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Volume 27 - No. 10 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

ma r c h 1 0 - 1 6 , 2 0 1 6

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Poe calls for magnanimity, reconciliation after SC ruling by mAilA

AgeR Inquirer.net

CANDeLArIA, Quezon—Presidential aspirant senator Grace Poe on Wednesday, march 9 called for “magnanimity” and reconciliation amid talks of possible impeachment moves against supreme Court justices who voted to allow her to run for president in may.

“All of those legal rumblings and all of those legal questions I believe were already settled by the supreme Court. It’s up to them if they don’t believe it,” Poe said when asked ANSWERE PRAyER. Sen. Grace Poe is now an official Philippine presidential candidate. during a press conference here about the PAGE A2

Inquirer.net photo

Aquino wants Supreme Court to clarify rules on citizenship ferNANDo AIr BAse, Batangas— President Benigno Aquino III asked the supreme Court (sC) justices on Wednesday, march 9, to clarify Philippine laws on citizenship, following its ruling allowing presidential candidate sen. Grace Poe to run in the may polls.

“I hope the sC will fully clarify before the people its decision as far as the law is concerned,” Aquino, speaking in filipino, told reporters i in an interview, “so that it would be very clear to our citizens what are the laws governing being a citizen or non-citizen of our country.”

DATELINE

the President also wanted it clarified how Poe had reacquired her filipino citizenship.

Poe supposedly visited a consular office in 2011 to renounce her Us citizenship when she was already the chairperson of the movie and television review and Classification Board.

Voting 9-6, the high Court reversed tuesday the decision of the Commission on elections (Comelec) to disqualify Poe from running for president in the upcoming elections.

PAGE A2

USA

IT’S A GO FOR GRACE. The Supreme Court has cleared the way for Sen. Grace Poe to run for President, voting to reverse the Commission on Elections (Comelec) orders disqualifying her from the tight race just two months before Election Day. In an en banc session Tuesday, nine justices voted in favor of Poe’s contention that the Comelec had committed grave abuse of discretion in canceling her certificate of candidacy (COC) for President, while six justices affirmed the poll body’s action.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

Las Vegas mom sentenced to life without parole for husband’s murder

by ChRistinA

m. oRiel

AJPress

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Coalition urges SC to uphold Obama’s executive actions on immigration A NAtIoNAL coalition of local government leaders has submitted an amicus brief with the supreme Court to urge it to reverse a lower court’s decision that blocks President Barack obama’s executive actions on immigration.

“Withholding and delaying these programs [brings] irreparable harms to family unity, the health and welfare of children and families, our public safety and our American economy,” Los Angeles mayor eric Garcetti said tuesday, march 8, during a conference PAGE A2

Homeland Security launches employer pilot program

A LAs VeGAs mother of four was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on thursday, march 3, for plotting to have her husband killed in order to collect his life insurance. michelle Antwanette Paet, 34, -- who is of filipino descent, a source told the Asian Journal -- pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder with Guilty: Michelle Paet, 33 (left), broke down in the stand Thursday, March 3 as she admitted use of a deadly weapon back to having her boyfriend shoot dead her husband, Staff Sgt. Nathan Paet (right), an Iraq War in october, which took the veteran, outside their Las Vegas home in 2010.

Photos from Las Vegas Metropolitan Department and Nathan Paet’s Facebook account death penalty option off the

table. she had revealed that she and her then-boyfriend, michael rudolph rodriguez, planned to murder her husband Nathan Paet, who was a Us Air force service member and Iraq War veteran. michelle and Nathan Paet were high school sweethearts and got married in 2006, a source told the Asian Journal.

“I made a huge mistake and a really bad choice and I’m truly sorry,” michelle Paet tearfully said in court on thursday, according to the Las Vegas review-Journal.

the murder occurred back in December 2010, prosecutors detailed, when rodriguez waited outside the Paet residence and was signaled by a text message that Nathan Paet was getting ready to leave for work at Nellis Air force Base. rodriguez and an accomplice, Corey hawkins, confronted Nathan Paet and shot him five times in the back. he reportedly collapsed in front of his wife and their four children, before he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. michelle Paet revealed that PAGE A2

Pacquiao: Only 36 minutes Robredo: I can beat Marcos, Escudero of exposure in boxing match

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

by sheilA

CRisostomo

Philstar.com

mANILA—senatorial candidate manny Pacquiao is not about to give up his April 9 bout with timothy Bradley.

In a letter submitted to the Commission on elections (Comelec) by his lawyers on monday, march 7,

the Us Department of homeland security (Dhs) announced the launch of a Known employer pilot program on thursday, march 3, assessing a new process for employers who seek to hire workers through employment-based visa categories. modifying the process Us Citizenship and Immigration services (UsCIs) already uses to review an employer’s eligibility to sponsor individuals (under certain employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant classifications), the Known employer pilot is expected to streamline paperwork, reduce costs and delays in the processing of these benefit requests.

According to a release from the Dhs PAGE A4 Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao, congressman of sarangani, said he would not get undue exposure when he fights Bradley a month before the may 9 elections. he said if the fight would go for 12 rounds, the maximum media exposure that he would get is only 36 minutes based on the mandatory PAGE A4

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

BAtANGAs CItY—Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate and Camarines sur rep. Leni robredo is optimistic that she can beat survey frontrunners sen. ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr. and sen. francis escudero in the elections in light of improving numbers in pre-election polls. robredo said she is happy with the recent survey results showing that she is preferred by about 20 percent of reCamarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo spondents, a jump from the single digits she got after she announced her bid for the vice presidency.

“When I started, I was at three percent while the frontrunner, I think, got 40 percent plus… this is now more attainable and we are hopeful and more inspired to work harder,” she told reporters at a campaign sortie here.

When asked if she thinks she PAGE A3 Sen. Chiz Escudero

Sen. Bongbong Marcos

A

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march 10-16, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL

From The FronT Page

Poe calls for magnanimity...

PAGE A1 alleged impeachment moves by petitioners in the disqualification cases against her. “There should be magnanimity. Ayoko ng patulan sila basta kami ay nagpapasalamat sa Korte sa kanilang decision (I don’t want to get back at them; we are just thankful to the Court for its decision),� she said.

While she recognized the right of a person to file an impeachment complaint against anyone, Poe believes there was no basis to impeach the justice for deciding in her favor. “Subalit sabi ko nga kung sino man ang nasa likod nito, hindi ako maghihiganti sa kanila dahil lamang dito sa mga ginagawa nila. Mas mabuti pang ituloy na natin ang mga gusto nating gawing kabutihan sa ating bansa so ‘yun na lang siguro lahat tayo magkakasundu-sundo na lang du’n. (As I said, whoever is behind this, I won’t get back at them just because of their maneuverings. It is better if we just unite for the good we want to do for our country),� she said. �Pasensya na po na sinapit ninyo ‘yan, lahat naman po tayo dito ay nagdusa din. ((I’m sorry you had to endure that, but all of us suffered here),� the senator added.

If there was betrayal or any violation in the Constitution, this has been committed by election commissioners who voted to disqualify Poe from the presidential race over her citizenship and residency, her running mate, Senator Francis “Chiz� Escudero, said in the same press con. “The Supreme Court is the

A high court insider privy to the deliberations said the majority held that foundlings, or abandoned babies with unknown parentage, were “presumptively or disputably presumed natural-born� despite the silence of the Constitution on their citizenship status.

Inquirer.net photo

Coalition urges SC to uphold Obama’s...

PAGE A1 call with reporters along with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Birmingham Mayor William Bell.

Garcetti co-founded the coalition of about 100 mayors and and local officials, Cities for Action, with de Blasio.

The brief is signed by 118 cities and counties across 35 states; the US Conference of Mayors, which represents more than 1,400 cities; and National League of Cities, an organization representing more than 19,000 municipalities. “[We] thought it was crucial for cities and counties to get together and speak from the local perspective, and let the Supreme Court know what this means for us,� de Blasio said during a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, March 8.

Among signatories include cities in states that are plaintiffs in United States v. Texas, the case that has resulted in a preliminary injunction on Obama’s executive orders to expand deferred action for undocumented immigrants.

Obama first announced his executive actions in November 2014, the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs, which would provide deferred action to up to five million undocumented immigrants.

The brief represents an esti-

mated 55 million individuals, 15 million of which are immigrants, more than 1.5 million of whom could be eligible for programs under the executive order. “We’re the closest ones to the immigrant communities,� said Bell, who was among five mayors that led the effort to organize cities and counties to support the brief. “We know the issues that they’re faced with better than the state government, and we can no longer make millions of immigrants who qualify under the president’s [programs] wait. We’ve got to take some action now.�

Austin Mayor Steve Adler in a statement said Texas would see a $38 billion increase in its economy and the creation of 4,800 jobs per year throughout the next decade if Obama’s actions are implemented, while the brief contends that relief for these eligible immigrants would contribute more than $800 million per year to state and local government economies. “Almost half of our undocumented population is eligible for programs that would do that, and these parents and young folks are assets to our city....

Keeping families together just makes good sense for Austin,�

Adler said.

In New York, de Blasio said an estimated 250,000 undocumented immigrants would be eligible for the expanded programs. “There are so many immi-

grants who contribute in so many ways to our cities and counties, and in New York City, we know of almost half a million undocumented New Yorkers who we see as families, we see as neighbors. And at this moment, they need the help that would be provided by President Obama’s executive action, but that can’t happen until the issue is resolved in the court,� de Blasio said.

The Supreme Court announced in January that it would determine the constitutionality of DAPA and expanded DACA. While the Court has yet to make a decision, immigrant communities and advocacy organizations have urged individuals who would qualify for the programs to continue preparing for its implementation.

Proponents of the executive order have also said that implementation of the programs would help keep families together. “[It’s] important for us to highlight [for] the justices of the Supreme Court how this is not about policies as much as it’s really about people, and it’s about promise. This was legal action taken and it is time for us to recognize our destiny, again, as a nation of immigrants and one of laws. And we praise President Obama for that and look forward to success in court,� Garcetti said. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

voted against Senator Grace were the ones who committed it),â€? he said. “Sa kasaysayan ng bansa natin—kahit sa kasaysayan ng impeachment—wala pa sigurong mahistrado na na impeached dahil sa kanyang decision‌Kung mangyayari ‘yan, bawat mahistrado siguro ang dami ng impeachment complaint kung bawat natatalong abugado ‘yan ang gagawin. (In the history of our nation—even in the history of impeachment—no justice has been impeached because of his decision. If that will happen, then all the justices will be bombarded with impeachment PAGE A1 “They have shown their inde- presidential candidate, is topping complaints by losing lawyers),â€? the pre-election surveys.

Aquino then emphasized the pendence.�

Escudero added.

But Aquino said he believes Aquino said that if there is independence of the SC justices as four of his six appointees voted the SC decision will give a boost anything that he has learned, it is to Poe’s candidacy. not to worry about things that are in her favor.

Poe, who was the top choice by beyond his control. (Catherine s.. “We appointed them to be independent,� he stressed. the administration to be its vice- Valente/ManilaTimes.net) PAGE A1 military and $250,000 from her a telemarketing company in Las the murder plot was conspired husband’s insurance policy. She Vegas. The murder plot was to collect $650,000 in life in- and Rodriguez met and entered planned over the course of six surance — $400,000 from the a relationship while working at months, prosecutors said. “She sits before you as she has before other men, crying and kind of the perfect picture of femininity and vulnerability, Member : American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) looking like a victim,� Chief DepLicensed in : California and Nevada uty District Attorney Michelle CPA WITH OVER 15 YEARS OF EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE Fleck said. “What you see is not what you get.�

Rodriguez was separately !! GET YOUR TAXES DONE PROPERLY !! found guilty last year for his part !! USE A PROFESSIONAL TO PREPARE YOUR INCOME TAX RETURN !! !! AVOID EXPENSIVE I.R.S. AUDITS / PENALTIES !! in the murder.

The Paets’ four children curYour Tax fees can be taken out of your tax refund automatically. rently live in Guam with relatives Ask about our “FEE COLLECT� program. :H DUH XS WR GDWH RQ DOO ODZV )RUHFORVXUHV DQG 'HEW )RUJLYHQHVV 5HQWDO 3URSHUWLHV 3HQVLRQ ,5$ )RUHLJQ ,QFRPH and are reportedly afraid of their DQG $VVHWV 5HSRUWLQJ )$7&$ DQG ),1&(1 6DPH 6H[ 0DUULDJH )LOLQJV 2%$0$ &$5( HWF mother.

Business Services: “They are afraid that if she can ‡ 7D[ 3UHSDUDWLRQ 3ODQQLQJ 3UREOHPV ‡ &RPSLODWLRQ ‡ ,56 5HSUHVHQWDWLRQ ‡ (QWLW\ 6HOHFWLRQ DQG 5HVWUXFWXULQJ do this to their father, she may be ‡ $FFRXQW 6HUYLFHV ‡ 4XLFNERRNV $FFRXQWLQJ 6RIWZDUH KHOS DVVLVWDQFH ‡ 3D\UROO ‡ 6PDOO %XVLQHVV $FFRXQWLQJ ‡ %RRNNHHSLQJ :ULWH XSV ‡ 1HZ %XVLQHVV )RUPDWLRQ ‡ 1RQ 3URILW 2UJDQL]DWLRQV ‡ ,QFRUSRUDWLRQ DQG //& FUHDWLRQ capable of doing this to them,�

Individual Services: Nathan Paet’s mother Carmelita ‡ 7D[ 5HWXUQ 3UHSDUDWLRQ ‡ 7D[ 3ODQQLQJ ‡ 7D[ 3UREOHPV said. ‡ ,56 $XGLW DQG 5HSUHVHQWDWLRQ ‡ 1RQ )LOHG 5HWXUQV ‡ %DFN 7D[HV ‡ 3D\UROO 7D[ 3UREOHPV ‡ ,56 /LHQ /HYLHV 6HL]XUHV :DJH *DUQLVKPHQWV ‡ 2IIHU ,Q &RPSURPLVH ‡ %DQNUXSWF\ ‡ ,QQRFHQW 6SRXVH 5HOLHI Michelle Paet, addressing the judge and her murdered husband’s relatives, sought forgiveA . E . PA U L E , C PA , LT D . ness.

