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Volume 24 - No. 44 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

deal, taxes to Fiscalcliffdealforgedinflurryoffinaltalks Despite rise for most Americans They had 80 hours to finish or fail.

Stuck in a “fiscal cliff ” stalemate, trust nearing tatters, President Barack Obama and Senate Republicans changed the game after Christmas. It took the rekindling of an old friendship between Vice President Joe Biden and GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell, an extraordinary flurry of secret offers, a pre-dawn Senate vote on New Year’s Day and the legislative muscling that defines Washington on deadline.

The House, despite Republican resistance, passed the Senate bill late Tuesday, Dec. 31, sending the measure to Obama for his signature.

How the final days of private negotiations pulled

USA

DATELINE FBI arrests Filipino car-dealer in LA for fraud from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America

LOS ANGELES—A Filipino car dealer, who allegedly bilked investors of tens of millions and defrauded banks of hundreds of millions of dollars before fleeing the country in the late 1980s, is in US custody.

Eminiano “Jun” Reodica, the former president of Grand Chevrolet in Glendora, was arrested by FBI agents on November 27 at 9pm somewhere in California, according to his court appointed attorney Moriah Radin.

“There were no issues in his arrest,” said Radin, a deputy federal public defender, to the Asian Journal.

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Fil-Am selected as Hawaii’s senate president HAWAII—FilipinoAmerican Hawaii State Senator Donna Mercado Kim (D-Moanalua, Aiea, Kalihi Valley) has been selected as the new senate president of the Hawaii legislature.

The state’s upper house reorganizes, after the death of long-time Filipino champion and US senator Sen. Donna Mercado Kim Daniel Inouye.

Kim, the former vice president of the senate, will now preside during the 27th Hawaii State Legislature in January, replacing Senator Shan Tsutsui, who was sworn in PAGE A2

the country back from the precipice of the fiscal cliff marked a rare moment of bipartisanship for a divided government. Several officials familiar with talks requested anonymity to discuss them because they were not authorized to discuss the private details publicly.

Obama, having cut short his Christmas vacation in Hawaii, huddled with congressional leaders on the afternoon of Friday Dec. 28 at the White House.

Talks between the president and House Speaker John Boehner had failed, so Obama put the fate of the fiscal cliff in the hands of McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

McConnell made the first move. The Kentucky Republican proposed a plan late Friday night that would extend tax cuts expiring Jan. 1 on family income up to $750,000 a year, according to officials.

He also wanted to keep tax rates on wealthy estates at 35 percent, slow the growth of Social Security cost-of-living increases, and pay for an offset of the sequester — Congress’s term for across-the-board spending cuts __ by means-testing Medicare. His offer did not include the extension of unemployment benefits Obama had demanded.

Democrats balked and began preparing a coun-

WASHINGTON—While the tax package that Congress passed New Year’s Day will protect 99 percent of Americans from an income tax increase, most of them will still end up paying more federal taxes in 2013.

That’s because the legislation did nothing to prevent a temporary reduction in the Social Security payroll tax from expiring. In 2012, that 2-percentage-point cut in the payroll tax was worth about $1,000 to a worker making $50,000 a year.

The Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan Washington

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World gives enthusiastic welcome to 2013 Lavish fireworks displays ushered in 2013 across the Asia-Pacific region last Dec. 31, and Europe was holding scaledback festivities and street parties in the hope of beginning a new year that will be kinder to its battered economies.

Asian cities k icked off New Year ’s celebrations in style and an atmosphere of renewed optimism, despite the “fiscal cliff ” impasse of spending cuts and tax increases threatening to reverberate globally from the United States.

Huge fireworks lit up skylines in Sydney, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and even the once-isolated country of Myanmar joined the countdown party for the first time in decades.

Celebrations were planned around the world, including the traditional crystal ball drop in New York City’s Times Square.

In Russia, Moscow’s iconic Red Square was filled with spectators as fireworks exploded near the Kremlin to welcome in the new year. Earlier in the day, about 25 people were reportedly arrested in MosFIRSTTRADINGDAY.AFilipinotraderblowsahornduringthefirstdayoftradingatPhilippineStockExchangeinMakatiCitylastJan.1.Stockmarkets cow for trying to hold an unsanctioned inAsiaregisteredreliefovertheUScongressionalvotetostophundredsofbillionsofdollarsinautomatictaxincreasesandspendingcutsthatrisked demonstration. But President Vladimir plunging the world’s biggest economy into recession.

AP photo PAGE A2

ESPN picks Donaire as Fighter of the Year India rape sets off debate Marquez gets KO of the Year

by Joseph Pimentel

20 KOs) from San Leandro via General Santos City, Philippines, had an extremely LOS ANGELES—ESPN, the Worldwide busy and dominating year, defeating four Leader in Sports, has chosen World Box- quality opponents despite fighting in a new ing Organization (WBO) super bantam- weight division.

Donaire, “easily handled the move up weight champion Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. as the 2012 Boxer of the Year and Juan in weight, winning all four of his fights in Manuel Marquez’s crushing knockout of dominant fashion. He dropped each of his foes (scoring seven knockdowns in all) won Manny Pacquiao as its KO of the Year.

The 30-year-old “Filipino Flash” (30–1 PAGE A3 AJPress

over women’s rights

NEW DELHI — India’s army and navy canceled New Year’s celebrations last Dec. 31 out of respect for a New Delhi student whose gangrape and murder has set off an impassioned debate about what the nation needs to do to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Protesters and politicians have called for tougher rape laws, major police reforms and a transformation in the way the country treats its women.

“To change a society as conservative, traditional and patriarchal as ours, we will have a long haul,” said Ranjana Kumari, director of the PAGE A3

More pay tribute to ‘honorary Filipino’ Fr. James Reuter MANILA—He was one “great Filipino,” a brother and an inspiration.

The late American Jesuit priest, Fr. James Reuter, SJ, indeed touched many lives in his seven decades in the Philippines that his legacy—in communication, in activism, in the arts—may well live on as a legend.

Vice President Jejomar Binay recalled how Reuter, a Jesuit broadcast pioneer in the country, made use of his mastery of communication to reach out to Filipinos through an underground radio station during the martial law years.

“Father James Reuter harnessed the tools of media and communications in promoting the Catholic faith and in the defense of freedom and democracy, especially during the days of martial law and the glorious 1986 Edsa Revolution,” said Binay, a human rights lawyer during the fight against the dictatorship.

“In life, Father Reuter was a man of faith and a defender of the rights that we hold sacred. In death, he will be remembered as a great Filipino,” said the Vice President.

Long frail due to age, Reuter, 96, passed away last Dec. 31 due to

Philstar.com photo lung and heart failure at the Our Lady of Peace hospital in Parañaque City, where he had been under the constant watch of private nurses for Reuter will be laid to rest on Saturday at the Jesuit cemetery at the three years.

Sacred heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Quezon City. The funeral mass will Reuter’s remains will be at the St. Paul University in Manila until Jan. be held at the Gesu at 8:30am.

2, and will be moved to the Church of the Gesu at the Ateneo de Manila The New Jersey native, officially proclaimed by Congress as an honorUniversity in Quezon City, where public viewing will be open until Jan. ary Filipino in 1996, had many times professed his love for the Philip4.

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january 3-9, 2013 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

From The Front Page

Fiscal cliff deal forged in flurry...

PAGE A1

p.m., McConnell presented another offer. He dropped the tax cut threshold to $550,000, put the sequester on the table, and offered a one-year extension of the jobless benefits as long as they were paid for through Social Security savings.

Rather than make a counteroffer, the Senate Democratic negotiating team said it was going home for the night. They reconvened Sunday morning — less than two days before the combination of tax hikes and spending cuts were due to kick in — but still had nothing new to present to McConnell.

Reid’s inaction, officials said, was due in part to McConnell’s insistence on keeping the tax cut threshold above $500,000, a level Obama refused to agree to.

A frustrated Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Nevada, talks with a journalistastheelevatordoorscloseashedepartstheCapitolafter McConnell felt a vote about the fiscal cliff, on Capitol Hill last Jan. 1 inWashington. he had one last

AP photo option. He called teroffer. It called for extending tax cuts for family income up to $350,000, a concession from Obama’s campaign pledge to cap the threshold at $250,000. The Democratic leader also insisted that any deal include a way to deal with the sequester, plus an extension of the jobless benefits for 2 million Americans.

The negotiating teams traded ideas back and forth on a wintry Saturday. Shortly before 7:00

FBI arrests Filipino car-dealer...

PAGE A1 “He provided his true identity. He’s been very cooperative with law enforcement officials.”

The 68-year-old former president of Grand Chevrolet faces several felony counts of fraud, including scheming to defraud banks and savings and loans; creating false credit statements; and aiding and abetting.

It is estimated that before Reodica fled and declared bankruptcy, his companies (Grand Chevrolet, Grand Wilshire Leasing, Grand Wilshire Finance Corp., and Grand Rizal Finance) racked up as much as $200 million in debt, with $43 million owed to individual investors, many of whom are members of the Filipino-American community.

Tens of millions of dollars remain unaccounted for.

Radin said her client is cooperating with officials but could not delve into the specifics of the case.

“The evidence is still forthcoming in the case,” she said. “That’s the only thing I can tell you. I can’t go into the details of the case.”

“He is aware of the alleged losses by investors and creditors,” she added. “He is eager to resolve this case.”

Fall from grace Reodica’s arrest came after more than two decades of being on the run.

Once regarded as the model Filipino immigrant success story, Reodica’s life took a sudden fall from grace when investigators from multiple state agencies and banks began investigating his company’s financial operation.

Originally from Laguna province in the Philippines and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of the East, Reodica arrived to the US in the mid-1970s and worked his way up -- from being a busboy, to vice president of a car dealership in Encino.

He purchased his own car dealership, Grand Chevrolet, in 1978 and employed an immigrant workforce that heavily targeted Filipino, Asian and minority customers.

By the mid-1980s, Grand Chevrolet grew to over 600 employees and ranked as high as third in the nation in total sales volume.

The business and the man behind it were seen as a success. Magazines as TIME, Fortune 500, Young Entrepreneurs and several newspapers across the country featured the Filipino.

General Electric Credit Corp. extended a $250 million line of credit to Reodica’s companies. Then California Governor George Deukmejian appointed Reodica to the state’s New Motor Vehicle Board, the board that oversees the DMV. But something was amiss.

DMV investigators opened a Pandora’s box, revealing several patterns of fraud when dealing with Grand Chevrolet.

According to a Los Angeles Times exposé in 1988, The DMV began investigating Reodica’s car dealerships in 1985, when they found out that his companies were overcharging customers and selling them ac-

Biden, his longtime Senate colleague and frequent negotiating partner, and implored him to step in. Seeking to up the pressure on the White House, McConnell publicly announced that he was reaching out to Biden during remarks from the Senate floor during the rare Sunday session.

Until this late stage, Biden had played a secondary role in the “fiscal cliff ” talks. He spent Saturday at his home in Wilmington, Del., and was planning to travel to the Caribbean island of St. Croix with his family for the New Year’s holiday.

Obama and Reid both agreed that Biden, a 36-year veteran of the Senate, should take the lead. And once he did, negotiations with McConnell rapidly accelerated.

Around 8:00 p.m. Sunday, Obama, Biden and staffers met in the Oval Office to discuss what the vice president would deliver to McConnell as the administration’s final offer.

The president set the upper limit for the tax cut extension at family income of $450,000. The sequester must be dealt with, he said, and any delay must be offset through a combination of spending cuts and revenue increases. And Obama demanded that the jobless benefits be extended for one year

without a way to make up the $30 billion cost.

Shortly after midnight, Biden had McConnell’s consent on nearly all of the outstanding issues. Only the sequester was unresolved, though both men were open to a plan that called for a separate vote on the sequester, pending Reid’s consent.

The president, vice president and senior staff met in the Oval Office until 2:00 a.m. to talk through the final details. Obama’s legislative director, Rob Nabors, then headed to Capitol Hill to join Senate negotiators in drafting the outlines of a bill that could be moved on quickly Monday.

Nabors worked continuously throughout the final stages, stopping at home only to change his shirt after leaving the Capitol and before heading to the White House before 7 a.m. Monday.

By then, the White House had spoken to Reid, who rejected the notion of holding a separate sequester vote. Biden broke the news to McConnell in a pre-dawn phone call.

The sequester remained the sticking point throughout Monday, with Biden trading proposals with McConnell’s office for much of the day. By early evening, discussions coalesced around delaying the automatic spending cuts by two months and paying for the move through a combination of

cessories, which they neither requested nor received.

The Times investigation also found several allegations of fraud, and deceit including: - Customers were made to sign paperwork they did not understand, the Department of Motor Vehicles said.

- Selling cars to people with bad credit and collecting a commission, then quickly repossessing the cars and selling them again.

- Bilking more than 1,000 investors, whose investments ranged from tens of thousands to $1.3 million. Reodica promised returns of 13 to 20 percent.

- Defrauding major banks and savings and loans millions of dollars through forged car loan records, and reselling old/ duplicate loans.

- DMV cited Grand Chevrolet with 1,500 violations resulting in a $100,000 fine.

As his car empire began to collapse, and as he was being pursued by angry creditors and investors, his companies went into bankruptcy and Reodica disappeared in 1988.

Many believed he stayed in the Philippines under an assumed name, and there were also sightings of him in Chicago, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Since his disappearance, eight of Reodica’s employees were charged with criminal fraud for tampering with credit reports and other schemes, the Times reported.

Reodica was officially indicted in 1994, six years before he fled, on felony criminal charges and an arrest warrant was issued a year later by Judge Carolyn Turchin.

According to court records, Reodica fled to the Philippines before settling in Australia.

He left behind his wife, Hilda and their four children. His younger brother, Emanuel, and sister, Maria Corazon, who worked at Grand Chevrolet were also left behind. Fearing for their lives, his wife Hilda and their four children moved from their home in Glendora to Seattle, where she filed for divorce and changed her last name.

Court records reveal Reodica settled and worked in Cairns, a city in Queensland, Australia as early as 1990 and became a citizen of the country in 1992. He later re-married in July 1993.

It is not clear whether Reodica came back to the US 24 years later or if the FBI and US Marshalls tracked him down in Australia and extradited him back to the US. Asian Journal messages to the FBI about Reodica’s arrest were not returned as of press time.

In a recent detention hearing on December 12, Reodica’s wife Leticia Coscoluella, ex-wife Hilda Hilao and Jun Reodica’s brother and sister issued a declaration asking the court to grant him pre-trial release until his court date.

The court sided with government prosecutors that he remain in detention until trial citing the nature of the crimes and his “serious risk to flee.”

Reodica’s trial is scheduled for January 28, 2013. (Joseph Pimentel/ AJPress)

Despite deal, taxes to rise...

PAGE A1 research group, estimates that 77 percent of American households will face higher federal taxes in 2013 under the agreement negotiated between President Barack Obama and Senate Republicans. High-income families will feel the biggest tax increases, but many middle- and low-income families will pay higher taxes too.

Households making between $40,000 and $50,000 will face an average tax increase of $579 in 2013, according to the Tax Policy Center’s analysis. Households making between $50,000 and $75,000 will face an average tax increase of $822.

“For most people, it’s just the payroll tax,” said Roberton Williams, a senior fellow at the Tax Policy Center.

The tax increases could be a lot higher. A huge package of tax cuts first enacted under President George W. Bush was scheduled to expire Tuesday as part of the “fiscal cliff.” The Bush-era tax cuts lowered taxes for families at every income level, reduced investment taxes and the estate tax, and enhanced a number of tax credits, including a $1,000-per-child credit.

The package passed Tuesday by the Senate and House extends most the Bush-era tax cuts for individuals making less than $400,000 and married couples making less than $450,000.

Obama said the deal “protects 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small business owners from a middle-class tax hike. While neither Democrats nor Republicans got everything they wanted, this agreement is the right thing to do for our country.”

The income threshold covers more than 99 percent of all households, exceeding Obama’s claim, according to the Tax Policy Center. However, the increase in payroll taxes will hit nearly every wage earner.

Social Security is financed by a 12.4 percent tax on wages up to $113,700, with employers paying half and workers paying the other half. Obama and Congress reduced the share paid by workers from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for 2011 and 2012, saving a typical family about $1,000 a year.

Obama pushed hard to enact the payroll tax cut for 2011 and to extend it through 2012. But it was never fully embraced by either party, and this time around, there was general agreement to let it expire.

The new tax package would increase the income tax rate from 35 percent to 39.6 percent on income above $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for married couples. Investment taxes would increase for people who fall in the new top tax bracket.

