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Vol. 4. No. 49

LOS ANGELES

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Wednesday - Tuesday, September 2 - 8, 2015

PHL seeks US ‘assistance’ in South China Sea

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes United States Pacific Command chief Admiral Harry Harris during the courtesy call at the Study Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (August 26). (MNS photo)

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 8/27/2015 – The Philippines has asked the US to provide military “assistance” in resupplying and rotating Manila’s forces in the South China Sea because they face harassment from regional power China, a military spokesman said Thursday. The request was made the previous day by Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in a meeting with Admiral Harry Harris, head of US Pacific Command, according to Colonel Restituto Padilla. “It was a specific request on the part of the secretary of national defense to Admiral Harris to get their assistance in... resupplying and rotating troops,” Padilla told AFP. “They just took our requests and the details still have to be discussed,” Padilla said, adding that the American officer made no commitment. Padilla said the request pertained in particular to the “West Philippine Sea”, Manila’s term for the South China Sea.

Harris, who oversees American forces across Asia, met Wednesday with Philippine President Benigno Aquino. On Thursday, he visited the Philippine military command on the western island of Palawan, the closest landmass to the South China Sea. A Philippine military statement said his visit was to familiarize himself with “the situation on the ground”. In his meetings, Harris had outlined a freshly drafted Pentagon report highlighting issues in the South China Sea, Padilla said earlier. Tensions have risen in recent years between the Philippines and China due to conflicting territorial claims over these waters, including the Spratly islands located there. Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also have claims to parts or all of the South China Sea, which is a vital maritime route, a rich fishing ground and which may hold vast mineral resources. In asking for US assistance, See US ASSISTANCE, page 2

Henry Sy still PHL’s richest PHL economic growth quickens person, says Forbes Asia MANILA, Aug 27 (Mabuhay) – Property, retail and banking tycoon Henry Sy has retained his title as the country’s richest person for the eighth consecutive year. Sy saw his net worth increase as the value of his publicly-traded conglomerates, SM Investments and SM Prime Holdings, rose by 17 percent and 20 percent respectively over the past year. According to Forbes, the Top 10 richest in the Philippines are: Henry Sy – $14.4 billion John Gokongwei Jr. – $5.5 billion Andrew Tan – $4.5 billion Lucio Tan – $4.3 billion Enrique Razon Jr. – $4.1 billion George Ty – $4 billion Aboitiz Family – $3.6 billion

Jaime Zobel de Ayala & family – $3.5 billion David Consunji – $3.2 billion Tony Tan Caktiong – $2.2 billion The list was compiled using shareholding and financial information obtained from the families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts and other sources. Unlike the Forbes billionaire rankings, this list includes family fortunes, including those shared among extended families such as that of John Gokongwei Jr. and his relatives. Net worths are based on stock prices and exchange rates as of the close of markets on August 14. Private companies were valued based on similar companies that are publicly traded. (MNS)

to 5.6% in Q2

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 8/27/2015 – Philippine economic growth quickened in the second quarter, the government said Thursday, placing the country in a better position to weather the global fallout from China’s economic woes. Officials credited the growth to “prudent fiscal management” and policies pursued by President Benigno Aquino, which has helped transform the country into one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. Boosted by higher government spending, the April to June gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.6 percent, outpacing the 5.0-percent growth in the previous quarSee ECONOMIC GROWTH, page 2

Why Belmonte wants Cayetano as Roxas’ running mate

MANILA, Aug 27 (Mabuhay) – House Speaker Sonny Belmonte is still suggesting that Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas get Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as his vice presidential running mate. “Ako naman paminsan-minsan hinihingan ng opinyon. Ang opinyon ko, kung ako, ang pinakamatapang na nakikita ko riyang senador [ang] kunin natin... si Alan Cayetano,” Belmonte said in an ambush interview in MandaSee BELMONTE, page 2

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Still too early to Dictator’s son Bongbong say who LDP will mulls presidential run support in 2016: Sonny Angara MANILA, Aug 27 (Mabuhay) – One of the political parties that coalesced with the ruling Liberal Party (LP) coalition in the 2013 elections has yet to decide who among the potential presidential candidates will receive its support in 2016. Senator Sonny Angara, son of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) president Edgardo Angara, said members of their party are scheduled to meet on October. “Sa akin, maaga pa, dapat antayin natin yung programs and See TOO EARLY, page 2

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Wednesday 8/26/2015 – The son and namesake of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos said Wednesday he may run for president in next year’s elections, offering his once-exiled family the chance of the ultimate political comeback. Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, popularly known as “Bongbong”, said he would not seek a second term as senator and was aiming for “higher office”, which in the Philippines can only be president or vice president. “The discussions I have been having with different groups, with other individuals have really centred on higher office,” the 57-year-

old said on ABS-CBN television. Asked directly if he would run for president or vice president, Marcos said: “It’s extremely difficult to make a decision at this point.” Ferdinand Marcos Snr ruled the Philippines for two decades until 1986 when millions of people took to the streets in a famous “people power” revolution. The Marcos family fled to the United States, and the patriarch died in exile in Hawaii in 1989. The rest of the family, headed by controversial matriarch Imelda, returned in 1991 and began a successful political comeback despite accusations the

From left, Judges Mel “Red” Recana, Tomson Ong, Ralph Ongkeko, Lisa Chung, Bernie LaForteza, Rob Villeza, Teresa Magno and Julian Recana.

Filipino-American judge honored in historic enrobing ceremony By Nimfa U. Rueda

LOS ANGELES – The newest Filipino-American judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court was formally honored in a historic swearing-in and enrobing ceremony at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles earlier this week. Julian Recana made history when he was named judge by California Governor Jerry Brown last month. He and his father, LA Superior Court Judge Mel “Red” Recana, became the first Fil-Am father and son judges to serve in the California judiciary. “This is a dream-come-true for a father,” Mel Recana, who was appointed by Brown to the LA Superior Court 34 years ago, told this reporter.

“Instead of pride, what I feel is humility and gratitude. I thank the good Lord and the people who helped us.” “This is life changing for me,” said Julian Recana in his remarks at the ceremony held on Thursday. He thanked his father for coaching and inspiring him. “I feel so proud to be a FilipinoAmerican right now,” Julian said later in an interview. Centered on Family The emotional ceremony turned out to be a celebration of family. Julian was sworn in by his father, Mel. He was enrobed by his wife, Alexis, and his two daughters, Ava and Julia. Ava also led the pledge of allegiance and Julia See FIL-AM JUDGE, page 2

Ampatuan massacre trial hearings to finish by year-end: top judge Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 8/27/2015 – Trial hearings of defendants accused of the massacre of 58 people in the Philippines will finish by the end of the year, the country’s chief justice vowed Thursday. Prosecution and defense lawyers will finish presenting evidence by the end of 2015, after which the judge has 90 days to issue a verdict, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno told reporters. “It is excruciatingly slow for the victims’ families. That is not debatable, it is painful, there must be closure,” Sereno said. The trial involves members of the influential Ampatuan clan which allegedly ordered the slaughter of 58 people, including 32 journalists, in the conflict-wracked province of Maguindanao in November 2009 in an attempt to crush a rival clan’s election challenge. The brutal massacre, one of the world’s deadliest attacks against media workers, saw some shot in their genitals before they were buried in a hilltop grave using an excavator. The slow pace of the trial has angered the families of the victims and frustrated President Benigno Aquino, who has promised a verdict before he steps down from office in mid-2016. Widows of victims spoke out last month after one of the princiSee AMPATUAN, page 2

See BONGBONG, page 2

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BONGBONG From page 1

presidential couple stole billions in state coffers and oversaw widespread human rights abuses. “Bongbong” Marcos won a Senate position in 2010, the first time since his father’s demise that a family member had won a nationally elected post. The Marcos matriarch, famous for her luxurious lifestyle, has also since 2010 been a member of parliament, representing her husband’s northern stronghold of Ilocos Norte province.

AMPATUAN From page 1

pal accused, Andal Ampatuan Sr, died of liver cancer while under hospital guard. Sereno said the court has resolved most of the bail petitions that caused much of the delays in the six-year long proceedings. Two sons of Andal Ampatuan Sr, Andal Jnr and Zaldy, are among 100 people on trial for one of the world’s most shocking mass murders. The Ampatuans ruled Maguindanao for over a decade under

the patronage of then-president Gloria Arroyo, who had tolerated the clan’s private army as a buffer against Muslim separatist rebels. Widow Merly Perante, whose journalist husband Ronnie was among those slain, said she was cheered by Sereno’s announcement but stressed that getting justice was still her priority. “I accept that the process can be lengthy, as long as we are not disappointed with the result, as long as they get convicted and get the right punishment,” she told AFP.

