Orange County/Inland Empire -- January 15 -- 21, 2016

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w w w. a s i a n Volume 23 - No. 3 • 2 Sections - 16 Pages

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by JOEL

M. SY-EGCO ManilaTimes.net

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Hillary Clinton seeks support from Fil-Am, AAPI voters

MALACAÑANG on Thursday, Jan. 14 maintained that there will be no permanent bases for US troops anywhere in the country but that “temporary locations” will be allotted to them under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said granting permanent basing rights to foreign troops will be against the law but he explained that the VFA allows their presence here.

“The establishment of US bases in the Philippines is no longer allowed due to the expiration of the Military Bases Agreement in 1991. Moreover, it is no longer allowed under the 1987 Constitution. What is currently in effect is the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Under the VFA, US troops are allowed on Philippine soil and may use mutually identified venues, but not on a permanent basis,” Coloma stressed.

He was reacting to reports quoting military spokesG8>< 8)

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In last State of Union speech, Obama has hopeful message for America’s future

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

years, and beyond,” Obama said. ”I want to focus on our future.”

In a roughly hourlong primetime speech — one of his last chances to capture Americans’ attention before the November election — the president remarked that it is “a time of extraordinary change,” a condition that has “made the progress of these past seven years possible.”

Some of the accomplishments he chose to highlight early on were: economic recovery, the

PRESIDENT Barack Obama delivered his seventh and final State of the Union address on Tuesday, Jan. 12, in which he focused on the country’s future and his HUNDREDS of Asian American and legacy as president, rather than Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), including elected urging Congress to pass specific officials and busloads of Filipino-Americans proposals. from across California and Nevada, flocked “For my final address to this to the San Gabriel Hilton on Thursday, Jan. chamber, I don’t want to talk just 7 to rally their support behind Democratic Gi\j`[\ek 9XiXZb FYXdX [\c`m\ij _`j j\m\ek_ Xe[ ÔeXc JkXk\ f] k_\ Le`fe X[[i\jj about the next year. I want to presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

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by YUJI VINCENT GONZALES group in the country that could be the critical Communication (DOTC) to order author- dollar remittances it sent to the country,” Inquirer.net swing vote in the next several presidential ities of the Manila International Airport said Migrante-Middle East regional coelection cycles.

A MIGRANT group on Wednesday, (MIAA) to stop the collection of terminal ordinator John Leonard Monterona.

And what better place to reach them Jan. 13, renewed its call on the gov- fee.

Monterona said the refund provision than in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, ernment to stop collecting terminal “We are renewing our call to stop the of the terminal fee should not be used as where over half of its residents are of Asian fees from overseas Filipino workers collection of P500 terminal fee on every a justification of its existence. descent.

“The mere collection of terminal fee amid complaints of long queues at the OFW. It violates the provision of Republic Taking the stage after an introduction Ninoy Aquino International Airport Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act as on OFW is an act that violates a special

by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) — the first Chi- (NAIA). amended by RA 10022, thus the govern- law. And it can’t be corrected by the Miaa nese-American woman elected to Congress Migrante-Middle East urged Presi- ment is committing an illegal act against refund provision,” he said. “Not only il— Clinton said being in the area holds a dent Benigno Aquino III to direct the the sector—the OFWs—who are helping legal. It is like pain in the a** for every G8>< 8* Department of Transportation and the economy afloat through the billion OFW Balik Manggagawa in getting it re-

passage of the landmark Affordable Care Act and the historic Supreme Court ruling on samesex marriage.

Obama took a swipe at opponents who have undermined the state of the economy under his tenure, asserting “a basic fact” that the United States has the “strongest, most durable economy in the world.” He reported that over 14 million jobs have been created and the once failing auto industry had a record G8>< 8)

Stop collecting terminal fee from OFWs, migrant group urges gov’t

Immigrant groups mark one-year anniversary of historic driver’s license law

funded with long queues at NAIA.” Monterona said the terminal fee was an “unnecessary burden courtesy of the government.”

“One could not avoid to suspect that the slow terminal fee refund was intentional so that OFWs will be discouraged to get their P550,” he said. “By the way, saan nga pala napupunta ang mga unrefunded terminal fee ng mga OFWs? Milyones ang pinag-uusapan natin dito.”

Filipinos in Indonesia advised to remain indoors Court upholds VP Binay’s damage suit against senators

by PATRICIA LOURDES Philstar.com

VIRAY

MANILA—The Philippine Embassy

by RITCHIE A. HORARIO ONE year ago, California’s Assembly several lawmakers and political oppo- in Jakarta advised Filipinos in IndoManilaTimes.net Bill 60 (the Safe and Responsible Driver nents, saying he has a valid cause of nesia to remain indoors following the Act) was implemented statewide, granting A MAKATI City court has upheld action against his political persecutors deadly attacks in the area. eligible immigrants legal driver’s licenses a P200-million damage suit filed by for conspiring to destroy his reputation “In the aftermath of the bombing regardless of status. Over 600,000 undoc- Vice President Jejomar Binay against G8>< 8) incident in the Sarinah and other umented Californians have benefited from areas in Jakarta today, for personal the historic law, swiftly passing identificasafety and security, the Filipino comtion and residency requirements, and both munity is advised to refrain from unthe written and behind-the-wheel tests to necessary movements outdoors and if obtain lawful permits. possible to remain indoors,” Ambas“The Department of Motor Vehicles sador Maria Lumen Isleta said in an committed to successfully implementing advisory. this new law to increase safety on CaliIsleta warned Filipinos in Indonefornia’s roads, by putting licensed drivers sia not to venture in areas where the behind the steering wheel,” DMV Director bombing incidents occurred as police Jean Shiomoto said in a press release. “One investigation is still ongoing. year after AB 60 implementation, there are “The Filipino community is request605,000 more drivers on the road who ed to convey to the Embassy informahave passed all testing requirements and tion regarding any Filipino who may demonstrated their knowledge of Califorhave been adversely affected by this nia’s rules of the road.” tragic incident,” Isleta said.

On average, the DMV issued approxiWitnesses reported that three suimately 50,000 new driver licenses per cide bomb explosions took place at a month under AB 60 during its first year Starbucks cafe in downtown Jakarta. of implementation, with the most licensIndonesian President Joko Widodo es issued in March, according to a press M`Z\ Gi\j`[\ek A\afdXi 9`eXp kXcbj n`k_ J_\`b_ Df_Xd\[ Y`e QXp\[ 8c EX_pXe# :ifne Gi`eZ\ f] 8Yl ;_XY` Xe[ said that the situation is under control ;\glkp Jlgi\d\ :fddXe[\i f] k_\ 8id\[ =fiZ\j# [li`e^ X Zflik\jp ZXcc Xk 8c DXdfliX `e 8Yl ;_XY`% K_\ knf and called on the people to remain G8>< 8* f]ÔZ`Xcj [`jZljj\[ k_\ n\c]Xi\ f] =`c`g`ef nfib\ij%

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calm.

“The state, nation and people should not be afraid of, and lose to, such terror acts,” Widodo said. (With reports from the Associated Press)

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Court upholds VP Binay’s damage...

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fendants to dismiss the case are improper. and derail his presidential bid.

Named respondents were In a 40-page Omnibus Order, Makati Regional Trial Court Senators Alan Peter Cayetano Branch 133 Judge Elpidio Ca- and Antonio Trillanes 4th, memlis junked the defendants’ peti- bers of the blue ribbon sub-comtion to dismiss the case, saying mittee who investigated him Binay’s complaint states a cause for alleged anomalies; Ernesto Mercado and Mario Hechaof action against them.

The court ruled that the nova, former officials of Makati grounds relied upon by the de- City; Rep. Edgar Erice, Renato

Bondal and Nicolas Enciso, political opponents of the Binays; Amando Tetangco Jr., Emmanuel Dooc, Teresita Herbosa and Julia Abad, officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC); Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales; and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Binay accused the defendants of conspiring to destroy his reputation and consequently derail his bid for President in the May 2016 elections.

The court order also took to task Morales and AMLC officials for using government lawyers to represent them in the case.

Since they are being sued in their personal capacities for their complicity in the scheme to destroy the reputation of Binay, the court said these officials cannot use government lawyers, who are paid with public funds, to defend them.

In his complaint, Binay alleged that Erice is the group’s talking head while Mercado, Hechanova, Bondal and Enciso acted as paid witnesses who concocted charges of corruption against the Vice President and his family.

Trillanes and Cayetano, Binay said, provided the venue to air these false charges.

On the other hand, according to the Vice President, Morales and AMLC officials provided a veneer of truth to the lies by entertaining the unsubstantiated complaints against him without observing due process.

The Vice President included the Philippine Daily Inquirer in the charge sheet because it acted as the “biased media outlet” that relentlessly bombarded the public with lies and innuendo spewed by the paid witnesses concerning his integrity through malicious and slanted reports.

Claro Certeza, Binay’s legal counsel, said the Omnibus Order issued by the court clearly belies the defendants’ contention that the Vice President’s complaint was merely a harassment case.

“VP [Vice President] Binay can now prove what he is saying all along, that the inquisitorial proceedings conducted by his political detractors were all designed simply to destroy his presidential bid,” Certeza noted.

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man Col. Restituto Padilla that the government has offered eight bases where US troops can build facilities to store equipment and supplies under EDCA. The locations include five military airfields, two naval bases and a jungle training camp.

Coloma explained that once finalized, these locations may be used for US troops’ rotational presence.

“Once identified, these venues may serve, for instance, as temporary locations where US warships can dock while joint military exercises with the AFP are conducted,” he stressed.

Coloma earlier said the Supreme Court ruling upholding the constitutionality of EDCA served well for the government’s purpose.

He said the agreement will further strengthen the defense

and security ties between the US and the Philippines.

Commitment The United States vowed to strengthen the defense capability of the Philippines as it renewed its “ironclad” commitment to defend its long-time treaty ally against aggression.

At the close of their second high-level talks in Washington on Jan. 12, the foreign and defense chiefs of the Philippines and US issued a joint statement declaring the need for stronger military cooperation as China keeps expanding its presence in the waters also contested by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.

To enhance security and defense cooperation, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and US Secretary of State John Kerry, together with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, committed to enhance the Philippines’ maritime security presence and maritime domain awareness.

As proof of its commitment, Washington will transfer a third high-endurance cutter and a research vessel to the Philippines this year.

Both sides also agreed to coordinate closely on the implementation of EDCA. The officials also vowed to boost military-to-military cooperation and inter-operability through joint exercises, capacity-building, and intelligence sharing.

The meeting, called Two-PlusTwo Ministerial Dialogue, is the highest level policy consultative mechanism between the Philippine and US governments. This was their first meeting since 2012.

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In last State of Union speech, Obama has...

G8>< 8( year in 2015.

“Anyone claiming that America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction. Now, what is true -- and the reason that a lot of Americans feel anxious -- is that the economy has been changing in profound ways, changes that started long before the Great Recession hit; changes that have not let up,” he noted.

On health care, the president said “nearly 18 million people have gained coverage so far.

And in the process, health care inflation has slowed. And our businesses have created jobs every single month since it became law.”

However, there is work that still needs to be done, such as “give everyone a fair shot at opportunity and security,” “make technology work for us,” “keep America safe and lead the world” and “make politics reflect what’s best in us.”

The president chose not to go deep into policy prescriptions for Congress — recognizing that not much might get done in an election year — but mentioned his goals for the remainder of his term include closing Guantanamo Bay prison, authorizing use of military force against ISIS, and looking into a “new moonshot” that can cure cancer, an initiative that will be led by Vice President Joe Biden.

“And because he’s gone to the mat for all of us on so many issues over the past 40 years, I’m putting Joe in charge of Mission Control.

For the loved ones we’ve all lost, for the families that we can still save, let’s make America the country that cures cancer once and for all,” he said.

Not directly naming any of the Republican presidential candidates, Obama slammed rhetoric that “enemies [are] getting stronger and America [is] getting weaker” and said that the Islamic State is not a threat to the country’s existence.

“The United States of America is the most powerful nation on Earth. Period. It’s not even close.

We spend more on our military than the next eight nations combined,” he said. “Our troops are the finest fighting force in the history of the world…when it comes to every important international issue, people of the world do not look to Beijing or Moscow to lead — they call us.”

The president went on to address hateful sentiments targeting Muslims, arguing it betrayed American values.

“When politicians insult Muslims, whether abroad or our fellow citizens, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid is called names, that doesn’t make us safer. That’s not telling it like it is,” he said. “It’s just wrong.

It diminishes us in the eyes of the world. It makes it harder to

achieve our goals. It betrays who we are as a country.”

Though most of the speech was about his accomplishments, Obama recognized one of his shortcomings: failing to ease the political divide in the country.

“It’s one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancor and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better,” he said. “There’s no doubt a president with the gifts of Lincoln or Roosevelt might have better bridged the divide, and I guarantee I’ll keep trying to be better so long as I hold this office.”

But ending with a glimmer of hope (one of his campaign messages in 2008), he gave examples of the diverse demographics of the country.

“That’s the America I know.

That’s the country we love. Cleareyed. Big-hearted. Undaunted by challenge. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

That’s what makes me so hopeful about our future. I believe in change because I believe in you, the American people,” the president concluded, which was met with applause. “And that’s why I stand here confident as I have ever been that the State of our Union is strong.”

Reactions Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton released a series of messages on Twitter, including “@POTUS is confirming what we know: Our economy — and our country — are stronger under a Democratic president.”

Arnel Dino, vice chair of the Filipino-American Democratic Caucus of the California Democratic Party, told the Asian Journal that the president will be remembered for “trying to change the tone of our political system. He really made the attempt to better the economy and increase access for groups to be part of the system… He wants to leave a legacy of collaboration and cooperation between the different political factions in our country.”

“Whoever succeeds him, hopefully a Democrat, should continue on his [progress] and not go back to where the country was before he was president.”

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) said the speech “was just what our country needed” — “reassurance about the terrorist threat.

And yet it also needed to hear that we should not scapegoat one another, and appreciate the diversity of our country,” according to NBC News.

Another Asian American lawmaker Rep. Mike Honda (DCalif.) praised the speech, but emphasized that comprehensive immigration reform is crucial.

“The need for immigration reform cannot be forgotten. Any serious proposal advanced by Congress to achieve this should

be comprehensive,” said Honda in a statement released on Tuesday night.

Honda shared plans to reintroduce the Reuniting Families Act and gave the example of his guest Fil-Am Irene Bueno, who “is a reminder of why our nation needs a families-first immigration policy—her family was separated for 20 years by our heart-wrenchingly slow immigration laws.”

Meanwhile, Republicans took to Twitter to share their reactions.

GOP frontrunner Donald Trump described the speech as “really boring, slow, lethargic,” while former Florida Governor Jeb Bush wrote “President Obama is living in a different world to think our country is safer and stronger,” and Ted Cruz called it “a state of denial.”

Cruz and Sen. Rand Paul, both candidates in the Republican field, were not present for the president’s address.

Fil-Am Matthew Alonsozana tweeted that “Despite the rhetoric, it’s clear Pres. Obama is drawing a pretty partisan framework for the election.”

After the president’s remarks, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley delivered the GOP response and said Obama’s record hasn’t lived up to his promises.

“Barack Obama’s election as president seven years ago broke historic barriers and inspired millions of Americans. As he did when he first ran for office, tonight President Obama spoke eloquently about grand things.

He is at his best when he does that,” she said. ”Unfortunately, the president’s record has often fallen far short of his soaring words.”

Haley refuted Obama’s positive view of the economy, health care and safety, contending that Americans are suffering from “a crushing national debt,” health care has become less affordable and accessible and cities across the US are experiencing “chaotic unrest.”

Shifting away from taking jabs at the president, the governor even criticized others within her own party.

“Today, we live in a time of threats like few others in recent memory. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices.

We must resist that temptation,” she said “No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country.”

While placing some blame on Democrats, Haley said “they do not bear it alone,” and called on Republicans “to recognize our contributions to the erosion of the public trust in America’s leadership. We need to accept that we’ve played a role in how and why our government is broken.

And then we need to fix it.”

