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Mamasapano inquiry to be reopened January 25 exactly a year after bloody encounter by ChristinA

MenDez

Philstar.com

mANILA — the senate has set the reopening of the mamasapano inquiry on the first anniversary of the incident on Jan. 25. sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, cited the requests of some lawmakers in reopening the probe. Poe set the inquiry at 10am on Jan. 25 after the chairman of the senate committee on rules, Alan Peter Cayetano, announced there were no obstacles that would prevent the reopening of the inquiry.

DATELINE

“It’s good that the rules committee gave a go-signal that additional hearings can be called, in response to minority Leader (Juan Ponce) enrile’s request to call such, citing his personal information, and possibly new evidence,” Poe said. she said the reopening would not affect the previous findings contained in Committee report No. 120, which found President Aquino “ultimately responsible” for the deaths of the 44 police commandos of the special Action force (sAf). “Let it be stated as I manifested before, the new hearings will not affect or void our earlier findings.

our committee report has been signed by 21 members. We have a leeway to allow new evidence. We will schedule the additional hearing on Jan. 25 in the session hall of the senate at 10am,” Poe announced. malacañang sees nothing wrong with the decision of the senate to resume its mamasapano inquiry. Presidential Communications operations office secretary herminio Coloma said the senate is mandated to conduct such inquiry as part of its oversight functions. for his part, Interior secretary

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New SAF 44 probe like ‘flogging a dead horse’

USA

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

Pres. Obama issues executive order on gun control

by DJ

IN his first major action of the new year, President Barack obama announced new executive actions to address gun control and strengthen restrictions, amidst multiple mass shooting attacks that occurred nationwide last year. In an emotional address on tuesday, Jan. 5, the president made a passionate call for “urgency” to end gun violence. “the United states of America is not the only country on earth with violent or dangerous people. We are not inherently more prone to violence – but we are the only advanced country on earth that sees this kind of mass violence erupt with this kind of frequency,” obama said tearfully at a press conference, surrounded by families of gun violence victims. “We become numb to it, and start thinking this is normal. And instead of thinking about how to solve the problem, this has become one of our polarized, partisan debates.” the White house announced an executive action package, with multiple separate provi-

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McCain blasts White House for lack of action in South China Sea

seNAtor John mcCain on monday, Jan. 4 criticized the White house for delaying any future “freedom of navigation” patrols near artificial islands that China has built in the disputed south China sea. mcCain, who chairs the Armed services Committee, said China was continuing to “pursue its territorial ambitions” in the region, including by landing a plane on a man-made island in the spratly Islands on January 2. In a statement to reuters, the senator from Arizona said the Us military’s failure to conduct additional patrols last year was “disappointing yet hardly surprising.” he said the President Barack obama’s administration was “either unable to manage the complexities of interagency national security decision making or simply too risk averse to do what is necessary to safeguard the rules-

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SAF44 PROBE TO REOPEN. Various groups light torches during an inter-faith candle lighting activity as part of the national day of mourning last year for the 44 members of the PNP-SAF who died in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao. The Senate has agreed to reopen the probe on Jan. 25, a year after it happened. Inquirer file photo by Marianne Bermudez

yAP AnD Christine o. AvenDAno Inquirer.net

AN administration stalwart said the reopening of the investigation of the massacre of 44 special Action force (sAf) commandos was like “flogging a dead horse,” but their sacked commander welcomed a chance to continue his interrupted testimony. the sacked sAf chief, Getulio Napeñas, has no idea of the new information that had prompted senate minority Leader Juan Ponce enrile to call for the reopening of the senate inquiry on the slaughter of the elite force in mamasapano, maguindanao province, on Jan. 25, 2015. But Napeñas said he thought the accounts on slaughter of the police troopers at the hands of moro rebels following the raid that killed malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin hir, alias marwan, in an area controlled by the moro Islamic Liberation front (mILf) were incomplete. “there is information that has not come out,” Napeñas told reporters Wednesday, Jan. 6. “I welcome the inquiry, that’s good so the new information or any facts of the incident or those not known by the people would come out,” said Napeñas, who is running for senator in the may

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Binay approval, trust ratings up by Delon

PorCAllA Philstar.com

mANILA — Among the top five national government officials, only Vice President Jejomar Binay enjoyed a significant improvement in approval and trust ratings in the last quarter of 2015, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey. In the Dec. 4-11 survey of Pulse Asia, Binay obtained an approval rating of 52 percent, up by nine points from 43 percent in september. President Aquino received an approval rating of 55 percent, slightly higher than his 54 per-

cent rating three months earlier. senate President franklin Drilon also gained a point in his approval score, from 50 percent to 51 percent. Chief Justice maria Lourdes sereno’s approval rating stayed at 29 percent. only speaker feliciano Belmonte Jr. suffered a decline in his approval rating, at 29 percent from 32 percent previously. Aquino posted majority approval ratings across geographic areas and socioeconomic classes: 68 percent in the Visayas, 62 percent in mindanao and 52 percent and 67 percent in Classes D and e, respectively.

Approval for the President’s performance was also high in the rest of Luzon at 50 percent and at 42 percent in metro manila. Nearly the same approval figures are recorded by Aquino in the Classes A, B and C at 44 percent. At the national level, only Binay posted changes in his overall ratings: a nine-percentage point increase in his approval score and a six-point decline in his indecision figure. Across geographic areas, the Vice President enjoyed gains in his approval rating in the rest of Luzon (+8 percentage points)

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Pacquiao confirms retirement after April fight PH population to hit 142M in 2045 by MAyvelin

U. CArAbAllo ManilaTimes.net

The People’s Champ to focus on politics by Agnes

ConstAnte AJPress

the People’s Champ manny Pacquiao will hang up his boxing gloves after a bout against timothy Bradley on April 9 to focus on a career in politics. “my April 9 fight against timothy Bradley will be my last. I’m retiring from boxing to focus on my new job,” Pacquiao told PhilBoxing.com. Promoter Bob Arum said the fight is a “done deal.” It will be the third time the filipino boxer will face Bradley in the ring. Pacquiao, currently the lone congressman of the sarangani province, is looking to run for one of the 24 national senate seats in the may election. Because of this, Pacquiao has insisted the fight takes place no later than mid-April to give him at least one month to spend on the campaign trail, esPN reported. Immediate public reaction to the fight on social media was negative, as the first two bouts between the boxers weren’t particularly memorable,

the Philippine population is expected to balloon to 142 million by 2045, the Philippine statistics Authority (PsA) said, with growth in 10 regions forecast to be faster than the national average. In a statement on tuesday, Jan. 5 the PsA said its projection signified about 49 million people

being added to the country’s population from 2010 to 2045, with an average annual growth at 1.21 percent. As of may 2010, the country’s population was estimated at 92.34 million. over the 35-year period, the Autonomous region for muslim mindanao (Armm) is projected to have the highest average annual growth rate of 2.12 percent.

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JANUARY 8-14, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Mamasapano inquiry to be reopened… PAGE A1 t

Mel Senen Sarmiento said the previous findings of the Senate regarding the incident should be respected. Sarmiento pointed out the probe has gone through several processes and the Department of Justice has filed charges against those allegedly involved in the killing of the 44 SAF commandos. On Monday, Jan. 4, Cayetano said there are no legal obstacles and took note of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III’s statement that he is amenable to the motion to reopen the investigation. Cayetano said the rules committee took into consideration Section 32 of the Senate rules which provides that: “when a report is returned to a committee or is transmitted to another, unless it is returned for purposes of conducting further public hearings on new matters arising

after the report, all previous proceedings in connection therewith shall be deemed to be void and that matter in question shall revert to its original status.” Enrile earlier asked his colleagues during session if he can interpellate on the committee report No. 120 since he was under detention at the height of the Senate hearings last year. In Poe’s report, Aquino was found ‘ultimately responsible’ for the deaths of 44 SAF personnel. Almost 400 police commandos had swooped before dawn in the operation to capture Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and local confederate Basit Usman in a remote village in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25. But after killing Marwan, the SAF commandos were ambushed by heavily armed Muslim rebels and villagers.

A total of 44 policemen were killed and 12 others were wounded in the attack. Operation Plan: Exodus went haywire after operatives supposedly failed to coordinate properly with the military as then SAF commander Chief Supt. Getulio Napeñas’ plea for reinforcement was apparently ignored by his military counterparts. President Aquino, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, has repeatedly refused to admit command responsibility for the killing and instead put the blame on Napeñas. Coloma said Aquino had no regrets when he allowed then suspended PNP chief Alan Purisima to supervise by remote control the police operation that led to the death of the 44 elite police troopers. (With Delon Porcalla and Cecille Suerte Felipe)

New SAF 44 probe like ‘flogging a dead…

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elections and was among candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance who accompanied Vice President Jejomar Binay during a visit Wednesday to Bustos, Bulacan province. Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas, chair of the Liberal Party (LP) membership and organizing committee, said reopening the Mamasapano inquiry was only “political gimmickry” with the sole purpose of giving media mileage to some 2016 election aspirants. Although he did not name anyone, the lawmaker appeared to be referring to Sen. Grace Poe, a presidential candidate who led the probe as chair of the Senate’s public order committee last year. “Stop flogging a dead horse. We have to move on and let the lessons of Mamasapano guide us for the future,” Treñas said. “This is overacting.” Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Nancy Binay who joined the Vice President in the Bulacan visit also welcomed the probe. Honasan is the vice presidential running mate of Binay. Napeñas said that if invited, he would attend the Senate hearing scheduled for Jan. 25, the first

anniversary of the massacre. Conversations In requesting a reopening of the inquiry, Enrile had said that when he was detained at the Philippine National Police hospital on plunder charges in connection with his pork barrel funds, he had conversations with SAF survivors. Enrile said in a privilege speech last November that it seemed there was a “paralysis” in the government as the massacre unfolded. He said he vowed to act on the concerns of the survivors and their families. Napeñas, whose campaign poster is “Justice for SAF 44,” said he had no idea what Enrile’s new information was about. But he said he would raise some points at the hearing. He lamented that during the Senate hearings last year, “there were times I was cut off when I was speaking” and that the SAF was not given a fair shake. He said he hoped the new hearing would be conducted in an “open and free flow manner.” Honasan said the inquiry would be a good thing especially for the SAF survivors who want to know the truth about the incident. Honasan also hoped the

SAF issue would not be used for political partisanship. The senator said the final Senate committee report on Mamasapano was not sufficient. He said there was no clear definition of chain of command, specifically who should be held accountable in the incident. There was also the need for “a coordinating mechanism between the police and the military because lives are involved,” Honasan said. Senator Binay said the Senate committee report on Mamasapano was “technically not a Senate report” because it did not reach the plenary. ‘Monkey wrench’ In a press conference, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang was unsure what more it could contribute to the investigation. He said that in various statements, President Aquino had taken responsibility for the Mamasapano episode. “We must remember that the President has also addressed the concerns of not only the immediate families of the SAF 44, but also the extended families who sought assistance from the President and we have addressed

HANDS-ON CAMPAIGN Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) with Bulacan SWAT’s Senior Insp. Sean Logronio and United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate, former SAF chief Getulio Napeñas, during a visit to Bustos, Bulacan, on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Inquirer photo by Raffy Lerma

Binay approval, trust ratings…

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and the Visayas (+13 percentage points). In Class E, Binay registered an increase in his approval score (+20 percentage points) and a decrease in his indecision and disapproval ratings (both at -10 percentage points). The only other official who experienced a movement in his performance ratings in these sub-groupings is Belmonte, whose indecision figure went up in the Visayas (+14 percentage points). More Filipinos have expressed trust in the Vice President in the last quarter of 2015, from 39 percent in September to 49 percent in December.

Aquino also experienced a four-point gain in his trust score from 40 percent to 53 percent. “Only Aquino enjoyed the trust of most Filipinos in December,” according to Pulse Asia. Drilon’s trust rating stayed at 47 percent, while those of Belmonte and Sereno dropped by five points and one point to 24 percent and 25 percent, respectively. In the different geographic areas and socioeconomic classes, Aquino enjoyed an improvement in his trust rating in Class E (+10 percentage points) while Binay registered gains in his trust scores in the rest of Luzon (+10 percentage points), the Visayas (+12 percentage points),

Class D (+6 percentage points) and Class E (+18 percentage points). The only majority trust rating of Drilon is given by the Visayans (57 percent). Drilon hails from Iloilo province. Between September and December 2015, Binay’s overall trust rating rose 10 points while his indecision figure declined by six points. Conversely, trust in the Speaker eased during this period (-5 percentage points) while ambivalence on the matter became more manifest (+5 percentage points) The national ratings of other national government officials remained constant at this time. n

Pacquiao confirms retirement after April…

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according to ESPN. However, Arum said he believes Bradley is a different fighter now compared to the earlier two fights, given he is training with ESPN televiu PAGE A3 sion analyst Teddy Atlas. He also cited Bradley’s November 2015 match against Brandon Rios, in which he stopped his opponent in the ninth round. “The Bradley that fought Rios, whatever you thought about Rios, was a different fighter. It’s still Bradley, but a new Bradley with Teddy. And at this point of his career, can Manny handle that? Remember, Manny is also coming off an injury,” Arum said, according to ESPN. After Pacquiao’s long-awaited fight against the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2, 2015, he revealed he fought with an injured shoulder. He had surgery afterward to repair a torn right rotator cuff. Atlas also said Bradley is in better mental and physical shape, and has learned from his previous fights against the Filipino boxer. “We’d correct the mistakes from the first two fights, use his experience from the past,” Atlas said, according to RT. “A lot worked well in those first two fights, and then we’ll learn from our past. It’s what winners do, what smart people are supposed to do.” In October, Arum told ESPN he wasn’t sad about the fight being Manny’s last, given his goal to pursue a political career, which

requires mental acuity. “If he stays in boxing a little too long, his mental faculties might be somewhat impaired,” Arum said. However, in more recent reports, the long-time promoter said he didn’t want to say it would be Pacquiao’s final showdown in the ring. “I’m not going to sell it as that because I don’t want everybody to say, ‘Hey, it’s his last fight, come and see it!’ and then it turns out that it’s not his last fight,” he said. “Who the hell knows with these guys? They all change their minds so I’m not selling it as his last fight,” he added. Both Pacquiao and Bradley won one fight each of their two matches, with Bradley the victor of the first showdown in 2012 in a split decision, and Pacquiao winner in 2014 via unanimous decision.

Atlas said he has already studied both fights in preparation for the third. “It’ll be a tough challenge, but we’ll make sure we’re ready for it. We will respect the challenge Pacquiao presents. We will do what we’re supposed to do and be 100 percent prepared. It will be a difficult fight,” he said. Pacquiao also took the opportunity to refute a previous Philboxing.com report that quoted the Filipino boxer saying he would not retire until he secured a rematch against Mayweather, after his defeat last May. “I never said that. Nobody spoke to me about that,” Pacquiao said, Inquirer reported. Pacquiao’s retirement will follow that of Mayweather, who retired after his fight against two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto in September. n

PH population to hit 142M in…

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Caraga at 1.72 percent was ranked second, with Soccsksargen, the Davao Region and the Zamboanga Peninsula following with 1.47 percent, 1.41 percent and 1.37 percent, respectively. Areas in Luzon also expected to post high population growth rates are the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 1.35 percent, Calabarzon with 1.31 percent, Mimaropa with 1.58 percent and Bicol with 1.65 percent.

