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Sea row with China to take backseat in APEC meetings DATELINE USA

by YUJI

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Two Philippine nationals arrested in immigration sweep across SoCal TWO Philippine nationals were among 244 foreign nationals arrested during a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) four-day sweep in Southern California.

One of the men was 31 years old with convictions for battery and felony burglary, and was arrested in Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 24. The other was a PAGE A2

Obama extends paid sick leave to over 300,000 federal employees ON Labor Day 2015, President Obama unveiled a new executive order that will require federal contractors to offer employees up to seven days of paid sick leave.

Contrasting with Republican economic policies, Obama’s plan could benefit more than 300,000 federal US workers, who currently receive no paid leave, the White House said.

“Right now, you have parents who PAGE A3

VINCENT GONZALES Inquirer.net

ECONOMIC issues, not territorial disputes involving China, will be at the forefront of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in the Philippines, President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Aquino said APEC member countries will be interested about the developments in China as a major economic player in

the world.

“China is a major economic player, and as far as the things that are happening in China currently, I’m sure all the other member countries, including the observing countries we will be inviting, will be curious to know what the plans of China are with regards to issues like the stock market, among other things–if there is tension with the so-called property bubble, the valuation of the Yuan,

and so on and so forth,” Aquino said.

“But we will be tackling mostly—it’s an economic conference, so economic issues will be at the forefront,” he added.

Asked if the Philippine government will bring up the country’s case against China over the disputed West Philippine Sea during the APEC meetings, Aquino said it would be proper to wait for the decision of the United Nations arbitral

tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.

“I think we have already stated our positions through various fora. So, again, we will stress on the economy–economic issues–and, specifically, China’s major role in the world economy and things that are happening in the domestic scene as it impacts the rest of the world’s economy,” Aquino said.

The Third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting is currently ongoing in Cebu.

Immigrants encouraged to naturalize despite barriers by

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL AJPress

LOS ANGELES—8.8 million lawful permanent residents are eligible to naturalize in the United States, but only 8 percent apply.

Of that qualified population, 2.5 million are in California and 800,000 in Los Angeles County alone.

Though naturalization is an ideal goal for most immigrants, obstacles still hinder the process of becoming a US citizen. Among them: cost, language barriers and low access to information.

A roundtable discussion on Thursday, September 3 hosted by New America

Media, the New Americans Campaign and several citybased organizations at Los Angeles City Hall emphasized the urgency of getting immigrants to apply, especially with the elections coming up in 2016.

“I can’t even remember when the idea of citizenship has been disparaged in the political forum the way it is being disparaged now…We think, what do we do? How do we respond? What do we say? It is so important that we encourage all of our colleagues, relatives, friends and audiences to take the idea of citizenship seriously,” said Sandy Close, exPAGE A2

APEC MEETING. Senior officials of the of the 21-member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation attend the Third Senior Officials Meeting in Cebu on Saturday, Sept. 5. Pres. Benigno Aquino III said that economic issues and not territorial disputes involving China will be at the forefront of the APEC meetings in the Philippines this November.

Photo from APEC 2015 Media Operations Committee

Disappointed Clarkson to Gilas: Let’s go to Rio! Back nice words with Roxas or Poe to get

by ALDER

ALMO Philstar.com

LOS ANGELES Lakers Fil-Am guard Jordan Clarkson is disappointed that he could not suit up for the 2015 FIBA Asia Men’s Championship and would be reduced to a cheerleader again.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas put up a last ditch effort to make Clarkson eligible for the Olympic qualifier but did not beat the deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

“I’m very disappointed I won’t be able to play with the Gilas National Team during the FIBA Asia Championships from September 23 to October 3. We can all agree, the 12 men selected to represent the Philippines in this 2015 FIBA Asia Championship have earned the right and any continued efforts on my part would not be fair to the team. I will cheer Jordan Clarkson is disappointed but will cheer on the Gilas Pilipinas national team when PAGE A4

they go battle in the 2015 FIBA Asia Men’s Championship.

Philstar.com photo by Alder Almo

action, PH tells China Duterte votes? Davao

THE Philippines welcomes the Chinese leadership’s recent pronouncement that they are committed to peace. But why the display of offensive weaponry at a recent parade?

“Beijing must offer more than hollow promises if it wishes to secure peace in the disputed South China Sea and beyond, a spokesperson for the Department of National Defense (DND) said.

The remarks came days after China flaunted its military might with a massive parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to mark the end of World War II on Sept. 3, although President Xi Jinping said at the event his country was dedicated to peace and does “not seek hegemony.”

“The Chinese leadership should go beyond deceitful rhetoric claiming peaceful efforts before their aggression takes a greater and irreparable toll on the region and beyond,” Peter Paul Galvez, DND spokesman, said in a statement.

Stop construction, militarization “We call on China’s government to show its PAGE A2

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mayor says it’s Binay

IN the Senate, depending on who’s talking, Duterte’s withdrawal declaration would benefit any of the three known presidential aspirants.

Before stepping out of the Inquirer office after a three-hour roundtable discussion with reporters and editors on Aug. 25, Duterte was asked who among presidential aspirants he thought would benefit should he withdraw from the race.

Duterte said, “Binay.” He did not say why. Duterte then was mum on his opinions about Binay, saying he would rather not say anything about the Vice President.

He insisted that he and Binay had never had a serious discussion on plans for the 2016 elections even if the Vice President during his sorties in Davao had hinted that his camp had been eyeing him as his running mate.

PAGE A2

A

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

september 10-16, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

From The FronT Page

Immigrants encouraged to naturalize...

PAGE A1 ecutive director of New America Media.

As Citizenship Day approaches on September 17, community organizations are sustaining a push to increase citizenship application rates in minority immigrant communities by hosting accessible workshops and providing in-language outreach and information.

Overcoming barriers A main hurdle to citizenship that many immigrants mention is the application fee, which is currently $680.

Nasim Khansari, citizenship project director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Los Angeles (Advancing Justice — LA) said that the cost could potentially rise, but there is advocacy being done to consider a sliding scale based on household income and family size. “There are immigrants out there that want to become US citizens, but they just don’t have the $680 to be able to do so‌,â€? she said. “That’s a real-life barrier we’re dealing with when it comes to naturalization.â€?

Khansari gave an example of a Filipino couple (who requested not to be identified by name in this article) ineligible to apply for a fee waiver because their household income is $400 above the government poverty level. The couple has reached out to Advancing Justice — LA for application assistance, but has repeatedly been denied by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

To apply for a fee waiver, individuals must fill out a I-912 form and meet one of three requirements: a means-tested benefit (i.e. government programs such as food stamps or Medi-Cal); household income is at or below the 150 percent poverty level; or financial hardship that prevents you from paying the filing fee (having to pay for medical expenses, for example). “Cost is definitely a factor, but I don’t think people should be dissuaded by that,� Linda Lopez,

chief of the Office of Immigrant Affairs at the LA Mayor’s Office, said. Lopez said that there are other avenues to seek out assistance, like credit unions that offer microloans to those who do not qualify for the fee waiver.

Another barrier is the lack of awareness within immigrant communities of the process that goes into becoming a citizen. “A lot of immigrants don’t even know where to begin the process. They don’t know a nonprofit organization that offers free or low-cost services even exist, so that’s why we need the media’s help to get these organizations’ names out there to let the community know there are a lot of services providers, particularly in Los Angeles County, coupled with Mayor’s Office, partnering together here to make citizenship as accessible as possible,� Khansari said.

Advancing Justice — LA, which is one of 20 organizations in LA part of the New Americans Campaign, hosts free citizenship clinics at its office in downtown every first three Fridays and the last Saturday of each month.

Lopez cited an initiative by the LA Mayor’s Office to “integrate immigrants local in our civic, political, economic and social fabric� by making citizenship materials available at every city public library branch.

The materials include flyers in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese, naturalization test brochures, naturalization applications and more. She remarked that there has been an increase in citizenship interest in the city, as the immigration office has been tracking the number of people who go to the libraries for citizenship workshops and the information.

In 2014, 20,000 residents used the resources; it has since doubled this year, Lopez said.

Advancing Justice — LA also hosts English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at various libraries for residents who have had their green cards for at least four years.

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Despite the common obstacles to naturalization, the benefits of citizenship outweigh them.

Naturalized citizens no longer have to fear deportation or circumstances that would cause their legal permanent residence status to be revoked.

Additionally, naturalized citizens tend to experience a nearly 20 percent increase in income.

Some studies have shown that naturalized citizens earn more than non-skilled counterparts and are more likely to be employed in high-skilled jobs, which are attractive factors for highly-educated immigrants who seek opportunities at par with those back in their countries of origin.

Alenoush Bidrousian, a newly naturalized citizen originally from Iran, shared at the roundtable that she was motivated by the opportunities given to women in the US, especially when it comes to higher education, jobs and owning a business “The most important thing as a citizen is that there are more job opportunities, especially government jobs‌also being more engaged in the city’s activities and the presidential elections [next year] and I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s our responsibility as a person living in the United States to be more active in any way that [you] can,â€?

Bidrousian said.

More Filipino immigrants should consider the advantages of being a citizen, the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) Executive Director Yey Coronel noted, including the ability to petition family members from the Philippines and bring them to the US faster. “A lot of Filipinos tend to not apply for food stamps or other welfare benefits because they’re worried that would affect not just their immigration [status], but also their citizenship, so FASGI will be starting another initiative soon to dispel those notions,� she said.

An issue Coronel mentioned PAGE A4

Back nice words with action...

PAGE A1 sincerity by, at the least, stopping all ongoing construction and militarization activities and to refrain from restricting freedom of flight and navigation,� in the flashpoint sea, Galvez said.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea—a vital maritime route, rich fishing ground and potential source of vast minerals—despite competing claims by the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Philippines has been the most vocal in criticizing China over its efforts to enforce its claim by seizing islands and turning isolated outcroppings into artificial islands that could host military

facilities.

The Philippines, which has one of the weakest militaries in the region, has been seeking to improve its defense relations with other countries like the United States and Japan to counterbalance China’s forces.

Peaceful approach The country has also filed a case in a United Nations tribunal challenging China’s maritime claim. “We reiterate our country’s incessant call for a rules-based and peaceful approach to this matter which is shared not only by our neighbors but by the rest of the international community,�

Galvez said.

He pointed out that other nations had called on the Chinese

PH Defense spokesman Peter Paul Galvez

government “to stop such activities that run counter to international law and agreements.�

Galvez said China’s activities in the West Philippine Sea were causing a major disruption to security in Southeast Asia. (Inquirer.net)

DUTERTE SUPPORTERS. After the announcement of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Rody� Duterte on Monday, supporters expressed dismay but remained hopeful, prompting them to hold a gathering dubbed “Million March: Run Duterte Run� to make him run.

Philstar.com photo by Rosette Adel

Roxas or Poe to get Duterte votes? Davao mayor...

PAGE A1 Sen. Grace Poe would be a beneficiary, according to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who based his fearless forecast on the latest nationwide survey of his Magdalo group, which tested different poll scenarios, including a three-way race among Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

The bulk of the votes in such a race-44.8 percent-would go to Poe. Binay would get 28.9 percent and Roxas, 22.6 percent, he said. “That’s the voter preference,� said Trillanes, who is planning to seek the vice presidency as an independent.

The Magdalo group has pledged to campaign for Poe should she announce her 2016 candidacy.

Trillanes said Poe should cut some slack, following criticism stemming from her position on the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, after a criminal complaint was filed against the sect’s leaders.

Earlier, Poe said that the INC followers were defending their faith, and that she respected that. They also have to protect their rights, she said. Trillanes believed Poe’s statement was “overblown.�

Good for Roxas Senate President Franklin Drilon said Duterte’s withdrawal would be good for Roxas, the Liberal Party’s (LP) standard-bearer. “The field is now down to three‌ it’s better. We are the administration.

You will have two representing the opposition,� he said.

Asked whether Duterte’s exit will be favorable for Roxas, the LP vice president said, “Certainly.�

The ruling party will be presenting the administration’s policy of “daang matuwid� to the people,

Drilon said. “We are the administration and we will defend the policy.�

On the possibility that the LP was interested in getting Duterte to be Roxas’ running mate, Drilon said that the party had not discussed it.

With Roxas scheduled to meet with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) of businessman Eduardo “Danding� Cojuangco yesterday, he said the LP hoped to align with the NPC in the 2016 presidential race. “The NPC is a very valuable ally in 2013 and we want to continue that in 2016,� he said.

While Duterte’s statement about leaving politics appeared to be categorical, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said the mayor’s friends noted that it was his “styleâ€? to decide on the last day of the filing of the certificate of candidacy-scheduled on Oct. 16. “We’re hopeful he will reconsider. My friends in Davao tell me that this has happened before where he had a last-minute change of mind,â€? Pimentel, the PDP-Laban president, told reporters. His party would continue to pray and hope that Duterte would reconsider, said Pimentel. “Never say die until Oct. 16, 2015,â€? he said. (Christine O. AvendaĂąo, Leila B. Salaverria, NiĂąa P. Calleja/Inquirer.net)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 10-16, 2015

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

Two Philippine nationals arrested in immigration...

PAGE A1

39-year-old with convictions for battery, petty theft, felony burglary, and two convictions for being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested in Moreno Valley on Sunday, Aug. 23.

ICE only released the names of arrestees being held on administrative immigration violations, Virginia Kice, ICE western regional communications director and spokesperson, told the Asian Journal in an email.

As of Thursday, Sept. 3, both Filipino men remain in custody pending removal proceedings, ICE Public Affairs spokeswoman Lori Haley said in an email.

The Southern California sweep, which took place from Aug. 23 through Aug. 26, was the most successful, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations deputy field office director David Marin told KPCC. This was because of the number of arrestees who had records with “really serious felonies,” Marin told the radio station.

“We think it’s really important that we get those people and remove them, not only from the community but from the country.

Because ultimately, that’s going to make the community and our country safer,” Marin said, according to KPCC.

The majority of individuals taken into custody as a result of the four-day operation are originally from Mexico (191), according to a release from the agency.

Arrestees came from 21 different countries, including Ghana, France, Peru and Thailand.

The sweep covered six Southland counties, with most number of arrests occurring in Los Angeles County (99), followed by Orange County (55), San Bernardino County (43), Riverside County (24), Santa Barbara County (20), and San Luis Obispo County (3), the ICE release stated.

Among individuals captured was Vincente Onofre-Ramirez, 35, a Mexican national who was convicted in 2002 in New York of sexual abuse with force. He was deported from the United States after he served his sentence. Onofre-Ramirez was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 23 at his home in Santa Ana and appeared in federal court on Monday, Aug. 24.

Another arrestee was 46-yearold Guatemalan national who was formerly sentenced to 10 years in prison for the sexual abuse of two children. The individual was arrested in Upland on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

A 50-year-old Salvadoran national who was convicted in Los Angeles County last year of two

criminal counts involving sex abuse was also arrested during the sweep in Sunland on Sunday, Aug. 23.

