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Volume 9 – Issue 8 • 16 Pages

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APEC leaders unite against terrorism

by Christine

O. AvendAñO

Inquirer.net

BILATERAL TIES. President Benigno S. Aquino III shares a light moment with President Barack Obama, who is wearing a traditional Barong Tagalog shirt, at the APEC Leaders’ welcome dinner at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The two leaders held a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the APEC Summit. During their meeting in Sofitel, Obama assured that the US will strengthen its defense ties with the Philippines.

Malacañang photo by Joseph Bidal

DATELINE

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Court upholds CA death penalty A federAL appeals court overturned a lower court’s ruling that California’s death penalty process was unconstitutional, on grounds that the system-wide appeals were flawed and taking too long.

U.s. district Judge Cormac J. Carney ruled the system unconstitutional on July 16, 2014, saying it is “arbitrary and plagued with delay,” reported the Los Angeles times.

In a unanimous decision, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on thursday, Nov. 12 rejected Judge Carney’s argument on a technicality that it did not address the question of whether life on death row in California constituted “cruel and unusual punishment”--thus upholding the state’s capital punishment system. “the idea that death row inmates’ sentences have been transformed from one of death to one of ‘grave uncertainty and torture’ has no support in legal precedent, nor is it supported by logic,” the judges wrote in their decision on thursday.

Lawyers arguing both sides of the case said PAGE A3

Fil-Am WWII veterans march for recognition

WedNesdAY, Nov. 11 marked the United states’ official day to honor its war veterans, alive and deceased, for their faithful service to country. But on hollywood Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in Los Angeles, it was a different story. hundreds of protestors, mainly university students from all over the southern California region, joined with aging filipino veterans for a yearly march and rally, organized by Justice for filipino-American Veterans (JfAV).

JfAV is a national alliance of organizations, which advocates for the rights and equality for fil-Am World War II veterans.

“We have been marching for the past 22 years, and we will not stop until we get justice and equity for our freedom fighters,” said Arturo Garcia, national coordinator for JfAV. over 250,000 filipinos signed up to fight for the Us during World War II, and were promised equal treatment as American veterans after the war. however, the rescission Act enacted in PAGE A3

the statement was a departure from convention for the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC), which normally focuses on trade and business issues.

APeC leaders on thursday, Nov. 19 condemned the deadly terrorist attacks on france, Lebanon and on a russian airliner and called for governments to urgently increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism even as the suspected mastermind of the attacks on the french capital was confirmed to be among those killed in a police raid on Wednesday, Nov. 18. the leaders of the 21 membereconomies of the APeC forum wrapped up annual talks in manila haunted by the Paris attacks last

friday that left 129 people dead and 352 wounded.

Abaaoud killed french authorities reported that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a 28-yearold Belgian militant who had boasted of mounting attacks in europe for the Islamic state (Is) group and was suspected of masterminding the Paris attacks, was killed in the police raid in the Paris suburb of saint-denis on Wednesday.

Police originally thought he was in syria, but their investigations led them to a house in saint-denis. denis and heavily armed officers stormed the building before dawn, triggering a massive firefight and multiple explosions in which a woman blew herself up with an explosive vest and Abaaoud was PAGE A2

Aquino: Pinoys made me swell up with pride by nikkO

dizOn Inquirer.net

PresIdeNt Aquino on thursday, Nov. 19 said the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) summit “took a broader approach” in tackling the challenges “presented by the everchanging global economic milieu.”

“In fact, when we said yes to hosting, it was with the expectation that all the

facilities in construction at the time—both public and private—would be finished by the time we had to welcome our guests. Apart from the fact that, as a general rule, each one of these visitors creates one new job for us, they have also now seen our country and met our people. In other words, they have discovered that the Philippines not only works, but it is indeed more fun,” he said.

mr. Aquino expressed his gratitude to the filipino public. more than 11,000 people from the 21-member bloc, applying member Colombia and the APeC Business Advisory Council attended the weeklong event in manila.

“All my fellow leaders heaped praise on how our people have welcomed APEC 2015 Chairman President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a toast to fellow world leaders them, and their words real- during the Leaders welcome dinner at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Malacañang photo by Joseph Vidal PAGE A2

Pinay inventor shares Poe grateful for public’s continued trust stage with Obama, Alibaba’s Jack Ma

by ChristinA

mendez

Philstar.com

mANILA—Presidential candidate sen. Grace Poe expressed elation over the public’s continued trust in her, which was reflected in her strong showing in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

Poe again led the 2016 presidential hopefuls with 39 percent, up by 13 points from 26 percent in september.

“I am grateful for their continued trust amid all the black pro- Sen. Grace Poe again led the 2016 presidential paganda and criticisms hurled hopefuls with 39 percent, up by 13 points from against me,” Poe said.

26 percent in September.

President Barack Obama poses for a photo with Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Filipina scientist Aisa Mijeno following a discussion at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, attended by 800 business leaders from around the region representing US and Asia-Pacific companies in Manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

mANILA—Aisa mijeno, a filipina entrepreneur who invented lamps powered by salt water, was lauded by Us president Barack obama during a forum at the AsiaPacific economic Cooperation (APeC) summit in manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

At the start of his session, obama made a pitch for renewable energy, noting how big Us businesses are saving billions of dollars by tapping into solar and other renewable energy sources. obama said climate change could be viewed as a business opportunity, citing the efforts of young entrepreneurs and importance of capitalizing on them. obama cited mijeno, an engineer who devised the sustainable and cost-effective lamp dubbed as the sustainable Alternative Lighting (sALt) lamp, as a fine example of “young entrepreneurs coming out with leapfrog technologies.”

Inspired by the natives of the Butbut tribe in Kalinga who use kerosene lamps as source of light at PAGE A3

results of the survey were released on the same day that the senate electoral tribunal (set) junked the disqualification case against her. “even with all the disqualification petitions, they still believe in my intentions and in my honesty,” Poe said.

Poe’s running mate, sen. francis escudero, said the Pulse Asia survey results will inspire their team to work even harder in the coming months. escudero retained the number one spot for the preferred bet for PAGE A3

Trudeau to Filipinos: Judge PH ranks 11th in Global me beyond my looks by mArC JAysOn

Terrorism Index

CAyAbyAb

Inquirer.net

CANAdIAN prime minister Justin trudeau on thursday expressed his appreciation for the attention filipinos gave him as he attended the Asia Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) summit, but he said he hoped he would be judged beyond his good looks.

In a called press conference at the International media Center in World trade Center, trudeau said he has learned to focus on “substance” and not just on external features.

“I have absolutely adored my stay in the Philippines. everyone has been tremendously friendly and, for me, it was an opportunity to engage with a culture that

by Alexis

rOmerO Philstar.com

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens to a question during a news conference following the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit of Leaders Thursday, Nov. 19.

I’ve gotten to know very well in Canada. We have over 700,000 Canadians of filipino origin and PAGE A4

mANILA—the Philippines ranked 11th out of 162 countries in terms of the impact of terrorism in the Global terrorism Index 2015, a tool that analyzes the trends in terrorist activities worldwide. the country’s ranking improved from ninth in 2014 as it saw a decrease in the number of deaths related to terrorism. the Philippines experienced 378 terrorism incidents in 2014 that left 240 persons dead and 367 injured. A total of 529 properties were damaged because of the atrocities. the number of terrorism-related PAGE A4

A november 20-26, 2015 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

APEC leaders unite...

PAGE A1 killed.

“Abdelhamid Abaaoud has just been formally identified … as having been killed during the raid,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said.

The prosecutor said Abaaoud, whose body was so riddled with bullets, was identified using handprints.

A day before the Paris at-

tacks, a pair of suicide bombings killed more than 40 people in Beirut.

On Oct. 31, a Russian airliner exploded in midair and crashed on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, killing all 224 people on board.

IS said it brought down the Russian plane and claimed responsibility for the attacks in Beirut and Paris.

“Under the shadow cast by the terrorist attacks in Paris, Beirut and against the Russian aircraft over the Sinai, and elsewhere, we strongly condemn all acts, methods and practices of terrorism,” the Asia-Pacific leaders said in a summit declaration.

The bloc groups the United States and China with middle powers such as Australia and developing nations in Asia and South America. It accounts for about 60 percent of the global economy.

Urgent In their declaration, the leaders stressed the “urgent need for increased international cooperation and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.”

“We will not allow terrorism to threaten the fundamental values that underpin our free and open economies,” they said.

The IS attacks haunted the two days of trade and business discussions hosted by the Philippines under tight security, with the leaders finding themselves expressing condolences to the nations hit by the violence.

‘Crimes against world’ On Wednesday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called on the APEC leaders and the in-

APEC 2015. President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with fellow world leaders for a Family Photo with Spouse during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) Welcome Dinner at the Coral Way Lobby of the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

This year’s theme is “Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.”

Malacañang photo by Robert Viñas

ternational community to help in the fight against terrorism, saying the terror attacks on France and Russia were “crimes against the world.”

In their declaration, the leaders said “economic growth, prosperity and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization.”

They said they welcomed efforts and activities of fellow APEC members to undertake measures to counter terrorism.

These included “capacity-building initiatives to combat terrorist financing, and to prevent foreign terrorist fighter travel through advance passenger risk analysis and

Aquino: Pinoys made me swell up...

PAGE A1 ly made me swell up with pride.

Truly, it is a singular honor to lead such a great people. I am certain that, with your continued support, there is absolutely no doubt that the Philippines will continue its progress for years, if not generations to come,” he said.

With the adoption of inclusive growth he had pushed, Mr. Aquino’s hosting of the biggest economic forum in the final stretch of his administration would easily become one of his legacies. The Philippines last hosted the APEC in 1996.

In the concluding statement he read to reporters, Mr. Aquino thanked his fellow APEC leaders “for their collaborative efforts and positive spirit as we worked together toward the goals that we share, and our cooperation gives us optimism that we can achieve greater progress sooner rather than later.”

Mr. Aquino said he and his

fellow leaders adopted the overarching frameworks for the action plans drawn up from the 229 meetings that were held by representatives of the 21 member-countries throughout the year that led to strategies to empower small and medium enterprises, among others.

The frameworks include the APEC strategy for strengthening quality growth that will “guide us in undertaking robust, comprehensive, and ambitious structural reforms over the next five years.”

“We will focus our reform efforts, and measure our progress, in terms of institution-building, social cohesion and environmental impact. We do this with the awareness that the world economy continues to confront significant risk and uncertainty, even as trade growth is slowing down, thus impressing upon all of us, the need to tap into new opportunities for economic growth. This strategy will

other measures.”

South China Sea row “We further encourage economies to implement fully the APEC Consolidated Counter-Terrorism and Secure Trade Strategy and to continue taking collective and individual actions and sharing best practices to secure infrastructure, travel, supply chains and financial systems from terrorist activities,” they said.

The leaders’ declaration made no mention of maritime disputes between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors over Beijing’s claim to most of the South China Sea, though tensions over the issue surfaced on the sidelines of the summit.

US President Barack Obama, who discussed the dispute with this year’s host, President Aquino, during a meeting on Wednesday, plans to raise the issue, together with other regional leaders, this weekend in the East Asia summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Obama’s main Asia policy adviser, Daniel Kritenbrink, said Thursday.

China and its rivals for territory in the South China Sea—Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan—as well as the United States will attend the summit, which is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gatherings. (With reports from the wires)

help APEC promote increased growth through structural reform,” he explained.

The leaders also approved the APEC services cooperation framework as “a more important part of the economic equation.”

“It makes up approximately two-thirds of the GDP in the APEC region, and we need to put more emphasis and thought into making this sector even more competitive. This framework will lead to a goal-driven road map for us to achieve over the next decade, to help the sector thrive,” Mr. Aquino said.

He said the Boracay Action Agenda would give micro, small and medium enterprises access to the global and regional markets.

The Cebu Action Plan complements the Boracay Action Plan as it seeks to widen entrepreneurial access to financial markets and among its other benefits will be lowering the cost of remittances, the President said.

He also added that the Re-

newed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform was finalized which would guide economies on which areas they need to reform to achieve sustained growth and the Disaster Risk Reduction Framework recognizes the impact of climate change on our region.

“This framework aims to minimize losses and promote best practices so that we can build back better,” Mr. Aquino said.

12 meetings President Aquino held a total of 11 bilateral meetings with his counterparts: Chile, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, the United States, Australia, South Korea, Russia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan.

“We have taken existing partnerships to a new level.

With Mexico, for instance, we committed to work together to combat drug trafficking, which is a common concern of our peoples. With Papua New Guinea, we offered our assistance in supporting their agriculture sector. It was also during this PAGE A4

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A

Court upholds CA death... NAPABA condemns Roanoke Mayor’s references to the Japanese PAGE A1 the appellate ruling was decided “on largely technical grounds, and leaves unanswered the larger question of whether lengthy delays are unconstitutional.”

“The elephant is still in the room,” commented lawyer John Phillipsborn, who intervened in the case on behalf of criminal defense lawyers in California.

Carney vacated the 20-yearold death sentence of Ernest Dewayne Jones, who petitioned the court to determine whether his death sentence was valid, said CNN. In 1995, Jones was convicted and sentenced to death for raping and killing his girlfriend’s mother, 50-year-old Julia Miller, and has also served time in prison for raping the mother of a previous girlfriend. In 2003, the California Supreme Court upheld Jones’ conviction of first-degree murder and charges of rape.

Judge Carney wrote: “Allowing this system to continue to threaten Mr. Jones with the slight possibility of death, almost a generation after he was first sentenced, violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.”

Delays in the case had created a “system in which arbitrary factors, rather than legitimate ones, like the nature of the crime or the date of a death sentence, determine whether an individual will actually be executed,” Carney said, also noting that a death row inmate faced “complete uncertainty” as to when or if he or she would be executed.

Mr. Jones’ legal team had “asked the court to consider what would be a new constitutional rule in a habeas corpus case (determining whether imprisonment is valid). Most are barred by a 1989 ruling in Teague v.

Lane,” wrote Judge Susan P. Graber in the official opinion for the appeals panel.

Graber added the decision was based on the legal maneuvers in the case, not whether the

number of years death penalty cases often take in the California system was unconstitutional.

