Us asian post july 29, 2015

Celebrating

T H E

MOTORING Mapping the Future of Self-Driving g Car See PAGE 11

WWW.USASIANPOST.COM

Vol. 3. No.44

LOS ANGELES

A Balita Media Publication

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Study predicts drop in deportations

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the structures of the completed Daang-Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road Project / Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway during the inauguration ceremony at the MCX Toll Plaza in Barangay Poblacion, Muntinlupa City on Friday (July 24). The MCX is Ayala Corporation’s first toll road project under the Aquino administration’s Public-Private Partnership Program. Also in photo are Ayala Corporation chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson. (MNS photo)

Washington, United States (AFP) Thursday 7/23/2015 – US deportations of undocumented immigrants should decline significantly as a result of decrees issued by President Barack Obama last November, a new study released Thursday concludes.

The new enforcement priorities set forth in the decrees “could provide a degree of protection from deportation” for about 9.6 million undocumented immigrants, or 87 percent of the estimated 11 million living in the shadows, the Migration Policy Institute said.

Under previous enforcement guidelines dating from 2010, only about 73 percent of undocumented immigrants, or about eight million people, were safe from deportation, the report said.

It is a “significant narrowing of who falls into the priorities,” said Mark Rosenblum, deputy director of the institute’s program on US immigration policy.

The shrinking universe of deportable immigrants is a result of Obama’s decision to focus enforcement on border security and dangerous criminals, according to the

study.

Obama’s best known immigration measures called for the legalization of certain categories of immigrants—parents of US citizens or adolescents brought to the country illegally by their parents, known as “dreamers.”

Those measures, which would have benefitted some four million undocumented immigrants, were frozen by a court ruling.

But the institute said that the new guidelines for deportations are equally significant, and could affect a larger number of people.

Under those directives, US immigration authorities are instructed to focus on the deportation of people who pose a threat to national security, people convicted of serious crimes, gang members or undocumented immigrants caught near the border.

The institute estimates that that encompasses about 1.4 million people.

It estimated that US immigration authorities will deport 25,000 fewer people this year if the new enforcement priorities are fully implemented this year.

Chris Brown parties in Macau as PHL jails his promoter Manila, Philippines (AFP) Saturday 7/25/2015 – Grammy winner Chris Brown partied in Macau with a gold-toothed grin, as officials said Saturday he had left his promoter in a Philippine jail facing a legal dispute with a powerful religious sect.

The 26-year-old American hiphop star left Manila airport on board a Gulf Stream jet late Friday as immigration police arrested his promoter, John Michael

Pio Roda for fraud, immigration bureau spokeswoman Elaine Tan told AFP. Brown had been barred from leaving the Philippines for three days after the politically-connected Christian group Iglesia ni Cristo filed the fraud complaint against him and his promoter Roda.

The group said it was owed a million-dollar-plus refund after he failed to show up for a New

Year’s Eve concert sponsored by them last year.

But Brown secured a emigration clearance certificate on Friday, and immediately flew to Macau to host a party dubbed “Girls Night Out”.

“Yo Manila we love y’all but Macau is poppin’ We’re in a Rolls Royce baby!” Brown said in a video posted on his Instagram account where the pop music lothario has See CHRIS BROWN, page 2

Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, younger brother of Iglesia Ni Cristo leader Eduardo Manalo, speaks to reporters from the gate of his house in Manila on July 24, two days after he and his mother alleged in a YouTube post that their lives were in danger and that some of the group’s ministers were being held against their will. The influential Christian group, which votes as a bloc, expelled the two relatives on July 22 and denied abducting the ministers.(MNS photo)

‘Missing’ INC minister surfaces, denies Angel Manalo alleges ‘massive being abducted corruption’ in Iglesia Ni Cristo MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay)

Rice is a staple for Filipino and many other cultures worldwide, and is often fed to babies in the form of rice cereal.©Piotr Malczyk/shutterstock.com

Cooking rice in a coffee-brewer could erase arsenic: study Thursday July 23 2015 (Miami, United States-AFP) – Arsenic in rice is a global health concern, but researchers in Northern Ireland have found a way to remove it by cooking rice the way coffee is brewed, a study said Wednesday.

A percolator that cooks rice by passing hot water through it, rather than boiling it in a pot, was able to remove 85 percent of the grains’ cancer-causing inorganic arsenic, said the study in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. “This is a very significant breakthrough as this offers an immediate solution to decreasing inorganic arsenic in the diet,” said Andy Meharg, professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at Queen’s University in Belfast’s Institute for Global Food Security.

“We discovered that by using percolating technology, where cooking water is continually passed through rice in a constant flow, we could maximize removal of arsenic,” he said.

Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic has been linked to developmental problems, heart disease, diabetes, nervous system damage, lung and bladder cancers.

Rice is a staple for many cultures worldwide, and is often fed to babies in the form of rice cereal.

Since rice is grown under flooded conditions, it absorbs inorganic arsenic from soil minerals.

See COOKING RICE, page 2

– One of the ministers allegedly abducted by the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has surfaced.

Jojo Nemis denied that he was among those supposedly held hostage by some members of the INC. He said he is at home with his family in Quezon City and remains strong in faith as an INC member.

“Nagulat nga ako kanina nang may nagbabalita na ako daw ay nawala, nadukot, na-abduct. Eh lahat po ng yun ay di totoo,” he said.

“Ako naman ay nasa mabuting See MISSING INC, page 2

MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – A brother of the current leader of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Friday morning alleged rampant corruption in the influential religious organization.

Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, a son of the late INC executive minister Eraño Manalo, said many anomalies started happening when his older brother Eduardo or “Eddie” became leader of the church group in 2009.

“Binabago nila ang aral eh. Sa panahon po ng pamamahala ng kapatid na Felix Y. Manalo, hanggang sa panahon ng kapatid na Erano Manalo, wala tayong na-

kikitang anomalya,” he told journalists who gathered outside the Manalo home in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

“Pero sa panahon ngayon, mas napakarami nang anomalya,” he said. “Mahal po namin ang aming kapatid. Kaya lang ang nagiging problema po natin, iyung nasa paligid niya.”

“Nasira na po ang doktrina ng Iglesia Ni Cristo. Ngayon po, napakarami nang anomalya,” Angel claimed. “Iyon po ang ayaw namin.”

Angel also alleged they have been receiving threats from the See MANALO, page 2

Palace urges DOH, LGUs to work together, combat food poisoning

MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) – By working together, the Department of Health (DOH) and local governments could combat food poisoning incidents in the provinces, Malacañang suggested Saturday.

“Hopefully, all the other LGUs (local government units) that have incidents like this will be more receptive to DOH and will take the necessary action to prevent incidents of this nature from recurring,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said over Radyo ng Bayan.

See PALACE URGES page 2

Members of Akbayan party-list urge senators to thoroughly investigate an alleged eye treatment scam involving PhilHealth funds during a protest at the Senate in Pasay City on Thursday. Complaints have been raised against eye clinics that have made dubious claims from PhilHealth. (MNS photo)

1-877-35-NOPAY 818-334-5445 818-552-4500 (1-877-356-6729)

2

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

Angat Dam water rises back to 180-m critical level for irrigation

MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) -- After nearly two months, the water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan finally bounced back to the 180-meter critical level for irrigation on Friday, PAGASA said.

In its 6 a.m. update, PAGASA said Angat’s water level was at 180.07 meters, 0.11 meter higher than the 179.96 meters Thursday.

The dam’s water level fell below the 180-meter level last May 26, with PAGASA hydrologist Elmer Caringal saying at the time that their first priority may be to close water supply for irrigation.

However, Angat’s water level rose after weeks of monsoon rain.

Angat supplies more than 90 percent of the water needs of Metro

Manila.

Meanwhile, water levels at four other dams went up in the last 24 hours: Ipo: 100.75 from 100.39 meters Thursday La Mesa: 79.22 from 79.2 meters Thursday San Roque: 272.12 from 271.74 meters Thursday Magat: 174.97 from 174.84 meters Thursday Water levels at four other dams went down: Ambuklao: 751.2 from 751.57 meters Thursday Binga: 573.4 from 574.68 meters Thursday Pantabangan: 182.32 from 182.39 meters Thursday

Palace hoping SC can resolve cases vs. automated polls soonest MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday voiced hopes the Supreme Court can resolve soonest the cases challenging the automated elections for May 2016.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also defended the Commission on Elections’ drive to encourage voter registration in malls.

“Considering there are many petitions against the process at least of the contract the Comelec is trying to procure para sa 2016, we’re hoping these issues can be resolved to enable Comelec to continue to prepare for peaceful and orderly elections in May 2016,” she said on state-run dzRB radio.

Earlier this month, election watchdogs filed a petition before the high court, asking it to stop the Comelec from qualifying Smartmatic in a bid for the lease of 23,000 optical mark reader vote-counting machines.

Last June 29, the Comelec had said a joint venture by Smartmatic TIM Corp., Total Information Management Corp., has “the lowest calculated responsive bid” for 23,000 OMR units.

It was the third petition filed before the high court against the Comelec’s efforts to ensure automated elections in May 2016.

Meanwhile, Valte disputed criticisms that the Comelec may be focusing too much on mall registration, saying there are 3.8 million Filipinos who have not had their biometrics taken yet.

THE US ASIAN POST

Gerphil gears up for big project with David Foster MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) -– It seems international composer and producer David Foster is indeed keeping his promise to “Asia’s Got Talent” contestant Gerphil Flores.

During her stint on “Asia’s Got Talent,” Foster promised Flores, who finished third, “global fame.”

“I promise you, I promise you, the world is going to know about you. That’s a promise,” Foster, who mentored and helped launch the international career of Filipino singing sensation Charice, told Flores after her finals performance.

Flores said she and Foster are in touch about the project but could not reveal any details about it as of the moment.

“Ngayon po nag-uusap kami at may magandang project coming soon,” she briefly said.

The classical singer said she is grateful that her fans continue to

support her even after her stint on the show.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako na nandyan po sila na sumusubaybay sa akin at patuloy po ang pagdadasal nila at suporta nila sa akin kaya hindi ako makakarating dito kundi dahil sa kanila,” she said.

While she prepares for her project with Foster, Flores is keeping busy with school. She is currently in her last year at the University of the Philippines College of Music.

“Para sa akin po kasi education comes first. Iba pa rin po kasi ang may natapos ka. Kumbaga para sa akin bilang singer, balang araw mawawala rin ang boses eh.

