Weekend Balita May 16, 2015 by Balita Media Inc

LOS ANGELES

VOL. XXIII, NO. 15

MAY 16 - 22, 2015

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANS

BINAY WILL BACK OUT: TRILLANES

Senator certain vice president will quit presidential ambition

MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – Now the cat is out of the bag, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is almost certain that Vice President Jejomar Binay will back out from the presidential race in 2016. “Tapos na ang boksing. Kahit magaling sila magsinungaling, hindi na nila kayang lusutan ito (Game is over. Even if they’re good in lying, they can’t get out of this),” Trillanes said in a text message to reporters on Thursday. “Ngayon, kung umatras sya sa kanyang kandidatura, mas makakapamili ang mga

Pilipino kung sino ang karapatdapat mamuno sa ating bansa na walang pangamba na maaring may mahalal muli na isang mandarambong (Now if he’s going to withdraw his candidacy, the Filipino people can choose who is the right leader for the country, without worries that the one who will be elected is a thief),” he said. The senator issued the statement after the media reported the purported report of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which supposedly indicated that a a total of P11 billion had been recorded in the accounts of Binay, his alleged dummies and his son Makati City Mayor Jejomar See BINAY BACK OUT, page 10

MAKATI PARKING BUILDING PROBE: Senator Koko Pimentel(right), chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee investigating the alleged overpricing of the Makati Parking Building II, and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (left) discuss the alleged irregular transactions reportedly entered into by the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), more popularly known as PagIBIG Fund under the leadership of Vice President Jejomar Binay. During the hearing, Trillanes said Pag-IBIG granted “developmental loans” to four developers who were allegedly close to Binay. The Binay camp has denied the allegation. (MNS photo)

China peeved at US ‘plans’ in disputed waters People gather near a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Fokker F27 plane that nosedived on the runway of Legazpi City airport on Monday. No one was hurt in the mishap caused by the nose landing gear of the plane that failed, but the accident caused flight delays at the airport. (MNS photo)

DFA chief urges US to give more focus on China’s actions in disputed seas 12 MAY 2015, WASHINGTON D.C. – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario called on the United States to urgently give more focus to recent developments in the South China Sea and provide substance to its Asia rebalance policy. At the launch of the US-Philippines Strategic Initiative (USPSI) today, May 12, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C., the Secretary said that the Philippines remains supportive of the US Government’s rebalance towards Asia. The US-Philippines Strategic Initiative, a joint project by CSIS and the ADR Institute, aims to highlight the enduring alliance “through sustainable and strategic engagement on high-impact global and regional issues.” It is expected to produce policy recommendations that would enable the Philippines-US alliance to effectively deal with current political and economic realities. Secretary Del Rosario lauded the effort in his written remarks, describing it as “deliberate, timely, and time-bound.” “At the core of this Initiative is the realization that the United States must reSee US MORE FOCUS, page 10

Beijing, China (AFP) Wednesday 5/13/2015 – Beijing expressed anger Wednesday after reports the United States was considering ramping up its military presence in disputed South China Sea waters and confronting Chinese territorial claims with ships and aircraft. Defence Secretary Ash Carter asked staff to explore sending Navy surveillance aircraft and vessels to islands which Washington believes have been rapidly built up by China in recent months, the Wall Street Journal said Tuesday, citing officials. “We are severely concerned by relevant remarks made by the American side,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua

Chunying told a regular briefing in Beijing. “Freedom of navigation does not mean that the military vessels or aircraft of a foreign country can wilfully enter the territorial waters or airspace of another country.” China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters approaching the coasts of its Asian neighbours, and has provoked alarm with increasingly bold actions. United States officials last week accused China of building up to 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of artificial islands in the Spratlys, an archipelago of more than a hundred islands, reefs and atolls between See CHINA PEEVED, page 10

PHL, Japan hold historic naval drills in flashpoint waters By Mynardo Macaraig

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Tuesday 5/12/2015 – Two Japanese destroyers and one of the Philippines’ newest warships began historic naval exercises in the flashpoint South China Sea on Tuesday, showcasing a deepening alliance aimed at countering a rising China. The day-long war games, the first bilateral naval exercises between the former World War II enemies, took place less than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from a Philippine-claimed shoal now under Chinese control. Philippine authorities insisted the exercises were merely focused on building military capabilities, but security analysts said they were clearly a signal to China over bitter maritime territorial disputes. “First they demonstrate that China’s Pacific neighbours are beginning to balance against China,” professor Michael Tkacik, a foreign policy expert at the Texas-based Stephen F. Austin State University, told AFP. “Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and assorted other states are threatened by China’s behavior, even as far away as India. Thus, the Philippines and Japan are jointly making an important statement about how seriously they view China’s actions.” China has caused deep concern regionally in recent years as it has become more aggressive in staking its claims to the South China Sea and Japanese-claimed islands in the East China Sea. China insists it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the South China Sea. However the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have competing claims to See HISTORIC NAVAL, page 10

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Discharge the second mortgage and keep the house! Discharging a Deed of Trust in bankruptcy! A second or third mortgage can be stripped off the title of your home, and discharged as unsecured debt in a chapter 13 bankruptcy. Imagine, your house is worth less than you owe, and now you can strip part of what you owe and still keep the property. Yes, it’s true. Liens can be stripped off of the debtor’s assets in Chapter 13 when the property is upside down, and the fair market value does not cover secondary liens. Section 506 of the Bankruptcy Code acknowledges that a lien is wages and bank accounts of a taxpayer, only a secured claim to the extent there is occasionally they will also seize an autovalue in the asset to which it attaches. To mobile, retirement account or real property. the extent that the claim exceeds the value Wage levies, particularly those imposed of the collateral, that portion of the claim by the Internal Revenue Service can be is unsecured. This is really great news. We financially devastating as they force the are stripping liens every day, and returning employer to turn over most of the wages property value to our clients. of the employee to the Internal Revenue Liens secured by vehicles: Service. In most cases, the issuance of a The most common application of lien tax levy can be often avoided if the Internal stripping is the reduction of car loan liens Revenue Service or State tax agency can to the present value of the car. Thus a be contacted in time. Although the case is lender holding a $12,000 claim secured generally made more difficult once a levy by a car now worth $10,000 has a secured is in place, it is still possible to negotiate a claim of $10,000 and a unsecured claim for levy release or modification. $2,000. Two thousand dollars of the lien Tax liens appear on the credit report of may be stripped off the asset (the car) in the taxpayer and are generally filed in varia reorganization. The plan must provide ous counties in order to secure the claim for payment in full of the secured portion of the government against any property of the debt; the unsecured portion can owned by the taxpayer. Tax liens are parbe paid little or nothing along with other ticularly problematic if you own any real unsecured claims. property including your residence or you Recent changes to the bankruptcy law are trying to obtain any type of loan. attempt to limit lien stripping on vehicles While tax collection laws do give the purchased within 910 days of the filing. government broad powers, taxpayers have The amendment says that “ §506 does not been given a number of rights, including apply” to such vehicles. It is unclear just the right to a Court hearing if it is believed how courts will apply this. Some courts that the collection action being taken by are publishing model Chapter 13 plans that the Internal Revenue Service is illegal or allow the debtor to propose a strip down of unfair. However, the right to a hearing is cars regardless. subject to very strict time and procedural Tax liens: constraints. Tax liens can be stripped off in reorgaIf you have received a notice that your nization proceedings (Chapter 13) to the wages or bank accounts have or will be extent that the lien does not attach to equity subject to levy by the Internal Revenue in property. Tax liens can’t be avoided in Service or State tax agency like the CaliChapter 7 on the grounds that they impair fornia Franchise Tax Board, you probably exemptions; if the tax is dischargeable in need professional help. the Chapter 7, the bankruptcy court can If you owe income taxes, get to know determine the amount of the lien that is your options. Will a bankruptcy solve the secured at the time of the filing. Payment problem, or should you consider an offer in of that sum entitles the debtor to the release compromise, which is a form of debt settleof the lien. ment with the IRS. There are other options Tax Lien & Levy Releases too. To find out what is best for you, call We have successfully negotiated the our office for a free consultation. It takes release or modification of wage and bank an experienced attorney intimately familiar levies by the Internal Revenue Service and experienced with both discharging and State tax agencies like the California income taxes in bankruptcy and nonFranchise Tax Board (FTB) for many of bankruptcy alternatives to determine the our Clients. We have also been success- best strategy to use. Filing for Bankruptcy ful at convincing the Internal Revenue even one day too early can render a tax Service and State tax agencies to remove debt non-dischargeable. This means that erroneous tax liens filed against our Clients you will still be stuck with having to pay which was preventing them from buying the taxes after your bankruptcy is complete. or refinancing a residence. 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P1,000 and P100 notes too similar? MANILA, May 14 – Senator Aquilino Pimentel III on Thursday asked the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to explain the apparent similarities between the P1,000 and P100 banknotes which supposedly causes public confusion. “The BSP should explain why the P1,000 and P100 banknotes are very similar and almost identical to each other and state if there are plans to improve the situation,” the senator said in a statement. The senator has received numerous public complaints regarding the confusion over the similarities between the P1,000 and P100 bills that belong to the New Generation Currency (NGC). He had been told the design of both bills are almost identical, particularly when crumpled or after going through the wear and tear of normal use. Launched in December 2010, the NGC bills will be the sole currency in circulation starting January next year as the old banknotes, which have not been exchanged by December 2016, would cease to be the liability of the central bank.(Mabuhay News Service)

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Koko Pimentel sees CA freeze order vs. VP Binay as vindication MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) -- Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Wednesday the freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals on the 242 bank accounts of Vice President Jejomar Binay, his relatives, and friends was a vindication of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee. “Klarong klaro na as a result yan ng Senate hearings or investigations,” Pimentel said. He said that aside from the freeze order, different government agencies have already acted on the information which came out during the hearings. “Si Antonio Tiu may tax evasion case sa BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), ang DAR (Department of Agrarian Reform) tinitignan na ang implementation ng land reform sa Rosario Batangas property, ang Ombudsman kinikilusan yung complaint for plunder, at ngayon na-trace na ang transactions. Marami nang bunga o resulta dahil sa hearing sa Senado,” he said. Tiu has been accused of being a dummy of Binay in the 350-hectare property also referred to as Hacienda Binay. The Senate blue ribbon subcommittee is investigating the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II, Makati Science High School building, University of Makati College of Nursing building, other supposed Binay properties and alleged illegal transactions. Pimentel said the subcommittee has already submitted to the Ombudsman documents regarding the Makati City Hall Building II. “Nabigyan na namin ang Ombudsman, humingi sila a couple of months ago at binigay agad. Once pa lang naman sila nanghingi at yung sa Makati parking bulding pa lang ang dokumentong hiniling nila,” he said. Pimentel said many of the names included in the freeze order were already mentioned during the hearing but he will no longer include the matter in the succeeding hearings.

“Karamihan dun naglabasan sa hearing ng blue ribbon subcommittee pero ang alegasyon sa resolution na dinirinig namin ay overpricing, graft and corruption kaya maglilimit na lang kami dun. Yung pagdating sa bank transactions, saan galing yan, gaano kalaki yan, ipapaubaya ko na sa Anti-Money Laundering Council or Ombudsman kasi malilihis na ako sa topic,” he said. Pimentel said the freeze order is not yet an indication of guilt but just a self defense mechanism of the state in order to preserve the alleged ill-gotten wealth. “Wala pang indication ito kung guilty or not. Binabantayan lang para hindi maubos ang laman ng bank accounts, temporary lang yan,” he said. He added that the news organizations did not violate the confidentiality of the freeze order when they reported the issuance of the order. “Yung fact na may order ay pwedeng maireport, kung nabasa mo yung news report e kulang naman sa detalye, ibig sabihin hindi niyan pinublish yung report kundi binalita lang na may freeze order na galing sa CA,” he said. On the hearing of the subcommittee, Pimentel expressed hope the hearing on May 28 will be the last regarding the alleged transaction between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Alphaland. “Sa May 28 hearing gusto ko na sana na last sa Boy Scouts kaya sisiguraduhin na andun si Roberto Ongpin at Senator Serge Osmeña. Pero meron pang ibang issue, meron pang Pag-IBIG at Makati main city hall na 22-storeys,” he said. He also said that the blue ribbon mother committee chairman Sen Teofisto Guingona III promised that he will act soon on the recommendation to cite in contempt personalities defying the subpoena of the subcommittee including Gerry Limlingan, Binay’s alleged finance officer, and Tiu. (MNS)

Members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigating the alleged overpricing of a 12-story building for the University of Makati’s nursing school watch a presentation on Monday. The building’s construction cost of P1.140 billion was allegedly overpriced to benefit then Mayor Jejomar Binay in 2007. (MNS photo)

VP Binay: AMLC report wrong, part of conspiracy to demolish me MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay said Thursday the published report of the Anti-Money Laundering Council on his bank accounts is wrong and is part of the conspiracy to demolish him because of the upcoming 2016 elections. “Hindi lang pala sa Senado may gumagawa ng kwento at manghuhula. Sa Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) din. Malinaw sa paglalabas ng report ng AMLC na handa ang mga kalaban ko na labagin ang batas para lang siraan ako,” Binay said in a press statement. He insisted that the release of the AMLC is illegal as it is one-sided. “Sabi lang ‘yan ng AMLC. Wala pa diyan ang sagot namin. At sasabihin ko sa inyo na mali ang AMLC,” he said. “Wala akong 242 accounts. Lima lang ang kasama sa freeze order na may pangalan ko. At sa limang accounts na ito, lahat ng pondo ay legal at hindi tagong yaman. Mali talaga ang AMLC,” Binay added. He also belied the claim of the AMLC that his only source of funds is his salary so the amounts contained in his bank accounts are inconsistent with those declared in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth. “Hindi totoo ‘yan. Kasama sa accounts

ko ang mga kinita at naipon ko bago pa ako sumama sa gobyerno. Mayroon din kaming negosyo na ilang dekada na. Nagbabayad din kami ng buwis. Pati ang legal campaign contributions na naka-report sa Comelec sabi ng AMLC ay tagong yaman. Mali talaga ang AMLC,” he said. At the same time, Binay said it was wrong for the AMLC to include it is report accounts that were already closed. “Yung mga account na sarado na, isinama pa nila. Mali talaga ang AMLC. ‘Yung 237 accounts at transactions ng ibang tao, pinalalabas nila na sa akin. ‘Yan po ay hindi totoo at gawa-gawa lang. Mali talaga ang AMLC,” he said. “Ang paglalabas ng AMLC report ay kasama talaga sa conspiracy na siraan ako dahil sa eleksyon sa 2016,” he added. Earlier this week, the Court of Appeals issued a freeze order on 242 bank accounts and insurance policies belonging to BInay, some members of his famyily, and his alleged allies. As early as 2010, Binay has already expressed readiness to seek the presidency in 2016. The ruling Liberal Party, including its head, President Benigno Aquino III, has denied having a hand in the freeze order. (MNS)

Aquino denies LP hand in freezing of VP Binay’s bank accounts MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III has denied that the ruling Liberal Party (LP) had a hand in the freezing of Vice President Jejomar Binay’s bank accounts. In an interview with Bombo Radyo on Wednesday, Aquino, LP chairman, said the process that led to the freezing of Binay’s bank accounts was undertaken by independent government bodies. “‘Yung AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council] report, siyempre ‘di ba, ‘yung korte siguro may karapatan diyan, at saka ‘yung council meron sila ‘nung report nila. Pero ‘di ba independent body rin ‘yan,” Aquino said when asked if the LP has anything to do with Binay’s latest woes. He added that he has not seen a copy of the AMLC report that prompted the Court of Appeals (CA) to freeze Binay’s bank accounts. “Number one, ako, hindi ko nakita ang AMLC report na ‘yan. Number two, ‘yung isang kausap kong taga-Liberal Party kanina, sabi niya sa akin naghahanap rin siya kung sino ang may kopya ‘nung AMLC report,” Aquino said. The President also refused to give unsolicited advice to Binay on how to deal with the latest controversy he is facing. On Monday, the CA released a decision

granting the AMLC’s petition to freeze 242 bank accounts belonging to the Vice President, his family members and his supposed allies. Binay is being investigated by the Ombudsman and the Senate blue ribbon cubcommittee for several controversies, including the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II and Makati Science High School, and an allegedly disadvantageous land deal between the Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Alphaland. Binay’s spokesman, lawyer Rico Quicho, earlier described the release of the CA freeze order as “blatant attempt to engage the Vice President in trial by publicity and to deprive him of his right to due process provided by the Constitution.” The Vice President’s daughter, Senator Nancy Binay, meanwhile said the CA freeze order was the handiwork of a political party to increase its chances of winning the 2016 presidential polls. Vice President Binay is the presumptive standard-bearer of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) for the upcoming national elections. The LP has yet to announce its presidential bet, although some party officials have identified Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who has been lagging behind popularity polls, as their candidate. (MNS)