“Many agree with petitioner that California’s capital punishment system is dysfunctional and that the delay between sentencing and execution in California is extraordinary,” Graber, a Clinton appointee, wrote.

“But, ‘the purpose of federal habeas corpus is to ensure that state convictions comply with the federal law in existence at the time the conviction became final, and not to provide a mechanism for the continuing re-examination of final judgments based upon later emerging legal doctrine’,” she continued, quoting an older 1990 habeas case.

Judge Paul J. Watford agreed that Carney’s ruling had to be struck down, but added that “it should have been overturned on the grounds that the California Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the precise issue in the case-whether arbitrary delay deprives the death penalty of any deterrent value.”

If that had happened, the case would have returned to the California Supreme Court, which has previously said it would be willing to consider Carney’s theory.

Jones’ lawyers could still appeal to the Court of Appeals’ ruling to a larger panel of the Ninth Circuit.

According to reports, there are currently 747 people on death row in California. No one has been executed since 2006. Executions will remain suspended, pending separate legal arguments about whether lethal injections are constitutional, reported BBC News.

Since 1978, over 900 people in California have been sentenced to death row, where inmates spend 23 hours alone in their cells.

Of those 900, 13 were executed; as of 2014, 94 have died of other causes. Many inmates have been waiting on death row for over 19 years. (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

Fil-Am WWII veterans march...

PAGE A1 1946 by President Harry Truman took away full recognition of their participation in the war, stripping thousands of Filipino vets of their rightful benefits.

In 2009, Congress approved the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Act, a stimulus package that included one-time lump sum payments of $15,000 to Fil-Am veterans in the US, and $9,000 to those living in the Philippines, reported Inquirer.

However, thousands of veterans had their claims denied, mainly because US authorities did not accept records from the Philippines, the only way veterans could prove their service in the war.

Today, the White House estimates around 6,000 veterans still alive in the US. “I have done my service, I am a veteran, and I believe in the spirit of justice,” 91-year-old Artemio Caleda, who fought bravely in

WWII, told NBC News. Despite Caleda’s verifiable documents that recognize his service, the Department of Veterans Affairs has denied his claims for pay restoration and benefits stripped from the Rescission Act. “Nothing has been received, we are still waiting. Until the end, I’ll be here, walking on this street right here in Hollywood,” added war veteran John Aspiras, 84.

The importance of the Filipino war effort was apparent when Japanese occupation troops forced American General Douglas McArthur to flee to Australia.

Filipinos battled side-by-side with the remaining US troops kept up the fight in the Philippines.

“The order of President Roosevelt is very clear: when we were drafted into the US Army, we would be compensated just like American soldiers,” Caleda rePAGE A4

American internment to justify suspension of aid to Syrian refugees WASHINGTON—We are outraged by Mayor David Bowers’ disgraceful comments about his decision to suspend assistance from both government and nongovernmental agencies to Syrian refugees in Roanoke, Virginia.

His inflammatory remarks invoke the distrust and xenophobia that led to the unjustifiable internment of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II. This is unacceptable and such intolerance has no place in our country.

As Asian Pacific Americans, we are shocked that Mayor Bowers would justify his actions by referring to one of the darkest chapters in American history, when an entire community was unjustly held in suspicion, taken away from their homes and livelihoods, and interned because of their ethnicity. Instead, we must learn from that tragic time and refuse to demonize Muslims, Syrians, and others seeking safe haven in America, as many of our forebears once did.

Pinay inventor shares stage...

PAGE A1 night, Mijeno conceptualized a safe, cost-efficient, environmental friendly lamp, which functions by adding two tablespoons of salt on a glass of tap water. SALT which costs $20 each, can run for eight hours every day without the hazards of a combustible fuel. With proper maintenance, it can last for six months.

“I wanted to address the light inequality gap, first in the Philip-

pines, by focusing on the people at the bottom of the pyramid,” said Mijeno.

“Most of these families live on island, communities and they are not connected to power grids. So they mainly use kerosene and fuel based lamps as the main source of lighting...kerosene lamps cause fire accidents, it emits black carbon,” she continued.

“We want to provide a lighting option that is more cost-effective,

Poe grateful for public’s...

PAGE A1 vice president with 43 percent, up by 20 points from 23 percent in September. Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. came in second with 21 percent, followed by Sen. Alan Cayetano with 11 percent.

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo is not bothered by the fact

that her campaign manager for the vice presidential race – Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV – voted to dismiss the disqualification case against Poe. Aquino, along with Sens. Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Vicente Sotto III and Cynthia Villar, voted to dismiss the disqualification case

Earlier this week, President Obama announced that Minoru Yasui, an internee who challenged the internment of Japanese Americans in the US Supreme Court, would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The US Congress apologized for internment in 1988. Sadly, Mayor Bowers has shown that many of the same prejudices Mr. Yasui faced in 1942 still exist today and, unfortunately, he is not alone in promoting this intolerance. More than half of the nation’s gover-

nors, members of Congress, and state and local lawmakers around the country have echoed this xenophobia, which vilifies entire communities.

We must recognize the humanitarian needs of refugee populations and we must refuse to act based on fear and intolerance. As history has shown, such actions do not make our country safer and rejects the basic tenants of what it means to be an American and betrays our deepest values.

more safe, more sustainable and environmentally friendly by way of a lantern that uses saline solution or ocean water, as a catalyst to generate electricity, she added.

Asked by Obama what more can the government do to assist young entrepreneurs in doing sustainable innovations, Mijeno said,“We also need a lot of support in terms of funding. That’s our main challenge right now.”

“We have the passion, but we need a support system both from the private sector and government to mentor us and guide us,” Mijeno

explained.

The Filipina entrepreneur also backed Obama’s claim, saying “Climate change is real and not a myth created by scientists to get funding.”

“It is like cancer,” Mijeno said, citing the four stages of the disease: cell mutation, symptoms, manifest effects, and decline. “I believe we are at Stage 2.”

The SALT lamp has received various awards and recognition from organizations in the Philippines, Singapore, Japan and South Korea. (Philstar.com)

against Poe based on the petition filed by Rizalito David before the nine-member SET. Supreme Court Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion and Sen. Nancy Binay voted in favor of the petition that alleged that Poe is not a natural-born Filipino and thus cannot be a senator.

Binay is a daughter of Vice Pres-

ident Jejomar Binay, one of Poe’s rivals in the 2016 presidential elections.

Robredo said that Aquino’s vote also showed that the Liberal Party was not behind the string of disqualification cases filed against Poe before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The Comelec has yet to rule on four disqualification cases filed against Poe.

A november 20-26, 2015 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

Filipino US Navy vet’s box of memories found in Maryland attic SAN FRANCISCO–A box of World War II memorabilia found in a Laurel, Maryland, attic was traced to a Filipino immigrant who served in the U.S. Navy for more than 30 years and returned to his family last Veterans’ Day. Less than 48 hours after the box of mementos was found in the attic of a District Heights home and turned over by the homeowner the Laurel Police Department, the box and its contents were traced to Amando Custodio, who was born in 1908, and returned to his daughter, Rita Shane.

Shane and two of Custodio’s grandchildren came to the police station to pick up the box filled with Amando’s naturalization papers, a war ration book and dozens of photos and letters. Police said there were pictures of a woman believed to be his wife

and his daughter, Rita, as a small girl.

Shane said her father was a steward while in the Navy and that he loved being in the service.

The memorabilia fills in some blanks, said Shane, and the she couldn’t wait to read Custodio’s love letter to her mother.

Police pieced together that Custodio was born in 1908, im-

Armando Custodio, born in 1908, spent more than three decades in the U.S. Navy. A box of memorabilia that belonged to him was found in an attic in Maryland.

migrated to the United States from the Philippines and was in the Navy. They ran a computer search on Custodio’s name, which showed up in the record from the Truman Library of him being on board the USS Williamsburg, which was Harry Truman’s presidential yacht.

such as jewelry thought to be proceeds of the alleged crime, must be returned to Sofia.

However, Magistrate DaBreo would only accept the check and have the jewelry returned after further investigation.

Sofia faces charges of theft, false accounting and concealing and transferring proceeds of a criminal nature since the amount of $24,499.63 was allegedly removed from the territory in a criminal conduct. Sofia allegedly stole some $675 daily on average.

He was on vacation in the Philippines while the investigations were being done at Island Services and it was on his return to the territory that he was told of the allegations against him and arrested on July 1, 2015.

Sofia reportedly admitted that he had bought a farm and residential lots and private properties in the Philippines and stole

week that we formalized our strategic partnership with Vietnam and our comprehensive partnership with Australia,” Mr. Aquino said.

“Moving forward, the areas in which we will work more closely together include defense, disaster risk reduction and food

security,” he added.

The President also met with the Pacific Alliance consisting of Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru, the “high growth potentials” of these countries and the Philippines.

“A number of leaders also expressed their support for the Philippines joining the Trans-

WITH multiple recent foodborne illness outbreaks, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized a set of groundbreaking rules to strengthen the farm food safety system, ensuring quality produce for Americans.

The new set of guidelines will require importers and producers to verify the cleanliness of their food, according to The Daily Meal.

Implemented by the bipartisan Food Safety Modernization Act, the rules are considered to be the FDA’s primary initiative towards the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks. With random spot testing, health official hope to stop outbreaks at the source before contaminated food products can enter stores and mouths.

The Food Safety Modernization Act “establishes enforceable safety standards for produce farms and make importers accountable for verifying that imported food meets US safety standards,” according to

the FDA and International Business Times.

Importers and distributors must also provide third-party auditing services to evaluate procedures at foreign food suppliers. The accredited bodies will be responsible for conducting an audit of foreign facilities, and finalized rules can help farmers and importers prevent future problems with operations.

The recent, high-profile outbreaks over the last few years have led the FDA to draft a new set of rules and regulations to ensure food safety.

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) often can only respond after people have already fallen ill from contaminated food.

For instance, the recent salmonella outbreak from imported cucumbers crossed state lines and sickened hundreds of citizens, killing four and hospitalizing 157.

“The recent multistate outbreak…is exactly the kind of

outbreak these rules can help prevent,” said the FDA’s Michael R. Taylor in a press release. “The new rules will help prevent people against such outbreak and will strengthen their confidence that proper food safety checks are in place.”

“For the first time these rules are going to require producers, growers, and importers to ensure that the food they produce or import has minimal contamination,” said Sarah Eskin, director of food safety research at the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Prior to the new law, importers were rarely held accountable for the safety of their products from foreign suppliers. Over half of all fresh fruit and 22 percent of fresh vegetables consumed in the United States are imported.

According to the CDC, over 48 million Americans suffer from foodborne illness each year. Out of those affected, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 people die from illnesses.

PH ranks 11th in Global Terrorism...

PAGE A1

Accountant Rommel Sofia pleaded guilty to stealing from his company in the Virgin Islands.

the money to keep up with the mortgages for them. He also allegedly used some of the money to expand a jewelry business he owns. (Inquirer.net)

Aquino: Pinoys made me swell up...

PAGE A2

EscobAr

AJPress

Armando Custodio’s box of memorabilila

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FDA establishes new rules to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks

by Allyson

Filipino accountant in Virgin Islands pleads guilty to theft SAN FRANCISCO – A Filipino accountant in Tortola, Virgin Islands, November 16 pleaded guilty to several charges of financial misdeeds after he was accused of stealing money from Island Services Limited, Pasea, where he was employed.

In addition to pleading guilty to three charges against him, Rommel Sofia informed Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo through his lawyer, Valerie Stephens-Gordon, that he would pay back the sum of $24,975.37 he stole from his employer. The case returns to the court on November 25, 2015 for mitigation and sentencing, according to a report by VirginIslandsnews.com.

Stephens-Gordon told the court she had a check made to the Accountant General for $24,975.37 for the purpose of making restitution. She argued that once restitution is made the items being held by the police,

Dateline USa

Pacific Partnership (TPP), once it comes into force. This is a very encouraging sign; we of course want to join the TPP because it offers access to a far larger market,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said the United States and Australia expressed support for the Philippines’ desire to join the TPP.

fatalities went down by 18 percent to 240 in 2014 from 291 in 2013, according to the Global Peace Index 2015 report.

Because of the lower number of fatalities, the Philippines’ terrorism index score went down slightly to 7.27 from 7.29.

“Terrorism in the Philippines is intrinsically tied with nationalist and separatist claims by people living in provinces in southern Philippines,” the report read.

“The largest individual group was the New People’s Army (NPA), a communist organization, which claimed responsibility for 32 percent of deaths in 2014,” it added.

The NPA has about 4,000 members nationwide based on latest military estimates, virtually unchanged in the last few years despite the military’s claims that the group is on decline.

The Philippines’ ranking was the second highest among Southeast Asian countries covered by the report. It was a notch lower than Thailand (10th) but higher than Indonesia (33rd), Myanmar (41st), Malaysia (49th), Cambodia (113th), Laos (121st), Singapore, Timor Leste and Vietnam (tied at 124th).

Iraq, plagued by the presence of terrorist group Islamic State, ranked first in the index followed

by Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria.

Countries that scored zero in

The Philippines experienced 378 terrorism incidents in 2014 that left 240 persons dead and 367 injured. A total of 529 properties were damaged because of the atrocities.

the index or those least affected by terrorist acts were Benin, Botswana, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, Haiti, Japan, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Namibia, North Korea, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Swaziland, Timor-Leste, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.

The Global Terrorism Index 2015 report said deaths from terrorism rose to 80 percent last year to the highest level ever, with 32,658 people killed from 18,111 in 2013.

Boko Haram and the Islamic State were jointly responsible for more than half or 51 percent of all

Trudeau to Filipinos...

PAGE A1 the ties that bind our countries together are very strong. So for me to be able to be here and see what a beautiful and welcoming country so many of my fellow Canadian citizens call home or original home is a real pleasure,” Trudeau said.

He went on to share a lesson he learned from his father – the late former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau – to set aside “positive impressions that weren’t grounded in reality” and instead focus on “substance.”

“What I also had to learn is that there were a lot of people who liked my father and liked me for reasons entirely unrelated to who I actually was, and I had to learn to set aside positive impressions that weren’t grounded in reality,” Trudeau said.

“So, throughout my life, I have focused on what I have to do and the substance of what I put forward, and that has left me both grounded and able to focus regardless of perceptions or attentions to things external,” he added.

