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Vol. 2. No. 46

LOS ANGELES

A Balita Media Publication

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 31 - August 6, 2013

Palace won’t stop Pacquiao presidential run MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang won’t stop Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao from pursuing his ambition to become President of the Philippines.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Pacquiao is free to run, pointing out the minimum requirements of the Constitution to become a presidential candidate.

“Kung sa damdamin ni Ginoong Pacquiao e karapat-dapat siyang tumakbo, nasa kanya po ‘yun. Kung gusto niyang sumabak sa pagkapangulo, nasa kaya po ‘yun. We cannot stop anyone from wanting to fulfill their ambition,” Lacierda told reporters.

Pacquiao earlier confirmed with Agence France-Presse that he is harboring thoughts of running for president in his beloved

homeland when he finally hangs up his gloves.

Drawing parallels between his pugilism and politics careers, the former world champion in eight weight divisions said: “When I started boxing, of course I was planning, you know and thinking about getting to become a champion. So when I enter politics it’s the same thing.

“But, you know, it’s far away,” he said, adding: “It’s God’s will.”

Before that, however, Pacquiao whose record stands at 54 wins, five losses and two draws, must concentrate on his latest bout – a post breakfast-time tear-up with US fighter Brandon Rios, kicking off at the Venetian resort-hotel in Macau at 10 a.m. on November 24.

The unconventional start time is for the benefit of the lucrative US pay-per-view audience, who will be settling down to watch the fight mid-evening on Saturday, as top US promoter Bob Arum attempts to elbow his way into the China market.

And viewers will not be oblivious to the fact that it is probably make or break time for Pacquiao’s boxing career.

Despite his last fight ending in a disastrous knockout, when Juan Manuel Marquez caught him with a huge right hand that saw the Filipino crumple to the canvas – his second successive defeat – Pacquiao refuses to entertain the notion that he will lose a third straight bout, or retire. (MNS)

Manny Pacquiao is free to run, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, pointing out the minimum requirements of the Constitution to become a presidential candidate. Photo: Chria Farina / Top Rank

PHL may shift warships to ex-US naval base: officials

President Benigno S. Aquino III witnesses as His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, signs the Palace Guest Book at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace during his Official Visit to the Republic of the Philippines on Saturday (July 27, 2013). The visit of Prime Minister Abe will further advance the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Japan. The last time that the prime minister of Japan visited the Philippines was in December 2006 when Prime Minister Abe visited Manila during his first term as the head of the Japanese Government. (MNS photo)

Japan’s Abe vows to help PHL amid China row

BY MYNARDO MACARAIG

MANILA, July 27, 2013 (AFP) – Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime defence capabilities on Saturday, while reassuring neighbors about Tokyo’s intentions amid growing territorial disputes with regional rival China.

“For Japan, the Philippines is a strategic partner with whom we share fundamental values and many strategic interests,” Abe told a joint news conference with Philippine president Benigno Aquino after their meeting in Manila.

Speaking through an interpreter, Abe said his visit was

intended “to strengthen the relations with the Philippines in all areas”, including politics, security, and the economy.

As part of Japan’s commitment, Abe said there would be “continued assistance to the capacity-building of the Philippine coastguard”.

As an example of this, he cited 10 patrol boats that Japan is providing to the poorly-equipped Philippine coast guard.

The Filipino coastguard and navy have been at the forefront of tense encounters with navy and maritime surveillance vessels from China, which claims most of the South China Sea including areas close to the FiliSee JAPAN TO HELP page 6

Arroyos file anti-paparazzi bill MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – Paparazzi be warned. In a proposal sure to please the country’s celebrities, the Arroyos have filed a bill criminalizing invasion of privacy committed by photographers.

House Bill 1390, or the Anti-Invasion of Privacy Act of 2013, seeks to protect individuals from unscrupulous photographers – as well as videographers – “who trespass properties to capture images videos of people’s private lives for commercial purposes.”

In their explanatory note, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo and his mother, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, noted that advancements in technology have allowed paparazzi to easily intrude in the privacy of individuals, especially those who are in the public eye.

“Due to these developments, harassment and trespassing threaten not only public persons and their families, but also private persons and their families whose personal tragedies or circumstances beyond their control create media interest,” the younger Arroyo said.

The Arroyos listed a number of “intrusive modern visual or auditory enhancement devices,” including powerful telephoto lenses and hyperbolic microphones that enable invasion of private properties.

However, the authors of the bill also noted that should it become law, the proposed measure will not just protect public individuals, See PAPARAZZI BILL, page 6

MANILA, July 29, 2013 (AFP) – The Philippines may shift key air and naval assets to a former US naval base to boost its response time to waters contested

by China, officials said Monday.

Subic Bay, which faces the strategically important South China Sea, was a major US naval facility until 1992 when it was converted into a busy freeport by the Philippine government.

“The discussions are preliminary, but utilising Subic for our local navy could ideally be very strategic,” said navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Gregory Fabic. “It is a natural deep sea port that can accommodate the warships.”

Department of Defense spokesman Peter Paul Galvez also conSee SHIFT WARSHIPS, page 6

Doctors among dead in Cagayan de Oro restaurant blast CAGAYAN DE ORO, July 27, 2013 (AFP) – Six people were killed and at least 48 wounded in the Philippines when a bomb struck a restaurant filled with doctors after a national convention, police said Saturday.

Police said the improvised explosive device went off around midnight (1600 GMT Friday) at a popular restaurant in the southern port city of Cagayan de Oro. Most of the victims were doctors and pharmaceutical salesmen who had just attended a national convention of lung-disease See RESTAURANT BLAST, page 6

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (June 27, 2013) Sailors and Marines prepare to disembark Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1633 to support Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2013. More than 600 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste. The Philippines said it will allow U.S. and Japan access to its bases. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh/Released)

Aquino orders NBI probe on alleged DOTC extort try MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – President Aquino has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the alleged extort try by several officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) on Czech firm Inekon.

The alleged extortion is in connection with the bidding for the P3.77-billion capacity expansion project of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3).

“The President has tasked the NBI to undertake the InekonDOTC investigation. As always, the thrust is to ascertain the facts and the truth and determine ac-

countability, if warranted,” Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said in a text message.

De Lima bared that the NBI probe has already started its probe, but refused to give details on its progress.

“That assignment was actually given to NBI 2-3 weeks ago. And NBI immediately started its discreet probe,” De Lima said.

Reports state that DOTC officials allegedly tried to extort P30 million from Inekon in exchange for a favorable result in the bidding.

Aquino’s sister, Ballsy AquinoSee DOTC EXTORT TRY, page 6

Biazon threatens action vs defiant Customs men

MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – The rain stopped early Monday, allowing employees of the Bureau of Customs to proceed with the flag-raising ceremony Monday morning.

The lull from the downpour, however, did not stop Commissioner Ruffy Biazon to lecture his own men about doing their jobs with integrity.

For 20 minutes, Biazon reminded Customs employees on the crisis of integrity being faced by their agency, a week after President Benigno Aquino III berated corrupt Customs men during his State of the Nation Address.

The Customs chief urged his See BIAZON THREATENS, page 6

President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with DND Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta during the 24th National Annual Convention of the School for Reserve Commission and the AFP Officer Candidate School Alumni Association, Inc. at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officer’s Clubhouse, Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday (July 26).

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Cal State Long Beach Ranks 13th nationally in Awarding Bachelor’s Degrees to minority students in diverse issue in Higher Ed’s ‘Top 100’ LONG BEACH, Calif. – In the most recent list of the “Top 100 Degree Producers” by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) is ranked 13th in the nation in conferring baccalaureate degrees to minority students.

The “Top 100” is a list of the best minority degree-awarding institutions of higher education in the United States. It is the only national report that showcases U.S. colleges’ and universities’ success in awarding degrees to African-American, Asian-American, Latino and Native-American students.

Based on U.S. Department of Education data from the 2011-12 academic year (the most current data available), CSULB conferred bachelor’s degrees to 3,430 minority students, a number that represented 56 percent of all the baccalaureate degrees awarded at the university that year.

“Cal State Long Beach is located in one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the country. We take great pride in the fact our graduating classes reflect the faces of our community,” said CSULB Interim President Donald Para. “This campus has made a significant effort to reach out to traditionally underserved youth and their parents to encourage collegiate enrollment, and more importantly, student success through graduation. Diverse Issues’ ranking confirms our success to date.

“While we are proud of achieving this ranking,” Para added, “we will continue to push forward to ensure that even more minority

students participate and succeed in college.”

The Diverse Issues “Top 100” is the only national analysis to use the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Using these statistics, rankings were created in the total number of baccalaureate degrees awarded at every university and college in the nation by ethnicity as well as specific figures in major fields of study or disciplines.

Among individual ethnicities, CSULB ranked 11th nationally in awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students, 13th to Native Americans and 14th Asian Americans.

By discipline, CSULB ranked No. 1 in awarding undergraduate degrees to minority students in two different major areas— English language and literature and family and consumer sciences. Additionally, the campus ranked first in awarding English degrees to both Hispanic and Native American students and family and consumer science degrees to Hispanics.

The campus also ranked No. 1 in awarding bachelor’s degrees in recreation and leisure studies to Hispanic students and visual and performing arts degrees to Asian American students. Overall, CSULB was listed second in the nation in awarding visual and performing arts degrees to minority students.

For a complete list of CSULB’s national rankings in awarding baccalaureate degrees to minority students, visit the Diverse Issues in Higher Education Top 100 webpage.

Socal Edison serves formal notice of dispute to Mitsubishi over defective steam generators at SONGS ROSEMEAD, Calif., July 18, 2013 – Southern California Edison (SCE) has served a formal Notice of Dispute on Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Nuclear Energy Systems (together, “Mitsubishi”) which seeks to hold Mitsubishi accountable for designing and manufacturing defective Replacement Steam Generators (RSGs) at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).

