Weekend balita march 21, 2015

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXIII, NO. 7

MARCH 21 - 27, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

US played big role in botched Mamasapano raid: Senate

By Karl Malakunas

Manila, Philippines |AFP| Tuesday 3/17/2015 – US forces played a “substantial” role in a botched anti-terrorism raid in the Philippines that left 44 local police commandos dead, according to a Senate report released Tuesday.

The raid, known locally as Oplan Exodus, has plunged President Benigno Aquino’s administration into crisis and jeopardised efforts to end a decades-long Muslim separatist insurgency.

“US personnel played a role in the training before, and monitoring, of the... operation,” Senator Grace Poe told reporters as she released the findings of a committee inquiry into the January 25 raid.

“The committee found that the United States substantially invested in the entirety of Oplan Exodus. It provided equipment, training and intelligence.”

The raid sought to capture or kill two

men on the US government’s list of “most wanted terrorists” who were living among Muslim rebels in southern Philippine farming communities.

One of the men, Malaysian national Zulkifli bin Hir who had a $5-million bounty on his head, was reported killed.

But the other, Filipino Abdul Basit Usman, escaped as rebels surrounded the police commandos and killed 44 of them.

A police inquiry earlier outlined a multitude of tactical errors that led to the slaughter of the commandos.

The Senate report said Aquino must “bear responsibility” for the deaths.

But it also raised questions about the accountability of the United States, a longtime military ally of the Philippines that has so far declined to outline its role in the operation.

Three unidentified Americans were See US BIG ROLE, page 26

Trillanes: Senate draft report not the whole truth MANILA, Mar 19 (Mabuhay) – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV will push for the inclusion of testimonies made during closed-door sessions in the Senate’s investigation report on the Mamasapano fiasco, saying the draft report does not reflect the whole truth.

Trillanes, who did not sign the draft report, said it focuses too much on President Aquino’s responsibility and seems to have been swayed by popular opinion without

reflecting what actually happened on the ground.

In particular, the senator said he wants to make public the statements of junior officers of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division, whose help was sought for members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF) who were caught in an encounter with rebel forces.

Forty-four SAF commandos died in what the Senate report labeled as a massacre.

Trillanes believes the public needs to know, based on the military officers’ testimonies, what other SAF troopers on the ground did while their comrades were engaged in a firefight.

He said he will make the move to release their testimonies during plenary discussions on the committee report.

“Sila ang nakasaksi kung ano ang ginawa ng SAF (They witnessed what the SAF did),” Trillanes told reporters, referring to the 6th Infantry Division officers.

“Marami sa mga senador ngayon ang See TRILLANES, page 26

Former President Fidel V. Ramos – a West Point graduate – shows a copy of an executive order on command responsibility he authored in 1995, during a press conference in Makati on Wednesday. Ramos said President Aquino is liable for the Mamasapano fiasco. (MNS photo)

More Filipinos don’t want Aquino to resign: poll MANILA, Mar 19 (Mabuhay) – Four out of 10 Filipinos do not want President Benigno Aquino III to resign in the wake of the Mamasapano carnage, the chief executive’s biggest political crisis yet, a Pulse Asia survey showed.

The survey, conducted from March 1 to 7, revealed that 42% of the respondents disagree with calls for the president to step

down from office now, compared to 29% who agree that he should resign and 28% who are undecided on the matter.

This is the plurality sentiment among those in Metro Manila (45%), the rest of Luzon (47%), and Class D (43%), Pulse Asia said.

Pulse Asia said public opinion is split See AQUINO, page 26

Will it be Poe-Francis in 2016?

MANILA, Mar 19 (Mabuhay) – Are you ready for a Poe-Francis tandem in 2016?

Sen. Grace Poe said there are rumors of a Grace Poe-Francis Escudero tandem that will be fielded in the 2016 presidential election.

Poe said the latest Pulse Asia survey, which showed her just behind Vice-President Jejomar Binay as the most preferred presidential candidate, is just a snapshot of the voters’ preferences at present.

“It should not be enough to encourage you or to make you decide to run or not to run,” she said.

What is important, she said, is the survey also had a portion that was not shown to the public about her getting high approval ratings from the people. “That is most gratifying and makes my job worthwhile,” she said.

Poe, who topped the senatorial race in 2010, said candidates who are not doing See POE-FRANCIS, page 26

Pacquiao starts well in pre-Mayweather sparring Los Angeles, United States |AFP| Wednesday 3/18/2015 – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao enjoyed a strong first day of sparring Tuesday in preparation for his May 2 showdown with unbeaten US rival Floyd Mayweather.

Pacquiao’s workout at the Wild Card Gym included five hard rounds with a pair of sparring partners. It pleased trainer Freddie Roach as well as the Asian legend, who was anxious to start swinging his fists at foes following nearly two weeks of other training.

“After 13 days of strength and conditioning and boxing drills at Wild Card plus weeks more of working out in the See PACQUIAO, page 26

Manny Pacquiao’s latest workout at the Wild Card Gym included five hard rounds with a pair of sparring partners, which pleased trainer Freddie Roach as well as the Asian legend, who was anxious to start swinging his fists at foes following nearly two weeks of other training.

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12 reasons to contact a bankruptcy attorney The first step to overcoming a debt problem is recognizing it. If worries about your credit cards or a pending foreclosure are keeping you awake at night, you probably already know you’re in over your head. Just cruising along, juggling credit cards, taking from one to pay the other is not the answer. If this describes your situation, then doing nothing just makes the hole bigger and your position more desperate.

Here are 12 signs that that

could indicate financial stress.

1. You routinely spend more than you debtor is allowed three to five years over earn. which to pay back a portion of the debts, 2. You make only the minimum pay- based on disposable income. Say that you ment required on your credit cards. have $100.00 in disposable income. You 3. Your credit limit is maxed on most would have to pay that into a plan for 60 of your cards. months. After 60 months, the balance of 4. You’re unsure about how much you your debts would be discharged in full, owe or what may be on your credit report. even if they are far from being paid off.

5. You skip payments on some bills in One should keep in mind that there are order to pay others, or use cash advances intricate details to this legal process that on one credit card to pay off another. need to be taken into consideration before 6. You find yourself arguing with your decisions are made to file for bankruptcy. spouse about money.

Who qualifies? Which kind would apply to 7. You’ve recently been turned down you? Will you be able to keep all of your for credit or a loan. property?

8. You panic when faced with an unexThere are many such questions that pected expense, such as a car repair. arise in such a situation. In this situation, 9. You owe more on your car than it’s you need to consult with an experienced worth. bankruptcy law firm that can guide you 10. There’s no more equity in your through these complicated decisions and house. procedures.

11. Creditors are calling you about Filing for bankruptcy may not be the overdue bills. solution to all your financial problems 12. You’re thinking lately about filing though. In fact, bankruptcy does not cover for bankruptcy. all debts. For example, debts related to Though it is a common enough word, child and spouse support, or taxes are not what exactly does bankruptcy mean? And covered in bankruptcy. what are its implications? As is to be Do you have a Co-signer? expected, filing for bankruptcy is a comBefore filing for bankruptcy it is implicated process but before such a step is portant to know that your co-signer might taken it is essential to understand exactly be held liable for the co-signed debt. what it is all about.

However, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may Simply put, bankruptcy can be defined protect your co-signer, since it offers a as the legal process thorough which indi- partial repayment plan. With a Chapter 7 viduals or businesses in financial trouble bankruptcy, only the debtor is protected are able to work out their debts and pay and the co-signer would be liable for the them out under the protection of the debt. In this case, the creditors have the bankruptcy court. Often “liquidations” or right to demand that your co-signer pay off “reorganizations” are the words that are the outstanding payments. used to sum up the process that unfolds Under chapter 13 bankruptcy, as long as when you file for bankruptcy. the bankruptcy plan is active the co-signers The two kinds of bankruptcy that you will receive a stay for the duration of the can file for are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. debtors payment plan. At the end of the There are various factors that would deter- plan, a co-signer could once again liable mine whether you should opt for Chapter 7 to pay any outstanding payments, even or Chapter 13. Through Chapter 7 Bank- though the debt is discharged in favor of ruptcy you liquidate all unsecured debt, the bankruptcy debtor. providing any assets you may have are exDon’t lose another sleepless night! For empt under bankruptcy rules. Most people advice on bankruptcy, debt consolidation never lose anything, because they don’t or mortgage loan modification, call the have any non-exempt assets. In the event Law Offices of Paul M. Allen. Consultadebtor is making too much money, they tions are free, but by appointment only. choose Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, which is Call us 818-552-4500. We have two conthe reorganization type of bankruptcy. The venient locations: Glendale and La Palma.

Nielsen report says US mainstream becoming multicultural NEW YORK – March 16, 2015 – With multicultural consumer spending in the United States today at $3.4 trillion, this “super consumer” group has tremendous impact on U.S. mainstream culture, according to a Nielsen report released today.

The report, The Multicultural Edge: Rising Super Consumers, identifies multicultural consumers as the most dynamic and fasting growing segment of the U.S. consumer economy.

“The Multicultural Edge: Rising Super Consumers report highlights the growing influence that African-American, AsianAmerican and Hispanic groups and their shopping behaviours have on redefining the consumer market,” says Vanna Tran, senior manager of Multicultural Growth and Strategy, Nielsen. “By understanding and investing in these audiences, our partners can continue to future proof their businesses and stay relevant as this segment continues to shift from a niche to multicultural mainstream opportunity.”

The report identifies multicultural Super Consumers, which refer to the top 10% of households who drive at least 30% of sales, 40% of growth and 50% of profits of any consumer product category. The report suggests that by understanding the cultural essence that drives multicultural super consumer behavior today, marketers and advertisers can better understand future market trends.

Multicultural consumers are younger, in their prime and already make up 38% of the U.S. population. Expected to become the numerical majority by 2044, 21 of the top 25 most-populated counties in the United States are already more than 50% multicultural. Knowing the cultural appeal of a brand is critical to marketers, as multicultural populations can vary widely even within metro areas. The combination of majority multicultural geographies and high levels of interethnic proximity magnify the need for ethnic and cross-cultural marketing.

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Poe: Pres. Aquino not responsible for SAF deaths

Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday presents a copy of the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) report and discusses the findings of the Senate committee on public order that she heads. Poe affirmed most of the BOI’s findings and stressed President Aquino’s responsibility on the incident. (MNS photo)

MANILA, Mar 19 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe on Thursday said she agonized over the Senate joint committee report that said President Aquino was ultimately responsible for the bloody Mamasapano operation.

Poe said she believes that the President made a mistake for consulting a suspended police chief for the Mamasapano mission but that his intentions were good.

“It’s probably the most difficult thing I’ve done ever since I entered government. First of all, I have a high regard for the President and I continue to have high regard for him. I consider him a friend,” she said.

“Up until the last minute, I was questioning myself - should I tone it down?

Should I be more diplomatic? But with the President, I think it’s a mistake. It’s not a premeditated issue. I would think - who would want those many lives lost? The intention was good to neutralize two terrorists who, combined, killed less than a hundred people and injured more.”

The joint Senate committee report on the Mamasapano operation earlier said President Aquino is “ultimately responsible” for the bloody incident, but it was armed Moro rebels and other armed groups who “murdered and robbed the Philippine National Police Special Action Force Commandos.”

It said the President assented to suspended Philippine National Police chief Alan Purisima’s “unlawful exercise of official functions, and continued to communicate with Purisima with regard to Oplan Exodus.”

At least 44 PNP-SAF commandos, 18 Moro rebels and 5 civilians were killed in the Mamasapano incident.

‘Aquino not responsible for deaths’ In the interview, Poe said the Senate report did not say that the President is responsible for the deaths of the 44 SAF commandos.

“It goes without saying that the President is the commander-in-chief of all Armed Forces including the PNP. When you are wielding guns, you need a clear chain of command because you need accountability, supervision and control.”

“The President has been saying all along whether as commander-in-chief or Chief Executive, as Secretary Coloma puts it, is ultimately responsible for the mission. That is what I am saying, for the mission. I am not saying ultimately for the deaths. I am saying ultimately the mission will include

everything that happened.”

She said that while the Senate report might be used to file a case against the President when he steps down, it is also important to understand the President’s motivations.

“He can be sued for almost anything. It could be a nuisance suit. That’s the tragedy of it. As commander-in-chief, you have to take a lot of risks because of the good you want to achieve in the end but I think motivations and intentions are important also in considering whether or not there is actually, it is credible enough to merit a criminal offense.”

Senate Report vs BOI Poe said the Senate report is harsher than the PNP Board of Inquiry report on the incident because the Senate can recommend the filing of charges.

The BOI report earlier noted that the PNP chain of command was broken when PNP OIC Leonardo Espina was not informed beforehand about the Mamasapano mission.

“It will be a step harsher than the BOI because we had to do recommendatory functions in aid of legislation, plus we can also recommend the filing of charges whereas the BOI is more operational, tactical for their organization,” she said.

Poe said she was very careful in the wording of the report since the Senate was also investigating institutions such as the Armed Forces, PNP and the MILF. “You don’t want to deface institutions but you have to come up with the right conclusions because this is used to prevent future occurrences of this nature,” she said.

‘Not too late to say sorry’ The senator said it is not too late for the President to own up to the responsibility and apologize for the Mamasapano incident. She said that while an apology might not benefit the President politically, it is always best to do the right thing.

“It is always best to ask for forgiveness if you feel you made a mistake, that you made an error. And again, asking for forgiveness is not just saying the words but also offering what you need to do so that the situation will be better,” she said.

She also said not doing her job would be a disservice to the President who chose her to be a guest candidate of the administration party’s Senatorial slate in 2013.

“If I didn’t do what I did, I would have gone against the tuwid na daan that was the criteria I think that he selected me,” he said. (MNS)

Nene Pimentel: TRO trumps Pena’s oath-taking MANILA, Mar 18 (Mabuhay) – Former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. said Junjun Binay should stay as mayor of Makati City, amid a claim that the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued on his suspension was already moot and academic. Pimentel, a former Interior secretary and considered the father of the Local Government Code, said the TRO issued by the Court of Appeals on the 6-month preventive suspension of Binay by the Office of the Ombudsman must be enforced.

“Iyung aspeto ng pag-oath ni [Vice Mayor Romulo] Peña [bilang acting mayor], hindi pwedeng mangingibabaw sa kautusan ng hukuman,” Pimentel said.

