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Palace objects to CNN International DATELINE USA Fil-Am among 43 report alleging ‘persecution’ of De Lima most powerful female from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA
engineers of 2017
IN the maledominated terrain at san francisco’s silicon Valley, a filipina-American shines as one of the influential women in the realm of engineering and technology. At the 32nd spot of Business Insider’s “43 most PowAnne Aaron erful female engineers of 2017, is Anne Aaron, current video algorithms director at Netflix. “she leads a team of software engineers and research scientists. they make the software that enables more than 86 million Netflix members worldwide to watch streaming with the best possible quality,” the report described Aaron. Aaron graduated university valedictorian and magna cum laude from the Ateneo de manila University with a Bachelor of science in Physics in 1998 and Computer engineering in 1999. soon after, she went to the Us where she pursued her master’s and PhD in electrical engineering at stanford University. Before joining the entertainment company
by ED
MargarEth Barahan Inquirer.net
PresIDeNtIAL spokesperson ernesto Abella called the attention of CNN International on Wednesday, march 1, on its report calling the arrest of sen. Leila de Lima “smacked of political persecution.” “for the record, a lower court ordered the arrest of senator De Lima for drug trafficking charges and for allegedly receiving money from drug
dealers at the National Penitentiary,” Abella said. “All these nefarious activities were said to have been conducted by the senator when she served as secretary of Justice (2010-2015) during the Aquino administration,” he added. Abella said that the court found a “sufficient probable cause for the issuance of the warrants of arrest” against the senator, along with rafael ragos and her former driver, ronnie Dayan, who were accused of collect-
ing money from drug lords for De Lima’s senatorial bid. De Lima, who was arrested last week, has been a vocal critic of President rodigo Duterte’s war on drugs. It was she who initiated the senate probe on alleged extrajudicial killings in the country since Duterte assumed office. “to even insinuate that De Lima’s arrest is political in nature contradicts established facts and mocks the country’s commitment to due process and
Yasay tells UN: ‘We won’t be kind, we’ll destroy criminals’ by Dana
SioSon AJPress
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A safety net medical center wrestles with what ‘repeal’ might mean sAN mAteo, Calif. — Little surprises Lynda sutherland, who has been a licensed vocational nurse for 35 years at san mateo medical Center. But in the past few years, sutherland said, she’s been surprised by what’s missing: the patients who used to return again and again to the public hospital for the same ailments. “they’re just not coming back,” she said. spurred by the Affordable Care Act, medical centers like this one have overhauled the way they deliver care in an effort to keep patients healthier and out of hospital beds. they have connected newly insured patients with primary care doctors in outpatient clinics, helped them manage chronic diseases and tried to reduce their reliance on emergency rooms for routine care. Now, with President Donald trump and congressional republicans pledging to repeal obamacare, such hospitals fear the gains they have made could be lost or diminished. In particular, they worry that if patients lose health insurance, their revenue will fall — to the detriment of the patients, the hospital staff and the community. “It would be felt on a daily basis,” said erin
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the rule of law,” Abella said. he also noted that cases of Juan Ponce enrile, ramon revilla, and Jinggoy estrada – three senators who were jailed in 2014 for plunder charges. “Not one of them had the temerity to invoke political persecution,” he said. “We challenge CNN International to provide the proper context in its telecasts in the interest of fairness and truthfulness in reporting,” he added. n
CHANGE OF HEART. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle marks a cross using ashes on the forehead of a nun during the observance of Ash Wednesday at the archdiocese chapel in Intramuros, Manila. The Archbishop appealed to Filipinos for a “change of heart” which, he said, could be the nation’s biggest contribution to the world. Roman Catholics all over the world trooped to churches on March 1 for the rites that remind people of their mortality. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
DILF chief: Amnesty Int’l a ‘human wrong group, not human rights group’ Group criticizes Trump, Duterte for global deterioration of human rights by Dana
SioSon AJPress
PhILIPPINe Interior secretary Ismael sueno slammed human rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) for “always” condemning the Duterte administration’s efforts to fight illegal drugs within
the country. following the suspension of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) oplan tokhang last month, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) revealed that it is now developing a new “nonviolent and encouraging” way to fight illegal drugs.
the DILG earlier revealed it soon plans to put “drug-free home” stickers on houses certified by the authorities to be free of narcotics. those houses without stickers, meanwhile, will be “the subject of interventions” by officials.
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foreIGN secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. maintained that the Philippines will “not hesitate to destroy criminals” despite criticisms against President rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war against illegal drugs. During the 34th session of the United Nations human rights Coun- Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. cil (UNhrC) in Geneva, switzerland, Yasay pointed out that the widespread magnitude of drug problem in the country must be “swiftly and effectively dealt with,” or it will “inexorably lead the Philippines to becoming a narco state.” “there can be no middle ground for the wellbeing of our people. We will not be kind,” Yasay remarked. “We will not hesitate to destroy criminals who seek the wholesale destruction of our society.” In his speech on monday, february 27, Yasay emphasized that drug lords and their syndicates in the Philippines are not only “destroying our young men and women” but are also “violently breaking our families apart and wreaking havoc upon our communities.” since Duterte took office last July, more than 7,000 people have been reportedly killed after
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Liberal Party senators removed from PH Senate majority, committee posts by Dana
SioSon AJPress
seVerAL Liberal Party (LP) senators have lost their committee chairmanships and were kicked out of the majority bloc during the senate reorganization on monday, february 27.
on senator manny Pacquiao’s motion, LP senator franklin Drilon was removed from his post as senate President Protempore. Drilon, who seconded Pacquiao’s motion, was replaced by senator ralph recto, who switched to the majority from being
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No cursing, no killings in Lent, Fr. Robert Reyes asks Duterte by JullianE lovE
DE JESuS
Inquirer.net
fr. robert reyes is hoping that President Duterte will have a change of heart this Lenten season. fresh from holding mass to mark Ash Wednesday inside
senator Leila de Lima’s cell at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, reyes called on the foul-mouthed President to stop cursing and stop ordering killings. Asked to expound his earlier call to the President to
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MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Yasay tells UN: ‘We won’t be kind, we’ll…
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the government launched its attack against illegal drugs. Different local and international human rights group, including the UN, have expressed its concern over the alleged spate of killings, warning the Philippine government of possible human rights violations. Last year, UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions Agnes Callamard described Duterte’s directives on drug war as “irresponsible in the extreme and amount to incitement to violence and killing, a crime under international law.” Yasay, on Monday, lamented how international observers are “more focused on the so-called human rights of criminals” but “have done nothing to help in
eliminating the drug problem that has grown to pandemic proportions.” “When the drug menace results in maiming or killing our people, and destroying the nation, it is the ultimate in violating our human rights,” Yasay stressed. He said that the lives of the Filipino youth “have been ruined and their future compromised by these drug merchants of death and their collaborators and accomplices.” “This is the right thing to do and we will do so with toughness and without ambivalence or equivocation,” he added. Yasay also affirmed that the Duterte administration adheres to “due process and strict observance of the rule of law and to
the country’s obligations under existing human rights treaties.” “As a matter of practice, all law enforcers are held to abide by established procedures. Human rights enforcers ensure that operational protocols are aligned with the law and existing international practices, which are to be strictly followed,” he emphasized. The foreign secretary then called on its critics to allow the Philippines to deal with its own domestic challenges in order to achieve its “national goals without undue interference.” “Like any other country, we want safe communities that will develop and nurture our people — especially our young — into becoming citizens, who are fully abloom with their potentials,” Yasay added. n
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However, AI said this new campaign is a violation of privacy and could also be used to target innocent people. “They saw wrong in this strategy. They said we will expose the [houses without stickers] to shame,” Sueno said. Defending the campaign, Sueno insisted that the stickers “will urge families as well as their neighbors to keep their neighborhood drug-resistant.” “Now, we are shifting to something positive, we are looking for the good ones and we are concentrating in curing the sick. Why do they say ‘wrong’ always? They should be branded as human wrong group, not human rights group,” Sueno remarked. He then suggested that AI
Interior Secretary Ismael Sueño
should start offering solutions instead of just criticizing the government. The new campaign will be called “Oplan Hangyu,” which Sueno said means “appeal—I appeal to you, if possible, do
not practice [and make sure] not anyone in your family will be engaged in drugs.” The DILG is also currently working on the criteria on how to identify which houses are drug-free. AI criticizes Trump, Duterte In its annual report, AI said that the divisive policies of antiestablishment leaders, such as Duterte and United States President Donald Trump, are posing a great threat to human rights around the world. In its “State of the World’s Human Rights” report released on Wednesday, February 22, AI also lumped Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Duterte and Trump as among the leaders who are “wielding a toxic agenda that hounds, scapegoats and dehumanizes entire groups of people.” AI claimed that the “divisive fear-mongering” of such politicians has become a “dangerous force in world affairs.” It said the governments have “turned a blind eye to war crimes, pushed through deals that undermine the right to claim asylum, passed laws that violate free expression, incited murder of people simply because they use drugs, legitimized mass surveillance, and extended draconian police powers.” AI referred to Trump’s “poisonous” rhetoric as an example
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NCONVENIENT TRUTH. Hundreds of passengers are stranded on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City amid a jeepney strike organized by Piston, Stop and Go Coalition, and the No to Jeepney Phaseout Coalition. Authorities however said the strike on Monday, February 27, failed to cripple Metro Manila and was not nationwide in scope. Manilatimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez
Liberal Party senators removed from PH… PAGE A1 t
the minority leader. Pacquiao also motioned that the chairmanships of the committees on agriculture and education, which were both chaired by LP members, be declared vacant. During the plenary session, Senator Cynthia Villar replaced LP president Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as chair of the Senate committee on agriculture. Leaving the minority bloc, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero meanwhile replaced LP Senator Benigno Paolo “Bam” Aquino as chair of the Senate committee on education. Hontiveros, who ran under the LP during the last May 2016 senatorial election, was replaced by Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) Senator JV Ejercito. Drilon, Pangilinan, Aquino, and Hontiveros are now part the Senate minority, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a press conference on the same day, Pangilinan claimed that the revamp was planned by the Duterte administration. “This is a part of their plans because this administration is not comfortable with our criticism of some of their policies,” the senator said. “We voice out our opinions on certain policies and orders. It seems that the administration wants total support, may they be right or wrong, and we can’t allow that.” Notably, the four senators stripped of the chairmanships in their respective committees earlier expressed their support for LP Senator Leila De Lima, a staunch critic of Duterte’s war on drugs and the alleged rise of extrajudicial killings in the country. De Lima was arrested last week after a warrant of arrest was issued for the drug-related charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The LP senators also reportedly attended a rally on Saturday,
February 25 as part of commemorating the 31st People Power anniversary that ended the regime of late President Ferdinand Marcos as the country’s dictator. “If this is the price to pay to show up in the streets of EDSA talking about democracy, talking about the issues of violence in our streets, if this is the price to pay then I gladly pay this price,” Aquino said. Hontiveros, for her part, remarked that she’d “whole-heartedly accept being a part of the minority” if staying with the majority means associating herself “with a violent administration that has no respect for human rights.” ‘Clear lines have to be drawn’ Sought for comments, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo clarified that Duterte did not play a hand in the recent reorganization of Senate leadership.
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No cursing, no killings in Lent, Fr. Robert Reyes…
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“stop making noises,” Reyes explained: “Forty days walang pagmumura. Forty days walang order na pumatay. Sana 40 days walang dugo. Forty days walang pananakot at walang harassment (Forty days of no cursing. Forty
days without ordering killings. I hope for 40 days without bloodshed. Forty days without threats and harassment).” The activist priest, a close friend of De Lima, said God could make miracles and touch the President’s heart.
“Baka magkaroon ng conversion sa puso ng presidente at sa puso ng bawat isa. Malay niyo maghimala ang Panginoon itong Cuaresma (The hearts of the president and other people could be converted. Who knows, the Lord could perform a miracle this Lent),” Reyes told reporters at Camp Crame. He also asked the President, who has been at odds with his archenemy De Lima over the issue of drug killings, to love all Filipinos, even his enemies. “President, love your enemies and enemies should also love you pray for your enemies as your enemies should pray for you,” he said. De Lima, the former Justice secretary and Human Rights commissioner, has staunchly criticized the President for encouraging government forces to kill suspected drug criminals without due process. The senator was detained at Crame over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. It was Duterte who first associated De Lima and her former aide and lover Ronnie Dayan to the Bilibid drug trade. “Alam ko sa puso ng Pangulo pwede niyang sabihin, ‘Mahal ko lahat ng mamamayan ko, pati ‘yung mga hindi ko kabagang at hindi sumusuoporta sa akin (I know that in the President’s heart he can say, ‘I love all my countrymen, even those who aren’t my companions and don’t support me’),’” he said. n
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From the Front Page
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PEACE CONVENTION. Former President Gloria Arroyo addresses the opening plenary session of the Global Peace convention held in Pasay City. To her left is foundation chairman Hyun Jin Moon. At right is South Korea’s former Finance minister Kim Jin-Pyo. Manilatimes.net photo by Roger Ranada
A safety net medical center wrestles…
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O’Malley, director of policy for America’s Essential Hospitals, a nationwide association of nearly 300 hospitals that serve low-income patients. “Our mission will not be changing, but the challenges will be mounting … especially if we have a ‘repeal’ without a comparable ‘replace.’ ” The California Hospital Association sent a letter Feb. 8 to California’s congressional delegation on behalf of hundreds of hospitals and health systems, saying that repealing the Affordable Care Act without replacing it “would upend the financial stability of hospitals and their patients.” The association wrote that it was particularly concerned about proposals that would reduce federal dollars for Medicaid, which was significantly expanded under the 2010 health law to include low-income childless adults. The association also expressed concern about dismantling the changes hospitals have made to promote the quality of care over the quantity. For instance, as a result of new financial penalties under Medicare, many hospitals invested in changes to ensure they weren’t readmitting patients too soon after discharge. Although all hospitals would be affected if the health law were repealed, public and safety-net facilities such as San Mateo Medical Center would suffer more, said Gerald Kominski, director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. “The Affordable Care Act has certainly stabilized the financial situation of safety-net providers,” he said. “If we roll back the ACA completely and don’t have a replacement plan that specifically improves funding for safety-net providers, then those hospitals are going to become more vulnerable again.” Across the nation, hospitals that serve the poor have raised similar concerns. A recent analysis by America’s Essential Hospitals showed that hospitals could lose more than $40 billion in funding from 2018 to 2026 if the law is repealed. Republicans have put forward several proposals that worry hospital administrators. Among them are Medicaid block grants, which could result in less funding for beneficiaries, and withdrawal of federal support for insurance exchanges. About 72,000 patients are seen annually at the county-run San Mateo Medical Center, which includes the hospital and nine outpatient clinics. Before the health law took effect, 48 percent of patients were uninsured and 31 percent were on Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. Now, 17 percent are uninsured and 57
percent have Medi-Cal. “If Medicaid rolls back … not only does the revenue disappear, but then people will delay care, get sicker and then costs will go up,” said Chester Kunnappilly, CEO of the medical center. The hospital and clinics receive $166 million annually in MediCal revenue — which makes up about 60 percent of the total budget. At least $50 million would be at risk with a repeal of the ACA, Kunnappilly said. “People will lose their jobs, and it becomes this vicious cycle,” he said. “How many people we can take care of continues to shrink because the teams get smaller.” San Mateo Medical Center made numerous changes over the past few years to catch patients before they became seriously ill. For example, it created teams of outpatient providers — including pharmacists, medical assistants and social workers — to coordinate care. It began reminding patients when they needed to get mammograms and other preventive tests. They expanded substance abuse and mental health treatment, which was required to be covered under the law. In addition, the medical center sent patients with urgent needs to “express care” so they wouldn’t have to go to the emergency room or wait to see their doctor. Hospital administrators changed the discharge process, sending some patients home with the medications they needed and even dispatching staff to visit others after release. Dramatic changes were made by safety-net hospitals elsewhere in response to the ACA. In Los Angeles County, for example, a computer system was developed to the ensure less duplication of care and better monitoring of patients, and patients were assigned to clinics that served as their medical “homes.” “The ACA provided the economic incentive to do what should have been done anyway,” said Mitch Katz, director of the Los Angeles County health department. “It won’t go back to the way it was done before.” On a recent day at the San Mateo Medical Center, Marla Muniz, a 46-year-old waitress from San Mateo, came to a clinic at the medical center for a physical and treatment for worsening pain in her shoulders and arm. She has Medi-Cal now, because of the program’s expansion, after going years without health insurance. “I am scared they are going to take away my Medi-Cal,” she said. “If I had a good job that paid well, it wouldn’t matter. But I don’t. And I have a lot of pain. I have more and more pain every day.”
