Weekend balita january 17, 2015 by Balita Media Inc

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXII, NO. 50

JANUARY 17 - 23, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

Pope to PHL leaders: End graft

His Holiness Pope Francis, accompanied by President Aquino, hugs children at the garden area of Malacañan Palace on Friday during the welcome ceremony for the Pope’s State Visit and Apostolic Journey to the Philippines. (MNS photo)

Pope speaks out vs ‘confusing’ family values Manila, Philippines | AFP | Friday 1/16/2015 - Pope Francis on Friday urged Catholic leaders in the Philippines to resist powerful forces that are tempting youth with “confusing” versions of sexuality, marriage and the family. The 78-year-old pontiff delivered his message in a sermon to priests and nuns in the centuries-old Manila Cathedral, on the first full day of a trip to the Catholic Church’s Asian stronghold. The pope urged them to counsel young people, who may be confused and de-

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Friday 1/16/2015 – Pope Francis on Friday demanded leaders in the Philippines end “scandalous social inequalities,” hitting out at corruption in a nation where tens of millions of Catholics endure brutal poverty. The pontiff made the comments in his first speech of a five-day visit to the Philippines, after an electrifying welcome on Thursday enhanced the nation’s reputation as the Catholic Church’s vibrant Asian bastion. Francis, a revered figure for most Filipinos, took immediate aim at the nation’s elite who have for decades enjoyed the spoils of power while the vast majority lived in poverty. “It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good,” the pope said in the speech at the presidential palace.

He challenged “everyone, at all levels of society, to reject every form of corruption, which diverts resources from the poor”. The 78-year-old pontiff, seen by many around the world as a bold reformer compared with his predecessor, said the “great biblical tradition” obliged everyone to hear the voice of the poor. “It bids us break the bonds of injustice and oppression which give rise to glaring, and indeed scandalous, social inequalities,” he said. Graft fight Francis had moments earlier met President Benigno Aquino, who has waged a high-profile campaign against corruption since coming to power in 2010 that has seen his predecessor and three senators detained. Aquino also orchestrated the impeachment of the Supreme Court’s chief justice See END GRAFT, page 6

spondent living in a corrupt society, on traditional values. “Proclaim the beauty and truth of the Christian message to a society which is tempted by confusing presentations of sexuality, marriage and the family,” Francis said. “As you know, these realities are increasingly under attack from powerful forces which threaten to disfigure God’s plan for creation and betray the very values which have inspired and shaped all that is See FAMILY VALUES, page 6

Dinky denies DSWD locking up street kids for papal visit MANILA, Jan 15 (Mabuhay) – Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman on Thursday denied that her agency is rounding up and locking away street children in Metro Manila to prevent them from being seen by Pope Francis. Soliman made the clarification following the British tabloid The Daily Mail’s publication of a report alleging that Filipino social workers have been picking up street children off the streets and keeping them in detention to make Metro Manila more presentable for the papal visit. “The accusation we’re hiding street children so they can’t be seen by the Pope isn’t true. We actually insisted that they be part of the papal activities,” she said. According to Soliman, a total of 440 children who have been turned over to DSWD will be part of the send-off for Pope Francis on Jan. 19. The children have been rehearsing a song to present to the pontiff for several days, she said. Soliman said she has sent DSWD personnel to Bahay Pag-asa in Pasig City and House of Hope in Parañaque City – which were some of the shelters mentioned in the tabloid article – to check if they are See STREET KIDS, page 6

PAPA-razzis: Priests take pictures of Pope Francis as he arrives to celebrate his first mass in the Philippines for local Catholic leaders at the Manila Cathedral Friday. The pontiff is on a five-day apostolic visit to the Philippines until January 19. (MNS photo)

GOP holds retreat on immigration Republicans also plan ways on to repeal healthcare law By Michael Mathes

Hershey, United States | AFP | Thursday 1/15/2015 – US House and Senate Republicans huddled Thursday in the famed chocolate town of Hershey, hoping some of the destination’s sweetness rubs off as they struggle to smooth out divisions on vexing issues like immigration. The GOP is in control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in eight years, and while they are largely united in opposing President Barack Obama’s legislative agenda, Republican leaders are struggling to rein in recalcitrant conservatives in their party. Republican lawmakers gathered behind closed doors, in breakout sessions to discuss issues like tax reform, how to repeal or change Obama’s health law, the looming debt ceiling and improving border security. It was a “robust, frank discussion of the issues,” Senator John Thune said. But the reputation of this ageing resort town – Hershey’s motto is “The sweetest

place on Earth”—belied the occasionally edgy atmosphere in which the House and Senate Republican caucuses were meeting outside Washington for the first time in 10 years. Topping the list of issues is immigration, in which fissures widened after the House passed a Department of Homeland Security funding bill Wednesday that not only would wipe out Obama’s unilateral actions on immigration, but also roll back existing previsions that shield thousands of young undocumented immigrants from deportation. “Yesterday was a clear overreach,” said Congressman Jeff Denham, one of 26 Republicans who voted against that amendment. He said there was Republican unanimity in wanted to prevent Obama’s executive action on immigration, which would provide millions of illegal immigrants with temporary work permits. “But going far beyond that I think not only sets us back on immigration reform, but I think it sends a mixed message to See IMMIGRATION, page 6

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Can bankruptcy stop a foreclosure? There has been an incredible amount of press recently that suggests a significant improvement in the real estate market. However, there is still a way to go before mortgage balances once again are lower than the property’s current value. In the interim, many are still facing foreclosure due to increases in mortgage payments, or decreases in household income. The major banks have recently released a statement that foreclosures are set to increase during the second half of 2013. In fact, one of the reasons, real estate professionals see an improve- answer. You will still have to make your ment in demand for homes for sale, (a regular mortgage payments on time, but buyer’s market), is because ironically, mortgage arrears can be amortized over there is a shortage of homes for sale. Home several years, so you don’t have to catch owners cannot list a home for sale if it’s up all at once. worth less than they owe. Their choices are It is a solution for those struggling with limited. Foreclose, abandon, shortsale or both mortgage payments and unsecured bankruptcy. For those with a second mort- debt like credit cards, because the bankgage, bankruptcy might be a solution, since ruptcy can discharge the unsecured debt, it can strip away (discharge) the second lien and give you a chance to use that money if it is totally unsecured by the property’s to save your home, current value. This decreases the amount The U.S. Courts’ publication Bankowed, and increases the owners equity. ruptcy Basics refers to a Chapter 13 Now they can sell, if that’s what they want bankruptcy as “an adjustment of debts of to do. Better yet, stay in the home, and an individual with regular income” where watch the value go up, without paying for the debtor works with the bankruptcy court the second mortgage. to develop a repayment plan for the debtor When you are unable to make your to follow over the next three to five years. mortgage payments on time, the bank Upon completion of the repayment plan, starts a foreclosure process. Foreclosure is the bankruptcy court will discharge any a legal procedure that involves mortgaged remaining eligible debts. properties. If a homeowner defaults on A Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing can his or her mortgage, by either failing to stall or derail foreclosure proceedings. make mortgage payments or failing to That’s because of bankruptcy’s “automatic follow other terms of the mortgage docu- stay” provisions that force creditors to ment, foreclosure may be the result. The the sidelines while the bankruptcy court homeowner relinquishes all rights to the sorts things out. The lender can petition property, and the mortgage lender takes the court to allow it to continue with the possession of the property. Usually there is foreclosure, depending on where you are in a forced sale of the property at public auc- the foreclosure process, but it should buy tion; the proceeds of this sale are applied you some time. to the mortgage debt. The following, is from page 24 of Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that the U.S. Courts’ publication Bankruptcy begins when an individual has more debt Basics: than assets. dismiss the filing if the debtor’s By virtue of the automatic stay, an income is greater than the state median individual debtor faced with a threatened income. However, the US bankruptcy code foreclosure of the mortgage on his or her also provides for a restructuring of debt, principal residence can prevent an imthrough a Chapter 13 procedure. This is mediate foreclosure by filing a chapter 13 the procedure that allows for wiping off petition. Chapter 13 then affords the debtor that second mortgage. a right to cure defaults on long-term home Instead of liquidating all assets as in mortgage debts by bringing the payments a regular bankruptcy Chapter 7, an indi- current over a reasonable period of time. vidual filing for bankruptcy under Chapter The debtor is permitted to cure a default 13 agrees to repay creditors out of his or her with respect to a lien on the debtor’s prinfuture income. Chapter 13 is only available cipal residence up until the completion to individuals with regular incomes whose of a foreclosure sale under state law. 11 debts do not exceed $1,000,000 ($315,000 U.S.C § 1322©. in unsecured debts and $1,010,000 in Clearly, you should hire a bankruptcy secured debts). Each Chapter 13 debtor, attorney to guide you through this complex through his or her attorney, writes a plan, process. That’s why the Law Offices of which must be approved by the bankruptcy Paul M. Allen is here to help you. Attorney court. The debtor must pay the Chapter 13 Allen and his Pinoy staff can re-structure Trustee the amounts set forth in the plan your finances and stop that foreclosure and complete an education course in per- through the flexibility of a Chapter 13 plan. sonal financial management as approved Take steps to save your home today. by the U.S. Trustee. Debtors receive a Find out what your options are. Call the discharge after they complete their Chapter law offices of Paul M. Allen and schedule 13 plan. a free consultation. Two convenient offices For those in foreclosure, a chapter 13 to serve you: Glendale and La Palma. Call bankruptcy repayment plan may be the now at 818-552-4500.

BOC tightens rules on empty containers in ports MANILA, Jan 15 (Mabuhay) -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) is tightening its rules on the number of days allotted for empty containers to stay inside ports. BOC said the period for the re-export of empty containers is shortened to 90 days from the current 150 days. Based on Customs Administrative order 01-2015, the owners of containers that will not be re-exported within the 90-day period will be subject to duties and taxes. The owners will also be required to file import entries. However, BOC noted that containers arriving as empty from January 30 until April 30, 2015 will be exempted from any charges if they are re-exported by July 29, 2015. Containers with imported cargoes that were returned to the shipping line from January 30 to April 30, 2015 are also required to exit the country by July 29, 2015. BOC said starting May 1, 2015, empty containers or containers with imported cargoes have to be re-exported within 90 days from date of last discharge. “Containers which have not been re-exported by the deadline stated… shall be treated as imports. Their owners have the obligation to file import entries and pay duties and taxes for them,” BOC said. The agency added that the owners of the overstaying containers that arrived before May 1, 2015 are required to file import entries on or before August 25 and pay their duties and taxes within 15 days.

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Pope calls for more courage on climate change Manila, Philippines | AFP | Thursday 1/15/2015 – Pope Francis called on world leaders Thursday to show more courage in negotiations to seal a global pact on climate change at a summit in Paris this year. “Let’s hope that governments will be more courageous in Paris than they were in Lima,” the pope told reporters on his plane en route to the Philippines from Sri Lanka. The outspoken pontiff, nicknamed the “green pope” because of his commitment to environmental concerns, lamented how “man has gone too far” in abusing nature. Climate negotiators adopted a format for national pledges to cut Earth-warming greenhouse gases after marathon sessions at a United Nations summit in Lima, Peru, in December last year. The bitter Lima debates overran for 32 hours as rich and poor nations sparred over sharing out responsibility for cutting greenhouse gasses. However the Lima agreement set the stage for what is hoped to be the world’s most ambitious environmental deal at the

next annual UN climate talks, in Paris at the end of the year. Due to take effect in 2020, the pact would bind all the world’s nations into a single arena for curbing the greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming. It aims to limit global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, averting what could be potentially catastrophic damage to Earth’s climate system by the turn of the century. The pope said he planned to issue an encyclical, or letter to all bishops around the world, on the environment in June or July, in an effort to help the Paris talks succeed. He said he had also held discussions on the issue with leaders of other faiths and religions, but he did not expect a joint statement with them ahead of the Paris summit. While in the Philippines, the pope will put the spotlight on the devastating ef-

The iconic ship MV Jocelyn, which was swept to the shore of Barangay Anibong, Tacloban at the height of Typhoon Yolanda bears a welcome sign for Pope Francis. The pontiff is set to visit Tacloban to meet survivors of Typhoon Yolanda on January 17. (MNS photo)

fects of climate change with visit to areas devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan in NOvember, 2013. More than 7,350 people were left dead or missing as Haiyan, carrying the strongest winds ever recorded on land and generating tsunami-like storm

surges, laid to waste entire towns. On Saturday, he is scheduled to deliver a mass to tens of thousands of people in Tacloban, one of the cities worst hit by Haiyan, and have a private lunch with 30 typhoon survivors.

NCCA orders suspension of Torre de Manila construction MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) – The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has ordered the suspension in the construction of the controversial Torre de Manila, which allegedly photobombs the view of Rizal Park. Senator Pia Cayetano, one of those lobbying against the construction of the building, said the cease and desist order issued by NCCA was served at the project site of Torre de Manila on Tuesday, January 13. “I welcome the issuance of the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) by the against DMCI’s Torre de Manila condominium project in Manila. The CDO suspends the construction of the 49-storey tower across Rizal Park that has significantly compro-

mised the landscape of the Rizal Monument,” Cayetano said in a press statement Wednesday. She added that it was high time that the people take the protection of the country’s history, culture, and heritage more seriously, as these make up the intangible ideals that bind Filipinos and define its national identity. “I fully support the NCCA in asserting its mandate to safeguard our heritage. The Rizal Shrine, as a national monument, is entitled to full protection under our national heritage law, whose objective is to preserve and protect important cultural properties and national cultural treasures and to safeguard their intrinsic value within

their historical setting, and that includes their vistas and visual corridors,” she added. The senator said it is not too late to rectify the lapses that led to the construction of the Torre de Manila skyscraper that has now marred the sightline of the historic Rizal Shrine. “I believe the CDO is a step in the right direction towards correcting those mistakes

and putting things back in order,” she said. The order, signed by NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon and dated January 5, 2015, states that DMCI Homes should cease and desist from the constructing the condominium until such time that the commission can make a declaration if there is an actual destruction and if such merits a permanent cease and desist order. (MNS)

Bangko Sentral to reward banks doing business in countryside MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is implementing a measure that will encourage banks to expand to the countryside. In an emailed statement, the central bank said the Monetary Board recently approved a regulation that waives processing fees for establishing branches in unbanked areas and an expanded scope of activities for micro-banking offices (MBOs). MBOs are scaled-down bank branches that enable banks to establish presence at a relatively lower cost. To facilitate the flow of information, the central bank said it will post on its website the list of unbanked municipalities. The list would be updated quarterly. Bangko Sentral data showed 36.5 percent of the 1,634 cities and municipalities are unbanked as banks prefer to establish presence only in higher-income and more populated areas considering the cost of operating and setting up banking offices.

There are 508 operating MBOs serving 325 municipalities, of which 62 municipalities are served by MBOs alone. Together with the revised rule on branch processing fees, the new regulation widens the scope of allowable activities and services that MBOs can provide. In addition to the disbursement and release of proceeds of all types of microfinance loans, MBOs can now provide and service other types of loans to microfinance clients such as health, emergency and educational loans. Interested banks may apply for approval to increase the limit for the monthly average daily balance of micro-deposit accounts from a maximum of P40,000, subject to certain requirements. The expanded service will still primarily cater to the needs of the microfinance clients and the prudential requirements and operational controls will be retained.