High-income families will also pay higher taxes this year as part of Obama’s 2010 health care law. As part of that law, a new 3.8 percent tax is being imposed on investment income for individuals making more than $200,000 a year and couples making more than $250,000.

Together, the new tax package and Obama’s health care law will produce significant tax increases for many high-income families.

For 2013, households making between $500,000 and $1 million would get an average tax increase of $14,812, according to the Tax Policy Center analysis. Households making more than $1 million would get an average tax increase of $170,341.

“If you’re rich, you’re almost certain to get a big tax increase,” Williams said. (AP)

Pres. Obama and Vice Pres. Biden make a statement on the passage of the fiscal cliff bill i at the White House in Washington last Jan. 1.

AP photo

new spending cuts and revenue increases. A hiccup over the estate tax was also resolved.

Shortly before 9 p.m., with three hours until the deadline, Biden and McConnell agreed to the final deal. After Obama called Reid and Pelosi to get their sign-off, the vice president headed up to Capitol Hill to sell the bill to Senate Democrats.

Lawmakers and staff rang in the new year in cramped offices in the West Wing and on Capitol Hill, surrounded by empty pizza

boxes and the stray bottle of cheap champagne.

Midnight also marked the moment the government technically went over the “fiscal cliff,” although financial markets were closed Tuesday for the holiday. But optimism ran high on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue that the impact would be negligible. The Senate overwhelming approved the Biden-McConnell deal in the early hours of Tuesday morning and sent the bill to the House for final approval. (AP)

World gives enthusiastic...

PAGE A1 Putin gave an optimistic New Year’s Eve address, making no reference to the anti-government protests that have occurred in his country in the past year. “ We b e l i e v e t h a t w e c a n change the life around us and become better ourselves, that we can become more heedful, compassionate, gracious,” Putin said, according to the ITAR-Tass news agency.

In Australia, a balmy summer night was split by 7 tons of fireworks fired from rooftops and barges in Sydney, many cascading from the city’s Harbor Bridge, in a $6.9 million pyrotechnic extravaganza billed by organizers as the world’s largest.

In Myanmar, after nearly five decades under military regimes that discouraged or banned big public gatherings, about 90,000 people experienced the country’s first New Year’s Eve countdown in a field in the largest city of Yangon.

“We feel like we are in a different world,” said Yu Thawda, a university student who came with three of her friends.

Tens of thousands of people l i n e d H o n g K o n g’s Vi c t o r i a Harbor to view a $1.6 million fireworks display, said to be the biggest ever in the southern Chinese city.

In Nor th Korea, cannons boomed at midnight in Pyongyang as people crowded the streets of the capital to watch a fireworks show over the Taedong River. After being in mourning a year ago regarding leader Kim Jong Il’s death, North Koreans celebrated the end of a big year that included the rise of new leader Kim Jong Un and the recent launch of a satellite into space.

Hotels, clubs and other sites in New Delhi, the Indian capital, canceled festivities after the death Saturday of a young rape victim touched off days of mourning and reflection about women’s safety. People were asked to light candles to express their solidarity with the victim.

In Indonesia, Jakarta’s street party centered on a 7-kilometer (4-mile) thoroughfare closed to traffic from nightfall until after midnight. Workers erected 16 large stages along the normally clogged, eight-lane highway through the heart of the city.

Indonesia’s booming economy is a rare bright spot amid global gloom and is bringing prosperity — or the hope of it — to its people.

In the Philippines, where many are recovering from devastation from a recent typhoon, health officials have hit upon a successful way to stop revelers from setting

off huge illegal firecrackers that maim and injure hundreds of Filipinos each year.

A health official, Eric Tayag, donned the splashy outfit of South Korean star PSY and danced to his YouTube hit “Gangnam Style” video while preaching against the use of illegal firecrackers on TV, in schools and in public arenas. “ The campaign has become viral,” Tayag said.

In austerity-hit Europe, the mood was more restrained — if hopeful. The year 2013 is projected to be a sixth straight one of recession amid Greece’s worst economic crisis since World War II. In fact, the new year was starting with a 24-hour strike by subway and train workers in Athens to protest salary cuts that are part of the government’s austerity measures.

Still, in his televised New Year’s Eve message, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras promised Greeks that the worst of the crisis is past, and declared 2013 a “year of hope” that will see the beginning of the country’s rebirth.

Celebrating New Year ’s Eve with a vespers ser vice in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI said that despite all the injustice in the world, goodness prevails. In his homily, Benedict said it’s tough to remember that goodness can win when bad news — death, violence and injustice — “makes more noise than good.” He said taking time to meditate in prolonged reflection and prayer can help “find healing from the inevitable wounds of daily life.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s New Year ’s message warned her country to prepare for difficult economic times ahead. Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, decided to cancel celebrations in light of the economic crisis. Nicosia said 16,000 euros ($21,000) saved from the canceled event will be given to some 320 needy schoolchildren.

In Spain, where a recession has left unemployment at a staggering 25 percent, people are hoping for a better new year.

“It’s been tough, but some celebrations are too deeplyingrained to let go,” said Olga Camino, 25. She said she would be celebrating in the streets of Madrid in fancy dress with a large group of friends.

Scotland’s Edinburgh, which traditionally hosts one of the biggest New Year’s Eve parties in Europe, also planned good cheer. Festivities for the threeday Hogmanay —or year-end — celebrations began Sunday with a torchlight procession in the Scottish capital. (AP)

Fil-Am selected as Hawaii’s ...

PAGE A1 as Lieutenant Governor.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercombrie chose former lieutenant governor Brian Schatz as Inouye’s successor to the US Senate.

“We are solidified in dealing with the pressing issues facing our State. The Senate continues to be organized in a cooperative and focused manner. I’m humbled to receive the confidence and support of my colleagues,” said Senate President Kim, who was first elected to the senate in 2000.

Kim becomes the first Fil-Am to head Hawaii’s senate. Ronald Kouchi takes over Kim’s old post as the new Senate vice president.

Brickwood Galuteria is the majority leader.

Kim has long been active in the state political scene having served as a former representative of the Hawaii State House of Representatives from 1982 to 1985 and as a Honolulu City Councilwoman from 1985 to 2000. In 2000, she was elected to the state’s senate.

Kim is one of three Filipino-Americans in the state senate. Others include Will Espero (19th District); and Donovan Dela Cruz (22nd District). (Joseph Pimentel/AJPress)

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ESPN picks Donaire as Fighter of the Year

Dateline USA

PAGE A1 knocking out Omar Nino in May twice by knockout and collected and stopping Hernan “Tyson” two world titles,” wrote ESPN BoxMarquez in November. ing columnist Dan Rafael.

Donaire becomes the second Rafael also commended Filipino fighter to win the award.

Donaire’s innovative approach toESPN chose Pacquiao as its Fightwards drug testing, a controversial er of the Year in 2006, 2008, and issue that has clouded the sport 2009. and many of its top fighters in reMarquez KOs Pacquiao cent years.

Believing judges had spurned Donaire, whose diet and nutrihim in three different bouts against tion is being overseen by former arch nemesis Manny Pacquiao, BALCO boss and performance enJuan Manuel Marquez wanted to hancing drug dealer Victor Conte, exact revenge in the worst way. is the only fighter in the world who Over the past eight years, Marundergoes voluntary Olympic style quez and Pacquiao have had three drug testing (urine and blood) close fights – one ending in a draw year-round. while the other two in a split, and “This in an era when every great performance unfortunately comesAJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal majority decision for the Filipino. under the suspicion of possible performance-en- Each close fight, Marquez believed he had bettered hancing drug use -- except, of course, Donaire’s,” the Filipino boxing superstar.

So coming into their fourth fight, the 39-year-old said Rafael.

In 2011, Donaire was a 118-pound three division Marquez sensing his time inside the ring may be titlist looking for new challenges and ready to break- coming to an end, trained like there was no tomorrow. Both men had said the goal was to make sure out as a superstar.

Already highly regarded, Donaire continued to this fight would not be left in the judge’s scorecard.

Showing off a new cut-up physique, all the trainadd to his legacy in 2012. He started off the year claiming the vacant 122-pound WBO super bantam- ing and hard work paid off in a big way on December 8 for Marquez. weight title defeating Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. After knocking down Pacquiao in the third round, The 5’5” Filipino captured the division’s IBF title when he bested his tallest opponent 5’11” Jeffrey Marquez threw a devastating overhand counter right that landed flush on the Filipino’s face knockMathebula.

Donaire then knocked out former No. 1 division ing him out cold.

“Pacquiao and Marquez lived up to their promise world champion Toshiaki Nishioka in October.

While most fighters would rest on their laurels af- and put on the best fight of their epic series, which ter three bouts in a year, the Filipino quickly turned delivered as definitive an outcome as possible: around and with less than two months preparation Marquez landing a picture-perfect right hand that knocked out highly accomplished Mexican warrior knocked Pacquiao out cold with one second left in the sixth round,” wrote Rafael.

Jorge Arce in Houston to cap off the year.

“The knockout was as aesthetically pleasing as it Donaire who has always played second fiddle to Manny Pacquiao in Filipino boxing, may have was shocking and historically significant. Obviously, leaped the Sarangani congressman inside the ring it’s the 2012 ESPN.com knockout of the year,” he added. rankings.

Though clouded with steroid or performance enFil-Am Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (32-3, 19 KOs) also received consideration for 2012 Boxer hancing drug allegations, Marquez passed the postof the Year. Viloria defended his flyweight title by fight drug test erasing some doubts against him.

More pay tribute to ‘honorary Filipino’ ...

PAGE A2 pines and its people, even saying at one time that “Filipinos brought God to me.”

Former Ateneo de Manila University president and prominent Jesuit priest, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, said many of his fellow priests considered Reuter, a longtime Ateneo educator, as their big brother.

“For myself and Jesuits of my generation, Fr. Jim was an older brother we looked up to and admired for his deep faith, his love for the Church and the Philippines, for the Society of Jesus and the Ateneo,” Nebres said.

He said Reuter often shared this in his talks and writing.

“I am deeply grateful for the gift of having lived and worked with him as an older brother and friend,” said Nebres.

The activist priest, Fr. Robert Reyes, meanwhile took time off his “silence” break to honor Reuter, the “great communicator” he considered his mentor.

“Fr. James insisted that knowing how to use and relate with media is one thing. However, his life was both medium and message as he spoke both in word, action and silence about Jesus, the word made flesh,” said Reyes.

He sent the statement from the Juan de Plasencia Franciscan Novitiate in Liliw, Laguna, where he has been residing after deciding

to take a break from public life in 2011.

Reyes, an activist priest often seen in media while advocating various causes, credited Reuter for helping him understand the culture of the press in the Philippines. He offered a prayer run for Reuter.

“It will be different now without the voice, the pen, the face of the priest in the white Jesuit cassock.

Not really, for this communicator did not die in vain. He has taught hundreds to speak well and effectively about Jesus through the means of social communication. But more than skill and art, he passed on a spirituality,” said Reyes. (Tarra Quismundo/Inquirer.net)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • january 3-9, 2013

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Filipino accused in terror plot pleads not guilty RIVERSIDE – The Filipino accused of being involved in a plot to join Al-Qaeda insurgents for military training in Afghanistan appeared in federal court for the first time, with his fellow defendants on Wednesday, December 19, to plead not guilty on charges of conspiracy to support terrorists.

Ralph Deleon, a 23-year-old permanent resident from Ontario, CA, is among the four men accused of planning to unleash ‘violent jihad’ against US armed forces and other Americans abroad, in a criminal case based on intel-

ligence gathered from a paid FBI informant.

Other defendants include Pomona resident Sohiel Omar Kabir, Riverside resident Arifeen David Gojali, and Upland resident Miguel Alejandro Santana Vidriales.

The 35-year-old Kabir is the alleged ringleader of the group.

He was captured in Afghanistan on November 17, a day after the three other men were arrested by federal agents in Chino, California.

According to the criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Kabir recruited two co-conspirators

Deleon and Santana who were to join him in training under Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The FBI said that the two men were influenced by Kabir to convert to Islam before he flew abroad in 2011. The pair, in turn, allegedly recruited the fourth man, Gojali, to complete the group.

The FBI’s complaint alleged that Deleon and Santana divulged to an FBI informant their plans to travel to Afghanistan to carry out ‘violent jihad’ on American targets. Deleon was quoted by the informant, saying that he wanted PAGE A4

India rape sets off debate...

PAGE A1 Center for Social Research. “It will take some time, but certainly there is a beginning.”

The country remained in mourning last Dec. 31, two days after the 23-year-old physiotherapy student died from her internal wounds in the Singapore hospital where she had been sent for emergency treatment. Six men have been arrested and charged with murder in the Dec. 16 attack on a New Delhi bus. They face the death penalty if convicted, police said.

The army and navy canceled their New Year’s celebrations, as did Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling Congress party. Hotels and clubs across the capital also said they would forego their usual parties.

“She has become the daughter of the entire nation,” said Sushma Swaraj, a leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

Hundreds of mourners continued their daily protests near Parliament demanding swift government action.

“So much needs to be done to end the oppression of women,” said Murarinath Kushwaha, a man whose two friends were on a hunger strike to draw attention to the issue.

Some commentators compared the rape victim, whose name has not been released by police, to Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian street vendor whose self-immolation set off the Arab Spring. There was hope her tragedy could mark a turning point for gender rights in a country where women often refuse to leave their homes at night out of fear and where sex-selective abortions and even female infanticide have wildly skewed the gender ratio.

“It cannot be business as usual anymore,” the Hindustan Times newspaper wrote in an editorial.

Politicians from across the spectrum called for a special session of Parliament to pass new laws to increase punishments for rapists — including possible chemical castration — and to set up fast-track courts to deal with rape cases within 90 days.

The government has proposed creating a public database of convicted rapists to shame them, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up two committees to look into what lapses led to the rape and to propose changes in the law.

The Delhi government on Monday inaugurated a new helpline — 181 — for women, though it wasn’t working because of glitches.

Responding to complaints that police refuse to file cases of abuse or harassment brought by

women, the city force has appointed an officer to meet with women’s groups monthly and crack down on the problem, New Delhi Lt. Gov. Tejendra Khanna said.

“We have mandated that any time any lady visits a police station with a complaint, it has to be recorded on the spot,” he said.

Kumari said the Delhi police commissioner sent her a message Monday asking her group to restart police sensitivity training that it had suspended due to lack of funds.

There have also been proposals to install a quota to ensure one-third of Delhi’s police are women.

There also have been signs of a change in the public debate about crimes against women.

Other rapes suddenly have become front-page news in Indian newspapers, and politicians are being heavily criticized for any remarks considered misogynistic or unsympathetic to women.

A state legislator from Rajasthan was ridiculed Monday across TV news channels after suggesting that one way to stop rapes would be to change girls’ school uniforms to pants instead of skirts.

“How can he tell us to change our clothes?” said Gureet Kaur, a student protester in the Rajasthani town of Alwar. “Why can’t girls live freely?”

Some activists have accused politicians of being so cossetted in their security bubbles that they have no idea of the daily travails people are suffering.

Kumari said the country was failing in its basic responsibility to protect its citizens. But she was heartened to see so many young men at the protests along with women.

“I have never heard so many people who felt so deep down hurt,” she said. “It will definitely have some impact.”

In Geneva, the U.N. human rights chief called Monday for fundamental change in India.

“Let us hope that 2013 will be the year the tide is turned on violence against women in India and all women can walk free without fear,” said Navi Pillay, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. “The public is demanding a transformation in systems that discriminate against women to a culture that respects the dignity of women in law and practice,” she said in a statement.

Pillay, a South African of Indian origin, urged Indians not to give in to calls for capital punishment for rapists. “However terrible the crime, the death penalty is not the answer,” she said. (AP)

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Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo, Multi-awarded Poet and Presidential Awardee

PromotingFilipinoasaGlobalLanguage

by Joseph Pimentel / AJPress

CONSIDERED as one of the leading female Filipino poets of our time, Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo’s success did not come easy.

If you read her biography, it seems as though awards and recognition sprinkle her like tiny drops of rain.

For the past 30 years, Mabanglo has racked up awards from being the first woman to receive the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Fame, “Makata ng Taon” Poet of the Year by the Commission on Filipino Language, to earning the Manila Critics Circle National Book Award for Poetry for her book, Mga Liham ni Pinay (The Letters of Pinay).

Most recently, President Benigno Aquino III awarded University of Hawaii professor Mabanglo the 2012 Presidential Awardee for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas, in the “Pamana ng Pilipino” category.

