San Franciso - Bay Area January 4, 2013

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More fiscal battles loom despite deal

President Barack Obama waves as he gets off Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013. The president is back in Hawaii for vacation after a tense, end-of-the-new-year standoff with Congress over the fiscal cliff.

AP photo

FIRST TRADING DAY OF 2013. Philippine Stock Exchange President and CEO Hans Sicat, second from right, gestures as PSE treasurer Ma. Vivian Yuchengco rings the bell to signal the start of the first day of trading at Philippine Stock Exchange in Makati City last Jan. 2, 2013. Stock markets in Asia registered relief over the US congressional vote to stop hundreds of billions of dollars in automatic tax increases and spending cuts that risked plunging the world’s biggest economy into recession.

AP photo

DATELINE

Financial markets around the world are celebrating the climactic New Year’s agreement to avert scheduled tax increases and budget cuts in the United States. But the party could be a short one.

While Congress’ action ended a stubborn stalemate and prevented the nation from going over a “fiscal cliff” and possibly tumbling back into recession, the terms of the bipartisan pact helped erect an even larger fiscal precipice.

The deal, which President Barack Obama plans to sign quickly, blocked big income tax increases on most Americans. But it extended the deadline for deep mandatory spending cuts for only two months.

PAGE A2

Pinoy car dealer Memorial fund set up for Daly City kid arrested by FBI killed in SoCal crash on Christmas Day

USA

After more than 20 years of running, Reodica faces felony counts of fraud

from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America

Fil-Am selected as Hawaii’s senate president

by Joseph

Pimentel AJPress

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 longtime Filipino champion and US senator Daniel Sen. Donna Mercado Kim Inouye.

Kim, the former vice president of the senPAGE A2

Fil-Am doctor released after being convicted for illegal prescription

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.

“He provided his true identity.

He’s been very cooperative with PAGE A2

by Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe AJPress

SAN BRUNO—Two families—one from Daly City and another one in Southern California—now see Christmas as a sad day when a tragic accident took the lives of their children and injured the rest of their family.

Kendrick Ng, 11 of Daly City and his cousin Tracey Noelle Ong Tan, 25 of Glendale (who was driving the vehicle) was killed in a crash in Pasa-

dena last December 25. The crash also seriously injured Ng’s parents and sister.

The Ngs were in Los Angeles for the holidays and were on their way home from an ice-skating rink when their minivan was struck by a Dodge Durango driven by Darrell Lee Williams, Kendrick Ng 22 with Brittany Michelle Washingtime of the crash, at an on-ramp to ton, 21, in the passenger seat.

Williams and Washington were flee- I-210 at Marengo Avenue, according ing from police at high speed at the PAGE A2

PH population expected to hit 97.7 million this year MANILA—The country’s population is expected to reach 97.7 million this year due to the 1.7 to 1.8 million Filipino babies born every year, the Commission on Population (PopCom) said .

“This is just an unofficial estimate made by PopCom. Our population in 2010 was 92.3 million in absolute number.

So based on that, we may estimate that by May 2013, our population will be 97.7 million,” said PopCom executive director Tomas Osias.

The National Statistical Coordination Board is the agency mandated to make an estimate of the Philippine population

but it has not released a projection so far.

According to Osias, PopCom made the computation based on the annual population growth rate of 1.9 percent.

This translates to some 1.7 million to 1.8 million babies being born every year.

Asked if the passage of Republic Act No. 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 will slow down the country’s population growth, Osias refused to make the connection.

“The law does not have demographic targets,” he said.

PAGE A2

More pay tribute to ‘honorary Filipino’ Fr. James Reuter

LOS ANGELES—Dr. Carlos Estiandan is a Filipino-American physician who was recently the subject of a Los Angeles Times special report.

Estiandan was described in the report as a ‘diminutive man with a cheerful demeanor’ whose medicine general practice was ‘thriving.’

He was a real family man, and a retired colonel from the US Air Force Reserve.

However, the kindly-mannered doctor would be embroiled in a case so huge, that it involved four government agencies: the Medical Board of California, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, the US Drug Enforcement Agency, and Medi-Cal. In the four-year span of the medical board’s PAGE A3

Fr. James Reuters, SJ wrote in his last column for The Philippine Star: “This is definitely not goodbye … Wherever I am, whatever I do, you are always in my mind, heart, and in my prayers. All of you!”

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 under-

ground 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 remem-

bered as a great Filipino,” said the Vice President.

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

Reuter’s remains will be at the St. Paul University in Manila until Jan. 2, and will be moved to the Church of the Gesu at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, PAGE A2

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january 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From The Front Page

More fiscal battles loom... Memorial fund set up for Daly City kid killed...

PAGE A1 And it did nothing to deal with raising the nation’s borrowing limit, despite Obama’s request.

The debt limit, set by Congress, is now $14.3 trillion — a ceiling the government officially hit on Jan. 7.

The Treasury Department says it will take “extraordinary measures” to keep paying the government’s bills — but only until sometime in February or March.

After a summer 2011 fight over raising the debt limit, the government came close to defaulting for the first time ever and credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s yanked the nation’s blue-chip AAA bond rating.

Before returning to Hawaii for vacation, Obama dug in his heels and warned Republicans against using a vote on the debt ceiling to try to win concessions on spending cuts. He asserted he wouldn’t negotiate “with Congress over whether or not they should pay the bills they’ve already racked up through the laws they have passed.”

He didn’t elaborate, but some Democrats want him to challenge the debt-limit process itself, a move certain to outrage Republicans.

In any event, it means Obama can count on further rancorous fiscal battles between the parties soon after he’s inaugurated for a second term.

So much for “And a Happy New Year.” (AP)

PH population expected...

PAGE A1 Instead, the legislation will only empower couples, especially the women, to make an “informed choice about their reproductive health.”

Osias added that the law would just provide couples with access to services and information about family planning and their reproductive health.

“They will know that birth spacing will be good for the mother’s and the baby’s health. Because of that, they will evaluate their capability (to raise a family). So in the process, the number of the children will be based on the health and future of the family,” he said.

Osias maintained that there is no provision in the law that will mandate couples to limit the size of their family. (Philstar.com)

PAGE A1

to the Pasadena police. Two counts of Murder were filed on both last December 28, as well as three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and gang allegations according to the District Attorney’s office spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons.

A young boy’s life cut short Kendrick, a 6th grader at Our Lady of Mercy School in Daly City, was a star student.

Joy Pasamonte Henry, whose daughter was once a schoolmate of Kendrick, fondly remembers the Ng family.

“His parents fondly call him ‘Isaiah,’ because his father’s name is Kenric, which, (you can imagine) would get a bit

Pinoy car dealer arrested...

PAGE A1 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

Fil-Am selected as Hawaii’s...

PAGE A1 January, replacing Senator Shan ate, will now preside during the Tsutsui, who was sworn in as 27th Hawaii State Legislature in 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

confusing at home,” she said.

“I was one of the room parents and I remember the Ng family at graduation – always smiling, always together. My daughter is 11 now and I haven’t seen them for a few years. But I cried when I found out about Kendrick because they are a good, kindhearted family.

Seeing that the Ng family will need the support of the com-

munity, the OLM school and community has set up an online memorial fund for Kendrick and his family. It is with hope that this will help to ease the financial burden on the Ng family, as well as make them feel that the love, prayers and support of the community are with them.

To donate to the Kendrick Ng Memorial Fund, log on to www.gofundme.com/lovekendrick.

accessories, 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. n 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 FilipinoAmericans in the state senate.

Others include Will Espero (19th District); and Donovan Dela Cruz (22nd District). (Joseph Pimentel/AJPress)

More pay tribute to ‘honorary Filipino...

PAGE A1 where public viewing will be open until Jan. 4.

Reuter will be laid to rest on Saturday at the Jesuit cemetery at the Sacred heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Quezon City. The

funeral mass will be held at the Gesu at 8:30am.

The New Jersey native, officially proclaimed by Congress as an honorary Filipino in 1996, had many times professed his love for the Philippines 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 long-time 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)

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Dateline USA

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013

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Calif. drowning prompts Filipino accused in terror plot pleads not guilty warning about high waves POINT REYES—Authorities are warning beachgoers to be careful after a man was swept out to sea by a large wave and drowned while trying to save his dog on a Northern California beach.

The Marin Independent Journal reported that 59-year-old Charles Quaid, of Richmond, and his wife were walking on the beach near Point Reyes on New Year’s Day when the wave overtook the dog. That’s about

30 miles northwest of San Francisco.

The San Francisco Chronicle (http://bit.ly/VhR4Cj ) reports the couple went into the water to rescue the dog, but the man was swept away. The wife and dog made it safely to shore.

The incident comes more than a month after three people drowned in roiling surf while trying to save their dog at another Northern California beach. (AP)

Fil-Am doctor released...

PAGE A1 investigation into Estiandan’s case, eight of his patients had already died from drug overdose and related causes, based on the Times’ probe into the coroners’ files and court records.

By the time that he was stopped from giving prescriptions, it was already too late for the ill-fated patients. Medi-Cal also suspected him of fraudulent billing.

Investigations on Estiandan began in October 2004, when an anonymous tip was received by medical board investigator Robin Hollins.

According to the tipster, Estiandan, then 62, was raking in $3,000 a day for drug prescriptions.

According to Hollins’ report, the employee said that Estiandan gives the patients ‘anything they want.’ The employee also noted how Estiandan’s clinic in downtown LA, one of three the doctor owned, was packed with ‘drug-addicted patients’ Because the government agencies were sharing information on the Estiandan case, numerous evidences were gathered in a small amount of time.

In Los Angeles, alleged drug dealers were arrested. Court records showed that bottles of drugs prescribed by Estiandan were found in their possession.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the drug enforcement agents stopped a man on the street who carried about 1,800 pills and several bottles of narcotic cough syrup, the labels of which showed Estiandan as the prescribing doctor.

In the summer of 2005, Leo Martinez consulted with Estiandan in his Reseda clinic. Martinez was billed $120 for the visit and left the clinic with drug prescriptions.

Martinez was an undercover sheriff’s agent who investigated narcotics cases. He walked out of Estiandan’s clinic with a prescription for painkiller Vicodin, muscle relaxant Soma, anti-anxiety drug Valium, and a 16-ounce bottle of narcotic cough syrup.

Estiandan’s reckless prescription was linked to numerous deaths that the Times looked into. In the overdose deaths that was investigated, most of the drugs found in the victims’ bodies were antianxiety drugs, muscle relaxants, and cough syrup formulations, all prescribed by Estiandan.

Looking into the patients’ records, it was found that people from as far as Bakersfield, Antelope Valley, Victorville, and San Bernardino would travel all the way to downtown LA to consult with Estiandian. They described similar symptoms, and left the office with prescriptions for similar drugs.

On Sept. 12, 2007, Hollins summoned Estiandan to a medical board office in Glendale. She told Estiandan that there was now a patient death and that it was an ‘inevitable result’ of his prescriptions.

Later on, Hollins received a report from an expert physician that concluded Estiandan’s treatment of a patient as one that deviated from accepted standards and had contributed to the patient’s death.

On the morning July 23, 2008, Estiandan was arrested in his home when DEA agents and sheriff’s deputies appeared at his doorstep, said the Times report.

Estiandan was polite and cooperative when he was handcuffed and led to a squad car. He was charged with “13 felony counts of illegally prescribing controlled substances.” He was not charged for the deaths of his patients.

In February 2009, Estiandan was barred by court from prescribing painkillers and other addictive drugs. In September that year, he was stripped of his medical license. In 2010, Estiandan was tried, found guilty, and was convicted on the criminal charges filed against him. He was sentenced to a five-year jail term.