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

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

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

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

Obama extends sick paid leave to over 300,000...

PAGE A1 have to choose between losing income or staying home with a sick child,” Obama said to a crowd of hundreds during the annual Greater Boston Labor Council breakfast, sponsored by the AFL-CIO. At the breakfast, the president was met with applause when he said he had signed the paid sick leave executive order on Air Force One. He chose Boston to make his appeal because “voters in the state approved a paid leave policy state-wide, which took effect on July 1 and is expected to affect 900,000 workers who didn’t have the option before,” according to the White House.

Under the executive order, workers on federal contracts would be eligible for paid leave if they are sick or tending to a sick relative. They will earn one hour of leave for every 30 hours worked, with a maximum of seven days a year, depending on

Pres. Barack Obama

how many hours they work, officials said.

The order would take effect with new contracts after Obama leaves office in early 2017.

The White House did not specify the cost to implement the order, but the Labor Department said “any costs would be offset by savings that contrac-

tors would see as a result of lower attrition rates and increased worker loyalty.”

The Obama administration has been working on the executive order for months, as the president works to enact what policies he can before his term ends next year, despite Congressional resistance to some of his previous executive orders to improve conditions in the workplace. The push has reverberated in the 2016 presidential campaign, where Democrat and Republican candidates seek to show the better support of the middle class.

Obama’s order drew a sharp contrast between his administration’s policies and those of Republicans. “The GOP believes the best way to stimulate the economy is to cut taxes and loosen regulation,” he said.

“Republicans who say they fight for the middle-class are making big claims, but they have PAGE A4

A

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

Agnes ContstAnte AJPress

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

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

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

Most of these isolated prisoners have been without significant human contact for more than 30 years, the LA Times reported. The state has nearly 3,000 inmates who spend more than 22 hours per day alone in cells that don’t always have windows, The New York Times reported. No other state holds such a number of inmates for such a long period of time, according to the Center for Constitutional Rights.

The state has also agreed not to lock inmates with gang affiliations in soundproofed, windowless units just to prevent them from coordinating illegal activities with other gang members, USA Today reported.

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

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

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

“This brings California in line with more modern national prison practices,” said Jules Lobel, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights and a law professor

at the University of Pittsburgh, who was the lead lawyer for the inmates who brought the lawsuit against California, the NY Times reported. “People have been kept in solitary confinement for outrageously long periods of time.

That’s one of the problems in the US - people are warehoused in these places, and now that’s going to change.”

The suit settled on Tuesday was filed in 2009 by two inmates – Todd Ashker and Danny Troxell – held in isolation for at least 10 years at Pelican Bay State Prison and accused of membership in the Aryan Brotherhood, the NY and LA Times reported.

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

As of Monday, Aug. 31, the NY Times reported that 2,858 inmates were in solitary housing units throughout California. Of those, more than 1,110 are in windowless cells at Pelican Bay. The Northern California correctional facility, the state’s toughest prison, had more than 500 inmates in its isolation unit for more than 10 years. But following recent policy changes, the number dropped to 62 as of late July.

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

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

Other supporters of the end of solitary confinement include President Barack Obama, who became the first president to visit a federal prison in July and told attendees at an NAACP convention that month that prolonged periods of isolation are “not smart,” the LA Times reported.

Among criteria California has

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

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

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

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

In the past several years, more than 1,000 prisoners who were previously isolated due to gang affiliations were released. Beard, the secretary of the state corrections department, told NY Times that few of these individuals have stirred up any problems.

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

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

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

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

A

september 10-16, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

Disappointed Clarkson to Gilas: Let’s go...

PAGE A1 them onto Gold. “Let’s go to Rio,” Clarkson said in a statement on Wednesday.

With Clarkson not yet eligible to play for the Philippines, SBP submitted the final lineup led by former NBA player Andray Blatche and Gilas returnees Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris and Gabe Norwood.

Clarkson had a heart to heart talk with his dad, who previously disapproved a possible FIBA Asia stint with Gilas this year.

“Upon my return from supporting Gilas in The Jones Cup, I had a great talk with my dad. I told him of my experiences with the team and how passionate I was about representing an entire country.

My Dad told me to follow my heart,” Clarkson said.

Meanwhile, the Lakers management earlier said that they could release Clarkson to the national team in the early phase of the elimination while his clearance to play the whole tournament would have been subject for review of

Dateline USa

the coaching staff.

“I spoke to Lakers General Manager, Mitch Kupchak, and he shared the same sentiments about representing an entire country and supported my decision either way,” said Clarkson, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Lakers.

The Fil-Am guard, who was named to the All-NBA Rookie Team last season thanked the Filipino fans for their support and all the people, who put in the effort to get him a chance to play in the Olympics.

“The Filipino Fans are some of the most passionate in the world and many of them are Laker’s supporters. I want to sincerely thank all of the fans who sent me letters of encouragement during these last three months about Gilas,” Clarkson said.

Despite his non-inclusion in the FIBA Asia tournament this year, Clarkson remains hopeful that he could play for the Philippines in the future as he continues to follow his Olympic dream.

“I trust my team of advisors as they all worked very hard to get terms prepared that would afford me the opportunity to be part of Gilas, if approved. I’d like to say “thank you” for all the people that worked diligently in an attempt to make a dream become reality,” said Clarkson, who made special mention of the SBP Management led by MVP and Mr. Ricky Vargas and Mr. Gregorio, Maria Espaldon of East-West Private, and his team.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told Philstar.com on Tuesday that they will put to rest the eligibility issue for now as they shift their focus on the Gilas’ campaign in the FIBA Asia in the hopes of qualifying for next year’s Rio Olympics where a talent like Clarkson could come in handy.

“Pahinga muna re: (Clarkson) eligibility. No rush for now.

Salamat sa suporta. We gave it a good try,” SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told Philstar.com in a text message from Geneva, Switzerland after a marathon meeting with the FIBA officials on Tuesday morning (Tuesday night in Manila).

Gilas are aiming for the gold to automatically qualify for the Olympics but a top three finish will still give them another shot through a wildcard qualifier next year. Either way, SBP is expected to go all out in securing Clarkson’s clearance to help Gilas stand a chance.

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California Assembly approves right to die bill by

Agnes ContstAnte AJPress

THE California Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 9, advanced a controversial measure that would allow terminally ill patients to legally end their lives.

After a lengthy emotional and passionate debate, lawmakers voted 42-33 to send AB X2-15 to the state Senate, which is expected to endorse the bill, the Associated Press reported. Assembly members cited their own experiences with death and religious faith to argue for and against the legislation, according to the news agency.

“A life lived in pain isn’t bearable for some people,” said Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), who voted in support of the bill.

Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R-Pleasanton), who was until recently opposed to the measure, talked about how, as a Christian, she is unaware of what God has planned for people, nor why pain and suffering exist in the world.

“But I do know he is a merciful God. And we have the ability to allow others to have a choice,” she said, according to the Associated Press. “I believe it is cruel – nothing short of cruel – to deny them that choice in their final hours and days.”

California’s right to die bill, co-authored by Sen. Bill Monning (D-Monterey) and Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), gained traction after California resident Brittany Maynard, who had brain cancer, moved to Oregon last year to end her life.

Eggman, whose testimony was

among the most powerful, according to Mercury News, spoke toward the end of the session right before lawmakers cast their votes.

“We are all going to die,” she told her colleagues, according to the publication. “As we look back at that trail of footsteps we have left (on Earth), some members want to be in control when their footstep makes that last mark. I respectfully ask for that vote.”

When assembly members voted on the bill, the response of Dan Diaz, Maynard’s husband, was an emotional one, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“There is a sense of pride in the Legislature,” he said, according to the Times. “Today it reaffirmed the reason Brittany spoke to begin with. The Legislature will no longer abandon the terminally ill where hospice and palliative care are no longer an option. They can have a gentle passing.”

AB X2-15 is modeled after Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act and is nearly identical to the Senate’s version of the bill, SB128, which stalled in July in the Assembly Health Committee, San Jose Mercury News reported. Members of the committee were encouraged by the Catholic Church to vote against it, according to the publication.

Should the bill become law, it would permit physicians to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill, mentally competent patients, Mercury News reported. It would also make California the fifth state to authorize the practice. In Montana, Oregon, Washington and Vermont, doctors are allowed to prescribe

life-ending medication.

Opponents of the bill, include the Catholic Church, disabled rights activists and associations representing oncologists. Among concerns raised are that such legislation goes against God’s will, puts terminally ill patients at risk of forced death, and that poor and disabled individuals are left with limited end-of-life treatment options.

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

Another concern expressed

by Laura Petrillo, a hospice medicine physician at UC San Francisco, is that the criteria for determining whether an individual is capable of giving informed consent is insufficient, the Times reported.

“This assessment can be very difficult in patients with dementia or cognitive impairment, and that murkiness leaves people with cognitive impairment open to risk of coercion from their families, care providers or even the medical system,” Petrillo said, according to the Times.

Should the right to die bill fail in the state Legislature, advocacy group Compassion and Choices has indicated it would try to get it to qualify as a 2016 ballot measure, the Associated Press reported.

If the legislation makes its way to the desk of California Gov. Jerry Brown, who formerly studied to become a Catholic priest and has declined to take a position on the issue, it remains unclear whether or not he will sign it.

Immigrants encouraged to naturalize...

PAGE A2 is that the vulnerable immigrant communities need to be guarded against the scams that target them. FASGI, which is a community organization that partners with the city of LA to provide English and Tagalog assistance, is trying to be more vigilant when processing applications.

A notable scam is notaries or individuals, claiming to be lawyers, who charge too much for application processing.

Business impact of citizenship In addition to the personal benefits of naturalization, there is said to be an effect on the US work environment.

The National Immigration Forum has launched the New American Workforce to work with businesses who have eligible immigrant employees and assist them with the citizenship process.

According to Laura Barrera, the LA organizer of the New American Workforce, the initiative “engage[s] employers [and] business owners that this is indeed a service to strengthen not only our community, but our workforce.”

Currently, it is operational in eight cities with large populations of legal permanent residents, including Los Angeles, New York City and Miami. The program, which includes information workshops, one-on-one application assistance and civics instruction, is offered on the worksite either during employee breaks, before or after work hours.

“It’s a win-win situation for their workforce to transition from [lawful] permanent residents to citizens. Our project is unique in that it’s helping change a typical conversation in the community to one that will open the doors to employment sites and changes the way human resources looks at the benefits of citizenship. We hope that through this, it will not only change the dialogue…[and] reeducate employers about why citizenship is important,” Barrera said.

In September 2014, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti challenged 25 businesses to partner with the New American Workforce and

educate 25,000 legal permanent residents about opportunities that citizenship provides and help them apply.

Through immigrant integration and increasing workplace diversity, business profitability is positively impacted, according to the New American Workforce.

Political engagement With presidential candidates starting to campaign for 2016, immigration has already become a hot-button issue that has led to many controversial remarks being covered in the news.

Despite the anti-immigrant rhetoric—Donald Trump’s deportation proposal or Jeb Bush’s ‘anchor babies’ comment, for example—eligible immigrants shouldn’t be detracted from applying for citizenship.

“The fact is, immigrants want to become US citizens, regardless of if someone is disparaging them or not. There is already an interest. But we do know that negative politics lead immigrants to be more motivated to get involved,” said Elisa Sequeira, director of national civic engagement programs for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund.

Once immigrants become naturalized, community assistance doesn’t stop there. It’s just “the beginning of a journey of civic participation,” Sequeira said.

Foreign-born citizens are even less likely to register to vote, she said, citing a University of Southern California study by Manuel Pastor and Jared Sanchez. However, the study found these citizens would participate in elections if they do get registered.

“We have an important election year next year and a lot of our new citizens will be participating for the first time in electing the candidates and voting for laws that will affect our everyday life,” she said. NALEO provides civic education for the new citizens regarding voter registration, key issues and laws and political candidates.

Never too late Another key takeaway from the roundtable discussion was that there is still time for older legal permanent residents to be-

come citizens.

Saul Montoya, who is originally from Mexico, became a citizen in June after 35 years of being a green card holder.

“You are always under the impression that you will go back [to your home country],” Montoya said of why it took him so long to become a citizen, but he was grateful that the US gave him opportunities such as a home, job and security.

He was also motivated by his wife (also a US citizen) who convinced him that he still ran the risk of being deported as a green card holder.

Manok Cha shared that she came to the US from Korea in 1996 after her daughter petitioned her, and obtained legal permanent resident status in 2007.

“Living in a new country, I realized that the United States is a nation that protects the rights of its people and ensures opportunities for its [residents]…Slowly I began thinking about becoming a US citizen,” Cha said, adding that she initially had hesitations about applying because she was not fluent in English, which is among the considerations in the citizenship eligibility interview.

However, with the help of the Korean Resource Center, Cha was able to become a citizen in 2012. Though she was already a senior citizen when she naturalized, she said it’s not too late for older immigrants and noted some benefits that could be afforded to them like housing and government assistance.

Since 2011, the New Americans Campaign and its partner organizations have completed nearly 169,000 naturalization applications for legal permanent residents, and have helped them save $118 million in legal fees and $31 million in USCIS application fees.

Data from the Migrant Policy Institute released back in June revealed that Asians have one of the highest naturalization rates in the country, with 59 percent of the immigrant population becoming citizens.

As of 2013, 1.26 million Filipinos are US naturalized citizens; 43,489 of whom were naturalized that year.

Obama extends paid sick leave to over 300,000...

PAGE A1 to walk the walk. The values that built the middle class are working people’s values.”

“There are certain Republicans that said we can’t afford to do this,” said Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, lamenting how paid leave is seen as a “partisan issue” in the US despite broad support in Europe. “The Republican Party is out of step with similar conservative governments around the world.”

The Labor Day announcement also came with a renewed call for Congress to follow President Obama’s lead and pass the Health Families Act, which would require all businesses with more than 14 employees (not just contract workers, and excluding the smallest US businesses) to similarly offer seven days of paid sick leave.

About 40 percent of the private-sector workforce does not have paid leave, the White House said. The act would benefit roughly 44 million privatesector workers currently without leave.

The idea has gained little traction on Capitol Hill. In recent years, Obama has frequently used his executive authority to apply policies--such as worker discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation--to federal contractors that he lacks the authority to enact nationwide.

His aim is to lay the groundwork for those policies to be expanded to all Americans.

Through labor groups have applauded the acts, many remain skeptical of the president’s push to secure sweeping new trade deals with the Asia-Pacific region and with Europe.

Many unions have warned that the deals could lead to the widespread elimination of certain types of jobs.

“The administration has an obligation to get the most out of every federal tax dollar,” said Cecilia Munoz, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. “The benefits with respect to businesses will more than offset the costs and ultimately make them, as employers, more productive and more efficient and, therefore, more valued to the taxpayer.”

