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JOURNAL

. c o m T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c a n C o m m u n i t y N e w s pa p e r DECEMBER 2-8, 2010

Volume 22 - No. 39 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

DATELINE

Reid to advance immigration bill

USA

by Julie

Hirschfeld Associated Press

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America

Dallas court favors Marcos victims A FEDERAL judge in Fort Worth, Texas recently awarded a $10 million settlement to Filipinos in the Philippines who were human rights victims during former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime.

US District Judge Terry Means approved the class-action lawsuit involving 9,539 Filipino human rights victims during the Marcos regime and seven companies that owned land, believed to have been bought with money from Marcos’ estate, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Attorney Robert Swift, a lawyer who has been representing the Filipino victims for over two decades, told the StarTelegram, “I think it’s a start. After 25 years, I hope it’s a start.”

The plaintiffs were either victims or heirs of victims of human rights during the Marcos era, which lasted from 1965 until he was overthrown in 1986. The companies involved – Ellesmere Investment Corp., B.N. Development Co., JaPAGE A2

CA regulator fines insurers

Davis

WASHINGTON—The top Senate Democrat said Tuesday he’d move to force a test vote this week on a measure to give tens of thousands of young illegal immigrants a path to legal status.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he’d move to schedule action on the so-called Dream Act, which would give more than 100,000 young immigrants brought to the United States before the age of 16 a chance to

become legal residents if they attend college or join the military.

It’s unclear whether Reid can muster the 60 votes necessary to move to an up-or-down vote on the measure. It has some degree of bipartisan support, but is opposed by most Republicans and some Democrats who regard it as little more than an amnesty grant for illegal immigrants.

A coalition of labor and immigrant advocacy groups announced Tuesday they’re launching a ra-

White House Commission on APIs supports DREAM Act Saying the proposed law is good for the nation’s economy and security, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders expressed its support to the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).

“Research has shown the potential of undocumented students to contribute to the economy and the US workforce,” US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in a White House statement issued last Dec. 1.

“The DREAM Act would offer a rigorous and lengthy pathway towards earned legalization that would be a powerful incentive for young people to stay in school, graduate, stay out of trouble, and contribute to the economic stability of our country, Locke, who is also co-chair of the advisory commission, said.

For his part, US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said, “Enacting the DREAM Act would be an important part of our efforts to meet the Red and white balloons commemorate World AIDS Day in Manila, Philippines last Dec.1. Citing 2008 figures, the World Health Organization said some Administration’s goal of having the highest 33.4 million are living with HIV, with 2.7 million newly infected with the virus and 2 million dying of AIDS. The Philippines has a low prevalence of HIV proportion of college graduates in the world by infection with 5,729 cases, according to the data from the Department of Health.

LOS ANGELES—After a state audit, California’s seven largest health insurers face nearly $5 million in fines for wrongly refusing to pay claims to hospitals and physicians.

Improper claim payments are burdening health providers as they struggle to stay afloat in a bad economy, California Department of Managed Health Care Director Cindy Ehnes said Monday.

“If providers are not paid, patient care and access suffers,” Ehnes said. “The insurance companies in this state must pay their fair share of their claims promptly, fairly and on time.”

Audits ordered by Ehnes in 2008 found seven health plans weren’t meeting a legal threshold of paying 95 percent of claims correctly. On average, plans paid about 80 percent of claims correctly, Ehnes said.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California each have agreed to pay

AP photo

by Elmer

Kristian Dauigoy Inquirer.net

effect,” Galang said.

Filipino or American?

In March, Galang gathered 18 of his students to test how strongly they saw themselves as Filipinos. The test was done for three consecutive Mondays after Pacquiao’s victory over Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on March 14.

Galang said he used the Brief Implicit Association Test (BIAT), which measures how a person associates words with concepts shaped by his or her experiences.

He required his students to sit in front of a computer monitor, where he flashed in sequence English words like “self,” “I,” “me” and “mine.”

Each time the words were flashed on the screen, Galang asked the students to describe whether each word was a Filipino or an American concept.

PAGE A3

PH overtakes India as world’s BPO leader Ann Ll Philstar.com

Reyes

MANILA—The Philippines has overtaken India as the world’s number one country for shared services and business process outsourcing (BPO), according to IBM’s Global Locations Trend.

This is the first time the Philippines

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‘Pacquiao effect’ on Pinoys subject of study

BAGUIO CITY—Even psychologists are intrigued by the so-called Pacquiao phenomenon.

Filipinos worldwide rejoice every time Manny Pacquiao brings down an opponent, but can Pacquiao, who is also a politician, boost the Filipinos’ sense of their national identity?

This was what Adrianne John Galang, a De La Salle University psychology professor, said he hoped to find out in a study he presented the other day at the 35th Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Philippine Psychology) conference at the University of the Philippines Baguio.

Galang said low crime rates during Pacquiao’s fights were some of the “anecdotal evidence” that the boxing champion influenced the national behavior.

“I wanted to find real evidence of a Pacquiao PAGE A2

by Mary

dio and print advertising campaign to pressure Republican senators to support the measure. Targets include Florida Sen. George LeMieux, Maine Sens.

Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, Nevada Sen. John Ensign and Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

“This is the chance for Republicans to show they can rise above all the hate-mongering and all the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the campaign season,” PAGE A2

is in the top spot for these activities.

IBM growth markets general manager Bruno Di LeoHe said the Philippines is attractive to international business due to its well-educated workforce, strong work ethic and good language abilities.

“Filipinos are competitive and flexible and productive. That is why we are confident in investing in the future

WITH NEW LEADERSHIP

of the Philippines,” he said.

IBM announced the opening of three new service delivery facilities inside the UP Ayala Techno Hub in Quezon City that will deliver outsourced process services, including human resources, finance and administration, customer relationship management, application management services and PAGE A3

EVEN IN DEATH

Cory makes Time power list

by Joanne

Rae Ramirez Philstar.com

MANILA—One of the 25 most powerful women of the past century, according to Time magazine, is a Filipino—the late President Corazon Aquino.

In its 2010 Time 100 Special Issue released last month, Time hailed Aquino, along with the

late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, the late Mother Teresa and media personality Oprah Winfrey as among the 25 women who most influenced the world in the past century.

Only two Asians were on the shortlist – Aquino and Jiang Qing or “Madame Mao,” wife of

3700 W. Desert Inn Road Las Vegas, NV 89102 • Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

Pacquiao stumped for Harry Reid in Las Vegas last October and was seen to be instrumental in the re-electionist’s victory.

AJPress file photos by Robert Macabagdal

PAGE A3

NaFFAA vows to step up rebuilding efforts MEETING in San Francisco for its 9th Empowerment Conference, members of the 13-year-old National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) elected new national officers and vowed to focus their efforts in the next two years on advocacy, voter participation, forging partnerships and rebuilding NaFFAA’s infrastructure.

Eduardo Navarra, 66, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan was elected national chairman, succeeding Greg Macabenta of San Francisco, Calif. A systems engineer with Ford Motor Company for 30 years, Navarra retired recently to devote his time to community service. He has served as chair of NaFFAA’s 8 MidWest region states for 8 years.

Also elected were JT Mallonga, 56, of Bloomfield, NJ as national vice chair; and Brendan Flores, 25, of Las Vegas NV as national youth chair. Mallonga is a New York

practicing attorney and founder of the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF). He served as regional chair of the Eastern Region for four years.

Flores is a business administration student at the University of Phoenix and a vice president at the Wells Fargo Bank. All three executive officers were voted into office unanimously.

Equal Partners.

In his acceptance speech, Navarra vowed to strengthen NaFFAA’s political presence in the nation’s capital through active advocacy and coalition building. “While we will continue to address Philippine concerns, we will direct our collective energies towards issues that affect our community here in the US,” he declared. “We will undertake these initiatives not as an umbrella organization but as an equal partner with other national formations and local groups PAGE A2

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, New York/NEW JERSEY

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Reid to advance...

From The Front

Dallas court favors...

PAGE A1

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said Mitch Ackerman of the Service Employees International Union, which counts many undocumented workers among its members.

Still, the debate over the measure is fraught with politics. Reid vowed earlier this month - in the thick of his tough re-election fight in heavily Hispanic Nevada - to hold a vote on the bill when Congress returned to finish its end-of-the-year business.

He won with the help of Hispanic voters, who also played a major role in sparing other Democrats - including Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Barbara Boxer of California - from being toppled by a GOP wave.

Frank Sharry of America’s Voice, an immigrant advocacy group, said the election showed that lawmakers who “lean into” the immigration issue reap benefits at the polls.

“There was a firewall in the West where Latino voters turned out in big numbers to reward people who championed them,” Sharry said. “We’re going to try to make it painful” for those who oppose efforts to give illegal immigrants a path to legal status, he added.

The battle for enactment of the Dream Act comes amid frustration by Hispanic activists and their advocates that President Barack Obama hasn’t pressed harder for a broad immigration overhaul to give several million illegal immigrants a path to legalization.

Addressing the plight of a much smaller population of young immigrants is seen by these groups as a downpayment on such a measure, after its prospects were destroyed earlier this month when Republicans won the House and larger numbers in the Senate.

son Development Co., Langley Investment Corp., Pender Investment Corp., Revelstoke Investment Corp. and Vernon Investment Corp. – are believed to have been companies started up by Marcos during his reign.

After legal fees, the victims will be awarded $1,000 a person, according to Swift.

This is the second time the human rights victims have been awarded a large sum from cases against Marcos.

According to legal documents of the case, Filipino activist Romulo Del Prado and thousands of Filipino victims, known legally as Class of Judgment Creditors of the Estate of Ferdinand E. Marcos, filed the class-action lawsuits against Marcos after he was deposed in 1986. The former president was served with numerous complaints, claiming damages for human rights violations.

Between 1992 and 1995, three separate jury trials in Hawaii were held concerning the issues of liability and damages. Ultimately, President Marcos was cast in judgment for nearly $2 billion in damages to the plaintiff class, ac-

CA regulator fines insurers...

PAGE A1 $900,000 fines. United/Pacificare is being fined $800,000; HealthNet and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan are being fined $750,000 each. Cigna is being fined $450,000; and Aetna is being fined $300,000.

Additionally, insurers will have to pay an uncapped amount of restitution to hospitals and health providers, which is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars, Ehnes said.

The fines and corrective actions have been negotiated and agreed upon with the insurers, officials said. Insurers also face a follow-up audit.

A lobbying group representing health insurers pledged to streamline the system to reduce costs, prevent errors and maintain a focus on patient care.

“Plans are committed to ensuring our members have access to the health care they need every day,” California Association of Health Plans President Patrick Johnston said in a statement.

The state audit relied on statistically significant samples of each insurer’s claims, so an exact number is unknown. But hundreds of thousands of claims might have been affected, Ehnes said.

She also criticized what she called the hollow provider dispute resolution process discovered at five of the seven plans – all but Anthem and Blue Shield.

Providers with a claim dispute would often end up contacting the same department that had initially denied their claim, which rarely took a “real renewed interest in the claim,” Ehnes said.

Corrective plans are in place to prevent that in the future, she said. (Shaya Tayefe Mohajer/AP)

Page

NaFFAA vows to step up...

PAGE A1

cording the legal documents of the case.

However, 15 years later, the plaintiffs have yet to receive any money, Swift told the StarTelegram.

Swift said the difficulty has been tracking down Marcos’ estate through a maze of shell companies.

Swift said it is believed that Marcos began making land deals in the 1950s through a confidant, Jose Campos, who used offshore companies.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Marcos began buying land across Tarrant County, about 22 miles West of Dallas, using money that he pilfered from citizens of the Philippines, Swift told the Star-Telegram.

He added the settlement was the right decision as a means to quickly deliver compensation to the victims, many of whom live in poverty.

“In some respects, the settlement is a no-brainer,” Swift said. “The class receives $10 million, which can be distributed very shortly, and we’re still able to pursue other Marcos properties, which we are doing.” (Joseph Pimentel/AJPress)

White House Commission on APIs...

PAGE A1

2020.”

It is estimated that approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year but they cannot go on to pursue their dreams of higher education or continued development. According to the Migration Policy Institute, one in ten potential DREAM Act beneficiaries comes from an Asian country.

“This critical bipartisan legislation will establish a process for hardworking young people who have lived most of their lives in this country and tend to be bicultural and fluent in English to obtain legal residency if they are able to meet certain conditions,” said Daphne Kwok, Chair of the President’s Advisory Commission.

The Presidential Advisory Commission has embarked on an information campaign to educate communities about of the benefits of the DREAM Act. “We are reaching out to all the different communities so they can be engaged in the process because these might affect them,” Kiran Ahuja, executive director of the commission said in a telephone conference last week. White House Initiative on APIs said. (AJPress)

that have a stake in protecting and promoting the interests of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in this country.”

Among the issues that NaFFAA will continue to be engaged in are comprehensive immigration reform and equity benefits for the spouses and widows of Filipino World War II veterans.

“We are grateful to our champions in Congress, like Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Daniel Akaka, and Rep. Bob Filner for securing the longawaited official recognition of our veterans and the one-time compensation,” he said. “But their widows, and their sons and daughters, also deserve a measure of justice.”

Looking towards the 2012 elections, Navarra stressed that Filipino voter participation is key to community empowerment. “We need to translate our numbers into political power,” Mallonga added. “This requires getting more eligible immigrants to be naturalized citizens, registered as voters and turning out in the polls.” The nationally-coordinated effort will be implemented through the FilVote program, in partnership with national coalitions and regional organizations.

The 3-day conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Burlingame, Calif. from Nov. 19-21. Among the highlights: State of NaFFAA Address Outgoing National Chairman Greg Macabenta outlined NaFFAA’s achievements in the last two years – from the successful advocacy of Filipino veterans benefits to internal restructuring of the organization – and provided a sober assessment of the NaFFAA national office’s limited capacity.

