Us asian post may 20, 2015

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Vol. 4. No. 34 LOS ANGELES

A Balita Media Publication

Wednesday - Tuesday, May 20 - 26, 2015

VP Binay: I won’t back out from 2016 race MANILA, May 15 (Mabuhay) – Amid the corruption allegations against him, Vice President Jejomar Binay is still keen on seeking the highest elective post come 2016.

“Yung ikinakalat nila na yung panlalait sa akin, kung anuanong kasinungalingan ang itinatapon sa amin, hindi ito magiging dahilan para ako ay umatras,” Bi-

nay told reporters after his speech at the National Conference of Employers Friday.

“Tuloy po ang laban, inumpisahan niya, tatapusin ko,” he added.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said he believes that Binay would surely back out from the presidential race because of the various accusations he is now facing.(MNS)

Vice President Jejomar Binay addresses the crowd during the 36th National Conference of Employers at Marriott hotel in Pasay City on Friday. Binay told businessmen that he only has five bank accounts, denying an Anti Money Laundering Council report that he, his family, and associates have 242 bank accounts, investments, and insurance policies. (MNS photo)

Fire factory owners ‘immoral’: labor chief Manila, Philippines (AFP) Friday 5/15/2015 – The Philippines’ labor chief on Friday described the owners of a footwear factory where a fire claimed 72 lives this week as “immoral”, telling AFP they illegally exploited their workers.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the owners of Kentex Manufacturing had broken employment laws that were meant to guarantee minimum salaries, pensions and social security.

“They are not only illegal, they are immoral. This employer, they don’t have a sense of social responsibility,” Baldoz told AFP in an exclusive interview.

Seventy-two workers died when a fire tore through Ken-

tex’s two-storey factory, which produced cheap sandals and slippers for the local market, in an industrial district of the Philippine capital on Wednesday.

Welding that was being carried out close to inflammable chemicals ignited the fire, according to local authorities.

Nearly all of those killed were trapped on the second floor of the factory, with steel bars over windows ensuring they could not escape.

The company had provided no fire safety training to their employers, according to survivors of the blaze, as well as victims’ relatives and unions.

They also accused the company of paying salaries well below min-

imum wage, as well as withholding pensions, health benefits and other forms of social security.

Baldoz confirmed the company had used a “fly-by-night subcontractor” to hire casual workers, with the middle-man agency not paying required salaries and benefits.

“We will not accept their excuse,” Baldoz said.

After inspecting the site on Thursday, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas hit out at the company’s safety standards, stating that the welding should never have been done close to inflammable chemicals.

He also pledged to investigate why 69 of the 72 people killed had See FACTORY,page 2

PHL vows to punish anyone liable for deadly fire Manila, Philippines (AFP) Saturday 5/16/2015 – The owners of a Philippine factory where 72 people died in a fire could face time in prison, a government task force said Saturday, vowing to punish anyone found responsible as anger grows over the tragedy.

The special inter-agency task force, including members from the national police, the fire-fighting service, the justice and health departments, have been given See PUNISH,page 2

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 10, 2015) Two F/A-18 Super Hornets and two Royal Malaysian Air Force Mig 29 Fulcrums fly in formation above the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). The Carl Vinson Strike group is deployed to 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

Xi tells Kerry: Pacific Ocean big enough for China and US Beijing, China (AFP) Sunday 5/17/2015 – China’s relationship with the US is “stable” despite tensions in the South China Sea, President Xi Jinping told top American diplomat John Kerry Sunday, adding that the Pacific Ocean is “vast enough” for both powers, state media said.

Xi met with Kerry in Beijing as tensions between the world’s two biggest economies mount over Chinese island-building in strategic but disputed waters.

The United States is weighing sending warships and surveillance aircraft within 12 nautical miles – the normal territorial zone around natural land – of artificial islands that Beijing is building in

the South China Sea. Such a deployment could lead to a standoff on the high seas in an area home to vital global shipping lanes.

Beijing regards almost the whole of the South China Sea as its own, and satellite images show China is rapidly building an airstrip on an artificial island in the Spratly archipelago, which is also claimed in whole or part by US ally the Philippines, and Vietnam, among others.

But on Sunday Xi told Kerry that, “in my view”, relations between the two countries “have remained stable on the whole”, according to state-run news agency See OCEAN ENOUGH,page 2

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) process on Thursday the bodies of the victims recovered from the footwear factory in Valenzuela gutted by fire a day earlier. The death toll has risen to 72 after several bodies of those who were trapped inside during the fire were found inside the factory. (MNS photo)

Top cardinal urges Short but sweet: Divided Mexican US to protect undocumented families reunite at US border farm workers Mexico City, Mexico (AFP) vanny and Alexis.

Wednesday 4/29/2015 – For five precious minutes Tuesday, Mexican families divided by the wall along the US-Mexican border enjoyed a tearful reunion as US border guards opened a door in the barrier.

The Americans did so at the request of Border Angels, a Mexican NGO that defends children’s rights.

The lucky people were four families divided after some of their members living in the US were deported back to Mexico.

The heavy metal door near the San Diego-Tijuana crossing creaked open to allow the joyful encounter.

Lourdes Barraza, who was deported to Mexico two years ago, got to see her small children Geo-

“I felt happiness and sadness all at once. It was just an instant, and now it is gone. But I told them ‘Let’s all pray to God for us to be together soon’,” Barraza said.

Yolanda Barona had tears in her eyes after hugging her granddaughter. “I felt as if I had been brought back to life,” she said.

The president of Border Angels, Enrique Morones, told AFP the emotional meetings demonstrate the need for US immigration reform.

“These are families that lose everything when they are separated,” Morones said.

With a comprehensive reform plan in Congress going nowhere, President Barack Obama last year issued an executive order

Vatican City, Holy See (AFP) Friday 5/15/2015 – A close ally of Pope Francis has called on the United States to offer short-term work contracts to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants working clandestinely on the country’s farms.

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, the outgoing head of Catholic charity body Caritas, told AFP the move would help to curb exploitation and was an example of how global migratory pressures could be eased without resorting to either a fortress approach or lifting all controls.

“You cannot close every door, but neither is it imaginable to open every one that can be opened,” the cardinal said in an interview.

See MEXICAN,page 2

See UNDOCUMENTED,page 2

This summer, a few of the prototype vehicles we’ve created will leave the test track and hit the familiar roads of Mountain View, California, with our safety drivers aboard,” said project chief Chris Urmson in a blog post. Google said its self-driving prototype cars were ready to leave the test track and hit public roads in California, in a step forward for its autonomous automobile program.

Google self-driving prototype cars to hit public roads San Francisco, United States (AFP) Friday 5/15/2015 – Google announced Friday its self-driving prototype cars were ready to leave the test track and hit public roads in California, in a step forward for its autonomous automobile program.

The move comes after Google’s internal testing of the bubbleshaped vehicle over the past year

and more extensive experience with technology adapted for existing cars.

“Now we’re announcing the next step for our project: this summer, a few of the prototype vehicles we’ve created will leave the test track and hit the familiar roads of Mountain View, California, with our safety drivers See GOOGLE,page 2

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

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Wednesday - Tuesday, May 20 - 26, 2015

Los Angeles

THE US ASIAN POST

Lani Misalucha at Pechanga Theater May 22 Food distribuƟon and feeding program at FACLA May 30 Filipino recording artists Lani Misalucha and a special guest performer are coming to the Pechanga Resort & Casino Theater on May 22, 2015. Tickets are priced at $90, $80, $70 and $60 for an 8:00 p.m. show time, and are available at the Pechanga Box office, 877-711-2WIN (2946) or www.Pechanga.com. Both well-known stars, Lani Misalucha is known as the “Siren of the Las Vegas Strip” after a long time headlining residency.

Lani Misalucha is a Filipino singer now based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dubbed “Asia’s Nightingale,” she is a multi-faceted artist, from pop, rock, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues and operatic arias.

