Weekend balita june 13, 2015 by Balita Media Inc

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXIII, NO. 19

JUNE 13 - 19, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

PHL, Japan to hold naval drills Manila, Philippines (AFP) Tuesday 6/9/2015 – The Philippines and Japan will hold fresh joint naval drills this month, the Filipino military said Tuesday, as the World War II foes swiftly ramp up security ties while China develops islands in disputed waters. The June 22-26 joint maneuvers with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force would be only the second ever, after an unprecedented one-day exercise in the flashpoint South China Sea last month, Philippine navy spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo said.

He would not say where the new exercises would be held or which ships would take part. But Japanese media, quoting unnmamed official sources, suggested the second maneuvers will also take place on the South China Sea. On May 12, two Japanese destroyers and one of the Philippines’ newest warships held historic maneuvers less than 300 kilometers (168 miles) from the Philippineclaimed Scarborough Shoal, which is now under Chinese control.“This navy-to-navy See NAVAL DRILLS, page 13

Manila, Philippines (April 27, 2015) Philippine marines assigned to the 67 Company Marine Special Operations Group with U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 in training aboard a riverine patrol boat during Balikatan 2015. Balikatan, which means “shoulder to shoulder” in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The Philippines also plans to have similar exercises with Japan, a former World War II occupier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Scott/Released)

Philippine Senator Chiz Escudero (left) takes a selfie on his smartphone with members of the Filipino-American media shortly after holding a news conference in Los Angeles. The senator is here to grace the 117th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

Chiz in US to court Fil-Am supporters, voters? Philippine pugilist Eumir Marcial proudly shows off his gold medal.

It’s a knock-out as Filipino pugs rule the ring Singapore, Singapore (AFP) Wednesday 6/10/2015 – Teenager Eumir Marcial scored a devastating knock-out as Filipino fighters ruled the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games ring with five gold medals on Wednesday. Marcial, 19, modestly credited a “lucky punch” after he floored Singapore’s Tay Jia Wei in the second round to win the men’s welterweight. Former women’s world champion Josie Gabuco won her fourth straight SEA Games gold in the light flyweight, and Mario Fernandez took the men’s bantamweight with a technical knock-out. Ian Bautista and Junel Cantancio were victorious in flyweight and lightweight respectively as the Philippines claimed a total of 10 boxing medals: five golds, three silvers and two bronzes. Gabuco, a world champion in 2012, maintained her winning run in the regional competition when she was awarded a unanimous decision against Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat. “I’m very happy and I’m very grateful for this. Thanks to God for giving me another opportunity to get another gold medal at the SEA Games,” said the 28-year-old. Marcial was fighting at his first SEA See KNOCK OUT, page 3

By Abner Galino

While he himself stayed coy about his plans for the 2016 presidential elections, Senator Francis Escudero said Thursday that Senator Grace Poe must “own up the decision to seek the presidency.” “Hayaan natin na ito ang maging unang simbolo ng kanyang pagiging lider ng bansa. Yung pag-ako na ang desisyon sa pagtakbo o hindi pagtakbo ay inaaangkin niya,” Escudero told Filipino-American journalists during a “Meet & Greet the Senator” at the residence of civic leader Darna Umayam in the Eagle Rock district of Los Angeles. The senator, apparently the most popular vice presidential pick, made the remark

when asked if he and Poe were waiting for support from President Noynoy Aquino and the former’s political party, the Liberal party, before announcing their plans. Escudero said Poe should not be affected by nor depend on the actions of political personalities or parties in making up her mind regarding the 2016 presidential elections. Both senators ran as Independents. The solon went on to explain that it will not be the political parties nor personalities that ultimately decide the fate of candidates but the voters themselves. Financial support, political machinery and organizations come around a presidential contender when surveys start showing a strong possibilSee CHIZ ESCUDERO, page 3

Rare Imelda photos in coffee table book LOS ANGELES – A coffee table book that shows Imelda Romualdez Marcos beyond the public eye through old, mostly unpublished photographs taken by veteran news photographer Emmanuel “Jolly” Riofrir will be formally launched on Saturday, June 13, during the Tacloban town fiesta celebration at the UFCW hall at 8530 Stanton Ave., Buena Park, CA 90622. Tacloban in Leyte is the hometown of the former First Lady, who has been called the “Steel Butterfly” for her perceived power and influence behind the late strongman, President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The book shows Mrs. Marcos beyond the façade – as a loving wife and mother, and a loyal friend. See RARE IMELDA, page 13

Imelda Unpublished photographs of the Philippines’ former First Lady, Imelda Romualdez Marcos

EMMANUEL “JOLLY” M. RIOFRIR

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Life after bankruptcy According to government statistics, 1.664,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy between September 2010 and September 2011. What does this mean? It means you are not alone! For many, bankruptcy provides a second financial chance. Although a bankruptcy filing will stay on your credit record for up to 10 years, it need not be the dire problem some people seem to think. First, there are laws that forbid discrimination against you if you have filed bankruptcy. Second, providing you show consistent employment history and financial responsibility, date of the bankruptcy discharge. Creditors will rarely update your credit you can rebuild your credit. Our office has reports to reflect “Included in Bankruptcy.” the expertise to show you how. Filing for bankruptcy is not hard, It’s They will leave the postings as they were; the time leading up to that decision that is since the debts are discharged, and they hard. You worry about what people may have already closed your account in their think. You worry about whether you can computer files. Remember, the credit ever get credit again. Can you ever buy a reporting agencies do not post or un-post car, or a house? Can you refinance your creditor information. That is posted dihome? How do you begin to rebuild your rectly by the creditors, who are direct credit so that you can move forward? You subscribers to the credit reporting agencies. According to the FCRA (Fair Credit need credit to get credit but who will give Reporting Act), only accurate debts can you credit and trust you. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as you be listed. Your credit reports should only may think. While filing bankruptcy is ini- show the actual bankruptcy and then the tially considered a negative on your credit debts as “included in BK.” What this does report, since it lowers your fico score, it is to give you the opportunity to dispute can also help you secure new credit. How the accuracy of the information on your report, and clean it up. is that, you may ask? Below are some helpful pointers so you That is because a bankruptcy on your credit report also sends another message. can achieve the best possible credit reports It tells future creditors that you do not owe and tips for rebuilding. Check your reports for errors any more unsecured debt. Your risk of colCorrect the errors by writing to the lections and lawsuits on these items have been wiped out. It also shows that your debt credit reporting agency. Apply for a few secured credit cards to income ratio has improved significantly, Open a bank account and secure credit since you (hopefully) still have employment income, but no debt. Furthermore, if with a savings book Keep employment stable a new creditor gives you credit, it cannot be Pay utilities on time (they may also discharged in a bankruptcy for a minimum report when delinquent) of eight years. How long may bankruptcy information Bottom line, it’s easy to re-establish credit. Creditors know you cannot dis- be included in my credit report? Both the Bankruptcy Code and the Fair charge debt again, but you can afford to service new debt. Creditors can also charge Credit Reporting Act (which regulates you more, because of the low fico score. what a consumer reporting agency may There is a whole industry of banks, credit include in your credit report) are federal card programs and retail charge cards that law, so the same rules apply to all states. are targeted to consumers discharged in A consumer credit report may include bankruptcy. In fact, it’s an essential criteria information on a Chapter 7 and Chapter for the reasons given above. Never has it 13 bankruptcy for 10 years from the commencement of the case. However, those been easier to rebuild credit then now. You should be aware, that all three-cred- clients who follow our credit building tips, it reports will still contain adverse informa- have rebuilt adequate credit to qualify for tion from the time before you filed. This credit cards and home loans within two information may still show some of the years of a bankruptcy discharge. For real help in dealing with debt, and charge offs, judgments, collection accounts and the like. However, once your bank- re-building your credit, call the Law Ofruptcy has been successfully discharged, fices of Paul M. Allen today at 818-552those debts are no longer collectable, and 4500. Consultations are free. We have new credit granters know what to look for. two convenient locations to serve you: They see past this, focusing instead on the Glendale and La Palma.

KNOCK OUT From page 1

Games, but the 2011 world junior champion showed his class with a dazzling display rounded off by a vicious left hook with 48 seconds left in the second round. “I think it was my lucky punch. I am so happy because this is my first SEA Games and I have a gold medal,” said Marcial, who is now setting his sights on next year’s Olympics. “Hopefully if I maintain my discipline and work hard, I can qualify. But it will be difficult because I need to go through many steps to qualify for the Olympics.” Bantamweight defending champion Fernandez, 21, dominated Tanes Ongjunta with the referee stopping it 45 seconds into

CHIZ ESCUDERO From page 1

ity of winning, the senator said. He even enumerated former presidents who won their presidential bids even without strong political parties behind them during their respective runs. Escudero and Poe are not members of the Liberal Party. The alliance between the two started when they met after the death of Philippine movie icon Fernando Poe Jr., who was Sen. Poe’s adoptive father. The senator from Bicol said that he and

the third round after the Thai went down for the second time. Vietnam had the second-best haul of gold medals, winning three through Nguyen Thi Yen in the women’s flyweight, Le Thi Bang in the women’s bantamweight and Truong Dinh Hoang in the men’s middleweight. Thailand, who had seven golds at the 2013 SEA Games, won only two this time through Tassamalee Thongjan in the women’s featherweight and Wuttichai Masuk in the men’s light welterweight. Kornelis Langu gave Indonesia their lone boxing gold with victory in the men’s light flyweight. Sen. Poe continue to talk about the political possibilities that may take together in connection with the 2016 presidential elections. “Sa Oktubre pa naman ang filing of candidacy. May panahon pa para magisip at magmuni- muni,” Escudero halfjokingly said. Escudero is in the U.S. to speak in a Filipino-American parade to celebrate the 117th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

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Duterte: I might run for president if I beat VP Binay in surveys MANILA, June 8 (Mabuhay) -- While enjoying a surge in popularity among voters, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that he might run for president in the 2016 elections if he beats presidential front-runner Vice President Jejomar Binay in the ratings game. In a symposium on Federalism held in Taytay, Rizal, Saturday night, Duterte said that beating Binay’s ratings with a huge margin could push him to run for president. “Ilan ba ang score ni Binay ngayon? 32? Kung mag-82 ako, tatakbo ako (What is the score of Binay today? 32? If I will get 82 (in the surveys), I will run),” Duterte joked. He also denied that an ad which aired

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

on national television this week came from his camp.

Senator Grace Poe inspects a Tabor assault rifle at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headquarters after gracing the 13th anniversary of the agency on Tuesday where she was the keynote speaker. Poe said she is working on raising the reward money for informants. (MNS photo)

Binay wants 4-year term, with re-election for president

VP Binay says he will not question Poe’s eligibility in court

MANILA, June 10 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay wants a return of the four-year term limit for the president, with re-election. “Hindi ako payag diyan sa limiting of term. Habang gusto ng taumbayan, eh ‘di manilbihan,” he said. Binay, who will run in 2016, said six years may be “too long for a bad administrator,” but too short a term for the “good one.” Binay, who attended the forum at the Luneta Hotel, expressed his thoughts on Charter Change. This, after President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III earlier issued opposed lifting term limits. “Dapat yung 1935 Constitution natin ibalik na lang, hindi ‘yung sa no limitation, kundi sa pangulo at pangalawang pangulo e apat na taon na lang with re-election,” he added. Under Article 7, Section II of the defunct 1935 Constitution, the President and Vice President have four-year terms. Section V, however notes that the president cannot serve for more than eight consecutive years. Binay also said he is in favor of amending the economic provisions in the Constitution but stressed that safeguards should be in place. He cited that foreign ownership restrictions on some industries should be removed to further increase investors in the country. “Ako ho ay sang-ayon kaya lang dapat magkaroon ng safeguard na alisin na yung 60-40 kasi sa Thailand ang karanasan nila nung inalis yung ganyang mga restriction, dumami ‘yung investor,” he said. (MNS)

MANILA, June 10 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay said Wednesday that he will not be part of any move to question the residency or citizenship of Senator Grace Poe before a court. “Palagay ko ho hindi na ho kami [sasali] diyan,” Binay said when asked by reporters if he intends to bring Senator Poe’s residency and citizenship issues before a court. Binay added that he will not do anything that will tarnish his good relationship with the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., the senator’s father. “Ako ho hindi ko makakalimutan ang pagsasamahan namin ni FPJ. Hindi ho ako susuong sa mga bagay-bagay na makakalimutan ko yung pagsasama namin ni FPJ. Kami sa hirap at ginhawa, magkasama kami, nung ginugusto nyang maging pangulo ng ating bansa,” he said.

Binay was FPJ’s campaign manager during the 2004 presidential elections. Both Binay and Poe are performing well in pre-election surveys on preferred presidential candidates, with the neophyte senator closely tailing Binay. United Nationalist Alliance interim president and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco earlier said that Poe is ineligible to seek higher post in the 2016 as she lacks the residency requirement. Poe immediately denied the allegation, saying she has been in the Philippines since 2005, months after her father died in December 2004. Binay and his camp have said that he has no hand in the issues raised by Tiangco, but Poe seemed not to believed it. Tiangco had already apologized for causing a rift between Poe and Binay. (MNS)

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Fearful Pinoy teenager flies to Sudan for heart surgery By Cecil Morella

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Tuesday 6/9/2015 – A cocktail of fear, hope and gratitude bubbled inside Reynaldo Nilo’s feeble heart as the Philippine teenager prepared to take his first-ever plane ride for a journey to Sudan aimed at saving his life. The rheumatic heart disease sufferer and son of impoverished farmers boarded a flight on Monday for Khartoum, the capital of the east African country, to have open heart surgery, without which he would likely die within a few years. The city hosts a hospital run by EMERGENCY, an Italian charity that is renowned for its state-of-the art cardiac surgery provided for free, usually to people from Africa. “I am extremely grateful to them for giving me the chance to have a longer life,” the 17-year-old told AFP a few hours before he and his elder sister, Sarah Joy, boarded the plane, a first for both, to Khartoum. Sarah Joy only found out about the Italian charity after chancing upon an Oscar-nominated documentary about the Khartoum hospital. Nilo, who had to drop out of high school because of his condition, said he knew little about Africa other than disease and conflict. “I’m scared because I heard they have Ebola there. I’m also concerned about the wars there,” said Nilo, as he sat beside his tearful elder sister at a relative’s home in Manila. “But if the Lord wills it, I should be okay and able to recover.” Nilo had strep throat as a child and, because he did not take antibiotics at the time, it led to rheumatic heart disease. Without open heart surgery, most sufferers of the disease die by the time they are

20, according to EMERGENCY. The surgery in the Philippines would cost tens of thousands of dollars, an impossible amount for the son of duck farmers from the remote far north of the country. Nilo was diagnosed with the disease when he was 15 after suffering from neardaily breathing problems that would leave him blue in the face. The worst attacks would see his hands and feet seize up with muscle spasms. Nilo was forced to drop out of school and Sarah Joy became his full-time career. Unable to afford medical treatment, she scoured the Internet for ways to relieve his discomfort and learned techniques such as having him breathe into a paper bag. Soaking his feet in icy water would help to cool and relax him, easing his spasms. “We were always worried for him. I was scared he would succumb (to the disease), but I steeled myself, determined to show him that we were not giving up,” Sarah Joy said. “I was desperate to get a job – any job, even as a domestic helper abroad – to pay for the surgery. But I realized it would take more than a lifetime to raise that amount.” The family was growing increasingly desperate until Sarah Joy last year watched a documentary on television called “Open Heart” about EMERGENCY’s hospital in Khartoum. The documentary, which was nominated for an Oscar, tells the story of eight Rwandan children with rheumatic heart disease who have the high-risk surgery at the hospital, the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery. The centre, which opened in 2007, is described by EMERGENCY as the only free hospital specialising in complex heart operations in Africa. From the film credits, Nilo’s sister

tracked down the US producer, who eventually put her in touch with EMERGENCY. The charity, which was set up by volunteer doctors in 1994 and provides free medical care to victims of war, landmines and poverty, agreed to help Nilo.