Obama’s 2016 budget also includes $2 billion for states to expand paid sick leave, as well as create laws that would allow employees maternity, paternity, and eldercare leave. (Allyson Escobar/AJPress with reports from the Washington Post, NBC News, Associated Press, KTLA5)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 10-16, 2015

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D ateline PhiliPPines When Tagle, Binay, Roxas, Poe meet

Misuari still at large 2 years after Zamboanga siege

by leilA

B. sAlAveRRiA, tinA G. sAntos

by FRAnces

MAnGosinG Inquirer.net

Inquirer.net

During a meeting, organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for responsible Voting (PPCrV) on Monday, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle gave the message that being a leader was a form of service.

PPCrV chair Henrietta de Villa, in an ambush interview with reporters after the meeting, said it was purely an “ordinary evening prayer” gathering and there were no talks about politics.

While waiting for Tagle, who came from saying a Mass in Makati City, the three officials had the chance to talk to each other about many things except politics.

“They talked about the traffic situation that was ‘getting better’—things like that. There was nothing earthshaking or anything about politics,” De Villa said.

Prayers, courage and wisdom— these were what Sen. grace Poe, who is considering a possible run in the 2016 presidential election, sought when she met with Tagle on Monday night, Sept. 7, at Arzobispado de Manila in intramuros, Manila.

Tagle gathered Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay and interior Secretary Mar roxas for a prayer service, where he called on the potential contenders for the presidency to keep the campaign friendly and dignified.

“What our cardinal said—and i accept this and i am thankful—is that being a leader means (being of) service. And it should not be forgotten that in all things, the leader should be the first to feel what the people are going through,” Poe told reporters.

But politics was not on the menu during the “light” meeting, with discussions centering on prayers and reflection. “it was part of pastoral care not only of voters but also of potential candidates,” Tagle said in a statement.

Simple program Tagle said the program was simple: evening prayers, dinner, meditation on humble servant leadership in the Bible and the role of servant leaders in promoting the

Three possible presidential rivals—Vice President Jejomar Binay (left), Sen. Grace Poe (center) and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas (fourth from left)—meet Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at the Arzobispado de Manila compound in Intramuros for dinner, prayer and reflection on how to be a servant leader. To the far right is Henrietta de Villa, national chair of Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Manila

common good. “no political discussion,” he said.

The camp of the Vice President said Tuesday that Binay had shaken hands separately with roxas and Poe before they all met with Tagle.

Mon ilagan, spokesman of Binay’s united nationalist Alliance party, said he and Binay’s political spokesman rico Quicho accompanied the Vice President to the Archdiocese of Manila compound but they did not join Tagle’s meeting with Binay, roxas and Poe. Asked whether Binay spoke to either roxas or Poe while they were all waiting for Tagle to arrive at the compound, ilagan said he did not see the Vice President speaking to either Poe or roxas.

“There was no sharing of platforms. it was just plain moment of providing them some kind of spiritual rest,” De Villa said.

“We prayed together. The one who led us in prayer was the deacon, not the cardinal. The cardinal was reading with us,” she said in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines website. in his reflection, Tagle talked about John 13, a Bible verse that demonstrated Jesus’ leadership styles and practices.

“To be a servant, you must serve first,” De Villa quoted Tagle as saying. it was actually the same reflec-

tion made by Tagle at a servant leadership in public service forum in Ortigas City last July.

On that occasion, the cardinal said leaders were expected to serve others first instead of being served by the people. “it was very friendly,” she added. ”it was very touching for me that it was an atmosphere of friendship.”

De Villa also said that Tagle reminded the three not to lose their friendship, especially when the electoral race heats up.

“The cardinal asked them to raise the bar and integrity of the political campaign,” she said.

Seeking prayers Poe said she also sought prayers from the cardinal. “i asked for his prayers for whatever decision we will be making. We asked for courage and wisdom,” she said.

Poe has topped recent surveys on the voters’ preferred candidate for the presidency.

The Liberal Party (LP) has tried to convince her to be the running mate of roxas, its standardbearer.

But last week, the LP vice chair, Senate President Franklin Drilon, said the party should stop such efforts, because he was convinced Poe would seek the presidency.

Poe said she respected the position, especially since she was not an LP member. “it’s their prerogative to decide on those matters.”

Aquino appointee accepts ‘challenge’ as DILG chief

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

MAniLA—incoming interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said on Wednesday, Sept. 9 he is ready to accept new challenge and serve people in the cause of “Daang Matuwid.”

The newly-appointed Sarmiento, who is also currently the president of the Liberal Party, thanked President Benigno Aquino iii for giving him the opportunity to continue Secretary Manuel “Mar” roxas ii in the Department of interior and Local government (DiLg).

Sarmiento said the reforms were discussed with them by the late interior Secretary Jesse robredo when they were still mayors. “i am ready to accept any new challenge to be able serve our people better and advance the cause of good governance and Daang Matuwid,” Sarmiento said in a statement. “replacing Secretary Mar roxas to head a very complex institution like the Department of the interior and Local government is definitely a colossal task but with

Newly-appointed Interior and Local Government Chief Mel Senen Sarmiento said he is ready to accept the challenge of “Daang Matuwid.”

people’s prayers and support, i am confident i would be able to effectively carry our the mandate of my new assignment,” he added.

Among the reforms he vowed to press for are modernization of the Philippine national Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the other agencies under the DiLg. Sarmiento also mentioned that maintaining a peace, honest and orderly election in 2016 is among

his priorities.

“We will continue to uphold the high standards of the institution in public service and guarantee that the national police and the entire uniformed service under the DiLg will be neutral in ensuring a peaceful, honest and orderly election in 2016,” Sarmiento said.

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Aquino announced the appointment of Sarmiento as the new DiLg secretary to replace roxas, who stepped down after being proclaimed the LP’s standard-bearer for the 2016 presidential elections.

Sarmiento served as mayor of Calbayog City for nine years before he was elected to Congress in 2010.

He was also the secretary general of the League of Cities of the Philippines for six years during his term as Calbayog City mayor.

Sarmiento is currently head of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments, and vice chairman of the committees on public order and safety, and national defense and security. roxas, on the other hand, headed the DiLg since 2012, after Jesse robredo died in a plane crash.

Deles believes BBL will be passed before 2016 budget by

eRikA sAuleR Inquirer.net

MAniLA—Despite setbacks in the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos-Deles believes that the measure will still be passed before it is eclipsed by budget deliberations in Congress.

“That is what we are working for and the political leadership remains committed to that,” Deles told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the sidelines of a multisectoral dialogue on the BBL on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. recently said that arriving at an agreed version of the BBL before plenary debates on the 2016 national budget was becoming “an impossible dream.”

Deles, in her keynote speech at the forum held in Miriam College, said the passage of the BBL “is a gift worthy of the season of giving.”

“We should continue to push for the timely passage of a robust BBL,” she said.

Deles also noted that she and government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer had been the subject of a “visual sexual vulgarity” because of their continued support for the peace agreement

A

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles

with the Moro islamic Liberation Front.

Doubts were raised against the BBL in the aftermath of the Mamasapano debacle, where 44 members of the Special Action Force were killed in a clash with the MiLF. “Women are in it for the long haul. That’s what housekeeping and motherhood have taught us.

When something goes wrong, we do not throw the thing away or pass the problem on to someone else. Whether the problem is housekeeping or shepherding a bill, we fix it,” Deles said.

“One good thing that has come out of the delayed deliberations

on the BBL in the aftermath of Mamasapano is that there is now a deeper level of thinking, and hopefully of understanding, of what the stakes are in the BBL,” she said. issues on the form of government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous region, the justice system, revenue sources and jurisdiction over natural resources are some of the contentious points of the BBL. With proposed amendments in the House and Senate versions, advocates are calling for a BBL that is consistent with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the government and the MiLF.

TWO years after the deadly attacks of the armed followers of Moro national Liberation Front (MnLF), nur Misuari, the alleged brains behind the three-week siege in Zamboanga City, remains at large.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Colonel restituto Padilla said on Wednesday, Sept. 9 that Misuari continues to be around the Sulu and Tawi-Tawi area based on multi-agency intelligence operations. “i’m not sure about the reasons why we are having a hard time locating him. Malamang, nandyan siya sa area na hawak niya lahat ng tao. (He is probably in the area where his people are.) The people could be hiding him and keeping him away. For all we know, he is not in the country; he may be out of the country,” he said.

The police is the lead unit tasked to find Misuari, but the AFP is ready to assist. “it’s already a police case, but the AFP is on standby to support the police in serving any warrant of arrest,” he said.

Padilla said they are also seeking justice for the three-week siege which killed nine soldiers, five policemen, 11 civilians, and at least 100 MnLF rebels. Thousands were also displaced because of the fighting.

Misuari and his followers are facing rebellion charges because of the takeover.

Nur Misuari

“Who does not want justice to be served? Justice should be served, and we all work for that.

That’s why the government is helping hand-in-hand. So, we are after justice because we lost men,” Padilla said.

“We commemorate this day in honor of the valiant men and

women of the armed forces and police who died during the siege. That’s among the things that we commemorate today, yung sacrifices ng mga sundalo na namatay sa ating mga elite units (the sacrifices that the soldiers from the elite units made),” he said.

A

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september 10-16, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

OpiniOn

Home stretch

Features

AFTER occupying the highest and toughest job in the Philippines for six years, Pres. Benigno Aquino III made it clear that he might be ending his political career after next year’s elections. But with a few months left in his reign, Aquino will be working under a microscope.

In the early years of his leadership, Aquino enjoyed the highest approval ratings, gaining as much as 85 percent approval from the Filipino public. It is highest rating ever recorded by any individual included in trust probes since 1999, something that any politician would aspire for.

Traditionally, when a president is about to step down, his or her approval ratings get lower. In 2009, a year before former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ended her term, her ratings dropped to an all-time low of -11 percent. Aquino’s mother, the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino’s rating plunged to -1 in 1991.

Although the Aquino administration has been bloodied by unfortunate events in the past few months, the President still enjoys the support of majority of Filipinos at 54 percent. However, as the numbers go down, this also means that Aquino may be lauded for his accomplishments, but will be remembered for his shortcomings.

In a gathering with reporters and editors during the Meet the Inquirer forum on Tuesday, Sept. 8, Aquino described being the country’s president as “very daunting” but that the Filipinos’ cooperation

made his task easier.

The President also admitted that the job almost took its toll on him.

“No matter what you did, no matter what risks you took, no matter what energy you expended it seemed you couldn’t change anything. So I have gotten to that point in time that you were getting to be cynical and jaded,” Aquino revealed.

Despite the early successes of his “daang matuwid (straight path)” mantra, Aquino has also been under fire over his standing on controversial issues such as the country’s sea dispute entanglements and woes in the transportation sector and infrastructure. He is also criticized for the limited progress made in crucial areas such as corruption and poverty.

It’s really impossible to measure a politician’s performance. There are so many subjective factors to identify how formidable a politician can be. It is unjust to base the relationship of a leader and his followers on approval ratings alone. What matters more is the successful negotiations and compromises both parties extend to each other.

If the numbers are positive, the leaders are subjected to discernment. They are given an option to

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

either be complacent or work even harder to make a lasting impression to the public. If the numbers are unfavorable, the ratings serve as a wake-up call.

Aquino may have gotten the best grade compared to his predecessors, but the work obviously doesn’t stop there. Before he embarks on a sab-

batical, Aquino should focus on ironing out kinks on his reforms, and make sure tangible and reliable results are felt by his constituents. In return, Filipinos should continue to join Aquino’s undertaking, to aid him in this final stretch of the race.

(AJPress)

Pope Francis makes marriage annulment easier, faster & cheaper for estranged couples 2. Giving bishops the ability to fastAFTER Pope Francis’s controversial track and grant the annulments themstatement allowing priests during the Year The Fil-Am selves in certain circumstances -- for of Mercy to “absolve” sins committed by example, when spousal abuse or an contrite women who have had abortions, Perspective extramarital affair has occurred. the leader of the Catholic Church has now 3. The process should be free, exradically revised the process by which cept for a nominal fee for administraCatholics may annul their marriages to tive costs, and should be completed make it easier, faster and cheaper. within 45 days.

This is especially significant for Filipinos Gel SantoS-ReloS Pope Francis reaffirms the “indissolback home who cannot remarry because divorce is not yet legal in the Philippines. The only option for ubility of the marriage bond,” but also says that “charity estranged couples is to seek marriage annulment in court, and mercy demand that the Church, as mother, be close the price of which is not affordable to most Filipinos. But to her children who consider themselves separated.”

As CNN stated in its report, this move is part of a seeven if the marriage is annulled judicially, Catholic couples cannot re-marry through Catholic rites unless the Church ries of reforms by Pope Francis “as he seeks to make the church more responsive to the real needs of lay Catholics, declares their previous marriage null and void.

Without going through Church annulments, Catholics especially those who have long felt marginalized by the who remarry through civil rites are banned from receiv- hierarchy”.

The Pope said that in the end, the Church’s many laws ing the Holy Communion, deemed by many as “a painful and institutions must be aimed at one chief purpose -exclusion from the church’s chief sacrament.”

“Some procedures are so long and so burdensome and “the salvation of souls.”

Do you laud Pope Francis in his reforms to make the people give up”, Pope Francis said in 2014, as reported Catholic Church more welcoming and inclusive to people

by CNN. The Catholic Church announced on Tuesday, Septem- — saints and sinners alike? *** ber 8, that the following changes will become part of Catholic canon law on December 8, 2015 — the begin- Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions ning of Francis’ declared “Year of Mercy”: expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and 1. Eliminating a second review by a cleric before a mar- not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilriage can be nullified.

AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Commentary

RiCaRDo SaluDo “BUT he himself is not corrupt, right?”

That is a common refrain in conversations with Filipinos concerned about rising sleaze under President Benigno Aquino 3rd. Ironically, the same thing was once said about Ferdinand Marcos, a frugal Ilocano unlike his extravagant wife Imelda.

After five years of Tuwid na Daan, many are disturbed, if not enraged that smuggling tripled from $7.9 billion in 2009 to nearly $27 billion last year, based on International Monetary Fund data.

Pork barrel more than doubled to over P20 billion annually, while anomalies in commuter trains, license plates, combat planes and choppers, and even office supplies are the biggest ever. And Aquino’s P157-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) is the largest malversation in Philippine history.

Yet many Filipinos continue to give him the benefit of ever escalating doubt, believing or hoping he is personally honest. This despite Aquino’s constant defense of tainted allies and associates, his failure to probe mammoth scandals, and his refusal to push for the Freedom of Information bill, as he promised voters.

So on Year 6 of his presidency, let us sincerely ponder the question based on plain facts: Is Aquino cor-

Is Aquino corrupt? rupt? Not just his allies, appointees, aides, and other associates close to him, including family members and the favored clique of schoolmates, partymates, and shooting buddies (KKK by their Filipino initials)—but Aquino himself.

It’s in the bagman Many instantly insist on the President’s integrity because he has never been known or shown to have personally solicited or accepted an inappropriate advantage.

Well, if that is enough to declare politicians clean, so many grafters would be exonerated simply by using bagmen to solicit, negotiate, and accept bribes. Indeed, only one Philippine president has been proven to have personally taken payoffs.

