Weekend balilta march 28, 2015 by Balita Media Inc

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXIII, NO. 8

MAR. 28 - APR. 3, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

Trust for Aquino wanes President no longer most trusted official: survey

Unpopular?: President Benigno S. Aquino III huddles with the De La Salle University Lady Spikers for a selfie shot during the special luncheon with both volleyball teams of the Ateneo de Manila University and the De La Salle University at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 24, 2015). (MNS photo)

MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – After the Jan. 25 Mamasapano clash, President Benigno Aquino III is no longer the most trusted top government official, his ratings having dropped to a record low last week, according to Pulse Asia survey results released Thursday. Senate President Franklin Drilon replaced Aquino at the top of the list, having garnered the highest trust ratings among the top 5 government officials: 44 percent of respondents giving them his nod. Vice President Jejomar Binay is a close second, scoring a 42 percent trust rating. As earlier reported by Pulse Asia, Aquino’s trust ratings nosedived to 36 percent this month from 56 percent last November. He was the most trusted top official four months ago. See TRUST WANES, page 12

Pacquiao endorses Fil-Am’s candidacy for Glendale council seat Glendale, CA – Philippine Congressman and World Champion Boxer, Manny Pacquiao, gives 100% support to our Kababayan, Edith Fuentes for Glendale City Council (April 7, 2015) candidacy. Pacquiao is asking our Kababayans to support Fuentes, “Suportahan natin at iboto si Edith Fuentes.” If elected, Fil-Am Edith Maniquis Fuentes, will be the first AsianPacific Islander elected to Glendale City Council after more than 109 years. “My goal is to represent everyone across the

board, specifically our Kababayans. Help me win this election, please vote!” - said Fuentes. Fuentes, who retired after 20 years as Planning and Zoning Administrator for the City of Glendale, is asking all our kababayans in Glendale - “BUMOTO PO TAYONG LAHAT. Napaka-halaga po nitong election sa April 7, 2015.” Bumoto by absentee ballots (you can request applications from now until March 31st from City Clerk’s office, 613 E. Broadway, (818)

548-2090 and return ballots by April 7th) or vote in person (if already registered voter) on election day, April 7, 2015. Glendale election precincts will be opened whole day on April 7th from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Kung hindi nyo alam ang precincts ninyo, pumunta sa kahit aling voting precincts and they will give you a provisional ballot to vote. We need all Glendale Fil-Am registered voters to Go Out To Vote (GOTV) this time. Kaya natin See PACQUIAO ENDORSES, page 12

“The Winning Team” – World Champion Manny Pacquiao raises Edith Fuentes’ hand in full support of her candidacy for a Glendale City Council seat. Photo: by Toto Mortel.

Senator Alan Cayetano

Alan Cayetano claims MILF out to ‘assassinate’ him MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday claimed he has been targeted for assassination by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, supposedly to ensure the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Appearing at the Kapihan sa Senado, Cayetano said an “official intelligence report” furnished by a law enforcement agency he refused to identify specifically named him, confirming what he learned from “unofficial sources,” who said politicians, including one from Metro Manila, would be “sacrificed” for the BBL’s passage. Asked to show the report naming him, Cayetano said those who furnished him a copy “requested not to divulge it in public since they are still investigating the report.” Nevertheless, he claimed the report said “the threat was specifically for me as a senator.” “Sa unofficial sources, politicians ang tinutukoy (The unofficial sources only mentioned politicians),” he added. In the wake of the January 25 Mamasapano incident, Cayetano withdrew his sponsorship of the proposed BBL, which would create a new autonomous homeland as part of the peace agreement between the MILF and government. Cayetano, who hails from Taguig City, which hosts a large Muslim community, claimed that if the assassination bid succeeded, “palalabasin na naman ng MILF na BIFF iyon, pero hindi naman BIFF iyon, See CAYETANO, page 12

Grief turns to anger in Germany on new air crash findings By Simon Morgan

Frankfurt, Germany | | Thursday 3/26/2015 – As Germany struggled to come to terms with the devastating Germanwings air disaster, grief turned to anger Thursday as investigators said the co-pilot likely downed the jet deliberately. Germans made up half of the 150 people who were killed when the Airbus A320 crashed in the French Alps on Tuesday, according to the latest released by the foreign ministry in Berlin. And of those, 16 were teen school students from the northwestern town of Haltern returning from a week-long exchange

trip in Barcelona. The findings that the 28-year-old copilot, Andreas Lubitz, appeared to have crashed the plane intentionally left the small community reeling. “Personally, I’m stunned, angry, speechless and deeply shocked,” Haltern’s mayor Bodo Klimpel told a news conference. “I’m asking myself when this nightmare will end. It’s bad enough for the families to learn of the death of loved ones in an accident. But when it’s clear that an individual may possibly have deliberately caused the accident, it takes on an even worse dimension,” Klimpel said.

Ulrich Wessel, the headmaster of the Joseph Koenig Gymnasium where the teenagers went to school, said it would have been easier for the families if a technical defect had caused the crash. “It could have been corrected so as to prevent other incidents happening in future,” Wessel said. “But what makes all of us so angry (is) that a suicide can lead to the deaths of 149 other people,” the ashen-faced teacher said. “It leaves us angry, perplexed, stunned.” The headmaster said he did not want See AIR CRASH, page 12

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Discharging student loans or taxes in bankruptcy For cases filed after October 7, 1998, Student Loans are only dischargeable if: 1. You can prove that having to repay it would impose an “undue hardship” on you (as defined below), OR, For cases filed PRIOR TO October 17, 2005, 2. If the PROGRAM under which your student loan is issued, insured, administered is a FOR-profit, PRIVATE (non-government) entity, it may be dischargeable. (However, if the program itself, such as LAL, GSL, etc. receives nonprofit against you as far as being able to discharge funding by participation of nonprofit en- those taxes in a Ch. 13, so definitely speak tities, the loan is not dischargeable in to an attorney before doing anything. bankruptcy). Tax Liens that have attached to propTo obtain a discharge based on undue erty will survive a bankruptcy. What does hardship you must prove all of the fol- that mean? It means that the lien will stay lowing: against your property regardless of your 1. that you cannot maintain, based on discharge of the underlying debt. So, when current income and expenses, a ‘minimal’ you ultimately sell that property, if there is standard of living for yourself and your extra money available, the lien will be paid dependents if forced to repay the loans; first from those proceeds unless you have 2. that additional circumstances exist the lien removed. indicating that this state of financial affairs Discharging fraudulent debts is likely to persist for a significant portion or fraud debt judgements of the repayment period of the student Debts that you incurred which were the loans; and, results of an intentional or even negligent 3. that you made good faith effort to misrepresentation on your part are not repay the loans, for example, by past pay- dischargeable in a Chapter 7. Examples ments for several years, etc. Making pay- of these might be if you misstated your ments is not always required if you didn’t income on a credit card application, made ever have the money to pay the loans. false statements in order to induce someone Forbearances may be sufficient. to give you a loan, ran up your credit card NEW: The Ninth Circuit recently ruled debt shortly prior to filing bankruptcy, used (in April 2003) that courts have the author- your credit card or obtained a loan without ity to issue partial discharges of student any intent to repay it, or if someone has obloans, in cases where the debtor shows the tained a court judgment against you based ability to repay some, but not all, of the on fraud. However, the news isn’t all-bad. loans. This is a huge improvement in the These types of debts may be discharged in ability to possibly discharge some of these a Chapter 13. debts, because before the rule was if you Retirement accounts could afford to repay any of the loans, you and pension plans had to repay it all. Whether or not you can exempt amounts HEAL Loans are subject to a higher held in a retirement account depends on standard of scrutiny and are much harder numerous factors, including which set of to discharge. exemptions you choose to use (you need For other alternatives to dealing with to discuss this with your attorney – in CaliStudent Loans, including income contin- fornia, there are two sets of exemptions). gent repayment plans, and non-bankruptcy According to the United States Supreme methods of canceling the debt, check out Court, if your retirement plans is ERISA the following website: http://www.ed.gov/ approved, meaning that it contains a offices/OSFAP/DCS/loan.cancellation. trust “anti-alienation” provision making discharge.html it impossible to transfer or withdraw the Can you be denied a student loan funds prematurely, and it is automatically because you or your parents file bank- exempt. ruptcy? Section 525 of the Bankruptcy Individual Retirement Accounts may be Code prohibits discriminatory treatment exempted only up to the amount reasonby any governmental or other student loan ably necessary for the debtor’s support and program on the basis of filing a bankruptcy. maintenance, taking into account all other In other words, a student loan agency can- anticipated and existing sources of income not deny your loan application based on and expenses. Obviously, exempting retirethe filing, by you or anyone you know, of ment funds is very tricky and requires the a bankruptcy. expertise of an experienced bankruptcy Discharging taxes attorney. and removing tax liens Getting rid of liens, abstracts Certain types of tax obligations, such of judments and trust deeds as income taxes, may be discharged under against your property specific circumstances. Many required The bankruptcy code enables a broad factors must be met before any tax can be range of powers, which can enable you to discharged under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. avoid liens that were placed against your In Chapter 7, the minimum requirements personal property or real property (like a for discharging federal or state income house). It is too complicated an analysis to taxes are: (1) it has been over 3 years since deal with here, but if you has liens against the returns were last DUE (including exten- your property; make sure to discuss this sions), (2) the returns were timely filed or with your attorney. it has been at least 2 years since the returns Types of liens you may be able to get were filed, (3) there was no fraud involved rid of include judgment liens recorded or attempts to evade the tax, AND, (4) the against your home or specific personal taxes were not assessed within the last property. Also, in a Chapter 13 junior 240 days. trust deeds against your home may be If it has been over 3 years since your able to be removed under certain specific returns were last due and they have not circumstances. This is not an option in a been assessed in the last 240 days, BUT Chapter 7, so make sure to discuss this with you have not yet filed the returns or there your attorney. was some kind of fraud involved in filing Paying taxes with your credit card them, then they may be dischargeable in a Debts incurred on your credit cards Chapter 13. to pay taxes to the IRS will usually NOT Again, discharging taxes is an ex- be dischargeable in chapter 7 but may be tremely complicated area, and you should dischargeable under Ch. 13. definitely consult with a knowledgeable If you have debt problems, contact the attorney before deciding whether to file Law Office of Paul M. Allen. We have based on dischargeability of your taxes two offices to serve you. Consultations and before you take any further steps with are free, by appointment only. Call today your taxes (such as filing past due returns) at 818-552-4500. We have two convenient Sometimes filing a late return can work locations: Glendale and La Palma.

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Divorce law won’t pass this Congress: lawmaker MANILA, Mar 27 (Mabuhay) – A party-list lawmaker pushing for the passage of a divorce bill in the House of Representatives is under no illusions that it will be passed in the 16th Congress. Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan said House Bill 4408 remains pending in the committee on the revision of laws. “Mukhang hindi ito mapapasa ngayon. The chairperson of the committee is not putting it on the agenda. I have been lobbying to put it on the agenda so we can discuss it. We have no illusions that it will pass this Congress,” she said. Ilagan said there is a real need to legalize divorce in the Philippines as shown by the results of a recent Social Weather Stations survey. The December 2014 survey showed 60% of Filipinos are in favor of granting divorce to married couples who are legally separated and cannot reconcile anymore. This is up from a “plurality” of 50% in March 2011 and a split 43-44% in May 2005. Ilagan said the survey is evidence that Filipinos want another remedy available for couples in problematic marriages. Present remedies include annulment and legal separation. She said some spouses have been abandoned by their partners for years without any support while some wives endure

abuse from their husbands. She also noted that legal separation is not enough for some couples. “Hindi maka-move on ang iba. Some are legally separated but cannot get married. Pwede silang ihabla ng adultery, bigamy or concubinage,” she said. The lawmaker pointed out that divorce is not alien to Filipino culture, noting that indigenous peoples and Muslims allow divorce. For his part, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza rejected the passage of a divorce law, saying it will destroy Filipino families. “No matter what survey comes out, it has nothing to do with what we need to do for the good of Filipino marriages and families,” he said in a separate DZMM interview. Atienza acknowledged that annulment or legal separation can be difficult and expensive but stressed that a marriage contract is the “most permanent contract” of all. “Kailangang paghirapan lalo na ngayon na masyado tayong exposed sa banyagang kultura,” he said. The lawmaker said the passage of divorce laws all over the world does not mean the Philippines should follow suit. He pointed out that abortion is also legal in some countries “but we believe it is wrong and we should never accept it.” (MNS)

Cebu Pacific profit soars with international success Manila, Philippines, AFP, Thursday 3/26/2015 – The Philippines’ largest airline on Thursday reported a 67-percent rise in profits last year, with strong growth in domestic passenger numbers and swift success on a new Australia route. Cebu Pacific posted a net profit of 853 million pesos ($19 million) in 2014, up from 512 million pesos in 2013. The country’s pioneer budget airline flew 16.9 million people last year, as passenger traffic grew 17.5 percent, it said in a statement. Cebu Pacific’s Manila-Sydney route had 30 percent of the market by the end of last year, after launching just three months earlier, chief executive advisor Garry Kingshott told reporters in a conference call.

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Comelec may revert to manual system in 2016 polls – exec MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – Expecting a delay in the repair and refurbishment of the 82,000 Precinct Count Optical Scan machines, the Comelec may consider using the manual system for the 2016 national elections. Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez on Thursday said “Ang manual elections... that remains in the realm of possibilities, in the sense that everything is possible.” “Maraming posibleng scenarios. Kaya may emergency meeting kami to firm up Plans A to Z,” he added. He he made this statement after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the diagnostics, repair and refurbishment of the 82,000 PCOS machines contract between the poll body and thge Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM) Corporation. The SC has temporarily put a stop on the Comelec-Smartmatic repair deal following a petition alleging the contract is in violation of Republic Act 9184 (procurement act). Earlier, a petition was filed with the SC seeking to declare as null and void

both Comelec Resolution No. 9922 and the signed contract between the poll body and Smartmatic. While the TRO may cause delay of the repair and refurbishment of the PCOS machines, the Comelec is not pushing for a manual system. “Determinado ang Comelec na hindi tayo magba-backslide sa manual. Gagawin natin lahat ng pwede, lahat ng legal, at lahat ng kakayanin para hindi mangyari yan,” Jimenez said, reiterating his call for the High Court to resolve the case as soon as possible. “As far as the Comelec is concerned, yes we will be preparing our alternatives now for all scenarios but at the same time that the Comelec pursue the act of lifting the TRO immediately,” he added. Also, he said the SC ruling is not on the merits of the case but an opportunity for the respondents to explain the details of the deal. “It does not prove anything to that effect. Again, the TRO is not a decision to the merit. It is just the expression of the SC’s prudence... Please don’t break out the champagne just yet,” Jimenez said. (MNS)

It’s presidency or nothing once Mayor Duterte decides MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte may not have made up his mind yet about Malacañang but it looks like he is weighing the odds of a presidential bid. His political adviser Lito Banayo said Duterte has been visiting provinces to get the pulse of the people. Banayo said Duterte has also agreed to join immersion seminars with experts from various fields to firm up his possible platform. He said he expects numbers and analysis on Duterte’s prospects to trickle in by April. He said it’s either the presidency or nothing once Duterte decides. “Kinlaro ko yun sa kanya noong Jan. 8. Kung saka-sakali ba, willing ka ba to slide down to vice president? At ang sabi

niya, kung tatakbo at all, it’s the presidency. Otherwise I’ll just remain mayor of Davao,” he said. Meanwhile, a political analyst believes Duterte’s presidential prospects will not be hurt by his lack of experience in holding a national post. Prof. Francisco Magno said voters need to see what a presidential candidate is capable of and Duterte has a track record that can be reviewed. “Ang mga botante rin, kailangan makita nila yung gagawin ng magiging presidente as a national policymaker....Sa ibang bansa, parating nangyayari yan. Yung presidente ng Indonesia, mayor ng Jakarta. At marami pang ibang examples. Kasi nga pag naging presidente ka, governance. Kailangan alam mo yung administration,” he said. (MNS)

Ping on 2016: ‘Count me among the undecided’ MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – Former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he remains undecided about his plans in 2016 but said he would make a decision either in August or September this year. “Count me among the undecided. So many factors to consider,” Lacson said in a text message on Thursday. “August or September this year should be a practical time to decide,” the former presidential candidate said in a separate text message. A manifesto signed by 35 retired police and military officials appeared in a full-page ad of the Philippine Daily Inquirer urging both Senator Grace Poe and Lacson to run in tandem for higher office in 2016. Though he and Poe are qualified to hold a national position, the former senator said neither of them have decided on anything yet. “We both haven’t decided on anything at this point and in fact have not talked about politics and political plans. I’d rather leave it at that,” Lacson further said.