After the surgery to replace or repair heart valves, Nilo will require medication for the rest of his life, which EMERGENCY has also agreed to pay for. And Turkish Airlines agreed to cover the cost of the Nilos’ flights.

Eleven high school graduates to receive PHILSELA scholarships CERRITOS – The Philippine Society of Southeast Los Angeles (PHILSELA) will present scholarship awards to 11 high school graduates during its annual Scholarship Awards Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, at the Washington Room of Liberty Park in Cerritos. The scholars this year are from ABC Unified District High Schools: Artesia, Cerritos and Ghar and from St. Joseph and St. John Bosco. Alice Ramos, scholarship committee chair, said the scholarships are available to graduating seniors, continuing on to college, from high schools around the city of Cerritos, including the following – Artesia High, Cerritos High, Gahr High, St. John Bosco High, St. Joseph High, Valley Christian High, and Whitney High. To qualify for the awards, a high school graduate must be of Filipino ancestry, has been accepted into an accredited college or university for Fall 2015, has a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), has a minimum total SAT score of 1500, must show leadership skills and extracurricular activities, and is committed to serving the Filipino-American community. The scholars will receive a one-time monetary award and certificates of recognition during the awards dinner. “This has been a continuing program for the last 29 years because PHILSELA views higher education as crucial for the youth to reach their career goals and become contributing members of the community,” said Ramos, who has served as president of PHILSELA in 2012 and the current scholarship chair. PHILSELA, which marks its 41st year this year, is an organization composed of Filipino-American volunteers who are dedicated to providing outstanding service to the community. Elizabeth Boschma is the current president, with Linda Bautista as chairman of the board. Aside from the Scholarship Program, PHILSELA also holds the annual Santacruzan, and sponsors and supports city-initiated programs, including the Festival of Friendship, Let Freedom Ring 4th of July Event, and Halloween Festival. PHILSELA has also participated in the Philippine Independence Centennial celebration, and the Filipiniana Library Project.

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LRTA, DOTC break ground for LRT-2 extension to Masinag MANILA, June 9 (Mabuhay) -- Two years from now commuters from Eastern Metro Manila and the Province of Rizal will be able to take the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) at the junction of Marcos and Sumulong highways in Antipolo. On Tuesday morning, Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Honorito Chaneco was joined by Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan and local government officials in a ground breaking ceremony for the LRT East Extension Project. The P9.5-billion project covers the construction of an additional 4.2-km. elevated viaduct from the current end sta-

tion in Santolan, Pasig City to the junction of Marcos and Sumulong. Two additional stations will be built, the Emerald Station in Cainta, Rizal and the Masinag Station at the Masinag junction in Antipolo City. The Masinag extension will enhance the capacity of the mass transit system, Chaneco said. On top of the 240,000 daily commuters, an additional 75,000 commuters are expected once the extended LRT 2 starts to operate in the third quarter of 2017. Melba Santillan, a regular commuter on the LRT-2, said the project is a relief to commuters from Antipolo.

“Ang usual travel time with traffic 30 minutes galing Masinag. Labas pa dun ang one hour na pag-hi-hintay ng masasakyan kaya malaking ginhawa,” she said. Travel time may be reduced to 6 minutes from Santolan to Masinag once the Masinag Station is fully operational, said Chaneco. Brace for traffic For now, commuters may have to brace themselves for heavy traffic as two lanes on each side of Marcos highway will be occupied by workers, materials and equipment during the construction phase to extend the LRT-2. Officials of Cainta, Antipolo, Department of Transportation and Communications and Metro Manila Development Authority will have come up with an effective traffic management plan. Once the necessary permits are secured, construction will start in the last week of June. Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Julianito Bucayan said flooding in the area as well as the West

Valley Fault have been factored in during the planning and conceptualization stage of the project. “Mukhang masasabay ang construction sa tag-ulan. Kapag mataas ang baha, tigil muna, tapos itutuloy pag-OK na... tuloy ulit. I’m sure na-i-konsulta na rin ito sa PHIVOLCS taking into consideration na malapit siya sa Marikina na daanan ng West Valley Fault,” Bucayan said. While no additional trains will be brought in for the extended LRT-2., the LRTA claimed the increase in commuter volume will not affect the mass transit system’s quality of service. The LRT-2 uses 12 trains in its daily operations, with six trains on standby at the depot. “Hanggang 80 kilometers per hour ang bilis ng LRT-2, compared sa line 1 and MRT3 na 40 kph,” Chaneco said. Commuters will have to shell out an additional P4 or P1 per kilometer to cover the fare from Santolan to Masinag. This will bring the end-to end-fare from Recto to Masinag to P29-P30 from the current P25. (MNS)

DepEd exec faces graft rap over computer deal

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MANILA, June 9 (Mabuhay) – A regional director of the Department of Education is facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the anomalous procurement of computers in 2008. In a press statement, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of information against DepEd Zamboanga Peninsula director Walter Albos for approving the procurement of IT equipment and software worth P2,998,100.00 without public bidding. A Commission on Audit report said that aside from lack of public bidding, the delivered equipment was not in accordance with the quantity and specifications indicated in the purchase order.

The investigation also revealed there was delivery of equipment even before an abstract of bids was issued. The Ombudsman said that while the Commission on Audit later deemed that the questioned disbursement had been settled, “the interest of the COA is solely administrative, and its investigation does not foreclose the Ombudsman’s authority to investigate and determine whether there is a crime to be prosecuted for which a public official is answerable.” It said the graft charge must be pursued as “there is nothing in the records that would prove that the Bids and Awards Committee participated in the procurement” as “the procurement was only upon the direction of respondent Albos.” (MNS)

Malaysia nabs PHL-bound foreigner over nude pix on quake-hit peak: report Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AFP) Monday 6/8/2015 – Malaysian authorities on Monday arrested a European man for allegedly stripping naked and urinating on Mount Kinabalu, reports said, an act that some in the country say angered tribal spirits and caused a deadly earthquake. The 38-year-old was arrested in Kota Kinabalu, capital of the state of Sabah on Borneo island, on charges of causing a public nuisance, The Star newspaper reported on its website. It cited Sabah’s state criminal investigation chief Sallehuddin Abdul Rahman. According to Malaysian law, the punishment for such an offence is a fine of 400 ringgit ($106). The report said the man, arrested at the city’s airport as he sought to fly to the Philippines, is believed to have been among a group of 10 foreign tourists who had stripped naked and posed for photos on the summit of the peak on May 30. The pictures were later posted on the Internet. Mount Kinabalu, a World Heritage Site and popular climbing destination, is considered sacred by Sabah’s Kadazan Dusun tribal group, who believe it is a resting place for spirits. The pictures infuriated many in Malaysia.

On Friday a 6.0-magnitude quake struck near the mountain, sending landslides crashing down from its summit just as more than 150 hikers were at the peak enjoying sunrise views. Sixteen people have been confirmed killed on the mountain and two remain missing. In the wake of the disaster, Malaysian social media users and some Sabah officials have focused on the nudists, suggesting that their actions angered the spirits and led to the earthquake. “This will certainly bring misfortune... we can’t play with the spirit of the sacred mountain,” deputy state chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan had told reporters on Saturday. It was not immediately clear where the other nine summit nudists were. Malaysian police spokespersons did not answer calls by AFP seeking details.Canadian media, citing the country’s foreign ministry, had earlier reported that two siblings had been barred from leaving Sabah over the affair. But Malaysian immigration and police officials have not confirmed this. Officials at the Canadian embassy could not be reached for comment.

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Broadway-bound ‘Waterfall’ presents musicale on love and culture Set during the “turbulent” years ( 1933 and 1939) of the Siam (now Thailand) and Japan conflict, “Waterfall” is a Broadway-bound musicale about the universal meaning of love, war and cultural identity. Bie Sukrit, one of Thailand’s famous actor and singer, “created the role of Noppon” in the musical “Behind The Painting,” where the story of “Waterfall” was based on. The charming Mr. Sukrit has exceptional talent as an accomplished actor both on screen and television as well as a chart-topping singer in his native Thailand. theatre a couple of years ago. His credits Seasoned actress, Emily Padgett, por- include: “Miss Saigon,” “Mary Poppins,” trays “Katherine,” who is Noppon’s love “The King and I,” and numerous other interest. Ms. Padgett was known for her national and international tour productions. role as “Daisy Hilton” in the Broadway Other Filipino actors in “Waterfall” who musicale of “Side Show,” and as “Sherrie are in the Dance Ensemble are: Jordan De Christian” in the widely-acclaimed show Leon, Rona Figueroa, Kimberly Immanuel “Rock of Ages.” She has also acted in other and Kay Trinidad. regional theatres such as: The La Jolla Boston College/University - schooled, Playhouse, Royal George Theatre and the Tak Viravan, who directed “Waterfall” is New York Theatre Workshop. On televi- a well-known Thai producer/director who sion, she was on “America’s Got Talent,” has been “credited for building and susand “:Louie.” taining the Thai theatre and entertainment The hilarious scene stealer, Filipina J. industry.” Aside from theatre, Tak has also Elaine Marcos, played the role of “Nuan,” produced and directed “top-rated televiKatherine’s lady-in-waiting. She has been sion dramas, sitcoms, variety shows and seen on various Broadway shows such as: concerts in Thailand.” Currently, he also “Annie,” “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” heads a new digital television there. “A Chorus Line,” “Flower Drum Song,” The elaborate production designs of “Miss Saigon” and many more. “Waterfall” is credited to Sasavat BuAnother Filipino professional actor, sayabandh, who not only has a Bachelor’s Eymard Cabling, portrays the Siamese Degree in Architecture but a Stage Design Ambassador as well as one of the dancers education from Brooklyn College in New at the “Ensemble.” We first met him in his York. He has more than 20 years in stage portrayal as “Atoy” in “The Romance of and production design experience in ThaiMagno Rubio” shown at the Ford Amphi- land including acclaimed musicales such

Asia Society Awards 2015 best employers for Asian Pacific American talent NEW YORK, June 8, 2015 – Asia Society has announced the winners of the 2015 Best Asian Pacific American Employer Awards. Now in their sixth year, the awards honor employers at the forefront of promoting and developing Asian Pacific American (APA) leaders. The companies will were honored at the 7th Diversity Leadership Forum at Asia Society in New York. The awardees were selected based on the quality of their APA programs as well as the results from employee surveys conducted for Asia Society’s 2015 Asian Pacific Americans Corporate Survey, the only published initiative to exclusively measure the leadership success of APAs at Fortune 500-level companies. “As the head of a global organization, I can personally attest that diversity is transformative. Companies that recognize this will be best positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic economy,” said Josette Sheeran, President and CEO of Asia Society. “Asia Society commends all winners for their commitment to Asian and Asian American employees and urges other organizations to follow their lead.” For the third consecutive year, Goldman Sachs won top honors. “Goldman Sachs is honored to be named the 2015 Overall Best Employer for Asian Pacific Americans by Asia Society,” said Chris Kojima, Managing Director and Asian Professionals Network Senior Sponsor. “At Goldman Sachs, we understand that our success depends on our ability to attract, develop and retain the best talent, which reflects the communities and clients which we serve. We are committed to fostering an environment that maximizes the potential of all of our people and are proud to be recognized as an employer of choice for Asian professionals.“ KPMG was recognized as the Best Employer for APAs to Develop Workforce Skills, also for the third consecutive year. “KPMG prides itself on fostering a culture

that is both diverse and inclusive, where all of our professionals can reach their full potential,” said Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, National Managing Partner of Diversity and Corporate Responsibility at KPMG. “The unique backgrounds and perspectives our Asian American professionals bring to their roles aid KPMG in providing the highest quality service to our clients. We are proud to once again be recognized by the Asia Society for the third year in a row as a top company for Asian Pacific American professionals.”

“Waterfall” is a Broadway-bound musicale about the universal meaning of love, war and cultural identity. Photo shows Emily Padgett (LT) and J. Elaine Marcos (RT). Photo Jim Cox.

as: “Miss Saigon,” “Four Reigns,” and “Lady Chinatown.” The authentic and colorful Thai dances and ensemble of the musicale, is choreographed and directed by Dan Knechtges, while Grammy and Emmy-award winning John McDaniel composed, arranged and orchestrated the superb musical arrangements. Finally, it is noteworthy to mention

Costume Designer, Wade Laboissonniere’s intricate, detailed and colorful designs of the costumes, thereby making the musicale a production truly remarkable. This author’s friend, Jea Jonson and I had a pleasant, cultural evening, So if you wish to “feed your soul” like we did, catch “Waterfall” at the Pasadena Playhouse. It is showing until June 28, 2015.

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New Canadian citizenship rules now in effect By the time subscribers read this article the laws pertaining to Canadian Citizenship will have changed. While the Canadian government has hinted long ago of changes to key components of Canadian Citizenship eligibility, the exact time of implementation was unknown. The timing of the changes was crucial for many as new rules will no doubt leave many permanent residents in the dark. As well, those who were turning 55 years of age were hoping the delay would take longer but again, the new regulations will is unprecedented. It will be interesting to leave many disappointed. Current Cana- see if the courts will see any of the rules dian citizens will also be breathing a sigh as unconstitutional but for now the new of relief as the new rules have imposed laws are official. The strict rule regime, an added â&#x20AC;&#x153;intentionâ&#x20AC;? element for those according to Canada Immigration, â&#x20AC;&#x153;will who are already Canadian Citizens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this deter citizens of convenience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; those who become citizens for the sake of having a Canadian passport to return to Canada to access taxpayer-funded benefits that come with citizenship status, without having any attachment to Canada, or contributing to the economy.â&#x20AC;? Past Laws: Any application received by Canada Immigration before June 11, 2015 will be assessed under the old laws (no information has been reported on retroactivity). The old laws were: a. To be eligible, permanent Residents were required to remain in Canada for at least 1095 non-continuous days (3 years) within the last 4 years from date of application b. Permanent residents who were legally in Canada before becoming permanent residents will receive those days as halfday credit c. Applicants 55 years of age or older do not need to prove English language and do not need to take a Citizenship test on

knowledge of Canada d. No intention to declare to reside in Canada is required Current Laws: The changes include the following: a. In force June 11, 2015) b. Adult applicants must now be physically present in Canada for at least 1,460 days (four years) during the six years before the date of their application, and they must be physically present in Canada for at least 183 days in each of four calendar years within the qualifying period. c. Applicants between the ages of 14 and 64 must meet basic knowledge and language requirements. d. Citizenship will be automatically extended to additional â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lost Canadiansâ&#x20AC;? on June 11th, who were born before 1947, and did not become citizens on January 1, 1947 when the first Canadian Citizenship

Act came into effect. e. Adult applicants must declare their intent to reside in Canada once they become citizens and meet their personal income tax obligations in order to be eligible for citizenship. f. To help improve program integrity, there are now stronger penalties for fraud and misrepresentation (to a maximum fine of $100,000 and/or up to five years in prison). This is aimed at deterring unscrupulous applicants who are prepared to misrepresent themselves, or advise others to do so. Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario. The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document. Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call toll free 1-888-847-2078.

