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Volume 16 - No. 39 • 3 Sections – 20 Pages

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US reiterates support for PH counterterrorism efforts by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

THE United States on Tuesday, September 26, expressed its continued support for the Philippines’ counterterrorism efforts, following the successful staging of a joint drill dubbed as “Tempest Wind.�

DATELINE

“The United States will continue to support Philippine counterterrorism efforts and work jointly to address shared threats to the peace and security in the region,� U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said. In a press briefing, the U.S.

envoy reiterated the strong relationship between Manila and Washington, citing the Tempest Wind as the “latest and very significant example� of the two countries’ “close ties.� Over 1,200 Philippine and U.S. civilians and military of-

ficials participated in the bilateral, interagency exercise that ran from September 18 to 26 in Clark Field, Pampanga. According to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim shakes hands with Philippine Defense Secretary DelďŹ n Lorenzana, Lorenzana, the Tempest Wind right on Tuesday, Sept. 26. Lorenzana and Kim noted that one of the latest efforts to enhance “focused on an aircraft hijack- both countries’ counter-terrorism programs was the successful staging of Tempest Wind, a

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joint counter-terror drill designed to test the ability of both governments to conduct antiterrorism operations. Photo from Twitter/@USAmbManila

Palace welcomes Ombudsman probe, says Duterte ‘has nothing to hide’

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Senate confirms Fil-Am Noel Francisco as Solicitor General

NEW YORK - The United States Senate voted 50-47 on Tuesday, Sept. 19 to confirm Noel John Francisco, President Donald Trump’s nominee as solicitor general. Francisco, a Filipino-American, is the first Asian-American confirmed by the Noel John Francisco Photo courtesy of Syracuse.com Senate to serve as solicitor general. He has served as the principal deputy solicitor general since January of this year.

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by DANA

SIOSON AJPress

DUTERTE ATTENDS PHILCONSA ANNIVERSARY. President Rodrigo Duterte shows the list containing the names of government ofďŹ cials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade during the 56th anniversary of the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA) at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday, September 26. MalacaĂąang photo by Simeon Celi Jr.

AS the Office of the Ombudsman begins its probe on the alleged hidden wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family, MalacaĂąang maintained that the chief executive has nothing to hide. In a statement on Wednesday, September 27, MalacaĂąang said that Duterte “respects the internal processes of the Ombudsman as an independent body, and trusts its impartiality in the conduct of its fact-finding duty.â€? “The president has nothing to hide,â€? Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella added. Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang earlier confirmed that he has been authorized by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to look into the allegations of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that Duterte kept hidden wealth.

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Trump releases third Cayetano to UN: Give drug war benefit of doubt version of travel ban by MARLON

DHS doubles down on countries lacking security protocols

ON Sunday, September 24, President Donald Trump strengthened his original controversial travel ban by implementing new restrictions that would completely prohibit almost all travel to the United States from seven countries. A major change that this order makes is

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RAMOS Inquirer.net

FOREIGN Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has called on the United Nations to give President Rorigo Duterte’s war on drugs the “benefit of the doubt,� assuring the international community that the Philippine government remains committed to defending human rights. Addressing the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday,

Sept. 23, Cayetano said Duterte’s campaign against narcotics was intended to “save lives, preserve families, protect communities and stop the country’s slide into a narcostate.� Cayetano spoke after an international study showed that the Philippines ranked first in the 2017 Global Impunity Index amid mounting concerns over spiraling drug killings and documented human rights violations since Duterte took office in June 2016.

More than 3,800 Filipinos have been killed by police in drug raids and thousands more have been killed by unknown assailants since Duterte launched the crackdown upon coming to office. The killings have drawn expressions of concern over human rights violations in the Philippines from the United Nations, United States and European Union, all of whom Duterte has badmouthed in response, insist- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano at the

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House panel endorses medical marijuana bill by JESS

DIAZ Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives committee on health on Tuesday, Sept. 26, endorsed a bill allowing the use of canna-

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The country, however, was classiďŹ ed as the second worst globally, behind Venezuela, when it comes to the number of procedures to start a business. Philstar.com photo

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MERCURIO Philstar.com

World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index following a huge 10-notch drop MANILA — The Philippines in last year’s rankings. posted an improvement in its The country, however, was overall competitiveness as it classified as the second worst climbed one notch in this year’s u PAGE A2

bis or marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, the use of marijuana for recreational purposes would continue to be prohibited. The committee on health

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72nd United Nations General Assembly.

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From the Front Page PAGE A1 t

US reiterates support...

ing and hostage-taking scenario.” Kim said the exercise “simulated a scenario involving a real commercial airliner filled with over 150 actors who played hostages created a realistic environment to test bilateral, interagency decision-making and tactical response.” During the simulation, eight Islamic State (IS) terrorists hijacked a passenger plane from Sydney, Australia bound for Honolulu, Hawaii. The aircraft was forced to land in Clark, north of Manila. In the scenario, commandos neutralized all hijackers after failing to negotiate for about 72 hours. “Tempest Wind was unique in important ways and went far beyond our normal array of joint exercises. It was a challenging interagency drill for both sides, intended to test and improve the ability of our nations to plan, coordinate, and conduct counterterrorism operations,” the U.S. envoy said. He also noted that the drill Members of the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group climb a Jacob’s Ladder “presented an unprecedented aboard USNS Milinocket (T-EPF 3) while participating in a visit, board, search and seizure subject matter expert exchange during South East Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) opportunity for comprehen2017 in Subic Bay, Philippines. SEACAT includes participants from the U.S. Coast Guard and sive training for both senior Coast Guards and Coastal Patrol Agencies from the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia leaders and action officers.” Tempest Wind was held and Indonesia. U.S. photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Micah Blechner amid clashes between government troops and the pro-IS Maute group in Marawi City, Mindanao. Since the crisis broke out on May 23, the U.S. has been providing technical assistance to Filipino troopers battling extremists. Apart from technical assistance, Washington also recently donated P730 million ($15 million) in humanitarian aid for the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation of the besieged city. Lorenzana, for his part, expressed confidence that the terrorism in the region will soon be quelled. “With the help of our friends and allies like the U.S., I am confident that we can nip this problem in the bud before it grows and affects other parts of the country, the region, and the world,” the defense secretary said. n

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte

Inquirer.net photos

Palace welcomes Ombudsman probe...

PAGE A1 t “It was Senator Trillanes who filed the complaint with us and attached the documents. The office, when it evaluated the complaint, recommended the conduct of a fact-finding [investigation],” Carandang said on Tuesday, September 26. Morales said she has inhibited herself from acting on any case filed against the Duterte family. She took note that her nephew, lawyer Manases Carpio, is married to Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. In May 2016, Trillanes filed a plunder complaint against Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman. The senator accused the president of having

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P2.4 billion ($47 million)-worth of undeclared deposits in his bank accounts. Trillanes also accused Duterte of hiring ghost employees when he was the mayor of Davao City. Duterte had repeatedly denied all of Trillanes’ claims, saying his family did not amass ill-gotten wealth. In a speech on Tuesday night, the president reiterated that his wealth came from the sale of a real property he inherited from his father, former Davao governor Vicente Duterte. “You know, my father was governor when he died. At least alam niya maghanap-buhay (He knew how to make a living) because we had an ice plant and a

lumber yard. Construction was booming at that time in Davao. It was a developing city. But when he died, we could not agree with each other, the brothers and sisters, so we decided to sell all,” Duterte said. The president also noted that he already had P1 million when he was still a student because of the inheritance. “I authorized everybody, everybody as in everybody to look — to dig into the IBAA, Insular Bank of Asia and America. That’s the Union Bank now. You’d find there that ‘yung fourth year pa kami (even when I was still in fourth year), I had a million already. ‘Yan ang totoo (That’s the truth),” he added. n

Cayetano to UN: Give drug war...

ing that the Philippines is a sovereign country and that they should not interfere in its internal affairs. Liable to prosecution The International Criminal Court (ICC), however, has warned that it is watching developments in the Philippines and that Philippine officials “ordering, requesting, encouraging or contributing in any manner to the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction” of the court are potentially liable to prosecution. Malacañang has said Duterte is open to ICC investigation. “The Philippines’ comprehensive campaign against illegal drugs is [a] necessary instrument to preserve and protect the human rights of all Filipinos and never an instrument to violate any individual’s or group’s human rights,” Cayetano told the UN gathering. He reminded the UN memberstates that the Philippines was a free country whose freedom to map out policies in resolving matters affecting its people must be respected by other nations. The Duterte administration, he stressed, has a “human rights agenda” in attaining economic development “for the purpose of protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable, from lawlessness, violence and anarchy.” “The Philippines is a sovereign country … It expects its sovereignty to be respected, and that its democratically elected government’s assessment of threats and

how to go about addressing them shall be accorded preeminence among nations—or at least the benefit of their doubt,” Cayetano said. “We should never tolerate human rights abuses, but neither should we tolerate misinformation, fake news on and politicization of human rights, for these undermine our collective efforts as the United Nations to uphold the universality of human rights and dignity of human life,” he said. Duterte, Cayetano said, is only keeping the promises he made during his presidential campaign to put an end to poverty, corruption and crime. He had promised to kill tens of thousands of criminals and dump their bodies in Manila Bay to fatten the fish. He also vowed to put an end to the Philippines’ drug problem in six months only to say later that he had underestimated the problem so that his war on drugs would go on to his last day in office. ‘Real change’ “As a responsible leader, the Philippine president launched a vigorous campaign against the illegal drug trade to save lives, preserve families, protect communities and stop the country’s slide into a narcostate,” Cayetano said. “President Duterte and the Filipino people are committed to real change, to finally carrying out long-needed reforms, to addressing national threats long ignored, protecting the human rights of all

Filipinos, while doing our part in attaining regional peace and stability,” he added. Although he defended the president’s brutal war on drugs, Cayetano seemed to have contradicted some of Duterte’s major policies in curbing the illegal drug trade. For one, he insisted that “drug addiction calls for cure and not chastisement,” an apparent rebuttal to. Duterte’s penchant to shame drug suspects in public. Beyond redemption Cayetano said drug users might still be rehabilitated, contrary to Duterte’s view that people hooked on drugs, particularly “shabu” (crystal meth), were beyond redemption. According to Cayetano, some 1.3 million Filipino drug addicts had turned themselves in to the authorities under the Duterte administration, but he did not mention how many of those who surrendered underwent rehabilitation. He lamented that the drug menace “penetrated” some 59 percent of the Philippines’ 42,036 villages and “even the law enforcement” agencies. In addition, Cayetano played down speculations that Duterte green-lighted abuses committed by some police officials, including those accused of summarily executing teenagers. “The president has and will always have zero tolerance for abusive (policemen) as time will show,” he said. n

Competitiveness: Philippines better... PAGE A1 t

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globally, behind Venezuela, when it comes to the number of procedures to start a business. The WEF Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018 showed that the Philippines ranks 56th out of 137 countries this year, up from its 57th position last year. “This is one place higher than 2016 although its overall competitiveness score falls slightly, suggesting other countries’ scores are falling faster,” the WEF said. An annual assessment of the factors driving countries’ productivity and prosperity, the WEF report measures a country’s

competitiveness based on 12 pillars: institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labor market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication and innovation. For this year’s report, the Philippines fared well in the macroeconomic environment pillar where it ranked 22nd worldwide, fueled by a manageable budget deficit and government debt. The country also finished strong in the market size pillar at the 27th spot globally on the

back of its robust gross domestic product. The Philippines, however, ranked poorly in the pillars of goods market efficiency (106th), infrastructure (97th) and institutions (94th). In the goods market efficiency pillar, which includes the number of procedures to start a business, the country ranked 136th — second to the worst globally — while in the burden of custom procedures, it placed 125th worldwide. In an Executive Opinion Survey, which was part of the report, respondents cited inefficient

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Asians projected to be largest immigrant group in US by 2055 by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

ASIANS have become the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., according to a new study released this month on the diversity and population of Asian Americans. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, the Asian population in the U.S. grew a whopping 72 percent between 2000 and 2015 — from 11.9 million to 20.4 million — making them the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the nation. Hispanics, the second fastest growing group, increased 60

percent. Reflecting the fast growth rate, the study projected Asians to become the largest immigrant group in the U.S. by 2055, surpassing Hispanics. Asians are predicted to comprise 38 percent of U.S. immigrants in the next 50 years, while Hispanics are expected to comprise 31 percent. Around 20 million Asian Americans trace back to over 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, making the U.S. Asian population very diverse. Together, 19 of the largest Asian origin groups

comprise 94 percent of the total Asian population in the U.S. While no single group dominates the U.S. Asian population, Filipinos were among the largest. As of 2015, the largest groups were Chinese who made up 24 percent (4.9 million), Indian at 20 percent (4.0 million), and Filipino at 19 percent (3.9 million). Also meeting the one million mark were those with Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese roots. Filipinos were also reported to be among the four Asian countries out of top 15 origin groups

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House panel endorses medical...

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chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan approved the bill authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo

Albano III. the House and eventually the Encouraged by the passage Senate would approve it. of his measure at the committee “I have high hopes under the level, Albano said he is hoping Duterte administration that this bill would be enacted into law. Finally, there is hope for our people, especially our children, who suffer from medical conditions like epilepsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis,” he said. “Unlike many medical professionals, President Duterte has an open mind on medical cannabis,” he said. Albano recalled that shortly after winning the presidency in May last year, Duterte said he was not opposed to the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes but he was against its use for recreation. “Medical marijuana, yes, be-

Scientists have found evidence to support marijuana use for medical purposes, such as relief from multiple sclerosis pain or combating nausea after chemotherapy.

Competitiveness: Philippines better... PAGE A2 t government bureaucracy as the most problematic factor for doing business in the country. This was followed by inadequate supply of infrastructure, corruption, tax regulation and tax rates, respectively. Among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-economies, the Philippines now stands as the eighth most competitive in the region from sixth in 2016, with Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam overtaking the country. “It is good to see that we have maintained our overall competitiveness and even moved one notch higher. However, as we implement changes to improve, other countries are doing the same,” Makati Business Club (MBC) chairman Edgar Chua said. “We therefore need to do much more at a much faster pace. We call on Congress to focus on passing priority bills identified by the business sector, especially the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and not allow itself to be diverted by various political maneuvers like impeachment proceedings,” he added. “The state of Philippine infrastructure is in dire need of attention and action. We ranked low-

est in ASEAN in terms of quality of overall infrastructure, in quality of roads and in quality of air transport infrastructure,” MBC executive director Peter Perfecto added. The Philippines’ highest position since the WEF began using the current methodology in 2008 was achieved in 2015, when the country registered a ranking of 47th. Its lowest position was 87th in 2009. Overall, Switzerland remained the world’s most competitive economy for the ninth consecutive year, followed by the United States, Singapore, Netherlands and Germany, in that order. Completing the top 10 are Hong Kong, Sweden, United Kingdom, Japan and Finland. “Global competitiveness will be more and more defined by the innovative capacity of a country. Talents will become increasingly more important than capital and therefore the world is moving from the age of capitalism into the age of talentism. Countries preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and simultaneously strengthening their political, economic and social systems will be the winners in the competitive race of the future,” WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab said. n

FREED. John Paul Solano, one of the suspects in the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) law student Horacio Castillo III, has been released from detention on Wednesday, Sept. 27, as ordered by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Solano, the DOJ said, would undergo preliminary investigation on Oct 4 and 9. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

cause it is really an ingredient of modern medicine now. There are medicine right now being developed or already in the market that (have) marijuana as a component… used for medical purposes,” the then presidentelect said. “If you just smoke it like a cigarette, I will not allow it, ever. It remains to be a prohibited item and there’s always a threat of being arrested. If you choose to fight the law enforcement agency, you die,” he said. Marijuana is among prohibited substances under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Albano said cannabis “has

been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses to treat chronic or debilitating diseases or medical conditions.” These include cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy; and severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with multiple sclerosis, he said. Under his proposal, he said the use of medical marijuana would be allowed under strict regulations to be issued by the Department of Health and the Food and

Drug Administration. He challenged critics of medical marijuana to “shed your fear of the unknown and open your minds to its potential benefits to patients with debilitating ailments who need it.” “Marijuana, even in its raw form, is not harmful, unlike tobacco and liquor,” he said. Doctors supporting the Albano bill have told the House that at least 23 states in America allow marijuana for medicinal use. They said there is no single death in the United States attributed directly to the use of marijuana, unlike smoking and drinking. n

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PH business delegation attends 3rd Eastern Economic Forum 2017 A BUSInESS delegation from the Philippines including representatives from government agencies gathered recently in Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East for the 3rd Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), to push for the entry of agricultural products and services from Manila to the Russia, the world’s biggest country. Roberto De Venecia, Chairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC) and the PCCI-PRBC Team, said “the general intention was to develop new channels, meet dominant business groups in Russia and from Asia.” “It was a built-in opportunity to view the existing infrastructure that could lay the groundwork for the entry of agricultural products and services from the Philippines, and at the same time identify projects of importance that Philippine business can participate in. “The EEF 2017 served as a platform for businessmen around the globe to discuss strategies to develop, political, economic and cultural links between Russia and countries in the Asia Pacific Region. According to De Venecia the Forum was visited by over 50 thousand people with over 4000 direct participants from 60 countries that converged in Russky Island in the major port city of Vladivostok. Key discussions were led in four key areas: The Economic Policy in Russia’s Far East; Doing business; Co-

operation among neighboring countries; and creating a new quality of life by responding to challenges. During the plenary part of the program was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Korean President Moon Jae-in, newly elected Mongolia President Khaltmaagiin, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. That session was moderated by Chairman Ronnie Chichung Chan of the Hang Lung Properties, a Chinese-American. Executives from top Russian companies and ranking officials including those from other countries were present in the forum”. For the Philippines, the PCCIPRBC was ably assisted by Executives of Roscongress - the forum organizer. Included among those who represented the delegation was businessman Ricardo Penson, PRBC Vice Chairman for Far East Russia. De Venecia believes that the Philippines being the closest ASEAn country to Russia thru Vladivostok would pave the way for prospect and key investments of dominant companies from the Philippines, and will therefore establish presence for outbound business, create major and incremental opportunities and generate employment over the medium to long term. He adheres in the principle of bilateral and multilateral business cooperation to achieve the ultimate objective of creating opportunities for Philippine business.