Kumbaga tatanda rin ako kaya dapat ibahagi ko na ang nalalaman ko when it comes to music,” she said.

Meanwhile, Flores also announced that she will also be a

COOKING RICE

PALACE URGES

From page 1

The children were given ice candies and cupcakes by a Manilabased foundation.

For the past weeks, numerous reports of children and adults falling ill to durian candies, pastil, macapuno candies, and okoy were published.

The worst case involved that of the durian candy, which resulted in the food poisoning of 1,350 people.(MNS)

Rice typically contains 10 times more inorganic arsenic than other foods, and the European Food Standards Authority has warned that people who eat a lot of rice, are exposed to worrying concentrations.

Queen’s is seeking a patent for its rice cooking percolation system, “which means consumers could soon have this technology in their own kitchen,” a statement from the university said.

pelled from the Church on Thursday for speaking out, is saddened by the turn of events.

“Nalulungkot po siya. Nalulungkot po kami sa nangyayari ngayon,” Angel said.

He urged INC ministers and workers to make a stand. “Sa lahat ng mga ministro at manggagawa po ng Iglesia ni Cristo, ako po ay nakikiusap na manindigan po tayo.”

He also urged INC members to stage a vigil outside the Manalo home. “Kung maari po sana, pumunta na po tayo dito, mag vigil po tayo para po matapos na lahat ito.”

Angel said they don’t know where to go now after getting expelled from the INC. He denied being abducted or held against their will inside the Manalo home, but he fears the fate of several missing ministers.

“Ang abduction po sa labas, hindi po dito. Missing, hindi nga po namin alam.”

He said a sign seen on a window outside their home might have been placed by a child in the family. “Meron kasing bata na kasama kami. Siguro nahihirapan na rin sa nangyayari, siya siguro ang naglagay.”

INC spokesman Edwil Zabala, who also went to area to speak to media on behalf of the current church leadership, downplayed Angel’s allegations.

“Kahit hindi siya kapatid sa laman, masasaktan ang isang kaanib kung may paratang na ganyan. Wala po kaming ginagawang masama,” he said.

“Pwede ba, matulog na tayo.

Gabi na!” Zabala added. “Nakalimutan na yata nila na ang punong tagapamahala ng INC [Eduardo Manalo] ay kuya nila.” (MNS)

From page 1

Valte said the DOH is closely monitoring the situation and has been working with the local governments involved.

She said one of the measures proposed was to issue identification cards to ambulant vendors, especially those who sell outside schools.

On Friday, at least 172 students were hospitalized after showing signs of food poisoning.

MANALO From page 1

INC’s Sanggunian, or council of advisers.

“Pinagbabantaan po kami.

Iyun pong Sanggunian. Sinasabi lumalaban kami sa pamamahala,” Angel said.

“Hindi po kami lumalaban.

Mahal po namin ang aming kapatid. Ang amin lang pakiusap, huwag siyang maniniwala sa Sanggunian.”

He said church funds are being spent on big projects like the Philippine Arena in Bulacan instead of building INC churches.

“Nauubos na ang abuloy ng Iglesia sa kung ano-anong hindi naman kailangan,” Angel said.

“Isa na ang Philippine Arena na ipinagtataka ko kung bakit nabuo. Sana lang po hindi nauubos ang pondo sa paggawa ng mga kapilya.”

He said his mother Cristina “Tenny” Manalo, who was also ex-

part of a concert this August to be headlined by big names in the international music scene. (MNS)

MISSING INC From page 1

kalagayan sa ngayon... Payapa naman at namumuhay tayo ng maayos,” he added.

According to Nemis, he does not know why former INC member Joy Yuson would say that he was among the supposedly missing ministers.

“Wala akong idea bakit bigla niyang binanggit na kasama ko roon sa dinukot daw. Wala po, hindi ko matandaan kung ano po ang dahilan niya,” he said. “Eh wala pong katotohanan lahat yan.”

Like Nemis, INC minister Lowell Menorca II also denied reports that he was a victim of kidnapping.

But Yuson, a former member of the INC for over 20 years and a former administrative coordinator of the religious group’s TV arm, insisted that Menorca was abducted by members of the INC’s Sanggunian.

Yuson also claimed Menorca’s wife and child were also abducted and are still missing.

Suspended minister Isaias Samson Jr., former editor-in-chief of the INC’s official publication, likewise alleged that he was de-

tained with his family members in his compound after leaders accused him of writing a blog that revealed corruption practices and other irregularities inside the church.

INC spokesman Edwil Zabala denied any knowledge of the alleged abductions. He said Yuson and Samson must show proof of their accusations.

Zabala also reiterated the INC’s position that the church under executive minister Eduardo Manalo is following the teachings of the Bible.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the alleged abductions of INC ministers.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), meanwhile, said it is monitoring developments to ensure that the rights of all individuals involved are protected.

“We currently have two investigators on the ground monitoring the situation. We call on the law enforcement agencies to do all they can to protect all concerned and ensure public safety,” the CHR said. (MNS)

CHRIS BROWN From page 1

12 million followers.

“We made it!” one of his companions blurted, in an apparent reference to Brown’s Manila ordeal.

Brown’s gold-plated teeth shimmered in the two videos taken on the backseat of his limousine and in his Macau hotel room.

“My room got a (bleeping) video game system. This is crazy!”

Brown said, as he showed off two giant video screens and a minibar in his suite.

The tattooed and pierced star said on Twitter that he would perform in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Roda, a Canadian national, will be detained in Manila until the immigration bureau resolves his deportation case for fraud in connection with the Iglesia case and working in the country without a permit, Tan said.

The deportation proceedings is separate from the criminal complaint filed at the justice department, which will determine whether charges will be filed in court, she said. “Chris Brown was allowed to leave because he had no derogatory record and there was no warrant of arrest against him,” she said.

Justice department officials did not return calls seeking comment on the status of the criminal complaint against Brown.

Brown left Manila on Friday after posting bizarre videos on social media, backflipping and spewing profanity as he begged Philippine authorities to let him leave.

Brown’s ordeal almost cost him his world tour, which includes stops in Israel, Cyprus and the Netherlands.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

3

CDPH confirms first human West Nile virus death of 2015

SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today announced the first confirmed death in California due to West Nile virus (WNV). The deceased person was a senior citizen in Nevada County.

“This death is a tragic reminder of how severe West Nile virus disease can be,” said Dr. Smith.

“West Nile virus activity is more widespread in 2015 than in years past. Californians need to be vigilant in protecting themselves.”

WNV is influenced by many factors such as climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area, and the level of immunity in birds to WNV. It is possible that the drought has contributed to WNV amplification by reducing sources of water for birds and mosquitoes. As birds and mosquitoes seek water,

they are coming into closer contact and amplifying the transmission of the virus.

Thirty-three California counties have reported WNV activity so far this year, four more than this time last year and above the five-year average of 22. To date, 497 mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV, which exceeds the five-year average of 330.

WNV is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low.

However, some individuals – less than one percent – can develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.

People 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications. Studies also indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.

Koko Pimentel opposes planned voting in malls MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – Another lawmaker has voiced concerns on the Commission on Elections’ plan to conduct voting in malls in next year’s national elections.

On Friday, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, chairman of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation, expressed apprehension that the voting will be tainted because of the possible political inclination of mall owners.

“Registration in malls is OK but voting in malls is not. Voting must be done in voting centers which are public property and not private property which are subject to the regulations of the owners,” Pimentel said in a press statement.

“Mall owners like ordinary Filipinos also have their own ‘manok’ in elections. Hence, better to keep the voting out of the shopping malls,” he added.

He said elections are only democratic when they are free and fair, requiring a widely credible system, independent vote monitoring, balanced access to mass media and trouble-free campaigning.

Instead, Pimentel said the Comelec should focus on efforts to prevent electoral fraud and violations like over-spending, vote buying and terrorism, among others, to ensure a fair, honest and credible exercise.

Further, he said the poll body

should concentrate on its job like fixing the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines and deciding which system to be used.

He said the Comelec, which opened satellite offices in various malls to accommodate qualified voters for biometrics registration, planned to allow voters to cast their ballots in shopping malls in next year’s polls.

Polls to be compromised?

Earlier, Pimentel’s counterpart at the House of Representatives, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, said that while the Omnibus Election Code allows the voting to be held in public buildings, there is a possibility that the conduct of elections might be compromised if voters were allowed to cast their votes inside malls.

“Considering that voting will be done in malls, there will be other obstructions present that might disturb the solemnity of elections. In addition, the control hasn’t been defined. Control might be very hard insofar as malls are concerned,” Castro told reporters at a news briefing on July 14.

On Monday, Comelec chairman Andres Bautista said the poll body can save as much as P50 million if the planned voting in malls pushes through.

The on Wednesday, Bautista said the Comelec may conduct an online survey next week to determine if the public is in favor of the planned voting in malls. (MNS)

Lacson: Platform, not ‘petty politics’ will define my campaign MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he would not engage in “petty politics” if he decides to run in 2016.

Lacson issued the statement when asked to react on the exchange of words between Vice President Jejomar Binay and Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Binay has declared his presidential bid next year, while Roxas is the presumptive standard-bearer of the administration’s Liberal Party (LP) “Well that is their politics. I do not want to get myself involved in their politics. Kung mayroon silang pulitika, let them be,” said Lacson, who is also considering

running for president.

And when asked if he would run next year, the former senator said: “I will campaign on my own merits. Kung sakaling tatakbo (If I will run), I will not engage in petty politics or sisiraan mo yung kalaban mo (throw mud at my opponents).”

“Dapat gan’on. Kami mayroon kaming maliwanag na plataporma na ito pwedeng ipatupad na sa tingin ko, well sa tingin ko, well, rationally, ‘pag naipatupad ito, sa palagay ko malaki iaasenso ng ating bansa,” he further said.

(It should be that way. Because we have a clear platform that I think, rationally, if implemented, I think will help our country improve.) (MNS)

Obama marching Israelis to ‘door of oven,’ Huckabee says Washington, United States (AFP) Sunday 7/26/2015 – White House contender Mike Huckabee is warning that President Barack Obama is marching the Israelis to the “door of the oven” by signing off on the nuclear deal struck between Iran and six world powers.

Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor who lost a 2008 presidential bid, made his allusion to the Holocaust during an appearance on the conservative “Breitbart News Saturday” program.

“This president’s foreign policy is the most feckless in American history,” Huckabee said, in reference to Obama.