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Aquino hopes successor who will ‘protect’ progress MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – “A successor who will build upon our achievements” – That’s what President Benigno Aquino III is hoping for as he counts his remaining days in office. Aquino said he hopes the Filipino people have seen the “surges these past four years and 11 months” and that they will “protect the progress we have made” by voting for a successor who will continue his reforms. “Nevertheless, until the very last day of my term, I will continue working with my countrymen who are my strength towards building a greater Philippine nation. I will continue to ask why. I will continue to show that indeed the Filipino is worth fighting for,” the President said Thursday after he was conferred with a degree of Doctor of Humanities by the Tarlac State University. Aquino, in his interview with Bombo Radyo aired earlier in the day, said he has been speaking with people interested in running for office next year. He said he thinks Senator Grace Poe, among those doing well in the presidential surveys, was reliable enough to pursue and continue the reforms of his administration. However, he did not say if he was eyeing Poe as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party. During the conferment, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Dr. Patricia Licuanan and TSU head Dr. Myrna Mallari assisted Aquino, who was also sworn in to the TSU Alumni Association, in wearing the academic gown, hood, cap and medal. According to Mallari, Aquino was awarded the honorary degree for his political achievements as former representative

of the second district of Tarlac, senator, and later as 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines. Mallari also cited Aquino’s dedication to national development and reform programs. In his acceptance speech, Aquino thanked his fellow Tarlaqueños for the “warm gesture” which he takes as recognition of everything the administration has achieved in the past years. He emphasised the importance of education in empowering citizens and giving them tools to change the status quo. Aquino also highlighted the importance of asking “why” to the development of the nation, stating, “The day one stops asking why is the day one stops growing.” He then proceeded to mention individuals who never stopped asking why in the face of the nation’s problems, mentioning Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, whose questions about the competitiveness of Filipinos in the IT industry, he claimed, led to the creation of the “Make IT Philippines” program during his stint as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. Aquino is the 11th awardee of an Honoris Causa degree from TSU. Previous awardees include Emilio Aguinaldo, the country’s first president, and former Tarlac governor Danding Cojuangco, Aquino’s uncle. (MNS)

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GOCCs turn over P36.36 billion in dividends to Aquino, national treasury MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) -- Government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) on Wednesday morning handed over P36.36 billion worth of checks to President Benigno Aquino III during the annual ceremonial turnover of dividends. Forty-nine GOCCs participated in the ceremony held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang. The Governance Commission on GOCCs (GCG) said “GOCC Day” is being celebrated yearly in “recognition of GOCCs’ achievements and their significant contributions to the country’s national development.” Last year’s remittances were up by more than P4 billion, from P32.31 billion in 2013 Out of all the GOCCs, the Landbank of the Philippines had the highest dividends at P6.254 billion. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), on the other hand, posted the largest amount of remittances (including dividends) at P10.137 billion. GOCCs are required by Republic Act no. 7656 to remit at least 50 percent of their income as dividends to the national government. Other remittances include proceeds of sale of assets and income from various fees. (MNS)

House panel vows to pass tax breaks bill next week MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – The House ways and means committee vows to pass a bill on tax breaks next week, whether or not two Executive departments - Department of Finance and Department of Trade and Industry - agree among themselves. House ways and means committee chairman Miro Quimbo said the committee isn’t dependent on the two departments in passing the so-called TIMTA bill or Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act. “The committee has decided that we will pass a measure with or without the support of the two departments,” he said. The DOF wants to put an annual cap on tax breaks to control revenue lost to incentives. The DTI says more transparency and better accounting will allow the govern-

ment to review how effective incentives are, without curtailing its flexibility to grant tax breaks to win investments. Quimbo said the committee has written its own bill, while hoping the two departments come to their own compromise. “We’ve crafted a substitute bill with the inputs coming from PEZA and the joint foreign chambers as well as BIR. We’re confident... both departments will set aside their petty differences to enable the passage of this important measure,” Quimbo said. The TIMTA bill is one of a handful of tax-related bills the government and Congress want to pass, including a more than 20-year old proposal to reduce tax breaks known as rationalization of fiscal incentives,the proposed Customs modernization and tariff act, and bills reducing income taxes. (MNS)

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Knott’s Berry Farm adds ‘Voyage to the Iron Reef’ to its attractions A horde of media practitioners from Southern California descended on the grounds of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park Wednesday for the opportunity to be the first to experience the thrill of putting a battle against mechanical sea monsters at its newest attraction “Voyage to the Iron Reef” which took a year to assemble. On May 15, newest attraction will open to the public in what is California’s oldest theme park built in the 1920s. The four and a half minute ride, long enough to engage the senses of the theme park with menacing sea creatures and many guests, will test their mettle in blastering hidden surprises that react to the accuracy into pieces menacing fishes, eels, octopi of the freeze blasters controlled by the and more which look more formidable guests on board. Every rider earns a score, with guests donning 3-D glasses to add to which makes every trip to the Iron Reef a the experience. competitive, repeatable adventure. Voyage to the Iron Reef, which comes Along with the ride, Knott’s Berry on the heels of the successful reopening of Farm, is also opening a “refreshed arcade the log ride and mine ride is the answer of and a new retail shop and a refreshed arthe park management to the public clamor cade. to replace the space occupied by another Voyage to the Iron Reef is a result of a attraction, the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, creative partnership between Knott’s and which has seen its days, according to one Montreal-based Triotech. of the executives. More than 40 high definition projectors A ride transports guests to a long screen, on screens up to 69’ long bring the Iron the longest of which measures 69 feet, to Reef to life. battle sea creatures with blasters. Initial Knott’s Berry Farm sits on a 160-acre reactions from those who tried the ride real estate on a former berry farm estabwere favorable compared with other parks, lished by Walter Knott, Cordelia Knott and which ranked “Iron Reef as more exciting their family which around 1920 sold berand more intense and the blasters with ries, berry preserves and pies from roadside better aims”. stand along State Route 39. In nutshell, the newest interactive The place became famous for its fried 4-D rides will submerge Knott’s Berry chicken dinners served in a tea room in Farm’s guest on “a thrilling journey into the property and soon more shops and the depths of the Boardwalk to fight the other attractions were built over the years. Kraken Queen and save the park from be- Knott’s Berry Farm added Camp Snoopy ing doomed”. which began its association with Peanuts The spectacular new interactive 4-D characters. ride features ten interactive scenes filled Knott’s Berry Farm is now owned and

Prosecution blocks Gloria Arroyo house arrest bid MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) -- Prosecutors on Wednesday formally opposed the house arrest being requested by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is facing plunder charges and is currently on hospital arrest. “To be detained in one’s home is a transgression of the rule of law and an insult to the judicial system and to other detention prisoners also facing plunder before the Sandiganbayan,” the prosecution said in its formal opposition filed with the Sandiganbayan. They argued that the law does not grant house arrest to an accused whose bail motion and demmurer to evidence were denied. Arroyo, charged in connection with the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund during her term as president, has been on hospital

arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center since October 2012. She is suffering from spine problems and in the past had been seen in public in a wheelchair. In their opposition, the prosecution noted that Arroyo’s current medical condition remains unchanged “despite years of treatment and therapy,” as disclosed by her legal counsel, Laurence Arroyo. Citing this, the prosecutors said the hospital is a better place for Arroyo’s confinement than her house in La Vista in Quezon City or in Lubao in Pampanga. “It has always been the argument of the accused-movant that her medical condition has remained unchanged and needs continuous therapy. Thus the hospital is the best place for her as she needs constant medical attention,” they said.

Voyage to the Iron Reef: Knott’s Berry Farm had the Southern California media sample the experience at its newest attraction, “Voyage to the Iron Reef” which the public will enjoy starting May 15. More than 40 high definition projectors on wide screen enhance the experience.

Mothers Day at CCF: Mothers of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship of Orange County, a Filipino-American church based in Fullerton joined the mothers nationwide in commemorating Mothers Day with a “Tea Party” in their honor. Photo: Mothers Day

operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company which owns and operates ten

other amusement parks, three water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels.

Escudero: Binay shouldn’t hide behind bank secrecy law MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay should not hide behind the bank secrecy law if the Court of Appeals (CA) has indeed ordered to freeze his bank accounts, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Wednesday. “If true, this is no longer a mere allegation being hurled at him by a political opponent but, rather, a serious accusation that he should answer and address squarely,” Escudero, a member of the majority bloc, said in a text message to reporters. “He should no longer ignore nor sweep this under the rug. Neither should he hide behind secrecy/confidentiality rules on AMLC/bank deposits. He owes the people nothing less,” he added. Escudero campaigned for Binay in 2010 until they reportedly had a falling out when the senator chose to run under the Liberal Party-led coalition ticket in 2013. The CA issued last Monday a freeze order on Binay’s bank accounts in connection with the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation on alleged irregularities in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II and Makati Science High School. The order also covered bank accounts of Binay’s son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., his wife Elenita and his alleged dummies like Gerardo Limlingan, Eduviges Baloloy and Antonio Tiu, among others. (MNS)

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Awesome Raptors, T-Rex, Waterworld: A ‘must see’ at Universal Studios It’s been awhile since this author last joined the studio tours at the famous Univeral Studios Hollywood. But as luck would have it, my son and his family asked me to join them at the theme park, along with a season pass on Mother’s Day. I wasn’t too surprised to see a lot of families doing the same thing on this special day. What amazed me were the awesome attractions added since we were last there sometime back. My grandson opted to stay behind with my son and not go through the Backlot Studio Tour as he knew he might get “devoured by the Back Lot for Steven Speilberg’s “War of the Worlds.” Raptors” during the tour. As soon as we got off the tram, my The tram ride offered something new, with TV talk show host Jimmy Fallon grandson finally joined us to see the Spewelcoming all of us on an HD monitor, cial Effects Stage where audience particiimpressing us with his friendly narration. pantion was encouraged in learning special There were also live tour guides who could effects in movies such as: CGI (application be seen throughout the trams on video of computer graphics imagery as opposed to visual cinematography), stop motion, screens. We went through the theme park’s back- motion capture and 3-D technology. As a person who has worked in broadlot by the Skull Island, where films such as “Jaws” and the “Collapsing Bridge” were cast production in the past, the Special Efmade. The King Kong 3-D attraction will fects Stage was definitely one of the most soon be the main attraction at Skull Island. interesting attractions of the theme park for We also saw the area where the “Parting of me. However, my son and his family didn’t the Sea” scene used during the filming of want to miss the amazing Waterworld at“The Ten Commnadments”, and then to a traction. According to Universal’s Studio place where suddenlty there was a “deluge” Tour information, this attraction started caused by flash floods. We went on to see in October,1994 during the production of the “New York” facade street where gang- Waterworld, the movie. The attraction’s ster movies were filmed on Courthouse facts and figures includes: “set-up cost Square and to the European area where was $15 million and set cost was $1 million. The show opened in August 1995 and films such as “Casablanca” were shot. Further, we passed by various muscle the size of the show area is 40,000 sq. ft.; cars used in the “Fast & Furious” movies seating capacity of venue is 2,500 and the and next, we were awed by the New Eng- show’s water has 1.4 million gallons of land neigborhood setting of Wisteria Lane, recycled water in the pool with a cast of which was depicted by the six streets in the five professional actors and eight industry eight-year TV series of “The Desperate stuntpeople. A toll gate towers 35 feet high; Housewives,” where all the “houses” in the Main tower is 52 feet tall and entry tower neighborhood were still surprisingly intact. is 32 feet tall.” The legend unfolds with “Helen as the Next, we passed by the Bates Motel used in the movie “Psycho” which still first explorer to return to the atoll. She stands uphill but an actor was added to comes bearing a pile of dirt which means represent the son who was trying to leave that she found Dry Land. However, Helen is pursued by evil Smokers led by Deacon. the scene, carrying the bloody knife. Subsequently, our tram headed to the So, she races to the tower to defend the atoll Environmental Systems Building where against attack, while the other atoll dwellthere were “Raptors ascending when ers prepare their water-based weapons. The lights are out and chaos unfolds around evil Smokers arrive with a hail of machineus, stalking their way with each motion gun fire; leading to an explosion at the foot and we ultimately have to escape from the of Helen’s tower, causing her to plunge 20 towering T-Rex with an 85-ft. super plunge feet into the water. Another Smoker arrives in total darkness down the simulated cliff.” on a jetski, spraying all of the spectators Finally, we were at the “airplane crash” scene which included a torn down Boeing 747 transported into pieces at the Universal

5.1-magnitude jolts Albay; aftershocks expected MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – Tremors were felt in some parts of Bicol region after a magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit Albay before midnight Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. Phivolcs said the quake’s epicenter was located 18 kilometers northeast of Rapu-Rapu town. The quake struck at 11:55 p.m. The quake, which was tectonic in origin, struck at a depth of 16 kilometers. The following intensities were felt: Intensity III (weak)- Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; Legaspi City Intensity II (slightly felt) - Sorsogon City Phivolcs said Intensity III, the strongest felt in this quake, is “felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck. Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates moderately.” Phivolcs said the quake will not cause damage and but is expected to produce aftershocks.

Waterworld

with water. Thus, they made the atoll safe and they signal the Deacon to arrive. A sudden explosion ensues in the massive fuel tank, leading to the destruction of the atoll as Helen and the Mariner escape to start a new life. Finally, the Deacon’s threat is ended and civilization started anew on Dry Land while the Mariner roams the four points of the compass on the many seas of Waterworld.” It’s amazing to hear the sound and music throughout the performance based on the theme of the film scored by James Newton Howard. As for pyrotechnics, there were a total of “63 pyrotechnic effects for each 20-minute Waterworld performance. There were 50 stunts during the show, including the need for a wide range of

skills from jetski jumps via high wire work to high falls into the water. A 40feet long catapult launch was used for both jet ski and water ski stunts; a crane was used for the stuntman hung from his ankles and dropped into the pit; a 2,200 lb. seaplane was used during the show’s highlight which was launched from a 30-ft. hydraulic launcher before flying through a breakaway wall.” Overall, the Waterworld attraction alone was well worth our special day at Univesal and if you haven’t seen these attractions, I truly recommend that you find time to have a leisurely day bonding with your family or friends, and be mesmerized by the wide selection of attractions at the famous theme park.

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Graceful in the Big Apple (Part 1 of 2) New York – She rose to fame as “Grasya,” the round girl bearing the winning numbers for “Rambulaga,” the successful numbers game segment of “Eat Bulaga,” Philippines’ longestrunning noontime variety show. The name was given to her by one of the show’s mainstays, Joey de Leon, who said that by bringing in the winning numbers, she was essentially bringing in a lot of graces from heaven. But after about seven years of making people’s dreams come true, “Grasya,” Samantha Lopez in real life, decided to pursue her own dreams. After about 14 years of finding her way “I got burnt out. There was nowhere out of the limelight she got used to in the for me to go. There was no room for im- Philippines, this dancer/model/actor is now provement. At the time, there were very a successful realtor in the concrete jungle. few offers for TV, films, soap operas,” And true to character of bringing graces, Samantha said of her move from Manila to she shares her tips for graceful living in New York. “My friends didn’t even know the Big Apple. I was leaving. I went out to the club that “Be yourself because if not, it’s easy to night and told everyone I was leaving that get lost in New York. You have to have that same night. A lot of them ended up in a self-identity before you come here. That convoy to take me to the airport.” will be your strongest foundation.”

Samantha explained that while other people travel and move to different places to “find themselves,” New York is not the place for self-seekers. Because the city is so diverse and vast and fast-paced, one can easily get lost, depending on the crowd he/ she ends up hanging out with, depending on favorable and unfavorable experiences, rejections, hustling and just keeping up with the busyness around. A few weeks after 9/11, Samantha moved to New York to be with her family. Her dad was living here at the time, as well as her aunt whom she lived with for three months. Her American boyfriend was also based in Manhattan. “He was the love of my life... my true love. It was just bad timing,” she said. “By the time I decided to leave my career and get serious with him, he wasn’t as serious about me anymore.” Nonetheless, since it was clear to her who she was and why she was in New York, Samantha did not waver despite the heartbreak. “Be fearless in trying out new things. You’ll never know what’s out there unless you try. And if you fail, you learn from your failures.” Samantha candidly shared that when she arrived in New York on September 28th on 2011, she was not sure what she was going to do. She said that she kept going out for 45 nights, straight to the point where she couldn’t invite anyone to go out with her anymore. And that’s when a friend explained to her: “‘Madam, may nagtatrabaho ang mga tao dito. Magtrabaho ka din kaya,’ my friend told me and I realized, yes, it was time to look for a job,” she said. The same friend introduced her to Serafina, a popular joint serving Italian cuisine in New York. She started as a hostess, and then as a bar tender, until she very quickly got promoted to being one of the managers.

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“At work, always give your 200%. Be driven. Be devoted. Be loyal.” Samantha recalled how she loved her first job in Manhattan: “Tuwang-tuwa ako ‘cause I loved my job. I love people. Kahit hindi ko trabaho, kahit trabaho ng busboy...I was attending to customers even if I wasn’t a waitress.” She said she worked with Serafina for 8 ½ years, doing double shifts, mostly 16-hour days. But proudly added that her enthusiasm never waned: “I had consistent energy from morning to evening.” “Be a go-getter. For some, mulling over a decision for weeks works. But for me, especially here in New York where opportunities don’t wait for you, you have to be ready to grab.” She said she even volunteered to work one New Year’s Eve because she was by herself, anyway. By then, she had already broken up with her boyfriend and would rather work and be out, than stay at home. “I basically celebrated New Year’s Eve, for the every first time in my life, with a bunch of strangers. I did not know anybody there. I just went for the job. I even did the countdown with people I haven’t met,” she said, adding that shortly after that event was when she got promoted. (To be continued.)

Jannelle So-Perkins is a FilipinoAmerican media pioneer, having created, produced and hosted America’s first and only daily talk show for Filipinos. After successfully running her show for almost 9 years, she left to take a break. Currently she’s preparing to launch her new project with Ecomedia, a division of U.S. mainstream media giant CBS. Connect to her on Facebook – www.facebook.com/JannelleSoOFFCIAL; Twitter – www.twitter.com/JannelleSo; Instagram – www.instagram.com/sojannelle; or email her at sojannelle77@gmail.com.

