PinoyWatchDog.com 12th edition March 31 2012

Artists and Friends Pay Tribute to Musician-Songwriter “Bodjie” Dasig, 48

VOL. 1 NO. 12 •

20 PAGES • 25K CIRCULATED IN LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTIES AND INLAND EMPIRE

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SATURDAY, mARCH 31, 2012

Impeachment trial takes a pause that refreshes

By Winston A.

Marbella Correspondent

M

ANILA - If one can only get past Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s shrill lyric-soprano voice, one can learn a host of life-changing lessons, tuitionfree, to last a legal lifetime.

But one has to keep an open ear to benefit from Senator Santiago’s legal perorations, as one has to be discerning to catch the wisdom of the years that flow freely from the off-the-cuff rulings of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (A classic was Enrile’s reply to Chief House Prosecutor Rep. Niel Tipas, who had

the gumption to ask Enrile for his legal citations: “A product of my own mind!”).

Both Enrile and Santiago are erudite no-nonsense legal scholars whose lives exemplify a devotion to the law rarely found these days. And both have found in the law the culmination of a life’s work that will benefit generations to come, whether as lawyers or legislators, or simply as ordinary citizens enjoying the fruits of the democratic freedoms that have been enriched by persons such as them.

Senator Enrile is playing out

BALITA/BEIRNE’S ‘PATTERN OF LYING’ EVIDENT IN RUBY SEXON DEPOSITION

By Rene Villaroman with PWD

T

he ‘pattern of lying’ in the Balita/Beirne organization once more came to the fore during a court-ordered deposition of Atty James G. Beirne’s staff member Ruby

Investigative Team

Sexon conducted by Atty Joel Bander in connection with the Duldulao family lawsuit.

In this lawsuit, the Duldulaos seek unspecified damages against

EXPOSE

The ravaging of Mindanao

By Winston A.

B

Marbella Correspondent

ISLIG BAY – The crippling power shutdowns that now roll daily across this vast tropical island tell a centuriesold story of neglect with which the “imperial government” in Manila has treated this frontier territory.

This is ironic because this second largest in an archipelago of 7,107 glistening emerald isles overflows with natural resources that have spawned millionaire frontiersmen once found only in rags-to-riches adventure stories.

But this ancient land of immense opportunities cannot long endure the confluence of freakish climate change, mountains stripped bare of trees and gold,

Atty James G. Beirne and the Law Offices of James G. Beirne, due to the loss of their home in Eagle Rock, California, after Beirne failed to file a bankruptcy petition in their behalf even though they had paid the attorney the

and unbridled human greed raping the land daily.

Towards the Christmas holidays last December, a tropical storm rumbled through northern Mindanao to give a foretaste of what was to come inevitably.

The logs strewn across the desolate landscape told the criminal story: Typhoon “Sendong” was just an accomplice in the genocide; illegal loggers and miners killed hundreds in the storm’s deadly wake.

The logs rode the floods spawned by a devastated landscape and punched through houses and people as they cut a deadly swath of destruction on their way to the sea.

Turn to Page 2

Turn to Page 17

fee that he had demanded. Beirne admits that Sexon is the only law office staff member to ever speak to the Duldulaos before he failed to file their bankruptcy thus losing their home.

Sexon has been prominently promoted as a key Beirne staff Turn to Page 3

“US House may belong to CJ Renato Corona” —Rep Neptali Gonzalez II

T

he California house that a daughter of Chief Justice Renato Corona had acquired in California may actually belong to her father, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II claimed yesterday, a Manila daily newspaper reported on Friday, March 30.

Gonzales said congressmen prosecuting Corona in his Senate impeachment trial do not dismiss the possibility that the Chief Justice is the real and beneficial owner of the California property and Gonzalez also said that it is the belief of the prosecution panel that Corona is using his children to hide his unexplained wealth.

This is the reason why prosecutors attribute to the Chief Justice

the ownership of a property in McKinley Hill in Global City, Taguig, which his daughter Maria Charina bought for P6.1 million in 2008, he said.

Gonzalez said that it was Corona who signed the reservation agreement for the property and it was he who paid for it in 27 installments as shown by receipts presented to the Senate impeachment court.

Gonzales is helping Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya manage Corona’s prosecution in his impeachment trial.

Defense lawyers claimed that the Chief Justice acted merely as his daughter’s “attorney-in-fact” in acquiring the McKinley property.

Turn to Page 8

SANTIAGO

From Our Pen

ENTERTAINMENT & ARTS ‘Kayamanan’ and Rondalla Club enthrall at Getty Center’s ‘Sounds of L.A.’ Page 11

OFF HOURS Ogie Alcasid, may bagong proyekto para sa mga OPM artists Page 9

SPORTS WORLD

Pinoy Michael Martinez has Achieved International Caliber in Ice Skating Page 4

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PinoyWatchDog.Com

Saturday, March 31, 2012

The ravaging of Mindanao

From Page 1

Mending broken lives The death toll was still rising past 1,000 as President Aquino went to the disaster area to announce a massive rehabilitation and reconstruction effort worth billions of pesos to bring northern Mindanao back on its feet. R e building ravaged homes and infrastructure will take years. Mending broken lives will take longer.

In raging grief, a Catholic bishop has laid the responsibility for the Mindanao calamity firmly at the doorstep of President Aquino.

“He should scrap that mining thing!” Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said. “It is he who is the primary supporter of mining activities in the country. He should have foresight. I’d like him to be more prudent. He should look after our future and not (that) of foreign mining companies that destroy our environment.”

The bishop raged: “Mining companies are the ones responsible for cutting trees. They are the ones destroying the country’s environment. They have the obligation to help the people there in Mindanao especially those who were devastated by this calamity.”

What the bishop seems to be saying is that massive rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts will go to waste unless the root causes of environmental disasters are stopped. Strip mining and illegal logging seem to be the major culprits deserving of the President’s vaunted political will.

The tropical storm triggered

massive flash floods in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and surrounding areas. The death toll rose past 1,000, with hundreds more still missing, making “Sendong” one of the worst to hit the country.

‘Could’ve done more’ In a lightning visit to the devastated areas four days after the tragedy, President Aquino was introspective. “I need to ask myself: Did the government do enough to prevent this kind of a tragedy? I don’t think that I can accept that we have done everything. I know we could have done more.”

The President said a massive relief effort was underway with the aid of foreign agencies and governments. “There is also going to be a fact-finding team to determine exactly where we can still augment the systems and procedures in place so that there are no casualties of this magnitude ever again,” he said.

Then he indicated the government knew exactly where to begin.

“I think all of us are aware exactly of certain situations that have happened, deforestation which has always been a problem. We have a geo-hazard map that identified Isla de Oro as a place that will be a catch basin of floodwaters when a storm comes.”

“Because we know the topography, we have also identified places where the water will quickly flow,” he said. “Why were there residents still in these places? We don’t have any intention of fixing blame at this time. But it is our obligation to find

out what happened.”

He stressed: “Going back to danger areas should no longer be permitted. I want that very clear.... no settlement in portions already described as extremely dangerous... like Isla de Oro and neighboring barangays.”

Disaster waiting to happen In fact, the government knew the area was a disaster waiting to happen. Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, chief executive of the WorldWide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF), said an environmental study presented to lawmakers three years ago had predicted the Mindanao disaster.

The effects of extreme weather events were part of a study made by the WWF, the Philippine Imperative for Climate Change (PICC), and Filipino scientists. President Aquino’s current adviser for the environment, Nereus Acosta, was head of PICC. The 2009 study showed that major Philippine cities, including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, were at risk of massive flooding. The multisectoral group presented to lawmakers a simulation of extreme weather events.

“They said I was being too alarmist,” Acosta recalled. The simulation showed that the coastal cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in northern Mindanao would be ravaged by massive floods from the overflow of river basins and sea surges caused by typhoons.

“Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are

able.”

“Someone should answer for this,” Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma said. “For a long time we’ve been asking watershed protection, water basin protection, because this would affect not just those from the lowland area of Cagayan de Oro but also those from the northwestern part of Bukidnon,” the bishop said over the Church-run Radio Veritas, referring to the Church advocacy to protect the environment.

Internet storm vulnerable because they sit near mountain ranges and are coastal areas,” Acosta said. “It would really hit where it hit now.”

The simulation showed water from the sea and the Cagayan River overflowing to flood large parts of the two cities. This happened last December, Acosta said.

Rivers run through them The two cities are not only near the shore. Rivers and tributaries run through them.

The Cagayan River, one of the major natural drainage systems in Mindanao, cuts through the two cities on its way to the sea. The river’s headwaters come from the Katalungan mountain range in Bukidnon.

In his on-site remarks, President Aquino said: “To prevent a repeat of this tragedy, we need to know where there were shortcomings, who were at fault, and how these should be made account-

President Aquino himself was not spared the growing wrath of people looking to hold accountable those who were responsible for the tragedy. The Internet went on hyperdrive after sexy television host Valerie Concepcion revealed in her Twitter account: “Done w/ work.... Tnx for having me..:) It was nice to see Pres. PNoy laughing at my jokes & enjoying my performance...#Malacanang #PSG night.”

She was referring to the Presidential Security Guards’ Christmas party at Malacanang Park which the President attended.

It was Saturday night. In the darkness, people were dying in Mindanao. The ensuing Internet storm thought partying in Malacanang was, to say the least, insensitive.

Three months later, almost on the exact anniversary of the typhoon, the massive blackouts struck to exact payment for the daily rape of Mindanao.

Saturday, March 31 , 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Expose

3

Balita/Beirne’s ‘Pattern of Lying’ Evident in Ruby Sexon Deposition

Ruby Sexon in deposition

From Page 1

member in earlier advertising.

PinoyWatchDog.com is inviting all its readers to watch portions of the videotaped deposition of Ms. Sexon to disprove its claims that she lied through her teeth answering almost all of the questions asked by Atty Bander in the presence of their defense attorney, Jack Lapedis.

The independent videographer officially taping the court ordered deposition commented that Ms. Sexon couldn’t have been telling the truth. He perceived she would put her head down every time she was lying.

PinoyWatchDog.com is saying, without any reservations, that Ms Sexon is factually lying in the portions of the videotape that can be seen on our website. This is not an opinion, but a statement of fact. PWD is encouraging its readers to watch the video at www.pinoywatchdog.com to validate this claim.

Atty Bander has been seeking to depose Ms Sexon for more than four months, but she continued to avoid deposition based of the stalling tactics of Beirne’s attorney. But finally Judge Susanna Bruguera had enough and ordered the deposition to proceed.

Ms. Sexon’s testimony that she had worked with Atty Beirne for more than 10 years was unable to state a year, or even estimate the year when she began working there. One Filipino who asked not to be identified stated “Filipinos are always filled with pride when

they have worked many years for an employer. It makes no sense she would not know when she started.”

Sexon was also unable to identify her colleagues’s job description, stating that they ‘worked in the back’ and she did not know. Even though she has been working with Beirne General Manager Anthony Allen for about 15 years

lost their home. But she did not know anyone but Beirne who worked on the Duldulaos’ case, and that the attorney allegedly assigned tasks to people ‘in the back room.’

She also testified that there is no system to track incoming documents (she does not know of any), and just give the paper to the proper persons.

Ms. Sexon said that she did not

about receiving a short sale notice to stop a foreclosure; that she told Mr. Duldulao the bankruptcy petition had already been filed, whether she was upset that the house was foreclosed upon or that she even spoke with Atty Beirne about Duldulao’s house being foreclosed. This should be particularly disturbing to all Filipinos, because Attorney Berine admits

Ruby Sexon prominently displayed in Beirne advertisement

she even testified not knowing his job functions, beyond being seen in ‘accounting.’

Sadly, after all those years Ms. Sexon, working on Filipinos bankruptcy cases, did not remember a single time being trained in bankruptcy law.

In the Duldulao lawsuit Sexon was the only Beirne staffer to ever talk or interact with the plaintiffs before they

remember having received a notice of default from (Diosdado) Duldulao, even though it is in the file; there was no record of when it was received. This can all be seen on the video on line.

Sexon’s court-ordered videotaped testimony had a chorus of ‘I did not recall’, including receiving a call from Mr. Duldulao in September 2009

she was the only communication point between himself and the Duldulaos.

Ms. Sexon testified that when Mr. Duldulao came in she said “Beirne had to make sure he (Duldulao) qualified for a Chapter 13” but case documents indicate she took the Duldulaos’ money on that first visit anyway.

Ms. Sexon is the same

Beirne staff member involved in the Pecaoco couple bankruptcy filing mess covered in prior editions of PinoyWatchDog.com , and in yet another pending legal malpractice court case of De los Cientos v.

Beirne.

In the Pecacoco case a federal bankruptcy judge called Beirne’s filing ‘a mess’ and dismissed her case, providing only a partial refund. That case was also handled by Ruby Sexon.

