LA Midweek September 23 - 25, 2015

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September 23-25, 2015

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

Volume 25 - No. 74 • 3 Sections - 22 Pages

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90 charged with murder for SAF killings

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

the government’s panel of investigators on tuesday, sept. 22 filed direct assault with murder complaint against 90 people for the death of 35 members of the special Action force (sAf) 55th company.

Commandos from sAf 55th who served as blocking force were those killed by moro rebels in the cornfield in tukanalipao, mamasapano, maguindanao last January 25.

In a memorandum referral by the National Prosecution service-National Bureau of Investigation (NPs-NBI) team addressed to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, of the 90 respondents,

26 are moro Islamic Liberation front combatants, 13 of which are battalion commanders from the 105th and 118 Base Command, 12 members of Bangsamoro Islamic freedom fighters, 6 of which are commanders, and 52 members of private armed groups (PAGs). “these 90 respondents acted in conspiracy with one another to attack, employ force, seriously intimidate or resist the 35 sAf (special Action force) commandos, who were uniformed police officers and, thus persons in authority,� the panel said in their complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DoJ). each of the 90 respondents is facing

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Coloma denies NY Times report stating PH requested $300 million in military aid President Benigno Aquino III reacts during a press conference on the Mamasapano incident held at MalacaĂąang Palace. Aquino says the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will not be a hindrance in pursuing justice for the death of 35 members of the Special Action Force 55th company in the bloody clash.

MalacaĂąang photo

DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Fil-Am teen pleads not guilty in killing of 8-year-old girl A fILIPINo-American teenager who was charged as an adult in the murder of an 8-yearold girl earlier this year in santa Cruz, California, pleaded not guilty monday, sept. 21.

Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, 15, faces one count of murder with the special circumstance that he allegedly kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and tied up madyson “maddy� middleton before killing her, according to santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeffrey rosell. Gonzalez is also accused of lying in wait. the teen has also been charged with one count of kidnapping and four other sexual assault-related offenses, according to rosell. “We have charged this individual as an adult with the crimes for which he is responsible,� he said. “We are going to bring him to justice.�

At Gonzalez’s first court appearance on thursday, July 30, the 15-year-old did not

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consTanTe AJPress

DC, NYC ready for Pope Francis visit

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

It’s all systems go for the first visit of Pope francis to the United states this week. he arrived tuesday, sept.

22 at Joint Base Andrews in maryland, where he was welcomed by President Barack obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their wives, michelle obama and Jill Biden. the pope was previously in Cuba

for a four-day trip that included visiting the shrine of the country’s patron in el Cobre and delivering mass at a church that holds the 19th century shrine of the Virgin of Charity. he will be in the Us for six days, visiting Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia. the pope was welcomed at the White house on Wednesday morning, sept. 23 for an arrival ceremony

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AmID ongoing territorial quarrels about the south China sea, the Aquino administration requested $300 million in military aid from the United states, according to a report by the New York Times. however, Philippine Presidential Communications secretary herminio Coloma, Jr. repudiated the report, citing a lack of explicit information on the claim. “Wala tayong tuwirang information tungkol diyan at kailangan muna nating alamin kung ano ang isinasaad ng ulat na ‘yan at berepikahin kung

merong batayan (We don’t have any direct information about that matter and we first need to know what the report said and verify if there is proof),�

Coloma said in a press briefing, according to Philstar. the sept. 19 report by the times stated that the Philippines’ request was rejected on the grounds of potential corruption and worries about the country’s ability to handle such an incoming of resources.

A Philippine official who spoke to the times on the condition of anonymity said the Aquino administration requested for the aid this year because “it needs a substantial buildup

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Poe urged to prove she’s a natural-born Filipino by chrisTine

aVendaĂąo, JeroMe aninG and Tarra QuisMundo Inquirer.net

for the head of the senate electoral tribunal (set), sen. Grace Poe is not a natural-born filipino unless she can prove blood relations to biological filipino parents.

Implying the presidential aspirant’s lack of qualification to hold public office, supreme Court Associate Justice

Antonio Carpio on monday, sept. 21 said Poe, a foundling whose biological parents are unknown, may be considered a filipino citizen under international law but one with a “naturalized� status.

Poe has undergone DNA tests with possible relatives, her lawyer, George Garcia, told the set during monday’s oral arguments on the petition for her disqualification from the senate brought by a losing opponent in the 2013 senatorial election.

Garcia told reporters after the proceedings that Carpio welcomed the information, calling it “wonderful� and saying “if proven correct, that will solve this case.�

Garcia said it was Poe’s “personal decision� to undergo DNA tests. he said the tests were done two weeks ago and the results would be released soon.

Poe told reporters that the tests for a match were done with “individuals� Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio

Erap no longer running for president

by Jose

California GOP loosens immigration stance

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Lah

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SEAFOOD CITY AD1

Inquirer.net file photo/niĂąo Jesus Orbeta

No membership required.

mANILA – With Vice President Jejomar Binay and sen.

Grace Poe’s declaration of their presidential bid in the general elections next year, former President and now manila mayor Joseph estrada monday, sept. 21, said his chance of running again for the country’s highest office is now “almost zero.�

In a telephone interview with the stAr, estrada said the only thing that could make him run for president is if Poe and Binay are disqualified. estrada said he is currently focused on his re-election bid as manila mayor. he said he has not decided whom to support for president in the may 2016 polls.

Poe is estrada’s goddaughter. her father, fernando Poe Jr., was estrada’s bosom buddy and fellow movie actor. on the other hand, Binay is estrada’s close friend and political ally. estrada and Binay ran for president and vice president under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in 2010. estrada lost to then senator Benigno Aquino III while BiMayor Joseph Estrada

Carpio

at ay

rodel clapano

Philstar.com

the California republican Party voted on sunday, sept. 20 to soften its stance on immigration, responding to harsh rhetoric from current GoP presidential candidates. republicans have been struggling to find a balance between appealing to California’s growing immigrant population and satisfying its base of white conservatives, the Los Angeles times reported. the issue has escalated with real estate and former “Celebrity Apprentice� host Donald trump, who has been soaring to the top of the primary polls with his very outspoken, generally negative views on immigration. the party’s other candidates also took a pessimistic viewpoint at last week’s debate in simi Valley, California. former Arkansas Gov.

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From the Front Page PAGE A1 t

on the South Lawn, followed by a 45-minute private meeting with Obama. Afterward, the pope was scheduled to lead US bishops in prayer at the St. Matthews Cathedral. In the afternoon, Pope Francis held a canonization Mass in Spanish at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the first-ever canonization Mass on US soil.

Around 25,000 ticket holders were expected to witness this historic event.

“The pope is a singular figure and he has really stirred the souls of people all around the world,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said according to the New York Times.

On Thursday, Sept. 24 the Senate and House will welcome the pope in a joint session where he will make the first-ever address to Congress. Pope Francis is the third pope to visit the nation’s capital. This speech will be one of four he will hold in English, according to USA Today. The remaining 14 speeches on his threecity US tour will be in Spanish. At 11:15 am, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese will host Pope Francis. He departs for New York from Washington, DC via Joint Base Andrews at 4:00 pm.

“The pope will not be speaking primarily as a politician. He will not be speaking like a technical expert. He will not be speaking like a high UN official,” said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican’s permanent observer to the United Nations. “But he will be speaking, above all, as a pastor, as a religious leader, as a Father.”

Auza spoke with the media about the pope’s activities in New York and his visit to the

United Nations.

Pope Francis is expected to address the UN General Assembly for half an hour, focusing on the themes he stressed in his papacy.

“Poverty, social justice, climate change, and what we call peaceful institutions and societies,” Auza said. “These are also the priorities of the Catholic Church.”

“Eradicating extreme poverty means that we are giving a chance to these poor children to be educated, for them to go to school,” he added.

The pope is scheduled to be at the United Nations on Friday morning, Sept. 25, where he will be welcomed by Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, his wife and a group of children who will present him flowers. The pope and the Secretary General will hold a bilateral meeting afterward.

Pope Francis will then address UN staff in a town hall meeting in the lobby of the Secretariat Building. At 10:00 am, he is expected to enter the General Assembly where he will speak from 10:20 to 10:50.

More than a million people are expected to be in Philadelphia over the weekend to witness Pope Francis celebrate Mass at the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families -- the largest meeting of Catholic families held every three years -- along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and this is expected to be one of the biggest events in his visit, according to Archbishop Auza.

“It’s the biggest event of all and there are no more tickets.

I told them don’t worry, just go there and treat it like a picnic, like camping,” he said.

While in Philadelphia, the pope is expected to visit Independence Mall, which is home to the Lib-

erty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were signed.

10,000 free tickets to Pope Francis’ speech at the Independence Mall were also given away. However, some of these tickets were sold online through sites such as eBay and Craigslist, selling for up to hundreds of dollars per ticket.

“That is sad, that’s regrettable,” remarked Archbishop Auza when the Asian Journal spoke with him Monday, Sept. 21.

In New York, around 80,000 people are expected at Central Park Friday for Pope Francis’ procession, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The city distributed free tickets to people who want to see the Pope en route to mass at the Madison Square Garden (MSG).

Free tickets through the Archdiocese of New York were also distributed to the various churches for the MSG mass.

The pope will travel all the way downtown for a “multi-religious” service at the 9/11 Memorial at 11:30 am. In the afternoon, he will visit Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem, followed by the Central Park procession and the Mass at Madison Square Garden.

Asked if the Pope might get off the Pope Mobile and walk among the faithful during the Central Park procession, Auza smiled and explained that such details cannot be confirmed at this time and it would be up to the Pope to decide.

“If the pope walks he will be greeting everybody. There will be many Filipinos probably shouting ‘Viva Il Papa!’. Chances are he would stop and bless them and even talk to them,” he said. n

Poe urged to prove she’s a natural-born…

PAGE A1 t

who had approached her on the possibility that they were related.

She said the individuals showed her a picture of a relative that suggested they were related.

Poe said the people involved were “possible siblings,” but she did not want to elaborate as to whether they were her siblings or siblings of her biological parents.

“What I can say is that if we are related by blood, I would be happy because they are decent and good people,” Poe said.

“They were very gentle when speaking, so I said to myself this could be it,” she said.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, only natural-born Filipino citizens may run for public office.

Int’l, local laws During Monday’s oral arguments on the disqualification case against Poe, Carpio made clear his stand on the senator’s citizenship, reconciling the provisions of international law—which confers foundlings with a nationality and protection against statelessness—and the provisions of the 1935 Constitution, under which Poe’s citizenship falls.

“There is a principle of international law that every state must avoid statelessness, and there is also a principle that every person has the right to acquire citizen-

ship. Add this together, that is part of our law, because it does not contravene our Constitution … So we apply that here,” Carpio said in questioning Manuelito Luna, lawyer for petitioner Rizalito David, who lost the 2013 senatorial election that Poe topped.

Carpio said a country’s act of granting a passport to a foundling, for instance, was in compliance with these two international laws.

“We avoid statelessness, give the foundling citizenship. But it is under 5 (Section 5, Article 4 of the 1935 Constitution): that a foundling is a citizen, but naturalized. Because to be naturalborn, you must show blood relationship,” Carpio said.

Section 5, Article 4, of the old Constitution classifies as citizens “those who are naturalized in accordance with law.”

The nationality of Poe, who was born in 1968 and was adopted in 1974 by the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. and his wife, actress Susan Roces, is covered by the 1935 law.

Other sections of the 1935 Constitution may not apply to Poe because she is a foundling: Section 3, which gives Filipino citizenship to “those whose fathers are citizens of the Philippines,” and Section 4, which recognizes the native citizenship of “those

Erap no longer running for…

PAGE A1 t nay won against Manuel Roxas II. “I will make my decision when all have filed their certificates of candidacy,” Estrada said.

Duterte: Time to retire Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would not be swayed by calls from all sectors for him to reconsider his earlier position that he won’t be running for president next year.

“No, not even that Million People’s Call in Manila on Sept. 26 can make me change my mind,” Duterte said.

The mayor likewise said that even if there would be people attending the event, it still would not make him run.

He said he might go abroad on that day so he can avoid the event organized by his supporters in Metro Manila.

Duterte stressed that he would rather enjoy retirement from politics after he had served several years as prosecutor, vice mayor, mayor and one-time congressman.

“I have been in government service for 38 years. It is time for me to retire,” he said. (With reports from Edith Regalado)

whose mothers are citizens of the Philippines and, upon reaching the age of majority, elect Philippine citizenship,” said Carpio, citing the requirements for citizenship.

“So we have solved the problem, counsel? You will agree with me that Senator Poe is at least a citizen of the Philippines, but you’re saying she does not fall under (Sections) 3 or 4,” Carpio said, getting Luna to concur.

‘Stateless’ Throughout the proceedings, Luna asserted that Poe, as a foundling, was “stateless” and, thus, did not possess Filipino citizenship from the time she was born.

Her reacquisition of Filipino citizenship in 2006, some five years after becoming an American citizen, was thus invalid, as she did not possess Philippine nationality in the first place, Luna said.

Carpio explained that given the silence of local laws on how to regard the nationality of foundlings, international customary laws—the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for one—may be invoked.

The Philippines gives primacy to the Constitution over international law, but international law “has the status of an act of Congress,” Carpio said.

“So if right now there is no law promulgated by Congress that foundlings can be deemed citizens of the Philippines, customary law can supply that gap, correct?” Carpio told Luna.

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90 charged with murder for SAF… PAGE A1 t

35 counts of direct assault with murder.

The 90 individuals were identified by five witnesses who are already under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

However, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima declined to identify the 90 respondents to make sure that they will not go into hiding.

After the evaluation of the complaint, de Lima said the case will be assigned to a panel of prosecutors who will then issue a subpoena.

“Kaya ayaw pa namin i-disclose ang pangalan nila baka wala na kaming ma-padalhan ng subpoena,” de Lima said.