After slower than expected 2014, WB sees PHL economy rebound in next two years MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) – The World Bank further cut its growth projection in 2014 for the Philippine economy that it said was weighed down by the slow government spending,the Washingtonbased multilateral lender said on Wednesday. But the local economy is expected to rebound in the next two years, thanks to the realization that government has to spend more for infrastructure, the WB added. In its latest Global Economic Prospects released Wednesday, the agency said the Philippine economy likely grew by six percent last year, less than one percent lower than the earlier forecast of 6.4 percent. Lead economist Rogier van den Brink said this was due to “the slowdown in government spending in the third quarter and limited opportunities to raise government spending in the fourth quarter.” “However, growth is expected to rebound this year and also in 2016... primarily hinged on the ability of the government

to fully implement the budget and the Yolanda master plan,” he told reporters in a briefing in Taguig. The World Bank forecasts a 6.5 percent growth in 2015—lower from the earlier projection of 6.7 percent—and 6.5 percent in 2016. Other factors that will drive growth include the positive outlook of consumers and businesses, stronger foreign direct investments and falling oil prices, Van den Brink said. “Much lower oil prices can boost manufacturing and consumption. In fact, the Philippines is one of the biggest beneficiaries of falling oil prices in the world,” he added. On Tuesday, crude oil prices hit their lowest in almost six years to $45 per barrel as United Arab Emirates, a big Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) producer, stood by the group’s decision not to cut output to tackle a supply glut, Reuters reported. (MNS)

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Muslims in Marawi march against Charlie Hebdo Manila, Philippines | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Around 1,500 people protested in one of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; main Muslimmajority cities on Wednesday against the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, police said. Local politicians, teenaged students and women with veils covering their faces packed the main square in Marawi in the southern Philippines, some raising their fists in the air as a Charlie Hebdo poster was burnt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What had happened in France, the Charlie Hebdo killing, is a moral lesson for the world to respect any kind of religion, especially the religion of Islam,â&#x20AC;? organisers said in a statement released during the three-hour rally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Freedom of expression does not extend to insulting the noble and the greatest prophet of Allah.â&#x20AC;? A group calling itself â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boses ng Masaâ&#x20AC;?, or Voice of the Masses organised the rally, which attracted about 1,500 people, Marawi police officer Esmail Biso told AFP. He said non-government organisations and a local school owner were behind the group. Twelve people including eight Charlie Hebdo cartoonists and journalists and two

police officers were killed last week after Islamist militants struck the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paris office, in an attack that has sparked outrage worldwide. The attacks triggered giant rallies in support of Charlie Hebdoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victims and the right to publish images of Mohammed, which is deemed blasphemous for Muslims. The protest in the Philippines was one of first reported worldwide since the violence to express outrage at Charlie Hebdo. The protesters carried streamers in with the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are Charlieâ&#x20AC;? written in French, in response to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am Charlieâ&#x20AC;? cry of those who condemned the attack. One of the streamers read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;France must apologiseâ&#x20AC;?, while another read: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You mock our prophet, now you want an apology?â&#x20AC;? Muslims are a minority in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, with most living in remote southern regions they regard as their ancestral homeland. The nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest Muslim rebel group signed a peace deal with the government in 2013, ending decades of fighting for an independent state. However other Islamic militant groups operate in the south, some of whom have had backing from Al-Qaeda or pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

SC junks Bilibid inmatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; amparo, habeas data pleas MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Supreme Court has denied the requests seeking the issuance of a writ of amparo for two high-profile convicts taken out of the New Bilibid Prison after a series of surprise raids by authorities last December. The amparo petitions were filed separately by Memie Sultan Boratong, wife of inmate Amin Imam Boratong, and Anthony Bombeo, the legal counsel of Herbert Colangco. In an en banc session, the tribunal also denied Boratongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for the issuance of writ of habeas data. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(T)he Court dismissed the applications for The Writ of Amparo (sought by petitioner Boratong and petitioner Bombeo) and Habeas Data (sought by petitioner Boratong),â&#x20AC;? said the SC. As to Mrs. Boratongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus, the SC ordered the respondents to file their comment on the petition within 10 days from notice of the resolution. A writ of amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty, and security is violated or threatened with violation by an unlawful act or omission. A habeas corpus plea, meanwhile, is a legal action that gives a person the right to seek relief from unlawful detention. It serves as an instrument for the safeguarding of individual freedom against arbitrary government action. On the other hand, a writ of habeas data is a legal remedy available to any person whose right to privacy in life, liberty or security is violated. It grants the petitioner a chance to question the data and to seek for its â&#x20AC;&#x153;updating, rectification, or destruction.â&#x20AC;? Mrs. Boratong said her husband was being held at the National Bureau of Investigation without access to his family or legal counsel. No information on his present condition and where he is specifically held has been released to them, she added. She said their lawyer, Paul Laguatan, was not given by the NBI any â&#x20AC;&#x153;plausible explanationâ&#x20AC;? why the convict was transferred to the NBI on December 15. Laguatan was likewise not given copies of relevant documents used as basis for the transfer. Boratongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp had likewise sought an audience with and clearance from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and NBI Director Virgilio Mendez to visit the convict, but no action has been taken yet on their request.

SC upholds ban on live coverage of Maguindanao massacre trial MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Supreme Court has upheld its earlier ruling barring radio and television coverage of the five-year-old Maguindanao multiple murder trial. SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the high court denied motions for reconsideration seeking to reverse its Oct. 23, 2012 ruling denying the petitions for radio and television coverage of the trial currently being held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Court cited the lack of uniformity in rule or practice in other jurisdictions in relation to allowing cameras in the courtroom,â&#x20AC;? Te said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday. The spokesman added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It also cited the need to protect the rights of the parties and the dignity of the courts as well as ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings.â&#x20AC;? Te said the magistrates also considered the â&#x20AC;&#x153;practical aspects of broadcasted criminal trial proceedings in foreign jurisdictions, finding that most countries still do not allow cameras in their courtrooms.â&#x20AC;? The petitions for live coverage were filed by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, as well as relatives of the massacre victims, Editha Tiamzon and Glenna Legarta. In their petitions, they requested the setting up of a video camera and monitor just outside the court for reporters to cover and for the people to witness the trial of the controversial case being heard by Branch 221 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. In its first ruling on the matter in June 2011, the high court initially allowed live radio and television coverage of the trial, under certain conditions like requiring media entities to apply for broadcast and to continuously broadcast a hearing with no commercial breaks. The guidelines also disallowed the media from re-airing recordings of the trial and giving annotations while the hearing is ongoing. But in a subsequent ruling in October 2012, the court totally scrapped live coverage but allowed audio-visual recordings of the trial for documentary purposes and for

transmittal in closed-circuit viewing areas within the Camp Bagong Diwa premises and trial court in Maguindanao, Koronadal, South Cotabato, and General Santos City, where relatives of the victims currently reside. Witnesses, however, would be prohibited from watching the proceedings, whether inside the court room or the designated closed-circuit viewing areas. The high court said a single fixed compact camera will be used to provide a wide-angle full view of the sala of the court, with no panning and zooming â&#x20AC;&#x153;to avoid unduly highlighting or downplaying incidents in the proceedings.â&#x20AC;? The SC Public Information Office has likewise been tasked to coordinate and assist trial courts involved in the physical setup of the camera and equipment. The high court also said original recordings of the murder trial shall be deposited to the National Museum and the Records Management and Archives Office for preservation and exhibition in accordance to law. The recordings would be placed under the control of Quezon City Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 221, even as she is allowed to issue supplementary directives concerning the audio-visual recording, subject to the SCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supervision. The petitioners had branded certain guidelines in the high courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s June 2011 ruling as prior restraint that infringes on their constitutional right to free expression. Regarded as the single-day, worst election-related killing in Philippine history, the massacre left 57 people dead and one missing. The victims belonged to an electoral convoy that was supposed to register then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, who was challenging the influential Ampatuan clan for the gubernatorial seat. Mangudadatu eventually won in the polls, and clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. and several of his sons were all arrested for the killings. More than 100 suspects have already been arrested, while around 90 others remain at large three years after the carnage.(MNS)

Pilipino po tayo! LAW OFFICES OF

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

CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

213-388-1611 or

kureyeslaw@gmail.com

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

LAW OFFICES OF

KENNETH U. REYES

*Kenneth U. Reyes, Esq. CFLS

ESTATES AND TRUST â&#x20AC;˘ Living Trust â&#x20AC;˘ Wills â&#x20AC;˘ Probate â&#x20AC;˘ Conservatorship

CIVIL LITIGATION â&#x20AC;˘ Contract Disputes â&#x20AC;˘ Business Disputes â&#x20AC;˘ Corporate and Partnership Disputes

3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700 Los Angeles, CA 90010

www.kenreyeslaw.com kureyeslaw@gmail.com

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Do you need help filing bankruptcy again? I’ve been asked this question a few times lately so I decided to write an article on it. If you have filed bankruptcy before, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to do it again. Generally, the answer is that you can file bankruptcy as often as needed BUT subject to some limitations such as the following. I will try to simplify but here are the general rules: Consecutive same Chapter filings: If you are filing under the same cannot receive a second discharge in any bankruptcy “chapter” (7 or 13), the timing Chapter 13 case that is filed within 2 years is critical. If you are trying to file a Chapter from the date that your last case was filed. 7 after you’ve already filed another ChapChapter 13, then Chapter 7: If you ter 7 in the past, you need to wait 8 years obtained a prior discharge (i.e., a “debt from the date your last case was filed. For wipe out”) under Chapter 13, you will not consecutive Chapter 13 filings: If you re- be allowed a second discharge in a subseceived a prior discharge in Chapter 13, you quent Chapter 7 filing unless 6 years have

passed from the filing of the Chapter 13 to the filing of your Chapter 7 case. There is however an exception to this rule: You will be allowed a discharge in your current Chapter 7 case if you either paid all unsecured creditors in your past Chapter 13 case or you paid at least 70% of the unsecured claims and the plan represented your “best effort” and proposed in “good faith”. Chapter 7, then Chapter 13: If you discharged your debts in a prior Chapter 7, you cannot obtain another discharge in a subsequent Chapter 13 filing unless four years have passed since your Chapter 7 filing date. This doesn’t mean, however, that you cannot file a Chapter 13 if your intention is to pay creditors the best you can. It only means that since there is no discharge available, whatever is not paid through your Chapter 13 plain will still be your liability. Now you may ask: Why file a Chapter 13 then if a discharge is not available under these circumstances? The answer is that it depends on what your goals are in filing the current Chapter 13. For example, one reason for filing may be to get court protection while consolidating non-dischargeable debts such as IRS taxes. Or it may be to stop a foreclosure

IMMIGRATION From page 1

the American public – and one that we’re going to have to straighten out,” Denham added. The Senate is expected to take up the House DHS/immigration measure – or its own version – in the coming weeks, ahead of a February 28 deadline to renew DHS funding. “I anticipate we’ll act well in advance of that,” number two Senate Republican John Cornyn told reporters, but “what the

and pay back the arrears through a 3-5 year payment plan. There are other “tricky” rules you need to know about that apply to dismissals and conversions from one chapter to another but I could just imagine how your head may be spinning by now trying to make sense of all these rules. The best thing to do if you are in a situation where you may need to file bankruptcy again (although you’ve already done so in the past) is to consult with a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney who can analyze your case and provide correct guidance. For a free consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. If you’re considering filing bankruptcy for the first time, or even if this is a second or a third filing for you, I‘d like to help you so please call my office. We have offices in Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia. (None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772). Senate will do, I don’t know.” The DHS bill in its current form lacks sufficient votes in the Senate to overcome Democrats’ blocking tactics. Denham spoke to some Senate Republicans ahead of an afternoon session on immigration, and said they have “concern.” Several high-profile guests were brought to the retreat, including TV comedian Jay Leno, Aspen Institute president Walter Isaacson and former British prime minister Tony Blair.

STREET KIDS From page 1

keeping street children in detention, as the report claimed. The Daily Mail showed photos of street kids behind bars, which it claimed were proof that they were indeed being detained at the shelters. Soliman, however, said the photos – including one showing a malnourished child lying on the floor of a shelter – are old. The malnourished child, which she identified as “Frederico,” was already

FAMILY VALUES From page 1

best in your culture.” His comments come amid a struggle in the Philippine Catholic Church between a conservative hierarchy and many followers living lives more in line with some modern Western values. Aside from the Vatican itself, the Philippines is the only state in the world where divorce is illegal, while abortion and same-

END GRAFT From page 1

on corruption charges, and he has won international plaudits for his efforts. But critics of Aquino, the son of democracy heroine Corazon Aquino, have accused him of focusing his anti-graft campaign only on opponents and not allies. They also point out his family has for decades been among the elite. And, despite Aquino presiding over some of Asia’s strongest economic growth, his time in office has failed to make a major dent on poverty. About 25 million Filipinos, or one quarter of the population, live on the equivalent of 60 cents a day or less, according to the latest official poverty surveys. The poverty has forced more than 10

transferred to a non-government organization after news about his maltreatment at the Reception and Action Center (RAC) in Manila broke out in October last year. “I confirm that some of the photos used in that article were that of RAC but they are pictures from the past. Si Frederico, October pa naibalita ‘yung kalagayan niya. He is already being taken cared of at an NGO facility,” she said.

sex unions are also banned. However the Church in 2012 lost a 15year battle on birth control, as Congress passed a law allowing the state to hand out free contraceptives and teach family planning at schools. Hundreds of thousands of Catholics also have illegal abortions each year, while many are pursuing live-in relationships without marrying.

million Filipinos to head overseas in search of a better life. Typhoon survivors Francis said one of the main purposes of his trip was to visit survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Yolanda, which left 7,350 people dead or missing in 2013. He will spend Saturday in areas of the central Philippines that were devastated by the typhoon, which smashed into coastal communities with the strongest winds ever recorded on land. “In a particular way, this visit is meant to express my closeness to our brothers and sisters who endured the suffering, loss and devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda,” he said.

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Series for Covered California: Part 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Enrollment timing Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an old Chinese saying that goes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid of the ten thousand, but be afraid of the ONE in the ten thousand.â&#x20AC;? I can almost guarantee you that in one way or another, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a question of IF but a question of WHEN you will need the health insurance. The last thing you want is you are in a hospital without insurance. That catastrophe can render you bankrupt. Avoiding insurance gaps is then a matter of utmost priority. Getting insurance now is both guaranteed and affordable. But you have to follow the enrollment rules. Yearly, there will be an Open Enrollment Period.

Currently itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s between Nov 15, 2014 to Feb. 15, 2015. In other words, unless you have certain qualifying events, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it. For MediCal eligibility though enrollment is available anytime of the year. When you apply by 15th of the month, you get effectivity on the 1st of the following month. If you apply after, it will be effective the 1st of the month after next. So

PSST presents Pilipino American Culture Night at La Mirada Theater Among the many jokes that tend show the peculiarities of the Filipinos in America is about their tendency to respond automatically and turn their heads to the direction of the sound when someone makes the â&#x20AC;&#x153;psstâ&#x20AC;? with his mouth. It is said that only Filipinos would react that way when their attention is called. â&#x20AC;&#x153;PSSTâ&#x20AC;? is neither a call sound nor anything derogatory to the Filipino-American students of Troy High School in Fullerton as well the well as with their parents and supporters who take pride in what PSST stands for. PSST is an acronym for Pilipinos ern dancing and a host of family-oriented Sharing Smiles Together and tells a lot numbers. about their pride in calling attention of the One thing notable about the whole multi-ethnic community of the school to project is the exemplary effort of the stuthe richness and beauty of their Filipino dent members who had exhibited a strong cultural background. The student group sense of creativity and artistry especially has grown to become one of Troy High in choreographed numbers they themselves Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest and most popular clubs on campus, drawing membership from students of various cultural orientations and backgrounds. PSST members have always been proud to be cultural ambassadors through their performances for over a decade that showcased the PACQUIAO IN LA: Eight World Champion Manny Pacquiao, color and intricate beauty fresh from his conquer of Chris Algieri in Macau, China and his wife Jinkee, flew in from the Philippines to Los Angeles of a culture that has been January 15 to promote his cable feature at Channel 125. He enriched by a variety of influ- is slated to be in New York City to promote the show. He is shown here reviewing the contract of his latest project. His LA ences in its history. The First Cultural Night trip also reunites with members of Team Pacquiao in the U.S. was staged at a local Catholic church in figured out. Cypress. Known as Pilipino-American Meanwhile, Orange County Fil-Am Culture Night (PACN), the grand presenta- Chamber Fires Initial Salvo The Filition is the result of many months collective pino American Chamber of Commerce creative work that involve not only the of Orange County, with its fresh leaderstudents but their supportive families as ship raring to face the challenges that well in the effort to educate non-Filipinos 2015, will hold its first â&#x20AC;&#x153;evening of fun on the culture of a country in Southeast and networkingâ&#x20AC;? at the Arte CafĂŠ in CerAsia known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pearl of the Orient,â&#x20AC;?. ritos. FACCOC Elena Lapid-Salonga, PSST will present its 16th edition of leads this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initial salvo that hopes PACN on February 20 at the La Mirada to engage young and driven businessTheater for the Performing Arts at 14900 people and professionals into active La Mirada Boulevard. involvement in the organization that has This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reflections: gain inroads for Fil-Ams especially in The Leader Withinâ&#x20AC;? will feature colorful Orange County. ethnic dances representing the Cordillera Arte CafĂŠ is located at 12741 Towne Region, folk dances as well as skits, mod- Center Drive, Cerritos 90703.

TROY HIGH CULTURAL NIGHT: PSST ! (the acronym for Pilipinos Sharing Smiles Together) of Fullerton-based Troy High School will present the 16th season of Pilipino-American Culture Night at the La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts. The student-produced cultural presentation has been a venue to educate diverse ethnic groups on the colorful Filipino culture. The web photo grab shows one of the members-choreographed numbers at a previous rendition of PACN.

for example, if you apply on Jan. 13, you get Feb. 1 effectivity. But if you apply on Jan 16, you get March 1. Past Feb 15, you may still buy insurance if you lose health insurance like group health or MediCal; you change residency including moving to CA or being free from jail; you get married or enter into a domestic partnership; you have a new child; you get your legal presence; you have wrong enrollment because of misconduct or misrepresentation on the part of the health insurance or Certified agent or counselor who helped you enroll; you are a member of Federally recognized American Indian or Alaskan Native; you have been incorrectly declined by Covered CA or MediCal; or your income change allows you to switch between MediCal and Covered CA. Under these special qualifying life

Visit www.Balita.com

events, you have 60 days to apply. Beyond that, you have to wait until Open Enrollment again. Coverage start dates follow the abovedescribed rule. But for marriage and lost health insurance, coverage will be effective the 1st of next month. For new child born, adopted or placed in a foster home, coverage starts on the qualifying event date. Other events that people need to pay attention to are children under MediCal who are turning 19. Also, dependents who are turning 26 need to be separated from their parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policies. To help you better plan and enroll, find a local agent, join a Covered CA event, or look for a Covered CA Storefront near you. You can also call 18559551800. You can find updates on Covered CA at www.facebook.com/globalwealth.insurance.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Clients joyous over Chapter 13 discharge of $330k judgment with zero payment; GOP ponders position on Obama Amnesty CHAPTER 13 DISCHARGE OF $330K JUDGMENT Clients are young seniors in their early sixties who have good income at $200K annually. Both husband and wife are in the medical field. Thinking that house values would keep escalating in 2007, they invested in an expensive house, which required them to have a second trust deed of $300K. When the real estate market collapsed, that investment house was foreclosed. Although the first mortgage had no foreclosure nd deficiency, the 2 mortgage of $300K ment would be paid at 60% with 40% being was left unpaid. In 2012, creditor filed a discharged after 60 monthly payments, that lawsuit to collect the $300K. As a result, a was a good deal. That was a lot better than judgment for $330K against clients ensued paying interest on $330K at 10% yearly. late 2013. The judgment became a wage That means money made that should have garnishment against both husband and gone to their retirement is being used to pay wife. Since their monthly gross income was a judgment for the rest of their lives. That $16K month, their wages were garnished at was a depressing proposition for clients. But what happened last week was noth$4K a month. With a new house mortgage payment of $3,800, FICA & SS deductions ing short of a miracle. Trustee sent a notice of $5,500, and a wage garnishment of that the case was complete after one year $4,000, and 2 car payments of $1,000, the of payments. The 2nd Trust deed had been total deductions from is $14,300. completed paid off, and all claims had been Thus, even at a gross of $16K, minus paid. What this means is that the judgment deductions of $14,300, clients are left with creditor did not file a proof of claim for only $1,700 for the rest of their monthly $330K within the prescribed time. Since necessities. The $4,000 monthly wage gar- judgment was unsecured (no judgment nishment was a very heavy burden indeed. lien filed), the entire $330K would be I filed a Chapter 13 for clients, which got discharged with zero payment!! The next confirmed at $3,500. That paid less than step was to request for discharge. Once $200K of the $330K judgment, which the discharge order is entered, the $330K shaved off $130K. It also paid the entire 2nd judgment is discharged! God works in trust deed of $40K. Since the entire judg- mysterious ways.