Metro Manila sizzles in hottest day of the year MANILA, May 14 (Mabuhay) – Metro Manila experience the hottest day of the year on Wednesday at 36 degrees Celsius, state weather bureau PAGASA said. PAGASA said the hottest temperature of the year was recorded at the Science Garden in Quezon City at 1 p.m. PAGASA said the temperature reached 35.4 degrees Celsius at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 35.5 degrees Celsius in General Santos City, 34.5 degrees Celsius

in Tuguegarao, and 34.9 degrees Celsius in Cabanatuan. PAGASA said the heat index – or the temperature felt by the human body – will reach 40.2 degrees Celsius in Metro Manila, 39.5 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao, 40.2 degrees Celsius in Laoag, and 38.5 degrees Celsius in Metro Cebu. The state weather bureau said the hottest day ever recorded in Metro Manila was 38.5 degrees Celsius on May 14, 1987. (MNS)

Senator pushes for free college entrance exams in state and local colleges MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) -- Senator Juan Edgardo Angara on Wednesday urged his colleagues to act on a bill he filed as early as 2013 seeking to grant free college entrance examinations to graduating high school students applying for admission in all state and local colleges and universities in the country. In a press statement, Angara said considering the rising cost of education, especially college education, more and more high school graduates find it impossible to pursue or continue a college degree because of their limited financial capacity. “Access to tertiary education for bright and deserving students would be almost impossible especially if their families do not have the means to pay even for an entrance examination, which is the initial step towards admission to any college degree program,” he said. Senate Bill No. 62 is still pending before the committee on education, arts, and culture. Under the proposed measure, all state universities and colleges (SUCs), excluding the University of the Philippines, and local colleges and universities (LCUs) are mandated to provide free college entrance examinations to graduating high school students, high school graduates, college entrants and transferees who are applying for college admission. SB 62 also mandates all private colleges, universities or institutions to provide free entrance examinations to underprivileged public high school students belonging to the top 10 percent of the graduating class and whose families are living below the poverty line. It further states that any higher education institution official or employee found guilty of violating the provisions of the law will be penalized with imprisonment from six months to six years and a fine of P750,000. Records from the Commission on Higher Education showed that out of 100 Grade 1 pupils, only 66 finish Grade 6 and only 58 of them enroll in first year high school. Of the 58, only 43 finish high school and only 23 of them enroll in college. And, of the 23, only 14 eventually graduate from college.

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American citizenship through the U.S. Army MAVNI stands for Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest, a program of the United States Army that aims to recruit and allow enlistment of certain legal nonimmigrant aliens with foreign language and cultural capabilities. Successful applicants and recruits are required to process for expedited U.S. Naturalization. Here are 10 things to know: 1. Who is qualified to join the MAVNI program? Aliens in one of the following categories at the time of enlistment: asylee, refugee, temporary protected status, or non-immigrant categories E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, TC, TD, TN, U or V. Applicants must have been in a valid status in one of these categories for at least the previous 2 years with no single absence from the U.S. Greater than 90 days. Enlistment age is 17-24. All applicants must possess at least a High School diploma unless enrolled as a senior. 2. What trainings do MAVNI qualify for? MAVNI qualifies for the same train-

ing opportunities as a U.S. Citizen with the exception of jobs requiring security clearance. Fields of training include Medical, Financial, Mechanical, Engineering, Culinary Arts, Transportation, Administrative, and limited Combat Arms Fields. 3. What are the benefits of joining the MAVNI program? In exchange for military service, enlistees are guaranteed expedited citizenship which will be granted within the first 3 months of accession, occupational training and experience, full time pay and benefits for the family, Thrift savings Plan, and money for college. 4. Are DACA applicants eligible to sign up for the MAVNI program? Yes. The only difference in the process for DACA is that they are eligible for processing immediately upon approval. No 2-year wait s required. All other requirements are the same as MAVNI. 5. What are the steps of the process? a. Provide all immigration documentation to recruiter, for verification through

Successful applicants and recruits of the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest are required to process for expedited U.S. Naturalization.

USCIS b. Transport applicant to SSA for Social Security Card, if needed c. Take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery and score 50 or higher d. Take and pass a Medical Physical e. Take the Oral Proficiency Interview and score 2/2

f. Oath of enlistment g. Delayed Entry Training program while waiting for completion of SSBI 6. Process for DACA applicant is the same 7. For more information, go to óóó.¦Ê ÙÃù. ÊÃͭÃ òÄ® or CALL: 1.562.496.3815.

US bolsters security at military bases over terror threat By Dan De Luce

Washington, United States (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – The US military bolstered security at bases across the country Friday after the FBI voiced concern that Islamist extremists could target troops or police officers. The head of US Northern Command, Admiral William Gortney, ordered the heightened alert “as a prudent measure,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said. The move, he said, was designed “to remind installation commanders at all levels within the NORTHCOM area of

responsibility to ensure increased vigilance in safeguarding of all DoD (Defense Department) personnel and facilities.” This raised the official alert status one notch higher on a five-point scale, from the fourth level “Alpha” to the third level “Bravo,” which the military describes as an “increased and predictable threat of terrorism.” Officials said most of the additional security measures would likely not be readily apparent to the public, apart from perhaps more bags being searched or ID cards being checked at base entrances. The move came after two men attempt-

ed to storm an exhibition on Sunday showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in a Dallas suburb. The two heavily-armed gunmen were shot dead by a local police officer before they could approach the building where the event was being held. Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said on Thursday that the two assailants had been “inspired”—but not directed – by the Islamic State group to stage the failed attack. “The decision to do this now is informed by a generally heightened threat level,” Warren told reporters. “We’ve seen what happened in Texas.

We’ve seen other social media and Internet-based discussions and threats. We have detected a general increase in the overall (threat) environment.” Online recruiting by IS FBI Director James Comey reportedly said on Thursday that authorities were concerned about the IS group encouraging attacks on “the uniformed military and law enforcement” via online propaganda. There are “hundreds, maybe thousands” of people in the United States who had received recruitment messages from the jihadists, Comey said.

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HISTORICAL NAVAL From page 1

parts of the sea, which is vital to the global shipping industry and is believed to contain huge deposits of fossil fuels. Chinese control In 2012, China took control of Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and more than 650 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese landmass. Chinese coastguard vessels have since guarded the shoal and denied Filipino fishermen access, triggering a series of protests from the Philippines that have been brushed aside in Beijing. Although the Philippine Navy declined to say exactly where Tuesday’s exercises took place, it said the vessels would sail into the South China Sea from a former

US naval base in Subic Bay, about 270 kilometers southeast of Scarborough Shoal. “It would be naive for anyone to think this is just an ordinary joint exercise in the light of some assertive actions by China in the South China Sea,” Wilfrido Villacorta, an international relations lecturer at the Manila-based De La Salle University, told AFP. He described this as a “natural reaction” by the Philippines after recent “provocations”. Villacorta cited in particular China’s recent flurry of reclamation activities on reefs in the Philippine-claimed Spratlys archipelago, turning them into islands capable of hosting significant military outposts.

CHINA PEEVED From page 1

Vietnam and the Philippines. China could construct airfields, surveillance systems and harbours that would jeopardise regional stability, they said. The US has so far not sent ships and aircraft within 12 nautical miles of the reclaimed reefs – the standard zone for territorial waters around natural land – in order to avoid escalating tensions, the WSJ said. “We’re just not going within the 12 miles – yet,” it quoted a senior US official as saying. A challenge by the US military in the

region could potentially trigger a regional standoff, the newspaper added. China urged “the relevant country” to “refrain from taking risky and provocative actions”, Hua told reporters. US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet senior officials in China later this week. The US has used its military to push back against what it considers Beijing’s aggressive stance before. Last November two giant long-range B-52s flew over China’s newly-declared Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.

US MORE FOCUS From page 1

main an active player in strengthening the regional architecture for stability, security and development. The Philippines, in turn, contributes to and has an important role to play in maintaining that regional stability,” the Secretary emphasized. The Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the United States in Asia. In recent years, the two countries have been closely working together to reinvigorate their bilateral relations within the context of the US rebalance policy and in light of new issues that have far-reaching implications for the region’s security and progress. Among these issues are the maritime disputes plaguing the region, including those that concern the South China Sea. Secretary Del Rosario agreed with the expressed belief that the South China Sea dispute is considered as the most important issue in the world today. He stressed that, “The goals of the US and China are so diametrically opposed, the outcome of the contest is capable of impacting international order.” The Philippines is advocating a peaceful settlement of the disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law. This position has generated broad support from the United States and the rest of the international community.

The Secretary also underscored the economic and people-to-people ties that bind the Philippines and the United States as strongly as their cooperation in the field of defense and security. The audience was composed of around 150 people, including CSIS fellows, Philippine and US government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and media representatives. He was joined in the panel by Mr. William Cohen, Chairman and CEO of The Cohen Group, a global consultancy firm. Mr. Ernest Bower, Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies and co-director of the Pacific Partners Initiative at CSIS, moderated the discussion. The Secretary last visited CSIS in September 2012 during the “The Philippines Conference”. After the launch of the USPSI, Secretary Del Rosario proceeded to a reception in honor of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus in the US Capitol. He reiterated to US legislators the vital role of the Philippines-US alliance in preserving peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. The Secretary then briefed the Caucus members on Philippine issues, including the recent developments in the South China Sea, the post-Haiyan rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts and the status of the Filipino communities across the US.

BINAY BACK OUT From page 1

Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. since 2008. The AMLC report was also said to have been used as the basis of the Court of Appeals when it reportedly issued a freeze order on the said bank accounts. Trillanes, who initiated a Senate investigation on corruption allegations against Binay and his family, was confident that appropriate charges against the Vice President would be filed in August this year. And even before the AMLC report and the alleged court freeze order on Binay’s bank bank accounts came out in the media, the senator had already been telling reporters that the Vice President would eventu-

ally withdraw from the race. Trillanes said there are other “intervening” events, aside from the AMLC report, that would make the Vice President withdraw from the race. “The filing of his Ombudsman case the Sandiganbayan and the eventual suspension of Mayor Jun-Jun Binay. Besides, kilala nang umaatras yan sa mga matitinding laban (he’s known to back out of major battles),” said the senator. Binay and Trillanes were supposed to face in a public debate in November, 2014, but the Vice President later backed out.(MNS)

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Spent all your savings but still in debt? Like most people, you’ve worked hard and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But in life, at one time or another, we all find ourselves in a a situation where debt can be overwhelming. Many people feel hopeless and powerless over their debt problems. Debt problems can easily spill over into other areas of your life- your marriage, family and your business if you are self-employed. If you are currently in matic way, filing for bankruptcy protection debt, rather than allowing your money may help you get your life back on track. problems to affect your life in such a draIf you’ve suffered a job loss, are fac-

VP Binay camp says leak of CA freeze order ‘malicious’ MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) -- The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday described as malicious the leakage of the freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals on the bank accounts and insurance policies of the Vice President and his allies. “The malicious leakage of the purported Court of Appeals order by Ernesto Mercado to the media is another blatant attempt to engage the Vice President in trial by publicity and to deprive him of his right to due process provided by the Constitution,” lawyer Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesman, said in a press statement. Mercado, a former Makati vice mayor, was a former Binay ally who is now his principal accuser. According to Quicho, the leakage was also an indirect way to pressure and preempt the independence of the courts, which would eventually decide on whether or not Binay accumulated ill-gotten wealth when he was mayor of Makati. In a 33-page decision released Monday, the CA First Division granted the petition

of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the assets belonging to Binay, some members of his family and close associates, who are suspected of being his dummies. Covered by the order are 242 bank accounts and insurance policies. The CA’s order was was issued in connection with the probe being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman on alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II and Makati Science High School. Character assassination Quicho said the leak of the freeze order was geared to condition the minds of the people by maligning Binay’s reputation because his detractors have failed to produce proof to back up their charges in the Senate and before the Office of the Ombudsman. “This is plain and simple character assassination by means of peddling lies through media releases that come from polluted source,” Quicho said. “In the end, the rule of law will prevail over these unjust and irresponsible attacks against the Vice President.”

ing foreclosure or have bills you can no longer afford to pay, Congress has enacted bankruptcy laws that can help you get your finances back in order. I know that the mere thought of bankruptcy makes most people nervous so they avoid exploring their options until it’s too late. This is unfortunate because in a lot of cases, people could have turned their situation around much sooner had they acted sooner. Some people wait too long to file bankruptcy even when it is their only option. In the process, they use up hardearned assets like their retirement plan and savings accounts. In the end they realize that this was nothing more than a temporary fix to a lingering problem. Sooner or later, these people realize that they would have been better off filing bankruptcy before losing everything that they had worked so hard for. Don’t let this happen to you! If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, at least find out what your legal options are before things get worse. You don’t need to keep living paycheck to paycheck while digging a deeper financial hole every single month. Yes, bankruptcy may be a scary thing for a lot of people who don’t understand the process but once they’ve

taken the time to find out how it works and how it could help them get out of debt, they often realize that it’s actually not as difficult as they first thought. Bankruptcy is a beginning, not the end. Dealing with financial problems can result in stress, fear and embarrassment. With the current economy in turmoil, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy protection. The stigma that once surrounded bankruptcy has almost disappeared. Once you consult with a bankruptcy attorney, you may soon discover that the law is actually on your side and that you just need to let the legal process work for you. If you need help in getting out of debt, call my office at 866-477-7772 to schedule a free confidential consultation. Since 1998, I have successfully helped more than 6,000 clients in solving their debt problems. (None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Mel Saluma This is not a story about boxing. This is not a sports article nor an analysis of who should have won the â&#x20AC;&#x153;fight of the centuryâ&#x20AC;?. It is however, a story about good vs. evil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean Floyd Mayweather. While most of humanity (at least in North America and the Philippines) were glued to their television sets to see the dual between Manny Pac- quiao and Money Floyd, in this part of the world, at the same time a fellow Filipina was arrested in a sophisticated immigration of his mind. Win or lose, Pacquiao will fraud scam that targeted mostly Filipinos. always be regarded as a hero and champion Her only motivation was greed. In contrast, of the Philippines. A boxing title does not Pacquiao was quoted as wanting to give give someone credibility â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acsome of his proceeds to charity. tions do. It is for that reason that most of On one hand, there is the sense that the world was hoping that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;good guyâ&#x20AC;? Pacquiao was fighting for his nation and would win last week in Las Vegas. It is for the country of the Philippines. After all, he that reason that most of the crowd at the is a congressman, and to serve and respect MGM were shouting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Manny, Mannyâ&#x20AC;? the his countrymen must be at the forefront entire night. For no one likes a cheater. No

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one likes those who prey on the innocent and who take advantage of others. Almost at the same time that Pacquiao was taking punches to his head, Imelda â&#x20AC;&#x153;Melâ&#x20AC;? Fronda Saluma, 46, was arrested in Toronto, for numerous charges of fraud that police say netted more than $2.3 million dollars. One victim alone has gone on record claiming she gave Saluma $24,500. Fuelled by greed, police allege that Saluma, the mother of four, scammed over 600 people by forging documents and making fake job offers so people would apply for visas to Canada. To no surprise, the applicants never received their visas and were banned from re-applying for two years. According to Detective Mendoza, â&#x20AC;&#x153;he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know of anyone who was successfully issued a visa using the documentsâ&#x20AC;?. Applicants from all over the world paid Saluma to secure them a job in Canada through her company called GoWest International. The price tag was not cheap. Dreams often arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. In this case, it was at least $5000 per applicant. They came from all over the world including Taiwan, Israel, UAE,UK, Japan and the Philippines. The police allege there may be others and frankly in this writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion, 600 victims is far too low if GoWest was promising the impossible. In this case, they were. It is alleged that Saluma provided applicants with offers of employment from Mcdonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Holiday Inn, Pizza Hut and Tim Hortons. As well, Saluma provided the foreign workers with documents, reference letters and employment contracts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all were fake according to police. Police believe there may be other victims. In a report from the Toronto Star, it is alleged that Saluma was the mastermind behind a company called GoWest International who promised applicants jobs in exchange for thousands of dollars in fees. Her sole staffer was Rose Fabe Walters

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(a.k.a. Rosemarie Walters). It is alleged that Saluma would draft fake employment offers from large companies like McDonalds offering people a job. However, in reality no job existed. Applicants, who paid the hefty price were unaware and when they applied at the Canadian Embassy for their respective work permits, they were denied. Most were denied also on the added ground of misrepresentation which adds an added penalty of a two year ban. Her actions not only damage the reputation of her country but also the industry of immigration law. By acting so recklessly and fraudulently, Saluma has managed to alienate those who run legitimate immigration businesses and has no doubt tarnished the industry. There is no evidence that Saluma is a lawyer. She is not even a mere immigration consultant. It is therefore even more troublesome to comprehend how she was running GoWest for years without the proper credentials. Further, it is unknown how she was submitting the fake applications to the Canadian Embassy or to Service Canada when she was unauthorized to do so. What we do know however is that crime does not pay. Pacquiao lived on the street and fought to survive. While he inspires Filipinos, Saluma disgraces them. Mel Saluma, shame on you. In the words of Fyodor Dostoevsky, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if one has a conscience one will suffer for his mistake. That will be punishment - as well as the prison.â&#x20AC;? The only consolation is that Saluma has recently been denied bail. She will no longer Go West, but Go(to)Jail. Attorney Henry Moyal is a certified and licensed immigration lawyer in Toronto, Ontario. The above article is general advice only and is not intended to act as a legal document. Send questions to Attorney Moyal by email canada@moyal.com or call toll free 1-888-847-2078.

