LA Weekend Edition -- September 05 -- 08, 2015

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September 5-8, 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. 69 • 4 Sections – 40 Pages

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Two Philippine nationals arrested in four-day immigration sweep across Southern California

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

tWo Philippine nationals were among 244 foreign nationals arrested during a Us immigration and Customs enforcement (iCe) four-day sweep in southern California. one of the men was 31 years old with convictions for battery and felony burglary, and was arrested in los Angeles on monday, Aug. 24. the other was a

39-year-old with convictions for battery, petty theft, felony burglary, and two convictions for being under the influence of a controlled substance. he was arrested in moreno Valley on sunday, Aug. 23. iCe only released the names of arrestees being held on administrative immigration violations, Virginia Kice, iCe western regional communications director and spokesperson, told the Asian Journal in an email.

As of thursday, sept. 3, both filipino men remain in custody pending removal proceedings, iCe Public Affairs spokeswoman lori haley said in an email. the southern California sweep, which took place from Aug. 23 through Aug. 26, was the most successful, iCe enforcement and removal operations deputy field office director David marin told KPCC. this was because of the number of arrestees who had records with “really serious felonies,” marin

told the radio station.

“We think it’s really important that we get those people and remove them, not only from the community but from the country. Because ultimately, that’s going to make the community and our country safer,” marin said, according to KPCC. the majority of individuals taken into custody as a result of the four-day operation are originally from mexico (191), according to a release from the agency. Arrestees came from 21 differ-

ent countries, including Ghana, france, Peru and thailand. the sweep covered six southland counties, with most number of arrests occurring in los Angeles County (99), followed by orange County (55), san Bernardino County (43), riverside County (24), santa Barbara County (20), and san luis obispo County (3), the iCe release stated.

Among individuals captured was

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PH gov’t losing up to P5-B through balikbayan smuggling

by Prinz And

P. MAgtulis ChristinA Mendez Philstar.com

mANilA – the government is losing about P3 billion to P5 billion a year from smuggling using balikbayan boxes, although the Bureau of Customs (BoC) has only made 38 such seizures over the past six years, valued at P12.3 Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina million. listens during the Senate inquiry on the Customs commissioner Alberto planned inspection of balikbayan boxes lina told the senate committee yesterday.

Photo by Kriz John Rosales hearing thursday, sept. 3, a tight-

USA

DATELINE Clarkson OK’d to play for PH in FIBA, father says he won’t play from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

fil-Am los Angeles lakers guard Jordan Clarkson has been cleared to play for the Philippines in the upcoming fiBA Asia Championship, but his father says he won’t be participating.

“As you know in professional sports, timing is of the essence especially when managing a player’s career,” his father, mike Clarkson, said in an email to Us-based Philstar contributor homer sayson.

“Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse as he [Jordan] prepares for rigors of the upcoming 2015-2016 NBA season and heightened performance expectations.”

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Right-to-die bill advances in California assembly

er inspection of balikbayan boxes should have been implemented to prevent further revenue loss for the government. lina reluctantly apologized before the senate over the brouhaha caused by the planned opening and inspection of balikbayan boxes in an effort to curb smuggling. senate President Pro-tempore ralph recto expressed concern over the planned increase of charges for a container of balikbayan boxes from P80,000 to P120,000,

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LP should drop Grace – Drilon

by Jefferson

ManilaTimes.net

seNAte President franklin Drilon wants the liberal Party (lP) to stop courting senator Grace Poe to team up with interior secretary manuel “mar” roxas 2nd, saying all efforts to convince her to run for Vice President is useless because she is also aspiring for the presidency.

Drilon, vice chairman of lP, on friday said the ruling party should look at other personalities who can be fielded as the running mate of roxas. “in my view, sen. Grace Poe is already a candidate for President. the writings are on the wall. she will run,” he told reporters.

As the filing of certificates of candidacies (CoCs) draws near, Drilon said he will ask the party’s National

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Environmental activists blow on horns in front of the Chinese Embassy in Makati City during a rally to protest recent moves by China in island-building at the disputed group of islands in the South China Sea. Inquirer.net photo by Marianne Bermudez

US urged to take firmer stand on China

ment and Alliances to resist China’s Aggression) and the UsPilipino for Good Governance mANilA – Philippine and (Us4PPG) are organizing a seUs-based filipino groups are lect group of filipinos to travel calling on the Us government to the Us to engage and update to take a firmer stand against key personalities in Capitol hill China’s continuous bullying in as well as strategic study groups the West Philippine sea and about China’s current activities south China sea meant to bol- in the disputed region. ster its encompassing maritime “the Us (government) must and territorial claims. realize that it is also in their best the group mArChA (move- interest to take a firmer response

by JAiMe lAude Philstar.com

De Lima on possibility of being Roxas’ VP: It’s out of my psyche

the right to die in California on tuesday, sept. 1, moved one step forward when a state Assembly committee advanced a bill that would allow terminally-ill patients to take medication that would end their life. in a 10-3 vote, the Assembly Public health and Developmental services Committee propelled ABX2-15 to another committee, the Associated Press reported. “i think our loved ones suffer when they don’t need to,” Assemblyman mark stone (Dscotts Valley), a member of the committee, said before the vote, according to Los Ange-

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AntiPordA

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

“it is out of my psyche,” Justice secretary leila de lima said when asked to comment on reports that she was being considered a running mate for interior secretary mar roxas.

“Ang ano ko lang ngayon ay senatorial.

Anything beyond that, i am not ready,” De lima told reporters on friday, sept. 4.

De lima, according to liberal Party sources, is being eyed as potential vice presidential candidate after her survey ratings rose following her spat with iglesia ni Cristo. the iNC staged a protest accusing De lima of giving excessive attention to cases filed by their expelled members against their leaders.

De lima said no one had talked to her about the possibility of being roxas’ running mate. “i do not think that is possible,” she said.

(Tetch Torres-Tupas/rc)

SEAFOOD CITY 1

to China’s bullying,” mArChA chair and former national security adviser and Parañaque congressman roilo Golez said. latest territorial monitoring over the region showed China has shifted to construction in the seven man-made islands out of the formerly obscure maritime features located within the country’s regime of islands in the Kalayaan island

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A SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

PH gov’t losing up to P5-B through…

PAGE A1 t

and even up to P180,000 this October.

“This will be passed on to senders of these boxes. If this second round of increases will materialize, the additional charge per box will be P150,” Recto said.

In short, the two increases will force overseas Filipinos to pay an additional P250 per box.

Senate ways and means committee chairman Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said he hopes to clarify the tax exemptions and additional charges as the Senate continues to work on improving the proposed Customs Modernization Tariff Act (CMTA).

Figures obtained by The STAR showed 38 confiscations of balikbayan boxes by the BOC in the

Ports of Cebu and Manila, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Manila International Container Port (MICP), the country’s largest.

From 2009 to 2012, 20 seizures of shipments costing P12.3 million have been recorded. Most of the shipments were declared to contain “personal effects” or items not for sale, only to be found otherwise.

The rest of the shipments were recorded from January to June this year, although no amount has been specified for them. Most of the items were shipped from the US, Canada, China, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.

In yesterday’s Senate hearing, Customs Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa was asked by Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. if the BOC has an estimate of the number of cases of contraband sent through balikbayan boxes.

Dellosa said “there was none,” but Lina later clarified there were indeed such cases.

NEDA MEETING. President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday, Sept. 4. The meeting is to review the Public-Private Partnership projects of the present administration.

Malacañang photo by Rolando Mailo

Two Philippine nationals arrested in four…

PAGE A1 t

2Vincente Onofre-Ramirez, 35, a Mexican national who was convicted in 2002 in New York of sexual abuse with force. He was deported from the United States u PAGE A4 after he served his sentence.

Onofre-Ramirez was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 23 at his home in Santa Ana and appeared in federal court on Monday, Aug. 24.

Another arrestee was 46-yearold Guatemalan national who was formerly sentenced to 1- years in

prison for the sexual abuse of two children. The individual was arrested in Upland on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

A 50-year-old Salvadoran national who was convicted in Los Angeles County last year of two criminal counts involving sex abuse was also arrested during the sweep in Sunland on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Yet despite the success of the sweep, Kice said it would be inaccurate to conclude that crimes committed by immigrants are on the rise. Kice also told the Los Angeles Times that not all those arrested in the sweep were violent felons or were in the United States illegally.

“One of the challenges we’re facing is because of state law and local policies, more individuals who are potentially deportable with significant criminal histories are being released onto the street instead of being turned over to ICE,” Kice said, according to the Times. “I think to infer from [the sweep] that potentially foreign nationals are committing more crimes is flawed.”

Individuals arrested during the sting who have pending deportation orders or re-entered the country after being deported are subject to immediate removal from the United States, according to the ICE release.

The remaining arrestees are in the custody of the agency and will have a hearing before an immigration judge, or are pending travel arrangements for removal in the near future. n

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From the Front page

BALIKBAYAN BOX CONTROVERSY. Senators Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Sonny Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano and Cynthia Villar ask officials of the Bureau of Customs during a public inquiry about its new policy of opening balikbayan boxes on the suspicion that these are used to smuggle drugs and firearms. President Benigno Aquino III ordered the BOC to halt the opening of the balikbayan boxes upon arrival in the Philippines amidst strong protests from the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

LP should drop Grace…

PAGE A1 t

Executive Committee (NECO) to convene as soon as possible in order to nominate and approve the party’s vice presidential candidate.

“The deadline is getting nearer. It would be better for the party to start preparing because the vice presidential candidate being eyed by the party is already eyeing the presidency,” the Senate chief noted.

The Commission on Elections set the filing of COCs from October 12 to 16, 2015.

Drilon earlier said the party will let Roxas choose his Vice President but since the latter has not found a running mate, the party should step in and help in the search.

While Poe, according to the Senate chief, has not made any categorical statement that she will run for President, her actions indicate her political plans next year.

“First of all, she has been going around, making speeches to various schools and organizations. Hindi naman gagawin iyan kung hindi ka kandidato. Hindi madaling mag-ikot [You will not do those things if you are not a candidate. It is not easy to make the rounds],” Drilon pointed out.

Roxas has been persistent in wooing Poe to run with him but the latter had said the ruling party should not wait for her.

She told Roxas that she is still in the process of deciding and she does not want to rush things.

Drilon said he will ask LP acting president and Transportation

SENATE President Franklin Drilon

Secretary Emilio Abaya to convene NECO so they can begin immediately the selection process.

The LP vice chairman said the ruling party can consider as Roxas’ possible running mate Senators Antonio Trillanes 4th and Alan Peter Cayetano, both of the Nacionalista Party (NP); Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto and Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

Santos, however, was emphatic that she has no plans to run for higher office.

“No! But thank you for considering me,” she said in answer to Drilon’s statement.

The Batangas governor said there are other people more qualified than her for the vice presidential post.

Robredo issued the same statement earlier, noting that the idea of her running for Vice President was planted by the media.

“Even my children are against the idea of me running for VP [Vice President]. They are violently against it,” she said during a visit to Cotabato. “There are other members of LP who are competent and qualified.”

Drilon said for Trillanes and Cayetano to be included in the nomination process, there should be a coalition first between LP and NP. “They [LP members] cannot possibly nominate them [Trillanes and Cayetano] because they are not LP. But that means we will coalesce with the other parties,” he explained.

Trillanes was the first to express intention to run for Vice President in 2016, while Cayetano recently confirmed his plan to run for a higher position next year.

Based on an internal survey conducted by Trillanes’ camp recently, the senator placed second to Sen. Francis Escudero who remains the top choice for Vice President.

Trillanes also rejected Drilon’s proposal.

“I am grateful for the statements of Senator Drilon but I am running for Vice President as an independent. Also, I already personally informed Secretary Mar that our Magdalo group will support Sen. Grace Poe’s candidacy for President,” he said.

When asked if Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is also being considered as Roxas’ running mate, Drilon said, “As far as I know, she is a candidate for the Senate.” n

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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A SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

From the Front page

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

Clarkson OK’d to play for PH in FIBA… PAGE A1 t The FIBA championship is scheduled to take place from Sept. 23 through Oct. 3 in China, but the Lakers training camp – which is mandatory for all the team’s players – begins Sept. 28.

Given the overlapping schedules, Manila Bulletin reported that Clarkson would be able to play in three games for Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) – against Palestine on Sept. 23, Hong Kong on Sept. 24 and Kuwait on Sept. 25.

Should the Philippines advance, the team would play the first game of the second phase on Sept. 27, though Clarkson’s participation in the next round would be unlikely due to his commitment to the Lakers.

In an email to Manila Bulletin, John Black, vice-president for public relations of the Lakers, said the 23-year-old Fil-Am is free to play for Gilas in China.

“Per the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the Player’s Association, as long as national team play does not interfere with team requirements and there are no injury issues, it is up to the players whether or

Jordan Clarkson will fly with Gilas Pilipinas to Taiwan for the Jones Cup. Inquirer.net photo by Tristan Tamayo

not to play. Our players must be in Los Angeles on September 28, so as long as he would be back by then, we would have no objection to Jordan playing in the event up until that date,” Black wrote.

Clarkson, who has expressed interest in representing the Philippines, was recently confirmed as eligible to play for the country’s national team. Rappler

reported that because the Lakers guard obtained a Philippine CANDID DE LIMA. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is photographed before the start of the National Economic Development Authority passport before he turned 16, he Board Meeting at Malacañang Palace on Friday, Sept. 4.

Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc satisfies a requirement needed to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas.

“It definitely would mean a lot,” Clarkson said, according to a Lakers Nation report published some of which are believed to fare Administration. in March. “It’s just one of those PAGE A2 t Sen. Cynthia Villar noted that During the Senate hearing, be packed with smuggled goods things you want to do, like how Lina was forced to apologize for I want to make my city proud Filipinos abroad send into the and drugs. country about $47 million a year, The policy has since been the change of policy, which he u PAGE A7 taking into account that half of shelved upon orders of President ordered implemented during his the amount comes from informal Aquino, prompting Customs to term. remittances.

“It bleeds me hearing this. They issue a revised memorandum ‘I am so sorry’ placing all balikbayan boxes un- are not the target of this... I bleed Customs recently drew the ire der X-ray examination. for them. I am so sorry about of more than 10 million overseas Only when an “alert order” that,” Lina told the senators.

Filipino workers (OFWs) when has been issued will there be a He said the BOC is not particuit said it will begin conduct- physical check of the boxes in larly running after the OFWs, but ing physical examination and the presence of a representative pointed out that under the Tariff opening of balikbayan boxes, from the Overseas Workers Wel- and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP), anything worth more than P10,000 that enters the country is taxable.

Customs Deputy Commissioner Agaton Uvero said the law has not been revised since the 1930s and that P10,000 is “already too small,” adding the BOC usually exercises “discretion” in screening the items for valuation.

Uvero said Congress can increase the amount of exempted goods to P150,000.

“We need to balance the concern of our OFWs with revenue generation for the government,” Angara said.

Uvero also explained that the BOC would be putting in place measures to reassure the public that packages sent from abroad would be treated with care.

Angara welcomed Lina’s move, but called on the BOC to be more sensitive to the plight of OFWs. “They will be more happy if the BOC will make good its promise on a complaints desk, green box

PH gov’t losing up to P5-B through…

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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California agrees to reform use of solitary confinement, ending indefinite isolation

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

LONE SUPPORTER. By his lonesome, Jose Kwe stands outside the Dept. of Justice in Manila to show his support for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Kwe, 67, a construction engineer, stood outside the DOJ gate, displaying a placard urging de Lima not to be afraid. Last week, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members held a protest rally outside the DOJ accusing de Lima of intervening in the internal affairs of the church.

Inquirer.net photo

PH gov’t losing up to P5-B through…

PAGE A4 t

and clearer policy on the inspection of balikbayan boxes,” Angara added.

Bills revising the TCCP are pending before Congress and are among the priority legislation of the Aquino administration.

In the first semester, the BOC, which accounts for a fifth of state

revenues, collected a total of P178.357 billion, up five percent from last year but 11.8 percent off its P202.185-billion target for the period.

The bureau is tasked to collect P436.59 billion this year.

Lina expressed hope that the cooperation between forwarders and the BOC regarding the

US urged to take firmer…

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Group (KIG).

More worrisome is China’s building of air force and naval bases at the reclaimed Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, Zamora (Subi) Reef and Mabini (Johnson South) Reef that Golez said once operational could change the security landscape in the region.

Beijing earlier declared it has halted all its reclamation activities in the region, a pronouncement described by senior officials as a ploy to lessen mounting international criticism against its unilat-

eral and aggressive actions.

“They have completed their reclamation activities and are now shifting to building air and naval bases on their man-made islands,” the security official said.

MARCHA and USP4GG chaired

by US-based Filipina philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis, according to Golez, would be supporting a lobby group for a sustained campaign in convincing the US political leadership to back the Philippines and other claimant countries in the Spratlys. n

processing of documents, such as the bill of lading, will help the agency in deterring smuggling.

Lina said he is supportive of proposals to increase the exemption value of goods to P150,000 from the current P10,000.

The BOC also recognized the need to amend the Customs laws, which were created in the late 1950s. (With reports from Mayen Jaymalin)

CALIFORNIA has agreed to reform its use of solitary confinement in prisons by ending unlimited isolation for certain inmates under conditions outlined in a landmark legal settlement.

As part of the agreement, which was reached on Tuesday, Sept. 1, the practice of indefinite isolation to control violent prison gangs will come to an end and approximately 2,000 inmates will be returned to the general population, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Prison officials have long used solitary confinement as a means of controlling inmates they deem too dangerous to house with the general population because of gang membership or if they’ve demonstrated violence in prisons.

Most of these isolated prisoners have been without significant human contact for more than 30 years, the LA Times reported.

The state has nearly 3,000 inmates who spend more than 22 hours per day alone in cells that don’t always have windows, The New York Times reported. No other state holds such a number of inmates for such a long period of time, according to the Center for Constitutional Rights.

The state has also agreed not to lock inmates with gang affiliations in soundproofed, windowless units just to prevent them

from coordinating illegal activities with other gang members, USA Today reported.

“It will move California more into the mainstream of what other states are doing while still allowing us the ability to deal with people who are presenting problems within our system, but do so in a way where we rely less on the use of segregation,” Jeffrey Beard, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, told the Associated Press.

Tuesday’s settlement does not eliminate solitary confinement, but it caps the duration of time prisoners can spend in isolation.

It also calls on California to create high-security units that permit some group activity, phone calls and job opportunities for prisoners they say are too dangerous for mainline housing.

“This brings California in line with more modern national prison practices,” said Jules Lobel, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, who was the lead lawyer for the inmates who brought the lawsuit against California, the NY Times reported. “People have been kept in solitary confinement for outrageously long periods of time. That’s one of the problems in the U.S. - people are warehoused in these places, and now that’s going to change.”

The suit settled on Tuesday was filed in 2009 by two inmates

– Todd Ashker and Danny Troxell – held in isolation for at least 10 years at Pelican Bay State Prison and accused of membership in the Aryan Brotherhood, the NY and LA Times reported.

“This settlement represents a monumental victory for prisoners and an important step toward our goal of ending solitary confinement in California, and across the country,” the plaintiffs of the case said in a written statement. “The prisoners’ human rights movement is awakening the conscience of the nation to recognize that we are fellow human beings.”

As of Monday, Aug. 31, the NY Times reported that 2,858 inmates were in solitary housing units throughout California.

Of those, more than 1,110 are in windowless cells at Pelican Bay. The Northern California correctional facility, the state’s toughest prison, had more than 500 inmates in its isolation unit for more than 10 years. But following recent policy changes, the number dropped to 62 as of late July.

Many prisoners who endure indefinite solitary confinement suffer serious psychological damage, including paranoia and panic attacks, according to RT. Terry Kuppers, a forensic psychiatrist who was among criminal justice experts who filed research findings in the lawsuit, told the LA Times that claimed prolonged

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Dateline USa

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CDC report: most Americans’ hearts are older than they are

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

A NEW report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that three out of four Americans has a “heart age” that is older than their actual age.

The findings, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on Tuesday, Sept. 1, indicate that the average American man has a heart that is 7.8 years “older” than his chronological age, while the average American woman’s heart is 5.4 years more than her actual age, the Los Angeles Times wrote.

“Because so many U.S. adults don’t understand their cardiovascular disease risk, they are missing out on early opportunities to prevent future heart attacks or strokes,” said Barbara Bowman, director of the CDC’s division for heart disease and stroke prevention, according to USA Today.

In obtaining its findings, the authors of the study examined data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which indicated participants’ age, body mass index, whether or not they smoke, and whether or not they have diabetes or use medication to control their blood pressure, according to the Times. Other risk factors considered included heart disease, excess weight and systolic blood pressure, which measures the

pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.

Researchers calculated the heart age of 236,101 men and 342,424 women between the ages of 30 to 74 and found that the average chronological ages were 47.8 and 47.9 years, respectively. However, the average heart age for men was 55.6 years, while that number was 53.3 for women.

Among findings by the study authors was that the heart age gap was lowest in Utah, with men at 5.8 years and women at 2.8 years; the highest gap was found in Mississippi where men had a heart age of 10.1 years higher than their actual age, while women were at 9.1 years.

The study also found that heart ages varied across ethnicities. For instance, among men, African Americans had the highest predicted heart age at 58.7 years, followed by Hispanics (55.7 years), whites (55.3 years) and others (54.7 years), the authors wrote. For women, those numbers were 58.9, 53.5, 52.5 and 52.3 years, respectively.

Other contributing factors included education and household income, which, when taken into consideration, bring the average heart age for African Americans three years higher than white men and four years higher than Latinos. For women, the factors boost the average heart age for African Americans by five years

compared to whites and seven years compared to Latinas.

Each year, approximately 800,000 Americans die of heartrelated conditions that cost nearly $320 billion annually, according to the American Heart Association.

And while heart age “is kind of a gimmick,” cardiologist Cam Patterson told USA Today, the concept helps people comprehend their risk for heart disease and conditions, the Times wrote.

“If your heart age is older than your actual age, obviously you are at higher risk,” said Martha Gulati, director for preventive cardiology and women’s cardiovascular health at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, according to USA Today. “If you are 40 years old and told your heart is actually 60 years old, that can grab your [attention and] make you ask, how can I change it? What can I do? If your odds of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease is that of someone 20 years older than you, that might be [a] motivator for change.”

Researchers wrote that a 50year-old male smoker, for instance, without diabetes, a body mass index of 30 and a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg, has a predicted heart age of 72 years. If he adopted a healthier lifestyle and stopped smoking for one year, his heart age would drop by 14 years to 58. n

Right-to-die bill advances in California…

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les Times.

