Orange County/Inland Empire -- February 12 -- 18, 2016

ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!

w w w. a s i a n j o u r n a l . c o m

w w w. a s i a n

.com K ? < = @ C @ G @ E F Æ8 D < I @ : 8 E : F D D L E @ K P E < N J G8 G < I

Volume 23 - No. 7 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

F E BR U A RY 1 2 - 1 8 , 2 0 1 6 8cjf glYc`j_\[ `e CFJ 8E><C<J# C8J M<>8J# EFIK?<IE :8C@=FIE@8# E<N PFIB&E<N A<IJ<P

()(' J% 9iXe[ 9cm[%# >c\e[Xc\# :8 0()'+ K\cj1 /(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0. =Xo1 /(/ ,')$'/,/ )(* +/($'/,+

ON ARBITRATION CASE OVER WEST PH SEA DISPUTE

G? \og\Zkj ?X^l\ ilc`e^ X^X`ejk :_`eX Yp DXp

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA—Outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Wednesday, Feb. 10 said that the Philippines is expecting the final ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on its case against China by May. In January 2014, the Philippines filed an arbitration case against China before the inter-

DATELINE

national tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands to invalidate the latter’s excessive claims in the South China Sea. “We hope that the decision will come out before May. We don’t know what the chances of that might be but it looks doable from where we sit,” Del Rosario told members of the press Del Rosario also expressed his concerns over China’s aggres-

sive activities in the disputed sea that undermine the territorial claims of its smaller neighbors.

Last month, Manila protested China’s test flights on Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Charles Jose said that China’s action was provocative and restricts freedom of navigation and overflight in the disputed G8>< 8) ?FD< :FLIK 8;M8EK8><% M`Z\ gi\j`[\ek`Xc Y\k J\eXkfi 9fe^Yfe^ DXiZfj _fc[j X dfkfiZX[\ `e _`j _fd\ gifm`eZ\ f] @cfZfj Efik\ [li`e^ k_\ jkXik f] k_\ ZXdgX`^e g\i`f[ ]fi eXk`feXc \c\Zk`fej fe Kl\j[Xp# =\Y% 0% @ehl`i\i%e\k g_fkf Yp E` f A\jlj FiY\kX

USA

AND THEY’RE OFF

Heated PH Presidential race begins

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Denver Broncos defeat Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 Fil-Am Jordan Norwood makes history for longest punt return MILLIONS of Americans tuned in on Sunday, Feb. 7, as the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 to win Super Bowl 50.

Playing at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the Broncos showed off their superior defense, gaining four turnovers — two of which resulted in touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Panthers struggled to ride on the momentum of their nearly undefeated season record.

Many analysts noted that Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton, who was named the 2015 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP), had an off night, failing to adapt to the Broncos’ rush. He was

Flk^f`e^ =fi\`^e 8]]X`ij J\Zi\kXip 8cY\ik [\c IfjXi`f

DFA chief wants to be remembered as a patriot

by CAMILLE

DIOLA Philstar.com

MANILA—Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 10 following the announcement of his resignation that he wants to be remembered as a patriot.

“When I first met President Aquino, his excellency stated that he had called for me because I was a fighter for democracy. In truth, I simply want to be remembered as a patriot,” Del Rosario said in a DFA statement.

G8>< 8)

MANILA — A cliffhanger of a race to lead the country began last Tuesday, Feb. 9, with five candidates claiming to have a genuine chance of succeeding President Aquino.

Since emerging from dictatorship three decades ago, the Philippines has seen its political scene dominated by elite families, celebrities, corruption and violence, which have contributed to near-constant chaos.

Those factors are once again dominant themes in this year’s contest for the presidency, as well as the thousands of national and local posts up for grabs in the May 9 elections.

The current presidential frontrunner is Sen. Grace Poe, an inexperienced politician

G8>< 8)

9`eXp Xe[ J\e% >i`e^f ?feXjXe

@ehl`i\i%e\k g_fkfj Yp Cpe I`ccfe

Medical breakthrough: Pinoys get first crack at dengue vaccine

G8>< 8)

by MICHAEL JOE

T. DELIZO

ManilaTimes.net

Over 600K driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants in CA ABOUT 605,000 undocumented immigrants residing in California were granted driver’s license in 2015, the first year that the state has permitted them to do so, according to a news release from the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

In October 2013, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation known as AB 60, which allows eligible undocumented immigrants in California to apply for driver’s licenses. The law further prohibits discrimination against undocumented immigrant drivers.

AB 60 allows individuals with these licenses to drive without fear of being fined or having their vehicle impounded.

License holders under the law, however, cannot use the identificaG8>< 8*

who is riding a wave of popularity among the tens of millions of poor Filipinos, due in part to her adopted father, Fernando Poe Jr. FPJ became one of the nation’s most loved actors by playing characters who championed the poor, and nearly translated that popularity into J\e% >iXZ\ Gf\ Xe[ ilee`e^ dXk\ J\e% :_`q political success by coming in <jZl[\if `e GcXqX D`iXe[X%

G_`cjkXi%Zfd g_fkf Yp <[[ >ldYXe second in the 2004 presidential elections.

Grace Poe, 47, launched her political career only three years ago when she entered the Senate, but has enjoyed huge success by trading on her father’s name while portraying herself as a reliable, honest advocate :XdgX`^e b`Zb$f]] f] M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek A\afdXi of the poor.

A VACCINE that prevents dengue is now available and Filipinos will get the first chance to try it.

Medical societies on Thursday, Feb. 11 launched Dengvaxia, which was developed and manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

“Our country has been in the [forefront] of clinical development of this

I<@EJK8K<% GXjX[\eX Z`kp f]ÔZ`Xcj# Zfddle`kp c\X[\ij# Xe[ elij\j fe K_lij[Xp# =\Y% + ZXcc\[ fe ?lek`e^kfe D\dfi`Xc ?fjg`kXc kf i\`ejkXk\ 8ccpj_X 8cdX[X Xe[ M`Zb` C`e# knf i\^`jk\i\[ elij\j k\id`eXk\[ Yp k_\ _fjg`kXc cXjk p\Xi% 8AGi\jj g_fkf Yp :_i`jk`eX D% Fi`\c

National labor board rules in favor of fired Fil-Am nurse

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

labor board’s decision at a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 4. “…The first emotion I felt hearing about PASADENA, Calif.—The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found merit the NLRB ruling was a state of shock and to allegations that two Asian American then it easily turned into elation,” Alregistered nurses were illegally termi- mada, a 28-year-old Filipino-American nated from Huntington Memorial Hos- nurse told the Asian Journal. “It’s an, us versus them, David versus Goliath, kind pital in this city.

The nurses, Allysha Almada and of situation. Here we are, we’re going Vicki Lin, were joined by city officials up against a large community hospital G8>< 8* and community leaders to applaud the AJPress

dengue vaccine because we are the only country that has reached the three phases of clinical development. Phases 1, 2 and 3 were conducted in the Philippines,” Rose Capeding, a doctor who heads the Department of Microbiology at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, said.

The health breakthrough is the culmination of more than two decades of G8>< 8*

8)

_kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd /(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0.

=<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(- F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Denver Broncos defeat Carolina Panthers...

G8>< 8( sacked seven times during the game.

During the second quarter of the game, Broncos’ wide receiver Jordan Norwood — who is a quarter Filipino — set a Super Bowl record with a 61-yard punt return.

Norwood received the punt at the Broncos’ 25-yard line and

ran it down the right sideline all the way to the Panthers’ 14-yard line. Though Norwood’s run was unable to secure a touchdown, Denver earned a field goal that put them ahead 13-7.

The previous record was a 45-yard return by 49ers wide receiver John Taylor in Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals.

At 39 years old, Peyton Manning of the Broncos became the oldest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history. Manning, whose 18-year career includes includes two Super Bowl titles and 200 career wins, is expected to retire, though he has yet to announce that decision. He is also the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams, winning Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts.

“You know, I’ll take some time to reflect,” Manning said during a post-game interview. “I have a couple of priorities first. I want to go kiss my wife and my kids, I want to go hug my family. I’m going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight. I promise you that. I’m going to take care of those things first, and say a little prayer to thank the man upstairs for this great opportunity. I’m just very grateful.”

For six tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles — leading to defensive and offensive touchdowns — Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was named MVP following the game.

Sunday marked the Broncos’ third Super Bowl title in franchise history. ”We had our opportunities.

There wasn’t nothing special that they did. We dropped balls.

We turned the ball over, gave up sacks, threw errant passes. That’s it. They scored more points than we did,” Panthers quarterback Newton said after the game.

Aside from the game itself, the most-anticipated part of the game was the halftime show, featuring Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars. Against a colorful backdrop, Coldplay delivered a medley of their hits, but guest stars Beyonce, performing her new song “Formation,” and Bruno Mars, singing and grooving to Uptown Funk,” stole the show.

Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach — who was reporting as a special correspondent for “Inside Edition” — praised Beyonce on Twitter, saying “From Queen to Queen, @Beyonce you owned the show! –Pia.” Super Bowl 50 was the thirdmost-watched television program in the United States with 111.9 million viewers, falling short to beat the viewership records from the last two years. (AJPress)

9C8:B ?@JKFIP DFEK?% Jkl[\ekj g\i]fid ]fccfn`e^ X [Xp$cfe^ [XeZ\ nfibj_fg `e Z\c\YiXk`fe f] 9cXZb ?`jkfip Dfek_ _`^_c`^_k`e^ k_\ Zfeki`Ylk`fej 8]i`ZXe 8d\i`ZXe nfd\e _Xm\ dX[\ kf [XeZ\# `e k_\ <Xjk Iffd f] k_\ N_`k\ ?flj\ fe Dfe[Xp# =\Y% /%

N_`k\ ?flj\ g_fkf Yp 8dXe[X ClZ`[fe

G? \og\Zkj ?X^l\ ilc`e^%%% G8>< 8( sea.

China, however, insisted that the flights conducted by its aircraft fall completely with its sovereignty. Beijing accused the Manila of having ulterior motives with its claims.

Del Rosario said that the South China Sea dispute will be discussed in the upcoming

Association of Southeast Asian Nations-US Summit in California from February 15 to 16.

US President Barack Obama will host the meeting which will also be attended by President Benigno Aquino III and his counterparts from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We want to bring to the fore the rule of law, we want to discuss freedom of navigation, we want to look at the island-building, as well as the question of de-facto ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone) and arbitration. Those are the topics that we will be looking at,” Del Rosario said.

DFA chief wants to be remembered as...

G8>< 8(

Del Rosario, 76, served as the country’s top diplomat amid the maritime flare-up with China, global security challenges confronting Filipino workers and the need to reposition the Philippines in the international economic landscape.

A successful businessman, Del Rosario was appointed ambassador to the United States under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo before he was removed from his post for opposing her declaration of a state of national emergency in 2006.

President Benigno Aquino III in 2011 placed Del Rosario at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

On Monday, Feb. 8 Malacañang

confirmed reports that Del Rosario has tendered his resignation from the DFA citing health reasons. Del Rosario, who is set to step down from office in March, said his age does not allow him to continue in government and in foreign service.

Thanking his colleagues, Del Rosario said he plans to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family while working on his health.

“It has been a real honor and privilege to have worked with all the outstanding men and women of the ‘department that never sleeps.’ Please accept my most profound appreciation for all your hard work, sacrifice and service and above all, for reaching beyond your grasp,” he said.

He also delivered a message to members of the media, whom he described as having “an inherent love of our people and our country and their uniting with us in promoting our national interest.”

In a get-together on Wednesday, Del Rosario expressed his hope that the next administration would embrace a principled foreign policy.

Del Rosario said he has recommended someone to Aquino to replace him, but he leaves the final decision to the president.

“I have made my recommendation. As a matter of course the president has the last say and my sense is that he’ll be making an announcement soon,” Del Rosario said.

Heated PH Presidential race begins G8>< 8(

However, opponents have petitioned the Supreme Court to disqualify Poe, arguing she cannot prove she is a natural-born Filipino because she does not know who her biological parents are.

The SC could also disqualify Poe for failing to meet residency rules, because she spent many years living in the US and gained US citizenship before renouncing it and returning home.

If Poe is knocked out, with a court ruling expected during the campaign, the nation would be plunged into political turmoil with three contenders who are currently each polling about 20 percent support ready to pounce.

A major contender is Vice President Jejomar Binay, who heads the main opposition party.

Binay, 73, has spent decades building a vast political machine but he has had to endure a barrage of corruption allegations that have seen him lose his frontrunner status.

A Senate committee recently recommended Binay be charged with graft for kickbacks allegedly taken during his long stint as mayor of the nation’s financial capital, Makati.

President Aquino, who has overseen growth averaging 6.2 percent since 2010 and won international applause for trying to fight corruption, wants to hand over the keys to the presidential palace to longtime ally Mar Roxas.

However Roxas, 58, a US-educated investment banker from one of the nation’s richest families, has consistently trailed Poe and Binay in surveys. Analysts blame a lack of charisma and inability to connect with the poor masses.

In contrast, controversial populist politician Rodrigo Duterte, 70, is making a spectacular charge for the presidency by vowing a ruthless crackdown on crime.

Human rights groups have accused Duterte of running vigilante “death squads” that killed more than 1,000 suspected criminals during his many years as mayor of the major southern city of Davao.

Duterte has acknowledged the

C`Y\iXc GXikp CG Gi\j`[\ek`Xc :Xe[`[Xk\ ]fid\i ;@C> J\Zi\kXip DXel\c ÈDXiÉ IfoXj @@ Xe[ CG M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek`Xc :Xe[`[Xk\ :XdXi`e\j Jli *i[ ;`jki`Zk I\gi\j\ekXk`m\ DXi`X C\fefi ÈC\e`É IfYi\[f# ÕXj_\j k_\ CXYXe ÈCÉ j`^e [li`e^ k_\ b`Zb f]] ZXdgX`^e jfik`\ `e :Xg`q fe Kl\j[Xp# =\Y% 0% DXcXZX Xe^ g_fkf Yp >`c EXik\X

;XmXf :`kp DXpfi If[i`^f ;lk\ik\ Xe[ J\e% 8cXe G\k\i :Xp\kXef Xk k_\`i gifZcXdXk`fe iXccp `e Kfe[f# DXe`cX% G_`cjkXi%Zfd g_fkf Yp 9\ieXi[f 9Xkl`^Xj

Gi\j`[\ek`Xc ZXe[`[Xk\ J\eXkfi D`i`Xd ;\]\ejfi JXek`X^f Xe[ m`Z\ gi\j`[\ek`Xc ZXe[`[Xk\ J\eXkfi =\i[`eXe[ È9fe^Yfe^É DXiZfj [li`e^ k_\ gifZcXdXk`fe iXccp Xk @d\c[X :lckliXc :\ek\i# 9XkXZ :`kp# @cfZfj Efik\# fe Kl\j[Xp# =\Y% 0# [li`e^ k_\ jkXik f] k_\ 0'$[Xp ZXdgX`^e g\i`f[%

@ehl`i\i%e\k g_fkf Yp E` f A\jlj FiY\kX

existence of the death squads and said in speeches and press conferences in recent months that he had overseen the killing of drug traffickers.