1771 East Flamingo Road Suite - 200A Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 “I hope and pray that one day Phone: 702.220.4510 / Fax: 702.220.4785 each and every one of them will WWW.AEPAULECPA.COM find it in their hearts to truly for- Liberal Party (LP) chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during a meeting with local Leaders and the community at $GHOLQD (OL]DEHWK “Beth� Paule, CPA give me,� she said. the Old Plaza in Barangay Del Pilar, Calamba City, Laguna on Wednesday, March 9. Aquino asked the Supreme Court to clarify Philippine laws !! CPA WITH 15 PLUS YEARS OF EXTENSIVE, MULTI-FACETED EXPERIENCE!! final arbiter to determine and say what the law is. The Supreme Court said, mali ang Comelec (The Commission on Elections is wrong), they abused their discretion that’s why they (SC) granted the petition of Senator Grace,� Escudero said, referring to Poe’s petition seeking to reverse the Comelec’s cancellation of her certificate of candidacy for president.

The high tribunal, voting 9-6, granted Poe’s petition. “Kung may betrayal man o paglabag sa batas, ‘yung Comelec commissioners na bomoto laban kay Senator Grace ang gumawa nu’n. (If there were a betrayal or violation of the law, the Comelec commissioners who

Aquino wants Supreme Court to...

Las Vegas mom sentenced to life without...

A E PAULE, CPA, LTD

? TAX ? TAX ? TAX ?

on citizenship, following its ruling allowing presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe to run in the May polls.

MalacaĂąang photo by Gil Nartea

PAGE A4

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Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 10-16, 2016

A

Families of San Bernardino victims side with FBI

by Allyson

esCobAr

“the privacy of millions of innocent people,” reported the Los THE battle between Silicon Angeles Times.

Valley-based tech industry giant Apple won a battle round when Apple and federal law enforce- a New York judge presiding over ment over access to encrypted a similar case ruled against fedcell phone data has continued, eral prosecutors seeking Apple’s with privacy concerns against an help unlocking a phone belonginvestigation over national secu- ing to a drug dealer. US Magisrity as the hot topic. trate Judge James Orenstein said The dispute has sparked a that the All Writs Act does not nationwide debate, and has gar- grant the power the government nered the attention of the fami- seeks. lies of the victims of the San BerThe families of the 14 victims nardino, California — 14 of whom are now speaking out, deeply were killed last December when hurt and affected by this disLET GIRLS LEARN. First Lady Michelle Obama views murals by Mr. Brainwash, left, a Los Angeles based graffiti artist, during an event marking two radicalized shooters entered pute.

Mark Sandefur, the father of the one-year anniversary of Let Girls Learn, hosted by the US Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at Union Market in the Inland Regional Center and Washington, DC on Tuesday, March 8.

White House photo by Amanda Lucidon fired dozens of rounds, before Larry Daniel Kaufman who was being gunned down later near killed in the terror attack, wrote a their Redlands home by FBI. letter released by an attorney that The FBI has requested—by a represents several relatives of the court order, on the basis of the victims. “Recovery of informaby Agnes ConstAnte how the Affordable Care Act, underestimated their incomes All Writs Act—that Apple should tion from the iPhone in question AJPress which requires Americans to had to repay part of the credit. help agents by unlocking en- may not lead to anything new.

MANY Americans who didn’t purchase health insurance or Consumers who owed money saw, crypted data on an iPhone 5c that But, what if there is evidence have health coverage last year pay a fine, affects tax credits and on average, a 17 percent decrease belonged to one of the shooters, pointing to a third shooter? What if it leads to an unknown terrorist in their federal refunds, according Syed Rizwan Farook. saw an average penalty more refunds.

Apple swiftly and publicly op- cell?” Sandefur wrote to Apple’s “There is still a steep learning to H&R Block. than twice as high as that in 2014, On the other hand, more than posed the judge’s court order, chief executive, Tim Cook. according to a report from tax curve,” Mark Ciaramitaro, H&R “What if others are attacked, Block’s vice president for taxes one in three taxpayers overesti- arguing that it was fighting for services company H&R Block.

On average, H&R customers and health care, told the Associ- mated their incomes, and thus received an additional average of owe a penalty of $383, up from ated Press (AP).

To help consumers gain cover- $450 in their refunds. $172 for 2014. Furthermore, 60 Only 3 percent of H&R Block percent of taxpayers who had age, the law provided tax credits

by Agnes ConstAnte Republican nominee. subsidized healthcare are hav- for individuals who opted for customers with health law subAJPress “I am far from the first to coning to pay back some of their insurance through state or federal sidies correctly estimated their AFTER Republican presiden- clude that Donald Trump lacks incomes and didn’t see a change financial assistance. This year exchanges. tial frontrunner Donald Trump the temperament to be a presiThe problem, however, is that in their tax returns. the average payment is $579, The minimum fine an uninsured claimed victory in seven of 11 dent. After all, this is an individual up from $530 in the previous tax a number of Americans appear to have trouble estimating their ex- adult will be subject to in 2016 is states on Super Tuesday, several who mocked a disabled reporter, season.

The findings indicate that most pected annual incomes, Ciarami- $695, up from $325 in 2015 and prominent public figures and who attributed a reporter’s quesnews publications expressed that tions to her menstrual cycle, who taxpayers remain confused about taro told the AP. Those who $95 in 2014. they do not believe Trump is fit mocked a brilliant rival who hapfor the presidency. pened to be a woman due to her “The reality is that Trump appearance, who bragged about has no experience whatsoever his marital affairs, and who laces PAGE A1 in government, interacting with his public speeches with vulgarRobredo, meanwhile, ranked candidate said.

“My problem really is time. the machinery of state only as a ity,” Romney said. can beat Marcos and Escudero, second in the nationwide Pulse Robredo said: “I hope. That is Asia survey conducted from Feb. Even if I work hard, I only have 24 supplicant,” read an LA Times In Ohio, farmer Jerry Slankard the main target, right? Of course. 16 to 27. She was selected by 18 hours a day and one body. I was editorial published Wednesday, spent four hours to arrange maIf not, I wouldn’t join the race, percent of the 5,200 respondents, able to multiply myself because March 2. “He has shamefully nure from 15 cows to create the behind Escudero and Marcos who my daughters are active in the little knowledge of the issues fac- message, “No Drumpf,” which right?” ing the country and the world, was as wide as a football field, sorties,” she added.

She added that she cannot set- were tied with 26 percent each.

The same Pulse Asia survey and a temperament utterly un- ABC affiliate WEWS-TV reportRobredo was followed by Caytle for second place. “Of course, our main target is to reach the etano with 13 percent while Hona- also showed Sen. Grace Poe as the suited to do the job. He is a rac- ed. san got six percent. Trillanes was frontrunner among presidential ist and a bully, a demagogue. He top spot.”

“I know there’s a lot of people A nationwide survey conducted the least preferred vice presiden- candidates with 26 percent, fol- has proposed killing the families maybe not agreeing with me, but lowed by Vice President Jejomar of terrorists, a violation of inter- that’s their American right; I just by pollster Junie Laylo showed tial bet with five percent.

“I am comfortable where I am Binay with 24 percent and Davao national law so blatant that a for- voice my opinion and not yours,” Escudero leading the vice presidential race with 30 percent. right now. But, of course, the City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with mer CIA director predicted that Slankard told the station.

U.S. troops would refuse to carry Marcos ranked second with 24 target is (to be) at the top spot. 22 percent.

Trump also received backlash Robredo’s running mate, Lib- out such an order.” percent followed by Robredo with That’s all there is to this. I should during the 11th GOP debate on Former GOP presidential nom- Thursday, March 3, particularly eral Party standard-bearer Manuel win,” Robredo said.

20 percent.

Robredo attributed the im- Roxas II, ranked fourth with 19 inee Mitt Romney on Thursday, from candidates Marco Rubio Sen. Alan Cayetano was picked by 11 percent of the respondents provement in her numbers to the percent while Sen. Miriam San- March 3, said during a speech he and Ted Cruz, who won one state delivered at the Institute of Poli- and three states, respectively, on while Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV campaign sorties of the LP-led tiago got three percent.

Roxas remains upbeat about tics at the University of Utah that Super Tuesday. and Sen. Gregorio Honasan got administration coalition.

“I was given the opportunity his chances despite his stagnant he believes America is poised to seven percent and four percent, “Two-thirds of people who cast lead the world for another cen- a vote in a Republican primary or respectively. The Laylo survey was to introduce myself. There are survey numbers.

“What is important is we are tury. conducted from Feb. 24 to March still a lot of places that I haven’t caucus have voted against you,” But not if Trump becomes the Rubio told Trump during the devisited,” the vice presidential rising steadily,” he said.

1 and had 3,000 respondents.

AJPress

Obamacare still confusing to many taxpayers

and you and I did nothing to prevent it?”

Another family member of a San Bernardino victim also spoke out—Salihin Kondoker, whose wife was wounded. Kondoker said he supported the company’s position to protect consumers’ privacy, and also believed it was unlikely Farook’s phone contains valuable information.

“Neither I, nor my wife, want to raise our children in a world where privacy is the trade-off for security,” Kondoker said in a letter to a federal judge, posted on Apple’s website.

Dozens of groups have filed papers in federal court, seeking to have their arguments placed on record in the legal fight.

Leading tech companies—including Google, Facebook, Snapchat, Microsoft, and Twitter— have supported Apple’s position, arguing that ordering the company to write new software to help give the FBI access to encrypted data on the locked iPhone would “ultimately endanger the privacy PAGE A4

Trump receives backlash from other Republicans

Robredo: I can beat Marcos, Escudero

Donald Trump

bate. “The reason why is because we are not going to turn over the conservative movement or the party of Lincoln or Reagan, for example, to someone whose positions are not conservative.”

At the end of Thursday’s debate, candidates said they would ultimately support whoever becomes the Republican nominee, which appears likely to be Trump.

A

march 10-16, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL

Dateline USa

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Homeland Security launches employer pilot...

PAGE A1

press office, USCIS will oversee the pilot program, in collaboration with the DHS Office of Policy, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the US Department of State (DOS).

“Last year, DHS announced it would explore a Known Employer pilot to modernize and streamline the process for U.S. employers seeking to employ certain foreign workers,” said USCIS Director León Rodríguez. “Today, we’re partnering

with a select group of representative organizations across a variety of industries to determine how we can improve efficiency and cut costs. If successful, we will continue to build on this trial program and promote robust trade, travel, and economic prosperity.”

DHS first announced in January 2015 that it would explore a Known Employer pilot program, under the United States-Canada Beyond the Border initiative.

The pilot also was highlighted

as a recommendation in a report from federal agencies, “Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century,” that was submitted to the President in July 2015.

The Known Employer pilot aims to make the employment eligibility adjudication process more efficient, while reducing delays for businesses and employers who wish to employ foreign workers under certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa programs.

Goals of the program include: reducing the amount of paperwork filed by employers and retained by USCIS; promoting consistency in the adjudication of employment-based petitions and applications; streamlining the adjudicative process to achieve greater efficiency within USCIS; and providing greater support to CBP and DOS in support of greater efficiency and consistency at ports of entry and consular posts.

Under the Known Employer pilot, up to nine pre-selected employers can file applications requesting that USCIS predetermine that they meet the requirements relating to certain immigrant and non-immigrant visa classifications. When making this request, employers will create a profile in the Web-based Known Employer Document Library (KEDL), and can upload documents relating to the requirements.

USCIS officers will swiftly review and predetermine whether a prospective employer has met certain requirements relating to the visa classifications. If the predetermination request is approved, the employer may then file petitions or applications for individual employees, without needing to resubmit company information with each petition or application.

According to the process, employers will not be charged any additional fees to participate in the Known Employer pilot, which is scheduled to last for up to one year. The DHS reports that USCIS may terminate or extend the pilot at any time.

DHS and DOS will solicit ongoing feedback on the program from its participants. More information and a list of participating employers can be found on the Known Employer pilot page.

PARTIAL ECLIPSE. A partial solar eclipse is seen from Rizal Park in Manila on Wednesday, March 9. The eclipse was seen in other Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

USAID picks PH for growth program

by Michael Joe

T. Delizo

Inquirer.net

THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has picked the Philippines as the only Asian country for its Partnership for Growth (PFG) project.

The PFG is a White House signature initiative through which the US and the Philippine governments work together to improve economic growth and development in Manila.

“The Philippines is very, very special in the eyes of the United States,” Dr. Susan Brems, mission

director of USAID Philippines, said in a Kapihan session on Wednesday.

She added that the country has seen growth in the past years and the agency only needs to address Manila’s “constraints” to help its economy even move faster.

“We chose the Philippines because this is the only country [in Asia] that is doing well. The people, the government, as well as the private and academic sectors are committed for the development,” Brems said.

Among the major constraints in the Philippines’ development that

The Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries Project (ECOFISH) is a USAID initiative to improve the management of important coastal and marine resources and associated ecosystems in eight marine key biodiversity areas.

USAID photo

she cited were weak governance, regulatory environment, fiscal space and human capital.

In line with this, the USAID granted a P1.5-billion fund for Stride (Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development) program.

The fund was seen as a key in strengthening the regulatory capability of the government while providing governance and capacity building training for universities in planning, financial management, patents and networking.

Stride is a five-year program started in July 2013, under the PFG project.

“Stride aims to spur inclusive economic growth by boosting science and technology research,” said Dr. Dave Hall, the program’s chief of party.

As of last month, the program has awarded P144.8 million in research grants to 34 universities around the country to conduct science and technology innovation research. It has also awarded 31 scholarships to Filipinos who will study in US universities.

“What we want is to have an economic growth that can benefit everyone,” Brems said.

Families of San Bernardino victims side...

PAGE A3 rights of customers worldwide.”

“We believe the issues raised by the Apple case are too important to rely on a narrow statute from a different technological era to fill the government’s perceived gap in current law,” wrote Microsoft President Brad Smith, targeting the centuries-old All Writs Act. “Instead, we should look to Congress to strike the balance needed for 21st Century technology.”

Law enforcement unions,

as well as the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office, supported the FBI’s argument, contending that Apple is wrong to turn a fight over a search warrant into a larger legal battle over privacy rights.

“Law enforcement is not now asking this Court to compel the ‘locksmith’ to give them a master key to unlock all locks built by this locksmith,” a filing on behalf of unions representing California’s sheriffs, police and officers read.

“This case is not about a single phone—it’s about the government’s authority to turn the tech companies against their users,” said the American Civil Liberties Union in a statement.

The ACLU argued that the government does not have the power to compel Apple to help unlock the encryption on Farook’s phone, which FBI agents believe has a security feature that destroys access to the encrypted data after 10 failed attempts to enter the right code.

Pacquiao’s lawyers denied that the megabout would give the boxing champion unfair media exposure over other senatorial bets.

“The law gives all candidates like Pacquiao 120-minute television and 180-minute radio advertisements per station,” they said.