Aquino encourages women to take the lead toward growth MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – As the nation celebrates Women’s Month, President Benigno Aquino III encouraged Filipinas to take the lead toward the country’s economic growth. In an event organized by the Technical and Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Aquino assured that his administration is providing opportunities for women, particularly for them to become small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs. “Talagang nakatutok ang gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng oportunidad sa lahat. Kung titingnan niyo, bahagyang mas maraming babae ang natutulungan at naaabot ng

pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng TESDA,” Aquino said. He further called on women to maximize these opportunities, so that they can help drive growth in the Philippine economy. “Dahil sa pagbabayanihan ng pribadong sektor, mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, maliit na negosyo, non-government organizatios at local government units, ang ating women entrepreneurs ay hindi na lang ilaw ng tahanan o simpleng kaagapay ng lalaki sa hanapbuhay. Sila na mismo ang nagsisilbing tanglaw ng kaunlaran at pagasa para sa kanilang mga mamamayan,” Aquino said.

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Pacquiao-Mayweather fight fever heats up Since five years ago the heat has been building up from both camps of Filipino eight world title holder Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweatther Jr. to bring them into the ring. Amid the back and forth negotiations to smoothen out some issues, finally the two great boxing gladiators will meet at MGM Garden in Las Vegas on May 2nd for what is dubbed the “Fight of the Century”. The unique encounter is the most awaited encounter and has the distinction being the top prizefight Boxing has long been one of the world’s event where both boxers will laugh their most popular combat sports in terms of way to the bank after less than an hour of viewership and practice. Mishaps in the blood and sweat if the fight goes through ring that even cause death had not deterred the scheduled 12 rounds. many to engage in the sport thinking of Pacquiao will pocket $80 million while traversing the road as a path that will Mayweather will be $120 richer. The stag- bring wealth in the end given the right gering amount to stage the fight will cost opportunity. their fans a lot of money to witness in Tracing its origins as far back as 7,000 person or in pay-per view mode. years ago in Mesopotamia, boxing has Pacquaio so far has been the only Fili- evolved through the years. It was a brutal pino boxer in history to have ever amassed sport (as still is today) where death is a tons of money doing a job at the canvassed common fate of losers. Because fighters real estate and viewed by millions of box- wore no protection and had no rules of ing fans around the world at different time engagement implemented the results of the zones. fights were usually fatal. Good timing and providence are factors Modern boxing has developed from that enabled Pacquiao to reach a pinnacle unruly brutal fights to a spectacle where of success in chosen career. Gifted with the boxers are fully protected in terms of extraordinary athletic ability and a no- rules and the safety of the contenders fully nonsense approach to his craft, the Filipino addressed. sports hero continues to reap the natural Philippine Boxing: Filipinos have been fruits of his solid commitment. known to be “fighters” even before the The one “who was nothing where God Spaniards and the Americans came to the made something” has been tremendously Philippines. “Suntukan,” a familiar term blessed and wants the world to know where to most Filipinos is a kind of boxing using all his blessings come from. In a brutal bare hands to fight. It is believed to have sport such as boxing, invoking spiritual- evolved from the Filipino version of knifeity is seldom heard of but in many of his fighting technique known as” Kalit”. It was previous fights, he used the occasions to banned during the Spanish time and was acknowledge the “source of his inspiration driven underground. and strength”. Temporary setbacks only The new derivative of such cruel duel strengthened his resolve to do what he had using knives and rattan sticks led to fist been commissioned to accomplish. fighting. There is nearly no country in the world The Philippines had contributed subthat doesn’t know boxing and its immense stantially to professional boxing having popularity contributes to pave the way for produced 38 world champions in the likes many boxers to hitch their wagons to fame of Pancho Villa, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and fortune. and Ceferino Garcia. Elorde and Garcia are

Boxing Pays: Jinkee Pacquiao, wife of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, appreciates the champ’s gift of a house in the famed Beverly Hills area shown to her shortly after her arrival in Los Angeles. The Pacquiao’s are expected to move in their new abode by the first week of April. Realtor Nick Enciso,(extreme right in the background) from Century 21 Classic Estates in Cerritos brokered for the mansion once owned by a celebrity.

members of two highly respected Boxing Hall of Fames – the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of

Fame – which gives the Philippines the most number of boxing hall of fame members out of Asia.

Homestead offers an attractive career option in medical assisting Homestead Schools recently announced a unique vocational training program in medical assisting for those who’re anxious to gain an entry in the ever-expanding healthcare field. Most medical assisting programs in the South Bay area cost $10,000 or more. Homestead’s proposed tuition plan will make this prevailing tuition structure stand on its ears. In this limited–run program the school will provide the medical assisting program at an out–of–pocket expense to the student of only $595 which covers the cost of registration, background check, CPR, books and uniforms. You see, medical assisting program

is approved for federal student aid (for those who qualify) and the school will accept whatever Pell grant the student is eligible to receive as full payment for the program. If the student for some reason is ineligible to receive Pell grant or receives only a reduced amount, the student will not be responsible to the school beyond the $595 mentioned above. What do medical assistants do? Medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling patients’ appointments, maintaining patients’ medical records

and billing and coding information for insurance purposes, taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, etc. Medical assisting is one of the nation’s fastest growing careers, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, attributing the growth to the following: Predicted surge in the number of physicians’ offices and outpatient care facilities under Obamacare Technological advancements Growing number of elderly Americans who need medical treatment The Bureau also reported the 2012 median pay for medical assistants to be

$29,370 per year. The job market for medical assistants is expected to grow by 29 percent nationally from 2012 to 2022. So, there you go. If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to start a medical career that would not deplete the lifetime savings of your parents or force you to take a crippling student loan, here’s your opening. For an out–of–pocket expense of only $595, you’ll be able to launch a career in the medical field and become a productive member of the society. Call (310) 791-9975 today and speak to an admissions representative to take advantage of this special offer. Homestead Schools is located at 23800 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, Calif.

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Client files Chapter 13 to stop garnishment of Social Security saying that they were going to garnish a Abandoned wife files Chapter 7 to discharge collection lawsuits for $20k Client No. 1 Is it even legally possible that your social security benefits can be garnished? If creditors can get your social security income when you retire, how can you have peace of mind when you retire? To be sure, not every kind of creditor can garnish your social security, because social security income is generally exempt from garnishment. So who can garnish your social security? The bad guy who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care if you live or die has been, is, especially if, all you rely on at retirement and will always be the IRS. The IRS can is social security and nothing else. Client is 63 years old with a previous garnish your social security for unpaid taxes. The IRS is the shark that will eat Chapter 7 discharge in 2008 when he you alive. But the shark does have a heart wiped out $30K of credit cards. He took and is capable of a little mercy. The IRS early retirement at 62 because he said that usually will not garnish more than 15% of he was getting depressed with life. He has your social security income! Still, receiv- been receiving social security of $1,315. ing 15% less of social security can make Recently, he received something that made or break your monthly retirement budget, him more depressed, a letter from the IRS

US Supreme Court sides with women in pregnant worker case Washington, United States, AFP, Wednesday 3/25/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The US Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with a former delivery driver who claims she was the victim of discrimination when she became pregnant. The nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top judges voted 6-3 to allow the plaintiff, Peggy Young, to pursue her lawsuit against the delivery firm UPS, after the case was blocked by a lower court. Young claims she was the victim of discrimination in 2006 when she sought a change in her working conditions after con-

ceiving through in vitro fertilization. Her doctors had ordered her to avoid carrying parcels heavier than 20 pounds (nine kilos), but her job conditions required her to be capable of carrying more than 70 pounds (32 kilos). UPS had refused to give Young a position in charge of â&#x20AC;&#x153;lightâ&#x20AC;? packages, arguing that those jobs were reserved only for employees with injuries or disabilities, effectively forcing Young to take seven months of unpaid leave, forfeiting her health insurance.

portion of his social security for unpaid income taxes for 2009 of $10,000. It appears that client liquidated all of his 401K of $85K in 2009 because his son needed a heart bypass surgery and had no medical insurance. Son lived in clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s country of origin where the cost of heart bypass surgery was significantly less than here, but nevertheless reached $60K. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how the IRS problem arose. He did not declare the liquidation of the 401K in his tax returns because he knew that if he disclosed it, his income would increase by $85K, resulting in higher income tax liability which he had no ability to pay. The nondisclosure gave him temporary relief but as Benjamin Franklin said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.â&#x20AC;? So, eventually the IRS assessed her additional taxes. What he did not expect that the IRS would also assess her an â&#x20AC;&#x153;accuracy penaltyâ&#x20AC;? of 25% because she knew that she liquidated her 401K but did not disclose it. An â&#x20AC;&#x153;accuracy penaltyâ&#x20AC;? also makes that tax non-dischargeable because it shows conduct or intent to evade taxes. Client cannot discharge this tax even in a Chapter 7.

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Client will file Chapter 13 to stop the garnishment and pay the IRS without interest and penalty at $170 a month for 60 months. This is still a better deal than an installment payment plan or continued garnishment, both of which have interest and penalty. Client No. 2 Client is 45 years old. Husband abandoned her 5 years ago and left her with $40K of credit card debt. Husband worked as hotel manager for a big hotel in Los Angeles. A woman lawyer represented the owner of the hotel. The lawyer conducted audits of the hotel operations. The lawyer would fly in from abroad and spend a long time with clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband discussing hotel business. They had meetings late at night. Apparently, the lady lawyer found clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband attractive. Being the hotel manager, he had access to the hotel rooms. One drink led to another, and soon enough, they were in the hotel room purportedly inspecting if the sheets were clean enough. You know the rest of the story. Suspecting something was going on, client asked husband if he was having an affair with the lady lawyer that her husband See YANG, page 11

In search of treatment for minor/major health issues When I was in college, as I recall our upper English class Professor Josie Mariano required us to memorize part of Geoffrey Chaucerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poem in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canterbury Talesâ&#x20AC;? which goes â&#x20AC;&#x153;when that Aprile with his showers soote the drought of Marche hath perched to the rooteâ&#x20AC;? she translated this to us as simply â&#x20AC;&#x153;getting away from the drought of March and welcoming sweet April showers in spring.â&#x20AC;? Now that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s springtime and flowers are in bloom, a lot of pollen is in the air and because of this, our bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upper respiratory ail- cologist wrote a â&#x20AC;&#x153;book on treatment methments such as colds and cough abound. ods in 2737 BC that included the medical That is why this writer has recently been benefits of cannabis. He recommended the battling severe coughing along with short- substance to treat many ailments such as: ness of breath for the past four days, which Gout, Rheumatism, Insomnia and Gastronow has evolved to Bronchitis or what intestinal disorders.â&#x20AC;? is called an Upper Respiratory Infection Its use has spread out extensively (URI) which is an â&#x20AC;&#x153;inflammation of the through Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece bronchial tubes which carries air to and and in the medieval Islamic world as a from the lungs producing thickened and â&#x20AC;&#x153;diuretic, anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory discolored mucus.â&#x20AC;? analgesic and antipyretic medication datAccording to a Mayo Clinic study, these ing back from the 8th to the 18th century.â&#x20AC;? Upper Respiratory Infection virus starts In 1964, cannabis was first introduced from a common cold, which progresses by an Irish physician named William into cough, nasal discharge to sinus or Brooke Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shaugnessy, who began studythroat-type infections. ing the â&#x20AC;&#x153;health effects of traditonal canAs the saying goes â&#x20AC;&#x153;an ounce of preven- nabis in Jamaican communities.â&#x20AC;? tion is a pound of cure,â&#x20AC;? I finally consulted The study subsequently revealed that my young but experienced Pinay doc- cannabinoids serve as â&#x20AC;&#x153;appetite stimulants, tor and thankful to modern medicine for antiemetics, antipasmodic and have some its research on treatment of these minor analgesic effects which may be helpful in ailments. She prescribed a powerful dose treating chronic, non-cancerous pain,, or of 500 Mg. of Levaquin tablets to be taken vomiting and nausea caused by chemoonce a day and a pricey 5 ML Promethazine therapy.â&#x20AC;? DM Syrup which when combined worked During the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;synthetic immediately, decreasing the amount of version of cannabinoid called tetrahydronasal discharge and discomfort in my upper cannabinol (THC) was produced and aprespiratory system. proved for use in the U.S. Further, in 1987 Therefore, finding a good doctor you Dr. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shaugnessy developed and gained can trust is of utmost importance, and the permission to market the pharmaceutical immediacy of consulting them on your version called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Carousel, one of the first ailment is key in preventing the escala- cannabis extracts which they discovered.â&#x20AC;? Currently, voters in eight US states have tion of it. Dealing with major ailment however, their support for cannabis prescription requires a variety of options. There is this and as of late 2014 eight states plus the one case where one of my friends amaz- District of Columbia have passed medical ingly found an â&#x20AC;&#x153;old schooledâ&#x20AC;? doctor who marijuana laws and the FDA has approved stilll visits his patients at home. This friend two oral cannabinoids for use as medicine: has an ailment that is currently incurable Dronabinol and Nabilone. It was amazing to see how these new but the doctor isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t giving up. He finds innovative ways against the norm. I was sur- innovative form of medical treatment is prised to find out that after his house visit, enhancing the quality of ailing peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the doctor prescribed Medical Marijuana otherwise deteriorating outlook in life, or what is referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;cannabinoids,â&#x20AC;? to a more positive desire to live longer to share their love particularly to those who or medical cannabis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cannabisâ&#x20AC;? meaning fiber or hemp care for them.. Modern medicine has really come a which produces â&#x20AC;&#x153;numbnessâ&#x20AC;? was used by the Chinese in Taiwan around 10,000 years long way to ensure all of us that life is ago. According to some historical Chinese still worth living, no matter what. Though data on the history of the use of Cannabis, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dark days that come, somewhere Emperor Shen Nung who was a pharma- thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a rainbow.

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When is an employment termination ‘wrongful’? Q: I worked in a company for over 10 years. A new supervisor and I do not get along. Last week, the company let me go without any explanation. I don’t have any disciplinary record. Can the company just fire me without a good reason? A: Yes, an employer may fire an employee without a good reason. Employment in California is considered to be “at-will.” The employment-atwill doctrine states that either the employer or the employee may end the employment relationship at any time. Therefore, an employee can quit his or her job for any reason at any time. Likewise, the employer may terminate the employment at any time, even if the employee’s job performance has been excellent. The employer may also terminate employees for unfair reasons such as nepotism or favoritism. The employer may even terminate the employee for no reason at all. However, there are limitations to an employer’s freedom to terminate employees at will. One of these limitations may arise when the employee has a contract with the employer who agrees that the employee can only be fired for “good cause” or “just cause.” This may be true for employees who are union members. A second, and more important, limitation is that an employer may not terminate employees for an illegal reason. A “reason” is illegal if motivated by discrimination based on such protected characteristics as age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, and even union affiliation. A termination is also wrongful if it violates public policy, which means the firing was because the employee: refused to violate a statute (e.g., em-

ployee refused to commit an illegal act) performed a statutory obligation (e.g., employee was absent for jury duty) exercised a statutory right or privilege (e.g., employee declined to take a polygraph examination) reported a statutory violation for the

public’s benefit (e.g., “whistleblowing” where employee reported employer’s illegal act to a government or law enforcement agency) Lastly, a termination may also be wrongful if the employer retaliated against the employee for filing complaints regarding the safety of the employer’s products, refusing to engage in nonconsensual sexual acts, opposing unlawful practices, testifying or assisting in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing conducted by a government agency. Employees may see the termination as unfair. Unfortunately, unfair conduct may not necessarily be illegal or wrongful. But if there is a discriminatory or retaliatory

motive behind the firing, the employee should consult with an experienced employment attorney to determine available remedies under the law. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney who has obtained several million dollar recoveries for his clients against insurance companies and employers. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center Washington, D.C. and the University of the Philippines. Visit his website at www.joesayaslaw.com or contact his office at (818) 291-0088 for a no-cost inquiry.]