The fifth contender is Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who chose Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as her runningmate.

Santiago reiterated that she

will be running for the highest position for the third time to stop the corruption in the government.

Despite claims she has beaten cancer and her popularity among the younger voters with her strong presence in social media, Santiago has consistently trailed in the surveys. (Philstar.com)

/(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0. _kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd

;8K<C@E< LJ8

F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C =<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(-

8*

Obama sends Congress record National labor board rules in favor... $4.1 trillion 2017 fiscal budget G8>< 8(

1.5 percent gain this year.

Obama’s new budget projects a deficit for the current 2016 PRESIDENT Barack Obama budget year of $616 billion, sent Congress his eighth and fiwhich is sharply higher than the nal budget of his presidency on latest forecast by the CongresTuesday, Feb. 9. The proposal sional Budget Office (totaling includes a spending record of $544 billion). $4.1 trillion on a number of iniRepublicans have long comtiatives, from a new war on canplained that Obama has failed to cer to combating global warming attack the chief cause of future to fighting growing threats from deficits. Previous Obama budIslamic State militants. gets did propose such things “While it is important to take as slowing the automatic inflastock of our progress, this Budtion increase for Social Security. get is not about looking back at However, the President abanthe road we have traveled. It is doned those proposals when it about looking forward and makbecame clear that Republicans ing sure our economy works for were opposed to his suggestions everybody, not just those at the to raise taxes on the wealthy in top,” the President states in an order to benefit programs for the emailed fact sheet on the 2017 working poor. fiscal year budget. “It is about On Tuesday, White House ofchoosing investments that not Gi\j`[\ek 9XiXZb FYXdX

N_`k\ ?flj\ g_fkf Yp G\k\ JflqX ficials expressed their goal to only make us stronger today, but obtain bipartisan support for a also reflect the kind of country we to bring in an additional $319 bil- number of Obama’s initiatives, aspire to be--the kind of country lion in revenue--had “no chance such as the effort to combat herwe want to pass on to our chil- of congressional approval.” The oin and opioid addiction, fund dren and grandchildren.” administration announced they a “moonshot” initiative to cure The proposed spending plan would use the money to fund cancer, and expand tax credits applies for the budget year billions of dollars in alternative for the working poor. that begins Oct. 1, just three-and- transportation programs as part Other elements of his proposal a-half months before he leaves of the president’s efforts to deal include ideas to appeal to Demooffice, according to the Associ- with global warming. crats: increasing Pell Grants for ated Press. It addresses issues Ryan also pledged that House college students from low-insuch as climate change, health- Republicans would produce a come backgrounds; bolster funds care, opportunities for small budget that does reach balance for the Securities and Exchange businesses and students, as well in coming weeks.

Commission and the Commodas national and economic secu“In 2016, we will make it our ity Futures Trading Commission; rity. goal to pass all 12 appropria- funding the Treasury’s State Obama already faces heavy tion bills through regular order,” Small Business Credit Initiative fire from the GOP-controlled Ryan said back in December, (SSBCI); and renewing incenCongress, which is not expected laying out his plans for the year tives for GOP-governed states to to approve the proposal, and has ahead. “This hasn’t been done join the expanded Medicaid syscalled it “dead on arrival.” since 1994--but it’s how Con- tem, established under his landOverall, Obama’s budget gress ought to operate so that mark health care law. would increase taxes by $2.6 we can better protect the taxSeparately, Obama has also trillion in the coming decade- payer dollars and make our place proposed $1.8 billion in emer- nearly double the $1.4 trillion the true representative body that gency spending to combat the in new taxes Obama sought and it is.”

Zika virus, on top of the $1.1 trilfailed to achieve in last year’s Even with the increased taxes, lion catchall spending bill that budget.

Obama’s budget projects sharply passed in December.

Congressional Republicans higher deficits in the near future, The budget also pledges to inhave already said they will ig- totaling $9.8 trillion over the next crease military spending to fight nore the proposal, rather than decade. Last summer, Obama’s terrorist threats, and help make engage in another round of baseline forecast a deficit of $8 Americans safer. It includes in“fiscal brinksmanship” with the trillion over the next decade. creased support (around $19 president, said the Washington Much of the deficit problem billion) for cybersecurity, upPost. stems from the surge in spend- grading computers across gov“President Obama will leave ing on benefit programs like ernment agencies in the wake office having never proposed Social Security and Medicare, of last year’s major federal hack, a budget that balances — ever. whose budgets are predicted to which compromised the perThis isn’t even a budget so much soar with the retirement of mil- sonal information of 21 million as it is a progressive manual for lions of baby boomers.

Americans. growing the federal government “The budget that we are reThe budget sees the economy at the expense of hardworking growing at a 2.6 percent rate this leasing today reflects my prioriAmericans,” said House Speaker year, although administration of- ties and the priorities I believe Paul Ryan (R-Wis). ficials noted that projection was will help advance security and GOP lawmakers said Obama’s finalized in November, before re- prosperity for America for many proposal to impose a $10-per- cent stock market slide. Inflation years to come,” Obama told rebarrel tax on crude oil--in order would remain low, registering a porters at the White House.

by ALLYSON

ESCOBAR

AJPress

Over 600K driver’s licenses issued to...

G8>< 8( tion to board planes for domestic flights. Furthermore, it does not grant these individuals a pathway to apply for a US passport, a way to work, or legal residency status.

A dozen other states, along with Washington D.C., have

similar laws for undocumented immigrants.

“If you can approve policies that integrate immigrants, I think it’s a win-win for all people in a big state like California,” said Luis Alejo, a member of the California Assembly and author of the bill, according to Agence-

France Presse.

In February, March and April, more than 70,000 licenses were issued per month.

A total of 830,000 individuals applied for licenses under AB 60 between Jan. 2, 2015 to Dec. 31, 2015. (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

Medical breakthrough: Pinoys get...

G8>< 8(

scientific innovation, collaboration and research involving 25 clinical trials among more than 14,000 individuals in 15 countries.

The vaccine provides protection from four dengue strains. It has proven effective in preventing nine out of 10 severe dengue and eight out of 10 hospitalizations among those aged nine to 45.

Sally Gatchalian, who is president of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of the Philippines, noted that the cost of the vaccine “is very affordable and reasonable.”

“The first thing we need to understand and realize is that dengue is a devastating disease.

It does not have only medical burden but there is economic burden, there’s social burden, emotional and psychological stress, and trauma not only to the patients but the whole family as well,” Gatchalian said.

Cecilia Montalban, president of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, noted that more than 110,000 Filipinos get sick of dengue annually. The government spends P16.7 billion every year due to the viral infection.

In the last 50 years, the mosquito-borne disease has spread

to 128 countries where around 3.9 billion people live. Dengue incidence has increased 30-fold, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Experts said that the vaccine is expected to reduce dengue mortality.

“Our aim is to protect our patients as much as possible. We don’t want them to be hospitalized. Prevention is now available and that is the most important thing. We suggest and recommend that you go visit a physician, have yourself and your children assessed and evaluated to get the vaccine,” Gatchalian said.

that has millions of dollars to essentially spend fighting us when that money should be going to patient care. We’ve seen them direct money and funds from patients into fighting organizing efforts.

This definitely feels that yes, we were in the right.”

Almada and Lin, both of whom were working in the intensive care unit, were terminated in August of last year, after spearheading a union organizing drive under the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU) and publicly speaking about deteriorating conditions (i.e. short staffing and inadequate supplies) at the hospital.

Registered nurses at the hospital began organizing with CNA/ NNU in May 2014, but many voted against representation the following year after they were allegedly intimated to do so by hospital officials.

“When this [firing] first happened, I felt very hopeless. I was very scared and I didn’t know what to do,” Lin said.

The union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB challenging the dismissal last year, which the labor board responded to on Friday, Jan. 29 by siding with the nurses.

Lin added, “what happened to me can happen to anyone and that’s why we need union representation to protect our rights along with our patients. Nurses need job protection. We need someone to advocate for us, so we can advocate for our patients.”

In a statement emailed to the Asian Journal, Huntington Hospital’s spokesman Derek Clark said the union’s flyers and statements have been filled “with patently false information.”

Responding to allegations that the nurses were fired for unionizing, the hospital asserted that it was because the pair violated employment policies.

“We stand by our decisions and course of actions – and believe they are in accordance with employment laws, our employment practices and in the best interests of maintaining patient safety and providing the highest quality of patient care,” Clark said, adding that the hospital looks “forward to a resolution in our favor from the NLRB.” Each week, the union has also gathered signatures from members of the Pasadena community in support of the nurses’ reinstatement, and has attempted to deliver

them to the hospital CEO. “I am grateful and humble that so many people feel strongly about our cause and want to support us that they are willing to sign a petition or willing to come out to our delegation,” Almada said.

Since her firing, the Fil-Am has continued to advocate for nurses’ rights and quality patient care. In October, she attended the White House Summit on Worker Voice, where she briefly met President Barack Obama. She also spoke at a press conference alongside Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and met with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).

Though Almada is currently working at another hospital in Los Angeles, she is fighting to get her job back at Huntington Hospital.

“It is definitely a point to be made in that…me coming back to the hospital could show nurses — not only at Huntington, but throughout the world — that when we stand together, when we organize [and] when we have a strong collective voice, we can accomplish a lot,” she said.

Tessie Costales, a Fil-Am registered nurse at Kaiser LA Medical Center and CNA leader, called on hospital leaders to abide by the NLRB’s announcement.

“I couldn’t believe what they did to these two nurses. They built a case just to instill fear in the nurses and they made [Allysha and Vicki] guinea pigs to show nurses not to vote for the union… I think

8ccpj_X 8cdX[X# X )/$p\Xi$fc[ =`c`g`ef$ 8d\i`ZXe elij\ Xcc\^\[cp ]`i\[ ]fi le`fe`q`e^%

8AGi\jj g_fkfj Yp :_i`jk`eX D% Fi`\c

Huntington leaders should respect the ruling of the NLRB. They did not find any merit on the case,” said Costales. “Delays would only mean a waste of resources.”

She also called on the local FilAm community to join in on any rallies and sign petitions on behalf of the nurses.

“Although this unfortunate event happened to us, our victory is so important to show that when you have the backing of thousands of nurses — behind you, standing up for you…[and] your federally protected rights — it is powerful and impactful. Together as a community, together as nurses, we will win this fight. We will win justice and we will make Huntington a better place and a better asset to the city of Pasadena,” Almada said.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Family Home Agency

www.MentorsWanted.com

California Mentor is seeking families with a spare bedroom to support an adult with special needs. Receive up to $2,100 for each person served and ongoing support.

For more information contact Joel at (714) 971-0213

8+

=<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(- F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C

;8K<C@E< LJ8

_kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd /(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0.

Study: eating fish could reduce risk for Alzheimer’s

by AGNES

CONSTANTE AJPress

IT turns out that consuming seafood at least once per week can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found.

Although seafood is known to contain mercury, scientists delved into the question of whether or not that nullifies the benefit it has on staving off Alzheimer’s.

“Our hypothesis was that sea(.$p\Xi$fc[ =`c`g`ef$JXcmX[fiXe :\[i`Zb 8i^l\kX ]Xi i`^_k `j af`e\[ Yp _`j dfk_\i C`c`Xe# pfle^\i j`jk\i BXi\e Xe[ ]Xk_\i DXiZf fe Kl\j[Xp# food consumption would be asso=\Y% 0 X]k\i k_\ C8LJ; 9fXi[ f] <[lZXk`fe _fefi\[ 8i^l\kX ]fi i\Z\`m`e^ X g\i]\Zk jZfi\ fe _`j 8[mXeZ\[ GcXZ\d\ek ZXcZlclj \oXd% ciated with less neuropathology,

8AGi\jj g_fkf Yp :_i`jk`eX D% Fi`\c but that if there were higher levels of mercury in the brain, that would work against that. But we didn’t find that at all,” said lead study author Martha Clare Morris, a professor of epidemiology at Rush University Medical Center.

by CHRISTINA M. ORIEL ter school and weekends making her son be recognized and receive Morris and her colleagues AJPress sure other students mastered the a standing ovation by the school analyzed a database of about LOS ANGELES—17-year-old advanced concepts. Tuesday’s district’s board members.

Cedrick Argueta was honored board meeting also recognized “We’re all happy and proud of on Tuesday, Feb. 9 by the Los Yom and the high school’s princi- him,” she said. “He can be whatAngeles Unified School District pal Jose Torres. ever he wants to be. We’re here to (LAUSD) Board of Education for In his remarks, Yom thanked support him.” earning a perfect score on his students’ parents for making the Since finding out about his Advanced Placement Calculus commitment to drive their chil- test score, Argueta has received exam. dren to school on weekends so worldwide attention, and even

by ALLYSON ESCOBAR AJPress Argueta, the son of a Filipina they could study for the exam and got President Barack Obama to nurse and a Salvadoran mainte- community members for opening tweet at him: “Cedrick; way to THE top US intelligence offinance worker, is one of 12 stu- up their facilities when the school go on your perfect score! How cial said on Tuesday, Feb. 9 that dents in the world — out of the wasn’t open. about you come by the next White ISIS was likely to attempt direct total 302,531 who took the exam “I want everyone to remember House Science Fair?”

— to achieve the perfect mark of that it still takes a village to raise a Getting a tweet “from the most attacks on the US through the 108. influential and important man in coming year, and that the group child,” Yom said.

“I’m glad that I’m able to do Yom — whose AP students the world” was an honor, Argueta was infiltrating refugees escapthis, not just for my culture, but have all passed the calculus exam said, and he is excited to take that ing from Iraq and Syria to move across borders. for all cultures so anybody can in the last three years — noted trip to the White House. “[ISIS] will probably attempt realize that anything is possible,” that he doesn’t have any special In addition to his incredible to conduct additional attacks in he said. strategies when it comes to teach- achievement on the AP exam, ArSpeaking before LAUSD Su- ing. Rather, he treats his students gueta also scored perfectly on the Europe, and attempt to direct perintendent Michelle King and as “friends” and gets to know math and English sections of the attacks on the US homeland in 2016,” Marine Corps Lt. Gen. the Board of Education, Argueta them on a personal level to build ACT college-entrance exam. acknowledged that it was a “team trust.