“Assuming the fight can be considered political ads for Pacquiao, all he will get is a 36-minute exposure, leaving a remainder of one hour and 24 minutes and two hours and 24 minutes, respectively, to air advertisements in the same TV and radio stations that will broadcast the fight,” they added.

‘Postpone the fight’ Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said it would be better if Pacquiao

postpones his fight.

“He can always fight after the elections,” Belmonte told reporters.

“It doesn’t really matter if he postpones it for a few months and yet it really makes a big difference, in giving the people a sense of fairness, that he has been fair to his opponents.”

Asked about Pacquiao’s apprehension that he might be sued for breach of contract if he postpones the fight, Belmonte said Pacquiao should set his priorities straight.

“If that’s the case, why doesn’t he back out from the senatorial race?” he said.

He said Pacquiao should have known better before signing a deal to fight Bradley as he is running for senator. (With Paolo Romero)

Pacquiao: Only 36 minutes of exposure...

PAGE A1 three-minute per round rule.

“It could even be less than 36 minutes, say three minutes only or just a few seconds if the fight ends in the first round,” read the letter filed by Pacquiao’s lawyers, Romulo Macalintal and Antonio Carlos Bautista.

The lawyers assured the Comelec of Pacquiao’s compliance with all election laws, rules and regulations, and hinted that the Bradley fight could be his last.

“His determination to hold the event, which may be his last to climb the ring, is not intended to give him undue or unfair advantage. But it has to be done before his youth is gone to give our country and our people the pride and glory they deserve,” the lawyers said.

PARTIAL ECLIPSE. A partial solar eclipse is seen from Rizal Park in Manila on Wednesday, March 9. The eclipse was seen in other Asian countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Russell Palma

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Dateline PJunjun hiliPPines Binay laments timing of

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Makati carpark building audit report

by MaRc Jayson

cayabyab

Inquirer.net

PMA’S BEST. The top graduating cadets of the Philippine Military Academy “Gabay Laya” Class of 2016 are: (From left) Denzel Corpuz (Class Baron); George Bernard Garcia (No. 9); Ace Clarianes (No. 7); Jayson Jess Tumitit (No. 5); Arby Jurist Cabrera (No. 3); Kristian Daeve Abiqui (No. 1); Christine Mae Calima (No. 2); Joseph Stalin Fagsao (No. 4); Mark Joseph Daria (No. 6); Prince Aday (No. 8); and Gerald Gasacao (No. 10).

Inquirer.net photo by EV Espiritu

American citizen detected with Zika virus after PH trip

by Jocelyn

R. Uy

IBA, Zambales—Dismissed Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. on Wednesday, March 9 lamented the timing of the audit report on the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II during the elections campaign of his father Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Binay said he expected the report, which is now with Commission on Audit (COA) chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, to be released a few days before the next presidential debates in Cebu.

The report is up for review by COA chairperson Aguinaldo.

Binay said the release of the report was meant to derail the presidential bid of his father as the next presidential debates go near.

“Timing is suspect again. Running the surveys now, and in a few weeks malapit na ang presidential debate (the presidential debate is fast approaching), most likely ito ay lalabas (it will be out by) next week probably Thursday or Friday,” Binay said.

He expects the report to be released before the Cebu debates so that the issue at hand would be allegations of corruption.

Dr. Estrada hosted lunch for the Binay’s family, campaign staff and reporters after a midday motorcade around Zambales.

Binay said he also questioned the process in the audit report, because some respondents have yet to receive copies of the partial findings.

A partial report on the audit finding was earlier submitted before

Brazil is the lone country with reported or indication of autochthonous Zika virus transmission with AN AMERICAN woman who vismicrocephaly and GBS, according ited the Philippines for four weeks to the WHO. in January tested positive for the “We know already for a long Zika virus upon returning home, an time that Aedes aegypti mosquito indication that mosquitoes carrying is endemic in the country and since the disease are lurking somewhere we have cases of dengue, chikunin the country, the Department of guniya and Japanese encephalitis, Health (DOH) said. there is also the Zika virus and we Health Secretary Janette Garin have to remember that we have a said the “nonpregnant US residocumented case [of the virus] in dent” was the Philippines’ second 2012,” Garin said. laboratory-confirmed case of the She noted that the patient in mosquito-borne virus, which has Cebu four years ago had no history been linked to microcephaly, a of exposure to foreigners or travel severe brain defect in infants, and abroad, which strongly indicated to a neurological disorder called that the Zika virus infection in the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

The country had its first reported Health Secretary Janette Garin said the Philippines was locally acquired.

“But this doesn’t mean that we case of Zika virus infection in US resident was the Philippines’ second 2012—a 15-year-old boy in Cebu laboratory-confirmed case of the mosquito- have to panic,” she said, noting that borne virus.

Inquirer.net photo 80 percent of the cases of the Zika who had no travel history. to take extra precaution against virus have no symptoms at all and Garin said the DOH was closely coordinating with the US Centers mosquito bite, especially two hours patients just spontaneously shed off for Disease Control and Prevention before sunrise and two hours before the virus without knowing that they (CDC) for the profile of the patient sunset when the Aedes aegypti had been infected.

The Philippines has recorded 332 as well as find out which places mosquito is most active.

Primary carrier cases of microcephaly in the past 10 she visited in the Philippines from The Aedes aegypti mosquito years but none of them have been Jan. 2 to 26.

“We were informed that shortly is Zika virus’ primary carrier, the linked to the Zika virus, according after returning home to the US, same vector responsible for den- to Garin. Studies have shown that an evidence of Zika virus infec- gue fever, which is endemic in the the cases are congenital.

“We call on pregnant women and tion was detected in the patient,” Philippines.

“We have existing mosquitoes those planning to get pregnant to Garin said, adding that the DOH received the CDC alert at 4:30 a.m. that cause dengue. So, possibly we exercise maximum efforts to avoid can have the Zika virus,” getting bitten by mosquitoes,” on Saturday.

Dr. Socorro Lupisan, director of Garin said.

Developed symptoms Dismissed Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin She also advised the public “Junjun” Binay Jr. Based on the CDC alert, the fe- the Research Institute for Tropical male patient developed symptoms Medicine (RITM), said at the press to maintain cleanliness at home and in the community, and to of the virus such as fever, rash, joint conference.

The Philippines is among the continue searching for and elimiand muscle pain, and conjunctivitis during her last week in the Philip- countries classified by the World nating potential breeding sites of Health Organization (WHO) as mosquitoes. pines.

She also said that those expeBased on initial information, those with reported or indication the American tourist had traveled of autochthonous or local Zika virus riencing symptoms should immetransmission and no reports of GBS diately seek medical attention to mostly in Luzon. avoid the spread of the virus.

“But we reiterate, this is just one or microcephaly.

The other countries belonging Earlier, the DOH advised Filipino case. There is no epidemic of the Zika virus in the Philippines. There to this category include American women who are not in a hurry to is no outbreak of the Zika virus in Samoa, Cambodia, Fiji, Malaysia, get pregnant to use family planning the Philippines. There is no cause to Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon methods if they are worried about panic,” Garin said in an interview. Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Lao getting infected by the Zika virus, But she strongly advised preg- PDR in the Western Pacific Region, which has recently been found to be nant women in the country and and Indonesia, Maldives and Thai- also transmissible through sexual contact. those planning to get pregnant land in South East Asia.

Inquirer.net

Workers at National Printing Office in Quezon City undergo orientation and verication Process of Precint Count Optical Scan machines.

Inquirer.net photo

SC reminds Comelec to obey ruling on voting receipts

by TeTch

ToRRes-TUpas Inquirer.net

THE Supreme Court has reminded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that its duty is to enforce the law and the law requires the poll body to activate the receipt-printing feature of the vote counting machines (VCM) to be used in the May 9, 2016 elections.

Under Republic Act 9369, the law that amended RA 8436 or the Automated Election System Law, aside from authorizing Comelec to use an automated election system during elections, the law also introduced the Voter Verification Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT, one of the minimum system capabilities of the automated election system and a major security feature of the vote-counting machines.

Petitioner former senator and now a senatorial candidate Richard Gordon explained that the VVPAT allowed voters to confirm whether or not the machine cast the vote correctly based on their choice, thereby ensuring the integrity of the elections.

He added that VVPAT is a “critical and indispensable” security feature of the automated voting machine.

The Comelec opted to do away

with the receipt-printing, saying that it will extend the voting hours.

It added that the receipt can be used in vote-buying and could be used by losing candidates to discredit the elections.

But the high court, in the decision written by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, said Comelec cannot opt to set aside the requirements of the law to assuage its fears regarding the VVPAT. “Vote-buying can be averted by placing proper procedures. The Comelec has the power to choose the appropriate procedure in order to enforce the VVPAT requirement under the law and balance it with the constitutional mandate to secure the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot,” the high court said.

The high court pointed out that the Comelec cannot do away with what is required them to do under the law because it “is not given the constitutional competence to amend or modify the law it is sworn to uphold.”

If there are policy objections, the high court said the remedy is for Congress to amend the law.

“We see no reason why voters should be denied the opportunity to read the voter’s receipt after casting his or her ballot. There is no legal prohibition for the Com-

elec to require that after the voter reads and verifies the receipt, he or she is to leave it in a separate box, not take it out of the precinct,” the high court said.

“The credibility of the results of any election depends to a large extent, on the confidence of each voter that his or her individual choices have actually been counted,” the high court added.

The high court noted that it required Comelec to comment on the petition filed by Gordon.

But Comelec’s counsel, the Office of the Solicitor General, instead sought an extension to file its comment saying it has not received a copy of the petition and Comelec has not transmitted to them documents relevant to the case.

“It perplexes this court that the Comelec failed to immediately transmit relevant documents to the Office of the Solicitor General to allow them to respond within the time granted,” the high court said adding that the high court’s Clerk of Court en banc told them that both Comelec and the OSG have received copy of Gordon’s petition.

“This court cannot accept the lackadaisical attitude of the Comelec and its counsel in addressing this case,” the high court said.

the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing the allegations of corruption in Makati when the vice president and his son were mayor.

Junjun Binay was earlier charged by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan of graft and falsi-

fication of public documents over the alleged rigging in the procurement for the building.

The Ombudsman also indicted Vice President Binay, but it would file the charges only when Binay’s immunity expires at the end of his term.

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March 10-16, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL

OpiniOn

Empowered

Features

ON MARCH 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. It has been designated to acknowledge and celebrate the many social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contributions of women around the world.

According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) was a result of the organizing activities of women in the early 20th century. Between 1909 and 1911, working women in the United States participated in organizing strike activities of the National Women’s Trade Union League and other concerned groups.

They were responding to the low wages, lack of protective legislation and the poor working conditions to which women workers were subjected during that time.

With this year’s team “Pledge for Parity,” people are encouraged to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly—whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to taking pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then one year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn’t

close entirely until 2133.

In the Philippines, March is Women’s Role in History Month.

It is also National Women’s Heart Health Month, its first week is Women’s Week and its 8th day is International Women’s Day. The country was recently hailed by WEF as Asia’s best-performing country and fifth in the world when it comes to closing gender disparity.

Iceland remained the most gender-equal country in this year’s list, followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and Ireland. Rwanda ranked sixth, followed by the Philippines at seventh. Switzerland, Slovenia, and New Zealand completed the top 10 worldwide.

The Global Gender Gap Index is measured based on four primary indicators which include economic participation and opportunity, education, political empowerment, and health and survival.

In its Global Gender Gap Index, the WEF reported that the major improvement was seen in the economic participation and opportunity indicator after the Philippines recorded more female legislators, senior officials and managers, as well as professional and technical workers. The country also saw slight improvement in its score for political empowerment due to a higher number of women

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

in ministerial positions.

While Filipinas have made strides in realizing their formidable role in nation building, the Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) still insists that more women initiate genuine societal transformation where their demands would be fulfilled. They must contribute to bridging gender disparities and shortfalls especially in areas with low development

levels such as areas with high poverty level, and are hazard-prone and disaster affected.

For the world to truly enjoy gender equality and women empowerment, men and women alike must continue exerting tremendous efforts to identify remaining difficulties threatening women’s development, not just for their advancement but for the better future of all. (AJPress)

Could the Republican Party establishment stop Trump’s momentum and prevent him from becoming the GOP nominee?

WHAT is going on in the Republican Party nomination contest has become more of a nailbiter than most reality shows, thanks to the unexpected sprint to the front by reality show star and business mogul Donald Trump. Perhaps the Republican Party establishment did not see this coming, thinking that the Grand Old Party (GOP) electorate’s relationship with him was just a “fling”, arousing its curiosity when he announced he was running for president. But now, Trump has proven such fling is looking like a lasting affair, as he has been winning in more states than any of the traditional Republican presidential candidates.

Could it be too little, too late? The GOP has been scrambling to convince voters to think again before voting for Trump. Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney had

Street Talk GreG B. MacaBenta WHILE doing research at the Library of Congress in Washington DC on the presence of natives of Las Islas Filipinas in Louisiana in the 1700s, I chanced upon a compilation of “Manuscripts and materials relating to the Philippines,” prepared by Charles O. Houston of the library’s manuscript division.

In the preface, Houston wrote: “The library’s collection is extremely rich in the period 1898 and contains as well materials on the preceding period which reflect the interests and biases of Americans who were concerned with Philippine affairs in the opening years of this century.

“Enough was discovered in only two of the collections to make necessary an almost complete revision of the history of the period 1898-1934, and which makes tendentious and misleading most works printed about the Philippines since 1900.“ I recalled Houston’s critical comment on reading the news about the speeches of President Noynoy Aquino at the observance of the 30th anniversary of the People Power Revolution or EDSA 1 and at the memorial service for the late Stephen Bosworth, former US ambassador to the Philippines.

In both speeches, Aquino heaped opprobrium on the

even spoken out as one of the elder party leaders to warn The Fil-Am people against Trump, delivering a fiery speech against their Perspective party’s front-runner.

“Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud,” Romney said of Trump.

“His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump Univer- Gel SantoS-reloS sity. He’s playing members of the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat.”

Romney went on to characterize Trump as somebody the voters should not put their trust in during this election season, alleging that “dishonesty is Donald Trump’s hallmark,” pointing to his “bullying, the greed, the showing off, the mi-

sogyny, the absurd third-grade theatrics.”

Of course, these words went antithetical to what Romney did when he was running against Pres. Barack Obama four years ago. He courted Trump’s endorsement -- as CNN reported, even after Trump had led the “birther” controversy against President Barack Obama, insisting that Obama release his birth certificate to prove he is an American citizen.

Now the Republican Party SuperPAC has been spending millions of dollars to attack Trump, but the more they do this, the more his loyal fans came to his defense.