The Presidential award is given to Filipino individuals and overseas groups, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development efforts, or their outstanding achievements in their field of profession.

In the Pamana ng Pilipino category, Mabanglo exemplified the talent and industry of the Filipino, and brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.

For Mabanglo, a professor and coordinator of Filipino and Philippine Literature Program at the University of Hawaii, it’s been a difficult but worthwhile journey.

Rough beginnings Born in Manila, Mabanglo’s mother passed away at an early age, leaving young Ruth “abandoned, penniless and maltreated,” said Pia Arboleda, the author of Swimming the Darkness: Subversion in Elynia Mabanglo’s in the Kyoto Journal 2006.

Mabanglo persevered and in 1969 received a BA degree in Filipino from the University of the East. She earned a masters degree in Education from Philippine Normal College in 1980 before receiving a doctorate in Filipino and Literature from Manuel L. Quezon University.

But it was tough as a female poet and writer to break into the a male-dominated writing world in 1970s Philippines.

Aside from her gender, there were also acceptance issues when it came to the themes of her work, which explored female sexuality, abortion, menstruation, etc.

“The male-centered literary circle did not really accept her as a writer, and pushed her back into the margins,” wrote Arboleda.

Arboleda explained that in Philippine literature, women are often portrayed as “as flat and stereotypical characters-either as evil women who ‘steal’ husbands from their wives, or as misguided women with golden hearts who meet a tragic end.”

Some writers (mostly male) would be sympa-

RuthElyniaMabanglooftheUniversityofHawaii(right)receivedaplaqueofrecognitionfromPresidentAquino,withForeignSecretary Albert del Rosario and CFO chair Imelda Nicolas looking on.

Malacañang Photo

Filipino accused in terror plot...

PAGE A3 to fight in the front lines or carry explosives.

Santana allegedly wanted to become a sniper.

The three co-conspirators were captured by authorities two days before their allegedly planned flight from Mexico, to join Kabir overseas.

Each of the four men is charged with a single count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. The maximum penalty is 15 years of jail time.

In a hearing in early December (in Riverside County that lasted no

more than five minutes) all four defendants pleaded not guilty on charges held against them. A tentative trial date was then set for August 2013.

In the meantime, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles has declined to make any comment on the case of Deleon, as they are still awaiting further developments on the matter.

A big part of the FBI’s case rely heavily on conversations recorded or recounted second hand by a paid FBI informant, a convicted

drug dealer. According to reports

by Reuters, the government said that the informant received “immigration benefits” in exchange for his help.

The defense counsel have raised their argument against the prosecution, saying that the four alleged conspirators were entrapped by the FBI by using a paid informant.

Kabir was captured in a military raid in Kabul that involved US and Afghan military troops. The Pentagon reported that Kabir put up ‘fierce physical resistance, including an attempt to grab grenades and to seize other weapons from his captors.

GalingPinoyshowcasesthetriumph oftheFilipinospirit–theFilipino’s innateperseverancetoriseabove.A doubleentendre,GalingPinoyliterally translatestobothcomingfrom(or broughttoyouby)theFilipinoand Filipino ingenuity.

thetic towards women or sex workers but “their tone is somewhat condescending, expressing merely pity and hopelessness.”

“Only Elynia Mabanglo uses the first-person point-of-view to express the sex worker’s pains, fears and aspirations,” wrote Arboleda. “She paints a more realistic and a more complete picture that begins with a description of the puta’s workplace-‘the dark, hidden corners that are filthy and rank with the smell of beer and cigarette ash;’ or the street corner, ‘the other side.’”

It wasn’t until the late 1980s and 1990s when her work began to surface and catch the eyes of critics.

Global Filipino Now a multi-awarded poet and writer with several books of poetry, plays and other work under her belt, professor Mabanglo crusades for another passion: the spread of Filipino language around the world.

“My ultimate dream is for Filipino, the national In the ensuing confrontation, the captive suffered a fractured eye socket, facial lacerations, and other injuries. The defense contended that because of the injuries from the altercation, Kabir was left with memory problems, distorted vision, and difficulty keeping his balance, along with a previous diagnosis of epilepsy and separate medical issues that arose from a previous car accident.

The FBI say that Kabir is a naturalized US citizen born in Afghanistan, and lived in Pomona, California. (Mico Letargo, Joseph Pimentel / AJPress and Reuters.)

language, to be used as the medium of instruction in higher education in all the universities in the country,” Mabanglo said to Manila Mail in 2011.

She reiterated that sentiment in earlier this year to the Inquirer.

It is a tough sell especially in the Philippines, a country where some members of Congress are looking to phase out the Filipino language.

When former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pushed for Spanish to be taught in high schools and for prioritizing English so Filipinos could better serve global business, Ruth mobilized a protest petition, according to the Inquirer.

“I encouraged my students all over the United States tosign a petition to fight the killing of Filipino in high school and college, which was part of the Gullas Bill that Arroyo favored. Later on, I organized the ‘Filipino as a Global Language’ conference as a professor of Filipino language and Philippine literature at the University of Hawaii,” she said.

She has made it her mission to create a global network of Filipino language teachers and promote the national language to students around the world.

It is a difficult task but one she aims on succeeding. Language is tied to our culture, she said.

“What I want to point out is that Filipino or the national language should be given the same importance as medium of instruction side-by-side with the English language in our educational system,” said Mabanglo to Manila Mail.

“Nakatanim sa lengwahe and kultura nito (Culture is embedded in the language),” she added.

2 dead, 1 arrested in Vegas care home killings

A 68-year-old man is behind bars after police say he admitted killing two people at a Las Vegas assisted living home.

Authorities say they responded to the group home on West Washington Avenue about 4:40am last Dec. 30 after a resident reported finding two people beaten and bloody.

Police say they discovered a 59-year-old female caregiver and an 82-year-old resident dead.

Detectives say they found resident David Settle on his bed wearing only a diaper. Settle told authorities he had killed the two with a hammer before going to the store and buying wine, cigars and coffee.

Police say Settle didn’t explain why he had killed the two. He told officials he later tried to cut and beat himself to commit suicide.

Settle was booked on suspicion of murder. (AP)

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Automated voting planned for more Filipino overseas voters MANILA—More Filipino overseas voters may soon be able to choose their candidates through automated machines as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeks to increase the number of countries where automated voting in the coming midterm elections will be implemented.

Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, chairman of the committee on overseas absentee voting (OAV), previously filed a recommendation to the Comelec en banc that the number of places where automated elections will be implemented be expanded to seven from last year’s two.

Hong Kong and Singapore are the two countries where automated elections took place in 2010. Tagle wants to add Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Kuwait, Dubai, and Riyadh for the 2013 elections.

“In the May 10, 2010, Presidential Elections (Automated Elections System) was implemented in Hong Kong and Singapore garnering positive feedbacks,” Tagle said in his recommendation.

“As a matter of fact, these two posts were among the top three that had the most number of voters who cast their votes,” he said.

Hong Kong has 101,483 registered

voters while Singapore had 36,323, Tagle said.

“We suggest that AES be adopted in [places] with more than 20,000 registered voters, have compact territories and that has implemented personal voting in 2010,” he said.

The five places that could be added to the list based on that criteria are: Abu Dhabi with 21,418 registered voters, Jeddah with 42,454 voters, Kuwait with 28,458 voters, Dubai with 30,513 voters, and Riyadh with 62,509 voters. Hong Kong and Singapore are also likely to implement AES again in 2013.

The implementation of AES in more places abroad will also require more Precint Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, Tagle said.

“Depending on the availability of resources, we can either install one unit for every 5,000 registered voters for a total of 69 machines, or one unit for every 10,000 registered voters for a total of 37 machines,” he said.

When asked if the AES for these areas will be conducted on the same day as the elections in the country, Tagle said that it will likely be on the same day but they will

still take into consideration that Filipinos working abroad might not be able to get off from their respective jobs.

He said that the transmission of the election returns in the area should be on the same day. He said they were able to do it in 2010 in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Tagle also called on all Filipinos abroad who want to vote to manifest their intent to vote before the deadline on January 11.

“They might have a legitimate reason why they failed to vote twice,” he said.

Some 230,000 overseas absentee voters have failed to vote twice disqualifying them from voting again. They are required to file a manifestation to be allowed to vote again.

“Whereas, to ensure that the 238,557 Overseas Absentee Voters who failed to vote twice are given sufficient time and opportunity to file their manifestation of intent to vote and thereby be able to exercise their right of suffrage in the May 13, 2013, national and local elections, there is a need to extend the deadline of filing of the manifestation of intent to vote;” the Comelec said in a resolution that extended the deadline to Jan. 11. (Matikasn Santos/ Inquirer.net)

NEWYEARINJAPAN.Well-wisherswaveJapaneseflagsasJapan’sEmperorAkihitoandEmpressMichikoshow duringthenewyear’scelebrationsattheImperialPalaceinTokyo.Thousandsofpeoplefromacrossthecountry turned out at the palace to greet Emperor and the Imperial family for the new year.

AP photo

Kalayaan residents want peaceful co-existence MANILA—Despite the mounting tension in the hotly contested Spratly archipelago, the town of Kalayaan is looking forward to peaceful co-existence among foreign citizens of claimant-countries now permanently residing in the region.

“Out there, we co-exist peacefully. We’ve been neighbors for so long. Why should we be fighting each other when we can find a peaceful solution to our territorial disputes” said Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., whose four-boat convoy from Palawan was harassed twice by a Chinese amphibious warships five hours away from Pag-Asa Island last October.

Bito-onon is referring to the Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Malaysian nationals who are also occupying islets, reefs, cays, shoals and sandbars adjacent to the country’s Kalayaan Island group (KIG).

Except for Brunei, all claimant countries – China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia – have troops on forward deployment on their occupied islets and reefs.

At present, the country’s regime of islands is composed of NEWYEAR IN KOREA.Visitors take pictures in front of the barbed wire fence decorated with messages wishing seven islets and two reefs. Pag-Asa island, the second biggest forthereunificationofthetwoKoreasatImjingakinPajunearthebordervillageofthePanmunjom,SouthKorea, in the region, is now the seat of Kalayaan town, a fifth class Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013.

AP photo municipality of Palawan. (Jaime Laude/Philstar.com)

PH lenders Asia’s best performing bank stocks MANILA—Philippine banks did not just perform relatively well this year; they are, in fact, the best performing bank stocks in the ASEAN region.

“As reflected in the Philippines’ financial index, Philippine banks’ stock prices appreciated by 56.8 percent year-to-date, compared to second-running Thailand’s financial index appreciation of 42.9 percent and Singapore’s financial index appreciation of 36.6 percent,” Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Alberto Villarosa pointed out.

“Investors appreciated what was happening to Philippine banks and the economy,” he added.

Villarosa, who is also president of Security Banking Corp., took note that since the start of the year, banks have been performing well.

“As of the first three quarters this year, loans growth is 14 percent and profit growth is 15 percent from year ago levels; the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio further declined to 2.05 percent from 2.46 percent of previous year, while NPL cover improved to 136 percent from 123 percent. The industry is also well capitalized with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 16 percent on a solo basis and 18 percent on a consolidated basis,” the BAP official said.

There have been a noted improvement in investors’ confidence, he stressed. “2012 is another good year for the Philippine banking industry. In terms of the state of the universal and commercial banking industry, it is in good health. Business health indicators are good,” Villarosa said.

He said on the demand side, the renewed confidence in the Philippine economy is driving banks’ loan growth to corporate and SME clients given the historical

under-investment relative to other countries in ASEAN. Low overall interest rates, Villarosa added, will likewise continue to stimulate growth in consumer finance.

“It is very important for the banking industry to continue with its focus on good governance and risk management in order to sustain a healthy business and economic growth for the country,” he said.

One of the challenges a number of local banks would need to prepare for in the next few months is the implementation of higher capital requirement under the global Basel III framework.

“It’s (2013) going to be tough for the industry as a whole primarily because of Basel III. There will be pressure in capital raising. Second, rates will continue to be low. Third, the market will continue to be liquid thus more competition, and then fourth, there are lot of changes - regulatory or otherwise - that will have an impact on the banking industry,” BDO Unibank Inc. president Nestor Tan said.

BDO, the country’s largest bank with over P1 trillion in assets, had already completed its capital raising scheme for the Basel III requirement.

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, decided to adopt the capital adequacy standards in full

by Jan. 1, 2014 without recourse to a staggered implementation or a gradual phase-out of ineligible capital instruments.

The MB noted, would put the Philippines alongside such jurisdictions as China, Australia, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore.

Basel III introduces a complex package of reforms designed to improve the ability of bank capital to absorb losses, extend the cov-

Foreign investors parking funds in PH gov’t securities MANILA—In a break from past trends, foreign investors are now parking their funds in government securities and not just in stocks, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said.

She said there is now an equal share of foreign inflows going to fixed-income securities and equities, a strong indication of improving investor confidence in the government.

“There’s a lot more going into government securities. There is a trend and it reflects confidence in government,” De Leon said.

She said while monetary authorities are guarding against excessive inflows that could push the peso to appreciate further, foreign investments in government securities bode well for the administration.

“It’s good because it means we have access to investors’ funds,” De Leon said.

The trend is prevalent for several months now, De Leon said, although there is no available figure how much in foreign funds went to government securities the past months.

In the past years, the local equities market garnered most foreign funds, with the fixed-income market getting only a minimal portion of foreign funds.

As of end-November outstanding Treasury bonds have reached P3.131 trillion, latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed.

The outstanding bonds issued have varying tenors of three-, four-, five-, seven-, 10-, 20- and 25-year bonds, data showed.

The multi-currency retail treasury bonds (RTBs) issued in 2010 and maturing in 2013 and 2015 also comprise the outstanding Treasury bonds.

The gover nment has pro grammed to borrow P120 billion from the local debt market in the first quarter of 2013, higher than the P90 billion programmed last quarter.

Of the P120 billion, the Treasury will sell P45 billion worth of bills and P75 billion worth of bonds.

The government borrows from the local debt market through the issuance of Treasury bills and bonds. (Philstar.com)

erage of financial risks and have stronger firewalls against periods of stress.

However, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) outlined a staggered implementation of Basel III stretching through the end of 2018 to allow internationally-active banks time to raise capital organically.

But the BSP said it believes the 2014 compliance to Basel III recognizes the present strong capital position of the banking industry while providing for a reasonable transition period.

By adopting the capital adequacy standards in 2014, the BSP effectively accelerates the implementation of the Basel III accord for universal and commercial banks, including their subsidiary banks and quasi-banks.

A highlight of Basel III is the higher proportion of bank capital that is represented by common equity. Under the BSP framework, Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio will be set at a regulatory minimum of six percent while the total Tier 1 ratio will be at a 7.5 percent minimum. Both ratios are higher than the respective minimum under Basel III. (Philstar.com)

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Opinion

Subsistence

Features

2012 was generally a good year for Filipinos.

Triumphs were made, losses were faced, and lessons were learned.

Filipinos are starting the year right, looking forward to 2013 with hope.

In its recent survey, Social Weather Station (SWS) revealed that nine out of ten Pinoys are hopeful rather that fearful in the new year. This was the predominant sentiment among respondents in Luzon (96 percent), Metro Manila (93 percent), and the Visayas (93 percent).

“At home and around the world, the Philippines has become recognized as a bastion of stability and good governance. Through hard work, deft decision-making, and intense political will, the President has laid down the foundations of justice and inclusive growth. Through it all, he continues to clean house, eliminate waste, and put primacy on restoring public trust in our institutions,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Lacierda said 2013 can be a banner year with ““more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause.”

“In 2012, we turned the corner, fixed the damage wrought by the crooked ways of the past, and established further that the straight path is the only way forward. Despite the tragedies that have visited the country in 2012—from natural disasters

to the untimely demise of a beloved reformist—the Filipino people have shown that their spirit cannot be broken. As the administration embarks on 2013, there is all the more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause,” he added.

The past year witnessed the Philippines posting an economic growth as high as 7.1 percent in the third quarter.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised the country’s economic growth forecast to 4.9 percent in 2013. The country’s growth path IMF says, backed by sound policy management, enjoys a “solid momentum.”

Likewise, the government assured Pinoys that the growth will soon be felt by everyone through job generation and pro-poor programs.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also expressed optimism that the country will finally reduce its poverty level with the expansion of government’s investments in social services, alongside respectable economic growth and stable inflation.

However, the impact of such growth has not been the same for everyone.

While some Pinoys have fared well, the poor

Editorial

seem to lag behind and have not been able to capitalize on the potential created by the economy.