Intergenerational leadership The Conference theme, “Building the Next Generation of Community Advocates,” was designed to fully engage the delegates in the total experience of understanding and knowing how to implement the tools of advocacy. “We’ve completed a full cycle of leadership in NaFFAA’s first 12 years,” says Ben Menor, the conference chairman. “We’ve achieved our goal of igniting the flames of consciousness within our community.

We’re on track for the next 12 years and beyond.” Panels led by young Pinoys and Pinays, included sessions on “Early Literacy,” “Mentorship,” “Bridging Our Generations,” “Empowerment in Health” and “Advocacy through Digital Media.”

Memorandum of understanding between the Philippine Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and NaFFAA Representing the Philippine Government was Imelda Nicolas, CFO Chair, who signed the MOU with Navarra. It says in part: “We resolve to work together to initiate and undertake the implementation of projects and programs that promote the welfare of Filipinos in the US.” A legacy of pride Delegates honored Filipino Americans who won elected office as city mayors, city council and school board members and state legislators.

Special mention was made of the election of Tani Cantil-Sakauye as chief justice of California high court, Rob Bonta as Alameda City Council member, Kris Valderrama and Ron Villanueva as state legislators in Maryland and Virginia respectively; and Ohio Rep. Steve Austria, who was reelected to the US Congress.

Legislative initiatives Advocates for the Save Our Industries Act (S. 3170) urged delegates to lobby their US representatives to support the measure that would help the struggling textile manufacturing in the Philippines. Activists also asked help in pushing the DREAM Act, a bill that provides a pathway to legal status for undocumented youth brought to the US at a young age.

Close to 200 delegates from all over country attended the conference and listened to speakers including San Francisco Commissioner Dennis Normandy, Hollywood Actress May Flores, NaFFAA National Chair Emeritus Loida Nicolas Lewis, Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor Jr.; Hector Vargas and Rozita Lee, Commissioners on President’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders; NAFVE National Coordinator Ben de Guzman and Rodel Rodis of US Pinoys for Good Governance.

Rene “Butch” S. Meily, President of PLDT-Smart Foundation, a major sponsor of the conference, delivered the keynote speech at the “Isang Diwa” Gala Night program on “The Image of the Philippines in the US” In his farewell remarks, Macabenta thanked one of NaFFAA’s founders, Alex Esclamado, whose wife Luly accepted “The Order of the Carabao” Award. Macabenta also acknowledged the “hard work and dedication” of conference organizers Ben Menor and Baylan Megino, Online Coordinator Lorna Dietz and Region 8 Chair Jose Pecho.

The NaFFAA National Board will convene in Washington DC early next year to map out its 2-year plan. The 2012 empowerment conference will be held in Detroit, Michigan. (Jon Melegrito)

Dateline USA

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‘Pacquiao effect’ on...

PAGE A1 He theorized that the impact of Pacquiao’s fights on behavior would determine the speed by which the students responded.

Automatic response “They responded faster and quickly associated the words ‘self,’ ‘I,’ ‘me’ and ‘mine’ with ‘Filipino.’ This means that the students are closer to the Filipino concept cognitively,” he said.

Galang also said the tests indicated that the students responded much faster on the Monday that preceded Pacquiao’s win, compared to the tests he conducted two weeks after the fight.

“They reacted much faster right after Pacquiao’s bout. It became automatic to them to say that they are Filipino,” Galang said.

More studies needed The test to determine the “Pacquiao effect” is still in its early stages, he said.

Galang said he conducted a new set of tests after Pacquiao’s win over Mexican Antonio Margarito on

November 14. He said 128 subjects were tested online.

He has not released the results of the latest test.

“This is just a glimpse. There may be or there may not be [a Pacquiao effect]. It is subject to further studies,” Galang said.

A different study In contrast to Galang’s findings, another study presented at the forum indicated that the sense of being a Filipino wanes after a tragedy has befallen the country.

Diwa Malaya Quiñones, a UP Baguio professor, conducted this other test among 110 students two days after a dismissed policeman killed eight Hong Kong tourists during a hostage drama at Manila’s Rizal Park on August 22.

The respondents were asked how they ranked their “being Filipino” on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) when faced with a statement like: “I don’t feel good about being Filipino.”

The respondents mostly agreed with the statement “I don’t feel good about being a Filipino,” Quiñones said.

Cory makes Time...

PAGE A1 Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong.

The magazine listed the names alphabetically, and also included Nobel Prize winner scientist Marie Curie, fashion icon Coco Chanel, Madonna, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Mrs. Aquino, who died last year of colon cancer, and whose only son Benigno III is now President of the Philippines, was cited for her role in the restoration of democracy in the Philippines through peaceful means.

“Her sudden ascension as the first female President of the Philippines was the battered islands’ first step toward democracy,” wrote Rachelle Dragani in the tribute to Mrs. Aquino dated Nov. 18.

“Weathering both coup attempts and corruption charges, Aquino was unable to push through much of the social reform

that her supporters had hoped for. But when she stepped down in 1992, she still stood tall as the people’s choice,” the article stressed.

Mrs. Aquino, ironically, never sought political power in her life and was content to be a supportive wife to her husband, former mayor and governor and then senator, Benigno Aquino Jr. His assassination in 1983 led her to take up his crusade, saying, “I would never be able to forgive myself if I knew I could have done something for my country and didn’t.”

Of her style as President, she told a joint session of the US Congress in 1986: “As I came to power peacefully, so shall I keep it. That is my contract with my people and my commitment to God. He had willed that the blood drawn with a lash shall not in my country be paid by blood drawn by the sword but by the tearful joy of reconciliation. We have swept away absolute power by a limited revolution that respected the life

PAGE A1 shared services (IBM internal) to existing and future clients of IBM’s BPO unit.

This expansion also further strengthens IBM’s existing service delivery capability in the Philippines which serves over a million client employees across 84 countries.

A mix of BPO services will be delivered to global companies from sectors such as healthcare/ pharmaceutical, consumer goods, technology, entertainment, telecommunication and distribution through these new facilities.

Di Leo emphasized that the company is committed to growth and to the Philippines. IBM operates in eight world-class locations in the business centers of Metro Manila and Metro Cebu and delivers

IT and business solutions to leading public and private sector clients throughout the country.

He said the three new global delivery facilities here will further add to IBM Philippines’ ability to deliver business services to both domestic and multi-national clients around the world.

Di Leo also revealed that in the next five years, IBM intends to more than double its employees in the Philippines because the country is a world leader in providing business support functions.

He added that next year, IBM intends to double its business growth in these global delivery centers by building centers of competence with deep industry expertise in business analytics, applications management and helpdesk operations. “We

A

Deficit panel’s painful budget draws challenges

by Andrew

Taylor and Tom Associated Press

WASHINGTON—A painful package of spending cuts and tax increases drew sharp challenges from both the left and right on President Barack Obama’s deficit commission Wednesday, putting approval in doubt. However, both parties’ Senate budget point men embraced the plan, and even opponents called it a starting point for efforts next year to control the nation’s ballooning debt.

“It’s a template that gives people an opportunity to start discussing what we have to do to get our fiscal house in order,” said Rep. Xavier Becerra, a California Democrat on the panel who hasn’t said whether he’ll support the package. and freedom of every Filipino.”

The 18-member bipartisan The Full List of Time’s 25 Most commission scheduled a vote Powerful Women of the Century. on the plan for Friday. But as Leading Ladies Wednesday’s meeting demonJane Addams (1860-1935) strated, the co-chairmen, DemoCorazon Aquino (1933-2009) crat Erskine Bowles and RepubliRachel Carson (1907-1964) can Alan Simpson, face a difficult Coco Chanel (1883-1971) chore in rounding up the 14 votes Julia Child (1912-2004) needed to officially send the plan Hillary Clinton (1947-Present) to Congress for consideration.

Marie Curie (1867-1934) Winning over lawmakers Aretha Franklin (1942-Present) who are also panel members Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) appeared to be the biggest reEstée Lauder (1908-2004) maining challenge, given the Madonna (1958-Present) politically incendiary nature of Margaret Mead (1901-1978) many of the proposals. The tax Golda Meir (1898-1978) increases it includes are dealAngela Merkel (1954-Present) breakers for some Republicans, Sandra Day O’Connor (1930- likewise social program cuts for Present) some Democrats.

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) The plan calls for sweeping Jiang Qing (1914-1991) tax changes that would affect Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) millions of Americans, includMargaret Sanger (1879-1966) ing trimming or doing away with Gloria Steinem (1934-Present) many popular tax breaks such Martha Stewart (1941-Present) as the home mortgage deducMother Teresa (1910-1997) tion. It would also make deep Margaret Thatcher (1925-Pres- cuts in military spending, slash ent) the federal work force, raise the Oprah Winfrey (1954-Present) retirement age for full Social SeVirginia Woolf (1882-1941) curity benefits and make cuts in

PH overtakes India as world’s...

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2-8, 2010

Raum

Debt Commission co-chairmen Erskine Bowles, left, and former Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson, speak during a meeting of the commission on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010.

AP photo

Medicare. It aims to reduce federal red ink by nearly $4 trillion within a decade.

Although prospects for the plan are unclear, the attention it has received has helped awaken the nation to the depth of the economic hole the country is in and the need for bold action to dig out, suggested Bowles, who was former President Bill Clinton’s White House chief of staff.

Simpson is a former Republican senator from Wyoming.

“The American people get it now. People want this to happen,” Bowles said.

While the deficit commission grappled with longer-term economic woes, congressional Democrats and Republicans worked separately to strike a deal with the White House on a more immediate financial issue: extending Bush-era tax cuts that expire Dec. 31. And despite talk of finding common ground, neither side seemed willing to yield much as negotiations began with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Budget Director Jacob Lew. Both Democrats and Republicans seem willing to extend most

will hire more industry IT architects as well as graduates from top universities,” he noted.

Meanwhile, IBM Philippines country general manager James Velasquez said this expansion demonstrates their continued commitment to the country.

“The Philippines is one of the strategic locations in IBM’s Global Delivery network that integrates capabilities, assets and skills without borders.

With abundant resources and globally benchmarked processes and methodologies, IBM will provide solutions to global and domestic clients to help them reach higher operational efficiency in a cost-effective way,” he said.

Meanwhile, IBM Corp. vice president for global process services delivery Peter Lynt explained that global delivery as a concept has evolved from outsourcing primarily for cost benefits to partner-

of the tax cuts. But Democrats want to let cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire, citing damage to the federal deficit from lost revenue as a main argument.

Meanwhile, as the deficit commission—formally the president’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform—began moving toward a final decision, Sens. Kent Conrad and Judd Gregg, the Democratic chairman and top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee, threw their high-voltage support behind the plan. Still, both expressed some misgivings.

Gregg, the New Hampshire Republican who is retiring from the Senate, took issue with some proposed tax hikes in the plan, sounding a familiar GOP theme that taxes should be lower, not higher, to promote growth. Still, he said, the overall plan was “moving dramatically in the right direction.”

Conrad, D-N.D., said there were “things in this plan that I dislike intensely.” Yet, he said he was prepared to support it “and support it strongly. I don’t see another alternative.”

ing with clients to demonstrate greater value and differentiation.

IBM recently rebranded the BPO business from Managed Business Process Services (MBPS) to Global Process Services. This new organization has been constructed to deliver the benefits and advantages of the breadth IBM as a company (software, research, etc) to its BPO clients, Lynt said.

IBM Global Process Services started in the Philippines in 2004 and has been experiencing dramatic growth ever since, he noted.

Lynt pointed out that the three new IBM buildings are part of IBM’s commitment to extend existing investments in the country and part of the company’s strategy transformation into a Globally Integrated Enterprise - where the workforce is remixef to the locations where IBM finds the skills necessary for today’s highly globalized economy.

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Ray Parks Jr., Playing for Georgia Tech University

Like Father, Like Son

by Joseph

Pimentel / AJPress

FIL-AM Ray Parks Jr. has a long way to go before he catches up to his father, a Philippine basketball legend, but he’s well on track on doing that.

The 18-year-old Parks Jr., a 6’3” point guard, who had been playing at National University in the Philippines, recently signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball at Georgia Tech University, a school known to produce top flight NBA point guards.

Photo by Mim Brown-SGGryphons.com

“We’re very happy to welcome Ray to our program,” said Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt in a statement the school released on November 22. “He’s a combination guard who is an excellent three-point shooter, and he has improved rapidly over the last six to nine months with his point guard play. He made a very positive impression on everybody around our program, and we feel fortunate to have had him sign with us during the early signing period.”

To die hard Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) fans, if his name sounds familiar it should be. He is the son of PBA Hall of Famer Ray Parks Sr., who many consider the Michael Jordan of the PBA. Parks Sr. was a star at Memphis University before being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the mid-1980s. He never played in the NBA. He bounced around professional teams in the CBA and Europe before settling in the Philippines.

In 12 scintillating seasons in the PBA, Parks Sr. played in 220 games, scored 9,000 points, grabbed over 3,000 rebounds and dished out more than 1,000 assists.

In 1989, his best season, Parks averaged 52 points per game. He was also named the PBA’s Best Import player of the Year a record seven times. He was recently inducted into the PBA, becoming the second American to do so.

Those are high basketball achievements but his son may surpass him.

The younger Park is the 32 ranked shooting guard in the nation, according to Rivals.com a basketball recruiting website.

Another recruiting service, Scout.com, ranked him 26 and a four star recruit.

An ESPN scout describes Parks as a guy who “continues to grow on us the more we see him. He brings it every time he touches the court. The lefty plays with a reckless abandon from the shooting guard position.

He has one of the better strokes we have seen to this point knocking down long jump shots with consistency. When you crowd

him at the line he is skilled enough with the ball to create something off the dribble, preferring to get all the way to the basket.

The scout said one area Parks’ needs to improve on is his defense but overall, “Bobby has a good body with a strong frame which allows him to defend and rebound at a high level. When you look for a guy to come into your program and compete from day one I don’t think you will find anyone more competitive than Bobby.”