TOO EARLY From page 1

yung pag-file [ng candidacy],” Angara, who ran under the Team PNoy coalition in 2013, said. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy on October 12 to 16, 2015. Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is presumed to be the standard bearer of the LP after getting the endorsement of President Benigno Aquino III. Angara noted that in the 2010 presidential elections, the LDP implemented a “free zone arrangement” wherein the party members can freely choose whom among the candidates they will support. Angara said that while he cannot speak for his party, “it will be nice to have some continuity.”

FIL-AM JUDGE From page 1

sang “God Bless America.” The event was dedicated to Julian’s mother, the late physician Emerita Recana. “Mom always said family comes first,” said Alexis, in her speech at the packed courtroom, with judges, district attorneys, lawyers, and Fil-Am community leaders in the audience. She described Julian as a loving husband and father who made family his priority. “We are very proud of him,” said Judge Tomson Ong, one of the speakers who took turns honoring Julian. “Very well deserved,” said Judge Teresa Magno, LA Superior Court’s first Fil-Am elected judge. “This is a very special time for us.” Magno, Ong and five other FilAm judges, wearing their black robes, sat in the front row. Also attending the event were Rachelle Arizmendi, the first nonwhite and first Fil-Am member of the City Council of Sierra Madre; Gloria Pulido, who represented her husband Mark Pulido, the first Fil-Am mayor of Cerritos; and Consul General Leo HerreraLim. Kaya ng Pilipino Herrera-Lim said it was a “proud moment” for every Fil-Am. “Pinatunayan ni Julian na kaya ng Pilipino na umakyat, (Julian has proven that the Filipino can

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rise to the top),” he said. Christine Gonong, president of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA), said Julian and the other Fil-Am judges serve as role models for young Fil-Ams who aspire for high positions in government. Judge Julian Recana is a founding officer of the PABA Foundation and a lifetime member of PABA. A veteran prosecutor, Recana served as a deputy district attorney for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1999. He was with the Hardcore Gang Division in Downtown Los Angeles, prosecuting violent, gang-related offenses. He was previously assigned to the Long Beacg Courthouse for 11 years, prosecuting murders in Long Beach and parts of Los Angeles. ‘Exemplary public servant’ Gonong described Recana as “a highly effective trial lawyer who has been recognized by his peers as an outstanding advocate… and an exemplary public servant. Recana was recently honored as the 2015 Prosecutor of the Year by the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association, which recognized him for his “pursuit of justice and dedication to the Asian Pacific Islander community.” He was awarded Deputy District Attorney of the Month in 2014. Recana received his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1992 at the University of California, Berkeley, and his juris doctor egree from Loyola Law School in 1998. He began his career as a contract attorney at Early Maslach Price & Baukol. A reception was held at the nearby Walt Disney Concert Hall featuring performances by the famous Fil-Am a cappella group, The Filharmonic, which was recently seen in the movie, Pitch Perfect 2 and the reality show, The Sing-Off.

BELMONTE From page 1

luyong Thursday. Belmonte believes that “brave” Cayetano would complement Roxas. Belmonte has also advised Roxas to come up with his own platform of government apart from his desire to continue the programs of President Benigno Aquino III. “Kasi si Mar, wala sa character niya ang nang-aatake (on why he should get Cayetano)... Nalaman lang niya paano ipaliwanag ang sarili niya. Maski ako ngayon, ang pinapayo ko sa kanya ay kailangang marinig din natin hindi lamang yung adhikain mo na ipagpatuloy ang mga nagawa ni President Aquino kung hindi kailangang mai-supplement diyan ‘yung sarili mong vision for the next, for your term,” Belmonte said.

ECONOMIC GROWTH From page 1

ter, which was the lowest in three years, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. Despite the rebound, Balisacan said the economy was likely to grow from 6.0 to 6.5 percent for the full year, below the government’s 7.0 to 8.0 percent target. Second quarter growth was also slower than 6.7 percent during the same period last year, data showed. Balisacan and other officials stressed that the growth showed the country could weather the global financial turmoil. “Our economic fundamentals are still strong. We have to make sure we are mindful of the challenges we are facing,” Balisacan told reporters.

US ASSISTANCE From page 1

Padilla said the Philippines had faced Chinese harassment, particularly when resupplying and rotating troops based on a grounded WWII-era ship on a remote shoal in the Spratly islands. China has also recently turned isolated rocky outcroppings in the South China Sea into artificial islands that can host military facilities. The Philippines fears these artificial islands will be used to isolate Filipino outposts in the Spratlys. Padilla conceded the Philippines, which has one of the weakest militaries in the region, lacked the resources to fully protect its own vessels in the area. The Philippines has been seeking to improve its defense relations with the United States and other countries to counterbalance China’s forces.

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Customs most corrupt gov’t agency: SWS MANILA, Aug 28 (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) ranked as the most corrupt among the government agencies in a poll conducted among executives of companies according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Thursday. The survey involved face-to-face interview of executives of 966 companies, 325 of whom were randomly drawn large enterprises, and 641 were randomly drawn small and medium enterprises. Under the category of sincerity in fighting corruption, the BOC placed “very bad” as it ranked from -63 net rating in 2013 to -55 in 2014/15 in the face of the issues surrounding the bureau regarding “balikbayan” boxes. This was followed by Land Transportation Office from -32 to -26; House of Representatives from -28 to -25; Department of Public Works and Highways from -22- to -21; Philippine National Police from -24 to -16 and Department of Agriculture from -19 to -10, all categorized as “poor” by the SWS survery. Placed in the “neutral” category were the Commission on Elections at -6, down from +7 in 2013; Bureau of Internal Revenue at -4, up from -10; Department of Transportation and Communication at -2, a wide slide from +8; Department of Budget and Management at -7, down from +9; Armed Forces of the Philippines at +4, down from +10; Department of Environment and Natural Resources at +6, up from -4; trial courts at +6, down from +9 and Department of Interior and Local Government at +9, which plunged from +20. “Moderate” government agencies in terms of fighting corruption were as follows: Governance Commission for government-owned and -controlled corporation and their own city government at +12, which was tested for the first time; Presidential Commission on Good Government, which improved from -28 to +15; Department of Social Welfare and Development at +24, down from +52; Government Service Insurance System +27, a boost from -5 and Department of Health at +28, down from +53. The Department of Justice ranked “good” at +34, a slight decrease from +35. Included in this category were Commission on Audit at +36, a progress from +22; Office of the Ombudsman at +36, an increase from +23; Sandiganbayan at +37, up from +15; Department of Education at +49, a slight improvement from +43; Civil Service Commission, also tested for the first time, got +41; Supreme Court at +42, a decrease from +36 and Filipino business associations at +49, down from +64. The government agencies that achieved “very good” ratings in fighting corruption are Securities and Exchange Commission (from +55 to +63), Social Security System (from +52 to +57), Office of the President (from +77 to +54) and Department of Trade and Industry (from +58 to +51). The SWS terminology for net sincerity ratings is: excellent, +70 and up; very good, +50 to +69; good, +30 to +49; moderate, +10 to +29; neutral, -9 to +9; poor, -29 to -10; bad, -49 to -30 and very bad -69 to -50. Meanwhile, the survey revealed that a “new low 11% said that government ‘often/almost always’ punishes corrupt government officials.” It also said that 90% agreed that “corruption will be reduced by the passage of a strong law on the right of the people to information from the government.” The SWS survey stated that a “new high 79% said transaction procedures of city/municipal government offices are somewhat/definitely transparent, being solicited for a bribe fell from 50% (2012) to 44% (2013 and 2014/15) and only 13% of those solicited for a bribe reported it.” The same SWS survey added that “72% have good/excellent expectations (record 76% in 2013) for business in the next 2 years.” The 2014/15 survey was conducted from November 14, 2014 to May 12, 2015. The sample enterprises were drawn from seven study areas: Metro Manila, Metro Angeles, Cavite-Laguna-Batangas, Metro Iloilo, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, and Cagayan de Oro-Iligan. (MNS)