“Our action is about making sure that Mitsubishi takes responsibility for providing the defective steam generators that led to the closing of SONGS,” said Ron Litzinger, president of SCE. Although Mitsubishi warranted the generators would operate reliably for 20 years, SCE was required to take SONGS offline in January 2012 when one of the Mitsubishi RSGs experienced a radioactive coolant leak after less than a year of operation. Although its contract with SCE required Mitsubishi to repair the RSGs “with due diligence and dispatch,” SCE’s Notice of Dispute alleges that Mitsubishi failed to do so.

Facing continued uncertainty about restoring SONGS to service at any level of power, SCE permanently retired the plant as of June 2013. SCE alleges that Mitsubishi, as designer and manufacturer of the faulty RSGs, is responsible for the enormous harm its failures have caused to California ratepayers, SCE, and the other SONGS owners.

When SCE contracted with Mitsubishi to replace the SONGS steam generators, it did so to extend the life of SONGS so that the plant could continue to provide safe, reliable and affordable power to over 1.4 million homes in Southern California.

However, SCE’s Notice of Dispute claims that Mitsubishi seriously breached the Contract, totally and fundamentally failing to deliver what it promised. SCE alleges that Mitsubishi grossly failed to appropriately model the thermal hydraulic conditions in the RSGs, including the relative wetness of the steam/water mix in the RSGs (“void fraction”) and the speed of the steam/water flow within the RSGs (“fluid velocity”).

In addition, Mitsubishi is alleged to have failed to design tube support structures capable of withstanding the extreme thermal hydraulic conditions within the RSGs. As a result, the RSGs experienced damaging flow-induced vibration that caused several types of excessive tube wear. The tube-to-tube wear was so advanced in one of the four identically-designed RSGs that it caused a radioactive coolant leak, which SCE was able to address by promptly and safely shutting the plant down.

The Notice of Dispute claims that for over 16 months, SCE has asked Mitsubishi to make things right, but Mitsubishi failed to live up to its contractual obligations. SCE invoiced Mitsubishi for the money SCE was forced to spend investigating and attempting to repair the RSGs, but SCE claims that Mitsubishi has refused to even acknowledge responsibility for any of these costs, even after receiving thousands of pages of documents in support. SCE further claims that Mitsubishi additionally refused to submit to a contractually mandated audit of the documents regarding its work on the RSGs, hindering a transparent look into what went wrong with Mitsubishi’s steam generators, and why.

The Notice of Dispute also alleges that SCE asked Mitsubishi to provide a repair or replacement plan that eliminated the risk that these serious problems would reoccur, but after more than 16 months and despite the contract’s requirement that it provide repairs “with due diligence and dispatch.” Mitsubishi provided only “conceptual” proposals – for example, one proposal would have required workers to perform first-of-a-kind repairs in radioactive, confined areas as narrow as18 inches, with specialty tools that did not yet exist.

Ultimately, with no reliable timeline for generating power at SONGS, SCE determined that the prudent course of action was to end the uncertainty for its ratepayers and the company and permanently retire SONGS as of June 2013. Such an early retirement is exactly what the Steam Generator Replacement Project was designed to avoid.

SCE’s notice, issued today, formally initiates a 90-day dispute resolution process under the Contract. If that process is unsuccessful, then SCE intends to initiate binding arbitration against Mitsubishi, as the designer and manufacturer of the faulty RSGs, to recover damages Mitsubishi has caused.

In the Notice of Dispute, SCE argues that limitations on Mitsubishi’s liability set forth in the Contract do not apply because of contractual exceptions and because of provisions of California law. Mitsubishi, like the manufacturer of a “lemon” automobile, was unable to fix the defects in its product because they were so fundamental and pervasive.

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Health is wealth at this year’s Filipinotown Festival GMA Network, through its international channels – GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International – partners with the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HIFINC), in celebrating the 11th Annual Historic Filipinotown Festival and 5K Run on August 4, 2013, at the Silver Lake Medical Center grounds in Los Angeles, California.

Dubbed “Kalusugan ay Kayamanan”, the annual event starts off with a 5-kilometer morning run. In the afternoon, Kapuso actress Glaiza de Castro, who can be seen leading her team “InstaGang” in the weekly variety show Sunday All Stars, will grace the stage and perform for the audience. There will also be perfor-

mances by other Fil-Am artists.

Battle-of-the-bands and a fashion show will also take place at the event. A mass will be held to adopt Saint Pedro Calungsod as the town’s Patron Saint. Distinguished men and women in the medical and dental professions will be presented BAYANIHAN Spirit Awards and a Search for Youth Ambassadors will be launched. There will be a free bus tour of the Historic Filipinotown and guests can have fun going around the many food and trade booths. The Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HIFINC) was founded and incorporated in 2006 with the mission to make Historic Filipinotown, more commonly known as Hi-Fi, safe for its residents. They sponsor and

spearhead events that celebrate the Filipino culture and highlight contributions that Filipino-Americans have made to the Southern California community.

GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV are available on CARRIERS. To subscribe, call your preferred PayTV provider. For more details, visit the GMA International websitewww.gmanetwork.com/international, Facebook pages www.

Facebook.com/gmapinoytv, www.

Facebook.com/gmalifetv, or Twitter pages @GMAPinoyTV and @ GMA_LifeTV. For details or inquiries on the event, call HIFINC at (818) 242-2088 or email them at historicfiltown@gmail.com. Admission to the event is free and there is ample free parking space in the area.

California man sentenced to more than five years in prison in Nevada mortgage fraud scheme LAS VEGAS, July 26 – A California man who orchestrated a double escrow mortgage fraud scheme involving eight houses in the Las Vegas, Nevada area has been sentenced to five-and-ahalf years in federal prison and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay over $3.5 million in restitution, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

George Anderson, 55, of Copperopolis, California, was sentenced on Thursday, July 25, 2013, by Senior U.S. District Judge Roger L. Hunt.

Anderson was indicted in March 2011 and pleaded guilty in April 2013 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

“During the mid- to late 2000s, thousands of fraudulent residential mortgage transactions in Nevada caused financial hardships for many innocent homeowners and hundreds of millions of dollars of loss to financial institutions and investors,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden.

“We made this type of fraud a priority and through the end of 2012 had prosecuted 213 persons, most of who were convicted and sent to prison.”

According to the plea agreement, in about 2005, Anderson solicited four straw buyers to buy seven houses in Henderson, Nevada, and one house in Las Vegas, with the understanding that

Anderson would control the houses and later re-sell them at a profit. Anderson solicited a co-defendant, Andrew Swan, 38, of Heyworth, Illinois, to buy the houses from the straw buyers at inflated prices in exchange for Swan receiving a portion of the profit from each sale. Swan then recruited a relative to purchase several of the homes again at further inflated prices. False information was submitted to the lenders and to the escrow company in order to receive the loans and to cause disbursement of the loan proceeds to Swan’s company, Creative Capital Group, and Anderson’s company, Anderson Financial Group. Approximately $54,000 to $86,000 from the sale of each home was dispersed to Creative Capital Group; approximately $67,000 to $164,000 from the sale of each home was dispersed to Anderson Financial Group; and approximately $19,000 to $69,000 was dispersed to each original straw buyer.

The majority of the mortgage payments for the homes were not paid and the homes went into foreclosure. At least 16 mortgage loans totaling approximately $6.5 million were obtained as part of the conspiracy to defraud, and the financial institutions suffered a loss of approximately $3.5 million.

The co-defendant Swan also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in June to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $3.5 million in restitution.

Anderson and Swan are currently

released on bond and must self-report to federal prison by October 25, 2013, and August 16, 2013, respectively.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah E. Griswold and Brian Pugh.

Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated, and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes.

With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices, and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory, and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state, and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions, and other organizations.

Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.

Junior special agents receive credentials at FBI Los Angeles Junior Special Agent Program Graduation LOS ANGELES, July 26 —The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office hosted the Junior Special Agent Mentor Program graduation ceremony on July 26, 2013, at 12 p.m. for children at the Salvation Army Westwood Transitional Village in Los Angeles, California, who have spent the past week learning about the FBI, announced Bill L.

PHL extends visa-free privilege from 21 to 30 days

Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Approximately 30 children, ages 7 to 13, went through the academy in two sessions, some graduating last week.

Approximately 10 children from the transitional housing center in the Westwood-area of Los Angeles received their junior special agent badges and credentials on July 26. The mentor program curriculum focused on a variety of subjects, including the history of the FBI; anti-bullying; conflict resolution; civil rights; abstinence from drugs and gangs; and Internet safety, among others. Students met SWAT team members, FBI canines and their handlers, and FBI special agents assigned to the Evidence Response Team, Bomb Technician Program, and the Hazardous Evidence Response Team, who taught the students the importance of using science and mathematics to solve crimes.

FBI volunteers helped students to understand, appreciate, and develop a positive perspective of the FBI and law enforcement in general. In addition to

the guest speakers and presentations, the program consisted of a variety of field trips to foster relationships between the FBI mentors and the children.

“These junior special agents will carry what they learned with them into their future endeavors.

Fostering a positive relationship with law enforcement early on will help them stay drug and gang free and understand that respect for both themselves and others is paramount,” said Bill L. Lewis, Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office. “We may even see some of these promising children one day join the ranks of the FBI.” The Junior Special Agent Program has existed since the 1990s, and this marks the second year the FBI in Los Angeles has partnered with the Salvation Army. The FBI credits the success of the Junior Special Agent Program to the FBI volunteers who serve as positive role models.

MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – Beginning August 1, 2013, nationals from 151 countries with visa-free privilege can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days from the previous period of 21 days.

The initiative, a product of inter-agency coordination among the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration (BI) and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), aims to facilitate the entry and stay of foreign nationals who plan to engage in tourism activities or explore the Philippines as an investment destination.

“This move will hopefully encourage more tourists and investors to visit and stay • Request for Evidence (RFE) • Labor Certification (PERM) in the Philippines by remov• Notice of Intent to Deny/Revoke • Nurse and P.T. Petitions ing the need for them to re• Fiancé & Spouse (K1/K3) • Specialty Workers (H1B) port to immigration offices • Student Visas (F1/M1) • Treaty Traders & Investors (E) • J1 Waiver (212e) • Adjustment of Status (I485) for a stay of up to a month.

