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by Marc Jayson cayabyab/Inquirer.net

juNe 3-9, 2016

UCLA murder-suicide: Shooter had ‘kill list’

IMPUNITY. Hundreds of journalists march to demand justice for 32 media workers slain by members of a political clan in Maguindanao province in 2009. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, May 31 said corrupt journalists were legitimate targets of assassination. Inquirer.net file photo

‘Give Cabinet appointees a chance’

DAVAo CItY—President elect rodrigo Duterte on thursday, June 2 dared journal-ists to boycott covering him as the country’s next president.

Duterte opened his late press conference scolding the media about the corruption within their ranks.

he said the media “thinks of themselves too much” and deems their profession of “purity” even though it is riddled with cor-ruption.

“Don’t think you’re the only field of puri-

PresIDeNt-elect rodrigo Duterte believes most journalists killed in the Philippines must have done something to warrant their murders, according to his recent statements made in Davao City on tuesday, may 31.

International press group condemns Duterte’s comments on media killings

During a news conference held in Duterte’s hometown, attendees asked what his administration would do to stem violence against members of the media in the Phil-ippines. In response, the incoming president suggested no form of protection for media practitioners, and said they must have been guilty of some type of wrongdoing.

“[Journalists] are not exempted from assassination … You won’t be killed if you don’t do anything wrong,” said Duterte at the confer-ence.

the international non-profit group, Journalists Without Borders (rsf) ranks the Philippines as the 7th most dangerous country for

by Eric LicasAJPress

Duterte dares journalists: Boycott me!

hILLArY Clinton’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination now has the support of California Governor Jerry Brown and 47 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials.

Both Brown and the Congressio-nal Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Leadership Political Action Committee announced their endorse-ments for the former secretary of state’s candidacy on tuesday, may 31, one week ahead of the California Democratic presidential primary.

During a press conference an-nouncing CAPAC’s endorsement, rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), said Clinton’s position on the topics of immigration, education and voting rights were in line with the AAPI community’s in-

Calif. Gov. Brown, AAPI elected officials endorse Clinton

AAPI elected officials announced their endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president on Tuesday, May 31 at San Gabriel Hilton. Front row (L-R): Chen Ho Liao, Robert Gin, Peter Chan, Hans Liang, Henry Lo, Mike Fong, Stephen Lam and Victor Manalo; Second row (L-R): Shelley Ryan, Doris Matsui, Judy Chu, Mike Eng, Michelle Kwan, Jason Tengco AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

by Eric LicasAJPress terest. she cited Clinton’s intention to

re-institute the Voting rights Act, im-prove college affordability and enact comprehensive immigration reform as factors in the Caucus’s move to support her.

“she’s been fighting for AAPI issues her whole career,” filipino-American Jason tengco, who serves as AAPI outreach director for Clinton’s cam-paign, told the Asian Journal.

If elected, tengco said, the former secretary of state would seek to re-unite families by introducing compre-hensive immigration reform legisla-tion within her first 100 days in office. 40 percent of the backlog of family-based immigration visa applications come from Asian countries and some applicants, especially from the Philip-pines, wait for as long as 23 years to

by JEffErson antiporda and Katrina MEnnEn VaLdEzManilaTimes.net

PresIDeNt-elect rodrigo Duterte may have appointed some unknown personalities to his Cabinet but some sena-tors do not see any problem with the composition of the incoming leader’s official family.

sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said he expects the confirma-tion of the Cabinet appoin-tees at the Commission on Appointments (CA) to be a breeze because of Duterte’s popularity.

“Actually he has named some unknown personalities that we still have to find out the background of some of these people, that’s a good sign,” said Pimentel, the president of the Partido De-mokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

sen. Juan edgardo Angara said he hopes that the in-coming Cabinet will perform

OFFICIAL FAMILY. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte presents newly appointed members of his Cabinet during a press conference at Malacañang of the South in Panacan, Davao City. Inquirer.net photo by Tarra Quismundo

well because most of the ap-pointees are known in their respective fields and have served in government.

some business leaders also said the new Cabinet mem-

bers should be given a chance to prove their worth.