“Hindi pwedeng mag-oath ka inspite of the fact na in a matter of hours bago nakuha ang TRO. Si vice-mayor Peña alam naman siguro niya na pumunta si hukuman si Junjun, and therefore he cannot say he was completely unaware.”

Peña was sworn in as Makati’s acting mayor on Monday, about an hour after the

suspension order on Binay was posted on the wall of the Makati City Hall.

A TRO was later released by the Court of Appeals on the suspension order, but it was contested by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The two departments and the anti-graft body insist that there was nothing to restrain as the suspension order was already served and Peña was already sworn in as acting mayor.

The DILG argued that the court should have issued a status quo ante order (SQAO) instead of a TRO because the suspension order was already served.

The camp of Binay has already filed contempt charges against DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Peña for supposedly ignoring the CA resolution.

With the suspension issue not yet resolved due to the clashing legal opinions, Binay remains holed up in his office at the 21st floor of the new Makati City Hall.

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Free public Wi-Fi across PHL to be implemented in 2015 -- DOST MANILA, Mar 17 (Mabuhay) -- The Department of Science and Technology is about to implement free public Wi-Fi across the entire country, a massive endeavor that the agency said will start in July this year.

Places where broadband Wi-Fi hotspots will be installed include plazas, schools, hospital, piers, government offices, and airport terminals. The average speed will be 256 kbps.

“Kaugnay nito ng karapatan ng mamamayan sa impormasyon. Lalo na impormasyon na nanggagaling sa gobyerno,” said Edgardo Cabarrios, NTC Director. “Kasi kung may free Wi-Fi, ma-access nila yung mga information na dapat iparating sa kanila.” Cabarrios added that there will be

data-capping to prevent users from abusing the free Wi-Fi. According to IT experts, this project will be able to help people in provinces with education, especially in since they will have access to government databases. It also offers a cheaper alternative to long-distance phone calls.

The fact that the Philippines is an archipelago will pose some problems for the implementation of the project. According to IT expert Philip Cheang, before other countries with nationwide free Wi-Fi deployed their projects, their private Internet services were already fast to begin with.

Since there will be a need to rent infrastructure from private companies, bidding for partnerships with the private sector will be starting this month. (MNS)

Anne Curtis is new UNICEF celebrity advocate MANILA, Mar 17 (Mabuhay) --- Actress and TV host Anne Curtis is UNICEF’s newly appointed celebrity advocate for children.

Curtis spent two days visiting parts of Leyte, where she saw the recovery operations in areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda. She also spent time interacting with children and their families.

“I am honored to join UNICEF on this very fulfilling and meaningful trip. I am deeply touched by how children and families have coped and are building back their lives. Clearly, significant progress have been achieved. Talking to children and their families, and being able to bring smiles to their faces is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” she said.

As a donor and supporter of UNICEF, Curtis said she is glad to see that the funds have reached and worked for children who are in need.

While in Leyte, Curtis supported emergency response and visited a maternal health care ward in the regional hospital, an immunization site, a child friendly space at a temporary housing site, and educational facilities such as day care centers and elementary schools.

In every site she visited, the “It’s Showtime” host took the time to talk with children and families.

“I played with children in a childfriendly space and a day care center. I read books to them and helped them draw in an arts and crafts session. I washed hands with school children and participated in their song and dance number,” she shared.

“It was heartwarming to listen to mothers, children and young people. It is important that people know these stories, understand how communities are recovering and what we can do to help,” the actress said.

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President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne of Great Britain during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (March 17,). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Princess Anne of the United Kingdom pays courtesy call on President Aquino MANILA, Mar 17 (Mabuhay) -- Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday morning.

The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II is in Manila for a visit from March 16 to 19, in connection with her charity and various humanitarian works. It is her second visit to the country since her first trip in March 1999.

Princess Anne met with President Aquino to discuss the projects of Save the Children in the Philippines, particularly those implemented in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Central Visayas.

She was accompanied in the meeting by British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Anwar Ahmad; Captain Nick Wright, Pri-

vate Secretary to The Princess Royal; and Mrs. David Bowes-Lyon, Lady-in-Waiting.

President Aquino meanwhile was joined

by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Social Welfare Undersecretary Mateo Montaño, and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Maria Zenaida Collinson.

While in the country, The Princess Royal is also scheduled to meet with Vice President Jejomar Binay and attend a round-table discussion with future entrepreneurs and the British Council Education.

Her Royal Highness will also attend a sporting reception.

As president of Save the Children, The Princess Royal will visit projects and beneficiaries supported by the organization and an elementary school in Leyte.

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Client files Chapter 13 for credit cards & abandon rentals White House appeals Amnesty Restraning Order to Court of Appeals CLIENT NO. 1 Client no. 1 is in her fifties. She comes to see me regarding a lawsuit by a credit card collecting $7K. Aside from this, she owes another $11K, for a total of $18K total credit card debt. She has a story to tell which I will not disclose here.

But, I believe God sent her to

talk to me regarding her life experience. to give her relief. wI was moved by what she told me she The Chapter 13 will help her by allowhad gone through. It reminded me of the ing her to abandon the two rentals in the lamentations of “JOB� who suffered the reorganization plan. Since the rentals do loss of everything that was valuable to him not have 2nd trust deeds, abandoning the as a person and a father. This is how deep rentals to foreclosure, if the foreclosure and life changing her experience once. I is extrajudicial which accounts for 95% have never met a person who went through of foreclosures in California, will mean what she went through. that there is no foreclosure deficiency. As Her experience would make her ques- a result, Chapter 13 reorganization plan tion the love of God, but just like Job, her will allow her to get rid of the two rentals faith in God remains. I can truly say that without any further liability, while her her faith is very strong. Just like Job, our $18K of credit card debt will be paid in Lord gave and took from her. Yet, just 60 months without interest, just principal. like Job, she continues to bless the Name She’s looking at a plan payment of about of the Lord! $350 for 60 months.

As we discussed her financial situaThe Chapter 13 will dissolve the lawtion further, it became apparent that credit suit, and prevent any further lawsuits, as cards were only the tip of the iceberg. Her well as levies on bank accounts, and wage income is good. But she had two rentals, garnishments in the future. It will also alwhich were negative $2K a month. That’s low her to get out of the $2K loss that she the 800 lbs. gorilla in her financial affairs. pays for every month from the two rentals.

Even if her mortgage is reasonable at Chapter 13 will provide client with a $1700, with a negative of $2K on the rent- reasonable payment that she can afford als, client is paying almost $4k a month that takes care of all of her credit card debt. for her real estate properties. $4K a month If she completes all 60 payments on a actually uses up all of her net take home timely basis, the court gives her a discharge pay. Naturally, there’s nothing left for order. These creditors cannot come back credit card debt. and sue her for any difference they claim She does not qualify for Chapter 7 is unpaid because these debts will be disbecause the equity of her residence is way charged. At the same time, she saves $2K a beyond $175K so she needs a Chapter 13 month because she no longer has to absorb

the negative rent.

In short, Chapter 13 will give her peace of mind to replace the financial chaos that she has gone through since 2007. She will be able to face retirement without debilitating debt. This is good, right?

CLIENT NO. 2 Client no. 2 is also in his fifties. This is my fifties week it seems. He owns and operates a business that used to generate $800K of revenues yearly with a good profit for the last 10 years. However, last year, the business started losing money and has not recovered. Client says that the prospect of becoming profitable again is dim.

In fact, he is stuck with $60K of inventory, which nobody wants. Client used his credit cards to finance the business, and he is personally liable with the business for these credit cards, which is now about $80K. Since the business is now at a standstill with no cash flow, there is no money to pay the minimum of $2,400 to keep them current. Besides, every dollar that he makes now from doing odd jobs goes to pay his mortgage of $1,800.

Client will file a Chapter 7 to discharge $80K of credit cards. The discharge will protect his residence from future liens arising from lawsuits to collect credit card debt.

Fortunately, his entire equity of $100K in his residence is exempt under bankruptcy law so he keeps his house. He has two old cargo vans, which he is able to keep also. In effect, he keeps everything he owns but wipes out $80K of credit cards. He gets a fresh start in life without burdensome debt.

His credit score will increase every year.

Next year, his credit score may hit 600

depending on how he handles new debt.

On the third year, his credit score will hit 650, which is good enough.

On the 7th year, his score will be over 700, and on the 10th year, there is no record of bankruptcy on his credit report. He will get new credit cards again within 6 months of getting a discharge but I caution him to pay those in full if he uses them. Since his business, a corporation has not filed for bankruptcy he can continue doing that business if he should decide to do so.

White House appeals Amnesty Restraining Order to 5th Circuit Court of Appeals On immigration amnesty, the White House appealed the restraining order holding up implementation of the President’s executive order for amnesty, to the 5th Circuit Court of appeals on March 12.

Response is due from plaintiffs in 10 days, which is March 22. Will the 5th Circuit dissolve the restraining order in California and other states that do not object to the executive order? “WE WAIT IN HOPE FOR THE LORD; HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.� PSALM 33:20.

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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Celebrating Marilyn’s love of life and joy of singing Marilyn Purugannan Rosales-Barsana, 62 was suddenly laid to rest recently by her two adult children, Patrick and Stephanie Barsana and her seven brothers and sisters, namely: Marte, Melchor, Milagros, Marshall, Marianne, Michael and Minerva.

Though she was the high school classmate of my younger sister, Marjorie, I knew her as this bubbly kid whom they called “Bibot,” which meant “ baby sister.” I often see her wear her St. Theresa’s College elementary uniform, and she would hug and greet me whenever Subsequently, a couple of years ago, I her sister Milagros (Mila) and I would met her again at a religious service at St. hang around their cozy house in Cubao, Basil’s Catholic Church where she was as we were batchmates in the college one of the lead singers of the church choir. sorority. Back then, I was priveleged to For those who knew of her voice range, have been invited to numerous functions people readily recognize her pitch, among and parties in their lovely, happy home. I the others in the choir. became a part of their family, particularly A dedicated worker according to oftheir mom I used to call “Mama” (Anita ficemates Myrna Villalobos and Mely Purugannan who hailed from Dingras, Ventura, who we spoke with during the Ilocos Norte who at one time I personally wake, Marilyn has worked for 26 years at introduced to my mother and informed her the specialized medical office of famous that “Mama” considered me her “adopted” Nephrologist/Renal Physician and Interdaughter while at the same time thankful of nist, Dr. Keith L. Agre near Beverly Hills. being part of their brood of eight children Furthermore, they said that Marilyn never and watching BFF Mila’s younger siblings complained of any ailment, though some grow up as well. of them were concerned of her changed I learned later on that Marilyn likewise listless appearance that they urged her went to UP and graduated with a degree in to consult a specialist when they felt Speech and Drama, which was so apropos, she might need some authoritative medical for she was this “Broadway star in the mak- advice, which in hindsight, they said, was ing” who sang and danced and was Behn “apparently too late.”

Cervantes’ protégé in various theatrical The solemn one-day Novena serplays. After graduation from college, she vice spearheaded by her friends and choir had to put her creative and artistic passion members at St. Basil Catholic Church on the side, due to family life and she was a reminder to all of us that Marilyn went on to pursue a career with the Ma- brought joy and love to everyone she met. nila Metropolitan Development Authority Faith Chapel at Forest Lawn, Hollywood (MMDA) in Quezon City.

Hills, where the Novena service was During the early 90s, I was surprised held on Tuesday, March 17, was filled to to meet her in one of my sister’s events capacity including several relatives who and was glad to have reconnected with her. flew in from different parts of the world,

some of her high school classmates, and around a dozen of us, sorority sisters and fraternity brothers of both Mila and Marianne who all joined in to deliver flowers and messages of support and sympathy to her family.

The Funeral Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Hicks who also did the final rites at Forest Lawn reminded all of us that Marilyn’s joy of singing remains the same because she now sings above “with the Lord, with her mom, Anita and her dad, Marcos.

The 8-mile funeral trek from St. Basil to Hollywood Hills was unexpectedly smooth through the most able assistance of three LAPD Marilyn Purugannan Rosales-Barsana traffic motorcycle units over us.” Thank you Marilyn, for sharing while a glimpse of the warm, sunny sky your love of life and joy of singing with all hovered above the clouds overlooking of us. Thank you for “watching over us.”

Hollywood Hills, seemingly “watching May you “rest in peace.”

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Closer look at our real estate market today Housing recovery is almost existence in all kinds of market, prices in many markets across the U.S. have shot up. In fact, RealtyTrac reported that the median sale price of U.S. single-family homes and condos in October had reached its highest level since September 2008.

But real estate experts say that 2015 will be marked by a return to normalcy and balance for real estate markets across the country. Experts also predicts that home value growth will slow to around 3 percent per year instead of the 6 percent seen re- ers are becoming “more picky, and they’re cently, and that will make real estate less willing to let a home go if they don’t think attractive to many investors. Market should it’s a good fit for them. Buyers are less get easier for buyers in 2015. Negotiating worried that they’ll miss out on something. power will move back to buyers and away Houses are more like buses now. If you from sellers. It will be a much more bal- miss one, another one will come along. anced market. (Too many buyers and too Whereas buyers might waive contingenlittle inventory, or the opposite, contribute cies in the recent past to make their offer to an unbalanced market.) more attractive to sellers, they’re now more More inventory and less competition likely to insist on contingencies for financfrom investors means even traditional buy- ing and inspections.

That said, foreign investors may still find high-end American real estate appealing because of economic turbulence in their home countries. For instance, the U.K. is toying with a so-called “mansion tax” that would apply to those who own properties worth more than 2 million British pounds (or over $3 million), and China has placed restrictions on home buying in large cities. Some foreign investors also worry about currency fluctuations devaluing money they hold in their home countries. That section of the market is still all cash – people buying up these huge places because it’s safer here than in their own countries. People with money overseas specially in unstable economies will always want to “park” their money here in forms of Real estate.

Buyers from outside the U.S. may use their properties as a rental or a residence for children studying at American colleges. But for buyers looking for more moderately priced homes, 2015 could offer a respite from bidding wars and allcash offers. People who’ve been on the fence about selling are finally going to pull the trigger, which is great for buyers [because it creates more inventory], Now people with regular jobs and 20 percent down finally have a chance to get into the market. And hopefully my prediction of “Move Up Seller/Buyers” will finally come into the market.

For years, many millennials have postponed homeownership in favor of renting, but that may also change next year as a growing number of Gen Yers start families

and seek more stability. By the end of 2015, millennial buyers will represent the largest group of homebuyers, taking over from Generation X. They prefer smaller units closer to the urban core, so it will be interesting to see whether they follow the time-honored path towards the periphery of the metro.