Canada court orders tobacco firms to pay smokers Can$15.5-B Ottawa, Canada (AFP) Monday 6/1/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Canadian court on Monday ordered tobacco firms to pay Can$15.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) to smokers in Quebec who claimed they were never warned about the health risks associated with smoking. Imperial Tobacco Canada, Rothmans Benson &amp; Hedges and JTI-MacDonald said they would appeal the award for moral and punitive damages, which is the largest in Canadian history. They must, however, put a portion of the award to nearly one million smokers who were unable to quit or who suffered from throat and lung cancer or emphysema. A hearing must also be held to determine how the funds will be disbursed. The two class action lawsuits behind the award were originally filed in 1998, but only went to trial recently. At a televised press conference, the wife of a deceased smoker showed a photo of her husband appearing gaunt and frail in his final years due to a smoking-related illness. The plaintiffs argued in court that the tobacco companies neglected to properly warn their customers about the dangers of smoking, and failed in their general duty â&#x20AC;&#x153;not to cause injury to another person,â&#x20AC;? according to the Quebec Superior Court decision. They also accused the firms of unscrupulous marketing and of having destroyed documents relevant to the case. The companies, however, said the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision is not supported by the evidence presented at trial, and vowed to try to overturn it on appeal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since the 1950s, Canadians have had

a very high awareness of the health risks of smoking,â&#x20AC;? JTI-MacDonald said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That awareness has been reinforced by the health warnings printed on every legal cigarette package for more than 40 years.â&#x20AC;? As well, the firm said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;every facetâ&#x20AC;? of the tobacco industry has been regulated by government, and the rules were strictly followed. Imperial Tobacco Canada, which must pay the bulk of the award at Can$10.5 billion, said the judgment â&#x20AC;&#x153;ignores realityâ&#x20AC;? by wrongly seeking to â&#x20AC;&#x153;relieve adult consumers of any responsibility for their actions.â&#x20AC;? It said the plaintiffsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; claims were made based on a notion that tobacco products should be banned. The company, which is a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, pointed to a 1963 Gallup poll that showed 96 percent of Canadians were aware that smoking might cause lung cancer. Rothmans, Benson &amp; Hedges, meanwhile, lamented that not a single class action member testified at the trial. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not one showed up to say that he or she was unaware of the risks of smoking,â&#x20AC;? the company said. In his ruling, Judge Brian Riordan noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;over the nearly 50 years of the class period, and in the 17 years since, the companies earned billions of dollars at the expense of the lungs, the throats and the general well-being of their customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the companies are allowed to walk away unscathed now, what would be the message to other industries that today or tomorrow find themselves in a similar moral conflict?â&#x20AC;? he concluded.

Canada to send two astronauts into space by 2024 Ottawa, Canada (AFP) Tuesday 6/2/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Canada committed Tuesday to flying two astronauts to space within the next decade as part of its renewed participation with the International Space Station program. The ISS is a joint endeavor by Canada, the United States, Japan, Russia, and the European Union. Canada is the third country to extend its participation until 2024. According to the Canadian Space Agency, Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques are already training for the missions. Meanwhile, Ottawa also said it hopes to participate in future space missions â&#x20AC;&#x153;to the moon, Mars and beyond.â&#x20AC;? To that end, Canada is extending by two years its collaboration with NASA in the Mars Science Laboratory mission, also known as the Mars Curiosity rover. The Canadian Space Agency also is contributing Can$10.5 million to MDA to continue its technical support for the space stationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s robotic arms. And four new Canadian science experiments will be performed aboard the ISS in the fall to test the effects of weightlessness on the human body and probe health issues caused by space travel.

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Senior seeks to discharge $1-M wrongful death lawsuit Senior needs Chapter 13 to handle IRS and unsecured debt of $40k Client No. 1 Client is 57. When he comes to see me, he tells me that he has just spent two years in jail and is now on probation for involuntary manslaughter, which means he was convicted of having killed someone by accident. He explains to me that he had just dropped off his wife at Target and was running low on gasoline. He decides to fill gas at a station across the street. He gets out of Targetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driveway and moves onto the left lane to get into the gas station. All of a sudden a motorcycle hits him. The rider only makes $4K a month as a bookkeeper. of the motorcycle is unconscious on the Should he offer himself as a slave to the street. He calls 911. The police and the brother for 20 years to work off the debt? paramedics come. The rider is in a coma At least by 77, he will be a free man again for a week, and then dies. So, I said whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s then he can write a book entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;20 years the problem; it looks like you were on the as a slave.â&#x20AC;? Seriously, what can client do correct lane to enter the gas station, and it to escape with his head still on his shoullooks like you got rear-ended. That should ders and live the rest of his life in peace? mean that it was the riderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fault that he After doing an analysis of his assets, I died. After some incomprehensive mum- found out that his house has some equity bling, I figure out that there was a camera and because last month clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife just in the gas station that showed that client turned 65, his non-exempt equity is $50K. was on right lane, not the left, when he This is certainly the best news for cligot out of Target. He then makes a U-turn ent. This means that because of his asset to get to the left lane. Halfway through structure, plaintiff will have to settle this the U-turn, the motorcycle hits the driver lawsuit for $50K. Insurance has paid $30K, side of his car. Well, that settles it, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s which is policy limits. The reason plaintiff a slam-dunk negligence case for an illegal will have to accept a settlement of $50K is U-turn against client that is caught on a the rest of his equity of $175K is covered video camera. No matters what he says, by the homestead exemption. Therefore, the evidence is indisputable that it was even if plaintiff gets a judgment for $1.0M, his fault that caused the accident. It is his the only viable asset that plaintiff can get responsibility that the rider died. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an from client is the equity of his house. But open and shut case. because of the homestead exemption, Faced with the video, he pled guilty plaintiff can only put a lien on $50K of to involuntary manslaughter and served that equity. Client on the $175K of equity his time. But the criminal conviction and can avoid the lien of $1.0M by claiming incarceration is not the end of clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the homestead exemption. misadventure. After he is placed on probaAfter negotiating with plaintiff counsel, tion and a halfway house, he has to face a settlement of $50K was accepted by the criminal restitution procedure, and of plaintiff. Hooray! The next problem is how course, the heirs of decedent are going to to get $50K which client does not have. come full force with their wrongful death I told him to get a home equity loan or a lawsuit for civil damages. Client now pres- reverse mortgage for $50K. Client was able ents me with a copy of the wrongful death to get a reverse mortgage for $50K because lawsuit filed by the brother of decedent his wife is 65. So, we settled his wrongful seeking $1.0 million in damages for the death lawsuit of $1.0M for $50K! Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death of his brother. Where will client get a great deal. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heaven sent. Praise be to $1.0 million? Nowhere. God, Adonai, for helping out this client! Client cannot file a Chapter 7 because Client No. 2 damages from wrongful death are not Client is 75. He already filed a Chapter dischargeable. He cannot file a Chapter 13 7 with another lawyer in 2011. Therefore, either because he will have to pay about he cannot file another Chapter 7, although $17,000 a month for 60 months because he wants one, because it is not yet 2019. He the claim is not dischargeable. I mean, can only file another Chapter 7 after 8 years client is not the lottery office, is he? Client from 2011. Only Chapter 13 is available

to help him reorganize and give him debt relief. What precipitated his new financial problems? At 75, he should be not having financial problems anymore. His Chapter 7 it appears was caused by his inability to pay for a rather large first mortgage of about $800K for his previous residence. The property was upside down because it was only worth $500K. At that time, he decided for a fresh start at 71. Client and wife are a charming couple who are both professionals and retired for some time. They have no problems except for their new financial crisis. What happened was they bought an SUV last year. It turned out to be a lemon. First, the transmission had to be replaced. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bad enough for a slightly used SUV. Then the electrical went haywire damaging the computer of the car. It was a big money hole! They decided that they did not want the SUV anymore. So, last month they bought a new SUV. When they told the creditor of the lemon SUV that they were going to return the car, they found out they would still owe about $12K after the car was returned. In addition, they owed the IRS about $20K and about $24K of credit card debt. Client has actually good income for a retiree. With his wife who is also a retiree,

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they still get $10K a month half from social security and half from pensions. How will Chapter 13 benefit client? 1) The $20K owed to the IRS will be paid over 60 months without penalty or interest. 2) Because social security is not considered as income under the means test to calculate disposable income, client may qualify for a low plan payment that may pay only a portion of their unsecured debt. Chapter 13 will provide substantial debt relief. â&#x20AC;&#x153;OUR LIGHT AND MOMENTARY TROUBLES ARE ACHIEVING FOR US AN ETERNAL GLORY THAT FAR OUTWEIGHTS THEM ALL.â&#x20AC;? 2 CORINTHIANS 4:17 Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in law practice for thirty years. He specializes in bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave, MAILSTOP 58, Building A-1 SUITE 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 OR at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

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After three decades, Obregon vs Zuniga to do a Rematch-up for the “Main Event” Thirty years ago in the Philippines, a main event featuring two of the country’s best balladeers took place at the Rizal Theater in Makati City to decide who should reign supreme their field. The showdown was between Julius Obregon and Nonoy Zuniga which the leading television networks covered. “Officiating” the epic encounter then was Nanette Inventor. Obregon and Zuniga are planning a “rematch” which they call “The Main Event” to be held on July 31 at 800-capacity Knott’s Berry Goodbye’”. Obregon whose style leans on the influFarm Grand Ballroom in Buena, a venue large enough to maintain a sort of intimacy ence of musical heavyweights in the likes between the audience and the performers. of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Tony Both Obregon and Zuniga have become Bennette and Matt Monroe has claims to more mellowed over the years and had tak- record hits like “Song Lucky”, “The Best en productive routes as the years went by. Thing That Ever Happened to Me”, “TerBoth have taken great strides in their minal”, and “How Can I Tell Her”. He is spiritual walks with Obregon taking a more also now in Gospel Music because of his serious and committed Christian walk by avocation as an evangelist and pastor. The planned two-hour extravaganza being a pastor for 18 years now. He has taken up residence in San Diego down memory lane will also feature singer and has been able to plant eight churches performer Tanya Varona, daughter of Philin the Los Angeles area. Zuniga for his ippine Action Star of San Juanico Bridge part, is active in the evangelical church in fame, Dante Varona and Casey Alexandria, an upcoming folk singer. Las Vegas. Both singers have awesome credentials: Doing the honors of pumping up Zuniga has a 20-year performance under the crowd if they’re “They’re ready to his belt. He has performed in the best night rumble?” will be “referee Joseph Gelito” spots, hotels and concert venues in the who’s also an equally multi-dimensional Philippines in addition to his stints in the entertainer himself. U.S. and Asian countries. The “Main Event” is the brainchild of Known as “The Hitmaker”, his recorded Obregon, who also heads AOL production. hits include “Kumusta Ka”, “Doon Lang”, Randy and Laguerder and Wilfredo Agne, “Love Without Time”, and “Never Say Jr. are his partners in the production outfit.

PHL Balladeers in “Main Event” Card: Balladeer-icons Julius Obregon and Nonoy Zuniga will be featured in the “Main Event” in a musical rivalry to determine who reigns supreme in the music genre. The duo held a press conference to announce the forthcoming bonanza.

Balladeers Meet Restaurateurs: Two of the best Filipino balladeers, Nonoy Zuniga (extreme left) and Julius Obregon (second from right), and Filipino restaurateurs, Olette Cruz and husband Chef Allan Cruz and Tanya Varona take a breather from a press conference at Azon Filipino Restaurant in Artesia to announce the forthcoming concert.

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How courts determine child custody in California One of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1) physical custody and 2) legal custody. Physical custody may be awarded solely to one parent or jointly. Sole physical custody means that the child will reside primarily and under the one parent, the consideration boils down supervision of one parent subject to visita- to which parent is more likely to allow tion from the other parent upon order of the the child frequent and continuing contact court. Family Code Â§3007. Joint physical with the noncustodial parent. Family Code custody on the other hand means that the Â§3040(a)(1). A major factor that would tilt child gets to spend frequent and continuing the courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision are incidents or history contact with both parents. Family Code of child abuse and domestic violence. This Â§3004. The court would state specifically can be from the part of a parent, a parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the periods of time the child will be under co-habitant, or other person to whom a the supervision of each parent. parent has a relationship with. The childs Legal custody on the other hand deals amount and nature of contact with the with the right and responsibility of a par- parents is also another factor considered. ent to make decisions regarding the health, Fam. Code Â§3011(c). Other factors that education, and welfare of the child. Family can be considered are the parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of Code Â§3006. Examples would be decisions controlled substance, prior criminal consuch as where the child shall attend school, victions and registration as a sex offender, whether the child can travel to another ju- and existence of restraining order against risdiction or state, legal decisions involving a parent. the child. In cases where joint legal cusThe family code requires that the parties tody is ordered by the court, either parent go to mediation and attempt to agree on the alone can make decisions concerning the custody issue prior to the court hearing the health, education, and welfare of the child contested case. Family Code Â§3170(a). If unless otherwise specified in the order. the case is not settled in mediation, it gets In making its determination on child decided in court through a contested hearcustody issues, the court considers various ing. At times, the court will order a child factors depending on the specific facts of custody evaluation if it determines that it the case. The court usually follows the would be in the best interest of the child. public policy of ensuring and encourag- The court may also appoint a minorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s couning the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s frequent and continuing sel if it feels it would be in the best interest contact with both parents after the divorce of the child. Family Code Â§3150(a). The unless it would not be in the best interest court retains continuous jurisdiction over of the child. Fam. Code Â§3011. If the issues of child custody and support until court is inclined to order sole custody to the child reaches 18. This means the order

Pilipino po tayo! LAW OFFICES OF

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may be modified all throughout this period if there has been a change in circumstances. 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, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. Attorney Kenneth 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, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com. Visit us at www. kenreyeslaw.com

Naomi Palma-Armada, June 29, 1929-June 10, 2015 Naomi Palma-Armada, founder of the 26-yearold Philippine Heritage Institute International, a private foundation; a community advocate and philanthropist, died on June 10, 2015, 6:30 p.m., of heart attack at her Walnut residence. She would have been 86 on June 29. There will be a Memorial Mass on Monday, June 15, 10 a.m., at San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, 747 Meadowpass Rd., Walnut, CA 91789 (909595-9545). Visitation whole day Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina, CA 91724 (800-204-3131). Naomi had requested cremation services. Naomi Palma-Armada Naomi was married to Bert Armada (PMA â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;53) and is survived by children: Dr. Anna Lourdes Armada-Chickey (Stephen Chickey), Lamberto Armada, Jr. (children Jay Ann, Anthony, Naomi and Lambert), Amelia Grace Armada-Carpio (children Alexandra and Cedric), the late Alvin Armada (Maria Bella Benedicto and children Vincent, Kristina, Julie Ann, Cathleen), Arthur Armada (Angie and children Audrey and Angela), Arnold Armada (Victoria and children Mischa and Julian), Angelyn Armada de la Cruz (Ricky de la Cruz and children Ryan and Roderick), Andrew Armada (Greta and children Gabriella and Matthew). She has one sister, Teresita B. Palma. For more information, please contact Lydia V. Solis (626) 827-1036.

