Us asian post january 7, 2015 by Balita Media Inc

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Vol. 4. No. 15 LOS ANGELES

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Wednesday - Tuesday, January 7 - 13, 2015

Despite warnings, shooting incidents climb Eight who posted pics of firing guns on New Year’s on Facebook charged – PNP

A local police station in Ilocos Norte said it has filed “alarm and scandal” charges against the eight persons involved in firing their guns including an M-16 and M-14 rifles to welcome New Year. Photos and a video clip of the incident posted on Facebook like the one above by one of them, Drew Lutchina, became viral.

Two killed in air attack on oil tanker manned by Filipino sailors Athens, Greece | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – Two crew members of an oil tanker were killed in an air attack of “unknown origin” in the Islamist-held eastern Libyan port of Derna Sunday, officials said. Greek coastguards said a 29-year-old Greek sailor was among the dead and that two other crew members of the Liberianregistered Araevo were also hurt. They did not say where the other victim was from.

The vessel was at anchor and laden with 1,600 tons of crude oil when it hit on Sunday, they added. Twenty-one members of the crew of 26 were Filipinos, with three Greeks and two Romanians. Libya has been plunged into chaos since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in October 2011 after a NATO-backed revolt, with rival governments and militias battling to control the oil-rich North African country.

Poe slams ‘insensitive’ MRT, LRT fare hikes

MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe believes the move of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to increase the fares for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) was treacherous and insensitive. Poe noted that the fare hike was announced during the holidays and supposedly without undergoing proper public hearing. “Ito ay parang ginawa nila na hindi malinaw sa atin at kung kailan nga hindi natin inaasahan. Ito ay treacherous, insensitive. Kasi kung meron silang puso sa pasahero, hindi po dapat nangyari iyan,” Poe said. Poe said the MRT fare hike, in particular, is not justifiable since Congress had just allocated funds for the train’s repairs and other financial needs in the P2.6 trillion 2015 budget.

See SHOOTING, page 3

2 Pinoy seafarers die in sunken cargo ship MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – The bodies of two crew members recovered after the Norwegian cargo ship Bulk Jupiter sank off the coast of southern Vietnam have been identified, Vietnamese state media Thanh Nien News said Monday. The bodies were identified as those of captain Ronel Acueza Andrin and third officer Jerome Maquilang Dinoy. The ship, which was carrying 46,400 tons of bauxite, was manned by 19 all-Filipino crew and left Malaysia Friday en route See PINOY SEAFARERS, page 3

Lacson challenges PNP: Clean ranks to regain public trust

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train slams the barrier at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue Station on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 13, 2014) in Pasay City. Malacañang on Monday stood firm on the government’s decision to raise fares of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) amid calls from some senators to defer the fare hike scheduled that took effect January 4, 2015.(MNS photo) (MNS photo)

MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – The number of stray bullet incidents from the New Year’s revelry has climbed to 61, already more than double the 2014 official record of 30, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday. Acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina said Metro Manila had the most number of incidents at 18. He said one of the victims, reportedly from Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), has died. In a related development, the Bacarra Municipal Police Station in Ilocos Norte has filed “alarm and scandal” charges against the eight persons involved in firing their guns including an M-16 and M-14 rifles to welcome New Year. Photos and a video clip of the incident posted on Facebook by one

of them, Drew Lutchina, became viral. Town police head Chief Inspector Rex Bucayan identified the rest as Cezar Funtanilla, Mark RJ Cabana, Jumar Cabreros, Ian Christopher Calixterio, Russel Funtanilla, Geronimo Gapusan Gomez, and Philip Andrew Funtanilla. “We’ve already filed alarm and scandal charges against them. Then maybe later we will file additional charges such as illegal possession (of firearms) if found that the guns were unlicensed,” Bucayan said in Tagalog. But as far as Espina is concerned, the suspects can also be charged with “illegal discharge of firearm” for stiffer penalties. “I saw in the photos an M14 and an M16 rifle. These are issued only to the military and police,” he said. Espina said the local police

MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – Outgoing rehabilitation czar Panfilo Lacson on Monday urged the Philippine National Police to seriously take the challenge of cleaning their own ranks to regain the trust of the people, a television report said Monday. Lacson, who served as PNP chief from November 1999 to January 2001, warned the police organization that crime incidents will rise if the credibility of the PNP will not be restored. The former senator issued the challenge during the PNP’s Ethics Day and flag raising ceremony in Camp Crame, Quezon City. “It is a good opportunity for the OIC (officer in charge Deputy DiSee LACSON, page 3

“Kakatapos lang ng budget kung saan nabigyan naman sila ng tamang budget para sa taon na ito, para naman magawa ang dapat nilang gawin sa MRT,” she said. “Hindi lang iyon, marami pang naibigay sa supplemental budget, sa pagbayad ng buwis nila na hindi nila nababayran, at ibang mga bagay na hiningi nila sa Kongreso. Kaya kami ay nagtataka kasi ni pabulong wala silang sinabi sa amin na baka magtaas sila.” Poe also noted the poor maintenance of the MRT which is being blamed for its frequent bogdowns. The neophyte senator said the Senate will ask the DOTC to explain the status of the MRT and LRT maintenance system. She, however, said stopping the fare hike is now up to the court.

MANILA, Jan 3 (Mabuhay) -Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry L. Ridon has asked the House Committee on Metro Manila Development to investigate the historical and cultural devaluation of several cultural properties in Manila due to neglect or demolition for multibillion-property development. In House Resolution 1566, Ridon mentioned in particular the Army Navy Club, the old Meralco building, the Anda Circle, the Philippine Post Office, the Manila Metropolitan Theater and El Hog-

See LRT FARE page 3

See PROBE, page 3

A woman looks at souvenir pictures of Pope Francis on sale inside a religious store in Manila on Monday. Pope Francis memorabilia are a hot item as the schedule of the pontiff’s visit to the Philippines on January 15 to 19 nears and Pope mania reaches fever pitch. (MNS photo)

Pope Francis chooses English for mass in PHL visit MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – The two masses open to the public during Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines will be in English, in the pontiff’s bid for the congregation to understand him better, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said. According to Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP president, the Vatican approved that two eucharistic celebrations – the one near the Tacloban airport in Leyte (January 17) and the concluding mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila (January 18) – will be delivered in English. “He wants to reach out to more people,” Villegas said. “Latin is hard for many, while English is easy to understand.” This is despite the Pope’s admitted difficulty with English, one of the official languages of the Philippines.

According to the National Catholic Register, Pope Francis, an Argentine, is fluent in Spanish, as well as in German and Italian. In his biography, he admitted that he has “the most problems” in English, “especially the phonetics.” However, the mass at the Manila Cathedral on January 16, to be attended by priests, nuns, and religious men and women, will be held in Latin, as the “clergy and bishops” are used to it, Villegas said. Pope Francis will be the third pontiff to visit the Philippines, following his predecessors Blessed Paul VI and Saint John Paul II. His official itinerary for the five-day visit includes visiting Tacloban and Palo in Leyte to meet survivors of recent natural disasters, as well as meetings with families and the youth. (MNS)

Solon wants probe on historical and cultural devaluation of cultural properties in Manila

A House member has asked for an investigation to the historical and cultural devaluation of several cultural properties in Manila, including the Post Office on Liwasang Bonifacio (above), due to neglect or demolition for multibillion-property development.

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Pope names 20 cardinals, many from developing world

Devotees eagerly touch the replica of the Black Nazarene during the Ist Friday mass with thousands of devotee flocking at the Minor Basilica on Friday January 2,2015 in Quiapo Church, Manila. (MNS photo)

Group appeals to Nazarene devotees for waste-free feast MANILA, Jan 3 (Mabuhay) – Keep this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene free of garbage and pollution. This was the appeal by the EcoWaste Coalition days before the devotees flock anew to Luneta and Quiapo for the yearly Traslacion. “Piety is not an excuse to litter. In fact, littering goes against the proverb ‘cleanliness is next to Godliness’ that most, if not all,

Filipinos are aware of,” said group coordinator Aileen Lucero. “We invite all devout followers of the Black Nazarene to reflect on a key message uttered by Pope Francis and strive for an ecological devotion,” she added. She lamented the yearly feast is given a bad reputation because of the “brazen disrespect for the environment” as shown by trash on the streets, especially in Quia-

po. The group wrote to Quiapo Church rector Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio to help publicize practical ways to prevent and reduce waste during the Traslacion. EcoWaste cited data from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority showing 28 truckloads or about 336 tons of garbage were collected in the 2014 Traslacion. (MNS)

Uruguay archbishop ‘shocked’ to be named cardinal Montevideo, Uruguay | AFP | Sunday 1/4/2015 – Uruguay’s Archbishop Daniel Sturla spoke of his shock on Sunday after being named as one of 20 new cardinals by Pope Francis. Sturla, 55, only the second Uruguayan to be appointed a cardinal, said the honor marked a “distinction” for the Catholic Church in Uruguay. “I was and am still shocked by the news,” Sturla told re-

porters after a Sunday Mass in Montevideo following the Vatican’s announcement. “I was only very recently appointed as archbishop of Montevideo so I view this as a distinction for the Church in Uruguay, rather than to me,” added Sturla, appointed archbishop of Montevideo by Pope Francis in February 2014. Most of the cardinals named by the pope came from smaller,

developing countries, as the Roman Catholic Church’s support shifts from its traditional European stronghold. Secular Uruguay has the lowest number of Catholics than any other country in Latin America after Communist Cuba. The only other cardinal to emerge from Uruguay was Antonio Maria Barbieri, appointed from John XXIII in 1958.