Despite being a math wiz (his Vincent Stewart, director of the effort” to pass the exam and tha“If you don’t think of [teaching] nickname at school is “One of Defense Intelligence Agency, the is “one small example” of the as work, then you produce a bet- Twelve”), Argueta asserts that testified in a security conference school district’s work. he’s just a normal teenager who on Capitol Hill Tuesday. ter result,” he said.

Stewart linked his warning to Currently a senior at Abraham Torres cited Argueta as an ex- likes sports, video games and the extremist group’s growing Lincoln High School, Argueta as- ample of “what can happen…if hanging out at the mall. pires to attend the California In- we all believe that every child who His advice for high school stu- network of “emerging branchstitute of Technology and one day comes into a classroom can learn, dents? Take advantage of avail- es” in Mali, Tunisia, Somalia, work for NASA’s Jet Propulsion regardless of their background or able resources and balance aca- Indonesia, and Bangladesh, according to Reuters, and added Laboratory as an engineer. demics with other hobbies. where they come from.” that ISIS is likely stepping up its “I want to be an engineer be“I know everyone tells them to Argueta’s mother Lilian, who cause I’ve always liked math and migrated to the United States try hard and work hard, but really “pace and lethality.”

Director of National Intelliscience, so going into that field from Batangas, Philippines in try to get all the help that they can makes sense for me,” he told the 1992, remarked on how studious get. There are a lot of great re- gence James Clapper, also presAsian Journal. sources,” Argueta told the Asian ent at the Senate Armed Services her son is.

He credits his math teacher An“At school, they have an after- Journal. “Also, try not to make Committee hearing, estimated thony Yom, a Korean immigrant, school program to prepare for the everything about academics. Bal- in his “Worldwide Threat Asfor helping him excel in the sub- test. When he gets home, he stud- ance your life out. Try to put your sessment of the US Intelligence ject. In preparing for the exam, ies hard too. He’s always been time in something that’s fun for Community” report that violent Yom designated Argueta as a like that,” she said. you, rather than just putting it into extremists were “active in about 40 countries,” and that there are study leader, and would spend afShe beamed with pride seeing academics.”

Filipino-Salvadoran math whiz honored by LA school board

300 people living in the Chicago area who completed regular diet questionnaires and agreed to donate their brains to research after they died.

Researchers found that individuals who consumed seafood at least once per week had higher levels of mercury in their brain compared to those who ate less.

However, those with a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s called ApoE4 and ate seafood at least once a week showed less harmful proteins in their brain.

“The take-home message is that the concern about eating seafood because of mercury should be allayed somewhat by this study since we didn’t see any evidence that increased levels of mercury in the brain is causing brain pathologies,” Morris said, TIME reported.

Researchers also found that eating more than one serving of fish did not boost prevention against brain damage associated with dementia.

A limitation of the study is that scientists only observed the benefit of fish in participants with the ApoE4 gene. Furthermore, it did not reveal if participants who suffered less brain damage showed fewer symptoms of dementia while they were alive.

Morris said that those without ApoE4 may still benefit from eating seafood once per week, but noted that the amount of Alzheimer’s proteins in their brains may be too little for researchers to notice any effect.

The study was published Tuesday, Feb. 2, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

currently “more terrorist safe havens than at any time in history.”

ISIS and its eight branches were the No. 1 terrorist threat to the US, and it was using the refugee exodus from violence in Iraq and Syria to hide among innocent civilians and outreach other countries, Clapper warned.

He added that ISIS was “taking advantage of the torrent of migrants to insert operatives into that flow,” and said they were “pretty skilled at phony passports so they can travel ostensibly as legitimate travelers.”

ISIS fighters have reportedly seized Syrian passport facilities with machines that of manufacture realistic-looking passports, according to CNN. The Defense Intelligence Agency also confirmed that ISIS bas succeeded in making and deploying toxic chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria, the first such attack by an extremist group in over two decades, since a chemical warfare attack in Japan in 1995, reported Fox News.

Clapper’s assessment also notes that “approximately five dozen” people linked to ISIS were arrested in the US last year.

The Islamic State has as many

as 25,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq, down from a previous estimate of up to 31,000, an intelligence report revealed. Over 36,500 foreign fighters, including at least 6,600 from Western countries, have also traveled to Syria from more than 100 countries since 2012, the report states.

On the counter-ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria, Stewart added it was “unlikely” that the Iraqi city of Mosul would be liberated in 2016.

While the National Intelligence assessment calls ISIS the “preeminent terrorist threat,” it also affirms that “al Qaeda affiliates are positioned to make gains in 2016.”

Al Qaida, based in Yemen in the Arabian Peninsula, and Al Nusra Front in Syria were named the “most capable al Qaeda branches.”

“The perceived success of attacks by homegrown violent extremists in Europe and North America, such as those in Chattanooga and San Bernardino, might motivate others to replicate opportunistic attacks with little or no warning, diminishing our ability to detect terrorist operational planning and readiness,” Clapper noted.

Defense intelligence chief predicts more ISIS attacks on US

/(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0. _kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd

F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C =<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(-

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

8,

Tagle slams hypocrisy of politicians

by TINA

G. SANTOS Inquirer.net

AS the political campaign season unfolded, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle lashed out at the hypocrisy of some people who promote themselves under the guise of “charity.”

In his Ash Wednesday homily at the Archdiocese of Manila chapel in Intramuros, Tagle lamented that even charity, supposed to be a path to closer union with God, could be used for selfish interests.

He did not mention politicians, but the reference was obvious when he spoke on the first day of Lent, when Catholics had their foreheads marked with ash.

“This is why Jesus said when you give alms, don’t be noisy about it. Don’t have a barrage of photos taken when you’re donating to the poor. That’s the work

of hypocrites who only want people to say ‘Wow, look at him, he’s really charitable, he’s helpful to others,’” he said in Filipino.

The cardinal warned that doing acts of charity contrary to its true meaning is like rubbing salt in the wound.

“Charity that doesn’t think of others, giving donations, giving alms but calling attention to oneself is not charity. It is an insult to the recipient,” he stressed.

He added that this kind of almsgiving could bring a person farther from God. Tagle reminded the faithful that real generosity of spirit was doing something for someone without their knowledge.

He tackled some concerns such as poverty and environment but reserved his more impassioned words for ordinary people whose struggles are worsened by some people’s “selfish” thirst

for power.

“There will be a lot of charity work in the days to come but how many will be true service?

Or these may just be self-promotion,” Tagle said.

According to him, Lent is a season for reconciliation with God. This invitation, he said, rings out to Christians to take the Lenten call to conversion seriously.

Tagle also emphasized the message of the Gospel reading in which Jesus rereads the three works of mercy—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.

He stressed that fasting goes beyond reducing one’s food intake.

“Fasting is not dieting. It’s giving, almsgiving, sharing,” he said.

Tagle reminded Catholics that Lent is a time for renewal, with K_\ G_`c`gg`e\ ^fm\ied\ek Xe[ k_\ Dfif @jcXd`Z C`Y\iXk`fe =ifek D@C= Zfek`el\ kf _fc[ kXcbj `e DXcXpj`X Xj k_\p ÈXjj\jj d\Xej f] dfm`e^ special attention to the suffering ]finXi[É X]k\i :fe^i\jj ]X`c\[ kf Xggifm\ k_\ gifgfj\[ 9Xe^jXdfif 9Xj`Z CXn 99C % @ehl`i\i%e\k g_fkf of others and helping them.

PH gov’t, MILF meet anew in Malaysia to reassess peace process

ceasefire, and through the many capacity development programs and socio-economic activities that THE Philippine government and have flourished,” she said.

“Many of those who were 10-14 the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continue to hold talks in year-old children when we started Malaysia as they “assess means of out in 2010 are now about to enmoving forward” after Congress ter the cusp of adulthood with a failed to approve the proposed stronger sense of the value of life Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In a statement, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the two parties remain optimistic on the said matter.

“Despite the extraordinary efforts of our teams and all the other tireless peace advocates and congressional allies who traveled with us in this difficult journey of a thousand miles, we saw the session days in Congress wither away, without a BBL in sight,” said Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, chief negotiator of the Philippine govE<M<I KFF PFLE>% 8 cXp d`e`jk\i Xk 9XZcXiXe :_liZ_ dXibj k_\ ]fi\_\X[ f] X kf[[c\i n`k_ k_\ j`^e f] k_\ Zifjj lj`e^ Xj_\j ]ifd Yliek gXcd ernment. ]ife[j# Xj gXik f] k_\ fYj\imXeZ\ f] 8j_ N\[e\j[Xp n_`Z_ dXibj k_\ jkXik f] C\ek% @ehl`i\i%e\k g_fkf Yp <[n`e 9XZXjdXj “With humility, we accept the weaknesses and imperfections of our efforts,” she said in a speech on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Ferrer said looking at the sum

by SHEILA CRISOSTOMO of the total shows that they have Philstar.com Bautista explained the Comgained despite the failure to pass MANILA—Less than three elec could not turn off the detecthe BBL, which should pave for months before the May 9 polls, tion feature of the VCM as it was the creation of a new autonomous more errors have been discov- meant to address the problems political entity. ered in the source codes of on digital lines, which he de“We have made life better for the the automated election system scribed as a “dangerous ailment” people in the periods of sustained (AES). that surfaced on the ballots in the Commission on Elections 2013 elections.

(Comelec) Chairman Andres He gave assurance that the Bautista said SLI Global Solu- Comelec would be reviewing its tions Inc. notified the Comelec contact with Smartmatic-TIM to that there were problems with determine if the joint venture can the source codes of the consoli- be held liable for the errors. dation and canvassing system The Comelec chief also main(CCS) and the vote counting ma- tained that despite the technical chines (VCM). issues in the machines, there is Based in Denver, SLI was con- no cause for concern. :fd\c\Z :_X`idXe 8e[i\j 9Xlk`jkX tracted by Comelec to certify the “The problems have been consource codes of the VCM, CCS tained. It is good that we discover would be shorter by four inches, and Election Management Sys- these things now than later when from 27 inches in 2013 electem (EMS) before they are put we could no longer correct or im- tions. together for use in the coming prove them,” he said.

“We are just fine-tuning the polls.

Bautista expressed confidence system… we still have 88 days.

“In a way, they are our inde- that the printing of official ballots We still have time. The problems pendent adviser and in doing would be completed by April 25 now are still manageable,” he their work, their job is to look for as scheduled since the ballots added. things in the system that need to either be addressed, improved or rectified. Over the past few days, they have seen certain findings which they believe should be addressed,” Bautista said.

The Comelec earlier had to postpone depositing the source codes at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas after SLI detected compatibility problems in the CCS. SLI found that while the CCS had to be “stand alone,” the system was found to be “network dependent.” This prompted the Comelec to re-do the “trusted build” of the EMS, which serves as the brain of the entire system.

Just like the VCM, the CCS was supplied by the joint venture of Smartmatic-Total Information Management Corp. According to SLI senior test manager Michael Santos, the firm also found that the ISO image in the CCS source code could not be installed during the trusted build process.

“That necessitates a rebuild of the trusted build of the CCS ISO image. We don’t see it actually during the build process itself but once we got done building that image, we sent it to the laboratory, we went to install it and realized there was an issue,” Santos explained.

During the testing of the VCM, SLI also found that it could detect even small ink spots, causing the machines to reject the ballots. The VCM posted one- to two-percent rejection rate.

“Just a couple of spots in the ballots, the VCM detecting them and rejecting them, which is a good thing because it is showing that it’s capable enough to catch just about any mark,” Santos said.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez maintained that the issue should not be a cause of concern.

Jimenez said that to address the problem, the threshold of the sensitivity of the VCM would be adjusted.

by KRISTINE

ANGELI Inquirer.net

Errors found in source codes, voting machines

SABILLO

and human dignity,” she added.

“Instead of learning the ropes of warfare, they experienced relative peace. Like most children used to hard life, they have solid dreams for a better future for their families.”

The MILF and the Philippine G8>< 8.

8-

_kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd /(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0.

=<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(- F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C

OPINION

FEATURES

Campaign season

AND so it begins. Filipinos are in the throes of election fever as the campaign period for the upcoming May national elections officially began on Tuesday, Feb. 9. With 18,053 elective positions at stake, qualified voters in the Philippines and abroad have in their hands, the power and responsibility of ensuring candidates for public office are the most qualified for the respective positions.

On a national scale, Filipino voters will declare who to fill the presidential, vice presidential, 12 senatorial and 80 party-list representation seats. The local elections involve voters to elect district representatives (Congress members), provincial governors, vice governors, provincial board members, city and municipal mayors, city and municipal vice mayors, and town council members.

The promotion of people’s interests will be on top of political junkets once again. Issues such as criminality, high prices, unemployment, housing shortage, overpopulation, and the poor justice system are still expected to headline each candidate’s platform.

Vice President Jejomar Binay launched his presidential bid at the Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong City “to be with the Filipino poor.” Leading the opposition party, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Binay’s camp said that the vice president chose to be with those “have been left behind and continue to struggle with poverty, hunger and unemployment. Because he wanted to share with the masses his vision of a nation where rich and poor share the benefits of economic growth.”

Binay was joined by his running mate Sen. Gregorio Honasan II, and UNA’s candidates for

senators including Manny Pacquiao, former Special Action Force (SAF) director Getulio Napeñas, Parañaque councilor and actress Alma Moreno, Princess Jacel Kiram, labor lawyer Allan Montaño and broadcaster Rey Langit.

Sen. Grace Poe, who promises a “gobyernong may puso (government with a heart),” led her political party to Plaza Miranda in front of the historic Quiapo Church in Manila. Still facing disqualification over citizenship and residency issues, Poe said that just like an ordinary Filipino, her life is full of drama.

“With all my heart and strength, I will uphold and defend programs of a compassionate government, our aspirations for the Filipino family, our hopes for the country and our children. The next three months will be a grueling journey for candidates and voters,” Poe promised her supporters.

The ruling Liberal Party and its standard-bearer Mar Roxas and running mate Rep. Leni Robredo kicked off their campaign in Roxas City, Capiz. The tandem vowed to continue Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s “daang matuwid (straight path)” policy. Aquino was also present during the campaign rally and appealed to the public on why his bets are deserving to be elected.

Editorial

G_`cjkXi%Zfd g_fkf

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte brought his team to Tondo, Manila. The no-nonsense presidential aspirant promised his kababayans that he will curb corruption and the proliferation of illegal drugs, and vowed to prioritize education and agriculture.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Sen. Bongbong Marcos went north, to the latter’s hometown in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. Santiago vowed to go after people who were involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel

scam, while Marcos insisted on unity among Filipinos.