In the De los Cientos case, the court file indicates that Ms. Sexon instructed the plaintiff to withdraw pension money and stop working a second job. But again, Beirne Law Office never filed the bankruptcy petition either.

The complaint in the De Los Cientos case states that Beirne has “a law firm business model that steers clients away from the only attorney tangentially involved in the practice and almost completely depends on the use of legal assistants.

The involvement of attorneys in client cases is almost nonexistent as a matter of predetermined design.

In this plaintiff’s case, and following this business model, Ruby Sexon, a legal assistant with no formal legal training, and upon information and belief, an alleged illegal alien, almost exclusively handled plaintiff’s case on behalf of defendants.”

With no training or system to keep track of documents, this is a receipe for disaster. And because of these lies and deceit the Duldulaos lost their home.

Go to PinoyWatchDog. com to watch the Ruby Sexon Deposition Footage.

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Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

People

Artists and Friends Pay Tribute to Musician-Songwriter “Bodjie” Dasig, 48 Words and photography by Rene Villaroman

M

usician-songwriter D. Darius “Bodjie” Albert Dasig wrote 30 even before he reached 50. That’s young. And for someone who has exuded so much vitality and elan, the news of his untimely passing has saddened many in the entertainment and artists’ community.

Last Sunday, while a cold Alaskan storm was whipping Hollywood into a maelstrom of cold wind and steady rain, a motley group of Bodjie’s friends, former collaborators, performers, and close family members, including his wife, Odette, also a songwriter In her own right, braved the chilly evening to take in the plaudits heaped on Bodjie by some of those that knew and worked with him during the last ten odd years of his life.

That illustrious list included the likes of young and beginning entertainers, like Sarah Lazatin, and Lara Avengoza, who collaborated with Bodjie in creating her first CD about five years ago, and Alona Santiago, who starred in the musical, ‘Amerikana,’ as the young Rachelle. Also in attendance were Eva Caparas, Fe “Ai Ai” de los Reyes, Gelo Francisco, Louie Reyes, Miguel Vera, Shawn Baba, and Val Villar. I also spotted in the audience producer-director Alvin Reyes, Apollo Reyes, producer Isidric Panganiban, and Marilyn and Norman Avengoza, among others.

Santiago was 8-years-old when she worked with Bodgie, who was involved with the musical as a composerarranger. Before she sang, “Starlight,” composed by Bodgie and Odette Quesada, she recalled, “I was really young when I met him, and the memory that will stick with me is lots of Teddy bear hugs. I just love to keep hugging him, and loved his laughter.”

The musical’s director, known only by his first name, Patricio, described his four-

month involvement with Bodjie and Odette during the production of “Amerikana” “as the most amazing times of my life.”

“I remember Odette, Bodjie and Fe (Ai Ai de los Reyes) literally coming here to L.A. to meet me at Portos Bakery in Burbank and I felt like I was being prosecuted or something; I was so intimidated. But I felt, from the get-go, that I was meeting a fellow geek, a young kid, and the way he communicated was very different. Those three-four months, the music and everything that Bodjie gave really inspired me,” Patricio said.

Louie Reyes Actor Gelo Francisco, who starred in the stage play, “The Romance of Magno Rubio,” remembers meeting Odette and Bodgie first in Mandaluyong, in the Philippines a long time ago.

“Uso pa anf laser discs nuon,”

(from left) Sarah Lazatin, Lara Avengoza

he punned. “They are actually legends in the Philippines, even here, now; the sincerity of the music that you both made together and separately, and you can hear it,” Francisco said.

“Your music is so simply done and honest, and people tend to recall your music.”

Saxophone player Ner de Leon, who had worked with Bodjie only briefly, had a good thing to say about the songwriter.

Odette Quesada

Ner de Leon Before he played two songs, Ner said: “I will tell you he’s got some wisdom. He’s the man.”

The memorial, which I anticipated would be somber, didn’t turn out as such, to my relief.

What with the howling winds

Alona Santiago outside the Celebrity Center and the ambient temperature huddling in the middle 40s, it was not a good time to be somber too.

The presence and participation of Fe “Ai Ai” de los Reyes made sure that the memorial was digni-

Gelo Francisco fied but not sad. In fact, with the infusion of a few tidbits from her past stand-up shows, the tribute was turned around into a howling good time befitting Bodgie’s own well-known sense of humor.

(from left) Eva Caparas, Jet Montelibano, Ai Ai de los Reyes

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Editorial

6-Month-Old PinoyWatchDog.com is Still the Keeper of Metaphorical Dog

S

ix months ago, PinoyWatchDog.com burst forth in Los Angeles and community newspapering has never been the same again. We’ve planned that PinoyWatchDog.com would be different in almost every aspect of print journalism, when compared to the present crop of community newspapers that were already being published when our first issue hit the streets on October 7th, 2011.

In our first editorial, we promised to commit to the highest level of factual, well written journalism that some of our competitors now routinely censor. One shocking example of this type of censorship happened barely a month ago when our fiercest competitor, Balita Media, fired its editor, David Casuco, after he made a confession in a press conference that he was made to write stories that went against his journalistic principles, forcing him to walk out, twice.

That incident could have been completely lost in the fog of history and totally forgotten if PinoyWatchDog.com had reneged on its promise to publish any and all legitimate news. In our collective editorial evaluation, Mr. Casuco’s revelation was legitimate news and it would behoove us if we had failed to publish it and deny our readers an opportunity to learn about it.

During our first six months of publication, PinoyWatchDog.com has succeeded in persuading Filipinos, including undocumented ones, to come out and share their ordeal with us and help unmask unscrupulous businessmen, lawyers, government officials, immigration consultants, and many other unsavory characters that are out to scam them out of their hard-earned money.

We said in our mission statement that we abhor cut-and-paste journalism, as being practiced by some so-called community newspapers in our midst. To this day, we have maintained a network of contributing writers and correspondents whose outputs are exclusively written to fit our style and advocacy. This may sound a bit too exclusive, but we are very happy when our readers tell us that our articles are better written and more in-depth than the others; and having our own correspondents here and in Manila gives PinoyWatchDog. com a unique perspective, whether the topic is politics, government, the arts, sports or entertainment.

At six months old, PinoyWatchDog.com is still a young newspaper. But is has hit its strides and has the drive, energy and the attitude to stay in this journey. PinoyWatchDog.com is also fueled by the strong belief of its editors and writers that truth is what keeps it durable, and that truth is always worth a good fight.

And so on our 6th month anniversary, we reiterate what we promised in our inaugural editorial of October 7th, 2011: “We look forward to utilizing our canine-like eyes, ears and noses to work for the common good of the community and to challenge our readers’ senses to be active contributors to this journey. Truth is really our mantra, if you don’t mind our saying so one more time. We will be the temporary companion and stewards of the metaphorical dog.”

PinoyWatchDog.com

is published fortnightly by Tanod Bayan, Inc., mailing address at 1247 Arapahoe Street, # 7, Los Angeles, CA 90006, Telephone Number (213) 261-7467 and e-mail address at editor@pinoywatchdog.com

Alfonso Gaerlan Aquino Executive Editor

Joel Bander Senior Columnist

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PinoyWatchDog.Com

Dionesio C. Grava Chief of Reporters

Larry Pelayo Editorial Ombudsman

Rene Villaroman Managing Editor Francis Johann Verdote Correspondent

Arturo Cariaga, Winston A. Marbella Manila Correspondents

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Web & SEO Strategist | Graphic Designer

I

The Curse on FACLA

t’s really spooky to think that this so-called curse on FACLA is probably busy at work again. At the very least, you kind of get to this creepy conclusion when you can’t make sense of what is causing supposed nice guys and intelligent members of the community to stray away from their avowed promise of service to their kababayans. Over certain trivial matters and issues, they easily break apart, sticking uncompromisingly to their misplaced ideals, and dealing the final blow by going to court. I can’t really sort out what bedevils these people to seek out nastiness as a means to solve their problems.

As a people, we have always relied and submitted to democratic processes as the sole arbiter as to who among our leaders will be at the reigns of our governing institutions, and govern in accordance with our established laws, and do right to their fellowmen. This is a very laudable and noble trait ingrained in the culture of every freedom-loving Filipinos all over the world, and it is not remiss with us here in Los Angeles to adhere strongly to this remarkable asset in our character and pass it as our valuable contribution to American society.

Take the recent election of Members of the Board of Directors of the Filipino-American Community of Los Angeles, Inc. (FACLA), held on November 20, 2012. This electoral exercise was acclaimed by members of the local media and representatives of various professions, community leaders and the general membership, as clean, honest and peaceful, and a testament to what our community can accomplish when we set our mind on doing the right thing. Absent were the bickering, mud-slinging, and all sorts of shenanigans hurled at each other by the contending parties. As a result, there was fresh air to be breathe, and the outlook to the future was bright and full of good promises. FACLA is going to have a rejuvenation.

However, there was this bit of foreboding on November 18, 2011, two days before the election, when the court issued a proposed stipulation and order, stating that only the 10 candidates with the highest number of votes can have a seat in the Board of Directors, as the five removed Directors of the Gatus administration may be reinstated should they win their case. The election proceeded accordingly and the Commission on Elections, convinced they were not bound by the proposed stipulation and order, chose to adhere and obey the By-Laws of FACLA by proclaiming 15 winning candidates.

The By-Laws also required that the 15 winners will organize and elect among themselves their executive officers within 30 days after the election, which they did, albeit on a later date on January 16, 2012. The COMELEC presided over the process. Now comes trouble. On December 12, 2011, the court issued a proposed Statement of Decision. The decision was

for the plaintiffs, reinstating them as Directors of FACLA, with a full term of 3 years commencing on January 1, 2012.

However, the proposed statement of decision provided for a 15 days period for both parties to file their opposition. The plaintiffs filed their opposition on December 27, 2011, petitioning the court to reinstate them as well, as executive officers of the organization. This action on the part of the plaintiffs prevented the proposed statement of decision to become final and executory, preventing in effect the plaintiffs becoming members of the Board of Directors on January 1, 2012. On February 1, 2012, the court issued a statement of proposed Judgment, allowing a period of 10 days for the plaintiffs to write and file the Judgment. The proposed Judgment, however, did not grant the petitioners/plaintiffs to be reinstated as executive officers of the organization as well. This time, the duly elected members of the Board of Directors filed a Complaint In Intervention For Declaratory Relief And Injunctive Relief on February 10, 2012, thus preventing the proposed Judgment to take effect and, therefore, stayed the assumption of the five reinstated Directors.

Meanwhile, the five reinstated Directors illegally assumed their positions on February 6, 2012 and participated to vote for the invalidation of the election of executive officers made by the duly elected 15 members of the Board of Directors of FACLA on January 16, 2012 and presided by the COMELEC. This meeting was clearly out of bounds. Since these five Directors were not yet legally vested to be seated in the Board, all acts, the quorum and the voting in that meeting were therefore null and void ab initio. However, they are now entrenched in the Board, with the collaboration of 3 members from the group of the 15 proclaimed winners of the election of November 20, 2011, which make them now the majority in the Board.

As I have said before, and I’ll say it again--these illegals are but squatters. And this is as clear as daylight. ALIS DYAN !!!!!

By the way...in 1996, shortly after the Dotimas administration was seated, we held a mass in FACLA to pray and to exorcise the organization from bad spirits which the lady president, Aurora M. Dotimas, firmly believed were the cause of the many ill-happenings in the organization. Shortly thereafter, FACLA was on the right track. We celebrated, but our success at governance was short-lived. A year-and-a-half later, we were ferociously at each other’s throat, so to speak, and we underwent a court battle that lasted for almost 3 years. The curse was back and we went through a protracted court battle that made us spend tens of thousands of dollars. I was part of that madness. I was the 2nd Vice-President, Saling Manuel was the 3rd Vice-President, and Dr. Jose Baldonado was the 1st Vice-President. The good Doctor went on to become President for more than 6 years.

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Opinion

What ‘noynoying’ is all about?

The elusive search for enlightened solutions

W

hen I first read about “noynoying,” my initial reaction was that it was about President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s romantic escapades and so I ignored it. Haven’t we heard enough of his girlfriends? But it turns out that anti-government groups protesting against rising gas prices coined “noynoying.”

They complain that Noynoy hasn’t done anything productive.

Thus, “noynoying” became the new buzzword for a person who is idle and doesn’t work. In all fairness to Noynoy, “noynoying” is not something new. It’s been around since the colonial times when “Juan Tamad” – or Lazy John – became a folk hero for laziness! So, what else is new, people? Remember, when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.

Now, don’t get me wrong, folks. I’m not accusing all Filipinos of being lazy. On the contrary, Filipinos are some of the most – if not the most – hard-working people in the world. The fact that there are more than 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in more than 120 countries would attest to the reputation of Filipinos as hard-working people.

But what is happening here is that a few Filipinos are bringing out the worst in themselves: crab mentality.