Marla Muniz, 46, came to a clinic at the San Mateo Medical Center for a physical and treatment for worsening pain in her shoulders and arm. She became eligible for Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act and said she couldn’t afford to go to the doctor if her coverage is taken away. Anna Gorman/KHN
Liberal Party senators…
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“I think the policy of the president is not to interfere with the other branches of the government,” Panelo told reporters on Tuesday. “If I hear right, those who replaced the current senators belong to the same party. Otherwise, the allies of Malacañang should have been placed there.” Following the reshuffling of positions on Monday, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel assured that the Senate will remain “independent and true to its role as the last bastion of democracy in our country.” Pimentel said that the majority of the senators decided that “clear lines have to be drawn”
in order for them “to best achieve the Senate’s legislative agenda.” “Work in the Senate has been hampered by the blurring of the lines between the majority and the minority to the detriment of public interest. There have been instances where the majority, instead of closing ranks, ended up divided,” Pimentel said in a statement. Pacquiao, who initiated the motions to strip the LP members of their chairmanship posts, also insisted that Duterte played no hand in the reorganization of the Senate positions. Like Pimentel, Pacquiao also stressed that the revamp is needed for legislative processes to move. n
Another patient, Michael Asip, was there to see one of his physicians. He’d enrolled in expanded Medi-Cal before turning 65, then switched to Medicare. Long uninsured, he had gone months without seeing a doctor even after a heart attack. Now, the San Mateo resident sees a cardiologist, a primary care doctor, a psychologist and an endocrinologist through the medical center. Sumita Kalra, a physician at a primary care clinic, said she has seen numerous patients like Muniz and Asip who put off health care for years. When they finally got coverage through the ACA, some were diagnosed with diabetes, cancer and other serious diseases. Now “we can catch those ticking time bombs before something worse happens,” Kalra said. Louise Rogers, chief of the San
of “the global trend of angrier and more divisive politics.” Citing Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, the group said Washington’s foreign policy will “usher in a new era of greater instability and mutual suspicion.” “The limits of what is acceptable have shifted. Politicians are shamelessly and actively legitimizing all sorts of hateful rhetoric and policies based on people’s identity: misogyny, racism and homophobia,” AI said. Trump, who took office last January, has suspended Washington’s refugee program. He also signed a measure which bans people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the U.S. This executive order has been struck down by an appeals court, but Trump has vowed to come out with a more narrower directive soon. Denouncing the travel ban, AI chief Salil Shetty called such move “just plain stupid” because “what it’s doing is making all of us, not just people in the United States, less safe.” Meanwhile, in the Philippines, AI took note of the alleged rising death toll in relation to Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs.
Since Duterte took office last July, the number of people killed in drug-related cases has reached 7,000, including both deaths during legitimate police operations and by unknown suspects based on the figures released by the PNP. In a press conference on Wednesday in Quezon City, AI Philippines head Jose Noel Olano pointed out that it was the first time for the Philippines to get a “special mention” in Amnesty’s annual report since martial law in the 1970s. “Amnesty International, in relation to all other countries (in the report), is worried about the particular situation in the Philippines. In fact, Philippines is mentioned as a country where there is possible crimes against humanity,” Olano said. The organization claimed in its report that the “police have killed and paid others to kill thousands of alleged drug offenders in a wave of extrajudicial executions that may amount to crimes against humanity.”
But Malacañang, in response, denied that the killings are “statesanctioned.” Citing Duterte’s high-trust ratings, Philippine Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella also pointed out that AI’s report “does not reflect the sentiments of the majority of Filipinos.” “We guarantee that the State does not condone extrajudicial killings perpetrated by common criminals wrongly credited in news reports as part of police operations,” Abella said. Both figures from separate polls conducted by SWS and Pulse Asia Survey, which were released last December, showed that more than 80 percent of Filipinos ‘trust’ Duterte as the country’s president. Abella then assured that the Duterte administration will “continue to implement political and socioeconomic reforms aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Filipinos.” Washington, on the other hand, has not yet issued any comments as of press time. n
Fil-Am among 43 most powerful…
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in 2011, Aaron worked as a senior software engineer for Video Codecs at Cisco Systems. Mateo County Health System, In an interview with Variety in said that kind of change, fostered 2015, Aaron discussed how Netby the ACA, should not be re- flix’s Video Multimethod Assessversed. ment Fusion project could pro“We don’t want to see a turn- vide viewers with crystal clear ing back of the clock,” she videos with lesser bandwidth. said. (Anna Gorman / California “A one-size-fits-all model Healthline) doesn’t give you the most opti-
mal quality…Each episode could be very different,” mentioned Aaron. “We want to be good stewards of the internet.” In celebration of National Engineers Week in March, Business Insider publishes a list of top female engineers to reognize the female brains behind vanguard advancements in science and technology. (Gianna Francesca Catolico / Inquirer.net)
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Dateline USa
MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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Fil-Am progressives stress importance of supporting small businesses by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
ANNUAL RITE. Fr. Jerry Habunal of the Sta. Rita de Casia parish burns dried palm leaves on Sunday, February 26. The ashes were used to mark the foreheads of Catholics last Ash Wednesday, March 1 Manilatimes.net photo by Rene Dilan
Greenlining joins 16 groups to tell data firms ‘Don’t help persecute Muslims, immigrants’ Joint letter urges companies not to provide data that could be used to violate rights
OAKLAND, Calif. – On Sunday, February 26, The Greenlining Institute joined with a total of 16 public interest groups to send a letter (available in both English and Spanish) to nearly 50 “Big Data” companies asking those companies to pledge to “not allow our data, or services, to be purchased or otherwise used in ways that could lead to violations of the human rights of Muslims or immigrants in the United States.” The public interest groups acted in response to the current administration’s refusal to rule out the possibility of a “Muslim registry” and its moves to accelerate deportations of potentially millions of
undocumented immigrants. “Many tech companies collect vast amounts of personal data on all of us and make a profit by reselling that information,” said Greenlining Institute Telecommunications Legal Fellow Vinhcent Le. “Today we’re asking these companies and their data brokers to make absolutely clear that they will not let anyone not use this mass of data to persecute people because of their religion, nationality or immigration status.” Greenlining noted that a registry profiling people based on religion would violate the right to nondiscrimination and could lead to further human rights abuses.
In addition, since about threequarters of U.S. Muslims identify as people of color, any “Muslim ban” would disproportionately affect communities of color. Registries of Muslims or unauthorized immigrants would likely be used to facilitate arbitrary detention and deportation, splitting up families and again violating fundamental human rights. “Silicon Valley companies often talk about human rights and how technology can empower people and promote freedom,” said Greenlining Institute President Orson Aguilar. “Today we’re asking the tech and Big Data worlds to make sure their actions match their words.” n
Fil-Am student dies in Indiana car crash A 20-year-old Filipina-American nursing student has died in a car crash in Gary, Indiana. The news site of Chicago Tribune reported that Samantha Salvador, a resident of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, was one of the three passengers of a green Honda Civic that crashed Thursday, February 23 night last week. The Honda Civic, driven by 19year-old Rose Katcher, was on 1-65 in Gary when she tried to take a left turn onto US-20, but due to the foggy climate in the area, they crashed onto a con-
crete median and then bumped a Chevrolet Malibu that was heading on 1-65. Heavily injured, Salvador passed away while being taken to Northlake Hospital, while her two other schoolmates, Sammy Walus and Lindsay Hofmeister were confined in separate hospitals. Katcher suffered minor injuries. Salvador, who hails from Bacolod City, was taking up nursing at Valparaiso University in Indiana, which organized a prayer vigil for Salvador and her recov-
ering friends. “Earlier this week, we lost a beloved member of our campus community, student Samantha Salvador, as a result of a car accident involving three of her fellow nursing classmates,” the school’s Facebook update read. A close friend of Salvador set up a GoFundMe page to assist the family in raising funds for her funeral expenses. The page has raised $19,075 (P956,000), exceeding its $4,000 (P200,000) target. (Gianna Francesca Catolico/Inquirer.net)
“UP, up, up with the people! Down, down, down with the system!” As a way to mobilize young Americans, progressive revolutionary organization Kabataang Maka-Bayan - Los Angeles (KmBLA) hosted its 13th annual Love for the People: Divest Big Business, Invest community event, whose name says it all: support local businesses which are often driven out by big corporations. The intimate group of predominantly millennials gathered at the APAIT headquarters in Westlake in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 23 for a multifaceted night of community discussion focusing on a wide range of issues, all relating to the overarching theme of love. “It’s the idea of challenging the commercialization of love, the idea that love is a source of capitalism which can be not with the people. It’s not about making a profit, it’s about that community love,” Eddy M. Gana, Jr., one of the leaders of KmB-LA told the Asian Journal. The Los Angeles chapter of ANSWER Coalition first led a discussion and posed the question of how individuals can mobilize others to support small businesses. Several people answered and all expressed the importance of community involvement and staying “angry” about injustice. They encouraged young people to get to know their neighbors and fellow citizens and expand into a local coalition to raise awareness and to take action against “the system.” “People are at the center of all movements. Coalitions cannot lead unless they understand the people, the community they are leading and struggling with. An effective coalition must be able to build relationships and create communities. Relationships can happen between actions, and concepts and different struggles. Small businesses provide opportunities to network and become involved in the community,” the group said on its Facebook page. The group also hosted two workshops: one focussing on HIV and how to deal with and combat LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace and one on the benefits of bike commuting.
Jeffrey Liang leads a workshop on LGBTQ+ discrimination in the workplace.
Local artists showcase their paintings and prints for sale while demonstrating their talents on canvas.
This year’s event included a vendor fair which featured a diverse group of local businesses: hat and beanie brand Indigenous 1492, African-themed clothing line Nicole Wilson and environmentally-friendly jewelry line Native Sol. Local artists that showcased artwork included global visual artist Shelley Bruce and Yvonne Ho, a visual artist, painter and illustrator based in Little Saigon, California. Vietnamese food shop Patches and vegan catering company Bomb Vegan provided tasty eats, along with delectable Filipino selections from The Park’s Finest, Kapistahan Grill and Dollar Hits LA. KmB-LA began hosting Love for the People in 2005 and its
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mission has always been the same: to uplift local businesses and artists and promote love for the local community. A vendor fair was chosen this year, but in past years they’ve held panel discussions, spoken word nights and other modes of expressing their mission. It’s always scheduled around Valentine’s Day to remind folks that love isn’t something you can buy: it’s in one’s active support. “Our mission here has always been the same: to challenge the commercialization of love by Valentine’s Day and to show that community love,” Gana affirmed. All the proceeds from donations to KmB-LA were given to Black Lives Matter - LA and NoDAPL. n
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 3-9, 2017
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Duterte apologizes to Germany by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, Feb. 28 apologized to Germany for the Philippine government’s failure to rescue Juergen Gustav Kantner, the German kidnap victim who was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf last Sunday, Feb. 26. “I am very sorry that the hostage, a national of your country, has been beheaded. I sympathize with the family, I commiserate with the German people,” the president told reporters in an interview Tuesday in Malacañang. “I said we tried. There’s a massive operation going on and as I have just announced to you, we are beginning to use the air assets,” he added. Duterte maintained that his administration did its best to save the life of Kantner. “I would like to say something to the family and to the government that we really tried our best. We have been there, the military operation has been going on for some time already and but we have failed and so that has to be admitted,” the president said. “There’s nothing wrong in admitting a failure but it’s a matter of policy that we do not surrender to the demands
Screen grab from a video released by the Abu Sayyaf shows German captive Jurgen Kantner breaking down as he pleads with his family and government to save him.
of paying ransom,” he added. Malacañang also condemned the execution of Kantner and vowed to curb the threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf. “The Palace condemns this despicable crime, and the president has bound himself in principle that these groups (should be) neutralized,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said. “We reiterate our deepest
condolences to the German people and to the family of Mr. Kantner, and not only we do empathize but we sympathize with them. However, I’m sure the president’s commitment is to ensure that these things will be addressed and curtailed in the soonest possible manner,” he added. Abella said Duterte was “deeply affected” by the beheading.