US repatriates 50 Cuban migrants found at sea Miami, United States (AFP) Wednesday 5/13/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The United States repatriated 50 Cuban migrants Wednesday who had been intercepted at sea in precarious rafts trying to reach US shores. The migrants were arrested last week in three different boats that had left Bahia de Cabanas bay in northern Cuba, the US Coast Guard said. The first 27 migrants were intercepted on Friday, after their raft was spotted by a cruise ship near the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys tropical islands. That same day, the Coast Guard stopped a second boat with 15 Cubans on board in the same area. The remaining eight Cubans were arrested Saturday when they were still relatively close to the northern Cuban port of Matanzas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All three interdictions included unseaworthy, homemade vessels that posed significant risk to the migrants attempting to make the perilous journey,â&#x20AC;? the US Coast Guard said in a statement. It said the migrants were all transferred â&#x20AC;&#x153;safelyâ&#x20AC;? to a Coast Guard vessel for repatriation. There, they were provided food, water, shelter and basic medication. In recent years, the Coast Guard has found a growing number of Cubans trying to cross the shark-infested waters separating the communist island from Florida. The journey is just 90 miles long. The number of migrants increased after Washington and Havana made the historic announcement in December that they would seek to restore ties after half a century of enmity. Cubans are concerned that the move will end immigration benefits provided by

the United States, where they can stay legally if they succeed in reaching US shores. Since October, the Coast Guard has picked up 2,460 Cuban trying to reach the United States. In fiscal year 2014, which ended in September, the figure was 3,677, up from 2,129 the year before and 1,870 in 2012. The US Coast Guard discourages these dangerous illegal crossings, which sometimes end in deaths at sea. Meanwhile, more than 700 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants arrived in Indonesia Friday after they were rescued by fishing boats when their boat sank off the coast of Aceh province, police said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to initial information we got from them, they were pushed away by the Malaysian navy to the border of Indonesian waters,â&#x20AC;? said Sunarya, police chief in the city of Langsa where the migrants arrived. After reaching Indonesian territory their boat then went down but was spotted by local fishermen who ferried them to shore, he added. The official, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, said the migrants were brought to the port in Langsa, on Acehâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s east coast, aboard six fishing boats. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The local fishermen saw the boat as it was sinking and then they helped them,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that they arrived at 5 a.m. Samsul Bahri, an immigration official in Langsa, told AFP that the initial count of the migrants was 712. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are evacuating them from the harbour at the moment,â&#x20AC;? he said. Malaysian patrol ships on Wednesday pushed back two migrant vessels off northern Malaysian islands of Penang.

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How to prepare to buy a house Every time a first time home-buyer comes to us to have them prequalified, here are the following factors that we consider to determine how much the price range they should look into when house-hunting. We ask about how much monthly mortgage payment will be comfortable for them. Normally, it would be slightly higher than the current rent they are paying. We ask about what kind of work the buyers do? The financial and of 3 (tradelines ( credit) with ) for over 2 income situation is very important for us years history.. to be able to find the best suitable loan We no longer allow. Non-traditional program for you. credit means, these companies do not reWe also ask about how much cash you port your payment history to the bureaus. have available for down payment and b. Employment verification - We, for closing costs. But do not worry, there normally require a two year history of is a wide range of loan programs right employment and it has to be in the same now, some of which include 99.5% loan line of work. The gray area is you could financing with almost no down payment, be working in accounting for a firm and and we advice to have the seller pay for then transfer to customer relations for an closing costs. We also have the newest accounting firm. That could also be in the 97% conventional loan financing which same line of work and is considered cleriincludes the 3% for seller or lender paid cal or customer service. If you had just closing cost. Should the seller be unwill- graduated with a degree, for example in ing topay for closing cost, we can finance Nursing and going into a job, with proper the closing cost thru the rates for you. For documentation of your schooling certifithose who have some savings as down pay- cate that will be sufficient for you to qualify ment, there are programs for you with the based on your income. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to best prevailing interest rates with as little be in that job for two years. as 3.5% down. c. Cash down payments - We, would We also ask about your credit and, what like to see your bank statements for the kinds of debts you owe in credit cards, previous two months and prefer that car loans and/or, student loans. too. This you have an average savings of what is would help determine your debt ratio. For needed to close escrow. Keep in mind those who do not have good credit, the that we would also like for you to have good news is that we have programs that cash reserves after closing, meaning you do not look at the credit score. You, can should have some more money leftover now qualify for a mortgage loan without after paying all the cost of the loan after having good credit. We give advice on how closing. This, could be in the form of a you can clean or clear your credit as well. retirement accounts, stocks, mutual funds Here are some of the underwriting or certificates of deposits. For FHA loans guidelines you should know in preparation we allow 100% gift funds. for buying a house.. d. Credit scores requirement - A good a. For first time homebuyers, our re- rule of thumb is that if you want a minimal quirement for you is to have a minimum downpayment loan, you should have at

least a 620 credit score. With a 580 credit score your debt to income ratio should be no more than 43%. There are varieties of programs with different credit scores requirements, to be discussed further upon request. e. Some cities will offer you a 5-10% down payment for the house that you will be buying. You , have to call the city of your interest and ask for the planning and development department and ask to see if they have â&#x20AC;&#x153;CITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMâ&#x20AC;?. They will give you the money without a monthly payment back but will have restrictions on when you can sell or refinance. Every city has different guidelines so make your call. It, might be worth your while. REMEMBER: These guidelines are not carved in stone and therefore have some flexibility, but hopefully you get the

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idea and that is important in preparing for your purchase. If you are very serious about buying a home, you should make sure you get pre-approved by a mortgage broker first. This would narrow down the price range for the real-estate agent and yourself too. This would save you lots of time by not looking into homes that you might not be qualified for. For more information and a free consultation, call us at (888) 822-5363 or cell phone at (562) 508-7048 at anytime and ask lfor Ken Go. We will help you in determining the price range of the home you should look into. We will also advice you if you have credit problems and issues that need to be addressed. Remember that it is always advisable to buy a house at the right time. So, grab your phone and call us today!

Micro-apartments: A new concept in New York By Brigitte Dusseau

New York, United States (AFP) Wednesday 5/6/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New York, a city of exorbitant rents with more and more single residents, is about to get a brand new type of apartment: micro-units, for decades prohibited under zoning regulations. A first building of 55 prefabricated studios spanning nine stories is due to welcome its first tenants in Manhattan in the fall. Between 260 and 370 square feet (24 and 34 square meters), they come equipped with kitchenettes, shower rooms, storage, large windows, nine foot six (2.9 meter) ceilings and a Juliet balcony. In New York, 31 percent of the population lives alone, both young and older people, according to the statistics office. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the stereotypical nuclear family as we used to with two parents and two children,â&#x20AC;? said Tobias Oriwol, project developer at Monadnock Development which is building the pilot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People are marrying later, people are divorcing, people are living longer, decid-

ing to cohabitate,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the housing industry keeps delivering two bedroom apartments, one bedroom apartments, three bedroom apartments, and these donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit the needs of these new households in the city,â&#x20AC;? Oriwol added. At the Brooklyn Navy Yard, dozens of workers are building the micro-units, which will be transported by truck to the building site, which is owned by the city, at 27ĂŁÂŤ Street in east Manhattan. They will be assembled in two weeks in June. Then the roof will be put on, the brick facades added and the finishing touches added to the exterior and the layout before the first tenants arrive. Inside each unit, everything has been meticulously thought out: in the kitchen there is a mini dishwasher, mini fridge, two hobs and a microwave but no traditional oven. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We did a lot of research on what people wanted. We had to make choices,â&#x20AC;? said Oriwol. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our apartments are 100 percent usable, and meant to be lived in by todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people.â&#x20AC;?

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Aegis to perform in concert, Sept. 19 at Pala Medicare Part B Oak Grove Benefit Concert, 7:30 PALA, CA, May 11, 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AEGIS, one of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; top pop rock and pinoy rock groups, will perform in concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 19, in Club Infinity at Pala Casino Spa & Resort. AEGIS was formed in 1995 and has topped the Filipino charts with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Luhaâ&#x20AC;? (Tears), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Halikâ&#x20AC;? (Kiss) and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basang-basa sa Ulanâ&#x20AC;? (Drenched in the Rain.â&#x20AC;? AEGIS 7 p.m., Saturday, September 19 Club Infinity Pala Casino Spa & Resort Tickets: $98, $78 Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Friday, May 15, with no service charge, at the Pala Box Office in the casino, or call 1-877WIN PALA (1-877-946-7252). Tickets also are available at Star Tickets, 1-800585-3737, or www.startickets.com. Pala is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/Riverside, take I-15 to Highway 76 east five miles; from Los Angeles County and Orange County, take I-5 south to Highway 76 east, then travel 23 miles. Pala is 15 miles north of Escondido, 12 miles south of Temecula. Address: 11154 Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059 Telephone: 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877946-7252) Web site: http://www.palacasino.com Additional Shows Coming to Pala and the new Starlight Theater: Two of Southern Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top tribute bands, Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen, and Zeppelin USA, a tribute to Led Zeppelin, will christen the new venue on opening night at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 23. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 the day of the show. The schedule includes: Creedence Clearwater Revisited, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater, 8 p.m., Friday, May 29. Tickets, $50. $45, at www.startickets.com Theresa Caputo, 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 1, Events Center (SOLD OUT)

p.m., Friday, June 5, Infinity Lounge. Featuring America Idol Alums Lee DeWyze, Elliot Yamin, Blake Lewis and Didi Benami. General Admission tickets, $15, at www.startickets.com. Whitesnake, Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary heavy-metal group will make Pala a stop on its 2015 tour, 7 p.m., Saturday, June 6. Tickets, $70, $60, $45, at www.startickets. com Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, 8 p.m., Friday, June 12. Tickets, $105, $95, $75, at www.startickets.com Chubby Checker, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27. Tickets, $45, at www.startickets. com Cheech and Chong with WAR and Special Guest Shelby Chong, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 11. Tickets, $72, $62, $52, at www.startickets.com Alice in Chains, the Seattle heavymetal rockers will make Pala a stop on its 2015 tour, 8 p.m., Friday, July 17. Tickets, $80, $70, $60, at www.startickets.com Aaron Lewis, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 25. Tickets, $50, $40, at www.startickets. com Huey Lewis and The News, one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great rock and roll bands, 8 p.m., Thursday, July 30. Tickets, $72, $62, $47, at www.startickets.com Russell Peters, one of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top comedians, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 8. Tickets, $70, $60, $50, at www.startickets.com Rock of the 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s featuring The Guess Who, Ambrosia, Firefall, Al Stewart, 8 p.m., Friday, August 28. Tickets, $50, at www. startickets.com YES & Toto, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, September 5. Tickets, $85, $75, $60, at www.startickets.com Rascal Flatts, 8 p.m., Friday, September 25. Tickets, $150, $125, $100, at www.startickets.com. Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood TwoMan Show, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 10, Events Center. Tickets start at $39.50 at www.startickets.com.

3 months before and 3 months after your 65th birthmonth, you may enroll on Medicare Part B. Part B takes care of your MD visits, Durable Medical Equipments (DME), laboratories, and drugs (which you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t usually administer yourself) like flu shots, cancer drugs, etc. Many of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees still work past their 65th birthdays. Under these circum stances, SSA does not usually provide you a notice to enroll on Medicare to consider. Then, there are the Medicare health Part B. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re included in your spouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans to consider. Should you opt for a employer or union-sponsored health plan Medicare Advantage or go for a Medicare that is considered â&#x20AC;&#x153;creditableâ&#x20AC;?, or your Supplement Plan? Which hospital is your company provides you a similar plan, chosen insurance carrier contracted with? Confused and feeling inadequately then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enroll on Medicare Part B. If not, and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t equipped to make a decision? Consult enroll during the 7-month window men- with a knowledgeable insurance broker. A tioned above, you pay a penalty (usually good broker will not only guide you during 10% more than the usual monthly fee of enrollment. He should be there with you as you $104.90) and may not be enrolled on the make use of your Medicare health plan. month you desire. There are rules to follow. But, you have Besides, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free! If you need help, you may call at 323options. Say, you are about to turn 65 in a few 535-7373 or e-mail at: leo.balita@gmail. months. You are paying a monthly pre- com. Leo Monsalud hails from Sta. Cruz, mium of say, $150.00 a month as your personal contribution to keep your employ- Zambales. He studied at the Mary, Help er-sponsored plan. You may compare your of Christians Seminary. He studied for costs under your current plan with those his MBA and Law at the University of of having Medicare Part B. Cost, among the Philippines. He worked for United others, is an important factor to consider Laboratories, Inc. (UNILAB) where his last position held was vice-president assigned in weighing your options. Your choice of doctors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Primary Care as general manager of a division. He was Doctors and specialists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is also another a joint-venture partner of the San Miguel important factor to consider. The medica- Corporation in an agri-business project. tions youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re currently taking, your current He holds a CA license # 0G55218 as well state of health â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are also important factors as a Non-Resident license for Nevada.

De Lima: 3rd batch of pork scam cases still a priority MANILA, May 12 (Mabuhay) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will ask Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano to give his final recommendations on the third batch of cases in connection with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;pork barrelâ&#x20AC;? scam. De Lima denied issuing any statement saying the third batch of cases is â&#x20AC;&#x153;no longerâ&#x20AC;? a priority of the Department of Justice (DOJ). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to take this opportunity to say na hindi ko sinasabi na hindi ito priority, only that marami ang priority ko. Hindi lang ako maka-focus, although I assigned that already to Usec. [Justiniano]... he is busy; halos araw-araw siya nasa Sandiganbayan.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wala po ako sinasabi na hindi yan priority. Sinabi ko na noon na intindihin ang kalagayan ko dahil marami kasi ako sabay sabay na priority. Ang balak ko sa 3rd batch na yan, I will meet Usec. [Justiniano] this afternoon and I will ask him to give me already a final recommendation.... especially doon sa pinapa-review na may mga fake signatures,â&#x20AC;? de Lima said. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), an attached agency of the DOJ,

has filed two batches of complaints, so far, with the Office of the Ombudsman pertaining to the multi-billion peso scam involving non-government organizations linked to detained businesswoman and alleged â&#x20AC;&#x153;pork barrelâ&#x20AC;? scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. Some of these cases are now pending with the Sandiganbayan, including the ones against detained Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, and several congressmen. The Justice chief, meantime, refused to comment on reports another Commission on Audit (CoA) report has identified more lawmakers, including administration allies, to have misused their â&#x20AC;&#x153;pork barrelâ&#x20AC;? and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) allocations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have not seen that CoA report so I cannot comment on that. Assuming there is a CoA report, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure ipapadala rin yan sa Ombudsman o kaya ire-refer sa IAGCC (Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council) as as continuation fo the still-ongoing investiagtions sa [priority development assistance fund],â&#x20AC;? de Lima said. (MNS)

Catanduanes Intâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Association 24th Anniversary and 9th Grand Reunion Aug. 7 The Catanduanes International Association (CIA), Inc. will celebrate its 24th Anniversary and 9th Grand Reunion on August 7 to 9, 2015 at the Hilton Hotel Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities are being sponsored by Catanduanes USA(CAUSA)/LA Chapter. This 3-day event will be highlighted with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Western Style Nightâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grand Gala Night Hollywood Style and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mass and Picnic.â&#x20AC;? Be a part in celebrating our extraordinary heritage at this spectacular gathering and reminisce the time we spent with our fellow Catandunganons and friends. You will also make it a pleasant and a sentimental journey to visit friends and relatives in the Golden State of California. Proceeds from donations of this event will benefit the next Medical Mission to Catanduanes, Philippines. All donations are tax deductible. For more information and details, please contact Ms. Dolly Dalusong, President, CAUSA Inc., telephone number (909)539-8111. We hope to see you at this momentous occasion!