Economic growth should jobs and industries, people will benefit from. A 7.1 percent growth should lead to millions of new jobs, and higher wages for those already employed.

Our situation is far from dire. Yes, we can do

ManilaTimes.net photo

better in terms of inclusive economic performance, but since most of the problems are self-inflicted, the solutions are not too far.

To start the year right, everyone is held responsible to address priorities that not only ensure a solution to the current crisis, but also to prevent its recurrence. (AJPress)

Arming good guys: Solution to gun violence?

WITH several mass killings in the past years, finally, the demand and push for solutions to solve gun violence in America has reached a tipping point.

More than two weeks ago, twenty young innocent first graders and six school personnel were brutally slaughtered by a lone young gun man in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

The gunman was 20-year old Adam Lanza, who used his mother’s two pistols and a Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle -- a civilian version of the military’s M-16 that is legal to own in many states.

After killing 26 victims and his own mother at their house, Lanza committed suicide. Adam reportedly learned how to shoot from his gun-collecting mom.

President Barack Obama pledged to “use all the powers of this office” to identify and promote new policies to address the scourge of gun violence.

He tapped Vice President Joe Biden to head a task force composed of Cabinet members, members of Congress and outside organizations, which would submit a “very specific” set of proposals to Congress in January.

In the wake of the Newtown massacre, more Americans now favor stricter gun control laws.

Gallup Poll conducted a survey from December 19-22, 2012 which found that 58 percent of Americans are in favor of strengthening the laws cover-

Organizers say more than ing the sale of firearms -- up from 300,000 Americans have signed 43 percent in 2011.

The Fil-Am the petition on their website, Several state and federal lawwww.demandaplan.org. makers have already announced Perspective Balitang America further rethat they will seek to ban both ported that popular personalities semi-automatic rifle and high(like Ellen Degeneres, Julianne capacity ammunition magazines Moore, Courtney Cox, Jennifrom the commercial market. fer Aniston, Gwyneth Palthrow, However, the same poll by Gal- Gel Santos-Relos Brooke Shields, Conan O’Brien lup also revealed that Americans’ views on the sale of assault rifles are unchanged. and many more) have used their celebrity status to The slight majority (51 percent) still opposed the help the organization in furthering the cause.

They took turns saying the lines: “How many idea of making assault rifles illegal to manufacmore? How many more? Enough. Enough. ture, sell, or possess.

One of the many groups who demanded that Enough. Demand a plan. Right now… as a mom, President Obama and Congress come up with a as a dad, as a friend, as a husband, as a wife. As an American. As a human being. For the children plan to end gun violence is Demand A Plan.

As Balitang America reported, this is a group of Sandy Hook.”

Despite the broad public outcry favoring the which is composed of more than 800 mayors and passing of stricter gun-control laws, President 800,000 grassroots supporters.

Organizers of Demand a Plan say that “they can- Obama faces formidable forces from Congress and not bring back the people lost in Newtown, nor pro-gun groups that may still keep the legislation the 33 people murdered with guns everyday in process dormant.

Republicans still hold majority in the House America,” but together, they say America can prevent future tragedies “by passing common sense for the next two years. While Democrats rule the legislation that will require a criminal background Senate, there are still enough gun-rights votes to check for every gun sold in America, ban assault stall a bill. It may still be a big challenge for Presiweapons and high-capacity magazines and make dent Obama to win the support of lawmakers from gun trafficking a federal crime, including real pen- both parties (Yes, not just Republicans). As TIME Magazine reported, there are still those who are alties for ‘straw purchasers.’”

Bidding farewell to a legend of the Senate In recent weeks I joined other leaders in Congress and many members of our nation’s AsianAmerican communit y as we honored my valued colleague and friend, Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii. Senator Inouye was Sen. Harry Reid one of the finest men I have ever known – a real American hero. As the second longest serving Senator in history, and the first JapaneseAmerican elected to Congress, Senator Inouye’s career in Congress spanned the life of his home state. But while he will truly be missed, his legacy as an advocate for Asian-Americans across the nation will live on in the halls of the Senate.

Senator Inouye’s tradition of service began long before he came to the United States Senate. He was working as a medical volunteer when Japanese war planes attacked Pearl Harbor. He wanted to be a doctor. But a different fate awaited Dan Inouye. After the attack, Japanese-American men were deemed “enemy aliens” and were therefore not subject to the draft. More than 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry were imprisoned in American internment camps.

Yet Dan and other Japanese-Americans volunteered to fight for this nation’s freedom abroad although many of their own families were denied freedom at home.

Asked years later by his son why – after being classified an “enemy alien” – he and the members of the famed 442nd fought so heroically, Senator Inouye said he did it “for the children.” And for the children, there could be no finer role model than Senator Inouye.

Dan was never afraid to speak out against discrimination, and was an important advocate for native Hawaiians and Asian-Pacific Islanders.

In 1968, Senator Inouye gave a memorable keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. In his speech, Dan taught the nation that aloha doesn’t just mean hello, and it doesn’t just mean goodbye.

It also means I love you. In years following, he spoke eloquently of the country’s struggles with racism during time of deep divisions. His words and spirit will live on.

For Asian-Americans and all Americans, Daniel Inouye was a role model. His sacrifices and service made our country stronger. It is with heavy heart that those of us who loved Senator Inouye say aloha to a great man, a true friend and a legend of the Senate.

Commentary

Street Talk GregB.Macabenta IN THE wake of the pre-Christmas massacre of 20 school children and 6 teachers and school officials in Connecticut, National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre is once more being portrayed as TheGrinch who’s stealing the joys of the season.

Like the predictable blamepassing and pompous proposals that follow every natural catastrophe in the Philippines, shooting sprees in America staged by mentally unbalanced individuals, many of them in their teens, unleash a familiar torrent of protests against the easy availability in the US of high-powered firearms, and proposals for stricter gun controls.

But the gun lobby in America and the attitude of Americans, as a whole, are more powerful than the grief of parents and the citizenry. It is unlikely that any legislation that will tend to deprive Americans of the right to keep and bear arms, enshrined in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, will gain any traction.

What could happen is less resistance from opponents of gun control to laws restricting purchase and ownership of highpowered automatic weapons.

That has already happened in

“beholden to the gun lobby or at least lack the will to challenge it.”

One such pro-gun lobby group is the National Rifle Association (NRA). As Balitang America reported, instead of the public clamor for less guns, the NRA has put forward a solution that is asking for more guns.

In fact, NRA Executive Director Wayne LaPierre recently said: “The thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” To achieve this, his plan is to hire armed guards for every school in America.

Others propose that teachers and other school personnel should be trained and allowed to carry guns in school, in order to be equipped to protect school children from bad guys with guns.

Where will this renewed passion and mission to end gun violence in America take us? What should President Obama do to attain this goal, while still protecting the “right to bear arms,” as mandated by the US Constitution? Will arming good guys be the solution to gun violence? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s“Balitang America.”Views andopinionsexpressedbytheauthorinthiscolumn arearesolely thoseoftheauthor andnotofAsianJournalandABS-CBN-TFC.For comments,gotowww.TheFil-AmPerspective.com,https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Give a child a gun for Christmas?

California, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the US. To purchase a handgun in California, one has to have a Handgun Safety Certificate obtained by passing a written test. Private sales of firearms must be done through a licensed dealer and handguns sold by dealers have to be listed in a roster of weapons certified for sale.

Firearms sales are recorded by the state and require a tenday waiting period. Most of all, the California State Constitution does not explicitly guarantee an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. However, many of California’s gun laws are being challenged in the US Supreme Court, based on the Second Amendment.

In many other states of the Union, the sale and purchase of firearms, including assault weapons, is unrestricted. People may carry concealed weapons and even openly carry them.

This could explain why the US leads the world in terms of gun violence. According to media reports, compared to 11 homicides in 2008 in Japan, which does not allow private ownership of guns, except those for hunting and sports (and only after stringent clearance procedures), the US, had 9,484. Records indicate that California and six other states with the strictest gun laws rank among the top ten states with the lowest per capita rates of gun deaths.

But despite overwhelming empirical evidence that restrictions on gun ownership result in a reduction of gun violence and deaths, America’s macho culture – routinely glorified in Hollywood Westerns and Rambo films – simply had a reverse effect on the citizenry following the massacre in Connecticut.

Reacting to news that stricter gun laws would make it more difficult for Americans to buy firearms, especially high-powered ones, the sale of these weapons have gone through the roof. Inventory in many gun stores has run low. Like folks stocking up on foodstuff in anticipation of a hurricane, people have been rushing to buy their weapons before the laws make it difficult to do so.

Their attitude, it seems, is that, if there are crazed gunmen roaming the streets, they had better be in a position to protect themselves. Thus, the race to stock up on firearms.

NRA’s LaPierre couldn’t have stated this attitude more clearly when, in response to the outcry against gun violence, he proposed posting police and armed security guards at schools.

“Think about it. We care about our money, so we protect our banks with armed guards.

American airports, office buildings, power plants, courthouses — even sports stadiums — are all protected by armed security.

“We care about the President, so we protect him with armed

Secret Service agents. Members of Congress work in offices surrounded by armed Capitol Police officers.

“Yet when it comes to the most beloved, innocent and vulnerable members of the American family — our children — we as a society leave them utterly defenseless, and the monsters and predators of this world know it and exploit it. That must change now!”

Refusing to concede that the proliferation of guns is one of the root causes of gun violence, LaPierre also passed the buck to another bogeyman: “There exists in this country a callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells, and sows, violence against its own people. Through vicious, violent video games with names like Bulletstorm, Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat and Splatterhouse.

And here’s one: it’s called Kindergarten Killers. It’s been online for 10 years. How come my research department could find it and all of yours either couldn’t or didn’t want anyone to know you had found it?

“Then there’s the blood-soaked slasher films like American Psycho and Natural Born Killers that are aired like propaganda loops on ‘Splatterdays’ and every day, and a thousand music videos that portray life as a joke and murder as a way of life. And then they have the nerve to call it ‘entertainment.’...A child growing up

u PAGE A7

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Aquino likely to enjoy strong support from Congress until 2016 – Drilon MANILA—In spite of a slight drop in his satisfaction rating, President Aquino remains popular with the people and is likely to enjoy strong support from Congress until the end of his term, Sen. Franklin Drilon said.

The Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported a 12-point drop in the net satisfaction rating of the President in December. The rating is still considered “very good” by the survey firm.

Based on the survey, the President’s net satisfaction score went down to 55 (72 percent satisfied, 17 percent dissatisfied) in December from 67 (77 percent satisfied, 10 percent dissatisfied) in August.

The SWS said Aquino’s annual average rating was a “very good” 53, matching his 2011 score.

His latest score, however, was nine points lower than his 62 (very good) rating in 2010.

Drilon, vice chairman of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), said the President continues to enjoy a very high trust rating, with close to 80 percent of the population supporting his policies.

The current 15th Congress has also shown strong support for the agenda of the President as seen in the approval of vital Malacañangbacked measures.

Most of the members of the Senate and the House of Rep-

resentatives are considered as allies of the President or at least, supportive of his administration.

With the President’s sustained high trust rating, Drilon said he expects the results of the forthcoming mid-term elections to be favorable to the PH Sen. Drilon administration.

Drilon said the strong support of the present Congress for the President has led to the enactment of important measures such as the sin tax reform bill, the Reproductive Health bill and the amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering Act. He also cited the national budget’s getting approved on time or before yearend for three consecutive years, enabling the government to operate on a new budget at the start of each year.

FOI not priority Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is giving Congress more time to debate on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill amid calls for President Aquino to certify it as urgent.

Valte said land use, the con-

Give a child a gun...

ditional cash transfer program and public-private partnership projects would be among the top priorities of the administration.

Earlier, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said the revision of the country’s Mining Act of 1995 as well as the proposed rationalization of fiscal incentives for investors were two of the administration’s priority measures for next year.

FOI bill advocates believe the passage of the measure will further promote transparency in government because it will provide easier access to public documents.

Valte said Aquino had mentioned land use as the one that would possibly be discussed extensively in January. (Philstar. com)

It was part of the macho culture. It was reminiscent of LaPierre’s rationale: carry a gun to protect yourself from crazy gun wielders.

Then one day, while accompanying my wife to Divisoria, a burly man bumped her. Whether or not he did it on purpose did not matter to me. I instinctively reached for my gun. Mercifully, I stopped to think: Am I going to shoot someone FOR THIS? Suddenly, my gut reaction made absolutely no sense. It was the fact that I had a gun that caused me to react the way I did. I realized that I was about to become the crazy gun wielder that I needed protection from.

The next day, I left the gun in the house and never took it out again.

It’s simple logic: No guns in the house within easy reach means that the crazy Adam Lanzas will have no weapons for mass killings and impulsive macho men like Rolito Go will have no gun to use on defenseless motorists.

On the other hand, until someone has a brighter idea to protect America’s school children, doesn’t it make sense to shield them the way America protects the nation’s president? And LaPierre is right. A daily dose of killings in video games and on TV and films will continue to raise generations of potential Adam Lanzas. And one day, something’s got to give.

Meanwhile, how many of us bought toy guns for our kids this Christmas? ***

PAGE A6 in America witnesses 16,000 murders and 200,000 acts of violence by the time he or she reaches the ripe old age of 18.”

The reaction to LaPierre’s proposal was one of derision, as reported in US media. Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia called LaPierre’s proposal of armed guards in schools “insane” and added that the man “had clearly watched too many old Westerns.” Mayor Bloomberg of New York called LaPierre’s speech “a shameful evasion of the crsis facing our country.”

It is obvious that the proponents of stricter gun laws and those against them are digging in and hanging on to their rationales, shutting their ears to the arguments of either side. And that is the tragedy following the massacre.

Among those with whom I have discussed the senseless killings, no one has conceded that both President Obama and LaPierre have a point. Obama has proposed stricter gun laws. LaPierre wants armed guards in schools and public places and controls on the pervasive culture of violence propagated by media and the entertainment industry.

I recall the wild and wooly days back in Manila before the declaration of martial law, when everyone and his uncle carried a gun. That included me. Email gregmacabenta@hotmail.com.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (right) called 2012 a “colorful and historic year” for the 15th Congress.

RH, Sin tax are PH House’s ‘legacy’ MANILA—Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. called the passage of controversial legislative measures such as the Sin Tax and the Reproductive Health (RH) bills a “legacy” of the House of Representatives as the year comes to a close.

“Through all the controversies and challenges, this 15th Congress has left a legacy and laid the groundwork for reforms and responding to the more urgent concerns of majority of our people,” Belmonte said in a statement summing up the past year for the lower house of Congress.

A co-author of the House version of the divisive RH bill, Belmonte said that Congress “stood up and fought for” its passage through “countless debates” that took 14 years of re-filing and rewriting.

He also said that the approval of excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products under his leadership was a sign that lawmakers are “paying heed to the social welfare concerns” of Filipinos.

“A total of 972 vital measures have been passed, many of which are truly significant and directly address matters close to the heart of each sector,” the speaker said, adding that the “Kasambahay” bill granting benefits to household helpers is among these measures.

Belmonte, the fourth highest government official, also regarded a highlight of a “color ful and historic year” the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona, which

arose from a complaint from the representatives.

“Best remembered was the impeachment of then Chief Justice Renato Corona which was an endeavor that entailed a lot of challenges ... The House was at the forefront of this historic move to end corruption in the country,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that the lower house had been responsive to situations of urgency such as the floods by Habagat in August and the ravages of typhoon

Pablo in southern Philippines.

“I am proud to say, lawmakers responded quickly not just by way of financial and relief assistance but through bills and resolutions filed in an effort to prevent casualties and damage from such disasters should they occur again in the future,” Belmonte said.

The former Quezon City mayor promised 2013 as another year for Congress to make a mark as “the most responsive” in representing each solon’s constituents. (Camille Diola/Philstar.com)

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Janine Tugonon: Wearing Filipinos’ hearts as her crown

by Mico Letargo AjPress

The Philippines and its bevy of beautiful ladies is now on a 3-year streak of making it to the Top Five of the most prestigious beauty pageant in the universe.

On Dec. 19, 2012, Miss Philippines (and Binibining Pilipinas-Universe) Janine Mari Tugonon, a 23-year old Pharmacy graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), finished 1st runner-up in the 2012 iteration of the Miss Universe Pageant.

Held at the Planet Hollywood hotel on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, the competition this year was so close, that Filipinos all over the world held their breath up to the very last moment.

