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Volume 9 – Issue 5 • 16 Pages

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october 30-noVember 5, 2015

DATELINEUSAfrom the AJPress NEWS TEAM AcroSS AMEricA

ARBITRATION. The United Nations arbitral tribunal in The Hague hears the case filed by the Philippines over the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea. The international Arbitral Tribunal unanimously decided on Thursday, Oct. 29 that it has jurisdiction over the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines involving parts of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea.) Photo from the Permanent Court of Arbitration

of Arbitration “on behalf of the Arbitral tribunal in the Philip-pines v. China arbitration” clari-fied that the dispute was not about sovereignty, as China has claimed.

“this arbitration concerns the role of ‘historic rights’ and the source of maritime entitlements in the south China sea, the sta-tus of certain maritime features in the south China sea and the maritime entitlements they are capable of generating, and the lawfulness of certain actions by China in the south China sea that are alleged by the Philip-pines to violate the Conven-tion.”

the panel concluded that it

had jurisdiction over the case.“the tribunal’s Award of

today’s date is unanimous and concerns only whether the tri-bunal has jurisdiction to consid-er the Philippines’ claims and whether such claims are admis-sible. the Award does not decide any aspect of the merits of the Parties’ dispute. In its Award, the tribunal has held that both the Philippines and China are parties to the Convention and bound by its provisions on the settlement of disputes. the tri-bunal has also held that China’s decision not to participate in these proceedings does not de-prive the tribunal of jurisdiction

PH scores againstChina in UN arbitration

by Matikas santosInquirer.net

the Philippines scored a vic-tory at the international Arbitral tribunal after the panel unani-mously decided thursday, oct. 29 that it has jurisdiction over the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines in-volving parts of the south China sea (West Philippine sea.)

the decision means that the tribunal, convened under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLos), will hold further hearings to settle the increas-ingly contentious dispute.

A nine-page press release is-sued by the Permanent Court

the Philippines’ ranking slipped in the World Bank’s latest report on the ease of Doing Busi-ness globally—an oft-cited indica-tor by the government to illustrate progress—raising alarm bells for officials who immediately assailed the report’s reliability and predict-ability.

Conditions continued to im-prove in the Philippines, making it marginally easier for small and medium enterprises to set up shop and compete in the country. however, the country’s standing

PH ‘ease of doing business’ ranking slipsDown to 103rd spot, officials assail WB methodology

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima Inquirer.net photo

by Paolo G. MontecilloInquirer.net

relative to the rest of the world de-clined several spots.

Government and private sec-tor officials also placed part of the blame on changes in how scores were computed.

finance secretary Cesar V. Purisima said this could have dire consequences on the Philippines’ ability to attract a higher level of much-needed investments.

“erratic methodological chang-es year after year severely threat-ens the report’s credibility as a reliable global measure of compet-itiveness,” he said in a statement.

mANILA—United states President Barack obama will attend the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) summit next month in the Philippines, Washington an-nounced on tuesday, oct. 27.

this will be obama’s second trip to the Philippines in over two years. In April last year, obama paid a two-day state visit to the Philippines and witnessed the signing of the enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (eDCA), the legality of which is still being reviewed by the su-preme Court.

there is talk that obama wants to play basketball with filipino children if time will allow it but there is no of-ficial confirmation about this supposed request.

meanwhile, President Aquino promises to be a “per-fect host” to Chinese President Xi Jinping should he decide to attend the APeC summit in the country next

Pres. Obama to attend APEC Summit in Manila

The slate of Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who seek the presidency and the vice presidency, will be known as Partido Galing at Puso, or PGP. Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toledo IV

mANILA—It’s a mix of old and new for the senato-rial slate of senators Grace Poe and francis escu-dero, which they have dubbed as the team Galing at Puso (team GP).

the final slate was presented to the public at the Club filipino in san Juan City where all but one of the 12-member lineup were present.

As described by team GP’s campaign manager, Cebu rep. Joseph “Ace” Durano, the lineup is com-posed of old politicians and personalities who repre-sent a broad sector of society.

Poe, Escudero proclaim Team Galing at Puso

by Marvin sy and christina Mendez Philstar.com

the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) reelected the Philippines to serve its fourth term at the UN human rights Council, proving the international community’s recognition of ma-nila’s efforts to fight violations of human rights, the Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) said thurs-day, oct. 29.

Citing a report from the Perma-nent mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York, the DfA said the Philippines will serve as member of the UN hu-man rights body from 2016 to 2018.

the UNGA elected 18 mem-bers of the council on october 28.

of the 15 member-states, only the Philippines and the republic of Korea were elected for a fourth term, after serving in the council in previous years.

foreign Affairs secretary Al-bert del rosario said that the Philippines victory in the UN for a fourth term “is a clear and strong manifestation of the international community’s recognition of the Philippines’ steady progress in fulfilling international human

PH reelected to UN Human Rights Councilby Bernice caMille v. Bauzon

ManilaTimes.net

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Aquino belittles MarcosesPresident disregards resurgence of support for former First Family

by Joel M. sy eGcoManilaTimes.net

Pres. Benigno Aquino III

PresIDeNt Benigno Aquino III on tuesday, oct. 27 belittled the marcos family’s ability to claw its way back to power.

the President particularly took pot shots at sen. ferdinand “Bongbong” marcos Jr.’s bid for the vice presidency, belying the purported “resurgence of support” for members of the former first family.

“No, no. I think the answer to that is very obvious. I don’t think so,” Aquino said when asked if he believes that the marcoses are regaining wide support from the people.

marcos is running as an independent candidate for Vice President and is pur-

portedly the running mate of sen. miriam Defensor-santiago.

While admitting that his camp had met with santiago’s representatives over a possible team-up, he is yet to confirm their alliance.

the President’s father and namesake, late former senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr., was killed a few minutes af-ter he arrived in the country from exile in 1983.

his father’s death catapulted his moth-er, Corazon “Cory” Aquino, to political prominence, paving the way for her to become the opposition’s standard-bearer in the 1986 snap presidential elections.

she was later installed into power in 1986 after allegedly anomalous elections fueled a “people’s revolt” that led to the

ouster of the marcoses.fielding questions from members of

the foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (focap) on tuesday, oct. 27, President Aquino said he does not see the view that “by appearing on a cover of a magazine demonstrates a re-surgence of support.”

Aquino was referring to a glossy mag-azine, which had the 60-year-old Ilocos

Filipina found dead inLas Vegas cryotherapy chamber died in ‘seconds’

A fILIPINA whose body was found tuesday, oct. 20, in a Las Vegas cryo-therapy chamber, died in “seconds,” medical examiners told her family, the Las Vegas review-Journal reported.

Chelsea Ake-sal-vacion, 24, was found dead last week at rejuven-ice spa. she was discovered by her friend and colleague elise Iverson.

After working a closing shift monday, oct. 19, she stayed to undergo a cryotherapy session her-self. such sessions involve brief exposures to air temperatures below minus 240 degrees fahren-heit.

KsNV-tV Channel 3, citing friends and au-thorities, said the 24-year-old filipina “froze to death.” she was believed to be inside the ma-chine for more than 10 hours, according to the Nevada occupational safety and health Admin-istration.

Chelsea Ake-Salvacion

WHO: Processed meat can cause cancer

ProCesseD meat—including ham, corned beef, bacon and beef jerky—can cause can-cer, the World health organization (Who) announced monday, oct. 26, putting the meat in the same danger category as smok-ing or asbestos.

the agency’s International Agency for research on Cancer (IArC) in Lyon, france reached the conclusion after analyzing de-cades of research. It evaluated more than 800 studies across several continents about meat and cancer, which looked at more than 12 types of cancer in populations with a wide spectrum of diets throughout the last 20 years.

Among its findings suggest that consum-ing 50 grams of processed meat per day, equivalent to about 1.75 ounces or two slices of bacon, heightens the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 18 percent.

“this is an important step in helping indi-

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october 30-november 5, 2015 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426A�

From the Front Page

pearance in these proceedings does not deprive the Tribunal of jurisdiction.

3. FINDS that the Philippines’ act of initiating this arbitration did not constitute an abuse of process.

4. FINDS that there is no in-dispensable third party whose absence deprives the Tribunal of jurisdiction.

5. FINDS that the 2002 Chi-na–ASEAN Declaration on Con-duct of the Parties in the South China Sea, the joint statements of the Parties referred to in paragraphs 231 to 232 of this Award, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the Convention on Biologi-cal Diversity, do not preclude, under Articles 281 or 282 of the Convention, recourse to the compulsory dispute settlement procedures available under Section 2 of Part XV of the Con-vention.

6. FINDS that the Parties have exchanged views as required by Article 283 of the Convention.

7. FINDS that the Tribunal has jurisdiction to consider the Philippines’ Submissions No. 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 13, subject to the conditions noted in para-graphs 400, 401, 403, 404, 407, 408, and 410 of this Award.

8. FINDS that a determina-tion of whether the Tribunal has jurisdiction to consider the Phil-ippines’ Submissions No. 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 12, and 14 would involve consideration of issues that do not possess an exclusively pre-liminary character, and accord-ingly RESERVES consideration of its jurisdiction to rule on Sub-missions No. 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 12, and 14 to the merits phase.

9. DIRECTS the Philippines to clarify the content and narrow the scope of its Submission 15 and RESERVES consideration of its jurisdiction over Submission No. 15 to the merits phase.

10. RESERVES for further consideration and directions all issues not decided in this Award.

The panel is led by Judge Thomas A. Mensah of Ghana as President of the Tribunal; its members include Judges Jean-Pierre Cot (France), Stanislaw Pawlak (Poland), and Rüdiger Wolfrum (Germany), and Prof. Alfred Soons (Netherlands).

PH scores against China...PAGE A1

and that the Philippines’ deci-sion to commence arbitration unilaterally was not an abuse of the Convention’s dispute settle-ment procedures.”

The tribunal expects to “ren-der its Award on the merits and remaining jurisdictional issues in 2016.”

The announcement from The Hague noted that the follow-ing 10 findings or conclusions of the tribunal were all “unani-mous decisions.”

1. FINDS that the Tribunal was properly constituted in ac-cordance with Annex VII to the Convention.

2. FINDS that China’s non-ap-

He likewise described World Bank officials as bureaucrats “sit-ting in comfortable offices too far away to fully understand contexts and appreciate reforms being un-dertaken.”

In this year’s report, which was released Tuesday, the Philippines ranked 103rd, down six spots from 97th last year. Last year’s report placed the Philippines at 95th, but this was revised to reflect a change in methodology.

This year’s list was topped by Singapore, followed by New Zea-land, Denmark, South Korea and Hong Kong.

Countries are ranked by the World Bank based on several indi-cators such as starting a business, dealing with and getting construc-tion permits, property registration, and paying taxes.

National Competitiveness Coun-cil (NCC) co-chair Guillermo Luz at a press conference on Tuesday called into question the reliability of the World Bank’s survey. Rules for measuring countries’ scores have been changed four times in

PH ‘ease of doing business’...

month along with other heads of state, including President Obama.

Sources said the Chinese have communicated with the Philip-pines regarding its participation in the four-day event and have not given the impression that Xi would not be coming.

“I will try to engage all 21 in fruitful conversations,” Aquino said when asked about a possible meeting with Xi, during the For-eign Correspondents Association of the Philippines’ annual presi-dential forum held in Parañaque City.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Manila is from Nov. 18 to 19.

Aquino said there is no sched-uled bilateral meeting yet with Xi, and that the brief tete-a-tete with the Chinese leader on the side-lines of the APEC Summit hosted by Beijing last year was not really by accident. He said he is looking forward to having “cooperation” as part of the summit’s core objec-tives. “That is the goal,” he said.

“Currently, there is no schedule for a bilateral talk, but we are very open to it. But there are others that

Pres. Obama to attend APEC Summit...

PAGE A1 the last five years, and often after the actual fieldwork is completed.

The main changes for this year, the World Bank said, aimed to show how business-friendly poli-cies were being implemented. The previous versions of the report only looked into the existence of the said policies.

The Philippines’ worst score was in the area of starting a business, where the country ranked 165th out of 189 countries. It required a total of 16 procedures to start a business in the Philippines—a pro-cess that takes, on the average, 29 days.

Fieldwork for the annual surveys are done in the first half of every year. However, Luz said some re-forms implemented early this year were not reflected in the results. Deadlines for data submissions were also moved without notifying local officials, Luz said.

“It’s been difficult for us to make heads or tails of this diagnostic tool. It’s confusing the hell out of us,” he said. “We have the numbers to show we’re improving but it’s obvi-ously not being picked up.”

PAGE A1 have already indicated that they want bilateral discussions, includ-ing those that will be coming on state visits before the launch of APEC,” Aquino added.

The President said an invitation has been formally transmitted to Xi and that he expressed hope the Chinese leader would come.

“We were very supportive of China when they hosted. We as-sume that our big brother to the West will also be supportive. We have not yet received confirma-tion as to who will be attending,” Aquino said.

The President said he would tell Xi what he had conveyed to the latter’s predecessors – that the event would promote stability as well as foster better relations among countries.

The President said he has been emphasizing since 2011 when he went to China for a state visit the need for improved relations be-tween the two countries despite the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Aquino said at that time, Chinese companies invested around $600 million in the Philippine economy while local companies put in about P2.5 billion in China.

He added China has been send-

ing 200,000 tourists in the coun-try annually as of 2011 as against 800,000 Filipinos going to China in the same period.

Culturally, the ties between the Philippines and China cannot be ignored.

The White House said President Obama is also set to travel to Tur-key and Malaysia from Nov. 14 to 22.

In Turkey, the President will participate in the G-20 Leaders Summit. In Malaysia, he will par-ticipate in the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit.

Obama’s visit to the Philippines and Malaysia underscores Amer-ica’s support for Asia’s regional institutions.

These visits also will support the President’s efforts to expand opportunities for American busi-nesses and workers.

APEC groups 21 member-econ-omies namely: the Philippines, US, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thai-land, Canada, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam. (Joseph Lariosa and Au-rea Calica, Philstar.com)

The Philippines lagged behind Malaysia (18th in global rank-ings), Thailand (49th) and Vietnam (90th). The Philippines was also below the average rank of Asian countries of 96th. The Philippines was ahead of Indonesia (109th) and Laos (134th).

Results of the latest survey are a setback to the Aquino administra-tion’s goal of cracking the top third of global rankings in the annual report. In 2010, the Philippines ranked 162nd.