Eastern Visayas, meanwhile, is projected to grow by an annual average of 1.53 percent. The Calabarzon population is expected to be the largest in 2045 at 20.1 million, followed by the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and Central Luzon with 14.5 million each. Western Visayas and Central Visayas will surpass the 10-million mark, with 10.4 million each in 2045. The CAR will continue to have the smallest population

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From the Front Page

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 8-14, 2016

McCain blasts White House for lack of action in…

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based order in the Asia-Pacific.” In October, the Pentagon began conducting patrols within 12 nautical miles of the man-made islands. McCain’s complaints come after Chinese foreign ministry officials confirmed on Saturday that a test flight by a civilian plane landed on one of the islands, the first time Beijing has used a runway in the area, Reuters reported.

The landing was not a surprise, as China has been building runways on the artificial islands for over a year. Washington suspects that the islands may be used as military outposts, while Beijing insists that they will serve primarily a humanitarian purpose. China claims almost all of the South China Sea, through which trillion in trade passes annually. However, there are overlapping claims from the Philippines,

Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. After the Chinese plane’s landing, Vietnam launched a formal diplomatic protest, while the Philippines said it is planning to do the same. “That’s the fear, that China will be able take control of the South China Sea and it will affect the freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight,” said Philippines Foreign Ministry spokesman Charles Jose. (ManilaTimes.net)

New SAF 44 probe like ‘flogging a dead… PAGE A2 t

and we continue to address those concerns,” Lacierda said. Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a separate statement, urged the passage of the proposed FEEDING PROGRAM. Children enjoy a free meal during a feeding program held by a religious group at a slum area in Tondo, Manila on Monday, Jan. 4. In the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS), it showed that around 11.2 million Filipino families remained Bangsamoro Basic Law to compoor in the last quarter of 2015, but that number is the lowest since 2011. Philstar photo by Miguel de Guzman plete the peace process with the MILF. “It is the responsibility of our lawmakers to support this process while they perform their of Defense, Justice, and Home- percent among households withPAGE A1 t other functions, including havout guns. sions to address major aspects of land Security. “We have to be very clear that ing this investigation,” he said. “The ATF will assess each case gun control policy. One provision In a statement Wednesday, this is not going to solve every would require more gun sellers individually,” said Valerie Jarrett, the government chief peace ne(including those online or at gun a senior Obama advisor involved violent crime in this country. It’s gotiator, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, not going to prevent every mass shows) to be licensed, and oblige in drafting the policy, reported said the reopening of the inquiry vendors to conduct extensive the Los Angeles Times. “Agents shooting,” Obama said from the would be an “opportunity to furOval Office. “But it will potentialbackground checks on potential will consider such qualifications ther clarify our long-standing buyers, the Washington Post re- as whether sellers represent ly save lives and spare families protocols on the conduct of law the pain and extraordinary loss.” themselves as dealers by takported. Most of the president’s new enforcement operations.” The initiative is the White ing credit card payments, handShe vowed that the peace efinitiative will be implemented House’s attempt to close the gun ing out business cards, selling forts would be “stubbornly purshow “loophole” that allows gun firearms quickly after acquiring through his executive authorsued” this year, despite the chality to direct changes in federal collectors, private vendors and them or selling them in the origiagencies. The measures will go lenges primarily brought by the hobbyists to do business without nal packaging.” Mamasapano debacle. Dodging the licensure rule can into effect without congressional background checks. “Many will look back at the A recent Harvard University carry five years in prison and a approval. (Allyson Escobar / AJyear 2015 and see the MamaPress) survey of more than 2,000 gun $250,000 fine for gun sellers owners found that of those who both online and at flea markets, purchased their most recent fire- said the Justice Department. Republicans, presidential canarm, about a third did not underdidates, and gun rights advocates go a background check. In a statement emailed Mon- have already blasted the execuday, Jan. 4, the administration tive actions. “The president is at outlined the policy in line with minimum subverting the legislathe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, tive branch, and potentially overFirearms and Explosives (ATF): turning its will…this is a danger“It doesn’t matter where you con- ous level of executive overreach, duct your business: from a store, and the country will not stand at gun shows or over the Inter- for it,” said House Speaker Paul net. If you’re in the business of Ryan (R-Wis.), referring to the selling firearms, you must get a Senate rejecting Obama’s prolicense and conduct background posals in 2013 to overhaul gun laws, including running extenchecks.” With the extensive, thorough sive background checks. “The recent tragedies that background checks, the FBI will also overhaul the current check have gripped our country are system to make it effective, effi- heartbreaking, but none of the cient with more staff and notifi- unilateral restrictions President cations, and background checks Obama is proposing would have prevented them, making his being processed 24/7. “The new guidance is consis- proposal all the more insulting tent with existing law because it and political,” said Republican clarifies its original intent,” said National Committee Chairman Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Reince Priebus. “The truth is, “The hobbyist exemption in fed- this executive overreach is all eral law was never meant to cov- about burnishing the president’s er people regularly devoting sig- legacy and boosting Democrat nificant time and effort to selling enthusiasm in a presidential firearms just because they were election year. But that’s no excuse for subverting the will of the doing so at a gun show.” Obama has said that the people’s representatives in Constrengthened background checks gress, and the American people would make the process more won’t tolerate President Obama’s secure, not harder for people to dangerous power grab.” New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie purchase guns. He has also criticized congressional Republicans called the president a “petulant for the lack of legislation, as well child” acting “as if he’s a king, as as the National Rifle Association, if he’s a dictator.” Speaking at a Christian bookinsisting that his actions are “not a plot to take away everybody’s store in Iowa, Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas) called the idea “illegal guns.” “I believe in the Second and unconstitutional.” Obama has “waged war on the Amendment, there written on paper, that guarantees the right to Constitution,” said Sen. Marco bear arms,” he said. “But I also Rubio (R-Fla.). “You can pass all believe that we can find ways to the gun laws in the world that reduce gun violence consistent you want. It will not stop the with the Second Amendment. criminals.” Meanwhile, Democrat frontUntil we have the Congress that’s in line with the majority of Ameri- runner Hillary Clinton applauded cans, there are actions within my Obama during her campaign legal authority that we can take stop, saying that she would to help reduce gun violence and go even further implementing guidelines as president. “Our save more lives.” Along with the bolstered back- next President has to build on ground checks, the White House that progress, not rip it away,” announced more federal funding Clinton tweeted. A recent poll found support for for mental health treatment and reporting. The Administration is an assault weapons ban to be beproposing a new $500 million low 50 percent, the lowest level investment to increase access to in more than two decades, acmental health care, and a new cording to Politico. Gun sales also rulemaking process for the So- spiked after the San Bernardino cial Security Administration to attacks on December 2nd, 2015, include background information as many Americans react to mass about individuals with mental shootings with a desire for selfprotection through firearms rathhealth problems. Another provision will require er than more regulation of them, licensed gun dealers to report reported Mic News. An analysis by IBISWorld also any lost and stolen guns to the National Crime Information Cen- said that consumers have “inter. Over the past five years, an creased their gun purchases,” average of 1,333 guns recov- particularly following the series ered in criminal investigations of mass shootings that has geneach year were traced back to a erally increased the talk about seller who claimed the weapon gun control. The Gun and Amwas missing but did not report it munition Manufacturing industo authorities, the White House try reported a higher revenue at an estimated annualized rate of said. “This is a broad set of actions 6.4 percent, to $15.8 billion over that tackles a variety of the is- the last five years up to 2016. Polls have found a broad supsues related to gun violence,” said Arkadi Gerney, a senior fel- port for expanded background low at the Center for American checks, according to CNN. In the Progress, “and in combination Quinnipiac University poll from it represents a comprehensive December, 89 percent of those effort to strengthen the laws we surveyed said they overall support it, including 84 percent in already have on the books.” The ATF has also established a gun-owning households. In the CNN/ORC poll, 48 pernew investigation center to keep track of illegal gun trafficking cent of Americans said they were online, and promises to devote in favor of stricter gun control $4 million and additional per- laws, with a sharp partisan divide sonnel to improve the National (74 percent of Democrats, 23 Integrated Ballistics Information percent of Republicans in favor). Network. Additional research Among those who live in a guninto gun safety technology will owning household, 29 percent be directed by the Departments favor restrictions, and rises to 65

Pres. Obama issues executive order on…

sapano tragedy of Jan. 25 as the monkey wrench that was thrown into the clockwork and set back most of what we have set out to do,” Ferrer said. In an interview with the media on Tuesday, Jan. 5, after his New Year’s call at the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said: “For me, this has already been investigated. Such a long time was already invested. Talking as a former legislator, there are a lot more pending discussions in [the

House] and the Senate; important bills that should be looked into, fast-tracked and passed.” “We will fully cooperate with the investigation. Our aim is, of course, to seek justice for the ‘SAF 44’ heroes, and the welfare of the families,” the PNP spokesperson, Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, told reporters Wednesday. Mayor, however, agreed with Sarmiento’s assessment. “We already conducted investigations and we stand by them,” he said. (With reports from Nikko Dizon and Jaymee T. Gamil)

PH population to hit 142M in…

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with 2.6 million in year 2045. “This report presents some of the highlights of the 2010 census-based regional population projections prepared by the Philippine Statistics Authority in collaboration with the InterAgency Working Group on Population Projections headed by Dr. Mercedes Concepcion with

members representing the Commission on Population, Department of Education, Department of Health, National Economic and Development Authority, Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute and the University of the Philippines Population Institute,” National Statistician Lisa Grace Bersales said. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Kalayaan protesters say China ship, OPAPP vows to push for BBL passage amid uncertainties helicopter patrol Pagasa island by Jose

rodel clapano Philstar.com

Frances Mangosing Inquirer.net

Kalayaan atin Ito, a group of around 50 members who recently finished a protest in Pagasa (Thitu) Island in the Spratlys in the South China Sea, claimed that during their stay, a Chinese Coast Guard ship and helicopter patrolled the island every day during their stay. “While at Pagasa island–the seat of our Kalayaan municipality–every day, a Chinese Coast Guard patrol ship with bow number 46708 patrolled the shores of our island even inside the 12 nautical miles territorial waters,” the group said in a statement on Monday, Jan. 4. “also, almost every day, Chinese Coast Guard helicopter patrolled the shores of the Pagasa island–too close that we were able to record it on video through a low tech mobile phone,” it added. The group, composed of volunteers ranging from 15 to 27 years old, stayed on the island for seven days (Dec. 26 to Jan. 1) to protest China’s expansion in the South China Sea. The Philippine government was not in favor of the protest, which was led by former Marine officer Captain nicanor Faeldon, but the military monitored the group throughout the voyage. The group also slammed China’s “triangle militarized zone”

ManIla—The Office of the Presidential adviser on the Peace Process (OPaPP) vowed to push for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic law (BBl) despite uncertainties and challenges ahead of the May 2016 elections. “We should hit the ground running. These last six months are going to move… fast (during which) we will face challenges,” presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Quintos-Deles said. “This January, we are looking forward, working hard and praying harder, that we will see the passage of BBl when Congress DEFYING CHINA. A group of 47 young Filipino men and women arrived on Pagasa Island in resumes (session),” she said. the Spratly archipelago in a symbolic defiance of China’s claim to almost the entire South Deles said the passage of the China Sea. BBl would ease discussions durfrom Fiery Cross Reef to Subi group on their return through a ing the upcoming ministerial meeting this month in Jeddah on helicopter and one of its ships. Reef and Mischief Reef. Originally, the group Ka- the Tripartite Review Process on “Inside this triangle are the other military bases that China layaan atin Ito aimed to bring the implementation of the 1996 10,000 youths in a month-long has built,” it said. “Today, it became impossible protest from november 30 to Defor our armed Forces to pass cember 30 on different islands in through this triangle as we have the Spratlys, but was cut down experienced when our Philippine due to the difficulty to get renavy tried to tail us but passed sources. Western Command Vice admithrough a route outside this triangle and this was admitted by ral alexander lopez said Chinese VICe President Jejomar Binay the aFP. Our fishermen too can- Coast Guard’s patrols were “not blamed President Benigno aquino not fish in these fishing grounds. surprising.” III for failing to act on his proposal “It is not surprising kasi we to raise blood money that could In fact, in the entire West Philippine Sea, we have lost its value have have been seeing patrols have saved OFW Joselito Zapanta, as a fishing ground to China,” it by the Chinese Coast Guard and who was executed for murder in even some incidences na lilitaw Saudi arabia. added. The group said they will pres- yung Chinese navy. Hindi unIn a statement on Tuesday, Jan. ent more details of pictures, vid- usual ‘yun,” he told reporters. 5 Binay, the presidential candias to the helicopter that sup- date of the opposition, said he was eos, and illustrations once they have settled. They have returned posedly patrolled the island, lo- tasked in 2014 to head an interto mainland Palawan on Sunday. pez said they have yet to get an agency committee to draft guideThe Philippine navy tailed the official report about it. lines for a policy on the payment of blood money. But as early as 2012, Binay said he has submitted the guidelines to the President, who has yet to act scam. They are still being held at upon it. bail last year. Reyes and napoles, who have the Philippine national Police cus“as early as 2012, meron nang been confronted with initial evi- todial center in Camp Crame. proposal na yung iba nga kapag The Sandiganbayan’s First Divi- may masamang pangyayari, iyong dence in bail hearings last year, are expected to again face their sion has denied Revilla’s petition bahagi ng blood debt ay meron accusers led by whistle-blower for bail, while the Fifth Division is maging tulong yung pamahalaan. yet to resolve estrada’s request for Eh wala, hindi inaaksyunan. NakBenhur luy. enrile is accused of receiving temporary freedom while under- abinbin pa rin hanggang ngayon, commissions totaling P172.8 mil- going trial. iyong guidelines ba,” Binay said. napoles is already serving time lion from napoles, whose bogus Binay said he was saddened by non-government organization in jail for serious illegal detention the execution of Zapanta, whose implemented ghost projects using for allegedly detaining luy before family only managed to raise P23 the pork barrel fund scam was million of the P47.9-million blood pork barrel funds. Sens. Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jing- exposed. The First and Third Divi- money demanded by the family of goy estrada are also facing plun- sions of the Sandiganbayan also the Sudanese national he killed in der charges for allegedly receiving denied her petition for bail. (Phil- 2009. commissions from the pork barrel star.com) Zapanta was executed on Dec.

Napoles, Reyes plunder trial to start next week ManIla—The Sandiganbayan is set to begin trial proper next week for the plunder charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against alleged pork barrel fund scam mastermind Janet lim-napoles and Sen. Juan Ponce enrile’s former chief of staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes. Marathon hearings at the antigraft court’s Third Division will be held from Wednesdays to Fridays beginning Jan. 13 to July 7. The Sandiganbayan will not yet begin trial for enrile since he still has pending issues with the Supreme Court which granted him

Final Peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro national liberation Front (MnlF). as stipulated in the Comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro (CaB) signed between the government and the Moro Islamic liberation Front (MIlF), two separate components will run through its implementation simultaneously; the political process that will lead to the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity to replace the autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (aRMM) through the enactment of an enabling law which is the BBl. The CaB also outlined the normalization process which seeks to restore communities affected by decades-long armed conflict to peaceful and civilian lives. Once all provisions in the CaB have been implemented, both sides will sign an exit agreement.

Government peace panel chairman Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the government and MIlF will remain steadfast in upholding the ceasefire in pursuit of lasting peace in the southern Philippines, since both parties are committed to isolating groups that continue to foment violence in Mindanao. “The best thing about the peace process between the government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic liberation Front is that the two parties have not gone back to war,” Ferrer said. Ferrer said both peace panels will continue to collaborate in strengthening the joint mechanisms and building mutual trust and confidence among their respective organizations. “In rising to the tasks before us, we have fortified our confidence in the process. We shall continue to carry on in order to get to our destination sooner than later,” Ferrer said.