Born and raised in the Philippines, Parks Jr. left the island for better basketball competition at the age of 13. The family moved to Memphis when Parks was 13, and he played basketball his ninth and 10th-grade years at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tenn., where he was the state private school player of the year in 2009.

He transferred to Melrose High School for his 11th-grade year, and helped his team win a class AAA state championship in 2010.

He went back to the Philippines for his senior year and played ball for National University where he also led them to a basketball title.

He also played on the All-Asian team in the 2010 Nike Global Challenge in Hillsboro, Ore., and for the Philippine National Team in 3-on-3 basketball in the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

According to reports, he wants to eventually play for the Smart Gilas Philippine National Team.

Parks Jr. has a long way to go before he can match his father’s achievement but he’s well on his way.

‘12 Days of Christmas’ items now cost $100,000 PITTSBURGH—In the unlikely event that your Christmas list this year includes every item mentioned in “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” be prepared to pay nearly $100,000.

Trying to buy the 364 items repeated in all the song’s verses— from 12 drummers drumming to a partridge in a pear tree— would cost exactly $96,824, an increase of 10.8 percent over last year, according to the annual

Christmas Price Index compiled

by PNC Wealth Management.

So you might want to try for one of everything. That would cost only $23,439, or 9.2 percent more than last year.

The 27th annual holiday index has historically mirrored the US Consumer Price Index, but not this year. The PNC Christmas Price Index grew 9.2 percent from last year, compared with just a 1.1-percent increase in

the much broader Consumer Price Index.

That’s because the whimsical holiday price index looks at a much smaller group of goods and services, explained Jim Dunigan, managing executive of investment for PNC Wealth Management.

Even within the index itself, there are some goods that have seen small increases and others that have seen larger ones, Dunigan said.

Also, gold prices are high— which pushed the cost of five gold rings up 30 percent to $649.95—as was the cost of hiring entertainers. Not to mention the birds.

“There’s no doubt that our feathered friends in general make up a good portion of the increase,” Dunigan said.

The price of feed and its availability led to a 78.6-percent increase in the price of two turtle doves to $100, and a whopping 233-percent increase in the cost of three french hens to $150.

According to Dunigan, higher prices aren’t necessarily a bad thing.

“The good news is that the US economy is improving, and we are starting to see some pockets of price increases, as long as the total basket is controlled,” he said.

Only four of the 12 gifts in the song didn’t go up in price from last year: the pear tree ($149, not including the partridge), four calling birds ($599.96), six geese ($150) and the eight maids-a-milking ($58).

The most expensive item on the list was $6,294.03 to hire nine ladies dancing, a 15-percent increase from last year. The cheapest was $12 for one partridge, a 20-percent increase.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. checks jewelry stores, dance companies, pet stores and other sources to compile the list. Some of its sources this year include the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and the Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Ballet Company.

The annual index is also used in middle and high schools across the country to teach economic trends.

The company’s website includes an MP3 download, games and more about the index. (AP)

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Dateline Philippines

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Poll: 7 of 10 Pinoys in favor of RH bill

ENOUGH FOR THE HOLIDAYS. A woman arranges Chinese ham at a store in Quiapo, Manila yesterday. The Department of Agriculture has assured the public of sufficient supply of pork and chicken during the holidays.

Philstar.com photo

Biweekly hearings for Maguindanao massacre finally begins

by Aie Balagtas See Philstar.com

MANILA—The biweekly court hearings for the Maguindanao massacre begand on Dec. 1.

Prosecution lawyers led by Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon are also set to present two witnesses each trial date.

The 9am hearings are scheduled every Wednesday and Thursday of the month or Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 at the makeshift courtroom in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Court Branch 221 earlier approved the new schedule in order to expedite the year-old trial, which was predicted by litigation lawyer and Sen. Joker Arroyo to last for 200 years.

The prosecution and defense panels requested that the new schedule continue until January next year, but Reyes rejected the proposal because of lack of staff.

She added that her pairing with judge Vivencio Baclig of Quezon City court branch 77 will only last until the end of this month.

Prosecution lawyer Harry Roque, meanwhile, said the Aquino administration has not given reparation to the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre and the absence of assistance from the government might just force some of them not to pursue the case.

“Out of sheer poverty, some of them may be forced to accept loose change from the accused (in exchange for not pursuing the case),” Roque said during a health forum sponsored by the Philippine College of Physicians.

The forum centered on the anguish and the trauma experienced by victims of violence like the Maguindanao massacre. Roque said continuous psycho-social counseling for the families of the victims was never provided by the government from the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo up to the present.

He said there was a group therapy that was conducted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development during Arroyo’s term but it was held only once.

Concerned groups later facilitated the therapy for the victims’ families but this was eventually stopped about six months ago after the psychiatrist who led the doctors in the counseling fell ill.

Roque said the government has the obligation to provide the victims’ families not just compensation but also reparation, especially because some of those involved were state agents.

He stressed that the compensation and reparation from the government are entirely different from the civil indemnities that the victims’ families expect to be awarded if and when the court decides in their favor in the pending multiple murder case.

Meantime, Psychiatrist Dr. Hazel Soriano from the Philippine General Hospital, part of the team of doctors who helped the victims in the counseling, said some of the orphaned families “manifested psychiatric symptoms.”

“Some were withdrawn,” Soriano said, adding that there is a need for continuous therapy for the families because some who might seem to have “recovered” already might still develop symptoms years later.

Roque said some of the families had received P250,000 each—at most—as financial assistance from the government since the massacre happened in November last year.

The Arroyo government gave the victims’ families P100,000 each while the Philippine Char-

ity Sweepstakes Office under the Aquino administration gave P150,000 to the families of the slain journalists.

NPC wants special court Meanwhile, the National Press Club (NPC) expressed confidence that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will eventually support its petition to the Supreme Court to constitute a special court to speed up the trial.

In a statement, the NPC expressed confidence that as soon as De Lima reads the petition she will understand that it is not a petition for a new judge to be assigned to the special court, as what she had previously thought it was.

The NPC agrees with the justice secretary’s position that a new judge would only lead to more delay because of the need to study first the case before the trial can be resumed.

The petition filed by the NPC, together with the Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima), seeks to constitute the same court handling the trial as the special court.

If the NPC petition is granted, the court that will handle the “trial of the decade” will still be the same court, Quezon City RTC branch 221, and handled by the same judge, Solis-Reyes.

The petition asked the High Tribunal to relieve Solis-Reyes of all other cases and other duties to ensure that she would focus on the Maguindanao massacre trial.

The NPC also praised De Lima for her proposal to have a pairing judge working side by side with Solis-Reyes. “Rest assured that the NPC will amend its petition to include the proposal of constituting a pairing judge,” the NPC said.

The petition also seeks the installation of television or LCD monitors just outside the court to allow the public and the media to observe the proceedings.

MANILA—Seven in 10 Filipinos, mostly residents of Metro Manila, favor the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, the recent Ulat ng Bayan Survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.

The survey results also showed a high awareness rate of the bill’s existence among the general public—80 percent of the 1,200 respondents across all socio-economic classes nationwide.

A majority of the respondents in all geographic areas have heard of, read or watched something about the bill, broken down as follows: National Capital Region (90 percent), Luzon (82), Visayas (66) and Mindanao (80).

The same is true for a majority of the respondents in all socioeconomic classes: Classes ABC (93 percent), Class D (82), Class E (72).

Only 20 percent of respondents learned of the existence of the bill while being interviewed for the survey.

The survey showed that 69 percent of the respondents across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes agree with the bill.

Geographically, this is broken down as follows: NCR (74 percent), Luzon (67), Visayas (66) and Mindanao (72).

Across economic classes: Classes ABC (78 percent) Class D (66), Class E (72).

Only seven percent of respondents, mostly in Mindanao, disagree with the bill; 24 percent, on the other hand, remain undecided.

Pulse Asia said the disagreement may be attributed in part to a provision seeking to include reproductive health and sex education in the school curriculum.

The minority who disagree with the bill were asked for their opinion regarding specific provisions.

Respondents in the group agree with the following provisions: recognizing the rights of women and couples to choose the family planning method that they want on the basis of their needs and personal and religious beliefs (79 percent); promoting information about and access to natural and modern family planning methods (70); and stipulating the use of government funds to support modern family planning methods (55).

Forty-four percent of the minority disagree with the proposal to include “Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education” in the school curricula; 39 percent, however, agree with this provision.

Fifty percent of the minority in Luzon and 55 percent in Mindanao are not in favor of including sex education in schools; 47 percent of the minority in socioeconomic class E disagree to this provision.

Opinion among the minority in socio-economic classes ABC and D is split, with 41 percent to 43 percent expressing agreement

and 42 percent to 43 percent supporting the provision.

Fifty percent, however, of the minority in Metro Manila and Visayas favor the inclusion of reproductive education in schools.

Public indecision on the provision is more prominent in Visayas at 32 percent.

The survey has a plus or minus error margin of three percent at 95 percent confidence level.

‘Misleading’ Lawmakers with a pro-life stance said the conduct of the survey was misleading because most of the respondents have likely not read the bill.

“I understand at least 90 percent of the folks have not read the RH bill. How can someone who has not read the bill have an informed opinion on the bill?” said Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez.

He said the respondents should have first been asked if they have read the measure.

Bacolod City Rep. Anthony Golez, a medical doctor, said the survey “clearly shows that 69 percent of Filipinos are not informed about the danger of the health services the RH bill is offering to our people.”

“More than half of the services it (RH bill) offers are abortifacients. This should signal the different medical society groups and medical scientists to come out and inform our public that when we consider that life begins during fertilization, many of RH services can kill a life in utero,” he said.

“When we offer an informed choice as a pillar of family planning, we should make sure that the choices we give to our people are considered lawful, legitimate or do not violate any provision of our Constitution,” he added.

Fence sitting Amid the new discussion on the controversial bill, President Aquino still refuses to take sides, maintaining that he wants couples to decide for themselves on the birth control method they consider appropriate.

“I’m not going to base any of my decisions or my stand on what the survey says. But, let me reiterate, I have not changed my position, it’s still called responsible parenthood and what it seeks to

do is remind all those who will become parents or are already parents that they must fulfill their responsibilities,” Aquino said in a chance interview at the Palace.

He said even the softening of the Vatican’s stand on the use of condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS would not change his

position.

“I have a responsibility as leader of this land. My bosses, who are the people, are having a hard time fulfilling the needs of their families. So that’s where it begins, if the Church will be more sensible, of course it would also help,” Aquino said. (Philstar.

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All home lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Rates, program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or for all amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. © 2010 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

A

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DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Opinion

Features

Safety first PYONGYANG’S shelling of the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong last November 23 has been considered by the government of South Korea as a clear-armed provocation. South Korea now warns North Korea that it will ‘sternly retaliate’ to any further provocation. On the other hand, North Korea viewed the joint military exercises by the US and South Korea as a “prelude to invasion, ” igniting conflict.

The ongoing hostility between South Korea and North Korea is now a world issue. This incident gave us a new reality to an impending historical event that seemed virtual and made us aware about the seriousness of this matter. We don’t need to be there to be haunted of the implications of this conflict. What we see and hear in the news is enough to make us take part in this story that is burdening the world.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, there are approximately 60,000 Filipinos in South Korea. Many of them are young workers for small and medium employers in the industrial zones.

Meanwhile, very few Filipinos are working in North Korea, most of them are NGO workers involved in food aid.

The fear of hostility is an enough encouragement to have Filipinos in Korea sent home—before things get worse. Right now the trauma of separation and isolation plus the fear and anger lingers in the Korean nations.

With the possible escalation of the Korean conflict, Filipinos in Korea have started to pray for peace. The South Korean government provided basic knowledge such as location of bomb shelters, how to wear gas masks, convergence points under different scenarios, and other basic survival

tips. However, the instructions are not as helpful to most Filipinos because they are mostly in Korean.

This is why the Philippine Embassy posted an advisory of the possible convergence areas if evacuation is necessary. The local government will also provide for food and lodging in the convergence areas.

Transportation back to the Philippines will also arranged by plane or ship, and the Embassy promised that there would be no distinction between documented and undocumented Filipinos in Korea. The Philippine Airlines (PAL) is already prepared to offer emergency flights to evacuate Filipinos in South Korea.

It is ironic that the world recently celebrated the 60th year anniversary of the Korean War. There are enough civilians who suffered unspeakable anguish during wars in the past. No one should go through that kind of experience anymore. Intense prayers for peace are now needed.

Although people around the world fervently hope for the dispute to end the possibility of the scenario getting worse still lingers and should not be taken for granted. Ensuring the safety of our kababayans in Korea should be a top priority. (AJPress)

Philstar.com photo

Taking ‘the chance’ route THERE is something about the holiday season that makes us want to dream more, give more, love more! One indicator is the recent report in consumer confidence, showing that the Consumer Confidence Index rose to 54.1 in November, up from a negatively revised 49.9 in October. People are spending more, hopefully a real sign of optimism in the market.

However, with the job market still in trouble with a 9.6% unemployment rate, and millions more people losing their jobless benefits, many critics remain skeptical that Americans are once again driven by the sentimental urge to splurge, the noble aim to give and share more during the holiday season even if many of them may not really have the means to do it.

Those people who are not liquid with their cash flow will once again swipe their credit cards this holiday season to buy gifts to enable their families to enjoy the traditional feasts of the season. Of course, we know swiping plastic is not free – the money we borrow needs to be paid with hefty interest in the future. While reports show less Americans have defaulted on their credit card payments in the past months, this holiday season may just reverse back the gains we have made from austerity.

Yes, in a way we can view this as a sign of optimism in the US economy, that maybe

2011 will be better than 2010.

But then again, this is taking The Fil-Am chances. For many, taking Perspective this leap of faith seems worth it, if only to create priceless memories for their families here in America and in the Gel Santos-Relos Philippines.