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Stuck in debt and don’t know what to do?

No one ever wants face a debt crisis but at one time or another in your life, you may have to deal with one. Having debt problems does not make you a bad person although some people feel a sense of guilt as they feel responsible for the decision that they have made that led them to their present circumstance. But keep in mind that no one is exempt from the difficult challenges that life throws at us at times and this could easily happen in the area of finances. Most people do their best with the people have had to face so if this describes resources that they have but sometimes, your situation, you’re in good company. it’s simply not enough. What do you do You may be in a serious debt crisis if after you’ve gone through all your savings you can’t even afford to make the miniand emergency funds and perhaps even mum payments on your debts every month. depleted your retirement plan just to stay When this happens, the solution is not to afloat? Since the start of the recession, borrow more even more money because unfortunately, this is a reality that a lot of there is no way that you can borrow your

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way out of debt. The first step is to stop borrowing and to find a way to reduce or eliminate debt so that you can get your spending under control. If you are always spending more than you make, I guarantee that you will never get out of “crisis” mode. If your debts are huge but you are at least able to meet your monthly payment obligations, you may not be in a serious debt crisis but you may be in what’s called a “debt trap”, if most or all your monthly payments are just barely covering interest charges. Now the reason it’s called a trap because that’s exactly what it is. It means that you will be stuck in debt for the rest of your life with no way out. It’s not a place that you want to be but sadly, it’s a reality for a lot of people who have bitten off more than they could chew. I am talking about the people who have maxed out their credit cards and sometimes have even gone as far as desperately taking out payday loans for “quick cash” just to survive another month. But the following month, they are broke

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again and they are in a worse financial mess than the month before. If you are facing a serious debt crisis or realize for the first time that you are trapped in debt, the worst thing that you can do is to be in denial about your situation. Most debt problems don’t have to turn into a financial crisis if they are dealt with right away instead of being ignored. .If you are struggling with debt, I want to help you figure out your best options. For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 and we will help you step by step in finding a solution that’s right for you. 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 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL- FREE 1-866477-7772).

Assembly member Rob Bonta, center, meets with Kalayaan Incorporated officers while guests were still busy on the dance floor. From left: PRO Lydia V. Solis, Asst. Treasurer Virginia B. Vivas, Treasurer Lanie Berrei, President Zeny Sabocor, Josie E. De Jesus, Asst. Secretary Violet Mislang, Auditor Techie Emperador, and Secretary Archerie Calunod. Photo: Dino Kintanar

KALAYAAN INCORPORATED HOSTS 117TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROCLAMATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN Among the guests, seated, Deputy Consul General Imelda M. Panolong. Back row: Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait and wife Julie, Walnut Council member Tony Cartagena, Carson Mayor Pro Tem Elito Santarina, Duarte Mayor Tzeitel Paras Carraci, Assembly member Rob Bonta (18th District), the first and only Filipino American elected to the California State Assembly, Kalayaan President Zeny Sabocor, Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay, West Covina Mayor Pro Tem James Bonta, Carson City Clerk Jim Dear, Mrs. Fides Carino Lim, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, Naga Assoc. President Serry Sabocor, Kalayaan Vice President Josie E. De Jesus and Assembly member Patty Lopez (39th District). Photo: Dino Kintanar

The Lakambini ng Kalayaan 2015, Ms.Rosemarie Mejia at the float of FASGI during the 3rd Historic Filipinotown Parade, June 6, 2015. She was also the Lakambini ng FASGI candidate before she won the crown at the coronation night last June 5.

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RARE IMELDA From page 1

The coffee table book, entitled “Imelda,” is a collection of mostly unpublished photographs taken by Riofrir from 1974 to 1984 when he was special events photographer of the National Media Production Center (NMPC) assigned to cover the First Couple. Riofrir, a former president of the Press Photographers of the Philippines, chronicled Mrs. Marcos’ many roles – as the First Lady, Ambassador Plenipotentiary, Minister of Human Settlements, Governor of Metro Manila, Assemblywoman, Patroness of the Arts, and an able political partner of the President. His photographs also portray Mrs. Marcos as a housewife and mother who loved to cook for her husband and children. Some photographs showed Mrs. Marcos in private, intimate moments with the President and precious times spent with her children and grandchildren inside the private quarters of Malacañang. The cover photo itself is very

rare, and shows Mrs. Marcos in colorful dusters while walking alone on the beach of Kalipayan Beach in Olot, Leyte. Before his assignment to Malacanang, Riofrir – known as “Jolly” to friends and colleagues – was a television news cameraman for Channel 13 and worked as part-time cinematographer for famous film and TV directors Lino Brocka, Mitos Villareal, Ateng Osorio and Ismael Bernal. Riofrir is now based in California, where he published Balita Today in the early 90s. The book, published by Emmalie Books, Inc., is initially available at the Arko Foods Market at 1425 E. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, CA 91205, and at SM Seafood and Asian Market at 333 South E St., San Bernardino, CA 92401. It will soon be available at www.amazon.com and other outlets. To place an order for the book, please call Emmalie Books Inc. at (818) 383-9081.

NAVAL DRILLS From page 1

engagement envisions to share new tactics, techniques and procedures as well as best practices to further maritime operations,” Arevalo said, referring to the planned drills. These will involve “maritime domain awareness”, search and rescue, and disaster response, he said. Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced in Tokyo last week that the two governments would start negotiations for the transfer of defense technology and equipment. The agreement may include the export of Japanese hardware to the Philippines, including anti-submarine reconnaissance aircraft and radar technology. The two leaders also expressed “serious concern” over China’s construction of

artificial islands in the South China Sea, which they said violated a 2002 regional agreement. Aquino, who was making a state visit to Tokyo, also drew parallels between China’s recent actions and Nazi Germany’s creeping invasion of Europe just before World War II. Aquino is one of China’s most outspoken critics in the region. His government has asked a United Nations-backed tribunal to rule on its territorial disputes with China. China’s claim over almost the entire South China Sea overlaps with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. China and Japan are separately embroiled in a longstanding dispute over a Japan-controlled island chain in the East China Sea.

US Army Star Spotlight 2: CPT Theodore Flestado

CPT Flestado enlisted in the United States Army as a 91W (Combat Medic/Health Care Specialist) in August 2004. After completing Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood and Advance Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, he was stationed in Camp Bullis, TX, as part of a medical team supporting various basic and advanced field training exercises. In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan as part of Task Force ODIN-A. In June 2012, CPT Flestado completed the Adjutant General Captains Career Course and was assigned as the Battalion S-1 to the Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion. In May 2014, he assumed command of San Fernando Recruiting Company. CPT Flestado’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with three OLC, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal. “A career in the U.S. Army is very rewarding. There’s lots of benefits and lifelong learnings to be had,” he said. For more information about careers in the U.S. Army, call CPT Flestado directly at: 323. 309. 4770.

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OPINION

CBCP: Reject the ‘notoriously corrupt’

MANILA, June 8 (Mabuhay) – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is urging voters not to vote for candidates who are “notoriously corrupt” while also warning against the work of spin doctors who malign deserving candidates. In a pastoral letter, CBCP president and Archbishop Socrates Villegas reminded Filipinos to vote “for the right reasons” and not allow “demolition jobs” to influence their decisions to choose the deserving candidate. “Just as the discerning voter will not be easily won over by all the flattery in favor of one candidate, neither should a voter allow demolition jobs to dissuade him from choosing a person who is truly fit for office,” Villegas said. “Reject the notoriously corrupt, but neither should one readily jump on the bandwagon of condemnation in the absence of incontrovertible evidence, for, these days, one’s reputation, so painstakingly built by sincerity and honesty over the years, can so easily be tarnished by the truly evil work of ‘spin-doctors’ in the payroll of one or the other political aspirant,” he added. Villegas’ pastoral letter was read in different parishes all over the country on Sunday. Fr. Erik Adoviso, parish priest of Most Holy Trinity Church, said the CBCP president also warned the public against voting candidates who are part of political dynasties who just run for different electoral positions. “Ang pulitika ay hindi monopolya ng isang pamilya o isang clan. Ito ay para sa lahat,” he told ABS-CBN News. The CBCP president also reminded voters that lawmakers are support to make laws and not have their own projects. “Do not demand to know a congressman or a senator what his or her local projects have been. Legislators are not supposed to have local projects. They are supposed to legislate, to attend congressional sessions, rise to debate and actively take part in committee hearings,” he said. (MNS)

Govt chief negotiator: Best to pass BBL as soon as possible

MANILA, June 9 (Mabuhay) – Government chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on Tuesday reiterated that Bangsamoro Basic Law is best passed as soon as possible. Ferrer acknowledged that both houses of Congress have their own schedule. “Nasa initiative talaga ng Senate at Congress iyan as to how they will pace because they set their own rules, their own schedule, so it’s really in their hands,” she said. But she said the BBL should be approved soon because a plebiscite has to be scheduled in the areas proposed to be covered by the Bangsamoro. The Commission on Elections will need about three months for this, Ferrer said. She added that in some areas considered as under the control of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the ceasefire has been in place for five years. “Talagang iyong hope nila na hindi na tayo babalik sa giyera and iyong basic services makakarating na sa kanila,” she said. Asked when she thought the BBL should be passed, Ferrer said, “We were hoping talaga na before mag-close ulit ang Congress.” On Sunday, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the House ad hoc committee on the BBL, said he is optimistic that the House of Representatives can pass the bill with just four sessions days left before Congress adjourns sine die on Thursday.

Palace on Aquino’s endorsement: Will VP Binay continue anti-corruption reforms?

MANILA, June 10 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay may get President Benigno Aquino III’s endorsement in 2016, but only if he can convince the President that he can continue the administration’s anti-corruption reforms. At a briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President is clear on the qualities he is looking for in the presidential candidate he will endorse. “The President has mentioned kung ano yung qualities na kailangan bago siya mag-endorso: Somebody who will continue the reforms in ‘daang matuwid.’ Does a candidate follow that standard?” Lacierda said. Lacierda refused to comment further on Aquino’s endorsement for the 2016 presidential polls, saying doing so will be tantamount to speculating. “It’s far too early for us to say anything. It’s the prerogative of the President to make his choice, and until such time, everything will be speculation,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Binay, the opposition United Nationalist Alliance’s (UNA) presumptive standard-bearer in 2016, said he is not giving up hope that Aquino will endorse him for the presidential polls. Last month, however, Aquino said Interior Secretary Mar Roxas is “on top of the list” of his choices for his preferred presidential bets for the 2016 polls. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, a member of the ruling party and Aquino’s senior political adviser, has said that the President has given LP members the gosignal to go all out in supporting Roxas in his expected run for the presidency in 2016. Binay, a close family friend of the Aquinos and who defeated Roxas in the 2010 vice presidential race, is facing graft and plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged involvement in the supposed overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II during his stint as the city’s mayor. (MNS)

PHL’s poorest cling to wretched hospital deathbeds By Joel Guinto

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Wednesday 6/10/2015 – Paraplegic Venerando Acabal wriggles on a rust-eaten bed to soothe painful bed sores, in misery but also fearful that privatisation plans for the Philippines’ only bone hospital will rob him of his refuge. The state-run Philippine Orthopedic Centre, a cramped and dizzying maze of rickety stretchers that spill out of humid wards into dingy hallways, has treated tens of thousands of patients for free since it opened in 1945. But it is slated to close after a private firm last year won a contract to replace it with an expanded new facility, part of a multi-billiondollar privatization program by President Benigno Aquino’s administration. “If they kick me out of here, I have no choice but to go home and die in my house,” said 55-year-old carpenter Acabal, who has been bedridden at the hospital since breaking his back in a construction site accident four years ago. Despite wretched appearances, the hospital is much-loved by the poor as they can turn up, have complicated operations and stay for years even if they do not have any money. Of the nearly 7,000 patients treated last year, only two percent paid their bills in full, according to hospital records, and the facility’s chief is worried the charity will be severely curbed under private management. “It’s difficult to reconcile profitability and service to the poor,” hospital director Jose Brittanio Pujalte told AFP. “Our patients here are the poorest of the poor and they have nowhere else to go.” Profits versus poor The private operator, Megawide-World Citi, has a contract to run the hospital for 25 years from mid-2016 before having to hand it back to the government. It did not return requests from AFP seeking comment about how it would balance its need to make a return on its investment with the needs of the poor. When asked about the issue, the head of the Philippines’ privatization office, Cosette Canilao, said the new operators were contractually obliged to only charge full rates to 10 percent of patients. However she could not provide details on whether the remaining 90 percent would still be required to make some payments. Canilao emphasized that privatization was necessary to help upgrade the Philippines’ woefully underfunded health system.

“There is an urgent need for us to improve the health services for the public and one way of doing that is to take private partners,” said Canilao, executive director of the PrivatePublic Partnership (PPP) Centre. The developing nation of 100 million people spends half the global average on health as a percentage of gross domestic product, according to the World Health Organization. The country’s largest mental institution and a major hospital that serves provinces regularly hit by typhoons are also set to be privatized. Miserable refuge The hospital is undeniably in need of extra funds. Acabal, the carpenter, shares a squalid ward with no airconditioning with seven other men, all bare-chested to ease the discomfort from the summer heat. “I’m in pain all day from bed sores on my back. I go to sleep, wake up, and that wall is all I see,” he said, gasping for air, and with a faint whistle from an exposed breathing tube protruding from his throat. A far corner of the hallway has been transformed into a ward with rusty stretchers. On an adjacent ward, a boy with a metal brace on his leg wails in pain. A bunch of rosaries and dried flower garlands hang from a life-sized statue of Jesus Christ, which serves as a prayer sanctuary. Relatives watch over their loved ones, sprawled on the grimy concrete floor halfcovered with chipped vinyl tiles. Some spend the night on cardboard laid out on the pavement outside the hospital building. At the emergency room entrance, there is a chaotic but steady stream of patients arriving in wheelchairs and ambulances. Still, 40-year-old former security guard Randy Gonzaga, who is paralyzed from the waist down due to a tumor on his spine, does not want to be anywhere else. The father of five-year-old twin girls survived Super Typhoon Haiyan in his home province of Leyte in 2013 but discovered he had a tumor on his spine that same year. Gonzaga is selling purses made by his wife from his hospital bed to raise 60,000 pesos ($1,300) for a titanium implant that is required before surgery to remove the tumor. The hospital cannot afford the implant but it can provide the surgery, which could cost up to 200,000 pesos, for free. “I hope to have my tumor removed before the new owners come in. Otherwise, I have nowhere else to go,” he said.

