Weekend balita february 14, 2015

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXIII, NO. 2

FEBRUARY 14 - 20, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

Purisima: I am accountable Ex-PNP chief admits culpability for Mamasapano operation MANILA, Feb 12 (Mabuhay) – Resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima on Thursday admitted he was accountable for the operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that cost the lives of 44 Special Action Force police troopers last Jan. 25.

Purisima made the admission while being questioned by Sen. Miriam Santiago at the Senate hearing on the Jan. 25 incident.

“That is why Your Honor, I am held accountable for the operation. That’s why I resigned,” he said.

He was replying to Santiago’s statement that Purisima pointed fingers at relieved SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas for the death of the 44 SAF troopers.

“Ah, lahat tinuro mo sa SAF commander. Forty-four men are dead. You’re pointing fingers at the SAF commander,” she said.

When Purisima said he was accountable, Santiago replied, “Ay sus, maniwala naman ako.”

Santiago repeatedly scored Purisima for “medd(ling) in something that was no longer, none of your business,” considering he was suspended at the time.

At the time of the operation, Purisima had been suspended by the Ombudsman over a graft-related case.

“You overstepped your limits, you’re See PURISIMA, page 8

PNP Officer-in-Charge General Leonardo Espina gets emotional during the House hearing, Wednesday on the Mamasapano incident. He shared the medico-legal results on several slain PNP-SAF officers. Espina, who took over the reins from resigned PNP chief Gen. Alan Purisima (right) stressed the PNP is for peace, but condemns the alleged overkill of PNP-SAF commandos by Moro rebels. (MNS photo)

Gazmin admits receiving coup plot report MANILA, Feb 12 (Mabuhay) – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Thursday admitted receiving reports that there are people who are planning to oust President Benigno Aquino III. During the resumption of the Senate hearing on the bloody Mamasapano clash that claimed the lives of over 60 people including 44 members of the PNPSpecial Action Force, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago asked Gazmin on

how the government plans to stop the coup plot.

“The social media is rife with gossip that there should be a coup d’etat. It is in effect an attack against President Aquino. I have intelligence, as of yesterday, that leaders of certain alphabet soup acronyms who are familiar with the public had a recent meeting because they wanted to discuss how to stage a coup d’etat, who should be installed as

president and even their contributors were there,” Santiago said.

To which, Gazmin, a former Army commanding general, said: “We indeed received those reports and we are still in the process of verifying and confirming all these reports. As far as coup d’ etat is concerned, it will entail the support of the military and we are very confident the military will not be involved in the coup d’etat.” (MNS)

Exhibit showcases best works of top Fil-Am lensmen in LA Twelve Filipino-American photographers, including Weekend Balita lensman Benny Uy, will display their best works at the La Habra Art Gallery from Feb. 15 to April 18, 2015, in an exhibit titled, “Light and Shadow.”

“Light and Shadow is the classic definition of what photography is all about,” said Uy, whose digitally-enchanced photo composition work, titled “Downtown L.A. @6:22 a.m.” shows L.A. Skyscrapers in early morning sunlight.

The other featured photographers are: Nikki Arriola, Rudy Autor, Romeo Balboa, Joe Cobilla, Emmy Award-winning artist Jess Española, Robert Gamo, Rick Gavino, Vics Magsaysay, Phillip Ner, Art Ramos and Jerry Ubalde.

The exhibit is organized by journalist Nimfa Rueda and La Habra artist Luz Spanks.

Uy said part of the proceeds from the sale of the photos will go to a scholarship program for the children of slain journalists in the Philippines.

The La Habra Art Gallery is located at 215 N. Orange Street in La Habra. Gallery hours are from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For private viewing,

“Downtown L.A.@6:22 a.m.” by Benny Uy

See LIGHT & SHADOW, page 8 “Convergence” by Phillip Ner

“Antelope Canyon” by Romy Balboa

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Bankruptcy and debt relief The economy may have improved slightly, but for the jobless, things have not changed very much at all.

We are still experiencing continued corporate and government downsizing, which means there are still many more people suddenly losing their jobs, and can no longer meet the financial obligations incurred during more prosperous times.

The first way to deal with debts is to communicate simply and honestly with creditors.

Everyone knows the economic

situation. Suing for money Some debts which could not be disowed is as annoying and costly for the creditor as it is for the debtor. The key here charged under a Chapter 7 proceeding is: Don’t make any promises you can’t keep can be discharged after partial payments under a Chapter 13 plan. These include and keep all promises that you make.

We’ve seen some people write checks some types of educational loans, damages that they know will bounce, in their des- for willful torts, and some taxes. You may, peration to get an annoying bill-collector at any time, voluntarily dismiss a Chapter off their backs. A bounced check is a bro- 13 proceeding or convert it into a Chapter ken promise. It can subject you to criminal 7 proceeding. But if you dismiss it, your prosecution and will almost always make debts will not be discharged, and you will that creditor harder to deal with in future. still owe the unpaid amounts.

Chapters 11 and 12 Constant harassment by collection agenChapter 11 allows businesses and cies is another problem faced by those in financial trouble. State and federal laws individuals to restructure large debts. It regulate the practices of debt collectors, generally is used for people who want to and certain tactics are prohibited. When restructure their debts but have more asunfair tactics do take place, a letter from a sets or debts than the limits for a Chapter lawyer is often enough to provide relief. If 13 case. Creditors vote on whether to accept or reject a plan, which must also be not, various legal remedies are available.

When things have gone too far to work approved by the court. Its provisions are out with creditors, the Federal courts can quite complicated and generally require offer protection under bankruptcy laws, de- the assistance of an attorney familiar with signed to protect you, and give you a fresh Chapter 11 proceedings.

Chapter 12, enacted during the 1980s, start. There are several types of bankruptcy, each named after a chapter of the United is a special form of debt work- out for States Bankruptcy Code. Of these, Chapters family farmers. In many ways, it is similar 7 and 13 are the two that most concern the to Chapter 13, but eligibility is limited to people whose income derives primarily consumer. from a family- owned farm.

Chapter 7 Automatic Stay Chapter 7 is what most of us think of When you file a bankruptcy case, an when we think of bankruptcy. In a Chapter 7 proceeding, all of your property which Automatic Stay takes effect immediately on is not exempt by law is sold, and the pro- all collection efforts by all creditors. Evicceeds are distributed to your creditors. At tions, foreclosures, repossessions, lawsuits, least that’s the theory. In practice, with the annoying telephone calls all must stop, exemptions provided by law, and careful and any creditor who refuses to comply planning, an average middle class family can be held in contempt of the Bankruptcy would not give up anything at all. Their Court. If you hear from any creditors, we assets would be deemed exempt, and the can generally get them to back off by writcreditors get nothing. The final result is ing them a letter informing them of your that your debts are discharged, and you bankruptcy filing.

Secured creditors can ask the Bankare permanently free of those obligations.

However, there are some debts that ruptcy Court for permission to continue cannot be discharged in a Chapter 7 pro- collection actions against you. A motion for ceeding. For example, education loans relief from the Automatic Stay is heard and cannot be discharged unless one can show decided by the Bankruptcy Judge.

Chapter 13 not only provides an autoextreme hardship. Other non-dischargeable debts include damages from a willful tort matic stay for you, but if you owe a debt claim, certain taxes, loans obtained through jointly with someone else (such as a relative false financial statements, debts incurred who co-signed a note), it provides a stay for through fraud, deception, or embezzlement, the co-debtor as well.

Bankruptcy Petition consumer debts of $1000.00or more, for For any bankruptcy case, you must file a luxury goods or services owed to a single creditor and incurred within 180 days complete schedule of your assets, liabilities, before you filed your bankruptcy petition, income, and expenditures and answer a cash advances of more than $1000 obtained questionnaire about your financial affairs. within 180 days before you filed your peti- The most daunting aspect of filing a banktion, court-ordered fines and restitution, ruptcy case is the need to compile a thorand personal injury debts caused by driving ough and accurate list of this information.

The success of a bankruptcy proceeding while intoxicated or taking drugs. In some cases, a creditor must file a special proceed- depends on the accuracy and completeness ing in the Bankruptcy Court to determine of the petition. We have a set of forms whether the debt is non-dischargeable. A which we have designed to help you comcreditor can also sue you to prevent the pile all of this information, and are easier discharge of a debt if you transferred or to deal with, than the official bankruptcy concealed assets or refused to explain the forms. Once we have all of your information, we convert it to the format required loss of assets. by the bankruptcy court. You will also find, Chapter 13 Chapter 13 is available for any individu- that many questions on the form don’t apply al with a steady income and debts which do to you, and can be answered with a simple not exceed $360,000 in unsecured debt and “NA” or “None.”

If you are filing a Chapter 13 case, we $1,081,000.00 in secured debt (“Secured debt” is when the creditor holds a mortgage must also propose a plan for a partial or or some other sort of lien on the property.). full repayment of your debts. Any Secured It allows you to submit a plan to pay off and Priority debts must be re-paid in full. your debts, in whole or in part, over a pe- Unsecured debts can be paid partially. The riod of three or five years. You don’t need Plan must also provide for a required fee a regular paycheck to qualify, but you must to the Chapter 13 Trustee. When you file a have income stable and regular enough to Chapter 13 Plan, you must begin making regular payments to the plan. Most plans make payments under a plan.

One advantage of Chapter 13 is that it are amortized over 60 months.

For solutions to all of your financial allows you to keep your assets even if they are not exempt. This can be important if problems, and rebuilding your credit, conyou own a lot of equity in a home. Another tact the law offices of Paul M. Allen. We advantage is that, if you owe a debt jointly promise that help is just a phone call away. with someone else, such as a relative who Consultations are free, but by appointment co-signed a note for you, Chapter 13 will only. We have two offices to serve you, provide some protection for the other per- Glendale and La Palm. Call us today at 818-552-4500. son, while Chapter 7 will not.

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Can your Facebook photos be used against you in a lawsuit?

Maria Nucci slipped and fell at a Target store in Palm Beach, Florida. She sued Target for personal injuries, claiming, among other things, emotional pain and suffering, and physical impairments that prohibited her from making a living.

To gather information about her claims, Target viewed Nucci’s Facebook profile and saw that it contained 1,285 photographs.

Nucci objected to disclosing her Facebook photos. Target’s lawyer later saw that 36 photographs had disappeared from her Facebook page.

Target moved to compel inspection of Nucci’s Facebook profile, arguing that it was entitled to the photos to determine the extent of her loss. Nucci responded that her Facebook privacy settings prevented the general public from accessing her account.

She claimed that Target’s access would invade her privacy rights.

Target showed the court surveillance photos of Nucci carrying heavy bags, jugs

of water, and doing other physical acts, suggesting that her claim of serious personal injury may be false.

Target argued that because Nucci is making claims regarding her physical condition, the relevance of the Facebook photos outweighed her privacy rights.

Target also argued that there was no constitutional right to privacy in photos posted on Facebook.

In deciding whether Nucci had a legitimate expectation of privacy regarding her Facebook photos, the appellate court noted that social networking sites, such as Facebook, allow someone to create a “profile” which functions as a personal web page and may include a vast array of personal

Pinay with MERS-CoV is pregnant – Garin MANILA, Feb 12 (Mabuhay) – The Filipina nurse who tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is pregnant, acting Health Secretary Janette Garin said on Thursday. Garin said the 32-year old woman is now four to five weeks pregnant, which is why doctors are having difficulty treating her.

She noted the Filipina no longer has a fever, but still has MERS-CoV. The patient was admitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on Tuesday after complaining of fever, body aches, cough and difficulty in breathing, which are symptoms of MERSCoV. The Filipina and her husband returned

from Saudi Arabia to Manila last February 1 via Saudi Airlines Flight 860.

Garin said only 60 of the more than 200 passengers of the flight have reached out to the DOH. Garin also gave tips for those passengers who may experience difficulty in breathing. She said they shouldn’t mistake this for asthma, and should not use a nebulizer because the virus may become airborne.

MERS is a respiratory disease that has infected and killed hundreds, mostly in Saudi Arabia.

There is no cure or vaccine for MERS, which kills around 40 percent of its victims. The virus causes coughing, fever and breathing problems, and can lead to pneumonia and kidney failure. (MNS)

information about the user. Facebook itself does not guarantee privacy. By creating a Facebook account, a user acknowledges that her personal information would be shared with others – which is the very nature and purpose of social networking sites.

Thus, the expectation that such information is private, in the traditional sense of the word, is not reasonable.

The court further noted that even if Nucci used privacy settings that allowed only her “friends” on Facebook to see postings, she had no justifiable expectation that her ‘friends’ would keep her profile private. In fact, the wider her circle of “friends,’ the more likely her posts would be viewed by someone she didn’t know. Thus, materials posted on a ‘private’ Facebook page, or other social networking sites, are neither privileged nor protected by any right of privacy, regardless of the user’s privacy settings.

The court also ruled that the powerful relevance of Nucci’s Facebook photos far overwhelmed Nucci’s minimal expectation of privacy on the site. Thus, Nucci will

have to turn over the Facebook photos of herself to Target. If these photos indeed indicate that Nucci’s personal injury claims were exaggerated or false, her case just made a turn for the worse.

Nucci is a case in Florida. However, her cautionary tale may be true anywhere in the country. In this digital age, where information is literally at the tip of the fingers of anyone with an internet connection, your social media posts online may be used against you.

[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.]

Facebook will be with you till death, and beyond Washington, United States | AFP | Thursday 2/12/2015 – Facebook wants to be your social network for life, and even in the hereafter.

The world’s biggest social network unveiled an update Thursday that allows its members to designate a “legacy contact” who can take control of the profile and even post messages following a death.

“Facebook is a place to share and connect with friends and family. For many of us, it’s also a place to remember and honor those we’ve lost,” said a Facebook blog post announcing the update.

Until recently, Facebook would create a “memorial” page when informed about the death of a member, but which could not be managed by anyone.

But “by talking to people who have experienced loss, we realized there is more we can do to support those who are grieving and those who want a say in what happens to their account after death.”

For members who opt in, the “legacy contact” will be able to write a post, which

could announce a memorial service or share a special message.

The person managing the account will also be able to update the profile and cover picture, and respond to friend requests from family members and friends who were not yet connected on Facebook.

In assigning a legacy contact, the Facebook member can also give permission to download an archive of the photos, posts and profile information shared on Facebook.

“Other settings will remain the same as before the account was memorialized,” the blog post said.

“The legacy contact will not be able to log in as the person who passed away or see that person’s private messages.”

The announcement comes amid increased concerns about the fate of a person’s “digital assets” after death. Legal experts say the ownership of cloud storage accounts, emails and online archives of music and books remains subject to interpretation.

Customs raps importer of fake branded products MANILA, Feb 12 (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Thursday filed criminal charges before the Department of Justice against a company that smuggled P100 million worth of counterfeit products that include fake designer bags and accessories from China.

The company, Amazing Glory General Merchandise, declared the fake items stored in two 40-foot container vans as 1,552 packages of ladies bags, shoes, stationery, blender, watches, cellphones accessories, toilet soap and moisturizers, according to the bureau.