“I think we should give it [Cabinet] a chance. I am particularly delighted by the

oVerseAs filipino workers (ofWs) can now enjoy tax- and duty-free balikbayan boxes after President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law the Customs mod-ernization and tariff Act (CmtA), senator sonny Angara said on

New law raises tax-free cap for ‘balikbayan’ boxes

by MaiLa agErInquirer.net

Under the new law, Filipinos abroad can now send up to three P150,000-worth of tax- and duty-free balikbayan boxes in a year, given that the goods are not in commercial quantities nor intended for barter, sale or for hire. Inquirer.net photo

tuesday, may 31.Angara, chairman of the sen-

ate committee on ways and means and sponsor of the CmtA, said that under the CmtA or re-public Act 10863, the tax-exempt value of items sent by overseas filipinos to their families back

Los ANGeLes — former UCLA doctoral candidate mainak sarkar drove from min-nesota to California to kill Associate en-gineering Professor William Klug before turning a gun on himself in the campus’s engineering complex on Wednesday, June 1, according to police.

Klug was one of three targets on a “kill list” left in the small office where the ap-parent murder-suicide took place, accord-ing to sources for the Associated Press. Los Angeles Police Chief Glenn Beck told reporters at a news briefing that a minne-sota woman named on that list was found dead in her home early this morning. the

Less than two weeks after he was put on the federal Bureau of Investigation’s (fBI) 10 most Wanted list, fil-Am Philip Patrick Policarpio, 39, was arrested by agents of the Us Customs and Border Protection on sunday night, may 29.

According to the fBI spokeswoman Lau-ra eimiller, Policarpio was apprehended at the border, while he was crossing into the Us from tijuana, mexico, as reported by fox News. A convicted felon, Policarpio — whose aliases include “Damon hiromi tanaka,” “Paul Policarpio,” “Bugsy,” “sin-ister,” and “sins” — was taken into custody at the san Ysidro Port of entry.

Policarpio was on parole for a 2001 conviction for assault with a firearm and other violations when he allegedly killed his pregnant girlfriend and unborn child, Lauren olguin, last April.

Fil-Am on FBI’s Most Wanted list caught at Mexico border

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From the Front Page

Duterte dares journalists...PAGE A1

POLICE SHAKE UP. Less than a month before the Philippine National Police welcomes its new chief, a reshuffle of senior officers holding sensitive posts has been implemented by its outgoing chief Director General Ricardo Marquez. In a press briefing on Thursday, June 2, PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said the retirement of some senior officers prompted Marquez to implement the reorganization. Chief Supt. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa takes over the highest PNP post, Mayor said he has the power to designate the reshuffled officers to different PNP offices. Inquirer.net photo by Nino Jesus Orbeta

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ty,” Duterte said.Asked about the statement

of Reporters Without Borders, Duterte said the media should heed the dare.

“Magboycott kayo! Make it the first time in this country. Do not cover me!” Duterte said.

“Pu*** ina sinabi ko mga ugok, pu*** ina I can lose the presidency, my life, my honor. Just don’t fu** with me. Huwag niyo na akong takutin. Boy-cott, boycott, leche kayo, edi mag-boycott kayo!” Duterte added.

Duterte urged the media to heed the call to boycott him otherwise he would be disap-pointed at the reporters for fail-ing to take up the challenge.

“As a matter of fact, I’m chal-lenging you guys: Kill journal-ism. Stop journalism in this country. If you are worth your salt, you should accept the chal-lenge. Pag hindi, mababa na ang tingin ko sa inyo. Para kay-ong takot,” Duterte said.

Duterte said there are three kinds of journalists in the coun-try – the one who is a “crusad-er” of the truth who does not accept money, the one who is a “mouth piece of vested inter-ests,” and the “low life journal-ist accepting money from ille-gal sources… whose greed is unlimited.”

He said the journalists who attack people in their stories also violate the person’s right to honor which has the same weight as a person’s right to life.

He clarified his earlier state-ment on journalist killings and said he was just being honest that a journalist should not hide behind his or her profession to be exempted from murder es-pecially if he or she has done something wrong.

“There are vultures pretend-ing to be journalists. Ever son of a bitch who aims to be a journalist makes money out of it. And if he is killed, he is glori-fied because he’s a journalist,” Duterte said.

Duterte said the vow of jour-nalists to pursue stories for the sake of public service and the truth is “bullshit” and that the industry is just a “paid act” to

serve as a mouthpiece.Duterte told the media not to

“fuck with me.”“I can lose the presidency

anytime, I can lose my life and honor anytime. I will not die when I do not become presi-dent. So don’t fuck with me. I’m willing to draw my last card,”

Duterte said.Asked if he would apologize

for his harsh statements about journalist killings, Duterte said: “No apologies, bullshit.”