Senate confirms Fil-Am Noel Francisco... PAGE A1 t “noel Francisco is a great choice for this tough job, and I urge colleagues to join me in supporting him,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the chamber floor prior to his confirmation. “The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for representing the United States in litigation before the Supreme Court. It’s a very important office, and Mr. Francisco is well qualified to lead it.” “I applaud the Senate for finally confirming noel Francisco to be the United States Solicitor General. noel is a brilliant and principled lawyer with an excellent record of appellate work,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a statement. “His reputation for skillful analysis and clear, forceful advocacy is indisputable, and he has been a consistent advocate for the rule of law and a

steadfast defender of the Constitution. “I am confident that noel will continue to be a tireless champion for justice and look forward to him being a central figure in our commitment to the classical understanding of law and jurisprudence.” It is the duty of the United States solicitor general to conduct and supervise the government’s litigation at the Supreme Court. The 48-year-old Francisco is not a newbie in the legal world. In fact, even prior to his nomination, he was already known in the legal community. “Mr. Francisco has successfully argued a number of complex cases before a number of courts including, notably, the case of national Labor Relations Board v. noel Canning before the Supreme Court. In that mat-

“We have learned that the Russian Far East with Vladivostok as the center enjoys continued legislative support to advance economic development. It continues to create and establish Advance Special Economic Zones and Freeport with specialization of dominant industries allocating as much as 500,000 in one location. Incentives abound including lowering of tariffs on energy consumption and tax preferences, and e-visa provisions in the its seaport and airport.” Philippine government agencies were part of the delegation to view and study how they can collaborate with government and private business and enhance bilateral trade. Led by DTI officials, seen keenly observing the Vladivostok developments and initiatives were PEZA Director General Charito Plaza, and Secretary Raul Lambino, Administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, who were in the forefront to market and make known what the Philippines has to offer. Against this backdrop, the VTB Bank Group, the second largest bank and investment group in the Russian Federation, the Confederation of Independent States, & Eastern Europe, has offered to finance the imports into Russia of Philippine bananas, pineapple, mangoes, and other interesting products from the Philippines. The offer included securing government approvals for select strategic and flagship

projects and provide financing whenever necessary. De Venecia, Chairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC) and Riccardo Orcel, vice Chairman and deputy CEO of VTB Bank Group signed the agreement recently in Moscow. Trade between Russia and AsiaPacific countries including the Philippines is expected to grow even bigger, Russian President Vladimir Putin said. Putin announced the comprehensive development of the region to bring business closer to its neighbors and Asia. During the forum he announced plans to improve a mechanism to protect investors and increase investment appeal, establish Advanced Freeport Zones and spur the development of LnG processing, oil refining, agriculture, Fishing and fish processing, logistics, Coal, timber processing, and tourism, among others. It also included granting of land plots in municipalities in the Far East Also announced by Russian authorities was the establishment of major industrial plants to be located in the Far East Russian within the Vladivostok area, such as Petrochemical plants for the production of Euro 5 motor fuels, mineral fertilizer plants, 70% of which are targeted for exports. The 30% will remain in Russia to service it own requirements. Major railway and logistics system will be develop to connect Asian countries

ter, he represented the plaintiff noel Canning in its successful challenge to President Obama’s unlawful, so-called recess appointments,” McConnell added. “That case is especially important for this body because the Supreme Court’s unanimous 2014 decision in favor of noel Canning reaffirmed that the Senate, not the president, possesses the clear constitutional authority to prescribe the rules of its own proceedings.” Prior to this post, Francisco took on the role of principal deputy solicitor general in this year. He also worked at global law firm Jones Day from 2005 to 2017 in its government relations practice and served as an associate counsel to President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005. He received his B.A. with honors in 1991 from the University of Chicago, his law degree — also with high honors — from the University of Chicago Law School

in 1996. He served as a law clerk first for Judge J. Michael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the PAGE A1 t ly deemed unconstitutional by Fourth Circuit, and then clerked adding new countries to its list district court and appeals court for the late Justice Antonin Scalia that face restrictions and prohibi- judges. of the U.S. Supreme Court. In January just days after his “While at Jones Day, he ap- tions from traveling to the U.S. Starting October 18, nationals inauguration, Trump signed peared several times before the Supreme Court, including in Mc- from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Executive Order 13780, which Donnell v. United States, which Somalia, Chad and north Korea ordered the DHS to establish a involved the meaning of ‘official would not be allowed entrance new minimum baseline for the act’ under federal bribery stat- in the U.S. Additionally, certain amount of information sharing utes; Zubik v. Burwell, which people from Iraq and Venezuela with other governments is reinvolved the application of the would face harsh restrictions and quired to determine if certain foreign travelers present security Religious Freedom Restoration heightened security. Trump announced via Twit- threats to the U.S. Act to regulations addressing inThis ban included barring nasurance coverage for contracep- ter the latest edition of the travel tion; and nLRB v. noel Canning, ban which includes restrictions tionals from six Muslim-majorwhich involved the Constitution’s which varies by country and will ity nations and toughening up recess appointment power. He be slowly phased in beginning immigration security at airports and at the U.S./Mexico border. has also argued numerous cases October. The main vehicle for imple- The original order — and its upin lower federal and state courts on a wide range of constitution- menting these changes is col- dated version released in March al, civil, and criminal matters,” laborating with foreign govern- — were met with backlash from according to the White House ments. According to a statement Americans and lawmakers who released by the White House, the dubbed the executive order a statement released last March. “From 2001 to 2003, Mr. Fran- U.S. — through the Department “Muslim ban.” This current incarnation of the cisco served as associate counsel of Homeland Security (DHS) — will strengthen its identity-mantravel ban was also met with disto the President, and from 2003 to 2005 he served as deputy as- agement protocols and informa- dain by immigrant rights groups sistant attorney general in the tion-sharing practices to limit that argue the ban is xenophobic Office of Legal Counsel,” the “risk-factors” when welcoming and is a way to reject travelers travelers from certain countries. based on their race and religion. statement added. The statement said that these The Asian Pacific American Proud son of Oswego new protocols were shared with Labor Alliance (APALA) on MonFrancisco was born in Syracuse, new York and was raised officials from countries that did day, September 25, publicly dein Oswego, a town about 35 not present “adequate informa- nounced the administration’s exmiles away. He graduated from tion-sharing practices” and were pansion of the travel ban, calling allowed 50 days to improve their it a ploy to ostracize “immigrants, Oswego High School in 1987. Muslims, refugees and people of His father, nemesio Majaraiz travel standards. “We cannot afford to continue color.” Francisco immigrated from the “Let us not be fooled by the Philippines and according to an the failed policies of the past, which present an unacceptable administration’s guise of ‘Making article on Syracuse.com, spoke “little English and without much danger to our country,” the pres- America Safe.’ This order is yet money, to pursue a medical ca- ident said in a statement. “My another attempt of a Muslim Ban reer that took him to Oswego highest obligation is to ensure and does the exact opposite of in 1971 and became one of the the safety and security of the making us safe,” APALA nationmost beloved doctors in Oswego American people, and in issuing al President Monica Thammarath — taking calls at home and on this new travel order, I am fulfill- said in a statement. “We look forward to hearing the Supreme weekends — before succumbing ing that sacred obligation.” Despite the White House’s Court’s oral argument this Octoto cancer at age 53 in 1989”. In his statement before the confidence on the new travel ban, ber 10 as our labor unions and Senate Judiciary Committee, the Supreme Court made an un- community partners continue to Francisco spoke fondly of his fa- expected announcement when it join together to fight against the ther and the adversity he had to said that it won’t hear oral argu- Muslim Ban. We have faith in go through before settling in the ments on the previous version of our court system to once again United States to pursue his stud- travel ban that has been sched- challenge and block this ban as uled on October 10. they have done before, and we ies in medicine. The justices were to hear lawcontinue to pressure our elected “He grew up amongst the ravages of World War II. He once yers representing the Trump officials to rescind the ban and told me how, as a young boy, he administration and immigrant protect our immigrant and refuwas forced to live in the remnants rights groups to make their cases gee community.” (Klarize Medeof a bombed out tank. Whenever on the ban, which was previous- nilla/AJ Press) I’ve faced the joys or difficulties welcomed my father—a Filipino of life, I think of that little boy,” little boy dared not dream.” nemesio Francisco, born in immigrant who barely spoke the Francisco said. “He could not possibly have dreamed that his the Philippines in 1935, found language—with open arms. It son would one day have the high a home in a small city on the is in Oswego that my father behonor of sitting before this august shores of Lake Ontario called Os- came, and died, an American,” Francisco said. (Momar G. Vibody. I am so grateful to you for wego, nY. “The good people of Oswego saya/AJPress) helping to fulfill what that scared

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The Philippine business delegation during the the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue of the 3rd Eastern Economic Forum held at Russky Island, Vladivostok, Russia (L-R) Roberto De Venecia, a participant in the dialogue, chairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council, and represented the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Tan Sri Dato Dr. Chen, CEO & Principal of the NagaCorp Group — a major & dominant Investor from the ASEAN in Vladivostok. NagaCorp has large investments in Malaysia, Sabah, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States and Secretary Raul Lambino, CEO & Administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

whenever possible. Russia created the EEF platform for international participants to discuss strategies to develop political, economic, and cultural links between Russia and countries in the Asia Pacific Region. It presented Vladivostok as a gateway in the east for reliable, safe and profitable place to do business. Its ambitious target is to provide the best possible conditions for doing business in the Far East to launch new manufacturing capabilities and create employment. Such Far Eastern strategy are based on promoting the broadest possible international cooperation with multilateral structures

as the Eurasian Economic Community, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the ASEAn and the APEC. The Philippines’ significant participation was in the RussiaASEAn Dialogue. Information of Significance / Highlights. Thus, Russian Far East is hailed as the last frontier for human economic development The Philippines was invited to directly participate in the RussiaASEAn Dialoque, interacting with participants from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Russia, the Republic of Yakutia, and nagaCorp a major investor in Vladivostok that belongs to the ASEAn block.

Trump releases third version...

Asians projected to be largest... PAGE A3 t with large amounts of unauthorized immigrants. Out of the country’s 11.1 million unauthorized immigrants, 13 percent are Asian with most coming from India (500,000), followed by China (325,000), Philippines (180,000), and Korea (160,000). The study also analyzed the economic data of the U.S. Asian population and found that in general, Asians were more well off compared to the U.S. population as a whole, but economic well-being did vary among subgroups. Asian American headed households held a median annual household income of $73,060, compared to the median of $53,600. Filipinos were among the Asian subgroups with the highest median income at $80,000, right after Indians who held a median of $100,000, and before Japanese and Sri Lankan who each held medians of $74,000. Asians were also less likely

overall to live in poverty in comparison to the general U.S. population in 2015 (12 percent vs. 15 percent), but it again was varied among groups. Eight of the 19 groups experienced saw high poverty rates with the highest being among Hmong (28.3 percent), Bhutanese (33.3 percent), and Burmese (35 percent). Among the lowest poverty rates were Filipinos and Indians (each 7.5 percent), and Japanese (8.4 percent). Around half (51 percent) of Asians ages 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, according to the study. Indians were found to have the highest level of educational attainment with 72 percent having at least a bachelor’s degree. Also having high levels of education were Sri Lankans (57 percent), Mongolians (59 percent), and Malaysians (60 percent). On the lower end were Cambodians (18 percent), Hmong (17 percent), Laotians (16 percent), and Bhutanese

(nine percent). Filipinos were in the middle with 46 percent having a bachelor’s degree or more. Unsurprisingly, Filipinos were among the groups containing a large majority of proficient English speakers. According to the study, seven out of 10 Asians in the U.S. ages five and older spoke proficient English in 2015. At the top were Japanese (84 percent), Filipinos (82 percent), and Indians (80 percent). The study also reported 32 percent of overall Asian Americans as speaking only English in their homes, and the rest speaking another language. The study used a three-year dataset gathered from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2013 to 2015 American Community Survey’s public-use files, with additional data on population estimates from the Census Bureau’s 2012 report, “The Asian Population: 2010” (2000 and 2010) and tables from American FactFinder (2015). n

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

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House OKs budget; CHR gets P500-M by JESS

DIAZ Philstar.com

enous Peoples P1,000 each for next year. The decision elicited strong public backlash, particularly against the reduction of the CHR budget, prompting Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles to announce last week that Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had agreed to restore the three commissions’ appropriations. Earlier, Alvarez demanded the resignation of CHR Chairman Chito Gascon and ERC chief Jose Vicente Salazar. The other changes in the budget bill were the P40-billion realignments the House made to fund next school year the free college education program in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and locally funded schools accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Nograles, appropriations committee chairman, said that of the P40 billion, P30 billion came from the school building program of the Department of Education. He added that funds for school building projects with problems as to the site were realigned to free college education. An additional P6 billion was taken from the scholarship funds of CHED and SUCs, while P3 billion was rechanneled from appropriations for the Department of Transportation and P1 billion from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, he said. All seven members of the leftist Makabayan bloc voted against the approval of the 2018 budget. They were joined by Reps. Gary Alejano of Magdalo and Lito Atienza of Buhay party-list. Alejano, whose impeachment complaint against President Duterte was dismissed by the House in May, said he could not support the proposed 2018 outlay

as it “patronizes killings and desecrates the rule of law, overlooks inefficiency and incompetence, slowly erodes our democratic processes and effectively neglects the exclusive enjoyment of its citizens over the country’s national wealth by foregoing the government’s obligation of defending its territory.” Nograles said the bill would now be sent to the Senate and that the House is on track in its schedule of having the budget bill signed into law by the president on Nov. 15. The Department of Public Works and Highways will receive the biggest funding next year with P640 billion, followed by DepEd’s reduced P583 billion. The anti-drug war of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was reloaded with P900 million in fresh funds. Meanwhile, the Duterte administration has come up with a draft Congress Joint Resolution authorizing compensation adjustment for military and uniformed personnel (MUP) entailing an additional budget of P63.4 billion. The move is in line with the government’s plans on doubling the salaries of soldiers and cops by 2018. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said a draft resolution it prepared was concurred with by the Office of the president last Sept. 20. If signed by both houses of Congress, the resolution will double the base pay of a police officer 1 in the PNP, a private in the Department of National Defense and equivalent ranks in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