However, it seems some of the criticism may

have been gaining traction as Trump’s ratings have gone south by a few percentage points leading up to Super Tuesday 2 (Tuesday, March 8).

More consequential primaries and caucuses are taking place this March, and the results of these will prove if Donald Trump can hold on to his frontrunner status, and eventually win enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

However, pundits say if Trump does not win the required number of delegates, we may be expecting some backroom deals happening within the Republican Party leading up to the convention. *** 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

The whole truth about EDSA 1 may never be told late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family, and passed on the onus to vice-presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos II. Among other things, Aquino tried to dispel any notion that the Marcos era was a “golden age” for the Philippines, in the process making that claim for his own administration. He also belied the story about Marcos restraining his military from attacking the civilians massed at EDSA and around Camp Aguinaldo, where the breakaway forces of Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile were entrenched.

Not surprisingly, Aquino’s narratives were challenged by individuals who had intimate knowledge of the Marcos years and the incidents leading to the civil-military uprising that deposed him. Among the detractors were Manila Times columnists Rigoberto Tiglao, former ambassador and key official under President Gloria MacapagalArroyo, and Francisco “Kit” Tatad, former senator and former press secretary in the Marcos cabinet.

Note that each one had played a role in the events that led to the declaration of martial law that, subsequently, led to EDSA 1: Aquino, as the son of the man whose assassination was one of the sparks that set ablaze the embers of the revolt, and a mother who became president as a result of that uprising; Tatad, as a key official in the Marcos government, privy to the machinations in Malacañang; and Tiglao, as a young member

of a Communist cadre openly working for the overthrow of the government – the reason Marcos gave for declaring martial law.

Was Aquino lying or were his detractors the ones doing so?

Frankly, I think that they were all telling the truth—their versions of the truth.

History is written by the victors. Thus, like the records on Philippine-American relations that Houston described as “tendentious and misleading,” the stories about the Marcos regime and EDSA 1 have been told mainly from the perspective of those who deposed him. Expectedly, while based on facts, these have been subjected to biases and varying degrees of embellishments.

It was in that context that Aquino recounted his version of the Marcos years and EDSA 1.

It takes a truly dedicated and objective historian or journalist to dig up accounts from various sources, attempt to separate the grain from the chaff, and come up with a truthful and balanced recounting of the Marcos years and EDSA 1. That may not be possible in our lifetime.

In his speech at the Bosworth memorial service, Aquino said that it was not true that Marcos was compassionate and refused to order government forces to attack the rebels and slaughter their civilian supporters.

I know of different versions of this. One version is that the US warned Marcos that he would be made severely answerable for any deaths at EDSA. On the other hand, I personally overheard

the commander of the Philippine Marines at the time, Gen, Artemio Tadiar, admit that he could not, in all conscience, order his tanks to attack. This was confirmed by other senior officers. In other words, the Marcos military did not have the heart to massacre fellow Filipinos.

But Aquino’s version is understandable. Anyone under his circumstances would be burdened by a humongous prejudice. He is entitled to it, never mind that the main reason for his speech was to keep “Bongbong” Marcos II from winning the vicepresidency.

The best that readers and kibitzers can do is to go by the incontrovertible facts.

What is fact is that Marcos and his military did not spill blood at EDSA. In contrast, one need only Google the heading, “Mendiola massacre,” to read this entry: “The Mendiola massacre, also called Black Thursday by some Filipino journalists, was an incident that took place in Mendiola Street, San Miguel, Manila, Philippines on January 22, 1987, in which state security forces violently dispersed a farmers’ march to Malacañan Palace. Thirteen of the farmers were killed and many wounded when government anti-riot forces opened fire on them. The farmers were demanding fulfillment of the promises made regarding land reform during the Presidential campaign of Cory Aquino, and distribution of lands at no cost to beneficiaries.”

This carnage happened less than a year after President Cory

Aquino’s assumption of the presidency by virtue of her revolutionary powers.

Who had compassion? Marcos or Cory Aquino?

And speaking of compassion, the day after Ninoy Aquino was allowed to leave for the US for medical treatment, it was revealed to us by then First Lady Imelda Marcos that Ninoy was so sick, they had to let him go.

According to her, if Ninoy had died while incarcerated, nobody would have believed that Marcos did not have him killed. Talk about irony.

The reason I know this is because, I happened to be in Malacañang that day with my elder brother, Danding, my cousin, Yen, his uncle Ben Peñaranda, and Leyte poet, Paquing Javines, on the invitation of Mrs. Marcos, in connection with the Santo Niño Fiesta in Tacloban of which Bongbong Marcos was the hermano mayor.

Those are the facts.

Another fact is that Noynoy Aquino has not shown similar compassion for a former president who continues to languish in “hospital arrest” while suffering from a spinal ailment.

The books that have been written about EDSA 1 have been based mostly on the accounts of one side of the confrontation— that of the side that won. In that regard, I happen to have in my possession, copies of three reports written by high-ranking officers in the Marcos military who were in the thick of that conflict. They may present what I refer to as “The other side of EDSA.”

One of the reports was submitted by former Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, Admiral Brillante Ochoco. He had requested newly-designated AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Fidel Ramos, permission to leave for the US. As a condition, Ramos asked Ochoco to submit a detailed—virtually hour by hour— account of his role in the threeday uprising. Ramos must have been satisfied with the report, because Ochoco was allowed to leave.

The reason I am familiar with the report is because Ochoco was a friend and he asked me, as a personal favor, to go over the draft of his manuscript. I retained a copy of it. I also managed to get a copy of two other hour-by-hour narratives submitted to Ramos by two Philippine Navy captains who were also on the government side.

If you were to juxtapose the EDSA 1 accounts of writers like Nick Joaquin with the reports of the senior officers of the Marcos military (which Ramos may have in his archives), we could have a better picture of what really happened in those three fateful days.

The same can be said about the Marcos years, if told from different eyewitness perspectives, such as those of Tatad and Tiglao, and not just from Noynoy Aquino’s point of view.

Until then, we will have to make do with incomplete, possibly tendentious, possibly misleading and possibly self-serving versions of an important part of our country’s history. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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

aDVErTISING aND aDVErTOrIaL POLIcIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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Poe, Binay statistically tied in latest Pulse survey Aquino believes campaigning for LP is his duty Marcos, Escudero share top spot for VP

by PAtRiciA louRdes ViRAy Philstar.com

SEN. Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay tied for the top spot in the latest Pulse Asia presidential survey released on Wednesday, March 9.

The survey, commissioned by ABS-CBN Corp., was conducted from February 16 to 27 among 5,200 respondents nationwide.

Poe scored 26 percent, statistically tied with Binay who obtained 24 percent while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ranked third with 22 percent.

Former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar� Roxas II ranked fourth with 19 percent while Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago scored 3 percent.

On the other hand, Poe topped the second choice presidential

preference survey with 29 percent.

Binay placed second with 22 percent followed by Roxas with 15 percent, Duterte with 12 percent and Santiago with 8 percent.

The respondents were asked to choose who among the remaining candidates would they vote if their chosen candidate decides not to pursue his/her candidacy.

The survey was conducted before the Supreme Court issued its decision to allow Poe to run for president in the upcoming general elections.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong� Marcos Jr. and Sen. Francis “Chiz� Escudero were tied in the first choice vice presidential preference survey with 26 percent.

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo scored 18 percent followed

by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with 13 percent.

Sen. Gregorio “Gringo� Honasan II and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV registered single digits with 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

Escudero took the lead in the second choice vice presidential poll with 27 percent while Marcos landed in second place with 17 percent.

Cayetano takes the third spot with 16 percent followed by Robredo with 12 percent. Honasan and Trillanes both scored 8 percent in the second choice survey.

The survey was conducted during the conduct of the first presidential debate held in Cagayan de Oro City on February 21. It has a Âą1.4 percent margin error and a 95-percent confidence level.

Santiago wants probe on candidates’ ad spending

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

MANILA—As presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday, March 9, questioned her rivals’ alleged high spending on election advertisements, she also raised the need conduct an investigation on candidates’ lifestyle.

Santiago, who authored the proposed Anti-Premature Campaigning Law, said that the presidential aspirants’ election ad expenses should prompt graft and corruption investigations as the candidates spend beyond the wealth they declared in their statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) for their campaign.

She added that the public has the right to know the candidates’ wealth as well as their donors for the campaigns to uphold transparency and accountability among the bets.

Santiago said the candidates are obliged to pay taxes for contributions received outside of the campaign period. “They spent at least five times the net worth they have declared for ads. One candidate even spent by 17 times his net worth. Where did they get the money? If the public is to speculate, they would think that these candidates have either stolen from public funds or peddled their influence,� Santiago said. “The people deserve to know

Presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago speaks before students of the Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City on Friday, March 4.

Philstar.com photo

who bankroll the campaigns of elective officials so that when a campaign contributor enjoys benefits to the detriment of the public under the official’s watch, the people would know who to hold accountable,� she added.

Santiago made the statement after the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) reported that four of the five presidential candidates have collectively spent some P3.2 billion in ads from January 2015 to January 2016, or prior to the campaign period.

The senator noted that the PCIJ report also revealed the gaps between the candidates’ ad spending and their declared wealth.

Santiago lamented that most of the presidential aspirants are incumbent public officials who are authorized to handle government funds.

“Almost all of these candidates are incumbent public officials, and have access to government funds.

They are also prohibited by law from receiving gifts ‘if the value of the gift is under the circumstances manifestly excessive,’� Santiago said in a statement.

In the March 2016 report of PCIJ, Vice President Jejomar Binay was allegedly the top spender with P1.05 billion worth of ads, 17.4 times his net worth of P60.2 million in 2014.

Sen. Grace Poe came at second place with reported P1.016 billion expenses on ads despite a net worth of only P89.5 million; Liberal Party bet Manuel “Mar�

Roxas II was reported to spend P969 million despite a net worth of only P202 million; and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is said to spent P146 million despite a net worth of P21.97 million.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority 340 North 11th Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Phone (702) 922-6060

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR LEGAL SERVICES, P16024 PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON(S): Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named here, including SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners will result in your Proposal being rejected.

Linda P. Simpson Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Contracts & Purchasing Ph: (702) 922-6825; TDD (702) 387-1898 lpsimpson@snvrha.org or

HOW TO OBTAIN THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS ON THE APPLICABLE WEBSITE:

1. DOWNLOAD AND RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION: Housing Agency Marketplace website: nahro.economicengine.com (no “www�)

Registered Users: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Log in and insert Solicitation No. P16024. Non Registered 8VHUV <RX PXVW ÂżUVW UHJLVWHU \RXU FRPSDQ\ before downloading the Solicitation. Click on â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Vendorâ&#x20AC;? to register. Problems accessing the system or registering, call customer support at 866-526-9266, M-F, 9 AM(EST) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 PM (PST)

Wanda Beckett, wbeckett@snvrha.org

2. DOWNLOADS ONLY: SNRHA website: www.snvrha.org, click on Procurement and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Current Bid Invitationsâ&#x20AC;? and proceed to the appropriate solicitation number. Problems downloading the Solicitation, call (702) 922-6876.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS PERIOD:

Mon, March 7, 2016, 10:00 AM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mon., April 4, 2016, 10:00 AM (PST)

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

Friday, March 18, 2016, 10:00 AM (PST) SNRHA Commission Chambers, 340 N. 11th Street, LV, NV 89101 Non-Mandatory Conference, however if you attend, please download the Documents and bring them with you. The SNRHA will not provide copies.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN & DEADLINE:

Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 10:00 AM (PST) Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Attn: Linda P. Simpson Contracts & Purchasing 340 North 11TH Street, Suite 180, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Your proposed fees must be entered at nahro. economicengine.com by the deadline date DQG WLPH $GGLWLRQDOO\ \RXU ÂżYH KDUG FRS\ proposals must be received in-hand and timeVWDPSHG E\ WKH 615+$ 3URFXUHPHQW 2IÂżFH QR later than the deadline date and time.

WOMEN AND/OR MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

MANILAâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; A MalacaĂąang official defended President Benigno Aquino IIIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involvement in the election campaigns, particularly in appearing in advertisements of Liberal Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top candidates Manuel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marâ&#x20AC;? Roxas II and Maria Leonor â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leniâ&#x20AC;? Robredo.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aquino believes he is fulfilling his duty to Filipinos in campaigning for the Liberal Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daang Matuwid Coalition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;President Aquino is actively campaigning for the candidates of the Daang Matuwid Coalition because he believes it is his duty to our Bosses, the Filipino people, to ensure the continuity of good governance that is essential to the attainment of inclusive growth for future generations of Filipinos,â&#x20AC;? Coloma Jr. said Sunday in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang paglahok ng Pangulo sa kampanya ay bahagi ng kanyang nais na maipagpatuloy at maisulong ang mga nasimulang reporma at programang pang-

In this February 2016 photo, President Aquino leads the Liberal Party campaign rally in Roxas City. He flashes the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Labanâ&#x20AC;? sign with presidential candidate Mar Roxas and running mate Leni Robreo

kaunlaran na siya ring prinsipyo at adhikaing isinasabuhay ng mga kandidato ng Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid sa pamumuno nina Secretary Roxas at Representative Robredo,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Colomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statement came after vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chizâ&#x20AC;? Escudero ques-

tioned Aquinoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in Liberal Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political activities leading to the May ballot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kaisa po si Pangulong Aquino at ang buong pamahalaan sa pagnanais na magkaroon nang maayos, malinis [at] mapayapang halalan sa darating na Mayo,â&#x20AC;?

Coloma said.

A

March 10-16, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Journal Fil-Am, a ‘huge’ fan of Ronnie del Carmen, is also making a mark in animation

by Ruben

V. nepales Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES—Josie Trinidad is “a huge fan of Ronnie del Carmen,” the “Pixnoy” (a Pinoy who works at Pixar) who was a nominee in the recent Oscars, but she herself is going places. The Fil-Am is the cohead of the story of “Zootopia,” Disney’s 55th animated feature film. She began as an apprentice in 2004 and rose from the ranks.

The UCLA and CalArts alumna said she was inspired by her father, Amado Fernando Trinidad, who recently passed away. “He truly influenced me the most as a creative storyteller,” Josie remarked about her father who was born and raised in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Set in a world of talking critters, “Zootopia” is being hailed for its uncanny timeliness. Featuring a lovable small town rabbit named Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin), who dreams of becoming a cop, this very entertaining toon touches on race relations and explores bigotry, apropos in these times when the diversity issue is a pressing topic.

These themes are not handled with heavyhandedness, though.

Credit Josie and her team, which includes directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, for coming up with a fun, engaging movie that taps excellent actors as voices for the

various characters, including Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, JK Simmons, Octavia Spencer and even singer Shakira (who also sings the catchy theme song).