In September 2012, the doctor was released after serving about half of his prison time. A few days after he was released, he told Times reporters in his home in Burbank that he was ‘unfairly targeted’ by prosecutors for ‘simply doing his job.’

He said that his wife Gloria, a nurse, had warned her before that he was ‘headed for trouble.’ Looking back on his experience, he warned patients of the dangers of addiction to prescription drugs.

Estiandan told the Times that he was not motivated with greed, and never intended to harm his patients. Rather, he admitted poor judgment in prescribing the drugs.

“Instead of helping them, I might have harmed them,” Estiandan told the Times as he talked about his patients, “I made a mistake.”

(Mico Letargo/AJPress with reports from the LA Times)

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 intelligence 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 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.

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.)

Clinton talking to staff as she recovers from clot WASHINGTON—Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been speaking with staff and reviewing paperwork from the New York hospital where she is recovering from a blood clot in her head, the State Department said .

Doctors continue to monitor Clinton’s progress and her response to blood thinners intended to dissolve the clot.

Aides said there was no update

Wednesday on her condition, but emphasized that the secretary remained engaged with staff in Washington who are handling US foreign policy in her absence.

“She’s been quite active on the phone with all of us,” said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

Clinton was admitted Sunday to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for treatment of a clot

stemming from a concussion she suffered earlier in December. While at home battling a stomach virus, Clinton had fainted, fallen and struck her head, a spokesman said. Clinton, 65, hasn’t been seen publicly since Dec. 7.

Doctors found the clot, located in a vein that runs through the space between the brain and the skull behind the right PAGE A4

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

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Dateline USA

january 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

ESPN picks Donaire as Fighter of the Year Marquez gets KO of the Year

by Joseph

Pimentel AJPress

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

LOS ANGELES—ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, has chosen World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. as the 2012 Boxer of the Year and Juan Manuel Marquez’s crushing knockout of Manny Pacquiao as its KO of the Year.

The 30-year-old “Filipino Flash” (30–1 20 KOs) from San Leandro via General Santos City, Philippines, had an extremely busy and dominating year, defeating four quality opponents despite fighting in a new weight division.

Donaire, “easily handled the move up in weight, winning all four of his fights in dominant fashion. He dropped each of his foes (scoring seven knockdowns in all) won twice by knockout and collected two world titles,” wrote ESPN Boxing columnist Dan Rafael.

Rafael also commended Donaire’s innovative approach towards drug testing, a controversial issue that has clouded the sport and many of its top fighters in recent years.

Donaire, whose diet and nutrition is being overseen by former BALCO boss and performance enhancing drug dealer Victor Conte, is the only fighter in the world who undergoes voluntary Olympic style drug testing (urine and blood) yearround.

“This in an era when every great performance unfortunately comes under the suspicion of possible performance-enhancing drug use -- except, of course, Donaire’s,” said Rafael.

In 2011, Donaire was a 118pound three division titlist looking for new challenges and ready to breakout as a superstar.

Already highly regarded, Donaire continued to add to his legacy in 2012. He started off the year claiming the vacant 122-pound WBO super bantamweight title defeating Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. The 5’5” Filipino captured the division’s IBF title when he bested his tallest opponent 5’11” Jeffrey Mathebula.

Donaire then knocked out former No. 1 division world champion Toshiaki Nishioka in October.

While most fighters would rest on their laurels after three bouts in a year, the Filipino quickly turned around and with less than two months preparation knocked out highly accomplished Mexican warrior Jorge Arce in Houston to cap off the year.

Donaire who has always played second fiddle to Manny Pacquiao in Filipino boxing, may have leaped the Sarangani congressman inside the ring rankings.

Fil-Am Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (32-3, 19 KOs) also received consideration for 2012 Boxer of the Year. Viloria defended his flyweight title by knocking out Omar Nino in May and stopping Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in November.

Donaire becomes the second Filipino fighter to win the award. ESPN chose Pacquiao as its Fighter of the Year in 2006, 2008, and 2009.

Marquez KOs Pacquiao Believing judges had spurned him in three different bouts against arch nemesis Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez wanted to exact revenge in the worst way.

Over the past eight years, Marquez and Pacquiao have had three close fights – one ending in a draw while the other two in a split, and majority decision for the Filipino. Each close fight, Marquez believed he had bettered the Filipino boxing superstar.

So coming into their fourth fight, the 39-year-old Marquez sensing his time inside the ring may be coming to an end, trained like there was no tomorrow. Both men had said the goal was to make sure this fight would not be left in the judge’s scorecard.

Showing off a new cut-up physique, all the training and hard work paid off in a big way on December 8 for Marquez.

After knocking down Pacquiao in the third round, Marquez threw a devastating overhand counter right that landed flush on the Filipino’s face knocking him out cold.

“Pacquiao and Marquez lived up to their promise and put on the best fight of their epic series, which delivered as definitive an outcome as possible: Marquez landing a picture-perfect right hand that knocked Pacquiao out cold with one second left in the sixth round,” wrote Rafael.

“The knockout was as aesthetically pleasing as it was shocking and historically significant.

Obviously, it’s the 2012 ESPN. com knockout of the year,” he added.

Though clouded with steroid or performance enhancing drug allegations, Marquez passed the post-fight drug test erasing some doubts against him. n

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Taxes rising for most people despite fiscal deal 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 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 last Jan. 1 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 on Jan. 1 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)

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden make a statement regarding the passage of the fiscal cliff bill in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

AP photo

Clinton talking to staff as she recovers...

thinners. Her physicians said they expect she will make a full ear, during a follow-up exam last Dec. 31 that there was no recovery.

Sidelined by her illness for and began administering blood neurological damage and that most of December, Clinton was forced to cancel scheduled testimony before Congress about a scathing report into the Sept.

11 attack on the US diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, and was absent on Dec. 21 when President Barack Obama nominated Sen. John Kerry, DMass., to succeed Clinton when she steps down at the start of Obama’s second term, as had long been planned.

But Clinton had expected to return to work this week and had already started to resume regular phone contact with her foreign counterparts. On Saturday, the day before the clot was discovered, Clinton had a halfhour conversation with Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N. envoy to Syria, in which the two discussed the state of affairs in that civilwar-torn country, Nuland said.

Also last Dec. 29, Clinton spoke by telephone with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, discussing recent developments in Syria, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories.

Clinton’s doctors said they planned to release Clinton from the hospital after the proper dose for the blood thinners had been established, and doctors not involved with her care say it’s likely she will have no longterm consequences from the clot. But it remains to be seen whether she will be able to return to work before she resigns as secretary of state.

The illness has also raised questions about Clinton’s political future and how her health might influence her decision about whether to run for president in 2016, as prominent Democrats have been urging her to consider. Clinton also suffered from a blood clot in 1998, midway through her husband’s second term as president, although that clot was located in her knee. (AP)

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

Promoting Filipino as a Global Language

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-

Ruth Elynia Mabanglo of the University of Hawaii (right) received a plaque of recognition from President Aquino, with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and CFO chair Imelda Nicolas looking on.

Malacañang Photo

Galing Pinoy showcases the triumph of the Filipino spirit – the Filipino’s innate perseverance to rise above. A double entendre, Galing Pinoy literally translates to both coming from (or brought to you by) the Filipiino and 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

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. n

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january 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Opinion

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Features

Subsistence

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 lack 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

Commentary

Roger Mitton Embarrassing stumbles happen even to big guys. At last year’s London Olympics, a sloppy baton change by the favored Brits caused their relay team to be disqualified. At previous Games in Beijing and Athens, America’s top-rated sprinters dropped the baton and ruled themselves out of the medals.

So perhaps we should cut Cambodia some slack for repeatedly dropping the baton during its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the past year. At key meetings and summits, Phnom Penh’s kowtowing to Beijing and its failure to back fellow members in their positions on the South China Sea territorial disputes led to a rare open discord tarnishing Asean’s once-sacrosanct consensus.

So it was at the November summit when Cambodia falsely declared that Asean leaders had agreed not to “internationalize” the conflicting maritime claims.

Half the group’s members rebutted that assertion, and when Cambodia fought to keep the communiqué language favored by its Chinese patrons, its Asean colleagues resisted and expunged such wording from the final declaration.

19-22, 2012 which found that 58 percent of Americans are in The Fil-Am favor of strengthening the laws covering the sale of firearms -- Perspective up from 43 percent in 2011.

Several state and federal lawmakers have already announced that they will seek to ban both semi-automatic rifle Gel Santos-Relos and high-capacity ammunition magazines from the commercial market.

However, the same poll by Gallup also revealed that Americans’ views on the sale of assault rifles are unchanged. The slight majority (51 percent) still opposed the idea of making assault rifles illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess.

One of the many groups who demanded that President Obama and Congress come up with a plan to end gun violence is Demand A Plan.

As Balitang America reported, this is a group which is composed of more than 800 mayors and 800,000 grassroots supporters.

Organizers of Demand a Plan say that “they cannot bring back the people lost in Newtown, nor the 33 people murdered with guns everyday in America,” but together, they say America can prevent future tragedies “by passing common sense legislation that will require a criminal background check for every gun sold in America, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines

and make gun trafficking a federal crime, including real penalties for ‘straw purchasers.’”

Organizers say more than 300,000 Americans have signed the petition on their website, www.demandaplan.org.

Balitang America further reported that popular personalities (like Ellen Degeneres, Julianne Moore, Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Palthrow, Brooke Shields, Conan O’Brien and many more) have used their celebrity status to help the organization in furthering the cause.

They took turns saying the lines: “How many more? How many more? Enough. Enough.

Enough. Demand a plan. Right now… as a mom, as a dad, as a friend, as a husband, as a wife. As an American. As a human being. For the children of Sandy Hook.”

Despite the broad public outcry favoring the passing of stricter gun-control laws, President Obama faces formidable forces from Congress and pro-gun groups that may still keep the legislation process dormant.

Republicans still hold majority in the House for the next two years. While Democrats rule the Senate, there are still enough gun-rights votes to stall a bill. It may still be a big challenge for President Obama to win the support of lawmak-

ers from both parties (Yes, not just Republicans).

As TIME Magazine reported, there are still those who are “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 and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www. facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Happy New Year: Time for change in Asean Globalization in retreat

The episode was so shameful that the group’s Secretary-General Surin Pitsuan admitted that it had caused Asean to suffer a crisis of confidence. After all, unity is key to its regional clout.

Only as a united grouping spanning vast lands and waters from Myanmar to Mindanao, Laos to Papua, with 600 million people generating a combined economic output in excess of $1.8 trillion, tenth-largest in the world, can Asean stand tall in Asia.

Recently, the International Crisis Group’s regional director Jim Della-Giacoma said events of 2012 have laid bare the deep fault lines running through Asean’s diverse membership. Well, at least the annus horribilus is almost over. And to the relief of all, the baton passed from Cambodia to Brunei this year.

Although tiny, Brunei has more experience of Asean affairs and a wiser understanding of the group’s consensual credo than Cambodia, having joined the grouping in 1984, fully 15 years before the latter’s entry.

And in Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Second Minister Lim Jock Seng, Brunei has a veteran duo who are actually liked by other members.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong is also experienced, but at 77 and after 14 years in the job, many believe he is past his sell-by date as an effective diplomat. Plus the reality that Phnom Penh’s dependence

on Beijing’s largesse constrains its actions even in the company of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Those things cannot be said of the quiet but warm Mohamed, the avuncular Lim, or oil-rich Brunei. It is alleged that Mohamed has the job only because he is the Sultan’s brother, and that Lim is the brains behind the twosome. But true or not, few dispute they form a competent and likable team, so there is less chance of internal squabbling or the non-issuance of communiqués under Brunei’s chairmanship. That is something to welcome.