“It is so naive that he would trust the Iranians. By doing so, he will take the Israelis and march them to the door of the oven.”

Iran clinched the agreement with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States two weeks ago.

The Islamic republic promised to dismantle or mothball much of its nuclear industry, including by

reducing its uranium stockpile by 98 percent, in return for an easing and eventual lifting of international sanctions against Tehran.

Israel has fought vigorously against the deal, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denouncing the “historic mistake.”

“This is the most idiotic thing, this Iran deal,” Huckabee said.

“It should be rejected by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress and by the American people... We gave away the whole store. It’s got to be stopped.”

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee chair, pressed Huckabee to apologize for his incendiary remarks.

“This rhetoric, while commonplace in today’s Republican presidential primary, has no place in American politics,” she said in a statement. “Cavalier analogies to the Holocaust are unacceptable.

Mike Huckabee must apologize to the Jewish community and to the American people for this grossly irresponsible statement.”

Protesters blow shofars during a rally at the Chinese Consulate in Makati City, Friday. China has urged the Philippines to withdraw a case it has filed at a U.N. arbitration tribunal over claims in the West Philippine Sea. (MNS photo)

Campus journo group slams Aquino’s ‘incompetence’ two days before his last SONA MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) -Two days before the his last State of the Nation Address, a group of campus journalists on Saturday lashed out on President Benigno Aquino III for his “incompetence.”

In a statement on its 84th anniversary, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) pointed out the supposed “failures” of the Aquino administration in addressing the issues of the education sector.

It said the the most glaring evidence of the administration’s incompetence is the continued deregulation and commercialization of Philippine education, and the K to 12 program.

“In Aquino’s five years as presi-

dent, the Filipino youth witnessed how tuition and other school fees skyrocketed through deregulation, how Aquino slashed the budget for state-owned schools to forward commercialization, how Aquino and (DepEd Sec. Armin) Luistro stubbornly implemented the colonial K to 12 program, and how the state violated the right of the Filipino people to quality and accessible education at all levels,” CEGP National President Marc Lino Abila said.

Moreover, Abila said Aquino’s programs do not solve the country’s education crisis, but worsen them instead, adding that under the K to 12 program the youths would become “docile, cheap, and

semi-skilled laborers” – deprived of an education to develop the domestic agricultural economy.

Aquino’s presidency, the group said, is an “utter failure” and his last SONA on Monday to be filled with “arrogance and lies.”

In another message, Abila said the CEGP will continue exposing the ills of the country’s present situation despite what he describes as “repression and fascism” inside Philippine universities.

CEGP is an organization of student journalists and publications advocating for press freedom, said to be the largest and oldest existing group of its kind in the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.

(MNS)

Pentagon asks armed ‘citizen guards’ to stand down Washington, United States (AFP) Saturday 7/25/2015 – The Pentagon asked on Friday that concerned armed citizens not stand guard at military recruiting offices, saying it can handle security after a shooting rampage on its own.

Prompted by shootings at military facilities in the US, Americans have started showing up at military recruiting offices to stand guard with handguns and rifles.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the Defense Department appreciated the “outpouring of support” but warned that the volunteers might do more

harm than good.

“We ask that individuals not stand guard at recruiting offices as it could adversely impact our mission, and potentially create unintended security risks,” Cook said.

An armed civilian guarding a recruitment center in Ohio accidently discharged his rifle on Thursday, The Columbus Dispatch reported.

Last week, a 24-year-old gunman opened fire at two military facilities in Tennessee, killing four US marines and a sailor.

The shooting renewed a debate over military members being unarmed on US soil. The

Tennessee shooter, Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, was killed in a gunfight with civilian police.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has promised a review of security measures but the military has resisted arming troops at home. “We take the safety of our service members, our DoD civilians, and the families who support them very seriously,” Cook said.

“Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is currently reviewing recommendations from the services for making our installations and facilities safer – including our recruiting stations”

Zambo nightclub blast kills one, wounds nine Zamboanga, Philippines (AFP) Friday 7/24/2015 – A powerful explosion tore through a nightclub in the strife-torn southern Philippines, killing one person and wounding nine others, police said Friday.

The blast punctured the ceiling of the two-storey club and threw bar stools into the streets of Zamboanga City late Thursday evening, police spokesman Alexander Mabalot said.

The club’s cashier was killed.

Six female bar staff and three

male patrons were wounded and brought to hospital for treatment, Mabalot told AFP. Investigators sifted through debris on Friday searching for bomb fragments.

It was not immediately clear if extremist groups were behind the explosion, he said.

“Our city is under constant threat from terrorist and criminal groups,” Mabalot said.

The port city of Zamboanga lies on the southwestern tip of Mindanao, the Philippines’

main southern island, just a few hours by boat from island bailiwicks of Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

In January, one person was killed while 48 others were injured after a parked car exploded in the city’s commercial centre, an attack authorities blamed on the Abu Sayyaf group.

The southern Philippines has long been wracked by violence carried out by Muslim separatist guerrillas, Al-Qaeda-linked extremists and extortion gangs.

4

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

Palace: Govt’s concern in Iglesia ni Cristo row limited to possible crime committed MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) – The state’s concern in the row involving the Iglesia ni Cristo is limited only to the possibility of a crime being committed, Malacañang said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also said the religious group’s reported practice of “bloc voting” is not a factor in the ongoing investigation.

“The state is concerned only with any possibility that a crime may have been committed. Sa ibang pinag-uusapan, hindi kasali ang estado roon,” she said on state-run dzRB radio.

When asked if the Palace is concerned about the so-called bloc vote, she said, “hindi pinag-uusapan iyan in light of the recent incident.”

The National Bureau of Investigation is verifying allegations of harassment and abduction involving some ministers and members of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

The row stemmed from a video of a grandson of Iglesia’s founder Felix Manalo and a son of the late leader Erano Manalo, claiming harassment and abductions.

In an interview on Friday, Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, brother of Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo gave the public a glimpse into the power struggle within the religious group.

“Ang sinasabi lumalaban po kami sa pamamahala. Hindi po kami lumalaban; mahal po namin ang aming kapatid na siyang namamahala ngayon sa Iglesia. Ang amin lang pakiusap, huwag siyang maniniwala sa Sanggunian sapagkat nauubos na ang abuloy ng Iglesia sa kung anu-anong proyekto na hindi naman kailangan.”

Angel particularly questioned the construction of the $200 million or P7.8 billion Philippine Arena within the 50-hectare Ciudad de Victoria property of Iglesia ni Cristo in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“Isa na ang Philippine Arena sa ipinagtataka ko kung bakit nabuo dahil ang laging priority na aming ipinapagawa ay ang mga malalaking kapilya po. Bakit ngayon napunta ang pokus natin doon? Sana man lang kung hindi nauubos ang pondo para sa paggawa ng mga kapilya,” said Angel.

But the group’s administration denied the allegations of abductions and expelled some members including Angel and his mother.

Angel was expelled from the church after claiming his life was in danger in a video that circulated on social media Wednesday evening.

For now, Valte said, the Palace will not comment. “Ngayon muna ongoing pa (ang imbestigasyon), hindi kami magkukumento,” she said.

(MNS)

DOJ eyes probe of Iglesia ‘abductions’ MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – The Department of Justice on Friday vowed to investigate reports of alleged abductions and torture of ministers of the Iglesia ni Cristo amid a public squabble among the leadership of the religious sect.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she has already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to verify and validate reports that some INC ministers not loyal to the Sanggunian have been abducted or placed under house arrest.

“Hindi pwede itong balewalain...If this is true, these are criminal offenses. Kailangan ho imbestigahan ng maayos,” she said.

Isaias Samson Jr., a second-generation INC minister, earlier confirmed that at least 10 INC ministers were kidnapped by the religious group and held in different locations.

At least one minister, Lowell Menorca II, was being held at the city jail in Dasmariñas, Cavite province.

He told media that he and his family were held captive in their own home in Tierra Bella subdivision behind the INC headquarters for a week.

He said he and his family escaped after he told his armed guards that he wanted to go to church.

De Lima noted the expulsion of Angel Manalo and Tenny Manalo, the brother and mother of current INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, from the INC is something internal to the organization.

Tenny and Angel had earlier issued a YouTube video asking the INC brethren for help after receiving threats from fellow INC members.

De Lima said allegations that the INC leadership is mismanaging its funds is an internal matter for the religious group.

“We consider these the private funds of the Iglesia,” she said.

However, the justice secretary said authorities cannot turn a blind eye to reports of people putting up signs, saying they were being held hostage.

“We need to find out if there are criminal offenses being committed and if these are still being committed as we speak,” she said.

De Lima said she was also surprised that Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista was not allowed to enter an INC facility.

“Hindi ho pwedeng dahilan na private property or private premises yun na, hindi tayo pwede pumasok...Of course you need a search warrant or arrest warrant but there is also the plain view doctrine and probable cause. If there is a possibility that a crime is being committed and is still being committed, therefore the appropriate law enforcement body can go in,” she said. (MNS)

THE US ASIAN POST

OPINION

What split? What corruption?

– Iglesia ni Cristo spokesman MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – An Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) official on Friday denied that the organization has become divided following the expulsion of several ministers and a controversial call for help from the mother and younger brother of executive minister Eduardo V. Manalo.

“Hindi po porke’t may tumiwalag eh nangangahulugan nang divided ang Iglesia ni Cristo. Iilang tao lamang po ito na mga itiniwalag. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay malaking organisasyon po hindi lamang sa Pilipinas,” INC spokesman Edwil Zabala said.

(Just because some members were expelled doesn’t mean that Iglesia ni Cristo is already divided. Only a few were expelled. The Iglesia Ni Cristo is a major organization not just in the Philippines.)

He said the INC was not in crisis and that the decision to expel Manalo’s mother Tenny and his brother Angel does not affect the belief of INC’s followers.

Angel earlier released a YouTube video calling for help because their lives were in danger.

On Thursday, the INC announced their expulsion, days before the organization’s 101st anniver-

sary on July 27. They, along with other ministers, were expelled for “causing division in the Iglesia.”

“They allege that some ministers have been kidnapped. They want to make it appear that Iglesia is involved. That’s not true,” INC general evangelist Bienvenido Santiago said in a press conference.

Zabala called the incident “well-orchestrated.” He also denied claims of corruption. (MNS) Earlier, Isaias Samson Jr., the former editor of the church’s official publication “Pasugo,” and his family were expelled from the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

The announcement was made during church services early Friday morning.