Binay blames Aquino for failing to act on blood money proposals 29, 2015 for the murder with robbery of a Sudanese national in 2009. He was convicted in april 2010 and was executed after the family of the victim refused to execute on affidavit of Forgiveness in exchange for blood money. Binay said his office has done all efforts in talking with the consul and other Saudi officials when he was Presidential adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers Concerns. He resigned in June 2015 as he assumed the figure of the opposition. Binay said he even wrote a letter to Saudi King abdullah bin abdulaziz al Saud seeking for a deferment of the death sentence in 2012. “Syempre, malungkot. Kasi sa simula’t simula, akala ko noon magagawan na ng paraan. Iyong consul (ng Sudan) katulong din natin na makiusap. Katunayan, iyong mga opisyales ng Saudi, naging katulong din natin,” Binay said. “Kaya lang matigas iyong posisyon nung may maybahay. Iyon bang ang halagang sinasabi ay talagang hindi talaga magpapa-areglo,” he added. Binay visited the family of Zapanta in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay

Binay vowed to help Zapanta’s surviving relatives look for livelihood opportunities. “Syempre, nangangailangan sa kanyang livelihood. Pinagtutulungan namin na mapakiusapan yung mga nag-donate, kasi nakalikom naman ito pero hindi nga umabot,” he said. Binay had said President aquino pledged Zapanta’s family a substantial amount for the blood money, but he has not revealed the amount. Binay faces graft indictment for the alleged overprice and rigging in the construction and design of the Makati parking building when he was mayor. He also faces several plunder complaints before the Ombudsman. He said the charges were meant to derail his presidential bid. (Inquirer.net)

january 8-14, 2016 • nOrCaL aSIan jOurnaL

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Relentless

DESPITE ardent calls by the international community to halt its military assertion in the West Philippine (South China) Sea, China remains undaunted in reiterating its “indisputable sovereignty” and has moved forward with its reclamation activities. While the Philippines was enjoying the New Year revelries, China was busy completing the construction of a 3,125-meter-long airfield on Kagitingan Reef in the highly-contested Spratly archipelago. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that China recently used a civilian plane to conduct a flight testing in the Philippine-claimed reef. Vietnam, which also claims Kagitingan and calls the reef “Da Chu Thap,” immediately protested China’s recent actions. Le Hai Binh, a spokesperson for the Vietnamese foreign ministry, said the test flight violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, breached mutual understanding and hurt bilateral relations. Vietnam also warned China to immediately stop and not to repeat similar actions. China rejected Vietnam’s protest. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the test flight to Kagitingan, which the Chinese call Yongshu Island, was to “test whether or not the facilities on it meet the standards for civil aviation” and a matter “completely within China’s sovereignty.” Washington also criticized China’s recent actions, saying that the test flight had exacerbated tensions in the region. Pooja Jhunjhunwala, a spokesperson for the US State Department,

said there was “a pressing need for claimants to publicly commit to a reciprocal halt to further land reclamation, construction of new facilities and militarization of disputed features.” The US encouraged all claimants to actively reduce tensions by refraining from unilateral actions that undermine regional stability, and taking steps to create space for meaningful diplomatic solutions to emerge. The Philippines, Vietnam and China, along with Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, have competing claims to parts of the West Philippine (South China) Sea. China claims the largest swathe of the strategic water, which is believed to have significant oil and gas deposits. Over the last two years, it has been increasingly assertive in pressing its claims over the disputed waters against its smaller neighbors. According to a report, “China has piled sand atop seven reefs in the Spratlys, on at least two of which it has built airstrips, radar installations and docking facilities. Besides Kagitingan, China has built artificial islands on Calderon (Cuarteron), Burgos (Gaven), Mabini (Johnson South), Panganiban (Mischief), Zamora (Subi) and McKennan (Hughes) reefs, all claimed by the Philippines and

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

within the country’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone recognized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” China claims that the new facilities will strictly be used to provide civilian services, including maritime search and rescue, navigation aid, marine research, and even weather observation. Manila has already taken its claim for arbitration to a United Nations-backed international tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). China, however, re-

fused to participate in the arbitration. The United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is expected to hand down a resolution by June. While this pressing international matter calls for a swift conclusion, it must undergo such tedious process to reach a peaceful resolution. This is the essence of international law, which was built by principles based on universally accepted values and moral standards. (AJPress)

Do you support Pres. Obama’s executive action on gun control? IN a rare display of emotion, President Barack Obama shed tears as he passionately spoke to the nation about the urgent need to cure the gun violence epidemic in America and save lives. He recalled the innocent first-grade kids massacred in Sandy Hook, among other victims whose lives were cut short because of these senseless killings. Obama reportedly considers the failure to sign into law the much needed sensible gun control legislation to be the biggest frustration of his presidency, and he felt that time is running out. He blamed Congress, which blocked a tougher gun bill in 2013, and noted that it still needs to impose new gun control measures. He stressed the fact that many of the actions he’s calling for can only be imposed through legislative action. “The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now. But they cannot hold America hostage. We do not have to accept this carnage as the price of freedom,” Pres. Obama empathically declared. Thus, the president put matters in his own

about as well. And we have to hands. Using his executive powbe able to balance them. er, he announced measures to ex- The Fil-Am Because our right to worpand and bolster the background ship freely and safely—that check system to cover sales that Perspective right was denied to Christians take place online and at gun in Charleston, South Carolina. shows, and provide more funding And that was denied Jews in for mental health treatment, FBI Kansas City. And that was destaff and the Bureau of Alcohol, nied Muslims in Chapel Hill, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Gel SantoS-ReloS and Sikhs in Oak Creek. They agents. He also announced that his administration is going to advance research had rights, too. Our right to peaceful assembly—that right was to update firearms technology to make gun use robbed from moviegoers in Aurora and Lafayette. safer. Our unalienable right to life, and liberty, and the “I taught constitutional law. I know a little about this,” Obama said, insisting that he believes in pursuit of happiness—those rights were stripped protecting the Second Amendment right of re- from college students in Blacksburg and Santa sponsible gun owners. And then he made his case Barbara, and from high schoolers at Columbine, that this right to bear arms is not all that America and from first-graders in Newtown. First-graders. And from every family who never imagined that should consider: “All of us should be able to work together to find their loved one would be taken from our lives by a a balance that declares the rest of our rights are bullet from a gun. Every time I think about those kids it gets me also important—Second Amendment rights are important, but there are other rights that we care mad. And by the way, it happens on the streets of

Chicago every day. So all of us need to demand a Congress brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies. All of us need to stand up and protect its citizens. All of us need to demand governors and legislatures and businesses do their part to make our communities safer. We need the wide majority of responsible gun owners who grieve with us every time this happens and feel like your views are not being properly represented to join with us to demand something better. And we need voters who want safer gun laws, and who are disappointed in leaders who stand in their way, to remember come election time.” What do you think about this latest move towards gun control? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos

Drilon, Abad, Roxas, Aquino: Most voracious pork-lovers in our history Commentary

RiGobeRto tiGlao ONE would think that for all their righteous, chest-beating slogans, and with the Supreme Court ruling in 2013 that porkbarrel is unconstitutional, these Liberal Party leaders would have some delicadeza in distancing themselves from such kind of funds. In fact, the biggest case of corruption—in terms of money involved—filed in the Sandiganbayan ever, even eclipsing the plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada, involved pork-barrel funds. The Court even waxed dramatic in condemning the pork-barrel scheme: “For as long as this nation adheres to the rule of law, any of the multifarious unconstitutional methods and mechanisms (of the pork-barrel system) the Court has herein pointed out should never again be adopted in any system of governance, by any name or form, by any semblance or similarity, by any influence or effect.” The Supreme Court rallied the nation in its decision declaring pork-barrel unconstitutional: “At a time of great civic unrest and vociferous public debate, the Court fervently hopes that its Decision today, while it may not purge all the wrongs of

society nor bring back what has been lost, guides this nation to the path forged by the Constitution so that no one may heretofore detract from its cause nor stray from its course.” “Supreme Court, what Supreme Court?” I can imagine President Aquino and his budget secretary Florencio Abad arrogantly saying. Maybe Aquino even mumbled, “Tinanggal ko nga Chief niyan, e.” I was told that the wily Abad, who fancies himself to be the brains of the daang-matuwid farce telling his boss: “Madali lusutan iyang Court decision.” The hubris of Aquino and his Liberal Party stalwarts is just mind-boggling. They acted as though the country had no Supreme Court at all, that it did not rule on the pork-barrel system. As if to brandish before the High Court a defiant dirty finger, they even increased the porkbarrel fund from P20.9 billion in 2015 to P24.7 billion under the 2016 Budget. They merely renamed it, from its old Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to “Grassroots Budgeting” in 2014 and then Bottom-Up Budgeting before that year was over, until 2015. Instead of allocating the porkbarrel funds in lump sum per congressional district, they did some pencil pushing and asked the congressmen to list their pork-barrel projects, which didn’t—couldn’t—contain sufficient detail. The congressmen would provide the details needed to implement these projects, such as the sites where

they were to be undertaken and which contractor would build them. One would have to be a fool to believe that the congressmen wouldn’t tell the implementing departments such details, especially that the “bottom-up projects” were described in the budget law only in broad terms such as “local government support for local road projects,” “skills training” and “protective services” (what the heck is that?) Unconstitutional But this is exactly why the Court struck down the pork-barrel system as unconstitutional, since it “empowers Congress or any of its members to play a role in the implementation… of the (budget) law, and therefore, violates the principle of separation of powers and is, thus, unconstitutional.” But everyone knows that the pork-barrel system, as practiced in the Philippines, is scandalous not just because it uses national government funds (raised through our sweat, the taxpayers’ sweat) to strengthen the legislators’ local support, as they will point out in the next election season that these porkbarrel projects are “their accomplishments.” Worse, really, is the fact that the pork-barrel system has been one of the easiest sources of graft for congressmen. The horror stories surrounding the Janet Napoles scam are extreme cases of pork-barrel corruption, in which non-existent entities “received” the funds that eventually ended up

in large part in the hands of legislators. The more common type of corruption using pork-barrel funds involves the congressman’s designation of the contractor or implementor of the project, who then pays him grease money of as much as 40 percent of the project’s cost. This is so easy in the provincial setting where the political and economic elite move in the same small circles. Do some arithmetic: If even just 20 percent of the P24.7 billion pork-barrel funds this year end up that way through such a mechanism, some P5 billion would go to our 200 district representatives, with each getting an average of P25 million yearly. Not bad for them, right? Could this be the explanation for why Aquino, Roxas and Drilon’s home provinces have been getting huge pork-barrel funds since this yellow regime assumed office? How else could you explain why their provinces have been given allocations of huge porkbarrel funds from 2011 to 2016 as shown below? Neither the population nor the economic levels of those provinces can explain it: * Franklin Drilon’s home province Iloilo: P2 billion; * Aquino’s Tarlac: P995 million; * Manuel Roxas’ Capiz: P818 million. * Abad’s Batanes: P336 million The scheme became so scandalous really, and I am astonished at how people who claim

to be proponents of good government have no qualms about appropriating as much porkbarrel funds they can get. Take the case of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad’s home province of Batanes, with a population of just 18,000 (2015 estimate), or about 4,000 households, smaller than a barangay in Quezon City. (But that’s the official count: I was told that half of the people registered as residents of Basilan don’t really live there.) In representing Batanes in Congress, Abad has been taking turns with his wife, Henedina, who had been dean of Ateneo de Manila University’s School of Government, claiming to be a font of knowledge for good government. I don’t know what kind of “governance” is taught there. Jesuitic? Guess how much in porkbarrel funds this Lilliputian province of 18,000 people has been getting since the husband Florencio became budget secretary? An allocation of P70 to P90 million yearly, as much as or bigger than that for the much poorer provinces as Quirino (200,000 people), Marinduque (257,000), Siquijor (100,000), Guimaras (183,800) and even Camiguin (95,000). Batanes, in fact, has had by far the largest pork-barrel per capita: For 2016, its P90 million allocation means P5,000 pork per person, with Abra being a far second with only P1,500. Please don’t tell me this doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that Henedina’s

husband is the budget secretary, and her daughter, Julia, the head of the Presidential Management Staff. Pork-barrel funds under her predecessor and political rival, Dr. Carlo Oliver D. Diasnes, amounted to only P13 million in 2009 and P17 million in 2010. Would you believe that from 2011 to 2016, pork barrel allocations to Batanes have reached P336 million, three times the P105 million allocation to Apayao, the third poorest province in the country, with a population ten times that of Batanes? Had that P336 million been actually distributed to the 4,000 households in Batanes, they would have been a lot happier with a per capita allocation of about P80,000. But where did the money go? What the heck have the Abads been using pork-barrel money for? Provide air-conditioners and LED TV to each household? Build concrete houses for each cow? Didn’t it cross Henedina’s mind to just allocate part of Batanes’ pork barrel to setting up soup kitchens to feed the poor in slums near her Ateneo office? No wonder, for all their power in Batanes and national prestige, and for all the pork the Abads are supposed to have brought to the island, Henedina only won by a meager 137 votes in the 2013 elections. The Ivatans certainly have more integrity than other people in this country. And you still believe those proponents of the daang-matuwid hogwash? (ManilaTimes. net)

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

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Manaoag Church, Nueva Vizcaya bridge, San Joaquin, Iloilo Camposanto declared National Cultural Treasures

Also declared NCTs: Paco Cemetery, Cagsaua ruins, Manansala rice murals by Edgar

allan M. SEMbrano Inquirer.net

THE NATIONAL Museum (NM) has recently released the list of new sites, structures and objects declared as National Cultural Treasures (NCT) and Important Cultural Properties (ICP) in 2015. Among those declared are Paco Park or the Cementerio Municipal de Manila y Capilla de San Pancracio in Manila; the watchtowers in the municipalities of Badoc, Currimao, Baccara

and Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte, and in Santiago, San Esteban and Narvacan towns in Ilocos Sur, including the watchtowerbelfries of Laoag and Bantay; the Minor Basilica and Complex of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario (including the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and movable and intangible properties intrinsic to the cultural significance of the property) in Manaog, Pangasinan; Cagsaua Church ruins in Albay; Dampol Bridge in Dupax del Sur, Nueva

Bantay watchtower-belfry, Ilocos Sur

Cagsaua Church ruins, Albay

Vizcaya; and San Joaquin Camposanto in Iloilo. The last two became controversial last year due to a road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways that threatened to affect them. Also declared NCTs are the 1762 marker of the Alcaiceria de San Fernando (silk market) in Binondo, Manila; the Qur’an called “Maradika” of Bayang, Lanao del Sur; two Vicente Manansala murals (International Rice Research Institute series); and the Sacred Art (four paintings) of the Paete Church in Laguna. Declared ICPs are the Leandro V. Locsin-designed Philippine Center for Population and Development building in Taguig; San Bartolome Church complex in Malabon City; Cariño House in Candon City, Ilocos Sur; Callao Cave Complex in Peñablanca, Cagayan; Santa Maria Bridge in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; Barit Bridge in Iriga, Camarines Sur; and the old Baliuag Municipal Hall in Bulacan. Roadside Via Crucis A number of properties were also declared ICPs in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, all dating back to the Spanish colonial period. These are the San Nicolas Church complex, including its convent and the roadside Via Crucis structures; the town’s elementary school building, municipal hall, Valdes-Lardizabal house; and the Nagrebcan Archaeological Site. In Angeles City, Pampanga, the new ICPs are the church complex of Santo Rosario, Juan Nepomuceno camalig, José Pedro Henson y Leon Santos Deposito, the houses of Angel Pantaleon de Miranda, Ciriaco de Miranda, Mariano Lacson and Rafael Yutuc Sr. Elsewhere in Pampanga, the Guagua church was also declared an ICP together with the church and municipal hall of Magalang, and the municipal hall of Lubao. Designed by Fr. Roque Ruano In Baguio City, the Colegio del Santisimo Rosario, popularly known as the Diplomat Hotel, was also declared an ICP. It was designed by the Dominican engineer Fray Roque Ruaño, the same designer of the massive University of Santo Tomas Main