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Who will Aquino anoint to be his successor? Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas is expecting President Aquino to anoint him next month as the administration’s presidential candidate in 2016. Senator Grace Poe, whose residency and citizenship status is being questioned by political leaders allied with Vice President Jejomar Binay, is also hoping for President Aquino’s endorsement. Even Vice President Binay, the opposition party’s presumptive presidential candidate, is also salivating about getting ential in Congress and Malacanang. the endorsement from Aquino. Binay He however refused to identify them. recently told the media that he is A recent news report stated that not giving up hope that President immigration officials received a huge Noynoy will ultimately pick him as “payoff from a Chinese \gambling next Philippine President. Binay has lord identified as Wang Bo, in exbeen a political and trusted ally of change for his freedom. Wang Bo, is the Aquinos. wanted in China for several criminal These three presidential wannabes offenses. He was being held at the BI are not actually keen on getting the jail and facing possible deportation. endorsement from President Aquino. The Chinese embassy in Manila was What they are really after is the huge asking for the repatriation of Wang campaign funds of the Liberal Party. Bo to China when he was released It is no secret that the Liberal Party by Immigration officials. of President Aquino has an unlimited The money supposedly extracted supply of logistics to mount an effec- from the Chinese gambling lord were tive presidential campaign and to buy reportedly given to several congressvotes for their presidential candidate. men allied with President Aquino to As of now, President Aquino’s ensure passage of the controversial endorsement for any person running Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the for a public office is a kiss of death. Lower House. The only good thing about being an Chinese embassy officials in MaAquino candidate is the access to an nila are claiming that Wang Bo was unlimited supply of campaign funds. able to bring in more than P91 billion • into the Philippines to expand his Newly appointed Custom Com- gambling racket. A congressional missioner Bert Lina must be working probe is now conducting an invesdouble time for him to raise enough tigation regarding allegations that money to bolster the chances of Presi- some lawmakers received money dent Noynoy’s candidates in 2016. from the “Wang Bo” payola. Former Custom Commissioner John *** Sevilla quit from his post for his helpPresident Aquino must have been lessness against influence peddlers. disappointed by the inability of the Sevilla said these influence ped- Lower House to vote on the BBL. dlers are well connected and influ- Even President Aquino’s allies in

Congress expressed strong opposition on the BBL as drafted by the palace. They must be thinking about a possible adverse reaction from voters on them come election day. Congress adjourned four days ago and will go on recess for more a month . Congressional leaders said no special sessions will be called to discuss the BBL. Hearing however will be conducted regarding allegations that some immigration officials and lawmakers received “grease money” from Chinese gambling lord Wang Bo. In the Senate, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr made good on his promise that he will not be pressured in railroading the approval of the BBL on its present draft as proposed by Malacanang. Marcos is the head of the Senate panel dissecting the provisions of the BBL. Marcos told the media that he cannot accept the BBL as drafted by the palace because of its constitutional infirmities. Marcos stand against the BBL in its present form, has the support of most of the Senators. There were reports coming out in the papers that Senator Marcos might be the presidential candidate

of the Nacionalista Party of Senator and real estate magnate Manny Villar. Marcos has already given hints that he might run for the presidency next year. If I were Senator Marcos, I will just team up with Mayor Duterte and run as Vice President. It will be a good combination and both of them will have a good chance of winning it all. While Duterte will have the Solid South, particularly the Mindanao area, Senator Marcos will be banking on the support of the Ilocanos from the north, which is regions 1 and 2.

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The value of a Medicare broker

In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital (computer) world, you can do almost anything and everything by yourself. If you plan to take a trip, you buy your tickets online. If you want to fix the house, you go to a Loewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and get a Do-ItYourself (D-I-Y) kit. If you need anything, search online, type your credit card info, and a week later the goods are on your doorsteps. Everything is made easy! Medicare members on their benefits. To a Millennial or a Gen X-er, this Get educated on Medicare thru may be. But, to a Baby-Boomer or a a broker. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free (generally). You Traditionalist, there may be quite a will get help enrollment in a plan (if struggle. needed). And what is more, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get And, it is not only a generation issue. needed services later on navigating the It may also be a subject issue. intricacies of Medicare â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as you get Take for example the case of Medi- medical and other healthcare services care. from your providers and God forbid, as Medicare is a law enacted in 1965. you get entangled in claims-processing It has not been static. There have been problems with your private health inchanges wrought to conform to the cur- surance carrier. rent needs. The changes have become Besides, your licensed broker gets complicated. Many members have not updates on Medicare every now and kept updated. then. They get new information mostly There are approximately 60 million from their General Agents (GA) and Americans on Medicare today. Mem- health insurance carriers theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re conbers have options. There are benefits tracted with. And, if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re resourceful that they are entitled to, but are not and invest in knowledge, from trade aware of. publications and industry conferences. Medicare is primarily an insurance If you need help, you may call at matter. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 323-535-7373 or e-mail at: leo.balita@ while theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the healthcare market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; gmail.com. they are not licensed to provide advice Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. on Medicare and what Medicare health Cruz, Zambales. He studied for his plan members should opt in to. In fact, MBA and Law at the University of the CMS rules prohibit them from leading Philippines. He worked for UNILAB a Medicare member to a particular where his last position held was viceplan. This is a domain reserved by the president assigned as general manager state to licensed health brokers who of a division. He holds CA license # are required to pass exams and secure 0G55218 and a Non-Resident license E & O insurance to be able to advise for Nevada.

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Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sleep? Eat less to curb insomniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effects Sunday June 7 2015 (Relaxnews) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Eating less late at night could be key to feeling more alert and being able to concentrate despite sleep deprivation, according to a new study. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adults consume approximately 500 additional calories during late-night hours when they are sleep restricted,â&#x20AC;? says senior author David F. Dinges, PhD, director of the Unit for Experimental Psychiatry and chief of the division of Sleep and Chronobiology. Working with 44 participants between the ages of 21 and 50, the researchers gave them unlimited, â&#x20AC;&#x153;free-rangeâ&#x20AC;? access to food and beverages during the day, but capped their sleep at just four hours for three consecutive nights. On the fourth night, 24 of the participants were given access to nothing but water between 10:00 PM and their 4:00 AM bedtime, while the remaining 20 continued free-range access to nourishment. At 2:00 AM each day, the researchers assessed participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; working memory, cognitive skills, sleepiness, stress level and mood. On the fourth night, participants who had fasted performed better on the tests, specifically in the domains of reaction time and concentration than their free-range counterparts. Meanwhile, the free-rangers showed attention lapses and slow reaction times, according to the study, which will be presented at SLEEP 2015, the 29th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC. Hailing from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, this same research team conducted the 2013study concluding that those with late

To minimize the effects of insomnia, avoid that trip to the fridge on nights when you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sleep, a new study suggests. ÂŠconrado/ shutterstock.com

bedtimes and chronic sleep deprivation eat more than others and gain weight easily. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Short sleep duration is a significant risk factor for weight gain and obesity, particularly in African Americans and men,â&#x20AC;? says senior author Dr. Namni Goel. Dr. Goel and associates concluded in a related study that individuals reduce their calorie intake to compensate for the reduced morning resting metabolism that is the result of sleep deprivation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This research suggests that reducing the number of calories consumed can help prevent that weight gain and some of the health issues associated with obesity in Caucasians and particularly in African Americans.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Female Viagraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gets green light from US expert panel By Jean-Louis Santini

Washington, United States (AFP) Thursday 6/4/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A US advisory panel on Thursday urged regulators to approve a drug nicknamed the â&#x20AC;&#x153;female Viagraâ&#x20AC;? because it could help increase womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sex drive. If the US Food and Drug Administration gives flibanserin the go-ahead, it would be the first drug on the market to boost female libido. The FDA is not required to follow the advice of the panel, but it often does. The experts voted 18-6 in favor of allowing the drug on the market, but with some additional risk-control measures to make sure doctors prescribe it only to patients who need it and that women are aware of the risks. Flibanserin, which is aimed at premenopausal women, can have significant side effects including nausea, dizziness and sleepiness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The treatment effects are numerically small,â&#x20AC;? said doctor Christina Chang, speaking to the panelists on behalf of the FDA, asking the committee to weigh in on the evidence of benefits and risks in women studied. Safety concerns include sleepiness, fainting, low blood pressure and the potential for hormonal contraceptives and alcohol use to make side effects worse, Chang said. Experts at the hearing also raised questions about the possibility for the treatment to be used as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;date-rape drugâ&#x20AC;? and the increased risk of breast cancer seen in one of two studies on lab animals. But during the public comment period, women who had taken the drug said the

benefits were considerable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am one of the lucky 11,000 women that was a patient on the flibanserin clinical trial,â&#x20AC;? said Amanda Parrish, who said she lost desire for sex with her husband, and their marriage had suffered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What a relationship-saving eight months that was. As if the light switch had been turned on, so was I.â&#x20AC;? Two attempts at bringing the drug to market have already failed in 2010 and 2013, given what experts described as inconclusive advantages when compared to a placebo. After it was initially rejected by the FDA, flibanserin was sold by its developer, the German laboratory Boehringer Ingelheim, to a US firm called Sprout Pharmaceuticals. According to documents on the FDA website, women taking flibanserin reported on average 4.4 sexually satisfying encounters per month, compared to 3.7 in a placebo group and 2.7 before beginning the study. The difference between flibanserin and a sugar pill was deemed statistically insignificant in 2010 after a debate among the committee members which included seven women and four men. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What I know is that flibanserin, taken each night worked for me, and worked for my marriage,â&#x20AC;? said Parrish. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me the effects were not modest, but significant.â&#x20AC;? Among the six who voted against the approval, concerns included negative interactions with alcohol, risks such as fainting and low blood pressure, the drugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minimal effectiveness and the lack of long-term data on safety.

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ENTERTAINMENT JC speaks up on breakup with LJ Reyes Actor JC de Vera clarified that he and actress LJ Reyes were never officially together but confirmed that they have stopped seeing each other. This after the actress announced her breakup with de Vera in an interview although she did not give details as to when or why it happened. At a press conference for the concert “Dreamboys” with Daniel Matsunaga and Matteo Guidicelli at the Music Museum, De Vera said he believes it was not just the right time for the relationship. In fact, De Vera said the reason he moved to ABS-CBN back in 2013 was to further his career. “’Yun talaga ang main purpose ko – to work, to earn, magbaon ng madaming projects sa future. I have to set yung mga priorities ko straight. So hindi ko naman pwedeng sisihin ang schedule ko kung bakit nangyayari ang bagay-bagay. Ako

kasi ang may gusto nito. Siguro hindi lang talaga time,” de Vera said. “Napunta kami sa stage na pinaguusapan na namin on how to fix things, kung paano ‘yung adjustments, kung paano ‘yung gagawin namin together,” he admitted. “Ayaw kong sabihin na walang time kasi nag-put naman ako ng effort sa oras na ‘yon kapag wala akong trabaho. Pero ‘yun nga like I said pareho kaming may kanya-kanyang priorities. I think hindi lang talaga siya nag-match. At ako ang nag-decide to stop,” he said. Pressed if he was the one who broke up with Reyes, De Vera said: “Walang confirmation about the relationship. ‘Yung part na ‘yon gusto ko siyang i-keep ng private kasi si LJ napakabait naman na tao. Ayaw kong madagdagan ‘yung kahit ano pang isyu tungkol sa kanya.” Despite what happened, De Vera said

Marian Rivera wants to have many kids If she has her way, actress Marian Rivera wants to have as many kids as she can. “Hanggang kaya ko, mas marami, mas masaya. Kasi solong anak lang ako kay mama at papa, so gusto ko mas marami,” Rivera said in an interview. Meanwhile, Rivera, who is now fourmonths pregnant, said she doesn’t mind if she will have a baby girl or boy. “Kahit ano wala akong pinipili basta healthy siya, okay na ako,” added the actress, who is looking forward to a normal delivery. The actress said they haven’t pick out the name of their baby but shared that that she would want the names Maria and Jose as part of the baby’s name. “Ang gusto ko talaga kapag babae ay palaging may Maria. Kapag lalaki palaging may Jose, pero first name lang ‘yon. Kasi ako Maria, si Dong ay Jose. At least gusto ko may ganoon, Maria and Jose,” she said. Rivera married Dantes last December 30 at Immaculate Concepcion Church in Cubao, Quezon City.(MNS)

Kathryn’s mother enraged over fake photo scandal Min Bernardo, the mother of teen superstar Kathryn Bernardo, vented her frustration on Twitter over the spread of fake nude photos of her daughter online. She said, unedited: “Happy ba kayo sa mga ginagawa nyo?? Ano ba napapala nyo, kumikiTa at sumisikat siguro kayo??Ano naman ang susunod?? Sana huag kayong makarma” The post was re-tweeted over 6,000 times with 7,000 favorites. Former actress Karla Estrada, the mother of Bernardo’s onscreen partner Daniel Padilla, similarly called out those responsible for spreading the fake “scandal.” “Wala tayong makukuhang respeto sa taong walang respeto sa sarili,” said Estrada, who has developed a close relationship with Bernardo. “Tandaan mo digital na karma ngayon... Ingat!” The fake photos of Bernardo came after the pilot week of her new teleserye “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” in which she co-stars with Padilla, Jodi Sta. Maria, Angelica Panganiban and Ian Veneracion. (MNS)

Marian Rivera

he is still hoping that he and Reyes could be friends. “Since nag-decide ako to stop, hindi na ulit kami nakapagkita at since tumanggap ako ng madaming trabaho. I think ‘yun muna ang path na pupuntahan ko is to focus muna on work and to enjoy kung ano man ang mayroon ako sa career ko ngayon habang tumatagal pa. Sana maging okay pa just in case na magkita kami,” he said. De Vera admitted dating Reyes in January. At the time, the “Halik sa Hangin” star said they had only been going out for two months. (MNS)

LJ Reyes

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FOOD & DINING FAMILY FEATURES

armer weather, longer days and smells of sizzling meat on the grill can only mean one thing — summer has officially arrived. As you gear up for the season of backyard barbeques and spontaneous weekend getaways, don’t let the cost of summer entertaining take a toll on your wallet. Consider stopping at ALDI, where you can find a variety of fresh produce and high quality cuts of grill-ready meat for up to 50 percent less* than traditional grocers, so you can spend less on your grocery bill and more on making summer memories last all year long. Sizzle into summer with these tasty tips and techniques that will make cookouts, road trips and impromptu pool parties mouthwatering for less:  Less Flipping, More Grilling: When grilling for that backyard barbeque, don’t make the mistake of constantly lifting the lid on your grill. Every time you lift the lid, you lose smoke, which will make your meat less flavorful!  Make More Time for Fun: Keep recipes simple so you can join the party and avoid getting stuck in the kitchen. Sometimes all you need for big flavor is to infuse simple spices into your meals. Whip up a quick dry rub with common spices like cumin, chili powder, oregano and peppercorns, and use when grilling meat, fish and even veggies.  Put a Fresh Twist on Comfort Foods: Add a twist to your barbeque staple foods to make your dish stand out. Stuff your burgers with jalapeño slices and cheddar cheese or top them off with unique flavors like pineapple, avocado or kiwi. It’s fun to mix and match different flavor combinations, and ALDI carries everything from organic grass fed beef to fresh pineapple.  Keep It Cool in the Sun: Have homemade freezer pops in your freezer for impromptu pool parties and neighborhood slip and slides. Mix up this traditional summer treat by

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combining a classic fruit flavor with an exotic one. Coconut flakes, cilantro or honey will add a unique spin on a classic snack. Bring Adventure Home: Travel to a new city without going further than your local ALDI. Just switch up your go-to recipes with some regional flavors like Texas BBQ ribs or Chicago deep dish pizza. Follow the ALDI Summer Starts Here virtual road trip series for regional recipes, tips and tricks on the ALDI Simply Smarter Living Blog.