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Pew survey finds Millennials less favorable about religion, news media

by AGNES

CONSTANTE AJPress

Hillary Clinton seeks support from Fil-Am...

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personal meaning to her.

“When I think about this part of California, the first thing I think about is my mom, and how kind people were to her here when her own family was not,” Clinton said, as she recalled her mother who worked as a maid and went to high school in nearby Alhambra.

“I know how important family is to all of you. That is how I see our country. I see us when we are at our best, as lifting up families, helping families be strong, helping families get the support they need to do the best they can for their children and for their parents.”

Clinton touched upon several issues “that keep families up at night” and those that resonate with AAPIs, such as college affordability, tax breaks for family caregivers and immigration.

In a $350-billion proposal called the New College Compact, Clinton aims to end student loan debt by cutting tax deductions from the wealthy and instead, give grants to states so students can cover tuition costs at four-year public colleges and universities.

She also proposed a new tax credit last November that offsets up to $6,000 in costs for middleclass families who care for their aging parents or grandparents and disabled family members.

The plan also outlined providing caregivers with additional Social Security benefits and reforming work-family policies to support paid and unpaid caregivers.

On immigration, Clinton defended her vote on a comprehensive bill in Senate and promised to continue on President Barack Obama’s executive actions.

“When I was a senator, I worked to reduce the backlog on visas and reunite immigrant families — I will keep up that fight. Immigrants from the Asia Pacific region make up 40 percent of the family visa backlog,” she said. “Some from the Philippines have been waiting for a visa for 23 years.”

Fil-Ams for Hillary Buses of Fil-Ams bearing “Filipinos-Americans for Hillary” signs came from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas

release. DMV offices statewide have had over 2 million AB 60 customer visits, knowledge and drive test examinations since January 2015.

Since California Governor Jerry Brown signed it into law in 2013, and full implementation two years later, AB 60 has improved the quality of life for many immigrant families.

“It’s been life changing for many of the Filipinos in our communities to receive an AB 60 license, because they get to work on time. They don’t have to take or wait for the bus. They get to do their errands, they get to take their children to school, make sure that they’re safe,” Nikole Cababa of the Filipino Migrant Center told ABS-CBN News.

The benefits of AB 60 include prevention of being ticketed or arrested for driving without a license, avoiding the expensive costs of car impounding, and increasing safety on California’s busy roads.

“12 percent of all California drivers do not have a license. 1 in 5 vehicle crashes involve someone driving without a license,” said LA Office of Immigrant Affairs representative Joseph Bernardo in 2015. “This is not just a policy, economic, and moral issue—this is also a safety concern.”

However, one year later, thousands of applicants are still lining up at the California DMV to get the process started. Many immigrant communities, particularly African and Asian Americans, have faced confusion, lack of understanding, major delays and inconsistencies with the new program.

About 11,000 eligible immigrants have still not been accounted for AB 60, for multiple reasons, including: the lengthy application review process, lan-

CONSTANTE

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on Thursday morning.

Amid chants of “Mabuhay Hillary,” Fil-Ams were one of the largest groups represented in the crowd, and were acknowledged in Clinton’s remarks.

In her speech, Clinton also mentioned Cheska, a Fil-Am DREAMer from Las Vegas who now works for the campaign.

“The day after I announced that I was running for president, Cheska volunteered with our campaign.

Now she’s a field organizer in Las Vegas. She put her own college education on hold because she wants to shape the country that has given her so many opportunities,” Clinton said. “I want to give young people like Cheska every change to succeed…but I need your help to do that.”

When asked what a Hillary Clinton presidency would mean for Fil-Ams, Melissa Ramoso — a member of the National AAPIs for Hillary Leadership Council and a founding member of Filipino Americans for Hillary — said that it would bring more recognition to the community. “[She] and her husband’s administration have had Filipino Americans as their top advisers and have elevated Filipino Americans into positions of leadership.

Secretary Clinton understands the important issues relevant to our community, such as immigration reform and caring for the elderly.

These are issues important to me

personally and am grateful for a candidate that understands that they are for Filipino Americans,” Ramoso said.

Added Fil-Am businesswoman and community leader Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who flew from New York for the launch, “Filipino-Americans should really be voting for her because she’s the only candidate — whether Democrat or Republican — who has recognized the FilAm community. In 1999, she was the keynote speaker at the National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ (NaFFAA) event, the first White House occupant to come to a Filipino event…She knows our issues very well. Early on, she has been for Filipino World War II veterans, for immigration reform, for education and for more funds for small businesses, all of which are issues important to Fil-Ams.” Arnel Dino, vice chair of the Filipino-American Democratic Caucus of the California Democratic Party, said that “it’s her time — she has the experience and we want someone who is a friend of AAPIs.” Las Vegas-based community leader Gloria Caoile noted that the presence of Fil-Ams in the crowd showed that “it is a great time for us to speak out with our voices at the ballot box.”

Together with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) and NaFFAA, Caoile and Rozita G8>< 8+

guage barriers and lack of communication, improper training of DMV staff, and proper identification requirements.

Filipino applicants have also had a hard time with the process, due to lengthy requirements and issues with certain Asian passports and documents. Philippine passports, for instance, are not accepted right away by the DMV, leaving Filipino applicants stuck in secondary review.

“It feels like discrimination when all these other folks are able to present their passport and go through the process and get their licenses, we are being put through this long process where there’s no criminal record…it’s just the issue of identity, which they’re asking more than immigration [customs] asks for,” said Aqui Soriano Versoza, executive director of the Pilipino Workers Center. “We’re really trying to advocate for less and less livein condition or less live-in situations, because that just opens up more opportunity for [work] abuse as well.”

Local consulates, including the Philippine consulate have tried to help Filipinos produce acceptable identification documents to comply with the stringent requirements, but the main issue is extreme delays with secondary review.

“We’re obviously advocating with the DMV that they have to accept all the Philippines passports that it’s a primary document that can be received,” Cababa added. “Other issues include poorly-translated DMV documents and lack of Tagalogspeaking staff.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Los Angeles, in collaboration with the Drive California Coalition, the African Advocacy Network, the California Immigrant Policy Center, and other community partners, hosted a press conference on Tuesday,

Jan. 5 to address the serious issue with inconsistencies in applying for AB 60.

“If it wasn’t for the collaboration with these organizations and the diverse community, we wouldn’t have had 600,000 immigrants go to the DMV and rightfully obtain their license,” said Anthony Ng, an immigrant rights policy advocate with Advancing Justice - LA. “We want to make sure that each population is accounted for, because this law affects so many people’s lives, jobs, and taking care of families.”

Advancing Justice and its partners promised to work with immigrant communities, local governments and the DMV to help sort out issues and backlog of applications, as more immigrants expect to get licensed.

Advancing Justice, the Filipino Migrant Center, the Pilipino Workers Center, and the DMV all have conducted public outreach events and multi-lingual trainings to educate new drivers in the greater Los Angeles/South Bay area.

“The law has changed lives and created powerful new opportunities for community members who worked diligently for two decades to make the licenses a reality. With so many more drivers licensed, tested and insured, Californians are benefitting,” Ng said.

“Thanks to the hard work of immigrant community members and the leadership of Gov. Brown, our legislature, and the DMV, hundreds of thousands of community members are now able to freely drive to work, school, worship, and more,” said Luz Gallegos with TODEC Legal Center.

“At the same time, our work is far from over. We will continue to advocate strongly so that all community members who call California home are able to equitably access this vital opportunity.”

Their shifting perspective mirrors that of their elders.

Generational differences were more apparent when it came to colleges and universities. Seventy-three percent of millennials say the post-secondary institutions have a positive impact, compared to the 64 percent of Generation Xers, 59 percent of Boomers and 51 percent of Silents that agreed.

As for technology companies, 77 percent of millennials, 73 percent of Xers and 70 percent of Boomers said they had a positive effect on the United States.

Only 59 percent of Silents, however, shared that view.

The Pew study was conducted from Aug. 27 to Oct. 4, 2015.

Insufficient deep sleep could lead to Alzheimer’s

by AGNES

Immigrant groups mark one-year anniversary...

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MILLENNIALS, who constitute one-third of America’s population, hold less favorable view of news media and religion compared to older generations, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

The report, published Monday, Jan. 4, also indicates that the younger generation tends to have a more positive perspective when it comes to labor unions, large corporations, small businesses and big financial institutions compared to their elders.

In 2010, 73 percent of millennials said churches have positive effect on the country; in 2015, that number fell to 55 percent.

In the same time frame, the percentage of millennials who said national news media have positive impacts on America dropped from 40 to 27.

Among Generation Xers and Boomers, 62 and 67 percent, respectively viewed churches and religious organizations positively; while 26 percent of both older generations indicated a positive perspective of news media.

Despite these less favorable views, millennials showed a 10 percent increase in positive response toward banks and large corporations, an 8 percent rise in positive views toward labor unions and were 15 percent more favorable toward small businesses from 2010 to 2015.

NOT getting enough deep sleep could set the stage for Alzheimer’s, according to a Jan. 4 report from National Public Radio (NPR).

During sleep in animals, the brain seems to purge toxins linked to Alzheimer’s, brain scientist Jeffrey Iliff from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland told NPR. But for sleep-deprived animals, toxins can accumulate and have a negative impact on the brain.

The toxin-cleansing process, known as the glymphatic system, functions primarily while an individual sleeps and is largely disengaged while one is awake, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

“The biological need for sleep across all species may therefore

reflect that the brain must enter a state of activity that enables elimination of potentially neurotoxic waste, including -amyloid,” according to a 2015 study in the journal Neurochemical Research. -amyloid, or amyloidbeta, is also linked to Alzheimer’s.

Iliff and other researchers from OHSU will soon begin a study on people that should explain the connection between sleep problems and Alzheimer’s in humans.

Sleep disorders are common in individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Scientists have long thought this was because the disease was “taking out the centers of the brain that are responsible for regulating sleep,” Iliff told NPR. However, two studies in 2009 and 2013 have suggested a more complex relationship.

In 2009, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis

demonstrated that a buildup of sticky amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer’s developed more quickly in the brains of sleepdeprived mice. These plaques are also known to develop in people’s brain tissue as they age.

Four years later, a team that included Iliff found that a cleansing process occurs in the brains of animals during deep sleep.

Studying the link between sleep deprivation and Alzheimer’s in humans will be more challenging than in mice. NPR reported that a signal indicating toxin removal during sleep is expected to be stronger in younger individuals than in older people, said Bill Rooney, director of OHSU’s Advanced Imaging Research Center, who will be involved in research process set to begin within one year.

Walmart supplier recalls approx. 90K pounds of meat Vidalia Onion that were produced between Nov. 19, 2015 to Dec. 9, 2015. The products post A COMPANY supplying Wal- use-by dates in May and June Mart with meat is recalling 2016. about 90,000 pounds of product The recall covers two-pound due to potential contamination boxes containing six patties and from extraneous wood material, the establishment number “EST. the US Department of Agricul- 394A” inside the USDA mark of ture (USDA) announced Mon- inspection. day, Jan. 4.

There have been no reports Huisken Meat Company is re- of individuals who have become calling Sam’s Choice Black An- ill from consuming the contamigus beef patties with 19 percent nated meat. The USDA has clasby AGNES

CONSTANTE AJPress

sified the recall as a Class II low health risk with a “remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.” However, the agency is urging those in possession of the product to dispose of it or return it to where it was purchased.

The meat was shipped to WalMart locations across the United States and are sold at select locations, according to the retail giant’s website.

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Gov. Brown proposes $171-B state budget Hillary Clinton seeks support from Fil-Am...

by ALLYSON

ESCOBAR

AJPress

CALIFORNIA Governor Jerry Brown announced a $170.6 billion spending plan for the state, covering funding for schools, climate change programs, and services for the poor, elderly and disabled.

At a Capitol news conference on Wednesday, Jan. 6, Brown, in his fourth term as California governor amid a crippling recession, repeatedly warned of the possibility of another economic downturn, and rejected calls for more robust spending increases.

He also criticized ballot measures that seek to extend temporary tax increases which he championed in 2012, faulting them for exempting revenue from Proposition 2, the budget reserve voters approved in 2014, reported The Sacramento Bee. “That, in my judgment, is a fatal flaw,” he said to reporters.

“It’s just a matter of balance.”

Brown’s proposal would provide a boost to public education, increasing school spending to $10,591 per student ($3,600 more than at the tail end of the recession). However, Brown expressed reservations about a $9 billion bond measure to pay for school and community college facilities, suggesting he will seek to negotiate an alternative with the Legislature.

The bond measure, Brown said, “favors wealthy districts over poorer ones because it says, ‘Hey, if you’ve got your application ready, you’ll be first in line,’ and that will favor the more affluent and the more resourced districts.”

The budget release serves as a reflection of the governor’s priorities; education, the poor, and the environment.

The governor reintroduced two major proposals for which he failed to secure funding last year: a multibillion-dollar plan to fund road repairs, and a modified expansion of a tax on health plans to help generate funds for Medi-Cal. He also proposed an “essential” additional $2-billion payment into the state’s rainy-day fund, growing the size of the reserve account to almost twothirds of its legally-mandated goal, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Brown, a longtime champion of environmental causes, also proposed using cap-and-trade revenue – money polluters pay to

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offset carbon emissions – to fund programs to reduce petroleum use in motor vehicles.

The environmental proposal comes less than a month after Brown returned from international climate talks in Paris, and revisits a legislative defeat on petroleum last year.

As part of a $3.1 billion spending plan for cap-and-trade, Brown proposed $1 billion to reduce emissions in the transportation sector, including funding for mass public transit and incentives for zero-emission vehicles.

In an effort to win Republican votes and the support of health plans, Brown cast the tax plan Thursday, Jan. 7 as “a net gain” for the plans, and promised increased funding for the developmentally disabled if approved.

The new health plan tax would draw $1 billion in federal matching dollars, while generating additional money to help pay for in-home care givers and other programs, Brown said. Any increase, though, would require the votes of at least several Republican lawmakers.

“I know it’s a heavy lift,” Brown said, adding later, “There’s no deal.”

“Unlike last year’s health plan tax proposal – which would have hit the industry with several hundred million dollars in increased costs that likely would have been passed on to millions of Californians – the new proposal would net the industry $90 million,” said Michael Cohen, Director of Fi-

nance. “The proposal would offset corporate and gross premium taxes paid by the health plans.”

The budget includes more than $80 million in grants for the state’s network of regional centers, which arrange services for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, and would increase payments for the blind, elderly and disabled.

“This will be a huge help to 1.3 million people with disabilities and seniors around the state who are struggling to pay the rent and get enough food to eat,” said Frank Tamborello, executive director of Hunger Action LA, noting that grant increases should be even greater to account for cost of living.

Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) called funding for people with developmental disabilities “one of the most critical needs we must address,” and added the health plan tax “needs to be done now.”

“The community has waited long enough,” Atkins said.

The governor’s proposal comes amid ongoing improvement in the state budget since the last recession, leaving Brown and lawmakers with more funds to try and allocate.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office projected in November that the state will end the current fiscal year in June with $7.9 billion in reserve, at least $3.3 billion more than lawmakers expected last year.

Brown also included billions of dollars in one-time spending in his plan. State parks, which were strapped for cash during the last recession, would receive some of the $500 million in funds set aside for parks, levees and other maintenance work at state public works around California. Schools would also get a one-time increase of $1.2 billion to use however they want.

The budget is the second since California voters approved a new reserve fund that is aimed at protecting sharp swings in revenue and spending. Brown proposed shifting $3.5 billion into the reserve, $2 billion more than required by Proposition 2.

“Everybody thinks when they’re up here, it’s all wonderful. That’s what they thought before the dot-com, and that’s what they thought before the mortgage meltdown,” Brown said, pointing to budget revenue charts. “And so here we are again.” (Allyson Escobar/AJPress)

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Lee have been getting AAPIs to register to vote in Southern Nevada, and will organize town hall meetings in the coming months.

“In this room today, as a veteran — and I say that with pride — it’s a great reunion of folks who have worked on campaigns for the last 30 years and have empowered AAPI communities all over the country,” Caoile said, adding that a Clinton presidency would be advantageous to the Fil-Am community.

