng pag-iiral ng batas at simpleng respeto sa kapwa tao (Enough with threats and shaming. Let us go back to civility by allowing the law and simple respect for a fellowman to prevail). I have always been loyal to my oath as a public servant. I am not the enemy here. Stop portraying me as one,” De Lima said. The Liberal Party, under whose

From the Front Page

banner De Lima ran and won in the last elections, and some other lawmakers came to her defense, saying there must be respect and civility in public discourse. De Lima and “our people deserve the facts, not innuendo,” the LP said. In a press conference held at the Senate yesterday morning, De Lima expressed fear and concern for her family and loved ones as a result of current developments and said she had second thoughts about pushing through with the inquiry she set in relation to the alleged summary executions of drug suspects. But she decided she must not be cowed. Reading a prepared statement, De Lima, her voice at times quivering, said she never expected to be up against the country’s highest official, a battle which she said was clearly lopsided. “How does one defend oneself, when the attacker is immune from suit and has all the backing of executive power to support him in his personal attack? This is no less than abuse and misuse of executive power,” De Lima said. “I don’t think the Constitution has ever contemplated such abuse of power on such scale, as it assumes every President to conduct himself in a manner befitting the office he holds. It seems that this is not the case for this President,” she added. De Lima aired her suspicion that the attacks against her by the President was his way of trying to put a stop to the inquiry she initiated as chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights. The hearing, set on Aug. 22 and 23, goes into the heart of the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the President. Over a thousand deaths, both involving police operations and extra-legal means, have been recorded since Duterte assumed the presidency last June 30. De Lima has raised alarm over the killings, some of which she said bore telltale signs of summary executions. “If this is his way of stopping the Senate’s investigation on the extrajudicial killings, he can try until he finally silences me or the Senate. But I think it is already clear that what is being done to me is what will happen to anyone who does not bow to the wishes of the PAGE A3

COURT ACTION. Martial law victims led by Rep. Neri Colmenares turn to the Supreme Court on Monday, Aug. 15, in their bid to scuttle a Duterte administration plan to bury the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

Malacañang: Marcos burial will push through... PAGE A1

thing,” he said. SC to conduct oral argument On Wednesday, August 17, Philippine Supreme Court (SC) Public Information Office (PIO) chief Atty. Theodore Te announced that an oral argument on the petition against Marcos’ burial will be conducted on Wednesday, August 24. The 30-page petition — led by former Bayan Muna party list Rep. Satur Ocampo and Neri Colmenares — urged the court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation Memorandum dated Aug. 7, 2016, issued by Defense Secretary Delfin

N. Lorenzana. The Memorandum states President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Ricardo R. Visaya to start the preparations for the interment and the transfer of Marcos’ remains to Libingan ng mga Bayani. “For how can such honesty and integrity be promoted and defended when a dishonest and disgraced public official, such as Ferdinand E. Marcos, after his removal from power, can snatch respect and thereby re-write not only history but his culpability via the back door of declaring and celebrating him a hero?” the petition read.

The SC also asked the respondents to comment regarding the plea within five days or until 10 a.m. on Monday, August 22. Respondents of the petition were former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Rear Admiral Ernesto Enriquez, and AFP chief of staff General Ricardo Visaya. Other petitioners include Trinidad Repuno, Bienvenido Lumbera, Bonifacio Ilagan, Maria Carolina Araulo, Samahan ng Ex-Detainees laban sa Detensyon at Aresto represented by Dionito Cabillas, Carmencita Florentino, Rodolfo Del Rosario, Felix Dalisay and Danilo Dela Fuente.

UN urges government: Stop extrajudicial... PAGE A1

The official added that the state has a legally binding obligation to ensure the right to life and security of every person in the country, whether suspected of criminal offenses or not. Meanwhile, UN special rapporteur on the right to health Dainius Puras said responses to the illicit drug trade must be carried out in full compliance with national and international obligations and should respect the human rights of each person. Puras said drug dependency “should be treated as a public health issue and justice systems that decriminalize drug consumption and possession for personal use as a means to improve health outcomes.” During the election campaign and his first days in office, Duterte repeatedly urged law enforce-

ment agencies and the public to kill suspected drug traffickers and users. The UN noted that Duterte was also reported as promising impunity for such killings and bounties for those who turn in drug dealers “dead or alive.” “Directives of this nature are irresponsible in the extreme and amount to incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law. It is effectively a license to kill,” Callamard said. The UN expert on summary executions warned that “intentional lethal use of force is only allowed when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life and should not be used for common policing objectives.” The special rapporteurs welcomed recent reports saying the President is now publicly condemning vigilante justice and

calling on all authorities to take a clear and public stance against it. They, however, underscored that it is not enough. “Incentives to violence such as bounties or the promise of impunity also seriously contravene the rule of law and must end,” the experts said. “All allegations of killings and extrajudicial executions must be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Perpetrators and instigators must be sanctioned without exception,” they said. On Wednesday, Aug. 17, President Duterte scored the UN for hitting his aggressive anti-drug campaign. He complained that the organization is zeroing in on his administration’s drug campaign when it was quiet on mass killings in other countries.

California’s right-to-die act put into... PAGE A1 members’ accounts from SD City Beat, Strotto was “a woman who thought of others first, and who was ready to leave the prison that her body ultimately became.” She was the first person in California to die through physicianassisted suicide through California’s recently enacted End of Life Option Act, which legalized the controversial act on June 9. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the law in October, and it permits physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to “mentally competent” Californians aged 18 years and above with six months to live. This marks the end of a 25-year effort by right-die-die supporters to legalize euthanasia in California. There are several requirements before the physician has the green light to prescribe the medication: the patient must submit multiple oral and written requests for the medication, two physicians must confirm diagnosis and prognosis and the patient must be considered psychologically capable to make the decision. As soon as the law went into effect, opponents of the bill protested to challenge the state’s decision and question the ethics of the law. Six California doctors and the American Academy of Medical Ethics filed a lawsuit in Riverside County that included a restraining order that would prohibit the Riverside District Attorney from recognizing the law. Alexandra Snyder, the plaintiffs’ attorney, told the Monterey County Herald that one of the law’s major flaws relates to mental health. Although the bill says that the doctors may opt to conduct a “mental health specialist assessment” it is not a requirement, so patients with undiagnosed depression, suicidal inclinations or other mental health issues may be approved to receive the fatal medication. But the law is voluntary, which means that anyone involved - patients, doctors, health care providers and pharmacies – can choose to participate. Generally, support for rightto-die legislation has garnered more support than opposition among Americans.

As of 2015, about 68 percent of Americans - roughly two-thirds - believe that doctors should be allowed by law to assist patients with terminal illnesses in ending their lives, according to a Gallup survey. In 2014, Brittany Maynard was dying of terminal brain cancer when she made the decision to move to Oregon from Alamo, California to end her life through Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, as the option was “less terrifying,” Maynard said in an interview with People magazine. “For people to argue against this choice for sick people really seems evil to me,” Maynard told People in 2014. “They try to mix it up with suicide and that’s really unfair because there’s not a single part of me that wants to die, but I am dying.” The subject of voluntary suicide has been a controversial topic as it clashes with many religious doctrines. The teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, for example, abhors the act as it goes against the commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill.” In April, Pope Francis said at his apostolic exhortation that assisted suicide is a “grave threat to families all over the world.” Rev. Rodel G. Balagtas, director of pastoral formation and field education at St. John’s Seminary, stands by the Church’s doctrine that condemns assisted suicide, saying that “life is sacred.” “The Church upholds that only God can take the life of a person,” said Balagtas. “God is the Creator and giver of life, and only He can take it away from us.” Balagtas stressed the difference between physician-assisted suicide - which strongly violates the Church’s teachings - and artificial means, like pain relievers, to alleviate pain whilst pending death. “There’s value to good death,” said Balagtas. “When you come to terms with good death, all of us, there’s a value to that because we can reconcile ourselves with God and with our people. So we look at that stage of time as a time of grace, and also, suffering, itself, serves a purpose.” Filipinos, many of whom are devout Catholics, generally oppose assisted suicide because

of its violation of Catholic teachings. Filipinos are less likely to opt for or support physician-assisted suicide because of religious and cultural beliefs, according to a study conducted by The Gerontological Society of America that focused on a cultural and ethnic impacts on physician-assisted suicide. The GSA study also concluded that Filipinos are more likely to follow the “leave it to God” belief - bahala na - in regards to physician-assisted suicide. Additionally, Filipinos see shame, or hiya, in the act. Additionally, of the five ethnic groups surveyed, Filipinos are “most likely to consider their traditional values” in discourse about end-of-life planning. “For us [Filipinos], that stage is also a blessing,” said Balagtas. “It’s a difficult time for the family, but it’s always a blessing. Culturally, our perception of life is that we take care of our older people when they are sick, we bring them into our homes and let them die in our homes with the family. We give them respect and honor to the person that is dying.” Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz recently experienced two deaths in the family in which both chose 24-hour hospital care. However, neither opted for physician-assisted suicide, but rather “relied on God’s might and the Blessed Mother’s rosary for divine assistance, the care of family members and their medical doctors and nurses,” said AbarquezDelacruz. “Before I entertained the idea of making it more humane for those who are suffering, but after witnessing two loved ones go through, I will not presume to substitute my own decisions, even with an advisory council of other learned professionals to facilitate end of life,” said Abarquez-Delacruz. California is the fifth state to enact a right to die law, joining Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont. Medication for assisted-suicide began dispensing on June 24. *Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz is a Features/Opinion Editorial Contributor to Asian Journal and Balikbayan Magazine.

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Clinton, Trump campaigns court...