Many of our kababayans here borrow money from the banks using their credit cards just so their loved ones in the Philippines will get a balikbayan box full of gifts and a lavish noche buena feast for Christmas.

Despite the recession, not exhausting all possibilities to make our loved ones’ Christmas wishes come true is not an option for many.

Naghihirap man tayo, kailangang mairaos pa rin daw ang Pasko.

When we cannot reach our goals through accepted conventional means, such as through our jobs and savings, many of us take the “chance route.” We bet on a better future through the use of loans and credit cards.

Some of our kababayans religiously go to casinos to sit for hours in front of slot machines waiting to hit the 7-7-7 jackpot! Others invest on lottery – the superlotto and the megamillions and all sorts of games of chance.

Our kababayans do the same in the Philippines. Recently, the jackpot reached P741 million pesos ($16.7million). The lotto mania

grew as anticipations of winning close to a billion pesos mounted. We hear conversations and dreams of “what will I do if I win the jackpot?,” all around the country.

For some of us the answer may be as lofty as quitting our job and just enjoying life through our winnings, or traveling around the world, or buying the biggest mansion in elite neighborhoods, or high-end cars, designer clothes and accessories. However, for our humble kababayans back home, I hear wishes so basic and so real—things we, who have enough, take for granted. They say if they win the lotto grand prize, their mother or father can already come back to the Philippines and need not work in the middle east or Hong Kong as a domestic helper or contract worker. Some dream of getting that coveted prize so their parents or brothers and sisters need not become “TNT” in America – running around like a fugitives just to find work and be able to send money back home. I hear kababayans praying to win so they can provide their chronically-ill family member with the medical care he needs to prolong his life.

Yes, they too have wishes to make.

Hindi naman daw masamang mangarap

95 million copywriters

Street Talk

Greg B. Macabenta I used to complain about 60 million copywriters. That was the population of the Philippines decades ago, when I was working with an ad agency in Manila and was handling the Nestlé account.

It was my way of protesting the way every Juan, Pedro and Maria felt competent to criticize and suggest improvements on the advertising campaigns we created. Invariably, ten different people had ten different ideas on how to improve our work.

Poor Secretary Bertie Lim and Campaigns & Grey. Now, they’re hearing from 95 million copywriters.

A friend in the US, Wally

Reyes, who was president of an ad agency in Manila and, at one time, was Undersecretary of Tourism, sent me an email asking me “what my take was” on the Pilipinas Kay Ganda theme of the Department of Tourism (yes, the one that PNoy has ordered withdrawn and changed).

I haven’t responded to Wally. But at the time he sent me the email, I had written a piece entitled, Proud to be Pinoy, referring to the fact that Manny Pacquiao and Fil-Ams like California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Giants ace pitcher Tim Limcecum have given us reason to hold our heads high in the world.

But I also added that there are many other reasons to feel proud of ourselves as a people: “And yet, we have many

reasons to feel Proud to be Pinoy, and not just vicariously.

Not the least, the beauty of our people and our land.

“I guess this is the rationale behind the new campaign of the Department of Tourism revolving around the theme, Pilipinas Kay Ganda or Philippines, the Beautiful.”

“I think it’s a good advertising theme, reminiscent of America, the Beautiful.’ But to make this campaign fly, we need to work on our national psyche and imbue our people with genuine pride in ourselves as a nation.”

That really means creating a culture of tourism.

That, in turn, means improving our tourism infrastructure, ensuring peace and order and security, and investing in advertising and promotions to reach, create awareness and

persuade tourists, sportsmen, adventurers, World War II veterans, retirees, businessmen, investors, conventioneers and assorted travelers, as well as overseas Filipinos, to visit our shores.

Whether or not Pilipinas Kay Ganda or any other slogan or theme statement will work will depend on all of the above.

Ninety-five million copywriters arguing over the merits of the ad agency’s brainchild will not change that harsh reality.

But I guarantee you: Take care of the basics and any combination of words that describe the beauty of the Philippines or its various tourist attractions will work.

Heck! Why argue that Pilipinas Kay Ganda cannot be understood by non-Filipinos? It’s the easiest thing to add a parenthetical phrase that explains

– malay mo ito na ang suwerteng magbabago ng buhay mo. Lately, it was reported that there was one lone winner of the big pot! Who could this lucky Filipino be?

Dreaming, wishing, faithful anticipating – they all have a function to keep us going and fighting in the battlefield that is life during this recession. They serve as defense and coping mechanisms and may actually be healthy when coupled with vision, planning, real hard work and perseverance. They become toxic when we just leave our fate all up to chance, as we have no control over the results, if we only take this route.

Hopefully the optimism in the air and the reported improved consumer confidence will drive the engine of the economy to higher gear – boosting demand for products and services, creating more jobs in an upward spiral way.

As we prepare for the holidays and look forward to the new year, we can only pray, hope and do our share through hard work so our bet on 2012 being a better year will hit the jackpot! ***

Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com,facebook.com/ gelrelos, twitter.com/gelsantosrelos.

what it means. The more important point is whether or not we can support that statement.

Was Senator Chiz Escudero right in commenting that there is no reason to change Dick Gordon’s WOW Philippines campaign?

Yeah, sure. But if no advertising and promotions money is invested, it won’t work, either. And if the culture of tourism isn’t developed in our country and among our people, there will nothing to be “wowed” by.

The point that the Pedros, Juans and Marias—along with the Chiz Escuderos and the wise guys in the legislature— should focus their genius on is how make the best of what we now have, with what few resources and promotions budgets are available, while we ALL work on improving our tourism assets.

In this regard, the travel

and tourism industry should invest in this as aggressively as the government.

The reason Las Vegas is such a major tourist draw is because the casinos are investing heavily in tourism promotions. The reason Hawaii is such an attractive tourist destination is because the travel and tourist industry in the islands are investing heavily in tourism promotions.

But in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism is expected to do all of the investing, while the travel and tourism industry does the complaining and criticizing.

Guess who benefits from tourist traffic?

And now, poor Bertie Lim and its ad agency are getting it from 95 million copywriters who think that Pilipinas Kay Ganda ain’t got it.

So what are they suggesting?

PAGE A7

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2-8, 2010

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BSP may hike key policy rates due to stronger economy - Citigroup

by Lawrence

Agcaoili Philstar.com

MANILA—American banking giant Citigroup sees a sustained economic recovery for the Philippines as the domestic output would grow at a faster rate next year prompting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to finally adjust its key policy rates that are currently pegged at record lows.

In a report, Citigroup said the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) would expand by 6.7 percent next year from the projected growth of 6.5 percent this year driven by strong domestic demand.

“Over the fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2012 horizon, GDP will settle within trend growth. We expect 6.7 percent growth in 2011, following the estimated 6.5 percent growth in 2010, driven by domestic demand,” the investment bank stressed.

The GDP growth forecast of the US-based investment bank for next year was slower than the target of seven percent to eight percent set by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) but this year’s estimated GDP expansion was faster the the DBCC revised target of five percent to six percent.

Latest data released by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) showed that the country’s GDP posted a strongerthan-expected growth of 7.5 percent in the first three quarters of the year from 0.7 percent in the same period last year. This despite the easing of the growth to 6.5 percent in the third quarter of the

year from eight percent in the first half of the year.

The investment bank pointed out that real investments would extend its momentum, capacity utilization rate would be sustained at 80 percent, consumption growth of about five percent would be sustained, and remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would remain strong.

Citigroup said it does not expect an aggressive fiscal spending by the Aquino government over the next two years as it focuses on social spending particularly the conditional cash transfers.

“Fiscal tightening will persist unless tax revenues respond favorably to ongoing fiscal initiatives that weed out corruption and tighten compliance while getting a lift from upbeat growth,” it added.

According to the investment bank, the government would struggle to keep the tax effort within the range of 14 percent of GDP to 15 percent of GDP as there is a need for President Aquino to re-think the government’s fiscal strategy and draw up plans to hike taxes and restructure the revenue base.

The Aquino government has committed to trim the budget deficit to two percent of GDP starting 2013 until the end of the chief executive’s term in 2016.

The Philippines is staring at a record budget deficit of P325 billion or 3.9 percent this year from P298.5 billion or 3.9 percent of GDP last year.

Citigroup believes that the BSP’s Monetary Board would tweak its key policy rates late in the second quarter of next year on the back

of the expected eight straight quarters of strong GDP growth.

“We expect Monetary Board to adjust overnight rates perhaps starting second quarter of 2011. With or without fiscal stimulus, eight straight quarters of favorable growth since the first quarter of 2010 would be a compelling argument for rates normalization,” Citigroup added.

The BSP slashed its key policy rates by 200 basis points between December 2008 to July 2009 to cushion the impact of the global economic meltdown on the domestic economy.

The BSP’s Monetary Board has kept its interest rates steady at record lows for 12 straight policy setting meetings since July 2009.

The overnight borrowing rate is currently pegged at a record low of four percent while the overnight lending rate is at six percent.

DOJ issues ultimatum: DOH: Measures in place Arrest Lacson already to monitor donated

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA—Justice Secretary Leila de Lima gave an elite team of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) tasked to hunt down and arrest Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson in connection with the killings of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito a few days to carry out their mission.

De Lima said she issued the ultimatum to NBI after confirming intelligence reports that the fugitive lawmaker is in the country.

“The team was able to identify the area where he is staying. They have been monitoring the area continuously since last week,” she said during a press conference.

De Lima admitted she was not satisfied with just receiving regular updates from the NBI team.

“I told them we could not afford to just monitor all the time. The moment they found out he is there, they should arrest him already. So I gave them few more days to do what they have to do – implement the warrant of arrest against Sen. Ping,” she said.

De Lima said the operation to arrest Lacson “cannot be in-

definite. I want closure to this already. To me the situation has become untenable. The public might think that we are inutile.”

She refused to discuss details so as not to affect the NBI’s operations, but said there is a possibility that the senator would surrender to authorities.

De Lima also supported a proposal to offer a P2-million reward for information that would lead to Lacson’s arrest.

She said Lacson would be accorded all rights given to an accused once he is arrested— the senator could request not to be handcuffed by the NBI team.

Citing intelligence reports, a source earlier revealed to The Star that Lacson is being provided safe haven by a businessman in Batangas, Cebu and Palawan. The source only described the businessman friend of Lacson as a “sardines magnate who also owns a Chinese restaurant and a garment manufacturing company.”

De Lima reiterated her warning that those found coddling or knowingly helping Lacson hide from authorities would be “held criminally liable.”

blood tainted with HIV

MANILA—The Department of Health (DOH) has assured potential blood recipients that blood banks are clean and safe from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Donated blood units undergo screening to ensure that they are not contaminated, according to Dr. Gerard Belimac, director of the DOH’s National AIDS/STI Prevention and Control Program.

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine on Monday confirmed reports that 124 donated blood units were found contaminated with the virus, which so far has affected 5,729 Filipinos since it was first detected in the country in 1984.

For January to October in 2010 alone, the DOH has officially logged 1,305 new HIV-AIDS cases across the country, of which 15 are full blown AIDS cases. This was a sharp increase from last year’s 835 HIV/AIDS cases.

The HIV causes AIDS or the acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune systems break down, which could lead to death.

LPGMA party-list Representative Arnel Ty, among others, broke the news about the tainted blood over the weekend, citing reports from the National Voluntary

95 million copywriters PAGE A6 Are they going to launch a contest on the best tourism slogan? Will they create a committee of creative geniuses to concoct the right combination of words? Will Chiz Escudero and the Senate constitute a committee that will conduct an investigation into the reasons why our tourism industry has been left biting the dust behind Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the rest of Asia? Will Miriam Defensor-Santiago demand that Bertie Lim be replaced with “heavyweights?”

Or will someone sit down, do a reality check, calmly assess what resources are available and work on a viable plan that doesn’t depend on the syntax or symbolisms or visual appeal of an advertising slogan?

Several months ago (before P-Noy became president), I submitted a plan to Director Rene de los Santos of the Department of Tourism in San Francisco for a sustained media advertising campaign in the US, combining the limited budgets of the various stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry, as well as those government agencies desiring to reach out to the overseas markets.

My thesis is that, individually, none of them can afford to sustain a year-long effort—not even Philippine Airlines. But intermittent promotional blitzes and “marketing roadshows” are a waste of money. Without a follow through, fat chance these efforts will sink in.

Breaking into a market is like pushing a boulder up a hill. If you don’t have enough muscle to push it all the way up to the top, as soon as you run out of steam, the boulder will roll right back to where you started.

So how to fund a year-long campaign? One way is to combine the limited resources of the stakeholders to make them add up to a substantial sum that can pay for such a campaign.

How does that work? Imag-

ine a series of TV commercials and full page or even doublespread full color ads that talk about all of the wonderful things that all kinds of people can discover and relish in the Philippines.

Of course, that brings us back to making sure that all of those wonderful things are in place and worth offering to the world.

But, as far as I can tell,

there are enough of them to get a viable campaign started.

What I think needs to be done is for all of the interested parties to get together to agree on getting the infrastructure in shape for the follow-up campaign and for the long haul.

Pero, utang na loob, leave the copywriting to the copywriters. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

Blood Safety Program, which has been monitoring the purity of donated blood.

But the health department said on Tuesday safeguards have been in place all these years to prevent the transfusion of tainted blood.

“In many years that passed, there was never a single case of HIV transmitted through unsafe blood,” Belimac told reporters on Tuesday.

But he admitted that there were been previous cases in which blood donations turned out to be HIV-positive. But these were immediately detected “so they were not in fact transfused,” he said.

The DOH also said that the 124 blood units found to be contaminated with HIV were immediately discarded.

Belimac advised potential blood donors to go to HIV counseling and testing facilities, instead of using the usual screening process for blood donation to check if they were HIV positive.