Looking for more inspiration? These easyto-make recipes will help you get ready for summer. Visit www.aldi.us for more seasonal ideas. * Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores.

Lemon Pesto Mason Jar Pasta Salad $3.61 per serving at ALDI Recipe Courtesy of Chef Scott, ALDI Test Kitchen Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Servings: Two 16-ounce mason jars Pesto: 1/2 cup fresh parsley 1/2 cup Little Salad Bar Flat Leaf Spinach 1/4 cup grated Priano Asiago Cheese Wedge 1/4 cup Carlini Pure Olive Oil 6 tablespoons Southern Grove Cashew Halves, chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons Stonemill Essentials Minced Garlic in

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Olive Oil 1/2 lemon, zested and juiced Stonemill Essentials Iodized Salt, to taste Stonemill Essentials Ground Black Pepper, to taste Salad: 1/4 cup SimplyNature Organic Diced Tomatoes 1/4 cup Tuscan Garden Large Pitted Ripe Olives, chopped 4 ounces Happy Harvest Mushroom Stems & Pieces, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup Kirkwood Grilled Chicken Strips, diced 2 cups cooked Reggano Tri-Color Pasta 1/4 cup grated Priano Asiago Cheese Wedge For the Pesto: In a food possessor, combine parsley, spinach, 1/4 cup Asiago cheese, olive oil, cashews and garlic. Pulse until fully incorporated. Add lemon juice and zest, season with salt and pepper to taste. To assemble: Pour pesto into the bottom of a 1-quart mason jar, add tomatoes, olives, mushrooms and chicken. Top with pasta, and remaining cheese.

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Hand-Held Snacks Keep your road trip simple and pack finger food snacks that can easily be taken on the go. Quesadillas are quick to make for grab and go meals, and taste great with a combination of sweet and savory flavors.  Experiment with fun flavors like ricotta cheese and strawberries; sweet potatoes and black beans; or blueberries and cream cheese.  Make batches ahead of time and have on-hand for when the kids get hungry. Just heat and serve for a simple snack.  Incorporate fresh spices and produce to keep variations fun and unique all summer long.

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SPORTS

SEA Games: No flagging as Cray clinches second gold By Stefanus Ian

Singapore, Singapore (AFP) Wednesday 6/10/2015 – Eric Cray shrugged off an embarrassing error involving the Filipino flag on Wednesday as he clinched his second SEA Games gold in two days in the men’s 400m hurdles. The US-based runner was sporting an upside-down Filipino flag on his vest, which officially means the country is at war, when he won the 100m in 10.25sec on Tuesday. But a day later Cray, 26, got both his flag and his performance right as he clocked a Games record of 49.40 to win the hurdles from Quach Cong Lich of Vietnam. Cray wasn’t the only Filipino to wear an upside-down flag on Tuesday, with 100m women’s winner Kayla Richardson also caught out. It is unclear who was responsible for the error. But Cray said the inverted flags were hurriedly covered up or re-stamped, and he apologized to his fellow countrymen for the mistake at the tournament in Singapore. “We don’t make the jerseys so there was nothing we can do about it, but just tell our fellow Filipinos and Filipinas that we are sorry that we didn’t recognize it beforehand and it won’t happen again,” he said.

“We have fixed them since then, either cover them up or stamp a new flag on it. This was actually fixed correctly.” Cray added: “We just got them (the running vests) the day we got here so there was no time for inspection of them. We are just so excited to be here we forgot about inspecting them.” Cray, 26, began representing the Philippines in 2011 and he has already qualified for next year’s Olympics in the 400m hurdles after running a personal best of 49.12 last month. “I feel great, good time, second-fastest time of my life,” he said after Wednesday’s race, setting his sights on the August world championships in Beijing. “I just want to progress over here and go to world champs and hopefully make the final and hopefully bring a medal home.” Hosts Singapore had something to cheer when Veronica Shanti Pereira won their first women’s 200m gold medal in 42 years, beating the Philippines’ Richardson into second. Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Huyen won the women’s 400m hurdles, also in a Games record time of 56.15, and Indonesia’s Maria Londa won the women’s long jump

Olympic-bound Filipino-American Eric Cray swept to 100m victory at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Tuesday as he led a Filipino-American assault on the athletics competition. Cray, who will represent the Philippines at next year’s Olympics in the 400m hurdles, switched to 100m but easily won with a personal best of 10.25sec. (Photo posted on Facebook bearing Eric Cray’s name)

with a leap of 6.70m. Agus Prayogo of Indonesia won the men’s 10,000m in 29:41.56 and Duong Van Thai and Do Thi Thao scored a men’s and women’s 800m double for Vietnam. Thailand dominated the throwing events, with Promrob Juntima winning

the men’s shot put with 17.47m and Natta Nachan taking the women’s javelin with a throw of 54.38m. In the decathlon, Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Hue dethroned Filipino defending champion Jesson Ramil Cid to take the gold medal.

SEA Games: PHL’s Stuart smashes hammer record to strike gold Singapore, Singapore (AFP) Tuesday 6/9/2015 – The Philippines’ Caleb Stuart smashed the SEA Games hammer record by more than three metres (10 feet) to win gold as the athletics competition got underway on Tuesday. Stuart’s 65.63m was half-ametre short of his personal best, but still obliterated the 2013 record of 62.23 set by Thailand’s Tantipong Phetchaiya, who took silver with 62.12. The women’s record also fell as Thai thrower Mingkamon Koomphon heaved 56.57 to clinch gold on the opening morning at Singapore’s National Stadium. Stuart, one of a group of Filipino-Americans who look set to

star in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games athletics, will now look to add shot put gold on Wednesday. “I want to put in the same amount of effort I did today and go for my personal best in the shot put event tomorrow,” Stuart told The Straits Times. “My goal is to reach world class level but I am not there yet.” The 24-year-old is still some way off this year’s longest hammer throw, 82.76 set by Poland’s Pawel Fajdek. Fellow Filipino-American Eric Cray led the men’s 100m heats with a personal best of 10.28sec, despite easing off at the finish, and will be favourite in the final later on Tuesday.

Philippines’ Stuart John Christian #136 champion and new SEA Games record holder in the men hammer throw with an effort of 65.63m. Photo by Singapore Athletics as posted on Caleb Stuart’s Facebook Page

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COMMUNITY Unboxing love with Kris Aquino and LBC The Queen of All Media started delivering the ‘padama’ when LBC surprised media by sending ‘padala’ to celebrate her launch as their first celebrity brand endorser Manila, Philippines - In an event titled From LBC to the World, With Love, Kris Aquino was recently launched as the first celebrity brand endorser of LBC Express, Inc., the leading courier service, logistics and money remittance provider in the Philippines. Just as Kris’ every step continues to capture the collective imagination of the Filipino people wherever they are, LBC brings the “padama” in every “padala” with 4,400 branches, partners, and agents in more than 20 countries. Before the event, guests were asked to name their favorite city and if they thoughtfully did, they would receive a box full of goodies representing that city - a curated mix of signature delicacies, curios, and fun stuff. Some of the surprised guests were lucky enough to receive their packages the morning after the event. Two weeks later, happy guests are still posting their boxes full of treats from around the world. To highlight LBC’s global presence, employees from as far as Italy, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America personally greeted Kris Aquino through a wall-to-wall panoramic screen in The Eye at Green Sun. A high-energy video montage of employees around the world dancing also entertained the excited crowd. What can be expected when two of the most recognizable Filipino names join

forces for a night of food, drinks, games, and prizes? A night of fun and revelry. The launch was headlined by Kris, and she was joined by Santiago G. Araneta, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; Miguel A. Camahort, Chief Operating Officer; and Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Araneta, the founders of the courier service in 1952. Guests and VIPs were treated to food by Chef Margarita Fores that reflected both LBC and Kris’ global presence. Fores created tailor-made courses inspired by the shores of the Philippines, like the roast Bacolod-style lechon stuffed with Cerveza Negra and mango tamarind, to Italy’s fresh fettuccine tossed in parmigiano-reggiano wheel, Spain’s paella valenciana, Hong Kong’s star-anise braised pork belly, and Japan’s sustainable tuna and salmon sashimi. To make the event more fun, attendees were asked to tweet their dream gift using the hashtag #LBCPadalaPlease. Some tweeted for the latest gadgets, while others wished for a love life. Several members of the press were also asked to play the Box or Cash game where they were asked to choose an LBC box, and to decide whether they want the mystery gift or P10,000 in cash. Most chose their box, with the players winning an iPad Air 2, GoPro Hero 4, Samsung Galaxy S6, an LED television, a refrigerator, a Samsung tablet, a plunger, or a watermelon. One player selected the P10,000, losing a Nikon D5300 camera. But the delectable food was not enough to keep everyone’s excitement from finding out the secret celebrity brand endorser.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Araneta, the founders of LBC Express in 1952, enjoys a Champagne toast with CEO Santi Araneta, Kris Aquino, Marta Araneta, and Ronda Pilipinas founder Dino Araneta at From LBC to the World with Love, the launch of Kris Aquino as LBC’s first celebrity brand endorser.

As the lights dimmed and conversations fell into a hush, photos of Kris appeared on the panoramic screen, filling the room with her presence. It was followed by the airing of LBC’s two newest commercials, which showed how Kris is present all over the world. The humorous clips showing Kris popping up from books, posters, and online ads proved that both LBC and Kris are a part of every Filipino’s life. “LBC simplifies life because there are certain products that I need to purchase that are just available in the United States,” shared Kris when she entered. “We’re building a new house and a lot of my kitchen supplies are coming in via LBC. There are boxes as big as me, so you can expect na pupunuin ko ‘yun.” The Flippin’ Soul Stompers heightened the party atmosphere with their soulful rendition of the Reel 2 Real classic “I Like To Move It” while Kris Aquino shared the stage with the Aranetas, who came to sup-

port the launch. A Champagne parade was held to celebrate this partnership. With the partnership of LBC and Kris Aquino, more and more Filipinos will feel the love from their relatives abroad, no matter the distance. They will continue their commitment that there is “padama sa bawat padala.” About LBC Express LBC Express, Inc. was founded in the 1950’s as a brokerage and air cargo agent. Now the largest Express Courier, Cargo, and Money Remittance Service Company in the Philippines, LBC also provides its services in over 18 countries worldwide. For more than 60 years, LBC has been moving lives, business and communities for the global Filipino, providing hasslefree delivery via air, land, and sea – from cash remittances to payment solutions, from simple parcels and packages to container loads for corporate logistics. We like to move it.

Triumphs, positive developments highlights of 117th PHL Independence Date rites in DC WASHINGTON, D.C. – In commemoration of the 117th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. looked back at major triumphs of the Philippines in the past year and honored outstanding Filipinos who have made significant contributions in raising the country’s profile in the United States. “There is much to celebrate in terms of developments in the country, and this year’s Independence Day celebration is an opportunity to reflect on what the Philippines has achieved,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. during the Embassy’s Vin d’Honneur on 11 June 2015 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. In his remarks, Ambassador Cuisia welcomed guests to the Independence Day celebration by recalling significant milestones of the Philippines in the past year. The envoy cited the country’s continuous positive economic trajectory, improvement in the recently-published Rule of Law Index of the World Justice Project, and the good governance platform of the Aquino Administration as reasons for celebration. In a message to the Filipino community in the United States, Ambassador Cuisia noted, “This year’s theme, Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot Kamay na ng Bayan highlights our cumulative efforts to improve the quality of life of every Filipino even in the face of

daunting challenges.” “These triumphs are a tribute to our bayanihan spirit and resiliency as a people, and to our country’s positive transformation which the international community has welcomed with renewed confidence and hope,” added the Ambassador. The Vin d’Honneur was also a celebration of the strong ties between the Philippines and the United States. “The friendship between the Philippines and the US has deep historical roots, which include fighting side by side in wars for liberation. We are pleased that this friendship has continued to grow, with the US having the second largest tourism arrivals in the Philippines last year and the US consistently ranking as one of the top three trading partners of the Philippines for decades,” said Ambassador Cuisia. “The most personal aspect of our relationship, however, is the Filipino community in the US. With close to 3.4 million Filipinos, we represent the 4th largest immigrant group in the US,” added Ambassador Cuisia. Two Filipinos who have called the US their home yet strongly embody the bayanihan spirit were honored during the Vin d’Honneur – Dr. Conrado Gempesaw, President of St. John’s University and the first layperson to lead the Catholic university, and Rear Admiral Babette Bolivar, one of the highest-ranking Filipino-Americans in the US Navy.

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Rising mortgage interest rates may affect your timing in buying real estate When the Federal Reserve stopped buying Treasury bonds last fall, experts predicted interest rates would rise, sparking a sense of urgency among prospective homebuyers to take advantage of historically low rates before it is too late. Now the rise in interest rates â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also predicted in 2014, but not realized as the Fed eased off on bond buying â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is looking more certain. Interest rates, however, should not be the primary factor that determines when you purchase a home. For most buyers, other factors are much more impor- and cost of ownership, If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thinking tant. Rather than buy now for fear that rates about buying a home, selling it in two years might suddenly increase, for example, it and think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to shoot up in value, might be smart to wait so you can save up think again. You should have bought in a bigger down payment. 2008 or 2009. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to buy a home, 2015 Job security. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to buy could be a good year. The inventory of a home and then discover youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to homes for sale is likely to rise and fewer relocate to get a new job in six months or, flippers are scooping up the best homes even worse, end up unemployed and unable with all-cash deals. to make payments. Lenders typically like For most prospective homebuyers, other to see two years of job history, though that factors are likely to be more important than isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always necessary if you have changed interest rates when they do the math about jobs within the same field. whether 2015 is the right year to buy. Down payment. Fannie Mae and FredIf you can afford a down payment now die Mac have announced plans to back and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be in the home a long loans with down payments as low as 3 period of time, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very attractive time percent, while the Federal Housing Adminto buy a home. But be cautions buyers istration offers loans with down payments against making their decision based on of as little as 3.5 percent. But if you put what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard about imminent inter- less than 20 percent down, you have to pay est rate increases. Rates are still relatively private mortgage insurance every month, low now and but not for long, i suggest which could cost you more than a slightly for you to assess if you should buy or sell higher interest rate. If you apply for an now to buy. FHA mortgage, paying PMI is a lifetime Here are some factors that may be more proposition. With a conventional mortimportant than interest rates when deciding gage, you can ask to have the PMI removed whether to buy a home this year. once you have 20 percent equity in your Length of time youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay in that home. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not possible with an FHA home. How long you have to live in a home mortgage. Also Conventional loans now to make it more economical than renting offer 5% down with no PMI are responsible varies by locality and, in fact, by the indi- for all the utilities, repairs, upgrades and vidual home a person is considering buying you will probably want to spend on newer or renting. On average, it takes four years furniture. to break even on a home, where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Financial readiness. Before you buy got enough appreciation where it can pay a home, you want to make sure you you back for the cost of the transaction have good credit, a steady income and