• Visitors (B1, B2) • Family Petitions (I130) It will also give them more • Crewman & Transits (C1, D1) • Employment Petitions (I140) flexibility in planning and • Battered Spouse/Child (VAWA) • Intercompany Transfer (L1) managing their schedules,” • Child Status Protection (CSPA) • Extraordinary Ability (O1) said Assistant Secretary • Removal of Conditions (I751) • Investor Visa ($1M. $500K) Jaime Victor Ledda of the • Citizenship and Naturalization • Artists & Athletes (P1, P3) • All other Related Matters • Religious Workers (R1) Office of Consular Affairs.

• AAO Appeals & MTR Qualified foreign nationals for the program who inPasadena Koll Center D’Andrea Law Corporation 510 South Grand Ave. Suite 203 1055 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 500, tend to avail of the visa-free Glendora, CA 91741 Pasadena, CA 91106 privilege only need to present a national passport valid (626) 240-4688 www.dandrealaw.com • info@dandrealaw.com for at least six (6) months Washington D.C. Bar • American Bar Association • American Immigration Lawyers FREE beyond the contemplated Association • Federal Bar Association • Orange County Bar • Los Angeles County Bar CONSULTATION stay and an onward ticket.

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Aquino: AFP is capable of fulfilling its mandate MANILA, July 27 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed strong belief in the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in fulfilling its mandate to protect the lives of the Filipinos.

In his speech during the celebration of the 24th National Annual Convention of the School for Reserve Commission and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Office Candidate for School (OCS) Alumni Association Inc. held at the Tejeros Hall, AFP Commissioned Officer’s Clubhouse in Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, the Chief Executive cited the AFP personnel for their integrity and bravery in fulfiling their duties to protect the lives of the citizens and maintain peace and order.

“Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Sandatahang Lakas, nananalig ako sa inyong dangal at kabayanihan upang manatiling ligtas at payapa ang bawat sulok ng bansa. Bawat problemang ating nalalampasan; lahat ng pagkilala ng mundo sa mga pagbabagong tinatamasa ng ating bayan, at anumang tagumpay ng ating pamahalaan, bahagi palagi ang inyong hanay dito,” President Aquino said.

“Kayong mga kawal, kayong mga sundalo, kayong mga bayaning Pilipino – kayo ang mukha ng transpormasyon. Ipinagmamalaki ko kayo, ipinagmamalaki kayo ng lahing Pilipino,” he stressed.

Aquino assured his administration’s unwavering commitment and support for the AFP to further enhance its capabilities. He also vowed to provide more programs for the AFP personnel to improve the status of their lives and their families.

“Hindi pa rin po nagbabago ang posisyon ko ukol dito: Sangayon ako sa malawakang modernisasyon ng kasundaluhan, subalit hindi natin maaaring isugal ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng sambayanan, tulad ng edukasyon, kalusugan, at trabaho, para lang magmukhang matikas sa mata ng ibang bansa,” he said.

With the signing of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act last December, President Aquino expressed confidence that the AFP can now better perform its mandate of upholding the sovereignty and defending the territorial integrity of the country at all times.

“Ngayon, sa unang tatlong taon pa lamang natin sa tuwid na daan, nahigitan na natin ito, at pumalo na sa 27.62 billion pesos ang nai-release nating pondo para sa AFP Modernization Program.

Nilagdaan din natin noong Disyembre ang Revised AFP Modernization Act, kung saan kaakibat ng nailaan nang 75 bilyong pisong pondo sa unang limang taon ng programa, ay masisiguro rin ang implementasyon nito sa darating pang 15 taon,” he said.

“Kumpiyansa akong hindi tayo madidiskaril dito, lalo pa’t katuwang ko ang mga kawal na kasapi ng AFP Officers Candidate School Alumni Association, gayundin ang mga kasama nating nagdiriwang ng ika-24 na National Convention of the School for Reserve Commission. Sakto nga po ang tema ng ating pagtitipon: Kaisa ng sambayanan para sa pagsulong sa tuwid na daan,” he stressed.

The President also lauded the awardees belonging to the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard for their exemplary contributions toward equitable progress.

“Kaisa ang sambayanan sa pagsulong sa tuwid na daan. Saludo po ako sa inyong pakikiambag tungo sa transpormasyon, lalo na sa 15 mahuhusay na kasapi ninyong pinarangalan ngayong hapon.

Talaga naman pong sa sakuna man o sa banta ng masasamang elemento, buwis-buhay ang kabayanihan at paglilingkod ninyo sa bansa. Kaya naman sa ngalan ng bawat Pilipinong nakakatulog nang mahimbing dahil sa pagpapanatili ninyo ng kapayapaan at kaligtasan, maraming salamat po sa inyo,” he said.

During the event which has for its theme “Team OCS: Kaisa ng Sambayanan Para sa Pagsusulong sa Tuwid na Daan”, President Aquino witnessed the awarding ceremonies of outstanding graduates.

Defense Undersecretary Honorio S. Azcueta led the presentation of awards to outstanding graduates who are now currently belong to Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Also in attendance were AFP Chief of Staff Emmanuel T. Bautista, Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, among others.

(MNS)

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Cuisia condemns killing of Filipino nurse in Memphis WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. today condemned what he described as the senseless killing of a Filipino nurse who was shot dead in Tennessee over the weekend.

“The Philippine Embassy has been informed of the shooting death of Mr. Erano Santos, a 33-yearold Filipino nurse from Angeles City, outside his apartment in Memphis on 20 July 2013,” Ambassador Cuisia said in a statement released today.

“We grieve with Mr. Santos’s loved ones and join them in condemning this senseless killing,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “We are confident that authorities will be able to bring to justice whoever is behind Mr.

Santos’s death.”

Ambassador Cuisia said the Embassy is coordinating with the Memphis police and is in touch with Erano’s aunt in San Diego.

He said the Embassy will extend all possible assistance in facilitating the repatriation of the victim’s remains to the Philippines.

Santos, who migrated to the United States only last year, was found dead with a gunshot wound outside his apartment in Cordova, Tennessee.

Witnesses said Santos was shot following an altercation with an unknown suspect who fled the scene in the victim’s 2013 Honda Civic sedan.

Raising the minimum wage for our state’s workers

BY SENATOR LELAND YEE California State Senator

There have been discussions recently in our state and the nation’s Capital about raising the minimum wage. California’s minimum wage was last raised in 2008. A wage increase in our state could benefit the working class, who are constantly finding ways to make ends meet and support their families.

In fact, an individual who is working full time and paid a minimum wage will still not be able to afford an apartment for his or her family solely on one income. Many proponents for increasing the state’s minimum wage have called for legislation to do such. Assembly Bill 10 addresses California’s historic income gap, one of the largest in the nation, by increasing the state minimum wage over a five year period from $8.00 to $10.00.

The same is being done in Washington, D.C. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 compared to California’s $8.00 minimum. Over the last thirty years Congress has increased the minimum wage three times while California has not seen an increase since 2008. If the federal minimum wage had kept up with inflation over the past forty years it would be around $10.69. In fact, today’s minimum wage actually buys less than what the minimum wage in the 1960s could buy.

Nineteen states now have a minimum wage over the federal minimum. Washington state has the highest rate, by state, of $9.19 an hour. California ranks fifth highest in the country. According to a national poll conducted by Lake Research Partners,

nearly three out of four likely voters (73%) in the U.S. support increasing the minimum wage to $10 per hour and indexing it to inflation.

This bill will strengthen and depoliticize California’s minimum wage by providing a modest increase to millions of struggling Californians. Over recent decades workers at the bottom of the wage scale have been struggling while the real value of their earnings continues to decrease. The California Budget Project has calculated that between 1968 and 2008, the purchasing power of California’s minimum wage fell by 24.8%. The Public Policy Institute of California has also conducted a study on this issue and found that California is experiencing the largest income gap in at least thirty years which is exacerbated by the fact that California’s current minimum wage, when adjusted for inflation, is less than the minimum wage workers earned in 1979.

AB 10 will kick start California’s lagging economy over the next five years with predictable increases to the minimum wage. If this bill passes, a $.25 wage increase in 2014 is estimated to provide two million Californians an additional $520 annually and a billion additional dollars.

Urge your Senator to pass this legislation to increase the minimum wage. Too many workers have suffered as a result of the recent economic recession.

Raising the minimum wage would put more money in the pockets of workers struggling to provide for their families. When workers have more money to spend, it will encourage consumer spending. It is time to help Californians bounce back and bring wealth back to our state and its workers.

Pope Francis: ‘Who am I to judge’ gays?

BY JEAN-LOUIS DE LA VAISSIERE

VATICAN CITY, July 29, 2013 (AFP) - Pope Francis reached out to gays on Monday, declaring that it is not his place to judge them – while also condemning the Vatican’s reported gay lobby as a “serious problem”.

The remarks to journalists as he flew back to Rome from a high-profile trip to Brazil appeared to be more conciliatory towards homosexuals than his predecessor Benedict XVI. “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?” the pope asked.

“The problem is not having this orientation, it is lobbying. That’s the most serious problem.”

The pope had admitted in June that there was a “gay lobby” in the Vatican’s secretive administration, the Roman Curia, according to a Latin American Catholic website.

It followed earlier Italian media reports claiming that a secret report by cardinals investigating Vatican leaks included allegations of corruption and blackmail attempts against gay clergymen, and on the other hand, favoritism based on gay relationships Francis also fielded questions about Battista Ricca, who was appointed by the pontiff to a key position at the troubled Vatican bank but is embroiled in allegations that he had gay relationships with male prostitutes.

The pope said he had ordered a “brief investigation but we found nothing on him”.

“I have not seen anyone at the Vatican who is registered as gay on his identity card,” he said, adding however: “We acknowledge that there are (gays).”

Nevertheless, “the catechism of the Catholic Church says clearly that we must not marginalize these people who should be integrated in the society,” he added.