And to “crab” our president manifests a hangover from colonial mentality. The fact is: President Aquino is one of the most hard-working presidents of our time. But instead of appreciating what he is doing, we are bringing him down!

And what we don’t realize is that by doing so, we’re bringing ourselves down, too… just like crabs.

Indolence And when “noynoying” has reached the social media, his critics were gleefully jumping up and down like kids slurping on lollipops. Don’t they realize that what they did was reinforce what our former colonial masters had stereotyped us: indolent people? Yes, Filipinos were branded as indolent by the Spanish colonialists that even our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, wrote an article in 1890, “The Indolence of the Filipino,” to explain why the perception existed at that time? But more than a century later, some people are still trying hard to keep that perception alive and even use our own president as a model of indolence! And we are wondering why we aren’t getting respect from the international community? What a shame!

In1913, Austin Craig, in his book, “Lineage, Life and Labors of Rizal,” he wrote: “In his essay, “The Indolence of the Filipino”, Rizal stated that three centuries of Spanish rule did not do much for the advancement of his countryman; in fact there was a ‘retrogression’, and the Spanish colonialists have transformed him into a

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

‘half-way brute’. The absence of moral stimulus, the lack of material inducement, the demoralization -- ‘the indio should not be separated from his carabao’, the endless wars, the lack of a national sentiment, the Chinese piracy -- all these factors, according to Rizal, helped the colonial rulers succeed in placing the indio ‘on a level with the beast’.

Approval and trust And how could they be so wrong about Noynoy? Let’s look at the facts: A recent Pulse Asia survey shows that Noynoy has an approval rating of 70% and trust rating of 69%. His disapproval rating is only 9%, which gives him a net approval rating of 61%.

By comparison, his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had a net approval rating of minus 37% in the waning days of her presidency. No other president since the time of his mother, the late president Cory Aquino, was more popular and more trusted than Noynoy. Since he has set the bar to new heights, perhaps “noynoying” should be associated with high performance.

It is interesting to note that in the latest Pulse Asia survey, embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona had an approval rating of 14% and disapproval rating of 58%, giving him a net approval rating of minus 44%. In addition, the survey also shows that 47% believe that he is guilty of the impeachment charges while only 5% believe that he is innocent.

Economic boom Recently, news reports indicated that the Philippine economy is booming. Since taking over the government 21 months ago, Noynoy has pursued an anticorruption campaign, which is producing results.

The job creation numbers under the Aquino administration are staggering! Last October, 2.1 million jobs were created and in January another 1.2 million jobs were created. In comparison to his predecessors, only 1.9 million jobs were created during the short Estrada administration while a total of 2.4 million jobs were created during the nineyear Arroyo administration.

By Winston A.

In a forum in Cebu last week, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo projected the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to increase between 7% and 7.6% this year. He said that the economic drivers this year would still be the outsourcing industry, real estate, OFW remittances, and tourism.

Leadership style In my opinion, a few misinformed and misguided critics fail to understand Noynoy’s leadership style. Research done in1939 by a group led by psychologist Kurt Lewin identified three major leadership styles, to wit: Authoritarian Style – A leader who makes all the decisions and passes the directives to his or her subordinates who are expected to carry them out characterizes this leadership style. Subordinates are not allowed to question the orders. The late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos is an example of this style.

Democratic Style – A leader who shares decision-making with his or her subordinates characterizes this leadership style. Subordinates are encouraged to express their ideas and suggestions.

Laissez-Faire Style – This leadership style is the opposite of the Authoritarian style. There is an absence of real leadership.

Everyone is free to do as he or she pleases.

Based on Noynoy’s performance and the way he makes decisions – like in the issue on Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani – he is definitely comfortable with the democratic style of leadership. But this has caused some people to misunderstand him to a point where they perceive him as weak and indecisive. And being a 52-yearold bachelor who has a penchant for driving fast cars, shooting guns, and dating women makes people wonder if that’s indicative of a freewheeling lifestyle and laissez-faire style of leadership.

Nothing is farther from the truth.

His success at what he does is the true measure of his persona.

At the end of the day, achieving what he had set to accomplish indicates the degree of his attainment. And an approval rating of 70% and trust rating of 69% speak well of what “noynoying” is all about – it’s all about getting things done. (PerryDiaz@ gmail.com)

Marbella Correspondent

MANILA - Increasingly under pressure to find a quick solution to the Mindanao power crisis, President Aquino sounded retrospective, almost nostalgic for the good old days, when life was simpler and problems were manageable.

“A thought just crossed my mind,” the President reminisced.

“Thirty years ago I was just fresh out of college. They [the past administrations] should have fixed this problem, so I do not have to deal with it now.”

The President admitted that the government had neglected to address the power crisis and appealed to the people to be patient.

“I have to admit, we have neglected the power problem in Mindanao,” Mr. Aquino said in a speech during the birthday party of Imus, Cavite Rep. Erineo Maliksi, a Manila morning daily reported.

The President said it would take time before measures could be put in place, noting that the P2.6-billion rehabilitation of the Agus VI hydroelectric power plant would take up to 30 months.

“I did not promise that in two days we will already have solved the problem,” he said. “It is not like we are changing light bulbs here.”

Problem recognition Mr. Aquino said that the Agus VI transformer, built in 1953, was good for only 30 years, or until 1983, and that the past presidents, including his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, never addressed the problem.

President Aquino has taken a significant first step to solving the crisis: He has admitted that the government response has been too little too late.

Admitting that a problem exists is the first step to solving the problem. Now the hard part begins.

But things will get worse before they get better, according to experts and lawmakers.

Power barges Two proposed coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 300 megawatts would take two years to build, Mr. Aquino said. “It’s not like you can just go to Home Depot and buy a building to house the power plants.”

The most immediate measure, Mr. Aquino said, was to build power barges, but the government was studying the proper rate mix to come up with an acceptable price for the electricity generated.

Earlier, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras said the power shortage would last until 2013.

He took full responsibility for the crisis and said 120 megawatts of capacity would be added by April.

“We assume full responsibility. I am not going to blame anyone,” Almendras told reporters.

“We are not passing the blame on

anyone. We have been doing what we can possibly do.”

Almendras rejected congressional calls for his resignation.

“Why will I resign because of this?

I have proof that we have done what we [could]. It just so happens that we don’t hold all the solutions.”

Even if he had billions of pesos to deal with the problem, it would take time to build the needed power plants, he said.

Almendras also denied that Mindanao was suffering up to 15hour power outages, saying the rolling blackouts lasted only one to two hours. But that fell on deaf ears.

Class-action suit Mindanao’s residents and business operators will file a P5-billion class suit against government officials as a result of the continuing blackouts that are affecting their livelihoods and ruining their appliances and equipment, Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones told a Manila morning daily.

“The unpredictable power surges have damaged appliances, computers and store equipment in an estimated 500,000 households— not to mention the income lost by business establishment owners and workers,” Palmones said.

The suit will be filed against officials of the Energy Department, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Power Corp., and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

Summitry The Mindanao Business Council, the umbrella organization of all business groups in Mindanao, urged President Aquino to call an energy summit immediately. The President has agreed.

Ramon Floresta, an MBC member and president of the Kidapawan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the business community had rejected proposals to privatize the power plants in Mindanao.

Floresta, also co-chairman of the Regional Development Council, said the business community in Mindanao opposed a plan by the Lopez group to buy the Agus hydrothermal plant in Lanao because they raised power rates by 70 percent after acquiring the Mt. Apo geothermal plant.

Dying “Our businesses here in Mindanao are being killed. The small establishments have already closed shop,” Floresta said.

“As if being powerless is not enough, we now contend with paying more than P8 per kilowatt hour after the Lopezes increased the rates by 70 percent. The increase in the rates is aggravated by daily blackouts.”

Floresta said his Cavendish baTurn to Page 10

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Postcards from the edge

M

Y former colleagues at the Camera Club of the Philippines taught me a lesson in photography I will never forget because it is a lesson in life as well. And yesterday I discovered it is a lesson in governance, too.

When going on a photo shoot, whether professionally or as a hobby, the photographer’s major dilemma has always been what lenses to pack. My friend, Rene Villaroman, told me a good photographer will always manage with three: a good telephoto lens which will draw in distant shots and double as a portrait lens (80-200 mm will be ideal), a wide-angle lens (28 mm) is a good compromise, and a “normal” lens (50-55 mm) for all other shots in between.

I soon learned that you really need only three basic lenses for most occasions: a telephoto, a wide-angle, and a macro. The same basic tools will also get you through most of life’s challenges and most governance problems, I surmised. But that mouthful needs to be illustrated photographically, so here goes: ‘Mindanao-ing’ Mindanao’s residents and business operators will file a P5-billion class suit against government officials as a result of the continuing blackouts that are affecting their livelihoods and ruining their appliances and equipment, Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones said.

“The unpredictable power surges have damaged appliances, computers and store equipment in an estimated 500,000 households—not to mention the income lost by business establishment owners and workers,” Palmones said.

The suit will be filed against officials of the Energy Department, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Power Corp., and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

‘Band-aid solutions’ Two lawmakers said the people of Mindanao were going back to the “Dark Ages” as a result of the Aquino administration’s failure to solve the power shortage there. Rep. Raymond Democrito blamed the Energy Department for the problem, while Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said the government was “resorting to band-aid solutions like the mobilization of diesel-fired power barges, which are very expensive.”

Malacañang said the Aquino administration was looking at power barges to ease the power shortage in Mindanao.

But “these have to be properly contracted,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. “There has to be a contract first. We’re working on that.”

One wonders how long contracts take, considering the power crisis has been predicted for years Meanwhile, an official said that despite the impending congressional inquiry into the “artificial power shortage” in Mindanao, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the private firm operating the country’s power transmission network, would be going ahead with its “regulated power curtailments” on the island, which would reduce the allocation to Surigao del Norte to 12.78 megawatts.

“And that will mean longer blackouts,” said Alex Diaz, the maintenance distribution engineer of the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative.

The Mindanao shortage has been anticipated for years, but no action was taken.

Going through our metaphorical photographer’s tool kit, perhaps a longer telephoto lens would have brought the problem into sharper focus much earlier.

“US House may belong to CJ Renato Corona”—Rep Neptali Gonzalez II From Page 1

They said Maria Charina Corona also owns the California house exposed by blogger-journalist Raissa Robles.

Robles said the Corona daughter bought the house 22 days before buying the McKinley Hill property.

She said one “intriguing fact” about the California house is that Maria Charina is its sole owner since her husband had signed a “waiver,” indicating the house was not part of conjugal property.

Gonzales said the Chief Justice initially dismissed Robles’ exposé as a “black propaganda” against him, saying he was “101 percent sure” his family has no properties in the US. A day after making such assertion, Corona and his lawyers admitted that Maria Charina had bought a house in California.

“I don’t think it was in 2008 (as Robles alleged),” Corona said.

Gonzales said the Chief Justice should give the public a “convincing” explanation on the California house or “people would think he is again hiding something.”

“His turnabout was a bit strange. Buying a property abroad is not an ordinary occurrence that one can easily forget. I’m sure he has been to the place,” he said.

Corona claimed there was no turnabout or there was nothing contradictory in the statements he made.

He said he made the “101 percent sure” assertion in answer to a question on whether he owned the California property and another home in Florida that Robles linked to him.

He and his wife have said the California house belongs to their daughter and not to them.

In attributing ownership of the McKinley property to the Chief Justice, prosecutors cited the testimony of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares that

Maria Charina registered as a “one-time” taxpayer in connection with the lot purchase.

The prosecution claims that Corona and his wife are also the real owners of a 1,200-square meter lot in La Vista, Quezon City, which they have sold to their younger daughter, Carla, and her husband, Constantino Castillo III, for P18 million.

They are relying on the testimony of Henares that Carla paid less than P10,000 in income tax before buying the La Vista lot from her parents, and apparently did not have the financial means to buy the property.

Sen. Sergio Osmeña III said the prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Corona could still include the property under the name of his daughter, Charina, during the rebuttal of evidence.

Osmeña is also keen on presenting as witnesses Mrs. Cristina Corona’s aunt, Sister Flory Basa, and some of their other relatives in connection with the feud at the family corporation, Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. “Essentially what happened, it seems that the daughter of Corona, her name is Charina, bought a property in the United States, and then 12 weeks later, also bought a condo unit here in McKinley Hill,” Osmeña said. “So many are asking how she can afford millions to buy two houses within three months? Now will that be presented during the trial? Yes, I think so,” he added.

“With the Basa enterprises, the prosecution can now present a rebuttal witness, such as Sister Flory Basa, the sister of Cristina Corona’s mother. So lalabas lahat ng baho dyan sa (the stink will come out in) Basa Enterprises,” Osmeña said in an interview.---Rene Villaroman

Wide-angle view The Aquino administration is more concerned about improving the country’s credit rating than easing the impact of the rising fuel costs to the public, an economist and former budget secretary said. Benjamin Diokno warned that President Aquino’s continuing inaction on the rising fuel prices could trigger social unrest.