3 in I loan modification scam guilty RIVERSIDE, California â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A federal jury today convicted three defendants who worked at a Rancho Cucamonga business that offered bogus loan modification programs to thousands of financially distressed homeowners who lost more than $7 million when they paid for services, including loan modifications, that were never provided.The three Southland residents found guilty today of federal fraud charges were associated with a telemarketing operation known under a series of names â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including 21st Century Legal Services, Inc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that bilked more than 4,000 homeowners across the nation, many of whom lost their homes to foreclosure. The defendants found guilty today are: Christopher Paul George, 45, Rancho Cucamonga, a co-owner of 21th Century, who was found guilty of one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution, three counts of wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, and one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud; Crystal Taiwana Buck, 40, of Long Beach, a sales â&#x20AC;&#x153;closer,â&#x20AC;? who was convicted of three counts of mail fraud; and Albert DiRoberto, 62, of Fullerton, who handled both sales and marketing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which included making a commercial for 21th Century and preparing talking points to respond to negative publicity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and who was found guilty of one count of mail fraud affecting a financial institution and two counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution. As a result of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guilty verdicts, George faces a statutory maximum sentence of 170 years in federal prison, Buck faces a statutory maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison, and DiRoberto faces a statutory maximum sentence of 90 years in federal prison. All three defendants are

scheduled to be sentenced on August 31 by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips. With todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guilty verdicts, a total of 11 defendants linked to 21st Century have been convicted of federal fraud charges as a result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; IRS - Criminal Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP); and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General. During an 18-month period that began in the middle of 2008, a Rancho Cucamonga woman â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Andrea Ramirez, 47, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud â&#x20AC;&#x201C; operated 21st Century, which defrauded financially distressed homeowners by making false promises and guarantees regarding 21st Centuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to negotiate loan modifications for homeowners. Employees of 21st Century made numerous misrepresentations to victims during the course of the scheme, including falsely telling victims that 21st Century was operating a loan modification program sponsored by the United States government. Victims were generally instructed to stop communicating with their mortgage lenders and to cease making their mortgage payments. George was a co-owner of 21st Century who acted as a sales manager for the company, and ran his own sales office there for several months. George instructed 21st Century employees to make misrepresentations to distressed homeowners, including guaranteeing that 21st Century would obtain loan modifications and telling homeowners that payments made to 21st Century would go towards homeownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mortgages.

some money in the bank beyond what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need for a down payment. You likely will have to pay a yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of homeowners insurance and property taxes up front. All homes, even new homes, require maintenance. And you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be stuck with no reserves if the air conditioner or furnace dies shortly after you move in. Your local housing market. In California with rental rates rising, buying a home is significantly cheaper than renting. In others, the calculation is less clear. Macro math aside, you might also discover that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford a home in a neighborhood

you want or the type of home you want is in short supply this year. Thanks for all your inquiries, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance at 562508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon. net. Thank you. Emotional readiness. Not everyone is ready to own a home. If your dream is to travel the world, you should do that first. Or, you might not be sure you want to stay in your current city. Plus, homeownership brings additional responsibilities. Your life changes a great deal when you go from being a renter to an owner now.

S&P confirms US credit rating at AA+ Washington, United States (AFP) Wednesday 6/10/2015 - 22:03 GMT | 328 words Standard &amp; Poorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confirmed the US credit rating at AA+ on Wednesday, saying debt levels remained high and policy-making weak, four years after it cut the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-level triple-A rating. S&amp;P recognized the return to strength of the US economy and efforts to bring down debt levels that shot up in the 2008 financial crisis. But it said net general government debt remains at a high 80 percent of GDP, a level that will hold through 2018 but then begin to rise again. And it cited a looming new political battle over the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debt ceiling as creating uncertainty for economic pollicy. Political gridlock over raising the debt ceiling â&#x20AC;&#x201C; necessary to fund government â&#x20AC;&#x201C; was the issue that forced the August 5, 2011 downgrade which lost Washington its AAA rating for the first time in history. The same issue led to a short shutdown of the government in October 2013 that raised further questions about the economy and governance. S& P cited both as reasons for not restoring a top rating to the US on Wednesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A high level of general government debt as well as a lack of political cohesion among the main parties in Congress â&#x20AC;&#x201C; resulting in comparatively short-term-oriented policymaking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; constrain the ratings,â&#x20AC;? S&P said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The AA+ rating already factors in our view that US elected officials are less able to react swiftly and effectively to public finance pressures than are officials of some more highly rated sovereigns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It includes the prospect that debates over raising the debt ceiling could be protracted and difficult.â&#x20AC;? While the agency said it expects, as before, that the ceiling gets raised so the government can fund its chronic budget gap, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it has been our long-held view that debate poses a risk to the economy.â&#x20AC;? S&P added that the rating could be raised back to AAA â&#x20AC;&#x153;if we see evidence of successful bipartisan efforts around fiscal policy decisions, or a pronounced decline in the general government debt burden.â&#x20AC;?

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LIVE-IN CAREGIVER Board & Care looking for caregiver, live-in 5 to 6 days a week. (323) 658-7660.

CAREGIVER NEEDED For RCFE. Full-Time No experience Necessary. We will train. Call (714) 531-1157.

CAREGIVER Medical background but not required. For 6 bed facility. Call Loretta at 818-422-7667. Thousand Oaks area.

CAREGIVERS Caregivers needed today as soon as possible. Irvine Cottages / Memory Care. Assisted Living or Board& Care experienced req'd. Full-time & part-time live-in female & male. 949-633-1595 or 949-533-1136.

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LIVE-IN CAREGIVER Female / Male, driving, experience preferred. Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Diamond Bar, Pasadena. Call 818-518-0463; 818-9215232.

LIVE-IN CAREGIVER Live-in caregiver full-time. 5 days a week. For a 3 bed board and care facility in Cerritos area. With or w/out experience. Pls call 562864-7814.

CAREGIVER/DRIVER Adult Care staff needed. Couple live-in. full-time, part-time. Whittier area. 626-839-5212 or 909247-4987.

IMMEDIATE HIRING Preferred live-in female caregiver for board & care facility. No experience needed, we will train. Pls call Flora 562-929-2811.

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

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HOLLYWOOD APT. Single $1000. Furnished: Refrigerator, gas stove & microwave oven, bed, sofa, table, chairs & cabinet. Free utils. Remote control parking. One person only. No pets allowed. Pls call Rolly at 213-3849788. ROOM FOR RENT Female preferred in Reseda. Non smoking. $575/ mo. Call or text 818-5347866.

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ROOMS FOR RENT Free utilities in a gated house. Close to bus stop, school, Supermarket. Nice area in LA, Oakwood Ave./ Kingsley Ave. For details call 213-369-9277; 213369-1549. ROOM-NORTH HILL $575/mo. furnished, free utilities, cable & internet. Near Seafood market Nordhoff branch. Welcome students, caregivers & single female. Call 818693-1358.

ROOM FOR RENT Available now. Nice area in LA- Filipino town. Near bus stop, & Filipino restaurant, hospitals. Gated. Female only. Pls make an appmt asap to see the room 626-991-8336 Salamat po.

W. VAN NUYS - ROOM In a house, nice neighborhood, w/ swimming pool. Very accessible to bus line, free utils. Female pref'd. No pets & no smoking. (818) 635-1477 or (818) 757-3671 or lv msg.

ROOM FOR RENT Granada Hills bet Woodley & Devonshire. $650 inld utils, cable. Clean & quiet, near frwy, bus stop. Preferably single female nonsmoker, no pets & alcohol. 818-217-5917.

ROOM FOR RENT For one female only. W/ private entry & bathroom, furnished, utils incld. Located in a residential area, close to market & bus stop. Cor Sunset Bl. $500/mo. Call 213-483-3711, cell 323-327-6898.

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PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail)

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

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New survey: Firms losing business opportunities by not engaging Asian, Pacific Islander workers Survey finds that despite improvements, companies should do more to engage APAs by involving employees in strategic decisions and offering more growth opportunities. NEW YORK, June 8, 2015 – Asia Society today issued the 2015 Asian Pacific Americans Corporate Survey at the Diversity Leadership Forum in New York. The study, now in its sixth year, surveys employees from Fortune 500-level companies across different industries to measure how APAs perceive their employers and to learn more about the Asian Pacific American (APA) workforce. “The world’s leading companies know the vital role the Asia Pacific consumer and workforce leaders will play in their future,” said Josette Sheeran, President and CEO of Asia Society. “Yet, there is a critical gap in knowledge about the growth, development

and advancement of this group.” The survey findings indicate that compared to 2014, APAs see employers more favorably across every category. The greatest year-over-year improvement was in “APA Market Opportunity,” which tracks APA employee involvement in market strategy. 84% of APA employees responded favorably, a jump of 23% from 2014. Despite the improvement, findings across the survey reveal that APAs are still not fully brought into strategic conversations. While 99% of surveyed APA employees report they really care about the success of their companies, not all feel fully engaged. 86% of employees at top performing companies felt that their company encouraged the participation of APA employees in market/business development activities. At other companies, only 65% of employees on average felt encouraged. The 21% gap between top performers and others represents lost business opportunities and lower employee retention rates. Lack of engagement of APA leaders also

manifests itself in company board makeup. 34% of employees at top performing companies report inadequate APA representation on the company’s board of directors versus 57% at other companies. The area with largest room for improvement was “Professional Growth.” 24% of all APA employees declared themselves not favorable about their company in that category. In fact, professional growth is identified as one of the top engagement drivers among respondents. When asked what drives them to give their fullest at work, APA employees responded that their three biggest drivers are 1) work-life balance, 2) professional growth, and 3) diversity and employee resource groups (ERGs). One of the survey’s most surprising findings was the universal support for ERGs among APA employees, with 99% of respondents favorable towards these groups. Initially formed as supportive affinity groups for individuals sharing common interests, ERGs have since evolved

into channels for company leadership to personally interact with, and identify, high potential APAs whom they might never have met otherwise. The findings indicate that employers should explore the use these groups as a way to further engage APA talent.

California water consumption drops Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Wednesday 6/3/2015 – Water consumption dropped 13.5 percent in California in April compared to the same month in 2013 before water saving measures went into effect, as the western US state fights a debilitating drought with mandatory cuts. The decrease is far less than the 25 percent conservation rate ordered by Governor Jerry Brown, though still much higher than in previous months, according to the State Water Resources Control Board. But the figure fails to show the uneven consumption between different areas, with some regions showing big drops while others such as El Segundo saw a 35 percent increase in its water use. “While these results are a step in the right direction, there are still too many lush landscapes where irrigation must be reduced to meet the 25 percent statewide reduction mandate,” State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus said in a statement. “We see conservation gains in all regions of the state, but we don’t know whether it was because of cooler weather or concerted action.” Los Angeles has launched surcharges that double normal water prices for clients who do not respect 30 percent mandatory cuts in three zones, including the affluent beach city of Malibu where many stars’ luxurious homes are located.

FBI flying surveillance aircraft over US cities Washington, United States (AFP) Tuesday 6/2/2015 – The FBI is operating a small fleet of aircraft to conduct warrantless surveillance for criminal or counterterrorism operations, a spokesman said Tuesday. Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation was previously known to conduct surveillance, the program is being shown to be more widespread than previously known. “The FBI routinely uses aviation assets in support of predicated investigations targeting specific individuals,” spokesman Christopher Allen told AFP. “The aircraft are not equipped, designed or used for bulk collection activities or mass surveillance.”He insisted the operations were conducted in accordance with FBI guidelines and those of the attorney general. Small aircraft flew over Baltimore recently during race-tinged riots that broke out after the death of a black man following his arrest by police. “The FBI’s aviation program is not secret; specific aircraft and their capabilities are protected for operational security purposes,” Allen explained. In order to tamp down the public’s fears of widespread wiretapping, the US Senate meanwhile approved a landmark measure that ends the government’s bulk data collection of Americans’ phone records, while reauthorizing other surveillance powers that lapsed this week. Computer consultant Edward Snowden revealed that program by leaking classified information from the National Security Agency to media outlets.

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MOTORING 2015 Honda CR-V Wins Cars.com/USA Today/â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;MotorWeekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Compact SUV Challenge 2015 CR-V applauded for its optimal balance of family-friendly features, interior room, excellent visibility and rewarding driving experience TORRANCE, Calif., May 27, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The 2015 Honda CR-V, Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular SUV for the past decade has won the top spot in the Cars. com/USA TODAY/â&#x20AC;?MotorWeekâ&#x20AC;? Compact SUV Challenge (cars.com/ news), with a panel of experts and customers choosing CR-V over six competing models. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The compact SUV segment is among the most competitive in the industry, and we took nothing for granted with the 2015 CR-V,â&#x20AC;? said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CR-V has been Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top SUV choice for many years now, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great to see that real-world customers and experts from Cars. com, USA TODAY and â&#x20AC;&#x153;MotorWeekâ&#x20AC;? agree that the 2015 CR-V continues to live up to their high expectations.â&#x20AC;? In winning the competition, the CR-V earned praise for its rewarding driving experience, generous interior room and family-friendly features. The 2015 CR-V features upgrades to styling, performance, fuel efficiency and family-friendly technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 2015 Honda CR-V came out on top because it provided the best

blend of good interior room, excellent visibility and a surprisingly rewarding driving experience,â&#x20AC;? said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com editor-in-chief. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CR-V was also packed with great family-friendly features like easy-tofold seats, a low load floor, rear air vents and much more.â&#x20AC;? The Challenge pitted seven of the most popular compact SUVs against each other in a series of expert and consumer testing, which determined that the 2015 CR-V was overall bestin-class. To qualify for the competition, vehicles had to cost less than $28,000 and achieve a combined city/ highway EPA fuel economy rating of at least 26 mpg. About Honda Honda offers a complete lineup of Honda cars, trucks and service through a network of more than 1,000 Honda dealerships within the United States. Eight Honda auto plants in North America, including four in the U.S., have the capacity to produce 1.92 million automobiles each year1. In 2014, more than 97 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America. About Cars.com Launched in 1998, Cars.com is an award-recognized online destination for car shoppers and owners that

offers information from experts and consumers to help research, price and find new and used cars, as well as information around service and repair for car owners. With more than 30 million monthly visits to its web properties, Cars.com offers millions of new and used vehicle listings, expert and consumer reviews, side-by-side comparison, build and price tools, unbiased editorial content and much more. In 2015, Cars.com introduced a new service and repair feature to help consumers find the right service provider and understand how much to pay with the fair-price estimator tool. Cars.com puts millions of car buyers, and now owners, in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make stress-free buying, selling and servicing decisions. Find out why Honda is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top brand, get in touch with Patrick Lucas, the Filipino Internet Sales Manager of Norm Reeves Honda West Covina. Call him at 1-888-868-9779. Patrick can show you the new Honda CR-Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best features or all the features of any Honda vehicle for that matter. Norm Reeves Honda West Covina is located at 1840 East Garvey Ave., South, West Covina, CA 91791. Or visit their website at www.normreeveswestcovina. com.

Patrick Lucas, Filipino Fleet/Internet Manager of Norm Reeves Honda West Covina.

Super welcome kayo dito!

