NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Peers award psychologist
Inside
Bonta to headline Kalayaan program
GAPA chorale marks 25th year A8
By Cherie M. Querol Moreno
Lydia V. Solis/PNEWS
By Lydia V. Solis CHIEF Correspondent, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
EXECUTIVE Editor
SAN DIEGO - A San Francisco Bay Area community leader and a Filipino American pioneer in his profession has added another feather in his hat. Dr. Jei Africa, director of the office of diversity and equity at San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS), received the 2015 Distinguished Humanitarian Award from the California
ALLICE clinical director receives Distinguished Humanitarian Award from California Psychological Association.
See PEERS, A8
ASSEMBLYMEMBER Rob Bonta (DOakland) on June 6 will deliver the keynote address at the commemoration of the 117th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence from Spain. Hosted by Kalayaan Incorporated of Southern California, the grand ball will be held at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. Zeny Sabocor said Kalayaan chose See BONTA, A11
Coming together as one nation A5
Daly City strengthens social host ordinance A2
ASSEMBLYMEMBER Rob Bonta
MAY IS ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
Project PEARLS brings hope to residents of Tondo A6
www.philippinenews.com NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION • May 8 - 14, 2015 • Year 54 • Issue 40
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PACQUIAO BOWS TO MAYWEATHER
Cites hurt shoulder Still Filipinos’ champ By Truth Esguerra
By Louinn Lota
PNews Reporter
Contributor
LAS VEGAS-- It was an uneventful night for Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao as he was unable to defeat Floyd “Money” Mayweather in their highly anticipated fight at the MGM Grand on May 2. According to the Filipino boxing superstar, the real reason why he was not able to put on a better performance on fight night was all due to a right shoulder injury he suffered several weeks ago while training for the mega-bout with Mayweather. The injury, which burdened his training camp, was severe enough to get Pacquiao contemplating on postponing the fight. See CITES, A14
Shoulder injury was severe enough to get Filipino boxer contemplating on postponing the fight.
LAS VEGAS - Filipinos worldwide united behind national icon Manny Pacquiao, treating a highly anticipated and lucratively record-breaking welterweight boxing match as if it was an epic battle between good and evil. “The fans deserve this fight,” Pacquiao himself said at the weigh-in attended by 11,500 people the day before a bout six years in the making. Weigh-ins usually are free, but this time, tickets cost $10 at face value with Pacquiao donating his share to a clinic for brain health. For those who bought their weigh-in tickets on the secondary market, seats were See STILL, A14
CHRIS FARINA/TOP RANK
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE CENTURY
‘Manny Pacquiao is blessed. He’s a tough competitor.’ - Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
MILF BOMB-MAKER
Usman killed Palace confirms death of elusive terrorist By Beting Laygo Dolor Manila bureau chief
Eight-belt champion Manny Pacquiao lands a hard hit on Floyd Mayweather but was unable to overpower unbeaten rival at May 2 bout in Las Vegas. Judges gave Mayweather the unanimous win. Reaction and more pictures inside.
Fight fans sue Pacquiao
See page 2
MANILA – It may well be the final chapter in the ill-fated saga of the Special Action Force-44. Reports reaching Manila from Maguindanao province said Abdul Basit Usman was killed in a firefight with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forces around noon on Sunday, May 3. Usman was one of two targets who were being hunted by a Philippine National Police-SAF team which entered MILF territory last Jan. 25, sparking a firefight that resulted in the death of 44 of the 45
May 3 firefight takes out Abdul Basit Usman, deputy to Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, ealier slain by PNP-SAF.
See USMAN, A14
WHITE HOUSE SUMMIT
‘Unprecedented’ meet on APIs Mother downplays VELOSO REPRIEVE
By Kiran Ahuja
Following was issued May 1, 2015. TODAY marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the incredible diversity within our community and the significant contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to this nation. It is also a time to reflect on the trials and tribulations our community has overcome and the many challenges still faced, including barriers to equal access to education, employment, and health care, as well as ongoing struggles with discrimination. President Obama expresses this sentiment and more in his 2015 Presidential Proclamation for AAPI Heritage Month. As part of the month, we will hold the White House See UNPRECEDENTED, A14
government role
WHIAAPI Kiran Ahuja with Konrad Ng, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center.
FROM KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
See MOTHER, A14
Major grant for PH kids LOS ANGELES - They were a small band of laymen bound by a holy brotherhood in arms to protect and defend Christians making the pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem. Their courage was eventually recognized and they were given for their headquarters, a building on Temple Mount, the site of the former Temple of King Solomon. They became known as the Knights of the Temple or Knights Templar. Today, the Knights Templar is a Masonic, Christian-oriented, fraternal organization. Although it claims no direct historical connection, the Knights Templar is based on the ancient organization that was founded in the 12th century. Their courage and goodwill are now demonstrated in different ways See MAJOR, A10
MANILA - Despite their family’s gratitude toward the outpouring of love and support for Mary Jane Veloso, her mother Celia Veloso on May 1 aired her grievance towards the Aquino administration. In a press conference following their arrival from Indonesia, Celia thanked supporters, particularly those who introduced them to Migrante International. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo, nang dahil sa inyo ay nakilala kami
Shared commitment to preserve vision unites Knights Templar and Apl.de.ap Foundation.
Apl.de.ap Foundation gets $95 K to treat, prevent infant blindness.
Aquino says government did all it could on behalf of Filipina on Jakarta death row.