Having moved to Las Vegas in 2004, Misalucha became the first Asian to headline a main showroom of the Las Vegas strip performing with Hawaii’s Society of Seven at the Jubilee Theater of Bally’s.

Since then, Misalucha has been called “New Siren of the Strip.” In March 2008, Misalucha was voted “Best Singer” in the “27th Annual Best of Las Vegas” poll by the Las Vegas Review Journal.͒​͒Misalucha recently returned to the Philippines to great fanfare to release her seventh studio album, The Nightingale Returns: Lani Misalucha Sings the Greatest Filipino Songbook.

Recently, this special performer together with Lani Misalucha and Martin Nievera headlined the very successful New Year’s Eve Countdown for Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila. ͒​͒Other upcoming events at Pechanga Resort & Casino include: ● May 22 - Lani Misalucha with Special Guest ● June 5 - Peter Frampton & Cheap Trick ● June 6 - 7th Annual Microbrew & Craft Beer Festival ● August 23 - Diana Krall About Pechanga Resort & Casino

Los Angeles – The United Bicolandia of Los Angeles (UBLA),the Filipino Ministry of the Wilshire United Methodist Church with the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the HIFI CALI EXPO LLC will hold its monthly feeding program and food distribution for the month of May on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).

The feeding program and food distribution is held at every last Saturday pf the month at FACLA. It has been a success ever since and has distributed food and have fed a modest number of seniors since it started in the middle of 2014 Free Info /IT Seminar

Media groups to hold ‘Dancing with the Press’

Pechanga Resort & Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experience anywhere in the country. Rated a Four Diamond property

by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community.

Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-877-711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook.com/Pechanga and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

GOOGLE From page 1

aboard,” said project chief Chris Urmson in a blog post.

“We’ve been running the vehicles through rigorous testing at our test facilities, and ensuring our software and sensors work as they’re supposed to on this new vehicle.” The Google car uses the same technology as its fleet of Lexus SUVs which has logged some 1.6 million kilometers (one million miles).

“So the new prototypes already have lots of experience to draw on – in fact, it’s the equivalent of about 75 years of typical American adult driving experience,” Urmson said.

In Google’s home town of Mountain View, speeds will be limited to 40 kilome-

Due to the insistent public demand, At the same time, Sid Balatan, FACLA Director for Information and Technology will again hold his FREE workshop on email, iphone and tablet literacy and technology.

This technology literacy seminar is FREE for people especially for seniors who want to learn about this gadgets. This workshop is FREE. Especially for senior adults, using their phones and tablets should not be troublesome.

It only shows that age does not matter when it comes to technology. It is not to late or we are not to old to learn. Please come to this FREE high tech seminar.

For more information please contact Sid at (213)3995042 or Al Garcia at (323)2531818 or email us atagarcia@peoplescore.net.

ters (25 miles) per hour “and during this next phase of our project we’ll have safety drivers aboard with a removable steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal that allow them to take over driving if needed,” Urmson said.

“We’re looking forward to learning how the community perceives and interacts with the vehicles, and to uncovering challenges that are unique to a fully self-driving vehicle.”

Google said earlier this week its adapted vehicles on the road had been involved in 11 minor accidents, but that none were the fault of the technology. That included being hit from behind by other cars or sideswiped.

LOS ANGELES – Members of the Filipino-American media will hold a benefit dinner-dance in Carson to support a scholarship program for the children of slain journalists in the Philippines.

The “Dancing with the Press” event will be held at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Center, Civic Plaza Drive in Carson on Saturday, May 23, at 6 p.m.

This event will be hosted by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-US Chapter, the Filipino American Press Club of California and Famegate Foundation Global, a 501C nonprofit.

For tickets or more information, email DancingWithThePress@gmail.com or call Event Co-Chair Nikki Arriola at (310) 503-9310.

OCEAN ENOUGH From page 1

Xinhua.

“The broad Pacific Ocean is vast enough to embrace both China and the United States,” Xi said.

He called for the two sides to handle disputes “in an appropriate way so that the general direction of the bilateral relationship will not be affected”.

“The new type of China-US relationship has witnessed early harvest,” he added.

Xinhua said Kerry, who arrived in China Saturday, “echoed” Xi’s evaluation of bilateral ties before the two met for talks behind closed doors.

Chinese leaders had been defiant in talks with Kerry on Saturday, with foreign minister Wang Yi telling him that Beijing was “unshakeable” in its defence of sovereignty.

Kerry appeared less assertive in public, saying at a press conference Saturday that

Washington was “concerned about the pace and scope of China’s land reclamation”.

He urged Beijing to “take actions that will join with everyone to reduce tensions”.

Senior State Department officials had said ahead of the meeting that Kerry would take a tough line and “leave his Chinese interlocutors in absolutely no doubt that the United States remains committed to maintaining freedom of navigation”.

An American naval commander has dubbed Beijing’s massive land reclamation effort as China’s “great wall of sand”.

Xi is due to pay a state visit to the United States in September, and Xinhua said he looked forward to discussing bilateral ties with US President Barack Obama in a “candid and in-depth way”.

Kerry flew to Seoul in South Korea later Sunday.

UNDOCUMENTED From page 1

“Migration is a right but countries also have a right to manage it,” he argued. “If we just said ‘let in everyone who is able to come’ that would be a disaster.

“How do you stop migration? Not with walls but with development.”

Maradiaga said he understood why many young people from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador headed to the United States and ended up in a legal limbo that means they are vulnerable to being taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers.

“I think the solution is better regulation,” he said. “There are jobs in agriculture in the United States that nobody there wants to do.

“For these jobs, you could regularize the workers’ situation by giving them work contracts.

“Someone who comes to work in the fields for six, eight months will come back to his own country with savings and might be able to build a house for himself. That is how it

worked in past.”

Most of America’s total of around one million farm workers are immigrants from Latin America and more than half of those are estimated to be in the country illegally.

A guest worker scheme which would allow for the kind of short-term contracts evoked by the cardinal already exists but farmers have criticised it as overly bureaucratic and have been reluctant to use it.

Maradiaga, who has served two four-year terms at the helm of Caritas, is a member of the “C9” group of senior clerics who advise Francis, notably on ongoing reforms of the Vatican’s internal organization and Church governance.

The pope has regularly spoken out on the plight of migrants and asylum seekers around the world, most notably attacking the “globalization of indifference” that he sees as having contributed to thousands drowning in the Mediterranean in attempts to get into Europe.

MEXICAN From page 1

that would protect millions of undocumented foreigners from deportation. Many of the estimated 11 million people living in the US illegally are from Mexico.

But in February a US judge, acting on a lawsuit filed by 26 US governors who oppose Obama’s order, suspended the measure pending further study.

PUNISH From page 1

two weeks to finish their investigation, said spokesman Renato Marcial.

“Definitely, if someone deserves to be punished, they will be punished,” he told AFP. The blaze in a two-storey footwear factory in an industrial suburb of the Philippine capital on Wednesday has highlighted the unsafe working conditions for many in this poverty-stricken nation.

The fire started when sparks from a welder repairing a metal gate apparently ignited nearby chemicals.

Marcial said that the company, Kentex Manufacturing, should have had a special permit for such a dangerous welding job and its owners could face charges for safety lapses. This could range from six months to six years in jail – but, he said, the scale of the fatalities could result in more stringent punishment.

He said the investigation will be “complete, thorough and based on scientific findings”.

Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who initially said the company had followed regulations, has since branded it “immoral” and accused it of a raft of illegal labour practices such as using unregistered “subcontractors” to get around paying workers the proper amount.

Representatives of both Kentex and the

sub-contractor CJC Manpower Services have been summoned to a special meeting with the Labour Department on Monday, Baldoz said.

AFP was unable to contact officials from either company for comment. CJC Manpower’s Facebook page only contained a list of job openings.