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New program for homebuyers who can’t qualify for a loan now Unqualified applicants can do a lease to buy option to buy with minimal down payment I have been noticing for the past six months that there are some companies that are soliciting for a “Fresh Start Program” This is not a government funded program but might be very useful to some home buyers. Here is how this program works. Fresh Start has multiple programs to assist present, past and future homeowners in realizing the goal of homeownership Many homeowners have experienced solution to many families throughout financial hardships causing negative credit our nation. issues resulting in foreclosure, short sale or Basically, this company will offer on bankruptcy. These families want the ability the house of your choice, they will take to live in the home and neighborhood of home title but they will sign a contract that their choice. Our mission is to offer these you will have the option to buy the propfamilies solutions. erty within 6 years, in the mean time, you With lending restrictions tightening and will be paying a payment like a mortgage nearly half of home sales going to cash would be, not market rent. Some options, buyers this program has been a welcome will require a couple of months of security

deposit and the first months payment. The program used to require a 5% down from the home buyers. There are a few companies that have been starting to offer this program. This particular “Fresh Start Program” solicits Realtors and Agents to sign up with them for a nominal monthly fee to be able to submit clients’ application. The Lease To Purchase (LTP) helps you get into your dream home – even if you don’t currently qualify for a traditional mortgage. Find out if you qualify for our unique Lease To Purchase program by submitting a FREE application today! Apply: Qualify in minutes with an online application supplied by a Fresh Start Certified Agent. Prior credit challenges are not a roadblock. LTP was designed to help people who have had a foreclosure, short-sale, or bankruptcy. Shop For Your Dream Home: Use a Fresh Start Certified Agent to pick out the house of your dreams and let the Fresh Start Investor experts make the offer. Our Fresh Start Investor buys the house on your behalf. You Lease To Purchase: You move in! And lease the house until you qualify

again for a mortgage and are ready to buy the house from the Fresh Start Investor at the guaranteed pay-off amount. You have up to 5 years! Deposit: You must have 1st month’s lease payment and security deposit equal to 2 Months lease payment in your savings account. Confidence: The future pay-off price of your home and all lease payments are clearly laid out in your LTP contract and are fixed at a guaranteed schedule for the next 5 years* when you open escrow. I put in a few calls to this company but have not gotten a call back, I did some research and do believe this company exists. The Real Estate Market is going to see more activities this summer and we know that rates have stayed low but not for long. A lot of buyers who lost their homes to foreclosures or Short Sales are trying to come back to this market aggressively but still running into road blocks due to strict lending guidelines. Therefore, this program might just work for some of you. Thanks for the inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go for more details about this program, call Ken at 562-508-7048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net.

Artist Lynda A. N. Reyes participates in two juried shows in California Two watercolor paintings of artist Lynda A. N. Reyes will be featured in two California exhibits in Brea, Orange County and San Francisco “An Afternoon Stroll at Venice Beach”, a transparent watercolor painting done on a full size 300 lb. Arches paper was juried into the 30th Annual Made in California Juried Exhibition of the City of Brea Art Gallery located at 1 Civic Center Circle, Plaza Level in Orange Country. The exhibit will be on view starting March 28th until May 8th, 2015. The exhibit will celebrate the proud tradition of displaying works from artists all over California selected from over one thousand statewide entries. This multidisciplinary survey of art features artists working in all mediums and highlights established artists in their quest for new creative movements in the California art scene. A three-person panel of experts from the Orange County area selected 69 artists to display their works in the 6,500 square foot exhibition space of the City of Brea Art Gallery. The show marks the third national exhibit for this painting of a typical California summer afternoon on the beach walk. “An Afternoon Stroll at Venice Beach” was first exhibited in the Aqueous 2013 of the Kentucky Watercolor Society and in 2014, it was chosen for the MTWS Water media Exhibit at the Bigfork Museum in Montana. Lynda will participate in another juried exhibit at the Arc Gallery on 1246 Folsom Street in San Francisco from May 2nd until June 20th, 2015. Her watercolor painting titled “California Mom” will make its debut in this themed exhibit titled “Fusion”

at the ARC Gallery. The statement about the painting reveals why the painting vividly supports the theme of the show: “Forever connected. Boundaries do not exist in the fusion of 2 living bodies. A mother and child ready to trek yonder. Where?...Someplace farther to further connect...” The juror of the ARC exhibit is Olivia Ongpin of Luna Rienne Gallery in San Francisco. Arc Gallery & Studios occupies the former location of New Langton Arts Foundation, which closed in 2009. The partners of Arc Gallery are pleased to carry on the tradition of the space as an arts venue contributing to the vitality of the diverse South of the Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. 2015 continues to be a most promising year for Lynda. As her Resume indicates, she has participated in five museum exhibits and her paintings have been featured in different national and international shows in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Montana, Kentucky, Maryland, Wisconsin, Colorado, New York, California (Berkeley, Salinas, Orange County, Monrovia, Bergamot Station in Santa Monica) and in Canada. It seems that Lynda has an exhibit every month and that her watercolor or oil paintings continue to capture the attention of both jurors and viewers in different parts of the US. In a span of more than six years, Lynda has truly been moving on and on into the mainstream of American art. She resides and maintains her studio and gallery in Glendale, California. For further information please visit www.breagallery@cityofbrea.com, http:// www.arcsf.com, www.Lyndaanreyes.com or Lyndaanreyes@gmail.com.

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Provisional waiver of the 3/10 year bar from inside the US On January 2, 2013, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent residents of the United States commonly referred to as provisional waiver. The final rule establishes a process that allows certain individuals to apply for a provisional unlawful presence the I-601A; waiver before they depart the United States 4. You have been ordered removed, exto attend immigrant visa interviews in their cluded, or deported from the United States; countries of origin. The process will be ef5. You are subject to reinstatement of a fective on March 4, 2013. The regulations prior removal order; will allow certain immediate immigrant 6. DOS acted to schedule your imvisa beneficiaries, that are subject to the migrant visa interview prior to January 3, 3/10 year bar, to apply for a waiver inside 2013, even if you failed to appear or you the US rather than outside the US at the or DOS cancelled or rescheduled the interconsulate overseas. The benefit of this view on or after January 3, 2013. new regulation is 1) it reduces the time 7. You do not establish that the refusal for which the Petitioner and beneficiary of your admission to the United States will be separated while going through the would result in extreme hardship to your consulate process and 2) Beneficiary can U.S. citizen spouse or parent, or that your get a provisional approval on the waiver application should be approved as a matter of the 3/10 year bar before beneficiary of discretion; departs the US therefore reducing the risk The regulations would benefit certain of uncertainty and being stuck outside the immigrants who are unable to adjust their US for up to 10 years. status to green card holder inside the US The rule allows these individuals to file such as immigrants that entered the US for a provisional unlawful presence waiver without inspection (EWI), immigrants that while inside the U.S. If approved, they can entered the US without a visa, immigrants then depart the US to undergo consulate that entered the US as a crew men or sea visa processing knowing that they have a men (C-1 or D-1) and jump ship, immiprovisionally approved waiver of the 3/10 grants that entered on a K-1 fiancĂŠ visa but year bar. failed to marry their US citizen fiancĂŠ. If You may be eligible for a provisional these immigrants are not grandfathered by unlawful presence waiver if: INA section 245(i), typically, they cannot 1. You are physically present in the get their green card inside the US. These United States; immigrants would have to leave the US 2. You are at least 17 years of age at the and get their immigrant visa from the US time of filing; consulate in their home country. This situ3. You are the beneficiary of an ap- ation becomes a Catch-22 situation in that proved immigrant visa petition classifying when the immigrants leave the US to get you as the immediate relative of a U.S. their immigrant visa overseas, then the 3/10 year unlawful presence bar kicks in to bar citizen; 4. You have an immigrant visa case them from returning to the US assuming pending with the U.S. Department of State they accumulated over 180 days of unlaw(DOS), for which you have already paid the ful presence. Once there is a determination that the unlawful presence bar applies to immigrant visa processing fee; and 5. You believe you are, or will be at the immigrant at the Consulate overseas, the time of the immigrant visa interview, the immigrant under current procedure inadmissible based on having accrued a would have to apply for the waiver at the certain period of unlawful presence in the consulate overseas which in turn will forUnited States. ward the waiver to the DHS for approval. 6. You meet all other requirements of The entire process can take months or even the provisional unlawful presence waiver years while at the meantime the immigrant as listed in the regulations including a is waiting outside the US. showing that a lengthy bar from the U.S. Meanwhile, families are separated, and would cause their U.S. citizen spouse or the spouses and children of U.S. citizens parent â&#x20AC;&#x153;extreme hardship.â&#x20AC;? and lawful permanent residents are forced You are not eligible for a provisional to endure potentially dangerous situations unlawful presence waiver and your appli- in the home country until the waiver is granted and they can return to the U.S. cation will be rejected or denied if: The provisional waiver procedure will 1. You do not meet one or more of the allow certain immediate relatives of U.S. requirements listed above; 2. You have a pending Form I-485, Ap- citizens apply for waivers of the unlawful plication to Register Permanent Residence presence bars while remaining in the U.S. If the individual is found eligible, USCIS or Adjust Status, with USCIS; 3. You are in removal proceedings will grant a provisional waiver. He or she unless your removal proceedings are ad- will still have to depart the U.S. and visit ministratively closed and have not been a U.S. consulate abroad to apply for an re-calendared as of the date of filing of immigrant visa.

Updated L-1B adjudications posted for public feedback WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201C; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director LeĂłn RodrĂguez today announced the release of an updated policy memorandum on the L-1B nonimmigrant visa classification for workers with specialized knowledge. The memorandum, which clarifies for USCIS officers how L-1B petitioners may demonstrate that an employee has specialized knowledge, will be posted online for a 45-day public feedback period. The memorandum will go into effect on Aug. 31, 2015. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This policy memorandum, once it goes into effect, will help companies in the United States better use the skills of talented employees in the global marketplace,â&#x20AC;? said RodrĂguez. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These changes maintain the integrity of the L-1B program while recognizing the fluid

dynamics of the 21st century business world. We listened to the concerns of our partners to develop this policy and look forward to the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feedback.â&#x20AC;? Issuing a final policy memorandum on L-1B adjudications is one of the executive actions on immigration that President Obama announced in November 2014. Release of the memorandum is part of the Administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to modernize, improve and clarify visa programs to grow the U.S. economy and create jobs. The policy memorandum consolidates previous guidance and provides updated guidance to USCIS officers in adjudicating petitions filed by employers seeking to transfer employees to the United States.

During the immigrant visa interview, the consular officer will make the finding of inadmissibility based on unlawful presence and apply the provisional waiver. If other grounds of inadmissibility are found, the individual would need to submit another waiver application, if eligible, while abroad. The provisional waiver will reduce the wait period abroad and the separation from the applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family by several months or years. In addition, the applicant will know whether the waiver was granted prior to departing the US. Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be

anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association for 2005. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Mr. Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com; visit at www.kenreyeslaw.com and www. usimmigrationatty.com.

Pilipino po tayo! LAW OFFICES OF

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FAMILY LAW â&#x20AC;˘ Divorce â&#x20AC;˘ Community Property Division â&#x20AC;˘ Child Custody and Spousal Support â&#x20AC;˘ Domestic Violence Restraining Order â&#x20AC;˘ Legal Separation and Nullity â&#x20AC;˘ Parentage â&#x20AC;˘ Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

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IMMIGRATION â&#x20AC;˘ Marriage Petitions â&#x20AC;˘ Relative Petitions â&#x20AC;˘ Removal of Conditional Green Card â&#x20AC;˘ Humanitarian Reinstatements â&#x20AC;˘ Child Status Protection Act Issues â&#x20AC;˘ Deportation Defense â&#x20AC;˘ Employment based Petitions and PERM â&#x20AC;˘ H-1B Visas

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Lady solon accompanied Napoles during House pork ‘rounds’ – witness MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles was accompanied by Representative Zenaida Ducut when the alleged mastermind of the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam made the rounds of the House of Representative, a witness told the Sandiganbayan Wednesday. Ducut, formerly Pampanga representative and now chair of the Energy Regulatory Commission, was the alleged agent of Napoles in the chamber. Testifying during the bail hearing of Napoles before the antigraft court’s Third Division, Merlina Suñas said she was with Napoles when the businesswoman and Ducut met. Suñas added that she also accompanied

Napoles and Ducut as they went to the offices of other lawmakers. She said among the lawmakers they visited were “Estrella” and “Romualdo.” She did not give the first names. “Sila po ung mga kliyente ni Napoles that time,” Suñas said. She said Napoles went to the chamber at the most five times. She could no longer recall the dates. “Did you transfer from one office to another?” Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang, chair of the Third Division, asked the witness. “Opo. Kasama niya si Congresswoman Ducut pero hindi ako sumasabay sa loob,” Suñas said. She said though that she was able to enter Ducut’s office in the chamber.

Suñas said she could recall a picture containing all the faces of the representatives pinned below a smaller picture of then President Gloria Arroyo inside the office of Ducut. Ducut was said to be an ally of Arroyo, now Pampanga representative who is also facing lunder over a charity funds mess. Ducut, who served as Pampanga representative from 1995 to 2004, was identified

by primary whistle-blower Benhur Luy as one of Napoles’ agents in the House. In his ledger, Luy said Ducut earned at least P40 million in commissions. Suñas and Luy are Napoles’ employees who turned their backs and turned state witness on the alleged scheme of using lawmakers’ Priority Development Assistance Funds to ghost projects for kickbacks. (MNS)

Acting Makati Mayor Peña wants to talk to Junjun Binay about employees’ salaries MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Acting Makati Mayor Romulo Peña is seeking a dialogue regarding employees’ salaries with suspended Mayor Junjun Binay, who maintains that he is the one authorized to act on the matter. Peña is personally attending to matters to make sure the employees get their salaries, given the struggle for the top post of the city’s local government. Binay is still holding office at the new city hall, while Peña is currently at the old one. “Nagfo-focus na kaming mabuti doon sa mga dapat naming tinatrabaho regarding doon sa mga sweldo ng ating mga empleyado,” Peña said. He added: “Kinaklaro rin namin sa kanila na kami na ‘yung kinikilala ng

Landbank kasi dalawa yata ‘yon, ilan ‘yung bangko namin.” The report also said Peña wants to talk to Binay regarding the employees’ salaries next payday. For his part, Binay said, “Makakasweldo ‘yung mga employees. Tapos na, naihanda na ‘yon. Ano’ng kailangang pag-usapan? Wala, eh.” Binay said he was signing vouchers, saying that the banks the city government are affiliated with, namely, Landbank and Philippine National Bank, recognize his signature on the said documents. Both banks have not released official statements on the matter. It added that Peña is also waiting for the treasurer that will be appointed for him by the Department of Finance. (MNS)

Aquino on zero love life: In 460 days, may laban na ako MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – President Aquino brought up anew his love life – or lack of it – n a speech before a gathering of sari-sari store and carinderia owners who underwent a skills training program. Aquino jestingly hinted that he may not have the time to raise a family and have children of his own until after he steps down from office. Aquino was at the women’s month celebration of Coca-Cola and TESDA for the beneficiaries of their Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program that aims to “provide access to skills training, resources, and peer mentoring” to 200,000 women sari-sari store and carinderia owners in the country by 2020. “Nang makita ko pong bahagi ng Wom-

en’s Month Celebration ang pagtitipong ito ng TESDA at Coca-Cola, naalala ko ang dating sinasabi ng mga kasamahan natin noong nasa Kongreso pa tayo: Bakit pa raw may espesyal na araw ang kababaihan, kung araw-araw namang special ang turing nila sa kanilang mga misis? Siyempre po, wala ho akong karanasan sa sinasabi nila, kaya naman dadako na lang ako sa talagang punto ng event natin ngayong umaga,” he said. “Baka nakalimutan ho ninyo: I’m Noynoy Aquino. I’m single, and no children. Pero mga 460 days na lang ho, may laban na ako. Aquino lauded the women entrepreneurs for their contribution to the economy. (MNS)

Suddenly, Fil-Ams are registering to vote for PHL polls, Consulate says Los Angeles, 12 March 2015 – This February 2015, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles reached the COMELEC-set target of processing at least 16,000 registrations for the Philippine Overseas Voting (OV) eight months ahead of schedule. As of 28 February 2015, the Consulate processed a total of 16,507 registrations. The 16,000 target was set during the meeting of Philippine Embassy and Consulate General Officials from the Americas with COMELEC (Commission on Elections) officials during the onsite “Training for the Resumption of Continuing Registration of Overseas Voters” held in New York in April 2014. In the last registration period covering the years 2011-2012, the Consulate reached a total of 16,395 overseas voter registrations. In giving justly deserved praise for the recent achievements of his team, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim said, “I congratulate every Consulate personnel who contributed to the record-breaking performance. They patiently explained not only the process but also the nation-building value of participation in the election process.” The Philippine Consulate General started the registration for overseas voters at Consulate on May 6, 2014. A processing window was dedicated at the Consulate’s Community Hall to accept registrations for the Philippine overseas voting. This service was also made available during all the consular outreach activities of the Consulate since May 2014. Consul General Herrera-Lim adds, “I also admire US-based Filipinos for their commitment to participative democracy in our country.” The registration process will continue up to 31 October 2015 (Philippine time). The Consulate still encourages overseas Filipinos in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to take this opportunity to register and to participate as an overseas voter during the 2016 Philippine national elections, which by law allows overseas-based Filipinos to participate in local polls.