The NBI-NPS report said what happened to the 55th SAC personnel was neither a massacre

nor a misencounter.

“In the team’s appreciation of the facts and available evidence, the incident was not a massacre as graphically described by the Senate nor a simple misencounter as clinically suggested by the MILF. Rather the complicated truth is somewhat in between these two extremes,” the NBINPS report said.

Among the salient points of the report are: after the firefight, MILF elements crossed the river over to the cornfield to finish off the dying 55th SAC members.

At the same time, de Lima said the panel also used three to four videos on the Mamasapano incident that circulated in social media.

“The videos validated the testimony of the witnesses, especially

codename ‘Marathon,’” de Lima said.

But not of those who took the video were included as respondent in the complaint.

“Hindi naman sila pumatay,” de Lima said adding that those who took the videos are not among the five government witnesses.

Meanwhile, de Lima clarified that the case does not cover the death of the 9 members of the 84th Special Action Company (SAC) who were tasked to arrest terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir alias Marwan.

She said the result of the investigation on the death of the 9 SAC members is included in the part 2 investigation of the NPSNBI team which will be released in two weeks. n

Coloma denies NY Times report…

PAGE A1 t

of planes and ships to deter Chinese expansionism.”

Philippine lawmakers in 1991 voted to expel American troops from the country to break free from the “shackles of dictatorship.” But with continuing disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippines is considering whether or not to invite the US Navy back to Subic Bay, according to the Times, a naval base that was involved in nearly each American conflict in the 20th century.

Last year, the Philippine government signed a 10-year agreement that would allow America to station weapons, troops and military equipment at bases throughout the country, which would prepare for the return of America to some facilities, such as Subic Bay and Clark Air Base, the Times reported.

However, the arrangement faces legal challenges and mixed feelings from Filipinos, who largely perceive the United States in a positive light but are unsure about American troops being stationed in the Philippines. Furthermore, there are worries about how China could respond to American aid.

“When the elephants brawl, ants should be spared,” said Rene Augusto Saguisag, among a group of former senators who voted to dismiss American troops in 1991, according to the Times.

Saguisag has also petitioned the Philippines Supreme Court to block the military agreement.

“The U.S. and China should leave us alone and not involve us in the quarrels of the strong.”

Secretary Coloma dismissed the claim in the Times’ report, based on the fact that US military bases are not permitted to operate in the Philippines.

“Labag sa Konstitusyon ‘yung pagkakaroon ng mga foreign military troops. At kahit kailanman ay hindi gumagawa ng labag sa Konstitusyon o batas ang ating pamahalaan. Kaya walang batayan at walang katotohanan ang paratang na iyan (It’s against the [Philippine] Constitution to have foreign military troops. And our government has never committed any violations against the Constitution or the laws of our government. There is no proof and there is no truth to that accusation),” Coloma said, according to Philstar.

In the disputed territory that China has pushed to established as its own, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam are among other countries claiming certain parts of it. However,

China’s efforts have affected the Philippines the most.

“The fight hasn’t even started yet, and it looks like the Philippines government has already surrendered,” Renato Etac, 35, a fishing boat captain who says Chinese vessels in the area routinely chase and attempt to ram his ship, told the Times. “I can’t even count the Chinese ships I see, there are so many.”

If the pact between the US and Philippines pulls through, America would be able to position itself less than 500 miles away from the new islands built by China.

“The issue of the West Philippines Sea is a shared responsibility of the Philippines and the United States,” said Fernando Manalo, a Philippine defense official, according to the Times.

However, US Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), told the publication it would take time for the two countries to re-establish a trust.

“If you look what happened in Subic Bay, that was a pretty abrupt turnaround by the Philippines. I think memory probably lingers both in the Philippines and the United States,” Sullivan said. n

26

Transit Agencies in LA County now accept TAP!

26 Agencies in LA County Now Use TAP Technology With every transit agency in LA County now accepting TAP, it’s an excellent time to get your TAP card! TAP is a durable plastic card you can use again and again to pay your fare. Load Stored Value or an EZ transit pass and ride from Long Beach to Antelope Valley or Santa Monica to Norwalk. Your TAP card will know exactly how much to deduct for each ride. Learn more at taptogo.net.

October is Girls Empowerment Month in LA County Metro supports Girls Build LA – a program designed to educate and empower young women with the skills they need to develop solutions to the challenges they face every day. To get involved, visit lafund.org/girlsbuildla.

Metro Business Interruption Fund Program Metro has partnered with Pacific Coast Regional to administer the Business Interruption Fund, a program designed to help small businesses directly impacted by construction of three Metro Rail projects now underway: the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, the Little Tokyo area of the Regional Connector and Phase I of the Purple Line Extension. More than $1 million in grants have been awarded since the program began in April. For more info, visit pcrcorp.org.

Regional Connector Project Street Closures If you work or live in Downtown LA, please note that for three months, Broadway will be reduced to one lane in each direction between 1st St and 3rd St, and westbound 2nd St will be closed between Spring St and Broadway starting as early as September 12 for construction of the Regional Connector Transit Project. For more details, visit metro.net/regionalconnector.

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From the Front Page

Fil-Am teen pleads not guilty in…

PAGE A1 t

enter a plea. Later at his arraignment on Monday, Sept. 21, he pleaded not guilty, Inquirer.net reported.

Gonzalez’s lawyer Larry Biggam told reporters, “Our job is to review the evidence, conduct our own investigation, and make sure that the minor—like every citizen accused—receives a fair trial.”

Maddy was last seen around 5:05pm on Sunday, July 26 riding her white Razor scooter in the Tannery Arts Center on River Street, a public-private nonprofit artists colony in Santa Cruz where both she and Gonzalez lived. Her disappearance prompted a fran-

tic overnight search, and FBI investigators went door-to-door looking for clues. The massive search involved volunteers from neighbors, to officials, to relatives and friends.

Around 250 people live in the Tannery Arts Center complex, including about 50 children.

At 7:55pm on Monday, July 27, a little more than 24 hours after she disappeared, a police detective discovered Maddy’s body—4 feet tall, 46 pounds—lying at the bottom of the recycling bin, which had already been searched once by volunteers.

Investigators reportedly saw Gonzalez standing near the bin,

causing automatic suspicion.

Police believe he was watching them as they searched, and said they have evidence tying him directly to Maddy.

The boy was detained and later arrested on suspicion of homicide, and is being held in a juvenile detention facility.

Gonzalez was described as a well-liked, quiet and polite young man and a “yo-yo expert.” According to a former classmate, Gonzalez’s father was absent and his mother is from Romblon, an island in the Luzon region of the Philippines.

Residents at the eight-acre complex were “stunned” to learn

California GOP loosens immigration…

PAGE A1 t

Mike Huckabee said the nation was “on the brink of collapse” because of President Barack Obama and a Supreme Court infected with “judicial tyranny.”

“We’ve been out of touch with where voters are,” said Richard Temple, a veteran party strategist who was present at Sunday’s platform vote. “We have to have the right tone and language.”

Changes to the GOP’s stance were proposed by a Latino party official from Fresno, Marcelino Valdez, who said it was a reaction to Trump’s “offensive” comments on immigrants.

The state party’s changes say Republicans “hold diverse views on what to do with the millions of people who are currently here illegally.” The wording of the amendment was tweaked after a committee meeting on Sept. 20, which used the phrase “otherwise law-abiding folks” instead of “people.”

Although the new language emphasizes opposition to “amnesty,” it removes the statement that “allowing illegal immigrants

to remain in California undermines respect for the law.”

It’s important to use “language that is more appealing to California’s diverse electorate,” Valdez said.

Sunday did not mark a wholesale left turn by state Republicans, who still hold certain views on immigration and also generally oppose gay marriage. The party also discussed the issue of abortion, reaffirming its strict definition of life as beginning at the moment of conception.

Still, “the change was noteworthy for what it said about the party’s desire to better reflect what our party is now,” Harmeet Dhillon, vice chairman of the state Republican Party, told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.

“There’s more sensitivity to the issues around legal and illegal immigration,” she said.

In a statement after the vote, Valdez called the party’s platform changes “an anti-Proposition 187 plank,” referring to the controversial 1994 ballot measure that would have prevented undocumented immigrants from

Poe urged to prove she’s a…

PAGE A3 t

“To a certain extent, yes,” Luna replied.

“If there is customary international law that says foundlings shall be deemed citizens of the country where they were found, we apply that here because under the incorporation clause, we adopt general principles of international law,” Carpio said.

Striking a balance between the Constitution and international law, Carpio said foundlings may indeed be granted citizenship,

though only as far as Section 5: naturalized status.

Wrapping up his questioning of the petitioner’s camp, Carpio said that “any decision on citizenship is never final; it can always be questioned.”

“So if there is adverse decision that you are natural-born and you cannot show who your parents are today, if tomorrow you happen to find out by DNA matching that your parent is Filipino, you can still prove that you are natural-born,” Carpio said. n

receiving public services. Prop 187 was later invalidated by federal courts, but not before it helped to push Latinos away from the Republican Party.

Broadening the Republican reach has been a focus of state GOP Chairman Jim Brulte, who has “advocated flexibility to allow candidates to conform to the views of their districts,” he said.

Typically, that has meant accommodating more moderate views of candidates on matters such as abortion rights, illegal immigration and gay rights.

Although individual Republicans have presented a more moderate face, the party as a whole has trailed behind, trying to bridge its disparate membership.

Some of the tension was aired Sunday before hundreds of delegates cast an overwhelming voice vote, on behalf of the changes to the immigration platform.

“We are about legal immigration,” one delegate said, emphasizing the word ‘legal.’ “I think a platform could say people of the world come to our country legally and reside in our country legally. Period.”

In previous studies done before the 2014 election, poll strategist Richard Temple said the GOP accounts for 20 percent of California’s dependable voters.

Democrats represent 45 percent, which is more than double the GOP’s share. Independents make up the remaining 35 percent, but Republicans must capture almost all of their votes to win statewide elections--which explains why no Republican has won statewide in almost a decade.

Chief among the groups targeted by Republicans as life preservers are women, Latinos,

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015

their neighbor was suspected in the killing.

“We’re just devastated. These are two of our kids, and one is dead and one has been taken away. And it’s horrible. It’s just horrible,” said resident Yasmina Porter, whose two children, ages 11 and 13, had regularly played with both the young victim and the suspect.

“From the community’s standpoint, we mostly feel like these are our babies,” Porter said.

“This is the most horrible thing you can imagine.”

Santa Cruz police Chief Kevin Vogel said Gonzalez lured Maddy to his family’s upstairs apartment, where they were alone, and killed her. He then reportedly carried her body downstairs to a

garage and hid it in the recycling bin. Police officials believe Maddy willingly went to Gonzalez’s apartment because she knew and trusted him.

“She was 8 years old. She had a reasonable amount of trust in him,” Vogel said. “They were “It is my belief that [Maddy] was killed even before we got the phone call Sunday at about 6pm, when she was first reported missing,” he added.

Gonzalez is being tried as an adult on the counts of murder, kidnapping, and rape. In their decision to determine charges, prosecutors looked at the Fili-

pino teen’s age, his criminal record, the nature of the crime and how the offense was committed, Rosell said.

If convicted of the charges, Gonzalez may face life in prison.

Because of his age, he is not eligible for the death penalty.

He was ordered to re-appear in court on Oct. 29.

An autopsy of Maddy shows that she died of asphyxiation and stab wounds to the neck.

“People do things for lots of different reasons,” Rosell said.

“Sometimes we understand them, sometimes we don’t.” (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

Asians, independent voters, and young millennial voters.

Women also make up the majority of California voters, according to Temple. According to studies, women are far more likely to care more than men about abortion rights, economic inequality, healthcare, gay marriage, and the environment.

“Republican candidates need to come up with ideas on those subjects that are consistent with their principles, and not to just demand that Democratic plans be scuttled,” said Temple.

“If we don’t do something about it, we will not be competitive in California any longer. We can get these people, if we have the right message.”

Jon Fleischman, a conservative blogger and former party delegate, spoke against the change on Saturday by calling it “too ambiguous.”

But he voted for it on Sunday, after the phrase “otherwise lawabiding folks” was removed.

“You can’t be law-abiding while you’re breaking the law,” he said.

Some fear Republicans may be seen as not going far enough.

The state party did not, for example, back a path to citizenship for people in the country illegally, a position supported by a strong majority of Californians.

“There are going to be people that if we made the chair of the party and the top of the ticket somebody born of immigrant parents, it would not convince them that we are the right party for them because of the history of Prop. 187 and other issues,” Dhillon said.

“The effect of the recent moves depend on the voter,” she said.

“We are doing what is right for our party.” (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

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A

A SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Haunted

IT seems like a lifetime ago when on Sept. 21, 1972, former Pres.

Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines. Fortythree years have passed, but the wretched moments of the martial law era have continued to linger on, especially for the people who had to endure it.

From this period in Philippine history, Filipinos must appreciate the genuine meaning of democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics.

Around the country, various human rights groups and militant organizations staged protests on Monday, Sept. 21, to call for justice for the victims of human rights abuses during martial law and condemn the “continuing repression and terror” in the country.

“It is true that we need to remind the current and future generations of this dark period of history. However, it seems that it is the Aquino government that has not learned any of the lessons of the past, as it continues to repeat the crimes of the dictator,” said Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Carol Araullo said.

For his part, Sen. Bam Aquino urged the nation to continue retelling the stories of martial law, saying “the sacrifices, atrocities and heroism during the darkest years in our country’s history should not be forgotten and must be imparted to today’s generation.”

As a stronger reminder of that tumultuous era, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will construct a P500-million memorial museum for arti-

facts, memorabilia and other items related to the martial law era under the Marcos dictatorship. Around 10,000 materials gathered from 75,000 victims of human rights abuses at the height of military rule in the country will be housed in the memorial museum.

In 2013, the Philippine government passed the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Law, to recognize human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention under the martial law and indemnify them and their families for the suffering they were put through.