“Our voices will be heard, our issues will be addressed. Her record has really been tested for her stand on social and economic justice, for families and minorities. As a twofer — as a Filipina and a woman — I really feel comfortable that we will now be part of this great political infrastructure,” Caoile said.

Added Lee, “Hillary understands our culture and she’s going to protect us.”

Republicans react In 2015, 56 percent of US-born Asian American registered voters were young adults between the ages of 18 and 34, while 29 percent were middle-aged (34-54) and 16 percent were 55 and older, according to a study by UCLA and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.

As both sides of the aisle ramp up campaign efforts, they will be courting AAPI voters.

Clinton called out the “hateful rhetoric” of the GOP, including that of frontrunner Donald Trump, who recently proposed barring Muslims from entering the United States. “[Republicans] forget a fundamental lesson about our great country. Being an open and tolerant society does not make us vulnerable — it’s at the core of our strength of who we are,” she said.

“Either we are going to defend the progress we have made and build on it or we are going to let a Republican president rip it all away.

Make no mistake about it, what you’re hearing from all of them are the same, failed policies that led to the great recession.”

Despite the outpour of support for Clinton, Republicans immediately listed reasons why the former secretary of state is unfit for the presidency.

“Hillary Clinton’s policy proposals will not benefit our Fil-Am communities here in California or across the country. We need a Republican candidate who will fight for our values – lower taxes, religious liberty and protecting

our national security,” said Cecile Ramos of the Fil-Am Republican Party of Los Angeles.

A memo released on Wednesday, Jan. 6 by Jason Chung, director of APA engagement, and Ninio Fetalvo, APA press secretary at the Republican National Committee (RNC), said that Democrat policies “harm, rather than benefit” AAPI communities. Among the affected segments that the memo cited are AAPI entrepreneurs, small businesses and youth, and suggested that the demographic will instead “stand with the Republican Party.”

Fetalvo further said that Clinton’s interactions with AAPIs are for “her own political fundraising” gains.

“The reality is Democrats have long taken the AAPI community for granted, and Hillary Clinton will be no different as she continues to support the same failed policies that hurt AAPIs across the country,” he said.

Fil-Am Ron Falconi, mayor of Brunswick, Ohio, said that AAPIs should “see which party can provide the right answers to national security, lower taxes, and a stronger economy,” while Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes added that the Republican Party aligns with what many AAPI cultures value.

“As an Asian American Pacific Islander on both sides of my family, I have always been drawn to the Republican Party’s emphasis on rewarding self-reliance, hard work and the risks inherent with owning a small business with lower taxes, less government interference and economic prosperity. The policies and principles of the Republican Party should appeal to AAPI’s more than the unfulfilled promises, false hope and burdensome regulations of the Democrats,” Reyes said.

Though Clinton is fairly popular among younger voters, some FilAm millennials active in the GOP, including Gerard Gosioco, call on AAPIs to look into Clinton’s record.

“In light of the AAPI for Hillary launch, I implore Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders alike to really do their research before supporting Hillary Clinton. Although it may seem like she will be advocating for issues that are important to our communities, her voting record and the policies she has supported in the past say otherwise,” Gosioco said.

Get out the vote initiatives Also present on Thursday were Norm Mineta (the first Asian American to hold a post in the

presidential cabinet, who was secretary of commerce during Bill Clinton’s administration and transportation secretary during George W. Bush); California state treasurer John Chiang; Irene Bueno, who led AAPI outreach in Clinton’s 2008 campaign; and San Gabriel Mayor Jason Pu. Michelle Kwan, who now serves as surrogate outreach coordinator for the campaign, emphasized Clinton’s commitment to women.

“The difference is…[that] she is fighting for women’s rights… there’s so much at stake in terms of women’s rights and LGBT rights in this election, so it’s for everyone,” Kwan said.

The former Olympic figure skater and five-time world champion appeared at the AAPI Democratic Caucus (AAPIDC) meeting in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 12, where she said Clinton is the kind of “person I want to see in the White House.”

“When you look at the debates and see how Hillary conducted herself during the Benghazi hearing, [you see] her experiences in both domestic and foreign policy and her understanding [of] how to get things done. I think we need a candidate with [that] experience and with that sort of leadership.”

Rocio Nuyda, who organized Clinton supporters throughout LA for the AAPI movement launch, noted that this year, her focus is to get more Fil-Am Democrats to register to vote.

“They could be here watching what’s going on and cheering, but if they don’t register and they don’t vote, then that’s useless,” Nuyda said.

Dino added that more has to be done to raise awareness on issues that are at the forefront of this election.

“We have a lot of people in our community who aren’t accessing services and who aren’t voting.

When issues that come up that affect them, they don’t educate themselves,” he said.

Over the weekend, Clinton’s campaign held workshops in Los Angeles and the Bay Area on how to gather community support for the presidential candidate.

Clinton will once again appear in a Democratic debate on January 17, which Fil-Am community members will closely be watching.

There are plans for a debate watch party that night in various areas, such as Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown. (Christina Oriel/AJPress)

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China: PH accusations made with ulterior motive

by PATRICIA LOURDES

VIRAY

joys freedom of navigation over the disputed South China Sea as MANILA—Beijing on other countries do.

Wednesday,Jan. 13 claimed “China’s inspection and test that the Philippines’ accusation flights are of professional, techniagainst its test flights on Kagit- cal and civil nature and are coningan Reef or Fiery Cross Reef in ducted for public interests,” the the West Philippine Sea is made Chinese official said. with ulterior motives.

The Philippines recently proChinese Foreign Ministry tested China’s test flights on the spokesperson Hong Lei said in a Manila-claimed reef, arguing that press conference that the flights China’s actions elevate tensions conducted by China’s aircraft fall and anxiety in the region. completely with its sovereignty.

Department of Foreign Affairs “The Philippines’ accusation is spokesperson Charles Jose said made with ulterior motives and is that China’s “provocative” acnot worth refuting,” Hong said. tions restrict freedom of navigaHong stressed that China en- tion and overflight in the West Philstar.com

Philippine Sea. Meanwhile, Vietnam accused China of threatening the safety of civilian flights over the disputed sea by failing to inform its aviation authorities of recent test flights to a man-made island claimed by both Beijing and Hanoi.

The notification from the Chinese Embassy “cannot substitute China’s notification to the appropriate air traffic services units of Vietnam in order to ensure the safety and regularity of flight operations,” the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said in a statement late Tuesday. (With reports from Associated Press)

Aquino rejects SSS pension hike bill

by ROSETTE

ADEL

Philstar.com

MANILA—President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday, Jan. 14 vetoed the enrolled bill which increases the Social Security System (SSS) monthly pension of retirees by P 2,000.

Aquino vetoed House Bill 5842 or “An act mandating a two thousand Peso (P 2,000) across-theboard increase in the monthly pension with corresponding adjustment of the minimum monthly pension under the Social Security System, amending for the purpose Section 12 of Republic Act No. 1661 as amended otherwise known as ‘SSS act of 1997’” without his signature citing financial consequences.

“While we recognize the objective of the bill to promote

the well being of the country’s private sector’s retirees, we cannot support the bill in its present form because of its dire financial consequences,” Aquino’s veto message address to the Congress read.

Aquino said the pension hike for over 2 million pensioners may result to substantial negative income for the SSS as it may only resort to using its Investment Reserve Fund (IRF) to support the pension hike.

The president said the IRF may diminish over the years and reached zero by 2029.

“More specifically, the proposed pension increase of P2,000 per retiree multiplied by the present number of more than 2 million pensioners will result in a total pay-out of 56 billion an-

nually. Compared against annual investment income of P30 billion to P40 billion such total payment for pensioners will yield deficit of 16 to 26 billion annually,” Aquino explained.

“The stability of the entire benefit system whose present membership comprises about 31 million individuals will be seriously compromised in favor of 2 million pensioners and their dependents,” he added.

Due to the financial considerations, Aquino was constrained to veto the enrolled bill.

The House of Representatives passed the SSS pension increase bill on June 9, 2015 and the Senate adopted it without amendments five months later on November 9.

The current minimum SSS pension is P1,200 a month.

DOJ assures Mamasapano victims’ kin: Wheels of justice spinning

by TETCH

TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) assured relatives of the victims of the Mamasapano tragedy that it is doing all it can “to deliver justice to all involved.”

Justice Undersecretary and DOJ Spokesperson Emmanuel Caparas, at a press conference said that whether a case can be filed on or before the January 25 anniversary is beside the point.

“Whether or not the anniver-

sary of this tragedy is approaching or we just passed it, the point is the DOJ continues to do what it needs to do so that it can deliver justice to all parties involved,” Caparas said at a press conference Thursday, Jan. 14.

“Everybody deserves justice and in some instances deliberate justice can be swift but still in others can be not as swift,” Caparas added.

Some sectors are criticizing the government for taking too slow

in pinning down the perpetrators responsible for the death of the 44 members of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF), Caparas said “I do not want to make any apologies for our system of justice, that would not be fair to judge our system that way.”

“Let’s just say the authorities are moving as quickly as they can, as responsibly as they can, as judiciously as they can so that justice may be delivered, He added.

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Binay’s vow: No Filipino will be forced to work abroad

by NESTOR

CORRALES Inquirer.net

WORKING abroad will become “a matter of choice and not necessity” was how Vice President Jejomar Binay assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) if elected president in the 2016 elections.

Binay was in a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which started on Tuesday, Jan. 12, to strengthen bilateral ties with Middle East countries, home to over 2.7 million OFWs. Binay said that this will be achieved by his projected administration by providing more jobs in the Philippines.

“Mahirap higitan ang uri ng pagmamahal na araw-araw ninyong inaalay. Ang paglaban sa lungkot at pangungulila sa inyong pamilya at sariling tahanan, ang hirap ng kondisyon ng trabaho sa ibang bayan, ang mga pangambang bunga ng pagiging isang dayuhan – ilan lamang ito sa arawaraw ninyong pagsubok bilang isang OFW. (It’s hard to top the kind of love you offer everyday.

Your battle against depression and homesickness, the difficulty of working abroad, and the fear of being in a foreign land—these are some of the challenges OFWs encounter everyday),” he said.

He said he envisioned OFWs to “come home to a progressive and caring country that can support Filipinos’ aspirations of a good life.”

“Isang bayan na kayo naman ang kayang alagaan at protektahan. Sama-sama tayong magtataguyod ng isang lipunan na walang mapipilitang mangibangbansa para guminhawa. (I envision a country that will take care of you and protect you. Let us work together to form a society

where people will not be forced to work abroad so they can gain comfort),” he said.

“Lubos ang aking paninindigan na uuwi kayo sa isang maunlad at mapag-kalingang Pilipinas – kung saan ang maginhawang buhay ay makakamit sa sarili nating bayan, kapiling ang bawat Pilipinong minamahal ninyo sa buhay. (I am confident that you will be able to come home to a developed and compassionate Philippines—where you can attain a comfortable life in our own country with all the Filipino people you love),” he added.

Binay was a former Presidential Adviser for OFW Concerns under the Aquino administration.

The vice president reiterated his proposal to create a special government office that will help families whose OFW relatives are facing “blood money” cases.

During his first day, Binay met with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE’s Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In a statement on Wednesday, the vice president said the meeting was “very warm and cordial.”

“The meeting was a surprise, we were told only this (Tuesday) morning. It wasn’t part of the schedule. But it’s a good opportunity,” Binay said.

“Sheikh Mohammad said he would very much like to visit the Philippines in the future,” the vice president added.

He said they also discussed potential investment opportunities in areas of power and infrastructure in the Philippines.

He also had lunch with 39 wards of the Philippine Labor

Office, among them victims of maltreatment and human trafficking.

He promised to provide assistance to facilitate their return to the country.

He asked Senator Nancy Binay, who is part of the delegation, to look into the possibility of extending help even to undocumented Filipino workers by setting up a special assistance fund.

The vice president also visited Philippine Global School-Abu Dhabi, an all-Filipino primary and secondary academic institution of more than 2,000 students.

Meanwhile, migrant group Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) has urged Binay to also visit hundreds of distressed and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia.

“We are urging VP Binay to consider having a side trip here in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, all in Saudi Arabia, so that he too can personally hear the appeal of the hundreds of distressed and stranded OFWs staying at various Filipino Workers Resource Centers (FWRCs) or Bahay Kalinga,” said M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona.

Monterona said there are about a hundred distressed female OFWs at the Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh, while about 60 male OFWs are stranded at a rented shelter in Exit 8, Riyadh.

Most of them have been victims of labor malpractices, and physical and sexual abuse, he said.

The migrant leader said the distressed and stranded OFWs have long been pleading for the Philippine government’s assistance.

“One of the stranded OFWs at Riyadh’s Bahay Kalinga is Fahima G8>< 8.

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SC advises Poe camp from discussing merits of disqualification cases in public No gag order, clarifies lawyer

by TETCH

TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net

THE Supreme Court has advised the camp of Sen. Grace Poe from discussing in public the merits of her cases, but a counsel for the senator clarifies that it is not a gag order.

“It’s not a gag order. Sabi lang ng SC since this is a very legal and technical issue, hindi dapat gawing pulitikal and each of the parties should be responsible para hindi ma-undermine ang proceedings,” lawyer George Garcia said on Thursday, Jan. 14 “Pinagsabihan ang both parties na huwag naman comment ng comment sa merito ng kaso,” he added.

A preliminary conference was held on Thursday morning in preparation for the Jan. 19 oral arguments on the two peti-

tions filed by Poe which were consolidated by the high court questioning the two decisions by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc ordering the cancelation of her certificate of candidacy (COC).

Garcia said Poe would be attending the oral argument next week.

He said the senator would be represented by her lead counsel Alex Poblador.

The high court has set a guide on matters to be tackled during the oral arguments, including where Poe has committed material misrepresentation under the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec rules when she stated in her COC that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen and her period of residency up to the day before the May 9, 2016, elections

is 10 years and 11 months.

There are also sub-issues to be discussed during the oral arguments as indicated in the Supreme Court guidelines as well as procedural matters.

Poe’s camp will present its arguments first, followed by the Comelec. Both will have 10 minutes each to present their arguments. Petitioners Francisco “Kit” Tatad, Antonio Contreras, Amado Valdez, and Estrella Elamparo will be next with a combined time allocation of 20 minutes.

The Supreme Court also required the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to participate as “tribune of the people” despite its manifestation that it will no longer represent the Comelec due to its position taken in favor of the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

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FEATURES

Cost cutting

WHILE every life is a cause for celebration, taking care of the next generation by keeping tabs on the population is a daunting challenge. Stabilizing the population—to not outstrip economic growth and the country’s resources—is a more challenging task.

Environmental stress, biodiversity loss, climate change and pressure on natural resources signal that the Philippines is already overpopulated. But the numbers are still exploding.

The Philippine population hit 102.4 million by the end of 2015.

This year, it is expected to increase to 104 million as 1.5 million babies are expected to be born. Based on the data gathered by the Commission on Population (PopCom), in five to 10 years, the country will probably have the “biggest number of women of reproductive age that we will ever see, at 25 to 30 million.”

With these alarming numbers, a hard look on the country’s population control policies is the best option. The government needs to vigorously implement its population policy, which are responsible parenthood and the advocacy for natural family planning.

Health Secretary Janette Garin stressed the need to provide young and poor couples with family planning services to allow them to make better choices and to give their children a better future.

She took note of the Philippines’ very young population, wherein women as young as 14 years old are getting pregnant. However, this option was made unavailable after the Senate struck off the P1 billion allotted for family planning commodi-

ties for 2016 from the national budget.

Garin said the Department of Health (DOH) originally earmarked P1 billion out of its proposed budget of P124 billion from the P3 trillion national budget for this year to cover the free provision of condoms, IUDs, birth control pills particularly for breastfeeding mothers, in health centers.