Excerpts from our interview with Josie: Can you talk about how fortuitous it is that “Zootopia” tackles diversity at a time when that topic is very much in the news?

At Disney Animation, our goal first and foremost is creating believable, complex and real characters who live in worlds that we’ve never seen before.

Rather than broadly tackling any theme, we chose to focus on our main character, Judy Hopps, and her journey from a small-town girl to fulfilling her dream of being a police officer in the big city.

That’s how we approach story at Disney—by focusing on specific characters and asking how they would respond to the situations we put them in.

How did you strike a balance between tackling prejudice and diversity and still manage to be entertaining?

We were able to strike a nice balance because telling entertaining stories with a strong emotional core is part of what we do. I credit our directors, Byron Howard and Rich Moore, for creating such an entertaining and hilarious movie. Byron directed “Bolt” and “Tangled”; Rich

“Zootopia” characters Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps

is a veteran from “The Simpsons” and “Futurama,” as well as “Wreckit Ralph.”

They are uniquely funny guys who brought together two great writers, Phil Johnston (also from “Wreck-it Ralph”) and Jared Bush (also our codirector) and a wonderful story crew (many of whom I worked with on “Tangled” and “Ralph”).

In addition, we test our story out through several internal screenings over a period of roughly two years. After each screening, our Story Trust, similar to Pixar’s Brain Trust (which includes directors, story supervisors and our creative leadership—John Lasseter and Ed Catmull), give extensive notes on what worked and didn’t work, and how to improve the story.

We also get feedback from the crew.

Speaking of diversity, as a person of color and a woman, what was your journey like in your pursuit of a career in the maledominated world of animation?

My journey in animation began when I was accepted to the character animation program at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). This is where a lot of great artists in animation studied.

When I went to CalArts, the animation department was roughly half women and half men. Many of my classmates were from around

Josie Trinidad

the world, particularly Asia (Korea, Thailand and the Philippines). So where you came from and who you were (male or female) didn’t really matter. It was about how talented you were.

I admit I wasn’t a very talented animator or designer, but I knew I had a knack for story. So, that’s what I focused on while at CalArts.

Fortunately, I had the best story teachers during my time there— people who became directors and story supervisors like Steve Anderson (“Meet the Robinsons”), Mark Andrews (“The Incredibles” and “Brave”), Cody Cameron (“Shrek,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2,” “Open Season 3”) and Mark Walton.

I heard about a story apprenticeship at Disney through Mark Walton, who worked at Disney Animation at the time.

I applied, was accepted and when I first started at Disney, there were only two women in the story department including my mentor, Stevie Wermers. Stevie helped me transition from a fledgling story trainee to a capable veteran.

Have you always dreamt of a career in animation?

Not always. When I was young, I had silly dreams like working at an ice cream parlor and wanting to

be a professional volleyball player, which is ridiculous since I’m very short!

I also wanted to be a teacher, a lawyer and a park ranger when I was in school. But much of my time as a child was spent watching movies and cartoons. And I always loved reading, writing and drawing.

What are your earliest memories of watching animated films?

I saw “Cinderella” in the theater when I was 5 years old. It’s my favorite Disney movie to this day—a wonderful, classic animated film with a great story and characters and fun songs.

But when I was about 10 or 11, when my best friend and I were watching “Robin Hood” on VHS, I accidentally paused it. It started playing frame by frame and at that moment, I realized those were individual drawings. That’s when the idea of my becoming an animator first started.

Can you comment on the success of several Fil-Ams in animation, including Ronnie del Carmen who was a story artist and supervisor like you?

While I don’t know him personally, I’m a huge fan of Ronnie del Carmen, and have been for a long time. I greatly admire his personal comic book series, “Paper

Biscuit.”

I’ve attended his lectures on screenwriting and the story process at Pixar. I especially love his drawing style and sensibility—a perfect combination of emotion and humor.

Can you also comment on Ronnie being the first Fil-Am to be nominated for best original screenplay Oscar for “Inside Out”?

Ronnie’s nomination is a great achievement for Filipino-Americans.

Can you talk about your Filipino heritage?

I was born and raised in California. My mother is Carmencita Lazo Trinidad, born and raised in Canlubang, Laguna. And my father is Amado Fernando Trinidad, born and raised in San Juan, Metro Manila with roots in Marikina.

What are your tips to people aspiring to have careers in animation?

My advice to aspiring story artists is to build your artistic skill set. Focus on drawing, composition, editing, acting, film analysis and structure and enrich your mind through experience… because that is where your own characters and stories are going to come from.

Kris Aquino to leave ABS-CBN for ‘healthier lifestyle’ Vivian Velez on feud with Cristine Reyes: I’ve never been so humiliated in my whole life!

TV HOST-ACTRESS Kris Aquino on Tuesday, March 8, revealed she would leave her work at ABS-CBN to pursue a stress-free life.

In a series Instagram posts, the “Queen of All Media” shared her farewell statement, thanking the Kapamilya network for their relationship.

“Thank you, Kapamilya. Our relationship as a family started October 28, 1996 and it will soon end this March 23, 2016. A total of 10,354 days working for ABS-CBN, my life’s most fulfilling professional journey because of your love, acceptance and loyalty,” Aquino said.

The presidential sister said that she doesn’t want her siblings and two sons to worry about her health.

“Just like all of you, I love my FAMILY. My most valuable life destiny is to be a Mama to KUYA JOSH and BIMBY; and to be a loving, selfless sister to ATE, PINKY, NOY and VIEL: a bunso who doesn’t give them constant worry because of my health and safety,” she said.

“I’m not putting a time frame, but with my type of work, it’s realistic to accept by leaving ABS-CBN I’ll be replaced and soon forgotten… My sons and I will travel, we’ll move to our new home, and I’ll eat healthy, sleep early, exercise regularly, and live quietly-everything to make sure Kuya Josh and Bimby have a healthy mother.”

Aquino also thanked her supporters and her endorsements and hoped that she will be missed.

“My not so healthy heart wants to thank all of you for your LOVE, for me, my family & my work. I’LL BE BACK W/ A 100% HEALTHY HEART SO I CAN LOVE ALL OF YOU EVEN MORE & for much longer,” she said. (Inquirer.net)

by Ricky lo Philstar.com

THE whole mess was first hinted at in blind items—you know, about a veteran actress who was pissed off by the attitude of a younger actress who was acting like a “primadonna.”

Then, Vivian Velez identified herself in her Instagram that, yes, she’s the veteran actress referred to and the young actress “with an attitude” is Cristine Reyes. Both are in the cast of “Tubig at Langis,” the ABS-CBN teleserye that also stars, among others, Isabelle Daza and Zanjoe Marudo caught between the two women, with Vivian as his mother.

On the set in Bulacan, Vivian said that she and Cristine were sharing the master’s bedroom of the house used as stand-by area.

“It was the owner of the house who invited me to use the room,” said Vivian. “Nagdadabog siya, she was having tantrums. She was driving me out of the room — you know, ‘Paalisin ‘yang si Vivian Velez kasi gusto kong matulog.’

How come daw she was inside the tent and I was in the room. She was complaining to the production people.”

According to Vivian, who plays the main kontrabida, there were other instances where Cristine gave her “shabby treatment.”

“Not naman that I expect

younger stars to give me importance but I, and other veterans for that matter, wouldn’t want naman to be treated with disrespect,” added Vivian. “Fine with me if she wouldn’t even mind me or greet me on the set, even when I tried to be nice to her, to reach out to her. I don’t understand where she’s coming from. She would just look me straight in the eye and walk away.

“She insisted that her scenes should be shot first. Why should I be given daw priority. So I explained to the producers that at my age, we cannot naman stay up working up to the next morning.

What scene to shoot first or last is the prerogative of the director. Even when I was new in the business, I was never involved in anything like this…so why now at this stage of my career?”

“I’ve been in this business so long and I’ve never been treated that way,” continued Vivian. “I’ve never been so humiliated in my whole life. I’ve done two teleserye for ABS-CBN, Immortal and Maria Mercedes,and I never had any problem with the company or my co-stars.”

The last straw came over the weekend.

“I think somebody must have told her (Cristine) that I was already contemplating on quitting,” related Vivian. “We were rehears-

Vivia Velez

ing a scene and Cristine kept on going around, singing, ‘Goodbye to you, my friend!,’ nagpaparinig ba. The people on the set were embarrassed for me; they were looking down. I felt so humiliated.

Those in the cast na mga ka-edad ko felt for me. I was already fed up so I confronted her.

Even if her decision is final, Vivian said that she’s reporting to the set to finish her scenes (so that her character will have a “closure”).

Will she have a confrontation scene with Cristine that will require her to slap Cristine? Will art imitate life? Will Vivian do it, uhm, for art’s sake?

Stay tuned on Tubig at Langis.

(Note: Funfare tried but failed to contact Cristine Reyes. This corner is open anytime for her side.)

B march 10-16, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Iza Calzado and Mikee Cojuangco: Advocates for Mother Earth

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

EnViRonMEnTAl awareness knows no age, no gender, and no social status.

This is what the World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) stands for as it set to mark two important occasions this year: its 20th founding anniversary and the 10th anniversary of Earth Hour—its monumental activity that calls on humanity to switch off lights once a year for Mother Earth. in line with this, WWF-philippines recently formally announced that this year’s Earth Hour is slated on March 19. showing her support for the upcoming cause is no less than the group’s newest national Ambassador, iza Calzado. in her first-ever public appearance as an ambassador for the foundation, actress and host Calzado admitted that she was first hesitant to join WWF. she told The Manila Times, “When they signed me up, i wasn’t sure, i told them i am not an environmentalist. not yet, anyway!

“But the thing is, i know that i can make a difference and i’ve been given an opportunity to do so. And together with WWF, i hope to inspire people, i hope to create change and i hope to somehow be a part of—i can’t say a revolution—the movement to make this world a better place,” Calzado further elaborated.

When asked what will be her pledge for the environment now that she’s part of WWF, the ac-

Earth Hour Steward Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski and WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Iza Calzado pledge their support for Earth Hour

tress sincerely answered, “My only pledge is that i will try to be a better citizen of the world and try to take better care of Mother nature. i’m slowly thinking of ways on how i can make my household more eco-friendly. . . [with] small choices in life like choosing not to waste water.”

The Manila Times also sat down with Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski who has been an “Earth Hour steward” for four years already.

For her environmental pledge this year, she revealed, “i think my pledge for 2016 is to be a little bit more conscious of the small acts that we can do at home and as a family. i think there’s always something new to discover and a new way of doing things. Maybe this year, i will try to do a little bit more natural with the things that we use at home.”

Calzado and Cojuangco will be

joining long-time WWF national Ambassadors Marc nelson and Rovilson Fernandez, as well as other advocates and supporters in celebrating 2016’s Earth Hour at the Quezon City Memorial Circle (QCMC).

Before, during and after the actual switching off lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Earth Hour philippines and WWF-pH have lined up different activities.

“We thought it but fitting to go back to the roots of Earth Hour.

We want to show that things are possible,” noted lawyer Angela Consuelo ibay, director of Earth Hour philippines. one thing that Filipinos must watch out for is the Bambike. it can a power generator and light up a panel when used unceasingly.

During the one-hour lights out, advocates will continuously pedal and pass the task from one to another to keep the place lighted.

A solar power developer will also put up solar panels at the QCMC. The batteries powered by the solar panels will then be used to light up the venue at night.

“We are excited. We are really trying to make it as low carbon as possible, to show that even as you switch off from the grid, you can actually switch on to using kinetic energy,” ibay added.

And to put an extra dose of entertainment value to the event, there will also be cultural performances and acoustic artists who will complement the quietness of the night.

Finally, ibay called on Filipinos to also mark Earth Hour in their own ways besides attending the festivities.

“We also tell people that it’s not just coming to our event. if they want to celebrate Earth Hour in their own home, that’s better because it also lessens the carbon foot print,” ibay concluded.

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

A new novelty: Foreigners singing OPM hits in contest Filipinos have always loved singing covers of chart-topping hits by the world’s most famous artists, which is why reality show franchises like “Your Face sounds Familiar” and “pilipinas Got Talent” became instant hits on local TV. But what if contest producers mounted a show the other way around? That is to have foreigners singing opM hits in competition.

Apparently, the concept can be just as successful.

ABs-CBn’s newest show featuring “100-percent non-Filipinos” covering songs by Martin nievera, Gary Valenciano, lani Misalucha, Regine Velasquez and everyone in between has caught viewer’s attention since premiering in mid February. simply dubbed “i love opM,” the show’s episodes have even become Twitter trends, with its 12 foreign contestants quickly gaining a following.

An original concept by ABsCBn, the show aims to find the best non-Filipino singer who can sing original pilipino Music and at the same time promote Filipino music on national TV. Though a bit cheesy in calling their judges “Himigration officers”—impressively comprised of Concert King Martin nievera, Asia’s nightingale lani Misalucha, and Ultimate Multimedia star Toni Gonzaga—with the contestants labeled “Touristars,” viewers actually lapped the novel concept up.

A dozen foreigners—comprised of individuals and group acts—are out to prove they can do Filipino covers capably, shown here with ‘I Love OPM’ judges Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha, and host Anne Curtis.

The 12 finalists are: Jeena Dimaandal, 19, a college student of irish and German descent and raised American in oakland, California; Ryan Gallagher, 27, an American business manager born in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Dio smith, 30, a pakistani model for conceptualized fine-art photography; Addy Raj, 21, a former exchange student from india; Anna Rabtsun, 26, a Russian model who married a Filipino; Korean pop group J-Morning; sumner Mahafey, 22, an American missionary to the philippines; Jerome McCuin, an American who currently lives in Taguig; Fathin Amira, 23, is a singaporean wedding singer; Daniel Herrington, 27, a musician

who grew in small town Mississippi; naisa lasalosi, 21, is a Tongan missionary and musician born and raised in Australia; and DBD is an all-male interracial trio comprised of Korean Dae lee, 22, nigerian Bobby skyz, 24, and Australian Dwaine Mooley, 25, who started out as individual artists but found that they sound better together. some of them have been to the philippines before returning to join the competition, while others have already found a new home in these islands. There are also those who just simply love Filipino music and upon hearing about i love opM, auditioned for the cut. (ManilaTimes.net)

Director Francis Pasion found dead in QC unit ACClAiMED film and television director Francis Xavier pasion was found dead in the bathroom of his house in Quezon City on sunday, March 6.

Joji Alonso, the producer of pasion’s Cinemalaya entries “sampaguita” and “Bwaya,” said that the director was not answering texts and calls.