The Italian weekly L’Espresso this month reported

that Ricca had gay relationships during his time at the Vatican embassy of Montevideo in Uruguay as well as an affair with a Swiss guard which ultimately saw him sent back to Rome in disgrace in 2010.

Because of an internal bid to cover up Ricca’s activities, Francis apparently was unaware of his past before appointing him as his personal representative at the scandal-hit bank this year.

Gay rights groups had voiced hope on Francis’s appointment that the Argentinian pope would be friendlier to homosexuals than his predecessor.

Benedict had angered the gay community with his suggestion in 2008 that homosexuality was as much of a threat to the survival of the human race as climate change.

Also Monday, the pope said John Paul II, a beloved predecessor, would not be canonized in December as previously mooted.

He said the penciled-in date of December 8 would not suit pilgrims of modest means travelling to Rome by bus from John Paul II’s native Poland.

The 78-year-old pontiff hailed the Polish pope as a “great missionary, a Saint Paul.”

Francis also said Monday he was moving forward with reforms of the Vatican administration, or Curia, saying he faced no “resistance” while recognizing that the Holy See was embroiled in scandals.

“There are saints in the Curia, loyal people,” he said. “And if there’s resistance, I haven’t seen it yet.”

As Latin America’s first pontiff, he was given a rock star’s welcome on Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Copacabana beach, with a sea of faithful waving flags, dancing and chanting “long live the pope!” on the crescent-shaped shoreline.

Wrapping up his first trip abroad since his election in March, the head of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics hammered home his plea for young believers gathered for World Youth Day to “go and make disciples of all nations.”

Fixing our broken immigration system: The economic benefits to agriculture and rural communities

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“So if we’re truly committed to strengthening our middle class and providing more ladders of opportunity to those who are willing to work hard to make it into the middle class, we’ve got to fix the system.

We have to make sure that every business and every worker in America is playing by the same set of rules.

We have to bring this shadow economy into the light so that everybody is held accountable – businesses for who they hire, and immigrants for getting on the right side of the law. That’s common sense. And that’s why we need comprehensive immigration reform.”

– President Barack Obama, January 29, 2013 Today, the White House released a report, Fixing Our Broken Immigration System: The Economic Benefits to Agriculture and Rural Communities, detailing the important benefits provided by the bipartisan Senate immigration reform bill for the domestic agriculture sector, its workforce, and rural American communities.

As the report states, in recent years, the agriculture sector has seen strong growth, with farm income and agriculture exports both reaching historic highs. In 2013, net farm in-

come is forecast to total $128.2 billion, which would be the highest level since 1973 after adjusting for inflation. Much of this growth is due to the demand for American agricultural exports: the value of agricultural exports has steadily risen in recent years and is projected to reach $135.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2013, which would also establish a new record.

But there’s more work to do, and currently the agriculture industry is hampered by a broken immigration system that fails to support a predictable and stable workforce. Among all economic sectors, the U.S. agriculture sector is particularly reliant on foreign-born workers. Agricultural producers cite difficulty in locating qualified available authorized workers – both foreign and domestic – as one reason for the high rate of undocumented labor. Moreover, there continue to be insufficient U.S. workers to fill labor needs: of those crop workers surveyed between 2007 and 2009, 71 percent were foreign born. By providing a path to earned citizenship for currently unauthorized farmworkers, the bipartisan Senate bill gives unauthorized workers and their families the security they need to invest in their own skills and education and pursue higher-paying employment.

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UTREACH MoneyGram renews contract with actor Robin Padilla as Brand Ambassador Connecting with our Filipino consumers worldwide MANILA (July 2, 2013) – MoneyGram (NASDAQ:MGI), a leading global money transfer company, announced today it renewed its exclusive agreement with Robin Padilla as its brand ambassador. Last year, MoneyGram unveiled its collaboration with the Filipino movie personality during the launch of its “Moneygrado sa MoneyGram” campaign, which targets Filipino senders and receivers around the world.

“Robin Padilla has great credibility and charisma as well as an honest interest and admiration for the Filipino overseas workers around the world. He is relatable and aspirational and we believe that he is the best spokesperson to deliver our Moneygrado message,” said Juan Agualimpia, chief

marketing officer, MoneyGram.

“We believe that the Moneygrado sa MoneyGram campaign deepens our brand’s connection with the 11 million Filipinos overseas who need to send money home on a regular basis.”

Padilla noted that he agreed to become a brand ambassador for MoneyGram because the company has provided millions of Filipino workers with an affordable, efficient and trusted way to send essential support to their loved ones.

“I am enthusiastic about this opportunity to continue representing MoneyGram. The company provides a very important service to my fellow Filipino workers around the world and I feel good about this association,” he said.

With presence in 198 coun-

tries and nearly 10,000 locations in the Philippines, MoneyGram continues to bring families closer through its affordable money transfer services. nReceivers can claim their remittances in the Philippines through trusted partner locations, including: Banco De Oro, Cebuana Lhuillier, SM, M Lhuillier, Palawan Pawnshop, Metrobank, RD Pawnshop and Kwartagram, among others.

Additionally, OFW family members can now send their remittances directly to their loved ones’ bank accounts through MoneyGram’s cash to account service.

This service enables customers to send needed funds directly into their family and friends’ bank accounts at any of the participating 20 banks in the Philippines.

Diana Ross, Chicago and Daughtry headline Pechanga Theater’s summer entertainment line-up TEMECULA, Calif., July 25, 2013 – “Stop in the name of love” singer and Billboard magazine’s “Female Entertainer of the Century” Diana Ross will be performing this summer at the Pechanga Theater in a string of “one night only” shows that will also feature Chicago, the hit all-male American rock band during the 1970s and 1980s, and Daughtry, another American rock band that was formed and fronted by American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry.

Diana Ross was one of the founding members of the 1960s female group “The Supremes” who launched her successful solo career in the 1970s which made her a one of the biggest American recording artists, movie stars, fashion icons and international celebrities. She has sold over 100 million records worldwide and garnered multiple awards and recognition, including the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. She will be performing live at the Pechanga Theater on Sunday August 4, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Chicago is one of the most successful and longest-running rock bands in history, with multiplatinum albums and timeless hits, like “If You Leave Me Now”, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”, “Hard Habit to Break” and “You’re the Inspiration” – ballads that are very familiar and “must haves” in every aspiring Filipino singer’s karaoke collection.

The band’s original members Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider will be performing with Jason Scheff (who joined the band in 1985), Tris Imboden and Keith Howland (who joined the band in the 1990s), Lou Pardini (who joined the band in 2007), and their newest member, Walfredo Reyes, Jr. The show is on Friday, August 9, 2013 at 8 p.m.

American Idol Season 5 introduced Chris Daughtry to pop and alternative rock music listeners around the world.

He was one of the leading contenders and his elimination was considered one the biggest shocking moments in American prime time television. He formed the band “Daughtry” and made a big come back with the release of their self-titled debut album which reached number one on the Billboard 200 and established them as one of today’s biggest rock bands. Beginning with their biggest hits, “Home” and “It’s Not Over”, the group has sold over 6.7 million albums and 12.4 million digital tracks in the U.S. alone.

Daughtry will be performing at the Pechanga Theater on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. with 3 Doors Down, an American rock band made famous by their songs “Kryptonite” and “Loser.”

Their multi-

Diana Ross

platinum albums have debuted on the Billboard 200 charts and their third and fourth albums, Seventeen Days and the self-titled album, 3 Doors Down, respectively, both debuted at the No. 1 spot.

They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide.

Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. With a seating capacity of 1,200 and an up-close view from every theater seat, each show features state-ofthe-art and acoustically perfected sound. The Pechanga Theater has established itself as one of California’s most reputable entertainment venues, with free valet and self-parking for guests, complimentary casino/resort shuttles, and a wide variety of dining options on site.

Pechanga Resort & Casino Full Entertainment Line-up for August 2013: Diana Ross – August 4, 2013 at

7 p.m.

Chicago – August 9, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Chris Isaak – August 11, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Daughtry & 3 Doors Down – August 14, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.

WCK Muay Thai Kickboxing – August 24, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Mua He Ruc Ro – August 31, 2013 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Pechanga Resort & Casino offers the largest and most expansive resort/casino experience anywhere in the Western United States. Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2003, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.

For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www.Pechanga.com.

Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook.com/Pechanga and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

Pechanga Resort & Casino is open 24-hours. Guests must be 21 years old and older to enter the casino.

MoneyGram says Robin Padilla, seen here doing a symbolic contract signing, has “great credibility and charisma as well as an honest interest and admiration for the Filipino overseas workers around the world.

Utility bill scams continue to target Southern California Edison customers ROSEMEAD, Calif., July 25, 2013 – Southern California Edison (SCE) is advising customers to be aware of a telephone scam that demands immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills.

Imposters have been calling SCE customers telling them they must make immediate payment on past due bills or have their electric service disconnected. The callers are also demanding that payment be made through a prepaid cash card. Other forms of fraud involve customers being asked to purchase prepaid debit cards. Scammers ask for the debit card number and collect the value deposited on the card.

SCE customers have reported about 800 instances of phone scams this year. About 150 residential and commercial customers have been victimized by some form of bill scam with the incidents costing them an average of $800 to $1,000.

“We ask our customers to be alert to these calls that demand immediate payment and threaten service disconnection,” said Marlyn Denter, SCE manager of consumer affairs. “Customers suspecting a fraudulent call should ask for the caller’s name, department and business phone number. If the caller refuses to provide this information, customers should terminate the call and report the incident immediately to local police or SCE at 800-655-4555.”

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, whose office prosecutes crimes in about 80 cities within SCE’s service territory, joins the utility in warning consumers about telephone scams.

“SCE and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office share a common interest in keeping Los Angeles County residents safe from bill scams and other financial crimes,” Lacey said.

“A first step to preventing financial scams – particularly among the elderly and in ethnic communities – is to educate the public,” she said. “When these crimes do occur, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is fully committed to prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.”