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Playing it safe (Part 2) NEW YORK – He arrived in New York city armed with nothing but $200 pocket money, two suitcases and two tennis rackets; plus a choice between two roads to pursue: play tennis professionally or work on getting a permanent legal status in America. “I got injured after a year of playing tennis in Los Angeles. I couldn’t even lift my left arm and I’m a leftie. At the same time, I still had 3 months left on my visa and I thought I’d exhaust that by trying something new. Pag ‘alang nangyari, uwi na ako, ” said Dante Sta. Cruz, a former junior division tennis star in the Philippines whose performance in the grand slam events in 1994 – 1996 earned him some offers to come to the United States. He said he first had a reality check after he finished college at Southern Illinois University (SIU) where he was a full scholar, courtesy of tennis: “You need money to play tennis. And I did not have the funds. I tried to make it work by teaching and working in LA. But that only caused wear and tear to my body,” he said. “That was the time I had another serious ‘talk’ with myself, after L.A. May Dante Sta. Cruz, a former junior, division mangyayari ba talaga sa akin sa tennis? tennis star in the Philippines, with his idol, Or should I tell myself ‘It’s game over?’” Roger Federer. On October 11, 2001, one month after Filipino tennis champion Rod Rafael, with the fateful 9/11 incident, Dante arrived in the intention of asking him for any job. New York with hopes of pursuing some“When you have nothing, you have thing else, maybe even using his Economic everything to gain. When you’re zero, degree to get a job: “Everyone was leaving broke and you make $1, you’re $1 richer,” New York because they’re scared. But I he reasoned. went. I was so sure there was job waiting It was Rod who introduced Dante to the for me in Wall Street,” he said with a laugh. tennis club where he started teaching. And Instead, he ended up waiting tables at after his first 10 hours of teaching tennis in a bar, while living with with friends and the span of two weeks, “I saw the paycheck cousins, “spend one night here, another and wow, ang aki ng pera ko! $200,” he there. I became a vagabond,” said Dante laughed. “ But seriously, that was when I whose career in waiting tables also did went back to tennis.” not last long. He was fired by the Filipino He was back to the sport, albeit teachmanager at the restaurant after he called ing and not competing. But he still had his in sick one day. immigration status to worry about. When Alone in New York, with no viable ca- his visa expired on January 2002, he hired reer to sustain and support him; and only a lawyer to help him file for change of visa a few months left on his visa in order to status, from student to tourist, which they stay legally in the States, Dante once again knew was going to get denied. went back to the reason that opened up “But once you file, you can stay until America’s doors to him: tennis. He called See JANNELLE So, page 12

San Beda Law grad tops Bar exams MANILA, Mar 26 (Mabuhay) – A graduate of the San Beda Law School topped last year’s Bar Exams. Supreme Court Justice Diosdado Peralta, who oversaw the Bar exams, said San Beda graduate Irene Mae Alcobilla topped the Bar with an 85.5% grade. 1) Alcobilla, Irene Mae (San Beda College – Manila) 85.5% 2) Drilon, Christian (Ateneo de Manila) – 85.45% 3) Magalang, Sandra Mae (UP) – 84.6% 4) Bejemino, Mark Leo (UP) – 84.55% Garcia, Gil (Ateneo de Davao) Laco, Reginald (De La Salle Lipa) 5) Liao, Michelle (University of Cebu)

84.5% 6) David, Jose Angelo (San Beda) 84.45% 7) Aumentado, Adrian (San Beda) 84.35% 8) Daway, Rhey David (UP) 84.2 Diaz, Fideliz Cardellie (Far Eastern University-DLSU) 9) Yu, Jamie Liz (UP) 84% 10) Delgado, Tristan Matthew (Ateneo) – 83.95% A total of 5,984 law graduates took the Bar, but only 1,126 passed for an 18.82 percent passing rate. The SC decided to bring down the passing grade to 73% for this year.

YANG

and would have very good credit again by now close to 700. “THE SOVEREIGN LORD IS MY STRENGTH; HE MAKES MY FEET LIKE THE FEET OF A DEER, HE ENABLES ME TO GO ON THE HEIGHTS.” – HABAKKUK 3:19. Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in law practice for thirty years. He specializes in bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave, MAILSTOP 58, Building A-1 SUITE 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 OR at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

From page 6

had introduced to her in a business party. Husband replied, “ No way, she is so ugly! I wouldn’t touch her with a ten foot pole!” Eventually, husband decided to divorce client to marry the ugly lawyer who got husband promoted to regional manager for the hotel chain. Husband promised to pay off the community property credit card debt of $40K. He made minimum payments for 3 months then stopped altogether. Client paid the minimum of $1,200 monthly to keep them current for 5 years. After paying $72K in 5 years, she found out that the principal owed was still $40K! She defaulted on the cards. Now she faces collection lawsuits for half of the cards. Client now decides to file for Chapter 7 relief. She should have done it 5 years ago and she would have saved herself $72K

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JANNELLE SO From page 1

you receive the decision,” he said of the reason behind the strategy. “I used that time, January to May, to look for other options. I was buying time.” As expected, the petition was denied. But by then, Dante had already been advised by an immigration lawyer to use his tennis background to apply for a P-1visa – for internationally recognized athletes. “That’s the magic! That’s when it started,” Dante said of the realization of his “American Dream.” Because of that visa, he had been able to stay legally in the U.S. Town Tennis, a private club in Manhattan, eventually ended up sponsoring him for a work visa. Through the years of working at the

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club, Dante has collected impressive names he’d either played or interacted with – playing with American tennis “Bad Boy” Jimmy Connors every year; assisting Roger Federer on the court for five years during the Net Jets events; even appearing on the Williams sisters’ reality show called “Venus and Serena: For Real.” “She was here. We played for two hours on the first day. On the second day, there was a camera crew filming everything. I was already on the reality show,” he said. “I normally get starstruck for the first two minutes or so. After that, I get comfortable playing.” Dante added that he’s also now more comfortable with his life and the choices he made, although there is one regret. “I was scared to go home because I didn’t know if I could go back to the States.

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I decided to stay and while I was suppose to have been pursuing pro tennis, I chose to pursue my green card,” he admitted that the choice to stay in the States cost him his chance to play for the Philippines in international competitions: “Because hindi ako nakauwi, I missed the SEA Games, Asian Games, Davis Cup. I missed the chance to represent the country.” Nowadays, he’s the resident head pro at Town Tennis, while teaching privately for a family who flies him to the Bahamas and drives him to the Hamptons every summer. “All things considered, my decision was worth it. I stayed and I learned a lot. And I experienced a lot of things I don’t think I

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would’ve experienced had I chosen to go back home to pursue tennis there,” said Dante who’s also now waiting for his oathtaking for his American citizenship. [END] Jannelle So is taking a break from 20-years of print and broadcast journalism career that began in the Philippines and continued in the United States. She is credited for creating, hosting and producing America’s first and only locally-produced daily talk show for Filipinos, that ran for 8 ½ years under her leadership, making it the longest-running Filipino talk show outside of the Philippines. Connect to her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; or email her at sojannelle77@gmail.com.

AIR CRASH From page 1

to speculate about what may have driven Lubitz to crash the jet. “We don’t know whether he was psychologically ill, and whether he was in a position to gauge the consequences of his decision. That would be speculation. I can’t begin to answer how the parents are feeling,” he added. The authorities also expressed shock at the horrific turn of events. Chancellor Angela Merkel said the investigators’ findings added an “absolutely unimaginable dimension” to the tragedy. And they represented “another terrible new burden for the victims’ families,” she said. “In this hour, these days of suffering, our special thoughts go out to them again,” the German leader said. The head of Germanwings’ parent company Lufthansa, Carsten Spohr, said that “in our worst nightmares we could not have imagined that this kind of tragedy could happen to us. “I could not have imagined feeling

more than shocked and shattered than we already do. But what we’ve learned today has intensified that,” he said. Spohr insisted that the co-pilot Lubitz, who had trained at with Lufthansa and worked at Germanwings since 2013, was “100-percent airworthy.” His professional performance and behaviour had never attracted cause for concern, Spohr said. And in the small western town of Montabaur where he lived with his parents, neighbours said they had no idea what might have led him to bring down the plane. A man in this 50s who gave his name only as Hans-Dieter travelled to Montabaur to see Lubitz’s home where he lived with his parents. “I wanted to know where the murderer lived,” he said. “He’s like the guy in Norway who started shooting people,” referring to Anders Behring Breivik, the right-wing extremist who murdered 77 people in 2011.

CAYETANO From page 1

na palagi nilang ginagawa (the MILF will say it is the handiwork of the BIFF, even if it isn’t, which is what they always do).” He also claimed that the two organizations are “BFF, best friends forever.” The BIFF, which is the target of an ongoing “all-out” military offensive in Maguindanao, broke away from the MILF in 2008 after disagreeing with the direction peace talks with government were heading. The BIFF continues to pursue the establishment of an independent Islamic state in the south. Cayetano said he and his family are taking the alleged threat seriously, including considering asking for additional security personnel. “We are taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of our family,” Cayetano said, adding this was what the agency that

furnished him the report recommended. The senator also claimed there was a “black propaganda” campaign to portray him as “anti-Muslim.” “Mula Marawi hanggang Luzon, ipinagkakalat nila na anti-Muslim ako, pero hindi nililiwanag na anti-MILF lang ako (From Marawi to Luzon, they are spreading the word that I am anti-Muslim without explaining that I am only anti-MILF),” he said. “If you look at Taguig City, we have one of the largest communities of Muslims, the Maharlika Village. Most of them are my supporters and they even tell me some information,” Cayetano said. “I am not anti-Muslim, but I am antiMILF. In fact the chief security of Taguig City is a Muslim, why should I be an antiMuslim,” Cayetano said. (MNS)

PACQUIAO ENDORSES From page 1

ito, Edith Fuentes, needs our support! For information on Fuentes’ candidacy or to volunteer, please visit her Campaign Headquarters located at 2225 Honolulu Av-

TRUST WANES From page 1

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, meanwhile, has the lowest approval and trust ratings at 27% and 23%, respectively. His approval and trust ratings in Metro Manila dropped by 14 and 13 percentage points, respectively. Belmonte also suffered a drop in his approval rating in Class ABC (-19 percentage points), a decrease in the level of trust among those in Class D (-10 percentage points), and an increase in the level of indecision toward his performance among those

enue, Montrose 91020 (next to Black Cow Cafe) or call: (818) 814-1728 or visit www. fuentes4council.com. “Magtulungan po tayo mga Kababayan. Panahon na po.” said Fuentes. in Class ABC (+17 percentage points). Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has the second lowest approval and trust ratings at 29% and 27%, respectively. The survey was conducted over a month after the botched January 25 Mamasapano operation in Maguindanao, which left over 60 people dead, including 44 police commandos. It was conducted March 1 to 7 using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents. The survey has a ±3 percent error margin at the 95-percent confidence level.

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No job offer required to pass express entry Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a mechanical engineer with several years of work experience abroad. I have no work experience in Canada. I tried to apply under the old Federal

Skilled Worker program but my application was returned because of the quota. Everyone is encouraging me to apply under the new Express Entry program but when I do the math, I will never be selected because I do not have a job offer. How can I obtain a job offer if I am not allowed in Canada to at least look for an employer? It seems hopeless. Is it? No, it is not. There is light at the end of your dark tunnel and I will explain why. Under the express entry program an applicant can score up to 1200 points maximum. Six hundred of those points are strictly for those who have a job offer inCanada. The other six hundred points are allotted based on someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s age, education, language and work (ie. personal attributes). So a person can potentially obtain 1200 points (600 for a job offer + 600 personal criteria). The express entry program only started on January 2, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which makes it only three months old. So nine long months are left this year. If we look at the statistics, Canada Immigration has made five draws already (meaning they selected people based on ranking). The first two draws were over 800. That means these selected applicants MUST have at least obtained a job offer of some sort. The next draws were in the 700 range. Again, the numbers have fallen which translates that less and less people in the pool have job offers. Also, it means that these applicants only scored about 100 or 200 on the person attributes side (which is not very high). The last draw, which was only days ago, had a selection of 1620 applicants at a score of only 481. Again, that tells us that none of these 1620 applicants had job offers. The numbers are falling and it will be interesting to see how low it will go. If there are nine months left in the year and immigration must allocate thousands of visas according to their mandate, it seems to me that the numbers make fall in the 300 wage. To score 300 a person must have work experience, education and strong language skills but certainly it seems that currently no job offer is required. This is especially good news for foreign students or those already in Canada who have work experience and were unsuccessful in filing an application under the old Canada Experience Class. Under the old CEC class, no job offer was required and only 12 months of work was required. Now, under express entry these new applicants would never be able to pass the express entry system as mathematically they would never score over 600 unless a rare job offer was issued. With the numbers falling, these applicants will certainly be more qualified and selected as they deserve to be. Q. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m writing to you from Singapore. I have never been to Canada. I have never been married but I was in a relationship with a Canadian born businessman who was in Singapore. We have a baby together. He no longer lives in Singapore and I have lost touch with him. Am I entitled to enter Canada because of the child? Can my child obtain a Canadian passport? What can I do for the future of my child? If the father of your baby was a Canadian Citizen at the time of the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth then your child is a Canadian Citizen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which is the case. However, this does not give you any rights. Your cannot immigrate to Canada just because you have a Canadian baby. You can apply for the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Canadian passport as long as you have proof of the fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Canadian status. You can file this application at the Canadian High Commission but expect processing times to be at least a year or more. Q. I was successful in obtaining my immigrant visa recently as I am an accountant. I have not yet entered Canada. I just learned that I am pregnant. I do not know if I will have the child in Canada or not. How does it affect my immigrant visa? A. While it might seem like a minor issue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; your situation can be complicated and quite dangerous if you do not comply with the laws carefully. I say dangerous as it may result in revocation of your permanent residence. You must decide if you will give birth before entering Canada or if you will enter Canada as an immigrant and then give birth in Canada. The difference is crucial. Once you determine that seek professional assistance on how to add child. Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario. The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document. Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@ moyal.com or call toll free 1-888-847-2078.

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OPINION

Senate probe an ‘orgy of lies’ – Senator Santiago

MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago believes that the Senate hearings on the Mamasapano incident were full of lies. “Sari-saring sinungaling. Gusto pa akong i-impress…” (A bunch of liars. They just wanted to impress me) Santiago said when she brought up the Mamasapano incident at a leadership forum in Quezon City on Wednesday. The senator was apparently referring to the Senate hearings that she attended to once. Defensor said she controlled herself as she listened to the testimonies but her bubble thought was flashing expletives. Asked later during a press conference about who lied during the hearings, Santiago said, “Well, I will not have to identify personally but it was an orgy of truth twisting.” The senator though explained that the whole truth could not be expected in a hearing which was heavily covered by the media. “Many were not telling the whole truth. You know if you tell half a lie, or half the truth that’s no longer the truth. They were telling the truth but from their point of view…” she pointed out. Nevertheless, Santiago was one of the 20 senators who signed a Senate draft report on the Mamasapano incident that found, among others, President Bengino Aquino III responsible for the January 25 Special Action Force operation where 44 elite lawmen were killed. The senator explained that she signed the report only to show that she shared the general sentiment of her colleagues in the Senate. “It does not mean that I agreed with every one of the findings. It simply that I wanted to express the sense of the Senate as a collectivity,” she added. (MNS)

MILF sugarcoated Mamasapano report – Senator Trillanes MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – The report of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Special Investigative Commission on the Mamasapano incident on January 25 is likely sugarcoated, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said in a television interview Wednesday. He is not convinced the MILF did not have enough knowledge on the whereabouts of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir (also known as Marwan) to know that he was in the vicinity of their territory, as stated in the said report. “Sa akin palagay, na-sugarcoat nila ‘yung kanilang report para hindi maipit ang kanilang sariling tropa. Pero kung ang intelligence natin (ng gobyerno) ay nakukuha ang impormasyon sa kanilang area... sabihin man nilang hindi nila area directly, pero magkakamag-anak naman ‘yung mga nandiyan, so talagang mayroon po sa kanilang hanay na nag-cuddle kay Marwan,” he said. The MILF submitted a copy of its report on the Mamasapano incident to the Senate on Tuesday afternoon. Moreover, Trillanes believes that the incident was an “encounter” between two armed groups, and that the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force was far outnumbered by the MILF. However, this does not justify the human rights violation committed against the 44 SAF troopers who lost their lives in an “overkill.” This is despite the MILF’s claim that the PNP-SAF attacked their forces first, causing them to defend their lines of men and their territory. According to the senator, “Mag-a-agree tayo sa term na ‘encounter’ ito between two armed groups at na-outmaneuver at na-outnumber ang ating SAF. Ang violation dito sa karapatan ng mga nasawi base sa convention na nagsasabi ng mga hindi pwedeng gawin ng mga mandirigma, katulad ng pagbaril ng malapitan o pagpatay sa mga walang kalaban-laban.”

Napeñas: MILF engaged in cover-up

MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Relieved Special Action Force commander Getulio Napenas Jr. believes the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is trying to escape liability in the Mamasapano clash. This, after the MILF released its report absolving its own fighters in the Mamasapano clash and blaming the Philippine National Police Special Action Force for breaking the cease-fire. Napenas said it is hard to believe the MILF’s position that it was unaware of the presence of international terrorists near their area due to a failure of intelligence by the 105th and 106th Base Commands. “The MILF are trying to cover up what they have done in this incident. Simple. Saying they do not know Marwan and [Basit] Usman was in their territory [is] totally absurd and unbelievable,” he said. He also defended PO2 Christopher Lalan, the lone SAF survivor who was accused of killing four MILF members in their sleep last January 26.