Those qualified were encouraged to file a claim with the Human Rights Claim Board for reparation and/or recognition, as stated in Section 16 of the Act. Successful claimants will secure compensation from the P10-billion with interest worth of funds transferred to the Philippine government by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in 1997.

According to Sen. Francis Escudero, “this is a first of such human rights legislation in the world where a state recognizes a previous administration’s fault against its own people and not only provides for, but also actually appropriates for reparation.”

However, the fight goes on for those who have filed for their claims. Franciscan Sister Crescencia Lucero of the religious superiors’ Justice and

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Peace Commission alleged that many victims have already applied but have yet to receive their compensation.

“They should be given what is due them,” Lucero said as she urged the current administration to speed up the process.

This compensation is not a gift to cheer the victims. It is giving what they deserve to help repair the damages done onto them and make up for what they lost. While the law may have vindicated them, remnants of the martial law era will stay with them until they receive just compensation. (AJPress)

The ‘Pope Francis Effect’ hits Kababayans in America POPE Francis arrived in the United States on Tuesday, Sept. 22 for a six-day visit, exciting kababayans who wished they were in Manila when the Pontiff visited the Philippines last January.

It is this excitement that compelled many FilAms to travel to Washington DC, New York, or Philadelphia to see the Pope in person and be blessed by his messages of inclusive love, hope, justice and mercy.

The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Balitang America even reported how some Filipinas even joined the 100-mile walking pilgrimage from Pennsylvania to Washington DC to see the Pope and to share with the Leaders of the Catholic Church a message: dignity for America’s immigrants!

Some of these Filipinas are from Southern California, who are among 100 women who walked the 100 miles for the “We Belong Together” campaign in honor of immigration reform and the first US visit of Pope Francis.

“This issue of immigration is a human rights issue,” said The Fil-Am Aqui Soriano Versoza of the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) Perspective in a Balitang America report.

“It’s also an issue of women in particular because those that are impacted by all these policies this broken immigration Gel SantoS-ReloS system those are impacted the most are women and children”.

Balitang America’s News Bureau Chief Paul Henson reported from The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where Pope Francis will celebrate his first mass in the US. He talked to Bishop Richard Garcia of the Diocese of Monterey, who says the faith of Filipino-Americans has been instrumental in sustaining the spiritual life of the Catholic Church in America.

“They’re keeping our faith alive. I really love

the Filipino people for that because of the devotion they have for the Blessed Mother, for example,” Garcia told Henson in the report.

Here are the comments of Filipinos in America as gathered by Balitang America, in joyful anticipation of the Pope’s visit: “Sa akin nag-resonate is his [Pope Francis’] love for the poor, and the underprivileged, and we are the one that are blessed and we should share it with other people.” — Nenita Aure “Yung issue sa global warming…We are stewards of the Earth, so nagresonate talaga sa akin [Pope Francis’s message]. — Rosemarie Zamora “Open siya [Pope Francis] sa lahat ng tao, yung nakikinig siya sa lahat ng opinyon pero sinusunod pa rin niya yung mga utos ng Diyos…Yung being merciful, and yung being welcoming sa la-

hat ng tao.” — Cecile Salonga “I hope he would be.. a help to the community and to the politicians to invite them to help the struggles of the Filipino World War Two veterans.

Not only the Filipinos but all of the veterans in America….I [also] hope the Pope would try to convince the leaders that..they could avoid any wars and protect the humanity from harm.” — Bernie Ganon, Filipino American Service Group, Inc. “That is what we like with the Pope… He’s pushing for family reunification. remember the Immigration Bill has been dead in the US Congress because the Republicans won’t even [vote on it]”. — Arturo Garcia, Justice for Filipino American Veterans. *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

How would Imelda Marcos have handled Metro Manila’s woes?

IN the face of the anarchy in the streets Street of Metro Manila, the paralysis that follows Talk every heavy downpour, and the inability – nay, the unwillingness - of local officials to enforce such obvi- GReG B. MacaBenta ous rules as clearing major streets (like Taft Avenue) of vendors, desperate citizens have concocted various antidotes.

What has often been proposed is a “czar” – some kind of super manager who can untangle the mess. One clueless Quezon City congressman recommended a traffic czar on top of the current MMDA traffic czar on top of the traffic czars of the local governments in the metropolis.

Making much better sense, columnist Efren Cruz has suggested a Metro Manila governance czar. Wrote Cruz: “The problems of traffic, floods, illegal vendors, delays in public works construction, jurisdictional disputes, squatting, crime, land use planning, and urban mass transportation system are all intertwined. They cannot be solved separately. The activities needed to ensure the realization of the urban environment we all desire are all linked into one Metro Manila value chain.

“Call him the Metro Manila ‘Czar’ or Chair of a Metro Manila Inter Agency Task Force. The title is immaterial. The need is for a working Metro Manila governance structure now and a capable person, with the coercive powers, to be the head. I hope the public will endorse and support this proposal.”

In fact, without using the pretentious term “czar,” there is supposed to be one such public official in the person of the chairman of the Metro Manila

Development Authority, Francis Tolentino.

Unfortunately, he is neither competent nor armed with “coercive powers.”

Indeed, we must have realized by now that titles and good intentions alone do not an effective “czar” or “chairman” make. In fact, even competence alone, while essential, does not guarantee results.

What is needed is someone gifted with a combination of competence, vision, a tireless work ethic, a capacity for paying attention to details, and a can-do, nothing-is-impossible attitude.

On top of all that, such an official must wield power. The power to compel self-important local officials and agency heads to get their act together under pain of dismissal. The power to railroad a project over objections, legal or otherwise. And the power to tell loafers to get off their fat asses or get lost.

I can only think of one such individual: Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Whatever detractors might think about her, Mrs. Marcos possessed that rare combination of vision, capacity for hard work, a penchant for detail and an unwillingness to acknowledge the impossible – over other people’s dead bodies. Plus power.

To say that she was a hands-on manager, is an understatement. She was known to make surprise visits in the dead of night to check on the progress of her projects. She personally directed the table settings and décor for official receptions in Malaca ñang. And while she was awake (which seemed to

be at all hours), no one could afford to be caught sleeping on the job.

I believe it was she who persuaded President Marcos to issue Presidential Decree 824, creating the Metro Manila Commission, with her as Governor and Ismael Mathay, Jr. as Vice-Governor. It was the forerunner of the present Metro Manila Development Authority.

Whatever her ultimate agenda was (did she want to become President?

Well, why not?), she had a vision for Metro Manila as “The City of Man.” Her verbiage may have sounded corny (“The good, the true and the beautiful”), but she translated that into such structures as the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater, the Philippine International Convention Center, the Lung Center, Philippine Heart Center, Kidney Center and the Coconut Palace, as well as the Manila Film Center (an example of getting something done, over dead bodies).

She introduced a rational, stateowned air-conditioned transport system, the Love Bus, where the drivers felt no pressure to meet “boundary.”

And she mounted a successful campaign to keep Metro Manila clean with an army of uniformed street sweepers (I recall a trip to Thailand where I felt good about being from Manila, after noting the liter in Bangkok’s streets at the time).

It was also during her watch that the idea of dredging Laguna de Bay and building a waterway up to Manila Bay was seriously considered. That was the forerunner of the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project that could have done much to mitigate the problem of flooding (unfortunately scuttled by the Aquino government, ostensibly in order to foil graft).

Beyond Metro Manila, she had a vi-

sion for the entire country. For this reason, she also got herself appointed head of the Ministry of Human Settlements, a super-cabinet that had its tentacles in virtually every aspect of governance (obviously, a template for Mar Roxas’ vastly expanded Department of Interior and Local Governments).

But compared to the analysis-paralysis and clueless “convergent approach” style of management of Roxas, Dinky Soliman and Voltaire Gazmin (one of the main reasons why many of the victims of Yolanda are still suffering up to now) Mrs. Marcos was decisive and brooked no opposition, once she had made up her mind.

She even managed to have her way over the objections of President Marcos himself. I was privy to one such instance.

I had never met Mrs. Marcos until Bongbong Marcos became hermano mayor of the Tacloban Santo Ni ño fiesta. In true Imeldific fashion, she envisioned more than a town fiesta. She wanted a national festival, showcasing a cultural parade, similar to her Kasaysayan ng Lahi spectacular, plus a pageant and a book on the history of Leyte and Samar.

For these, she sent for the twin provinces’ noted poets and writers. However, she was informed that they had all passed away but that their children were still around. That was how my elder brother Eduardo, Jr., my cousin Yen, his maternal uncle, Ben Pe ñaranda, Leyte poet Paquing Javines, and I got summoned to Malacañang.

Together with a Cultural Center creative and production team familiar with the First Lady’s management style, we started work with a lead time of just over a month. For Mrs. Marcos, that was not a problem. She simply told us

to miss our sleep. She did, too.

At any rate, a few days before the event, Mrs. Lourdes Villacorta, Mrs. Marcos’ chief of staff, informed her that President Marcos had given instructions to unload from the presidential yatch, Pagasa, all the sets, props and costumes intended for the Tacloban event. His reason: The Santo Ni ño fiesta was not an official government activity.

I watched Mrs. Marcos’ calm expression as she listened to the report.

Without missing a beat, she gave instructions to have the materials loaded instead in the vehicles of the Ministry of Information and transported overland, across Luzon, to Samar and on to Tacloban. They arrived in time for the festival.

I’m sure the President learned about the questionable use of government vehicles, but at that point, it was a fait accompli.

What about the current Metro Manila mess? With Imelda Marcos in charge, after making heads roll, she would have gotten the MRT and LRT properly equipped, operational and well-maintained; grounded the colorum buses and reactivated the Love Bus; ordered the dredging of esterosand canals over the protests of squatters and land grabbers – and the Supreme Court would not have dared issue a temporary restraining order.

And, in the middle of a typhoon, she would have monitored the situation to make sure that Metro Manila mayors, the PNP brass and officials of the MMDA were on the job.

But all that is wishful thinking. Even Imelda Marcos would be ineffective under a President who is in the habit of passing the buck. (gregmacabenta@ hotmail.com )

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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LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015

A

Dateline PhiliPPines

Reyes brothers wanted in Ortega slay nabbed in Thailand

by Edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA – Fugitive former Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron mayor Mario Reyes, two of the country’s top fugitives, were arrested in Phuket, Thailand last Sunday night, Sept. 20 Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The Reyes brothers, accused in the killing of environmentalist and radio broadcaster Gerry Ortega in 2011, were arrested for violation of immigration laws.

“We got the confirmation from the Interpol Manila, particularly the National Control Board (NCB). I got the information last night but I told BI (Bureau of Immigration) to double check and to verify before we make an announcement,” De Lima told reporters.

She also revealed that Thai immigration authorities have started deportation proceedings of the fugitives to Manila.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through spokesman Charles Jose, also confirmed that the Reyes brothers are now in the custody of the Thai police.

De Lima said that upon arrival, the Reyes brothers would be detained either at Camp Crame or in the National Bureau of Investigation until Judge Angelo Arizala of the Puerto Princesa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 52 decides where they will be detained.

“So definitely, their arrest was on the strength of that outstanding Interpol (International Police) red notice. They are considered as illegal entrants to Thailand,” she explained.

The arrest came after De Lima received a petition, signed by over 30,000 individuals, asking her to prioritize the prosecution of the Reyes brothers, accused of masterminding the killing of Ortega on Jan. 24, 2011.

Ortega’s widow Patty lamented that it has been four years since the killing but until now authorities have yet to determine the whereabouts of the Reyes brothers.

The two accused reportedly left the country following the filing of murder charges against them before the DOJ. Mrs. Ortega also lamented De Lima has not acted on their pending petition for review seeking the reversal of the resolution

issued by the first panel of prosecutors in 2011 that junked the murder charges against the Reyes brothers.

The Ortega family is asking De Lima to resolve the pending petition before she steps down from office and seeks a senatorial post in next year’s election.

The widow added that her family remains hopeful that De Lima would keep her promise to be fair in resolving the case, despite the fact that the ex-governor was her client when she was an election lawyer.

Prior to the killing, Ortega was a vocal critic of local officials for their alleged misuse of funds derived from the operation of the Malampaya gas field in Palawan.

The Court of Appeals had issued a ruling in October 2014 directing De Lima to resolve the petition for review filed by the Ortega famiy.

It junked the petition filed by the former Palawan governor seeking to prohibit the Office of the Secretary of Justice from conducting further proceedings in a preliminary investigation in connection with the case.

Reyes had sought the inhibition of De Lima from resolving

Ex-municipal mayor, Mario Reyes, left, and former Gov. Joel Reyes of western Palawan island province attend a press conference at Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday.

Photo by AP

TOURIST DESTINATION. Bud Bongao, also known as Bongao Peak, stands at 340 feet above sea level and is regarded by Tawi-Tawi folks as a hallowed mountain. Bud Bongao is a majestic peak at one side of Bongao municipality, where the Tawi-Tawi provincial capitol is located. Its local government unit of Tawi-Tawi’s capital town Bongao got a P56 million grant for arterial networks around Bud Bongao and its conversion into an eco-tourism hub.

Philstar.com photo

the petition for review following her statement alleging that his camp employed “foul tactics and illicit means” in order to get a favorable decision from the appellate court.

He also cited De Lima’s statement saying that her office “is readying a contingency planresolution” of the pending petition for review of the Ortega family following the CA’s ruling, which nullified the creation of a second panel of prosecutors and its subsequent finding of probable cause to hold him liable for murder.

In October 2013, the CA declared final its March 19, 2013 decision that cleared the former governor of murder charges in connection with the killing of Ortega.

The CA’s March 19, 2013 decision reinstated an earlier resolution issued by the first panel of prosecutors of the DOJ that cleared the Reyes brothers and four others of the murder charges for insufficiency of evidence.

Another division of the CA had also cleared former mayor Reyes.