To make further improvements in the country’s rank, policymakers should institutionalize transpar-ency reforms by passing a Free-dom of Information Law; break up monopolies; and open up pro-tected sectors such as telecoms, shipping and agriculture to more competition, said Motoo Konishi, the World Bank’s top official in the Philippines.

He said the country should also reengineer business regulations.

“The Philippines has risen and you are now in a much tougher and competitive environment,” the World Bank official said. “The top is moving all the time, so we have to move faster for the Philippines to gain ground.”

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 30-NOvEmbER 5, 2015 A�From the Front Page

A police report obtained by ABC News stated that it appeared Ake-Salvacion set levels improperly on the machine she used.

She “was supposed to have as-sistance with the machine,” the re-port states, but she did not do so.

“Ake used it alone, it appears, she did not have the level setting at the proper height, she did not get enough oxygen and she suffo-cated and froze herself to death,” according to the report.

She was declared dead at 1:30pm on Oct. 20, Coroner’s of-fice staff said Saturday, Oct. 24, according to the Review-Journal.

Ake-Salvacion’s death has raised concerns about the safety of cryotherapy treatment, which is used by athletes and celebrities but is hardly ever studied and not regulated by any agency.

“Cryotherapy is safe treatment, it’s definitely safe but it’s not to be used alone,” Iverson said. “It was misused.”

The owners of Rejuvenice on

Filipina found dead in Las Vegas...PAGE A1 Monday said they were “devas-

tated by this accident” and are “voluntarily scrutinizing each and every one of our internal proce-dures to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”

“All Rejuvenice employees un-dergo very strict and rigorous training, our cryochambers are never locked, and guests and em-ployees are always supervised dur-ing the entirety of the treatment to ensure their safety,” the company said Monday, according to the Re-view-Journal.

Because Ake-Salvacion used the chamber for personal use outside of business hours, a Nevada Occu-pational Safety and Health Admin-istration (OSHA) spokeswoman, Teri Williams, said OSHA does not have jurisdiction over the case. Several agencies also told the Re-view-Journal that they were not responsible for any investigations and pointed out that cryotherapy businesses are not regulated the same way medical clinics or sa-lons are.

viduals make healthier dietary choices to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer in particular,” said Susan Gapstur of the Amer-ican Cancer Society, according to The Associated Press. The organization has recommended limiting the consumption of red and processed meat since 2002. It suggests opting for fish or poultry, or cooking red meat at low temperatures.

Processed meat, which is modified either to extend shelf life or enhance taste, is smoked, salted, fermented, smoked, or cured. Among chemicals used to cure meat include nitrates and nitrites, which the body converts into cancer-causing compounds. The IARC has la-beled processed meat as a car-cinogen, similarly to how ciga-rettes are labeled.

Still, this is not to say pro-cessed meat and smoking are equally dangerous: smoking remains worse than eating a bacon sandwich.

The IARC’s findings state that the chance of individuals developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat is small, Dr. Kurt Straif of the IARC said in a statement. However, the risk

increases with the amount of meat consumed.

In the United States, the over-all lifetime risk of developing the cancer is about 5 percent, according to the American Can-cer Society. But the WHO says eating a cold-cut sandwich on a daily basis would only raise the risk to about 6 percent.

In the United Kingdom, ap-proximately 6 percent of indi-viduals develop bowel cancer in their lives. If, in the UK, people ate an additional 50 grams of bacon every day for the rest of their lives, their risk for would rise by 18 percent to about sev-en in every 100 people develop-ing bowel cancer.

“This is still very relevant from a public health point of view, as there are more than 30,000 new cases per year [of colon cancer],” said Gunter Kuhnle, a food nutrition scien-tist at the University of Read-ing, according to the AP. “But it should not be used for scare-mongering.”

The IARC found that red meat – defined by the WHO to include beef, goat, horse, lamb, mutton, pork and veal – is “probably carcinogenic to

WHO: Processed meat...

The World Health Organization (WHO) linked bacon, ham, cold cuts and other processed meat like corned beef, luncheon meat, beef jerky and sausages (longganisa) to colon and stomach cancers. Inquirer.net photo

The Las Vegas publication fur-ther reported that Rejuvenice does not possess at least one business license required to have paying customers, Clark County records indicate.

The practice of whole-body cryotherapy came under the spot-light during the NBA playoffs when basketball player LeBron James said he was addressing his injuries by using a liquid nitrogen freezing chamber that could reach tem-peratures as low as approximately minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

A March 2014 issue of Open Ac-cess Journal of Sports Medicine reported, however, that cryothera-py offers little significant improve-ment over the use of applying ice packs.

“Until further research is avail-able, athletes should remain cog-nizant that less expensive modes of cryotherapy, such as local ice-pack application or cold-wa-ter immersion, offer comparable physiological and clinical effects,” researchers wrote.

Albert Ake, Ake-Salvacion’s uncle, told the Review-Journal the family disagrees with TV news re-ports stating she died due to an operator error.

“She knew exactly what she was doing,” Ake said, adding she had completed the procedure a num-ber of times.

Lab results for the Ake-Salva-cion’s autopsy report are expect-ed to be available in six to eight weeks.

Through a publicist, Rejuvenice offered the following statement on Monday: “We are all incredibly saddened. “Chelsea was not only an employee, but a friend to most of us, and a wonderful person with a beautiful soul.” (Agnes Constan-te/AJPress)

PAGE A1

PAGE A4

Norte governor, Imee Marcos, on the cover of its latest issue.

The governor is Ferdinand Jr.’s elder sister.

Aquino said he faithfully believes that the Marcoses would not be able to return to Malacañang.

“I have faith in my bosses, the Filipino people. There was noth-

Aquino belittles...

rights obligations.”The council is an inter-gov-

ernmental body responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

It also addresses human rights violations and makes recommen-dations on them.

PH reelected to UN Human...

Poe said that the senatorial candidates were chosen based on their competence, intelligence, and desire to serve the people as elected representatives in the Senate.

A total of seven candidates are exclusively with Team GP: Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, lawyer Lorna Kapunan, actor Edu Manz-ano, Manila City Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo.

Poe, Escudero proclaim...

PAGE A1

ions are part and parcel and pro-tected in the democratic space that we have managed to really strengthen within our watch. That is, I think, proof positive that the democratic system in this country works,” Aquino pointed out.

The President noted that his administration showed that “the democratic system in this coun-try works” contrary to how it was during martial law, which Sen. Marcos’ father and namesake im-posed.

ing that has caused me to change the faith that they are able to dis-cern,” the President noted during the Focap forum.

What should be “highlighted,” he said, “is the fact that there is a period in time that contrary opin-ions were not encouraged, that somehow they were involved in the periphery of.”

“In our watch, contrary opin-

PAGE A1 The Council consists of 47 UN member-states elected by the UNGA.

Other members elected were Belgium, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ger-many, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Mon-golia, Panama, Slovenia, Switzer-land, Togo, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

PAGE A1 The other five: former senators Richard Gordon and Juan Miguel Zubiri, overseas Filipino workers (OFW) advocate Susan Ople, and Senators Vicente Sotto III and Ralph Recto are considered as guest candidates since they are also part of the senatorial slates of other parties.

Sotto, Gordon, Zubiri and Ople are part of the senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay while Recto is part of the Liberal Party.

Ople and Moreno are also can-didates of Senators Miriam De-

fensor Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Sotto said that he is an offi-cial candidate of Team GP and a guest candidate of UNA.

He said that he would endorse both Poe and Escudero but ad-mitted that he could not avoid also supporting Sen. Gregorio Honasan, the running-mate of Binay.

Gordon said that he was in-vited to join the senatorial slate of Poe and Escudero after he was drafted by UNA.

He said that the Vice President asked him to run for senator and to join the UNA slate. At the time,

PAGE A4

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario

october 30-november 5, 2015 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426A� Dateline USa

Jersey City, NJ—At the heels of a successful event that brought over 400 guests to his birthday fundraiser, Jersey City Council President rolando La-varro urged Filipinos to con-tinue to exert their political voice and exercise their civic duty to vote on election Day, on tuesday, November 3. in Jer-sey City, Lavarro is endorsing education Matters team for the local school board election.

“i am proud to endorse the education Matters team of John reichart, Vidya Gangadin, and Marilyn roman for the Jer-sey City Board of education, to represent the interest of over 20,000 students in our Jersey City public schools,” said La-varro. “As Jersey City returns to local control, we need lead-ers with the right priorities and proven ability and expertise to

set our schools in the right di-rection, and give our kids the best resources to succeed.”

“On tuesday, November 3, please vote 1D, 3D, 4D; the ed-ucation Matters team of reich-art, Gangadin, and roman. it’s simple math. Just remember, 1D + 3D = 4D.”

in Hudson County, County executive and Assembly can-didates are also up for elec-tion. Lavarro urges voters to vote Column B for Democrats and is throwing his support for incumbent Hudson County executive tom DeGise and for Assembly candidates Nicho-las Chiaravalloti and Angela McKnight in the 31st District, which includes Jersey City and Bayonne, and the entire Demo-cratic ticket.

“We need to support can-didates who understand our

values and will represent the interests of our community,” said Lavarro. “We need pub-lic servants who will listen to constituents, fight for working families, and recognize that they represent a very diverse community who want their con-cerns and voices to be heard.”

“We need to come out and vote Column B on November 3 and support Democratic candi-dates who have done right by our community and will contin-ue to be inclusive in the politi-cal process.”

“the most important thing is that people come out and vote so we can make an impact on decisions and matters that af-fect our local government and our quality of life in our neigh-borhoods.”

Polls are open from 6 am to 8pm on tuesday, November 3.

Council Prez Lavarro urges Fil-Ams to vote on election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3Endorses Education Matters Team and Democratic Ticket

PESO ACT. President Benigno S. Aquino III signs into law the Amendments to the PESO Act during the 15th National Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Congress at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Monday, Oct. 26. With the theme: “Pagdaloy ng Disenteng Trabaho at Maunlad na Negosyo, Kaagapay and PESO,” the PESO Congress seeks to develop an environment conducive to strengthening the PESO’s capacity to provide valuable contributions toward productive employment facilitation; creation of learning opportunities for drawing new insights for better employment services at the grassroots, and promotion of stronger camaraderie and cooperation among the PESOs. Also in photo are League of Provinces of the Philippines president Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr.; Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe; Manila City 1st Dist. Rep. Benjamin Asilo; Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz; Senator Juan Edgardo Angara; Davao City 1st Dist. Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles; Bulacan 4th Dist. Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica; PESO Managers Association of the Philippines, Inc. president Vissia Marie Aldon; DIWA Partylist Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar; and Pasay City Lone Dist. Rep. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano. Malacañang photo by Lauro Montellano

ViCe President Joe Biden has announced that he will not run for president in the 2016 elec-tion.

“Unfortunately, i believe we’re out of time, the time necessary to mount a winning campaign for the nomination,” he said on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Biden made the announce-ment at the White House rose Garden, putting to rest months of speculation about his imme-diate political future. He said he would focus on his remaining time in office for now, but gave little indication about what could happen after that.

“But while i will not be a candidate, i will not be silent. i intend to speak out clearly and forcefully, to influence as much as i can where we stand as a party and where we need to go as a nation,” he said.

A Biden bid appeared unlikely earlier in the year, although he gave it some thought before his son Beau, who passed away in May, fell ill to brain cancer. But he began looking into the possi-bility during the summer, reach-ing out to advisers and allies. in september, he began courting donors.

elected to the senate when he was 29 years old, Biden spent 36 years representing Delaware in the legislative chamber and served as chairman of the Ju-diciary and Foreign relations Committees. And throughout his political career, it was no secret that he had his sights set on the White House.

While he unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988 and 2008, Biden was positioned to be a

more competitive candidate after serving two terms in the Obama administration. there was also the scandal that broke out earlier this year involving Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state, which made 2016 his best and final opportu-nity to participate in the race for the presidency.

However, after his son’s death, Biden warned that his and his family’s loss was over-whelming and that they may not be prepared for the demands of a presidential campaign.

Furthermore, Biden’s aides were divided on whether the vice president should join the race, particularly considering that many of the Democrats’ top donors and strategists backed Clinton. Given this, Biden would have had to compete with her for votes and donors.

An aide said Biden made his decision on tuesday, Oct. 20, ac-cording to the New york times.

in his speech Wednesday, Biden discussed the case he would have made as a candidate and also made some indirect criticisms toward Clinton, with-out mentioning her name, about how she asserted in the Demo-cratic debate that republicans are her enemies.

“i believe that we have to end the divisive partisan politics that is ripping this country apart, and i think we can,” said Biden, who, during his time in the senate, frequently worked with mem-bers in both parties.

“they are our opposition; they’re not our enemies. And for the sake of our country, we have

to work together,” he said.Despite his jabs, Clinton, in

a statement, praised Biden’s “passion for our country,” his “devotion to family,” and cited his record of fighting for the middle class.

“Joe Biden is a good man and a great vice president,” she said. “And i’m confident that history isn’t finished with Joe Biden.”

Politicians from both sides of the aisle agreed Biden would have made a good candidate, but said “he made the right decision,” as Democratic senate Minority leader Harry reid told CNN.

republican front-runner Don-ald trump echoed the sentiment while also taking a stab at Clin-ton.

“i think Joe Biden made [the] correct decision for him & his family. Personally, i would rather run against Hillary because her record is so bad,” trump wrote.

reince Priebus, chairman of the republican National Com-mittee, said Biden’s decision makes it easier for the GOP to win the election.

“Vice President Biden was the most formidable general elec-tion candidate the Democratic Party could have fielded, and his decision not to challenge Hill-ary Clinton greatly improves our chances of taking back the White House,” Priebus said.

With a little more than a year remaining as vice president, Biden said he and his fam-ily “intend to spend the next 15 months fighting for what we’ve always cared about, what my family’s always cared about, with every ounce of our being.” (Agnes Constante / AJPress)

Biden won’t run for president in 2016

Poe, Escudero proclaim...PAGE A3

he said that he was considering either another bid for the presi-dency or a return to the senate.

Gordon said that he informed the two sides that he would not be endorsing any presidential candidate.

“i will just assist whoever among the two wins. they did not ask me for anything. i am com-fortable with either group,” Gor-don said.