Edwil Zabala, spokesperson of Iglesia Ni Cristo, said the expulsion of Samson from the church is due to the latter’s refusal to submit to the authority of the church.

Samson Jr., who claimed he was illegally detained by the Iglesia’s Sanggunian, said corruption allegedly thrives in the church.

Samson said there are anomalies involving Iglesia’s socio-civic program “Lingap sa Mamamayan,” for instance. (MNS)

Chris Brown cleared to leave PHL after bizarre appeals

By Joel GUINTO

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Friday 7/24/2015 – Grammy-winning hip-hop star Chris Brown was cleared to leave the Philippines late Friday, an official said, after he was temporarily barred from exiting the country over a row with a powerful religious sect.

The 26-year-old American – who was stuck in Manila for two days – secured an emigration clearance certificate (ECC) stating he has no legal obligations in the Southeast Asian country and was free to leave, immigration spokeswoman Elaine Tan said.

“ECC was issued... today,” Tan said in a text message to AFP. In a brief video posted to his official Twitter feed Friday night an exuberant Brown is seen walking towards a plane, apparently headed to his next gig in Macau.

“Manila it was fun, love y’all man,” the rapper says. “If you’re free to come to Macau – party tonight!”

Brown, who performed to a packed crowd at a Manila arena on Tuesday, was barred from leaving the Philippines after the politically-connected Christian group Iglesia ni Cristo filed a fraud complaint against him.

The group said it was owed a million-dollar-plus refund after he failed to show up for a concert sponsored by them last year.

Social media appeals The stranded singer took to social media this week insisting he did nothing wrong and begging to be allowed to leave the country in a colorful string of posts.

A playful, bewildered Brown posted a foulmouthed rant on his Instagram on Thursday as he break-danced apparently to make light of his predicament.

But his tone was more serious on Friday as the upcoming stops of his world tour – including the Macau concert – drew nearer.

“Please, please, let us leave, please,” Brown said in one video posted on his official Instagram ac-

count, showing him on his knees inside what appeared to be his hotel room.

The plea was captioned “OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!” in what appeared to be a call for help to the US president, and ended with the singer doing his signature backflip. The post was later taken down.

In another Twitter post Brown said: “I have nothing to do with anything going on right now. I came back to Manila to do a make-up show for New Years. I did the show three days ago.”

Immigration spokeswoman Tan did not say what would happen with the fraud case after the rapper leaves the country.

The sect that lodged the complaint is a minority in the Philippines—where 80 percent of its 100 million people are Catholics—but wields considerable political clout.

It has between two and three million members according to media and votes as a bloc during elections.

Brown is scheduled to perform in Israel, Cyprus and the Netherlands next week before returning to the US for a 25-city tour starting on August 12, according to his website.

The Brown saga was the latest case of Western entertainers riling Filipino groups and politicians.

The Beatles were stripped of police escorts at the end of their 1966 Manila tour after they snubbed a party invite from the then Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos’ flamboyant wife Imelda Marcos.

The Fab Four were forced to run a gauntlet of angry fans as they boarded their plane.

Michael Jackson was forced to move his concert venue in 1996 after the mayor of Manila refused to host his show due to child molestation charges against the US star.

In 2012, flamboyant American pop star Lady Gaga’s show was closely monitored by state censors for blasphemous imagery.

Last March, two members of British boyband One Direction who were known to have smoked marijuana each paid a safety bond before they could perform.

Pope signs up for World Youth Day using iPad Vatican City, Holy See (AFP) Sunday 7/26/2015 – Pope Francis on Sunday became the first person registered for next year’s World Youth Day festivities, using an iPad to sign up while addressing thousands of pilgrims and tourists in Saint Peter’s Square.

“Thanks to this electronic device, I signed up as a simple pilgrim,” Francis said, declaring himself the first person registered for the next edition of the Youth Day celebration while flanked by two Polish youths.

The next edition of the global meeting of Catholic youths will be held in July 2016 in Krakow, Poland.

The last one was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2013,

shortly after Francis’ election as pope.

Before digitally signing up for the event, the pope appealed for the release of Italian Jesuit priest Paola Dall’Oglio, who was kidnapped in Syria two years ago.

Francis also called for “renewed engagement by local and international authorities” to secure the release of all hostages from captivity.

Next year’s event will be the 31st edition of World Youth Day which was instigated in Rome in 1986 by pope John Paul II, the first Polish pontiff who also served as Archbishop of Krakow.

It has since been held in countries on four continents.

Trump surge among Republican voters shows no sign of abating Washington, United States (AFP) Sunday 7/26/2015 – Donald Trump’s wild ride to the front of the Republican presidential field showed no signs of abating Sunday, with a new poll showing him with a big lead in a key early primary state.

The NBC/Marist poll had the trash-talking billionaire with a seven point lead in New Hampshire and just two points behind the leader in Iowa, another closely watched early primary state.

A CNN/ORC poll, meanwhile, found that most Republicans voters want to see him stay in the race and 22 percent thought he would be their party’s eventual nominee, ahead of every other candidate except Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor whose brother and father were presidents.

The CNN poll put Trump at the front of 16-candidate Republican pack with 18 percent, and Bush in second with 15 percent.

“I’m not that surprised, because I see the kind of a crowd we’re getting,” Trump said in a telephone interview with CNN’s State of Union. “We’re getting the biggest crowds and we’re getting by far the biggest ovations.” It was the first poll conducted entirely after Trump drew the wrath of other Republican candidates for belittling the Vietnam record of former prisoner of war John McCain, who headed the Republican presidential ticket in 2008 against President Barack Obama.

The controversy surrounding Trump’s “not a war hero” remarks about McCain and earlier inflammatory comments branding Mexican immigrants as

criminals and rapists appear to have helped the real estate tycoon among the Republican base.

Those who want Trump to stay in the race include 58 percent of white evangelicals, 58 percent of conservatives and 57 percent of “Tea Party” supporters, the CNN poll found.

When Republican voters were asked to say who they would most like to see on the debate stage, regardless of who they intended to vote for, 18 percent said Trump, compared to 14 percent for Bush and less than 10 percent each for the rest of the crowded field. The NBC poll, meanwhile, suggested that Trump at this early stage of the race is making a big splash in the first two primary states, which tend to winnow the field.

It showed him polling 21 percent among Republican voters in New Hampshire, in first placed although losing some ground to second place Bush, up to 14 percent. In Iowa, Trump trailed Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, by only two points at 17 to 19 percent.

Trump had surged to the lead in national polls before his remarks about McCain, but the NBC polls show strong standings at the state level as well despite a barrage of attacks by his Republican rivals.

Trump’s negatives remain far higher than other candidates, however. The NBC poll found that 44 percent of Republican voters in Iowa and 53 percent of those in New Hampshire had unfavorable opinions about the real estate magnate and reality TV star.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

5

UTREACH US navy rescues 11 Pinoy fishermen from sinking boat Manila, Philippines (AFP) Monday 7/20/2015 – A US navy ship has rescued 11 Filipino fishermen after monsoon rains caused their boat to capsize in the South China Sea, the American embassy and provincial officials in the Philippines said.

A photograph of Sunday’s rescue released by the US embassy showed several of the fishermen on the upper deck of their boat with just the bow and tail still visible above water. The USNS Impeccable, an ocean surveillance ship, was sailing to the northern Philippine port of Subic Bay when its crew saw the partially sub-

L.A. County Board of Supervisors votes to move forward minimum wage Los Angeles, CA – Early this week, hundreds of low wage workers and community members spoke in support of raising the minimum wage in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The Board of Supervisors took steps to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and address wage theft within unincorporated L.A. County.

The Raise the Wage Coalition also advocated for the Board of Supervisors to increase the number of paid sick days, which the City of L.A. is currently studying. The coalition voiced concern that the state’s requirement of three days was insufficient to protect the public’s and workers’ health and lacked any enforcement provisions.

Before the hearing, workers and community members rallied at the steps outside of the Board of Supervisors, in support of an ordinance that would benefit thousands of workers in unincorporated L.A. County.

At the end of the hearing, the Board of Supervisors voted to direct the County CEO to draft a motion to raise the minimum wage and explore the best mechanism to address wage theft. The Supervisors are expected to cast the final vote in support of the ordinance in the coming months.

Supervisors, community leaders, and workers all applauded the minimum wage hike moving forward.

“I have struggled to make ends meet, even missing car payments because I make low wages with unpredictable hours,” said Kierra Phillips, a fast food worker and mother in unincorporated Los Angeles County (Altadena). “Yet today gave me hope because increasing the wage would allow me to provide my family a better standard of living.”

“For many of us, low wages represent dedicating one whole paycheck for rent and one for food – with little left for anything else. And when employers cheat you out of your pay, it is even worse,” said Wayne Fatherree, a security officer who works at the Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Campus in Willowbrook.

“Stopping wage theft will mean that the pay that is owed to me and others for a hard day’s work will actually be respected. Raising the minimum wage will not only help my family’s budget, but might even allow us to set aside for our future and the future of our children — so they can have better lives.”

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Secretary-Treasurer Rusty Hicks and President of SEIU-ULTCW and SEIU California Laphonza Butler, both co-conveners of the Raise the Wage campaign said, “Over two million workers in L.A. County live in poverty. Today’s action puts us one step closer to lifting these workers and their families out of poverty through a $15/hour wage and protecting them from wage theft.”

merged boat in the water, a US embassy statement said.

The fishermen had sailed from the northern coastal town of Infanta on July 14 before bad weather struck on Sunday morning, leading their boat to capsize, Juvin Solis of the provincial disaster office told AFP. “They were drifting to the southwest when the US vessel arrived and rescued them a few hours later,” Solis added.

Days of monsoon rains have left five people dead and forced about 4,000 people to flee their homes due to flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, civil defense officers said.

Rescued Filipino fishermen disembark from USNS Impeccable, an ocean surveillance ship of the US Navy. Eleven Filipino fishermen were plucked from their partially submerged vessel in the middle of the South China Sea by the Impeccable, which was en route to Subic Bay. (MNS photo)

6

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

THE US ASIAN POST

US airlines surge but clouds may be ahead

By Luc Olinga

Manny V. Ilagan, Officer-in-Charge at the Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles conducts the Philippine tourism product presentation before at least 300 participants composed of travel agents, tourism industry vendors and buyers at the ASTA Trade Show in Scottsdale, Arizona on July 11, 2015.