Muslim leaders call for a sectoral representative of Muslims outside Bangsamoro MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – Muslim leaders gathered Monday in a roundtable discussion to convey their call for a sectoral representative of Muslims resid-

ing outside the Bangsamoro entity. Led by 1-Bangsamoro movement, the event served as a venue for leaders to justify their recom-

mendation for the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL. Among the factors which support their recommendation are said to be the large number of Muslims living outside the Bangsamoro entity who have found residence in some parts of Luzon and Visayas; and also the “big contribution” of the said sector of Muslims. Apart from having a sectoral representative, Muslim leaders also urged for the creation of Shari’ah courts in certain areas in the country where there is an “appreciable” number of Muslims. This is due to some cases of Muslims which are only covered by the Shari’ah law, they said. Adding to their list of demands for the BBL is the conduct of special voters’ registration for Muslims outside Mindanao and also for Muslim OFWs. In the House of Representatives, only two committee hearings are left before the committee’s voting on BBL.

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – Pope Francis on Sunday named 20 new cardinals, a majority of them from Africa, Asia and Latin America, increasingly key areas as the Roman Catholic Church’s support shifts from its traditional European stronghold. Fifteen of the new cardinals – considered “princes of the church” – are under the age of 80, meaning they are eligible to join the conclave which will elect the pope’s successor. In announcing the new voting cardinals, Pope Francis said they come “from 14 countries from every continent (and) manifest the indissoluble links between the Church of Rome” and churches around the world. The list of newly named cardinals includes three from Africa, five from Latin America as well as a combined total of five from Asia and the Pacific. Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi of Tonga becomes the first cardinal from the Polynesian archipelago. At 53, he will also be the youngest. John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, who also made the list, described Mafi’s appointment as “great news” for the region. “Although we are geographically far from much of the world, Pope Francis has gone to the periphery of the world to name new cardinals,” he said in a statement. Meanwhile Archbishop Daniel Sturla, only the second Uruguayan to be appointed a cardinal, said he was “shocked” by honour, which comes less than a year after he was appointed archbishop of Montevideo. The pope’s choice of a Haitian cardinal in February was also a first for the church. Despite the variety of nations represented in the pope’s new choices, Europeans still accounted for the single largest group with seven, including three Italians. No Americans or Canadians Francis, who has undertaken a reform of the Vatican’s admin-

istrative body known as the Curia, named only one cardinal from within it: Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, a Frenchman. He used to serve as the Vatican’s foreign minister. No American or Canadian cardinals were named on Sunday, which Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said was because “their numbers are already consistent and remained stable.” Once these new members of the College of Cardinals are officially installed on February 14, there will be 228 members, including 125 who can vote in conclaves. The new cardinals reflect a change in church demographics, which have shifted toward Africa, Latin America and Asia in the past century. Ben Mendoza, program director of the Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees in Bangkok, said the move to appoint three Asian cardinals was “a very positive step.” “The signal coming from the pope is a diversification of the leadership of the church... He is changing the image of the church to make it more global and less focused on the Vatican,” said Mendoza. “We are in the age of globalization and the church has to keep up with that if it is to survive.” In 1910 about 65 percent of the world’s Catholics lived in Europe with 24 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a 2010 study from American think tank Pew Research Center. By 2010 Latin America accounted for 39 percent of the church’s followers while 16 percent were in Africa and 24 percent were in Europe. Despite the new nominations, the overwhelming number of cardinals named during this and the previous two papacies have been Europeans. Over the three papacies, 57 are from Europe, 19 from Latin America and 15 from Africa, 14 from Asia and three from the Pacific.

AFP to deploy 7,000 soldiers for Pope’s visit MANILA, Jan 6 (Mabuhay) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines will deploy about 7,000 soldiers for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis. “There will be about 6 to 7,000 soldiers. We are also mobilizing about 5,000 reservists,” AFP chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told reporters on Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo. Air cover and sniper teams will also be posted along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. “Air cover means security air patrols to ensure that all the routes that will be undertaken or will be availed by the pope will be secured,” said Air Force chief Lieutenant General Jeffrey Delgado. “Most likely we’ll limit the air space for air cover,” he said. Catapang said the preparations for the pope’s visit was a “challenge.” “It is a security challenge in a way, but we can handle it. We will just make do of available forces, we’ll join forces with the [Philippine National Police]. The PNP is the biggest contingent,” Catapang said. There have been no security threats on the pope’s visit except for the crowd surge, the AFP chief noted. “Our greatest worry is the surge of people,” he said.

US museums puts Asian art treasures online Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – Artistic treasures from Asia’s past have found a place online after the Freer and Sackler galleries in Washington released its entire 40,000-piece collection on the Internet. The museum is the first in the Smithsonian network to digitize and release its entire collection, which also includes a large number of works by the American painter James Whistler. Dubbed “Open F/S,” the project enables “anyone to explore and create with the collections, from anywhere in the world,” the galleries said in a statement. Most of the works have never been seen by the public, and more than 90 percent carry no copyright restrictions for noncommercial use, it said. On the web: open.asia. si.edu

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Pechanga Resort & Casino’s New Year Gift: Filipina Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo Live in Concert on Jan. 16 & 17 Filipina Pop Star Princess Sarah Geronimo is poised to open New Year with a bang for a two-night concert to endear followers and avid patrons of the only getaway for music and game lovers, Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California on January 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. Pechanga Resort & Casino is well-known for hosting the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers such as Mega Star Sharon Cuneta, veteran actor Richard Gomes and OPM (Outstanding Pilipino Music) legend Rico J. Puno, who gave wholesome entertainment to the delight of the crowd in previous engagements. Variety is the name of the game for Pechanga Resort & Casino, the reason why it is hosting in January 2015 the first-

ever two-day concert of Geronimo dubbed as ‘Perfect 10’ by Viva Live group. At age two, Geronimo, who was gifted with talent in both singing and acting, started a series of shows in the malls. She born July 25, 1988 by Filipino parents, Divine and Delfin and is the third of four children. When she turned four, her mother led her to audition to different TV programs where she became part of the kiddie show, Pen-Pen de Sarapen (4-6 years old), Ang TV (7-8 years old), and NEXT (8-9 years old). She likewise, performed in various other venues as hotel lounges and huge shopping malls and in 1995 became one to perform for the 1995 visit of Pope John Paul II. In 2003, when Geronimo was just 14

PROBE From page 1

ar Filipino as among the cultural properties in Manila that suffer from cultural and historical devaluation. Ridon said the internal structure of Army Navy Club along Roxas Blvd., established in 1909 to serve as an exclusive social haven for US soldiers during their occupation, was demolished to pave way for its redevelopment into a boutique hotel. The demolition, denounced by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), is a clear violation of the National Heritage and Cultural Act, which provides for the cultural preservation as a strategy of maintaining Filipino identity, Ridon said. The club was hailed a national historical landmark by cultural agencies in 1991. The Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corporation is in charge of developing the Army and Navy Club building while AMH Philippines is responsible for the structural assessment of the building. Ridon said the old Meralco building in San Marcelino St., which dates more than 50 years old and considered as an important cultural property, was demolished in 2013 despite clamor of heritage activists for the adaptive reuse of the building. “The building was designed by Juan Arellano and featured the art deco style. Aside from the architectural craftsmanship, the façade of this building used to house the bas relief ‘Furies’ sculpted by Italian artist expatriate Francesco Riccardo Monti,” Ridon said. In the same vein, Ridon said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to demolish the Anda circle located at the boundary of Intramuros and Port area and transfer the monument to ease up the traffic congestion in Metro Manila. The monument was constructed in 1871 upon the orders of then Governor General Maria dela Torre in honor of Simon de Anda y Salazar who served as the governor general of the Philippines from 1770 to 1776. Anda was said to have rebelled against British invaders and led a resistance movement when he fled to Bulacan and Pampanga. He likewise denounced

the King of Spain for subjecting the Philippines in deplorable conditions. As for the PhilPost Office in Lawton, there is a plan by a construction firm that built the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore to redevelop the building into a hotel under Public-private Partnership or PPP, Ridon said. “Fronted by the iconic structure of national hero Andres Bonifacio, the building served as the main administrative office PhilPost for 86 years. It boasts of a neoclassical style and was built in 1926 and survived World War II,” according to Ridon. Meanwhile, Ridon said, the Manila Metropolitan Theater formerly known as the Grand Old Dame of Manila Theater was once the center of cultural arts in the country and etched its name in history as the home of Zarzuelas in the 1930s. “The restoration for the MET, hailed a national treasure by the National Museum in 2010, has been impeded by a dispute regarding the ownership of the cultural property between the local city government and the Government Service Insurance System. Because of the sluggish dispute settlement, the MET is compelled to sit idly, its beauty and cultural prestige withering away through time,” Ridon said. As for El Hogar Filipino, the NHCP has been pushing since 2012 for the adaptive reuse of the building constructed in 1914 at the corner of Juan Luna and Muelle de Industria Sts. in Binondo, Ridon said. The news of demolition of El Hogar Filipino came out in February 2014 when tenants were asked to move out of the building. According to Ridon, the weak implementation of laws contributes to the historicalcultural devaluation of cultural projects. “Loose preservation, conservation and restoration plans and actual work on national treasures and cultural properties makes these vulnerable to deterioration. Congress must act as a steward for the protection and preservation of cultural properties by ensuring that laws intended for such purpose are enforced and violations and violators should be held liable,” Ridon said.(MNS)