Yes, there is a trade-off in that little Brunei will not actively push for any major initiatives, but that is all well and good: what Asean needs now is a year of quietly restoring group amity and solidarity.

That process will be aided when the talented but rather excitable Surin was officially replaced yesterday by Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh, a grey and cautious apparatchik. Typically, Surin has urged that Minh be given a greater mandate to act on behalf of the entire group, but there is little chance of that happening— doubtless much to Minh’s relief.

During his five-year term, Minh has said that talks on a code of conduct for the South China Sea and the implementation of a regional nuclear-weapons-free zone will be his top priorities.

Good luck to him on both counts. There is no way the United States, China or India will agree to the latter goal. All three have atomic weapons on a good number of their naval vessels and would never say which ships and subs carry nuclear warheads just to comply with a no-nukes policy.

Nor would China accept limits on its military moves in the South China Sea, not only because it claims nearly all of it, but also due to the increased deployment of US naval and air forces in the Philippines, within striking distance of Chinese trade traversing the South China Sea, including 80 percent of the country’s oil imports.

Still, as long as such talks are even-handed and do not descend to the depths of rancor encountered in Phnom Penh over the past year, most people will be happy.

One more thing: Given their friendly ties with the Americans, Brunei and Vietnam should avoid doing for the US the summit tricks Cambodia tried to do for China this year. Let Asean also have a respite from big-power meddling by proxy.

Said Della-Giacoma: “As the new secretary-general settles in, Asean watchers are not expecting as much public reflection in the coming year, especially with taciturn Brunei taking over the rotating chairmanship.”

Let’s hope he is right. (ManilaTimes.net)

ONE fateful question for 2013 is this: What happens to globalization?

For decades, growing volumes of cross-border trade and money flows have fueled strong economic growth. But something remarkable is happening; trade Robert J. Samuelson and international money flows are slowing and, in some cases, declining. David Smick, the perceptive editor of The International Economy magazine, calls the retreat “deglobalization.” What’s unclear is whether this heralds prolonged economic stagnation and rising nationalism or, optimistically, makes the world economy more stable and politically acceptable.

To Americans, some aspects of deglobalization will seem delicious. Take manufacturing.

Globalization has sucked factory jobs from the United States. Now, the tide may be turning.

Just recently, Apple announced a $100 million investment to return some Mac computer production home. Though tiny, the decision reflects a trend.

General Electric’s sprawling Appliance Park in Louisville, Ky., once symbolized America’s post-World War II manufacturing prowess, with employment peaking at 23,000 in 1973. Since then, jobs have shifted abroad or succumbed to automation. But now GE is moving production of water heaters, refrigerators and other appliances back to Appliance Park from China and Mexico. Year-end employment is reckoned at 3,600, up 90 percent from a year earlier, writes Charles Fishman in an excellent article in December’s Atlantic.

Nor is GE alone, Fishman notes. Otis is moving some elevator production from Mexico to South Carolina. Wham-O is shifting Frisbee molding from China to California.

The changes are harbingers, contends the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which predicts a manufacturing revival. China’s labor cost advantage has eroded, it argues. In 2000, Chinese factory wages averaged 52 cents an hour; but annual double-digit percentage increases will bring that to $6 an hour in high-skilled industries by 2015. Although wages of US production workers average $19 an hour, BCG argues that other non-wage factors favor the United States. American workers are more productive; automation has reduced labor’s share of expenses; and cheap natural gas further reduces costs. Finally, higher oil prices have boosted freight rates for PAGE A8

Commentary

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Pinoys urged to ‘throw away’ negativity MANILA—Senior administration lawmakers called on Filipinos to “throw away all negativity,” turn to prayer and strengthen positive values of discipline, hard work to allow the country to progress faster and peacefully.

Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said “it has been repeatedly proven that no financial difficulty, natural calamity, or even a defeat of boxing hero Manny Pacquiao can ever dampen the spirit and sense of optimism of Filipinos.”

“We have always managed to come back, to courageously conquer temporary defeats and setbacks. These are the things in life that indeed test one’s faith and resiliency in the midst of adversity,” Angara said.

“Let us throw away all negativity, as we sail on to continue the journey towards true prosperity that will put all of us out of poverty,” he said.

He urged Filipinos to look at the coming New Year with a “positive mindset” and “renewed confidence,” even as he expressed optimism that 2013 will be a better one for Filipinos.

Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco said the country’s peace and prosperity hinges on Filipinos themselves, who need to learn to imbibe the values of self-reliance and love for country.

“We can rely only on ourselves, and minimize ‘aid-seeking’ mentality. We Filipinos can use more discipline, hard work, and love for country, and more prayers, and if all of us have that within us, it would be impossible to stop the Philippines,” Haresco said.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, president of the Centrist Democratic Party, also urged Filipinos to be more optimistic and prayerful, saying “prayers give unimaginable powers and strength.”

Meanwhile, Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong wishes for a “better” and lasting peace in Mindanao in 2013.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, for his part, said Filipinos should not be ashamed to “roll up their sleeves and do what is necessary for the welfare and prosperity of our families and our country.”

(Philstar.com)

Dateline Philippines

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 Malacañang-backed measures.

Most of the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives 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 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.

Meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace is giving Congress more time to debate on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill

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 re-writing.

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 “colorful 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

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.

amid calls for President Aquino to certify it as urgent.

Valte said land use, the conditional 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

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 25year 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 government has programmed 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)

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)

Aquino abusing power – GMA

by Llanesca

T. Panti

Detained former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo was in a fighting mood on New Year’s Day as she fired accusations that President Benigno Aquino III is abusing his power through a well-publicized anti-corruption campaign.

Arroyo, who now represents the second district of Pampanga in the House of Representatives, made the scathing remarks in a series of posts in her Twitter account.

“We are concerned that the slogan of anti-corruption still remains to be validated by measurable progress and continues to be mocked by the abuse of political power to favor those on the inside while persecuting Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. (right) called 2012 a “colorful and historic year” for the those on the other side,” Arroyo 15th Congress. said.

“We pray that true justice be The former Quezon City mayor by way of financial and relief administered to all without bias assistance but through bills and promised 2013 as another year resolutions filed in an effort to for Congress to make a mark as and prejudice,” she added.

The former president is under prevent casualties and damage “the most responsive” in reprefrom such disasters should they senting each solon’s constitu- hospital detention because of a occur again in the future,” Bel- ents. (Camille Diola/Philstar. P366-million plunder complaint.

She recently asked for a com) monte said.

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 policy-making 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 earlier implementation of Basel III, 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 coverage 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.

PAGE A9

A

Sen. Franklin Drilon

Manilatimes.net

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.

Hurdles in 2013 One of the challenges a number of local banks

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013

Christmas furlough, but the Sandiganbayan denied her request.

Aside from plunder, the former president is also facing other charges such as electoral sabotage in connection with the 2007 midterm elections and graft over the $329-million botched NBNZTE broadband deal.

Arroyo said that the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption campaign is yet to take off, considering that the Public-PrivatePartnership (PPP) initiative continues to move at a snail’s pace.

“The promise of ideas like PPP remains to be realized by the actual start, let alone completion, of new projects that will improve upon the substantial infrastructure we have already built. The fiscal stability and macroeconomic resilience that was first achieved on my watch still remains to be translated into more foreign direct investments that will ultimately deliver the inclusive growth that the business sector and the impoverished three million unemployed Filipinos are still waiting for,” she pointed out.

A

january 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline Philippines

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 583-6818

PH economy on track to full recovery – NEDA MANILA—After three consecutive quar- ally, on the average, for the next 15 years.

“In trickle-down growth, the poor also “My battlecry is between six to seven, and benefit from growth, but only after some ters of robust growth, the Philippine economy now appears en route to a full recovery seven to eight percent growth rates for the time. Given the current volatile situation in this year from a lackluster showing in 2011. next 20 years, for example, to catch up with the global market and even the physical enviThe country’s chief economic planner, Na- Thailand. If not, we will be overtaken by Viet- ronment, it would be very difficult to sustain tional Economic and Development Authority nam and Cambodia,” he said. rapid growth long enough for trickle down But the NEDA chief lamented that poverty to happen,” Balisacan told a business forum (NEDA) director general Arsenio M. Balisacan, said he expects gross domestic prod- reduction in the country has been slow and last month.

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) uct (GDP) growth to surpass the target range lagging, as the economy had not experienced sustained high growth over a long period. enumerates a number of strategies to achieve of five to six percent in 2012.

The Philippines must also generate high inclusive growth. Most of these are needed GDP expanded at a two-year high of 7.1 percent in the third quarter, pushing the quality employment, which can help address for rapid and sustained growth. For inclusive nine-month figure to 6.5 percent. In 2011, poverty. “Manufacturing is a crucial part of growth, these strategies have to be targeted to benefit the poor and the marginalized. growth registered at a relatively feeble 3.7 the transition,” Balisacan said.

From 2000 to 2009, the proportion of poor First is massive infrastructure development percent compared with a rapid 7.6 percent Filipinos had remained constant instead of not just in the cities, but making sure that the clip in 2010, the fastest in three decades.

“We posted the fastest economic growth decreased despite the continuous economic rural and marginalized areas are connected within the ASEAN region. We are well on our growth at the time. “This is why we term this to highly-urbanized centers.

Second is human development and human way to surpassing our growth target of five period as our ‘lost decade’,” the NEDA chief capital formation. To ensure that productive to six percent this year and this economic said.

In addition, he said the economy suffers sectors would have the pool of skills they expansion continues to be broad-based, as almost all sectors posted higher year-on-year from high income inequality, which indicates would need for a growing economy and, at that economic gains have not been broadly the same time, improve the capacities of the growth rates,” Balisacan said.

FIRST TRADING DAY. A Filipino trader blows a horn during the first day of trading at In the third quarter, Indonesia came in sec- distributed across the different sectors of the poor to benefit from growth.

Philippine Stock Exchange in Makati City last Jan. 2, 2013. Stock markets in Asia registered Third is direct poverty relief. There are ond in terms of GDP growth with 6.2 percent, population. Opportunities remain unequal, in relief over the US congressional vote to stop hundreds of billions of dollars in automatic followed by Malaysia (5.2 percent), Vietnam terms of access to health and education ser- those who cannot be directly involved in the tax increases and spending cuts that risked plunging the world’s biggest economy into recession.

AP photo growth process but government has to en(4.7 percent), Thailand (three percent) and vices, market infrastructure and the like.

The socio-economic planning head also sure their basic right to live decent lives. For Singapore (0.3 percent).

“As you can see, our efforts at good gov- said inclusive growth represents a paradigm them, government is implementing targeted ernance are beginning to bear fruit. But we shift for reducing poverty. It contrasts with poverty reduction programs.

Lastly is employment generation, where know that our task is far from over,” Bali- the terms “exclusive growth” and “trickledown.” government can provide temporary employsacan noted.

Inclusive growth includes the poor and ment to selected individuals in implementing He pointed out that for the economy to really get off the ground, it must grow by at marginalized groups in the growth process. public works, like rehabilitation of infrastrucby Jaime Laude Kalayaan town, a fifth class mu- least the same rate consistently for the next This presents a better chance for the poor to ture in disaster-affected areas, construction Philstar.com nicipality of Palawan. two decades. of other small infrastructure, and other activbenefit from growth.