“My fundamental proposal is for the value-added tax on oil to be removed, but I guess they’re more concerned with the credit rating upgrade,’’ said Diokno, who heads an independent panel studying oil pricing practices for the Energy Department.

President Aquino has rejected a lowering or suspension of the tax on oil, saying the administration needed the revenues to fund its social programs. He has also rejected labor demands for a legislated wage increase.

Administration officials are hoping the Philippines will get an investment-grade rating by 2013, claiming that macroeconomic indicators of the country are improving and are just about the same as those of other developing economies that already enjoy the same status.

A credit rating upgrade would make Philippine debt more attractive in the global

7 financial markets as it would moderate the risks of the country defaulting on its payments. It would further lower the cost of borrowing when the government taps the offshore markets for financing and would put the country on the radar of foreign investors, a newspaper reported.

Rich man, poor man But for the country to get a credit rating upgrade, the government must sustain revenue growth. A windfall in VAT collections with the higher oil prices would be beneficial in attaining higher revenues but won’t be good for the rest of the country, said Diokno, who was budget secretary under the Estrada administration.

The government has approved a 50-centavo provisional increase in the minimum fare for jeepneys. But the problem affects many other stakeholders. Clearly, a wide-angle lens that takes their wider interests into account is needed.

Now all we need is a macro lens that puts all of the above considerations in sharp focus.

A telephoto lens to see the future clearer, a wide-angle lens to capture wider stakeholder perspectives, and a macro lens to put everything in sharp focus---they are all we need, it seems. But we have to learn where to point the camera first, my mentor Rene Villaroman taught me before he told me about lenses.

8

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Because young attorney allen continues to flagrantly violate ethics laws By

Joel Bander Senior Columnist

State Bar Web page has young attorney allen admitted in June 2011

L

et’s recap events.

(Hint: the conclusion is that young attorney allen just keeps on violating attorney advertising ethics laws.)

The young attorney allen’s image was first seen in Balita in September 2011, appearing alongside the much tarnished Atty. Beirne. As I stated in the last issue “PinoyWatchDog.com was silent [about young attorney allen] --- we did not know anything he had done wrong at that point. It was my personal opinion to say nothing if there wasn’t anything to say.”

After the shocking news of over 200 contempt charges being brought against Atty. James Beirne young attorney allen’s was suddenly in Balita full page ads with his own firm, three offices, just like Balita/Beirne, in Glendale, Cerritos and West Covina. However, young attorney allen was still in the Beirne advertisements, violating California Rule of Professional Conduct 1-400, Standard 9, which restricts a lawyer from appearing as part of two professional designations in advertising . This was revealed in the PinoyWatchDog. com expose of February 18, 2012 on the front page.

Reaction: young attorney allen ceased appearing in any Beirne ads. Beirne was suddenly ‘of counsel’ in the young attorney allen ads, making them facially compliant.

However, young attorney allen marched on with his unethical advertising streak, having a banner ad on the Balita web site that linked directly to the Beirne web site, another deceptive advertising practice, as any Internet user would believe they are being directed to the attorney in the banner ad. Indeed, the click through Beirne ad had an actress falsely claiming she was a successful Beirne client.

To see the full illegal, unethical Balita/Bierne banner click through go to PinoyWatchDog. com and click on “Beirne Ad Scam.”

Reaction: The young attorney allen banner then ceased clicking through to Beirne, and on to his own web page, which you would expect in the first place. Attorney Beirne took down the actress lying that she was a successful client for Beirne.

Now friends, at this point you would think that young

his name.

After taking down the illegal link and even more disturbing fraudulent Beirne ad that has an actress falsely posing as a happy client, the click thru link now lands the internet user onto young attorney allen’s single page web page. And more unethical advertising.

This new web page advertisement states “We are a federally

young attorney allen column boasts ten years of bankruptcy experience in Balita owned blog.

nothing more than an advertising requirement for bankruptcy lawyers. California ethics laws prohibit any advertising that implies a relationship with any governmental entity. No one ‘designated’ young attorney allen

young attorney allen advertising false and deceitful, attempts to show relationship with federal govt.

attorney allen would act like Attorney Allen, with capital letters, saying enough is enough, and take control of his own advertising. Sadly, I do not think this is possible as these advertising adventures indicate he does not control the law office that bears

designated debt relief agency.”

This is also false and deceptive advertising, as it implies that young attorney allen has applied for, and received, some special type of ‘designation’ from the federal government when in fact the terminology is

for anything, he simply fits into a defined legal category having certain federal requirements.

The obvious intent is to mislead the Filipino public that young attorney allen is somehow special because he has received a ‘designation.’ This is similar to

Attorney Bierne claiming that he was a charter member of the National Association of Bankruptcy Lawyers when that designation does not even exist.

Do you see a pattern?

Not yet convinced? Back in September 2011, young attorney allen made a boast in a column that he had over ten years of bankruptcy experience. But he is a mid-twenties new admittee. Attorney Beirne has already admitted under oath the young attorney allen had absolutely no bankruptcy experience before he started to work at his office.

And this young man is ready to claim, publicly, he has ten years of bankruptcy experience!

What is going to happen when he is sitting face to face with a client? What claims will he make to a potential client to entice someone to pay over their money?

Young man, please take some time to get your house in order.

You are starting out on a destructive path of deceit and lies. There is time to change it.

Start with admitting that you have no personal capability to manage and run three law office locations as a new admittee, because you need to spend some time studying advertising ethics law, and certainly bankruptcy law. Follow it up by working for a reputable lawyer or firm to obtain the experience necessary to practice law independently.

My hope is that I do not have to write these types of columns advising the community of the ongoing pattern of deceit by young attorney allen.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

9

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Off Hours

Ogie Alcasid, may bagong proyekto para sa mga OPM artists

by Oliver Carnay

M

usic piracy is one of the problems the Filipino entertainment industry is dealing with. Kaya naman nakaisip ang singer na si Ogie Alcasid at ang tech partner nito na OksPinoy ng isang online store para matulungan ang tinatawag nating mga OPM Filipino artists, music lovers at musicians para kumita. Sa pamamagitan ng web site na www.

OPM2Go.com, ang mga bago at lumang kanta ay puwedeng i-download at ang revenues nito ay diretsong matatangap ng mga Filipino artists at musicians. Isa sa mga pinaka-magandang nangyayari ngayon, sa tulong ng internet, nagagawa at nakai-isip tayo ng makabagong pamamaraan para maitaguyod at para na rin matulungan natin ang ating Original Pilipino Music at ang mga lumilikha ng mga katangi-tanging kanta ng musikang Pilipino. Kudos to Ogie na matatawag nating isa sa mga natatanging haligi ng ating musikang Pilipino.

man na na may hang-over pa rin ang mga tiga-L.A. sa dating show ni Willie.

Hindi pa rin nakakaungos ang GMA “Kapuso” network sa U.S. pagdating sa scope of viewership at popularity. Maliwanag na ang ABS-CBN “Kapamilya” network pa rin ang nangunguna dito sa U.S. Hindi natupad ng GMA 7 ang pangako nito’ng bigyan sila ng limang taon at mauungusan nila ang ABS-CBN sa U.S. simula nang maglunsad sila pitong taon na ang nakararaan (kung hindi ako nagkakamali, Setyembre 15, 2005 nang unang magkaroon ng GMA 7 sa Los Angeles sa pamamagitan ng Comcast). Mas popular pa rin ang mga “Kapamilya” stars kesa sa mga “Kapuso” talents ng GMA 7. At pag-

pangit ng reception nito at kailangan muna’ng ayusin nito ang satellite reception nito. Natatandaan ko nuong magsimula ang TFC Channel, ganito rin ang naging initial problema nito. Huwag sana’ng maging ningas kugon ito dahil pagkakataon na nating mga Pilipino para maging daan ito para mas makilala tayo at maki-pagcollaborate sa mainstream entertainment.

Ang TV5 ay kasalukuyang napapanood sa Middle East (via OSN Channel 165), Guam (via MCV Channel 375), Europe (via OSN through IPTV), Italy, U.K., Norway, Sweden, Spain, France Germany (via TV2Moro Channel 405), at sa Japan. Pag nagkataon, tinatantya kong bubulusok ang TV5 sa U.S. at magiging daan ito para magkaroon ng mga original at bagong content sa U.S. Maraming U.S. based producers ang mae-enganyong magproduce ng mga teleserye, reality shows, at iba pa.

Makikipag-sabayan na rin tayo sa mga Hollywood events at harinawang mapansin din tayo ng mga Hollywood producers and mainstream advertisers.

Benoit Jacquot’s Farewell My Queen (starring Diane Kruger and Virginie Ledoyen). Five-time Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh will receive SFIFF’s prestigious Founders Directing Award on April 27 while Tribeca announced that its Closing Night film will have the World Premiere of Marvel/Disney’s The Avengers.

Tribeca also an-

Bourne Legacy). There are some impressive line-up of films at the ColCoa, including The Intouchables, starring Omar Sy, the film that beat Jean DuJardin for Best Actor Cesar Award. It is also interesting to note that Farewell My Queen will screen at this fest just be-

*********

nounced that it will have a panel discussion with founder Robert de Niro, Meryl Streep and Judd Apatow discussing Universal’s first 100 years.

It may be hard to compete traveling to east coast or in the Bay area to attend these two festivals, but around that time in Los Angeles, we are lucky to have the 16th Annual City of Lights, City of Angels French Film Festival, also known as the ColCoa Filmfest (www.colcoa.org), a sort of Cannes on Sunset Blvd., which will run from April 16 - 23 at the Directors Guild of America. The fest opens with My Way, the story of French pop star Claude Francois from director Florent-Emilio Siri and starring Jeremie Renier (The

fore it screens at SFIFF and the Cannes Jury Special Prize winner Polisse, will also screen at Colcoa after its U.S. Premiere at Tribeca.

But read this out -- the 3rd Annual TCM Classic Film Festival (www.

TCM.com) is also happening in April at the heart of Hollywood, from April 12 - 15. From Turner Classic movies, saluting Style in The Movies, the festival will have its opening night premiere of the restoration of Cabaret (celebrating its 40th anniversary) with stars Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey attending for a Q&A with TCM host Robert Osborne.

The next day Kim Novak will sit with Osborne for a career retrospective as well after getting her hand and footprints immortalized in

*********

TV5, maging successful kaya ang launching sa Los Angeles?

Sa May ay magkakaroon ng launching ang TV5 (“Kapatid”) network sa Los Angeles at ito’y gagawin sa Shrine Auditorium sa pamamagitan ng show ni Willie Revillame, ang “Wil Time, Big Time.” Susundan ito sa Bill Graham Civic Auditorium sa June 2.

Ang tanong, alam kaya ng mga tiga-Los Angeles na may bago nang show si Willie sa TV5, at may bago na itong show na may pamagat na “Wil Time, Big Time”? Sa pagalis ni Willie sa Channel 2 (TFC) care ba ng mga tao sa L.A. kung nasaan na si Willie? TFC at GMA lang ang mga napapanood ng mga Fil-Ams dito sa L.A. Huwag lang sana’ng sumigaw ang mga lolo’t lola ng “Wowowee, Wowowee, Wowowee!” sa Shrine at magkaka-ala-

REVILLAME dating sa marketing strategy, mas maraming lugar pa rin ang walang cable service ng GMA 7. Bihira rin na makarating ang mga stars ng “Kapuso” network sa U.S. samantalang ang roster ng “Star Magic” ay nagpabalikbalik na sa U.S. at Canada.

Bago matapos ang taong ito, abangan ang big event ng “Kapamilya” network dahil nakatakdang dalhin dito ang taunang star-studded “Star Magic Ball”! Gagawin ito sa Shrine Auditorium!

Suggestion ko lang, since mayroon nang FilAmTV digital cable (KVMD Channel 31-3) dito sa Los Angeles, bilhin na lang kaya ni MVP (mayari ng Channel TV5) ang bagong free channel na ka-la-launch pa lang kamakailan. Ang siste, napaka-

Upcoming Film Festivals in April Several film festivals are rounding up in April but competitions among the most popular ones and vying for film lovers and regular attendees. The Tribeca Film Festival (www.

TribecaFilm.com) in New York and the San Francisco International Film Festival (www.Festival.SFFS.org) in the west coast are both opening against each other between April 18th through the 29th.

At the Tribeca Filmfest, Universal Pictures’ comedy, The Five-Year Engagement (starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt) will kick-off the festival while SFIFF will open the next evening with

cement at the fest’s home base, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Also at the TMC Classic Filmfest, Mel Brooks is scheduled to appear at the special screening of Young Frankenstein. The Oscarwinning film Chinatown will also have a special screening with a Q&A with producer Robert Evans and Oscar winning writer Robert Towne. There will be special panels at Club TCM at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which is worth going for in this festival. Please log on to www.TCM.com for more information.