“i’m just going to do what i can. Win, win for the people and when i win, i will work for the people and if the president and vice pres-ident are doing work for the peo-ple, i will be their ally. if they’re not, i will be their critic. But it’s time to be united,” he added.

Zubiri said that he was an in-dependent candidate adopted by different groups, including that of Davao City Mayor rodrigo Duterte, Manila Mayor Joseph es-trada, Poe and UNA.

“they probably saw my accom-plishments. there is still a lot that i want to do for our nation,” he said.

Zubiri, who was the subject of an electoral protest filed by sen. Aquilino Pimentel iii in relation to the 2007 senatorial elections, re-signed three years into his term, just before the senate electoral tribunal (set) came out with a ruling in favor of Pimentel.

He said that he has moved on and has in fact reconciled with Pimentel.

“i would like to think that my resignation was a way to show that my integrity is untarnished. Let us move forward for this country. if we continue to quar-rel over things that happened in the past, then our country will not move forward,” Zubiri said.

recto was not present during the launch of team GP, but his son ryan Christian was there to represent him.

Manzano, a former vice mayor of Makati City and chairman of the Optical Media Board, clarified that his inclusion in team GP slate was not at the expense of former senator Panfilo Lacson.

earlier this week, Lacson said

with 26.6 percent, Manuel roxas ii with 17.4 percent and santiago with 10.7 percent.

the survey also included OFW party-list rep. roy señeres and former iloilo congressman Au-gusto syjuco Jr., who got 0.2 per-cent each.

in the september survey of the Magdalo, Poe got 30 percent.

According to the survey, Poe topped almost all regions of the country, except for the Cordil-lera Administrative region and region 2 where Binay got more votes.

For the vice presidential race, the Magdalo survey showed es-cudero in the lead with 37 per-cent of the votes of respondents.

Marcos ranked second with 24 percent, followed by sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and the Magda-lo’s own sen. Antonio trillanes iV, who were tied for third place with 11 percent.

Camarines sur rep. Leni ro-bredo was next with nine percent and sen. Gregorio Honasan with seven percent.

“We have expected that there would be substantial changes in the candidates’ ratings and rank-ings compared to our previous surveys as the people are now having a clearer idea who will be running in the upcoming elec-tions,” Magdalo party-list rep. Ashley Acedillo said.

SET grants Poe pleain a related development, the

set has given Poe more time to submit results of DNA testing on her probable biological family.

the tribunal tasked to resolve the disqualification case seeking to oust Poe from the senate has granted her camp’s request for extension of the deadline for the submission of results, originally set last Oct.21.

Lawyer irene Guevarra, spokesperson for the set, said a resolution approved by the nine-member tribunal last tuesday has allowed the two-week exten-sion sought by Poe.

Guevarra said the senator is now given until Nov. 5 to submit the results.

“the motion was granted by the executive committee of the tribunal,” she confirmed in a text message.

that he was asked to give way to Manzano as a member of the senatorial slate of Poe and escu-dero.

Manzano said that this was not true because he was invited to be part of the senatorial slate some time ago.

“i believe that the former sena-tor was misinformed. i knew quite a while back that i was part of the team,” Manzano said.

He recalled that when he was invited to join the team, there were still two slots available.

Poe said it was never their in-tention to drop Lacson from the lineup, adding that the former senator has a big chance of mak-ing a successful comeback even if he is not part of the Poe-escudero slate.

Kapunan is a high-profile law-yer, who has handled cases in-volving celebrities and other big clients. she filed her candidacy under Aksyon Demokratiko, the political party founded by the late senator raul roco.

Pagdilao, a retired officer of the Philippine National Police, was credited as being one of the founding fathers of the elite spe-cial Action Force.

Ople is the daughter of the late senator Blas Ople and is an advo-cate of labor and OFWs.

No secret allianceDuring the program, escudero

went to the stage to deny rumors that he is striking a secret alliance with Binay after they were spotted eating together in a restaurant in Davao City over the weekend.

“My president has no ‘B.’ My president has ‘G’ and ‘P.’ she has innate wisdom and her heart is in the right place,” escudero said, referring to Poe.

Still the frontrunnerMeanwhile, Poe continued to

widen her lead as a presidential candidate based on a recent sur-vey conducted by the Magdalo Group.

the survey was conducted from Oct. 20 to 22, after the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) of national candidates.

in the survey, Poe received 42.8 percent of the votes of the respondents, followed by Binay

humans.”Despite the linkage estab-

lished in these findings, the agency did not make any spe-cific dietary recommendations and said it did not possess sufficient data to indicate the amount of processed meat to be considered too dangerous. Furthermore, doctors are not all advising against completely eliminating meat from the diet.

“it’s not that you can’t have any,” ABC News Chief Health & Medical editor Dr. richard Besser said. “But you want to reduce the amount of processed meat that you’re taking in. Go with broiling, with baking, those things will not release some of the chemicals.”

WHO: Processed meat...PAGE A3

“numerous” studies with find-ings indicating no connection between meat and cancer. the new findings could impact the American meat industry, which is arguing against the linkage between their products and colorectal cancer, citing the ill-ness involves other lifestyle and environmental factors, the AP reported.

yet shares of the majority of meat companies experienced little change on Monday.

“i’m not expecting that [iArC] report to be a big issue going forward,” said Brian Wedding-ton, a vice president of Moody’s investors service’s corporate financial group, according to reuters. “i think there’s still go-ing to be a lot of hot dogs sold tomorrow.” (Agnes Constante/AJPress)

red meat does have nutrition-al value and is a major source of iron, vitamin B12 and zinc. the WHO said there was limited evidence that 100 grams of red meat per day boosts the risk of cancer by 17 percent.

“People should limit con-sumption of red meat and avoid consuming processed meat, but they should also have a diet rich in fibre, from fruit and vegeta-bles and maintain an adequate body weight throughout life and limit the consumption of alcohol and be physically active,” Dr. teresa Norat, an advisor to the WHO report, told BBC News.

After the new pronounce-ment from the WHO, the North American Meat institute point-ed out that the report ignored

tACOMA, Washington – A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 47 years in prison for his part in a string of home-invasion robber-ies that targeted tacoma’s Asian community in 2012, particularly families of Vietnamese, Filipino and Cambodian descent.

the News tribune reports that

Home invader who victimized Asians, Filipinos gets 47 years

a Pierce County jury convicted Azariah ross on 16 counts earli-er this year. His charges included robbery, burglary and unlawful imprisonment.

Prosecutors say he was one of four people who committed sev-en robberies between January and August 2012. the robber-

ies netted the group more than $80,000 in cash and goods, court records show.

each time, two or three armed bandits broke into a home, threatened the people inside and sometimes tied them up before stealing cash, jewelry and valu-ables. n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 30-NOvEmbER 5, 2015 A�

Dateline PhiliPPines

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay—Vice President Jejomar Binay be-lieves that he can make things happen if he is elected Presi-dent next year because he had implemented the promises be-ing made by his contenders in the presidential elections.

“All candidates are promising something but at the end of the day, I’ve done all the things they are promising. I have a good track record, I’m a good man-ager. I could make things hap-pen, so, if I’m elected President, I can walk the talk,” Binay said in a radio interview with Dante Maravillas over dzGB radio sta-tion in this city.

He added that if he wins, he will introduce hybrid rice to help farmers recover from the impact of natural disasters.

Binay deplored the Aquino administration’s lack of vision to address water scarcity.

“We don’t want to experience water crisis in the future,” he said.

The Vice President also criti-cized President Benigno Aquino 3rd for his failure to make the much-touted economic growth inclusive.

“The Philippine economy, ac-cording to the administration, is growing tremendously. Unfor-tunately, we have the highest number of poor families. This reported economic growth is not trickling down to the poor,” he said.

According to Binay, he will also push expanded health care and education programs.

VP Binay: I can walk the talkby Rhaydz B. BaRcia

ManilaTimes.net

He vowed to continue the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program for the poor.

The Vice President flew to Bicol for a two-day sortie with members of his senatorial slate.

Binay’s camp challenged the Aquino administration to ex-plain why poverty worsened in the country, proof, it said, of the failure of its Kung walang cor-rupt, walang mahirap (Where no one is corrupt, no one is poor) campaign slogan.

Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokes-man for political affairs, said poverty and corruption persist despite Aquino’s promise of a better life five years ago.

“The administration should retire this tired slogan. Mas dumami ang mahihirap pag-katapos ng limang taon. Mas marami ang nagugutom. Mas marami ang walang trabaho at naghahanap ng trabaho [The number of poor and job-less Filipinos grew],” Quicho noted.

“The administration must

man up to the reality that it has failed to deliver on its promise to the people to address pov-erty,” he said.

Results of a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in Sep-tember showed that 50 percent of respondents or around 11 million see themselves as poor.

Quicho said instead of “spouting empty promises,” the Aquino administration should answer why corrupt practices remain rampant, and why the administration’s friends and partymates accused of large-scale corruption are allowed to go scot-free.

On Tuesday, the Vice Presi-dent told members of the busi-ness community that poverty is the moral issue that must be ad-dressed.

“My vision is for every Fili-pino to have an equal share in the nation’s progress. No one should be left behind. Ang hangad at pangarap ko ay gin-hawa para sa lahat [My dream is prosperity for all],” he said.

UNDER ANDRES. Activists raise their clenched fists as they seek shelter under the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila. ManilaTimes.net photo by Abby Palmones

be an “elder” or adviser to the next President.

“I’d like to think that if my help is requested by anybody, then I should always be willing to help anybody regardless of the sta-tus. And again, I will also follow my (mother President Corazon Aquino’s) dictum of not offering unsolicited advice. So I’d like to be of help but not to be a nuisance to anybody who succeeds me,” he said.

On what he would like to be remembered as President, he said he would “rather wait for my bosses (the Filipino people) to say that I am best remembered for this and for that.” “All I can say is that at the end of the day, when I go home and I’m about to sleep and if I look at myself in the mirror, I can honestly say that ‘I did my all on that particular day, and each and every day.’ That is the mantra,” he said.

On government programs, Mr. Aquino said: “If you listened to all of our pronouncements through these years, we have always paid a premium on how we deal with our bosses.”

“At the end of the day, it’s al-ways the Filipino people, their at-titude, their drive, their optimism, their lack of it, their hope, their zealousness in pursuing anything

that made everything possible.Perhaps, “this is clearly mani-

fested in even the drop in the num-ber of our overseas Filipino work-ers by about 400,000 based on the 2014 figures,” he said.

“So again, from people who gave up even complaining when we started in 2010 to people who are demanding that government do everything is, I think, the ma-jor challenge. Suddenly, there is renewed belief. There is renewed feeling of confidence.

He said the country was “on that trajectory if we keep to the current practices and policies.”

Are there things he will miss and not miss in his presidency?

Mr. Aquino said, “it’s opposite sides of the same coin.”

“The office enables you to ef-fect changes really rapidly. Your opinion, in a sense, matters. The reverse of that coin is that you are responsible for anything and everything, whether you know or you don’t know about it, whether it was ever brought to your attention or not brought to your attention by everybody who is part of this gov-ernment. “You know, when I wake up and I read the newspapers and when I’m made to feel by certain people that every sin ever commit-ted by man is my fault, that I won’t miss.”

Aquino seriously thinking of marriagePRESIDENT Benigno Aquino

III has disclosed he was seriously thinking of marrying, even before June 30, 2016, his last day in of-fice.

That is, “if the right person comes around,” he said on Tues-day at a media forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents As-sociation of the Philippines at a Pasay City hotel.

The President, a middle-aged bachelor, did not provide details about his plan. He also did not say if he was currently dating.

He has repeatedly said he is still hoping to find a wife, saying that it would make him a better person and leader.

Mr. Aquino earlier told report-ers he had been “planning this for a long time, since college even. But I just have been unlucky.”

He was once quoted as having said: “Given the burdens of my office, if there was someone you could confide in, someone you could talk to, someone who would tell you, ‘you are still doing OK,’ then of course, that would be a key to your inspiration.”

Asked about his political plans, he said, “I cannot run in 2016 and I have no plans yet for 2019.”

But he expressed willingness to

by JeRRy e. esplanadaInquirer.net

The USS Lassen, a guided missile destroyer seen in this photo released by US Navy on Oct. 15, 2015, sailed inside what China claims as a 12-nautical mile (22-kilometer) territorial limit around Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands archipelago, an American official said Monday, Oct. 26. USS Lassen photo

THE Philippines on Wednesday said US patrols in the South China Sea were necessary to check Chi-na’s “illegal, unilateral and expan-sive” claims in the heavily disputed waterway.

“The Philippines reiterates its previous position that the [United States’] freedom of navigation op-erations in the South China Sea are fully consistent with Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the rule of law, of which the Philippines has been a staunch advocate,” Assistant Foreign Secretary Charles Jose, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), said in a statement.

The Unclos is basically a guide for the behavior of countries in the world’s oceans covering all marine activities and providing the definition of maritime zones; the establishment of boundaries; the assignment of duties and re-sponsibilities of nations; as well as a machinery for the settlement of sea disputes.

It particularly provides that coastal states exercise sovereignty over their territorial sea of up to 370 kilometers and foreign vessels may be allowed passage for the purpose of peaceful navigation.

International law“There is a collective need to

protect and uphold international law in the South China Sea in re-sponse to illegal, unilateral and ex-pansive behavior that undermine security, not only in our region, but potentially for the whole world as well,” Jose said.

“Failure to challenge false claims of sovereignty would undermine this order and lead China to the false conclusion that its claims are accepted as a fait accompli,” he said.

Jose was referring to the US Navy’s sending a guided-missile

by Jeannette i. andRadeInquirer.net

PH supports US patrols in South China Sea

destroyer, the USS Lassen, within 21 kilometers (12 nautical miles) of Zamora Reef (Subi Reef) and Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) in the Spratly archipelago on Tues-day, challenging China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea.

The United States said such freedom of navigation missions to the South China Sea would be-come frequent.

China has built artificial islands on the two reefs, both of which are in the West Philippine Sea, part of the South China Sea within Ma-nila’ 370-km exclusive economic zone.

Besides the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim parts or all of the South China Sea.

Taiwan, on behalf of China, claims all of the Spratly archipel-ago.

In a statement, Taiwan’s Min-istry of Foreign Affairs reiterated China’s claim over the Spratlys and said it was ready to engage in a dialogue with concerned parties to transform the South China Sea into a “sea of peace and coopera-tion.”