“I [encourage] the public to instead go to HIV counseling and testing facilities if their main purpose is to get tested whether or not they are exposed to the virus... to ensure that our blood supply would remain truly safe from all infections,” he said. (Inquirer.net)

FREE MAN. Former policeman Gerardo Biong and his wife, Jocelyn, embrace as he is released from the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.

Philstar.com photo

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DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline Philippines

PH can offer humanitarian aid to ease Korea tension

by Delon

Porcalla

Philstar.com

MANILA—A country with “all coast but no guard” and “all air with no force” can only offer “non-military and humanitarian assistance” to South Korea in the event of a full-scale war with the communist North Korea, Malacañang admitted.

“Right now, we can offer our humanitarian services to the Korean government. That is something we can be certain of,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

“Again, there are concerns, limitations in our AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) that we have to be realistic about our capability.

What is definite is we can provide humanitarian assistance to the South Korean government if and when we are asked to provide assistance,” he said.

“So right now, we are sending humanitarian, if and when kailangang magpadala tayo (we need to send), we can offer our humanitarian, and non-military assets,” Lacierda stressed.

Lacierda also said Filipino soldiers are ill equipped against a possible nuclear attack by North Korea.

“In case of a nuclear war, do we have necessary protection for our soldiers? Do we have the suits to protect us from a nuclear war?

That’s one of the concerns and they will be in the forefront of the battle with soldiers from South Korea,” he said.

The Philippines sent one of the biggest contingents that helped

South Korea repel an invasion by North Korea during the Korean War that ended in armistice in 1953.

But Lacierda said discussions in the security cluster never reached the stage where the sending of troops to South Korea was seriously considered.

He said President Aquino’s primary concern was the welfare of some 60,000 workers in the Korean peninsula.

“The primary consideration is the Filipinos—how do we evacuate them in case of an escalation of tension in South Korea,” Lacierda said.

But Lacierda made clear that the Philippine government would not renege on its commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty, which is to help the US protect South Korea from an invasion.

“We will honor whatever obligations that we have entered into, the treaty but that will also be subject to the invitation of the government concerned. But there’s still no offer now. Let’s not get ahead of the offer, if any, of the South Korean government,” he said.

“In whatever way we can (to abide by the treaty). Of course, depending on the resources and capability of our assets. We will assess our resources and capability, if we can prepare for it and what kind of resources that we will need for our own AFP,” he added.

For his part, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad gave assurance that the government could cover the expenses should there be a need to evacuate or repatriate Fili-

pinos in Korea.

Surge of students As tensions rose in the Korean peninsula, the Philippines may have to deal with a fresh surge of students from South Korea, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said.

“For the sake of world peace, and the 60,000 Filipino workers in South Korea, we hope there will be no further hostilities on the peninsula,” Gullas said.

Koreans—many of them students—have been arriving in droves even before the crisis.

Some 200,000 South Koreans are already studying in the Philippines, including those taking up short courses in English, Gullas said.

According to Bureau of Immigration data, for this year alone 27,116 South Koreans were registered in the country as of Sept.

16. They are the second largest foreign ethnic group in the country next to the Chinese.

Gullas said Filipinos should welcome the prospect of more South Koreans staying in the country.

“As potential consumers, they can create incremental demand for local goods and services, including housing, and thus contribute to domestic economic expansion,” he said.

“As investors, they can help build new factories that can provide badly needed new jobs to our unemployed,” Gullas said.

South Koreans find the low cost of living and studying in the Philippines highly attractive, the lawmaker said.

Manila has liberal programs for foreign visitors and students. A special entity also offers resident visas to foreigners 35 to 49 years old and their qualified dependents who bring in at least $50,000 (P2.2 million), or $20,000 (P880,000) in the case of those 50 years old and above, he said.

Meanwhile, Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello said he agreed with President Aquino’s decision to defer the deployment of Filipino overseas workers to South Korea but asked the Chief Executive to demand that the US and South Korea call off their ongoing “war games” near North Korea.

Bello, chairman of the chair of the House committee on overseas workers’ affairs, said the longstanding deployment of combatready US military forces in South Korea, particularly along the 38th Parallel separating the two Koreas, “has been seen as a constant provocation by the North Koreans.”

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News Briefs DOH to request budget for contraceptives, cites Pope’s statement With the suggestive statement from Pope Benedict XVI to use condoms in order to hamper the spread of HIV AIDS, the Department of Health (DOH) takes it as an opportunity to be allowed to purchase contraceptives in line with the department’s family program next year.

Citing the statement of the Pope in his speech, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona together with other health officials justified the planned purchase of contraceptives before the Senate. Ona said in his speech that the allotment of P880-million ($20 million) for the purchase of contraceptives from the P32.627 billion ($758.8 million) budget for next year is just appropriate considering the pontifical statement.

Senator Loren Legarda, meanwhile, questioned the DOH on how it plans to address the Millennium Development Goals, Disaster Risk Reduction programs, and issues that concern maternal deaths and birthing centers with the remaining budget.

One with the Pope’s statement but against the use of other contraceptives other than condoms, Sen. Vicente Sotto also aired out his concern saying that the use of contraceptives violate the provision in the Constitution that pays importance to life, protects, and strengthens the family.

Considered as one of Asia’s most predominantly Catholic nations, a large part of the Philippine society and politics remain to be influenced by Catholic teachings that includes the preservation of life that prohibits contraceptive use believing it encourages abortion.

Immigration official returns $10,000 An immigration officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport found and returned an envelope containing $10,000 to a Filipino family that was about to board a plane bound for Canada last November 27 at around 11:15am.

Amando Amisola, the immigration officer designated at the special departure counter said in a report from the Star that the owner of the found money, Patricio Francisco was surprised and “almost hugged” him for joy as he told the owner that he left his money and was surrendered at the airport’s immigration office.

“The money is a family fund for their visit to Canada,” Amisola said.

Manila celebrates 147th Bonifacio Day With the aim to encourage unity, patriotism, and active volunteerism in the country, Gatpuno Andres Bonifacio Music and Policy Foundation, Inc. recently launched a movement that will help promote awareness in the local arts and culture via a concert entitled Mga Awit ng Pag-Ibig sa Inang Bayan held recently at Manila in commemoration of the 147th birthday of Andres Bonifacio.

With several local leaders of Quezon City as the foundation’s head, the movement aims to propagate patriotism through music, songs, and other cultural events that includes active volunteerism by forming and maintaining choirs in the different barangays according to the Manila Bulletin.

The choral concert, Mga Awit ng Pag-Ibig sa Inang Bayan, was held at 8 in the evening of Bonifacio Day, November 30, 2010.

US PH Embassy honors 23 Outstanding Fil-Am students With the aim to encourage Filipino-American students to learn more about the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, the Embassy of the Philippines in the US recently granted 23 FilAm students the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards for excelling in academics while also taking part in extracurricular activities.

A project of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC) Inc., with the support of the Philippine Embassy, the Dr. Jose Rizal youth awards were presided by the Ambassador of the Philippines to the US, Willy C. Gaa; together with the President of the PAFC, Ms. Rebecca Pagsibigan; and the Vice President of PAFC and Chairman of the Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards, Mr. Robert Tamayo.

According to the Philippine Embassy website, the recipients of the awards were Katherine Argente,Eliza A. Buan,Mavis Joy C. Manaloto, Jenelle Virginia F. Chu,Marc Daniel C. Manaloto, Bernadette L. Ferrer, Jaena Marie F. Chu, Joel James Vazquez, Michael Ramada, Hanna Michelle Montoro, Kelvin Jens Moncera, Amanda L. Andrei, Ruth Joy L. Relador, Krizia-Ivana Tan Udquim, Tatiana B. Lozano, Kevin L. Argente, Mark Ramada,Alfred-Enberg Tan Udquim, Joseph McHenry Cajayon Chavez, Natalia Fernandez, Kayla Argente, Jacob Filon, and Nariella Fernandez.

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DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline Philippines

News Briefs ADB seen to donate more electric tricycles to PH Following the donation of two electric tricycles or e-trikes in Mandaluyong recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that it plans to donate about 20 more to promote the use of electric vehicles around Manila.

The recently donated two e-trikes differ when it comes to the batteries used—one uses leadacid and the other uses Lithium-ion batteries according to Sohail Hasnie, principal specialist of ADB Southeast Asia. Hasnie also said during an interview with the Manila Bulletin that they are hoping that the e-trikes, designed with a 5-kilowatt-per-hour-battery, will be able to reach at least 200 kilometers with one charging but developments are currently underway regarding fine tuning.

Meanwhile, Department of Energy Secretary Jose Almendras agrees with the use of Lithiumion batteries in electric vehicles stating in a separate interview with the same newspaper that components found in Lithium-ion batteries are fully recyclable.

PH to other countries: ‘Follow France’s travel alert’ The local government is hoping that countries like the US, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and New Zealand who recently posted travel advisories against the country will soon follow the announcement of France to modify its travel advisory.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said before the press that the government has been exerting efforts to talk to the countries that issued the travel alert to modify or withdraw their travel advisories believing that “the bases for the advisory were not as solid as they should have been.”

Prior to the modification of travel advisory, France was among the major countries that issued a warning to its citizens of a possible terrorist attack in the country. It has been recently reported, however, that France dropped the phrase “terrorist attack” and replaced it with “violence” in warning its citizens when it comes to crimes this holiday season.

Police official calls on the coordination of UN-WFP in local operations Following the death of a relief distributor in Lanao del Norte, a local police official in the province recently called on the leaders of the United Nations World Food Program (UN-WFP) to coordinate with any local government security should there be any relief operations that will take place so as to avoid any similar tragic incident.

Director of the Lanao del Sur Police, Cosanie Derogongan clarified in a report from a local newspaper that the victim, Sadam Basnillo ,who was shot by armed men in Barangay Tuca Ilian,Maul, Marantao town, was a full time employee of the UN-WFP but was a helper of the truck that distributed the goods due to the conflict in Lanao del Sur and neighboring areas.

Citing that some areas in Lanao del Sur are not safe, Derogongan said that coordination with the local security force is very important, whether or not it is connected with the WFP, so that the security of the agency’s employees will be secured.

Meanwhile, the UN-WFP country director Stephen Anderson said during a separate interview that the “WFP staff are in touch with the family of the bereaved and are extending the necessary support in their time of grief.”

Aquino administration seen to attract more foreign investors in 2011 The Aquino administration continues to attract foreign investors as more foreign companies look into putting up a business space in some of the key business cities in the country; not only in Makati, but also in Ortigas and The Fort, according to an international real estate firm.

Rick M. Santos, chairman of CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) in the Philippines said in a report from a local newspaper that foreign investor seem to be the “number one choice of foreign investors” with the demand for business space expected to soar by 10 percent next year because of the recently launched Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

With 250,000 square meters taken for the first 11 months in Metro Manila this year for office space, Santos said during an interview that the local economy has never shown such strength since 1996 and that the decline in office space in the US will mean growth for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector in the country.

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Processing of OFWs to South Korea continues despite tension—DOLE

by Philip

Tubeza Inquirer.net

MANILA—Despite the growing tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the government is not discouraging overseas Filipino workers who want to work there and is even continuing to process their job applications, labor officials said Tuesday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that the government may have deferred the deployment of 55 workers who were supposed to leave for South Korea Tuesday but the processing of more job contracts for OFWs who want to work there continues.

She added that the labor department would wait for the report of Special Envoy Roy Cimatu, who is going to South Korea to assess the situation, before deciding if the deployment of more OFWs there should be deferred further.

“I will have to wait for Cimatu’s report.

I’m supposed to get in touch with him. We have a one-week period to work on it,” Baldoz said in an interview.

She said that Cimatu was expected to return to Manila on December 4, or after the last day of the war games between the US and South Korean militaries. The 55 OFWs’ departure was moved to December 7.

“The deployment was (deferred) but the

contract processing continues. That is what I explained to Malacañang. When we talk of deployment ban, it’s really a complete stop, including contract processing because we don’t want anyone to get through,” Baldoz said.

“This time, it’s just really a delay of one week, only for their scheduled departure,” she added.

Philippine Overseas Employment Agency administrator Jeniffer Manalili said that there were 105 OFWs scheduled to leave next week for South Korea.

“The deferment is temporary. We just asked for one week. We have a schedule to observe and there are scheduled departures this December and January. We have about 1,000 workers lined up,” Manalili said.

“We are not discouraging them,” she added.

Manalili explained that OFWs are sent to South Korea through its Employment Permit System (EPS), a government-to-government deployment scheme to ensure that there are no abuses.

“Based on our experience, the situation there is good. Their salaries are quite big and the working conditions are good. The EPS is a government-to-government undertaking and so we really lay out the terms and conditions,” Manalili said.

A10 DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline Philippines

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2-8, 2010

VEGAS&STYLE

Journal Charice sings at Rockefeller Center by

Ricardo F. Lo Philstar.com

MANILA—More than a month after she drew a standing ovation with her heart-stopping rendition of David Foster songs at a Big Dome concert a month ago, Charice made the audience teary-eyed Tuesday night during the lighting of America’s famous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

“More than a million people gathered at the Center to watch the lighting,” reported Felix Manuel, Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent (and one of the “beauty experts”). “Inclement weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of audience, most of whom didn’t mind waiting for hours for the ceremony to start.”

Charice sang her first number, My Grown Up Christmas List, so beautifully touching that many in the audience were seen wiping tears even as they gave her an ear-splitting applause. Charice then sang Jingle Bell Rock. She was accompanied on the piano in both songs by Foster, her mentor, who also backed up Charice at the Big Dome concert titled Hitman David Foster and Friends which also featured Natalie Cole, Peter Cetera, “American Idol” graduate Ruben Studdard and the Canadian Tenors.

It was Foster who composed My Grown Up Christmas List which is popularized by Michael Buble who, like Charice, is a David Foster protege.