Representatives for Kentex this weekend gave out an initial 13,000 pesos ($295) to survivors and families of the victims as assistance in the wake of the fire.

However Rex Gatchalian, mayor of the district where the fire occurred, criticised the company, saying “Kentex is giving them once again the shorter (end) of the stick”.

“This goes to show what type of employer Kentex is and how they treat their employees. These are the same people who gave their lives,” he said in a statement.

President Benigno Aquino’s spokeswoman Abigail Valte said that the fire had prompted the government to step up its enforcement of labour regulations.

“That’s why the Labor Department is also intensifying their inspections when it comes to the industrial work places like (Kentex),” she told reporters.

About 50 activists held a candlelight vigil for the dead workers at a local university, carrying signs saying “Justice for Kentex workers.”

FACTORY From page 1

been trapped on the second floor behind steel bar-enclosed windows and with no viable fire exit.

Labour union leaders have also accused the government of being partly responsible for failing to carry out proper inspections that would ensure such companies were following labor laws.

About 50 labor union activists picketed the burned Kentex factory on Friday, criticizing the authorities and the factory management. The protesters waved banners saying: “The guilty should be punished” and “Justice for the workers of Kentex”.

AFP was unable to contact management or spokespeople for Kentex.

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, May 20 - 26, 2015

Get Binay and Aquino, Abad, allies too – Bayan MANILA, May 16 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay should be prosecuted for plunder over allegations of amassing illegal wealth, but doing so “should not be used to cover-up the far bigger systemic corruption” perpetuated by the administration, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said Saturday.

‘Even as we seek truth and accountability with regard to the Binays, we reiterate our demand – ‘Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot (Everyone involved should be held accountable)’,” the leftist alliance said.

“Those who have long misused public funds and/or juggled the national budget for illegal and self-serving ends should also be held accountable, from President Benigno Aquino III (and) Budget Secretary (Florencio) Butch Abad as well as the administration allies who have been tagged as clients of Janet Napoles,” Bayan said.

The administration has been accused of selective prosecution over the pork barrel scam, charging only political opponents while keeping mum about the involvement of its allies in the funneling off of billions of pesos in lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Fund to bogus projects in exchange for hefty kickbacks.

Aquino and Abad also came under fire for the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program, which they justified as a means to pump prime the economy but which, along with the PDAF, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Bayan said the accusations against Binay and the “information revealed so far indicate corruption of such scandalous proportions that these cannot be dismissed by general denials or attribution to a demolition job” by his enemies.

“At the very least, being public officials, the Binays have an obligation to show the true figures of their wealth and explain how they acquired this,” the group added.

However, it also echoed suspicions voiced by some quarters that the allegations against Binay are part of efforts to undermine his acknowledged intention to run for president next year and said “it is not in the interest of the public to see this corruption play out as part of the 2016 election drama that merely seeks to neutralize foes of the administration.”

“It is in the public interest to see the principal players investigated and properly charged in court. This is the only way this matter will not end up as mere politicking for dubious ends,” Bayan stressed. “Thus it is the task of the Courts, the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice and related agencies to see to it that appropriate cases are properly filed and prosecuted against those involved.”

Bayan noted that “the Binay rise to power is in fact largely owed to the Aquino family after EDSA 1” and that “it is only now however that associates of the President are going after Binay because of the need to position favorably for 2016.”

It voiced concern over the possibility “that if Binay pulls out of the 2016 race, these charges will quietly go away” as part of the “horsetrading and transactional politics among the ruling elite.”

It cited allegations of corruption against one of Aquino’s opponents in the 2010 presidential race, former Senator Manny Villar of the Nacionalista Party.

“No one has heard of these (allegations) again after Aquino won.”

Bayan said, adding, “He even invited Villar’s Nacionalista Party to join the administration coalition.” (MNS)

Go after allies linked to corruption too, bishop reminds Aquino MANILA, May 15 (Mabuhay) – A senior Catholic Church official this week reminded President Benigno Aquino III to go after his political allies if they are linked to corruption.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged the President to show his anti-corruption resolve in the pork barrel scam amid reports some of his party mates are involved.

“They should go after those involved in the pork barrel scam even if they are allies. It’s more believable if they do that. They should not use ‘tuwid na daan’ in taking down their enemies,” Pabillo said at the launching of a servant leadership program in Manila, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Friday.

Pabillo was referring to the next batch of personalities facing charges for the multibillion-peso scam – some of whom are reportedly Aquino’s political allies.

He said the pork barrel scam involving dealings with trader Janet Napoles and her alleged ghost non-government organizations should not be used to pin down just the administration’s political rivals.

The prelate said all those implicated in the multibillion-peso scandal should be investigated.

“They can no longer undo what they failed to do in the last five years but at least they can show that they are serious about it [anti-graft drive],” he said.

Meanwhile, Pabillo said the country is in need of real public servants, and people should be guided on who to elect in 2016.

“Less than a year from now, we will have an election and we now see would-be candidates already making their presence known to the public. The voters are also now beginning their search for their candidate,” he said.

“People should ask: are these public servants? A public servant offers servant leadership. These are leaders that lead by serving,” he added. (MNS)

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OPINION

Fire death trap highlights sweatshop abuses

By Joel Guinto

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Friday 5/15/2015 – The deaths of 72 people in a fire that gutted a footwear factory in the Philippine capital has exposed abusive conditions for millions of poor and desperate workers across the nation.

The tragedy, in a long row of gated factories in an industrial hub of Manila on Wednesday, was one of the country’s deadliest workplace accidents.

But the exploitation of the workers at the factory, where lax safety standards caused the fire, is anything but unusual across the Philippines, according to the government and unions.

“The deaths should serve as a wake-up call for businessmen to stop these abuses... they should give their employees dignity,” Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz told AFP. Baldoz angrily hit out at the owners of the company that owned the factory, Kentex Manufacturing, branding them as “immoral” and accusing them of a raft of illegal labour practices.

The workers, who produced cheap sandals and slippers for the domestic market, were paid well below the minimum wage of 481 pesos ($10.90) a day and were denied a host of legally mandated benefits, survivors of the blaze and victims’ relatives told AFP. They said workers were forced to toil 12-hour days, seven days a week without overtime, had legally-required social security and health insurance payments withheld, and were forced to constantly inhale foul-smelling chemicals.

The government said the fire was caused by welding being carried out near flammable chemicals, highlighting what workers described as a casual approach to workplace safety in which there were no fire drills.

Authorities have also blamed barred windows on the second floor which trapped many of the workers, leading to their deaths.

The lawyer for Kentex, Renato Paraiso said that the steel bars on the windows were intended to prevent theft.

“The second floor, where you had the steel mattings, that is [where] the final production is done, so this is where the completed products can easily be thrown from the window where someone can pick them up outside. It is a precaution,” he told ABSCBN television.

Alan Tanjusay, spokesman of the largest labour federation in the Philippines, told AFP the situation in the factory mirrored that in many others.

“This is a very common situation. This is just one factory but it represents the... kind of factories in this country,” he said.

Tanjusay said compliance with safety standards was “really bad” not just in factories, but also construction sites where workers often did not wear protective clothing.

Poverty, corruption The Philippines has very strong labour laws and a vocal union movement, but the massive numbers of impoverished people and endemic corruption throughout society are two key factors that allow workers’ exploitation to flourish.

Roughly one quarter of the nation’s 100 million people live in poverty, which is defined as surviving on about one dollar a day, according to government data.

High school dropouts desperate to support relatives are particularly easy prey, according to labour secretary Baldoz.

“They have no regular jobs. When someone offers them a job, they grab it,” she said.

Baldoz said President Benigno Aquino’s administration, which has been in power for five years, had worked hard to improve labour conditions.

She cited the closing down of 10,000 of an estimated 15,000 illegal employment agencies.

Those agencies are an integral part of the exploitation chain because they hire workers as casuals, allowing companies to turn a blind eye to exploitation such as withholding pensions and paying below the minimum wage.