PDOT showcases why ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ at Arizona travel agents’ trade show LOS ANGELES – Abundant islands and beaches. Endless thrills and adventures.

Great shopping destinations. Haven for relaxation. Exotic food. Friendly, kind and hospitable people. These are just few of the many reasons why “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” which the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) highlighted at the recent travel agents’ trade show in Arizona.

PDOT was one of the featured presenters in the recently concluded “Fiesta in the Desert XII” trade show organized by the Arizona Chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents at the Doubletree ResortScottsdale/Paradise Valley, Arizona.

In his presentation, Manny Ilagan, Officer-in-Charge of Philippine Department of Tourism-Los Angeles showcased and highlighted popular destinations in the Philippines, especially Boracay and Palawan, including Cebu and Bohol and the endless choices of beaches and island destinations that are in abundance in the country.

DOT’s presentation also emphasized the diversity that the country can offer to the tourists – from adventure, shopping, history and cultural immersion, dining and entertainment, to conventions, meetings, exhibitions and other special events. The engaging video presentations on why “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” and “15 Ways to Have More Fun in the Philippines” were enthusiastically received by the participants. An travel agent from Colorado described the presentations are “very effective.”

PDOT in partnership with Philippines Airlines, Rajah Tours and AAVan Vacations also participated in the round-robin table consultations with mainstream American travels agents, vendors and buy-

ers, where they exchanged information, ideas and identified the needs of the travel sector, as well as promote Philippine destinations to international travelers.

Further promoting Philippine destinations, Lloyd Coleman, Director of Sales of AAVan Vacations, presented and shared his very enjoyable personal experiences when he toured and visited Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and Palawan last year. Philippine Airlines’ Los Angeles Area Manager Marie Jemma Saranillo provided a very informative presentation of PAL’s routes to Manila from different gateways in the United States via its new fleet of B777-300 ERs. For a more exciting participation, DOT hosted breakfast for the trade show attendees, while one round-trip ticket to the Philippines was raffled off courtesy of Philippines Airlines, and a two nights/three days FOC accommodation in Boracay courtesy of Rajah Tours.

With participants and attendees totaling at least 300 travel agents, vendors and buyers of tourism products of which 91 represents international destinations, ASTA’s Arizona Chapter trade show reaffirmed its role as a major business platform for the tourism industry.

The Department of Tourism’s participation at the Arizona Chapter of ASTA’s travel show is in line with DOT’s continuing campaign to increase inbound tourists to the Philippines from North America, specifically targeting Asian-American and mainstream American market.

Manny Ilagan of PDOT-Los Angeles was joined was Jemma Saranillo and Ricky Panis of Philippine Airlines, Lloyd Coleman of AAVan Vacations, and Jojo Clemente of Rajah Tours Philippines.

New York, United States (AFP) Sunday 7/26/2015 – Major US airlines are facing a boon thanks to lower fuel prices and enjoying record profits, but doubts remain as to whether the industry can reach long-term profitable levels.

American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines – the four top US carriers – have seen their profits spike by some 30 percent in the second quarter.

American Airlines and United even recorded their largest quarterly profits ever, $1.7 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.

But behind the surge in earnings is an array of challenges that analysts say may be difficult to balance: a strong dollar, excess capacity on international routes and a war of budget pricing causing a downward trend on the market indicator of revenue per passenger per mile.

“Low oil prices translate into higher profits for big airlines,” said analyst William Bias from 247WallSt.com.

Crude prices have fallen by more than 50 percent compared to a year ago.

Delta, for example, was able to drop its fuel bill by 40 percent.

The savings have delighted the markets, excited by the prospect of rising dividends and new share buyback programs.

Analysts now project that American Airlines, United and Delta will appreciate by around a third after having long been shunned by investors.

“2015 and 2016 will likely be peak years for the US airline industry, and changes in either the relatively favorable economic

conditions or low fuel prices could pressure the company’s earnings at some point in the future,” Standard & Poor’s financial services company said in a note.

Investigations and profits The industry has gained, but not everyone has been pleased.

The US Justice Department is investigating some airlines over anti-competitive behavior after ticket prices appeared to stay high despite a drop in fuel prices.

Seat prices were up two percent last year despite plummeting crude cost, Department of Transportation statistics show.

Large carriers have also increased capacity despite some analysts calling for a reduction in flights so they can raise rates.

Market firm Trefis says top airlines have no choice: they have to increase domestic flights to defend their market share from smaller aggressive competition such as JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Profitability also is relative.

Profit indicator PRASM (passenger revenue per available seat mile) dropped 6.5 percent in June, according to Airlines for America, the US airlines lobby.

PRASM fell 5.5 percent domestically and 9.5 percent on international routes.

Delta and United have already warned their PRASM numbers would fall as well.

“International pricing remains under pressure as a consequence of lower international fuel surcharges along weak demand,” said Deutsche Bank Research, adding that weak currencies relative to the dollar and oversupply in overseas markets are also to blame.

US approves AT&T’s $49-B deal for DirecTV

By Rob Lever Washington, United States (AFP) Friday 7/24/2015 – AT&T’s $49 billion acquisition of satellite broadcaster DirecTV won final regulatory approval Friday, clearing the way for a new powerhouse in broadband and video services.

The US Federal Communications Commission said it approved the plan, announced last year, with conditions drawn up to ensure competition and more deployment of high-speed Internet connections.

Earlier this week, FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said he had circulated an order approving the mega-deal and the Justice Department said it would not block the merger.

The deal merges AT&T, which offers Internet and television in parts of the US and is one of the biggest wireless carriers, with DirecTV’s more than 20 million subscribers.

That creates the largest pay TV provider in the US, but also opens up possibilities for other online services and packages.

“This transaction allows us to significantly expand our high-speed Internet service to reach millions more households, which is a perfect complement to our coast-to-coast TV and mobile coverage,” AT&T chairman and chief executive Randall Stephenson said, in announcing the completion of the deal.

“We’re now a fundamentally different company with a diversified set of capabilities and businesses that set us apart from the competition.”

Stephenson added that the deal “is all about giving customers more choices for great video entertainment integrated with mobile and high-speed Internet service,” He added that “we’ll now be able to meet consumers’ future entertainment preferences, whether they want traditional TV service with premier programming, their favorite content on a mobile device, or video streamed over the Internet to any screen.”

AT&T said it becomes “the largest pay TV provider in the US and the world,” with 26 million US customers and 19 million in Latin America, including subscribers of Sky

Mexico in which DirecTV holds a stake.

CondiƟons included The news comes three months after regulators blocked a massive merger plan of cable giants Comcast and Time Warner Cable, claiming it would concentrate too much market power in the market for high-speed Internet.

But merging AT&T and DirecTV could help competition because the telecom giant and satellite broadcaster do not have the same geographical territories as the traditional cable firms.

The conditions include a “buildout” of high-speed Internet to an additional 12.5 million customers, and the merged company will be required to offer discounted services for low-income consumers.

The FCC also will bar the combined firm from discriminating against rival video firms such as Netflix and Hulu and abid by other aspects of the FCC’s “Open Internet” rules.

The conditions “address potential harms presented by the combination” and “also ensure that the benefits of the merger will be realized,” the FCC statement said.

The Justice Department said this week its review found the plan “does not pose a significant risk to competition.”

Consumer organizations had mostly opposed the deal, arguing the huge tie-ups could lead to higher prices and degraded service.

Earlier this week, John Bergmayer at the consumer activist group Public Knowledge welcomed the FCC’s conditions but said “no one should imagine that this has solved the underlying problem of our lack of competition.”

The deal comes amid a growing migration of consumers to Internet-based television services like Netflix and Hulu, with some losses in traditional cable and other pay TV subscriptions.

Though the number of cable “cord cutters” has been relatively modest in recent years, analysts expect this trend to accelerate, which could have a major impact on the television industry.

Microsoft aims to reboot connections with Windows 10

By Glenn Chapman

San Francisco, United States (AFP) Saturday 7/25/2015 – Microsoft is aiming to build lasting relationships with Windows 10, the operating system to be launched on Wednesday and seen as critical to reviving the fortunes of the once-dominant tech giant.

For the first time, Microsoft is making a major new version of Windows available free as an upgrade to anyone using either of the prior two generations of the system.

The goal is to swiftly have Windows 10 powering a billion devices, creating a gigantic audience to induce developers to crank out must-have apps for the platform.

Microsoft hopes to break the cycle in which consumers shun Windows for mobile because it lacks the large catalog of applications found on rival platforms, thus discouraging app makers from creating Windows versions.

Hit apps could ramp up popularity of Windows-driven hardware made by Microsoft and its partners, and increase opportunities for the company to make money from online activities such as search, shopping and software as services in the Internet cloud.

“This is all in the direction of building a relationship, being connected with you,” Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett said of Windows 10.

“They make it free so developers make good stuff. And then create an ongoing relationship instead of just a transaction, which is how Microsoft has operated in the past.”

Microsoft has built its empire on packaged software sold to computer users and makers.

Windows remains the leading operat-

ing system for personal computers but has failed to gain traction on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, dominated by Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. ‘Aggressive’ move Special events are planned in 13 cities around the world in tribute to the more than five million “insiders” who took part in a Windows 10 test period.

The operating system will come as a free upgrade to people who already use Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and will be available in 190 countries.

Microsoft is not making Windows 10 free to computer makers, which is where it has historically gotten the bulk of its revenue from the operating system.

“The piece that is given away free is a piece that nobody was buying anyway,” Gartner analyst Stephen Kleynhans told AFP. “You can think of the free upgrade almost as being a teaser—a free sample of the new operating system.”

Microsoft has also made Windows available free to makers of small-screen gadgets such as smartphones or tablets to gain traction in the mobile market.

Windows 10 will come pre-installed on Microsoft-compatible computers and tablets from July 29 and will be available for purchase later in the year.

The move marks a major launch for Microsoft, after the lukewarm response to Windows 8, which was rolled out in 2013.

To mark the shift, Microsoft skipped directly from Windows 8 to Windows 10.

“This the first time they have gone two generations back and said you are getting it free. It is pretty aggressive,” said independent technology analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

ENTERT Meg Imperial welcomes idea of being in a love team Meg Imperial is willing to try being in a love team despite already making a mark solo.

She only has one rule if and when it materializes: that she be paired with someone whom she would click with.

“OKay naman ako kahit kanino i-pair, ang mahalaga lang, meron kaming chemistry ng kung sino man ‘yun,” she said.

Meg reasoned that love teams would only fly if those involved show genuine rapport.