The director was found lifeless in the bathroom by his parents, Alonso said.

According to initial findings of pnp soCo, pasion died of a heart attack, Alonso added. He was 38.

“He has been having chest pains which is why he went to Cardinal (santos Medical Center) to undergo a medical exam…” said Alonso in a text message to

inquirer.net. pasion, whose last project was working in the hit television soap “on The Wings of love,” is a multi-awarded independent film director.

His 2014 film “Bwaya” won Best Film in the new Breed Category in the 10th Cinemalaya Film Festival, along with Best in Cinematography and Best original score awards. in 2008, his film “Jay” won Best Film, Best Editing, and the Balanghai Trophy in the Cinemalaya Film Festival. The said film also reaped awards in the Venice, Busan, and Berlin film festivals.

A Communication graduate Inquirer.net photo from Ateneo, pasion also directed Francis Xavier Pasion episodes of various ABs-CBn tele- “My Binondo Girl,” “princess and vision shows such as “Dyesebel,” i” and “nathaniel.” (Inquirer.net)

Jo Koy

March 18

9 P M // T R E A S U R E I S L A N D T H E A T R E // T I C K E T S 7 0 2 . 8 9 4 . 7 7 2 2

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 10-16, 2016

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Zsa Zsa Padilla wants to‘surprise’fiancé on wedding day Jolina Magdangal’s hugot songs by

Joyce Jimenez

by Bot

Glorioso Philstar.com

Philstar.com

MANILA—A “surprise wedding” is what Zsa Zsa Padilla is planning for her fiancé Conrad Onglao.

She’s the one who’s planning everything and would prefer not to reveal any details, especially since she’s still in the planning stage.

“Na-e-excite pa ba kayo?” she asked the entertainment press when she was being prodded about her wedding, in an interview on Tuesday, March 8. “Sa edad ko talaga, (ako) hindi na,” she said.

More than excitement, what the Kapamilya singer-actress feels is “pressure.”

“Nape-pressure ako, napepressure ako na baka may masaktan na ‘di maimbita,” she explained. “I don’t want it to be big kasi sabi ko hindi ko naman ito first wedding. Hindi rin naman niya ito first wedding, tapos mayro’n pa kong naudlot na wedding.”

She was first married to Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari before her relationship with the late Comedy King Dolphy. Onglao was also married before with Ivy Almario and had two sons.

What Zsa Zsa admitted was she was “traumatized” with the planned wedding with Dolphy that didn’t push through.

“Actually na-traumatize ako

Zsa Zsa Padilla wants to prepare a surprise wedding with fiancé Conrad Onglao as to keep it intimate and not offend anyone who doesn’t get invited.

do’n, na-trauma ako,” she confessed. “So ‘pag nagpaplano ako nane-nega ako, baka hindi matuloy ganyan. Kaya sabi ko kung bibiglain ko na lang parang pati siya mabibigla, surprise na lang.”

It took a while before Zsa Zsa’s relationship with Onglao became public.

Aside from protecting her partner from receiving flak from the public since Dolphy’s death is still fresh, she’s also not ready for the comments that people might throw to them.

So when she finally made relationship with Onglao public, she accepted the fact that “everyone has an opinion.”

This is the reason why she

understood Xian Lim and Kim Chiu’s decision not to put label to their relationship, and to keep it private for now. “’Yong stand nga ni Xian sabi ko naiintindihan ko,” she said.

“Kumbaga they’re leaving a little something for themselves and that’s not a bad thing.”

She added that “when you invite everybody in (the relationship), everyone has an opinion, you have to respect that kasi you let them in, e. Kumbaga hindi ako magugulat kasi I allowed it.”

Zsa Zsa stars with Xian and Kim in the ABS-CBN primetime TV series “The Story of Us,” which airs Monday to Friday after “Dolce Amore.”

Xian, Kim talk about their journey as love team about their team up, in the video released by Star Cinema.

The Kapamilya actor explained that despite the several projects they’ve done both for TV and film, he believes that “there are many things that they have to see pa about me, about Kim which is hindi pa nila nakikita.”

On the other hand, Kim said the TV series is just in time for her tenth year here in the industry.

As she took on “more mature” roles starting with the film “Etiquette for Mistresses,” Kim is ready to take that route also with her love team with Xian.

“Siguro I’m just blessed and siguro lucky na mabigyan ako ng chance every year to prove myself to a lot of people,” she said.

In the end, Xian asked the public to “give our show a chance,” while Kim thanked everyone who supported her and her love team Xian Lim and Kim Chiu said they’re ready to take their love team a notch higher through the with Xian. (Philstar.com) TV series “The Story of Us.” MANILA—Xian Lim and Kim Chiu are about to offer something new to their fans as they star in the ABS-CBN primetime series “The Story of Us.” Both as love team have been together since 2011 in their first primetime series “My Binondo Girl.”

Since then, their tandem has gained a lot of following and was known as “KimXi.” “Siguro sa mga nanonood sa amin, iniisip nila from 2011 what a long journey. We’ve been through so much, yes, a part of that is true but para sa akin I think nagsisimula pa lang kami,” said Xian

MANILA—Gone are the days when Jolina Magdangal would sing and dance on stage in a colorful get-up with face-framing bangs that seemed to sway at her every turn. Jolina is now a picture of a mature woman whose every move is filled with finesse and elegance. Even her shoulder-length, one-sided wavy hairdo and stylish outfit clearly tell everyone that the former Ang TV star has totally bid her pa-tweetum days goodbye.

But Jolina’s love for singing will never fade away. If some of her previous hits like Sana’y Kapiling Ka and Laging Tapat got you misty-eyed, this time Jolina puts listeners in LSS (last song syndrome) mode as she turns sentimental in her latest album titled “Back to Love” under Star Music.

Produced by Rox Santos, the album is composed of all-original Tagalog songs that speak about the different facets of love—everlasting, fervent, unconditional, wishful, weary, etc. The re-recording of Chuva Choo Choo with Vice Ganda is an excellent breather to the emotionally-laden song line-up.

“Malungkot pero masaya ko silang kinakanta,” says Jolina on singing emotionally-charged musical pieces. “I mean, if I am overwhelmed with emotion while singing, baka di na ko makahinga so it’s a must for me to sing with a happy heart. Still, one can feel the sadness in the songs and it’s heartening for me to interpret them because I enjoy doing sentimental songs or ‘yung may hugot. Mas kinikilig ako pag senti ’yung kanta.”

More so now that Jolina has already experienced the joys and pains of falling in love. She admits to have cried buckets because of love countless times before she finally found her true love in Rivermaya drummer Mark Escueta, who is now her husband and father of their two-year-old son Pele Iñigo. “Now, I laugh at myself every time I recall those times when I was so hurt over a lost love, mga puppy love ganyan, parang ‘yun lang pala yun iniyakan ko pa (laughs).”

No wonder, Jolina was able to accurately interpret the message of every song in the album. In fact, only two weeks after the release of Back to Love, it already scored

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Jolina Magdangal (with Star Music in-house record producer Rox Santos) shows her sentimental side in “Back to Love.”

Philstar.com photo by Allan Sancon

a gold record award for having sold more than 7,500 CDs. “I’m thankful for this because it’s been seven years since my last album. That’s why everything felt new again while I was recording in the studio, ninamnam ko lahat.

But I can say that I prepared well for the album.”

No, Jolina didn’t have a hard time tuning up her vocal cords.

Thanks to her segment L.S.S. (Love Songs and Stories) in “ASAP” and the occasional outof-town shows for keeping her voice in “perfect pitch.”

For Rox, he didn’t notice any change in the singer’s voice. “But if you will notice, the texture of her voice has become richer; mas kumapal which is good. ‘Yung tono ganun pa din.”

Jolina also appreciates how Star Music gave her the freedom to involve herself in the album completion—from selecting the songs to the making of music video and album cover.

Back to Love includes her first single Ikaw Ba Yon as well as Kaya Mo Pa Ba, Paano Na ‘To? and Nasaan Na. Jolina’s ‘90s hit Kapag Ako ay Nagmahal gets two re-recordings — the mellow 2015 version and a remix featuring Gloc-9.

Completing the track list are Sa Panaginip Lang, Still You, Ganito Pala Ang Pag-Ibig and Throwback Lang (a duet with Kyla). Mark and Pele also had a special participation in the album.

Although Jolina is aware that most of the songs can now be downloaded online, it didn’t dampen her spirit to come up with Back to Love.

“I admit may kaba ako na gumawa ng album since it’s been years since the last one pero yung kaba ko na yun mas marami pa rin yung excitement. I’m not the type who would dwell on the thought na kikita ba o hindi because I believe that if you enjoy what you’re doing, it will come out good.” And just like her early hits, Back to Love exceeded her expectations.

That’s why Rox can rightfully claim that Jolina still holds the title of Star Music Queen of Pop “due to the number of albums that turned gold and quadruple platinum.”

Asked which of her songs— past and present—can best describe her, Jolina said, “Kapag Ako ay Nagmahal because it exactly defines me when I’m in love. I never give up easily, except kung sagad na talaga ako.”

B march 10-16, 2016 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL

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Aiko Melendez says ‘no bad What makes ‘JaDine’ and #OTWOL a hit among Filipinos experience’ with Cristine Reyes by

By Monet

Philstar.com

Lu

When James Reid and nadine Lustre—a.k.a JaDine—started making some buzz, I wasn’t paying much attention. I love their tandem but I didn’t think they would be the phenomenal loveteam that they are now. Things changed when I went home (Philippines) for a vacation and really saw it for myself—The JaDine craze is beyond imaginable!

ABS-CBn’s TV Series, “On The Wings Of love” (OTWOL), which starred reel—and now real lovers—James and nadine ended just a week ago. After soaring the airwaves with over four million viewers every day, 1 million tweets and the hyper-kilig-to-the-bones feeling that’s just so contagious that they could form a cult, they finally ended their seven-month run.

I didn’t get the chance to watch the final episode but it’s like the end of an era when it happened. everybody got so hooked to the story; now that it’s over, there’s just a void in their day-to-day routines between 9:30pm–10:15pm.

You’ll know an amazing show when you can’t stop thinking about it. You just stop whatever it is you’re doing or make room in your schedule to watch it. And it doesn’t end there -- you have this intense desire to talk about it with your friends or play the scenes in your head and think about possible lines you would’ve said if you were Leah (nadine’s character) or Clark (James’s character). It got me thinking what makes this series so unique and yet so familiar to Filipinos.

Well, for one; it is a story that is so relatable to the modern Pinay and her struggles as an OFW. The pilot episode showed Leah’s mom, “Rona” (played by Isay Alvarez) leaving her children to work abroad. The scene where she is saying goodbye to her children is just one of the many scenarios happening over and over to thousands of our Kababayans who chose to do the same to give their families (back home) a better future. The situations involving TnT’s in the US and “arranged marriages” to get a green card, or wishing the “American dream,” are just among the issues that we (here in the US) encounter so often. Coming from someone who’s lived here almost

EMPLOYMENT

Joyce Jimenez

Nadine Lustre and James Reid

my whole life, I can relate when the show talks about problems that immigrants face. I believe this is one of the strongest points of the show. They truly knew how tug on the heartstrings and make the storyline relatable in a really poignant manner.

Speaking of emotional scenes, OTWOL just makes you feel in love almost all the time. What’s even more amazing is that you feel for the characters; you laugh, fall in love, get heartbroken and be hopeful just like the characters! There are no overly complicated plot lines, cliché displays of affection, ‘forced’ backstories or complex love affairs. Only lighthearted, romantic story that puts you in a good mood every time you watch it.

But aside from the way the writers made this TV series so engaging, there is no denying the chemistry of James and nadine. even the whole cast spoke about it behind the scenes. Indeed, the one thing that the creators of this series did right from the start is to cast a loveteam that is not predictable and unassumingly innocent.

JaDine is the fresh, ‘good-vibes’ pair that’s so easy to love. They don’t try too hard to look sweet or to come up with stories for publicity’s sake. They started out as best friends in real life, they didn’t make people expect that they are—or will be—a couple. And when they actually became one, they owned

up to it and admitted it in the most kilig way possible! everything about them is so transparent and that, I believe, is their best asset as love team both on and off-cam.

It is nice to know that we, Filipinos, can still spot and appreciate an authentic relationship in reel or real-life. To some, JaDine may be seen as just another loveteam competing amongst equally lovable rivals. But for me, they do more than just solicit votes and followers—they prove that there is much to look forward to as far as TV entertainment is concerned.

To actually see how a teleserye like “On The Wings Of Love” became a household name even without the use of gimmicks or rated-PG scenes, tells us that there’s some maturity in us as Filipino viewers.

To JaDine, and the cast and crew of OTWOL, congratulations!

Please do not make us miss you too much. a movie ‘version’ would be nice (hint!). *** 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

EMPLOYMENT

MAnILA—Aiko Melendez said she didn’t have a bad experience working with Cristine Reyes before.

They have worked together in the afternoon series “Reputasyon” in 2011, the time when Aiko’s breakup with Patrick Meneses was still fresh. During that time, Meneses was linked to Cristine’s sister, Ara Mina. “no, I didn’t have any bad experience with her,” she replied when asked how was her working relationship before with Cristine, in an interview on Tuesday, March 8.

Cristine is recently involved in an incident with experience actress Vivian Velez, who claimed that she humiliated her and was rude to her.

Aiko believes that clearing the issue with Cristine before they started working is a big factor.

“To begin with, bago kami sinalang I had to sit down with her and talk to her na, ‘ihiwalay natin ang trabaho sa kung anuman ang mayro’n kami ng sister mo.’ So maybe that’s one thing she appreciated with me because I’ve been very honest, I’ve laid my cards,” she said.

Recalling their work relation-

AikoMelendez said she didn’t have any bad experience working with Cristine Reyes before when they did “Reputasyon” in 2011.

Philstar.com photo by Joyce Jimenez

ship before, the actress described Cristine as a “transparent” person.

“If she doesn’t like you, she’ll make you feel she doesn’t like you. But if she likes you, she’ll make a way na talagang make you feel that she likes you,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Aiko said she’s open to work again with Ara Mina at the right time and with the right project.

“If there’s a project na maganda ang role, puwede,”she said.

“Kaya lang, ayoko naman na

pagtawanan kami ng tao to the expense... I mean maraming pinagdadaanan si Ara ngayon sa buhay niya, and I don’t think ‘yong pagpiyestahan pa ‘yong buhay namin pareho ngayon would be worth it.”

“So I think the best way is, you know, okay kami hindi man kami magkatrabaho. At least hindi kami magkaaway,” she added.