SCE also reminds customers to ask for identification when a stranger comes to the door or calls claiming to be a utility worker. SCE utility workers will provide verification, including their department and phone number, when asked.

In most cases, home visits by SCE are scheduled by the customer and SCE will confirm the appointment in writing. If there are any concerns, SCE and law enforcement officials suggest having the utility worker wait outside until their identity can be verified.

SCE customers should also note that: An SCE employee will never ask for money in person.

Never reveal your credit card, ATM or calling card numbers (or PIN numbers) to anyone.

If someone calls and requests you leave your residence at a specific time for a utility-related cause, call the police. This could be a burglary attempt set up by the caller.

Be suspicious of anyone who arrives at your house without an appointment asking to check an appliance, wiring or suggesting that there may be some other electrical problem inside or outside your residence.

For more ways customers can stay safe, please see sce.com/safety and read the safety tips section.

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SWS, Pulse Asia seek SC’s help vs Comelec MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – Private pollsters Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia are asking the Supreme Court to stop the Commission on Elections from implementing a resolution that ordered the disclosure of the names of their subscribers.

The 2 pollsters asked for a temporary restraining order against Comelec Resolution 9674 promulgated last April 23.

The resolution ordered SWS and Pulse Asia to identify the “commissioners, payors and subscribers” of the pre-election surveys they conducted beginning February 12.

“Unless this Court intervenes, petitioners will be prosecuted for a crime created by Comelec that never existed before; subjected to a sham, baseless and improper preliminary investigation; deprived of their liberty and other basic rights; and compelled to disclose confidential and protected information,” read their petition filed through lawyers led by De

La Salle University college of law founding dean Jose Manuel Diokno.

The two pollsters have refused to comply with the order, saying the resolution interferes with their existing contracts.

“Resolution No. 9674 unduly interferes with the existing contracts of SWS and Pulse Asia, by forcing us to disclose information that, under the contracts, is confidential or privileged. It materially alters the terms of the contracts, imposes new conditions, and dispenses with those agreed upon,” the petition read.

They also said Comelec seemed to have usurped the powers of Congress when it amended provisions of the Fair Elections Act. “Comelec Resolution 9674 requires Pulse Asia, SWS and other survey firms to submit the names of all their subscribers, including those who did not commission or pay for that particular survey or cause its publication… Only Congress can do that.”

SHIFT WARSHIPS From page 1

firmed the plan, which would include the transfer of two key warships acquired from the US. He said the naval headquarters near Manila would soon be privatized, while an airport near Subic that was being used by the air force was to undergo expansion soon.

“With this, Subic has been determined as the best alternative for the planned transfer,” Galvez told AFP. “Subic has a deep water port for the two (warships), it has an existing runway and airport facilities,” he added.

The Philippine military, considered one of the weakest in the region, has been relying on excess US military articles to boost its capability.

In 2011, it acquired a decommissioned US coastguard cutter, and transformed it into its naval flagship called Gregorio del Pilar.

A sister-ship, the Ramon Alcaraz is to arrive later this week.

Both are the most modern of the Philippine fleet, and are mainly to be used to patrol sea borders to counter perceived Chinese military build up in the region.

The Philippine government last month also said it was drafting a plan allowing joint use of its bases with the United States

and Japan, another country that is separately locked in a bitter sea dispute with China.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters close to its smaller neighbors. The dispute has long been considered a potential flash point of conflict in the region.

The Chinese have effectively gained control of Scarborough Shoal after the Philippine navy backed down following a stand off last year.

The shoal is near Subic and lies just 230 kilometers (140 miles) west of the main island of Luzon. “(The move to) Subic is to address all our security and defence concerns in Luzon and surrounding maritime domain,” Galvez said.

Subic, along with the nearby Clark Airbase, were key facilities for the United States during World War II. They provided logistical support during the Vietnam War in the 1970s, and remained of strategic importance during the Cold War. Clark closed down in 1991 after nearby Mount Pinatubo volcano erupted, covering the base in ash and making it unusable. The last US ship sailed out of Subic a year later.

JAPAN TO HELP From page 1

pino coast.

China seized the Scarborough Shoal, a South China Sea outcrop just 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of the main Philippine island of Luzon, last year after Manila backed down from a lengthy stand-off.

This year the Philippines has complained about the presence of Chinese navy vessels near Filipino-held Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly islands.

Japan earlier this year announced it would make loans to the Philippines to purchase the 10 Japanese patrol vessels for its coastguard.

“The Prime Minister and I agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation which is a pillar of our strategic partnership,” Aquino said Saturday.

Abe’s visit came as tensions have also steadily risen between China and Japan over Japanesecontrolled islands in the East China Sea. He reiterated a call for a leaders’ summit with China to discuss their territorial dispute, and assured the rest of Asia that his vision for a more robust Japanese armed forces would not threaten the region’s peace and security. Abe said Saturday his party’s decisive victory in the upper house of the Japanese parliament would help him pursue his vision of Tokyo’s role in the region, many parts of which were under brutal Japanese occupa-

tion in World War II. “Against this backdrop I intend to further proceed with strategic diplomacy which will contribute to regional and global peace and security,” he said.

Abe has pledged to loosen limits on the military in Japan’s pacifist, post-war constitution and stand up to China over their East China Sea dispute.

He acknowledged at a separate news conference, after he appeared with Aquino, that a more assertive Japanese military was a sensitive issue in the region. “I intend to explain politely so that the countries in the region will not have any misunderstanding,” he said.

Abe said problems with China were “inevitable” being neighbors, but stressed that peaceful coexistence between the two regional powers was crucial for Asian peace and prosperity.

“It is important that we have frank and candid discussions.

I have given instructions so that the foreign affairs authorities (can) proceed with dialogue without any conditions attached.

Foreign ministers-level and leaders-level meetings should be promptly held.” As Abe and Aquino met at the presidential palace, about 80 protesters including elderly ladies who said they were former comfort women staged a rally nearby, holding signs demanding reparations from Japan.

PAPARAZZI BILL From page 1

but all Filipino citizens “With this bill, adequate protection will be given to individuals, be they public or private, from personal intrusion for commercial purposes and also against intrusions on their privacy due to activities undertaken in connection with the reproduction and broadcast of their private activities,” the younger

Wednesday - Tuesday, July 31 - Aug. 6, 2013

LOS ANGELES

Arroyo said.

Under the bill, any person guilty of an act of intrusion that causes death shall be penalized with up to 20 years jail time and a fine of P50,000.

Meanwhile, if the act results in serious body injury, the penalty shall be up to 12 years and a fine of P20,000. (MNS)

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Mar ally in shortlist for Sandiganbayan post MANILA, July 29 (Mabuhay) – The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has voted on a short list of nominees for the post of Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice in view of the retirement of Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz last June 8.

The list includes: Court of Appeals Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas (6 votes), Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rafael Santos (6 votes), and Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Amparo Tang (5 votes), Efren Dela Cruz (5 votes), and Gregory Ong (4 votes).

Those who applied included Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita Diaz-Baldos and Alex Quiros, and Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento, and Abra Provincial Prosecutor Nestor Tolentino.

United Nationalist Alliance secretary general Toby Tiangco earlier questioned why Santos is

vying for the post vacated by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr. He said Santos’ bid for the Sandiganbayan post has the blessing of his current boss, DILG chief Mar Roxas. enate Justice Committee chairman Sen. Koko Pimentel now sits as the representative from Congress in the JBC. The voting on the Sandiganbayan top post was first scheduled last July 1 but Congress sought a postponement as it had yet to choose who will represent the legislature to the JBC. The Supreme Court (SC) recently ruled that Congress should have only a single representative and vote in the council, contrary to the practice of having 2 representatives.

The short list will be submitted to Malacañan: President Aquino will appoint the next antigraft court chief based on the list. (MNS)

PHL, Japan strengthen maritime, economic cooperation MANILA, July 27 (Mabuhay) – The Philippines and Japan on Saturday agreed to strengthen maritime and economic cooperation following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Malacañang. President Benigno Aquino III, speaking during a press conference after his meeting with the Japanese official, said both countries agreed to boost their partnership with regard to maritime security.

“The Prime Minister and I agreed to strengthen maritime cooperation, which is a pillar of our strategic partnership,” Aquino said. “We reviewed the security challenges that confront our nations and pledged to cooperate in advancing our common advocacy for responsible action from international players. We believe that this can be done by upholding the rule of law in international affairs and by finding just and peaceful

solutions to territorial disputes and maritime concerns so that we may create a secure and stable environment that leads to our collective progress,” he continued.

Aquino thanked Japan for improving the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard through the provision of vessels and communication systems.

For his part, Abe, through a translator, said “To promote maritime cooperation, we confirmed continued assistance towards the capacity building of the Philippine Coast Guard and I have announced we will provide 10 patrol vessels by yen loan.”

Abe touted the Philippines as one of Japan’s strategic partners and noted the meeting was made to further reinforce the relationship between the two countries, which have “a long history of friendship and exchange.”

US pending home sales dip in June WASHINGTON, July 29, 2013 (AFP) – US pending home sales edged lower in June after hitting a six-year high in May, under pressure from rising mortgage rates, an industry group said Monday.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said its index for pending sales, reflecting sales contracts signed, slipped 0.4 percent to 110.9 in June from a downwardly revised 111.3 in May. The decline was much smaller than the average analyst estimate of a 1.7 percent drop following the May spike to the highest pace since December 2006.

“Mortgage interest rates began to rise in May, taking some of the momentum out of contract activity in June,” Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist,

said in a statement.

“The persistent lack of inventory also is contributing to lower contract signings.”

Jim O’Sullivan, chief US economist at High Frequency Economics, acknowledged the June dip could be seen as evidence of housing already being hurt by the rise in mortgage rates.

“But the drop paled in comparison with the surge in May, consistent with it being a pause and the trend remaining upward,” he said.

Despite the dip, pending home sales were 10.9 percent higher than in June 2012 as the housing market recovers from the collapse of a price bubble in 2006.