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Homeowner 10 months behind on mortgage files for Chapter 13 Retired military files Chapter 7 for $40k credit cards; client uses Chapter 13 for hoa default Client No. 1 Client is 52 years old with a son in college. She is an R-Nurse with annual gross income of $80K. She comes to see me with a person I thought was her husband. But apparently is not. He could be a potential suitor. Client is slim and has maintained herself well and looks young and energetic despite her long and stressful hours as an ER nurse. She has a residence, which she lives in. This has one mortgage, which is now in default for ten months. She has a rental, which is not in default. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s positive $500 a month with the rent of $2,000. Both properties have little or no equity. She has not paid the mortgage on the residence for 10 months. The rental, on the other hand, is current. I ask her why she has not paid her residence for 10 months. She said she was planning to let the residence go and just transfer to the rental because the mortgage payment of the rental is smaller than the residence. For some reason that escapes me, she has now decided to keep the residence and wants to avoid a foreclosure, which is scheduled for next month. Her mortgage on the residence is $2,100. So, for 10 months, she owes $21,000. She also owes about $50K of credit card debt. Her son has just started college. She needs to give her son about $800 a month. She canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay the minimum of $1,500 on the $50K credit card debt anymore. Considering her objective of saving her

residence, and not paying her credit cards anymore, a Chapter 7 would not really help her. A Chapter 7 will get rid of all the credit cards, but it would not provide effective relief for the residence in foreclosure other than delaying the foreclosure for about 3 more months. On the other hand, a Chapter 13 would stop the foreclosure for good as long as she is making timely payments on her Chapter 13 plan and by the end of the plan, she would be current on the mortgage again. And, after analyzing her financials, I told her that she can do a zero percent plan. In other words, her plan would only pay off the default on the mortgage, and would not have to pay anything to the credit cards. The effect, therefore, of a Chapter 13 in her case would be the same as a Chapter 7, since she does not have to pay anything to unsecured debt. If she completes all plan payments, the $50K credit cards will be discharged by the Court and with zero payments! How much will she pay to handle the default on the mortgage? Her plan payment for the mortgage default will only be $350 a month for 60 months without any interest or penalties. So, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the entire default of $21,000 being paid off over 60 equal monthly payments. And since house

Startup turns old shipping containers into farms By Glenn Chapman

Las Vegas, United States (AFP) Thursday 5/7/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The food tech startup Freight Farms is giving new life to old shipping containers, and at the same time giving impetus to locally grown food. At the Collision technology conference in Las Vegas, the company showed off its basil sprouts nurtured in a used cargo container equipped to let crops flourish just about anywhere. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mission is to create a more connected and sustainable food system,â&#x20AC;? Caroline Katsiroubas of Freight Farms told AFP at the event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone wants to be more local, know where their food comes from and have a relationship with people growing their food.â&#x20AC;? Jon Friedman and Brad McNamara founded the Boston-based startup in 2010 with a vision of outfitting used shipping containers with sophisticated hydroponics equipment to turn them into boxed farms that could be placed in alleys, abandoned lots, parking lots or any other location where agriculture would typically be out of the question. There is a massive supply of old insulated containers once used to ship refrigerated goods around the world on cargo ships, according to Katsiroubas. Evidently, it is cheaper to buy new containers than to repair old units. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These containers all had past lives,â&#x20AC;? she said with a gesture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We clean them up and retrofit them.â&#x20AC;? Freight Farms installs equipment that controls environmental factors ranging from temperature and carbon dioxide levels to air flow and nutrients in water fed to crops. Tilling recycled soda bottles Seeds in â&#x20AC;&#x153;grow traysâ&#x20AC;? sprout under blue light ideally suited for young plants. They are transferred to take root in an artificial soil of sorts made of recycled plastic soda bottles in â&#x20AC;&#x153;zip grow towersâ&#x20AC;? that stand upright. The effect is like plants growing along the sides of columns. Flexible strings of lights hanging from

the container ceiling simulate the necessary sunshine. All the nutrients needed by plants are in water fed through the pseudo-soil. Each container produces as much crop as about 1.8 acres (0.7 hectares) of traditional farmland, and uses about 90 percent less water in the process, according to Katsiroubas. There is even an application that lets container farms be completely monitored and controlled from afar. Each container uses about 30,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, roughly the equivalent of that used by two US households, but less than a greenhouse producing the same amount of crop. Going solar for electricity is not yet an option, since it would take more solar cells than could fit atop a container, according to Katsiroubas. Freight Farms modifies equipment to be more energy efficient and hopes that, along with advances in solar cell efficiency, containers will one day be self-sufficient when it comes to power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The electricity we are pulling is definitely a pain point,â&#x20AC;? Katsiroubas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be great if we were completely off the grid, but at the moment we have to be plugged in.â&#x20AC;? Freight Farms reasons that crop-growing energy use is offset to some degree by decreases in resources devoted to transporting produce long distances and less spoilage. Crops can be ready for harvest in six to eight weeks depending on what is being grown, and restaurants have taken to paying premium prices for high-quality produce that is locally sourced, according to Freight Farms. Urban farmers can even find out what is in demand at restaurants or markets and pick those crops to plant, since climate, weather and soil are not concerns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have these wild visions of cities being self-sustaining and every school operating one,â&#x20AC;? Katsiroubas said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are absolutely not trying to take out traditional farming.â&#x20AC;?

values are going up again, she gets to keep the house, and she gets to benefit from the increase in equity in the future. As well, instead of paying credit cards, she can help her son with money to complete his college education. Client decides to file for Chapter 13. Client No. 2 Client is 40. She joined the Army when she was 18 and was sent all over the world to protect our great country. She recently retired from the military and is not working. She has been looking for a job in S. CA for the last 6 months but has not gotten any offers yet commensurate to her skills and talent. She received an out of state offer but prefers to live here. She has $30K of credit card debt accumulated over the last 15 years. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been paying about $1K a month for the last 10 years to keep the $30K current. So, she has paid $120K but still owes $30K! Right now, she has military pension of about $1,800 monthly. While that is reasonable pension enough to pay $1,000 rent and a car payment of $500, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only $300 left. That means that she no longer has income to pay $1K to the credit cards to keep them current. I mean, even her food alone will cost $300. What about car insurance and gas? She decides to file Chapter 7 to wipe out the $30K of credit cards, and move in with her parents to save on rent. That way she can save almost all of her pension while she figures out what to do next in her life.

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Client No. 3 Client is 58 years old. His wife works. He lost his job two years ago and has not been able to find new employment. Unemployment benefits have ended. They owe $12K of unpaid homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s association fees. These are not dischargeable in a Chapter 7 because they are excepted from discharge. Association has filed a notice of levy with intent to sell the house. This is the same as foreclosure because the Association can levy your house for past due fees. A chapter 7 will not help because association fees cannot be discharged. Client files for Chapter 13 to stop the foreclosure. Her plan payment will be $200 a month to cure the unpaid fees of $12K. â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE LORD IS GOOD, A REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, HE CARES FOR THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nahum 1:17. Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in law practice for thirty years. He specializes in bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave, MAILSTOP 58, Building A-1 SUITE 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 OR at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

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Weekend, Sat. - Fri., May 16 - 22, 2015

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OPINION

PHL outgunned in China’s island-building frenzy By Cecil Morella

Thitu Island, South China Sea, Undefined (AFP) Wednesday 5/13/2015 – Philippine military chief General Gregorio Catapang looks worried as he surveys the rusted cranes and eroded runway on the tiny island of Thitu, now on the front line of a rapidly intensifying construction war in the South China Sea. Fewer than 30 miles away, China’s giant construction cranes glint on the horizon, a sign of the Asian giant’s reef-building frenzy in the disputed Spratly chain that has seen new islands appear seemingly overnight. As China and fellow rival claimant Vietnam race to pave over reefs and build structures in the strategically important sea, the Philippines stands out as a laggard. The 356 residents of the remote Manila-held coral outcrop of Thitu fear they will soon be forced out by China’s aggressive land grab, in a conflict fought, so far, with dredgers and cement. “Before we landed we saw the reclamation in the (nearby) Subi Reef and it’s really enormous,” Catapang said on a tour of the island’s largely decrepit facilities. An old navy transport ship lay half-submerged in waters off the coast, with two anti-aircraft guns the only visible defenses. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, even waters approaching the coasts of its Asian neighbors, and in recent years it has caused alarm with increasingly aggressive actions to assert its claims and increase its presence. The Spratlys, an archipelago of more than a hundred islands, reefs and atolls between Vietnam and the Philippines, is one of the most hotly contested areas because of its strategic military importance. The United States last week sounded the alarm, accusing China of building up to 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of artificial islands in the Spratlys, and warning it could construct airfields, surveillance systems and harbours that would jeopardize regional stability. Alarmed at the Chinese activity, other Spratlys claimants have not been idle. Vietnam is reported to be reclaiming land in two areas, while Taiwan and Malaysia have announced plans to improve their naval facilities. The Philippines, which occupies nine islands or reefs in the chain, in contrast has done very little—partly because of funding constraints, but also because it is pinning its hopes on having the United Nations mediate the dispute. Life is usually uneventful for the inhabitants of Thitu, the largest Philippine-occupied island which lies 269 miles from the major Philippine island of Palawan, and receives electricity just five hours a day. They include soldiers, coastguard personnel and military-employed civilians, many of whom bring their wives and children with them to stave off loneliness. But the Philippine army says that since last month Chinese vessels off the Subi reef have warned Filipino air force planes flying in and out of Thitu to leave, saying they are violating its military airspace. “This is bad for us who live here. We depend on the planes to deliver our food,” one concerned municipal employee, 37-year-old Larry Jugo, told AFP. Rear Admiral Alexander Lopez, commander of Philippine forces in the South China Sea, said the action was effectively an enforcement of an undeclared air defence identification zone. “They build these things, they say for legal reasons, but for military purposes as necessary. That’s very alarming,” he said.

El Niño will be ‘substantial,’ warn Australian scientists By Madeleine Coorey

Sydney, Australia (AFP) Tuesday 5/12/2015 – Australian scientists Tuesday forecast a “substantial” El Niño weather phenomenon for 2015, potentially spelling deadly and costly climate extremes, after officially declaring its onset in the tropical Pacific. El Nino had been expected last year when record-breaking temperatures made 2014 the hottest in more than a century. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said while the thresholds were not met until now it was expected to be a significant event. The Japan Meteorological Agency also confirmed the phenomenon had begun and forecast it would continue into late 2015. “There’s always a little bit of doubt when it comes to intensity forecasts, but across the models as a whole we’d suggest that this will be quite a substantial El Nino event,” David Jones, from the bureau’s climate information services branch said. “Certainly the models aren’t predicting a weak event. They are predicting a moderate-to-strong El Nino event. So this is a proper El Niño event, this is not a weak one or a near miss as we saw last year.” The El Nino phenomenon – which is associated with drought conditions in Australia – can cause havoc for farmers and global agricultural markets, hitting economies heavily dependent on the land. The last El Nino five years ago had a major impact with monsoons in Southeast Asia, droughts in southern Australia, the Philippines and Ecuador, blizzards in the United States, heatwaves in Brazil and killer floods in Mexico. It occurs when the trade winds that circulate over waters in the tropical Pacific start to weaken and sea surface temperatures rise. US officials announced earlier this year that the long-awaited El Nino had arrived, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration described it as of “weak strength”. Australian scientists said models were now showing it was likely to see an increased intensity from about September and have potential global impacts. “Last year we saw some indices, such as the sea

surface temperatures at times exceed El Nino thresholds... but we didn’t see them all coming together at the same time or we didn’t see it sustained,” Jones explained. Severe drought He said this year’s pattern could create drier conditions in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and parts of Southeast Asia. In the past it has caused heavier-than-normal rainfall in the eastern Pacific and South America – raising the specter of floods and landslides, while the southwest United States and southern Africa tend to be drier. An El Nino is potentially a bad sign for large swathes of Australia, including the states of Queensland and New South Wales, which are already in the grip of severe drought. Neil Plummer, the bureau’s assistant director for climate information services, said it was often associated with below average rainfall across eastern Australia and warmer temperatures in the southern half over the hottest months. “The onset of El Nino in Australia in 2015 is a little earlier than usual,” he said, adding that this was the first such phenomenon in the tropical Pacific since March 2010. “Prolonged El Niño-like conditions have meant that some areas are more vulnerable to the impact of warmer temperatures and drier conditions.” El Nino is forecast to strengthen during the southern hemisphere winter but while the event increases the risk of drought, it does not guarantee it – with only 17 of the 26 El Nino events since 1900 resulting in widespread drought in Australia. On the upside, the bureau said it would expect the tropical cyclone season to be below average for Australia. “Every El Niño is different and we know that some years like 1972, 1982 and 1994 really fit the stereotype strongly, severe drought, very hot daytime temperatures, bushfire activity and so on,” said Jones. “But not every El Niño event follows that pattern.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

FACLA responds to ‘Quo Vadis, FACLA’ article Dear Editor, In the interest of truth, objectivity and high standards of journalism, we hope you will publish FACLA’s rejoinder to the article of your contributor-writer Leo Monsalud who wrote “Quo Vadis, FACLA ?” that appeared in your last issue on April 25-May 1, 2015, p.8. Mr. Monsalud wrote some comments about FACLA and his so called “friends there at FACLA” and calls himself as a “FACLA member”, so let us answer four of his major questions: 1. On FACLA’s Membership*: Mr. Monsalud asked, ”What happened tothe thousands of registered members before? Is this good or bad for FACLA?” There were indeed thousands of members at one time in the past, but that was because there was an election and candidates registered as many members as they can who will vote for them. FACLA does not need thousands of registered members who are only active during elections and are dormant after elections. That has been the practice in the past and we want to change that and we want to change for the better. . Maybe that question why the membership of FACLA declined should be better addressed to former FACLA administrations. We cannot answer for the sins of the past. We are only answerable to the present and the future. 2. On the construction of a new building: FACLA has embarked on a building development program and will inaugurate a new building and social hall three to four years from now that will serve as the new edifice and symbol of a New FACLA.FACLA spend almost two years in negotiating this building development project with a prestigious developer/ non-profit organization. The question now is, why is he telling your read-

ers that it ”is just a verbal agreement?” We believe that Mr. Monsalud is not dumb to know the difference between a signed agreement and a verbal one. Or is he just nit-picking or just wanted to cast doubts on the integrity of the FACLA Board? And where did he get “the $4M asset value of FACLA”? This is a figment of his imagination. 3. “Focus”: Again, passing praise for innuendos, Mr. Monsalud asks,“Now this building should not distract FACLA from its mission of attending the needs of the Filipino American communities in LA. Will FACLA help?” For the information of the public including the grossly misinformed Mr. Monsalud, FACLA has catered to more than 14,000 clients for 2014. FACLA has surpassed its 2013 record of more than 11,000 clients served as the Cultural Center of the Filipino American Community. This recorded facts proved that we are not distracted and are focused. Our eyes are always fixed on the prize. And that is service to our community. 4. In the Red: FACLA is a non-profit organization and not a private corporation. FACLA is self-sustaining. We exist for public service and not for profit making. The prime policy of the present administration is self-reliance. In the end, if our friends are like Mr. Monsalud, then who needs enemies? It is better for FACLA to have no friends at all. Then we cannot say, “Et tu Brutus?” A friend who will praise you but will assassinate you in the end with the unkindest cut of all. Sincerely yours, For the FACLA Board of Directors, Austin Baul Jr. President & CEO Arturo P.Garcia Board Secretary

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Binays’ freezing in the summer The public will soon be getting an idea how much money Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family have in their multiple bank accounts. The Court of Appeals (CA) has recently frozen 242 bank accounts and insurance policies belonging to the Vice President and his family, including close associates suspected of being his dummies. The 242 bank accounts, that’s not a typo error. Also covered by the freeze order were the bank accounts of business man Gerry Limlingan. He is widely known as the alleged dummy and bagman freeze order are those in Banco de Oro, of Vice President Binay when he was the Bank of the Philippine Island and Land mayor of Makati, as alleged by former Bank of the Philippines. Please note that Makati vice mayor Mercado. under strict bank laws in the Philippines, Binay’s lawyers however denied that it would be difficult for the government to the Vice President has 242 bank accounts just freeze personal or even dummy bank and insurance policies. They are claiming accounts. There should be valid reasons for that Binay has only five bank accounts this to take place. under his name. Five? I wonder who the The court also ordered these banks to 237 other accounts belong to? make an immediate reporting of the total The freeze order was issued by the First amount of money remaining in the bank Division of the CA composed of Presiding accounts of the Binay family. Justice Andres Reyes Jr, and justices Edwin It will be interesting to find out how this Sorongan and Ricardo Rosario. will affect Binay’s rating as a presidential This is the first time that bank accounts candidate. Despite being pilloried during of a Vice President of the Philippines were a Senate hearing about his alleged particiordered frozen for alleged dishonesty. Bi- pation in the overpriced Makati car park nay has long been accused by his political building, he remains to be the frontrunner opponents of having accumulated hundreds for the 2016 presidential election. His ratof millions of pesos acquired allegedly ings, however, is going down. through illicit or improper means in his Among presidential wannabes, Binay long years as mayor of Makati. has the most extensive political organiIt was the Anti Money Laundering zation. He also has unlimited amount of Council (AMLC) that filed a petition to financial resources that will sustain him the CA to enable the council to scrutinize throughout his presidential campaign. It is the bank accounts of the Binay family. The said that one has to spend some P6 billion AMLC and the Office of the Ombudsman, to mount an effective campaign. in their petition to the court, want to ensure The Binay family is also the best exthat personal assets of the Binay family that ample of a political dynasty. Beside himself were allegedly ill gotten will suddently as Vice President, his daughter Nancy is a disappear. Senator, another daughter is a CongressThe bank accounts covered by the woman representing Makati, and a son who

replaced him as Mayor of Makati. Binay may be the next Philippine President, Nancy Binay will be the Senate President and Abigail Binay will be the Speaker of the House, while JunJun Binay will be the president of the Mayor’s League of the Philippines. I wonder what will happen to the troika of Senators Antonio Trillanes, Koko Pimentel and Alan Cayetano once Binay wins the presidency in 2016. If... In another development, former Senator Senator Panfilo Lacson is still undecided whether he will join the 2016 presidential race despite calls from a handful of workers and retired police and military officers for him to try his luck for the second time. A group of workers and farmers belonging to the Partido ng Manggagawa at

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Magsasaka (PMM) have chosen Lacson as their presidential candidate in 2016. The PMM is launching the Lacson for President Movement next week at the Astoria Plaza in Pasig city. If I were Lacson, I should be wary about this group. The PMM is a sham. Jose Malvar Villegas, PMM president “kuno” does not have the clout to convince PMM members whom to vote. Besides, I doubt if PMM has more than 300 members in their organization. Most probably, as always, Malvar Villegas is just trying to make a “fast buck” on Lacson. If ever he decides to join the presidential race, Lacson’s candidacy will be bankrolled by the “Binondo Central Bank” just like when the former PNP chief ran against “movie king” Fernando Por Jr.