The next three months will be a grueling journey for both candidates and voters. It will test political aspirants on how they can engage the public to support their causes and grant them their previous votes. On the other hand, it will be the voters’ undertaking to identify all social, political, economic and environmental issues that are hounding the country and choose wisely who will best offer the solution for them. (AJPress)

New national poll: Trump leads, Clinton and Sanders in a virtual tie AFTER the Iowa Caucuses and before the New Hampshire pri- The Fil-Am mary, a new national poll reveals the sentiment of the American Perspective people on where they want this nation to be stirred moving forward through the presidential elections.

On the Democratic front, Front- GEL SANTOS-RELOS runner Hillary Clinton has reportedly planned on shaking her campaign to stop the momentum that has been favoring Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders steadily and increasingly in the past year. From leading Sanders by 50 percent just a year ago, Clinton’s lead has now shrunk to a virtual tie as revealed by two major national polls.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Clinton leading Sanders 48-45 percent, while a Quinnipiac University poll reveals Clinton leading 44-42 percent, both gaps within the margin of error.

After winning Iowa by just 0.3 percent, Clinton is expected to lose in New Hampshire, if polls are any indication. In the final CNN/WMUR tracking poll, CNN reports that it remains Bernie Sanders’ primary to lose, with the Vermont senator holding a 26-point lead over Hillary Clinton, with 61 percent for Sanders versus 35 percent for Clinton.

While I monitor the exit polls in New Hampshire as of the press time, CNN has projected Sanders as the winner of the primary election in the state and Clinton has reportedly conceded.

With potentially record-breaking turnout, enthusiastic voters are eager to make their voices heard in this election.

Clinton won in New Hampshire when she ran against Obama in 2008. What should Clinton do to stop Sanders’ momentum?

On the Republican side, the latest Quinnipiac University National poll reveals Donald Trump still leads the GOP presidential pack among Republican voters nationwide, with 31 percent. He is followed by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas with 22 percent and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida with 19 percent.

Dr. Ben Carson has 6 percent, with 9 percent undecided and no other candidate above 3 percent.

Heading to New Hampshire, Donald Trump continues to lead the Republican race on the eve of the vote with 31 percent, according to the final CNN/WMUR tracking poll.

CNN reports that trailing behind Trump, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio earned 17 percent support --

within the margin of sampling error of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at 14 percent, but significantly ahead of the fourth and fifth place candidates in the poll, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (10 percent) and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (7 percent). Carly Fiorina stands at 5 percent, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie at 4 percent and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson at 3 percent.

Exit polls revealed that Democratic voters are ?`ccXip :c`ekfe Xe[ ;feXc[ Kildg looking for the candidate who is honest and who Donald Trump continue to lord over the other GOP cares about them, more than electability and ex- candidates moving forward? perience.

ABANGAN! Meanwhile, Republican voters want a candidate *** who is not part of the establishment, as more than >\c JXekfj I\cfj `j k_\ XeZ_fi f] K=:Ëj È9Xc`kXe^ 8d\i`ZX%É M`\nj Xe[ half of them say feel betrayed by and are dissatis- fg`e`fej \ogi\jj\[ Yp k_\ Xlk_fi `e k_`j Zfclde Xi\ Xi\ jfc\cp k_fj\ f] fied with how the Republican party has done its k_\ Xlk_fi Xe[ efk f] 8j`Xe AflieXc Xe[ 89J$:9E$K=:% =fi Zfdd\ekj# job over the years. ^f kf nnn%K_\=`c$8dG\ijg\Zk`m\%Zfd# _kkgj1&&nnn%]XZ\Yffb%Zfd&>\c% Will it be 2008 again for Hillary Clinton? Will JXekfj%I\cfj

What is the true picture of poverty in our country?

ACCORDING to the National Anti-Poverty Street Commission (NAPC) the incidence of pov- Talk erty in the Philippines in 2014 was 25.8 percent. This includes individuals earning less than P1,755 a month or GREG B. MACABENTA a family of five earning less than P8,778 a month.

This begs the question: If only onefourth of our population lives in poverty, does that mean that three-fourths do not?

Noted economist and former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had something to say about that in a piece he wrote in Business World in March last year, referring to the poverty threshold set for 2012: “The real poverty picture may be worse than what the official statistics suggest. In 2012, the poverty threshold was P18,935 per year, P1,578 per month, or P52.60 per day. That’s the height of absurdity! I challenge public officials to survive on P52.60 per day for even a week.”

For those residing in the US, it is not easy to appreciate the relative value of what people earn in the Philippines.

Conceivably, because of the much lower cost of living here, what may appear to be meager minimum wage earnings locally can actually buy more goods and services than the minimum wage in the US. It was in this context that I took note of Diokno’s commentary and decided to probe this issue further. What, in fact,

is the true picture of poverty in our country?

Our home in Parañaque happens to be right across the creek from a squatters’ area (pardon me, I mean, an informal settlement) called Creek Drive. Thus, I have easy access to the pulse of non-rich folks.

I hesitate to refer to them as “poor” because of the government’s definition of poverty.

We have known many of the squatters (oops, informal settlers) in Creek Drive for years. Before they called the place by that name, they used our home address for their correspondence. Letters from the province were delivered through us by the post office. My former ad agency driver, Jun, built a shanty and raised a family there. He now makes a living driving his own tricycle.

Jun earns from P800 to P1,000 a day from plying his tricycle route. That’s a monthly income of over P20,000, for himself alone, not counting that of his wife who is a grade school teacher and that of his son, also a tricycle driver. In other words, they are well above the poverty threshold, as defined by the economic managers.

But recently, Jun developed a lung infection and couldn’t drive his tricycle.

Not covered by Philhealth and without any savings to afford medicine, his health deteriorated. Fortunately, being close to the family, we gave him some financial assistance and he managed to

get medical treatment. He is recovering now and could be well on the way to once again being “non-poor” (a term used by government numbers crunchers).

But even if Jun and his family manage to stay above the official poverty line, he is painfully aware that they are, in truth, poor and are vulnerable to the ravages of cruel circumstances -- no matter what the economic managers say.

Randy, a relative, earns P17,800 a month as a truck driver for a tire company and his wife Kaye makes P11,500 a month as a department store sales girl. They live rent-free in quarters above our garage (the living area is as large as an apartment and more spacious than a condominium studio). Because they don’t have to pay rent and they only have one child, who is in the grades, they are technically almost middle income, based on the classification of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). They certainly are well above the government-defined poverty threshold.

But don’t tell that to the couple. After the usual deductions from their pay slips and considering the cost of transportation, food and utilities, they have very little left on payday and hardly anything set aside for emergencies. And when their daughter graduates from high school, it will be a struggle sending her to college.

Nene does our laundry once a week and also services several homes in the subdivision. For her labors, she earns over P10,000 a month. Based on the government’s definition of poverty,

Nene is not poor. But when her mother fell ill and needed oxygen, she couldn’t afford the cost of one that was mechanized and had to make do with manual pumping. That was not good enough to save her mother’s life.

Whatever the economic managers might say, Nene rues the fact that her mother would still be alive, if they were not, in fact, poor.

Grace, a niece whom my wife and I are sending to nursing school, gave me interesting findings derived by her class from households in a slum area in San Dionisio, a barangay in Parañaque.

The survey was part of their course requirement.

Out of 54 families interviewed, 24 earn below the official poverty threshold. The rest technically qualify as non-poor because they earn above P11,000 a month. But try telling them that they are not poor and they will think you are being sarcastic.

Frankly, the government statistics are an exercise in denial and delusion.

But the people are not being fooled.

They know that they are poor. They can see it in the faces of their children whom they cannot afford to send to school. They can feel it in their empty stomachs and in the ailments that they must suffer because they cannot afford health care.

Those living in Mindanao and the rural areas know that they are even more impoverished than the government will acknowledge. And they are keenly aware that all the talk about a booming economy does not include them and is mainly benefiting the wealthy few.

With the presidential elections only a few months away, the candidates have begun to woo the electorate in earnest.

And, as suitors always do, they are all promising to make life more blissful for the Filipino masses and the future brighter for their children.

Three of the candidates have enunciated their main appeals to the voters in relatively clear terms, with the bottom line being a happier, more contented citizenry and a more progressive Philippines.

Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas is waving the flag of economic gains through clean governance, expressed as “Tuwid na Daan” (or Straight Path). Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is vowing to create a progressive Philippines by killing criminals and stamping out corruption in government. Vice President Jejomar Binay is focusing on poverty and is promising to solve it by creating jobs and income opportunities for everyone, not just the rich.

The two other candidates, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, are vaguely promising all or most of the above without really underscoring their primary pitch.

Which promise will resonate most effectively with the masses? The residents of Creek Drive and San Dionisio have this to say: “Lahat ng pangako nila ay maganda.

Pero alin ba ang magiging laman ng sikmura?”

Translation: “All the promises are good. But which one can fill our stomach?” (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

K_\ m`\nj \ogi\jj\[ Yp fli Fg$<[ Zfeki`Ylkfij Xi\ jfc\cp k_\`i fne Xe[ [f efk e\Z\jjXi`cp i\Õ\Zk k_\ gi\[`c\Zk`fe f] k_\ \[`kfi`Xc YfXi[ Xe[ jkX]] f] 8j`Xe AflieXc% IF><I C8>D8P FI@<C GlYc`j_\i :_X`idXe f] k_\ 9fXi[

:FI8 D8:898>;8C$FI@<C Gi\j`[\ek

<C@Q89<K? ?@C8I@F J@JFE :_`\] =`eXeZ`Xc F]ÔZ\i

DX`e F]ÔZ\1 ()(' J% 9iXe[ 9cm[ >c\e[Xc\# :8 0()'+ K\cj1 /(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0. =Xo1 /(/ ,')$'/,/ )(* +/($'/,+ \$dX`c1 `e]f7Xj`XeaflieXc`eZ%Zfd _kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd Efik_\ie :Xc`]fie`X1 (''( 9Xp_`cc ;i`m\# Jl`k\ )'' JXe 9ilef# :8 0+'-K\c%1 -,' -(-$+(,' =Xo1 -,' -(-$+(,)

DXe`cX F]ÔZ\1 )e[ =cffi Le`kj ; <# =fik GXcd Jgi`e^j *'k_ Jk%# :fi (jk 8m\# 9fe`]XZ`f >cfYXc :`kp# KX^l`^ K\c%1 -*) /,-$+0)( =Xo1 -*) /,-$(--(

9<CC< D% J@JFE <o\Zlk`m\ M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek Cfj 8e^\c\j 8j`Xe AflieXc

DFE<KK< 8;<M8 D8>C8P8 J\e`fi M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek Cfj 8e^\c\j 8j`Xe AflieXc

@MP D8E8C8E> M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek $ DXib\k`e^ Cfj 8e^\c\j 8j`Xe AflieXc

J?8IFE 8EE J8E G<;IF M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek $ JXc\j 9Xc`bYXpXe DX^Xq`e\

E\n Pfib Xe[ E\n A\ij\p1 (**$*' *)e[ 8m\%# =clj_`e^# EP ((*,+ K\c%1 )() -,,$,+)- =Xo /(/ ,')$'/,/ ,*, E\nXib 8m\%# A\ij\p :`kp# EA '.*'K\c%1 )() -,,$,+)-% =Xo /(/ /(/ ,')$'/,/ ,')$'/,/

CXj M\^Xj JXc\j F]ÔZ\1 *.'' N% ;\j\ik @ee IfX[ CXj M\^Xj# EM /0(') K\c%1 .') .0)$--./ =Xo1 .') .0)$-/.0

DFD8I >% M@J8P8 <o\Zlk`m\ <[`kfi ;@E> :8II<FE M`[\f^iXg_\i

;8EK< J8D9@C8P 8ik ;`i\Zkfi

8E;P K<:JFE&K<; K8C8> 9<IK A8LI@>L< G_fkf^iXg_\ij

8;M<IK@J@E> 8E; 8;M<IKFI@8C GFC@:@<J 8j`Xe AflieXc GlYc`ZXk`fej# @eZ% È8AG@É i\j\im\j k_\ i`^_k kf i\]lj\ kf glYc`j_# `e `kj jfc\ Xe[ XYjfclk\ [`jZi\k`fe# Xep X[m\ik`j`e^ Xe[ X[m\ikfi`Xc dXk\i`Xc jlYd`kk\[ ]fi glYc`ZXk`fe Yp Zc`\ek% È:c`\ekËj DXk\i`XcÉ JlYd`jj`fe f] Xe X[m\ik`j\d\ek fi X[m\ikfi`Xc kf Xe 8AG@ jXc\j i\gi\j\ekXk`m\ [f\j efk Zfejk`klk\ X Zfdd`kd\ek Yp 8AG@ kf glYc`j_ X :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc% 8AG@ _Xj k_\ fgk`fe kf Zfii\Zkcp ZcXjj`]p Xep :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc Xe[ kf [\c\k\ fYa\Zk`feXYc\ nfi[j fi g_iXj\j% :c`\ek i\gi\j\ekj Xe[ nXiiXekj k_Xk X :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc [f\j efk Xe[ n`cc efk ZfekX`e Xep cXe^lX^\ fi dXk\i`Xc n_`Z_ `j c`Y\cflj# jcXe[\iflj fi [\]XdXkfip fi `emX[\j Xep i`^_kj f] gi`mXZp fi glYc`Z`kp2 [f\j efk Xe[ n`cc efk m`fcXk\ fi `e]i`e^\ lgfe# fi ^`m\ i`j\ kf Xep X[m\ij\ ZcX`d n`k_ i\jg\Zk kf Xep Zfddfe cXn fi fk_\i i`^_k n_Xkjf\m\i `eZcl[`e^# n`k_flk c`d`kXk`fe# Xep Zfgpi`^_k# kiX[\dXib# j\im`Z\ dXib fi ZfekiXZk i`^_k f] Xep g\ijfe fi \ek`kp# fi m`fcXk\ Xep fk_\i Xggc`ZXYc\ cXn2 Xe[ `j efk k_\ jlYa\Zk f] Xep c`k`^Xk`fe fi ZcX`d k_Xk d`^_k ^`m\ i`j\ kf Xep c`k`^Xk`fe% GlYc`ZXk`fe f] X :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc [f\j efk Zfejk`klk\ Xe X^i\\d\ek kf Zfek`el\ glYc`ZXk`fe% :c`\ek X^i\\j Xe[ Zfm\eXekj kf `e[\de`]p 8AG@ Xe[ `kj f]ÔZ\ij X^X`ejk Xep Xe[ Xcc cfjj# c`XY`c`kp# [XdX^\# \og\ej\j# Zfjk# Z_Xi^\j# ZcX`dj# XZk`fej# ZXlj\j f] XZk`fe# i\Zfm\i`\j# al[^d\ekj# g\eXck`\j# `eZcl[`e^ flkj`[\ Xkkfie\pjË ]\\j `e[`m`[lXccp Xe[ Zfcc\Zk`m\cp È:cX`djÉ n_`Z_ 8AG@ dXp jl]]\i Yp i\Xjfe f] ( :c`\ekËj Yi\XZ_ f] Xep f] k_\ i\gi\j\ekXk`fej# nXiiXek`\j Xe[ X^i\\d\ekj _\i\`e fi ) Xep :cX`dj Yp Xep k_`i[ gXikp i\cXk`e^ `e Xep nXp kf :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc% 8AG@ n`cc efk Y\ c`XYc\ ]fi ]X`cli\ kf glYc`j_ Xep :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc Xj i\hl\jk\[ fi ]fi dfi\ k_Xe fe\ `eZfii\Zk `ej\ik`fe f] X :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc% @e k_\ \m\ek f] Xe \iifi# fi fd`jj`fe `e gi`ek`e^ fi glYc`ZXk`fe f] X :c`\ekËj DXk\i`Xc# 8AG@ j_Xcc Y\ c`d`k\[ kf Xe X[aljkd\ek ]fi k_\ jgXZ\ fZZlg`\[ Yp k_\ \iifi# n`k_ dXo`dld c`XY`c`kp Y\`e^ ZXeZ\ccXk`fe f] k_\ Zfjk f] k_\ Ôijk `eZfii\Zk X[m\ik`j\d\ek fi i\glYc`ZXk`fe f] k_\ Zfii\Zk X[m\ik`j\d\ek% Le[\i ef Z`iZldjkXeZ\j j_Xcc 8j`Xe GlYc`ZXk`fej# @eZ% Y\ c`XYc\ ]fi Zfej\hl\ek`Xc [XdX^\j f] Xep b`e[%