“It’s better to tell the truth and agree on the truth rather than play bullshit with journal-ism,” Duterte said.

International press group condemns...members of news organizations. On average, more than eight journalists have died there each year since 2016. That number of deaths spiked in 2009. That year, 34 journalists died in the Maguindanao massa-cre, a politically motivated attack against then mayoral candidate for the town of Buluan, Esmael Man-gudadatu. Since 1992, 77 Filipino journalists have been murdered in connection to their work.

Calif. Gov. Brown, AAPI elected officials...be approved, according to Teng-co. He added that Clinton would preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and other existing pathways to citi-zenship.

“It’s really about the next gen-eration,” said Rep. Doris O. Mat-sui (D-CA).

She referred to Clinton as a for-ward-thinking candidate, in con-trast to the presumptive Republi-can nominee, Donald Trump, who has campaigned on the notion of recapturing the strengths and val-ues of past generations.

“This is a great country, and we can make it greater,” said Matsui. “We don’t want a throwback.”

Matsui went on to call Clinton “the most qualified person to ever run for us.”

After the press conference, City of Artesia Mayor Victor Manalo said he agrees with Clinton’s pri-orities. He would like to see the potential Democratic nominee continue her focus on poverty is-sues, especially as they apply to women and children.

“We have a significant number of children that are going hungry, and suffering from abuse and neglect,” Manalo told the Asian Journal. “We can do better as a country to take care of those who

RSF on June 1 urged Philippine media to boycott his appearances until a formal apology is issued. The head of the non-profit’s Asia-Pacific desk, Benjamin Isma’il, said Duterte’s comments were “unworthy of a president,” and possible “violations of the law on defamation, or even the law on inciting violence.”

The president-elect has faced both praise and criticism for tak-ing a tough stance on crime that

expresses support for summary executions and the re-institution of the death penalty.

Duterte is alleged to have been connected to the deaths of more than 1,000 presumed criminals at the hands of “death squads” in Davao City. Although the presi-dent-elect has seemed to advocate extrajudicial executions, he has not been charged with any crime and denies any connection to vigilantism.

Chen Ho Liao, Michelle Kwan, Jason Tengco, Judy Chu, Victor Manalo, Mary Grace Barrios, Hans Liang, Peter Chan, Mike Fong and Stephen Lam AJPress photo by Eric Licas

are most vulnerable.”He added that CAPAC’s en-

dorsement comes at a pivotal point in the contest between Clinton and her opponent, Bernie Sanders. The former secretary of state holds a significant lead in the Democratic race, but the 475 delegates up for grabs in the up-coming primaries could upset the front-runner’s momentum.

In an open letter to Democratic and Independent voters, Gover-nor Jerry Brown said he sympa-thized with Sanders’s campaign message of empowering of the average American against the in-fluence of the “top one percent.”

However, Brown said that Clinton’s nomination would be “the only path forward to win the presidency,” and added that her lead over Sanders by “millions of votes” signifies that Democrats want her to be the nominee.

The AAPI community is the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country, and its voting power has doubled from 2 million to 4 million voters in the past decade.

In addition to Chu and Matsui, who represented CAPAC, other AAPI elected officials were also present at the event, including Monterey Council Member Ste-phen Lam, San Gabriel Mayor Chin Ho Liao, and Garvey El-

ementary School Boardmember Henry Lo. They made note of the presidential hopeful’s history of dialogue with not just AAPIs, but all communities of color. Lo re-called the first time he saw Clin-ton speak when she visited his high school in 1992, just after the LA riots. Lo said that Clinton held an hours-long session with young community members discussing social inequality and racism.

“One of the first things [Clinton] did after kicking off her campaign was to meet with members of CA-PAC,” said Chu. “She listened to every point we raised.”

Earlier this month Clinton was the only presidential candidate to speak at the Annual Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressio-nal Studies’ gala in Washington DC. She is also the only presiden-tial candidate to host an outreach event directed specifically toward the AAPI community.

Clinton will continue her cam-paign in California with a series of appearances at Get Out The Vote events from June 2 through June 6. Sanders is scheduled to appear at events in Palo Alto, Santa Cruz and Monterey. Donald Trump has scheduled an appearance at a rally in Sacramento at the Interna-tional Jet Center on Wednesday, June 1.

