The 2022 Lunar New Year Edition

INSIDE: ‘THERE’S NO NEXT MANNY PACQUIAO’

N°.74 | VOLUME 16 WINTER EDITION 2022 JANUARY 2022 ISSUE 2 ON THE COVER

Happy Lunar New Year!

Photo by Angela Roma | Pexels THE ASIAN JOURNAL’S QUARTERLY BRIEFING ON THE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND PROGRESSION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Publication Date: January 19, 2022 Balikbayan Magazine | Page 1

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Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Lunar New Year!

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is widely celebrated throughout Asia, including in the Philippines. It is a joyous event where families and friends come together to feast on symbolic dishes and exchange presents and good wishes for the new year ahead. Each lunar year corresponds with an animal and element from the Chinese Zodiac — marking 2022 as the year of the Water Tiger.

I encourage you to keep reading to find out more about the history of the Lunar New Year and learn about some of our favorite traditions. I wish health, wealth and infinite joy for you and your loved ones this upcoming year.

Warmly, Roger L. Oriel CEO & Publisher Balikbayan Magazine | Page 3

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Photo by Scribbling Geek on Unsplash

Lunar New Year 2022: How To Usher In The Year Of The Tiger

BY ASIAN JOURNAL PRESS

HAPPY Lunar New Year! on February 1 and lasts until prosperous year due to the Tiger’s auspicious signs Welcome the Year of the Wa- January 21, 2023. (strength, exorcising evils ter Tiger!

During the Lunar New Year celebration, people across the globe greet with either Gong Xi Fa Cai, which means “you attain greater wealth,” or Kung Hei Fat Choi, which means “congratulations and be prosperous.”

Unlike the fixed new year of the Gregorian calendar commonly celebrated on January 1st, the date of the Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) varies, determined by the appearance of the new moon — which is why it’s called the Lunar New Year, The 12 zodiac animals are, in as it’s based on the lunisolar order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Chinese calendar.

Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and The Lunar New Year usually Pig. falls sometime between January 21 and February 20. The 2022 is the Year of the WaYear of the Water Tiger began ter Tiger, “which indicates a Balikbayan Magazine | Page 7

and braveness),” according to ChinaHighlights.com.

2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, and 1938 are regarded as Tiger years. Tigers are known as natural born leaders who are courageous, assertive and stubborn, yet generous.

Similar to the January 1st new year, there are several traditions and rituals observed during the Lunar New Year, including:

Dragon and lion dances In the Philippines, Filipinos who celebrate the holiday typically flock to Binondo in Manila, which is considered the oldest Chinatown in the world. They crowd the streets of Chinatown to watch the Parades of Dragons and Lions, a colorful and dynamic performance accompanied by the loud banging of drums and cymbals. The dragon, in China, is believed to represent great power, auspiciousness, and strength. Meanwhile, the lion represents safety and luck.

Wearing and gifting red The color red is prevalent during the festivities as it is a special color in Chinese

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

culture, signifying energy, happiness, and good luck.

Most people wear red clothing as it represents vitality as well as strength. Elders also hand out Ang Pao (Red envelopes) to children. These envelopes contain money, and giving them is believed to bring good luck and long life to both the giver and receiver.

Symbolic dishes Families also gather to have their New Year’s Eve dinner where they usually serve tikoy (year cake), which is made from sticky rice and symbolizes unity among family members; pancit/ noodles, for long life and represent the eater’s life; and fish and dumplings, which

are believed to signify good fortune.

Fireworks The Lunar New Year won’t be complete without setting off fireworks and firecrackers or generally just making noise as it is supposed to drive away bad spirits, bad luck, and the mythical beast called Nian. Filipinos commonly use horns and cooking pots to create noise.

12 round fruits Families also prepare 12 different round fruits as they are believed to bring luck and fortune to them. The New Year’s Eve dinner is perhaps the most important dinner for families — that’s why it’s necessary for all the members of the family to be present for it.

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Mark Magsayo: There’s no next Manny Pacquiao

BY BONG LOZADA | INQUIRER.NET

Manny Pacquiao and Mark Magsayo at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing gym. –MARK MAGSAYO INSTAGRAM

Mark Magsayo made it clear “There’s no next Manny Pac— he’s not the next Manny quiao, there’s only one ManPacquiao. ny Pacquiao and I’m following his footsteps,” said Being tagged the “next Man- Magsayo. “He’s my idol since ny” has always carried lofty I was a kid, he was my hero expectations for any Filipino there in the Philippines. He’s boxer and Magsayo believes my hero.” that there will never be anyone who can match, let alone Magsayo (24-0) got his caexceed, the mythos that Pac- reer-defining moment on quiao created in the sport.