Dateline USa

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Bernie Sanders. In May, nonpartisan groups APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC and AAPI Data released “Inclusion, Not Exclusion,” a voter survey examining the trends within the Asian American community. According to the findings, 31 percent of Filipinos reported a favorable view of the Republican Party, compared to 64 percent of Filipinos for the Democratic Party. Thirty-six percent of Filipinos responded that they are planning to vote for Clinton, while 11 percent for Trump. Clinton’s AAPI record Filipino-American civil leader Gloria Caoile, who was appointed by former President Clinton to the White House Advisory Commission on AAPIs in 2000, had the honor of introducing him on Friday. “When President Clinton took office, he made good on his promise of making his administration look like America,” she said, adding that “Secretary Clinton has spent her life fighting for us.” In his speech, President Clinton covered a whole host of issues from student debt to equal pay. He even gave a shout out to Connie Mariano, a Filipina who was the White House physician during his administration. “I will soon be known by every school child in the country as Hillary Clinton’s husband,” he said. On immigration, he said Hillary Clinton would push for comprehensive immigration reform within the first 100 days of her presidency. “If you wasted the money to round up and deport every undocumented person in this country, you’d disrupt millions of families and, along with the heartbreak, it would drive this country into a recession,” he said, acknowledging that 40 percent of API immigrants make up the visa backlog. Those from the Philippines are waiting more than 20 years. Answering a question regarding Clinton’s email server controversy, the former president brushed it off as the “biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard.” He added that it is “not a cause for distrust” because prominent national security experts, including Republicans, have endorsed her. Rep. Judy Chu of California said “it was a sign of respect” that the Clinton campaign sent its highestranking surrogate. “What was so interesting was

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New evidence points to old suspect in unsolved murder of Fil-Am UC Berkeley student

son Sabrina Reich said officers were “confident we had found the right person,” in a statement reNEW evidence collected by UC leased on Tuesday, August 9. Berkeley police identifies a curJohn Iwed became a suspect earrently deceased man as the likely ly on in the case. His wife told pokiller of Grace Asuncion, who was lice he had confessed the crime to found murdered in the campus’s her and said he had been under the former office of the Pilipino Ameri- influence of drugs when he went to can Alliance (PAA) 24 years ago. campus and killed Asuncion. The 20-year-old Filipina moHowever, police lacked corroblecular biology student had been orating evidence at the time and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes stabbed several times in the neck dropped Iwed as a suspect after AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal when a custodian discovered her interviewing him. He later died of body on February 7, 1992. She an overdose in January 1993. had not been raped or robbed, acUC Berkeley police re-intercording to police. viewed several witnesses in the Attorneys for the victim’s fam- decades-old case and what they ily had suggested a transient may learned shifted suspicion back have been the culprit, but recent onto Iwed. The Alameda County evidence points to a former Alam- district attorney’s office told Reich eda resident, according to a local police had built a strong enough FOX station. case to prosecute Iwed if he were UC Berkeley Police spokesper- still alive. by Eric

Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 19-25, 2016

Anthony LicAs AJPress

A lawsuit filed by Asuncion’s parents on February 2, 1993 accused the UC Regents of failing to provide students with adequate security from transients known to take shelter in the building where their daughter was killed. The victim’s family accepted a $750,000 settlement from the UC in March of 1998. The building where Asuncion’s body was found, Eshleman hall, has since been torn down and replaced. Asuncion was active in her campus community and was a leader in the PAA. She had been working with other students until about 4 or 5 p.m. in the student organization’s former office the day before her body was found. She had plans to go to medical school and was described as “fun-loving” by friends, according to The Daily Californian.

De Lima slams abuse of... Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson

how much he wanted to engage with the audience,” Chu told the Asian Journal, while phone banking for Clinton in this city on Saturday, August 13. Fil-Am Jason Tengco, AAPI outreach director for Clinton’s campaign, told the Asian Journal that it was a natural decision to have the former president speak because of his “career-long record of defending the AAPI community’s best interests.” “President Clinton will continue to play a key role in highlighting Hillary’s plans to break down barriers and improve the lives of AAPIs, and understands that as president, Hillary will focus on the issues that are important to the AAPI community — like helping working families, supporting small business, raising the minimum wage, and investing in technology and innovation,” he said. Earlier this year, Hillary Clinton visited San Gabriel, California to launch AAPIs for Hillary, making her the only presidential candidate to hold an event specifically for the community. The campaign also released a fact sheet detailing her vision for a “thriving AAPI community,” focusing on what she would do on a host of issues, such as immigration reform, college affordability and health care. Clinton’s running mate, Virgina

Sen. Tim Kaine, has also reportedly been helping woo AAPI voters. As the Asian Journal previously reported, Kaine has a visible track record pushing issues relevant to the Fil-Am community, namely the Congressional Gold Medal for Filipino World War II veterans and the Filipino WWII Veterans Parole program that allows family members of veterans to come to the U.S. through immigration parole. Trump’s PH comments clarified Reyes—a Trump surrogate who is of Spanish, Filipino, Japanese and Native Hawaiian descent— shared his backstory, while sprinkling in points of how the Republican presidential nominee would benefit the AAPI community. The attorney general, who was named a ‘rising star’ of the GOP last year, is the highest-ranking Fil-Am law enforcement public official in the country and the first ethnic minority to hold statewide office in Utah. “I realize that I’m not a headliner like others who have preceded me on the stage, but I think my being here says something important about Donald Trump and Governor Mike Pence,” he said. “That is that fact that they would allow an average person like me PAGE A4

PAGE A2 President,” De Lima said. De Lima said that she considered cancelling the inquiry to avoid personal attacks, but said doing so would be a betrayal of her principles. She said it “would mean turning back on my own person and denying my own principles and beliefs.” “I will no longer stand as the people’s representative in the Senate. That would be my fake figure standing there. It’s like burying my own whole being,” she added. De Lima neither confirmed nor denied the allegations made by the President, as she was expecting the administration to file cases against her. It is only then that she will respond, if she is allowed to do so, the senator said. “Mas nanaisin ko na kayo at inyong gobyerno ang magbaon sa akin kaysa ako ang magbaon sa aking sarili (I would rather let you and your government bury me, rather than me burying myself),” De Lima said. “I will respond in a proper forum. I cannot engage publicly with the President sa mga ganyang punto (on these points) because that’s too foul, that’s too personal,” she added. De Lima appealed to the President to keep an open mind and hear her side of the story before engaging in more attacks against her.

“Kahit iyon lang po sana ay ibigay ninyo sa akin, ang pagkakataon na ipagtanggol ang aking sarili, lalo na po sa isang kalagayan na ang Pangulo na ng bansa ang nagdeklara na siya ang aking kalaban at personal na nag-aakusa sa akin (Please just give me that, the opportunity to defend myself, especially since this is a situation where the President of the country himself declared that he was

my enemy and personally accused me),” she said. “Pangulo po kayo. Senador lamang po ako. Patas na laban lamang po ang aking hinihingi (You are president. I am just a senator. A fair game is the only thing I ask),” De Lima said. If the President is intent on pursuing his tirades against her, De Lima appealed that he spare her colleagues, friends and family.

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Trump: ‘Extreme vetting’ needed for... PAGE A1

FETED. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, together with (L-R) Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, Leila de Lima, Majority Leader Tito Sotto, Minority Leader Ralph Recto, Migz Zubiri, Risa Hontiveros, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva, Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, Manny Pacquiao, JV Ejercito and Bam Aquino present Senate Resolution No. 83 to Hidilyn Diaz (fifth from left) congratulating her for bringing home a silver medal in the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “Diaz took the silver medal in the women’s weightlifting 53-kg division ending a 20-year medal drought,” the resolution said. Also in the photo are her coach Alfonsito Aldanete and Zamboanga City councilors. Senate photo by Alex Nueva Espana

American facing child molestation charges caught in Davao

the State Department. “There will be no letup in our drive to flush out foreign fugiA MALE suspect wanted in the tives. We will not allow our counUnited States for allegedly mo- try to be used as a sanctuary for lesting a child was apprehended wanted criminals,” Morente said. by the Philippine Bureau of Im- “We will see to it that these fugimigration (BI) last Monday, Au- tives are caught and deported to gust 8 in Davao. answer for crimes they commitJeffrey Wayne Birge, 57, was ted in their homelands.” arrested at his house in WoAtty. Jose Carlitos Licas, Fugiodridge Subdivision, Wawa, tive Search Unit (FSU) Chief, said Davao City, according to the BI. the court issued a warrant for BI Commissioner Jaime Mor- Birge’s arrest on Oct. 30, 2014. ente said Birge is set to be deBirge is expected to stand trial ported back to the U.S. for be- before a magistrate court in Taring an undesirable alien and for rant County, Texas after his inbeing undocumented due to the dictment on charges of sexual cancellation of his passport by assault of a child. by Dana

SioSon AJPress

Due to medical reasons, Birge’s transportation from Davao to Manila was postponed upon the advice of a government doctor who examined his physical condition after his apprehension. Atty. Ma. Antonette Mangrobang, a BI spokesperson, disclosed that Birge is currently confined at the DMSF Hospital in Davao City. “We will eventually transfer him to our detention facility in Bicutan (Taguig) where he will stay until he is deported,” Mangrobang said. According to Interaksyon, the BI has caught 99 foreign fugitives this year.

as those who have “hostile attitudes towards our country or its principles.” “I call it extreme, extreme vetting. Our country has enough problems. We don’t need more. And these are problems like we’ve never seen before,” he said. According to Trump, immigrants who embrace American values and are expected to thrive in the country would be issued visas. However, those who “do not believe in our Constitution, or who support bigotry and hatred” would be deported or denied from entering the country. “Assimilation is not an act of hostility, but an expression of compassion. Our system of government, and our American culture, is the best in the world and will produce the best outcomes for all who adopt it,” he said. Yet again, he advocated for the temporary suspension of immigrants from “some of the most dangerous and volatile regions of the world that have a history of exporting terrorism,” without naming those areas specifically. Under his administration, he

said he would keep Guantanamo Bay open, continue drone strikes and pursue criminal charges against accused terrorists. In a statement, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s senior policy advisor Jake Sullivan said Trump’s proposed policy “cannot be taken seriously.” “How can Trump put this forward with a straight face when he opposes marriage equality and selected as his running mate the man who signed an anti-LGBT law in Indiana? It’s a cynical ploy to escape scrutiny of his outrageous proposal to ban an entire religion from our country, and no one should fall for it,” he said. The controversial immigration remarks are not new to Trump’s campaign. Following the San Bernardino attack last December, he suggested that Muslims be prohibited from entering the country. He has also called for a wall to be built between the U.S. and Mexico border. Earlier this month, Trump was criticized by various Filipino and Filipino-American elected officials and community leaders for his comments that seemed to

suggest a ban on immigration from “terrorist nations,” including the Philippines. Other countries he had mentioned were Morocco, Uzbekistan, Syria, Somalia, Iraq, Pakistan and Yemen. The presidential hopeful listed instances wherein legal immigrants committed or were plotting acts of terrorism, including the case of Filipino citizen Ralph Deleon who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a plot to join Al Qaeda. “An immigrant from Afghanistan, who later applied for and received U.S. citizenship, and a legal permanent resident from the Philippines were convicted for planning to join Al Qaeda and the Taliban in order to kill as many Americans as possible,” Trump said during a rally in Portland, Maine on August 4. Following those remarks, Philippine congressman Joey Salceda introduced a bill proposing to ban the real estate mogul from the Philippines, while FilAm California Assemblymember Rob Bonta said Trump is “unfit to serve as president.”

Court guarantees hearings for detained... PAGE A1 a statement released earlier this month. A felony conviction would have been grounds for mandatory detention regardless of how long ago it occurred, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs in the class action suit. In her ruling, Nguyen decried

what she called “robotic detention procedures” and said mandatory imprisonment “smacks of injustice.” One of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, Ashok Ramani of the law firm Keker & Van Nest, told the Asian Journal that many of those held for months by immigration officials had moved on from their pasts and become productive members of their communities. “They all had jobs. They had families. Some were taking care of elderly relatives,” said Ramani of the clients represented by his firm, the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP), and Asian Americans Advancing Justice. “[Mandatory detention] disrupted all of that.”