However, an inspection of the shipments revealed that the container vans were actually loaded with 33,000 pieces of assorted goods carrying infringing trademarks like Nike bags, pouch bags and wristwatches; Adidas and Nike children’s bags; Sanrio bags; Gucci wristwatches and ladies bags; Swatch, Puma and Calvin Klein wristwatches; Longchamp ladies bags; Sony headsets and Oakley pouch bags.

The goods were imported from China through the Port of Manila in May 2014.

Among those charged were Amazing Glory proprietor and general manager Herman dela Cruz and licensed Customs broker Dennis Bancairen.

They were charged for violating the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines, Sections 3601 and 101 as amended in relation to Section 166 on infringement of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code, and for violating Section 3602 of the Tariff and Customs Code.

In July 2014, the BOC filed a similar case against Amazing Glory for the same offense involving fake goods worth P310 million.

“They never learn. They think they can get away with their smuggling activities but they are wrong. We will continue our aggressive drive against smugglers,” said Customs Commissioner John Sevilla.

“We also appeal to consumers not to patronize fake products, as these take away the livelihood from legitimate business and their workers,” he added.

In January to November 2014, the government has seized an estimated P13.3 billion worth of fake goods, up 116-percent compared with P6.16 billion in 2013.

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Berberabe as Binay running-mate?

MANILA, Feb 11 (Mabuhay) – Makati Mayor Erwin “Junjun� Binay on Wednesday floated the possibility of a coalition between the United Nationalist Alliance and the Liberal Party, with his father, VicePresident Jejomar Binay, as the standardbearer for both parties in the 2016 polls.

Binay said an UNA-LP Coalition is in the realm of possibility in politics. “It might be good for the country to have an alliance,� he said. Asked about the possibility that some LP members loyal to Secretary Mar Roxas will shoot down the idea, he said: “For the sake of this country, bawasan na natin yung pulitika.�

Roxas has been touted as the possible LP presidential bet for the 2016 polls.

The Makati Mayor also floated several names as possible running-mates of his father including Senator Francis Escudero and Senator Grace Poe. One new name that cropped up in the interview is Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe,

president and CEO of the Pag-IBIG Fund. “Lelen Berberabe might be a good VP. We have seen her talk about issues with Pag-IBIG. She is smart, has credibility and experience. She has the heart for public service,� the mayor said.

The younger Binay noted Berberabe turned down a job abroad so that she could serve as head of the Pag-IBIG Fund.

He said he does not know if his father has talked to Berberabe, noting that the Pag-IBIG Fund head is going through a lot right now. “She is going through a lot right now.

She has to take care of Samboy Lim, PagIBIG and she has a daughter...She is firm and she knows what she is talking about.�

The vice-president’s son said his father has long made his known his desire to have a running-mate from the business sector.

Binay earlier said he wanted businessman Manny Pangilinan as a running-mate but the latter said he was not interested. (MNS)

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Foreign investments up over 30% in Nov. MANILA, Feb 11 (Mabuhay) – Jobs-creating foreign direct investments (FDIs) grew by over a third in November, reflecting confidence in the Philippine economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Wednesday.

The Philippines registered a net inflow of $399 million in FDIs last November, up 34.2 percent from $297 million a year earlier, Bangko Sentral said in a statement.

In the 11 months to November, foreign investors injected $5.7 billion in direct investments into the Philippine economy, up 61.6 percent to from $3.5 billion a year earlier. “This reflected investors’ confidence in the Philippine economy on the back of sound macroeconomic fundamentals and strong growth prospects,� the BSP said.

The Philippine economy grew by 6.1 percent in 2014, reflecting a slight recovery in agriculture and accelerated government spending in the fourth quarter.

The year-to-date numbers were better than the average logged over the past two years, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company research head Ildemarc Bautista told GMA News Online. “Our average is at $2-3 billion. And the latest data is definitely an improvement over our average in the previous years,� he said. “But we’re still below our peers. To be at par with our Asian neighbors, we need to hit $10 billion in FDI inflows,� Bautista said.

In particular, non-residents’ net placements on debt instruments issued by local affiliates went up by 46 percent to $3.4 billion from $2.3 billion.

Revilla lawyer formally withdraws from ‘pork’ cases MANILA, Feb 12 (Mabuhay) – Detained Sen. Ramon “Bong� Revilla and his lawyer Joel Bodegon have formally cut ties, according to a manifestation sent to the Sandiganbayan First Division Wednesday, but made public Thursday.

In a two-page document, Bodegon, who said last week that he will stop handling Revilla’s pork barrel scam cases, informed the court that he is no longer lawyering for the senator. “Undersigned law firm respectfully withdraws as Counsel for Sen. Ramon “Bong� Revilla, Jr. in the instant case. Sen. Revilla’s conformity is indicated herein below,� the document said.

Revilla is accused of funneling millions of pesos in his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel fund to fictitious non-government organizations for kickbacks. The said NGOs were allegedly put up by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. Revilla and his co-accused allegedly received P224.5 million in kickbacks from 2006 to 2010.

In December 2014, The Sandiganbayan denied Revilla’s bid for temporary free-

dom. He has filed a motion for reconsideration that is currently pending before the anti-graft court.

Prior to serving as counsel for Revilla, Bodegon was one of the lawyers of former Chief Justice Renato Corona during his 2012 impeachment trial.

Meanwhile, in the same document, Bodegon asked that all of Revilla’s documents related to the pork barrel scam be sent to the senator’s office at the Senate, until a new lawyer is named. “Henceforth, it is kindly requested that copy of all orders and processes of the Honorable Court as well as pleadings, motions and other submissions be served directly upon accused at Room 506, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, until appearance of new counsel,�

Bodegon said.

Earlier, Bodegon – a managing partner of the Bodegon, Estorninos, Guerzon, Borje and Gozos Law Offices – said his co-counsel during the Corona impeachment trial, lawyer Ramon Esquerra, could replace him as Revilla’s lawyer.(MNS)

No more ‘cocolisap’ for now, but PHL bracing for next outbreak MANILA, Feb 11 (Mabuhay) – The government has managed to control the coconut scale insect outbreak over the past six months, but agriculture officials are preparing for a possible recurrence of the infestation this summer.

At a press briefing in MalacaĂąang on Wednesday, Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan said government efforts to control the pest, commonly known as “cocolisap,â€? had reduced the number of heavily infested municipalities from 58 in June last year to nine towns at present. “The coconut scale insect infestation in the past six months, due to the treatments used, is now down to manageable levels.

We are no longer in outbreak levels. This means that the trees that had severe infestation prior to treatment now have moderate infestation,� Pangilinan said.

The government spent P177 million over the past six months to treat infected coconut trees, he added. However, the Cabinet official urged coconut farmers to stay alert for a possible recurrence of cocolisap during the summer months. “We have to remain vigilant. According

to our scientists, this test will be with us.

We cannot have an eradication, but we can manage it,� Pangilinan said. “Kapag nag-recur ngayon, ang kaibahan ngayon, we already know how to intervene.

We already know what the solution is to address and manage the pest. Therefore, any recurrence we will be able to deal with squarely,� he added. Through the supplemental budget passed late last year, the government allocated funds to continue observing the outbreak and treating the infested coconut trees.

Coconut scale insect is a pest that kills trees by injecting a chemical that neutralizes the chlorophyll in leaves, making them incapable of properly absorbing and converting sunlight into energy.

In June last year, some 2.1 million coconut trees, mostly in Region IV-A and Basilan, were infested. By August, the number rose to 2.7 million.

The situation prompted President Benigno Aquino III to sign Executive Order 169, directing concerned agencies to control the “massive infestation of scale insect,� which he said “poses a very serious threat to the coconut industry.�

Pilipino po tayo!

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KENNETH U. REYES, P.C.

* Certified Family Law Specialist The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

- Certified Family Law Specialist - Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) - J.D. Southwestern University Law School, Los Angeles, CA - B.S. Accounting, California State University, San Bernardino, CA

FAMILY LAW • Divorce • Community Property Division • Child Custody and Spousal Support • Domestic Violence Restraining Order • Legal Separation and Nullity • Parentage • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

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‘So Goes’

I love to travel. Who doesn’t? Whether it’s domestic, international, or even just local, exploring and discovering new places and things is an experience that definitely enriches one’s life. I have been blessed to have been given the chance to travel and sometimes, even to wander to different countries and cities all over the world; and in the process; have amassed a collection of photos, anecdotes and tips that I thought of sharing with others one day.

And after much delibera

tion, I think that day has come.

This month I am launching my new travel a two-week vacation in England. column in US Asian Post, the sister pubI include tips on how to look for signs lication of Weekend Balita. The column, that will tell you the one you’re traveling which started three weeks ago, is called with is the one; as well as recommenda“SO Goes.” Please make sure to get your tions on places to stay, visit, see, watch, eat. free copy each week; or check us out online Here is a summary, from the 3-part at www.usasianpost.com. series: Here’s an excerpt from my first column, To Stay: The Pelham Hotel – 15 Cromfirst of a 3-part series on traveling and well Place, South Kensington, London choosing your life partner: SW7 2LA, UK; Newton Farmhouse – a You should never marry until you’ve charming bed and breakfast run by Lizzie traveled together. Traveling will give you Guild and her husband, David. There are an idea on how your partner reacts to frus- different farm animals you can interact trations, when things don’t go as planned; with, relaxing things to do in the area. The or how independent or dependent s/he is; breakfast was delish! (Southampton Road and even her/his habits. It will also help (A36), Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 2QL) gauge your compatibility based on what To Visit: Natural History Museum, you value and prioritize; your preferences Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Muabout what to see and do; down to the seum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern temperature in your room.

Museum, Stonehenge You basically discover a lot in a few To Watch: Broadway shows – www. days. I know my husband and I both did. boxoffice.co.uk These days when we ask ourselves how we To Eat: Cafe Boheme – 17 Old Compknew we could marry each other, we both ton Street, London W1D; Alain Ducasse go back to the clues we gathered from our - 53 Park Lane, London W1K 1QA; first trip together. Lester and I had known Sophie’s Steakhouse - 29-31 Wellington each other for about three months and had Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E been officially together for only a month 7DB; Gaucho - 25 Swallow Street Lonwhen we planned our first trip. Some of our don W1B4QR; The Wolsley (for high friends warned us that it might actually be tea) – 160 Piccadilly, London W1J9EB; too early in the relationship. But he wanted Bistro Fifteen at the Pelham; and Mito take me to meet his family in Stratford- chelin-3-starred Waterside Inn which upon-Avon where he grew up. And since I deserves a separate column, on its own. had also never been to London, we planned It’s pricey, but definitely well worth it.

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To See: Tower of London, Hyde Park, Harrod’s, St, James’ Park, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, Southbank, Millennium Bridge To Shop: Notting Hill Portobello Market – The weekday fruits and veggies market expands on Saturdays to include antiques, vintage items and other curiosities. Hence, go on a Saturday; Tate Modern Gift Shop – offers lots of unique souvenirs and gift items; so does the Stonehenge Gift Shop; Not included in the article, but also a place we visited was Bicester Vil- “Was Stonehenge predominantly a temple, a parliament or a graveyard? Was it a healing ground? We don’t know, lage Outlet Mall - lots of good for sure… We also understand…that people traveled deals on European brands hundreds of miles to visit Stonehenge” writes Ed Caesar – Alexander McQueen, Dior, of Smithsonian Magazine. So should you.

Valentino, Loew, more. I let Filipino talk show outside of the Philiploose in Missoni. pines. On her spare time, she loves to Jannelle So is credited for creating, travel. This new column will document her hosting and producing America’s first and sojourns as she shares what she learns an only locally-produced daily talk show for discovers on her trips. Connect to her on Filipinos, that ran for 8 ½ years under her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; or email leadership, making it the longest-running her at sojannelle77@gmail.com.

OC Fil-Am Chamber focuses on budding entrepreneurs The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (FACCOC) has for more than two decades earned the reputation not only on providing the healthy climate for businesses to thrive especially for Filipino entrepreneurs and professionals. The Chamber is also focused on the next generation of businesspeople in their start-ups to pave the way for successful business operation by equipping them with the necessary skills

and relevant knowledge courtesy of people who’ve there and have proven should be a proud and special day for the Filipino American student population of themselves over the years.

Learning the business ropes did not the Fullerton school as the show highlights come easy for most of these industry ex- for the 16th year their collective pride in perts who had to undergo the proverbial presenting the beauty and depth of their baptism of fire. While many businesses parents’ heritage. took the necessary risks during their proThese budding ambassadors of culture cess of growth the hard way, the needed have earned for themselves their rightful information now comes handy and eas- places with their passion of creating awareily and thanks to people who share them ness on their cultural heritage. PSST is unselfishly. expected to open up renewed admiration FACCOC and its membership have for a culture of the people located more been through a number of business cycles ten thousand miles across the Pacific and and had survived the rough cycles. A one that’s a rich product of the beautiful number of these experts will be under one interplay of events caused by colonization. roof to share their valuable marketing ideas The months-long preparation of this and knowledge in complying with basic dedicated art will culminate at the La Migovernment regulations on the conduct rada Theater for the Performing Arts with of their businesses and provide the op- the Pilipino Cultural Night event. portunity to mingle and network with likeThis year’s cultural extravaganza mended businessmen and professionals. dubbed “Reflections: The Leader Within” On February 18 at the Tangata Restaurant will showcase an explosive colorful culturat the Bower’s Museum in Sta. Ana (2015 al presentation that will feature the colorful N, Main Street), FACCOC will present the dances of the Cordilleras in Northern Phil7th season of the Annual Business Strategic ippines, skits and modern dance numbers.

Workshop which is also a sort of a Small Business Summit starting at 5:30 p.m.

Like in the previous years’ workshop, many entrepreneurs are expected to take advantage of the many benefits of attending this signature event, one of the four slated for the year by one of the most active associations in Orange County.

PSST Expected to Turn Heads Toward PHL Culture Troy High School’s PPST (Philipinos Sharing Smiles Together) event on February 20 is expected to elicit smile to those who will be watch- PSST at La Mirada Theater: The 16th season of Troy High ing young peoples’ collective School’s PSST (Philipinos Sharing Smiles Together) at the attempt to present the culture La Mirada Theater on Feb. 20 is expected to be another hit of their parents’ native land. as the Fil-Am students of the prestigious school present the products of their creativity at generating awareness The culminating performance on the beauty of Philippine culture of their parents.

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., February 14 - 20, 2015

The truth about your credit and how to improve your FICO scores I recently attended a seminar about credit repairs , the speaker a credit advisor accredited by FICO (Fair Isaac Company) and someone that finally will be telling all of us the truth about what affect our scores, what we need to do to improve our scores and lots more.

I thought I share the information I gathered for all of us to start our 2015 year with a number one priority of betterment of our credit history.

Foreclosures: 5 years-7 years wait By having a credit score between For FHA loans: 580-720 could be a difference of about Short Sales – 3 years required season$1200.00 per month in savings, why? ing.