Sunday, January 23 (MaIn an appearance at WBC’s nila time) when he defeated Coffee Tuesdays, Magsayo Gary Russell Jr. for the WBC said that he won’t be able to featherweight title via majorsurpass what Pacquiao did ity decision. but what he can do is walk the The Filipino’s victory ended path that the Pacman set for Russell’s reign with the strap him and his generation. that lasted for six years and 10

months.

Matching Paquiao’s collection, however, will need some work as Magsayo will need to capture 11 more World titles across seven weight divisions.

“No one can surpass the history of Manny Pacquiao but I’m following his footsteps now,” said Magsayo who could defend his title against Mexico’s Rey Vargas. “I’m doing my best every training, every sparring, every fight. I’ll do my best to win every fight.

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Youngster Jake Merilo Topped APO Golf For A Cause Tourney

BY DAN E. NINO

APO Golf For A Cause Overall Low Gross Champion Jake Merilo (2nd from left) flanked by golf tournament chairman Mar Garchitorena, Jake’s girlfriend Allison Kiehl with her pet dog Willow, dad Robert Merilo and APO Global Foundation treasurer, Irma H. Almazan.

Corona, Calif. – Jake Taruc Merilo, the 22-yearold son of APO member Robert Merilo (APO San Diego) who was also the competitor of the former, topped the 1st Golf For A Cause hosted by APO Global Foundation at the tricky and challenging Dos Lagos Golf Course by the foothills of the scenic, wind-swept Cleveland National Forest.

The young and lanky Merilo at 5’10”, carded a 72 low gross in the par 70 playing to 6,544 yards, 18-hole rolling hillside. He was probably inspired by his lovely girlfriend, Allison Kiehl of Filipina-German descent who also brought her pet dog named, Willow, of Pug breed. “Our dog is my caddie,” Jake jested. He added,

“Of course, Allison was my inspiration.”

Merilo, a great grandson of the late Hukbalahap Supremo Luis Taruc, turned in two birdies on the 14th’s par 5 and another on the 12th’s par 5. He described the golf course which he played for the first time as narrow, lots of hazards and slopes and “doglegs” a golf parlance of a golf hole having an angled fairway to the left or to the right.

This future Fil-Am golf great who was trained by his dad at age 5 will graduate in May at Cal State of San Diego with a B.S. Degree in Real Estate Finance and has already a job offer awaiting for him in San Francisco. The APO Golf For A Cause is the 5th golf cham-

pionships won by Jake organized

by APO alumni chapters in the region.

Golfers numbering a hundred, started to trickle in at 6 a.m., a chilly morning -- to register and started promptly at 8 -- in a shotgun fashion. Some players however, begged off at the last minute due to health protocols.

Among notable winners include Marco Antonio of Yucaipa, a Class A Champion with Nards Castillo of APO Golfers Club as runner-up; Doc Wille Del Mundo of 19th TEE is the Class B champion while fellow 19th TEE member Erwin Lopez is runner-up. APO San Diego-based Francis Franco and APO Golfers as Class C champion with APO-South Bay/APO GolfBalikbayan Magazine | Page 12

ers, Audie Grey as runner-up.

Golfers became excited and full of anticipation in the “Hole-InOne” competition, covering three holes: Hole No. 5 with a free airline ticket as prize anywhere in the U.S., Hole No. 11 for a new car or $30,000 in cash and Hole No. 17 from a ridge overlooking the green with $10,000 in cash. Unfortunately, no one won but Paul Leary, Jr. came to the closest to the pin.

Golf For A Cause chairman, Mar Garchitorena said, “His ball was already moving towards the hole when it stopped about a foot short.

The hole was even placed at 135 yards. Although we love for someone to bring home the huge prizes, no one won.”

Closest to the pin winners are Renel Silverio in Hole No. 8, Rocky Marte in Hole No. 11 and Arthur Salonga in Hole No. 15, Paul Leary in Hole No. 17 and Ruel Umandal. AJ Beckly and Mervyn Gucilatar won the most accurate drive on Hole No. 4.This

Golf For A Cause was also dubbed as a golf tournament within a tournament. Rival golf clubs competed against each other like a rematch between Pars & Better and 19th TEE as well as APO Golf USA and 19th TEE as a monthly tournament.