Before the committee made its decision on Tuesday, advocates and opponents weighed in on the contentious measure.

Among those who spoke in favor of the bill was 47-year-old Christy O’Donnell, who has terminal lung cancer that has spread to her brain liver, spine and rib, the Associated Press reported.

“I want the choice to be in

my own bed with my daughter holding my hand while I pass peacefully. I do not want her sitting vigil by my bed for days or weeks,” she said.

Dan Diaz, whose terminally-ill wife Brittany Maynard relocated to Oregon from California last year to end her life, also provided testimony supporting the legislation.

“My wife passed away gently,” Diaz said, according to the

Times. “There is no glory in suffering a prolonged and agonizing death if that’s not what an individual wants.”

Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), who co-authored ABX2-15, cited how Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, a similar bill that became law 17 years ago, has not encountered any problems.

She added that more than 870 Oregonians have taken part in obtaining the lethal drugs, but that only slightly more than half actually ended their lives.

“There has never been a lawsuit. It has never been abused. It is not something that has been overly utilized,” Eggman said, according to the Times.

Among those in opposition to the legislation are the Catholic Church, disabled rights activists and associations that represent oncologists.

Marilyn Golden, a senior policy analyst with the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, said that end-of-life treatment options are limited for a wealth of individuals, particularly those who are poor and disabled.

“This will push people into cheaper, lethal options,” Golden told the Associated Press. “There is no assurance that everyone will be able to choose treatment over assisted suicide.”

Additional opposition before the Assembly’s vote on Tues-

BANGSAMORO HISTORY. Sen. Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, discusses with officials of the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process a bill that aims to include the Bangsamoro history in the curricula of all school levels in the country during a hearing on Thursday, Sept 3. Also discussed were the renaming, establishing and conversion of public schools.

Senate photo by Albert Calvelo

Preliminary injunctions granted in US Federal Court against 44 pirate sites Offering ABS-CBN content; Sites now blocked SAN FRANCISCO, CA, –ABSCBN has received several preliminary injunctions in the US Federal District Court against 44 sites distributing ABS-CBN TV shows and movies. The most recent lawsuit, ABS-CBN et al. v. Hapitvnow.info, et al., was filed on August 10, 2015 and seeks over $20 million in damages.

This new lawsuit follows the recent criminal arrests of Nico Angelo Rempillo of Naga City, and Jim Marcelino of Roxas City, and Mark Marlon Millendez of Davao City, who allegedly operated sites that pirated ABS-CBN’s TV shows and movies. Civil lawsuits have been filed for copyright and trademark infringement against these three defendants, for over $10 million in damages. Millendez’s websites, pinoymovie2k.tv and movie128.com, have already been taken down and replaced with the pleadings for the lawsuit against him. Rempillo’s website, ireplaymo.com, and Marcelino’s websites, pnoytv-online.com, pinoytvpost.com, teleseryepinoy. com, and teleserye-pinoy.com, have been ordered disabled and are in the process of being transferred.

The following sites, which were offering ABS-CBN TV shows and

movies without permission, have been ordered by the Court to be disabled and have either already been disabled or are in the process of being blocked today or tomorrow. These sites had combined traffic of over 3.4 million views: abscbnlobotv.info freepinoychannel.com hapitvnow.com hapitvnow.info ikontvstreams.com ireplaymo.com lambingan.se lambingan.to movie128.com movie2kph.com onepinoychannel.com phstream.com ph-tvserye.com pinay-tambayan.com pinay-tambayan.net pinoyhdreplay.net pinoymovie.to pinoymovie2k.tv pinoynetwork.to pinoynetwork.tv pinoyportaldaily.com pinoyreplay.tv pinoyreplaytv.org pinoyshow.biz pinoytambayan-replay.com pinoytvpost.com pinoytvreplayhd.com pnoytambayantv.com pnoytambayantv.net

pnoytelebyuwers.biz pnoytv-online.com pusongpinoytv.com streampinoy.info tambayanatin.com tambaytayo.com telebyuwerspinoy.info teleph.info teleseryepinoy.com teleserye-pinoy.com tvnijuan.net wowpinoy-tambayan.info wow-pinoytambayan.info wowpinoytambayan.net wowpinoytambayan.org ABS-CBN’s AVP for Global Anti-Piracy & Content Security, Elisha Lawrence, warned: “These sites pose a major risk to our viewers because by clicking on these sites, the malware can allow hackers to invade their phones, laptops and tablets and steal private information including their bank account numbers, private emails as well as to have access to other confidential information. Warn your friends and family to stay away from pirate sites. Don’t pay a high price for free! If you find any additional pirate sites, youtube or google blogspot links offering or distributing ABS-CBN TV shows and movies, please email us the information at report@abs-cbn. com.” n

California agrees to reform use of solitary…

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solitary confinement increased inmates’ risk of suicide and anxiety, among other things.

“This is a game-changer. California has led the nation in keeping people in cold storage,” he told the publication.

Other supporters of the end of solitary confinement include u PAGE A8 President Barack Obama, who

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became the first president to visit a federal prison in July and told attendees at an NAACP convention that month that prolonged periods of isolation are “not smart,” the LA Times reported.

Among criteria California has used in determining which prisoners to isolate include statements from informants, specific tattoos and possession of artwork displaying gang symbols.

Now, inmates will not be subject to solitary confinement based solely on gang membership, the NY Times reported. Only those who are found guilty of violence or possessing narcotics will be isolated, according to the publication.

Before the settlement agreement is implemented, it will endure a comment period and hearings, and requires approval from U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, according to the LA Times. Should Wilken accept it, which she is likely to do, the publication reports, California will have one year to make changes.

Afterward, attorneys representing inmates and a federal magistrate would monitor the outcome for two years.

In the past several years, more than 1,000 prisoners who were previously isolated due to gang affiliations were released. Beard, the secretary of the state correc-

tions department, told NY Times that few of these individuals have stirred up any problems.

Thirty or 40 years ago, Beard said there was much violence in the system and something had to be done to stop it, according to the NY Times.

“You had a system that was so overcrowded over the years they just went from one crisis to another and didn’t have the time to look at some of these operational issues,” Beard said, according to the LA Times.

With the settlement, Nichol Gomez, a spokeswoman for the union representing most prison guards, said it was disappointing that “the people that actually have to do the work” weren’t involved in the negotiations, according to RT. David Marcial, a corrections consultant and former regional director with the Connecticut Department of Correction, touted Tuesday’s settlement and told the NY Times it could be used as a model for other states.

“The problem is that it’s a settlement and not a summary judgment, so there’s no case law that can be used to pressure other states,” Marcial said. “But it can be used as a guideline for states that are not as progressive that are struggling with what to do.” n

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2 Filipinos killed, 2 hurt in Salinas domestic violence shootings SAN FRANCISCO – A man was arrested for allegedly shooting to death two relatives of his Filipino wife and wounding her and her cousin in Salinas, California Thursday, August 27.

Suspect Sammuel Ejaz, 50, of Pakistani descent, shot to death Felicidad Legaspi, 51, and Oliver Legaspi, 64, his estranged wife’s aunt and uncle, and wounded their son, Alfaro Legaspi, all of Salinas.

Ejaz’s wife was also wounded in the shooting on Thursday outside the Social Security Building in Salinas. His wife and her cousin, Alfaro, are in the hospital and are expected to recover.

Police said Ejaz, of Garden Grove, California, was arrested at the scene of the shootings. He reportedly confessed to the crimes, but pleaded not guilty during his

Clarkson…

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and make that country proud as well.”

Although the Fil-Am basketball player will not be participating in the upcoming international championship, he is looking forward to a long-term commitment with Gilas. Inquirer reported that Clarkson wants to play for Gilas for three Olympic Games – 2016, 2020 and 2024 – starting next year in Rio de Janeiro.

“I’m all in,” he said.

Philstar further reported that SBP officials are seeking to meet with Clarkson’s father and Lakers management to alleviate concerns they may have.

“Our talk with the father is to reassure him that, from the time that he [Jordan] has not signed the contract [with the Lakers] to the time that he does, and if he gets injured while with Gilas, we will assure them during that period he will be properly taken care of,” SBP Vice Chairman Ricky Vargas told Philstar. “We will be taking a risk anyway, whether he has a contract or not.”

Philstar also wrote that Clarkson is working on a contract-extension deal with the Lakers after an impressive rookie year in the NBA. NBA preseason begins for the Lakers on Oct. 4 when they face the Utah Jazz in Hawaii. The official season begins Oct. 28.

(Agnes Constante/AJPress)

first court appearance on Monday, August 31.

Ejaz and his wife were reportedly having marital problems, and his wife, trying to stay away from him, drove from their Garden Grove home to Salinas to stay with her aunt, uncle and cousin.

Police said Ejaz stalked his wife and, finding her outside the federal building, shot her and her relatives with a handgun. Fe-

licidad and Oliver Legaspi died at the scene.

Prosecutors added an enhancement to their complaint because Ejaz used a firearm causing great bodily injury. It adds five years if he is convicted.

Ejaz could face the death penalty for multiple murders. He was placed on suicide watch at the county jail and his bail is set at more than $7 million. (Inquirer.net)

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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thiS Week in RevieW US Donald Trump pledges to not run as third party candidate THE Republican frontrunner signed a pledge on Thursday, Sept. 3, vowing not to run as an independent if he fails to secure the party nomination and that he would endorse the eventual nominee.

This move comes after Republicans have expressed that if the real-estate mogul does not get the party’s presidential nomination in 2016, he could run as a third-party candidate, which could divide votes and spoil the GOP’s chances of retaking the White House. “I am leading in all local and national polls - my whole life has been about winning and this is what must be done in order to win the election and, most importantly, to Make America great again!,” said Trump in a statement released by his campaign. A Monmouth University survey released on Thursday, Sept. 4 showed that Trump has 30 percent of national support, with Dr. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon, trailing second with 18 percent.

Kentucky county clerk jailed for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses Kingson Noe Suazo David, 4, right, of Garifuna, a group of indigenous Hondurans, listens as Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, left, introduces people at Saint Cecilia’s Parish, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, who will be blessed by Pope Francis, during his visit to New York.

AP photo

Immigrants, refugees to receive papal blessing in NYC

NEW YORK — Pope Francis will offer a special blessing to a group of immigrants and refugees in New York, including those who are undocumented, highlighting two contentious issues in American politics.

The Sept. 25 encounter with about 150 mostly Spanish-speaking New Yorkers “is about the values and the message that he has articulated as pope,” the head of New York’s Catholic Charities, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, told a news conference Thursday at a church in Harlem.

Francis has made helping immigrants a top priority of his pontificate, decrying what he called the “globalization of indifference” toward migrants and refugees. The pope will address a joint meeting of Congress on Sept. 24, where he is expected to press lawmakers for generous and welcoming policies toward immigrants. His efforts come as questions intensify about inaction over Syria’s civil war and

Europe’s migrant crisis.

Among those the pope will bless at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem are youngsters from violence-torn Central American countries who crossed the border alone, refugees who fled persecution and are seeking asylum, struggling American-born minorities and disabled immigrants. Francis will also meet a group of Catholic schoolchildren.

Manhattan resident Yvette Suazo, her 14-year-old daughter, Chelsea, and 4-year-old son Kingson hitchhiked from Honduras to the U.S. about two years ago. Life at home had become precarious, with her daughter in danger of being raped each time she left the house, the mother said after the news conference.

Asked whether she had documents allowing her to live in New York legally, Suazo said, in Spanish, “Nada” — nothing. As a result, she cannot look for a job and depends on her sister while her

status is clarified.

“But I hope the opportunity to be here legally will open for us,” she said in Spanish.

The insecurity did not deter those who were introduced at the church from giving their names and describing their plight.

“I left because of the crime and so many people on drugs,” said Cristhian Contreras, who was 14 when he and a few friends fled from Honduras by foot across the US border.

Now 16, he lives in New York City’s Bronx borough, attends high school and is a member of a soccer team with fellow immigrants. His mother works as a housekeeper, but fears deportation. He never knew his father.

Cristhian is counting on the pope’s blessing, he said as smile filled his face. He added, this time in Spanish, “I’m one of the few people invited to be with the pope. And if I have the chance, I’ll ask him to pray for us and our countries.” (Inquirer.net)

Right-to-die bill advances in California…

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day came from Laura Petrillo, a hospice medicine physician at UC San Francisco, the Times reported. Petrillo told the committee that the criteria for determining whether an individual can give informed consent

falls short.

“This assessment can be very difficult in patients with dementia or cognitive impairment, and that murkiness leaves people with cognitive impairment open to risk of coercion from their families, care providers or even

the medical system,” Petrillo said, according to the Times.

Should the right-to-die measure make it to the desk of California Gov. Jerry Brown, it is uncertain whether or not he would sign it. (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

KIM Davis, a clerk from Rowan County, Kentucky, was taken into custody by US marshals and jailed on Thursday, Sept. 3 after refusing to issue marriage licenses after the Supreme Court’s ruling earlier this summer. Davis contended that her religious beliefs have kept her from recognizing same-sex marriage, resulting in lawsuits from couples who were denied licenses. In Davis’s absence, deputy clerks announced that they would start processing paperwork for the licenses starting Friday, Sept. 4.

Prosecutors to seek death penalty for Charleston shooting suspect SOUTH Carolina prosecutors said that they will seek the death penalty for Dylann S. Roof, who is charged with murdering nine people in a church in Charleston. The shooting took place on June 17 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where Roof sat in a Bible study session for nearly an hour before firing a handgun and killing people ranging in ages from 26 to 87 years old. The incident was motivated by Roof’s white supremacist views according to his manifesto. He has been indicted in state and federal courts, each of which carries a possible death sentence, the Associated Press reported.

Judge overturns Tom Brady’s four-game suspension US District Judge Richard M. Berman lifted Tom Brady’s four-game suspension on Thursday, Sept. 3 for the “Deflategate” controversy. Brady, the quarterback for New England Patriots, was suspended after an independent investigator hired by the NFL connected him to deflated footballs that were used in the AFC Championship Game last season. Berman said the NFL mishandled the problem by not issuing an advanced notice of potential penalties, producing a key witness and punishing a player who was not directly involved. NFL commissioner Roger Goddell announced that the league would be appealing the ruling “to uphold the collectively bargained responsibility to protect the integrity of the game.” ESPN reported that the league did not seek an emergency stay, which means Brady is free to play while an appeals court looks at the case.

France confirms wing part found of island from MH370 A WASHED-up piece of airplane debris found on the French island of Reunion in July has been formally identified as part of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people on board. French investigators have been examining the wing part to determine that it was indeed part of the missing plane; though Malaysian authorities had previously concluded that the piece was part of the plane. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined, but officials have speculated that it crashed in the southern Indian Ocean. Australian forces are still conducting plane searches over the ocean in an area east of where the wing has found.

Photo of drowned Syrian boy sheds light on refugee crisis PHOTOS of a drowned 3-year-old Syrian refugee lying facedown on a Turkish beach went viral on the Internet this week, raising concerns over the migrant and refugee crisis in the European Union. Dressed in a bright red shirt and blue shorts, the boy was identified as Aylan Kurdi, who was on a Greece-bound boat with his 5-year-old brother and parents. The overcapacity boat capsized, killing the two small boys and the mother, along with several other passengers who were also from the Kurdish town of Kobani in northern Syria. Aylan’s father survived and said he was bringing his family to Vancouver, where his sister lives. The family had been trying to immigrate to Canada, but was rejected, so they resorted to traveling by boat. Some estimates reveal that around 2,000 people cross Turkey’s Aegean coast each day, which is their gateway to Greece. The European Union has been divided over how to handle the thousands of refugees who flood into the region; some countries like Germany and Iceland have welcomed the newcomers, while others like Hungary have not been so receptive.

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American arrested at NAIA 3 for Hillary Clinton: I didn’t ‘stop and think’ about email system trying to carry gun aboard plane

WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday, Sept. 4 her use of a private email system at the State Department wasn’t the “best choice” and acknowledged she didn’t “stop and think” about her email setup when she became President Barack Obama’s secretary of state in 2009.

The Democratic presidential front-runner said in an interview with NBC News that she was immediately confronted by a number of global hotspots after joining the new Obama administration as its top diplomat and didn’t think much about her email after arriving at her new job. Clinton’s use of private email has become a distraction for her presidential campaign.

“You know, I was not thinking a lot when I got in. There was so much work to be done. We had so many problems around the world,” Clinton said. “I didn’t really stop and think what kind of email system will there be?”

But Clinton did not apologize for her decision when asked di-

rectly, “Are you sorry?” Instead, she again said she wishes she had “made a different choice” and that she takes responsibility for the decision to use a private email account and server based at her home in suburban New York.

She added it was a choice that should not raise questions about her judgment.

“I am very confident that by the time this campaign has run its course, people will know that what I’ve been saying is accurate,” Clinton said, adding: “They may disagree, as I now disagree, with the choice that I made. But the facts that I have put forth have remained the same.”

Clinton’s interview comes as current and former aides are testifying before a congressional panel investigating the deadly 2012 attacks on U.S. officials in Benghazi, Libya. This committee has also delved into Clinton’s email practices at the State Department. She is scheduled to testify publicly before the panel next month.

Clinton in August handed over to the FBI her private server, which she used to send, receive and store emails during her four years as secretary of state.

Clinton has said she set up her own system instead of using a State Department account for the convenience of using a single Blackberry device.

In the interview, Clinton said, as she has in the past, that she “should have had two accounts, one for personal and one for work-related.”

Thousands of pages of her emails publicly released in recent months have shown that Clinton received messages that were later determined to contain classified information, including some that contained material regarding the production and dissemination of U.S. intelligence.

But Clinton reiterated in the interview that she did not “send or receive any material marked classified. We dealt with classified material on a totally different system. I dealt with it in person.” (Inquirer.net)

AVIATION authorities stopped an American tourist on from boarding a domestic flight at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday, Sept. 1 when he allegedly tried to smuggle a disassembled gun onto an aircraft.

The Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) director, Chief Supt.

Pablo Francisco Balagtas, said that American Donald Edward Frantz Jr., was intercepted at around 4 p.m., Tuesday, on initial screening of his luggage at the NAIA Terminal 3.

Balagtas said the foreigner was supposed to be on a Philip-

pine Airlines (PAL) Cagayan de Oro City-bound flight when security screening officers Gember Abilong and baggage inspector Gil Girado, both of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), detected firearm parts in his luggage as it went through the x-ray scanner.

The OTS personnel immediately asked Frantz to open his luggage for inspection and it was then that the security men found a dismantled caliber .22 pistol among the American national’s belongings.

Transport security officers alerted Avsegroup personnel to

their find, which led to the foreigner’s arrest.

Balagtas said that Frantz was taken into custody and charged with the illegal possession of a firearm in the Pasay City prosecutor’s office after he failed to present any document authorizing him to carry or possess a gun.

The Avsegroup director reminded flyers to refrain from packing in their baggage guns or ammunition, which have been banned on flights, to avoid the inconvenience of possibly being offloaded and having to be investigated for possession. (Jeannette Andrade/Inquirer.net)

Ticket lottery for Pope’s US Congress speech broadcast WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo counties) announced has a limited amount of tickets available to constituents of the 14th Congressional District to watch the broadcast of Pope Francis when he addresses the Joint Meeting of Congress on Thursday, September 24.

“The Pope has become a focal

point across the world for prioritizing peace over war, care of the planet over consumption, forgiveness over accusation, and neighbor over self,” Speier said.

“I’m excited that 50 of my constituents have the opportunity to be on the West Lawn of the Capitol to watch the broadcast of the Pope’s address to members of

Congress. My only regret is that I can’t make these tickets available to everyone,” she added.

To participate in the lottery, constituents of the 14th Congressional District can fill out this form (http://goo.gl/m3r5Tw) before midnight on September 10, 2015, or call her Washington office at (202) 225-3531. (Inquirer.net)

A10 SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Undermining justice

IN THIS country, murder is an effective tool not just to permanently silence critical journalists and eliminate political rivals, but also to undermine justice. Prosecutors, judges and private lawyers are murdered with impunity, or else see their homes strafed, their cars shot up and their relatives intimidated by all types of thugs, from political warlords to government forces, drug dealers and influential gambling barons.

Last Tuesday afternoon, Judge Jude Erwin Alaba of the Baler Regional Trial Court in Aurora province was shot dead in his sport utility vehicle as he drove into the town’s RTC compound. A man on a motorcycle pulled up to the SUV and emptied a .45-caliber pistol on Alaba, killing the judge and wounding his wife. Probers are looking at drug cases and land disputes that Alaba was handling for possible motives.

Last year, Alaba had also cleared a New People’s Army commander accused of killing two soldiers 15 years ago.

As in the attacks on journalists and left-wing activists, the only way to prevent impunity is by catching Alaba’s killer and whoever might have ordered it. The nation’s criminal justice system

is weak enough without legal professionals being intimidated or murdered in connection with their work.

Among lawyers alone, a non-government organization counts 38 murdered in the Philippines since 2004, with only a handful of perpetrators convicted. The group says lawyers in the country are “structurally threatened, intimidated” and even labeled as “enemies of the state.” Among prosecutors and judges, several have begged off from handling cases due to harassment and threats to their lives and those of their loved ones.

Justice is one of the pillars of a working democracy, and murder is the worst way of undermining it. Every effort must be made to catch those behind the murder of Judge Alaba. (Philstar.com)

Guest Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Fil-Ams support Pope Francis’ announcement to forgive contrite women had an abortion POPE Francis once again shook the Catholic community and the world, last Tuesday, Sept. 1 with his announcement that priests around the world will be authorized to forgive women who received an abortion but have already repented with a contrite heart.

A CNN report, however, clarified that the Pope’s policy does not change church doctrine and applies only to the Year of Mercy, a centuries-old Catholic practice during which believers may receive special indulgences for their sins. This begins on December 8, 2015 and runs through November 20, 2016. However, Vatican officials speculate that it is possible the pontiff will allow the abortion policy to continue in perpetuity.

Sympathy drove the Pontiff to this abortion policy, as the Pope said in a statement that “women who have resorted to abortion,” believing that they have no other option. “I am well aware of the pressure that has led them to this decision.”

mortal sin, or a sin that brings A big majority of kababayans a soul to hell if not confessed to in America support this policy of The Fil-Am a priest. the Pope, as evidenced by The “Abortion remains a grave Filipino Channel’s daily newscast Perspective and serious wrong,” CBCP Balitang America’s daily online president Lingayen-Dagupan opinion poll “Isyu Ngayon”.