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US, Philippines hold talks on boosting military capacity: spokesman Manila, Philippines | AFP | Wednesday 8/26/2015 – America’s Pacific commander held talks with the Philippine military Wednesday on ways to strengthen US capacity in the region to deter conflict and maintain freedom of navigation, a Filipino spokesman said. Admiral Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, outlined a freshly drafted Pentagon report highlighting issues in the South China Sea, where China is in dispute with the Philippines and other neighbours over islands, reefs and waters, said military spokesman Colonel Restituto Padilla. “It is part of our interest to keep that freedom of the seas going because a lot of trade goes on in these areas,” Padilla said of Harris’s meeting with Filipino military chief of staff General Hernando Iriberri. Harris did not speak to the press after meeting Iriberri and later Philippine President Benigno Aquino. Japan and the Philippines – both US military allies – are engaged in tense maritime disputes with China over islands, reefs and waters in the East China Sea and South China Sea, respectively. Some of the South China Sea reefs and waters claimed by China are also disputed by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam as well as the Philip-

pines. Since last year China has been building new islands over reefs there that Manila alleges could become military bases, and which the US and Philippines say could eventually restrict free movement of shipping in international waters. Padilla said the Pentagon report – entitled “Asia Pacific Maritime Security Strategy” – highlighted the importance of the region to the security of the US and its regional allies. “They (Washington) wish to strengthen US military capacity to ensure it can successfully deter conflict and coercion and respond decisively when needed,” Padilla said. There was a “very frank and honest exchange” by Harris and Iriberri over “the challenges that we need to face to ensure that no miscalculation occurs in our part of our seas and in the South China Sea”, Padilla added. The military spokesman said no specific details were discussed on how the US strategy will be put into practice, adding further meetings were expected. US and Filipino troops and navies have been conducting large-scale annual military exercises focusing mainly on maritime capability.

China’s Xi, Obama aide hint at underlying tensions ahead of summit Beijing, China | AFP | Friday 8/28/2015 – Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama’s key national security aide hinted at tensions that divide their countries on Friday ahead of a state visit to Washington by Xi. Meeting in Beijing with US national security adviser Susan Rice, Xi said that he looks forward to continuing a dialogue with Obama next month and working to ensure that China-US relations keep expanding. “China attaches great importance to the growth of the China-US relationship,” Xi said. “We stand ready to further promote our practical cooperation, effectively manage the sensitive issues between us and strengthen the friendship between the people of both countries.” Rice responded that Xi’s visit to the US will provide a “great opportunity” for the two countries “to strengthen and deepen our relationship” as they seek ways to benefit their peoples as well as the world. “At the same time, we obviously have issues of difference and some difficulty that we need to work through and we will continue to do so,” she said. Xi’s visit to the US comes as the countries have shown a willingness to cooperate on global matters ranging securing a nuclear deal with Iran to climate change. But they have also clashed over issues including what Washington and some regional countries see as China’s increasing assertiveness in Asia as well as its territorial disputes with countries close to the US such as the Philippines and Japan. The tone of Rice’s talks with other Chinese officials earlier Friday was similar to her encounter with Xi, highlighting areas of cooperation while recognizing differences. Rice told state councilor Yang Jiechi, China’s top foreign policy official of the latter that both sides “acknowledge their need to be addressed effectively”. Yang said China and the US will stay in close communication on subjects including “the Iran and

North Korean nuclear issues” and climate change, along with questions of “regional rights and interests”. That could refer to the South China Sea and East China Sea, where Beijing is embroiled in territorial disputes with its Southeast Asian neighbors and US treaty ally Japan respectively. ‘Building a healthy relationship’ The US and China, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, participated in negotiations that secured a landmark nuclear deal with Iran last month. Beijing and Washington have also worked together as members of the six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear programme, which also take in Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow and Pyongyang. That forum has been essentially dormant for years though China, which serves as host, supports its revival. Rice also met with Fan Changlong, a vice chairman of the Communist Party’s powerful Central Military Commission, which is chaired by Xi. The US envoy said Washington was “deeply committed to building a healthy, stable, reliable military-to-military relationship with China” and stressed an agreement last year to “reduce the risk of unintended consequences” in encounters. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has recently carried out major land reclamation in the area that analysts say will extend its military reach with the construction of bases and runways. Beijing says the efforts have no aggressive intent and are meant to largely foster maritime safety in the waters, a major global trade artery which Washington says it is committed to keeping open to unhindered navigation. Rice’s visit comes as China prepares to hold a massive military parade next week to commemorate victory over Japan in World War II, though the US, as well as major Western countries, will not be sending top officials to participate.

Austrian migrant tragedy ‘offends humanity’: Pope Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Sunday 8/30/2015 – Pope Francis on Sunday decried the deaths of 71 migrants found in an abandoned truck in Austria last week, calling for effective cooperation to avoid such “crimes that are an offence to the whole of humanity.” He said he joined the Austrian church in prayer for the victims. The abandoned 7.5-tonne truck contained the decomposing bodies of 59 men, eight women, a toddler and three young boys, provoking international revulsion. The dead were thought to be Syrians and Austri-

an police believe they suffocated and that they had been dead for up to two days before the truck was discovered by motorway maintenance workers. “I entrust each of them to the mercy of god,” the pope said. Since becoming the first south American pontiff in 2013, the Argentinian Pope Francis has railed against “the globalization of indifference.” The number of migrants reaching the EU’s borders reached nearly 340,000 during the first seven months of the year, up from 123,500 during the same period in 2014, according to the bloc’s border agency Frontex.

Calls for action on migrant crisis after Austrian tragedy By Csaba Segesvari and Serene Assir In Presevo Reception Camp, Serbia

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Röszke, Hungary | AFP | Friday 8/28/2015 – Calls multiplied Sunday for Europe to finally get to grips with its ever-deadlier migrant crisis after Austria’s horrific truck tragedy, as people continued to pour into Hungary from Serbia despite a newly completed razor-wire barrier. Hungarian police said a fifth suspected human trafficker – a fourth Bulgarian – had been arrested over Thursday’s gruesome discovery of 71 decomposing corpses in an abandoned truck on an Austrian motorway. The truck tragedy, plus yet another Mediterranean shipwreck claiming at least 111 lives, have served as chilling reminders of Europe’s failure to cope with the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants. The United Nations estimates 300,000 people have fled conflict and hardship in the Middle East and Africa for a better life in Europe this year alone. Millions more sit in camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. Some 2,500 have died in the treacherous journey, most drowning in the waters of the Mediterranean after being crammed into unseaworthy boats. European Union home affairs ministers are to hold emergency talks on September 14 in Brussels to try and “strengthen the European response,” the government of Luxembourg, which holds the rotating EU presidency, announced Sunday. “Europe needs to stop being moved and start moving,” Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said, calling again for a fairer distribution of migrants among the European Union’s 28 members.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said that people “fleeing war, persecution, torture, oppression, must be welcomed” and should be treated with “dignity”. And French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius slammed as “scandalous” the attitude of certain EU members in eastern Europe in refusing to accept more migrants. Pope Francis meanwhile called for “effective cooperation” against “crimes that are an offence to the whole of humanity.” ‘Peace be with you’ The migrants crossing the Mediterranean head either for Italy—where another 513 arrived on Sunday, adding to some 108,000 this year—or Greece, which many also reach overland via Turkey. Lots then try to come north, in the case of Greece trekking up through the western Balkans—Macedonia called a state of emergency two weeks ago – bound for EU member Hungary. The journey is exhausting – and expensive. “We can’t afford this at all, and every step of the way we have to pay,” Samar, a 40-year-old from Damascus, told AFP as she waited in the sun for hours at a filthy reception camp in Presevo, Serbia. “We are in a labyrinth, going from queue to queue, and here in Serbia, the police are shouting at us like we are animals,” the mother of two teenage boys said, tears welling in her eyes. Hungary, which this month has recorded 50,000 new arrivals, has responded by completing on Saturday a barrier of three rolls of NATO-standard razor wire along the entire 175-kilometre (110-mile) border with Serbia, patrolled by border police with dogs and 4x4s.

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UTREACH Benefit Galas to kick off Philippine Gold exhibit in NY WASHINGTON, DC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An exhibit featuring spectacular works of pre-colonial Philippine gold will be on display in New York City, with two benefit gala dinners kicking off the event. Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms will showcase over a hundred gold objects from the golden age of Butuan, a polity on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao that rose to commercial prominence in the 10th century and declined in the 13th century. The exhibit will run from 11 September 2015 to 3 January 2016. A Gala Benefit Dinner on September 10 will celebrate the exhibit opening and launch of a season of programming at the Asia Society that highlights Philippine culture and current affairs through performing arts, film, design, and literature. Gala activities will include a reception, exhibit preview, and dinner. Celebrations continue with the Premiere Night Gala Dinner on September 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a common misconception that there was not much happening in the Philippines before the Spaniards arrived. The Philippine Gold exhibit, which features objects from pre-colonial eras, is a testament to the rich, flourishing cultures and abundance of natural resources enjoyed by our ancestors during pre-colonial times. This exhibit is not only a glimpse of history but also a treat for anyone who enjoys art,â&#x20AC;? said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. The envoy also urged the Filipino community and the American public to view the exhibit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I strongly encourage Filipinos and our American friends to view this rare exhibit and to experience ancient Philippine culture from forgotten kingdoms,â&#x20AC;? said Ambassador Cuisia. For more information on the Gala events, you may contact the Asia Society at PhilippineGold@AsiaSociety.org or through telephone number (202) 327-9335.