Because if you have lower credit scores Bankruptcy – 2 years from discharge your credit card interest rate will likely be date. above 20%, if you have a mortgage loan Foreclosure – 3 years (depending on and wanted to apply for a loan, your interdeficiency judgments) est rate might be about 1.5-3% higher due Remember, there is no one size fits all to your credit history. We are not even talkanswer, every case is unique but the general ing about how difficult it is to get credit.

A lot of question always is surfacing Current FICO Scores: about the difference between a Short Sale and A Foreclosure, Bankruptcies, lates Short Sale (Paid As Agreed) etc…well, finally from the horse’s mouth.

Foreclosure (Unsettled) What also makes a difference is what your current scores are: (Please see box) Bankruptcy How long will derogatory remarks stay Maxing out credit limits with you, here are the facts: Late payments, Foreclosures, Short Sale, Judgments, Chapter 13 BK – 7 years guidelines are what I have gathered for you.

How Fico Scores are calculated: Tax Liens, Chapter 7-11 – 10 years (Tax Payment history takes up about 35% lien may vary due to State) weight towards getting you a good Fico NOTE: credit do Re-aging, therefore Score.

15% towards history of your credit, if they re-age your file, your count starts the longer open good accounts, the better, from date reported. average 19 yrs to get scores above 850.

When you will be able to buy a house Amount owed covers 30%, therefore keep after certain late failures: your ratio of limit versus debt owed to a For Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae minimum, usually less than 35% is my Loans: After a Short Sale – need 2 years preference.

15% towards inquiries, you with 20% down pay. 4 years wait for 10% can shop around for many loans as long down payment.

Courtyard at Ventura Canyon condos offer the most value in San Fernando Valley (2/10/15) – Thinking of renting a condo? If you are looking for the newest, highest quality, largest and most livable rentals in the San Fernando Valley, look no further than Courtyard at Ventura Canyon, just down the street from Kaiser. According to building developer Stephen Ross, “Our new condos have been wildly successful with all kinds of renters. We’ve been open just 60 days and we have only 9 apartments left out of 50. Our extra large units are complemented with an outdoor courtyard that renters just love.”

Additional features include quartz kitchen counters, stainless steel microwave, dishwasher, stove and oven,

granite bathroom counters, and a washer and dryer in every unit. All you need to move in is a toothbrush.

There is a gym, a community BBQ, underground parking, secured intercom entry and that beautiful courtyard with fountains.

You really need to see it to believe it. 2 bedroom units start at just $1,795.

You can visit The Courtyard at Ventura Canyon at 7851 Ventura Canyon Ave. in Panorama City. Models are open daily. For more information please call John at 818.836.1425, or visit óóó.Ý¥ò ÖãÝ. ÊÃ. Montage. Neighborhood Builders.

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as they are within a 45 day period, your scores will not be affected.

Some advice: Stop Credit Card Surfing, every time you have a new credit card, your scores will decrease.

Don’t close accounts; keep them open even if they have balances. If you have derogatory remarks on your credit card, closing them would not wash the negative remarks away.

Re-establishing of credit takes time, but you have to start as soon as you have negative remarks.

If you get denied for credit, wait for a while before re-applying.

Always monitor your credit accounts, get free credit once a year.

Here are the websites for you’re to check for different issues: How to get your Free Credit Report: www.annualcreditreport.com (remember not to buy anything just get the free report) How to get your real FICO Scores:

Minus Minus Minus Minus

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www.myfico.com (be careful of all other one, they are called Fakeco Scores) To call for credit counseling: call National Foundation of Credit Counseling, nonprofit – 800-388-2227.

Don’t let your debts control your life!

Keep in mind, you have to establish your credit for millennials who are starting to explore the real world.

Usually getting 3 or 4 cards established within 3-4 years will get you to a good standing. Just don’t max out your limit and keep the ratio of usage to allowable limit to about 40%. You should get easy scores in the 700’s.

Hope everyone will have a great year 2015,Happy Chinese New Year seems like a lot of problems for the year of the Horse, hopefully this year of the Goat will be better for everyone.

Thanks for all your support and inquiries, please don’t hesitate to call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance @ (562) 697-7028 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net.

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CONTACT JOHN AT (818) 836-1425 7851 VENTURA CANYON AVE. PANORAMA CITY OPEN DAILY

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LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., February 14 - 20, 2015

Balita

Are your debt problems straining your marriage?

Every day, I meet with couples who are deeply in debt.

In a lot of cases, I can feel the stress level that they are experiencing while the couple is in my office. Emotions often run high and you can feel the tension in the air. There can be a lot of finger-pointing, resentment, anger, etc. A lot of couples find themselves on the verge of divorce due to financial problems. Some actually separate or divorce as a result.

Debt problems can place a huge stress clear that both husband and wife benefited on any marriage because it affects the from the money borrowed. But because all whole family, including the children. When the debts are only in one spouse’s name, parents are unable to provide for their kids the other spouse doesn’t feel the financial the way they want to, they feel like they burden as much because it is “not my debt”. have failed. What makes things worse How can this be? If your wife or husband sometimes is the fact that couples are not accumulated debt during your marriage on the same page about their finances and and the debt provided a benefit for both of they can’t agree on a lot of the important you and your family, it is YOUR debt just issues. as much as it is his or hers.

For example, I see a lot of cases where For a marriage to survive a financial the debts accumulated during marriage crisis, both husband and wife need to be are all in one spouse’s name and yet it is on the same team. That’s what a marriage

should be all about- for better or for worse, isn’t it? Start out by sitting down and talking about the problem. It is normal to be frustrated with one another if you feel that your spouse is not doing her or her share but provided that you want to keep your marriage, you need to work together and come up with a mutually-agreeable solution. Sometimes that requires some willingness to compromise as you find ways to survive your debt problems.

Sometimes there is no easy way out and if filing bankruptcy is the only solution, again, this has to be a joint decision after you’ve weighed all your options. If bankruptcy can be avoided, you need to come up with a debt elimination strategy that is workable and realistic; otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for more failure and frustration.

Debt problems are one of the main causes of divorce in the United States. But they don’t have to destroy your marriage

unless you let them. When you’re in the middle of a financial crisis, sometimes it’s hard to find anything positive about the situation. But like most difficult challenges we face in life, we only grow when we are stretched beyond our comfort zone. So whatever debt problems you may be facing at the moment, try to find the lesson that life is trying to teach you. If you look hard enough, you will often find it.

If you need help figuring out your options to get out of debt, I’d like to help you.

Call us for a free consultation at Toll-Free 1-888-752-8211. 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 more than 5,000 clients in finding solutions to their debt problems.

To schedule a free attorney consultation, please call RJB LAW OFFICES at TOLL FREE 1-888-752-8211).

Get free tickets to see Gary V live at Pechanga If you are interested in seeing Gary V live at Pechanga Resort & Casino, then perhaps this is your lucky day. Pechanga Resort & Casino announced a raffle contest, which will give away a pair of tickets to see Gary V at the Pechanga Theater on March 8 at 7 p.m.

The raffle contest will begin on February 7 and will be ongoing until the February 17. Entry forms can be submitted via email at advertising@balita.com and put GARY V as subject. Your entry form should contain your complete name, age and phone number.

Applicants must be over 18 years old and must also be California residents with a valid form of identification. Contestants will be asked to answer the two (2) trivia

questions about GARY V. If the participant submits the correct answer, their names will be entered in the raffle drawing to win tickets for themselves and a lucky guest of their choice.

1. What is Gary V’s first single?

2. Gary V is also known as Mr. Pure ________?

To join this raffle competition, please visit one of the following websites: www. usasianpost.com and www.balita.com OR get a copy of Weekend Balita and The US Asian Post newspapers.

Your job is to answer the trivia questions and send your answers via email.

You will be entered into the February 18, 10 a.m. drawing at the Balita Media, Inc. office in Glendale, CA.

The winners of the contest will be contacted via phone or email immediately after the raffle drawing. The winners will

be able to claim their tickets through WillCall at the Pechanga Theater on March 8.

Lastly, winners will be announced in Balita Media’s weekly publications – Weekend Balita and The US Asian Post.

Again, Pechanga Resort & Casino and Balita Media would like to sincerely wish you good luck in the upcoming raffle contest; hopefully, we’ll see you soon at the renowned Pechanga Theater.

Come and experience it all at Pechanga Resort and Casino. Located at 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, California 92592. For more information, call 1-877711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com.

PURISIMA

LIGHT & SHADOW

on preventive suspension. Nakialam ka eh,” she said.

Purisima maintained that when the Jan. 25 operation was approved prior to his suspension, he “already delegated command and control” to Napeñas.

“When I delegated responsibility I did not delegate the accountability,” he said.

He also said that while PNP OIC Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II were kept out of the loop at the time, he said it was not a problem of lack of trust for the two officials.

“Meron kaming tiwala with the OICPNP and SILG. However, in the design of the plan of the PNP-SAF it stated everybody will be informed time on target,” he said.

Purisima starts packing to leave White House Resigned Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima has begun moving out from the “White House” in Camp Crame, the PNP spokesman confirmed Friday.

Even Purisima’s poster at the briefing area of the PNP Press Corps Office in Crame has been removed.

“I have coordinated with the Headquarters Support Service and they informed me that he had started to move out from the White House last Sunday,” Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. told reporters.

The White House is the official quarters for the PNP chief.

Although suspended in December over graft charges, Purisima continued to stay at the White House, where a number of meetings were held to plan the Special Action Force mission to bag Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias “Marwan.”

Suspicions about Purisima’s direct role in the mission, as well as that of President Benigno Aquino III, were aroused following confirmation that Interior Secretary

call Luz Spanks at (562) 383-3643.

Sponsors include Kusina Filipina, Fiesta Fastfood, Gharland Gozon, GoodHa! Express, Leelin Bakery & Cafe, Mel’s Chibugan, My Mom’s Bakery & Restaurant and and Pen Homes, Inc. Event volunteers include designer Perla Nirza.

From page 1

From page 1

“Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano” by Joe Cobilla

Manuel Roxas II and acting PNP chief Leonardo Espina were kept in the dark about the January 25 Mamasapano mission, which is said to have left Marwan dead but at the cost of 44 SAF commandos, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and at least five civilians in the subsequent clash. Purisima resigned a few days after the mission and has admitted giving the “advice” to tell Espina of the mission only when it had already begun.

Cerbo said Purisima will be given at least a month to move out from the White House, which will then remain vacant until the next PNP chief moves in.

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., February 14 - 20, 2015

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Waiver of joint petition to remove conditional permanent residency on a marriage entered less than two years The Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA) requires an alien obtaining a green card through a marriage less than two years old to come back at the end of that two years with the petitioning spouse and show that they are still married or, if the marriage was terminated, to show that the marriage was entered in good faith before the USCIS will issue them a permanent (unconditional) green card.

Any alien who obtains a green card through a spousal petition by difficulties getting the cooperation of the virtue of a marriage entered less than US citizen spouse. When the alien spouse twenty four months before the status is falls into this situation, it is still possible obtained will only receive a conditional for them to obtain their permanent green green card under INA §216(d). To remove card by filing a waiver. The waiver must this condition, both spouses must file a be based on one of the following reasons 1) form I-751 with the USCIS within 90 day Extreme hardship would result if such alien period preceding the expiration of the is removed 2) The qualifying marriage was conditional green card along with other entered in good faith by the alien spouse, supporting documents showing the mar- but ‌ has been terminated (divorce), and the alien was not at fault in failing to riage was entered in good faith.

However, sometimes alien spouses timely file the joint petition and attend the are not able to file this Joint Petition to interview; or 3) The qualifying marriage remove the condition on their green card was entered into in good faith by the alien because the couple got divorced or are in spouse and during the marriage the alien the process of filing a divorce and is having spouse or child was battered by or was the

Obamacare enrollment walk-thru February 15 is the end of Open Enrollment. But, if you have a qualifying event, such as just got married, recently gave birth to a child, very-low or no income, moved-in recently to the state, lost employer health plan, you get a shot at Special Enrollment (which may be done anytime of the year). If you enroll at Covered California, you may be entitled to discounts in the form of Premium Tax Credits. What Plan to choose? There are 4 to choose from:

Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

What Insurance Carriers? Kaiser, Anthem, of a division. He was a joint-venture partner of Blue Shield, HealthNet, Molina and L.A. Care. If the San Miguel Corporation in an agri-business you have a particular doctor in mind, find out in project. He holds CA license 0G55218 and a which plan network he/she is contracted.

Non-Resident license in Nevada. Visit his website: Which Carrier offers the cheapest premium? www.healthremediesandoptions.com (HeRO).

Generally speaking, L.A. Care or Molina under the Bronze plan; HealthNet on Silver.

If you have Medicare or Medi-Cal, youâ₏™re good. You need not enroll in any Covered California plan. If you have no or low income, you may qualify for free health insurance under Medi-Cal. To enroll, you must have a lawful presence in the U.S. You need to have a Social Security number, a valid California I.D. or Driver License. In 2015, if you donâ₏™t have health insurance, you pay a fine - $325 or 2% of income, whichever is greater. There are exemptions such as being undocumented, belonging to a religious group that objects to health insurance, experiencing hardship.

There are Covered California storefronts all over Los Angeles where you can enroll. Or, you may call Covered CA or enroll online by yourself.

If you need need help, you may reach me at 323-535-7373 or, e-mail at: leo.balita@gmail. com.

There is a compelling reason why you should enroll with an experienced health insurance broker. Enrollment is made easy. 3-months, 5-months, or 8-months moving forward, God forbid, you get sick and incur medical bills. If you are presented with an erroneous bill by your provider, or your insurance refuses to pay certain procedures or medications, who are you going to go to for help?

If you go to a lawyer, he will charge you with fees upfront. If you contest the bill with your insurance carrier, you may not have the knowledge and skill to negotiate your bill. If you plead with your doctor, most likely he will tell you that the decision is not up to him. It is in times like this when you appreciate that you have a competent and dedicated broker by your side even after enrollment.

Medicare Alert: Most Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) offer their members free gym membership thru SilverSneakers. Call your plan sponsor on how to avail of this extra benefit.

Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

He studied for his MBA and Law at the University of the Philippines. He worked for United Laboratories, Inc. where his last position held was vice-president assigned as general manager

subject of extreme cruelty perpetrated by the US citizen parent or permanent resident spouse or parent and the alien was not at fault in failing to file the joint petition and attend the interview. INA §216(c)(4); 8 CFR 216.5 If you have a conditional green card and your are having difficulty obtaining cooperation from your US citizen spouse in signing a joint petition to remove this conditional green card, you should consult an attorney to assist you in planning for and obtaining a waiver.

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 Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at kureyeslaw@gmail.com.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA.

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Weekend, Sat. - Fri., February 14 - 20, 2015

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The tale of 3 seniors who all need bankruptcy relief White House will hire 1,000 more employees to implement Obama Amnesty THE 3 SENIORS WHO NEED BANKRUPTCY RELIEF This must have been my pre valentine seniors’ week for bankruptcy relief. The first senior who comes to see me only owes $15,000 of credit card debt. She is a widow and 75 years old. She retired 10 years ago.