LACSON From page 1

rector General Leonardo Espina). He has a fresh mandate, a fresh start. Ang importante ay leadership by example,” Lacson told reporters after his speech. He said police officers should not be involved in extortion, case fixing, and other irregularities. Lacson was known for his no non-sense leadership during his stint at the PNP. On the other hand, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said the image of the PNP could be repaired through the more responsible conduct of police officers. “Mahalagang maayos ang imahe ng PNP through performance,” he said. No less than PNP chief Director General

Alan Purisima was ordered suspended by the Ombudsman for six months over the supposed anomalous contract the PNP entered into with a courier service in 2011. Purisima is also currently under fire for his sprawling resthouse in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija, and the allegedly questionable renovation of the PNP chief’s official quarters inside Camp Crame. Lacson earlier said Purisima should resign from the top PNP post and spare President Benigno Aquino III from the controversy. The President, however, defended Purisima, even saying he has known the PNP chief as “ a man of good character.” (MNS)

PINOY SEAFARERS From page 1

to China. Except for the ship’s chief cook, Angelito Capindo Rojas, there are no other known survivors. Search and rescue operations for the 16 other missing Filipino seafarers are hampered by bad weather. Ships from Liberia, Oman, Singapore, and China were helping the Vietnamese authorities in the search, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. In a related development, Malacañang has ordered the Department of National Defense to look into the possibility of sending a team to help in the search. “We are asking the Secretary of National Defense if we can extend assistance,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing on Monday aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan. “The Vietnamese Navy has already added three helicopters for the search and they

are asking other countries to help. So far, no new remains have been recovered or survivors rescued,” Lacierda said. The ship’s cook said he did not know what caused the ship to sink. He said the ship simply tilted and he immediately put on the life vest. Thanh Nien quoted Nguyen Anh Vu, general director of Vietnam’s maritime search and rescue operations coordination center, as saying the search operation was hampered by bad weather. The ship owner, Bergen-based Gearbulk, said the vessel was 155 nautical miles) off Vietnam when it sent a distress signal that was picked up by the Japanese coast guard. Filipino seafarers constitute among the biggest number of seafarers in the world. Some 250,000 Filipino seafarers are at sea on cargo ships, luxury liners, and passenger ships at any given time. (MNS)

SHOOTING From page 1

should ascertain the identities of the suspects if some of them were military personnel or policemen. But Bucayan said all the suspects were civilians, some were even students. Espina has vowed the to hold responsible, including police personnel, who violated the “no firing of gun” policy. “Lahat ng kinakailangang managot ay pananagutin natin (Those who should be held accountable will be held accountable) and I expect a major breakthrough this

week on all these cases,” he said. PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said 24 of the 61 cases were for the “illegal discharge of firearms.” “At least 17 individuals were already apprehended and sad to say seven of them were police personnel, four security guards, and six civilians,” Mayor said. Espina had said police personnel involved in such case would be administratively and criminally charged and automatically dismissed from the service. (MNS)

years old, she joined the singing competition Star For A Night hosted by Ms. Regine Velasquez. On finals night, Sarah’s rendition of Celine Dion’s To Love You More won her the P1-million and a managerial contract at Viva Artist Agency grand prize in the singing tilt. Soon enough, Geronimo became busy with albums, concerts, soap operas, hosting chores in Sunday variety show ASAP, movies and endorsements. She became a role model for many aspiring young singers and dubbed as the Pop Star Princess. She starred in such teleseryes as Bituing Walang Ningning, Pangarap na Bituin, and the short lived TV musical series 1DOL. She was cast in such films as Filipinas, Captain Barbell, Masikip sa Dibdib, Annie Batumbakal, Lastikman: Unang Banat and Hating Kapatid. But she really made an impact as a box office star when she did A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life opposite John Lloyd Cruz. The two romantic-comedy films were both box office hits. She also starred with the recently concluded film opposite Coco Martin, released in August 2014. On TV, Sarah Geronimo is a regular on ASAP. She also had a Sunday night musical variety show entitled, Sarah G. Live. Sarah also sat as one of the four coaches of reality singing competition. All year-round, Pechanga Resort & Casino delights its audiences not only in presenting innovative entertainment shows but more importantly, in varied gaming activities and foods galore, plus a tons of raffles and giveaways for visiting participants. Time is running out. Buy your tickets now – from $85, $75, $70 and $65. Tickets are available at the Pechanga Box office or online at www.Pechanga.com/tickets. Room and show packages are available. To purchase wheelchair seating, please call the Box Office at 1-877-711-2946. Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. With 1,200 seats in its theater, each show features state-of-the-art and acous-

tically perfected sound. Enjoying favorite artists at Pechanga versus other venues proves effortless with free valet and selfparking for guests, complimentary casino/ resort shuttles, gourmet and casual dining options on site, plus comfortable chairs and an up-close view from every theater seat. About Pechanga Resort & Casino Pechanga Resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/ casino experience anywhere in the country. Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-877-711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga. com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook.com/Pechanga and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. Pechanga Resort & Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino.

LRT FARE From page 1

As a result of the fare hike, an MRT trip from North Avenue to Taft Avenue now costs P28, from the previous P15. A single journey LRT 1 trip from Roos-

evelt to Baclaran is now P30, from P20; and a single journey LRT 2 trip from Recto to Santolan is now P25, from P15. (MNS)

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Tireless effort by immigrants cited for new driver license law With passage of AB 60, even undocumented can get driver license LOS ANGELES – Through the tireless advocacy of the immigrant community and their allies over the past several years, all California residents will finally be eligible to receive a driver’s license regardless of their immigration status under the Safe and Responsible Drivers Act (AB 60). This long-awaited victory will allow undocumented Californians to be able to travel safely within the state without risking the consequences of unlicensed driving such as tickets, vehicle impoundments, and potential arrests. “Our community members can now drive safely to work and school. AB 60’s long due and historic victory resulted from all immigrant communities working in unity. The Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA) and Korean American community in Los Angeles welcome this change,” said Alexandra Suh, Executive Director of KIWA. “AB 60 will make it easier for hard-working Pacific Islanders to support their families and contribute meaningfully to their communities while helping to make our roads safer for everyone,” said Tana Lepule, Executive Director of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities. “AB 60 will give undocumented parents the peace of mind when picking up and dropping off their children at school. Our community looks forward to the implementation of AB 60,” said Hee Joo Yoon, Executive Director of the Korean Resource Center. Beginning January 1, 2015, undocumented Californians can receive a non-commercial driver’s license from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by completing the DL-44 application form, paying the standard $33 application fee, and passing both the knowledge and behind-the-wheel tests. Under the law, AB 60 driver’s license recipients are protected from discrimination by law enforcement agencies. “This AB 60 Driver’s License Bill will allow undocumented immigrants to step out of the shadows and be further integrated in society,” said Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell, Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center. “It eliminates the fear from performing ordinary tasks like going to work, grocery shopping, and dropping kids off to school. It treats law-abiding members of our society as law-abiding members of our society. These are people who are trying to do what’s right and this bill is finally allowing them to do just that.” An estimated 416,000 undocumented Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) will be eligible to receive an AB 60 driver’s license in the state of California, underscoring the need to raise awareness within the AAPI community about this new policy and to demystify misinformation that might deter AAPI undocumented immigrants from availing it. “AB 60 is a victory for our immigrant communities and groups who have advocated for this issue for decades,” said Joanna Concepcion, Executive Director of the Filipino Migrant Center. “Roughly 1 in 4 Filipinos are undocumented in the U.S. and it’s important that Filipinos are well-informed about how this new law could benefit them.” “There are 1.2 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, and 24% live in California,” said Kawen T. Young, Executive Director of Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Alliance. “Among these residents, a significant percentage of Pacific Islanders are immigrants from the nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. The AB 60 Drivers’ License implementation will ensure that those who are undocumented can drive legally and safely in the State of California.” As the DMV anticipates the full implementation of AB 60, the AAPI community will continue to advocate for the accessibility of DMV resources and materials to AAPI undocumented immigrants, particularly to those who have low English proficiency, to ensure that this policy becomes a successful program for all undocumented Californians. “This was fought for because it would make a big difference in many people’s lives, and we are here to help everyone in our community make it successfully through the application process. Nandito kami para tumulong (We are here to help),” said Aquilina Soriano Versoza, Executive Director of the Pilipino Worker Center. “We are dedicated to informing the Asian American and Pacific Islander community about the benefits of AB 60 to help community members make an educated decision about applying for drivers licenses,” said Stewart Kwoh, Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles. “As we look forward to seeing AB 60 improve the livelihoods of undocumented Californians, we continue our commitment to fight for a more comprehensive solution that would provide all undocumented immigrants with the dignity they deserve.” For more information, please vi it the AB 60 website: http://ab60. dmv.ca.gov/ or call the DMV hotline at: 1-800-777-0133

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Deadly Libya strike on tanker draws Greek condemnation Benghazi, Libya | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – Libya’s internationally recognized government said Monday that its aircraft bombed an oil tanker off the Islamist-held port of Derna, killing two crewmen and drawing condemnation from Greece. A spokesman for the Libyan government’s armed forces said the tanker was hit on Sunday after it refused to stop for checks on its cargo which had raised suspicions. But the Greek government said the vessel was plying a longstanding route under contract to the Libyan state oil company and demanded prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of the Greek and Romanian crewmen. Greek coastguards said the Liberian-registered Araevo vessel was at anchor two nautical miles off Derna and laden with 1,600 tons of crude oil when it was hit. Libyan armed forces spokesman Colonel Ahmed Mesmari said the tanker had turned off its lights “in preparation for entering the port... and because of this it and its cargo were considered suspicious”. But the Greek government condemned what it called a “cowardly and unprovoked” attack on a vessel plying a regular service between two Libyan ports. “According to the shipping firm, the vessel was operating under contract to the Libyan National Corporation and had been working the Marsa al-Brega to Derna route for many years without problem,” a

government statement said. “This criminal act has caused the deaths of two crew members – one Greek and one Romanian – and wounded two others,” it said. “The Greek government will take all necessary steps with the Libyan authorities – in spite of the unstable situation – to help investigate the circumstances of this tragic event and identify and punish the attack’s perpetrators.” Two other members of the ship’s crew of 26 were wounded in the air strike. Libya’s internationally recognized government, which has been based in the remote east since Islamist-backed militia seized the capital last year, has been determined to prevent any oil exports without its authorization. The jihadist Islamic State (IS) group that has seized chunks of Iraq and Syria is thought to have gained a foothold in Derna amid the chaos in Libya since the 2011 uprising that ousted dictator Moamer Kadhafi. More than three years after Kadhafi was toppled and killed in a NATO-backed revolt, the country remains awash with weapons and powerful militias, and has rival governments and parliaments. In mid-December, Islamist militias in Derna announced they had formed a new coalition, ahead of an expected assault by forces of the internationally recognized government.