Ramani said at least two plaintiffs from California had been granted bond hearings and released prior to the court’s decision because a ruling from an earlier case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals guarantees detainees a day in court within six months. Most other jurisdictions do not host similar provisions. According to Ramani, between 800 to 1,000 people will now have a chance to petition a judge for their freedom. “[The court’s] decision is a victory for fairness and due process of law,” said Michael Tan, a staff attorney at the ACLU’s IRP. “In America, everyone should get a chance to see a judge before their freedom is taken away.” (Eric Anthony Licas / AJPress)

Clinton, Trump campaigns court... PAGE A3

to be able to speak to a group as important as you.” After starting off his speech in a lighthearted manner, with the caveat to not “stereotype” the community, Reyes said the “sacrifices and efforts [of the AAPI community] have not gone unnoticed by Donald Trump or the Republican Party.” “You are such a critical strength to our nation,” he added, before touching upon issues such as health care, small business and affirmative action. Most recently, Trump angered many Filipinos and Filipino Americans for his remarks during a Portland, Maine rally that implied that the Philippines is a terrorist nation. Reyes came to Trump’s defense, saying “being Filipino, those issues are near and dear to my heart.” “What Mr. Trump was trying to communicate—and I have full authority to make this clarification—is that he welcomes lawabiding Filipinos who want to come and have a better life and better opportunities, whether they want to live here or go back to the Philippines. Send money back to their families there. He welcomes them,” he said. He went on to clarify that terrorists “do exist in the Philippines, and there’s no one here from the Philippines who can dispute that. They know that that exists.” Though Reyes admitted that he does not agree entirely with Trump, he believes the Republican nominee represents a “new future, not the status quo.” “Mr. Trump believes in America first — no exceptions,” he said. For Ninio Fetalvo, Asian Pacific American press secretary and spokesman for the Republican National Committee (RNC), Reyes was a fitting surrogate because he “is the embodiment of the American Dream and represents the diversity of our Party and our country.” “AG Reyes highlighted both his personal story of why his heritage has an impact on why he champions Republican values, and Mr. Trump’s plans to grow the economy and keep our nation safe, two issues of major importance to the AAPI community. Mr. Trump offers the best platform for AAPIs to achieve the American Dream,” Fetalvo told the Asian Journal. However, some Fil-Ams present on Friday were not persuaded by Reyes’s speech. “I think the Filipinos for Trump need to get educated. I guess I don’t understand why they would agree with someone who is not about working families, is trying to build walls and deny immigrants their rights here. I just don’t get it. We’re a country of immigrants and they need to remember that,” SEIU Executive Vice President Luisa Blue told the Asian Journal. Gregory Cendana, executive

director of Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), tweeted, “And let me be CLEAR. @seanreyesag does not speak for me or many in the Filipino American community I know.” At an AAPI forum on the sidelines of the Republican National Committee in July, the Trump campaign announced that it would launch an Asian American advisory committee, the Asian Journal previously reported. Details of the committee are yet to be disclosed. A vote not to take for granted Leading up to November, the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as community leaders, know there is still more that needs to be done to convince AAPIs and capture their votes. AAPIs “have come from marginalized to the margin of victory,” Chu reiterated at the forum on Friday. “The political rhetoric has become so toxic this cycle that we in the AAPI community cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.” The survey by the three nonpartisan groups also found that 62 percent of respondents reported no outreach from the Democratic Party. On the Republican side, 72 percent said they were not contacted by the party. Another study by UCLA found that Asian American voters are expected to double and rise to 12.2 million by 2040 and “be the margin of victory in critical swing votes during the next six presidential election cycles.” “Now it is up to each of the candidates, as well as their campaigns, to reach out to AAPIs,” Chu told the Asian Journal. The RNC has revamped its AAPI outreach strategy in the last three years; most notably with the launch of the Republican Leadership Initiative (RLI) in 2015 to train AAPI millennials to engage their communities on a grassroots level. “Republicans across the country are building relationships with AAPI voters,” Fetalvo said. “We’re going to continue to grow the bench of AAPIs in politics, and as more and more Asian Americans hear the Republican Party’s message of growth and opportunity for all, more will continue to get involved in our Party and come out and support our candidates.” Meanwhile, Tengco said the Clinton campaign will continue to engage AAPI voters in key states like Nevada, Virginia and Pennsylvania. “We will continue to conduct outreach in Asian languages, deploy a robust network of AAPI surrogates, and engage our vast ‘AAPI for Hillary’ volunteer groups,” he shared with the Asian Journal. “Many AAPI voters recognize how Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric and bigoted policy proposals are dividing our nation, and are reminded each day that they simply cannot afford to stay at home and wake up to President-elect Trump on November 9.”

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Dateline PForeign hiliPPines investors hesitant amid extrajudicial killings

Duterte’s ‘war against drugs’ lowers PH crime rate by Joseph

Almer B. pedrAJAs AJPress

DESPITE criticism for allegedly dishonoring human rights, the “war against drugs” has lowered the country’s crime index in the first month since President Rodrigo Duterte took office. On Sunday, August 14, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told radio station dzRB that the crime volume went down to 50,817 from 56,339 (9.8 percent) in the same period last year, according to a report by the Philippine National Police (PNP). Andanar added that the police also recorded 11,800 incidents of index crimes in July 2016, or a 31 percent decrease from 17,105 in July of last year. “Patuloy na umaani ng positibong result ang kampanya kontra droga at krimen ng kasalukuyang administration isang buwan matapos umupo sa Malacañang si Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte (The government’s campaign

against drugs and crime is receiving positive results just a month after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed office in Malacañang),” Andanar pronounced. In secluded areas where drugs and criminality dominate, the secretary bragged that the “change” has come and is being felt. As of August 12, the police has already recorded 601 drug-related deaths since June 30. The record includes alleged narcopeople who were killed by police in operations, vigilantes and other unnamed killers. With regard to the rise in the number of deaths, the Commission on Human Rights and other pro-life activists held protests to fight for the proper enactment of human rights and due process. The PNP crime record of July last year was 11,106 – 40.3 percent higher than last month’s 4,476. On the other hand, Andanar reiterated the president’s promise to eradicate illegal drugs and criminality within three to six months.

“Ang pangako ng ating Pangulo ay within three to six months malaking bawas po kundi masawata na po itong ilegal droga sa ating mga lansangan at maibabalik na ang lansangan natin sa kabataan di tulad ng nakaraang mga taon na napakadelikado po ang ating mga lansangan upang sila ay maglaro. (The president’s promise is to eradicate illegal drugs within three to six months and to bring back the safety of the children while playing in the streets),” Andanar said. Last week, the United States expressed concern over “reports regarding extrajudicial killings of individuals suspected to have been involved in drug activity in the Philippines,” according to a release by the country’s embassy in Manila. “The United States strongly believes in the rule of law, due process, and respect for universal human rights, and that these principles promote long-term security,” it added.

Duterte won’t bring up territorial sea issues on ASEAN summit by dAnA

sioson AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte disclosed on Wednesday, August 17, that he will not bring up the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) territorial issues during the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on September. The president expressed that he prefers to tackle the issues during a formal talk, adding that he would not want to antagonize China by making unnecessary “noises” and ruin the chances of having bilateral meetings. “I will only bring the issue when we are together face to face,” Duterte said, referring to China.

“If you quarrel with them now and you claim sovereignty, make noise here and there, they might not just even want to talk.” Duterte also noted that his envoy, former President Fidel Ramos, has been working to pave way for formal talks between the two countries. “We maintain good relations with China. Let us create an environment where we sit down and talk directly. That is the time we would say we proceed from here. We proceed from this judgement.” he said. The president reiterated his stance that going to war with China is not an option. “What if (China) says, I do not

want to quarrel or even speak with you’? Bahala kayo sa buhay ninyo (You go mind your own lives), can we do anything? Can we declare war? It is not an option,” he said. “I would not be stupid to do that. It will only be a massacre for all...still war is not an option nowadays.” The ASEAN summit is the first international summit Duterte will be participating in as President. It will take place from September 6-8 in Laos. Although not an ASEAN member, China also has territorial disputes with other ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

LP stands by De Lima amid Duterte’s tirades by rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

MANILA — The Liberal Party (LP) on Thursday, Aug. 18 defended Sen. Leila de Lima and expressed its support to the senator after President Rodrigo Duterte attacked her in his speech on Wednesday, Aug. 17. LP said it was saddened by the tirades received by De Lima and called for a “free and open debate for due process of law, and respect and civility in public discourse.” “Nakakalungkot ang mga salita at mga paratang na naninira sa kaniyang pagkatao at lingkod bayan,” LP said in a statement issued Thursday, Aug. 18. “Sen. Leila de Lima is doing her job as a senator of the Republic. She deserves support, not condemnation; respect, and not gutter language; she and our people deserve the facts, not innuendo,” it explained. On Wednesday, Duterte hit an unnamed “immoral” senator who is allegedly having an illicit affair with her married driver-bodyguard. He then named the female senator as De Lima. Duterte said De Lima’s married driver was her lover who also collected money from convicted drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison during her election campaign. An emotional De Lima subsequently cried foul over Duterte’s allegations linking her to illegal drug activities and dismissed the pres-

Sen. Leila De Lima, responding to recent comments on her made by President Rodrigo Duterte, tells reporters that she has always been loyal to her role as a public servant during a press conference at the Senate, Thursday morning. De Lima assured the President that despite these attacks, she will be fair in investigating the spate of extrajudicial killings in the war against drugs, and the Senate Justice and Human Rights committee will ensure the strengthening of laws that will protect human rights in the fight against criminality. Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

ident’s move as “character assassination.” Last year, De Lima, a former Commission on Human Rights chief, said Duterte should be criminally liable for his links with the Davao Death Squad or DDS. The then Justice secretary said this after Duterte admitted links with the death squad. He later retracted the admission and said the DDS links he was referring to was the Davao Development System. The two have been engaging in

a word war during the campaign. However, the senator said she would remain fair in the hearing on the alleged extrajudicial killings which began on Friday. Aug. 19. LP also urged the Senate leadership to support De Lima. “To this end, we call on the Senate President to uphold the independence of the Senate whose membership must always be vigorously supported as they fulfill the people’s mandate to make inquiries in aid of legislation,” LP said.

FOR PEACE. Peace advocates pin paper doves during a peace summit held at the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The participants pushed for the resumption of peace talks with the National Democratic FrontCommunist Party of the Philippines. ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

by pAtriciA lourdes Philstar.com

VirAy

MANILA—Foreign investors have become hesitant to invest in the Philippines because of a spate of extrajudicial killings and summary executions of alleged drug peddlers in the country, a European businessman said. European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) President Guenter Taus admitted that the foreign business sector from Europe, the United States and Canada are wary of the recent developments in the country as a new administration takes office. “We do feel there is hesitation there,” Taus said in a roundtable discussion organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines at Far Eastern University in Makati City. Taus noted that the ECCP is following developments on the 91 cases filed before the Commission on Human Rights in connection to the drug-related killings. Meanwhile, European Union (EU) Ambassador Franz Jessen said that the union is on “wait and see” mode on the developments of the issue. “We are not passing judgment at this point in time. We will wait and see,” Jessen said during the roundtable discussion. President Rodrigo Duterte has said that the deaths, which he said were done by criminals, should not be attributed to the government. He has also reminded security forces that killing suspects can only be done when their lives are in danger. He also told them, however, that the government will protect them from cases as long as they are doing their jobs properly. Jessen noted that the EU is encouraged by the progress of the peace process in Mindanao but remains skeptical about other developments in the country. He did not elaborate. The government has been pushing for a resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the PhilippinesNew People’s Army-National

Democratic Front. It has also been moving forward on existing peace agreements with the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which have agreed to work on a common road map for peace in the southern Philippines.