Baldoz also pointed to the establishment of arbitration courts that resolved labor disputes in as little as 30 days.

But Baldoz said that factory owners and labor unions were responsible for ensuring that these safety laws were observed.

‘Wolves guarding sheep’ This voluntary compliance is one of the big problems, according to the Labor Party, a small political group representing workers.

“Voluntary compliance and self-assessment means that the government is asking the wolf to guard the sheep. No wonder the sheep get slaughtered,” party chairman Renato Magtubo said.

Valenzuela, the industrial district in northern Manila where this week’s fire occurred, promotes itself as one of the city’s “premier business and industrial centers.

But workers at surrounding factories – which manufacture products such as cosmetics, plastics, paper plates and small appliances – recounted similar tales of exploitation as those at the Kentex factory.

They emerged from garrison-like compounds, surrounded by towering fences topped with barbed wire and with security guards patrolling the perimeter, with stories of long hours for little pay.

A common theme was being paid well below the minimum wage.

“I don’t have enough for food and other expenses.

Sometimes, I borrow money,” said one worker aged 36 who moved to Manila from the poor central island province of Masbate after dropping out of high school in the 1990s.

Palace: PHL not exaggerating claims on China’s activities in West Philippine Sea MANILA, May 16 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Saturday disputed China’s claim that the Philippines is “exaggerating” the threat it supposedly poses in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

“The Philippines makes it a point to be very objective and to be very accurate when it comes to the facts that we present, that our positions are based on... It is not to our interest to exaggerate any incident or to make any incident bigger than it actually is because, as far as we were concerned, we only proceed upon the facts,” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

“How it is perceived by other people outside is something that is not in government’s control,” she added.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi China’s was quoted as saying “someone has been exaggerating or even playing up the so-called tension in the South China Sea.” President Benigno Aquino III said in April that China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea should be seen as a global problem because it could affect the flow of goods through shipping lanes there.

(MNS)

UN tells Southeast Asian countries not to turn away migrants United Nations, United States (AFP) Thursday 5/14/2015 – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged Southeast Asian countries not to turn back migrants and refugees fleeing on boats, telling them that rescue at sea was an international obligation. Malaysia and Indonesia have vowed to bar ships carrying migrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, leaving them stranded in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.

In a statement, Ban voiced alarm that “some countries may be refusing entry to boats carrying refugees and migrants.”

He urged governments to “ensure that the obligation of rescue at sea is upheld and the prohibition of refoulement is maintained.”

International law bars countries from refoulement, which refers to the expulsion of refugees who

have a right to be recognized.

Ban called on governments to “keep their borders and ports open in order to help the vulnerable people who are in need.”

The UN chief called on regional leaders to step up their efforts to respond to the crisis and reminded them that this was an obligation under international law.

The UN refugee agency and rights groups say thousands of men, women and children are believed stuck out at sea and at risk of starvation and illness after a Thai police crackdown disrupted well-worn people-smuggling routes.

Many of the migrants are Rohingya, who suffer state-sanctioned discrimination and have been targeted by sectarian violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

Egypt’s Morsi: From election triumph to death sentence Cairo, Egypt (AFP) Saturday 5/16/2015 – Mohamed Morsi, who was sentenced to death on Saturday, was Egypt’s first democratically elected president until the army overthrew him after a year of tumultuous rule sparked mass street protests.

An Egyptian court issued the sentence to the bearded 64-year-old and more than 100 co-defendants over jail breaks during the 2011 uprising that ousted his predecessor, Hosni Mubarak.

Morsi, sitting in a caged dock and wearing the blue uniform of convicts, raised his fists in defiance when the judge pronounced the verdict.

Nicknamed “The Spare Tyre” after he emerged as the Muslim Brotherhood’s compromise candidate to run in Egypt’s first democratic presidential election, Morsi nonetheless had a long history of activism with the Islamist movement.

Taking office in June 2012 after the overthrow of longtime ruler Mubarak, Morsi was president for a year that was marked by deep divisions in Egyptian society, unrest and a crippling economic crisis.

Since being ousted by then-army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in July 2013, the Islamist leader has been languishing in detention as he faces a series of trials.

In the first verdict against him in April, a Cairo court convicted Morsi of inciting violence against protesters during clashes in December 2012 when he was president, but acquitted him of charges of incitement to murder for which he could have faced the death penalty.

He was sentenced to 20 years in jail in that case.

A Brotherhood figurehead Morsi, the son of a farmer, was not the Brotherhood’s initial choice for president.

Hailing from the Brotherhood’s political wing – the Freedom and Justice Party – he was put forward after one of the movement’s powerful financiers, Khairat al-Shater, was disqualified on technical grounds.

On Saturday, Shater was sentenced to death in another trial.

Morsi won the presidential election in 2012 by a narrow margin, with many choosing him in a protest vote against his rival Mubarak’s last prime minister Ahmed Shafiq.

But Morsi quickly grew to be disliked by millions, accused of failing to represent all Egyptians and trampling the ideals of the anti-Mubarak uprising.

The veteran Islamist with a cropped beard and spectacles was hardly charismatic and was seen by many as lacking the will to truly lead.

“He was a puppet of the Muslim Brotherhood,” said Cairo University political professor Mustapha Kamel al-Sayyid.

“He appointed Brotherhood members in key administrative posts and that really irritated the bureaucracy and the people.”

Since being ousted amid mass protests, Morsi has steadfastly rejected the authority of Egypt’s courts to try him.

Often seen in a soundproof glass cage in the dock, Morsi has accused military chiefs of violating the constitution and carrying out a coup.

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UTREACH Consulate launches iRehistro online application for PHL docs 14 May 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General launches the iREHISTRO Online Application Form Accomplishment and Submission.

All Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old on May 09, 2016 and not otherwise disqualified by law, who expect to vote during the 2016 Presidential Elections may avail of the iREHISTRO system to apply for registration as an overseas voter from 13 May to 31 October 2015.

The iREHISTRO is an online system which provides Filipino registrants another way of accomplishing the Voters Registration Application Form before coming to the Embassy or Consulate or any Registration Venue. The aim of the project is to lessen the time of the registrants when applying for voter’s registration. The applicant must present the printed

accomplished form to the OV Operator and have their biometrics taken to complete the registration process.

To access iRehistro, log on to www.irehistro.com and do the following steps: On the upper right side, click “For Overseas Filipinos, proceed to this page” Select the type of application from the list.

Fill up the application form.

Print the accomplished application form. DO NOT SIGN THE PRINTED FORM Select the preferred appointment date and time for biometrics capture. (OPTIONAL) Go to the Philippine Consulate for biometrics (picture, finger print and signature). Present the duly accomplished application form to the OV operator.

Sign the accomplished form in

the presence of the OV Operator.

The Philippine Consulate General recommends that the registrant choose Los Angeles in the field for “Embassy/Consulate” and disregard the other options.

The Philippine Consulate General reminds the Filipino communities in Los Angeles and its areas of jurisdictions that iRehistro online application does not confirm their registration. Applicants still have to appear personally at the Consulate or during the Outreach Programs to complete the registration process.

The current procedure of manual Overseas Voting Registration is still being implemented at the Consulate. For more information on iRehistro, click on the following link: http://www.comelec.gov. ph/?r=References/InformationMaterials/iRehistroAd

Congen joins Santacruzan at Los Angeles Cathedral

Photo above shows officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General led by Consul General Leo-Herrera-Lim and Mrs. Fides Herrera-Lim, participated by Fil-Am prin-

Los Angeles, 11 May 2014 - The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles joined the 11th Archdiocesan Filipino Marian Celebration of “Santacruzan” held last May 9 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

Most Rev. Myloi Hubert Vergara, D.D., Bishop of Pasig, led the Eucharistic celebration with the auxiliary bishops and clerics of Los Angeles. This year’s event was held under the auspices of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the theme was “Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy”.