He said Lalan knew he was outnumbered and would not have engaged the MILF first. He also expressed doubts the MILF had only seven fatalities after the clash. “Mahirap paniwalaan na ganun lang namatay sa kanila sa tagal ng bakbakan na yun, at saka sa dami ng naiputok ng aming tauhan. Di kami naniniwala na ganun lang kanilang namatay,” he said. Napenas also lamented what he perceives is a lack of support from higher-ranking officials. He said Congress should investigate what top officials were doing in Zamboanga while the clash was ongoing in Mamasapano. “Napakabigat para sa akin na mamatayan ng tauhan na mahal na mahal ko, katrabaho ko, sa mahirap na gawain, sa training, at sa ano pang bagay na pinagsamahan namin at mamatayan....Sa akin na liderato napakabigat sa akin nun,” he said. “Ganun ang katotohanan na nararamdaman ng buong SAF. Iniwan kami sa ere,” he added. (MNS)

Germanwings crash: Five key questions By Delphine Touitou

Paris, France, AFP, Wednesday 3/25/2015 – Baffled by the Germanwings crash that killed all 150 people on board when it slammed into a mountainside on Tuesday, experts are studying the last actions of the flight crew for clues. Here’s a look at five key questions: What does the plane’s flight path tell us? Given that the plane was headed directly for the mountains while making a controlled eight-minute descent – which appears to exclude the scenario of a sudden drop or emergency descent – experts say the descent is likely linked to the crew’s actions. The aircraft continued to have lift in its final moments (the force holding the plane in the air), according to pilots and ex-investigators of the French air crash investigation agency (BEA). The plane also stayed on its trajectory except for the change in altitude, according to data provided by the Flightradar24 website. The aircraft sent no distress signal. “Heading straight for the mountains makes no sense. All of this indicates that there was either an unusual action taken by professional pilots in full possession of their senses or a lack of reaction from the crew,” the pilot of a large European airline company told AFP. How can this unusual action or lack of reaction be explained?”If the pilots failed to stop the plane from crashing into the mountains, they were either unconscious or dead; they either decided to, or were forced to die,” one of the experts said. Another theory put forward by several pilots and ex-BEA investigators is that the plane lost cabin pressure and that the oxygen masks did not work. In that case, the pilots could have fallen victim to hypoxia, or oxygen starvation. This is what happened in the case of a Helios Airways Boeing 737, which crashed on August 14, 2005, killing all 121 people on board. In the case of the Germanwings plane, it is too soon to rule out other options such as one of the

pilots committing suicide or a third person forcing their way into the cockpit. That is why the analysis of the plane’s black boxes is crucial. Can data still be retrieved from the recovered but damaged cockpit voice recorder (CVR)?”Damaged does not mean unusable,” said former BEA director Jean-Paul Troadec. “The memory card, similar to those found in computers, is particularly well protected. This is the CVR’s useful part,” he added. The plane’s second black box, which was recording flight technical data, has yet to be found. What can the black box tell us?The BEA said it had managed to “extract usable data” on Wednesday but was not yet able to provide further information. “It is much too early to draw any conclusions about what happened,” said BEA director Remy Jouty. He said investigators would now focus on a “detailed study to understand and interpret both the sounds and voices which can be heard on the recording”. “We should be able to learn who was in control, whether the captain was alone in the cockpit or not, and whether there were people other than the pilot and co-pilot present. If so, it is likely that words were being exchanged,” explains Troadec. The CVR also records noises of the cockpit door opening and closing, as well as of the different controls and switches. All these small clicking noises can provide precious information about the cause of the crash. Fire or depressurization alarms would have also been audible. Was there an explosion prior to the crash? The BEA director said radars had shown the Airbus “was flying right to the end”, and that it had therefore not exploded prior to crashing. This was corroborated by the evidence of debris found at the crash site, indicating that the plane had still been in one piece when it crashed. Witnesses had also confirmed seeing the full plane before it hit the mountains.

Aquino skirting liability by refusing to apologize over Mamasapano – Miriam MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III is refusing to apologize over the January 25 Mamasapano incident to avoid civil or criminal liability arising from a confession, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said Wednesday. At a press conference, Santiago said Aquino was aware that he would lose his immunity from suits once his term ends in 2016. “He wants to avoid any liability arising from a confession after his term finishes in 2016. Remember that after he is no longer President, he becomes liable to all manner of suits. He loses his immunity from suit, both civil and criminal,” she said. “So he is afraid that if he apologizes, in effect, some court might consider that that is a confession admissible in law and in effect therefore he will be his own worst witness. That is why he does not want to apologize. He wants to evade any criminal or even civil liability after 2016,” she added. Various groups and several lawmakers have asked

the President to apologize over the incident, where over 60 people, including 44 policemen, were killed, but Malacañang said Aquino already stated that he accepts responsibility over it. Political analyst Prof. Prospero de Vera and public relations expert Reli German said Aquino’s reluctance to apologize was understandable, although both said apology could be done without using the word “sorry.” De Vera said instead of using the word “sorry”, it would be better and more accurate for Aquino to use another term. “Yung equivalent niyan sa Filipino ay mas malalim at mas mabigat ang dating sa taumbayan. ‘Yung pagtanggap ng pagkukulang at panghingi ng dispensa,” he said. German was of the same mind. “Kalimutan na natin yung word na ‘sorry.’ I deeply regret, talagang kinalulungkot ko ang naganap doon. Inaako ko ang lahat bilang commander-in-chief at pangulo. At gagawin ko lahat ang aking makakaya upang hindi na ito ma ulit,” he said.

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Court martial the responsible Investigations conducted by the Senate and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Board of Inquiry (BOI) held President BS Aquino ultimately responsible for the tragic outcome of the Mamasapano incident. Resigned PNP Chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF chief Getulio Napeñas were also both found to be liable for usurpation of office and grave misconduct. If both police officers were found to be liable for usurpation of office and grave misconduct, how come they have not I think they should face court martial been charged nor suspended from office proceedings for what they have done which without pay. led to the brutal slaying of 44 members

Miriam endorses Manny Pangilinan for President, tells public not to vote for celebs MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday endorsed businessman Manuel “Manny” Pangilinan to be the next president of the country as she urged the public not to vote for celebrities. In her speech during a leadership talk for Maynilad which is headed by Pangilinan, Santiago said the problem with democracy is that there are more poor people than rich ones and it is the poor people who decide who the leader will be. “We must educate the Filipino public. What is it you want for the Philippines in 2016? Bakit pa maghahalalan kung walang improvement? I want you to think Mr. Manny Pangilinan for president of the Republic of the Philippines,” she said. Pangilinan, chairman of the board of Maynilad, was in the audience when the senator mentioned his name. Asked during the press conference following her speech if her statement was an endorsement of Pangilinan, Santiago said, “Yes it is.” “It is people like him who should be

elected to positions of leadership. It should not be people from highly publicized careers because their careers, where they are the leading celebrities, might blind them to the fact that their qualifications are sufficient for the job,” she said. The senator said she is particularly talking about people from mass media, films, and television. “My qualifications are: No. 1, the person should be honest but that is the most difficult qualification to determine because there is no guaranteed test for honesty in public service. Second is professional excellence, and the third is academic excellence,” she added. Santiago also expressed hope that the Constitution will be amended before the 2016 elections to change the qualification for public office and require at least a college degree from candidates. “Right now a person can run for President without graduating even from high school. But you cannot become a policeman unless you have a college degree, so we have to reconcile this,” she said. (MNS)

Miriam sees ‘truth distortion’ in MILF claim on Marwan, Usman location MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is not buying the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s claim that it was unaware of the presence of two suspected terrorists near its community in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. In a press conference on Wednesday, Santiago said the MILF’s claim, as reflected on its report on the January 25 Mamasapano incident, “may be indicative of truth distortion.” “It is ironic, I must say, and may be indicative of truth distortion, that they claim they have no knowledge of these two high-value targets the government was pursuing and yet those people were apparently, at that particular time, just a couple of kilometers away from the hideout of the MILF,” Santiago said.

She was referring to alleged Malaysian bomber Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and his Filipino ally Abdul Basit Usman, who were two of the three targets of the police Special Action Force’s Oplan Exodus last January 25. Santiago said the MILF’s “incredible” claim “casts a shadow” on its own report, which was submitted to the Senate on Tuesday. “Do they have to say that they have no knowledge of who were in the perimeters of their homeland? That’s an incredible claim so they cannot pass the test of credibility and that casts a shadow on the whole report,” Santiago said. “I cannot accept that high value targets are living right there, maybe not even just the fringes, right there in the heart of their land and they disclaim any knowledge,” she added.

Miriam: No contempt by Ombudsman MANILA, Mar 25 (Mabuhay) – Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, a former multi-awarded RTC judge, said that in the contempt case filed against them by the camp of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, the Ombudsman and her co-respondents are not liable under the ruling of the Supreme Court in the 2008 case of Gobenciong v. Court of Appeals. wwIn that case, the Supreme Court ruled: “The Office of the Ombudsman can, as a matter of statutory empowerment, validly order the immediate execution of a preventive suspension after determining the propriety of the imposition, regardless of the remedy of reconsideration made available under the law to the suspended respondent.” Santiago explained: “Thus, the Ombudsman can order the immediate suspension of a sitting mayor, who is not allowed to plead that he needs time to file a motion for reconsideration.” Santiago said that in the Gobenciong

case, the Supreme Court rejected the argument that the sitting official was denied due process of law, just because the suspension was immediately implemented. The senator also said: “In the Gobenciong case, the Supreme Court said there was no legal basis for the argument that immediate implementation of the preventive suspension would deny due process. In fact, the Supreme Court added that since preventive suspension is not a penalty for an administrative offense, preventive suspension can be imposed without prior hearing.” In the Gobenciong case, the Supreme Court denied the motion to cite the Ombudsman in contempt on the ground that it had “become moot and academic for the preventive suspension had been served.” Under the Gobenciong ruling, Santiago said that the Ombudsman cannot be held in indirect contempt because under the Rules of Court there is no “disobedience

of the PNP elite commandos. This will at least assuage the feelings of the widows, orphans, and the grieving mothers of the slain PNP commandos. For the time being, President Noynoy will never be made to account for his role in the bloody encounter between PNP-SAF commandos and Muslim rebels in Mindanao. Most probably, his political enemies will wait until his presidential term is over before they will nail him down. Police Director Benjamin Magalong, chairman of the BOI and chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said the chain of command of the PNP was violated after President Aquino, General Purisima and SAF Chief Napeñas concealed the Mamasapano operation from the PNP-OIC. The BOI report also stated that the President also allowed Purisima to participate in the planning and execution of “Oplan Exodus” despite him being suspended. The BOI report likewise found out that President Noynoy exercised his prerogative to deal directly with General Purisima and Napeñas instead with the PNP-OIC, which clearly bypassed the chain of command of the the PNP. Despite this damaging report of the BOI on the President’s faulty decision to allow his suspended PNP chief to run the operation, I do not expect the Malacañang subservient Congress to take legal actions against President Noynoy, or even perhaps censure him. In the case of Napeñas, he recently told the media how disgusted and frustrated he was about not getting enough support from ranking government officials and military officers who were in Zamboanga city during the fierce gunbattle between government forces and Muslim rebels. In an emotional expression of disappointment and dejection of being made an escape goat and the death of his fellow police officers, Napeñas said “the bad thing about the bloody encounter is that these high ranking government officials

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approved our mission but left us hanging in the air.” The sacked SAF chief must be referring to President Noynoy and his entourage of cabinet members and ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who were in Zamboanga city at the time the firefight was going on. Among those with President Noynoy were DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and General Gregorio Catapang Jr, AFP Chief of Staff. Napeñas, like a man, admitted his share of culpability for what had transpired in the tragic incident. He, however said that other government officials and ranking military officers should be man enough to admit their own responsibility in the bloody operation. Napeñas also expressed his different opinion with the BOI report stating that President Noynoy bypassed the PNP chain of command by dealing with him directly. He claimed the President never talked, consulted nor texted him about the operation. He said President Noynoy always dealt with his “friend” General Purisima. He added that because of General Purisima’s perceived closeness to President Noynoy, he followed every advise and orders the suspended PNP chief gave him without question. It’s a pity Napeñas has an excellent track record as a police officer for many years. I doubt if ever he will be able to recover from this imbroglio. In the case of disgraced General Purisima, he should start spending his ill gotten wealth because once President Noynoy step down from power, he will be made accountable for all her did while head of the PNP. I wonder what the inmates will do to General Purisima when he start serving his prison sentence. Most probably, he and former PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. will be cellmates. Charges of plunder, graft and indirect bribery were recently filed with the Ombudsman against General Purisima and General Razon.

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Debt solutions: Which one is right for you? If you are searching for debt reduction solutions, no doubt you’ve been inundated with advertisements for various debt management programs, companies and solutions. The choices seem confusing to the average consumer. The truth is that every situation is different and what may work perfectly for others is not necessarily going to work the same way for you. So what do you do before your debt problems get worse? If you know your finances are a mess filed by a creditor against their home and and you’re struggling with a mountain they don’t know what to do to stop it. These of debt, then you need to create a plan are the situations where filing bankruptcy of attack to help you get rid of your debt may be the only way to get out of debt as properly. quickly as possible and to protect yourself If you’ve ignored your debt problems from further creditor actions. for a while and you are now at a point It is important for you to have an accuwhere creditors have taken legal action rate picture of your current financial situto collect what you owe, self-help debt ation before you embark on implementing reduction may be out of the question and a solution. you may need to immediately take the legal This means understanding exactly how steps necessary to protect what you have. much income is coming in and how much Many times, people come to our office with you pay out in expenses. As a starting wage garnishments, bank levies or a lien point, you should also write down your

outstanding balances on all your current debts and add up the totals. The total figure might shock you at first but it’s important for you to know where you’re starting in order to create a plan of attack. Alongside each debt balance, write down the amount of interest you’re being charged and how much you’re paying each month on that debt. Sadly, most people who are buried in a mountain of debt have lost track of what they owe. And because they have stopped paying their creditors, the bill collectors are now demanding the full amount which, of course, makes it even harder for the person to catch up on their delinquent debts. If you’re on a very tight budget or if your income is not even enough to cover your living expenses, it may be impossible for you to get out of debt without having to file bankruptcy in order to wipe out what you can no longer afford to pay. For many people, this may be the only realistic way to get rid of debts hanging

over their head instead of trying to pay their creditors slowly or even worse- not paying them and having to face the legal consequences later on. Working out the right debt elimination or debt reduction plan to help you get out of debt can be tricky. Everyone seems to have all kinds of advice and they’re all convinced that their solution is the best. How can you know which one is the right one to help you? If you need help in figuring out your options, please call Toll-Free 1-888-7528211 or (661) 775-4880 and let us review your situation. We have offices in Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia. (None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-888-752-8211).