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG TUNGKOL SA MGA PANGANGAILANGAN SA PABAHAY AT PAGPAPAUNLAD NG KOMUNIDAD NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA Magdaraos ang Konseho ng Lungsod ng Alameda ng Pampublikong Pagdinig sa Pebrero 2, 2016. Inaanyayahan at hinihimok ang publiko na magbigay ng mga komento tungkol sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad ng Lungsod para sa Block Grant sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG, gamit na acronym sa Ingles) sa Mga Piskal na Taon ng 2016-2017 Taunang Planong Pag-aksyon sa Piskal na Taon ng 2015-2016. Batay sa nakaraang pagpopondo, inaasahan ng lungsod na makatanggap ng humigit-kumulang $1,000,000 bilang pondo ng CDBG Entitlement at $150,000 sa Kita ng Programa para sa FY 2016-17. Dapat na hindi bababa sa 70% ng pondo ng CDBG ang mapakinabangan ng mga residente o kapitbahayan na may mababa at katamtamang kita; may limitadong halaga ng pondo ang maaaring ilaan para maayos ang pinsala sa mga piling lugar. Hihingin ng Departamento ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod ang paggawa ng taunang planong pag-aksyon, at isusumite ito sa pamamagitan ng Kasunduang HOME ng Lalawigan ng Alameda. Tutukuyin ng taunang Planong Pag-aksyon ang mga bibigyang-priyoridad na pangangailangan ng komunidad sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Kabilang sa mga pangangailangan na natukoy ng nakaraang Mga Pinagsama-samang Plano ang: pagpapanatili at pagpaparami ng abot-kayang pabahay at suporta; pagpapababa ng diskriminasyon sa pabahay; pag-iwas sa kawalan ng bahay at pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad na hindi tungkol sa pabahay, tulad ng mga pagpapahusay ng kapitbahayan, mga serbisyo publiko, mga pagpapahusay ng accessibility at pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya. Available bilang sanggunian ang Pinagsama-samang Plano ng Limang Taon na sumasakop sa FY 2015-2020 sa website ng Awtoridad sa Pabahay sa http://www.alamedahsg.org/ housing_development.html. Para suportahan ang pagsisikap ng Lungsod na matukoy ang mga pangangailangan ng komunidad sa serbisyong panlipunan, nakatanggap ang Awtoridad sa Pabahay ng mga tugon sa isang online na Survey sa Mga Pangangailangan ng Komunidad na nagsimula noong Oktubre 28, 2015 at nagtapos noong Nobyembre 30, 2015. Bilang karagdagan, nagdaos ng pagpupulong ang Lupon ng Serbisyong Panlipunan sa Relasyong Pantao (SSHRB, gamit na acronym sa Ingles) ng Lungsod noong Enero 7, 2015. HINIHIMOK AT INAANYAYAHAN ANG KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO Hinihimok at inaanyayahan ang publiko na lumahok sa proseso ng CDBG at magkomento sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Attn: Claudia Young Awtoridad sa Pabahay ng Lungsod ng Alameda 701 Atlantic Ave. Alameda, CA 94501 cyoung@alamedahsg.org Maaaring isumite ang mga isinulat na komento sa address sa itaas hanggang 4:00 p.m. ng Pebrero 1, 2016. Didinggin ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at isasaalang-alang ang pagtupad sa Pahayag ng Mga Pangangailangan ng Publiko sa regular nitong pagpupulong sa Pebrero 2, 2016, sa ganap na 7:00 p.m., sa Bulwagang Panlungsod, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue. Mangyaring idirekta ang anumang mga tanong kay Claudia Young sa (510) 747-4321 o (510) 522-7538 (TDD). MGA PANUSTOS PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang tao na nagpahayag ng interes sa paglahok sa Block Grant sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad (CDBG) / programang HOME ay isang taong may kapansanan tulad ng nakalarawan sa Seksyon 504 ng Rehabilitation Act ng 1974 na nangangailangan ng akomodasyon para makalahok o magka-interes, ang taong iyong ay dapat humiling ng akomodasyon kay Rosemary Valeska, (510) 747-4316 o magemail sa rvaleska@alamedahsg.org. Ang mga kahilingang iyon ay dapat may kasamang paglalarawan ng hinihiling na akomodasyon, kabilang ang pahayag ng kapansanan kung bakit nangangailangan ng akomodasyon. Anumang kahilingan para sa akomodasyon ay susuriin at tutugunan sa loob ng 5 araw na may pasok matapos matanggap ang kahilingang iyon. Ang abiso ng anumang paggawad ng akomodasyon ay kaagad na ibibigay sa humiling. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa Lungsod sa (510) 747-4316 (Voice), (510) 522-8467 (TDD), o mag-email sa rvaleska@alamedahsg.org para humiling ng iba pang anumang makakatwirang akomodasyon na maaaring kailanganin. Ang coordinator ng CDBG/HOME Section 504 ay si Vanessa Cooper. Maaaring makipag-ugnayan kay Ms. Cooper sa (510) 747-4325 o vcooper@ alamedahsg.org. Makikita online ang kopya ng proseso para sa reklamo na 504 ng Lungsod sa www. alamedahsg.org. MGA PANUSTOS PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI MARUNONG MAGSALITA NG INGLES Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may network ng mga kawani na nagsasalita ng halos 45 wika na maaaring gumanap bilang mga interpreter para sa mga residenteng naghahanap ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga programang CDBG/HOME. Kung naabisuhan nang 5 araw na may pasok na mas maaga, mag-aayos ang Lungsod na magkaroon ng available na interpreter. Mangyaring makipag-ugnayan sa Lungsod sa (510) 747-4316 (Voice), (510) 522-8467 (TDD), o mag-email sa rvaleska@alamedahsg.org. PATAKARAN SA WALANG DISKRIMINASYON Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay hindi nagdidiskrimina sa sinumang tao batay sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, bansang pinagmulan, lipi, kasarian, pagkakakilanlang kasarian, pagpapahayag ng kasarian, oryentasyong sekswal, katayuang marital, katayuang familial, pinagkukunan ng kita, impormasyong genetiko, medikal na kondisyon, pisikal na kapansanan o kapansanan sa isip, o anumang iba pang kategoryang pinoprotektahan ng batas.

Building, declared an NCT in 2010. The hotel used to be a Dominican convent, hence it is located atop “Dominican Hills.” Also declared an ICP in Baguio was Peredo’s Lodging House and the Laperal House, now owned by tycoon Lucio Tan. The Avanceña house or the Camiña Balay nga Bato in Arevalo, Iloilo City; the Lizares-Gamboa Mansion (now the Angelicum School) in Jaro of the same city; the Sornito house in Santa Barbara, Iloilo province; and the Chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker in Victorias, Negros Occidental, were also declared ICPs. NM director Jeremy Barns said the purpose of declaring cultural properties as either NCT or ICP is to “highlight their significance to the entire world that they are officially recognized as an intrinsic part of the patrimony of the Filipino people and are central to the legacy that the present generation should take special care to steward for the generations to come.” He added: “They are an acknowledgment of the best of what we have inherited, in order that we may care for it, enrich it further, and pass it on in turn.” The distinction would also ensure the protection, preservation and promotion of the declared properties. “The Important Cultural Properties and National Cultural Treasures of the Philippines are individually and collectively meant to serve as testimony to the richness and diversity of heritage that speaks to the longstanding and distinctive strength, resilience and dynamism of the spirit of the Filipino people, at home and everywhere throughout the world,” Barns pointed out. He also disclosed that dozens of sites and structures are also being considered for declaration this year. Among those are the Hospicio de San José complex at the Isla de Convalescencia in Manila; the old Rizal Provincial Capitol in Santa Rosa barangay, Pasig City; the ruins of Corregidor Island in Cavite; and the fortress church and heritage houses of Boac in Marinduque. The Heritage Law of 2009 defines ICPs as cultural properties

Manaoag Minor Basilica, Pangasinan

Photos by Edgar Allan M. Sembrano

Colegio del Santisimo Rosario (Diplomat Hotel) ruins, Baguio City

aint Joseph the Worker Chapel, Victorias City, Negros Occidental

“having exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance” while NCTs are those “possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country.”

The two are the highest distinctions given by the NM to cultural properties in the country. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is also empowered by the same law to declare properties as ICPs.

january 8-14, 2016 • nOrCaL aSIan jOurnaL

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 8-14, 2016

Journal

Resolve to solve Covered California and the National Council your immigration of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians partner to enrollment under the Affordable Care Act problems in 2016 spurProminent physicians group again, assists in the effort

Your Immigration Solution Atty. RobeRt Reeves Devin M. Connolly AnD nAnCy MilleR

THE year 2016 is upon us Many countries are sufferand it is time to look forward out of school or were convicted and make plans for the upcom- of certain crimes. DAPA is being ing political upheaval. This has ing year. Will 2016 be the year reviewed this year by the US Su- caused many to flee for safety. you resolve your immigration preme Court and may become a Those seeking to enter or remain in the United States may be eliproblems? Will 2016 be the year reality by June. DACA and DAPA protect gible for political asylum if they you consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration firm against removal but do not lead have or would suffer persecution about your immigration rights in to permanent lawful status. as a result of their race, religion, However, many other existing ethnicity, political opinion or the US? Despite the “hold” placed on forms of relief do. For instance, membership in a particular sothe implementation of DAPA non-citizens who entered the cial group. Those studying in the United and expanded DACA, the fu- United States by means of a misture for immigrants is still full of representation may be eligible States and intending to start hope. Obtaining work authori- for a waiver of that misrepre- their own business may be eligization, permanent resident sta- sentation if they have a parent ble for various types of business tus, or even becoming a US citi- or spouse who is a US citizen or investment visas. Highly eduzen is possible for many people. lawful permanent resident. The cated persons may be eligible for long-term nonimUnfortunately, many DACA is available for childhood migrant visas or green people are afraid to arrivals – even if they dropped out cards based on the confront their immigration problems and seek of school or were convicted of certain skills they acquired in school or during practihelp. Many mistakenly believe that their case crimes. DAPA is being reviewed this cal training. Hopefully 2016 will year by the US Supreme Court and is hopeless because bring far reaching benthey overstayed their may become a reality by June. eficial changes for imvisa or entered the US migrants. But rememunder an assumed name or were non-citizen must show that their convicted of a crime. Other peo- parent and/or spouse will suffer ber that a person will not receive ple do not understand that being “extreme hardship” if the non- any benefits unless they apply for brought to the US at a young citizen is forced to return to their them, and they cannot apply for them unless they know they exist. age may help them, or that hav- home country. Non-citizens who have criminal Consulting with an experienced ing US citizen or permanent resident parents or children may convictions may be able to obtain and knowledgeable immigration help them obtain work authori- or keep their green cards if they attorney will give a prospective zation and other immigration have a parent, spouse, or son or immigrant the information they benefits. Regardless of their daughter who is a US citizen or need to keep their resolution to individual circumstances, they lawful permanent resident who resolve their immigration probhave all created a life for them- will suffer the requisite hardship lems in 2016. *** selves in the US and they want if they have to leave. Changes in criminal law have opened doors Atty. Reeves has represented clients in to continue that life. But problems do not resolve that were previously locked to numerous landmark immigration cases that themselves. Continuing to live non-citizens who wished to ei- have set new policies regarding INS action in the US may only be possible ther obtain or maintain their law- and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located by confronting the immigration ful permanent residence (or even in Pasadena, Irvine, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City. problem. The first step is to con- become citizens). Those who obtained their Telephone: (800) 795-8009 sult a knowledgeable and experigreen cards by means of mate- E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com enced immigration attorney. A good immigration lawyer rial misrepresentations may be Website: www.rreeves.com. *** will be able to tell the non-citi- eligible for a waiver if they have zen what options are available US citizen or permanent resident The analysis and suggestions offered in to them. Relief is available for parents or sons or daughters and this column do not create a lawyer-client can show that the favorable fac- relationship and are not a substitute for the many immigration problems. DACA is available for childhood tors outweigh the unfavorable personalized representation that is essential to every case. (Advertising Supplement) arrivals – even if they dropped facts in their case.

“

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to reduce the number of uninsured Californians

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California and the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians have again joined forces to raise awareness of the third open-enrollment period under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians partnered with Covered California during open enrollment for the second consecutive year by sending out a letter to more than 3,000 council members that featured ways to get the word out about open enrollment in physicians’ offices and on social media sites. Open enrollment began on Nov. 1 and ends Jan. 31. “We are proud to be partnering again with the trusted members of the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said.

“Their voices help us highlight the importance of the open-enrollment period and our shared goal of getting as many Californians health insurance coverage as possible.” An estimated 750,000 uninsured Californians remain eligible to enroll in a health insurance plan through Covered California, and approximately 1.4 million uninsured Californians qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. Cultivating a culture of coverage is also a goal of physicians across California. “We recognize how significant open enrollment is for our patients and consumers across California and the nation,” National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians President and CEO Dr. Ho Luong Tran said. “We want to do our part to ensure more Californians have health care coverage than ever before.” Covered California has served

more than 2 million consumers since it began offering health coverage in January 2014. Last year, nine out of 10 Covered California enrollees received financial assistance to help pay for their coverage. About Covered California Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-

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First-ever CMS Innovation Center pilot project to test improving patients’ health by addressing their social needs $157 million in funding will bridge clinical care with social services THE Department of Health and Human Services announced on Jan. 5 a new funding opportunity of up to $157 million to test whether screening beneficiaries for health-related social needs and associated referrals to and navigation of community-based services will improve quality and affordability in Medicare and Medicaid. Many of these social issues, such as housing instability, hunger, and interpersonal violence, affect individuals’ health, yet they may not be detected or addressed during typical health care-related visits. Over time, these unmet needs may increase

the risk of developing chronic conditions and reduce an individual’s ability to manage these conditions, resulting in increased health care utilization and costs. The five-year program, called the Accountable Health Communities Model, is the first Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center model to focus on the health-related social needs of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including building alignment between clinical and community-based services at the local level. The goal of this model is that beneficiaries struggling with unmet health-related social

needs are aware of the community-based services available to them and receive assistance accessing those services. “We recognize that keeping people healthy is about more than what happens inside a doctor’s office, and that’s why, for the first time, we are testing whether screening patients for health-related social needs and connecting them to local community resources like housing and transportation to the doctor will ultimately improve their health and reduce the cost to taxpayers,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia

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JANUARY 8-14, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

The CTV Files Atty. LiLLi B. BAcuLi FOREIGN professionals wishing to immigrate to the US (as permanent residents) may do so under 3 general classifications: • 1st Preference (EB1) – extraordinary ability foreign professionals; outstanding researchers and professors; and multinational executives and managers known as “priority workers” • 2nd Preference (EB2) – foreign professionals with advanced degrees and professionals of exceptional ability in the sciences, business or arts • 3rd Preference (EB3) – foreign professionals (those with BS or BA degrees) and skilled workers (including nurses) Eligibility for adjustment is normally based on maintaining lawful status. Thus, generally, a foreign professional whose stay has expired is NOT ELIGIBLE to adjust. Most foreign professionals immigrate under the EB-3 category, and if they are already in the US, they need to maintain lawful status while waiting for their priority date. There are non-immigrant visas available that allow a foreign professional not only to remain in the US, but also to work; while waiting for his priority date that allows him to file for adjustment/green card application. Bars to Adjustment of Status. The three most common inadmissibility bars to adjustment of status under the immigration laws are: (i) failing to maintain, continuously, a lawful status; (ii) engaging in unauthorized employment; (iii) otherwise violating the terms and conditions of

Community Journal

Exemptions to inadmissibility bars for employment-based adjustment applicants his or her admission. Exemptions for certain employment-based adjustment applicants. Under Section 245(k) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the three inadmissibility bars stated above can be rendered inapplicable to certain employment-based adjustment of status applicants who, since their last lawful admission to the United States have not, for an aggregate period of more than 180 days: (i) failed to maintain, continuously, a lawful status; (ii) engaged in unauthorized employment; or (iii) otherwise violated the terms and conditions of his or her admission. Who is eligible? The following classes of employment-based adjustment of status applicants under Section 245(a) are eligible for relief under 245(k): An alien who is present in the United States pursuant to a lawful admission and whose adjustment of status application is based on an approved immigrant petition for them as the beneficiary in one of the following classifications as listed above. Additionally, the exemption is also applicable to those in the EB-4 category for religious workers as described in the Immigration and Nationality Act. Derivative spouse and child(ren) are also eligible. The exemption under Section 245(k) is also applicable to an eligible derivative of an alien (as described in the paragraph above) if he or she has failed to maintain continuously a lawful status, worked without authorization, or otherwise violated the terms and conditions of his or her admission for an aggregate

of 180 days or less pursuant to a lawful admission. It is important to be informed and know your options. “Lawful admission,” “maintaining lawful status,” “unauthorized employment,” and “violation of terms and conditions of admission” are all technical terms within the immigration laws. An experienced immigration firm or attorney will be able to help you understand what immigration terms mean specific to the regulations. Potential employment-based adjustment of status applicants and their derivative spouses and children should consult with an experienced and competent immigration attorney, and more importantly prior to filing any applications with the USCIS, in order to explore what steps might be taken for your particular case, and the options available to you under the evolving immigration laws. Applicants should also be wary of online tools that offer immigration help or notarios who are not licensed to practice law. *** Atty. Lilli Berbano Baculi is an associate attorney with Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Philippines. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (619) 955-6277; (415) 4958088; (916) 449-3923; lbaculi@ctvattys. com. For general information visit www. chuatinsayvega.com.