ALCASID (Oliver Carnay is an accomplished Hollywood entertainment correspondent, building bridges between Hollywood and Philippine entertainment news, and currently works as a full-time talent manager/publicist. Under his own company International Artists PR & Talent Management (www.iatalent. com), he manages a roster of Hollywood multi-ethnic actors, producers, writers, and a U.S. Olympic medalist speedskating Champion. A member of the prestigious Talent Managers Association www.talentmanagers.org, he also occasionally conducts red carpet management in mainstream Hollywood.

He is the publisher of HollywoodFLIP.com [since 2005], an entertainment online magazine but exclusively writes for PinoyWatchdog.com. Questions and comment, please email him at oliver@iatalent.com.)

10

The elusive search ...

PinoyWatchDog.Com

agencies and no one could assure us that something is being done to remedy the power nana export business was suffering because crisis. We need drastic actions and immediate his 250-hectare plantation required irrigation intervention from the President himself.” by four 150-horsepower pumping stations.

His processing plants for the wooden pallets Recess that were needed to ship the bananas were House Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin Realso adversely affected by the blackouts. mulla on Monday said it was unlikely that “We want the President to host the energy Congress leaders would be able to muster a summit and we want the Lopezes, the Aya- quorum to hold a special session to deal with las, the Aboitizes and the Sys, or what we call the power crisis because lawmakers had alhere the Big 4, to be present in the summit ready made plans for the month-long Lenten so they would hear and listen to our woes,” break. he said.

“It is likely that a quorum can be mustered only on May 7, when Congress resumes its “The Mindanao Business Council and sessions,” Remulla said. “The congressmen the Regional Development Councils want and senators are already engaged with comthe President himself to convene and host the mitments.”

Energy Summit because drastic actions are It looks like the people of Mindanao will already needed,” Floresta said. have to wait till after Holy Week for their re“We have been talking to various energy demption from darkness.

From Page 6

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

E

A

ntert inment & rts ‘Kayamanan’ and Rondalla Club enthrall at Getty Center’s ‘Sounds of L.A.’

Y

Words and photos by Dionesio

11

C. Grava

ou thought you’ve seen enough of them before, those folk art forms that manifest the colorful cultures and history of our ancestors. But time and distance from home have conspired to spur a hunger for more. Of splendid sights and sounds and artistry that strum inner chords in one’s being giving rise to longings for a life that was then, even as we know that what is now could never be as before.

Somehow modifications may have been effected here and there as they were passed on from one generation to the next but how much variations from an old theme could be tolerated before they stir hostility on the hearts of people who consider these things inviolable?

But such thoughts were nowhere near as we got set for the show inside the darkened Harold M. Williams Auditorium of the Getty Center in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles.

March 18th was the second of two shows presenting the Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Folk Arts (KNL) and the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles in connection with The Getty Center Sounds of L.A. annual concert series.

Special guest vocalist was Charmaine Clamor, well known Filipino-American jazz artist and said to be the creator of a song genre called jazzipino. Also acknowledged for their participation were the Keali’i Ceballos, Kumu Hula, Halau Keali’i ‘o Nalani as well as contemporary dance artists Peter de Guzman, Ernesto Manacop, Jr., Peggy Nguyen and Ashley Towne.

The program paid “homage to the stunning creative diversity flowing from the Philippine islands to America’s shores.” It was about the evolution of Filipino cultural expression, too, “from traditional gong-and-drum ensembles to string rondalla to contemporary jazz.”

On the theme Agos~Flow: “Inspired by nature’s abundant environment, Philippine music and dance is rooted in reverence and in respect for the land that gives life.

Bamboo, followed by brass and bronze, gave voice to the islands’ diverse tribes and communities.

Dance punctuated and illustrated every stage of the human lifecycle.

Overtime, Filipinos internalized musical traditions from Europe and the Americas, and the accompanying Western instrumentation and formal structures. Like its strategic

John Alfonso U. Aquino, a member of the cast, enjoys a get together with friends after the show.

Proud father is Al Gaerlan Aquino, executive editor of PinoyWatchdog.com, left.

Pacific location, Philippine culture evolved into a mélange of Eastern and Western flavors.”

It was a “snapshot of the wave and flow of Filipino migration across the ocean and then to the big continent here in America,” said Joel Jacinto, program director

tion specialist at The Getty Center, helped facilitate PinoyWatchdog’s accommodation during the event.

Our thanks.

Scene 1 was about mother earth, time, fire, air and water: Inang Lupa (Mother Earth).

From the abundance of nature

Charmaine Clamor

Ragragsakan (Earth). Kalinga females sing joyous songs while traveling to a distant village to celebrate a peace pact.

Soten/Thalak Subanon (Fire).

Males embody strength of character while females entice benevolent spirits with rustling leaves.

promoting and preserving the richness and diversity of Philippine culture through dance and music.

The organization is also known to hold workshops and plays a leadership role in providing technical assistance, training, consultation and planning of innovative and cultur-

Members of the casts and others involved in the show are lost in thoughts and supplication before the start of the evening event.

of KNL. He spoke of the “Agos” as an original, reflective, thematic and post modern approach about the big waves in the history and the lives of Filipinos especially during the Spanish and American eras. “’Agos’ is about the FilipinoAmericans,” he added. Jacinto, who is also executive director of the non-profit Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), and publicist Ted Benito and Alexandria Sivak, associate communica-

comes the inspiration and materials for the foundation of traditional Philippine culture and expression —music, movement and materials.

Panahon Na (It is Time). A babaylan (priestess) calls upon the diverse peoples of the islands portrayed by the Kayamanan ng Lahi ensemble.

Turayen (Air). Apayao youth imitate high flying birds that inhabit the skies above the Cordillera mountain range.

The Rondalla Club of Los Angeles, from left: Ador Tan, Kathleen Mangusing, Patrick Tanega, Tagumpay De Leon, Boy Angos and Will Simbol.

Kazadoratan/Singkil (Water).

Maranao royalty recreates the pageantry of a wedding, complete with multilayered and poly-rhythmic kulintang music.

Scene 2 was about the Malalaki Na Alon (Great Waves). Personifications for the Spanish colonization and Mexican rule that inundated the islands like great waves from across the seas for over three hundred years. The iconic Filipino stringed ensemble, the rondalla, and other Western musical forms were adapted to suit indigenous character.

Pasodoble de los Cerritos. The Rondalla Club offered a fresh version of a classic Spanish music form. Composed by Will Simbol Kayamanan Ng Lahi (Treasures of Our People) is a critically acclaimed non-profit organization based in Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown. It was established in 1990 and has been under the leadership of the Jacintos -- Joel and Ave -- and Barbara Ele. It is recognized for its commitment in presenting,

ally appropriate performances and programs in folk dance to student and community folk dance groups.

The Rondalla Club of Los Angeles (RCLA), considered the leading proponent of Philippine instrumental music, was formed in 1991 by a troika consisting of Nitoy Gonzales, former Rondalla maestro of the famed Bayanihan Dance Troupe; Leonilo “Boy” Angos, son of Mr. Gonzales and also a former member of Bayanihan; and Tagumpay “Pi” M. de Leon, son of the late Philippine composer and national artist, Felipe Padilla de Leon. The group has been active in various Filipino social and civic functions.

At The Getty Center Sounds of L.A. is an annual concert series that explores our city’s varied musical geography, celebrating the work of masters as well as up-and-coming musicians from around the globe.

Each month features two concerts by charismatic musicians who combine global influences in unexpected and original ways. Admission to any of the shows is free.

12

Saturday, March 31, 2012 PinoyWatchDog.Com

I Got Taken By Cars!

Words and Photos by Francis Correspondent

Johann F. Verdote

I received a message from a friend that Taken By Cars will be performing at Mr. T’s Bowl. At first, I thought where and what in the world is Mr. T’s Bowl. And then I went to wonder if it was the same Taken by Cars I saw on MYX, back when I saw a slit of sense in paying for my TFC subscription.

And thanks to the Internet’s webtastic powers, I confirmed that the Taken by Cars performing in the U.S. are indeed Manila’s Taken by Cars.

On my way to watch Taken by Cars, I found myself meandering the streets of Highland Park in search of Mr. T’s Bowl.

At first sight, I thought Mr. T’s Bowl was an abandoned building. But with a flick of the light and a couple of cranked up amplifiers, Mr. T’s transformed from ghost town to boom town.

However, several people I spoke with were oblivious, like me, to Mr. T’s and some were clueless about SXSW and Taken by Cars. So I feel compelled to explain Mr. T’s Bowl, SXSW, and Taken by Cars before diving into the Abduction Tour’s final stop.

The bar is reminiscent of the vibe and appeal of Philippine local bars such as 70’s Bistro, Mayrics, and the old Club Dredd.

Inside, the bowling alley’s remnants of tables and chairs and the dim-lighted bar have aged, but that’s what gives Mr. T’s Bowl its character and edge. Nowadays, Mr. T’s still remains home for many underground bands finding their niche in the music scene.

A Bar to See Mr. T’s Bowl is a dive bar in Highland Park that first opened as a bowling alley in the forties, as suggested in their website.

was catching it live on TV a few years ago.

But with past and present performers such as Fiona Apple, Jessica 6, Norah Jones, and Graham Coxon of Blur, attending the festi-

South By Southwest SXSW is an annual music and film festival held in Austin, Texas that started in 1987.

For music lovers and film buffs that like drinking and lots and lots of walking, SXSW is the ideal escape from the daily grind.

The closest thing to me being in SXSW

Siopao Chua

Sarah and Isa of Taken by Cars

was transitioning from the first song to “This is Our City,” off of the Dualist album. The lights may be focused on the band, but one needs no lights to feel the intensity Taken by Cars rubs off to their fans. The Manila-based band claimed Los Angeles as their city with their performance of the song; they may have even claimed San Francisco and Austin if and when Sarah chanted, “This is Our City.”

Bryan Kong Bryce Zialcita People with beer on their hands bobbed their head, and those val is definitely on my bucket list. without danced as if they were the only people on the dance floor.

The Band, Their Music, and Their PerI took pictures like some Hollywood formance Sometime in 2007, Taken by Cars began paparazzi, while the band performed for an hour in the jam-packed Mr. T’s Bowl. spreading their infectious music in Manila’s music scene. The band slowly gained recog- I was not able to get all the song titles from their set, but aside from “This is Our nition as NU 107 included the band’s demo City” I remembered three other songs. to their station’s playlist.

“Unidentified,” another track off of The electro/dance/rock band has two Dualist, got the crowd dancing like there’s studio albums, Endings of a New Kind and ants in their pants (This is the father in me Dualist, under their belt. Along with the speaking!). albums, Taken by Cars have released seven The two other songs were “A Weekmusic videos.

With a relatively young career, Taken by night Memoir” and “Uh Oh.” The crowd kept on dancing and when Sarah said, Cars have toured in and out of the Philip“Let me see you dance,” a few more pines. people danced; those who were already Their most recent one was this year’s dancing, danced harder.

Abduction Tour, which kicked off in San Inside Mr. T’s Bowl people drank and Francisco. The tour’s highest point was the danced, while others smoked a cigarette band’s performance in this year’s SXSW or two with friends. Unlike the rowdy film and music festival. world of the Internet where people fought Taken by Cars capped their U.S. tour over the definition of what a Filipino with body shaking beats in Los Angeles.

The fact that Taken by Cars performed at should be, there was a kind of serenity SXSW not only made their debut in the U.S. amidst the unsynchronized dancing on the dance floor that brought everyone a sweet experience, but also was historic, in together. its own right, for many fans of Pinoy rock.

Maybe for the next Abduction Tour, The first song was so entrancing I spaced out and felt as if I were lost in the continuum Martians would come and snatch unintelligible politicians. Oh! Wait… That’s a of time and space. When I regained my different kind of abduction. earthly consciousness, singer Sarah Marco

Sarah, Isa, & Bryce of Taken By Cars

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Community

13

LA’s Fil-Am community braces for twin Independence Day fetes Words and photos By Dionesio

C. Grava

T

he squabble about the date changing of our day of independence from July 4 to June 12 has been muted with the passage of time. In Los Angeles, an aspect of the yearly independence celebration involving the glitter and pomp of the dinner-dance gala has always been a touchy episode among presumptive leaders of the Fil-Am community.

Some consider it the crowning glory of their self-centered importance to become skippers of the yearly commemoration such that a few are known to have made it a lifetime passion of cultivating pools of supporters as preparations when the appropriate time comes around. Then it would be “hakot” to the polls to have themselves elected as chairpersons of the gig.

Then there are those who just want to dedicate valuable time for our country’s cause. Sometimes they find themselves engulfed in a maelstrom of conflicting intentions. In 2007 more than a dozen board members of the Kalayaan group were said to have opted to resign because of such a situation.