Laker Fil-Am Clarkson says he wants to play for PHL national team Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 8/27/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rising NBA star Jordan Clarkson said Thursday he is eager to play for the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; national basketball team despite citizenship concerns from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to assure my Filipino brothers and sisters that, if given the chance and everything can be worked out, I sincerely wish to play for Gilas and contribute to the total team effort for flag and country,â&#x20AC;? Clarkson said in a statement released by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (SBP). Clarkson, whose mother hails from the Philippines, is visiting the basketball-crazy Southeast

Asian nation and has joined the national team, Gilas Pilipinas, for practice. The 23-year old, who plays guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, said that he was in the country to familiarize himself with the national team and would even accompany them when they play at the 2015 Jones Cup basketball tournament in Taiwan. The basketball associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive director Sonny Barrios said he was hopeful they could clear all the requirements of FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, in time to get Clarkson to play for Gilas in China in September at the Asia qualifying round for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics.

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PHL natural, organic products in largest east coast trade show WASHINGTON, DC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The rising demand for natural and organic products in the United States is creating a growing market for Philippine agricultural products. Nine Philippine companies will be joining the Natural Products Expo East from September 17 to 19, 2015 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland. The trade show is the largest natural, organic, and healthy products event in the US East Coast. The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) through the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) organized the following natural product exporters to participate in this eventâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Brandexports Philippines, Inc., Elemie Naturals Inc., GreenLife Coconut Products Philippines Inc., Nutramedica, Inc., Orich International Traders, Inc., Prime Fruits International, Incorporated, Sweet Pacific Foodfarms Product, Team Asia Corporation, and Tropicana Food Products Inc. A variety of coconut products will be available to the American public such as coconut water, milk, milk powder, flour, cider vinegar, coconut nutraceutical products, desiccated coconut, coconut sugar, organic extra virgin coconut oil, and virgin coconut oil beauty pearls. The coconut is known as the tree of life in the Philippines because of the seemingly endless list of products and by-products derived from all its parts.

Other Philippine products to be featured in the trade show are body products made from pili, handcrafted bath soaps, topical scalp products, vinegar, dried mangoes, noodles, juices and fruit juice drinks, camote (sweet potato) and banana chips, condiments, and sauces. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. expressed optimism in the growing share of the Philippines in the natural products market and encouraged US buyers to take advantage of the growing demand for such products. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Philippines has long been producing natural, organic, and healthy agricultural products as well as nutritionally-dense foods considered â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;superfoodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; abroad. The Natural Products Expo East is the perfect venue for sellers to bring their products to the attention of the US buyers. I am glad Philippine companies, with the help of the Department of Agriculture and our Agricultural AttachĂŠ, have penetrated this market. I hope more Philippine businesses will follow soon,â&#x20AC;? said Ambassador Cuisia. The envoy added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;With more and more people becoming health conscious, there is definitely a growing market for natural and healthier alternatives. I encourage both Filipino and Americanowned businesses to consider using and retailing Philippine products.â&#x20AC;? The 2014 Market Overview of

Natural Foods Merchandiser, a leading media source and information provider for the healthy products industry, showed that US nationwide sales of all natural and organic products jumped 9 percent to nearly $99 billion last year. According to Philippine Agriculture AttachĂŠ to the US Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa, this has also led to a growth in the Natural Products Expo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More retail buyers are walking the show floor at Expo East than ever before, looking for the newest quality products to bring back to their stores,â&#x20AC;? Dr. Javelosa said. The trade show will reportedly bring over 22,000 attendees and more than 1,800 exhibitors, with approximately 30 percent of those exhibiting for the first time and new to the marketplace, according to Natural Product Expo East. This year, the expo will include for the first time a Farmto-Market Tour where attendees will have the opportunity to visit some of Baltimoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nearby farms and retail stores that source from them. The Office of the Agriculture AttachĂŠ in Washington DC led by Dr. Javelosa is inviting buyers to visit the Philippine Pavilion (Booth Nos. 9108-9113) at the Baltimore Convention Center. For meeting requests with participating Philippine companies please email naturalexpoeast2015. PHL@gmail.com.

UCLA Pilipino Alumni presents scholarship to Josh Manansala Several UCLA Pilipino Alumni (PAA) Board Members presented Joshua Manansala last Aug.22 with the 2015 UCLA Pilipino Alumni/Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Award Certificate at the UCLA PAA Send-Off event that took place at Heritage Park in Cerritos, California. Mr. Manansala will receive a $4,000 scholarship for his outstanding academic, leadership, and community service achievements. A recent graduate of Capital Christian High School in Sacramento, California, Mr. Manansala realized that for him, education was more than just taking hard classes and earning good grades â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he wanted to use his education to serve his community. As a freshman, he got involved in Student Council and as a senior, he served as the Student Body President of Capital Christian High School. As soon as

he was elected, he knew that he wanted to create an inclusive and giving environment on campus that would allow all students to excel academically and socially. To do this, he would need to lead in the most effective manner. The best way to lead is by example, and in his opinion, the best example is to be a servant. Throughout Mr. Manansalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high school years, he cofounded a nonprofit organization called Keys4Hope. Keys4Hope has a dual fold purpose. First, to teach children how to successfully play instruments, and second, to donate 100% of the money raised from its music lessons to other organizations that benefit children in need. Most recently, Keys4Hope paid for three Guatemalan childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surgeries. At the UCLA PAA Send-Off, Manansala received a warm wel-

come and advice from alumni and UCLA staff members regarding his new journey at UCLA. The UCLA PAA Send-Off was an event where incoming UCLA students met and asked questions of current students, parents, and alumni who will help them build their new peer network. This event was a fond farewell to students at the beginning of their incredible UCLA journey and a day for UCLA students, alumni, and parents to come together to make new friends, build community, and join in celebrating the UCLA Bruin family. Questions or donations for the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Endowment which supports the UCLA Pilipino Alumni/Lovell Sevilla Scholarship Program should be directed to Bobby Rimas, UCLA Pilipino Alumni Scholarship Director atBobby.Rimas@alumni. ucla.edu.

Carson passes key test in race for NFL stadium deal Carson, Friday, Aug. 29 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Carson officials today showcased the growing coalition of neighboring cities and regional leaders now backing its NFL stadium project and unveiled a giant banner on the proposed 168-acre stadium property next to the busy 405 Freeway that proclaimed the site is the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Future Home of Professional Football.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our NFL partners said they wanted to see a regional outpouring of support for our stadium,â&#x20AC;? said Carson Mayor Albert Robles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now we have delivered. We passed the test. Today weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re showing the NFL that Carsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to the stadium is unwavering as is the support of our neighboring communities who recognize that NFL football will be great for the entire region.â&#x20AC;? At a news conference Friday, Carson elected officials also celebrated the renaming of a street that will be a key artery to the stadium property. The streetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new name is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stadium Way.â&#x20AC;? In April, Carson lawmakers unanimously voted to approve a Chargers-Raiders plan to build and share - a $1.7 billion football stadium next to the 405 and 110 freeways, just north of Carsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s civic center. The relocation of the teams is still under consideration by the NFL and requires NFL ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approval. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is not just about Carson and pro football,â&#x20AC;? said Mayor

Robles at Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news conference. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is about bringing pro football back big-time to Southern California.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The support you see here today from city officials from Long Beach to Pico Rivera, from Lynwood to Compton, and Los Angeles to Montebello, shows that the Carson stadium plan is hugely popular,â&#x20AC;? the mayor said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, our stadium program is on fire.â&#x20AC;? Mayor Robles said Carsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s out-reach to gather support from neighboring cities was encouraged by Carsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NFL partners. They have told him such support can be a great positive when the NFL owners consider franchise proposals to relocate. Mayor Robles was joined at Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news conference by Carson Mayor Pro Tem Elito M. Santarina, Carson Councilmembers Lula Davis-Holmes, Jawane Hilton and Donesia Gause, state Sen. Isadore Hall and state Assemblyman Mike Gipson and representatives from seven cities and one school district. In recent weeks, a number of cities have passed resolutions supporting the Carson NFL stadium proposal because its construction would create thousands of living wage jobs and, in the long run, provide a jobs boost as football fans spend more at local hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Studies have shown that southeast Los Ange-

les County will significantly benefit from stadium-relatedjobs,â&#x20AC;? said Mayor Robles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a result, support for this project has been pouring in from all of our neighbors. We are building a coalition of supporters from all parts of the region and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not done.â&#x20AC;? Among the supporting cities: Long Beach, Bellflower, Signal Hill, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Lynwood and Compton. Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino has supported Carsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan as has the governing board of the Compton Unified School District. Other cities and school districts are expected to join the coalition in coming days and weeks, including ones from Orange County. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carson has gone the extra mile to demonstrate that it will be the greatest home ever for NFL football, not just in Southern California but in the entire nation,â&#x20AC;? said Carson Councilmember Hilton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project will be huge not only for Carson but also for the regional economy,â&#x20AC;? said Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The economic activity created by stadium visitors and fans will give a tremendous boost to our hotels, restaurants and to other businesses, especially in the hospitality industry.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The construction of the stadium will be great for the working men and women of our communities,â&#x20AC;? said Compton City Councilman Isaac Galvan.