Following the budget cut, Garin said that the department will have to exhaust its resources to provide for 6.7 percent of the country’s population with “unmet” family planning services. She added that to be able to sustain its health program for the rest of the year, the DOH would now need to be aggressive in tapping its international partners like the United Nations Population Fund and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Sen. Loren Legarda justified the budget cut saying that the P1 billion will be used for increases in other agencies, “including for DND air assets upgrading, which is timely and equally important given the West Philippine Sea issue.” A part of the P1 billion, according to Legarda, will be redirected to the increase of budget for state colleges and universities.

Senators Pia Cayetano, author of the Reproductive Health law in the Senate, and Miriam Defen-

Editorial

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sor-Santiago both were shocked by the budget cut.

“This abandonment is immoral in a country where some 200 out of 100,000 women who give birth die. The enemies of reproductive health never sleep. We, too, must not rest in fighting for women’s health,” Santiago said.

Perhaps it is best to remind the people who allot budget appropriations that a ballooning population interlinks a myriad of issues and its control simply equates a matter of survival of the human

race. While the causes of hunger, scarcity, disease, poverty, war do not rest on the number of this planet’s inhabitants alone, controlling the population renders a chance for a better future.

It may be too late for this year, but in 2017, in preparing the country’s national budget, may the government also appropriate prudence and discover why managing population is an essential formula to achieve poverty alleviation, disease eradication, and even safeguarding the economy and national security. (AJPress)

Last State of the Union address: Has Obama fulfilled his campaign promises?

THE historic two-term tenure of the first African-American president is almost over.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, President Barack Obama delivered his last State of the Union (SOTU) address.

Deemed as his valedictory speech, the president reported to the American people what his administration has accomplished and set the road map to where he hopes the next leader of the most powerful country of the world would stir the nation moving forward.

He also declared, with a sense urgency, what he would still want to complete and deliver in the last 12 months of his presidency, appealing to Congress to work with him for the good of the American people they all have sworn to serve beyond party lines and personal interests.

In his SOTU, Obama also set the agenda on what the American people should be looking for, not only in his successor, but in other elected public officials, to make sure they continue to build

And America is now leading on the gains his administration by example on climate change. has worked on and fought so hard The Fil-Am The Clean Power Plan will cut for. carbon pollution from power As of press time, ahead of Tues- Perspective plants by 32 percent by 2030. day’s SOTU, Pres. Obama sent out We’ve cut our oil imports by messages to his supporters, invitmore than half, while doubling ing them to watch his last report clean energy production from to the nation. Here is an excerpt: wind, solar, and geothermal -“When we took office, we were GEL SANTOS-RELOS creating steady sources of good losing nearly 750,000 jobs a month. But over the last 69 months, our business- jobs that can’t be outsourced.

Even as our economy is growing, America has es have created more than 13.7 million new jobs -- the longest streak of private-sector job growth cut our carbon pollution overall more than any on record -- and the unemployment rate is down other advanced nation on Earth. And we just helped secure the most ambitious global climate to 5 percent.

For the first time, more than 90 percent of agreement in history.

These are your accomplishments, and that’s Americans are now covered, and more than 17 million people have gained health insurance under what I want to celebrate with you on January 12.

Obamacare. Insurance companies can’t discrimi- As long as you’re out there organizing, on whatnate against people with pre-existing conditions, ever issue you’re organizing around, America has a bright future ahead.” or charge women more just for being women.

The stagecraft of his SOTU told much of his narrative. Each of his special guests were real people who stood for what his administration fought for, and what would have to be done -- economic rebound after the recession; health care and education for all; immigration reform; keeping America safe and secure; stricter gun control measures; addressing the challenges of climate change; hope, equal opportunities and help the middle class and ordinary Americans regardless of economic status, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual preference, religious beliefs, immigration status, etc.

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School choice matters ALONG WITH MAMASAPANO, SENATE SHOULD ALSO INVESTIGATE THIS for California’s families Roxas squarely responsible for MRT-3 mess

Commentary

ANDREW R. CAMPANELLA WHEN it comes to K-12 education, America’s parents want more choices.

In fact, almost two thirds of parents—64 percent—say they wish they had more options for their children’s education.

In a society where Americans choose practically everything, from the brands of coffee they drink in the morning to the types of cars they drive, it is understandable that parents are demanding more of a say in where they send their children to school.

Parents understand that with greater options come better results for their children. Every child is unique, with distinctive interests and learning styles. Moms and Dads know that a school that might work for one student might not be a good fit for another.

From January 24-30, millions of Americans will raise awareness about the importance of school choice at an unprecedented 16,140 events – including 1445 events in California. These events are planned to coincide with National School Choice Week, the largest celebration of opportunity in education in US history.

For families in the Golden State, National School

Choice Week provides a good opportunity to review the different types of education options available to their children.

Parents can choose from schools in the public sector—such as traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, or online academies. Parents can also pay to send their children to private schools, or educate their children in the home.

Parents who are not happy with their children’s current schools, or would like to explore their options, should use January to consider the alternatives available to them.

Families can use National School Choice Week as an opportunity to visit schools, ask lots of questions of teachers and administrators, and talk with other parents to find a school that may be a better fit.

Starting the school search process in January, rather than waiting until summer break, means that parents have more options available to them.

Of course, some—if not many—parents in California will find that they do not have as many education options as children and families in other states. For these families, National School Choice Week provides an opportunity to stand up and have their voices and opinions heard.

Providing greater access to education options in California and across the country is essential, not just for individual families, but for the future prosperity of communities.

Research has demonstrated that when parents actively choose the schools their children attend, or choose to educate their children in the home, high school graduation rates increase dramatically.

A student with a high school diploma will, over the course of his or her life, earn more than a quarter million dollars more than a student who has dropped out. High school graduates are far less likely to be incarcerated, and are six times more likely to participate in community and civic affairs, than individuals without high school diplomas.

In the short term, and over the long haul, school choice pays dividends.

Most importantly, though: school choice matters because every child in America has potential. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and together, we must do everything possible to prepare them for success. *** 8e[i\n I% :XdgXe\ccX `j gi\j`[\ek f] EXk`feXc JZ_ffc :_f`Z\ N\\b# k_\ eXk`feËj cXi^\jk XeelXc Z\c\YiXk`fe f] fggfikle`kp `e \[lZXk`fe% 8 i\Zf^e`q\[ \og\ik fe \[lZXk`fe i\]fid# 8e[i\n c`m\j `e 9cl\ DflekX`e 9\XZ_# =cfi`[X%

IT is President Benigno S. Aquino’s criminal negligence that resulted in 44 police commandos massacred; that should convince us never, never again to have such kind of yellow leadership, especially that of a haciendero scion.

It is the criminal mismanagement by his candidate, Manuel Roxas 2nd, of the main mass transport system of Metro Manila that has made the MRT-3 a daily hell for hundreds of thousands of commuters. That should be enough to convince every Filipino never ever again to vote into any position of power anybody from the yellow cult, especially a haciendero scion.

Consider the facts and tell me if I am exaggerating.

For 10 years after MRT3 started operations, the Japanese firm Sumitomo Corp. maintained the system under a contract with Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), the MRT-3 builder. The train was so efficient that Sumitomo would boast about MRT-3 in its sales pitch for bidding for similar projects around the world.

Sumitomo’s contract expired July 2010, and was renewed on a six-month basis only, but for four times by the MRTC, subject to DOTC’s approval. MRTC chairman Robert Sobrepeña told this writer that Sumitomo was in a bind – it required a longer time frame, so it would estimate how much of maintenance inventory it needed to keep, which actually cost half of its more than $1 million monthly contract. Sobrepeña and Sumitomo continually wrote letters to the DOTC to request a bidding for

Commentary

RIGOBERTO TIGLAO a longer-term contract. “We got absolutely no reply,” he said.

In the letter of DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya published in response to columnist Jarius Bondoc’s well-researched exposes, the secretary wrote: “On 4 October 2012, the MRTC wrote the DOTC, informing the latter that it would no longer procure a maintenance service contractor once Sumitomo’s contract would expire (sic) on 19 October 2012.

Given the short period of time left before said contract would expire, the DOTC resorted to a simplified bidding process in line with the Procurement Law (Republic Act No. 9184) beginning in the first week of October 2012.”

Abaya lying Abaya was lying so the blame would be on MRTC, that it suddenly stopped Sumitomo’s contract.

It was the DOTC’s MRT-3 General Manager Al Vitangcol who told the MRTC in early September that it would no longer agree to extend Sumitomo’s contract.

The DOTC officially informed the MRTC on October 4 that Sumitomo’s contract would not be extended. It then scheduled a bidding in two weeks, a “simplified” one, which involved simply the submission of bids, and for

government to negotiate with what it felt was the best bidder.

It justified this by claiming it was an emergency move taken in order to prevent, to quote its letter, “a stoppage of MRT-3’s operations, which would have severely disrupted the daily transportation needs of its close to 600,000 riders.”

That was the start of MRT-3’s deterioration.

Note that all this time, when a proper bidding could have been undertaken and bidders given all the time to prepare for it – two years after Sumitomo’s contract expired July 2010 – the head of the DOTC, the Cabinet member in charge of this crucial mass transit system, was Roxas.

Totally unexpected however – although conspiracy theorists allege another scenario – was the death of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo Aug. 18, with Aquino announcing Aug. 31, 2012 that Roxas would replace him.

However, Roxas assumed his DILG post only Oct. 19, the day the Sumitomo contract expired, and an obscure PH Trams-CB&T, was designated winner of the simplified bidding.

PH Trams-CB&T was a brand new company only two months old, and had a subscribed capitalization of only P2.5 million, or equivalent to only a 120th part of the P300 million cost of the MRT3 maintenance contract it was given.

One of its six investors was known in Pangasinan province as a Liberal Party financial supporter G8>< 8.

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No word from Indonesia on Mary Jane’s execution Aquino a capable leader during crises, says Palace MANILA—The Indonesian government has not informed the Philippine embassy in Jakarta that the execution of convicted Filipino drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso will be carried out.

Foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said yesterday the embassy has not received any official notification on Veloso’s execution.

“Technically speaking, Mary Jane Veloso is still on death row.

She was not given clemency,” Jose said in an interview on ANC’s Headstart.

The Philippines can again ask the Indonesian government to grant Veloso clemency if it can be proven that she was a victim, he said.

In April 2015, Veloso was granted reprieve at the last minute and spared from execution, although Indonesia carried out

by KRISTINE

ANGELI Inquirer.net

A MALACAÑANG official on Wednesday, Jan. 13 defended President Benigno Aquino III after Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile accused him for “failure of leadership.”

“President Aquino has demonstrated his capability as a leader through several crisis situations during his administra=8D@CP M@J@K% K_\ ]Xd`cp f] =`c`g`ef [il^ Zfem`Zk DXip AXe\ M\cfjf _Xj Xii`m\[ `e @e[fe\j`X kf tion,” Communications Secrem`j`k M\cfjf `e gi`jfe Xe[ kf Z\c\YiXk\ _\i *(jk Y`ik_[Xp% K_\ M\cfjf ]Xd`cp n\i\ Xcc jd`c\j Xj k_\p tary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in gfj\[ ]fi g_fkfj X]k\i Xii`m`e^ `e k_\ @e[fe\j`Xe ZXg`kXc AXbXikX Dfe[Xp X]k\ieffe% M\cfjfËj gXi\ekj :\jXi Xe[ :\c`X# _\i knf jfej DXib ;Xii\e Xe[ DXib ;Xe`\c# gi`mXk\ Zflej\c 8kkp% <[i\ FcXc`X Xe[ D`^iXek\ I`^_kj Xe[ N\c]Xi\ Gif^iXd :ffi[`eXkfi CXfi\eZ\ :Xjk`ccf n`cc m`j`k k_\ =`c`g`eX [il^ Zfem`Zk `e gi`jfe% G_fkf ]ifd D`^iXek\ @ek\ieXk`feXc =XZ\Yffb gX^\

the execution of eight other drug convicts.

The 30-year-old single mother, who left the Philippines for Kuala Lumpur, claimed she was asked by a friend to bring suitcases to

Indonesia, unaware that the baggage contained illegal drugs.

Veloso was arrested at the Yogyakarta Airport on April 25, 2010 for possession of 2.6 kilograms of heroin. (Philstar.com)

Roxas squarely responsible for MRT-3 mess G8>< 8-

– Wilson de Vera. He had been accused by the Czech ambassador of attempting in July 2012 to extort $30 million from the Czech company Inekon in exchange for winning the contract to supply MRT-3 its train cars.

On Dec. 15, the Ombudsman filed charges against Vitangcol, who signed the contract for MRT3 and all of PH Trams incorporators for corruption involving the contract’s award. That’s another case why I question the Ombudsman’s integrity: Why weren’t Vitangcol’s bosses, first Roxas, and then Abaya, charged?

Why did Roxas drag his feet for a month-and-a-half to leave his DOTC post Oct. 19, even if Aquino had appointed him to the DILG post Aug. 31? Is this a huge coincidence that Oct. 19 was after the PH Trams closed the contract with MRT-3?

Am I too biased to suspect that Roxas was a segurista, that he wanted to make sure that his two-year plot to get a favored contractor in place before he stepped down pushed through? Was it even a better scenario for him that his apparently witless lackey, Abaya, and Vitangcol signed the contract papers and, therefore, would be accountable if the scheme wax exposed?

What these morons did not realize, though, was that Sumitomo’s maintenance contract was not as profitable as it seemed. Half of the contract price was the cost of inventory for the MRT-3’s parts,

SABILLO

which were expensive because many of them were precision-engineered and of the highest-quality steel.

What the idiots didn’t know What these idiots did not know was the typical Japanese business model that is so different from the Americans. Japanese companies have a longer-term strategy, so that they agree to the smallest margins, as long as their reputation is built up for more and bigger projects. Its MRT-3 maintenance contract barely made a profit, but Sumitomo used the rail’s efficiency as a sample of its expertise in light rail building.

Indeed, Sumitomo has built up a reputation as one of the best lightrail builders in the world, with its latest projects being the $500 million contract signed in 2012 to build Vietnam’s first urban rail system and a $398 million supply contract for Chicago Metra’ commuter rail cars.

Trying to scrimp on cost as much as it could from its contract, PH Trams didn’t build up a stock of spare parts that it had to cannibalize its other cars for the required parts. The result: the number of cars running at present stands at 14 at the most, down sharply from 70 when Sumitomo was running MRT-3.

Without replacements, the trains’ steel wheels have also become squeezed into ovals so that now these have to run slower or they would be derailed. With maintenance becoming so messed up, MRT-3 trains have been stop-

a statement.

“He (Aquino) has kept faith with the people’s mandate by serving with integrity, dedication and courage,” he added.

Coloma said the public’s trust in Aquino was seen when many of the President’s candidates won during the 2013 elections, in addition to the “consistentlyhigh performance, approval and trust ratings which he has maintained throughout the last fiveand-a-half years.”

In an interview with Radyo

Inquirer 990AM, Enrile said, “there was a failure of leadership in Mamasapano, there was a failure of leadership in that fiasco in Luneta. It’s always a failure of leadership. There was a failure of leadership in Yolanda.”

He added: “I’m not about to be an adviser to a president but I would suggest to him to reexamine himself, and don’t be paranoid on imputing any motive against other people. Reflect on yourself, and assert your leadership.”

Duterte, Cayetano vow to go after ‘local El Chapos’

by YUJI

VINCENT GONZALES Inquirer.net

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have vowed to go after “local El Chapos” as the 2016 tandem reaffirmed their previous pronouncement to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

They were referring to notorious Mexican drug lord and Sinaloa drug cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who was recaptured last week six months after escaping from

ping at mid-stations, are so few, or run so slowly.

But Abaya may not really be the person he may think he is, since he appears so “what-me-worry?” confident even if it has become obvious to many that he messed up MRT-3, that it is an accident waiting to happen.

On Christmas eve, Abaya awarded a new P4 billion contract to a Korean-Filipino consortium consisting of Busan Transportation Corp., Edison Development & Construction, Tramat Mercantile

by TETCH TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net Inc., TMCI Corp Inc., and Castan Corp. As what happened during MANY crave for beautiful and Roxas’ time, Abaya claimed there glowing skin, even those inside was an emergency situation so that the “winner” of the bid was the Maximum Security Comdetermined through negotiations. pound of the New Bilibid Prison Roxas, when he was about to (NBP).