China stressed its territorial claim over the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, Shisha (Paracel) Islands, Chungsha (Macclesfield Bank)

Islands and Tungsha (Pratas) Is-lands, as well as their surrounding waters.

“As the ROC (Republic of China) enjoys all rights to these islands and their surrounding waters in accordance with international law, the ROC government does not rec-ognize any claim to sovereignty over, or occupation of, these areas by other countries, irrespective of the reasons put forward or meth-ods used for such claim or occupa-tion,” the foreign ministry said.

“The ROC government calls upon all concerned parties to take account of President Ma Ying-jeou’s South China Sea peace ini-tiative and adopt conduct contrib-uting to regional peace, stability and balance; respect the princi-ples and spirit of relevant interna-tional law, including the Charter of the [United Nations] and the Unclos; jointly uphold the free-dom of navigation and overflight through the South China Sea; refrain from escalating tensions; and resolve disputes peacefully,” it said.

“The ROC is fully prepared to engage in dialogue with other par-ties concerned on a basis of equal-ity and reciprocity to transform the South China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation,” it said.

Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay

INC seeks prayers, understanding amid abduction allegations

by Rosette adel Philstar.com

MANILA—The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Wednesday, Oct. 28 sought for prayers and un-derstanding from members and Filipinos amid reports that police are being deployed in its central office in Tandang Sora, Quezon City as security.

Although he did not confirm the reports of police presence in the Church, the INC spokes-person appealed to its members asking them to remain calm de-spite the situation.

“In this time of great tribula-tion we ask our brethren to re-main calm and continue praying for our Church,” Zabala said in a statement.

Zabala vowed that the INC will face all issues hurled against it and called on the public to be understanding and objective in order to attain the justice every-one deserves.

“Rest assured that the Church leadership will face all the issues

Tarpaulins that read “One with EVM” are hung outside the church of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Los Baños, Laguna. Inquirer.net photo

with dignity and with full confi-dence in the fairness of our jus-tice system,” Zabala said.

“To our fellow Filipinos, we appeal for open-mindedness, ob-jectivity and understanding, We likewise call for circumspection in the face of baseless specula-tion and reckless accusations that do not contribute to efforts to obtain justice for all those in-volved.” he said.

INC leaders were charged

for allegedly kidnapping former church ministers Isaias Samson Jr. and Lowell Menorca II, to-gether with their families.

The case reached the Supreme Court as members of the Menor-ca family filed a petition for ha-beas corpus and writ of amparo over the weekend.

According to reports, about 100 policemen are de-ployed as security in the INC compound.

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the public sector, my resume is lean enough that I don’t have the added baggage that is not neces-sary to be successful in government,” Poe said.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said that as businessmen and citizens, they are looking at who will take action on his or her promises. He said that business executives were impressed with the plans laid out by the presidential aspirants.

“What we can say is we will record what they promised to us and if they win, we will hold them accountable for what they promised,” Ortiz-Luis said.

The event also highlighted success stories and global and regional trends on business competi-tiveness, including strategies for business and economic growth, developing a world-class infra-structure and advancing international trade part-nerships.

This campaign season has no room for political candidates spouting platitudes. Economists will note that the quality of life enhances business cli-mate. Because like ordinary citizens, the country’s business leaders are looking for someone who will turn pledges into actions and who can make a cor-ruption-free society possible. (AJPress)

“GREG, how true!” This was the comment of a friend from Seattle upon reading my piece, “Insights from a small town politician,” par-ticularly the part about the need for “mobilization” (a euphemism for vote-buying) in order to win an election.

As a result of that column, other savvy individuals have come for-ward with their own first person narratives of election cheating. At our parish in Pinole, California, a retired Philippine Constabulary colonel who said he had already found God, told me about the rip-roaring days back in Central and Northern Luzon when they made piles of money during the election season.

“We collected contributions from the jueteng lords,” he said. And added: “Of course, we did it all the time, but we got more dur-ing elections.” Orders from the top, he explained.

According to him, there were other fund-raising tactics, like kid-napping businessmen for ransom money.

“But that’s not the only way the PC got involved in the elections,” said the ex-colonel. “On election day, we would swoop down on a precinct, drive out the voters and fill the ballot boxes with rigged

Insights on election cheating and corruption

A GREAT fight is brewing among four opposing names who dare to covet the highest political rank in the Philippines. While the top presidential aspirants are strong contenders—each carrying a political track record—one test they have to accomplish is being the most business-friendly.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Proposition

With a growing middle class, strong domestic demand, stable eco-nomic policy and GDP growth, sign-posts for the Philippine economy are generally in a positive outlook. What the country needs now is a leader who will hold a successful transition of power by 2016.

Elections are shaped by the involvement of cor-porate businesses. For a leader to initiate a suc-cessful leadership, he or she must encourage the support of business leaders.

The country’s largest business organization re-cently held a two-day conference on Oct. 26-27 to discuss how the government and business com-munity can improve Philippine competitiveness and spur economic growth beyond 2016. Invited during the event were top presidential candidates, Vice Pres. Jejomar Binay, Former Interior and Lo-cal Secretary Mar Roxas, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Sen. Grace Poe.

They took turns on the hot seat as they seized the opportunity to appeal to the country’s local business community and explain why they are the best candidate by outlining programs they will pursue if elected president. Among the programs discussed were priority bills, tax reforms, human capital and infrastructure investments, constitu-tional amendments and addressing corruption in the government.

Binay aims to alleviate corruption in the gov-

ernment and focus on poverty re-duction by providing more jobs Filipinos. He allayed the current corruption allegations against him and said he leaves it to the courts to

decide on the matter.“The moral problem actually is not corruption,

the moral problem is poverty. That is what I have to face, not a fight against all these allegations but a fight to alleviate poverty in the life of every Fili-pino,” Binay said.

Roxas will continue the current administration’s track record on anticorruption and public service. He also aims to address corruption in the government.

“We want to eliminate corruption irrespective of what the person’s chaleco is wearing. We are ag-nostic. We don’t look at their affiliation so long as its corruption, we are against it,” Roxas warned.

Santiago promised a nation that is more pros-perous, people who are more united and institu-tions that are more stable by 2022. And to promote public accountability, Santiago vowed to have the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) enacted into law when elected as president.

Poe admitted that she has the least number of years in public service among the presidential can-didates, but reiterated that she is capable to hold such position.

“Even if they say that my resume is quite lean compared to the others, in terms of my service in

Editorial

PERHAPS a lot of us Filipinos living abroad would have a collective memory of how “Todos Los Santos” was observed in the Philippines where many of us grew up. This would be totally different from the “Halloween” culture of today’s generation — no costumes or Halloween parades and party for us. October 31 and November 1 would a time when we meet with family at cemeteries to remember our loved ones who have gone ahead of us.

However, in the past decade, we have seen a shift in the way people choose to be laid to rest. It is no longer an automatic burial of the remains; in-stead the option of being cremated has now been accepted by many Filipino families, both here in the United States and in the Philippines.

I had first hand experience on this when we sent off my brother David and my Daddy just in the past two years. This happened in the Philippines at the Sanctuarium near Araneta Avenue.

We had a “lamay” (wake) for them for a few days, with their remains in the caskets for family and friends to pay their last respects. As in the tra-ditional wake, we had masses and eulogies, with people watching over the remains of our dearly departed 24/7, until it was time for cremation.

This is where the practice de-viates from tradition. After the final mass and blessing, the re-mains were brought to the cre-matory level. There was a final viewing but during this time, the body was already brought out of the casket and was made to lie down on a “stretcher” for fam-ily members to pray over and bid them goodbye for the last time through a touch of the hand, a last hug, a last kiss, a last whisper of words of affection. Stems of flowers were also of-fered before the “stretcher” was rolled out to the crematory for incineration.

The process of incinerationThis is a detailed description of how it is done,

as described by cremationresource.org:During incineration, the body is exposed to a

column of flames produced by a furnace fueled by natural gas, oils, propane, etc.

As the corpse is placed in a casket or container (preferably prepared from a combustible mate-rial), the container burns down.

Next, the heat dries the body and burns it until it

is reduced to skeletal remains and bone fragments. It is then collect-ed in a tray or pan (tiny residue may still remain in the chamber and mix with the particles from subsequent cremations) and al-lowed to cool for sometime.

Finally, the dried bone frag-ments are further ground into a finer sand-like consistency. The

machine used for this pulverization is called cre-mulator.

On an average, it takes about one to three hours to cremate a human body, thereby reducing it to 3-7 pounds of cremains. The cremation remains are usually pasty white in color.

These remains are transferred in a cremation urn and given to the relative or representative of the deceased. If you do not have an urn, the cre-matorium may return the ashes in a plastic box or default container.

The convenience of cremationSome people indicate their will to be cremat-

ed through written documents or just through a solemn “bilin” to be respected and followed by

family. Many, like my Dad and my brother, follow the

traditional viewing practices before the body is cremated, and then the pulverized remains or ash-es in the urn are interred in the cemetery.

Others choose to have their ashes scattered in the sea or other favorite places.

Some have part of their ashes kept in ornamental pendants and given to immediate family members.

There are those who choose to be cremated be-fore memorial services as they wish to be remem-bered how they were when they were alive and strong by their family and friends.

Many kababayans living abroad also choose to be cremated because it is easer and cheaper to have their ashes be brought back home to the Phil-ippines instead of their remains in casket.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS? Would you choose to be cremated when your time comes?

* * *Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Usapang Todos Los Santos: When your time comes, would you choose to be cremated?

ballots.” Orders from the top, he explained again.

The ex-colonel’s tale made the New People’s Army’s PTC or Permit to Campaign seem almost legitimate. I commented that the new automated voting system ap-pears to have addressed the prob-lem of election cheating.

“Not quite,” said the ex-colonel. “A friend of mine who is still in the active service, in the PNP, told me that there are ways around the sys-tem.”

I recalled that the vice-mayor who had provided insights on local elections for my last column had also told me something related to the automated election system, based on his own personal experi-ence.

According to him, to ensure that the system would work fairly, he and other candidates were asked to participate in a test of the PCOS machine in their barangay pre-cinct. Each one was attributed a hypothetical number of votes which they then marked on ballots and fed into the PCOS machine. The accuracy of the count was then confirmed by the machine. If the count had not matched the hypothetical votes cast, that would have been a red flag.

On election day, there was a problem at the barangay precinct in transmitting the results online.

The election officers were con-strained to bring the compact flash drive containing the results to the poblacion. When the votes from the concerned precinct were flashed on the screen, the num-bers reflected were those in the test and did not conform with the number of voters in the precinct.

“That means the compact flash drive containing the test was the one fed into the machine in the po-blacion,” said the vice-mayor.

According to him, it doesn’t take rocket science to conclude that a pre-programmed compact flash drive could be fed into the PCOS machines in the poblacions in those instances when barangay precincts had transmission prob-lems.

“Of course, that kind of trans-mission problem can always be ar-ranged,” he said knowingly.

While Comelec Chairman An-dres Bautista has assured the country that everything is being done – and will be done – to en-sure a fair and accurate count, he could give no guarantee, as quot-ed by the Manila Times in a story filed on October 8, 2015: “How can you guarantee clean, orderly and honest elections? But we will do our best.”

Indeed, much depends on the honesty of the politicians, the po-

Homobono A. AdAzA

Commentary Election or revolution?

“No faith is potent unless it is also

faith in the future,unless it has a millennial com-

ponent. So, too, aneffective doctrine: as well as be-

ing a source ofpower, it must also claim to be

a key to thebook of the future.”—From The True Believer by

Eric HofferELECTION is the new preoc-

cupation of the multitude. The last minute rush for registration is suffocating. Lines span a kilome-ter in many malls throughout the country. It takes hours to complete the biometrics for everyone on the line. But the prospective voters seem to enjoy the exercise.

Since I have no affection for vot-ing in this country, I took the trou-ble of asking prospective voters of all sizes, ages and genders includ-ing the weird ones like PNoy and Chiz. Wonder of wonders, they came out with familiar answers – silence in a desperate effort to hide their ignorance or a hope that somewhere along the way, there may be changes for the better.

They are both stupid and igno-rant answers because there is no hope of meaningful changes in the lives of our people, if we use elec-

tion as a mode of changing our lives. From 1949 up to this day; from birds and bees as well as the dead voting in Mindanao to the favorite Garci Tape of Gloria Ma-capagal Arroyo; from the comput-ers of Corazon Aquino to the PCOS machines of Gloria and PNoy – nothing has effectively change for the better for the Filipinos.

Nothing! And you think that your vote can change the lives of the poor and underprivileged and the alienated in this country? You must be joking! If you are not, then you are ready for an honored room in the National Center for Mental Health in Abalos’ City of Manda-luyong.

Peaceful or violent revolutionA fairly intelligent person knows

that a revolution means systemic change. Systemic change cannot happen in an election. Why? First, election in this country is very ex-pensive, especially for a national office. Being expensive, only the rich or their running dogs can af-ford to run in an election and win. Of course, there are many idiots in this country who run despite the fact that their chances of winning are virtually nonexistent; but they run anyway to give meaning to their hallucinations.

Second, since the rich and their running dogs are creatures of the system and they wallow in the luxuries and the perquisites of the system, why should they opt for systemic change?

So election cannot change the

system. It is as clear as day in a cloudless sky,

The only other way for chang-ing the system, in a manner that is peaceful, is to invoke sections 1 and 3 of Article II of the Philippine Constitution. As I have repeatedly pointed out, these are the only constitutional provisions that can safely change the system. But our problem is the institutions that can change the system are all con-trolled by the governing oligarchy and its conspiratorial power elites – the presidency, the military and the people. They are all creatures of the system. PNoy is the per-sonification of the oligarch – the cacique. Most of the military lead-ers have embraced the corruption of the system, including blindly following the man in Malacañang as shown in the Mamasapano in-cident. The people, as a rule, have become lickers of the asses of the oligarchy and their running dogs by years of control – economically, politically and psychologically.

This is precisely the reason why I abandoned, after very serious and thorough re-examination, the idea of calling a dialogue to discuss the institution of a constitutional tran-sition government (CTG). It would have been an exercise in idiocy, to the delight of the oligarchs and their running dogs.