He had challenged De Lima’s order that created a second panel of investigators, which reversed the findings of the first panel.

In the case of former governor Reyes, the CA had ruled that in-

stead of creating a second panel of investigators, De Lima should have reviewed the case herself.

A source from the Philippine National Police told The Star that Thai embassy officials reported that the Reyes brothers were nabbed while in possession of forged documents.

“Joel was carrying (documents with) a surname Pe while his brother carried Gatchalian,” the source said.

The Reyes brothers have been hiding since a court issued arrest warrants against them for the 2011 murder of Ortega.

It is not yet clear when the Reyeses arrived in Phuket but reports of their stay in Thailand broke out in the media in 2012.

The source said the PNP has been monitoring movements of the brothers since last year.

Palace commends Thai police Malacañang commended yesterday Thai authorities for arresting the Reyes brothers, who each have a P2-million bounty for their capture.

“The arrest of the long wanted Reyes brothers provides an opportunity for pursuing the ends of justice. We acknowledge the efforts of Interpol and Thai authorities in making this possible,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

“We thank the cooperation and assistance of the Thai government in the arrest of the Reyes brothers,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda added.

De Lima confirmed Tuesday, Sept. 22, that according to the Bureau of Immigration, Interpol-Manila received information from their Thai counterparts, saying the Reyes brothers were arrested Sunday night by police in the Phuket tourist area.

“The immigration authorities are now processing their deportation papers,” she added.

As of now, alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles’ brother Reynald Lim, former police colonel Cezar Mancao and former Dinagat congressman Ruben Ecleo Jr. are the top fugitives in the country.

Lim is a co-accused of Napoles in the plunder charges filed before the Sandiganbayan, Mancao is wanted in connection with the 2000 murders of publicist Bubby Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito, while Ecleo was convicted of parricide for killing his wife Alona in Cebu City in 2002. Cebu Judge Soliver Peras sentenced Ecleo to 40 years in jail, and to pay his wife’s family P25.6 million in damages. (With reports from Aie Balagtas See, Pia LeeBrago, Delon Porcalla, Evelyn Macairan)

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COMMUNITY Journal

B

Business News

Wells Fargo fuels diverse chamber leader ADB: Philippine GDP to ease at 6% training, programs with $1.2m investment this year before rebounding in 2016 Funding to benefit diverse Chambers of Commerce: US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, US Black Chambers, Inc., US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce and National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

HOUSTON – Wells Fargo, America’s leading small business lender*, and the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation announced today a $1.2 million investment spanning two years. The majority of the funding will be used to establish training opportunities for diverse-owned small business leaders across the nation.

The investment is part of Wells Fargo’s ongoing commitment to train leaders of diverse-segment chambers of commerce that includes more than $6 million in grants and sponsorships since 2003.

“The USHCC commends Wells Fargo for their continued investment in minority-owned small businesses, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to enriching diverse communities across America,” said USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. “Wells Fargo’s sup-

port makes it possible for the USHCC Foundation to provide our Chamber Training Institute (CTI), among other programs and grants. CTI is absolutely essential to our local chambers and makes a direct impact in the lives of entrepreneurs across the country. We look forward to growing our strong alliance with Wells Fargo.”

The $1.2 million total investment, announced at the USHCC 2015 National Convention, will fund micro-grants, a leadership training impact study and the expansion of the Chamber Training Institute (CTI), a program designed in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.

The CTI program develops and empowers diverse chamber leaders while providing unique educational opportunities on how to grow and build their chamber for the benefit of its small busi-

ness community members. Additionally, the CTI is one part of Wells Fargo’s four-point plan, introduced earlier this year to help diverse-owned small businesses become credit-ready, access credit and achieve financial success.

National Chambers Key to Driving Diverse Leader Development The Chamber Training Institute was expanded this year to include chamber leaders from the US Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) and National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

The collaboration and combined effort of the USHCC, USPAACC, USBC and NGLCC will expand the current program during the next two years to allow more than 800 diverse chamber leaders to participate in a free,

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International tourists seen hitting 1.8B by 2030

by louise

Maureen siMeon

Philstar.com

MANILA – International tourists are expected to hit 1.8 billion by 2030, a joint report by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showed.

The report titled Tourism and Trade: A Global Agenda for Sustainable Development said over the recent decades, tourism experienced rapid growth and geographic diversification, becoming one of the fastest-growing and most important economic sectors worldwide, contributing nearly 10 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).

According to the report titled Tourism and Trade: A Global Agenda for Sustainable Development, International tourism accounts developing countries like the Philippines play an increasingly important role in the growing

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sector of tourism.

Philstar.com file photo

by Prinz

P. Magtulis Philstar.com

MANILA – The Philippine economy is poised for its slowest growth in four years this year before recovering in 2016, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Economic growth - as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) - is seen to expand 6 percent this year, the slowest since 3.7 percent posted in 2011. The bank said the exports and agriculture slump fail to be offset by a pick-up in state spending.

Last year, GDP expanded by 6.1 percent.

The forecast, contained in the update to the ADB’s Asian Development Outlook, was down from March’s 6.4 percent. For 2016, growth projection of 6.3 percent was retained.

As of the first semester, GDP

Last year, GDP expanded by 6.1 percent

growth slowed to 5.3 percent.

“All in all, growth will remains favorable. We assess that economic expansion will continue and will accelerate on the second half of the year,” ADB Country

Director Richard Bolt said in a briefing.

The 2015 forecast was trimmed after exports and manufacturing slowed in the first half. Bolt said

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Government pitches PH as manufacturing hub

by Kathleen

a. Martin

Philstar.com

NANNING, China – The Philippine government has dangled its low labor cost, strategic location, and tax and fiscal incentives to entice investors, especially those in the manufacturing sector, to locate in the country.

Trade Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo trumpeted the benefits of investing in the Philippines during a promotion conference on the sidelines of the 12th China-Asean Expo over the weekend.

“There are distinct advantages of the Philippines (over its neighbors) and these are the rich talent pool, the infrastructure development, typical market access... and the competitive investment incentives,” Manalo said.

He said the high literacy rate and English-speaking population

are the strong points of the labor market in the Philippines.

Current growth in infrastructure and the accessibility of the country being near other Southeast and East Asian markets would be convenient for enterprises especially for those creating an assembly line for the manufacture of products.

During his presentation Manalo enumerated manufacturing investment opportunities in the Philippines such as those for the assembly of bicycles, electric bicycles, electric vehicles, light vehicles, trucks and buses.

Manalo also said the country is a good location to locate light manufacturing industries including high-end garments, bags, and related textile manufacturing especially for export.

He further added investors engaged in the manufacture and assembly of solar photovoltaic

systems, electronic and electromechanical items particularly those containing optical devices, building materials such as glass, and even high-value food and fisheries products including Halal would find the Philippines a prime spot for their facilities.

“Why do investors appreciate investments in the Philippines?

It’s because they have less linguistics communication problem, it’s easier to hire local staff, there’s high quality of employees, higher employee retention rate... and also because we have the slowest wage increase in the region,” Manalo said.

Moreover, he stressed there are tax holidays, special tax rates, and even exclusion in imports fees that may be awarded to foreign firms located in the Philippines.

The Aquino administration has

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Business news

B SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

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Find out what your Uber driver thinks of you

by Chryssa

Celestino Inquirer.net

JUST when you thought only passengers had the power to rate driver behavior, Uber makes it possible for you to know what the latter thinks of you and your possibly unruly directions.

Here’s how you get your rating: 1. In the Uber app, click on the menu on the top left.

2. Select Help, then Account.

3. Click “I’d like to know my rating,” then submit.

4. Check your email for the report.

Yup, no direct emails or complaints involved here.

The rating system is the same for both passenger and driver: a scale of one to five stars, with five being the highest. This helps drivers determine which riders to pick up. It’s also a helpful measure against rude and inconvenient app users.

According to Uber, “The rating system works to make sure that the most respectful riders and drivers are using Uber. Ratings are always reported as aver-

Photo courtesy of Reuters/ Kai Pfaffenbach

ages, and neither riders nor drivers will see the individual rating left for a particular trip.”

While some may find this fair, others who bark at the picky tendencies of drivers here may think it’s unjust. After all, despite the use of private vehicles, Uber is just a modern, safer form of public commute.

Then again, we have to remember that robots aren’t running these cars—drivers go on

irregular shifts to get to you and bring you home safely. They are humans with feelings, and are trained to offer you Mentos candies during an awkwardly long trip.

These ratings will make you think how the eff you got an imperfect score for that incredibly short ride. (Pro tip: a good rider is someone who’s ready for pickup, put the right information, polite, and gives tips.) n

Ayala land leads in property development – report by ted

torres Philstar.com

MANILA – The Ayala Land Group leads the pack in the property development sector with township projects in 25 additional cities, according to a real estate consultancy firm.

Armed with double-digit earnings, liquid financial market, and incisive analysis of different real state markets and segments, Ayala Land continues its aggressive push in property development.

Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services Inc. said Ayala Land is developing Alviera, a 1,100hectare large-scale masterplanned development in Porac, Pampanga.

Likewise, it is redefining the Balitawak-Quezon City landscape and skyline with the development of the 11- hectare property.

It is also developing Vermosa, a 700-hectare area that spans the cities of Dasmariñas and Imus in Cavite.

In addition, the Ayala Land Group is boosting its usual residential developments catering

to all segments of the market, including socialized housing. It is also increasing its office, shopping center, hotel portfolio and education projects.

Riomonte, the newly-introduced residential development in Nuvali will offer a total of 884 lots to potential buyers. This project will have an average of 10 lots per hectare, or only about 160 homes in each pocket of neighborhood.

The Ayala Group is also part-

ADB: Philippine GDP to…

PAGE B1 t

“below-target” state spending was also to blame, although this is already accelerating.

Moving forward, growth could come from “robust” private investment activity and consumption, which is “supported by new jobs created.”

Local spending could also get a boost from the upcoming 2016 elections as the government frontloads disbursements.

“Recently enacted reforms to improve competitiveness and to

Annual Awards Banquet presented by TOYOTA Tuesday, October 6, 2015 The Globe Theatre Universal Studios Hollywood Black Tie Optional

Emcees

Honorees Business Enterprise of the Year

CJ America, Inc.

James Kyson Mei Melançon Entertainment

Media Company of the Year

Wong Fu Productions ABA Chairperson Award

Honorable David E. Ryu Corporation of the Year

U.S. Bank

Advocate of the Year

Paul Dateh

Maker Empire

Richard Chacon

abala.org ǀ @ABALosAngeles ǀ #ABAAwards Celebrating the success of Asian owned businesses.

nering with other players.

It signed a joint venture deal with GT Capital Holdings Inc. to develop a 45-hectare township along Laguna Boulevard in Biñan, Laguna.

The Group also jointly plan with the SM Group the development of a 26-hectare property in South Road Property (SRP) in Cebu City, which will subsequently be divided equally after the master plan has been completed. n

attract investment will play a key role in the future growth as will continued reforms and investments in infrastructure and other public goods,” Bolt said.

Aside from growth, the ADB also sees consumer prices to increase slowly this year. Inflation could hit 2.3 percent in 2015, down from March’s 2.6-percent forecast.

For 2016, inflation could trend at a higher 3 percent. The government has set a 2- to 4-percent target for this year. n

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Debt Relief Atty. LAwrence yAng SOMETIMES companies get into financial trouble. They have leadership issues, they have failures by suppliers, and they have cash flow problems. Companies have a lot of problems, often every day. Most of the time, companies get past their problems and move on, they continue to make money, pay their employees and the owners take home some money.

Sometimes the problems are just too big to fix without serious legal assistance. That is where Chapter 11 reorganization can allow a company to rebuild. Her are some examples of what Chapter 11 reorganization can do: – Creditors cannot demand payment of past due debts. The threatening letters and phone calls stop.

– Most creditors cannot be paid without permission of a United States bankruptcy judge.

– Creditors have to wait while the company reorganizes itself, takes care of its problems and then announces a financial plan to pay creditors money.

– Unprofitable contracts and leases (including building leases) can be rejected.

– A company can rebuild itself and can bring in new employees, new products, new ideas and new vendors.

– In some instances, a company can sell its assets free and clear of creditors to third parties who take over the company’s business.

The third parties can be the owners of the companies. With disclosure of this fact, and a fair price for the circumstances, a federal can approve the sale.

– While there are things about Chapter 11 that are not good,

Community Journal

for 30 percent of global trade in services. In 2014, there were 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals, generating $1.245 trillion in international tourism receipts and an estimated $221 billion passenger transport, totaling to $1.5 trillion in tourism export earnings As a worldwide export category, tourism ranked fourth in 2013, after fuels ($3.3 trillion), chemicals ($2 trillion) and food ($1.5 trillion).

Furthermore, developing countries like the Philippines play an increasingly important role in the growing sector of tourism.

According to the report, emerging and developing economies currently account for 45 percent of all international tourist arrivals and is expected to increase to 57 percent by 2030.

“The tourism sector is contributing to economic growth in those countries and offers signif-

Signs of a company headed toward failure and important ways to fix the problems

e.g., the reorganization may fail, a Chapter 11 gives a chance to a struggling company to rise from failure to the road to success.

Here are some signs of a business headed toward either failure and shutting down or toward reorganization, a second chance: • Product/service quality declines; customer complaints rise.

• Over expansion leads to working capital shortage.

• Stale inventory.

• Sales stagnate.

• Profit margin erodes.

• Aging of receivables increases.

• Payables paid with difficulty.

• Advertising and sales budgets cut.

• Payment of payroll taxes deferred.

• Cash balance declines; float played.

• Credit difficult to obtain.

• Creditor lawsuits begin.

• Lender turns matter over to problem loan department.

• Employee morale low; key employees seek new jobs.

• Layoffs begin.

• Business failure imminent.

• Company leaders do not want to go to work, they not want to hear about the problems and it hurts to go to work. Their families are nervous or scared. They are having their own financial problems.