Suspense eventually gave way to shock, as Miss USA Olivia Culpo was crowned as the new Miss Universe, leaving Janine as first runnerup. Culpo succeeded the 2011 Miss Universe Leila Lopes of Angola.

Gracious in defeat Despite the heartbreaking loss, Janine was very gracious about her defeat.

Though she was a crowd favorite, Janine also acknowledged in a press conference that Miss USA had also made a strong bid for the crown in the pre-pageant activities.

“Alam ko talaga si USA, malakas siya nung [pre-pageant] process pa lang. Kasi kung ako, lagi niyo nakikita sa shoots and interviews, mas parati siya, siya ‘yung mas busy sa ‘kin,” Janine said in

an ABS-CBN News report.

She revealed that in the climactic moment of the pageant, when she was holding hands with Culpo waiting for the results, the Filipina knew that it could go either way. She felt that there was a “50-50” chance that she would be able to bring home the crown to Manila.

“Pero inisip ko rin na pwede ring hindi talaga,” Janine told ABS-CBNNews.com when asked about what went through her head during those moments.

“Hindi naman pangit ‘yung sagot ni USA, and very spontaneous,” Janine said of Culpo’s response in the Question and Answer (Q&A) portion.

“Maganda pa siya,” the Filipina said of the American.

The long road

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal Following the strong finishes of Venus Raj (4th runner-up, 2010) and on The Buzz.

Shamcey Supsup (3rd runner-up, 2011) in previous Miss Universe comAlthough her two colleagues Shamcey and Venus, as well as her family petitions, Janine knew that she had big shoes to fill. cheered her on in Las Vegas, Janine however missed the presence of her This didn’t seem to faze her though as the Bataan native clearly boyfriend at competition, after he was denied of a US visa. fared well in the competition. After all, Janine is no stranger to beauty That relationship though, proves to be a testament to her determinapagents. Before she headed off to Las Vegas to compete against the tion in pursuing her craft. In an interview on The Buzz, Janine revealed most beautiful women in the universe, Janine was on a blazing trail of that she would choose the crown over love, if it came to that. She said pageantry success. that she did not want to look back in regret.

In 2009, Janine was hailed as UST’s Ms. Pharmacy, which was fol“Alam naman niya ‘to eh. [Sabi ko sa kanya] ‘This is my mission in life. lowed by the Ms. Ideal Thomasian Personality (TSITP) crown in 2010. I’m doing this because this is what I am called to do and I want to do it. So The TSITP, a university-wide competition in UST, proved to be her launch for now, if I win and you are not gonna agree with it or you’re not gonna pad, as it was there that she was recommended to test her mettle in go with it, sorry I’d choose the crown,’” the Filipina explained.

Binibining Pilipinas.

‘It’s you, it’s you’ In 2011, Janine finished as runner-up to Shamcey Supsup. In 2012, In a report on Rappler.com, Janine revealed that her fellow contestants on her second try, she finally won it all. had said that that it should have been her on the pedestal.

“Sobrang saya ko kasi joining again the Binibining Pilipinas is a big “It’s you, we know it’s you.” discussion in our family. Maraming may ayaw, pero meron ding may PAGE B2 gusto. Talagang dito napatunayan ko na when God really plans something for you, it really happens,” She said in an interview with ABS-CBN. Her journey to the Miss Universe pageant was a long one. Admittedly pressured, Janine pushed on and soldiered through rigorous preparations that included extensive weight training, personality development, catwalk training, and make-up application techniques among others.

Many saw this as Janine’s response to detractors who said that she didn’t have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Shamcey and Venus.

No matter how hard how the training got, Janine was thankful for her the guidance of fellow beauty queens Shamcey and Venus, filling her in on what to expect during the actual competition.

In an interview with former beauty queen Charlene Gonzales – Muhlach on ABS-CBN, Janine admitted that she valued the tips and advice that she got from her two Binibining Pilipinas predecessors.

“Sa akin kasi, sila ‘yung mga tao na may pinakatamang payong masasabi kasi sila galing na dun. Si Shamcey inisa-isa niya from day one kung ano ang gagawin niyo dun,” Janine said of Shamcey and Venus

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Entertainment

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ABS-CBN Star Cinema’s ‘One More Try’ wins Best Picture at 38th Metro Manila Film Festival Lead actor Dingdong Dantes wins Best Actor; ABS-CBN Star Cinema’s ‘Sisterakas’ is runaway box office champ and MMFF 3rd Best Picture MANILA—One More Try was proclaimed Best Picture and one of its lead actors, Dingdong Dantes, won Best Actor during the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Awards night held at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas, Pasig City on Thursday, December 27.

Starring Dantes, Angelica Panganiban, Angel Locsin and Zanjoe Marudo, and directed by awardwnning ABS-CBN Creative Head and Director and TV Production Business Unit Head Ruel S. Bayani of No Other Woman and Budoy fame, among others, One More Try will be shown in 22 theaters in the US starting January 11, 2013.

The Star Cinema movie bested the film Thy Womb, which was originally predicted to win several major awards.

Overall, One More Try won six awards, including the inaugural Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence.

El Presidente was named 2nd Best Picture while Sisterakas, won 3rd Best Picture.

Thy Womb, meanwhile, was awarded the Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award.

The complete list of winners: Youth Choice Award: El Presidente Best Festival Float: El Presidente Best Sound: El Presidente Best Musical Score: El Presidente Best Theme Song: El Presidente Best Make Up: El Presidente Best Child Performer: Miguel Vergara for One More Try Full Length New Wave Best Actor: Allan Paule for Dayak

Full length New Wave Best Actress: Liza Dino for In Nomine Matris New Wave Best Picture: The Grave Bandits New Wave Special Jury Prize: Ad Ignoratiam New Wave Best Director: Tyrone Acierto for The Grave Bandits Best Visual Effects: Shake, Rattle and Roll 14: The Invasion Best Production Design: Thy Womb Best Editing: Vito Cahilig for One More Try Best Cinematographer: Odyssey Flores for Thy Womb Most Gender Sensitive Award (Mainstream): Thy Womb FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence: One More Try Best Supporting Actor: Cesar Montano for El Presidente Best Supporting Actress: Wilma Doesnt for Sisterakas Best Original Story: Henry Burgos for Thy Womb Best Screenplay: One More Try Best Director: Brillante Mendoza for Thy Womb Gatpuno Villegas Cultural Award: Thy Womb 3rd Best Picture: Sisterakas 2nd Best Picture: El Presidente Best Picture: One More Try Best Actor: Dingdong Dantes for One More Try Best Actress: Nora Aunor for Thy Womb (Source: ph.omg.yahoo.com by Chuck Smith, with reports from Karen Valeza) ‘Sisterakas’ widens lead in the box office After two days in the theaters, the Wenn V. Deramas-directed film Sisterakas, starring Kris Aquino,

Ai Ai de las Alas and Vice Ganda, continues to rank first in the list of the highest-earning film entries to the yearly film festival, two days since all eight participating movies opened Christmas Day in theaters nationwide.

At the close of screening in Metro Manila and provincial theaters last Wednesday, Sisterakas has turned in a nationwide two-day gross of P71.2 million, according to data from the film fest organizer Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The figure is almost double the comedy flick’s total first-day earnings of P39.2 million.

From an approximate lead of P10 million over the fantasy-comedy film Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako after their first day in theaters nationwide, the Star Cinema film is now leading by P23.8 million.

Still ranking no. 2 in the list of nationwide top-grossers as of Wednesday, Si Agimat has turned

in P47.4 million in earnings from Metro Manila and provincial theaters after two days.

Starring Judy Ann Santos, Vic Sotto and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., the movie’s first-day gross nationwide was P29.4 million.

The drama movie, One More Try, starring Dingdong Dantes, Angelica Panganiban, Angel Locsin, and Zanjoe Marudo, managed to turn in more than P10 million on top of its first-day earnings of P13.1 million nationwide.

The Ruel Bayani-directed film, which is also a Star Cinema entry, has grossed P24.3 million in Metro Manila as well as provincial theaters as of Wednesday.

Now on its 14th installment -- its eighth consecutive entry to the annual MMFF -- Shake, Rattle & Roll ranks fourth in the list of secondday top-grossers nationwide. It has so far garnered P16.7 million.

(Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com) (Advertising Supplement)

Keeping one’s name alive through the ages

by Bibsy F. Carballo Philstar.com

In pop culture history, there are a few who have managed to keep their names alive, among them Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and The Beatles. A recent account datelined Nov. 22, 2012 bylined by Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph reporters in the UK, relates that an audition tape for Decca Records, an important relic, has been found in pristine condition

after 50 years.

Last Dec. 5, it was announced that the audition tape was sold at an auction for 35,000 UK pounds (US$56,764 or P2,324,000 million). With two of the members already dead, The Beatles consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr apparently still manage to make waves that help the individual careers of those still alive (Ringo and Paul).

The story of the tape started

The Beatles was the most successful group in popular music

with manager Brian Epstein making numerous trips to London to secure a record deal for the group. Finally, they were auditioned

by Decca producer Tony Meehan on Jan. 2, 1962. Eventually, Decca rejected them which proved to be one of the worst decisions made in music history. Within months, The Beatles signed up with EMI and went on to become the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music.

After enormous popularity dubbed Beatlemania in the early ’60s, The Beatles produced their best works from 1965 onward to include Elvis Presley’s Graceland is declared National Historic Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Landmark Lo n e l y H e a r t s C l u b Band, and Abbey Road. After he lost no time in distributing the their breakup, they continued piece to DJs, and people started successful solo careers. In 1980, calling for the singer’s name.

Fast forward to an immensely John Lennon died after being shot by a deranged fan, and George popular Elvis characterized by Harrison died of lung cancer in recordings, movies, live appearances, wild pelvis gyrating styles, 2001.

Ringo Star continues to be mu- until religious organizations got sically creative, receiving praise in into the picture banning him as 2011 as the Fifth Best Drummer of dangerous. He was also now All Time by Rolling Stone readers. becoming increasingly unwell, Paul McCartney formed the band overdosing on barbiturates and Wings after The Beatles breakup. finally dying of Demerol addicGuinness World Records has tion.

US President Jimmy Carter described him as “The most successful composer and recording credited Presley for having “perartist of all time,” with his Beatles manently changed the face of composition Yesterday as the most American popular culture.” Since his death, there have been nucovered song in history.

If these celebrity Brits man- merous alleged sightings of Elvis aged to keep a relatively quiet leading to a theory that he faked existence for a famous group in his death so he could have peace. show business, the life of their His home Graceland continues to US counterparts would be wild attract half a million visitors annuand woolly, characterized by un- ally, the second most-visited home restrained behavior, exorbitant in the US, a declared National costumes and a known history of Historic Landmark in 2006.

Michael Jackson is recognized addiction.

Elvis Presley known as the King by Guinness as the most successof Rock and Roll was shy and ful entertainer of all time, from unpopular in school, loved black music, dance to fashion for four gospel music and had decided to decades. He has had no privacy become a singer upon graduation. from accusations of child sexual Meantime, Sam Phillips of Sun abuse cases to his changes in Records had stated: “If I could find appearance. While preparing for a white man who had the Negro the concert This Is It, MJ died of sound and the Negro feel, I could cardiac arrest after being given make a billion dollars.” That was an overdose of pain relievers and right down Elvis’ alley, and on the anti-anxiety medicine by his perevening of a session with Sam, sonal physician. Jackson’s death Elvis took his guitar and started triggered a global outpouring of jumping around singing the blues grief, and to this day the Michael number That’s All Right. That was Jackson moves continue to be exactly the sound Sam wanted, so copied but never mastered.

Michael Jackson: No privacy in personal life

Mga halu-halong hula-hula 2013

by Ricardo F. Lo Philstar.com

If somebody tells you that he’s a “trustworthy” friend, crossing his heart and swearing that he hopes to die (if he’s lying), think 10 times because he might actually be stabbing you at the back and secretly putting you down.

Yes, it’s the Year of the (Water) Snake that begins during the Chinese New Year next month. There are snakes not only in the grass but in the asphalt jungle as well.

They often bite the hands that feed Kris Aquino them.

With that gentle New Year reminder/warning done, allow Funfare’s “resident psychic” to dish out his annual halu-halong hula-hula without, unlike most manghuhula, consulting Tarot Cards or a Crystal Ball (but only reviewing his stack of tabs and movie magazines, and recordings of showbiz talk shows…see, easy does it!).

Wide-awake items • Just to beat the boredom (hohum!) in her barren love life, Kris Aquino will pretend to have a new (younger) love but she will soon Vic Sotto get tired of him. (Her ex-husband James Yap will remain discreet about his, uhm, sexcapades.)

• Sarah Geronimo will defy parental control and finally enjoy her often rudely-interrupted love life.

• The network war will be waged even more fiercely, with the Top Two (Kapuso and Kapamilya) holding on to their hot properties so they won’t jump ober da bakod (which was the favorite sport of TV stars in 2012).

• Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna will not get married (yet). What if they do? Then, due to the slight age Sarah Geronimo difference, Pauleen’s dad will have to address Vic as “kuya.” Maybe for convenience, the two men should call each other Bossing (unless Pauleen’s dad prefers to call Vic “Daddy”).

• If plans are pushed through and Willie Revillame’s Wil Time Bigtime (to be retitled Wowowillie) is pitted with Eat, Bulaga! in the noontime slot, guess which one will suffer in the ratings game…what!?!, neither of them two, so which one?

• Spoiler alert: Only 30 percent (or even less) of the actors running in the May elections will win.

• Ormoc Rep. Lucy Torres and Willie Revillame husband, Ormoc City Mayorable Richard Gomez will start their joint venture after the elections — that is, giving their only child Juliana (who’s turning 14 in September) either a brother or a sister.

• With the bright trail paved by the likes of Brillante “Dante” Mendoza, more indie Filipino directors will win awards in international filmfests.

• 2012 was packed full with foreign acts. Expect more of them this year. (Will Madonna finally come?)

• And last but definitely not the least, PNoy will make an overnight star out of a lady (lucky you!) on whom he will take a fancy — fleeting as usual! *** • A controversial couple will “go through troubled waters” and the girl will, as is her wont, tell all against the guy, including what “little else” he keeps.

• More couples will break up, especially those notorious for brazen PDA (Public Display of Affection) and for promising the whole world that they will love each other forever and ever, amen?

• The feuding sisters will not kiss and make up; instead they will resume their word war still on national television.

• A balikbayan actress will admit (at last, at last!) that she and her nonshowbiz husband have actually long called it quits. No need to continue hiding in a wonderland if it’s as blatantly fake as that of the fairy-tale Alice is beautifully real.

• Several prodigal stars who have changed channels will try to return to their old “homes” but so sorry, management won’t be taking them back (serves them right, ‘no?).

• An actress will be deluded into falling for a foreigner, only to discover that she has been duped (ouch!!!).

• A major shake-up will rock a network and heads will roll.

• A young actress will get pregnant out of wedlock and her career will hit a snag. But she might make a successful rebound like other actresses who have committed the same indiscretion.

• As one beauty queen seriously thinks of settling down, another one seriously thinks of junking her boyfriend (as usually happens when one rises in social status and moves in more colorful circles).

• More stars will get entangled in senseless controversies due to their addiction to social networking.

(Warning: No inquiries about the names of those in the “blind items” will be entertained. Funfare’s “resident psychic” himself is clueless. Kaya nga hula-hula, eh, kasi ‘yon na nga — hula lang.)

Janine Tugonon: Wearing Pinoys’...

PAGE B1 These were reportedly some of the words that they had for Janine after she finished as runner up to Olivia Culpo. Miss Indonesia, according to Janine, even cried when the Filipina didn’t win the title.

Despite the loss, Janine is obviously the Miss Universe in our hearts.

Personalities in UST, where she earned her degree in Pharmacy, expressed their support for the Filipina, regardless of the result. UST student publication The Varsitarian quoted UST officials calling Janine as the “real Miss Universe in the hearts of Thomasians.”

“She makes us proud as Thomasians and as Filipinos” said secretary general Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. in an interview with The Varsitarian.

“She showed to the world how a Thomasian is truly elegant. She is my Miss Universe,” said UST Public Affairs chief Giovanna Fontanilla in the school paper.

Homecoming When the Asian Journal caught up with Janine at the McCarran International Airport before her flight to the Philippines, she said that she was happy with the kind of support she received from the Fil-Am community in Las Vegas. With Filipino fans attending even the preliminary events, Janine said that it felt like she never left home.