The town used to be a military MANILA— Despite the mountFor example, Balisacan said for the PhilipExclusive growth, on the other hand, ities. At the same time that the infrastructure ing tension in the hotly contested garrison but is slowly transform- pines to hike real per capita income two-fold means that the benefits of growth are con- is built, the poor are able to earn incomes and Spratly archipelago, the town of ing into a community with 270 in 15 years, it must grow 6.7 percent annu- fined to a few. learn new skills. (Ted Torres/Philstar.com) Kalayaan is looking forward to registered voters, mostly civilpeaceful co-existence among for- ians.

Nearby Pag-Asa is a Vietnameign citizens of claimant-countries now permanently residing ese occupied island, which Bitoonon said could be a very close in the region.

“Out there, we co-exist peace- trading and business partner of fully. We’ve been neighbors for Filipinos living in Pag-Asa isPCGG Chair Andres Bautista ommendations and this is just we would like to invite you to The Aquino administration so long. Why should we be fight- land.

“We may not be already around remains committed to recover had proposed to Malacañang in a recommendation which we look at the report itself (posted ing each other when we can find a peaceful solution to our ter- to witness this, but there’s no the ill-gotten wealth of the family late December 2010 the aboli- have not discussed yet. And the in the PCGG official website). ritorial disputes” said Kalayaan way for all claimant-countries and cronies of the late President tion of the PCGG and its trans- assets—to show that they have It shows the achievements, acMayor Eugenio Bito-onon Jr., but seek and explore a peaceful Ferdinand Marcos and pursue formation into an Institute for substantial number of assets complishments (of PCGG) up to that they were able to recover— until 2011,” he said. whose four-boat convoy from solution to all these disputes,” pending cases of graft and cor- Good Governance.

“In fact, we have seen the “There has been no discussion were going to be turned over ruption in the event Congress Palawan was harassed twice by Bito-onon said.

He added that one of the most decides to abolish the Presi- yet on that—on the final deci- to the Department of Finance,” recent case in New York where a Chinese amphibious warships the former secretary of the forfive hours away from Pag-Asa Is- viable options is the joint devel- dential Commission on Good sion of the President—but it will Lacierda said.

Under the Aquino adminis- mer First Lady was prevented Government (PCGG), a Palace be discussed with the President. opment of the region. land last October.

Principally, this report would tration, the PCGG performed from selling some very expenAs to the aggressive behavior official said.

Bito-onon is referring to the Presidential Spokesperson show as early as 2011 that they strongly in its pursuit to return sive paintings and which now, I Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese of China in pressing its territorial and Malaysian nationals who are claim covering almost the entire Edwin Lacierda said during the intended (or) at least Chairman to the public treasury the ill-got- think, PCGG was made a witness also occupying islets, reefs, cays, region, Bito-onon described it as regular press briefing in Mala- Andres Bautista intended PCGG ten wealth accumulated during to that particular case,” he said.

The PCGG was created by canang on Wednesday that the to be eventually functus officio, the time of former President shoals and sandbars adjacent to plain and simple posturing.

He said China is fully aware PCGG will turn-over the pending to cease to be an office, and Marcos. The PCGG also pro- the late President Corazon C. the country’s Kalayaan Island that if it will resort to military cases to the Department of Jus- so they outlined the process of posed safeguards to prevent the Aquino in 1986 to recover illgroup (KIG). gotten wealth said to have been occurrence of corruption.

Except for Brunei, all claimant might to press its territorial claim, tice (DOJ) in the event that the transition,” Lacierda said.

“Marami rin silang na-recover accumulated during the Marcos “Yung winding down of opcountries – China, Vietnam, Tai- it will trigger a major backlash in commission is abolished.

“So tuloy pa po ang manda- erations nila is one of their rec- na ill-gotten wealth. That’s why regime. wan and Malaysia – have troops the international community.

Bito-onon’s view is also shared to—kung hindi sa PCGG, tuloy on forward deployment on their by several US-based think tanks, pa rin po ‘yung pagtugis doon occupied islets and reefs.

At present, the country’s re- who all say that China, while it sa mga ill-gotten wealth cases gime of islands is composed of will continue its “creeping inva- na pending ngayon. If the office seven islets and two reefs. Pag- sion” in the region, will not re- is abolished by Congress, it does MANILA—The travel bug bit Jejomar Binay in Asa island, the second biggest sort to the use of arms, unless not mean the ill-gotten wealth 2012, making him the most traveled vice president cases will die,” Lacierda said. in the region, is now the seat of attacked. the country has ever had.

But Binay’s absences from the Philippines barely made a dent on his popularity. This can be gleaned from surveys conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia, which showed him surpassing the rating of President Aquino.

Binay is considered a strong contender in the 2016 presidential elections.

Binay always found time to visit the victims of calamities, like those who lost their homes in the southwest monsoon floods that submerged many parts Vice President Jejomar Binay of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, and super typhoon “Pablo” that devastated villages in Compos- OFWs. “We hope they will understand that lives are tela Valley, Davao Oriental, and Surigao del Sur. He at risk, including those of Filipinos,” Binay said. led the distribution of 10,000 bags of relief goods to Binay also coordinated with Migrante-Middle East victims of Pablo. to repatriate 7,000 undocumented OFWs in Saudi As chairman of the Housing and Urban Develop- Arabia. ment Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Home Binay facilitated the return to the country of the Development Mutual Fund or Pag-Ibig Fund, Binay body of female OFW Milagros Villarin last Oct. 28. distributed land titles to the homeless from Aparri to Villarin died of complications from breast cancer in Jolo.

Belgium. Binay was in Brussels where he representBinay ordered the Pag-Ibig Fund to jointly imple- ed President Aquino in the 2012 European Development with the National Housing Authority (NHA) the ment Days when the case of Villarin was brought to calamity loans and insurance benefits for its mem- his attention. He immediately directed the Philippine bers. “Pag-Ibig members who availed of housing embassy in Belgium to assist in the repatriation of loans for the construction or repair of their houses Villarin’s remains although she was not a member are covered by insurance,” Binay said. of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Pag-Ibig members were also allowed by Binay to (OWWA). apply for calamity loans equivalent to 80 percent of OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon agreed to their total savings with lowest interest rate. pay the cost of repatriation of Villarin’s body.

Binay, the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino Binay said from January to September this year, workers (OFWs), worked closely with the Depart- the Office of the Vice President had assisted in the ment of Foreign Affairs after the government banned repatriation of 74 OFWs and the remains of 14 workthe deployment of workers to Israel due to the con- ers who died abroad. flict between the Israelis and the Palestinian faction Celebrating his 69th birthday last Nov. 11, Binay Hamas in the Gaza Strip. said his one big wish is that reforms being impleDuring his meeting with officials of the Israeli em- mented by the Aquino government will lead to ecobassy in Manila, Binay asked for understanding from nomic gains for all Filipinos and the country. (Jose the Israeli government for the ban on deployment of Rodel Clapano/Philstar.com)

Residents want peaceful co-existence in Kalayaan town

PH gov’t remains committed to recover ill-gotten wealth of Marcoses and cronies

VP Binay, the overseas worker

Globalization in...

PAGE A6 imports.

By 2015, China’s overall cost advantage will shrivel to 7 percent, BCG forecasts. As important, it says, the United States will maintain significant cost advantages over other developedcountry manufacturers: 15 percent over France and Germany; 21 percent over Japan; and 8 percent over Great Britain. The United States will be a more attractive production platform. Imports will weaken; exports will strengthen.

BCG predicts between 2.5 million and 5 million new factory jobs by 2020. (For perspective: 5.7 million manufacturing jobs disappeared from 2000 to 2010.)

Because the United States is the world’s largest importer, this shift would dampen trade.

Similarly, cross-border money flows (“capital flows”) have abated. Banks, especially in Europe, have reduced foreign loans to “deleverage” and strengthen their balance sheets. From 2011 to 2012, bank loans to 30 “emerging market” countries fell by one-third, says the Institute of International Finance, an industry group. “It’s the most decisive

case of ‘home bias’ [in lending] being re-established,” says economist Philip Suttle of the IIF. Government regulators encourage the shift, he says, suggesting that “if you’re going to cut lending, cut there and not here.”

Of course, globalization won’t vanish. It’s too big and too entwined with national economies.

In 2011, total world exports amounted to nearly $18 trillion.

The same is true of capital flows.

Despite banks’ pullbacks, those same 30 emerging market countries in 2012 received an estimated $1 trillion worth of investment from multinational companies, private investors, pensions, insurance companies and other lenders—a still-huge total, though down from its peak.

But globalization’s character may change.

For years, the world economy has been wildly lopsided: China and some other countries ran big trade surpluses; the United States was perennially in massive deficit. Similar imbalances existed in Europe. Now, slumps have dampened the American and European appetite for imports. The upshot is that “China

and others are recalibrating their export-led economic strategies” to focus more on domestic demand, argues economist Fred Bergsten of the Peterson Institute. That’s good, he says; the world economy will be more balanced. Likewise, erratic capital flows have triggered past financial crises. Slower flows may promote stability.

Not everyone is so optimistic. Smick of The International Economy sees globalization as “the proverbial goose that laid the golden eggs.” The search for larger markets and lower costs drove investment, trade, economic growth and job creation around the world. That’s weakened, and there’s “no new model to replace it.” Domestic demand will prove an inadequate substitute. Central banks (the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan) have tried to fill the void with hypereasy money policies. Smick fears damaging outcomes: currency wars as countries strive to capture greater shares of stagnant export markets; and burst “asset bubbles” caused by easy money.

These visions clash. In 2013, we may learn which is right. (ManilaTimes.net)

Dateline Philippines

(650) 583-6818 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013, 2012

A

RH law to take effect Jan. 17 MANILA—The Reproductive Health (RH) Law that President Aquino signed before Christmas takes effect in mid-January as the government tries to manage the country’s ballooning 95-million population.

Section 30 of the law provides that “this act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.” The law was signed

by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. The new law also effectively repealed and “modified” RA 7392, or the Midwifery Act. “This act shall be liberally construed to ensure the provision, delivery and access to reproductive health care services, and to promote, protect and fulfill women’s reproductive health and rights,” the provision also stated.

Aquino kept his promise and signed the RH bill into law last Dec. 21, or shortly after the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified the measure before Congress went on their annual Christmas break.

The much-debated RH bill that the Catholic Church has vehemently opposed for more than two decades is now a law, which will be carried out by the executive department as soon as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are released.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the church could still take part in the formulation of the IRR. Ona said he sees no problem if the church will want to be part of the committee that would be drafting the IRR.

“Anyone can nominate and then the committee will choose,” he said.

The law mandates the secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) or his representative to serve as chair of the committee that will draft the IRR. The committee will be composed of authorized representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Commission on Women, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, League of Provinces, League of Cities and League of Municipalities.

Four members would come from non-governmental organizations to be selected by the health secretary.

While the committee was given 60 days to come up with the IRR, Ona said they might be able to complete it within the month.

“In essence, there’s actually nothing new. Everything is in the law and all we have to do is go into some details. We’ll make sure that the IRR is (in accordance with the law),” he added.

It took more than a decade before Congress passed the measure due to strong opposition from the church that believed it was promoting abortion and promiscuity.

Proponents of the RH bill approved through the bicameral conference committee one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in history, which included the right to a “safe and satisfying sex life.”

Aquino had certified the RH bill as urgent after advocates won by a very slim margin in the House on second reading, even if he rallied nearly 200 House members previously and urged them to finish the debates by making a “conscience vote.”

Sen. Pia Cayetano, principal author in the Senate, along with her House counterpart, Reps. Edcel Lagman of Albay and Janette Garin of Iloilo, acknowledged the urgent label on the measure hastened the RH bill’s approval in both houses of Congress.

The bill seeks to improve public access to reproductive health services, including natural and artificial family planning options.

It also promotes better maternal care, responsible parenthood, and youth education on sexual and reproductive health issues.