Security at the Rockefeller Center was very tight because of

a terror scare during the lighting of a Christmas Tree in Oregon recently, added Manuel.

Other performers during the Manhattan ceremony were Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, Susan Boyle, Kylie Minogue, Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Crow and Katherine Jenkins.

A technical glitch before Charice started singing her second song didn’t spoil her performance.

“She managed to sing fantastically,” added Manuel.

Manuel was among several Filipinos who braved the rain and the winter cold to cheer for Charice who is known to fans of Glee, the hit TV musical-drama in which she plays nerd Filipino exchange student Sunshine Corazon, as “the little boy lady with a powerful voice who hails from the Philippines, home of the greatest boxer in history,” referring to Manny Pacquiao who has just won his eighth title after seven in different divisions.

As a fitting finale, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped turn on the 30,000 energy-efficient lights that dress up the Christmas Tree.

Manuel learned that the 74-foot Norway Spruce was donated by a firefighter from new York who was one of the first to respond to the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attack in New York.

Incidentally, even if she wanted to, Charice might not be home for Christmas due to previous commitments in the US. She was supposed to do a Christmas special for GMA but she begged off at the last minute. Her Philippine manager, Grace Mendoza, said that Singer Charice performs during the 78th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Charice is recuperating from dehydration. Together with Foster and ceremonylast Nov. 30 in New York.

AP photo those in the entourage, Charice suffered from food poisoning after having lunch at a Japanese restaurant in Singapore where they flew from the Philippines to mount the same show at the Big Dome. But all of them recovered soon enough and went on with the show.

“With her Rockefeller Center performance,” said Manuel, “There is something about it and I look forward to performing “Charice has again painted a nice picture of the Philippines.” that makes me feel comforted, with my good friends there,” he that there is a feeling of home,” said. He noted Martin Nieverra, he added during the interview.

Sharon Cuneta, Pops FernanHe especially dedicates the dez and Regine Velasquez as song Lost and Found to his Fil- Philippine-based singers that Am fans that have left the Philip- he admires and have grown atpines and is longing to go home, tached to. particularly during the holiday But before that concert, Brickseason. man is all set to entertain Las “I think most of them can Vegas Filipino-Americans on relate to it. Sometimes, we have December 18th. to go somewhere. We lose ourThe show at Artemus W Ham selves but we know that we will Concert Hall is “a musical celalways find ourselves when we ebration to put everybody in a go home,” he said. festive frame of mind.” Tickets Brickman relates he has lost are on sale and available at and found himself when he left UNLVTickets.com or at the box home to pursue his career. The office at (702) 895-ARTS (2787).

Ohio native who often goes on The concert will include dazmusical tours and maintains a zling solo piano, vibrant vocals Los Angeles home and studio with special musical guests. “It’s said he still misses Cleveland my favorite time of year and celand often finds himself longing ebrating with audiences across to go back. the country makes it that much “We always know that we will more special,” Brickman said. go home again,” Brickman said, And with the musical celebranoting that this feeling binds tion, Jim Brickman is sure to put himself to Fil-Ams. his Fil-Am fans in a festive frame For his Filipino fans, mean- of mind. while, Brickman is excited to announce that he will be visiting the Philippines again early next year for a possible concert.

“Sometime in March or April,

Jim Brickman brings Christmas cheer to Las Vegas by

Dymphna Calica- La Putt AJPress

Ask any Filipino-American what things remind him of Christmas and the name Jim Brickman will inevitably be on the list along with ham, Christmas trees and puto bumbong.

Brickman, “ America ’s piano sensation,” revels in the idea of him being part of the Fil-Am Christmas tradition because he loves the season himself.

The Christmas store on his website is proof of that. So is the five other holiday albums that he came out with in the past decade.

It is not surprising then that Brickman is most excited about his 15th anniversary holiday tour that will make a December 18 stop in Las Vegas, home of the 4th largest Fil-Am population in the US. “Hits and holiday music is what they can look forward to (in the upcoming show),” Brickman told Asian Journal in a recent telephone interview.

“It is an honor for me to have my music so popular to this community,” he added.

While he has visited the Philippines a total of fifteen times, he says with a tinge of regret that

the only Filipino word he can say is “Mabuhay!” But it is with pleasure that he declares that Philippine mangoes are “the best in the world”.

Filipino and Fil-Am fans of Jim Brickman in Las Vegas will also be treated to a sampling of songs from his new album Home, aside from traditional holiday songs.

While there are no Christmas songs in the album, “Home spreads the message of family, hope and giving, a perfect blend for the holiday season.” Brickman said.

ABS-CBN dominates 19th KBP Golden Dove Awards MANILA—The Kapamilya network dominated the 19th G o l d e n D o v e Aw a rd s a r ranged by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP).

ABS-CBN brought home a total of 22 awards on September 25, capping it with the Best TV Station recognition. The broadcast giant’s News and Current Affairs programs received several recognitions.

Bandila got Best TV Newscast. The highest recognition given by the KBP was awarded to Ces Drilon, who was named as the Ka Doroy Broadcaster of the Year. (Ka Doroy is the late Teodoro Valencia, widely regarded as the Dean of Filipino Journalists).

Bandila and Drilon’s triumphs followed the successful debut of the program’s new format last November 2 2 . W i t h m o re a n d m o re viewers getting hooked to its fast-paced and interactive format, the new Bandila is all set to change the landscape of late night newscasts.

Headlined by the triumvirate of acclaimed journalists Drilon, Julius Babao, and Karen Davila, the new Bandila not only offers comprehensive reports on the day’s biggest news but also allows viewers to immediately react on news reports.

Drilon, Babao, and Davila can be seen during the newscast using their own tablet and laptop computers to read comments that viewers send in through social networking and micro-blogging sites.

Bandila executive producer Paul Henson said this is ABS-CBN’s way to empower Filipinos to take part in issues that matter to them. Henson added, just like the awardwinning Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo: Ako ang Simula citizen journalism campaign, Bandila is a platform where ordinary citizens can be heard.

The four-year old newscast is currently enjoying

positive reviews online, with posters commending its “revolutionary,” “hip and informative” concept, as well as its powerhouse combination PAGE B6

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JCPenney welcomes the Christmas season with gift-giving ideas for everyone on your list New list. New gifts. Who knew!

PLANO, Texas—JCPenney rings in the Christmas season with something special for everyone on your list, from the trendiest teen and tiniest tot, to loved ones near and far. JCPenney’s Christmas 2010 gift ideas celebrate the spirit of giving with the hottest trends, the newest gadgets, sparkling jewels, inviting decor and entertaining essentials.

With 1,100 stores nationwide and jcp.com’s 24/7 online site, JCPenney is America’s gift headquarters where customers can shop stressfree throughout this joyful season, knowing they’ll always find affordable gifts of style and quality, at a price that makes sense.

Here’s a look at what’s in store at JCPenney for this season’s smart shoppers: Stocking Stuffers Under $10— Let them think you spent more!

This season is mad about plaid at every price. Wrap up this bargain: the SJB Flannel Plaid Shirt for him ($9.99) For little guys, team up big-boy looks with a Arizona Plaid Woven Shirt ($8.99) She’ll love the latest look in handbags with the Liz Claiborne Flap Bag or Mini Satchel, available in multiple color ways ($19.99) The clever Confetti Pet Handbag will charm little girls ($9.99) Keep your young fashionista looking stylish with Paisley Blue Leggings from Supergirl by Nastia ($9.99) Sassy & snappy Note Card Sets

with colorful graphics and messages like “Chocolate is the Answer” and “Give Peace a Chance” are a great way to express the season’s sentiments ($9.99) Share family photos in a fun, unique way with a set of Photo Coasters ($9.99) Go green with Eco-Speakers ($9.99), perfect for road warriors or small living spaces Play anywhere, anytime with Totes Tabletop Ping Pong ($9.99) For the handy man in the family, you can’t go wrong with the Totes Multi-Tool Set ($9.99) Fashion Savvy Gifts Under $25—Give gifts that up the style quotient!

Wrap her wrist in whimsy with candy-colored Digi Tek Watches ($11.99) If she loves retro, she’ll fall for a vintage-inspired Ring from Mixit ($12.99) Dazzle her with a colorful purple-faceted Necklace from Liz Claiborne ($15.99) Big Cuffs and Oversized Bracelets are big news for devotees of fashion jewelry. Treat her to versions in gold, silver and hematite from Liz Claiborne, Mixit and Worthington ($11.99-$18.99) Make a color statement with Liz Claiborne’s Tri-color Glass Necklace ($17.99) Bring on the bling with Mixit’s red or purple statement Necklace ($24.99) Keep her warm all winter with

flirty Cardis with ruffles and lace ($17.99) from Decree She’ll go wild for feline and fem: Worthington’s Leopard Blouse ($19.99) or a.n.a’s Leg-o-Mutton-sleeve Leopard Turtleneck ($17.99) Polka dots look hot right now: try a Twin Set from east5th; a grey Dot Cardigan ($23.99) pairs perfectly with a sleeveless knit shell in heather ($17.99) Go happy this season with a Wallet (or carry as a clutch) from the Happy Days Collection by Mixit ($19.99). The pink-multi, brownmulti and turquoise wallets will add pop to a St. John’s Bay Gray, Shawl-Collared Cardi ($17.99) Find the perfect blue: Decree has jeanious fits and finishes for Denim divas; choose from a range of jeggings, premium-look washes, and destructed styles ($24.99) Help him welcome the outdoors with a Dockers Trapper Hat ($19.99) or SJB Orange Puffer Vest ($17.99) Cheer him up with a Claiborne go-with-everything Merino Sweater ($24.99) Top off the trends with her fauxfur lined Trapper Hats in lime, red or sky blue ($14.99) or his SJB Fair Isle Knit Cap seen on the slopes ($12.99) Little girls will rave about the Uproar Faux-Fur Vest ($17.99) Give a little giggle with the Arizona Animal/Critter Hat ($19.99); find your preferred pet: sock monkey,

raccoon, koala and panda, among others Try a little sofa pick-me-up with faux-fur pillows from Chris Madden ($14.99) and Studio ($14.99) Serve up chic with the Cindy Crawford Style Textured Red or Gold Glass Serving Bowl ($19.99) Bring out the kid in them with a Remote Control Car ($14.99) or Helicopter($19.99) Fun for the entire family, give a gift like Tabletop Foosball or Air Hockey ($19.99) Fun and Fab Gifts Under $50— Make magic with these fabulous, frugal finds!

Let her go from sporty to sparkly with a wardrobe of Liz Claiborne Watches ($30-$45) Adorn her wrist with silver and gold with an elegant genuine 18K Gold over Sterling Silver Bracelet ($49.99) Rock her world and wrap up something hot like pure Cashmere Sweaters in a variety of hues from nicole by Nicole Miller ($49.99) She’ll be aglow from tip to toe, in a One-Shoulder Cocktail Dress with rosette detail, from Bisou Bisou ($49.99) Olsenboye designers MaryKate Olsen & Ashley Olsen created a strapless confection with ponte bustier and plaid taffeta skirt for teen and tween fashionistas ($29.00) She’ll feel like a rock star in tough-chic jackets: choose a.n.a.’s faux Leather Drape Neck Jacket

($49.99) or the Worthington Black Croco Jacket ($42.99) The nicole by Nicole Miller “Pretty Girl” Satchel ($48.99) with ruffles and 3-D flower detail is a gift that will keep giving as seasons change into spring Add a kick to her Boot collection: The a.n.a “Kat” Scrunch Boot ($39.99) is available in black, grey or beige; the Decree “Boulder” Tall Wedge Boot with faux-fur trim ($49.99) is available in black and dark tan What’s better than the perfect Fair Isle Sweater from American Living he’ll enjoy season after season ($29.99) Man-up his jeans with this handsome Arizona Bomber Jacket ($39.99) Casually tailored, he’ll always be well-dressed in this Stafford Corduroy Blazer ($49.99) Indulge little girl dreams with this Arizona Faux Leopard Fur Coat that will strike envy in all her little gal pals ($34.99) Start their mornings off with a smile; the cooks Smiley Face Pancake Pan promises to do just that! ($29.99) Save on designer cupcakes and let them whip up their own treats with a Baby Cakes Mini Cupcake Maker ($29.99) Trend-Setting Gifts Under $75— Surprise them with more for less!

Share your sentiments with our Sterling Silver faith, hope and love Pendants ($54.99) on a delicate silver chain Every girl needs the Quintessential LBD: this season, it’s a sleeveless black satin stunner with embellishment and rusching from JCPenney ($74.99) MNG by Mango designed a fun knit dress with gold and copper paillettes (available Dec 1) that can serve double duty as a tunic over leggings, for more casual gatherings ($78.99) Designers at a.n.a created a Down-Filled Dream Coat ($69.99) to keep chills at bay on the coldest

winter days; this season’s topper is fitted with sleek silver hardware and a faux-fur lined hood Give her gams the hottest black Boot of the season: Worthington’s fierce over-the-knee style ($69.99) Whether hiking to work or trekking through the woods, Skechers’ Suede Verdict Boot promises him plenty of miles ($59.99) Plug in to one of the most innovative iPod speaker ideas with iHome’s LED Color Changing iPod Speaker System ($59.99) Perfect for tucking into a small space, a second home, or when the kids come home—a cooks Energy-Saving Induction Cook top ($69.99) Special Someone Gifts Under $100 – Gifts for those who hold a special place in your heart!