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Permanent residency through marriage to US citizen spouse The economic crisis of the past few years and changes in immigration legislation has made it more difficult to pursue certain traditional paths to obtaining permanent residency in the United States. H1-b visas has been affected by the visa annual visa cap and does not lead to a greencard. In addition, it is a viable option only if the immigrant is fortunate enough to find a job or an employer to offer them a job. However, one traditional way of obtaining permanent residency which has remained unchanged is through a petition thorization card will allow the alien spouse by a US citizen spouse. to work legally in the United States, obtain As a spouse of a US Citizen, an alien a social security card, and a driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license is considered an immediate relative and while that person is waiting for his or her entitled to immediately apply for a green green card interview. Work Authorizacard inside the United States. This is usu- tion card are usually issued in about1 to 2 ally done by simultaneously filing an I-130 months from filing the application. Petition for Alien Relative and an I-485 The green card interview is usually set Application to adjust status. However in about 5 to 6 months from the time the in order to do this, the alien spouse must Petition and Application is filed. The green have been inspected when the alien entered card interview is the most important step the United States or if not inspected must in the process. It is through this process be grandfathered by section 245(i) of the that the USCIS officer usually determines immigration and nationality act. Being in- whether the marriage, which forms the spected means that the alien entered using a basis of the Petition, was entered in good valid visa, paroled inside the United States, faith. entered using the visa waiver program. The The adjudicating officer usually asks alien is grandfathered by section 245(i) if detailed questions about the marriage rea family petition or a labor certification lationship between the US Citizen spouse has been filed for the benefit of that alien and alien spouse. If the couple do not have prior to April 30, 2001. If the alien was children, the marriage are usually subject not inspected nor grandfathered under sec- to closer scrutiny. Along with this inquiry tion 245(i), such as if the alien crossed the process, the USCIS would usually request border illegally, the alien cannot obtain his for certain documents that proves a bona or her green card inside the United States. fide marriage. Some of these documents Along with the application and petition, may be in the form of pictures, joint utilthe alien is also required to take a medical ity bills, health insurance documents, and examination by a physician designated by many more. If everything goes well, the the USCIS. The result of that physical USCIS officer will approve the case and examination is reported in a USCIS form a green card will be mailed to the alienâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and sealed in an envelope submitted with address within a reasonable time period. the Petition and Adjustment Application. If the couple has been married for 2 years The alien spouse may also apply for a or more, the alien spouse will recieve a work authorization card with the Petition permanent greencard. If the couple has and Adjustment application. The work au- been married for less than 2 years, the alien

will receive a conditional green card. The alien spouse will have to file a petition to remove the condition 3 months prior to the expiration of the conditional greencard which is good for 2 years. Obtaining legal status in the United States is a one shot deal. People should seek the assistance of an experienced Attorney to guide them through this important and and once in a lifetime process. Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create

any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. 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 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com. Web: kenreyeslaw.com.

Seeking Hispanic vote, Hillary Clinton defends illegal immigrants By Ivan Couronne

Washington, United States (AFP) Saturday 5/9/2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t vote, but they have children, siblings or cousins that do, and Hillary Clinton is courting their support. The Democratic presidential candidate has singled out immigration as a key campaign issue in her bid for the White House in 2016. She is looking to set herself apart from her Republican rivals on the matter, and has even said she wants to go further than President Barack Obama to secure legal status, and citizenship, for millions of undocumented immigrants, most of which are Hispanic. The move is a strategic one: securing the Hispanic vote could be what Clinton â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or any candidateâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;needs to become president in the next election.

In 2012, the Hispanics made up 10 percent of the vote, compared to only two percent in 1976. In recent elections, they have shown an increasing preference for the Democratic Party. Obama won the 2012 race with 82 percent of the minority vote, including 71% of the Hispanic vote. Sitting with a group of undocumented students this week in Nevada, Clinton made her stance clear, calling on Congress to adopt comprehensive immigration reform and create a path to citizenship for the youths and millions of others like them. She promised to do more than Obama, who used executive action last November to bypass Congress and approve measures to protect about four million undocumented foreigners from deportation. Clinton said she was ready to use executive action to shield many more.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Green is the new black: Sustainable beauty gets a boost in New York (Relaxnews) - Green is beautiful, if the buzz surrounding the upcoming Sustainable Cosmetics Summit in New York is anything to go by. As the beauty industry makes a conscious effort to smarten up its act regarding sustainable ingredients, the sixth edition of the annual summit will examine everything from environmentally friendly products to marketing techniques within the business, focusing on how we can replace some of the most contentious chemicals in cosmetics. Amidst growing consumer concerns about the ecological and health impacts of beauty ingredients, the event will present a choice of green emulsifiers and surfactants, as well as sustainable alternatives to squalene and microplastic exfoliants, known for their high environmental footprints. The merits of sustainable palm oil and the safety of natural materials will also be debated and a dedicated workshop is set to focus on paraben-free preservative

systems. The summit will also look at how cosmetic and ingredient firms can add social value and engage with customers, with Shannon Hess from Burt’s Bees explaining how the natural cosmetics brand is making a social difference with its ‘greater good’ business model. Wanda Malhotra, CEO and founder of Surya Brasil, will also be on hand to show how the brand is engaging Brazilian consumers to make sustainable lifestyle changes. “The cosmetic industry appears to be preoccupied with environmental aspects; we want to show how operators can take a holistic perspective when considering sustainability,” says Amarjit Sahota, president of London-based specialist research group Organic Monitor, which is behind the event. The Sustainable Cosmetics Summit runs from May 14-16. For more information seewww.sustainablecosmeticssummit. com

As the beauty industry makes a conscious effort to smarten up its act regarding sustainable ingredients, the sixth edition of the annual summit will examine everything from environmentally friendly products to marketing techniques within the beauty industry.

Exercise during pregnancy lowers risk of C-section, too-big baby

Exercising during pregnancy decreases the risk of needing a C-section or giving birth to a too-big baby, according to a new study. ©Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com

(Relaxnews) – Birthing a normal-sized baby naturally is more likely to occur for women who exercise during their pregnancies, according to a new study. “We found that women who exercised had a 31 percent reduction in the risk of having a large baby without changing the risk of having a small baby or an earlier baby,” says lead researcher Margie Davenport, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta in Canada. What’s more, the risk of needing a Caesarean section was reduced by 20 percent for women who had exercised during pregnancy, the study concludes. The study, which waspublished in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, has important implications because mounting evidence suggests babies born large tend to be heavier throughout their lives. The research team conducted a metaanalysis, analyzing 28 studies that included data on 5,322 pregnancies. All of the studies compared women on

supervised prenatal exercise programs to those who received standard care. For participants in all studies who were given supervised exercise interventions, they completed at least one session every two weeks during pregnancy. Studies involving only pelvic floor exercise interventions were excluded from the meta analysis. The Center for Disease Control has earmarked a normal birth weight as being between 5.5 lbs. (2.49 kg) and 8.8 lbs. (3.99 kg). Babies born too big are at a greater risk of autism, according to a 2013 study conducted in the UK. Mounting evidence suggests birth weight could be an indicator of body mass index over the course of a lifetime. Even if the mother is not obese, a high birth weight could mean the baby will grow into an overweight or obese child and possibly stay that way into adulthood, according to astudy from the University of North Carolina in the US.

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FOOD & DINING Dipped Ice Cream Cones

FAMILY FEATURES

veryone will be bringing something to the 4th of July picnic, but you can bring the grand finale. Each of these tasty sweet treats captures the flair of the 4th without the fuss. In just a little time, you can add patriotic color and fun flavor to classics like cupcakes, ice cream cones and cookies. Dipped Ice Cream Cones: Add color and crunch to your cones with a dip in red, white or blue melted Candy Melts candy and a variety of patriotic sprinkles. The Cone Cakes baking rack holds the cones for drying and serving. Red, White and Blue Swirled Cupcakes: Everyone loves picnic treats they can grab and eat, and these July 4th cupcakes also bring pyrotechnics to the plate. Each is topped with an explosive three-color swirl of icing, easily created with the Color Swirl Three-Color Coupler.

S’mores Crispy Cereal Treats

Red, White and Blue Swirled Cupcakes

S’mores Crispy Cereal Treats: These crunchy cereal bars pack the flavor of traditional s’mores while being much neater to eat. The marshmallow, cereal and candy mixture is laced with warm cinnamon graham and creamy vanilla custard flavors using Treatology Flavor concentrates. Creamy Coconut Cookie Flag: Give the day a flag-waving finish with red, white and blue royal iced cookies that hold up to the heat using the Color Right™ Performance Color System. The tropical taste combination of toasted coconut and creamy vanilla is just right for summer. It’s a great feeling to bring a dessert that can’t miss. The Wilton Test Kitchen developed these deliciously easy ideas to go with your summer celebration so you can enjoy the fireworks with everyone else. For more party ideas, visit www.wilton.com.

Yield: 12 ice cream cones 1 bag (12 ounces) Bright White Candy Melts Candy Sugar ice cream cones Jimmies 6-Mix Sprinkle Assortment Rainbow Jimmies Melt candy in microwave safe bowl. Dip cones about 1 inch deep around opening of cone. Cut small hole in tip of bag and drizzle melted candy 1 inch deep around opening of cone. Tap cone lightly to smooth, and sprinkle with jimmies. Position cone in cone rack. Let chill, about 10–15 minutes. Add ice cream scoops at party and serve in cone rack.

Yield: 12 cupcakes Favorite cupcake recipe or mix 1 4.5-pound tub White Ready-To-Use Decorator Icing Color Right Performance Color System Icing Colors Red (formula 186): 2 cups icing + 40 R White: Reserve 2 cups icing Deep Blue (formula 647): 2 cups icing + 26 B + 8 R + 4 P Bake cupcakes according to package directions in red, white and blue standard baking cups. Tint icing following color formulas above. Prepare Color Swirl 3-Color Coupler according to package directions, filling one decorating bag each with red, white and blue icing and fitting with tip 1M. Pipe a swirl on each cooled cupcake top.

Yield: 20 servings 6 tablespoons butter 1 bag (16 ounces) regular-sized marshmallows 1/4 teaspoon Warm Cinnamon Graham Treatology Flavor Concentrate 10 drops Creamy Vanilla Custard Treatology Flavor Concentrate 1/4 teaspoon salt 10 cups crisped rice cereal 1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows, divided 1 1/4 cups Light Cocoa Candy Melts candy, divided Prepare 13-by-9-inch baking pan with vegetable spray. In very large saucepan, melt butter over medium high heat until it smells nutty and browns slightly. Reduce heat to medium low; stir in regular marshmallows, warm cinnamon graham and creamy vanilla custard flavors, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; stir in cereal, 3 cups mini marshmallows and 3/4 cup light cocoa

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candy. Press into prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining mini marshmallows and press lightly to adhere. In small microwave-safe bowl, microwave remaining 1/2 cup candy on 50 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until candy is almost melted. Stir thoroughly until smooth and drizzle over treats. Let cool completely.

Creamy Coconut Cookie Flag Yield: About 3 dozen 3-inch cookies Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon Toasted Coconut Treatology Flavor Concentrate 8 drops Creamy Vanilla Custard Treatology Flavor Concentrate 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Icing 3/4 cup + 3 teaspoons water 12 cups (about 3 pounds) confectioner’s sugar, sifted 6 tablespoons Color Flow Mix Color Right Performance Color System (see colors tinted below) Icing Colors Red (formula 32): 1 1/2 cups icing + 62 R + 8 O Deep Blue (formula 647): 1/2 cup icing + 27 B + 5 P + 6 R White: Reserve 2 cups icing Note: Make and decorate cookies 1 day in advance to allow for drying time. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and flavors. Mix flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Do not chill dough. Divide dough into 2 balls. On floured surface with rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle approximately 12 inches in diameter by 1/8 inch thick. Cut cookies with star nesting metal cookie cutter. Dip cutter in flour before each use. Bake cookies on ungreased cookie sheet 8–11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Prepare Color Flow icing. Tint icing following color formulas above. Use tip 3, a parchment bag and full-strength icing to outline cookies: 32 in red, 21 in white and 16 in blue. Let cookies dry 1–2 hours. Thin 1 cup red, 1/4 cup blue and 1 cup white icing. Use thinned icing and disposable decorating bag to fill in cookies. Fill in 8 of blue outlined cookies with white icing and remaining cookies with matching outline color. Let dry 8–12 hours. To serve, arrange cookies on tray in stars and stripes design.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Julia Barretto calls Iñigo Pascual ‘torpe’ Julia Barretto had just called her onscreen partner Iñigo Pascual “torpe.” The young actress made the statement during their interview when they were asked about their similarities with their characters in the upcoming movie “Para sa Hopeless Romantic.” The young actor answered that they are somehow similar because he is also the shy type who does not know how to express his feelings for a girl. “I play Ryan in this movie. Siya ‘yung torpe. He doesn’t know how to express his emotions or say it to the girl that he likes, who is Maria. He’s the nice guy in school. He’s a good kid. May mangyayari doon kung paano ko masasabi yung emotions ko kay Maria,” he said. “Actually meron din akong pagkatorpe minsan.” To which, Barretto quipped: “May pag-

katorpe? You’re very [torpe].” “He tells me everything and he asks help from me. I know if he’s torpe or not, and he is,” she explained. Pascual then admitted they are like best friends that tell each other everything. Asked about doing romantic scenes when they are just close friends, Pascual said: “I guess you really just have to be comfortable with each other. You just have to trust each other and know what you guys want. There has to be teamwork.” As for Barretto, she said: “It’s important that you’re comfortable with each other so you’re able to do what is asked of you to do. Like what I always say, friendship is the best foundation.” “Para sa Hopeless Romantic,” which also stars James Reid and Nadine Lustre, will hit cinemas nationwide beginning Wednesday, May 13.(MNS)

Is Pauleen ready to marry Vic? Pauleen Luna dropped hints Tuesday of a wedding, and building a family life with long-time partner Vic Sotto. On the sidelines of the TESDA short film competition at the PICC Plenary Hall which Luna hosted, the actress said she and Sotto have discussed their wedding plans. At the ribbing of TESDA Secretary Joel Villanueva, Luna said she is willing to take on his challenge to take pastry and baking classes under the auspices of the technical education skills agency. She said that cooking is one of the prime requirements of a happy home. Luna also said it was in the natural order of things that she will be a wife and mother. (MNS)

Diana Zubiri marries boyfriend MANILA, May 12 (Mabuhay) -Actress Diana Zubiri and model-host boyfriend Andy Smith tied the knot last Sunday. Based on photos posted on social media, the wedding was held at the Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City. Andy proposed to Diana in Japan in February. They also took pre-nuptial photos while there. Few hours before their wedding, Andy shared his excitement on Instagram, relating, “Our big day has finally arrived @ dianazubiri_ I will be marrying the love of my life and nothing excites me more to know u are my forever.” Among celebrities who attended the ceremony were Ogie Alcasid, Iza Calzado, Karylle, Camille Prats, Francine Prieto, Aubrey Miles, Troy Montero, Roxanne Barcelo, Paolo Ballesteros and Eric Tai. “Congratulations Joi @dianazubiri_ you are a great person and a wonderful friend. You deserve someone who will take care of you and King. It’s an honor to share in such a beautiful and important day. Best wishes for a future filled with happiness and love,” Francine posted. Already her second marriage, Diana first tied the knot in 2008. She lost her husband to cirrhosis of the liver in 2010. They have a son. Her last teleserye was ABS-CBN’s “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” in 2013. (MNS)

Pauleen Luna

Julia Barretto

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COMMUNITY

Congen joins Santacruzan at Los Angeles Cathedral Los Angeles, 11 May 2014 - The officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles joined the 11th Archdiocesan Filipino Marian Celebration of “Santacruzan” held last May 9 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. Most Rev. Myloi Hubert Vergara, D.D., Bishop of Pasig, led the Eucharistic celebration with the auxiliary bishops and clerics of Los Angeles. This year’s event was held under the auspices of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the theme was “Holy Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy”. During the mass mentioned was a special prayer was said for the late Philippine Ambassador Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. who died in a helicopter accident in Pakistan. The Philippine Consulate General joined the different parish ministries, Catholic associations, civic and nongovernmental organizations and Filipino-American children as angels in the Procession that heralded the Eucharistic celebration. Photo above shows officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General led by Consul General Leo-Herrera-Lim and Mrs. Fides Herrera-Lim.

Food distribution and feeding program at FACLA May 30 Los Angeles – The United Bicolandia of Los Angeles (UBLA),the Filipino Ministry of the Wilshire United Methodist Church with the Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) and the HIFI CALI EXPO LLC will hold its monthly feeding program and food distribution for the month of May on Saturday, May

30, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA). The feeding program and food distribution is held at every last Saturday pf the month at FACLA. It has been a success ever since and has distributed food and have fed a modest number of seniors since it started in the middle of 2014 Free Info /IT Seminar Due to the insistent public demand, At the same time, Sid Balatan, FACLA Director for Information and Technology will again hold his FREE workshop on email, iphone and tablet literacy and

technology. This technology literacy seminar is FREE for people especially for seniors who want to learn about this gadgets. This workshop is FREE. Especially for senior adults, using their phones and tablets should not be troublesome. It only shows that age does not matter when it comes to technology. It is not to late or we are not to old to learn. Please come to this FREE high tech seminar. For more information please contact Sid at (213)3995042 or Al Garcia at (323)253-1818 or email us atagarcia@ peoplescore.net.