Cayetano said the phrase “safe and satisfying sex life” was retained in the definition of reproductive health in the controversial measure.

Senate Bill 2865 defines reproductive health as “the state of complete, physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes.”

Under the law, all accredited public health facilities shall provide a “full range of family planning methods which shall include medical consultation, supplies and necessary and reasonable procedures for poor and marginalized couples having fertility issues who desire to have children.”

(Delon Porcalla/Philstar.com)

PH lenders Asia’s best performing...

PAGE A7 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. Some banks have already raised funds this year to comply ahead with the prescribed Basel III limit by the BSP. But some have yet to decide on when and how to finance the capital build-up.

Despite the challenges to be confronted next year, renowned international rating agency Moody’s Investors Service projected a much better outlook for Philippine banks in 2013 after having reviewed their financial performance this year.

Seeing brighter prospects, Moody’s forecast that Philippine banks’ creditworthiness would likely improve in the next 12 to 18 months on the back of double-digit profit growth, strong capitalization and healthy asset quality indicators

buoyed by an “evolving domestic economy.

Just recently, Moody’s upgraded its outlook for local banks to “positive” from “stable,” seeing sustained improvement on the banking system which could then translate to more lending that should support local consumption and investment, thus, economic growth. “(We) expect household consumption and steady government-led infrastructure spending to underpin a steady economic growth rate of above five percent that will support bank earnings growth without raising concerns about overheating,” Moody’s said in its latest report.

In the near term, or from now until mid-2014, bank profits are also seen to inch up between 11 and 13 percent as regulators tighten watch on real estate lending.

Bank of the Philippine Islands president Aurelio Montinola III, meanwhile, recognizes the presence of a number of challenges that have to be faced by the banking industry. (Philstar.com)

SALUTE TO RIZAL. President Benigno S. Aquiono III leads the observance of the 116th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal last Dec. 30 at the Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila. The commemoration of Rizal’s martyrdom is also being held simultaneously at the Calamba Rizal Shrine in Laguna and at the Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Noerte.

Malacañang photo

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 regis-

tered 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)

Election gun ban to begin on Jan. 13 A SIXmonth election gun ban will be enforced starting Jan. 13.

Commission on Elections Resolution 9385 provides that bearing, carrying and transporting firearms and other deadly weapons are prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Comelec.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said the PNP has long prepared for the Comelec-imposed election gun ban.

Cerbo said checkpoints would be set up in strategic areas to ensure the strict implementation of the gun ban. He said the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are in close coordination with the Comelec.

With the gun ban, Cerbo said all permits to carry firearms outside residence issued by the PNP to civilian gun holders are suspended. Only law enforcers on duty and in full uniform are allowed to carry firearms outside residence, he added.

Meanwhile, the Comelec said suspension of elective local officials is also banned during the election period.

Transfer or movement of government officials and the use of security personnel and bodyguards by candidates are also prohibited under the Comelec resolution. (Sheila Crisostomo with Cecille Suerte Felipe/Philstar.com)

Comelec to hold mock polls THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold mock elections this month to ensure that the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines would function properly on the second nationwide automated polls in May. Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that the commission en banc has yet to finalize details of the mock polls such as the date, venues and number of voters to be involved.

“There are areas that were suggested in Luzon,Visayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila but they are not yet final,” said Sarmiento, while naming Maguindanao, Naga City and Camarines Sur as among the possible host areas.

He explained that they want to find out the possible flaws that need to be addressed.

He said that one possible result of the mock elections is the identification of areas with weak telecommunication signals. Telecommunication signals are crucial in transmitting the poll results from precincts to the canvassing centers.

The conduct of mock polls is mandatory under Republic Act 9369 or the Poll Automation Law. The law states that there is a need for a “successful conduct of a field testing process followed by a mock election event in one or more cities/municipalities.” (Johanna M. Sampan/ManilaTimes.net)

9\kj Xi\ flk# gfc`k`ZXc YXkkc\ c`e\j [iXne `e 9X^l`f BAGUIO CITY—After the December 21, 2012 deadline for withdrawals and replacements, the Commission on Election now has a final list of candidates, which will be in contention for the different elective positions for this city.

Among those who filed their candidacies for the representative of the lone district of Baguio: Nicasio Aliping, Independent; Miguel Arvisu, Independent; Marquez Go, Liberal Party (LP); Roly Manuel, Independent; Bernardo Vergara, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA); and Richard Zarate, Independent.

For the mayoralty post: Mauricio Domogan, UNA; Guillermo Hernan-dez, Independent; Ramon Labo Jr., Independent; Junior Mina Jr.; Independent; Jose Molintas, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); and Peter Puzon, Independent.

For vice-mayorship: Dwight Nicolas Bello 3rd, Independent; Van Oliver Dicang, NPC; Daniel Fariñas, Nationalista Party (NP); Francis Padawil, Independent; and Jeffrey Pinic, Independent.

Those who filed their certificates of candidacies for the position of city councilor are: Joel Alangsab, NP; Arthur Allad-iw, LP; Gerardo Antolin, independent; Anthony Araos, NPC; Fred Bagbagen, NP; Evelyn Pit-og, Independent; Rocky Balisong, NP; Rizalino Banta, Independent; Anna May Baquirin, Independent; Paul Batnag, Independent; Joderek Bautista, NP; Edison Bilog, LP; Emmanuel Carantes, Independent; Richard Cariño, NP; Isabelo Cosalan Jr., LP; Robin Coteng, Independent; Elmer Datuin, UNA; Mario de Guzman, Independent; Jeffrey Dimas, Independent; Frisco Domalsin, LDP-Laban; Rebecca Dulawan, LDP; George Dumawing Jr., UNA; Laliane Estolas, Independent; Peter Fianza, Independent; Basilio Fongayao, NPC; John Glenn Gaerlan, Independent; Zandro Ico, Independent; Perfecto Itliong Jr., Independent; Richard

Asked about politicians who may seek gun ban exemption, Comelec said their request may be considered but tapping police personnel to protect them could also be Philstar.com photo an option.

Jimenez, Independent; Orlando Lardizabal Jr., Independent; Bruce Limmayog, LP; Federico Mandapat Jr., UNA; Mabini Maskay, UNA; Roberto Ocampo, NPC; Faustino Olowan, LP; Roberto Ortega, UNA; Ambrosio Palafox Jr., Independent; Rudolfo Paraan, LP; Ronald Perez, NP; Ramon Ramos Sr., Independent; Loida Soriano, Independent; Elaine Sembrano, NP; Betty Lourdes Tabanda, NUP; Edilberto Tenefrancia, Independent; Romeo Umali, Independent; Michael Uy, Independent; Peter Wasing, LP; Wegan-Allan Philian Louise, NP; Leandro Yangot, LP; and Lilia Yaranon, LP. Two candidates of the Liberal Party withdrew their certificates of candidacies (CoCs) and were substituted by party members.

The Liberal Party is now in coalition with the National Peoples Coalition.

Without any candidate for the mayoralty and vice-mayoral post, LP Baguio chairman and coalition spokesman Marquez Go announced the formal coalition between the Liberal Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition earlier.

Go is the coalition’s candidate for the lone congressional district seat.

The NPC, on the other hand, is bannered by lawyer Jose “Jomol” Molintas, who himself is a former member of the Liberal Party.

Go, announced earlier that the coalition will banner the President’s battle cry of matuwid na daan as its campaign advocacy.

Aside from Go and Molintas, Van Dicang is the coalition’s official candidate for the vice mayoral post.

Also, the coalition’s candidates for councilors include, incumbent councilors Edison Bilog and Isabelo Cosalan, with former councilors Faustino Olowan and Lilia Yaranon, also included in the line up are: Art Allad-iw, Bruce Limayog, Rudy Paraan and Peter Wasing from the Liberal Party and Anthony Araos, Basilio Fongayao and Roberto Ocampo who filed their COCs under the NPC.|

The LP-NPC coalition will be facing mostly incumbents from the Timpuyog ti Baguio Coalition. (Manilatimes.net)

CG Y\kj c`b\cp n`ee\ij `e 9XkXXe Æ >XiZ`X BALANGA City, Bataan—A landslide victory for the administration’s senatorial bets is seen in Bataan despite major political hopefuls in the province clashing against each other, Gov. Enrique Garcia said .

The governor said opposing candidates for congressman, governor, vice-governor, provincial board members and majority of the municipal contenders are one in supporting the senatorial bets of the Liberal Party.

Garcia said his faction and that of Chairman Felicito Payumo of the Bases Conversion Development Authority are in full support of the administration candidates.

Under the group of Garcia are second district Rep. Albert Garcia for governor, Vice Gov. Efren Pascual for reelection, first district Rep. Herminia Roman also seeking reelection and the elder Garcia to replace his son Albert as congressman.

The Garcias are under the National Unification Party while Pascual and Rep. Roman belong to the LP. At the opposite political fence are Felicito Payumo who resigned as BCDA chair for congressman in the first district, Dinalupihan Mayor Joel Jaime Payumo for governor, Jay Consunji for vice governor and former governor Leonardo Roman for congressman in the second district.

The two Payumos are LP stalwarts in Bataan but filed their certificates of candidacy last December 20 and 21 under the Nationalist People’s Coalition that Roman chairs in the province. Consunji, a lawyer, is also from the NPC. (Ernie Esconde/ManilaTimes.net)

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CJ

Journal

Your Immigration Solution Atty. Robert Reeves 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 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

Resolve to solve your Attention all drivers: Police officers to enforce limits around schools and senior centers immigration problems SFspeed Department of Public Health and Police Department launch in 2013 campaign to slow down drivers and increase pedestrian safety 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 16years-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 victory for Reeves & Associates and the members of the

Obtaining permanent resident status or becoming a US citizen is a distinct possibility for many people. 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

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. Noncitizens 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 noncitizen 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)

San Francisco—San Francisco seniors and youth will move another step closer to having safer streets as the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) team up to launch a $140,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Pedestrian Safety Project for Youth and Seniors will promote pedestrian safety by identifying schools and senior centers at high risk for pedestrian injuries and providing focused traffic enforcement by motorcycle officers. The focused enforcement will be on primary collision factors, including speed, red-light violations, stop-sign enforcement, and pedestrian right-of-way. This effort will also partner with the Safe Routes to School Program and the Mayor’s Pedestrian Safety Task Force to coordinate pedestrian safety efforts within the City.

“Research has shown that adhering to speed limits reduces injuries and deaths, especially among seniors and youth who are at high risk.

We are pleased to be able to work closely with the Police Department to increase traffic enforcement and educating drivers to reduce their driving speed around schools and seniors centers to create a safer environment and, ultimately, save lives,” noted Barbara Garcia, Director of Health.

The motorcycle officers focused on traffic enforcement will conduct numerous Targeted En-

forcement Operations (TEOs) and issue $155 citations to drivers who violate pedestrian safety laws. The enforcement operations will begin early in 2013. No specific date has been set.

“Pedestrian safety is a serious issue in our community, especially for seniors and schoolchildren,” said SFPD Chief Greg Suhr. “Drivers don’t realize how lethal their cars become, especially when they’re distracted. We want people to drive safely and not to have to ticket them, but our officers are prepared enforce the law.”

The campaign was developed to address high rates of pedestrian injuries and fatalities. According to 2011 SFPD collision data, 876 pedestrians were injured by auto collisions. The same data show that 68% of all deaths caused by traffic collisions were pedestrian casualties (25 total traffic deaths; 17 pedestrian deaths). Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable to pedestrian injuries. Older pedestrians represent 35% to 60% of all fatal pedestrian injuries from traffic collisions, a disproportionate share. Serious and fatal injuries to children represent a greater loss of years of life. They can be particularly traumatic to families and communities. Pedestrian injuries to children most often happen during the school commute. Funding for the campaign was provided by a grant from OTS, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A total of $140,000 was awarded for the one-year campaign.