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‘Heneral Luna’ comes to Los Angeles By Nimfa U. Rueda

LOS ANGELES – On Aug. 31, National Heroes’ Day in the Philippines, a special movie screening here will give FilipinoAmericans a peek into the life of a Filipino hero who fought for the country’s independence from the United States. “Heneral Luna,” directed by Cinemalaya 2013 Directors Showcase Best Director Jerrold Tarog, will be screened at the Krikorian Theater in Monrovia, California, before its wide release in the Philippines next month and in the US in October. “We want to create a buzz for our kababayans back home that they have to see this movie, over any other movie,” said Fil-Am artist Eliseo Art Silva, co-producer of the Los Angeles screening. Silva, best known for creating the famous Los Angeles Filipinotown mural that depicts Filipino and Fil-Am heroes, said he was inspired by the rave reviews received by the film. “In this day and age, romantic comedies and Hollywood superhero flicks tend to lord it over in the box office, which is why releasing a historic film like Heneral Luna is a big gamble,” he said. “I’m very happy that it’s paying off.” The movie was first screened in New York City on July 25 at the Asian American International Film Festival in Village East,

ahead of its scheduled wide release on September 9 in the Philippines and in commercial theaters in the US mid-October. The movie’s advance screening in the US is considered historic. Not since 1936’s “Zamboanga” has a Philippine-made feature film with Filipino stars screened first in the US. Set during the Philippine-American war in 1898, the film is about General Antonio Luna (John Arcilla), commander of the revolutionary army who faced an enemy more formidable than the American army: his own treacherous countrymen. General Luna wanted to fight for freedom but members of the elite would rather strike a deal with the United States. Arthur Probadora de la Rosa, co-producer of the Aug. 31 screening, said the event will be a great opportunity for Fil-Ams, especially the younger generation, to learn about Filipino heroes and Philippine history. The audience will get a chance to ask historian Oscar Penaranda, a professor at San Francisco State University, about the movie and the role of General Luna in Philippine history. The film is rated PG-13. The Krikorian Monrovia Cinema is located at 419 South Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia, California. The event will start at 6:30 p.m.

‘Utterly amazing’: US hiker missing for nine days found alive San Francisco, United States | AFP | Sunday 8/30/2015 – A badly hurt missing woman who endured nine days without food in the fire-threatened Californian wilderness has been found alive in what rescuers called an “utterly amazing” story of survival. Miyuki Harwood, 62, was taken to hospital with broken bones and severe exhaustion after going missing during a hiking trip on August 20 in an inhospitable section of Fresno County. An increasingly desperate Harwood survived by drinking water from a creek, before rescuers located her on Saturday. “They found her in a very remote area in the Sierra Nevada mountains on a very rocky location,” Sheriff Margaret Mims said. California Highway Patrol officer Rusty Hotchkiss said Harwood, from the California town of Orangevale, had only planned on hiking for the day and didn’t have any food.

“She basically crawled from where she was injured down to a creek,” Hotchkiss told CNN. “It took her about two days to do that. And then she was able to drink from the creek with the water filter to stay alive.” Teams of search and rescue workers spent days scouring the treacherous area and their work was hampered by smoke from wildfires blazing in the region. Search teams said finding the woman alive was a great reward. “When you are nine days into it and really starting to wonder... and then to have such a success story is utterly amazing,” officer Jim Abrams said.

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ENTERT Sharon: I will love my children no matter what Megastar Sharon Cuneta has put an end to reports about her supposed rift with her daughter, actress KC Concepcion, saying that she will love her children no matter what happens. Cuneta said that it is normal for parents and their children to have occasional misunderstandings. “Alam mo it’s normal ‘di ba ‘yung mag-ina ke siya o ibang anak, magkakaroon ng ganyan. Ano man ang mangyari, mahal na mahal ko ‘yung anak ko. I’ll always be here for them,” she said. The wedge between the two stemmed from comments made by Cuneta about her daughter’s “unnecessary too-sexy poses.” The 49-year-old said that she is hurt every time she sees Concecpion in daring pictorials. Early this month, Concepcion visited Cuneta after the latter was hospitalized due to persistent cough brought about by a fungal

Chito Miranda and Neri Naig

Chito on Neri’s miscarriage: Sobrang sakit After news broke about actress Neri Naig’s miscarriage, husband and Parokya ni Edgar lead vocalist Chito Miranda took to Instagram to address his followers. “It is true that we lost our baby a few months ago,” the 39-yearold Miranda wrote as the accompanying caption to a photo of his wife posted Wednesday. “Pinili lang namin na wag na lang pag-usapan publicly kasi it was something that we’d rather deal with privately kasi sobrang sakit para sa amin at sobrang hirap ng pinagdaanan namin lalo na para kay Neri,” he added. Miranda continued: “But in spite of everything, Neri chose to remain positive, fighting through her depression. That’s how strong my wife is.” “Being strong doesn’t mean that one has the ability to feel no pain. Being strong means being able to fight through pain no matter how difficult things get. I love you Ms. Neri!” In an exclusive interview with Push, Naig confirmed that she had lost her first child. She did not give any other details about what happened. (MNS)

Money issues between Toni, Paul? Alex answers Alex Gonzaga spoke up about rumors of money issues between her sister, Toni, and her husband, director Paul Soriano. Noting that the two were already financially stable before getting married, Alex believes that her sister and Soriano are unlikely to have issues involving money. But she still acknowledged the possibility of Toni and Soriano having a few disagreements as a newly married couple “Parang ‘di niya sinasabi. I think it’s normal kasi bagong kasal pero ang bilis na gawan ng issue na financial issues kasi ‘yun usually ang problema ng may asawa,” Alex said. “Pero ang pagkakaalam ko, wala naman. Mayroon lang silang goals na gustong gawin pero wala silang issue about pera. Wala,” she added. “I think simula mag-boyfriendgirlfriend sila, ‘di nakikialam si direk Paul. Ang ate rin, ‘di nakikialam. Kanya-kanya sila kasi. At bago sila magsama ay may stable job na sila.”

Sharon Cuneta

infection. Cuneta also bonded with her daughters after she was discharged from the hospital. (MNS)

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How ‘All of Me’ helped Albert Martinez cope with wife’s death Albert Martinez believes his upcoming series with ABS-CBN has greatly helped him in “going through life on a day to day basis.” This after his wife, Liezl Martinez, succumbed to cancer in March this year. Martinez said: “I’m glad na nakagawa ako ng isang project like ‘All of Me.’ It helped me a lot. It helped me through the process kasi ‘yung narrative nito, very close to home. Napakalapit sa puso ko.” Martinez said he is fortunate to have a job where he can divert his attention to other things which he also loves. “Kasi kaming mga artista, we live a world na puwede mo sabihing fantaserye kasi hindi naman talaga namin buhay iyon. So if you’re going through a process, ito ang pinakamagandang way siguro para matanggal ang isip mo sa ibang mga bagay at makapag-focus ka naman

Albert Martinez

sa isang bagay na gusto mong gawin,” he said. In “All Of Me,” Martinez’s

character experiences two major loses in his life—his mother and wife—before marrying a young woman portrayed by Yen Santos. One fatal gunshot wound later, he would be handed a second chance at his youth (and life). The catch is that he could never reveal his true identity, especially to Santos’ character. The actor tapped to portray the younger version of Martinez’s character is JM de Guzman. Asked how it was working with the young actor, Martinez said: “JM is a very deep actor. Although hindi kami nagkaroon ng eksena, I’ve seen all of his scenes and he is one true serious actor.” Directed by Dondon S. Santos, the series, which is part of ABS-CBN’s afternoon block, is scheduled to premiere later this month. (MNS)