The beneficiaries of the “APO Golf For A Cause”, according to Dan E. Nino and Mar Garchitorena, board chairman and golf tournament chair respectively of APO Global Foundation, a 501 C-3 public benefit, are earmarked for the disadvantaged and the marginalized Dumagat and Igorot minorities who are settlers of Sierra Madre Mountain in Nueva Ecija. There are now three household recipients who have been allotted with this Egg Laying Livelihood Program.

Their poultries of 72 chickens per module are being monitored on the ground by APO Agricultural & Livestock Association of the Philippines.

the sponsors, volunteers and golfers for their participation despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Among the Diamond and Platimum sponsors who made this golf for a cause a reality include Dr. Mac Lichauco, HGreg Auto Group c/o Vi & Manny Martinez, Speedpro Plus Signs c/o Rudy Emperado, Asian Journal Publications, Monte Maria Wine Cellars, Bayanihan Pay, Dr. Joselito & Lucy Babaran, Dr. Tim Almazan, VCA Engineers c/o Virgil Aoanan, LA Financial c/o Loida Atienza, Hand n Hand c/o Flor Mendoza, Dr. Librado I. Ureta Foundation & APO Trekkers c/o Marc Barcelona, and in cooperation with APO Golf Club USA and 19th Tee Golf Club.

For future donations for charitable purposes as espoused by APO Global Foundation, interested parties may call Irma Almazan @ 562-298-6454 or Mar Garchitorena @ 661-3171713. – denino1951@gmail.com

APO Global would also thank

APO Global Foundation Board members and volunteers are pictured after the awarding luncheon and fellowship at Dos Lagos Golf Clubhouse: From left: Dan E. Nino, Mar Garchitorena, Irma H. Almazan, Pressy Marte, Rene Yambot, Betta David, MaryAnne Peneza, Alex Almazan and Christian David.

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Remembering Rosemarie de Vera-Javier, a beauty queen with a mission

BY DAN E. NINO

Photo Credit: Asian Journal

Beauty queen. Movie actress. Singer and recording artist. Charity fund-raiser. Philanthropist. Community leader. Marketing specialist.

Those are the words I use to characterize Rosemarie de Vera-Javier, a good friend, a province mate and fellow community leader. She passed away quietly at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2022 at 9:05 p.m. surrounded by immediate family members and via Zoom in both Balikbayan Magazine | Page 15

the U.S. and in the Philippines. She was 60.

Rosemarie was proclaimed Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism in 1980 and represented the Philippines at the Miss Asia Quest and wound up as runner-up in 1981.

With all her accomplishments, and busy schedule as a mother to four young children, Rosemarie soldiered on in her humanitarian endeavors — helping the disadvantaged and

less fortunate members of society and belonging to Gabay For Children of Autism and Cerebral Palsy, her favorite charitable NGO in Quezon City, Philippines.

Despite the challenges of organizing fundraisers, Rosemarie undauntedly organized a fundraising event in partnership with the Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA at the Marriott Hotel in Long Beach in 2018, summoning her well-heeled friends to participate. Funds collected were sent to this group of

Photo Credit: Maria Urduja Osit-Li (Medium)

21 handicapped children and also distributed simiand young adults to buy lar goods. essential sustenance and medical goods.

At one time, while visiting Manila, she donated I knew it as I was there her travel allowance to lending a helping hand. the needy who were in a As a CEO and board hospital’s corridors waitchairman of APO Global ing to be treated. GiovanFoundation, I picked up ni, Rosemarie’s husband, the pieces and also recom- was choking with emotion mended Gabay as our ben- while relating this episode eficiary and sent financial about Rosemarie’s concern assistance twice in 2020 — for the hapless patients. to buy goods like medica- Born and raised in Manila, tions, vitamins, food rice, Rosemarie is the fifth of 12 pampers, etc. Rosemarie’s children of the late Rustilegacy had a Domino ef- co de Vera of Mangaldan, fect. Our implementor on Pangasinan and Zenaida the ground then, the Ate- Rosario-de Vera of San neo APO Alumni Associ- Carlos City of Pangasination picked up the project an. Although a full-bloodand also raised funds twice ed Pangasinense, Rosemain a row in one year in 2021 rie could not speak fluent

Pangasinan.