8J@8E AFLIE8C GL9C@:8K@FEJ# @E:% glYc`j_\j k_\ Cfj 8e^\c\j 8j`Xe AflieXc# glYc`j_\[ kn`Z\ X n\\b2 k_\ FiXe^\ :flekp Xe[ @ecXe[ <dg`i\ 8j`Xe AflieXc# Efik_\ie :Xc`]fie`X 8j`Xe AflieXc# CXj M\^Xj 8j`Xe AflieXc Xe[ k_\ E\n Pfib & E\n A\ij\p 8j`Xe AflieXc n_`Z_ Xi\ glYc`j_\[ feZ\ X n\\b Xe[ [`jki`Ylk\[ kf Cfj 8e^\c\j# I`m\ij`[\# JXe 9\ieXi[`ef# FiXe^\ :flek`\j# Efik_\ie :Xc`]fie`X# CXj M\^Xj Xe[ E\n Pfib Xe[ E\n A\ij\p i\jg\Zk`m\cp% 8ik`Zc\j glYc`j_\[ `e k_`j gXg\i [f efk e\Z\jjXi`cp i\Õ\Zk k_\ fg`e`fej f] k_\ glYc`j_\i% C\kk\ij kf k_\ <[`kfi Xi\ n\cZfd\% C\kk\ij dljk ZfekX`e Zfdgc\k\ eXd\ Xe[ i\klie X[[i\jj% K_\ dXk\i`Xcj# _fn\m\i# Xi\ jlYa\Zk kf \[`k`e^ Xe[ i\m`j`fej% :feki`Ylk`fej Xe[ X[m\ik`j`e^ [\X[c`e\j Xi\ \m\ip Dfe[Xpj Xe[ K_lij[Xpj% =fi X[m\ik`j`e^ iXk\j Xe[ fk_\i `e]fidXk`fej# gc\Xj\ ZXcc k_\ C%8% f]ÔZ\ Xk )(* ),'$0.0. fi j\e[ lj Xe \dX`c Xk `e]f7Xj`XeaflieXc`eZ%Zfd

/(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0. _kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd

;8K<C@E< G?@C@GG@E<J

F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C =<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(-

Roxas low ratings worry Liberal Party

by JEFFERSON

ANTIPORDA AND JOEL SY EGCO Inquirer.net

SENATE President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday, Feb. 10 said the consistently poor showing of Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, presidential candidate of the Liberal Party (LP), is a concern, but he expressed confidence that the ratings of the former Interior secretary will improve with the help of the ruling party’s machinery.

“Of course it is a concern. No question about that,” Drilon, the vice chairman of the LP, said.

In all the past surveys, Roxas consistently trailed his rivals in the presidential race. In December last year, Vice President Jejomar Binay topped the Pulse Asia survey with 33 percent, dislodging Sen. Grace Poe who got 21 percent.

Results of a survey released by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on January 15 also showed Binay leading other presidential bets with 31 percent. Poe placed second with 24 percent. Roxas got 21 percent, while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte had 20 percent.

Poe regained the lead in the latest survey released by Pulse Asia last week, getting the support of 30 percent of the people polled.

Binay got 23 percent while Roxas got 20 percent.

But Drilon said he believes that Roxas’ ratings will rise once the LP machinery kicks in.

“We have the biggest political machinery in the country. We have the most credible ‘general campaign manager’ and that is President Benigno Aquino 3rd,” he told a weekly news forum in The Senate chief said they expect Roxas’ numbers to go up in the next three months as the ruling party will be maximizing its political machinery with the help of local officials.

“We have many governors, congressmen, mayors who are [running] unopposed and therefore, we will have them campaign for our national candidates,” Drilon noted.

He said members of the Cabinet will also campaign for Roxas since there is no law prohibiting them from doing so.

Some Cabinet members were present in the kickoff rally of the LP in Roxas City, Capiz, on Tuesday, including Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

“Under the law, Cabinet members are not prohibited from campaigning. They can campaign,” Drilon said, adding that what is

prohibited is the use of government funds for political purposes.

Roxas was reported to be the top overall ad spender last year, shelling out P774 million from January to December 2015. Binay was said to have spent P695 million while Poe paid P694 million for her campaign ads.

Drilon expressed confidence that Roxas will win the presidential derby.

He also expressed dismay over supposedly slow resolution of disqualification cases filed against Poe. “I am not happy with the pace of trial in the Supreme Court. It appears that the High Court lacks a sense of urgency. These are] not ordinary case[s]. [They] will have a vast impact on our future,” the Senate chief said.

He maintained that it is within the High Court’s power to hold marathon hearings on cases of great importance.

“Having oral arguments once a week, that is not giving it the urgency it deserves. I’m not dictating on the court, but it is very frustrating because we know for certain that the court could hasten the process by conducting marathon hearings but it has chosen not to do so,” Drilon said.

G8>< 8, government signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014 after 17 years of negotiations.

However, the BBL, which is supposed to implement parts of the agreement, has yet to be enacted into law. It was stalled in Congress after a series of debates and the controversial Mamasapano operation, which left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers and 17 MILF fighters dead. With Congress adjourning session until after the May elections, it will be up to the next administration to continue the peace process.

Ferrer raised the various challenges that the BBL will face in the next Congress.

“In the Senate we generally foresee a majority who will be supportive of a good BBL being obtained… The House probably remains the bigger challenge given these figures: almost half are re-electionists, a good number are running unopposed, others are relatives of incumbents,” she explained.

Ferrer said the next President

will have less leverage because of reforms in the budget system and the scrapping of pork barrel. However, she said the new leader “will enjoy a honeymoon period and will harvest many of the turncoats and can therefore heavily influence the movements in the House.”

“As for the best legislative tack in the next Congress, several questions are relevant: Would it simply entail a refilling of a BBB (Bangsamoro Basic Bill)? Which version? Are the prospects rife for constitutional change? What to expect? Who would be the champions for peace and the Bangsamoro?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Mohagher Iqbal, MILF chief negotiator and chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, said their men have “accused the government of resorting again to delaying tactic and just managing the conflict in Mindanao.”

Nevertheless, he said, “[T]he MILF and the government shall jointly find ways and means to address this dangerous situation and avoid actions that may increase the frustrations. We must provide

=fid\i Gi\j`[\ek =`[\c M% IXdfj jX`[ k_Xk _`j \e[fij\d\ek ]fi C\e` IfYi\[f nXj Èj`eZ\i\cp ^`m\eÉ Xe[ k_Xk _\ [f\j efk \og\Zk Xepk_`e^ ]fi i\klie% G_fkf ]ifd C\e` IfYi\[f d\[`X Yli\Xl

FVR: Support for Leni Robredo ‘sincerely given,’ no strings attached

by ARIES JOSEPH

Inquirer.net

HEGINA

FORMER President Fidel V. Ramos on Thursday, Feb. 11 debunked a claim made in a newspaper report that he was set to deny his endorsement to administration vice presidential bet and Camarines Sur Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

In a handwritten note, Ramos said that his endorsement for Rothem hope that there is a chance bredo was “sincerely given” and for passage of [a] CAB-compli- that he does not expect anything ant BBL whoever will be the next for return.

“Kindly be informed that FVR’s President.”

Ferrer said the two parties will support to Cong. Leni Robredo need to work harder. “We should listen more, engage more. This cause is ours, and so the main burden is ours.”

“Precisely because we persevered, we have reached this far in the process,” she said.

Also present in the meetings ISULAN, SULTAN KUDAwere European Union (EU) Ambassador Franz Jessen, United RAT—Vice presidential candiKingdom Representative to the date and Senator Francis “Chiz” International Contact Group (ICG) Escudero blamed the Office of Thomas Phipps, Transitional Jus- the Presidential Adviser on the tice and Reconciliation Commis- Peace Process (OPAPP) for the sion (TJRC) Chair Mo Bleeker, decision of Congress not to pass Independent Decommissioning the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) Body (IDB) Chair Mustafa Pulat at this time.

Escudero, in a press conferand Third-Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) Chair Alistair MacDonald. ence at the Sultan Kudarat State Representing Malaysia as third- University here Thursday, Feb. party facilitator was Tengku Dato’ 11, expressed his support for the Senate’s version of the BBL, the Ab Ghafar Tengku Mohamed.

He said the meetings are crucial one called the Basic Law on the as these will not only reassess but Bangsamoro Autonomous Realso reschedule and prepare for gion (BLBAR), and not the one the next phase of the peace pro- coming from the OPAPP. “It seems like OPAPP wants cess.

PH gov’t, MILF meet anew in Malaysia to...

8.

as a VP candidate was sincerely given, with no expectation of rewards or favors,” Ramos said.

He also extolled the late Interior secretary Jesse Robredo as “a key stalwart” in his administration.

“The late DILG Secretary/Naga City Mayor was a good friend, tireless campaigner and model LGU official—a key stalwart of the FVR administration (1992-1998),” the former chief executive said.

Ramos’ reiteration of support for Robredo was issued following Wednesday’s The Manila Times report which claimed that his endorsement was part of Robredo camp’s “public relations spin.”

Citing a source who is said to be one of Ramos’ aides, the report said that the Robredo camp supposedly had “a ready media release and just waited for the usual photo opportunity with the former President” before releasing the PR to various media outlets.

The two leaders met last Monday, Feb. 8, a day before the official start of the campaign period.

Other leaders who also expressed support for Robredo’s vice presidential bid include House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Escudero bares reason why Senate did not pass BBL ‘Peace adviser, negotiator did not want lawmakers to revise any part at all’ more than what the MILF wants.

OPAPP gave us their version of the BBL and told us we can’t touch it. OPAPP told us not to change a comma, a period or a paragraph. When I talked to the MILF, it was fine with them if there were changes,” Escudero said.

“There would have been no problem if OPAPP did not think that they had the monopoly of talent, skills, intelligence and good intentions for the BBL,” Escudero added.

He said the senators had a problem with a provision on the setting up of parallel constitutional bodies in the proposed

Bangsamoro autonomous region. The 1987 Constitution has strictly prohibited the setting up of another Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission and Commission on Elections offices as guaranteed in the OPAPP version of the BBL, Escudero said.

“But OPAPP insisted on it,” he said.

Escudero said should he and his presidential candidate, Senator Grace Poe, win, they would push for a BBL that would be acceptable to all.

“We will craft a BBL that is better than the ARMM but still in the bounds of the Constitution,” he said. (Inquirer.net)

8/

=<9IL8IP ()$(/# )'(- F:&@< 8J@8E AFLIE8C

_kkg1&&nnn%Xj`XeaflieXc%Zfd /(/ ,')$'-,( )(* ),'$0.0.

Â&#x2020;Ă&#x153;ÂŻÂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2026;ÂşĂ&#x160;ĂĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2026;Â&#x2020;ÂżĂ&#x2013;ĂĽÂ&#x2019;¿¯Â&#x201C;Â&#x2020;â¯Ă&#x160;Ă&#x2026;Ă&#x153;

Ç&#x2020;Â&#x2020;Ă&#x153;ÂŻÂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2026;ÂşĂ&#x160;ĂĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2026;Â&#x2020;ÂżÂ&#x201C;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201E;

Ç&#x2020;Â&#x2020;Ă&#x153;ÂŻÂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2026;ÂşĂ&#x160;ĂĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2026;Â&#x2020;Âż

XXX BTJBOKPVSOBM DPN -PT "OHFMFT Ç&#x2021; -BT 7FHBT Ç&#x2021; 0SBOHF $PVOUZ *OMBOE &NQJSF Ç&#x2021; /PSUIFSO $BMJGPSOJB Ç&#x2021; /FX :PSL /FX +FSTFZ

THE ASIAN JOURNAL ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016

VALENTINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY 2016 SPECIAL FEATURE

*Images used on the cover are stock photos only and do not represent actual people who are involved in online dating or relationships that resulted from online dating. Photos cannot be used in any other publication without permission.

2

MAY 30-JUNE 5, 2014 www.asianjournal.com

Press enter for love: Romance and relationships in the digital age

By MALOU LIWANAG-BLEDSOE AJPRESS

BEFORE the Internet became a household name, dating and courtship went through normal stages. That is, you meet people in person, go on a date and if it worked out, then you go on to a more committed relationship.

Today, some still manage to do it the conventional way. However, technology has found a way to bring romance and relationships to many — through their computers.

Some still have reservations about the possibility of meeting “the one” through this manner. Of course, this is understandable due to the fact that you shouldn’t believe anything—or anyone—you read and meet online.

Love online anyone?