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Drinking a bottle of water before a meal facilitates weight loss Thursday August 27 2015 (Relaxnews) – Researchers from the University of Birmingham have revealed that drinking 500ml of water before every meal can help people suffering from obesity to lose weight. The results of this study will be published in the September issue of Obesity. Obesity is a growing public safety concern in America and many other countries. It affects nearly one in three people. Researchers from the University of Birmingham in England may have found a simple solution to help these people lose weight. The study, which will be published in the September issue of Obesity, indicates that people who drink water before breakfast, lunch and dinner end up losing weight faster than those who

don’t. To reach their conclusions, the team of researchers invited 84 obese adults to follow a 12-week program. They all received advice on weight loss such as adapting their lifestyles, improving their diets and engaging in physical activities. They were then separated into two groups. 9.48 pounds down in 12 weeks The first group was comprised of 41 people who were instructed to drink 500ml of water 30 minutes before their three daily meals every day for 12 weeks. The second, a control group, was comprised of 43 people who were told to imagine having a full stomach before every meal without drinking any water. The results are clear. The group that drank water before

their meals lost an average of 9.48 pounds in 12 weeks, an average of 2.87 pounds more than the control group.“When combined with brief instructions on how to increase your amount of physical activity and on a healthy diet, this seems to help people to achieve some extra weight loss – at a moderate and healthy rate. It’s something that doesn’t take much work to integrate into our busy everyday lives,” says Dr. Helen Parretti, the lead author of the study. The researchers now hope that that the findings will inform further research into the benefits of water preloading before meals and they hope to receive backing for a trial with a larger number of participants and over a longer period of time in order to confirm the findings.

Drinking water before a meal is a simple way to help you lose weight. ©Kitch Bain/ shutterstock.com

Nutritional value more important than calorie count for heart health: study Friday August 28 2015 (Relaxnews) – It’s time to kick the habit of counting calories and look at the overall nutritional value of foods to promote better heart health and curb obesity, say experts. Simple dietary adjustments such as boosting omega-3 fatty acid, olive oil and nut intake have all been associated with significant, positive changes to heart health in a short time, say the researchers in an editorial in the journal Open Heart. Despite mounting scientific evidence of this being the case, clinicians have followed the rallying cry of the food and weight loss industries and call for counting calories, according to the editorial by Drs Aseem Malhotra and James DiNicolantonio and Professor Simon Capewell. Drinking one sugary beverage per day – which usually contains

about 150 calories – is associated with significant risk for type 2 diabetes. Eating a handful of nuts – 30 grams of walnuts, 15 grams of almonds or 15 grams of hazelnuts – is associated with a significant reduced risk of cardiovascular events. What’s more, consuming four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil has the same association, although the 500 calories of such a portion makes some counters bilk. Citing a trial called Action for Health in Diabetes, which shows that cutting calories and increasing exercise is not associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events despite significant weight loss over 13.5 years, the experts point to food quality as the culprit. “Shifting the focus away from calories and emphasizing a di-

etary pattern that focuses on food quality rather than quantity will help to rapidly reduce obesity, related diseases, and cardiovascular risk,” they write. It’s plain to see that a bad diet is what’s at the root of cardiovascular events, leading to more disease and death than a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and alcohol put together, say the researchers. Governments should consider a tax on sugary drinks in addition to subsidies for fruit, vegetables and nuts that would make a quality diet more affordable. A lesson to be learned from the evidence is that “Food can be the most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison,” reads the editorial. In conclusion, they recommend a high fat Mediterranean diet and lifestyle to anyone looking to improve their approach to eating.

Kids’ blood sugar improves with short walks: study

Mounting evidence suggests the quality of your diet is more important than how many calories it contains. ©Goran Bogicevic / shutterstock.com

Friday August 28 2015 (Relaxnews) – Getting off the couch to walk for as little as three minutes during TV commercial breaks or between classes can improve children’s blood sugar, according to a new study. “Interrupting a long period of sitting with a few minutes of moderate activity can have shortterm benefits on a child’s metabolism,” says senior author, Jack A. Yanovski, MD, PhD, of the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Even children are at risk of developing obesity and diabetes as a result of too much time spent sedentary say the researchers. “While we know getting 30 minutes or more of moderate intensity exercise each day improves children’s health and metabolism, small behavioral changes like taking short walking breaks can also yield some benefits,” says Dr. Yanovski. Working with 28 children between the ages of 7 and 11, all of who were of normal weight, the researchers asked them to drink a sugar-sweetened drink and sit continuously for three hours on two different days. On one of those days, they were asked to take three-minute breaks to walk on a treadmill every half hour and

A three minute walking break every half hour during a TV marathon could help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and ward off the onset of diabetes for kids, according to a new study. ©Vasilyev Alexandr/Shutterstock.com

on the other, they remained sitting. All participants’ blood sugar levels were tested before and after the three hours, on both trials. Taking short walking breaks lowered blood sugar compared to remaining seated, according to results that indicate interrupting sitting helps the body to maintain blood sugar levels. “Sustained sedentary behavior after a meal diminishes the muscles’ ability to help clear sugar from the bloodstream,” says first author, Britni Belcher, PhD, of

the National Cancer Institute. Prolonged sitting provokes the production of insulin, which creates potential for cell dysfunction that promotes the onset of type 2 diabetes, says Dr. Belcher. The walks had no effect on the children’s appetites, for they were served a buffet meal after blood sugar testing and they selected similar portions and types of food on both days. The study was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Lips go bold for fall Saturday August 29 2015 (Relaxnews) – The fall beauty season is upon us, and if there’s one major makeup trend we’re digging this September, then it’s the bold lip. Strong pouts are everywhere at the moment – they ruled the Autumn/Winter 2015 catwalks and they’re being championed by style icons from Kylie Jenner, who is set to launch her own ‘lip kit’ later this year, to Christian Louboutin, who set the beauty world alight when he announced plans to apply his signature, fearless red to a line of luxury lipsticks for the fall. In addition to the flagship color “The Rouge Louboutin,” the collection will include 35 other tones, launching September 1 for $90.

A bold pout in an off-key color is the style trick that will see you through the winter. Think violets, orange-hued reds and bright pinks. Giorgio Armani Privé’s AW15 “Shocking” haute couture show in Paris focused on punkish and unapologetic pink in the house’s new Ecstasy Lacquer lipstick in Maharajah – a strong, feminine, uncompromising shade. The range is currently available to buy online for $38, with additional hues including classic reds and chocolate burgundies similar to the color seen on the Roksanda AW15 catwalk. Another quirky color comes in the form of the new limited edition Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick by Kendall Jenner for Es-

tée Lauder, which comes in a vibrant matte red-tangerine hue for a retro Seventies vibe. The French beauty house has also just released its first collaboration with Puerto Rican model Joan Smalls, a 12-color collection of Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipsticks in showstopping hues with names like “Furious,” “Volatile” and “Irrepressible.” The star color is “Commanding,” a deep burgundy that Smalls’s Instagram followers helped her to name. Goth makeup was also referenced on the AW15 catwalks, particularly at Giles, where models rocked a matte black pout. Try Illamasqua’s lipstick in the shade “Pristine” to recreate the look at home.