Dubbed an “APEC Hottie” on social media, Trudeau’s attendance at the APEC was hounded by the trash issue involving a Canadian company that exported into the Philippines, in the guise of recyclable scrap plastic materials, several tons of soiled adult diapers and household trash.

In the same press conference, Trudeau vowed to close the loopholes in the law that allowed the shipment of Canadian dump to the Philippines, but he remained vague whether or not he would take the garbage back.

Fil-Am WWII veterans march...

PAGE A3 called.

So far, of the more than 250,000 Filipinos who faithfully served, only 18,000 have been officially recognized and deemed eligible for the lump sum payments approved by the Equity Compensation Act. Other vets have been granted US citizenship and some health benefits, but denied the equity payment.

Attrition rates among the aging veteran community is also the prime reason the vast majority have seen little to no benefits-the laborious file-work and political cases have simply outlived many of them.

Among the benefits advocated

by JFAV include full recognition of wartime services, a non-taxable lump sum under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a Survivors Pension (Death Pension) for widows and children, a working visa to expedite the process of reuniting families, and overall progress in Congress for the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2015, which would reconcile all benefits stripped in 1946.

“I will continue [to fight] until I get what I deserve,” said 98year-old Celestino Almeda, the leader of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, which continues to meet with Washington

officials for justice.

Among the 60+ organizations present at the 15th annual JFAV March included API Equality-LA, AF3IRM, Alliance Philippines, Kasama Filipino American Students Organization, Kabataang maka-Bayan (KmB) / Pro-People Youth, Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI), People’s CORE, and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC).

PWC’s Executive Director Aquilina Soriano-Verzosa gave the opening speech at the rally, along with statements from Doug Kaufman of ANSWER-LA, FASGI director Bernie Ganon, and A3FIRM national leader Jollene Levid. The rally also included a special performance from Filipino rap artist and war veteran BAMBU. Hundreds of university students came out to march on their day off from classes, holding signs, chanting, and showing their support for the years-long cause.

“It’s important for students to advocate for minority communities,” said UCLA student Andrew Esguerra, the community projects coordinator for UCLA’s Samahang Pilipino group. “Even if it doesn’t affect you personally, it affects your community, and you have to come out for that.”

global fatalities in 2014.

According to the report, 78 percent of all deaths and 57 percent of all attacks occurred in just five countries namely Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria.

“Iraq continues to be the country most impacted by terrorism with 9,929 terrorist fatalities, the highest ever recorded in a single country,” the report said.

The global economic cost of terrorism has hit an all-time high at $52.9 billion. There have been more than 61,000 terrorist attacks worldwide since the year 2000.

A project of think tank Institute for Economics and Peace, the Global Terrorism Index assesses 162 countries based on four indicators – total number of incidents, fatalities, injuries and property damage.

As many as 55 container vans containing garbage from Canada were discovered in 2013 by the Bureau of Customs.

Instead of shipping the garbage back to Canada, the BOC has decided to dump the trash in Capas, Tarlac at the Philippines’ expense.

The Ontario-based Chronic Inc. shipped the containers to Manila through its Valenzuela-based consignee, Chronic Plastics. The BOC filed criminal charges against Chronic Plastics for violating the Revised Penal Code, the Tariff and Customs Code and the 1990 Toxic Waste Act. The Philippines has been calling on Canada to take back the shipment under a 1995 convention on hazardous waste, which provides that “the exporting country must take back the waste materials if the receiving country refuses to accept them.”

Students also did a 69-second die-in in front of the CNN building, representing the 69 years since the Rescission Act was passed.

“We essentially came out to raise awareness for the lack of benefits that Filipino veterans received for their service in World War II,” said UCLA neuroscience student Claire Garcia, who performed the Filipino national anthem with her choir group, Tinig Choral. “I think that even though this event is in regards to an issue that happened many years ago, it’s still extremely important to get the Fil-Am veterans the benefits and recognition they deserve. It’s not right for them to have their service forgotten as time goes on.”

In July of this year, President Obama announced a new policy that will allow certain eligible family members of Fil-Am vets to seek parole, under a new program by the Department of Homeland Security. That policy is still waiting to be implemented.

“We have been marching for the last 22 years against systemic racism and racial discrimination,” added Art Garcia. “We will continue to march for equity and justice, and we will not stop until we get [this] for our Lolos and Lolas, and for the Fil-Am community.” (Allyson Escobar / AJPress)

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Obama ups pressure on China Binay to DOLE: Pay working students now ‘Stop building artificial islands in disputed sea’

by Nikko

DizoN Inquirer.net

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday, Nov. 18 told China to stop building artificial islands in the hotly contested South China Sea, increasing the pressure on Beijing at the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Meeting in Manila.

Obama and President Aquino met on the sidelines of the summit, and agreed that “bold steps” were needed to ease tensions that had been heightened by China’s land reclamation in the Spratly archipelago to bolster its claim to nearly the whole of the West Philippine Sea. President Aquino said freedom of navigation and overflight in the area must be continuously ensured, consistent with international law.

The annual Apec gathering is meant to forge unity on trade issues among 21 Pacific Rim economies of 3 billion people.

But the territorial row over the strategically vital sea, as well as terrorism concerns following Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris, have dominated the buildup to this week’s meeting in Manila.

China has repeatedly insisted its rows with its Southeast Asian neighbors over the disputed waters, home to some of the world’s most important shipping routes and where islets, reefs and atolls are believed to be sitting atop vast oil and natural gas reserves, should not be on the Apec agenda.

But just hours before the two-day summit started, Obama voiced concerns over giant land reclamation works by China that have created new islands close to the Philippines.

“We discussed the impact of China’s land reclamation and construction activities on regional stability,” Obama told reporters after meeting President Aquino.

“We agree on the need for bold steps to lower tensions, including pledging to halt further reclamation, new construction, and militarization of disputed areas,” Obama said.

On Tuesday, Obama announced more than $250 million in maritime aid to the United States’ Southeast Asian allies, including two warships for the Philippines.

China claims nearly all of the 3.5-million-square-kilometer West Philippine Sea, even waters close to the shores of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Apec members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims to parts of the sea.

SHIPSHAPE, SHARPLY WORDED MESSAGE. With the BRP Gregorio del Pilar as the background and flanked by American and Filipino troops, US President Barack Obama delivers a speech upon his arrival in Manila on Tuesday, Nov. 17 for the APEC Leaders’ Meeting. The US will hand over two ships to the Philippine Navy to boost its maritime security capabilities, in a bid to show the United States and its allies won’t be cowed by China in disputed waters far off its coast.

Inquirer.net photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta

US challenge The United States refuses to recognize China’s expansive claims, challenging these recently with a US Navy patrol near at least one artificial island that China had built in the Spratlys and flying two B-52 bombers near the contested islands.

Chinese state media hit what it described as US meddling over the sea.

“Washington’s recent provocative moves have infringed upon Beijing’s maritime sovereignty and security in the South China Sea,” the China Daily wrote in a commentary.

“But China is not one to give in when it comes to its territorial, maritime and security interests, and the US is unlikely to succeed in its designs by instigating Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries to challenge China’s maritime rights in the South China Sea,” it said.

Defense cooperation Obama and President Aquino emphasized that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca), the legality of which has yet to be decided by the Supreme Court, would boost their strategies to ensure maritime security in the area “We recognize, with the deepest appreciation, the significant contribution to our efforts by the United States’ contribution that help us ensure that we can ably respond to current security challenges, particularly in the area of maritime security and maritime domain awareness,” President Aquino said after his meeting with Obama.

Mr. Aquino said Edca would make defense cooperation between the Philippines and the United States “that much more real,” adding that the agreement would allow the Philippines access to “the most modern technology that [would give] us . . .

higher capabilities.”

“That is why we welcome now with very open arms this agreement pending in our Supreme Court,” Mr. Aquino said.

He said US access to Philippine military bases would enable it to project its power in the AsiaPacific, helping to bring order and stability and diffusing tensions in the region.

‘Rock-solid commitment’ Obama reiterated the United States’ “rock-solid commitment to the defense of the Philippines,” and promised to help build up the Philippine military and establish a “more effective cooperation for defense and humanitarian work.”

“We think that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is going to help us do that,” he said.

Still, both leaders said the disputes should be resolved peacefully.

President Aquino said he and Obama discussed how “international law should remain the framework for the behavior of all countries and for the peaceful resolution of disputes.”

The Philippines has taken its territorial dispute with China to the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague for resolution, angering China, which has refused to participate and said it would not recognize any decision of the tribunal.

Mr. Aquino said other claimants had shown interest in arbitration as a way of resolving the disputes and they had indicated they were “very close to a decision whether or not to join us in arbitration.”

Obama backed the Philippines’ decision to seek UN arbitration in its dispute with China.

“Disputes need to be resolved peacefully,” he said. (With reports from Gil C. Cabacungan, AFP and AP)

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) must ensure that students who work during the summer and the Christmas season are paid within the 11-day period required under the law, Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Binay’s camp had noted the delay in the release of DOLE’s 40-percent share in the payment for working students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in 2013.

A recently-released 2013 report from the Commission on Audit showed that payment for 54,177 students under the SPES totalling P139 million was delayed for 1-441 days, resulting in some students not being able to claim their wages.

COA reported the delays in: National Capital Region or Metro Manila, 5,964 beneficiaries, P22,133,239.12 in wages, 1,433 days delayed; Region I (Ilocos Region), 5,740 benefi-

ciaries, P15,257,752.16, 7-10 days delayed; Region II (Cagayan Valley), 5,910 beneficiaries, P10,394,859.87, 6-240 days delayed; Region III (Central Luzon), 782 beneficiaries, P1,680,214.58, 30-330 days delayed; Region IV-A (Calabarzon), 9,084 beneficiaries, P34,411,777.78, 7-193 days delayed; Region IV-B (Mimaropa), 4,054 beneficiaries, P7,786,587.10, 28-257 days delayed; Region VI (Western Visayas), 8,183 beneficiaries, P16,312,573.65, 2-259 days delayed; and Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), 3,706 beneficiaries, P6,143,903.16, 30-87 days delayed.

Salgado said he hopes the use of an automated system of SPES

by DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment will speed up the process.

According to DOLE, it has developed an information technology system to establish a database of SPES beneficiaries

nationwide and facilitate their claims for salaries.

COA reported that 1,052 checks amounting to P2,304,476.19 prepared from July 2004 to June 2013 remained unclaimed and became stale.

Another set of 1,619 checks covering the total amount of P4,967,876.94 prepared from July to December 2013 were not released or claimed.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz herself said “over P2 million worth of individual checks for 988 SPES beneficiaries have became stale due to inadequate documentation” in 2013.

The SPES, which was instituted when Republic Act 7323 was signed into law in March 1992, aims “to help the poor but deserving students pursue their education by providing income or augment their income through encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacations.” (ManilaTimes.net)

Marcos wants P15B for state universities and colleges

by JeffersoN

ANtiporDA ManilaTimes.net

IF the government was able to spend P10 billion to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 said he sees no reason for the government not to fund the education of all students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

According to Marcos, the government only needs to allot P15 billion for scholarships and grants-in-aid for students who could contribute to the country after they finished their studies.

He said he already studied the 2016 proposed budget and found that P15 billion is enough to pay for free tertiary education.

Marcos added that there is a need to implement a large-scale scholarship/student aid program in the country and institutionalize reforms in the educational system.

“That is why we are looking at the budget and looking at what we can do for education.

That is why I have been proposing these measures that some may see as radical but actually aren’t. These are the measures we need to push.

These are the initiatives that we need to fight for,” Marcos said in his speech before the ABAKADA Party List NCR/R Leaders Assembly held at the Lyceum of the Philippines last Sunday, Nov. 15.

The senator added that these initiatives would greatly benefit those who have the potential to succeed in life but are impeded by poverty and their inability to get an education supported by the SUCs. The independent vice presidential candidate in next year’s elections earlier said the failure of the government to introduce programs and projects that would help improve the country’s education system is the reason why the country is facing many problems now.

Marcos said aside from providing free education, the government must also invest more

in teachers not only providing higher pay but also making sure that they will be given regular retraining courses for them to cope with changes.

While additional school buildings, books and school supplies are also priorities, the government must also make sure the teachers are provided with the needed support that would also improve their knowledge, he added.

“There was a time when the Philippines has the highest literacy rate in all of Asia, the literacy rate at the time was 98 percent, where no Filipino was considered ‘no read, no write.’

Obviously, we can see that it has gone down drastically,” Marcos earlier said.

ABAKADA party-list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz welcomed Marcos’ statement and said his group has been pushing the increase in funding not only for the growing college population in the country but those enrolled in technical/ vocational or tech/voc schools as well.

Pinay, husband in Paris: People fell like a wave

by MAyeN JAyMAliN Philstar.com

MANILA—In what would turn out to be a fortuitous decision, Filipina Marilou Navales and her French husband, Thomas Rouxel, decided to transfer from their seats in front of the stage to the back of the Bataclan Theater on that fateful Friday the 13th in Paris.

As the couple settled down, they heard explosions, which they thought were fireworks and part of the program.

To their horror, the couple said they saw people in front of the stage falling down one by one “like a wave.”

Rouxel told GMA News that they decided to run upstairs and go to the rooftop, “but there was no way to escape. We found a small room and we decided to

stay there.”

They were among the lucky survivors of the worst terrorist attacks to hit France since World War II. At least 129 people were killed in separate attacks across Paris.

Together with other people, Rouxel said he and his wife prayed while waiting for help.

The gunmen tried to open the room’s door.

Fortunately, the authorities started to arrive at the theater and the terrorists’ attention was diverted.

It took more than two hours for help to arrive, Rouxel recalled.

The Philippine embassy in Paris urged Filipinos in France to exercise vigilance and caution following the coordinated gun and suicide-bombing attacks across Paris that left more than 150

people dead and 352 injured.

The embassy issued an advisory asking Filipinos who are in Paris or who are planning to travel to France to monitor media and French government advisories for the latest developments.

“Everyone is requested to exercise vigilance and caution and to be aware of their surroundings, with the view to ensuring their personal security,” the embassy said.

There are around 48,000 Filipinos in France.

The Philippines condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said “there is no possible justification for such barbaric savagery.”