Archbishop Socrates Ville70 percent said that Pope gas stressed in a statement.

Francis once again reflects the Socrates clarified that what the inclusive character of the Catho- Gel SantoS-ReloS Pope did was just to temporarilic Church under his leadership, which will invite more people to go back to ly make it easier for Catholics who have had aborChurch and get the help they need to live a re- tion to confess by allowing all priests to absolve this sin. formed and restored faithful life.

“Under the present discipline of the Church, 30 percent of those who voted did not agree with the Pope, contending that abortion is a sin, abortion is a ‘reserved sin’ – one that can be aband that the Pope’s statement does not support solved only by the bishop as the head of the particular church. He absolves the sin, and lifts the that Catholic doctrine.

Even the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the penalty,” Villegas said.

Villegas explained that “Choosing to termiPhilippines (CBCP) clarified its position on this issue, saying that it still considers abortion a nate innocent, unborn life is not among a wom-

an’s options, because her right to privacy and to make decisions about herself do not extend to the life in her womb, over which she enjoys no dominion at all. Dependent on her, yes, but entrusted to her stewardship, not handed over to her power!”

Archbishop Villegas stressed that the Catholic Church maintains that aborting a baby merits excommunication, which means a person “separates himself or herself from the life of the Church, and from the community of brothers and sisters who uphold the inviolability of life.”

Do you support Pope Francis decision? *** 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

Imelda Rodriguez: teaching with passion and purpose “WHAT should we focus on in the conRhizomes text of “too much information” in “too little time” requiring “too many intended outcomes?” Content or Process? Factual PRoSy abaRquezInformation or Con- DelacRuz, J.D. ceptual Knowledge?

Linear or Holistic Thinking? Analytical or Creative? Recall or Understanding?

The Basics or Higher Order Thinking?...

Educators are seeing in practice and in the research that these tools for transforming information into knowledge are facilitating diverse learners who require differentiated instruction, multiple intelligences, habits of mind, and higher-order thinking. But most important, students are transforming information into knowledge using “mapping” in dynamic congruence with what is already going on in the brain.” —David Hyerle, 2009.

“I teach them as if they are my children, so I am willing to do more. I want them [students] to have confidence, I want them to work hard, I want them to be responsible, respectful and I want them to be happy. I want to teach each of them, not the lesson. I am replicating myself, learning from them. —Imelda Rodriguez, 2015.

Imelda Rodriguez is a 4th-grade teacher of language arts (spelling, vocabulary, reading, grammar and writing), math, social studies at Valinda School of Academics in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. She describes her new workplace, “All the factors are there to be great – an administrator who values you and sees your potential, colleagues who are supportive and students who are respectful, helpful , and hardworking and staff members who are helpful. How can you fail in that positive environment?” She serves on Valinda’s leadership team, representing upper elementary teachers. She taught third grade for three years, middle school for seven years, and high school for nine years with a master’s degree in elementary education and a multiple subject clear credential.

With her credentials, why choose the

4th grade? She quickly responded: “It is to teach them the foundation for critical thinking and for good study habits that will be part of them. By the time I get them in middle school and high school, bad habits have set in and I spend more time, not in teaching but in helping them unlearn the habits.”

A well-known psychologist once said that the best indicator of future behavior is previous track record. I became Ms. Rodriguez’s middle school student for half a day, observing her teach multiple grade-students history, using a Jeopardy Game. The students eagerly participated with answers to her questions and everyone got excited to win.

This was at Incarnation School in Glendale, a private Catholic school.

Now, at a public school, she has continued her techniques of four bricks, building a strong foundation for learning: building self-confidence, working hard, being responsible and respectful and doing all that, being happy. Her priority is teaching writing, being the weakest skill.

It seemed such a simple dynamic, but when done consistently, her students turn in their homework at a high percentage rate, and even takes primary responsibility for their assignments and if needed, negotiates for extra time to turn them in. Homework submission is at a high 90 percent, with Valiant awards given to students who became role models for their classmates. Even the students who donate school supplies of hand soap, baby wipes, sanitizer to be used before recess and after, are acknowledged.

Teaching with a heart and objective data In her 4th grade class of 33, she shows by example that homework and accountability go hand in hand.

Through the use of diagnostic tests (not an assessment test), on the second day of school, she gets to know her students’ proficiency levels in language, reading and math, enabling her to know who are at risk, average, above average and gifted.

Each child has a portfolio, which guides her and can be examined by parents at any given time. Each week, she sends the parents a letter on what their children learned that week , with graded homework papers, including the Aeries Parent Portal with specific log-in to check for students’ grades , as each week progresses.

She creates a community of learners, but also leaders, and teachers.

Each month, a student is highlighted as student of the month, for example, “Marissa R’s for her sense of responsibility, consistently being on time, being ready for school, listening, taking down notes, turning in completed homework, reviewing notes at home, studying for assessments, and doing other assigned tasks.” The reward: an hour of fame, spaced out into four days, in front of the classmates, a space to share her talent, a forum where she answers questions from classmates, a poster with positive notes from the classmates, and then laminated for student of the month to take home to share with family. Ms. Rodriguez programs all her students to succeed. This week’s letter to the parents gave them good news: 97.99 percent in attendance, 90 percent in homework compliance, and 90 percent in their good behavior, where the entire class is made accountable for one another.

Looking for what students do right “Who is the kid who needs me the most?” That question animates her teaching throughout the day and on Sunday afternoon, when she writes her lesson plan, she is thinking of the “deaf, old lady in the back of the classroom, who I need to reach.”

Each morning, she greets her potential scholar with a smile and a personalized good morning to each student, acknowledging who they are, by name.

By recess, she reminds them to wash their hands and before they go home, she thanks them for a productive day.

In her class, she has identified 5 to 10 are critical synthesizers, who are smart but impatient. By teaching them the art of patience, she gets them to become effective teachers to the other students, “the gifted takes over the class in explaining the concepts they

quickly learned.”

As to the problem students, one that was a repeater and bullying kids, she has managed to turn him around and he now turns in his homework. How did she do it? She told him about the complaints from his classmates and that she only half-believes them. The other half is she believes him. She then gives him a choice, “Do you want me to lose half of my belief in you or do you want to build up on something that is good in you?” By conferencing early with his dad, this student has now come in on time 3 days in a row, by motivating him that his math abilities can make him a computer wizard, if he so desires.

She makes everyone realize that she is noticing the good in the students and if a student is “calling out” a classmate, she reminds them that “he has feelings too” and the complainant whispers to her ears what he has done. Students then become more responsible and those who were formerly late an hour and a half, gets to class much earlier.

Not only does she shape the attitude, she develops the skills for them to have a solid foundation of knowledge, with the parents very much aware of the students’ progress daily and weekly.

Teaching them responsibility and

respect Instead of bad-mouthing a student as no-good and to stay away from him/ her, she encourages her students to get to know everyone. One student was a loner, but when he shared his interests in biking and skateboarding, he gained appreciation from his classmates and befriended them. By teaching inclusivity and curiosity about all her students, she increases the atmosphere of positivity and respect for one another.

In her classroom, she has parceled out responsibilities to volunteers: line leader, uniform monitors, door monitor, attendance chart monitor, homework monitor, office messenger, timekeeper, paper passer, paper collector, supplies monitor, ball monitor, birthday card makers and trash monitor. All in all, she has 15 volunteers daily helping her with the classroom logistics, an active way of teaching teamwork and leadership skills. By Friday, she sends home the parents’ envelope, which contains her weekly letter, her students’ graded work and weekly behavior report. She encourages parents to be her partners in educating their children, her students, and invites them to communicate to make sure that her way of teaching is

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Dateline PhiliPPines

A11

Roxas evasive on ‘Yolanda’ queries LP standard-bearer refuses to discuss distribution of funds by gov’t

by Nestor

P. Burgos, Inquirer.net

Jr.

ILOILO CITY – If there’s one topic that Interior Secretary Mar Roxas apparently won’t be comfortable discussing, it could be about how government had been faring in its effort to help the millions of people who lost homes and livelihood to Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan).

Roxas, who is now going around the country following his endorsement by President Aquino as administration standard-bearer, refused to answer questions on problems in the distribution of government funding assistance to Yolanda survivors.

He, however, continued to woo mayors in the Visayas to support his presidential bid.

Asked to comment on problems being encountered in the distribution of funds under the so-called Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA), Roxas replied to a reporter of broadcast network ABS-CBN: “Well, what agency is supposed to (know about the problems)?”

When the reporter replied that ESA was a Department of Social Welfare and Development program, Roxas raised his hands and said “What is my agency?”

It took all of 17 seconds for Roxas to end the interview,

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II

thanking the reporters who tried to ambush him and leaving the room.

ESA is a program that offers P30,000 for each family who lost its home to Yolanda and P10,000 for each family who need to repair its home.

Roxas tried to keep his composure, though, smiling all throughout but refusing to entertain any more questions. His allies said he was in a hurry to proceed to Bacolod City.

On Friday, Roxas met with officials of Negros Occidental but his handlers tried to keep media at bay.

He briefly answered questions

Photo by Noy Morcoso/Inquirer.net file photo

on the Negros Island Region but ended the interview when he was asked about Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez who was not in the meeting.

As reporters pressed him for answers, his security people formed a cordon around him until he finally said: “You’ll have to ask him. I don’t know.”

Benitez is the fourth richest member of the House of Representatives and has considerable political clout in Negros and in Congress.

Benitez was absent when President Aquino endorsed Roxas as the Liberal Party standard-bearer

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Imelda Rodriguez: teaching…

PAGE A10 t

positively in support of their children.

What she has done is create a community in her classroom, revolving around her and guided towards good behaviors.

Can you teach being happy?

Ms. Rodriguez emulates it by singing, acting, drawing and entertaining them. She sings the numbers to have them remember, hits high notes to remind students about rounding out numbers and even waltzes, to remind them about commas in thousands.

In her classes, she considers diverse categories of students: artistic (she will use drawings for them and gives them time to draw), musical (she will sing math parts to make them remember), physical (she will make everyone stand up for north, south, east, west directions) and even theatrical (to get the points across).

“You need to know what appeals to the kids and you need to connect to their minds, their multiple

intelligences and remind them I am simply the visual aid. I want to teach them, not the lesson. Task before talk,” she said with enthusiasm.

I left with a secret wish: I hope in my next life that I get to have a teacher like Ms. Rodriguez. I bet all my classmates and I will become Students of the Month and we will get to be so happy, together and with one another! ***

Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for Asian Journal Press for 8 years now. She contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in the field of science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium and Mexico and 22 national parks in the US, in pursuit of her love for arts.

FISHY BUSINESS. An activist wearing a dolphin costume lies before his placard-wielding colleagues in front of the Japan Embassy in Pasay City to dramatize their call for a stop in the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russel Palma

CA submits for resolution Junjun Binay bid to junk 2nd suspension by tetch

torres-tuPas Inquirer.net

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has granted the request of suspended Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay for the immediate resolution of his petition which sought to nullify the second preventive suspension order imposed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a two-page document dated Sept. 3, the appeals court’s special ninth division submitted for resolution the petition after Binay failed to reply on the comment submitted by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The appeals court added that all parties, including respondent Office of the Ombudsman, also failed to submit their memoranda. “[I]n the resolution of Aug. 11, the parties were directed to simultaneously file their respective memoranda within five days from receipt, otherwise the case shall be deemed submitted for resolution with or without said memoranda … the parties are deemed to have waived their right to file said pleadings; accordingly, this case is deemed submitted for decision,” the ap-

Suspended Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay has filed a petition seeking to nullify the second preventive suspension order imposed on him by the Office of the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in the anomalies surrounding the construction of the Makati City Science High School building.

peals court said.

Binay filed a three-page manifestation last July 23 asking the appeals court to resolve his prayer for issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) and writ of preliminary injunction (WPI) on his preventive suspension.

While no restraining order has been issued, the appeals court has submitted the case and is set to rule on the merits.

Mayor Binay was slapped with a second preventive suspension

order in connection with his alleged involvement in the anomalies surrounding the construction of the 10-story Makati Science High School building.

The resolution is written by Associate Justice Melchor Sadang and concurred in by Associate Justices Amy Lazaro-Javier and Rodil Zalameda.

Binay also has a pending petition with the appeals court sixth division regarding his first preventive suspension which is stopped by the court. n

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Philippines has 5th worst traffic in the world – study

by Helen

Flores Philstar.com

MANILA - The Philippines is the fifth country in the world with the worst traffic conditions, according to the online database Numbeo.

The Philippines had a traffic index score of 201.31 based on Numbeo’s Traffic Index for Country 2015 Mid-Year report.

Traffic Index is a composite index of time consumed in traffic due to job commute, estimation of time consumption dissatisfaction, carbon dioxide consumption estimation in traffic, and overall inefficiencies in the traffic system.

The study reported that average one-way commuting and traveling time or time index in the Philippines spans 46.09 minutes before people reach their destination.

The traffic situation in the country spurred a dissatisfaction rate of 4,020.42 while traffic inefficiency is at 216.01.

Egypt topped the worst traffic list with an index of 284.51, followed by South Africa (215,34), Thailand (211.86), Iran (202.90), the Philippines, Turkey (198.61), Russia (195.51), India (195.02), Brazil (194.29) and Argentina (186.46).

The Philippines was rated among the worst countries in Asia, placing third.

In Numbeo’s report last January, the Philippines placed fourth

NEW ASSIGNMENT. Starting on Monday, Sept. 7, members of the Highway Patrol Group will be manning and directing traffic along the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA. Philstar.com photo

Photo taken last July shows heavy traffic on the North Luzon Expressway. A recent study showed that one-way commuting and traveling in the Philippines takes an average of 46.09 minutes.

Philstar.com photo

among Asian countries and ninth in the world.

Numbeo is reportedly the world’s largest database of usercontributed data about cities and countries worldwide factoring the cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier said the traffic situation in the metropolis is expected to get worse in the next 15 years.

The government’s “Roadmap

for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas” will be implemented until 2030, according to the MMDA. The program aims to ease traffic congestion in mega Manila and improve mobility, connectivity and quality of life of the residents.

Beginning Monday, members of the Highway Patrol Group of the Philippine National Police will man traffic on six major “choke points” along EDSA. n

Lowly paid Filipinos happiest with their jobs

survey showed that majority (55 percent) of Filipino employees were “quite happy” with their DESPITE having one of the jobs while another 15 percent lowest salary grades in the re- were “very happy,” pushing the gion, Filipinos are the happiest Philippines to the top of the satwith their jobs, a survey conduct- isfaction survey. ed among working individuals in Thai employees ranked second Southeast Asia showed. with 59 percent saying they were Seventy percent of Filipino happy at work, followed by Sinemployees said they were happy gapore with a 51-percent satiswith their work, according to the faction rate. study released by the job search Employees in Hong Kong and website JobStreet Philippines on Indonesia were the least satisfied Wednesday. with their jobs, with small minorJobStreet Philippines market- ities indicating they were happy ing director Yoda Buyco said the with their work.

Only 37 percent of employees in the Chinese territory expressed satisfaction while in Indonesia only 28 percent said they were satisfied.

A similar survey was conducted in Malaysia but the results have not been released, Buyco said.

Drivers of satisfaction She said Filipino employees ranked “salary, company benefits and incentives” as the most important drivers of their satisfaction (64 percent).

Employees in Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong cited “relationship with colleagues and superiors” as the main reason for their satisfaction.

by Armin

P. AdinA

Inquirer.net

“Job role” ranked highest among Indonesian workers, who said “relationship” was their second-most important driver.

“Filipinos’ strong family ties may be the reason they cited a different factor for their satisfaction,” Buyco said. “We primarily work for our families and our compensation helps us help our families.”

“We [Filipinos] may have a lower salary grade compared to our counterparts in other countries… but we have a relatively lower cost of living. We may have very little but we enjoy the most out of the little we have,” she added.

“Job role” was second (62 percent) for Filipino workers, followed by “learning and development programs leading to career growth” (60 percent).

“Working environment, culture and reputation” (59 percent) and “relationship with colleagues and superior” (56 percent) rounded out the five top drivers of Filipinos’ satisfaction, Buyco said.

The Philippine part of the survey involved over 7,500 participants from across the country and was conducted last June and July. n

Roxas evasive on ‘Yolanda’…

PAGE A11 t

in Club Filipino and a meeting with officials a few days later.

Roxas was among several Cabinet members sent by President Aquino to Tacloban City in Leyte to oversee preparations days before Yolanda ravaged the Visayas areas on Nov. 8, 2013.

But in a meeting shortly after Yolanda struck, Roxas told Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City that Romualdez should “remember, the President is an Aquino and you are a Romualdez,” referring to the rivalry between the Aquino family and the family of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Imelda Romualdez.

Roxas was roundly criticized for the statement, which apparently was the interior secretary’s

way of telling Romualdez to let the national government take over aid and recovery efforts in Tacloban.

After Yolanda made landfall, Roxas also visited Iloilo province and other areas that suffered the brunt of the 300-kilometers-perhour storm, along with Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, assuring survivors of government help.

Regi Adosto, the ABS-CBN reporter who asked the question about ESA on Thursday, told the Inquirer that he was trying to get Roxas to comment on reports that several local government and other officials were interfering with the distribution of ESA. (With reports from Carla P. Gomez)

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A13

Excommunication still the punishment for abortion – CBCP by tinA

sAntos Inquirer.net

Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia, Susan Brems assured that Washington is committed to enhance the Philippines’ development programs. Tetra Tech International Development Services

Incoming USAID chief vows strengthening Philippines’ dev’t programs

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

MANILA – The incoming United States’ aid director to the Philippines vowed to further strengthen the agency’s development programs in the country.

The newly appointed Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia, Susan Brems, also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to provide aid in the country’s programs by cooperating with Manila.

During Brems’s meeting with

Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia at the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., Cuisia expressed gratitude for the financial and technical support given by the US through USAID. Cuisia also applauded USAID’s continued support in judicial reforms, rule of law, innovation and technology, economic development, educational cooperation, and public health.

The two officials exchanged views on the Aquino administration’s conditional cash transfer program, which aims to lessen poverty with its welfare programs for selected individuals or families that meet a specific

category.

Cuisia gave Breams a summary of the recent economic developments of the Aquino administration which include good governance efforts highlighting the respect to transparency and public accountability.

“It was a great opportunity to discuss with Dr. Brems our government’s commitment to improving the lives of average Filipinos, as well as the social development objectives under the president’s leadership,” Cuisia said.

The newly appointed Brems formerly served as a mission director in Angola and Zambia. n

Binay close to choosing running mate

by Helen

FloRes Philstar.com

MANILA – Vice President Jejomar Binay said Friday, Sept. 4 he is close to choosing his running mate for the 2016 national elections.

The Vice President made the pronouncement in a roundtable discussion at TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City with News5, InterAksyon.com, BusinessWorld, The Philippine STAR, Bloomberg Philippines, and executives of the MVP Group of Companies.

Binay, however, remained mum on the identities of the prospective vice presidential candidates of his party, the United

u PAGE A15

Binay close to choosing running mate

Philstar.com photo

THE ecclesiastical sanction of excommunication in the Catholic Church covers not only those who underwent or executed an abortion but also those who were actively involved in the act, according to Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Socrates Villegas.

Technically, anyone who has had a successful abortion as well as the medical practitioner, or “hilot,” who executed it are automatically excommunicated, Villegas told reporters.

“But the accessory to the act, depending on his or her involvement, may also suffer the same penalty,” he said.

He cited as examples of active involvement in an abortion a boyfriend who is present during the actual abortion or who provided the money for the procedure.

Persuading a woman to undergo abortion, however, may not be considered as active involvement in the act, Villegas said, explaining that whether or not she will be persuaded depends on the woman’s moral judgement.

The Church regards abortion as a grave offense under canon law. But this does not include unintentional abortions or miscarriages.

Most serious penalty Excommunication is the most serious penalty that the Church can impose on a member, depriving him or her of the fullness of the communion that he or she previously enjoyed. An excommunicated person is forbidden from engaging in certain activities in the life of the church until the offender reforms and ceases from the offense. Once this happens, the person is to be restored to the fullness of participation in the life of the church.

The sanction of excommunication can only be lifted if the woman confesses the abortion, also known as “reserved sin” under the present discipline of the Church, to a bishop who can grant absolution himself or authorize a priest to absolve her.

According to Villegas, Pope Francis in his letter to the Pontifical Council of the New Evangelization for the Year of Mercy, was seemingly inclined to allow

all priests who are otherwise not impeded in the exercise of their ministry, to absolve sin in the case of excommunication because of abortion.

“The Pope wants to make available the forgiveness of the church to people who are agonizing because of what they have done. There is no change of teaching, there is just change of approach in dealing with people

who have committed abortion,” the Lingayen Dagupan prelate added.

More tangible mercy “This does not make the sin less grievous. What it does is make the mercy of God more tangible through the ministry of the Church,” Villegas said.

Through this gesture, he said the Pope, who will soon convoke

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A15

Church alarmed by investment scams

by William

B. Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

GOOD HARVEST. Farmers and their clans in Hungduan, Ifugao province, take part in “baddang” (community sharing) and the staging of “Ponnok,” a thanksgiving ritual for good harvest. The clans share food and advice, compete in games and plan activities to ensure that good harvests continue in the next planting season on Monday, Aug. 31.

Inquirer.net photo by EV Espiritu

Binay close to choosing running…

PAGE A13 t

Nationalist Alliance (UNA), saying he does not want any of them to suffer the same persecution he has been getting from the administration.

But he admitted Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is one those being considered vice presidential candidate of the opposition UNA. Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco, UNA president, said the party is expected to announce its choice before the end of the month.

In the same forum, Binay reiterated that he wants to be a unifying leader if elected president next year.

Asked why he was considering Marcos as running mate considering that the latter was a son of the late dictator, the former human rights lawyer replied, “it’s time to move on.”

“We have to move on. In fact, I want to reiterate what I have been saying. I want to be known, under my administration, we have a unifying and healing administration,” he said. “Enough of this, let’s move on. Human rights is not an issue. That’s not even applicable.

Bongbong is not President Marcos. It’s over,” he said.

“The debacle is already from the past. The human rights that we fought for is over, supposed to be martial law, but it’s no longer martial law,” he said.

Asked whether he is consider-

ing Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Binay said “he’s one of those being considered.”

At least five prospective vice presidential candidates – all prominent individuals – are on the list prepared by UNA’s selection committee, Tiangco said.

Insensitivity Also at the TV5 Network forum, Binay said Malacañang’s rejection of a bill seeking to lower personal and corporate income taxes was proof of the “insensitivity” of the Aquino administration.