She related, “Kasi dapat pagdating sa loveteam, hindi siya pinipilit. Dapat may makitang chemistry ang mga tao (to make it work). So ako, kung may mahanap na meron akong chemistry, why not?”

Meg was paired prior with hunk JC de Vera in “Moon of Desire.”

There were plans for them to work in several other projects, but the lackluster showing of the series supposedly spelled an end to the notion.

Meg shared, “Hindi naman po sa nanghinayang, pero siguro may ibang plan lang talaga for us individually kaya hindi natuloy sa ibang projects. Tsaka baka may ibang pair talaga for each one of us.”

She is more than willing to give

Meg Imperial

it another go with JC, though. “Oo naman. Nagkatrabaho na kami before so, I’m sure mas magiging maganda if ever. Magaling si JC. So, open ako to work with him again.”

Rumors about her and JM de Guzman allegedly being lovers in the past refuse to die down. Is she willing to work with him?

“Open ako sa kanya. Kasi magaling siya na aktor and feeling ko marami akong matututunan sa kanya,” she said. (MNS)

Daniel Matsunaga signs contract with ABS-CBN Daniel Matsunaga is now an exclusive ABS-CBN talent.

The “Pinoy Big Brother” winner signed the contract on Friday with executives of the network – ABS-CBN TV Production head Laurenti Dyogi, ABS-CBN Free TV head Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, and chief financial officer Aldrin Cerrado.

Matsunaga, 26, will top-bill a TV series for the first time via “Be My Lady,” opposite his real-life girlfriend Erich Gonzales.

“I’m very thankful to God for all these blessings and all these opportunities,” said the Brazilian-Japanese model, who is now a permanent Philippine resident.

Although he has been known for his polished looks in print and TV ads, and had minor roles on the small and big screen, Matsunaga’s showbiz breakthrough was his stint as a housemate in “Pinoy Big Brother: All In” in 2014.

Visit www.usasianpost.com

7

INMENT

Alex Gonzaga relishes singlehood “I’M IN a serious singleness. I am very serious with myself.”

This was actress-comedienne Alex Gonzaga’s answer when she’s asked about the status of her love life.

“Maiisip mo lang pero sa mga nangyayari din sa career mo and personal life, pag nage-ejoy ka naman hindi mo maiisip. Yung dadaan lang siya sa utak mo pero hindi naman siya tatambay.

Dadaan lang siya pero mawawala din yung thought. Hindi siya nagli-linger, dumadaan siya habang habagat lang,” the 27-year-old said.

Gonzaga also said she does not see herself settling down soon.

Her sister, actress-television host Toni Gonzaga, recently tied the knot with director Paul Soriano.

Gonzaga said she is busy with her upcoming “Wansapanataym” series with leading man Ejay Fal-

Alex Gonzaga

con.

This is Gonzaga’s first televi-

sion project after “Inday Bote,” which allegedly did not fare well in the ratings game.

“Thankful lang ako. Na-touch lang ako sa sinabi ni Mother Biboy (Arboleda) na sa dami ng artista from Dreamscape, the fact lang na galing sa kanila na kinonsider nila ako at tinanggap nila akong part ng family nila is overwhelming. Yung unang una kong soap sa ABS is with them. Nag grow yung pagsasama talaga namin at hindi kami nagkalimutan sa isa’t isa,” she said.

She’s happy now that her supporters will get to see her again on television.

“Yung mga fans parang naapektuhan sila and hindi naman ako makapag-disclose sa kanila kasi confidential (on new show) pa. For them yung mas concerned ko. Sa akin, I just trust Mommy Pinty, I trust ABS-CBN,” Gonzaga said.

(MNS)

Is Paulo Avelino dating Bea Alonzo?

Actor Paulo Avelino finally broke his silence on rumors linking him to actress Bea Alonzo, his co-star in the 2014 soap “Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon.”

The actor denied that he is courting Alonzo, amid reports that her relationship with actor Zanjoe Marudo is on the rocks.

“Me and Bea we are friends.

That’s it,” Avelino told members of entertainment media at the thanksgiving party of the soap “Bridges of Love,” which is now down to its last three weeks.

Rumors linking him to Alonzo started after they were spotted together.

“Nagkataon lang na nagkita sa labas, may kasamang iba, tapos ‘yun,” Avelino said.

“Si Bea kasi sobrang bihirang

lumabas. Kapag lumabas siya parang kailangan mo din lumabas kasi mabibilang mo sa daliri mo kung ilang beses siyang lalabas sa isang taon or bihirang magyaya,” Avelino added.

The actor stressed that he and Alonzo went out with their friends, including actress Shaina Magdayao.

Earlier this month, Alonzo admitted she and Marudo are going through some challenges but are working on it.

However, the two appeared together at the recent Kapamilya Barrio Fiesta event in London.

Pictures and videos of the celebrity couple where they can be seen affectionate towards each other have been posted online.

Alonzo and Marudo have been

Paulo Avelino

in a relationship for four years now. (MNS)

8

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

THE US ASIAN POST

Tighten those abs while you relax beachside this summer Sunday July 26 2015 (Relaxnews) – Although rest and relaxation are naturally the priority, the summer break is also a good opportunity to clear your mind and get back in shape before getting back to business.

Here are a few tips from French personal trainer Yakisan Cagdas to tighten your abs into swimsuit shape while lounging on your beach towel.

Doing this series of four exercises will tone all of the abdominal muscles, from the core muscles to the laterals and obliques.

Exercise 1: Start with some situps Get into position by lying flat on your back, knees bent with your heels flat, drawn as close as possible to your buttocks. Place your fingertips behind your ears, aligning your arms and shoulders. Your head should be resting on your towel or mat, casting your gaze into the sky.

The exercise entails raising your upper body by flexing your abdominal muscles (always breathe out as you sit up and breathe in as you lie down) as far as possible, chin forward. To get a good workout, do five sets of 15 sit-ups with a 45-second rest between each series. There’s noth-

ing better to strengthen your core muscles.

Exercise 2: Strengthen the oblique muscles Start in the same position, lying on your back with your knees bent and your heels flat.

This time, you’ll do a “bicycle sit-up” by bringing your left knee to your right elbow until they touch. Your head and shoulders will come up off your towel or mat each time you make a bicycle-peddling motion.

Ideally, you should do five sets of 15 followed by a 45-second rest before switching to your right knee and left elbow. Finish with a set of 40, alternating between the two moves. This is a great exercise for training your obliques.

Exercise 3: Tone the abdominal wall Turn over and get into “plank position” facing your towel or mat, resting your weight on your forearms and on your toes while flexing your heel. Your elbows should be aligned below the shoulders and your arms parallel to the body.

Your body must form a straight line throughout the exercise (the workout will be totally ineffective if your buttocks are too high or low).

Campbell’s pledges to remove artificial ingredients Friday July 24 2015 (Relaxnews) – Campbell Soup Company has become the latest major food brand to announce plans to remove artificial ingredients from its portfolio of soups, beverages and snack foods in North America.

In response to growing consumer awareness and the demand for healthier food options, Campbell’s joins Nestle, Kraft, as well as fast food chains like Chipotle, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in announcing that they will be removing artificial colors and flavors from most of its North American products by the end of 2018.

The company will also be eliminating the use of high-fructose corn syrup in lines such as their Pepperidge Farm fresh breads, and new products launching next year in their Americas Simple Meals and Beverages portfolio.

By August, cans of Campbell’s signature condensed soups lining store shelves will be free of MSG, while the company also plans to expand their line of organic soups.

A trio of “kid-friendly” chicken noodle soups will launch next month, made with non-GMO ingredients, sourced from certified US organic farms. The trend against artificial ingredients has been growing quickly across food manufacturers and fast food chains in the US in recent months.

In June, Nestle announced plans to remove artificial flavors and reduce sodium content across their line of frozen pizzas and snack brands. After Chipotle pledged to eliminate genetically modified ingredients from their supply chain back in March, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut said they would eliminate artificial flavors and colors from their menus this year. And earlier this spring, Kraft Foods Group said it will replace the artificial coloring that makes their Kraft Macaroni and Cheese its iconic shade of orange, with natural ingredients such as paprika, annatto and turmeric.

The Campbell Soup Company includes brands such as their flagship soups, as well as Pepperidge Farm cookies, Goldfish crackers, V8 beverages, Swanson broths, Plum organic baby food and Prego pasta sauces.

These sit-ups and planks are designed to tone and Ɵghten the core, lateral and oblique muscles. ©oneinchpunch/Shutterstock

All you need to do is contract the abdominals and hold for 45 seconds while breathing in and out before, then relaxing for 30 seconds. Two sets are enough to work out the muscles.

Exercise 4: Harden the lateral muscles This time, you’ll need to get into

“side plank position.” Your head and shoulders should be aligned with the rest of your body. Pull in your stomach to make your body form a straight line, just as in the last exercise. Your weight will be resting on your forearm and foot, with your hips up off your towel or mat.

The exercise entails raising the hips as high as possible and holding the position. Do two sets of 20 without touching your towel or mat, resting for 10 seconds between each set.

Then, switch sides and do another two sets of 20 with a rest in between.

Soybean oil worse for your health than coconut oil Friday July 24 2015 (Relaxnews) – According to scientists from the University of California, Riverside, a diet high in soybean oil may cause more obesity and diabetes than a diet high in fructose. Their study was published in the journal PLOS ONE on July 22.

The obesity epidemic in the United States is driving scientists to conduct more studies to determine precisely what causes this public health hazard. Specialists in the matter are focusing more than ever on fat, naturally, but also on fructose, a sugar commonly found in soda and processed foods.

Also commonly found in processed foods, margarines, vinaigrettes and snacks is soybean oil. And, in the US, consumption of soybean oil has considerably increased over the course of the last four decades. It represents 60% of edible oil consumed today, making it increasingly urgent for specialists to determine its link to weight gain and diabetes.

A team of scientists from the University of California, Riverside, under the direction of Poonamjot Deol, the assistant project scientist who directed the project in the lab of Frances M. Sladek, a professor of cell biology and neuroscience, attempted to determine which of three nutrients – fructose, coconut oil and soybean oil – was the most dangerous in terms of leading to obesity and diabetes.

The scientists fed male mice a series of four diets that contained 40 percent fat, similar to what Americans currently consume. In one diet the researchers used coconut oil, which consists primarily of saturated fat. In the second

In a study on mice soybean oil was found to lead to greater weight gain than fructose or coconut oil.©HandmadePictures/shuƩerstock.com

diet about half of the coconut oil was replaced with soybean oil, which contains primarily polyunsaturated fats and is a main ingredient in vegetable oil. That diet corresponded with roughly the amount of soybean oil Americans currently consume.