“The world must stand together against violent extremism,” the DFA said.

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Features

Pray for Paris

“ONCE again we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.” - Pres. Barack Obama Sharing his sentiments over the multiple terror attacks on Paris, France on Friday, Nov. 13, President Obama vowed to work with the French people and with nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice, and fight terrorism and extremism.

“Paris itself represents the timeless values of human progress. Those who think that they can terrorize the people of France or the values that they stand for are wrong. The American people draw strength from the French people’s commitment to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness,” Obama said.

The terrorist attacks left at least 129 people dead and 352 wounded, shocking the world over ghastly images and videos of the bloodstained scenes from the attacks. Then came a worldwide silence for France as calls for prayers for the victims and their families flooded various social networking sites, as #jesuisfrance trended instantly. In this time of distraught, the world expressed its compassion and paid respects to the victims of this recent senseless violence that disrupted a peaceful country.

Although relieved that the over 50,000 Filipinos in France are safe, the Philippines joined in on the

worldwide clamor and condemned the terrorist attacks, saying it showed not only a premeditated act of violence but also the cruelty that “demands the greatest indignation from the world.”

“The Philippines mourns the dead and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with France. At a time that demands heightened security from all of us, we ask Filipinos in Paris to heed the instructions of the authorities and for all of us to cooperate and be vigilant here at home,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

Pres. Benigno Aquino III deplored the senseless murders of the civilians escribing it as “atrocities that demand a united voice from the world in condemnation and grief.”

The world stands witness to how terrorism and genocide still linger. The world calls for justice, an accountability to the lives lost because of extremely unstable political and security situations. The world calls for peace. This is the moment where every nation and every citizen take a stand. We are all called to become a modern and civil society, to bring an all out war against terrorism and fight for peace.

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

The Paris attacks are like a recurring nightmare.

Who’s to say that the world is gaining momentum in its fight against terrorism when everyday we are reminded by its horrors?

As an offshoot to these latest news of violence and terrorism, people are alerted to remain

vigilant. Confronting this looming threat goes beyond the power of the governments. It will require resolute citizens to take a stand and confront it.

This also means understanding terrorism -- why it exists and why it has had adverse consequences on humanity. (AJPress)

Should the US abandon its plan to accept more Syrian refugees to keep the country safe?

AT least 129 people were killed and 352 wounded after three groups of terrorists staged coordinated attacks at six locations throughout Paris, France late Friday, Nov. 13.

ISIS, a jihadist organization that has declared a self-styled “caliphate” across parts of Iraq and Syria, has claimed responsibility for the massacre, and warned that the United States will be the next target. The nation’s state capital, Washington, DC and New York City, have now been on heightened security alert.

According to reports by the Agence FrancePresse (AFP), Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reacted Saturday to the deadly attacks in Paris, taking France to task and calling on it to change policies that he says have contributed to the “spread of terrorism”.

AFP said France has been a leading supporter of the Syrian opposition since soon after protests against Assad’s rule broke out in 2011.

France has also been part of a US-led coalition conducting an air war against ISIS in both Syria and Iraq.

Less than a year before the 2016 presidential elections in the US, national and global security have once again dominated the debate. Candidates aiming to be the next commander-inchief, along with their party mates, offer their own tactics on how to defeat ISIS and keep

America safe.

Questions in contention The Fil-Am are: Should America send more troops and boots on the Perspective ground? Should America still accept Syrian refugees who’ve been caught in the war between the Assad regime and the op- Gel SantoS-ReloS position? Should America be stricter and more suspicious of Muslims in America?

President Barack Obama has once again been criticized for not being “strong enough” in the fight against ISIS. Many Republicans have been advocating for America to send boots on the ground to extinguish the extremist group.

They blame Obama for empowering ISIS by appearing to be “weak” when he did not declare war against Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad after he stepped on the “red line.”

“We have been very clear to the Assad regime, but also to other players on the ground, that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized. That would change my calculus. That would change my equation,” Obama stated.

Obama’s critics argue that because of the continued strife in Syria, ISIS has grown stronger and is not afraid of the US military.

According to CNN, more than 250,000 people have died since the violence broke out in Syria in 2011, and at least 11 million people in the country of 22 million have fled their homes. The United Nations says Syrians are now the world’s largest refugee population, and most are struggling to take refuge in Europe.

Since 2011, the United States has been accepting about 1,500 Syrian refugees for humanitarian reasons. The Obama administration, however, has announced in September that 10,000 Syrian refugees will be allowed entry next year.

House Speaker Paul Ryan has just announced that the US should pause its refugee program so that ISIS will not be able to use it to get into the US and launch an attack in the country.

This is a stance shared by more than half the nation’s governors who say they oppose letting Syrian refugees into their states, although CNN reported that the final say on this contentious immigration issue will fall to the federal government.

The states protesting the admission of refugees, include Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Michigan Illinois, Maine and New Hampshire.

All but one of these 31 states have Republican

governors. Republican candidates have also taken this position.

President Obama said the tragedy in Paris should not affect the small intake of Syrian refugees into the United States. “Slamming the door in their faces would be a betrayal of our values,” the US commander-in-chief said during remarks at the G20 economic summit in Antalya, Turkey.

Obama also ruled out sending more ground troops to fight ISIS in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris.

“It is not just my view, but the view of my closest military and civilian advisers, that that would be a mistake,” Obama said in media reports. “A strategy has to be one that can be sustained,” Obama added.

“Given the fact there are sacrifices involved in any military action, it is best that we don’t shoot first and aim later,” Obama argued. “It’s important for us to get the strategy right, and the strategy that we are pursuing is the right one.” *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Hospitality and APEC 2015 CERTAINLY there is more to the APEC Summit 2015 than the horrendous traffic and inconvenience, the Imeldific sweeping-under-the-rug of everything that is considered to be an eye sore by the alta sociedad government, the utter and absolute disregard for what it is that Metro Manila’s working populace will go through given already horrid road infrastructure and public transport now magnified by the need to pretend that things are fine.

We have been told by government: stay home, don’t add to traffic. They have told us: cooperate and understand. I get that.

I get the sacrifices we have to make. And I understand that the whining has got to stop, if only so we can sit and listen and read about what it is they are getting us into with this year’s APEC Summit.

Yet it’s also clear that the complaints about traffic and inconvenience are at the heart of what is wrong with the APEC, given this government and what it sells about us as nation.

The numbers and Asia’s New Darling Listen to the way foreign businessmen and “experts” speak about the Philippines. They talk about us the way the President speaks about us. They talk about our credit ratings, about numbers that meets “targets,” numbers that mean a new and improved Philippines. Poverty is at an all-time low, hunger has been almost eradicated, growth

and development have been Community inclusive.

And yet all Voice it takes is not even a whole Romana FiGueRoa-Gella different set of numbers – which exist by the way. What it takes is to look honestly at nation with eyes wide open. How many of us feel the eradication of poverty? Are there less street children, less vagrants, less beggars where we live? Are there less informal settlements on the roads we ply each day?

Government celebrates the decrease in unemployment numbers. Yet that doesn’t mean that people are not underemployed – working in jobs that do not match their skills because there’s nothing else. Those employment numbers aren’t a measure of how many of our workers are contractually employed, with no job security or health benefits, with low wages beyond the control of government.

In his November 16 speech for the APEC CEO Summit, the President talked about inclusive growth using the Philippines as a prime example of what can be done in the region. He said that our growth numbers have everything to do with inclusivity, which transformed the Philippines from “being known as the Sick Man of Asia to becoming Asia’s New Darling.”

But Asia’s New Darling is merely a label that’s useful for outsiders and foreign investors

– just like those numbers are for guests and visitors who we entice to come to the country.

These are only true in press releases and propaganda, only true in the minds of government officials removed from and in denial about the fact of poverty and hunger, need, and injustice.

According to the President, the Philippines is a prime example of how inclusive development has worked. Now, children are going to school because the conditional cash transfer program requires that they do so; not only are they encouraged to go to school, their families also have cash to spend for basic needs. It’s a beautiful cycle that empowers the poor and lifts them from poverty. The President said: “The initial results of our Department of Social Welfare and Development’s most recent assessment reveal that at least 1.09 million households have been lifted from poverty, which is roughly equivalent to 5.45 million Filipinos.”

Numbers, numbers. Rule #1 in the handbook of hospitality, Philippines-style: pretend the numbers and labels translate to reality.

Words, and inclusivity Rule #2? Spin spin spin.

According to the President, proof of inclusive growth is the changed attitude of Filipinos.

He said: “<…> from being apa-

thetic to perhaps being a little too demanding, which we believe to be healthy in a democracy, since it gives government motivation to be even more efficient. Perhaps our people’s increased participation is not too surprising, given that they have likewise seen this transformation in their lives.”

In one fell swoop – or one paragraph – the President gave guests reason to dismiss all complaints, all criticism, all demands from the populace as proof that this government has done its job well.

In one fell swoop, everything we complain about, from debilitating traffic to contractualization, low wages to high taxes, is swept under the rug of “welcome to a healthy democracy!” and nothing else.

It’s all actually pretty convenient – and I dare say, quite well done. Because in this speech alone, the President does not only paint a beautiful picture of a nation changed in the past six years.

He also already gives guests the words to dismiss us with. We complain about the traffic? Ah, that’s a measure of development.

We complain about four days when we cannot get to work on time, and therefore get less pay at the end of the month? Ah, that is a small sacrifice compared to the great benefits that we have reaped from inclusive growth.

We complain about the APEC? Ah, that’s Philippine democracy for you! Bravo!

Hospitality on overdrive Our hospitality is legendary

President Benigno S. Aquino III walks with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet (center), China President Xi Jinping (right), Hong Kong Chief Executive LeungChun-ying and Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto as they arrive for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders welcome ceremony inside the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

– albeit a stereotype created for us by colonial masters. Look at these Filipinos, offering the last of their food, the best bed in their homes, when they already have so little.

But this government’s hospitality program for APEC 2015 is something else. It is sacrificing the people – our wages, our time, our energies – in order to make sure that the few guests and the powers-that-be are transported on time, are safe and sound. This hospitality program blames us for the traffic, because we did not stay at home, because we de-

cided to go to work and earn our keep.

This hospitality program decided that we needed to hide the poor, paint our roads, plant some trees. It decided that the Lumad are an eye sore and should be hidden from view, and kept captive in one space. It decided that there should be no people on Roxas Boulevard, on the roads that lead to and from the hotels where the leaders are staying, it’s the only way to keep them safe.

Rule #3 on the handbook of hospitality: fake it ‘til you make it.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvEmbER 20-26, 2015

A

Amid sea row, Xi calls for peace; ‘Pacific Ocean our common home’

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed on the importance of fostering peace in the AsiaPacific region and not allowing disruptions to take away attention from Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation’s (Apec) sustainable development agenda. in his speech during the Apec CeO summit on Wednesday, Xi said Apec countries should “step up policy dialogue and coordination and use Apec as a platform to create synergy.”

“We must focus on development and spare no effort to foster Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pres. Benigno Aquino III listen during a ABAC dialogue at the an environment of peace condu- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila on Wednesday, Nov. 18. cive to development and never al- reclamation activities in Kagit“it is important that we eslow anything to disrupt the Asia- ingan, Zamora and Panganiban tablish an all-round partnership Pacific development process,” Xi Reefs as well as the building of on development and mobilize added. artificial islets over Mabini, Bur- the government, enterprise and China is embroiled in a territo- gos, Calderon and Kennar Reefs, social resources in concerted rial dispute with the Philippines. have rattled the nerves of other efforts for implementation of SEN. MARCOS AT MAAP. “You represent the Philippines when you are on boarding ships. I do not speak of ambassadors in terms of diplomacy.

The Arbitral Tribunal in The claimant countries, particularly the sustainable development But again, to introduce what Filipinos are like, to introduce what Filipinos are capable of, and to teach our friends from different countries hague recently ruled in favor of the Philippines and Vietnam. agenda,” he said, adding it was that the Filipino is hard working, the Filipino is well trained, the Filipino understands the systems, the Filipino will become an important part tribunal’s jurisdiction to hear the But in his speech, Xi said con- important to promote inclusive of any crew that they join,” Senator Bongbong Marcos emphasized to the students of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) dispute. flicts among the member coun- and harmonious development to in Mariveles, Bataan lauding also the faculty and staff of the academy for its efforts in providing the best maritime education.”

The Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling tries should be resolved through meet Apec’s target of sustainable will pave the way for the presen- dialogue and consultation. development. tation of the merits of the Philip“And in so doing, create more “i am confident that the vast pines’ substantive claims in the Pacific Ocean will become a room for better quality and effidisputed West Philippine sea. bridge of cooperation, a bond ciency of development and make

by TeTch Torres-Tupas Rueda-Acosta said Chung was the bullet for a criminal purpose.

Inquirer.net China’s sweeping claims over of friendship and a place we sure that these tasks can mutureleased for the same reason The Public Attorney’s Office the south China sea and its ag- call our common home,” Xi ally reinforce each other,” Xi A 61-yeAR old woman was cited in the previous cases –lack has so far helped 28 individuals gressive stance, including the said. said. ordered released by govern- of criminal intent to possess am- caught with bullets at the airport. Complaints against 17 of ment prosecutor as it dismissed munition. “she was carrying the bullets the agency’s clients have been the criminal case after she was found in a possession of three as amulets she got from a Bud- dismissed for lack of intent to ers, and musicians. dhist monk,” Acosta explained. possess the bullet and use it for bullets.

Television host Kris Aquino, the The Prosecutor on duty at the malevolent purposes.

Lilly Chung, a Caticlan-bound most known among the Aquino passenger was placed under airport ordered Chung’s release Public Attorney’s Office has sisters, posted a group photograph custody for possession of three after inquest proceedings due to pending motion to dismiss with on her instagram account. it has bullet last Tuesday, nov. 17. authorities’ failure to prove ma- the prosecutor’s office for the 11 since received 11,400 likes.

Chief Public Attorney Persida levolent intent to possess and use others.