“It’s (bill on income tax) already moot and academic; if that is their (administration) position this will not move in Congress,” Binay said in the roundtable discussion.

The Vice President also said corporate taxes must be reduced to a “meaningful and reasonable” rate.

On Thursday, Malacañang rejected a bill filed in the House of Representatives that seeks to lower the taxes paid by fixedincome earners, saying the administration could not risk losing the gains of the robust economy.

Binay is pushing for reforms in the country’s personal income taxation scheme, saying existing tax brackets must be adjusted to current inflation rates.

“Our tax system must be seen as fair – meaning, those with

fat pay checks pay higher taxes than those whose pay checks are less – and inflation-adjusted tax brackets, albeit reduction of tax revenues, is simply fairness,” the vice president said.

Citing data from the Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Binay said the Philippines has the highest income tax in Asia at 32 percent for those with at least P500,000 annual income.

“We even outdid the richest countries in the ASEAN like Brunei where there is zero income tax and Singapore at two percent,” he said.

Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo has filed House Bill No. 4829, which seeks to provide tax relief to the middle and lower class.

Bayan Muna party-list Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate also filed House Bill 540, seeking to exempt low-income families earning a maximum of P396,000 annually from income tax.

FOI supporter Meanwhile, Binay also urged the House of Representatives to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill.

Binay, who is facing various corruption allegations, said all transactions entered into by the government should be made public. “That’s part of transparency,” Binay said. n

THE Catholic Church expressed alarm over the proliferation of investment scams in the country, duping unsuspecting Filipinos of billions of pesos of their hard earned money.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on Friday denounced the brains behind the scams, saying that the act is a blatant disregard for the dignity of every human being.

“It is sad [that] a lot of people gave all their savings but it amounted to nothing,” said Tagle in Filipino over churchrun Radio Veritas.

The prelate appealed to scammers to stop making a living out of deceiving people, stressing that dignity, in its thousand forms, should always be at the heart of work.

“Work should always remain noble and that earning money should not come at the cost of destroying other people’s lives,” he added.

Money, according to Tagle, is not everything but lightening the burden of those in need is more important.

SEC admits to increasing number of investment scams The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has admitted that the number of investment scam incidents has increased this year, particularly in the provinces where the people are easily convinced for lack of knowledge and information about investments.

In 2012, Aman Futures Group Philippines Inc. ran away with

Excommunication…

PAGE A13 t

the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, hopes that “all of us sinners may more concretely experience the mercy of God.” “By the act of aborting, one automatically incurs excommunication. So when is the right time for you to go to confession?

Rush to go to confession as soon as you realize that it has been committed. Literally rush, do not postpone, because the Lord is waiting for you to return,” Villegas said, adding that the sanction subsists for as long as the one who committed it doesn’t confess.

“There should be repentance and contrition,” he added. n

some P12 billion investments of investors that include politicians, businessmen and ordinary workers.

This year, One Dream Marketing Inc. was also exposed after it failed to pay the interest it promised to investors, including overseas Filipino workers.

CBCP asks for authorities’ vigilance Bishop Ruperto Santos earlier asked authorities to pros-

ecute those involved in the crime.

“They (scammers) should be brought to justice, prosecuted and convicted and their hard-earned money should be returned,” said Santos of the CBCP’s Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

He warned the faithful and religious people to be more cautious against fraudulent entities and investments scams. n

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SHOWBIZ&STYLE Journal

PhiliPPine Gold: Treasures of forGoTTen KinGdoms

all set for Philippine gold in the Big apple THe long wait is over.

For four months starting next week, pre-colonial Philippine gold and artifacts will be on display at the Asia Society in New York City as a part of Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms exhibit. More than a hundred gold pieces from the Ayala Museum in Manila and a host of private collectors will be showcased in said exhibit.

“Let’s call on all our friends and relatives so they can come to New York and see this once in a lifetime exhibit,” exclaimed Loida Loida Nicolas Lewis, co-chair of the Philippine Gold Benefit Committee with Doris Magsaysay Ho. “Let us all be proud to see that even prior to the Spaniards colonizing the Philippines, we already had such sophisticated and exquisite gold artifacts. This is our King Tut!”

Photos courtesy of Asiasociety.org, Ayala Museum

Benefits, dinners, receptions Curated by Florina (Nina) H. and various community events Capistrano-Baker of the Ayala have been lined up for the Filipino Museum and Adriana Poser of American community to partici- Asia Society, the Philippine Gold pate in and enjoy.

PAGE B3

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B SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Moonlighting

Features

Work from the heart

by Mylah de

leon

AT the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI), work is love made visible as it charms, cajoles and caresses. There we find dreamers who do-- those who don’t just entrust their hopes and wishes to the stars. Every day begins with learning more of the crafts that enables one to reach for those dreams; of keeping faces toward change, gaining strength, courage and confidence by every experience gained in public service; and the acceptance that it doesn’t mean the rest of the community will think it’s wonderful or even worthwhile.

Other people won’t necessarily

Aida Bautista Reyes and Rosemarie Mejia

Cora Aragon Soriano, Fernandico Gonong Honoree Lakambini Rosemarie Mejia Jr. and the Moonlighter even how fast a project comes at a bless or appreciate their efforts that time, but how steadily it is pursued. paying as little attention as possible Yet, it is not all work and no play to these doubts or derision could -- there are affordable splendors be an order of their day. Work is out there. a marathon, not a sprint. It is not On a recent Saturday evening at the Philippine Village in Eagle Rock, FASGI honored Lakambini Rosemarie Mejia. The sight of tables after

Monette Marual Atienza, Bernie Targa Ganon, Aida Bautista Reyes, the Moonlighter

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

An AsiAn JournAl ExclusivE

Bb. Pilipinas USA 2015’s Juanne Elisha Aquino: From church cantor to beauty queen

Yey Coronel and Cora Aragon Soriano

tables covered the whitest bolts of fabrics, flowers, and splashed color of rusts, wintergreens, saffron, teal and ruby -- cut, glued, stapled, draped and hung done by kindred spirits and creative risk takers. Call it “reduced circumstances” in an intimidating mystery, done through PAGE B4

Appreciation Party for FASGI supporters and Birthday Girl, Rosemarie Mejia

by Prosy abarquez-delacruz, J.d.

AJPress

“What’s the point of being at the top if you would just be boasting? You should just level down to people and bring them up with you. there’s no point since you are already up there, people are already looking up to you. that’s enough to be proud of, and you need to include other people in your successes.” - Juanne Elisha Aquino, Bb.Pilipinas-USA, 2015.

“Being a woman is hard work.

Not without joy and even ecstasy, but still relentless, unending work. Becoming an old female may require only being born with certain genitalia, inheriting long living genes and the fortune not to be run over by an out-ofcontrol truck, but to become and remain a woman command the existence and employment of genius. The woman who survives intact and happy must be at once tender and tough. She must have convinced herself, or be in the unending process of convincing herself, that she, her values and her choices are important. She must resist considering herself a lesser version of her male counterpart. She will need to prize her tenderness and be able to display it at appropriate times in order to prevent toughness from gaining total authority and to avoid becoming a mirror image of those men who value power above life, and control over love.”

—Maya Angelou, 1993.

A self-aware woman is beautiful, while someone who is at home with herself and others,

Photo courtesy of Mildred Deang

is a joy to be with. She is free to simply be, and to express the soulfulness of her being, grateful for what she has been blessed with, much like the woman Maya Angelou describes, when she wrote “Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now.” Much like Maya Angelou, Juanne defined beauty, with ease: “Beauty is personality and values. If you value your mind, you would know what to think of yourself, which includes your body.”

Mostly, she embodied beauty, but it did not start out that way.

She had her struggles, but she overcame them all, sharing them with family, with God, as first.

“I’m not surprised that she would come out as the winner of the beauty pageant. A beautiful young lady, intelligent and very talented, ‘napakabait na bata at masunuring anak.’ I’m very proud of her as she was finally crowned BB Pilpinas USA. I pray that she continues her mission as a follower of Jesus and now that she is in a better position, she should continue on being a bold Catholic sharing her faith. I know that this is just the beginning for her and a lot of doors will open out there for her, [to] continue on doing the right thing as how she was brought up by her parents, “ Pete Avendano, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and School’s Musical Director said.

Her identity forged in faith and her educational journey Juanne was born to Dindin and Emer Aquino. When Pope John Paul visited the Philippines PAGE B6

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Features

GET A CHANCE TO HAVE A ONE-ON-ONE “YOur TANONG, MY SAGOT” WITH ATTY. GurFINKEL! Kapamilyas in Los Angeles and surrounding areas have the chance for a “free,” face-to-face question and answer with leading uS immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel about your immigration issues or problems. Just go to www.citizenpinoy.com to submit your immigration question on or before September 11. You will be notified if your question gets picked for a one-on-one discussion with Atty. Gurfinkel on September 20 at their Glendale office at 219 N. Brand Blvd.

Get the chance to have a one-on-one ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’ with Atty. Gurfinkel!

Kapamilya in los angeles and nearby areas will get the chance to discuss their immigration issues with leading US immigration attorney michael J. Gurfinkel up close and personal on Citizen Pinoy.

Just go to www.citizenpinoy. com and submit your question

on or before Friday, September 11. you will be notified if your question gets picked. and get the chance to meet atty. Gurfinkel one-on-one on September 20 at their Glendale office at 219 N. Brand Blvd., to appear on a future episode of Citizen pinoy!

This is a public service from TFC and the law Offices of michael Gurfinkel, and a great opportunity to get answers to your immigration questions. So don’t forget to visit www.citizenpinoy.com to send in your inquiry on or before the September deadline.

All set for Philippine gold in the...

PAGE B1

Exhibition will run at the asia Society from Sept. 11, 2015 through January 3, 2016. at the ayala museum in manila, there are more than a thousand artifacts as a part of this permanent exhibition. For this specific exhibit in New york, the curators decided to focus on Butuan.

“We couldn’t bring everything because of security reasons but we tried to bring the most spectacular and visually stunning ones,” Capistrano-Baker told the asian Journal.

One of the most notable pieces in the collection is the ten pound Kinari Vessel from Surigao. The artifact is in the form of a half Nina Capistrano-Baker explains how the curators chose which artifacts to bring to New woman and half avian being, and it York. reflects the indian mythical kinari another magnificent piece is a memorable items include lotus – a celestial female with wings and gold caste evidencing a prosper- ear ornaments from Butuan to legs of a bird personifying beauty, ous elite class with strong influ- belt buckles from Northeastern grace and accomplishment. ences to Hindu culture. Other PAGE B6

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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B SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

Best fall haircuts for men and women

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The Global Kababayan

Programming of Kababayan Today, September 7-11, 2015

G. TönGi

By Monet

Lu

THE start of a new season means different things to different people. But as a hair expert, it primarily means one thing for me: new season equals new haircut.

As you embrace the arrival of Fall, it’s the best time to hit up the salon and get your fall-season haircut. But before you do, check out these chicest hairstyles and cut. Based on my opinion, these are the 6 best “hair-looks” that are suitable for both men and women this season. Let me start with the ladies.

The Bob cut Seventy percent of my customers would request this type of cut for either of the following reasons: a new phase in their life (a relationship status-change or a new job), wants a new look to reinvent their selves, or just because someone they know—and like—is sporting it. Your reasons may or may not fall under any of the aforementioned categories, but you are definitely in the best season to get a Bob cut.

There is one thing you need to remember if you’re interested in trying a bob like Keira Knightley’s, Ginnifer Goodwin’s or Rachel McAdams’s. You have to be prepared for the attention—or the shock (if you had long hair)—that this haircut draws. Know that this cut makes a serious statement.

Don’t dare if you can’t take the heat. Also, you have to manage your hair’s density with this look,

September 7 - It is the Labor Day Show Special. We will be re-airing all our past episodes with our Employment Attorney Joe Sayas Jr. With the ongoing litigation of the 11 bakery workers against L’Amande Bakery, it is essential that we learn about the significance and impact this case plays on our Filipino-American community.

September 8 - Live show with immigration lawyers Aquino & Loew. Call us LIVE in Los Angeles as Attorney Alison Aquino Silva and Attorney Richard Loew give our callers FREE advice on all

or else the bob will look like a mushroom.

Grown-out Lob According to Marie Claire’s “20 Chicest Lobs of the Year,” ‘The Lob was this year’s tour de force cut.’ But while it is lovely, it is also way too much work to blow out the strands as regularly as the LA traffic permits. Don’t worry, I have good news! You can still grow you Lob and look like you step out of the salon every time.

Just ask your stylist to texturize your mane for body and movement. You can also add some beachy waves to this cut. That is what’s great about a grown-out lob, you can style it in a variety of ways and it still looks chic.

One renowned stylist’s reminder: “Use a combination of oil and hold products to blow dry,” he suggested, “and style with a flat iron to add bend.”

Choppy and Messy Since we are on the subject of adding playful waves and body to your hair, let’s push it further with some carefully sliced strands. It’s razor-meets-gorgeous! You may check out Kim Kardashian for inspiration for this style.

If you think this should be your look for autumn, enhance the AJ Ads 50_Layout 1 9/2/15 2:49 PM “messy” Page 1 effect by using a curling wand on your waves. Use plenty

of texturing sprays to out some volume at the roots.

The Mixie Mixie is portmanteau for midlength pixie. This haircut is best suited for fine to normal strands that are straight. I suggest this cut for those who aren’t ready for a super short style, but want something short yet feminine.

For the men After the goddesses, we move on to the gods of killer haircut.

And what easier way to describe the famous cuts is to name the celebrities who are sporting such looks. Allow me to borrow and coin the styles with their names.

The “Ryan Gosling” Cut Google it if you don’t agree with me, but I must say this style is suited for any face or hair type.

Ask your stylist for something high and tight on the side. Make the top about an inch longer and polish the look by combing it with a matte pomade. I must warn you: this is a head-turner look.

Proceed with caution.

The “Chris Pine” Cut If you’ve seen “Starship Enterprise,” you pretty much have an idea of your new look sans the highlights. Rock the “Chris Pine” cut by going shorter and with much tight on the sides. And PAGE B5

age gracefully

‘Tis the Season for Tantalizing Tomatoes Mama’s Chicken Sautè Serves 4 2 Tbs. olive oil 2 Tbs. minced garlic ½ cup diced onion 2 cups diced tomatoes 12 oz. skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch strips ¼ cup soy sauce 2 bay leaves Pinch of ground pepper 2 hard-boiled eggs

1. Heat the olive oil in an enamel-coated cast-iron casserole or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, and tomatoes and sauté for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the chicken, soy sauce, bay leaves, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

3. Add the eggs and simmer until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes.

BY GRACE O

When I was in Italy recently, the tomatoes were so incredibly fresh and sweet, that I looked forward to finding tomatoes like that at home in Los Angeles. Now that it’s summer, it’s the perfect time to look for tomatoes at local farmers markets to see what’s organic, fresh and in season. I am always drawn to the variety of tomatoes that are available in the summer. The flavor is nothing like those pale, sad things you see in the supermarket in February. During the summer I’m inspired to use tomatoes in just about everything from appetizers and salads to satisfying main courses.

Tomatoes are very good sources of lycopene, which is an effective antioxidant. There is evidence that lycopene in tomatoes helps protect against prostate and other types of cancer including lung, stomach, colorectal and esophageal.

The anti-cancer properties of lycopene are increased by consuming foods with healthy fats such as nuts, olive oil and avocados.

Lycopene also has been shown to contribute to heart health by reducing oxidative damage and has also been associated with reducing blood pressure. Tomatoes have an extremely low glycemic index, so eating them is good for helping to regulate blood sugar levels.

A one cup serving of raw tomatoes contains almost 33 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C, biotin, vitamin K (15 percent), potassium, manganese and vitamin A. While summer is the time to enjoy all manner of salads and uncooked dishes featuring tomatoes, my mother made this Chicken Sauté dish with tomatoes for our family dinners whenever we wanted comfort food.

GRACE O – Combining her passion for food and a commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, GRACE O has created FoodTrients®, a unique program for optimizing wellness. Grace O is a fusion chef with a mission: to cook up recipes for a long and joyful life that are built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 15 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com © 2015 by FoodTrients.com

lege and the School of the Arts at Columbia University.

September 10 - Atty. Rhoda Yabes Alvarez visits the show.

Atty. Alvarez has an established Honolulu-based law office providing legal and professional services in the area of commercial, immigration, family law and Philippine law (www.filamlaw.com), and also produces and hosts weekly radio program “Legal Pinoy” addressing legal issues that affect their immigration questions. the Filipino-American immigrant September 9 - Midweek News experience.

Updates from Asian Journal and Learn healthy and easy to “Get Health-Thea” with health prepare recipes from Mitsuwa & fitness advocate Thea Fernan- Marketplace. dez.

September 11 - Check out our Mia Alvar visits the show. Mia tribute show. is a fiction writer living in New *** York City. Her first book, “In the Giselle “G” Töngi is the host and producer Country,” is a collection of short of Kababayan Today, a daily talk show that stories which was recently named features relevant topics for Filipino’s living an Amazon Best Book of the in America. Her aim is to bridge not only Month, a Barnes & Noble Discover the cultural gap between America & the Great New Writers Selection, a Philippines but to help with the generational New York Times Book Review Edi- gap between our own people. She is married tors’ Choice, and a San Francisco with two children and is based in Southern Chronicle Recommended Book. California and makes frequent trips in the Born in the Philippines and raised Pacific Rim to Hawaii and Manila to feature in Bahrain and the United States, fellow kababayans who are empowering the Mia graduated from Harvard Col- FilAm community.

Celebrate Harvest Moon Festival at Pechanga Resort & Casino with 2015 Mini Cooper and $100K Cash Giveaway!

Harvest Moon Table Game Promotion with grand prize drawing of the 2015 Mini Cooper

IN celebration of the Harvest Moon Festival, Pechanga promotes the thrilling September Table Games Promotions that will light up your smiles like the crescent moon. Join us from September 1 through 25, when getting a “Dragon Bet” or any “Natural Tie” hand at Baccarat, a “Flush” hand in Pai Gow, any “Blackjack” hand, a “Straight” hand at 3-Card Poker, a “Straight” hand at Let It Ride, a “Straight” hand at Ultimate Texas Hold’em, or a “Flush” hand in Asia Poker, will earn you a drawing entry ticket. The more you play, the more you win. The grand finale drawings will be held on September 18 and September 25. At each drawing days, ten winners will be chosen at 8pm to win $250 in EasyPlay, another ten winners will be chosen at 9pm to win $500 in EasyPlay, and one lucky winner will drive away in a 2015 Mini Cooper!

Walk Down Pechanga’s Moonlit Path for the Lucky Lanterns “Swipe & Win” and entries into the $100K Grand Drawing In addition to the Harvest Moon Table Game Promotion, Pechanga promotes their first Lucky Lantern “Swipe &Win” this September.

On Tuesdays from September 1 through 26, Pechanga Club Members can swipe their Club Card at the Kiosks located across the box office from 1pm to 9pm for a chance to win up to $1,000 in EasyPlay, a Gift or Entries into the Grand Drawing. On Saturday, September 26, from noon to 8pm, there will be a $100,000 Grand Drawing. To activate electronic entries into the drawings, play any

game, any amount starting at 11am on Saturday, September 26, 2015 once anytime throughout the day to enter. Don’t miss out on winning the Top Prize of $10,000 in cash!

For more detail about this promotion, please call 1-877-7112946 or visit www.Pechanga.com.

Come to Pechanga to participate in the cash and prize drawings and walk away with the big harvest this mid-autumn!

Pechanga Resort & Casino Pechanga Resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experience anywhere in the country.

Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled

getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-877-711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook.com/Pechanga and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

(Advertising Supplement)

What to expect when the unexpected happens HOSPITALS can be busy, high-pressure places.

Often, just the stress associated with being in the Emergency Department can hinder the healing process. That’s why at Dignity Health - Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, we believe in delivering excellent clinical care in an environment that cares for the whole person.

If you are ever admitted to a hospital for an emergency, here’s what you can ask for and expect. Hospital staff should always make the effort to know you as a person and not just as a patient. This means doctors and nurses should work together with you to discuss your plan of care. Additionally, your experience should leave you feeling empowered by staff members who educate you on what to expect for upcoming procedures and medications. No matter what, safety and comfort is always a priority. Staff should be attentive to your needs and respond quickly to your requests for managing pain.

“From the first encounter to discharge, patients and families of Glendale Memorial are truly an integral part of their own care plan.” – Tony Reyes, RN, MSN, MHA, CEN, NE-BC, Director of Adult Care Services.

Again, no one anticipates a trip to the emergency room, but if you arrive at Glendale Memorial Hospital, you can expect to be in good hands. For

Tony Reyes, RN, MSN, MHA, CEN, NE-BC, Director of Adult Care Services

a free referral to a Glendale Memorial Hospitalaffiliated physician, call our Doctor Finder service at (818)502-2378.

Work from the heart

PAGE B2

sterling shortcuts, as Bernie Targa Ganon said.

That evening FASGI “opened” its heart with gratitude to supporters, friends, members, as they go through the changes of a new era inspired and guided by compassion, inspiration purity of intentions and goals, FASGI Executive Director Yey Coronel shared. It was

also an evening to thank Rosemarie for representing FASGI, as well as for all those who supported their muse and her birthday.

The birthday festival had songs that changed a moment with Soprano Dame Aida Bautista Reyes and ideas that can change goals for a civic organization. Architect Fernandico Q. Gonong briefed and inspired the civic leaders,

(Advertising Supplement)

who listened to his every nugget and little pebbles that when put together, make a boulder. His decision to take part in the FACLA elections as a shoo-in director has propelled gushes for the most awaited fresh winds of change at the organization.

Ka Larry Pelayo regained his title as ‘Ballroom King’ while Joy Marivic Macainan and Bobby Crisostomo put together a tapestry of photos that very well spoke of the night as it honored its muse.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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BF Bakery & Café introduces healthy, premium toast BUENA PARK—From the inception of its first store in Irvine, California in 2013, BF Bakery & Café has since expanded to seven store branches - six across Southern California in Alhambra, Arcadia, Corona, Hacienda Heights, and Rowland Heights, and one in Plano, Texas. Radiating an international flair and warm, inviting atmosphere, BF Bakery & Café has attracted consumers all over with its specialty breads, pastries, cakes, and beverages.