Let her sparkle plenty with Diamonds from One Kiss by Cindy Crawford. She’ll want to wear the striking Sterling Silver and Color Enhanced Black Diamond Pendant on every occasion ($99.99) Unlock the love with this stunning 14K Gold over Sterling Silver Key Pendant from One Kiss™ by Cindy Crawford ($99.99) Bring sparkle to her eyes with Diamonart’s brilliant 2.35 CT TW Ring ($99.99) Look like you stepped off the runways in this season’s must-have coats: The iconic Pea Coat from St. John’s Bay is recast in a luscious cashmere-blend ($79.99); a multitude of colors and sizes make this coat a cool-weather essential From Allen B., the waist-length Leopard Faux-Fur Coat ($83.30) goes from casual to cocktail-ready Never miss an important engagement during the season with the iHome App-enhanced Alarm Clock Dock ($99.99) Want coffee for one, here’s your answer! The Keurig B31 Single Serve Coffeemaker ($99.99) For the master of the media room, the Nostalgia Countertop Kettle Popcorn Maker ($99.99) is sure to please For the smallest angel, place the Plush Butterfly Rocker ($79.99) under the tree and watch the magic unfold Splurge – Spoil them with gifts they’ll never forget!

Shower her with diamonds and gems! Go dramatic with One Kiss

by Cindy Crawford Sterling Silver and Color Enhanced Black Diamond Hoop Earrings ($129.99), or PAGE B4

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2-8, 2010

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B DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Calendar of Events across

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Cox Communications launches TFC merica & Filipino On Demand in Arizona

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D ecember 3

‘Healing is Believing’ Experience the amazing God-given talent for healing of Fr. Suarez which has been recognized by the Vatican in “Healing is Believing,” a Eucharistic Celebration with Healing happening on December 3, 7pm at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church, 320 West Garvey Avenue Monterey Park, California 91754. For more information to the event please call Eddie or Carmen Tolentino (323) 724-1051, Beatriz (626) 429-6617, Richard Pingol (626) 484-4624, Alejandra Arenas (626) 993-4236 or email at the_base@yahoo.com or rpingol624@gmail.com.

The Upsilon Sigma Phi of Greater Los Angeles and the West Coast Sigma Delta Phi will hold their joint Christmas Party on Friday, December 3, 2010 at the Castaway Restaurant, Verdugo Room, 1250 E. Harvard Rd. Burbank 91501. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Duo of Willie Manacsa & Ralph Victoria. For further information, please call (818) 943-8838 (MYA).

December Serenade St. Genevieve Catholic Church presents a December Serenade featuring Joan Cano, Pete Avendano, Gelo Francsico, Bob Shroder and Chamber Orchestra, and the St. Genevieve Music Ministry on Dec. 3, 8pm at the St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City 91402. Donations are $10 Parishioner, $20 non-parishioner, kids 10 years below are free.

GGCC hosts 6th Quarterly ACAPINOY and Gospel Meeting Golden Gate Church of Christ (GGCC) will host the 6th Quarterly ACAPINOY and Christian Evidences Gospel Meeting on December 3-5, 2010, at the GGCC Auditorium, 701 8th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118. For more information and direction to the 6th Quarterly ACAPINOY and Gospel Meeting, call (415)221-2631, (415)584-7095 or (650)438-3531. Snacks and refreshments will be served.

Fil-AM JazzFest to Feature Living Legend On December 3 at Catalina Bar and Grill Jazz Club 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Annie Brazil will headline a concert featuring Bo Razon, Johnny Alegre, Abe Lagrimas, and introducing Carlo David and 2010 Talent Search winner VJ Rosales. Tickets for the 6th Annual Fil-Am JazzFest Presented by ABS-CBN are now on sale through the JazzPhil-USA Website: www.

JazzPhil-USA.com.

Cox’s TFC subscribers get the best of Filipino news and entertainment with Filipino On Demand as free on demand service COX Communications Arizona has launched The Filipino Channel (TFC), the number one premium Filipino channel in the United States. Cox customers in the Phoenix metro area, Tucson, Southern Arizona (including Sierra Vista) can find TFC on channel 481. The debut of TFC is boosted with the offer of Filipino On Demand (FOD) as a free add-on to the TFC subscription. FOD is a video on demand television service from ABS-CBN International, the largest Filipino entertainment and broadcast company in the US. TFC is available via subscription on channel 481 for $12.99 a month with free access to FOD on channel 1 any time of the day or night throughout the Phoenix and Tucson area.

“We are excited to partner with Cox in making our flagship product, TFC, available to Cox’s Arizona subscribers,” said Jun Del Rosario, ABS-CBN International’s senior director for cable and satellite.

“With top-rated Filipino content available daily on

Los Angeles—The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will be closed to the public in observance of the following Philippine and US holidays: 24 December 2010 (Friday) – Special NonWorking Holiday (PH holiday) 27 December 2010 (Monday) – Rizal Day (PH

Anakbayan 5th anniversary celebration

The Upsilon Sigma Phi of Greater Los Angeles and the West Coast Sigma Delta Phi will hold their joint Christmas Party on Friday, December 3, 2010 at the Castaway Restaurant, Verdugo Room, 1250 E. Harvard Rd. Burbank 91501. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Duo of Willie Manacsa & Ralph Victoria. For further information, please call (818) 943-8838.

D ecember 4

Stars of Hope on 5th Ave. Please join us for the parol-lighting for the “Stars of Hope on Fifth” Project at 5pm at the Lobby of the Philippine Center, and the Simbang Gabi sa Katedral at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral at 6:30pm

SBPAK 1st reunion Samahang Basketbolistang Pinoy sa Amerika at Karatig (SBPAK) will be holding its 1st reunion at Las Vegas on Dec. 3-4. All professional and amateur basketball players who played in MICAA, NCAA, UAAP, PBA, PBL, MICABA, BIBLE, Inter-Barangay, Inter-Plant, and Palarong Pambansa are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Enrico ‘Kado’ Rivera (626) 2905751 or Bobot Salas (818) 335-2417.

Annual Christmas Family Party of Kagayanons of Southern California All are invited to attend the Annual Christmas Family Party of Kagayanons of Southern California at the Whaley Park Community Center, Long Beach, CA. For inquiries call (626) 912-0883.

Philippine Indigenous Music: KALINGA In collaboration with SIPA and Kayamanan ng Lahi Series 1 of Philippine Indigenous Music: Kalinga will be presente ad the SIPA Community Center, 3200 West Temple St, Historic Filipinotown, LA. For more info, visit www.jazzphilusa.com or call (323) 521-3588.

UPAAGLA celebrates annual Lantern Parade The University of the Philippines Alumni Assn. of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) is celebrating its annual Lantern Parade at 6pm on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Dance Village, 1925 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA. 90026. The public is invited to this event, which commemorates the UP tradition of celebrating Christmas with a parade of colleges. The event cost is $20.00 per person.

For more information, please contact the following officers: Myrna Aquitania - (626) 289-1209; Nati Matitu-Mercado - (818) 378-3451; Alma Onrubia - (213) 446-5513 and Dors Maligalig - (323) 547-4802.

Philippine Indigenous Music: Palabuniyan Traditional Maguindanaon Kulintang Ensemble Music, in Collaboration with SIPA & Kayamanan ng Lahi. Tickets: $5 minimum donation suggested; Free to those who purchase two-night JazzFest package More Info: www.JazzPhilUSA.org; TELEPHONE 323-521-3588 or EMAIL info@ jazzphilusa.org

Kulinarya: A Filipino Culinary Showdown Come and witness the culinary prowess of the six finalists who will do actual cooking. Selected Filipino restaurants will also offer food samples while local artists will provide entertainment. Tasting ticket can be purchased online and at various outlets at $20 per booklet. Participants will also have the chance to win fabulous raffle prizes. For more information, please call 415.956.4060 415.956.4060 , send email to pdotsf@aol.com, or log on to www.experiencephilippines.org. Event will be held at the Metreon, 4th and Mission St in Downtown San Francisco.

Annual Paskong Pinoy Celebration You are cordially invited to a Filipino Tradition of Christmas Presentation of beautiful Lanterns and some with caroling music already in the lanterns with so much bright lights - Homemade Lanterns and Commercial Lanterns Made in the Philippines. The event will be held at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Aquinas Center, 12627 West Bellfort Ave., Sugarland, TX 74478.

D ecember 5

4th Annual Christmas Concert at St. Kilian Church Everyone is invited to watch the 4th Annual Christmas Concert at St. Killian Church featuring the Philippine Chamber Singers of Los Angeles and Bob Shroder and his Chamber Orchestra on Dec. 5, 7:30pm St. Kilian Church, 26872 Estanciero Drive, Mission Viejo, CA 92691. For tickets contact Art Leoncio (714) 323-0015 or Chai Leoncio (949) 933-2387.

UST Singers Alumni USA In Concert Everyone is invited to watch the University of Santo Tomas Singers Alumni USA concert on Dec. 5, 7:30pm at 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood, CA 94513. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will go to the construction of the new Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall. For more details call (925) 634-4154. Tickets are available at the Parish Office and IHM Choir members.

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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Holiday) 31 December 2010 (Friday) – Special NonWorking Holiday (PH holiday) Regular consular services will resume on the following working day.

In emergency cases, the Duty officer can be reached at telephone number (213) 268-9990.

PLEASE join the Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Association of NV for dining and dancing at their Christmas Party on Saturday, December 18, from 6:30pm until midnight at Danceworld USA at 1 9 5 0 S o u t h R a i n b o w B o u l e v a rd , Suite 104 Las Vegas, Nevada 89146.

Bring a gift worth at least $10 for gift exchange, if you wish to participate.

Please RSVP to Alex Pena at (702) 373-9522 ir Madelyn Banez at (702) 370-3152 or (702) 457-9939.

FAREPA San Francisco Peninsula Chapter is hosting its 6th Annual Christmas Party and Installation of Officers for 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Burlingame, CA. It will be an exciting evening of fun, food, dancing and entertainment.

Upsilon Sigma Phi and West Coast Sigma Delta Phi Christmas Party

Philippine Consulate Holiday Notice December 2010

FAREPA San Francisco Dinner

Anakbayan Los Angeles invites you to our 5th anniversary celebration and book launch of four new volumes by Professor Jose Maria Sison. Join us at this momentous community event on Friday, December 3rd from 6-9pm at the Grace United Methodist Church, 2325 E. 3rd Street, Long Beach, CA 90814. Suggested donation of $5. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information visit anakbayanla.tumblr.com or email info@anakbayanla.org

TFC and special concerts, movies, and a variety of offerings available for viewing on demand on FOD, our Filipino customers in Arizona can connect conveniently back home in the Philippines, catching their favorite stars and shows and savoring the best of Filipino news and entertainment.”

“TFC is part of our ongoing commitment to our customers to expand our programming and bring value by connecting them to the people, places and programming that are relevant in their lives,” said Julio Herrera, Director of Multicultural Markets, Cox Communications-Arizona. “Offering TFC and FOD packaged together to subscribers is an excellent way for the Filipino community in Arizona to enjoy their favorite programs available 24-hours-a-day on Cox.” For more information about subscriptions, customers should visit www.cox.com/arizona or call (623) 594-1000.

Freddie ‘Roskie’ Durano World famous Bayanihan Philippine Dance Arts choreographer Freddie “Roski” Durano has died of natural causes last Thanksgiving Day in Las Vegas .

Roski was a fixture in the Las Vegas culture and arts scene, where his contributions brought Philippine dance to the mainstream. He is also well-known for his distinct impersonation of famous former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos.

The cultural mover was the principal dancer of the original Bayanihan Dance Company, and headed the group’s travels to six continents to promote Philippine Dance in the international cultural scene.

He moved to Hawaii in 1996 where he opened a dance studio that later branched out to Los Angeles and Chicago . He taught Philippine Folk Dance course at the University of Hawaii. At Chicago , meanwhile, he became a choreographer and performer at the Baton Shoe Lounge, Chicago ’s showplace for stage impersonators.

Roski also conquered the Broadway stage in New York in musicals such as the West Side Story, the Flower Drum Song, and the King and I. Friends and family in Las

Vegas will mourn his loss while the community will miss his performances with the Filipiniana Dance Troupe of Las Vegas, where he was the principal choreographer.

Viewing will be at the Palm Mortuary at 1600 Jones St., Las Vegas NV on Friday, December 3, from 3:30pm to 7pm and a mass will follow at 5:30pm.

Asian Chamber of Commerce announces 2011 honorees LAS VEGAS—During their monthly luncheon held at the Westin Casuarina Hotel, Casino & Spa last November 18, the Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) announced the honorees for the 2011 Chinese New Year’s Gala & Community Achievement Awards. The event will also celebrate ACC’s 25 years of service to the Asian Pacific American business community in Southern Nevada.

Lisa Drake, ACC board member and chairwoman of the gala, was very pleased to announce the recipients of the awards.

“I’m very excited about the honorees that we have this year,” Drake exclaimed. “They go out of their way to partner with the Asian Pacific American community here in Southern Nevada. And their contributions to our community are invaluable.”

The honorees will be presented an award in recognition of their accomplishments on February 25, 2011 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino during the ACC’s 25th Anniversary and 2011 Chinese New Year Gala & Community Achievement Awards celebra-

tion.

The 2011 honorees are: • Member of the Year – Peter & Joanie Lung of World of Feng Shui USA • Educator of the Year – Carolyn Edwards, Trustee District F/VicePresident, Clark County School District Board of Trustees • Community Service Member of the Year – Steve Schorr, Vice President of Public & Government Affairs for Cox Communications • Small Business of the Year – Optic Gallery • Corporation of the Year – Caesars Entertainment Corporation (formerly Harrah’s Entertainment)

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Hae-un Lee, Founder of Lee’s Discount Liquor • According to Vida Lin, President of the ACC, “The Asian Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize these individuals and corporations. Their passion and commitment to the growing Asian Pacific American business community are commendable; and their accomplishments are our pride & joy as we celebrate 25 years of success in Nevada. Congratulations to all of the honorees!”

The gala is open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at http://www.lvacc.org, or by calling the ACC office.

JCPenney welcomes the...