First-ever CMS Innovation Center pilot project to…

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M. Burwell. “The Accountable Health Communities model is yet another step towards building a health care system that results in healthier people and stronger communities and spends our health care dollars more wisely.” Award recipients under this model, referred to as “bridge organizations,” will oversee the screening of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries for social and behavioral issues, such as housing instability, food insecurity, utility needs, interpersonal violence, and transportation limita-

tions, and help them connect with and/or navigate the appropriate community-based services. For example, a patient who isn’t taking his medication because he or she lacks transportation to the pharmacy would be referred to federal, state or local assistance programs. Some bridge organizations will assist beneficiaries in applying for community-based services, such as the Low Income Home Energy Program, which can provide much-needed assistance with utility bills and allow beneficiaries to maintain their medication supply rather than

having to choose between maintaining their health or paying their heating bill. “For decades, we’ve known that social needs profoundly affect health, and this model will help us understand which strategies work to help improve health and spend dollars more wisely,” said Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer. “We will learn how health and health care improvements can be achieved through strong partnerships and linkages at the community

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA THE immigration issue is now at the forefront of the national debate during this election year. It is a good time as any to talk about the immigrant life. Tabula Rasa, these words of Latin origin, refer to a fresh, clean slate. If we don’t lug around too much emotional and mental baggage, we as immigrants who have gone the legal route or have taken steps to become legal, could be bright-eyed, bushy tailed, eager beavers who can create a new life. It is great to make an accounting of what it is that we already have. At the top of the list should be the fact that because we are new, we have none of the bad habits and distorted ways of thinking and doing that have burdened both the natives and longtime immigrants. We can look at things with fresh eyes and the glow of our new surroundings no matter how humble in the beginning takes on new meaning knowing that this life is brand new with little or none of the garbage that many jaded, cynical old-timers grapple with. In a fairly short time, as we live and orbit among others similarly situated as ourselves, we will find that it is easy to pick up and copycat the cynicism and pretentious jadedness of many who would constantly whine about everything in general, complaining about how nothing works and why the government and everyone else is to blame for everything that runs afoul. Even during these unusually protracted tough times of severely diminished expectations, it is easy to fall into the trap of taking things for granted. The list is endless: phones that work at all hours of the day 24/7; the amazing network of freeways

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A clean slate “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

— Steve Jobs

and streets that if connected end to end would circle the moon several times; the constant supply of electricity and water as well as the basic necessities for survival that much of the developing world has to beg and grovel for; the sheer abundance of every imaginable kind of food and drink in the well-stocked supermarkets; the synchronicity of how the police and fire departments get their job done; the highest ratios of car ownership anywhere in the world; new cutting edge films and movies every week (though a high proportion of these have questionable merits). The amount of information available is overwhelming. There are vast amounts of information to sift through at our fingertips. There is the embarrassment of riches of the social and cultural wealth for those who seek them in the libraries, in the internet and in books; the presence of truly excellent, wonderful people of illustrious pedigrees of every race, color and creed in our midst in every field, both in high places and among those of us of lowly, peasant stock, the religious, the teachers and the bureaucrats who go about living their lives with unheralded commitment and passion. I could go on till hell freezes over. The point is this. As life for the immigrant takes on its daily routine and as he begins to settle down, raise a family and find a job to crank out an income or start a business to build wealth

with, a lot of the initial wonderful impressions that were amazing in the beginning will be taken for granted. Everything becomes ordinary, dull, predictable, mundane — just plain vanilla ice-cream boring. He begins to expect the steady pulse with which every convenience is accessible. The daily grind has taken its toll. The freshness with which he sees things is gone and in its place is this cynical, jaded, somewhat repulsive person who has forgotten what it means to be thankful for every grace, every convenience, every person living and dead who has made America the phenomenally beautiful, if sometimes flawed, place that it was, is and will still be no matter which political winds blow. The antidote for mental plaque of this nature that will catch us all unawares as we slide into a routine is a generous, heaping dose of gratitude on a daily basis. Say a heartfelt thanks as often as the sun rises in the morning and sets at twilight. Realize that the mental plaque builds up unless we take a willful conscious effort to renew the way we look at things each day. The secret is to make each day of our immigrant life brand new. Come to think of it, the same secret holds true for every inhabitant of this planet, both immigrant and native. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

LBC and BOC collaborate to ensure speedy Balikbayan Box deliveries PASAY, Phil. — Following through on their discussions in the recently concluded Asia Logistics Summit 2015, LBC Express, Inc., the country’s largest logistics, remittance, and courier company, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are working hand-in-hand to ensure that Balikbayan boxes, especially ones targeted for Christmas, arrive promptly and safely. BOC Chief Bert Lina was one of the guests of honor at the Asia Logistics Summit 2015. In his keynote speech, he mentioned “[In] logistics, the name of the game is speed.” He then followed it up with a clamor for the logistics companies and government to work together to ‘accelerate the pace of getting things done across all members of the supply chain.’ In response to Lina’s call, LBC has been working with the Bureau to hasten their turnover times. “The Balikbayan Box is where the OFWs translate their hard work and effort into something that is tangible and can be felt by their families back home. Its more padama than it is padala,” said Rene Fuentes, LBC’s Head of Global Retail. “Through the years, LBC has always been trusted with sending those important gifts and gestures of love, so we’ve synchronized our systems with Customs to be able deliver packages as quickly as possible,” he continued. In this cooperation between LBC and the BOC, both entities have streamlined their processes and systems to create a cohesive structure that will facilitate the movement of Balikbayan boxes from point to point. The method ensures that the boxes will be handled safely, and will guarantee that the boxes will never have to be opened unless there is a compelling reason to do so. In August 2015, the BOC issued Customs Memorandum Order No. 27-2015 stipulating that “Balikbayan boxes of OFWs shall not be subjected to random or arbitrary physical inspection. Instead, they shall undergo mandatory X-ray scanning.” This X-ray scanning is conducted at the Designated Examination Area (DEA), for preliminary

LBC Express Chief Marketing Officer Javier Mantecon welcomes the biggest names in the shipping and logistics industry to the Asia Logistics Summit 2015 presented by LBC. He describes the event as both ‘significant and timely’ as the industry is in a unique position to contribute to and benefit from the Philippine Economy.

(L-R) LBC Express President Miguel Camahort, LBC Express CEO Santiago Araneta, Customs Commissioner Bert Lina, Brian Lane, Suzie Mitchell, and Beth Lee address some of the concerns and comments of shipping and logistics practicioners at the Asia Logistics Summit 2015.

non-commercial shipments. However, should any box be tagged “suspect” after X-ray scanning (containing goods of commercial value), these will be physically inspected by duly authorized BOC inspectors. In this regard, all senders are encouraged to properly adhere to the procedures and policies of the BOC, while likewise preparing complete documentation (packing list). To further assist senders, and respond to queries and concerns in real-time, LBC and the BOC also initiated a regular live chat with BOC officials, where OFWs may directly communicate with BOC officials. “We hope that through our collaborative efforts [with the BOC], we can further improve our services to our customers, as well as upgrade the standards for the industry-at-large,” Fuentes said. “At the end of the day, all we want is for our OFWs to be able to send their love to their families, so that they will have a very Merry Christmas,” he concluded.

To know more about the services of LBC Express, you may visit http://www.lbcexpress. com. About LBC Express LBC Express, Inc. was founded in the 1950’s as a brokerage and air cargo agent. Known as the largest Express Courier, Cargo, and Money Remittance Service Company in the Philippines, LBC now offers its services in over 18 countries in North America, Canada, Middle East, Australia, Asia Pacific, Oceania, and European Territories. Currently, LBC operates in over 3,000 branches and partner agents in the Philippines. Since then, LBC has been moving anything and everything for the global Filipinos. For more than 60 years, LBC has provided hassle free delivery via air, land, and sea cargoes; from cash remittance to simple packages and container loads of business logistical needs. Its clientele comprises of local and multinational corporations, and several government agencies. (Advertising Supplement)

Covered California and the National Council…

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cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits. Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the

new market work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com. About the National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians (NCAPIP) NCAPIP is a national organization of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander physicians who advocate for the health and well-being of our

patients and communities. Its board members are leaders in national, state, and local physician organizations and medical groups. They are primary and specialty care physicians practicing across a wide variety of settings from small and solo practices, multi-specialty medical groups, community health centers, private and public hospitals, integrated health delivery systems, academic health centers, and state and local health departments. n

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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ ON January 4, 2016, the USCIS announced that people should NOT submit original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, photographs, naturalization certificates, etc.) to USCIS with any application or petition unless: • the instructions for that form require you to submit original documents at the time of filing; or • after you file a petition or application, USCIS requests you to submit an original document through a Request for Evidence (RFE). The reason for this change is that USCIS is moving away from a paper-based filing or recordkeeping system to an electronicbased format. Even if a person files an application or petition on paper, it will be scanned by USCIS, and it is likely USCIS will shred your paper-based petition or application. Therefore, you should not be submitting original documents (especially photographs and naturalization certificates) unless USCIS specifically requires it, as they may shred or destroy the originals. If you are going to submit copies, make sure they are true and correct copies of actual original documents – not copies of documents obtained from Recto Street. It is always a good idea for

The Kite Runner Prof. enriQue M. SoriAno “WITH great enthusiasm, family businesses always look forward to a wish list of New Year’s resolutions and good intentions. But in a relatively short period of time, we naturally revert back to business as usual with our old habits by sweeping unresolved issues under the rug.” Succession is a process and must be planned One of the thorniest and often times an extremely unpleasant topic is the issue of succession. It is not only isolated to the founder and the successor but a complex process that involves all actors both inside and outside the family business. Resistance to succession comes from multiple levels including individuals (founder-entrepreneur, successor, siblings), groups, the nonfamily employees, the family business organization and its external environments. Senior generation leaders contemplating of retiring in 5 years must start the planning process. Uncertainty over who will succeed Ownership issues are often generational and lead to conflict between parents and their children. If the senior generation is not prepared to give a definite call on when they intend to retire, the result can be frustration among the successor generation about their lack of control over the operations and direction of the business. Confucian Orientation Can be a Catch 22 Scenario Chinese family businesses are heavily influenced by traditional Confucian ideology and are currently facing more challenges in succession and human resource management. The general success of Chinese overseas business firms has raised interest on the influence of Chinese ethnicity on business performance and

Community Journal

level.” The Affordable Care Act provides tools, such as the Accountable Health Communities Model, to move our health care system toward one that rewards doctors based on the quality, not quantity of care they give patients. Today’s announcement is part of the Administration’s broader strategy to improve the health care system by paying providers for what works, unlocking health care data, and finding new ways to coordinate and integrate care to improve quality. In January 2015, HHS announced the ambitious goal of tying 30 percent of Medicare payments to quality and value through alternative payment models by 2016 and 50 percent of payments by 2018. More than 4,600 payers, providers, employers, patients, states, consumer groups, consumers and other partners have registered to participate in the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network, which was launched to help the entire health care system reach these goals. Model description Thanks to funding provided under the Affordable Care Act,

USCIS says don’t submit original documents people: • To keep all their immigration papers in a safe and secure place. Many people have come to me for consultations about petitions or denials from years ago. When I ask to look at those petitions or denials, they tell me they “lost” or misplaced them, as they have moved numerous times and lost track of the documents, etc. Some of the governmental agencies, such as the Department of Labor, announced they have shredded all of their old records, such that you cannot even go request the DOL for copies of old labor certifications, etc. • Make copies of anything and everything you mail to or file with USCIS. Again, some people consulted with me, and say they had filed “something” with the USCIS long ago, but cannot recall what it was. They also did not make a copy before mailing or filing that document with USCIS. • Don’t submit anything to USCIS by regular mail. If you are going to submit or file anything with USCIS, do so by certified mail or overnight delivery, so you are able to track the package, and ensure it was delivered. If you send it by regular mail, you really have no way of knowing whether it was actually delivered on time or at all, unless you get a later acknowledgment from USCIS. But what happen if you mail the package by regular mail and it never arrived? The case could get de-

nied. But if it is sent certified or overnight delivery, at least you can track delivery. Many people want to save money (who doesn’t?), and attempt to file petitions or applications on their own. While USCIS provides guidelines or list of certain documents to submit, in many cases, additional documents and proof is necessary to establish a person’s eligibility for the immigration benefit sought. In marriage cases, sometimes extensive evidence is required to establish it as a bona fide, good faith relationship. If a child is born out of wedlock, sometimes extensive evidence is required for the father to get a case approved for his out of wedlock child. If a case was previously denied, a re-filing will similarly require a much stronger showing of eligibility. That is why you may want to seek the advice and assistance of an attorney. While that may not “guarantee” approval, it could greatly increase your chances for success, as your case could be properly packaged and presented according to USCIS’s instructions, guidelines, criteria, and factors. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials,

Will the new year resolve conflicts in the family business? many government officials and academics attribute the success to Confucianism. Confucianism is a way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century BC and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. The Confucianism philosophy teaches that the family is the basic unit of all social organizations and the core of society is not the individual, but the family (Hofstede, 1991). The business is considered a family property. Moreover, it is claimed that individuals are indistinctly connected with and embedded in a family, a group or that social organizations so that they do not exist as a separate entity (Krug, 2004). Following the value of Chinese collectivism, family members cannot do anything that will facilitate the success or the achievement of an individual to disturb the harmonious settings within the family, thus, under the circumstance of collectivism culture, individual desires are always repressed. The Confucian value of caring for older parents reduces fear of losing financial support. This value is a very important lesson on filial piety that is taught from childhood. One of the most famous stories about filial piety teaches how children should sacrifice themselves for the sake of their parents. The story tells how a son used his body heat to melt the ice on a river to get fish for his sick mother. In general, Confucian ideology contributes to factors that promote successful succession. Confucianism supports cooperation, mutual trust, harmony and obedience to se-

nior leaders’ decisions. When conflicts are not resolved, piety precedes all other virtues. Confucianism criticized In South Korea, there has long been criticism of Confucianism. Many Koreans believe Confucianism has not contributed to the modernization of Korea. For example, South Korean writer Kim Kyong-il wrote an essay entitled “Confucius Must Die For the Nation to Live”. Kim said that Filial piety”filial piety is one-sided and blind, and if it continues, social problems will continue as government keeps forcing Confucian filial obligations onto families. The LOTTE Group Corporate Succession Scandal Such dilemma came to light late last year in South Korea involving the Hotel and Retail Giant, Lotte Group. It was a corporate succession scandal involving the intense rivalry between the two sons that led to the younger one turning against the 92 year old Mr. Shin, his father and founder and ended up ousting him as the General Chairman. Strait Times highlighted in its report that “while corporate succession battles are not unusual in South Korea, a son overthrowing his aged father is almost unheard of in a Confucian society where respect is valued.” This is what a catch 22 is all about, a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions. (sorianoasia@ gmail.com) *** Prof. Soriano is an ASEAN Family Business Advisor and Chair of the Marketing Cluster of the ATENEO Graduate School of Business. He is a National Agora Awardee and book author on Family Governance and Succession. He will be facilitating one of his best selling 1 day workshop in the Philippines on September 19, 2014 Friday, entitled The Challenges of Managing a Family Business at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. For further inquiries please visit www.wongadvisory.com or contact Allen at 09228603186 for details. Slots are limited.