MANILA — Foreign terrorists linked to the Islamic State (IS) took advantage of the pullout of U.S. forces from Mindanao to enter the Philippines and stockpile their weapons and bombs in Marawi City, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana bared. Lorenzana made this disclosure at the closing rites of this year’s U.S.-Philippines anti-terrorism drill simultaneously held in the country and in Hawaii. “The drawdown of U.S. military forces in the south between 2010 and 2012 may have left us blindsided and threat groups as well as the Islamic State-inspired people were able to come in and were able to stockpile their weapons

sary steps to stop the spate of killings, especially of our children.” Philstar.com The measure also directs the Senate to determine and address MANILA — Sixteen out of the the institutional reasons, if any, 23 senators urged the govern- that give rise to these killings. ment to stop the “senseless” kill“Due to the alarming spike in ings, especially of children. the number of children recently They filed Resolution 516 on killed in blatant violation of their Monday, Sept. 25, urging the rights guaranteed by the Congovernment of President Rodrigo stitution, Philippine laws and Duterte to “undertake the neces- international treaties, there is

an urgent need to conduct an investigation of these senseless killings to identify the concrete efforts the government has undertaken and is undertaking to stop the killings,” the resolution read. Figures from the Children’s Legal Rights and Development Center showed that there are at least 54 people aged 18 years old and below killed in either po-

lice operations or vigilante-style killings since Duterte assumed power. The cases of minors killed in Duterte’s drug war include 17year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, 14-year-oldReynaldo de Guzman and 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz. Their deaths have sparked public outcry. Article 15, Section 3 of the Constitution mandates the state

MANILA — Voting 223-9, the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Sept. 26, approved on third and final reading the proposed P3.8-trillion 2018 budget after cutting funding for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) by P115 million. Opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay lamented that despite its announcement last week that it was restoring the CHR’s outlay, the House cut the commission’s budget from P623.3 million to P508.5 million. “The House failed to fully restore the CHR budget. The obliterated amount consisted of P47.040 million for human rights protection, P24.441 million for human rights promotion, P33.392 million for human rights policy advisory and P10 million for equipment capital outlay,” he said. The final P508.5-million funding for the commission “is even lower than its cur rent year budget of P724.9 million.” “With its slashed budget, the CHR will be hampered in its human rights protection and promotion advocacy and programs,” he said. Despite the reduction and because of substantial restoration, Lagman voted for approval of the proposed 2018 national outlay. Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar, who chairs a subcommittee that endorsed the CHR budget, voted for the approval of the 2018 appropriations bill “because the House reconsidered its ridiculous and outrageous decision to give CHR just P1,000.” On Sept. 12, the House voted to give the CHR, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the National Commission on Indig-

WITNESS PRESENTS CALL LOGS DURING SENATE INQUIRY ON SHABU SHIPMENT. Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday, September 25, watch a power point presentation made by Customs fixer Mark Taguba during the continuation of the Senate inquiry on the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of illegal drugs into the country last May. Taguba’s presentation included call logs, bank statements, and text messages showing the alleged ‘tara system’ in the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Senate photo by Cesar Tomambo

‘Terrorists took advantage of US pullout from south’ by JAIME LAUDE Philstar.com

and bombs, all the materials, in Marawi City,” Lorenzana said. Prior to the downscaling of U.S. anti-terorrism forces in Mindanao, the number of U.S. servicemen providing intelligence, monitoring and technical assistance to Filipino troops fighting the Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim militants in Mindanao were about a size of a brigade. American servicemen from the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) were formerly based in Zamboanga City and were previously deployed by teams in various military camps in Sulu, Basilan, Central Mindanao and Marawi City. Since they were not allowed to engage in actual combat, the U.S. servicemen used to provide technical assistance as well as

intelligence on the presence and movements of the terrorists in Mindanao to their Filipino counterparts. The intelligence and monitoring covered cross-border movements of Islamic militants to and from the country through the country’s porous border, also known as the southern backdoor. But when U.S. military leadership pulled out their forces in Zamboanga in 2012, leaving only a skeletal anti-terror force, Islamic militants from as far as Croatia and Morocco entered the Philippines through the southern backdoor, hardly noticed by local security forces. From a brigade size, the U.S. servicemen left in Mindanao is now down to around 100 soldiers.

16 senators call on gov’t to stop killings, especially of children

by GAEA

KATREENA CABICO

to guarantee children “special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.” The resolution was signed by opposition Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Franklin Drilon, Antonio Trillanes IV and Leila de Lima. The 10 majority legislators who signed it were Joel Villan-

ueva, Ralph Recto, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Panfilo Lacson, Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Francis Escudero, Juan Edgardo Angara and Loren Legarda. The seven who did not sign the resolution include Senate President Aquilino Pimentel and Sens. Manny Pacquiao, Richard Gordon, Tito Sotto, Cynthia Villar, Miguel Zubiri and Gregorio Honasan.

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SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 5, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

Fight for survival

FEATURES

ACCORDING to the United Nations (UN), the rate of environmental damage on our planet is increasing at a faster pace than previously thought and seen in the last 10,000 years. This makes it imperative for governments to act now and reverse the damage being done to the planet. Under the “Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6): Regional Assessments,” the UN reported that unprecedented economic growth, which has lifted millions out of poverty in Asia and the Pacific, is putting heavy pressure on ecosystems in the region. “Increasing unsustainable consumption patterns have led to worsening air pollution, water scarcity and waste generation, threatening human and environmental health. Increased demand for fossil fuels and natural resources — extensive agriculture, palm oil and rubber plantations, aquaculture and the illegal trade in wildlife — are causing environmental degradation and biodiversity loss,” the report added. In another report, the UN noted recorded floods, storms, heatwaves, droughts and other weather-related events to have caused 90 percent of the world’s major disasters in the last 20 years. The “Human Cost of Weather Related Disasters” found that five countries hit by the highest number of disasters are the United States, China, India, Philippines, and Indonesia. It added that Asia accounts for the most share of disaster impacts, including 332,000 deaths and 3.7 billion

people affected. Environmental degradation, urban development and population growth, combined with the impacts of natural calamities have increased the risks. Environmental problems caused by impacts of human activities on resources is a phenomenon commonly known as climate change. As time goes by, the planet becomes more vulnerable. Its ability to ward off wastes and destructive effluent is growing thin. About 75 percent of disasters are caused by or related to weather. The world has reached a critical stage in its efforts to exercise responsible environmental stewardship. Despite intentions and some admirable actions done by notable organizations, unsustainable use of the world’s natural resources has left the degradation of the global environment unabated. People must be educated on how the world’s current practices is exhausting many of the planet’s limits — leading to risks of damaging the ecosystem that is beyond repair. This calls for governments to initiate groundbreaking environmental policies to cushion the impacts of climate change, improve disaster miti- versity, and secure food supply. gation, preserve the remaining forests and biodiThe world must find a balance between eco-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

nomic and social development with environmental protection—before it’s too late. (AJPress)

Drug addiction in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs: A crime or a disease? Much of the criticism surrounding The Fil-Am Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s Perspective bloody war on drugs can be pointed to how he looks at drug addiction. The administra- GEL SANTOS-RELOS tion’s policies to solve the drug menace appear to be based on the president’s belief that drug addiction is a crime, and criminals need to be penalized, and in many times be killed, even without due process, to protect other people. This policy rationalizes the killings of accused drug addicts, even as young as 9 years old, a policy that strips the accused and those guilty of drug addiction of their prospects of redemption, rehabilitation, and the help they need to start a new life. What is drug addiction? Here is important information as presented by drugabuse.gov: Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. Brain changes that occur over time

with drug use challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment. Most drugs affect the brain’s reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable “high” that leads people to take a drug again and again. Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high. No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk

IT may grab headlines and sell newspapers, but don’t pay attention to all this talk about the people rising up against President Rodrigo Duterte, and backing detractors and destabilizers led by his predecessorBenigno Aquino III’s camp. ‘Get real’ is the message to the yellows and the communist reds from the 80-something percent of Filipinos backing Duterte in survey after survey by Pulse Asia, Social Weather Stations (SWS), EON Philippine Trust Index, and last week, the Pew Research Center, a leading United States pollster. It’s not hard to see why 86 percent of Filipinos back Duterte in the Pew survey, with 41 percent very favorable toward him, and huge majorities approving his handling of the economy (80 percent), illegal drugs (78 percent), crime (68 percent), corruption (66 percent), and terrorism (64 percent). Quite simply, the numbers show that President Rodrigo Duterte is doing better than his predecessor on the big concerns of ordinary people: law and order, corruption, the economy,

Addiction is a disease that affects both the brain and behavior. Can drug addiction be treated? Yes, but it’s not simple. Because addiction is a chronic disease, people can’t simply stop using drugs for a few days and be cured. Most patients need long-term or repeated care to stop using completely and recover their lives. Addiction treatment must help the person do the following: •stop using drugs •stay drug-free •be productive in the family, at work, and in society Principles of effective treatment Based on scientific research since the mid-1970s, the following key principles should form the basis of any effective treatment program: •Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. •No single treatment is right for everyone. •People need to have quick access to treatment. •Effective treatment addresses all of the patient’s needs, not just his or her drug use. •Staying in treatment long enough is

critical. •Counseling and other behavioral therapies are the most commonly used forms of treatment. •Medications are often an important part of treatment, especially when combined with behavioral therapies. •Treatment plans must be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs. •Treatment should address other possible mental disorders. •Medically assisted detoxification is only the first stage of treatment. •Treatment doesn’t need to be voluntary to be effective. •Drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously. •Treatment programs should test patients for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases as well as teach them about steps they can take to reduce their risk of these illnesses. *** 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

What Duterte is doing better than Aquino

Commentary

RICARDO SALUDO

factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction. Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long-lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. The path to drug addiction begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs. But over time, a person’s ability to choose not to do so becomes compromised. Seeking and taking the drug becomes compulsive. This is mostly due to the effects of long-term drug exposure on brain function. Addiction affects parts of the brain involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and control over behavior.

public services and facilities, and foreign affairs. On the law and order issue that got Duterte elected, the Philippine National Police reports that crime is down by about one-third overall. The latest SWS crime survey done two months ago found that record-low levels of property crime (3.1 percent of families affected), physical violence (0.6 percent), and all kinds of crime (3.7 percent). Compare that to the tripling of lawless incidents under Aquino, from 324,083 in 2010 to more than 1 million a year in 2013 and 2014, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Duterte’s war on drugs makes Aquino’s effort look like a noncampaign, with first-year achievements exceeding those for several years in the past government: 86,984 arrests, 152 drug dens closed, nine methamphetamine labs dismantled, 64,397 police operations conducted, on top of 1.3 million surrenderers and P82 billion worth of narcotics seizures reported. For sure, many Filipinos, not to mention foreign governments and world organizations, are disturbed by more than 3,000 suspects killed in police operations, and thousands of other killings believed to be drug-related. But after the recent youth killings in Caloocan, the narco-car-

nage is over, with new suspect deaths sure to face massive state and media scrutiny and zero presidential backing. And with the body count dropping, nationwide killings of all kinds would fall well below the 11,000 to 16,000 a year recorded in past regimes. The race to spend and build Turning to economic programs, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno is pushing hard to avoid Aquino-era underspending. After stepping down in June 2016, Aquino boasted that he left Duterte some P1 trillion in budget funds unspent. Diokno takes no pride in failing to fully utilize state resources. From about 13 percent of annual budgets in 2014 and 2015, he slashed underspending to 3.6 percent last year, and just 0.4 percent in the first half of this year. This drive to implement programs and projects is crucial to President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build public works plan, which aims to double infrastructure spending from the longtime average of 3 percent of gross domestic product, to 5 to 7 percent by 2022. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said this week that the government should finish about half of the 75 flagship projects to be started under Presi-

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and former Pres. Benigno Aquino III

dent Duterte. Among them: the country’s new main international gateway in Clark, its rail link to Manila, and the first segment of the Mindanao railway in the Davao region. Plus: the long-overdue repair and upgrading of the Metro Rapid Transit 3 system, which fell into woeful disrepair due to mismanagement and anomalous contracts in the Aquino years. The Duterte administration is now considering an MRT3 takeover and investment

proposal from a consortium led by PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan. Bottom line: After years of underspending and slow infrastructure, Filipinos are now seeing their taxes not just collected, but spent. And even more will be harnessed for development under the five-tranche tax reform program to rationalize and boost revenue collection. With more vigorous government and private sector spending, poverty and hunger are fall-

Philstar.com photo

ing. Self-rated poverty measured by SWS has averaged 44 percent under Duterte so far, down from about 48 percent in Aquino’s last year. Self-rated hunger in the second quarter of 2017 dropped below 10 percent for the first time since 2004, when SWS changed its survey process, leading to double-digit ratios. And the hunger fell particularly among the self-rated poor households and in all regions of the country. (ManilaTimes.net)

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september 29-october 5, 2017 • NorcAL AsIAN JoUrNAL

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 5, 2017

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BUSINESSJ& COMMUNITY ournal

Devin M. Connoly anD nanCy Miller

Solutions do exist for many China gamblers fuel growth immigration problems of Philippine casinos “For undocumented immigrants, even with the rescission

PResIDeNT Donald Trump has discussed his intention to deport all undocumented immigrants ever since 2015 when he announced that he wanted to be president. And since 2015, his words and proposed actions have terrified not only undocumented immigrants, but also lawful permanent residents and even many U.s. citizens. There are countless people who are scared they will be deported, and many more concerned for beloved friends and family members. Rather than living in the shadows, both undocumented immigrants and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) need to explore their options on improving their immigration situation. Instead of changing jobs or refusing to go outside, now is exactly the time to speak with an immigration attorney and explore your options to improving your immigration status in the U.s. Because despite all the raids by Immigration and Customs enforcement and the discussions about punishing “sanctuary Cities,” there are still plenty of options available. For undocumented immigrants, even with the rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and more deportations, there are still many ways of obtaining a green card or work authorization in the U.s. One of the most preferred ways of obtaining a green card right now is through a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver (I-601A). A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver helps intending immigrants who are ineligible to apply for adjustment of status either because they entered the U.s. without authorization of because they are not maintaining valid immigration status and are not protected by section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The issue for these foreign-born citizens is that if they immediately leave the U.s., they may not

be able to return to the U.s. for 3 or 10 years. however, a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver would waive that 3- or 10-year bar. The applicant can submit their request for a waiver before they ever leave the U.s., and they are not necessarily required to leave the U.s. until after the waiver has been approved. This pre-approved waiver avoids lengthy separation of family members since the applicant would hopefully be able to return to the U.s. within a matter of days. Finally, a person may be eligible for a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver regardless of who filed the petition for them if they can show “extreme hardship” to a U.s. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent. Please note there are certain reasons why a person may not be eligible, so it is important to speak with a knowledgeable immigration attorney before submitting a request for this type of waiver. Another potential option for undocumented immigrants is the “violence Against Women Act” (“vAWA”). This is available to those who have unfortunately been the victim of abuse by a loved one, which sadly, is not uncommon. vAWA is available to men and women and could be a way to obtain a green card for people if they have been victims of physical or emotional abuse. It requires the victim to file a self-petition, which may be done without any assistance from the abusive spouse, children or parent. Importantly, since it is a self-petition, it allows the victim to immediately seek both safety and independence from their abuser. The abuser will not be notified about the self-petition. There are more options as well.