Study shows naloxone cost-effective in preventing overdose deaths San Francisco—The Annals of Internal Medicine released a study this week demonstrating that giving heroin users the overdose antidote naloxone is a cost-effective way to prevent overdose death and save lives. Phillip Coffin, MD, Director of Substance Use Research at the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco, and Sean Sullivan, PhD, Professor and Director of the Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program at

the University of Washington, co-authored the study.

Drug overdose is now the leading cause of injury death in the United States with opioids, such as heroin, accounting for about 80% of those deaths.

Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote that works by temporarily blocking opioid receptors.

As of 2010, 183 public health programs around the country, including those supported by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, had trained over 53,000 individuals in how to use naloxone. These pro-

grams had documented more than 10,000 cases of successful overdose reversals.

The authors of this study developed a mathematical model to estimate the impact of distributing naloxone in this way. Their model was based on conservative estimates of the number of overdoses that occur each year. It accounted for people who overdose repeatedly, and it acknowledged that most people who overdose will survive whether or not they get naloxone.

PAGE CJ5

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O c to b e r 2 0 1 2 – Ja n ua ry 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.

Ja n ua ry 1 0, 2 0 1

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).

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Filipino American Educators Association Conference 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.

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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

Community Journal

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Immigration Corner Atty. Michael Gurfinkel Recently, an Ate (older sister) came to my office for a consultation, asking if her younger brother was eligible for age – out benefits under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). In that case, their immigrant parent had just filed a petition for her younger brother in the F – 2A category (single minor child of immigrant parent).

Right now, the waiting time for a green card in the F – 2A category is about two years. However, her brother was turning 21 in a few months.

The sister decided to contact the USCIS and request that they expedite the approval of her brother’s petition. She called the 800 number, sent e-mails, and wrote letters. Finally the USCIS “granted” her expedite request, and immediately approved the petition. The problem is that by her rushing the USCIS to approve that petition, she effectively destroyed her younger brother’s chances for benefits under the CSPA. The reason is that eligibility for benefits under the CSPA is based on a mathematical formula, whereby you take the date a petition is filed, and the date it was approved. How long did it take USCIS to approve the petition?

Three months? Six months? One year?

Next, you sit around and wait

CJ

Ate’s expedite request dooms brother’s Cspa eligibility for a few years, until the priority date is current (or visa is available). How old is the “child” when the priority date becomes current? You then subtract from the child’s age the length of time it took the USCIS to process and approve the petition. Therefore, the longer it takes USCIS to approve a petition, the more time you can subtract from the child’s age when the priority date becomes current. On the other hand, the faster the USCIS approves a petition, the less time you can subtract from the child’s age. For example, if it took USCIS three months to approve the petition, you can only subtract three months from the child’s age. If it took USCIS two years to approve the petition, you can subtract two years from the child’s age. Therefore it is always better, for CSPA purposes, for the USCIS to take longer to approve the petition.

In this particular case, the Ate was makulit, and requested USCIS to “expedite” the approval of the petition, which they did. However, as soon as the petition was approved, no more time could thereafter be subtracted from the child’s age. But the problem is that the waiting time for a visa in the F – 2A category is about two years. Therefore, a person would want to have the petition be pending as long as possible. This is so that you can subtract more time from the child’s age when the priority date finally becomes

current. But she did just the opposite, she rushed the approval of the petition.

My point is that the CSPA can sometimes be a confusing and complex law. What may seem to make sense (such as rushing the approval of a petition) can actually be harmful to a case. Before you start acting as your own attorney, giving yourself advice, and making up your own laws and rules, you should, instead, consult with an attorney to make sure you’re doing it correctly and are properly strategizing the case.

In this particular situation, by the Ate rushing the approval of the petition, her brother will not benefit from the CSPA. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES

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Classic car owners get a chance at vintage California plates

California legacy license plates available for pre-order January 1, 2013 SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced today it will be taking pre-orders for a new License Plate Program offering vehicle owners the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plate designs issued in the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s.

The new program will bring a retro look to modern license plates by offering three classic license plate designs. Legacy License plates can be ordered for any year model automobile, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer. The styles

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013

include black lettering over a yellow background seen in the 1950’s, yellow lettering over a black background seen in the 1960’s and yellow lettering over a blue background that was available originally in the 1970’s. The plates cost $50 for non-personalized or personalized plates.

A pre-order form California Legacy License Plate Pre-Order Form (REG 17L)is available at http://www.dmv.ca.gov/legacyplates/index.htm. The completed form and a $50 payment must be mailed to the address provided on the form. Payment

can only be made by check, money order, or cashier’s check. Pre-orders cannot be processed at DMV Field offices or Auto Club offices.

The law specifies that 7,500 applications must be reached

by January 1, 2015. If 7,500 applications are not received by that date, any fees paid for the California Legacy plates will be refunded to the applicant.

Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1658, by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Los Angeles) on September 28, 2012.

RACE AGAINST TIME AS THE LUCEROS FAMILY SCRAMBLED TO GET THEIR YOUNGEST TO COME TO AMERICA BEFORE HE “AGED OUT.” Time was fast escaping JR (2nd from left) who was about to turn 21, which meant that he would “age out”. The fastest way to get JR was for Mommy Zeny (left) to immigrate first through her daughter Lanie’s (2nd from right) petition. But it was truly painful for Mommy Zeny to leave the family’s “baby” behind. Lanie decided to consult with leading immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) to beat the clock against all odds. Watch another success story on an encore episode of your most popular immigration program on television—’Citizen Pinoy’—this Sunday 5:45pm (PST) on TFC.

TELECAST SCHEDULE TFC

Sundays Sundays

5:45pm PST 1:50am PST

original replay

ANC US

Saturdays Thursdays

9:30am PST •7pm PST

original replay

ANC PHIL

Sundays Fridays

1:30am Phil •11am Phil

original replay

*aired within TFC regions only

East West Bank finances a $90-million loan for The Export-Import Bank of China BEIJING—East West Bank, a subsidiary of East West Bancorp (Nasdaq: EWBC), a premier bank focused exclusively on the United States and Greater China markets, on December 27 announced that East West Bank has financed a US$90 million loan for the Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank). Officials from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) attended the agreement signing ceremony in Beijing. Five other international banks including Mizuho Bank and Bank of America were also present at the ceremony. The US$90 million loan facility is part of China Eximbank’s US$1.39 billion transportation external debt program for aircraft importation.

“We are very pleased to work with the ExportImport Bank of China,” said Andy Yen, Executive Vice President of East West Bank. “East West Bank

is committed to serving as the financial bridge between the United States and China. The financing East West Bank has provided will help sustain the strong growth of the aviation industry in China. We look forward to a long-term partnership with the Export-Import Bank of China and future opportunities to contribute to the growth of other critical industries in China,” concluded Mr. Yen. East West Bank, headquartered in Pasadena, California, is among the 30 largest banks in the United States. East West Bank has been ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the top 10 best banks in America for the last three years. East West Bank recently provided a US$20 million credit facility to Bona Film (Nasdaq: BONA), a leading film distributor in China, to fund upcoming productions and to acquire the distribution rights to international films in China.

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California Art Education Association offers Bay Area Youth Art Month Mayor Lee announces San Francisco Exhibition hosted by History San José awarded US Department of Education 2012 Promise Neighborhoods Grant

Five-year, up to $30M grant to Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco Unified School District & City to improve education in Mission Neighborhood MAYOR Edwin M. Lee and Superintendent Richard Carranza announced that the US Department of Education has selected San Francisco’s Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) to receive a five-year, up to $30 million Promise Neighborhoods implementation grant, among the highest amount granted of only six other selected areas in the nation.

“The Promise Neighborhoods grants will not only help our children succeed in school, but these grants will lift up families and whole communities,” said Mayor Lee. “I thank President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan for choosing the Mission community as one of seven recipients of the Promise Neighborhoods implementation grants so that we can continue to prepare our youth for the 21st Century workforce.”

“By delivering support holistically in a linguistically- and culturally-competent manner, this grant will bridge together successful local nonprofits and public and private partners to work with kids and families: empowering the community, breaking cycles of poverty, and ensuring every child can reach their full potential, from cradle to college to career,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“This is a great opportunity to further coordinate neighborhood resources and services to strategically support accelerated learning for children and families in the Mission District,” said Superintendent Richard A. Carranza of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). “We look forward to collaborating to make sure students within the Mission District have access to all of the opportunities that should be afforded to children. This is an important complement to the work we have begun through our school improvement initiatives.”

“This investment in our community will allow us to create true innovation and ensure children, youth and families in the Mission have strong schools, opportunities to become economically successful, and robust systems of family and community support that will allow them to thrive,” said MEDA’s Executive Director Luis Granados.

In December of 2011, MEDA received a $500,000 Promise Neighborhoods planning grant to carry out a community-wide planning process to create a continuum of services that would meet the Mission District’s needs, with a focus on lowincome Latino students and families and students at Cesar Chavez Elementary, Bryant Elementary, Everett Middle School, and John O’Connell High School. Throughout 2012, MEDA worked the Mayor’s office, community based organizations, city agencies, SFUSD, and the United Way of the Bay Area to write an implementation proposal that was submitted to the Department of Education in July 2012.

The Promise Neighborhood implementation grant will help leverage SFUSD’s three-year $45 million Federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) that expires in June 2013 to support the transformation of student outcomes at state-identified “persistently low-performing schools.” Mission area schools are demonstrating improvement by incorporating a deep focus on literacy instruction, professional development for teachers, additional support staff, and a community schools approach.

“This is a great day not only for MEDA and our partners, but for the Mission as a whole,” said Supervisor David Campos. “With these funds, we will be able to deliver services in a coordinated way, ensure that families and children can access what they need, and help all families and students realize their full potential. We are excited and look forward to starting the work to build a better Mission District.”

Implementation grantees received awards between $1.4 million to $6 million to fund the first year of a five-year grant to execute community-led plans that improve and provide better social services and educational programs.

In addition to San Francisco, six other areas received implementation grants: Los Angeles, Boston and Roxbury Massachusetts; Washington D.C.; Chula Vista, California; Lubbock, Texas; and Indianola, Mississippi. San Francisco and Los Angeles received the highest awards of $6 million annually for five years. Award amounts reflect first-year funding with additional years subject to congressional appropriations.

Promise Neighborhoods is one of the signature programs of the White House Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, which supports innovative and inclusive strategies that bring public and private partners together to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. It encourages collaboration between the US Departments of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Treasury and Health and Human Services to support local solutions for sustainable, mixed-income neighborhoods with affordable housing, safe streets and good schools.

About Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) MEDA is a 39 year old nonprofit organization based in San Francisco’s Mission District and provides free services to low-income families to help them become financially prosperous. Already a leading provider of services to alleviate poverty in San Francisco, MEDA is the lead agency for the Mission Promise Neighborhood, a collaborative community effort to support school improvement and revitalize the Mission neighborhood by creating a cradle-tocareer pipeline for students and families.

SAN JOSE — History San José will again host a Bay Area Youth Art Month Exhibition in conjunction with the California Art Education Association (CAEA) opening in the David and Leonard McKay Gallery at the Pasetta House at History Park on March 2.

“We are really pleased to host this wonderful exhibit of local children’s art; one day one of these artists may be included in our permanent collection! ” said Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José (HSJ). “Our inspiration is Leonard McKay, for whom the gallery is named. He would be very proud of the local youth, as he loved to promote emerging, local artists.”