In his plunder trial, Joseph Ejercito Estrada was shown to have received illicit funds. Documents and testimony established that he was the true accountholder of the Jose Velarde false-name deposit in Equitable Bank, which once held billions of pesos, including P189 million in checks representing commissions on shares bought by state financial institutions at Estrada’s behest.

No other presidents were undeniably linked to payoffs. Hence, in pondering whether Aquino is corrupt, the apparent absence of actual money or other assets illicitly falling into his hands, pockets, accounts, or other personal receptacles is no reason to conclude he is clean. Otherwise, so many others would be deemed honest, even those currently accused of high corruption by the administration.

Before leaving this issue, one might cite an instance when Aquino may have received an unlawful gift. In December 2011 he claimed to have bought with P4.5 million of his own money a “third-hand” Porsche 911 Turbo sportscar.

Seven months later, he said he sold it for the same amount.

Fellow columnist Rigoberto Tiglao, among other journalists, repeatedly pressed the Palace for car registrations and deeds of sale showing that the Porsche was really purchased then sold, and never gifted. No documents were presented. So many rightly concluded that the purported purchase never happened. But Aquino did get the luxury coupe, so it must have been a gift—and, given its high price, it violates the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Where there’s smoke…

The undocumented Porsche was but one of so many whiffs of Aquino smoke which got many looking for fire. In his first year alone, consider these dubous acts and omissions.

Aquino declined to put the Philippine National Police, the main weapon against jueteng, under anti-gambling nemesis Jesse Robredo. Instead of the DILG Secretary, Aquino himself supervised the PNP through his shooting buddy, then Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno—whom anti-vice crusader Archbishop Oscar Cruz named along with then PNP Chief Jesus Versoza as “ultimate recipients” of jueteng payoffs.

Aquino also kept smuggling—an PAGE A7

Pope Francis

Commentary

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS AS an overseas Filipino who loves his homeland, I am puzzled, sad, and disenchanted to see our beloved Philippines hopelessly entrenched in a quagmire and culture of graft and corruption involving government officials, including top legislators who had plundered the nation’s meager coffers and practically go unpunished. Evidently, even the Supreme Court was not immune from this plague that has devastated and continued to ruin the name and reputation of the Philippines, tagged as a most corrupt country among nations in the world.

The massive poverty among nearly a third of us Filipinos -- the poorest of the poor languishing in the gutter of nothingness, suffering human beings, especially children -- go to bed at night, not only with empty stomachs, but with empty dreams and desolate futures.

While it does not take an Einstein to figure out why, it is unfathomable how we, as a society, would allow such poverty, graft and corruption, to flourish unabated, killing every fiber of human decency and pride in each one of us. Where is our compassion towards our marginalized and disenfranchised fellowmen who are literally rotting out there?

Overseas, Filipinos have organized the Filipino United Net-

Are we masochistic or stupid?

work – USA (www.FUN8888. com), a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States, and its subsidiary, the FilipinoAmerican Initiative to Transform our Homeland (FAITH), and countless others to join our fellow Filipinos back home and around the world in our country’s battle against poverty and graft and corruption.

Observers around the world wonder if the Philippines is a democracy where majority rules.

And if so, they ask if this means that a majority of the Filipinos are also corrupt and without a heart, voting for known corrupt politicians again and again, as they close their eyes and allow this human tragedy to continue decade after decade, while the casualties grow. Some have even concluded that perhaps the Filipinos are simply inhumane, masochistic, stupid, or all of the above.

Billions are lost every year to graft and corruption in our country -- billions that could certainly alleviate the suffering of the more than 30 million of our poor fellowmen and put a dent on poverty in our country, instead of going into the deep pockets of our amoral government officials walking in the halls of Congress and all the way to the bank.

Government officials -- leaders who, we the people, have elected into office -- must be held to a higher standard of the law and, if judged guilty of a crime, especially plunder (whose penalty was death in our Constitution before 1986), must be penalized to the fullest

extent allowed by law. The higher the office they hold, the greater their accountability and culpability should be. These plunderers must be put behind bars to serve their full jail term and return the money they stole, and not simply be placed only on house arrest to enjoy all the conveniences of a wealthy home, or on hospital arrest, unless an acute, not chronic, illness ails them. After treatment, they go back to jail.

As a country and as a society, are we kinder, more compassionate, more civilize, or more Christian letting plunderers go free after serving a small fraction of their jail term, while their victims continue to be homeless and hungry for life? How about compassion for the millions and millions of their helpless victims deteriorating in poverty, who are robbed of their present and of their future? They are the ones who deserve our compassion and care, not those greedy, self-serving, plunderers who are worse than common thieves. In some countries, convicted plunderers are expeditiously executed.

If the majority of our people, the gigantic force behind the people power of the past, wills it, we can forcibly demand our legislators, including President Benigno Aquino III, to put forth a new law disqualifying convicted plunderers, other felons and criminals from running for office in the government, national, provincial, down to the barangays, and also to enact soonest a Freedom of InPAGE A7

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 10-16, 2015

A

Iglesia brouhaha showed Poe a ‘trapo,’ says erstwhile mentor

SEN. Serge Osmeña said Sen. Grace Poe’s lead in presidential polls may be affected after she supported the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) mass action against the Department of Justice, making her appear to be a traditional politician (trapo).

Speaking on dzIQ, or Radyo Inquirer, Osmeña, who always gave Poe advice, this time offered no help when asked how she could

correct her “mistake.”

“She has strategists. She should ask her strategists,” Osmeña said. Poe, he said, had already teamed up with Sen. Francis Escudero against his advice.

“She was wrong there, she appeared to be a trapo,” Osmeña said of Poe’s statement justifying the INC’s five-day mass action that started at the DOJ office and

culminated on Edsa.

Poe received flak for saying the politically influential INC was just exercising its rights and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima should explain the merits of the case filed by a former INC minister.

Osmeña reiterated his disapproval of Poe’s team-up with Escudero, saying the latter brings with him “more minuses” than pluses. (Inquirer.net)

SENATOR Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has filed a bill that would not only prohibit the opening of balikbayan boxes but would also exempt from all duties and taxes one box per overseas Filipino worker (OFW) per month.

Citing the constitutional provision that the government shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare, Senate Bill 2927 filed by Pimentel aims to institute an expanded balikbayan program, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 6768 as amended by R.A. 9174 and for other purposes.

Under the bill, a balikbayan box, measuring 24 inches by 24 inches by 30 inches, should only be subjected to non-intrusive methods of inspection by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel through the use of trained dogs, x-ray and other similar technologies.

Balikbayan boxes, the bill said, could only be opened in the following circumstances: first, when the consignor’s export declaration and packing list are not attached to the

balikbayan box, and second, when the BOC is tipped off that the box contains banned, prohibited or regulated import commodities.

Regardless of the total dutiable value of its contents, the proposed measure also seeks to exempt from taxes and duties one balikbayan box per month per OFW which Pimentel said “is but a small measure of assistance in view of the tireless efforts of our OFWs who work selflessly abroad and endure long separation and loneliness from their loved ones.”

“For OFWs, the balikbayan box is an enduring testament of their sacrifice and hard work abroad in order to secure a better future for their families back home. It represents the love and care of OFWs for their families, who have to bear months or even years of separation from each other,” the senator said in a statement on Tuesday.

Citing records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Pimentel said approximately 1.832 million OFWs were deployed abroad last

year whose personal remittances accounted for 8.5 percent of the country’s gross national product (GDP) for the year.

“We cannot thus take for granted the crucial role played by our OFWs in helping sustain the continuous development of our country through the foreign currencies remitted to their families back home,” he said.

Pimentel said the state for its part must make certain that “our prevailing legislation would help augment not only the lives of our OFWs, but also their families who were left behind.”

On the average, some 400,000 balikbayan boxes are shipped monthly back home by OFWs which the BOC had earlier threatened to open at random because of reports that they were being allegedly used to smuggle in highly-dutiable items, including illegal drugs and guns.

The proposal, however, ignited a public indignation that prompted the BOC to backtrack and shelve its plan. (Inquirer.net)

Sen. Pimentel files bill exempting balikbayan box from duties, other taxes DAY ONE. A Highway Patrol policeman tries to put order on the lanes of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue on the first day of the unit’s take over of traffic control of Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Ruy Martinez

63 foreigners nabbed in Cebu for cyberhacking, extortion CEBU CITY—At least 63 foreigners, mostly Taiwanese and Chinese nationals, were arrested in series of raids in Cebu City on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, acting directorial staff chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO 7), said in a local television report that the suspects were part of an international syndicate, which have been engaged in cyber hacking and blackmailed their victims from their own countries to extort huge amounts of money.

The victims were based in Taiwan and mainland China, Lawas

said.

Authorities in Taiwan reportedly coordinated with the police in the country after the victims complained in Taiwan and subsequent investigation showed that the suspects were based in Cebu City.

After a month-long surveillance operation, local police traced the suspects in Cebu City and after securing the search warrants from Cebu RTC Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras, the different units from PRO 7, including the Regional Intelligence Division (RID 7), in coordination with the Bureau of

Is Aquino corrupt?

PAGE A6 even bigger source of multi-billionpeso payoffs—away from another proven sleaze fighter, former Customs Commissioner Guillermo Parayno, hired by the IMF as consultant in customs reform for his Ramos-era achievements.

What’s worse, Aquino never probed the country’s biggest surge of contraband ever—the 2011 disappearance of more than 2,000 cargo containers—even if records show who kept releasing untaxed, uninspected boxes, though hundreds already vanished.

Congress bribery and DAP malversation came in later years, along with anomalies in transport, defense, agriculture, and police agencies. Yet like townsfolk gawking at the Emperor’s new clothes in the children’s fable, huge segments of public and media, including opponents of graft in past regimes, still think Aquino is honest.

His admirers and apologists should ask themselves if his acts would not demonstrate sleaze if done by other presidents. For instance, would they think Fidel Ramos is clean if he did not back Parayno’s cleanup against political pressure, but replaced him as Aquino did to reform-minded Customs chief John Sevilla?

Would Gloria Arroyo be cheered

if she kept expressing trust in Secretaries Hernando Perez of Justice, Angelo Reyes at National Defense, and Arthur Yap of Agriculture—as Aquino does with his Cabinet—instead of letting the three go amid sleaze allegations?

And what if Arroyo did not scrap the P15-billion ZTE deal, but defended it like the P157-billion DAP? Or if she stalled the transparency-enhancing Procurement Reform Act of 2003, as Aquino has done with the FOI Bill?

Would it have been fine for Estrada to treble pork barrel and shower it on legislators ousting the Chief Justice, instead of restricting the fund early in his term?

If such excesses would make other leaders corrupt in our eyes, why not Aquino? Do we need a bagman like Chavit Singson to spill the beans about presidential payolas, before we finally see the fire amid Aquino’s huffing and puffing?

Yet even smoking pistols may fail to convince segments of the public and the press. As the Filipino adage goes, it’s hard to wake someone pretending to sleep. Nor would lapdogs spurn or bite the hand that feeds them. And often, we keep believing in a false idol, rather than admit he has made fools of us. (ManilaTimes.net)

Are we masochistic or stupid?

PAGE A6 formation law to help in our battle against graft and corruption in the Philippines.

Are there any other countries and people on earth who allow convicted plunderers, felons, criminals, or those facing charges for a major crime, to run for public office, including the highest office of the land? People around the world must be thinking how stupid and masochistic we are, with a warped sense of justice and what’s right and wrong.

But we cannot blame only the criminals in our government for the sad state of our nation. We, the People, deserve the greater share of the blame for electing corrupt officials repeatedly in every election, for our lack of resolve to change the status quo, for lack of caring, and for our cruel inaction.

We must ask ourselves: “Have I done anything to help improve my country and relieve the suffering of my fellow human beings?”

I have great faith in the Filipino as a whole, so I am hereby making this clarion call enjoining all of us Filipinos to pull out our heads from under the sand to look around, feel and fight for our neglected people and give them hope.

The majority of our people have the ability and power to wage a war against poverty, graft and corruption, and win.

I sincerely believe that. But to succeed and fill up the jail with these scum and bottom-dwellers, we must be united and determined, with one voice and one action.

We can even fight the recent Supreme Court’s decision to free Enrile, who is facing plunder charges, no matter his age or health. We can do this with reason and persuasion, or, if needed, with people power by force. Even the Supreme Court does not have right to mock the law of the land or the privilege of putting their

personal or political preference over what is just as stipulated in our Constitution and penal code.

If friendly civil means do not do it, our patriotic alternative is a revolution to end poverty and graft and corruption in our country and reclaim our past glory, dignity, and honor. With people power, we can recall and remove from office any government official from any branch of our government, including the Judicial. As Mahatma Gandhi, Ninoy and Cory Aquino, and other peaceful leaders had shown, “We, the People,” can topple corrupt and abusive governments.

I am not advocating a revolution of arms where blood shall be shed and stain our soil and reputation as a nation. Rather, I am challenging our society, especially the young generation, the students in universities and colleges all around the country, and all law-abiding Filipinos and God-fearing leaders, to stand up and revolt and wage a revolution of principle, ideals, and mindset as a people, where tears and sweat shall be shed instead, to bathe our nation clean.

The plunderers and all other criminals in our government must be exposed and have their day in court! When convicted, they must go to jail with no mercy and return their unexplained wealth to our national coffers. Our people deserve justice. Enough is enough.

Let us wake up the sleeping giant in all of us Filipinos at home and overseas now to save our beloved Philippines and dispel the notion that we, Filipinos, are masochistic or stupid. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Las Vegas, Nevada, is chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA and one of the founders of Filipino-American Initiative to Transform our Homeland (FAITH). Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Immigration, conducted the raid in at least three areas in Cebu City.

At least 26 foreigners were arrested in Casals Village in Mabolo; 21 foreigners in Sunny Hills in Talamban; and another 16 foreigners in Tigbao, Talamban. Operations would continue in four other areas, police said.

Seized during the raids were several computers, telephone and internet modems and cellular phones.

They will face violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act. (Inquirer. net)

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VEGAS&STYLE Journal

Waistband from Surigao

Ring with kirtimukha Dagger hand from Northeastern Cord weights from Eight-petaled ornament (face of glory) from Mindanao Butuan from Liloan, Leyte Eastern Visayas

Pre-colonial PH gold goes on display at Asia Society

by MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

The long wait is over.

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

“Let’s call on all our friends and relatives so they can come to New York and see this once in a lifetime exhibit,” exclaimed Loida Loida Nicolas Lewis, co-chair of the Philippine Gold Benefit Committee with Doris Magsaysay ho. “Let us all be proud to see that even prior to the Spaniards colonizing the Philippines, we already had such sophisticated and exquisite gold artifacts. This is our King Tut!” Benefits, dinners, receptions and various community events have been lined up for the Filipino American community to participate in and enjoy.

Curated by Florina (Nina) h.