Chapter 11 is serious business.

To win, that is to reorganize the company under an order of a United States bankruptcy judge, certain things must happen: • A plan must be confirmed.

Creditors may be paid in part or in full at one time or in payments over time.

• A careful strategy must be put into place before the Chapter

11 case begins. Some of the issues are: • How does the company go into the Chapter 11?

• Who are the important creditors and vendors?

• How much money does the company need to have in the bank?

• With whom does the company ally?

• Who will the problem creditors be? And • How does the company get out of Chapter 11? In other words, before going into Chapter 11, the company and its legal team Develop what they believe is the company’s best exit strategy?

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

– Isaiah 9:6 *** Lawrence Bautista Yang and Steven R. Fox are experienced attorneys with deep bankruptcy experience.

Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in bankruptcy, business, real estate and civil litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Mailstop 58, Building A-1 Suite 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803, OR at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

Steven R. Fox has represented companies and individuals in Chapter 11 for over 25 years both locally and nationally, representing businesses and business creditors. He is a well-known writer and speaker on bankruptcy issues. His office is located at 17835 Ventura Blvd., Suite 306, Encino, CA 91316. Tel (818) 774-3545 Fax (818) 774-3707. His website is www.foxlaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

icant further potential. Tourism is employment intensive and has linkages into many other parts of the economy. It contributes directly to poverty reduction notably among women, recognized by policymakers both at the national and international level,” the report said.

For many emerging economies, tourism generated a total $503 billion in exports last year, coming from the $430 billion in travel and $73 billion in passenger transport.

“Many more countries benefit from tourism, which also tends to generate more employment.

It is interesting that throughout the 2009 downturn, international tourism was rather more resilient than other trade categories, decreasing only by five percent in real terms, compared to overall exports declining 11 percent,” it said.

Moreover, the report said to ensure inclusive tourism out-

comes, governments should be able to give voice to small stakeholders by establishing the right kinds of mechanisms, especially for business dialogue and consultation.

The report said tourism is considered as an agent for development and driver for socio-economic progress because it encompasses a wide range of goods and services sectors and generates multiplier effects across different economic activities in the tourism value chain, penetrating the local economy and expanding the growth impact from trade.

Furthermore, unlocking tourism potential is said to require the inclusion of policy dimensions that fall within the arena of international trade and foreign direct investments (FDIs) and the identification of action requirements at the national level, within the immediate business environment and at the firm level. n

Government pitches PH as manufacturing…

PAGE B1 t

long been promoting the expansion of the domestic manufacturing sector to create more jobs and in turn, curb poverty incidence in the country.

Latest data showed factory output, as measured by the volume of production index, contracted 0.5 percent in July due to the decline in the manufacture of basic metals, wood and wood products, food, beverages, furniture and fixtures, and machinery except electrical.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, however, remained optimistic earlier this month as he expects the holiday season to boost production and sales.

The soft oil prices should also help the manufacturing sector cut costs and increase its profits, he added.

The 12th China-Asean Expo and the 12th China-Asean Business and Investment Summit which opened last Friday here in Nanning City, Guangxi, should

be a big opportunity for the Philippines to attract more foreign firms.

“I have spoken to my counterparts, the vice ministers in different Asean countries, and we’re looking at a lot of trade agreements that we’re trying to work out,” Manalo said.

“We’re trying to see how we can work and advance (the Asean trade agreements) and there are also a lot of talks, bilateral and multilateral ones,” he continued. n

Wells Fargo fuels diverse chamber leader…

PAGE B1 t

two-day training. Currently, the CTI program has trained more than 820 leaders across 253 chambers since 2010.

“We are proud to be a stakeholder in the Chamber Training Institute – a brainchild of Wells Fargo and the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It is a noteworthy venture that will drive national economic development and build success for our respective constituents,” said, USPAACC National President and CEO Susan Au Allen.

“The US Black Chambers, Inc. supports the Chamber Training Institute by promoting it to our 115 chamber across the nation.

Specifically, USBC brought Cassius Butts, the Southeast Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration to the Chamber Training Institute in Atlanta,” said USBC National President and CEO Ron Busby. “This program has educated our membership on issues in the Hispanic, Asian, and Gay and Lesbian communities and provided a platform for multilateral collaboration.”

“The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the USHCC in the Chamber Development Institute.

This is not only a valuable learning program for our local affiliate

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Chapter 11 business Calendar of Events across America re-organization

International tourists seen hitting 1.8B by…

PAGE B1 t

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015

chambers across the nation, it’s also another example of how we actively promote all diverse communities working together just as we pledged to do when we founded the National Business Inclusion Consortium.” said, NGLCC Co-founder and President Justin Nelson.

Wells Fargo Support for Small Businesses Extends Beyond Training “We are committed to helping business owners achieve financial success, grow and create new jobs in their communities,” said Jon Campbell, EVP and head of Government and Community Relations for Wells Fargo. “That is why it’s important for us to fund initiatives that aim to help small business leaders serve their communities more effectively. With the support from our partners at the national diverse chambers, this investment will provide dedicated resources to better serve the growth and development of diverse small business owners.”

Wells Fargo has a rich history of serving the small business community. Today, the company serves approximately 3 million of America’s small businesses.

In 2014, Wells Fargo introduced Wells Fargo Works for Small BusinessSM – a broad initiative to deliver resources, guidance and

products to help business owners achieve financial success. This year, the company expanded the support it offers small businesses by introducing the Business Plan Center, a free online resource.

The Center provides step-by-step tools and guidance to help small business owners create a simple, streamlined business plan, along with a Competitive Intelligence Tool that provides business owners with key insight on competitors in their market and industry.

About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,700 locations, 12,800 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 266,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 rankings of America’s larg-

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ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS S E P T E M B E R 24

Laudato Si (Praise Be To you, O Lord) caring for our common home Laudato Si (Praise Be To You, O Lord!) is Pope Francis’ encyclical on “CARING FOR OUR COMMON HOME” which addresses the grave impact of climate change in world’s communities and ecosystems. On Thursday, September 24, Climate Scientist, Dr. Josh Fisher, from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will explain the scientific foundation of climate change, which is well-aligned with Pope Francis’ letter. The event will take place 7 to 9 PM at Holy Name of Mary Parish in San Dimas (724 E. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773). All are invited, and free refreshments and childcare will be provided. For more information, please contact Charlie Martinez, Director of Pastoral Ministries at charlie@hnmparish.org.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 -26

CELEBRATE LOCAL with San Diego Restaurant Week!

This September, San Diego Restaurant Week, presented by Lexus Dealerships of San Diego, will CELEBRATE LOCAL... keepin’ it fresh - really fresh. San Diego Restaurant week returns September 20th - September 26th for ONE WEEK ONLY to “Celebrate Local” at all 180+ participating restaurants. Choose from a three-course dinner or two-course lunch deal to satisfy your cravings. NEW THIS YEAR, San Diego Restaurant Week will be partnering with Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank to provide backpacks for children in need within the San Diego community during the ALL FOR KIDS campaign. Ditch the dirty dishes and join over 150,000 fellow diners as we celebrate San Diego’s thriving culinary scene and the homegrown, local businesses that provide us with the produce and products we love! Tickets are not necessary for this delectable week of discounted dining, but reservations are recommended! Visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com for more information, including a list of participating restaurants, or to make your reservations in advance!

S E P T E M B E R 25 -26

2nd Grand Reunion GOT (RETIRED) from Cerveza San Miguel US CHAPTER Where: Gold Coast Casino & Hotel (4000 Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103) When: Sept. 25 and 26; Grand Reunion Sept. 26 at 7:00 pm For details and information, please contact Renato Umayam at 323-841-3516, Nida Matias at 818-394-9178, Greg Lacondola at 702-334-8068, or Arnold Navarro at 318-779-6254.

S E P T E M B E R 26

Philippine Medical Association Event The Officers and Members of the Philippine Medical Association headed by President Dr. Arnel Joaquin, and Auxiliary President Divinia Encina will be holding a whole day event to be held at the Reef on the Water in Long Beach, CA on September 26. Assemblyman Rob Bonta and the Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim will participate in the discussion of the law that was passed by the State Legislature regarding full immunization of children before going to school with no exemption. There will be a Dinner Show with performances by the Tausala Polynesian Dancers. It will be a Luau event wherein all the past Presidents of the Auxiliary will be presented after their 35 years of service to the PMASC. The dinner ticket is $70.00 (if paid before August 31) and $80.00 after the due date. For dinner show reservations: please contact Noli R. Zosa, M.D. or Mrs. Nena Zosa at (562) 572- 2481.

PASCPA-LA Installation & Induction The Philippine American Society of Certified Public Accountants (PASCPA-LA) will hold its 29th Installation of Officers and Induction of New Members for 2015-2016 on Saturday, September 26 at the Embassy Suites (800 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91203). Networking starts at 4:30 pm and the Program starts at 7:00 pm. The theme for this event is “Leading the Path to our Future Leaders.” Our Incoming Officers include President, Marie Domingo; EVP, Vee Cristobal; VP-Membership, Fernando Austria; VP-Membership Youth, Kathleen Reyes; VP-CPE Val Creus; VP-Community Service, Monette Santillan-Rivera; Secretary, Sheila Falcon; Treasurer, John Domingo; Auditor, Sonia Laureano; PRO, Jason Malabute; Board of Directors, Glo Cajanap, Pete Sinambal, Tess Miguel, Enrico Pena and Erika Dumandan. For more information and sponsorships, please call the Incoming President, Marie Domingo at (323) 256-7770, the Event Coordinator, Glo Cajanap at (818)913-1991 and VP-Membership, Fernando Austria at (213) 400-2744. Please RSVP at events@pascpa.org.

Association of Oriental Mindoro 22nd Anniversary Celebration & Induction Ball What: Association of Oriental Mindoro 22nd Anniversary Celebration and Induction Ball When: Saturday, September 26 Where: The Los Angeles Airport Marriott Hotel (5855 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, CA) Time: 6:00pm, No Host Cocktail; 7:00pm Dinner Attire: Strictly Formal Donation: $65 (prepaid admission only) Please contact: Elsie Amansec - (310) 376-5260, Fred Villao - (714) 932-1932, Erli Conti - (818) 425-5926.

For additional information, please email me Nilda at frednil620@sbcglobal.net or nildavillao@ yahoo.com, or visit http://www.omasc.org/.

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Philippine Heritage Institute International Presents Tribute 2015 The legacy of Naomi Palma-Armada, who died of a heart attack June 10, lives on.

On October 3, from 6pm to midnight, the Philippine Heritage Institute International (PHII), a private non-profit foundation founded by Naomi in 1989, will present Tribute 2015: White House Millennium Council Award to Outstanding Filipino American Nurses (on its 17th year) and President’s Award: Profiles of Service, Pillars of Community (on its 8th year) at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel (12725 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703). Parking for the event is free. Attire: Formal or Filipiniana. Music provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, contact president Josie E. de Jesus (714) 272-0300; joestarisdejesus@gmail. com, or event chair Norma Merza (562) 947-0248; norma.merza@yahoo.com.

Fil-Am History Month Films & “Talk Story” Time Please join us at the Carson Library (151 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745) on Oct 3rd, from 1-4pm, at the Carson Library to hear stories of individuals from the books, “Filipinos in Carson and the South Bay” and “Hawaiians in Los Angeles.” Join with FANHS-LA Chapter, the Filipino American Library, Friends of the Carson Library, APALA, and other community leaders as we celebrate October as Filipino American History Month and the birthday of Larry Itliong, one of the main organizers of the 1965 UFW Delano Grape Strike. There will also be a screenings of Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the UFW, and America Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawaii; both are educational documentary films about the Filipino and Hawaiian experience in America. This is a FREE event with a talk, book signings by the authors, and light refreshments afterwards. For more information and to RSVP, please contact roseeibanez@ gmail.com.

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Kultura: A Filipino American Food & Arts Festival Kultura Festival, an all-ages, contemporary Filipino-American food and arts festival, will take place in Logan Square’s Emporium Arcade Bar in Chicago on Sunday, October 4, from 11 AM to 6 PM. Presented by Filipino Kitchen, this festival is carefully curated to appeal to those who personally identify with Filipino culture, food, and those who are curious or uninitiated. With a craft beer bar, food trucks, special guest chefs, and an expected 2,000 festival guests and staff, Kultura Festival aims to highlight the best of Filipino cuisine to Chicago and the Midwest. Tickets can be purchased for $10 general admission at https://ti.to/filipino-kitchen/kultura-festival, $5 for students and seniors. More information can be found at http://filipino.kitchen/kulturafestival.

O c TO B E R 1 0

LA Builder Lions Club 25th Anniversary The Los Angeles Builder Lions Club will celebrate their 25th Anniversary and Annual Outstanding Parents Night on October 10, 2015 at the Almansor Court banquet hall (700 S Almansor St, Alhambra, CA 91801). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band.

For further questions, please call Lion Bill Menor (323) 465-0613, Lion Yoli Ramo (213) 3051332, chairpersons or Lion Tita James, co-chair at (818) 203-2325.

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

B SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Conclusion)

MORE than a decade later, I went in his stead. It was something I had planned on doing for some time, as a quiet tribute.

For my part, I wanted to understand how such a place shaped who he is and what moved him to sail the seven seas for 40 years as a ship captain, hauling logs and cars and tons of containers from port to port— from Siberia to South Africa, from Pusan to Peru— bringing with him my mother’s keepsake, a small image of the Nuestra Senora de Antipolo, before the wanderlust gave out and he finally found home. He would have been surprised with the changes in his old hometown.

Gone are the slow, ponderous boats to Calapan that seemed more like floating coffins decades ago. Gone is the mixture of smells—of sweat, salt spray, gasoline and livestock —which would make me throw up when the swells were big. Of course, it didn’t help that I made it worse.