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appointment of Carlos Domin-guez as Finance secretary, he is good. Benjamin Diokno, on the other hand, had never been in-volved in any anomaly and he is an economics professor by pro-fession so I think he and [Leonor] Briones, who is also a professor, are okay. But I am particularly concerned about the son of [for-mer senator Manuel] Villar, it does not send a good signal to investors for reasons of conflict of interest,” Leonardo Arguelles, president and chief executive of-ficer of Unicapital Securities Inc., said.

He was referring to newly-elect-ed Las Piñas City (Metro Manila) Rep. Mark Villar, who was named secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Briones has been named as Ed-ucation secretary.

Victor Benavidez, general man-ager of Alakor Securities Corp., shared Arguelles’ stand.

“It’s composed of a number of old timers, both from the Ramos

‘Give Cabinet appointees a...and Arroyo presidencies.

They are experienced, they don’t have any learning curve so to speak, while there are also a num-ber of newcomers. By and large, we should give them the chance to prove that they deserve their re-spective posts,” he said.

Joseph Roxas, president of Eagle Equities Inc., said Filipinos “will have to wait and see.”

“A lot of them are not well known, except of course for Dominguez, Diokno, [former Clark Development Corporation presi-dent Arthur] Tugade, [former na-tional treasurer Leonor] Briones. Most of them are former[members of the] military so they are prob-ably idealistic.

At this point, we have to trust the better judgment of the incom-ing President,” Roxas added.

Tugade was given the Transpor-tation portfolio.

No obligationPimentel said Duterte is not

obliged to appoint Vice President-elect Leni Robredo to any Cabinet position.

“The [incoming] President is not under the obligation to offer a Cab-inet position to the [incoming] Vice President. The Constitution says that if ever the VP [Vice Presiden]) is given a post, he or she does not have to go through confirmation, that is all,” he noted.

“So there’s no obligation, on the part of the [incoming] President. That’s his official family. Let the [incoming] President choose his alter egos,” Pimentel said.

But Angara expressed optimism that Robredo will eventually be given a Cabinet post.

“But we should not rush the in-coming President because there are still plenty of vacant positions in the Cabinet and other agencies. The President can even create a new agency to accommodate the Vice President,” he said.

As for the members of Duterte’s Cabinet, Angara noted that some have experience in public service.

“Hopefully, there will be a syn-ergy of what we call ‘the sum is greater than its party,’” the sena-tor said.

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june 3-9, 2016 • OC/Ie ASIAn jOuRnAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797A� Dateline USa

SB 1349 overhauls Cal-Access to make campaign and lobbying disclosures quick and easy to find online

Assembly passes bill to bring more cap-and-trade funds to disadvantaged communities

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SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, June 2 with bipartisan support, the California Assembly passed AB 1550 (Gomez), designed to ensure that the benefits of California’s climate change poli-cies reach the communities and households that need them most. The measure would require a minimum of 25 percent of pro-ceeds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to be invested in projects located directly within disadvantaged communities, with an additional 20 percent desig-nated for projects that benefit low income households regardless of where they are located within California.

Environmental justice advo-cates hailed the vote, noting that it will ensure that climate invest-ments in disadvantaged commu-nities match the percentage of the

state’s population living in those communities, while assuring that benefits also reach low-income Californians throughout the state.

“We applaud Assemblymem-ber Gomez’s leadership and commitment to ameliorating the disproportionate amount of pollution and poverty that com-munities across the state have faced for decades,” said Miya Yoshitani, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Environmental Net-work. “The passage of AB 1550 expands opportunities for sorely needed investment and reaffirms the strength and value of CalEn-viroScreen, a tool created by en-vironmental justice communities, as the state’s tool for addressing historic disparities.”

“Despite the oil lobby’s pro-paganda campaign, California climate policies are bringing real

benefits to communities hit hard-est by pollution and poverty,” commented Greenlining Institute Environmental Equity Director Al-varo Sanchez. “AB 1550 makes a good program even better.”

“Assemblymember Gomez’ bill will fight pollution and deliver es-sential energy and transportation services to California communi-ties that have suffered dispropor-tionate impacts from pollution and poverty for too long,” said Bill Magavern, Policy Director for the Coalition for Clean Air.