Capistrano-Baker of the Ayala Museum and Adriana Poser of Asia Society, the Philippine Gold exhibition will run at the Asia Society from Sept. 11, 2015 through January 3, 2016.

At the Ayala Museum in Manila, there are more than a thousand artifacts as a part of this permanent exhibition. For this specific exhibit in New York, the curators decided to focus on Butuan.

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

One of the most notable pieces in the collection is the ten pound Kinari Vessel from Surigao. The artifact is in the form of a half woman and half avian being, and it reflects the Indian mythical kinari – a celestial female with wings and legs of a bird personifying beauty, grace and accomplishment.

Another magnificent piece is a gold caste evidencing a prosperous elite class with strong influences to hindu culture. Other memorable items include lotus ear ornaments from Butuan to belt buckles from Northeastern Mindanao to burial ensemble from Daet, Camarines Norte.

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

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

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

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

Nina Baker, co-curator of PH gold exhibit

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Josette Sheeran, Asia Society president and CEO

“It’s a groundbreaking show.

I hope it really opens eyes here in the United States. This is an important part of history that has never been widely seen before. I saw the collections at the Ayala Museum and it was mind-blowing,” said Adriana Proser, John h. Foster Senior Curator for Traditional Asian Art, Asia Society.

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

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

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

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

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

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

those from such cultures of Java, Champa, and Borneo.

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

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

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

“It’s not just a partnership of Asia Society and Ayala Museum and the private collectors and the benefit committee, it involves our community as well. We are all partners in this endeavor,” he said.

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

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

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms is organized

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

Asian Heritage Celebration SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Springs Preserve invites you to be dazzled by the music, dance and costumes of the Far East during the Asian Heritage Celebration.

Enjoy cultural performances, traditional food, a martial arts exhibition and more. You won’t want to miss this festive celebration.

$5 adults $3 children ages 5 – 12 FREE children ages 4 and under springspreserve.org U.S. 95 and Valley View

Mark from Butuan

Ear ornaments from a burial ensemble from Nabua, Camarines Sur

Pectoral ornament from Butuan

Belt clip depicting squids and jellyfish from Surigao

Garuda ornaments from Eastern Visayas

Ear ornaments with twelve floriated spangles from Bohol

Six-petaled ornament from Eastern Visayas

Necklace from Surigao Photos courtesy of Asiasociety.org, Ayala Museum

Presented by

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Owning turns: How life’s deviations led a young Fil-Am musician to research

By Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

For some people, life unfolds in a linear and planned out path.

For others, life unravels with a number of twists and detours.

The latter is how it was for 26-year-old Menchie Caliboso, a Filipino-American who is a member of musical group Bootleg orchestra, co-founded an organization called the Society for Long Beach Music, and recently departed from Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles as a music therapist.

In addition to her versatile resume, Caliboso is currently focused on completing her final year of graduate school at Cal State Long Beach, where she is studying psychological research with an emphasis in stress management in low-income communities. After graduating, she hopes to use data science to make healthcare more efficient.

Though she’s set out on a path to make a difference in her community and beyond, it took a couple of switches before the Fil-Am decided to pursue the direction she is going in today.

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Caliboso describes her

former years as ones where music played a significant role. At the age of 6, she began taking piano lessons. At 11 years old, she experienced the best day of her life when her dad gifted her with a guitar. For 20 years and counting, music has always been a big part of her life.

As a teenager, like most, Caliboso dealt with a variety of emotions. And to her, songwriting was where she found comfort.

“I realized that I liked music so much because it was literally my therapy,” she said.

Eventually, she went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston where she obtained her degree in music therapy.

But that wasn’t where she kicked off her college career.

After high school, Caliboso enrolled at San Francisco State University to major in biology.

Then she dropped out to take a one-year break.

In that time, she escaped to Seattle for about five months, stayed with her cousin, pondered on what she was doing with her life and prepared for her audition at Berklee. In the next chapter of her life, Boston became Caliboso’s home for three years.

“I’ve had quite a few turns, but I feel very lucky to have been

able to do those things. I mean it’s nice that other people have a straightforward path, whereas other people maybe feel pressured to do a linear path, but I felt very supported by my parents throughout all of this,” she said.

From music therapy to research Among the turns in Caliboso’s journey stemmed from a direction she was recently following. Having worked a col- lective total of one-and-a-half years at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles as a music therapist made her realize she actually wanted to do research.

While at the hospital, Caliboso would use music to help patients explore their feelings and encourage a positive way of thinking, among other things.

For immobile patients or those with brain injuries, music would be used to encourage speech and singing. For children who are closed-off, Caliboso would ask them to choose their favorite song so they could analyze lyrics together, as a means of identifying feelings and situations. one of the biggest reasons she studied music therapy is because of the “interesting” neuroscience behind the music.

For instance, when an individual is walking while listening to a song, the person is more likely to walk at a certain pace unconsciously. And adults with brain injuries may be unable to talk but will be able to sing, as each action is processed in a different part of the brain.

“It’s cool that something as beautiful as music can facilitate those health benefits and promote those treatment goals,” she said.

Despite the fascinating science involved, Caliboso decided to return to school for research after noticing that many of her patients, who showed improvements while at the hospital, would come back.

“They would progress well in optional, but when they go back to their communities they don’t have the resources to thrive,” she said. “A lot of them are also low income. So it made me wonder what it is they’re missing in their community that’s not allowing them to thrive. Why do they keep coming back? A lot of lowincome communities have their own unique stressors and we’re seeing new research that states mental health and stress has a huge effect on your illness. It’ll make the difference when you have [conditions like] cancer.”

While Caliboso is looking to contribute to streamlining the healthcare system by using datadriven evidence, she also wants to help reduce the health disparities she witnessed during her time at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Bootleg Orchestra, Society for Long Beach Music Another reason Caliboso decided to leave her most recent job as a music therapist was so she would have time for her own music.

Menchie Caliboso

A member of three-member Bootleg orchestra (a group whose name derives from the fact that the music is created using electronics), Caliboso and her group mates Vanessa Acosta and Chris Walker have already released a five-track extended playlist via Bandcamp.

Through the lyrics in its music, Bootleg orchestra tries to convey a theme of, ‘do something about the world.’

Acosta bears the responsibility of writing the words for the group’s tunes, but she and Caliboso both discuss what their songs will be about.

The Fil-Am pulls inspiration from music produced during the Civil rights Movement, because many musicians in the ‘60s used music to talk about the situation and to challenged people to do something, Caliboso said.

The chorus of the group’s song “Phenomenon,” for instance, is about needing a revolution and people rising up to demand change: “We need a phenomenon/A place that we all belong.”

“I don’t want to make music any other way. I want music to reflect what’s going on in society and I want my music to be able to resonate with listeners and ask them to become a little more critical of the world, why things are they way they are,” Caliboso said.

Although she isn’t tasked with creating the lyrics for Bootleg orchestra, the Fil-Am musician did take an active hand in writing “Here We Are,” a song on the EP it released in May: “Here we are/What we’ll bring/history unfold me.”

The song essentially asks people what they’d like to see after they’re gone.

“You’re not just here for yourself, you’re here for family,” she said.

The group is not too explicit with its lyrics, Caliboso noted, though she thinks they should be to reach a broader audience.

She describes “Here We Are” as the most explicit the group has gotten.

In addition to performing music, Caliboso is a co-founder of the Society for Long Beach

AJPress photo by Agnes Constante

Menchi Caliboso with other members of the Bootleg Orchestra: Chris Walker and Vanessa Acosta.

Photos courtesy of j3collection

Music, an organization that examines the cultural value of music from the South Bay city.

“There [are] a lot of huge musical contributions that come out of Long Beach, but [they’re] not talked about,” she said, citing jazz artist Nat King Cole as an example.

Through a variety of outreach methods, the organization seeks to celebrate and explore the people, places and histories that have contributed to Long Beach pop music throughout the last three decades.

Drive to succeed In the years that Caliboso relocated to different cities – San Francisco, Seattle and Boston – she said her parents were hesitant about her moving multiple times. Yet even if they tried harder to prevent her from going, she said she still would have gone.

“Ultimately, when I made those decisions, I was very convinced that nothing was going to stop me. I had that attitude and I think [my parents] knew that about me,” she said.

As a musician and researcher,

Caliboso’s sights are set on making the world a better place by enhancing social settings and health disparities. She also hopes to spark a cultural shift: Given the rising cost of living, education, among other things, she describes the American dream – an ideal she does not strive for – as “almost unattainable.”

“What I am after is ... a reality in which all people have the right to a quality of life and the right to self-determination. A reality free of oppression. That is why I enjoy the process of using music and research to uplift communities and create cultural change. I know this can happen when people with different backgrounds can come together and muster solutions,” she said.

While Caliboso’s journey did not follow a linear path, she said she “owns” all the turns she made and credits her detours for where she is today.

“Where I am now, I wouldn’t be here without all those years where I would just learn something new about myself and take a risk,” she said.

X Factor UK’s Filipina girl band: Hitting the right notes by

gino delA PAz Philstar.com

ENTErING the “X Factor” stage in a fit of giggles, sisters Mylene, Celina, Irene and Almira Cercado told judges Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Simon Cowell, rita ora, and Nick Grimshaw that they had travelled all the way from the Philippines and were quite excited to be in London. But jaws soon dropped when the siblings, aged 19 to 27, got going with their rendition of “Bang Bang,” originally recorded by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj.

“You absolutely just took the roof off Wembley,” said a pleasantly surprised FernandezVersini. “You are so demure, but when that music kicked in you turn into four little bad girls!”

Cowell added, “That was one

of the best first auditions I’ve ever seen.”

Grimshaw predicted that the performance was “going to blow up all around the world,” and somehow it has.

Talent show past Introducing themselves as 4th Power, the sisters—who hail from Santiago City, Isabela—have been singing as a group since 2001. A quick YouTube search reveals that they’re no stranger to bright lights and big crowds. Appearing under the name of MICA, the Gollayan Sisters, or the Cercado Sisters, their own channel is packed with videos of their previous attempts at stardom, from local noontime program “It’s Showtime” to Korean music contest “Superstar K” and the World Championships Local vocal: X Factor bosses have hit back at claims that girl band 4th Power was drafted in PAGE B3 by producers ahead of the auditions.

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Jose Llana, a majestic ‘King’ Ballet Manila triumphs at 2015 Asian Grand Prix Fil-Am actor comes full circle in Broadway revival

by Ruben

V. nepales Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES—Jose Llana commands the stage as the imperious Siamese sovereign in “The King and I” on Broadway.

Taking over from Japanese actor Ken Watanabe, Jose puts his own stamp on the role, filling the vast, resplendent stage of the Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater with his voice and presence. It’s quite an accomplishment for the Filipino-American actor in his first truly major Broadway role, especially amid Ken’s Tony Awardnominated performance and the looming shadow of the late Yul Brynner’s iconic portrayal in the 1956 movie version.

Jose’s achievement is even more impressive considering the excellent cast he performs with, including Broadway darling Kelli O’Hara, who has amassed six Tony nominations and finally, deservedly won one this year for her British schoolmistress Anna Leonowens; Ruthie Ann Miles, who bagged a Tony best featured actress in a musical prize as Lady Thiang, the King’s head wife; Conrad Ricamora (Lun Tha); Ashley Park (Tuptim); Jon Viktor Corpuz (Prince Chulalongkorn), and scores of charming, scene-stealing young actors as the King’s many children.

It’s a striking coincidence that the leads of “Here Lies Love,” David Byrne’s acclaimed musical on Imelda Marcos, are together again, but this time in Siam: Jose (who played Ferdinand Marcos), Ruthie Ann (Imelda) and Conrad (Ninoy Aquino). Jose cracked later that he “is thrilled” to be married to Ruthie again.

Regally dressed in silk and brocade, Jose evokes the right mix of humor and regal gravitas.

This ruler is not “A Puzzlement,” to quote the title of one of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs he performs. Jose and Kelli are just a joy to watch in the ever-delightful “Shall We Dance?” In addition to the King’s trademark line, “Etcetera, etcetera,” the Quezon City native also gets laughs whenever he asks, “Whaat, whaaat?”

It was great to be reminded that this 2015 Tony winner for best revival of a musical, brilliantly directed by Bartlett Sher, has many gems: “I Have Dreamed,” “We Kiss in a Shadow,” “Something Wonderful,” “My Lord and Master,” “Hello, Young Lovers,” “Getting to Know You” and “I Whistle a Happy Tune.”

After the show, which earned a standing ovation from the audience, Jose changed from his royal wardrobe of gold beaded jacket, sash and trousers into a tee, jeans and a hat and welcomed us in his dressing room. As Jose led us to the stage, we bumped into Conrad, and Ali Ewoldt, one of the Fil-Ams in the ensemble but who has stepped in as Tuptim several times.

Standing on the gleaming thrust stage, I remembered the first time I watched Jose—dueting with Lea Salonga in “Flower Drum Song” in the LA revival in 2001. To say he’s come a long way from that show is an understatement.

It’s also significant that Jose essayed the Lun Tha role in the 1996 Broadway revival of “The King and I” that coincidentally starred another Fil-Am, Lou Diamond

Phillips, as the monarch of Siam.

Now, Jose is back on Broadway as the King, no less.

Do watch Jose in the show, which has recently attracted First Lady Michelle Obama and other figures, before he steps down from the role—his last day on the musical throne is Sept. 27. The following are excerpts from our interview with the actor whose other Broadway credits include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (as Chip Tolentino) and “Rent” (Angel).

The King is an iconic role. How did you put your own stamp on the role?

Like with any role, I start from the source material and go from there. It was important for our director and this production to accurately depict the political atmosphere of that time, which greatly influenced the King, how he acted and the choices he made.

It was my job to bring my own humanity and honesty to the role, which is already such a beautifully written part.

Did you get to talk to Ken before he bowed out of the show?

I did. He was incredibly kind and generous. It was an honor to take over the role from him.

Do you remember the first time you saw the movie version?

It was when I was preparing for my audition for the 1996 Broadway production. Since then, I’ve only watched it one other time.

When did you first watch a stage production of the show?

I had never seen a stage production of the show before I was cast in the 1996 production.

What was it like on your first night in the role last July 14?

Electrifying and terrifying.

When you take over a role, the learning curve is much steeper than opening it originally. You’re hopping onto a moving train, basically. A fast-moving, Tony-winning train. But my job was made so much easier with this amazing cast and crew.

How did Kelli welcome you into the show as the new King?

She has been unbelievably generous and supportive. We’ve been finding our own show together— new beats and moments between her Mrs. Anna and my King.

Talk about the pleasure you have every night of singing, acting and dancing with Kelli.

There’s a moment in Act 2 where Mrs. Anna starts singing “Shall We Dance?” and the King simply stands there and watches her in awe before he joins in. That moment doesn’t require much acting on my part!

The audience always cheers and applauds you and Kelli when you do the polka in “Shall We Dance?”

It’s one of the most iconic scenes in all of musical theater, steeped in depth and symbolism and utterly joyful.

What are the numbers or moments that you look forward to each night?