Progress has caught up with the place somewhat. Now, for half the length of a Disney movie which gets shown onboard, you can get there from Batangas pier which has bus routes coming from Plaza Lawton and Cubao. The Aboitiz-owned Super Cat hydrofoil boats with theater style seating and airconditioning, that ply the shark-infested, tricky waters between the two ports of Batangas City and Calapan have made it easy to island hop.

Fast, efficient and affordable, the sleek boats skim the surface in no time flat, particularly during good weather when these can run with the tide. These have become a boon to Mindoro that now connects Luzon to the Visayas region by sea and land, via buses that ran in tandem regularly plying the length of the Mindoro highway corridor.

Many people own cellphones and are nimble with their fingers as they go about texting through their days. There are cellphone towers in the middle of ricefields. My resident cousin, Andy who acted as our tour guide, says that most would rather forego food than have to go without a load of prepaid minutes.

Periodically as you drive along

Community Journal

Mining memories of Mindoro

Barrister’s Corner

“I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.”

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

— Lillian Smith

the highway, and in the towns, you will see modest-sized homes with Italianate designs sticking out from among thatched huts in the middle of rice paddies.

Andy says that such progress is due to the fact that someone from that household is working as a domestic help somewhere in Europe and the euros are what keeps the local economy afloat.

We spent a day to visit White Beach at Puerto Galera, famous worldwide for their dive sites and its calm, protected waters and its coffee colored sand, a distant second to the pristine white sands of Boracay. We stopped by Tamaraw Falls at San Teodoro, an intense gusher that day because of the recent rains.

On the approach to Puerto Galera from Calapan, the ride takes you to a scenic, elevated zigzag route carved from the land exposing prized Mindoro white marble on the mountainside and above lush banana plantations, showing the sea in all its glory.

At the beach are the usual trappings of Philippine tourism: persistent, persuasive peddlers of pearl and coral rings, earrings and necklace, skilled masseuses offering their services, restaurants, money changers, banana boat rides, souvenir shops, tattoo shops, dive shops and big outrigger boats spewing out tourists directly from Batangas City pier. Particularly when all the room rates of the smattering of hotels and honky tonk joints spike during Holy Week and the summer months, Puerto Galera is all business, crass and hardnosed. Take the time to check out this place before it gets much too commercial for one’s tastes, while nature is still at the helm of this vanishing beauty.

My sister Mitch and her husband, Bob, who live in Texas went on vacation to Mindoro more recently. They discovered a delightful best kept secret of a resort called Coco Beach. It is a banca ride away from Puerto Galera. It provides above standard amenities and an ambience

that is worth the money one normally spends to experience the serenity of nature and island living, at least for a while. They are planning a sequel to their island adventure.

December isn’t the best time to go to Mindoro. Nature, in a grouchy mood, throws a hissy fit around this time. The seas are choppy. Rain clouds hover about, casting a pall of unwelcoming soupy grey but I was determined to go, in fair or foul weather. The rivers are swollen overrunning their banks and Naujan, which never had floods before, is now consistently subject to flooding due to some public works project.

During the first night, the wind howled, the waves crested and the sea, all but roared in our ears. The fish weren’t biting and the fishermen, pulling in their nets, have practically nothing, save some flotsam and jetsam and detritus from an ill-tempered sea, to show for all their efforts – just slim pickings of espada fish to tide themselves over for the day. Still, they look to the sea for sustenance and they know, it will be good again.

Thankfully, the rains held off and a bit of sun sneaked out as a grudging welcome the following day and the day after that and all was well. Two dolphins swimming and jumping alongside the Super Cat on the day we sailed must have been good signs.

On our last night, I stood outside on the shore beneath a velvet sky, clear of clouds and peppered with the brightest stars and watched the long, slow, rhythmic procession of tiny pinprick points of light from distant ships passing by the island headed for unknown destinations, like luminous rosary beads glowing in the darkness.

The call of the sea is strong in this place. With a knowing nod, I headed back to the cottage finally understanding why my father chose the life he lived. ***

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Early filing of adjustment of status application and work authorizations available October 2015

THE Department of State and the USCIS revised the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for adjustment of status.

The revised procedure will be available beginning October 2015.

In the past, an adjustment of status applicant cannot file for adjustment of status until their priority date is current. The priority date is generally the date when the relative or employer petition is properly filed with the USCIS. For employment based petitions that require a labor certification, the priority date is usually the date the labor certification is accepted by the department of labor.

This applies to both family based and employment based petition.

Under the revised procedure, there will be a separate chart for the adjustment of status filing

dates and a separate chart for the application final action dates. The adjustment of status filing dates would allow applicants to file adjustment of status application early even if their priority date is not yet current under the final action date chart. This will allow the applicants to obtain work authorization while their adjustment of status is pending. Having a work authorization card allows applicants to obtain a social security number and identification and or driver’s license.

This revised process is meant to improve the DOS’s ability to more accurately predict overall immigrant visa demand and determine the cut-off dates for visa issuance published in the Visa Bulletin.

The new adjustment of status filing date for October 2015 is listed below:

October 2015 Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Adjustment of Status Applications F2A FSB F3 F4

01MAY09 01MAR15 01JUL10 01APR05 01FEB04

01MAY0 9 01MAR15 01JUL10 0110R05 01FEB04

01MAY01 01MAR15 01JUL10 01APR05 01FEB04

01JUL95 01MAR15 01JAN96 01OCT96 01MAY98

01SEP05 01MAR15 01JAN05 01AUG95 01JAN93

Dates for filing employment-basd adjustment of status applications emplyment-based all chargeability areas exept those listed CHINA - Mainland born INDIA/MEXICO/PHILIPPINES 1st C C C C C 2nd C 01MAY14 01JUL11 C C 3rd 01SEP15 01OCT13 01JUL05 01SEP15 01JAN15 Other 01SEP15 01JAN07 01JUL05 01SEP15 01JAN15 Workers 4th C C C C C Certain C C C C C Religious Workers 5th C 01MAY15 C C C Targeted Employment Areas/RegionalCenters and Pilot Programs Applicants with priority dates earlier than the above stated dates may be eligible to file for adjustment of status right now so it is important to check your “priority date” as shown in the notice of action/ receipt to your I-130, I-140, and or your labor certification against the above dates and categories to determine if you are now eligible to file for adjustment of status under the revised procedure. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section

of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

***

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

(Advertising Supplement)

Wells Fargo fuels diverse…

PAGE B3 t

est corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is succeed financially. Wells Fargo SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To perspectives are also available send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories. asianjournalinc.com

About The USHCC Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation’s entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 3.2 million Hispanic-owned businesses, that together contribute

in excess of $486 billion to the American economy, each year.

As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 240 major corporations. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com. n

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

PeoPle & events

LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015

B

A 19 year-old Filipino patient Paco Catholic Young Fil-Am chosen to participate High School Class in National American Miss Pageant will meet his lifesaving of 1964 Reunion bone marrow donor for the first time on Dinner Saturday, September 26 at A3M’s annual Gala

WITNESS this momentous occasion at A3M’s Starnight 2015 Annual Gala Dinner. It will be a heartwarming experience that you will remember for a lifetime.

You will also have the opportunity to meet Erica Welsh-Westfall, a courageous and loving mother.

In spite of losing her baby daughter Sofia Flores, she continues to help patients in need of a bone marrow transplant by hosting drives. Sofia’s legacy survives in Erica’s continued efforts and patient advocacy. Erica will receive this year’s Human Spirit Award in recognition of her commitment to saving lives.

Join us for a delicious dinner and silent auction. Bid on items including iPads to exclusive jewelry, sports tickets, one of kind art pieces and many more.

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Additionally, meet other A3M supporters, community leaders, transplant physicians, surviving patients and dedicated volunteers. The emcee for the evening will be Denise Dador, the Emmy award winning health specialist of ABC 7.

Don’t miss this evening, filled with inspiration and hope!

Saturday, September 26, 2015 5:00 pm Reception / Silent Auction 6:00 pm Dinner / Program The LA Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles 333 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles 90071 Please visit our website, a3mHope.org to book dinner tickets and learn more about how you can help. Be the Hope Be the Miracle! n

THE Class ’64 of Paco Catholic High School will be celebrating its “Balik Tanaw sa Amerika” at the Gold Coast Casino & Hotel (4000 Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89103) in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 25-27, 2015.

Reminisce with your schoolmates from 50+ years ago and re-live memorable high school days!

Reconnect with your old friends and make some new ones!

This is the first reunion gathering in the US since our 50th grand reunion.

For more information, please contact: Dan Hidalgo - danielh616@hotmail.com; tel. (914) 310-0864 / (914) 740-7028. Ester Tadeo Celestino - cesarucelestino@yahoo.com; tel. (201) 4330727/ (551) 574-8511. Minda Cuario Cameron - meandatwo@ aol.com; tel. (813) 633-5642. Ed Bondoc - bondoced@yahoo.com; tel. (415) 342-9877. Gertrudes “Nette” Descallar Collyer - mycolly@roadrunner.com; tel. (818) 767-8175. n

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MISS Kayla Henry, daughter of Mike and Nonette Henry, has earned the opportunity to attend Nationals through her successfully scored event(s): State Finalist, Outstanding program participation, Spirit of America, and Talent 4th Runner up.

Event(s) that earned her to go to Nationals.

The National Pageant to be held in Anaheim, California at Disneyland during Thanksgiving week, representing the great state of California, will she will have the opportunity win her share of over $500,000 in cash and prizes!

The National American Miss Pageants are dedicated to celebration America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year, the National American Miss Pageants awards 1.5 Million dollars in cash, scholarships, and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide. National American Miss has added the ultimate door prize to Nationals 2015.

Each girl that qualifies for the

Kayla Henry

National pageant has a chance to win a new 2015 Ford Mustang Convertible. For more details visit www.namiss.com/car.

National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across our nation with a program that is designed to be age-appropriate and family- oriented. Pageants are held in each state for girl’s

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ages four to eighteen in five different age divisions.

The National American Miss Pageants are for “Today’s Girl” and “Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, presentation, and offers an “All American Spirit” of fun for family and friends. Emphasis is place on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills learning good attitude about competition, and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future!

Find out more about National American Miss at www.namiss. com.

Miss Kayla Henry’s additional activities and awards include excellent academic performance, Theater Art; she also completed eighty hours training for Modeling, Acting, Vocal, and Image development.

During her spare time, she likes outdoor activities and play with friend and family. n

B SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2015 • LA MIDWEEK ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

The Asian Journal

MDWK Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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cover story The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

Dr. LOri ADriAn

On advocating a ‘students first’ philosophy and the call for more Filipino educational leaders

by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress FOR Loretta “Lori” Adrian, ascending into the position of college president happened by chance.

As the daughter of two schoolteachers, Adrian was discouraged by her parents from going into an education-related career because, in the Philippines, the pay wasn’t sustainable.

However, that didn’t detract her as she eventually found her way into the field when she migrated to the United States.

“I always say that I became a president by accident because if you looked at how my education was in the Philippines... when I was an undergraduate, I switched about six majors before I settled on one,” she said. “But I think at the end, [my parents] were proud of me and were very supportive that I was in education. It was more of a sense of pride that I was in the field because they certainly know what education does in the lives of many students.”

Since 2010, Adrian has been the president of Coastline Community College, which has several campuses across Orange County. She is one of the few Filipinos leading a higher education

institution in the United States — and the only Filipina.

From her varied experience at several private and community colleges in California, Adrian shared with the Asian Journal how she challenged herself to push the higher education bamboo ceiling and what more can be done to hone in on the skills of Filipinos, and even Asians in general, so that they too can be leaders in education.

“In every role I have taken in terms of my career, I’ve learned a lot from mentors and they’ve helped me prepare for where I am now,” she said.

Career beginnings Growing up, Adrian has credited her father as an early mentor.

“I think especially being a woman, [he] helped me a lot because I was always told that I could be whatever I wanted to be. I came from a family of four girls and three boys. He empowered us to think and be confident about who we are,” she said.

After graduating from the University of the Philippines, she started off as an intercultural trainer, then project director for the US Peace Corps in Manila for six years. In that position, Adrian

Ariana Isbell, the youngest Coastline graduate, and Dr. Adrian

Coastline Military Graduates

helped create eight to 10 weeklong orientation programs for newly-arrived volunteers.

Years later, she relocated to Tennessee along with her husband and young child. However, the transition to the United States, like for many immigrants, was not smooth.

“I faced the usual problems of an immigrant, though I thought I was Americanized because I grew up in Manila,” she recalled. “I really didn’t know at the time what job I could get and I think that’s typical for immigrants. I lost confidence in myself.”

She moved to Stockton, California, where her mother was living, and secured a job at the University of the Pacific that dealt with recruiting international students. She also earned a master’s degree in communication theory from the university.

“I started off as a professional staff there and worked with the Dean of International Admissions in terms of recruiting students and evaluating their records,” she said. “In the process, it allowed me to grow and develop my self-confidence again.”

From there, she ventured

into her first community college position at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, then San Diego Mesa College, where she filled various roles like dean of students, interim dean of student development and matriculation, and acting vice president of student services. While working at the community college, she went on to pursue a doctorate degree in education from the Claremont Graduate University, in a joint program with San Diego State University.

“At the time, I knew my mother didn’t have very long to live so I moved back to Northern California to be closer to her so I became vice president of student services at Skyline College,” Adrian said of her eventual return up north. She was there for five years until her mother passed away. She wanted to move back closer to San Diego, where her sons and grandson live.

Assuming the presidency There were many colleges with openings in 2010, Adrian remembered, but the impetus to apply for the position at Coastline Community College was “personal.” As a single mother, she wasn’t accustomed to living far away from her two children, even though they are adults.

“It’s really being a single mother that gave me the motiva- tion to keep going. I don’t know [if] I could keep going out of ambition. As a single mother, who at first did not have a job, I wanted to provide for my kids.

Even though my parents were poor and I was raised by my sisters, they struggled a lot and always made sure that I had what I needed and more. That’s the one thing I wanted to do for my kids and that’s why I pursued leadership in higher education,” she said.