Why Ona quit: Trust, confidence of Aquino no longer there MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – Former Health Secretary Enrique Ona on Monday said he resigned his post as head of the Department of Health because he felt his relationship with President Aquino was already broken due to allegations in the DOH’s purchase of pneumococcal vaccines. Ona, 75, said that after four years as DOH chief, he had already achieved some of the baseline reforms he wanted in the country’s health system such as near universal healthcare for all Filipinos, the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 and the sin tax law. However, he also pointed out that the President’s own pronouncements about the PCV-10 purchase and the subsequent investigation by the NBI showed that he no longer enjoyed the President’s support. “I felt that the relationship between a Cabinet and a president should be, as his alter ego, should be very close. If there is a certain break on that, of course the president had all the right and prerogative to end that and I offered my resignation...” he said. President Aquino earlier said he asked Ona to go on leave while undergoing investigation for the purchase of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines 10 (PCV 10) by the Department of Health (DOJ) in 2012 worth P833 million. In his affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation, Ona denied that the World Health Organization recommended the purchase of PCV 13 vaccines, supposedly because it was more cost effective. He told ANC there were two contending sides within the DOH about the purchase, pointing out that PCV 13 was more expensive than PCV 10 be-

cause of the additional antigens. Ona said he made the decision to purchase the PCV 10 because the DOH could vaccinate more poor children in the country with the cheaper vaccines. “It was both a cost issue and effectiveness issue on what was best for the country. [PCV 13] is more expensive. The budget is the constraint and that is reason why, if you read the WHO recommendation if all the children can be vaccinated, if you have the money for all the children then fine maybe PCV-13 is more cost effective. Both are cost effective. Hindi mo ma vaccinate lahat ng bata, only essentially for the poor.” The former DOH chief said he feels he made the right decision, noting that the purchase was also upheld as aboveboard by the NBI. “Of course, I feel very much vindicated on that not just for myself but others associated with that transaction.” He also said there is always a risk when you make a major decision as head of an important government agency. “This is why you need full trust and confidence of the President. The mere fact that based on his statement and the NBI investigation, that may not be there anymore. This is why I felt I should give way...” Asked if he felt that he was not as influential with the president as other people, he said: “Malakas, mahina I don’t think that should be the important figure, point or issue with the president. It should be a relationship with full trust and confidence and understanding of each other on the program of health that we are pursuing.” (MNS)

DOTC chief claims LRT, MRT fare hike followed standard procedures MANILA, Jan 5 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) defended its move to green light the fare increase for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT), which was based on laid-out procedures, its top official said Monday. This is in light of ongoing improvements in the light rails systems, which include the replacement of rails in LRT 1 and MRT, DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya told reporters in a briefing Monday. Abaya said the DOTC merely followed the procedures undertaken in the previous fare increase by LRT in 2003. “We used the same procedures... We’re careful about that. 2011 palang napapag-usapan na ‘yan, wala pa sa executive,” he said. “The procedures were laid out, we had public consultations. What was laid out, we’re just merely following,” Abaya added. Abaya made the statement after Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), a former lawmaker and 17 other individuals asked the Supreme Court to stop the LRT and MRT fare increase authorized by

the DOTC. Petitioners, which include Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes, former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco and former LRT Administration chief Melquiades Robles questioned the fare increase – particularly the absence of public consultations. While it was the petitioners’ rights to petition the high court on the fare increase, Abaya noted it’s about time to raise fares in the mass rail system. “Just to put things in perspective, ang huling increase ng fares ng LRT 1 ay 2003... Mahigit isang dekada na,” he said. “Ang LRT 2, nag-open ng 2003, hanggang ngayon wala pa ding increase. Ang MRT 3, noong nagbukas ay pababa ng pababa ang fares.” “Tingin ko, hindi ganoon ang disenyo... Any logical infrastructure, one way or another, dahan-dahang pataaas dahil kelangang marecover ang costs at patuloy mo ma-maintain at mag-expand ang kanyang kapasidad,” he added. The DOTC chief blamed the former administration for failing to adjust the fares of the mass rail systems in Metro Manila.

Slew of challenges for Republican-led US Congress in 2015 By Michael Mathes

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Washington, United States | AFP | Saturday 1/3/2015 – The 113th Congress, which wrapped up December 16, was one of the least productive in modern history. Onward to 2015. US lawmakers return to Washington on Tuesday under a new, fully Republican banner after the party swept to victory in November elections. Republican leaders will have plenty on their plate in the first quarter, as the party seeks to roll back President Barack Obama’s legislative gains and press its own agenda ahead of the 2016 presidential race. Conservatives are furious at Obama’s recent use of executive orders, notably to halt deportations of undocumented immigrants and to begin normalizing US-Cuba relations. Republican legislation, including several projobs bills, should pass relatively easily through the House of Representatives, where Republicans expanded their majority to 247 of 435 seats. It will be tougher in the 100-member Senate, where 60 votes are often needed to advance legislation. Republicans will hold 54 seats in the chamber. Expect a series of heated clashes between Con-

gress and Obama in months to come. Economy Obama gives his State of the Union speech January 20 laying out his policy priorities, but several issues will already be churning on Capitol Hill. Approving the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the US Gulf Coast will be the Senate’s first major order of business, according to incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The long-delayed project is expected to clear Congress, but Obama, concerned about how Keystone might hasten climate change, signalled his opposition in a year-end press conference. That sets up a potential presidential Keystone veto in early 2015, one that would be difficult to override. Republican leaders expect to reach common ground with Obama on international trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which has Republican support but faces Democratic opposition. Other issues could face even more hostility. Congress will need to raise the federal debt limit, which was suspended early last year until March 15, 2015. McConnell said there would be “no default on the national debt.”

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UTREACH Nearly 30,000 apply for license on 1st week of new law

Immigrants snap up new California driver licenses Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/6/2015 – Nearly 30,000 motorists applied for driving licenses in California on the first weekend of a new law offering them to people in the United States illegally, officials said Monday. Thanks to the 2013 bill approved by Governor Jerry Brown, California last week became the 10th state in the nation to issue them to undocumented immigrants. Under the AB60 law, anyone who can show they are California residents – such as through bills or rental agreements – can now apply for a license, regardless of immigration status. On Friday 17,200 people applied for the AB60 driver’s document, while over 11,000 did so on Saturday, said Department of Motor Vehicles spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez. Opponents fear the law will encourage immigrants to come to the United States, and worry some might use false names to register for a license, thereby creating national security concerns. Advocates say it means more drivers will get car insurance and will make the roads safer. Until now, immigrants in California without legal authorization risked heavy fines or vehicle seizures for driving without a license. Many do anyway, as much of the huge West Coast state lacks comprehensive public transit. California has the largest undocumented immigrant population in the United States, about 2.45 million. They must still provide proof of identity, such as a passport. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles expects some 1.4 million people to request a license. Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont and Washington state already have similar laws. Opponents fear the law will

encourage immigrants to come to the United States, and worry some might use false names to register for a license, thereby creating national security concerns. Advocates say it means more drivers will get car insurance and will make the roads safer. Until now, immigrants in California without legal authorization risked heavy fines or vehicle seizures for driving without a license. Many do anyway, as much of the huge West Coast state lacks comprehensive public transit. California has the largest undocumented immigrant population in the United States, about 2.45 million. They must still provide proof of identity, such as a passport. The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles expects some 1.4 million people to request a license. DMV director Jean Shiomoto said the law would “increase safety on California roads by putting licensed drivers behind the steering wheel.” As DMV offices opened early Friday, hundreds of people lined up to be among the first to request a license under the new rules. Miguel Pineda, 37, has been driving illegally for 15 years and was among those applying. “I got nervous when it was my turn to take the (driving) test. But it was easy,” he told the Los Angeles Times. He said he had been stopped in 2005 and had to shell out almost $1,500 after his car was confiscated. Los Angeles city Councilman Gilbert Cedillo was among those supporting the law. “It was difficult politically to carry a legislation for a community that was vilified, not appreciated, and marginalized,” he told the LA Times. Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont and Washington state already have similar laws.