Baby boomers are also likely to make a move in 2015. we have gotten so many calls from baby boomers recently saying, We’re downsizing, and we’re moving to be closer to our grandkids or our son or daughter. With fewer homes underwater, they’re finally in a position to sell.

While mortgage rates may not remain at the historic lows seen recently, more people may qualify for home loans as issues like foreclosures or short sales age out of their credit reports and Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae ease mortgage eligibility. Freddy and Fannie recently announced a new mortgage program for buyers with a down payment as low as 3 percent. Freddy and Fannie have always been the industry leaders, and they’re saying, ‘It’s OK to lend to people who don’t have 5 percent down. It’s OK to extend credit in a reasonable and safe manner. We are moving forward as far as getting lenders to introduce newer and easier to qualify for programs, but still far away from expecting lending guidelines back in the mid 2005’s when almost everybody can qualify for a home loan.

Thanks for your inquiries and comments, please call Ken Go 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 or write to Kennethgo@verizon.net.

LA-Makati Sister City fundraising induction ball gala May 3 The Los Angeles-Makati Sister City, Inc. will hold its First Fundraising Induction Ball Gala on May 3, 2015 at Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

In partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation International, the event will showcase the best in Filipino and Filipino American talent in the arts and fashion as well as provide an experience to the sister city organizations of how Filipinos throw a party. More details about the Gala will be published here in Weekend Balita for the next several weeks.

Through the planned mission of the LA-Makati Sister City tentatively set for the year 2016, the fundraising and other projects of the organization will also strive to instigate the exchange of culture, arts, and celebrate the diversity between the two cities. Aside from this, there are networking events and cultural sharing programs planned throughout each year.

The Los Angeles-Makati Sister City Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting arts, culture and tourism between the two cities: Los Angeles in the United States, and Makati in the Philippines.

Makati is one of the twenty five sister cities of Los Angeles. The sister cities program’s vision is to achieve a smaller planet through better relationships, closer communications and ever-stronger collaborations between our international Sister City partners and the people of Los Angeles. It continues a nonpolitical, people to people diplomatic tradition established by the city government with a high degree of quality civic involvement in the disciplines of culture, education, communication, international trade, travel & tourism, and sports & recreation.

A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries.

A sister city, county, or state relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both cities execute a sister city agreement.

A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volun-

4th District Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge (left) with Atty. Abraham L. Lim (right) and former Philippine Tourism Director Annie Cuevas-Lim.

teers. In addition to volunteers, sister city organizations may include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector, and other civic organizations. Sister city relationships offer the flexibility to form connections between communities that are mutually beneficial and which address issues that are most relevant for partners.

The Los Angeles-Makati Sister City Inc. is under the stewardship of 4th District Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.

Thru the sister city umbrella organization Los Angeles Sister City Inc. President Tom Gilmore, Councilman LaBonge exercises supervisory authority over the various sister city chapter and committees from his office as well as provide support services for the entire sister city organization.

For sponsorships and information about the event, please contact Atty. Abraham L. Lim at mistah67@hotmail.com or 323.888.9788. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite url: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/los-angeles-makati-sister-city-incinduction-ball-tickets-15855031827.

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Love for Tacloban Fundraiser in Whittier reaches out A little over a year after the devastating visit of Supertyphoon Yolanda, Tacloban City slowly rises up from the ashes of destruction like the proverbial phoenix.

The typhoon’s hort visit left behind a toll of destruction never experienced before in such magnitude and one that tested the preparedness of the local and national leadership’s ability to face such formidable challenge.

The grief-stricken families of

the more than 6,000 casualties will continue to grapple with the harsh twice before to meet the town-mates and seek their support. reality for some time to come.

The Filipino American Chamber of Mayor Alfred Romualdez of Tacloban City, in a fundraising event at the Radisson Commerce of Orange County (FACC)C) Hotel in Whittier last March 14, narrated and the GMA Kapuso Foundation, which his harrowing experience at the height of also an active participant in the rehabilitation of Tacloban City, have themed up to Typhoon Yolanda.

Under his leadership, the rehabilitation put the event together.

The fundraiser was capped by an aucand rebuilding efforts for his province continue and he had been to many countries to tion of a boxing glove signed by Filipino drum up support for the gargantuan tasks. Boxing Manny Pacquiao who could not With his wife Cristina who is also make it to the event because of his hectic a councilor of the province, California training schedule in preparation for his became a brief stop for the journey and fight with Floyd Mayweather on May 2 brought with them 10 of the typhoon vic- in Las Vegas.

Talking about calamity, here’s one tims who have been organized into a singing bunch they call Love for Taclo-Band to really close to home and affects every help them drum up their mission.

Californian.

The two town executives had been here California is reported to be running out

Heeding the dangers of power lines New campaign provides helpful safety tips to public

By Paul Netter

March 12, 2015 – Sometimes, a teachable moment can become a life-saving one, too.

One such moment occurred recently in Montebello when the driver of a minivan apparently suffered a blown tire and crashed into a power pole, bringing 16,000-volt power lines down across the hood of his vehicle and over the crash scene.

With the driver trapped in his van by energized lines and nearby fences electrified, it was a scene fraught with danger. Or, in the words of Montebello Fire Department Capt.

Fernando Palaez, the most “horrificâ€? scene of its kind he has witnessed. “I’m thinking because of the voltage that was around him and because there was a fire hydrant only a couple of feet from him that he could have taken out, he is very fortunate to be alive,â€? he said. “I mean water and energized ‌ Everything was there for a deadly disaster.â€?

For several crucial reasons, however, a disaster was avoided.

Most importantly, the driver stayed in his vehicle. Also, no one tried to approach the van, onlookers kept their distance and no one touched anything that was electrified. The police and fire departments also kept the area safe until Southern California Edison (SCE) crews arrived to de-energize the power lines. “I think a lot of it was police education, immediately. Then fire getting there immediately,� said Palaez, stationed only about seven blocks away. “Nobody was approaching the car. They definitely knew the car was hands off. “Our training is basically to isolate and deny entry completely, secure the perimeter completely, try to keep [the driver] stable inside and get the pole numbers for Edison as soon as possible.�

There are lessons in the accident – which took about an hour to play out on a January night – for everyone. And one of the main lessons is to avoid coming in contact with power lines and to always assume that power lines are energized and dangerous.

SCE will soon launch a territory-wide campaign to educate its customers about these dangers. The utility is reaffirming its commitment to educate the public about power-line safety by encouraging customers to “Stay Aware. Stay Safe.�

Downed power lines are caused by many things beside accidents, including high or Santa Ana winds, rainstorms and even metallic balloons. People should never approach

or touch them or anything in contact with them and call 911 immediately.

On average, there are 400 electrocutions annually in the U.S., according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of those, 9 percent occur when ladders contact power lines and 5 percent happen when people contact them.

Jose Mercado helped found the Hispanic Arborist Association and serves as its executive director. He partnered with SCE last year to increase awareness around power lines to ensure the safety of tree and landscape workers. “Sometimes, only days after a session, we’ve been told about a job that involved trees and power lines where Edison was called,� he said. “[Edison] came out and cleared the branches around the power line and we were able to do our job safely.

If not for that, we’re probably looking at a major injury.�

Mercado encouraged those who are considering tree trimming to call a professional.

People should also stay at least 10 feet away from power lines and never climb into trees near them.

Signed glove for charity: Albert Chang proudly displays a boxing glove with the signature of Manny Pacquiao he successfully bid on as part of the fundraiser in Whittier for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Councilor Cristina Romualdez flew from Manila for the event organized by Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County.

of water, a problem which started before the current drought. Water storage has been on the decline since 2002. Reports have it that satellite data from NASA show that Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers basins were 34 million acre-feet below normal in 2014 considering all of the snow, river and reservoir, water in soils and groundwater combined.

Several drastic steps are already being considered including mandatory water

rationing all of California’s water sectors – domestic, municipal, agricultural and industrial. Unless conditions improve, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is already considering water rationing this summer. On a happier note, however, a recent survey revealed that Californians “believe that the drought is serious and support mandatory rationing.�

It’s time to really get serious about water conservation and take the warning to heart.

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Should piece-rate employees be paid separately for rest breaks?

Q: I work at a company that pays us on a piece-rate basis for every task that we finish. In an eight-hour shift, we are told we are entitled to two paid 15-minute rest periods.

What does this mean for a pieceworker like me?

A: A piece-rate worker or pieceworker is someone who is paid a fixed sum for each completed task, procedure or piece of work. Employers may legally pay employees on a piece-rate lowing case: basis rather than on an hourly rate. HowKenneth Bluford is a truck driver emever, piece-rate workers must still be paid ployed by Safeway in California. Bluford for all hours worked at no less than the sued Safeway on behalf of himself and his minimum wage. fellow drivers, alleging that the employer California employers must also au- failed to provide its employees with paid thorize hourly employees to take a paid rest periods.

10-minute rest break for every 4 hours Safeway’s compensation system reworked or major fraction thereof. Unlike quired drivers be paid per miles driven, meal periods, rest periods are considered per piece for finished tasks, per hour for hours worked and must be paid. If so, how specific non-driving tasks and for delays. should pieceworkers be compensated?

Safeway was required to provide two In a piece-rate system, rest breaks are paid rest periods of 15 minutes each for separately compensated. Consider the fol- every eight- or 10–hour shift worked, and

an additional 15–minute paid rest period for overtime work exceeding two hours.

The employees claimed that because of its compensation system, Safeway did not include rest periods as an item that would be reported by drivers and compensated.

Safeway claims that the law requires only that pay not be deducted for rest periods, and Safeway never deducted pay from its drivers for taking rest periods.

Safeway argued that the law does not require employers, who use a piece-rate or incentive-based compensation system, to put employees on the clock just to pay for rest periods. Safeway claims that pay for rest periods is considered part of the overall piece-rate compensation and the mileage rates.

The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the employees. The court said there is no dispute that Safeway’s compensation system did not separately pay drivers for their rest periods. Therefore, this system does not comply with California minimum wage

law. Pay was calculated based on mileage, fixed rates for certain tasks, and hourly rates for other tasks and delays. There is no dispute that none of these rates were applied to rest periods. Even if Safeway’s mileage and fixed rates were designed to include payment for rest periods, the court says this is similar to averaging pay to comply with the minimum wage law – which is not allowed under California law.

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

Makati, PHL’s financial district, in chaos as two mayors stand off

By Joel Guinto

Manila, Philippines |AFP| Friday 3/20/2015 – The Philippines’ financial capital Makati has been plunged into chaos with two politicians claiming to be mayor, forcing courts to close and delaying government business during a bitter stand-off triggered by graft claims.

Surrounded by hundreds of supporters, Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay has been holed up in city hall since the ombudsman suspended him last week because of its investigation into his alleged corrupt practices.

Insisting the graft accusations are trumped up, Binay has refused to cede

power to his deputy and rival, Romulo Pena, who insists he is now “acting mayor”.

The power struggle is widely seen as a battle between the nation’s ruling Liberal Party and main opposition.

Binay is the son of opposition leader, Vice President Jejomar Binay, while Pena is a member of President Benigno Aquino’s Liberal Party.

Makati’s courts closed for a day last week because of the crisis, and some judges have continued to postpone hearings to avoid the crush of Binay supporters outside the building, family spokesman Joey Salgado told AFP on Friday.

He also warned there was a looming crisis over who had the authority to sign the city’s cheques, while some welfare recipients said they did not receive their benefits on time.

If banks do not honour cheques signed

by Binay, street lamps and traffic lights will be shut down, taps in government buildings will run dry and garbage collection will stop, according to Salgado.

“This is a very dangerous situation, if their (national government’s) actions result in delays in salaries, utilities,” he said.

“Any perception of instability would have an effect on the country. They are sending the wrong signal to investors.

Makati is the financial centre of the country.”

From an adjacent old building, with hallways that reek of leaking toilets, Pena issued a memorandum on Friday to all city hall employees asserting his authority.

“All ordinances, official documents and official actions must be submitted and referred to the undersigned for approval and/ or appropriate action,” Pena said, referring to himself.

Makati is the country’s largest city in terms of revenue, with 11.9 billion pesos ($265 million) in earnings from taxes and fees in 2013, according to government data.

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Playing it safe (Part 1 of 2) NEW YORK – There are immigrant stories of struggles and triumphs in every community across America where people from all over the world come, in search of the proverbial American dream. What they don’t know, in fact, is that the dream only starts when one’s immigration status is put in order. Only then can an immigrant peacefully sleep at night.

“I played safe,” said former tennis athlete Dante Sta. Cruz

who pursued his green card more than he pursued his professional route – get a scholarship, get your degree, tennis career, after finishing an Economics while still playing tennis. It was also a degree at the Southern Illinois University once in a lifetime opportunity for me to (SIU), on a full scholarship courtesy of get a scholarship in an American college.” tennis.

After graduating in 2000, he had a In tennis, it’s common knowledge that choice between going back to the Philipone’s career usually expires at 30 years old. pines to play tennis; or stay in the States: “I Dante added that the peak is between 20 knew that sooner or later my career in tenand 26. That’s when hopeful athletes strive nis would have expired. So I chose to work to compete and play as much as they can on a plan B, which was to stay in America; to get noticed. That’s what he would have without first pursuing plan A, which was wanted to do after graduating, but couldn’t. to play for the country and pursue tennis “I needed to join a lot of tournaments in the Philippines.” and, more importantly, funds. I was a fresh He moved to Los Angeles with the plan graduate, saan ako kukuha ng pera? So I to save up enough so he can have a fresh would teach a bit, save up my earnings, start in New York, even contemplating then travel to compete. Then I’d lose, giving up the sport that has opened a lot balik, turo nanaman... I had no manager,” of doors to him. said the former Filipino tennis star who “Growing up, I was not trained to be a was ranked top 6 in the Philippines from businessman, lawyer or doctor, my parents 1996-1998, while playing for the national always wanted me to be a tennis player. team. During this period, he also earned a When I was young, my only dream was to spot to compete in the South East Asian play all four grand slam tournaments,” he (SEA) Games. said. “And it gave me a lot of great expeIn Los Angeles where he moved after riences. After college I seriously thought SIU, despite a year of competing whenever about giving up tennis.” he could afford it, and earning wild card But he decided to give himself another slots in prestigious tennis tournaments, chance in tennis. After one year in LA, Dante had another serious talk with him- sleeping on the sofa of a kind-hearted famself: “More than money I was worried ily who took him in, in exchange of tennis about my status. I was an international lessons for their son, Dante was once again student on a student visa, I was worried faced with the same problem: lack of funds. about what would happen if it expired. If By then, he had also already injured his left I went home, then I’d have to start from arm, “from wear and tear,” he said. scratch. And if that happens, bakit pa ako “And I only had 3 months left on my umalis ng Pinas?” visa. I had to act fast,” he said. And that’s After an impressive record in the junior when the Filipino family who accommodivision where he competed in three of the dated him in LA gave him a one-way ticket four world grand slam events – Australian to New York. “I had nothing. I had $200 Open (1994), Wimbledon (1996), and U.S. pocket money, 2 suitcases and 2 tennis Open (1996) – Dante made the choice to rackets, ready to give up tennis.”