Kris was wearing a modern Filipiniana designed by Michael Leyva. her sisters Maria elena “Ballsy” Cruz and Victoria elisa “Viel” Dee

by TeTch Torres-Tupas his will when he was allegedly resolution stated. wore knee-length dresses while Inquirer.net forced by respondent to execute On Fruto’s complaint, the DOJ Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Abellada The Department of Justice a written statement admitting his stated that his allegation of harassdonned what appears to be an ethnic-inspired long skirt and blouse. (DOJ) has dismissed the criminal culpability and complicity in the ment due to the filing of criminal cases against him has been the seen also in the photo were complaints against the leaders of ebangelista blog.”

The DOJ added that sam- subject of judicial proceedings. the spouses of the leaders of the iglesia ni Cristo (inC) for lack of son failed to present an “iota of The DOJ added that there was following countries: Malaysia, probable cause. in two separate resolutions, the evidence” on his allegation of in- also no evidence to support his alVietnam, hong Kong, Thailand, ‘A Walk Through Time’ tour in Intramuros with the Aquino sisters and the APEC leaders’ spouses.

DOJ dismissed the separate com- timidation and confiscation of his legation of robbery as he was not Inquirer.net photos by Raffy Lerma Japan, singapore, indonesia, and plaints of expelled inC Minister passport, service vehicle, laptop, even in his house when the crime Taiwan.

Kris also posted of a photo of isaias samson and expelled inC mobile phone and other personal was allegedly committed.

The spouses of the Asia-Pacific team head of cultural events reThe resolution was signed by economic Cooperation (APeC) lated to the APeC, told inquirer several people in spanish era at- member Jose Fruto against the effects. “There is nothing in the leaders on Thursday, nov. 19 Lifestyle that the tour will allow tire with the caption “Our Visayan members of sanggunian, the inC’s recitation of facts made by com- senior Deputy state Prosecutor highest administrative body. plainant which show that respon- Theodore Villanueva, Assistant joined the sisters of President the spouses of several world lead- Wedding Celebration Dance!” in dismissing samson’s com- dents resorted to threat, violence state Prosecutors Olivia TorrevilBecause the President is a bachBenigno Aquino iii in what was ers to revisit the Philippines durelor, the Aquino sisters have been plaint, the DOJ said the “complain- and intimidation when the said las and Mark Roland estepa and dubbed as “A Walk Through ing the spanish era. it is supposed to be a “living serving alternately as his first la- ant failed to offer proof that he was articles were taken allegedly upon approved by Prosecutor General Time” tour in intramuros. compelled to do something against orders of the sanggunian,” the Claro Arellano.

Last week, nes Jardin, creative museum” featuring actors, danc- dies. (Inquirer.net)

61-year-old woman found with 3 bullets in NAIA released

Aquino sisters visit Intramuros with APEC spouses

DOJ junks criminal complaints against Iglesia leaders

A november 20-26, 2015 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

people events arts culture entertainment

november 20-26, 2015

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 20, 20 1 5

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a Filipino twist Recipes from our favorite chefs for a non-traditional fare

by Malou liwanag-Bledsoe

FILIPINOS love to celebrate with food wherever they are. That is why, like most races and cultures, we put in our own twist in traditional American Thanksgiving dishes to make it our own, or create our own menu.

“I think Filipinos in the US may want to (or should) try non-traditional dishes for Thanksgiving because we should take advantage of the availability of the local ingredients and other cooking techniques,” said Chef Eric Pascual of Eats by E. “I also believe that in doing so we can still stay true to some of the traditional flavors.”

/ AJPress

The great part about celebrating Thanksgiving is that we can do it any way we like. Although the standard of roasted turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are expected on one’s dinner table, it doesn’t mean we have to follow suit. In this age of food blogs, Pinterest and fusion cooking, the options are endless.

In this special Thanksgiving feature of the Asian Journal, Chef Eric and international chef Cocoy Ventura share recipes of alternative and Filipino-inspired Thanksgiving dishes.

roasted crabs with garlic calamansi 2 servings

Braised Bistek

Chef Cocoy Ventura

AJPress file photo

IngredIents: • 1 large Dungeness crab, cleaned and sectioned (raw or precooked) • ¼ cup SunTropics Pure Calamansi • 4 tbsp butter • 10 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 tbsp salt • ½ tsp black pepper Procedure: Chef Eric Pascual

Photo courtesy of Feastly

IngredIents: • 3 lbs. of beef chuck roast or short rib (bone-in preferably) • 4 tbsp. SunTropics Pure Calamansi • 5 garlic cloves (minced) • ½ cup soy sauce • ½ cup water • ½ cup chicken stock • 1 tbsp. sea salt • 2 tbsp. cane sugar • 1 tbsp black pepper • 4 tbsp oil

• 3 medium onions cut into rings Procedure: 1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. 2. Pat beef dry and rub all over with the salt and pepper.

3. Heat oil in an ovenproof 5-quart wide heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown beef on all sides, about 15

minutes total.

4. Add garlic, soy sauce, cane sugar, SunTropics Pure Calamansi, water, and chicken stock, and bring to a boil.

5. Cover pot tightly and braise in oven, until beef is very tender, approximately 3-3.5 hours total.

6. In a separate pot, sauté onions in 2 tbsp. of oil until clear.

Serve onions over beef.

1. Preheat oven to 500°F. 2. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.

3. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients.

4. Tear about 20” long foil, place onto lined sheet, place mixture in the center of foil and wrap it up, seal all openings.

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

6. Transfer on a serving platter, pour cooking juice on top, arrange and garnish with scallions or herbs (optional).

Pork spareribs toyo-mansi 2 servings IngredIents: • 1 lb pork spare ribs, cut into manageable pieces 1/3 cup SunTropics Pure Calamansi ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tbsp dark soy sauce 3 tbsp brown sugar 10 cloves of garlic, crushed ground black pepper 4 dried bay leaves 1 cup water

Procedure: 1. Mix all ingredients in a medium pot and cook over high heat with the lid on.

2. When boiling, gently stir, turn down heat to medium low and put the lid back on.

3. Cook for 30 minutes until pork is soft.

4. Reduce sauce by raising heat to high, lid off.

Stir occasionally.

5. Serve with rice.

Photo courtesy of Sharon Sy Lao of SunTropics

calamansi creme Brûlée 8 servings IngredIents: 2 tbsp SunTropics Pure Calamansi 3 cups heavy cream 10 tbsp turbinado sugar (raw sugar) 6 large egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla extract

Photo courtesy of Duane Ramos

green Bean stir Fry IngredIents: 1 tsp. grated ginger 4 cloves finely-diced garlic 3 sliced tomatoes 4 tbsp. oil 2 lbs. green beans ½ cup sliced onions 2 tbsp. SunTropics Pure Calamansi

3 tbsp. Oyster sauce 1 tbsp. black pepper 2 tbsp. Patis (fish sauce) InstructIons 1. In a wok, add in oil.

2. Once heated add and sauté garlic, ginger and onion in oil for 2 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Add in the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add in the green beans, oyster sauce, patis, and black pepper.

5. Stir with vegetables, for 3 minutes at moderate to high heat.

6. Correct seasoning if required. Serve hot.

chef eric’s calamansi dipping sauce IngredIents: 2 tbsp. SunTropics Pure Calamansi 3 diced garlic cloves 2 tbsp. diced red onion 2 tbsp. diced jalapeno (seeds removed)

2 tbsp. cane sugar ¼ cup cane vinegar 2 tbsp. soy sauce InstructIons 1. Combine all ingredients and stir until sugar has dissolved.

2. Allow 30 minutes for ingredients and flavors to combine before serving. *For more recipes or information from Eats by E please follow @Eats_By_E or visit www.

EatsByE.com.

Photo courtesy of Sharon Sy Lao of SunTropics

Procedure: 1. Put oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 325°F. 2. In a heavy sauce pan, stir in 7 tbsp turbinado sugar in the cream and a pinch of salt.

3. Heat mixture over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until almost boiling, then remove from heat.

4. In a mixing bowl, beatf egg yolks with a wooden spoon, then gradually stir in hot cream mixture. Pour custard onto ramekins.

5. Arrange ramekins in a roasting pan and bake in water bath until custards are just set around the edges but centers wobble when pan is gently shaken, 30 to 35 minutes.

6. Cool custard in water bath for 20 minutes then remove from pan and chill, uncovered at least for 2 hours. This will set the custard.

7. Sprinkle about 1 tsp turbinado sugar evenly over each custard, then move blowtorch flame evenly back and forth close to sugar until caramelized.

Caramel will harden in 3 to 5 minutes.

Maharlika’s Kamote/sweet Potato Pie IngredIents: For PIe crust • All-purpose flour • Shortening • Ice water For FIllIng • Sweet potato or kamote, chopped • 1/4 cup butter • 2 tbsp of canola oil • 1/3 cup milk • 5 eggs • ginger powder • coconut powder • salt Photo courtesy of Maharlika/Jeepney

Procedure: Pie crust: 1. Combine flour, shortening and butter in a food processor until coarse in texture then slowly add ice water. Once it starts to form a ball, transfer the crust to a ziplock bag or bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, let it sit in the fridge for 15 minutes.

2. When handling the pie crust, make sure to dust your cutting board with flour to avoid it from sticking.

Filling: 1. Pan roast chopped kamote

with 1/4 of butter and 2tbsp of canola oil. Once the kamote is fork tender add the ginger powder, coconut powder, brown sugar, and salt. Mix well.

2. In a food processor puree the kamote with 1/3 cup milk. Make sure its smooth to texture.

3. With the processor on low, slowly then add 5 eggs one at a time.

4. Transfer to pie crust brush the top with a little egg white for color. Bake 325 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour until golden brown.

An Asian Journal Magazine

Immigration Corner

Are you ready to be confused over the December 2015 priority dates?

for adjustment of status. That is good.

2. For employment – based petitions, people must go back In October 2015, the State and rely on the Final Action Date Department and Department of chart. That is not so good.

Homeland Security announced a By way of comparison, for new format for the monthly priority employment based cases for dates. The monthly Visa Bulletin the Philippines, the Application would now have TWO charts: the Filing Date is January 1, 2010.

Dates for Filing Visa Applications However, the Final Action Date is chart; and the Final Action Dates August 1, 2007. Therefore, starting chart. (The Final Action Date chart December 1, 2015, people with is the old priority date chart from employment-based petitions previous Visa Bulletins) would be able to file adjustment The Dates for Filing chart was of status applications only if their supposed to allow people to file priority date is earlier than August for adjustment of status months 1, 2007 (rather than January or years ahead of the Final Action 1, 2010). As stated on USCIS’s Date chart, to enable people to website: apply for work authorization while December 2015: waiting for their priority date to For Family-Sponsored become current under the Final Filings: Action Date chart.

• You may use the Dates for However, for December 2015, Filing Visa Applications chart for USCIS announced a confusing December 2015. mixture of these two charts in For Employment-Based connection with when people can Filings: file for adjustment: • You must use the Application 1. For family-based petitions, Final Action Dates chart in the people can rely on the “Dates for Department of State Visa Bulletin Filing” chart for when they may file for December 2015.

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Part 3 of 3) In many cases, those in their immediate family orbit say, they never saw it coming and will be left wondering WHY. Suicide, contrary to the lyrics of a popular song, is never painless. Those left behind who will have to pick up the pieces deal with the heavy pall of gloom and guilt that descends on them for a long time.

So how does one deal with the dark night of the soul?

I don’t know about you but it seems to me that darkness can only be fought and won decisively by seeking the light. Only light can dispel darkness.

Psychotherapy, antidepressants and all other known

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 20, 20 1 5

What this means is now, you not only must check the State Department’s website for the Visa Bulletin for every single month, but must also check the USCIS’s website as to which chart it will follow for the upcoming month for filing adjustment of status.

Confused? So are they. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

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

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

A HUSBANd’S 30-YEAR-OLd “SECRET” ALMOST dERAILEd THE FAMILY’S GREEN CARdS ON AN ENCORE EPISOdE OF CITIZEN PINOY!Leading US immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (right) was able to revive Alice’s (center) petition by her US citizen father, after it was terminated due to the petitioner’s death. The family was then eligible to get their visas years ahead of schedule by using the priority date of Alice’s Lebanese husband, Andre (left). But Andre refused to come to the US because of a “secret” he had kept for 30 years, preventing him from going back to the US. Atty. Gurfinkel worked “miracles” to resolve the mystery behind this fascinating success story, on an encore episode of ‘Citizen Pinoy’—on Sunday, November 22 at 6:15pm (PST) on TFC.

Whatever happened Germs and how to prevent them through healthy habits to ‘Happily Ever After’?

What are germs?

Germs are tiny microorganisms that exist all around us and are invisible to the human eye. There are many different types of germs.

Most are not harmful, but some cause infectious diseases. You probably already know about many infectious diseases. There are vaccines to prevent some and medicines to treat others, but we don’t have vaccines and medicines for every kind of infectious diseases. It is important to know about and admit one needs help may germs and infectious diseases, not be enough though. Humility and simple ways to avoid is a key ingredient. The afflicted getting and spreading them. must reach out to someone he Where do germs live? can trust, someone who cares Germs have favorite places about him and lead him to those that can help. This is when fervent to live, preferred ways to travel, and if they are harmful, their heartfelt prayers, his own and own unique ways of causing those of others, can assault the disease. Germs can live in or heavens for mercy.

Continued on Page 5 on dirt, water, countertops,

“… You have changed my mourning into dancing, O Lord, and have girded me with joy, alleluia…”

—Psalm 30 scientifically proven ways of dealing with mental illness and the eventual sickness of the soul may be of some help.

But as in anything, the first step is to acknowledge and admit the condition as a serious cause for concern and to seek help right away. This is the crucial first step towards healing. And the hardest.

The courage to recognize

our skin, our intestines, and in many other places around us.

Some germs can survive on their own while others prefer living in people or animals.

Some germs live only in hot areas of the world while others live only in cold areas. When germs find a place that is good for them, they multiply and set up a home for themselves. how do germs spread?

Germs spread in different ways. To catch an infectious disease, you first need to be exposed to a harmful germ.

Then it needs to get on or into your body and act in its unique ways to cause disease. Our bodies are good at fighting infections; not everybody who is exposed to germs will get sick, but some will. Here are the most common ways to be exposed: • Touching. Some germs

live in body fluids like mucus, pus, and stool. Even the invisible drops released when people talk, cough, or sneeze can can carry germs. Touching a contaminated surface or object, then touching your eyes, nose, mouth, a cut, or other opening in the body, can lead to an infectious disease.