Since the explosion of the Internet in the 1990s, it was used immediately for online dating. Even before the Web itself was created, newsgroups, bulletin boards, and forums were somewhat unintentionally used to post personal ads, just like the ones in newspapers. People who were online met with others with similar interests and would go on to meet in person. Chat rooms were offered

by Internet service providers and heavily advertised these features. Although technically limited, it spurred a dating culture to many who were just starting to get acquainted with the

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016

2

Connections: Couples who have found love online IN time for Valentine’s Day, the Asian Journal asked a few couples how they found their significant others online & how they’ve made the relationships last.

First impressions aren’t always important Pat Bolognese and Arleah Baingan-Bolognese Met through:Filipinofinder.com in 2005 Courtship: Chatted on and off for a year, then regularly for another year. Dated for seven years before getting married.

Married: April 14, 2014 in Orchard Park, NY Son: Zavi was born on April 3, 2015 in Buffalo, NY

technology.

However, the first major dating website was the combination of Kiss.com and Match.com, both registered by the same person in 1994 and 1995 respectively. Other dating sites also existed, but focused on international dating slanting towards the “mail order bride” services. By 1996, Yahoo listed 16 dating websites, including the then popular Friendfinder.com and OneandOnly.com.

The movie “You’ve Got Mail” in 1998 starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan brought Internet dating some cultural boost. Though their characters didn’t really meet on a dating site and the movie wasn’t about online dating, the story showed how the Web can bring people together.

With its popularity and

growing public acceptance, Match. com and OneandOnly.com were bought by Ticketmaster OnlineCitysearch for an undisclosed sum. Major Internet players like — Yahoo and AOL —upped their game and started to develop their personal/dating section. Others followed suit during the dot-com boom in the late 90s and early 2000s.

The dot-com crash in 2001/2002 brought a lot of the frenzy and sites to an end. However, it also changed the online world. For dating sites, the change came more from the launch of social networking sites like Friendster and MySpace in 2002, and Facebook in 2004. The mentality was that the idea of online social networking carried a much smaller stigma than online dating sites, as it was used by those who are not seeking a

@ccljkiXk`fe Yp B\e[i`Zb KXe

partner at all.

Still, with the social networking wave, online dating has continued to thrive. According to Online Dating Magazine, nearly 20 million people visit at least one online dating site every month, and 120,000 marriages every year take place due to that.

Finally, the public’s perception of online dating is changing and the stigma of finding a partner online has been slowly lifting due to the popularity of social networking. Although the majority of marriages still meet through more traditional means, nearly everyone on the Web has met someone or made a friend online. And in this fast-paced world, people find it a lot harder to make time to meet and date people in person. Why would they, when all one has to do is log on and click?

First time meeting: P: “We first met in 2007.

Not much changed the first time we met but the second time was when things really exploded.”

A: “He told me he liked me right away. I thought he was a nice guy.”

Challenges in their relationship: A: “There were many challenges to this kind of set-up (long distance relationship).

Physical togetherness is very different from just seeing each other on-cam. Second, there is an issue of trust. You really don’t know what your partner is doing. He/she can say one thing and do another. It is difficult to verify a person’s claims when you are so far from each other and your means of communication is mostly online. I missed going out on ‘real’ dates.

I get paranoid at time when he wasn’t online on our usual chat schedule.”

P: “Some of the challenges are that things can be misunderstood...There are also times that outside things like traffic or weather, that affect timing (like if you were supposed to chat at a certain time but the MRT was late or traffic was heavy and one was late. I wouldn’t know anything about a MRT breakdown and Arleah would not know about a traffic problem here

GXk Xe[ 8ic\X_ 9fcf^e\j\ n`k_ k_\`i jfe# QXm`

so one may think something is wrong). Also, not being able to actually go on dates is very difficult.”

Advice for those who want to try online dating: A: “Online dating is not for everyone. I might suggest it to my friends who are openminded, those who are not afraid to take chances, because it is a very challenging set-up.

If you are the clingy or jealous type, like you want your boyfriend/partner to report his/her every move, this may not be for you. There are so many people online who are just out there to have fun and take advantage of those who are gullible enough.

Continued on Page 4

Search for Top Model of the World PH 2016 is on

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

Tips on finding love on the Internet

BY MONET

Ki`e` =fc`\ek\

:fiX Jfi`Xef

THE search is on for the next Top Model of the World (TMW) Philippines.

Top Model of the World is the largest and most prestigious international model and pageant competition for vibrant young women. It combines fashion, modeling and pageantry as its main components.

This 2016, the search is open to qualified candidates from Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, the Philippines and the United States.

The event is expected to draw attention and participation from Filipino communities across the globe, particularly from Southern California, Northern California, the US East Coast and US Midwest, the aforementioned countries, Italy and New Zealand.

In the US, pageant and fashion veterans Trini Foliente and Cora Soriano of Pageantry Global, Inc. are behind the screening of potential candidates.

Foliente, who has been a pageant promoter since the 1980s, said she has witnessed pageants help boost the self-confidence of young women. It’s also a phenomenon Soriano has seen, which is why she said she supports and is fond of pageantry.

“The transformation of the personality is what we need for them to succeed because if you are very confident ... you can go anywhere,” Soriano said.

As a young girl, Soriano shared she was often told she was beautiful. Frequently hearing that helped her build self-confidence, and it’s something she makes an effort to tell young girls, regardless of their physical appearance.

“The compliments help. And that is related to the pageantry because if [they] feel like [they’re] beautiful ... it will help them tremendously in their lives,” Soriano said.

Some former pageant candidates Foliente has helped throughout her years in the industry have gone on to secure careers as actresses in Hollywood,

as well as various positions in the medical field.

She credits successes like these to the women’s involvement in pageantry, which she said boosts their self-esteem.

Coinciding with the search for the next Top Model of the World (TMW) Philippines is the launching of the 2016 Top Model of the World (TMW) Philippines in the greater Melbourne area to be lead by its partner and cooperator, “Face Australia Promotion & Management.” Face Australia is a leading pageant operator in Australasia and the Oceania.

The much-awaited national pageant will be a pioneering launch, as most pageant and model searches in the Philippines are done in Metro Manila.

It will be the ‘first’ of such a renowned national event to be entirely launched outside the Philippine.

The grand coronation of the Top Model of the World (TMW) Philippines will be held on July 9 in Australia.

The winner of the competition will represent the Philippines in the forthcoming Top Model of the World 2016 pageant.

Requirements for young women to join the TMW pageant is as follows: - Minimum height 5’7” - Must have Filipino lineage - Must be between the ages of 18 and 25 - Must be bubbly with a pleasing personality - Must be single, have never been married and have no children For more information, please contact: USA: Pageantry Global, Inc. Trini Foliente(818)455-2132 Cora Soriano (213)999-1993 tmwusacanada@gmail.com Australia: faceaustralia@gmail.com Canada: ipenevents@gmail.com Philippines: tmwasia@gmail.com

3

LU

I OFTEN hear (and use) the idiomatic phrase, “Wear your heart on your sleeve.” It is often thrown at someone who is bent on concealing his or her true feelings.

And since we live in a world filled with mysteries and false pretenses, many can relate to the phrase. The phrases’ pervasiveness is so casual, it found its way to the lyrics of different songs by known artists: from Ringo Starr to Eminem to Carrie Underwood. But did you know the story behind this casual expression?

It’s been said that in the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names to see who their Valentine would be. To do this, they would wear the name pinned to their sleeve for one week so that everyone would know their supposed true feelings. This etymology made me wonder how uncomplicated it must be like to just go around declaring your search for true love and actually finding it. On second thought, isn’t this the basic principle of internet dating? So it is possible to meet your true love by clicking the right button – rather, profile?

The answer to that question was served to me by one of my clients who told me her cyber-love story. I did her hair and makeup and it has been customary for me to know a little bit about my clients. Actually, I didn’t even insist or pry. She was very enthusiastic to tell me how she met her then cyber-prince. She told me how they met on Facebook, fell in love, met personally and got married – now they have a 4-year-old kid.

All of that because she happens to be one of those who applied the basic principle of the old days: “to wear your heart on your sleeves.”

“You have to be very specific with what you want. I was so specific in my description. I said I wanted to be with a Chinese guy, earning an average income and so on…”, my client advised as she recalls the fond memories she had when she decided to start her (online) search for “forever.” I was

kind of skeptic, imagining how vulnerable I’d be if I were to be as open as she claimed but hey, who am I to argue with a happily married woman with an adorable child?

But just in case there are others out there who are like me – careful and cautious to a fault – It wouldn’t hurt to pay attention to these advice I gathered from my client, as well as from those I know who have worn their hearts on their sleeves and succeeded in finding true love. Here are 3 tips on finding love on the Internet.

1. BE SPECIFIC Just like what my client told me, you have to know what you want and state it in 250 characters or less. Most relationships end because neither parties know what they want out of the relationship or one of them just aren’t interested in knowing. Suffice to say that all relationships should start with a basic understanding of what you really want. It doesn’t have to be as detailed, not to mention overboard, as knowing how many children you want or the layout of your love nest. But it would be a good start to know what you want in a relationship – and know who or what type of person you want to have that relationship with.

2. BE HONEST Now this deals with what kind of person they expect to have a relationship with. Don’t be afraid to tell something interesting about you like your obsession to peanut butter or your love-hate relationship with your neighbor’s dog (on second thought, you can leave that last part out – animal lovers are adorable).

You can be open about yourself without selling yourself out.

Just remember, it is better to be yourself than to pretend someone you are not.

3. INCLUDE A WELLWRITTEN INTRODUCTION AND A GOOD PICTURE And when I say, “wellwritten,” I mean grammatically correct. It doesn’t have to be an autobiography. A twitter-like intro would be enough but make sure it is not filled with typos and wrong tenses. When in doubt: google it.

The picture has to be recent. I am not one to judge those who love to use filters and photo editing apps but please make sure it’ll still look like YOU, the real ‘I-woke-uplike-this’ You. Tinder, Hinge, Match.com., You name it, these dating apps are everywhere. And while some (like my client) have found their true love via the internet, not everybody end up in the same happy ending. As much as I wish otherwise, some people can be misleading – or worse, psycho killers. So take the necessary precaution. I agree that we should once in a while wear our “hearts” on our sleeves (or post in on the web), but it would save you a ton of heartaches if you proceed with caution. Good luck and Happy Valentine’s Day! *** Dfe\k Cl `j X DXi`b`eX$Yfie# XnXi[$ n`ee`e^ Z\c\Yi`kp Y\Xlkp jkpc`jk n`k_ _`j fne Z_X`e f] Dfe\k JXcfe jXcfej XZifjj Jflk_\ie :Xc`]fie`X Xe[ CXj M\^Xj# E\mX[X% Lck`dXk\cp# Dfe\k `j befne Xj Xe Xcc$Xifle[ Xik`jk\ n_f gif[lZ\j jfc[$flk ]Xj_`fe Xe[ XnXi[j j_fnj Xj n\cc Xj le]fi^\kkXYc\ dXib\k`e^ ZXdgX`^ej% Dfe\k `j Xcjf k_\ ]fle[\i f] k_\ i\mfclk`feXip Xcc$eXkliXc Y\Xlkp gif[lZkj jlZ_ Xj <ec`^_k\e# pfli jfclk`fe kf [`jZfcfiXk`fe% Kf ZfekXZk Dfe\k# gc\Xj\ m`j`k nnn%dfe\kjXcfe%Zfd fi \dX`c _`d Xk dfe\kjXcfe7Xfc%Zfd

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

4

John Lloyd Cruz, Jennylyn Mercado to star in Star Cinema project

Connections: Couples who have found love online...

From Page 2 Also, it is easier to lie when you’re online. It’s important to get to know each other, take your time and check their background. It’s a personal decision.

“Finding, keeping and staying happy with ‘the one’ is probably life’s biggest adventure. If there’s opportunity to meet and get to know new

people, try it and take advantage. Give it time. Do your research. Trust your instinct.

Ask a lot of questions.”

P: “ You can only date online if you are patient and understanding and accepting that things don’t always happen as they are planned. It is difficult but not impossible. I would tell someone that wants

MANILA—After working with Derek Ramsay, Sam Milby and Jericho Rosales, GMA-7 star Jennylyn Mercado will be paired up with another ABS-CBN actor.

The 28-year-old actress will star with John Lloyd Cruz in a movie project for Star Cinema.

Jennylyn revealed the news by posting a photo of herself with John Chris Bledsoe and Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe Lloyd on her official Facebook page Met through: Yahoo Messenger in November 2007 on Monday, Feb. 8.

Courtship: No actual courtship. Friends on and off for a year.

Pilipino Star Ngayon columnist Married: February 5, 2010 in Redwood City, CA Salve Asis reported that the movie is talked about the Philippines First impression about slated to be released this summer. and Spongebob Squarepants each other: Cathy Garcia-Molina will direct and got sandwiches at a local Malou: “It was a little the movie. deli. There were no expectaweird.

He just popped out A\eepcpe D\iZX[f n`cc nfib n`k_ Af_e Ccfp[ :ilq ]fi k_\ Ôijk k`d\ `e Xe lgZfd`e^ JkXi :`e\dX This is the first time the two will tions of romance or putting on dfm`\ gifa\Zk% =XZ\Yffb g_fkf Yp A\eepcpe D\iZX[f of my Yahoo Messenger and Continued on Page 5 your best clothes—it was just a said hi. He seemed nice so I simple but really nice day. chatted with him. We were Challenges in their relaonline friends off and on for a tionship: year. I wasn’t looking to date C: “After the first date we anyone. But my mom thought knew we wanted to see each he looked like a ‘gangster’ other again. I lived on the oth(laughs).” for his lady love and “Be My Lady” The couple reports for work

by MARINEL R. CRUZ er side of the Bay that time and Chris: “I don’t know costar Erich Gonzales on V-Day. three times a week on the set of Inquirer.net had crazy work hours. Also, how I found her online (or I “If we get called for work on “Be My Lady” in Arayat, Pampanga. forgot). She seemed nice, she both of us were going through that day, that’ll be our priority. I’ll “VALENTINE’S Day is just a “The place is so beautiful. The some personal matters that just moved to the US and she do everything I can to make her date. I try to show my love for her sunset there is breathtaking. needed to be dealt with.” was still adjusting to the culture every day in every way,” said Daniel feel special. We will definitely find There’s no pollution.”

M: “We tried to see as and missed her friends. I told time to be together on that day,” Matsunaga, when asked whether The only downer, he said, much as we can and just as her to give it some time.” said Daniel.