Revolution of the National Transformation Council (NTC)

The main spokesmen of the NTC appear to be former Sena-

PAGE A7 PAGE A7

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OpiniOn Features

Gel SAntoS-ReloS

The Fil-Am Perspective

GreG B. MacaBenta

Street Talk

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 30-NOvEmbER 5, 2015 A�Dateline PhiliPPines

tor and Press Secretary Francisco “Kit” Tatad and former National Defense Secretary and National Security Adviser Norberto “Bert” Adviser Norberto “Bert” Gonza-les. Both are perceived to have a good set of brains. Both of them are good writers.

I have taken the trouble of read-ing the Lipa Declaration and their write ups on the need for a peace-ful revolution – one writes about election as a mode of bringing about their concept of revolution-ary change and the other talks of mass uprisings as the beginning of a meaningful revolution. As students of history, both ancient and contemporary, they seem to me to have missed some very im-portant points. First, from as early as 1949 up to this day, elections have not resulted in meaningful changes in the lives of our people. Second, uprisings in this country only occur when a branch of the outsider oligarchs and power elite are the ones to trigger the so-called mass uprisings. These refer to the mislabeled Edsa I and Edsa II “revolutions.” They were not genuine mass uprisings; they were manipulated “mass upris-ings” by the outsider oligarchs and their conspiratorial power elites..

The Lipa Declaration, I am sad to say, is not an inspiring docu-ment. It is dull and uninspiring. It does not deal with specifics; it deals with grandmother-hood statements like those of weather-beaten traditional politicians.

For a document to have revo-lutionary impact, it must shine with incandescent celestial fire. Without sounding presumptuous, I think this is where Bert and Kit should begin, if they want effective

Election or revolution?PAGE A6

mind by December 2015 through the magic of substitution. Many people are tired of Duterte chang-ing his mind – now he is running; now he is not. He is like a teenager holding a four leaf clover saying – I love you; I love you not. He is driv-ing his follower nuts.

Every time Duterte opens his mouth, he reveals himself as not ready for the big leagues, just like the rest of the current presidential candidates, he needs six years seminar in the art of national gov-ernance and the science of good behavior and decent language.

The most revealing side of Duterte was shown in a recent interview as published in one of the Manila dailies. When asked whether he will decide to run for President by December of 2015, his immediate answer was – it would depend on what is good for him or what is good for his party. No mention was made by him on what is good for the country or the people. The statement reveals entirely the man – naked as the emperor with no clothes. I wish that the man were somebody else – with vision, intellectual depth, probably brilliant and committed, and disciplined – and maybe that man could make the difference for this country.

Is the country hopeless?Is the country hopeless? Of

course not! Are the majority of the people hopeless? Maybe! To detail the familiar refrain – Erap said weather weather lang yan. He was referring to the choice of the national leader as a matter of destiny. But as I have written be-fore, in complete disagreement with that Erap observation, great leaders create their own weather. They create their own season. Will a great leader emerge in this coun-try to rescue us from the slough of despond? Yes, yes, yes! Sooner than you think! (ManilaTimes.net)

results.So what is the alternative?If a peaceful revolution as con-

ceived by the NTC cannot be achieved, what is the viable alter-native? Of course, what immedi-ately comes to mind is a violent revolution. But in the Philippine experience, can such type of a revolution be an immediate al-ternative to the present system? It cannot be since the traditional Communist Party of the Philip-pines started its revolution in 1931 and that was 84 years ago; and it has not succeeded. The CPP-NPA started its revolution in 1959 and that was 55 years ago; and it has not succeeded. So that cannot be the alternative!

Is there any other alternative? Of course there is; as the cliché goes, if there is a will, there is a way. It is as copyrighted as Sun Tzu’s Art of War, Grigor Fergu-son’s Coup d’Etat, and Edward Luttwak’s Coup d’Etat. It is not for sale. It is not in print. But it can be found and negotiated. Is it myste-rious? Yes!

I can share two elements for free – a brilliant, charismatic lead-er and a vision that scintillates as an incandescent magical dream. Brilliant and charismatic leaders like Trotsky and Lenin, Fidel Cas-tro and Che Guevarra and incan-descent dreams like those of John F. and Robert Kennedy!

They are difficult to find. But they can be found, if you try. May be you are temporarily blind be-cause they may be staring at you, straight at your face.

Fading Duterte optionThe followers of Mayor Rodrigo

of Davao City never tire egging him to run for President. He is fan-ning the hopes of the Dutertistas by saying he may yet change his

litical parties and the candidates themselves. Are there such virtu-ous creatures? Said the late US Secretary of State Henry Kissing-er, “Ninety per cent of the politi-cians give the other ten per cent a bad reputation.” And former Soviet Premier Nikita Krushchev was more blunt: “Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.”

And here’s what presidential aspirant Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago had to say about her colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives when they were set to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona for inaccu-racies in his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth or SALN (literally translated from her color-ful Tagalog):

“My first point, if the Chief Jus-tice loses here, that means that those who win are honest people because they have condemned him because he is corrupt. There-fore, assuming that these repre-sentatives – because we represent the people, isn’t that so, that’s why we’re elected officers, we’re sup-posed to represent our constituen-cy – if we judge him guilty because he is crooked, that means we are honest. Now, if all of us are hon-est – many of us are honest – why is the Philippines often, if not all the time – why is the Philippines always ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the whole world?

“That you should answer. You

Insights on election cheating...

NCAA CHAMPIONS. Manny Pacquiao celebrates after the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights won the National Collegiate Atheletic Association ( N C A A ) b a s k e t b a l l c h a m p i o n s h i p o n Thursday, Oct. 29. Team manager Manny Pacquiao promised to give the players a P100,000 cash incentive each shortly after they ended their 10-year title drought in the NCAA with an 85-82 Game 3 overtime victory over San Beda.

Inquirer.net photo by

Tristan Tamayo

PAGE A6 pretend to be clean. Now if our officials are really clean and the whole country is clean, why does transparency international al-ways list us as one of the most corrupt countries in the world? We’re glancing at each other. Who among us?

“That is my first point. Second, why don’t you stop pretending, like actors…there are certain poli-ticians whom we know are using loopholes in their SALN. The law says that whatever your deposits are at the end of December, the end of the year, you declare how much money you have in the bank – the others, they withdraw their money in November or December so that when they file their SALN, there’s hardly any deposit or they just have a couple of thousands because the rest has been with-drawn. When January comes, they deposit the funds again. My coun-trymen, you be the witnesses, why isn’t that being looked into?

“Second, palusot – or the sec-ond thing they resort to in the SALN loophole – all their assets – real estate, bank account, other assets, they put in other people’s names – that is very, very wide-spread – so, they appear not to have any assets because these have been placed under other peo-ple’s names. If they can’t use their wives or children, because the law requires that those close to them should be investigated, they use distant relatives or even trusted friends. What a hypocritical accu-sation.

“That is the problem with this

country. We’re all for honest government and yet the world condemns us as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. That’s why it’s difficult to win in any international election – in any international campaign – because the Philippines, among others, has a reputation of being a cor-rupt country. Others think, if that country is corrupt nothing good will come out of it, nothing good will grow from it.

“Why, isn’t there any one of you who hasn’t cheated on his SALN? Give me another life – Lord, give me another life and I will investi-gate everyone, one by one, in the Senate and in the House of Repre-sentatives. We shall see – I will also investigate myself.

“There are so many loopholes in that SALN, why didn’t anyone say something about them before. Why have you now suddenly be-come concerned about the loop-holes? Well, if that is the case, then let us all just put our assets in dol-lars and – the purpose of the SALN will be perverted or corrupted. That is true. But what about all the other loopholes? Why have you become angry over the loophole only now? Why not before? Be-cause some of us have been using the loopholes – they just have not been impeached.”

Looks like, all we can do is pray for a clean, orderly and honest presidential election. Maybe His Holiness Pope Francis can canon-ize a patron saint for honest elec-tions, in time for May 2016. (greg-macabenta@hotmail.com)

as a replacement candidate should Diño, for some reason, withdraw from the presidential race.

Duterte has repeatedly denied he plans to run for President.

“PDP-Laban has only two choic-es for its presidential candidate—Diño and Duterte. So Duterte is the only one who can replace Diño,” Sueno said.

In Tuesday’s PDP-Laban nation-al council meeting, attended by some 40 regional officials, Sueno said Duterte was the unanimous choice as replacement candidate.

“In choosing him as the re-placement bet, we took into con-sideration his popularity and the nationwide support he enjoys, as well as his track record of serving as Davao City mayor,” Sueno said.

Among the country’s political groups, PDP-Laban is the only party—so far—to name a replace-ment presidential candidate.

PDP-Laban keeps door open for Duterte in 2016by Jeannette I. andrade

Inquirer.net

NEvER say die.Unfazed by Rodrigo Duterte’s

repeated declarations that he would not run for President, Parti-do Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has decided to name the Davao City mayor as its “replacement” candidate in the 2016 presidential election.

PDP-Laban national chair and former South Cotabato Gov. Ismael “Mike” Sueno said on Tuesday that while the party was confident of its choice of Martin Diño as its presidential candidate, anything could happen in the run-up to next year’s elections.

Diño, a former Quezon City ba-rangay captain, is secretary gen-eral of PDP-Laban.

Sueno told the Inquirer that the PDP-Laban national council’s first resolution was to nominate Duterte

Asked if Diño planned to bow out of the race, thus the need for a substitute, Sueno said: “No. He has no plan to drop out of the race.”

“The purpose of Duterte’s nomi-nation is for us to still have a presi-dential candidate in case Diño withdraws,” he stressed.

Duterte has said that he is not running for President at least eight times.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte

october 30-november 5, 2015 • neW YorK AnD neW JerSeY ASIAn JoUrnAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426A�

peopleevents

artsculture

entertainmentoctober 30-november 5, 2015

The Olaes family wiThRObeRT KiRKman, cReaTOR Of

The walKing DeaDTim caballeRO

JP ValDeRRama wiTh his sisTeR, DResseD as POisOn iVy

shay miTchell

2The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine

by MoMar G. Visaya/AJPress

It was another fun, packed and crazy four days at the New York Comic Con for nerds, geeks and everyone in between as they all gathered for the 2015 New York Comic Con, the annual get-together of all things geeky.

the numbers are strong: more than 160,000 fans flocked to the Jacob Javits Convention Center for the comic con this year, where there are more than 850 companies showcasing their products and services. through the years, big network and cable television companies and movie studios have tied up with the comic con to promote their upcoming shows and films.

the exposure ranges from autograph signing to panel discussions to sneak peeks and actual premiere screenings to a captive audience, giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators and characters.

this is the tenth year of the

New York Comic Con and they made sure that this is their biggest and most exciting year so far.

Family CosplayAvid fans Lor Angela Nicolas

and her husband Melvin have been going to the New York Comic Con since 2007 and consider the annual event as a mode of family bonding. their son Kalel, who was born in 2013, has been joining them since, including their trip that year to the San Diego Comic Con.

the Olaes family doesn’t just go to the con as regular people though, they dress up in costumes.

“We usually make them two weeks before the con. We usually plan what we’ll go as the year before, right after Comic Con we’ll get ideas on what to do for next year,” Lora told the Asian Journal.

But before that, Lora visits thrift stores that they can use as components or props to their costumes for the day. Usually,

there’s a theme they follow so that there’s a certain cohesive look.

“We always try to go with a theme even before our kid was born. People love it! First they would notice one of us (usually Kalel) then when it hits them that we’re altogether, they get super excited and even treat us sometimes as though we are really those characters,” she narrated. “We would get stopped all the time--fans of each different thing we’re geeky for are pretty appreciative of our efforts, especially because we’re a family of cosplayers. Our stuff never looks super polished and are clearly DIY and I think that adds to our charm as cosplayers.”

And every year they come back, for the fun and the camaraderie.

“[We keep coming back] because it is so much fun to be amongst fellow geeks! It’s fun to dress up and be recognized as the

Family bonding, a little ‘Bliss’ and aHulkbuster at the New York Comic Con

Filipino-Canadian star Shay Mitchell signs copies of her book, Bliss at the 2015 New York Comic Con.

Agents of SHIELD cast members talk about the current season of the show. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

JP Valderrama with his artwork, a poster of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

character you’re trying to emulate, go to panels, get the first scoop on things we are geeky for and be in the same room with its creators, authors and actors,” Lora, herself a theater actress, added.

the Olaes family is geeky for a lot of things – from comics to video games to anime to fantasy and sci-fi shows and movies so that the comic con is something that they really look forward to.

“Iit’s our family tradition to go to the one weekend where all of these things we love come together. It’s like Christmas for nerds!” Lora said.

Asked what her favorite costume was, Lora said it was their Saga cosplay (from the words costume and play, where cosplayers wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific fictional character). Saga is a fantasy comic book series about a husband and wife from long-warring extraterrestrial races who are fleeing authorities from both sides of a galactic war as they struggle to take care of their daughter Hazel.

“It was the easiest to wear and needs the least maintenance out of all 3. We do it every year since Kal was born but I feel like we make it better every year--like adding another prop or making it look even closer to the comic as much as we can,” she said.

“Our Attack on titan cosplay was by far our most popular though, people would take pictures for like a couple of minutes at a time, but it was hard to go around without pockets to put essential

Tim Caballero’s blueprint design of the Hulkbuster

Tim Caballero’s Hulkbuster design was selected by Marvel and had it printed on shirts to promote Avengers: Age of Ultron.

JP Valderrama (@freshdoodle) sketching at the booth of Hero Complex. Photo courtesy of IG @freshdoodle

things in, Kal’s straps were falling apart and, and well, Melv was practically naked,” Lora said laughing.

this year was particularly noteworthy for the family because

their Saga and Attack on titan costumes as a family made it to two online lists of most impressive and coolest cosplays.

they also ran into Robert Kirkman on the convention floor and he told them that their Saga costumes looked great.

“He asked to take a pic with us and told us to go as Walking Dead characters next year,” Lora said. Kirkman is the comic book creator of the Walking Dead, now a wildly popular show on AMC.

Because of their cosplay, they Continued on Page 6

NYC Comic Con estimates that more than 160,000 people attended the four day event. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

The Olaes family - dad Melvin, mom Lora and son Kalel - wore different costumes at the Comic Con, including their Saga and Attack on Titan cosplays. Photo by Steven Leung (dorkly.com)

The 2015 New York Comic Con attracts more attendees every year.

factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Filipino Americans. In addition to high rates of hypertension, several studies have found that Filipino Americans experience various co-morbidities and risk factors to hypertension.