The other two diets had added fructose, comparable to the amount consumed by many Americans. All four diets contained the same number of calories and there was no significant difference in the amount of food eaten by the mice on the diets.

This allowed the researchers to study the effects of the different oils and fructose in the context of a constant caloric intake.

The results of the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, indicated that the mice on the soybean oil-enriched diet gained almost 25 percent more weight than the mice on the coconut oil diet and 9 percent more weight

than those on the fructose-enriched diet. And the mice on the fructose-enriched diet gained 12 percent more weight than those on a coconut oil rich diet.

“This was a major surprise for us – that soybean oil is causing more obesity and diabetes than fructose – especially when you see headlines everyday about the potential role of sugar consumption in the current obesity epidemic,” explained Professor Deol in a press release.

Furthermore, among the mice in the soybean oil group, the scientists noticed damage to the liver, a higher rate of diabetes and a resistance to insulin that was not present in the mice from the coconut oil group.

Finally, the study also showed that fructose had less severe metabolic effects than soybean oil, although it did present greater risk for the kidneys.

Two generic drugs reduce breast cancer deaths: studies Friday July 24 2015 (Paris, France-AFP) – Two inexpensive classes of drugs available in generic form each reduce the recurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women as well as death rates from the disease, a pair of studies reported Friday.

Taking the medications together may further boost anti-cancer benefits and help cancel out undesirable side-effects of one of the drugs, according to the research published in medical journal The Lancet.

The first “meta-study” pulling together data from nine trials covering 30,000 post-menopausal women found endocrine treatments based on a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors yield higher survival rates after five years compared to standard endocrine therapy with tamoxifen.

The likelihood of cancer recurring was cut by about a third and the risk of dying by about 15 percent in the decade after treatment started. Compared to no treatment at all, the danger of dying from breast cancer fell by 40 percent, the study found.

Most women have already passed through menopause when breast cancer strikes. Even after surgery has removed all detectable traces, tiny amounts of the body’s own hormones can cause cancer cells to grow.

Endocrine therapies are designed to impede these hormones from stimulating the disease, and so help protect against relapse.

“But aromatase inhibitor treatment is not free of side-effects and it’s important to ensure that women” who suffer them are “supported”, said the study’s lead author, Mitch Dowsett of The Institute of Cancer Research in London.

The second meta-study, which scanned the results of 26 trials involving another 20,000 women, showed that another class of drugs called bisphosphonates— usually taken to treat osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition that becomes more common with age—also significantly boosted survival when taken for at least two years.

When breast cancer spreads, bone is its favoured destination.

Tumour cells released from the

primary breast cancer can remain dormant in bones for years before moving to other parts of the body.

Bisphosphonates make the bones a less hospitable environment for the cancer cells and so reduce the risk of cancer recurring.

The beneficial effect were found to be far more pronounced in postmenopausal women, regardless of the treatment duration, the size of the tumour or whether the cancer had spread to lymph nodes.

The therapy did not, however, reduce the risk of new cancers developing in the opposite breast.

“These simple, well-tolerated treatments should now be considered for routine use” in women with natural or medically induced menopause, lead author Robert Coleman from the University of Sheffield said in a statement.

Some two-thirds of all women with breast cancer are post-menopausal with hormone-sensitive tumours, so could potentially benefit from both drugs, the researchers conclude. “The drugs are complementary,” noted Oxford University’s Richard Gray, lead statistician for the studies.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

KITCHENOMICS

FAMILY FEATURES

Y

ou may be surprised to learn that cooking with olive oil is a simple way to add heart-healthy “good” fats to your diet. In fact, the health benefits, flavor and versatility of olive oil are all good reasons that olive oil is a staple in many kitchens.

Not only can you replace other oils in recipes with olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil for added flavor), in many recipes you can also replace butter with olive oil to reduce saturated fat, cholesterol and calories.

Studies show that your body absorbs nutrients from greens and vegetables better when they are consumed with a monounsaturated fat such as olive oil. These recipes help you get the most out of your veggies, and enjoy a decadent dessert too. Learn more at www.aboutoliveoil.org.

Olive Oil Poached Tuna with Crisp Romaine Salad Serves: 4 2 romaine hearts, cleaned and leaves separated 4 hard boiled eggs, cut into quarters 25 Haricot Vert/French green beans, blanched 4 Olive Oil Poached Tuna portions, recipe follows 4 yellow potatoes, peeled Salt and pepper to taste 20 Kalamata olives, pitted 12 grape or cherry tomatoes, washed 8 lemon quarters Prep romaine, eggs and green beans, and chill the day before. Poach tuna and let cool to room temperature.

Boil potatoes until tender and drain.

Season potatoes with salt and pepper while still hot. Let potatoes cool to room temperature, cover with plastic and reserve.

Arrange romaine, eggs, green beans, olives, tomatoes and potatoes on four dinner plates. Break and flake tuna on top and drizzle with olive oil from poaching.

Squeeze one lemon wedge on each plate and season with fresh pepper and salt.

Serve with another lemon wedge.

Olive Oil Poached Tuna 4 tuna portions (5 ounces each) 2 cups extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt to taste Black pepper, freshly ground to taste 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 4 tablespoons parsley cut in long, thin strips 2 lemons, zested and juiced Drizzle tuna with extra virgin olive oil.

Season tuna gener-ously with salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, parsley and lemon zest.

Place tuna in 12-inch saucepot and cover with extra virgin olive oil and juice of lemons. Heat over moderate

heat until tuna poaches to medium rare, approximately 7-10 minutes depending on thickness of tuna.

Remove from heat; allow tuna to continue to poach and cool to room temperature.

Grilled Flat Bread Pizza with Hidden Vegetable Sauce Serves: 1 1 large slice peasant bread cut 1/43/8-inch thick, or any type artisan/ crusty bread Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce, recipe follows Mozzarella, grated Parmesan Reggiano, grated Heat oven to 350°F and heat gas grill or grill pan to medium high.

Brush bread generously with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill bread crisp on each side and transfer to baking sheet lined with baking paper. Top each slice with tomato sauce. Cover with grated mozzarella and sprinkle with grated parmesan Reggiano.

Bake until cheese is melted, about 10-15 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve.

Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cups peeled and small diced eggplant 1 cup small diced onion 1 cup small diced carrot 1 cup small diced celery 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped 3 quarts canned crushed tomatoes

SIMPLE SUBSTITUTIONS Margarine/Butter

Olive Oil

1 teaspoon

3/4 teaspoon

1 tablespoon

2 1/4 teaspoons

2 tablespoons

1 1/2 tablespoons

1/4 cup

3 tablespoons

1/3 cup

1/4 cup

1/2 cup

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons

2/3 cup

1/2 cup

3/4 cup

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon

1 cup

3/4 cup

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 2 tablespoons fresh basil cut in long, thin strips 1-2 dry bay leaves Salt and pepper to taste In large (5-quart or bigger) thick-bottomed pot, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, carrot, celery and garlic, and saute gently (not browning vegetables or garlic) until vegetables start to become tender. Add tomatoes, herbs and bay leaves. Simmer, uncovered, for about 1 hour, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Puree until all vegetables are hidden in tomato sauce. Chill and reserve to make quick pizzas. Freeze unused sauce in smaller portions for future use.

Olive Oil Ice Cream with Grilled Pineapple Serves: 6 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons Sriracha chili sauce 1 golden pineapple Olive Oil Ice Cream, recipe follows Mint sprigs Sliced strawberries Combine extra virgin olive oil, salt, honey and Sriracha. Set aside.

Cut top and bottom off pineapple and remove outer skin. Turn pineapple on side and cut even slices about 3/8-inch thick leaving the core in. Place cleaned pineapple slices in large resealable bag, pour marinade over them, and gently rotate bag to distribute. Marinate overnight or at least 4 hours.

Heat charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling. Use sharp round cutter to remove core before grilling, if preferred. (This is optional; you can eat the core and it is easier to grill with it intact.) Brush grill grates and wipe with rag soaked with olive oil. Grill pineapple on each side about 3 minutes.

Transfer grilled pineapple to plate and top with scoop of Olive Oil Ice Cream. Garnish with sliced strawberries and mint.

Olive Oil Ice Cream 12 1 2 12 1/2 1/2-2/3 2/3

ounces heavy cream vanilla bean, split and scraped pinches ground cinnamon ounces milk cup egg yolks cup honey cup extra virgin olive oil, delicate/fruity flavor profile In saucepot scald cream, vanilla, cinnamon and milk. In bowl whip yolks and honey. Temper whipped mixture with scalded cream mixture. Pour tempered mixture back into saucepot and cook until it coats the back of a spoon. Don’t boil.

Strain mixture and cool. Stir in olive oil.

Cool and freeze in ice cream machine.

9

10

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

J

THE US ASIAN POST

B MARKET For adver tising, call (818) 552-4503 ext 402

LIVE-IN CAREGIVER For elderly facility in Orange County. 5 Days a week. Private room and good condition. Pls. call 714-612-4288.

CAREGIVER Live-in / out, full-time, part-time caregiver for a nice home in Orange County. Good salary plus free room and board. Call: May (323) 428-9729

•

Fax (818) 550-7635

•

email: adver tising@balita.com

CAREGIVERS WANTED Board and Care facility in Moorpark is seeking caregivers who are warm and kind. To apply, please contact Mirvat at 805990-1299.

6900 ROYER AVE., WEST HILLS CA, 91307

SAVE THE PLANET

Balita GET RESULTS! ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY!

CLASSIFIEDS TEL.: (818) 552-4503 ext 402

•

Fax: (818) 550-7635

•

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

MAG

HOW TO SEND US

PRESS RELEASES

ROOM FOR RENT 1 Occupant only, female nonsmoker. Eagle Rock area, close to Seafood City, Nanay Gloria, St. Dominick church and bus station. Call 818-263-5741.

Balita

BY E-MAIL editor@balita.com Press releases should include your signature, full name and complete address (as well as telephone number). Letters that do not meet these requirements will not be used.

All contributions are subject to editorial standards. Articles are printed subject to space availability and at no cost to the sender.