“Shall We Dance?” and then going into the whipping scene is one of the best examples of going from the highest high to the lowest low in terms of character and scene.

They are perfectly written scenes and magical to perform.

How physically and mentally challenging is the role?

I’m finding that the biggest

Jose Llana shows his “The King and I” costumes in his dressing room.

Inquirer.net photo by Ruben V. Nepales

challenge is keeping my voice strong through all the yelling and bellowing. Also, maintaining the mental stamina for three hours is a challenge, too.

You skipped college class to audition for the 1996 revival despite not having a union card and you were not on the list of actors scheduled to audition that day.

“The King and I” started everything for me. It started my career and created the foundation for my work. When Rodgers and Hammerstein is the standard you begin with, few composers come close to that perfection. Returning to the show to play the King has been very sentimental. I’m grateful for it every second I’m in this company.

You have been offered to play the King in some regional productions. But you turned these offers down because somehow you had a gut feeling that you’d play the King on Broadway someday.

I always felt the King was somewhere in my future and I wanted my return to the show to be something special. I’m so thankful I waited.

It’s also serendipitous that you, Ruthie Ann and Conrad, who starred in “Here Lies Love,” are together again in this show.

Those two are my siblings. In fact, while we were in “Here Lies Love,” the whole company called me kuya (brother). I’m thrilled to be married to Ruthie again. She is unbelievable as Lady Thiang. And Conrad and I now have a role in common, a special thing for brothers to share.

Can you talk about the big number of Fil-Ams, including Jon Viktor and Ali, in the show?

The Pinoy factor in “The King and I” is strong! Ali has been on for Tuptim with me a few times now and she is stunning. I’m especially proud of Jon Viktor for his Prince portrayal. He’s a talented young man and has a bright future.

Do you somehow see a bit of yourself in Jon Viktor when you were starting out?

Of course! I was only a year older than Jon Viktor when I played Lun Tha in 1996. I know exactly what it’s like to make your Broadway debut at such a young age.

I’m glad he’s got a company full of older brothers and sisters like I did in my “King and I.” The kid actors are wonderful.

Can you talk about the joy you must feel performing with these kids?

They are amazing. So poised and hilarious in person.

Was it your decision to not shave your hair?

No, it was not. It was the decision of our costume designer Catherine Zuber (who won a Tony for the show), wig designer Tom Watson and Bartlett. My hair in the show is more historically accurate.

People only associate a shaved head with the King because of Yul Brynner.

What have been the highlights of being in the show so far?

Besides sharing the stage with Kelli and Ruthie, a personal highlight for me has been the enormous number of family and friends who have come to watch and support me in the show, especially those who saw me in it in 1996. The term Jose Llana (right) and Kelli O’Hara perform their “Shall We Dance?” number. “full circle moment” has been said Inquirer.net photo by Paul Kolnik more than a few times.

X Factor UK’s Filipina girl band: Hitting... of Performing Arts, which they won twice.

Viewers have been quick to comment that the quartet must have been brought in by ITV, home network of the “X Factor,” rather than having auditioned by themselves. The foursome, however, made no secret of their talent show past during their chat with the judges before their performance. “‘X Factor’ producers did not approach 4th Power to audition—they flew to the UK to audition of their own accord and went through exactly the same audition process as other acts,”

said a statement from the show.

“There are no rules preventing anyone who has appeared on other shows from applying for The X Factor.”

Favored to win While 4th Power may already have a background in performing and a sizeable following online, they are still considered amateurs since they are an unsigned act. If anything, their gigs thus far have proven to be excellent practice for their “X Factor” audition.

British bookmakers—or shops that take bets, calculate odds, and pay out winnings—seem to have their eye on the girls, having installed them as second favorites

to win the series after only the first show.

Whether they make it to the top or not—and I hope they do reach the finals—their appearance during Auditions Week 1 has made enough of an impression on viewers across the globe and generated considerable interest in them. “People say it’s the British ‘X Factor,’ should it just be British talent? But I’ve always said we welcome talent from around the world and you are incredibly welcome,” Cowell told 4th Power. If these Filipino hopefuls don’t win the top prize, they can at least say they’ve performed at Wembley.

That’s not too shabby.

by lesteR

G. babieRa Inquirer.net

BALLET Manila (BM) company artist Katherine Barkman received the top prize in the 2015 Asian Grand Prix (AGP) International Ballet Competition in Hong Kong.

AGP jury president Garry Trinder says Barkman was a unanimous choice because she “represents excellence in every way.”

BM had fielded 21 dancers in the AGP. Other honors for BM: Silver in Pas de Deux for Barkman and partner Elpidio Magat; Bronze, Senior Male Category, for Magat; Silver, Senior Female Category, for Abigail Oliveiro; Bronze, Senior Female Category, for Joan Emery Sia; Bronze in Pas de Deux, for Sia and partner Romeo Peralta; and Silver, Junior B Category, for Nicole Barroso.

The company’s other finalists also received citations in their respective categories: Rissa May Camaclang, 5th, Junior C; Jessa Balote, 4th, Pre-Senior, and 4th, Pas de Deux; Brian Sevilla, 5th, Junior B and Sansha Award; Anselmo Dictado, 4th, Pas de Deux; Arnulfo Andrade, 5th, Senior Male; and Robert John Peralta, 6th, Senior Male.

Barkman, 18, had only recently moved from Pennsylvania, US, to the Philippines to join Ballet Manila—her first professional company.

“Competitions are simply a medium for sharing my art with as many people as possible,” she says. “I wasn’t there competing but using my time on stage to give the audience the highest quality art I could produce, not just gymnastics and tricks in pointe shoes.

I took it as a useful experience and opportunity to grow.”

Artistry and technique AGP started five years ago. A former principal dancer with the Hong Kong Ballet, AGP chair So Hon Wah recalled he wanted only a small competition.

“But later on, when more people supported me, I realized I can do more,” he says. “This is the fifth year now! When I talked to the jury, they were willing to offer me their support and their time, and they gave me many ideas that inspire me. There was something there from the very beginning that I never imagined; it was full of opportunities that would come later on.”

AGP juror Marily Rowe, former

Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and benefactor Fred J. Elizalde (seated) with medalists Elpidio Magat, Joan Emery Sia, Katherin Barkman, Abigail Oliveiro, Nicole Barroso and Romeo Peralta outside Y-Theatre, after the Asian Grand Prix awarding ceremonies.

principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, says they particularly gravitate toward dancers who are able to combine artistry and technique.

“The best ones go forward at each round, and as with all competitions, the standards go up.

Only those who are very talented go through from round to round,” she says. “Sometimes it gets very disappointing because everybody wants to do very well and they do to the best of their ability. But it’s also wonderful to participate in something like this, it’s a very good experience and they can always come back another time.

To nurture young talent is very important for the ballet and for the future.”

Describing the competition as still young, So nevertheless expresses satisfaction at how things have turned out, especially for the fifth year.

Full of joy AGP attracted over 300 participants from 13 countries including the Philippines, Japan, China, Singapore and Russia.

“I am very happy about the quality of the competition; it’s rising. We are just thinking about how it will benefit more the young generation, the young talents,” says So. AGP gives outstanding dancers cash awards that can help them advance their career in professional ballet or scholarships that can support further education in renowned ballet schools, So adds.

Ballet Manila artistic directors Osia Barroso and Lisa MacujaElizalde had coached the Philippine competitors on hand gestures, body movement, facial expressions and conveying the

proper emotions.

Both feel the company’s Russian Vaganova method provided a distinct advantage for their dancers, as did their performing experience in the Philippines.

Elizalde says she had been able to show BM’s training at AGP not just during the competition proper, but also in two Ballet Manila shows called “Flight” and in the AGP Stars Gala Performance, which capped the contest.

“It was lovely to see the performance,” Rowe says about “Flight.”

“Filipino dancers are always so full of joy, vitality and exuberance, which is so nice to see! It’s a real national trait in the Filipino dancers—they always enjoy what they’re doing.”

Statement Garry Trinder, director of the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington, says he expects Ballet Manila would continue to do exceptionally well in future AGP’s because of its strengths in classical repertoire.

Asked for advice for young dancers who may want to join the competition, Trinder replies: “I think the thing is that you have to come prepared because ballet competitions are hard by their nature. And sometimes you can think that you’re at the top of the pyramid in your own ballet school, but the reality is that when you pitch yourself against the global market, things change quite substantially. And I think if you use that wisely, you can learn a great deal from it.”

Elizalde says she is very happy that, by winning in the AGP, Ballet Manila has “a statement to everyone that classical ballet is alive and thriving in the Philippines.”

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Anne Curtis on noontime show war: Everyone needs to take a chill pill

by ChuCk

Smith Philstar.com

MANILA—Anne Curtis is aware there is an ongoing “war” between the fans of her ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime” and GMA-7’s “Eat Bulaga.”

The rivalry between the two shows was set in full swing with the popularity of Alden Richards and Yaya Dub, the main characters in “Eat Bulaga’s” KalyeSerye segment.

But the 30-year-old actresshost said the brewing competition is good sign for both programs.

“I think it’s great. It goes to show that people are still into noontime shows. So I think it’s great,” Anne told members of the press in an interview on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

She added: “I think it’s just evolving to what people want to watch. So gano’n talaga, you have to go with the times.”

Yet the “It’s Showtime” co-host said fans should also learn how to

Anne Curtis on noontime shows: “I think it’s just evolving to what people want to watch. So ganun talaga, you have to go with the times.” Curtis is seen here performing in ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime.”

support the shows without going below the belt.

“I mean, of course you know, there’s a war now between the fans and everything. But I think everyone just needs to take a chill pill,” she quipped.

“Everyone has their own type naman, e. So, they can tune in to

whoever they want to tune in,” Anne further said. “There doesn’t have to be any bashing.”

Anne told spoke to entertainment reporters during the announcement of the partnership between telecommunications giant Smart and transport company Uber.

KC, Piolo patch things up in London

MANILA—KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual are now in good terms.

On Monday, Sept. 7, Erik Santos posted a photo of him with KC and Piolo on his Instagram account.

He captioned it: “With my

proweees! Piolo and KC @thisiskcconcepcion! #lahatngsugatnaghihilom #asap20inlondon #eriksantostravels #twopeopleclosetomyheart” KC confirmed this by posting a photo of her and Piolo on her Twitter account on the same day,

KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual

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which received positive responses from her fans.

It was in 2011 when KC and Piolo broke up due to reasons they refused to reveal. Since then, Piolo has been linked to Shaina Magdayao, while KC had a relationship with Paulo Avelino. (Philstar.com)

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Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves Desperate times call for desperate measures! We have all heard this phrase many times in our lives. But the reality is that these desperate measures often produce disastrous results. In the context of immigration law, the desperate act of marrying someone solely for a green card almost always ends very badly.

Marrying a person solely for a green card is often called a “green card marriage,” but the more official term used by the Us Citizenship and Immigration service (“UsCIs”) is “sham marriage.” It has been a plotline in multiple Hollywood movies and television shows over the years, including most recently in the primetime drama “On the

B

Green card marriages are not a realistic option Wings of Love.”

“On the Wings of Love” is a fictional story about a young Filipina who dreams of coming to the Us for a noble reason – to visit her mother’s gravesite. after entering the Us she is advised to get married to a Us citizen so that she can be granted lawful permanent resident status (“green card”). Before long there is a payment of $7,500 to a person willing to marry the Filipina. the newlyweds are subsequently coached to stage fake photographs, pretend they are a couple, and even to memorize personal information about their spouse so that they can pass the required interview. though “On the Wings of Love” is a fictional television show, this scenario too often is played out in real life because many people mistakenly believe that marrying a Us citizen is an easy way to obtain a green card. the UsCIs is well aware that many people are will-

Convenience at the forefront of LBC’s service FILIpInOs fly abroad to seek greener pastures and support their families back home. But sometimes, in their pursuit to work hard to provide better opportunities for the loved ones they leave behind, they miss the operating hours of their trusted courier services.

LBC express, Inc., the philippines’ trusted payments, remittance, courier products, mail, parcels, and cargo logistics service is giving Filipinos in north america bigger reasons to smile as they’re extending their pick-up hours in Canada, California, new York, new Jersey, and Chicago. as part of its improved services, branches will offer box pick-up services as early as 7:30am up to as late as 8:30pm. “as part of our pledge to move the lives of Filipinos in north america, we decided to extend our pick-up hours in order to accommodate more customers and make sure they can send their packages,” says Hugo Bonilla, senior Vice president of LBC north america.

“We understand that many of them are here so they can support their family in the philippines, so we want to make it more convenient for them to send their padama.” the move to extend hours is part of LBC’s commitment to providing clear, certain, and convenient service. to date, Filipinos around the world rely on its 6,400 branches, partners, and agents in over 30 countries. In north america alone, LBC has 176 branches,

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 10-16, 2015

partners and agents. For added convenience, customers can simply call the nearest branch, partner, or agent to schedule a pick-up, or log on at www.lbchome.com. to ensure the proper delivery of balikbayan boxes, LBC advises customers to select the right box based on the size and items to be packed. Heavier items must be put at the bottom, while fragile and easily-damaged items have to be secured in bubble wrap. sharp items must be padded and empty spaces be filled with crumpled newspaper or styrofoam peanuts. It is also important to not overstuff the box and sneak in undeclared items, as these will not be insured.

LBC also advises customers not to bring prohibited items like illegal and prohibited drugs, firearms, jewelry, pornographic materials, fake and counterfeit goods, perishable goods, toxic and flammable items, and other items that may be held by the Bureau of Customs.

“LBC is the overseas Filipino’s partner in reaching out to their loved ones back home,” shares Bonilla. “as the trusted name in courier, we want to make it faster, more efficient, and more convenient for our customers. extending our hours for pick-up is just the first step.”

For more information on LBC, please visit http://www.lbcexpress. com; or call 1-800-241-1312 extn.

7007.

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ing to marry a person for the sole purpose of obtaining a green card.

For this reason, they dedicate a substantial amount of resources towards detecting these “sham marriages.” Because of the UsCIs’ efforts, it is crucial that a person applying for a green card on the basis of their marriage understand what the UsCIs considers to be a valid marriage for immigration purposes.

First, the immigrant and their U.s. citizen spouse must prove that their marriage is “bonafide.” this is not an easy task because the UsCIs officers are highly trained to detect sham marriages. and remember, the UsCIs does not have to prove that the marriage is a sham. the immigrant and their Us citizen spouse must show that they “intended to establish a life together” at the time they entered into their marriage. Oral statements of the immigrant and their

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA In the fading light of the evening hours on Good Friday in 2014, shield of roses, a group that holds vigils on the sidewalk in front of an abortion facility along a quiet street in Glendale, California, held its 29th annual Good Friday stations of the Cross led by Fr. thomas Cusack. there were about several dozen people, young and old, including whole families, who stood gathered on the sidewalk before the entrance of the building housing the abortion clinic. there they stood steadfast and bowed in fervent prayer in front of a sizable crucifix held by 2 young boys each taking his turn to hold it up. after the stations of the Cross, the group leader, ana Maria, told the assembly how early in the morning of the same day while a light drizzle fell on a very gray day, the abortion facility was busy (translation: Humming with murderous activity.) Many women had come to the clinic seeking to terminate their pregnancies. Of those who came, only one had a change of heart, did a U-turn vowing never to come back.