PAGE B2 opt for a rainbow of color with a JCPenney 18K Gold over Sterling Silver Genuine Multi Gemstone Bangle ($159.99) and a genuine multi-gemstone 18K Gold over Sterling Silver Necklace ($159.99) Let time stand still while you watch his delight when he unwraps the Citizen Eco-Drive Calibre Watch ($356.25) A media room must-have—a Nostalgia Popcorn Cart ($149.99) Little kids--and big ones too—will spend hours of fun with this Lionel Santa Fe O Gauge Train Set ($199.99) Your directionally-challenged friends and family will never get lost again, thanks to your thoughtful gift of the new Garmin Nuvi 4.3 GPS Navigation System ($199.99) This Christmas season, no matter what your budget, JCPenney makes it easy to find just the right gift for everyone on your list. And for those in need, JCPenney and The Salvation Army have once again marshaled the spirit of joy to give on a grand scale online with the Angel Giving Tree Program. From now until December 14, customers can spread the Christmas cheer to tens of thousands of children and seniors facing hardships in communities across America by allowing customers to easily purchase toys, clothing or gift cards for a child or senior in need directly from www.jcp.com/angel.

(Advertising Supplement)

Features

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Loan modification, short sale or Is it okay to buy stuff while I’m still in debt? and foreclosure: A difficult choice Health Wealth by

Scott P. Chatley

SADLY, home values in Las Vegas aren’t what they used to be. According to one set of statistics in a recent local publication, up to 80% of all valley homes are underwater, with properties purchased in 2005 suffering the worst of it. Percentages, though, don’t seem to drive the point home as much as hard numbers. So, here’s a break down of a few cases currently being handled by The Law Firm of Peters and Associates: One property, located in the 89121 zip code, was purchased in 2005 for 219,900. The homes current estimated value? A meager $55,000. This represents a loss on the property of nearly 75%.

Another property, larger than 2300 square feet and located in a prestigious guard-gated community within Southern Highlands , was purchased in April of 2005 for $495,000 and is currently valued at $187,000. The homeowner has lost more than 60% of his investment in the short time he has lived there.

These numbers speak for themselves, and aren’t good.

Unfortunately, even though the banks recognize the dilemma homeowners are in, they aren’t doing much to rectify the situation. In most cases, the mortgage holders refuse to lower the principal balance owed. This policy of “no negotiation on the principal” can leave homeowners in a difficult situation, with some hard choices to make.

The first decision is usually the hardest: whether or not to keep the home. Homeowners normally have strong ties to their property. Perhaps they put a lot of effort into the home and they are proud of what they have done. Or maybe, it’s the family’s home; it has seen the birth of their children and there are too many memories for them to simply “pick up and move somewhere else.” At Peters & Associates, when a client wants to keep their home, the firm understands. Still, it’s important to fix the upside-down investment.

To this effect, P&A fights the banks getting them to modify the loan, often lowering payments and in certain cases, lowering the loan’s principal balance.

You read that right; Peters & Associates attorneys have lowered principal balances on homes despite the banks’ policies to the contrary. When they can lower the mortgage balance, the client usually sees a savings of 10-40% of the home’s original mortgage.

This doesn’t completely remove the deficit, and the home is still underwater, but even a small reduction in principal can restore a homeowner’s faith that the housing market will rebound enough for them to recover some of their investment. In other words, if you want to keep your home, but are struggling to make your payments, Loan Modification is probably the right choice.

If, on the other hand, the homeowner sees his or her property as a financial investment, there are other choices: Short Sale or Foreclosure.

In brief, the short sale process allows the homeowner to sell the house on the open market for less than what they currently owe on the property.

The remainder of this balance is called a deficiency, and without the proper negotiation team on their side, the homeowner can be financially liable with this deficiency balance. This may seem like a scary

proposition; being responsible for a mortgage on a house you no longer own. It really isn’t. When the proper procedures are followed, the bank will waive their right to collect on most deficiencies created when short-selling an underwater home.

To get the deficiency waived, the attorneys at Peters & Associates will negotiate with the bank, demanding that your rights are enforced. Sometimes, a small cash-contribution from the seller will be required to release the debt. But, in most cases a contribution is not required. When a contribution is required, the homeowner’s obligation to the bank is eliminated, paving the way for them to purchase a new home in as little as 6 months at current market rates.

To put it a slightly different way, the homeowner can get rid of their bad investment and purchase a better home soon after the short-sale process is completed, with a mortgage and monthly payment far less than the original.

Some homeowners, who have decided to pursue a short sale, will seek out a real-estate agent to assist them in the process. This is not recommended.

Real-estate agents are not licensed to explain legal processes, negotiate legal agreements or advise you of your legal rights. In some cases, they care more about selling the property and getting their commission as quickly as they can than they do about focusing on the homeowner’s concern of getting the deficiency waived. On the other hand, qualified debt relief attorneys, like the ones at P&A, focus on getting the deficiency waved, rather than collecting a commission from the sale of your home.

Sometimes, homeowners are exhausted and simply wish to “walk-away” from their property, relinquishing it to foreclosure. This is rarely the best option. In all foreclosure cases, the homeowner remains responsible for the mortgage. In some cases, this liability may last up to six (6) years. Moreover, federal guidelines exist which may prevent a foreclosed homeowner from purchasing a new home for as many as four (4) years. In other words, if you “walk away” from your underwater property, you may be sued by the bank(s) for any remaining balance, and should be prepared. This can lead to wage garnishments, bank-freezes, and other heartache. Before considering “walking away”, I urge you to speak with an attorney first about negotiating a short sale with your bank.

Please understand the summary of the loan modification, short sale and foreclosure processes I have provided should not be taken as legal advice.

Rather, it is a head start for your discussion with the attorneys at Peters & Associates, and will allow you to ask the right questions when you meet with an attorney for your free consultation. *** Scott P. Chatley, the author of this article, is the Director of Customer Service at P&A. If you have any questions or comments, he can be reached via email at schatley@ pandalawfirm.com.

The Law Firm of Peters & Associates can be contacted at 702-608-5663, via their website: www.PandALawFirm.com, via email: info@pandalawfirm.com, or at their offices which are located at 5426 S. Eastern Ave, Las Vegas , NV , 89119.

Art Gabot Maglaing The day after Thansgiving DAY was called “Black Friday.” On this day, millions of Americans rushed to the shopping centers and malls to buy stuff and many things using their credit cards.

With the arrival of the Holiday Season, more shoppers will buy stuff using credit cards up to the limit.

Is it okay to buy stuff while I’m still in debt? This pertinent and timely question must be answered honestly and sincerely by everyone. I would like to share to our readers and the general public the answer of Dave Ramsey, a personal money management expert. Dave Ramsey knows first-hand what financial peace means in his own life—living a true riches to rags to riches story. By age twenty-six he had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age thirty. He has since rebuilt his financial life and now devotes himself full-time to helping ordinary people understand the forces behind their financial distress and how to set things right—financially, emotionally and spiritually.

The vision and mission of JCC Alliance Network (JCCAN) in educating and helping ordinary people become debt free compliment what Dave Ramsey is now doing. Here’s the answer of Dave Ramsey to the above-mentioned question.

“I recommend waiting. Sometimes things are necessities, but most things are not. If you want to purchase a leather couch, you should wait until you pay off all your debts. The couch is not something you need. Being out of debt so that your family can live and save is more important than buying the leather couch. I look at priorities. As long as you have what you need to physically survive, very few things are more important than getting out of debt as quickly as possible.

“Sometimes people borrow money to pay off debt, and they just go deeper and deeper into debt. When you have more money going out than there is coming in, you are simply borrowing to pay your bills.

“This is the point where you need to take the bull by the horns.

You need to be sacrificial, crazy, and you need to make some painful decisions. You need to sell the car, the house, have a garage sale, and so forth. These are not pleasant things, but you need to make these decisions yourself or someone will make them for you.”

Free Financial Workshop: Readers and the general public are cordially invited to a Financial Workshop on Monday and Friday, 7pm sharp at the Fremont Business Center, 42808 Christy Street, Suite 101, Fremont, CA 94538. You will learn the Three Simple Steps To Become Debt Free. You will also learn how to pay off all your debts (credit cards, mortgages, car loans, student loans, business loans, personal loans) in half the time or faster, at ZERO Net Cost, using EASY Points.

“We are glad we attended the financial workshop and the Super Saturday special Workshop and Training in Fremont, California.

At the workshop, we discovered the amazing solutions to our financial problems,” affirmed the couple Kurt and Mary Williams.

“The JCCAN financial programs, products and services can help everybody. I encourage everyone to attend the workshop and special training and check for yourself how your financial problems can be solved,” said Mary Williams.

Seating is limited at the workshop! For seat reservation, call (510) 550-1404, (650) 438-3531, (415) 584-7095, (408) 888-7197, (707) 478-3192, (626) 963-8711, (702) 580-1207 or e-mail:info@ jccalliance.com. Check for special Workshop & Training in Las Vegas, Nevada; West Covina, California; San Francisco, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois and other cities.

Bottled Water PH Level Testing: Due to many requests

and as a continuing public service to neighbors, readers and the general public, JCC Alliance Network (JCCAN) is hosting PH Level Testing at the JCCAN Corporate Office: 42808 Christy Street, Suite, Fremont, CA 94538 on Monday and Friday, 6pm and at the GGCC Hall, 701-8th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118 on Tuesday and Thursday, 6pm.

Make sure that the brand of bottled water and the tap water you are drinking are safe and healthy by bringing sample water for PH Level testing. You can also enjoy shopping for all your daily needs (beauty, home appliances, nutrition products, coffee, tea, etc.) at the JCCAN mini-store in Fremont, California on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm to 5pm while waiting for the bottled water PH Level Testing.

Condolences: I am extending my condolences to the family of the late Notary Public and Realtor Stanley Austria ; and to the family of the late Freddie Coh, brother of fellow Realtor Ben Coh, who died recently. May God’s comfort, strength and assurance be with the Austria and Coh families.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK – AIMS: “Brethren. I do not count myself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - APOSTLE PAUL, Philippians *** ART GABOT MADLAING is a commissioned Notary Public and DRE licensed Real Estate Broker (ID #006635976) since 1981. He is the Chief Operating Officer of JCC Alliance Network. He can be reached at (650)4383531, (415)584-7095, (510)550-1404 Ext. 104 e-mail:agmadlaing@hotmail.com visit his website:www.jccalliance.com/art

B DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL Your Immigration Solution

Features

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Humanitarian reinstatement ABS-CBN dominates 19th...

THE death of a loved one is a tragic event in anyone’s life. The death of a petitioner in immigration law is a legal event that automatically reAtty. Robert Reeves vokes a visa petition. HowLorena Larios Shah ever, there is hope for those family members living abroad that waited patiently for their immigrant visa petition to become current prior to the death of their family member. A humanitarian reinstatement request of an approved petition may allow a beneficiary to continue with the immigrant visa process and reunite with his/her family in the United States.

Under 8 C.F.R. 205.1(a)(3)(i)(C), the Attorney General will not revoke a family-based immigrant petition upon the death of the petitioner where he “determines that for humanitarian reasons revocation would be inappropriate.”

The United States Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual (9 FAM 42.42 PN2) provides a list of factors the USCIS should consider in evaluating requests for reinstatements.

• Disruption of an established family unit • Hardship to US citizens or lawful permanent residents • Beneficiary is elderly or in poor health • Beneficiary has no home to go to • Undue delay by INS or consular officer in processing petition and visa • Beneficiary has strong family ties in the United States In addition, on March 13, 2002, H.R. 1892 became Public Law 107-150. This law amended the INA by permitting an alternate sponsor for the affidavit of support if the original sponsor has died and the Attorney General has determined that the petition should not be revoked for humanitarian reasons. The amendment specifically permits the substitution of a close fam-

ily member, i.e., the spouse, parent, mother-in-law, father-inlaw, sister, brother, son, daughter, son-in-law, or daughter-inlaw. As in the case of other financial sponsors, the sponsor must maintain an annual income equal to at least 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This law applies to deaths triggering visa revocation occurring before, on, or after the enactment of this law.

Where the beneficiary is living in the US when the petitioner dies, a separate law may apply and allow a beneficiary to adjust status. The Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) was amended with the passage of Public Law No. 111-83. Section 204(l) of the Act provides that an alien’s application for adjustment of status shall be adjudicated “notwithstanding the death of the qualifying relative” if the alien resided in the US at the time of their qualifying relative’s death and continues to reside in the United States.

The death of a loved one can leave a family feeling hopeless.

But not all hope is lost. An immigration expert can evaluate whether a request for humanitarian reinstatement or adjustment of status pursuant to section 204(l) is proper. *** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

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)

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Rated K for the Best TV Magazine Program, Sports Unlimited for Best TV Sports Program, while Salamat Dok was named Best Public Service Program.

ABS-CBN’s Harapan: The Vice Presidential Debate bagged the Best TV Special Program recognition and Studio 23’s Y-Speak got Best Public Service Program.

It was a double win for Maalaala Mo Kaya as it won Best Radio and TV Drama Program.

For radio categories, dzMM’s Sa Kabukiran was named Best Radio Science and Technology Program while Ka Louie Tabing won the Best Radio Science and Technology Journalist award. Pasada 630 of Karen Davila and Vic Lima again won the Best Radio Public Service Program, and Radyo Patrol Balita of Alex Santos and Jasmin Romero got Best Radio Newscast Award.

The Best Radio Jock award wento to China Heart of 101.9FM. For individual awards, Henry Omaga-Diaz was named Best TV Newscaster while Alex Santos was honored as the Best Radio Newscaster.

Boy Abunda was named the Best Public Affairs Program host for The Bottomline, Ted Failon as the Best Radio Public Affairs host, and DZMM’s Edwin Sevidal for Best Radio Field Reporter.

Judy Ann Santos was also recognized as the Best TV Drama Actress while Coco Martin got the Best TV Drama actor award.

KBP holds the annual event with the aim to give tribute to the best programs on TV and radio.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 2-8, 2010

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B DECEMBER 2-8, 2010 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678