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MOTORING Tesla Model S P85D so good it broke Consumer Reports’ rating system Thursday August 27 2015 (Relaxnews) – According to Consumer Reports, the new Tesla S P85D performs better than any car they have tested before. The Tesla Model S P85D scored 103/100 in Consumer Reports’ new report, published on August 27. The all-wheel-drive electric sedan performed “better in

[their] tests than any other car ever has, earning a perfect roadtest score.” The results were so good, in fact, that Consumer Report has had to recalibrate its testing methodology: “The car set a new benchmark, so we had to make changes to our scoring to account for it.” The report doesn’t claim that the car is perfect (despite what

its score might imply) but the reasons for its off-the-charts rating include its acceleration, braking, handling and energyefficiency. One of the very few negative observations was the car’s price tag of $127,820. The publication revealed highlights of its testing in a video:https://youtu.be/DhS6gyrXZL4

Defying limits: Deafblind Poles get behind the wheel Sunday August 30 2015 (Lodz, Poland-AFP) – Motor-racing is not for the faint-hearted. But when you are deaf and blind, it takes on a different dimension. All 19 drivers who took part in this unusual race on the tarmac of the Lodz airport in central Poland earlier this month are hearing and visually impaired. But like Helen Keller – the American author, activist and lecturer who was the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college – they are pushing the envelope of their disabilities. “Out of 19 participants, 12 had never driven a car before, while seven used to drive before they became disabled,” said Mateusz Kotnowski, from Poland’s Deaf and Blind Aid Society (TPG). “Some are completely deaf and blind. Those who can still see or hear a little wear masks and helmets to ensure an equal playing field for all,” he told AFP. Each participant had to complete two timed laps of the circuit while under the watchful eye of a co-driver. First, though, they had two days of training to get a feel for the steering wheel. Three driving schools volunteered a parking lot, five cars and a handful of instructors – who first had to work out a language

based on touch to communicate with the drivers. ‘There’s fear’ Zbigniew Palgan, the owner of a driving school, gave out a clear set of instructions to his deafblind driver, whose face showed a determined concentration. “When I touch the left side of your knee, turn left. When I touch the right side, turn right,” Palgan said while demonstrating the motions. “When I touch the top of your knee, straighten the steering wheel, and when I press down, accelerate. When I pull on your knee, brake.” For safety’s sake, the instructor could stop the car at any point. But with every kilometre, the drivers became more and more confident. Kamila Dobrzynska, a 30-yearold who is blind in one eye and partially deaf, made it up to 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour by the end of the straight. “It’s a weird feeling. There’s fear,” she said. “You don’t know where you are, so your ears and eyes are those of the instructor. You need to have total confidence in him,” she told AFP. Breaking stereotypes Sylwek Slipek, who is deaf-

blind, drove for the first time in his life – and with wife Kasia, born blind, along for the ride to cheer him on. Riding in the back seat, she gave her husband a pat on the shoulder and said “Good luck” before a woman waved the checkered racing flag and Sylwek set off on his first lap. The 30-something couple said that the event was a way for them to forget their everyday problems. Sylwek once worked as a supermarket clerk but has been on the job hunt for three years to no avail. The unemployment rate for disabled Poles is 16 percent. By taking part in the event, the couple hoped to help break stereotypes of those with disabilities. “Perhaps others will realise that if deafblind individuals are able to drive a car, then they can just as well have a job and work,” said Kasia Slipek. “Perhaps they’ll see us as nice people with good values – and not some good-for-nothings,” she told AFP. Sylwek completed his laps flawlessly, earning sixth place overall. But the trophy went to Kamila, who not only broke stereotypes of disabled people, but of women drivers as well.

Toyota to unveil fourth-generation Prius at the Frankfurt Motor Show Tuesday August 25 2015 (Relaxnews) – The next Frankfurt Motor Show will be the occasion to check out the fourth-generation Prius, set to go on sale in early 2016. Lexus, the luxury division of the brand, will also present its new revisited GS model. A New Prius The latest Prius is set to be introduced in Las Vegas on September 8, 2015 before its public unveiling a few days later in Frankfurt, Germany. In the last few months, rumors have abounded suggesting two types of batteries for the vehicle, depending on the models, as well as a purported 50-km (31-mile) autonomy in electric mode for the 2016 Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Several leaked images of the next-generation Prius have surfaced on the internet and suggest a design similar to the Mirai model, Toyota’s first car propelled by a hydrogen powered fuel cell. The Mirai itself may also be showcased in Frankfurt, in time for the car’s market release in Germany, Denmark and the United Kingdom. A compact crossover model in the pipeline Toyota may also decide to take advantage of the Frankfurt Motor Show to premiere a new compact crossover vehicle, inspired by its C-HR Concept car revealed in the Paris Motor show of 2014. Set to occupy a position below the RAV4 model, the car will nevertheless compete with the Nissan Qashqai. Meanwhile, Lexus, the car manufacturer’s luxury division, will reveal its newly redesigned GS car. The sedan has a redesigned hood and is equipped with a new active security program, the Lexus Safety System +. Both hybrid models, the GS 450h and the GS 300h will hit stores in Europe early 2016. The latest generation of the Lexus RX SUV will make its European premiere in Frankfurt following its US debut this past spring in New York. Finally, it remains to be seen whether or not Lexus will decide to show off its own hoverboard prototype, similar to the famed skateboard in “Back to the Future II” that has been making headlines online all summer. The brand has partnered with experts in the field of superconductor technology to build their current prototype. There are no plans as of yet for the product to be produced in a retail version. The 66th Frankfurt International Motor Show runs September 17-27, with press days scheduled for September 15-16.

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PRAYERS *NOVENA of CONFIDENCE O Lord Jesus Christ, To your most Sacred Heart, I conÂżde this/these intention. (Here, mention your request.) Only look upon me, then do what your Heart decides. I count on You. I trust in You. I throw myself on Your mercy, Lord Jesus! You will not fail me. Lord Jesus, I know You will not fail me Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked you for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, and place it in Your Sacred Heart. When the Eternal Father sees it covered with Your precious blood. He will not refuse it. It will no longer be my prayer, but Yours. O Jesus, Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You. Let me never be confounded. Amen.-SHIRLEY

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KITCHENOMICS FAMILY FEATURES

lthough brisket is generally regarded as a cool weather dish, you may be surprised how this ultimate comfort food works in delicious recipes that help you hang on to the fading days of summer. A traditional Barbecued Beef Brisket prepared low and slow over a charcoal grill is sure to be a crowd pleaser for a backyard tailgate or a casual gathering with friends. Leftovers can help warm up a cool morning with a decadent serving of Barbecue Benedict, and you can look forward to a Grilled Greek Salad Pita with Beef Brisket for a tasty midday meal. As any grill master knows, achieving grilling greatness begins with a charcoal fire. These recipes, created by world champion pitmaster Chris Lilly, showcase how Kingsford® Charcoal can help you achieve an authentic smoky flavor that will delight the taste buds of your family and friends. Each briquet contains natural ingredients and real wood for a delicious cookout every time. Find more recipes featuring your favorite grilled meats at www.kingsford.com.

Barbecue Benedict Makes: 6 servings Prep time: 45 minutes Cook time: 7 minutes 1 white onion cut into 1/2-inchthick strips Onion Marinade Barbecue Benedict Sauce 3 English muffins cut in half 1 pound leftover beef brisket 6 poached eggs Onion Marinade: 9 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons lemon juice 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 6 tablespoons water 6 teaspoons dark brown sugar 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 teaspoon black pepper Barbecue Benedict Sauce: 3 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vinegar 1 teaspoon water 1 cup butter, melted 1/4 teaspoon salt Pinch of cayenne pepper 3 tablespoons of your favorite KC Masterpiece barbecue sauce In small bowl, mix onion marinade

ingredients. Pour marinade into resealable plastic bag and add onion strips. Let marinate for 30 minutes. For sauce, place egg yolks, vinegar and water into stainless steel bowl and vigorously whip until mixture is thickened and doubled in volume. Place bowl over sauce pan containing barely simmering water (just below boil), making sure bottom of bowl does not touch water. Whisk continuously, making sure eggs don’t get too hot or they will scramble. Very slowly drizzle melted butter into mixture while whisking rapidly until mixture thickens and doubles in volume. Remove from heat and stir in remaining sauce ingredients. Build charcoal fire for direct grilling. Place onion strips in grill basket and cook directly over hot coals (approximately 450°F), stirring often for 5 minutes or until onions brown and start to soften. Remove onions from grill and set aside. Place English muffin halves directly over hot coals for 2 minutes or until toasted. Remove each from grill and top with leftover beef brisket, grilled onions and a poached egg. Drizzle with Barbecue Benedict Sauce.

Grilled Greek Salad Pita with Beef Brisket Makes: 8 stuffed pitas Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 6 minutes Greek Dressing: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons Kalamata olives, minced 4 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 4 pita bread rounds, cut in half forming 8 pockets 1 cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 tomato 1/2 red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices 2 cups romaine lettuce, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/4 cup feta cheese 1 pound leftover beef brisket In small bowl combine all Greek dressing ingredients. Set aside. Build charcoal fire for direct grilling. Place pita bread directly over hot coals (approximately 450°F) and cook for 1 minute on each side or until grill marks are visible. Place cucumbers, whole tomato and onion directly over hot coals (approximately 450°F) and cook, turning once, for 4 minutes or until they brown and start to soften. Remove vegetables from grill and dice. Place vegetables into medium bowl and stir in dressing. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes before adding romaine lettuce and feta cheese. Fill each pita pocket with leftover beef brisket and grilled Greek salad.