Since then, her income consists

only of $700 of social security.

Her rent alone is $1,050.

He divorced 6 years ago, and owes $25,000 Fortunately, she has two sons who live of credit card debt. He is now 72 years old with her. One son is unable to work due to with social security of $1,400. He rents a mental disability. The other son has gain- room for $300 and stays near his mom, who fully employed and takes care of the rent. is 92 years old, a wonderful woman. I met So, our God provides for her. Even with her last week and she still looks young, $700 of social security, she has a loving believe it or not. She looks like she’s 68. son who takes care of her, and she doesn’t Skin still tight with just some wrinkles. Her live alone by herself. She has food, shelter mind is perfectly clear and she still drives! and clothing and the warmth of family. She She gave me firsthand recollection of how is still in good health. life was before the 2nd world war, during What else can you ask for in this life? the 2nd world war, and right after the 2nd Her only problem, it appears, is that she world war. This woman is self-sufficient owes $20,000 of credit card debt. That even at 92! I wish I had her genes. requires a minimum payment of $700 a With $25K of credit cards, client needs month, which wipes out her social security at least $850 of minimum payments to keep income completely. Besides, she’s been all the cards current every month. Where paying that for the last ten years. So, she’s will he get that amount now that his only paid a total of $84,000 but she still owes income is $1,400 from social security? the very same $20,000 of credit card debt.

His Chapter 7 petition will wipe out all She could pay the minimum before of the $25K of credit card debt. He will when she was still employed, and her hus- then be able to save $850 a month. His band was still alive and working. But with credit score will improve yearly. By year social security of $700 a month, $20,000 of 3, his credit score will be about 650, which credit card debt is simply unbearable. Her is higher than his current score of 550. By Chapter 7 petition will wipe out all of credit year 7, his credit score will be over 730. card debt so that she can save her social By year 10, there will be no record of his security of $700 monthly for whatever she bankruptcy and his score will be over 800. wants to spend it on, or if she wants she With his mother’s genes, he should live can save that amount. In one year, she can to a hundred with savings of $285K. If well save at least $8,000. That will give her a invested, he could have $500K by age 100. better sense of security, as she gets older. He can donate that to his favorite charity.

The second senior is a Vietnam veteran. He won’t be able to bring that money with

him anyway to the next life. In the next life, he will want for nothing with our Lord, Jesus Christ!

The third senior is 70 years old. He has a house with $150K of equity. He can keep that house even in bankruptcy because he can exempt $175K of equity since he is over 65. He owes $60K of credit cards, which he used to invest in a business, which failed. His current pension with social security is $2,500. His wife’s social security is $100 monthly because she never really worked. So with $2600 hundred of retirement income monthly, and a mortgage payment of $2,100, where will he get $1,900 a month to make minimum payments on $60K of credit card debt. With Chapter 7, he frees himself of all credit card debt at the age of 70. He should have done this earlier, at least 10 years ago. If he did that, he would have saved $1,900 a month for 10 years. He would have $228K saved up now giving him extra income of $950 a month based on 5% dividend income on investments.

WHITE HOUSE TO HIRE 1,000 MORE EMPLOYEES FOR OBAMA AMNESTY The OBAMA AMNESTY which allows people who are here without legal status provided they have a qualifying child who is an American citizen or legal permanent resident, to get a work permit valid for 3 years and renewable for periods of 3 years per renewal is getting into higher gear because the USCIS was directed to start accepting applications by February 19, 2015. People who entered as minors and who graduated from a US high school or obtained a GED also qualify. Applications will be decided by the USCIS on a caseby-case basis. Documented entries with passports and I-94’s, or undocumented entries through the border, or otherwise undocumented, it doesn’t matter as long as AMNESTY requirements are met. I urge you to see me now. Now is the time to apply. The White House has just announced that it intends to hire 1,000 more USCIS employees to implement OBAMA AMNESTY. It doesn’t want the same fiasco with OBAMA CARE when people who wanted to register could not because of systems breakdown.

Balita

Although the executive order directs the USCIS to start accepting applications on February 19, 2015, it appears at this time, that applications will actually be processed starting May 2015 when the 1,000 new USCIS employees are in place.

The USCIS will have to spell out specific guidelines to implement the AMNESTY

by May. Although nobody can predict the number of applications that will be filed, the USCIS has stated that they forecast that at least 1.2 M applications would be filed starting May 2015. Since stricter guidelines will be forthcoming, potential applicants are advised to gather more documentary evidence to support their applications. The more documents, the better. Remember, applications are decided on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, documentary and other admissible evidence are the keys to having applications approved. The evidence submitted must clearly show that the applicant qualifies under the stated guidelines.

There are still many grey areas on who can qualify. For instance, can a stepfather or stepmother qualify for AMNESTY? Or, can same sex spouses qualify if they adopted an American citizen child? These are all legitimate matters for the USCIS to consider in implementing the executive order. After all, the order just states that the applicant must have a U.S. citizen child. It does not require the child to be a natural born child of the applicant parent.

If you think you qualify, come and talk to me now. It is the right time to prepare your application. “JESUS LOOKED AT THEM AND SAID TO THEM, “WITH MEN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.� - MATTHEW 19:26.

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.

US shopping mall culture – dying or just changing?

By Fabienne Faur

Fairfax, United States | AFP | Wednesday 2/11/2015 – Dorsey has happy memories of hanging out at the mall as a teenage girl, an adolescent rite of passage under threat in parts of the US as old-fashioned malls close their doors.

While high-end malls thrive, many others have been unable to keep up with changing shopping demands of American consumers, leading to obituaries in the US press with headlines such as “A dying breed: The American shopping mall,� and “Shopping Malls In Crisis.�

About 80 percent of the country’s 1,200 malls are considered “healthy,� which means store vacancy rates of 10 percent or less, according to CoStar Group data published in The New York Times.

That’s down from 94 percent in 2006 and there is even a website dedicated to documenting what some are calling the death of the shopping center, deadmalls. com, keeping tabs on the latest closures across the country.

Dorsey remembers the old-style mall with nostalgia. “The first time my mom allowed me to go out by myself, it was in a mall,� said Dorsey, a saleswoman at a natural

products shop in Fairfax, outside the US capital. “I do have fond memories.â€? Â‘ÂŤÂƒĂ„ÂŚÂŽĂ„ÂŚ ĂŁÂƒĂ?ã›Ă?

Most of America’s malls were built in the 1950s and 1960s as a growing network of highways connected suburban homes to futuristic urban shopping centers.

When they were first introduced, outfitted with sleek glass, shiny tiles, escalators and indoor fountains, they were an antidote to outdated open-air strip malls. “We must remember that the 1950s and 1960s were bathed in the desire for the modern, and in this light the newness of malls gave them a real edge over the old downtowns and open-air shopping centers,� sociologist David Roelfs, from the University of Louisville, told AFP. The mall also found a spot in popular culture. It was featured in several 1980s films, including “Back to the Future,� and “The Terminator.�

The first mall in the United States – still open today – is the Southdale Center in Minnesota, which opened in 1956.

Victor Gruen, a pioneer for mall design, created them as a social-gathering point.

But the social dimension was quickly eclipsed.

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Shen Yun performance is an entrée into a timeless past. Many of its dances provide viewers with a portal to a rich panoply of traditional Chinese values, ideals, and hopes.

‘Shen Yun’ – A classical, historical Chinese dance experience On a mild, temperate evening last Sunday, a thoughtful friend asked this writer to see “SHEN YUN” at the Long Beach Convention Center. It was indeed a delightful experience to see classical, historical Chinese dance depicting “5,000 years of Chinese culture which have been passed down and retained. “ The dance movements were “formed and built on profound traditional aesthetics.”

In its early days, according to the brochure’s introduction page, the classical dances were performed by “common people” in the the precision and power of the Westen orimperial courts but as time went on for chestra.” Some ancient musical Chinese around a “thousand years, the art of clas- instruments used were: the erhu, pipa and sical dance was continuously refined and a range of Chinese percussion. These are it eventually was developed into this vast, blended with Western musical instruments systematic distinctly Chinese dance form such as strings, woodwind and brass. There we know today.” were three (3) composers: Junyi Tan, Jing “Classical Chinese dance has its “own Xian and Gao Yuan who all developed the set of training methods in basic skills and music compositions. has strict training in both physical expresDistinctive musical instruments were sion and specific postures . It also involves performed by: Eric Robins, born in New a combination of leaps, turns, flips spins Hampshire on Trumpet, Karen Khachatryand other aerial and tumbling techniques. an, born in Yerevan, Armenia,on Trombone It is an extensive and independent system and Steven Louis, a native of Los Angeles, of dance. “.

California on the Bassoon.

SHEN YUN has their own PerformIt is amazing to note that “within the ing Arts School but their six (6) principal classical Chinese dance lie China’s rich dancers were all professionally trained cultural tradition” where movements have and schooled at Fei Tian Academy of Arts to be “deeply expressive and where characin New York. Lu Sun, the Erhu soloist ters were protrayed with unparalled clarity (Erhu is a kind of violin with two strings and scenes were depicted at various time and is said to have originated during the periods, be it ancient or modern, Eastern or Song Dynasty) was born in China, while Western in a strikingly vivid way.”

Milen Nachev, the Conductor was born in Some of the dance scenes include a Silistra, Bulgaria, who has an “impressive reference to Falun Dafa (also called Falun repertoire of symphonic work in operas Gong) and according to Wikipedia, it is and ballets. an advanced self-cultivation practice of the Astrid Martig, the Concertmaster, on Buddha School. It is a “discipline” founded the other hand, was born in Frankfurt, by Mr. Li Hongzhi based on the “assimilaGermany and she has had extensive ex- tion to the highest qualities of the universe perience as a former member of the Kiev – Zhen, Shan, and Ren (which is TruthfulOpera Orchestra, Hamburg Symphony ness, Compassion, & Forbearance), the Orchestra and the North German Philhar- foundation of its practice guided by the monic Orchestra. laws and development of its cosmos.”

There were five (5) choreographers who This Valentine’s weekend, if you developed the overwhelming 21 dance haven’t seen it yet, I would definitely recscenes. The SHEN YUN Orchestra was ommend watching SHEN YUN wherever composed of “90 musicians who all played you can find their performance. It is truly original compositions based on ancient worth watching. Wishing you all a HAPPY Chinese rhythms and melodies, but with VALENTINE’s DAY!

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DHS clarifies expanded DACA requirements: Filing period begins Feb. 18 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will start accepting applications under the expanded DACA program beginning February 18, 2015.

The DHS has just released the updated application form so that eligible applicants can now proceed with preparing their applications. Eligible applicants should submit their applications as soon on or after the filing period commences to avoid anticipated lengthier processing periods as the program continues.

Pres. Obama’s announcement of executive action on November individuals have already been granted 20, 2014, includes an expansion of the DACA benefits. It is estimated that apDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals proximately 290,000 individuals will (DACA) program that was implemented benefit from the expansion of the program, in 2012. To date, approximately 580,000 raising the number of eligible individuals

to approximately 1.5 million.

To qualify for an initial grant of DACA under the expanded program, all of the following requirements must be fulfilled: 1) You must have arrived in the US before the age of 16; 2) You must have continuously resided in the US from before January 1, 2010, to the time of filing the DACA application; 3) You must have been physically present in the US on June 15, 2012; 4) You must have been out of status on June 15, 2012, either because you entered the US without inspection, or because your lawful status has lapsed; 5) On the date you file your application, you must either be in school, have graduated from a US high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or were honorably discharged from the US Coast Guard or Armed Forces; 6) You have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety; and 7) If you have no final order of removal or pending removal case, be at least 15 years old.

When the program was originally implemented in 2012, it required applicants to be under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, to qualify. Realizing that this age restriction arbitrarily disqualified too many very deserving individuals, the program was expanded so that any individual could qualify so long as they had entered the US before the age of 16.

The expanded program also changed the continuous residency requirement date from June 15, 2007, to January 1, 2010.

Previous reports had also indicated that the expansion of the program changed the particular date that individuals must have been physically present in the US from June 15, 2012, to November 20, 2014.

Previous reports also indicated that the expansion changed the date that individuals had to already be out of status from June 15, 2012, to November 20, 2014.

However, the DHS has now clarified that these dates have not changed and that they remain June 15, 2012. Accordingly, individuals who were still in lawful status on June 15, 2012, but became out of status after that time unfortunately continue to be illegible for the DACA program.

The DACA program is certainly a bright light in what has been such a struggle for so many. As indicated, the implementation of the expanded program will commence on February 18, 2015.

Individuals who qualify under the original program, however, may continue to apply now. It is vital that individuals take advantage of the golden opportunities that DACA provides and not allow fear to prevent them from realizing their full potential and opportunities.

For further information, please schedule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; info@aquinoloew.com.

Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www. aquinoloew.com and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Providing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996.

Maid abuse case highlights plight of migrant workers

By Dennis Chong

Hong Kong, China | AFP | Wednesday 2/11/2015 – Filipino and other foreign maids in Hong Kong are guaranteed wages and benefits rare elsewhere in Asia and the Middle East, but the recent ordeal of an Indonesian domestic helper has highlighted the abuses that still go on behind closed doors.

A six-week trial that saw a Hong Kong woman convicted of beating and starving Erwiana Sulistyaningsih has shone a spotlight on the financial hub’s 300,000 maids, with campaigners hoping the ruling will convince more to speak out about abuse.

And while some argue the city is far ahead of much of Asia and the Middle East in its treatment of migrant maids, critics say lax enforcement and poor support mean domestic helpers are either afraid to speak out or unaware of where to look for help.

“I don’t think there is any reason to rejoice,” Hans Ladegaard, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, told AFP. “Erwiana may have won the court case, (but) her case is unfortunately far from exceptional,” said Ladegaard, who has been collecting cases of domestic worker abuse since 2008 as part of an academic project.

A Hong Kong judge on Tuesday found Sulistyaningsih’s employer Law Wan-tung guilty of 18 charges of physical abuse and a failure to pay wages, saying the Indonesian was effectively kept prisoner.

Sulistyaningsih told the court in vivid detail how she was “tortured”, starved, beaten and humiliated by her former employer.

She later told journalists she was happy with the ruling, but voiced hope for reforms in Hong Kong, calling on employers to treat “migrant domestic workers as workers and human beings and stop treating us like slaves”.

‘Like slaves’ In a 2013 survey of more than 3,000 foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, nearly a fifth said they had experienced some form of physical abuse, while 58 percent said they had endured verbal abuse. Six percent said they had suffered sexual abuse.

The same year, Amnesty International condemned the “slavery-like” conditions faced by thousands of Indonesian women who work as domestic staff in Hong Kong and accused authorities of “inexcusable” inaction. Local campaigning group HK Helpers has identified three issues in particular need of reform: the enforcement of maximum working hours, stopping illegal agency fees, and ending rules that gives domestic workers only two weeks to find new employers if they quit.

But others say that Hong Kong does more than most to protect its domestic workers, with laws requiring employers to provide a minimum wage, days off, and medical insurance – which are rare in other countries.