The EU Delegation of the Philippines earlier met with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to discuss how they can work together. The Philippines and the EU are looking forward to a stronger free trade agreement under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

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OpiniOn

Features

Right-sizing

HE calls it “right-sizing” rather than downsizing, and it must push through. President Duterte reportedly wants to trim the fat from the bloated bureaucracy. He must not hesitate in going ahead with his plan. Previous presidents had also wanted to trim the bureaucratic fat. But only an immensely popular president can implement this without worrying about its impact on his political fortunes. As indicated in recent surveys, President Duterte enjoys this level of popular support. It will also help that he seems to be genuinely unconcerned even about losing his post as a consequence of his controversial programs. According to reports, the President wants to abolish redundant or overlapping functions, and to have more one-stop shops set up especially for frontline government services. One such facility was launched the other day by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, catering to Filipinos seeking to work abroad. Such one-stop services are much appreciated by the public. Speedy processing of transactions with the government means cutting red tape and

opportunities for collecting grease money. Similar express services must be developed in agencies notorious for red tape such as the Land Transportation Office and the Bureau of Customs. The President can encourage local government units to take the cue and set up similar systems for various types of services, particularly the processing of business documents. While local executives, being elected officials, enjoy a degree of independence from the national government, Malacañang has supervision over LGUs through the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Many LGUs are bloated with bureaucratic fat, mostly political appointees of the elected officials. Malacañang is reportedly preparing a bill for submission to Congress, streamlining the government to create a lean and efficient bureaucracy. Lawmakers must give the proposed bureaucratic right-sizing their full support. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

A majority of Filipinos in America agree with Marcos’s burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani MUST a Filipino be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani just because he was a president and/ or a soldier? Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte believes so, contending that this is what the law of the land says and that he, as the president, is duty bound to execute what the law mandates. This is the rationale behind his decision to allow the burial of deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani, something the Marcos family has been advocating for years. After 27 years, the remains of Marcos — unburied and displayed in a glass coffin in a refrigerated crypt in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte — will be buried on September 18. Marcos’ widow Imelda Romualdez Marcos, children Imee, Bongbong and Irene, have all vowed to keep him there until the government gives in to their demands for a burial in the National Heroes’ Cemetery with full military honors. After the tenure of Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Arroyo, and Noynoy Aquino, they found an ally in Rodrigo Duterte. The National Heroes’ Cemetery (Libingan ng mga Bayani) was created by virtue of Republic Act 289, also known as “An Act Providing for the Construction of a National Pantheon for Presidents of the Philippines, National Heroes and Patriots of the Country.” But Filipinos who lived through the Marcos administration — especially those who were victims of martial law or those who had been widowed, orphaned or lost all they worked so hard for because of the abuses and human rights violations — have intensified their protest against Duterte’s

decision. As ABS-CBN News reported, The Fil-Am human rights victims during martial law and people’s orga- Perspective nizations filed a petition with the high court on Monday, August 15, urging Malacañang’s order for Marcos’s burial to be set aside. Instead, the cemetery Gel SantoS-ReloS should continue to be dedicated for war heroes, soldiers, former presidents of the Philippines, and national artists. Most of these petitioners are plaintiffs in a class suit filed in the 1990s in a Hawaii Court against Marcos’ estate seeking to recover compensation for the “human rights violations perpetrated during the Marcos dictatorship.” According to the petitioners, Duterte’s order was “void” for being “patently illegal and was made with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction,” and that allowing Marcos’s burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani would be a mockery of Philippine democracy. The petition further stated the following, as reported by ABS-CBN News: “Apart from the human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship, the fact remains undisputed that Marcos and his family, during his term, acquired billions worth of ill-gotten wealth, some of which are still subjects of pending litigations while much remain hidden.” The petition further stated, ”Moreover, the foreign debt his administration incurred ballooned and actually rendered future generations of Filipinos, even those still unborn, heavily indebted

by the millions.” Petitioners also raised the issue on a study conducted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) which states that Marcos’ claims of being a bemedalled World War II hero “failed to pass the test of historical verification.” Petitioners also pointed out that an agreement between the Philippine government and the Marcos family in 1993 provided the following conditions for the return of Marcos’ remains to the Philippines: a) That the body of Pres. Marcos will be immediately transported to Ilocos Norte upon arrival without fanfare; b) That the body of Pres. Marcos be buried in Ilocos Norte; and c) The ceremony for the burial was to be for military honors for the rank of major. Duterte refused to join in the debate of whether Marcos was a hero or not. He said in a press conference, “Ang Pilipinas… is you need only to be a president and a solider. Nobody is debating about heroes here. Assuming it to be true na wala siyang medalya or not validated by an American record does not mean that he is not qualified to be buried there. So what’s the objection?” Duterte further contended: “I would like to say forget about the medals. Just focus on whether he is a Filipino. He fought for his country, and he’s once upon a time a president. That’s the law! We cannot go out of the law….Nobody is

questioning about he’s a hero. I am not dwelling on his exploits.” “Alam mo kasi, kung ginusto nila – and they were already in power at the time, itong mga yellow – dapat nagpasa sila ng batas na hindi puwedeng ilibing si Marcos when the guy was already in Guam in exile. They should have passed a law prohibiting Marcos if ever he comes home dead to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. But nothing has been done. Bakit kinalimutan ang elementary procedure na ‘yan?” argued Duterte. But it seems 30 years after Marcos has been overthrown by the Peoples’ Power Revolution in 1986, public opinion is now favorable to the Marcoses’ demand and Duterte’s decision — if the opinions of a majority of Filipinos in America are concerned. In an online viewers’ poll of The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America, 55 percent of those who voted said Marcos should be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani because he was a president and a soldier. These Marcos supporters, and even those who were not really big fans of Marcos, argue that it is time for the nation to “move on,” and that Duterte’s move will help unify the country that has been divided especially after the 1986 People Power. Do you agree? *** 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

Why the South China Sea could be the key to winning in swing states by Andrew LAm NewAmericaMedia

QUICK, what do Vietnamese and Filipino Americans have in common? If you said that both communities hail from Southeast Asia, you’d be right. But the commonalities don’t stop there. Both communities also have sizable numbers of naturalized citizens, many of who are casting wary eyes on China’s ongoing aggression in the South China Sea. For Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, whose record on security in the region is well documented, that could prove decisive come November. “The future of politics will be decided in Asia, not Afghanistan or Iraq,” wrote then Secretary of State Clinton in 2011, in a much-touted essay for Foreign Policy magazine supporting President Obama’s strategic “pivot to Asia.” While turmoil in the Middle East ultimately derailed Obama’s Asia pivot, analysts believe that as president, Clinton would again seek to reinvigorate the policy to secure U.S. primacy in the region and to ensure the United States remains “at the center of the action.” And there is plenty of “action.” In the years since Clinton’s essay appeared, China has continued to build up its presence in open waters around the South China Sea, posing a direct challenge to the territorial sovereignty of several Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines. Beijing continues to construct military bases –including a 3000-meter runway, two helipads and a radar tower – on artificial islands that lie in open waters. A

report out this week, meanwhile, notes China began flying “aerial combat patrols” over these same waters despite a ruling by a United Nations tribunal invalidating Beijing’s claims to territory in the region. While China rejected the ruling, Filipinos and Vietnamese – including those in the United States – turned out in droves to celebrate. Indeed, if there is a core issue linking Vietnamese and Filipino American voters, it is Chinese aggression and the threat it poses to the territorial integrity of their homelands. It’s an issue that could drive enough of them to vote in states where their numbers are growing and where recent electoral victories have come at the slimmest of margins. Take Florida for example. The state played a pivotal – if not controversial – role in ushering in the Bush presidency in 2000 with a slim margin of just 536 votes. Today, the combined Vietnamese and Filipino population there hovers around 200,000. In Nevada, another swing state, Filipinos number around 120,000. And in Georgia, the two groups combined make up around 80,000. (There is, incidentally, also a significant Korean presence in Georgia of around 100,000.) As Florida showed, a few hundred votes in either direction can alter the trajectory of the nation and the world. Given all this, one would assume Democrats and Republicans would be lining up to court Filipino and Vietnamese voters. But according to a survey put out last May by the non-partisan group APIA Vote, “Asian Americans were less likely than other racial groups

to be contacted.” Indeed, GOP nominee Donald Trump this week went so far as to indict the Philippines, saying the country was part of a “Trojan horse” of “terrorist nations” threatening the United States. His comments have already touched off a fire storm both here and in the Philippines, where lawmakers have proposed banning Trump from visiting. But even among Democratic strategists, who have long focused on winning over the Latino and black vote, Asian Americans are often a second thought at best, the assumption being most are solidly blue. Which is true, to a point. According to the APIA Vote survey, Clinton’s favorability ratings among

Asian American voters came in at 62 percent, compared to 61 percent unfavorable for Trump. But the survey also found 23 percent of Filipinos and 22 percent of Vietnamese found Trump favorable. Vietnamese, in particular, have a long record of supporting Republicans going back to the days of Reagan and the fight against Communism. Many Vietnamese still regard the GOP as being stronger on national security. And this is where Clinton’s stance on the South China Seas comes in handy. Clinton needs to remind Vietnamese and Filipino Americans of her record in Asia, of how she helped bring about democratic elections in Burma

and shifted that country’s alliance from China toward the United States. She needs to convince them that if Trump wins he will be an unsure and inept hand at America’s helm. This will surely steer America and its allies toward disunity, and therefore open opportunities for expansionistic neighbors China and Russia. All politics is local. But given shifting demographics, local also means the assurance of strong foreign policy experience. For Clinton, guaranteeing the security of the South China Sea may very well be the key to driving Filipino and Vietnamese American voters to the booths and opening the door to the White House in November.

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • AUgUSt 19-25, 2016

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Anti-LGBT discrimination bill pushed anew in PH Congress by JoSeph

alMer B. peDraJaS AJPress

MANILA – Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka J. Bag-ao has pushed anew his House bill seeking to impose anti-discrimination against members of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. In Bag-ao’s House Bill 51 or Anti-Discrimination Act, the bill defines and penalizes practices that unjustly discriminate LGBT in the criteria for hiring, promotion, transfer, designation, work assignment, re-assignment, dismissal of workers and other human resource movement and action. Bag-ao firstly filed House Bill 110 during his term as representative of the Akbayan party list. He updated the said bill in 2015 when he already assumed office as the representative of the Dinagat Islands. In a statement, the representative explained that “our lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) continue to be oppressed

by the iniquitous treatment of society at large, primarily because of misconceptions and ignorance.” “Sadly for our democracy, LGBTs are still considered second class citizens when they try to exercise the rights to which they are rightfully entitled.” Though the LGBT community has been widely embraced, there are still prejudices that exist in schools, institutions, and workplaces, based on one’s sexual orientation and gender identity. “Prejudicial beliefs and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, workplaces, commercial establishments and public service limit the exercise and enjoyment of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms,” Bag-ao added. Dinagat Island Rep. filed his second bill in the 16th Congress. HB 51 is specified in penalizing school institutions that expel or shall refuse students on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI), as well

as other offices that shall deny access to such people in public, or even private, necessities such as hospitals and medical care. According to the proposed act, violators shall fine a penalty of P100,000 but not more than P500,000 or be penalized an imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years. Meanwhile, Ifugao Representative Teodoro Baguilat Jr. is also in favor of passing the anti-discrimination bill. Last year, Baguilat said, “I am one of the principal authors of this bill that seeks to protect not just LGBTs but also indigenous people, persons with disabilities, seniors and other disadvantaged sectors from discrimination in the workplace, school, media, government transactions and services among others.” Baguilat believes that violations against LGBT happen because some want to “punish” them for their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Court allows Arroyo to travel abroad by Dana

SioSon AJPress

IN a resolution signed on Tuesday, August 16, the Sandiganbayan granted former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s request to travel to Germany, France and Hong Kong. “Acting on accused Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s motion to travel abroad, and after considering the prosecution’s comment opposition thereto, the Court resolves to grant said accused permission to travel abroad to Munich, Germany; Paris, France; and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China,” the court said. The Fourth Division of the Sandiganbayan ordered Arroyo to pay a travel bond of P300,000 and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo to pay P90,000. The former President is set to leave the country not earlier than September 19 and must return not later than October 3. She will travel to Germany on September 20 to 29 to consult with medical experts regarding her neck problems. Arroyo will next fly to Paris for a family vacation until October 3, and to Hong Kong According to the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), she is suffering from cervical

NEW PH PASSPORT. New passports with added security features would be available starting Monday, Aug. 22, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the “all new high-security passport” would also contain designs that would promote the regions of the country. “Added security features have been placed such as upgraded security feature of microchip to capture the personal data of the applicant, invisible UV fluorescent ink and thread, and elaborate design when subject to UV light,” Andanar said in a statement.