RESTAURANT BLAST From page 1

specialists at a nearby hotel, said the city police chief, Senior Superintendent Graciano Mijares.

“This is one of the busiest areas of Cagayan de Oro.... somebody left a bomb on a chair at the bistro,” he told reporters.

He declined to speculate on the motive for the bombing, saying an investigation was under way.

Cagayan de Oro is located on the main southern island of Mindanao, which has been blighted by a decades-old rebellion by elements of the large Muslim minority in the mainly Catholic Asian nation.

Witnesses at the scene described horrific scenes, with the top of the head of one victim blown off and the torso of another hanging limply on a chair as police sifted through the debris for evidence.

Local businessman Noel Arcenas, who owns an electronics shop at the shopping complex where the restaurant is located, said at least 100 people were inside the bistro when the explosion occurred. “I felt then heard the

blast,” said Arcenas, who added he was standing about 15 meters (49 feet) away.

“I looked around and saw this ball of white smoke. People were running away bloodied and survivors were dragging at least seven or eight people away from the blast site.”

The powerful explosion broke glass panels, upturned tables and chairs, and damaged cars parked up to 30 metres away, reporters at the scene said.

The six dead included two doctors as well as local politician Roldan Lagbas, a member of the provincial executive board of Misamis Oriental province, police said. Forty-eight other people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, police said in an updated tally.

The city’s police bomb squad recovered fragments of a mortar shell and an electronic circuit board on the scene, indicating it was an improvised bomb set off by a mobile phone or radio, according to Superintendent Marino Pongtilan. President Benigno Aquino’s

government denounced the attack.

“We deplore this act of violence at this meeting of professionals, the Philippine College of Physicians, whose mission in life is to bring about healing,” Aquino spokesman Herminio Coloma told reporters in Manila.

“We will have to look into the matter and ensure there will be no future breaches of security.”

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno told ABS-CBN television network that at least two of the wounded were in critical condition. “Doctors have been attending to them and we hope their situation will stabilize soon,” Moreno told the station.

Asked who he thought was responsible for the attack, he said: “It’s hard to speculate at this time.”

Muslim groups including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have waged a guerrilla war for a separate Islamic state in Mindanao since the 1970s, a conflict that has claimed an estimated 150,000 lives.

BIAZON THREATENS From page 1

co-workers to take the President’s words as incentive to initiate change.

“Sana po itong pangyayari ito na hindi naman first time ay magdulot ng compelling reason sa mga kasama natin sa Bureau of Customs, for them to reform,” he said.

Biazon lamented that he has never stopped reminding people in the Bureau against abusing their position.

He reminded officials of his order directing district and subport collectors to relinquish their current assignment.

“By the end of the day if I don’t receive all those letters, I will have the judgment. It only means they are not with me, and if they are not with me, they are against me,” he said.

“Compliance na lang yun eh, saan

ba kukuha ng kapal ng mukha?” he added in his speech before a mostly silent crowd at the stairs of the BOC facade.

The Bureau of Customs has 17 district collectors and 37 subport collectors or a total of 54 people that are covered by the order. But according to Biazon, when he checked in his office this morning, there are only 13 people who complied with the order.

Biazon said those who will not comply with his order will be taken out of the way.

“Kung di sila susuporta eh di sasantabi ko sila. May bakante sa Bureau of Customs Navy,” he said.

He also warned that he will seriously look into complaints of corruption against Customs personnel and officials. He said he

will probably listen and act on stories of corruption and will not give a chance to corrupt employees to reform.

“Umayos na tayo, and I hope you bring this message to everyone,” he said.

On Monday, the BOC presented to the media another set of seized smuggled items discovered by the x-ray inspection project of Port of Manila.

The contraband included misdeclared items that consists of clothings, bags, watches and medicines from Cambodia and Vietnam, 20 units of All-Terrain vehicles from China and two generator sets that can energize a small barangay.

The estimated amount for the recently intercepted items was pegged at P90 million.(MNS)

DOTC EXTORT TRY From page 1

Cruz, and her husband, Eldon Cruz, were also dragged into the controversy.

DOTC Sec Joseph Abaya earlier said Inekon never formally submitted a bid to supply addi-

tional light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the MRT-3 system.

During the bidding last June 11, two Chinese firms qualified: Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co. CNR Group, and CSR

Zhuzhou Locomotive.

Dalian Locomotive, with a bid of P3.759 billion, emerged as the only one qualified to proceed with the process. (MNS)

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MOTORING BMW goes electric: official unveiling of the i3

BMW i3

(Relaxnews) – Simultaneously launched on Monday on three continents with live web-cast unveilings in London, New York and Beijing, the i3 is BMW’s similarly global attempt to enter the electric vehicle market ahead of its luxury car competitors and in a way that keeps the company’s reputation for performance intact while underlining in no uncertain terms that something radical needs to be done in order to ensure the future sustainability of personal mobility.

During a 1966 concert in Manchester, UK, Bob Dylan was heckled and called a ‘Judas’ and labelled a traitor by the audience for going electric and for abandoning his acoustic folk roots in favor of amplified, distorted guitars. So stung was he by the comments that he ceased performing in Britain, the scene of the musical

crime, for a number of years.

With the launch of the i3, BMW’s first all-electric car, the company is in danger of similar catcalls and heckling; after all this is a German vehicular stalwart whose reputation and allure is built on ‘sheer driving pleasure’. Every car it creates is designed around the driver.

As such, BMW, which has already spent over five years and countless millions developing the car completely in house, knows that even with growing environmental concern among the carbuying public, a limited-range all-electric family car is a tough sell even if the car retains that special BMW driving magic.

To address the performance doubters, the compact, four-door city car is rearwheel drive and has an incredibly low center of gravity – two must-haves for

any car with even the vaguest hopes of sporting credentials – but, thanks to the instant power of electric drivetrains, can accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in a mere 3.7 seconds and 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds. That’s supercar territory.

“The car has to be exciting, futuristic and innovative. We are offering our customers a new dimension of sheer driving pleasure,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, when he took to the stage in New York. Easing transition with innovative perks and services However, the range -- 130-160 kilometers (81 - 99 miles) is still limiting (as it is with all plug-in electrics). But, just like the launch, BMW is taking a global approach to addressing this issue and alleviating the anxiety of potential customers in a number of innovative ways. Firstly, this car is the most ‘communicative’ one the company has ever built.

A smartphone app gives the owner almost total control of the car’s systems, battery life, time to recharge and navigation planning tools. Destination routes are calculated based on range, driving style and proximity to charging points.

Then there’s the 24-hour help line and road side assistance programs for further peace of mind.

The company has also forged partner-

ships with a number of car parking companies to ensure that charging stations are available and that BMWs will have priority. Then there’s the ‘generator’ option.

A small, 650cc engine can be fitted to the car that doesn’t drive the car’s wheels but instead fires up from time to time to charge the vehicle’s batteries for extending range. And finally, there’s the use of a ‘traditional’ car for a set period of time every year when a long journey, such as a family holiday is on the cards.

“The BMW i3 sets a new benchmark for sustainable mobility in all stages of development and production, as well as aftersales,” said Friedrich Eichiner, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Finance, who was present at the Beijing unveiling.

The message is clear, the company isn’t abandoning its roots, but innovation is needed to drive change. The i3 is BMW’s vision of tomorrow’s mobility while still being able to meet customers’ current needs, particularly in cities.

The BMW i3 will be released in Germany and other European markets in November 2013. The market launch of the BMW i3 in USA, China, Japan and several other markets will take place in the first half of 2014. The base price for the BMW i3 has been set at €34,950 in Germany. The optional range extender will add a further €4500 to the price.

New Maserati Ghibli now available with diesel engine (Relaxnews) - Unveiled in April at the Shanghai Motorshow, the next-generation Maserati Ghibli is now available for order. Prices start at €66,500 and the first shipments are expected to arrive in September 2013.

The Ghibli maintains the same basic structure as the Quattroporte (chassis, suspension), only 29cm shorter and 50kg lighter.

The interior includes an 8.4” Maserati Touch Control screen, Poltrona Frau leather upholstery, a 15-speaker Bowers

& Wilkins stereo system, a wi-fi router and adjustable foot pedals.

The new sedan, designed to be both luxurious and sporty, is offered primarily with a 3.0L V6 TDI biturbo engine, with horsepower of up to 410. The S Q4 model is the top performer in the range, with maximum speeds of up to 284km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in The first deliveries of the new Maserati Ghibli are expected to arrive in September 2013. just 4.8 seconds. engine. The Ghibli Diesel, featuring Start marily for the European market.

Less than 6L/100km For the first time in Maserati’s history, & Stop technology and fuel consumption The Ghibli, Ghibli S, Ghibli S Q4 the Ghibli is now available with a diesel of just 6L per 100km, was designed pri- and Ghibli Diesel all feature an 8-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift gate.

The S Q4 stands out, however, for its all-wheel drive.

The Ghibli is likely to be front and center on the Maserati stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show, taking place September 12-22.

More than ever, the Italian luxury car manufacturer has now positioned the Ghibli as an alternative to more mainstream German sedans, such as the Mercedes E-Class, the BMW 5 Series or the Audi A6.

2

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Bentley SUV to be closely watched by rivals: analysts

Bentley SUV Conceptual sketch

(FRANKFURT-AFP) – Luxury car maker Bentley’s plans for a new ultraluxurious sports utility vehicle for the super rich will be closely watched by rivals mulling a similar move, analysts said.

On Tuesday, Bentley, which usually builds stately sedans for heads of state, announced it will go ahead with plans to build “the most luxurious and most powerful SUV in the market.”

German auto sector expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer said SUVs are the fastest-

Nile Villanueva Finance Manager

Victor Malaiba Fleet Sales Manager

Lamborghini, yet another racehorse in the VW stable, and Fiat’s Maserati are similarly eyeing the SUV market.

Target customers will be the super-rich in China and Russia.

Bentley did not give any indication just yet of the anticipated purchase price, but Dudenhoeffer put it at 180,000 euros ($238,000).