Voter IDs for registered Filipinos now at the Consulate Los Angeles, 06 May 2015 – The Consulate wishes to inform voters who filed their applications for voter registration from 2009 to 2012, that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has issued their Voter ID. They may personally (or through their authorized representative) claim their

IDs at the Overseas Voter Registration window (Window 2) of the Philippine Consulate General. You can check the list provided by the COMELEC by clicking on this link: http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/OV/List%20of%20Voters%20 ID%20-%202009%20to%202012.pdf.

PHL distiller Emperador eyes French cognac maker Manila, Philippines (AFP) Monday 5/11/2015 – The Philippines’ largest liquor producer Emperador said Monday it will bid to acquire a French cognac producer, as it embarks on a global expansion that has seen it pick up Spanish vineyards and a Scottish whisky giant. Emperador said in a disclosure to Manila’s stock exchange that “it has expressed interest to participate in a bidding process for the acquisition of Louis Royer SAS, a cognac producer in France”. The company said it would submit a preliminary offer on May 13 to buy Louis Royer from Japanese liquor titan Suntory, which also owns the popular Courvoisier brand. “However, its offer is still subject to the evaluation and final decision of the seller,” the statement added. “Emperador is currently debt-free and is, therefore, in a very strong fi-

nancial position to further expand its business both globally and domestically,” the statement said. Emperador started as a brandy maker in the Philippines but in recent years, has been expanding to other spirits and markets. Last year, it paid 430 million pounds ($726 million) for Scottish whisky maker Whyte and Mackay and 60 million euros ($82 million) for half of Spanish brandy producer Bodega Las Copas. It has also been acquiring Spanish vineyards and brandy stocks. Emperador is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliance Global Group, a Philippine conglomerate with interests in liquor, real estate, resorts and gaming, and fast food restaurants. Alliance Global is controlled by Andrew Tan, the Philippines’ fourth richest man according to Forbes Magazine.

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SCE celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 1, 2015 – Southern California Edison (SCE) today celebrates its business and community partnerships in the Asian community at its 10th annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration at SCE’s Energy Education Center in Irwindale. Ted Craver, chairman, president and CEO of Edison International, the parent company of SCE, will speak at the event, which brings together Asian businesses and community partners, recognizes AAPI energy-efficient champions and highlights SCE’s partners with its mission to give back to the communities it serves. This year’s award recipients are Foreign Exchange, RePET Inc., Asian Pacific Community Fund and Chinese American Construction Professionals. Ted Nguyen, a national award-winning social media, public relations and marketing communications professional, is the keynote speaker. “Celebrating Business &

Community Partnerships,” with a special focus on giving back, is this year’s theme. “Our Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage event celebrates our cultural diversity and the achievements of AsianAmerican business and communities partners,” said Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division and Customer Service Safety. “It’s also an opportunity for Southern California Edison to show our appreciation to the communities we serve.” Receiving SCE’s 2015 Energy Efficiency Participation Award are: Foreign Exchange, a new clothing company with more than 30 stores in California, including nine in SCE’s service territory. Foreign Exchange has played a proactive role in energy savings and its participation in SCE’ Energy Efficiency Express Solutions program has led to reduced electricity usage and incentives. RePET, Inc., a recycling center, that has maintained corporate values in reduc-

ing costs by saving energy and improving safety. Through its partnership with SCE via its Energy Efficiency/Demand Response programs, RePET has installed more efficient lighting and is currently enrolled in SCE’s Real Time Pricing program. SCE’s Community Partnership Award goes to the Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), which is focused on transforming lives and meeting the diverse needs of the AAPI community. To date, APCF has awarded $3 million to its affiliate agencies and other community organizations, enabling culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services to enhance the lives of 225,000 people annually in 27 Asian and Pacific Islander languages, in addition to English and Spanish. SCE’s Diverse Business Enterprise Award will be given to the Chinese American Construction Professionals, which enhances members’ competitiveness in local and global markets, facilitates

professional and business networking opportunities and serves the community while nurturing the future of construction professionals. Jestin Ma, a freshman at Stanford University, will share his experiences as a 2014 Edison Scholar and the recipient of a $40,000 scholarship. He is studying computer science and engineering and is a graduate of San Gabriel High School. NBC4 Southern California reporter Hetty Chang will serve as emcee. A native of Southern California, Chang is an Emmy Award-nominated journalist who covers the Long Beach and South Bay communities. About Southern California Edison An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

Secure means safe when it comes to metallic balloons for moms, grads and proms ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 4, 2015 – If there’s a season for everything, May begins the usual peak months for power outages caused by metallic balloons. And this year, those outages are already up 55 percent and at an all-time high for the first three months of any year. With this happening even before the traditionally most active months for balloon-related outages around Mother’s Day, graduations and proms, Southern California Edison (SCE) urges its customers to always keep those balloons secured to a weight as required by California law and to never release them outdoors.

This is especially vital since SCE has had 182 outages through March compared to 118 last year at that point. “Keep them indoors if possible, but the best way to prevent them from floating dangerously away outdoors is by keeping them tied to that weight or something else sturdy,” said Don Neal, SCE director of Corporate Environmental, Health and Safety. “Not doing so can lead to serious injuries, property damage and outages.” Injuries and property damage can potentially occur when the balloon contact leads to downed power lines. May and June have long been the worst months for balloon outages, with

35 percent (230) of SCE’s 656 balloon outages last year occurring in these months. Since 2010, SCE has consistently suffered about one-third of its balloon outages in May and June – twice the number on average than the next two months. During National Electrical Safety Month, SCE recommends some tips for handling metallic balloons: Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon – or any foreign object – tangled in power lines. Instead, call SCE at 800-611-1911 and report the problem. Never tie a metallic balloon to a child’s wrist. If the balloon

comes into contact with electricity, it will travel through the balloon and into the child, possibly causing serious injury or even death. Never attach streamers to any balloon – latex or metallic. When done with them, puncture the balloons or cut the knot to keep them from floating away. If you see a downed line or dangling wire – even if it appears not to be live – don’t touch or approach it and call 911 immediately. More on metallic balloon safety can be found at on.sce.com/staysafe. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Full time / Part -time / Will train **With transportation live within 15 miles ** Redondo Beach, CA Call: Irene @ 310-316-0070 Email resume: mattuccitailors@aol .com

WAREHOUSE SHIPPING & RECEIVING CLERK Wilshire Beauty is now hiring a WAREHOUSE CLERK for shipping & receiving, packing, and processing online orders. Must be career minded, self-motivated and efficient, and have excellent work references. Wilshire Beauty has been in operation for 60 years. For more information go to: www.wilshirebeauty.com

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MALE CAREGIVER Male caregiver wanted in board & care for 6 residents in Torrance. Live in for 3days part time fr FriSun. Finger print/First aid/CPR/ TB test & good English req’d. Call Melo @ 310-753-9543. LIVE-IN CAREGIVER Full-time live-in caregiver needed immediately for a board & care facility for elderly in Northridge. With experience but not necessary. We will train. Pls call 818742-8045. CAREGIVERS WANTED Job opportunity for couple or single, work together. Live-in or liveout. DD or dementia experience w/ driving license required. Give us a call at (909) 636-7848.

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PRAYERS PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con¿rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif¿cult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks - D.B.F

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SPORTS

Low-key return as injured Pacquiao says retirement ‘near’ By Joel Guinto

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Wednesday 5/13/2015 - 05:08 GMT | 519 words Manny Pacquiao made a low-key return to the Philippines on Wednesday after losing his mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather and said retirement was drawing closer as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Few signs of Pacquiao’s early-morning arrival were visible at Manila airport, and he was later welcomed by modest crowds as he paraded the capital on the back of a flatbed truck. It was very different from previous joyous homecomings for the eight-weight world champion and congressman, whose fights bring the Southeast Asian country to a standstill. A smiling Pacquiao, his right arm supported by a black sling, told reporters he hadn’t yet decided on his future after his May 2 defeat by unanimous decision in Las Vegas. “I will focus first on healing my shoulder. After that, I will announce continuing my career or announcing retirement,” Pacquiao said. “I’m not saying I am going to retire, but it’s near. I’m already 36, turning 37 this December.” Pacquiao said it could take six months to recover from the operation on his torn rotator cuff, which he underwent days after what was billed as the “Fight of the Century”. The American called Pacquiao a “sore loser” for blaming the injury for his defeat, and the Filipino is facing a law suit which claims he fraudulently concealed the problem. Asked about a possible rematch with Mayweather, Pacquiao said: “I (would) like that. I want that. But my focus right now is my shoulder, my work as a congressman and my family.”

‘I won by two points’ Pacquiao said he had accepted his defeat to Mayweather, but after reviewing the fight on video, he believed he won by a slim margin. “I reviewed the fight and kept score. I won by two points... But a decision has been made and we have to accept it,” he said. Despite the loss, officials still laid on the motorcade around Manila, where autographed T-shirts and CDs of Pacquiao’s songs were flung to waiting fans. Later, the rags-to-riches “National Fist”

was scheduled to pay a courtesy call to President Benigno Aquino. Asked about his own presidential ambitions, Pacquiao said: “I am considering that. I am thinking about it. “Our family has no other intention but to help our countrymen. We consider it an obligation.” Pacquiao is not eligible to stand until he reaches the minimum age of 40, ruling him out of the next election in 2016, with 2022 likely to be his first opportunity. But he said his wife’s worries over the enormous cost of higher political office–

Pacquiao insists he won vs Floyd MANILA, May 13 (Mabuhay) – Following his heartbreaking defeat against American Floyd Mayweather Jr., Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is back in the Philippines. Speaking at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, Pacquiao told reporters that he remains the People’s Champion, insisting that he won against the American despite the unanimous decision of the judges in the May 2 mega-bout. “I watched the fight several times. I scored it and I believe I won by two points against Mayweather. But we have to accept the decision,” said Pacquiao, who was wearing a shoulder sling following a surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. “I won’t change weight division. I won... In the hearts of the people I won.” Pacquiao refused to engage Mayweather in a war of words, after the latter called him a coward and a sore loser. “I refuse to comment on that. If I

fire back I would stoop to his level,” he said. The Filipino champion also appealed to Filipino boxing fans not to practice “crab mentality” when he was asked about the negative comments he received from some of his own countrymen due to his injury debacle. “They should show that they are real Filipinos. We should not practice crab mentality. If you are a Filipino, you should support your fellow Filipino,” he said. Pacquiao, who is facing a number of lawsuits over his failure to disclose a pre-bout shoulder injury, said he is not yet thinking about his next fight. He said he will first focus on his family and his job as a lawmaker. He added recuperating from his operation will be priority as well. He said his doctors told him that his shoulder will be back to normal after six months. ‘Presidency not on my mind’ Pacquiao, who is the representative of the lone district of Sarangani, said gunning for presidency is not on his

mind for now. “That’s not on my mind. You see, God’s plan is higher than our plans. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We can’t say,” he said. “It’s just 2015. We will just continue serving the people. My focus is on my constituents in Sarangani.” Pacquiao also said he has not yet decided whether he will seek a higher position in the 2016 elections. The Filipino boxer is being considered by presidential aspirant Vice President Jejomar Binay in his 2016 senatorial slate. “My focus is on my job as a congressman. It’s still a year from elections and there are still so many things that I can do for my constituents,” he said. Top Rank boss Bob Arum earlier told media that Pacquiao plans to run for senator in 2016 and then President in a future election. He said he and his wife, Jinkee, are considering the demands of a life of a public official.

both to their bank accounts and to their family – was making him cautious. “My wife said it’s difficult because we are losing time for our children,” Pacquiao said of his wife, Jinkee, with whom he has three sons and two daughters. “We’ve also been spending millions out of our own pockets to help the poor. We can’t just shoo away people lined up at our door,” he said. Pacquiao is on his second three-year term in the Philippines’ House of Representatives, representing his wife’s home province of Sarangani in the south.

Tiger Woods writes letter to bullied boy who stutters

Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Wednesday 5/13/2015 – Tiger Woods wrote a personal letter of support to a schoolboy who contemplated suicide because of a stutter, saying “I know what it’s like to be different and not fit in”. In the letter, published by Golf Digest magazine Tuesday, Woods revealed he too had suffered with a speech impediment and gave the boy encouragement to overcome bullying. “I also stuttered as a child and I would talk to my dog and he would sit there and listen until he fell asleep. I also took a class for two years to help me, and I finally learned to stop,” Woods wrote The boy, identified only as Dillon, quit his high school football team after being teased and bullied and his mother then wrote to LPGA tour player Sophie Gustafson of Sweden, who has had to cope with a stutter throughout her career, saying she had only just prevented him jumping to his death from his bedroom window last month.

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MOTORING

Smartly designed to handle life’s adventures Check out the new 2016 Mazda CX-3 at Puente Hills Mazda

IRVINE, Calif. (May 1, 2015) – Smartly designed and capable of handling many of life’s adventures, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is the fifth vehicle introduced to the U.S. with KODO – Soul of Motion design and showcasing the full suite of Mazda’s signature SKYACTIV Technology. Debuting at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, CX-3 was developed to “Create the standard for the next era.” It’s a vehicle designed to meet the needs of a new generation of car buyers, supporting creative, adventurous lifestyles wherever – from the urban sprawl to the weekend getaway. “The 2016 CX-3 is the next evolution of our mission to meld style, driving enjoyment and efficiency into a vehicle that demonstrates drivers don’t need to compromise to get what they want,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). “CX-3 was designed to deliver all of the fun and technology of our larger models

predictive i-ACTIV all-wheel drive, a punchy 146-horsep o w e r, 2 . 0 - l i t e r SKYACTIV-G engine and Mazda’s full suite of i-ACTIVSENSE safety features optionally available, including lane-departure warning, rear crosstraffic alert, Smart Brake Support, rear camera, Smart City Brake Support Ferry Markingka Gozon, Sales Manager/Special Finance (SCBS) and MazManager of Puente Hills Mazda. da Radar Cruise Control (MRCC). but at a price in the market where it will Yet, CX-3 is more than the sum of its parts. be a draw for buyers of all backgrounds. It It is a vehicle tailored to deliver a rich, is truly a vehicle that will help set the pace inviting experience not just for its driver, for its newly emerging segment.” but also for its passengers, with rear seats CX-3 is shorter and lower than Mazset slightly inboard to ease conversation da’s best-selling CX-5 and delivers uncompromised versatility with available between front and rear passengers. It is a vehicle with interior details and materials

that look and feel as elegant as they are forward-thinking, from the dark red seat stitching to the soft touch materials. And it is a vehicle that carries itself with style, with a long hood, short overhangs, large wheels and a slim cabin, presenting proportions that lend themselves to a sense of strength and vitality. It’s a design that looks as though it’s in motion even when it’s not. The subcompact crossover segment is growing quickly, but CX-3 stands alone with its attention to detail and purpose-led ergonomics. Standard inside CX-3 is a push-button starter and Mazda Connect infotainment offering Bluetooth phone pairing, audio streaming, USB ports for phone charging and entertainment connectivity and Commander control knob, as well as a seven-inch color touchscreen interface – all means of keeping connected in a quick-paced environment. Mazda Connect also features SMS text message audio delivery and reply, voice command and Aha/Stitcher/Pandora/HD See SMARTLY, page 39

Mitsubishi Outlander named by Kelley Blue book’s KBB.Com ‘10 Most Affordable 3-Row Vehicles’ list For 2015 Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has announced that the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander seven-passenger crossover has been named by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com as one of its “10 Most Affordable 3-Row Vehicles.” In 2014, Outlander also was recognized for its affordability by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. In its assessment this year, Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com noted that the 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander “is loaded with value” and that “in addition to its available three rows of seats, the Outlander also comes standard with micron air filtration, hillstart assist, traction and stability control, seven air bags and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, one of the industry’s best.” “The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander is an

outstanding value proposition and comes with a long list of standard safety features and amenities,” states Don Swearingen, Executive Vice President, MMNA. “And for 2016, the Outlander will feature bold new styling and over 100 key engineering and interior refinements, adding even more

2015 Fit LX 5-Door 6-Speed Manual

value to an already feature-laden vehicle.” The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick+” – the highest safety achievement designated by the non-profit agency that performs crash test evaluations on vehicles – because

2015 Civic LX Sedan Automatic

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of the availability of Forward Collision Mitigation. The 2015 model also includes standard features including an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Mitsubishi Motors’ patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body/chassis construction technology that helps absorb and/or dissipate energy in the event of a collision to help protect the vehicle’s occupants. For more information on the Outlander, please visit media.mitsubishimotors.com or better yet call our kababayans Richard Samaco, Cesar Macandili or Mark De Leon the dealership’s Filipino salespersons at Glendale Mitsubishi at (888) 465-7218.