Continued on Page 5 he plans to do something special he said, there were personal First time meeting: matters in our respective lives M: “The first meeting we that we needed to fix. Another planned didn’t push through thing was I was avoiding the so we set up another one. We stigma of having met someone refused to call it a date and saw online and how other people it as a friendly meeting. Just viewed it (I have a friend who as he promised, he hugged does online dating, and tries to me. He was very sweet.” ask money from men). Also, I C: “She was cute and wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay small. I thought she was rein the US after my work visa ally funny. I picked her up at expires.” her apartment. We went to Advice for those who want the beach, walked around,

to date online that they should talk to someone that has when they have issues. I would never tell someone not to. I would tell them to just take it slow and to be careful. There are many men that just want to have fun and many women that just want money. If you take it slow, you will be able to tell if the other person is serious.”

No Expectations

Daniel on relationship with Erich: I’ll do everything I can to make her feel special

:_i`j Xe[ DXcfl 9c\[jf\

to try online dating: C: “Again, don’t expect romance right away—or at all. Start with being friends, because it’ll help you know the person on the other side better. It is not for everyone.”

M: “I’ve never really dated online, and I don’t know if I would consider ours as one. I keep calling our story as ‘no expectations,’ because that’s how it was, really. Also, be cautious and careful. Chances are, you’ll come across some sleazy person who only wants either money or naked pictures of you. Stalkerish it may seem, try to do some research on the person—that’s what Facebook and Google are for.”

No Boundaries

By ALLYSON

ESCOBAR AJPRESS

DXib 9Xlk`jkX Xe[ Gi\Z`flj Afp XbX% ÈGA%É

<i`Z_ >feqXc\j Xe[ ;Xe`\c DXkjleX^X

EMPLOYMENT

Mark & PJ Met through : Tinder in 2014 Love is when the person is your other half, no matter the distance Mark Bautista, 24, and his girlfriend of over a year, Precious Joy aka. “PJ,” 22, met on the social dating app Tinder Continued on Page 5

EMPLOYMENT

F0R SALE

PSYCHIC

FOR RENT

#RelationshipGoals

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

Thanks to social media, not only are fans able to live vicariously through celebrities’ lives, they also get to witness their idols as they document their sweet moments. Check out our favorite celebrity couples as they give us glimpses into their relationships. (AJPress)

Photo from Jessica Cabanʼs Twitter account Photo from Austin Butlerʼs Twitter account

Vanessa Hudgens & Austin Butler “Wow. Vanessa singing ‘Worst Things’ had me in tears.

Just brilliant #GreaseLive,” - Austin Butler in Jan 2016, after the emotional performance in Fox’s “Grease Live.”

“I think you just have to put that other person first. If you’re constantly looking for ways that you can make them happy, and they’re constantly looking for ways that they can make you happy, then you kind of lift each other up as much as possible and you can’t go wrong.”

- Austin Butler to ET in August 2015

Photo from Ronnie Bankʼs Instagram account

Jasmine Villegas & Ronnie Banks “You’re my better half.”

- Jasmine Villegas on Instagram, December 2015 “You’ve made me so d*mn happy and you really do mean a whole lot to me. I’d be lost without you. I know it took me awhile to finally admit my love for you, but I ain’t ever felt this way about anyone before. I’m happy to be spending the rest of my life with you and I can’t wait to meet our baby girl in February.” - Ronnie Banks on Instagram, December 2015

Photo from Erwan Heussaffʼs Twitter account

Anne Curtis & Erwan Heussaff “Happy birthday to the most caring and hardest working woman I know. Today you turned 30, a number that freaks out most people, sending them into a frenzy of ‘What have I done with my life?’. In your case you’ve accomplished so much already.

You’ve kept a strong head during tough times and have arrived more fulfilled than ever. I can’t wait to conquer more countries with you, eat our way through bizarre cities, wreck ourselves at workouts, binge watch TV series’ and bounce around like idiots at different concerts. Remember you’re just 18 with 12 years of experience under your belt.” Erwan wrote on Instagram when he greeted Anne on her 30th birthday last year.

Photo from Coleen Garciaʼs Instagram account

Billy Crawford Photo from Alyssa Quijanoʼs Twitter account & Coleen Garcia Charice Pempengo “Currently en route to & Alyssa Quijano #MasaiMara. I’m so blessed “The love connection to be here with you, @billyjobetween us is what’s important. ecrawford Thank you for being It’s not about gender.” - Alyssa the perfect travel buddy, as alto ABS-CBN in June 2014. ways. Love you! #BillyColeen” “We talk about that a lot.

- Coleen in December 2015 We consider ourselves like a “Thank you, love, for always married couple…the way we making everything ten times treat each other, the way we more fun and memorable! I,’ alplan our lives together…we ways at my happiest when I’m know that’s where we’re headwith you @billyjoecrawford.” ed.” - Charice in June 2014.

- Coleen in November 2015

John Lloyd Cruz, Jennylyn Mercado...

From Page 4 be working on a project together.

However, this isn’t the first time Star Cinema, the movie production outfit of ABS-CBN, got a talent from a rival network.

TV5 actor Derek Ramsay starred with Coleen Garcia in their movie “Ex with Benefits,” while GMA-7 actor Dennis Trillo paired up with Maja Salvador in “You’re Still the One.” Dingdong Dantes also starred in three Star Cinema projects: “Segunda Mano” in 2011, “One Last Try” in 2012 and “She’s The One” in 2013.

Jennylyn’s two movies in 2015, “Pre-Nup and “Walang Forever,” were with long-time ABS-CBN actors Jericho Rosales and Sam Milby.

John Lloyd recently appeared in “A Second Chance” with Bea Alonzo and the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Honor Thy Father.” (Philstar. com)

in 2014. The location-based application, which connects to Facebook, matched Mark and PJ up as a pair while the two were both working in Manila, where Tinder culture is large and thriving. After just a few weeks on Tinder, Mark asked PJ for coffee, and the rest was history.

The two made it official after just a few weeks of dating.

“My friends would always make fun of me for using the app [Tinder], but then I showed it to them and soon they were using it too,” Mark, a videographer now based in Southern California, laughed.

When he and PJ began dating, it was apparent from the start that the both of them were going to leave to the US to launch their careers individually. Back home in the Philippines, they hardly saw each other because of PJ’s frequent visits to her family in the northern province of Isabela. They communicated frequently, and when they did see each other, it was as if no time had passed.

Soon, long distance began to run its course. Mark obtained his visa and went to California to continue his career, while PJ took up a temporary

Dingdong, Marian and baby Maria Letizia Photo from Dingdong Dantesʼs Instagram account

Dingdong Dantes & Marian Rivera “Celebrating 10 months of marriage over a sliced banana and some ice cream.” - Dingdong in November 2015 “I couldn’t get enough of my girls.” - Dingdong in August 2015

Ciara Sotto posts ‘friendly reminder’ vs mistresses NETIZENS are abuzz over a “friendly reminder” Ciara Sotto shared on her Twitter account.

Ciara posted a photo caption that reads: ‘God is not going to bless you with someone else’s husband.”

Her accompanying tweet for the photo goes: “A friendly reminder.”

Although Ciara did not specify who the tweet was for, her social media followers are speculating that the tweet is in connection to her husband Jojo Oconer.

Last month, Ciara admitted that she and Jojo are having marital problems. Reports that a third party was the reason for their problems surfaced immediately after Ciara’s revelation.

(Chuck Smith/Philstar. com)

position in Colorado, working for hotel management, before she went back home to Manila for work in December 2015. Mark remained in Southern California with his family. Despite nearly a day’s time difference, the two have always made it work, with the help of communication and technology, mutual respect, and maturity.

“We’re really private about our relationship, and it’s one of the factors that’s kept us going. No one’s going to bother you. We’ve gotten a lot stronger as a couple, especially after this first year.”

The two were also able to see each other last year, sharing their love for travel while visiting the East Coast; Canada, New York, New Jersey, and Washington DC. It was a rare moment for the two to be face to face, in a relationship rooted and sustained in online digital communication.

“We connect mostly through Facebook, Viber, and Skype--we Skype almost every single day, at the same time, while I’m going home and she is on her way to work,” Mark shared. “As a long-distance couple, communication is the

Ryan Reynolds, ‘Deadpool’ co-star give out ‘sisig’ WHO wants sisig chimichangas?

Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool in the new superhero film, gave out free servings of the Filipino fusion food during a promotional event in San Francisco this week.

Together with TJ Miller, who plays Deadpool’s best friend Weasel, Reynolds visited the Filipino fusion food truck to promote the film.

Señor Sisig, the lucky food truck business visited by the two actors, posted on Instagram photos of the event.

thing that will really hold us together.”

The couple also sends each other surprise gifts for birthdays and holidays, despite being oceans apart, and they have many future travel plans in mind, including a grand tour of Asia.

“You need to bond by doing things together, and learn from each other. We love to travel; she loves photography, I love video. She teaches me cooking--for example, when she was in Colorado we were on Skype, and she taught me how to cook while on camera.

Those are our dates. And we are very similar--she’s the girl version of myself.”

Mark and PJ hope to settle together in the US someday, but for now, they will continue to pursue their careers and work on growing themselves.

They continue to communicate every day.

“Respect and communication. That’s key. You need to be mature enough to know what’s right and wrong, and to be understanding of one another’s situations,” Mark shared. “Now, after a whole year--I’m proud to say we are making it.”

Together with TJ Miller, who plays Deadpool’s best friend Weasel, Reynolds visited the Filipino fusion food truck to promote the film.

Señor Sisig, the lucky food truck business visited by the two actors, posted on Instagram photos of the event.

The Yard, which houses the food truck neighborhood, also announced the event on their Instagram account.

Reynolds originally played the anti-hero version of the Marvel Comics character in the 2009 film “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” (Inquirer. net)

Gabrielle Current Photo taken by Kobe Paras on his Instagram account

Kobe Paras & Gabrielle Current “I’m not so good with selfies, but with her in every pic it’s flawless.” - Kobe Paras in January 2016 “What’s sweeter than a cup of hot cocoa? A kiss from a beautiful girl named Gabrielle Current.”

Connections: Couples who...

From Page 4

Bruno Mars & Jessica Caban “Bruno is about to bring it!!

Dancing more than ever. He’s been working so incredibly hard for you all!! Baby you’re a STAR” Jessica on Twitter before Bruno Mars’ performance on the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.

5

JZi\\e^iXY ]ifd J\ fi J`j`^Ëj @ejkX^iXd XZZflek

Daniel on relationship with...

From Page 4 is that “it’s incredibly hot in the ricefields.”

Photo from Jericho Rosalesʼs Instagram account Daniel said Erich helps him Jericho Rosales on the set. “She has more work & Kim Jones experience than me. She gives “Jackpot.” - Jericho Rosales me tips on when to pause while wrote on his photo with wife Kim Jones when they attended delivering my lines, or on how to breathe to relax before takes.” the Star Magic Ball last year.

Just like Daniel, his character “Best wife ever.” - Jericho Phil is Brazilian-Japanese. “Phil and Rosales, in February 2015

I have many similarities, except I wasn’t a bully as a kid. Like me, he’ll do everything for his loved ones.”

While he does not speak too many Filipino words in the series, Daniel said his goal is to learn to speak the language fluently by the end of the year. “There are a lot of things I want to achieve. I want to take on more challenging roles. I’ll work hard to improve as an actor.”

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

6

Ex-Pres. FVR to launch new book on Feb. 19 at Pandesal Forum of Kamuning Bakery Cafe

THE Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV) will launch “2030: ONE WORLD, ONE COMMUNITY, ONE FAMILY”, a compilation of selected essays, articles and other writings of former President Fidel V. Ramos on February 19, 2016 (Friday) 8:30 AM at the 77-year-old artisanal Kamuning Bakery Café, 43 Judge Jimenez St. corner K-1st St., Kamuning, Quezon City.

This book has been written with the coming 30th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution in mind, within the context of the forthcoming national elections and the ongoing threat of international terrorism.

FVR reminds us that “as Filipinos, we do believe that the best way to promote the Spirit of EDSA is for everyone of us, as concerned citizens, to pull together, uplift the common life, and raise our country to a position of dignity and admiration the Philippines deserves in the community of nations.”

To meet today’s challenges, everyone must develop a greater sense of universal responsibility.

Each of us must learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind.

Universal responsibility -- through the equitable use of natural

Inspiring Filipino-Chinese entrepreneurs Kite Runner

PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO

MANY attempts have been made to profile the Asian Entrepreneur. But I found an easier way to spot them—just check their family name.

The fact is enterprises and entrepreneurship in the Asian context is usually tied up with kin or family.

In the Philippines, the term “Asian entrepreneur” has not been around for long but trading is nothing new. The Chinese and Malay traders have made their presence known throughout Philippine history even before the Spanish came. <o$Gi\j% =`[\c M% IXdfj n`cc cXleZ_ _`j e\n Yffb fe =\Y% (0 =i`[Xp /1*'Xd fenXi[j Xk Their trading continued even BXdle`e^ 9Xb\ip :X]\Ëj GXe[\jXc =fild `e Hl\qfe :`kp% in the presence of the Spanish sustainable development, resources, concern for future conquistadores. The Spanish enduring peace in the Asiagenerations and the proper care officials’ aristocratic lifestyle was Pacific region, socio-economic of the environment -- is the key completely dependent on the diplomacy, and democratic to human survival and is the Galleon Trade for hundreds of governance. strongest foundation for world years.

Government officials, sectoral peace.

This Galleon Trade brought representatives, educators, On a lighter note, the book Chinese silk and porcelains to journalists, professionals, veterans, once again ends with various Europe via Mexico and European senior students and other anecdotes (which range from luxury goods and Mexican silver via concerned Filipinos are cordially funny to critical to libelous to Manila.1 invited to join this historic book seditious to subversive) narrated GETTING TO KNOW launch. by opinion-makers, FVR associates, THE FILIPINO-CHINESE For confirmations or further and former government officials.

ENTREPRENEURS inquiries, call Kamuning Bakery This new book is part of The Chinese in the Philippines Cafe at Tels: 4161637, 9292216, RPDEV’s continuing education make up only 20 percent of the 4126628 or office Tels: 4151692, program in accordance with its country’s total population but they 4112311, 4126685. four main program areas namely: are a force to be reckoned with.

Most Chinese in the Philippines are business owners and their lives center around the family business that are usually small and medium enterprises. These family businesses play a significant role in Stay informed about 2016 OASIS The 2016 OASIS Children’s SANTA ANA—Arts, Virtual the Philippine economy. A handful CHILDREN’S ARTS FESTIVAL Arts Festival was created to bring Reality and Fun Bring Kids of these entrepreneurs run large (#ARTLEADS) by following @ together the Arts Community and Families TOGETHER! This companies and are respected oasiscenterintl on Twitter, and in Santa Ana, and expose Santa weekend, the 2016 OASIS as some of the most prominent becoming a “fan” on Facebook.