In last year’s Kalayaan 2011 eight of them -- Dr. Rey Landero, Dr. Carlos P. Manlapaz, Darna M. Umayam, Trinity Foliente, Jojit Paredes, Lini Teal, Cora Aragon Soriano and Zeny Zoleta -- also resigned reportedly under identical circumstances. They had since formed another group that revived the name of the Philippine Independence Coordinating Council of California (PICCSC). PICCSC spearheaded the centennial celebrations from 1996-1998, it was said.

Kalayaan, Inc. (it was reportedly incorporated in 2007 as the Kalayaan of Southern California, Inc. without the group’s mandate) has since ceased to be the exclusive

Executive council, Philippine Independence Coordinating Council of Southern California. Standing, L-R: Atty. Mariano Alvarez, Engr. Bert Frias, Lucita Hakes, Architect Fernandico Gonong,Jr., Zeny Zoleta, Atty. N. Reyes, Aida Arceo, Adrian Lecaros, Dr. Rey Landero, Lydia Landero, Engr. Eli Umayam, Rollie Arceo and Cesar Anuran, Thor Causing, Atty.

Noriel Flores, Romeo Rull. Seated, L-R: Linda Nery, Gloria Ressureccion, Lini Teal, Mildred Deang, Darna B. Umayam, Cely Anuran, Cora Aragon Soriano, Edith Knoch, Gloria Rull and Sylvia Molina.

Not in photo: Councilman Elito Santarina, Dr.Carlos Manlapaz, Trini Foliente, Emmie Liquigan, Jojit Paredes, Atty. Jun Paredes, Atty. Meynard Agoncillo, Nestor Balila, Larry Calonzo, Bernie Ganon, Dr. Felix Lapuz, Atty. Abraham Lim, Carmelita Rivera, Benel Se Liban and Rommel Valarao.

gathering place regarding community celebration of Philippine independence anniversaries in the Los Angeles area. Understandably talks are rife about possible animosities between the two groups.

To verify if this is true, this writer emailed identical messages to the known email addresses of Antero Pagunsan and Gil Mislang, current president and board secretary, respectively, of Kalayaan, Inc. “This is to respectfully inform that the community publication PinoyWatchdog (Print and Online editions) will feature the coming celebration of the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day. You being involved in the said activity, may we solicit from you a few words regarding same particularly touching on the significance of the event, the progress of preparations/how your group is doing so

far, the reaction of fellow Filipinos and how you may compare your group’s efforts with other proposed events in this area honoring our people’s day of freedom.

Thank you so much and more power, ON BEHALF OF PINOYWATCHDOG DIONESIO C. GRAVA Chief of Reporters” That was on March 6 but until now PinoyWatchdog has not received the courtesy of a reply.

On March 12 a similar messageinquiry was also emailed to Ms. Umayam, now secretary general of PICCSC. That same day she responded. She informed that she had to resign as council secretary of Kalayaan 2011 “because of the fights during meetings” such that

Members of the executive council confer inside the Umayam compound in Eagle Rock, LA.

there was no meeting of the minds.

She was with seven others in resigning from that group.

“There is no rivalry; it’s just that we can’t stand the demeanors of some members during meetings.

NO professionalism and ethics at all. I believe that we are leaders and we must lead by example,” she said.

She also provided PWD with the information that Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay had confirmed an invitation for him to be the guest speaker of the PICCSC event in Los Angeles honoring the 114th Anniversary of our country’s independence. The official letter inviting the vice president was coursed through the Philippine Consulate General - Los Angeles.

That celebration will be highlighted by a dinner-dance gala to be held on June 2, 2012, at the five-star Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Airport. An executive committee consisting of professionals, business entrepreneurs and community leaders has been constituted to oversee the event. It is headed by Ms. Umayam herself.

The other officers of the committee are Cely Anuran, recording & corresponding secretary; Emmie Liquigan, treasurer; Trini Foliente, assistant treasurer; and Councilman Elito Macapagal Santarina, Dr. Reynaldo Landero, Dr. Carlos P. Manlapaz, Jojit Paredes, Atty. Jun Paredes, Lini Teal, Cora Aragon Soriano, Zeny Zoleta, Atty.

Noriel Flores, Atty. Mariano Alva-

rez, Atty. Meynard Agoncillo, Aida Arceo, Nestor Balila, Larry Calonzo, Thor Causing, Mildred Deang, Engr. Bert Frias, Bernie Ganon, Architect Fernandico Gonong, Jr., Lucita Hakes, Edith Knoch, Dr. Felix Lapuz, Adrian Lecaros, Atty.

Abraham Lim, Sylvia Molina, Linda Nery, Gloria Resurreccion, Atty. N. Reyes III, Carmelita Rivera, Gloria Rull, Benel Se Liban and Rommel Valarao. Collectively the executive committee will act as the grand chairman of the event, it was said.

Ms. Umayam stated during a March 2 meeting of the committee at the Umayam residence in Eagle Rock that although the PICCSC is all set and that in fact all the 650 tickets had been sold out for the occasion, still more volunteers will be welcomed.

“A big impact to the community is desired,” she said, “to better display the patriotism and nationalism that pervade in the hearts and minds of Filipinos all over.”

The International Ballroom of Hilton Hotel-LAX, venue of the event, could accommodate 650 people, Umayam said. The adjacent Pacific Ballroom is also held in reserve in case of overflow. It can hold an additional 300 and has a big screen to enable attendees to watch the program, she added.

Music will be provided by The Hill Tops Band. Attendance to the dinner-dance gala requires a $60-donation per person.

A memorabilia in book form will be issued after the event. For tickets, sponsorship and/or more information, call (323) 258-4879 or (805) 630-3377.”

Meanwhile, according to a published report, the other officers of the 2012 Kalayaan, Inc. are Mrs. Naomi Armada, vice president; Archerie Calunod, assist. secretary; Mrs. Techie Quiatchon, treasurer; and Lydia Soriano, asst. treasurer. The members of the board are Joe Arciaga, Lucy Babaran, Thelma Calabio, Sonny Costa, Bing de la Vega, Josie Estaris de Jesus, James Dullas, Willie Manacsa, Chito Mandap, Leo Maranan, Joe Merton, Noel Omega, Carmelita Paule, Lydia V. Solis, Marte Tobias and Virginia B. Vivas.

A Kalayaan advisory goes, “Kindly save the date of June 9, 2012 and join the Filipino American community in Southern California as we show our pride and love for our heritage, and bring some friends.”

14

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Managing Tax Audit Risks

I

By Angel Y.

Dayan, EA, CPA, ABA, ATA

f you have not been audited

by IRS yet, this topic could be understandably strange to you and perhaps will not even be in your mind. But then if you have tasted a nasty tax return examination process, I am sure you would not want a repeat of the same bad experience.

You will seriously be concerned to prevent an audit if you fear it. But does the IRS still do an audit in our difficult economy? Yes, and we better believe it for it really never stops. Parenthetically also, I keep hearing from colleagues who tell me that many people are behind in paying taxes today but suppress this ugly financial reality.

The “tax gap” has doubled; it is now over 450 Billion. It should not be a surprise at all if we will still get audited.

The IRS has been looking for money anywhere and even gone overseas in other countries looking for Americans who do not pay for taxes on income earned abroad. What I know is the number of tax audits have increased lately, and the IRS letters are coming in a flurry or in “serial formation.” Some of our client’s audit we defend have been troubling and had become a series of audits, and not just for one year. It cannot seem to stop just for one year of examination alone. The year 2008 of late has been the subject of many audits. People have asked me what is the best thing to do to avoid audit?

I have always responded to say, “To prevent an audit prepare for it before it even occurs.” That is easy to say when people are interested to do something serious about this fear. You will need professional help to prepare. There are so many “do’s and don’ts” that have been written to prevent an audit. They give no guarantees and could help a little. It will take us to a long list to identify what these are and apply them to your own specific situations.

Therefore, I will not attempt to give you an assuring list. My advice could probably be summed up in one tone, i.e., “to be honest to report all your taxable income, and deduct only expenses allowable by law that you can support with records.” That is a pretty straight forward rule. But the best way to win in an audit is to be wise (plan ahead), and then document, document, and document. As more and more of IRS work and functions today become automated, computer technologies are being used increasingly to carry out IRS reviews and audit checks. Useful tools have made audits more efficient and profitable to IRS. It has become to be the initiating point of audits and the “modus operandi” of the day. But then

an IRS Auditor could also appear on your doorstep as a live person examining taxpayers in a field audit. They have the tendency to visit your business and or your home privacy. It is apprehensive to some. The IRS also has been doing a lot of correspondence audits which could be less harmful. The IRS audit focus today is on the “cash transacted business,” and on the dishonest lawyers. But whatever type of audit you may have, seek professional help.

It should not be stressful. Get Power of Attorney Representation with unlimited rights from a Tax Representative, those 7-7-7 Powers. Call us.

We believe the risks associated with an IRS Audit must be assessed and should thus be managed wisely. Certain steps in business planning and business reorganization or financial restructuring are important, including some recommended wise business discretions that may be the most appropriate directions to manage audit risks. A new subject of managing audit risks we believe has recently emerged. It has been our most recommended business proposition to clients that fear an IRS Audit in one way or another. Some other practical solutions to assess and manage audit risks could be implemented. There are also audits from the State tax agencies, such as for sales tax, franchise tax, payroll taxes, personal property taxes, city taxes, etc. Each of the tax agency’s audit risk must be properly assessed and managed. They all are looking for money today. Those who may just sit without doing anything at all in a proactive government audit fundraising environment are endangering themselves to an otherwise preventable audit tax assessment. We believe that should not be you in our recommendation, if you fell worried about an IRS audit or the State tax agency’s audit coming down at you.

(Angel Y. Dayan, EA, CPA, ABA, ATA, is an IRS Enrolled Agent, a CPA of Texas and helps taxpayers assess and evaluate audit risks and manage them with recommended collaborative wise discretions. He has successfully defended and represented taxpayers before the IRS and California State tax agency audits. He has trained as a Fellow in Advanced Tax Practice and Procedures and completed a Masters Course of study in Tax Defense Representation. He meets clients daily and could be reached at (213)-365-1040 for private confidential appointment, or you can visit his website at www.taxwork. com).

Saturday, March 31, 2012

University of the East Association of America, Inc. Gears Up for 2nd Global Reunion

L

OS ANGELES -- After the successful staging of its 1st global reunion in 2011 with hundreds of UE alumni from all over the globe in attendance, the University of the East Association of America, Inc. is gearing up for its 2nd Global Reunion.

University of the East’s second global reunion returns with a bigger and better festivities and thrilling tours.

The three-day event, to be held on May 25-27, 2012 in Manila, will have UE alumni bonding and re-bonding, renewing old friendships, and celebrating together each other’s triumphs and achievements.

Following is the schedule of activities for the three-day, two-night get together: Day 1 – Registration, continuing education that covers medicine, nursing, CPA and other topics.

Day 2 – Campus visit, and a gala night Day 3 – Tours to Wack-Wack Golf &

Country Club or to any of the following destinations: Bicol, Bohol, Davao, Boracay, or Batangas.

Registration is now ongoing. Fee of $230.00 includes lunch and dinner for May 25 and 26.

For more information, please contact any of the following: In the Philippines: Cezar Quiambao, Overall Chairman, University of the East, 2219 C.M. Recto Ave., Manila, Philippines, tel (632) 3381515, Attn: Dr. Jess Tanchangco In U.S. and Canada: Oscar L. Jornacion, Overall Chairman, tel. (323) 333-7913, email: ojornacion@ aol.com. Santos Capistrano, Jr., President – UEAA, tel. (310) 409-8356, email: scapistrano@msn.com. Cirilo Pinlac, Vice-President –UEAA, tel. (562) 509-0042, email: cirilopinlac@yahoo.com

2012 Jeannette Rankin “Courage to Run” Awards Honor Progressive Women Candidates

N

EWPORT BEACH - - The National Women’s Political Caucus of California (NWPC CA) honors the 2012 recipients of the Jeannette Rankin “Courage to Run” Awards on April 21st at an evening reception from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The Gala also marks the 2012 Year of the Woman.

Jeannette Rankin was the 1st woman elected to the US Congress in 1917 - even before women had the right to vote in US national elections. She always demonstrated tremendous courage when she ran for office and after - as a legislator, pacifist and fighter for women’s rights.

The 2012 honorees represent progressive California women who have had the courage to run for elected office in California - demonstrating courage, tenacity, and leadership during their campaigns while fighting for the rights of women and families. The honorees will be announced on March 27th.

Special guests who have been invited to celebrate with NWPC CA board members

include past Rankin awardees, business and community leaders, and California electeds.

They include Kamala Lopez, filmmaker and producer of A Single Women - the film of Jeannette Rankin’s life, CA Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Board of Equalization Member and candidate for CA Controller Betty Yee, Assembly Members Betsy Butler and Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles City Controller and candidate for Los Angeles Mayor Wendy Greuel, Irvine Mayor Pro Tem and former Congressional Candidate, Beth Krom, former Assembly Candidate and attorney Melissa Fox, among others.