Solution to Metro Manila traffic? Duterte to pursue subway projects by Dana

M. SioSon

According to Kintanar, the subway will be connected to Metro PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte Manila’s other transportation syswill pursue subway projects as tems, including Metro Rail Transit part of the plan to ease Metro Ma- Line 3 on EDSA, and Line 1 and 2 nila traffic congestion, Transpor- of the Light Rail Transit Line. tation Undersecretary for Rails He added that the government and Toll Roads Noel Kintanar said is considering to build it under a on Tuesday, August 16. public-private partnership. “If we plan this well, the comEarlier on July, Kintanar submitmuter will be given choice, and ted a plan to Transportation Secby that, we can distribute conges- retary Arthur Tugade, suggesting tion rather than concentrate it on to have rail transport as as the alone or two lines,” Kintanar told ternative to cars. The plan includes “Gridlock: An ANC Forum on the building subterranean railways. Transportation Crisis.” He said that the construction AJPress

of elevated railways on-ground would bring the city to a stop, so they plan to use tunnel-boring machines so that “life goes on in the surface.” In Kintanar’s proposal, Line 4 that will run through the eastern side of Metro Manila while Line 5 subway will run through, Pasay, Makati, and Taguig. Line 6, on the other hand, will run up to Dasmariñas, Cavite. Line 7, which is now under construction, will run from Commonwealth in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

Senate to probe Chinese excavations in Zambales Philippine soil used for South China Sea reclamation? MANILA - The Senate blue ribbon committee will conduct an inquiry into Chinese mining opLast July, the Supreme Court erations and illegal excavations in spondylosis, a degenerative disease of the bones and cartilage has acquitted Arroyo with her Zambales. 366-million plunder case in conof the neck. Sen. Panfilo Lacson sought the In her motion, Arroyo stated nection with the disbursement inquiry through Senate Resoluthat she “is willing and ready to of confidential funds from the tion 92 to determine the extent of comply with such conditions as Philippine Charity Sweepstakes the excavations and identify the the Honorable Court may deem Office (PCSO). individuals who must be held acHowever, she is still currently countable. necessary to impose on her travel abroad in order to guarantee her facing two graft cases in connec“There is a need to account for return to the Philippines” and tion with the $329-million NBN- personalities behind this highly had every reason to return to the ZTE national broadband deal. anomalous, illegal and treacherHer husband is also charged ous acts that tend not only to decountry “to face the remaining charges against her and to clear with one graft case as co-accused stroy our environment, but also before the court. her name.” make a mockery of our laws to the Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Philstar.com photo

prejudice of the Filipino people and constitute a possible breach of our national security,” Lacson said. He said allegations that quarrying and smuggling in Zambales are part of China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea should be investigated. He said an assessment of the areas affected by the mining firms’ “wanton act of destruction” should be undertaken. Meanwhile, an environmental advocacy group and a private think tank have expressed support for the declaration of the Spratlys

as a marine protected area. “There must be a conscious effort to protect the remaining coral reefs and preserve marine resources,” Ysan Castillo, secretary general of the Philippine Business Environmental Stewardship, said during a recent forum. Dindo Manhit, Stratbase ADR Institute president, said a declaration by concerned countries to preserve marine resources and ban destructive fishing in disputed waters is a positive move for food security and peace in the region. (Paolo Romero, Pia LeeBrago/Philstar.com)

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august 19-25, 2016

Shamcey Supsup-Lee: Life after the crown

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my obstetrician said they had to do a CS, I exclaimed with much Philstar.com relief, ‘CS!’ When I woke up, it was over. When Lloyd came to me, I If it wasn’t in the news, who’d was crying: Why did I have a CS? think that Bb. Pilipinas and 3rd I was so disappointed because runner-up in Miss Universe 2011 I planned the birth of my baby Shamcey Supsup (now Mrs. Lloyd and everything didn’t go as Lee), looking enviably slim and planned. But my father-in-law was trim, and every inch a beauty consoling me, ‘Wag ka na umiyak, queen, gave birth seven months healthy si baby, OK si baby.’” ago to a baby girl? Shamcey heaved a long sigh fact is, this new mom of relief now that it was over couldn’t stop talking about her — or so she thought. “When I saw new title and the challenges the baby, she was made to latch of breastfeeding her little Nyla (to attach to mother’s breast to Kelcey (nicknamed Nyke) in a nurse) as soon as possible, which recent heart-to-heart, momwas also part of the birth plan,” to-mom talk with newshens she shares. “At first, it was okay, at the launch of Pigeon’s Only the baby latched. If giving birth Moms breastfeeding advocacy is the hardest, this is the second to coincide with National hardest. It was so, so hard. I gave Breastfeeding Month this August. birth in the morning and the When she found out she was baby already stayed in my room pregnant, Shamcey didn’t really in the evening. I thought if you buy maternity clothes. “So, I was put the baby on your tummy, wearing an old dress that didn’t fit okay na. Not so, ’coz everytime I would breastfeed, I would cry, I couldn’t explain the pain. Maybe because that time, I was still a bit depressed about my CS experience. I remember one time I told my yaya, who is my cousin, to please take the baby, I couldn’t take it anymore, I didn’t like to see the baby because I felt she kept on crying no matter what I did. And how would I know if she was getting something from my breast? I was so frustrated. There was even a time the nurse had to hand express my milk. I said, ‘Sige na, bahala ka na dyan.’Because I didn’t know what to do anymore.” Shamcey didn’t know if her baby was getting enough colostrum (the perfect baby food found only in breast milk, it’s low in fat and high in antibodies to keep baby healthy). “I saw my colostrum, it was so little. So I Shamcey with Nyke: “When my parents asked, ‘Why did you name your first child Nyke? Are you going to name the second one Adidas?’ So asked the nurse if the baby was we named our daughter Nyla Kelcey, to justify the nickname Nyke.” getting enough colostrum. The

nurse explained it was really only that much that was needed for the baby’s small stomach.” She adds, “I remember on the second day of feeding, I was asking what I could do because it was so painful. And they were telling me to buy a nipple cream.” Then came the sleepless, restless nights. “I thought as an Architecture student, I was used to not sleeping when we would work on projects. But breastfeeding was worse; for a whole week, the longest I slept was three hours. Because I was sleeping with my baby, her slightest movement would wake me up. It was really tough. So, after one month, I told my husband, ‘I think I need a pump.’ My ninang told me I have to let the baby latch most of the time to stimulate the milk, so I did that. And I was following on Instagram these pumping moms who were able to exclusively pump even without directly breastfeeding

Mariel to give birth (to baby girl) in US

A new Pangilinan enters ‘biz’

by Ching

M. AlAno

and my husband noticed that it was open at the back,” she relates. “I said, ‘Mahal, style talaga ’yan. Just close it with a safety pin.’” When her mother-in-law asked her if they needed to buy bottles, sterilizers, etc., she confidently (with passion) said, “No need! Breastfeeding! Kaya ko ’yan! I really didn’t shop for anything. Maybe the only thing I had was a hand-me-down stroller from my husband’s uncle because he had a three-year-old.” When they found out she was expecting, her excited — and expectant, too — in-laws plied her with Chinese herbal drinks to take. She got hold of every book you’d expect expectant moms would read. She took breathing classes, got herself some pampering massage, watched videos on Lamaze, how to give a bath to a baby, and breastfeeding.

Having done all that and more, this anxious mom-to-be thought she was well-equipped for the job, she had it all figured out. But as she found out later, much to her frustration, nothing could really prepare one for motherhood and babies don’t really come with a manual. “I had a birth plan, I wanted everything to be natural,” she discloses. “But I didn’t expect I would end up giving birth by Cesarean Section. Because the anesthesia didn’t work, I could feel the pain and I was so tired that I gave up and told Lloyd I was not gonna push anymore. I was so disappointed in myself — others could do it even if they labored for 24 hours. As for me, I entered the hospital at 11 p.m. and gave birth at 7 a.m., mabilis lang, it was like only six hours of labor. But with all the pain I was going through, when

Philstar.com

Expectant parents Robin Padilla and wife Mariel Rodriguez seal it with a kiss during the recent triple celebration.

and including robin’s daughter Kylie, robin’s cousin Bela with boyfriend Neil Arce, and robin’s brother rommel with son rJ. Also present were Mariel’s mom and grandparents, Grace Lee and Camille Villar. “It was the first time for Mariel’s mom to meet the Padillas,” said Jenna Sy who helped entertain the guests for Aprica. When the doctor told the couple that their baby would be a boy, robin didn’t believe it, until the doctor later confirmed that the baby would be a girl. “At first,” Mariel was heard telling guests, “I wanted a boy kasi marami nang girls si robin. But when I learned that it’s a girl, I realized that the baby is really for me. God knows na girl naman talaga ang gusto ko.” There were games during the

event, such as cake slicing (like in a wedding reception), guessing game (what’s in Mariel’s purse?) and baby-bottle drinking contest (with the Padillas joining to finish a baby-bottleful of iced tea). The “Mariel or robin” Q&A portion was fun. • Who wakes up first? Answer: Mariel (because she wakes up robin to pray). • Who cooks? Answer: Mariel (who learned how to cook after they got married). • Who says “I love you” first? Answer: Mariel. Because robin doesn’t take alcohol, guests sipped mocktails during the champagne toast. Next month, Mariel will be given a baby shower before she flies to the US for her date with the stork.