Lani Misalucha, tampok ang isang espesyal na panauhing magtatanghal sa Pechanga Theater ngayong spring Mabibili ang Tickets mula ngayong Biyernes, Feb. 20, para sa Pechanga Resort & Casino Show sa May 22 Ang beteranang mang-aawit sa Pilipinas na si Lani Misalucha, kasama ang isang espesyal at sikat na mang-aawit ay kapwa magtatanghal sa Pechanga Resort & Casino Theater sa May 22, 2015. Makabibili na ng Tickets ngayong Biyernes, Feb. 20 sa halagang $90, $80, $70 at $60 para sa show sa ganap na alas8 ng gabing pagtatanghal, at mabibili rin sa Pechanga Box office, 877-711-2WIN (2946) o www.Pechanga.com. Kapwa kilalang mga bituin, si Lani Misalucha ay kilala rin bilang “Siren of the Las Vegas Strip,” matapos ang

matagal na pananalagi rito. Si Lani Misalucha ay Pilipinang mangaawit na base sa Las Vegas, Nevada. Binansagang “Asia’s Nightingale,” siya ay premyadong artista, mula pop, rock, jazz, soul, rhythm at blues at operatic arias. Mula ng lumipat sa Las Vegas noong 2004, si Misalucha ang unang Asyanong bumandera sa mga entablado ng Las Vegas strip kasabay ng Hawaii Society of Seven sa Jubilee Theater ng Bally’s. Mula noon, si Misalucha ay tinaguriang “New Siren of the Strip.” Noong March 2008, si Misalucha ay ibinotong “Best Singer” sa “27th Annual Best of Las Vegas” poll ng Las Vegas Review Journal. Kamakailan lamang, si Misalucha

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ay bumalik sa Pilipinas na taglay ang kasihayang ilabas ang ika-pitong studio album nito, The Nightingale Returns: Lani Misalucha Sings the Greatest Filipino Songbook. Nauna rito si Lani Misalucha at ang tampok na panauhin nito gayundin si Martin Nievera, ay nailathala sa tagumpay ng New Year’s Eve Countdown sa Solaire Resort and Casino sa Manila. Ang iba pang mga pagtatanghal sa Pechanga Resort & Casino ay ang mga sumusunod: ● March 28 - Battle of the Badges ● March 29 - Amy Schumer ● April 5 & 6 - ”Truc Tiep Thu Hinh” Paris by Night 114 ● April 11 - Pat Benatar & Neil “Spyder” Giraldo ● April 13 - K-FROG Cares Concert ● April 26 - Earth, Wind & Fire ● May 2 - The Moody Blues ● May 15 - Bellator MMA ● 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

Inaalok ng Pechanga Inaalok ng Pechanga Resort & Casino ang isa sa mga pinakamalaki at malaganap na kasiyahan na pang resort/casino kahit saan sa buong bansa. Hinirang na “Four Diamond property” ng AAA mula pa noong 2002, ang Pechanga Resort & Casino ay nagbibigay ng walang katumbas na paraan para sa isang araw o pang-matagalang marangyang bakasyon. Naghahandog ng mahigit sa 3,000 sa pinaka mainit na slot machines, table games at world-class entertainment, 517 na kuwarto sa hotel nito, mga kainan, spa at championship golf sa “Journey at Pechanga,” ang Pechanga Resort & Casino ay tampok na destinasyon na tumutugon at humihigit sa kagustuhan ng mga panauhin nito at ng komunidad. Ang Pechanga Resort & Casino ay pag-aari at palakad ng Pechanga Band ng mga Luiseño Indians. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, tumawag sa 1-877-7112946 o pumunta sa www.Pechanga.com. Sundan ang Pechanga Resort & Casino sa Facebook.com/Pechanga at Twitter @ PechangaCasino. Ang Pechanga Resort & Casino ay bukas ng 24 oras. Ang mga panauhin ay dapat na may edad 21 anyos at pataas para makapasok sa casino.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Melissa Mendez sued for slander

Businessman Rey Pamaran has filed formal charges against Melissa Mendez after an incident last week that resulted in the actress being offloaded from a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Pagadian. Pamaran, accompanied by his legal counsel, Atty. Raymond Fortun, filed charges for slander by deed at the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office. He is seeking P3 million in damages. This comes even after the actress issued a public apology via her Instagram account. The businessman said he forgave Mendez “the moment [she] was escorted out from the airplane,” but filed charges against her anyway because she supposedly did not tell the whole truth in her public apology. Pamaran earlier posted on Facebook that he was hoping for “a more heartfelt” response and that she would make the apology on television. Even before Mendez issued an apology, Pamaran posted an open letter to the actress in his social media accounts, saying he won’t be pressing charges, “on the condition that you set the records straight using

the truth and nothing else but the whole truth through a genuine public apology.” He also noted in the letter that his legal team has started drafting a complaint. (MNS)Melissa Mendez has issued a public apology to businessman Rey Pamaran over an incident last week that led to the actress being offloaded from a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Pagadian. Mendez released her apology to Pamaran on her Instagram page Tuesday. It read, unedited: “In light of the recent incident that involved me and Mr. Rey Pamaran, I would just like to simply apologize for my untoward actions and move on from this. This incident has caused a lot of pain and trouble to me and my family, as well as the other party involved. “I am owning up to my mistake. No matter what the reason might be, I had no right to physically hurt Mr. Pamaran. Again, my deepest apologies to Mr. Pamaran and everyone else who have been affected by this.” A day prior, Pamaran on his social media accounts posted an open letter to Mendez, saying he will not be pressing

Kim on friendship with Maja: Sobrang okay namin Former best friends Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador are taking things one step at a time as far as their relationship is concerned. Salvador admitted that while she and Chiu are back on good terms, they no longer call or text each other as frequently. Chiu said they are not rushing to restore the kind of closeness they had before their rift over actor Gerald Anderson. “Okay lang, dahan-dahan,” she said. “Dapat peace lang lahat para happy ‘yung vibe mo, happy ‘yung environment mo, lahat.” But Chiu emphasized that she and Salvador have already patched things up and there is no more awkwardness between them. “Sobrang okay and parang ang sarap ng pakiramdam na gigising ka ng umaga, okay sa iyo lahat ng tao,” she said. Just recently, the cast and crew of “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” the highest rating primetime series on local TV during its run, had a fun-filled reunion.

Kim Chiu

Among those who attended were Salvador, Chiu, Enchong Dee and Xian Lim, director Jojo Saguin, and cast members Ronaldo Valdez, Pilar Pilapil, Janice de Belen, Cherry Pie Picache, Jayson Gainza and Alex Medina, among others. (MNS)

Bea comes into her own Actress-singer Bea Binene has come to learn a few things following the end of her relationship with boyfriend of almost three years, Jake Vargas. Chief among them is acceptance. “Lahat naman ng (breakup) masakit. You just need to learn to accept it,” she said in a recent interview. The issue about their breakup surfaced in the past weeks, with hints of a tiff between the two. Bea admitted taking her sweet time before confirming the breakup leading up to the promotions for their movie “Liwanag Sa Dilim,” which was shown last month. “Ayoko kasi na sabihin ng mga tao na, ‘Ay may movie ’yan,’ or ‘Pino-promote nila ’yung show nila kaya nag-break.’ Hindi kasi ganu’n. Nag-break kami kasi may dahilan,” she explained, without giving further details. Rather than entertain questions and respond to queries about reconciliation, she simply said, “Ine-enjoy na lang muna namin ang sari-sarili naming buhay. Kasi gusto ko rin mag-grow.”

Bea is keeping herself busy with school. “Actually incoming fourth year high school pa lang ako. Pero tinutulungan ako ng school ko na matapos ’yung curriculum ko by summer para next school year college na ako,” she said. More travels While every girl fantasizes about having a grand debut party, Bea hopes to travel abroad for her 18th birthday in November. Her management GMA Artist Center, however, already has grand plans for her big day. “Kahit malayo pa parang may hinahanda na sila (for me). Kumbaga sila ’yung may full control.” She added with a smile, “Biniro ko nga sila baka pwedeng ibigay niyo na lang sa’kin ’yung (budget) at magta-travel na lang ako or bibili ng bag. Sabi nila hindi pwede.” Known for playing what she deems “kikay” roles, Bea is now raring to do mature roles. But it doesn’t mean doing kissing scenes.

legal charges against the actress, “on the condition that you set the records straight using the truth and nothing else but the whole truth through a genuine public apology.” Noting that his legal team has already started drafting a complaint, Pamaran told Mendez to “just tell the public what truth is,” and that if not, he will be “pursuing all cases against you in the proper courts.” In his letter, Pamaran said he already forgave Mendez “the moment [she] was escorted out from the airplane,” which was recorded on video by Pamaran’s companion, pageant titlist and rugby player Andrew Wolff. The clips posted by Wolff on Instagram went viral on the morning of March 20, prompting an emotional Mendez to go on a television interview narrating the incident. The altercation, according to accounts of the parties involved, stemmed from Mendez initially refusing to leave a window seat reserved for Pamaran as she wanted to “take pictures of the clouds.” During the flight, Mendez approached

Melissa Mendez

Pamaran and hit him because he allegedly wouldn’t stop making offensive remarks about the actress. Pamaran and Wolff, who claimed that Mendez was drunk, pointed out that the actress was issued warnings by the flight staff before she was offloaded.

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FOOD & DINING FAMILY FEATURES

or many families, gathering around the table is a treasured tradition. With universal appeal, cuts of tender, juicy beef are ideal for a wide range of family-friendly dishes — from appetizers to special occasion entrees. If your schedule and commitments have you pinched for time, opt for the convenience of home delivery. Starting with premium products, such as those available from Omaha Steaks, lets you create the perfect meal every time. Each cut of beef is perfectly aged and flash-frozen at its peak of flavor and tenderness, and delivered right to your door with a 100 percent quality guarantee. There are as many ways to prepare beef as there are cuts to choose from. The best approach depends on the type of flavor you want to achieve, and how you’ll ultimately serve the dish. One popular option that creates robust, hearty flavors perfect for dinnertime feasts is braising. This celebrated technique is featured in this Omaha Steaks family recipe for Braised Beef Brisket. Or, add some pre-dinner bites to your spread with Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin Tip Appetizers, a savory recipe that is sure to be a hit among guests. Find these and more beef preparation tips and recipes at www.omahasteaks.com.

Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin Tip Appetizer Prep time: 20 minutes (plus time for thawing) Cook time: 6 minutes Servings: Approximately 32 pieces 3 pounds Omaha Steaks Tenderloin Steak Tips (#670) 32 Omaha Steaks Precooked Bacon Slices (#177) 1 jar Omaha Steaks All Natural Seasoning (#1141) Round wood toothpicks

Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time 8 hours Servings: 6–8 1 Omaha Steaks Brisket (3 pounds) 2 tablespoons canola oil 4 teaspoons Omaha Steaks All Natural Seasoning 2 cups diced yellow onion 2 tablespoons fresh chopped garlic 1 cup bottled chili sauce 1 package dry onion soup mix 1/2 cup beef broth 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup red wine Thaw brisket overnight in refrigerator. Heat canola oil in large pan. Blot brisket dry with clean paper towel and generously season each side with 2 teaspoons seasoning. Brown brisket in hot oil on both sides for about 2–4 minutes each side. Remove brisket from pan and place in crock pot, raised side braising pan or Dutch oven. Add onion and garlic to hot oil and cook until transparent. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Pour sauce into crock pot, raised side braising pan or Dutch oven. If using crock pot, cook on low for 6–8 hours. If using braising pan or Dutch oven, cover tightly with foil or lid and

Thaw steak tips and bacon overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 450°F degrees. Sprinkle each tenderloin tip with seasoning. Wrap a slice of bacon around each tenderloin tip and push a toothpick through to secure bacon. Place bacon-wrapped tips on baking sheet. Bake for 3 minutes; flip and bake an additional 2–3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Braised Beef Brisket This recipe has graced the table of the Simon family, the owners of Omaha Steaks, for generations.

place in oven at 250°F for 6–8 hours. Serve the same day or cool overnight in refrigerator before slicing and reheating in sauce.

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Braising (from the French word “braiser”) is a combination cooking method that uses both moist and dry heats. Typically, the food is first seared at a high temperature, then finished in a covered pot or pan at a lower temperature while sitting in some amount of liquid, which may also add

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flavor. The purpose of braising is to break down the connecting tissues, enhancing the meat’s tenderness. Some examples of cuts that are typically braised include:  Chuck (Chuck Eye Roast, Chuck Arm Roast, Chuck Shoulder Roast, Short Ribs)  Brisket (Whole Brisket, Brisket Flat Roast, Brisket Point Roast)  Shank (Cross Cut Shanks, Whole Beef Shanks)  Round (Top Round Roast, Bottom Round Roast, Eye Round Roast, Boneless Rump Roast) First brown your roast using a large pan and some oil over high heat, seasoning the protein first. Once the roast is browned, “deglaze” the pan using wine or some of the liquid that will be used in the braising process, to capture drippings from the pan that are loaded with flavor. Once the roast is browned you will want to place it, along with all the liquid including the pan drippings, in a Dutch oven or deep roasting pan. It is very important to cover the top of the pan as tightly as possible so steam and pressure will build up during the oven cooking process. The liquid for the braising process can vary depending on the dish you’re trying to make. For example, barbecue sauce would be used for a barbecue brisket, and beef broth would be used for a pot roast. Usually if using a thick liquid such as barbecue sauce you will want to thin it down with wine, broth or water. It will thicken as it cooks, and if it gets too thick it will burn. You can also experiment with putting root vegetables in the braising pan along with your roast to create a complete meal and enhance the flavor. The oven part of the process is usually done at 250°F and can vary in time from 3 to 8 hours, depending on what cut is being braised and how big it is. A general rule of thumb is that the protein will shred easily with a fork when it is properly braised.

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COMMUNITY

PAL’s latest US route seen to boost tourist arrivals

NEW YORK – National flag carrier Philippine Airlines finally made a long overdue comeback to the East Coast by flying into New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday, nearly two decades after it last served its most distant point in the United States. The resumption of PAL’s four-times-aweek service from Manila to New York via Vancouver and back, which took place on the occasion’s of the airline’s 74th anniversary, was lauded by the Filipino-American Community and is expected to boost passenger traffic to the Philippines. “The resumption of PAL flights to and from the East Coast is something that thousands of our kababayans in this part of the United States have long been waiting for,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said. “This new service that PAL is commencing today not just offers Filipinos an alternative route back to the Philippines,” Ambassador Cuisia said. Cuisia also said, “More importantly, it provides them with a deep sense of pride knowing that it is the national flag carrier that is bringing them home.” Ambassador Cuisia, along with Consul General Mario de Leon of the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Consul General Emilio Fernandez of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., and PAL President and Chief Operating Officer

Jaime Bautista were at Terminal One of JFK International to welcome passengers of the maiden PR Flight 126 from Manila that included PAL Chairman Lucio Tan and to send off passengers for PR Flight 127. “The US market continues to contribute significantly to total visitor arrivals in the Philippines and we’re confident that these expansion initiatives will lead to increased tourism traffic and business activities,” Ambassador Cuisia said during the ceremonies that were also attended by Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon; JFK Airport Deputy General Manager John Selden; and JFK Airport Terminal One Deputy Executive Director Rick Feltner. According to Ambassador Cuisia, the US market contributes the second biggest arrivals in the Philippines with about 15 percent of total visitor volume based on figures from the Department of Tourism. He said that last year, passenger arrivals from the US reached over 600,000. “It is my wish that with PAL’s expansion, business and travel for pleasure to the Philippines will be further heightened. The tourism industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy is in the tens of billions of dollars and we are very much aware of the income generated for business and households, employment and revenue from taxation. Thus, PAL’s success is the nation’s suc-

Pacquiao crib loves Barrio Fiesta Glendale

It may be one of the most popular mansions in the U.S., not because it used to be the home of Jennifer Lopez, but it is now owned by probably the most popular Filipino the world has ever seen in the person of Manny Pacquiao. But the humble pugilist remains Filipino at heart, as well as in his stomach, as he treats his guests with traditional Filipino dishes from his favorite restaurant in Southern California – the Barrio Fiesta Glendale. With no less than the proprietor himself, Barrio Fiesta Glendale owner Bobby Yutadco delivering Manny’s favorite dishes in five large trays to Manny’s new love next and even enjoyed a great meal with the boxing champ – a rare feat indeed.

Traditional Pabasa at FACLA April 2-3 Los Angeles- The Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) and the Pilipino American Kuttural Society in Action (PAKSA) will hold a twoday PABASA or Choral Reading of the Pasyong Mahal Ng Panginoon Hesukristo, a tradition during the Holy Week in the Philippines The PABASA will be held on Holy Thursday, April 2 and Holy Friday, April 3, 2015 in the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) Social Hall. The PABASA will begin on Maudy Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 12:00 Noon and ends at 3:00 PM on Holy Friday, April 3, 2015. It will be a marathon 36 hours of singing the Pasyon in the tradition of the Pabasa or Holy reading singing in Tagalog. It was introduced in the Philippines during the Spanish times in a way to introduce Catholicism to Filipinos by the Catholic Church. Since then it has been a tradition during the celebrations of the Holy Week in the Philippines until today. FACLA started the event last year with the PABASA during the Holy Week of 2014. More than 40 people joined the PABASA for the two days. Everyone is encouraged to join the event. For info: Call FACLA at (213)484-1527.

Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. with Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Jaime Bautista and members of the crew of Philippines Airlines Flight 127 from New York to Manila shortly before its departure at the John F. Kennedy International Airport on Monday. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Emil Fernandez)

Philippine Airlines Flight 127 preparing to depart from Terminal One of the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. (Philippine Embassy Photo by Emil Fernandez)

cess,” Ambassador Cuisia added. Among those who welcomed the new service were members of the FilipinoAmerican Community in the East Coast, who took to social media to welcome the flight. A number of them said they will not only be promoting the new service but will also be taking PAL on their next visit to the Philippines. “Some Filipinos from Washington, D.C., Maryland and Philadelphia have told the Embassy that they are willing to go all the way to JFK to take PAL even if they have the option to fly out to Manila from their respective gateways,” Ambassador Cuisia said. PAL’s New York to Manila route transits via Vancouver and operates four times a week. Aside from New York, the carrier’s other US destinations are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam.

PAL’s latest US route was part of a planned market expansion resulting from the upgrading in April 2014 by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the country’s aviation safety rating. The FAA decision followed a review of the country’s procedures and facilities and restored the Category 1 safety status the Philippines had lost in January 2008. In addition to starting new routes, the development also enabled the flag carrier to deploy its newer and fuel efficient Boeing 777-300 and Airbus A330 aircraft. PAL first took to the skies in March 1941 using a twin-engine, five-seater Beech Model 18 aircraft from Nielsen Airfield in Makati to Baguio. PAL now serves 31 destinations in the Philippines and 36 overseas destinations in Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, North America and Europe.