Ana’s children to all types of Children’s Arts Festival will fill business tycoons in the country.

Photos from the weekend will artistic expression and that Santa Ana with life, color and art be available on facebook and on when ART LEADs, anything for more than 400+ Kids and their www.oasiscenterintl.org. is possible in their lives. The families. Kids will experience Immigrant OASIS Children’s Arts Festival event will be enjoyed by kids, hands-on art activities, see the will be held at 2301 W. MacArthur Living: 101 families, friends and arts lovers launch of the Oasis Virtual Reality Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92704 alike. While the Festival founders Project by Casanova Pendrill in and Beyond – theater doors open at 1PM! pride themselves on offering a partnership with Long Beach tOasis Center International Museum of Art and view animated variety of acuities and interactive MONETTE OASIS Center International experience of the kids, they short films, which individually ADEVA MAGLAYA is a 501©3 arts non-profit will also take time to highlight won the Guinness World Records.

THANKFULLY, spring is almost organization, founded in the true starts of the show, the This year’s festivities include a upon us in a few weeks and the 2012. OASIS seeks to inspire a student artists! panel discussion by American earth beckons. The gardener at generations of youth to fulfill the With a beautiful weekend Graffiti Artist, LeBa Professional heart tunes out all dire predictions of highest level of life achievement as its backdrop, the 2016 OASIS Tap Dancer and Choreographer, doom and gloom, possible through the discovery Children’s Artist Festival will Jason Rodgers, Artist and Curator, This year will be an unsettling and development of their inherent encourage Festival-goers to Ronald Nelson, acclaimed year. There is a national election in creative gifts. discover their inner artist. The Architect, Craig Schultz, and November and there will be so much For your information please artistry of Jason Roger’s and Performing Artist, Choreographer, uncertainty in the air. There exists visit our website at www. company will fill the air with Mentor and Educator, Ingrid the specter of a protracted war with oasiscenterintl.org. energy and some surprises, too.

Graham. radical Muslim terrorists gunning for world domination with their visions of a caliphate, looming menacingly in the horizon.

The realist in us thinks there is reason to be anxious. But the true gardener at heart remains unfazed. = < 9 I L8 IP ) ' Cool, calm and collected, he chooses to live in that rare state of grace G::?J& GLGC?J (00- >fc[\e AlY`c\\ called equanimity.

The Philippine College of Commerce High School Laboratory Batch 1966 (now PolyIt must come from the zen-like technic University of the Philippines) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee from February peace one gets when one gardens, 20-21 in Manila, Philippines. According to the President of the PCCHS Batch ‘66 Alumni Aseven if it is simply tending a single sociation, ROLAND ATIENZA, about 55 batchmates from Australia, Canada and USA have potted plant on an office desk. confirmed attendance to the Homecoming and 50 from Manila local chapter. Activities Doing what must be done in the lined up for the Golden Jubilee Celebration are as follows: garden is his small way of keeping February 20, 2016 -- 6:00-12:00 pm. Formal Program/Dinner at the Banahaw Ballroom, the delicate balance of nature in his The Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City, Philippines own sphere of influence.

February 21, 2016 -- 8:00 am - 9:00 pm In many ways, gardening is like - Visit the ANAWIM Home for the Abandoned Elderly, Montalban, Rizal Province (Felpraying. It keeps fears and anxieties lowship/Lunch/Donate basic needs of the elderly) at bay and keeps one centered in the - Tour of Manila (Former PCCHS in Lepanto, Intramuros Tour (old churches and Cathebelief that all things in the cosmos dral, Rizal Park, Fort Santiago) work together for good.

- Dinner/Cultural Show, at Barbara’s, Intramuros I was and still am a reluctant February 22, 2016 - BREAKUP GROUP (To Palawan, Laguna and respective hometown gardener. I was thrust into it by provinces of the guests) circumstances since I have a thing For inquiries, please contact the following members of the CORE group: Agnes T. about not wanting anything dying Sule #09165567000 suleagnes@yahoo.com, Roland Atienza #09062947156 atienza8@yaon my shift. I had to seek books and hoo.com, Rebecca T. Sayed 09064032624 rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com, Lourdes T. Flores luadvice despite the frenetic schedule lutflores@yahoo.com, Rebecca Sayed rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com. of a workaday world as I multitasked my way through the day. Nothing KXb\ k_\ ÊAflie\p kf JlZZ\jjË Xk :Xc JkXk\ C8 I did seemed right at the time. I WHAT: Asian American and Pacific Islander students and families are invited to Calitended to over water not knowing fornia State University, Los Angeles for “Journey to Success,” a college exposition open to about the dangers of root rot. high school and community college students who are interested in Cal State LA. “Journey My track record at growing to Success” will feature workshops on how to prepare and pay for college, information on things was dismal, yet I have often CSU requirements for admission and application processes, and representatives from Cal wondered what it would be like to State LA and other CSU campuses to answer questions. The outreach event will include watch something grow. I marveled free parking, breakfast, special giveaways, college resources and student panels. The at my mother’s green thumb. She college expo is sponsored by the California State University’s (CSU) Asian American and can stick a seemingly lifeless stump Pacific Islander Initiative. at a clump of earth and grow a new WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm beautiful plant nearly every time.

WHERE: The Golden Eagle Ballrooms at Cal State LA. (5151 State University Dr, Los I wasn’t one to give up easily Angeles, CA) though. Tenaciously, doggedly I For more information and details, please go to calstate.edu/journeytosuccess or call hung on to an image of me as a the Office of Outreach and Recruitment at Cal State LA, (323) 343-3839. confident gardener. My education D8I:? , on the art and science of growing things had begun. I took baby steps È8e <eZ_Xek\[ <m\e`e^É ;`ee\i$;XeZ\ ]fi >XnX[ BXc`e^X and stumbled countless times. I still As part of the GK USA National Summit, you are cordially invited to a dinner-dance, do. themed “An Enchanged Evening,” to benefit programs of Gawad Kalinga and GK EnI became quieter within as chanted Farm. The Dance will take place on Saturday, March 5, 7:00pm, at the Radisson I began to observe and seek to Midtown at USC, Los Angeles (3540 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90007). The cost is understand the process of growth, $100, with formal attire. The all-night program will include dinner, induction of the GK-USA the seasons and the cycle of life.

Board of Directors, remarks from the Chairman of the Board, and all-night dancing. For I read voraciously volumes upon more details on sponsorship packages for Gawad Kalinga builders and feeding programs, volumes about plants and watched as well as GKEF programs and scholarships, please visit gk-usa.org. For tickets, please visit public television that featured gk-usa.org/dinnerdance. gardening. Nurseries and gardens @] pfl _Xm\ Xe lgZfd`e^ \m\ek Xe[ nflc[ c`b\ lj kf gfjk `k# gc\Xj\ \dX`c lj k_\ have become my favorite haunts [\kX`cj Xk `e]f7Xj`XeaflieXc`eZ%Zfd fi ZXc\e[Xi7Xj`XeaflieXc`eZ%Zfd where I could ask those who knew

‘Art Leads!’ Kids will discover their inner artist at the 2016 Oasis Children’s Arts Festival

Calendar of Events across

America

Chinese Filipinos attribute their success in business to frugality and hard work, Confucian values and their traditional Chinese customs and traditions. They are very business-minded and entrepreneurship is highly valued and encouraged among the young.

We can trace the roots of the Chinese in the Philippines to either the Fujianese or Cantonese dialect groups of the Han Chinese ethnicity. Most pure-blooded Chinese in the Philippines come from the province of Fujian in China and are called Fujianese or Hoklo.

Mixed Chinese people who have either Malay or Spanish (or both) ancestry are called Chinese mestizos. During the Spanish times, they were legally classified as Mestizo de Sangley as printed on their community tax certificates.

A number of Chinese mestizos have surnames that reflect their heritage, mostly two or three syllables that have Chinese roots.

They use the full name of a Chinese ancestor and provide a Hispanic phonetic spelling.

The Chinese mestizos are sometimes called Chinoy or Tsinoy, although this term is more accurate for pure-blooded Chinese-Filipinos.

However, the Chinoy is not to be mistaken for chinito, a term used to describe physical characteristics— slanted eyes — rather than describing ethnic origin or cultural orientation.

In contrast with the mixed blooded Chinese mestizos, few Chinese Filipinos are plantation owners. This is partly due to the fact that it was only until recently that the Chinese in the Philippines became Filipino citizens. The law prohibited them from owning land.

These days, most Chinese Filipinos are urban dwellers. At least 50 percent of them live within Metro Manila, while the rest reside in the major cities of the Philippines such as Cebu, Iloilo

and Davao. They can be found everywhere.

The famous Filipino entrepreneurs are mostly Chinese Eight out of the most famous Filipino entrepreneurs are businessmen whose families emigrated from Mainland China to the Philippines before World War II when the economy was strong.

Some sought out regular employment and others set up small businesses. Although each took a different approach, there is one common denominator among them before they became famous Filipino entrepreneurs — unparalleled work ethic.

While there are other factors that contribute to their achievements, such as being frugal, a good financial sense, and a strong network of fellow Chinese businessmen for support, the collective image of these famous Filipino entrepreneurs working hard and diligently has stuck in the minds of budding entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Indeed, if one wants to be a successful entrepreneur, there is much to learn from the Chinese Filipino entrepreneurs.

In my next article, I will provide an overview of the most famous Filipino entrepreneurs, mostly Chinese with a few mestizos. We have a lot to learn from these icons of the local business scene. (To be continued) ! ! !

Gif]% Jfi`Xef `j Xe 8J<8E =Xd`cp 9lj`e\jj 8[m`jfi# 9ffb 8lk_fi# <o\Zlk`m\ ;`i\Zkfi f] 8J<8E$YXj\[ :fejlck`e^ ^iflg# Nfe^ " 9\iejk\`e 8[m`jfip Xe[ ]fid\i :_X`i f] k_\ DXib\k`e^ :cljk\i f] k_\ 8K<E<F >iX[lXk\ JZ_ffc f] 9lj`e\jj% =i\j_ ]ifd _`j c\Zkli\ Xe[ Yffb cXleZ_ Xk k_\ G_`c :fejlcXk\ >\e\iXc EP Xe[ ?XimXi[# _\ `j jcXk\[ kf [\c`m\i X kXcb `e C8 Xe[ j_Xi\ _`j j\Zfe[ Yffb È<ejli`e^ Pfli =Xd`cp 9lj`e\jj C\^XZpÉ kf X j\c\Zk ^iflg f] =Xd`cp 9lj`e\jj fne\ij fe =\YilXip (' Xe[ ()% =fi k_fj\ `ek\i\jk\[ kf Xkk\e[# gcj \dX`c Gif] Jfi`Xef Xk jfi`XefXj`X7^dX`c%Zfd% Gif] Jfi`XefËj Ylj`e\jj Xik`Zc\j ZXe Xcjf Y\ XZZ\jj\[ Xk nnn%=Xd`eYlj`e\jj%Zfd%

Tweaking the lessons learned from the garden “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”

—Claude Monet, speaking of his garden at Giverny

better. I boned up on my rusty, halting Spanish quizzing the gardener as best I could. Finally, I slammed on the brakes fearing I had become boringly, compulsively obsessive. But I found that unless I got down on the ground myself, nothing happened.

I have discovered gardening to be a quiet, solitary pursuit somewhat fit for hermits and loners — unglamorous, unexciting, backbreaking, time consuming, manual, icky, down in the dirt labor that was certainly not meant for immediate gratification.

So, why do it at all? I don’t really know. Must be borderline idiocy.

Of course, I speak only for myself.

For one thing, it teaches you the patience of Job and the virtue of humility. I have failed more than succeeded and am still working on it. But as time passed, I have been encouraged by modest results. I became synchronized with the seasons and their gentle nuances.

I took baby steps and was off and running at one point I could call most plants by name these days and seem to instinctively know what to do when a problem arises. If things don’t work on my own accord, I seek help. I still am a failure with azaleas. Azaleas have been dying on my shift so I am staying away from them. I suspect it has something to do with the amount of light and too much water that has drenched the soil because of an unusually wetter, longer winter season. I said goodbye too to a beautiful sago palm that must have suffered root rot. Farewell too to a French lavender bush that gave me so much fragrance. The garden gets a lot of shade being in a Northwest orientation so I am quite alright with the fact that I will never have roses which I would love to have but can’t.

Believe me, I tried. So I just admire them in my neighbors’ gardens with a southeast orientation.

My journey to self-discovery has been made easier by understanding the process of nature, the seasons and the nature of things: of why a seed no matter how good cannot grow in a certain type of soil; or how a young tree cannot grow in the shadow of a mighty oak; or of how much light a plant needs to burst with flowers, of the impeccable timing and the cycle of the seasons

that are in God’s perfect divine order like a well rehearsed dance or a Beethoven symphony; of why you must resist moving a plant from a place where it is growing so well to another place simply to satisfy a whim or a feng shui decorating principle; when and where to prune, of knowing when to water by sticking a finger in the soil or noting the droop of the leaves; or the merits of clay pots and plastic pots; of when to re-pot or top dress; even how to propagate.

The most important lesson perhaps is learning when to leave well enough alone and letting go; of accepting death as part of life.

I make it a point to take pictures when the flowers are in full bloom, knowing that no matter how pretty they are, their beauty is fleeting. I am left with images and memories.

The irony of it all is that the more I know, the more I realize how little I know. I guess that is the paradox of all lifelong learning. I now appreciate more clearly the delicate balance on which our planet depends for it to sustain life — of how vastly critical it is for everyone to do their part to ensure that life continues, specially that of human life.

But do reject the rabid, unhinged proponents of climate change whose real agenda is a political and economic windfall for its billionaire backers. It is sheer hubris and madness to pretend to usurp the laws of nature to push an agenda.

One can see life’s longing for itself in the perennial grass that grows. There is great wisdom in gardening. If you dig in the garden long enough, you will find an infinite variety of the parallel laws that govern all life with unsurpassed clarity. Gardening, if you stick with it long enough, is a metaphor for human life itself.

Gardening has taught me a zen-like passive skill of enjoying quiet solitude, of observing what works and what won’t, of doing what needs to get done with very little struggle and ultimately, of accepting and of simply letting go when all I have done is all I can do. *** EfkX 9\e\1 Dfe\kk\ 8[\mX DX^cXpX `j JMG f] 8j`Xe AflieXc GlYc`ZXk`fej# @eZ% Kf j\e[ Zfdd\ekj# \$ dX`c dfe\kk\%dX^cXpX7Xj`XeaflieXc`eZ%Zfd

13843-2_TaxTime_Feb19.pdf

1

2/9/16

12:33 PM

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

7

FEBRUARY 12-18, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

8