WEST COVINA

Patrick Lucas

Prices

Internet Sales Manager plucas@normreeveswc.com

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Nissan Murano named one of the ‘10 Best Family Cars of 2015’ by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com All-new Murano crossover continues to compile accolades and sales records NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The all-new 2015 Nissan Murano, which was introduced to near universal acclaim in December 2014, has added another prestigious award to its trophy case – a “Best Crossover” in the Parents magazine and Edmunds.com annual listing of the “10 Best Family Cars.” As in previous years, the top vehicles for 2015 were selected by the Parents and Edmunds.com editors based on safety, convenience and high-tech performance features at all price levels. In choosing the Murano, they stated: “The all-new Murano pulls off a neat trick, mimicking the creamy ride and luxe features of models costing $10,000 more. It provides stretch-your-legs space for five, easy car-seat access, and storage for a weekend getaway (portacrib and stroller included). The fatigue-fighting ‘Zero Gravity’ front seats are a blessing for long drives. The monitor beams 360-degree camera views, detecting and alerting you to moving objects in the parking lot, from bicycles to shopping carts to little kids.” – Parents, June 2015 issue Murano was also recently awarded an IIHS “Top Safety Pick Plus” ranking as one of the latest Nissan vehicles to offer the innovative Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) systems specifically

designed to alert drivers of potential risks a h e a d – along w i t h available D r i v e r ’s Attention Alert* Manuel Lava of Nissan of ( D A A ) Mission Hills system. The DAA system analyzes driver steering behavior to provide an alert if signs of drowsiness or inattention are detected. Sales of the all-new 2015 Murano increased 58.3 percent in May and 33.4 percent through May 2015 (compared to the same periods in calendar year 2014). “The 2015 Murano has found a sweet spot in the competitive crossover SUV segment, offering standout styling, a highly versatile premium interior, advanced safety and driver aid technologies and, of course, Nissan’s legendary driving excitement,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, Parts & Service, U.S.A, Nissan North America, Inc. “Now, on top of record sales in May, we’re honored to add the highly sought-after Parents / Edmunds. com ‘Best Family Car’ acknowledgment to a great first year of the new Murano design.” As the halo vehicle for Nissan’s expanding range of bold crossovers, the all-new Murano carries forward the new Nissan

design direction with its V-Motion front end, boomerang lights, floating roof treatment and efficient aerodynamics. Inside, the new Murano offers an engaging “social lounge” feel through features such as the refined lower-height instrument panel, wide center console, advanced Zero Gravity seating, and the airy atmosphere created by the large windows and oversized Power Panoramic Moonroof. Murano’s long list of available features include NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 8-inch color display with multi-touch control, 8-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and Travel Link® (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Nissan Intelligent Key®with Push Button Ignition, Remote Engine Start system, iPod ® and other compatible devices interface, 11-speaker Bose® (including dual subwoofers) premium audio system and Bluetooth® Handsfree Phone System. Available technologies include Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB). The Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system utilizes radar to detect a moving vehicle behind the Murano approaching from either side of a parking space. The 2015 Murano is offered in four trim levels – S, SV, SL and Platinum – and in a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The starting MSRP** for the Murano S

FWD is $29,560 USD, while the top-ofthe-line Murano Platinum AWD is priced at $40,600 USD (full pricing is available at NissanNews.com). The new Murano is assembled in Canton, Mississippi. The complete 2015 Parents and Edmunds.com “10 Best Family Cars” list will be published in the July 2015 issue of Parents magazine and is available online at Parents.com/best-family-cars. About Nissan North America In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com andInfinitiNews.com. 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 Lava 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.

Nissan’s new electric seven-seater: A car for responsibly mixing business and pleasure Monday June 8 2015 (Relaxnews) – Officially the world’s first production seven-seat electric car, the latest derivation of the Nissan e-NV200 is aimed equally at business users and larger families. Incredibly quiet and very comfortable – thanks to the option of specifying it with the company’s highest Evalia trim levels – yet equally practical, Nissan’s latest electric car boasts a very impressive 2940 liters of luggage space when all but the driver and front passenger seats have been rolled forward, folded or stowed. Even when all seven seats are upright and transporting people, that stowage space figure only drops to 870 litres, meaning that it has enough room for people and luggage alike on a long family break. While it has a range of just 106 miles (170km) before it needs a recharge, the process at a rapid charging station can take as little as 30 minutes for an 80% top up. With the Evalia option, the car comes with a reversing camera, air conditioning, cruise control, a navigation system plus Bluetooth support for a smartphone, and auto-on headlights and wipers. And, Nissan is fully aware of the vehicle’s range-based shortcomings and has been investing heavily in improving the charging infrastructure across Europe and the US as well as its native Japan, particularly in and around major cities. Its latest contribution in this regard was in Berlin where it added new charging stations to enable more environmentally focused soccer fans to drive their electric cars to the UEFA Champions League Final, which was held in the German capital over the weekend.

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Android Auto premieres in 2015 Sonata Fountain Valley, Calif., May 26, 2015 – Today, Hyundai becomes the first car company to launch Android Auto on production vehicles. Android Auto is premiering on the 2015 Sonata with Navigation at dealerships nationwide, and will later become available on other Hyundai models. “Android Auto aligns with Hyundai’s core interior design principles of safety, intuitiveness and simplicity,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We launched this highly anticipated feature on our best-selling Sonata, adding to our promise of value. With the launch of Android Auto, we provide more owners with the experience of cutting-edge technology.” Android Auto not only brings a high technology experience to Hyundai owners, but also improves safety. For example, at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. Android Auto helps keep drivers’ eyes and attention on the road by integrating the advanced driving-related functions of the user’s smartphone with the familiar centralized screen, physical controls and microphone of their car. Furthermore, the smartphone’s screen becomes “locked,” so drivers are not tempted to look down and interact with their phones directly while Android Auto is in use. Availability For Existing Owners Owners of existing 2015 Sonata with Navigation can get the Android Auto software update free of charge at Hyundai dealers starting today. Later this summer, owners can visit www.hyundaiusa.com/ myhyundai and download the Android Auto software onto a USB memory drive. Owners will need a MyHyundai account to start the Android Auto download. A MyHyundai account requires name, address and a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Once the USB with the Android Auto software is inserted into their Sonata’s USB port, it will automatically update the vehicle’s Navigation system to make it Android Auto compatible. The Android Auto compatible Navigation system with an eight-inch touchscreen display is available on the Sonata Sport, Eco, Limited, Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T models. Android Auto Owners will need the Android 5.0 “Lollipop” operating system or later, and the Android Auto companion app on their compatible phone to integrate Android Auto into Sonata’s screen and controls. A micro USB cable is required to connect

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the phone to the car’s USB port. The first time an owner plugs his or her phone into their parked Sonata, the phone will prompt the download of the Android Ferry Maringka of Puente Auto companHills Hyundai. You can ion app from reach him at (626) 202- t h e G o o g l e 9687. Play. Users of Android Auto will instantly recognize familiar Android phone applications, such as Google Maps, Google Now, messaging, phone calling and Google Play Music upon connecting their Android phone to their Hyundai vehicle. These applications can be controlled by voice, steering wheel controls and touchscreen. Android Auto also will offer many popular third-party audio apps that owners have on their phones, including iHeartRadio, Spotify, TuneIn, NPR, Stitcher, Skype,

TextMe and many more. Owners can find out up-to-date information about phone compatibility at https://support.google.com/androidauto. Whether you’re into Android or not, Hyundai is one of America’s sought-after cars. And if you would like to check out why Sonata is one of Hyundai’s top selling cars, call our kababayan Ferry Maringka Gozon,

who is the Senior Sales and Finance Specialist of Puente Hills Hyundai thru his cell at (626) 202-9687. Better yet, drive down to Puente Hills Hyundai and check out the new Sonata or other Hyundai vehicles first-hand. Puente Hills Hyundai is conveniently located at 17621 Gale Ave., City of Industry, CA 91748.

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Sales records for Mirage, Outlander Sport lead Mitsubishi to best May in years

Best-ever sales month for Outlander Sport; Best-ever sales month for new Mirage Cypress, Calif. , June 2, 2015 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) achieved its 15th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases in May, reporting 9,575 units sold – an increase of 31.7 percent and MMNA’s best May sales total in the last seven years. The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport compact crossover reached an all-time monthly high with May sales of 3,384 units, an increase of 20.0 percent from May 2014. The highly fuel-efficient Mitsubishi Mirage 5-door sub-compact also completed a historic month with sales of 3,369 units, an increase of 98.2% over May 2014. The seven-passenger Outlander crossover demonstrated continued consistent sales performance with 1,341 units sold – its best May sales since 2008. “Mirage, Outlander Sport, and Outlander continue to lead the charge for the brand and, frankly, that comes as no surprise,” explains Don Swearingen, executive vice president of MMNA. “Each model brings to its segment the Mitsubishi value proposition and clearly that message is resonating with consumers. Later this summer we will be introducing the featured-loaded new 2016 Outlander and it will be priced to further add to our value story.” Earlier, Mitsubishi announced pricing for the U.S. version of the new 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander seven-passenger crossover. With a starting MSRP of only $22,995, the 2016 Outlander has a $200

lower starting MSRP than the previous model year, which is notable when considering the amount of design and engineering improvements incorporated into the vehicle. “The 2016 Outlander has a dynamic new design and a long list of engineering upgrades – it literally looks, drives and feels like an entirely new vehicle,” said MMNA Executive Vice President, Don Swearingen. “Despite all of the improvements to the vehicle, we made the starting MSRP lower than the previous model year to make it an even more compelling value than before and to attract new buyers to the brand.” Along with its powerful new design language – the brand’s first production vehicle to feature this new signature style direction – the new 2016 Outlander has undergone over 100 important engineering and design improvements to deliver a new level of refinement and overall driving experience. The 2016 Outlander, with a starting MSRP of $22,995, now boasts an expanded standard features package that includes stylish new LED positioning lights, 18-in. alloy wheels, LED taillights, and a reconfigured interior including a redesigned steering wheel, improved second-row seating, accent trim, seating surfaces and headliner, among other welcome new features/amenities. In the brand’s on-going commitment to safety, Mitsubishi’s advanced safety systems including Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) are now available at a lower price point for the 2016 Outlander (available for SEL and GT models). For more information on the Outlander, please visit media.mitsubishimotors.com or better yet call our kababayans Richard Samaco, Cesar Macandili or Mark De Leon the dealership’s Filipino salespersons at Glendale Mitsubishi at (888) 465-7218.

Filipino Sales Director Loyd Aler (center) with Sales and Leasing Consultants Edgar Relova (left) and Phillip Rivera, our friendly and helpful kababayans of DCH Toyota of Torrance ‘s Filipino department. Give them a call for great deals on your next car. They can be reached at 1.888.311.0102. DCH Toyota of Torrance is located at 2909 Pacific Coast Hiway in Torrance.

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Honda Fit, Accord and CR-V named Best Family Cars for 2015 by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com Accord recognized as one of the top family sedans for the third straight year by parenting and car experts; The subcompact Fit is honored as one of the best budget cars; Accords, Hondas now available at Carson Honda TORRANCE, Calif., Jun 3, 2015 – The 2015 Honda Fit and CR-V have been named to the 10 Best Family Cars list compiled by the parenting and car experts at Parents magazine and Edmunds.com. The three family-friendly Honda vehicles – each earning the top crashworthiness ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and equipped with a standard rearview camera – were selected out of hundreds of models for excelling in the key areas of safety, convenience features, performance and value. The Accord was recognized as one of the top sedans for families for the third straight year. The Accord features sophisticated styling, fuel-efficient powertrains1 and advanced technology features like the available LaneWatch display and a standard multi-angle rearview camera. With safety a top shopping consideration for families, the Accord shines by earning a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from IIHS and a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).2 The spacious, fuel-efficient1 and versatile 2015 Honda Fit was chosen as one of the best budget cars on the annual list. The all-new 2015 Honda Fit is even more of a standout choice in the subcompact segment with its small-on-the-outside, big-onthe-inside packaging, incredibly versatile second-row Magic Seat® and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)3 starting at just $15,790. The Fit features

Google clocks up its millionth autonomous driving mile Thursday June 4 2015 (Ù ½ øÄ óÝ) – Google has hit a significant milestone. Its self-driving cars have now covered over 1 million fully autonomous miles. “Along the way, we’ve navigated more than 200,000 stop signs, 600,000 traffic lights, and seen 180 million vehicles-with several thousand traffic cones, some fluttering plastic shopping bags, and a rogue duck thrown in for good measure,” said Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin of the achievement. Google only started grappling with the problems involved with self-driving vehicles in 2009, but has already officially covered more autonomous test miles than any single car manufacturer. All of which is making the company very positive and confident in its belief that the self-driving car is going to become a reality on real-world roads very shortly. “We’re taking this million mile milestone as further proof that fully self-driving vehicles will become a reality, and we’re looking forward to finding out where the next million miles will take us,” said Brin. Last month Google announced it had covered over 1.7 million miles in total driving with its specially adapted fleet of Toyotas and Lexus cars – which start out life as regular cars before being retrofitted with sensors and cameras – not by the battery powered pod prototypes that it hopes to one day put into production.

a fresh and modern design, a sporty and efficient engine, plus a highly versatile interior loaded with equipment essential for urban driving, including a standard Wlford Solancho of of Airport r e a r v i e w Marina Honda. Call Wilford at camera and 1-888-898-9546. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity. Occupant safety features for the 2015 Honda Fit are further enhanced through the use of Honda’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, helping Fit earn a TOP SAFETY PICK rating from IIHS and a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its New Car

Assessment Program (NCAP)2. The 2015 CR-V, also recognized as one of the best crossovers for families, received the most significant mid-cycle redesign in its history, with a new direct-injected EarthDreams™ Technology i-VTEC® engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) to improve performance and fuel efficiency1. A new suite of Honda Sensing™ safety and driver-assistive features, available on the Touring trim, contribute to the vehicle’s TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from IIHS. Additionally, the CR-V features significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling, while a long list of new family-friendly standard and available features brings a new level of sophistication to America’s top-selling SUV4. For more information about the Parents magazine and Edmunds.com’s list of the 10 Best Family Cars for 2015, please visit www.parents.com and www.edmunds. com. The full list will be featured in the July 2015 issue of Parents magazine available June 9. For a closer look at Honda Accord or CR-V, better give our kababayan Wilford

Solancho, Sales Consultant of Airport Marina Honda, a call for a personalized assistance as he can get you the best deal and the best car of your choice. At Airport Marina Honda, Wilford and the rest of the staff at the dealership value customer service. Airport Marina Honda is located at 5850 W. Centinela Ave in Los Angeles. They offer new Honda vehicles including Accord, Civic, Civic Hybrid, Odyssey, CR-Z, CR-V, Insight, Pilot, Ridgeline, Fit and many quality pre-owned vehicles. Airport Marina Honda is a car dealer with automobile knowledge that they are ready to share whether you are looking for a pre-owned used cars or you have your eye on one of the fine new cars or SUVs offered by Honda. Their certified pre-owned vehicles comes stress free. All of their certified pre-owned cars meet manufacturer specifications and have been handled with the utmost care by their technicians. Search through entire Los Angeles Honda dealer inventory and see all the used Honda cars. Or, just call Wilford at 1-888-898-9546 now.

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., June 13 -19, 2015

Balita

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., June 13 -19, 2015

LOS ANGELES

Visit www.Balita.com

LOS ANGELES

Weekend, Sat. - Fri., June 13 -19, 2015

Balita