Aiko is part of the primetime series “The Story of Us,” which stars Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. It airs after “Dolce Amore” in ABSCBn.

A baby girl for John Prats and Isabel Oli

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

The baby is due sometime next month yet. But early on, even into Isabel Oli’s first month of pregnancy, she and husband John Prats have already chosen a name: Lilly Feather.

That’s why when John surprised Isabel with a baby shower last Sunday, March 6, at Le Jardin, W Tower in Bonifacio Global City, invited guests came with “girl” gifts, among them Gerald Anderson, Robi Domingo, erik Santos, Sam Milby, MJ Lastimosa, Kaye Abad, Richard Poon and wife Maricar Reyes, Gretchen Fullido and Jay Contreras (of Kamikazee).

The shower was held in cooperation with premier baby gear brand Aprica. John’s sister Camille (who brought along son nathan) hosted and prepared games for everyone.

As soon as half of those on the

list of invitees were seated, John ushered Isabel in. Unlike in a photo they posted on social media with Isabel proudly showing her big tummy (with John lovingly touching, a “pregnant pose” initiated by Demi Moore and copied by other celebrities including Marian Rivera for the cover of a glossy magazine), she arrived blooming in a pink dress and was overwhelmed to see everyone.

John let the attendees in on a secret — Isabel didn’t even want to go to the party! John told her that it was a birthday party of his high school friend, and Isabel didn’t suspect a thing.

“I really had no idea. I told him pa nga na baka pwedeng siya na lang ang pumunta,” Isabel told the guests.

Isabel took a break from showbiz as soon as she entered her fourth month of pregnancy.

“I will be a hands-on mom,” Isabel Oli and husband John Prats: Proud said Isabel. parents in April.

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Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves Devin M. Connolly nAnCy e. MilleR THE ability to apply for permanent resident status (green card) in the US rather than at the Embassy in your native country is frequently more than a simple convenience. Rather, being forced to depart the US and apply abroad can have life-altering consequences. By leaving the US an applicant may be making themselves ineligible for the very thing they are leaving the US to apply for —a green card. And no, it does not matter that they only reason you left the US was because you were told that you were ineligible be granted your green card from within the US. So it is clear that it is beneficial to apply in the US. Not only is it less disruptive to your life and likely less expensive since you do not have to travel, but you also will not trigger any bars to returning because you would have never left. Unfortunately though, not everybody is eligible to be granted their green card in the US. There are many reasons why a person may not be currently eligible to apply for their green card in the US. A common reason for this ineligibility is because they were previously ordered deported. Whether they were ordered deported after failing to appear in Immigration Court or because the Immigration Judge denied their application, this outstanding order of deportation will make you ineligible for your green card. It then becomes necessary to have the prior court case reopened.

A person will be ordered deported if they fail to appear for their hearing in Immigration Court. This is referred to as an in absentia order of deportation.

A foreign national issued an in absentia order of deportation has 180 days to file a motion with the Immigration Court requesting that the order be rescinded because their failure to appear was due to ‘exceptional circumstances.’ The

PhiliP s. ChuA, MD, FACs, FPCs THOUGH our body experiences inflammation when we acquire any type of acute infection, “silent” chronic inflammation all of us have in our body is actually the cause of most, if not all, the illnesses we encounter.

These include the minor cold, hay fever, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.

The inflammation resulting from common acute infections we get is not the inflammation I am referring to, although inflammation from repeated bouts of acute infection (like tooth decay or gingivitis, for example) could also lead to increased risk of the inflammatory process that could lead to major diseases listed above. This association has been proven in a multitude of scientific studies.

What is inflammation?

The origin of the word inflammation is from the Latin word “inflammo,” which means “I set alight, I ignite.” Inflammation is a part of our natural biological defense and immune system response and has the following features: it is the body’s attempt to protect itself by counteracting or removing harmful stimuli, irritants, or invading foreign organisms, and to start the healing process. Inflammation ensues when the body is confronted by an irritant -- trauma, infection, poison, and radiation, among others. During an acute infection, our white blood cells instantly go into action and automatically produce protective substances that protect us from the infection or invading foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses). The infection causes pain, swelling, and redness of the wound. In the latter part of the inflammatory process, there could be suppuration (pus formation) and then granulation (tiny rounded masses of tissues in the wound to contain the irritant and the healing process). While acute inflammation lasts about a few days or a couple of weeks, chronic inflammation could last for months or even years. Without inflammation, infections and wounds would become worse and damage the body more, and no repair or healing would be possible, and we would eventually perish.

How about chronic inflammation?

Chronic (long-term) inflammation in the body -- like dental carries, eczema, infection of the

B

Obtaining a green card after Calendar of Events across America being ordered deported “There are many reasons why a person may not be currently eligible to apply for their green card in the US. A common reason for this ineligibility is because they were previously ordered deported.

Whether they were ordered deported after failing to appear in Immigration Court or because the Immigration Judge denied their application, this outstanding order of deportation will make you ineligible for your green card.” term ‘exceptional circumstances’ refers to compelling situations beyond the control of the foreign national, such as serious illness to themselves or serious illness or death of their spouse, child, or parent. As you can see, a case will not be reopened for something as trivial as car problems the day of the hearing or an inability to take time off from work. Rather, it truly must be an exceptional situation for a case to be reopened on this ground.

A second reason an in absentia order of deportation may be rescinded is if the Immigration Court did not provide proper notice of the time, date and location of the hearing. And while many people are indeed notified and simply choose not to appear because they fear the outcome will not be positive, many others are not properly notified. There are no official time limits on filing a motion based on a lack of notice, but a person should make this request to the court in a timely manner after learning that they were ordered deported. It is also important to note that a foreign national is required to inform the Immigration Court when they changes their address, Thus, a person cannot fail to appear after moving and then ask for their case to be reopened because the post office did not properly forward their mail.

There are also times when a person appears in court and submits their application for relief, only to have the Immigration Judge deny their case. The foreign national may even appeal and have their case denied by the

Board of Immigration Appeals as well. In this situation a person is required to file their motion to reopen within 90 days of the decision. But what happens if you do not become eligible for your green card for several years, perhaps when your child turns 21-years-old. Despite being well beyond the 90-day limit, it may still be possible to have your case reopened and be granted your green card. You will have to show clear evidence that you are eligible for your green card if the court case is reopened, and it helps to also show compelling evidence why your case should be reopened, such as hardship to family members or significant ties to the US. Despite an outstanding order of deportation, a green card may still be within your grasp. It is advisable to consult an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who is dedicated solely to the practice of immigration law so that they may advise you of potential options and their likelihood of success. *** 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.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration @rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

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Inflammation: friend or foe?

Health@Heart

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 10-16, 2016

ear, nose, sinuses, nail, skin, stomach, colon, or any tissue or organ inside our body -- could lead to major killer diseases of our time, including cancer. It is, therefore, prudent for all of us to avoid and prevent any condition that would lead to chronic inflammation.

While inflammation is present in all infections, inflammation does not always mean, nor is it associated with, an infection (like in arthritis). We shall discuss the preventive pro-active strategy below.

Is arthritis a form of inflammation?

Yes, arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. In general, any entity that ends in “itis” is an inflammatory condition: sinusitis (sinus infection), otitis (ear infection), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscles), pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs, pneumonia) gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix), colitis (inflammation of the colon) and nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), to name a few. While there are no bacteria or viruses involved in arthritis, the body’s immune system triggers an inflammatory response, in spite of the absence of foreign invaders, hence arthritis is called an autoimmune disease, where the body’s normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues, mistaking them as harmful foreign invaders.

Inflammation can target internal organs as a part of an autoimmune disorder.

How does inflammation linger in our body?

There are many human conditions, activities, and behaviors in our lifestyle that promote chronic unending inflammation in our body, which eventually cause major illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid and heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. Among others, they include poor nutrition, unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol excess, lack of physical exercise and stress management, polluted air and water, excessive doses of sunlight and exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals.

Repeated exposures to any of the above harmful triggers will incite, initiate, and propagate inflammation in our cells, tissues, organs, and systems, damaging the integrity of our DNA. Persistent inflammation in the body will eventually cause major diseases.

As we have alluded to earlier, chronic inflammation increases the risk for the development of most cancers.

How do we prevent inflammation?

Since irritants that trigger inflammation could be found even in the womb or in the crib, babies, toddlers, and young

children could have some degree of inflammation in their system, even before they catch a cold or have diarrhea, milk or diet intolerance or trauma. So, realistically, we cannot totally prevent the onset of inflammation. But we can certainly reduce or minimize chronic inflammation, maintain a healthier body, and enjoy a longer life.

A healthy diet is an essential factor in reducing chronic inflammation, especially one mainly of fish (source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids) vegetables, nuts, some fruits, limiting red meat to about three times a week, regular physical exercises, and rest and relaxation as part of stress management. The first five food items, especially vegetables of all kinds and color, are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods that help the body rid itself of harmful free radicals, boosting the immune system and thereby reducing inflammation.

Regular daily physical exercise is a great anti-inflammatory activity, which in itself is an antioxidant, reducing our risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer!

Quitting cigarettes or the more toxic e-cigarettes, moderation in alcohol intake, and lessening our exposure to the sun and pollution also spare damages to our DNA, lessening inflammation and the development of illnesses, including cancer.

Like vegetables, garlic, pepper, ginger, onion, turmeric, curry, rosemary, thyme, chive, and other spices also have beneficial antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties good for health.

Indeed, they are the spice of health, of life!

Our body is like an auto-regulated chemistry laboratory and pharmacy, and has super-acute sensors that respond instantly to stimuli (either good or bad), to irritants and insults, and to bodily needs --- all to maintain a homeostatic balance and health.

Unhealthy behaviors and practices induce inflammation and the production of harmful hormones in our body. A healthy lifestyle promotes the secretion of good and happy hormones that minimize inflammation, reduce our risk for illnesses, and maximize our natural longevity. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

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Eagle Rock High School Monthly Open House Tours laureate Open House Tours, from 8-10am during the spring semester on Friday, March 11; and Friday, April 1. Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School serves students in grades 712, and was the first school in the LAUSD to be authorized to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (grades 7-10) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (grades 11-12), a project-based program for concept and content-based learning to promote global mindedness and service to others. The IB Open House is open to all interested students, and will include an introductory presentation in the ERHS library, followed by campus tours, classroom visits, and a short questionand-answer period. To register for the Open Houses, please visit www.erhs.la, and click on the “IB Open House Registration” link. Please email Mylene Keipp mylene.keipp@lausd. net for more information. We look forward to your visit!

mARch 12

Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. Grand Marshals Gala The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) will launch the commemoration of the 118th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence on Saturday, March 12 with the Grand Marshals Gala at the Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Boulevard in Astoria, Queens, New York 11102). The gala will take place from 7:00pm until 12:30am, honoring Dr. Leonidas “Ned” Pulido and wife Carmencita “Menchie” Pulido, who were chosen as the Grand Marshals of the 2016 Philippine Independence Day Parade in June.

Gala tickets are $100 per person, with formal or Filipinana attire. Please contact the Chairwomen of the Grand Marshals Selection and Gala Committee, Ollie David (732-499-7995) and Helen LaBarbera (516-581-8830), ir OUDCU President Dr. Prospero Lim (347-248-5106) for gala invitations and more information. Interested parties may also call any of the Committee Co-chairs: Drs. Emilio and Fely Quines (347-254-2945), Drs. Rod and Elma Castillo (201-869-4044), Dr. Ely Parico (908-265-1293), Dulce Barangan (516-343-8592), Lauren Martinez (347-284-9886), Thelma Cabralda (631-331-5891), Zita Lapena (917-454-9344), Nida Cortez (646-649-5531), or Angie Molina (917-478-6754) or any of the PIDCI Board of Directors.

FACC-SLAA Induction Gala The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce for South Bay Los Angeles Area (FACCSLAA) presents the annual fundraising gala and induction of its board members, to be held on Saturday, March 12 at 6:00 pm, at the Holiday Inn Los Angeles Gateway-Torrance (19800 S Vermont Ave. Torrance, CA 90502). Philippine Consulate General Leo Herrera-Lim will be the inducting officer, with guest speakers Assemblymember Rob Bonta and former Assemblyman Warren Furutani. Attire for the dinner is Filipiniana/formal. The gala dinner is also a fundraiser for the FACC-SLAA Scholarship project of the chamber raising funds for deserving, eligible Filipino American students who are business (or related) majors in colleges and universities in the South Bay area. Four scholars who will each receive a $500 scholarship award. Fil-Am students applying for the scholarship should have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average, low income/financial need, have no criminal record, must submit a one page essay on why the student is applying, and must be willing to volunteer or intern at FACC-SLAA for 80 hours. The deadline to apply is on Feb 15 to apply. Interested students, please email facc.slaa@gmail.com or fekoons@aol.com. Tickets for the FACC-SLAA Induction and Fundraising Gala are $60 each. Please email facc.slaa@gmail.com for more information, or contact President Cynthia Tan (310) 748-9688 or Fred Docdocil, VP Programs (310) 619-8101.

mARch 13

Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association Fiesta The Sto. Tomas, Batangas Association of Southern California will celebrate their fiesta on Sunday, March 13, at 1:00pm at Sliver Star Financial office (217 N Azusa St. Azusa, CA).

For further details, please call Willie Manacsa (818) 400-7391, Ofie Villanueva (626) 3834152, Rosie Sancianco (951) 898-7628 or Myrna Jaurigue at (909) 545-9876.

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5th Statewide Disabilities Conference Agencies, service providers and caretakers, community organizations, consumers, jobseekers, families…please join us for the California Statewide Disabilities Conference from March 18-19, 2016 at The Westin Pasadena hotel (191 N. Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA).

Expert panels/sessions/topics to be discussed include special education for those with disabilities, autism, assistive technology, ACA/Health, civil rights, mental health, financial wellness, discrimination, employment benefits, college supportive services, transition to adulthood, and outreach to the diverse Asian American - Pacific Islander community. This event is sponsored by the Asian & Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC), giving a voice and face to Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities, and improving access to resources for API families. APIDC has hosted four major conferences in California.

The conference will also include social service agencies, and exhibitors/representatives such as educators, attorneys, and health care providers. Special gift giveaways and raffle prizes are available to all registered conference attendees. For registration and more information (including scholarships) about the conference, please contact Jamie Hwang at 714-4033188, APIDC@gmail.com, and visit www.apidisabilities.net.