Sponsors include Trace 3, CA Technologies, Haylen Van Koppen, Lisa Power and Jane Hasler Henick.

For more information contact Isabel Rodriguez at nwpcevents@yahoo.com NWPC is a nationwide, multi-partisan organization that was established in 1971 to recruits train, support and elect progressive, pro-choice women. NWPC has endorsed and supported over 50,000 progressive women candidates.

California Anti-Tax Leader Picks Patricia

President of National Tax Limitation Committee: “I’m proud to stand with her”

S

ANTA CLARITA -- Community volunteer Patricia McKeon has received the endorsement of one of California’s leading taxpayer advocates; Lew Uhler, President of the National Tax Limitation Committee.

“If you’ve been active with conservative activists as long as I have, you know how important Lew has been in the battle against higher taxes. From his days as Chairman of Governor Reagan’s Tax Reduction Task Force to his work to pass California’s Proposition 140 to his work to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment in

Congress, it’s easy to see why I’m so very proud to have Lew’s support,” said McKeon.

“Patricia McKeon has been out front in the fight to stop Jerry Brown’s tax increase measure and she supports reforming our public pension systems to eliminate abuse and reduce costs. I’m proud to stand with her,” said Uhler.

For more on Patricia, visit her online at PatriciaMcKeon.com. If you’d like to learn more about Lew Uhler and the National Tax Limitation Committee, go to Limittaxes.org

15

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Community

Inland Empire Organization that Helps Needy also Needs your Help

By Minessa Joaquin

R

ancho Cucamonga -- Sometime last week, it was decided that PinoyWatchDog.com would expand their coverage of the Inland Empire and Orange County regions. In launching the new campaign, the paper will introduce a section where patrons will be informed of businesses and events in the area along with the most relevant news that is not only fresh but accurate. Talking about pressure, I was tapped by my superior to contribute the first story.

Many ideas came to mind chambers, churches, or schools, but none of those appealed to my

picky heart. Until last Saturday, my daughter, Shanelle, without giving me ample notice, prompted me to take her to a place where her school club is doing community service.

So on we went, thinking that it was one of those uneventful experiences where they will be selling lemonade at the corner of a local park to raise some money. After dropping her off with her clubmembers, she then signaled me to leave. With the inquisitive soul that I am, my curiosity tickled when I saw the sign “free food” on my way out. I don’t know if it was my instinct or my empty stomach that prompted me to drive out of the alley and drive back to the opposite side not wanting to see my daughter catch me lingering around.

This is the picture that greeted me. There was a long line of people from different cultures and all walks of life. With my curiosity heightened even more, I parked my car and started observing. Next to me, I saw a white man coming out of a car with a cane. I stopped him and politely asked, “Sir, what’s going on here?” Tony, candidly identified himself and told me that there is an organization that gives out free stuff every other Saturday.

He even handed me a folded paper with listings of the services that this outfit is providing.

With my camera, always handy, I asked him if I can take a picture of him while he was in line after identifying myself as a staff member working for a publication. Upon hearing where I work, he readily posed like a veteran actor while holding the latest PinoyWatchDog.com paper. Some teens who witnessed what just transpired also demanded if I can take their picture.

That was enough footage for me to get to know up close what this organization is all about.

So I asked this lady who was also taking pictures whom I thought could be from another newspaper.

To my surprise, she is actually the CEO/Founder of “Outreach Nation”. Her name is Khalida Khanum, who used to work as certified translator for the county courts system. While working at the County she met a lot of underprivileged and needy families which depend heavily on government and local community help.

There she realized that there is a great gap between the community at large and the needs of the disenfranchised.

Harvest Community Bible Church Celebrates 4th year Anniversary

A

nd in talking about community, here is one that involves reaching out, through being “united”. At least that is the message that Pastor Art Henares of Harvest Community Church in Chino shared to about 300 guests who joined during that momentous day on March 25th marking its 4th year Anniversary. That glorious festivity was not only a celebration of another year but was also more of a reunion seeing old faces who once been a part of this church. Here are captions of images to attest to the excitement of that reunion and fellowship.

Harvest Community Bible Church is a

family of Christians who have been saved by our Lord Jesus Christ and wholeheartedly desire to follow Him. Our commitment is to glorify God by knowing Him, loving Him, enjoying Him, and serving Him. The church is passionately committed to making disciples in order to build a healthy and growing church seeking to impact our local communities, with hopes of making more disciples.

If you are seeking for a local church, we invite you to come celebrate God’s faithfulness with the HCBC family. The address is 3857 Schaeffer Ave., Suite A, Chino, CA 91710.

Or you may call the Pastor at 909 525 8971.

We are also on FB. – Minessa Joaquin

Brothers and Sisters of HCBC reading PWD news during the luncheon.

The HCBC Women Group, joyous of thier reunion in HCBC’s 4th anniversary, couldn’t possibly hide their excitement. Becoming fans of PWD, they acquiesce to PWD newstelling of this momentous event.

“What started as a garage operation, giving stuff out to the needy, just ignited into a passion.” noted husband Talil Ali, whom I thought was just a donor, as he was facilitating the transporting of furniture donated by his friend. The organization which only employs one person, is barely 6 months old, and relies heavily on in-kind donations and volunteer assistance from friends and companies.

Khalida’s duty is to make contact with food banks, collect donation, plan community events and train field and office staff in

providing the social services. She specially mentioned the Cardenas family as her main donor. They own the Cardenas Markets which was founded by a “bracero” worker from Jalisco, Mexico in 1957.

Other than from her side of the family, Khalida is also assisted by her husband, two children, a girl age 16, and a boy, 14. She has also sought the help of different schools and churches, and the city Rancho

Cucamonga, including Mayor, L. Michael Dennis and a council member. She noted that she still shell out her own money to pay for warehouse use. Khalida is appealing to anyone who can lend them a hand as there are many who need help.

That Saturday, her volunteers came from a group called National Honor Society of Etiwanda High School, where my daughter, Shanelle Joaquin is a member. It was indeed an amazing happenstance. This is what I call true community service caught-in-the-act.

For those who are encouraged to reach out to this organization, please check their website at www.outreachnation.com or call (909) 825-8080.

“Caring begins in the heart of each of us “ Khalida noted.

Isn’t it wonderful that making a difference doesn’t’ mean being a billionaire like Warren Buffett or an American business magnate, philanthropist, Bill Gate? That each and every one of us has a capacity to make a difference regardless of our status, ideology and religious beliefs?

This humanitarian at heart opens the way. It is now up to you to connect. Like what her husband quips, this is better than sitting in a couch watching the tube. What are you waiting for? Reach out, touch and make a difference. Catch a glimpse of transformation in the lives of others and disprove me only, if it doesn’t give you that good fuzzy feeling.

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Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc. Opens New Community Health Center in the San Gabriel Valley

l MONTE – Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc. (APHCV) on March 19 opened the doors to its newest community health center, the APHCV-El Monte/ Rosemead Health Center on the El Monte/Rosemead city limit border. The APHCV-El Monte/ Rosemead Health Center is centrally located at main Asian enclaves within the cities of Rosemead, San Gabriel and El Monte, and is close to other social services such as the Los Angeles County, Department of Social Services, local government immigration office, and Social Security Office.

APHCV has a long history serving underserved Asians in the City of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities, most notably, the Asian populations just north of the APHCV-Los Feliz Health Center in East Hollywood, Central Van Nuys and Sun Valley and the communities to the east including Rosemead, El Monte, Monterey Park and San Gabriel.

With in-person interpretation in ten Asian languages, the APHCV-Los Feliz Health Center has served as the medical home

for many limited English speaking Asians from all over Los Angeles County, where patients receive individualized attention to their health care in a culturally competent and linguistically sensitive setting. While many patients travel long distances to get personalized care, APHCV recognized the need to establish a local community health center in the San Gabriel Valley to help reduce transportation barriers to accessing health care.

APHCV spent over a year working with local city officials and school districts to identify potential locations of its new clinic site until finally completing the purchase of a 7,000 square-foot commercial building in the City of El Monte in June 2010. APHCV spent the next year-and-a-half renovating the facility into a clinic space with six exam rooms, full laboratory, medication dispensary, and activity space for health education workshops and wellness activities.

Funding for the renovation of the facility and purchase of equipment was funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Affordable Care Act; Los Angeles County,

Department of Health Services; and the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor, Gloria Molina.

The APHCV-El Monte/Rosemead Health Center will provide bilingual and bi-cultural support throughout the continuum of care from appointment setting, patient registration, financial screening, the provider visit, counseling, enrollment assistance, and health education.

Interpretation services will be available in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Spanish, in addition to English. All language access will be provided in-house to ensure that patients receive accurate and comprehensive information regarding their health care. Any additional patient languages not supported by APHCV in-house, initially, will be aided through telephone interpretation or language interpretation contract services. It is expected that at full capacity, the APHCV-El Monte/ Rosemead Health Center will serve over 800 patients annually.

APHCV staff will also provide onsite enrollment assistance to families who may qualify for public health programs such as Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families, Healthy Kids, Cal

Fresh (formerly, Food Stamps), and WIC. For those with health insurance coverage, the APHCVEl Monte/Rosemead Health Center accepts Care1st, L.A. Care Health Plan, Molina, Community Health Plan, Blue Shield, CIGNA, Blue Cross, Health Net, and SCAN, in addition to Medi-Cal, Medicare, Commercial Health Kids, and Healthy Families.

APHCV also offers a number of affordable options for those without health insurance including self-pay, sliding scale, and patient assistance to cover the cost of medications. To find out what programs you may qualify for call (626) 774-2988 to make an appointment and an APHCV staff member will assist you with identifying the documents you need to enroll.

The APHCV-El Monte/Rosemead Health Center will be open Mondays, and Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with additional hours opening soon. For additional information about the APHCV-El Monte/Rosemead Health Center call or visit us at: APHCV-El Monte/Rosemead Health Center 9960 Baldwin

Place El Monte, CA 91761 Appointments: (626) 774-2988 A Grand Opening Event will take place in May 2012. If you are interested in attending or receiving more information, please contact Carolyn Barragan at cbarragan@aphcv.org.

Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc. (www.aphcv.org) is a nonprofit federally-qualified health center that provides culturally competent health education and primary care services to over 12,000 patients annually, more than 72% of whom are uninsured. APHCV provides over 46,400 medical and mental health visits each year in multiple Asian languages, in addition to English and Spanish.

APHCV operates four community health center sites: the Los Feliz Health Center, Belmont Health Services and John Marshall High School Health Center (for John Marshall High School students). Medical appointments for the Los Feliz Health Center can be made by calling (323) 644-3888, to the Belmont Health Services at (323) 644-3885, and to the El Monte/Rosemead Health Center at (626) 774-2988.--- Carolyn Barragan.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Currents

80 in LA among 100 Outstanding FilAms USA Words and photos by Dionesio

P

eople use figures of speech to convey words in distinctive ways. Or to make light of things. Hyperboles for example. That’s precisely what this writer thought of the invitation for PinoyWatchdog. com to the event called 100 Outstanding Filipino Americans in the USA 2012.

To those destined to be awarded the honor, the salutation reads: “Congratulations on taking the next step in joining your professional community in your field and among Executives, Professionals, Visual Artists, Civic Community Leaders, Entrepreneurs and Young Achievers. As a vital part of this noble event we will present you to the press, media and the Filipino American Com-

C. Grava

munity at a… Press Conference & Acquaintance Party.”

The event was held on a rainy Sunday evening in Hall B of the Sierra Ballroom of the Universal

Darna B. Umayam, project director

Hilton Hotel in Universal City, near where the exit ramps of Freeways 110, 134 and 101 are.

As it turned out no pun was

intended. Or, at least 80 or so awardees were actually there to be presented because as project director Darna B. Umayam said, the rest of the 100 will be coming from faraway places. They were unable to make it to the March 25 event. However, she added, they have committed to attend the Black Tie Awards Night on July 28, 2012. That coming event will occupy the entire floor of the Sierra Ballroom of the same hotel because more than 1,000 guests are also expected to come.

By the way, it was also an occasion for the new officers and members of the Philippine Press Photographers USA, Inc. (PPPUSA) to be inducted into office.

Deputy Consul General Daniel Espiritu of the Los Angeles-based Philippine consulate general gave the welcome remarks. He was also the inducting officer of PPPUSA. Entertainment was provided

by Sheila Ferrari, Antoinette Taus, Natasha Gaston and Elaine Bondoc. Among those seen in the event were Atty. Mariano Alvarez, Deputy Director Manny Ilagan of the LA tourism office, Councilman Elito Santarina of the city of Carson, Dr. Rey Landero, Dr. Carlos Manlapaz, Maria Amor Torres, Vilma Hernandez, Jojit Paredes, Lini Teal, Cora Aragon Soriano, Aida Arceo, Gene Dear, Adrian Lecaros, Atty. Ramon Mosqueda, Linda Nery and Rita Dinsay.