Charlie Puth admits he is attracted to Liza Soberano LIzA Soberano was not able to attend Charlie Puth’s concert, but for some reason the Grammynominated singer could not shake the “Dolce Amore” star out of his mind. Charlie visited Philippines for the second time on Sunday, Aug. 14 to promote his latest album, “Nine Track Mind.” During his concert, Charlie admitted that Liza caught his attention after he saw the Kapamilya actress on television. He also shared the story on how he tried to invite her to watch his concert. “Apparently, I am attracted to this young actress (Liza)... sent her an invite, I’m just saying I sent her an invite but she’s busy,” Charlie said as the crowd screamed in cheers and

Grammy-nominated Charlie, known for his hits such as “See you Again,” “One Call Away,” “Marvin Gaye,” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore,” on Sunday admitted he is attracted to Liza Soberano.

excitement. Ahead of his performance on Sunday, Puth dubbed a scene on Snapchat from Liza Soberano’s movie, “Everyday I Love You.” The video was reposted by a fan and

was retweeted by Liza. The two exchanged messages on Twitter early Sunday fueling a “LiLie” / “Charza” fandom on social media. (Alixandra Caole Vila/Philstar. com)

and they were able to maintain their milk supply. I said why don’t I do that? I would ask other moms how long do their babies latch. My friends would say 15 minutes and their babies already feel full. What about my baby, she’d latch for 30 minutes and then cry, then latch again. I couldn’t do anything. There was a time I was just in bed, they’d bring me breakfast, lunch, dinner.” Breast milk is inarguably the best for babies. from the beginning, Shamcey was really set on breastfeeding her baby and she knew she could do it because she wasn’t tied down to an 8-to-5 office work. This beauty-and-brains magna cum laude Architecture graduate of UP Diliman who topped the national exam for architects with a rating of 86.6 % now runs an architecture firm with her husband. The hardworking young couple also owns a chain of filipino restaurants.

fOr years, he has been in and out of television screens, starring in endorsements with his parents. This year, though, Donny Pangilinan— from the prominent show business and political clan—has finally dabbled on the entertainment industry on his own. The young looker has recently been launched as the fresh face of music channel MYX. Joining him as a new VJ is another social media darling, Sunny Kim. Donny Pangilinan is the son of award-winning actress Maricel Laxa and TV host Anthony Pangilinan. At 18 years old, Donny has obtained a cult following through social media with over 35-thousand followers on Twitter and 68 thousand on Instagram even before appearing on TV. VJ Donny is a fresh graduate of Brent International School and describes himself as super competitive and someone who loves basketball and surfing. Standing 6’1” tall and armed with his active and easy-going personality, Pangilinan is expected to charm his way to the audience. (ManilaTimes.net)

by riCky lo

AfTEr two miscarriages, Mariel rodriguez will finally give birth to a girl (name confidential) in the US sometime in November. It will be her and husband robin Padilla’s first child, and robin’s sixth (one with ex-girlfriend Lea Orosa and four with ex-wife Liezl Sicangco). The baby’s gender was revealed last Saturday, Aug. 13, during a triple celebration for the couple’s sixth wedding anniversary (Aug. 19), Mariel’s 32nd birthday and revelation of the baby’s gender (done with a golden box which contained an Aprica pink stroller). The event was hosted by Japanese Stroller brand Aprica, the same company that also sponsored the baby shower for James Yap and girlfriend Michela Cazzola who gave birth to a boy named Michael James last Aug. 8. Among the guests were expectant moms Toni Gonzaga (giving birth to her and husband Paul Soriano’s first child in a few weeks’ time), rufa Mae Quinto (who is said to be in “an interesting stage” courtesy of her fil-Am boyfriend), and Shalani Soledad with husband former Congressman roman romulo who should have a child by now, four years after they got married. The Padillas were accounted for, led by the matriarch Eva Cariño (who joined the party even if she was on “chair arrest”)

Happy, healthy family: Shamcey with husband Lloyd Lee and daughter Nyke.

Donny Pangilinan

The story behind Heart Evangelista’s soulful paintings by AlixAndrA

CAole Philstar.com

VilA

fOr Love Marie OngpaucoEscudero it was both love and sadness that rekindled her romance with painting. As the artist recalled at her press launch of her “Carry Your HeArT” exhibit at on August 16, she has always had a knack for painting, but she never had the chance to let her creativity flourish, until few years ago. Strokes of sadness “It was when I was going through...I was in this really sad stage of my life when I fought with my parents and I started painting again. It was very therapeutic for me,” she explained. Just like most artists, Love Marie saw painting as a way to deal with her own emotions, transforming her vision into a tangible reality. Creativity, like many things, is actually a delicate balance of nature and nurture, meaning it can be destroyed or enhanced by external forces. Big push As soon as her husband Sen. francis “Chiz” Escudero, who was then her boyfriend, noticed Love Marie working on those brushes again, he encouraged her to get a bigger canvas. “I was using small canvas then and he said, ‘Why don’t you get a bigger canvas and paint on them, instead sa puro maliliit?” she recalled.

“It was when I was going through... I was in this really sad stage of my life when I fought with my parents and I started painting again,” Love Marie Ongpauco-Escudero said.

Being a supportive partner, Chiz got Love Marie her first big canvas. Since then, Love Marie’s creativity bloomed. Using oil as her medium, she played with her exquisite eye for detail and soulful touch through broad strokes and swathes of vibrant color. “I was on a high. It felt great you know, the feeling of finishing something big. So, that’s how it started again. And I started na to paint seriously again ng mga 2013,” she quipped. Putting it out there In 2014, Love Marie decided to share her works by putting up her first painting exhibit at Art Space of the Ayala Museum. Surprisingly, all her paintings were sold out within the day. “I was pressured then. I did not want it to be so commercialized. Like people

would think na sold out kasi I am an artista. So when I found out na sold out medyo na-conscious talaga ako,” she said. Just like everyone else who holds on to her dreams, Love Marie did not stop chasing stars. Months later, she had another show at Galerie Joaquin in San Juan. And in 2015, she became the first filipina to put up a solo art exhibit at Chan Hampe Galleries in Singapore. fast forward to 2016, Love Marie has now extended her art, from canvas to dresses and handbags. Next month, she is set to hold a “Carry Your HeArT” exhibit at the Volkswagen Showroom in Bonifacio Global City where some of her handpainted luxury handbags will be showcased to the public for the first time.

August 19-25, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

3

Gabby Concepcion’s daughter to compete for Miss Universe Sweden 2016 crown By Joseph

Almer B. pedrAJAs AJPress

FILIPINO actor Gabby Concepcion is not just the father of actress and United Nations goodwill ambassador KC Concepcion. He also has another beautiful and talented daughter, Cloie Skarne, one of the aspirants SECOND MOM. Singapore’s Olympic gold medalist, swimmer Joseph Schooling, shows his appreciation for the support of Filipino Yolanda at the Miss Universe Sweden Pascual, his family’s domestic helper for 19 years. SINGTEL Youtube videograb 2016. On July 8, 2016, Cloie Syquiao Skarne joined a Stockholm pageant where she succeeded to win a slot to compete in the upcoming Miss Universe Sweden. In an interview with the Asian Journal, Skarne said that the By Joseph Almer B. pedrAJAs 1997, she has been employed by to—shared that aside from being pageant will be held on August AJPress the Schooling family. She boasted Schooling’s nanny, she has also 28 at Café Opera in Stockholm. that the gold medalist “[has] been been his “waterboy” every time the THE world watched in awe as Skarne is 22-year-old loving and caring and a very good swimmer dipped in the pool. Joseph Schooling of Singapore daughter of Gabby Concepcion boy. He never shouts at me or “I’ve always believed in him. defeated American swimmer with his ex-wife Jenny Syquia. anybody.” I was watching and shouting for Michael Phelps and won the first Born in 1994, the 5’7” Nostalgic, the nanny recounted him. I cannot express how happy gold medal for his country during candidate changed her surname that Schooling “will always say ‘I I am…I was jumping and crying the 2016 Rio Olympics. from Concepcion to Skarne when want to be No. 1. I remember once As the first Singaporean man to after he won,” Pascual said in the her Filipina-American mother we were watching (Michael) Phelps participate in an Olympic swimming interview. married Swedish Filip Skarne in on TV, he told me he wanted to be In a YouTube video made by final, Schooling triumphed against 1997. there and be like him, and I knew he Singtel in 2015, the 21-year-old seven other swimmers and ranked Due to the jurisdiction after could do it. He has a very strong will; Schooling showed appreciation for 1st in the men’s 100m butterfly the marriage of her parents, Cloie if he wants something, he’ll get it.” his nanny’s support and called her division of swimming on Friday, Skarne has become a Filipino“When friends asked a “second mum.” August 12. American-Swedish. [Schooling] to go out, he usually The 56-year-old nanny Meanwhile, behind Schooling’s Having three obtained couldn’t because he had practice victory and abrupt prominence are recognized the esteem and also citizenships, Skarne stressed that early the next day,” she added. his coaches, teammates, family, and commented that Schooling is like she recognizes herself being not Schooling had met Phelps— her “own son.” She even recounted of course, his Filipina nanny. just one but “all” of the three – now the most decorated Olympian that, “when I miss him, I read our In a phone interview with the Filipino, American, and Swedish. of all time—in 2008 before the messages.” Sunday Times, Yolanda Pascual—or “I am all of the above Beijing Olympics. Pascual also narrated that since “Auntie Yolly” as she’s referred and I love each country. The Philippines, America, and Sweden, all have a special place in my heart. I was born in the Philippines, I have an American Showtime’ family kasi dito ako natuto KARYLLE is taking her career mother and lived in the U.S. for a to dream big. Tulad nga nung sabi to new heights as she takes on few years, and I grew up, went to nila, dito talaga ako nagumpisa a daring role as a pole dancer school and have spent most of my mangarap para sa sarili ko. Ang in Singapore TV Series “Private life in Sweden,” added Skarne. Filipino, world-class athletes, worldInvestigator.” When asked which country class talents, so kailangan natin Karylle’s manager Arnold is her most favorite, the aspirant i-develop iyan,” she said as she bade Vegafria posted some photos on reiterated that she loves “each goodbye to her fans. Instagram to give Karylle’s fans a country equally.” This was not the first time sneak peek of her part in the crime “I love the beautiful beaches Karylle worked on a project outside thriller series. and reefs of the Philippines the Philippines. In 2011, Karylle Early this August, Karylle and the endless kindness of it’s starred in “The Kitchen Musical,” formally left the show “It’s people, the big cities, food and an international musical TV series Showtime,” which she co-hosted friendliness of the Americans, and drama aired in over 12 countries in alongside Vice Ganda and Anne the calm, quiet peacefulness in Asia. (Alixandra Caole Vila/Philstar. Curtis. Karylle all dolled up for her “pole dance” role Sweden. But most importantly com) “Mami-miss ko ang ‘It’s in the upcoming Singapore TV series.