Public Advocates Staff Attorney Chelsea Tu commented, “Today’s victory brings California one step closer to providing much-de-served cost savings and health benefits to low income people across the state, while continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emis-sions.” (Greenlining Institute)

DOWNTIME. Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano took a quick break and played basketball with incoming Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s executive assistant, in Davao City on Saturday. Cayetano said that he is excited to deliver real changes to the people with Duterte as the “captain ball.”

New law raises tax-free cap for...home would be increased from the present P10,000 to P150,000.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa ating Pangulo at mga kasamahan sa Senado at sa Mababang Kapu-lungan na tumulong sa pagpasa ng batas na ito na naglalayong alisan ng buwis ang ating mga OFW na nagpapadala ng balikbayan box at ireporma ang luma at bulok na sistema sa Customs. (We thank the President and our comrades in the Senate and the Lower House who helped pass this law which aims to omit the taxes our OFWs shoulder when they send balikbayan boxes and to reform the old and dated system of the Customs),” he said in a statement.

“With the increase in the val-ues, we lessen the discretion of the Customs officials to inspect goods and collect taxes, thus minimizing cases of corruption and smuggling. Huwag naman sana natin parusahan ang ating mga OFW sa pamamagitan ng pagpataw ng mataas na buwis at sa mga umano’y pangangalkal at pagnanakaw sa mga padala sa loob ng balikbayan boxes (Let’s not burden our OFWs by impos-ing high taxes, and through the alleged stealing of the contents of balikbayan boxes),” the sena-tor said.

Angara said OFWs can now send up to three P150,000-worth of tax- and duty-free balikbayan boxes in a year, given that the

goods are not in commercial quantities nor intended for barter, sale or for hire.

On top of the tax- and duty-free balikbayan boxes, Filipinos, who have stayed in a foreign country for at least 10 years and are re-turning to the Philippines, will also be granted tax exemption for the personal and household effects, not exceeding P350,000, they will be bringing with them when they return to the country, said the senator.

As for Filipinos who have lived overseas for at least five years, he said, they would be entitled to tax- and duty-free personal and household effects amounting to P250,000, while those who have stayed abroad for less than five years could enjoy P150,000 tax-free ceiling.

Angara said the CMTA also raises the de minimis value, which refers to the value of tax- and duty-free goods and the minimum cost of goods required to undergo formal Customs entry, from the present P10 to P10,000.

To permanently do away with the outdated values, the senator said, the law also provides for an automatic indexation of the amounts every three years to ac-count for inflation.

He said the new law generally aims “to simplify, modernize and align with global best practices the country’s customs procedures including import clearances and

valuations, making the release of goods much faster, regardless of whether you are an individual entrepreneur or a large multina-tional.”

“It also mandates the use of information and communications technology and other appropri-ate applications that speed up not only the inner-workings of Customs, but also make it more transparent,” Angara said.

He said the CMTA also reinforc-es Bureau of Customs functions as trade facilitator rather than just being a revenue-generating agency, and imposes higher pen-alties against smuggling.

“The CMTA aims to overhaul and modernize the bureau which has long been perceived as one of the most corrupt and underper-forming government agencies in the country,” Angara said.

“Kahit si President-elect Ro-drigo Duterte ay gusto nang bu-wagin ang ahensiyang ito. Pero umaasa tayo na sa pamamagitan ng mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng batas na ito at sa tulong ng bagong administrasyong Duterte, magbabago at maisasaayos ang kalakaran ng Customs. (Even President-elect Rodrigo Duterte wants to abolish this agency. But we hope that through the strict implementation of this law and with the help of the Duterte ad-ministration, the Customs systems would be reformed and put in order),” he further said.

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UCLA murder-suicide: Shooter had...other name listed was another professor at UCLA.

Sarkar had accused Klug of stealing lines of code from him and giving them to another stu-dent months before the shoot-ings took place, according to National Public Radio. Repre-sentatives from the school de-nied those claims and said Klug worked hard to help the strug-gling engineering student suc-ceed.

The incident was reported to students at about 10 am, Wednesday, June 1, and drew a pronounced, campus-wide re-sponse from the LAPD. Students throughout UCLA bunkered down in classrooms; some built improvised barricades to bar doors that wouldn’t lock.