Why didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Pope Francis ride popemobile on the way to MalacaĂąang Palace? MANILA, Jan 16 (Mabuhay) -- To the disappointment of people who wanted to see a glimpse of him, Pope Francis did not ride the popemobile on his way to MalacaĂąang on Friday. The charismatic pope traveled from his official residence, the Papal Nunciature in Malate, Manila, riding a Volkswagen Touran to the Palace. This was because he came to MalacaĂąang primarily as the head of the Vatican City state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;May porma ang state visit; pormal ang sasakyan, nakasara (The state visit follows a particular form;the vehicle should be closed),â&#x20AC;? Father Jerome Marquez said. As he is the head of both the Catholic Church and the Vatican City, the Pope is in the Philippine for a pastoral and state visit. People should expect to see the pope riding the â&#x20AC;&#x153;open and more accessibleâ&#x20AC;? popemobile or using the â&#x20AC;&#x153;close and more formalâ&#x20AC;? Touran depending on the function he will

Pope Francis in Manila

be attending. Riding the Touran, however, did not stop the Pope from rolling down his window and waving at the crowd who wanted to see him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ang shifting ng sasakyan ay shifting din ng purpose (The shift in vehicles shows a shift in the purpose (of his visit)),â&#x20AC;? Marquez added. This also explained why on his way to the Manila Cathedral, the Pope was onboard the popemobile.

PRAISE BE TO HIM IN THE HIGHEST! HE SHINES LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS TO SHOW YOU THE WAY OUT OF YOUR PROBLEM, ALWAYS. GOP PONDERS POSITION ON OBAMA AMNESTY The OBAMA AMNESTY which allows people who are here without legal status whether or not their entry was documented or not 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. Aside from having red states file Federal lawsuits to challenge the constitutionality of the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive order, the GOP is now regrouping to focus on how to respond to OBAMA AMNESTY. To do not like the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unilateral action to give 5 million illegals work permits. Perhaps he should have waited to work out a deal with Congress, a bi-partisan legislation good enough for him to sign into law this year providing a clear path for 11 million illegals to get work permits, permanent residency and citizenship. This is the much-awaited CIR, comprehensive immigration reform, that 11 million illegals are waiting for. OBAMA AMNESTY is the

first step towards that direction. The GOP is considering accepting filing fees for the work permits but not funding USCIS next month. It looks like a dishonorable tactic. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that will gain traction with the majority of Republican lawmakers who are conservative but forthright, a lot of them at least. Whatever the final outcome is, it looks like 2015 is going to be the year when CIR will come into being. In the meantime, I suggest you apply for your work permits now pursuant to OBAMA AMNESTY. This is the right step for you and your family. Come and see me for a free consultation to see if you qualify. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I BOW MY KNEES TO THE FATHERâ&#x20AC;ŚTHAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH,â&#x20AC;? EPHESIANS 3:14. 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.

Obama calls for stronger personal data protection Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 1/12/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; US President Barack Obama said Monday he will introduce legislation to beef up and standardize personal data protection on the Internet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Right now, almost every state has a different law on this, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confusing for consumers and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confusing for companies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s costly, too,â&#x20AC;? Obama told the Federal Trade Commission, the US consumer protection agency. Highlighting the countless transactions that people make online, Obama quipped that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Secret Service does not let me do that. But I know other people do.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be connected, then we need to be protected,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that the problem â&#x20AC;&#x153;costs us billions of dollars.â&#x20AC;? The new legislation would require companies to inform their clients within 30 days of a breach, and would include a consumer bill of rights to better help customers control how their data is shared. Meanwhile, the proposed Student Digital Privacy Act would prevent sale of studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; personal data to third parties for any purpose besides education. Obama also highlighted a pledge made by 75 businesses that promised not to sell information for student-targeted advertising. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope Congress joins us in this national movement to protect the privacy of our children,â&#x20AC;? Obama said, calling the problem a bipartisan issue. Obama delivered his speech Monday as a group declaring sympathy for Islamic State jihadists hacked US Central Commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s YouTube and Twitter accounts in a propaganda jab at the US military.

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Control over workers contradicts employer’s independent contractor classification Classifying workers as ‘independent contractors’ (ICs) allows businesses to pass on to its workers the costs of running the business. This ploy, however, did not fool the federal Court of Appeal when it ruled against FedEx Ground Package System, Inc. (FedEx) in one of the most important cases to come out last year concerning the correct classification of workers as ICs. As a central part of its business, FedEx contracts with drivers to deliver packages to its customers. tors’ in FedEx’s operating agreement does The drivers must wear FedEx uniforms, not conclusively make them so” The condrive FedEx-approved vehicles, and curring judge further noted that although groom themselves according to FedEx’s the court’s “decision substantially unravels appearance standards. FedEx tells drivers FedEx’s business model, FedEx was not which packages to deliver on certain days entitled to ‘write around’ the principles and certain times. Although drivers may and mandates of California Labor Law.” operate multiple delivery routes and hire FedEx’s misclassification of its drivthird parties to help perform their work, ers as ICs allowed FedEx to avoid paying they may do so only with FedEx’s consent. overtime, providing leave to care for ailing FedEx contends its drivers are independent family members, or contributing to Social contractors under California law. The driv- Security, Medicare, or workers compensaers contend they are employees. tion or unemployment insurance. With the The court sided with the FedEx drivers court’s ruling, the drivers now have greater and ruled that the drivers were employees rights and protections. as a matter of law. This law states that Workers classified as independent conthe principal test of an employment rela- tactor’s should carefully examine the nationship is whether the person to whom ture of their working relationship with their service is rendered has the right to control principal or employer. If they are really the manner and means of accomplishing employees, they are entitled to back wages the desired result. The court reasoned that and reimbursements for expenses which FedEx’s “necessary control” over the driv- should have been paid by the employer. ers is “powerful evidence” that the drivers [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney should be classified as employees. who has obtained several million dollar It does not matter that drivers signed recoveries for his clients against insurance agreements stating they were ICs, or that companies and employers. He has been FedEx called their drivers ICs. True IC sta- selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los tus is defined by law, not by the company’s Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover classification or the worker’s agreement. of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts As was noted by the concurring judge in the and Settlements, and is a member of the case: “Abraham Lincoln reportedly asked, Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. He is ‘If you call a dog’s tail a leg, how many a graduate of Georgetown University Law legs does a dog have?’ His answer was, Center Washington, D.C. and the Univer‘Four. Calling a dog’s tail a leg does not sity of the Philippines. Visit his website at make it a leg.’” The judge concluded that www.joesayaslaw.com or contact his office labeling the drivers ‘independent contrac- at (818) 291-0088 for a no-cost inquiry.]

BI installs new passport readers, equipment at NAIA for visitors MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) – The Bureau of Immigration has installed 171 passport readers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for visitors in 2015, including those coming for major events this year. BI commissioner Siegfred Mison said the upgrades came in time for the arrival of Pope Francis and the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events. In a post on its Facebook account, the BI said it also installed 160 desktop computers and 141 UPS units at NAIA, and will install

more at other airports. “We are expecting 58 more passport readers and 40 computers to be delivered to Clark International Airport and MactanCebu International Airport by February,” said Mison. The BI said it expects the upgraded computers and scanners to ease the lines at the country’s major international airports. “Passport scanners are essential in expediting immigration document processing. Currently, immigration officers follow a 40-second rule in passport processing,” it said. (MNS)

US cabbie gets $1,000 tip for two-minute drive New York, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – A quick chat and a two-minute drive is all it took for an American cab driver to be tipped nearly $1,000. Oumar Maiga, a night-shift driver from Philadelphia, was so stunned he waited a month for the credit card transaction to clear, convinced the mystery benefactor might claim a mix-up. His boss, Freedom Taxi owner Everett Abitbol, said it was the largest tip he had ever seen for such a small fare: $4.31 for a brief, late-night pick-up in downtown Philadelphia. Maiga picked up the anonymous passenger and the two struck up a conversation. The two exchanged pleasantries about the driver’s busy schedule in the run up to Christmas and the customer said he knew

being a cabbie was a tough job, Abitbol told AFP. “He said, ‘hey, I’m going to take care of you’ and when our driver looked down he said ‘sir, I think you made a mistake’ but he said ‘that’s what I want to give you, I know what I did’.” Abitbol said the tip couldn’t have happened to a nicer man, adding that Maiga had been with the company since it opened in 2011. “He’s a family guy, a very, very nice driver,” said Abitbol. “You can always rely on him.”

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Garden Grove woman victim of utility worker impostor scam Your doorbell rings and two men are standing on your porch claiming to be with Southern California Edison (SCE). Wearing shirts with an SCE logo, they say you need to leave your home immediately because of unsafe conditions. You promptly leave only to return a short time later to discover your home has been burglarized. This is what happened recently to an elderly Vietnamese customer living in Garden Grove, and law enforcement officials say utility worker impostors attempting to gain access to individuals’ homes occur all too often. “We’ve had a few impostors already this year posing as utility workers and paint contractors. Many of the victims are elderly and individuals whose first language isn’t English,” said detective Pete Garcia of the Garden Grove Police Department. “We advise people to ask for ID. And if they still don’t feel comfortable, call the police.” SCE and law enforcement officials remind customers to always ask for identification when a stranger comes to your door or calls claiming to be a utility worker. Legitimate SCE workers will provide verification, including their department and telephone number when asked. See SCAM, page 13

LAW OFFICES OF

N. JOE P. INUMERABLE Graduate of Notre Dame Law School 24 years of Jury Trial-Litigation experience

Legal Service with Personal Touch AREAS OF PRACTICES • Bankruptcy • Criminal Law • Business/Real Estate Litigation • Divorce-Child Custody • Immigration • Health Care Matters • Personal Injury Call ME for FREE Consultation. Asahan mong AKO mismo ang tutulong sa'yo! 3600 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 2020 (where the Phil Consulate is) Los Angeles, CA 90010

(213) 251-5477

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

How safe is the water we drink? A friend has recently informed me that in the area where they live, they seemed to have contaminants in their water system as most of the residents in their community complain of foul smell in their drinking water. This prompted me to check with our city’s water system and I found out that our city maintains “approximately 17,900 service connections and provides approximately 92,000 customers with quality drinking water that meets or surpasses all State and Federal drinking water standards.” According to one of the brochures this in source water: writer has picked up at the Water District, Microbial contaminants – these are in this area of the San Gabriel Valley, “all viruses and bacteria that may come from the active wells draw water from the Main sewage treatment plants, septic systems, San Gabriel Basin but an additional source agricultural livestock operations and of water (20%) comes from a service wildlife; connection with the Metropolitan Water Inorganic contaminants – these inDistrict (MWD).” clude salts and metals as a result of urban The MWD water is “surface water stormwater runoff, industrial and domestic treated at the Wenmouth Treatment Plant wastewater discharges, oil and gas producin the City of Laverne and transported tion, mining and farming; to a transmission main in our city. The Organic Chemical Contaminants – these MWD water from the Weymouth Plant is a include synthetic and volatile organic blend of water from the State Water Project chemicals that are by-products of industrial 23% and Colorado River Water 77%.” processes and petroleum production, which Thus, the “blending of water from can also come from gas stations, urban different sources produces water that stormwater runoffs, agricultural applicacontains lower levels of constituents. All tion and septic systems; water sources are treated and disinfected Pesticides and Herbicides – these are using chlorine or chloramines and then contaminants usually used in residential sent through a distribution network of homes or a variety of sources including buried pipes to our homes an businesses” agricultural, and stormwater runoffs; and in the area. Radioactive Contaminants – most Most of us are aware the our “tap or usually, these are the result of oil and gas bottled drinking waters come from rivers, production and mining activities. lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs Finally, in order to ensure that your and wells. As water travels over the surface community’s tap water is safe to drink, of the land or through the ground, it dis- both the “USEPA and the CDPH prescribe solves naturally-occurring minerals, and, regulations that limit the amount of certain in some cases, radioactive materials which contaminants in water provided by its pubcan pick up substances resulting from lic water system. CDPH particularly reguthe presence of animals or from human lates established limits for contaminants on activity.” tap or bottled water by providing the same In a report by the Utilities Division in protection for public health.” this writer’s town, the following is the For comments, write to: maquitania@ list of contaminants that may be present aol.com.

ment,” Cayetano said in a press statement Wednesday. She added that it was high time that the people take the protection of the country’s history, culture, and heritage more seriously, as these make up the intangible ideals that bind Filipinos and define its national identity. “I fully support the NCCA in asserting its mandate to safeguard our heritage. The Rizal Shrine, as a national monument, is entitled to full protection under our national heritage law, whose objective is to preserve and protect important cultural properties and national cultural treasures and to safeguard their intrinsic value within their historical setting, and that includes their vistas and visual corridors,” she added.

Facebook joins missing children ‘Amber Alert’ network San Francisco, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/13/2015 – Facebook said Tuesday said it will begin firing off policesanctioned “Amber Alerts” to members of the leading social network to help locate children who have been abducted or gone missing. Alerts including pictures and details about missing children and their possible abductors will appear in news feeds of Facebook members in areas where those being sought might be found, according to the social network’s trust and safety manager Emily Vacher. Facebook members sharing the news will be able to link to relevant information at the website of the National Center for

Missing and Exploited Children, which issues Amber Alerts at the behest of police. “We know the chances of finding a missing child increase when more people are on the lookout, especially in the critical first hours,” Vacher said. “Our goal is to help get these alerts out quickly.” US Attorney Eric Holder said that the Justice Department has partnered with Facebook and Microsoft search engine Bing to expand the reach of Amber Alerts in an age when people increasingly tune to online social media to learn of the latest happenings. Bing will allow users to access Amber Alerts through its online tools, according to Holder.

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

Will reduced gas prices affect your mortgage interest rates? Analyst says there are now signs of “a pickup in home sales beginning last spring driven by the recent encouraging employment reports, low mortgage rates and continued high home buyer affordability.” One would expect home sales to pick up in spring, given that winter tends to be filled with bad weather and such. The job reports show less unemployment in terms of percentages, but 13.5 million people officially are out of work--a figure which they were as of May 2004. does not count the 2.4 million people were Gas prices factor in “marginally attached” to the labor force While all of this stuff is interesting to and millions more who are afraid to look discuss, a huge issue remains a to be a for better work or to ask for higher wages. nice concern now a days.: The Economic I personally know top rank Engineers and Outlook reflect s on declining gas prices lawyers out of work. Will they take me- and their impact. The terms “gas” and diocre jobs to try and get by, pride won’t “gasoline” are nowhere the main topic of allow them so they are just plugging away every conversation. job applications still waiting on that six Gas prices are central to the U.S. figure job offer to come up. economy. If prices go down households Oh, and yes, it’s true that mortgage have more dollars to spend on other conrates continue to hover around 3.878 per- sumer purchases. About 71 percent of our cent and low rates should mean increased economy emanates from the money we affordability. However, low rates are not individually spend. enough, there also have to be reasonable Equally good, the price of many goods, underwriting standards and there have commodities and services rise because been many complaints that loan applica- shipping costs decreases with gas price tions are getting tougher. For one thing, declining. There is a little bit of a scare of I strongly realize that a lot of renters are deflation where commodity prices have to ready to jump back into the housing mar- stay low, might be good for the consumers ket, specially once who had their proper- but not good for the business. Also, emties foreclosed on or had a short sale. But ployers may not be able to hire additional lending guidelines and credit limitations help and that is hardly good news. still putting a holt on their new plans. Does this impact mortgage quotes? If Affordability also relates to the mat- gas prices stay low enough the answer is, ter of prices and the news on that front is you betcha. hardly good. As of January, says the home If prices drops generally then lenders prices nationwide are 16.5 percent below will be able to keep rates of interest low to their April 2007 peak and roughly where preserve the buying power of their money.

179

Will home sales really increase in 2015? Some Analyst projects a 6.5 percent increase in 2015 home sales as long as the “Big D” (Deflation) does not come close to being a Wall Street concern. Another benefit of lower gas prices, Homebuyers have been making the trade off for years - the further away from metropolitan centers a home is located the cheaper it is likely to be. There are exceptions to this, of course, but generally consumers have been willing or maybe forced to exchange time for money, frequently commuting 40 or 60 or 80 miles each day between a nice home in the suburbs to their job in the city or in another suburb. So, there is a possibility that homebuyers will find the price/commute trade-off to be feasible again. This could drive up the price of housing in suburbs . It’s about time California grows sideways again and not concentrate on only the downtown areas. Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Financing for your mortgage or real estate

questions and needs. Call Ken at 562508-7048. We will be holding Tuesday free seminars for first time buyers on how to qualify.