Your Immigration Solution

of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and more deportations, there are still many ways of obtaining a green card or work authorization in the U.S. ”

Do you have a child with special needs or who is extremely talented, or a parent that is dependent on you as a caregiver? If so, you may be eligible for work authorization and a green card through Cancellation of Removal for Non-Permanent Residents. There are even more options for undocumented immigrants that can be discussed with an immigration attorney. Finally, permanent residents should seriously consider becoming U.s. citizens. It is true that having a green card is a wonderful thing, but it does not carry with it the rights of U.s. citizenship, such as unlimited travel and the ability to vote. With talk of travel bans and the never-ending risk of deportation for green card holders who just make one mistake, the rights of U.s. citizenship have potentially never been more valuable. It is a very uncertain time for immigrants. Nobody knows for sure what laws will be changed or when. Ignoring your problems will not make them go away. Consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney today about applying for a green card or becoming a U.s. citizen. *** 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) 795-8009 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 IrIs

Gonzales Philstar.com

Morgan stanley said in a recent report. enrique Razon’s solaire Resort ChINese gamblers are fu- and Casino is among Manila’s eling the growth of the casino casino resorts seen benefitting market in the Philippines and from more Chinese players, the there is still much room to grow global banking giant said in a regiven the rosy prospects of visa- port authored by Alex Poon and free access for Chinese visitors Praveen Choudhary. and junket-based proxy betting, Chinese gamblers contributed

30 percent of solaire’s gross gaming revenues and 50 percent of its vIP volumes in the first half and are growing faster than other customer segments, Morgan stanley said. “Macau junkets (with proxy betting) and improving ties between China and the Philippines

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Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza’s San Francisco office is moving

Reeves Miller Zhang and Diza would like to notify you that on October 2,2017, our san Francisco Office will be moving to a new location. The new address and contact information are the following: 88 Kearny st., suite 750 san Francisco, CA 94108 Telephone: (415) 568-3777 Fax: (415)568-3799 email: sfinfo@rreeves.com Our Los Angeles, CA and Las vegas, Nv office locations have not changed. Our office may be new, but everything else about Reeves Miller Zhang and Diza remains the same – a goal of providing superior legal services to the immigrant community. After

nearly 40 years of being devoted exclusively to the practice of U.s. Immigration and Nationality law, our Board-Certified immigration attorneys and dedicated support personnel continue to work tirelessly to provide effective legal representation to individuals and businesses regarding visas, permanent resident status, U.s. citizenship, and relief from deportation. RMZD is excited about the continued opportunity to assist individuals and businesses in accomplishing their immigration goals. We are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, and we are confident we will be able to continue doing so into the future. Contact us today for a confidential consultation! n

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SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 5, 2017 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Angels among us

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond

“All God’s angels come to us disguised.” – James Russell Lowell

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA (Last of 4 Installments)

AN angel is an invisible presence that must be acknowledged to become ever stronger. God sends angels to keep watch over human beings and help them in every human challenge. There is, however, the element of free will in humans. You can acknowledge the presence of angels or deny it. It is your choice ultimately. The more angels are acknowledged and become a conduit to heaven, they become a hovering, guiding reality in one’s life growing ever stronger in their influence to shape every thought, word and deed in one’s life. On the other hand, if the dark side prevails repeatedly in one’s soul that is made progressively weak by severe addictions of any kind, whether chemical, sexual or the human inclination towards pride, disobedience and evil, then the angel’s influence becomes weak. The human protectee is like

a a cell phone that is not receiving signals and becomes dead on a skip zone. Only a direct divine intervention wrought by the most powerful force of intercessory, unceasing prayers by one or more prayer warriors can avert the cosmic disaster of a soul lost forever to darkness, death and nothingness. There is a study of angels called angelology. In it, it is claimed that there is a hierarchy of celestial beings grouped into three spheres. According to Wikipedia, there is a First Sphere, the highest ranking of all because they are closest to God. This includes Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Second Sphere includes Dominions, Virtues and Powers. In the Third Sphere can be found Principalities, Archangels and Angels. Our personal guardian angels fall in the last group. Each human being is believed to be assigned a personal guardian angel, Christian or not. The angels that keep

watch over human beings belong to the lowest order of celestial beings and they are the ones concerned with the affairs of human beings. They are holy celestial beings who are agents of God intended as a help to mere mortals. They are powerful but we ourselves need to connect to that power to take effect. If you acknowledge that you as a child of God was given a personal guardian angel from the time God conceived you in His thoughts, there should be no fear in our hearts to face even the unknown. An angelic relationship can be nurtured daily and can grow wonderfully through time until the end of human life. Who knows? In the end, we might be able to see this yet unseen godly presence, link up face to face, do a high-five, even dance a jig and thank our personal guardian angel, whether you gave him a name or not, whether he revealed his name to you or

WE ARE

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Fibromyalgia: an enigma

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS

WHAT is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle aches and pain, tenderness, spasm, and stiffness, along with areas of the tendons and ligaments, and chronic fatigue. These tender points are common around the neck and shoulders, in the front of the knees, elbow, hip joints, chest, low back, thighs and calf (lower leg) muscles. There is an exaggerated nerve excitation and sensitivity all over the body. All symptoms are magnified. There are 10 million people in the United States, and 3 to 6 percent of the global population, have fibromyalgia, 75 to 90 percent of them females. When was this condition first diagnosed? The signs and symptoms of u PAGE CJ4 what is today known as fibromyalgia was first described in the 1800s. It was thought then as mental illness. The first report of the tender spots all over the body was by a Scottish physician in 1820. It was called fibrositis. The first recognition of fibromyalgia as a disease entity was in 1976, but it was only in 1981 when it was scientifically confirmed and the first diagnosis was made. What is Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome (PFS)? PFS, the typical pattern of this condition is generalized, idiopathic (of unknown cause) fibromyalgia, accompanied by anxiety, fatigue, impaired sleep and irritable bowels, with no evidence of underlying diseases contributing to the symptom complex in among 5 percent of the population in the U.S. PFS afflict healthy young or middleaged women who are anxious, stressed, tense, and/or depressed. Children and adolescents (usually females) and older adults who have PFS may also have osteoarthritis of the spine. Men usually have localized fibromyalgia which is related to recreational or occupational strain. I clearly remember when I was in pre-med, a teenager cousin of mine had pains all over her body and other signs which, today, would be obvious as fibromyalgia. Yet in the mid 1950s, it was an unknown entity, and therefore no medications for it except pain pills. Everyone thought she was malingering or had a psychosomatic ailment.

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and aerobics, this physical regimen should be performed daily and gradually increased. At first, there will be muscle soreness, as could be expected, but the exercise becomes more comfortable as days go. What is the treatment for fibromyalgia? The comprehensive management of fibromyalgia includes ruling out or treating diseases causing the symptoms, reassurance from the attending physician that the condition is benign and not hopeless, stretching and aerobic exercises (brisk walking, yoga, swimming, tae boxing), local application of heat and gentle massage, improvement in sleep, low-dose tricyclic antidepressant drugs. If drowsiness is encountered with one drug, an alternative drug may be used. The three drugs the U.S.-FDA has approved to help treat fibromyalgia are: Pregabalin (Lyrica) was first used to treat seizures and nerve pain linked to diabetes; Duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta) is an antidepressant that’s also been used to treat diabetic nerve pain; and, Milnacipran (Savella), the first drug designed specifically for fibromyalgia treatment. It affects brain chemicals linked to pain. Some of the drugs may also aggravate the insomnia. Aspirin and NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), even opioids, have generally not been found to be of any help. For severe persistent tenderness, local injection with 1 percent lidocaine (alone or in combination with hydrocortisone) has been effective. Depression, serious emotional problem, as a result of fibromyalgia may require behavioral modification, group support therapy and/or professional guidance. What is the prognosis? Functional prognosis is usually very good with aggressive and comprehensive treatment. Fundamental in the success of therapy is patient-motivation, involvement and discipline. Armed with these three, the person with fibromyalgia is soon on her way to a more comfortable, happier, more productive and a fulfilling life. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Business News

DOT to reinvigorate Japan tourist market by CATHERINE

TALAVERA Philstar.com

THE Philippines is looking to enter into new partnerships with Japan to boost tourist arrivals. Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo was recently in Japan with a 33-member Philippine delegation, which comprised 15 Filipino travel and tour operators, including Philippine Air Lines and Cebu Pacific, and hoteliers, as well as officials of the DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board. The Philippine delegation held bilateral tourism talks with officials of Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism headed by Minister Keiichi Ishii. “They will also hold business meetings with English as Second Language (ESL) groups,” the DOT said. Tourist arrivals from Japan grew 8.76 percent in the first

Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo was recently in Japan with a 33-member Philippine delegation, which comprised 15 Filipino travel and tour operators, including Philippine Air Lines and Cebu Pacific, and hoteliers, as well as officials of the DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board. DOT file photo

half of 2017 to 294,080, making it the fourth top source market for the Philippines. South Korea remained as the top tourist market for the country, posting 795,085 arrivals, representing a 23.68 percent

share of total inbound traffic. It was followed by the United States with 513,443 (15.29 percent) and China (454,962 or 13.55 percent). For this year, the tourism de-

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China gamblers fuel growth...

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Fax résumé to:

What causes fibromyalgia? This is a challenging illness, not only for the patient, but also for the diagnostic prowess of the physician. In some cases, making a definite diagnosis is a dilemma, since the cause is unclear. There are various conditions that have been found to contribute to the causation of fibromyalgia, either alone or in combination, depending on the individual’s genetic make-up or predisposition. Among them are: stress and trauma (as in a vehicle accident), rheumatoid arthritis, or autoimmune diseases, central nervous system problems, and genetics (MTHFR mutation). In some cases, no risk factors are found, the cause never confirmed, and only tentative diagnosis is made from clinical evidence, and the patient is treated empirically. What are the symptoms? The onset of the muscle pain, tender spots all over the body and stiffness is gradual and diffuse. The pain may be a deep ache or burning, is worsened by straining and overuse, and may be constant but varies in severity in response to weather changes, stress and activity. The pain may move around the body. There may be spasms or muscle tightening. Most sufferers feel tired or out of energy, have problem sleeping and a few may have diarrhea/constipation, difficulty swallowing, gas, heartburns and abdominal cramps. There may be tingling sensation or numbness in various parts of the body. Many patients have super sensitivity to odor, loud noise, bright lights, or even to medicines. Headache and pains in the jaws may also be present. Sometimes, they have dry eyes or problem focusing on objects that are near, imbalance or dizziness. Others may have palpitation or shortness of breath. Women with fibromyalgia may have urinary complaints, pelvic pains, painful menstrual periods, or even painful sexual intercourse. Does any permanent damage result? No permanent damage to any organ in the body results from fibromyalgia. The condition, while chronic and causing many bothersome symptoms, is not life threatening either. Today, with better understanding of the condition and the availability of the various therapies, including medications, patients are managed more effectively. Does exercise aggravate fibromyalgia? No. As a matter of fact, exercise is one of the best therapies for fibromyalgia. Starting with gentle, low-impact, stretching exercises, like walking, bicycling,

leading to strong Chinese visitor arrivals — 30 percent up in the first half of the year — are the key drivers,” it said. On Aug. 17, the Philippine government granted visas on arrival to Chinese visitors such as those in tour groups and businessmen, a move that might eventually expand to visa-free status. Morgan Stanley said there is still much room for growth for Chinese gamblers coming to the Philippines. “Comparing the GGR (gross gaming revenue) mix that is contributed by Chinese across gaming jurisdictions, we see ample room for growth in the Philippines, compared to Macau (90 percent), Paradise in South Korea (55 percent VIP drop in 2016) and Australia (50 to 60 percent of VIP),” Morgan Stanley said. Aside from the growing number of Chinese visitors, Solaire has likewise started capturing more local mass customers from cities away from Manila after the completion of the NAIA Express-

way in December 2016. “It has shortened the driving time between Entertainment City and the southern part of Metro Manila which is 20 kilometres away, to less than 30 minutes,” Morgan Stanley said. The population in Manila represents only 14 percent of the total population of Metro Manila, thus with the elevated highway, a much larger population can be penetrated, it added. Razon’s plan to put up another Solaire casino resort in Quezon City would also help boost revenues. “We expect Quezon City property to generate EBITDA of $70 to $100 million per annum initially,” Morgan Stanley said. It noted that Quezon City, being the largest and most populous city in Metro Manila with GDP per capital of over $11,000 compared to $9,000 for Metro Manila and $3,000 for the Philippines, is an ideal place for a casino expansion. There is also no competition yet in Quezon City.

The casino could open in 2020 with groundbreaking in mid-2018, according to Morgan Stanley’s estimates. In the first half Solaire operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. posted a 24-percent surge in income to P4.1 billion from only P174 million in the same period last year on the back of robust gross gaming revenues. In the second quarter alone, Bloomberry’s net income rose 47 percent to P1.95 billion from P1.33 billion a year earlier, on 34-percent increase in profitability in Philippine operations and lower losses from Korean gaming operations under Jeju Hotel & Casino. Solaire, the first to open in Pagcor’s 100-hectare Entertainment City in Paranaque, continues to attract both high rollers and the mass market despite tougher competition brought about by the opening of Okada Manila, the latest integrated casino resort to open in the country’s Las Vegas-style gaming hub. ■

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Things that could make your case suspicious

Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ (Part 2)

IN a previous article, a reader, who was scheduled for his visa interview, asked about some of the things which could trigger suspicions or investigations by the Embassy, and how a person could best avoid having his case looked upon with suspicion. This article discusses additional suspicious situations. If you can avoid these situations and/or can offer proper and truthful explanations, the USCIS or Embassy may be satisfied about your case: 6. A person obtains a green card as “single with no children,” but after obtaining the green card, petitions a spouse and children. If a person, at the time he or she was processed for a visa, claimed to be single with no children, but, after obtaining a green card, makes an “about face” and petitions a spouse and/or children, the Embassy will wonder where this instant family suddenly came from (i.e. a person obtains a green card, claiming he or she is single with no children, but after getting his green card, he or she suddenly has a 15-yearold child being processed for a visa). In such a case, the USCIS or Embassy will investigate further on the “sudden appearance” of a 15 year old child. 7. A person claims required documents were lost or damaged due to disasters. In some cases, when the USCIS or Embassy asks for documents or pictures, the person claims the documents (such as birth or marriage certificate) or pictures were destroyed by natural disaster, even though the person had never lived, visited or ever been near the place where the alleged volcanic eruption or flood occurred. Or the USCIS or Embassy could be concerned when a person claims important documents or family pictures were destroyed by other types of natural disasters, such as fire, flood, etc. In one case, the Embassy became suspicious as to whether the spouse of the primary beneficiary was really the true spouse. The Embassy asked for wedding pictures, but the family claimed their family pictures were destroyed by flood. But the Embassy still wanted proof. Ultimately, the

family produced a wallet sized photo that showed the “bride,” with a different groom. So, the case was put under investigation, because of suspicions that this was an imposter wife, and the man had “sold” his wife’s visa to another woman. 8. Is the petitioner still alive? Under immigration law, a petition “dies” with the petitioner. The Embassy may ask for a notarized picture of the parent, holding up a current newspaper in front of a U.S. Post Office, Walmart, etc. to establish that the parent is still alive and living in the U.S. at the time of the interview. In addition, under new immigration laws, the petitioner must submit a notarized affidavit of support in all family-based petitions, even if the petitioner is retired or poor, or needs a co-sponsor. Obviously, if the petitioner has died before the affidavit of support was submitted, he could not submit a currently notarized affidavit of support. 9. “Date of marriage” appears on child’s birth certificate, where the parent claims to be “single”. Some children are born illegitimate. In order to save the child (and/or the parents) from “embarrassment”, sometimes parents put down a fictitious date of marriage on that child’s birth certificate. However, if the parent is being petitioned as single (such as a single child of an immigrant or US citizen), the date of marriage appearing on their child’s birth certificate could create suspicions by the USCIS or Embassy that the parent is really married. (This is because the marriage of a person being petitioned as “single” would affect their eligibility for a visa. If they are being petitioned by an immigrant parent, the marriage would void the petition, as only US citizen parents can petition married children. However, if they are being petitioned by a US citizen parent, the wait for the priority date to be current would be somewhat longer.) If you truly are single, and are being petitioned as single, but there is a date of marriage on your child’s birth certificate, you should make sure you can present appropriate evidence and documentation to the USCIS or Embassy to prove you truly are single. Under no circumstance

should you “buy” a late-registered or manufactured birth certificate for your child, listing the child as illegitimate. Instead, you should explain why there is a date of marriage appearing on the child’s birth certificate) rather than submitting fake documents. Giving fake documents to try to conceal information could be grounds for you to be denied a visa, due to “fraud or misrepresentations”. Please note that having an illegitimate child will not void your petition, so long as you were truly “single” at the time of the interview and before entering the U.S. In conclusion, you should not apply for an immigration benefit if you are not entitled to it and hope to “get away with it”. The USCIS and Embassy investigates suspicious circumstances. If you are not entitled to an immigration benefit, do not waste the time of the USCIS or U.S. Embassy. However, if you are legitimately entitled to immigration benefits, but your case looks suspicious (although it is truly legitimate), you should consider the assistance of an attorney who can analyze your case and properly gather the necessary documents and make a proper representation in your behalf to the Embassy, so that any questions, concerns, or suspicion will be properly explained. This way, you could possibly avoid delays, investigations, or possible denials of your visa. *** 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 re-enactments) 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 attorney-client 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)

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 5, 2017

Calendar of Events across

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America

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 SEPTEMBER 30

PeDRO celebrates its 13th anniversary with a fundraising dinner dance The Philippine Disaster Relief Organization, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation invites everyone to “A Dinner to Remember” with surprise guests on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Crystal Ballroom, Quiet Cannon, 909 N. Via San Clemente, Montebello, CA 90640. Free parking; $55 cost and formal attire. Maricar and the 4700 Band will provide musical entertainment with DJ George Cunanan. For more information, contact President Archerie Calunod (714) 655-4285 or PRO Bettie Francisco (323) 828-7648.