As proof, during a raid, auassume the six-year term of the top DOTC post, awarded only six- thorities have confiscated a diamonth contracts for the MRT-3. mond peel machine used to rejuAbaya – who is also the Liberal venate the skin and lighten dark among other Party president, by the way – hav- pigmentations ing only less than six months to contrabands.

Authorities also seized one go before he leaves the DOTC as its secretary, signs a contract for unit of electric massage mathree years, i.e., until 2018, long chine, shower water heater and after he is gone. I think Abaya turns out to be more clever than Roxas.

If the Senate is reinvestigatG8>< 8, ing the Mamasapano massacre, they might as well investigate the Alagasi Palacasi who was allegMRT-3 mess, which could, if un- edly scalded by the mother of her corrected, lead to accidents killing employer. Since then, she is still more than those murdered by the staying at the Bahay Kalinga for Moro insurgents in Mamasapano. more than 2 years,” Monterona said.

(ManilaTimes.net) Monterona said Palacasi want!!! <dX`c1 k`^cXf%dXe`cXk`d\j7^dX`c%Zfd ed to convey to Binay her plea for

prison.

Duterte, who is seeking the presidency, reiterated his promise to wipe out illegal drugs within three to six months in office if ever elected president.

“I will not allow our country to become Asia’s Mexico. We will not become a narco-state,” Duterte said in a statement, noting that the problem of illegal drugs has become a national issue.

Cayetano, meanwhile, said he and the Davao mayor would combine military and police

forces to “modernize” strategies in rounding up notorious drug lords in the Philippines.

“With the help of the people, we will end the reign of drug lords and make our streets safe again for our people,” the senator said, noting that 92 percent of barangays in Metro Manila were infiltrated with drugs.

On Tuesday, two Chinese-Filipino men believed to be members of international drug network “Asia Drug Network” were nabbed in Valenzuela City for the possession of P180-million worth of suspected shabu.

Some Bilibid inmates embrace vanity, turn metrosexuals, latest raid reveals microwave oven.

The raid was conducted at Quadrant 1 of the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound covering Dormitories 1, 6 and the NBP Hospital.

Authorities also seized a caliber .45 pistol “STI edge”, one cal. .45 magazine, seven pieces of cal. 45 live ammo and three pieces of .9mm live ammo, assorted bladed weapons such as J-Hooks, fan knife and scissors.

Also seized were assorted drug paraphernalia, four containers of fermented yeast, 200 grams of yeast and power tools such as

electric drill, grinder, wood router, submersible pump.

There were also assorted mobile phones seized as well as laptops, dual band transceiver, photocopier, pocket wifi, gaming consoles, LED television, cable black box and refrigerators.

Authorities also seized P119,000 cash.

During the raid, authorities have also dismantled several kubols (inmates’ quarters).

The operation is part of “Oplan Galugad” to rid the national penitentiary of illegal activities and prohibited items.

Binay’s vow: No Filipino will be forced to work abroad her to repatriated so that she can be with her two kids in Mindanao and start working again to support her kids.

He said Palacasi was still awaiting the outcome of the cases she filed and the counter-case filed by the mother of her employer which she said is taking so long.

“We call on VP Binay to come here in Saudi Arabia since he is already in the UAE. He often visited Saudi Arabia in previous years. This time not as a presidential candidate but in his capacity as PH vice president or maybe as an OFW advocate,” Monterona said.

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THE ASIAN JOURNAL ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

JANUARY 15-21, 2016

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

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JANUARY 15-21, 2016

MISS UNIVERSE PIA ALONZO WURTZBACH

2

The Amazing and Confidently Beautiful Miss (With a Heart)

by MOMAR G. VISAYA/AJPRESS BY now, the world…the universe, rather, already knows who Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach is.

Chalk it up to a confluence of things, or maybe an alignment of stars. When the Steve Harvey debacle happened on December 20, 2015 where he announced the wrong name as the Miss Universe winner, people’s minds went on full gear.

Conspiracy theorists made more than enough noise; was the wrong announcement planned all along? Other people said it was a design issue, saying that it wasn’t Steve Harvey’s fault since the design of the card that he was supposed to read was well, badly-designed. And still, others, including one of the evening’s judges Perez Hilton believed it was a human error. “He had a job and he didn’t do it well,” Hilton said.

The most beautiful mistake is now almost a month old, yet people are still talking about it.

Slow news cycle, yes, maybe the week that it happened. But week after week since the coronation, people have not run out of things to talk about.

But what happened to the main players?

Steve Harvey seemed to be the fastest to move on as he tweeted “Merry Easter, y’all!” on Christmas Day. Ariadna Gutierrez in her backstage interview said “things happen for a reason” and posted a statement on Instagram with a photo of her wearing the crown and saying “Forever your Miss Universe” and followed it up a few days later with a post congratulating the Filipinos for having a Miss Universe. A week later, she was on Colombian radio saying that she was embarrassed big time and that she wanted to share the Miss Universe crown.

And in between, she was also offered a million dollars to do a porn film.

Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach had graciously accepted her fate when Harvey announced Miss Colombia as the winner. There she stayed, away from the spotlight, on one dimly lit corner of the stage she shared with the second runner-up, Miss USA. Less than two minutes later, a camera was in front of them; Steve Harvey was walking back near Miss Colombia.

“I think you just won Miss Universe,” Miss USA Olivia Jordan whispered to Pia’s ear.

“I didn’t know what to do, I was looking for the stage managers and I was waiting for the announcement to make sure. I did not want to assume,” Pia said as

she recalled the moment leading up to her coronation, the moment many pageant diehards believe was stolen from her because of what happened.

That ‘moment’, and the inaugural walk, Pia had a chance for a do over as TV host Kelly Ripa asked her on their morning show just because she was deprived of that chance.

As gracious as she was in her initial loss, Pia was equally magnanimous in victory.

“I was concerned about Ariadna’s feelings, that is why I was not in a full celebratory mode,” she remarked.

She was concerned yes, but she was a little firm when she was asked about her thoughts on sharing the crown with Miss Colombia.

“I think it would be difficult for two girls to share a crown, but I have high hopes that this will give great opportunities for me and Miss Colombia and the rest of the contestants,” Pia told Good Morning America. Quite the right response since she won the title fair and square based on the unanimous votes of the judges, the viewers and their cocandidates.

The Philippines waited for 42 years before winning another Miss Universe crown. Pia now joins the elite group of Gloria Diaz who won in 1969 and Margie Moran who won in 1973.

With her reign, she hopes to shine some light on three of the causes near and dear her heart – HIV and AIDS awareness, helping calamity-stricken countries with relief operations and cyberbullying.

Despite, and maybe because of her stature as a beauty queen, Pia was the center of cyberbullying herself when she posted something back in May 2015 immediately after Manny Pacquiao lost against Floyd Mayweather.

“I watched the fight and I was so affected that he didn’t win. Just like everybody else, I wanted him to win. It was meant as a joke. I wasn’t trying to threaten anybody,” she said, recalling what transpired in those moments. “To me, I said it in jest. I was just trying to be funny.

A lot of people were not so happy with that tweet.”

The people who were not happy with that tweet bashed her endlessly on social media, saying she was too over-confident and that she should be more humble.

“I guess my mistake was that I did not put any emojis. It was for me, something to be taken lightly,” she explained.

Pia is relaxed and refreshed in her Las Vegas hotel room after the confusion and controversy at the finals night, in this photo taken from her Instagram account.

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SIOSON SAN JUAN

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For her diehard followers – some call themselves Pianatics – the tweet was not a big deal, that Pia was – that early – just claiming the Miss Universe title already.

For that, she was quick to dispel the issue.

“I have claimed it ever since 2013! I always said, ‘I’m going to be Miss Universe’. I’ve said it so many times in my head and I’ve claimed it so many times, even in public when I was with my friends,” she said.

And it became her mantra.

A couple of years later and here we were, doing this interview a stone’s throw away from the Miss Universe Organization offices along Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas.

The irony is that her being Miss Universe hasn’t totally and fully sunk in yet for her.

When we ask about her current state of mind, Pia replied quickly.

“It’s starting to sink in because I am finally working. It is different when you are at home and resting.

You don’t get a grasp of what’s going on but when you’re actually at work and doing the duties and responsibilities of a Miss Universe, that’s when it started to sink in.”

Chasing Pia January 4, 2016 was Day 1 for Pia and her new job as Miss Universe.

It was a very busy and productive day (but very organized and well-managed too, she said) for her and she spent the day doing ten interviews.

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Her first one was with “Good Morning America,” followed by” Live with Kelly and Michael,” and ended with “CNN with Don Lemon” and ABC’s “Nightline with Juju Chang.” In between, there was “Access Hollywood,” “Inside Edition,” “Entertainment Tonight,” a live interview broadcast in the Philippines for ABS-CBN’s morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda.”

The following day was step and repeat as she went through more interviews and guestings on Fox and Friends and other local shows.

What follows are excerpts of our one-on-one interview with the reigning Miss Universe.

On meeting Samuel Jackson I’m so happy that Samuel L. Jackson was the first famous person I met because I am really a fan and I watch his movies. He’s such a good actor and he is so warm and friendly. When he saw me, he said, “Miss Philippines!” and we shook hands.

On her emotional sendoff in Manila I was just so relieved that it was finally my turn for a press conference and sendoff. I was also under a lot of pressure, it was so close to my flight to Las Vegas. And of course, we really wanted to win Miss Universe. It has been building up for so many years and I didn’t want to be the one to break that streak, of course not.

If for anything, I wanted to win, not just for myself but for everybody. All of that, the pressure, the relief, it was like I won again.

On being a breadwinner at a young age It was not hard as I was never forced into it. It was something that I enjoyed doing and I want to go back doing it after Miss Universe. It felt so natural to me.

I went to school on weekdays and weekends I had shoots and tapings. To me, it was a pretty cool job for somebody my age at that time. I matured quite a bit compared to my peers because of that and that actually had some benefits as well.

On her third attempt for the title I was in London because I was waiting for my sister Sarah to give birth. She was due around Christmas pero January na, wala pa and we had so many false alarms. It was almost my flight back home and she hasn’t given birth yet. I asked her if she wanted me to stay until she gave birth and she said, ‘You go! We’ve heard enough about this Binibining Pilipinas, it’s all you have been talking about since you got here.

You obviously want it. Go!’ I flew back to Manila and I wasn’t really pageant-ready. I had to rush the preparation for the pageant, the rest of the training I did after na.

On destiny I believe in destiny but success is not handed to you, you work hard for it.

A ROUSING welcome awaits Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the country’s first Miss Universe after a 42-year drought, when she arrives late afternoon of Jan. 23, a Saturday.

Expect the world’s most hospitable people to pull out all the stops when they celebrate Wurtzbach’s homecoming with a ticker tape parade, a citation of excellence, a medal of distinction and a courtesy call with President Benigno Aquino III no less.

Some 300 members of the foreign media are expected to fly to Manila to cover Wurtzbach’s hectic schedule, starting with a press conference and interviews with media on Sunday, and a courtesy call on President Aquino at Malacañang on Monday morning.

She then motors to the Senate where she will be given a citation of excellence.

From the Sofitel hotel at the Cultural Center complex in Pasay City, a ticker tape parade will bring the beauty queen around Manila, the Makati central business district on Ayala Avenue, and finally, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.

Grueling schedule The parade, which is expected to run into early evening, is part of what appears to be a grueling schedule that would faze even the strongest. But then again, the 26year-old Wurtzbach lived for this day, wearing the Miss Universe crown having been her lifelong ambition.

Young as she is, Wurtzbach took a relatively arduous route to the crown—losing twice in the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, learning to perform and model as early as her pre-teens, finally being a model, and recently, a contributing beauty writer/stylist

for Inquirer Lifestyle’s ToBeYou. Congressional medal of distinction It has been a journey that brought to the fore this young woman’s tenacity, discipline, innate intelligence and fierce sense of independence.

On Tuesday, Jan. 26, this year’s Miss Universe will pay courtesy calls on Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and acting Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña.

In Quezon City, the House of Representatives will honor Wurtzbach with the congressional medal of distinction.

Advocacies The succeeding days will be devoted to the beauty queen’s advocacies, including raising awareness on HIV/AIDS. The incidence of HIV/AIDS in the country has risen sharply in the last few years.

On Thursday, Jan. 28, a Miss Universe homecoming special is scheduled at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

Capping Wurtzbach’s homecoming is her return on Friday to Cagayan de Oro City, where she grew up. She was born in Germany where her German father and Filipino mother initially settled.

Exceptional Wurtzbach’s homecoming visit is being arranged by the Miss Universe officials with the Binibining Pilipinas Charities chaired by Stella Marquez-Araneta.

Marquez-Araneta, a former Miss Colombia, remains effusive when she talks of Wurtzbach.

“She’s really exceptional. She’s always on time, never ever late,” she told the Inquirer. “Even the mentors were impressed with her. She’s always curious, always wanting to learn.”

Asked if she was surprised that Wurtzbach won, Araneta said, “Not at all.”

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On loving museums I love visiting museums, even when I was in England or in the Philippines. I usually go during my free time and I’m there for hours. It’s fascinating to me. After an interview earlier, we walked past the Museum of Modern Art and I was making mental notes on where it is so I can go back if I have time.

On NYC as a foodie city I’m still trying to find out what is the local cuisine here because it is so diverse. We (she then pauses for a while) have everything here.

It’s actually my first time to say we, I mean, live here. I just noticed that everywhere you look, there are different cuisines. What is home-grown New York cuisine, that’s what I am trying to figure out.

On her culinary capabilities My mom is a better cook, I’m sure of that. She’s my biggest critic when I cook Filipino food because she’s the best. She has many dishes. I was not a fan of pancit before but now, when I think about it, I would love to Continued on Page 4

3 Sampaguita night: Tears & laughter for Kuya Germs John Lloyd Cruz laments ‘Honor JANUARY 15-21, 2016

www.asianjournal.com

Thy Father’ DQ in House hearing

by NATHALIE

TOMADA Philstar.com

MANILA—There were tears and laughter as contemporaries of German “Kuya Germs” Moreno from his Sampaguita days gathered last Tuesday night, Jan. 12 to pay tribute to the Master Showman.

The final night of Kuya Germs’ wake at the Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City became a bittersweet reunion of Sampaguita Pictures stars.

One of the last times a similar gathering took place, it was also at the surprise birthday party for the well-loved showbiz icon in October 2015. Kuya Germs passed away last Jan. 8 at the age of 82.

Among the fellow Sampaguitans who came were Gloria Romero, Daisy Romualdez, Romeo Vasquez, Baby O’Brien with daughter Rina Reyes, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Boots Anson-Roa with lawyer husband King Rodrigo, Pepito Rodriguez, Eddie Gutierrez, Marita Zobel and even former Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., who’s rarely seen in public, was also present at the wake.

Marichu “Manay Ichu” Vera-Perez Maceda said that what she greatly admired about Moreno was his sense of loyalty. Her parents, Dr. Jose R. Perez and Azucena “Mama Nene” Vera-Perez—the owners of Sampaguita Pictures—signed up Moreno in the early ‘60s.

She said that whenever Moreno had the chance, he never failed to thank those who helped

by YUJI

VINCENT GONZALES Inquirer.net

ACTOR John Lloyd Cruz on Wednesday, Jan. 13 appeared before the House of Representatives to attend the hearing on the disqualification of the film Honor Thy Father from the Best Picture race at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). <[[`\ >lk`\ii\q Xe[ 9ffkj 8ejfe$IfX$If[i`^f Cruz, lead actor and also a co-producer of Honor Thy Father, said the House probe was an opportunity to institute reforms in the MMFF and the film industry, noting that the issue was beyond showbiz.

The inquiry stemmed from a resolution filed by Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, a cast member who directed the MMFF executive committee to explain why the film was disqualified from the Best Picture category for its supposed non-disclosure of its participation in >\idXe ÊBlpX >\idjË Dfi\ef nXj efk aljk Xe another film festival.