January 16, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce In a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to division in California family court. One has to understand the general community prop erty presumption in California. Property acquired before marriage is the ed by statute, all property, real or personal, acquiring spouse’s separate property, as wherever situated, acquired by a married is property obtained during marriage that person during the marriage while domican be traced to a premarital acquisition. ciled in this state is community property.” Family.Code. § 770(a). Rents, issues and As such, out-of-state community property profits” of separate property are separate is community property for all purposes, property. All property acquired during including intraspousal management and marriage and before separation, other than control fiduciary obligations. It does not by gift or inheritance, is presumptively matter if the property is located in another community property. Family Code §§ 760, state or another country. For the same reason, the parties to a 771(a), 772; Marriage of Bonds (2000) 24 C4th 1, 12, 99 CR2d 252, 258; Marriage divorce case is required to disclose all of Lehman (1998) 18 C4th 169, 177, 74 property, separate and community, including those outside the state. During CR2d 825, 828. Pursuant to Family.Code. § 760, com- the marriage, the parties’ fiduciary duties munity personal or real property is con- require full and accurate disclosure of true sistently defined no matter where situated. and full information affecting community Family Code §760 defines “Community property transactions. FamilyCode. §§ property” as “Except as otherwise provid- 721(b), 1100(e). In addition,

disclosure duties arise upon separation in anticipation of dissolution, nullity or legal separation. The post-separation disclosure duties extend to all assets and liabilities in which either party has or may have an interest or obligation, regardless of community or separate property characterization, and to current earnings, accumulations and expenses. These duties “arise without reference to any wrongdoing.” Family.Code. §§ 721(b), 2100(c), 2102(a)(1); Marriage of Feldman (2007) 153 CA4th 1470, 1475–1476, 64 CR3d 29, 33; Marriage of Brewer & Federici (2001) 93 CA4th 1334, 1342–1344, 113 CR2d 849, 854–855. Parties to a divorce case has a duty to provide full and accurate disclosure of all assets and debts including those in other states and other countries. Failure to disclose could result to certain legal consequences to the non-disclosing parties including sanctions and attorney’s fees. If you are contemplating a divorce and you own assets and properties outside the state or country, its best to retain the representation of an experience family law attorney. Please note that this article is not legal

advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com. Visit our website at kenreyeslaw.com.

Wells Fargo earnings edge up on loan growth

The US market for all-electric cars is charging up, with plug-in vehicles rolling off US dealer lots despite much higher costs, battery fire scares and falling gasoline prices.

What cheap gas? Some automakers still push electrics By Paul Handley

Detroit, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/13/2015 – Cheap fuel prices are not deterring some automakers from building up their offerings of alternative fuel vehicles. But the 50 percent fall in the gasoline price in the United States is making electrics and hybrids less competitive with gas-fueled cars, and making it harder for companies to boost investment in alternatives in a market that is back in love with guzzlers. General Motors and Hyundai both took a stand at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Monday toward a lower carbon future, but few others followed suit. GM doubled down on its position in the electric car market, unveiling a new 200-mile (320-kilometer) Chevrolet Bolt to challenge Tesla, and a snazzy updated Volt. The Bolt, still in concept form but envisioned for a 2017 debut, is a small crossover that lowers the price of entry to a full-range electric to $30,000, after government incentives. GM chief executive Mary Barra called the Bolt “a real game-changer” in the electric vehicle market. “This is truly an EV for everyone,” she said, implicitly contrasting the Bolt with Tesla’s best-selling, 265-mile range Model S, a larger, luxury electric with a base price of $70,000.

GM also launched an improved model of the Chevy Volt, its plug-in hybrid that, while remaining the best-selling US electric since it was brought to market four years ago, has still not captured a mass audience. The new Volt boosts the range on the electric engine alone to 50 miles from the previous 38, and, with both electric and gas engines engaged, has a much faster acceleration than before. “Owners wanted to see a greater range on the new model, and we have delivered,” said Barra. Hyundai introduced its standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid Sonatas at the show, as it pushes ahead with an all-technologies strategy for the US and global market. “While low fuel prices are the hot topic right now, we all recognize the long-term need to reduce CO2 emissions,” said Mike O’Brien, Hyundai vice president of corporate and product planning for North America. “We intend to lead the way to this more efficient future.” The climb to that future, though, has become steeper with the plunge in gasoline prices. “There has been a shift in consumer preferences nationwide for three months now. That shift from small crossover midsize and compacts migrates to large trucks, SUVs and utilities and even to luxury vehicles,” said Alec Gutierrez, an industry analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

New York, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – US banking giant Wells Fargo Wednesday reported slightly higher quarterly earnings behind overall loan growth and increased deposit levels in an improving US economy. Wells Fargo, the largest mortgage lender in the US, said net income for the fourth quarter was $5.7 billion, up 1.8 percent from the year-ago period. Total average loans came in at $849.4 billion for the quarter, an increase of four percent from the fourth quarter of 2013. Total deposits were $1.1 trillion, up eight percent from last year. Fourth-quarter earnings of $1.02 per share matched analyst expectations. With a large retail banking presence, Wells Fargo has been viewed as wellpositioned for the US recovery. Its shares

have outperformed the S& P 500 over the last year. Higher profits in Wells Fargo’s community banking segment helped offset lower results in wholesale banking, in part due to a $287 million jump in expenses due to growth projects and regulatory compliance. “Wells Fargo had another strong year in 2014, with continued strength in the fundamental drivers of long-term performance: growing customers, loans, deposits and capital,” said chief executive John Stumpf. “As the US economy continues to build momentum, I’m optimistic that our diversified business model will continue to benefit all of our stakeholders in 2015.” For the full year, net income was $23.1 billion, up 5.4 percent from 2013. In pre-market trade, Wells Fargo shares fell 1.6 percent to $51.

US economy continues broad expansion: Fed report By Veronica Smith

Washington, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – The US economy generated “modest” or “moderate” growth in late 2014, although lower oil prices were hitting energy-producing regions, according to a Federal Reserve report released Wednesday. US job growth expanded “moderately” from mid-November through late December, but that was not accompanied by upward pressure on wages, said the Fed’s Beige Book, a collection of economic reports from the central bank’s 12 districts. “Significant wage pressures were largely limited to workers with specialized technical skills,” said the mostly upbeat report, which will be used as a basis for discussion at the Fed’s next monetary policy meeting on January 27 and 28. The rapid slide in oil prices, which at the end of the survey period had lost about half their value since June, showed up in slower growth in energy regions that in turn weighed on some hiring. While most Fed districts reported the modest or moderate economic growth, the Kansas City District, in the Midwest, reported only slight expansion, with slower growth in the energy industry. “Most respondents reported lower drilling activity, and demand for oilfield services fell,” the report said. “Oil rigs decreased marginally while natural gas rigs increased. Future drilling activity, employment, and capital expenditures were projected to be significantly lower in response to lower oil prices.” And the Dallas Fed in Texas, reflecting the rapid slide in crude oil prices, indicated “that growth slowed slightly during the reporting period and that several contacts expressed concern about the effect of lower oil prices on the District economy.” Lower oil prices led to an overall slowing in hiring, for example, in the energyproducing regions of North Dakota and Montana. The persistent minimal growth in wages has been a big worry for Fed officials as they debate the first increase in interest rates. The key federal funds rate has been pegged near zero since December 2008 to shore up the economy’s recovery from deep recession.

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

29 occupations in demand where no job offer is required to apply under PNP express entry This is the first article to be published since Canada Immigration overhauled its application management system. Under new rules, all economic applicants under the Federal Skilled Worker category (FSW), Canada Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trade (FST) now must go through an added step of being selected called Express Entry. In other words, all applicants must now first pass the first threshold of qualifying under either FSW or CEC or FST and then enter the pool of requirements are: applicants waiting to be selected. AccordThe program is for those who wish to ing to Canada Immigrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Express Entry immigrate to Canada and settle in Canambassador, the higher the ranking the ada as permanent residents. It is not a more likely an applicant will be selected. recruitment for jobs. Any skilled work experience is accepted Applicants do not require an offer of but it is not certain when one will be drawn employment or job offer. from the pool. The federal program has Applicants who are 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 46 years old eliminated the demand list. However, will be allotted points. one of the provinces has just announced a A completed university degree of at quicker route to enter the ranking and be on least three years of study is preferred. top of the selection grid by awarding a PNP Applicants do not require to have a certificate. Those selected by the province relative living in Canada. However, those with close relatives will be awarded bonus will be drawn from the pool in priority. The program is underway with intake points. to commence on January 2, 2015. Entry Applicants must have proficiency in the

Should i pay that Medicare Part B premium when I turn 65? You are about to turn 65. Social Security sent you a letter informing you that since you contributed more than 40 quarters, you are entitled to a premium-free Medicare Part A. In that same letter, you are asked if you want to pay monthly premium (normally, $104.90) to be entitled to Medicare Part B. What do you do? Part A takes care of your Hospitalization, Skilled Nursing Facility, Home Health Care, and Hospice the implementation of the employer Care. Part B takes care of your Doctor mandate in 2015. This will soon grab the visits, Durable Medical Equipments, Labo- headlines, compounding the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conratory, and Drugs (which you usually donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fusion on Obamacare. Affected employees administer yourself like immunization, should not be unduly alarmed. Even if the vaccines, etc.) Republican-led Senate approves the bill, If you are provided with an employer the Democratic White House promises or union sponsored plan, and such a plan to veto it. While the Republicans gained is â&#x20AC;&#x153;creditableâ&#x20AC;?, you may postpone paying some seats during the mid-term elections, for your Part B premium and will not be such were not enough to override a White penalized if you decide to acquire your Part House veto. B later. This is the same case even if you get Meanwhile, please be informed that your coverage thru your spouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employer open enrollment is up to February 15, 2015. or union. But, should you postpone? What Avoid the rhush! Get covered. Get that are the repercussions? feeling of security and peace of mind asIf you postpone, you save $104.90 sociated with having a health insurance. monthly. You will have your Medicare Part Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. Cruz, A and your employer- or union-sponsored Zambales. He studied for MBA and Law health insurance. Will you be paying at the University of the Philippines. He more or less to keep your employer- or worked for United Laboratories, Inc. where union-sponsored coverage? Your terms his last position held was vice-president of contract with the insurance carrier are assigned as general manager of a division. normally private and confidential. Your He was a joint-venture partner of the San HR or benefits administrator are in the Miguel Corporation in an agri-business best position to advise you on this matter. project. He holds CA license # 0G55218 If you need further help, you may reach and a Non-Resident license for Nevada. me at 323-535-7373 or e-mail at: leo. He is contracted with various Medicarebalita@gmail.com. approved health insurance carriers offerOBAMACARE Alert: The Republican- ing Medicare Advantage Plans. He is a led House of Representatives just passed a Certified Insurance Agent for Covered bill (increasing to 40 hours the definition California. Visit his website: www.healof a full time employee) that will impact thremediesandoptions.com (HeRO).

SCAM From page 10

In many cases, home visits by SCE personnel are scheduled by the customers and the utility will confirm the appointment in writing. Customers typically will receive advanced notice with a postcard, door hanger or phone call when SCE is going to perform scheduled work in an area that might affect service. But what should you do if someone claiming to be with SCE shows up unannounced at your door? How can you be sure the individual is legitimate or not? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always in a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best interest to not provide access to their home and to call ourCustomer Service Call Center at 1-800-655-4555 to inquire if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a purpose for an individual to be at their

home,â&#x20AC;? said Kari Gardner, manager of Consumer Affairs for SCE. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always warn customers to not let an individual in their home if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a scheduled appointment.â&#x20AC;? SCE does contract work with thirdparty companies to perform tasks such as pole inspections and specific infrastructure projects. They typically have the SCE logo/ insignia affixed to the door of their vehicle and some may carry SCE ID. However, if you have concerns, call the SCE call center at 1-800-655-4555 before allowing individuals onto your property. SCE representatives are available 24 hours a day for emergency purposes. SCE and law enforcement officials suggest having the utility worker wait outside until their identity can be verified.

English language. French is not required. Must have a minimum of one year of work experience in a demand occupation. The listed occupations as of today are: Accountant and Auditors Financial Analysts Human Resource Manager Purchasing Officers Geologists Civil Engineers Mechanical Engineers Electrical and Electronic Engineers Industrial Engineers Computer Engineers Information System Analysts Database Analysts Software Engineers Computer Programmers Web Designers and Developers Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians Mechanical Engineering Technologists

and Technicians Electrical Engineering Technologists and Technicians Drafting Technologists and Technicians Engineering Inspectors User Support Technicians Registered Nurses Physiotherapists Occupational Therapists Medical Laboratory Techs Licensed Practical Nurses Psychologists Family and Marriage Counsellors Financial Sales Representatives 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. For a free assessment visit www.moyal.com Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal. com or call toll free at 1 888 8472 078.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

OPINION

Security ‘nightmare’ for papal visit By Cecil Morella

Manila, Philippines | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – Philippine troops are facing a security “nightmare” during Pope Francis’s visit starting Thursday, with potential stampedes, Islamic militants and lone-wolf assailants all concerns. Nearly 40,000 soldiers and police are being deployed to protect the pontiff during his five-day trip to the Philippines, a majority Catholic nation where attempts have been made to kill visiting popes twice before. “For this year, this will be the greatest security nightmare that we can have,” Philippine military chief General Gregorio Catapang said as he readied his troops for the pontiff’s arrival. Authorities have stated the huge crowds of devout Catholics are their main worry, with up to six million people expected for a mass in Manila on Sunday. Giant throngs are also expected along his motorcade routes in the capital, while a one-day trip to typhoon-devastated communities in the central Philippines will pose its own problems. In a nationally televised address on Monday, President Benigno Aquino pleaded with his countrymen planning to join the crowds to remain calm and avoid creating a stampede that could endanger the pope. “I ask you, do you want history to record that a tragedy involving the pope happened in the Philippines,” Aquino said. Aside from a crowd potentially crushing the pope, Aquino also warned that blocking his motorcade would make him an easy target for an assailant. The president referred to the threat of “terrorism” and an assassination attempt on John Paul II at the Vatican in 1981, as he called on all Filipinos to help protect Francis in the Philippines. Adding to the concerns, the 78-year-old pontiff has insisted he will not travel in a bullet-proof “popemobile” so can he be closer to his flock. Highlighting the priority Aquino has placed on security, he personally led a late-night dry run on Tuesday of the motorcade journey that the pope will make from the airport after he arrives—with thousands of police lining the roads. Assassination plots There have also been two attempts or plots to kill pontiffs visiting in the Philippines that Aquino did not refer to in his televised address. On the first-ever papal visit to the Philippines in 1970, Bolivian painter Benjamin Mendoza donned a priest’s fake cassock and swung a knife at Pope Paul VI as he arrived at Manila airport. Paul VI was wounded but continued his trip without disclosing his injury. Then, one week before John Paul II’s visit in 1995, police uncovered a plot by foreign Islamist extremists to kill him by bombing his Manila motorcade route. They then planned to set off explosives on 11 US jetliners over the Pacific Ocean that they hoped would kill thousands. The plot was detected only because bomb-making material caused smoke at the apartment that was being used to store the explosives. Pakistani Ramzi Yousef, who carried out the 1993 World Trade Center bombings in the United States, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of Al-Qaeda’s most senior figures who planned the September 11, 2001 attacks, were among those involved in the plot. Aside from foreign extremists, Philippine security forces have for decades struggled to contain local Islamic militants with links to Al-Qaeda.

Top Islamic body urges Muslims to ‘ignore’ Charlie Hebdo

Cairo, Egypt | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – Leading Islamic authority Al-Azhar urged Muslims to “ignore” the publication of a new Prophet Mohamed cartoon by French magazine Charlie Hebdo Wednesday, saying his stature was too lofty to be harmed by cartoons. The first issue of the satirical magazine to be published since a jihadist attack decimated its staff last week was sold out within minutes at kiosks across France on Wednesday. The issue features a cartoon of a tearful Prophet

Mohammed on its cover, holding a “Je Suis Charlie” sign under the headline “All is forgiven”. Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s most prestigious seat of learning, denounced the new edition but called on Muslims to ignore it. “Al-Azhar calls on all Muslims to ignore this hateful frivolity,” it said in a statement. “The stature of the prophet of mercy and humanitarianism is greater and more lofty than to be harmed by cartoons that are unrestrained by decency and civilized standards,” it added.

SC upholds ban on live coverage of Maguindanao massacre trial MANILA, Jan 14 (Mabuhay) – The Supreme Court has upheld its earlier ruling barring radio and television coverage of the five-year-old Maguindanao multiple murder trial. SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the high court denied motions for reconsideration seeking to reverse its Oct. 23, 2012 ruling denying the petitions for radio and television coverage of the trial currently being held at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. “The Court cited the lack of uniformity in rule or practice in other jurisdictions in relation to allowing cameras in the courtroom,” Te said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday. The spokesman added: “It also cited the need to protect the rights of the parties and the dignity of the courts as well as ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings.” Te said the magistrates also considered the “practical aspects of broadcasted criminal trial proceedings in foreign jurisdictions, finding that most countries still do not allow cameras in their courtrooms.” The petitions for live coverage were filed by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, as well as relatives of the massacre victims, Editha Tiamzon and Glenna Legarta. In their petitions, they requested the setting up of a video camera and monitor just outside the court for reporters to cover and for the people to witness the trial of the controversial case being heard by Branch 221 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. In its first ruling on the matter in June 2011, the

high court initially allowed live radio and television coverage of the trial, under certain conditions like requiring media entities to apply for broadcast and to continuously broadcast a hearing with no commercial breaks. The guidelines also disallowed the media from re-airing recordings of the trial and giving annotations while the hearing is ongoing. But in a subsequent ruling in October 2012, the court totally scrapped live coverage but allowed audio-visual recordings of the trial for documentary purposes and for transmittal in closed-circuit viewing areas within the Camp Bagong Diwa premises and trial court in Maguindanao, Koronadal, South Cotabato, and General Santos City, where relatives of the victims currently reside. Witnesses, however, would be prohibited from watching the proceedings, whether inside the court room or the designated closed-circuit viewing areas. The high court said a single fixed compact camera will be used to provide a wide-angle full view of the sala of the court, with no panning and zooming “to avoid unduly highlighting or downplaying incidents in the proceedings.” The SC Public Information Office has likewise been tasked to coordinate and assist trial courts involved in the physical setup of the camera and equipment. The high court also said original recordings of the murder trial shall be deposited to the National Museum and the Records Management and Archives Office for preservation and exhibition in accordance to law.