Janine eagerly looks forward to taking a vacation in Palawan. However, the beauty queen said that she wasn’t sure if she can make the trip because of the engagements that are already lined up for her. She also expressed her openness to entering the showbiz industry, indicating that she intends to sign with ABS-CBN. Though Janine may not have won the crown – what would have been the third for the Philippines after Gloria Diaz (1969) and Margie Moran (1973) – she came home to a warm and supportive welcome from the Filipinos in Manila.

Because of her stellar performance at the global pageant, many little girls and young teens are sure to aspire becoming the next Janine Tugonon.

“You have to believe in yourself,” she said to these young dreamers at a press conference at the Araneta Center. She also said that she would happily teach her signature Cobra Walk to anyone who asked (With reports from Rappler.com, The Varsitarian, and ABS-CBNNews.com)

Entertainment

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • january 3-9, 2013

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Celebrities start and finish 2012 with a bang

by Julie Matienzo-Rodillas AJPress

As 2012 comes to a close, we look back on some of this year’s most unforgettable stories in the world of showbiz.

2012 proved to be a year of good tourism for the Philippines as it gained the world’s recognition with its talented movie makers and actors. International film festivals such as Venice Film Fest was astounded by Direk Brillante Mendoza’s latest masterpiece, Thy Womb.

The film bagged three awards in the Venice Film Fest: Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella or Venezia Cinema prize and the P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention. Set in Tawi-Tawi, the film starred the returning Superstar, Nora Aunor whose performance gained her the Premio della Critica Indipendiente award by an independent critics’ group.

The award was usually given to directors and producers but Nora was the first actor and Filipino to ever receive such recognition.

Aside from film critics, filmmakers also took interest in the Philippines as an ideal location to shoot. Last summer, The Bourne Legacy director Tony Gilroy along with actors Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz headed to the busy streets of the Metro to shoot the actionpacked Bourne Legacy . In an interview with the Inquirer, Renner gushed about the “beautiful” islands of the country and its warm

and welcoming people, who beyond the poverty manage to “have the biggest smiles on their faces.” With choices between Manila, Bangkok and Saigon, Gilroy shared that the infrastructures and the location being ideal to the script were some of the things that made them consider the Philippines as their next location.

Meanwhile, many singer-actresses were recently spotted auditioning for a role in the eyed revival of Miss Saigon in London last November. Out of the many who auditioned, only seven hopefuls made it until the end of the try-outs. Kapuso singer Rachel Ann Go (Disney’s The Little Mermaid), singer-actresses Frencheska Farr (Emir), theater actresses Apple Chui (Rock of Ages) and Tanya Manalang (The King and I), as well as Emerald Bañares, Mary Joy Solomon, and Aicelle Santos are a step away to be cast in the popular play which gained Lea Salonga a Tony award for her portrayal of the lead character, Kim. Local and foreign performers also caused major excitement among fans this year. Last Nov. 26, popular singer-actress and American Idol judge J.LO, packed the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena with screaming fans in her Dance Again World Tour concert. Likewise, Regine Velasquez’s show at the Mall of Asia last Nov. 16 was also full with avid supporters wanting to celebrate with her on her Silver Anniversary concert. Unfortunately the Asia’s Songbird was apparently not at her best when she lost her voice on the night of the concert due to a viral infection. Instead of canceling the show, Regine bravely faced her fans and tearfully apologized that she could not continue singing given her condition. With the help of her friends in the industry, the concert went on and Regine promised her fans a free concert next year. While some still consider the event a shame, Regine saw the unfortunate experience as a lesson and an opportunity to see who really loves her even when she was at her lowest point in life.

Different kinds of scandals made noise this year as caught-on-camera feud were instantly uploaded on Youtube. Who could ever forget the brawl between Ramon Tulfo against the couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barreto caught on tape at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3?

The fight reportedly stemmed from Barreto allegedly scolding an attendant.

A journalist, Ramon Tulfo, took a video of Claudine as she was pouring her rage over the attendant. After seeing the reporter tak-

When the Songbird croaks. Regine will have a repeat of her 25th Anniversary Concert this coming February.

Of horror, badings and controversy at the MMFF 2012

by Bibsy F. Carballo Philstar.com

MANILA—There certainly were surprises at the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) awards night, possibly even more than in past years which gave film buffs and fans more room for discussion and letting off steam which Filipinos love. The biggest surprise was in the race for the box-office with Sisterakas finishing first just as Kris Aquino had predicted, way ahead of its opponent Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako with little chance of trend changing until Jan. 8, last day of the festival.

Not only were box-office figures of the eight entries amazingly different, but they also foretold a change in audience tastes. One More Try won six awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Dingdong Dantes; El Presidente won eight awards including Second Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Ceasar Montano as Bonifacio; Thy Womb won seven awards including Nora Aunor as Best Actress and Brillante Mendoza as Best Director; Sisterakas got the Third Best Picture; Shake, Rattle & Roll 14 won an award for special effects. Sosy Problems, Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako and The Strangers won no award.

This being the season of the horror trend in film, books, including fashion, naturally there was The Strangers, Shake, Rattle & Roll 14 in mainstream and Grave Bandits which won Best Picture and Director in New Wave category. There are also those who would include Sisterakas among the horror trend with Kris Aquino as head witch for having unstintingly predicted the film’s ranking in the competition. “Bruhang babae,” our row mate kept whispering to her companion while watching the fully packed Sisterakas.

Our bading friend, however, has another theory.

He says they are not surprised at Sisterakas’ triumph. Since the gays became accepted in modern-day society and admired for their abilities in the arts and fashion, their population has increased. “Why wouldn’t Sisterakas, the ultimate tribute to kabaklaan not make it as top grosser and Third Best Picture? Why not indeed, we see his point, despite critic Doy del Mundo’s opinion that the performances of the three leads Vice Ganda, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Kris belonged to the “hysterical school of acting,” and dubbed the film as “chaka.”

The macho era of Vic Sotto and Sen. Bong

Revilla has ended. The gays have taken over. The Enteng franchise will need some makeover. Meantime, Kris in her consummate wisdom has stated in an interview that she was so happy with the results but wouldn’t advise a Part Two. “Quit, when you’re ahead,” she supposedly stated.

Still, there are those who wonder why the Best Picture was not Nora’s Thy Womb and instead was One More Try which was simply another update of the very successful sex dramas No Other Woman, A Secret Affair and The Mistress. Obviously, One More The much-talked about scuffle between Try was better acted (Dingdong, Zanjoe Marudo, Raymond and Claudine Santiago against Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban), better di- Ramon Tulfo at NAIA rected (Ruel Bayani) and gave the Christmas crowd a drama option from the sea of comedies and horror films in the line-up. It was the perfect mainstream option to the Nora Aunor starrer Thy Womb that finished last at the box-office.

Of course, they were aware of Nora being the only possible Best Actress in the derby. But we loved both Angel and Angelica’s attack on their individual roles as mother and wife. Star Cinema should have entered both in the supporting actress category and they would have run away with the award.

Even before awards night, internationally acclaimed indie director Brillante Mendoza was ringing up friends to patronize Thy Womb that could possibly be pulled out by theater owners for its poor showing at the tills. The Noranians came in full force to support the film and Nora but it wasn’t enough.

Their head, UP English studies graduate, writer, Ricky Lee workshopper Nestor de Guzman sadly admits it is the audience which hasn’t yet learned to appreciate an art film. We remember Brillante some years back telling us he wasn’t ready to go into mainstream and would do it only on his own terms, which we knew meant no compromises.

He got it in this year’s MMFF and also got what it meant. In her column, Rina Jimenez-David wrote, “One lesson could be is to know one’s audience..

There’s a melodrama embedded somewhere in Thy Womb, and even a message of reproductive health and rights, and I wish Mendoza had relented a bit from his ‘indie’ mindset and allowed ordinary filmgoers a bit more access to the story he wanted to tell.”

Best Actor in New Wave Indie was Allan Paule, Best Actress, Liza Diño.

In her Best Actress acceptance speech, Nora thanked those who watched, saying she will continue making quality films that she herself would produce.

Wedding of the year award goes to Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villaroel

Hollywood actor Jeremy Renner and RachelWeisz during the shooting of‘Bourne Legacy’ in the Philippines

ing a video of her wife, Raymart demanded Ramon to surrender his recorder. When Tulfo allegedly refused, Raymart and his companions were seen kicking and punching a down Tulfo in random parts of his body. The camp of Claudine and Raymart claimed that the video failed to capture that it was Tulfo who made the first assault on Claudine.

The Twitter wars become more rampant this year as the technology advanced. Among the most talked about were the exchange of tweets between Anabelle Rama and Nadia Montenegro that even escalated to the courts filed for cases of libel, among others.

Derek Ramsay’s former beau, Angelica Panganiban,on the other hand, recently aired her sentiments over their breakup also via Twitter. Angelica dared to answer whatever the public asks her about what really caused their split. In one tweet, Angelica was quoted saying, “Napagod na ko magtiis.” Angelica is now seen with Kapamilya actor, John Lloyd Cruz.

This year, Maja Salvador also broke her silence after her rumored split with triathlete actor Matteo Guidicelli. Admittedly, both actors said that they could not find the time to be with each other anymore because of their respective work and different priorities.

Meanwhile, Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legazpi’s flash mob style wedding inspired many bitter hearts that true love can exist. The much awaited wedding was kept secret from Carmina while the father of her twins plot the most romantic proposal-slash-wedding day.

Believing that she and her family were all dressed up for a ice cream commercial shoot, Carmina was surprised when a flash mob danced and Zoren knelt before her with a ring and proposed to her.

It was instantly followed by a civil wedding officiated by Court of Appeals Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier.

2012 was indeed a roller coaster ride for our local celebrities, but all the more reason to look forward to another eventful 2013. (Photos from AP and Philstar.com)

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january 3-9, 2013 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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Marriage fraud will forever bar O ctober 2 0 1 2 – J anuar y 2 0 1 3

Through My Father’s Eyes: The Filipino American Photographs of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado Through My Father’s Eyes: The Filipino American Photographs of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado (1914 – 1976) is a collection of 50 photographs chosen from more than 3,000 discovered by his daughter, Janet Alvarado after his death. This exhibit offers a rare view into the daily life of the Filipino-American community in the post-World War II era in the Bay Area.

Alvarado’s photography was more than a hobby. He photographed weddings, funerals, baptisms, and parties. His ‘view camera,’ a Speed Graphic, documented street scenes, beauty pageants, cock fights, agricultural workers tending crops, and entrepreneurs on the job. The exhibit is at the Gallery in the Pacific Hotel at History Park in Kelley Park. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday 11am to 5pm; the Museum Store and O’Brien’s Café are 11am to 4pm. Gallery admission: Tuesday through Friday is free; Saturday and Sunday: Free for HSJ members, Adults $8, Seniors and Students $5, Children under 6 are free. For more information visit www.historysanjose.org or www.thealvaradoproject.com

2013

Pangasinan Normal School class of ‘63 Golden Reunion Calling all graduates of Pangasinan Normal School of Bayambang Pangasinan Class of ’63. A small group of alums is planning a Golden Reunion in 2013, and would like all other graduates to join in planning and, of course, attending the celebrations in the Philippines. We are excited to get in touch with as many of our cohorts as possible or if you may of some who is a graduate of the class of ’63, please pass this information along to them. If you’re interested and would like to join the thus-far small committee, please contact Engr. Ernie Llanes at (323) 459-4869 (cell) or (323) 661-7745 / email:erniellanespe@pacbell.net. Or call Mina Casipit Valenzuela at (847) 678-4261/email: minav43@gmail.com. We all look forward to getting together after 50 years with everyone and catching up! And please remember that we would like to gather as many graduates as possible, so please pass the information along to anyone you may know.

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Fundraising Reception for Assemblymember Rob Bonta Please Join the Los Angeles Filipino Community and Hildy Aguinaldo, Jun Jao, Menard Leelin, James Santa Maria, Ben Nate, Honorable Mark Pulido, Judith Sethna and Levin Sy for a reception supporting Assemblyman Rob Bonta on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 6 to 8pm at the The Santa Maria Group on 550 S. Hope Street, Suite 1910 - Los Angeles, CA 90071. The ticket prices are as follows: Ticket - $100, Friend - $250, Sponsor - $500, Chair - $1,000. RSVP to (916) 551-1430, or via email at rsvp@bertolina.com. Please make checks payable to Rob Bonta for State Assembly 2012, ID# 1339722, 1005 – 12th Street, Suite H, Sacramento, CA 95814. Online Contributions: https://m.actblue.com/entity/fundraiser/27423

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‘On the Level’ a Masonic Information Night The Los Angeles community is invited to “On The Level,” a masonic information program and open house at the Atwater Larchmont Tila Pass Masonic Lodge at 2927 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles CA 90039 on Jan. 12, 2013 at 6:00 pm. The event is open to men and their families who would like to know more about Masonry or who are interested in membership.

Guest speaker is Dr. Ron Koretz, an alumnus of Caltech and the UCLA School of Medicine and an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center with a specialty in Gastroenterology. WB Ron Koretz is a Past Master and authority in Masonic History and will gladly answer your questions related to Freemasonry. A sumptuous dinner will be served after the presentation.

For reservations please call any of the following: Jonathan Asis WM at (818) 929-2224, George dela Cruz SW at (562) 644-9511, Jimmy Gonzales JW at (310) 408-3377, Gilbert Cabrera PM, Lodge Secretary at (626) 715-8047. General information about the Masons of California is available at www.freemason.org, or you may go to our lodge web site at www. altp614.org

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Bambanense Town Fiesta

Everyone is invited to join the Bambanense Town Fiesta on January 26, 2013, from 12pm to 4pm at the Hilltop Community Park on 9711 Oviedo Way, San Diego, CA 92129. This event will be an annual celebration of our hometown of Bamban, Tarlac. There will be a mass celebration as well as a potluck feast. The fiesta is hosted by the 2012-2013 San Diego Chapter Bambanense Officers. For more information, please get in touch with Arlene Arcilla at (858) 780-0890 or Hazel Esguerra at (805) 822-4095.

45th Year High School Reunion of Holy Angel College Class of 1968

To all members of HAC High School Class 1968 (the “Victors”): Come join us in celebrating our 45th High School Reunion and be a part of Batch ‘68’s history. Let’s prove that after 45 years we remained united and we never forget to look back and pay tribute to our alma mater. Our reunion will be on January 26, 2013, from 1pm - 11pm at the Holy Angel University Main Bldg. Quadrangle in Angeles City, Philippines. For Batch ‘68 members overseas, please contact any of the following to confirm your attendance: Cynthia Ocampo (cynergy1028@yahoo.com, (702) 361-2846, (702) 353-3233; Yolanda Garcia (ybuan.yolanda@gmail. com); Renato Franco (rdpfranco@gmail.com); Albilio Lansangan, Jr. (jun.lansangan@gmail. com).

Immigation Corner Atty. Maria Rita Reyes-Stuby IT is human nature to take risks. We take chances simply because there is hope for a good unexpected outcome in a major decision we make. Caution must be taken, however, if the risk taking is induced by a very compelling desire to obtain a specific result out of necessity. This is the very familiar Filipino concept, “kapit sa patalim”.

I met Lourdes at the early part of my practice on a consultation about the denial decision of a petition filed by her US-citizen husband. She was desperate because leaving her husband and newborn baby behind in the US if she is deported, would be unbearable. I wondered how she could have been denied when she and her husband have a traditional marriage.

It turns out, seven years ago she was found guilty of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud with her

Last month, the world happily welcomed the lucky date 12-12-12.

Never again will this triple Philip S. Chua, 12 occur withMD, FACS, FPCS in a thousand years. Also, as our iPhone 5 non-Mayan calendar had predicted, the world did not come to an end on 12-21-12. And since we, including the perplexed survivalists, are all still here and were able to witness the year 2012 coming to a close and the new year beginning, let us review some of the top health issues of the past year of challenges.

Soft drinks: Very harmful Those who consume any type of soft drinks (cola or uncola, diet or regular, caffeine-free or not), especially children, are prone to develop metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions (obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack).

As I have emphasized in my health book, Let’s Stop “Killing” Our Children, soft drinks, which I call “liquid candies,” are most unhealthy for everyone, especially for the kids. A study at the University of Miami/Columbia University showed that “the risk of heart attack and stroke was 43 percent greater among those who drank diet soda at least once a day.” Even the non-diet soft drinks, as we stated above, are harmful. Lately, a study showed that drinking soft drinks increases the risk for, and aggravates, osteoarthritis, especially of the knees.

West Nile Virus Infection There were more than 235 deaths among the total of 5,207 West Nile Virus infection, as of November 20, 2012, in the entire United States.