Ifd\f MXjhl\q Ê\ek\ikX`e\i# _\ nXj Xcjf X k\XZ_\iË “Nandito ako dahil mahal ko provided comic relief as well, and ang pelikulang Pilipino. Mahal ko him when he was just starting out in showbiz—from his humble a running joke among his friends siya dahil minahal din niya ako was his real age. His ready answer nang sobra sobra. Binigyan niya beginnings as a janitor/curtainto all those who asked about it raiser at Clover Theater in Sta. ako ng maraming magagandang Cruz, Manila, to eventually getting was, “Same as yesterday.” karanasan… Hindi ito maliit na Borlaza said that in the years his movie break as a comedian bagay. Hindi ito ka-showbizan lang. he knew Moreno, his age was from the Vera-Perez couple.

Importante itong nangyayari dito a well-kept secret. In one of Moreno never grew tired ngayon. Ang prosesong ito,” Cruz the films they did together, a of telling it “over and over” said in a statement that he read, a little on-set accident happened. in showbiz events that one copy of which was published by When they brought him to the time Manay Ichu requested him Coconuts Manila. hospital for a check-up and the not to mention it anymore “kasi (I am here because I love the doctor routinely asked for his nakakahiya na but he said, ’wag Philippine film industry. I love it mo akong pakialaman,” she fondly age, Borlaza recalled Moreno as because it loves me immensely. saying, “‘Basta 28 ako ngayon,’ recalled. “I think that’s one of It gave me a lot of beautiful although at the back of my mind, experiences…This is not small the traits why he was so wellloved. Marunong siyang tumanaw I was thinking, ‘I’m also 28 but I change. This is not mere show believe he’s older than me.’ ng utang na loob.” biz. What’s happening now is “Five years later, when I Director Maning Borlaza important. This process.) was 33, German invited me to related that he first met Moreno “Pagkakataon ito para his birthday. (A group sang to when he was still a scriptwriter magkaroon ng reporma sa MMFF. him and asked) how old are for Sampaguita. At that time, Ngayon napakainit ng issue na ito. you? German said, ‘Eto nga eh, Borlaza was tasked to come up Sana naman pagdating ng May at tumanda na ako, sumayad na with scripts for Stars ‘66, a group June, kung kailan pinipili ang mga ako sa eksaktong line of 3, 30 na of acting newbies (the precursor susunod na entries ay may mga of ABS-CBN’s Star Circle and GMA ako (I’ve finally grown old, I’ve konkretong pagbabago na. Nang sa hit the line of 3, I’m now 30.’) So, 7’sStarStruck) that Doc Perez was gayon, ang MMFF ay pagmulan ng I became older than him na. It then building up. inspirasyon sa halip sa pagdududa at became a running gag (that he Borlaza recalled being kahihiyan,” he added. instructed to incorporate comedic was younger than me).

(This is a chance to have a “Last November, I turned 80. relief into the scripts “because reform at the MMFF. This is a very So ngayon, German, sorry ha, but sensitive issue. Hopefully this ‘we now have German Moreno,’ na-publish na sa lahat ng dyaryo Doc Perez said. ‘Let’s build him na 82 ka,” Borlaza quipped. up. Gagawin natin siyang next to Romero, for her part, last Dolphy.’ That was how German worked with Moreno two years and I became close.” =fid\i j\eXkfi IXdfe I\m`ccX Ji% Xe[ 9XZffi ago on the GMA 7 soap Niño.

Off-screen, Kuya Germs :Xm`k\ DXpfi Jki`b\ I\m`ccX The veteran actress, who’s also the godmother of Moreno’s son Federico, revealed that Moreno never brought a wallet with him but would place wads of bills in his pocket so that he could easily pull out cash for whoever needed some financial help.

In their conversations during long taping hours, Moreno told Romero that his only prayer was to have a longer life because Continued on Page 4 ;X`jp IfdlXc[\q# >cfi`X Ifd\if Xe[ DXi`Z_l ÊDXeXp @Z_lË DXZ\[X G_fkfj Yp M\i GXlc`ef

Golden Globe winner Rachel Bloom talks Filipino culture and TV diversity Lea Salonga to appear on ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’

By ALLYSON

ESCOBAR AJPRESS

and Coryn Mabalot, all playing members of Josh’s immediate CREATOR, writer, producer family, respectively. It was the first and comedienne Rachel Bloom time a Filipino-American family took home the Golden Globe on was introduced to US broadcast Sunday, Jan. 9 for Best Performance television, reported FilAm Creative. by an Actress in a Television Series, While in production for the first Comedy or Musical, for her CW season, Bloom said she’d learned show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. a great deal about storytelling “The CW has supported us and the importance of diversity in creatively every step of the way,” television. Backstage at the Golden Bloom said onstage Sunday night.

Globes, she also said she was “All those things you hear about “surprised” by the strong reaction networks trying to stifle creativity-- from viewers to the show’s Filipino CW lets creators create and gives us characters, which reflect the show’s freedom. I think the CW is fan-f--setting of the Los Angeles suburb of ing-tastic.”

West Covina, according to Variety.

Musical comedy series Crazy “I have learned so much about Ex-Girlfriend follows Rachel Bloom Filipino culture. What’s insane is as Rebecca Bunch, a successful, we are not fresh off the boat about miserable young woman who specifically being Filipino. One of impulsively leaves her job as a our characters [Rodriguez] happens real estate lawyer in New York in to be Filipino, so when we realized search of love and happiness in no one else had even made the West Covina, California, also the effort to show a Filipino family on an suburban hometown of her Filipino American comedy, it taught me a lot ex-boyfriend, Josh Chan, played by about Filipino culture,” Bloom said to Fil-Am actor Vincent Rodriguez III. reporters in the Globes press room.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend explores this “Mabuhay!” idea of feeling crazy over someone,” “But it’s also taught me really Rodriguez told the Asian Journal last about how important diversity is, year, adding that the show --which if you want to tell a new story.” premiered in October-- includes Bloom also used the themes of family, friendship, and opportunity to announce that finding home away from home.

Filipina Broadway star Lea Salonga “When you’re in love, it’s fun, will also be a guest star in the show’s ridiculous, and exciting.” first season finale.

“My Thanksgiving With Josh,” “In episode 18, we are so proud an episode that aired on Nov. 16, Lea Salonga will be guest-starring, 2015, made television history and when Vincent saw [her], he when the family of Josh Chan was literally fainted to the ground,” introduced together with actors Bloom laughed.

Amy Hill, Tess Paras, Alberto Issacs Salonga also previously

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tweeted, “I guess the news is out!!!

I’ll be appearing on the season finale of [Crazy Ex-Girlfriend]! And singing, too! How fun is that?!”

The CW show will return with its midseason premiere at its usual time on Monday, Jan. 25, at 8pm ET, reported Entertainment Weekly.

“This has shown me how important diversity is if you want to tell a new story. Anything else I do from now...I would want to make it about people who are diverse, gay, trans; because those are stories that have not been told before, and America is a melting pot of immigrants, and I don’t think it is acknowledged half as much as it is on television. We’re proud to be a show that supports diversity because that’s what America is.

We’re just showing it how it is,” Bloom said.

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coming May and June, when the next entries are chosen there will be concrete change. With that, the MMFF will be a source of inspiration not of doubt and shame.)

Cruz said he was hoping that the House investigation would lead to the crafting of laws for the improvement of Philippine cinema. “’Wag sanang masayang ang pagkakataong ito na maguslat ng mga batas sa ikabubuti ng industriya. Suportahan sana ng ibang Congressman at ng Senado ang mga Congressman na pumunta dito at nagmalasakit sa atin. Pero malaking homework din para sa atin ito sa industriya.

Maglaan tayo ng oras para magsulat ng mga position paper, makipag-usap sa mga Congressman, mangulit, makibalita, at makialam,” he said.

Cruz also voiced out the need for more diverse choices of films for moviegoers, saying that there was a “huge opportunity” to develop an audience for local films.

“Kung gaano karami ang iba’t ibang karanasan natin sa buhay, sana ganu’n din karami ang iba’t ibang klase ng pelikula…

Ang dami nang mga Pinoy films ang nagtagumpay sa takilya na hindi inaasahan at noong una ay tinanggal pa nga sa sinehan at biglang binalik na lang dahil sa word of mouth na nagparami ng mgataong gustong manood,” Cruz said, citing films like Heneral Luna, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, and Norte.

“Ang punto ko lang ay: hindi kaya may malaking potential na maaring nawawala kapag hindi natin binibigyan ng espasyo ang iba’t ibang klase ng pelikula sa mga sinehan natin?” he added.

In the end, Cruz said he was hoping that every Filipino, whether a member of the film industry or not, would take part in retalling the story of the race by embracing diversity and fighting for equal opportunities.

“Kasi sa ating lahat ang pelikulang Pilipino. Tayo ito… Oo, marami tayong di pagkakaunawaan. Pero sigurado ako na gaya ko, andito rin kayo dahil mahal niyo ang pelikulang Pilipino. At kung may natutunan ako sa dinami-dami ng ginawa kong romantic movies, ‘yun ay: Ang mahal mo, ipaglalaban mo,” he said.

JANUARY 15-21, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

4

Stars recall fond memories of Kuya Germs

by DOLLY

ANNE CARVAJAL Inquirer.net

and claim to be Papa’s “long-lost relative.”“Para sumikat ako” was his rejoinder. Germs would always say I HAVE fond memories of Kuya this in self-deprecation and would Germs’“showbiz love triangle” with elicit laughter. Back then, he never my Mom (Inday Badiday) and Ike thought that, by din of hard work, Lozada. At the Master Showman’s talent, persistence, luck and his nowwake, his son Federico, who’s also legendary generosity, he would one my godbrother, told me that one of the first things that crossed his mind day outshine and out-“Moreno” my when Kuya Germs passed away was Papa Oscar.

Dingdong Dantes: During our that his Papa is now reunited with my Mom and Tito Ike. The show goes last phone conversation on Dec. 24, he said “Thank you,” and I greeted on in heaven for the terrific trio. him “Merry Christmas.” I told him that I remember my Mom’s funny story about the time when they were I could not wait to introduce baby Letizia to him. shooting Blue Hawaii in Honolulu Ogie Alcasid: I would never with Guy and Pip (Nora Aunor and forget the trips abroad with Ninong Tirso Cruz III). Kuya Germs was the Germs and the whole “SOP” family. director of the film.

He was always the “superstar,” since One day, she and Guy were everyone knew him. In Hawaii, he missing on the set, much to the really rocked the house with his dismay of Kuya Germs—because they were pressed for time. He went hosting! If there was anything that all of us learned from him, it would be crazy looking for them! Ma and Guy eventually came back after sneaking his dedication to his work. He loved doing what he was doing—and he out to watch the filming of the TV was very good at it! show, Hawaii Five O. Rita Avila: Kuya Germs liked the Since my Mom and Kuya Germs garlic peanuts that my Mom makes. were sparring partners, he saw me Every time he sees me, he would grow up. If I had to pick my fave tell me that he’s craving my Mom’s moment with him, it would be the time he told me, “Sorry, it took awhile homemade peanuts. So, I would promise to send him some—that before I included your Mom’s star was our constant exchange! I later on my Eastwood Walk of Fame. I hope you ignore the intrigues about found out that he used to sell peanuts as a sidewalk vendor. it—huwag kang magtampo sa akin Mark Bautista: While preparing (don’t feel bad).” for my London stint in the play “Here What a sweet gesture! Being lovable is a gift that Kuya Germs was Lies Love” (where I played Ferdinand Marcos), Kuya Germs heard that I born with. wanted to interview Imelda Marcos I’m glad I was able to pay homage to Kuya Germs while he was before leaving Manila. He and Tita Marichu Maceda arranged it. He still alive. I was so touched with his made my wish come true, and he “Thank You” message after he read my column’s tribute to him when he even accompanied me to meet Mrs. celebrated his 50th year in show biz. Marcos. My last phone conversation with him was last December. He Every celebrity has a German called to assure me that I already Moreno story to tell, whether have a star on the Eastwood Walk he or she is a Kapuso, Kapatid or Kapamilya. His heart was big enough of Fame. He even said sorry for the late notice. For someone as famous to take everyone in! Bravo to the as Kuya Germs to apologize is Master Showman, who has packed praiseworthy. He was that selfless! up and changed location after the Jed Madela: Kuya Germs was Master of Masters sent him a call slip. one of the first people who believed That was Entertainment! in my talent. I was a newbie in the Boots Anson-Roa: In one public industry, and having “no name” event, Kuya Germs surprised me by made it difficult to guest in any TV “confessing” that his real name was show.

Molina, and that he just borrowed When I was still struggling as an my father, Sampaguita contract artist, I saw him in the audience at an star Oscar Moreno’s surname so he event. I was excited and nervous to could “hitch his wagon to a star”

EMPLOYMENT

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The Amazing and Confidently...

From Page 2

eat her pancit, her lumpia and kare-kare, that’s my favorite. It’s my celebratory meal back in the Philippines. And pan de sal with Cheez Whiz, that’s my favorite thing to eat for breakfast.

On her Miss U friends I was really close with Myanmar, who was my roommate; Malaysia and China. We were under one supervisor and we had to stick to each other because you don’t want to get lost. If your supervisor is looking for you, you should all be together. They were my comic relief because at times, things would get so serious and competitive but when I was with them, I could just sit down and be me.

On her ideal man I like guys who have a sense of humor. He has to be smart as well.

On the legacy she wants to leave as Miss Universe I would like the people to remember me as someone who is very natural and relatable. I don’t want to be so stiff. I want to erase the image some people have of beauty queens, that we

are so unreachable and poised all the time, that we can’t commit a mistake. That’s not true. We’re real people, we’re just like everybody else. I want to show that we’re human.

On Lea Salonga’s open letter welcoming her to New York I love her advice for me and the things that I have to remember. I have yet to reply to her so thank you for reminding me.

On the last thing she listened to (She went on to sing a few bars of a song with the lyrics ‘You are the universe…’ and asked if I knew that song.) I was singing it yesterday during a shoot and I asked if anybody knew that song.

Nobody knew it. Is it just me? Did I make this song up? (laughs) Last thing she ate (It was almost 2:00 pm) I haven’t eaten anything yet, I had raw juice from a local juicer. I have them send it every day. Green juice.

On her nightly prayers I say thank you.

Do you wish on stars?

All the time.

On what color she would be if she were a crayon.

Red, because I’m hot. (She giggles and follows it up with ‘I’m just kidding.’) Green. That’s my favorite color.

Favorite drink Coconut water.

Favorite sport I don’t play but I love to watch football, or soccer.

Favorite toy as a kid My Barbies. I had so much, my dad spoiled me with so many Barbie dolls.

What is Pia Wurtzbach afraid of?

Regrets, that’s why I always try to do my best because I don’t want regrets.

Best assets Physical? My eyes. Characterwise? My personality and my sense of humor.

On why she is where she is right now I had very good teachers, mentors, parents who made sure that I was on the right path.

Sampaguita night: Tears & laughter...

From Page 3

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perform in front of the one and only Master Showman. What more when he invited me to guest in his show!

I felt loved whenever I was with him. When I already made a name and I would guest in his show, he would rush his staff to start taping—because he didn’t want to keep me waiting! I was accorded star treatment.

But the ultimate gift Kuya Germs gave me was immortalizing my name on his Walk of Fame. I will forever be grateful for how he treated a probinsyano from Iloilo like me … who didn’t have to be awfully popular to get that star! All that mattered to him was my voice—and my heart!

Vilma Santos: He showed me respect as a friend, even if he was a Nora Aunor diehard. That I will never forget!

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FOR LEASE

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Boots is grateful to Kuya Germs for giving his “time, talent he wanted to help more young and treasure” to the Movie people reach their showbiz Workers Welfare Foundation dreams. As a “star-builder,” (Mowelfund), which she heads.

Moreno had introduced and Her special affinity with the TV mentored countless of showbiz hopefuls through his GMA shows host-comedian also emanates That’s Entertainment, Germspesyal, from the fact that Kuya Germs (whose real family name is GMA Supershow and his latest, Molina) got his screen name after Master Showman: Walang Boot’s father, the actor Oscar Tulugan.