Jannelle So is Scredited for creating, go to the University of the Philippines and hosting and producing America’s first and play for the national team.

“It was a fun experience. I felt like star, only locally-produced daily talk show for but I realized walang nangyayari sa akin. Filipinos, that ran for 8 ½ years under her Nabarkada lang ako. Masyadong com- leadership, making it the longest-running Filipino talk show outside of the Philipfortable,” said Dante, who then made the pines. On her spare time, she loves to decision to leave the Philippines. travel. This new column will document her

By February, 1999, Dante was living in sojourns as she shares what she learns an the States: “I had no money and I experi- discovers on her trips. Connect to her on enced culture shock because I was in the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; or email middle of nowhere. But it was the safer her at sojannelle77@gmail.com.

Jeane Napoles returns to PHL next week MANILA, Mar 20 (Mabuhay) – Jeane Napoles, daughter of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, is arriving from the United States next week.

The older Napoles revealed the information during an off-camera interview after her petition for bail hearing. This was after reporters asked about an online report which said that Jeanne was supposedly dining at a buffet restaurant in a hotel in Pasay City.

Napoles said her daughter is still in the US and will arrive next week for a vacation.

She also said Jeanne is scheduled to visit her at her detention facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

The younger Napoles was earlier charged by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) with violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for an alleged total tax liability of P32.06 million, inclusive of surcharges and interests, for taxable years 2011 and 2012.

BIR commissioner Kim Henares had said Napoles was able to acquire a condominium unit at the Ritz Carlton in Los Angeles, California worth P54.73 million; and has a share, equivalent to P1.49 million, in a Bayambang, Pangasinan property purchased in 2012.

Napoles, however, did not file any income tax return (ITR) in 2011 and 2012.

There were also no records of returns filed that will prove that gifts were given to her.

She first came under fire after Instagram photos showed her lavish lifestyle.

The photos showed expensive cars she received from her parents for her birthday, debut and graduation from college, as well as luxurious watches, jewelry, clothing, and shoes.

Meanwhile, Jeane asked the Court of Tax Appeals to defer the issuance of a warrant of arrest and suspend the proceedings on her case.

Napoles’ bid to defer the issuance of a warrant for her arrest and to suspend the proceedings on her case was contained in a motion for judicial determination of probable cause which was filed by her lawyers. (MNS)

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Tax consequences of divorce on non custodian parents Consider the common divorce scenario where the divorce judgment provides primary custody of the children to one spouse while the other spouse only gets visitation. The parties begin to file separate tax returns. What are the tax consequences of the non custodial parents with regards to claiming the children in his or her return?

A non custodial parents can no longer file as head of household, even if the non custodial parent is allowed to claim the

children as dependents under the divorce judgment because this requires parents and the parents do not file a joint that the parent have custody of the children return, the child is normally treated as the at least 6 months of the year. Non custodial qualifying child of the custodial parent IRC parents also can no longer claim the earned § 152(c)(4)(B)(i) income tax credit. However, the non cusHowever, the Code allows the depentodial parent can claim the child tax credit dency exemption and child tax credit to be In the absence of a provision in the shifted to the noncustodial parent when a judgment which states otherwise, the par- child receives over one-half of the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ent with primary custody of the children is support during the calendar year from the ordinarily entitled to claim the children as childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents who are either (i) divorced, dependents for tax purposes. If a qualify- (ii) legally separated, (iii) separated under a ing child is claimed as a dependent by both written separation agreement, or (iv) living

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apart at all times during the last six months of the calendar year. The child must be in the custody of one or both of the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents for more than one-half of the calendar year. IRC § 152(e) (1)(A) & (B) To shift the exemption and child tax credit to the noncustodial parent, the custodial parent must release or waive his or her claim to the exemption for the year by executing IRS Form 8332. IRC § 152(e) (2). The custodial parent can waive this right to claim the children as dependents and let the non custodial parent claim them by executing IRS Form 8332 and filing it with his or her return.

Certain Tax Court cases held that the waiver is effective even if the Form 8332 was not filled out in detail. In Bramante (T.C. Memo 2003-228), the custodial parent and agreed to waive her right to exemptions on Form 8332. The custodial parent realized that as her income increased, the value of the exemptions increased. The custodial parent discovered that her Social Security number was missing on the form and that the noncustodial parent, had dated the form in his handwriting. The tax court still upheld the waiver as effective despite the missing details from Form 8332.

In Boltinghouse, the IRS argued that missing details in the separation agreement defeated the waiver (T.C. Memo 2003-134). In this case, the parties executed a separation agreement allowing the non custodial parent to claim one of his children, but the non custodial parent did not file a Form 8332. As a result, the court had to decide whether the agreement conformed in substance to Form 8332. The IRS contended that the agreement was not in substance a Form 8332 because it did not reflect the years the exemptions were to be waived and it did not provide Social Security numbers for the parents.

Although the IRS pointed to some cases in which the Tax Court had rejected waivers that were ambiguous as to the applicable

years, the Tax Court said that it was clear that this agreement applied to the years the parents began filing separate returns. As in Bramante, lack of Social Security numbers was not considered a serious defect by the Tax Court.

The custodial parent can waive the dependent exemption each year or for a number of years. The non custodial parent should file form 8332 with his or her tax return in order to be entitled to the exemption. To avoid any confusion and tax issues with the IRS, the parties should attempt to agree or resolve in court the issue of who will claim the dependency exemption of the children as part of the divorce judgment. Parties should seek the assistance of an experienced attorney to weed through complex family law issues.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

LBC reinforces commitment to move lives of Filipinos Manila, Philippines â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LBC Express, the leading courier service provider in the Philippines, reinforces its commitment to serve Filipinos by connecting them with their loved ones worldwide.

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For more information on LBC, please visit http://www.lbcexpress.com About LBC Express LBC Express, Inc. was founded in the 1950â&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 hassle-free delivery via air, land, and sea â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from cash remittances to payment solutions, from simple parcels and packages to container loads for corporate logistics. We like to move it.

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Why keeping your debt problems a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;secretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; will not help you Have you ever faced a situation in your life where you needed help so badly but you were just too afraid or embarrassed to ask for it? Perhaps you felt confused and overwhelmed with the problem that you spent sleepless nights trying to figure out what to do.

As a bankruptcy attorney, over the years I have met a lot of people who were simply too embarrassed to seek help with their debt problems. Of course, this is perfectly understandable.

After all, financial matters are often too that on the outside, everything looks like personal that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even share this kind they are going just great. At least thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of information with our family or closest what everyone thinks. They have good friends. The result is often isolation and jobs, live in nice homes, they drive fancy loneliness. If people only knew what you cars and they own expensive things. These were going through, maybe they could people look financially successful in the have extended a helping hand or at least eyes of the world. But unbeknownst to evoffer to help you get professional help. eryone, these people are harboring a deep But unless you open up, people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have secret: Nobody knows that everything that the foggiest idea about what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going they have was purchased on credit and they through. So what do you do? could hardly afford to make the payments Oftentimes I meet people who tell me each month!!! These people are in debt to

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

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their eyeballs and no one has the slightest idea about what they are going through.

At the end of a long day, these people canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even get a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep because they are worried sick about how their next paycheck will cover all their bills. They get this sick feeling in their stomach just thinking about the pile of bills on their kitchen table that they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to pay. The world thinks that they are financially successful so how can they let anyone down? They need to keep up with the image that the world has of them and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to disappoint anyone. So day after day, they continue to live with this â&#x20AC;&#x153;secretâ&#x20AC;? that nobody knows. Deep inside, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driving them crazy.

If your finances are out of control, you need to do something about this situationthe sooner the better. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let yourself drown in debt and ruin your future. If you need to get a fresh financial start by eliminating debts or at least consolidating

your bills, remember that we also have bankruptcy laws that can help you get out of the financial mess that you may be in.

Debt problems can happen to anyone and there is no need to be embarrassed in asking for help!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be discouraged. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the end of the world. If you have made mistakes in the past, well, who hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to face debt problems alone. Help is available but you need to take action. For a free CONFIDENTIAL attorney consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-888-752-8211.

We have offices in Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia.

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-888-752-8211).

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OPINION

Aquino responsible for Mamasapano but has yet to consider apology

MANILA, Mar 18 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Wednesday said that while President Benigno Aquino III has taken responsibility for the Mamasapano debacle it does not necessarily mean that he will apologize for it.

“We had discussions with him yesterday but none touching on the call for him to issue an apology over it,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told Palace reporters when asked about calls for Aquino to give a public apology.

“So far, he has been focused on what can be done in the aftermath of the January 25 incident and he has been focused on these things,” she added when asked why Aquino has not considered apologizing despite saying he was also responsible for what happened.

Both former President Fidel Ramos and Senator Grace Poe said the President should consider saying sorry for his involvement in the botched operation, which resulted in the deaths of 44 policemen, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and five civilians.

“Why is it so difficult for him to say sorry about that?” Ramos told reporters on Wednesday. “Saying I’m sorry humbly and sincerely would do 90 percent of the job but hurt has gone deeper.” (MNS)

FVR: Aquino liable in Mamasapano fiasco for violating command responsibility rule MANILA, Mar 18 (Mabuhay) – Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Wednesday agreed with the findings of a Senate panel and the Philippine National Police Board of Inquiry (BOI) that President Benigno Aquino III is “ultimately” responsible for the bloody Mamasapano incident.

In a press conference in his office in Makati City, Ramos said Aquino can be held administratively liable for the Mamasapano incident as he violated Executive Order 226 or the rule on “command responsibility” which the former President authored in 1995.

“Any violation of this Executive Order by any government official, supervisor, officer of the PNP and that of any law enforcement agency shall be held administratively accountable for violation of existing laws, rules and regulations,” Ramos said, reading a portion of EO 226.

“There is no escaping that in the Philippines, we have been practicing the doctrine of command responsibility ever since we have been established as a government,” Ramos added.

Ramos said that EO 226 clearly covers the PNP, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and all government offices under the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

“This is very clear, command responsibility in all government offices, military and civilians. It also includes all agencies, all personnel under the supervision of the Civil Service Commission,” Ramos said.

He maintained that the EO still stands as it has never been amended or repealed since its issuance.

“There is a chain of command in the Philippine National Police and it also applies to other agencies... Even in the corporate world, there is a chain of command. A commander is responsible for what his subordinate does or fails to do,” Ramos said.

Crossing party lines, at least 14 senators have signed the draft Senate committee report citing Aquino as the one “ultimately responsible for the Mamasapano massacre” and two others are set to affix their signatures, Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday.

IS extremism fight may take a generation: Australia Sydney, Australia |AFP| Wednesday 3/18/2015 - The battle against the Islamic State group’s extremism may last a generation, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has warned, likening the jihadists to fanatical followers of Adolf Hitler.

Bishop said the pernicious threat of global terrorism was one that “keeps me awake at night” and urged a strong counter-narrative to the messages of hate and division spread by violent extremists.

“It is crucial that this is not portrayed as a struggle that can be defeated militarily in far flung battlefields. This is a struggle against a malignant idea, a concept, an ideology,” she said in a speech in Canberra late Tuesday.

“We have no choice but to be part of this struggle against extremism in all its forms, both home and abroad, this will take years, decades, potentially a generation—to resolve.”

Bishop said the self-named Islamic State group, also known as Daesh, used social media to obscure the truth and plant propaganda as she noted a parallel with Hitler’s drive to build a new order to last a millennium.

“Daesh is attempting to emulate this approach

with its declaration of a caliphate, claiming to establish a ‘pure’ form of government that will attract the fanatical supporters willing to die for the cause,” she told the Institute of Regional Security.

Australia and other Western countries are grappling with hundreds of citizens who are leaving comfortable lives to become fighters for IS in Iraq and Syria, with at least 90 Australians known to be in the conflict zone.

Bishop said while it could be rationalized why those with long criminal histories, mental illness and drug abusers would travel to a battlefield, it was more difficult to understand why young men would want to “drag the world back to the Dark Ages”.

“It is even harder to explain why young women from similar backgrounds would be motivated to join an organisation notoriously vicious in its degrading treatment of women and girls,” she said.

Thanking the Australian Muslim community for their support, Bishop said the government needed to find a way to protect the vulnerable from “the siren song of the extremists luring our people to stage attacks on our soil or encouraging them to a senseless death.”

Iqbal reiterates: Murad and I are Filipinos COTABATO CITY, Mar 18 (Mabuhay) – Amid claims that he is a Malaysian, Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panel chairman Mohaqher Iqbal on Wednesday morning reiterated that he is a Filipino holding a Philippine passport.

Also, he said MILF chairman Al Haj Murad is holding a Philippine passport, and that those who are questioning their citizenship are some sectors and politicians trying to “make mountains of a molehill” to discredit the MILF’s peace panel.

“I only have one passport, I am not [a] Malaysian, we travel with our counterpart in the Philippine peace panel so they know my passport is issued in the Philippines, Iqbal said.

In a status message posted on his Facebook page last Friday, former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III said the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Department of Foreign Affairs and Bureau

of Immigration might already be aware that Murad and Iqbal are carrying Malaysian passports.

“Ano pa ba kailangang gawin ng MILF para matauhan ang taumbayan na ang ating gobyerno ay nasa pigang kamay ng Malaysia? Tanga ba sila o traydor?” Alunan said.

But Iqbal insisted, “I only have one passport, I am not a Malaysian, we travel with our counterpart in the Philippine peace panel so they know my passport is issued in the Philippines.”

Moreover, Iqbal said some sectors and politicians want to discredit the MILF peace panel.