The Editor

The leading source of News and Information for the Filipino American Community

TAYO VISIT OUR WEBSITE

www.usasianpost.com

PRAYERS

PRAYERS

POWERFUL TRIDUUM TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach

O most beautiful Àower of Mt. Carmel. Faithful vine and Splendor of heaven. Blessed Mother of the son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me. Show me here you are my Mother. O Holy Nary, Mother of God. Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly bessech you, from the bottom of my heart to secure me in my necessity (YOUR REQUEST) There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin Pray for us who have recourse to thee Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands PROMISE TO PUBLISH THIS PRAYER AND YOUR PRAYER WILL BE ANSWERED (SAY 9 HAIL MARY’S AFTER EACH PARAYER) - MIN

my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif¿cult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks -LITA

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

11

MOTORING Mitsubishi to end US vehicle production Washington, United States (AFP) Friday 7/24/2015 – Japanese automaker Mitsubishi said Friday it would stop making vehicles in the United States and is looking to sell its underused Illinois plant.“Following a review of Mitsubishi Motor Corporation’s global supply chain, we have been informed it is necessary to end production and seek a strategic buyer for the Normal plant,” Mitsubishi Motors North America said in a statement.

Mitsubishi said it will continue to sell its cars, including current and planned models, at US dealerships. “The North American market remains a priority for Mitsubishi Motors,” it said.

The company ended production in Europe three years ago.

Mitsubishi has been focusing its efforts in Asia, building a pro-

duction site in Thailand and buying a factory in the Philippines from Ford.

The Illinois factory makes the Outlander Sport crossover and has 1,250 employees, according to the company. The plant manufactured just 60,000 vehicles last year, about half its capacity, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

Mitsubishi’s US vehicle sales jumped 24.9 percent in the first half of 2015 from the same period a year ago. But the company trails far behind its Japanese rivals in the huge US auto market.

In June, for example, Mitsubishi sold 7,963 vehicles, while Toyota’s take was 209,912 and Honda sold 134,397.

The Outlander Sport was the company’s best-seller, accounting for about half the sales.

Honda drives into the future with new Accord, Silicon Valley R&D center Friday July 24 2015 (Relaxnews) – To mark the official opening of a new facility aimed at harnessing the latest technological breakthroughs for automotive use, Honda took the wraps off its new Accord and offered a preview of some of the high-tech functions and features that could be standard fare in mass-market cars Honda, like a number of leading car companies from MercedesBenz to Nissan, already has a presence in Silicon Valley, but the new R&D facility will see things move into high gear.

“As an industry, we are on the verge of some major transformational changes brought on by the convergence of what have been, to this point, largely disparate technology disciplines,” said Honda R&D Americas President, Frank Paluch. “Honda will embrace and help lead this convergence. Our operations in Silicon Valley are a testimony to our focus on this new direction in our product and technology development efforts.”Honda used the occasion to showcase the 2016 model year Accord, a car the company claims is the most technologically advanced Accord in history. As well as looking sharper, sportier and boasting a number of features such as front and rear parking sensors as standard kit, it is the first mass-market car to hit the road with support for both Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay smartphone connectivity and infotainment systems. “Where else to introduce the most technologically advanced midsize sedan, the 2016 Accord, than in Silicon Valley,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of the Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Customers want their vehicles to be more intelligently integrated with their smartphone-powered lives, and we are committed to delivering that experience starting with Accord.”

Maps for autonomous driving require multiple layers of information and decimeter accuracy. ©Stephen VanHorn/shutterstock.

com

Mapping the future of the self-driving car Thursday July 23 2015 (Relaxnews) – As Daimler, Audi and BMW move to acquire Nokia’s Here mapping division, TomTom and Bosch have revealed that they’re now working together to develop ultra-accurate maps and the specifications that will enable autonomous cars to read them.

Digital maps, the type we access every time we fire up a car’s satnav or reach for the smartphone, have been revolutionary in preventing people getting lost and helping drivers navigate unfamiliar surroundings.

And while they’ll form the foundation of the guidance systems that will one day see the car take care of the journey while its occupants put their feet up, they need to become much more accurate, first.

“Only with high precision

maps will automated driving on freeways be possible from 2020,” said Bosch board of management member Dr. Dirk Hoheisel.

How accurate? According to TomTom, they need to have decimeter precision and consist of several layers of information. The first layer is simply the route -where the car’s going and how it gets there. The second offers the accuracy needed for a car to determine if it is actually within a lane on a road.

A third layer provides speed limits, information on the types of lane markings, slopes, curves and bends. And, only with all of these layers working in sync with a car’s sensors can it know exactly where it is and is able to calculate the next move – such as to stay in lane or to exit – to perfection. And it’s those layers that sit on top of

the navigation information that the companies are working to define and develop together.

“By the end of 2015, we want to have new high-precision maps for automated driving for all freeways and freeway-like roads in Germany,” said Jan Maarten de Vries, Vice President Automotive at TomTom. Thereafter the companies will concentrate on developing similar maps for the rest of Europe and North America.

The vital importance of realtime mapping information and the facilities to constantly rechart areas that are under development or regeneration is why Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are currently in negotiation with Nokia over the purchase of Here, and is why Google has been able to clock up over 1 million autonomous miles in the US.

12

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 29 - August 4, 2015

Visit www.usasianpost.com

THE US ASIAN POST

Sandiganbayan orders arrest of Cedric Lee, ex-Mariveles mayor

Employees carry a “victim” who was trapped in rubble during an earthquake drill at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Thursday. The earthquake drills were held simultaneously in several areas around the country in preparation for a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that can hit the country. (MNS photo)

Slow ‘pork’ cases? Sandigan’s Tang blasts Ombudsman MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang on Friday hit the Ombudsman for accusing the antigraft court of delaying the pork barrel scam cases.

During the bail hearing of accused mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles before the antigraft court Third Division, Tang said she would not tolerate accusations that it is the court which is intentionally delaying the plunder and graft cases pertaining to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

“The court cannot be accused of delaying the case. The court takes exception of that… The court does not want to be accused of delay,” a disappointed Tang said in a stern voice, pointing a finger and shaking her head.

Tang made the reaction after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales in an interview complained of the slow disposition of pork cases. Morales is a retired Supreme Court justice.

Tang blew her top after Napoles’ lawyer Dennis Buenaventura moved for continuance of his cross-examination on the witness principal whistleblower Benhur Luy. Tang said the court would do all means to expedite the case.

“We don’t want any more postponement… If we have to do it morning and afternoon, we’ll do that,” Tang said.

Associate Justice Samuel Martires took

the cudgels for his colleague, saying if the Ombudsman is blaming the court, the prosecutors’ bosses must have no idea how court proceedings are done.

“We’re reacting because of an interview… The court is always blamed for the delay in the disposition of cases. What the people or your bosses don’t know is that it’s not the court. We are willing to listen even if we’re tired of listening,” Martires said Martires said he understands that the defense and the prosecution have cases to juggle with the controversial PDAF scam cases.

“But we appeal: Do not use the court.

Unless your bosses have not yet stepped inside a courtroom. Because if then your bosses would not understand,” he added “We appeal: Please don’t use the court as an excuse in the delay of disposition of cases,” he said The antigraft court is hearing the plunder and graft cases of senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, and former representatives Rizalina Lañete and Edgar Valdez, as well as the malversation cases of former solons Samuel Dangwa, Rodolfo Plaza and Constantino Jaraula.

Revilla and Estrada are detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, while Enrile is under hospital detention. Lanete and Valdez are detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig. (MNS)

MANILA, July 24 (Mabuhay) – The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of businessman Cedric Lee and former Mariveles, Bataan mayor Angel Peliglorio, Jr. for graft and malversation charges in connection with alleged anomalous release of P23 million worth of public funds for a public market project.

In a press conference Friday afternoon, Third Division clerk of court Atty. Dennis Pulma announced that the anti-graft court, in two separate resolutions, has found probable cause to hold Lee and Peliglorio on trial for the graft and malversation cases.

“The accused’s motion for judicial determination or probable cause was noted by the court. The court hereby found probable cause for the issuance of warrant of arrest,” Pulma said, reading from a copy of the court’s resolution.

Pulma said that based on their records, both Lee and Peliglorio have yet to post bail bonds for their graft and malversation cases.

The court has earlier recommended a bail bond of P30,000 for the graft case and P40,000 for the malversation case.

“There is no showing that the accused have posted their bail bonds. So, our servers are now on their way to the police stations to give the copies of the warrants of arrest,” Pulma said.

The cases, which were formally filed by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan last month, stemmed from the alleged anomalous release of some P23 million local funds of Mariveles to Lee’s construction firm Izumo Contractors, Inc. for the supposed construction of a public market.

The Ombudsman said that based on its investigation, the fund was released to Izumo “even without procedural safeguards and guarantee of performance,” and that the project has “never commenced.”

Lee had earlier denied the allegation, saying his company was able to deliver to Mariveles government all the studies specified in the Memorandum of Agreement though the actual construction of the market has not commenced.

He also said that the Mariveles government only paid Izumo P16.540 million though under the MOA, the local government was supposed to pay his company a total of P24 million.(MNS)

Powerful typhoon kills 11,000 farmed tuna in Japan: reports Tokyo, Japan (AFP) Saturday 7/25/2015 – A powerful typhoon which lashed Japan last week has killed more than 11,000 farmed bluefin tuna, costing over $10 million in damage, local media said Saturday.

Typhoon Nangka made landfall in southwestern Japan on the night of July 16 and slowly moved northward before turning into a tropical depression.

Torrential rain and gusts of wind wreaked havoc in various parts of western Japan, also causing high waves and clouding sea water in the fish farm near the Pacific coastal town of Kushimoto, Kyodo News and the Asahi newspaper reported.

The storm caused the sensitive bluefin tuna to panic, the Asahi said, with the Mainichi daily saying the waves had driven many of them into a barrier.

The loss of the bluefin tuna – a pricy delicacy served as sushi – cost growers about 1.29 billion yen ($10.42 million), the reports said citing the local government.

A local government official was not immediately available at weekend.

Bluefin is usually the most expensive fish available at Tokyo’s Tsukiji, the biggest fish and wholesale seafood market in the world, with a 180-kilogram (380 pound) wild tuna auctioned for 4.51 million yen ($36,400) in January.

But environmentalists warn that the surging global popularity for the fish is placing “unsustainable pressure” on the species, increasing the demand for farmed tuna in Japan.

Nangka killed at least two people as it lashed Japan last week, triggering floods as authorities urged more than 230,000 residents to evacuate.