Youth Art Month is a nationally recognized observance each March to emphasize the value of art education for all children, and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Supported by the National Art Education Association and in California by the California Art Education As-

sociation, the Northern Area chapter will hold the exhibition featuring some of the best art

by Bay Area students, Kindergarten through Grade 12.

“The Northern Area of California Art Education Association is honored to bring for the second year in a row to History Park, some excellent two-dimensional and three-dimensional art for exhibition,” said Barbara Purdy, Art Department Head at Presentation High School, and chapter event organizer.

The curated youth art show is open to all California Arts Education Association members.

Membership is only $50. The exhibit will include awards for art in four grade-level categories: Kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grades, sixth through eighth grades and and high school grades nine through twelve.

Awards will be given in each category at a Sunday, March 2 afternoon reception from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Leonard and David McKay Gallery at the Pas-

etta House in History Park.

Sargent Art will award prizes to teachers of the first place winners in each category. The student winner from each Area exhibition advances to the state level and one of these students, along with a parent and their teacher, will be awarded a trip to New York through the suppoert of Sargent Art. The exhibition will open on Saturday March 2 at the Leonard & David McKay Gallery at the Pasetta House in History Park in Kelley Parklocated at 1620 Senter Road, between Phelan and Keyes Avenues. For GPS mapping use 635 Phelan Avenue. City parking is available for $6. The Gallery is open Saturday & Sunday, admission is free through May 1, 2013.

For more information visit historysanjose.org or call 408 287 2290. The Galleries at History Park are open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 AM to 5 PM, and the Museum Shop and O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor are open 11 AM to 4 PM.

Community Journal

CJ January 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Legal Rights Atty. Johnson Lazaro This year more than 15 million lawsuits will be filed in State Courts. People will sue and the US courts will again be flooded with human conflicts. This is a country that seems to thrive on conflicts and animosity. And as a result, Americans will spend billions on legal fees and costs for the year 2013.

Vengefulness sometimes gets the best of us. No one is immune to anger. We are emotional beings and when we get offended, we want to lash out. Anger is a destructive emotion. Lawsuits are triggered by anger. When we get pissed, we sue. We use the Courts and legal system to vent our anger. There are those whose sole mission in life is to destroy others. This mindset will continue to wreak havoc in our lives and in our society. But the good news is, it is the New Year.

And we can resolve to change and have a different attitude in life.

EMPLOYMENT

Be better than you are this new year One of the most powerful realizations in life is the fact that we have a choice on how to feel. We do not have to react to any given events or situation. When a reckless driver, cuts you off, you have the power to let it go. You have the choice not to get angry and insure that you get to your destination. When a customer becomes unreasonable or disruptive, you can choose remain

But as years pass and old age becomes inevitable, this is where we want to be. It’s not advisable to have road rage at age 70. With tolerance and possibly some kindness, we can move away from being a litigious society. Imagine how many billions we can save in attorney fees and court costs by simply letting go.

As a lawyer of course I make money from conflicts and with-

One of the most powerful realizations in life is the fact that we have a choice on how to feel. We do not have to react to any given events or situation.

When a reckless driver, cuts you off, you have the power to let it go. calm and collected. When your spouse or significant other starts an argument, you can choose a positive response. Disputes can always be negotiated and settled without having to set foot in court. Cooler heads can prevail.

It’s not that hard.

The practice of tolerance would require some discipline.

out people fighting, I’d be out of a job. The curse of this profession is obvious. Animosity and intolerance drive the legal system and keep lawyers employed.

But I see what we can become as a people if we choose to be more understanding and less confrontational. I see how we can evolve PAGE CJ5

The CTV Files

FOR RENT

NURSING SCHOOL

PSYCHIC

Stepchildren as family immigrants

B e n icio and Luzviminda were sweethearts. Although they never married, Stephen was born in 1962 as a result of their relationship.

Subsequently, Luzviminda abandoned Benicio and the infant Stephen was given to the care of Benicio’s mother. In 1964, Benicio met and married Patricia, a US citizen. Later, Patricia filed an immigrant visa petition on behalf of Stephen as a stepson. The petition was denied by the then Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS](now US Citizenship and Immigration Service[UCSIS]) ostensibly for failure “to establish the existence of a close family relationship” between Patricia, Benicio, and Stephen. Was the INS correct in its decision? The short answer is “no.”

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) defines the term “child” as an unmarried person under twenty-one years of age, including “… a stepchild, whether or not born in wedlock, provided the child had not reached the age of eighteen years at the time the marriage creating the status of stepchild occurred; …” In interpreting said provision, then INS has held for many years that “the mere fact of a marriage which technically creates a step-relationship does not in itself establish a stepparent-stepchild relationship for purposes of immigrations laws.” For a time, INS adhered to the “close family unit” standard requiring “that a close family unit be shown to

Cesar G. Cutaran, Esq.

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exist between the stepparent, the stepchild, and the natural parent. Said standard was later modified into the “active parental interest” test, i.e., “a step-relationship exists for immigration purposes where, prior to the stepchild’s eighteenth birthday, the stepparent not only married the child’s natural parent but evinced an active parental interest in the child’s support, instruction and general welfare.”

In a 1980 decision, both the “close family unit” and “active parental interest” rules were rejected by the US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit which formulated the present and more liberal standard, concluding that persons who became stepchildren through the marriage of the a natural parent to a US citizen prior to their eighteenth birthday are entitled to visa preference “without further qualification.”(emphasis added). In a 1988 decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals BIA), consistent with the more liberal standard, ruled that “no qualification beyond a valid marriage creating the step-relationship should be imposed.”

What happens, however, if the natural parent and the US citizen legally separated or their marriage is terminated by divorce or death? In other words, is the viability of the marriage between the natural parent and the US citizen relevant or determinative to a stepchild’s entitlement to immigration benefits? In a 1981 Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decision, the Board ruled PAGE CJ5

NURSING REVIEW

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • january 4-10, 2013

CJ

Daly City set to celebrate 21st Annual Black History Month on February 2

The City of Daly City will host its 21st Annual Black History Month celebration on Saturday, February 2, 2013, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Pacelli Event Center, 145 Lake Merced Blvd. Stanford University historian Clayborne Carson is the featured speaker at this year’s event. He is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at 12 noon. Carson is the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute. He

was selected in 1985 by the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King to edit and publish the papers of her late husband. Carson has devoted most of his professional life to studying Martin Luther King, Jr., and the movements King inspired.

Under his direction, the King Papers Project has produced six volumes of a definitive, comprehensive edition of King’s speeches, sermons, correspondence, publications, and unpublished writings. This project is now a com-

ponent of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute that Carson founded at Stanford University in 2005.

The theme of the Black History Month celebration is At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

African-American history highlights, live drumming and soul food are expected to be the top attractions at the community celebration. An array of ethnic vendor booths, dance, music and cultural entertainment, together with a youth-themed essay display, promises to keep guests engaged.

Originally established as Black History Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the celebration of African-American history expanded to

Faith as key to preventing violence in society

by Angel

N. Pagaduan

Violence is a societal phenomenon recurrent anywhere.

But none is recently as shocking as the massacre of a school’s 20 first-grader students and 6 teachers in Connecticut last December 14— quite near Christmas, a traditional occasion for remembering a Divine Savior. Simply senseless, regardless of weapon or motive, the heartbreaking carnage’s evocation of tears, condemnation, commiseration, etc. amid busied media attention will pervade the world until it ebbs.

But immediate need is sure solution, the impossibility of restoring the murdered victims’ lives notwithstanding. Debates, prayer meetings, etc. can do only so much. In the killer’s mind is rooted the cause. A person’s mindset is framed with by all interacting forces within his day-to-day relationships defines what he does in life.

The killer clearly has a Godless mindset, evoking ill mental health uproars. Preventing every mindless recurrence entails realistic solution by a look into the fact that from the time he reached his age of reason, the culprit started learning all about what life has brought him into relationship or contact with. Regardless of fruition, it is safely inferable: He might have never been educated to the effect that in humans’ earthly life there is a heavenly powerful, supernatural God. Some people may deem this extraneous, even frivolous. But this is to exclude the role of God from humans’ day-to-day affairs in life— plain materialism trashing the more meaningful rule or role of perfection as personified by Christ on earth and lived by the Holy Spirit as the Holy Bible teaches. It is thus safe to presume, the killer is out of touch with God; otherwise, chances for his loss of self-control or sick mind could have been lesser. This takes plausibility from the fact that once any clout of respect

as supposedly accorded only God as a spiritual divinity representing humans’ guide light of rectitude is lost, hell breaks loose with everything else lost. A mortal can easily lose respect for parental or any other regulatory authority, but not so where his mindset takes shape with a deep-seated sense of God’s omnipotence from the time he reaches his own age of reason.

Anyone educated as such is prone to always think twice or more first before taking others’ or his/her own life devilishly. Everyone’s prayer-inspired relationship with God ought to shield off disrespect of him in any way Had the perpetrator been taught Christ’s teachings about children’s value when he said (Mark 10:1415), “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it,” the tragedy might have not occurred. A repetition in any mode can be minimized, if not utterly prevented, by always observing, “Just as a twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.”

No other referential resource is aptly reliable that homes and schools— and even policy makers— can beneficially harness for the far-reaching certitude of the timely applicability of this legacy of Alexander Pope’s wisdom than the book, Ten “Must-Do” Steps for Top-Rank Classroom Learning, available Online and in bookstores. Touching on the Big Bang as God’s Creation/Intelligent Design, bad vs. good germs, thoughts, etc., it provides reality-based lessons tailored for students’ becoming resistant to life’s temptations/imperfections while becoming academically smarter.

Analogically, it simulates culture inputs biologically rendering cultivated crops resistant to pests and diseases. A bonus side effect upon usage is set to come in the

form of all that goes with the advantageous fruition of applying the “Nip it in the bud” idiom.

Conjunctively with the above is the preponderance of audio-visual entertainments with a trajectory in the direction more of focally sensationalized aspects of human conduct that are God-abiding, rather than God-deviating. Any entertainment’s ring of excitement must exude more of an aura of the divine, heroic, the Big Bang’s God-tinged telltale meanings, etc. than profuse scenarios of ETs, UFOs, ape-to-man evolution, etc. The latter tends to neutralize the former in terms of the efficacy of underlying message pertinently intended, so that the supposed precedence of lessons on all about God gets overstepped.

As it is said, public edifices’ God obeisance-laden inscriptions are rendered useless by some promulgated, superseding new rules.

Such inscriptions, intended ostensibly as reminders for everyone to always be God-conscious, ought now to be harnessed more intently if solving the problem is at all to benefit society. And it is pertinent to add, any open-minded person ought from here on to always use “God” as a lifetime, daily habit mnemonic tickler deciphered in reverse “doG” (it connotes man’s best friend) to mean “do only Good” anywhere. It sounds childishly corny/unsophisticated by its funny slant of a joke, but hardly contradictable for any sane reason. Why? The book, The Japanese Sneak Attack in Subic: an Untold Episode of World War II, now under publication by Trafford Publishing, provides reality-based answers. It essentially tells of one of modern times’ first-hand, experience-based testimonies to the reality of God’s existence as a concrete foundation of enduring faith.

A costly loss of touch with God is best shown by Manny Pacquiao’s recent loss in the boxing

Red Ribbon Week National Contest winner from California National Family Partnership’s 27th Annual Youth Drug Prevention Campaign: ‘The Best Me is Drug Free’ The Tanabe Family from California won a $1,000 drug-prevention grant for their local school and an iPad for their home

The National Family Partnership (NFP) announced the winners of the 2012 National Red Ribbon Photo Contest: “The Best Me Is Drug Free.” The nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention campaign reaches more than 80 million people nationwide every year since 1985.