During the mass mentioned was a special prayer was said for the late Philippine Ambassador Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. who died in a helicopter accident in Pakistan.

The Philippine Consulate General joined the different parish ministries, Catholic associations, civic and non-governmental organizations and Filipino-American children as angels in the Procession that heralded the Eucharistic celebration.

Guests included hockey hall of famer Bob Miller, health and environmental activist Kelly Meyer and Filipino-American actresses Nia Peeples (photo above with Brandon Paul) and Rebecca Mader.

Los Angeles Go Red For Women raises $350,000 for women’s heart health Retired LA Kings player Daryl Evans and heart surgeon Dr. Kathy Magliato honored with the King and Queen of Hearts Awards The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Los Angeles Go Red For Women Luncheon raised $351,491 and drew close to 350 people to The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood on May 7, 2015.

The garden-themed affair, presented by sponsors Macy’s, Union Bank and Huntington Hospital, celebrated the American Heart Association’s thriving Teaching Gardens in Los Angeles. Special guest and Teaching Gardens cofounder Kelly Meyer shared with guests how the program is providing inner-city children a reallife laboratory where they learn to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and understand the value of good eating habits.

NBC4 Southern California’s evening news anchor Colleen Williams was the Master of Ceremony, and two exceptional individuals were honored for their contributions to the fight against heart disease and stroke.

The Queen of Hearts Award was presented to cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Kathy Magliato in honor of her remarkable accomplishments in the field of medicine, her lifesaving work and outstanding service to the American Heart Association. Magliato is one of very few female cardiothoracic surgeons in the world. She is the Director of Women’s Cardiac Services at Saint John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica. A longtime AHA volunteer, Magliato was past president of the association’s Greater Los Angeles Division Board of Directors.

Hockey Hall of Famer Bob Miller helped pay tribute to LA Kings radio commentator and retired hockey player Daryl Evans who received the King of Hearts Award in recognition of his commitment to advancing women’s heart health in Los Angeles. Evans, whose mother is a heart disease survivor, has been an AHA volunteer for several years and currently serves on the Greater Los Angeles Board of Directors. Evans spearheads the LA Kings charitable giving program that has benefited the American Heart Association for many years.

Mother, wife and

busy talent agent Sheila Wenzel shared the story of how Go Red For Women saved her life. Wenzel nearly died of a heart attack, but knew the symptoms and got help, thanks to the short film actress Elizabeth Banks created for Go Red For Women called “Just a Little Heart Attack,” which she saw at an event two months earlier. She urged luncheon guests to take charge of their health and use their voice to raise awareness of heart disease.

Terri Hernandez Rosales, Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs for NBC4 Southern California, chaired this year’s luncheon along with an executive leadership team made up of women representing a wide range of industries.

Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women and they are deadlier than all forms of cancer combined, yet only one in five American women believes that cardiovascular disease is her greatest health threat.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement provides women with tools and resources they need to live longer, stronger, healthier lives.

Funds raised at the luncheon support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving work, including funding innovative scientific research, bringing health education programs to children and adults in the community, setting science-based best practices for treating heart disease and stroke and advocating for policies that positively impact cardiovascular health.

The Los Angeles Go Red For Women Luncheon was sponsored nationally by Macy’s and locally presented by Union Bank and Huntington Hospital. Additional sponsors included LA Galaxy and Ralph’s/Food4Less. The media sponsors were NBC4 Southern California, Pasadena Magazine, Playa Vista Today and Wiles Magazine.

For more information, visit www.lagored.ahaevents.org.

About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases.

The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.

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American citizenship through the U.S. Army MAVNI stands for Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest, a program of the United States Army that aims to recruit and allow enlistment of certain legal non-immigrant aliens with foreign language and cultural capabilities. Successful applicants and recruits are required to process for expedited U.S. Naturalization.

Here are 10 things to know: 1. Who is qualified to join the MAVNI program?

Aliens in one of the following categories at the time of enlistment: asylee, refugee, temporary protected status, or non-immigrant categories E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, TC, TD, TN, U or V. Applicants must have been in a valid status in one of these categories for at least the previous 2 years with no single absence from the U.S. Greater than 90 days.

Enlistment age is 17-24. All applicants must possess at least a High School diploma unless enrolled as a senior.

2. What trainings do MAVNI qualify for?

MAVNI qualifies for the same

training opportunities as a U.S. Citizen with the exception of jobs requiring security clearance.

Fields of training include Medical, Financial, Mechanical, Engineering, Culinary Arts, Transportation, Administrative, and limited Combat Arms Fields.

3. What are the benefits of joining the MAVNI program?

In exchange for military service, enlistees are guaranteed expedited citizenship which will be granted within the first 3 months of accession, occupational training and experience, full time pay and benefits for the family, Thrift savings Plan, and money for college.

4. Are DACA applicants eligible to sign up for the MAVNI program?

Yes. The only difference in the process for DACA is that they are eligible for processing immediately upon approval. No 2-year wait s required. All other requirements are the same as MAVNI. 5. What are the steps of the process? a. Provide all immigration documentation to recruiter, for verification through USCIS

Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC) parade the US and other flags during a flying V Ceremony at the Historic Palm Circle on Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii.

b. Transport applicant to SSA for Social Security Card, if needed c. Take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery and score 50 or higher d. Take and pass a Medical

Physical e. Take the Oral Proficiency Interview and score 2/2 f. Oath of enlistment g. Delayed Entry Training program while waiting for comple-

tion of SSBI 6. Process for DACA applicant is the same 7. For more information, go to www.goarmy.com/MAVNI or CALL: 1.562.496.3815.

US bolsters security at military bases over terror threat

By Dan De Luce

Washington, United States (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – The US military bolstered security at bases across the country Friday after the FBI voiced concern that Islamist extremists could target troops or police officers.

The head of US Northern Command, Admiral William Gortney, ordered the heightened alert “as a prudent measure,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said.

The move, he said, was designed “to remind installation commanders at all levels within the NORTHCOM area of responsibility to ensure increased vigilance in safeguarding of all DoD (Defense Department) personnel and facilities.”

This raised the official alert status one notch higher on a five-point scale, from the fourth level “Alpha” to the third level “Bravo,” which the military describes as an “increased and predictable threat of terrorism.”

Officials said most of the additional security measures would likely not be readily apparent to the public, apart from perhaps more bags being searched or ID cards being checked at base entrances.

The move came after two men attempted to storm an exhibition on Sunday showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in a Dallas suburb. The two heavilyarmed gunmen were shot dead by a local police officer before they could approach the building where the event was being held.

Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said on Thursday that the two assailants had been “inspired”— but not directed – by the Islamic State group to stage the failed attack.

“The decision to do this now is informed by a generally heightened threat level,” Warren told reporters.

“We’ve seen what happened in Texas. We’ve seen other social media and Internet-based discussions and threats. We have detected a general increase in the overall (threat) environment.”

Online recruiting

by IS FBI Director James Comey reportedly said on Thursday that authorities were concerned about the IS group encouraging attacks on “the uniformed military and law enforcement” via online propaganda.

There are “hundreds, maybe thousands” of people in the United States who had received recruitment messages from the jihadists, Comey said.

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Aegis to perform in concert, Sept. 19 at Pala PALA, CA, May 11, 2015 – AEGIS, one of the Philippines’ top pop rock and pinoy rock groups, will perform in concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 19, in Club Infinity at Pala Casino Spa & Resort.

AEGIS was formed in 1995 and has topped the Filipino charts with “Luha” (Tears), “Halik” (Kiss) and “Basang-basa sa Ulan” (Drenched in the Rain.”

AEGIS 7 p.m., Saturday, September 19 Club Infinity Pala Casino Spa & Resort Tickets: $98, $78 Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, May 15, with no service charge, at the Pala Box Office in the casino, or call 1-877-WIN PALA (1-877-946-7252). Tickets also are available at Star Tickets, 1-800-585-3737, or www.startickets. com.