The International Labour Organization said in 2013 that just three percent of Asian countries awarded migrant maids weekly days off, and no Middle Eastern countries did.

Only 12 percent of Asia, meanwhile, guarantees minimum wages for domestic helpers, a figure that stands at just one percent in the Middle East, according to the ILO. Under the controversial “kafala” (sponsorship) system that several Arab states enforce, migrant domestic workers are left completely at the mercy of their employers.

It restricts workers from moving to a new job before their contracts end unless they obtain their employer’s consent, trapping many in abusive situations.

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Exemption for caregiver renewals has been removed Q. I entered Canada to work as a live in caregiver in August 2013. I worked for over a year and then my employer passed away. After many months I finally found a new employer to hire me.

I want to work right away but I do not know what my employer needs to do. My friend told me in only take a few weeks to process.

A. Not anymore. The exemption for caregivers who are already in Canada has been re

moved. In particular, in the past, caregivers who were already in Canada on Immigration always has a way to prove work permits (in the live in caregiver if you are lying or not. More and more class) were exempted from the advertising nowadays, Canada Immigration is requestrequirement when applying for a labour ing back up information from Citizenship market opinion (now LMIA). In the past, applicants to support the fact they resided LMO were approved quite quickly and then in Canada. Examples of proving you are a new work permit would soon be issued. residing in Canada is a T4 or income that That is not the case nowadays. There are no shows you earn sufficient income. Another more ad exemptions. Not for caregivers al- common tactic is to demand that applicants ready in Canada and not caregivers seeking obtain a Traveller History. This report to renew with the same employer and not shows the entries and exits of applicants for employers with urgent medical needs. who have entered/departedCanada. It The rationale is that the caregivers are also can include land border crossing to/ now grouped within all regular low skill from the USA. To obtain the report send occupations and are not given special status a request with a copy of your PR card and as before since caregivers no longer need passport to: CBSA, 410 Laurier Ave. West, to be live-in. As such, the rationale is that 11th Floor,Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L8. there is no longer a shortage of workers.

Q. I want to sponsor my spouse who has Q. I recently applied to become a Citizen been in Canada as a student for the last of Canada. I have a multiple entry visa five years. She is now studying a Master to the USA and I have travelled by car to program in university and her student visa the USA several times in the last four years. will expire soon. The problem is that I was I cannot remember all the dates of travel charged with assaulting her early in our and therefore I guessed the days of absence relationship and I read that I am not eligible on my Citizenship application. I did not to sponsor her if I was charged. Does this lie. I simply did not remember. I now have mean I cannot ever sponsor my wife? received a letter requesting that I provide a A. It does not mean that. However, you Traveller History Report. What is that and are not eligible to be a sponsor. For examhow do I get it? ple, applicants who in jail or are bankrupt A. In order to become a Citizen of are not eligible to be sponsors. Similarly, Canada an applicant must have physically sponsors who have been convicted of a resided in Canada for 1095 days in the crime cannot sponsor unless five years preceding four years before submission have passed from the end of the sentence. of application. All days outside ofCana- To calculate sentence, periods of probation da must be recorded on the application. It are included.

Q. I’m a Filipina woman living in Dubai, is not a good idea to guess because Canada

UAE. I have over six years of work experience as a nurse and I am interested to move to Canada. There is a local agent here who says she can find me an employer and that I can enter Canada as a domestic helper.

I was told that I could be a nanny for a few years and then apply to become an immigrant. I would rather work as a nurse but if that is my only option I am thinking of paying this agent to work on my work permit. I need your opinion on what is best.

A. My opinion is that you should not pay any agent to find you an employer.

Firstly, that is not permitted. It is illegal for any agent to charge a fee to the worker (they could charge the employer). Second, there is no guarantee that the job offer or visa will materialize. That is, if you pay and the agent says “we will do our best to find an employer�, then how do you really know if they tried or not?. I would therefore stay away from that option. Finally, in your particular case, you do not need to rely on a mere work permit. As a qualified and experienced nurse you can apply directly as an immigrant. You do not need to work for two years. You may qualify on your own and immigrate to Canada with your children and spouse all at the same time.

Seek professional help from a Canadian Immigration Lawyer before paying the agent.

Q. If a person is living in the USA without legal status can they still undergo the medical test in the USA? What about police clearances? How does a person who does not exist within USA Immigration radar file an application to Canada? Can they?

A. Assuming you are qualified and assuming you file properly, you can indeed file an application when you have no status. We have been successful in doing so many many times. Second, you do not need to leave USA to obtain medical or police clearances. Therefore, the fact that an applicant is illegal in USA, medical and police clearances are obtainable.

Q. I’m a live-in caregiver in Canada. I

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have my open work permit. I will be giving birth to a child in Canada soon and I am planning to marry the father of the child early next year. The problem is that my fiancÊ has no status in Canada. He came as a worker in Alberta years ago and has not left. If we marry will he be able to remain in Canada? A. Unfortunately, marrying this individual could potentially jeopardize your application. If your fiancÊ is inadmissible then you may be refused. You must obtain professional assistance before marriage to know your fiance’s exact immigration status and whether CBSA has attempted to remove him.

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

Purisima can be charged with usurpation of authority

MANILA, Feb 11 (Mabuhay) – Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales on Wednesday said former Philippine National Police chief (PNP) Alan Purisima can be charged with usurpation of authority pending a full investigation on the Mamasapano operation.

Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas earlier said he pushed through with the mission to hunt down Malaysian bomb-maker Zulkifli bin hir, alias Marwan, last month based on the prior clearance of Purisima in November 2014.

Last January 9, 2015, Napenas said he, Purisima and other officials met with President Aquino for a mission update on the Marwan operation.

He said the President told officials that he wanted the operation coordinated with the Armed Forces.

However, Purisima, who was suspended at the time, told Napeñas not to tell PNP Officer-in-Charge Leonardo Espina and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas about the operation beforehand.

Purisima also told Napenas that he will be the one to inform Armed Forces chief of staff Gregorio Catapang.

The mission was carried out last January 25, with 44 police commandos killed.

Lawmakers have criticized Purisima for advising Napenas to break the chain of command.

President Aquino accepted Purisima’s resignation as PNP chief last Friday. (MNS)

Basilan solon urges peace amid calls for all-out war in Mindanao MANILA, Feb 11 (Mabuhay) – A lawmaker from Mindanao renewed calls for peace amid certain sectors’ clamor for an all-out war following the bloody Mamasapano clash that left 44 PNP-Special Action Force personnel dead.

Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman Saliman, chair of the House committee on peace, unity and reconciliation, called for calm and sobriety at the start of the House hearing on the covert police operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

“A well-known terrorist has divided our people. [The] aftermath of [the] Mamasapano clash has put [the] nation in [a] state of sadness,” Saliman said.

The police operation targetted suspected terrorists Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, also known as Marwan, and Filipino bomb maker Basit Usman. While authorities said Marwan was killed in the operation, Usman was able to escape.

In expressing condolences to the bereaved families of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who died in the clash, Saliman warned that the Mamasapano incident threatens to derail “all noble efforts of those at the negotiating table.”

He reminded lawmakers that the Bangsamoro Basic Law is not primarily intended for the armed combatants in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but for the “silent majority” who have longed for peace in the region.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives have suspended deliberations on the Bangsamoro bill pending the results of their respective investigation on the Mamasapano clash.

The measure aims to formalize the creation of a new political entity that will replace the existing ARMM. (MNS)

Social media lends hand to US-bound undocumented immigrants

By Sarah McClure

Tultitlan, Mexico | AFP | Wednesday 2/11/2015 – A migrant shelter outside Mexico City collects donations of clothes thanks to a smartphone app. Online reviews warn migrants about abusive employers. A website pinpoints US police checkpoints.

Websites, social media and the proliferation of mobile technology are increasingly giving Central American and Mexican migrants a helping hand in their journey to the United States.

The non-governmental Mexican group Via Migrante has seized on the power of new media to collect aid for those making the perilous trek north.

One recent afternoon in the Mexico City suburb of Tultitlan, volunteers sorted through boxes and bags of donated clothes inside a shelter with green walls that glowed like key lime pie.

“This one is for a girl, right?” asked Gabriel Fermen, a 22-year-old volunteer who fled gang violence in El Salvador and hopes to join his aunt in Los Angeles.

“Look, the design is for a girl,” said Berfilio Hernandez, 21, holding up the striped shirt before carefully folding it next to other clothes stacked on ceiling-high shelves.

“When I arrived here, I had nothing,” said Hernandez, who traveled for 15 days on a freight train infamously dubbed “The Beast” after leaving Guatemala.

“I am grateful to the organization because I have a roof over my head, food and I’m able to help other migrants in my position,” he said, hoping to meet up with a cousin in Nashville, Tennessee and find work to support his family back home.

Police tips In 2013, there were over 70 million mobile phones users in Mexico, according to IAB Mexico, an advertising firm that studies mobile data. In just two years, that number increased by 10 million users.

IAB further estimated that 65.5 percent of Mexico’s population of roughly 120 million people owns a mobile phone.

“We saw great potential in using these social media tools to spread the relief effort and bring together people to help migrants,” said Via Migrante founder Nora Hinojo.

With thousands of Facebook and Twitter followers, Via Migrante advertises donation drives throughout Mexico City, using hashtags like #migrantes and #HRD (human rights defenders).

The group also tweets for backpacks, which are filled with the donations for the traveling migrants.

In the United States, the website www.paselavoz. net (“spread the word”) lets people call in infor-

mation about police checkpoints throughout the country. The locations are pinned on online maps.

A migrant who was detained by the US Border Patrol created the Spanish and English app Derechos Herencia, which offers other migrants information about their legal rights.

The US group Migrahack has launched projects that chronicle deaths at the border, show maps of Mexican shelters and tell stories of the death-defying trip on top of “The Beast.”

Employer reviews In September, the Center for Migrant Rights in Mexico City launched the website Contratados (Spanish for “employed”).

The crowdsourcing forum posts reviews written by migrants who use a star-rating system about their recruitment experiences in the United States and Mexico.

While developing Contratados, the organization surveyed migrants about their access to mobile technology and found that their mobile literacy is growing, said project coordinator Sarah Farr.

“In recent years, cellphone usage has really skyrocketed in Mexico and almost everywhere there is cellphone coverage now,” said Farr. “We decided to create an interactive tool that relates to migrants’ access to technology.”

In one review, a person describes working for months without wages and paying employers $2,500 for a visa that ended up being counterfeit.

Migrants also learn about their rights through the site’s audio novelas, which share information on how to avoid fraud, identify discrimination and negotiate fair wages.

“You work closely with people who are going to be the end users of the technology to come up with something that’s going to make sense to them,” said Sasha Costanza-Chock, a professor at MIT Center for Civic Media and part of the group that developed the technology behind the site.

Contratados, he explained, uses Vojo, an SMS storytelling software that makes it easy for migrants with basic phones upload text messages or voicemails online.

“We have a good defense with this website,” said Martin, a Mexican migrant who uses it to research potential employers. He declined to give his full name.

Adarely Ponce Hernandez, a 33-year-old Mexican woman who does seasonal work in Louisiana’s crab industry, was asked to offer ideas for the website.

“I think that all over this country, many people will use this tool and the information provided to migrants is going to help them,” she said.

British opposition goes on warpath over HSBC scandal

By Dario Thuburn

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Wednesday 2/11/2015 – British opposition leader Ed Miliband went on the offensive on Wednesday over an international scandal involving London-based HSBC bank, accusing Prime Minister David Cameron of being soft on tax avoidance.

Miliband attacked Cameron as “a dodgy prime minister” and homed in on Stephen Green, the former chief executive and chairman of HSBC who later became a trade minister under Cameron and was made a Lord.

“Can the prime minister explain the revolving door between Tory party HQ and the Swiss branch of HSBC?” Miliband asked in a heated exchange during prime minister’s question time, a weekly parliament debate. “Does the prime minister expect us to believe that in the three years Stephen Green was a minister, he never had a conversation with him about what was going on at HSBC?” The scandal over leaked files revealing HSBC’s Swiss account holders has erupted ahead of a general election in May, sparking a furious blame game between Cameron’s Conservatives and Labour.

Cameron has hit back saying that Labour was

in power at the time the files were first brought to the attention of French tax authorities in 2007 and accusing Labour of having close ties to Green.

“No government has been tougher than this one in chasing down tax evasion and tax avoidance,” the prime minister said, pointing to thousands of tax prosecutions since he came to power in 2010.

Green himself, a Church of England clergyman who published a book on banking ethics, has declined to comment but is now under pressure to testify before a parliamentary committee.

Labour’s Margaret Hodge, the head of the committee, has promised a full inquiry, saying the revelations show “a secretive global industry serving a wealthy elite”.

HSBC’s Swiss banking arm has insisted it has undergone a “radical transformation” since the initial revelations and now has “strong compliance controls in place”.

The head of HMRC Lin Homer was shouted down by lawmakers as she tried to defend the tax authority’s record in parliament.

MPs have accused the agency of not cracking down hard enough on tax evaders after French authorities shared information with them in 2010.

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Hocus pocus in the Senate The ongoing Senate committee hearing to ferret out the truth about the Mamasapano “misencounter” will lead to nowhere. It is very obvious that Senators conducting the investigation have one common goal – to extricate President BS Aquino from any involvement in the incident that left 44 elite cops dead.

The only pertinent questions that Senators should ask are why the “Fallen 44” were left alone to fend for themselves while under

heavy enemy fire, and who ordered the Armed Forces to stand down when news of the bloody encounter Purisima on how “Operation Wolverine” came out. will be carried out. He also added that PuriIt was reported that President BS sima was directing the operations from his Aquino, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas “white house” residence in Camp Crame. and AFP Chief General Catapang were Napeñas also pointed to General Purin Zamboanga City on the day the bloody isma as the one who told him not to menencounter took place. It is a mystery how tion the operation to capture “Marwan” to the hell Aquino was never informed about Roxas and PNP officer-in-charge General the encounter. This is hard to believe.

Leonardo Espina shortly after they came Senators should try to be more forceful out from Malacañang after briefing the in extracting vital information from other President regarding the latest intelligence police and military officers as to who or- reports on the whereabouts of “Marwan.” dered the AFP to stand down despite the plea “Operation Wolverine” was hatched by for help from the dying police commandos. the PNP in a bid to capture or exterminate News accounts said the slain police com- “Marwan.” The U.S. government has ofmandos were killed after running out of fered a $5million bounty for the capture ammunition. The firefight between the of “Marwan.” police special forces and Muslim rebels For his part, resigned PNP Chief Purifrom the MILF and the Bangsamoro Is- sima was also trying to extricate himself lamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) lasted for from any culpability in the botched police more than 12 hours. operation. He was claiming to Senators that For 12 hours, the police officers, with he never ordered or gave specific instruclimited ammunition, were fighting a large tions to General Napeñas during or before number of Muslim rebels who overran their the start of “Operation Wolverine.” position. Without help from other governHe said he was merely “advising” Genment forces and ammo, the gallant police- eral Napeñas on how the operation should men were brutally slaughtered by the rebels. be carried out to ensure complete success.