After years of careful product

development and research, BF Bakery & Café has selected quality ingredients and artisan craftsmanship skills to bring the best taste and quality to all customers. BF Bakery & Café prides itself on its attention to every step and detail of its product production process, which includes meticulous timing of the fermentation process for yeast and strict inspection of the flour used in products. BF Bakery & Café introduces its new special toast that is baked fresh daily without preservatives and

with all natural ingredients such as real butter and unbleached flour. The toast makes great for a part of a complete breakfast or for sandwich making in time for back-to-school. Our expert chefs stand by the delicious and natural taste of this new type of toast, guaranteed to please palates of all kinds.

BF Bakery & Café is a tenant of 99 Ranch Market, and brews up fresh coffee and tea daily alongside its expansive selection of bread, toast, cakes, and

Labor Day weekend sale at Hollywood Piano

WITH the three-day weekend approaching, what better way to celebrate than with a good sale?

Stop by Hollywood Piano Company this weekend for the 24th annual sales event. It only happens once a year and you don’t want to miss out on savings from 25% to 69% on new and used brands!

Now 87 years in business, the iconic LA-based retailer prides itself in having pianos to suit every budget and every level — whether you’re a student or concert pianist.

Hollywood Piano is all about giving you the best buy. Manufacturers from around the world have provided reliable, quality pianos to the store, offering a wide selection to fill what you’re looking for. The store carries new and used pianos of all leading brands, and with hundreds of models in the inventory, Hollywood Piano can guarantee the lowest prices in writing and offers financing with low-down and monthly payments.

For THREE DAYS ONLY, find used upright pianos starting at $398; used grand pianos starting at $798; new grand pianos starting at $1,495; and new digital pianos starting at $299.

Plus, some of best sellers are also marked down, including the American Steinway starting at $6,995, a Baldwin piano (list price $7,986) for $4,998 and digital Roland piano for $995 (MSRP $1,795).

All purchases come with free delivery and free sales tax. In addition, if you visit Hollywood Piano this weekend, enjoy free refreshments and piano pianos.

Commercial and residential piano rentals are available for your event for as low as $19 per month, and warranties on parts and labor (new and used) are offered for up to 12 years at no extra cost. Customers can also sell their pianos by consignment or at wholesale, as well as tradein. At Hollywood Piano, we stand behind every pre-owned piano that we sell with a warranty, a 100 percent trade-up anytime in the future, and a 30day satisfaction guarantee. Our remanufactured pianos also include a 10-year warranty, so you can buy your used piano with confidence. Hollywood Piano beats all sales, get 133% of the difference if you find the same item for less than one year!

Piano professionals in the store aim to keep your valuable piano at its best performance, with services like regular tun-

ing, pitch raise, general repair and restoration, and inspections/appraisals. We are also happy to have your piano moved by our specialists.

Hollywood Piano is the onestop shop for Filipinos wanting to own a piano—from uprights, baby grands, and concert grands, we have everything to your liking. As one of America’s largest piano dealerships, we carry both acoustic and digital models: from Steinway & Sons, Seiler, Estonia, Albert Weber, Sohmer, Roland, Yamaha, Young Chiang, Kurzwell, and many more.

Filipino salesman Dan Manuel has been involved in the business for seven years, pursuing music early on as a career. After touring all over the Philippines as an award-winning performer with the Yamaha Music School, Manuel came to Hollywood Piano as a rental specialist and piano consultant servicing the greater Los Angeles community.

“As a piano specialist, I can really help our kababayans in making the right decision regarding owning or renting a piano. I can help give them the right information, so they can be sure they made a good investment,” Manuel said. “Call

Best fall haircuts for men and...

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please make sure you go easy on the pomade or you just might become the next most eligible bachelor.

For Curly Hair I also have a recommended cut for those who have curly hair.

This is also for those who want a

more modest, subtle and less-attention-grabbing look.

If you’ve got curly hair and a more angular face, go with a round cut. You’re going to have to ask your stylist to cut about a half an inch longer on top than on the sides for best results.

And there you have it, la-

dies and gentlemen. These fall haircuts are sure to make you look trendy this season. For a more detailed explanation and on-point demonstration, visit Monet salon at its brand new location at 20113 Vanowen St., Winnetka,CA. ***

me, and I will do the best I can for our kababayans.”

It’s no wonder that Hollywood Piano has been a beloved retailer both by families and major Hollywood studios for the past 87 years. Our pianos have appeared in popular films like “Cruel Intentions,” “Dreamgirls,” “The Three Stooges,” and “Casablanca.”

Pianos have also appeared in well-known TV spots like “I Love Lucy,” “All in the Family,” “Will & Grace,” and “Frasier.”To this day, Hollywood Piano remains a key supplier of pianos to the entertainment industry.

Our iconic Burbank showroom (323 South Front Street, Burbank, CA 91502) and Pasadena warehouse outlet (2084 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107) is open seven days a week, with piano specialists including Dan Manuel standing by to help you. We also speak Tagalog, Spanish, Armenian, Farsi, Mandarin, and Cantonese. For more information about our business, please call us at (818) 954-8500, or visit our website www.hollywoodpiano. com. Come visit and play!

Hollywood Piano is open to the public this weekend, including on Labor Day from 10 am to 6 pm!

(Advertising Supplement)

Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardwinning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns.

Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

delicious baked goods. Stop by to complete the ultimate shopping experience.

BF Bakery & Café Arcadia 1300 S. Golden West Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007 Alhambra 345 E. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801 Corona 430 N. McKinley St. Corona, CA 92879 Hacienda

17120 Colima Rd. Hacienda Heights, CA 91745 Irvine 15333 Culver Dr. #800, Irvine, CA 92714 Rowland Heights 19725 Colima Rd. Rowland Heights, CA 91748 BF Bakery & Cafe Social Media: www.Facebook.com/BFBakery Instagram: @BFBakery (Advertising Supplement)

B SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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ASEAN Women Circle of Los Angeles visits Leelin Bakery & Cafe

GETTING READY FOR THE PLANT TOUR. AWCLA ladies put on the mandatory gown, mouth guard and hair net before entering the manufacturing plant.

the facility and discussed how the delicious baked goods are prepared and distributed all over California.

Participants represent the various ASeAN countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand. The plant visit provided an opportunity for the participants to have a better appreciation of the Leelin Bakery & Cafe’s baked goods.

The story of how the business started and developed to what it is today also increased the ladies’ knowledge of the company. The ladies had an amazing time seeing how the goods adhere to the highest health and quality standards from production to distribution.

Similarities among food products AWCLA PATRONS, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS POSE FOR POSTERITY.Photo shows AWCLA Patrons (1st row sitting, L-R) Madame Fides Herrera- coming from the various Asian Lim (Philippines), Madame Nila Umar Hadi (Indonesia), Madame May May Latt (Myanmar), Madame Zalima Md Daud (Malaysia) and Madame countries were also recognized Parichart Katavetin (Thailand) with Mr. Menard Lim (center, 2nd row) and the officers and members of AWCLA during the tour.

AWCLA’s food trip culminated LoS ANGeLeS - The ASeAN corporate office of Leelin Bakery & Food Club.

Mr. Menard Leelin, President with an experience and taste Women Circle of Los Angeles Café, located in Santa Fe Springs, of Goodness Corporation of Cali- of Leelin Bakery & Cafe’s food (AWCLA), led by its President, California.

The event, held on Wednesday, fornia (GCoC) - the manufacturing products with lunch at their CerPhilippine Patron Mme. Fides Herrera-Lim, organized a field trip Aug. 26, was attended by AWCLA arm of the Leelin family busi- ritos branch.

(Advertising Supplement) to the manufacturing plant and Patrons and members of AWCLA’s ness, graciously led the tour of

All set for Philippine...

PAGE B3 Mindanao to burial ensemble from Daet, Camarines Norte.

Capistrano-Baker cites that this extraordinary collection would not exist without the passion and dedication of Leandro and Cecilia Locsin, whose vision of preserving for future generations these marvelous objects provides valuable glimpses into the Philippine precolonial past. The Locsins were responsible in securing the bulk the collection.

Asia Society President and Ceo Josette Sheeran expressed her excitement that the Asia Society is doing this big project about the Philippines.

“What an exciting moment for us at the Asia Society leading up to our 60th anniversary,” Sheeran remarked. “We couldn’t be more honored than to work with Loida, Doris and the benefit committee and the consulate to really bring the Philippines front and center for the New York community.”

“We’re so proud to bring these precolonial gold that really tells the story of the Philippines that the world doesn’t know,” Sheeran added.

“It’s a groundbreaking show.

I hope it really opens eyes here in the United States. This is an important part of history that has

never been widely seen before. I saw the collections at the Ayala Museum and it was mind-blowing,” said Adriana Proser, John H. Foster Senior Curator for Traditional Asian Art, Asia Society.

“We welcome the entire Filipino community to visit us here during the exhibition and see all these installations we’ve been working so hard on.”

Gold and the Philippines The Philippines has the second largest gold deposit in the world.

The works on display—from tiny gold tweezers to fabulous pieces of jewelry—reveal that these natural resources were readily exploited by the local people during that time.

The regalia, jewelry, ceremonial weapons, and ritualistic and funerary objects show of a prosperity and achievement of Philippine communities that flourished between the tenth and thirteenth centuries, long before the Spanish discovered and colonized the region. Some of the pieces will show indigenous forms and connections to local traditions such burial practices and social groupings.

There are adornments of elite individuals and the deities they adored including a spectacular array of golden sashes, necklaces, pectorals, diadems, earrings, finger rings, and arm and leg ornaments.

Although the forms and styles of the majority of these works developed locally, some indicate that Philippine craftsmen had been exposed to objects from beyond their borders through the robust cultural connections and maritime trade in Southeast Asia during what was an early Asian economic boom. Scholars have also pointed out there are similar styles between the Philippine objects and those from such cultures of Java, Champa, and Borneo.

In the book about the collection at the Ayala Museum, Philippine Ancestral Gold, editor and author Capistrano- Baker stated that the deeper value of these gold objects “can be assayed only in consideration of its historical and academic significance and the

Josette Sheeran, Asia Society president and CEO

Nina Baker, co-curator of PH gold exhibit

self-knowledge and pride it gives to Filipinos.”

Co-author John Miksic, Associate Professor of South and Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, pointed out in the publication that the precolonial gold of the Philippines is “perhaps the country’s greatest tangible cultural asset and can stand comparison with any other assemblage of gold artifacts in the world.”

Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., during the launch of the project at the Philippine Consulate a few months ago, called on the community leaders to encourage everyone in the community to see the exhibit.

“It’s not just a partnership of Asia Society and Ayala Museum and the private collectors and

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

the benefit committee, it involves our community as well. We are all partners in this endeavor,” he said.

Regular museum ticket price is $12 but for groups of 20 or more, Asia Society officials said they will reduce the price to just $7 per person.

“You will be amazed to find out that our history didn’t start with the coming of Magellan. It started way, way back. All of us can hold our heads high and say that ‘Yes, we are proud we are Filipinos!’,” Lewis added.

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms is organized

by Asia Society, New York, and Ayala Museum, Philippines. The exhibit will run will run at the Asia Society from Sept. 11, 2015 through January 3, 2016.

Bb. Pilipinas USA 2015’s Juanne Elisha Aquino...

PAGE B2 for World Youth Day on January 10, 1995, all the babies in the nursery were named after the Pope: Joan, John, Paul, Joanne, but mom Dindin spelled Joanne with a u, to give her, a unique name.

During gospel, Dindin’s water broke and as the gospel was about elisha, the prophet, Juanne came to be. At an early age, she had traveled across the globe, to be in Africa, Philippines and then, Los Angeles. In Nigeria, Africa, where her parents run an export-import business, she was raised by her uncle, Rufino Gonzales. Then, the family moved back to the Philippines.

Juanne attended first grade in Southville International School, exposed to seven to nine subjects like english, Chinese, math and science. Her family then immigrated to Los Angeles to join emer, her father, who was already working. She attended Alessandro elementary School where her schooling consisted of two major subjects (english and math), which she found underwhelming and not challenging.

While attending mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, her mother, Dindin, decided to enroll her at Immaculate Heart of Mary School for middle school.

Juanne got back to a more rigorous academic load, much like what she had in first grade in the Philippines, and she joined the choir.

After middle school, she went to St. Genevieve for high school and Juanne became part of their musicals and performing choir.

Photos courtesy of Mildred Deang

“I have performed for former President Jimmy Carter’s 85th birthday in Plains, Georgia. I was given another opportunity to perform as the leading lady in Former Pres. Carter’s favorite musical, Carousel. I also performed with a strong female figure, Helen Reddy,” she shared.

During her last year in high school, she performed with Grammy award-winning Shirley Jones.

“I had no pitfalls. Because of a one-week retreat, Kairos, I found myself again in the hands of Jesus. I was able to connect to God on another level, that I never thought was possible,” she said.

After high school, she went to Mount St. Mary’s University and enrolled in nursing, “I did not like science exclusively,” and found her interests more on the side of finance, marketing and business. Her university advisor pointed her to a double major in health policy and business, but needed 60 units to enter Cal State University, Northridge.

She is now working on getting 60 units, towards an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts and social behavior at LACC, and to ensure a spot at CSUN to major in business.

A nurturing self and a supportive family behind her PAGE B7

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EntErtainmEnt

Melai Cantiveros to have solo concert

Melai Cantiveros is all set for her upcoming concert “Melai Mo Mag-concert” on September 18 at Teatrino in Greenhills.

MELAI Cantiveros announced that she is having a concert this September.

“Maski ako hindi makapaniwala, e,” she said about having a concert.

“Ang motto ko po kasi sa buhay, don’t expect. So ngayon hindi ko po talaga in-expect kaya ngayon nagkaro’n na ako ng concert.”

Melai explained that the concert will not only feature her performing as a singer. “Comedy siya,” Melai explained. Her concert “Melai Mo Mag-concert” will happen on September 18 at Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan. Alora Sasam, Nyoy

Volante and other personalities will appear as guests.

Melai owes this new venture to her win during the first season of “Your Face Sounds Familiar.” She even admitted that more projects and part-time shows came after she has showcased her “other talents” on the reality talent show. She will also be part of the show’s second season as its co-host, along with Billy Crawford. “Buhay na buhay, mabubuhay talaga ang anak mo!” she added, referring to her oneyear-old daughter. (Joyce Jimenez/ Philstar.com)

Bb. Pilipinas USA 2015’s Juanne Elisha Aquino...

PAGE B6 When she decided to join the pageant, her parents were all hands on deck and on board with her.

Though mom Dindin was unemployed, she used her creativity to design Juanne’s evening gown. She sourced the fabric and sewed the evening gown. Juanne walked on the ramp, taking time to be with the audience, to be mahinhin (poised, demure), and not masigasig, (determined as in drill team movements).

Her father, Emer works fulltime. Still, he made time for her. Not having a car of her own, father Emer took off work to take Juanne for her facials, makeup and hair workshops, all the way from Koreatown to West Covina, about 22 miles, 52 minutes each way, if no traffic, while mother Dindin worked on her evening gown.

Juanne had to be her best to match the support her parents were giving her. It was a challenge to be physically fit, she shared: “I love all desserts. I gave up sugar, limited rice (which is so difficult as we, Filipinos, eat rice mostly) and cut out fried foods (no crispy pata, no pancit, no pizza).”

On the week of the pageant, she ate mostly sinigang and on workout days, raw fruits and vegetables, tuna sandwich for lunch, muscle milk and scrambled eggs for dinner and after the night’s workout, a protein bar.

Overcoming 3 struggles of the Bb. Pilipinas-USA 2015 pageant Entering the pageant was supposed to be a summer activity, or Juanne would have simply enrolled back at LACC. “When I joined, I was intimidated by young women who have joined fashion shows, who were hapa (meaning half Filipino and half white), I was simply a dark skinned, brown Pinay. I have not joined pageants, like others did and I have not joined public events like some had, though I had been in school plays,” she said.

With that first struggle, “my mom, Dindin reminded me that God gives everyone beauty. You cannot compare their beauty with you as God gives you your own unique kind of beauty.”

For this writer, Dindin’s reminder was reminiscent of the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary who received individual

flame over their heads on Pentecost Sunday, a metaphoric reminder that “each of us receives that gift which is most appropriate to us. The gift of the Holy Spirit is not generic. It is personal and intimate.”

Then, a second struggle came for Juanne, who at the time of the pageant process, had acne, and with the way she walked. “With a lifestyle change, working out twice a day and sleeping early, I saw changes. I was pigeon-toed and I had to be conscious onstage as to how I walk.”

Her dad Emer reminded her to slow down her walk, to allow herself time to shine and time for folks to appreciate her.

The result, Juanne bagged the title, “Best Evening Gown,” as well as “Bb. Philippine Airlines.”

Her third struggle came in preparing for Q & A, in formulating her thoughts, as she has a tendency to stutter and to stumble on her words. She overcame that by watching YouTube interviews of Miss America and Miss Universe.

She learned mostly from pageant coaches, “While you are answering the question, smile.

While you are thinking of your answer, smile. Keep smiling at the judges, even if they do not smile back at you.”

And she remembered what Joey Galon coached them: “connect your answer to the pageant at hand.”

The rest is history, as her beauty came through, her poise, her humility, her talent, her sweetness, she became the top scorer to be the Bb. PilipinasUSA 2015 titleholder with several more titles: Bb. Philippine Airlines, Best in Evening Gown and Best in Talent.

Her court consists of her ‘twin’ (her endearing reference) to Angelica Alberto, BP USA 2nd runner-up; Heather Casignia, BP USA 1st runner-up; Eriel Uy, BP USA 3rd runner-up and Megan Culp, BP USA Tourism 2015.

“God gives everyone a chance to shine and bestows blessings upon those whose time has come.

Everything that happens, happens for a reason and for a cause.

God won’t always say yes or grant you the things you want because it has to correspond to His time.

The thing that matters most is that you continue to strive for the best despite the wrong timing.

Don’t ever give up on anything

you want and eventually, your time will come. But most importantly, don’t assume or question God’s timing, everything has been set in its time and place. You just have to keep doing the best of you until you reach the top, “ Juanne reflected on her title, as Bb-Pilipinas USA 2015.

Juanne defined dignity as “that would be my pride, what I take pride in, the integrity I hold for myself and other people.”

Do you now conclude, much like this year’s panel of judges (Fritz Friedman, Ariella Arida, Manny Ilagan, Marie Jemma Saranillo, Amadeo Leandro, Eliza Chung, Larry Potter, Jo Ann P. Kyle, Allen Hsiang and Fides Herrera-Lim), why Juanne Elisha Aquino was chosen as the Bb. Pilipinas-USA 2015? *** Our thanks to Mildred Deang, pageant organizer, for making this interview possible.

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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Liza Soberano nervous to be working with Gerald Anderson

by Marinel

r. Cruz

Inquirer.net

TEEN star Liza Soberano is “both nervous and excited” to be working with “a more experienced actor” like Gerald Anderson in her latest movie that will also feature Enrique Gil. “Gerald has been in the industry for a while and I know I will pick up a lot of things from him. It’s always fun to work with new people,” said the lead star of the popular ABSCBN series “Forevermore” which ended last May. “Everyday I Love You,” to be directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, will be shot in Silay, Bacolod. Liza and Gerald will be required to speak Ilonggo.

The 17-year-old actress said she was worried “because Gerald and I Liza Soberano wants teenage girls to feel empowered. didn’t have any workshop together Sen. Renato Cayetano High School Not many people know this but evprior to shooting the movie. I’m not in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City. ery time I face a large crowd, I get used to this. We also don’t have “Camp Courage” is a movement stage fright,” Liza admitted. “Howbonding time because he is doing that aims to help teens overcome ever, I’ve learned from the women (the primetime drama series) ‘Na- the many difficult challenges they I look up to that the teenage years thaniel’ and I will leave for Canada go through. are a very exciting phase. That is for a month.”

Different emotions why I am one with Camp Courage Liza plays 21-year-old Audrey in “It is during the teenage years in empowering girls like me to be the movie. “She lives in the modern when girls start to feel different more confident.” world, but has an old soul. She is emotions that translate into their Camp Courage will try to reach very romantic. She believes that if actions and decisions in life. We out to 400,000 teens in 500 schools you patiently wait for something, developed Camp Courage to nationwide, said Co. It will conduct you will be rewarded.” empower them to celebrate their workshops and activities that In the movie, something hap- teenage years and realize their will enable girls to understand pens to her boyfriend Tristan full potential by building their their bodies and help them find (Gerald), which changes their confidence,” said Karen Co, J&J opportunities where they can lives. Ethan (Enrique) then comes Philippines group brand manager enhance their talents and skills into the picture and he and Audrey for teen brands. even more. become closer, complicating things Liza, as a Camp Courage senior It is also set to launch the even more. scout, led the event that was at- website www.ourcampcourage.

Before leaving for Canada, Liza tended by “teen experts” and over ph—a safe place where girls can participated in Johnson and John- a hundred students. share their feelings and receive son Philippines’ “Camp Courage” “Just like any other teenager, the much-needed support from advocacy event held recently at the I go through a lot of insecurities. friends.

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COMMUNITY Journal

Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves MilleR, ZhAng & DiZA When people are desperate, they are tempted to take dangerous routes to get what they want even if the chances of success are small and the risk is high. That is why those in positions of power have a great responsibility to promote wise decisions. At the very least, they have a responsibility to avoid leading people down a path to disaster. Unfortunately, not everyone considers that the actions or products they promote might have terrible unanticipated consequences for those who don’t know better.

People from all over the world want to come to live in the United States. however, the desire does not necessarily lead to the reality. not everyone is eligible to immigrate to the United States. One must qualify under either family-based or employment-based categories in order to make that happen. (There are other requirements but now is not the time to discuss them). everyone knows you can’t choose your parents. And if yours don’t have US status, they can’t help you get it. having a child in the United States and waiting 21 years for them to petition for you (and avoiding being deported during that 2 decade—plus wait) seems a bit drastic. Some people willing to take the longer view do choose their career on the basis of how that will help them immigrate but, that, too, is not something that happens immediately. And some may not want to wait.

But marriage to a United States citizen can make a green card happen. When a person who desires to immigrate falls in love with a United States citizen and the feeling is mutual and they decide to create a life together, the law provides that the citizen can file a petition for the immigrant that will lead to a green card. Some people, however, are not fortunate enough

On the wings of sham marriages to find someone that they want to share their life with who can also get them legal status.

They can then be tempted to enter into marriages solely for the purpose of getting a green card. These are called sham (fake) marriages. And because it is so tempting to many desperate people, Congress has passed laws and Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) has promulgated regulations that make the repercussions Draconian for those who get caught.