Pala is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/ Riverside, take I-15 to Highway 76 east five miles; from Los Angeles County and Orange County, take I-5 south to Highway 76 east, then travel 23 miles. Pala is 15 miles north of Escondido, 12 miles south of Temecula.

Address: 11154 Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059 Telephone: 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-946-7252) Web site: http://www.palacasino. com Additional Shows Coming to Pala and the new Starlight Theater: Two of Southern California’s top tribute bands, Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen, and Zeppelin USA, a tribute to Led Zeppelin, will christen the new venue on opening night at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 23. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 the day of the show. The schedule includes: Creedence Clearwater Revisited, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater, 8 p.m., Friday, May 29. Tickets, $50. $45, at www.startickets. com Theresa Caputo, 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 1, Events Center (SOLD OUT) Oak Grove Benefit Concert, 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 5, Infinity Lounge. Featuring America Idol Alums Lee DeWyze, Elliot Yamin, Blake Lewis and Didi Benami.

General Admission tickets, $15, at www.startickets.com.

Whitesnake, Britain’s legendary heavy-metal group will make Pala a stop on its 2015 tour, 7 p.m., Saturday, June 6. Tickets, $70, $60, $45, at www.startickets. com Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, 8 p.m., Friday, June 12. Tickets, $105, $95, $75, at www.startickets. com Chubby Checker, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27. Tickets, $45, at www.startickets.com Cheech and Chong with WAR and Special Guest Shelby Chong, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 11. Tickets, $72, $62, $52, at www.startickets. com Alice in Chains, the Seattle heavy-metal rockers will make Pala a stop on its 2015 tour, 8 p.m., Friday, July 17. Tickets, $80, $70, $60, at www.startickets. com Aaron Lewis, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 25. Tickets, $50, $40, at www.startickets.com Huey Lewis and The News, one of America’s great rock and roll bands, 8 p.m., Thursday, July 30.

Tickets, $72, $62, $47, at www. startickets.com Russell Peters, one of Canada’s top comedians, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 8. Tickets, $70, $60, $50, at www.startickets.com Rock of the 70’s featuring The Guess Who, Ambrosia, Firefall, Al Stewart, 8 p.m., Friday, August 28. Tickets, $50, at www.startickets.com YES & Toto, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, September 5. Tickets, $85, $75, $60, at www.startickets. com Rascal Flatts, 8 p.m., Friday, September 25.

Tickets, $150, $125, $100, at www.startickets.com.

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood Two-Man Show, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 10, Events

Center. Tickets start at $39.50 at www.startickets.com.

About Pala Casino Spa & Resort Pala Casino Spa & Resort includes a Las Vegas-style casino with 2,000+ slot machines, 87 table games and 15 poker tables; a 507-room hotel; a 10,000-squarefoot, full-service spa and salon that features 14 treatment rooms; a state-of-the-art fitness center; swimming pool with 12 private poolside cabanas, and dual-temperature outdoor whirlpool hot tub.

Pala also offers 11 restaurants and 40,000 square feet of meeting and convention space. Pala Casino Spa & Resort is an AAA Four-Diamond Award winner for 12 consecutive years. Its state-ofthe-art Pala Spa was named the one of the Top 10 spas in California, one of the Top 10 in the casino industry and one of the Top 100 in North America for 2014 by Spas of America. Pala Spa also was named the number one spa on the West Coast and one of the top 100 spas in the United States. for 2013 bySpas of America.

Previously, Pala Spa was named the 2009 Best Casino Spa by Spas of America, the 2009 Best Casino Spa by the Southern California Gaming Guide and in 2012 received a spaAward and was selected by Spas of America as one of the top 100 spas in the United States.

In 2011, Pala Casino Spa & Resort was voted Best Casino in San Diego by the public in the 10News.com annual A-List poll sponsored by KGTV-TV 10 News in San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.palacasino. com.

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SCE celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 1, 2015 – Southern California Edison (SCE) today celebrates its business and community partnerships in the Asian community at its 10th annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration at SCE’s Energy Education Center in Irwindale.

Ted Craver, chairman, president and CEO of Edison International, the parent company of SCE, will speak at the event, which brings together Asian businesses and community partners, recognizes AAPI energy-efficient champions and highlights SCE’s partners with its mission to give back to the communities it serves.

This year’s award recipients are Foreign Exchange, RePET Inc., Asian Pacific Community Fund and Chinese American Construction Professionals.

Ted Nguyen, a national award-winning social media, public relations and marketing communications professional, is the keynote speaker. “Celebrating Business & Community Partnerships,” with a special focus on giving back, is this year’s theme.

“Our Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage event celebrates our cultural diversity and the achievements of Asian-American business and communities partners,” said Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division and Customer Service Safety. “It’s also an opportunity for Southern California Edison to show our appreciation to the communities we serve.”

Receiving SCE’s 2015 Energy Efficiency Participation Award are: Foreign Exchange, a new clothing company with more than 30 stores in California, including nine in SCE’s service territory. Foreign Exchange has played a proactive role in energy savings and its participation in SCE’ Energy Efficiency Express Solutions program has led to reduced electricity usage and incentives.

RePET, Inc., a recycling center, that has maintained corporate values in reducing costs by saving energy and improving safety. Through its partnership with SCE via its Energy Efficiency/Demand Response programs, RePET has installed more efficient lighting and is currently enrolled in SCE’s Real Time Pricing program.

SCE’s Community Partnership Award goes to the Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), which is focused on transforming lives and meeting the diverse needs of the AAPI community. To date, APCF has awarded $3 million to its affiliate agencies and other community organizations, enabling culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services to enhance the lives of 225,000 people annually in 27 Asian and Pacific Islander languages, in addition to English and Spanish.

SCE’s Diverse Business Enterprise Award will be given to the Chinese American Construction Professionals, which enhances members’ competitiveness in local and global markets, facilitates professional and business networking opportunities and serves the community while nurturing the future of construction professionals.

Jestin Ma, a freshman at Stanford University, will share his experiences as a 2014 Edison Scholar and the recipient of a $40,000 scholarship. He is studying computer science and engineering and is a graduate of San Gabriel High School.

NBC4 Southern California reporter Hetty Chang will serve as emcee. A native of Southern California, Chang is an Emmy Award-nominated journalist who covers the Long Beach and South Bay communities.

About Southern California Edison An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

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INMENT

Coming soon: KrisHerbert movie Actress-host Kris Aquino confirmed that she will be doing a movie with her former boyfriend, Quezon City Mayor and actor Herbert Bautista.

Aquino made the confirmation on her Instagram account on Friday, saying that the upcoming movie will be directed

by Antoinette Jadaone of “That Thing Called Tadhana.”

Herbert Bautista and Kris Aquino

Carla Abellana thinks Sarah G is ‘so beautiful’ Sarah Geronimo seems to have found a new fan in Kapuso actress Carla Abellana.

On Instagram, Abellana shared a picture of the Geronimo with the caption: “My God, you are so beautiful Sarah Geronimo.”

The black and white photo posted by Abellana shows Geronimo wearing a fashionable coat and a scarf.

As of writing, the post already has more than 8,000 “likes” and almost 300 comments. Some of the comments are from Geronimo’s fans, who thanked Abellana for her kind words.

Aside from Abellana, another GMA-7 talent who is a self-confessed fan of Geronimo is Jennylyn Mercado.

She even posted a picture of her and Geronimo together a few months back, saying that picture with the singer-actress made her day. (MNS)

In a previous blog entry titled “The State of My Heart,” Aquino shared some details of her past relationship with Bautista, with whom she has renewed ties as friends.

On April 7, 2014, Aquino spoke about her ties with Bautista on “Aquino & Abunda Tonight.” She confirmed that they were indeed “partners,” ending

weeks of speculation.

“The next day, over the phone he broke up with me, right before Bimb’s (her son) 7th birthday party,” Aquino said.