LA County to host used oil and filter recycling event in Maywood LA County Public Works will host a free used motor oil and oil filter recycling event on January 10, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, at the Maywood O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 4401 Slauson Ave. When used oil is illegally dumped into storm drains, it pollutes local water bodies and contaminates sources of clean drinking water. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it only takes one gallon of motor oil to contaminate as much as a million gallons of fresh water. That is equivalent to a year’s supply of drinking water for 50 people. In exchange for properly disposing of their used oil during the event, participants will be rewarded with free used oil containers, oil filters, shop towels, and funnels. Those recycling oil filters will receive one new oil filter. Promotional items are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. Items for drop-off should be prepared by placing oil filters in sealed plastic bags and storing used motor oil in leak-proof containers. Used oil should not be mixed with any other liquid, including water. Used motor oil and oil filters can also be recycled for free at a local certified collection center or on weekends at a County-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste/Electronic Waste collection event. A full calendar of collection events and list of collection centers can

be found at www.CleanLA.com. For additional information on the County’s oil and oil filter recycling program, call Edna Gandarilla, Program Manager, at (626) 458-6536.

Governance for Kalayaan Incorporated is set for 2015 with the induc on of oﬃcers by Deputy Consul General Imelda M. Panolong on December 2, at Steven’s Steakhouse in the City of Commerce. From le : board member Rene Galano, PRO Lydia V. Solis; board members Myrna Baculi and Benel Se-Liban; assistant secretary Violet Mislang, secretary Archerie Calunod, president Zeny Sabocor, vice president Josie E. de Jesus, treasurer Lanie Berrei, assistant treasurer Virginia B. Vivas, and auditor Techie Emperador. Music by Midnight Mo on Band with board member Willie Manacsa in the background. Photo by Marc de Jesus.

Obama meets with Mexican leader on immigration, Cuba Washington, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/6/2015 – President Barack Obama prepared Tuesday to welcome his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto for talks centering on immigration and US plans to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba. Another topic of discussion could be the disappearance and likely massacre of 43 Mexican students at the hands of policelinked gangsters in September in the southern town of Iguala, a tragedy that has triggered a major scandal for Pena Nieto. In a letter to Obama, Human Rights Watch said the Pena Nieto administration has failed to take the crisis seriously and Obama should “call them on it.” On immigration, Obama announced in late November a series of measures offering some five million people living in the country illegally – out of a total of 11 million – temporary legal status. Two-thirds of the people that can benefit from the reform are Mexican, according to the White House. Starting in spring, any undocumented foreigner who has been living in the country for more than five years, and has a US-born child or one with permanent US residency, can file for a three-year work permit. Mexico has welcomed this change as restoring “dignity” to hundreds of thousands of people. Mexico and the United States, which share a 3,200 km

(2,000 mile) border, also worked together closely last summer to deal with a flood of unaccompanied Central American children crossing through Mexico into the United States. Three-quarters of them came from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Mexico’s president was an im-

portant partner in handling this crisis, a US administration official said. “The presidents will discuss how they can continue to work together to avoid a renewed surge in migrants this year, and to minimize the number of people that undertake this dangerous trip,” the official added.

PHL Consulate will transfer to new location in March 2015 Los Angeles, 05 January 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General is pleased to announced that it will move to a new location at 3435 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA beginning the 1st week of March 2015. The change of location that is four blocks from its present location is part of a wider effort of the Consulate towards delivering better client experience and enhanced image and representation of the Philippines in Southern California. “At these times when the respect for our people and our country has increased considerably,” said Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, “it is timely that we establish a presence in Los Angeles that matches up with that achievement.” The Filipino community is one of the fastest growing communities in the Midwest region. Based on the 2010 US Census, there is about one million Filipinos within the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.

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Star Cinema brings ‘EDSA Woolworth’ to Philippine screens starting January 14 Pokwang starrer from TFC@ theMovies kicks off Star Cinema’s 2015 movie line-up

REDWOOD SHORES, CA, January 5, 2015 – The second original feature film of TFC@theMovies that was the talk of the town among Filipino moviegoers of North America back in November 2014 will be shown in Philippine screens starting January 14. ABS-CBN Star Cinema is bringing the much awaited, EDSA Woolworth, a story about love surrounding a blended Filipino American family that triggered conversation among movie-loving folks for its refreshing storyline, honest acting, and unforgettable soundtrack. EDSA Woolworth is played by comedienne Pokwang who displays her acting depth and versatility anew in this family drama. Playing Chad, her love interest, is American actor Lee O’Brian, who is joined by Steven Spohn as

Papa Frank, Ricci Chan as EDSA’s younger brother Boni, Prince Saruhan as their adopted brother Paco, TFC’s Adobo Nation cohost Lee Robin Salazar as Patrick the lawyer, Princess Ryan as Shayne and Vivian Foz as her mom Norma, and Joji Isla as Rudy, Paco’s real dad. The memorable, original Filipino American soundtrack is another aspect that distinguishes EDSA Woolworth. Chan penned and performed, “Felt Like Love” while talents from the San Francisco-based Luna Company also delivered songs which are available on iTunes: “Dancing All Night Long” by Michelle Martinez, “Undone” by Manny Garcia, and “Dressing Room” by Summer Breeze. “What our moviegoers in the Philippines will experience from watching EDSA Woolworth is an insight into the lives of the members of a blended Filipino American family – their needs, aspirations, ways of thinking and the

culture they live in. This is a journey of discovery: travelling this road is an eyeopener for our folks living in the homeland on the way of life for many Filipinos in the U.S. We’re so delighted and grateful that Star Cinema is kicking off its 2015 movie line-up with this heartfelt offering from TFC@themovies,” said director and ABS-CBN Global Head of Theatricals John-D Lazatin. EDSA Woolworth is the second feature from TFC@theMovies. In 2011, its first feature, A Mother’s Story surprised many with 18 nominations from the Filipino Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) in 2012. It was also adjudged Best Film at the 2012 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards (MAM) awarded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. For more on EDSA Woolworth, visit www.EDSAWoolworth.com, www.facebook. com/edsawoolworth and starcinema.abs-cbn.com

Same-sex couples wed in Florida as gay marriage ban ends Miami, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/6/2015 – Scores of same-sex Florida couples tied the knot early Tuesday after the state’s ban on gay marriage ended. Overjoyed couples filed into courthouses and exchanged vows just after midnight, as Florida became the 36th of America’s 50 states to allow gay marriage. “I’m glad it’s finally legal,” William Lee Jones told the Miami Herald after he married his partner of more than 10 years, Aaron Huntsman. The couple were among several who had sued Florida for the

right to marry. US District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled last week that court officials must not enforce the state’s ban, which was approved by voters in 2008. In an August ruling, Hinkle said the ban was unconstitutional and he likened it to laws banning interracial marriages that were overturned 50 years ago. So many couples showed up at the courthouses in some counties that officials held mass wedding ceremonies as jubilant friends and supporters cheered outside. “It’s about time, is what I feel. I didn’t think it would happen in

my lifetime,” Irma Oliver of West Palm Beach told the Palm Beach Post as she married her partner of a decade, Julia Borghese. Florida is America’s third most populous state behind California and Texas, with a population of about 20 million. In 2013, the US Supreme Court recognized marriage equality when it overturned a federal law that defined marriage in strictly heterosexual terms. This cleared the way for married gay and lesbian couples to enjoy the same rights and privileges under federal law as their straight counterparts.

US home prices continue to flatten in October Washington, United States | AFP | Tuesday 12/30/2014 – US home prices continued to flatten out in October, with the year-onyear rise slowing to 4.7 percent according to the S&amp;P/CaseShiller index released Tuesday. The pace of annual gains in the Case-Shiller 20-city index decelerated from 4.9 percent in September and 13 percent at the

beginning of 2014, evidence of a normalization of the market after the recovery from the 2008-2009 recession. Housing markets in San Francisco, Miami and Denver continued to show strength while weakening was evident in Washington, New York, Boston and Cleveland. David Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow

Jones Indices, said that gains in eight cities suggested there was still strength overall in the market. “After a long period when home prices rose, but at a slower pace with each passing month, we are seeing hints that prices could end 2014 on a strong note and accelerate into 2015,” he said in a statement.

Now on it’s 38th year, the annual Christmas Family Reunion of the Velasco clan was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ruby and Arnold Castaneda on Christmas day 2014. The momentous gathering was made more meaningful by the red shirt showing the family tree, which defines the real meaning of “Celebrating as One Big Family.”

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‘Small screens’ prevent kids from sleeping: US study Miami, United States | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – Children who have access to tablets or smartphones in their bedrooms get less sleep than children who do not have the devices with them at night, a US study said Monday. The findings in the January 5 edition of the journal Pediatrics show that having a so-called “small screen” within reach was slightly worse than a television set when it came to sleep deprivation in a group of 2,000 mid-

dle school kids. Overall, those with access to smartphones and tablets got nearly 21 fewer minutes of sleep per night than children whose rooms were free of such technology, and they were more likely to say they felt sleep deprived. Those with a TV in the bedroom got 18 minutes fewer of slumber than kids without televisions in their rooms. “Presence of a small screen, but not a TV, in the sleep environment, and screen time

were associated with perceived insufficient rest or sleep,” said the study led by Jennifer Falbe of the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health. “These findings caution against unrestricted screen access in children’s bedrooms.” Participants in the study included 2,048 fourth- and seventh-graders enrolled in the Massachusetts Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration Study from 2012 to 2013.