PH, China vow maritime cooperation THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) will implement an agreement establishing the Joint Coast Guard Committee for maritime cooperation between them. The agreement was signed on October 20, 2016 and witnessed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Felipe Judan, Department of Transportation undersecretary for the maritime sector, in his keynote address during the inaugural meeting between the PCG and the CCG last month, said mutual understanding, cooperation and friendship between the two coast guards
would contribute to further strengthening of bilateral relations between Manila and Beijing. At the inaugural meeting, both sides recognized the significance of coast guard diplomacy. The JCGC adopted implementing guidelines of the agreement and the terms of reference (TOR) of working groups put up to assist in the work of the committee. Both sides agreed to cooperate on preventing and combating drug trafficking and other transnational crimes and on search and rescue (SAR), environment protection and emergency response through,
among other modalities, information exchange and pragmatic empowerment activities unique for the PCG and the CCG and enforcement agencies. They also established a hotline to facilitate communications in agreed areas of cooperation. Both sides agreed too to conduct bilateral exchange activities in 2017, including high-level visits, maritime operations and related exercises, vessel visits and capacitybuilding. The CCG invited PCG officials to visit China at an appropriate time this year. (Jamie Pilapil/ManilaTimes.net)
GORDON MEETS SAF44 FAMILIES. Senator Richard Gordon,chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 meets with the families of the “SAF44,” or the 44 Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP SAF) troopers killed during the January 25, 2015 Mamasapano incident. The families went to the Senate to seek assistance in reopening the official investigation of the incident, considered to be the largest loss of lives involving local security forces in recent history. Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo
SC sets oral arguments on De Lima’s petitions by Rosette
Adel
Philstar.com
MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday, Feb. 28 announced that they will be conducting oral arguments on the petitions filed by arrested Sen. Leila De Lima. In a televised press conference, SC spokesperson Theodore Te said that the magistrates directed that oral arguments on the petitions filed by De Lima’s camp on Monday be heard on March 14. It will be held at the SC en banc session Hall at 2 p.m. This was after the high court failed to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the proceedings on De Lima’s drug cases. It instead directed the respondents to comment on the senator’s plea. “The court directed respondents to submit their comment to the petition and application for Temporary Restraining Order and/or SQA (Status Quo Ante Order) within the non-extendible period of 10 days until March 10, 2017,” Te said during the press briefing. Among the respondents on her case are Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Presiding
Sen. Leila De Lima
Judge Juanita Guerrero and the police officers who arrested her. On Monday, Feb. 27, De Lima’s camp filed an 81-page petition before the SC to seek relief against her detention over drug trafficking cases before the Muntinlupa RTC. As she questions the legality of her arrest and detention, De Lima’s camp asked the tribunal to issue a TRO stopping the proceedings in her drug cases. She also sought for the issuance of an SQA on the arrest warrant issued to her by the Muntinlupa RTC Branch 204 last Friday, Feb. 24 that would grant her immediate release. The senator is currently detained at the Philippine National
Police’s Custodial Center for alleged violation of Section 5 (sale) in relation to Section 3 (jj trading), Section 26 (b) and Section 28 or the criminal liability of government officials and employees under the Republic Act 9165 also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. She allegedly allowed the proliferation of drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. Her co-accused former Bureau of Corrections head and National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Rafael Ragos surrendered on Sunday. On the other hand, her former driverbodyguard and alleged accomplice Ronnie Dayan has also been arrested.
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OpiniOn
Legislative jungle
Features
SOME say that a governance needs a good opposition to bring out the best in itself. Will this hold true for a government that is marred by a political rumble where supremacy is tested and egos are displayed? The three great departments of the Philippine government—the Executive (President), Legislative (Senate and House of Representatives) and Judiciary (Supreme Court and all other courts)—are empowered by the Constitution to preserve freedom and democracy among its people. To serve such purpose, these institutions are accorded with distinct powers and responsibilities. However, to prevent any form of abuse of power, they are also subjected to separation of powers with appropriate checks and balances to ensure accountability and responsiveness in the government. This complicated exchange lives under the Filipinos’ scrutiny. The departments are expected to play a complementary relationship, one that is more symbiotic and less parasitic. If they begin to be at each other’s throats, erosion of public trust will be the impending result. In the long run, this will leave the government to hang in a precarious balance. This might cripple the country that is dependent on the ideals of democracy and thrives on public participation. In the Senate, a line has been (clearly) drawn on Monday, Feb. 27 when six senators were relegated to the minority. Sen. Manny Pacquiao has moved that the Senate President Pro Tempore post, held by Sen. Franklin Drilon, as vacant. Sen. Ralph Recto was sworn in on the same day to as-
sume the post. Three other senators took the hit on Monday as Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino were stripped off their chairmanship of the committees on health, agriculture and education, respectively. Senators JV Ejercito, Cynthia Villar and Francis Escudero were named their replacements. They now join Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, in the minority. Another Liberal Party (LP) member Sen. Leila De Lima, who was previously arrested on drug charges by the Department of Justice, completes the minority bloc. Pacquiao revealed on Tuesday, Feb. 28 that at least 15 senators previously gathered in his house in Makati City to plan the reorganization of the Senate. He also pointed out that Malacañang had no hand in the shakeup that resulted in the removal of LP senators and allies from their positions. Sen. Panfilo Lacson told reporters that he, Sotto, Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Loren Legarda pushed for the meeting, concerned about the “awkward” situation in the chamber. “Most of us are not pro-Duterte or anti-Duterte. We do not want to be subservient but we also do not want to be hostile to the administration,” Sen. Vicente Sotto III explained. This current rumpus in the upper chamber of the
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
Congress is a far more complex issue than just the “few bad apples spoil the whole bunch” defense. Averting a constitutional crisis does not mean developing a pugnacious attitude. These are the very people entrusted by the Filipinos to articulate measures that would ease their hardships.
Despite all these political horse trading, we can conclude that Filipinos are becoming increasingly informed today because finally there is actually a debate on issues—that matter—taking place. This means that both sides are engaging and the country is being better served. (AJPress)
Trump gives himself an ‘A’ for achievement in his first month as president: How do you rate him? DONALD TRUMP has been the president of the United States for a little more than a month now, and when asked in a TV interview how he would rate himself, he said he would give himself the grade of “A” for achievement. However, he acknowledged how bumpy the first month had been and said because of this, he would rate himself a grade of “C” or a ”C+” for
As a Matter of Fact SaRa Soliven De Guzman WE are Asia’s oldest democracy. Said to be located in the world’s most economically dynamic region, we are filled with an amazing human and natural resources. Thus, by now we should be far more stable, progressive, rich and well-governed than the rest of the countries in Asia. But look at where we are now. For a while we were looked at as a rising tiger in Asia. Now, the dollar has gone down to its lowest since the Aquino administration. What happened? Obviously growth has remained constrained by ineffective and inefficient governance, poor regulations, increasing corruption, a very weak rule of law particularly on issues concerning the environment, health, natural disasters, education and employment. My father, the late Maximo V. Soliven once wrote, “In our democracy we leave it to the wisdom of the people to choose our leaders, including the President. Democracy as we practice it, however, is a bit like Russian roulette. You know the trick with a halfloaded revolver. Sometimes the gun-hammer clicks on an empty chamber. Sometimes there’s a live round in it. Sometimes, our people are not wise. Sometimes, Bar topnotchers, leaders with excellent degrees from U.P., Ateneo, La Salle, PMA, Wharton, Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, Oxford, etc., betray our people. A diploma may guarantee ability, but this ability can be used for wrong, lustful or avaricious ends. This is democracy’s drawback. Nobody can peer into the hearts of men and women. Democra-
Politics. An average messaging because of recent polls rehe said apparently, The Fil-Am veals that Trump just his administration had got a 44 percent apnot been as successful Perspective proval rating, with 48 in communicating his percent disapproval. policies and plans to This is historically the American people low for a newly electin as much as he wantGel SantoS-ReloS ed president. ed it to be. A slim majority of This is a good segue to the latest poll of polls by RealClear- Americans, however, say the media
treat President Trump unfairly. The recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll shows 51 percent of Americans think the media have been too critical of Trump, while 41 percent say the press has been fair to the president. WHAT DO YOU THINK? How do you rate Trump’s first month in office? In his first speech before the joint session of Congress on Tuesday, the theme of the address is “Renewal of the Ameri-
can Spirit — an optimistic vision for All Americans.” What can and shall he do to unify the nation and achieve his goals for the good of all Americans? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
A threatened democracy cy is a difficult proposition all around. But, under Marcos we tried dictatorship, and it didn’t work either.” So timely, as the country is facing issues that are not actually new, issues that have long been there for ages. All because we made the wrong choices in leadership. To our people, the great event of February 25, 1986, was the birth of a new democracy. It was a chance for us to rise, to regain the spirit that was once lost under the Marcos dictatorship. It was with great jubilation and the highest optimism that we welcomed the advent of a new government. But what happened after? The 1986 revolution had an effect on our new-found democracy. Looking back, yes, we felt liberated after the 21year authoritarian rule of Marcos (what a despot – cruel and oppressive). But after a few years of that triumphant event, our democracy shriveled and shrank. National Artist, F. Sionil Jose once quipped, “Cory Aquino’s EDSA revolution could not even have our garbage properly collected. Worse, 19 farmer demonstrators were killed near Malacañang because she refused to see them. True to her oligarchic class, she declared a revolutionary government without doing anything revolutionary; instead, she turned EDSA I into a restoration of the old oligarchy. So today, we are reaping the results of her negligence, ignorance and folly.” The rule of the majority continued to be the rule of the oligarchy. And those who were voted into power by the people, the elected representatives of our land, turned their backs on the Filipinos. They continue to enrich themselves with corruption and by curtailing progress and disrespecting
the law of the land. Today, we are largely governed by laws primarily enacted from other people or from statues of other countries. We should have the proud satisfaction of working out our own laws, considering our peculiar needs and problems, our customs and character as a people, our enlightened sense of right and justice. But how can we achieve this when we have legislators who seem to be more interested in turning the Senate into one theatrical farce than fulfilling their mandate for the good of the country? Our country is politically young. There is probably no nation today whose sets of laws are so irregularly assorted and incongruous as ours. This is due to the changes (the series of revolts) in our national history, and to the unsystematic manner of legislation which for some time we have been led by circumstances to adopt. The time has come when the aggravated confusion of our laws can no longer be reconciled with our self-respect and our sense of responsibility. We need to modify our laws to make them conform with our culture, customs, traditions because it is essential to reaffirm our national unity. Don’t forget that our constitution was patterned after our colonizers and the mentality of our lawmakers is that with foreign influences of the past. Now, we need to cultivate our own identity and strengthen the structures of government with a new mindset. We need to put to test the true worth of every important reform, whether social, scientific or political – affecting the welfare of the people. We need to save our democracy by using it in the right way; by upholding and protecting our Constitution and
EDSA REMEMBERED. Members of militant groups join thousands who marked the 31st anniversary of the EDSA revolt at the People Power monument on Saturday, Feb. 25. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike De Juan
strengthening it so that we can benefit from it. We need to protect the highest positions of leadership. In times of national crises, or when problems that profoundly affect our people demand a decision, it is proper that we submit our judgment to the test of our national ideology. But to this day, I’m not quite sure what it is. What is our national identity? Who are we? Our strength as a nation lies in work, in unity and coordination of efforts; in the rapid development of a solid national economy, in an intense, all-pervading love of country, that should make everyone of us ready to render service, to undergo any hardship or sacrifices, in order to achieve our national security and salvation. Last Saturday was a show of two forces: the yellow revolution and the black revolution. One in EDSA and one in Luneta. Did they achieve their goals? Were they able to stage
another People Power Revolution or did it end up as a “kilikili” power revolution? Clearly, they just wanted to show who was mightier and more powerful; who had the most number of people. This anniversary should have been celebrated to remember the ‘day’ that was. It was a victorious day in our country’s history. Let us not desecrate it anymore. Let us not use it in vain. It should be a part of our history which our youth should look back to and study with great pride. Do not create an EDSA 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10… If you want another revolution come up with something new and original. You can never recreate that moment, that hour, the spirit of 1986. Have we lost that spirit? Have we extinguished the flame that was ignited in EDSA? As my father would say: “But the true spirit of the day is faith, courage and optimism: faith in ourselves, faith in the capabilities of our people and
in our national destiny; courage to carry on the patriotic work commenced by the heroic dead, firm determination to exert every effort to achieve the fullest national vindication, and to make our country free, progressive and great; and a joyous optimism in the success of our efforts and the eventual triumph of our cause.” We should keep with democracy and democratic principles. The rights and the form of government guaranteed by our Constitution represent those ideals to which we have pledged ourselves as a people. We should defend them with all our might. We have men who sow seeds of discord and even of revolutions. They are the ones who threaten our democracy, they are dangerous enemies of democracy, decency and justice. Yes, we did it in EDSA. Now let us move forward and work out once again, the salvation of our country and our people. (Philstar.com)
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 3-9, 2017
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Gigi Reyes, 11 others dismissed over PDAF scam by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of lawyer Jessica “Gigiâ€? Reyes, former chief of staff of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, and 11 others involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of all retirement benefits of the 12 respondents involved in the scam. Reyes and 11 others were found guilty of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and dishonesty. Also ordered dismissed were the following: • Jose Antonio Evangelista II - Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Senator Enrile • Victor Roman Cacal - Paralegal, National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR) • Gondelina Amata - President, National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC) • Chita Jalandoni - Department Manager III, NLDC • Emmanuel Alexis Sevidal - Director IV, NLDC • Ofelia OrdoĂąez - Cashier, NLDC • Filipina Rodriguez - Budget Officer, NLDC • Sofia Cruz - Project Development Assistant IV • Dennis Cunanan - Director General, Technology Resource Center (TRC) • Consuelo Lilian Espiritu Budget Officer, TRC
Lawyer Gigi Reyes, former chief of staff of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, is facing plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam.
• Marivic Jover - Chief Accountant, TRC The penalty for the respondents is convertible to a fine equivalent to one year salary in case of separation from the service. Reyes and the other respondents are also facing charges before anti-graft court Sandiganbayan for their involvement in the anomalous utilization of the PDAF of Enrile from 2007 to 2009. From 2004 to 2009, Enrile endorsed the implementation of his PDAF-funded livelihood and agricultural production projects to non-government organizations associated with alleged PDAF scam mastermind Janet Napoles. From 2007 to 2009, the Department of Budget and Management released a total of P345 million as part of Enrile’s PDAF. The former senator identified the NABCOR, NLDC and TRC as implementing agencies.
“To facilitate the scam, Enrile, through Reyes, authorized Evangelista, to act for the Senator, deal with the parties involved in the process and sign documents necessary for the immediate and timely implementation of his PDAFfunded projects,� the Office of the Ombudsman said. The P345 million fund was supposedly allocated for financial grants, printed materials, agricultural livelihood packages and other tools but were not delivered to the supposed beneficiaries, according to investigation. In the decision, Morales said that “based on testimonial and documentary evidence presented, the widespread misuse of the PDAF allotted to a legislator was coursed through a complex scheme basically involving projects supposed to have been funded by said PDAF which turned out to be nonexistent or ‘ghost projects.’�
House death penalty bill now limited to drug crimes by Kristian JaVier Philstar.com
MANILA — The proposed revival of the death penalty at Congress will only cover drugrelated crimes, an administration congressman said. The draft House Bill 4727 originally included capital punishment for grave offenses such as rape, treason and plunder. “We agreed that yung bill will only be limited to drug related heinous crimes,� Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said in a televised ambush interview after a caucus held by
the House of Representatives’ majority on Monday. “It is more of yung getting the consensus of the group,� Umali added. “Parang it became easier when we limited it to just one crime.� Umali said the original intent of the legislative agenda is to impose death penalty on drug crimes. “Sabi ko nga after all, this was the original intent after we have conducted the illegal drug trade in bilibid prison inquiry, na we would like to re-impose death penalty for drug related heinous crime,� Umali said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been pushing for the revival of the death penalty, which he said would be a form of “retribution� rather than a deterrant for crime. This is despite heavy opposition by human rights groups, opposition lawmakers and the Catholic Church, among others. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed a law in 2006 abolishing the death penalty. Despite being part of the majority, the current Pampanga representative said she will oppose the proposal on death penalty.