Security ‘nightmare’ for papal visit By Cecil Morella

pope, Aquino also warned that blocking his motorcade would make him an easy target for an assailant. The president referred to the threat of “terrorism” and an assassination attempt on John Paul II at the Vatican in 1981, as he called on all Filipinos to help protect Francis in the Philippines. Adding to the concerns, the 78-year-old pontiff has insisted he will not travel in a bullet-proof “popemobile” so can he be closer to his flock. Highlighting the priority Aquino has placed on security, he personally led a late-night dry run on Tuesday of the motorcade journey that the pope will make from the airport after he arrives—with thousands of police lining the roads. Assassination plots There have also been two attempts or plots to kill pontiffs visiting in the Philippines that Aquino did not refer to in his televised address. On the first-ever papal visit to the Philippines in 1970, Bolivian painter Benjamin Mendoza donned a priest’s fake cassock and swung a knife at Pope Paul VI as he arrived at Manila airport. Paul VI was wounded but continued his trip without disclosing his injury. Then, one week before John Paul II’s visit in 1995, police uncovered a plot by foreign Islamist extremists to kill him by bombing his Manila motorcade route. They then planned to set off explosives on 11 US jetliners over the Pacific Ocean that they hoped would kill thousands.

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Yes, no, maybe: 2016 White House race takes shape By Michael Mathes

Washington, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – There are no official candidates so far in the 2016 race for the White House, but one year ahead of the party primaries, the field is filling up, with new faces and some familiar names: Clinton, Bush and Romney. Among the Democrats, Hillary Clinton is the runaway frontrunner. But in 2007, she entered the primaries as the favorite, only to finish second fiddle to Barack Obama. When will the most watched woman in politics make her announcement? Most likely in the spring, campaign-watchers speculate, with some narrowing it down to April. Harbingers abound: a handful of likely advisors are believed to have already signed on to an expected Clinton campaign. While Clinton lurks, a major prospective rival, Senator Elizabeth Warren, appeared to withdraw from a potential candidacy. Asked by Forbes magazine recently if she would run for president, Warren – hailed by progressives for her crusade against Wall Street excesses – simply answered “No.” Romney redux While Jeb Bush hogged the presidential spotlight last month, announcing he was actively considering a bid, January has belonged to Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor failed to gain traction in the 2008 presidential primaries and then as the Republican nominee lost to Obama in 2012. Denying for months his interest in a third challenge, he has begun to tell supporters and donors he is seriously interested in another White House run. “I think he is pretty far on in terms of his consideration,” Thomas Rath, a consultant on two Romney campaigns who recently received a phone call from Romney, told AFP. “I would expect the answer to come in the closer term rather than the longer term,” Rath added. “He thinks he has a lot to offer and that he would like to serve, and that he’s willing to go through this incredible, difficult campaign to try it again.” Romney may elaborate on his thinking Friday, when he addresses a Republican National Committee meeting. One advantage, said Rath, is that Romney “doesn’t have the learning curve that some candidates might have to have.” It is rare in US politics for an also-ran to reverse his fortunes and win the White House, although Richard Nixon, defeated in 1960, won the presidency eight years

later. And Ronald Reagan, who lost primary races in 1968 and 1976, was elected in 1980. “From the standpoint of Mitt Romney, there’s no incumbent, so the field is wide open. There’s no clear frontrunner on the Republican side, and Republicans see Hillary Clinton as someone who can be beat,” said Antoine Yoshinaka, assistant professor at American University. But can Romney, whose image took a battering as an out-of-touch multi-millionaire, restore his economic message? “Every presidential candidate is going to have to bring to the campaign trail a discussion on how they’re going to improve the quality of life for the middle class,” Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte, who also received a Romney call, told AFP. A dozen Republicans Jeb Bush, son and brother to two former presidents, is the most prominent Republican to publicize his presidential interest. He has created a political action committee that has already begun raising funds. Bush took a conservative line when he was governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007, but he has signalled he would campaign along more centrist themes. His priorities, controversial for core conservatives, include reforming US education and the immigration system. Apart from Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard boss who is exploring a campaign, all potential Republican rivals are men: Governors: Chris Christie of New Jersey, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, Michigan’s Rick Snyder and Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal. Former governors: Texas’s Rick Perry and Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, both of whom ran for president in 2012. Senators: Libertarian Rand Paul, Tea Party conservative Ted Cruz and CubanAmerican Marco Rubio. Ben Carson, an African-American neurosurgeon with Tea Party support, and former senator Rick Santorum, champion of the religious right, are also considering campaigns. Few will become viable candidates. But for the up-and-comers, 2016 could serve as a trial balloon for future attempts at higher office. “Running for president is so enormously difficult that you often have to go through this cauldron of fire once before you’re successful at becoming the nominee,” said Karlyn Bowman of the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. “You build up a lot of followers if you get into the race early on, even if your goal is 2020 and not 2016.”

Offshore wind would boost jobs, energy more than oil: study Miami, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – Developing offshore wind technology in the Atlantic Ocean would produce twice the energy and job growth as drilling for oil would, an environmental group said Wednesday. The analysis by Oceana was released ahead of the US government’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s five-year plan for oil and gas leasing, which could involve seismic testing for potential reserves in the Atlantic. “The main crux of the report is we don’t even need to consider offshore drilling when we consider the vast offshore wind resources we have in the Atlantic,” said Andrew Menaquale, report author and energy analyst at Oceana. Menaquale said less than four percent of the United States’ oil and gas is found in the offshore Atlantic. The group’s report said that “energy

created by 20 years of offshore wind in the Atlantic would produce nearly twice as much energy, (five billion barrels of oil equivalents) than what would be created by all of the economically recoverable oil and gas.” It also found that offshore wind in the Atlantic could lead to 91,000 more jobs in the next two decades than offshore drilling. The group said the oil industry “exaggerated” its projections for growth by including “oil and gas resources that are not economically recoverable, thereby inflating the potential benefits.” The administration of US President Barack Obama said last year it would consider proposals for the use of seismic airguns to probe for oil and gas deposits below the ocean floor from Delaware to Florida, an area that had previously been off-limits.

Visit www.Balita.com

Majority in US expect a woman president in their lifetime: poll Washington, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – Seventy-three percent of Americans expect to see a female president in their lifetime, even as men are expected to maintain their dominant role in business, a survey published Wednesday said. The Washington-based Pew Research Center interviewed 1,835 adults online in November to get a sense of how Americans view women and leadership today. Most respondents felt there was no difference between men and women when it came to leadership qualities like intelligence and capacity for innovation. But when asked to explain the shortage of female political leaders, 28 percent of men and 47 percent of women said women were being held to higher standards than men. In the business realm, the proportion who said women were judged more harshly than their male counterparts was even higher: a third of men and just over half of women. That said, nearly three-quarters of those polled said they thought the United States would elect a female president in their lifetime. Just one in five respondents disagreed. Women who support the Democratic party were the most enthusiastic about a woman in the White House – amid speculation that Hillary Clinton might run again for president in 2016. In the business world, however, 52 percent of men and 55 percent of women expected men to continue to hold more top business positions in the future, even as more women move into management. The survey also found that Americans are divided over whether a woman with leadership aspirations is better off having children early on in her career (36 percent)

Hillary Clinton, future president?

or waiting until she is well established (40 percent). “About one-in-five (22 percent) say the best option would be to not have children at all,” said Pew, which posted the full survey on its www.pewresearch.org website.

An Expert Immigration Attorney for All your Immigration needs Approvals are what we get from Immigration Services for our clients WE SPEAK TAGALOG MANDARIN, CANTONESE & FUKIENESE

Atty. Dixon Wong

S P E C I A L I Z E S • All types of Non-Immigrant Working Visas • Extension and Change of Status Application • PERM (Labor Certification) • Immigrant Visa Applications • Green Card through employment offer • J Waiver Application • Family Petitions • Registered Nurse and Healthcare Professionals Visa Applications • Exchange Visitor, Student & Fiancé(e) Visa

I N :

• Mandamus • BIA and Federal Court Appeals • Criminal Defense for Green Card Holders and Non-Immigrants • Asylum Application • Deportation and Removal Proceedings • Adoption Petitions • Naturalization Applications and Appeals • Green Cards through Investor Visas • Battered Spouse Applications

With two locations to serve you in San Gabriel Valley • Pasadena

Call To Schedule a Free Consultation:

Tel 626.577.1100

600 South Lake Ave., Suite 301 Pasadena, CA 91106

Fax 626.577.1102

Office Hours: Monday - Friday • Saturday by Appointment

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Living life to the fullest: A reminder It’s only the second week of January 2015 and already, Karen Crespo’s black book is already filled with appointments and engagements; and it’s not a surprise since her 2014 calendar was also pretty busy. “If you told me a few years ago that I would find myself in this position, I would have laughed at you and thought you were crazy,” said the meningitis survivor and quadruple amputee. In her former life, which were the years from her birth until one day in December of For fifteen days, Karen was in a medi2011, she was a pretty, petite nurse having the time of her live – loving her job serving cally-induced coma. And when she woke others, while spending her free time with up on Christmas Eve that year, she said all friends; meeting and dating men, like what she could move was her head. “It was a blessing because they didn’t normal single ladies do; traveling to exotic places for vacation; and throwing herself even think I could make it,” Karen said, but admitted that the first few days after in popular interests like fashion. All that changed three years ago, when she woke up, she was questioning if it was she found herself battling meningococcal indeed a blessing for her to be alive. The meningitis, a rare but very serious illness. hospital’s intensive care unit was her home “I felt very tired. I had uncontrollable for five months. Aside from suffering two diarrhea. My feet were cold; and when heart attacks, gangrene also took over all I bent down to put on socks, I couldn’t of Karen’s two arms and two legs, causing move my neck. It was so stiff. And, as a them to be amputated. She also lost her nurse, the first thing that came to mind was nose and a part of her ear. “I had a hard meningitis,” she said during an interview in time dealing with my body image. I was 2013. “I was very sure. They emphasized so embarrassed.” it so much in nursing school, stiff neck and Thankfully, as time heals all wounds, meningitis. Not too many people know Karen’s perception, along with her predicaabout it. But it’s very serious.” ment, changed for the better. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control In 2013, Karen completed physical and Prevention reported that anywhere rehabilitation and psychological counselfrom five to 20 percent of the popula- ing, to help her deal with her new life. tion may carry the bacteria that cause And in a more recent interview in 2014, meningococcal meningitis. In most cases, an even more beautiful Karen faced us, to however, it is dormant and does not cause talk about being the highlight of New York the disease. One can be a carrier and not Fashion Week (September 2014) with the show any symptoms. But the bacteria may help of designer Carrie Hamer. “Walking during New York Fashion be passed on through saliva – kissing; sharing food, drinks, utensils. When caught Week was definitely the turning point for by someone with a weak or compromised me. Before that I felt like I was lost and I didn’t know what my purpose was. Now immune system, it can turn deadly.

Karen Crespo (left) in an earlier radio interview at LA Talk Radio

With the author after the first interview in 2013 (left) and Karen right after her ordeal.

I know that my purpose is to be a role model and inspire others. Because of that one event I felt like anything is possible,” she said. In October 2014, she participated in the National Meningitis Association Conference in Atlanta where she talked about her story and helped inform communities about the disease, the vaccine and preventive measures. “Of course this organization is near and dear to my heart because of the way bacterial meningitis affected me,” she said. In November 2014, Karen did a photo shoot for the “Fabulous Filipinas” calendar, featuring Filipino American personalities with inspiring stories to tell. “It was a pleasure shooting a calendar for Fil-Ams honoring our achievements in the community,” Karen said about this project of The Filipino American Press Club of California. “It’s so nice to represent those living with physical disability. It also gave me the opportunity to continue to inspire others, especially people living with some kind of disability. In the first week of 2015, Karen was a guest on The Mother Love radio show on LA Talk Radio. “We talked about New York, my stolen arm prosthetics in 2013, and my future endeavors.” Karen’s future endeavors include jetting off to Berlin, Germany this coming spring, to do a photo shoot for a talent agency out there. This budding model is also a budding reality TV show star as she currently works with a Hollywood producer to do an 8-episode documentary series about her life as she embarks on a mission to renovate her

house, to make it more accessible for her. For this, she is helping to host a fundraiser in April, at a local CrossFit gym in the city of Covina. Despite these engagements, there’s no slowing down for Karen: “I am working on public speaking so I can be a motivational speaker in the future or even write a book about my life. I would really like to speak to different communities about my experience becoming an amputee and a meningitis survivor. Hopefully it will inspire others to never give up and live life to its fullest,” she said in parting. And what better time to be reminded about “living life to the fullest” than the start of the new year, with all its hopes and promises. [END] For more information about Karen’s journey, check out www.CaringForKaren. com. She is also raising money through this website, so she can be independent again, to make her home more accessible, and hand controls for a car so she can start driving again.

Jannelle So is taking a break from 20-years of print and broadcast journalism career that began in the Philippines and continued in the United States. She is credited for creating, hosting and producing America’s first and only locally-produced daily talk show for Filipinos, that ran for 8 ½ years under her leadership, making it the longest-running Filipino talk show outside of the Philippines. Connect to her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; or email her at sojannelle77@ gmail.com.

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Onemig to wife: See you in court Former Kapamilya actor Onemig Bondoc is taking his battle against estranged wife, French-Filipina model and part-time actress Valerie Bariou, to court. Bondoc confirmed that he filed a case at the Quezon City Hall of Justice against Bariou to get the full custody of his two children: seven-year-old Armelle and oneyear-old Anton. “I’m doing this for my kids because sobrang mahal ko ang mga anak ko, na feeling ko hindi siya capable of taking care of her kids,” explained Bondoc, whose last acting role in a television series was ABSCBN’s “Marina.” Bondoc met Bariou in 2007, that same year the model gave birth to their first child, Armelle. They got married in a civil ceremony in 2009. Last September, Bondoc confirmed his separation from the model-actress, who made headlines when she worked as the “double” for actress Rachel Weisz in the Hollywood film “Bourne Legacy.” “We cannot meet halfway because for her it’s her way or the highway. Siya, gusto niya sa mundo niya. Gusto niya siya lang ang pwedeng magkamali pero ang mga tao sa nakapaligid sa kanya dapat hindi magkamali. So, ‘yun po ang rason bakit

hindi ko na kinaya, nakipaghiwalay na ako sa asawa ko,” explained Bondoc, who said he and Bariou started living apart in early 2013. “Actually pinalayas niya ako sa condo ko, so condo namin, na ako mismo ang nagbabayad sa lahat. Siya ang nagpalayas sa akin. Tapos hinihintay ko na siya ang magpakumbaba pero nag-file siya ng annulment,” Bondoc added. Currently, the two children are with Bondoc. “Kaya ko ginagawa ito dahil tinanong ko ang anak ko. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Armelle, do you want Papa to stop this?’ Sabi niya, ‘If Papa stops this, Mama will have to take control over you. No papa, you go, you fight. You fight, Papa,’” Bondoc said. Addressing Bariou, Bondoc said: “Alam mo Val, I’ve already talked to you a lot of times but you don’t want to meet halfway. I really don’t want to do this but it seems that you really want this and you are forcing me to do it. So I guess, I will just see you in court.” “As a father I will do everything and anything to protect my children. Sana hindi na dumating sa ganito. But now it’s too late so I will just see you in court,” he added. (MNS)

Melissa Ricks gives birth to baby girl Actress Melissa Ricks gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Monday afternoon. On her official Instagram account, Ricks shared a photo of her baby girl, who she named Kiera Kelly. “Our little blessing has arrived!!! At 3:53 p.m., Weighing in at 7.07lbs.. Kiera Kelly our angel,” she wrote. It was July last year when Ricks, who rose to fame as one of the finalists of “Star Circle Quest,” confirmed that she is pregnant by boyfriend Charles Togesaki. (MNS)

Valerie Bariou and Onemig Bondoc

Look and feel great this holiday season... Melissa Ricks

Andi Eigenmann in no hurry for love AFTER her controversial romance with Jake Ejercito, actress Andi Eigenmann said she is not in a hurry to enter a new relationship. These past few months, the 24-year-old Kapamilya star was constantly linked to former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate Bret Jackson. The two even posted several personal photos of them together on image-sharing application Instagram. Andi confirmed that the PBB alumnus is indeed courting her. “We enjoy each other’s company and we hang out a lot. Nothing has happen yet and it’s only the beginning. I just came out of a long and a very complicated relationship, I would want to take things slow,” she said. Andi was also asked if she’s concerned over the statement of her mother, Jaclyn Jose, that she doesn’t like Bret for her daughter. The young actress explained that she respects her mom’s opinion and that Jose and Jackson were only introduced once and they never had a chance to get to know each other. “Pwede naman niyang sabihin what she wants and at the same time hindi naman niya pa nakilala si Bret. She never really got the chance and I know how close my mom is to my ex... She loves Jake,” Andi said. Although she’s constantly bombarded with issues involving her love life, Andi said she wants to focus on her work and

Andi Eigenmann

daughter Ellie this 2015. “Yung 2015 hindi lang bagong tao, kundi bagong chapter din ng buhay ko. I lost two people who were really important to me. I just want to make sure na magiging masaya na ako. Yun lang naman ang gusto ko, mag-focus sa trabaho para rin sa daughter ko, kay Ellie. I just want everything, this whole year, to be about me and her,” she said. She also learned from her past relationship that one has to wait for the right person to come along. “Wag magmadali. Wag masyado na agad agad at lahat lahat kasi hindi mo naman malalaman kung masasalo mo yun,” she said. (MNS)

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

FOOD & DINING FAMILY FEATURES

haring family recipes is a treasured holiday tradition for many, but every holiday table needs a mix of cherished family dishes and new culinary creations. This year, honor those special memories and reminisce over platters of family favorites while introducing new and delicious items to your holiday spread. From juicy pork tenderloin to nutty and tart pound cake, these delightful dishes are sure to bring joy to your dinner table this season. Whether your kitchen contribution is a family recipe or a new dish to introduce to your relatives, it all begins with a kitchen that is well-stocked with essentials such as salt, pepper and other pantry staples. With a wide variety of products, including olive oils, vinegars, cooking wines and cooking sprays, Pompeian has all of the basics you need for any holiday dish. Pompeian is also the first and only extra virgin olive oil to carry the new USDA Quality Monitored seal — ensuring you’re using only the best quality ingredients to feed your family and friends. To celebrate the season and honor these special family dishes, Pompeian is helping consumers immortalize their favorite family recipes. Visit Facebook. com/Pompeian to design a custom bottle of extra virgin olive oil special enough to gift to a loved one or to keep for your own holiday table. For product and nutritional information or to view more holiday recipes, visit Pompeian.com.