“We are not hiding anything, we are partners in the negotiation,” he added. Iqbal even cited a Malaysian embassy statement certifying that he and Murad are Filipinos. “In fact, the Malaysian embassy has issued a statement declaring I and Chairman Murad were not Malaysian citizens,” Iqbal said. (MNS)

US Presbyterian Church approves same-sex marriage Washington, United States |AFP| Wednesday 3/18/2015 – The Presbyterian Church USA which accounts for just under two million members, voted Tuesday to expand its definition of marriage to include gay and lesbian couples.

The church, which represents the largest Presbyterian denomination, made the announcement after the majority of its 171 regional governing bodies approved the change.

Its revised constitution will now read that marriage is “a unique commitment between two people, traditionally a man and a woman,” as opposed to just a man and woman previously.

The new language, which was approved by the church’s General Assembly last year, had to be ratified by more than half its regional bodies.

A grouping of congregations in the state of New Jersey became the 86th body to do just that Tuesday.

The decision is likely to drive a further wedge between Presbyterian USA members, who have

taken opposite sides on the issue.

At last year’s Presbyterian General Assembly, the church also gave its pastors a green light to marry gay and lesbian couples in states where such marriages are allowed.

“These decisions have been welcomed by some and are a disappointment to others,” Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly, said at the time. The Presbyterians’ position stands in sharp contrast to that of the Roman Catholic church, the biggest single denomination among Americans, and fundamentalist Evangelicals who strongly oppose gay marriage.

In 2011, the Presbyterian Church USA voted to approve the ordination of openly gay and lesbian clergy.

The constitution’s new wording will take effect on June 21.

The Presbyterian Church USA had 1.76 million members as of the end of 2013.

Yellen: Fed ‘audit’ push would hurt US economy Washington, United States |AFP| Wednesday 3/18/2015 – Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said Wednesday that a proposed law that could involve Congress in monetary policy could damage the economy. Yellen told reporters that the “Audit the Fed” legislation “would politicize monetary policy by bringing Congress in to make policy judgments in real-time on our monetary policy decisions.”

“Congress itself decided in 1978 that that was a bad thing to do. That it would lead to poor economic performance,” she said at a press conference following a Fed monetary policy meeting.

In January Republicans in Congress submitted

legislation that would allow them to ask the Government Accountability Office to “audit” monetary policy as it is made. They say the world’s most powerful central bank is too autonomous and unaccountable, and accuse it of misguided policies and political bias.

The law has made Fed-watchers nervous, and has been strongly condemned by the White House.

Yellen said in her semi-annual testimony in Congress last month that the law aimed at politicizing the central bank. She reiterated that to reporters Wednesday, saying the Fed was already answerable to Congress.

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Hacienda Luisita untouchable?

The wealthy and influential Cojuangco family of President BS Aquino has been running the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita since they bought it in 1958. President Aquino’s grandfather, the late Jose Cojuangco Sr, father of the late and former President Cory Aquino, was able to acquire a large loan from the government, on condition that it would eventually be distributed to farmers after 10 years.

Now almost five decades have passed, the land has not been totally dis- government is saying that as of December tributed to farm workers the way it should 2013, it has acquired and distributed 6.9 be under the law. This is sad because many million hectares of land or 88 percent farm workers have died or were killed for of the total land subject to CARP. Labor asking a piece of land to own and till for groups, however said the figures are farce a living. and only a deception to cover up CARP’s As they have done in the past, the failure to implement genuine land reform Aquinos and Cojuangcos will continue to in the country. use their immense wealth, as well as their Ironically, President Cory’s land reform influential and political connections to program was a pro-landed design dubbed derail any legal attempts to force them to as Stock Distribution Option (SDO), which let go of their Hacienda Luisita. allowed landowners to distribute to their This will also mean that more violence farmers shares of stocks in a corporation will be perpetrated against farm workers instead of land. Because of the SDO creand labor leaders advocating for genu- ated under the CARP, big landowners like ine land reform. It is about time that the the Aquino-Cojuangco families as well Aquino-Cojuangco clan give up their hold as the Arroyos, Aranetas and Floreindos, of Hacienda Luisita. They already made so were able to avoid land distribution to their much money out of their farm workers who farmers. These resulted in labor unrest, work on their sugar mills and plantation for low wages and crafty or false benefits to almost five decades. farm workers.

So much blood has been spilled by In protest of this sneaky SDO program farm workers demanding genuine land of the CARP, the farmers organized a labor reform from the Aquino-Cojuangco clan union to claim their rights. As their numever since President Cory signed the bers grew, they became bolder. On January Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program 22, 1987, police and military personnel, (CARP). The CARP is a government ini- on orders of President Cory, violently tiative that aims to grant landless farmers dispersed a farmers rally to Malacañang and farmworkers ownership of agricultural Palace. Thirteen unarmed farmers marchland. About 7.8 million hectares of land is ing peacefully on Mendiola Bridge near covered by CARP. Legarda street in Sampaloc were gunned It was signed into law by President Cory down one after the other. To this day, no in June 1988 and is supposed to be com- one among the police or military personnel pleted by 1998. Congress enacted a law to were charged in court. extend its existence on the year it was supIn November 16, 2004, farmers workers pose to end with a vision to complete the walked out from their job sites and pickprogram. The CARP ended last year. The eted the gates leading to Hacienda Luisita

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in protest of the dismissal of several farm workers, most of them union officers, in the sugar plantation. They were also demanding better wages and benefits and the implementation of the land reform program as promised by President Cory in 1988 regarding land distribution to farmers.

At 3:20 in the afternoon, policemen from the Tarlac police department and Army troopers stationed just in front of Hacienda Luisita stormed their way to the picket lines in an effort to disperse the strikers. The violent dispersal resulted in the death of seven farm workers, all of whom suffered several gunshot wounds in the body.

Police and army troopers claimed they were forced to fire at the strikers after hearing burst of gunfire coming from the ranks of the strikers. Ironically, not one police or army troopers suffered any injury. To this day, no one was charged in court for the slaying of the seven farmers.

Despite several investigations conducted by the Senate, police and the NBI in an effort to appease public indignation, no one was held accountable on the Hacienda

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Luisita massacre.

A month after the bloodbath, eight more people supporting the farmers quest for justice, were killed one after the other.

Among them was a retired army officer turned labor leader. He was shot and killed in his house days before he was scheduled to testify in a congressional hearing about the Hacienda Luisita massacre.

President Noynoy, who was then a Congressman, delivered a privileged speech to condemn the violence at the picket lines in Hacienda Luisita. He however, did not condemn the slaying of the farmers. In his speech, he said the strike was about retrenchment. But in reality, the strike was in protest of the SDO, a scheme which circumvents land reform where landlords distribute stocks instead of lands.

Farm workers are saying that the blood that was spilled On Mendiola bridge in 1987 and the murder of seven striking farm workers at Hacienda Luisita in 2004 only show that the dreams of every peasant worker to own a farmland will remain elusive as long as the Aquino Cojuangco clan remains influential in government.

Napeñas lawyer: Senate report on Mamasapano ‘more objective’ MANILA, Mar 18 (Mabuhay) – While he has yet to read the entire draft of the Senate joint committee report on the deadly Mamasapano clash, sacked PNP Special Action Force commander Director Getulio Napeñas’ lawyer said that based on the executive summary, the Senate report is more complete compared to the PNP Board of Inquiry report.

“Nabasa ko lang yung executive summary.

Hopefully, it is more objective. But we respect the report of Sen. [Grace] Poe, especially pag ito ay aaprubahan ng plenary. Kung ano pa man, tingin namin ang level diyan mas objective, the responsibility was clarified dun, up to the responsibility of Napeñas,” Atty.

Vitaliano Aguirre told reporters in a chance interview with reporters at the Office of the

Ombudsman.

Aguirre’s client Napeñas arrived at the Ombudsman early Wednesday morning to attend a clarificatory hearing. The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting its own investigation into the deadly Mamasapano clash which left over 60 people dead.

Aguirre said his client remains willing to fully cooperate with the Ombudsman’s fact finding investigation.

“Si General Napeñas naman, unang una pa lang, wala naman siyang tinatago. Two days after, he submitted himself to interview, sinurrender niya nga ang cellphone niya,” he said. Aguirre also said they are ready to provide all necessary supporting documents and evidence that the Ombudsman will require.

16

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FOOD & DINING FAMILY FEATURES

W

hether she’s your mom or a “like-a-mother” mentor, chances are you’ve got a lot to thank her for this Mother’s Day. It’s a time for celebrating your biggest supporters, number one fans and best friends.

In life, we’re lucky to form relationships with women we can learn from and grow with. Beth Somers, Elizabeth Nelson and Emily Tatak from the Wilton Test Kitchen consider themselves lucky.

Beth Somers, Director of Creative Content Development, owes her start to her former boss Milette Raz. Raz is trained in the Wilton Method of Cake DecoratingTM and taught Somers how to decorate. But Somers thinks of Raz as so much more — calling her a mentor, her second mother and her friend.

Years after working together, the duo teamed up for Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, returning home as champions of season six with winning recipes like Tropical Getaway Cupcakes.

Elizabeth Nelson, Assistant Culinary Specialist, attributes her

love of baking to her grandma Ann, learning the basics with her and picking up passed down recipes that she brought with her to college. She looks up to her mother, her grandmother and her great-grandmother, whom she’s told she also gets her competitive nature from. Nelson and her grandmother went through a lot of trial and error together to come up with what they believe is the perfect cinnamon roll recipe, very similar to this recipe for Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Glaze.

For Emily Tatak, preserving family recipes and continuing the traditions around the holidays and in the kitchen led to her career at Wilton as an Assistant Culinary Specialist. She owes her inspiration to her mom, who taught her how to bake.

Together they iced cakes, decorated sugar cookies and even made a gingerbread house from scratch. Keeping with tradition, celebrating the holidays without grandma Irene’s Kolachy recipe just wouldn’t be the same.

For more recipe ideas to honor your mother or special mentor, such as Tropical Getaway Cupcakes, visit s.wilton.com/ MentorKnowsBest.

Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Glaze Servings: 1 dozen rolls Rolls: 1 1/3 cups warm milk (105°F) 2 packages (1/4-ounce each) active dry yeast 1/4 cup granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract 3/4 teaspoon salt 4 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting Filling: 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons bread flour 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon Glaze: 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 1/2 cup lightly-packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon Wilton Pure Vanilla Extract 1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup confectioners’ sugar (about 1/4 pound) For rolls, stir together warm milk, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in large bowl. Let stand 5–10 minutes or until foamy. Add butter, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, egg yolks, vanilla and salt. Mix with electric mixer using dough hook on medium speed until combined. Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, and mix on medium speed until smooth, elastic dough forms, about 5 minutes.

Spray large bowl with vegetable pan spray. Form dough into ball, place into bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand in warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

For filling, stir together butter, sugar, flour and cinnamon in medium bowl until well-combined.

Prepare 13-by-9-inch pan with vegetable pan spray.

Punch dough down and roll out to 18-by-14-inch rectangle on floured surface. Spread filling onto dough and roll up from long end, like a jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal, trim ends and cut into 12 equally-sized pieces.

Place rolls into prepared pan; cover with plastic wrap and let rise 25–30 minutes or until doubled in size.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap from rolls and bake 25–29 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack while preparing glaze.

For glaze, melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cream. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture reaches a simmer; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt. Whisk in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Pour glaze over warm rolls. Serve warm.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add flour, vanilla and salt; beat until just combined. Divide dough into 2 disks. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill at least 12 hours.

Heat oven to 375°F. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll each to 1/8-inch thickness on generously floured surface. Cut cookies using 2-inch round cutter. Place on cookie sheet and make indentation in dough with thumb. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon pastry filling into each indentation.

Bake 16–18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool cookies on pan on cooling grid 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on grid. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

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ENTERTAINMENT

David Foster: Charice is irreplaceable Canadian composer and record producer David Foster, who mentored Charice for a time, said he is open to collaborating once again with the Filipino singing sensation.

“Charice is a phenomenal singer and – you know what? – the more I look around this world and see other singers, [the more I realize] she’s irreplaceable,” Foster said.

“I haven’t met anyone that good, and I really mean, ‘Whew!’”

The singer debuted on American television via “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in December 2007.

She was later featured in the “World’s Smartest Kids” special of Oprah Winfrey’s eponymous talk show in May of the following year. She was last seen on the program in 2010 when she performed her international single, “Pyramid,” with rapper Iyaz.

Charice, who finished runner-up in ABS-CBN’s “Little Big Star” in 2005, has credited Winfrey for her international music career. Impressed by Charice’s

guest role in the TV musical “Glee,” and appeared in the comedy movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squekquel,” among others.

In June 2013, Charice made international headlines when she confirmed on “The Buzz” that she is lesbian, ending months of speculation.

Since then, her change of image also reflected in her preferred music style.

According to Foster, however, he has started communicating again with Charice through e-mail, “talking about maybe getting together again.”

Charice

talent, the billionaire producer contacted Foster to help the singer get a big break in the United States.

She has since gone on tour with Foster, released albums internationally, nabbed a

Toni on Bb. Pilipinas: I was told to host that way Toni Gonzaga has replied to criticisms of her hosting during the Binibining Pilipinas coronation night last Sunday, pointing out that she was given instructions to lighten up the atmosphere of the three-hour-long pageant.

The event, which was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, was co-hosted

by Xian Lim and past title winners Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, and Ariella Arida.

At the start of a press conference held Tuesday for her new film “You’re My Boss,” Gonzaga thanked pageant organizer Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. for “giving me the opportunity to host a big event.” Addressing her critics, Gonzaga continued: “To those who were not pleased, sa mga hindi natuwa, hindi naibigan ‘yung napanood nila noong Sunday, I’m humbly asking for apology if I offended or I have maligned or I have hurt anyone of you, but it was never my intention.”

Among the personalities who criticized Gonzaga’s hosting was Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2000 Nina Alagao, who referred to the actress’ hosting as “overconfident almost to the point of arrogant.”

Celebrity fashion designer Cary Santiago called Gonzaga’s comments “inappropriate,” adding that she was supposedly “rude to the candidates whose nerves are shot already.”

Others expressed dismay that Gonzaga supposedly turned the “prestigious event into a variety show” or an episode of the ABS-CBN reality TV series “Pinoy Big Brother,” which she has hosted since 2005.

It was during the pageant’s questionand-answer portion when Gonzaga specifically drew laughs from the audience with her jokes, with some viewers online observing that she made the event “less formal” and “more fun.”