DAZZLING DISPLAY. Lidu Fireworks from China was the featured performer during the third week of the 2017 Philippine International Pyromusical Competition on Saturday at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Pyrotechnic companies from different countries will showcase classic fireworks displays until March 17. ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma
Binay insists on having separate trial from son Junjun by eLizabeth
MarceLo Philstar.com
MANILA - Former vice president Jejomar Binay Sr. has maintained that he and his son Erwin “Junjun� Binay Sr. should have a separate trial of their criminal cases which all stemmed from the alleged overpriced construction of the P2.2 billion Makati parking building during their respective term as city mayor. In his 22-page motion for reconsideration filed before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, Binay Sr. though his legal counsels, slammed the antigraft court’s raffle committee, chaired by Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr., for its supposed arbitrary decision to consolidate his cases with the earlier cases filed against his son. Binay Sr. said the Sandiganbayan’s decision was contrary to its own rules which mandates the raffling of all the filed cases. “With all due respect to the Honorable Court, the Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan explicitly provides that all cases should be raffled and nowhere in the rules does it allow the automatic consolidation of unraffled cases to pending cases before the court,� Binay’s appeal read. “The raffle of cases is vital to the administration of justice because it is intended to ensure impartial adjudication of cases and obviates public suspicion
Former Vice President Jejomar Binay and his son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.
regarding assignment of cases to predetermined judges,� he added Binay Sr. is facing four counts of graft, nine counts of falsification of public documents and one count of malversation in connection with his alleged involvement in the alleged rigged bidding and overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II, also referred as the Makati parking building. When the cases against Binay Sr. were filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in July last year, the Sandiganbayan raffle committee decided to no longer raffle the cases off. Instead, they were assigned to the Third Division, which is already handling the cases against the
younger Binay. The younger Binay is facing four counts of graft, six counts of falsification and one count of malversation in connection with the Makati parking anomaly. The Third Division had earlier denied Binay Sr.’s motion to raffle off his cases. The court said the consolidation of his cases with his son’s is “necessary� as they emanated from “similar or the same transactions.� Binay, in his motion for reconsideration, however, pointed out that the charges against him only pertain to phases I, II and III of the Makati Building project, while the charges against his son pertain to phases IV and V.
Your new phone may be waterproof, sadly your
isn’t.
5 STEPS TO GET #FLOODSAFE
For more information visit valleywater.org
1
Purchase flood insurance for your home.
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Know your neighborhood streams and drainage channel locations, and know the best route to high ground.
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Keep drain gutters and drainage channels clean.
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Seal cracks in your house’s foundation, exterior walls, and small openings around pipes.
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Prepare an emergency plan with kits for your home and car, including drinking water and three days of food.
A
March 3-9, 2017 • NOrcaL aSIaN JOUrNaL
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“WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE SALES PROMO WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REPLACE ITEMS WITH PRODUCTS OF APPROXIMATE VALUE. NO RAIN CHECKS. PROMO GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON OR PROMO. PRICES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. GIVEAWAYS NOT VALID FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISCOUNT.�
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$0.59 44%
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99
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Mexican Papaya
3 LBS
$0.59 44%
$0.99 30%
Calbee Shrimp Cracker XL
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3 LBS
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$0.99 67%
Brown Onions
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69
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(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2017
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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal
Your Immigration Solution Rafael ToRRes, III and nancy MIlleR ON February 21, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) released two new memoranda, which outline how DHS plans to implement President Trump’s recent executive orders concerning the immigrant community. You are probably wondering how these new memoranda may impact you or your family; Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is here to help. The memoranda demonstrate that DHS intends to aggressively enforce removal provisions against all who may have violated any immigration law. The first memorandum “Enforcement of the Immigration Laws to Serve the National Interest,” focuses on strict enforcement. Of particular note is that DHS is broadly expanding its enforcement priorities. DHS states that only those covered by the memoranda from DHS regarding the program commonly known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, are exempted from enforcement. In conjunction with this, DHS is expanding enforcement priorities to include those who have “committed acts which constitute a chargeable criminal offense.” This is very broad. It includes those who have been charged with, but not convicted of, a crime or those whom the government believes may have committed a crime even if they have not been charged. Furthermore, many entries into the United States that do not comply with the law (including reentry after removal without government permission) are violations of criminal law. Additionally, DHS states that anyone who is a priority is treated as having equal priority for enforcement actions. Thus, DHS now prioritizes anyone who has committed acts which constitute a criminal offense in the same category as those who have actually been convicted of a crime. The stated plan for enforcing these new
How do DHS’s new rules affect you?
priorities includes the hiring of thousands of new DHS officers, using local law enforcement as immigration officers, as well as requiring local law enforcement to provide information to DHS about local communities to aid in carrying out their enforcement priorities. Do non-citizens still have rights in this increased enforcement atmosphere? Yes, they do and it is important for them to know and exercise those rights as well as to file for all immigration benefits for which they may be eligible. The second memorandum “Implementing the President’s Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvement Policies,” describes new DHS policies and procedures to increase penalization of entry without inspection or with false documentation. A major portion of this memorandum emphasizes the importance of detaining persons as “the most efficient means by which to enforce the immigration laws,” and, as such, restricts the ability for detained persons to secure their release from detention. This memorandum also repeats the goal of hiring thousands of additional officers and agents, together with the use of local law enforcement to “perform the functions of an immigration officer,” including the apprehension and detention of persons. It is unclear how the local law enforcement agencies will respond to this command, but it appears safe to conclude that DHS’ overall strength in terms of numbers of officers investigating and detaining persons will increase dramatically. Another major portion of this memorandum expands the use of expedited removal against certain persons. Expedited removal is the process by which DHS can remove a person from the United States without a hearing before an immigration judge or review by the Board of Immigration Appeals. DHS reiterates in this memorandum that it has the authority to employ the expedited removal process against
those who are apprehended anywhere in the United States and who entered without inspection (meaning without papers) or who sought entry by means of a false claim to U.S. citizenship or without valid entry documents, and who have not been continuously present in the United States for two years. Formerly, expedited removal was only used against persons apprehended within 100 miles from a United States border and within 14 days of the person’s entry to the United States. There is no appeal of an expedited removal order. It can only be contested by a claim of credible fear of returning to one’s home country. How does all of this affect you? Clearly, anyone whose immigration status is not settled and secure is at risk. As stated above, non-citizens (as well as citizens) should know and exercise their rights. They should consider seeking the immigration benefits that they are legally eligible for. In some cases, this may mean applying for naturalization as soon as possible. In other cases, this may mean filing a petition for family members while that avenue still exists. Post-conviction relief of a criminal matter may be a timely consideration. No matter what your situation, the best thing you can do is to immediately consult with an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney who can guide you through these uncertain times. *** Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza is one of the oldest, largest and most experienced immigration firms in the United States with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Manila. For more Information please call (800) 7958009 or visit www.rreeves.com. Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement)
by Lawrence
agcaoiLi Philstar.com
steady at 6.8 percent this year. “The economic outlook continues to be favorable, although MANILA, Philippines — Multi- subject to external headwinds. lateral lender International Mon- In 2017, growth is projected at etary Fund (IMF) is confident the 6.8 percent on continued strong Philippine economy will continue domestic demand and a mild exto perform strongly as the coun- port recovery,” the lender said in try is expected to remain resil- a statement. The multilateral lender warned ient despite external shocks this the higher GDP growth outlook year. An IMF mission led by Luis is subject to downside risks inBreuer, which visited Manila cluding lower regional growth, from Feb. 20 to 24, said the capital outflows due to the norcountry’s gross domestic prod- malization of interest rates by the uct (GDP) growth would remain U.S. Federal Reserve as well as
the heightened global policy uncertainty. “Over the medium term, a continuation of sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms would be important to sustain investor confidence and make growth more inclusive,” the IMF team said in a statement. The team added key reforms include those aimed at raising productive investment, opening up the economy to greater competition and foreign investment, and reducing poverty such as by
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Duterte assures car industry of fair fiscal reforms by catherine
S. VaLente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, February 27, assured the automotive industry of a tax reform plan that is “fair and supportive” even if the proposals included higher taxes on cars. In a speech during the launch of the first locally-assembled Mitsubishi Mirage G4 subcompact in Malacañang, Duterte assured the industry that the proposed adjustments in car excise taxes will not have a negative impact
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MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
The CTV Files atty. DenniS Chua, eSq. ONE advantage in filing a fiancé visa petition is that the fiancé beneficiary will be able to enter the United States faster compared to a spousal immigrant petition to be filed for the fiance. Once the fiancé beneficiary enters the United States, he or she must marry the US citizen petitioner within ninety (90) days. After the marriage, the fiancé beneficiary must file for an application to adjust his or her status to that of a permanent resident alien. Since the purpose in the issuance of a fiancé visa is for the beneficiary to enter the United States to marry the US citizen petitioner, there are certain restrictions imposed on the fiancé visa. The fiancé beneficiary can only adjust status based on marriage to the US citizen petitioner who filed the fiancé petition. Neither can the fiancé beneficiary change status to another type of nonimmigrant visa (such as a student visa, working visa, investor’s
Community Journal
Failed relationships of fiance visa beneficiaries
visa) nor extend the fiancé visa. Two different case scenarios will best illustrate the implications on the fiancé beneficiary’s failure to marry the US citizen petitioner or adjust her status after marriage to the US citizen petitioner. • Jose filed a fiancé visa petition for Gilda. Upon Gilda’s entry into the United States, both of them discovered that they were not meant for each other. Since Gilda was already here in the United States, she decided to remain in the country and stayed with her relatives. After a few years, Gilda met Mario and the two fell in love. Gilda and Mario eventually got married. Thinking that she was now married to a US citizen, Gilda filed for an application for adjustment of status based on her marriage to Mario. After their interview, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied Gilda’s application for adjustment of status because Gilda entered the US using a fiancé visa and she was not adjusting her status based on her marriage to the
person who filed the fiancé visa petition for her. Gilda may still be allowed to stay in the country and fix her status if she has been in the country for at least ten years. Gilda has the option to exit the country and undergo visa processing and to file for a waiver before the US Embassy so that the government could waive her unlawful presence if she has been in the United States unlawfully for more than 180 days. The option of filing a stateside waiver is also available to her where she could file the waiver here in the United States first before going back to her home country. • Norman filed a fiancé visa petition for Daisy. Norman and Daisy got married within 90 days upon Daisy’s entry into the United States. Daisy then filed for her application for adjustment of status with the USCIS. During the early stages of their marriage, Daisy discovered that Norman was not the person she fell in love with. Norman had a temper and he began abusing her verbally and physically. Since
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http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Tweaking the lessons learned from the garden
Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya
“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”
(First of 2 parts)
THANKFULLY, spring is almost upon us in a few weeks and the earth beckons. The atmospheric river that gave us the blessing of so much rain has quenched the thirst of the earth during the long draught in California. This long, wet and cold winter, believe it or not, is one huge blessing. We thank and praise God for the mercy He showers upon the earth and His people. Whether you are aware of it or not, miracles, great and small, are happening right before our very eyes. There is a strong sense that countless people are bending down their knees in prayerful supplication of miracles such as abundant rainfall to come. Lo and behold, the rains have quenched the parched earth. Meteorologists have dubbed this atmospheric river above our heads way up in the clouds the “Pineapple Express” which gave us this weather phenomenon. Tropical moisture from the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii runs like a choo choo train to the mainland first hitting the West Coast. Thank God we now have water for our fields, our plants and many millions of people. At the same time, the rains have exposed the vulnerability of California’s aging infrastructure, such as the dam on the verge of bursting at the seams at Lake Oroville in Northern California. Parts of roads and freeways need reconstruction. Water is a blessing but it is also a double-edged sword. It can also destroy. Oh if we only had leaders in California that had the foresight to build more dams and reservoirs
—Claude Monet, speaking of his garden at Giverny for the periods of dryness that are sure to come in cycles. The problem is that we have politicians but no true leaders, who would place the interest of the people rather than their own agenda, in this part of the country. The gardener at heart tunes out all such concerns. He can tune out all dire fake news of doom and gloom that the mainstream media bombards people with. Media has lost its credibility. Media does not realize that viewers have the power in their fingertips to kill their broadcast with their remote control. People have the power to cut off their revenues by unsubscribing. It’s that simple. This year will still be an unsettling year. This is a transition year with nationalists battling globalists. The Chinese people say that there is always a danger in transitions. And it is true. So many forces are in play. The country is divided and there are sinister globalist forces that work against the American worker. However, there is a movement worldwide among nations, specially in Europe, to unshackle themselves from unelected unions that dictate how nation states are to live. There will be so much uncertainty in the air as the nation state reasserts its primacy over global forces. The forces of good and evil are aligned. There exists the specter of a protracted
war with radical Muslim terrorists gunning for world domination with their visions of a caliphate, looming menacingly in the horizon. The goal for all peaceloving people is to avoid any nuclear war at all costs. The realist in us thinks there is reason to be anxious. But the true gardener at heart remains unfazed. Cool, calm and collected, he chooses to live in that rare state of grace called equanimity. Sort of like the old song “que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be”…… It must come from the zen-like peace one gets when one gardens, even if it is simply tending a single potted plant on an office desk. Doing what must be done in the garden is his small way of keeping the delicate balance of nature in his own sphere of influence. In many ways, gardening is like praying. It keeps fears and anxieties at bay and keeps one centered in the belief that all things in the cosmos work together for good. I was and still am a reluctant gardener. I was thrust into it by circumstances since I have a thing about not wanting anything dying on my shift. I had to seek books and advice despite the frenetic schedule of a workaday world as I multitasked my way through the day. Nothing I did seemed right at the time. I tended to over water not knowing about the dangers of root rot.