“I could not believe he’s gone,” Moreno.

“Sabi niya, nauna na si Oscar Romero said.

Moreno sa akin sa Sampaguita, Apparently, Kuya Germs sikat na siya baka sumikat din always had an eye for those who ako,” Boots recalled the piece could be big stars even when he of trivia from one of the talks was still a “nobody.” According of Kuya Germs. “Very humbly to Vasquez, who got a job from he said before that he would Moreno as curtain-raiser when hitch his wagon on (the status he was a youngster so he could of ) Oscar Moreno without watch Clover shows for free, probably realizing that years and Moreno encouraged him to years after, through his charity, become an actor. generosity, talents and loyalty, he Romualdez and Gutierrez, would outshine and out-Moreno on the other hand, also thanked my father. I’m so proud of that.”

Kuya Germs for giving their Apart from the former own children, Tina Paner and Sampaguita stars, younger Ruffa Gutierrez, respectively, actors from different networks their showbiz break via That’s paid their last respects to Kuya Entertainment.

SERVICES

Germs last Tuesday night, only proving that his impact and influence spanned generations and transcended network wars.

Spotted were Vhong Navarro, Jong Hilario, Michael V., Joel Torre, Snooky Serna, Elizabeth Oropesa, Carla Abellana, Maine Mendoza, among others.

Before the Sampaguita night, a Holy Mass was celebrated by Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, who revealed that the Shrine of Our Lady of The Rosary in Manaoag (now a Minor Basilica) was a “grateful beneficiary of the kindness of Kuya Germs.”

He added, “He wasn’t just an entertainer, he was also a teacher. Hindi niya sinarili yung biyaya na binigay sa kanya ng Diyos. Those who teach others in goodness will shine like the stars for all eternity.”

As a poignant and fitting gesture that only a forever star deserves, Kuya Germs was given a standing ovation and cheers of “Bravo!” during the tribute.

Solenn Heussaff says she’s not yet married

by CHUCK

SMITH Philstar.com

MANILA—It was previously reported that Solenn Heussaff and boyfriend Nico Bolzico have tied the knot in Argentina last month.

But apparently, reports on their wedding, which were based on the posts of Solenn’s friends on various social media accounts, are not exactly accurate.

During the press conference for her upcoming movie Lakbay2Love on Wednesday, Jan. 13, Solenn said the event that happened on December 30 was not a wedding but a “celebration of their union.”

“Isha-share ko ang lahat kapag nangyari ang walking down the aisle. Hindi pa nangyari yan,” she said. “Matagal pa yan. So I’ll just share everything then.”

Talking to reporters after the press conference, Solenn further explained: “Hindi pa nangyari e anything. Parang we just celebrated in Argentina kasi hindi ko nakita yung mga parents ni Nico in two years.”

“Ikakasal ako sa France in the future. Hindi right now.”

When asked if the “celebration” was a civil wedding, the GMA7 actress said: “Celebration lang for the union since wala pang celebration since the engagement.”

Solenn said she and Nico

JANUARY 15-21, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

5

‘OTWOL’ apologizes for striptease: ‘No intention to disrespect PNP’

ABS-CBN primetime series On the Wings of Love (OTWOL) on Wednesday, Jan. 13 apologized for a scene that aired on its Jan. 11 episode showing actor James Reid stripping in a policeman uniform.

In a statement, ABS-CBN said OTWOL did not intend to Jfc\ee ?\ljjX]] `e X jZ\e\ ]ifd k_\ dfm`\ ÈCXbYXp)Cfm\#É n_`Z_ n`cc fg\e `e k_\Xk\ij fe =\YilXip *% K_\ >D8$. XZki\jj jX`[ j_\ `j efk p\k dXii`\[# ZfekiXip kf gi\m`flj i\gfikj jXp`e^ disrespect the Philippine National Police (PNP), after drawing flak j_\ ^fk dXii`\[ kf 8i^\ek`e\ E`Zf 9fcq`Zf fe ;\Z\dY\i *'% in social media that the scene ‘Sige, punta ka this year para we saw the reports on their alleged degraded cops’ image. can go hiking. wedding in the Philippines.

“On the Wings of Love would “Tapos bigla sabi ni (Georgina like to apologize for a short scene “Tumawa lang siya, he was Wilson), ‘Sige, punta rin ako.’ Tapos that aired last Monday, which just laughing... Funny lang.” si Belle rin. So parang naging Solenn clarified though showed the main character Clark barkada union.” that the celebration with Nico dancing as a policeman for Leah in Asked why there was a need and his family was planned; the her bridal shower,” ABS-CBN said in for a “celebration of union” in presence of her friends and family a statement.

Argentina, Solenn said: “In our in Argentina was a spur of a “The program has called the five-year relationship, I’ve seen moment decision. attention of its production team Nico’s parents five times... Para “I didn’t invite anyone kasi and assures the public that there din maging masaya rin yung mga malayo naman yung lugar. They was no intention to disrespect the kaibigan n’ya sa Argentina na just decided to come for the sanctity of the Philippine National hindi pwede pumunta sa future vacation,” Solenn said. kasal kasi malayo.”

She further explained: Solenn talked to members of “Kasi lahat ng mga kaibigan ko the press to promote her movie pumunta dun. Pero it was just, “Lakbay2Love,” which also stars walang invite-invite. Ako I’m ACTRESS-HOST Pauleen Luna Dennis Trillo and is directed by there every year, di ba. Every has clarified that she bears no ill Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil. The movie year nasa Argentina ako kapag feelings toward broadcast giant will open in theaters on February December, tapos sinabi ko sa ABS-CBN after its flagship news 3. brother ko [Erwan Heussaff ], program TV Patrol divulged the details of her upcoming wedding with Vic Sotto despite a request for exclusivity.

However, Luna said all she that Erik and Angeline will be

by JOYCE JIMENEZ wanted from the network was performing with Regine and Philstar.com to respect their decision to Martin. announce the details of the The four of them were in a MANILA—Erik Santos believes wedding on noontime show Eat concert together August last year, that there can only be one Regine Bulaga as they have promised to when The Concert King and Asia’s Velasquez and Martin Nievera. the program.

Songbird did a guest performance “I don’t think there will be “Hating them is not the issue in Angeline and Erik’s concert KQ: next Regine or Martin,” Erik said here. And certainly not because Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto at during the press conference on we want to keep the wedding Wednesday, Jan. 13 of their concert the Araneta Coliseum. ‘private.’ A lot of people knew the Despite this, Erik said he “Royals” together with Regine, details already but kept mum still feels pressured performing Martin and Angeline Quinto. about it because they respected with two of the industry’s most This was after he was asked the fact that we want to announce renowned singers. how it feels that Martin and it in Eat Bulaga, which is our “Hindi po ‘yon mawawala. Kasi Regine’s titles were somehow HOME,” Luna said in a comment being passed to them through this po ‘yong idea na makakasama po on one of her Instagram posts. naming ‘yong dalawang idol namin concert.

“Sana po naiintindihan n’yo. sa isang concert is a big blessing for <i`b JXekfj Y\c`\m\j k_Xk k_\i\ ZXe fecp Y\ Erik explained that “nag-iisa fe\ I\^`e\ M\cXjhl\q Xe[ DXik`e E`\m\iX% We requested na ‘wag na lang me and Angeline,” he said. lang sila. Tsaka ‘yong mga naabot

G_`cjkXi%Zfd g_fkf Yp AfpZ\ A`d\e\q muna sabihin dahil nakapangako “So kailangan talaga namin ni nila puwedeng hindi namin maabot, kami sa Eat Bulaga, kung saan Angeline mag-keep up,” he added. Arena and on February 14 at the at hindi pa rin namin naaabot kung talaga namin gustong i-announce.

Royals concert will happen Waterfront Hotel and Casino in ano ang naabot nila.”

‘Yun lang naman ‘yun. I don’t hate on February 13 at SM Mall of Asia Cebu.

This is not the first time

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Police (PNP) uniform. We do not want to jeopardize our good relations with the PNP and will make sure that it will not happen again,” the statement read.

In the Monday, Jan. 11 episode

of the show, Reid, wearing a PNP general office uniform with a Quezon City Police District badge and an SPO4 rank, stripped and danced on top of actress Nadine Lustre. (Inquirer.net)

Pauleen Luna doesn’t hate ABS-CBN, but…

Erik Santos: There’s no next Regine, Martin

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ABS. I’m just a bit sad because sana nirespeto nila ‘yung request.

Imbitado naman sila. I hope I made myself clear,” she added.

(I hope you understand. We requested not to broadcast it because we have promised to Eat Bulaga since it is where we really want to announce it. That’s it. I don’t hate ABS. I’m just a bit sad because they should have respected our request. They are

even invited. I hope I made myself clear.)

The TV Patrol report by ABSCBN reporter Mario Dumaual mentioned that the information came from Luna’s manager Lolit Solis.

Luna took to social media to express her frustration over the ABS-CBN report. However, she eventually deleted her post.

(Inquirer.net)

JANUARY 15-21, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

Kite Runner

announces nation’s first joint Husband and wife behind CalMutuals powers insurance authority for small Forever 21’s global success community water systems in California

Then, a simple observation sparked a monumental shift in their direction, which “OUR life is what our thoughts would eventually make them make it.” That’s a powerful quote billionaires.

by Marcus Aurelius.

“I noticed the people who According to writer Alyssa drove the nicest cars were all in Sparacino, New Year’s resolutions the garment business,” Don told are a bit like babies: They’re fun the LA Times in a 2010 interview. to make but extremely difficult to This realization led them to maintain. open a 900-square-foot clothing But I want to resonate the store in LA in 1984. They called eight powerful words above it Fashion 21. Unlike the three that might just change your failed businesses that had life forever. And that, my dear previously occupied the space, readers, connects me to the story they raked in$700,000 in sales of Forever 21, the fifth largest in the first year. After this initial specialty retailer in the United success, they began opening States that was started by a new stores every six months and simple Korean immigrant with a eventually changed the name to dream.

Forever 21.

The average Forever 21 store Since launching and working is 38,000 square feet; the largest on Forever 21, the husband and is approximately 162,000 square wife team’s personal net worth feet. has been estimated by Forbes It all began in a 900-square to be over $4 billion. The role ft. shop on Figueroa St. in Los is complemented perfectly Angeles on April 21, 1984. between the both of them: Mrs. Forever 21 did not start off as Chang approves the designs of Forever 21, but instead, Fashion the company’s merchandise, 21. Founded by South Korean while Mr. Chang focuses on husband and wife team Do Won turning Forever 21 into the Chang and Jin Sook, Fashion 21 fastest fast-fashion chain in the was launched in Los Angeles in business, and in the process he 1984. Back then, both of them has made the company widely were immigrants to the States. successful.

Forever 21 has seen some In an age where innovation remarkable accomplishments is more than ever about being over the past 30 years. fastest to market, the Changs are With a goal to become an faster than anyone. $8-billion company by 2017 and What keeps Forever 21 open 600 stores in the next three going? years, it’ll be exciting to see the Do Won Chang replies, “We company achieve in three years keep changing. We are always what it initially took 30 years to thinking about the customer, do. not just for the company. That’s Forever 21 has expanded to why we are successful. Women’s an international brand, with 480 fashion is very difficult because stores worldwide that generates it is changing every day. Fashion around $3 billion in sales every changes so fast, so time is the year. What’s the story behind it? most important thing. If you are In 1981, Jin Sook and Do Won too late, you are too late. If you “Don” Chang, both 26 at the time, are too early, you are too early. emigrated from South Korea to So timing is very important.”

California penniless, speaking Why is Forever 21 so broken English, and without successful? college degrees.

“The company keeps its For three years, Don worked prices low. It lives up to its as a janitor, pumped gas, and motto, “Shop Chic Styles for served coffee to make ends meet. Less,” by continually updating its PROF. ENRIQUE SORIANO

6

merchandise to remain fashion forward”, replies Chang.

Even with the company’s tremendous growth, it still remains a family owned business.

Daughter Linda Chang, the chain’s marketing manager says, “The great thing about this being a family business is that we all care so much. The stressful thing is that my mum and dad are also my bosses. I don’t have a personal life. We don’t stop. We talk about business over dinner.

We go on mission trips [to Afghanistan, India and Pakistan] instead of vacations.”

Her parents, who are bornagain Christians, go to church at 5 a.m. every morning. Mrs. Chang has been quoted as saying that when they came to America, she went to the top of a mountain to pray – God told her she should open a store. Today, Mr. Chang is famous for keeping a Bible open on his desk, and the bottom of every Forever 21 carrier bag reads “John 3:16”, the core Christian message. Does their Christian faith jar with the ethics of selling fast fashion?

How will British customers feel about the brand’s religious tilt? “There is no religious tilt,” answers Linda firmly. “The faith of the founders is separate from the brand – the bag is simply a statement of faith.” (sorianoasia@gmail.com) ***

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Small water systems unite to pool insurance & technical assistance resources FULLERTON—Jim Byerrum, the newly-elected President of the CalMutuals-Joint Powers Insurance Authority (“the Authority”) Board of Directors, recently announced the formation of the Authority, the first of its kind in the nation to provide insurance and technical assistance to help small community water systems statewide fix their aging pipes and comply with water quality regulations.

The Authority, based in Fullerton, CA, expects to provide business liability insurance to small community water systems

by February 2016, and workers’ compensation insurance in March 2016.

“Thanks to Governor Brown’s signature of AB 656

by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), and cosponsored by Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), in September 2015, we have taken a significant step to help California small community water systems secure affordable business liability and workers’ compensation insurance. The revenues from membership-based insurance will yield funds to develop technical assistance programs for water systems that have found it challenging to keep up with aging pipelines and increasingly tough water quality regulations,” said President Byerrum.

Byerrum also announced members of the Authority’s Board of Directors; appointment of Alteris Insurance Services Inc. as the Authority’s Insurance Administrator; and appointment of Adán Ortega as Interim Executive Director.

“Larger and wealthier California water agencies have long enjoyed insurance pools that help them achieve discounts and services while reducing liability and risk. California mutual water companies, which are not-for-

profit, community-owned water systems, have been ineligible for public agency insurance pools for about ten years,” said Byerrum.

“To qualify for state grants, small community water systems must pass a checklist of requirements that include proper insurance coverage and the demonstrated ability to administer grants,” he added.

“At minimum, the Authority will help small systems in meeting basic requirements for eligibility of grants and loans to improve aging and vulnerable infrastructure.”

Immediately after Governor Brown signed AB 656, nine mutual water companies from throughout Southern and Central

California partnered with North of the River Municipal Water District, a public agency in Kern County, to begin a process of forming the Authority. The founders include Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company (Bellflower), California Domestic Water Company (Whittier), Covina Irrigating Company (Covina), Montebello Land & Water Company (Montebello), Oildale Mutual Water Company (Kern County), Rubio Cañon Land & Water Association (Altadena), South Mesa Mutual Water Company (Calimesa/Yucaipa), Sunny Slope Mutual Water Company (Pasadena), and Valencia Heights Mutual Water Company (West Covina).

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA ONE man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

Flex the power of the dollar by hitting garage sales just for a little fun. There aren’t as many in the summer season as there are in spring. Despite the lingering malaise that currently afflicts the country and despite 93 million plus people still unemployed, many have to still deal with their accumulated stuff, a lot of which have long ago outlived their usefulness.

There are moving out sales or yard sales held to decongest and reclaim their living spaces, divest themselves of clutter or simply to make a few extra bucks. If you have too much stuff and would like to simply reclaim your breathing space or to get rid of what has become dust catchers, you can have fun clearing out your stuff and convert them to cash by becoming the seller. The pace could be faster than selling your stuff on ebay.

Don’t just kibitz if you are a buyer. Enter the flow. Don’t forget to bring along a few kindred souls, some cash and have some fun garage “sale-ing.”

A note of caution is in order.

Garage “sale-ing” is one fun activity that can get out of hand if you let it. Particularly during these tough times, a good number of people are becoming creative on how to stretch the fast shrinking dollar and are looking at garage sales, either to sell or to buy. People are selling their stuff accumulated over the years, either at ebay or Craig’s List or right in their own front lawn to generate some extra cash.