Pork Tenderloin with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Broccoli Gratin with Crunchy Herb Topping

Servings: 4 1/2 cup Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/2 cup Pompeian Balsamic Vinegar 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons mixed dried herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, oregano or marjoram Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 pork tenderloins (10–12 ounces each) 2 red, yellow or green bell peppers, cored and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces 2 medium yellow onions, cut into 3/4-inch wedges 1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling To prepare marinade, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and herbs in bowl. Whisk until blended; add salt and pepper to taste. Place 2 pork tenderloins in large sealable plastic bag. Pour in half marinade and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight, turning bag occasionally. Preheat oven to 400°F. Pour remaining marinade over peppers, onions and eggplant and toss. Arrange vegetables in large oiled roasting pan. Roast in preheated oven 15 minutes. In meantime, heat large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade. Add to skillet and brown on all sides. Transfer pork to pan of roasted vegetables. Return to oven for 20–25 minutes or until pork registers 155°F on meat thermometer. Slice pork and serve with roasted vegetables. Drizzle olive oil over finished dish.

Servings: 4 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets Sea or kosher salt, to taste 1/4 cup Pompeian Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil 1 small onion, chopped 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups low-fat milk 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, chopped Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs Bring large pot of water to rapid boil. Add broccoli and salt to taste. Blanch for 3 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water and drain again. Pat dry with paper towels and transfer to bowl. Preheat oven to 400°F. Oil small gratin pan. For sauce, heat extra light tasting olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender. Add flour and stir until foamy. Pour in milk and cook, stirring continuously until mixture comes to boil and thickens. Stir in Parmesan cheese and parsley and cook until cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Coat broccoli evenly with sauce. Transfer broccoli to gratin pan. For topping, heat extra virgin olive oil in nonstick skillet. Add garlic and thyme and cook until garlic is golden. Add breadcrumbs and toss until lightly browned. Sprinkle topping over baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Cranberry Walnut Pound Cake 468 W. ARROW HWY. COVINA, CA. 91722

S. Citrus Ave

S. Azusa Ave

E. Gladstone St.

W. Arrow Hwy

FILIPINO CUISINE

DINE IN - TO GO - CATERING

Malaki Po ang Parking Lot Natin! Pasyal na Kayo!

SPECIAL CATERING PACKAGES

100 PERSONS $580 50 PERSONS $280 FREE DELIVERY W/IN 20 MI

FREE DELIVERY W/IN 10 MI 2 FULL TRAY PANCIT/NOODLES 2 HALF TRAY PANCIT/NOODLES 2 FULL TRAY CHICKEN 2 HALF TRAY CHICKEN 1 FULL TRAY BEEF 1 HALF TRAY BEEF 1 FULL TRAY PORK 1 HALF TRAY PORK 1 FULL TRAY VEGETABLE 1 HALF TRAY VEGETABLE

25 PERSONS $150

FREE DELIVERY W/IN 5 MI

1 SMALL TRAY 1 SMALL TRAY 1 SMALL TRAY 1 SMALL TRAY 1 SMALL TRAY 1 FULL TRAY SEAFOOD 1 SMALL TRAY 1 HALF TRAY SEAFOOD 1 FULL TRAY BUKO PANDAN FREE 1 HALF TRAY BUKO PANDAN FREE 1 SMALL TRAY and

and

1 HALF TRAY CASSAVA CAKE FREE 1 HALF TRAY CASSAVA CAKE FREE 1 SMALL TRAY

FAX 626-332-4880

: pecials S y a d i l Ho Chicken Relleno Bangus Relleno Embotido Chicken and Pork

PANCIT/NOODLES ST BREAKFA CHICKEN SERVEDnday! BEEF y & Su Saturda PORK

VEGETABLE SEAFOOD

BUKO PANDAN FREE or CASSAVA CAKE FREE

TRY IT!

YOU’LL LIKE IT!

MON- CLOSED T-F 10AM - 7PM S 8:30AM - 6PM SUN 8:30AM-5PM

wanted

Assistant Cook / (626)-332-4848 468 W. ARROW HWY. COVINA, CA. 91722 Female Located at Arrow Center Plaza where the new Harbor Freight Store is. Server (Full Time)

Servings: 12–16 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour or 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 4 large eggs 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup Pompeian Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts 3/4 cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously coat Bundt pan with olive oil. In small bowl, combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In large bowl, beat eggs with handheld mixer until light and slightly increased in volume. Add sugar slowly while continuing to beat. Mixture will become light and fluffy. Add olive oil and vanilla extract and beat another 2 minutes. Alternately add dry ingredients and sour cream to batter, beating between additions. Gently fold in chopped nuts and cranberries. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake at 350°F for 60–65 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Then invert pan onto rack to remove and cool completely.

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY Working too hard can drive you to booze: study (Paris-AFP) - It’s true: working too hard can drive you to drink, said researchers Wednesday who warned of the health risks of such dual excess. An overview of studies covering more than 400,000 people showed that individuals who exceed 48 working hours per week – the European Union’s suggested maximum – are likelier to consume “risky” quantities of alcohol, they said. The paper, published in The BMJ journal, reported that long working hours boosted the likelihood of higher alcohol intake by 11 percent overall. People who worked 49-54 hours a week ran a 13-percent higher risk of developing a “risky alcohol use” habit compared to counterparts who worked a 35-40-hour work week. Those working 55 hours or more were 12 percent more at risk. “Risky” alcohol use was defined as more than 14 units per week for a woman and more than 21 for a man – levels that have been linked to a higher risk for liver and heart disease, cancer, stroke and mental disorders. An alcohol unit is the equivalent of a third of a pint of medium-strength beer, half a 175-millilitre (six fluid ounces) glass of red wine with 12 percent alcohol by volume, or a 25 ml-shot of whisky, The findings add statistical backing to anecdotal evidence for a link between excessive work and alcohol abuse, the

authors said. More than a dozen developed economies were covered by the research, including Belgium, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and the United States. “This meta-analysis supports the longstanding suspicion that among workers subjected to long working hours, alcohol can seem like a fast acting and effective way to dull work-related aches and pains and smooth the transition between work life and home life,” Cassandra Okechukwu of the Harvard School of Public Health wrote in an editorial. Long working hours have previously been linked to cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety. The increased risk of developing a “risky” drinking habit from over-work was small in absolute terms, Okechukwu said. Also, having a job was associated with a lower prevalence of alcohol consumption and a higher chance of recovery from alcohol misuse than being unemployed. Even so, the risk should be taken seriously. “Any exposure associated with avoidable increases in disease or health damaging behaviour, or both, warrants careful examination,” said Okechukwu. “Indeed, these findings could add impetus to further regulation of working hours as a public health intervention.”

Ecuadoran beauty queen dies following liposuction Quito, Ecuador | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – A young beauty queen has died in Ecuador after undergoing liposuction surgery that she had received as a prize, her family said, calling the operation a case of medical malpractice. Catherine Cando Cornejo, a 19-yearold student who in October was named “Queen of Duran,” a town near the port city of Guayaquil, died Saturday during abdominal liposuction. Members of her family said that she was admitted to surgery at a Guayaquil clinic at 8:23 am (1323 GMT), for waist-reduction meant to take off three centimeters (one inch). Around 6:00 pm, nearly 10 hours later, her family was notified she had died. “My sister did not want the operation because she was afraid, but the doctor insisted on several occasions... and convinced her to undergo surgery,” Daniel Zavala Cornejo told reporters. Family lawyer Carlos Reyes said the young beauty queen died of cerebral edema or swelling of the brain. “The clinic lawyer said the death was

due to cardiac arrest, but we have a copy of the autopsy and it turns out the cause was stated as cerebral edema; this is presumably due to problems with anesthesia,” Reyes told the press. According to a complaint filed by the family, the surgery was awarded for winning the pageant. But a spokesman for the mayor said the doctor who performed the operation was on the jury and had given the young winner a $1,000 coupon for surgery. “We made it clear that the prizes we hand out, our prizes, were a car and tablet,” he told AFP. Authorities are investigating the case and have not made any arrests. Under Ecuador law, professional malpractice, including medical malpractice, is punishable with one to three years in prison. President Rafael Correa has previously criticized beauty pageants, ordering the Education Ministry in 2010 to ban the events in public schools on grounds that they had no educational value and were sexist.

US approves new weight-loss device for obese people Miami, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – US regulators on Wednesday approved a new kind of pacemaker-like device that aims to help people lose weight by stimulating a nerve that runs from the brain to the stomach. The Maestro Rechargeable System is made by Minnesota-based EnteroMedics, and is the first device for weight loss approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in eight years. Patients are surgically implanted with electrodes in the abdomen, and an externally-controlled electrical pulse generator sends signals to the abdominal vagus nerve, which helps signal to the brain if the stomach feels empty or full. The FDA said the electrical stimulation “blocks nerve activity between the brain and the stomach,” but that the “specific mechanisms for weight loss due to use of the device are unknown.” The device failed to meet its goal in a study of safety and effectiveness, in which it helped people lose 8.5 percent more of their excess weight than a control group that was given the device but it was not activated. The goal had been 10 percent. The clinical trial included 233 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater.

New findings add statistical backing to anecdotal evidence for a link between excessive work and alcohol abuse. ©Martin Novak/shutterstock.com

Balboa Dental Center

General & Cosmetic Dentistry

• Porcelain Crowns, Bridge & Veneers • Root Canals • Dentures • Oral Surgery • Gum Treatment • White Fillings • Orthodontics • Lumineers • Invisalign • Implants • Treatment for Snoring & Sleep Apnea 0% FINANCING AVAILABLE

Welcome Dental Package • Comprehensive Exam • Necessary X-Rays • Regular Cleaning

FREE CONSULTATION • Late Evening & Weekend appointments • Walk-Ins & Emergencies Welcome • Most Insurances, PPO, Union Plans, Medi-Cal & Healthy Families accepted

Dr. H. Chadha, DDS (USC Graduate) 7205 Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

(818) 997-3662 LOS ANGELES BRANCH

Regular $145

Present Coupon at the time of Service

4354 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90029

(323) 661-2881 from

Braces

per month

0% interest No credit check Present Coupon at the time of Service

from

158

Dental Implants per month By Board Certified Specialist Present Coupon at the time of Service

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

COMMUNITY

Cuisia: PHL-US relations ‘never been better’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Manila’s relations with Washington are at their highest based on how the two allies worked together during the past year, according to the Philippine ambassador to the United States. “Our relations with the United States have never been better,” Ambassador Cuisia said in his remarks during a reception he hosted on Wednesday night for Washington-based journalists led by National Press Club President Myron Belkind. Ambassador Cuisia said the main highlight of a stronger Philippine-US alliance was the visit to Manila in April of President Barack Obama and the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The other highlights of Philippine-US relations in 2014 were the restoration of

the country’s Category I aviation safety rating; its removal from the Special 301 Watch List of countries with intellectual property rights issues; and the favorable outcome of the review on trade benefits under the General Scheme of Preferences. “As a result of the FAA aviation safety upgrade, Philippine Airlines will now be flying from Manila to New York starting in March,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “This positive development benefits both our countries as it creates more opportunities for trade and tourism.” Ambassador Cuisia also cited the proposed regulations that would expand allowable sources of Philippine mangoes for importation into the US as well as Washington’s support for Manila’s request for a continued rice waiver at the World Trade Organization.

In terms of economic cooperation and development assistance, Ambassador Cuisia mentioned the estimated $139 million that the US committed under the Partnership for Growth program and $434 million under the Philippine Compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The continued positive momentum being experienced by the Philippine economy was among the top achievements of the Philippines in 2014 that Ambassador Cuisia also shared with Washington journalists. “We are the sick man of Asia no more,” Ambassador Cuisia said, as he pointed to the expected 6 percent expansion in the country’s gross domestic product in 2014 as well as its growing competitiveness. He said the country’s competitive-

ness is evidenced by improvements in its standings in the 2014 Ease of Doing Business Assessment; the Index of Economic Freedom; and the World Economic Forum Competitiveness index. In its 2014 Asia Business Outlook Survey, the American Chamber of Commerce said the Philippines has one of the most improved business climates, ahead of many Asian peers. He added that for the first time in its history, the Philippines achieved investment grade status from all three credit ratings agencies—Standard & Poor, Moody’s and Fitch. “This speaks a lot about the depth of institutionalization of good governance and overall political stability of the Philippines under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

Two lucky winners to see Sarah Geronimo live in concert at Pechanga for free Two lucky winners whose names were drawn from a number of participants will see Sarah Geronimo live when the pop star princess performs at the Pechanga Resort & Casino on for January 17. In a raffle held earlier this week at the offices of Balita Media offices in Glendale, Rosemarie Gutierrez and Jan Vencie Castro were chosen as the lucky participants who will enjoy a free show at the Pechanga Theater, which boasts of state-of-the-art and acoustically perfected sound system. At age two, Geronimo, who was gifted with talent in both singing and acting,

started a series of shows in the malls. She born July 25, 1988 by Filipino parents, Divine and Delfin and is the third of four children. When she turned four, her mother led her to audition to different TV programs where she became part of the kiddie show, Pen-Pen de Sarapen (4-6 years old), Ang TV (7-8 years old), and NEXT (8-9 years old). She likewise, performed in various other venues as hotel lounges and huge shopping malls and in 1995 became one to perform for the 1995 visit of Pope John Paul II.

LAW OFFICES OF LARRY BAUTISTA YANG

BANKRUPTCY WE ARE A DEBT RELIEF AGENCY. WE REPRESENT DEBTORS IN CHAPTER 7, 13, 11 AND 12 OF THE NEW BANKRUPTCY LAW. THIS INCLUDES RELIEF FROM MORTGAGE PAYMENT DEFAULTS AND PRE-FORECLOSURE RELIEF FOR RESIDENCES AND OTHER REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES.

30th Year in

Law Practice

Let Me Help You Wipe Out Debt & Obtain A Fresh Start

THOUSANDS OF SUCCESSFUL CASES IN LA, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO, VENTURA & SAN DIEGO COUNTIES•CHAPTER 7, 11, 12 & 13

Have you mortgaged your grandchildren to Mastercard and Visa? Snowed under by a mountain of debt? Worried about losing your home and car? Call me immediately today! Yes, I speak Tagalog. No, I won’t charge you for consultation. I can help you keep your home, car and other personal properties. I look forward to help you: discharge debts; stop foreclosures; wage garnishments; stop harassments from collectors; stop repossessions. •CANCEL 2ND TRUST DEEDS •DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW •CIVIL, BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE LITIGATION & TRIALS

L A R R Y YA N G i s a g r a d u a t e o f Georgetown University Law Center with a master’s degree in law and practices before California State Courts, United Sates District Courts, the California Appeals for the 9th Circuit and US Bankruptcy Courts.

Call our office for appointment

(626) 284-1142 and ask for Angie or Jess. Atty. Yang will personally interview you

Filipino Po Tayo. Free Consultation. Weekend & Evening Appointments Available. Main St. Mission Rd.

Atlantic Blvd.

710

1000 S. Fremont Ave., Building A-1 Suite 1125 Unit 58, Alhambra, CA 91803

FREMONT AVE.

110

10 WEST DOWNTOWN LA.

In 2003, when Geronimo was just 14 years old, she joined the singing competition Star For A Night hosted by Ms. Regine Velasquez. On finals night, Sarah’s rendition of Celine Dion’s To Love You More won her the P1-million and a managerial contract at Viva Artist Agency grand prize in the singing tilt. Soon enough, Geronimo became busy with albums, concerts, soap operas, hosting chores in Sunday variety show ASAP, movies and endorsements. She became a role model for many aspiring young singers and dubbed as the Pop Star Princess. She starred in such teleseryes as Bituing Walang Ningning, Pangarap na Bituin, and the short lived TV musical series 1DOL. She was cast in such films as Filipinas, Captain Barbell, Masikip sa Dibdib, Annie Batumbakal, Lastikman: Unang Banat and Hating Kapatid. But she really made an impact as a box office star when she did A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life opposite John Lloyd Cruz. The two romantic-comedy films were both box office hits. She also starred with the recently concluded film opposite Coco Martin, released in August 2014.