Fitness forecast 2015: A focus on safe, eﬀec ve workouts (Relaxnews) – Working out is catering increasingly to busy lives and thanks to new technology, we could soon find an answer to the very difficult question of why some athletes get hurt over time and others don’t. We’re giving you the skinny on what to expect in workouts as the calendar flips over to 2015. Short workouts will get shorter Gone are the days when getting in shape was associated with spending hours in the gym. Workouts have been trimmed down to 12, 10, 7 and most recently one minute of intense effort and studies have demonstrated such short workouts to be somewhere between effective and better than nothing, depending on participants’ health and goals. Between lack of time to dedicate to the gym and a pointed distaste for exercise exhibited in an increasingly sedentary population, expect this trend to flourish. What’s behind it is high intensity interval training (HIIT), which means the workout is sequenced with periods of all-out

effort sandwiched between quasirelaxing breaks at warm-up-level intensity. That being said, the actual time commitment to some buzzedabout short workouts is longer— and in the case of the one-minute workout, that only counts the intense part. HIIT saves you time in any case and has been looked upon as a game changer in people’s approach to working out. More strategies for safety Shorter is not necessarily safer, and even popular low-risk workouts that don’t use supplementary weights or equipment, like many categorized under body weight training or functional training, carry some degree of risk. In fact, the Canadian military expressed concerns last year over cases of a muscle condition called rhabdomyolysis in HIIT participants. All fitness activities carry risks, and wearable technology in 2015 will focus increasingly on technology aiming to prevent con-

ditions like rhabdomyolysis from arising and take joint stress into account before it becomes a problem to the athlete. More and more activity trackers have launched that go beyond counting the steps you take and track lactic acid balance, muscle fatigue and hydration levels. Increasingly sophisticated muscle activity sensors can help detect sprains and strains and, as always, everything gets logged for later access, so injuries will be more and more traceable. Such forward-thinking fitness wearables include Athos and Leo, both of which claim to contain electromyography sensors and are due to ship in 2015. Other wearables take note of runner’s gaits in the hopes of finding out more about joint safety, such as runScribe, whose pre-orders will start shipping in January. Kinesiologists are hard at work with increased access to new technology such as 3D motion capture that is helping the industry take strides.

A study found that having a so-called “small screen” within reach was slightly worse than a television set when it came to sleep deprivation in a group of 2,000 middle school kids. ©Jack Frog/shutterstock.com

‘Healthy obesity’ does not last, says study Miami, United States | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – People who are obese may appear healthy for a while but their condition declines over time, said a study out Monday that followed more than 2,500 people for 20 years. The research by scientists at University College London is the longest of its kind, and its findings support previous research that has shown people who are overweight face a higher risk of heart attack, stroke and some kinds of cancer than thin people as the years go on. For the purposes of the research, “healthy obesity” was defined as not having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or other metabolic risk factors. A total of 2,521 men and women between the ages of 39 and 62 were followed for the study that measured their body mass index, cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and insulin resistance. A total of 181 participants were initially classified as obese, including 66 who were considered

“healthy obese.” By the time the two decades had passed, just over half of the healthy obese people had become unhealthy obese. Only 11 percent of those who were obese at the start of the study lost pounds and reached normal weight. “A core assumption of healthy obesity has been that it is stable over time, but we can now see that healthy obese adults tend to become unhealthy obese in the long term, with about half making this transition over 20 years in our study,” said lead study author Joshua Bell. “Healthy obesity is a high-risk state with serious implications for disease risk.” Nearly 36 percent of adults in the United States are obese, and nearly 25 percent of adults in Britain are obese, according to estimates from government health authorities. “Healthy obesity is only valid if it is stable over time, and our results indicate that it is often just a phase,” added Bell.

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Erap finally meets Bernard Palanca Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada finally met actor Bernard Palanca, the boyfriend of his daughter Jerika Ejercito. Palanca and Ejercito welcomed their first baby early last year. In a series of posts in her Instagram account, Ejercito shared photos where Estrada can be seen with the actor. According to Ejercito, the metting between her father and her boyfriend made this Christmas extra special. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Was going through my pho-

tos trying to free up some space and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise that someone managed to capture these precious moments when @bjpalanca finally met dad. Best Christmas to date. God has blessed beyond what we could ever ask for and we intend to make it right in His time,â&#x20AC;? she said. Ejercito also shared some photos where the former President can be seen bonding with her son. In Ejercitoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest post, Palanca can also be seen joining the Estradas in their family picture. Several months back, it was reported that Estrada does not

approve of his daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with Palanca. In an interview with â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Buzzâ&#x20AC;? which was aired on October 20, Estrada said Palanca hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reached out to him yet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know anything about it. No [I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t met him yet], no [efforts to reach out]. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know,â&#x20AC;? he said at the time. Asked if it is true that he disapproves of Palanca to be her daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner, Estrada said at the time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anong tatanggapin? Nag-e-enroll ba? Meron na silang pamilya â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun. Bahala na sila.â&#x20AC;? (MNS)

German Moreno hospitalized due to mild stroke Veteran television host German Moreno, more popularly known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kuya Germs,â&#x20AC;? was rushed to a hospital Friday after suffering from a mild stroke, a report said. Morenoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son, Federico, said that his father is currently resting at the Acute Stroke Care Unit of St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Center in Quezon City. He added that his father is doing â&#x20AC;&#x153;okay.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We humbly ask for your prayers for his quick recovery. Pls pray for Papa,â&#x20AC;? Federico was also quoted in saying. Moreno, who is 71-years-old, is the host of the local late night television program â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.â&#x20AC;? (MNS)

German Moreno

Gretchen Barretto wants own coffeetable book Actress Gretchen Barretto will soon release her own coffeetable book, which will be written by her friend Patrick Rosas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To give you idea, I will share not only part of my work as an actress but my love for fashion, for so many things. Hindi natin pwede sabihin baka maunahan tayo pero â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun ang aming next project,â&#x20AC;? Barretto said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My next plan, according to ABS-CBN, is her book. She will be the local actress to have a coffee tablebook. So secret pa â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yon, Abangan,â&#x20AC;? Rosas added.

Barretto, meanwhile, announced that will be doing a new movie with Star Cinema with the title â&#x20AC;&#x153;Etiquette from Mistresses.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marami tayong gagawin,â&#x20AC;? she said of her plans for 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mayroon akong movie with Star Cinema na â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Etiquette from Mistressesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; under the direction of Chito RoĂąo. Paghahandaan natin â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yon.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;As far as teleserye is concerned, hindi pa naman gawa ang mga scripts so wala akong pwedeng i-divulge sa inyo hanggang hindi pa talaga siya concrete lahat,â&#x20AC;? Barretto added. (MNS)

MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST FOREVER.

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Gretchen Barretto

Bernard Palanca and Jerika Ejercito

Daniel Padilla defends dad from bashers Daniel Padilla cried foul after some netizens continued bashing his father, actor Rommel Padilla, for supposedly telling him to prioritize his career above anything else. Padilla said these bashers do not have the right to criticize because they do not know his family personally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nalungkot po ako dahil malungkot po â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung nangyayari sa social media. Kaya ayoko niyan eh. Nakakalungkot na ang babata pa nung mga kung anu-ano ang sinasabi sa amin. Akala mo kung sino nang may mga alam. Kaya â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun talagang ikinalungkot ko, kahit si Papa, si Tito Robin (Padilla) dinadamay. Masyado silang nagmamarunong. Masyado silang maraming alam,â&#x20AC;? he said. Although he usually does not mind his detractors, Padilla said he got irked this time because hurtful words have been thrown their way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Magaling nga sila eh. Medyo tinamaan nila ako ngayon. Dati hindi naman nila ako tinatamaan eh. Kaso ngayon, medyo bumanat sila sa pamilya ko. Medyo nakakalungkot na ganun sila. Masyado silang nagmamarunong,â&#x20AC;? he said. Padilla said he understands why some fans are too possessive when it comes to him and his onscreen partner Kathryn Bernardo, admitting that he wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be where he is now if not for their love team. However, the actor said this does not give fans the right to malign his father nor any member of his family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kung wala si Kathryn, wala naman ako. Totoo â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat natin kay Kathryn. Ngunit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun nga ang

Daniel Padilla

sinasabi ko, may mga nagmamarunong na. Na akala mo sila â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung nagpapakain sa amin, sila yung nagpalaki sa amin. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yun ang malungkot,â&#x20AC;? he said. According to Padilla, he always reminds his fans not to engage with others who are spreading negativity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kahit naman anong sabihin ko, hindi naman titigil. Ilang beses ko nang sinubukan. Kahit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung last time kong get-together diyan sa malapit sa bahay, sinabihan ko na â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung mga supporters ko na â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yun, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung talagang mga solid, limang taon ko nang kasama. Simula pa lang, nandun na hanggang ngayon.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sinabihan kong marami nang magulo eh. Kahit nga ako ang gulo ko na eh. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wag na silang sumali, sabi ko.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sabi ko, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Huwag niyo na lang pansinin. Magkaroon na lang tayo ng sarili nating mundo. Maging suplado na lang tayo para wala na lang masabi,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? he said. Setting aside controversies, Padilla said he will just do his best in all his projects and give whatever his fans deserve. (MNS)