Particularly for newly arrived immigrants or newly married couples starting a new life who are wary of getting into a whopping financial burden by going into debt at the outset, going to garage sales particularly in affluent areas might be an option.

Cash remains king. With a little cash, you can go to garage sales, tag sales, estate sales, swap meets and thrift shops to find practically everything that you will need, and more besides, to set you up in your new place — practically for pennies on the dollar, at least during the beginning years, when you are conserving your resources to prep yourself for the big purchase decisions, e.g. like buying a car or a condo or house, when the time is right.You will be amazed at what you can find.

Newer communities with yuppies as residents will have newer, modern, mass-produced plastic or vinyl stuff, the kind that you get at Ikea while older communities will have items from the past, perhaps still in working condition but in outdated styles.

Unless those wily antique collectors and estate handlers beat you to estate liquidations as they most often will, if you’re lucky, you might stumble upon treasures or heirloom pieces that you only get to see on “Antiques Roadshow” ringing up unbelievable appraisals.

Be warned. Appraisals are just benchmarks of value given as expert opinions, from which buyer and seller can begin negotiation and arrive at a purchase price, which can be higher or lower than appraisal value, depending on the motivation and time frame of both buyer and seller and the perceived intrinsic value of the item being sold.

Simply because manufacturers are not making more of it, good handcrafted furniture pieces made from mahogany and other prized hardwood of over 100 years or porcelain ware, hold up their value

7 On how NOT to become a Pack Rat CSUF professor to receive Statewide award JANUARY 15-21, 2016

www.asianjournal.com

Why do we do it?

Why do we encumber ourselves with possessions?

Arce, who earned a doctorate helped me in some way provide IN the classroom and in the lab, in biology from UCI and is the first support to our Cal State Fullerton Amybeth Cohen’s colleagues call member of her family to graduate students. I am, therefore, proud to her an exceptional and dedicated from college, serves as MARC share this award with them,” she role model for all of her students — Alice Thomas Ellis assistant director. She added said.

— especially the first-generation, that she would not be where For the past 10 years, Cohen underrepresented undergraduates you agree on the final figure. comparatively well as sought-after she is today without Cohen’s has served as director of Cal State she prepares for careers in Merchandise is sold on an “as prized antiques than disposable, mentorship.

Fullerton’s Maximizing Access biomedical research. is” basis and most of the time, is not ready-to-assemble furniture made “Dr. Cohen is an exceptional to Research Careers (MARC) For her outstanding returnable. Buyer, beware. Inspect from particle board and melamine role model, and I rely on her for program, in which undergraduates contributions to the development closely. There are more trustworthy mass produced in China. Still, continued career advice, as well as from across disciplines conduct of biotechnology education and sellers than there are hucksters. They there’s no accounting for taste and biomedical and behavioral research. personal guidance. I am just one research in the California State individual preferences. The younger will tell you if the item is working example of dozens of mentees that The National Institutes of University system, Cohen is the or if there is a crack or a flaw on it. ones prefer the sheen and gloss have been profoundly affected by Health-funded program, which recipient of the 2016 Andreoli If you are uneasy about not being of lacquer or the spanking new, her selfless dedication to others has garnered nearly $4.4 million Faculty Service Award from the able to return things, buy the item modern furniture of plastic, steel pursuing their dreams of becoming in funding, is designed to increase CSU Program for Education new in a department store which or formica over the patina of old, the type of scientist and mentor she the success of underrepresented and Research in Biotechnology will usually take it back, if it is seasoned wood. exemplifies.” students in biomedical research (CSUPERB). It is the highest faculty defective.

Whatever your choice, dare to Throughout her 18-year careers, in which 87 percent of the honor awarded by the CSU There are no guarantees when be different. Be creative. Immerse career at CSUF, Cohen has made participants have entered doctoral program. you buy stuff at garage sales. You yourself in the books written numerous contributions, including programs. This year, 13 scholars are Cohen, professor of biological decide on the spot and there is no about styles you would like to developing the Research Careers funded by the program. science, will be recognized at the turning back — most of the time. emulate. You can have your own Preparatory Program to introduce Former MARC student Anita CSU Biotechnology Symposium If you want to hone and practice style with very little money. Let underclassmen to research; Nosratieh, who went on to Jan. 9 in Garden Grove, where she is your decision-making, buying and your imagination and a little elbow helping to create the concentration earn a doctorate in biomedical also participating as a symposium negotiating skills as an immigrant, grease help you create your own in molecular biology and engineering and is a lead reviewer presenter. She will joins five other this is one inexpensive (translate unique haven. The really creative biotechnology; and launching, in at the U.S. Food and Drug CSUF faculty members who have that to cheap) way to go. It is also ones do it on a shoestring budget collaboration with the Department Administration specializing in received the award since 1992. a lighthearted learning experience and still have great fun along the of English, Comparative Literature breast imaging for breast cancer “The impact that Dr. Cohen way while earning themselves some of what people value and discard and Linguistics, a new “Scientific screening, said Cohen’s impact on has had on nontraditional bragging rights in creating treasures on the material level and a personal students, and on her colleagues Writing Course” to benefit all her life is “too great for words.” and up close method of interacting out of junk. Also, you’re doing your science majors.

“I cannot think of a better who mentor many of them, has with people of various cultures no environmental bit by recycling.

In her own lab, Cohen has candidate to receive this award, as been tremendous throughout her book or classroom can teach you.

America is a consumer society mentored nearly 80 students on she is the pinnacle of what great career,” said Robert A. Koch, special Above all, have fun garage and the amount of discarded things research projects — supported by leadership can do, and how that assistant to the provost and the “sale-ing”. The joy of discovering is simply staggering. Out with the more than $600,000 in external impacts not only biotechnology 2010 Andreoli Award recipient who something that you need or want old, in with the new. Every season grant funding. Her research focuses programs in the CSU, but really nominated Cohen. “Her leadership brings new fashions and trends and practically at a price of a song on photosynthetic genes in a the entire world,” said the CSUF has created a steady stream of and a dance is part of the whole since closet, basement and garage green alga, called Chlamydomonas graduate. nontraditional students moving experience. But as in all things spaces are limited (most times, reinhardtii, and the use of the alga Laura Arce, another former into academic and workforce good and bad, do this with balance bursting at the seams) and public to produce therapeutic proteins, MARC student, now a CSUF lecturer positions in biotechnology-related and moderation. If you become storage units cost money, there is including antibodies. She also in biological science, characterized fields.” obssessive-compulsive with even an endless round of garage sales studies the endangered native Cohen as someone who provides a Cohen described is an honor to going on in America, more so these as trifling a thing as going to garage be recognized by her peers.

Californian plant known as the supportive learning environment, sales as a matter of habit, you can days when money is tight for many Santa Ana River Woolly Star and and creates a team atmosphere “I have worked with, and been become a pack rat. Employ selfhouseholds. uses genetic analysis to determine that promotes independence and mentored by, so many amazing correction.

You will find that a lot of items, how the plant can thrive. student success. colleagues over the years. Each has With time and as you specially for babies and younger accumulate things, you will children who outgrow their things find yourself holding your own pretty fast, look almost new and garage sales because you have highly usable. Plates, silverware, encumbered yourself with too kitchen items, small and big appliances, decor, furniture, framed much stuff. Or you might find art, clothes, videos, audio and video yourself renting storage spaces for stuff that won’t fit in your home. tapes and tools are the usual fare.

Many items are still new and in their When this happens you’ve reached a dangerous tipping point. The time original packaging. Sometimes, has come to trim your possessions there are genuine antiques or down to size and take back some priceless works of art hidden in of that breathing space you used dust and grime. That’s when you to have. hit paydirt. But such instances Better yet, when you buy one are few and far-between, so keep yourself grounded. There is no sales thing, discipline yourself to get rid of 2 items at the same time. It is a feng tax. Check your local community A8 E L8 IP ( shui principle to clear the pathways newspapers or go online for these in your home.

Avoid “plaque buildweekend events. )*i[ 8eelXc JXekf E` f =`\jkX up” in the spaces of your home.

The early bird gets the early The Batangas City Santo Niño Devotees, USA invites you and family to the 23rd Annual Expedite the flow of “chi” or life force worm. The earlier you come during Santo Niño Fiesta on Saturday, January 16 at the St. Christopher Catholic Church (629 South by becoming a minimalist. Toss the day, the better the selection Glendora Ave, West Covina, CA 91790). The fiesta starts with Holy Mass at 2:30pm at the things out. but the prices will be marked a tad Parish Hall, followed by the procession of the Santo Niño images and our Little Princes and Less is more. From a practical higher unless the seller wants to Princesses around the church. Food and refreshments will be served, along with games for seriously dispose of his merchandise standpoint, you get back the children and adults. Drawing of raffle prizes and dancing until 11:00 pm. Come, let’s adore breathing space you had when fast and pack up early. The later in and honor the Santo Niño. For more information, please contact: Tony Panganiban (714) 828you first moved in to your empty the day you come — from noon to 3904, Emma Gutierrez (626) 913-5236, Edna Medrano (323) 605-8090, Marina Maranan (818) early afternoon — the prices are cut abode. Having less stuff also means 894-9745, May Cabrera (626) 264-7822, or Evelyn Masongsong (626) 222-1287. possibly having more in your piggy drastically, practically at giveaway A8 E L8 IP ( - $ = < 9 I L8 IP rates, but the selection is much less, bank, that will allow you to have better, more meaningful, fulfilling with junk a-plenty.

Jk% =`eYXi :Xk_fc`Z :_liZ_ \m\ekj life experiences at the right time.

Learn to negotiate. In America, - Saturday, January 16 – Feast of Sto. Niño celebration. Sinulog starts at 11:30am.

The ironic thing a recovering what you get is not what you - Saturday, January 23 – Thanksgiving Mass, in honor of San Ildefonso, patron saint of San pack rat discovers about himself deserve. Very often, it is what you Ildefonso, Bulacan, at 5:00pm. Followed by lunch celebration from 12:30 - 3:30pm at New Town negotiate. If you are uncomfortable is that as he travels down life’s Buffet. highways and byways, it is so much with haggling and if you happen to - Saturday, February 6 – Valentine Dinner dance from 7:00 - 11:00pm. Cost of ticket is $30. more liberating and more fun to be with someone who can dicker For more information on all events, please contact Marian Nobleza at 818-219-6463. travel light, refusing to be bogged with the seller in a courteous, A8 E L8 IP ( . down by mere possessions. The pleasant way, get him to do it for bonus is that one gets to journey you. The key is to be respectful. )0k_ 8ee`m\ijXip =\Xjk f] JXekf E` f farther without stressing and Never disparage what is being sold Santo Niño Cruzada USA, with the participation of the Cathedral Knights of Columbus straining while loading up instead in the transparent attempt to get a and a Sinulog group, is inviting everyone for a holy mass to celebrate the 29th anniversary of on life’s precious experiences. lower price. the Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels In our final journey, the only Many crafty buyers use this as in downtown Los Angeles (555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) on Sunday, January 17, thing we might bring with us in a tactic and instead of getting a at 3:30pm. The main celebrant is Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik, with Father David Gallardo as that big blue yonder, if Alzheimer’s better price, all it does is irritate the concelebrant. For more information, please contact any of the following officers: Romy & Tess doesn’t wreck our brains first, are seller. If you want a lower price on Esturas (213-387-9682), Rey & Tess Edpao (818-469-7292), Lilia Figuracion (626-394-2661, Caran item you like, ask politely, “Would our memories. Stuff, after all, is just men Estrada (213-413-2881), Fe Montana (323-218-1587), Ester Paredes (213-864-1149), Fe stuff. you take less for this?” And then Reyes (213-413-5286), Laurie Dolorfino (213-407-0097), and Cherry Guerrero (213-632-2096). * * * state the price you are willing to pay.

EfkX 9\e\1 Dfe\kk\ 8[\mX DX^cXpX `j Very often, the seller will counter A8 E L8 IP * ' with a lower price and then you can JMG f] 8j`Xe AflieXc GlYc`ZXk`fej# @eZ% Kf @e]Xek A\jlj f] GiX^l\ 0 _fli Efm\eX Xe[ DXjj j\e[ Zfdd\ekj# \$dX`c dfe\kk\%dX^cXpX7 proceed from there with the price The Infant Jesus of Prague Apostolic Group is celebrating 32 years of service and prayer, Xj`XeaflieXc`eZ%Zfd getting tossed back and forth until and will hold its 32nd annual 9-hour Novena and Mass in honor of the Divine Child Jesus on Saturday, January 30, at Saint Joseph the Worker Church (19855 Sherman Way, Winnetka, California). The Novena starts at 7:00am with Mass following at 3:20 pm. Based in San Fernando Valley, the Apostolic Group aims to promote the Gospel message of Jesus and spread devotions to the Infant Jesus. For more information, please contact Leo Nevada at (818) 633 3926 or visit www.IJPAG.com.

Calendar of Events across

America

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

Mercy Loan Fund partners with Low Income Investment Fund to bring affordable housing to Wilmington, Calif.

DENVER, CO—Mercy Loan Fund (MLF), a leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Denver, Colo., announced that it has partnered with the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), to provide affordable housing to people with low incomes in Wilmington, Calif.

In partnership with LIIF, MLF has provided $1 million of predevelopment funds to Abode Communities, a nonprofit developer. Abode Communities’ development budget is $27.7 million, and will provide 88 units of affordable housing in Wilmington, a Los Angeles neighborhood.

The property, called Dana Strand IV, will house people with low

Biologist Amybeth Cohen selected for CSU faculty honor

incomes making 30-50 percent of the area median income.

“Affordable housing remains a cornerstone of creating opportunity for families. But we know it takes more than housing to create healthy, thriving communities. We’re excited to work with strong partners such as Abode Communities and Mercy Loan Fund on the new Dana Strand IV, which will help to spur the larger redevelopment of the Wilmington community in Los Angeles,” said Cecile Chalifour, Director of the California Region at the Low Income Investment Fund.

“We’re excited to partner with the Low Income Investment Fund, whose mission is well-aligned

with our own,” said Jason Battista, President of MLF. “As the affordable housing crisis continues, partnerships such as ours are vital.”

The announcement comes as many Angelenos struggle to find housing they can afford. A renter household needs to earn four times the state minimum wage in order to afford average asking rents in Los Angeles County, according to a report released by the California Housing Partnership Corporation. The same report found that, when housing costs are considered, Los Angeles County has one of the highest poverty rates in the country at 26 percent, or one in four households.

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D`jj DX^j`e^Xc Fi^Xe`qXk`fe f] 8d\i`ZX :fifeXk`fe ;`ee\i$;XeZ\ The Officers and Members of Miss Magsingal Organization of America (MOA) cordially invites townmates and friends to attend our Miss MOA 2016-17 Coronation and Dinner/Dance on Feb. 6, from 5:00pm -12 midnight at the Hilton of Stockton (2323 Grand Canal Blvd, Stockton, CA). Our Royal Court to be honored and crowned are: Her Majesty Queen, Jillian Foronda; 1st Princess, Jemina Atanaya; and 2nd Princess, Jeramae Luczon. Attire is formal, dinner is $50/person, with live band entertainment. Limited seats are available on a first come first serve basis. For more details, please call Tereso U (209) 603-8440, Lanie (209) 814-8004, and Grace (209) 817-5674. Thank you.

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8e @ek`dXk\ E`^_k n`k_ D`^l\c M\iX Beat the Valentine’s Day rush and get your tickets to “An Intimate Night with Miguel Vera,” a special Valentine Show featuring Miguel Vera, performing the greatest OPM hits and romantic Filipino classics by Cayabyab, Canseco, and Cruz. The one-night-only concert will take place at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel (7675 Crescent Ave, Buena Park, CA 90620) on February 12 at 8:00pm. Special guests include Annie Nepomuceno and Kit Navarro. Please call (714) 814-0412 or (818) 913-329 for tickets and information. Tickets are $40 each.

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JANUARY 15-21, 2016 www.asianjournal.com

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