Police General Getulio Napeñas, the But what the disgraced General Purisima sacked SAF commander, told Senators and his unreliable and gutless President during the hearing that it was a judgment Aquino envisioned as a successful operacall on his part to send in his special forces tion turned out to be a complete disaster. team to the Mamasapano area on the basis The same thing will happen to the onof the latest intelligence reports about the going Senate investigation on the Mamasawhereabouts of Malaysian terrorist and pano bloody encounter or to the scheduled bomb expert maker Zulkifli Bin Hir alias lower house hearing.

“Marwan.” Napeñas’ statement during the Or even to the Board of Inquiry hearing, hearing was different from what he told or even the soon to be created Truth Comnewsmen shortly after he was relieved mission. All of these will just be a waste

by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas as SAF of time. It is being done only to appease commander a day after the slaying of the public anger as a result of the brutal slaying 44 police officers. of 44 police officers.

Prior to the hearing, General Napeñas I doubt if the families of the “Fallen 44” told reporters that he was getting instruc- will ever get justice. If you ask me, they tions from suspended PNP Chief Alan shouldn’t expect too much from a heartless

300 $ 179 $

Binay rejects calls for Aquino to resign, says he’s praying for him MANILA, Feb 13 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay rejected on Thursday calls for President Benigno Aquino III to resign over the botched Mamasapano operation.

“Ayoko naman. You know, I am the vice president. Alam n’yo naman na magkacandidate ako (for presidency in 2016. Let us just wait,” Binay said in an interview in Cebu, a transcript of which was released Friday.

(I don’t want him to. You know, I am the vice president. You know very well that I am running for President in 2016.

Let us just wait.)

“I am hoping and praying that the President will overcome this problem very soon,” he said.

No less than Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin confirmed during a Senate hearing Thursday reports of a coup plot against Aquino in the wake of the deaths of 44 elite policemen in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.

While rejecting calls for the President to resign, Binay pressed for the creation of an independent fact-finding commission to investigate the incident “to dispel all doubts that the investigations are merely a “cover-up.”

“Ang dami-dami kasing mag-iimbestiga eh. Walo yata. Sana, ito sinasabi ko noon, sana magkaroon ng independent commission. Para walang suspetsa,” he said.

(There are so many conducting their own investigation. Around eight. I just hope, and I said this before, that there would be an independent commission so we can dispel doubts.)

“Eh ngayon, habang nanonood ka, mayroon na ulit kanya-kanyang mga tingin na, ‘wow, hinaharang,’ ‘ayaw palabasin’,” he said.

(If you watch (the probes) now, you can say that there are efforts to cover up the truth.)

Amid public outcry over the Mamasapano incident, the Vice President raised strong objection an all-out war against those behind the killings of the elite policemen.

Any peace agreement, he said, should be “in consonance with existing laws, particularly the Constitution.”

“I am hoping and praying that we can have lasting peace. Ang giyera, kailangan iwasan. Pagka-giyera, may namamatay.

Pero, it must be peace with justice. Basta’t tama lang. At saka ‘yong magiging kasunduan ay in consonance with our laws, particularly the Constitution,” Binay said.

(I am hoping and praying that we can have lasting peace. We need to avoid war.

Wars result in deaths. But peace must come with justice. We need to achieve a right mix of the two. And the peace agreements must be in consonance with our laws, particularly the Constitution.) (MNS)

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago asks questions to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal during the third public hearing on the Mamasapano incident.

Santiago asks committee to reconsider showing Mamasapano video, says it can be admissible as evidence in court. (MNS photo)

and gutless President. Remember the Hacienda Luisita Massacre where a number of unarmed picketing farmers were gunned down by army and police forces protecting the property of the family of President Aquino? Did the slain farmers get any compensation or justice from the government? No. Same thing with the families of slain farmers who were holding a rally at Mendiola bridge to protest the delay in the implementation of land reform in Hacienda Luisita. Justice has eluded them too for so many years. The brutal slaying of these unarmed farmers took place during the administration of President Cory Aquino.

Meanwhile, it appears that the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is being “put on hold” for the time being in Congress until such time that public indigna-

tion over the deaths of 44 police officer will settle down.

Even Speaker Feliciano Belmonte expressed doubts about the approval of the BBL following the withdrawal of support from most of the country’s lawmakers as a result of the Mamasapano incident.

Deliberations on the BBL have been suspended temporarily until completion of all government investigations on the Mamasapano bloodbath.

Lawmakers are saying that although everyone is for lasting peace to happen in Mindanao, Congress should take a closer look at the proposed bill to correct possible flaws in the BBL. I agree. Or, perhaps we should just scuttle the BBL. We can’t trust the MILF to honor their commitment to lasting peace anyway.

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(Relaxnews) – A short nap can revive the immune system and even zap stress for those who didn’t get enough sleep the night before, according to French researchers who tested a small group of male subjects.

Lack of sleep can wreak havoc on the body and mind, sending hormones haywire, impairing judgment and increasing risk of illness, but the new research is encouraging in light of research decrying the consequences of lost sleep and indicating they are long-term if not irreversible.

“Our data suggests a 30-minute nap can reverse the hormonal impact of a night of poor sleep,” says Brice Faraut, PhD, of the Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité in Paris, France. “This is the first study that found napping could restore biomarkers of neuroendocrine and immune health to normal levels.”

Faraut and his team set out to examine the hormonal response to lack of sleep and they used a crossover, randomized method in which they worked with 11 healthy men between the ages of 25 and 32.

Subjects were cloistered in a sleeptesting laboratory where everything was strictly controlled from meals to the amount of light they received.

In the first experiment, they were only allowed two hours of sleep during an entire night and researchers subsequently analyzed participants’ urine and saliva.

Analysis indicated they had a 2.5-fold increase in the stress hormone norepinephrine, which is involved in the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar upon the perception of danger.

Levels of interleukin-6, which helps the immune system, had also plunged after participants’ near-sleepless night.

After participants had caught up on their sleep and hormones had returned to baseline, researchers conducted another experiment in which the two-hour sleep limit was repeated, but the men were given the chance to take two 30-minute naps the following day. No changes in norepinephrine levels or interleukin-6 levels were detected after the naps.

“Napping may offer a way to counter the damaging effects of sleep restriction by helping the immune and neuroendocrine systems to recover,” says Faraut.

Faraut’s study was published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Health benefits of alcohol disputed Wine and other alcoholic beverages offer negligible protective health benefits and should not be consumed in the interest of health, say researchers in the UK who worked with 52,891 subjects and concluded studies stating otherwise contain faulty data.

An editorial that appeared in the British Medical Journal on Tuesday – the same day the journal published the study – says the purported health benefits of alcohol have been greatly exaggerated by science, the media and an overly enthusiastic industry, along with its consumer base.

“Firstly, in health as elsewhere, if something looks too good to be true, it should be treated with great caution,” says Professor Mike Daube of Curtin University in Australia, who penned the editorial. “Secondly, health professionals should discourage suggestions that even low level alcohol use protects against cardiovascular disease and brings mortality benefits.”

In the study, researchers from the UK and Australia analyzed the relationship between alcohol and longevity in their massive pool of subjects, all of whom were over age 50.

Researchers used two samples of subjects, the first of which consisted of 18,368 individuals who self-reported their weekly consumption while the other group – of 34,523 subjects – self-reported their heaviest consumption of the week.

The two groups contained mortality data for 4,102 and 4,220 subjects, respectively.

Protective effects of alcohol, according to the study, were identifiable until the data was adjusted for personal, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and particularly after data had been adjusted to exclude former drinkers.

The strongest case for health benefits was observed in women over 65 years old who consumed 10 or less units per week on average, but the effect is modest, and Dr. Daube suggests it could be explained by selection bias.

Men aged 50 to 64 also saw nearly negligible protective effects, and only if they consumed between 15 and 20 units per week, or up to 1.5 units per day at maximum.

The research team concluded by saying that faulty data is to blame for misconceptions of alcohol’s effect on health.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Regine hesitant but still open to doing movie projects

Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez

No wedding bells yet for Richard, Sarah SHOWBIZ couple Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati are not joining the marriage bandwagon just yet.

“We are slowly planning things. We don’t want to rush things. We want to focus on Zion kasi he’s growing so fast,” Sarah said.

Sarah added that their top priority is Zion followed by their respective showbiz careers. She’s also grateful that work does not limit her time with her son.

“I try to spend as much time with Zion kasi ang bilis niyang lumaki. Binibigay ko ‘yung schedule ko, ‘yung free time ko lagi kay Zion. Kailangan andoon kami (ni Richard) to see him,” she said.

Why Xian feels friendship with Kim might level up Actor Xian Lim is hoping regular onscreen partner Kim Chiu will be his Valentine this coming February 14.

“Para sa akin, the best invitation sa Valentine’s is surprise,” he said.

Although they have yet to take their relationship to the next level, Lim vowed to just continue making the actress feel special.

“Parati kong pinapakita sa kanya na nandito ako, parati ako nagdadala ng bulaklak or mga favorite niya, ng mga chocolates. Kung gumana ‘yung pa-cute ko sa kanya, malalaman natin,” he said.

Lim understands that it is important that they build a strong foundation as friends first if ever they indeed become a couple in the future. “I think to get a really good relationship, dapat ‘yung friendship niyo matibay ang foundation para hindi naman kapag nandoon na kayo, medyo rocky,” he said. During his interview on “Aquino and Abunda Tonight” last February 4, Lim gave a meaningful answer when he was asked if he and Chiu are already a couple.

“Nararamdaman ko, malapit na eh. I think lume-level up na ako,” he teased without going into details.

Asked why he was able to say such thing, Lim said: “Nararamdaman ko kasi na—nasasamahan na niya ako. Kasi dati parati kaming may chaperone. Hindi kami pwedeng makanood ng sine. Ngayon sumasama na siya sa akin, sumasama na siya sa mga kaibigan ko lalo na ‘yung lola at mommy ko.”

With a little more effort, Chiu said in a separate interview that Lim is close to becoming her boyfriend.

Sarah also said that she has a very supportive partner in Richard.

“We respect each other. As long as ikakaganda ng career niya, ikakaganda ng career ko, we don’t try to hinder each other from growing and having better careers.

He makes sure that whatever work I’m doing, it’s classy and karespe-respeto, just like any partner would do to her,” he said.

The 21-year-old is also thankful that projects are still pouring in.

“This is what I enjoy and this is what I love doing (acting). I’m grateful that I am back working again and doing what I love most. I just try to balance my personal and professional life,” he said.(MNS)

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez said she tends to be “choosy” when it comes to movie projects, noting that it is not her forte.

Velasquez admitted that she usually feels uncomfortable when doing films.

“I get uncomfortable... Bago ko gawin ‘yung project, talagang kailangan kong i-psyche ‘yung sarili ko. Mahirap ha, kasi I have to wake up in the morning being a different person,” she said.

Velasquez was quick to add, however, that she also enjoys being a movie actress.

“Siyempre, I end up enjoying it. Pero before that, lagi akong hesitant because I am not an actor. I am a singer,” she said.

“I want to accept projects na I am sure I can do, like rom-com,” she added.

“Depende siguro din kung may role pa na babagay sa akin.”

When asked about her preferred leading man should she star in a movie again, Velasquez said: “Hindi ko alam. Kasi nga,

Regine Velasquez

parang hindi ko masyadong iniisip eh. So hindi ko alam unlike before na parang once a year kailangan kong mag-movie so naghahanap na agad ako [ng actor].”

Velasquez starred in hit films like “Wanted: Perfect Mother,” “Dahil May Isang Ikaw,” “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,” “Till I Met You” and “Pangako Ikaw Lang.”

(MNS)

Aiko Climaco bares skin on FHM cover

“Banana Nite” mainstay Aiko Climaco marks her first solo magazine cover with FHM, four months after she posed for the same men’s magazine with her fellow cast members on the late-night gag show.

Climaco is seen posing in a revealing gold swimsuit on the February 2014 cover of FHM, which was unveiled on the publication’s official website.

“Masaya ako and excited! At the same time, ganun pa rin, nervous pa rin ako,” Climaco was quoted as saying, referring to her FHM return with Jake Verzosa as her photographer. “Siguro kaya ko nang mag-cover ulit kasi nagawa ko na nung una, tsaka medyo confident na ako. Kaya ko na.”

In November 2014, Climaco posed with Sunshine Garcia and Jef Gaitan, her co-stars on “Banana Nite,” for the selfie-themed cover of FHM.

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COMMUNITY Westfield Santa Anita ushers in the Year of the Ram with the Third Annual Lunar New Year Celebration Newly renovated Center partners with local community organizations to celebrate Asian-American traditions and a variety of activities Arcadia, CA (February 5, 2015) – Westfield Santa Anita, the premier shopping center in the San Gabriel Valley, is ringing in the Year of the Ram by hosting its third annual Lunar New Year celebration throughout February, including a Lunar New Year event on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s partnering organizations joining in on the festivities are the Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), the Chinese American Museum (CAM), and the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), which will be bringing a part of its current Hello Kitty exhibit to the Center.

Having undergone a $20 million renovation, including the addition of stores such as L’Occitane, THEFACESHOP, Art of Shaving, Mikawaya, Polaroid Fotobar, and Kitson, Westfield Santa Anita is ready to make this year’s Lunar New Year celebration even more spectacular.

This year’s décor at the Center features lantern archways, tombstone vignettes throughout the property representing the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, as well as educational displays explaining how families celebrate Lunar New Year, pro-

vided by CAM. Westfield Santa Anita is also bringing back its core displays of the 120-foot dragon and Chinese pagoda.

“Westfield Santa Anita recognizes that Lunar New Year is such an important holiday for many Asian cultures, especially here in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley where we are located, said Lanko Miyazaki Goldberger, District Marketing Director for Westfield Santa Anita.

Goldberger added, “We are so excited to be joined by the community and our partners to celebrate and be a part of this tradition again.”

Also new to Westfield Santa Anita’s Lunar New Year celebration this year is its partnership with JANM, who is bringing Hello Kitty to the Center. In honor of JANM’s current hit exhibition “Hello!

Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty,” the museum is displaying Hello Kitty products created specifically in honor of various Lunar New Years.

And for the second year, in the spirit of giving back to the community during the Lunar New Year, Westfield Santa Anita has partnered with First General Bank again to raise funds for APCF, a network of nonprofit organizations that provide linguistically appropriate and culturally relevant programs and services to those in need.

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APCF will be able to hang their good “wishes” for the new year on the tree.

During the event on Feb. 15, traditional lion dances will kick off the celebration, and several live performances will take place throughout the day.

Other activities include Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, student art displays from local school districts, children’s crafts tables, and the popular life-sized traditional Chinese dice game where participants can win prizes from various Westfield retailers.

Guests can also sample food and refreshments at the event, including the Hello Kitty Café food truck.

Lunar New Year décor and activities will be available at Westfield Santa Anita from Feb. 1 to Mar. 1.