Is Alonzo Muhlach the second coming of NiĂąo Muhlach? When we think of the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;child wonderâ&#x20AC;?, the name that immediately comes to mind these days is none other than Ryzza Mae Dizon. Since winning the Little Miss Philippines title in 2012, the 9-year-old sensation has captured the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination and has proven herself to be a bonafide top-rated TV star and box office draw. She also won numerous accolades including the Best Child Performer award of the Metro Manila Film Festival two years in a row. In another time, however, there was another child star who was just as phenomenal as Ryzza is today â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perhaps even more so. For much of the 1970s and the 1980s, it was NiĂąo Muhlach who was considered as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s child wonder, who even won three FAMAS awards for his performances in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kutong Lupaâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tahan Na, Empoy, Tahanâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang Tatay Kong Nanayâ&#x20AC;?, the last two directed by the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka. These days, not a few people see NiĂąoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s similarity with his own son, Alonzo, who at 4 is already beginning to make his presence in the industry. After a memorable big screen debut in the Star Cinema drama â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Trialâ&#x20AC;?, Alonzo is currently in the cast of not one but two box office hits in the Metro Manila Film Festival â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Big Bossingâ&#x20AC;?, where he is officially introduced. Asked about the young

Alonzo

Muhlachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s striking resemblance to his father who is now in his 40s, NiĂąo chuckled and admitted that even he is amazed with their similarities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Minsan nga ako mismo kinikilabutan sa sobrang pagkakamukha namin. I mean, you look at our pictures, we look so much alike,â&#x20AC;? NiĂąo recently told Interaksyon. Asked if he had any reservations when Alonzo started getting film offers after a brief but memorable appearance in the reality show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pinoy Big Brother: All Inâ&#x20AC;?, NiĂąo said he could not think of any reason why he should not allow his son to follow in his footsteps. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi naman kasi naging traumatic yung experience ko sa showbiz. Hindi naging masama yung epekto sa akin, naging mabuti pa nga. Nakapag-ipon ako, naging maganda ang buhay ko so why will I deprive Alonzo from experiencing what I actually enjoyed during my childhood?â&#x20AC;?

he argued. NiĂąo said that by allowing Alonzoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career to be managed by showbiz publicist Aster Amoyo, people cannot call him a stage father. Although like any proud dad, NiĂąo said he would always be around to lend his support to his son. In the recent Metro Manila Film Festival awards night where Alonzo performed the opening dance number with Ryzza, NiĂąo stood up from his seat upon seeing his son and ran near the stage to take photos. Talent-wise, NiĂąo said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not his place to say if Alonzo is already a better actor than he was when they were the same age. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy for me to say na mas magaling siya sa akin but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather other people say it,â&#x20AC;? he quipped. As for comparing Alonzo with Bimby Aquino who co-starred with Ryzza in â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Little Bossingsâ&#x20AC;? last year, NiĂąo said the comparison is both unfair and unnecessary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compare them because in the first place, Bimby is much older. Nagsisimula pa lang si Alonzo so nangangapa pa siya at hindi pa ganun kasanay mag-Tagalog,â&#x20AC;? he pointed out. One thing that Alonzo has going for him is that he is part of two MMFF entries that are not only box office hits but have also received favorable reviews. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Big Bossingâ&#x20AC;? in particular is considered by critics to be a vast improvement over its much-maligned predecessor.

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MOTORING Strong December sales cap solid year for US automakers New York, United States | AFP | Monday 1/5/2015 – US automakers reported strong domestic sales in December, capping solid annual growth for General Motors and the newly renamed Chrysler, but a flat year for Ford. GM said it had the best December in seven years, with a 19 percent year-on-year rise in US unit sales taking the company’s total for 2014 to 2.94 million vehicles, a 4.8 percent rise. Both for the month and the year, GM’s Buick and GMC truck and sports utility vehicle (SUV) division led the gains, while its luxury unit Cadillac continued to drag, down 11.1 percent in the month and 6.3 percent for the full year. Ford, the number-two automaker, said it enjoyed its best December in nine years, but unit sales were up just one percent from a year earlier. For the year sales were virtually flat at 2.48 million vehicles, which the company blamed on a slowdown in pickup truck sales as it prepared the release late in the

year of the new aluminum F-150, and on a deliberate cutback in sales to car rental agencies. FCA US, the new name of the US arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said its December turnover came in 20 percent above the previous year and marked a 10-year high, pushing the full-year 2014 sales to 2.09 million, a 16 percent rise from 2013. Volume gains for all three US automakers were strongest in the trucks and SUV categories, as cheap gasoline continues to mitigate the extra cost of the relatively low-mileage vehicles. December sales for the industry appeared better than analysts had expected, and company officials forecast rising sales throughout 2015. “The momentum the economy carried through 2014 accelerated in the fourth quarter,” GM’s chief economist Mustafa Mohatarem said in a statement. “Car-buying fundamentals remain strong and we expect higher industry sales in 2015.”

Mazda reports best annual sales in 20 years Mazda Eclipses 300,000 CY sales in U.S.; December 2014 best sales since 2012; CX-5 records best-ever sales year IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 5, 2015 / PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported calendar year (CY) 2014 total (combined fleet and retail) sales in the U.S. of 305,801, up 7.7 percent over 2013 and the best result since 1994 (20 years), the last time the company sold more than 300,000 vehicles in a single calendar year. MNAO retail-only sales reached 278,880 units, representing an increase of 6.0 percent over 2013, and the best retail sales year since 1994, further showing the company’s reduced reliance on fleet sales. Combined December U.S. sales of 24,808 vehicles represent an increase of 8.0 percent versus last year, and the best December since 2012 (27,253). “2014 can only be described as historical when it comes to Mazda sales,” said Ron Stettner,

New app from Hyundai turns the smartwatch into a car remote control The South Korean manufacturer has brought its Blue Link mobile app to smartwatches, allowing users to start their vehicle’s engine, lock the doors or turn on the AC remotely through the device on their wrist. Hyundai owners will soon be able to communicate with their car from a distance thanks to the new Blue Link smartwatch app. Specifically, the app may be used to locate the car, stop or start the engine, lock or unlock the doors, control the AC or honk the horn – all via touch screen or voice commands. Compatible with Android Wear devices, the app will be available for download during the first quarter of 2015. All of the South Korean brand’s models sold in North America are already compatible with the technology, although this is not the case in Europe. Hyundai will demonstrate the new app at CES 2015, which opens on January 6 in Las Vegas. Watch a video demo of the Blue Link smartwatch app: youtu.be/ IucixlcRfzU

vice president of sales, MNAO. “Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 have out-performed all year and, as a result, we surpassed 300,000 vehicle sales for the first time since 1994. The support of our dealers, along with the strongest, mostcompetitive showroom we have ever offered is the driving force behind our success; I’m confident we’ll continue this momentum through 2015 and beyond.” Key December and CY2014 sales notes:bMNAO achieved its best retail-only sales year since 1994 with 278,880 units. In 1994, MNAO sold 310,985 vehicles to retail customers. MNAO achieved its best combined fleet and retail year of sales since 1994 with a total of 305,801 vehicles sold. In 1994, MNAO sold 375,416 units. MNAO’s best-ever sales year was 1986, with 379,883 sales. Mazda reported sales of 24,808 in December 2014. This performance represents an increase of 8.0 percent year-overyear (YOY).

The Ford GT pictured with its illustrious predecessors. ©Ford Motor Company

Parrot’s new in-car system aims to include all smartphone owners (Relaxnews) - The RNB 6 is an aftermarket in-car infotainment system that runs the latest version of Android but that also supports CarPlay, Apple’s system for connecting an iPhone and its apps in the car dashboard. The unit packs a 7-inch 720p HD touchscreen display and offers a host of features even when not connected to a smartphone including an integrated navigation system and voice control for making calls and changing music tracks. It can also connect to a car’s diagnostics port to provide diagnostics information and can link to a car’s dashboard cam, too.

When both Apple and Google announced that they were developing systems for safely connecting smartphones to the car dashboard there were fears that the car market could become as segregated as the old PC and current smartphone market – i.e., that some car brands would only support Apple and others only Android. However, the Parrot system, which runs a tweaked version of Android Lollipop, the latest version of Google’s smartphone and tablet operating system, has native support for Android Auto and for CarPlay. So if a compatible iPhone is

connected to the RNB 6, users will be able to ask Siri questions, use Apple Maps or navigation and access their music libraries on the go. Other thoughtful features include being able to program music playback so that it optimizes speakers based on how many people are in the car and where they are sitting. Although Parrot is demoing the RNB 6 at this week’s International CES, which gets underway officially on Tuesday in Las Vegas, the company is yet to confirm when the unit will be officially going on sale or how much it is expected to cost.

The autonomous car is coming and Nvidia wants to be in its driver’s seat At the 2015 International CES, Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang took the wraps off two new automotive computers that will be able to give the digital dashboard of the future a photo-realistic feel and cope with all of the incredibly complex processing that will be needed in order for selfdriving cars to travel collision-free. The Nvidia Drive PX packs the same punch as a turn of the Millennium supercomputer, uses two processors and can simultaneously crunch through data coming from 12 individual high-resolution cameras. At the moment the most technologically advanced cars use a combination of sensor types, including cameras, in order to navigate the road ahead, stay in lane and maintain a

safe distance from the car in front. However, the next generation of these systems, which will bring fullyautonomous driving one step closer to reality, will do away with other sensors for higher resolution cameras, capable of capturing and identifying greater and greater levels of detail. “Mobile supercomputing will be central to tomorrow’s car,” said JenHsun Huang. “With vast arrays of cameras and displays, cars of the future will see and increasingly understand their surroundings. Whether finding their way back to you from a parking spot or using situational awareness to keep out of harm’s way, future cars will do many amazing, seemingly intelligent things. Advances in computer vision, deep learning

and graphics have finally put this dream within reach.” The Drive PX is already capable of enabling a car to find a parking space and to park itself even in a crowded garage and has the learning capabilities to be able to discern different types of vehicle – from police cars to delivery vans and whether a car is parked or waiting to pull away. While the Drive PX is monitoring what’s going on outside, the Drive CX computer powers the car’s digital dashboard and can even keep a digital eye on the driver. Capable of powering 16.8 million pixels across multiple displays, Nvidia claims that the computer’s graphical capabilities are 10 times that of the current best systems.