For instance, Filipino American adults have been shown to have higher rates of diabetes, higher body mass index readings, and lower rates of physical activity compared to other Asian Pacific Islander subgroups (Gomez et al, 2004, Araneta et al. 2002; Klatsky et al. 1991, Lauderdale and Rathouz 2000; Adair 2004, Mampilly et al., 2005).

3The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine

Atty. MichAel

Gurfinkel, eSQ

ImmigrationCorner

CAN A DAUGHTER IMMIGRATE SOONER IF HER MOTHER NATURALIZED AND HER PETITION WAS RECLASSIFIED? THIS QUESTION AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED THIS SUNDAY! Leading US immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel answers this question from Louise (left) and also gives answers to: what is the fastest way one can be with his wife and can a person get his green card in the US despite being out-of-status for a long time? These questions and more, on an encore episode of the information-packed, award-winning public service program—’Citizen Pinoy,’ this Sunday, November 1 at 6:15pm PST/EST (9:15pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

ONE of the most important requirements for naturalization is that an applicant must maintain residency in the US for the five years before filing a naturalization application. The person should have been physically present in the US for at least half of the 5 years prior to filing, and should not have been outside the US for over one year on any single trip.

Some green card holders treat their green card as though it was a visitor’s visa, and look for loopholes to get around the residency requirement. They are careful to spend no more than five months outside the US on any single trip, return to the US, stay about two weeks, and then go back to the Philippines for another five months, and continue that process. Or, if they were outside the US for over a year, they “back date” the length of time they were outside the US, with fake entry\exit stamps in their passport.

When a person applies for citizenship, there is a question on the Form N-400 asking about trips outside the US during the previous five years. If you lie

Naturalization disaster:Misrepresenting absences from the USabout your absences, thinking USCIS will never discover the truth, well, think again!

In one case, a person was already approved for naturalization, and was merely awaiting for his oath taking ceremony, when he got a notice from USCIS advising the case was being “reopened”, because USCIS discovered he lied about his absences and physical presence in the US. In that case, the person listed on his N – 400 he had been outside the US on only four trips, for a total time period of just over 100 days. His longest trip was a month and a half. He confirmed the accuracy of these trips at his naturalization interview. He passed all the tests and questions, and was told just to wait for his oath taking ceremony.

About a month later, the person received a notice from USCIS advising that USCIS had checked with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and a “review of the record reflects that the dates of travel that you put on your N – 400 application do not match the travel records of DHS”. The notice then listed his actual absences

from the US, which revealed he had been outside the US for over a year on at least two occasions, and had been outside the US for a total of more than 3 1/2 years. As a result, the USCIS concluded his naturalization application was approved in error, because he lied about his absences and he lacked “good moral character” as he was not truthful about his travel and physical presence in the US.

As you can see, the USCIS is checking with CBP concerning applicant’s entries and exits from the US. Remember, every time you travel, and you check in at the airline, they take your passport and swipe the barcode into their system. That generates a passenger manifest and that information is turned over to CBP. Therefore, even if a person puts down incorrect information about their absences, CBP has the accurate information.

In that case, the person is likely to have his naturalization application denied, and USCIS could possibly put him in removal proceedings for having “abandoned” his residency (or green card) for having stayed outside the US for more than a

year.Therefore, if you have any

questions or issues about the physical presence requirement, you should seek the advice and guidance of an attorney before filling out the naturalization application or applying. If you provide inaccurate information, your application could be denied and your immigration status jeopardized.

* * *Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and

an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does

not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.comCall Toll free to schedule a consultation

for anywhere in the US: (866)—GURFINKELFour offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES

· SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

DON’T set those alarms… it’s finally here. The All Day Breakfast Menu at McDonald’s is now available nationwide, which means breakfast has been liberated! Say goodbye to the traditional notion of breakfast. 10:30 a.m. will no longer be the end of breakfast. Lunch, snack, dinner, late night – it’s time for Hotcakes at whenever o’clock. The time to celebrate All Day Breakfast is now!

All Day Breakfast is the number one request we hear from customers. Since September, @McDonalds responded to tens of thousands of people who had asked for All Day Breakfast on Twitter since 2007, letting customers know their dreams were about to become a reality. It’s finally

time for breakfast on your own terms.

Depending on your location, All Day Breakfast will have a limited menu that focuses on either McMuffin or Biscuit items. This decision is made at the local level based on customer preference. And this is just the beginning. McDonald’s will continue to evolve the All Day Breakfast Menu as we receive customer feedback.

McMuffin Market MenuMcMuffin Sandwiches• Egg McMuffin• Sausage McMuffin with Egg• Sausage McMuffinPlatters• Hotcakes with SausageHotcakesSausage Burrito

Sides• Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal• Hash Browns**available breakfast items vary

by locationBiscuit Market MenuBiscuits• Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit• Sausage Biscuit with Egg• Sausage BiscuitPlatters• Hotcakes with Sausage• HotcakesSausage BurritoSides:• Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal• Hash Browns**available breakfast items vary by

location (Advertising Supplement)

The time is now: McDonald’s serving all day breakfast nationwide

ALTHOUGH many Filipino-Americans understand english very well Kalusugan Coalition, Inc. with the support of NYU CSAAH (Center for the Study of Asian-American Health) through the REACH FAR PROEJCT have adapted this poster into tagalog to show that high blood pressure is also a concern in the Filipino community. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Underserved and minority populations have a disproportionate burden of death and disability from heart disease.

Filipino Americans, in particular, exhibit higher rates of hypertension than their

Kalusugan Coalition launches Taglish poster on ‘Three Ways How to Take Care of Your Heart’

White counterparts (Ryan et al., 2000) and other Asian American subgroup populations (Klatsky et al., 1994). Despite these findings, few interventions have focused on controlling hypertension or other risk

REVISED_AARP_15_Lacuesta Testimonial_HP_FIL_AJ_final.indd 1 10/23/15 11:17 AM

sight of grandiose architectural masterpieces and endless strips of stores and commercial establishments teeming with mind-boggling souvenir items.

Despite bucketing downpours and persistent evening showers Paris continues to sizzle and stands firm holding on to her distinctly veritable title---the City of lights!

Indubitably, a shopping haven for shopaholics and fashion-conscious, Paris offers exciting sightseeing bus tours and river cruises; exhilarating destination for art connoisseurs, theater and cinema buffs; great target where ancient, medieval, renaissance, and contemporary architectures, historical monuments, impressively preserved bridges, and world-renown landmarks all collected in one location, and a guaranteed discovery for tourists with adventurous taste buds.

Suffice it to say that Paris has an abundance of everything and anything and tourists are left to hunt for themselves from the troves and heaps that abound and thrive in every nook and cranny that the city offers.

Que faire a Paris… (What is there to do in Paris?) A lot! Literally a lot and time constraint could only be the problem…and, Euros, of course!

Since we’re lucky to be billeted with immediate access to the heart of the city, we merely sauntered around and allowed ourselves to be lost in the sterling magnificence of the city. (Sabi nga, Okay lang mawala o maligaw, at least sa Paris!)

The following day we availed of a guided tour to the 17-acre UNESCO World Heritage site Chateau de Versailles (Versailles Castle), originally a hunting lodge of King Louis XIII before it became home to his son King Louis XIV (the “Sun King”) with its Grand Apartments housing the Queen’s bedroom, the famous Galerie des Glaces (Mirror Gallery), the picturesque formal gardens a la Francaise, and an unimaginably huge and huge collection of art and antiquity.

The famed Louvre Castle, covering a total of 160, 000 square meters with 403 rooms that contained 369,940 works of art, is a fantastic art world in itself. The

colossal edifice on the right bank of the River Seine was constructed as ordered by King Philip Augustus and was initially used as a military fortress before being turned into a luxurious royal residence by King Charles V and his successors. It has become the largest and the most popular encyclopaedic museum in the world after continuous alterations and reconstruction following the French Revolution. Currently, The Louvre is the most visited art gallery in the world.

Paris also boasts of prestigious shopping addresses with myriads of boutiques and stalls bursting of the latest in fashion and accessories: Galleries Lafayette Paris Haussmann (a gorgeous dome along Boulevard Haussmann that houses thousands of brand stores) , One Nation Paris (a luxury and fashion outlet), Aeroville (where the world’s first EuropaCorp Cinema Multiplex was installed), Passage Du Havre (originally geared towards fish shops then rebuilt into a modern shopping mall), and the charming Avenue des Champs Elysees (the world’s most famous

4The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine

BoBBy T. yalong

On thePEP FrontPeople, Events, Places

Continued on Page 7

Dateline: Europe’s seats of royalty and cultural diversity

WELL-travelled men could frankly say London and Paris are undoubtedly two greatest European cities (aside, of course, from Rome) that have influenced the world over the last 2,000 years with their unparalleled historical accomplishments, immeasurable art collection, inestimable architectural preserves and consummately unmatched civilization that the world conscientiously regard in high esteem.

And so, being uncontrollably inveigled by such, our group was alertly ready to parry off anything that would impede or delay our next sojourn after Fatima, Portugal—Paris!

Notwithstanding the three-day round-the-clock wandering and discovering the village of Fatima, Portugal battling occasional torrential winds and rain, our uncomplaining corporeal components were still at the peak of potency that suitably supplied us with capable power to endure the early morning trek to Lisbon International Airport.

Having failed to confirm our flight and checked-in online, that unanticipated situation created

inevitable havoc among us that almost delayed our boarding the Paris-bound aircraft. But it seemed Lady Luck was with us (or could have been due to our freshly renewed faith and blessing from the Virgin of Fatima), the French guy in the check-in counter, having noticed that we’re all upset coupled with traces of desperation, went out of his way and facilitated the immediate clearance of our tickets. But still the financial encumbrances weren’t expunged and an additional 45 Euros per head remained to be charged.

With neither recourse nor alternative we complied sans complaints. Paris was already within reach and no reason was acceptable for any interruption there was. And considering that we’re all craving for coffee since we packed during the unholy hours of the morning with empty stomach… merely relying for a hearty breakfast aboard.

Dateline: Paris, France (Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Friday, Oct.

16, 2015)From Lisbon airport aboard

Ryanair Flight FRI083 we found ourselves in a new surrounding but with the same weather condition at the Beauvais-Tille airport after a two-hour flight. Our service drove 50 miles (80 km) to the City of Paris where we were booked at the modest St. Gorge’s Lafayette Hotel (#11 Rue Victor Masse) at Pigalle district.

Being first time visitors in the famous French capital made our hearts escaped a bit upon

A souvenir shot with the Eiffel Tower as backdrop

Celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary at the famous Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Posing before the Notre Dame Cathedral beside the Seine River

Taken at the King’s Cross St. Pancras International Rail Station (London).

The Buckingham Palace The Westminster Cathedral by the banks of the Thames River.

The long queue of spectators before the Monalisa portrait

TravEloguE

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FOR SALE

5The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine

(Part 2 of 2)Half a lifetime later and half a

world away, I have forgotten much about the murdered American soldier. Buried in the mists of time, his story would have remained shelved, tucked away in my memory banks and promptly forgotten until I came across an account of that incident long ago on the internet.

Written by Virgilio Lacaba, I read a long, detailed article, perhaps a reprint, on “Strange Occurrences at the UP” and like a flood, everything came rushing back as though it happened yesterday. Weeks after the session, I remember being interviewed for an article in a then popular weekly magazine, Mr. & Ms., by Neni Santa Romana Cruz, a well-known Filipino writer who also happened to be the elder sister of a good friend from St. Scholastica’s College, the kind and gentle Chona Santa Romana, who incidentally and sadly, I learned much later, was herself a tragic victim of murder and domestic foul play, sometime in the late eighties. I had left the country for America by then and lost touch.

I do remember that during the interview for the article I have had to be careful in how the story is presented because I was living, working and studying in an academic environment, which by default should place reason and scientific explanation on everything that happens in the world. Paranormal phenomenon is an entirely different ball of wax that supposedly rational beings do not normally subscribe to, something that would raise skeptical brows.

Yet I have found that life is not entirely rational, a lot of things don’t make sense and we have only begun to chip away at the great mysteries of life that lay before us. I am thus convinced that quite possibly, I am just one of the multitudes the world over who believe that there are things in the universe that are far beyond the scope of reason and known science to explain and things that are far beyond human intelligence to comprehend fully.

Quite plainly, there are things in this world that cannot be defined, completely understood and pegged in a nice, neat box. The curious case of this murdered American soldier reaching out from the grave is probably one of them.

As a postcript decades later,

The curious case of Stephen C. Davis: A ghost story

“…Underneath the bone-chilling poltergeist tactics his restless soul employed to reach out from beyond the grave, he was no more than a lonely soul whose young life was cut down so suddenly and so tragically one dark moonless night. …”

Lacaba updated the account by verifying the information about Stephen Davies with the American Battle Monuments Commission (http: //www.abmc.gov/search/detailwwnew.php). Something may have been lost in the spelling and translation during the sessions, for there were two entries for Stephen Davis (there was no e though in the Davis) — one was Stephen E. Davis, a US Air Force officer who was killed in Hawaii and whose remains were never recovered and a Stephen C. Davis. The latter was listed as Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy, with Service # 3759920 and that he had entered the service in California. The approximate date of death was December 15, 1945 in Manila, Philippines.

Davis earned a Purple Heart Award posthumously. Just like the other Davis in Hawaii, there were no remains recovered. The name of Stephen C. Davis is inscribed in one of the hemicycles on the west side in the American Cemetery near Forbes Park and what used to be Fort Bonifacio, a military camp sold to private real estate developers during the nineteen nineties and now known as The Fort in Global City.

There is absolutely no way to verify every minute detail of this cold murder case unless one is a tenacious private investigator with the mixed pedigree of a bloodhound and a bulldog. One thing that comes across clearly, at least to me, is that the ghost of Stephen C. Davis, whether real or conjured by hypnotic suggestion, didn’t seem to be obsessed with vengeance or justice although he did seem knowledgeable about his killer’s whereabouts. Underneath the bone-chilling poltergeist tactics his restless soul employed to reach out from beyond the grave, he was no more than a lonely soul whose young life was cut down so suddenly and so tragically one dark moonless night. Stuck in a nebulous, nether world between the living and the world beyond, nothing

seemed to be as important to this murdered American soldier as being remembered. It didn’t matter even if the remembrance is by a motley crew of curious, total strangers.