“Prior to the show,” Gonzaga confirmed in her statement, “I was instructed po to make it fun, light and ease the tension especially during the Q&A portion. Again, it was instructed to me to host that way, to make it lively and fun.”She also expressed gratitude to those who came to her defense and commended her hosting, including BPCI. “I don’t want to miss this opportunity to thank everyone, ‘yung mga friends ko po from the press, my friends from the

industry who have been saying a lot of [good things], who have been defending me, nagsasalita ng good and kind words sa akin, maraming, maraming salamat po.

I really and truly appreciate that from the bottom of my heart.”

Gonzaga added: “In the spirit of beauty pageants, let’s end this issue with world peace.” (MNS)

Among their past collaborations were the soaring ballads “Note to God” and “In This Song,” both part of Charice’s eponymous album that was released worldwide.

“We did not have enough chance to develop her as an artist [before]. It’s welldocumented that she’s had personal issues that sort of slowed down her progress as entertainer,” he said.

“But there’s lots more you’re going to hear from Charice, and maybe I’ll get the opportunity to be that guy to get the best vocal out of her!” (MNS)

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COMMUNITY Suddenly, Fil-Ams are registering to vote for PHL polls, Consulate says Los Angeles, 12 March 2015 – This February 2015, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles reached the COMELEC-set target of processing at least 16,000 registrations for the Philippine Overseas Voting (OV) eight months ahead of schedule. As of 28 February 2015, the Consulate processed a total of 16,507 registrations. The 16,000 target was set during the meeting of Philippine Embassy and Consulate General Officials from the Americas with COMELEC (Commission

on Elections) officials during the onsite “Training for the Resumption of Continuing Registration of Overseas Voters” held in New York in April 2014. In the last registration period covering the years 2011-2012, the Consulate reached a total of 16,395 overseas voter registrations.

In giving justly deserved praise for the recent achievements of his team, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim said, “I congratulate every Consulate personnel who contributed to the record-breaking

performance. They patiently explained not only the process but also the nationbuilding value of participation in the election process.” The Philippine Consulate General started the registration for overseas voters at Consulate on 06 May 2014. A processing window was dedicated at the Consulate’s Community Hall to accept registrations for the Philippine overseas voting. This service was also made available during all the consular outreach activities of the Consulate since May 2014.

Consul General Herrera-Lim adds, “I also admire US-based Filipinos for their commitment to participative democracy in our country.” The registration process will continue up to 31 October 2015 (Philippine time). The Consulate still encourages overseas Filipinos in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to take this opportunity to register and to participate as an overseas voter during the 2016 Philippine national elections.

US firms urged to bid for major infra projects in PHL WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippines is taking advantage of the growing interest of American and other foreign investors in the country by urging them to participate in the bidding for a number of major infrastructure projects that are in the pipeline. “Tremendous opportunities exist in the Philippines for infrastructure development,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. as he noted the successful participation of the Philippines in the recent 8th Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum in New York City.

“It was a great learning and networking opportunity for foreign engineering and construction companies, institutional funders with expertise in infrastructure investments and project consultants, as well as for our own delegation,” said Am-

bassador Cuisia.

During the two-day forum that was participated in by 300 attendees from all over the world, the Philippine delegation led by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson presented various investment opportunities in infrastructure projects in the country.

“Good governance and anti-corruption reforms produced marked improvements in the infrastructure sector, which has strong convergence with agriculture, tourism, flood mitigation and an integrated transport system,” Secretary Singson said as he cited the 250 percent growth in the infrastructure budget of the Philippines in 2015 from its 2010 level.

“The Philippines was received very favorably by the forum attendees who

also noted that the extent of infrastructure building that the Philippines is embarking on is very impressive,” said Peter Thieman, of Dentons, LLP, one of the sponsors of the forum.

Antonio Ferrera, Director General of Acea Dominicana, a subsidiary of Italybased environmental-industrial conglomerate, Acea SpA, expressed admiration for Manila Water Company’s best practice case for the East Zone Concession.

Among the other Philippine projects presented were the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike; the Batangas-Manila Natural Gas Pipeline; and the Mass Transit System Loop Project.

Aside from Secretary Singson, the other members of the government delegation were Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco.

The forum, which was started in 2002, was organized by CG/LA Infrastructure, a

Washington-based firm involved in identifying key market opportunities and challenges in the global infrastructure arena.

The forum was highlighted by the signing by Ambassador Cuisia and US Commerce Secretary Arun Kumar of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.

The agreement establishes a USPhilippines Infrastructure Collaboration Platform between the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Commerce that seeks to facilitate US industry participation in Philippine infrastructure projects.

“The agreement creates a platform for potential US investors to get notification and information about forthcoming infrastructure projects, which would be useful to enhancing awareness and attracting the attention of American investors in the Philippines,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

Nagbubulag-bulagan….An attorney’s duty to cure his client of this problem Nagbubulag-bulagan…is a condtion known to afflict a number of clients. It is but human nature for one to try to ignore one’s legal problems of struggles. After all, this is a defense mechanism that we all have. Sometimes, to be able to get up in the morning and to function and go about our business..we must not allow ourselves to be consumed by these issues. However, in order to effectively confront and tackle the legal problem at hand, one must be focused on the issue. This is part of the role that an Attorney must play in representing his client. wants to get back and the other side knows Gising na..this is in essence what an at- it. The battering spouse is a high earner and torney must be able to convey to his client. he knows that he must keep the victim To be effective, an attorney, at times, will in the marriage . But your client refuses need to have his client’s undivided atten- to see this. There are moral and ethical tion and focus on the issue at hand. Often components to this issue. this takes not only a particular demeanor An attorney must dig deep to ensure or skill from the attorney but a certain that the client does not make another big knowledge of his or her client’s cultural mistake in his or her life. The client must background and sensitivities. Often, this be awaken from denial. The attorney’s is a delicate balance. The client is hurt- responsibility to do so is just as important, ing..he or she may be depressed from all if not more, than any legal strategy he can the events. The client may be in deep, muster. We all put on blinders when faced serious denial and needs a little time away with problems so damaging. It is important from the problem. Or the client may be so to seek an attorney who understands your consumed by the problem, that he or she background and your pain but who will be is unable to act without a clear guidance able to recognize your condition and get from the attorney. you out of this slumber. Please contact our A case in point in a divorce case is office for these or any other legal problem. where a client is “still blindly in love “ Attorney Miguel Inumerable is a graduwith the other spouse even though the ate of UCLA Law School and has more than other has repeatedly battered her or him. 25 years experience serving the Filipino The client came to you out of fear and community. He is bilingual in Tagalog and desperation after the police took the other English. His areas of practice includes spouse to detention. Bruised and bloodied, Family Law (divorce, custody, support, your client convinces her or himself that restraining orders) Bankruptcy, Business the battering spouse is ‘not a bad person’ Litigation, Immigration and Deportation, or ‘was just having a bad day.’ Your client Probate and Criminal and Regulatory Law.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Medicare/Medi-Cal changes confuse members A well-informed Medicare member is a better member.

Today, with so many health advocates and agencies trying to bring down costs and improve quality, many Medicare and Medi-Cal members experience changes in how they get their healthcare services.

There are those Medicare members who have to pay more for their prescriptions. There are those Medicare/Medi-Cal mem

bers who have to see another doctor because their current Primary Care There are those Medicare members who Doctor is not contracted with Medi-Cal. ask if they have to enroll in an Obamacare There are those Medicare/Medi-Cal mem- plan to avoid being penalized. bers who, by default, have been enrolled Certainly, the current disruptions that in Cal Medi Connect because they have happened in the healthcare landscape ignored the letter sent in a blue envelope Obamacare, Cal Medi Connect and Mediby CCI. Cal expansion in California, shift to federal

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen to quit runway in April (Sao Paulo-AFP) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who has reigned supreme on runways for two decades, is retiring from the catwalk to spend more time with her NFL star quarterback husband and their children.

The 34-year-old blonde beauty â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest-paid model who has strutted her stuff for many of the top labels in the business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will make her final sashay down the catwalk in Sao Paulo next month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gisele will focus on special projects and also spending more time on her number one priority: her family,â&#x20AC;? her sister and representative Patricia Bundchen said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She is already cutting back on catwalk appearances and will bid adieu to shows in

her own country during the Colcci brand presentation at Sao Paulo Fashion Week.â&#x20AC;?

Bundchen posted a message to her Facebook page, thanking fans for their support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you for all the love. A kiss in your heart and have a beautiful day!!!!â&#x20AC;? she wrote.

Speculation about Bundchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future had been rife since media reports emerged last week indicating she would make her final runway appearance at the April 1317 Sao Paulo event (SPFW), where she has been a fixture throughout her career.

Bundchen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who Forbes says has been the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest-earning model for the past eight years, with $47 million in earnings last year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is expected to turn her focus to print ad campaigns.

exchange in Nevada - without the proper communications strategy, taxed our Medicare/Medi-Cal membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; understanding on what is happening with their healthcare.

And, there is no one agency they can go to for help to answer their questions!

A note to Medicare/Medi-Cal members: 1. Your case is unique. Do not compare your problem with your friends and neighbors. 2. Medicare and Medi-Cal are not one and the same. They are two different agencies that deal with healthcare. 3.

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private health insurance companies that differ from the Original Medicare with fee-for-service feature. 4. Medicare Advan-

tage Plans differ by counties. The plans in Southern California are richer compared to the plans in the North.

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

Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. Cruz, Zambales. He studied for MBA and Law at the University of the Philippines. He worked for United Laboratories, Inc. where his last position held was vice-president assigned as general manager of a division.

He was a joint-venture partner of the San Miguel Corpopration in an agri-business venture. He holds CA license 0G55218 and a Non-Resident license for Nevada.

24

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For advertising, call (818) 552-4503

LIVE-IN NANNY Must have experience. Must know how to cook. Laundry, light house keep. Saturdays Day-Off. Call 818-339-1549.

HIRING Caregivers/CNA/HHA. Live-in/ live-out (with driving). At least one year experience. Must have a legal status to work. Janess or Tess (818) 536-7356 Agency: Excellent Companion Home Care

402

LIVE-IN CAREGIVER Need live-in caregiver for Board & Care facility in Orange County. Couple and male applicants welcome. Please call (714) 2996406.

FULL-TIME CAREGIVER Board & Care looking for live-in caregiver full-time, 5-6 days a week. Experience necessary. Pls call between 10am-6pm. (323) 658-7660.

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CAREGIVERS Caregivers needed right away.

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.

CAREGIVERS WANTED Looking to hire full time caregivers for day shifts. We are a 6 bed boarding care in Tarzana / Reseda area. To schedule an appointment call (818) 614-7416.

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DIRECT CARE STAFF Direct Care Staff needed for DD facility. Live-out 5 days per week.

Driver's license is a plus. Call Nellie (626) 639-4270.

LIVE-IN STAFF With DSP 1 & 2. Male or female. With car/driver's license, live scan and SS#. Rancho Cucamonga or Riverside. Call 951533-3035.

CAREGIVER OR BABYSITTER Excellent references. Prefers live-in, will consider live-out. Salary negotiable. Call or text for interview 562-652-1332.

LIVE-IN CAREGIVERS Immediate hiring female live-in caregiver for 6 bed facilities for Elderly in L.A. County. Little or no experience needed, will train.

Please call (213) 509-2000.

CAREGIVERS We need female caregivers.

Email resume: info@preservehomecare.us. Call: (818) 3578525 CAREGIVERS Live-in female for Development Disable women facility. Experienced a must. Car preferred. 5 or 6 Days a week. Canoga Park area. Call (818) 426-9969.

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

Please call Janie at 818-517-4393.

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TEL.: (818) 552-4503 ext 402

JAY D" PLUMBER/ HANDYMAN Plumbing repair, drain cleaning, copper repipe, bath & kitchen, remodel hydro jetter, toilet, disposal, heating water heater, iron works, electrical & carpentry. Free estimate.

(818) 730-6571

APT. FOR RENT Hollywood. 1 BR $1,200; Single $1,000; Bachelor $850. Brand new hardwood Ă&#x20AC;r, intercom entry, a/c, TFC cable ready, gated parking, pool, near Sunset & Wilcox, no pets.

Manager speak Tagalog.

323-462-3573.

APT. FOR RENT Single w/ bath $725/mo. 1 BR, 1 BA $950/mo. Near WalMart. Panorama City.

Call Pablo 818-358-4814 APT. FOR RENT 1 BR/1 BA. Good for 1 or 2 persons. Kenmore Ave. bet Sunset Blvd. & Fountain. Near Kaiser. Semi-furnished. 1 parking / laundry room, $950/mo. Call Joel 323-304-1136.

APT. FOR RENT 2BR, 2 full BA, 2 car parking gated., centralized A/C, w/ patio, near Orange line and State Bldg., 14610 Delano St. Van Nuys. Fil mngr. $1,250/mo. 818376-0159 / 818-667-9931.

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APTS. FOR RENT Mid-Wilshire- 322 N. Oxford Ave., Beverly / Western. 1 BR 1 BA $1,095, a/c, new paint, wood Ă&#x20AC;oor, w/ parking. Close to bus stop.

Filipino mngr. 626-7957888.

ROOMS FOR RENT Northridge/Canoga Park.

Furnished, free utilities, cable, internet, Filipino channel. Very clean & in quiet area. $370/mo. and $480/ mo. 818-477-2027.

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

Call 818-693-1358.

2 BEDSPACERS Preferred a lady. $250 bedspacer. 7800 Woodman Ave. Panorama City. Close to Kaiser Permanente hospital. Contact Luz 818-9165145.

4 ROOMS FOR RENT Female only. From $350 to $500 free utilities. Canoga Park. Quiet area, parking. Near bus stop. Island PaciÂżc, Costco. 818-8009615.

ROOM FOR RENT 2 BR 1 BA, big, spacious rooms & kitchen. Near Filipino stores & commercial area. Los Angeles bet Beverly & Dillon St. 213-9085279 or 213-909-8532.

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BEDSPACER $325 Panorama City. Close to WalMart, Island PaciÂżc, Food4Less & bus line.

Month to month. Call 818205-8655.

ROOM FOR RENT Small room $400/mo. Medium room $600/mo. free utilities, w/ TFC, GMA, parking, separate entrance. Rosemont Ave. near Beverly Blvd. 90026.

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Sun Valley CA 91352. Call Fernando 323-434-6623.

ROOM FOR RENT Female preferred. North Hills, furnished, free utils, cable & internet. Big & clean, share bath & kitchen. (818) 770-8041.

ROOM-BURBANK Room for rent with bathroom $750. Female preferred. Call 818-860-2760.