This year, families got involved

by entering a contest to promote awareness in their neighborhoods and win a drug prevention grant for their schools. “As schools across America celebrated Red Ribbon Week, our contest helped students take the message home,” said Peggy Sapp, NFP’s volunteer president. “By entering the contest

and decorating their homes together, families carried the message to their communities.”

Students from throughout the United States entered the contest by decorating their homes together with their parents - mailboxes, front doors and fences. Parents uploaded phoPAGE CJ6

Study shows naloxone cost-effective...

PAGE CJ1 In their basic model, Coffin and Sullivan estimated that reaching 20% of a million heroin users with naloxone would prevent about 9,000 overdose deaths over their lifetime. One life would be saved for every 164 naloxone kits given out.

Based on optimistic assumptions, naloxone could prevent as many as 43,000 deaths – one life for every 36 kits given out.

Naloxone distribution would cost about $400 for every qualityadjusted year of life gained. This value is well below the custom-

ary $50,000 cutoff for medical interventions. It is also cheaper than most well-accepted prevention programs in medicine – most similar to the cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation or checking blood pressure.

All reasonable assumptions produced costs that were well within traditional guidelines for cost-effectiveness.

“Naloxone is a highly cost-effective way to prevent overdose deaths,” said Dr Coffin. “And, as a researcher at the Department of Public Health, my priority is maximizing our resources to

help improve the health of the community.”

Naloxone distribution has existed in San Francisco since the late 1990s, with SFDPH support since 2004. During that time, heroin overdose fatalities slowly decreased from a peak of 155 in 1995 to 10 in 2010. Opioid analgesic deaths (e.g., oxycodone, methadone, or hydrocodone) remain elevated, with 121 deaths in 2010. Efforts are currently underway to expand access to this lifesaving medication for patients receiving prescription opioids as well.

Be better than you are...

PAGE CJ4 and tolerate diversity and see the innate goodness in others. I see how we can elevate and challenge ourselves to become better than last year.

Let’s start fresh this New Year. Let’s resolve to become better than we are. We can’t get rid of conflicts and anger will always be experienced but we can remember that we have a choice. We can choose to improve or we can choose to stay basically the same. If staying basically the same made you happy last year so be it. But if you can imagine a better self, then resolve to change. Happy 2013!!

*** Lazaro Law Group, Professional Corporation represents immigrants all over the United States and the US Embassy in Manila.

The firm’s offices are located in San Francisco, Fremont/Newark/ Union City, and Sacramento, California. Attorney Johnson Lazaro can be reached at (415) 800-5775 or toll free at (855) 4-LAZARO. His email is Law@LazaroLaw.com.a *** This article should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. This is not meant to create a lawyer-client relationship.

(Advertising Supplement)

Stepchildren as family...

PAGE CJ4 that “the appropriate inquiry” in said situations is “whether a family relationship has continued to exist as a matter of fact between the stepparent and stepchild.”

On the other hand, what if there is an actual familial relationship between the stepparent and the child but no valid marriage between the child’s natural parent and the stepparent? In this situation, the immigration courts have consistently ruled that a step-relationship under the INA is based on a valid marriage, and that a sham marriage at the outset cannot form the basis of a

step-relationship under immigration laws regardless of any family relationship. *** Atty. Cesar G. Cutaran is a partner in the Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Manila. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. The CTV attorneys will be holding regular free legal clinics at the Max’s Restaurant in Vallejo, California. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 4958088; (619) 955-6277; ccutaran@ctvattys.com.

ring. His God-given gift started ebbing when fame impacted his psyche so divisively that his originally God-molded mindset divergently became distributed to such focuses as lawmaking, singing, preaching, etc. Before this, he simply is amazingly terrific with his mindset’s staying as a truly uni-focused champion that he then was, excitingly knocking down in succession almost any opponent who comes his way. Misused fame rid him off such same mindset when he last faced Marquez. It was a different Pacquiao, forgetting the real meaning of prayers to God--- never going astray.

the entire month of February in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial.

Every US president since has signed a proclamation designating February as National African-American History Month to honor the heritage and accomplishments of African Americans.

Daly City’s Black History Month Celebration is free and open to the public. Ample parking is available at Westlake Park, adjacent to the Pacelli Event Center.

Join us for a ‘behind the scenes’ exploration of Walnut Creek

Discover a side of Walnut Creek you may not have seen before.

Go behind the scenes at the Lesher Center for the Arts, get up close to a streetsweeping machine at the City’s Corp Yard, or learn how the Lindsay Wildlife Museum takes care of injured animals.

Each month, the Second Saturday Spotlight will “shine” on a new subject. Sessions are from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of the month through November 2013, and will include handson demonstrations and guided tours (exception: February’s Spotlight will be the State of the City presentation at the Lesher Center for the Arts).

Please pre-register so we know how many tour guides we’ll need!

Registration for each Spotlight will open four weeks in advance. To register, log on to http://www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us/thingstodo/second_saturday_spotlight/default.asp

People & Events

CJ January 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 583-6818

Reservations now open for ‘Dine About Town San Francisco’ Popular dining event returns January 15-31, 2013

Dec. 18, 2012 – Reservations are now available for 12th annual “Dine About Town San Francisco,” which takes place on January 15-31, 2013.

More than 100 of San Francisco’s best restaurants are participating, offering a two or three-course lunch menus for $18.95 and/or three-course dinner menus for $36.95. This pricing can represent up to a 25 percent savings off regularly priced a la carte items.

The complete restaurant list for “Dine About Town San Francisco” and reservations are available at www. dineabouttown.com, a website of the San Francisco Travel Association.

“For more than a decade,

foodies have looked forward to ‘Dine About Town’ as a time to experience and explore San Francisco’s fine dining scene,” said Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel. “The combination of notable restaurants and exceptional value make it nearly irresistible to get out and make the most of San Francisco’s outstanding culinary offerings.”

Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant. A la carte menus will also be available.

Reservations are encouraged and may be made online through a partnership with OpenTable.com. Information is also available by calling the

San Francisco Travel Association at 415-391-2000.

American Express is the preferred method of payment for Dine About Town San Francisco.

A kickoff event for the 12th annual “Dine About Town San Francisco” will be held on Thursday, January 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at City View at METREON, 101 4th St. (between Howard and Minna streets).

Participating restaurants will provide tastes from their Dine About Town menus and guests will have the opportunity to sample wines, beers and spirits from the Bay Area and beyond.

One hundred percent of the

proceeds from the launch event will benefit Meals on Wheels.

Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance at www.dineabouttown. com/launch. Tickets will not be sold at the door and are nontransferable. Guests must be 21 or over and present photo ID and confirmation email.

Pinterest users are encouraged to create a Pinterest board of favorite “Dine About Town” photos for a chance to win a $100 dining certificate at a participating restaurant.

For information on how to enter, visit www.dineabouttown. com/pinterest.

“Dine About Town San Francisco” will return for a “second

helping” on June 1-15, 2013.

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official tourism marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, packages, activities and more, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-3912000. The Visitor Information Center is located at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, lower level, near the Powell Street cable car turnaround.

For an insider’s perspective, join more than 490,000 people who follow San Francisco Travel on Facebook at www.facebook.com/onlyinsf.

Follow “OnlyinSF” on Twitter at http://twitter.com/onlyinsf. See delicious Dine About

Town dishes on instagram at #dineabouttown. And discover the Dine About Town board on Pinterest at pinterest.com/onlyinsf.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 31 international points on 30 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects nonstop with 74 cities in the US on 15 domestic airlines. For upto-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com.

Follow us on www.twitter. com/flysfo and www.facebook. com/flysfo.

Commission on Filipinos Overseas schedules Second Global Summit on February 2013

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) announced that it will be holding the 2nd Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City on February 25-27, 2013.

Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas, CFO Chairperson, personally made the official announcement in front of a select group of news editors and reporters recently.

“Following the successful first summit in September 2011 in Manila, we expect the February 2013 event to be even bigger; with leaders of the various global Philippine associations in attendance,” said Sec. Nicolas. “Preparations are underway as we speak.”

For the second summit, the CFO has adopted the theme ‘Two Years Thereafter: The Best of the Philippine Diaspora’ in line with its charge to track the progress of the different groups’ diaspora projects since the first summit and in order to identify areas of synergies to enhance these groups’ contributions to Philippine development.

A diaspora refers to the movement or migration of people away from their countries of origin, heritage or interest, while maintaining links with their homeland.

Through its flagship program, Diaspora to Development (D2D) the Commission intends to

The Santa Maria Ilocos Sur Association of Nevada invites you to the 9th Biennial

institutionalize and maximize Overseas Filipino involvement in the socio-cultural and economic development of the Philippines through 10 major areas of interventions including skills and technology transfer, arts and culture exchange, educational exchange, business linkaging, diaspora investments, global legal assistance, advocacy, diaspora philanthropy, medical mission coordination, tourism initiatives, and return and reintegration.

With the impetus of the D2D coming from the hundreds of Overseas Filipinos expected to attend the 2013 Global Summit , the rallying cry “BALIKBAYANIHAN!” has been fittingly chosen by the event organizers.

The summit also aims to promote networking among Overseas Filipinos in the different re-

gions of the world and accelerate participation of second and third generation Overseas Filipinos in the country’s development. The CFO is the government agency mandated to promote and uphold the interests of overseas Filipinos and to preserve and strengthen ties with Filipino communities overseas.

Among the major sponsors in the upcoming Diaspora to Development summit are the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Dusit Thani Manila, The Medical City, Vibal Printing, ActivAsia, and DDB Philippines.

DDB, one of the largest companies in the Philippine advertising industry, has also been appointed as the official communications partner and marketing arm for the global summit.

Red Ribbon Week National Contest Winner...

PAGE CJ5

S M I S A N SANTA MARIA ILOCOS SUR ASSOCIATION of NEVADA est. MMVII

Saturday, April 27, 2013 6 PM to Midnight Tuscany Hotel and Casino 255 East Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89169

For more information contact Alex Pena at (702) 373-9522 or adpena@cox.net

tos to www.RedRibbon.org, then friends and family voted and the entries with the most votes won (from ten regions across the US including every state). Zane (6) and Kane (3) Tanabe from Belmont, California won a $1,000 drug-prevention grant for Cipriani Elementary School and an iPad for their family (photo below).

The DEA co-sponsored this year’s national Red Ribbon Week contest. “The DEA is excited to partner with the National Family Partnership on this contest that empowers communities to come together to talk about the drug problem,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Red Ribbon Week is also when we honor DEA Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena, who made

the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe.”

In 1985 after the murder of DEA agent Camarena, parents, youth and teachers in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs.

“The National Family Partnership is very grateful to all who participated in this year’s contest,” adds Peggy Sapp. “We received so many wonderful entries from across the US, and an outpouring of support with over 140,000 votes. We are so happy for the winning families who will receive an iPad for themselves and $1,000 for their school.”

The winning entries are online at www.redribbon.org/winners.

“I enjoyed decorating the

door with the boys because it was something we could do together as a family,” said mom Kelly Tanabe. “It was great seeing all the support we received from neighbors, friends, family members, teachers. It was so heartwarming that people were so supportive and working together to help out the school.

This really helped us to introduce the topic of drugs to them.

The contest helped us to open up the dialogue. It really helped.

My son keeps saying he wants to have a drug-free life. He knows after doing this that drugs are something to avoid and he’s not afraid to tell other kids.”

Said Cipriani Elementary School Principal Lisa Zachry: “As a school, we will use the grant money to focus on prevention and wellness.”

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CJ

CJ January 4-10, 2013 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 583-6818