• Eating or drinking.

Some germs exist in food and untreated water. Unwashed fruits and vegetables, and foods not properly cooked or kept at the right temperature, may carry harmful germs.

• Breathing. Some germs spread through the air. When someone coughs, sneezes, or talks they can release germs.

When harmful germs are inhaled, they can cause illness.

• Getting bitten. Animals can carry and spread infectious Continued on Page 5

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 20, 20 1 5

On the PEP Front

People, Events, Places

Lani Misalucha’s inimitable vocal power to surmount the Big Apple

BoBBy T. yalong It will take some 7 more weeks or so before 2015 bids goodbye and yet Joji Babuschak’s JB Entertainment Productions has already prides itself with a hugely grandiloquent year-ender and newsmaker via its ambitiously conceived Asia’s Nightingale’s pre-Christmas concert aptly labeled “Lani Misalucha, Live in New York” on Sunday, November 22 at 4:00 PM at the historic times Square landmark, the town Hall, along 123 W 43rd St., New York, NY. Even immensely popular performers of Lani Misalucha’s caliber still have qualms, apprehensiveness and trepidation to solely penetrate the Great White Way (the theater District) knowing that the Broadway section has come to symbolize highly praised live theater entertainment throughout the world and doing an act alone is tantamount to a suicidal attempt betting one’s established name and hard-earned career status to an irresolute game.

But nothing seemed to neither dampen nor daunt the spirits of the “Las Vegas Siren of the Strip” and her risk-taking producer. No amount of dissuasion could put their orchestrated plan on hold. Ambitious and grandiose the conceptualized concert might be, but there seems a guiding voice assuring them of a sure-fire hit. Broadway’s blinding lights, for both, favorably spark positivity from the offing bringing forth unabated guarantee that the show is destined to be sensational.

Joji, being a go-getter and accurately optimistic about the whole idea, was ruled by a selfinstilling thought: “If not now, when…? If not Lani, then who …?

Undoubtedly, I believe in Lani’s drawing power to attract a colossal crowd and dispel the “jinx curse” for performers outside the mainstream perimeter, if there’s anything at all!”

As early as spring of this year, negotiations went smoothly… as smoothly as getting an instant

EMPLOYMENT

Lani Misalucha, multi-awarded world-class singer-performer

Asia’s Nightingale

The Profile of Asia’s Nightingale from her album cover.

The Best Female Performer

Lani is set to dazzle her east coast fans this weekend at The Town Hall in New York City.

Fast-rising tenor-pop singer-performer Jared Martin

possibility sans any impediment. then not too soon, the “Lani Misalucha, Live in New York” posters and flyers came out mushrooming in every nook and social media.

Currently, “Lani Misalucha, Live in New York,” indubitably, has created a high spirited anticipation and dubbed as the most awaited solo concert this side of the entertainment world.

Prior the most-awaited event, let’s take a closer look at the star of the show and get to know her better.

Born Lani Bayot (Lani Misalucha in show business) on August 3, 1969 to Esperanza Dimalanta (a coloratura soprano) and Benjamin

Bayot (a tenor), it isn’t surprising for the exotic-looking singer to be one of the country’s well-acclaimed singer-performers having been innately musically-bred.

Young Lani was already reaping awards after awards from gospel music competitions, school and church singing events after earnestly manifested her interest in pursuing a career in music by joining concert choruses, glee clubs, and church choir. Incidentally, she’s still an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints along with spouse Noli Misalucha and daughters Lian and Louven. the songstress, gifted with a melodiously powerful vocal

chord, has deservingly earned Asia’s Nightingale title after having supremely reigned in the recording industry, tin pan alley, and the concert stage since her foray in 1996 to present. She had signed on dotted lines with various recording labels: Alpha (1997), Viva (1999-2005), Universal Records (2006-2014), and Star Records (2014-present) with uninterrupted gradient to the crest where she’s enthroned.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing and easy-as-eating-peanuts for the striving chanteuse to attain what she loftily dreamt of. ‘though she might have fallen right as a typical exponent of one who met the

EMPLOYMENT

The Siren of the Strip

truism’s perspective, “singers are born not made,” still Lani enduringly passed through painstaking trials and hurdled insurmountable challenges before finally savoring the truest essence of success.

During the 80s and 90s multiplex cassette tapes were in vogue and very much in demand especially among music enthusiasts and aspiring singers. the advent of karaoke machines gave rise to the voluminous demand and sing-along craze that catapulted aspiring singer Lani Misalucha to an unparalleled stardom with just the magic of her

FOR SALE

LAW OFFICE

FOR RENT

voice minus the exposure of her face.

Her widely malleable vocal prowess could easily replicate the voices of famous divas: Mariah Carey, toni Braxton, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and many more. But it didn’t take long for Lani to shed off her “Multiplex Queen” title and justifiably adapt a new identity as “Asia’s Nightingale.”

Her merely being behind the scene gave her the necessary break to perfect her own that in 1998 she romped away with the Grand prize, Continued on Page 6

Philippine Gold holiday treats PHILIPPINE Gold at Asia Society offers special holiday treats!

Kicking off the Thanksgiving season, the New Philippine Cinema will be presented. On Friday, Nov. 20, 6:30pm, “Requiemel,” directed

by Loy Arcenas, will be screened.

The film features Shamaine Buencamino and Anthony Falcon.

On Sunday, Nov. 22, 5pm, you can catch Nora Aunor in “Thy Womb,” directed by Brilliante Mendoza. There will be a special Fan Meet and Greet with Philippine award-winning film star Piolo Pascual at 4pm at Asia Society.

Asia Society is located at 725 Park Avenue and 70th Street in NYC. For tickets, call 212-517-2742 or visit www.asiasociety.org.

December Phil Gold delights include a Filipino designer sale of Leonora Cabili garments, Filipino NY Stories, Almira Astudillo Gilles’ Tales of Gold and Filipino Holiday Celebration.

Tuesday, Dec. 1 (12Noon – 3:30pm) Lenora Cabili Filipino Designer Sale Event Len’s designs are inspired by tradition, mixing the past with present, creating unique garments that incorporate ancient techniques of weaving, embroidery and bead work from indigenous Filipino groups. Len’s mission is to create while also reviving and preserving ancient traditions, as she works with talented artisans across the Archipelago to provide opportunities to improve livelihoods.

Friday, Dec. 4 (8-9:30pm) A “Golden” Opportunity: Filipino New York Stories Co-presented by FAM (Filipino American Museum). Curated with Nancy Bulalacao-Leung, meet the extraordinary people responsible for the Filipino Renaissance in New York—an unprecedented upswell of creativity, leadership, and style within the Filipino community.

In this exuberant cabaret-style program, Filipino New Yorkers will recount the moments that shaped their lives—in fiveminute, story slam style. Join us for this celebration of identity and community followed by a reception. For tickets, call 212-5172742 or visit www.asiasociety.org Storytellers include: DJ Neil Armstrong, legendary DJ. First DJ to spin at a presidential inauguration for Obama, Christelle de Castro, artist and fashion photographer, Refinery 29’s 30 under 30, Liz Casasola, singer/actor/founder of Broadway Barkada, and organization supporting Filipinos on Broadway, Michael Dadap, musician, composer and conductor, Susie Ibarra, musician, composer and sound artist, Lucille Javier, Sally Herschberger colorist and founder of #beawesometosomebody with

her boyfriend Mark Bustos, Jose Llana, Broadway actor, recently played the King in The King and I, Nicky Paraiso, actor/artist, director of programming at the Club at Lama Theater, Nicole Ponseca, owner of restaurants Maharlika and Jeepney, Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and leader in the undocumented movement and Jamieson Webster, psychoanalyst and author, The

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 20, 20 1 5

PNB Global Remit launched in Atlantic City

Nicky Paraiso

Nora Aunor in “Thy Womb.”

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—“PNB Global Remit business is finally here in Atlantic City NJ. PNB account holders and remitters in Atlantic City can now send their money through our accredited agent Fil-Am Bakeshop. PNB is present all over New Jersey area serving our Filipino American customers through our fast, easy and efficient money transfer to PNB accounts, to other banks or door to door delivery.

PNB-RCI can process all remittance transactions, and bills payment request for SSS, PagIbig, GSIS and other real estate partnerships for easy payments credits.

Fil-Am Bakeshop, open from 8am to 7:30pm, Tuesday to Sunday, located at 3003 English Creek Ave. Ste 6 Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234. Contact number: 609 383 9400.

Mr. Rudyric Villacisneros, PNB-RCI President and Mr. Raul Delos Reyes, Fil-Am bakeshop owner

Germs and how to prevent...

From Page 3

Susie Ibarra

Life and Death of Psychoanalysis.

Monday, Dec. 7 (6:308:30pm) The Fire Beneath: Tales of Gold A new historical novel by Filipino-American author Almira Astudillo Gilles, inspired by the discovery of the Surigao gold treasures, many of which are featured in Asia Society’s current exhibition, this exciting new novel, The Fire Beneath: Tales of Gold tells the gripping story of a poor bulldozer operator who unearths a golden treasure trove during a construction project. In this powerful and insightful new novel, award-winning Filipino-American author, Almira Astudillo Gilles pushes beyond the anticipated tribulations that would inevitably follow unexpected good fortune, as she digs deeper into the contrasts which are unearthed by this extraordinary find: discovery and concealment, greed and generosity, secularization and spirituality. Almira Astudillo Gilles is in conversation with Florina H. Capistrano-Baker, Consulting Curator, Ayala Museum and, co-curator of the exhibition, Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms. Followed by a book-sale and signing. Gilles is Winner of the Philippine Presidential

Award 2012 for Literature. For tickets, call 212-517-2742 or visit www.asiasociety.org.

Friday, Dec. 11 (6-9PM) Asia Society’s Filipino Holiday Celebration Celebrate the Season in Style.

Get into the spirit! The Asia Society Museum will be hosting a holiday celebration featuring Filipino “pica pica” hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails, both available for purchase, as well as holiday shopping available at the AsiaStore at a 20 percent discount. We will be treated to traditional Filipino Christmas caroling! Admission is free this Friday Fil Am Night.

Thru Jan. 3, 2016: Asia Society’s Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms has been called “gorgeous” and “historically intriguing”

by The New York Times. The 120 piece exhibition of pre-Hispanic Gold from the 10-12th century Philippines, on loan from the Ayala Museum in Manila, was co-curated by Nina Capistrano-Baker and Adriana Proser.

Admission to Asia Society Museum is FREE on Friday Nights 6-9PM. For more information, visit www. asiasociety.org. *** For tickets and more information, visit www.

AsiaSociety.org.

High School Admissions: Last Chance Workshop

diseases to people. Bites from wild animals, pets, or even a small animal like a bat or insect can cause illness. Even if the animal doesn’t look sick, it may carry harmful germs.

Infectious diseases are also spread through sexual contact, during pregnancy from a mother to an unborn child, from sharing needles, blood transfusions, and through other ways.

How can I prevent the spread of germs?

Healthy habits are the best and easiest way to prevent the spread of germs every day.

Learn, practice, and teach them today.

Healthy habits prevent germs and infectious diseases from spreading. Learn, practice, and teach the following healthy habits: 1. Handle and prepare food safely. Food can carry germs. Wash hands, utensils,

and surfaces often when preparing any food, especially raw meat. Always wash fruits and vegetables. Cook and keep foods at proper temperatures.

Don’t leave food out refrigerate promptly.

2. Wash hands often. Learn how, when, and why to wash your hands.

3. Clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces.

Germs can live on surfaces.

Cleaning with soap and water is usually enough. However, you should disinfect your bathroom and kitchen regularly. Disinfect other areas if someone in the house is ill. You can use an EPA certified disinfectant (look for the EPA registration number on the label), bleach solution, or rubbing alcohol.

4. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Learn how and when to cover your cough and sneeze.

5. Don’t share personal items. Avoid sharing personal

items that can’t be disinfected, like toothbrushes and razors, or sharing towels between washes.

Needles should never be shared, should only be used once, and then thrown away properly.

6. Get vaccinated. Vaccines can prevent many infectious diseases. You should get some vaccinations in childhood, some as an adult, and some for special situations like pregnancy and travel. Make sure you and your family are upto-date on your vaccinations.

If your regular doctor does not offer the vaccine you need, visit the Adult Immunization and Travel Clinic.

7. Avoid touching wild animals. You and your pets should avoid touching wild animals which can carry germs that cause infectious diseases.

If you are bitten, talk to your doctor. Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up-todate.

8. Stay home when sick.

(San Francisco Public Health Department)

ON VIEW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UNITED STATES

Asia Society Museum, New York THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2016

“Gorgeous” – New York Times “Fantastic” – New Yorker

Monday, Nov. 23, 6pm - 8:30pm 55 West 13th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY APPLYING to high school?

A last-chance workshop for parents and students!

Join Clara Hemphill and the staff of Insideschools as we help you rank your high school choices before the December 1 application deadline.

We’ll tackle these last minute

From Page 3

questions and more: • What to do if you and your child disagree?

• My dream school is far away. Is the commute worth it?

• What are good choices for the “B” student?

• Is it worth applying to a screened school if I don’t have

tip-top grades?

Insideschools.org is a project of the Center for New York City Affairs, an applied policy research institute based at the Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy.

Whatever happened...

The bigger part of defeating the darkness of the soul lies within one’s self. Seek the light every which way possible, both physical and spiritual. Even the very act of being exposed to sunlight can fight off the sadness that afflicts many when the fall and winter seasons with their diminished amounts of sunlight come every year.

If you have strayed from the Christian faith, come back, renew and rekindle that relationship with God. He is the vine; we are the branches. Cut off from God, we wither and die.

In daily life, seek the company of genuinely happy people who have that buoyant tendency to lift others. They have the force of high tide that lifts all boats.

Cheerfulness is the daylight of the soul. Bask in joy-filled people’s megawatt light until you can generate your own. It may just be a flicker of hope in the beginning that grows into a bigger flame that may become a bonfire blazing within one’s soul. Quite possibly, with the Holy Spirit’s help, that once-ailing soul can

become a light bright enough to give hope to others similarly situated.