2015 Accord LX Sedan Automatic

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The 2016 Honda Pilot is a triple threat to competitors TORRANCE, Calif. – Sleek and athletic exterior meets interior elegance for a commanding yet sophisticated presence Top-of-the-line Elite trim introduces a premium look, feel and experience with highest level of standard features Direct injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC® engine with more horsepower and torque than outgoing model Smartest Pilot ever with new Intelligent Traction Management system, Honda Sensing™ technologies and i-VTM4 AWD system. The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV – sleek and athletic styling, outstanding power, sophisticated technology and, new for 2016, an allnew Elite model with a panoramic roof and a vast array of other standard features. Building on the solid reputation established from the June 2002 introduction of the first generation 2003 model, the 2016 Pilot brings a whole new level of refinement and available content to the segment. This includes a more powerful direct injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC EarthDreams Technology engine producing 280 horsepower1 and 262 lb-ft of torque2, and new 6-speed and 9-speed automatic transmissions. Providing outstanding dynamic handling are a new Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) AWD System and all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management system featuring Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes on the AWD model and Normal and Snow modes on the 2WD model. Also significantly upgraded are the Display Audio and navigation systems. The available Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver assistive technologies brings available features that include Collision Mitigation Braking System3 with Forward Collision Warning4, Road Departure Mitigation System5, Lane Keeping Assist System6 with Lane Departure Warning7 and Adaptive Cruise Control8. Providing customers with a greatly increased range of trim levels, the 2016 Pilot is available in a new top-of-theline Elite trim together with LX, EX, EX with Honda Sensing, EX-L, EX-L with Honda Sensing and Touring trims. Honda Sensing is standard on both Touring and Elite trims. The Pilot Elite offers an extensive feature content list, including a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, LED headlights

with auto high-beam, rain sensing windshield wipers and much more. And these are in addition to a long list of standard features throughout the Pilot trim range. Approximately 98 percent of Honda brand new car registrations in America in 2014 were to individual retail car buyers. Isn’t it about time you yourself get a Honda? Or, better replace your Honda with a newer model. Come and see our kababayans Mac Almerol and Michael Morente at Honda of Hollywood. You can reach Mac toll free at 1-866-630-0734. Better yet, test drive a new Honda today by coming down to Honda of Hollywood located at 6511 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038.

Mac Almerol and Michael Morente, Honda of Hollywood’s Filipino Sales & Leasing consultants.

The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot will go on sale this summer ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm, with more of what active families seek in a three-row SUV

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Honda Accord Hybrid one of 10 Best Green Cars TORRANCE, Calif. – The awardwinning Honda Accord Hybrid, boasting the highest EPA city fuel economy rating of any four-door sedan sold in America1, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB. com annual list of the 10 Best Green Cars for 2015, its second straight appearance on the KBB.com green car list. The industry experts at Kelley Blue Book praised the Accord Hybrid’s stellar fuel economy ratings and excellent value proposition. “Eco-minded drivers looking for a new ‘green’ vehicle with low CO2 emissions don’t have to look further than the fun-todrive and fuel-efficient Accord Hybrid,” said Steven Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Recognition from the trusted editors at Kelley Blue Book is proof positive of the progress Honda has made developing increasingly cleaner vehicles over the last 40 years.” The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid is

designed for outstanding fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive performance and boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 50/45/47 mpg (city/highway/combined). The Accord Hybrid’s two-motor hybrid system, part of an expanding lineup of Honda EarthDreams Technology powertrains, seamlessly blends electric-only, hybrid and engine drive modes along with powerful regenerative braking to provide highly responsive, refined and fuelefficient performance in a wide range of driving situations. “The Honda Accord is one of the best values in the American auto market, and we expressed our admiration for the model by naming it our Kelley Blue Book Best Buy in the hotly contested midsize car category,” said Jack Nerad, executive market analyst and executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “So when you take all that goodness – fun-to-drive, great ergonomics and stellar reliability – and add a sophisticated pow-

Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)2. For more information about KBB.com’s 10 Best Green Cars of 2015, please visit http:// www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/ best-green-cars-2015/. Jay Felix, Finance Manager of Airport Marina Honda Honda Environmenertrain that has a 50 mpg fuel economy tal Leadership rating, you have a very compelling proposiBased on its vision of “Blue Skies tion.” KBB.com’s honor adds to the grow- for our Children,” Honda is taking a ing list of prestigious awards for the Honda comprehensive approach to reducing the Accord Hybrid that include being named environmental impact of its products, adAbout.com’s “Best New Cars of 2015” and vancing fuel efficiency, low emissions and Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year. fun-to-drive performance with new powThe Accord Hybrid also earned a TOP ertrain technologies from its EarthDreams SAFETY PICK rating by the Insurance Technology lineup. Honda will offer several next-generation, advanced powertrain vehicles, including an all-new fuel cell vehicle in 2016, and all-new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cooperating in other areas, including Maz- models by 2018. Honda will also expand da’s procurement of commercial vehicles the use of its advanced two-motor hybrid from the Toyota group and joint purchasing systes in the years to come. Together, these of auto parts, it added. vehicles will offer significant sales volume, The two firms have previously worked enabling Honda to bring ultra-low carbon together in several fields and achieved transportation to consumers in the U.S. some positive results. For a closer look at Honda Accord Toyota provided hybrid-vehicle tech- Hybrid, you better give Jay Felix, Finance nology to Mazda in 2010, while Mazda Manager of Airport Marina Honda, a call agreed in 2012 to supply subcompact cars for a personalized assistance as he can get from a Mexican plant to Toyota. you the best deal and the best car of your choice. At Airport Marina Honda, Jay and the rest of the staff at the dealership value percent in Japan. customer service. Airport Marina Honda “Without a doubt, North America has is located at 5850 W. Centinela Ave in Los been a bright spot,” Nissan president and Angeles. They offe new Honda vehicles chief executive officer Carlos Ghosn told including Accord, Civic, Civic Hybrid, reporters at the firm’s headquarters south Odyssey, CR-Z, CR-V, Insight, Pilot, of Tokyo. Ridgeline, Fit and many quality pre-owned “But there are a lot of headwinds in vehicles. Airport Marina Honda is a car Japan, Russia and Brazil,” he added. dealer with automobile knowledge that Competition in China has also accelerthey are ready to share whether you are ated, with Nissan saying it sold 1.22 millooking for a pre-owned used cars or you lion vehicles in the world’s biggest auto have your eye on one of the fine new cars market, inching up just 0.5 percent from a or SUVs offered by Honda. year earlier, while its market share edged Their certified pre-owned vehicles down. “I’m not worried, but the competicomes stress free. All of their certified tion is much tougher (now),” Ghosn said, pre-owned cars meet manufacturer specireferring to the Chinese market. fications and have been handled with the Nissan’s results come less than a week utmost care by their technicians. Search after Toyota, the world’s biggest autothrough entire Los Angeles Honda dealer maker, said its annual net profit rose to a inventory and see all the used Honda cars. record $18.1 billion. Or, just call Jay at 1-888-898-9546, now.

Japan’s Toyota, Mazda eye green alliance: report Tokyo, Japan (AFP) Saturday 5/9/2015 – Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda are considering a comprehensive tie-up in environmentally-friendly technology amid tightening regulations to cut greenhouse gas and tough emerging market competition, a report said Saturday. The two companies are in the final stages of talks on the planned partnership, the Nikkei business daily said, adding that the two “intend to reach an accord in

principle soon”. Under the partnership, Toyota plans to supply fuel cell and plug-in-hybrid technology to Mazda, which has lagged in electricvehicle technology, the newspaper said. In return, Mazda will consider offering its proprietary “Skyactiv” green technology to Toyota, which it hopes to use to grow its line of fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel vehicles. The two automakers will also consider

Nissan annual profit soars to $4.2-B on weak yen, new models Tokyo, Japan (AFP) Wednesday 5/13/2015 – Nissan on Wednesday said its fiscal-year net profit soared a betterthan-expected 17.6 percent to $4.2 billion, crediting a weak yen and new model rollouts for buoyant results that drove past its own earlier forecasts. However, the news was overshadowed by the carmaker’s announcement that it had recalled 1.56 million vehicles globally over concerns about exploding airbags. Japan’s number-two automaker reported a 457.6 billion yen profit in the year to March on sales of 11.38 trillion yen, up 8.5 percent. It had been expecting earnings of 420 billion yen. The company projected an even stronger 485.0 billion yen profit this business year. “Robust demand, especially for new products in North America and Western

Europe, along with cost efficiencies and the continued correction in the yen-dollar exchange rate, offset challenging market conditions in Japan and several emerging markets,” Nissan said. A sharp drop in the yen has made Japanese automakers more competitive overseas and inflated the value of repatriated overseas profits. But Japan’s automakers have struggled to deal with the effects of a sales tax hike last year that pushed many motorists to rush to buy vehicles before April, causing a sudden and prolonged drop of sales at home. Nissan has said it moved a total of 5.3 million vehicles globally last fiscal year, up 2.5 percent, with sales to the US market jumping 8.9 percent and 11.7 percent in Europe including Russia, but they fell 6.9

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Phillip Rivera

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Our Spring & Shop Promo! Hurry test drive today and receive a Target Gift Card!* *Offer good while supplies last. Target Gift Card will be provided by DCH Toyota of Torrance.

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Toyota Sienna named Best 3-Row Vehicle for families Atlanta, Ga., May 5, 2015 – Parents love the new Sienna minivan for its upscale style and features, comfort and safety. Kids enjoy the 16.4-inch widescreen entertainment center. But auto writers are a much tougher group to please. As it turns out, the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) finds the Sienna to be quite pleasing as well. The 2015 Sienna was named the Best 3-Row Family Vehicle by GAAMA at the association’s annual Family Choice Challenge held. After putting the Sienna and six other three-row competitors through two days of testing at Lake Lanier Islands in Georgia, journalists from across the Southeast chose the Sienna for the award for its more aggressive styling, upscale interior, enhanced driving dynamics, new features and the abundance of space and comfort available for seven passengers. “Our experts considered factors like styling, safety, comfort and efficiency, and the results reflect the best in both innovation and execution,” said GAAMA President Jim Tucker. “The overall winner and each of our category winners are must-drive models for anyone shopping for a new family car.” Sienna was refreshed for 2015 with a more expressive exterior design and upgraded interior comfort and styling. Sienna oozes fun and function, and it has something for every member of the family. Kids enjoy Sienna’s Blu-Ray Dual View Entertainment Center while parents easily communicate with them through Toyota’s Driver Easy Speak system, which uses the vehicle’s built-in microphone to amplify the driver’s voice through the rear speakers. Sienna was refreshed for 2015 with a more expressive exterior design and upgraded interior comfort and styling. Sienna oozes fun and function as it has something for every member of the family. Kids enjoy Sienna’s Blu-Ray Dual View Entertainment Center while parents easily communicate with them through Toyota’s Driver Easy Speak system. For parental peace of mind, Sienna was named a 2015 IIHS Top Safety Pick +, and is the only van in its segment to offer all-wheel drive. For a closer look at the new Sienna and Toyota’s family of cars, all you have to do is visit the DCH Toyota of Torrance here in this very city. And to serve the huge Filipino-American population in and around Southbay, DCH Toyota of Torrance has Filipino Sales

SMARTLY From page 32

radio connectivity. Other available features include: BOSE seven-speaker audio system, Active Driving Display, Blind spot monitoring with crosstraffic alert Heated exterior mirrors, One-, two- or three-tone premium cloth, leatherette or leather interior seating surfaces. The driver-oriented cockpit comes adorned with thoughtful touches, such as available stitching on the gauge hood, premium textures and rich, soft-touch materials, red accenting throughout the interior and handles and switches that evoke a feeling of tailored craftsmanship. For a closer look at the new Mazda CX-3, or any other Mazda vehicle of your choice, just give Ferry Markingka Gozon a, Puente Hills Mazda’s Sales Manager and Special Finance Manager call at 1-888255-5715 and he’ll give you your life’s true adventure. Of course, a visit at Mazda of Puente Hills is still the best option. Mazda of Puente Hills is located at 17723 East Gale Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91748.

Kuya Demo Ariosa, an avid Weekend Balita reader who bought two cars from DCH Toyota of Torrance, is seen here with our kababayan Filipino Sales Director Loyd Aler and also had his daughter’s vehicle refinanced at the dealership. Aside from Loyd Aler, DCH Toyota has Al Steele, Sales Manager Sean Gibbs who serve the huge Southbay Filipino-American community.

Director Loyd Aler who has employed the expertise and support of two kababayans, Sales and Leasing Consultants Philip Rivera and Teddy Villafuerte. “It’s not only that we have specialized in the business of car sales, “ Aler said, “We are seriously very dedicated to

help each and every customer. We are

committed in making sure that all our customers’ concerns have been addressed and their questions answered. It is our goal that all our customers are more than just satisfied in their car-buying experience.” Both General Manager Chris Hunter and Loyd Aler aim to introduce not only

DCH Toyota of Torrance’s topnotched vehicles but also their sales staff’s outstanding and friendly customer service. Loyd Aler said, “Sa DCH Toyota, serbisyong walang pag aalinlangan, presyong mapagkakatiwalaan at makatulong sa aming mga kababayan. Halika na kaibigan, tawag na (800) 311-0102.”

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Nissan Versa Sedan named ‘Best Green Car Value’ in 2015 AAA Green Car Guide Nissan Versa Sedan cited for extraordinary fuel economy and low starting price; Nissan Versa Note second on list NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Noting its exceptional fuel economy and affordable starting price, AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association) recently recognized the Nissan Versa Sedan as “Best Green Car Value” in its 2015 Green Car Guide. Now in its fifth year, the Green Car Guide closely examined more than 80 new vehicles in 13 different categories including: braking, fuel economy, emissions, handling, ride comfort and others. Each vehicle was awarded up to 10 points in each category. The total score was then divided by its “as-tested” price to determine cost per point. Standing out as the best value in the test, the Nissan Versa Sedan took the top honor with a better cost-per-point score than any other vehicle in the field. Its hatchback stablemate, the Nissan Versa Note, finished a close second. “The center (Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center) has a long-term interest in helping motorists cut their fuel bills and clean the air,” said Automotive Research Center Manager Megan McKernan. “Green vehicles offer motorists a way to reduce emissions and save fuel and, depending on the choice of green vehicle, can help motorists save cash, especially when gas prices are high.” Since its debut 10 years ago, the Nissan Versa continues to excel in the subcompact segment by offering customers an extremely fuel-efficient vehicle at a low starting price. Versa is powered by a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder, and when equipped with an Xtronic transmission, highway fuel efficiency is rated at 40 mpg. This configuration receives a 31 mpg rating in the city

and 35 mpg combined rating by the EPA. “With a starting price of $ 11 , 9 9 0 , the Nissan Versa Sedan is one of best Manuel Lava of Nissan of values on Mission Hills the market today and even more economical with up to 40 highway miles per gallon*,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. ”It’s an honor to be recognized by the AAA as ‘Best Green Car Values’ for Versa Sedan and Versa Note.” The 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan is offered in four trim levels - S, S Plus, SV and SL – and three transmission options including a 4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual and Xtronic transmissions. The companion vehicle to the popular Versa sedan, Versa Note celebrates the unique qualities of its 5-door hatchback design. It shares its advanced platform and drivetrain with the Versa sedan, yet Versa Note has its own distinctive look and feel inside and out. Nissan was named most fuel-efficient full-line automaker by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2014. With an average fuel economy of 26.2 mpg among its 2013 lineup, Nissan soared to the top, besting the runner-up by more than one mpg. The fuel-sipping Versa – along with other efficient vehicles in the Nissan lineup – helped secure that accolade, which Nissan hopes to be in contention for again this year. The comprehensive 160-page 2015 Green Car Guide can be downloaded via the AAA Magazine app in the Apple App

2015 Nissan Versa

Store or on the AAA web site and will also be available to members at AAA branches. Visitwww.AAA.com/greencar for more information. If you have been desiring to own a new Nissan vehicle, come down to Nissan Mission Hills and check out our kababayan Manuel Lava of Nissan Mission Hills.

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Google self-driving cars not crash-proof San Francisco, United States (AFP) Monday 5/11/2015 – Google on Monday said that even self-driving cars that can sense and react faster than humans still wind up in accidents. “We’ve been hit from behind seven times, mainly at traffic lights but also on the freeway,” Chris Urmson, the head of Google’s autonomous car program, said in an online post. “We’ve also been side-swiped a couple of times and hit by a car rolling through a stop sign.” Google self-driving cars,

of which there are now more than 20, have been in 11 minor accidents in the six years since the project began but they didn’t cause any of the crashes, according to Urmson. None of the accidents involved injuries, Google said. Google self-driving cars, which have “safety drivers” at the wheels to take over when deemed appropriate, have logged some 1.7 million miles, according to the California-based Internet titan. “Even when our software and sensors can detect a sticky situation and take action earlier and faster than an alert human driver, sometimes we won’t be able to overcome the realities of speed and distance; sometimes we’ll get hit just waiting for a light to change,” Urmson said. “And that’s important context for communities with self-driving cars on their streets; although we wish we could avoid all accidents, some will be unavoidable.” Google’s fleet of self-driving cars are averaging approximately 10,000 autonomous miles weekly, mostly on city streets. “All the crazy experiences we’ve had on the road have been really valuable for our project,” Urmson said. “We have a detailed review process and try to learn something from each incident, even if it hasn’t been our fault.” He recounted self-driving car experiences that involved people-driven vehicles heading straight into oncoming traffic or turning hurriedly from wrong lanes. “These experiences (and countless others) have only reinforced for us the challenges we all face on our roads today,” Urmson wrote. “We’ll continue to drive thousands of miles so we can all better understand the all too common incidents that cause many of us to dislike day-to-day driving.” Non-profit organization Consumer Watchdog called for Google to release reports of accidents involving driverless cars in California so people can decide for themselves whether to trust the technology. “Unbelievably, Google is planning to offer its robot cars without a steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator so there would be no way for a person to take control in an emergency,” Consumer Watchdog president John Simpson said in a letter to Google. “That plan underscores the need for the public to know the full details of all accidents.”

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