SF Assessor Carmen Chu’s free Family Wealth Forum Free one-on-one counseling with experts. Multi-lingual workshops. Exhibitors hall from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at City College (Ocean Campus), 50 Phelan Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. To register: http://sfassessor.org/familywealthforum or call (415) 554-7434.

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4th Filipino American International Book Festival in San Francisco Join a weekend of fun literary events, performances and activities for book lovers of all ages! The opening gala will be held on Friday, Oct. 6, while the festival will begin on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 8, it will be from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It will take place at the San Francisco Main Library at 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco. Admission to the festival is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please visit http://www. filbookfestival.org/.

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A3M Starnight 2017 annual gala in Long Beach, CA In the past 25 years, A3M has given hope and a second chance of life to many patients. Their journeys have inspired and motivated the organization to continue its mission of increasing and diversifying the Be the Match Registry. A3M is committed to supporting patients from the communities that are underrepresented in the Be the Match Registry. To continue its life-saving work, you are invited to support A3M at its Annual Gala Dinner held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach (200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802) from 5 to 9 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.flipcause.com/secure/ event_step2/MTk3NjI=/13381.

City of Carson’s Filipino-American History Month Kick-Off The City of Carson will kick off this year’s Filipino-American History Month on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the CJMM Community Center at Carson (801 E. Carson St., Carson, CA 980745). From 8 to 9 a.m., there will be refreshments at the Community Center East Parking Lot. It will be followed by a wreath laying at Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s monument from 9 to 9:15 a.m. From 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. there will be a program at the Carson Dominguez Room. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

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Adobo Festival in Los Angeles The 12th Annual Adobo Festival is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, October 7 & 8 at the Silver Lake Medical Center at 1711 W. Temple St. in Los Angeles. The festival starts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and admission is FREE! For details regarding how to join the Adobo Cook-Off Contest, Kiddie Popstar and for booth vendors, call (650) 290-0542 or ( 650) 290-4457 or log on to www.adobofestivalusa.com.

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Glendale Tech Week Glendale Tech Week offers the best of tech from within Glendale and the Greater LA area. Attendees will have access to talent, networking, and business opportunities. Passes, schedule of events, and list of speakers available at Glendaletechweek.com.

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26th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture in Echo Park Save the date! The 26th annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) hosted by Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) is back at Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, October 14. Expect a whole day filled with art exhibits, entertainment, and Fil-Am vendors. More details and special guests to be announced. For more information, please visit: http://www.filamarts.org/.

18th Annual Asian Small Business Expo in Alhambra, CA On Saturday, Oct. 14, the 18th annual Asian Small Business Expo will be held at the Almansor Court Conference Center (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801), featuring free workshops, exhibitors, networking opportunities, and more! Jonny Hwang, founder of 626 Night Market, is the featured guest speaker with special guest, Jerome Horton, chairman of the California Board of Equalization. It is FREE to attend! The Asian Small Business Expo is the only business-to-business expo that engages the Asian business community and brings this growing economic force into the mainstream to connect and utilize your company and its services. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with small businesses, market your organization and tap into a network of entrepreneurs, service providers, financial organizations, franchises and governmental and legislative representatives. For more information, please visit http://www.apisbp.org/expo.html. HER “AMERICAN DREAM” SHATTERED WHEN HER CASE WAS DENIED AND HER TWO ATTORNEYS TOLD HER THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO JUST “HIDE.” Mariel (left) was devastated when her adjustment of status was denied after USCIS concluded she was out of status. Distraught and lost, especially after her first two lawyers’ only advice was to “hide,” Mariel decided to consult with “Attorney-of-LastHope” Michael J. Gurfinkel who sought reconsideration and was able to get Mariel her elusive green card in record time. Watch Mariel’s dream come true on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” — on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

Find out how ‘Tago-Ng-Tago’ was still eligible for a green card despite a denial, on a brand new episode of Citizen Pinoy! MARIEL’S childhood dream to come to America came true when she landed on U.S. soil after 9/11. Fortunately, as a nurse, she was petitioned by an employer and was granted Work Authorization right away. She happily renewed her work authorization for several years until 2005. That year, Mariel’s dreams crashed when USCIS denied her application for green card and would no longer renew her work authorization.

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During these desperate times, Mariel was hoping she could count on her previous lawyers to help her. Instead, all they advised was that Mariel should just “hide.” Mariel was so devastated, she just withdrew from the world, until she consulted with the “attorney-of-last-hope” Michael J. Gurfinkel. She hesitated to go to him at first because of the gossip in the community that he was “expensive”. However,

all that mattered to her and her family was that her case be approved. Mariel and her family realized they were getting value for money, after Atty. Gurfinkel convinced the USCIS to reconsider and approve the case. Watch how Mariel was able to hold on to her dream on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy— on Sunday 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)

DOT to reinvigorate Japan...

partment is targeting 600,000 to 650,000 Japanese tourist arrivals, higher than the 535,238 that visited the Philippines last year. Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. earlier identified more aggressive marketing and promotions initiatives as a way to lure more Japanese tourists into the country. Last July, the TPB stepped up its promotion initiatives to the Japanese market. Bengzon said the Japanese market is mainly attracted to the country’s beaches. Teo, who was in Japan for the

ministerial roundtable at the Global Tourism Forum of the Tour Expo Japan 2017, stressed the Philippines’ commitment for sustainable tourism. Teo said the Philippines would always be a partner in the worldwide effort to protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of the tourism industry. “With the Philippines’ diversely-rich natural environment, Filipinos offer ultimate fun experience to our guests. But without collaborated measures on environmental protection, we cannot ensure sus-

tainable growth of the tourism industry nor reap its economic benefits,” Teo said. The tourism secretary also underscored the importance of regional cooperation, as Asia experiences a continuous tourism boom unparalleled anywhere in the world, according to the year 2030 projections of United Nations World Tourism Organization. “This growth is something we hope for but collaboration among our nations will be the key to continued growth, development and sustainability of tourism in Asia,” Teo said. ■

O C TO B E R 2 1

City of Carson’s 8th Annual Larry Itliong Day Celebration Join the City of Carson for its 8th annual celebration of Larry Itliong Day on Saturday, Oct. 21 with a parade and program. Assembly time begins at 8 a.m., with the parade from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The program will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. It will be held at Veterans Park at 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745. Admission is FREE. For more information, please call (310) 952-1743.

NaFFAA to celebrate 20th anniversary in Washington, DC The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) turns 20 years old this year. This October, several events are being planned to celebrate this milestone, which coincides with the national observance of Filipino American History Month. They will culminate with NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary Gala, to be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC on Saturday, October 21. With its theme “NaFFAA 2.0: One Voice, Four Million Strong,” NaFFAA will recognize the legacy and accomplishments of the organization over the past 20 years, and highlight its comprehensive vision to unite and amplify the voices of the four million Filipinos living in the United States. “NaFFAA 2.0” represents how NaFFAA is honoring its past while forging a new forward-thinking and balanced approach in uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse Filipino American individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy. To learn more about NaFFAA or to purchase tickets for the 20th Anniversary Gala, please visit www.naffaa.org.

O C TO B E R 28

PHII presents Tribute 2017: Recognition ceremony and dinner dance The Philippine Heritage Institute International celebrates its 28th anniversary with its annual recognition ceremony and dinner dance on Saturday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. to midnight, at the Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101 -- 19th Tribute to Outstanding Filipino American Nurses and 11th President’s Award: ‘Profiles in Services, Pillars of Community.’ Cost is $65; attire, formal. PHII’s annual tribute is in answer to the White House Millennium Council Initiative from then Pres. Bill Clinton, who came with his wife Hillary to Los Angeles in January 1998. They created the Council in August 1997, with the theme ‘Honor the Past, Imagine the Future’ and traveled across the United States to promote its objectives -- an agenda with 21 ‘Ways to Commemorate the Millennium.’ “Mrs. Clinton gave a speech, stirring and inspirational,” said the late Mrs. Armada. In 1999, PHII became a partner to the White House Millennium Council selecting the ‘Millennium Recognition Awards’ to pay tribute to outstanding individuals whose contributions have enhanced the quality of life in the community. PHII seeks to improve the quality of life affecting Filipino American communities through research, education and recognition with the youth as its main focus. The foundation sponsors a youth congress annually with featured speakers. For more information, contact President Josie E. De Jesus (714) 272-0300; or Executive Director Anna A. Chickey, M.D. (562) 900-0379 (payments can be mailed to Dr. Chickey, daughter of Mrs. Armada, at 2032 Redfield St., Fullerton, CA 92833); or Email Lydia V. Solis at lvsolis@aol.com.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

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SEPTEMBER 29-ocToBER 5, 2017 • NoRcAL ASIAN JoURNAL

Business news

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KMU pushes P750 minimum wage Max’s opening store in Tukwila, Washington by Ding

Cervantes Philstar.com

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) is seeking a P750 daily minimum wage in the private sector and a monthly minimum pay for government workers amid rising inflation. “Our demand is even below government estimate that a Filipino family of five members needs a minimum of P1,119 daily for decent basic needs,” said KMU national chairman elmer Labog in a forum over the weekend. Labog urged the government to implement the pay increases across-the-board, noting the worsening inflation nationwide. This, even as he bewailed the failure of President Rodrigo Duterte to fulfill his election promise to end contractualization of workers. he cited studies indicating that some 24.4 million out of about 49 million in the country’s labor force have remained contractual. he urged Duterte to issue an order, stopping labor contrac-

by Doris

tualization in big businesses in the country. he said a mere order from the Department of Labor and employment (DOLe) was not enough to fulfill his election promise to end contractualization. “The president’s election vow to finally end contractualization has remained as some kind of fake news. Big firms have continued to defy the DOLe order by firing contractuals or assigning them to other departments as new workers,” he said. Labog said the Duterte government has so far relied mere-

Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

MAx’S Group Inc. (MGI)’s legacy Filipino restaurant brand Max’s is expanding its footprint in the U.S. with the opening of a new store in the suburban city of Tukwila in Washington by next year. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock exchange on Tuesday, September 26, MGI said it had signed a deal with a local partner, JS Restaurant LLC, to ly on DOLe’s department order build the first Max’s Restaurant No.174 on ending contractual- in this city. ization, which is being ignored “This is another exciting my many big companies. moment for us to provide our “The DOLe has reported that countrymen based in the United some 60,000 contractual work- States a genuine taste of home. ers have already been regular- We are grateful to be in partnerized throughout the country, ship with JS Restaurant LLC to but up to now, the department serve our best-in-class products still has to provide us with detailed documention of this,” he said. “In the absence of any legislation meant to finally end conby ian niColas Cigaral tractualization, I think a presiPhilstar.com dential fiat could be better than a mere department order from The Asian Development DOLe,” he stressed. n Bank (ADB) has kept its 2017 and 2018 economic growth forecasts for the Philippines on the back of robust economic demand and progress on the proposed tax reform plan. In a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook published on Tuesday, September 26, the March, following the president’s Manila-based multilateral lendapproval of the measure in Januing institution said it is sticking ary. with its Philippine growth foreThe latest SSS data showed its cast of 6.5 percent this year and net revenue slid by 60 percent 6.7 percent in 2018 it earlier year-on-year to P6.561 billion in made in July. the first half mainly due to the “The concerted effort by the pension hike. Philippine government to imA second tranche of another prove public project implemenP1,000 monthly benefit to pentation is bearing fruit, as public sioners is expected before 2022 investment programs help drive or the end of Duterte’s term. continued economic expanThe president had also ordered sion,” said Richard Bolt, ADB an increase in members’ contricountry director for the Philipbution to compensate for the penpines. sion increase. “A strong focus on infrastrucThe SSS’s actuarial life will be ture investment and implemenslashed by 14-17 years to 2025tation of tax reform will see the 2028, from 2042 based on 2016 country continue its growth estimates, if members’ contribumomentum through 2018,” Bolt tions would not be increased. added. After the first package of the ADB’s forecast for inflation comprehensive tax reform prohas been revised down to 3.2 gram is enacted into law, the percent from 3.5 percent in SSS plans to collect an addi2017 and to 3.5 percent from tional 1.5-percentage points to 3.7 percent in 2018 – well withthe previous contribution rate of in the central bank’s 2-4 percent 11 percent, on top of lifting the target. Inflation rose to 3.1 permaximum monthly salary credit cent in the first eight months of to P20,000 from P16,000 previthe year from 1.5 percent a year ously, to prolong its actuarial life before, ADB noted. until 2040. n

to the community of Tukwila,” MGI president and chief executive officer, Robert Trota said in a press statement. This marks the sixth overseas store development agreement sealed by MGI for 2017. “We are witnessing the fastest rate of expansion in North America. For this year alone, we opened three new Max’s Restaurant’s across New Jersey, Calgary and San Diego. Moreover, we have another two stores in the pipeline for 2018 to be located in Winnipeg and Tukwila,” added MGI International chief executive officer Peter King. JS Restaurant LLC is a private company engaged in specialized medical services since 2012. Its principals have been residents of Tukwila for close to two de-

cades. During this span, it has established business networks and alliances which will anchor its initial foray into restaurant operations. “We are thankful to have been entrusted with a well-loved Filipino brand. We are determined to extend the Max’s Restaurant tradition of excellence in food quality and heartwarming service to our customers in Tukwila,” JS Restaurant managing director Joselito Santos. Max’s Restaurant currently operates a total of 175 stores including 27 franchised branches overseas. This restaurant brand has been operating since 1945. Aside from Max’s, MGI has been bringing other brands like Yellow Cab, Pancake house and Sizzlin’ Steak to overseas markets. n

ADB retains Philippine growth forecasts

SSS to sell part of real estate assets to help fund pension hike by ben

o. De vera Inquirer.net

The Social Security System (SSS) will sell 47 condominium units and 49 parking slots in Mandaluyong City worth a total of at least P344 million as the state-run pension fund disposes of more properties to fund the pension hike approved by President Rodrigo Duterte early this year. In a notice, the SSS invited interested bidders for 17 residential condominium units as well as their respective parking slots at Pioneer West highlands, whose floor areas range between 122.9 square meters and 436.56 sqm and with minimum bid prices ranging between P6.145 million and P22.265 million. Also up for sale were 13 units and parking slots at Pioneer Madison Suites, whose areas range between 94.84 sqm and 141.2 sqm, with bid prices ranging between P4.742 million and P7.06 million. The SSS was also selling 12 office condominium units and their respective parking at Pioneer Corporate Center, whose floor areas

EMPLOYMENT

range between 71.66 sqm and 206.8 sqm, and with minimum bid prices ranging between P3.941 million and P11.374 million. At Globe Telecom Plaza, the SSS was selling five office units whose areas range between 108.95 sqm and 123.16 sqm, with prices ranging between P5.992 million and P6.774 million. The SSS was likewise disposing of a pair of 12.5-sqm parking slots worth P500,000 each. In all, the properties for sale at Pioneer West highlands were valued at least P160.9 million; at Pioneer Madison Suites, a minimum of P75.6 million; at Pioneer Corporate Center, at least P75.1 million; and at Globe Telecom Plaza, a minimum of P31.9 million. The SSS said the deadline for submission of bids as well as the opening of proposals would be on Oct. 20. SSS president emmanuel F. Dooc earlier said the plan was to sell more than P3.45 billion in properties to augment revenues amid the implementation of the additional P1,000 monthly cash benefit to pensioners since

EMPLOYMENT

PERSONAL

The domestic economy grew 6.4 percent in the first quarter of the year, moderating from 6.9 percent in the same period in 2016 in the absence of election-related spending that characterized the same quarter the previous year. Philippine GDP rose 6.5 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, with economic Planning Secretary ernesto Pernia saying the country is “well on track to meeting our full-year target growth of 6.57.5 percent.” Meanwhile, ADB on Tuesday also raised its GDP growth forecast for developing Asia – which is made up of 45 countries in the Asia-Pacific region – to 5.9 percent in 2017 and 5.8

PSYCHIC

percent in 2018. That’s up from the ADB’s earlier prediction of 5.7 percent growth for each of those two years. “Growth prospects for developing Asia are looking up, bolstered by a revival in world trade and strong momentum in the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” ADB Chief economist Yasuyuki Sawada said. “Countries in developing Asia should take advantage of favorable short-term economic prospects to implement productivity-enhancing reforms, invest in badly needed infrastructure, and maintain sound macroeconomic management to help increase their long-term growth potential,” he added. n

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 29-OCTOBER 5, 2017

CJ5

People & Events Veterans, fans petition to name a Meet & Greet with Dir. ship for Iwo Jima photographer Joe Francesca LeRue on Oct. 18 THE Santa Clara County Department of Family & Children’s Services cordially invites the FilipinoAmerican Community to a Meet and Greet with Director Francesca LeRue on Wednesday, October 18, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Seasons Marketplace, Seafood City Event Center, 1535 Landess Avenue, Milpitas.