Fil-Am engineering student Amaree Vital, 20, managed to flee the engineering complex

Fil-Am on FBI’s Most Wanted list caught... FBI reports said that he and his 32-year-old

girlfriend were visiting a friend in the Rampart area of Los Angeles last April 12 when the crime was committed. Policarpio allegedly became an-gry with Olguin and started to beat her face, and then shot her in the forehead with a handgun.

Prior to his 2001 conviction, Policarpio fled to the Philippines in 2000 due to a case involv-ing a dispute in Burbank, California, in which he was suspected to have fired nine shots into another car. He was deported back to the US the following year, convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released on parole in May 2015.

The 39-year-old convicted felon has numerous ties to Las Vegas, Florida and the Philippines. According to investigators, Policarpio’s family members include multiple wives and children.

“His pattern is one of violence, and he is al-ways armed,” FBI Special Agent Scott Garriola said in a statement earlier this month, NBC News reported. “He is the definition of a continuing threat to the community.”

Olguin’s mother, Jerilyn Olguin was relieved when she found out that her daughter’s suspect-ed killer has been caught.

“Although my daughter’s gone, my biggest fear was, ‘God, I hope he doesn’t do this to someone else,’” Olguin said, in an interview with

before the first warnings were issued.

She said a professor working on a different floor unexpect-edly walked into her classroom and instructed the class to stop what they were doing and leave the building immediately.

On their way out, she heard sounds of a commotion from across the engineering com-plex’s courtyard. As she and her class going down, a police officer wearing full riot gear dashed past her in the opposite direction. Students were slow to respond to his commands to evacuate, until the officer shouted “active shooter.”

“When we heard that we went full sprint,” said Vital, who ran to another building, away from the engineering department. “We just got out of there.”

The details of the incident remained unclear to Vital and

other students as multiple re-ports circulated via mobile com-munication and social media. At one point it was theorized that there were as many as four gunmen.

It wasn’t until official word came from authorities, and the lock-down was lifted, that stu-dents learned that a well-re-garded professor had lost his life that morning.

Klug was working in the field of computational biomechanics. He is survived by a wife and two children. He also coached his 10-year-old son’s little league team.

Klug’s friend, and President of the El Segundo Little League team, Paul Gianusso, told the Associated Press “Bill was one of the kindest, most light-heart-ed, quiet person that you’d ever meet.” (Eric Lucas/Lucas/In-quirer.net)

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Senate passes legislation to modernize State’s campaign database

SACRAMENTO – The Senate passed on Tuesday, May 31,leg-islation by Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys), to modernize Cal-ifornia’s online database of cam-paign and lobbying information.

SB 1349, which was approved on a 34-0 bipartisan vote, di-rects the state to overhaul the Secretary of State’s antiquated Cal-Access system for filing and accessing campaign finance and lobbying data. It establishes im-portant guidelines for the proj-ect, including creating a system that is data driven, rather than form based, and adhering to prevailing standards for search and open data.

The bill is supported by a broad coalition that includes Secretary of State Alex Padilla, California Common Cause, the California Business Roundtable, the California League of Women Voters and the California Labor Federation.

“This is important for the health of our democracy, to pro-vide voters with the information they need, when they need it,” Hertzberg said. “SB 1349 mod-ernizes California’s database so campaign and lobbying dis-closures are quick and easy for everyone to access online imme-diately.”

The legislation prescribes us-ing cost-effective, streamlined and innovative information tech-nology development processes to deliver an improved system

faster. It calls for a system that permits future compatibility with local campaign finance data.

“I appreciate Senator Hertz-berg’s efforts to fund and update Cal-Access,” Padilla said. “The public and the press should have unfettered access to the flow of money in politics. Only by up-dating our campaign finance database can we ensure reliable and timely access to this infor-mation. The public has a right to know.”

The bill is also backed by Jim Heerwagen, the main proponent of the Voters’ Right to Know Act, an initiative circulated earlier this year that sought to replace the current Cal-Access system as part of a package of reforms. Heerwagen announced in March that he would suspend signature gathering for the initiative and instead support SB 1349.

“SB 1349 will help California develop the most reliable, up-to-date and easily understood view in the country of the mon-ey behind campaigns,” Heerwa-gen said. “This will shine a light on the flow of political money, help restore civic engagement in our democracy – and it’s an opportunity we can’t let slip by again.”

Under SB 1349, the new sys-tem would allow aggregating contributions from the same contributor through use of a unique ID system for donors, thereby providing the public

with a fuller understanding of influence in state politics. The legislation recommends incor-porating user-friendly features for filers, such as pre-populating data and electronic signature capability.