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Beating heart surgery
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHAT is OPCAB? OPCAB stands for Off Pump Coronary Artery Bypass surgery, which is the most popular minimally invasive heart bypass operation today, one that is done on a beating heart. Conventionally, coronary bypass is done on an arrested heart (chemically-induced cardiac arrest to allow for a quiet field) with the patient connected to a heart-lung machine (pump) that temporarily takes over the oxygenation (lung function) and circulation (heart function) of the patient while the surgery is going on. Is OPCAB better? If at all possible, OPCAB, or beating heart surgery, is preferred. Doing the coronary bypass on a beating (non-arrested) heart precludes the use of the heart lung machine. This pump has the potential of destroying some blood cells, of wasting some essential clotting factors in the blood, and of forming blood clots or air bubbles that could cause stroke, albeit very rare. So, not using the heart-lung machine is a definite advantage, much
less invasive and stressful for the patient. As a result, OPCAB patients recover a lost faster, go home much sooner, usually after 3-4 days after surgery. However, OPCAB is not for everyone. How is the heart stilled? With the patient connected to the pump, the heart is arrested by lowering the body temperature (thru blood cooling using a special cooler machine connected to the pump) down to about 28-30 degrees centigrade, and by giving the patient a high dose of potassium chloride which stops the heart beat in a relaxed (flabby) muscular state. This allows the cardiac surgeon to make tiny (2 mm-4 mm) anastomoses (suturing together two arteries or a vein and an artery of the heart, like sewing a sleeve to the shirt, an end-to-side or Tconnection) using a magnifying surgical loop (special eyeglasses for an enlarged view), on a nonbeating heart. What are the sizes of the arteries? The coronary arteries (which feed the muscles of the heart) and the internal mammary arteries (which are harvested as grafts from the undersurface of the breast bone, one from the left and one from the right side) are usually about 2 to 3 millimeters
in diameter, about the size of a round toothpick or the lead in pencils. The vein grafts that are harvested from the leg are on the average about 4 to 5 mm in diameter. To connect vessels this small, we arrest the heart and use a magnifying loop as mentioned above for precise suturing. This is a delicate and a most essential part of the bypass surgery, and requires extreme attention to details, in order for the “pipe connection” to allow maximum blood flow, with the least resistance or impedance. Any buckling, purse-stringing, or twisting of the anastomosis will cause blood clots in the area of the Tjoint which eventually blocks off, leading to failure of the surgery. This could spell a disaster, a heart attack. This particular “plumbing job” must be “perfect.” What suture materials are used? The sutures we use for the anastomoses have a diameter smaller than human hair. They are technically known as 6-0, 70, or, 8-0, which is the smallest of the three. They are prophylene (plastic-like, but with greater tensile strength) sutures, commercially called Prolene, which are non-absorbable, unlike silk, which disintegrate with time.
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Business News
ADB commits $4.22 B for PH infra projects by Czeriza
ValenCia Philstar.com
MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed to lend $4.22 billion to the Philippines for development and infrastructure programs and extend technical assistance valued at $9.3 million until 2019. The multilateral fund’s new country operations and business plan (COBP) for the Philippines is aimed at helping the country achieve more inclusive growth and address income inequalities and regional disparities. Specifically, it will focus on four areas: sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, good governance and finance, inclusive employment and education, and regional integration. ADB said countries in developing Asia need to implement regulatory and institutional reforms to make infrastructure more attractive to private investors and generate a pipeline of bankable projects for public-private partnerships (PPP). In this aspect, ADB cited PPP practices in the Philippines as among the “most improving” in the region because of the government’s commitment to introduce well-prepared projects. ADB also recommended the development of capital markets to “help channel the region’s substantial savings into productive infrastructure investment.” Developing Asia and the Pacific need to invest $1.7 trillion annually to sustain its growth momentum, eradicate poverty and respond to climate change, ADB said in a report yesterday. The report, “Meeting Asia’s Infrastructure Needs,” estimates this financing need to reach $26 trillion from 2016 to 2030, factoring in the need to address climate change mitigation and adaptation needs. Without climate change costs, the region will need $22.6 trillion for the given period, an investment of $1.5 trillion per year. ADB’s new flagship report focuses on the region’s infrastructure needs for power, transport, telecommunications, and water sanitation. Considered in the compilation of the report are the region’s current infrastructure stocks and investments, future investment needs and financing
mechanisms. Out of the total climate-adjusted investment needs from 2016 to 2030, $14.7 trillion is seen to be needed for power while $8.4 trillion is required for transport. Investments needed in telecommunications are seen to reach $2.3 trillion while needs for water and sanitation infrastructure are placed at $800 billion. “The demand for infrastructure across Asia and the Pacific far outstrips current supply,” said ADB president Takehiko Nakao. “Asia needs new and upgraded infrastructure that will set the standard for quality, encourage economic growth, and respond to the pressing global challenge that is climate change.” ADB said infrastructure development in developing Asia has “grown dramatically” in recent decades but a “substantial” infrastructure gap remains. Around 400 million people still lack access to electricity, 300 million lack access to safe drinking water and about 1.5 billion lack access to basic sanitation. Many economies in the region also lack adequate ports, railways, and roads that could connect them efficiently to larger domestic and global markets, said the report. Developing Asia currently invests an estimated $881 billion in infrastructure. The investment gap— the difference between investment needs and current investment levels—is around 2.4 percent of the projected gross domestic product of the region for 2016 to 2020, according to the report. n
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Community Journal
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ WITH the election of Donald Trump as president, and his pledge to fulfill his campaign promise of enforcing immigration laws (with news reports of immigration raids throughout the country), many people are anxious and\or terrified about their future in the US. Many of my clients have been calling asking whether they have to open the door if ICE comes knocking at their house, what kind of documents should they show, or how they should conduct themselves. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has put out flyers, pamphlets, and brochures about what to do if ICE comes knocking. Below is AGLU’s advice, along with mine: • Do not open the door, unless the ICE agents show you a warrant, signed by a judge. Ask to see it through a window, or they should slip it under the door. Make sure you are named on that warrant, and it is signed by a judge. A warrant from ICE does not allow them to enter your home, without your consent. If they don’t have a warrant, ask them to leave the information outside. • If ICE agents force their way into your home, or pressure you to give your “consent,” don’t resist. If you want to exercise your constitutional rights, you can state, “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my
right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.” Everyone else at the house may also exercise their right to remain silent. • If you are arrested or taken into custody, remain silent, and do not sign anything until you speak with an immigration attorney. Do not lie to ICE, as anything you say can and will be used against you. (They don’t have to remind you of your right to remain silent, as is the case in criminal proceedings). Do not answer any questions, especially those that expose your status, such as where you were born, and whether you have “papers”. • Take detailed notes (or even pictures), concerning their badge numbers, numbers of agents, time of the raid, type of car they were driving, and exactly what happened. • Have a plan of action in case you are taken into custody. Who will take care of your children or elderly parents if you are picked up? You may want to consider having a Power of Attorney for a trusted family member or friend, so they can make decisions on your children’s behalf, if you are arrested or deported. • Make sure all your important documents are kept in a safe and secure location. This would include passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical records, and other immigration papers. Memorize the phone numbers of two trusted people, because when you are in custody, you would not have access to
your phone or “speed dial”. • You may already want to consult with an immigration attorney concerning your rights, benefits, and relief that may be available to you just in case you are ever picked up. You want to be able to immediately call your attorney to help you, if you are suddenly picked up or taken into custody. • Ordinarily, ICE cannot just take you to the airport and put you on a plane back to your home country. You have the right to appear in front of the judge, present your defenses or claims for relief, the right to appeal, etc. That may be another reason to already seek the advice of an attorney, who can already evaluate your case in advance, so you can “be prepared.” *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Online hiring up 6 percent
Employment Index (MEI), January online recruitment projects a better picture of the succeeding MANILA, Philippines — On- months in the local hiring scene. line job hiring in the Philippines “Businesses are keen to hire has gotten off to a positive start in the country. Many local busiin January, posting a six per- nesses have also chosen to set up cent year-on-year growth amid a in Philippines, and the demand stable business environment, an for talent in the workforce is exonline research firm said. pected to see a spike across all Based on the latest Monster levels,” said Sanjay Modi, Mon-
Maureen Philstar.com
siMeon
ster.com managing director for Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Software, hardware, and telecommunication roles took the lead in online demand, reporting a 25 percent growth during the period. The business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology (IT) sectors saw a 22 percent growth while customer service roles grew 17 percent. n
Failed relationships of fiance visa…
PAGE CJ2 t
Daisy could no longer stand the abuses of Norman, she left their home and went to a shelter. This angered Norman who then withdrew the affidavit of support he submitted for Daisy in her adjustment of status application. Daisy’s adjustment application was eventually denied. Under this factual scenario, Daisy can file for a battered spouse petition
and adjust her status without Norman’s participation. It is important to note that the factual antecedents of each case are different and it is essential to assess various reliefs that may be available depending on the circumstances of each case. *** Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV), a full service law
firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Manila. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; Dchua@ctvattys.com. The CTV Attorneys will be at Max’s Restaurant in Vallejo on October 19, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm to hold a FREE legal clinic. (Advertising Supplement)
Tweaking the lessons learned from the…
PAGE CJ2 t
My track record at growing things was dismal, yet I have often wondered what it would be like to watch something grow. I marveled at my mother’s green thumb. She can stick a seemingly lifeless stump at a clump of earth and grow a new beautiful plant nearly every time. I wasn’t one to give up easily though. Tenaciously, doggedly I hung on to an image of me as a confident gardener. My education on the art and science of growing things had begun. I took baby steps and stumbled countless times. I still do. Only these
days, I don’t have very much time as life and its distractions get in the way overly much. I became quieter within as I began to observe and seek to understand the process of growth, the seasons and the cycle of life. I read voraciously volumes upon volumes about plants and watched public television that featured gardening. Nurseries and gardens have become my favorite haunts where I could ask those who knew better. I boned up on my rusty, halting Spanish quizzing the gardener as best I could. Finally, I slammed on the brakes fearing I had become
Beating heart… PAGE CJ2 t
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What should I do if ICE comes to my home?
Immigration Corner
by Louise
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2017
Prolene sutures stay intact forever. How are blockages diagnosed? The stenoses (narrowing) or occlusion (total blockage) of the coronary arteries are diagnosed with the aid of coronary angiogram (also referred to as cardiac catheterization), where a spaghetti-sized catheter is inserted into the femoral (groin) artery under local anesthesia and its tip directed to the opening of the left and right main coronary arteries. Dye is injected into the coronary arteries and the whole procedure is recorded in a video movie. This will show the dye in motion, the diameter and integrity of the lumen (inner channel) of the arteries and whether there are blockages or none. Why not do this test on everyone? While cardiac catheterization is a safe procedure done daily in various heart centers around the world, it has potential complications like transient irregular heart rhythm, blood clots, arterial leak, disruption in the wall of the artery, bleeding at the puncture site in the groin. While these are rare, there is a golden rule in medicine that says tests, in general, must only be done if there is an clinical indication (justification). If a person has no symptoms or strong family history of heart disease, cardiac catheterization is not recommended. Just about the only exceptions could
be an employer required executive check-up, or airline mandated test for commercial pilots. Besides, this is an expensive procedure and insurance companies do not consider this to be a reimbursable prophylactic test. How is OPCAB done? With the patient under general anesthesia, the chest is split in the middle, from the base of the neck down to about the tail of the sternum (breastbone), same as in the conventional technique. With OPCAB, the patient is not connected to a heart lung machine. There is a special instrument (cardiac stabilizer) that minimizes the heart action in the area of the artery to be bypassed. The rest of the heart continues to beat. This stabilizer restricts the contraction of the heart in the target area, allowing the cardiac surgeon to do his suturing, aided by a surgical loop for magnified (3-4 times) view. With beating heart surgery, the patient does not feel so zapped, rundown and tired compared to the standard procedure where heart lung machine and cardiac arrest are used. Does every heart surgeon do OPCAB? No. Only those who had additional training on this particular technique perform beating heart surgery. It is a more tedious procedure and more difficult for the surgeon but much easier on the patient. Putting sutures on tiny arteries while the heart is beating is just like “shooting a tiny moving target.” A surgeon has to “retrain”
boringly, compulsively obsessive. But I found that unless I got down on the ground myself, nothing happened. I have discovered gardening to be a quiet, solitary pursuit somewhat fit for hermits and loners — unglamorous, unexciting, backbreaking, time consuming, manual, icky, down in the dirt labor that was certainly not meant for immediate gratification. (To be continued) ***
Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com
his mind and hands, and gets used to this cutting edge-technology to be able to do OPCAB. This writer had to undergo such hands-on OPCAB surgical training at the Boston University Hospital in Massachusetts, under Dr. R. Cohn, the inventor of the Genzyme Cardiac Stabilizer. My team and I did our first OPCAB on a 68-year-old American from California, a retiree in Cebu, on June 8, 1999, the first quadruple OPCAB bypass performed in the Philippines, at the Cebu Doctors University Hospital. Even in the United States, only a little more than 60% of the surgeons perform OPCAB procedures. Is the conventional bypass obsolete? Most definitely not. There are still a large number of patients who could be better served with the conventional on-pump heart bypass. As I stated earlier, OPCAB is not for everyone. But the trend shows more and more coronary bypass procedures are being done on beating hearts today. It stands to reason that OPCAB is here to stay. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. For more data, visit philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
WILL PRESIDENT TRUMP’S “ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES” AFFECT YOU, ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” After President Donald Trump signed the Executive Order on “Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the U.S.” on January 25, 2017 (listing those who are “enforcement priorities”), the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, John Kelly, issued two memos to DHS agencies on how to carry out the President’s executive orders. Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel explains the Homeland security memos and enforcement priorities and how they could affect you, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – this Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC.
Calendar of Events across
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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS MARCH 5
Free women’s self-defense workshop in Los Angeles
A free women’s self-defense workshop will be held on Saturday, March 5 from 2 to p.m. at St. Columban Filipino Ministry (125 Loma Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90026). It will be hosted by the Los Angeles Philippine Women’s Club in tandem with the Women’s Council of the St. Columban Parish. This is open to all genders. For more information, please contact MOTHER at (213) 268-3222.
MARCH 6
Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Monday, March 6 at the Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights from 6 to 8 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. Books will be available for sale. A book signing will follow after the talk. The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights is located at 320 Boulevard, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604.
MARCH 9
Talk and book signing with Susan Quimpo, author of “Subversive Lives” in New York Come see Susan Quimpo, one of the authors of “Subversive Lives” on Thursday, March 9 at the 67th Street New York Public Library from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. “Subversive Lives” is a memoir by eight siblings (plus one by marriage) who dedicated themselves to the anti-Marcos resistance in the Philippines. Quimpo will talk about her personal experience during the Marcos years. A book signing will follow after the talk. The New York Public Library is located at 328 E 67th St. (between 1st and 2nd Ave.), New York, NY 10065.
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CAAMFEST35 in San Francisco & Oakland Come to the 35th anniversary of CAAMFest from March 9-19 and immerse yourself in expansive and diverse programs celebrating the best in Asian American film, music and food. The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. The annual CAAMFest is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. It presents approximately 125 works in San Francisco and Oakland over the course of 11 days. Tickets can be purchased online or in person. For more information, please visit http://caamfest.com.
MARCH 11
CSFLU to hold dinner-dance in Brea, CA The City of San Fernando La Union Association (CSFLU) will hold its annual dinnerdance at the Embassy Suites in Brea, CA on March 11. Music will be provided by Willie Manacsa & The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, please call Vangie So, president of the association at (626) 485-3110.
Whitney High School’s 30th annual Pilipino Culture Night in Cerritos, CA Whitney High School’s Club Kaibigan invites you to attend “Ang Ating Salaysay (Our Story),” the 30th annual Pilipino Cultural Night on Saturday, March 11. The matinee show is at 2 p.m. ($12 / ticket), with the evening performance at 6:30 p.m. ($15 / ticket). The show will be held at the high school’s Mac Auditorium (16800 Shoemaker Ave., Cerritos, CA 90703). Any questions can be directed to clubkaibigan@gmail.com.