Like anyone else, cheerful people do have problems and undergo dark times. But they have within their inmost core, a steady spark of God’s light that enables them to tap a wellspring of joy, no matter what season of the soul they are going through. You must stay away from negative, depressed people.

Darkness can and will go viral given the chance. They have twice the force of gravity to bring you down to the depths of despair.

In my pedestrian view, since deep depression is essentially a disease that afflicts the mind and withers the soul, all physical remedies seem to me to fall far short of true healing. A spiritual illness can only be cured by spiritual means. Match the method to the madness.

A leap of faith is a must.

God is light and only God can dispel the darkness of one’s soul. Without God, one can do nothing.

The promise is clear for many

who have remained steadfast in their faith. Faith is the solid and unwavering core belief that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead so we may live happily ever after far beyond death into eternity. This is the ending really worth seeking for every life story.

Rock solid faith brings a bottomless well of hope. Faith gives us a deep, down to the marrow, heartfelt and genuine appreciation of God’s unfailing love to see us through and bring us home in His own good and perfect timing.

God gave us life as a gift. Our gift to God in return, is to live as joyfully as possible the whole enchilada, the full measure of that life until we are called home.

What then is the ultimate weapon against dangerous depression that afflicts many today? It is JOY, the pure and simple expression of gratitude for GOD’S ENDURING LOVE. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

(Detail) Kinnari. Surigao. Ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. Ayala Museum, 81.5189. Photography by Leandro Y. Locsin, Jr.; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

J

oin us for an exhibition of over 100 spectacular works of gold, highlighting the prosperity and achievements of 10th–13th century Philippine kingdoms. A point of great pride for the Filipino community, this exhibition is a rare opportunity to experience the rich culture and heritage of the Philippines. A season of related programs celebrates Philippine culture, performing arts, film, design, cuisine, and more.

Exhibition organized by Asia Society, New York, and Ayala Museum, Philippines.

Special Group Tour Packages available for $20.00 per person; includes: A docent-led tour of the exhibition, a snack and drink from the Garden Court Café, and 10% off purchases at AsiaStore. Reservations required. Please email PhilippineGold@AsiaSociety.org or call 212.327.9237.

EXHIBITION

Video Spotlight: Philippines Through January 31, 2016 LOBBY SHOWCASE

Filipino Design Now Through January 3, 2016 FILM

Apparition Saturday, November 14 • 5:00

PM

FAMILY PERFORMANCE

Kinding Sindaw Sunday, November 15 • 2–4

PM

FILM

On the Job Sunday, November 15 • 5:00

PM

ASIASTORE SALE EVENT

Lenora Cabili Tuesday, December 1 • 12:00–3:30

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms is made possible by Ayala Corporation with additional support provided by Bank of the Philippine Islands, Del Monte Foods, Inc., Philippine Airlines, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel, Tourism Promotions Board, Philippines, and other generous benefactors.

725 Park Ave. (at 70th St.) New York • 212.288.6400 AsiaSociety.org/NYC

PERFORMANCE

A “Golden” Opportunity Filipino New York Stories Friday, December 4 • 8

PM

For details and tickets, visit AsiaSociety.org/Philippines2015 or call the box office at 212.517.ASIA (2742) Monday through Friday, 1–5 PM.

PM

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An Asian Journal Magazine

The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 20, 20 1 5

Filipina photographer included in BBC 100 Women of 2015 list

by Julie

espinosa Inquirer.net

XYzA Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic worker-turned-street photographer, shared on Wednesday, Nov. 18 that has been included in the list of the BBC 100 Women of 2015.

“Very Honored to be one of the BBC 100 Women of 2015 from all corners of the world. Thank you so much Sarah Bukley and BBC. This is awesome! Yey! #100Women #MagnumFoundation #BBC #Pinay #Ofw Thanks to my Ma and Pa who always inspire me!” the 28 year old enthused on her Facebook account.

Bacani started working as a maid in Hong Kong at the age of 19 with her mother. To unwind, she began taking casual pictures which evolved into dramatic street photographs that gave a raw look into the lives of people from diverse backgrounds.

She is known for her remarkable black-and-white photos which have been featured in several international news sites, such as CNN and The New York Times.

“Having worked as a domestic worker in Hong Kong for almost

Xyza Cruz Bacani, a Filipina domestic worker-turned-street photographer.

AJPress file photo by Momar G. Visaya

a decade, Xyza tells the stories of the victims of human rights violations through photography,” BBC describes the Filipina on its website.

The BBC 100 Women of 2015 is a list “of the most inspirational women across the world” named by the British media outlet. The

list features “30 entrepreneurs under the age of 30 and inspiring women over the age of 80,” as well as “nurses on the front line, young female film-makers documenting the pressures and expectations in their community and leaders in science, politics, education and the arts.”

Pinoy makes it to ‘X Factor Australia’ grand finals by chuck

smith Philstar.com

Cyrus is mentored by American rock musician Chris Isaak.

MANILA—For the second year The Filipino-Australian singer in a row, a Filipino has made it to impressed the judges with his the grand finals of reality talent performance of Phil Collins’ “In show “X Factor Australia.”

The Air Tonight” on Monday, Nov. On Tuesday, Nov. 17 it was 16. announced that Filipino-Australia “That was a grand final-type Cyrus Villanueva was part of the performance. You have to vote for “X Factor Australia” top three, thus something like that. You have to making him part of the show’s be there, Cyrus. Please everyone, grand finals which will be held next please,” Dannii Minogue said of week.

Cyrus’ performance.

The 19-year-old singer will This isn’t the first time a Filipino-Australia Cyrus Villanueva is part of compete with Over 25s artist Louise the grand finals of “X Factor Australia.”

Pinoy made it this far in “X Factor Adams (mentored by James Blunt) Australia.” Last year, Filipina teen and Groups artist Jess & Matt become the winner of “X Factor Marlisa Punsalan won the show’s (mentored by Guy Sebastian) to Australia” season seven. sixth season.

APEC delegates chill out on Filipino cuisine, pop music by pocholo

concepcion

Inquirer.net

ON Monday, Nov. 16, it felt like the Philippines was the safest place on Earth as 600 foreign guests—among the 7,000 delegates representing 21 countries to the ongoing AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business forum—savored creative takes on Filipino and international cuisine while chilling out on traditional and contemporary Pinoy music.

The occasion was a welcome dinner for the delegates of the Apec ministerial meetings at the Marriott hotel in the Resorts World Manila complex.

A four-course meal was served at Marriott Manila’s newly built grand ballroom.

The scene was relaxed during cocktail hour at the ballroom lobby, where people of different nationalities mixed freely while sipping wine. A few were fiddling on their mobile phones.

Everyone seemed in a convivial mood. At one table, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel engaged in animated banter with Egyptian Ambassador to the Philippines Mahmoud Mostafa Ahmed Mohamed. Their laughter was contagious.

Every so often, guests were spotted exchanging calling cards. The Japanese contingent was quite obvious with their customary bows in the course of introductions.

Soft rondalla music was played while the guests waited for dinner.

‘Mangga,’ ‘hipon,’ ‘binakol’ First served was an appetizer of Ensaladang Mangga

APEC 2015 CEO Summit guests line up at the roast beef station.

at Hipon (green mango and prawn salad), followed by a soup of Chicken Binakol (double-boiled chicken with papaya and young coconut).

This Ilonggo version of tinola came in a coconut shell.

The main course was Roasted US Beef Tenderloin with Seared Atlantic Scallops and crushed potato, bell pepper relish and organic petit carrots with liver jus.

Dessert consisted of Leche Flan with Macapuno (caramel custard with young coconut), Turon (sweet banana roll with jackfuit) and Tropical Island Fruit Salad.

Manila Polo Club president Isabel Caro Wilson took note of the tastiness of the dishes, considering the large number of guests, though the Binakol was not warm enough. “The steak’s really good,” she said, as Goldberg quipped: “Well, this is an American hotel…”

A special cultural performance commenced. Dubbed “Archipelago of Sounds,”

the show featured renowned soprano Rachelle Gerodias who sang Filipino classics Buhat and Ikaw; West End theater star Joanna Ampil did a reprise of her Miss Saigon piece On My Own, including a Tagalog version. The world famous Philippine Madrigal Singers offered a touching rendition of the Visayan love song Usahay.

But it was the old pop hit Manila that had the guests smiling and swaying on their seats. Ampil and Gerodias joined rock and pop singers Jett Pangan and VJ Caber, along with musical theater star Aicelle Santos, in a lively version of the Hotdog hit. Dancers used stylized jeepneys as props.

Seen lingering after the show were Bernard Morgan of the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and wife Margaret. Bernard, who was wearing a barong Tagalog said, “We had so much fun, we were waiting if there was an act two!”

Lani Misalucha’s inimitable vocal power...

Review Journal with the title “New Siren of the Strip” aptly attached to (Minuro Endo Best Interpreter/Singer her name.

Award), during the 3rd Asia Song With resolute dedication to Festival and the Aliw Awards Best her craft coupled with unrelenting Lounge Act trophy and the Best perseverance in honing her talent, Performance by a Female Recording Lani’s prominence in the field of Artist (for Can’t Stop Loving You) in entertainment farther surpassed her 1999. numerous awards and recognitions One wonders if Lani’s trophy when two city resolutions were room has still enough space for passed in honor of her distinct her flooding awards. From Aliw talent: first by then Las Vegas Mayor Awards alone, she has consistently Oscar Goodman that declared received “Best Female Performance December 4 as “Lani Misalucha Day” in Music lounges, Bars, Clubs and and another from Mayor Willie L. Restaurants” for 3 consecutive years Brown, Jr. of San Francisco, California (1999-2002), “Entertainer of the Year which declared August 17 as “Lani Award” in 2002, “Best Performance Misalucha Day”. by a Recording Artist in the 20th Awit Her inimitably powerful vocal Awards, and more. supremacy has incessantly received Her released studio albums well-deserved recognitions and sufficiently attest to her awards most recently of which are unprecedented status in the “Female Concert Artist of 2015” for recording industry. Consider these: her “La Nightingale” concert and More Than I Should (Alpha Records, “The Ultimate” with Asia’s Songbird, 1997), Tunay Na Mahal (Viva Records, Regine Velasquez.

1999), All Heart (Viva Records, 2001), Despite success and fame and Loving You (2003), Lani Misalucha being idolized, top celebrities like (Universal Records, 2006), Reminisce Lani Misalucha aren’t spared from (Universal Records, 2008), The Gift of wagging tongues and negative Christmas (Universal Records, 2008), issues thrown by detractors. In Lani’s and The Nightingale Returns (Star case, a few haters capitalized on her Records, 2014). undergoing beauty enhancements Lani’s Live albums are composed and similar facial modifications of: Love Concert-Volumes 1 & 2 which the ever affable singer (2001), Crossover Live Tour-Volumes straightforwardly met head-on: 1 and 2 (2001), The Best of Crossover “I have nothing to hide or deny. I Presents (2003), and Lani Misalucha have been open about the whole Live -Volumes 1 and 2 Viva Records, thing. It was of my own choice to (2007). enhance what I felt I needed…for All her compilation albums, the perfection of my career...and (Greatest Hits (2005), Silver Series I feel proud of the results!” She (2006) and 18 Greatest Hits (2009), justifiably reasoned out sounding equally received tremendous defenselessly, “It’s not for me to acceptance among her fans and opine why others don’t want tin pan alley aficionados. It was one to undergo such enhancement exceptional achievement seldom process…it’s their choice and I attained by anyone among her respect whatever reason they have.” peers.. such feat tough to duplicate.

Her rationale was generally Overseas, The Flamingo along accepted by beauty experts with the brightly lit strip of Las Vegas command knowledgeability on became home to the determined personality development and fortune-seeker in 2004 and since public appeal. They all find Lani’s turned out to be a regular performer enhanced image perfectly fit for the in various venues in different world stage and strongly boosted occasions. Impressively, Lani was her physical appeal during public the first and only Asian to headline appearances. in a main showroom of the Las In the local entertainment Vegas Strip. Her initial stint at the arena, the moniker Lani Misalucha is, Jubilee Theater of the Bally’s for 15 undoubtedly, already synonymous months with the famous Hawaiian to an award-winning singervariety troupe, Society of Seven, performer with an etched credibility offered her a much broader range of of a sold-out-tag duly stamped to opportunity to master pop, rock, jazz, her every show. After having had soul, rhythm and blues, and operatic staged her acts all throughout arias effortlessly until the group the country and Asia, including moved to Flamingo from August of America where she just successfully 2006 to April 2008. concluded a concert at the Portage As if profoundly guided in Theater in Chicago, Illinois last treading the right track to triumph October 24. The Pinay Diva is slated Lani was deservingly voted “Best for another US performance… this Singer” during the 27th Annual Best time at the Town Hall in the heart of of Las Vegas poll by the Las Vegas Times Square in New York City.

From Page 4

It is without any doubt, the incomparable “Siren of the Strip” and one of the Philippines’ best vocal exports, has nothing more to prove to confirm her dominance in the field she enjoys reigning for decades.

Everything for her is purely to entertain her fans while simultaneously releasing the very intensity of the passion she loves doing best---singing!

Sharing the concert stage with Lani is an equally multitalented fast-rising tenor-pop star Jared Martin, the pride of Toms River, New Jersey. His impressive educational foundation (Master’s Degree in Music Education with Presidential Honors for Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance), stage and theatrical performances (with Gabby Concepcion, Bert Nievera, Lani Misalucha, Jodi Benson, Raymond Lauchengco, Martin Nievera, and Joey Albert), and worthy community service justifiably made him a deserving recipient of awards and recognition from different organizations. Just recently, he was proclaimed “Grand Winner” of Freehold Idol 2015.

Come and bear witness to Lani Misalucha’s exceedingly powerful voice on Sunday, November 22, at the Town Hall along 123 W 43rd St., New York, NY, as she unleashes a universal crescendo of her angst, tormenting sorrows, rupturing pains, euphoric stance, and fondest thoughts when she celebrates life through her own brand of music.

With highly esteemed musician Lorrie Ilustre as concert Musical Director and a 5-piece band for accompaniment with 4 back-up dancers direct from Las Vegas, plus the inclusion of the east coast’s best tenor-pop artist and most indemand male performer from Toms River, Jared Martin, “Lani Misalucha, Live in New York” isn’t only touted to hit the mark but already evaluated (this early) to enjoy a rousing definitude of its sensational success.