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Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for

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KITCHENOMICS FAMILY FEATURES

s your winter schedule is sure to be packed with gatherings that bring family and friends closer, have plenty of treats that are gentle on the waist and wallet. Sweet, spicy, salty or with an Asian twist — any way you pop it — popcorn is a satisfying snack suitable for every chilly weather occasion. Whether you’re hosting a game-day party or simply enjoying a family movie night, popcorn’s wholesome taste can take on a variety of flavors to please every guest. Plus, popcorn snacks are healthy and whole grain, which means they’re a more nutritious alternative to traditional party nibbles and noshes. Cuddle up to these recipes and more by visiting www.popcorn.org.

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix Yield: 14 cups 10 cups popped popcorn 2 cups miniature pretzel twists (or another small pretzel shape) 1 cup pecans 1 cup peanuts 2 cups rice, wheat or corn cereal squares 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Preheat oven to 300°F. Place popcorn, pretzels, pecans, peanuts and cereal in very large bowl; set aside. Heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in medium saucepan. Stir mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil. Boil 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (mixture will foam). Pour syrup over popcorn mixture in bowl and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture onto large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. Stir mixture a few times as it cools on baking sheet. Store in airtight container.

Asian Popcorn Medley Yield: 8 cups 6 cups popped popcorn 2 cups Oriental rice cracker mix 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2–1 teaspoon ground ginger (may vary to taste) 1/4–1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (may vary to taste) Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix popcorn and rice cracker mix together in large bowl. In small microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter on high until melted, about 20 seconds. Stir in soy sauce, ginger and oil. Drizzle over popcorn mixture; toss. Spread mixture on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool, serve or store in airtight container. Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party Mix

Cinnamon Chocolate Popcorn Yield: 3 quarts 3 quarts popped popcorn Butter-flavored cooking spray 9 tablespoons powdered cocoa mix (cocoa sweetened with sugar or sugar substitute) 3 teaspoons cinnamon Put popcorn in large bowl and lightly spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle cocoa mix and cinnamon on popcorn. Toss to coat evenly. Spray and toss again until mixture is well coated. Serve immediately.

Blazing Buffalo Ranch Popcorn Yield: 6 quarts, plus leftover seasoning mix 1 tablespoon ranch dressing or dip mix (from 1-ounce package) 1 tablespoon seafood spice mix (or celery salt) 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (or sugar) 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil 6 quarts popped popcorn Cooking spray, optional In small bowl, blend ranch dressing mix, spice mix, garlic powder, powdered sugar and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle with vegetable oil and blend until well incorporated. Place popcorn in serving bowl and spray lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle seasoning mix over popcorn to taste and toss. Store leftover seasoning mix in airtight container for future use.

Look and feel great this holiday season... Asian Popcorn Medley

Coconut-Ginger Popcorn Truffles

Blazing Buffalo Ranch Popcorn

Yield: 3 dozen truffles 5 cups air-popped popcorn 2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter 1/2 cup shredded coconut 3 tablespoons candied ginger, minced Cooking spray 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 1 teaspoon coconut oil or butter Place popcorn in large bowl.

Place marshmallows and 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted; remove from heat. Stir in shredded coconut and candied ginger. Mix well. Spray hands with cooking spray, then scoop up 1 tablespoon of popcorn mixture. Roll mixture with hands to form ball. Place ball on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Repeat to make 36 balls. Place chocolate in small,

microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for one minute, until melted. If not completely melted, microwave for another 15 seconds and stir again. Stir 1 teaspoon coconut oil into melted chocolate. Place chocolate in zipper-style plastic bag and seal. Snip off tiny corner of bag. Pipe chocolate on popcorn balls in decorative pattern. Garnish with extra shredded coconut and extra minced candied ginger, if desired. Place truffles in cool place until chocolate is set.

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SWS: 93% of Pinoys face 2015 with hope instead of fear MANILA, Dec 26 (Mabuhay) -- Despite the trials they faced this year, slightly more than nine out of 10 Filipinos – 93 percent – are facing 2015 with hope instead of fear, according to a new survey by pollster Social Weather Stations. The SWS, which conducted the survey covering the period Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, said this was slightly below the 94 percent who faced 2014 with hope. “Hope for the New Year has always been high, starting with 87 percent when the question was first asked in 2000, and with 88 percent in 2001,” it said. Only 6 percent are facing 2015 with fear, the survey showed. Earlier this month, Pulse Asia said its survey conducted Nov. 14 to 20 showed 88 percent of Filipinos are facing 2015 with hope. The SWS survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,800 adults nationwide, 300 each in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon and Mindanao, and 900 in Visayas. Sampling error margins of ±2.3% for national percentages, ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and ±3.3% for Visayas applied to the survey. According to the SWS, its survey question on hope against fear was patterned after the polls conducted by the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach (IfDAllensbach). New Year hope The SWS said New Year hope reached an all-time high 95 percent in 2002, but declined to 90 percent in 2003, and slumped to 81 percent the following year. Such New Year hope rose to 85 percent

in 2005 and hovered at 91 to 92 percent from 2006 to 2008, then declined to 89 percent in 2009 before bouncing back to 93 percent in 2010. In 2011, this matched the all-time high 95 percent recorded in 2002. But from 2012 to 2014, New Year hope hovered at 92 percent in 2012; 94 percent in 2013; and 93 percent in 2014. Hope in all areas SWS said New Year hope is widespread in all areas including 91 percent in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao; and 96 percent in Balance Luzon. The 96 percent in Balance Luzon is similar to the record-high 97 percent who entered 2014 with hope. “Compared to 2013, the percentages of those who are hopeful of the 2015 New Year hardly changed in all areas,” SWS said. SWS noted New Year hope had been flat for three years in Metro Manila, at 91 percent in 2013 and 2014, and 93 percent in 2012. This was 96 percent in 2010 and 2011. In the Visayas, the 91 percent New Year hope is similar to the 93 percent in 2012 and 2013, but slightly lower than the record-high 97 percent in 2010 and 96 percent in 2011. Mindanao’s 91 percent New Year hope in 2014 is similar to the 92 percent in 2013. It was a low 85 percent in 2012, from a record-high 94 percent in 2011. Happiness with Christmas The survey showed New Year hope is higher among those who expected a happy 2014 Christmas than among those who ex-

Martin Edwards Seralde of KBB-CYN Canada takes a selfie with President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Youth Summit 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Friday (December 19, 2014). This year’s theme is “Fearless”. The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB) Movement is the youth Life Group Network of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW). The KKB Mission is to inspire the youth to live for Jesus Christ and to offer the prime years of their lives in service to God and Country. (MNS photo)

pected a sad Christmas. Of the 71 percent who were expecting a happy 2014 Christmas, almost all or 95 percent look forward to 2015 with hope. “Even among the 24 percent who say their Christmas would neither be happy nor sad, 91 percent are entering 2015 with hope,” it said. But of the six percent expecting a sad Christmas, a lower 76 percent are hopeful of the coming New Year. The SWS also noted 24 percent of those expecting a sad Christmas said they will enter the New Year with fear than with hope, compared to four percent among

those with happy Christmas. The SWS said that in Germany, where the survey question originated, those expressing hope ranged from 31 to 58 percent from 1990 to 2013. It said New Year hope among the Germans rebounded in 2013 to 57 percent from 49 percent in 2011 and 2012. The SWS said the 57 percent in 2013 is the second-highest since the German reunification in 1990. This reached 58 percent anew in 1994. “German hope in the coming New Year exceeded 50 percent only seven times since 1991,” the SWS said. (MNS)

2015 can be extraordinary, CBCP head says in New Year message MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – While Pope Francis’ upcoming visit promises a momentous start for the year, the rest of 2015 can be extraordinary for Filipinos as well, the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Saturday. In his New Year’s message, CBCP president and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “The Year 2015 can be another regular year in our calendar but it can also be an extraordinary year. If we put much love into each day of this year; if we put much hope into every difficulty we encounter this year; if we share fearlessly with everyone our joyful faith in our loving God; this year may be ordinary but it will be specially memorable one because of the love and faith and hope that we pour into

the days of 2015.” Villegas said 2015 will be remembered in history as the year Pope Francis visited the Philippines for the first time. The Pope is expected to visit the Philippines from Jan. 15 to 19. “With the challenge to be apostles of mercy and compassion, the first visit of Pope Francis will surely become momentous days of grace for us Filipinos,” Villegas said. But Villegas said 2015 is also the Year of Consecrated Life for the Catholic Church worldwide. It invites Catholics to “thank the Lord for the gift of religious men and women who remind us while on earth of heavenly things,” he said. “Their lives of chastity, poverty and obe-

dience are signs that God lives among His people,” he said. On the other hand, he said 2015 is also the Year of the Poor for the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is the fourth in a nine-year novena for the Great Jubilee of 2021, the 500th anniversary of the first Mass and first baptism in the Philippines. “We all look at Jesus and see how poor we all are! In our poverty, the Lord is our treasure,” Villegas said. “The Year 2015 is a Year of the Lord as every year really belongs to the Lord. Let us make it truly the year of the Lord by living each day praising Him, thanking Him, loving Him and following Him forever,” he added. (MNS)

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