“Walk for Wishes” in Las Vegas Powered by wish families, volunteers, donors, and friends, Walk For Wishes is a nationwide Make-A-Wish fundraiser celebrating thousands of wishes that have already been granted, while raising funds for future wishes. Proceeds from this event help fund wishes that bring life-changing joy and hope to children battling life-threatening medical conditions in our community. On Saturday, March 11, Make-A-Wish® Southern Nevada partners with Caesars Foundation to present its 16th annual Walk for Wishes. Registration opens at 7 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:00 a.m. The 5K Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 1 mile walk at 8:35 a.m. It will be held at Town Square Las Vegas at 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South (northwest corner of Town Square Blvd. and North St.), Las Vegas, NV 89119.
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Consular outreach mission in Phoenix, AZ A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Mission in Phoenix, Arizona on March 11 and 12. It will be held at Halo Halo Kitchen (3553 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85051) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m by appointment and completed documents only. Please email arizona.consularoutreach@gmail.com with submissions and applications before March 3. No walk-in applicants will be accepted. The following consular services will be rendered: renewal and/or first-time applications for electronic passport ($60 processing fee + $24 mailing fee). New passports will be released to the applicant by mail twelve (12) weeks from March 15, 2017. No lost passport applications will be accepted; Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to the Dual Citizenship Law ($50 processing fee). Oath taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants. Applicants are advised to wear appropriate clothing for the occasion; Applications for report of marriage & birth ($25 processing fee + $7 mailing fee); and registration for overseas voting for the 2019 national elections for senators and party list representatives. Fees must be paid in person at the scheduled appointment. Only cash, postal money order or cashier’s checks are accepted. Personal checks will not be accepted. For more information, please visit http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/. A final list of all applicants will confirmed appointment schedules will be posted on the website by March 8.
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
CJ
MARCH 3-9, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
The Kite Runner Prof. EnriquE M. Soriano IN a CNN report written by Paolo Taruc on September 21, 2015, the Philippines emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economies with an average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.2 percent per year from 2010 to 2014. The figure represents the highest growth in nearly four decades, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Former NEDA chief Arsenio Balisacan believes that the country’s economic gains have been a boon to the property sector. “The shape of real estate industry in the Philippines has changed dramatically over the years. In particular, the property market has grown robustly over the last 20 years as increasing demand for residential and commercial properties in the country became ever more evident against the backdrop of our changing economic landscape,” he said in a speech last July 28, 2015 during the summit organized by the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and The Organization of Property Stakeholders, Inc. “While the property industry has already been doing very well in the past few years… the sector is seen to grow even more robustly, driven by the continued positive outlook on the economy and the projected expansion of outsourcing industry within the next five years,” he added. Metro Manila has more than 3 million informal settlers However, behind a robust property canvass, it is time to paint a different picture. In a 2010 report, Metro Manila was already home to 2.8 million informal settlers...that’s 556,526 families living in improvised housing communities commonly referred to as shanty towns and often lacks property sanitation, safe water supply, electricity and other basic human necessities. With very limited opportunity for livelihood, heightened military conflict and unabated poverty continue to wreak havoc in the countryside, it is estimated that around 200,000 annually troop to the National Capital Region hoping for a better life and preferring to be tag as informal settlers rather than risked being
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Community Journal
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The Philippine housing The way Californians are charged for plan is an epic failure energy is changing, better aligning the impoverished in their hometowns. The National Urban Development and Housing Framework (NUDHF) 2009- 2016 finds the housing problem to be serious and is a largely urban phenomenon. The magnitude of housing need, defined as the housing backlog plus new households, is enormous and is estimated to reach about 5.8 million housing units. That is the official figure. My unofficial estimate having been actively monitoring the sector for close to 29 years is roughly hovering between 7 to 8 million backlog. And the gap is widening. Annually it is estimated that close to 500,000 new homes are needed to address the current housing need. Homebuilders can only supply anywhere from 20 percent to 22 percent of the unmet need. CREBA, in its recent National Convention in Baguio City where I moderated the proceedings cites very disturbing figures and I quote its President Charlie Gorayeb: “The 5.5 million housing backlog is too huge to be ignored. It threatens to balloon to even bigger proportions if supply and access continue to fail to cope with the consistent rise in demand as a result of population increase, rapid urban migration, and affordability gaps, and other factors. The nagging housing problem transcends many other facets of the nation’s over-all economic and social development. Overcoming this condition will require the application of innovative government approaches coupled with creative strategies by the private sector.” Housing and Urban Development Council’s Housing Sector: Accomplishment Report? HUDC’s Report for the period July 2010 to December 2015 showed that the housing agencies provided housing assistance to 894,569 families valued at P313.607 billion. The assistance includes the provision or funding of house and lot packages, developed lots, houses, or home materials for home improvement/repair. In addition to the direct housing assistance provided by the key shelter agencies (National Housing Authority, Social Hous-
ing Finance Corp. and Home Development Mutual Fund) the Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC) guaranteed P222.026 billion worth of housing loans extended by private commercial and rural banks as well as other financing companies equivalent to about 127,500 housing units. But are these numbers enough? Does HUDCC have the power to effect real change? CREBA’s 30 Year Old Housing Advocacy: Is the Government Listening? A Roof Over Every Filipino employing its five-point agenda, CREBA believes, is the most effective, doable and strong package of reforms that works to the benefit of government, the home buying public and the private sector. It is so designed to bring about permanent and far-reaching solutions to our current and future housing problems as opposed to palliative roadmaps which address only the peripheries of the housing situation but not its core. Yet, the housing sector continues to suffer heavily from administrative, structural and regulatory delays under various levels of government, from the national agencies down to the barangays. Five Presidents and this advocacy still remains a pipe dream. HLURB LICENSE TO SELL ISSUED FOR RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS IN UNITS (2001-2014): A Glaring Imbalance HOUSING PACKAGES TOTAL UNITS percent Socialized 616,123 32 percent Economic 687,377 36 percent Mid-Cost & Open Market 619,347 32 percent TOTAL 1,922,847 100 percent Source: Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) From 2001 to 2014, the HLURB issued Licenses to Sell to less than 2 million housing units, covering all housing segments, from socialized up to the open market group. This performance rate, averaging about 130,000
u PAGE CJ5
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costs customers pay with the cost of service PG&E is here to help customers take control of their energy use and manage their energy costs
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — A statewide process to change the way Californians are charged for their energy will take another step towards completion on March 1. The goals of the changes are to help ensure the price customers pay for energy is more closely aligned with the cost of providing them with safe, reliable and clean energy service, to simplify rate structures and to encourage energy conservation. The process to modernize and simplify California’s electric rate system aims to balance rate tiers and eventually moving to a time-of-use rate structure. These changes were developed jointly between PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and supported by many consumer interest groups. What is happening The March 1 changes will simplify the structure for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) rate plans: • Reducing the number of tiers from three to two tiers, to simplify the rate structure. • The introduction of a High Usage Surcharge to encourage energy conservation. In addition to the structural changes, electric transmission rates will increase on March 1, with residential customers seeing a 2.1 percent increase in this portion of their bills. Even with these increases, PG&E customers’ bills are still below the national average, based upon the most recently available data. Why is it happening The current electric rate structure was established during the 2001 energy crisis. It’s outdated, complex and confusing for customers. For years, in order to encourage energy conservation and efficiency, the costs of PG&E’s service to maintain the energy grid and ensure reliable electricity service were disproportionately placed upon customers who found themselves in the higher tiers – most often impacting those who live in hotter climates. While conservation and efficiency programs have been and continue to be very successful,
the electric rate structure resulted in an imbalance between how customers in the lower and higher tiers pay for what it costs to provide them with service. How changes impact customers and support a cleaner California The March 1 changes may help those who find themselves in higher tiers due to the need to cool their homes during hotter months. After the changes are implemented, customers who need to use more energy may see lower bills, while customers who typically able to use less energy may see higher bills. “Since 2010, KernTax has advocated for these types of structural rate changes. We are pleased to see meaningful progress towards a more fair and equitable electric rate system. KernTax will continue to work with PG&E, the CPUC and others to make sure that the goals to more closely align the costs we all pay for energy is reflective on what it costs to deliver that service to customers, regardless of climate zone, are reached,” said Michael Turnipseed, executive director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association, one of the consumer groups that supported these changes. These changes are designed to support California’s ambitious clean energy goals to combat climate change. Customers who use more than four times the baseline amount of electricity will receive a High Usage Surcharge. The baseline amount of electricity for each customer depends on their location, the season and their home heating system. Less than 10 percent of residential customers will likely incur the High Usage Surcharge. The surcharge: • Only applies to customers on PG&E’s tiered electric rate plans. • Is intended to encourage energy conservation among customers whose electricity use is significantly higher than typical households. “We understand that any change to the way our customers are accustomed to being charged for energy may cause some questions. We want all of
EMPLOYMENT
PSYCHIC
our customers to know that we’re here to help them understand these changes and manage their energy costs. We offer new rate options as well as free programs and tools to help customers take control of their energy use and make smart choices,” said Deborah Affonsa, vice president, Customer Service, PG&E. Ways to take control of energy use The most powerful tool customers have at their disposal to take control of their energy use and manage their bills is their online account. Customers should signup to access cost and usage analysis tools with information down to the day, get personalized information on the right rate plan for themselves and their family, and more. To learn more and how to signup, customers can visit pge.com. Automated PG&E Bill Forecast Alerts include other tools that help customers manage costs by notifying them when their usage is approaching their personal budget thresholds. These alerts are then delivered via email, text or a phone call. Sign up in less than five minutes at pge.com/energyalerts. Customers can also sign up for the High Usage Alert to be notified when they may incur the High Usage Surcharge. Sign up today at pge.com/highusage. PG&E also has a number of programs that help customers manage their costs. For more information about tools to manage energy costs and programs for low income and medical needs, please visit pge.com. About PG&E Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge. com/en/about/newsroom/index. page. n
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2017
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Duterte assures car industry of fair fiscal…
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on its growth. “Let me take this opportunity, too, to reassure our stakeholders from the automotive industry that we will take due consideration of your concerns about our package of proposals, fiscal reforms,” the President said. “We will ensure that its impact will be fair and supportive of your growth as participants in the CARS Program,” Duterte said. CARS is the Comprehensive Auto Resurgence Strategy. The President said the program demonstrates the government’s commitment “to pursue initiatives that will create more jobs for our people and help achieve sustained prosperity in our country.” He said the program complements the government’s Zero Plus Ten-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, which aims to improve all sectors in terms of efficiency and development. “Under the CARS Program, the investment committed or commitment of the Mitsubishi is expected to add around 7,900 direct employment opportunities and an estimated additional government revenue of P5.72 billion,” Duterte said.
“This is a testament to the kind of friendship and cooperation that Japan and the Philippines have shared and nurtured throughout the years,” he added. He thanked Mitsubishi for its “dedication and partnership,” citing the first of the 200,000 Mirage sub-compacts that will be locally made under the CARS Program. “Proudly, we can now say that
the Mitsubishi Mirage, currently the second top-selling passenger car in the country, is made in the Philippines,” the President said. He then recalled his state visit to Japan, where he met Mitsubishi Motors Chairman and President Osamu Masuko, who signed a letter of intent reaffirming the carmaker’s commitment to the CARS Program. “Back here, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Investments have been tirelessly working with stakeholders to ensure that the program is successfully implemented. Because of this collaboration, the first unit of the ‘Made in the Philippines’ Mirage has been manufactured using materials and supplies from local parts manufacturers and other related local industries in the country,” Duterte noted. “Let us continue working together in enlivening our business environment and in making the Philippines not only a regional auto manufacturing hub, but as one of the world’s liveliest economies. Let the cars we manufacture be the vehicles of progress and let the excellence of hard work be the fuel that will drive us towards greater success,” he added. n
two percent as it intends to ramp up infrastructure spending. The team that met with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and other economic managers, senior government officials, and private sector representative said upside risks including higher commodity prices, pass through from currency depreciation, and strong economic activity are seen pushing inflation to 3.6 percent this year from 1.8 percent last year. The BSP has set an inflation target of two to four percent between 2017 and 2020.
It added upside risks to economic growth include a faster pace of budget execution and higher global growth. The IMF said the passage of the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) is critical to sustain the rise in expenditures targeted in the medium term fiscal framework. “Fiscal policy is appropriately focused on the medium-term objectives of addressing the infrastructure gap and inequalities and should be supported by public financial management reforms,” it added. n
did the programs fail? The Philippine Housing problem has become a social malaise, a clear injustice to those who have less in life. Without a roof over one’s head, it strips a person naked and robs him of his dignity to a decent life. If we continue to ignore this boiling point, Metro Manila will have “shadow” cities comprising millions of informal settlers
soon. It is now a race against time. (esoriano@wongadvisory. com) ***
President Rodrigo Duterte
Upcoming household hazardous waste event on March 11 SAN MATEO County residents can make an appointment to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) for free at a special collection event in Daly City on Saturday, March 11, 2017, from 8:30 a.m.-12:15pm. To participate, you must schedule an appointment at San Mateo County’s HHW Program: www.smchealth.org/hhw or by calling (650) 363-4718, select option 3. The event location will be disclosed once your appointment has been confirmed. No commercial waste is allowed. Accepted items include cleaning products, fertilizers, pesticides, flammable liquids, fluorescent lights (compact and tubes), paint, acids/bases, aerosol cans, automotive supplies (car batteries, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid), inks, and stabilized for proper disposal to fill and contaminating our water photo chemicals. All waste col- achieve zero waste and prevent and soil. No radioactive, explolected is reused, recycled, or any items from going to the land- sive, or medical waste. n
Receiving housing benefits? A trip to Philippines to survive external shocks… Social Security may not be necessary
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removing the quantitative restrictions on rice imports. Economic managers penned a GDP growth target of between 6.5 and 7.5 percent for this year. The country’s GDP growth accelerated to 6.8 percent last year from 5.9 percent in 2015 amid strong domestic demand and higher investments reflecting higher public infrastructure spending and private construction. The Duterte administration has raised its budget deficit cap to three percent of GDP instead of
The Philippine housing plan is an epic…
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housing units per year, is hardly enough to bridge the widening housing demand and supply gap. Despite all these, however, homelessness, unauthorized housing and lack of decent housing remain to be a major headache. Why? What has been the problem? Where, how and why
Prof. Soriano is a National Agora Awardee for Marketing Excellence, an ASEAN Family Business Advisor, Book Author and Executive Director of ASEAN-based Consulting group, W+B Strategic Advisory. He has close to three decades of real estate experience and is currently the Program Director for Real Estate at the ATENEO Graduate School of Business
SOCIAL Security is constantly evolving to make your life easier. If you are currently receiving benefits from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and are reapplying for benefits, or are assisting someone with their application, a trip to the Social Security office is probably not necessary even if verification of Social Security benefits is needed. Because of a data exchange established between Social Security and HUD, most people do not need to contact Social Security for a benefit verification letter. HUD administrators processing a Recertification Application for Housing Assistance can use their Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System to verify Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Public housing agencies, private owners, and management agents administering HUD rental assistance programs may get registration information about EIV by logging onto the following websites: go.usa.gov/x97mH or go.usa.gov/x97m6 If you are a new applicant for
housing assistance, you can provide your HUD administrator with your Social Security award letter, Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) notice, SSA-1099, or other SSA benefit document you should have received at the beginning of the calendar year or when you began receiving benefits, whichever is later. We created these data exchange agreements to help you get the support you need at the
first point of contact, even if that’s not with Social Security. If you do need to provide proof of Social Security benefits yourself, we have another way to save you a trip to Social Security. You can get an instant benefit verification letter with a personal my Social Security account at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. (Eric Phillips/Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sacramento, CA)
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ğ įōíľ ÀðıÃæµįPçį ʼn æIJįıÀ ØÃĉÃæîÂ ß ğÃqPç qíß߼æÃıŎįĤÀíĽØ ÕæíŊįPdíĽIJĕ If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, email us the details (title, description, time & date, location, etc.) at info@asianjournalinc.com. And for consideration in our print calendar, please send submissions at least three weeks before the date of the event. To be included in our online calendar/ e-newsletter, please allow at least two to three weeks' notice.