With a sigh of relief over the realization that the spirit was neither malevolent nor malicious, Stephen C. Davis would probably have to deal with an incensed group of total strangers who would gladly take turns putting their hands around his poltergeist neck and choking him, if they could, for scaring them half to death while using the rest rooms.

The ghost simply wanted to call attention to his plight, to being stuck in limbo or trapped in a dimension that defies time and space. Scaring mortals was one heck of a way to do it.

If you remember the movie “Ghost” there was one such paranormal being who was practically forced into mentoring Patrick Swayze’s character in the ways of poltergeists. The movie character is a disembodied soul trapped in one dimension. He inhabited a New York subway because he was pushed on the path of a train and died. He was stuck and could not cross over to the other side because his time had not yet come. So he spends his time morosely bent on mischief scaring the living daylights out of subway commuters.

Because his approximate death anniversary is supposedly December 15, Stephen C. Davis is again reaching out from the grave one more time from another century, so that he may be remembered and included in prayers just once more until he reaches final closure and eternal rest. Do pray for him if you can.

If Stephen Davis’s story holds up, it is clear that to be forgotten as though one’s life didn’t matter is indeed tragic.

* * *Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Monette

AdevA MAglAyA

ImmigrantLiving: 101 and Beyond

GRACE Nono is one of the most renowned female vocalists in the Philippines, known for her commitment to help reclaim and revitalize oral/aural traditional performances in postcolonial Philippines. She hails from the area in the Southern Philippines where the Butuan kingdom was located. In Voicing the Ancestral Sacred, Nono is joined by fellow-Philippine musicians Charles Wandag, Bo Razon, and Faisal Monal.

The Philippine islands—home to hundreds of ethnolinguistic groups and subgroups with cultural links to other Southeast Asian peoples—have ancestral sonic landscapes that emanate from the continual acts of relations, exchange, conflict, negotiation, and celebration, between humans, ancestral spirits, earth deities, animals, birds, winds, rivers, and other elements of creation. These sonic worlds have become increasingly muted over the last six hundred years. With the coming of new sonic economies introduced by Islam in the 14th century; Spanish

Grace Nono and ensemble:‘Voicing the Ancestral Sacred’

Catholicism in the 16th century; and American Protestantism, rapid industrialization, and contemporary globalization in the 20th century, came the gradual receding of these ancestral sounds and voices—even in their hybrid forms—to underground spaces.

Today, a growing number of younger generation Filipinos and Filipino descendants in the Philippine diaspora are revisiting and reconfiguring fragments of these ancestral sonic landscapes. They are also reclaiming the

sacredness of these sounds and voices as points of communion between spirits and humans, ancestors and offspring, and between peoples from different ancestries.

In conjunction with the exhibition Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms, on view September 11, 2015 through January 3, 2016. For more information, please visit AsiaSociety.org/Philippines2015.

For more information on programs at Asia Society, visit AsiaSociety.org/NYC.

Luis Pedron (IFFM Founder), Adam LaVorgna (Honorable Mention Actor, “Stealing Chanel”), Epy Quizon (Unlucky Plaza IFFM Best Actor), Lydia Hearst (IFFM Co-Winner Best Actress, “Stealing Channel), Albert Chan Paran (Best Actor Short Film, “Julie”), Gerry Balasta (IFFM Co Founder).

THE International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) recently concluded it’s milestone 5th year festivities. The SRO Awards Night and Opening NIght screening of “Asintado” Dir: Louie Ignacio was held on October 22, 2015 at the Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Consulate 556 5th Ave NYC.The Film Screenings were held on Octoboer 23 to 25, 2015 at the Producers Club 358 W 44 St NYC. This year IFFM’s Official Media Sponsor of the festival is GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International. www.GMANetwork.com/International. The other sponsors were Western Union, Talent and Skills and Triumvirate Entertainment.

2015 International Film Festival Manhattan showcases Filipino films and filmmakers

Continued on Page 6

Content: Philippine GoldPublication: Asian Journal Issue: October 30, 2015Trim: 11.5" x 10.5" (1/2 page ad)

725 Park Ave. (at 70th St.) • New York • 212.288.6400 • AsiaSociety.org/NYC

Join us during Filipino American History Month for an exhibition of over 100 spectacular works of gold, highlighting the prosperity and achievements

of 10th–13th century Philippine kingdoms. A point of great pride for the Filipino community, this exhibition is a rare opportunity to experience the rich culture and heritage of the Philippines. A season of related programs celebrates Philippine culture, performing arts, film, design, cuisine, and more.

Exhibition organized by Asia Society, New York, and Ayala Museum, Philippines.

Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms is made possible by Ayala Corporation with additional support provided by Bank of the Philippine Islands; Del Monte Foods, Inc.; Philippine Airlines; ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel; Tourism Promotions Board Philippines; and other generous benefactors.

Asia Society Museum, New YorkSEPTEMBER 11, 2015 through JANUARY 3, 2016

ON VIEW FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE UNITED STATES

EXHIBITION

Video Spotlight: PhilippinesThrough January 3, 2016

LOBBY SHOWCASE

Filipino Design Now Through January 3, 2016

ASIASTORE SALE EVENT

JewelmerWednesday–Thursday, November 4–512:00–3:30 PM

FILM

ApparitionSaturday, November 14 • 5:00 PM

FAMILY DAY

Kinding SindawSunday, November 15 • 2–4 PM

FILM

On the JobSunday, November 15 • 5:00 PM

ASIASTORE SALE EVENT

Lenora CabiliTuesday, December 112:00–3:30 PM

PERFORMANCE

A “Golden” Opportunity Filipino New York StoriesFriday, December 4 • 8 PM

Special Group Tour Packages available for $20.00 per person; includes: A docent-led tour of the exhibition, a snack and drink from the Garden Court Café, and 10% offpurchases at AsiaStore. Reservations required. Please email PhilippineGold@AsiaSociety.org or call 212.327.9237.

For details and tickets, visit AsiaSociety.org/Philippines2015 or call the box office at 212.517.ASIA(2742) Monday through Friday, 1–5 PM.

(Detail) Kinnari. Surigao. Ca. 10th–13th century. Gold. Ayala Museum, 81.5189. Photography by Leandro Y. Locsin, Jr.; Image courtesy of Ayala Museum

6The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine

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

Americaalendar of EventsacrossC

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS!PRE-EVENT AND POST-EVENT

GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW.CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES

FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS

Calapan Central High School ReunionPlease save the date for the 60th anniversary year of Calapan Central School in Oriental

Mindoro. Where: Oakland, CA When: November 1-3, 2015. Contact: Luz Yu (luz_yu@yahoo.com)

NOVEMBER 1 -3

FPAC 24 - “Balik tanaw, Pananaw bukas”Save the date! The 24th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) will be cel-

ebrated on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at El Pueblo de Los Angeles (125 Paseo De La Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012). and will feature contemporary and traditional Filipino food, music, dance, crafts and culture. FPAC is the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. This year’s theme for the City of Los Angeles’ Filipino American Event is “Balik tanaw, Pananaw bukas” a Tagalog phrase meaning “looking backward, looking forward, and celebrates the rich experiences of being Filipino American. As a community we honor the cul-ture paved by our ancestors, and move forward with a grateful understanding of our Filipino American history. This is the spirit that keeps FPAC going. Please check www.filmarts.org for more event updates. For Sponsorship Inquiries please contact us at 213-380-3722; or info@filamarts.org. For exhibitor (food and business) information, contact John Swing at jswing@esipa.org. #FPAC24

NOVEMBER 7

Asian World Film Festival in Los AngelesThe Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) brings the best of a broad selection of Asian World

cinema to Los Angeles from Oct. 26 - Nov. 2, 2015 in order to draw greater recognition to the region’s wealth of filmmakers, strengthening ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries. With films from 50 countries across Asia, from Turkey to Japan to India and the Philippines, the AWFF focuses on cinema-lovers, especially fans of foreign and independent films. Screenings will be held at the ArcLight Cinemas and iPic Theater in Culver City, and VIP festival passes (including access to filmmakers lounge, professional panels, cocktail recep-tions, and screenings) are available. A special showing of Paul Soriano’s “Kid Kulafu,” the story of a young Manny Pacquiao, will also premiere on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 8pm at ArcLight. For more information and ticketing prices, please visit http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/.

OctOBER 26-NOVEMBER 2

HallowBack Halloween Dance EventThis coming Halloween, come to the newest ultra-lounge located near Glendale’s Ameri-

cana, the chic 103 LOUNGE (103 E. Broadway Ave., Glendale, CA, 91025, across Marshalls and Bloomingdale’s)! Brought to you by EMEX Events, ToneDef Music, Bounce Electronic Mu-sic & DJ School, with support from MISS PHILIPPINES USA, HALLOWBACK is a one-of-a-kind Halloween dance music/clubbing event. Featuring dance tunes from the mid 90’s until the year 2000 by DJs Mon Maramba and Josh Evangelista, and curated by Louie Ysmael together with Arnel Castillo, as well as local retro hero Ricky Fabre of ClubManila. Doors for this popu-lar Halloween event will open at 9pm, so make sure you secure a spot on the dancefloor! 21+ only, with $10 entry fee. Reserved seating with bottle service and birthday specials/VIP areas available. Please email tonedefmusicph@gmail.com for more info.

OctOBER 31

Upcoming Filipino Design Now Events at Asia Society’s AsiaStore

Exceptional South Sea pearls are the centerpieces of the Jewelmer brand, which showcases the creative harmony of French design and Asian sensibilities. Through a highly selective process, these elusive gems inspire artisans to create finely crafted jewel-ry to fulfill Jewelmer’s celebration of beauty in harmonious symmetry with nature.

NOVEMBER 4 & 5, 2015. 12 :00pM - 3 :30pM

In conjunction with Asia Society’s Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms exhibition, AsiaStore is collaborating with select renowned Filipino designers to create products inspired by their interpretation of the Philippine culture. For press enquiries, email pr@asiasociety.org.

Lenora Cabili / FashionLenora Cabili’s designs are inspired by

tradition, mixing the past with present, creat-ing unique garments that incorporate ancient techniques of weaving, embroidery and bead work from indigenous Filipino groups. Len’s mission is to create while also reviving and preserving ancient traditions, as she works with talented artisans across the Archipelago to provide opportunities to improve liveli-hoods.

DEcEMBER 1 , 2015. 12 :00pM - 3 :30pM

Some weeks ago we welcomed the Fall season with an article on hairstyles. Today, we tackle another one of my fortes—and a sought-after subject for women—the latest makeup trends. I can describe this season’s makeup peg in two words: fresh and minimal. With that image in mind, I invite you to experience “Valentine’s in october” and fall in love with these autumn-inspired makeup styles.

Go easy on the eyesWhoever said that sexy smoky

eye is so 90 degrees ago must learn how to carry the classic eye-do

Fall in love with these Fall makeup trends

By Monet Lu

with just a teeny bit of flaw. Allow me to elaborate before I give the impression that carelessly applied shadow is a thing – please…never been, never will be. What I meant by a little flaw is how you would do your smoky eye look at home. You know, the kind that gives off an ultra diffused shadow that looks intense while feeling soft. makeup artist Pat mcGrath created this look at Diane von Furstenberg by using a black and brown liner. You can also use gray shadows with just a hint of sparkle to keep it soft enough for daytime.

A bronze shadow is another equally striking-yet-with-an-easy feel. You can maybe give your metallic shadows a break this season by using bronze shadows instead of the classic gold or silver.

This type of hue warms up your face and gives you a good reason to put a natural-looking lip color.

Paint outside the linesIt’s this time of the year when

you feel a bit more adventurous. It shows on your outfit and your hair, and well, your eye makeup better match that mood. As they say, the eyes are the windows of the soul. And your carefree soul needs an audience! one article writes, “ Tweak the classic cat eye by opting for a more straight across swipe of black kohl like we saw at oscar de la Renta. This is a more modern way to wear liner that elongates and lifts the eye and adds intrigue to the face.” Add more spice to your usual winged liner, by scribbling some double-winged lines. seventeen.com

suggests, “Use a soft kohl pencil to trace your lower waterline, then smudge it out with a makeup sponge for an extremely edgy and perfectly un-perfect vibe.”

Tip of the lashesClose your eyes and think:

silver, water droplets, rhinestones. Now open your eyes and give your volumizing mascara, falsies and lash add-ons a much-needed upgrade. It’s time those lashes shine as bright as your eyes! Silver sparkles on the tip of the lashes give your eyelashes a water droplet effect. A bit of gold layers on the lashes will make it look like it has rhinestones tips. Bring on the prettiest lashes by layering, lengthening, or volumizing your top and bottom lashes.

Rush that blushNow is the perfect time to

embrace your “just stepped out of the gym” look. or for some people; “I just went on a brisk, wintry walk.” This is the season for flushed cheeks and naturally rosy blush. You had a good run with your sculpting tools, it’s time to give them a break. Grab your warm peach blush powder and head

out the door. That’s all you need. Now, fly.

Lips like berryLet’s talk about that lip

color, shall we? This season, I am delighted to see a sea of lip colors that remind of the 90’s. That almost black but not quite is making a comeback and I LoVe it! From ripe berry to plum black to oxblood red, they are undeniably luscious. It may sound scary but I dare you to rock a dark lipstick this fall! Nude is out. Let’s make way for the plums, magentas and berries.

Fall Season isn’t just about tucking away your tank tops and covering up with cozy sweaters and cool scarves. It is also “wearing”

the best look of the season. Although the weather isn’t as cool as we usually expect it to be around this time, it is best to plan your ensemble ahead – and stock up on the latest makeup finds.

***Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-

winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at monetsalon@aol.com

were also handpicked by roving behind the scenes comic con people to attend the premiere of The Walking Dead at the madison Square Garden.

To cap it all off, Lora had a chance to ask a question at the X-files panel - speaking in front of his childhood idols David Duchovny, mitch Pileggi and director Chris Carter, an experience she said she won’t forget anytime soon.

Double DutyWhile others were hopping

from one booth to another or stalking their favorite superheroes on the convention floor, Filipino-Canadian actress Shay mitchell was doing double duty at the Comic Con this year.

The 25-year-old mitchell, along with her fellow cast members from the ABC Family hit show Pretty Little Liars - Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario, Sasha Pieterse and Lucy Hale, talked on a panel about the show’s future season.

“Playing the role of emily has been an amazing experience for me. I have gotten to meet a lot of people who told me that watching the show opened up conversations within their families,” Shay said, responding to a question about how her role on the show has affected her.