The Westfield Santa Anita Lunar New Year event will take place on Feb. 15, 2015, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Westfield Santa Anita is located at 400 S. Baldwin Ave, Arcadia. All events are free and open to the public.

About Westfield Santa Anita

Westfield Santa Anita, anchored by Nordstrom, Macy’s, AMC Theatres, and JCPenney, offers a dynamic merchandising mix with such favorites as Forever 21, Sephora, Michael Kors, Sport Chalet and Abercrombie & Fitch.

The property’s delectable dining options include The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, Wood Ranch BBQ, Red Robin, Hai Di Lao Hot Pot and Benihana.

The Promenade at Westfield Santa Anita features 115,000 square feet of new retail space in an elegant outdoor environment.

This $120 million revitalization of the property introduces 30 new shops and restaurants, beautifully landscaped courtyards punctuated by lush greenery, pleasant walkways, fountains, and locally inspired architecture.

Some of the popular brands available within this scenic shopping destination include Coach, Chico’s, Williams-Sonoma, Talbot’s, and Abercrombie kids. Caffe Concerto, Meizhou Dongpo and Wing Hop Fung are also slated to open in 2015.

Valentine’s Day: The only safe metallic balloon is a secure one When not tied to a weight or kept indoors, the colorful gifts can drift away and into power lines and equipment, causing outages and potential injuries

By Paul Netter

February 05, 2015 – It usually happens with a loud bang followed instantly by a disintegrated balloon.

For the uninitiated, that’s often the sound made when a metallic balloon drifts into a power line, transformer or substation. And, unfortunately, it’s usually the beginning of a power outage.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s a sound that usually grows more significantly in February and March compared with the preceding months. It signifies an increase in balloon-related outages caused by more people receiving them as gifts and eventually allowing them to carelessly drift away. And there are consequences beyond power outages, including potential threats to public safety and property damage.

While drastically reducing balloon outages remains elusive, the solution is still cheap and simple.

“People should keep their balloons indoors if possible, but they should always be attached to a weight heavy enough to keep them from floating away, especially outdoors,” said James Mackenzie, SCE principal manager of Corporate Safety Programs. “Our top priority is safety and keeping the lights on. If the public practices good judgment by never releasing balloons outdoors, we will all benefit.”

Balloon weights are required by California law and mass balloon releases are also illegal in many states, including California. Despite those laws, SCE had 656 balloon-related outages last year, down slightly from the 689 in 2013.

And while balloon-caused outages are definitely not confined to February – SCE’s

high last year was its 137 in June – they typically start rising in February and March compared with the previous two months.

Last year, SCE had 30 and 64 of the outages, respectively in February and March after experiencing 20 and 24, respectively, in December and January.

The March numbers, incurred long after Valentine’s Day, indicate how metallic balloons can retain helium for several weeks, which along with their durability is among the reasons for their popularity.

Perhaps the most serious downside, though, is when the balloon contact is so intense that it causes a power line to sever and dangle or fall to the ground. In addition to prolonging an outage, this is a major safety threat that people should avoid – even if the power lines appear not to be live. People should never touch or approach them and they should call 911 immediately.

Additionally, balloon owners should never try to retrieve a balloon – or any foreign object – tangled in power lines or poles. They should instead call SCE at 800611-1911. And when disposing of them, balloons should never be released. Instead, puncture them several times or cut the knot with scissors before throwing them in the garbage so they won’t float away.

“Balloons may not seem that significant, but when they’re allowed to drift and land in the electrical infrastructure, they can threaten safety and cause major damage,” said Mackenzie. “They can also disrupt peoples’ everyday activities.”

Those disruptions can notably include inoperable traffic signals, but also extend to shopping, pumping gas or using an ATM, to name just a few.

“It’s safe to say that even one balloon outage in February or any other month is one more than necessary,” said Mackenzie.

“People should act responsibly to keep them secured because it only takes one to create a dangerous situation or affect the lives of thousands.”

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Multilingual interpretation services expanded February 9, 2015 - For litigants with limited English proficiency The Los Angeles Superior Court now provides the services of a court interpreter in unlawful detainer (eviction), guardianship, and conservatorship matters at no cost and without a fee waiver.

Additionally, the Court has expanded the services of court interpreters to include family law and civil harassment matters, also at no cost to the parties. The Court continues to provide court interpreters in criminal, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, mental health, domestic violence, elder abuse and traffic matters at no cost to the parties.

Feb. 17 last day to register to vote for LA primaries (February 10, 2015) — City Clerk Holly L. Wolcott reminds eligible residents they must register to vote by Tuesday, February 17, 2015 in order to be able to vote in the March 3, 2015 Primary Nominating Election. To be eligible to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, be 18 years old

by Election Day, and not in prison or on parole for a felony. Registered voters who have moved or changed their names since the last election must re-register to vote.

Voter registration is handled by the Office of the California Secretary of State.

You can register to vote from the following sources:  Complete your registration online at http://registertovote.ca.gov  Register in person at the Office of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk (RR/CC), 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650.  Voter registration forms may also be available at the public counter of most Los Angeles City and County buildings, libraries, fire stations, post offices, and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices.

Boxer reintroduces bill to protect children from e-cigarettes Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today reintroduced the Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act to prohibit the marketing of e-cigarettes to children and teens.

“Every day, more and more kids are trying e-cigarettes and developing a dangerous addiction to nicotine,” Senator Boxer said.

“This bill will immediately ban the outrageous marketing of e-cigarettes to children, including the use of candy flavors and cartoon advertisements that are shamelessly designed to lure and addict them.”

Electronic cigarettes, also called ecigarettes and e-cigs, are battery-operated products that simulate traditional cigarettes by converting cartridges of liquid typically filled with addictive nicotine, other additives, and flavorings into vapor inhaled by the user. Currently, e-cigarettes are not subject to federal laws and regulations that apply to traditional cigarettes, including a ban on marketing to youth.

According to the journal Pediatrics, the number of children aged 12 to 17 years exposed to e-cigarette marketing increased by 256% between 2011 and 2013. This increased exposure has coincided with a dramatic rise in the use of e-cigarettes by youth and an increased risk of addiction to tobacco products, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that e-cigarette use among high school students tripled during the same period.

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ROOM FOR RENT For one female only. W/ private entry & bathroom, furnished, utils incld. Located in a residential area, close to market & bus stop.

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Call 213-483-3711, cell 323-327-6898.

ROOM -NORTH HILLS $600/mo. furnished, w/ BA, free utilities, cable & internet. Near Seafood market Nordhoff branch. Avail Feb. 20. Welcome students, caregivers & single female.

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PRAYERS

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 -P.A.Z

PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful Àower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

Grateful Thanks. -ALLAN

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FOOD & DINING FAMILY FEATURES

W

hen al fresco entertaining calls for some flavorful inspiration, look to the fresh and abundant offerings of Mediterranean cuisine.

Inspired by its coastal origins, traditional Greek dishes feature a colorful collection of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and grilled fare.

Whether you’re serving friends with a themed event or simply enjoying a homemade meal with the family, delicious Greek cuisine is perfect for sharing with those you love.

From raw to roasted, pickled to caramelized, the onion is one of the most versatile vegetables, and is commonly found among the many fresh flavors of this fare. Plus, when you cook with the mighty onion, you’re serving up a good source of vitamin C. The growers and shippers of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee and the National Onion Association offer the following tips about onions:  One large onion, diced equals about 1 cup fresh and 1/4 cup cooked.  Grill and saute onions over low to medium heat. This will bring out a savory, sweet, mellow flavor. High heat can cause the onion to taste bitter.  Store onions in a cool, dry, wellventilated place with minimal exposure to light.  Keep peeled and cut onions in a sealed container in the refrigerator for seven to 10 days.

For more tips and ideas to add flavor to your outdoor celebrations, visit www. onions-usa.org and www.usaonions.com.

Lentil Salad with Marinated

Onions, Roasted Tomatoes and Olives Servings: 6–8 2–3 medium tomatoes cut into eight wedges 1 (9.5-ounce) jar whole, pitted Greek olives, drained 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 8 thyme sprigs, leaves removed Sea salt 1 1/3 cups lentils 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 garlic cloves, pressed 1 medium cucumber, chopped 1 (12-ounce) jar artichoke hearts, sliced 1/4 cup parsley, chopped 3 tablespoons chives, chopped 2/3 cup crumbled feta 1 tablespoon lemon juice Fresh ground black pepper Preheat oven to 400°F. On mediumsized baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange tomatoes skin side down. Add drained olives to pan; drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with thyme leaves and sea salt. Roast for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Cook lentils according to package directions, approximately 20 minutes.

While lentils are cooking, place red onion in small bowl. Pour red wine vinegar over onions and sprinkle with sea salt. Stir and let stand at room temperature while lentils are cooking.

When lentils finish cooking, drain if needed. In large bowl combine lentils, marinated red onion, garlic and remaining olive oil. Mix well and cool completely. When cool, combine rest of ingredients with lentils. Serve cold.

Turkey and Onion Meatball Kebabs with Yogurt Dipping Sauce Servings: 6 large or 9 small kebabs 1 tablespoon cumin seed 1 cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 1 tablespoon chopped chives 3/4 teaspoon honey 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 pound ground turkey 3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 teaspoons lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut in thin wedges 1 green pepper, cut into 1-inch dices 12 cherry tomatoes Heat small pan over medium heat. Add

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cumin seeds to toast. Stir frequently, for about 3 minutes or until seeds are fragrant and slightly browned. Remove seeds to spice grinder or mortar and pestle; grind to moderately fine powder.

In medium bowl, combine yogurt, cilantro, chives, honey, salt and 1 teaspoon ground toasted cumin. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

In second medium bowl, combine turkey, garlic, lemon zest, salt, cayenne and 1 teaspoon ground toasted cumin; mix gently but thoroughly. Shape into eighteen 1 1/2-inch meatballs.

Preheat grill. On metal skewers (or bamboo skewers soaked in water 30 minutes), thread meatball, onion wedge, pepper square and cherry tomato. Repeat.

Finish skewer with another meatball and onion wedge.

Grill until meatballs reach internal temperature of 160°F, turning as needed.

Serve immediately with dipping sauce.

For mini-skewers, use 2 meatballs, 2 onion wedges, 1 cherry tomato and 1 pepper square on each skewer.

Orange, Mint and Onion Salad Servings: 6 3 navel oranges 1/2 sweet yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, torn 1/4 cup black olives, oil cured, pitted Vinaigrette: 1/3 cup cider vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup canola oil For salad, cut top and bottom off each orange so it sits flat on cutting surface.

Remove peel and pith (white part) by taking sharp knife and running it down sides of orange from top to bottom, following shape of each orange. Slice oranges into rounds.

Arrange slices, overlapping each other slightly, on large platter. Scatter onion, mint and olives over oranges.

For vinaigrette, whisk vinegar with honey, mustard, cinnamon and salt. Slowly add oil while whisking constantly, until well combined.

Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and serve immediately.

Note: Any leftover dressing can be stored, tightly covered, in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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MOTORING

Infiniti posts new record for global sales in 2014 All-time high results globally and in many individual markets Hong Kong – Infiniti had a recordbreaking year with global sales of more than 186,200 vehicles, up 13.5% from the previous year. December 2014 was the best ever month in Infiniti’s history with almost 19,700 vehicles sold. This is a 7.5% increase compared to December a year ago. Overall, Infiniti reached alltime high results in 19 markets around the world in calendar year 2014.

“This result is a testament to Infiniti’s potential in the premium vehicle market worldwide and demonstrates the successful work done by the Infiniti team around the world,” said Roland Krüger, President and CEO of Infiniti Motor Company Limited. “I would like to take the opportunity to thank our customers for their continued trust in Infiniti. I also would like to thank the team for their relentless efforts to serve our customers and making these outstanding successes possible. This strong team and the outstanding products designed with engineering excellence form base for our future success. It is a privilege for me to lead this team going forward.”

With a year-over-year increase of approximately 1% and a total volume of 117,300 vehicles, the US continues to be the biggest and hence most important market for Infiniti. In China, Infiniti’s second largest single market, the company had another record year. In 2014, Infiniti sold more than 30,000 vehicles, an increase of 75.6% over 2013. This

Oceania region where Infiniti’s emerging markets are, Infiniti also virtually doubled its sales volume: 95.2% increase and more than 4,600 vehicles sold represent Filipino Sales Professionals Augusto Montemayor and Mariefe Alipio, another all-time and Internet Director Cristina Madlangbayan (rightmost) of Infiniti of high. In Canada, Beverly Hills and Infiniti of Van Nuys.

Infiniti for the made Infiniti the fastest growing prefirst time ever sold mium brand in the industry for the year. more than 10,000 vehicles in a single In September, the Dongfeng Infiniti Mo- year. tor Co., Ltd., was established as a local A strong product lineup remains at the joint venture to further grow Infiniti’s core of the sales growth. The Q50 sports business in China. In November, Infiniti sedan was introduced in many markets started local production in the Xiang- around the world in 2014 and became yang Plant in Wuhan province to bring the company’s top-selling product. It products closer to Chinese consumers. won many accolades from respected The brand’s dealer network in China has organizations globally particularly in the expanded from 66 in 2013 to 85 in 2014. area of innovative technologies. Infiniti Further network growth is expected in also introduced upgraded Q70 and QX80 the years to come. models at the New York Auto Show in Infiniti became one of the fastest April followed by the long-wheelbase growing premium brands in a number versions of Q50 and QX50 in China in of key regions and markets in 2014 fall. Powertrain options were extended including West Europe, Middle East with the addition of a turbocharged twoand Mexico. In the highly competitive liter petrol engine for the Q50. In 2015, Western Europe region, Infiniti almost Q30, Infiniti’s premium compact entry doubled its sales. Approximately 4,800 for global markets, will be launched vehicles represent an increase of 95.8%, and become Infiniti’s first vehicle built marking an all-time high record. In in Europe.

Middle East and Mexico, the brand sold At the 2015 North American Auto approximately 7,100 and 1,500 vehicles Show in Detroit in early January, Infiniti in 2014, a 25.6% and 49.1% increase will introduce its Q60 Concept, the comover 2013 respectively. In the Asia and pany’s take on a captivating two-door

premium sports coupe.

Infiniti’s sales and portfolio growth is mirrored by a significant expansion of its global manufacturing footprint. The brand started local production in China with the Q50L in November 2014 and will begin to build the Q30 in the UK in 2015. It also started engine production at the Infiniti Powertrain Plant in Decherd, Tennessee, in the U.S. in June last year.

With the plan to start production in Mexico in 2017, Infiniti will extend its manufacturing footprint to five countries on three continents in the next few years.

“Infiniti has achieved a series of milestones in 2014,” said Krüger. “It sets an excellent foundation for 2015 as we continue to transform Infiniti into a global premium automotive brand.”

If you want to be a proud owner of Infiniti, come to the most popular place in town – at the Infiniti Beverly Hills or Infiniti of Van Nuys and ask for our friendly kababayans Filipino Sales Professionals Maria Alipio and Augusto Montemayor and Internet Director Cristina Madlangbayan and find out for yourself why Infiniti is nearly the best luxury car brand there is and why Filipinos prefer it over all other luxury vehicles.