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cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 3, 2017
Filipino-interest Films take stage at CaamFest 2017 by
THIS year’s CAAMFest 2017 is all set to take place on March 9-19 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Formerly the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF), the annual event is celebrating its 35th year and promises to bring an expansive and diverse slate of programming. It is also an 11-day feast for the senses through film, music, food and digital media from the world’s most innovative Asian and Asian American artists. Organized by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), the festival’s theme “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow — Celebrating 35 years of Festivals,” turns back the lens on itself, back to festivals and themes of yesterday, exploring the organization and CAAMFest in its current form today, and looking ahead to future iterations and directions. Films and events will be on display in a variety of stunning and culturally-rich venues in San Francisco and the East Bay, including the Castro
Malou liwanag-bledsoe / AJPress
Cydel Gabutero as Blanka
Theatre, Asian Art Museum, New People Cinema, Alamo Drafthouse, The New Parkway Theater, Jewish Community Center, Roxie Theater, Gray Area Foundation for the Arts and Oakland Museum of California. “CAAMFest 2017 is a true milestone for our organization and community,” says CAAM’s Executive Director Stephen Gong. “The need for a festival —that celebrates creativity and diversity, that builds understanding and empathy, that educates and inspires— has
never been more important and more necessary, and our dedication to the advancement of Asian American visibility and perspectives has never been stronger.” Filipino-interest films Two Filipino-interest films have made the program in this year’s festival: “Blanka” / Directed by Kohki Hasei 2015, 75 minutes / Tagalog with English subtitles March 12, 12:10 p.m. / Roxie Theater “Blanka” is the story about
A scene from “Blanka,” directed by Kohki Hasei
A scene from “Singing in Graveyards” directed by Bradley Liew.
Joey “Pepe” Smith stars in “Singing in Graveyards”
Keyland Corporation signs marketing partner and office in the US
an 11-year-old girl who survives alone in Manila begging and stealing from tourists. Wishing to have a good life, Blanka came up with the absurd idea to buy a mother. In her countless efforts to collect enough money, an opportunity arises when she meets Peter, a 55-year-old blind street musician, who teaches her how to sing. However, Peter was concerned about Blanka’s future and decides to take Blanka to an orphanage. “Blanka” features young Philippine YouTube star Cydel Gabutero in her acting debut, along with Peter Millari, Jomar Bisuyo, Raymond Camacho and Ruby Ruiz.
“Singing in Graveyards” / Directed by Bradley Liew 2016, 141 minutes / Tagalog with English subtitles March 14, 8:50 p.m. / Alamo Drafthouse “Singing in Graveyards” is not about someone singing for the dead, but a moving character study of a man, his music and mortality. Filipino rock legend Joey “Pepe” Smith (pegged as the Philippines’ Mick Jagger), plays a washedup, musician looking for a comeback in Malaysian-born and Manila-based director Bradley Liew’s first full-length film. However, the rock icon doesn’t merely play a made-up character, but in fact, is telling
his persona. Now past his glorious run as a rock deity, Pepe earns his living by playing in a horrible dive bar, manning his own after-show souvenir stall. In reality Pepe Smith has had his share of ups and downs in his career, he is however, far from being forgotten like his onscreen character in the film. He remains as a pioneer of Philippine rock music and considered a rock icon of many, young and old. For more information on films, events, schedules, screenings and tickets, please log on to www.caamfest. com/2017. *Special thanks to Vince Johnson of Larsen Associates.
Body Talk with Viva artist Yassi Pressman: Will she soar as Darna? by Ricky lo
as Alyana, the girlfriend of the titular actor Coco Martin. After SHE’S perfect as Darna (isn’t she signed up as Viva artist in 2013, Yassi was cast in the she?), but Viva star Yassi PressP120M movie “Diary Ng Panman has only been rumored to get” (2014) co-starring James be the next Flying Woman and Reid, Andre Paras and Nadine hasn’t been actually chosen Lustre; and launched as lead even now that she (together star in “Girlfriend For Hire.” Her with Bela Padilla, another Viva talent) have just signed up with latest movie was “Camp Sawi” the Kapamilya network (where, (2016). Dubbed as Princess of as a kid, she appeared in the the Dance Floor by a defunct tearjerker series Gulong ng musical-variety show, Yassi Palad). But come to think of released an eponymous album it, isn’t it high time that local in 2015 and was named 2016 filmdom’s female counterpart of Superman be left alone, after Awit awardee for Best Dance having been played through the Recording (for Lala). The same year, she bagged an Anak TV decades by the likes of Rosa del Rosario (the original Darna), award and served as a housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother Eva Montes, Vilma Santos, (PBB)’s All-Star Edition.” Anjanette Abayari and Angel Yasmin Isabel Yasto PressLocsin (reportedly being eyed man was born on May 11, 1995 to reprise the iconic komiks (a Taurian) in Hong Kong to character that catapulted her a British father and a Filipino to stardom during her Kapuso mother from Isabela. Her secdays)? ond name, Isabel, is a nod to At the moment, Yassi is her mother’s home province. focused on the long-running She has a younger sister, Issa, Kapamilya action-adventure series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” who is also in showbiz (it was Philstar.com
(L-R) Gerry P. Palabyab, independent real estate broker, Jose Ma. G. Montinola, President, Keyland Corporation, and Abraham “Noy” M. Mercado, Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Keyland Corporation.
KEYLAND Corporation, a fast growing real estate developer based in Makati City, Philippines engaged the services of Gerry P. Palabyab, Real Estate Broker as Marketing Partner in California in the United States. The signing took place at Keyland Corporation’s new offices and show room at the ground floor, Sol Building, Amorsolo Street, Makati City last February 1, 2017. Keyland Corporation owns
and leases out commercial buildings in Legaspi and Salcedo Villages, Makati City and Ortigas Avenue, San Juan Metro Manila and sells brand new residential condominium units in Makati City (110 Benavidez), Las Pinas (Casa De Sequoia) and at the Northgate Cyber Zone, Alabang City (Southkey Place). One hundred and ten Benavidez luxury residences are Keyland Corporation’s “Worry Free Investment”
President Lito Montinola of Keyland Corporation shows Gerry Palabyab, Marketing Partner the 110 Benavides luxury serviced residence model units featuring the Citadines (by Ascott) at their showroom at Sol Building, Amorsolo Street, Makati City.
property development to investors in view of its tie up with Ascott, the world’s largest property manager and operator of serviced residences in about 100 countries. Southkey Place on the other hand is an excellent rental property development in view of its location at Alabang’s North Cyber Zone, home to about 30,000 BPO employees many of whom need housing. Casa De Sequoia offers the best value for money in Las Pinas, Rizal, just 12 minutes from the Mall of Asia, about 20 minutes from NAIA 1, and about 30 minutes from the Makati business district. Keyland Corporation’s Marketing Office in Northern California is located at 1799 Bayshore Highway, Unit 136, Burlingame, California 94610. The U.S. office may be reached at (650) 393-9306 and via e-mail at german.palabyab@ keyland.com.ph, g.palabyab@ asianjournalinc.com, gingervalpal@yahoo.com, attention Gerry P. Palabyab. (Advertising Supplement)
Yassi’s main focus at this time is not donning the tights worn by several actresses but her work as Coco Martin’s leading lady in the long-running Kapamilya action-adventure “Ang Probinsyano.”
Yassi Pressman
Issa who joined Eat, Bulaga!’s Little Miss Philippines search with Ella Cruz, another Viva artist, and not Yassi as mentioned in a recent story about Ella and Julian Trono; Yassi fourth runner-up in the Munting Miss U contest). At six years old, Yassi did her first TV commercial for a brand of toothpaste, followed by many more (current endorsements: Creamsilk, Choco Mucho, Lip Ice, Greenwich, Skin 101, Pepsi, Blacksheep, Metrobank Yazzcard and Kremtop). Yassi stands 5’3”; weighs 116 lbs.; and wears small-sized shirt and size-7 shoes. What kind of diet do you follow? “I love bread, eggs and milk but those are the things that I try to stay away from kasi sobrang hindi ko matanggal ang sugar.” What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner? “Usually, pandesal and coffee for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, it varies depending on what’s being catered on the set.” What food do you always crave for; what food do you avoid? “Chocolates. I try to avoid oily food.” How much water do you take per day; soda, coffee or Continued on Page SF4
entertainment SF3 Bea Alonzo: The leading lady Derek Ramsay—like father to girlfriend’s daughter of all time The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – March 3, 2017
By Monet
Lu
I’ve been asked several times who my favorite actresses are. I remember that my answer would always include this young award-winning actress—who is also famous for her class and good heart—Bea Alonzo. entertainment, like everything else, evolves as culture changes over the years. And I say this with love toward my friends in the industry: that I long to go back to a time when sophistication and class are much more appreciated and celebrated. Nowadays, tact is the last thing you would expect from a social setting and being blunt is even considered a quality that one should possess if he or she wants to make it big in show business. It is often “mistakenly” connoted as transparency—or even honesty. You see this evident on talk shows, at comedy bars, and (even) on the news. Our brand of entertainment now is more satirical in nature rather than deep and reserved. This phenomenon could be the reason why I admire such elegance and grace in selected actors and actresses. One of them goes by the (screen) name, Bea Alonzo. Bea’s real name is Phylbert Angelie Ranollo Fagestrom. She is half-British since her father, whom she admittedly had not seen since her parents separated, is British. Her mother is a Filipina. Bea was born October 17, 1987. She is only in her late 20s, yet acts more mature for her age, and in comparison to her contemporaries. “Maaga akong tumanda, kailangan kong i-fast forward yung childhood ko kase hindi ako lumakisa normal family. I came from a broken family, di ako pwede mag-inarte na ‘I want this, I want that,” she revealed in a tell-all interview
by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
NO scripts and no rehearsals. This is what Derek Ramsay got into when he signed up for Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza’s upcoming Tv movie, “Amo” on Tv5, set to air this summer of 2017. “Grabe talaga, you won’t feel like a celebrity on set. No special treatment, no nothing. You’re there for the job. It’s amazing, and I am always on my toes and nervous because the other night Direk Brillante made me run the whole stretch of Timog without any traffic
with Boy Abunda in 2010. It’s remarkable, yet anticipated, that those who grew up not having much in life or have been through hardships are usually those who emerge as stronger and more mature. Such are qualities that I see in Bea. Bea or “Tisay,” as her old friends know her, was discovered in a local beauty contest before she auditioned and got into ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Batch 10. She underwent a series of workshops and several more auditions and go-sees— fruits of which she reaped when she named 2013 “Box Office Queen” and nominated “Best Actress” at the 2014 FAMAS Awards. I have to say that the award was a bit long overdue. even during her first few appearances on Tv, I already recognized Bea’s raw talent and agreeable demeanor. In 2002, she joined the Tv drama “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” which led her to star in major soap operas like “It Might Be You, IkawAng Lahat Sa Akin,” “Mag-
ing Sino Ka Man” and “Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik,” and “Magkaribal.” Last year, she played the role of not just one—but two completely opposite characters of the same face, as emmanuel and Rose in the highly rated Tv drama series, “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon,” opposite Paulo Avelino. Bea Alonzo’s compelling portrayal in these teleseryes did not escape the movies as she dominated the big screen with her blockbuster performances in “Four Sisters and a Wedding,” “She’s The One,” “The Mistress,” “Miss You Like Crazy,” “And I Love You So,” and my personal favorite, “One More Chance.” She is with Ian veneracion in the new hit teleseries “A Love to Last.” Right now she is also currently dating Gerald Anderson. It should really come as no surprise that this beautiful and talented lady would get more challenging roles because of her skill and work ethics. I truly believe that apart from talent, it is very important
that you know how to handle yourself with grace and class. I have to stress that through Bea’s long stint in showbiz, I have never heard about her get into scandalous issues or gimmicks just to have her name on the front page of a newspaper. Instead, I hear comments of how private, discreet and respectfully honest she is towards her co-stars and even her assistants. In this time where crassness is considered enjoyable and “hashtag-worthy,” it takes good judgment to know who the real “high-society” people are, and recognize those who are the true protagonists by nature and in real life. It is quite true that “class cannot be bought” because in this crude-infested world we call showbiz, it takes real talent and elegance to shine naturally. ***
enforcer. At first I was thinking why, but then again when I saw the trailer I couldn’t question the guy—it was brilliant!” Derek is also reading through three movie scripts some of which are from Star Cinema. The dramatic actor promises he will be active on the big screen this summer. “A bunch of them are sexy so I’m still looking at them but some are action naman so it’s great. I also have one with viva and I’m set to star opposite Sarah Lahbati.” He also promised his nonshowbiz girlfriend of three years, Joanne villablanca, that he would take her on vacation late this year once his schedule clears up—of course with her daughter Sophia, who is like Derek’s own now. “That’s what really attracted me to Joanne she is a mother, and Sophia is just wonderful and beautiful.” They’re both busy right now but Derek said they are on the path of settling down.
Derek Ramsay with girlfriend Joanne Villablanca.
Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com
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celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 3, 2017
celebrity world By Ferdie Villar Dan Duggan, the president of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary in Daly City, heads the list of personalities celebrating their birthdays this month of March. Dan will be celebrating his birthday on Monday, March 27. Other people celebrating this month are: March 1 - Royal Dynasty Foundation head nelly Cojuangco Tuazon, and Premiere appliances president Tony Premiere; March 3 - Veteran actress Maricel Soriano, Dr. Tita Martinez Picache of Danville, and United airlines employee Edward Teofilo Cabrera; March 4 - actress Dawn Zulueta, Fiesta Filipina Restaurant grand lady Dorie Guevarra, Pedro “Jonjing” Ejercito de Castro (nephew of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada); March 6 - Isabelle Daza, daughter of the first Filipina Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, and actress Gretchen Barretto; March 8 - Former sena-
Marilyn King Camilosa, co-publisher of Philippines Today will celebrate her birthday on Friday, March 10.
tor Ramon Revilla, and aBSCBn talent archie alemania; March 9 - Veteran actress Rosemarie Gil, atty. K.J. Petsas, and hair stylist Edmond Dizon; March 10 - Philippines Today co-publisher Marilyn King Camilosa, Kapamilya actor JC de Vera, former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz and character actor Paolo Contis; March 11 - Internationally known singer and songwriter Jose Mari Chan, and singer Kuh Ledesma; March 14 - Homeland Security officer Ermin apolinario, former Miss United nations World winner natty averia Mendoza, Pittsburg Filipina community leader Mathie Roldan Velasco; March 16 - Star Cinema actor Gerald anderson; March 17 - Daly City Councilman Mike Guingona, former Mr. United nationsUSa winner Roberto “Bobby” Tuason, and retired navy Capt. Jimmy Velasco; March 18 - Rey Reyes, the pioneer of LuzViMin asso-
Entertainment producer and former recording star Lerma de la Cruz will celebrate her birthday on Friday, March 31.
Dan Duggan, president of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary heads list of March birthday celebrants
Beautiful actress Dawn Zulueta will celebrate her birthday on Saturday, March 4.
Dan Duggan, president of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, heads the list of March birthday celebrants. He will be celebrating his birthday on Monday, March 27.
ciation of northern California; March 19 - actress Julia Montes; March 20 - Batanguenos
Statewide Realty proprietress and president Alice Gabriana Atienza will celebrate her birthday on Tuesday, March 21.
of northern California best dressed matron Liza Manalo, and Kapuso actress Bianca King;
Royal Dynasty Foundation head Nelly Cojuangco Tuason will celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, March 10.
Rey Reyes, the pioneer of the LuzViMin Association in Northern California will celebrate his birthday on Saturday, March 18.
United Airlines employee Edward Cabrera will celebrate his birthday on Friday, March 3.
March 21 - Statewide Realty proprietress alicia Gabriana atienza; March 23 - “Party Pilipinas” host Geoff Eigenmann, and actor Rocco nacino; March 24 - actor aljur abrenica; March 25 - asian Journal Publications president Cora Macabagdal Oriel, lensman Ray Guarin, and actor Mateo Guidicelli; March 26 - Congress-
woman nancy Pelosi; March 28 - Miss Earth beauty pageant executive producer Ramon Monzon; March 30 - The late Thomasian USa founder alice Pena Bulos, and SamTrans employee Eugene Cabugao; March 31 - Entertainment producer Lerma de la Cruz. To all celebrants, a very happy birthday and advanced Easter greetings to all!
Aljur Abrenica and Kylie Padilla expecting a baby boy in July by Ricky Lo Philstar.com
IT’S a boy for sweethearts aljur abrenica and Kylie Padilla who is scheduled to give birth sometime in July. The baby, who will have two first names (one of them probably Joaquin), will make Kylie’s father Robin Padilla and mother Liezl Sicangco, and stepmother Mariel Rodriguez first-time grandparents. It’s also aljur’s parents’ first grandchild. Late last year, Mariel gave birth to her and Robin’s first child, named Maria Isabella, in the States. although he hasn’t publicly acknowledged it, Lolo Robin has reportedly forgiven aljur after he confirmed how very much in love with aljur his daughter is, and vice-versa. “aljur is now embraced as member of the Padilla family,”
Aljur Abrenica and Kylie PAdilla
said somebody in the know. “Robin has matured considerably and it didn’t take long for his heart to soften up and forgive aljur.” after almost two years of separation, aljur and Kylie reconciled last year and went to Japan for a vacation. now engaged, the couple hasn’t set a date for their wedding
yet. Kylie is Muslim and aljur is Catholic, so one of them will probably decide to convert to the other’s religion. “I’m excited to take care of my nephew,” said Vin, aljur’s brother, in a recent interview with Philippine STaR. “Our parents have been wishing for their first apo and they wanted it to come from me.”
Body Talk with Viva artist Yassi... From Page SF2 tea? “Sana I try to take eight glasses. I take as many as four cups of coffee especially during tapings.” What vitamins do you take? “I started taking vitamin C last week.” What workout do you do? “I’ve been boxing for five years. I’ve been doing Muay Thai this year.” What part of your body needs improvement? “Maybe my legs.” What part of your body is your favorite? “My lips and my hips.” What part of a guy’s body do you notice first? “His face. If it looks bright, nakakagaan tingnan. also, his smile. Can you consider that a part of the body?” What’s in a guy turns you
on? “First and foremost, he should be mabait.” What’s in a guy that turns you off? “Pag sobrang mayabang.” How’s your love life? “It’s like a glass with no water. Empty!!!” (Laughs) Do you have a nightlife? “none kasi we usually finish taping very late…every day.” How much sleep do you get per night? “not much, only five hours or less. But I try to make up for it by taking power naps.” Favorite sleepwear? “Dress, yung komportable na dress. Sometimes, pajamas or white shirt.” Do you snore? “I don’t think so.” Do you talk in your sleep? “Baka.” (Laughs). “I think so.” How many pillows do you
sleep with? “Three. One under my head, one under my left leg and one under my right leg.” Last thing you do before you sleep? “Thank God for the day.” First thing that you do as soon as you wake up? “Turn off the alarm on my celfone and check the text messages baka important. Sometimes, I do many things; sometimes, wala.” (Laughs) How do you unwind, cope with stress? “Massage…always. I also like going up to high places like antipolo, Tagaytay or San Mateo from where I can see buildings clustered like toys. I can also feel how huge the world is and that’s when my problems don’t seem to be that big. “Climbing mountains is challenging both mentally and
Ebony and Ivory: Best Supporting Actor Mahershala Ali and Best Supporting Actress Viola Davis; Best Actor Casey Affleck and Best Actress Emma Stone.
academy awards registers many firsts by Deni
Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com
LOS anGELES — The 89th academy awards lists many firsts, including perhaps, a first wrongfully announced Best Picture winner. The first winner to be announced at the academy awards 2017 was Mahershala ali, who was awarded Best Supporting actor for “Moonlight.” He is reportedly the first Muslim to win the award. It was also his first Oscar nomination. Likewise, Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan got his first academy award. He received a Lifetime achievement award for doing Hollywood and Hong Kong movies since
the 1960s. Viola Davis, who won the academy for Best Supporting actress for “Fences,” is the first black woman to be nominated for three Oscars. Meanwhile, achievement in Costume Design for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is the first academy award ever won by a J. K. Rowling film. “Manchester by the Sea” lead actor Casey affleck got his first academy award for Best actor. The flick also got him the Best actor distinction from Golden Globe and BaFTa.
“La La Land,” which swept the Oscars with 14 nominations, also has the most wins in Oscar history with seven awards. The musical movie also got the first Oscar nomination and win for its director, Damien Chazelle. The movie also won Best Original Song for “City of Stars,” as well as Best Production Design, Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best actress. Best actress winner Emma Stone bested veteran actresses Meryl Streep, Isabelle Huppert and natalie Portman. This is Stone’s first Oscar and second nomination.
physically. I feel like I always get to a point when I feel like I can’t make it anymore when I climb, and you would always have the option of giving up. But I like how with the people around you, you push yourselves to finish the task no matter how difficult it is. and conquering the peak of a mountain is soooo fulfilling, it inspires me. The beauty of the world inspires me as well, the birds that fly, the sunsets. I can’t believe we live here. It’s amazing, and given an opportunity to live in this life, I would
want to make the most out of everyday.” Favorite hideaway? “Siguro, Batangas kasi that’s where the accessible beaches are. I love the beach.” How long does it take you to fix yourself? “at home, kaya ko ng mga five minutes. But sometimes on the set, it takes me two hours.” Are you vain like most women? “I don’t think so. On a regular day, I just wear white shirt and jeans, my hair simply tied.”
Three men that you think have nice bodies? “Ryan Gosling, Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.” And three women that you think have nice bodies? “Beyoncé, angelina Jolie and Rihanna.” Using only body language how would you make a guy know that you admire him? “Ako, I’m very caring. I think kapag nafi-feel ko na gusto ko yung tao lagi kong papakitaan ng sweet, simple gestures. For example, dalhan ko siya ng food.”
Solenn, the ‘Renaissance Woman’ by Angel JAvieR Philstar.com
CRuz
THe expression “jack-of-alltrades” isn’t new to us, especially in showbiz where it is often used to describe actors or actresses who are able to act and perform well with a striking appearance to match, but Solenn Heussaff takes it to the extreme. Apart from hosting, modeling, painting, cooking and her superb skills in make-up, business and fashion design, the Kapuso star has time and time again showcased her remarkable flair in acting and singing. Undeniably more than just a pretty — if not stunning — face, her social media accounts are a testament to her sophisticated, chic, classy and most of the time, quirky personality that we just can’t help but adore. currently, Solenn’s schedule is kept pretty hectic with tapings for the top-rating telefantasya “encantadia,” GMA news TV’s lifestyle show “Taste Buddies” and the newest comedy-musical show “Full House Tonight.” A couple of days ago, she also teased her instagram followers with a photo of one of her vibrant paintings and used the hashtags #SolennxKaeden #SolennArt, which is possibly a clue to another art exhibit she’s working on. it may be impossible to believe with her fit figure but in her book, “Hot Sos,” Solenn talked about her struggles of being bullied in school for her weight when she was younger, causing her to crash diet and develop unhealthy eating habits. At one point, she was even hospitalized for it. Thankfully, all that’s in the past now as she shares the advice that got her through it: “if you fall, you will rise again, no matter what.” But despite the lot of achievements and her sexy, fierce persona is a lady with a soft heart. When asked about the most important person in her life, Solenn straightaway answers her family. “if they can be considered a person.” in fact, on the eve of her brother’s birthday, erwan, Solenn along with a couple of friends surprised him by shouting “Happy Birthday” and throwing him a slice of chocolate cake while he was asleep. The video was only a
entertainment SF5 Before You Exit almost did not make it to Manila The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - March 3, 2017
by Deni
Solenn Heussaff
minute long but it showed us a glimpse of her closeness with erwan and the silly, loving relationship they have. The worth of this relationship isn’t lost even on material things as she proudly shares the thing she utmost values — her family heirloom. “Yung family ring ko, it’s a crest ring,” Solenn says. Speaking of rings, Solenn also mentioned one of her special and unforgettable moments. “My wedding,” she smilingly says. On May 21 of last year, Solenn tied the knot with her then fiancé nico Bolzico in an intimate but picturesque wedding in the majestic church of château de combourg at Brittany, France. Present at the wedding were only the couple’s closest family and friends. career-wise, Solenn is as busy as one can be, but the actress proudly says that she loves Taste Buddies most among her many shows. “Yun talaga eh, five years in the running na.” She then went on to say how the cast already feels like family to her after being with them for so long. But when it came to roles, Solenn utters her encantadia stint as cassiopeia the closest to her heart. “it’s the first time people really called me cassiopeia sa streets or kahit saang lugar,” the Kapuso actress shares. She’s already been to countless places and has met people from all walks of life, but Solenn makes it clear that it’s all about
every experience and lesson she gained. “For me, every day is a learning step.Dati ayoko talaga mag-showbiz tapos ngayon na nandito ako, i get to meet so many people and learn so much about people.” Solenn also makes it a point to take breaks from work every now and then. One look at her instagrampage and you’ll immediately notice how much of a jet-setter she is, traveling to countries like Hong Kong, Argentina, Abu Dhabi, israel, indonesia, italy, Japan and more. But when asked for her favorite place, she couldn’t name just one. “For me, all my travels are treasured because i learn something and i experience something different at each country, walang mas better sa iba, they all bring something different to my life,” she explains. Beaches and mountains are common backdrops in a lot of her photos and most of her vacations are spent outdoors, being the nature-lover that she is, which is why when asked for a message she wants to impart with her followers, Solenn without hesitation says, “Take care of the planet and the planet will take care of you.” Beyond a perpetually strong personality, Solenn has genuine skill, passion and drive that one simply cannot help but admire. Surely, this woman will conquer the world — beauty, wit, that sultry smile and all.
AMericAn pop rock band Before You exit almost canceled its fourth concert in Manila, slated at the Kia Theater in cubao, as one of its members, Toby McDonough, just had his appendix removed. “i’m feeling great right now. i’m nervous to go up the stage because i know we’ll be crazy up there. There’ll be a lot of energy,” Toby told the press in a briefing in Pasig city. Besides their hits, “Soldier,” “i Like That” and “Heart Like california,” brothers connor, riley and Toby are expected to play old and new songs as well as pay a tribute to “The Voice’s” christina Grimmie, who was fatally shot after her concert last year. The band played at Grimmie’s concert before the shooting. The group released the single, “clouds,” for Grimmie, whom they described as an “angel, sister and a beloved friend.” The band had been touring with “The Voice” finalist, and also with other bands such as The Vamps and Fifth Harmony. everyone they meet on their tours, said connor, has become “life-long friends.” “it’s great that we’re always together,” connor said when asked how is it to work with his brothers since he originally co-founded the band with his friends, who are now pursuing solo careers. “We play together, we stay together. We play really well together. even our friends like the same things. it’s awesome!” He clarified that they do not refuse being called a “boy band.” “We just think of a boy band as people with headsets and who dance. We don’t dance, we play instruments. We’re really like boys in a band.”
Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com
Before You Exit members and brothers Toby, Riley and Connor McDonough. Philstar.com photo by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Formed in 2007 in Orlando, Florida, Before You exit was originally made up of connor, Thomas Silvers and Braiden Wood. The following year, riley, connor’s younger brother, joined the band. in 2012, Toby also hopped in. Wood and Silvers later left to pursue solo careers. “We always had different names,” said connor. “We chose Before You exit because we wanted something with some meaning to it. it means doing something before you exit, something to live by.” in 2009, the band released its debut album, “A Short Story Long,” followed by “Letting Go” and “i Like That” in 2011; and “All the Lights” in 2016, which debuted at number one on iTunes in the Philippines. The group first performed in the Philippines in 2013. They returned the following year for their Dangerous Tour, which visited 10 cities in the United States and only one show outside US – in the Philippines. “From the time we land to the moment that we go
home, Filipinos have the most welcoming vibe for us. That’s why the Philippines is a special place for us,” connor said of why they always come back. Among his best memories, he said, was their concert last year at the Mall of Asia Arena. “i cannot believe that there’s a sea of people screaming for us. That’s so sweet,” Toby added. “every show, we try to make it more exciting than the last, so we just want to make sure everybody will have a great time,” said riley. connor’s advice to others who want to start their band is to “keep pushing forward and do not give up.” “in this industry, in many industries and in life in general, it could be really easy to just quit and do something else,” he enthused. “But what you should do is to keep pushing forward. Keep doing your craft if it’s really what you want to do. You have to make things happen. That’s what we always do. We always keep on trying no matter what.”
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