Fifty one percent of them were neuroinvasive (meningitis and encephalitis). Other countries, like the Philippines, also had their share of this viral infection.

Meningitis outbreak from steroid shots Fungal meningitis that killed two dozen persons, who had steroid shots, was determined to

Health@Heart

Cayetano Arellano (Manila North) High School 68th Grand Alumni Homecoming

Tayo na sa Arellano! Rekindle the fire of long-lost friendships and re-connect with high school classmates. And create new, exciting memories! GREEN means GO! The Cayetano Arellano High School Class of 1963 (Golden Jubilee) and Class of 1988 (Silver Jubilee) invites the entire Cayetano Arellano High School alumni community to the 68th Grand Alumni Homecoming on February 10, 2013, to be held in Manila, Philippines. Jubilee tickets are now available for USA and Canada residents! Please contact the 2013 Arellano Homecoming Team via email at Arellano63@yahoo.com or Heartzone@aol.com or via telephone at (818) 281-8105.

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General Roxas Elementary / Manuel Roxas High School Reunion

Members of the alumni communities of General Roxas Elementary School and Manuel Roxas High School are all invited to the upcoming reunion on February 16 – 23 2013 at the Gen. Roxas Elementary School in Roxas District, Quezon City. For more information, you may contact Rene Aquino (based in Florida, USA) at araquino@cfl.rr.com or +1(407) 699-9522, or Ruby Ferniz (based in the Philippines) at rubyferniz@yahoo.com or +(632)345-2464.

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Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Global Reunion – Las Vegas, 2013 The Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Association of Nevada invites you to the 9th Biennial Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Global Reunion in Las Vegas. The event will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 6pm until 12mn at the Tuscany Hotel and Casino on 255 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169. For more information, contact Alex Pena at (702) 373-9522 or adpena@ cox.net.

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Ledesma Clan Family Reunion in Bacolod, Victorias, and Silay, Philippines Calling all Ledesmas! Come join and meet relatives at our first-ever grand family reunion to be held next year in Bacolod, Victorias and Silay, Philippines. Reunion dates are May 24 – 26, 2013. All Ledesma branches are invited to attend. You are one of 6K descendants so come and meet the rest of your relatives. For more details, contact the media committee at 09178843349, 09173607234, gowhenever@yahoo.com or dodo_flores@yahoo.com. Facebook page is Familia Ledesma of Jaro, Iloilo. Continuous updates are posted.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

be caused by contaminated injectable steroid prepared by the Massachusetts pharmacy compounder, the New England Compounding Center (NECC) near Boston. The company and its principal are facing criminal charges and multiple law suits from families of those victims, who got the shot for back pains and other non-serious illnesses.

E. Coli in Organic Spinach E. Coli, germs found in human feces, were detected in Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend salad produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts, which caused multiple outbreaks in the USA. This was confirmed by DNA “fingerprinting” of E. Coli bacteria by the US Food and Drug Administration in the period between October 18th to November 3rd. Of the 24 victims, two had hemolytic uremic kidney failure. No deaths reported. August-September 2012 also witnessed the alarming cantaloupe contamination in the USA, which led to Listeriosis that sickened 55 and killed eight people in 14 States, who developed encephalitis and meningitis. The contaminated cantaloupes were traced to the Jensen Farm’s Rocky Ford brand from a Denver area store and from equipment and cantaloupes at the Jensen packing plant.

Green coffee? Or, tea?

Now competing with the popular health drink, Green Tea, is Green Coffee, which, the manufacturers claim, has Chlorogenic Acid, supposedly good for weight and blood sugar control. This acid is reduced greatly when coffee beans are roasted, according to these companies. I cannot find genuine scientific studies to confirm any of these claims. In the meantime, I will stick to my black coffee and green or red raspberry teas. And my Bluetooth.

Carbs/Sugar and Brain Damage A Mayo Clinic study showed that “seniors who consume lots of carbohydrates and sugars are at increased risk (1.5 to 1.9 times higher) for mild cognitive impairment, which includes problems with memory, language, thinking and judgment,” early signs of Alzheimer’s, compared to those PAGE B5

2013: A new beginning

Filipino American Educators Association Conference

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combination, I must say.

Under US immigration rules, the subsequent spousal or other petition filed for an alien previously found to have committed marriage fraud shall be denied based on such finding alone, even though the second marriage is legitimate and valid. The US immigration office will not even proceed to evaluate the validity of the second marriage, unless the alien-spouse can rebut the previous finding of a fraudulent marriage by strong, compelling evidence.

In effect, it does not matter that one made a previous mistake by entering into a fake marriage and now found her true love. The US immigration office will not disregard the fraud that she committed seven years ago. Taking risks is one thing; gambling one’s life away is another. *** Maria Rita Reyes-Stuby is a licensed attorneyinMichigan.Sheisagraduateof theUniversityofthePhilippinesCollege of Law. She is also a licensed attorney in the Philippines. She specializes in immigration practice. Please call 702403-4704 or email stubylaw@aol.com for any questions on this article.

Top health issues of 2012

F ebruar y 1 , 2 0 1 3 The Filipino American Educators Association of California (FAEAC) will be holding a statewide conference in Sacramento, CA. The theme is BUILDING SHARED KNOWLEDGE TO INSPIRE & EMPOWER: Sharing the Filipino-American Experience. The conference will be held from February 1 to 3, at The Citizen Hotel on 926 J Street, Sacramento, CA.

first US-citizen husband. It was a “fixed” marriage to obtain a green card. The US immigration officer found after the marital interview that the evidence submitted - a lease agreement and utility bills - were not sufficient to overcome the doubt and discrepancy borne out of their response to questions pertaining to the more important aspects of being married, such as, who usually takes the first bath in the morning, whether the couple plan to have a child in the near future, whether contraceptives are used, where the salt-shaker is placed in the house or if there is a salt-shaker at all and many other questions which may sound trivial but revealing of how two people live together as a married couple.

During that interview seven years ago, her US-citizen husband was caught in a lie and eventually admitted to marrying Lourdes out of pity and for the perks of living with her like free board and lodging.

It is sad because now that Lourdes has found her true love she is precluded from applying for the spousal benefit. Seven years ago, she was desperate to have a green card and did something to obtain one. She took the risk based on a compelling need to stay in this country. A dangerous

By Monet Lu

2013 is here and this time I want to share wonderful things that I’ve rediscovered by renewing ties with my faith, my family and meeting new friends.

This is a tribute to them and to where I came from.

I have found new and real appreciation through a program that helped me redesign my way of life.

Everyone who belongs to a family knows that any drama within a clan can be very complicated.

Sometimes, we act out on our differences through miscommunication, arguments and resentment. But after all that’s said and

done, in time of crisis and needs, our families are there to support us -- whether we are down on our knees or experiencing a triumphant moment.

In life and in every relationship like marriage and friendship, we will all experience these differences and problems.

Within my own family, we naturally have issues with each other. We have arguments and different opinions.

There are times that we don’t talk to each other for weeks.

Last Christmas, we had a family reunion where we reminisced about our childhood, growing up in Philippines.

A brother and some of my sisters are based in the Philippines, Hawaii, Canada and Seattle.

Through modern technology we recall our early days in a household of 13 members, headed by a strict but understanding Chinese

father.

Everything was going great for us financially, until that fateful day, when our grocery store (the family’s sole livelihood) and our house burned to the ground.

I can still remember feeling so helpless, as I watched the raging flames devour the family property. It was heartbreaking for us and for my father, who worked hard to build our business. He was never the same after that devastating loss. It will be forever etched in my memory.

My parents had to start from scratch, while taking care of 11 children, with me being the 7th child. My mother became the breadwinner. It’s interesting how a crisis can bring people closer together.

At the tender age of 12 , I had to help my mother sell chickens at the market. I quit high school PAGE B5

Features

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Your Immigration Solution

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • january 3-9, 2013

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Resolve to solve your immigration problems in 2013

THE year 2013 is almost upon us and it is time to look forward and make plans for the upcoming year. Will 2013 be the year Atty.RobertReeves you resolve your immigration problems? Will 2013 be the year you consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration firm about your immigration rights in the US? The future for immigrants in the US is full of hope. Obtaining permanent resident status or becoming a US citizen is a distinct possibility for many people. However, too many people are afraid to confront their immigration problems and seek help. Many of these people mistakenly believe that their case is hopeless because they entered the US under an assumed name, or because they overstayed their allowable time in the US by several years. Other people mistakenly believe they have no options because their US citizen spouse has died, or they are simply afraid to apply for US citizenship because of a prior criminal conviction. Regardless of a person’s individual circumstances, what everybody has in common is that they have created a life for themselves in the US and they want to continue that life.

However, since problems don’t resolve themselves, continuing to live in the US may only be possible if you confront your immigration problem. The first step is to consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney.

A good immigration lawyer will be able to tell the non-citizen

what options are available to them. Relief is available for many immigration problems. In fact, thanks to certain changes in 2012, more help is now available than it has been in many years.

One big developments in 2012 was the creation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DACA is targeted to young people that were brought to the US by their parents before they turned 16-years-old. If a person qualifies for DACA, they will be entitled to deferred action and work authorization for two years.

A second major change concerns the Child Status Protection Act (CPSA). In an exciting victor y for Reeves & Associates and the members of the class action, the 9th Circuit, the court found that, under CSPA, derivative beneficiaries may recapture the earlier priority date of petitions filed for their parents. This ruling holds great promise for the reunification of parents and children.

There are also many other immigration problem where relief may be available. Non-citizens who entered with a false name in their passport may be eligible for a waiver of that misrepresentation if they have a parent or spouse who is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. The non-citizen must show that their parent and/or spouse will suffer “extreme hardship” if the non-citizen is forced to return to their home country.

Another common problem occurs when some people obtain their green card by lying about their marital status. Here, again, it may be possible to obtain a waiver if the non-citizen has a parent, spouse, or son or daughter who is a US citizen or lawful

permanent resident. They may be able to keep their green cards and even become US citizens if they can show that they have more favorable than unfavorable facts in their case.

Waivers are also available for both green card holders and those with no status who have criminal convictions.

However, you can’t receive any of these benefits if you don’t apply for them and you can’t apply for them if you don’t know they exist. The only way to know if you qualify for an immigration benefit is to consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney.

Hopefully 2013 will bring far reaching beneficial changes for immigrants. But some immigrants need not need to wait any longer. Existing law may afford them an avenue for relief that will help them keep their resolution to resolve their immigration problem in 2013! *** Atty. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigration cases that have set new policies regarding INS action and immigrants’ rights. His offices are located in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City.

Telephone: (800) 795-8009 E-mail: immigration@rreeves.com Website: www.rreeves.com. *** The analysis and suggestions offered in this column do not create a lawyer-client relationship and are not a substitute for the personalized representation that is essential to every case.

(Advertising Supplement)

Top health issues of...

2013: A new beginning

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with the lowest intake of carbs and sugars.

A new experimental drug, bapineuzumab (Pfizer and J&J), is unable to cure Alzheimer’s but shows promise in slowing down the amyloid plaque formation among these patients, “before the brain is actually damaged and memory loss has occurred.” Lily has a similar drug, called solanezumab. More clinical investigations are ongoing.

Orchid Award for RP The prestigious inter national Orchid Award was bestowed upon the Philippines, “for excluding the National Tobacco Administration from the official delegation to the 5th Conference of Parties (COPS) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which opened in Korea last month. Prior to this, the Philippines had been perceived to be staunch supporter of the tobacco industry.

It’s about time for us to start being a healthier nation and help stop the senseless deaths from tobacco-related illnesses.

Coconut oil is saturated fat!

The Mayo Clinic listed coconut oil, along with red meats, palm oil, and dairy products as “major sources of saturated fats.” The following are some of the items loaded with killer trans-fats: deep-fried fast foods, bakery product s, packaged snack foods, margarines and crackers.

DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is low-fat, lowcholesterol, low-salt, mainly fish, occasional lean meat, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, a diet good for the cardiovascular system to lessen the risk for heart attack and stroke.

And cancer too!

Diabetes can be reversed G re at n e ws : d i a b e te s c a n b e reversed! The recommendations for everyone and especially for those with borderline blood sugar level (pre-diabetics) are a low-carbohydrate, low cholesterol diet of low glycemic index foods, high-fiber, plant-based, vegetables, beans, some whole grains, nuts, some fruits, and fish and chicken breasts, instead of red meat. Daily exercise that makes you sweat, like brisk walking, biking, swimming, for half an hour, 7 days a week, is essential. And so with weight control. This strategy has effectively reversed countless diabetes and has saved millions around the globe. All without medications. Just discipline and resolve.

Alzheimer’s: Type 3 diabetes?

As most people know, there are two types of diabetes, 1 and 2. But researchers are beginning to think Alzheimer ’s could be Type 3 diabetes, since it is “marked by brain insulin resistance and corresponding inflammation,” according to a study at Rhode Island Hospital published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The insulin resistance prevents proper lipid metabolism, which results in lipid build-up in the brain, leading brain cell damage and dementia.

Red Meats and Cancer Studies have shown that eating red meats (pork, beef, etc) and processed meats (hot dogs, bacon, hamburgers, etc) increases the risk for colorectal cancer, and barbequed red meats, especially with charcoal-burned parts of it, the risk for pancreatic cancer. The saturated fats in these meats raised blood cholesterol and the risk for heart attack and stroke. Even the death rate from all other diseases in general is higher among those who eat red meats regularly, compared to those who eat fish, vegetables, nuts, and fruits.

May my “prediction” that your new year will be filled with love, good health, peace, and prosperity come true! *** P h i l i p S . C h u a , M D, FAC S , F P C S , Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society.

He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

to pursue dressmaking and fashion design.

Me and my mom kept it from my father for a while.

I was 17 years old when I started sewing prom dresses, bridal gowns and costumes for my classmates.

Through dressmaking, I discovered my passion for hairstyling and beauty.

I would practice different hairstyles on market vendors, neighbors and nieces, as well as my sisters. I would sometimes charge a fee, but most of the time, my service was free. I learned the craft by doing as much as I could.

Being a precocious 17-year-old, I had moments when I behaved badly. I had lots of alcohol, drugs and stayed up late -- sleeping in the morning with a hangover. That’s why father kicked me out of the family home, which made me truly believe that things happen for a reason. God has a plan for me and from that time on, I found the true meaning of hard work and perseverance.

It was another life lesson learned. I became independent and resilient. I learned how to work hard to prove to myself and my parents that I can be successful on my own.

At 22, I was able to put up four salons in the Philippines. When the opportunity came to relocate to Los Angeles, California when I was 26 years old, I took it because I wanted to challenge myself. I worked as busboy, flipped burgers at McDonald’s, worked as a salon assistant and now, I’m a beauty entrepreneur.

Life was great but I was drowned by partying, fame and success. I made some bad decisions because of self-seeking, insecurity

and pride, which led me to failure. I forgot to put God in the center of my life.

After years of hardships and pain, I finally surrendered and realized that I am powerless and need help to reconnect with my God. He saved me and gave me back what I lost and more -- a mentor and a group of people who understand me.

They helped me identify my faults and character defects, and taught me how to live one day at a time. I have now reached the present, practicing daily gratitude and being of service to another fellow.

I have learned to accept life on life’s terms. Prayer and daily meditation help me reconnect to a higher power. He guides me to this journey called life. It’s progress, not perfection.

Through it all, the biggest factor that drove me to always get up when I fall were: my faith and belief, my loved ones, my family and true friends.

For these, I thank God for a blessed 2012 and I look forward to a new beginning.

Happy New Year to you and may the grace and the true spirit of the holiday be with you always.v *** MonetLuisaMarikina-born,award-winningcelebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons acrossSouthernCaliforniaandLasVegas,Nevada.Ultimately,Monetisknownasanall-aroundartistewhoproduces sold-outfashionandawardsshowsaswellasunforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionaryall-naturalbeautyproductssuchasEnlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visitwww.monetsalon.comoremailhimatmonetsalon@ aol.com

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january 3-9, 2013 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Entertainment

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OMB pushes anti-piracy campaign worldwide The thing about Amanda Seyfried MANILA—Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Ronnie Ricketts has vowed to strengthen its Zero Piracy Campaign, especially with the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in full swing.

In a report by ABS-CBN News, Ricketts said that while their information campaign by means of distributing shirts and button pins has been effective, it is the cooperation of Muslim merchants in Quiapo that will reduce the proliferation of pirated CDs of MMFF entries.

According to the OMB chair, the agency has been in constant communication with Quiapo Muslim leader Camad Pangandaman and that they have been cooperative with the campaign.