Join Dir. LeRue in hearing about the department’s transformation concerning family strengthening, child protection services and how you can provide feedback. Light refreshments will be provided. Check-in is from 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. For more information, please contact aimee.bcheungeican2.org or call (669) 220-8279. ■

19th UPAA Grand Reunion and Convention at Iselin, New Jersey, Oct 26-28 Joe Rosenthal

Photo by Nancy Wong

WHAT began as a pipe dream for a handful of veterans has become the goal of thousands of people nationwide: Name a U.S. Navy warship for the late Joe Rosenthal (1911-2006), the San Francisco photographer who took the iconic Iwo Jima flag raising photo. The photo is believed to be the most recognized and reproduced in history, and has become a symbol of the United States Marine Corps. Six Marines raised the flag on February 23, 1945, in the midst of the bloody battle on Iwo Jima, a small volcanic island in the Pacific, the first land battle of WWII on Japanese soil. It raised the spirits of the American public, and raised $26.3 billion for the war effort as the symbol of the Seventh War Loan Drive. Marine Corps veteran Dale Cook, president of the Joe Rosenthal Chapter of the USMC Combat Correspondents Association, a group of retired and active duty Marine journalists, knew Rosenthal well. “He was a member of our chapter and president of the Press Club. We renamed our chapter after him. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his Iwo photo, but the thing he was most proud of was the certificate that said he was an Honorary Marine,” said Cook who was an 18-year-old Marine in the battle, and became one of the more than 25,000 American casualties. On October 9, 2017, (Rosenthal’s birthday), Cook’s group

will deliver their petition with over 2,000 signatures and a letter requesting a future USS Joe Rosenthal to Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, who is responsible for naming ships. Rosenthal, who climbed Mt. Suribachi, the highest point on the island, with the Marines who raised the second flag that day, has largely been forgotten over the 72 years since he and his camera captured a piece of history. Although his photojournalism career continued for 35 years after the war, he would always be known as the man who took “the picture,” as he called it. And it is not much of an exaggeration that his every conversation began with a question about it. While “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” made him famous in 1945, it was not even his favorite among the 60-some photographs he took on the island. When asked about it, he would point to a framed 8x10 of one Marine on the beach running past the body of a second, lying in the sand: “The Quick and the Dead,” he called it. Rosenthal’s war photos live on in books and documentaries about Iwo Jima and WWII, but his name is only remembered by Marines, history buffs, and aging San Franciscans who saw his photos for decades on the pages of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.

The Secretary of the Navy chooses ships’ names, more or less following conventions based on the class of ship. (During WWII, battleships were named for states, cruisers for cities and submarines for fish.) The Navy’s ship naming procedure has long been anchored in tradition, but the Secretary also enjoys a certain amount of freedom in his naming choices. For instance, no ship had ever been named for a living president until the USS Ronald Reagan was christened in 2001. Dale Cook’’s Combat Correspondents—retired servicemen and their wives—have worked for a year gathering support for the USS Joe Rosenthal effort, collecting over 2,000 petition signatures. (Cook, himself, gathered nearly 200 and cited universal enthusiasm among the signers. “Only one person I asked said no.”) In February, the Alameda County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution in support of the ship naming. The Joe Rosenthal Chapter once boasted several Iwo Jima veterans in its ranks, Marines, a Naval officer and a B-29 pilot. Now it is just Cook and one other, Marine veteran Floyd Hunter, who also saw the flag flying above the island. “I just hope we get the ship named before I die,” 93-yearold Hunter said. ■

SUCCESSFUL graduates of the University of the Philippines (UP) who have settled in the United States will come together at the 19th Grand Reunion and Convention of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA). The event will be held on October 26-28, 2017, at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey. Nelsie Tabudlong Parrado, president of UPAAA announced recently that UP President Danilo Concepcion will deliver the Keynote Address. He will come with the President of the UP Alumni Association, UP System, Atty. Ramon Maronilla and

atively by UPAAA and the many UPAA chapters in the U.S., for a much bigger impact and effectiveness. Chosen as the UPAAA Outstanding Alumni Groups are Mu Sigma Phi Foundation and UPAA Wisconsin. The Special Family Recognition Award will be presented to the Feliciano Family, while the Service RecogDanilo Concepcion, UP president nition Award will be given to Dr. Prof. Ranjit Rye, Director of UP Juanita Santos Nacu, Immediate Alumni Relations. Prof. Rye will Past President of UPAAA. . be coming with a wish list of For information on registration possible projects to benefit the and hotel accommodations, visit UP System. This can serve as www.upaainamerica.org or call a basis for considering projects (201) 960-7965 (Nelsie Parrado). that can be undertaken collabor- (German P. Palabyab, UP ’74) ■

Two Filipinos build media startup that hopes to be the digital voice of Fil-Am millennials SAN FRANCISCO – Just in time for Filipino American History Month, two Fil-Ams, Conrad Contreras and Mallory Valenzuela, launched Kubo, (www. wearekubo.com) an online content engine that seeks to be the digital voice of Fil-Am millennials. Kubo, run by and made for Filipino millennials, hopes to amplify Filipino voices and help Filipinos thrive through their own stories and experiences. Kubo is a home for Fil-Ams within the digital sphere – to boost representation, recognition, and resource-building of

Filipinos in the United States. “I hope that we share stories that provoke something within our readers — whether it’s a sigh of relief, a laugh, a few tears, or a realization about our shared experiences as Pilipin@s of this day and age,” Kubo’s co-founder Mallory Valenzuela shares. Kubo’s seeks to give Filipinos a platform when mainstream media chooses to turn a blind eye, whether that’s recognizing Fil-Am musical talent, cultural icons, or political identities. Kubo also seeks to be a usergenerated platform for many

Angels among us

PAGE CJ2 t

not, when we transition out to a celestial realm ourselves — finally free of ALL heavy worldly

concerns and ALL constraints of time, space and gravity. Just perhaps, that light at the end of a long dark tunnel might

Filipino content creators to increase their reach. “Filipino content is everywhere – from YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Buzzfeed, individual blogs, but they’re all scattered and not recognized,” Kubo’s Co-Founder Conrad Contreras said. “I wanted to create one platform that centralizes all that’s great about our community and that any young Filipino can go to and call it their home. We have a lot of power; we just have to find each other, activate that power together, and influence the world we live in.” ■ give us a glimpse of the face of God himself. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

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. The Asian Journal would be delighted to list your event in our Calendar of Events.

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SEPTEMBER 29-ocToBER 5, 2017 • NoRcAL ASIAN JoURNAL

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Friday, September 29, 2017

SF2

cover story The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 29, 2017

CAr CAre 101 by IrIs

VIcente /AJPress

JuST like people who need to go to see their doctors for regular check ups, the same thing goes for cars that require basic routine care. However, many car owners think that just because their vehicle is new, they don’t need to bring it for its regular tune up yet. That mentality is wrong. You paid a lot of money for your car and you want to get your money’s worth by keeping it in good running condition for as long as you can. But just like any kind of property, you have to take care of it because it is not immune to harsh environmental elements. Whether you own a brand new luxury car or a second-hand one, the secret to its longevity is maintenance. Here are some essential tips on how to take care of your car: regular oil change Regularly check fluids. Nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level

checks or fresh oil changes. Oil is the lifeblood that keeps key engine components in good working condition by reducing friction and wear. Change your oil about every three months, or check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oil change intervals. It’s also important to invest in good quality fluids that goes with the type of vehicle you have. Check brakes Listen to your car. Observe if there are any high-pitched squeals or harsh grinding sounds. It’s important to be mindful of these things because something might be wrong, especially with the most vital function of your car: its ability to stop. Have your brakes checked annually and especially if there are delayed responses when pushing your brake pedal. Maintain tire pressure Having the right amount of pressure in your tires can

In the U.S., vehicles that burn gasoline and diesel fuel are still the main form of transportation for most people, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Inquirer.net photo

How ‘green’ is your car? by JennIfer sorIano / AJPress

Just like you, your car needs basic routine care.

prevent poor mileage, blowouts or uneven wear. Because a change in temperature can dramatically impact tire pressure, it is essential to check tire pressure with extreme weather changes, or to be on the safe side, every couple months.. Choose a good air freshener You must breathe clean and fresh air in your car. In choosing an air freshener, avoid those that are oil-based as it later on clogs your air filters which Inquirer.net photos prevents airborne contaminants

You must beathe clean and fresh air in your car.

from being pulled into your car’s engine. Consider safety features Familiarize yourself with you car’s safety features things like tail and brake lights, seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes are just some of the most important features that you need to familiarize with and regularly check in your car. Safety features should be the first thing in consideration and should not be overlooked as this carries you and your family’s lives.

New vs used: Which one is right for you? by

Elijah RodERos / AJPress

three years or 36,000 miles, or whichever comes first. This will WHeN you finally get the give you predictable cost of chance to buy or replace your ownership without any risk of current car, a lot of thoughts go huge repair bill. You can also through your head. Probably have your car made-to-order, one of the simplest but most or the way you want it. With so important of them all: Should I many versions to choose from, buy new or used car? you’ll likely find a car in a lot, or On average, Americans have your local dealer search spend more than $33,500 on for the exact model, option list, new vehicles, as stated by the trim level, and color you are Kelley Blue Book in 2015. looking for. Meanwhile, in an article by Financing. Banks offer lower The New York Daily News, J.D. financing rates on new cars bePower said that a 2015 report cause they cost more and have showed that a standard used venot yet hit depreciation. But keep hicle just costs over an average in mind, lower interest rate still of $20,000. You have to take into consid- Before deciding between a new or used car, you must consider your needs, budget and appetite applies to larger sum or payment. eration your wants, needs, bud- for risk. Inquirer.net photo If you plan to finance, check your deals first before buying. get and appetite for risk. We Advantages of a used car have listed the advantages of both choosing a new and used car to Lower price and depreciation. Cars lose value each passing help you decide which taste will fit you the best.. month and mile. Some models, according to Car and Driver, can Advantages of new cars lose up to 40 percent or more of their value in the first year. When Latest gizmos and advanced safety features. One of the the costly depreciation hits, the first owner will be the one likely to many and given benefits of buying a new vehicle is you can get absorb it. your hands on the latest technology, including things like Apple A used car is less expensive and by that, it can allow you to step Carplay, and Android Auto. The multimedia and navigation up to a nicer model. Purchasing used cars will also save you from interfaces are updated to cater the needs of its owners. Vehicle sales taxes and insurance premiums since the value of the vehicle safety laws are stringent more than ever, thus automakers comply will be lower. You’ll have save money more even though the interby equipping cars with safety systems. Tire pressure monitoring is est is a bit higher. mandatory in the u.S. since 2012, and so is stability control, too. Anticipate potential problems. You can have predicted reliOther technologies that not mandated are blind-spot monitoring able information available to compare cars, unlike new models that systems, side curtain airbags, adaptive cruise control, and brake are out for just a couple of years. By checking the research and assist are also available on less expensive vehicles. rankings of the car you are considering, you’ll know the potential Full efficiency and lower emissions. Fuel costs are the major problems and how to avoid them. component of car’s ownership and every new model introduced When deciding to buy a new or second hand car, you have to is becoming more fuel efficient while simultaneously getting more arm yourself with information to get you the best deals and secure powerful. There are also new crops of diesel vehicles that are your money now and down the road. It is also wise to always check cleaner, and growing hybrid segments, if that’s your choice. the ranking of new cars stacking up with their peers, and compare No wear and tear. You’ll know that your new ride comes along used vehicle rankings in different years against each other. with a clean history, has never been in accident, has no wear and You can also use some online car payment and affordability tear, and has a lesser chance for any uncorrected recalls. Plus, purchasing a new car comes off with warranty coverage for the first calculator to plan your car buying budget on trusted sites.

THe united States environmental Protection Agency (ePA) describes “green vehicles” as more efficient and less polluting compared to standard vehicles. These vehicles have lesser emissions and help save fuel, which, in return, help save the environment and your money. In the u.S., vehicles that burn gasoline and diesel fuel are still the main form of transportation for most people, according to the ePA. This is in spite of the fact that “green” cars are available in the market. Now, for those who already own a car or two, can you tell how green your car is? Here are factors to consider: Greenhouse gas emissions Fuel-powered cars produce mainly carbon dioxide on top of nitrous oxide and methane gas. These are all harmful gases that cause the deterioration of both the environment and our health due to pollution. Curious about your car’s emission? You can look up for a particular car model’s carbon dioxide emission atwww.fueleconomy.gov. This site is maintained by the ePA and Department of energy. The ePA also gives recognition to cars with low emissions and high fuel economy that has gained good remarks in the Air Pollution and Greenhouse scoring categories. You can also look at the ePA’s handy Green Vehicle Guide for emission statistics, and vehicles that have earned ePA’s “SmartWay” and for a more exclusive recognition, the “SmartWay elite.” Fuel economy The fuel economy of an automobile is the relationship between the distance traveled and the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle. The union of Concerned Scientists explained that, “For every gallon of gasoline that is consumed, approximately 24 pounds of global warming pollution are released into the air. Drilling, refining, and distributing gasoline account for about five pounds of global warming pollution per gallon of gasoline, and burning gasoline during vehicle operation produces another 19 pounds of global warming pollution per gallon.” To simply put it, the better the miles per gallon (MPG), the lesser impact it has on the environment. The websitewww.fueleconomy.gov is a good source for mileage information on cars and trucks. Green manufacturing Apart from sustainability and innovation that focuses on a car’s efficiency, manufacturers are also including green manufacturing initiatives. In the quest to go lean, clean and green, some manufacturers have embraced a plant-wide waste reduction initiative, where cars are made with minimal amount of waste, if not totally zero. There are manufacturers who are reusing and recycling auto parts. The good news is that they are saving themselves a good amount of money while saving the environment. Sharon Basel, a sustainability spokeswoman at General Motors, said in an interview with the New York Times that, “Reducing waste, not creating it in the first place, is the desired end game. I’d actually like to see our revenue from recycling go down. Reducing the waste streams that are created is a neverending cycle.” Read about the brand and model of your car and see if the company strikes a good balance between business and environmental needs. Car brand Manufacturers know that consumers are intelligent and can distinguish which offer genuine green efforts that produce actual results. Different car brands have their own way of being environmental-friendly. Some companies put out an annual environmental report, while others have been making headway with efforts to reduce the transport cost of its cars. Others offer dealerships with a guarantee on end-of-life vehicles to ensure that these are properly disposed of, while others recycle industrial water, install solar panels at all their plants. These are some of the initiatives that the car manufacturers have developed. In the near future, there will be more green initiatives through constant research and development. What were mentioned above are some external factors that contribute to a vehicle’s “green-ness.” While these contribute to the “green” factor of the car, it does not end there. The effort to “greening” your car extends to you as a driver/owner. Whether your car passed the factors mentioned above, it pays to keep up on its maintenance with regular air filter and oil changes to boost your car’s MPG significantly. There are other ways to amp up your car to become environment-friendly. Between finding the right green vehicle, owning one and using your it responsibly, you can surely help minimize your car’s environmental impact.