And most people in sham marriages do get caught. CIS investigates marriages to determine that they are real. Real does not just mean legal. It means based on a real relationship. The legal term is “bona fide”. If it determines that the marriage is not bona fide, it will, of course, deny the petition. But the problem does not end there. The immigrant is placed into Removal Proceedings where he or she faces the very real possibility of being deported. And a subsequent marriage, or a petition from another family member or employer will not help. Because a separate ramification is that the immigrant who has been found to have entered into marriage in order to get a green card is permanently barred from getting any benefits as a petitioner or a beneficiary of any family-based or employment-based petition.

This is true even if the sham marriage took place years ago

and the immigrant is now married to a US citizen and the parent of several US citizens. They will still have to leave.

That is the truth and the reality. however, unfortunately, the television and movie industry finds sham marriages a source of entertainment. Paying a United States citizen to marry an immigrant for a green card is portrayed as amusing and “no big deal.” Well, it is a crime and an immigration violation so it is a big deal.

The debate over the impact of the media on individual’s actions is ongoing. What impact does what we see have on what we do is still an open question.

But if a desperate person sees someone they admire (even if they see them portraying a fictional character) succeeding in a course of action, they may be tempted to do the same. A currently very popular television serial portrays its main characters as engaging in a sham marriage for immigration purposes. It has resulted in many people asking those in the legal community if they should do the same. So the answer is an unequivocal no! no matter how desperate you are, you should not take steps that will make your situation worse. Television is fiction. Don’t confuse it with facts. To get the real facts about how to resolve your immigration problem, consult with a licensed, reputable, experienced

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C SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA And ARlene Al-oS, cPA, mBA IRS audits have been dominated by examination of Schedule C for taxpayers who conduct their businesses as sole proprietors (instead of corporation or LLC).

This includes professionals, technicians, and independent contractors who receive 1099s as subcontractors (instead of W2s as employees).

Here are some issues that generate the most dollar assessments & therefore the most interest from the IRS: 1. Unreported income – is checked by comparing reported revenues versus deposits. The Service adds all deposits to all your bank accounts and compares the totals with what you reported as gross revenues on your returns. If you reported $50,000 but deposited $70,000,

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon BEING in debt can be one of the most stressful situations you will ever face in life. It happens to everyone although you may feel like you’re the only person on the planet going through what you’re going through. But let me assure you that you are not alone in your struggle.

The first step in dealing with the stress is to acknowledge that there is a debt problem.

Many times, people are in denial because they do not want to face reality. This will not help you and will only make things worse eventually. Usually, debt creeps up on you and builds slowly over a period of time so you may not even be aware of how serious the problem is until you look at the numbers. In my office, sometimes when I ask people how much they owe, I am surprised to hear that they don’t even know anymore. In trying to avoid the issue, they have lost track of the significant amount of debt that they have accumulated! So as long as they are able to juggle their monthly payments before they get sued by bill collectors, they think they

Community Journal

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Audit update: Schedule C income from business or profession agents want to know where that extra $20,000 came from. This undeclared excess amount could have come from non-taxable loans or bank transfers. It could also have come from business income that you chose to “hide” by depositing collections to personal or children’s accounts.

Remember that the agents are trained to catch these anomalies. They are professionals and will find this rather elementary scheme. They perform a BDA (business deposit analysis) on your business and personal accounts that can easily uncover unreported income.

2. Loan applications - if you submitted an “improved” version of your income tax to a bank for loan purposes, beware. The IRS has a program with banks and the SBA (Small Business Administration by sampling returns that look cute compared to the universe of average returns.

The banks can cooperate with the IRS because you signed an authorization (you may not even

know it), along with other loan documents, for them to disclose your taxes to the IRS. Be careful.

This is a no-win situation. If you stand behind the improved bank version, it becomes an IRS fraud case. If you stand behind the IRS version, it becomes a bank fraud case. Just don’t do it.

3. Personal auto use – do not claim 100% of vehicle expenses. You do use that car for commuting to and from the office, buying groceries, or taking the kids to school, don’t you?

4. Personal insurance – Business-related insurance such as fire and liability coverage on business properties are fine but coverages on personal auto, life, or home are not. Take time to allocate auto insurance among business and personal cars. It also enhances the most important criteria in an audit: credibility. This magic word makes a lot a difference when you are face to face with an agent.

5. Capital expenditures – Some expenses benefit the cur-

Are your debt problems causing you anxiety?

are still “OK”.

Change is always difficult. In a lot of cases that I see, people know that they need to make some big changes in their lives in order to get out of debt. This may mean downsizing to a smaller home, moving their kids from a private school to a public school, selling a car that they can no longer afford, etc. This creates a lot of stress because most people feel comfortable where they are and the slightest suggestion to them that they need to make some changes in their lives is something that they are not prepared for- both mentally and emotionally. This can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, helplessness and sometimes even depression.

Instead of wallowing in despair, a better alternative is to seek immediate help to know your options. You may be afraid or embarrassed to do this. I understand. But doing nothing is worse because you may have important things at stake. Your home, job, bank accounts, assets, etc. may be exposed to creditors who take legal action against you. If a creditor obtains a judgment against you, your wages can be garnished and your bank accounts levied. Your house can

end up in foreclosure if you’re behind in payments and are not doing something about it.

Filing bankruptcy may be a solution for you to resolve your debt problems once and for all if there are no other options available. If you’re doing your best to pay but just can’t, you may have bill collectors calling you every day. Don’t let them make you feel like a criminal for being in debt.

Being in debt doesn’t make you a bad person. Bad things happen even to good people. Life can be unpredictable at times and at one time or another, everyone faces financial challenges. It’s not the end of the world. You can rise above your debt problems and start over.

For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1 (866) 477-7772. We have offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia. See me personally and I will help you explore all possible solutions to your debt problems. ***

rent year (telephone, supplies) and therefore can be expensed this year. Some expenses benefit future years (car, computers, roof) and therefore should be capitalized and depreciated over three, five, seven years or longer. Agents are on the lookout for equipment with a life of seven years but were expensed in one current year. (TIP: Use section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code to expense equipment – if you need deductions this year) 6. Start-up expenses – for a new business are incurred prior to the time you actually open your doors to customers. Agents look for incorporations costs or market surveys that should be capitalized.

7. Employees versus independent contractors – You have personnel who work under your supervision and control at your

Family Law Atty.

EthElEnE F. SAlAS

MANY of my clients inquire about the differences between a dissolution of marriage and a judgment of nullity. A dissolution of marriage is when the Court grants a divorce---due to irreconcilable differences, the marriage broke down and the parties wish to end their marriage. On the other hand, a judgment of nullity is when the Court deems a voidable marriage or a void marriage as never having taken place for reasons such as a defect in age (a person was too young to get married), a prior existing marriage, unsound mind, fraud, force, physical incapacity, bigamous marriage, or incestuous marriage.

Many of my clients prefer a judgment of nullity for religious purposes. Unfortunately, a civil nullity is not the same as a Church nullity. Even if a nullity of marriage is granted by a civil court, a Church may deny a nullity.

Conversely, even if a dissolution of marriage is granted by a civil None of the information herein is in- court, a Church may grant a nultended to give legal advice for any specific lity of marriage. In other words, situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully a civil nullity does not necessarily helped thousands of clients in getting out of mean a Church nullity. debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your A judgment of nullity should situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices be considered only where the at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772. validity of the marriage is in (Advertising Supplement) doubt. A nullity proceeding is

business location. You do not want to treat them as employees because you do not want to pay FICA, Medicare, or unemployment insurance. Your personnel also do not want you to withhold federal and state taxes. It is therefore quite tempting not to deduct taxes and therefore treat them as 1099 independent contractors instead of W2 employees. If the IRS or EDD determine that your staffs are indeed employees, you could be assessed for employer’s share of payroll taxes as well as employees’ taxes that you should have withheld. ***

Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities.

The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS and other governmental agencies. The firm celebrates its 38th

anniversary in 2015. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in 704 Mira Monte Place, Pasadena, CA 91101. He has 50 years of experience in accounting, consulting, and tax work.

*** The Firm proudly welcomes Arlene Al-os in 2015. She obtained her bachelors of Science in Accountancy from Mindanao State University and MBA from Ateneo de Manila University. She teaches intermediate accounting at UCLA and was a professor of Economics at Asia Pacific College. She has over 15 years of experience including member firms of KPMG and BDO Seidman accounting firms. *** Our readers may call (626) 744-0200 or email tax questions to info@victorsycpa.com. Please visit our website for about 300 tax tips at www.

(Advertising Supplement) victorsycpa.com.

Dissolution vs. nullity of marriage maintained on the theory that, for reasons existing at the time of the marriage, no valid marriage ever occurred. This means that the marriage, from its inception, is either void or voidable. Whereas a dissolution of marriage seeks to terminate a valid marriage, a nullity action seeks to inquire whether any such marriage ever existed.

In terms of procedure, a judgment of dissolution and a judgment of nullity are the same to some extent. They use the same forms that are filed in court.

However, the mandatory six months waiting period does not apply in nullity proceedings, only divorces/dissolutions.

Moreover, with a judgment of nullity, it must be presented to the Court and only the Court could decide whether or not to grant a judgment of nullity. This means that an appearance in court and oral testimony, under penalty of perjury, must be taken.

On the other hand, in a dissolution proceeding, the parties do not have to got to court. Parties could settle everything through a Marital Settlement Agreement or a Stipulated Judgment.

When clients tell me their particular story and the circumstances of their marriage, I can determine whether or not a judgment of nullity could prevail in court. Based on the facts of the marriage, clients are better guided as to which route to take---a dissolution or a nullity. *** Ethelene F. Salas, Esq. is a practicing family law attorney. Ms. Salas is a Filipino-American born in the Philippines, raised in the United States, and speaks Tagalog fluently. The Law Offices of Ethelene F. Salas is located at two locations – the main office at 100 N. Barranca St., Suite 700, West Covina, CA 91791 and affiliated offices at 18000 Studebaker Road, Suite 700, Cerritos, CA 90703. To schedule an appointment with her, please call (626) 858-4646 or visit www.EFS-Law.com.

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On the wings of sham…

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Telephone: (800) 795-8009

*** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

*** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

and knowledgeable immigra- E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com tion attorney.

Website: www.rreeves.com.

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Community Journal

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More protections for ‘temps’ and subcontracted employees

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. Q: I WORK at UX Corp, a big national processing plant.

However, I am employed by ABC Agency, a subcontractor of UX Corp. ABC Agency pays my wages. We often work more than 8 hours per day at UX Corp but we are not paid overtime.

When we complain to managers at UX Corp about lost wages or unfair treatment, we’re told to take it up with ABC Agency because UX Corp is not our employer. However, ABC Agency does not care about us. What are our rights?

A: Effective January 1, 2015, employers in nearly all industries will be held accountable for

their labor contractor’s failure to pay wages, or provide adequate workers compensation benefits, to workers. A “labor contractor” is someone who supplies workers to a “client employer” to perform labor within the client employer’s usual course of business (ABC Agency in the above inquiry is a labor contractor).

A “client employer” is a business entity that obtains workers from a labor contractor to perform work within the usual course of its business (UX Corp in the above inquiry is a client employer).

Courts also recognize that labor contractors and their client employers are “joint employers” for purposes of addressing issues regarding discrimination.

It doesn’t matter if contractors and their client employers have an agreement stating that only the contractor is responsible for

employment law violations. The Courts will decide whether a client employer is a joint employer with the contractor based on the “totality of the circumstances” of the work relationship.

If the client employer (like UX Corp) has the “right to control” the workers provided by the contractor, then the client employer is a joint employer and will be liable for any employment law violations. The client employer’s “right to control” means that the client employer has the right to make decisions about the hiring, firing, transfer, promotion, discipline, training, wages, and other terms and conditions of employment of the worker.

Courts will take into account the following factors in determining whether the client employer has an employment relationship with the worker: a) the extent of the company’s

E-2 treaty investor visa AS you may be aware, a foreign • “The investment must be a real operating enterprise, an national who desires to enter the active commercial or entrepreUS must obtain either an immineurial undertaking. A paper grant or non-immigrant visa. An organization, speculative or idle immigrant visa allows one to stay investment does not qualify. in the US on a permanent basis.

Uncommitted funds in a bank On the other hand, a foreign naaccount or similar security are tional can stay in the US on a temnot considered an investment. porary basis (either for pleasure, • “It must generate signifiwork, business or study reasons) cantly more income than just to if issued a non-immigrant visa. provide a living to you and famCommon examples of non-immiily, or it must have a significant grant visa are the tourist visa (B1/ economic impact in the United B2), student visa (F-1), employStates. ment visa (H-1B), among others.

• “You must have control of Someone who is willing to in- Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos the funds, and the investment vest substantially in the US can also obtain a non-immigrant visa called the E-2 must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans setreaty investor visa. In this type of visa, the inves- cured with the assets of the investment enterprise tor is allowed to legally stay in the US to work in are not allowed.

• “You must be coming to the United States to a business where substantial cash investment was made by that investor or other citizens of the coun- develop and direct the enterprise. If you are not the try of origin. It is however required that the country principal investor, you must be considered an esof origin must have an existing treaty of commerce sential employee, employed in a supervisory, execand navigation with the US. The US Department of utive, or highly specialized skill capacity. Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.

State maintains a list of treaty countries.

If you are contemplating of filing any other imThis type of visa should not be confused with the EB5 immigrant investor visa which requires a min- migrant or non-immigration application, it is advisimum investment of $1,000,000 or $500,000 for able to seek the counsel of an immigration lawyer investment in high-unemployment or rural areas. to guide you on the intricacies of filing for such a The E-2 does not require a minimum dollar invest- petition. ment provided that the same is substantial. *** Under USCIS rules, the potential investor must Atty. Gwendolyn Malaya-Santos is a member of the State Bar of have the following qualifications: California and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. To schedule for a • “The investor, a person, partnership or cor- free initial in-person consultation, please call Tel. Nos. (213) 284-5984 porate entity, must have the citizenship of a treaty or (626) 329-8215. Atty. Santos’ office is located at 3450 Wilshire country.

Blvd., Suite 1200-105, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

• “If a business, at least 50 percent of the busi*** ness must be owned by persons with the treaty Information contained in this article does not, nor is it intended to, constitutes country’s nationality. legal advice for any specific situation and does not create a lawyer-client • “The investment must be substantial, with relationship. It likewise does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction investment funds or assets committed and irrevo- regarding the outcome of your legal matter. cable. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the operation of the enterprise.

Bankruptcy Code.

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K-1 Fiancé(e) visa: Getting your significant other to the United States SEVERAL options exist for a US citizen to bring his/her foreignnational fiancé(e) to the United States. One popular option is to marry the fiancé(e) in the country in which he/she resides, and file an I-130 immigrant petition, with the fiancé(e) to undergo consular processing for an immigrant visa when the I-130 petition is approved. However, this option often is not advisable in that the US-citizen petitioner would have to learn and comply with complicated, country-specific marriage license requirements, or legal barriers to marriage may exist to the US-citizen petitioner in the foreign country (as in the case of the Philippines, which in some circumstances will not recognize a foreign divorce judgment). In such cases, the best way to get your fiancé(e) to the US is via a K-1 Fiance(e) visa.

The K-1 Fiancé(e) visa allows a fiancé(e) to enter the US for 90 days to allow marriage to take place. By having the marriage take place in the US, couples are able to bypass the foreign country’s license requirements and/or other impediments to marriage imposed by a foreign law.

To be eligible for the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition, the following are required: 1) the petitioner must be a US Citizen, 2) the petitioner must have an intent to marry the fiancé(e) within 90 days of his/her arrival in the US, 3) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have the ability to marry (i.e. any previous marriages were terminated by divorce or death), and 4) the petitioner and fiancé(e) must have physically met each other within 2 years of filing the K-1 Fiancé(e) visa petition (certain exceptions apply to this fourth requirement).

Minor unmarried children of the fiancé(e) may also come to the US under a K-2 visa classification.

Upon arrival in the US, the fiancé(e) can immediately apply for authorization to work in the US. He/she does not have to wait until marriage to apply for work authorization. The work authorization issued to the fiancé(e) is valid for 90 days after entry. This provides the fiancé(e) the ability to immediately seek lawful employment.

Once married, the spouse of the US citizen can file an I-485 application for adjustment of status (from K-1 to permanent resident), and remain in the US while the application is pending. At the same time the I-485 application is filed, the fiancé(e) may apply for an extended work authorization.

Upon approval of the I-485 application, the fiancé(e) is granted a conditional green card that is valid for 2 years, after which he/she can apply to remove the conditions on the green card.

The K-1 Fiance(e) status automatically expires after 90 days. If marriage with the US Citizen who petitioned the fiancé(e) does not occur within that time, the fiancé(e) begins to accrue unlawful presence. Also, the fiancé(e) will be precluded from adjusting to permanent resident status in the US if he/she marries another US citizen (however, he/she may be able to become a permanent resident through consular processing with a provisional waiver). If you are a US Citizen who is planning to marry your foreign national fiancé(e), or you are someone who arrived under a K-1 Fiance(e) visa whose marriage did not take place, it is recommended you consult with an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: (323) 639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw. com.

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People and Events

MHS ’73 reunion set in February

THE Manila High School Class of 1973 is planning to hold a reunion during the last week of February 2016.

Activities for the planned reunion include a homecoming visit to the campus on a typical school day and a reunion night.

Manila High School, located at Muralla and Victoria Streets in Intramuros, is considered the oldest public school in Asia. It

was established in June 1906 and boasts of having graduated three Philippine presidents, namely Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino and Jose P. Laurel. Other notable alumni are Carlos P. Romulo, the only Filipino who became UN Secretary General; Conrado Benitez, known journalist and educator; National Artist Vicente Manansala, and Narciso Ramos, former member of the Philippine

Legislature and father of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Those interested in joining the reunion may contact organizers Zen Alcantara Cabaluna, cp# 0908.884.9190, e-mail goldland_zen@yahoo.com; Mario Bulatao, cp# 0917.521.5739, e-mail supermcb55@yahoo. com; or Virgie Nudalo Calimag, cp# 0932.861.5484 Email vncalimag@yahoo.com. n

right to control the means and manner of the workers’ performance b) the payment of wages and other employment benefits c) the ownership of the equipment necessary to performance of the job d) the location where the work is performed e) the obligation of the company to train the employee f) the authority of the company to hire, transfer, promote, discipline or discharge the employee g) the authority to establish work schedules and assignments of the employee h) the skill required to do the work and the extent to which it is done under the direction of a supervisor i) whether the work is part of the company’s regular business operations,

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS DIVORCING couples may have established revocable living trust for estate planning pusposes during their marriage which was funded primarily with assets acquired by one spouse prior to the marriage. The issue is what is the characterization of those properties when the couple gets the divorce.

Transmutation is the changing of the characterization of a property from community to separate or vice versa. Family Code Section 852, subdivision (a) states the requirement for a valid transmutation to occur which provides: “A transmutation of real or personal property is not valid unless made in writing by an express declaration that is made, joined in, consented to, or accepted by the spouse whose interest in the property is adversely affected.”

Our Supreme Court has interpreted “an express declaration” as language expressly stating that a change in the characterization or ownership of the property is being made. Estate of MacDonald, supra, 51 Cal.3d 262, 272, 272 Cal.Rptr. 153, 794 P.2d 911. “[A] writing signed by the adversely affected spouse is not an ‘express declaration’ for the purposes of [Civil Code] section

j) the duration of the worker’s employment and the duration of the relationship between the contractor and its client k) the level of control the company asserts over an individual’s access to employment opportunities.”

Of the factors above, the extent of the company’s right to control the means and manner of the workers’ performance is the most important.

The issue of “joint employer” relationship is also on national news recently due to a decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the government agency that handles issues relating to workers’ right to engage in collective action. The NLRB ruled that a Silicon Valley recycling center was a “joint employer” with the staffing agency it hired to provide janitorial services to its facilities. The ruling

meant that companies that use workers hired by another company, including temp agencies, contractors and even fast-food franchisees, are also responsible for the labor violations of its contractors. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. Atty. Sayas’ Law Office is located at 500 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 980, Glendale, CA 91203. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. *** C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney who has obtained several million dollar recoveries for his clients against employers and insurance companies. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum.

(Advertising Supplement)

Does the creation of a revocable living trust, during the marriage, transmute separate property to community property?

5110.730(a) [now Family Code § 852, subd. (a)] unless it contains language which expressly states that the characterization or ownership of the property is being changed.” ( Ibid.)

An “express declaration” does not require use of the terms “transmutation,” “community property,” “separate property,” or a particular locution. Estate of MacDonald, supra, 51 Cal.3d 262, 273, 272 Cal.Rptr. 153, 794 P.2d 911. For example, the language “I give to the account holder any interest I have in the funds deposited in this account,” is sufficient to establish transmutation. ( Ibid.) The express declaration must unambiguously indicate a change in character or ownership of property. In re Marriage of Koester (1999) 73 Cal.App.4th 1032, 1037, fn. 5, 87 Cal.Rptr.2d 76.) A party does not “slip into a transmutation by accident.” ( Ibid.)

Does one spouse’s separate property become transmuted into community property by virtue of being funded into the revocable trust established during the marriage?

One has to examine the trust document itself. A general provision in the parties’trust agree-

ment establishing a revocable trust for estate planning purposes and stating that property transferred to the trust is community property, unless either spouse as transferor identifies it as separate property, is not itself effective to transmute separate property transferred to the trust to community property. Marriage of Starkman (2005) 129 CA4th 659, 661, 28 CR3d 639, 640 . In addition Family Code § 852(a) writing requirement in Starkman is not by a General Assignment (conveying all of the parties’ assets to the trust) or stock brokerage transfer forms transferring husband’s securities into the trust (but not describing them as separate or community).

However, a trust transfer agreement, even if executed only for estate planning purposes, effects a present transmutation when it includes language expressly stating the characterization or ownership of the subject property is being changed.

Marriage of Holtemann (2008) 166 CA4th 1166, 1172–1173, 83 CR3d 385, 390–391. In Hotermann, the trust transfer agreement unambiguously stated assets listed in incorporated exhibit

u PAGE C4

C SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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.

To Live With Faith ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas THERE is a Catholic social service center in Pampanga, the province where I grew up in the Philippines, named Ephphatha, an Aramaic word that means “Be opened.” The word is found in this Sunday’s Gospel in the story of the deaf man that Jesus healed.

I used to visit this center every time I would come to the Philippines, especially during my younger years as a priest. It’s a place where poor people would come for help. The center would provide shelter, financial aid and livelihood to the poor, particularly during that period when the notorious volcano, Mt. Pinatubo, erupted and left thousands people without homes and livelihood.