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CSFLU 26th Anniversary The City of San Fernando La Union, headed by Vickie Balcita-Neri, will celebrate their 26th Anniversary on March 19, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Brea (900 E Birch St, Brea, CA 9282). Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For invitation and other questions, please call Vangie So at (626) 485-3110.

mARch 20

2016 Piyesta Pinoy Chicago Sunday, March 20 from 11:45am to 4:00pm is the Philippine Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy sa Chicago), as part of the Neighborhoods of the World series at Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens (Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL). Come travel to the Philippines without ever leaving your backyard! This cultural celebration is free and open to the public of all ages. Join us and enjoy an afternoon of lively folk music, special performances, traditional dance, cuisine, arts and crafts. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) and thevibrant Filipino community of Chicago is so proud to put on this event for the 5th year in a row, and Piyesta Pinoy is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our culture with our people.For more information, or to volunteer, perform, exhibit, or donate, please visitwww. piyestapinoy.net, or email Piyestpinoy@gmail.com.

APRIL 9

Prisoners of War Day at the Filipino Veterans Education Center All WWII veterans and families, please join us as we commemorate the historic 74thanniversary of Prisoners of War Day and the Fall of Bataan, the Day of Valor, on Saturday, April 9th. In the spirit of reconciliation, friendship and international cooperation, let us leave the past behind us as we move forward with joined hands to attain peace for all mankind. The formal Commemoration and remembrance ceremony will start at 2:00pm in the Filipino Veterans Education Center, at the War Memorial Performing Arts Veterans Building (401 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102). This event is open to the public.

Please RSVP RudyAsercion@gmail.com; naffaasf@gmail.com. Tel: 415 564 6262.

APRIL — SEPTEmBER

Pilgrimages to Eastern Europe, Mexico and India Amazing Pilgrimages for the Jubilee Year of Mercy! All are welcome to join Fr. Joe Joseph of Holy Trinity Church for the spiritual and fun-filled experiences of EASTERN EUROPE (April 17- 30): Poland, Czech., Austria, Hungary, Medjugorje; COLONIAL MEXICO/ OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (June 20 - 27): Mexico City, Theotihuacan, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Ocotlan, Xochimilco, Guanajuato, San Miguel De Allende, Guadalajara, San Juan De Los Lagos, Cristo Rey, Zapopan, Tonala; and INDIA (September 15 - 29): Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kerala. For more pilgrimage information and detailed flyers, please contact Bernadette at bcorp1114@hotmail.com OR call 323-344-1548 & 323-547-6618.

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

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Features

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Sheriff Joe Lombardo organizes dialogue with Asian community In an effort to discuss safety concerns and meet with local law enforcement personnel, the Asian community through the Sherriff’s Asian Advisory Council (SAAC) met with Las Vegas Metropolitan Department (LVMPD) Sheriff Joe Lombardo last Wednesday, March 2 at Hong Kong Garden Seafood & Dim Sum Cafe in Las Vegas.

Lombardo encouraged members of the Asian community to reach out to their local police department, “identify who the individual is in-charge of the area they have a business or reside, meet them, shake their hand and identify any particular problems you may have.”

“For us to be successful as a police department, it’s all based on that relationship,” Lombardo said.

He added that, “for us to be successful in fighting crime, in everything that we do as a police department, we need you to form those relationships with individuals so that we can know what’s going on and we have answers to your problems.”

The SAAC was established in 2007 by former Sheriff Doug Gillespie who realized that the Asian community needed to be heard and for the LVMPD to understand their issues, concerns and collaborate on an ongoing basis through regular meetings.

Mike Vaswani, SAAC founder, led the honored guests who attended the first 2016 meeting.

Also present during the dialogue were: Kevin McMahill (Undersheriff), Todd Fasulo, (Assistant Sheriff), Charles Hank (Deputy Chief) Gary Schofield (Deputy Chief), James Owens (Deputy Chief)

Patrick neville (Deputy Chief), Richard Suey (Deputy Chief), Capt.

Andrew Walsh (Downtown Area), Capt. Matt McCarthy(Internal Oversight), Capt. Christopher Darcy, (Homeland Oversight), Capt.

Christopher Tomaino (Convention Center Area Command), Capt.

Gary Driscoll (Detention), Capt.

Jim Seebook (Organization), Capt.

Jason Letkiewicz (Homicide), Capt. Michael Daley (Traffic), Capt. Richard Fletcher (northwest Area Command), Capt. Roxanne McDavis (Southwest Area Command) and Capt. William Teel (Detention).

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

City of Las Vegas offers spring break camps for youth on March 21-25 Weekday track break camp also available for ages 5+

THE city of Las Vegas invites parents to enroll children in the spring break day camp programs at the Municipal Pool and four other city locations. Spring break camps will be held Monday through Friday, March 21-25. Contact each location for details and enrollment.

Advance registration is required.

Registration closes when the programs are full. All locations will have limited enrollment.

Spring Break Day Camp (ages 6-11) Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 702-229-1607.

Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 7am to 6pm. Registration open until full.

Cost: $100/child for the week (no second child discount).

Participants should come to camp each day dressed for outdoor play; wear closed-toe athletic shoes only. Bring a sack lunch, beverage and two snacks each day. Registration also is available online at https://recreation.lasvegasnevada. gov; click on “Camps.”

Safekey Spring Break Day Camp (grades K-5) Lied Middle School, 5350 W. Tropical Parkway, 702-229-3399.

Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 7am to 6pm. Registration open until full.

Cost: $100/child for the week (no second child discount).

Children will make new friends and enjoy springtime silliness.

Play games and sports; enjoy CATCH Club activities, special guests and craft projects, as well as stir up some edible art. Come dressed for fun on each themed day. Enter from south parking lot off Tropical Parkway. Participants should bring a sack lunch and two snacks each day. Register by phone at 702-229-3399.Registration also is available online at https://recreation.lasvegasnevada. gov; click on “Camps” and select Activity #132201-01. no refunds, transfers or credits.

Pavilion Pool Spring Break Junior Lifeguarding Camp (ages 11-14) Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Center Drive, 702-2291488.

Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cost: $150 for the week per youth.

Youth will enjoy water safety activities, swim lessons, springboard diving, water polo, log rolling, and earn an American Red Cross Junior Lifeguard certification. Fun week with close supervision. Registration also is available online athttps://recreation.lasvegasnevada.gov/; click “Aquatics,” page 2.

Spring Break at Muni Pool (ages 6-11) Municipal Swimming Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, 702-2296309.

Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 8am to 5:30pm.

Cost: $150 for the week per youth.

This fun-filled water camp will provide a safe atmosphere with close supervision. Children ages 6-11 will experience water safety activities, games, crafts, water polo, inner tube water polo, springboard diving, synchronized swimming and daily swimming lessons. There may be excursions offered at an additional fee. Children need to bring a sack lunch, swimsuit, towel, and a change of dry clothes. Registration is available by calling 702-229-6309 and online at https://recreation. lasvegasnevada.gov/; click “Aquatics,” page 2.

Track Break Day Camp (ages 5-12) East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 702-229-1515.

Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., during school district track break. Closed major holidays.

Cost: $20/day, breakfast and lunch included.

Day camp will promote fun, fitness, adventure and education in a safe and friendly atmosphere.

Children can look forward to a variety of age-appropriate activities, sports, special events, physical fitness and games, arts, crafts and nutrition training, under the supervision of trained staff. Financial aid is available for qualified applicants. Call 702-229-1515 for information and registration.

Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Spring Break Drama Workshop (ages 7-12) Monday-Friday, March 21-25, 9am to 3pm; Saturday, March 26, 9am to noon.

Cost: $135 for the week; registration open until full.

This one-week workshop for

ages 7-12 includes theatre games, improvisation, acting exercises, rehearsal skills and a presentation on Saturday morning, March 26, for family and friends. Students will bring a lunch, beverage and two snacks each day. Registeronline or call 702-229-6553 for details.

Jazz and Hip Hop Dance Intensive (ages 12-18) Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702-2296383.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, March 21-25, 3:30 to 6:30pm.

Cost: $32 for one week.

Instructor Lorenzo Shelley will teach students jazz with an infusion of new Age hip hop dance techniques, for beginnerthrough advanced-level dancers.

A mixture of current dance forms with choreographed combinations will provide students with skills to build confidence and use on any dance floor. Exercise or dance attire will be acceptable, with jazz shoes and hair worn up.

Please bring water and snacks.

A student demonstration will be held March 25, at 6:30 pm with free admission, open to family, friends and invited guests. To register online, visit http://www. artslasvegas.org/youth_camps/ charleston_camp.htm.

Contemporary Dance Intensive (ages 12-18) Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 702-2296383.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, March 22-25, 3:30 to 6:30pm.

Cost: $32 for one week.

Instructor Lorenzo Shelley will teach warm-up, introduction and/or review of a mixture of jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern and other current dance forms with instruction and attention to student movement, special awareness while learning execution of combinations and choreographed combinations. For beginner through advanced-level dancers. Dance attire and bare feet required. Please bring water and snacks. A student demonstration will be held March 25, at 6:30 pm with free admission, open to family, friends and invited guests. To register online, visit http://www. artslasvegas.org/youth_camps/ charleston_camp.htm. Call 702229-6383 for details.

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Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 10-16, 2016

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Joey Galon presents: ‘Once Upon Barbie Forteza bags Best Actress A Dream’ during LA Fashion Week award at international film fest Las Vegas Fashion designer, Joey galon of Joey galon, atelier will be debuting his line of regal evening gowns and swimwear at the art Hearts/La Fashion Week, March 16th at 7:00PM. “Once Upon a Dream” is the theme of the show that will be presented at the Taglyan Cultural Complex, 1201 Vine street, Los angeles, California. Joey galon’s, designs have been seen on the international and nationally televised pageant stages including the Miss Usa Pageant, and the upcoming televised Miss america Pageant. His gowns were also featured on the Red Carpet at the Oscars.

This is the very first time that galon will showcase his designs in front of the international press and a live audience at Fashion Week. galon is excited to participate in La Fashion week with this particular collection that is regal in stature. Not a novice to fashion or the limelight, galon appeared as a competing designer on “24 Hour Catwalk” (same producers as “Project Runway”) on the Lifetime Network, “Vegas Brides” on TLC Network, as a fashion expert and as model coach on the reality TV show, “Model Latina”

MaNILa—Kapuso actress Barbie Forteza was recently awarded Best actress at the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Oporto, Portugal for the indie film “Laut.”

In the film, Forteza portrayed the role of Nadia, a Badjao wife coping with the cruel realities of life. “Laut” was also chosen as the opening film at the singkwento International Film Festival held on February 19 at the National Commission for Culture and the arts (NNCa) in Intramuros, Manila.

The news was shared by the film’s director Louie Ignacio, who attended the awarding ceremony on sunday.

“Congratulations @barbaraforteza for winning Best actress for LaUT- 36th Fantasporto International film Festival , Oporto, Portugal!!!! soooo proud of you Barbie!!!!!! International Best actress ka na!!!!! Love you!!!,” Ignacio said on his Instagram post.

Forteza, meanwhile, left a comment on the photo,saying “Di po ako makapaniwala!,” to which the director responded “Di ako nagkamali sa first choice ko !!:) @barbaraforteza sobrang laki ng tiwala ko sayo! sooo proud of you!!!! and from the whole LaUT Team Congratulations!!!!”

This is the third acting recognition for the 18-year old actress.

(Philstar.com)

Kapuso actress Barbie Forteza is named awarded Best Actress at the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Oporto, Portugal for the indie film “Laut.”

Heart Evangelista, Dennis Trillo to star in ‘naughty’ love story

by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

on the NUVOtv Network.

“I am a firm believer that all women should be celebrated in a beautiful gown”, says galon. “It’s a way of acknowledging their beauty”. galon’s eveningwear compliments the body no matter what size the woman is. Women feel empowered, confident and beautiful. galon specifically titled his show “Once Upon a Dream”, in celebration of women. Featuring: ashley Burnham, Jade Kelsall, amanda Kouretas, emmy adams, Carissa Morrow, Brittany Mcgowan, Lisa song, geovanna Hilton, Bianca Paz, Jamie stephenson, Kelleen Lim Chea, Tahnee Harrison, Rykiah Parks, edrinna Mose, gabriella shoemaker. galon will tease fashionistas with his line of swimwear and pool couture transitioning daywear into the night. “No one has ever taken pool wear and turned it into a gown for evening”, says galon. special acknowledgements to Lykins Professional apparel, Insider Productions & for the countless private sponsors.

FIVe years since co-starring in gMa Network’s fantasy series Dwarfina, Heart evangelista and Dennis Trillo are up for a reunion project in a new prime time offering titled “Juan Happy Love story.”

Described by its creative team as a “sexy, and naughty romantic comedy,” the plot of the show has yet to be divulged, although its cast was already presented in a story conference. Chosen as a strong support cast for two of the network’s prized talents, Heart and Dennis will be joined by gloria Romero, Lotlot de Leon, gardo Versoza, erika Padilla, Dominic Roco, Vincent Magbanua, Kim Domingo, Rob Moya, and Leanne Bautista, under the direction of La Madridejos.

In an interview, Dennis, who was once vocal about intentions to woo Heart after first working with her in 2009’s Mano Po 6 from Regal Films, expressed excitement over tackling a character that will give him a break from drama. The two celebrities never really had the chance to date, but ended up as friendly colleagues.

“My last show was a serious drama so I’m excited to do something that’s very different—yung medyo pilyo naman, light at nakakatawa,” Dennis explained.

Heart shared the same sentiments, and said she is also looking

Dennis Trillo and Heart Evangelista

forward to tackle a totally different character that will make viewers laugh rather than cry.

“I’ve been crying way too long on TV,” the actress laughed. “It’s time I do something like this kasi masyado nang seryoso ang buhay.”

Heart, who celebrated her 18th anniversary in show business on February 26, admitted she still has some jitters over her role though.

“Like they said, it’s a naughty and sexy love story, so I’m sure there will also be a lot of adjustments I have to make.”

Heart, who is of course married to senator and vice presidential candidate Chiz escudero, will be guided by the other side of her public life in terms of just how “naughty” she can get on TV. Incidentally, while busy with an april 4 target airing for “Juan

Happy Love story,” Heart is also juggling her time joining her husband on the campaign trail. she first joined him in Nueva ecija, which marked her first ever campaign sortie. Of course, the crowds were excited to see escudero’s famously beautiful wife.

They cheered when Heart said, “Hindi lang siya gwapo, matalino at magaling, may puso pa. Importante at yan sa akin na may puso ka at mahal mo ang bayan. sumama ako dito kasi kailangan makita ninyo kung gaano kalaki ang puso niya para sa inyo.” as if her plate isn’t full with a prime time series, campaign schedules, not to mention her prolific career as painter Love Marie, Heart also announced that she will soon have a culinary show, which will be shown in the region via cable channel star World asia.

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