Some of the awardees. from left: Maria Amor Torres, Atty. Mariano A. Alvarez, Jojit Paredes, Councilman Elito M. Santarina, Dr. Reynaldo R. Landero II, Dr. Carlos P. Manlapaz, Jr., Adrian Lecaros and event guest Gene Dear.

More of the awardees

Awardees of the 100 Outstanding Filipino Americans in the USA 2012.

17

Audience

Impeachment trial takes a pause that refreshes

From Page 1

the last act of a checkered political career that shines in its devotion to the law. Senator Santiago is moving on to a nine-year term as a judge in the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, a job she would cherish to cap a career replete with a mastery of constitutional law, the Rules of Court, and criminal procedure.

Our laws and jurisprudence are so much the richer because of these two intellectual giants who carved out of modest beginnings outstanding careers through hard work and scholarly discipline.

Just another day in court As he prepared to take on what is probably the most pivotal job in his political career as presiding officer in the historic impeachment trial of a Chief Justice, Enrile was typically matter-of-factly.

“I want to have an open, clear, serene mind,” Enrile said as he prepared to curl up with impeachment books he had set aside. “That has always been my method whenever I handle a case.

I do not watch any television. I do not (listen to) the radio. I read. I study the case. I study the rules so that I’m ready to handle the trial.”

Quest for impartiality Other senators employed various methods to prepare themselves for the trial. For Sen. Pia Cayetano, a soul mate of Senator Santiago’s if ever there was one, the most difficult challenge was to learn how judges remain impartial while hearing cases. She doubted that “objectivity comes naturally.”

“We are all born with our biases,” she said. “I genuinely believe that we must learn the art of impartiality and I will actually be reading up on how to develop (it) and how judges practice (it).”

Armed with comfortable running shoes and an armful of books, she spent the pre-trial days in the cool mountain air of Baguio City to put her mind and body in shape for the trial. She takes her job seriously. That is why she empathized with Senator Santiago when the feisty former judge railed at the prosecutors for coming to court unprepared, trifling with the case recklessly in media to sway public opinion, and withdrawing five of their original eight articles of impeachment for lack of evidence and witnesses.

‘Travesty’ “I am terribly concerned that this might constitute unethical behavior in this trial court,” Santiago said, citing her storied experience as a trial court judge.

“That’s what the law calls frivolous when you say ‘I don’t want to present evidence on eight, I only want to present evidence on five.’ Let me remind you gentlemen, the lawyer’s oath: I will do no falsehood, not promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit or aid or consent to the same,” Santiago stormed, her sing-song voice rising.

“I was not born yesterday. We will be studied generations from now. This is a travesty. I request the secretariat to record in the journal that I said, ‘Wah!’” she said.

Sen. Serge Osmeña, a Cebuano, asked, “What’s the spelling of ‘Wah?’” In the course of the trial, Senator Santiago dropped several practical tips during her mini-lectures.

Another practical tip she left is to keep a trial journal or diary so that lawyers will not get lost along the labyrinthine twists and turns of the legal process.

This practical tip will be important to us also as we take a sixweek Lenten break from the trial together with the senators. Come to think of it, a daily journal will also help the senator judges keep track of the important points to remember when the defense resumes its case on May 7.

Day of reckoning The House prosecutors say they have done enough to send Mr. Corona out of office and into shameful retirement shorn of retirement benefits. A daily scorecard will be excellent reference when the senators decide Mr. Corona’s fate around June, if schedules are met.

On Mr. Corona’s day of reckoning, 23 senators will ponder his fate, their eyes blindfolded, their ears deaf to the roar of the thundering throng, armed only with the scales of justice in one hand and an avenging sword in the other, listening to a little voice in their heart called conscience, hoping to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws”---and grappling with a growing lump in their throat.

18

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Sports World

Despite government’s lack of support

Pinoy Michael Martinez has Achieved International Caliber in Ice Skating

By Dionesio C. Grava Photos courtesy of Maria Teresa

A

Martinez

t a time when most kids his age because of his 15th place in a field of 40 remain comfy inside the cocoons skaters. He should have been ranked higher Michael Martinez shows off of parental dependency or othbecause his technical scores were the 8th some skiing forms during the ISU World Junior Figure Skaterwise preoccupied with fads or highest, he said. Earlier he placed third in even mischief, Michael has been the preliminary rounds and sixth in the short ing Championships 2012 early in March in Belarus. into rigid training of at least six hours each program. day -- and school studies in between -- in his If the above feats and achievements of efforts to make a better person of himself. In Michael are not daunting enough, fancy this: the process he has also been able to put the Snow in tropical Philippines is as exotic Philippines in the world ice skating map. as, say, sighting the mythic Sasquatch. In Michael was into recreational skating starting when he was “And my other problem was that I was already eight-and-a-half years forewarned by the PSU/NSA that if I bring my old. He had his first competitive event in complaint of no support to the media, my son Colorado Springs in may not be given anymore international assignJune 2008 where he ments.” -- Maria Teresa Martinez garnered several gold medals.

In October 2009 he fact the only ice most Filipinos would see won gold in all of his first major competiin their lifetimes are the cubed ones we tions under the International Skating Union buy to cool our drinks. That being the case, (ISU) in Slovakia, Slovenia and Austria. He is also the undefeated champ of Asian junior Michael is further handicapped by sub-zero figure skating since 2008 and had garnered conditions as had occurred in Innsbruck and many other international and local plums.

Belarus. He said of the latter, “Coming from In September, last year, Michael placed a tropical country, negative 15 Celsius is too Michael and his amazing figure-skating poses. So limber! eighth in the Junior Grand Prix of the cold for me.” ban ho ako sa Youth Olympics last Januprograms. Additionally he had sprained a World Figure Skating Championships held And then there are the injuries. Michael ary, wala rin ho akong coach uli. Si mama knee and pulled back muscles that required in Brisbane. In June of that same year he was quoted in one interview saying, “Ang lang ang tumayong coach ko. Ayaw talaga three days of treatment in that country. received the Hollin’s Trophy in Sydney. ayaw ko lang sa skating: ma-injured.” (The nilang magsupport. Nung matapos yung Michael is supposed to compete in the only thing I dislike in skating is getting inIn the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games Olympics dun lang nagabot ng konting pera (WYOG) held from January 16-22, 2012, in jured.) And to reduce the incidence of injury, Asian Junior Challenge to be held in China ang PSC $700 at shoemart $850 para lang Innsbruck, Austria, Michael was third in the masabing tumulong sila kuno. Its too late short program and seventh in the free skate. dahil dapat tinulungan nila ako sa training At age 15, Michael had amassed a total ko for Olympics. Then again dito sa world of 188 medals and trophies from both local championship, again ni singko wala silang and international competitions -- 146 of itinulong uli...” (When I competed to qualify them gold medals. He has also a gold medal for the Olympics last year, I just borrowed and five others won in local gymnastics. the coach of Thailand because my mom Michael was in Belarus early this month could not afford to hire a coach. Then when competing in the ISU World Junior Figure I competed in the Youth Olympics last JanuSkating Championships 2012 and was ary, I again didn’t have a coach. My mother quite impressed of the venue. In addition had to stand in as my coach. They really to the main ice ring, the huge sports arena don’t want to give support. It was only after has a separate rink for hockey, another for the Olympics that PSC handed out $700 and the public to practice, indoor speed skating Shoemart $850 just so it can be said that tracks, medical facilities for athletes and they were helping. It was too late because more amenities. There are reportedly two they should have helped me during the other ice rinks built by the government so training for the Olympics. Then again in this that their athletes can train with modern world championship, not even five centavos facilities. was given to help...)

“In Philippines,” Michael noted in his His mother, Maria Teresa Martinez, Facebook page, “we only have 1 Olympic agrees. Many times Michael had particisize ice rink in the whole country. & our The young skiing sensation and his medal and trophy collections. pated in international competitions without ice rink is inside the shopping mall & it’s a coach because they could not afford to mainly for public skating. We are paying ice this coming April 6 but had to withdraw due hire one. In an email dated March 13 to time but there is no freestyle session, so high Michael cross-trains in gymnastics, plyoPinoyWatchdog.com, she said: “I do not to injuries (sprain/swollen ankle) from a level skaters cannot practice there.” metrics and trampoline. Still skating is an very bad fall/twisting of his ankle during his know who can help me bring my son’s case At that time he had just completed injury-prone sport and in addition to being to the office of the President. I do not have last day of practice in Anaheim before the the junior men event and was feeling low asthmatic, Michael had experienced many any more money to support his training, flight back to Philippines. falls, repeated injuries and I feel so bad for my son because he and torn ligaments during had proven that he can defeat skaters from Lip service from the government trainings and competitraditional skating countries, and he wants During a press conference in Nov. 4, tions. to qualify & compete in the 2014 regular 2011, Manuel Veguillas of the Philippine In Merano, Italy, winter Olympics, but we have no more Skating Union (PSU) grandly proclaimed for example, he had to budget for that. And my other problem was the country’s choice of Michael Martinez withdraw from the comthat I was already forewarned by the PSU/ as the lone representative to the Olympic petition because a thigh NSA that if I bring my complaint of no supGames in Austria: “We’re blessed to have was pierced by the skate port to the media, my son may not be given someone as talented as Michael to represent blade during a bad fall anymore international assignments.” the country in the Winter Olympics.” and he had to be rushed In another note dated March 22 she said, In an exchange of notes with Michael, to the hospital because “... he (Michael) is not adequately suphowever, PinoyWatchdog learned that the of profuse bleeding. In Philippine government has been nickel-and- ported/funded by Philippine sports agencies October-November of concerned -- the Philippine Skating Union diming its support to an athlete who has 2010 he missed several (PSU), the national sports association for done much to bring honor and prestige to competitions because of figure skating, and the Philippine Sports ankle injuries that had him the country.

Commission (PSC). The only money they, Wrote Michael: “Nung lumaban nga in cast for three months.

PSU & PSC, have given so far was the daily ho ako sa Olympic qualifying last year, I In the recent Belarus allowance in Innsbruck during the youth just borrowed the coach of Thailand, kasi games he hurt an ankle Olympic games in Jan., 2012. Phil. Olympic wala akong coach hindi kaya ni mama na which gave him so much For awhile the scores seesaw created much excitement during a Belarus event. gumasta para sa coach. Then nung lumapain during practices and Turn to Page 19

Saturday, March 31, 2012

PinoyWatchDog.Com

Pinoy Michael Martinez...

From Page 18

Committee (POC) is helping to get a refund of Michael’s Youth Olympic training expenses from PSC (training expenses in Nov. 7, 2011 till Jan. 7, 2012) but there is no refund until today.”

On May 26, Mrs. Martinez wrote about Michael: “His skate shoes was so much worn out (he was using it for more than a year, while normally skaters in his level change shoes every 4 to 5 months) but since we were trying to save money on very expensive skate shoes that currently costs $1,200 (with blades) then Michael was forced to skate (and compete in several prestigious competitions including Olympics and world championship) using his worn-out & unstable skate shoes (he was just wrapping the top portion of the shoes with packaging tapes to prevent the shoes from collapsing).”

She is grateful that a donor had come up with the amount to pay for a new pair of skating shoes. The same donor, as well as many other Californians, had also helped in Michael’s U.S. training expenses, she said.

“If Michael was not trained in the U.S., he will never stand a chance in competitive skating,” Mrs. Martinez said. “But his training abroad depleted our life savings, sad to say. We had also “exhausted” our relatives and friends who had also been giving financial support in the past, which enabled Michael to compete abroad. Everybody in our family ‘sacrifices’ just so Michael can continue with his U.S. training. Michael’s sister used to skate too, but had to stop skating due to high cost, same with his 2 nieces.”

“Michael badly needs sponsors for his

Michael was third in the short program and seventh in the free skate during the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games from Jan. 16-22, 2012, in Innsbruck, Austria.

continuing training in the U.S. since he has more competitions this year starting in July, August and onwards in preparation for his World Championship competition in March, 2013 (which is the qualifying event for the 2014 Winter Olympics),” Mrs. Martinez said. Mother and son Michael are currently in Manila with the latter catching up on school assignments.

Michael is the youngest of three children

of Maria Teresa Martinez, a single parent.

He will be in fourth year high school of the Muntinlupa School for Child Development in June (home-schooled). The eldest of the brood, Paul Alexis, is 29, married and in charge of the farm business. Maria Angelica, 19, is a full scholar at Colorado College

19 in Colorado Springs pursuing a degree in Economics and Pre-Medicine. A high school graduate from San Beda College in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, she subsequently finished a two-year International Baccalaureate Course at the United World Colleges in Costa Rica.