“The SUV will be a thoroughbred Bentley true to the brand hallmarks of luxury, performance, quality and craftsmanship,” Bentley vowed.

“The styling will set it apart from any growing segment in the car market, but one into which super-luxury carmakers other SUV on the road.”

Bentley said the new range will require have not really ventured so far. an investment of £800 million (930 milPorsche, the maker of high-end sports cars which like Bentley also belongs to lion euros, $1.23 billion) and the SUV is Europe’s biggest car maker Volkswagen, to be built in Crewe, in Britain, where it has seen its sales boosted by its Cayenne would create “over 1,000 jobs.”

Bentley’s pursuit of an SUV had been SUV. up in the air, as the company awaited a “There’s a gap which Bentley is now trying to fill and other carmakers are watch- green light from Volkswagen and debated ing attentively. Bentley is the first, but the where production would be based.

Media reports had also seen VW’s plant others will follow,” Dudenhoeffer said.

“Presyong pangkababayan po lamang.”

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in Bratislava in the Czech Republic as a possible production site. That is where other SUVs within the group – VW Touareg, Audi Q7 and the Porsche Cayenne – are built.

“The Volkswagen Group believes in the UK as a competitive location for industrial production. Bentley fans all around the world are looking forward to the brand’s first SUV,” said VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn.

The plans were “fantastic news for both Crewe and for the UK as a whole. It is another important milestone in strengthening our economy,” beamed British prime minister David Cameron, who was in Crewe for the announcement.

“I am delighted that Bentley will be building their new vehicle here, not only creating a thousand jobs, but safeguarding many more,” Cameron said.

A spokesman for Bentley said it was too early to say how many of the new SUVs would actually roll off the production line each year.

But its chief has suggested the model would enable Bentley to double annual sales to 15,000 by 2018.

“Many of our customers say they want a Bentley SUV,” the group spokesman said.

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Mini presents its ‘Vision’ for the future

Covers normal factory scheduled service for 2 years or 25000 miles, whichever occurs first. The new Toyota vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial fleet or a delivery or taxi vehicle. See participating Toyota Dealer for details. Provided by Toyota: 2 years or 25K miles, whichever comes first on new Toyota purchase/lease.

Terms and conditions apply. See dealer for complete details. To qualify for college grad rebate, one must be within 6 months or 24 months after graduation from an accredited 4 or 2 year college or university and must finance with TFS. See dealer for details. Valid only in the continental United States and Alaska.

All Prices Plus Government Fees And Taxes, Any Finance Charges, $80 Dealer Document Preparation Charge and Any Emission Testing Charge and any electronic filing charge. Where Applicable. Vehicle Subject to Prior Sale. Factory rebates are in lieu of special financing rates where applicable. All customer-requested options are sold at regular retail prices. College Grad rebate offer expires ***7/8/13. *** $500 College Rebate. Thru credit acceptance corp., meeting all approval guidelines or stipulations. †Must have graduated from a credited 2-yr or 4-yr college within the last 2 years or the next 6 months, must finance thru TFS with a minimum of six months, must provide documentation. **$500 Military Rebate for active US military and active reserves only. Retired military personnel are not eligible. Military rebate expires **7/8/13. *Must fi nance or Lease with TFS and must show evidence of Toyota ownership in household with a current DMV registration. See Dealer for details. Other rebates/offers do not include College Grad or Military rebates. Subvented cash provided by TFS. *Toyota Finance cash can not be combined w/factory rebate. **3 regular days or less than 250 miles. Applies to only used cars. *Does not apply to as is vehicles. Images for illustration purposes only. Advertised price not valid for rental car companies, brokers, or fleet dealers. *Complimentary 3 month/3,000 mile power train extended service contract on select pre-owned vehicles with 100K miles or less only. Extended service contract does not apply to pre-owned vehicles with over 100K miles. Ad expires 7/28/13.

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The Mini Vision provides a sneak preview of features that could be found on the Mini Cooper of the future.

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(Relaxnews) – Anders Warming, Head of Design at Mini, has used a virtual 3D hologram to showcase the Mini Vision, a new concept brimming with innovative ideas for its next generation of ultra-compact cars for city-dwellers.

For the time being, the concept reflects current plans for the design and features of forthcoming Minis but is not a fully developed concept car.

Presented at the Mini Design@Home event, this impressive concept draws on signature Mini Cooper design elements while bringing the model into the future.

For instance, the well-known round curves cover cuttingedge elliptical LED headlights.

On the interior, special lighting effects allow drivers to switch between different moods, including one with multi-colored, disco-style flashing patterns in the footwells.

The Mini Vision is designed to offer passengers maximum comfort in spite of its small size, as illustrated by the open cockpit with its “floating” console and adjustable storage spaces.

Several of the ideas showcased in the concept will likely show up on the next Mini Cooper.

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Children breastfed longer are smarter: study (Relaxnews) – The longer moms breastfeed, the smarter their kids. That’s the gist of a new US study which explored the relationship between breastfeeding duration and cognitive skills of children later in life.

The overarching conclusion? Breastfeed as long as you can – at least until they’re a year old – to boost your kids’ IQ. For their study, published by JAMA Pediatrics, researchers who followed over 1300 moms and children found that longer breastfeeding duration was associated with better language skills at the age of 3, and improved verbal and nonverbal intelligence at the age of 7 compared to kids who were formula-fed.

“These findings support national and international recommendations to promote exclusive breastfeeding through age six months and continuation of breastfeeding through at least age one year,” the authors conclude.

And while most women in the US will start their babies off with breast milk, by the age of six months 35 percent of women have stopped breastfeeding, notes an accompanying editorial. That figure drops to 20 percent among African-American women.

The latest study builds on previous research which likewise found that breastfed children showed improved brain development compared to formula-fed babies.

A 2010 study out of Oxford University, for instance, found that as little as four weeks of breastfeeding in a newborn baby had significant, long-term effects on cognitive development later in life.

After following up with the children to the age of 14, scientists found that their test scores in reading, writing and math were notably higher in breastfed kids, compared to their counterparts.

Want smarter kids? Breastfeed for at least a year, suggests a new study. Photo: wavebreakmedia /shutterstock.com

Three tips for staying cool when you run Can sunscreens

When the temperatures soar, shorten your runs, run in the coolest part of the day, or skip outdoor runs altogether and opt for a gym workout or a swim.

Photo: Rido /shutterstock.com

(Relaxnews) – If summer inspires you to lace up your running shoes and hit the road, here are a few tips to stay cool when the mercury rises.

Watch the forecast: Active.com advises keeping close watch on the weather forecast a few days ahead of time and to plan accordingly.

If it’s guaranteed broiling heat all week, time your runs early in the mornings and pick a shady path. If it’s still too hot, opt for a gym workout or a swim, or at least shorten your runs.

Stay hydrated: On hot days, drink not just after your run but throughout the day to stay well hydrated before running.

Try carrying a water bottle and taking sips every five or ten minutes, or

run in parks with plenty of water fountains nearby. For long runs, go out ahead of time and place a few bottles in the bushes along the trail, advises Active.com.

Feel lightheaded? Head indoors and drink water right away.

Be creative with staying cool: Before your run, take a cold shower to cool your skin, or even wear a wet bandana. Also, tote along some extra water to splash on your head as you run. Or you can lower your body temperature with a nylon over-the-calf sock, advises FitSugar.

Fill it with ice, tie the open end in a knot, and wear it around your neck, tucking its end into your shirt or sports bra.

Three summer shoe styles that are bad for your feet (Relaxnews) –If your summer style translates to flip-flops, ballerina flats, and platform wedge sandals, you might find yourself with a foot ailment or two, experts say.

Dainty ballerina flats are similar to walking on cardboard, with no arch support whatsoever, reports WebMD. That can add up to a painful foot condition known as plantar fasciitis. If you love the style, try over-the-counter inserts to prevent mild foot pain, the website states. But still, they won’t work miracles, so wearing ballerina flats every day isn’t advised.

Flip-flops are great for schlepping to the beach or wearing at public pools and showers, but when it comes to extensive walking, foot pain experts urge you to put on some real shoes (men, this includes you). They are especially a bad idea for playing sports, hiking trails, or wearing on long urban walks. Unlike sturdy shoes,

flip-flops offer no arch support, heel cushioning, or shock absorption, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. That can result in plantar fasciitis and problems with your knees, hips, and back.

A better option is FitFlops or other “toning shoes,” which are designed for a more intense workout when walking.

While the American Council on Exercise says there is no evidence to support the claim, the thicker sole on the shoes may do a better job at keeping your feet protected, and some shoes offer decent arch support.

Other summer shoes that can lead to problems are platform wedge sandals with rigid foot beds, which experts say can upset the biomechanics of walking. Still if you love the look of platform wedges, opt for a flatter style, which may put less strain on your feet, WebMD states.

Flip-flops are a great poolside accessory, but nothing more, foot pain experts say. Photo: tanatat/shutterstock.com

be flammable?

(Relaxnews) – Some sunscreen sprays may pose a risk of catching fire if worn close to an open flame, such as a barbecue grill, the US Food and Drug Administration warns.

In the US, there have been five incidents of people wearing sunscreen spray near a flame source suffering burns requiring medical treatment.

The products, including 23 types of the popular Banana Boat Ultra Mist Spray-on Sunscreen, have been recalled.

The FDA warns that other products also contain flammable ingredients such as alcohol.

While the sunscreen itself isn’t flammable, spray sunscreens are similar to hairsprays, spray deodorants, insecticides, paints and other products that can be sprayed out of a can or bottle in that they can become flammable when used in aerosol form, Dr. Darrell Rigel, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University, told the New York Times.

But alcohol typically evaporates within a minute or two, so usually there is very little risk of a fire hazard, the report said.

Yet, HealthDay writes that the incidents reported to the FDA occurred after the sunscreen had been applied, with the FDA warning that the risk of fire hazard may still exist even after you’ve waited for the sunscreen to dry.