Bang for your buck: Tips for buying a new car by

market values of your vehicle, and reserve it for arsenal on later bargaining. investments you will make in 2. Determine your budget your life. You will be paying it Of course, you should buy in the next four, five or six years a car that you can afford and so make sure you will be getting the most out of your cash. within your budget. A good rule of the thumb, mentioned You can start of by searching online. Auto Trader, Consumer by Bankrate, is to spend no more than 25 percent of your Reports, the Kelley Blue Book, household monthly income for and Yahoo! Autos section are all of the cars in your housegreat places to start researchhold. ing cars in your price range, This is not only applicable as Money Crashers suggested. to the monthly car loan payAlso, if you are going to ments, but you should also purchase a new car, make sure take into account other vehicle to get the “invoice” price of costs, including fuel and car the vehicle and not the Manuinsurance. facturer Sample Retail Price 3. Shop around (MSRP). This way, you can have It is best to visit at least one your research handy, in case dealership before you buy to negotiations take place. know the rock-bottom prices On the other hand, if you and compare it with other are choosing to buy a seconddealers. You may also explore hand car, research on recent out-of-town car dealerships as resale prices for the specific model. This data will give you a the prices differ depending on heads-up and major bargaining the location. Always bear in mind that power. If you plan to trade in financing in the dealership isn’t your current car, look into the

Elijah RodERos / AJPress

WHeTHeR it is your first time or you are replacing an old one, buying a car is a daunting task. Aside from the fact that cars are getting more expensive, the process also gets more confusing and complicated with new models and features that come out. It also can sometimes be frustrating haggling with salesmen or a dealer. Of course, as the buyer, you want to get the best value for your money. So whether you are deciding to have a new car or are resorting to a used vehicle, you need to be aware of how the buying process works. We’ve listed the best carbuying tips that will help you get the best deal, and hopefully reduce the anxiety with purchasing a vehicle: 1. Do extensive research Next to buying a house, purchasing a car is probably one of the most important

always the best deal. Still, you have to find the best interest rate, and it is better obtain your own financing at your bank or union than taking an automaker’s cash rebate. 4. Don’t mention your trade-in According to Money Cashers, you should play your cards close to you, and in all aspects of car buying, especially when it comes to mentioning your trade in. Do not mention your trade-in not until the end of the buying process because the information maybe likely used against you. As a buyer, you want to get the best value for your money. For example: Let’s say you’re looking at a $22,000 car and the dealer’s rock-bottom price for the car you’re considering is $18,000 Last week, the Asian Journal Something Filipino magazine (although he won’t share this feature Soulciety’s staging of “unincorporated” for September information with you). If you 23 & 24 at Chabot College. Due to unforeseen circumstances, have a trade-in worth $2,000, we were informed that the event was postponed. Please stay the dealer might offer to give tuned as Soulciety intends to reschedule the performance in you the car for $20,000 plus the future. For more information, log on to www.uninc.org. the additional $2,000 for the Continued on Page SF3

‘Unincorporated’ postponed

entertainment SF3

Fall in love with these Fall makeup trends Sec. Andanar on ‘fake news,’

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – September 29, 2017

season by using bronze shadows instead of the classic gold or silver. This type of hue warms up your face and gives you a good reason to put a naturallooking lip color. Paint outside the lines By Monet Lu It’s this time of the year when you feel a bit more adventurous. It shows on your outfit and your hair, and well, Some weeks ago we your eye makeup better match welcomed the Fall season with that mood. As they say, the an article on hairstyles. Today, eyes are the windows to the we tackle another one of my soul. And your carefree soul fortes—and a sought-after needs an audience! one article subject for women—the latest writes, “Tweak the classic makeup trends. I can describe this season’s makeup peg in two cat eye by opting for a more words: fresh and minimal. With straight across swipe of black that image in mind, I invite you kohl like what we saw at oscar de la Renta. This is a more to experience “Valentine’s in modern way to wear liner that october” and fall in love with these autumn-inspired makeup elongates and lifts the eye and adds intrigue to the face.” styles. Add more spice to your usual Go easy on the eyes winged liner, by scribbling some Whoever said that sexy double-winged lines. sevensmoky eye is so 90 degrees ago must learn how to carry the teen.com suggests, “Use a soft kohl pencil to trace your lower classic eye-do with just a teeny waterline, then smudge it out bit of flaw. Allow me to elabowith a makeup sponge for an rate before I give the impresextremely edgy and perfectly sion that carelessly applied un-perfect vibe.” shadow is a thing – please… it Tip of the lashes has never been and never will Close your eyes and think: be a thing. What I meant by a silver, water droplets, rhinelittle flaw is how you would do stones. Now open your eyes your smoky eye look at home. and give your volumizing masYou know, the kind that gives cara, falsies and lash add-ons a off an ultra diffused shadow that looks intense while feeling much-needed upgrade. It’s time soft. makeup artist Pat mcGrath those lashes shine as bright as your eyes! Silver sparkles created this look of Diane von on the tip of the lashes give Furstenberg by using a black your eyelashes a water droplet and brown liner. You can also effect. A bit of gold layers on use gray shadows with just a the lashes will make it look like hint of sparkle to keep it soft it has rhinestone tips. Bring on enough for daytime. A bronze shadow is another the prettiest lashes by layering, equally striking-yet-with-an-easy lengthening, or volumizing your top and bottom lashes. feel. You can maybe give your Rush that blush metallic shadows a break this

Now is the perfect time to embrace your “just stepped out of the gym” look. or for some people, “I just went on a brisk, wintry walk.” This is the season for flushed cheeks and naturally rosy blush. You had a good run with your sculpting tools, it’s time to give them a break. Grab your warm peach blush powder and head out the door. That’s all you need. Now, fly. Lips like berry Let’s talk about that lip color, shall we? This season, I am delighted to see a sea of lip colors that remind us of the 90’s. That almost black but not quite is making a comeback and I LoVe it! From ripe berry to plum black to oxblood red, they are undeniably luscious. It may sound scary but I dare you to rock a dark lipstick this fall! Nude is out. Let’s make way for the plums, magentas and berries. Fall Season isn’t just about tucking away your tank tops and covering up with cozy sweaters and cool scarves. It is also “wearing” the best look of the season. Although the weather isn’t as cool as we usually expect it to be around this time, it is best to plan your ensemble ahead – and stock up on the latest makeup finds.

aBundda Philstar.com

YoU see Kim Chiu giggle infectiously on TV during interviews yet her maturity was evident when she gamely shared her thoughts and laid bare the state of her heart by answering questions without any hesitations during her recent guesting in “Tonight with Boy Abunda.” There was sincerity in her tone while admitting that her working relationship with Gerald Anderson is much better these days. “We’re okay,” said Kim with a smile plastered on her face. Time has definitely healed whatever pain she felt after their romance fizzled out and went their separate ways. “everything is healed; everything’s okay. Nagtatawanan kami, ganyan ang buhay. Life goes on.” The Chinita Princess was also generous on talking things that fans are interested to know. She finally addressed the rumor on her having a conflict with onscreen partner and rumored boyfriend Xian Lim. Kim said that everything is fine between them. “Wala naman, okay naman kami. It’s normal,” she said and went on to admit that their busy schedules hinder them from spending more time with each other. Speculations of Kim and Xian’s break-up cropped up when Kim starred with ex-boyfriend Gerald in the Kapamilya daytime series “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin.” Fans were quick to jump into conclusion that Xian was bitten by the green-eyed monster resulting to him and Kim’s misunderstandings. Until now, they refused to label their

Kim Chiu

relationship. At 27, Kim still doesn’t see herself settling down five years from now. Her answer was a quick, “Wow! Hindi pa, hindi pa,” before adding, “pero hindi mo rin masabi. I don’t know. Let’s see,” as she stood in front of the mirror. In the future, Kim said that she wants to travel to Iceland alone. “Isa talaga yun sa mga gusto kong puntahan. I want to travel alone although I have this fear of traveling alone. But I want to try.” Discover more of Kim as she faced the golden mirror: Kausap mo yung girl in the

Bang for your buck... From Page SF2 trade-in, for a total purchase price of $18,000. If you hadn’t mentioned your trade-in, you could have negotiated the price down to $18,000 and then told the dealer about the trade-in, resulting in a final purchase price of $16,000. Negotiate these two aspects of the car-buying process separately. First, negotiate the best possible deal you can get for the car you want to buy, then go to work on getting the most for your trade-in. 5. Buy based on “purchase price” not on “monthly payments” Car dealers will always offer attractive monthly payments

by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

IF there is one skill from his journalistic career that has worked best for Presidential Communications operations office Secretary martin Andanar, it has to be the ability to distance his emotions from endless controversies hounding the Duterte administration. Touching base with former colleagues from the entertainment press, the news anchorturned-government appointee looked quite relaxed even as the National Day of Protest was still looming at the time of the interview. “I’m feeling pretty good these days,” he told The Times who remarked he had lost some weight since their last meeting. “I lost 30 pounds from cutting dairy from my diet so I can actually surf standing up these days. Hindi na masyadong mabigat!” he laughed. Andanar, who partly grew up in his father’s hometown in Siargao, escapes to the island whenever he can to ride the waves. “Happily, more flights have opened up to Siargao because it really is the hottest destination nowadays,” he said with pride. “So even if I get called in during *** weekends, which happens a Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award- lot, madali naman makabalik sa winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own manila.” With pleasantries out of the chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, way, the conversation became Monet is known as an all-around artiste who more serious as questions about produces sold-out fashion and awards shows social media wars, fake news and mocha Uson made their as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. way to the table. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary The Times asked, “Lots of all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, people nowadays have gone off your solution to discoloration . To contact Facebook, fed up with political Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or rant from both sides. You have email him at monetsalon@aol.com no choice but read them seeing that it is your office’s job to get the president’s message across. How do you deal with all the divisiveness, criticism and negativity?” “I’ve been the target of such posts many times,” Andanar acknowledged, going straight for the bull’s eye. “In everything that comes out, whether about me, the president or other members of our office—the PNA included—I just take a step

Discovering more about Kim Chiu by Boy

mocha Uson and surfing in Siargao

Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

mirror, describe her. “I think (she’s) stronger, tougher and more mature.” What makes her happy? “Family.” What makes her sad? “Marami (like) people. Sad? family din.” You’re still talking to the girl in the mirror, what should she look forward to? “Look forward to each and every day.” Kung magbibigay ka ng isang payo sa girl in the mirror na may kinalaman sa pag-ibig, what is that love advice? “Never stop learning, love yourself more and take it easy.”

ensure your driving experience. experiment with the controls, to potential buyers, but it is and determine if the passengers important not to be swayed will be comfortable and regular by these “alluring” payments. cargo will fit as well. Be sure to always negotiate 7. Use smart negotiating in a “full” payment, and not strategies the monthly price. Also, make Lastly, when you are ready sure that there are no extra or to make a purchase and start hidden costs, including various negotiating with the price, keep taxes, car preparation and dein mind the discounts and deals livery fees, and dealership costs you have researched. For a that you won’t know about moment, forget about trading unless you ask. your car and focus on the value 6. Always test drive the car of your new car itself. In this Spend time test driving way, you can negotiate more the car, asa you will be drivfreely and better if you negotiing it for the next three or five ate it separately. make sure you years. make sure that you really already checked the current love it, and you’re comfortable value of your trade-in car to dewith its every feature. Don’t termine whether you are offered hesitate to ask for more time a fair amount in case trade-in to spend behind the wheel to comes into discussion.

With PCOO Assistant Secretary and blogger Mocha Uson

back and make an effort to be objective about it. I try to see where this person is coming from—politika ba, pro or anti ba siya, constructive ba ang sinabi niya—so that I get an understanding of what they are saying and address that if I have to.” It is also through this same process that the secretary believes the public can sift “fake news” from facts, which can certainly help lessen divisiveness among Filipinos. “As chairman of the Information component of the Asean I initiated a fake news round table with my counterparts in the other nine countries including Japan and we were able to discuss how they address this phenomenon. It was interesting to hear what’s been going on in their own countries, and we agreed it is indeed a challenge in this age of social media, and that the solution is to propagate media literacy across the population to help the public discern what to believe.” While concrete steps to achieve this have yet to be worked out by the Asean representatives, Andanar’s immediate advice to the public is to first verify if the source of a particular story is credible. “Parang lang yan sa isang barangay. Kapag yung kapitbahay mo, sinabing may lalaki si

ManilaTimes.net photo

ganyan, iisipin mo muna kung maniniwala ka. Baka tsismis lang yon.” He went on to say that if the source of the news comes from a respectable member of the community, then it becomes more credible. “We should teach the public to identify bonafide media, even when it comes to blogs. There are many retired journalists who blog now and are therefore very credible too.” “What of PCoo Assistant Secretary mocha Uson’s blog?” was naturally the next question. “Si mocha naman admits she’s not a journalist. She’s an entertainer but a bright entertainer. otherwise, she wouldn’t have all the five million followers she has,” he replied thoughtfully. “And like I said, I use objectivity in everything I read, and in mocha’s case, it’s politics—there are people who like her and those who don’t. “mocha’s blog is her personal blog and therefore outside the PCCo. We all know she has always been a staunch supporter of the president, so I try to understand where she’s coming from…” he trailed off. “Isn’t it difficult that you always have to be understanding when it comes to mocha?” The Times pressed just a bit more. “I do talk to her about the issues [which she gets into]… but no… it’s not difficult.”

SF4

celebrityworld

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 29, 2017

celebrity world By Ferdie Villar

Maja Ross andres Salvador (born October 5, 1988) is a Filipina singer, actress, dancer, model and producer. She is currently under the management of aBS-CBN’s Star Magic and is regarded as the “Dance Princess.” Maja is also the lead star of the popular teleserye, “Wildflower.” This talented young artist heads the list of personalities celebrating their birthdays this October. In 2011, Maja co-produced and portrayed the title role in the film, “Thelma,” which earned her the Gawad Urian award and the Film academy of the Philippines award for Best actress. Other prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays

this Halloween month are: October 1 - Former basketball star and now actor Benjie Paras, Kapuso actress and TV host Rhian Ramos; October 3 - Daly City beauty expert Carmen Taylor; October 5 - “Star in a Million” champion singer Erik Santos, and model/TV host Phoemela Baranda; October 7 - Kapamilya actor and TV host joey Marquez, and San jose student leader Christian Back, who is a Finance graduate of De anza College; October 8 - San Francisco community leader Charrie de Veyra Saddul; October 9 - Former restaurant owner (the late) jimmy Diaz; October 10 - Senator Chiz

Talented actress Maja Salvador heads list of October birthday celebrants

Actress and TV host Rhian Ramos will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, October 1.

Beautiful actress Bea Alonzo will celebrate her birthday on Tuesday, October 17.

Escudero; October 11 - “Showtime “ director Robert Vidanes; October 12 - San Rafael community leader Lolita Hajian, the late former Miss Philippines Larcy Villar, the late former Daly City Councilwoman Carol Klatt, and “Eat! Bulaga” co-host joey

Senator Chiz Escudero will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, October 11.

Antioch home caregiver and dental assistant Evangeline Cabrera Perez will celebrate her birthday on Sunday, October 29.

Multi-awarded actor Christopher de Leon will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, October 31.

de Leon; October 13 - Filipino-Italian model Guiseppe Nucera; October 15 - GMa Network, Inc. President and COO Gilberto “jimmy” Duavit jr., bank executive Rose Satorre asuncion, and veteran movie writer and talent manager Norma japitana; October 17 - actress Bea alonzo, singer-actress Vina Morales, and multi award winning movie director Olive Lamasan; October 19 - actress joyce jimenez (now residing in Los ABS-CBN Chief Content Officer and Executive Adviser angeles); to the Chairman of the Board Charo Santos-Concio October 23 - Manila Bulwill celebrate her birthday on Friday, October 27.