Auntie Yolly: The Filipina nanny who helped raise Singapore’s Olympic gold medalist

Karylle lands role in upcoming Singapore TV series

for me, it’s the people in a place that makes it beautiful, and I have loved ones in all 3 countries, that’s also a big reason to why I love all 3,” Skarne expounded. Aside from being a Miss Universe hopeful, Skarne is also studying Global Management and Chinese at Stockholm University. She is also hoping “to become a businesswoman running” her “own companies” in the future. “My dream is to work with Asia, Europe and the U.S., and to hopefully get to travel with my job,” she added. Skarne even expressed excitement for the upcoming prestigious pageant. “In preparation I will be training with expert coaches of Aces & Queens in Manila. They are exceptional at what they do and I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Among other things I will prepare for bikini, gown, posing, poise

and Q&A. I’m excited!” If Skarne wins Miss Universe Sweden, she will be competing with other international candidates at the Miss Universe 2016 pageant, including Miss Universe Philippines Maria Mika Maxine Medina, on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

August 19-25, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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Arci Muñoz into the relationship with non-showbiz boyfriend for the long haul by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

anotHEr actress with a rosy love life is arci Muñoz. the star of the upcoming film “Camp Sawi” has a supportive non-showbiz boyfriend who knows career is her top priority for now. and yet the actress admits she’s into the relationship for the long haul. “I won’t get into a relationship if I don’t see the guy in my future,” arci says. “But both of us are still young.” arci has many reasons to make love take a back seat to her career. She waited 11 years to get the breaks she’s now getting. after playing opposite Gerald anderson in “always Be My Maybe,” arci now takes on the role of one of “Camp Sawi’s” lead stars. Up next for her is the series “never Say Arci Muñoz admits she’s into the relationship Goodbye,” remake of Mario o’Hara’s for the long haul ‘80s film Kastilyong Buhangin.”

arci will play nora aunor’s character no less. She’ll have not one, but two leading men: Jericho rosales and John Estrada. If arci shows so much fire on screen these days, that’s because her experience with heartache has sharpened her sensitivity. Four years ago, arci’s world crashed when she and her first boyfriend, a band member, broke up. “I actually courted him for a long time,” she recalls. arci wasn’t in showbiz then. She slowly moved on by telling herself the guy is not the only fish in the sea. arci reminded herself that she deserves someone better. and of course, she does. the best part is, arci and her ex are happily leading separate lives. they have no regrets. “at least, I’ve learned from it, and I’ve moved on,” arci says.

Andi Eigenmann, Jake Ejercito lose cool on Twitter MISSED the #Jelena drama? We got our very own #Jandi drama right here. From #SelenaEndedJustinP arty, social media trend quickly shifted to #andiEndedJakeParty. apparently, ex-couple Jake Ejercito and andi Eigenmann had a heated twitter exchange on tuesday. So how did the fire again ignite? It all started when Jake made a “Justin-like” remark toward andi, saying the actress is using him to promote her upcoming movie “Camp Sawi,” a film about girls trying to mend their broken hearts in a camp. “Can’t you promote your film by only entertaining questions about the film or perhaps your career? as much as I’ve tried my best to ignore it, I can’t stay silent when I am conveniently and effortlessly being maligned out of nowhere. Stay positive and real, everyone. and for those who aren’t, try it. Life is too awesome,” Jake said. Feeling insulted, andi quickly

EMPLOYMENT

Alden on bashers: Words can hurt by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

Contrary to a previous Funfare story about alden richards’ book “In My own Words,” Maine Mendoza is, indeed, in the book, with one chapter (4) titled “Meet #Maiden” devoted to her. But unlike the JaDine book “team real” co-authored by James reid and nadine Lustre, Maine didn’t co-write alden’s book because, according to alden, Summit Books made the offer early last year, a few months before alDub was born. Maybe Maine can also write her book solo, to be called Maine Mendoza: (also) in My own Words…and devote one chapter to alden? Why not? When alden graced the book launching, he was still recovering from jetlag after traveling with Maine to Morocco for an exclusive pictorial for Megamagazine supervised by one Mega Group CEo Sari yap and directed by Mike Carandang. alden’s manager Gigi Santiago-Lara, one of the heads of GMa’s artist Center, showed me alden and Maine’s pictures taken in Morocco but so sorry, they couldn’t be published yet. you have to wait for Mega’soctober issue. “We spent two days traveling to and from Morocco, and three days for the pictorial,” recalled alden, home ahead of Maine who

Alden Richards with Maine Mendoza

decided to stay for a few days to see more of Morocco. (trivia: Is it true that Maine’s next destination is new york where she’s going to meet up with the “Mysterious M” in her life?) In her social-media account, Sari posted this: “What I really think after three days of working with her? the girl is a riot a minute. She is quiet for a while until she gets to know you. She is oblivious to fame, which is why fame hounds her. the @mega_ magazine team is missing her now that she is on the way home.” From Mike: “traveling around Morocco with @mainedcm and @aldenrichards02 is Epic. I can’t wait for everyone to see the documentary. PS: Very attentive ni alden to Maine’s needs. Sweet sya.” anyway, asked how he felt about social-media bashers, alden said, “at first, it hurt. But I have learned how to block them emotionally. Social media is free kaya hindi naman bawal mag-post.

But social-media users should be careful with the words that they use. Words can hurt people. Words can affect people. If you continue on defending other people without looking at yourself,parang unfair naman yata ‘yan.” and here are excerpts from the chapter on Maine: “Sabi nila, si alden mabait ‘yan, gentleman, at maalaga sa babae, so ‘yun ‘yung first impression ko sa kanya. Hindi naman ako nadisapppoint.” — Maine “Maine is the perfect definition of F-U-n.” — alden “When we’re alone together, we talk about things we don’t get to talk about during shoots. It’s nice because we really get to know each other. Happy ako na nakilala talaga namin and isa’t-isa.” — Maine “I don’t pretend to be something I’m not whenever I’m with Maine.” — alden So what’s the real score between them? read between the lines.

Ogie Alcasid: From GMA to TV5 to GMA (or is it ABS-CBN this time)? oGIE alcasid’s contract with tV5 is ending next week but he has no concrete plans yet, whether to stay in the Kapatid network or return to GMa? He said everything will depend on his talk with his It was in 2014 when Andi Eigenmann confirmed that she and Jake Ejercito ended their ninong (Manny Pangilinan). It was MVP who convinced ogie to relationship. join tV5 and help the station gain “mayabang” or arrogant. fired back by posting a series prominence. after three years with But what really sent down of tweets slamming Jake’s Jake reeling was andi’s response, the Kapatid network, ogie wants comments. She said she was to ask his ninong if his services are to which Jake retorted: “no just sharing her own experience, thanks. I’d rather be real than be still needed. recognizing that there is nothing ogie has not been doing a relevant sham any day.” wrong with with staying true to anything on tV5 except for It was in 2014 when andi your feelings. “Happinas Happy Hour” but he confirmed that she and Jake andi’s tweets went on. at is thankful that he is given the ended their relationship. one point she called Jake a chance to appear in aBS-CBn and (Alixandra Caole Vila/Philstar. narcissist and compared him GMa to promote his album and com) to talyor Swift for being too

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

his forthcoming concert. the singer-songwriter has nothing but good words for MVP as boss. He describes him as good-natured and humble. ogie fears, though, that MVP might tell him he may want to leave because he knows that he is on a sinking ship. “If he says he still needs me to cover the holes so that the ship would not sink then I will stay. But if he’d let me go, anything is possible. But I want to finish my concert first before I’d talk to him,” said ogie. “In my heart, I am still a child,” said ogie who added that he kept his old Pokemon toys which is this generation’s newest craze. Joining

SERVICES

Ogie Alcasid

him in his concert are his talents Lara Maigue, Davey Langit and Basti artadi, who is embarking on a solo career. of course, his wife regine Velasquez is also joining him on the 26th while ai ai delas alas is appearing on the 27th, his birthday. He is turning 49. (ManilaTimes.net)

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

rewriting your own story

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“A useless life is an early death.”

—Goethe

Monette AdevA MAglAyA MOST memorable life stories that stand out and become etched in the human collective consciousness are products of oft-repeated re-writes and skilled editing. 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. This is what the Greeks call a tabula rasa, on which you can

August 19-25, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

begin writing your new story. Or if you use a computer, click on a new blank document and chase the cursor as memories of things past come alive like a stream of gushing consciousness and take shape through the written word. 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 selfinvolvement in order to grasp the concept of our own mortality and to know that we are here for just a little while for a purpose. human beings were not created 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 Continued on Page 6

EVA, Avianca initiate code-share Adds greater convenience, more connections to Central and South America

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Star Alliance members EVA Air and Avianca began code-sharing on August 17, 2016, making travel between Asia and Central America more convenient and extending services for both airlines’ passengers. Under the code-share, Avianca passengers ThE United States immigration repeated delays and a potential Manila, Philippines; and ho Chi can take EVA-operated flights process is complicated and denial. It is not going to be easy, Minh City, Vietnam. Each of SKT’s to Taipei from Los Angeles, difficult. There are a multitude of but consulting the right legal international offices is staffed with New York and San Francisco. immigration programs, each with experts may be the key to success. licensed attorneys, which allows Inbound from Asia, EVA pasits own set of requirements and The outstanding international their clients convenient access to sengers can connect through procedures. Families struggle to team of attorneys and paralegals at legal advice. Los Angeles, New York and San determine the appropriate visa, the Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, SKT is a firm with extensive Francisco to fly Avianca to San length of the process, and a flurry & Klausner, LLP (SKT) can navigate experience with the EB-5 Salvador. of other questions that accompany you through the complex United Immigration Investor Program. Avianca is the primary Star the decision to immigrate. Without States immigration system. They Under the EB-5 Program, foreign Alliance operator of flights in proper guidance, you may face will help you select the best investors and their families can Central and South America. The visa – suited to your personal apply for green cards, allowing new code-sharing agreement circumstances – and guide you them to live and work in the United enables EVA to offer passengers through all the steps. SKT can States and travel internationally, multiple itinerary choices for transform a complicated process through an investment in an flying to the region. Passengers into a simple experience for its existing or new business in the can connect onward aboard clients. United States and the creation of Avianca to San Salvador on SKT has offices in Long Beach, 10 permanent, full-time jobs. nearly 20 flights a week. Travel California; Irvine, California; Once the EB-5 petition is time from Taipei to San Salvador approved, an individual can via the United States is approxiimmediately begin the process mately 20 hours, including tranto obtain a two-year conditional sit. EVA will continue to evaluate green card, which can later be the feasibility of flying to other converted to a full-fledged green major cities in Central and South card. The EB-5 Program is an America through code-share especially great option for Filipinos relationships, pursuing opportuas there is currently no wait nities to give passengers even time for Filipino nationals. Given more convenience and flexibility the lengthy backlogs of other in the future. green card categories for Filipino El Salvador and Taiwan have nationals, the EB-5 program is a close diplomatic ties. “Lonely Continued on Page 6 Planet,” a leading travel guide

Sullivan, Krieger, Truong, Spagnola, & KlauSner, llp

exceptional team of immigration specialists to help you in the legal process

publisher, describes El Salvador as one of the world’s best tourist destinations. The country offers a beautiful natural environment and rich tourism resources with rolling hills and a magnificent volcano. Lake Coatepeque is a scenic setting for travelers who enjoy diving, canoeing and water sports. The capital city of San Salvador is a political, cultural and financial center with modern shopping and charming streets lined with historic buildings. The grand Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace are major attractions. Since joining Star Alliance in June 2013, EVA has steadily increased passenger benefits and conveniences through cooperation with member airlines, offering services to more than 190 countries and more than 1300 destinations. In addition to Avianca, EVA has code-share relationships with Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, United Airlines and 10 more airlines, extending routes and increasing frequency to give passengers seamless services to every corner of the world. EVA Air EVA Air was established in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. It is part of the respected Evergreen Group and a sister company to global container-shipping leader Evergreen Line. It flies a fleet of

more than 70 Boeing and Airbus aircraft to close to 70 international destinations throughout Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. With just one easy stop in Taipei, travelers can connect onward to most major cities throughout Asia, including 30 destinations in China. Travelers can learn more about EVA and book, buy and reserve seats at www.evaair.com. Avianca Avianca is the commercial brand that represents the Latin American airlines integrated in Avianca Holdings S.A. Its workforce of over 21,000 employees is recognized for providing an excellent world class service. Specialized in air cargo and passenger transport, Avianca serves 105 destinations in 28 countries throughout America and Europe with its modern fleet of 177 aircrafts. As a member of Star Alliance, Avianca offers the possibility of connecting to an additional 1,330 airports in 192 countries around the world. Through its frequent flyer program, LifeMiles, the airline offers a wide range of benefits and travel options to its more than 6 million registered members. In 2015, Avianca Holdings subsidiaries transported over 28 million passengers. For more information please visit Avianca. com.