Further, her mentors — many of whom are female college

Photos courtesy of Dr. Adrian and Coastline Community College

presidents or in high positions themselves — saw the potential for her to take the helm of a college.

“I wasn’t sure that I wanted to be a president because when you are a person of color and an immigrant, there is always a selfdoubt, no matter if you are very confident on the outside. I always thought I was not ready or maybe I didn’t want it,” Adrian said. “But eventually, I got to the point where I thought I’ve been in this business for a long time — and I may not have a long time to go before I retire — and I would always wonder what it may have been if I didn’t do it.”

She was initially hesitant about Coastline because of its nontraditional roots as a distance learning institution; however, she was convinced that this route would be refreshing.

As president, Adrian’s duties include making sure the college meets accreditation requirements (which are important to ensure that the students’ credits transfer or that they are eligible for financial aid) and making sure the college is financial healthy.

Though, at times, her responsibilities have expanded to other roles as well, such as filling in as a dean.

Founded in 1976, Coastline started as a “college without walls,” which “was born out of that innovative philosophy that [it] should not be located in one place,” Adrian said. Back then, students could take telecourses, and the college would use various facilities around Orange

County.

To date, Coastline has since expanded to physical classrooms with campuses in Westminster, Garden Grove and Newport Beach, and administrative offices in Fountain Valley. The college has 21 academic departments and continues to offer online courses for students unable to physically come to the classroom, including those in the military (anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 students) or who are incarcerated.

Being at her fourth community college, her initial goal in taking on the presidency was to understand the institution’s culture and to create a master plan that would be the blueprint for what priorities to focus on.

“I had to make sure that I understood the ideas that people here had…As a new president, when I came, there was a beloved president who had been there for about seven or eight years. I liked her a lot and I never felt that I had to compete, but how do you establish yourself as a new leader? It was a difficult time for the college because they had been without a permanent president for about a year and a half, so there were a lot of foundational things that needed to be re-established,” she said.

Additionally, she had to learn the “politics” occurring within the institution and the district where it is located, and work with budget constraints.

“Being a president...the experience allows you to hone your Continued on Page 3

Dr. Lori ADriAn:

Advocating a ‘students first’ philosophy...

From Page 2 skills because as my mentor once said, the higher you go up, as a leader, it’s not so much [about] the technical skills… it’s really about learning how to work with people — how to motivate and bring people together towards a common goal. It’s about learning how to be a better communicator and how to navigate the political environment in which we are in,” she shared. “You learn how to make difficult decisions because in the end, you can listen to everyone else and different perspectives but in the end, you are responsible for making critical decisions, some of which may be unpopular. It really teaches you to sharpen those skills and to be better as an effective leader.”

‘Students first’ Now five years into the position, Adrian shared that despite some challenging circumstances, she has paved an atmosphere of inclusiveness, mutual respect, open and transparent communication.

“My vision for the college always has been and will be that it continues to be the best that it can be. It continues to be on the leading edge…because there is so much innovation that is happening every day. Sometimes that has been difficult because innovation takes a lot of talent and energy but it also takes a lot of resources. I want us to be able to excel in terms of programs— the quality of teaching and services we offer as well as in terms of outcome,” she said.

But above all, her guiding philosophy has been to put the “students first” and to ensure that the college has equipped them with the skills and resources to obtain a degree on time, transfer to a four-year institution or find a job. Empathizing with the students is something she has learned from her own children and her experiences as an immigrant.

“I’m glad to have that insight because that has forced me to think of what I should be doing as a leader of a community college,” she said. “When we have to make difficult decisions, we can simplify and ask ourselves in terms of how it will benefit

students and help them complete their goals…I also want Coastline to be a place where people want to be and they look forward to coming here each and every day.”

One of the ways the college is preparing its students for success is through the STAR Program, which helps fast track full-time students to transfer to a four-year institution or graduate faster in the two-year time frame. (On average, community college students can take up to six years to earn a degree.)

In 2014, personal finance company SmartAsset ranked Coastline as the top community college out of 700 in the United States that provides low-cost education, a good return on investment and a high success rate.

“Coastline graduates make one and three-quarters times their total education costs their first year working after graduating, and in-state students pay $2,200 less a year than the national average to go to school, making it both the least-expensive school for local students and the top-performing community college on our list,” the report read.

Another accomplishment that Adrian regards is that the college is an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI), one of 21 in the nation.

In 2010, it was awarded a $2 million, five-year grant by the US Department of Education, given Adrian’s observations that Asian American students are not all achieving at high rates. Under the program, the college has to certify at least a 10 percent enrollment of Asian American and Pacific Islander students (over one-quarter of its students are AAPI) with at least 50 percent of its degree-seeking students receiving federal financial assistance.

By this month, the college has projected to accomplish the following over the past five years: “a total of 250 more AAPI students, originally underprepared for college work, will enroll in degree-applicable courses; a total of 150 more AAPI students will earn an AA

degree; a total of 100 more AAPI students will transfer to a four-year college or university,” according to its plan.

“While we do those things for Asian students, we build those programs for all students.

For example, we established a mentoring [program] that has helped more students of all ethnicities and backgrounds,” Adrian noted.

As Adrian continues to sit in the top leadership seat, she said her goal is to boost up Coastline’s reputation as a choice not only for local students, but also for those outside of the district.

“I believe very strongly that we should have high-quality courses, regardless of how they are delivered. It’s how do you make sure that the faculty has the professional development and support that they need. I think we need to continue to show that we are graduating more students, employing more students and preparing them to transfer,” she said.

On future Filipino educational leaders A study by the American Council on Education found that nationally, only 1.5 percent of college presidents were of Asian descent.

However, Adrian said Filipinos can make their mark in the education field and at colleges and universities, but the messaging needs to be more about their strengths and what they can offer.

“Filipinos are in [educationrelated careers] — it’s just that they don’t see themselves in the position that I am in now.

I think we need to have more role models for them, telling that they can and should aim high…Who would have thought that I would be a college president?” she said. “[W]e need to highlight the qualities of Filipinos and Asians that blend well with academic institutions, like being accommodating — sometimes that’s seen as a negative connotation. It doesn’t mean being a pushover...[W]e need to show that we are good accommodators in terms of different points of view and perspectives and that we are able to make difficult decisions as needed.”

features

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

Wagyu Beef Steak Bowl by

Hakubaku MocHi Mugi (barley rice)

BARlEY is an excellent addition to any diet. It packs four times as much fiber as brown rice*, and its high fiber content is beneficial to one’s overall health. Hakubaku’s Mochi Mugi, the number one barley brand in Japan**, is easy to prepare and provides a nutritious boost when included as part of a regular diet.

IngredIentS (serves 4) • 3 cups rice • 1 packet Hakubaku Mochi Mugi • 4 servings wagyu beef for steak (each serving about 8oz) • 1 garlic clove • Japanese daikon radish • 1 pk shiso leaf • Green onion for garnish (optional) recIpe rIce: 1. Before setting rice to cook, add one packet of Mochi Mugi and an additional ½ cup of water.

Set rice aside to cook and prepare additional ingredients. *Note: No need to wash or rinse Hakubaku Mochi Mugi.

Be sure to add an additional ½ cup of water for every packet of Mochi Mugi used.

BeeF BOwl: 1. Slice garlic thin and brown in pan with a little oil.

2. lightly season steak and add to pan, searing it on both sides. Once it finishes cooking, remove and slice into strips to place over rice.

3. Grate Japanese daikon radish and mix in a little ponzu sauce to make a Japanese style horseradish.

4. Cut shiso leaves and green onion into thin slices.

5. Put desired amount of cooked Hakubaku rice onto bowl.

6. Top with a few strips of wagyu steak. Add a dollop of the daikon horseradish and garnish with shiso leaf and green onion. * Source: Intage, Inc. - SRI Data 2015 ** Japanese Food Composition Database 2010

Mochi Mugi barley pairs well with many kinds of food, and one easy way you can enjoy it us by simply adding it to rice before cooking. It is a wonderful complement to Wagyu beef, as you will see in the recipe provided. Try a Wagyu beef steak bowl with delicious barley rice tonight!

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entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

‘Heneral Luna’ picked as PH’s 2016 Oscars bet

by Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

Jerrold Tarog’s “Heneral luna” is the country’s bet to the 2016 Academy Awards for Best Foreign language Film category, Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) director general leo Martinez announced on Monday, Sept. 21.

The committee tasked to pick the Philippine representative to the oscars is headed by filmmaker Mel Chionglo.

Its members are actors lorna Tolentino and Michael de Mesa, cinematographer lee Meiley, directors Joe Carreon and Boy Vinarao, and academician rolando Tolentino.

The award is handed out annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to full-length feature films produced outside the United States that contains primarily non-english dialogue.

Chionglo said six films were shortlisted and among the top contenders were Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Taklub” and Carlitos Siguinon-reyna’s “Hari ng

John Arcilla as Heneral Luna.

Tondo.”

Chionglo said that while there were others considered “equally worthy of being our oscar representative,” he pointed out that the committee members were “almost unanimous” in choosing “Heneral luna” because “it is very good—very well directed and acted,” Chionglo stressed.

John Arcilla plays General Antonio luna who led the fight against Spanish colonizers under the revolutionary government of emilio Aguinaldo.

“We looked beyond the infighting of a people while under foreign rule. We commended the Filipinos’ struggle to be brave,” Chionglo told the Inquirer. “Never mind the alleged aggressive personality of luna, this film shows the courage of Filipinos to fight for their freedom. This shows a positive picture of the Filipino. It depicts values that we think should appeal internationally.”

Chionglo added: “luna was supposed to have been a great general. What the film is telling its viewers is that it is also important to look at our past, especially those of our real-life heroes and of what they have done for the country.”

“Heneral luna,” produced

by Artikulo Uno Productions, reportedly cost a whopping P80 million. It premiered in local theaters on Sept. 9. “If the producers were able to come up with a film that costs this much to make, then they should be able to have at least a good fighting chance at being nominated. This could be our shot at winning an Academy award.”

Marriage becomes Heart Evangelista

by Dolly

ann Carvajal Inquirer.net

MArrIAGe has made Heart evangelista a happier woman and a better actress. She sizzles in GMA 7’s powerful drama series, “Beautiful Strangers” (weeknights after “MariMar”). It delves into the games that fate plays and the battles of love a heart must endure.

Strangers-turned-frenemies, Joyce (lovi Poe) and Cristine (Heart) figure in a tale that has lessons for all of us. Being hooked on the show, I pondered the kindness of strangers, the boundaries of friendship and the sacrifices that love entails.

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Heart: What does your hubby Chiz (Escudero) think of your character and portrayal? ” He always asks, “Should I

watch tonight? Is this the scene you’re referring to?” He’s very supportive. It’s funny because he tries memorizing my lines.

How do you and Chiz resolve arguments?

I think our love for each other overpowers disagreements.

We’re open-minded. It’s not hard to understand each other.

How are you and Chiz adjusting to your new schedule?

Chiz is very supportive, even when he’s preoccupied. He is not the type to get upset when I’m busy. If you really love each other, you make time. We have weekends, and other days if I’m not working, I make sure to prepare a hot meal for him.

You’re paired with Lovi’s beau Rocco Nacino. What was her reaction?

None. lovi and I, we go way back. When it comes to those

Heart says that she and her hubby are “openminded.”

things, we are very open. We trust each other. In fact, I was the one who felt awkward when rocco Continued on Page 7

SUMO ASIAN BUFFET AND GRILL

features 5

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

It’s like throwing A HUGE HANDAAN without the stress There is a gem of a place in Woodland hills that Filipino Americans should check out.

For some reason, most Pinoys have a hankering and preference for buffet dining.

It is a dining trend that has become more apparent in recent years. A big chunk of buffet diners are Pinoys. And for good reason. It is rooted in something deeply cultural

EAT LIKE YOU MEAN IT. SUMO BUFFET offers great rates: $11.49 for lunch from Monday through Friday and $17.99 for dinner from Monday through Thursday. Call (818) 887 2688 for details.

— a throwback from a previous life back home when families pulled out all the stops for a handaan to invite the whole town.

A handaan is a big banquet, a feast, a joyous celebration of life in the presence of friends and family. But at Sumo, one can host a feast without the fatigue, the waste and sometimes, the unnecessary expense. The banquet hosts do not have to deal with the hassle of food preparation and the gut wrenching clean up afterwards.

One can play the graceful, cheerful host at Sumo without the stress. Most Pinoys who have to work for a living from 9 to 5, five days a week, have figured out that it just makes more sense to book at a buffet place like Sumo. Dining out in a buffet restaurant for special occasions like birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and the like is a much better option than preparing and hosting your own parties at home, which can cost as much if not

FOR THOSE WITH HUGE EVENTS COMING UP SOON THAT REQUIRE MULTIPLE SEATING, call (818) 887 2688 for special rates and group discounts. SUMO is located at 21610 Victory Blvd. Woodland Hills CA 91367.

more. It is much more preferable to find a suitable place that offers good value and great service. Guests are often only too happy to come.

SUMO Asian Buffet & Grill which has undergone great renovation along sleek modern lines and color shades reflecting a blending of east and West, offers that chance to throw a handaan without the stress.

Their food offering is a genius mix of traditional cuisine with a touch of Western influence, an Asian fusion offering of delectable, mouthwatering dishes, entrées, salads, and dessert that appeals to a wide range of diners, from the very young to the once young, from the most finicky to the health conscious. It is the perfect buffet dining place for singles, lovers, senior citizens and is specially geared for family events and even corporate occasions. They have a 300 seating capacity and a function room that can accommodate such events.

Sumo’s owners and management know and understand this particular need of many people who simply enjoy eating buffet style. Sumo has new management. It runs under the capable, watchful eye of Jason Sun and his friendly, efficient staff. Jason has the ability to think big and the wisdom and humility to think small to look at even the smallest details to offer one of the best values in the San Fernando Valley and in other places in LA County where the family operates dining places. The young executive is not too big to roll up his sleeves and do things himself while always keeping a close eye on operations.