Barbecue Beef Brisket Makes: 8-10 servings Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 5-6 hours 1 beef brisket flat (5-6 pounds) 1 tablespoon beef bouillon base Dry Rub 1 cup beef broth Dry Rub: 1/2 tablespoon salt 1/2 tablespoon paprika 1/2 tablespoon black pepper 1/2 tablespoon sugar 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon oregano 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander Build a charcoal fire with Kingsford charcoal for indirect cooking by situating coals on only one side of grill, leaving other side void. Cover entire brisket with beef bouillon base. In small bowl, mix dry rub ingredients and coat brisket with rub. When cooker reaches 225°F, place brisket on void side of grill and close lid. Cook for 4 hours, until internal temperature reaches 160-170°F. Remove brisket from grill and place in shallow baking dish or disposable aluminum pan. Pour beef broth over brisket and cover pan with aluminum foil. Place baking dish in cooker for an additional 1-2 hours, until internal temperature reaches 185°F. Remove baking dish from grill and let meat rest undisturbed for 20-30 minutes. Slice brisket across grain and serve.

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Pinoys in US are outstanding immigrants (Conclusion) Filipino-Americans by the numbers By Abner Galino

Pinoys seem to be everywhere in the US. There is nary a state where you can’t bump into a compatriot while out and walking around on some tourist destinations. Yes, we are here and there but Filipinos are actually settled mostly in three states: California, New York and Hawaii. More than half of Filipino immigrants in California are settled in the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim and San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, with populations of 289,000 and 158,000, respectively. San Diego-Carlsbad is home to 94,000 Pinoys. Outside of California, Pinoys are mostly settled in the metropolitan area of New York, accounting for 153,000 of its immigrant population. But these places, although teeming with

compatriots, would not be able to replicate the feeling of being back in Makati or Manila like Honolulu could. In terms of concentration, Pinoys in Honolulu are unbeatable. Their number, 78,000 (although smaller compared to metropolitan areas mentioned above) represents 8.6 percent of the total population of metropolitan Honolulu. The numbers may look big but Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim Pinoy population only represents 2.2 percent of the total Metro area population. We account for 3.6 percent of the Metro area population in San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, 0.8 percent in New York-Newark-Jersey City Metro area (NY-NJ-PA), and 3.0 percent in San Diego-Carlsbad (CA). Other Metro areas with big concentration of Pinoys are: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL-IN-WI) with 80,000 or 0.8 percent of Metro area population; Las Vegas-Hen-

derson-Paradise (NV) with 64,000 or 3.2 percent of Metro area population; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (CA) with 62,000 or 1.4 percent of Metro area population; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (CA) with 60,000 or 3.2 percent of Metro area population; and Washington-ArlingtonAlexandria (DC-VA-MD-W) with 47,000 or 0.8 percent of Metro area population. Yes, we are mostly urban dwellers and being so have a lot to do with the nature of our jobs and our capability to afford the cost of living in these metropolitan areas. All these data were taken from the US Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey from 2009 to 2013 which were collated by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). Here are other interesting numbers from the same report: • 79 percent of Pinoys got their green cards through family reunification channels.

Chinese tourists unfazed by currency fall, market turmoil By Roberto Coloma

China’s currency devaluation and slowing economy have caused enormous turmoil in world financial markets, but they have not really bothered tourists like Henry Lee. Not yet, at least. “I don’t even know what the exchange rate is,” the 36-year-old technology entrepreneur from Beijing admitted. “We’re just here to relax with our kids. We’re not making any big purchases. I bought a Tumi bag, and I got a Tiffany bracelet for my wife,” said the father-of-two during a visit to Singapore’s Merlion Park, which faces the massive Marina Bay Sands casino complex, a favourite destination for Chinese visitors. Lee is among tens of millions from China’s growing middle class who travel across the globe every year for leisure. A record 117 million Chinese travelled overseas in 2014, according to the Sydneybased Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation (CAPA) – more than double the 57 million in 2010 – and experts expect that trend to continue. “The short-term outlook for Chinese outbound visitors remains strong and the long-term is bright,” CAPA said in a report issued Thursday. Beijing’s surprise devaluation of its currency on August 11, which is now trading at a four-year low against the dollar, has sparked fears China’s big-spending tourists will start staying at home. Shares in tourism-linked businesses such as hotels across Asia have tanked, while Cathay Pacific’s chief executive has been forced to reassure investors the airline’s future was secure.

Businesses on the ground, however, say more relaxed visa policies and the strength of the yuan against Asian currencies mean Chinese tourists will remain not only the most numerous, but also some of the biggest spenders. Big spenders “It’s not uncommon for a Chinese VIP player to gamble well over a million US dollars per trip,” said Aaron Fischer, regional head of consumer and gaming research at brokerage and investment group CLSA. “There’s probably 5,000 of them.” The financial clout of China’s travellers can be eye-popping. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Chinese tourists spent $164.8 billion in 2014, a four-fold increase compared to 2008. A whopping 88 percent of that was on shopping, it said, citing the China Tourism Academy, a government agency. Japan alone saw more than 550,000 visitors from China in July, a figure more than double the same period a year ago, and the average Chinese tourist spends around $1,100 – about twice as much as the nexthighest spending cohort – according to the Japan Tourism Marketing think-tank. Fischer predicted that the yuan’s depreciation would not hinder Chinese from travelling but some may become more costconscious, particularly when it comes to luxury items. It is precisely that concern that is worrying organisations like the Indonesian Association of Travel Agencies. Its chairman Asnawi Bahar said the industry’s fear was that Chinese visitors, who number roughly one million visitors to the archipelago annually, would “hold back

on shopping and shorten their stay in Indonesia.” Trade bodies in a litany of other Asian countries from the Philippines to South Korea have expressed similar concerns. Lower visa barriers Many of them, however, are helped by the fact that their own currencies have fallen sharply. The yuan is still at, or close to, two-year or longer highs against the currencies of popular tourist destinations like Japan, South Korea, Australia and the eurozone, CAPA said. “I think that in the bigger picture scheme of things, Chinese tourism to Australia will continue to rise,” said Craig James, chief economist at Australian stockbroking firm CommSec. Other countries – from Europe to those in the Asia-Pacific region – have sought to lower visa barriers for Chinese travellers in a bid to attract what the China Tourism Academy says is the world’s largest pool of tourists. More and more places are becoming friendlier to Chinese tourists, starting from the immigration counter: Chinese passport holders now get visa-free access to at least 74 countries, compared to 18 two years ago. That is also happening in shops and, CAPA noted, Australian airports now have Chinese-language signs as well as guides and duty-free sales staff who speak Mandarin. What is clear, according to analysts, is that not only are hotels, retailers and travel firms increasingly catering to the Chinese, but the Chinese are enthusiastic customers.

• 52 percent of Pinoys gained lawful permanent resident (LPR) status as immediate relatives of US citizens under age 21. • 21 percent of Pinoys gained their LPR status through employment-based preferences • Only 10 Filipinos received asylum in 2011 and no one arrived as refugee on that year. • Filipino immigrants naturalized at higher rate (67 percent) than US immigrants overall. • 649,000 Pinoys were granted LPR status from 2002 to 2012 or 5.6 percent of the total admissions and adjustments during this period. • From 2002 to 2012, an estimated 428,000 Pinoys were naturalized as US citizens. • It is estimated that 270,000 Filipino undocumented workers are in the US in 2011.

Solon presses live PTV coverage of House sessions MANILA, Aug 27 (Mabuhay) – A partylist lawmaker has reiterated his call for the House of Representatives to allow the live broadcasting of all House proceedings over the state-owned People’s Television Network Inc. (PTNI) so the public can monitor lawmakers’ performance. In filing House Bill 4049, BUHAY partylist Rep. Lito Atienza said showing sessions and committee hearings of the Senate and House of Representatives live on PTNI will allow the people will know what is going on in the legislative, and will help lawmakers remain transparent. The measure seeks to amend Section 9 of the PTNI’s Charter, as incorporated in Republic Act No. 7306, by adding to its functions the showing of live proceedings of both Houses without editing nor commentary. The lawmaker said he envisions PTNI to have the same kind of unprecedented access to lawmakers, similar to the C-Span network in the United States. Atienza believes the passage of the measure will help curb the spate of absenteeism among his colleagues. “[The live showing of sessions will] encourage our fellow members to attend and actively participate in floor deliberations of important bills and resolutions. As opposed to what has been happening for the past three weeks where there were only a handful of us in attendance, so the sessions were either adjourned or measures were being taken up even without a quorum,” he said.