You may not like new music as much as you think: study

A new US study finds that we tend to prefer familiar music to new songs. Photo: Phil Date/shutterstock. com

(Relaxnews) – A new study finds that while we’re bombarded with a seemingly limitless amount of new music via sites such as iTunes and YouTube, we

tend to prefer the old, familiar songs we loved from our teens.

In a series of studies from Washington University’s Olin Business School involving nearly 400 subjects, researchers found that people tended to agree that radio is too repetitive and that stations should play more new music, and that they get sick of listening to the same music on the radio.

Many of the subjects said that they had abandoned radio altogether for its lack of new music.

However when asked to choose which song they would prefer to listen to from a pair of songs, participants opted for the familiar old tracks from their past.

“In three studies, we examined the power of familiarity on music choice and showed that familiarity is a more

important driver of music choice than more obvious, and commonly tested, constructs such as liking and satiation, i.e., being ‘sick of ’ certain music,” says Dr. Joseph K. Goodman, associate professor of marketing at Olin and coauthor of the study.

“Our results suggest that the emphasis on novelty in the music domain, by consumers and people often protesting the current state of the music business, is probably misplaced.”

Still, the researchers say that services such as Pandora and Spotify will likely continue to succeed because they focus on personalized familiar favorites, while also introducing people to new music with familiar musical elements.

The findings, announced July 23, appear online in the journal Marketing Letters.

A new research says some sunscreen may catch fire in an open flame. AFP PHOTO/FILES/ Torsten BLACKWOOD

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KITCHENOMICS FAMILY FEATURES

T

he best parties bring together great food, great ingredients, and great people. To make your party stand out, take advantage of resources you already have to create an inviting and warm atmosphere for party guests.

The Right Ingredients Make for a Perfect Summer Get-Together Everyone knows the key elements to a fantastic backyard barbeque are great company, exciting conversation, and delicious recipes — so be sure to pull together the perfect grilling menu that will keep your guests’ smiles as warm as the summer sun.

Get creative when planning your summer party. Kids also will love to get involved and add their own personal touches to the big event. Simple items, such as blankets, oversized pillows, Mason jars and mismatched dinnerware will create the feeling of home and comfort to all. These simple additions, along with essential recipe ingredients like Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil, will make for an amazing summer menu and party for your friends and family.

Here are a few tips to make your outdoor party simple and smooth: „

Opt for Appetizers Many party guests will want to nosh and mingle throughout the evening, so make sure you have plenty of appetizers, dips and chips on hand while you fire up the grill for the main course.

„

Stick with Simple Don’t spend all of your resources on fancy snacks and sweets that require countless hours of preparation. Choose simple crowd favorites, such as the Texas Potato Salad made with just a few delicious ingredients including Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil, which combines the creamy, rich Hellmann’s taste you love with olive oil. This crunchy, fresh salad doubles as the perfect appetizer when served with tortilla or pita chips. Just create, plate and cover with plastic wrap and you have dishes ready to kick off a fabulous party.

„

Fire up the Grill In addition to appealing appetizers, be sure your guests have tons of options when it comes to the main party entrÊe. Easy dishes, like Grilled Asparagus with Citrus Gremolata made with Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil, can quickly be made on the grill for a delicious and easy treat that is sure to please party goers.

„

Self-Serve Drink Stations Allow guests to refill their drinks themselves by placing drinks on a small end table or cart. Cover it with a brightly colored tablecloth and stacked glasses. Don’t forget your ice bucket and tongs for mixed cocktails. If you are serving beer or wine, ice them down in galvanized bins placed next to the drink station. Be sure to position the station away from the food to keep lines from forming.

Did you know that Hellmann’s is celebrating its 100th birthday? For more great recipes and to learn more about the centennial celebration or download a coupon, visit Facebook.com/Hellmanns.

Grilled Asparagus with Citrus Gremolata A Chef Tim Love recipe 1/2 cup Hellmann’s or Best Foods Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 2 tablespoons minced shallot Grated peel of 1 lemon 1/4 cup white wine 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 cup bread crumbs 12 medium asparagus spears, trimmed 2 tablespoons peanut oil

Kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste Preheat grill to 450°F. Heat olive oil in a small sautÊ pan on the grill.

Just before the oil smokes add garlic, shallot, and lemon peel. SautĂŠ slightly. Add white wine and lemon juice and simmer for 1 minute. Add bread crumbs and dressing and sautĂŠ until golden brown. Mix asparagus, peanut oil, salt and pepper. Grill for 3 minutes, turning fairly frequently.

Place asparagus on a serving platter.

Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over the grilled asparagus and serve.

Grilled Skirt Steak with Citrus

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A Chef Tim Love recipe 1 cup Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or Best Foods Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil 4 (8-ounce) outside skirt steaks 1/2 cup peanut oil Kosher salt and cracked black pepper (to taste) 2 tablespoons Chef Tim Love Steak Rub* 2 limes, cut in half 2 lemons, cut in half 1 tangerine, cut in half Heat grill on high with lid closed for 30 minutes or light charcoal and let burn to white coals. Rub the steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, then the rub. Place the steak on the hot grill for 3 minutes on each side.

Squeeze a lime half on each steak. Remove and rest for at least 3 minutes. Squeeze all citrus into a mixing bowl.

Whip the dressing into citrus mixture and place in a squirt bottle. Cut steak against the grain and drizzle the citrus mayonnaise mixture over top.

Serve immediately. *Tip: Any good chili powder based rub can be used.

Texas Potato Salad 4 warm baked potatoes

Salt and pepper (to taste)

A Chef Tim Love recipe 1/2 cup Hellmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or Best Foods Mayonnaise Dressing with Olive Oil 1/2 cup pickled jalapeĂąos, diced 1/2 cup sweet pickles, diced 1/4 cup whole grain mustard 1/2 cup fresh chives

1/4 cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) Mix dressing, jalapeĂąos, sweet pickles, mustard, and chives in large bowl. Burst the potatoes and crumble apart. Add them to the mayonnaise mixture.

Mix well and season with salt and pepper. Top with the toasted pepitas and serve.

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PRAYERS

PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

A PRAYER of HOPE

Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to

Lord Jesus, I pray this day for strength, because there are times when things

reach 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.

get tough and I feel like quitting. Lord Jesus, I ask this day for the comforting

I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and confirm

reassurance of Your love, because there are times when people fail me, and I

once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how

am tempted to lose hope. Lord Jesus, I seek this day for Your light to guide my

great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved

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Anne hits 5M followers on Twitter, ranks above Hollywood celebs

Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis recently hit the 5-million mark in number of followers on

micro-blogging site Twitter, where she has posted some 26,000 tweets over the years to share both “serious and cuckoo stuff.”

In a post on image-sharing service Instagram, the 28-year-old Kapamilya actress on Monday thanked her “crazy followers for choosing to follow someone as crazy as myself !”

She added: “Hope you continue to enjoy all the insane, happy, serious, cuckoo, funny stuff I share with all of you! Thank you once again my baby dreamers and crazy followers! Cheers to 5 Million My Loves! Maraming Salamat po!”

As of writing, Curtis already had 5,005,341 followers on Twitter.

Not all ‘cuckoo’ The “It’s Showtime” host’s active presence on Twitter has covered a wide range of topics—from her travels, her penchant for public transport, food, beauty

products, Hollywood crushes, to her endorsed brands.

During the 2013 mid-term elections, Curtis said she was approached by a number of candidates to have her campaign for them on Twitter, citing her huge number of followers.

But the actress said she “chooses” to stick to promoting causes, instead of being identified with any one political figure.

On Twitter, Curtis has played part in calling for aid to victims of natural disasters, including the floods early this year.

In February, she was even tapped by the Australian embassy in the Philippines to help launch its official presence on social networking site Facebook.

World ranking According to Twitter Counter, which is said to be the No. 1 statistics site pow-

ered by the social media platform, Curtis now ranks 166th on the list of Twitters users with the most number of followers.

She ranks above world-famous personalities such as “Modern Family” star Sofia Vergara (178th), United States First Lady Michelle Obama (179th), American actor Channing Tatum (186th), Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine (206th), CNN anchor Anderson Cooper (237th) and “Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder (257th), among others.

Ranking No. 1 on the same list is Canadian singer Justin Bieber, followed by American pop stars Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, US President Barack Obama, and American pop-country singer Taylor Swift.

In the Philippines, Curtis is trailed by fellow Kapamilya stars Vice Ganda, Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, KC Concepcion and Sam Milby.

Kim appeals: Let’s not talk about Maja More than six months since she expressed regret over her “wasted” friendship with Maja Salvador, Kim Chiu still chooses to keep mum every time she is asked about her former best friend.

In an interview at the sidelines of the “Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo” press conference, Chiu shrugged off questions about Salvador’s tweet allegedly defending her from bashers.

“Let’s not talk about her,” Chiu briefly said.

On June 25, just as Chiu was be-

ing criticized about her relationship with her late mother, Salvador tweeted: “You don’t know her... You just know her name... #PleaseDon’tJudge #PleaseRESPECT.” While Salvador did not indicate who she was pertaining to, many netizens believed she was asking the public to respect Chiu, who was then mourning the loss of her mom.

Insisting that she does not want to talk about their falling out, Chiu just smiled and said: “Masaya ako kasi thankful ako sa mga nandiyan for me.

‘Yung totoong nandiyan for me.”

Chui was referring to her family and her rumored boyfriend Xian Lim. “Pamilya ko, of course, lagi naman silang nandiyan, sila ang inspirasyon ko sa kung anuman ang nangyayari sa buhay ko. Hindi naman sila bumitaw sa akin. And si Xian siyempre,” she said.

Chiu said her loved ones stood by her amid all the intrigues and they continuously help her in coping.

Meanwhile, Lim said Chiu is truly fortunate to have so many good people around her.

Maja Salvador and Kim Chiu

“Marami kami, hindi lang ako. Iyon nga ang sinasabi ko kay Kim. She’s really privileged na marami sila.

‘Yung ibang tao kapag nangyari sa kanila iyon, siguro one or two people lang ang tutulong. Kay Kim ang dami.

Naramdaman niya iyon,” he said.

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