Infinity Beverly Hills is located at 8825 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Infiniti of Van Nuys is situated at 5455 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401. You can reach Augusto, Marie or Cristina at 1-855-447-3713. Or, visit their website at www.infinitiofbeverlyhills.

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Kia motors America announces record January sales Optima and Soul Lead Sales; All-New 2016 Sorento CUV Now in Showrooms IRVINE, Calif., February 3, 2015 – Kia Motors America’s (KMA) record-setting momentum carried into 2015 with bestever January sales of 38,299 vehicles, up 3.5 percent over the same period last year.

Kia’s strong start was led by the U.S.built* Optima and the iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle, and coincided with the arrival of the more capable and refined third generation of the popular U.S.-built* Sorento CUV. “Yahoo called Kia one of the ‘hottest brands’ in the industry in early January, and as economic conditions continue to improve, our record-setting January performance proved them right as more and more customers entered the market and considered Kia for the first time,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, sales & marketing, KMA.

He said “Kia has one of the youngest and best-looking lineups in the business, including the completely redesigned Sedona, which brings unmatched styling and amenities to the segment and sold nearly four times as many units as the outgoing model did in January 2014.”

To announce the arrival of the all-new 2016 Sorento, KMA aired a 60-second spot titled “Perfect Getaway” in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLIX, which replaced the usual action movie mayhem with the Sorento’s capability to handle any adventure-seeker’s lifestyle. A phased rollout of the multi-platform marketing campaign will incorporate TV, cinema, digital and social media.

Earleri, Edmunds.com has named the Kia Soul to its annual list of the most popular vehicles on the well-known car-buying site. With more than 18 million unique visitors a month, Edmunds.com honored the

fun and funky Kia Soul in the subcompact segment for the 2nd consecutive year.

“Kia Motors America set an all-time annual sales record in 2014, and the Soul was a major component of that achievement, setting its own record of more than 145,000 units sold – it’s fifth consecutive year of sales growth. That success is powerful evidence of the popularity of the Soul and how well the Kia brand is resonating with car buyers,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales & marketing, Kia Motors America. “Being recognized

by Edmunds.com staff and their visitors is further indication that our products offer a winning combination of world-class design, quality, technology and safety – and, of course, value.”

The 2015 Most Popular on Edmunds. com vehicle list was derived by identifying the three models in each vehicle segment with the highest “car-shopper consider-

ation,” which is calculated as the total monthly unique desktop website visitors to Edmunds.com’s research and inventory pages, including model year detail pages (core pages), reviews, build-and-price tools and new-car inventory pages, from Jan. 1, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2014.

“The Kia brand has a lot of momentum, and a remarkable number of in-market subcompact car shoppers on our site have been especially drawn to the Soul,” said Edmunds.com CEO Avi Steinlauf.

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.

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage named to American Council for an energy-efficient economy ‘Greenest Vehicles’ list and comfort, call Richard Samaco, Cesar Macandili or Mark De Leon the dealership’s Filipino salespersons at Glendale Mitsubishi at (888) 465-7218.

The Mirage is the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered non-hybrid vehicle in America; the only conventional gasolinepowered vehicle to make the list Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.’s (MMNA) highly fuel efficient Mirage 5-door hatchback has been named to the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy’s (ACEEE) prestigious “Greenest Vehicles” list as part of the organization’s Greenercars.org rankings for the 2015 model year. The Mirage is the only conventional gasoline-powered vehicle – not a hybrid, EV, PHEV or natural gas-powered vehicle – to make the list this year.* With a starting MSRP of only $12,995 and an EPA fuel rating of 40 mpg combined city and highway (37 mpg city/44 mpg highway), the 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage is the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered non-hybrid vehicle available in America.

Furthermore, every Mirage comes with Mitsubishi Motors’ outstanding warranty, one of the industry’s most comprehensive protection plans. Coverage includes a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited

Britain greenlights driverless cars on public roads warranty, 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty, 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty and 5-years/unlimited miles roadside assistance.

“We are pleased to see our 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage named to the ACEEE’s ‘Greenest Vehicles’ list, and we look forward to launching more new innovative and affordably-priced environmentallyfriendly vehicles in the future,” said Don Swearingen, Executive Vice President of MMNA. “With its low price, plentiful features, exceptional fuel economy and extensive warranty, the Mitsubishi Mirage offers automotive consumers an unprecedented new-car value.”

The ACEEE’s Greenercars.org annually assesses the environmental friendliness of

production vehicles available in the United States. The website analyzes a vehicle’s lifecycle greenhouse gas and the EPA’s criteria pollutant emissions consisting of carbon monoxide, lead, ground-level ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides to determine each vehicle’s Green Score. *According to the ACEEE, the conventional Smart ForTwo did not make this year’s list only because its all-electric counterpart had already claimed a spot on their “Greenest Vehicles” list.

If you want to know why the Mitsubishi is up in its sales and why the Outlander and Lancer are two of America’s top Mitsubishi vehicles or why they are the choice of many of our kababayans – nostalgia perhaps? – who are looking for reliability, efficiency

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Wednesday 2/11/2015 – Britain gave the green light to the testing of futuristic driverless cars on public roads on Wednesday, with the launch of a multi-millionpound scheme to develop the technology.

Officials said the driverless cars would improve road safety and were an opportunity for Britain’s automotive manufacturing industry to create skilled jobs.

“We are launching officially four trials of semi-autonomous vehicles, the first step on the route to driverless technology,” Transport Minister Claire Perry told AFP at the unveiling of a prototype driverless car in Greenwich, southeast London.

“It’s very good for road safety. Right now 93 percent of accidents are caused by driver error. It also has the opportunity to free up people’s time, to give us extra time in our days. And the other opportunity is to use the road capacity better.”

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Nearly 64 million vehicles recalled in US last year Washington, United States | AFP | Friday 2/13/2015 - 16:26 GMT | 281 words Nearly 64 million cars and trucks were recalled in the United States in 2014 for safety defects in a record-breaking year for both recalls and vehicles, a US agency said.

Automakers issued 803 recalls last year affecting 63.95 million vehicles, the highest number dating back to 1966, the National Highway Transportation Highway Safety Administration said in an email to AFP Friday.

The year was marked by massive General Motors recalls for defective ignition switches and other problems, as well as multi-company recalls for faulty airbags made by Japanese firm Takata.

“These figures demonstrate the need for vigorous, effective oversight to remove safety defects from our highways,” said Mark Rosekind, head of the NHTSA, in a statement cited in the email.

Of the 803 recalls, 123 were influenced by NHTSA investigation and enforcement efforts, the agency said.

General Motors, the largest US automaker, began a recall of 2.6 million cars in February 2014 for defective ignition switches that it now has acknowledged caused at least 52 deaths.

The US Congress and the Justice Department are investigating why GM waited more than a decade after uncovering the problem to start recalling cars.

In total, GM recalled nearly 27 million vehicles last year in the United States for various defects.

Takata’s faulty airbags, linked to at least five deaths in the US and overseas, led to the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide by 10 major automakers.

In November, the NHTSA ordered a recall of all cars in the US with the suspect Takata airbags. Honda, Takata’s biggest airbag customer, recalled about nine million automobiles in the US.

Nelson Sioson with 2014 Mercedes-Benz G550. Originally developed to excel in military, municipal as well as civilian duty, mbusa.com says the “unmistakably ageless design of the G-Class is a pure reflection of the character within.” Also, mbusa.com says the G550 V-8 engine generates 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of peak torque, with an exceptional 75 percent of that torque on tap at just 1,000 rpm. If you want to check out 2014 Mercedes-Benz G550 or test drive another Mercedes-Benz model, get in touch with our kababayan Nelson asap and other models at Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach located at 2300 E Spring St, Signal Hill, CA 90755. Call Nelson now at 1.866.870.2966.

2015 Nissan Altima, Frontier and Pathfinder named ‘Most Popular’ on Edmunds.com 2015 Altima, Frontier and Pathfinder are among the most-researched vehicles in their segments on Edmunds.com If you want to be the next Nissan owner, or you may want to purchase another Nissan vehicle, brand-new or certified pre-owned, all you have to do is get in touch with Nelson Samson at Ross Nissan located at 3428 North Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731. Or call them to make an appointment at 1-866-481-1050. For more information, please visit their website at www. rossnissan.com.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Some say there’s more to life than popularity, but with Edmunds.com “Most Popular” awards, it seems to be rather important. Edmunds. com recently named the 2015 Nissan Altima “Most Popular Midsize Car,” the 2015

Nissan Frontier “Most Popular Compact Truck,” and the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder “Most Popular Midsize Traditional SUV.” These three vehicles stood among the top-three most-researched vehicles in their respective categories on the car research site Edmunds.com.

Winners for each vehicle segment are selected based on the highest number of unique visitors to the model’s new-car research and inventory pages on the Edmunds.com desktop site. This year’s award looked at website traffic from the first 10 months of 2014. Around 18 million shoppers visit Edmunds.com for car-buying advice every month.

“Winning an accolade like this is a testament to the true popularity of our vehicles,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. “Based on customer research trends, winning this award shows that each of these three Nissan models continues to resonate well with new-vehicle shoppers.”

Each solid fixtures in their respective segments, these three vehicles are Edmunds.com’s Most Popular for a second consecutive year.

“Nissan products are really getting the attention of in-market car shoppers on our site,” said Edmunds.com CEO Avi Steinlauf. “Winning so many ‘Most Popular on Edmunds.com awards bodes well for the company’s sales in 2015.”

To view the complete 2015 Most Popular on Edmunds.com Awards recipients, please visit the Edmunds.com website at: http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/ most-popular-2015.html.

If you want to be the next Nissan owner or you may want to purchase another Nissan vehicle, brand-new or certified pre-owned, all you have to do is get in touch with Nelson Samson at Ross Nissan located at 3428 North Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731. Or call them to make an appointment at 1-866-481-1050. For more information, please visit their website at www.rossnissan.com.

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

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Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach

You’re not just a Mercedes-Benz driver, you’re part of the family.

Up To

4 MONTHS’ PAYMENT CREDIT

on your current Mercedes-Benz Financial Services lease with the purchase of a new 2014 or 2015 Mercedes-Benz.

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Eligible customers will receive up to 4 months’ payment credit on their current lease with a lease or finance of any new 2014 or 2015 Mercedes-Benz vehicle through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Certain exclusions apply. See dealer for details.

Filipino Fleet Manager

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4MATIC® per month for 36 months*

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2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC® Sport Sedan 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 Sport Sedan per month per month ** for 36 months for 36 months***

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*Available only to qualified customers at participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (where applicable to advertised lease) through March 2, 2015. Advertised lease rate based on a gross capitalized cost of $37,325. Includes Destination Charge, Premium 1 Package, Becker® MAP PILOT® Pre-Wiring and Becker® MAP PILOT®. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep. and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $13,284. Cash due at signing includes $2,725 capitalized cost reduction, $795 Acquisition fee, and first month’s lease payment of $369. Total due at signing, $3,889. Total payments equal $16,804. At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/ mile over 30,000 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee. Subject to credit approval. No security deposit required. Offer expires 3.2.15.

419

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**Available only to qualified customers at participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (where applicable to advertised lease) through March 2, 2015.

Advertised lease rate based on a gross capitalized cost of $43,027.

Includes destination charge and Premium 1 Package. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep. and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $15,084. Cash due at signing includes $3,499 capitalized cost reduction, $795 Acquisition fee, and first month’s lease payment of $419. Total due at signing $4,713. Total payments equal $19,378. At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee. Subject to credit approval. No security deposit required. Offer expires 3.2.15.

***Available only to qualified customers at participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (where applicable to advertised lease) through March 2, 2015.

Advertised lease rate based on a gross capitalized cost of $55,106.

Includes Destination Charge and Premium 1 Package. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep. and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $20,844. Cash due at signing includes $3,699 capitalized cost reduction, $795 Acquisition fee, and first month’s lease payment of $579. Total due at signing $5,073. Total payments equal $25,338. At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 22,500 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee. Subject to credit approval. No security deposit required. Offer expires 3.2.15.

• Rates as low as 0.99% up to 36 months1 • 2 Month Payment Credit

SALES EVENT

2

• Complimentary Pre-Paid Maintenance • Unlimited Mileage Warranty

3

4

2012 Mercedes-Benz C250

2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML350

CPO, Sport Package, Moonroof, Sport Sedan Package, Low APR

Premium 1 Package, Leather, Panoramic Roof, Low APR, Heated Front Seats

CPO, Premium 1 Package, Multimedia Package, Rear-View Camera

CPO, Navigation, Premium 1 Package, Low APR, Rear-View Camera

$26,684†

$28,499†

$28,894†

$32,990†

223101 / L9167

103820 / L8975B

946949 / L9116

655650 / P9196

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350

2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 4MATIC® Wagon

2013 Mercedes-Benz S550

CPO, iPod/MP3 Media Interface Package, Low APR

CPO, Premium 1 Package, Navigation, Heated Front Seats

CPO, Rare, New Body, Sport Package, Panoramic Roof, Low APR

CPO, Leather, Navigation, Sport Package, Moonroof, Low APR

$33,495†

$33,993†

$53,891†

$59,989†

029658 / L9173

741210 / L9106

790141 / L9154

510464 / P9199

mbzlongbeach.com 2300 East Spring St. • Signal Hill, CA 90755 †

866.870.2966 At the 405 and 605 in Signal Hill. Exit Cherry Ave. off the 405.

All prices are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). MSRP excludes destination and handling charges, tax, title, license and options. 10.99% APR for up to 36 months applies to Mercedes-Benz model year 2011, 2012 and 2013 Certified Pre-Owned C, E, S, GLK, M and GL-Class vehicles. Excludes leases and balloon contracts. Available only at participating authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers. Subject to credit approval

by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Qualified customers only. Not everyone will qualify. Minimum finance term applies. See Mercedes-Benz of Long Beach for complete details. 22 month Payment Credit up to $900 applies to 2011, 2012, and 2013 Certified Pre-Owned C-Class and GLK-Class vehicles. 2 month Payment Credit up to $1,200 applies to 2011, 2012, and 2013 Certified Pre-Owned M-Class and E-Class vehicles.

2 month Payment Credit up to $2,000 applies to 2011, 2012, and 2013 Certified Pre-Owned GL-Class and S-Class vehicles. Vehicles must be financed through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. 3Complimentary Pre-Paid Maintenance contract available on select Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned C, E, S, GLK, M and GL-Class vehicles. Excludes AMG models. Must take delivery of vehicle between January 3, 2015 and March 2, 2015. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for complete details on Pre-Paid Maintenance. 4Certified Pre-Owned limited warranty coverage for one (1) year (and no mileage maximum) from expiration date of the original 4-year / 50,000 mile Mercedes-Benz new vehicle limited warranty. If the new vehicle limited warranty has expired, Certified Pre-Owned limited warranty coverage is for one (1) year from the date of purchase, with no mileage maximum. Offers expire close of business 3.2.15.