Us citizen spouse are not sufficient, and neither are written statements of friends and family members.

On the contrary, the UsCIs will also want to closely examine the conduct of the parties, e.g., is the couple residing together, how long have they known each other, are they conducting themselves as husband and wife, etc. the UsCIs will also consider whether the parties have a sufficient amount of documentation proving the bonafides of their marriage. the UsCIs will also commonly want to ask the immigrant and their Us citizen spouse personal questions about their relationship. the potential questions a person may be asked are nearly limitless, as the UsCIs may ask just about anything they believe a person should know about their spouse. While you can try and learn as much as possible about your spouse, it is virtually impossible to learn enough about

another person if you are not really married to them. sure you can learn your spouse’s date-of-birth or name of their employer, but how do you expect to know about your spouse’s eating habits unless you actually live together? How are you going to know about your significant other’s daily routine unless you are married? another issue that sometimes comes up is what happens if the Us citizen spouse dies or physically or emotionally harms the immigrant.

Despite the breakdown of the marriage, the immigrant may still be eligible to apply for their green card. However, they will still have to prove that the relationship was bonafide at the time of the inception of the marriage. the risks of entering into a “sham marriage” are substantial.

Fines, jail time, but no green card.

In fact, the person being petitioned will be barred from ever being

petitioned again as an immigrant, even if the subseque relationship is bonafide. We all understand that sometimes you may think a “green card marriage” is the only option, but an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney will advise you against following this illegal, and almost sure-to-fail path, despite what you may see on television or in the movies. *** 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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Abortion, an abomination “Every civil law is based on the recognition of the first and most fundamental right, the right to life.” - Pope Francis Below is a post on the group’s FB. It is, perhaps, in reference to that day.

“It was tough out there today. sadly, there were more women going in than the usual Friday count. the atmosphere was quite gloomy (both physically and spiritually) and there was an unusual tension. I rarely, actually do not think I have ever been cursed at, but today explicit words were being flung at me like arrows. I just kept thinking of our sweet Lord, His innocence and humility... Just as we were finishing up I noticed a van go down the street. I decided to head that way and approach them as they got out. Fifty long minutes later she, her husband and their two little boys left the sidewalk never to return! at one point he said to me “excuse me lady, but you are wasting your saliva and time, she has made up her mind and she is very stubborn.” I replied “don’t worry I have plenty of saliva and God gave me strong legs to stand here as long as I need to and as a matter of fact, when it comes to being stubborn I am definitely one of God’s most stubborn donkeys so it’s okay”. please

pray for M. and her family. all thanks and praise be to God! Just before the Good Friday group dispersed, a woman gave a heartfelt testimony of how she nearly had an abortion years ago but through the intercession of the shield of roses decided against it and grateful for having done so. at the time, she was in an abusive, violent relationship and she thought it best to terminate her pregnancy. she brought her beautiful daughter along. she says being with her daughter now gives her so much joy and peace. pope Francis calls abortion an abominable crime. On april 11, 2014, he told an Italian prolife organization that human life is “sacred and inviolable” and “every civil law is based on the recognition of the first and most fundamental right, the right to life.” “the unborn child in the womb is the most concrete example of innocence,” he said.

He doubles down and reiterates the unflinching position of the Catholic Church from Vatican II which was called by pope (now newly minted saint) John XXIII in January 1959, “From the moment of its conception,

life must be guarded with the greatest care, while abortion and infanticide are unspeakable crimes.” that was 55 years ago. He further said, “It is therefore necessary to reiterate the strongest opposition to any direct attack on life, especially the innocent and defenseless…”

“If you look at life as something that is consumed,” pope Francis said, “it will also be something that sooner or later you can throw away, with abortion to begin with.”

“Human life, however, is ‘a gift from God’ and if it is accepted as such, then you have before you a valuable and intangible asset, to be protected by all means and not to be discarded.” pope Francis goes further and deeper than his predecessors. He connects the dots. He links the pro-life message of the Church to his view of the global economy and its throwaway culture—a major thrust of his pontificate. socialists and liberals have sadly latched onto his deep and abiding concern for the poor and disadvantaged by tryPAGE B8

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Consular processing at the NVC The power of direct marketing Immigration Corner Atty. MAriA ritA reyes-stuby And bernAdette bretAnA The growing threat of international terrorism, which apparently is without territorial boundaries, has prompted the Department of State (DOS) to tighten its rules of entry into the US. DOS is the governmental entity that works hand in hand with the Department of homeland Security (DhS) and is in charge of prospective immigrants to the US. Immigrant visa applicants will find it more difficult these days to process their papers before they can even be scheduled for interview at the U.S. embassy that has jurisdiction over them .

The screening process at the consular level is more complicated. There is a long list of required documents which tends to be confusing and so the review process in turn becomes longer.

The National Visa Center (NVC), the ‘heart’ of the DOS, coordinates with the DhS and the US embassies to make sure that all applicants who pass the screening process are in compliance with both the eligibility and admissibility requirements imposed by law.

Pre 9/11, the NVC would not have been faced with the formidable and monumental task of ensuring that each applicant from any country all over the world has the purest of intentions in wanting to live in the United States. By

requiring the filing of immigrant visa applications online, the data of those entering the US would be directly linked into the US government information database.

This newly introduced system would allow, hopefully, the early detection of false and fraudulent entries in the forms. To ensure an expedited and safe method of paying immigrant visa and other fees, an online transaction is required.

These procedures have been set in motion not just for security but also because this is now the digital age. however, recently, hacking of US government sites (which are reputed to be ‘invincible’) and the consequent identity theft and money laundering has put some doubt in the reliability of the process. Due to these ‘scary’ possibilities, perhaps constant changes or upgrades have to be made with the consular processing system ‘online’, to keep the information and the money safe.

Moreover, the ‘online’ system has only been initiated sometime in 2012-2013 and one might say, is in its experimental stage. Break downs are common if the system becomes overloaded, which is presently what is happening.

NVC acknowledges that there are some applicants who “continue to experience technical difficulties accessing Form DS-260, Form DS-261 or paying immigrant visa fees.” (https://ceac.state.gov/ CTRAC/Invoice/signon.aspx) The ‘Note’ redirects the applicant to a different page for further instructions on how to proceed. NVC explains that the system must be overloaded at this time and therefore the ‘technical difficulties’.

Frustration with such difficulties can lead to errors.

Fifteen (15) years ago, one might simply disregard the thought of hiring an immigration lawyer to assist them in the consular processing of their immigrant visas. But times have changed and complying with all the paperwork required by the NVC prior to an interview can be daunting to an applicant who has no access to a computer or who is not computer-savvy or who has no idea how the poverty guidelines rules work, etc... Today, the NVC and the U.S. embassies all over the world are swamped with problems that are far more important than letting an immigrant finally fulfill their dream of having a white Christmas in the Land O’ Plenty.

The challenges for these consular officers are multi-layered; how do you assess evil intent on the spot? Sometimes or most times an actual physical interview takes less than an hour. On the web it is easy to pretend you are in Asia, europe, the Americas, and not in the terror breeding grounds. On the other hand, with some help, that immigrant might hold the solution to online insecurity. *** Maria Rita Reyes-Stuby is a licensed attorney in Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law. She specializes in immigration and practices in Las Vegas, Michigan, California and other states. Bernadette Bretana, a graduate of the Ateneo Law School and Ms. Stuby are licensed attorneys in the Philippines. Please call @702-403-4704 or email her at stubylaw@aol.com or go to www.mrstubylaw.com for any questions on this article.

Best fall haircuts for men and women

By Monet

Lu

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

As you embrace the arrival of Fall, it’s the best time to hit up the salon and get your fallseason haircut. But before you

do, check out these chicest hairstyles and cut. Based on my opinion, these are the 6 best “hair-looks” that are suitable for both men and women this season. Let me start with the ladies.

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

season to get a Bob cut.

There is one thing you need to remember if you’re interested in trying a bob like Keira Knightley’s, Ginnifer Goodwin’s or Rachel McAdams’s. You have to be prepared for the attention—or the shock (if you had long hair)—that this haircut draws. Know that this cut makes a serious statement. Don’t dare if you can’t take the heat. Also, you have to manage your hair’s density with this look, or else the bob will look like a mushroom.

Grown-out Lob According to Marie Claire’s “20 Chicest Lobs of the Year,” ‘The Lob was this year’s tour de

hAVe you ever received an email, a flier on your car, shopping catalogues in the mail, a promotional letter from your cable provider, or have seen television commercials, banner ads, or outdoor advertising? If you answered yes, then you have been a target of direct marketing. Direct marketing is a type of advertising campaign that seeks to prompt an action and usually targets a select group of consumers. The ‘middle man’ advertiser is removed, and what’s left are tried-and-true marketing tactics that have been proven as effective. You might feel that this form of marketing is a bit archaic, but would it surprise you to know that cable, satellite, and telecom companies such as DirecTV and Verizon FiOS are continually utilizing direct advertising to reach out and communicate to their existing clients and prospective customers with tremendous success? In this article, I will focus on the most common form of direct marketing, which is direct mail.

Direct mail is not only utilized by cable, satellite, and telecom providers, but also by small businesses such as dry cleaners, local restaurants, and even your neighborhood auto body shops. The approach is to mail out promotions or coupons to everyone in the immediate area of your business establishment. This

method is called a “spray and pray” approach because it is not exactly targeted to a specific recipient, rather it is sending to a targeted zip code and recipients are often random. This may not be the best way to get your ad noticed since it is being distributed with other businesses that may have a more compelling or relevant offer, but coupons are still effective especially with the older demographics. In fact, I often rummage through my “junk mail” pile for coupons looking for a good deal.

Now let’s talk about more popular brands as they tend to use direct mail a bit differently. These companies have the resources to buy highly targeted lists of prospects and addresses from mailing houses. This process can be quite expensive depending on how targeted you want to be with your marketing efforts. For example, a list targeting Filipino males in Daly City, California, between ages 21-35, can cost you thousands of dollars. These large brands also tend to utilize agencies to create attractive direct mail pieces and clever packages including compelling promotional offers just to stand out from their competitors. Many of these brand offers are so alluring that prospective customers jump on to the new service or make the switch from a competitor.

One of the greatest advantages of direct mail is that businesses and organizations are granted extensive measurability. Companies enjoy the benefits of tracking not only their target audience as a whole, but also on an individual level For example, a retailer who sends its catalogues to a new neighborhood

can track which households are buying and determine whether the area is worth pursuing. In contrast, companies are much more limited in tracking their customers via TV ads. Perhaps a customer sees a TV ad and makes a purchase. There’s nothing tracking that in-between period. With so many other factors in place, where the credit goes is often blurred. Direct marketing helps the company zone in on potential customers while keeping the customer loyalty.

Let’s recap. Determine your budget whether you will be able to purchase a targeted list of addresses or you would like to take advantage of the US Postal Service circulars. Secondly, design and develop a mail piece that is attractive and memorable. Next, include a special offer to get customers and prospects to take action. Take advantage of USPS bulk discounts.

And finally, be sure to capture the new customer data so that you can keep customer coming back for more. Remember, sometimes the oldest method of marketing can yield the biggest benefit for your business. *** Giancarlo Pacheco is the Co-Founder and CEO of PCA, a full-service marketing and communications agency with offices in Los Angeles and New York. For over a decade, the agency has been a leader in providing integrated campaigns for Fortune 1000 companies. PCA has served a wide array of clients including Gilead Life Sciences, Pernod Ricard USA, Jollibee Food Corporation, AARP, City National Bank, Verizon, Philippine Airlines and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. For more information, please visit http://www.plancagency. com.

force cut.’ But while it is lovely, it is also way too much work to blow out the strands as regularly as the LA traffic permits.

Don’t worry, I have good news!

You can still grow you Lob and look like you step out of the salon every time.

Just ask your stylist to texturize your mane for body and movement. You can also add some beachy waves to this cut.

That is what’s great about a grown-out lob, you can style it in a variety of ways and it still looks chic.

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

Choppy and Messy Since we are on the subject

of adding playful waves and body to your hair, let’s push it further with some carefully sliced strands. It’s razor-meetsgorgeous! You may check out Kim Kardashian for inspiration

for this style.

If you think this should be your look for autumn, enhance the “messy” effect by using a curling wand on your waves.

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Marketing Matters GiAncArlo PAcheco

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Naked Truth

Features

Holistic approach to skin whitening Calendar of Events across

dark skin. We call it “kayumanggi”.

This skin type is more prone to scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Skin darkening is caused by the overproduction of melanin. Think Dr. Vicki Belo of it as a huge chunk of rock that accumulates over time in your skin. It can be stubborn and hard HI Dr. Vicki!

I have been a fan of your TV to remove.

Prolonged or frequent exposure show ever since I saw it 3 years ago! I was even more thrilled when to the sun’s UV rays, hormonal I saw that you have a column so I changes such as pregnancy or use took the courage to send you an of birth control pills or a result of email. Doc, I was born with brown an allergic reaction to a substance skin as most Filipinos are. However, applied on the skin are among the I noticed that over the years I have primary causes of hyperpigmentadeveloped dark patches on my face tion.

Always remember that there and body. Also, my skin got darker.

I have tried so many whitening is no one-solution-fits-all when it soaps, lotions, creams and still to comes to whitening. Though using no avail. Some products have even creams and lotions help in lightencaused the dark spots to spread! ing of the skin, it does not totally Please help me on how I can get address the concern.

What you need is to get a proper whiter skin.

P.S. More power to your col- assessment of your skin condition.

Also, what you have to know umn! is that whitening is a continuous Love, Trish process and must be maintained Many Filipinos are born with on a regular basis.

At Belo we have developed a skin whitening system that guarantees to lighten skin four tones lighter. We call it the lumina system. It is a unique combination of in-clinic treatments and specially formulated products to help you get a healthy fairer skin. It is our holistic approach to skin whitening.

It starts with preventing melanin production, removing melanin on the top layer of the skin and even infusing the body with antioxidants to help maintain the healthy glow.

The type, quantity, frequency and combination of products and treatments will vary depending on your skin condition and needs.

Thank you Trish for trusting me with your beauty concern! Always remember that you only have one face and one body so make sure that when it comes to your beauty it has to be done right the first time. Again I encourage everyone to send your beauty concerns at vicki@belomed.com and let’s all get belofied!