It was reported that the city mayor’s children with former partner Tates Gana were negatively affected by news on the relationship. (MNS)

James Reid serious about learning Tagalog James Reid is keen on improving his Tagalog language skills, especially now that he and his onscreen partner, Nadine Lustre, are set to headline their own television series.

The half-Australian Reid said he considers his latest movie “Para sa Hopeless Romantic” as very challenging.

“Sa movie na ‘to, puro Tagalog.

Walang English as in zero except for ‘I love you’ maybe. This movie is all Tagalog. Ito ‘yung pinakana-

hirapan ako but I practice a lot,” said Reid, who was born in Sydney and lived in Australia until he was 15.

Aside from having a language coach on the set, Reid said he also seeks Lustre’s help as well as their director.

Meanwhile, the actor again shrugged off comments comparing him to Daniel Padilla.

“Iba talaga kami. Looks-wise, we are totally different. We have different personalities. We are

different stars,” he said.

However, Reid said he feels flattered that many people compare him to other successful stars.

Does he think his love team with Lustre and the team-up of Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo are already of the same level?

“Not yet. We still have a long way to go but I’m not looking at them as a point of reference. I want to go as far as we can go,” he said. (MNS)

Judy Ann Santos willing to do teleserye with Sharon Cuneta

Carla Abellana

Actress Judy Ann Santos would welcome the opportunity to do a television series with her showbiz “sister” Sharon Cuneta if ever such a project would be offered to her.

The two actresses played sisters in big-screen family drama “Magkapatid.”

Santos said she’s willing to guide Cuneta, who, despite her many years on TV, has never appeared in any teleserye.

During her return to ABS-CBN early this year, she admitted that she is open to do a soap.

“I’m sure it will be fun, I’m sure it will be a memorable one and masarap siguro na makatrabaho si ate sa isang teleserye,” Santos said. “Kasi ito ang balwarte ko, ito ang alam kong gawin. Ito ‘yung alam ko na pwede kong hawakan ang kamay niya at alalayan ko siya every step of the way,” she said. (MNS)

Judy Ann Santos and Sharon Cuneta

8

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KITCHENOMICS Grilling for a Good Cause Cookbook raises money for wounded veterans (Family Features) It’s time to throw on that apron and head outside. Memorial Day is the biggest grilling holiday of the year, and you’ll want to show off your barbecue expertise for hungry friends and family.

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Original, delicious recipes Just in time for the flavor-filled festivities, the Propane Education & Research Counci cil (PERC) is debuting a new cookbook, “Grilling for Heroes,” to raise money for wounded veterans. The cookbook features a foreword and recipe from Food Network personality Sunny Anderson, an Air Force veteran and co-host of the Food Network show, “The Kitchen.” It also features a compilation of 50 original grilling recipes along with heartfelt stories of military servicemen and servicewomen as submitted by food bloggers and grill enthusiasts from across the country.

With hundreds of submissions collected from a recipe contest held last year, Anderson Sales & Leasing Consultant hand-picked her favorite recipe and story of military service. The winner is Shawn Syphus, a food blogger and creator of *Offer good while supplies last. Target Gift Card will be provided by DCH Toyota of Torrance. celebrated blog I Wash...

You Dry. “I’ve had several members of my family join the armed forces. My uncle was one of the first to serve in the war in Iraq, and sadly lost his life there. I will never forget him or the courage he had to fight for our country,” said Syphus. “My heart and prayers go out to all those still fighting and defending our beautiful land.”

One hundred percent of cookbook proceeds will go to Hope for the Warriors, a nonprofit whose programs enhance the quality of life for post9/11 wounded service members and their families.

Visit GrillingForHeroes.com to donate and download the cookbook, and for PERC’s tips for safe grilling all season long.

Honey Dijon Grilled Chicken Recipe courtesy of Shawn Syphus 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves 1/3 cup horseradish Dijon mustard (or regular Dijon mustard) 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon parsley flakes Salt, to taste Pepper, to taste Preheat grill or grill pan on medium-high heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil.

Once pan is hot, reduce heat to just below medium.

In small bowl, combine mustard, honey and parsley flakes. Set aside.

Flatten chicken breasts to an even thickness by placing between two sheets of parchment paper and pounding with rolling pin or heavy bottomed pan.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Place chicken on grill for 3 minutes, then flip over and brush chicken with sauce. Grill an additional 2-3 minutes, then remove from grill and loosely cover with tin foil.

Let rest for 5 minutes before enjoying.

Serve with any additional sauce on side for dipping.

Phillip Rivera

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MOTORING Texters are the most hated drivers: expedia survey Tuesday May 12 2015 (Relaxnews) – Do you text and drive?

Not only are you likely breaking local traffic laws, but you’re also the scourge of fellow drivers, according to a national US poll that ranked the most infuriating driving behaviors.

Released in advance of Memorial Day in the US and Victoria Day in Canada – the weekend that unofficially kick-starts the launch of summer and road tripping – the results of Expedia’s 2015 Road Rage Report break down the most hated drivers on the road.

For the second year in a row, ‘The Texter’ outranked tailgaters

US pushes pedal on car-to-car communication

By Luc Olinga

New York, United States (AFP) Saturday 5/16/2015 – Engineers have known for some time that if cars could only “talk” to each other, they could avoid a lot of accidents.

Vehicles could be driven more safely with information about another car, obstacle or pedestrian around a blind curve, for example.

But the hurdles to implementing these systems are numerous: they require a legal framework and the allocation of wireless spectrum to enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications.

The US administration announced this month it was speeding up efforts to promote V2V in a push for better road safety and to help facilitate the selfdriving cars which are on the horizon.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said during a visit to Silicon Valley that he hopes to have regulations for these technologies by the end of the year.

“We’re accelerating our timetable on a proposed rule that would require vehicle-to-vehicle – or V2V – technology that allows cars to ‘talk’ to one another,” Foxx said.

“And it is something that we believe can have a huge impact on preventing accidents from ever happening – and in helping us eventually produce a car that can drive itself better than a human can.”

Saving lives The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has been testing V2V since 2012, said the technology can accomplish a number of things such as determining if a car can safely make a left turn across traffic by calculating the speed of oncoming vehicles, whether it is feasible to overtake another car and if it is safe to enter an intersection with limited visibility.

Researchers say systems which cost around $350 per car can avoid 592,000 accidents and save 1,083 lives per year, if the fleet of US cars is equipped with the technology.

But reaping benefits will take time: Even if the technology is mandated on new cars, it will take years until older vehicles are replaced and for infrastructure to be upgraded to be part of the system.

The Association of Global Automakers, which represents non-US manufacturers including Honda, Nissan and Toyota, welcomed the effort

by Washington to speed up the process.

and ‘left lane hogs’ by a mile, with more than a quarter (26 percent) of the 1,000 respondents agreeing that those who dare to text and drive are the worst violators of road etiquette.

Tailgaters, those annoying and dangerous drivers with serious personal space and patience issues, ranked second at 13 percent, followed closely (pun intended) by ‘The Left Lane Hog’ (12 percent), ‘The Crawler,’ (10 percent) and ‘The Multitasker, (7 percent).

Sadly, when it comes to how drivers perceive others and how they perceive themselves, the numbers don’t add up.

For while the majority (97 per-

cent) of respondents said they consider themselves ‘careful’ drivers, 61 percent admit to speeding, 29 percent admit to tailgating, and a quarter of Americans admit to talking on their mobile phone while driving.

Passengers, meanwhile, may want to take note to refrain from backseat-driving which was cited as the top peeve by more than half (52 percent) of respondents.

At the other end of the spectrum, the ‘reluctant co-pilot’ – the lazy passenger who leaves all the navigating to the driver and won’t open a map – ranked second, followed by the radio hog, ‘snoozer,’ ‘shoe remover,’ and snacker.