First-ever CMS Innovation Center pilot project to… PAGE CJ2 t

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 8-14, 2016

the Accountable Health Communities Model will support up to 44 bridge organizations, which will deploy a common, comprehensive screening assessment for health-related social needs among all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries accessing care at participating clinical delivery sites. The model will test three scalable approaches to addressing health-related social needs and linking clinical and community services – community referral, community service navigation, and community service alignment. Bridge organizations will inventory local community agencies and provide referrals to those agencies as needed. They may also provide intensive community service navigation such as indepth assessment, planning, and follow-up until needs are resolved or determined to be unresolvable for high-risk beneficiaries. The pilot allows participants to assess community services and encourage partner alignment to ensure these services are available and responsive to the needs of beneficiaries. This continuous quality improvement approach includes organizing an advisory

board and data sharing to inform a gap analysis and quality improvement plan. To measure the effectiveness of the model on impacting total cost of health care utilization and quality of care, the primary evaluation will focus on reduction in total health care costs, emergency department visits, and impatient hospital readmissions. Eligible applicants for the Accountable Health Communities model are community-based organizations, hospitals and health systems, institutions of higher education, local government entities, tribal organizations, and for-profit and not-for-profit local and national entities with the capacity to develop and maintain a referral network with clinical delivery sites and community service providers. Applications will be due in early 2016 and CMS anticipates announcing awards in the fall of 2016. To view a fact sheet on the Accountable Health Communities Model or for more information on the Accountable Health Communities Model, including the Funding Opportunity Announcement, please visit: https://innovation.cms.gov/initiatives/ahcm. n

A HUSBAND’S 30-YEAR-OLD “SECRET” ALMOST DERAILED THE FAMILY’S GREEN CARDS—ON AN ENCORE EPISODE OF “CITIZEN PINOY!” Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to revive Alice’s (center) petition by her US citizen father, after it was terminated due to the petitioner’s death. The family was then eligible to get their visas years ahead of schedule by using the priority date of Alice’s Lebanese husband, Andre (left). But Andre refused to come to the US because of a “secret” he had kept for 30 years, preventing him from going back to the US. Atty. Gurfinkel worked “miracles” to resolve the mystery behind this fascinating success story, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” – on Sunday, January 10 at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the

outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation

Calendar of Events across

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Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu All are cordially invited to the Feast of Santo Niño de Cebu on Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bellflower, California, organized and sponsored by the Santo Niño de Cebu Association of Southern California, Inc., a non-profit religious organization. The Eucharistic Celebration will be presided by the Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, His Excellency Bishop Oscar A. Solis at 10:00 am followed by the traditional procession of the image of Santo Niño de Cebu, fiesta lunch and Sinulog presentations. Food and financial donations are welcome, and all donations are tax deductible. For further information, you may contact the association President, Danny C. Diluvio at (323) 252-4991 or email at: dannydiluvio1@gmail.com.

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23rd Annual Batangas Santo Niño Devotees, USA fiesta The Batangas City Santo Niño Devotees, USA invites you and family to the 23rd Annual Santo Niño Fiesta on Saturday, January 16, 2016, 2:30 PM, at the St. Christopher Catholic Church, 629 South Glendora Ave., West Covina, CA 91790. The fiesta starts with the Holy Mass at 2:30 PM at the Parish Hall, followed by the procession of the Santo Niño images and our Little Princes and Princesses around the church then back to the hall. Food and refreshments will be served. There will be games for children and adults. Drawing of raffle prizes and dancing until 11:00 PM. Come, let’s adore and honor the Santo Niño. The more we honor Him, the more He will bless us. Hermanos: the Panganiban family. For more information, contact: Tony Panganiban (714) 828-3904, Emma Gutierrez (626) 913-5236, Edna Medrano (323) 605-8090, Marina Maranan (818) 894-9745, May Cabrera (626) 264-7822, or Evelyn Masongsong (626) 222-1287.

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29th Anniversary Feast of Santo Niño Santo Niño Cruzada USA, with the participation of the Cathedral Knights of Columbus and a Sinulog group, is inviting everyone for a holy mass to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the Feast of Santo Niño, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles (555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) on Sunday, January 17, at 3:30pm. The main celebrant is Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik, with Father David Gallardo as concelebrant. For more information, please contact any of the following officers: Romy & Tess Esturas (213-387-9682), Rey & Tess Edpao (818-469-7292), Lilia Figuracion (626-394-2661, Carmen Estrada (213-413-2881), Fe Montana (323-218-1587), Ester Paredes (213-864-1149), Fe Reyes (213-413-5286), Laurie Dolorfino (213-407-0097), and Cherry Guerrero (213-632-2096).

F E B R UA RY 2 0 -2 1

PCCHS / PUPLHS 1996 Golden Jubilee The Philippine College of Commerce High School Laboratory Batch 1966 (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee from February 20-21 in Manila, Philippines. According to the President of the PCCHS Batch ‘66 Alumni Association, ROLAND ATIENZA, about 55 batchmates from Australia, Canada and USA have confirmed attendance to the Homecoming and 50 from Manila local chapter. Activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee Celebration are as follows: February 20, 2016 -- 6:00-12:00 pm. Formal Program/Dinner at the Banahaw Ballroom, The Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City, Philippines February 21, 2016 -- 8:00 am - 9:00 pm - Visit the ANAWIM Home for the Abandoned Elderly, Montalban, Rizal Province (Fellowship/Lunch/Donate basic needs of the elderly) - Tour of Manila (Former PCCHS in Lepanto, Intramuros Tour (old churches and Cathedral, Rizal Park, Fort Santiago) - Dinner/Cultural Show, at Barbara’s, Intramuros February 22, 2016 - BREAKUP GROUP (To Palawan, Laguna and respective hometown provinces of the guests) For inquiries, please contact the following members of the CORE group: Agnes T. Sule #09165567000 suleagnes@yahoo.com, Roland Atienza #09062947156 atienza8@yahoo.com, Rebecca T. Sayed 09064032624 rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com, Lourdes T. Flores lulutflores@yahoo.com, Rebecca Sayed rebecca.sayed@yahoo.com.

M AY 27-29

PUP/PCC to hold 1st Global Reunion

Attention all graduates of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Philippine College of Commerce: join us in our FIRST GLOBAL REUNION being organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Alumni Association, USA Inc. scheduled on May 2729, 2016 (Memorial Day Weekend) at the New Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. We promise a weekend of fun-filled activities, of friendship and camaraderie as we reminisce our best memories during our high school and college days. There will be lots of entertainment, singing and dancing and photo opportunities with your classmates and friends. For more information, please contact any of the following: Loi Herrera at 562-544-8210 or loiherrera@yahoo.com; Monette Santillan-Rivera at 818-970-8317 or Monette_santillan@yahoo. com; Rose Mejia at 323-997-3838 or Rosemariemejia@kw.com; Marissa Sugay-Palanca at 818281-7460 or marispalanca@yahoo.com; Rose Maghari at 661-794-8906 or rmaghari@gmail. com; Sally Mendoza at 323-695-0235 or sally.mendoza616@yahoo.com; Honeylette De Leon at 562-480-5743 orhoney@worldclassfreight.com; Virginia Herbito at virginiaherbito@gmail.com; Connie Acosta at 323-854-5303 orconnieacosta1@att.net; Violeta D. Cristobal at 310-880-5808 or vee@cristobalcpa.com; Jun Mapoy at 323-627-5326 or jcmapoy@yahoo.com.

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JANUARY 8-14, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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City of Sacramento accepting Citizen’s SCA Alumni Association International, Inc. is homeward bound in February 2016 Planning Academy applications THE St. Catherine’s Academy Alumni Association International, Inc. is sending its Health Fair Team of Doctors, Surgeons and community to become citizen planners, gain ac- Nurses to conduct its first Medicess to City resources and information, and learn cal, Surgical and Dental Health how to provide more effective input in the planning Fair in its hometown of Gattaran, process, ” said Principal Planner, Jim McDonald. Cagayan, Philippines. Classes will take place at the Community DevelThey will be joined by local opment Department, 300 Richards Boulevard. The SCA alumni based in Gattaran course consists of eleven weeknight evenings and who have already laid the ground two Saturday mornings from March 2 to May 17, work for this medical project. 2016, followed by a graduation and City Council special presentation. Sign up early as space is limited. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. Sacramento residents, business owners and community leaders are invited to apply online with the 2016 Citizen’s Planning Academy application. n

Free academy gives community members an opportunity to learn the City’s planning process

IN an effort to educate and engage Sacramento residents, businesses and community leaders in the City’s planning process, the Community Development Department is now accepting applications for its 2016 Citizen’s Planning Academy. The free academy provides participants with a background in the fundamentals of city planning and covers a broad spectrum of planning and development-related topics and issues. Topics include the development review process, the City’s General Plan, the Planning and Development Code, regional planning, transportation planning, urban design, economic development, affordable housing, and more. “This program provides an opportunity for the

EBRPD Youth Job Fairs 2016

COME to EBRPD’s 2nd annual youth job fairs at the Big Break Visitor Center, 69 Big Break Rd., Oakley, CA 94561 on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 9am – noon and at the Richard C. Trudeau Training Center at 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619 on Saturday, Feb. 6, also from 9am to noon. Whether you like spending time outdoors, working with children, aquatics, or public safety, there’s something for you at the East Bay Regional Park District! Learn about the wide variety of job opportunities for youth and students while exploring the many jobs available this summer and in the near future. Schedule for each date:

EMPLOYMENT

in Gattaran. This is also planned through the cooperation of the townspeople leaders who lined up their recipients who needed special medical, surgical and dental treatments and live below poverty level. Medical equipments, related medicines and drugs come from donations from solicitations and fund raising events by SCAAAI, Inc. n

Sacramento is saying goodbye to single-use plastic bags

STARTING January 1, 2016, single use plastic bags will no longer be available in the City of Sacramento at: terview. 9am – 9:45am Check In • Grocery stores • Customer service skills. 10am – 11am Job Fair • Large pharmacies • Demonstrations from our 11am – Noon Workshops • Convenience stores No Registration Required. public safety, recreation and in• Markets terpretive services departments. Ages 15 – 24 Admission is free! • Stores that have a grocery or Public Transit Youth jobs pharmacy as one of their departTo Big Break Visitor Center: Find out what it takes to beTake Tri Delta Transit #393, ments (Target, Walmart, etc.) come an EBRPD: Shoppers can: stopping at Main Street and Big • Academic Intern • Bring your own Sac – cusBreak Road. • Field Intern tomers can bring any bag of their To the Trudeau Training Cen• Interpretive Student Aide • Lifeguard • Public Safety ter: Take AC Transit #339 to- own to use to carry purchases wards Chabot Space and Science and are not required to buy a bag Student Aide Center, to Skyline Blvd/Joaquin if they don’t want or need one. • Recreation Leader • Buy a paper or reusable bag Miller Road. • Seasonal Gate Attendant If you need additional infor• Student Laborer The free and fast-paced work- mation, call EBRPD Human Resources at (510) 544-2154. shops will cover topics such as: Job fair info online: http:// • How to fill out a job applicaDALY City seeks helping in www.ebparks.org/features/ tion. keeping storm drains clear of • How to have a successful in- Youth_Job_Fairs_2016 n trash and debris. The City maintains more than 2,300 catch basins (storm drains) and more than 100 miles of storm drain bara’s, Intramuros lows: lines. As part of the storm drain February 22, 2016 - Breakup maintenance program, the City February 20, 2016 — 6pm-12 Group midnight provides weekly street sweeping (To Palawan, Laguna and re- service to all City streets. Formal Program/Dinner at the Banahaw Ballroom, The Legend spective hometown provinces of During wet weather conditions, the guests) Villas For inquiries, please contact Mandaluyong City, Philippines February 21, 2016 - 8am-9pm the following members of the Visit the ANAWIM Home for CORE group: Agnes T. Sule at +63916-5567000 or suleagnes@ the Abandoned Elderly CONCORD’S two dog parks yahoo.com, Roland Atienza will undergo annual maintenance Montalban, Rizal Province (Fellowship/Lunch/Donate ba- at+63906-2947156 or atienza8@ work over the next few months. yahoo.com, and Rebecca T. The Baldwin Dog Park at 2700 sic needs of the elderly) Tour of Manila (Former PCCHS Sayed at +63906-4032624 orre- Parkside Circle will be closed becca.sayed@yahoo.com. in Lepanto, Intramuros Tour for eight to ten weeks beginning Lourdes T. Flores lulutflores@ January 4, and the Newhall Dog (old churches and Cathedral, yahoo.com Rebecca Sayed re- Park at 1351 Newhall Parkway Rizal Park, Fort Santiago) Dinner/Cultural Show, at Bar- becca.sayed@yahoo.com n will be closed beginning Feb-

at check-out - stores subject to the ban must make recyclable paper or reusable bags available for purchase for a minimum of $.10 per bag. Stores NOT required to stop using single-use plastic bags: • Retail stores that do not sell food and does not have a pharmacy • Restaurants • Farmer’s market A full description of stores subject to the plastic bag ban is part of City Code Ordinance 5.154. Exemptions: • Bag exemptions Bags are exempt from the ban

and from the $.10 fee if they are reusable bags or bags without handles provided to: - Carry produce or meat within a store - Carry prescription medication dispensed from a pharmacy - Segregate food or merchandise that could damage or contaminate other food or merchandise • Customer exemptions - Participants in WIC (Women, Infant & Children’s) or CalFresh using a voucher or EBT card may not be charged for bags. Stores can choose which reusable or paper bags to offer these customers free of charge. n

Daly City seeks help keeping storm drains clear

PCCHS/PUPLHS 1996 Golden Jubilee THE Philippine College of Commerce High School Laboratory Batch 1966 (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines) will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee from February 20-21, 2016 in Manila, Philippines. According to the President of the PCCHS Batch ‘66 Alumni Association, ROLAND ATIENZA, about fifty-five (55) batchmates from Australia, Canada and USA have confirmed attendance to the Homecoming and fifty (50) from Manila local chapter. Activities lined up for the Golden Jubilee Celebration are as fol-

The health fair will be conducted at two separate locations and dates. One at St. Catherine’s Academy gymnasium on February 12, 2016 and the other is at Nagbaccayan Gymnasium on February 12, 2016. This special medical mission is the fruit of combined efforts by the SCA Alumni Association International, Inc. and the local SCA Alumni Association based

such as during El Nino storms, residents can help prevent localized street flooding by helping the City keep storm drains free from blockages. The leading cause of storm drain blockages is litter. Trash left along roadways and sidewalks washes into the storm water drainage system during wet weather. Not only is littering illegal, it is an eyesore

and can endanger wildlife and allow stagnant water to breed mosquitoes. Take pride in your community and help promote better drainage by cleaning up litter. To report a suspected storm drain blockage or other storm drain issue, call Daly City Public Works, Street Maintenance Division at (650) 991-8097. Thank you for your assistance. n

Dog parks to close for maintenance

EMPLOYMENT

ruary 29 for approximately the same time period. During the closures, turf areas will be aerated, seeded, organically fertilized and top-dressed with organic mulch to generate the best possible results in the shortest period of time to limit the inconvenience to the community.