I came to see the center again during my visit to the Philippines last January. It still operates, although I have little knowledge of programs now. I heard that it has expanded its mission to providing a venue for conferences and retreats. Next door to it is a home for retired, sick, and aging

Community Journal

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

Calendar of Events across

lands or migrant workers who sacrifice leaving their families to provide them with food, home, and education. They are faithful people in parishes who are looking for pastors who are accessible, caring, compassionate, and sensitive to their spiritual needs.

They are oppressed women and children who do not have a voice in the society or who are abducted and sold for profit.

Ephphatha! Let the world be healed from its indifference of the plight of the destitute. Let each of us be healed of self-centeredness and greed. Let’s be like Jesus and reach out to those who feel alienated in the society. Let’s ask God to open our ears, eyes, mouths, and hearts to the poor and the weak among us. *** From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991.

He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.

— 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)

America

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

Ephphatha! Be opened! priests.

I just hope that it continues to be true to its name—a place where people find hope in difficult times, where its doors are always open to anyone in need.

“Ephphatha! — that is, “Be opened!” the Lord, Jesus, told the deaf man in the Gospel this Sunday after he put his finger into the man’s ears, touched his tongue with saliva he just spat, looked up to heaven and groaned in prayer. Immediately, the Gospel says, the man’s ears were opened and his speech impediment was removed and he spoke plainly.

Should this Gospel mean more than just physical healing?

Should it also mean healing from an inability to hear the needs of the poor, the weak, and the alienated, and the incapacity to speak in their behalf?

There are still millions of people in the world who are desperate for people to listen to and to advocate for their needs. They are people who are looking for hearts that are open to respond to their sufferings. They are refugees from war-torn countries who left their homes because of fear of oppression and massacre. They are illegal immigrants who escaped poverty in their home-

• 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.”

SEPTEMBER 5

Filipino Association of Leisure World Dinner-Dance The Filipino Association of Leisure World will hold their dinner-dance at the Leisure World Hall on Saturday, September 5th. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For further information, please call Ren Villanueva at (323) 854-6209.

SEPTEMBER 5-6

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for Accountants at the NCPACA Convention Where: JW Marriott 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC 20004 When: September 5-6, 2015; from 8am-5pm, at the National Council of Philippine American & Canadian Accountants (NCPACA) 2015 Convention Please contact: Jaena Hermosilla Valles 718-275-1422; jvalles@vallesvendiola.com or Bobby Tamayo 703-615-9451; rgtamayo@verizon.net Visit www.ncpacafoundation.com for more details.

SEPTEMBER 19

Citizenship Day 2015 The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association is having a FREE Citizenship Day event on September 19, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, to assist low-income, 18+ immigrants eligible for US citizenship with the full naturalization process. Every case will be reviewed by a legal attorney. Please call us at 407-841-8310 ext. 3123 for an appointment and any questions you may have. Thank You!

PiLiPiNO iNTER-CLuB OPEN invitational Golf Tournament The 11th annual PILIPINO INTER-CLUB OPEN (PICO) is open to fellow master golfers from the tri-state area. The charity tournament will be held on Saturday, September 19, at Royce Brook Golf Club (201 Hamilton Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844). It will be a shotgun start @ 1:30 pm. Registration is $120 each player; includes golf cart and food after the game. Come early for registration, refreshments, and mini contests. Come and join the quest for individual and team honors by class. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Family Center Christian Church, and donations are 100% tax deductible. Sign-up now at http://www. spgolfclub.com/PICO. For more details, please contact Ed Badiola 908-531-7377, or Justil Cruz 973-926-1400.

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!

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

Filipino patient meets bone marrow donor A 19 YEAR-old Filipino patient will meet his lifesaving bone marrow donor for the first time on Saturday, September 26 at A3M’s annual Gala Dinner 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.

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 5pm Reception / Silent Auction 6pm 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

Does the creation of a revocable living trust…

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are “hereby transmuted” from husbands separate property to community property. Another example is in Marriage of Lund (2009) 174 CA4th 40, 51–54, 94 CR3d 84, 94–96 where the trust transfer documents unambiguously stated all of husband’s property was “hereby converted” to spouses’ community property and each had a “present, existing and equal interest therein” The management and control of community property held in a revocable trust is subject to Family Code § 761 and Family Code § 1100(a). The trustee may “convey and otherwise manage and control” the trust property without either spouse’s joinder or consent unless the trust instrument expressly provides otherwise. In

addition, except where the trust instrument expressly provides otherwise, either spouse acting alone may exercise the power of revocation. However, any power to modify rights and interests in the trust property during marriage may only be exercised with both spouses’ joinder or consent. Family Code § 761(a),(b) & (c)Marriage of Lund (2009) 174 CA4th 40, 54, 94 CR3d 84, 96.

For divorcing couple that have a revocable trust during their marriage, it is important to analyze the wording of the trust document to determine the proper characterization of the trust assets to be divided in the divorce case. It is therefore best to obtain the representation of an experienced divorce lawyer. ***

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.

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PeoPle & events

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015

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A jolly mix of hoopsters vie for UBLA championship

CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA -- Young ‘uns and young once were a jolly group of hoopsters who joined the basketball tournament hosted by the United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) that concluded with championship games and closing ceremonies last Sunday, August 30, at the Stevenson Park Gym in this city.

The basketeers were mostly backyard aficionados who had sweated themselves in the game back in the Philippines, though some were UAAP and NCAA cagers, who for love of the game

continued merely as exercise buffs here in the States. Because of their disparate ages, some of them white-haired already and some with shiny pates, which added a touch of humor to their court antics, they played seriously and at the same time good-naturedly.

Capturing the championship trophy was the Victory team that played under the flag of the Victory Autos repair and dealership in Azusa. California. Chris Manuel of the same team ran away with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy.

Second place went to the Warriors team, while the TGIF team garnered third place, and the OG (Oh Guys) team, fourth. The champion and runner-up were awarded team trophies, while their players got individual trophies each. UBLA officers handed out the trophies.

The tournament was a civic/sports project of UBLA vice president Eddie Sabocor, with the full backing of president Lanie Berrei and board chair Tony Martires.

Sabocor intimated that he intends to continue

with the project, because in the Greater Los Angeles area there are now thousands of Filipinos, young and middle-aged, who indulge in basketball in their backyards or in nearby municipal courts and who form teams among themselves. He added that the tournament if managed and refereed properly will serve as a channel to foster camaraderie among the participants.

After the closing ceremonies, Eddie’s wife Cherry served UBLA lunch for everybody. (Mits San Jose, UBLA PRO)

‘The Holy Face of Jesus’ of Manoppello visits Los Angeles “THE Holy Face of Jesus” of Manopello, a miraculous relic also known as “Volto Santo Di Manopello” will visit Los Angeles, California. This has been confirmed by Mrs. Lydia Floro-Cruz, Chairperson of the Filipino Friends of the Cathedral Foundation, Inc., and Ms. Merla Canoy representing the LA – San Gabriel Valley Apostolate of “THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS” – SHFJ Int’l.

The two groups are sponsoring the historic event under the guidance of and in cooperation

with The Cathedral of our Lady of Angels. Mrs. Cruz and Ms. Canoy are inviting the Catholic faithful all over California and neighboring states to join them in celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime event Veneration of the “THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS” of Manoppello shall be open to the public and will start at 9:00 am on September 9, 2015 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels Chapel.

There will be a Mass procession at 12:10 pm.

The Mass will be concelebrated

by Reverend Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik, Pastor of the Cathedral, Reverend Father Carmine Cucinelli, Rector and Guardian of the Holy Face of Manoppello, Italy, Reverend Father Bonifacio Lopez, from Rome and Reverend Monsignor Antonio Cacciaputi, Pastor of St. Bede Church in La Canada.

Veneration will continue until September 13, 2015.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels is located at: 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90015. n

UBLA BASKETBALL TOURNEY WINNER -- The Victory team under the banner of the Victory Autos dealership in Azusa, California, romped away with the championship of the United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) tournament recently concluded at the Stevenson Park Gym in Carson, California.

C SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2015 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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The power of direct marketing No fraud waiver required if you were a victim of fraud Marketing Matters GiAncArlo PAcheco hAve you ever received an email, a flier on your car, shopping catalogues in the mail, a promotional letter from your cable provider, or have seen television commercials, banner ads, or outdoor advertising? If you answered yes, then you have been a target of direct marketing. Direct marketing is a type of advertising campaign that seeks to prompt an action and usually targets a select group of consumers. The ‘middle man’ advertiser is removed, and what’s left are tried-and-true marketing tactics that have been proven as effective. You might feel that this form of marketing is a bit archaic, but would it surprise you to know that cable, satellite, and telecom companies such as DirecTv and verizon FiOS are continually utilizing direct advertising to reach out and communicate to their existing clients and prospective customers with tremendous success? In this article, I will focus on the most common form of direct marketing, which is direct mail.

Direct mail is not only utilized

by cable, satellite, and telecom providers, but also by small businesses such as dry cleaners, local restaurants, and even your neighborhood auto body shops. The approach is to mail out promotions or coupons to everyone in the immediate area of your business establishment. This method is called a “spray and pray” approach because it is not exactly targeted to a specific recipient, rather it is sending to a targeted zip code and recipients are often random. This may not be the best way to get your ad noticed since it is being distributed with other businesses that may have a more compelling or relevant offer, but coupons are still effective especially with the older demographics. In fact, I often rummage through my “junk mail” pile for coupons looking for a good deal.

Now let’s talk about more popular brands as they tend to use direct mail a bit differently. These companies have the resources to buy highly targeted lists of prospects and addresses from mailing houses. This process can be quite expensive depending on how targeted you want to be with your marketing efforts. For example, a list targeting Filipino males in Daly City, California, between ages 21-35, can cost you thousands of dollars. These large brands also PAGE D2

Chipotle sued for allegedly misrepresenting GMO-free claims

by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

A lAW firm filed a class-action lawsuit on Monday, Aug. 31, against restaurant chain Chipotle, claiming that its marketing is misleading because it continues to sell food made with GMOs despite announcing in April it would phase out such ingredients, FOX News reported.

On Friday, Aug. 28, the plaintiff in the case, Colleen Gallagher from California, filed suit in federal court in San Francisco against the Mexican-style restaurant chain. She alleges that Chipotle violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act because its food labeling is false and deceived diners into paying more for their food, reuters reported.

“As Chipotle told consumers it was ‘G-M-Over it,’ the opposite was true,” Gallagher said. “In fact, Chipotle’s menu has never been, at any time, free of GMOs.” The complaint further alleges that Chipotle’s ingredients are derived from sources with GMO. For instance, the complaint states that the restaurant’s meat products come from animals that feed on GMOs, that its cheese and sour cream are sourced from dairy farms that provide animals with GMO feeds, and that its soft drinks contain GMO corn syrup.

In an email to FoxBusiness. com, Chipotle Chris Arnold said

that the restaurant never claimed all its food was GMO-free and that it plans to contest the suit.

“This lawsuit is meritless, and the complaint against Chipotle is filled with inaccuracies. We have always been honest and transparent with our customers, and the messaging surrounding our use of non-GMO ingredients is no exception,” he told the publication.

“We have always been clear that our soft drinks contained GMO ingredients, and that the animals from which our meat comes consume GMO feed. But, that does not mean that our meat is GMO, any more than people would be genetically modified if they eat GMO foods.”

On the FAQ section of its website, Chipotle includes disclaimers about the GMO content in its food due to its little control of the source of the entire supply chain, reuters and FOX News reported.

That section of the website reads that “most animal feed in the US is genetically modified, which means that the meat and dairy served at Chipotle are likely to come from animals given at least some GMO feed.” Additionally, the website states that “many of the beverages sold in our restaurants contain genetically modified ingredients.” reuters reported that the lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.

IMF sees PH growing slower than expected

by PAolo

g. MonteCillo Inquirer.net

PhIlIPPINe economic growth is expected to be slower than expected this year following a disappointing first-semester performance and amid threats to stability coming from overseas.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) currently sees Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) rising by 6.2 this year and 6.5 percent in 2016. however, a senior official said the country might fall short of these alreadyconservative projections.

“The downward revision to the first quarter GDP and somewhat weaker global environment may result in a slightly lower forecast than our original,” said Shanaka Jayaneth Peiris, IMF’s resident representative to the Philippines, said on Wednesday, Sept. 2. late last month, the government said the economy grew by 5 percent in the first quarter of 2015, slower than the initially re-

ported expansion of 5.2 percent. A separate report showed Philippine GDP growth picked up to reach 5.6 percent in April to June.

Despite the improvement, the first-half performance was still far short of the government’s goal of at least 7 percent for the entire year.

The economy will have to grow by more than 8 percent in the second half of the year for this target to be met.

In an e-mail to reporters, IMF’s Peiris said the Philippine economy remained healthy.

“Strong fundamentals should help cushion the economy from global financial market volatility with exchange rate flexibility serving as a shock absorber and supporting growth,” he said. he said the country’s steady expansion would be “supported by an acceleration in public spending, a recovery in exports and continued accommodative monetary conditions.”

Business Quote of the Week “In the past a leader was a boss. Today’s leaders must be partners with their people... they no longer can lead solely based on positional power.”

- Ken Blanchard, Consultant, Speaker and Business Author of the popular “The One Minute Manager”

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ There have been many tragic situations where people were duped into applying for immigration benefits to which they were not entitled. Unscrupulous immigration consultants promise work permits, green cards, and other immigration benefits to people who are eager to work in the U.S. and send money back home. Only later do they find out they were tricked and cheated out of their hardearned money. To make matters worse, they are charged with fraud by the USCIS and denied legitimate immigration benefits.

In an unpublished decision from the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), an alien was charged with fraud. he filed his fraud waiver which was denied because he did not properly demonstrate his qualifying relative (his spouse) would suffer extreme hardship. however, on

appeal, the AAO concluded he did not intend to defraud and/or willfully misrepresent a material fact to the US government.

Therefore, no fraud waiver was required, and his adjustment of status application should be approved.

In that particular case, a consultant told an out of status alien that the consultant’s neighbor was a high-ranking official at the USCIS’s District Office. That official supposedly had several green cards he could give out at his discretion each year. The consultant repeatedly assured the alien that this whole process was legal and the alien could trust the consultant, who would take care of everything.

The alien paid the consultant, who even had the person go to USCIS’s offices to have his picture and fingerprints taken. he later received a work permit, providing further assurance the whole process was legitimate.

A few months later, he received a denial notice in the mail for permanent residence. he was shocked at receiving the denial, and tried calling the consultant. however, the consultant would not return any phone calls, and later refused to send

him copies of any paperwork on what was filed. The consultant claimed he had an argument with the high-ranking official, but would provide no information about that official, such as his name or contact number.

When the alien was finally applying for legitimate immigration benefits, he obtained a copy of his previous filing, and was horrified to find there were forms containing his forged signature, along with a picture of a woman he had never met. Apparently, the consultant filed paperwork making it appear that the alien had married, and was being petitioned by a US citizen. The alien had been duped and tricked.

The AAO concluded the alien did not make a willful or fraudulent misrepresentation, but instead was tricked and fooled by a consultant. Therefore, he was not guilty of fraud, and no fraud waiver was required.

If you were previously duped or tricked into applying for immigration benefits to which you were not entitled, you should seek the advice of an attorney who can gather and analyze your files, and evaluate whether you were also a victim of fraud.

however, if a person knowingly and intentionally applied for immigration benefits to which they were not entitled, attended interviews and repeated the lies in the forms they submitted to the USCIS, then this case may not apply to you. however, if you were duped and tricked, and did not know what was being filed on your behalf, and were truly an innocent victim, there may be hope. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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New tourism campaign entices PH’s top firms improving corporate governance tourists to visit PH again in 2016

by Doris

by raouL

J. Chee Kee

Inquirer.net

THE country’s Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has launched its marketing campaign for 2016. Instead of crafting a totally different one, it played on the current Visit the Philippines 2015 campaign to come up with Visit the Philippines again 2016.

Domingo Ramon Enerio III, TPB chief operating officer, said he hoped the campaign would entice more tourists to visit the country even if they have been here before.

This sentiment was shared by singer Apl.de.Ap who performed at the dinner hosted by the TPB for delegates to the Philippine Travel Exchange or Phitex 2015. The

popular entertainer and member of the group The Black Eyed Peas was tapped by the TPB to write a song and appear in a video promoting the Philippines.

The video aired during the dinner shows Apl.de.Ap in different local sites singing the lines to the jingle: “It’s more fun in the Philippines/It makes you feel like you’re in a dream.”

“When I was asked to be part of this campaign, I didn’t see it as work. I went to Palawan; it was like paradise.

“More second-generation Filipinos living abroad should visit the Philippines. Actually, tourists Apl.de.Ap performs the song he wrote from all over should come to the promoting the Philippines for the Tourism Philippines, we have so much to Promotions Board’s 2016 campaign.

Inquirer.net photo by Raoul J. Chee Kee offer,” he said.

Millennials providing lift to PH domestic tourism

by Louise

Maureen Philstar.com

siMeon

MANILA - The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) expressed confidence domestic tourism will further increase and surpass projections on the strength of an emerging “millennial” market.

“The millennial market is really the upcoming market not only in the tourism industry,” PHILTOA president and 26th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) chairman Cesar Cruz said.

Cruz is expecting a 10 to 15 percent increase in sales for this year’s PTM from the P80.5 million generated in 2014, with the

average package ranging from P5,000 to P10,000, 95 percent of which come from domestic destinations.

He said providing a boost to the 10 to 15 percent target hike in sales, is the substantial continuation of the millennial market.

Furthermore, PTM is including Asean destinations plus Japan, Korea and China (Asean +3), in line with the Asean Economic Community which will start later this year.

“We would like to project to everybody that the Philippines could also be a hub for inter-Asean travel,” Cruz added.

But he said the travelling market

has matured and is choosing more of the domestic destinations, adding local government units have been more involved in tourism.

Meanwhile, PHILTOA has inked a partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation and G Eco Tours to promote community-based tourism and help alleviate poverty in far-flung areas.

The 26th PTM, considered the biggest travel trade exhibition in the promotion and marketing of domestic and inbound tourism, is set from Sept. 4 to 6 at the SMX Mall of Asia with around 250 exhibitors offering more business opportunities and generating more interest from the public.

DuMLao-abaDiLLa Inquirer.net

THE Philippines’ top corporations have raised the bar in corporate governance in the last three years, based on the latest annual regional scorecard.

Based on the 2014 Asian Development Bank country reports of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS), the average corporate governance scores of the top 100 publicly listed firms in the Philippines had risen to 67.02 points in 2014 from 48.91 points in 2012.

“The results demonstrate that our local PLCs (public listed companies) are continuously striving to improve the corporate governance culture of their organizations,” Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) founder and chairman emeritus Dr. Jesus Estanislao said in a press statement on Thursday, Sept. 3.

ICD is a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to the study and professionalization of Philippine corporate directorship.

It is the domestic ranking body for the ACGS under the auspices of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC, together with other corporate regulators within the region, is part of the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF). The ACGS is a project of the ACMF that is meant to contribute to the ASEAN integration effort beginning in 2015.

Among the five corporate governance categories, the most dramatic improvement in average scores on a year-on-year basis

were in the following: role of the stakeholders” (from 2.8 points in 2012, 4.85 in 2013, to 5.48 in 2014); disclosure and transparency (from 13.6, 16.03, to 16.57 points); and responsibilities of the board (from 16.4, 19.71, to 24.41 points).

Average scores in all corporate governance categories improved including the slight increase for equitable treatment of shareholders (from 10.7, 11.06, to 11.17 points) and rights of shareholders (from 5.6, 5.5, to 6.79 points).

But despite the remarkable progress of the top PLCs as a sector, ICD sees “considerable” room for improvement in the country’s overall performance.

Including all 252 companies listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange, the country’s score has dipped from 53.8 points in 2012 to 51.1 points in 2013-2014.

“Part of the reason for the relatively low score of our PLCs is the lack of adequate disclosures compared to our counterparts in the South East Asian region,” Estanislao said.

The ADB report mentioned that the Philippines had fallen behind in this aspect due to lack of adequate disclosures, particularly on company websites as most companies fail to provide key information such as contact details, policies and procedures, to name a few.

“There is a perception that potential investors have difficulty navigating or searching for information on our PLCs mainly due to the variety of formats and content employed from company to company. We hope that these issues will be addressed soon,” said Estanislao.

An initiative by the ADB in partnership with the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum, ACGS

assesses corporate governance performance of PLCs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It provides trend analysis to ascertain improving corporate governance standards in the South East Asian region.

A developmental tool for ASEAN PLCs, the ACGS may be used by companies and investors to gauge their adherence to governance best practices. To help Philippine PLCs adopt these best practices, the SEC has instituted several measures such as the “Annual Corporate Governance Report” and an aggressive ACGS information campaign with support from local and international institutions.

ICD has likewise done its part by holding workshops for corporate secretaries and compliance officers on the details of the ACGS methodology.

“Therefore, as more companies gain a greater awareness of the corporate governance scorecard and its process, we hope their scores will improve over time,” Estanislao added.

Established in 1999, ICD seeks to raise the level of the country’s corporate governance policy and practice to world-class standards.

The institute currently holds over 260 fellows, graduate members and associates who are leaders in business and civil society.

As part of its initiative, the ACGS intends to raise the corporate governance standards and practices of ASEAN PLCs, and to showcase top performing companies by increasing their visibility and appeal to global investors.

The first ACGS regional awards event, organized with the help of ICD, will be held on November 14 this year at the ADB headquarters.

Pres. Aquino signs law promoting financial literacy, entrepreneurship among students

by Louis

baCani Philstar.com

MANILA—President Benigno Aquino III has signed the law promoting entrepreneurship and financial education among young Filipinos.

Aquino signed Republic Act 10679 or the Youth Entrepreneur Act on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The new law mandates the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to establish the promotion of programs on entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

DepEd shall also ensure that the K to 12 curriculum shall be supported by such programs.

However, at the elementary level, the programs shall be focused on the ideal values necessary to become successful entrepreneurs.

The new measure empowers

Pres. Benigno Aquino III

the DepEd, CHED and TESDA to award grants for a term of not more than four years to eligible entities teaching entrepreneurship.

The said agencies shall also assist, in the form of grants or loans, deserving young entrepreneurs who are pursuing a project or study on entrepreneurship.

An Entrepreneurship Education Committee will be created and formulate a national plan of action for the implementation of the new law, which will overseen, monitored and evaluated by a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.

Before 2015 ends, DoST promises free public Wi-Fi THE Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is targeting the end of 2015 to fully implement its free public Wi-Fi nationwide.