Expedia has released the results of their road rage report. ©PathDoc/shutterstock. com

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Want to eat less? Dine with a light eater

A phenomenon called social modeling could be the secret to curbing the appetite, according to a new study. ©AISPIX by Image Source/shutterstock.com

Your dinner partner can have a big influence on your eating habits, especially when it comes to how much you consume, according to a meta analysis from the University of New South Wales in the UK. It’s a psychological effect called social modeling, according to the study, that leads you to consume less than you would otherwise if your cohort is a light eater.

The phenomenon occurs because in social situations it’s not clear how much is too much to consume, says lead author Lenny Vartanian, an associate professor at UNSW School of Psychology.

“Internal signals like hunger and feeling full can often be unre-

liable guides,” he says. “In these situations people can look to the example of others to decide how much food they should consume.”

Vartanian and his colleagues analyzed 38 studies to arrive at their conclusion and their paper was published in the journal Social Influence.

They found that the phenomenon of social modeling occurs regardless of an individual’s body weight and that women are more likely to succumb to it than men.

This could occur because women exhibit more concern about how others perceive them when they are eating, say the researchers.

“Or the explanation could be

more mundane, that undergraduate males participating in the research are over-enthusiastic about an offer of free food,” says Vartanian.

The modeling effect occurs even in the absence of the companion, according to the study, if the person dining reads a written synopsis of how much his wouldbe-dinner-partner noshed.

The phenomenon is stronger in older children than in the younger set, which suggests that taking cues from external sources is a learned behavior.

“The research shows that social factors are a powerful influence on consumption,” says Vartanian.

“If the social model eats a large amount, people have the freedom to eat their normal intake, or even more if they want.”

Portion size has come under fire in the battle against obesity, and Vartanian says social modeling merits more attention because it’s a powerful influence on how much people consume.

Dior 2016 cruise collection show.

Get the Dior Cruise 2016 beauty look Saturday May 16 2015 (Relaxnews) – Plaids were the order of the day when Dior unveiled its Cruise 2016 collection on the French Riviera earlier this week. But though the models looked stunning in their 1960s-inspired dresses and metallic fabrics, we’re also lusting after their beauty look.

The setting, the surreal Mediterranean villa Palais Bulles designed

by Pierre Cardin, was light and fun, and the makeup reflected the ambience. “It’s a relaxed vibe, a very light and very flattering look,” explains Creative and Image Director of Dior Makeup Peter Philips.

Model’s faces were kept natural and dewy-looking, with Philips opting for the brand’s “Star” foundation to create flawless complexions.

Cheekbones were highlighted using the translucent powder “Diorskin Nude Cosmopolite,” while the blush “Cosmospolite Rosewood” gave the models a light flush.

The eyes were kept natural and low-key, using the house’s “Eye Reviver” palette and highlighting and shading the eye socket to bring out each model’s individual features.

Philips then used Diorshow mascara on the upper lashes to open up the eyes.

Brows were the main focus of the look, tamed and perfected using the new “Diorshow Brow Styler,” a gel which can be used to “set” the eyebrows and give them a polished finish. It is available in clear, blonde and brown shades.

Dewy lips finished off the pretty look, thanks to a slick of “Lip Maximiser” gloss in the shade “Sunkissed”, while nails were kept elegant in the pastel yellow and pink shades of “Sunkissed”, “Sunwashed” and “Muguet”.

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Balita GET RESULTS! ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY! PRAYERS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to 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. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif¿cult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks -LYDIA

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Seeking Hispanic vote, Hillary Clinton defends illegal immigrants

By Ivan Couronne

Washington, United States (AFP) Saturday 5/9/2015 – The 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States don’t vote, but they have children, siblings or cousins that do, and Hillary Clinton is courting their support.

The Democratic presidential candidate has singled out immigration as a key campaign issue in her bid for the White House in 2016.

She is looking to set herself apart from her Republican rivals on the matter, and has even said she wants to go further than President Barack Obama to secure legal status, and citizenship, for millions of undocumented immigrants, most of which are Hispanic.

The move is a strategic one: securing the Hispanic vote could be what Clinton – or any candidate—needs to become president in the next election.

In 2012, the Hispanics made up 10 percent of the vote, compared to only two percent in 1976.

In recent elections, they have shown an increasing preference for the Democratic Party. Obama won the 2012 race with 82 percent of the minority vote, including 71% of the Hispanic vote.

Sitting with a group of undocumented students this week in Nevada, Clinton made her stance clear, calling on Congress to adopt comprehensive immigration reform and create a path to citizenship for the youths and millions of others like them.

She promised to do more than Obama, who used executive action last November to bypass Congress and approve measures to protect about four million undocumented foreigners from deportation. Clinton said she was ready to use executive action to shield many more.

Republicans immediately zeroed in on this to attack Clinton as a hyper-partisan Democrat.

“She is running even further to the left than Barack Obama,” Whit Ayres, Republican pollster and adviser to conservative presidential hopeful Marco Rubio, told AFP. “Executive actions on immigration are exactly the wrong way to solve a broken immigration system. If anything we need more bipartisan approaches to addressing a broken system, not declarations of unilateral action,” said Ayres.

Clinton’s stance will matter even more in states with a large Hispanic population, such as Nevada and Florida. But Republican

Mexico arrests man smuggling 13 South Asia migrants Mexico City, Mexico (AFP) Friday 5/15/2015 – Police have arrested a Honduran man in southern Mexico who was attempting to smuggle 13 undocumented Bangladeshi and Pakistani migrants into the United States, US authorities said Friday.

The 29-year-old suspect was detained while driving a van above the speed limit near Tapachula in the state of Chiapas, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said in a statement.

“The occupants acted erratically, ducking their heads to avoid detection,” the statement said.

“Law enforcement determined the 13 passengers were unlawfully present in Mexico. All were arrested and processed for removal,” it said.

The migrants included six Bangladeshi men and one minor and six Pakistani adult males.

The US immigration agency’s Homeland Security Investigations office in Merida, Mexico, worked with Mexican police in the arrest.

Migrants from as far away as Asia and Africa are periodically caught in Mexico while attempting to reach the United States.

Their route often begins in South and Central America.

The Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has singled out immigration as a key campaign issue in her bid for the White House in 2016.

rivals hope the move will come back to bite her “This is just one more issue that she’s going to have to answer for in the general election,” Glen Bolger, Republican pollster and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, told AFP. “If Republicans started to do major policy making by executive action, the Democrats would be howling for impeachment,” Bolger said.

However, Republican presidential candidates are aware they cannot ignore the immigration question, a key issue for Hispanic voters.

Ayres predicts that Republicans will need much more than 40 percent of the Hispanic vote in next year’s election to win, a substantial hike from the 27 percent that Republican candidate Mitt Romney clinched in 2012.

Republicans focus on a precondition for reform, that the long

border with Mexico should be better secured.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, the first to join the 2016 White House race, once proposed to triple the number of police along the border.

But none has offered any kind of substantive plan on immigration reform.

Rubio, the Florida Senator whose parents immigrated from Cuba, has previously supported comprehensive immigration reform but has since backpedaled.

He acknowledges that 11 million people cannot simply be deported, but now insists on securing the border first, indefinitely delaying any action on legal status.

Jeb Bush, who is expected to announce his White House bid, remains somewhat ambiguous.

He prefers to talk about legal immigration, and has proposed reducing family-based immigra-

tion, removing the sibling category preference, to increase the number of permanent visas for skilled immigrants.

But Bush, whose wife was born in Mexico, has adopted a more compassionate tone to discuss the lives of immigrants who take risks to cross the border.

“We’re going to turn people into Republicans if we’re much more aspirational in our message, and our tone has to be more inclusive as well,” he said last month.

But Hispanic hopes, at least for the moment, seem to remain in the Democrats’ camp.

Asked by Pew in 2014 “which party do you think has more concern for Hispanics/Latinos?”, half of the Hispanic respondents said Democrats.

Only 10 percent thought Republicans cared more, and 35 percent said there was no difference between the parties.