ROOM FOR RENT Big bedroom, house in Mid-Wilshire area, furnished , closet, gated parking. Female pref'd. Close to transpo, church, groceries. From $375 to $500/ mo. (213) 382-5762 or leave a message.

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PRAYERS

PRAYERS

PRAYERS

PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN

PRAYER FOR SAINT THERESE Oh Glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I invite your miraculous intercession.

So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul, Our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prodigy of Miraclesâ&#x20AC;?.

Now fervently beseech you to answer my petition: (mention here) and carry out your promise of doing good upon the Earth of letting fall from heaven a shower of roses. Henceforth, Dear Little Flower, I will fulÂżll your plea â&#x20AC;&#x153;to be made known everywhere and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you.

Amen (Say prayer every day for 9 days. By 4th day, you will see a rose in a magazine, TV picture or receive roses. You can also get strong scent of roses in home even if no roses present. Must promise publication. Thank you Saint Therese.

-VIOLA

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and conÂżrm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how difÂżcult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks -LEO

(Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful Ă&#x20AC;ower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish and it will be granted to you.

Grateful Thanks.- RHON

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Special collagen straight rebonding We the members of the Art of Hair Beauty Lab study really hard to make our customers satisfied. We are very happy to see many Filipino customers who recognize our salon. I am going to introduce how to do hair rebonding without getting any damages.

We have studied long enough to find our own technique. First: We need to precise time to make your hair beautiful.

However, people who did self-coloring check and know customer’s hair precisely.

People have different hair conditions, even at home, we need to put Collagen mixed its shapes and curls are various. Therefore, with chemicals to make your hair healthy to do this straight rebonding, we need to and elastic.

To make your hair fabulous and healthy, know our customer’s hair right. Since this product contains chemicals, we got to be we need some fancy special products and hair doctors. Second: To do rebonding, we must use it to protect your hair. Lastly, since everyone has different hair condi- if you have serious curls, there is no way tion and curls, we use different amount of you will avoid even bigger damages. Howchemicals for each customer. ever, after done with your Japanese Straight Our secret technique: we put Japanese Rebonding, we can do something to make PPT treatment before we start doing re- your hair shiny. bonding to protect your hair. Especially If you have any questions you can visit for those of you who have just colored their us and make appointments. Art of Hair hair. It’s better if you cut the damaged parts Beauty Lab can be reached at 818-757of your hair first.

0675 or 818-757-0680.

Third: If you have natural hair, which The Park Jun’s Van Nuy’s branch is means you didn’t color your hair or permed located at 17613 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, your hair, we can use regular straight CA 91406. Tel. 818-757-0675; 818-757chemicals and all we have to do is set 0680. Website: www.parkjun.com.

US BIG ROLE From page 1

brought into the local army brigade headquarters during the operation, creating tensions with the Filipino military commander at a crucial time, the Senate report said.

“One of the Americans ordered Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan to fire the artillery,” the report stated.

“However Pangilinan refused and told him: ‘Do not dictate to me what to do. I am the commander here’.”

Responding to the Senate report, a US government official told AFP: “This operation was planned and executed by Philippine authorities. We refer you to them for details of the operation.”

The United States provides military training and intelligence to the Philippines in its counter-terrorism efforts.

US forces are not allowed to engage in combat under the terms of an agreement between the allies – a deal Poe said there was no evidence to suggest had been breached.

But, citing US training, equipment and intelligence, she said there were concerns that Washington’s influence on the Philippine National Police (PNP) was too strong.

“This raises a question of whether the PNP leadership would have entered into

AQUINO From page 1

three-ways in the Visayas, with 34% saying Aquino should not resign now, 36% ambivalent on the matter, and 29% saying he should step down now.

In terms of socio-economic class, 43% among Class D and 42% among Classes ABC and E disagree with calls for Aquino to step down now.

Nearly 8 of 10 Filipinos (79%) also believe that the national administration and President Aquino have not yet given enough explanation regarding the Mamasapano clash, which saw 44 elite police commandos killed by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters and other lawless elements.

The Mamasapano clash has threatened to derail the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as it cast doubts on the sincerity of the MILF and its commitment to the peace process. The BBL is meant to create a new autonomous region for the Bangsamoros that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The clash has also magnified the supposedly unconstitutional provisions in the BBL, holding back legislators from passing the proposed measure within the Aquino administration.

Only 10 % of the respondents believe the government’s explanation on the

such a risky and hazardous operation without the support of the United States and the five-million (dollar) reward offered for Marwan’s capture.”

Aquino’s public support has plummeted to its lowest level since he took office in 2010 because of the botched raid, according to a survey released on Tuesday.

His public approval ratings fell to 38 percent in the first week of March, from 59 percent last November, polling firm Pulse Asia said.

Aquino’s term ends in the middle of next year and the constitution does not allow him to run for re-election.

But his plunging popularity could weaken his ability to secure congressional support for his most important remaining initiatives, as well as damage the election chances of his hoped-for successor.

Aquino is also hoping to finalize a peace pact with the nation’s biggest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and end a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1970s.

But the raid has left the peace process in jeopardy, with Congress suspending hearings on the proposed law that would implement the pact.

Mamasapano clash is enough, while 11% expressed indecision on the matter.

President Aquino has drawn heavy criticism for his failure to apologize over the Mamasapano clash and his supposedly inconsistent statements regarding the debacle.

Criticisms on the president also focus on his decision to consult his close friend, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima, regarding the January 25 mission despite his suspension at that time.

While the survey revealed that more Filipinos are against calls for Aquino to step down from office now, political analysts believe that the Mamasapano fiasco has greatly affected the president’s endorsement power in the 2016 polls.

Some politicians and pundits also say that calling for Aquino’s resignation may be impractical, as the chief executive’s term is about to end in 2016 anyway.

President Aquino’s decision to skip the arrival honors for the slain SAF troopers in favor of the inauguration of a car plant in Laguna also did not go unnoticed.

The Pulse Asia survey said most Filipinos (91%) are aware of of the president’s non-appearance during the January 29 arrival honors, which critics had saying was unbecoming of a president.

Sam Milby and Jessica Sanchez jam together at Barrio Fiesta Glendale ‘Steamy’ L.A. scene at Barrio Fiesta Glendale: Sam Milby and Jessica Sanchez, who were rumored to be more than just friends, were seen together at Barrio Fiesta in Glendale, California. According to folks who were around, the couple did an acoustic cover of Beyonce’s “XO,” the video of which was posted on The Original Barrio Fiesta Glendale Facebook.

The two celebrities also had dinner at the famous Filipino restaurant. Jessica also

sang another song via karaoke “I will always love you” by Whitney Houston. Sam Milby thanked Barrio Fiesta Glendale on his Instagram account and Twitter account.

Jessica Sanchez also posted a picture of her with Sam Milby on her Twitter account as well.

Owned by Bobby Yutadco, Barrio Fiesta Glendale is located at 818 N Pacific Ave Glendale, California, home of the best kare-kare in town.

POE- FRANCIS

that might not be good also for your sworn mandate.”

She said that while things can change, being president is a difficult position “seeing what [President Aquino] is going through right now.”

One factor that is shaping her decision, she said, is the 2004 presidential campaign of her father, the late Action King Fernando Poe Jr. The actor ran for president in 2004 but lost to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in an election that was allegedly marred by widespread cheating.

Poe said her favorite line comes from Pope Francis, when he was asked when he wanted to be pope. The pope replied: “I never wanted to be pope because the person who wants to be pope does not love himself.”

“Jesus does not like people who don’t love themselves. When you think about that position, why would I want to do that?

It’s difficult except when you think about what you can do for the people. That’s what can spell the difference,” she added. (MNS)

From page 1

well in the surveys should not be discouraged. She said her own senatorial bid saw her jump from 28th place in the pre-election surveys to number 5 and then down to number 11 right after she said she would run.

The senator said it is difficult to even consider that the more seasoned Escudero would run for a lower position alongside her.

“I keep telling Senator Chiz he is very seasoned. He really knows. He helps me and I think he is qualified. In my mind it is hard to even think he will be my vice.

Maybe he should be president,” she said.

Poe admitted that she has not made up her mind on running for higher office next year.

“People might find it hard to believe but I am not really planning that strategy yet because it will really affect the quality of your work if your intention is because I will run. You might make certain compromises

PACQUIAO From page 1

Philippines in February, it was great to finally put on the headgear and spar,” Pacquiao said. “My sparring partners gave me good work today. They were perfect for testing the strategy Freddie and I have developed to beat Floyd Mayweather. I was very happy with my stamina and speed.”

Roach was especially pleased with Pacquiao’s form considering he had not been inside the ropes since defeating Chris Algieri last November in Macau.

“Manny looked so fresh today. I’m very happy with what he showed me,” Roach said. “You couldn’t tell he had been away from the ring since the Algieri fight in November. Manny is on fire in the gym.”

Pacquiao, a two-term Congressman

TRILLANES From page 1

nag-iingat na kantihin ang SAF kasi nakuha nila ang simpatya. Pero sa akin, kung ano ang totoo, ilabas namin (Many senators are too careful not to offend the SAF because they have gained their sympathy. But for me, we must come out with the truth).”

Asked how including the testimonies would change the committee report, Trillanes said, “Mag-iiba ang pananaw n’yo kay General Napenas, doon sa SAF, doon sa Army, kay Presidente Aquino (Your views about General Napenas, SAF, the Army, and President Aquino will change).”

The Senate held five executive sessions for its probe into the Mamasapano incident,

from Sarangani province in the Philippines, is 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts while Mayweather is 47-0 with 26 knockouts entering their Las Vegas matchup, a fight fans have been wanting to see for more than five years. The much-anticipated showdown for the pound-for-pound global bragging rights is expected to break boxing revenue records. Roach noted Pacquiao’s sparring started on St Patrick’s Day while US baseball teams were involved in preseason spring training, making his confidence for the big fight clear.

“When Manny threw out the first punch it felt like opening day of Irish Spring Training,” Roach joked. “I am confident May 2 will be celebrated for years to come as St Manny’s Day – the day he drove Mayweather out of boxing.” particularly on matters that may compromise national security if discussed in a public hearing. Statements made during executive sessions are strictly confidential, and it would take a majority vote from senators to make them public.

Trillanes said he has made up his mind about not signing the report, which already has the endorsement of 20 senators.

“This was the best opportunity for the Senate to steer this whole investigation into the right direction, the direction towards the truth. But we missed it,” he said.

“Rather, kung saan ang public opinion ngayon, doon natin kinonform ang committee report (Rather, the committee report conformed with public opinion),” Trillanes added.

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MOTORING

Nissan Rogue one of ‘10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $25,000’ NASHVILLE, Tenn., Mar. 12, 2015 – Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com has named the 2015 Nissan Rogue one of the “10 Best All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Under $25,000.” KBB.com editors selected the Rogue due to its available third row seat and “attractive feature set,” including the “very helpful” Around View Monitor, heated seats and NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps.

“In what has been a brutal 2014 to 2015 winter for many across the country, the importance of having a reliable allwheel drive vehicle is as high as ever,” said Dan Mohnke, vice president, Nissan Chief Marketing Manager & Marketing Operations. “Featuring Advanced Ride Control, Active Trace Control* and Active Engine Braking among many other features, with a premium look and feel, Rogue is a solid entry in the marketplace. We are ecstatic that the Rogue has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book.”

Nissan Rogue’s robust exterior styling is designed to stand out in its class. The bold, sharp lines offer a sporty and confident appearance. Exterior highlights include signature LED daytime running lights, muscular front fenders and hood, body-color outside mirrors with standard integrated turn signals and rear spoiler.

Also available are LED headlights, fog lights, privacy glass, roof rails, heated outside mirrors, power panoramic moonroof and a power rear liftgate.

The premium look and feel continues inside, with the interior designed to make everyday activities a little easier. Rogue’s ample interior roominess offers available

seven-passenger seating with the optional stadium-style, flat-fold third-row 50/50-split bench seat.

The reclining 40/20/40-split secondrow seat offers second row legroom of 37.9 inches and 9.0 inches of fore/aft adjustability with the EZ Flex Seating System.

Rogue also offers the advanced Divide-N-Hide Cargo System providing 18 adjustable variations between the cargo and occupant areas (two-row models). With the second-row seat folded down, the innovative, class-exclusive** Divide-N-Hide Cargo System creates a flat cargo area. When more space is needed for carrying taller or bulkier items, lowering the floorboard creates a deeper cargo well.

Fuel economy is 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg city, with a combined EPA rating of 28 mpg (front-wheel drive models).

The 2015 Rogue also features a suite of confidence-inspiring dynamic technologies – with Active Trace Control, Active Engine Braking and Active Ride Control. A four-wheel independent suspension, Electric Power-assisted Steering and four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System.

If you want to be the next Rogue owner, or you may want to purchase another Nissan vehicle, brand-new or certified pre-owned, all you have to do is get in touch with Nelson Samson at Ross Nissan located at 3428 North Peck Road, El Monte, CA 91731. Or call them to make an appointment at 1-866-4811050. For more information, please visit their website at www. rossnissan.com.

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

Fiat bets big on SUVs but not on Chrysler (Relaxnews) – The Fiat Group is planning to pull the plug on the Chrysler brand in Europe but believes that Jeep has a huge future on the continent and beyond as the consumer demand for rugged crossovers and SUVs shows no sign of dimming.

In February, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles sold over 66,000 vehicles in Europe. And while very few (6,000) carried a Chrysler badge, the company saw a 182.4% yearon-year increase in Jeep sales.

Fiat has shown with the retro-styled 500 city car that it knows how to take an in-demand vehicle and stretch its brand and styling values into a whole range of cars, and it has similar plans for Jeep.

The marque has a three-model range at

the moment but Fiat wants to also offer a mid-sized Jeep-badged crossover to the ranks and, before the end of the decade, a premium SUV that could truly go toeto-toe with Range Rover.

However, Fiat also has to be careful.

As well as owning US marques Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep, it is also Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia and Ferrari’s parent company – at least until the share offering makes Ferrari (semi) independent again later this year.

Maserati will be launching its first SUV, the Levante, next year and an Alfa Romeo crossover is also in the works. Fiat is clear that every model needs to stand on its own and not detract from other vehicles that it makes.

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2015 Mitsubishi Mirage one of ‘10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars Under $25,000’ list

The Mirage is the only vehicle on this year’s list that is not an EV or hybrid vehicle Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, an important resource of automotive information and vehicle valuations, has named Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.’s (MMNA) 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage 5-door subcompact to the organization’s “10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars Under 25,000” list. The Mirage is the most fuel-efficient, gasolinepowered, non-hybrid vehicle available in America today and is the only non-EV/nonhybrid vehicle to be included on the list.