Incidentally, the show is brought to stage through the courtesy of JB Entertainment Productions’ major sponsors: Blakely Hotel, Western Union, and DirecTV with the support of friends and local publications.

Tickets are pegged at $48, $68, $88, $108, & $138. For details, more info, and ticket reservations, please call: 732-929-3909 or 201388-1927. Proceeds beneficiaries: ABS-CBN Bantay-Bata 163 and the Filipino-American Community Development Center, Inc. (FCDC).

For comments and suggestions, please email: gemini0646@yahoo. com.

Karen Davila opens up on ‘awkward’ interview with Alma Moreno

MANILA—”My job is to ask the hard questions.”

Thus said Karen Davila on her viral television interview with actress and senatorial aspirant Alma Moreno.

Netizens went abuzz over Davila’s interview with Alma on her ANC morning program Headstart with Karen Davila which aired last week.

The interview, which tackled her senatorial bid, was deemed “awkward” and “uncomfortable” by viewers online due to Alma’s answers to question regarding reproductive health and her advocacy on women.

“Kailangan ko pa ba sagutin?”

Alma said when asked about her “yes, with reservations” stance on the reproductive health bill.

When asked how people should practice “control” regarding reproduction, Alma joked: “Kailangan palaging bukas ang ikaw.”

When the interview went viral, netizens used Karen’s Instagram account to express their opinion on the controversial Headstart episode.

One netizen commented: “Kahit ako pag may interview at on the spot, hindi ko kakayanin.

May mga tao kasi na mas magaling sa written, pwede mong i-edit lang.

Wala bang interview questions na binibigay bago ang interview? Sa akin kasi ang sukatan ng magaling na reporter, yung hindi lang ikaw ang lalabas na magaling.”

Karen replied and said: “NO, interview questions are

Inquirer.net

IT WILL be a sentimental homecoming for Rachelle Ann Go. Apart from having the opportunity to perform for her fellow Filipinos when she joins the international cast of the mammoth musical Les Miserables, Go will also get to invite her family and friends to watch the show in its Manila staging in March 2016.

Go told the Inquirer that she would only be part of the Manila run of the musical’s Asian tour and would fly back to London after.

(Go was handpicked to portray Fantine in the West End production of Les Miz quick on the heels of her stint as Gigi in the 25th anniversary revival of Miss Saigon in London last year.

Les Miz producer Cameron Mackintosh recalled that Go “received enormous acclaim in Miss Saigon. Over the last 25 years, I have had a wonderfully rewarding relationship with Filipino talent, introducing the best of them to audiences around the world. I am thrilled that one of my productions can be seen in its full splendor in Manila.”

Joining Go in the Manila stop of Les Miz are Simon Gleeson as Valjean and Earl Carpenter as Javert.

Les Miz, which goes onstage at The Theatre of Solaire next year, is presented by Smart Infinity, said Bambi Verzo of Concertus Manila.

Excerpts from the Inquirer interview with Go: What are your hopes and fears as you prepare for ‘Les Miz’ in Manila?

I am more hopeful than fearful. I’m looking forward to it with anticipation and excitement because Filipinos will be able to watch an international cast and fall in love with the musical as millions of people around the world have.

Alma Moreno and Karen Davila are hot trending topics on social media over the latter’s interview with the actress about her senatorial bid. Netizens called the interview “awkward.” “>Let’s challenge our candidates to be their best,” Davila said in a tweet.

Instagram photo by Karen Davila

never given to an interviewee.

I research a lot & try and come as prepared as I can every single day. If you watched the interview in full, you will see that I shifted to Tagalog, during many times—I tried to help her. My previous interviews were much tougher—w/ Sen. Bongbong Marcos for example or MIAA GM Anghel Honrado. When someone is running for higher office—they must have an understanding of issues. This is a standard we owe to the Filipino people. You will choose in the end. My job is to ask the hard questions.“ The broadcaster also noted that she did not ask Alma about other national issues and instead

focused on the reproductive health law because “because she said her advocacy is on women.”

“Please note—I didn’t ask Ms Alma Moreno about the West Phil Sea issue, but moved to RH Law because she said her advocacy is on “women.” I took on from there—her thoughts on RH Law which is a landmark law crafted for women.”

Karen also responded to questions about the interview on her Twitter account.

She noted that her program already interviews the likes of Cong.

Manny Pacquiao and presidential aspirant Mar Roxas in the past.

She also said: “Let’s challenge our candidates to be their best. #Halalan2016”

have some fun while I am there performing in Les Miz. What’s next for you after ‘Les Miz?’ Not really sure, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

How about trying your luck on Broadway?

After performing in Manila, I will go back to the West End. If I am given a chance to work on Broadway, I would definitely do it!

How did you change after a year in London?

I’ve become independent, and I am proud to say that I’ve learned how to cook (laughs). I love the fact that I can serve special dishes that Go was handpicked to play the “Les Miz” I’ve prepared for guests in my flat. character in the West End production.

For my British friends, I whip up What was your family’s Filipino dishes such as kare-kare, reaction when they learned you’d gising-gising, kaldereta, adobo. play Fantine? Were they relieved For my Filipino loved ones, I make that it isn’t as daring as Gigi? something that’s very English, like My relatives have yet to see me roast. as Fantine. I’m sure they’re excited I have to be more organized in to see me do it in Manila. managing my time between home Both Fantine and Gigi are and work, though. I’m not as shy iconic roles and can’t be compared. as I used to be. Dalaga na ako! (I’m However, my family is relieved that now a woman!)

Fantine is not “daring” at all.

What are the things that It helps me to focus better didn’t change? when I am wearing more clothes My faith. I always remind onstage…keeps the draft away myself that I am so blessed, and (laughs).

I should give everything back to How do you make Fantine God. relevant and alive every night I’m thankful to the Almighty onstage? and to dear friends and family Every woman in our society who are always there to give me will find herself identifying with support and encouragement. I will Fantine one way or another. I always feel grateful for all these can see myself in her because gifts. she is all alone in the world. I Who would you like to see feel lonely, too…since I am away in the audience when you play from my family while living in Fantine in Manila? Any special London, where I have to do the friend you’d like to invite? household chores on my own. But Everyone who watches Les the experience has also made me Miz is special to me. Anyone who stronger like Fantine. spends his or her hard-earned What do you miss most about money to buy a ticket to this show the Philippines? has a special place in my heart. And I miss the sights and sounds I will give my very best every time I of beautiful Manila. I hope to perform as Fantine onstage!

OPM artists pay tribute to Paris attack victims at nat’l music camp by

Joyce Jimenez

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 N OV E M B E R 2 0 -2 1

Free AARP TEK Mobile Technology Workshop What: A free technology workshop from AARP TEK Program AARP TEK and presented with AT&T’s generous support comes to Cerritos on Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st. Featuring 50-plus technology learners from the Cerritos area, AARP TEK representatives, and local elected officials, the “hands on” AARP TEK workshop is designed to enable people to leverage personal technology to enrich their lives and to educate the community on how they can maximize their use of their tablets and smartphones.

When: November 20th: 11 am - 1 pm: Intro to Smart Phones – Beginner Workshop 3 pm – 5 pm: Beyond the Basics: Smart Phones – Intermediate Workshop November 21st: 10 am - 12 noon: Intro to Smart Phones – Beginner Workshop 2 pm – 4 pm: Beyond the Basics: Smart Phones – Intermediate Workshop Where: Sheraton Cerritos Hotel, Garden Terrace Ballroom. 12725 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703 For more information on AARP TEK or for more details on scheduled workshops, visit the Events tab on aarptek.org.

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Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award For Excellence In Medicine, Education, Arts & Literature and The Youth When: Saturday, November 28, 2015, 1-6 pm Where: Astoria World Manor in Astoria, Queens, NY Hosted by: Knights of Rizal - New York For More Information, please contact: Atty. Ferdinand G. Suba, Esq., KCR Commander, Knights of Rizal - NY E-mail: SUBALAW@aol.com

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AAPA Awards Gala Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) will host The Achievement Awards & Graduation Gala, honoring prominent leaders who trailblaze and inspire others to become leaders, and celebrating the 2015 graduating class of AAPA Mentees. The theme is “Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity.” The gala will take place on Thursday, Dec 3 from 5:30pm - 9:30pm, at the Hilton San Gabriel (225 West Valley Blvd. San Gabriel, CA 91776).

Expose your brand to the professional community who are your customers, clients, potential employees, entrepreneurs, corporate and community leaders. Your support will directly benefit the AAPA mentees in the program. To purchase a ticket or ad, the cost is $50 each (limited time only); full/half/quarter page ad sizes are available in full color. Please visit http://aapaawards.eventbrite.com/ for more details and to RSVP by Nov. 13. Please get involved by emailing lia.andika@aapamentoring.com.

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Lenora Cabili / Fashion Lenora Cabili’s designs are inspired by tradition, mixing the past with present, creating unique garments that incorporate ancient techniques of weaving, embroidery and bead work from indigenous Filipino groups. Len’s mission is to create while also reviving and preserving ancient traditions, as she works with talented artisans across the Archipelago to provide opportunities to improve livelihoods.

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Santo Nino de Cebu Association Annual Dinner Dance The Santo Niño de Cebu Association of Southern California, Inc. will hold its ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE on December 5, 6pm - 12:00 midnight, at Almansor Court (700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra, CA 91801). For more details and reservations, please contact Helah (626) 215-2684, Gemma (909) 997-1026, Nelia (818) 425-9926, Joy (909) 228-0437 or Willo (818) 458-0779.

Pasigueñans of Northern California 30th Annual Fiesta Celebration The Pasigueñans of Northern California invites all Pasigueñans, families, and friends to its 30th Annual Fiesta in honor of its patroness, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

The annual fiesta will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm at Joseph A. Fernekes Building, in Orange Memorial Park (781 Tennis Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080). Celebration of the Holy Mass will be at 3:00pm, which will be followed by a sumptuous dinner, dancing, entertainment, and raffle drawing. For more information, please contact Flery Santos-Panganiban (707-567-4779), Polly Santiago-Cortez (925-8767695), Edna Balido-Reyes (925-260-9764), Edith Balido (925-681-9770), Chit Santos-Dalangin (707-704-7887), Marico Enriquez (650-483-8306), Oscar Rosales (707-332-4991), Jerry Field (925-681-0974), Marivic Beltran-Tuazon (707-656-1081), or Pete Saguisag (650994-0701).

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Pampanga High School Class of ’65 Golden Jubilee Celebration

Philstar.com

MANILA—Original Pilipino Music artists unite once again to inspire budding artists at the Elements Singing-Singwriting Camp at the Hacienda Isabella in Indang, Cavite.

Now on its sixth year, the Elements music camp is a five-day singing and songwriting workshop that aims to improve the musical talent of young Filipino aspiring artists through talks and seminars given by professional musicians.

The sixty participants were chosen through audition pieces they sent online.

The camp is headed by Ryan Cayabyab. The participants, called campers, will be mentored by some of the country’s most renowned artists including Jim Paredes, Audie Gemora, Joey Ayala, Chito Miranda, Ebe Dancel and Gloc 9.

Renowned songwriters Trina Belamide and Jungee Marcelo,

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY N Ov E m b E R 20, 20 1 5

Calendar of Events across America

Rachelle Ann’s sentimental homecoming

by Bayani San Diego Jr.

An Asian Journal Magazine

Ryan Cayabyab during the 6th Elements National Singing-Songwriting Camp at the Hacienda Isabella in Indang, Cavite on Sunday, Nov. 15.

conductor and musical arranger Gerard Salonga, and Star Records executive Jonathan Manalo also join as mentors.

Thryo Alfaro, co-winner of this year’s PhilPop songwriting competition and an Elements camper in 2013, is also a mentor this year.

Aside from workshops, the mentors will also work on a tribute for the victims of the recent Paris attack.

Cayabyab said that they will

be doing their own rendition of the song “Imagine” by John Lenon.

Jim Paredes will add few Filipino lines to the song to give it a “Filipino touch.”

Cayabyab explained that the tribute is not only for the victims in Paris but also “worldwide for those who suffered terrorism.”

After the news about the Paris attack came out, local celebrities joined the world in appealing to the public to pray for the victims.

The Class of 1965 of the Pampanga High School will hold “TULA ampong SAYA,” its 50th Anniversary Reunion, this coming December 29-30, in San Fernando Pampanga, Philippines. All 1965 graduates of the Pampanga High School (PHS), formerly the Jose Abad Santos High School (JASHS), and their spouses are welcome to all scheduled events. Admission is free. The celebration will begin with BISPERAS on December 29 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, enjoying fun games, old music, and togetherness at the DIASPORA FARM RESORT in Santa Barbara, Bacolor, Pampanga. On December 30, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, join us for KAPIYESTAN, a provincial fiesta luncheon featuring familiar Kapampangan dishes, at the Mulang Galang orchard in San Antonio, Mexico, Pampanga. The evening of Dec. 30 will conclude with TERAKAN, a gala dinnerdance from 6:30 pm to 12 midnight, at the Fortune Hongkong Seafood Restaurant in the San Fernando, Pampanga. Enjoy a fun evening of dancing to the retro music of Decadas and the mellow songs of folksinger Jerry. Class ‘65ers, please join us in celebrating our 50th Golden Anniversary! Full details on preparations, events and venues can be found on “TULA ampong SAYA,” on Facebook. For donations, interest in the 50th Anniversary Reunion souvenir memory book, highlighting the successes of individual Class ‘65ers and the accomplishments of the PHS Class ’65 Foundation, Inc., please contact the jubilee reunion organizing committee in the Philippines: Joseph Deang (0927-228-8588); Erlie Aquino Estandarte (0929-219-0248); Corazon Cunanan (0939-118-2888; 0926-660-35540); Cecille Morales Bernas (0932-509-2646); and Marcial Morales (0918-915-9095); and Dan Galang 0929-427-9308; 045-966-0764). In the US and Canada, please contact Dan Galang at (510) 487-5551 or at (510) 648-1047.

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

An Asian Journal Magazine

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The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY NOvEmbER 20, 2015