Love, Dr. Belo

Makeovers That Matter partners with Paul Mitchell Schools to empower female veterans

Local program provides job readiness skills with a splash of fashion LOS ANGELES—Makeovers That Matter (MTM) recently partnered with three Paul Mitchell Schools to help female veterans in Los Angeles. The new partnership with the Sherman Oaks, Pasadena and Costa Mesa Paul Mitchell Schools will provide 12 program participants per month with a free makeover including a cut, color, and style. Graduates of the Makeovers That Matter Mindset program will visit the Paul Mitchell School in Sherman Oaks for a free makeover prior to their graduation ceremony, which takes place on September 19 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm at 7833 W. Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles. The September graduation is hosted by Chase Bank, new dresses provided to graduates by Bibian Dresses, and event catering provided by Whole Foods. Veteran service organizations, local dignitaries, and media are welcome to attend.

“We are thrilled with all of our sponsors, and we’re grateful for the support of Paul Mitchell Schools to help provide more female veterans with makeovers. Our foundation and our programs are growing rapidly, and we continue to serve more and more female veterans in Los Angeles,” said Michael John Derricott, who founded Makeovers That Matter to help provide resources for struggling female veterans.

“Our Paul Mitchell Schools have long had a passion for our veterans

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 10-16, 2015

and those who serve our country.

If there is anything we can do to now serve them, we will be first in line,” said Winn Claybaugh, Dean and Cofounder of Paul Mitchell Schools.

Much more than looks, Makeovers That Matter offers female veterans job readiness skills and training, makeovers, wardrobe consulting, and holistic education to prepare them for civilian life.

The two-month program offers makeovers including hair, makeup, wardrobe, facials, massage; dietary and exercise education including nutritional plans, yoga, and meditation classes; and workforce readiness skills including drafting cover letters, building a resume, learning tips and strategies for job searches and career preparedness.

The Mindset program is completely volunteer-driven, with specialists and experts throughout the Los Angeles area providing time and expertise to help local female veterans. MTM’s goal is to arm female veterans with a body, mind, and spirit approach to their own empowerment, enabling them to flourish in the workplace, at home and in the community, with style.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, the Makeovers That Matter Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment of women returning from military service, and the wives and widows of veterans who have served our nation. Our mis-

sion is to equip these women with the tools to reenter the workforce.

Our free services include hair, makeup, fashion styling, holistic, and career preparedness classes to boost confidence and help our female veterans put their best foot forward with the goal of securing a job that leads to a long-term career path. Learn more at http://www. makeoversthatmatter.org/.

At Paul Mitchell Schools, we believe that education is an adventure and the learning experience needs to be fun. Our learning leaders are trained to draw out the artist in every student and prepare them to succeed in both their chosen careers and their lives as globally aware and community-conscious contributors. Through our annual “FUNraising” campaign, we’ve raised and donated over $15.2 million in support of many charitable causes. We’ve built homes with Habitat for Humanity, fed thousands of African orphans, and supported the victims of AIDS, breast cancer, homelessness, abuse, and hundreds of other causes. Established over 35 years ago, the Paul Mitchell network is nearly 100,000 salons strong and in 81 countries worldwide; every professional hairdresser knows the Paul Mitchell name. Now, with the arrival of Paul Mitchell Schools, we’ve taken the world of cosmetology and barbering education by storm! Learn more at www.paulmitchell.edu/.

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America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS SEptEmbER 13

PHii Tribute 2015 Awardees’ Orientation The Philippine Heritage Institute International invites Tribute 2015 awardees to a luncheon and orientation on September 13, at the Holiday Inn Select, 14299 Firestone Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638. Networking and fellowship are first on the agenda among PHII Trustees and honorees. Marc Jonathan de Jesus will have an audio-visual presentation about PHII. Overall chair Norma Merza and co-chair Lily Lara will acquaint awardees with necessary information about Tribute 2015 onOctober 3, at the Sheraton Cerritos Hotel. For questions, contact: president Josie E. de Jesus (714) 272-0300;joestarisdejesus@gmail.com; event overall chair Norma Merza (562) 947-0248; norma.merza@yahoo.com; or co-chair Lily Lara at nogardc@aol.com.

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

Heal the Bay Coastal Cleanup Day Heal the Bay, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the health and safety of Southland beaches and waterways, will host the 26th annual Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 19. More than 10,000 Southland residents and volunteers will mobilize from 9am to noon at more than 50 cleanup sites, from Compton to Malibu, to help remove trash along Los Angeles County beaches and inland waterways, parks, creeks, lakes, highways and alleys. Coastal Cleanup Day participants have collected more than 1 million pounds of trash in Los Angeles County since 1990. By removing debris from beaches and inland neighborhoods, volunteers reduce blight, protect marine animals and bolster the regional economy. Join the world’s biggest single-day volunteer event! Attendees will receive hands-on education about the easy steps they can take to local watersheds and neighborhoods clean, and participants will be given a voucher for free sustainable seafood tacos at any Rubio’s restaurant while extensive supplies last. For volunteers, Cancer Treatment Centers of America will be distributing free tubes of sunscreen at all sites, and Heal the Bay will be hosting a number of community-building activities, such as a sand castle-building contest. Heal the Bay seeks volunteers of all ages and physical abilities, and no special equipment or experience is necessary. For registration information and cleanup tips, please visit www.healthebay.org/ccd.

Contact Alys Arenas, (310) 451-1500, x148, aarenas@healthebay.org, or Matthew King, (310) 451-1500, x137; cell: (310) 463-6266 for more details.

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

uBLA: Kaaldawan of the 41st Penafrancia Fiesta 2015 Most Reverend Gerald Eugene Wilkerson, D.D., V.G., former Bishop of the San Fernando Valley Pastoral Region, will preside over a concelebrated High Mass to highlight the Kaaldawan (Feast Day) of the 41st Annual Penafrancia Fiesta on Saturday, September 19, at 10:00am, through the United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA). Bicolanos are inviting all Marian devotees, Filipinos and other Catholics regardless of ethnicity, to join them in the day-long fiesta in honor of their regional patroness, Our Lady of Penafrancia, in the open air of Lincoln Park and Lake: 3529 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90031 (corner E. Valley Blvd.) near downtown. There is a solemn Eucharist Mass schedule with music by Saint Anthony Claret Holy Rosary Choir, followed by a kaaldawan celebration including a novena, Fluvial parade of the Holy Virgin, lunch, and cultural entertainment highlighting Bicolano and Filipino culture.

The 8-day novena will start on the afternoon of Friday, September 11 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hollywood. The 2015 Penafrancia Fiesta will end on Sunday, September 27, with a fellowship ball at Montery Hill Restaurant (3700 W. Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754) at 5:30pm. For a full schedule, novenas, and more information, please contact UBLA President Lanie Berrei (818) 281-3169.

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Virgen De Los Remedios 59th Canonical Coronation Anniversary

When: Sunday, September 20, (2:30 PM Assembly for procession) Where: Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (555 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012) Contact: Vidal Aguas, aguadelosangeles@aol.com.

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

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CELEBRATE LOCAL with San Diego Restaurant Week!

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

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

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

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

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

Features

B september 10-16, 2015 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

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Hospitality industry leaders launch new Las Vegas Harvest Festival Original Certified Hotel Concierge (CHCSM) credential Art & Craft Show on Sept. 11-13 LAS VEGAS – The International School of Hospitality (TISOH) with Les Clefs d’Or USA and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) today officially launch the newly created Certified Hotel Concierge (CHCSM) credential, which is the result of their joint efforts to establish a global professional standard for hotel concierges.

The creation of the new credential was announced in July during Les Clefs d’Or USA’s 2015 National Congress, an annual conference of concierges that aims to promote travel and

tourism and networking for concierges, nationally and globally.

The certification training takes into account key trends shaping the profession, from the use of technology and the Internet to growing demand for personalized service, expectations of global and cultural awareness and the need for diversity and multilingual talent. It also sets standards for ethics and risk management.

The certification is now available for participants worldwide online and in live seminar format in select cities. Details and ap-

THE Las Vegas Harvest Festival® Original Art and Craft Show is returning to Cashman Center, September 11-13, 2015, ready to again impress all attendees with new vendors, exciting entertainment and important community service efforts.

With over 250 exhibitors, the Las Vegas Harvest Festival boasts over 24,000 American handmade arts and crafts, including jewelry, woodturnings, art and photography, specialty foods, clothing, décor and more. Attendees come to shop the handcrafted wares but stay for the unique entertainment acts, live music, prize drawings, artist demonstrations, and delicious foods!

It’s all great fun for the entire half an inch longer on top than family! And just for the children; on the sides for best results.

And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. These fall haircuts are sure to make you AFTER the phenomenal suclook trendy this season. For a cess of its first run, the top-rating more detailed explanation and Your Face Sounds Familiar (YFSF) on-point demonstration, visit returns to weekend prime time to Monet salon at its brand new entertainment televiewers beginlocation at 20113 Vanowen St., ning September 12.

Winnetka,CA. With its new batch of celebrity *** performers, the program is poised Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, awardto serve up more astonishing winning celebrity beauty stylist with his transformations and surprises. own chain of Monet Salon salons across On Thursday, ABS-CBN reSouthern California and Las Vegas, vealed the eight celebrities comNevada. Ultimately, Monet is known peting in YFSF’s second season as an all-around artiste who produces at a press conference at the netsold-out fashion and awards shows work’s headquarters. Each given a as well as unforgettable marketing nickname based on reputations in campaigns. Monet is also the founder showbiz, they are “Absolute Perof the revolutionary all-natural beauty former” Sam Concepcion; “Soul products such as Enlighten, your Supreme” KZ; “Dental Diva” solution to discoloration. To contact Kakai Bautista; “Harana Prince” Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.

Michael Pangilinan; “Playful Ancom or email him at monetsalon@ gel” Myrtle Sarrosa; “Komikero aol.com ng Masa” Eric Nicolas; “Rebel Rock Royalty” Kean Cipriano; and “Sultry Heiress” Denise Laurel.

The show, which transforms prayerful presence, like the its contestants close enough to presence of St. John, St. Mary the world’s most popular singers, Magdalene, and our Blessed will have Billy Crawford returnMother standing at the foot of ing as host, with a new and most the Cross, continue to stand certainly fun addition helping him witness to the dignity of the in YFSF first grand winner Melai innocent and defenseless lives Cantiveros. being lost in abortion clinics.

“It’s all about just having fun If you want to know more, and doing things that you would visit www.shieldofroses.com not expect doing for everyone to or you can call Anna Maria at see. It’s all about enjoying the (818) 242 3912. weekend and changing the week*** end habit of viewers. We were Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is given the chance to return, and SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To we hope to make people happy send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ again,” said Billy in a statement.

Melai, who made a grand enasianjournalinc.com plication can be found at www. ahlei.org/chc.

TISOH and its partners each provide unparalleled expertise to build the certification. Les Clefs d’Or USA provides the peerrecognized expertise and credibility that gives the credential worldwide merit. TISOH provides industry-recognized competency based research capabilities.

Together with the reach and operational expertise of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, the certification is expected to redefine concierge education worldwide.

Best fall haircuts for men and women

PAGE B6

Use plenty of texturing sprays to out some volume at the roots.

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

For the men After the goddesses, we move on to the gods of killer haircut. And what easier way to describe the famous cuts is to name the celebrities who are sporting such looks. Allow me to borrow and coin the styles with their names.

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

the side. Make the top about an inch longer and polish the look by combing it with a matte pomade. I must warn you: this is a head-turner look. Proceed with caution.

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

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

For Curly Hair I also have a recommended cut for those who have curly hair. This is also for those who want a more modest, subtle and less-attention-grabbing look.

If you’ve got curly hair and a more angular face, go with a round cut. You’re going to have to ask your stylist to cut about a

Abortion, an abomination

PAGE B5 ing but failing to spin his love for mankind to align with their warped view of seemingly caring for the poor but actually controlling the poor for political gain. The socialist spin is being done in the hope of gaining traction by riding with the authority and the increasing popular acceptance of this pope.

Awake the Christian soldier in you! If the Holy Spirit moves you to stand for life as a gift of God and want to be a prayer warrior and/or to act and get

behind the increasingly strong pro-life movement, currently experiencing quiet seismic shifts around the world, look locally for opportunities to protect the unborn.

Shield of Roses is a Catholic pro-life charitable organization promoting the Church’s teachings concerning the sanctity of the pre-born child. Its members have steadfastly stood witness to abortion facilities where babies, like our Lord Jesus Christ, are led to their deaths. Members try to talk to the women but if words fail, then their

there are a lot of special things to do in the Kids Zone including the “Make it and Take it Area”, and all the proceeds from this area will go to Sunrise Children’s Foundation.

SCF will also be offering a very convenient PARCEL CHECK to assist everyone with easy shopping and selling Harvest Festival bags to make your experience at the show more convenient.

Sit down and relax for a bit and enjoy fabulous stage entertainment at the “Food Court Stage”!

As you shop and explore all the things to see at Harvest Festival you’ll also be entertained and amused by Harvest Festival’s always fun “Strolling Entertainment!”

The Harvest Festivals began 43 years ago in San Francisco as

a destination for artists and craftspeople to gather and have fun to sell their American handmade products. Today, the show has grown to encompass nine shows in the state of California and Nevada, and still continues its tradition by only featuring American handmade arts and crafts made in the United States. Each exhibitor is subject to a rigid jury process to be selected as a featured artisan, ensuring a rich diversity and high quality of all products sold. Attendees are able to directly interact with the artists, watch crafting demonstrations, and can get many gifts personalized. The Harvest Festivals, owned and managed by Western Exhibitors, are the largest indoor arts and craft shows on the West Coast.

‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ Season 2 trance at the press conference, will serve as a “KatroFamiliar” (a play on the Filipino slang “katropa”), for huge doses of comedy in each episode. And by the way, Melai will not be an ordinary host, but she will also transform into different personalities each week and join the eight celebrity contestants in post-performance gimmicks.

According to the comedienne, she is even more excited to return to the program this time because she no longer has the pressure of competition. She also thanked the program for giving her a once-ina-lifetime opportunity, which has opened even more doors in her thriving career.

“It really changed my life.

Na-appreciate ko talaga yung panalo ko kasi ang hirap ng ginawa namin, especially with the prosthetics and singing. As a performer, nagka-confidence na ako at nawala na yung takot ko na humarap sa audience,” Melai added.

The lives of the eight new celebrity performers will also surely change as they face the challenge of impersonating different local and international music icons throughout the competition. And at the press conference, Sam, KZ, Kakai, Michael, Myrtle, Eric, Kean, and Denise could not hide their excitement. After all, YFSF had propelled the careers of Nyoy Volante, Jay-R, and Melai among others to greater heights because of the show’s first season.

YFSF Season 2’ hosts Billy Crawford and Melai Cantiveros

As for Season 2’s mechanics, just like first season, there will be no weekly eliminations in the program, and the performers will undergo acting, dance, and vocal training, plus a complete make-up transformation to closely match the looks and moves of their assigned music icons.

For each episode, the performer who receives the highest score will be awarded a cash prize, half of which will go to his or her chosen charity.

Besides Billy and Melai, YFSF jurors Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, world singing champion Jed Madela, and Megastar Sharon Cuneta are also returning in full force to weigh in on the performances of the celebrity contestants. (ManilaTimes.net)