Concord’s two dog parks are consistently the most visited amenities in the City’s park system and provide the community with safe areas for dogs to exercise and socialize off-leash. For more information, contact the City’s Park Maintenance Division, (925) 671-3444. n

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JANUARY 8-14, 2016 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 8, 2016

The Organization Organization Founder, Jiliane Patriarca: On keeping it together and helping other people control their space by Malou liwanag-Bledsoe/AJPress

USUALLY we would like to imagine ourselves as being able to put our stuff together in a system we call “organized chaos.” In reality, the clutter in our homes and/or workspace is worse than we actually want to admit. Frustrated and not knowing how to start, a personal organizer is your best friend. Personal organizer Jiliane Patriarca understands how people can just give up in the middle of decluttering, as it can become overwhelming. She founded The Organization Organization (TOO) in 2014, to help others create the most intuitive organizing system and process. The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Jiliane shared that although she was born in New York, maintaining Filipino culture and tradition in their family was very important. “My mom is from Basilan and my dad is from Iloilo. My mom came to the US in 1984 and my dad followed later once she was settled. My two younger sisters and I were all born in the Bronx,” she shared. “I understand Tagalog and Ilonggo, and throughout my schooling years, I performed traditional dances like Tinikiling, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Binasuan and Kappa Malong Malong.” Jiliane’s journey to being a professional personal organizer was not planned, but more of a realization during a time when she was searching the right job. “I was going through a tough time after college, trying to find a stable job—the right job—that still made me happy,” she shared. “I was unemployed for some time and my mentor, Pamela Rhodes, asked me if I would come over to her house to help her organize her office and basement since I was not working. We continuously worked on her home and she helped me realized I actually had a talent and could turn my love for organizing into a business.” That talent for organizing, however, was already in her before that. Jiliane said that she has always like things to be in an orderly fashion. “My earliest memories go

back to when I was four years old and lining up all my Barney fan club VHS [tapes] in order of when I received them,” she said and then added, “For long as I can remember, I have always had fun visualizing how a space should be organized. Whether it was my toys, books or school binders, I was always rearranging things to find the right fit.” TOO has helped many of its clients—ranging from individuals to families to small businesses—to organize their space. “Most of my work involves garage organization, home office makeovers and relocation preparation and coordination,” she said. She also said that garages are usually hot spots for clutter build up, so she works with the client to determine what they really need, which clutter to dispose and figure out a way to store what is left. Also, since each person’s situation is different, so she Jiliane does not have a set price. “Each client’s individual needs are assessed with a free on-site consultation and then a project or hourly rate is determined,” she said. As the sole owner of TOO, Jiliane’s current challenge is not having enough hands to help her. “When bigger projects like garages or move preparation, having more hands on deck definitely makes the work go faster and allows me to focus my energy on the client,” she shared. Her goal for this year to grow and find more people to be part of her crew, people she can call on for help for bigger projects. At present, she has a blog with three regular contributors and collaborates with her alma mater, Franklin University Switzerland for internships. “I’m always looking for blog contributors and am currently expanding my business to include crew members to help me on bigger projects,” she said. She looks ahead to the future and plans to have a team and offices in New York and Texas, apart from what she has here in the San FranciscoBay Area. “That way I have an East Coast-Third Coast-West Coast connection! I am also

Organizing 101: How to declutter your home, workspace and life

A home office gets organized

looking into becoming a certified life coach one day. I love helping people, not only with their physical clutter, but with life’s challenges, too,” Jiliane shared. “I enjoy listening to people, helping them figure out their frustrations and goals, and working together to tackle challenges and develop a plan to help them achieve those goals. When you have big decisions to make, I think it helps when you have someone looking from the outside-in.” This is also the reason why she believes some people need a professional organizer. Having fresh eyes, an organizer can see things in a different perspective. “Additionally, professional organizers are constantly keeping up with the

latest organizational tools, systems and methods and can provide the best recommendations for how to store things given your budget and space constraints,” Jiliane explained. “Most importantly, professional organizers hold high standards of confidentiality. Some might hesitate to ask a family member or friend for help for fear of embarrassment. Professional organizers do clutter for a living, so we do not judge anyone by what we see (because we’ve seen a lot!).” Jiliane is also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and can always find an organizer in their directory that can work in your area.

Pia Wurtzbach: Sharing Miss U crown with Miss Colombia would be ‘difficult’ by ChuCk

sMith

42 years since we last won, so everybody’s been anticipating MANILA—Pia Wurtzbach to finally get the crown. And has begun her first official day we finally did it.” as the 64th Miss Universe. The 26-year-old beauty To begin her reign, Pia queen made international made media rounds and apheadlines for her win in the peared in US morning shows Miss Universe pageant last year such as Good Morning America after show host Steve Harvey and Live! With Michael and mistakenly announced Miss Kelly on Monday, Jan. 4. Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as “It was very exciting. Of the winner. course, I wanted to win. I joined Former Miss Universe ownMiss Philippines three times just er Donald Trump suggested to earn the sash that says Philthat the pageant name Pia and ippines. And of course, I want Ariadna as co-winners. to win Miss Universe,” she told When asked about this, Good Morning America host Pia said, “I think it would be a Lara Spencer when asked about little bit difficult for two girls to her Miss Universe experience. share the crown.” Pia added, “In the Philip“But I have high hopes pines, it’s a big deal. It’s been that this would give great opPhilstar

portunities for me and Miss Colombia and the rest of the contestants,” she said. Nonetheless, Pia said she is sure Ariadna “will do very well” after the pageant and the controversy. She also revealed greeting the Colombian beauty queen on her birthday last December 25. “I understand how she feels. I’m also concerned with her. And I know she’s a beautiful young lady. Very talented. And I think that she’ll have other opportunities,” she said. Pia also recalled her experience during the Miss Universe pageant in her interview with Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan of the US morning show Live! With Michael and Kelly!

“When I was announced as the first runner-up initially, I was just thinking to myself, ‘Okay, I made it this far, I’m pretty sure I made the country proud and that’s good enough for me’,” she shared. “But when he announced that I was in fact the winner, of course I was even more excited.” She added, “I mean, I joined Miss Universe because I wanted to win. And I finally got it. I took me a long time to get here.” Revealing that she spent the holidays in New York City for the first time, Kelly and Michael asked Pia what she did on New Year’s Eve. “I did something touristy, as they say. I watched the ball Continued on Page SF3

THE start of a new year is the perfect time to get organized since many of us set goals and resolutions. However, most of the time we get overwhelmed that we tend to stop before we even start. Professional organizer and Founder of The Organization Organization Jiliane Patriarca said that having an organized home and/or workspace can have a huge impact on our mental and emotional being. With this in mind, she shared a few tips on how to put things in order: • Start small. Choosing one place in your home or workspace that is cluttered helps you focus. “Set a timer for 30 minutes and focus on that area,” Jiliane said. “Set some time aside, maybe once a day or once a week, to organize another area. You’ll be surprised what you can do if you really focus. • Set boundaries. “This is one of the easiest ways to stay organized,” she said. Having a designated spot for things like keys, sunglasses and mail helps you avoid losing these things. “If you have a home office and a creative studio in one room, set an imaginary line that separates the two so that your administrative things don’t spill over into your creative things,” she added. “If you have boundaries set and make sure you stick to them, you’re already being — and keeping things — more organized. • Learn how to let go. “I like to ask myself, ‘Have I used this item in the last year?’ and ‘Can I think of a place now where it belongs or can be used?’ If my answer to both of those questions is no, then I take it as a sign that I should probably donate the item,” Jiliane

Photo courtesy of The Organization Organization

shared. She added that unless the item has a significant sentimental value, then it is time to part with it. • Be creatively cheap. For those who like shoes, Jiliane shares this low-budget trick: Use empty shoeboxes you have lying around to put flats and sandals to save space and organize them neatly. “Flats and sandals can be tough to stack — they tend to fall over because they’re not even,” she said. “By keeping them in boxes, you are able to organize the boxes on top of each other, or side by side, which makes it much more visually appealing.” To be more creative, find wrapping paper or duct tape with cute prints and wrap the boxes! • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Clutter can be overwhelming and frustrating! It’s sometimes hard to get started because you don’t know where to start,” she said. “This is most often the reason why people need a professional organizer. With our fresh eyes, we can help you get started and develop a plan that will make the space work for you; so that you are in control of it, not it being in control of you.” Jiliane and The Organization Organization can help you get started and help you lead a less physically and mentally cluttered life! For inquiries, contact jiliane@ theorganizationorg.com. You can also log on to their website at www.theorganizationorg.com, read their blog at http://blog.theorganizationorg.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/theorganizationorg Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/theorganizationorg/ Twitter: https://twitter. com/theorg2

Liza Soberano celebrates 18th birthday with bohemian-themed party MANILA—ABS-CBN actress Liza Soberano marked her 18th birthday with a bohemianthemed party on Sunday, Jan. 3. The party was held at the Club Balai Isabel in Batangas. According to reports, the party was a surprise for Liza. Only family members and a few close friends attended the event. Liza celebrated her 18th birthday on Monday, Jan. 4. Her manager Ogie Diaz also revealed in an Instagram post that her siblings flew from the United States to attend Liza’s 18th birthday party. In an interview with Philstar. com last year, the actress said she wanted to celebrate her debut with charity events.

Liza Soberano celebrates her 18th birthday with a surprise party in Batangas on January 3, Sunday. Photo from Nice Print Photography’s Instagram account

She held her charity birthday party last week. (Philstar. com)

entertainment SF3 The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE – January 8, 2016

Talent, boyfriend seek justice after ‘cursing, humiliation’ from director Cathy Molina by YujI

vIncent gonzales

coping with stress, adding that it has been more than a year A TALENT in ABS-CBN tele- since she and her boyfriend, historian and educator Alvin vision series Forevermore took to social media to air her griev- Campomanes from the University of the Philippines, filed a ances against director Cathy complaint before the broadcast Garcia-Molina, whom she said cursed and humiliated her boy- giant. “Sabi ng mga nakakakilala friend who agreed to play a role as substitute actor in the former sa inyo, wala raw personalan, stressed ka lang, ganoon taprimetime drama in 2014. laga. Unawain ka na lang… Ga“Hindi kasi kaya ng sikmura ko ang pagmumura niyo sa mga noon ba talaga ‘pag stressed? ekstra. Sagad sa buto. Napaka- Dapat kang maging insensitive sakit para sa akin na mura-mura- sa damdamin ng ibang tao para hin niyo nang pauli-ulit ang boy- guminhawa ang pakiramdam friend ko sa harap ng maraming mo?” Domingo said, demandtao. Nakatatak sa alaala ko ang ing an apology from the director. mga ngisi at tawanan ng mga “Marahil alam niyo na noon staff at cameramen niyo kapag na may na-offend kayong tao nagpapakawala kayo ng mga mura,” said Rossellyn Domingo pero wala lang kayong pakialam dahil kayo si Direk Cathy in a Facebook note. G. O baka sakali, hindi lang Domingo said a boss from ABS-CBN told them that Molina kayo aware sa bigat ng inyong nagawa, kahit isang taon na was “known for cursing in the kaming nagfa-follow up sa set” and that was her way of Inquirer.net

ABS-CBN at ilang beses na ring napangakuan na paghaharapharapin tayo,” she added. Domingo shared a copy of the complaint they filed on Oct. 22, 2014 addressed to ABS-CBN broadcast head Cory Vidanes. Campomanes, one of those often invited by networks for interviews during historical commemorations, said he wrote the letter “to the protest the indignities” that he had suffered as talent in a location shooting of Forevermore on Oct. 6-7, 2014 in Baguio. Campomanes lamented how Molina said that the soap was meant to “teach it values” to its viewers as she led the prayer on the first taping day, but noted that her “pious pronouncements” supposedly contradicted her treatment of bit players. “Her hypocrisy was dis-

Pia Wurtzbach: Sharing Miss U... From Page SF2 drop,” she said. The ball drop is the Times Square Ball, a popular holiday event located in New York City’s Time Square. Here, the ball descends down a special flagpole at 11:59 p.m. on December 31, resting at midnight to signal the start of the New Year. “I was very close to it. I could see it. And I was watching. And I was thinking, ‘At which part does it actually drop?’ I was waiting for it. And while we were doing the countdown, because I was looking at the clock instead, I didn’t realize where the ball went ‘till afPia Wurtzbach begins her duties as the 64th Miss Universe by making media rounds and granting TV interviews. The 26-year-old beauty queen appeared on US morning shows such as “Good Morning America” terwards. I had review my video to find out what happened to and “Live! With Michael and Kelly!” on Monday, Jan. 4. Screengrab from “Live! With Michael and Kelly!” Youtube account the ball,” Pia quipped.

“Forevermore” cast.

concerting to watch. She was servile to Luz Fernandez, courteous to Joe Gruta, solicitous to Liza Soberano, and friendly to Joey Marquez and Irma Adlawan. Liza committed a lot of mistakes in delivering simple lines, but the director shielded her from criticism. She never uttered anything that could embarrass the young actress. This sensitiveness to the feelings of others however, was selective; it was only for stars and veteran actors,” he said.

The academic said Molina instructed talents on set by “shouting, insulting, and spitting of curses.” “I was verbally abused.’P***** i**! Ang hirap turuan!’ ‘K**** ina!’ ‘P*****t ka, Makoy!’ At that point, I remember Joey Marquez spared me from further humiliation by coaching me on how to position my body for that particular scene. I believe he was uncomfortable seeing me endure all those hurtful remarks, aware

as he was that his daughter Winwyn was my student in San Beda,” Campomanes said. “As a matter of prudence, I struggled to maintain my composure. I did not want to engage a woman who is almost as old as my parents in a shouting match. I am the better person. I was raised well by my parents. I was formed well by my teachers. I am an educator. I had the moral ascendancy,” he added. Campomanes said things Continued on Page SF4

‘Heneral Luna’ misses Oscars shortlist by Ivan

angelo l. de lara Inquirer

DESPITE its critical and box office success in the Philippines, Jerrold Tarog’s Heneral Luna has failed to make it to the shortlist of movies vying for the 88th Academy Awards or Oscars’ Best Foreign Language Film. The Academy Awards posted on its website in December a list of the films that are being considered for the award, which continues to elude Filipino movies. The films that are on the shortlist are: Belgium’s The Brand New Testament; Colombia’s Embrace of the Serpent; Denmark’s A War; Finland’s The Fencer; France’s Mustang; Germany’s Labyrinth of Lies; Hungary’s Son of Saul; Ireland’s Viva; and

John Arcilla as Heneral Luna

Jordan’s Theeb. Several hundred members of the Academy Awards selected the films on the shortlist from mid-October until December 14. The nine films in contention will be narrowed down to the final five nominees by committees from New York,

Los Angeles and London. The final list of nominees will be announced on January 14. In December 2015, it was also announced that “Heneral Luna” failed to make the cut for the best foreign language film of the Golden Globes.