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Electronic cards for medicines introduced to Filipinos in California Many Filipino immigrants share the same story that the money they send to their families, thinking it is being used for their intended purposes, is not being fully utilized for the right purpose. One example for that is money intended for buying medicines or health care needs, which is often neglected in the family’s budget until the need for it arises. It also happens that a portion of the funds intended for buying the complete medicines for maintenance or needed vitamins is used for other necessities; or even worse, money is spent for vices and luxuries. It is a sad reality that not only Filipino immigrants experience, but even breadwinners who provide for their families’ every need. It is for these reasons that Generika Drugstore found a way to help the Global Filipino by introducing an innovative product called MedPadala, and bring it to the market thru a partnership with LBC. With MedPadala, the global Filipino can now allocate

a portion of the money they send to their loved ones for medicines and vitamins, without having to worry that it will be spent for other things. Available in LBC outlets in California, MedPadala can be bought in prepaid cards in PHP500 ($13) and PHP1, 000 ($25.50) denominations. MedPadala is very easy and safe to use: just send the MedPadala Code and PIN found at the back of the card to your beneficiary via email or SMS. Upon receipt of the Code and PIN, your beneficiary can use the MedPadala instantly to buy medicines and medical related items at any Generika Drugstore branches in the Philippines. With over 500 branches nationwide, your loved ones can definitely find a nearby Generika outlet to buy their needed medicines. A pioneer in retailing quality and affordable generic medicines, Generika is now the third largest chain of drugstores (in terms of number of outlets) in the Philippines. Ge-

nerika also carries selected branded medicines, food supplements, selected consumer goods, galenicals and medical supplies. OFWs and their beneficiaries can take advantage of the many benefits MedPadala can offer. Since MedPadala electronic cards do not expire, their beneficiaries are not forced to consume the entire amount when they go to buy medicines at Generika. Moreover, MedPadala can be used in multiple transactions; therefore the remaining balance can be consumed for future needs and for other emergency purposes. MedPadala and LBC gives the sender the peace of mind and the assurance that it will be spent on medicines and health related necessities when it is most needed. For more information about MedPadala, just log on to www.medpadala.com.ph or visit the nearest LBC outlets in your location.

McDonald’s USA to close out 24 hours of joy with free Ne-Yo concert

Boschma elected PHILSELA president

R&B artist NE-YO to Host Lovin’ Concert as part of McDonald’s Global ‘imlovinit24’ Initiative

CERRITOS – Anaheim accountant Elizabeth B. Boschma has been elected as the new President of the Philippine Society of Southeast Los Angeles (PHISELA). Community leader Linda Bautista, who has served as PHILSELA president three times and board chairman two times, will serve a third time as board chair. Boschma is an active choir member of Holy Rosary Choir of St. Anthony Claret Church in La Palma, Anaheim and the Adult Choir of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia. She is the reigning Ms. Angels of Hope USA. Boschma is a Certified Public Accountant and a former executive of one of the top 20 commercial banks in the Philippines. She came to the USA in 2001 and married Kenneth Boschma, a retired US Air Force and a Dessert Storm survivor, in 2003. The couple lives in Anaheim. She currently works as an accountant of a top provider of traffic safety and signs with a corporate office in Newport Beach. She is also an event planner. Bautista, who has been a long standing member since the organization’s inception in 1975, was largely responsible for two of the most visible projects of the Society – the ongoing Scholarship Program which was conceived during her first term in 1983, and the Santacruzan, a popular native tradition that draws participants of Filipino descents from outlying cities in the Los Angeles and Orange County. Besides PHILSELA, Linda has been actively involved in various community undertakings. She was an appointee in the City of Cerritos’ Let Freedom Ring celebration and to the ABC School Board Emergency Preparedness Committee. She was named JAYCEE of the year by the Los Angeles FILAM JAYCEE Senators and received a community service recognition award from Union Carbide Corporation.

OAK BROOK, Ill. (March 23, 2015) – Today, McDonald’s is launching the imlovinit24 initiative to bring the world together through 24 gifts of joy in 24 cities across the world, and all in 24 hours. “Customer service is the focus of everything we do, and each day we aspire to serve joy to millions of people,” said Deborah Wahl, McDonald’s chief marketing officer. “Today, we’re bringing the world together in a fun, positive way like only McDonald’s can.” McDonald’s USA will close out the 24 acts of lovin’ on March 24 with a free concert for select fans in Los Angeles featuring R&B artist NE-YO. He will debut his latest single, “Every Day with Love,” written with lyrics submitted by fans to McDonald’s. Members of the media can visit óóó. ®Ã½Êò®Ä®ã. ÊÃͭÖÙ ÝÝ for more information, including photos and videos from across the world. Ahead of the concert, fans can follow @McDonalds (óóó.ãó®ãã Ù. ÊÃͭ Ã ÊÄ ½ Ý) on Twitter to hear NE-YO’s newest crowd sourced song starting on

March 24th at 11:00 am CST. “I’m all about positivity and drawing inspiration from my fans to help create my music,” said NE-YO. “Thanks to McDonald’s, I had the opportunity to take inspirational lyrics from fans to create a celebratory anthem, which we’re ready to share with the world.” NE-YO’s concert will cap off 24 events around the globe that create gifts of joy in surprising ways. Australia kicks off the initiative with a 20-foot, coffee cupshaped ball pit for Sydney commuters to break up their morning routine and head to work with a free cup of McCafé coffee. In London, Jessie J will surprise fans with a one-of-a-kind concert experience performing at a secret location. Through imlovinit24, McDonald’s is also re-inventing the drive-thru for customers in Denmark, Vietnam and the Philippines today. Fans in the Philippines, for example, will be surprised when a tollbooth is transformed into a McDonald’s drive-thru, complete with free breakfast. imlovinit24 will unfold throughout the 24-hour period on ®Ã½Êò®Ä®ãϚϜ. ÊÃ, where customers around the world can digitally experience events in other global cities. “imlovinit24 is a single initiative that

showcases McDonald’s global footprint and the power of digital to bring people together,” said Atif Rafiq, Chief Digital Officer, McDonald’s Corporation. “These 24 acts of joy are much more than a collection of local events – together, they create a bona fide moment for people around the globe to witness, spread and participate in fun and joy.” The imlovinit24 initiative ties back to McDonald’s USA’s renewed focus on the “lovin’” piece of “i’m lovin’ it.” This shift inspires everything from advertising and marketing all the way down to how McDonald’s interacts with customers in restaurants and on social media. About McDonald’s McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to approximately 27 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www. facebook.com/mcdonalds.

CDPH issues warning about the dangers of consuming raw milk SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today warned consumers that the consumption of unpasteurized (raw) dairy products may cause serious illness. Six Northern California residents have recently been diagnosed with campylobacteriosis, a bacterial infection that can come from consuming contaminated raw milk. A recent investigation conducted by CDPH identified multiple bottles of Claravale Farm raw milk that tested positive for Campylobacter. Under the direction of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Claravale Farm has initiated a recall of the affected product. (See CDFA Announces Recall of Raw Milk Products at Claravale Farm of San Benito County news release.) Campylobacteriosis may cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting within two to five days after exposure to the organism. Illness can last for up to a week or more and can be especially severe for those who have weakened or compromised

immune systems, and for young children and the elderly. Although most people who get campylobacteriosis recover completely, some patients do suffer long-term effects, including arthritis and paralysis. Raw milk is milk from cows, goats, sheep, or other animals that has not been pasteurized (heat treated) to kill harmful germs. A wide variety of germs that can make people sick have been found in raw milk, such as Brucella, Campylobacter, Listeria, Mycobacterium bovis, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, including E. coli O157. E. coli O157 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a sometimes deadly cause of anemia and potentially permanent kidney failure. Raw milk contaminated with disease-causing bacteria does not smell or look any different from uncontaminated raw milk, and there is no easy way for the consumer to know whether the raw milk is contaminated. Over the past decade, CDPH, other states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have inves-

tigated numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with consumption of raw milk and raw milk products. These have included outbreaks of illnesses due to Campylobacter, E. coli O157:H7, andSalmonella. Many involved young children. Illnesses associated with raw milk continue to occur. Although the sale of raw milk from some dairies is legal in California, CDPH does not recommend drinking raw milk or raw milk products or giving raw milk, colostrum, raw cream or other raw milk products to children. Raw milk products sold in California are required to carry a warning label: “WARNING: Raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk dairy products may contain disease-causing microorganisms. Persons at highest risk of disease from these organisms include newborns and infants; the elderly; pregnant women; those taking corticosteroids, antibiotics or antacids; and those having chronic illnesses or other conditions that weaken their immunity.” Consumers experiencing any ill effects after consuming raw dairy products should consult their health care provider.

Who will call Him King of Kings, an Easter musical April 3 & April 5 On April 3, 2015, Good Friday at 7 p.m. and on April 5, Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the Living Bread Ministries Church will present a heart-stirring Easter musical about the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome! Admission is free! The Living Bread Ministries Church is located at 25000 Normandie Ave., Harbor City CA 90710. Call 310-784-0722 inquiries.

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Eye disease on the rise among older Americans; Few realize risk American Academy of Ophthalmology issues new recommendation for eye healthand launches new initiative, EyeSmart Campaign, to educate public about risks Los Angeles – A new national health survey of 1,200 Americans conducted for the American Academy of Ophthalmology finds that most Americans are unaware of the risks associated with age-related eye diseases, despite a projected 65 percent spike in those conditions by the year 2020. The survey indicates that few Americans see themselves truly at risk for eye disease and that populations most at risk for developing eye disease are unaware of the factors that make them susceptible. Overall, most Americans rank blindness and vision loss relatively low on their list of health concerns. The survey, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, finds only 11 percent of Americans perceive themselves at high risk for eye disease. While Americans age 65 and over are the most at-risk population for eye disease, only 10 percent believe they are personally at risk and more than a third of those in this age group do not even get annual eye examinations. Another high-risk group, those with a family history of eye disease, knows strikingly little about specific risk factors and is no more likely to get screened than people without a family history of eye disease. Only 15 percent of all respondents were correctly able to identify half or more factors from a list of risk factors for age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and dry eye presented in the survey. Age-related eye diseases including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration are

expected to dramatically increase – from 28 million today to 43 million by the year 2020.[ii] Left untreated, these diseases can cause serious vision loss and blindness. At the heart of this upsurge lie America’s 78 million baby boomers, who will increasingly face the effects of eye diseases as they get older. Despite these statistics, Americans remain relatively unconcerned about vision loss. The Academy’s survey reveals that less than a quarter of Americans (23 percent) are very concerned about losing their vision, while a majority feel weight gain or joint and back pain are of greater concern than vision loss. “The stark reality is that millions of people will suffer significant vision loss and blindness because they don’t know the risks,”said Dr. Jeffrey Sage. “We’re taking action against this pending epidemic by educating the American public on the steps they can take to prevent vision loss and blindness.” To that end, the Academy, the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, is issuing a new eye disease screening recommendation for aging adults and is launching a new public initiative called EyeSmart to educate Americans about the risks they face. The Academy now recommends that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline eye disease screening at age 40 – the time when early signs

Protecting your skin from blazing sun Our busy lifestyle keeps us outdoors for most part of the day and continuously exposes our delicate skin to the blazing rays of the sun. This turns our skin down to a few tones. But you can shield your skin from darkening and help it come back to life thru whitening skin care. First, it is important to deeply clean off the dead skin cells. Dead skin cells make the skin look dark and dull. And then, apply skin moisturizer as it helps replenish the lost moisture and helps repair the skin. Also, use Iontophoresis. That is an

electrical stimulus to induce the penetration of medications like vitamins into the deeper layer of the skin where they can produce more profound effects. If repeated, the treatment could result to facial radiance and softer facial skin. Also, Jane and the rest of our staff can show you many Korean styles of caring of the skin. We also urge the men to also try facial deep cleaning to clear the pores of blackheads and whiteheads. At Art of Hair Beauty Lab, we can help you protect your skin. Just give us call at 818-757-0675 or 818-757-0680.

of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. Based on the results of the initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary intervals for followup exams. For individuals at any age with symptoms of or at risk for eye disease, such as those with a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, the Academy recommends that individuals see their ophthalmologist to determine how frequently their eyes should be examined. “Much like regular mammograms and diabetes screenings, eye disease screening will help identify signs of disease at an early stage, when many treatments can have the greatest impact,” said Dr. Sage. The new recommendation does not

replace regular visits to the ophthalmologist to treat ongoing disease or injuries, or vision examinations for eye glasses or contact lenses. “The fact is that everyone is at risk. More than half of all Americans will have some form of eye disease as they get older,” Dr. Sage said. “We believe that if Americans know their risks, they will take the steps necessary to maintain good eye health. We want Americans to get EyeSmart to help reduce severe vision loss and blindness.” For an executive summary of the survey and more information on specific age-related eye diseases, visit www.geteyesmart.org.

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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 -ABA

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MOTORING

Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey America’s favorites in US last year Accord was again the most popular car in America1 in 2014 based on retail registrations Feb 18, 2015 – Final retail registrations for 2014 are now available, and, once again, four Honda models led the industry in retail registrations in their respective segments, according to Honda analysis of data from IHS Automotive. Repeating their 2013 performances, the Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey were the top choices of individual U.S. car buyers in their respective segments in 20145. Based on retail registrations, Honda has three of the top six best-selling passenger vehicles in America. Honda’s registrations to individual buyers as a percentage of total registrations was 98 percent6, the highest of any mainstream brand in the U.S. “Retail sales are simply a better yardstick for measuring real-world product appeal, and Honda’s focus on retail sales translates to higher resale value and lower

lifetime ownership costs for our customers,” said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. “We’re looking to build on our retail sales momentum in the light truck category in the year ahead with innovative new products including the new Honda HR-V crossover and redesigned Pilot SUV.” Accord, CR-V, and Civic led retail registrations in the three highest volume passenger vehicle segments in the U.S. Excluding full-size pickup trucks, Accord, CR-V and Civic rank first, third, and fourth, respectively in retail registrations in 2014. For the second year in a row, Accord,

CR-V and Civic – Honda’s top three selling models – accounted for more than one million in registrations in 2014. Each of these three models achieved retail registrations of more than 300,000 units. Overall, the Honda brand set an all-time annual sales record with sales of 1.37 million units. Honda brand highlights, based on Honda’s analysis of IHS Automotive new vehicle registration data for 2014, include: Excluding full-size pickups, the Accord, CR-V and Civic continue to hold three of the top four slots – first, third and fourth, respectively – in retail registrations in 2014. With retail registrations of 382,535 units in 2014, the Accord easily outpaced the competition as the most popular car in America for the second straight year. CR-V was America’s retail and outright best-selling SUV of 2014, and the best-selling SUV of the past decade. On a retail basis, CR-V registrations rose 10.5 percent to 331,706 units compared to 2013, giving CR-V a more than 80,000-unit lead

over the #2 selling vehicle in the segment in 2014. Civic retail registrations of 317,025 units in 2014 led all compact cars, besting the nearest segment competitor by nearly 45,000 units. Odyssey retail registrations of 119,615 units continue to make it the top choice among retail minivan customers – with a 32 percent retail segment share. Approximately 98 percent of Honda brand new car registrations in America in 2014 were to individual retail car buyers. Isn’t it about time you yourself get a Honda? Or, better replace your Honda with a newer model. Come and see our kababayan Mac Almerol, one of the most veteran Filipino-American car specialists in the Southland today, at Honda of Hollywood. You can reach Mac toll free at 1-866-630-0734. Better yet, test drive a new Honda today by coming down to Honda of Hollywood located at 6511 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038.

Ford offering a smarter way to avoid a speeding ticket (Relaxnews) - Ford is launching a new technology called Intelligent Speed Limiter that will ensure that whatever the road and whatever the country, you’ll never accidentally pick up a speeding fine. The new feature, making its debut on the new S-Max sports activity vehicle – which launches this week in Europe – is different from existing systems that allow drivers to set a maximum speed, say when using cruise control, for example, and could be long overdue. In 2013, over 15,000 UK drivers picked

up a hefty £100+ speeding fine while in Germany last year 93,000 drivers picked up a speeding ticket within the first full day of a nationwide crackdown on speeding being introduced. “Drivers are not always conscious of speeding and sometimes only becoming aware they were going too fast when they receive a fine in the mail or are pulled over by law enforcement,” said Stefan Kappes, active safety supervisor, Ford of Europe. “Intelligent Speed Limiter can remove one of the stresses of driving, helping ensure customers remain within

the legal speed limit.” The system achieves this by combining a manually adjustable maximum speed limit feature with road sign recognition technology. The idea is that if the road sign reading camera integrated into the car’s windshield spots a new speed limit declaring the maximum speed to be lower than the car’s current velocity, it will automatically slow the car down, by reducing the flow of fuel to the engine. As well as slowing the car down safely and gradually, this approach is much safer than applying

the brakes. But as well as reading signs, the system is integrated with the car’s onboard navigation system so that it is aware in time of changes to speed limits on the road ahead and can ensure that the car is always traveling at the optimum speed. The system is effective at speeds between 20mph and 120mph (30-193kph) but will still ultimately cede control to the driver. If the car starts to slow down but acceleration is needed – say for overtaking or avoiding another vehicle – simply press the accelerator pedal harder.