On TV, Sarah Geronimo is a regular on ASAP. She also had a Sunday night musical variety show entitled, Sarah G. Live. Sarah also sat as one of the four coaches of reality singing competition. All year-round, Pechanga Resort & Casino delights its audiences not only in presenting innovative entertainment shows but more importantly, in varied gaming activities and foods galore, plus a tons of raffles and giveaways for visiting participants. Time is running out. Buy your tickets now – from $85, $75, $70 and $65. Tickets are available at the Pechanga Box office or online at www.Pechanga.com/tickets. Room and show packages are available. To purchase wheelchair seating, please call the Box Office at 1-877-711-2946. Shows in the Pechanga Theater offer a comfortable and intimate concert experience. Enjoying favorite artists at Pechanga versus other venues proves effortless with free valet and self-parking for guests, complimentary casino/resort shuttles, gourmet and casual dining options on site, plus comfortable chairs and an up-close view from every theater seat.

April deadline for H-1B Visas The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will once again begin accepting petitions for H-1B working visas on April 1, 2015. Petitions may be submitted for employment to commence on or after October 1, 2015. It is imperative that interested applicants have their petition submitted to the CIS between April 1-7, 2015, or it will likely be too late. Due to the downturn in the US economy As background, there are 65,000 H-1B visas available each fiscal year (October starting in fiscal year 2009, the USCIS 1 to September 30), plus another 20,000 did not need to resort to the lottery system H-1B visas for those who have attained a and continued to accept H-1B petitions US Master’s degree or higher. For fiscal for many months after April 1. As the years 2007 and 2008, the visa cap was economy slowly improved, however, more reached on the very first day of filing on H-1B petitions were being filed, with the visa cap being reached more quickly each April 1. To avoid the deluge of petitions, the year. In fact, in 2013, so many petitions were USCIS altered the filing policy starting in fiscal year 2009. The policy, which con- received when the filing period began that tinues to today, is that if more than 65,000 the USCIS had to once again implement petitions are received within the first 5 the lottery system. In 2013, the USCIS business days starting on April 1, the US- received about 124,000 H-1B visa petiCIS will only accept petitions filed within tions that were subjected to the lottery. In the first 5 business days for consideration 2014, the USCIS received about 172,500 in a random lottery. Only those chosen in visa petitions. It is therefore anticipated that the visa the lottery will be processed for a decision on the merits, while those not chosen in cap will once again be reached within the the lottery and those filed after the filing first 5 business days, which is April 1-7, window will be rejected. See AQUINO, page 23

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

Hollywood’s biggest stars rally behind press freedom By Nimfa U. Rueda

BEVERLY HILLS – The deadly terrorist attacks in Paris and press freedom stood out in the minds of Hollywood’s A-list at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards, held (Monday in Manila) at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Theo Kingma received a standing ovation when he delivered a speech mentioning the recent Paris attacks on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the Sony cyberattack. HFPA produces the annual glitzy event watched by tens of millions worldwide. “The freedom of artistic expression… is a beacon across the globe… We stand united everywhere from North Korea to Paris,” he said. George Clooney, who was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the world of entertainment, was one of several stars who onstage said, “Je suis Charlie (I am Charlie),” the international rallying cry in support of the French publication. On the red carpet, Helen Mirren wore a pen brooch on her dress to express her support for the victims of the Jan. 7 attacks. Clooney’s wife, human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, carried a white clutch showing off a button that read, “Je suis Charlie.” Jared Leto paid tribute to the victims before presenting the Golden Globe for best supporting actress in a movie. “To our brothers, sisters, friends and families in France, our thoughts, our prayers, our hearts are with you tonight,” Leto said. “On vous aime. Je suis Charlie.” While accepting his award, Clooney applauded the demonstrations in Paris. “Today was an extraordinary day,” Clooney said. “There were millions of people that marched – not just in Paris but

AQUINO From page 22

2015. The USCIS would consequently conduct another lottery for H-1B petitions. For this reason, interested applicants should proceed now with preparations for filing the H-1B visa petition. To qualify for an H-1B visa, the petitioning company must be able to prove the following requirements: (1) the position that the immigrant will fill is a “specialty occupation”, and (2) the immigrant meets the requirements for the specialty occupation. In other words, the company must prove that the position offered is a professional position that mandates an individual with at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specific field, and that the individual sponsored has that particular type of bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalence. The process to apply for an H-1B visa involves several steps before a petition can be submitted to the USCIS. An initial step in the process involves verification of the sponsor’s federal employer identification number (FEIN) with the Department of Labor (DOL), which can take a week or more. Another pre-filing requirement is notification of the Labor Condition Application (LCA) that will be filed with the DOL. The notification must be provided to the union’s bargaining representative or, if none, by posting the notice of filing for 10 consecutive days or emailing it to certain required employees of the sponsoring company. Once the FEIN has been verified, and the notice of filing the LCA has been conducted, the LCA must then be electronically filed with the DOL. The processing

around the world. They were Christians and Jews and Muslims; they were leaders of countries all over the world … They marched in support of the idea that we will not walk in fear. Je suis Charlie.” More than three million people have taken part in unity marches across France after 17 people were killed and 11 others were injured in attacks that police said were carried out in retaliation for Charlie Hebdo’s publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. On Sunday, more than 40 world leaders joined an estimated 1.6 million people who marched on the streets of the French capital. “The Golden Globes is usually all glitz and glamour, but tonight it took on a socially relevant issue that resonated with so many in the audience,” said former HFPA Board Chair and Inquirer columnist Ruben Nepales. “As Theo (Kingma) said, we stand united from North Korea to Paris – and that includes the Philippines, where many journalists have been killed.” More than 170 journalists have been killed in the Philippines since 1986, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Last week, Nerlita “Nerlie” Ledesma became the first journalist murdered in the Philippines in 2015. In contrast with the somber tone of Kingma’s speech, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who hosted the Golden Globes on Sunday for their third and last time, made jokes about the cyberattack on Sony, which the US government has said originated in North Korea. Gina Rodriguez, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Comedy, talked about her recent trip to the Philippines to promote her critically acclaimed show, Jane the Virgin, which was renewed of the LCA typically takes about one week, but typically lengthens as April approaches. Only after the DOL has certified the LCA may the H-1B petition be filed with the USCIS. Sponsors need to proceed with these preliminary requirements now so that they are prepared to file the H-1B petition with the USCIS during the anticipated short filing period. The H-1B visa allows the individual to work in the US for an initial period of up to 3 years. The H-1B visa can thereafter be extended for another 3 years, and then at either 1 year or 3 year intervals provided certain requirements are met. While working in the US as an H-1B visa holder, the individual can then undertake the steps necessary to obtain lawful permanent residency. Moreover, the spouse and unmarried children under age 21 are eligible to obtain an H-4 dependent visa in order to live in the US with the H-1B visa holder. The President’s recent executive action announcement also included a provision that will allow certain H-4 dependent spouses to obtain work authorization. This opportunity is now happening during a very short period just once per year. So, those interested in obtaining an H-1B visa must ensure that they are diligent in timely preparing the petition. 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.

for a second season. “The Philippines was awesome,” she said in an interview backstage. (The Filipinos’) graciousness and hospitality made me feel right at home. I’d love to go back in a heartbeat.” At another red-carpet event in 2014, Rodriguez wore a gown created by LAbased Filipino-American designer Oliver Tolentino. Tolentino and Francis Libiran, one of the Philippines’ top designers, were among the Filipinos spotted at the awards event. Libiran and his manager and business partner Arsi Baltazar, who wore goldcolored shoes on the red carpet, are in LA to explore expanding their operations to include the US market. Multi-awarded journalist and HFPA member Janet Nepales, who wore a Michael Cinco gown, said she was happy to be able to help promote Filipino designers in Hollywood, including Allan del

Rosario. “I’m looking forward to seeing celebrities wear Filipino-designed gowns,” she said. Also invited to the exclusive awards event were top Fil-Am hair stylist Monet Lu and Richard and Phoebe Lim, owners of the Eskaya Resort in Bohol province, where the Hollywood film, “Amigo,” was shot. “We hope to attract more tourists, especially Hollywood stars, so they can see and experience the beauty of the Philippines,” said Richard Lim. Ted Benito, Fil-Am community leader and staunch supporter of Filipino talents, said it has been inspiring to see how Hollywood trailblazers Ruben and Janet Nepales promote fellow Filipinos and the Philippine brand in Hollywood. The Nepales couple were also instrumental in the release of HFPA’s $100,000 donation to Unicef Philippines for typhoon relief efforts in 2014.

The author, Nimfa U. Rueda, (third from right) with fellow Filipino-American journalists during a vigil held by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines USA Chapter in honor of their fallen Charlie Hebdo colleagues in Paris at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles headquarters in Filipinotown.

Cara Mia Gelato (CMG) Eagle Rock Plaza is proud to announce the launching of their first local community program- PENNIES FOR EDUCATION benefiting educational program of Filipino American Associations in the Los Angeles, CA area. For details of the program, contact Rene Ramos | call or text 310.259.6418. Also, CMG Eagle Rock Plaza is pleased to name the first recipient of the program - Don Bosco Philippines Alumni Association of North America (DBPAANA), a 501-C non-profit organization, headquartered at St. Dominic Savio Parish - 11900 Bellflower Blvd., Bellflower, CA. Headed by President Aurelio "Jun" Alvero, DB Makati and their mission, "Bosconians Together Educating Children". Through their yearly fundraising efforts, a minimum of 3 scholars ($1,000.00 each) are named to the TVET program of Don Bosco Schools in the Philippines as part of DBPAANA commitment to help educate the children and land a job after their 15-months training course. For more info or how to help, contact Jun Alvero, 562.650.3491. Lend your support to DBPAANA. Your pennies will go a long ways. Visit Cara Mia Gelato - Eagle Rock Plaza | 2700 Colorado Blvd., Suite 144, Los Angeles, CA 90041 | Next to Seafood City Supermarket & Macy's.

Notice of write-in candidate period for Burbank 2015 primary elections now open thru Feb. 10 BURBANK, Calif. (December 29, 2014) – Notice is hereby given that the Write-In Period for Candidate Nominations is now open through February 10, 2015. Persons wishing to qualify as a WriteIn Candidate will need to contact the City Clerk’s Office to obtain nomination

papers, pay a $25 filing fee and obtain 50 signatures from registered voters in Burbank. The City Clerk’s Office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except holidays. For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 818-238-5851 or Email cityclerks@burbankca.gov.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

JOB MARKET For advertising, call (818) 552-4503

OFFICE ASSISTANT Of¿ce in Culver City needs a part time assistant. Fluent in English & knowledgeable of QuickBooks. Please call between 10:30am – 4pm Monday to Friday. 800-5253241 HOUSEKEEPER/NANNY Live-in. 6 Days a week needed. Must be able to clean, cook & good with kids. West LA. 310.384.8775 Betty. COMPANION/ HOUSEKEEPER Live-in. 6 Days a week needed. Must be able to clean, cook & good with kids. West LA. 310.384.8775 Betty.

402

BOARD AND CARE B & C Home for elderly. In Laguna Niguel (OC). Live-in caregiver. Full-time. Very active and responsible. Call (949) 248-9415. LONG BEACH AREA Live-in caregiver, prefer lady, six days/wk. No experience necessary. Board and care facility for elderly. Must have Soc. Sec. No. Call (562) 997-0906; (562) 7140986.

•

Fax (818) 550-7635

FEMALE CAREGIVER Live-in female caregiver, 5 days a week. For level 3 ARF facility in Pomona. Call 562-677-4904.

RELIEVERS NEEDED

•

email: advertising@balita.com

WANTED CAREGIVER In Chandler, AZ 85225 Call 1-480-246-5734. WANTED CAREGIVERS Live-in / live-out, PT/FT. Driving is advantage. San Fernando Valley & LA. Text or leave a message. (818) 534-7866. ASAP

Two relievers needed for relieving work in 6 bed board and care facility. Rancho Palos Verdes. Please call 310-560-6444 ASAP

CAREGIVER Live-in female caregiver. In a Board & Care in Northridge. Call 818-368-5108.

Life and Leisure News for Filipino-Americans www.usasianpost.com

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

CLASSIFIED ADS TEL.: (818) 552-4503 ext 402

TIDEWATER PLUMBING Jay Capistrano Copper plumbing, rooter, repairs, gas, water heater, water closet, garbage disposal, wall heater, tankless water heater, electrical, carpentry. Any handy works. 818-730-6571. JB HANDYMAN SERV. Plumbing, rotor rooters, electrical, carpentry, tile & wood Ă&#x20AC;r installation, bath & kitchen renovation. Iron works bench & gates. Washer/dryer repair any brand. Centralized a/c maintenance. 818-4160516

APT. FOR RENT Hollywood. 1 BR $1,250; Single $1,050; Bachelor $900. Brand new hardwood Ă&#x20AC;r, intercom entry, a/c, TFC cable ready, gated parking, pool, near Sunset & Wilcox, no pets. Manager speak Tagalog. 323-462-3573. APTS. FOR RENT 1 Door apt. 2 BR. Filipino Town area - Temple / Rampart. 2BR 1 BA, parking space. Preferably nonsmoker. For inquiries call Vicky @ (213) 944-8887 or (213) 384-1955.

â&#x20AC;˘

Fax: (818) 550-7635

â&#x20AC;˘

MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

APT. FOR RENT 1BR, 1BA, $970 free parking. 3210 Andrita St. LA CA 90065. Close to freeway 2 & San Fernando & Fletcher. Mgr. Fil. Cel (213) 4225307 or (818) 679-3333.

ROOM FOR RENT Northridge/Canoga Park. Furnished, free utilities, internet, tv. Clean & in quiet area. $395/mo. 818-4772027.

FRONT HOUSE 2 BR 1 BA, washer / dryer hook up, patio, yard. $1,500 & security dep. $1,500. 21524 Denkar Ave. Torrance. Also Apt.2BR 1 BA $1,150. Sec. dep. $1,100. 1648 West 205 St. Torance. Call (310) 977-3736.

ROOM FOR RENT $600/mo. Free utilities w/ cable & internet, with own bathroom and own parking. City of Bell. Contact Rodel cel # (323) 702-8569.

ROOM FOR RENT Room for rent in Panorama with free wiÂż, TFC, good parking and others. Please call 626-318-2001 or 818366-6148. ROOMDOWNTOWN LA Unfurnished room, single occupancy. Internet access, electricity, gas & water incld. Gated house close to Vermont. $430. Call 213-984-0830 or leave message.

BAN ANIMAL TESTING

ROOM FOR RENT Northridge area close to CSUN, 405 & 118. $480/ mo. Utils. incld, w/ internet, TFC. Furnished, share bathrm. No pets/smoking. 1 Female only. Annie 818-648-1617 or 818-6789839.

GOT CARS?

TIPS, GUIDES AND MORE...

CHECK OUT OUR

MOTORING SECTION

COMPUTER REPAIR Got virus? Is your computer so sloooowww; has a blue screen; the videos are not playing; or your Internet's not working? Is there something wrong with your computer? p

I WILL Fix IT

For a flat fee of

I will make your computer working again, fast andd virus-free, f install new parts or even upgrade your computer software (if applicable). Desktop or laptop, I'll find out why your computer is malfunctioning and fix it right away!

LA Desktop & Laptop Services

Call us at (818) 823-5388 Â&#x2021; Email us: LAComputerShop@yahoo.com (* DrĹ˝Ć&#x2030; KÄŤ KĹśĹŻyÍ&#x2DC; >Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ˝Ć&#x152; Ĺ˝ĹśĹŻÇ&#x2021; Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; ĆľĹśĹ?Ć&#x161;Í&#x2022; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;rdwarÄ&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ĺ˝Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152; Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ć? Ä&#x201A;rÄ&#x17E; Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;rĹ?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;raĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻyÍ&#x2DC; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ć&#x;Ĺ˝ĹśÄ&#x201A;ĹŻ Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;rĹ?Ä&#x17E;Ć? ĹľaÇ&#x2021; Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x2030;ĹŻy.)

HOW TO SEND US

PRESS RELEASES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Editor

" " #

$ % "

PRAYERS

PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN

PRAYER of ST. JUDE Most Holy Apostle, St. Jude faithful servant and friend of Jesus. The church honors and invokes you universally as the Patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me. Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you. To bring visible help, where help is almost despaired of. Come to our assistance in this great needs that we may receive the help of heaven in all our necessities, tribulations and sufferings particularly [please mention intention]...that I may praise God with you and with all the elect, forever. I promise, blessed St. Jude, to be ever

PRAYER FOR SAINT THERESE Oh Glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I invite your miraculous intercession. So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul, Our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prodigy of Miraclesâ&#x20AC;?. Now fervently beseech you to answer my petition: (mention here) and carry out your promise of doing good upon the Earth of letting fall from heaven a shower of roses. Henceforth, Dear Little Flower, I will fulÂżll your plea â&#x20AC;&#x153;to be made known everywhere and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen (Say prayer every day for 9 days. By 4th day, you will see a rose in a magazine, TV picture or receive roses. You can also get strong scent of roses in home even if no roses present. Must promise publication. Thank you Saint Therese. -JEN

BY E-MAIL editor@balita.com Press releases should include your signature, full name and complete address (as well as telephone number). Letters that do not meet these requirements will not be used. All contributions are subject to editorial standards. Articles are printed subject to space availability and at no cost to the sender.

(Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful Ă&#x20AC;ower 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. -B.A

Mag

Tayo!

advertising@balita.com

mindful of this great favor.To honor you as my most powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you, AMEN. -MOLLY

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

SPORTS

Pacquiao ready to fight Mayweather – reports Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao has laid out the terms under which he would fight Floyd Mayweather, although a deal for the long awaited mega-fight isn’t done, US media reported Tuesday. Carl Moretti, vice president of Pacquiao promoters Top Rank, told ESPN.com that it remains to be seen if Mayweather would agree terms for a May 2 bout in Las Vegas. “Top Rank and Manny have agreed to the terms on our side. I don’t know about the other side,” Moretti told the sports website. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum told Yahoo Sports that Pacquiao had agreed to terms for the fight, which is one boxing fans have long clamored for. Citing an unnamed source involved in the negotiations, ESPN reported Pacquiao has agreed to a 40 percent cut of the revenue, leaving Mayweather with the remaining 60 percent of a fight widely expected to shatter all box-office and television revenue records.

According ESPN, Pacquiao has agreed not only to a purse split but also to the gloves to be used and to a drug testing protocol. Drug testing was one of the issues that caused a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown to fall through when it was being negotiated in 2009 and early 2010. Moretti told ESPN that Pacquiao has agreed to be tested by the US Anti-Doping Agency, a sign of his eagerness to make the fight. The eyes of the boxing world have long been on a showdown between the unbeaten American Mayweather (47-0, 26 knockouts) and eight-division world champion Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 knockouts) two of the greatest boxers of their generation. Talk of the super-fight gained steam in December, when Mayweather proposed the May 2 date and Pacquiao vowed to chase him into submission. “This fight is about legacy, this is about making the fans happy and, above all, this is for the good of boxing,” Pacquiao said last month.

Sarangani Capitol employees welcome Cong. Manny Pacquiao in Alabel, Sarangani (November 26, 2014) – The extremely excited Sarangani Capitol employees and avid fans vigorously gather around their idol, People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao, with ecstatic smiles on their faces and cameras on their hands upon his homecoming on November 24 at the Capitol lobby. (Kim Windell Tiblani/Provincial Governor’s Office)

Prokhorov reportedly shopping Nets

President Barack Obama greets 2014 NBA Championship San Antonio Spurs players, coaches and leadership in the Blue Room prior to an event in the East Room, Jan. 12, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Obama toasts, teases NBA champion Spurs Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 1/12/2015 – US President Barack Obama welcomed NBA champions San Antonio to the White House on Monday, and said he’d be glad to offer advice as they pursue a title repeat. “If you guys need any tips on winning back-to-back, you know where to find me,” quipped the second-term president, no doubt aware that the Spurs’ five NBA titles don’t include any in successive years. As a passionate fan of the Chicago Bulls, who won all six of their NBA titles to date in the 1990s, Obama admitted it was bittersweet to yet again congratulate another team. “It’s never easy celebrating a non-Bulls team in the White House,” he said. “That’s all I’ve been able to do – so far.”

Despite the demands of his Bulls fandom, however, the President admitted the Spurs were “hard to dislike.” “First of all, they’re old,” he said of the squad led by 38-year-old Tim Duncan. “For an old guy, it makes me feel good to see – where’s Tim? Tim’s got some gray. There’s a few others with a little sprinkles around here. There’s a reason why the uniform is black and silver.” As a father of two daughters, one of whom plays basketball, Obama praised the Spurs as the first NBA team to hire a woman assistant coach, and welcomed the wealth of international talent the team has brought to the league. “It’s the UN of basketball teams,” he said of a squad that features French players Tony Parker and Boris Diaw along with

Argentina’s Manu Ginobili. Italy, Brazil, Australia and Canada are also represented on their roster. “They find folks who didn’t have a chance someplace else and suddenly they figure out a way to make them shine as part of a team. In that sense, they’re a great metaphor for what America should be all about,” said Obama, who was presented with a Spurs jersey with “POTUS” written over its number one. The keen basketball fan also offered some serious analysis of the Spurs’ style and its influence on the league, and praise for their bounce back from a crushing NBA finals loss to Miami in 2013, to beat the Heat in 2014. But he couldn’t resist poking some fun at notoriously taciturn coach Gregg Popovich.

New York, United States | AFP | Tuesday 1/13/2015 – Amid renewed reports that owner Mikhail Prokhorov is exploring a sale of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, a spokesman for the Russian billionaire said Tuesday no such sale is imminent. “As we have said for many months, ownership is always open to listening to offers – that’s just good business,” Ellen Pinchuk said in a statement. “There is nothing imminent in terms of a sale of any stake in the team.” Bloomberg had reported that Prokhorov has retained Evercore Partners to sell the team. The Nets have not commented. Multiple media outlets reported in October that Prokhorov, who bought an 80 percent stake in the then-New Jersey Nets for some $200 million in a sale finalized in 2010 – was entertaining offers from potential buyers. In November Prokhorov said he did not want to give up control of the team. However he acknowledged that the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers for an astonishing $2 billion to former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, finalized in August, made him feel it would be foolish not to sound out the market. “I think it’s common knowledge for the time being that for the last few months the market cap of NBA teams have skyrocketed,” Prokhorov said in November. “That’s why I think for any businessman in connection with some proposal, it’s the great opportunity just to (listen).”

US pair break record with Yosemite free climb Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – Two US free climbers reached the top of an iconic rock formation in Yosemite National Park on Wednesday, after spending nearly three weeks inching up a sheer 900-metre (2,950-feet)-high cliff face. Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson began their record-breaking climb up the

Dawn Wall of El Capitan, a massive rock face seen by millions of tourists every year, in late December. The daring pair have been documenting the climb – in which they use only their hands and feet, albeit attached with ropes to catch them if they fall – on social media, followed by two photographers.

They have slept suspended in bivouac-style tents attached to the rock, which towers above Yosemite Valley and is some three times as big as France’s Eiffel Tower and even bigger than world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. “This is not an effort to conquer. It’s about realizing a dream,” Jorgeson

tweeted on Tuesday, ahead of the final push. They pair – 36-year-old Caldwell and 30-year-old Jorgeson – finally scaled the last few hundred feet to stand atop the granite monolith by mid-afternoon Wednesday, live TV pictures showed. Caldwell’s wife and Jorgeson’s girlfriend hugged them as they were sprayed

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

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 all-time 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 Krueger, 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 September, the Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co., Ltd., was established as a local joint venture to further grow Infiniti’s business in China. In November, Infiniti

started local production in the Xiangyang Plant in Wuhan province to bring products closer to Chinese consumers. The brand’s dealer network in China has expanded from 66 in 2013 to 85 in 2014. Further network growth is expected in the years to come. Infiniti became one of the fastest growing premium brands in a number of key regions and markets in 2014 including West Europe, Middle East and Mexico. In the highly competitive Western Europe region, Infiniti almost doubled its sales. Approximately 4,800 vehicles represent an increase of 95.8%, marking an all-time high record. In Middle East and Mexico, the brand sold approximately 7,100 and 1,500 vehicles in 2014, a 25.6% and 49.1% increase over 2013 respectively. In the Asia and 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 another all-time high. A strong product lineup remains at the core of the sales growth. The Q50 sports sedan was introduced in many markets around the world in 2014 and became the company’s top-selling product. It won many accolades from respected organizations globally particularly in the area of innovative technologies. Infiniti also introduced upgraded Q70 and QX80 models at the New York Auto Show in April followed by the long-wheelbase versions of Q50 and QX50 in China in fall. Powertrain options were extended with the addition of a turbocharged twoliter petrol engine for the Q50. In 2015,

Q30, Infiniti’s premium compact entry for global markets, will be launched and become Infiniti’s first vehicle built in Europe. At the 2015 North American Auto Show in Detroit in early January, Infiniti will introduce its Q60 Concept, the company’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 Krueger. “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 in the beautiful part of Los Angeles 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.com or www.infinitiofvannuys.com.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

Fall Fall in in Love Love at at Subaru Subaru of of Glendale. Glendale.

Find your dream car at a great price, with our friendly, no pressure sales staff to help you follow your heart and decide which model is “the one” for you.

329

PER MONTH LEASE/ 42 MONTHS/10,000 MILES PER YEAR

• Sign and Drive • Symmetrical all-wheel drive • 33 mpg highway

PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS/10,000 MILES PER YEAR

• 37 mpg highway era • Standard back-up camera • Symmetrical all-wheel drive

Offer Expires 2/14/15

• Fully re-mastered suspension nsion • Symmetrical AWD with Active Torque Vectoring ission • 6-Speed manual transmission

179

$ PREMIUM

$1,999 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Month’s Lease Payment yment gning $1,999 Total Due at Lease Signing

$0 Payment $0 Security Deposit ayment $0 First Month’s Lease Payment ning $0 Total Due at Lease Signing

269

PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS/10,000 MILES PER YEAR

• Panoramic moonroof • Symmetrical all-wheel drive • 32 mpg highway

$1,999 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Month’s Lease Payment yment gning $1,999 Total Due at Lease Signing

$1,999 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Month’s Lease Payment $1,999 Total Due at Lease Signing

Offer Expires 2/14/15

199

PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS/10,000 MILES PER YEAR

Glenn Bergado Sales & Leasing Consultant

Subaru, Forester, Outback, Tribeca, Legacy, Impreza, WRX, STI, and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks. Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes ﬁrst). See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 12-31-15 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Nissan announces U.S. pricing for 2015 Sentra N A S H VILLE – Nissan today announced pricing for the 2015 Sentra, which is on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. The highly successful sev- Manuel Lava of Nissan of Mission Hills enth-generation Sentra, introduced in fall 2012, continues to be refined for the 2015 model year with a number of interior comfort and convenience enhancements – all which add value to an already outstanding array of standard and available features and equipment. “For 2015, the Sentra lineup has been simplified and we’ve added value to all grades,” said Derrick Hatami, vice president, Sales - U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. “The Sentra’s most popular trim, the SV, now comes standard with great features such as RearView Monitor, Bluetooth, USB port that we are certain Sentra buyers will enjoy. SV also includes Nissan Intelligent Key®, which our primary competitors do not offer at this price point.” The entry-level Sentra S grade adds standard USB connection port, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, illuminated steering wheel audio controls, Smart Auto Headlights and cruise control. The popular SV grade now includes Nissan Intelligent Key, RearView Monitor, NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps, 5.0-inch color display, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), sliding front armrest, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift

knob, Smart Auto Headlights and EasyFill Tire Alert. The enhancements for 2015 continue with the sporty Sentra SR, which adds standard heated front seats and heated outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators – plus added features from the previous Driver’s Package, including rear disc brakes, Nissan Intelligent Key®, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with 5.0-inch color display, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required. If you have been desiring to own a new Nissan vehicle, come down to Nissan Mission Hills and check out our kababayan Manuel Lava of Nissan Mission Hills. So what are you waiting for? Schedule a Test drive on the vehicle of your choice at Nissan of Mission Hills. Call Manuel at 1-888-588-7635 and test drive a Nissan vehicle today! Nissan of Mission Hills is located at 11000 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91345.

What the color of your car says about you by Peter STEBBINGS

Detroit, United States | AFP | Wednesday 1/14/2015 – The next time you buy a car, you might want to pause a while longer to decide what color you choose. Top automakers throw millions of dollars at researching what the latest tastes are, and say the color of a vehicle is so important to customers that it can be the difference between buying or not. The ongoing auto show in Detroit saw many of the classic colors – reds for Porsches and other sports cars – and a few less conventional (a Nissan Titan pickup truck decked out in “forged copper”). But there was no mistaking the preeminence of white. Particularly at the Volkswagen stand, where several cars, the stairs and much of the furniture was white. In a multibillion-dollar industry, nothing is put to chance and nothing is done by

mistake, of course. At least two designers in Detroit referred to the “Apple effect” – the Californian tech giant – to explain the propensity for white vehicles. White where it’s hot Sitting at a white table, on white chairs, in a white room, Oona Scheepers of Volkswagen told AFP: “White for cars really peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, and then all of a sudden disappeared. “But in the last 10 years we have noticed an increase again in white. And it definitely came with the Apple iPod era because Apple started to do everything with white, and a lot of nice chrome or metal finishes. “In combination it was really nice and fresh. But before that, white was really not selling in Europe because people associated it with delivery cars and it looked cheap. “But the combination with metal and chrome looks fresh and completely new. White is booming worldwide.” However, Scheepers, head of design, color and trim, said black was still Volkswagen’s best-seller—but only just. So if one were to choose a black vehicle over a white one, what kind of person would that make you? “You could be sporty. But people in hot countries like white. “White definitely deflects heat, but if you have a black car it can get damn hot inside. And then in a country like South Africa you often have to overtake into direct, oncoming traffic, but white is very visible. “So it’s a safety feature as well in some countries. Metallic gray or black just melts into the color of the tar, so it is not that visible.” Susan Lampinen, chief designer, colors and materials, at Ford, said the color was so crucial to some people that they would buy a car purely because of that – never mind the design of the vehicle. She too identified an Apple ripple effect in propelling white to a best-seller worldwide for Ford. “White is very clean, very technical, very modern. So most cars look good in white,” she told AFP in Detroit, adding other popular colors included blacks and silvers, while blue is also on the up. Lampinen identified only “slight differences” in preferences in different countries because, she said, of globalization. Environment, culture and climate can all effect what color car someone might buy, she added. Scheepers, however, saw stark contrasts between some countries, particularly when it comes to the United States and China. “China is going for very, very bold colors. America is still quite subdued. White sells extremely well here and there is still a preference for champagne-toned body colors and a movement towards the reds in America as well,” she said.

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Visit www.Balita.com

VIP treatment not just for luxury car owners

Ross Nissan Filipino Sales Specialist Nelson Samson. He can be reached at 1-866-481-1050.

Celebrate Nissan Motors’ milestone with Ross Nissan in El Monte Nissan, the world leader in electric vehicle sales, shattered yet another sales record with 30,200 LEAF vehicles sold in 2014, which is the first time any plug-in has sold more than 30,000 units in a single year and a local dealership, Ross Nissan, invites everyone to celebrate the milestone at their dealership in El Monte, California where a huge sale is ongoing now. “Now in its fifth model year, Nissan LEAF is more popular than ever and continues to bring new buyers to Nissan,” said Brendan Jones, director, Nissan Electric Vehicle Sales and Infrastructure. “From the beginning our vision was to bring electric vehicles to the mass market in a practical and fun-to-drive package, which is what makes Nissan LEAF the best-selling electric car in the world.” Last month, Nissan sold 3,102 allelectric LEAFs, up 22.7 percent from the prior year and a December record. With seating for up to five passengers,

the all-electric Nissan LEAF boasts an EPA-estimated* driving range of 84 miles on a fully-charged battery and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined. The starting price of a Nissan LEAF is about $22,000** after the available maximum $7,500 federal tax credit, and LEAF offers the benefits of lower running costs and less scheduled maintenance. LEAF offers a wide range of standard equipment plus a variety of available premium features such as leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and 7-speaker BOSE energy efficient audio system. If you want to be the next LEAF 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 our friends 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.

Have you ever wondered how to luxury car owners are pampered with top quality service wherever and whenever they want one for their vehicle? Hmmm… Many of us who own a car – which means that just like the majority is a standard sedan that we drive to work – are but simple motorists who rely on their vehicle just to get where they need to be. Sure, every driver wants to own a luxury vehicle someday, but that depends on each person’s earning capacity. Lucky for you, rather us, Hooman Toyota is here that basically leveled the playing field for any motorist whether they own a luxury car or not. With Hooman Toyota’s VIP Customer Privileges, anyone can be entitled the pampering and luxury service by just buying a Toyota vehicle (or Scion) at the Southbay-based Toyota dealership. And it doesn’t have to a brand-new car! Perhaps the best example of these VIP Customer Privileges is a free oil change service for as long as you own your car. That’s not a typo error. You own the car, you get free lube and oil service. This alone can save you as much as $657 for three oil changes in just five years. And there’s more. Check these VIP Privileges: TIRES FOR LIFE We will replace your tires based on normal wear and tear. Based on average of 4 new tires every 18 months for 5 years, you Save $1650 (Original factory equipment tires on new cars only). COMPLIMENTARY CAR WASH 100% hand wash, anytime, with or without service. Includes vacuuming and tire dressing. Based on an average of 1 wash per week for 5 years, you Save $3750 COMPLIMENTARY FLAT TIRE REPAIR For your convenience you will receive complimentary tire repair for the lifetime of your vehicle.

COMPLIM E N TA RY ROAD HAZARD REPLACEMENT For your first year, you are entitled to a complimentary tire replacement caused by a road hazard on any new vehicle. (Original factory equipment tires only). COURTESY LOANER VEHICLE A complimentary loaner vehicle is available to you for up to 2 days while your vehicle is visiting our award winning service department. Based on an average of twice per year for 5 years, you save $390 (Excludes body repairs & oil changes). EXPRESS SHUTTLE SERVICE We will provide complimentary pick-up and delivery of you and your vehicle to your desired destination. Based on twice per year for 5 years, you save $300 (Valid within 15 miles of Hooman Automotive Group) PRE-REGISTERED REPAIR SERVICE Call your service advisor for an appointment and your service order will be prepared and waiting for you upon your arrival. Based on an average service charge for all of these for five years, you save a whopping $6,747! So, what are you waiting for? The new 2015 Toyota and Scion models are already available at Hooman Toyota. And as mentioned, you don’t need a brand-new car to enjoy these privileges. For details, call our kababayan Toyota Hooman Filipino Fleet Manager Jay Soriano or call them toll free at 1-800-519-2446. Hooman Toyota is located at 4401 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90804.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., January 17 - 23, 2015

Balita