SF4

celebrityworld The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 8, 2016

celebrity world By Ferdie Villar IT’S the start of the year and again, we set goals for ourselves hoping that we get to religiously do them. Just like us, showbiz personalities have their own list of resolutions that they intend to achieve. Here are some of the celebrities who have shared their plans on how to live their life better and fuller this 2016. Kris Aquino: The Queen of All Media actually has twenty resolutions she shared on her blog and most of it is prioritizing her family and health. Top of her list is spending “quality time” with her sons Josh and Bimby. “My sons will grow up each year, much faster than the previous year, no matter how much I pray to keep them as my babies forever,” she said. She also shared the importance of spending more time with her siblings President Noynoy Aquino, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky AquinoAbelleda, and Viel AquinoDee. “My siblings deserve more of my company whether they want it or not,” she stated. “At the end of the day, we can cry together, wipe our tears away, laugh at life’s surprises and appreciate just how blessed we are to get along.” Her other resolutions include focusing on just a small circle of friends who are inspiring and positive, as well as “letting go of the one who didn’t have the ability to hold on.” Aside from relationships, Kris would also like to take care of health more, due to the problems she had encountered last year. Maja Salvador: The sexy actress is hoping to be healthier this year by gong on a balanced diet and doing more workouts. She also intends to focus on her finances, by saving more for her future. Lovi Poe: On her Instagram, the young actress said that she is ready to be “fearless” and posted, “When

Shown in photo are Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves, actor/recording artist JD Charisma, beauty impressario Ferdie Villar, fashionista Susan Navarro-Pacifico, Daly City Vice Mayor Dave Canepa and Rudy Vitug during the Christmas Party of the United Pinoy Silicon Valley last Dec. 18 at Grange Hall.

Actress Maja Salvador’s resolutions for the new year include staying healthy by eating a balanced diet, going on more workouts and saving for the future.

United Pinoy Silicon Valley’s President Ted Ramirez (2nd from left) received a Certificate of Recognition for his leadership in a Filipino organization in San Jose. The certificate was presented by Daly City Vice Mayor Dave Canepa (far left) at the organization’s Christmas party last Dec. 16 at Grange Hall. Also in photo are Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves and San Jose socialite Susan Pacifico. did being ‘okay’ become good enough? Time to aim for happiness and self fulfillment...If it means taking some risks and stepping out of your comfort zone.” Maxene Magalona: The actress’ resolution is plain and simple—no to negativity this year.

Bianca Gonzalez-Intal: The model, TV host and new mother has posted on her Instagram that her theme for this year is #PUSH2016. That being said, she explained that she will push herself to always do better as a wife, mother, friend, career woman and citizen.

A photo of singer-actress Sharon Cuneta’s Calabasas mansion.

detailed wainscoting and a living room with a fireplace sit off the formal entry,” said the LA Times. Inside Cuneta’s mansion is a family room, a library or a study room, and a center-island

Photo from Sharon Cuneta’s Facebook Page

kitchen, the report said. Outside the mansion is a lawn with a covered patio, a swimming pool with a spa and a waterfall, a built-in barbecue grill, and a sunken trampoline. (Inquirer.net)

Toni, Paul admit time a challenge in married life MANILA—Now that they’re married, Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano admit that time is a major issue in their relationship. In an interview with ABSCBN morning show Kris TV aired Monday, Jan. 4 Toni said she and her director-husband have had major arguments about their time for each other. “The major ones are always (about) time,” the actress said when asked if she and Paul have had arguments during the six months they have spent as husband and wife. It can be remembered that Toni went back to work to host the reality show Pinoy Big Brother only days after she and Paul tied the knot in June. She is currently working on the upcoming ABSCBN drama Written In Our Stars with Piolo Pascual. “Kasi there was a time, I would get home late na, mga 10pm, and she’s not home yet. She’s taping... Me, now being a husband, I don’t want her on the road at 2am. I get a little bit

Actress Maxene Magalona has one simple but meaningful resolution for 2016. That is, to say no to any negativity coming her way.

Shown in photo is TV host and model Bianca Gonzalez and her husband, basketball player JC Intal with their daughter, Lucia. Bianca aims to be a better mother and wife, this year. (Photo from Instagram @iamsuperbianca)

Sharon Cuneta sells LA mansion

“HOME thousands of miles away” was how singer-actress Sharon Cuneta described her Calabasas mansion in Los Angeles in a photo she posted on her Facebook page in 2014. But a recent report from the Los Angeles Times said Cuneta is selling her Calabasas Mansion for $2.195 million. LA Times said Cuneta bought the mansion, which she considers “a happy place,” six years ago at $2 million. Built in 1997, the twostorey mansion “opens to a grand foyer with marble floors, an elaborate chandelier and a sweeping staircase” and “a dining room done in

New year, new resolutions of celebrities

Doug Kramer: The basketball player and model has expressed his goal of being more prayerful this year. “One of the most powerful tools out there, and the only way you can talk to our God,” he posted. So my dear readers, what are your resolutions for this year?

Queen of All Media Kris Aquino has decided Actress Lovi Poe is aiming to be more fearless to focus on her family this year as well as this 2016 by being happier and taking risks. taking care of health.

Aljur Abrenica shines in ‘Hermano Puli’ teaser

WITH the success of the historical biopic Heneral Luna, which went on to become the highest grossing Filipino independent film of all time, another historical film is set to make its mark into the consciousness of Filipino moviegoers. Aljur Abrenica plays the role of Hermano Puli, a Filipino hero from Lucban, Quezon who was the first to lead a revolt against the Spaniards in a bid to gain religious independence. The teaser, which lasts 1:15 minutes, was released last month and has since been making the rounds online after being shared by excited fans. Hermano Puli was supposedly one of the entries in the 41st Metro Manila Film Festival but it withdrew due to lack of funding.

Aljur Abrenica as Hermano Puli

It was replaced by the film Honor Thy Father which was later disqualified in the Best Picture race. Directed by Gil Portes, Hermano Puli stars Louise Delos Reyes, Enzo Pineda, Menggie Cubarrubias, Kristoffer Martin, Arnold Reyes, Markki Stroem,Simon Ibarra, Vin Abren-

ica, Allen Abrenica, Sue Prado, Kiko Matos, Stella Canete, Diva Montelaba, Abel Estanislao, and Alvin Fortuna. No release date has been announced for the said film but based on the comments on its Facebook page, it will be shown during the second half of 2016. (Inquirer.net)

Talent, boyfriend seek justice... From Page SF3

Toni Gonzaga: “This 2016, the goal is to be the best wife for Paul.”

weary. [I ask her], ‘Where are you?’ And she keeps texting, ‘Stop texting, I’m working!’” Paul said. But Toni and Paul said they also continuously work on their time issues. Toni also said she aims to be better wife for her husband this year. “The great thing about it was, after PBB, we did almost two weeks of straight of just the two of us,” Paul said. Toni added: “Lagi niyang sinasabi, ‘I don’t want to be your free-time husband, kung kailangan ka lang may free time. I want you to be my wife when I

Photo from Toni Gonzaga’s Instagram account

need you.’” “So sabi ko, ‘Okay, okay, this 2016, the goal is to be the best wife for Paul,’” she said. The 31-year-old actress-TV host said it’s important that she and Paul learn how to meet halfway. “He tells me naman na he’s not asking me to stop. He’s just asking for one little thing. He just wants me to be his wife. Tapos nag-usap kami na this is my heart’s desire. I also want to be the best wife for you but I also have dreams. Magme-meet lang talaga kayo halfway,” she said. (Philstar.com)

did not get better on the second taping day as he was “denigrated” again by the director for committing errors in blocking. “I remember her shouting the following: “Makoy! Nasaan ang camera mo!” “T*** i**!”and “Alam mo, ikaw, inutil ka.” I saw how people in the production staff grinned and laughed at me. The director did not tell them to stop,” he recalled, saying that she finished the scene “despite the mental and emotional anguish.” He also scored talent coordinator John Leonardo, who supposedly asked him to be absent in his class to shoot another sequence the fol-

lowing morning despite their agreement of just a day of shooting and pay the amount that he would lose from his absence. “I kept on asking John if there are still sequences to be shot on that day. I reminded him of our agreement. Instead of being grateful that I stayed for another day, he told me this: ‘Ang kulit-kulit mo! Galit na galit si direk sa ‘yo.’ I answered him politely: ‘Alam mo namang hindi ko linya ito, first time kong umarte sa telebisyon.’ He immediately retorted with a rudeness that I will remember for a long time: ‘Ay nako! kahit na!’ he said. Campomanes and Domingo dropped their roles and left

the following morning. Campones called on ABS-CBN to impose disciplinary actions against Molina and Leonardo as a “challenge of integrity” to prove that its core values are more important than “ratings, revenues, and profits.” “We are so used to television networks exposing corruption in government. But there is also much to be exposed in the rotten system of talent recruitment for television and film. For example, do networks really know how much are the talents being paid for long hours of work? In a system devoid of transparency, bit players cannot even know how many middle men are taking cuts from their pittance,” he added.

entertainment

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The Asian Jour nal SF MAGAZINE - January 8, 2016

McDonald’s USA introduces new value Janine Gutierrez secure about relationship with Elmo Magalona menu, gives customers more flexibility by

AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer

KAPUSO star Janine Gutierrez doesn’t mind Elmo Magalona transferring to another network, saying that she isn’t about to become a hindrance to her boyfriend’s bid for career growth—even if that also meant him being paired with other actresses. “It was a new step for him; he’s focused and excited. I’ll do my best to support him, because I want him to fulfill his dreams! I’m rooting for him,” she says of Elmo, who’s now with ABS-CBN and is currently the screen partner of Janella Salvador. Work, Janine points out, remains their priority. Although she’s expecting the possibility of Elmo being romantically linked to his new costar, the young actress feels secure about her relationship, which she says is “getting stronger.” Sound advice “He said nice things about me in his recent interviews,” she says, adding that she won’t let intrigues affect her and Elmo, adding that,

if there’s one thing she has learned from her parents, Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher, it’s to never readily believe everything she hears. “We’ll make sure to listen to each other first,” says the 26year-old actress. “We’ll take things one day at a time.” Meanwhile, Janine, who’s part of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Buy Now, Die Later by director Randolph Longjas, says 2015 has been a year of many firsts for her—movies, magazine covers, commercials, etc. “I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I realized that a lot of things I’ve been praying for came true, and I hope the blessings continue to pour in next year,” she says. She’s especially proud of being able to work with her mother, as well as grandmother Nora Aunor in the GMA 7 show, Karelasyon. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m sure many actors also dream of working with Lola,” says Janine, who vows to continue improving her craft. Aside from Buy Now, she will be part of two indie

Kean Cipriano and Chynna Ortaleza

‘Always love:’ Kean Cipriano, Chynna Ortaleza tie the knot by

MArc JAyson cAyAbyAb Inquirer

CALLALILy vocalist Kean Cipriano and GMA talent Chynna Ortaleza tied the knot on New year’s Eve. The Cipriano and Ortaleza took to their respective Instagram accounts to announce their marriage as well as their New year’s greetings to their followers. The couple cited a passage from the Corinthians in the Bible, which said “Love is patient, love is kind.” The photo showed their fingers wearing their wedding rings. “Always Love. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8: Love is patient,

love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails,” the newly wed couple said. “Our love and gratitude to our Cipriano and Ortaleza Families! Happy new year!! God bless you all!” they added. Ortaleza also changed her name on Instagram to Chynna Ortaleza-Cipriano.

Cristine Reyes: Wedding will push through MANILA—Cristine Reyes said her wedding with Ali Khatibi will push through this month. The couple first announced in the ABS-CBN morning magazine show Kris TV that their wedding will be on January 27. “Tuloy na tuloy po,” she replied when asked if her wedding will push through, in an interview in the late-night talk show Tonight with Boy Abunda on Monday, Jan. 4. “Sinadya po namin na private lang talaga. It’s just me, Ali, the pastor, the wife of the pastor and some witnesses.” She added that they’ll have another wedding where they’ll be celebrating with their friends. “Magkakaro’n pa rin kami ng another wedding, later on, when everything is settled na,” she explained. “Kasi right now ang daming nasa plate namin ni Ali, e. May work, Amarah, new house, ang dami.” Meanwhile, the Kapamilya actress admitted that she’s a jealous type of partner to Ali. “Hindi ko ide-deny na selosa ako talaga. Selosang, selosang,

Cristine Reyes said that her wedding with Ali Khatibi will push through this month, and will be attended only by the pastor and some witnesses. Instagram/ Cristine Reyes’ account selosa ako,” she said, but she denied limiting her husband’s interactions with other people. Cristine is part of one episode in the upcoming film Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin, where she stars with Antoinette Taus, Jason Gainza and Paolo Ballesteros. She’ll also soon star in the upcoming TV series Tubig at Langis, her reunion project with Zanjoe Marudo. (Joyce Jimenez/Philstar. com)

Janine Gutierrez

films, Lila and Dagsin, which are slated for next year’s Sinag Maynila and Cinemalaya fests, respectively. “I just want to do good work… I want to be good at what I do. I’ll work hard and take on more roles,” Janine says. “I’ll respect my craft and the people I work with!”

OAK BROOK, IL– McDonald’s is introducing a new value menu promotion that allows customers the choice of mixing and matching value menu items to make a personalized combination meal. Named McPick 2 for $2, this menu gives customers the option to mix and match two value items for $2. The McPick 2 for $2 Menu will be available from Jan. 4 through Feb. 8 and includes the choice of the McDouble, McChicken, Small Fry or new Mozzarella Sticks. For example, customers can choose a McDouble with a small fry for $2 or a McChicken with an order of Mozzarella Sticks, also for $2. “A learning from offering All Day Breakfast is that when we listen to our customers, they reward us,” said Deborah Wahl, chief marketing officer, McDonald’s USA. “Not everyone wants the same thing, so we are offering a new way to help our customers have a more personalized experience. Offering both great tasting food and value is another example of how we are changing and building a

better McDonald’s.” The announcement builds on a number of notable changes McDonald’s USA made throughout 2015, including: • Bringing customers their number one request – All Day Breakfast • Refreshing some customer favorites like the new Egg McMuffin now served on a warm, toasted English muffin with real butter and prepared with a freshly cracked grade-A egg plus extra lean Canadian bacon and a slice of melted American cheese • Bringing back Cuties, California-grown clementines, as a seasonal fresh fruit choice in Happy Meals • Moving from liquid margarine to real butter on English muffins, biscuits and bagels on the breakfast menu • Offering yoplait GoGURT low fat strawberry yogurt with 25% less sugar than the leading kids’ yogurt* • Adding kale and spinach to our salads • Using real buttermilk in our Buttermilk Crispy Chicken • Committing to source chicken raised without anti-

biotics important to human medicine** in the US by 2017*** • Transitioning to cage-free eggs over the next 10 years in the US and Canada McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to approximately 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds. com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. * GoGurt® at McDonald’s has 6g of sugar per 2.25 oz. The leading kids’ yogurt has 9g of sugar per 2.25 oz. ** Antibiotics important to human medicine is a WHO classification. *** Farmers will still use a class of antibiotics called Ionophores to keep chickens healthy.

*Advertising Supplement

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The Asian Jo ur na l SF M A G A Z I NE - J a nua ry 8 , 2 0 1 6

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