“Tuluy-tuloy (pa din) ang pag ikot natin hanggang matapos ‘yung festival,” Ricketts said.

In a separate interview aired in

by Ricardo F. Lo Philstar.com

Philstar.com photo

TV Patrol recently, Ricketts said OMB also aims to solve piracy of Pinoy films abroad.

“Piracy is not just a local problem, it’s a worldwide problem.

With TFC (The Filipino Channel) partnering with us, yung message namin will be sent all over the

world,” he explained.

Meanwhile, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino has announced their target gross for this year’s MMFF. He sees a P700M gross at the end of the festival, what with the entries’ quality and combination.

What a Gangnam year it was! (A quick look at how showbiz ‘galloped’ in 2012) Korean pop star Psy set the tone and the mood of the year, prompting people from all walks of life the world over to dance the way he did, hitting one-billion mark among viewers of his YouTube calisthenics horseback-riding style.

Showbiz denizens “galloped” along with Psy, too — and how!

Here’s a quick, misty-eyed look at the events that made the past 12 months a record-breaker: Baby Boom: Precious Lara Quigaman (left, with husband Marco), Katrina Halili (above, with boyfriend Kris Lawrence) and Pia Guanio (far left, with husband Steeve Mago), first moms; and Krista Ranillo (above, left, to her and husband Niño Jefferson Lim’s second baby).

Knots were tied: Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi (top, left) made official their years of living contentedly, and so did Sherilyn Reyes and Chris Tan (above, left). Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad (top, right) opened the year by walking down the aisle at a garden wedding. Precious Lara Quigaman (above, right) was expecting when she married Marco Alcaraz at a Christian garden wedding in Tagaytay. GMA reporters Raffy Tima and Mariz Umali (above) were the last couple to jump onto the marriage bandwagon.

Star-Studded Campaign Trail: Among those running in May’s elections: Incumbent Senators Chiz Escudero and Loren Legarda, and first-timers Grace Poe-Llamanzares and San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito, for the Senate; Rep. Manny Pacquiao (Sarangani), Aga Muhlach (Camarines Sur), Annabelle Rama (Cebu), Imelda Papin (Bulacan), Christopher de Leon

(Batangas), Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad, Ormoc City Lucy Torres, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, for Congress; Lito Camo, for board member (2nd District, Oriental Mindoro); Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito, for reelection; Jinkee Pacquiao (Sarangani), Jolo Revilla (Cavite), Daniel Fernando (Bulacan, reelection), for vice governor; Former Pres. Joseph Estrada (Manila), Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista (for reelection), Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan (for reelection), Rizal Gov. Jun Ynares (Antipolo City), Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla (for reelection), Richard Gomez (Ormoc City) and Patrick de la Rosa (Baco, Oriental Mindoro), for mayor; and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Manila Councilor Lou Veloso, for vice mayor. And scores for councilor in different parts of the country.

Farewells: Dolphy, Mario O’Hara, Marilou DiazAbaya, Celso Ad. Castillo and Angelo Castro.

Breakout Stars: Among them: Neil Coleta , Richard Yap, Paulo Avelino, Alden Richards, Daniel Padilla, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Edgar Allan Guzman and JM de Guzman in indie films.

Lovebirds: Sen. Chiz Escudero and Heart Evangelista, Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna, Jolo Revilla and Jodi Santamaria, John Lloyd Cruz and Angelica Panganiban, Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati, Rhian Ramos and KC Montero, and Ai-Ai de las Alas and Jed Salang.

Ex-Lovebirds: Heart Evangelista and Daniel Matsunaga, Kris Aquino and James Yap (marriage finally annulled), John Lloyd Cruz and Shaina Magdayao, Derek Ramsay and Angelica Panganiban, and Lian Paz and Paolo Contis. (Philstar.com)

Ryza Cenon looks forward to a fruitful 2013

by Bot Glorioso Philstar.com

MANILA—Guest roles have been on her plate lately that Ryza Cenon is now being teased as the rightful holder of the title “Pambansang Guest.” You see, Ryza usually enters in the middle of a drama show. She appeared as Ashley Alvarez in last year’s GMA 7 soap Luna Blanca and played Grace Santos in Aso Ni San Roque. Another guest role assignment up her sleeve is the Sandra Sebastian character in the afternoon prime Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga. Ryza, who portrayed the female lead in the TV remake of Machete years back, laughs in approval. She is neither upset nor bothered with the tag. She accepts every acting assignment with a positive outlook. “As long as I have work, I’m happy because it means I’m blessed. There are lots (of artists) who do not have work so thankful na ko na sa bawat bagong show, pinapasok nila ko,” she says.

It’s tough, Ryza adds, for an actor to wait for the next project to come. She, herself, had experienced a three-month break from the acting scene, but Ryza refused to just hang around and be idle.

Instead, she thought of investing her savings on things worthy and could possibly gain enough income. She first decided to buy

Philstar.com photo

a 160-sq.meter lot in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. “Since I’m now living alone, I need to buy a house for myself, so I bought a lot first and next is the construction of the house.”

She, too, ventured into some businesses. One is Soy Feroz, an online-based fashion shop for women where Ryza created some designs and uploaded them on the Net. “I started doing my own designs because it seemed to me that the cut and style of most dresses are one and the same, so I came up with an idea of putting out something unique, para kakaiba naman.”

She and a partner have been a cce p t i n g o rd e r s o n l i n e for months now, and so far, “it is doing good. Aside from the various designs, our price is very affordable. A dress usually costs less

than a thousand.”

Ryza also joins her aunt and a cousin in running Rebel‘s Kitchen, a catering business that provides services for all occasions.

She shares that they recently catered to Mark Herras’ birthday celebration.

“I know how to cook. Perhaps I got it from my mom (who passed away when she was two years old) and my lola. I can also whip up desserts, masarap din akong gumawa ng cupcakes.”

Although her businesses are picking up these days, acting is still Ryza’s top priority. “It’s my job and I miss doing full-time drama acting. Hopefully, 2013 will be a busy year for me.”

Aside from her regular show Bubble Gang, the GMA Artist Center talent is set to star in the GMA prime epic-serye Indio.

Asked if she is willing to pose sexy for a men’s magazine, Ryza replies, “I was offered to pose for a men’s magazine before but since I grew up with my lola, I felt hesitant. Now, I told my handler, ‘Let’s make a deal, give me a show na akin talaga then I will pose (sexy for a men’s mag).’”

Does it mean she will no longer stick to wholesome roles? “I have already played a mature role before as the mistress of Tonton (Gutierrez). So I can do any role that will be given to me.”

TOKYO — At a function room of Ritz Carlton which provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, with Mt. Fuji looming yonder, Amanda Seyfried is regaling Asian journalists wide-eyed with anecdotes from the set of Les Miserables (a.k.a. Les Mis or Les Miz), her favorite musical of all time in which she plays Cosette, the young daughter of Fantine (played by Anne Hathaway).

She’s such a darling, her big beautiful eyes turning even bigger when she recounts that as a schoolgirl, she played Cosette at a recital and started dreaming the dream (to paraphrase Fantine’s signature song) of one day being part of the bigger picture, even if, she says, she would have to sell her soul for it. Luckily, she didn’t have to.

Directed by Tom Hopper (who helmed the Oscar-winner The King’s Speech) and co-produced

by Cameron Mackintosh (who also produced the musical on stage) with Working Title Films, Les Miz also stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, newcomer Samantha Barks as Eponine, Eddie Redmayne (of My Week with Marilyn fame) as Marius, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier.

Trivia: Inspired by Victor Hugo’s 150-year-old tale about a group of students, immigrants and insurrectionists who barricaded parts of Paris demanding for change amidst economic inequality (with Occupy Wall Street as the present-day version), Les Miz is said to have been seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and in 21 languages around the world and, after 28 years, continues to draw record crowds.

Of course, fans remember Amanda from such films as Mean Girls (with Lindsay Lohan among her co-stars), Dear John (based on the Nicholas Sparks bestseller, with Channing Tatum) and Chloe (a thriller, with Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson), but she’s well-loved for her role as Sophie (daughter of Meryl Streep’s character Donna) in the film adaptation of the hit musical Mamma Mia! It has been an exciting musical journey for you from Mamma Mia! to Les Miz (to be shown nationwide starting Jan. 16, 2013, released by Solar Entertainment Films).

“Oh yes, it was!”

At 15, you played Cosette in a school play. And now you’re playing Cosette as a professional actor.

You must feel awesome!

“Yes, awesome! It’s like if you want something bad enough, you will get it…that if you have enough of a dream, I think anything can come back around you.

After her breakout musical role as Sophie (daughter of Meryl Streep’s character Donna) in MammaMia!,AmandaSeyfriedtacklesanothermusically-challengingroleasCosetteinLes Miserables, which she describes as ‘a dream come true’

Les Miz has always been my absolute favorite show. It’s influential to all ages. In school, I played Cosette for only one night, for a recital for our voice class. When I learned that they were filming the musical, I said I would sell my soul to be in it. It’s really a dream come true.”

When was the first time you saw Les Miz onstage and what was its impact on you?

“I was 11 years old and I was sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time. My mom recalled seeing me sitting still from beginning to end. So you can tell that I was blown away. At that time, I was attracted to the Eponine role because she’s about my age in the story, and for years I was singing On My Own for years and years and years after that. I was so obsessed with the song.”

You and the other members of the cast performed the singing parts live. How did you prepare for it?

“You just have to exercise your voice; it needs to be conditioned for that kind of singing. You know, I started singing when I was 17 consistently and I took voice lessons. In the movie, we sing live so you just have to be in the moment. So it definitely required a lot of preparation, a lot of practice and a lot of vocal exercising day in and day out. So…it’s hard.

I really do feel that everybody is so, so unbelievable…Anne, Hugh, Russell…that when I come on the screen I’m just like, ‘I don’t wanna hear it!’ I do lack certain strength, which I think I would love to have one day which is why I’m still taking voice lessons.”

What part of the movie made you cry? There are so many touching scenes, you know.

“It’s such a dramatic story, it’s really dark, the music is really special and you can’t help but be moved by it. The movie captures everything that the fans love about the stage production and infuses the story with more depth.

It’s so very intimate that you can experience what the characters are experiencing.

Oh yes, the whole movie made me cry and not just one part did it. It’s the whole of it!

By the way, funny but I cried so much during the filming of the death scene but when I watched it I didn’t cry. It’s just weird. Maybe because I shot that scene so many times.”

Anne lost 25 pounds and cut her hair for Fantine.

Did you lose anything for Cosette?

“No.” (Laughs) “I still have my hair, I still weigh the same and I gained a lot, though, a lot of…(Thinks awhile)…life experience.”

How much would you sacrifice for a role?

Hmmm, like losing weight and losing my hair? I don’t know anything about that. I guess I’m very sensitive to those kinds of things, so I’m not sure if I’d do it. Doing that is a testament to how strong your body really is. I appreciate actors who can do that. I don’t see anything in my future that will require me to…you know, chop off my hair or losing weight. When I saw Anne with short hair, I told her, ‘I’m jealous of your haircut!’

I think Anne was very traumatized losing her hair. She was nervous.

I mean, it’s just hair but at the same time it becomes part of your identity.”

Speaking of life, what lesson did you learn from working with such great co-stars and from the movie? “ That no matter how much experience you have as an actress or whatever, and whatever the accolades that you have achieved, there’s always a way that things can be leveled. I’ve just worked with wonderful actors who are good people, and we became a closely-knit team, and through all the challenges we were so supportive of one another and that comes through in the movie.

The movie kind of kept all of us grounded. I also learned from Fantine through Anne Hathaway that no matter how miserable your surroundings and the elements are, as long as you are grateful for the experience you can overcome anything. In the barricade scene, you can see Anne weathering away and Hugh is still on diet, they are standing freezing in the cold, and really it’s so exciting to be part of that scene.”

Fame and fortune have a way of sweeping stars off their feet. How do you keep yourself grounded?

“Well, I have really cool aspects in my life. Yes, I have a life outside of my career. I have my family and friends who will be there no matter what. I have a lot of hobbies...

I knit, I exercise, I play the piano and I do a lot of other things.

My schedule is always very jampacked. I have a lot of things to do so I don’t get bored. I’m only bored when I’m on the set, when they’re taking too long to set up a shot. Otherwise, I’m very happy.

And more important, I think is that I don’t move or look around feeling like an actor. I get a lot of time off my work and that keeps me grounded.”

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People and Events

The Kalahi Philippine Folkloric Ensemble shared the Christmas spirit, with their vocal and dance ensembles, when it partook in the celebration of the Misa de Gallo at the Our Lady of LasVegas Catholic Church last December 23.The hymns of Christmas was under the guidanceandtrainingoftheensemblechoirmasterBasilFernandez.Kalahi’smissionistopreserveandpromotethePhilippineculture so it may continue to thrive and enrich the local community socially, economically and spiritually. Photo by Ron Udalve

Las Vegas Philharmonic to perform for over 13,000 schoolchildren and showcase young Las Vegas musicians Over 13,000 fourth and fifth graders from 115 Las Vegas schools will experience a free symphony orchestra performance this month when the Las Vegas Philharmonic presents its 14th annual Youth Concert Series. This year’s series consists of eight concerts held over four days, Friday, January 11, Monday, January 14, Tuesday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 16 in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The concerts will be led by guest conductor, Taras Krysa and feature winners of the Philharmonic’s Young Artists’ Concerto Competition as soloists.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform two concerts daily at 10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. with each concert attended by 1,650 children. Since its inception in 1999, the Las Vegas Philharmonic has introduced close to 150,000 young people to classical music through this series and it remains an extremely popular program. Despite increasing to four days and eight concerts this year from three days and six concerts, 21 schools had to be turned away as they could not be accommodated.

The continued and expanded funding of the Youth Concert Series remains a priority for the Las Vegas Philharmonic and will be a major focus at its annual ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ Gala being held on Friday, January 18 at Caesars Palace.

“The Youth Concert Series is one of the most visible and tangible ways in which the Las Vegas Philharmonic truly engages with our community,” says President & CEO, Jeri Crawford. “From its beginning the Las Vegas Philharmonic has felt compelled to promote music education in schools and we are thrilled to be able to introduce thousands of young children to live classical music and to the concert hall experience through this series.

While it is exciting to be able to expand this series to eight concerts in Reynolds Hall this season, it is also heartbreaking that we have to turn schools

down for this program. We would, of course, like to bring as many children into the concert hall as possible and it is our hope to raise funds to expand upon this program for future seasons.”

In addition to bringing children to concerts, the Youth Concert Series also brings music into the participating schools’ curriculum. Clark County elementary music teachers create classroom materials based on the music that is going to be performed at the concerts so that by the time the children reach the concert hall, they know about the music they are going to hear and about how a symphony orchestra works.

The Youth Concert Series also provides young musicians with an exceptional performance opportunity by having the winners of the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s annual Young Artists’ Concerto Competition perform as soloists. In January, five young Las Vegas musicians will perform with the orchestra at these concerts. They will also be honored onstage at the Masterworks Series ‘Rising Star’ concert on Saturday, January 12.

This year’s Young Artists’ Concerto Competition performers are: Pianist Artem Aleksanyan, 17, CSN High School; Pianist Aida Badalian, 16, Odyssey Charter School; Violinist Liam Mansfield, 16, Las Vegas Academy; Violinist Emily Richardson, 12, Bob Miller Middle School; and percussionist John Melton, 17, Las Vegas Academy.

“For these young musicians, the Youth Concert Series provides an amazing opportunity to perform in a world-class concert hall with a full, professional symphony orchestra. It is also a wonderful way to show the children in the audience that classical music is not only performed by adults, but also by young people not much older than they are which helps to engage them further. It is important to us to not only entertain young audiences but to inspire them,” says Ms. Crawford.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree Recycling your tree helps ensure the sustainability of our community by saving valuable landfill space. When chipped into mulch, cut trees become valuable organic material used in landscaping projects that help conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy. There is no charge for this service.

Before dropping off your tree, remove all non-organic objects such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments and nails. Foreign objects can contaminate the mulch and ruin the chipper. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

Tree Pick Up 1-800-GOT-JUNK will pick up trees from homes for $30. The fee includes removal of tree and cleanup of pine needles. The tree will then be dropped off at one of the designated recycling drop-off locations.

The service is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the Christmas Tree Recycling program season. Customers can call 1-800-468-5865 (1-800GOT-JUNK) 24 hours a day to schedule a pick up, or book online at 1800GOTJUNK.com.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • january 3-9, 2013 B11

B12 january 3-9, 2013 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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