Although she was already under the weather on Oct. 31, 2021, the last time I saw her, Rosemarie was still delighted to meet her fellow Pangasinenses and officers of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA wherein she’s a board member. You can tell that she was somehow frail due to chemotherapy. As customary, she cooked her own potluck. That’s how she was: devoted to her cause and to people she was associated with. She was gentle, kind, humble, generous and no put-on-air.

Rosemarie graduated with a B.S. degree in tourism from San Sebastian College in Balikbayan Magazine | Page 16

Manila. This served her well. As a marketing specialist, she was assigned to travel to Pangasinan province not only as an ambassador of goodwill but to coordinate with the Pangasinan governor and provincial officialdom, manufacturers and producers to promote their products in a business expo in Carson, CA. “She did her job well. She was a catalyst,” quipped Eddie C. Ferrer, former president of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA.

Renowned fashion designer Renee Salud discovered 18-year-old, 5’8” tall Rosemarie de Vera and egged her to join the beauty pageant. After her reign as Mutya ng Pilipinas, she toured several countries as a singer with well-known recording artists like Rico Puno, Marco Sison, Rey Valera, Hadji Alejandro, Bobby Vale, among others.

She recorded “Nasaan Ka,” a mellow dramatic Original Pilipino Music under Blackgold Records headed

by Vic Del Rosario. Her favorite singers included

Photo Credit: Maria Urduja Osit-Li (Medium) Balikbayan Magazine | Page 17

Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Jackson and the Bee Gees.

Rosemarie’s fame as beauty queen was her vehicle as an actress. She starred with action giants like Fernando Poe, Jr. (Sambahin Ang Ngalan Mo), Rudy Fernandez (Vendetta), Ramon Revilla, Sr. (Sierra Madre), Lito Lapid, Jun Aristorenas and Anthony Alonzo, to name a few.

I first met Rosemarie at a dinner banquet in Orange County organized by the National Asian American

Photo Credit: Maria Urduja Osit-Li (Medium)

Coalition sometime in 2017. I gave her my business card. A year or so later, she called, informing me that she is also a fellow Pangasinense. I invited her and her husband Giovanni to dinner in Cerritos with my fellow Pangasinenses.

Presto! She was eager to reconnect with her roots.

This led to many meetings and phone conversations.

She even asked me to cover the Search for Mutya ng California. After establishing so much rapport, we asked her to be a board member of Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA.

and devoted in her participation in our activities, meetings both in person and on Zoom – with full support from hubby Vanni. We even assigned her to chair the Search for Miss Pangasinan-USA in 2020 but COVID-19 torpedoed our campaign. Rosemarie, you are something else.

You left an exemplar legacy that is rare for a celebrity like you.

and Christopher.

A family statement was issued by her eldest child, Vanross:

“Hello everyone. This is her son, Vanross. On January 15th, 9:05 p.m., my mother Rosa Maria de Vera-Javier passed away from her 2-year fight with cancer. The family is devastated by the news and I’m sure those who knew her, are too. I want everyone to know that she was one of the She is survived by her brightest lights in my family husband, Giovanni Javi- as well as many others’ lives. er, four children: Vanross, And that her capacity to love Micah, Krystal and Zyde, had no limit. She loved you mother Zenaida Rosa- all. I truly believe that. Just rio-De Vera and living sib- know that she is not sufOh Boy! Although she lings Arnold, Judy, Eme- fering anymore and she is lived in San Fernando lie, Jocelyn, Giovanni, watching us all from a better Valley, she was consistent Jaenalyn, Gemma, Jaywin place. God bless you all.”

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Rosemarie’s cousin, Eulo de Vera of San Diego, reminisced her: “She loved visiting us, her relatives. She loved to mingle, sing and always finds a way to throw humor in between conversations. When she had a special event, she didn’t forget to invite us to attend like when she performed with the Earth Wind and Fire.”

The viewing will take place on Feb. 17 from 10 am to 4 pm at Forest Lawn Memorial in Glendale. A funeral service will follow at the

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Church of the Recessional from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. also at Forest Lawn. Interested parties may e-mail: Info@ forestlawn.com. Thereafter, her remains will be flown to the Philippines and will be interred at Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City.

Farewell, my friend. You will be terribly missed by those whom you’ve touched with your kindness, gentleness, humility and humanitarian endeavors.

Your family and Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA will miss you dearly.

You will also be missed by the organizers of Mutya ng California, which you’ve helped nurture through the years. See you someday in another realm.

The author can be reached at denino1951@gmail.com.

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