Speaking at the House Committee on Appropriations, Undersecretary Louis Napoleon Casambre said the free Wi-Fi program of the DoST is now 25 percent complete after it was launched last July.

The DoST said the free Wi-Fi areas would include plazas, parks, public schools, government offices, hospitals, seaports, airports and other transport terminals.

Casambre said the agency’s free Wi-Fi would be accessed through 7, 118 sites nationwide across 967 municipalities and 43 cities.

The official said DoST would roll out the “Offline Internet for

Remote Areas (Oira)” to serve the people in remote areas who do not have access to the internet yet.

He said the Oira to transmit static information from the Internet to far-flung areas to allow people to access information offline such as maps and books.

He said the DoST has removed the 256 kilobytes per second cap on internet access but said that the bandwith capacity remains the same.

Officials of the DoST appeared before the house committee on appropriations on Thursday morning to defend its proposed 2016 budget.

The DoST proposed 2016 budget has increased to P17.9 billion compared to the 17.7 billion in 2015. (Inquirer.net)

The power of direct...

PAGE D1 tend to utilize agencies to create attractive direct mail pieces and clever packages including compelling promotional offers just to stand out from their competitors.

Many of these brand offers are so alluring that prospective customers jump on to the new service or make the switch from a competitor.

One of the greatest advantages of direct mail is that businesses and organizations are granted extensive measurability. Companies enjoy the benefits of tracking not only their target audience as a whole, but also on an individual level For example, a retailer who sends its catalogues to a new neighborhood can track which households are buying and determine whether the area is worth pursuing. In contrast, companies are much more limited in tracking their customers via TV ads. Perhaps a customer sees a TV ad and makes a purchase. There’s nothing tracking that in-between period. With so many other factors in place, where the credit goes is often blurred. Direct marketing helps the company zone in on potential customers while keeping

the customer loyalty.

Let’s recap. Determine your budget whether you will be able to purchase a targeted list of addresses or you would like to take advantage of the US Postal Service circulars. Secondly, design and develop a mail piece that is attractive and memorable. Next, include a special offer to get customers and prospects to take action. Take advantage of USPS bulk discounts.

And finally, be sure to capture the new customer data so that you can keep customer coming back for more. Remember, sometimes the oldest method of marketing can yield the biggest benefit for your business. *** Giancarlo Pacheco is the Co-Founder and CEO of PCA, a full-service marketing and communications agency with offices in Los Angeles and New York. For over a decade, the agency has been a leader in providing integrated campaigns for Fortune 1000 companies. PCA has served a wide array of clients including Gilead Life Sciences, Pernod Ricard USA, Jollibee Food Corporation, AARP, City National Bank, Verizon, Philippine Airlines and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. For more information, please visit http://www.plancagency.com.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 5-8, 2015 D

Buying a new car stress-free: Kababayans at DCH Toyota of Torrance will show you how FILIPINO Loyd Aler landed his first job as a produce and vegetable delivery man.

Then he became a fast food restaurant manager, and then a quality insurance inspector.

His father, Edgar, who used to work in wholesale for food and vegetables, and that inspired him to ultimately pursue a career in sales: today, he works as the Filipino Dept. Manager

and Senior Sales Specialist at DCH Toyota of Torrance.

“I really love what I do for living and I enjoy very much not just selling cars, but making new friends, selling great products, and helping people get and drive their dream cars,” he says.

Buying a car is no easy decision. It requires careful thought and it’s something Aler

Among the many satisfied customers of DCH Toyota of Torrance are Nicasio and Jocelyn, their lovely daughter Annie, their niece Nikki.

Uber, GrabCar, other TNCs welcome to operate at NAIA

by Jeanette

L. andrade

Inquirer.net

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is open to allowing transport network companies (TNCs), including Uber and GrabCar, to operate in the country’s premier airport as long as they seek accreditation.

According to MIAA, all public utility vehicles at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) underwent accreditation before they were allowed to operate.

It added that TNCs which wish to be authorized to operate must submit the following: a letter of intent for airport accreditation addressed to MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado; a vehicle’s certificate of registration; the official receipt of registration; a certificate of accreditation from the Department of Tourism (DOT); a list of DOT-accredited vehicles;

and a Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board franchise.

Other requirements are a duly notarized written authority from the company’s representative; a duly notarized certificate of authentication of the documents submitted; a Department of Trade and Industry business registration or Securities and Exchange Commission registration and by-laws; a mayor’s permit; a copy of the latest income and business tax return stamped and received by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; and a tax clearance certificate to prove tax payment.

According to the MIAA, the written authority of the TNC’s representative should indicate the authority of the agent to act on the company’s behalf. In case of single proprietorship, there must be a special power of attorney from the owner.

E-jeepneys back on Metro, Clark roads AFTER two months of engineering upgrades, electronic jeepneys are back on the roads of Metro Manila and Clark in Pampanga.

The Community Optimized Managed Electric Transport (COMET) jeepneys were re-introduced the Global Electric Transport Philippines (GETP) in partnership with transport group Pasang Masda.

Fourteen e-jeepneys were initially dispatched, taking the route from SM North Edsa to the LRT station in Katipunan in Quezon City.

Another two COMETs were deployed, running from SM North to Luzon Avenue also in Quezon City.

Two more COMETs are now running in Clark, Pampanga, shuttling passengers from Marquee Mall to Clark International Airport.

The e-jeepneys were re-

launched by the proponents after the vehicles’ battery management system underwent a major engineering overhaul.

Following the upgrade, the battery of COMET Model Version 2 can now last up to two route trips or 50 kilometers against one route trip or 25 kilometers of the first version.

The e-jeepneys each have a Global Positioning System (GPS) and screen that can monitor the passengers’ fare. Each vehicle also has a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera and a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen onboard and transactions are cashless.

For the first four kilometers on an e-jeepney, the fare is P7.50 plus P1.50 per succeeding kilometer.

(ManilaTimes.net)

Erwan Heussaff gives tips to first-time car buyers

by Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

ASIDE from food, restaurateur Erwan Heussaff also loves cars.

This may be the reason why he was chosen by Land Rover to be its brand ambassador for the past two years.

“Nowadays, especially in an urban setting, it’s important to own something like that,” he said referring to big cars, particularly to Land Rover’s Discovery Sport model launched on Tuesday.

In choosing a car, Erwan took account several factors, especially since he has an active lifestyle.

“Style is really huge for me, obviously,” he replies when asked what he looks for in a car. “Then I look at the utility of the vehicle in terms of where I can use it, how far I can go with it. Third, I like [a] big engine, I like hearing them and feeling them.”

Of course, people’s preferences vary depending on their needs and lifestyle. So for those who are considering to buy a car for the first time, Erwan gave a few tips.

“For me what’s important is active service, it’s great to have a beautiful car, to have a great sound and active service that’s helping you on the side. So for me that’s important,” he said.

Erwan Heussaff

Active service refers to engines equipped with a microcomputer, which calculates a maintenance plan for engines and reminds the owner when the car needs a maintenance check.

Another factor Erwan said should be considered is fuel efficiency.

“Some people like diesel, some people like gas cars, it really depends on the person. Diesel cars tend to be trickier to maintain whereas gas cars are easier to maintain,” he explained.

Finally, he said reselling value is important because “you look for a car that will kind of last you for a while,” Erwan said. “If it doesn’t, if you want to give it up in two years’ [time], then you can resell it [for] a proper price.”

understands. Since 2002 he has been selling Toyota vehicles, a brand that has been touted for its safety, retail value and longevity.

In addition to the quality brand he sells, Aler works at an auto dealership owned by a businessman based in Hong Kong. It was established almost a decade ago and is continually growing: since its inception, it has opened more than 20 DCH dealerships across the United States, with locations in Temecula, Oxnard, Simi Valley, and on the east coast in New York and New Jersey.

The goal of the company is to exceed customers’ expectations and provide exceptional service to ensure the highest satisfaction. Among ways the dealership demonstrates how much custo mer s matter is by delivering luxury services including oil changes, loaner cars, shuttles and much much more.

The dealership also boasts a wide selection of new and pre-owned vehicles to meet the broad range of tastes and needs customers have.

Among the customers that visit DCH Toyota of Torrance, Aler says he sees many Filipinos who show interest in a variety of cars, including Highlander, Priuses and Camry models.

Joining Aler in the Filipino Dept. of DCH Toyota of Torrance are Phillip Rivera (Sales & Leasing Consultant), Edgar

Relova (Sales & Leasing Consultant) and JP Panganiban (Sales & Leasing Consultant).

Aler as a manager of DCH’s Filipino department, welcomes and looks forward to serving his fellow kababayans. His overflowing friendly personality, as well as that of Rivera, Relova and Panganiban, make the Filipino sales team approachable and easy to talk to.

Aler says he enjoys his job, although one of the bigger challenges he faces in his job is when interested buyers with poor credit or lower incomes are turned down by the bank.

DCH offers special promotions, including low APRs and $0 down payments, but it isn’t always easy to extend these to certain customers.

“But for me, that’s the time I will be more aggressive and shop around for more banks to help them,” he says.

In most cases, Aler is able to pull some strings and find a way to overcome this particular hurdle in the selling process, though interest rates tend to be just a little higher for individuals with credit and income limitations.

“But the important thing is they [have] another chance to get a car loan and that helps build their credit again,” he says.

DCH Toyota of Torrance is conveniently located just off the 110 at: 2909 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA 90505.

We welcome all of our kababayans to the DCH Toyota Filipino Sales Dept. Simply call us at toll-free (888) 443-7619. We can always help you get an affordable car you want to drive that will fit your budget through a very smooth, professional, friendly, and straightforward transaction. Just ask for Loyd, Phillip, Ed or JP. Tawag na kaibigan!

Avid Asian Journal readers, Winston and Beverly Chan of Harbor City also choose DCH Toyota of Torrance.

DISCOUNT CONNECTION H OT L I N E f o r K a b a b a y a n s Phone: (888) 443-7619.

D C H To y o t a o f To r ra n c e

i s o p e n M o n d a y s t h ro u g h Saturdays from 8:30am to 9pm, and on Sundays, from 10am to 8pm.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Drive a car you can depend on at Puente Hills Mitsubishi Puente Hills Mitsubishi is all about putting its customers first. We will do everything we can to learn more about who they are, what they need, and how we can continue to serve them in the future. Our goal is to establish an environment of trust, to let you know what we’re all about here at Puente Hills Mitsubishi.

For 18 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing an exceptional experience to customers across all of our services. We offer a fine selection of new Mitsubishi vehicles at low prices, including favorites like the new Outlander sport.

We also have a wide selection of used Mitsubishi choices that our knowledgeable sales team can help you navigate. Whether you want a new or used car, we can ensure you that neither quality nor price are compromised. to provide you with even more convenience, we also have a strong group of factory-trained service technicians in our service center who are specially-skilled to know the ins and outs of your Mitsubishi. leave oil changes, brake replacements, tire rotations, and any service your car needs up to our trained staff! the professionals in our body shop will also take care of collision and accident repairs. leave the work to us, and you’ll have a healthy and safe Mitsubishi to take home with you on the road!

For our Filipino kababayan, we also have members of our staff who speak fluent tagalog—our sales consultant Alex Jacinto and our Finance Director norm Bustamante , who both encourage the Filipino community to come see our wide selection of new and used Mitsubishis!

Rest assured, when you visit our Puente Hills Mitsubishi dealership, you can expect a hasslefree environment and a seamless, professional execution of all your automotive needs. Come visit us at 17665 Castleton st. in the City of industry, CA, and we’ll be more than happy to serve you!

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WIN Hyundai: Two giant locations to serve you There’s no better place for kababayans to shop for hyundai vehicles than WIN hyundai in Carson, Calif. established in 2011, the young dealership started with the goal of becoming the premiere hyundai dealership. since then, it has lived up to its aim by consistently ranked among the top five dealers in the district. In 2012, the dealership, which is also equus Certified, was also ranked No. 1 in district sales.

WIN is proud to carry hyundai vehicles. On Wednesday, July 22, J.D. Power and Associates ranked the automaker No. 2 among nonpremium automakers in the 2015 Automotive Performance, execution and Layout (APeAL) study.

“Finishing among the top two non-premium brands in this year’s J.D. Power, the APeAL study shows hyundai takes design, technology, features, and performance seriously across the entire lineup. having the best-selling sonata ranking among the top two in its class is a remarkable accomplishment and we are committed to delivering the highest customer experience possible to our owners,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning at hyundai.

WIN hyundai offers a wide selection of quality hyundai vehicles and extends its offerings across the Los Angeles area with its two locations: one in Carson and another in el Monte. On both sites, customers can find new and certified pre-owned vehicles – including the santa Fe, sonata, elantra and Genesis Coupe – to meet a variety of budgets and preferences. Because the Carson and el Monte locations serve just about anyone and everyone in southern California, its experienced sales representatives are prepared and eager to help customers find the cars that best fit their preferences and needs.

When it comes to purchasing a hyundai, WIN specializes in working with all types of credit, good or bad, and has the ability to refinance current loans.

Additionally, although it sells hyundai cars, the dealership services vehicles of all makes and models and currently has an oil change special of $19.95.

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Beyond the highly-praised brand WIN offers southern California residents, it has departments dedicated diverse groups found throughout the Los Angeles region, including Chinese, Korean, hispanic and Filipino communities.

“We want to make the buying process as easy as possible, so we understand communicating in your native language can be important to completely understanding the purchasing and financing of your vehicle,” said Munir Younis, general sales manager of the dealership.

Younis, who is of Middle eastern descent, grew up in the Philippines and can speak Tagalog fluently, just as the Filipino sales representatives at the dealership.

“We have a dedicated team that serves the largest Filipino community in the U.s. We believe in giving back to the community and have participated in multiple sponsorship opportunities with multiple Filipino groups and organizations, including the Philippine Independence Day Foundation,” he said.

Among Filipino members of the WIN hyundai Carson team include long-time car industry veterans Jun Milan and Jay Trinidad.

“WIN is a great dealership and customer service is the best it can be,” Milan said.

Also on the Filipino team is Franklin Magarro, the dealership’s

internet sales manager.

In addition to its on-location offerings, those shopping for hyundai cars can browse WIN’s inventory online with userfriendly filters. Whether you know specifically what make and model you’re looking for, are trying to shop based on a budget, or simply want to browse through what is available, the dealership website makes it easy to shop around from home. Live chat is also available and sales representatives are happy to assist customers via phone.

The small, privately-owned organization, has created multiple jobs for southern California residents through its two branches and is one of the highest tax-revenue generating companies for the Carson and el Monte.

WIN hyundai is also the designated dealership for national hyundai commercials aired on television.WIN Hyundai Carson 2205 e 223rd street Carson, CA 90810 (877) 354-4253 Monday through saturday: 9am to 9pm sunday: 10am to 8pm WIN Hyundai El Monte 3462 N Peck road el Monte, CA 91731 (877) 290-2164 Monday through sunday: 9am to 9pm www.winhyundai.com 8[m\ik`j`e^ Jlggc\d\ek

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Longo Lexus offers the ultimate Longo Toyota delivers world class experience conveniences in customer amenities

We all know that the process of buying a car is not just as simple as buying a new pair of shoes at the mall. It is a long process that involves careful comparison between vehicle models, reviewing the car’s specifications with regards to the needs of the buyer, and of course, the negotiations for the financing packages and promos.

As such, it is very important for Longo Lexus that its customers are supremely comfortable and well-pampered if they are going to make that important decision of which Lexus they will drive home.

As a car dealership, there are many reasons why Longo Lexus has been an elite of Lexus dealer since 1992. One of those reasons includes the ultimate conveniences that they offer in customer amenities. As one of the leading Lexus car dealerships, Longo Lexus provides not only pre-sales conveniences, but also noteworthy post-sales services.

Longo Lexus is known for the unique amenities that they offer to dealership customers.

One of those unique amenities include an on-site Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) center. The AAA branch offers DMV services, airline, car, and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, AAA membership application processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, auto and home insurance, and more. Sign up at our AAA branch in Longo, and you’ll receive a special $13 discount off the original membership price.

Aside from from the on-site AAA branch, Longo is also the first dealership in the US to offer Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless Neighborhood services on-site. Offering the latest technologies in telecommunications, mobile accessories, and services, Longo’s on-site Verizon branch makes it even more convenient for customers to stay connected with the world. Our Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer is open from Monday to Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday, from 7am to 5:30pm; and Sunday, from 8am to 4pm. Please call (888) 8115201.

While waiting for your car to come out of our premium carcare service lines or while you’re going through our wide inventory of luxurious Lexus vehicles, you can enjoy a quick bite at Sub-

way or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks.

If you want to pamper your car, you can also shop at the Longo Lexus Parts Boutique, which carries a wide selection of genuine Lexus parts and accessories for your vehicle. M`Zkfi I\p\j With over 31,000 parts and accessories in stock, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

The after-sales services of a dealership is just as important as the pre-sales amenities. And it these after-sales services that make buying a vehicle at Longo Lexus a truly rewarding experience.

We offer complimentary loaner vehicles for your use while your car is in our service center. For inquiries, on our loaners, please call our coordinators at 1-800-5970813.

For your convenience, we also offer complimentary shuttle service to take you to your office, home, or even the mall—basically anywhere within a 15-mile radius—while your vehicle is being serviced.

If you don’t have time to make the drive to our dealership, our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck can provide routine maintenance services, such as oil changes and tire rotations, right at your home or office. Appointments can be made up to 6 months in advance.

Similarly, if your service requirements need the car to be physically present at our Longo service center, we offer complimentary flatbed truck pick-up and delivery of your vehicle to and from our dealership. Our Longo Lexus Mobile Service Van and Truck, and our complimentary flatbed truch pick-up and delivery service are exclusively for cars that are purchased from Longo Lexus, and are located within 60mile radius from Longo.

Please call 1-800-597-0813 to schedule your appointment.

Also, for every service appointment, each vehicle receives a complimentary car wash in our Longo Lexus Car Spa. For our clients who wish to use other cars, aside from those among our fleet of loaner Lexus cars, they can avail of the services of our enterprise Rent-A-Car offices.

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With two branches on the Longo Premises, enterprise is ready to address all your car rental needs.

Please call (800) 969-6519 for more information.

We understand that life’s daily grind requires our customers to be always on top of everything while keeping up with an onthe-go lifestyle. Which is they are more than welcome to work at our Longo Business Center where they can work on our computer terminals, free of charge.

We also offer complimentary Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) to our customers throughout the facility. This is particularly useful for our customers with mobile devices, laptops, and tablets.

While you wait for your car to come out of our service center, your kids can enjoy and have a good time at our Children Play Area, where we offer video games and other activities for the young ones.

Longo Lexus customers will also be offered complimentary use of our iPads while they are waiting for their vehicle.

For more information on our Longo Lexus Guest Services, please log on to www.longolexus.com/GuestAmenities or call (626) 539-2956.

Longo Lexus is located at 3530 North Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731.

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Being the premiere Toyota retailer in the nation, Longo Toyota aims to deliver a truly world-class experience to our guests on every transaction, everyday. it all starts with our friendly and welcoming staff, a clean and modern environment, and a wide range of services to make your visit pleasant and convenient. Here are some of our key amenities at Longo Toyota: Auto Club of Southern California (AAA) in november 1999, Longo Toyota became the first automotive dealership in the US to have the Auto Club on its premises. For 14 long years, our Auto Club branch has served countless satisfied Longo customers with its wide array of services Today, our on-site branch offers DMV services, airline, car and hotel reservations, discounted movie and local attraction tickets, membership processing, OnBoard Teen Safe Driver Program, and more. Sign up at our Longo Toyota branch and get $13 off the original membership application price. Located in our new car showroom, our AAA branch is open Mondays thru Saturdays, from 11am to 7pm.

Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer Longo Lexus is the first car dealership in the US to provide Verizon Wireless and Verizon Wireless neighborhood services on-site.

Our Verizon branch offers the latest in telecommunications, mobile devices, accessories and services. We also offer complimentary cellphone charging stations for our customers. Our Verizon retailer is located inside our parts retail center. Our Wireless Playground is open Monday-Friday, 7am7pm; Saturday, 7am-5:30pm; and Sunday, 8-4pm. Please call (888) 623-2133 for more information.

Starbucks and Subway While waiting for your car to come out of our car-care service lines, you can enjoy a quick bite at Subway or a nice refreshing drink at Starbucks.

We offer healthy dining options with Subway’s wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. if you’re thirsty and you’re looking for that quick coffee

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fix, you can grab a refreshing Hazelnut Macchiato or a smooth Caramel Frappuccino at Starbucks. Offering only the finest coffee specialties, teas, juices, and assortment of pastries, there’s something for everybody at our on-site Starbucks branch.

Both our Subway and Starbucks branches are available for catering services.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Longo Toyota also has two enterprise Rent-A-Car offices on its premises. One is located adjacent to the Service Drive in the Pre-Owned Vehicle Showroom, and the other is in the Collision Repair Center.

Customers are welcome to utilize the enterprise rental services, regardless of whether or not they leave their vehicle in Longo for any car service.

Complimentary Vehicle Delivery Service Longo Toyota also offer complimentary vehicle delivery service. Our delivery service is available 6 days a week, Monday thru Saturday, anywhere within a 60-mile radius of Longo Toyota.

Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department You can also shop at the Longo Toyota Parts and Accessories Department, which carries a wide selection of genuine Toyota parts and accessories for your vehicle. With thousands of parts and accessories in stock, we definitely have whatever it is you’re looking for. Our boutique also carries a selection of RayBan and Oakley sunglasses, women’s and men’s apparel, and so much more.

Shuttle Service For your convenience, Longo Toyota offers complimentary shuttle service while your vehicles are being serviced.

Our shuttles can take you to virtually anywhere within a 15mile radius of Longo Toyota – be it your home, work, the mall, or even the parlor!

Anywhere!

An engaging stay While we understand that our customer’s time is precious, we realize that many of them may need internet connectivity at all times. As such we are more than happy to provide FRee WiFi throughout our facility, and FRee use of our great business center. in our business center, we provide a quiet setting where our guests can work on our computers or on their own laptops.

We also provide free use of an iPad for Longo guests who are waiting for their vehicles. Our guest Check-in representative will be more than happy to arrange this for you. if you decide to bring the kids to the dealership, boredom will never be a problem. We also offer a variety of video games and DVDs just for kids so that they can also enjoy their visit to Longo Toyota.

For more information on our Longo Toyota guest Services, please log on to http://www. longotoyota.com/dealership/ amenities.htm.

Longo Toyota is located at 3534 north Peck Road, el Monte, CA 91731. Call (626)539-2584 to set up your appointment.

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