(Advertising Supplement)

August 19-25, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

SKT Immigration

Eliot KriEgEr Congratulations! You have just been engaged to the man or woman of your dreams, who happens to live in another country. As a United States (“U.S.”) citizen, you are now confronted with the problem of how to reunite with your significant other in the U.S. One option for bringing your fiancé to the U.S. is the K-1 fiancé non-immigrant visa, which applies to couples who are not yet married. The basic eligibility requirements for a K-1 visa are: • The petitioner must be a U.S. citizen; • The petitioner and fiancé must intend to marry within 90 days of the fiancé entering the United States; • Both parties must have legal capacity to marry; and • Both parties must have met each other in person within two years before the petition is filed. The application process involves the U.S. citizen petitioner

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K-1 Visa: The fiancé visa for spouses of US citizens filing a nonimmigrant visa petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the K-1 fiancé. Current USCIS processing time for petition for an alien fiancé is approximately six months. After USCIS approves the petition, the K-1 fiancé can apply for the K-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate Office or Embassy abroad. Once the K-1 fiancé obtains the visa, he/she is admitted to the United States for a 90-day period. This period cannot be extended – the fiancé must marry the U.S. citizen petitioner during that period or depart the United States. Failure to abide by the terms of the K-1 visa would constitute a violation of status. Once the marriage is finalized, the K-1 fiancé may file an adjustment of status application in order to obtain his/her green card. However, please note that the K-1 fiancé’s adjustment of status application is only permissible if it is based upon the marriage contracted within the 90

days allowed under the K-1 visa. The greatest advantage of the K-1 visa relates to separate children of the principal K-1 fiancé. Unmarried children under 21 may accompany the principal K-1 fiancé to the United States as derivative beneficiaries in K-2 status. The child may also followto-join the K parent after the parent has already traveled to the United States, and the child may seek admission into the United States only after the K parent has first been admitted. The seasoned attorneys at SKT can help you select the best visa option and guide you through the K-1. *** 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

From Page 5

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 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, Hubble 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, put on different hats, multitask like crazy, until one day, by God’s grace, we find the one true thing that matches heaven’s purpose. Here’s one caveat though: 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 media about what that purpose might be. When it comes to things that matter, most of the mainstream media has proven itself to be unworthy of trust. They lie like hell’s minions. Media is no longer just for profit. These days, media has morphed into a diabolical tool to push an agenda of evil intent particularly among the young, the naïve and the foolish. 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, whatever IT may be. You can then begin rewriting your own story on a new document page. AND if the stars are in alignment when you were born, perhaps, conclude the last chapter of your life story with that much sought-after ending that says, “ AND (supply your name here) lived happily ever after……” ***

Join the 37th Nursing Convention in South Shore, TX by TeresiTa

THE University of the Philippines Nursing Alumni Association International (UPNAAI) will hold its 37th annual education conference and convention on October 14-15, 2016. The UPNAA-Texas Chapter will host this event by at South Shore Harbor Resort and Conference Center located in the Bay Area between Houston and Galveston, Texas. The 2016 convention theme is “Crossing and Closing the Gap: Nursing Then and Now”. The Breakfast Education Conference on October 14th is open to all nurses, members and non-members of UPNAAI. Attendees can expect varied poster presentations and robust discussions on issues related to nursing practice presented

by distinguished members and will allow you to earn 4.8 CE credits. Avail of the early bird discounted cost of $45 for members or $50 for nonmembers (includes CEU and breakfast). Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the current J.V. Sotejo Medallion of Honor Awardee and keynote speaker, Ma. Rebecca Galvez Tan. We also have a panel of experts coming from various nursing specialization sharing their respective perspectives on the event theme. The Luncheon General Assembly follows the education conference. You will treated to the famous Texas BBQ buffet. A very popular feature of the convention is the Dinner Dance on October 15th. Come

and celebrate UPNAAI’s 37th anniversary and honor our jubilarians from classes 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011. For more information, visit the upnaai.org website for convention registration, advertisement in the 2016 UPNAAI Yearbook, and booking your room at the venue or at nearby hotels. Avail of the early bird discounted prices on or prior to Sept. 20, 2016. UPNAAI is a non profit organization whose members are alumnae of the UPCN and UP-PGHSN. Since its foundation in 1979, it held yearly conventions to foster fellowship and provide quality continuing education to the members.

SBA Export Loan Program overview THE SBA Los Angeles District Office will be hosting a Lender Training that will cover SBA’s Export Loan Programs on Tuesday, August 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The training will be held at the SBA Los Angeles District Office - SBA Training Room, at 330 North Brand Blvd., Suite 1200 in Glendale, Calif. This training session will feature an overview of SBAs export loan programs. The training will be presented by Mr. Pellson Lau and/or Mr. Martin Selander, International Trade Specialists, U. S. Small Business Administration, Office

of International Trade, U.S. Export Assistance Center. There will also be a presentation by ExportImport Bank of the United States (EX-IM). This class will be helpful for new lenders interested in learning more about export lending, as well as, existing lenders active in export lending. This session will be helpful to lenders who may need a refresher course or who may have questions that they would like to discuss in a classroom setting. If there are specific areas within the SBA Export Loan

Program that you would like covered within this class, please email your questions to: ladolenderrelations@sba.gov and reference the class name/date in the subject line. Please email the questions to the aforementioned address before August 26 to ensure that they can be included in the presentation materials. Please use the link below to register for this informative class: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/s ba-export-loan-programovervie w-tickets-27052805670 Space is limited. Sorry no walk-ins.

Charina Vergara recognized globally as a Filipina of distinction Filipina Leadership Global Summit and Gala Awards Ceremony August 21-24 in Cebu, Philippines at Shangri-La Mactan Resort

CHARINA VERGARA, Marketing Manager of Island Pacific Supermarket selected Most Influential Filipina Woman in the World (Global FWN100) by the Filipina Women’s Network. The Global FWN100 Awardrecognizes 100 women of Philippine ancestry who are changing the face of leadership in the global workplace, having reached status for outstanding work in their respective fields and are recognized for their achievement and contributions to society, femtorship and legacy. Charina was selected from an outstanding field of nominees from around the world. Charina is being honored with the Builder Award Category. Bulders have demonstrated exceptional business impact at Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP a large workplace environment; of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send displaying deep passion for a comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ cause through collaborative asianjournalinc.com initiatives or alliances with other corporations and non profit organizations on behalf of her own organization; demonstrates high potential and skill with measurable results at a government agency, or organization in the public and Au g u st 2 0 private sectors. “Buildership” is about building better ANCOP Walk New Jersey organizations, leading broken The ANCOP Walk brings together hundreds of participants across the U.S. and North organizations to adjust , repair, America, walking together to help the poor in the Philippines and third world countries. and re-align. ANCOP Foundation USA is a Christian based organization founded by the Couples for “The Global FWN100 women Christ which helps the very poor in the Philippines and other countries by providing supare dynamic entrepreneurs, port to select organizations that work for the poor. Current projects focus on child educapractitioners, behind-the-scene tion sponsorship programs and values formation. Walkers’ participation and generosity in leaders, community, government the ANCOP Walk will help provide quality education to children in poor communities. The and corporate managers and organization serves the poor from all walks of life regardless of faith and denomination. The executives who have moved walk will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. To registhrough the ranks in large ter, please visit www.ancopusawalk.org; the registration fee is $15. For more information, organizations, nonprofits, and please contact Jon Teves at jteves92@yahoo.com or Fernando Silva at frsilva99@gmail.com. government agencies. They are inspiring examples of women Au g u st 27 doing extraordinary work who St. Margaret Mary Parish Luau will motivate our youth and 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.

Calendar of Events across

Carambas sanTos / Public Relations Officer, UPNAAI

America

future leaders,” said Josephine Romero, Chair of the Global FWN100Worldwide Search and Selection Committee. “They were selected based on the size and scope of their positions, influence in their industries and their communities, board affiliations and other leadership roles.” The Global FWN100 Award is a working recognition award with a meaningful purpose and FWN’s 2020 Vision: a Filipina woman leader in every sector of the global economy by 2020. The awardees are asked to re-invent themselves by paying forward, femtoring a young Filipina woman and bring her to the Filipina Leadership Global Summit on August 21-24, 2016 in Cebu, Philippines at the Shangri-La Mactan. Charina Vergara is now a partner in helping FWN develop the Filipina community’s pipeline of qualified leaders to increase the odds that some will rise to the “president” position in all sectors

of the global economy, “ added Marily Mondejar, FWN’s Founder & CEO. “We gather all these amazing women at the Filipina Summit to inspire each other and create synergy. We interview each awardee so that their collective stories of how they disrupted their professional and personal lives will be part the largest recorded diaspora in modern times.” “The summit’s theme this year is Influence. Accelerate. Action. Seeing all the Awardees on stage during the gala awards ceremony assures me that the future of our young Pinay sisters is solid,” said Susie Quesada, President of Ramar Foods and FWN President. “Awardees often share this inspiring evening with their mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sons, spouses, partners, young women and men, mentors and bosses from their organizations.” The Filipina Summit’s aspirational sessions include “Smart.Young. Unintimidated. Next Generation Leaders.Yes. We.Are., Make Me A Filipina Millionaire, Make Me A Filipina CEO. The popular ‘Pinay Speed Femtoring’ with selected 100 young Filipina professionals who will meet and learn from the Global FWN100™ awardees is much awaited. Topic sessions include: STEM, Economic Empowerment, Health and Well Being, Violence Against Women, Entrepreneurship Breakthroughs. Sponsors who have partnered to-date with FWN are Wells Fargo, AT&T, Seven Seven Corporate Group, Ramar Foods International, and 5M. To sponsor the Filipina Leadership Summit or attend the gala awards ceremony, go to http://www.filipinasummit. org/register

Exceptional team of immigration...

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.

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

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FAX: +1 (949) 208-7125 PHILIPPINES Dela Cruz Law (member firm of SKT) Unit B, 12th Floor, Marco Polo Hotel Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Road Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines 3937 Tel: +63 2 788 5196 VIETNAM Suite 1346, 13th Floor, Kumho Asiana Plaza 39 Le Duan Street District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: (84-8) 6288 6400 - Ext 1510 Fax: (84-8) 6288 8701 Mobile: (84) 936 889 336 (Advertising Supplement)

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