Talented actress Maja Salvador, star of the primetime teleserye “Wildflower” on ABS-CBN 2, heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating their birthday this October. Shown in photo with Maja is beauty impresario Ferdie Villar.

letin Celebrity World columnist Crispina Belen, Long Beach political leader Malou Mariano, and singer-actress Verni Varga; October 24 - Queen Philippines Globe 2011 winner Erica achico Ilecer, and “Eat! Bulaga” co-host Pia Guanio; October 25 - Former Miss Philippines Christina Galang Caedo, entertainment producer and manager annabelle Rama, and Pittsburg’s best dressed business executive Fernand Tanedo; October 26 - Viva Films big boss Vic del Rosario; October 27 - aBS-CBN

Chief Content Officer and Executive adviser to the Chairman of the Board Charo SantosConcio, the King of Talk TV host Boy abunda, actor-director albert Martinez, and SamTrans employee Emmanuel Cabrera; October 28 - actress angelika de la Cruz, and Novo Ecijano leader Marilyn Cuncio Carian; October 29 - antioch care home owner and dental assistant Evangeline Perez; October 31 - Multi-awarded actor Christopher de Leon. To all celebrants, a very happy birthday!

Piolo & Toni: Time after time by Ricky Lo

I think it was self-inflicted.” • First time/last time he got a big wish granted THEy are done with “pa“First time was when my tweetums,” leaving it to the mom allowed me to go back to younger love teams, and Piolo the Philippines to pursue acting Pascual and Toni Gozaga have and it was my prayer that she graduated to a higher level of would yes because she didn’t rom-com in Star Cinema’s Last Night, their second-time-around want me away from her. But I stood up for what I really wanna team-up, which is described by do and that was my wish and its director, Bb. joyce Bernal, she granted it.” as “a dark romantic comedy.” • Last time? (They actually first worked Hmmm, I don’t know. I wish together in a TV commercial for Sprite. Remember Toni scream- that it would happen every day. I pray every day and you know ing her lungs out, “I love you, sometimes it just happens and Piolo!”?) sometimes it doesn’t. But, ahhh, Conversations refrains from every day there’s always a wish making a “spoiler alert” by revealing what the story is (writ- granted, I should say.” • First time/last time he got ten by Bela Padilla, featured in an accompanying piece). Suffice so depressed “First time was when I was a it to say that it will make you happy and sad at the same time kid and my parents would leave home and I was left alone na as two lovers struggle to make walang kalaro. their last night together last “Last time? No, I don’t longer, if not forever. get depressed. When I feel it The selling point of a PioloToni movie is the relatable story, coming, I channel it elsewhere. Whether I do sport, I busy mynot any gimmick that there’s self with a lot of things. Depres“something” between them sion is a state of mind. It’s how since the whole world knows you look at it, I guess.” that Piolo is “unattached” (by • First kiss/last kiss choice) and Toni is happily mar“First kiss? aahhh, noong ried to director Paul Soriano by black and white pa ‘yung TV. whom she has a year-old son “Last kiss? aahhh, with Tin (Severiano Elliot, or Seve for (Toni) siguro sa ‘Last Night.’” short). • First time/last time he The movie marks Piolo and traveled abroad Toni’s second coming together, “First time was when I was Conversations decided to do a a teenager and I went to the “timely” story by making them recall their “first times” and “last States. Last time was recently when I went to Paris for the times.” wedding of Vicki and Hayden.” Piolo • First thing he does as • First time/last time he soon as he wakes up/last thing cried really hard that he does before he goes “Last shooting day of our to sleep film which was just last week, “I pray as soon as I wake up. I couldn’t stop crying because “and I also pray before I go of the scene that we shot. I was to sleep.” crying the whole day, actually.” • First time/last time he • First time/last time he fell earned his first million in love “First and last time was “First time? ahhh, yeah, ang when I was in my early 20s.” tagal-tagal na! Obviously, but • First time/last time he ...No, that was not the last, but squandered on something it’s been a while.” “I don’t really squander my • First time/last time he money. you know, I’m a very was heart broken practical person. If I have extra “First time was, I guess, money, I indulge in food and when I was in high school. That I travel but I don’t necessarily was the time when I thought squander my money.” everything was okay. • First time/last time he “The last time was…hmmm, Philstar.com

Gelli de Belen and Ariel Rivera with sons Joaquin (18) and Julio (16) have been together for 25 years, 20 of which as a married couple. Philstar.com photo

Ariel & Gelli: A perfect match by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

THE marriage of Gelli de Belen and ariel Rivera is among the few stable unions in showbiz, and Gelli tells why. “We’ve been together for 25 years,” counted Gelli, “and 20 years of which as a married couple. We are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary in December.” They are blessed with two sons, joaquin (18) and julio (16), who are currently schooled in Toronto, cared for by ariel’s family. The boys had their early education here and, initially against Gelli’s wishes, decided to study abroad, julio in high school and joaquin with two more subjects to complete before he goes to college. “I think that more than me,” continued Gelli, now pushing 44, “it’s ariel who should get more credit. you know us women, we want to be the last, we want our relationship to last, so we do anything and everything to make it work. I think it’s natural with us women. We are naturally loving and nurturing. It’s a different story when it comes to men. I am blessed lang na nakatagpo ako ng lalaking ganoon din ang gusto sa buhay, prioritizing family. Feeling ko I have found my perfect match in ariel.” asked in jest if ariel is faithful, Gelli replied, “yes naman,” adding also in jest, “and I hope so!” (In fairness to ariel, since he got married, he has never been rumored to have, well, “gone astray.”) as a mother of teenagers, Gelli has taken to heart her role as the aunt of Daniel Padilla and Maymay Entrata in the aBS-CBN action series “La Luna Sangre.” “I feel as if they are my real children,” said Gelli. “Maymay is such a darling, malambing

na bata, mabilis mag-pick up, mabilis maka-intindi. When she is in doubt, she asks around and I love her for that. She’s willing to learn. I think that she will go far, that she will go the distance. “With Daniel, well, he’s such a sweetheart, madaling makaconnect since he has acting in his genes. When I am in the scenes with Maymay and Daniel, feeling ko kausap ko lang ang mga anak ko.” Congratulated for the show’s consistent rise in the ratings game, Gelli begged our pardon. “I am not the top-rater,” she qualified. “Sabit lang ako d’un.” joaquin and julio were home during this interview, taking a break from school. They have been away for more than a year and Gelli, as well as ariel, miss them so much. “I’m pampering them,” related Gelli. “I’m more makulit than I was when they were still here, kasi miss na miss ko sila, eh, although we would visit them in Toronto for three weeks or one month when we have free time. We also communicate with them regularly through Skype. In the Philippines, the boys are forever identified as the sons of ariel and Gelli while in Toronto they have their own identity and can move about without the sound of “anak ni ariel at Gelli” ringing in their heads. “There,” said Gelli, “they can be themselves. They enjoy playing basketball without people being curious about them. joaquin is old enough to drive and julio is usually his passenger. joaquin wants to be a pilot. Magastos na course pero susuportahan namin siya dyan.” She conceded that the boys are embarking on their journey as young adults and Gelli said she (and ariel) are ready to embrace their roles as parents of adults.

Three years after their hit starrer “Starting Over Again,” Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga are togetheragain in “Last Night” which is described as ‘a dark romantic comedy’

realized that he was famous “Up to now, it’s not sinking in. Sometimes, when people scream your name, parang, for me, I always take it as part of my work. you have to perform well for the people to appreciate you. But I’m just blessed enough to be in this business this long. It’s not about being popular. I guess, it’s a job.” • First time/last time it dawned on him that stardom is not forever “I’ve always been aware of it. I’ve always been in touch with reality. you know for a fact that you are not young forever so you have to make sure that you don’t bring your work home so that it’s not gonna be hard for you. at the end of the day, it’s all just work.” Toni • First time/last time she really fell in love “First time and last time was on june 12, 2007.” • First time/last time she was heart broken “I wouldn’t say I was heart broken na super. Technically, kasi paano ka maha-heart broken hindi mo naman naging boyfriend? So…I wouldn’t say I was heart broken.” • First time/last time her big wish was granted “First and last…giving birth.” • First time/last time she got depressed “First and last was after giv-

ing birth.” • First time/last time she did somebody a big favor “First and last? ahhhh, I did it for my husband (director Paul Soriano).” • First thing she does as soon as she wakes up/last thing she does before she goes to sleep “I kiss Seve (son Severiano Elliot) before I go to sleep and I kiss Seve again as soon as I wake up.” • First time/last time she earned her first million “My first million? I was 20. My last million? Hmmmm…” • First time/last time she squandered on something “Ano, ‘yung binili ko? Uhmm, luxury car.” • First time/last time she doubted the sincerity and honesty of somebody close to her “First and last was when I was 21.” • First time/last time she realized that she was famous “Di ko ma-realize, never kong na-realize. Honestly. I don’t know why. Maybe because I am close to reality so I know that everything is temporary. Hindi ko siya mapang-hawakan, eh. Hindi ko siya hinahawakan.” • First time/last time she realized that stardom is not forever “I am aware of that every day…every day since I started in this business.”

is ruffa Gutierrez turning into Annabelle rama? by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

ThirTy years after debuting onscreen when she was just 13-years-old, ruffa Gutierrez is eager as ever to thrive in show business. As such, 1993â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Miss World Second Princess could hardly contain her excitement during her contract signing to join the stable of artists at ALV Talent Circuit. headed by Arnold Vegafria, ALV will co-manage her career, alongside her â&#x20AC;&#x153;mommygerâ&#x20AC;? as she has often called Annabelle rama. Gutierrez is confident that with the move, she will enjoy a busier career. â&#x20AC;&#x153;iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so excited! This collaboration has found its perfect timing and i can say that since closing the deal, Arnold and i are now phone palsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been talking unceasingly over the phone. But i am not complaining, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to have open communication with the people handling your career,â&#x20AC;? the 43year-old noted. Besides her current stint as â&#x20AC;&#x153;ruffa-ryâ&#x20AC;? in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eat Bulagaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;? current segment Jackpot En Poy, Gutierrez and Vegafria are looking into more endorsements, acting projects and possibly hosting stints. â&#x20AC;&#x153;i really miss hosting talk shows where i get to banter with co-hosts and express my opinions. i hope mauso ulit sila,â&#x20AC;? Gutierrez shared admitting that with the advent of social media, talk shows have become a passĂŠ. She formerly hosted ABS-CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Buzzâ&#x20AC;? and TV5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paparazzi,â&#x20AC;? both showbiz talk shows. With plans for her comeback in place, Gutierrez further shared that her new management will also handle the impending careers of her two daughters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My kids are also starting to get inquiries and offer. Lorin is now 14 while Venice just turned 13. Sabi ko sa kanila pwede tayong tumanggap [ng projects] as long as hindi natin pababayaan ang pag-aaral

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - September 29, 2017

SF5

MON Cargo celebrates 31st anniversary

ThE pioneer in door-todoor delivery service to the Philippines in the Bay Area will celebrate its 31st anniversary. Established in 1986 by Mr. Mon V. Singh, MON CArGO has always been consistent with his prime objective to reach out to the needs of his fellow Filipino U.S. immigrant with excellent service. MON CArGO sticks to its credo to maintain an outstanding track record of being the most honest, competent and steadfast enterprise of its kind. in line with its goal, the management and staff of MON CArGO as well are known to be responsive, empathetic, accommodating and very polite in dealing to its valued customThe 43-year-old admits to being extra careful with her daughters Lorin and Venice (inset) who are now in their teenage years. ManilaTimes.net photo ers. They always make it to a wards this whole thing, they are point that all customers are well nyo,â&#x20AC;? the actress noted. informed regarding the status not too excited about all this,â&#x20AC;? Gutierrez is firm, however, of the balikbayan boxes that the gorgeous mom added. that finishing school is still the are sent in the Philippines. Gutierrez said she is extra top priority of her children with â&#x20AC;&#x153;in all our dealings, we careful with her girls what with former husband yilmaz Bektas. make it a point to be friendly, the way the youth lead their After all, she has always been courteous, fair and compassionlives nowadays. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iba na ang practical and realistic. buhay nila ngayon. But for me, ate,â&#x20AC;? said MON CArGO presiâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Should showbiz prove not dent Agnes Doniego Singh. aside from focusing on their to be their destiny, i want them your balikbayan boxes with studies gusto kong mas magto have something to fall back MON CArGO are always in ing matatag sila bilang babae, on,â&#x20AC;? the single mom maingood hands and reaches its for them to learn to say no to tained. destination to your family memcertain things. impressively, without any bers, relatives and friends in â&#x20AC;&#x153;having said that, entering other exposure besides the the Philippines on time, intact, into romantic relationships, i familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reality show â&#x20AC;&#x153;it Takes guaranteed with that original know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna happen pero Gutz to be a Gutierrezâ&#x20AC;? on E! seal upon delivery. Since then, wag sana muna silang magkaChannel, the Bektas sisters Mon Cargo has remained ka-boyfriend. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re such bahave built a strong following true to its slogan: â&#x20AC;&#x153;hanggang bies pa!â&#x20AC;? Gutierrez remarked, each on social media platform admitting that she is starting to doon mula dito, kahon niyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y instagram. selyado, walang bawas, walang sound like rama who is known Lorin, who started inskulang, delivery intact.â&#x20AC;? Furfor being tough on her during tagram in December 2016, thermore, the company helps her teen years. has already gathered 62,000 our â&#x20AC;&#x153;kababayansâ&#x20AC;? reunite with Finally, Gutirrez revealed followers with each of her 13 what her greatest fear is at this their relatives and loved ones. posts raking in thousands of They can be closer through the point on her life: for either of double taps. Venice, on the remembrance and celebration her daughters to get serious other hand, who has just been of their hard work in America with a boy prematurely. allowed her own instagram acâ&#x20AC;&#x153;i wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want them living by means of sending balikcount since turning 13, already in with anyone [without getting bayan boxes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all handled with has 9,200 followers after just care. married]. i know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2017 but four days on line. in celebration of their 31st when it comes to these things, But the mom of two was anniversary, Mon Cargo Serviciâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still traditional! And boys, more proud in knowing that es, inc. is extending their 1+1 in the future if you want to get Lorin and Venice have yet to promo. Send one regular box their yeses, get my approval realize and act on their celeband they will ship another mini rity statusâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they choose to miss first, bring me flowers and box for free for Metro Manila chocolates, iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m old-fashioned showbiz and lifestyle events in and Luzon only. you may also like that,â&#x20AC;? Gutierrez ended favor of school activities. avail of the 5+1 promo where â&#x20AC;&#x153;i like their attitude now to- laughing.

you simply have to send five (5) regular boxes to the Philippines (not necessarily at the same time), and you will have your 6th box shipped for free. Mon Cargo also offers the following services: Container Shipments for returning residents, Crating - home

Appliance / Furniture, Vehicle Shipments, Airline Tickets, Free Pick-Up, Free replacement Box, Free Strapping, insurance up to $ 500.00. Please visit their website at www.moncargoservices.com or make a call at 1-800-432-4300. (Advertising Supplement)

Town mates and Friends:

Please join us in celebration of our

508/ '*&45" TU '06/%*/( "//*7&34"3: 0' #"4$ JO -"4 7&("4 /&7"%" When: Saturday, October 7, 2017 Where: Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, 400 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Prepaid Dinner Buffet ticket only: $65 per person Please make check payable to: Aludiya Lagmay-Ganzon E 8119 Mary Ellen Avenue, North Hollywood, California 91605 - or Priscilla Castaneto-Ruedas 6851 Dale Street Apartment # 16, Buena Park, California 90621

Nazario Perlas:

nazario.perlas@yahoo.com

Precy Castaneto- Ruedas: Lito Tambo: Ludy Lagmay-Ganzon:

pcruedas@yahoo.com lito.tambo@sbcglobal.net lganzon@gmail.com

Mila Tadina: mrtadina@yahoo.com Josie Dolor Etrata: wilpenn@yahoo.com Mary Ann Aricheaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Caunan: macaunan@ha.ucla.edu

:PZ 4PUH :\UNH )YV 1VL :HU[VZ

*Discounted Room rates available at Gold Coast Hotel & Casino until September 3, 2017: Code: ABA2017

SF6

T he Asian Jo ur na l SF M A G A Z I NE - Sept embe r 2 9 , 2 0 1 7

seafood city fpfc roger