With a starting MSRP of only $12,995 and an EPA fuel rating of 40 mpg combined

(37 mpg city/44 mpg highway), the 2015 Mirage is an affordable vehicle to purchase with equally affordable cost of ownership.

Furthermore, every Mirage comes with Mitsubishi Motors’ outstanding warranty, one of the industry’s most comprehensive protection plans. Coverage includes a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty, 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty and 5-years/unlimited miles roadside assistance.

“The Mirage continues to be an important vehicle for the Mitsubishi brand,” said Don Swearingen, Executive Vice Presi-

2015 Mitsubishi Mirage

dent, MMNA. “With its affordable price, incredible fuel economy and surprising list of available features, the Mirage is a great value that people recognize – February 2015 was the vehicle’s best-ever sales month since its launch in 2013.”

Come and visit our kababayans at Cerritos Mitsubishi, where kababayans are always treated as special customers. Even

their marketing thrust is anchored on that magical Tagalog word: Kababayan. They also have a Kabayan Price.

Call Eugene C., Michael S. or Vincent T.who lead the sales operation for the Filipino market. Call now toll free at 1-888-835-6136 to get the same Number 1 customer service from our very own kababayans.

Car companies support campaign to clean up diesel’s image (Relaxnews) – According to the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), consumers are confused when it comes to diesel fuel’s green credentials and so, with the support of a host of major car makers it is attempting to redress the balance and correct many misconceptions.

They might be more expensive to buy but new-generation diesel engine cars are cheaper to run, offer better fuel efficiency than petrol or even many hybrids and, thanks to a number of technological upgrades have also become less sluggish, quieter and kinder to the environment.

However it would appear that despite ongoing popularity in the region – 55% of new cars sold in Europe are diesels – they’re still perceived by many motorists

as adding to rather than reducing pollution.

So much so that the SMMT has this week launched a UK-wide campaign, backed by Ford, BMW, Jaguar and Volkswagen to help dispel misconceptions and underline the role that cleaner diesel engines have in helping to hit stringent future cleaner air targets.

“Diesel cars produce, on average, 20% less CO2 than equivalent petrol cars and so have a vital role to play in helping to arrest climate change,” said Graeme Grieve, CEO BMW Group UK. “Great strides have been taken to transform diesel engine emissions technology and continued, major investment from the industry is making them even cleaner.”

From September, all new cars on sale in the EU, regardless of their engine type will

have to comply with the Euro-6 emission standards, meaning that they will be the leanest from an environmental standpoint in automotive history.

However, the SMMT is concerned that in the UK, this is being ignored by policymakers who are basing fines, rewards and penalties solely on a car’s engine type. For example, in some areas of London it costs more to park your car outside your home if it has a diesel engine, regardless of its emissions or fuel economy rating.

The UK is not alone in targeting diesels as a means of cleaning up its environmental act. In France, over 70% of cars on the roads are diesel and to encourage motorists to consider fuel efficient gas engines, hybrids or full electric vehicles instead, the government has increased the price

of diesel fuel. Moreover it is contemplating banning cars from city centers once they’ve passed a certain age and launching a scheme to help drivers trade in a diesel for a gas, electric or hybrid model.

There is no debating that a well-maintained and serviced diesel engine burns less fuel than a gas engine with the same displacement. But there is also no debating that diesel engines release more potentially harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx).

To counteract this, the latest diesel cars have special particulate filters but they take time – usually 5km of travel – to really start working at an optimum level. This issue could have been one of the contributing factors to the record pollution levels seen in Paris in March 2014 which saw the city introduce a driving ban.

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Honda Accord and Civic ranked as two most popular models in California in 2014 Accord #1 most popular car with Californians in 2014; CR-V most popular SUV in the state TORRANCE, Calif., Feb 19, 2015 – The Honda Accord and Civic were the two most popular vehicles with individual California car buyers in 2014, according to a Honda analysis of new-vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive. The Ac-

cord was California’s most popular vehicle with individual buyers in 2014, followed

by Civic as the second most popular new vehicle.1 2014 was the second year in a row that a Honda vehicle earned the top spot in California, with Civic having taken the title in the Golden State in 2013.2 Among all new vehicle registrations, California car buyers purchased 71,578 Accords and 67,293 Civics in 2014, up 17.3 and 0.5 percent, respectively, when

Honda Accord is the Number 1 most popular car with Californians in 2014

compared to 2013 results. What’s more, in 2014 some 34,980 CR-V sport-utility vehicles were purchased by car buyers in California, up 9.8 percent in the state versus the previous year, making CR-V the most popular SUV in California in 2014.

“California is a critical battleground for the auto industry, and it tends to set the tone for the country in terms of product and sales trends, so it’s great to see California buyers choosing Honda over the competition in key product segments,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We’re in a very strong position with core products like Accord, Civic and CR-V and we’re going to really fortify our light-truck lineup with the launch this spring of the all-new HR-V crossover and the summer arrival of the redesigned Pilot SUV.” On a national basis, the Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey were the top retail sellers in their respective segments for the second consecutive year, according to new-vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive. Taken together, retail registrations of Accord, Civic and CR-V topped 1

million units in 2014, totaling 1,031,266.

Excluding full-size pickups, no other trio of models across the industry top retail registrations of more than one million units in a single year. National retail new vehicle registrations in 2014 for Honda’s three top sellers were 382,535 units for Accord, 317,025 for Civic, and 331,706 for CR-V. Approximately 98 percent of Honda brand new car registrations in America in 2014 were to individual retail car buyers.

Approximately 98 percent of Honda brand new car registrations in America in 2014 were to individual retail car buyers.

There’s no arguing that Honda may just be the most popular car model, period. Isn’t it about time you yourself get a Honda? Or, better replace your Honda with a newer model.

Although a Honda is a Honda wherever you see one, Filipinos flock to Carson Honda because of the friendly Filipino staff at the dealership and of course because of the service our kababayans provide.

One of them, Rohmer Manalese, has even earned the “Best in Customer Satisfaction,” an honor he keeps consistently, along with the three other Filipino sales staff in the persons of Ricky Agagas, Terzo Pallen and Christian Reyes, all of whom are veterans in the car sales industry. “We have a great staff and this is a great dealership,” Carson Honda General Manager Krisztian Kratky said. “We have a friendly atmosphere.” Carson Honda is located at 1435 E. 223rd Street, Carson, CA 90745.

They can be reached toll free at 1-800503-2321.

China driving slowly towards a greener future (Relaxnews) – Interest in electric cars is growing in China, but don’t expect a green motoring revolution anytime soon. It’s going to take until the end of the decade for electric and hybrid vehicles to constitute 4% of new cars on the road. Still, the figures, courtesy of Frost and Sullivan, paint a more optimistic picture of the country’s personal mobility future than the most recent report from the US Energy Information Administration.

Its 2014 long-term outlook forecasts that it will take until 2040 for plug-in electric cars to represent 1% of new vehicles on US roads. However, it is more optimistic about hybrids, which it believes will make up 5% of the new car total within the next two decades. Frost & Sullivan’s report “Strategic Analysis of the Chinese Powertrain Market,” published on Tuesday, highlights that government support for the technology along with financial incentives are helping to make plug-in hybrids and full electric cars more popular with Chinese drivers and to focus businesses on continuing to develop and market the technology. “Besides the New Energy Vehicle Development Program, the Chinese Government has launched the National Program for Medium-to-Long-Term Scientific and Technological Development and 863 Program to transform the Chinese automotive manufacturing industry,” said Frost & Sullivan Automotive & Transportation Research Associate Ming Lih Chan.

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Top-selling Honda CR-V and Odyssey named Best Cars for Families by U.S. News & World Report Odyssey minivan wins best minivan for families award for 5th consecutive year Mar 11, 2015 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The boldly restyled 2015 Honda CR-V (http://automobiles.honda.com/cr-v/) compact sport utility vehicle and the classleading 2015 Honda Odyssey minivan (http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/) have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as 2015 Best Cars for Families. This is the fifth year in a row that the Honda Odyssey has been selected as the Best Minivan for Families.

“Recognition from the Best Cars for Families awards for our top-selling CR-V and Odyssey demonstrates that the Honda brand values align with the needs of family buyers in terms of performance, fuel efficiency and safety performance,” said Jeff Conrad, Honda division senior vice president and general manager.

“The CR-V and Odyssey were designed to offer the ideal vehicle packaging for transporting families in comfort and style positioning Honda strongly in the competition for family buyers.”

The new 2015 Honda CR-V received the most significant mid-model cycle refresh in its history, with a new direct-injected Earth Dreams Technology™ i-VTEC® engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) to improve performance and fuel efficiency.

A new suite of Honda Sensing™ safety and driver-assistive features on the Touring trim, along with significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling, and a long list of new family-friendly standard and available

features bring a new level of sophistication to America’s top-selling SUV1.

The Odyssey received a multitude of powertrain, styling, interior, feature and safety equipment upgrades for the 2014 model year, including the highly acclaimed in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, the HondaVAC, featured on the Odyssey Touring Elite.

Other upgrades designed to meet the needs of active families included the addition of a standard 6-speed automatic transmission resulting in receipt of class-leading EPA fuel-economy ratings, enhanced safety equipment and connectivity upgrades.

The Best Cars for Families award methodology combines professional automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume and the availability of family-friendly features. The 2015 Honda CR-V and Odyssey and other winners can be found at http://usnews. rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/BestCars-for-Families/.

Meanwhile, if you want to belong to the select group of Honda owners, all you have to do is visit the Diamond Honda of Glendale and get in touch with our kababayans Tito Adriosula, Cruzella Clemente and Orly Roque, who

are more than ready to serve you and find you your new Honda Hybrids or any other Honda vehicle and be assured of top fuel efficiency as well as safety and maintenance.

These are just some of the reasons why Pinoys come to the dealership. Above all, at Diamond Honda of Glendale,

customers are treated like Diamonds! That statement is backed up by General Manager Philip Keung, who has endeared himself to Filipino customers because of his professionalism and his recognition and vast understanding of Honda’s multi-ethnic market.

“He is a great anchor.

We rely on his wisdom and professional savvy all the time. He is very helpful to the Filipino salesmen and customers alike,” says Tito. Diamond Honda of Glendale is located at 138 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205. Its toll-free number is 1.866.237.7092.

The Odyssey received a multitude of powertrain, styling, interior, feature and safety equipment upgrades for the 2014 model year, including the highly acclaimed in-vehicle vacuum cleaner, the HondaVAC, featured on the Odyssey Touring Elite.

Toyota Sienna and RAV4: All-wheel-drive cures for the winter blues

Through ice and snow, Toyota continues to go places, like this Toyota Sienna.

Sienna: The only all-wheel-drive minivan in the segment TORRANCE, Calif. (March 2, 2015) – Through ice and snow, Toyota continues to go places. Long, harsh winters can be a bit more bearable when drivers of family haulers ride into spring with the added capability and peace of mind that an allwheel-drive (AWD) vehicle provides.

Recently, the Toyota Sienna and RAV4, both with available AWD, along with some leading competitors in their respective segments, completed certified testing in snow and ice conditions by notable third-party organization AMCI. The certified tests revealed the Sienna minivan and RAV4 compact SUV performed significantly better in the areas of acceleration, traction, and handling on snowy and icy road conditions when equipped with AWD. In fact, the certified testing results showed the

Sienna AWD performed substantially better than other frontwheel-drive competitors in its segment and equal cornering perforMark Mercado, Filipino mance on both Fleet Director of Hooman ice and snow Toyota of Long Beach. as a competing popular mid-size SUV equipped with fourwheel-drive!

Similarly, the RAV4 equipped with AWD was AMCI Testing certified to deliver better active-safety acceleration, handling and cornering performance on snow than its competitors in the testing.

Specific certified testing in which a Sienna XLE AWD and RAV4 XLE AWD each outperformed its competition by large

margins included: 0-50 mph on snow Shorter stops on ice from 30 mph Cornering performance on ice (Sienna only) and snow (Sienna and RAV4) Evasive-action performance on snow (RAV4 only) Toyota’s AWD technology helps provide additional on-road capability. The Sienna AWD system employs a transfer case to smoothly deliver power to an electromagnetic coupler on the rear differential that divides engine power up to 50/50 front and rear. Wheel slippage at either set of wheels automatically transfers more power to the opposite wheels to help keep the Sienna moving forward. This type of system not only handles wet and slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.) with confidence, but is fully up to light-duty off-highway conditions. Driver intervention is minimized, as the AWD system continuously monitors the torque transfer between the front and rear wheels. Front to rear torque distribution can vary from 100:0 to 50:50, with frontwheel drive (100:0) automatically engaged under normal driving conditions to help improve fuel consumption.

The RAV4 compact SUV offers a sophisticated Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive system. By coordinating through a high-speed interactive management system with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and electric power steering systems, Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive helps enhance performance, handling and safety.

This advanced AWD system continuously monitors and controls the torque transfer between the front and rear wheels

via an electromagnetically controlled coupling positioned in the rear differential.

Dynamic Torque Control uses input from various sensors (vehicle speed, steering speed and angle, throttle angle and yaw rate) to actively govern torque distribution to the rear wheels, as needed.

Front to rear torque distribution can vary from 100:0 to 50:50, with front-wheel drive automatically engaged under normal driving conditions to help reduce fuel consumption. The system automatically shifts to AWD when accelerating to help prevent front wheel slippage, or when sensors detect wheel slippage.

To help prepare your Sienna and RAV4 for the harsh winter elements, a Toyota Outdoor Package is offered. Available with all 2015 Sienna AWD models and select RAV4 XLE and Limited models in both FWD and AWD, the package consists of roof rack cross bars, all-weather floor mats and mud guards. The Sienna package also includes door sill protectors while the RAV4 package adds a rear bumper skid plate garnish.

But what’s good about buying either a Toyota Sienna and RAV4, or any Toyota vehicle now for that matter, you can get a lifetime oil change and tires for life if you purchase them from Hooman Toyota.

That’s right folks, aside from free oil change and tires, other VIP treats are offered only at Toyota’s most popular car dealership in Long Beach.

For details, call our kababayans Alfie Alberto and Arvin Aberilla now toll free at 1-800-519-2446 at be a VIP for life.

Hooman Toyota is located at 4401 East Pacific Highway, Long Beach, CA 90804.

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