SUMO BUFFeT promises to be a favorite, welcoming place for many members of the whole community who are able to see great value in this gem of a place. It offers a great selection of sushi, those tiny,

SUMO OFFERS ASIAN FUSION CUISINE, offering delectable, mouthwatering dishes, entrées, salads, and desserts that appeals to a wide range of diners, from the very young to the once young, from the most finicky to the health conscious.

SUSHI GALORE AT SUMO. There is a great selection of sushi, tiny, bite-size, elegant Japanese creations touted by many food experts as probably the most expensive cuisine in the world for the time, ingredients and expertise it takes to make those culinary works of art.

elegant Japanese creations that are touted by many food experts as probably the most expensive cuisine in the world for the time, ingredients and expertise it takes to make those culinary works of art.

There is seafood galore and favorite Chinese cuisine.

SUMO particularly takes pride in their very popular Teppanyaki and grill section that really gives more bang for the buck. There is a wealth of gastronomic delights in this rich oasis of a buffet place that offers something for everyone.

They offer great rates: $11.49 for lunch from Monday through Friday and $17.99 for dinner from Monday through

Thursday. Call them for details.

Senior Citizens Discount of 10% is given to those 65 and above with valid ID. Diners have noted that on Mondays and Tuesdays, this discount is bumped up to 20% only during certain promotional seasons.

Particularly for those with huge events coming up soon that require multiple seating, call (818) 887 2688 for special rates and group discounts.

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features

6

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

Moonlighting

by Mylah de

leon

IT seems only last night when the Maestro gave an exhibition.

Inside the Griffith Hall at the

Maestro Dexter Grey’s dexterity upon the magnificent sounding pianoforte

Beverly Hills Country Club, there was compelled admiration and awe from the elite guests, which grew in every note that Maestro Dexter Grey touched.

The Maestro gave an exhibi-

tion, a concert which cannot be reviewed.

There was a time when a pianist giving a concert on his own (unaided by other musicians) was unheard of, until Liszt became known in the 1830s.

That one evening in spring, the novelty was so great because emphasis was given to the performer -- starting with his flawless musicality, to the adornments from the egocentric little wheels of his virtuoso mind (which took us away from churches, cathedrals, halls of earlier times.)

The human soul’s convulsions of love, hate, joy and fear were in his tempo, rubatos, legato, trills and adagios, yet pleaded for a reason.

His taste and absolute lucidity for freedom, poetry and maniacs, almost Byronic are all familiar to the human heart.

The Maestro knew the impact he was making and wasn’t exactly averse to adding a little drama of his own.

Think of indescribable performances in Vienna, Poland’s fight for its liberation with

Mango Mix

by Martin

Jason l. ita-as

A STARk contrast to the concrete jungle, the countryside is a place of peace and nature. While it may not be a place where you’ll be able to find excitement or fancy stores, it’s a great place to relax quietly and enjoy the natural side of life.

People have learned to live quite happily in the country for many generations. If you’ve been wondering about the merits of country living, give this list a read. Maybe you’ll

Walesa and all over the globe.

Who can forget when he played in the Great Wall of China as the Ambassador of Peace between East and West; or when he scared the daylight out of his audience (including Her Sereness Princess Eleanore from Russia) when he lifted his hands high and came crashing down the keys.

As he swept up and down the keys, the string almost snapped. Each time he played the Heroic Polonaise, no piano was safe in the stupor of his arrangement: a crescendo of difficulties and embellishments that spoke of galvanizing and electricity.

The Griffith Hall room became a contagion in a sultry spring, filled with immeasurable wax light and breath-taking phantasmagoria created by Sydric Panganiban, captured in the magical lens of Edwin Leviste.

Some hundred perfumed, sweating, perspiring with glitters, with the phenomenon of tickling, musical potions and other unmentionable matters that could make a fashion

reporter weep or an inebriated music writer sober.

The Maestro started with Liszt 6th Hungarian Rhapsody, unceremoniously interrupted by a photographer’ s flash.

He played the Organ Prelude in C Minus of Chopin “to calm his nerves.” He will always play what occurs to him at the moment, only to launch back in the 6th Rhapsody with a vengeance.

He was intemperate. Then, in a legato that flowed like oil, The Etude Op 12 was like silk heaving in an ocean, heavenly melodies weaving in and out of time.

The Immortal Waltz melted hearts than any other piece of music.

There are the autumn leaves, which reminded all of the saddest season. The Maestro’s agony of expression and redemption, then by its end, mingled with a radiant smile of joy, when he gazed at his beloved wife, Dr. Erlinda.

Chopin’s Heroic A flat, Polonaise buoys the spirits of a city savagely stricken by uninterrupted Nazi bombs. That last music played, before the city surrendered to the Nazis, started with a few bars of prelude, into a storm of rain like runs, hail like

trills, lightning arpeggios and thunder chord.

He did not rush over the keys. He made the floor shake and the whole audience were wrapped in sound.

Prayers of broken hearts, revolt of fettered souls, the pain of slavery, lost Freedom’s ache, the cursing of tyrants were exultant to songs of victory.

Meanwhile, even the sophisticated crowd at the Country Club dining room at the veranda started to stream down to where the music was playing.

The ones drinking by the bar came to see and hear the maestro -- all eyes were on him.

Frustrated members of the mainstream media simply stayed by the door, hoping for a glimpse and parched with any quote from the Maestro.

Like the magical lure of the Pied Piper, everyone followed his celestial musicality.

While the Maestro wooed the public that one enchanted evening, he also humbly served art -- an American we can place with pride beside the greatest recognized creative figures in any other county.. ***

com

E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol.

Reasons to love countryside life find a reason and more to consider living the quiet life away from all the hustle and bustle: Huge garden areas Do you have a garden?

No? Ever wanted one? Living in the countryside gives you a chance to have one of your very own. The natural soil, clean air and huge amounts of sunlight is a great environment for any kind of garden to grow in: herbs, vegetables, flowers or even all of the above. It’s not just for plants either. Set up a garden table and chairs for some afternoon tea and snacks in the open air. Got kids? Set up a swing set or a playbox so that they can enjoy

time outside too. Whether you use your garden entirely for plants or make it into a place to entertain yourself or guests

in nature is entirely up to you.

Wide spaces Lacking droves of people Continued on Page 7

Isabelle Daza now more at ease with acting

by Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

SINcE she moved to ABScBN several months ago, Isabelle Daza has become a familiar sight on the big and small screens pitting acting talents with young and veteran dramatic stars. In the primetime soap “Nathaniel,” her first TV series with the Kapamilya network, Isabelle proves that she can truly make good in the acting department with her portrayal of lawyer Martha Amante.

“I wouldn’t say comfortable but I would say that I’m (now) more at ease with acting,” says Isabelle. “I guess because when you work with directors and assistant directors for long hours, you’ll likely (able to) get their rhythm.”

No wonder, Isabelle’s Martha can easily make televiewers grit their teeth over her scheming ways in one scene then earn empathy as a supportive girlfriend in another. But she admits about having a hard time transitioning from bad to good and vice versa whenever she is required to “because the character is a bit complex and has many layers.

Martha has goodness inside her but she was always brainwashed to seek revenge so I need to really feel her emotions and exert an effort to make her personality visible onscreen.”

Add to that the pressure she places on herself as soon as the cameras start grinding to capture her emotionally-charged scenes either with co-stars Gerald Anderson or Shaina Magdayao.

“Yeah, I definitely pressure myself to be as good as them s’yempre kasi ayoko magpahuli; ang galing-galing nila coney Reyes, Gerald and Shaina so I need to level up or step up which I tried

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

PHILIPPINES’ “King of Talk” Boy Abunda has also weighed in on the rise of the hit splitscreen “AlDub” tandem of Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza, also known as “Yaya Dub.” In a report by Pep.ph, Isabelle Daza, Coney Reyes, Pokwang and Yesha Camille star in the ABS-CBN primetime soap NathanAbunda was quoted as saying iel, which is ending its run on Sept. 25. that Mendoza is a “superstar git na Pagtatapos, is the ultimate my best to do.” recruited by mainstream televibattle between good and evil Asked how she feels everysion.” where the lead character AVL, time her effort is being recogHe gave the comment as an played by coney Reyes, will be nized, Isabelle says she feels like example of how social media put to a test by Gustavo (Baron floating on cloud 9 and adds, has disrupted the format long Geisler) and therefore, she has “But then, I also do not like to practiced by mainstream televito come up with a right verdict. get it to my head because by sion in the Philippines. thinking that way then I wouldn’t Will Nathaniel (Marco Masa) be Mendoza first gained a able to succeed in his mission to want to improve. My mom restore the faith of humanity in (Gloria Diaz) always says that God? you’re only as good as your last Although the cast members scene so kailangan galingan mo ‘yan at ang hirap nun na so many are still mum on how the faithFrom Page 6 serye will end, director Francis people say that you’re good and legions of automobiles, Xavier Pasion promises the final then that’s a great thing but I the countryside is a great episode will have big and emodon’t want it to be the end of it place to stretch your legs tional scenes. (naman) di ba.” and go wild. Sure commuting Televiewers, he adds, will Besides, Isabelle knows may take some time, but the certainly pick a lesson or two she still has to work on delivertrade-off of calm surroundings from the show. Even the cast ing her lines “especially in this and a relaxed vibe is sure to members admit to having one (Nathaniel) because a lot balance that out. Plus, wide learned a lesson through their of the lines are very technical. spaces also mean you can find characters. On her part, Isabelle (Sa) Tagalog dun ako medyo a lot of areas that are safe to has totally realized that seeking nahirapan. I want to attend let your kids run free without revenge will do no good. (acting) workshops, I just don’t letting them out of your sight.

Does she believe in angels? have enough time but I will; I Having a great deal of space is “Yes, in fact, I think that my need it.” also convenient when you want grandmother and my Tita Rio Meanwhile, “Nathaniel” is to hold outside events like wrapping up on Friday, Sept. 25, are my two guardian angels.” camping parties, barbecues, These days, Isabelle is also but not without leaving its audifireworks shows and any other busy working on the horror ence a heart-tugging message events where you can invite a movie Resureksyon under Regal of hope, happiness, contentcommunity to gather around.

Entertainment and Reality Enterment and stronger faith. Its final Great deal of privacy episode, dubbed Ang Abot Lan- tainment.

Don’t get the wrong idea, some people enjoy bumping his focus on household chores. into people or living in close He changes lightbulbs. He likes proximity with other people. to cook paella, adobo and other But that doesn’t mean everyyou? dishes. body is completely okay with A lot. It has opened my eyes What are your cheap thrills? that lifestyle either. Luckily, to reality. You have to learn how I like street food like kwekpeople can choose to move to cook! But sincerely, it has made kwek and fish balls. to the country where people me more patient, more underWhen do you and Chiz plan don’t pack up close to each standing, more selfless, more the to have kids and how many do other because of open areas woman I am supposed to be. you want? (see “Wide Spaces”). This also What have you learned Maybe two years from now, promotes a great deal of conabout Chiz after you got marand maybe at least one or two cealment from one another, so ried? kids. you can go about your busiHis being organized. And

Marriage becomes Heart...

From Page 4 and I kissed for a scene. She was just laughing in the corner! Our friendship is strong.

How intense is your rivalry with Lovi’s character in the series?

Very intense. But hopefully, at the end of the story, friendship will still prevail.

How has marriage changed

features 7 Boy Abunda: Yayadub ‘superstar recruited by mainstream TV’ huge following on social media due to her funny Dubsmash videos, which gained millions of views.

Abunda said that the popularity of AlDub shows the need for mainstream television to incorporate social media.

“We’re moving towards the direction where both [social and mainstream media] have no choice but to co-exist,” the host said.

The popularity of the tandem with social media users was cemented as 12.1 million tweets used the hashtag #ALDUBMostAwaitedDate in

Maine Mendoza, also known as “Yaya Dub”

a span of 24 hours, posting another Twitter record for the show. (Inquirer.net)

Reasons to love countryside life ness without worry of being interrupted or anything else that happens when you live with a large collection of people.

Friendly neighbors If ever you do bump into the people next door, they’ll probably be a very friendly bunch whom you can get to know and maybe invite to your next barbecue bash or over for dinner. There’s just something about the carefree feel of nature and open spaces that just calm people down. This could spell good things for your kids too if you enroll them to the local school. But do remember some country folk live most of their lives outside of the city (especially if they live quite far from civilization). Just indulge in their curiosity a little bit and you’ll be fine.

Natural surroundings One of the biggest reasons why people live in the countryside? Nature! What better way can you appreciate and surround yourself in nature than by living in it? You’ll get the chance to walk in it when you go on treks and hikes.

Enjoy the sound of it when you listen to the birds chirp and the crunch of the leaves under

your shoes. Smell it when pass through forests and flowerbeds close to your home.

This is a great chance to learn about nature and immerse yourself in it, maybe learning a thing or two while you do.

If you’ve got the time, talk to some of the more knowledgeable of the locals and ask for lessons on your surroundings so you know what elements are useful and which ones are bad for you or even dangerous.

Learn how to appreciate the beauty of peace and quiet when you decide to start living the country life.

*** Mango Tours is a provider of quality, affordable and convenient travel services that include lowpriced airline tickets, customized Philippine and International Tour Packages, Cruises, Land Transfers, Passport and Visa Concerns. It is the #1 producer of reliable travel services particularly when it comes to Philippine travel arrangements to the Filipino-American community in the US Mango Tours is able to provide its customers with a number of travel options at affordable rates because of its consolidator contracts with over 11 airlines. Book your travel bookings with Mango Tours by calling its 24/7 U.S. toll-free number at 1-866-2-MANILA (1-866-2-626452).

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8

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - September 23, 2015

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