The show, a teen drama/mystery/thriller was adapted from a bestselling book series of the same title. It has gained a cult following since premiering back in 2010.

After the panel, mitchell wore a different hat and went on to sign copies of her new book, Bliss, which she co-wrote with her best friend michaela Blaney.

mitchell was born as Shannon Ashley mitchell in mississauga, ontario to a Filipino mom, Precious Garcia and an Irish/Scottish

Family bonding, a little ‘Bliss’...From Page 2 father, mark mitchell. Her mom,

originally from Pampanga, left the Philippines when she was 19.

Pop Culture ArtAnother avid comic con fan is

Los Angeles-based graphic artist Tim Caballero.

Tim has been going to the San Diego Comic Con for 11 years now but this was his first NYC Comic Con. He was here as part of Hero Complex, an art gallery that specializes in contemporary and pop art-themed shows.

earlier this year, Tim’s design was also selected by marvel to be printed on shirts for the promotion of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

“Growing up as a marvel fan, as a comic book fan, I’ve always wanted to do art for marvel so this was a perfect opportunity to do so,” Tim said.

It was a technical diagram of the Hulkbuster, a blueprint where everything had to be detailed and symmetrical. It took Tim about 50 to 60 hours to complete the entire project.

Coming from a graphic design background, Tim’s artwork is “not as much illustration as it is design” so he approaches it “from a compositional standpoint rather than illustrative.”

“I do mostly digital art. I make a lot of mistakes so it’s a lot easier to correct digitally than with paint or pencil,” Tim, who has been doing graphic design for about eight years now, quipped.

Tim went to school at the Art Institute of California where he studied graphic design, a decision that was initially met with questions by his parents.

“It was a typical Filipino family reaction. ‘Why don’t you go into nursing instead? If you’re a nurse, there’s a job anywhere you go’,” they told him.

“I have family members who are nurses and I appreciate them but my heart is not into it. I’d rather not do something no matter how much it pays if I’m gonna be miserable doing it. I’d rather do something I enjoy and appreciate. That’s why I do what I do,” Tim said.

Then the marvel thing happened.

“They kind of got it when I got my marvel piece. They saw that it was something I didn’t do just for fun,” he said.

Another Filipino American whose work is represented by Hero Complex is New Jersey-based artist and illustrator JP Valderrama who debuted his work with them in San Francisco back in 2013.

Like Caballero, Valderrama is into digital art, creating his work through computers and tablets.

“I’ve been drawing ever since I was a kid,” Valderrama, who attended College of St. Benilde for multimedia Arts, said.

After his graduation in 2004, he started out as a graphic designer but also went into digital background arts (for animation) at Fil Cartoons only for a short time because he moved to the United States in 2005.

JP got a corporate job doing graphic design and then started picking up the pen in 2010 and started drawing again. He began getting projects and in 2012, he got his first gallery show in New Jersey.

As the curtains closed on the 2015 New York Comic Con, fans like the olaes family, digital artists like JP and Tim and even stars/authors like Shay mitchell look forward to another one next year and wait with bated breath on how the men and women behind it would make it as big or maybe even bigger than this year.

moRALeS a.k.a. CARLIN CRAIG m. WooDRUFF, Jr.;

- “Historic Jeddah” Dir: Jameelah Rose del Prado Lineses;

- “The end is Bigger Than Love” Dir: Joel Ruiz;

- “Yolanda” Dir: Krizia may Villanueva, Jennelyn Castillejo ;

- “Julie” Dir: Clanch Dayve Belleza;

- “The Platinum Hair” Dir: Perry escano;

- “Blade of the maiden” Dir: Keith Sicat

The Feature length Documentary about Filipino American Jessica Cox entitled “Right Footed” Dir: Nick Spark

Filipino-American filmmakers have shorts playing at IFFM too including:

- “Wackademia” Dir: Roger Anthony

- “Last Breath” Dir: Jake Ramos.International Film Festival

Manhattan Award Winners 2015Honorable Mention:Directors:- “Tunnel” Dir: CARLoS

moRALeS a.k.a. CARLIN CRAIG m. WooDRUFF, Jr.

- “Julie” Dir: Clanch Dayve Belleza- “Wackademia” Dir: Roger

Anthony / Kristina HarrisMost Popular Promo:- “Historic Jeddah Dir: Jameelah

Rose del Prado LinesesHonoree:- outstanding Achievement in

the Arts for Dance Performance - ms Christine Sienicki (Filipino American

From Page 5

2015 International Film Festival Manhattan...The audience were at awe

at the American and Filipino celebrities that graced the festivities. American celebrities who attended were Supermodel/actress Lydia Hearst, Hollywood actors Adam LaVorgna (7th Heaven) and Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspect). The Filipino celebs spotted at IFFm 2015 were epy Quizon, Carlos morales, Cherry Gil, Samantha Lopez and BB Gandang Hari.

IFFm is committed in showcasing entertaining and diverse films in all genres and scope to equal the diversity of New York. It is also committed in exploring all opportunities to promote the artists, his work, his vision, and his cause if he has any, during the showing of the films and the events during the festival. This year IFFm featured diversified films from the USA, Israel, Belarus, Singapore, Australia and a special spotlight of the Philippines in celebration of the october Filipino History month here in the USA.

The Filipino Films showcased this year are:

Feature films- “Asintado” Dir: Louie Ignacio- “Lihis” Dir: Joel Lamangan- “Sundalong Kanin” Dir: Janice

o’Hara Produced by Sheila Bugia - Ambray

Short films- “Tunnel” Dir: CARLoS Continued on Page 7

7The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine

boulevard known for its enormous high-end hub-stores, elegant facades, and stylish cafes plus, of course, the Arche de Triomphe (commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to commemorate his victory at Austerlitz).

On Friday, October 16, we celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary at the posh 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant, midway of the most photographed man-made steel landmark in the world---the Eiffel Tower. It has been my wife’s most magnificent obsession to stamp a difference and carve a lasting memory during the celebration of our close-to-four decades of wedded bliss…and she got it!

Despite sans reservation (which was a standard operating procedure) we were graciously entertained and seated at the inner side with the interior view of the gigantic tower overlooking the vast splendor of the city beneath a slight drizzle and dash of fog. Opportunity has indeed granted Venny’s fascination to dine and wine atop one of the world’s former tallest landmarks.

The Notre Dame Cathedral de Paris, considered one of the finest exponents of French Gothic architecture in the world, is indeed one work of grandeur that spanned more than two centuries to complete. Unrivaled in its creative massiveness and artistic fluidity, “Our Lady of Paris” Cathedral prides of its majestic sculptures and breathtaking stained glass windows.

Almost exhausted and drained with aching muscles and blistering feet but we could neither grumble nor surrender…for there were still a lot to explore in so little time…and we had to be up and about. But there was a stomach to be filled to endure ‘til sundown and so, without premeditation or choice, a cup of American coffee and fruit crepe from a nearby café sufficiently supplied the energy we needed.

If New York City has been dubbed “The City That Never Sleeps,” Paris, then, could rightfully claim to be “The City That Refuses to Rest.”

Oh, and that enthralling order of escargot for hors d’oeuvre and elfin Maxim’s macaroons for dessert

Travelogue: Dateline: Europe’s seats...From Page 4 (which I consumed with an air of

sophisticated arrogance) made me felt a bit of Parisian…that I have to admit!

Dateline: London, UK (Saturday, Oct. 17 – Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015)

As usual, our hectic schedule didn’t permit us to take a full-hour sleep for we had to be at the Eurostar Train Station early in the morning to catch the 8:00 trip to London. Our service cab arrived just in time when we were all at the hotel lobby. Breakfast was as literally fast as sipping a cup of Joe with bites of croissant in between…and aboard we went.

It took only 2 hours for the bullet train to reach our next destination, King’s Cross St. Pancras International Rail Station, and as soon as we were cleared from customs, we hurriedly booked for a Big Bus hop-on-hop-off tour of one of the world’s most famous capital cities and home to lords and royalties.

Imagine the great influx of tourist during our visit. The City of London, that weekend, was hosting the Rugby World Cup 2015 where Rugby fans all over the world flocked to the city’s famous venues at Twickenham, Wembley Stadium and the Olympic Stadium.

The Union Jack or the variant flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is one striking national symbol that one never fails to wonder how it was conceived. An expression of union and diversity, my research enlightened me that the three crosses represent the patron saint of each country: St. George (patron saint of England), St Andrew (of Scotland), and St Patrick (of Ireland). The name “Union Jack” became officially approved by the Parliament in 1908 declaring it the national flag.

I couldn’t help but got goose bumps upon sight of familiar landmarks and edifices only seen on the wide screen and glossy pages of travel magazines: The London Bridge, the Coca-Cola London Eye (a giant Ferris wheel along the banks of the Thames River), the Tower of London (a castle with 22 towers), the Tower Bridge, the Palace of Westminster, the Buckingham Palace (no

changing of guards that day), the Big Ben, the Westminster Abbey, the Westminster Cathedral, the Trafalgar Square, the Notting Hill (made all the more famous by Julia Roberts-Hugh Grant starrer of the same title), Thames River cruises, Harrod’s, the West End Theater District, Her Majesty’s Theater London, the Abbey Road (famous for the Beatle’s album cover), the Parliament Square, and, of course, the seemingly endless shopping paradise in all corners and turns of the grandiose city.

What we saw was not even the tip of the iceberg for there were so much more left for us to cover when we return in the future since we were only travelling on a limited time frame.

There were astronomically priced souvenir items which our budgeted US dollars and Euros failed to stand at par with the buying power of UK’s Pounds. But still, with closed eyes and manipulated breaths we had to loosen our tight fist and dig deeper into our pockets to have something “English” to take home.

Back to realityWe took the last bullet train

from St. Pancras to Paris and the following day we finally bid Europe, “Au revoir!”.and “So Long!”

From Charles De Gaulle International Airport, we boarded United Airlines Flight 55 bound to Newark Liberty International Airport (Newark, New Jersey) and took off at 1:02 PM with 3:45 PM ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival). Flying at an altitude of 38,000 feet above sea level at 724 kph speed, the 8-hour-forty five-minute flight of 3,969 miles smoothly bridged the 6-hour time difference between Paris and Newark.

Wise men said: “There’s no frigate like a book” and according to Francis Bacon: “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man” but personally, I have to say: “Have guts will travel…for travel enriches the mind, broadens one’s perspective, and creates lasting memories,” aside from having that self-acclaimed power of holding the world in the palm of your hand.

For comments and suggestions, please email: gemini0646@yahoo.com.

From Page 62015 International Film Festival Manhattan...

World Famous Rockette)Special AwardMount Hope Project Award

Achievement in Filmmaking & Social Advocacy “Foster Dog” Dir: Lisa Alonso Vear. (The Mount Hope Project aim to send under priveileged children to school in both Elementary and College)

Best Student Film

- “Yolanda” Dir: Krizia May Villanueva, Jennelyn Castillejo

Best Actor Short- Albert Chan Paran “Julie”Best Director Short- “Last Breath” Dir: Jake RamosBest Documentary:- “Right Footed” Dir: Nick Spark

about Filipino American Jessica CoxBest Ensemble Cast Feature- “Lihis” Director: Joel Lamangan

Best Director Global- “Asintado” Dir: Louie IgnacioBest Actress Global- Aiko Melendez “Asintado”

(Philippines)Best Actor- Jeffrey Epy Quizon “Unlucky

Plaza” (Singapore)Best Feature Film Global-”Sundalong Kanin”

(Philippines)

The sequel to the 2007 movie “One More Chance” finally gets a release date.

MANILA — The wait is over for fans of Popoy and Basha.

Star Cinema finally revealed the release date of the sequel to their 2007 movie “One More Chance.”

The John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo starrer will open in theaters this November, Star Cinema announced during the screening of their movie “Everyday I Love You” on Tuesday.

The sequel is titled “A Second Chance.”

It was announced earlier this year that “One More Chance” will get a sequel eight years after it premiered in theaters.

‘One More Chance’ sequelrelease date, title revealed

by ChuCk SmithPhilstar.com

The movie tells the story of Popoy (played by John Lloyd) and Basha (played by Bea), long-time lovers who go through a breakup only to end up with each other again.

“A Second Chance” will tell

the story of Popoy and Basha as a married couple. It will also serve as John Lloyd and Bea’s reunion movie; they last appeared on the big screen together in the 2012 hit movie “The Mistress.”

“A SOCIAL media phenomenon.”

This was how the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) described the phenomenal tandem of actor Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza known as “Yaya Dub.”

An article published by BBC and written by Heather Chen discussed the popularity of “AlDub,” which has become an everyday trending topic on Twitter.

“It is a surreal and wildly popular show which has smashed global social media records,” Chen wrote.

Figures from Twitter Asia Pacific showed that 41 million tweets were posted using the hashtag #AlDubEBTamangPanahon from October 23 to October 25.

Chen mentioned how Eat Bulaga’s “Kalyeserye” has earned

the admiration of local and international celebrities.

“And it isn’t just the local fans. US politicians and even alternative rock bands, have declared their love for the show and its young stars,” Chen said.

The report quoted Filipino TV host and blogger Daphne Oseña-Paez, saying that the “AlDub” love story “appealed to all sectors of Filipino society and was created by playing on a popular formula used in the Philippine entertainment industry.”

“Actors and actresses are often paired up so fans hope they end up together in real life. But what’s different about ‘AlDub’… is that it wasn’t just the creation of a TV network or movie production,” Paez was quoted as saying in the report.

BBC Filipino anchor Rico Hizon, who admitted to being a huge fan of the loveteam, said

that Richards and Mendoza “appear very down-to-earth.”

“I believe that one big reason they are so popular is because the actors are very humble despite their massive success–they keep thanking fans as well as everyone who supports their work,” Hizon said in the report.

The report cited that Mendoza or Yaya Dub has now become the third fastest-growing celebrity on Twitter, which places her alongside singers Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.

After posting a record-breaking 41 million tweets, Twitter described “AlDub” as a “global phenomenon.”

The tweet volume of #AlDubEBTamangPanahon has broken the 35.6 million tweets sent during the Brazil vs Germany World Cup semi-final last July 8, 2014. (Inquirer.net)

BBC calls ‘AlDub’ ‘social media phenomenon’

8The Asian Journal NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY OcTObER 30, 2015

An Asian Journal Magazine