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Subaru of America reports record February sales 39th consecutive month of year-overyear growth; Best February ever for Forester, WRX/STI, Legacy, Outback and XV Crosstrek Cherry Hill, N.J. – Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record sales for February 2015 totaling 41,358 vehicles, an 18.5 percent gain over February 2014. The company also reported year-to-date sales of 82,170, a 21 percent gain over the same period in 2014. February marked the 12th consecutive month of 40,000+ vehicle sales for the company. Forester, WRX/STI, Legacy, Outback and XV Crosstrek sales were notably strong as each model line achieved its best February ever. Legacy sales for February 2015 increased 69 percent over the same month in 2014. The WRX/STI, Outback and XV Crosstrek also enjoyed double-digit gains over February 2014. In February, Subaru earned a number of awards including the 2015 Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Award for the Brand category, Motorweek awarded the all-new 2015 Legacy its Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Family Sedan, U.S. News and World Report gave Subaru its 2015 Best Wagon for the Money award for the

Outback, and Consumer Guide® Automotive awarded the Subaru BRZ with a “Best Buy Award” in the Sporty/Performance Car category for the second consecutive year. “Subaru of America is particularly proud of the number of awards and accolades our vehicles have received recently,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “The strength of our products and increased brand awareness are driving the demand for our vehicles to record levels.” “We’re proud that our retailers overcame challenging weather conditions in February and delivered our 39th consecutive month of year over year growth,” said Jeff Walters, senior vice president of sales, Subaru of America, Inc. “With this start to 2015,

we are confident Subaru will have another record year in the U.S.”

For more information about the new 2015 Forester or become a new member of the elite Subaru club, all you have to do is to come on down to Subaru Glendale and our kababayans Christian Marilla and Glenn Bergado will be more than happy to inform you why Subaru is becoming a favorite of Filipinos and the whole American market. Subaru of Glendale is located at 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204. You can reach them at 1-855-230-1547 or you can visit their website www.subaruofglen-

All-new 2015 Subaru Legacy national television spot – The Fix.

Consumers don’t know what to make of self-driving cars (Relaxnews) – Although many can accept that autonomous vehicles could cut accidents caused by drunk driving or distractions and even increase productivity and leisure time, one third of US adults say that they would never consider buying or leasing one. Truly autonomous vehicles may well be some 20 years away from becoming an everyday reality, but the buzz around the technology has already reached deafening levels. To try and understand how this increasing media coverage is impacting consumer opinions, Harris Poll has surveyed a representative sample of 2,276 US adults and the results are surprising. Even though a number of active assist systems are already appearing on cars on sale at the local dealership right now, including park and traffic jam assist features, there is no consensus among the general public as to whether this particular technological breakthrough is a good or a bad thing. Just under one in five (19%) feel that

self driving cars are “insanely cool” and 22% would go as far as to say it’s a technology they’d love to have on a future car, but 12% say that the whole subject is just “confusing.” As for perceived benefits and drawbacks, the computing power needed to take over driving responsibilities is weighing heavy on some people’s minds -- 80% think that computer ‘glitches’ are going to be an issue and 37% personal data breaches. A large percentage is also focused on costs – 69% think these cars will be more expensive to service and 45% think that insurance will cost more. Only 7% of respondents couldn’t see any drawbacks, even when presented with a list of potential options. On the flipside, 25% of Americans can see no benefits in self-driving cars, while 30% cited better fuel economy and 21% more free time. A number of studies have highlighted how many accidents self-driving cars could prevent each year and a number of

tech-focused companies in the industry, less surprising. Still, even though the most notably Google and Tesla, have talked technology is at en embryonic stage, there up how moving the human element from is already a clearly identified early adopter driving is the key to preserving life, yet market – long distance commuters. Americans who drive more than 30 there’s no consensus on this point either. Over half (52%) of respondents think that miles a day were the most positive about self-driving cars are potentially dangerous the technology - 27% of respondents in for their occupants, while 57% think that this group said it was a technology they’d self-driving cars are potentially danger- love to have and 23% pointed to increased ous to other road users and 61% think productivity as a potential benefit. that they’re dangerous for pedestrians. Yet conversely, 53% agree that the technology could reduce accidents caused by drunk driving and those caused by driver distraction and half think that it could mean an end to speeding tickets. With all of this in mind, the fact that one third of respondents said that they’d never own a self-driving car seems A Google self-driving car. ©AFP PHOTO/Glenn CHAPMAN

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Mitsubishi Motors reports best February sales results in seven years 12th consecutive month of yearover-year sales increases Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) experienced another strong month with February 2015 vehicle sales of 7,533 units, a 26 percent sales increase from February 2014. Year-to-date (January through February) sales for the brand are up 29.3 percent from the same period last year. The American-made Outlander Sport 5-passenger compact crossover – the brand’s perennial best-selling vehicle – recorded sales of 2,394 units for its best-ever February sales total. The Lancer compact sports sedan once again posted strong sales numbers with sales of 2,099 units, a 64.1 percent increase over February 2014. The highly fuel-efficient Mirage 5-door subcompact delivered sales of 1,863 units – the model’s best-ever month of sales since its debut in 2013. “Mitsubishi Motors continues to demonstrate outstanding momentum going forward in 2015,” said Don Swearingen, Executive Vice President MMNA. “Our dealers are seeing increased traffic, posting strong sales with our core models. We are looking forward to a good sales year that will be bolstered by launching new and significantly redesigned versions of key models throughout the year starting next month at the New York International

Over half of teen driver crashes due to distraction (Relaxnews) – Whether talking to passengers, checking their hairstyle or using a smartphone, driver distraction is a factor in six out of 10 car accidents involving young drivers. The AAA describes its findings as the result as the most comprehensive research to date on the subject based on analysis of video footage of car crashes involving teen drivers. The organization’s Foundation for Safety also claims that based on its results, driver distraction is being severely underestimated as a prevailing factor in accidents on US roads. Based on an analysis of almost 1,700 videos captured via in-vehicle event recorders—i.e. dash cams—driver distraction was a factor in 58% of all crashes and, more worryingly, of almost nine in 10 road departure accidents. “Access to crash videos has allowed us to better understand the moments leading up to a vehicle impact in a way that was previously impossible,” said Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “The in-depth analysis provides indisputable evidence that teen drivers are distracted in a much greater percentage of crashes than we previously realized.” As for what’s causing the distractions, interacting with other occupants in the car was a factor in 15% of crashes and cellphone use in 12% of incidents. Texting, making a voice call or using other phone functions caused drivers to take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.1 seconds of the final six seconds immediately prior to a crash in the study and researchers found that the activity also impeded reaction times. Drivers distracted by their phones failed to react before impact in more than 50% of rear-end crashes, meaning that they crashed without attempting to take evasive action or apply the brakes. “It is troubling that passengers and cell phones were the most common forms of distraction given that these factors can increase crash risks for teen drivers,” said Beth Mosher, AAA Chicago spokesperson.

2015 Outlander Sport GT 2.4L

Auto Show.” Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is pleased to announce that it will make the world premiere of the 2016 Outlander during its press conference at the 2015 New York International Auto Show in the North Hall (booth 260) on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 11:30a.m. ET. The 2016 Outlander will be the first Mitsubishi vehicle to debut the brand’s new design language. The 2016 Outlander is a refined crossover utility vehicle that features over 100 engineering and design improvements

including a new, powerful and dynamic appearance, enhanced road performance as the result of improvements to noise levels, ride, handling and throttle response, and a more eloquent yet functional interior space. The new 2016 Outlander demonstrates the brand’s renewed emphasis on style, refinement and overall driving experience. For those who are unable to join Mitsubishi Motors in New York, the press conference will be internationally broadcast live. For details about the webcast please check media.mitsubishicars.com. Full 2016 Outlander details will be

released at 11:30a.m. ET on April 2, 2015. For more information on the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage, please visit media. mitsubishimotors.com or better yet If you want to know why the Mitsubishi is up in its sales and why the Mirage is among the best in America or why Mitsubishi vehicles are the choice of many of our kababayans – nostalgia perhaps? – who are looking for reliability, efficiency and comfort, call Richard Samaco, Cesar Macandili or Mark De Leon the dealership’s Filipino salespersons at Glendale Mitsubishi at (888) 465-7218.

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Nissan Rogue named as one of ‘10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $25,000’ NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com has named the 2015 Nissan Rogue one of the “10 Best All-WheelDrive Vehicles Under $25,000.” KBB. com editors selected the Rogue due to its available third row seat and “attractive feature set,” including the “very helpful” Around View Monitor, heated seats and NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps. “In what has been a brutal 2014 to 2015 winter for many across the country, the importance of having a reliable allwheel drive vehicle is as high as ever,” said Dan Mohnke, vice president, Nissan Chief Marketing Manager & Marketing Operations. “Featuring Advanced Ride Control, Active Trace Control* and Active Engine Braking among many other features, with a premium look and feel, Rogue is a solid entry in the marketplace. We are ecstatic that the Rogue has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book.”

Nissan R o g u e ’s robust exterior styling is designed to stand out in its class. The bold, s h a r p lines offer a sporty Manuel Lava of Nissan of and conMission Hills fident appearance. Exterior highlights include signature LED daytime running lights, muscular front fenders and hood, bodycolor outside mirrors with standard integrated turn signals and rear spoiler. Also available are LED headlights, fog lights, privacy glass, roof rails, heated outside mirrors, power panoramic moonroof and a power rear liftgate.

The premium look and feel continues inside, with the interior designed to make everyday activities a little easier. Rogue’s ample interior roominess offers available seven-passenger seating with the optional stadium-style, flat-fold thirdrow 50/50-split bench seat. The reclining 40/20/40-split second-row seat offers second row legroom of 37.9 inches and 9.0 inches of fore/aft adjustability with the EZ Flex® Seating System. Rogue also offers the advanced DivideN-Hide® Cargo System providing 18 adjustable variations between the cargo and occupant areas (two-row models). With the second-row seat folded down, the innovative, class-exclusive** DivideN-Hide® Cargo System creates a flat cargo area. When more space is needed for carrying taller or bulkier items, lowering the floorboard creates a deeper cargo well. Fuel economy is 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg city, with a combined EPA rating of 28 mpg (front-wheel drive models).

The 2015 Rogue also features a suite of confidence-inspiring dynamic technologies – with Active Trace Control, Active Engine Braking and Active Ride Control. A four-wheel independent suspension, Electric Power-assisted Steering and fourwheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System. To view the complete Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com “10 Best All-WheelDrive Vehicles Under $25,000” list, please visit www.kbb.com/car-reviewsand-news/top-10/best-all-wheel-drivecars-suvs-under-25000-2015. If you have been desiring to own a new Nissan vehicle, come down to Nissan Mission Hills and check out our kababayan Manuel Lava of Nissan Mission Hills. So what are you waiting for? Schedule a Test drive on the vehicle of your choice at Nissan of Mission Hills. Call Manuel at 1-888-588-7635 and test drive a Nissan vehicle today! Nissan of Mission Hills is located at 11000 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91345.

2015 KIA K900 and Soul named among best cars for families by U.S. News & World Report Kia stands out in Luxury Large Car and Hatchback segments IRVINE, Calif., March 12, 2015 – Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce that U.S. News & World Report has honored the K900 flagship1 sedan and the 2015 Soul urban passenger vehicle with “Best Cars for Families” awards in the Luxury Large Car and Hatchback categories, respectively. U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings for new vehicles sold in America since 2007, and the awards continue each vehicle’s string of recent accolades from respected organizations such as Robb Report, Cars. com and Kelly Blue Book. “Having the Soul and K900 named to U.S. News and World Report’s ‘Best Cars for Families’ list demonstrates how far the Kia brand has come in terms of quality, safety, packaging, and amenities,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, KMA. “The entire Kia model line – including our iconic urban passenger vehicle and luxury flagship sedan – offers a winning blend of sophisticated design and user-friendly technology with a consistent emphasis on value.” The award methodology combines professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume figures and the availability of family-friendly features. Within each of 19 categories, the vehicle with the highest composite score is named the Best Car for Families in that category. “Parents might first look at Kia models for their value, but the Soul and K900 prove there are many other reasons to consider the brand,” said Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor, U.S. News Best Cars. “Features like heated rear seats, proximity key, and Kia’s UVO® system work together to make family life easier and families more comfortable. Excellent safety and reliability ratings make the Kia Soul and K900 cars that families can feel good about driving.” 2015 Kia K900 The 2015 K900 challenges the reardrive luxury sedan segment with an extensive list of standard equipment, world-class accommodations, premium driving dynamics and stunning design

that redefines consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand. Offered in two trim levels, Premium and Luxury, the K900’s list of standard equipment features first-class accommodations and advanced technology. The range-topping VIP+ package adds luxury amenities including quilted Nappa leather trim seats available in two new colors: Indigo Blue and Tuscan Brown. For 2015, the K900 Premium features an optional interior Highline Package that includes beige or black Nappa leather and woodtrimmed heated steering wheel. “The 2015 K900 is the Best Luxury Large Car for Families because it has features families will love, including heated and cooled rear seats and rear climate controls,” noted Deaton. “Features like a power trunk, proximity key, parking sensors and a rearview camera will make driving the family a pleasure.” 2015 Kia Soul Completely redesigned for 2014, the iconic Soul enters the 2015 model year with select enhancements focused on increasing the hot-selling urban utility vehicle’s fun factor. The signature Soul design is instantly recognizable yet thoroughly fresh. Honoring Soul owners’ fierce individualism, three unique trim levels remain available: Base, Plus and Exclaim. “Its styling makes the Soul stand out in the pickup lane at school, but the Soul’s excellent safety and reliability ratings are what make it a standout choice for families,” remarked Deaton. “Available features like heated rear seats and the connectivity provided by Kia’s UVO system are the icing on the cake.” Enhancements to packaging for the Base model include a new UVO2 eServices Package. UVO eServices is a free subscription telematics service available for 10 years/100,000 miles. For 2015, UVO eServices offers four new features: Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score3. Many more new technologies for comfort and convenience are featured in the new UVO system, including Siri® “Eyes Free4” and Local Search – powered by Google5 – for finding locations, addresses and points of interest. Sirius XM Travel Link6 offering access to traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports

2015 K900

scores, stock information and movie times, makes the Soul the perfect companion for those who live their lives on the road with family and friends. If you want to find out why Kia is among the leading car brands of today, drop by Car Pros Kia of Carson at 21243

S Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90745 (telephone # 310-221-9131), or at Car Pros Kia Huntington Beach at 18835 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (714-6131119) and last but won’t be the last, at Car Pros Kia Glendale at 400 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91204 (818) 745-1400.

Electric cars combat urban heat problem: study (Paris-AFP) – Electric vehicles are a useful tool for fighting sweaty city summers, according to a study published on Thursday. Switching from vehicles powered by fossil fuels to plug-in equivalents would ease a phenomenon called urban heat island, it said. The term describes what happens when city temperatures are driven higher by heat from traffic and air conditioners and by warmth, stored during the day in roads and buildings, which is released at night. In some places, the buildup combines with a summer heatwave to inflict sweltering discomfort and heat stress. Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, specialists in China and the United States said urban heat island creates a vicious circle. The hotter it is, the more people crank up their air conditioning, which in turn disgorges more heat into the street, and so on. The team calculated what would happen in Beijing if petrol- and diesel-powered cars and light trucks were replaced by their electric equivalent. Their simulation was based on the weather in the Chinese capital in the summer of 2012, when the city was three degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the surrounding countryside. Switching vehicles would have caused this to fall by 0.94 C (1.7 F), according to their model. “Heatwaves kill, and in terms of climate change, even one degree can make a difference,” said Jianguo Liu of Michigan State University, who took part in the study. The theoretical switch would also save the city 14.4 million Kilowatt-hours in electricity each day – the daily equivalent of 10,686 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The calculation took into account heat from the extra fossil fuel that would have had to be burned at local power plants to charge the electric cars. Electric vehicles emit only about a fifth of the heat of conventional cars. “The replacement can mitigate heat island intensity, which can reduce the amount of electricity consumed daily by air conditions, benefitting the local and global climate,” the study said. The researchers sounded a note of caution, pointing out that urban heat island has a basket of factors, some of which are sketchy.

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