“Today’s bipartisan Senate vote in support of modernizing our campaign finance disclo-sure system, Cal-Access, sends a strong message that transpar-ency and open government are values that all Californians can agree on,” said Kathay Feng, Executive Director of Califor-nia Common Cause. “We stand with Senator Hertzberg and Secretary of State Padilla in our commitment to building a 21st Century disclosure system that voters can easily use to make in-formed voting choices.”

Robert Lapsley, President of the California Business Round-table, also applauded passage of the measure.

“Senator Hertzberg’s SB 1349 is a critically needed re-form to provide public access to campaign finance and lobbying data in a format that is deserv-ing of 21st century innovation,” Lapsley said. “The Senate has taken an important bipartisan step forward by passing this bill that will modernize Cal-Access and empower the public with greater government transpar-ency.”

SB 1349 goes next to the As-sembly for consideration.

NBC Los Angeles. Policarpio’s arraignment is expected to hap-

pen this week. (Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe/AJ-Press)

PAGE A1

Philip Patrick Policarpio

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 3-9, 2016(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com A�

Dateline PhiliPPinesChinese president wants stronger ties with Duterte

LP bets hail supporters in thanksgiving party

PAGE A7

Marcos wishes Robredo well, but...REINFORCEMENT. The Philippine Navy will commission four additional vessels, boosting its capability to secure the country’s vast maritime domains. The new ships are the brand new landing dock vessel and the biggest ship to date, the Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Tarlac (LD 601), and the three newly acquired landing craft heavy vessels from Australia, the Philippine Navy said on Tuesday, May 31. Inquirer.net photo

by Patricia Lourdes Viray Philstar.com

MANILA—Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a message to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte following the latter’s proclama-tion on Monday, May 30.

Xi expressed his hopes that the bilateral relationship between China and the Philippines will be revived in the incoming adminis-tration despite the South China Sea dispute.

“A friendly, stable and sound

China-Philippines relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people,” Xi said in a statement published on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Af-fairs.

The Chinese leader noted that maintaining good relationship between the two countries is the common responsibility of its leaders.

“We hope the two sides can work together to bring bilat-

eral relations back on a healthy track,” the Chinese leader said.

Duterte earlier said that he would hold bilateral talks with China to resolve the sea dispute if the issue remains stagnant in the first two years of his admin-istration.

The Philippines is expecting the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration under the United Nations on its arbitration case against China’s nine-dash line claim over the disputed sea.

by Perseus echeminada Philstar.com

MANILA—Even as it offered good wishes to Leni Robredo for being declared winner in the vice presidential race by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), the camp of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said it would continue contest-ing the poll result, citing massive fraud.

“We congratulate incoming president Rodrigo Duterte and wish incoming vice president Robredo well, but the search for truth will continue,” Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz, Marcos’ campaign consul-tant, told The Star.

Lawyer George Garcia, head of Marcos’ legal team, made the same pronouncement.

They said their search for truth did not end with the conclusion of the official canvass of votes for president and vice president by lawmakers convened as the NBOC.

On Friday, May 27, the board officially declared Duterte and Robredo winners in the presi-dential and vice presidential elections.

De la Cruz said their group is studying legal options to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Smartmatic to subject their automated election system to scrutiny, citing discrep-ancies in the electronic transmis-sion of the votes as well as reports of three million unaccounted or “missing” votes.

“This issue cropped up in the

2010, 2013 midterm election and now its ugly head has again showed, there must be a closure to this issues on discrepancies and undervoting,” De la Cruz said.

He also clarified that the Mar-cos camp has nothing personal against Robredo as its legal ac-tion is directed at the Comelec and Smartmatic.

Garcia, meanwhile, said the senator has asked his supporters to remain calm. Garcia added they would wait for the official proclamation of the elected presi-

dent and vice president before making their next move.

Congress has set for tomor-row the official proclamation of Duterte and Robredo as president and vice president, respectively.

“Sen. Marcos instructed us to respect the proceedings of the board,” Garcia said.

He said one of the options he may consider is the filing of an election protest. But he admitted this could prove very expensive.

If such electoral protest pushes through, it would be based on

by rosette adeL Philstar.com

MANILA—Liberal Party (LP) candidates standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Vice President-elect Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo lauded their sup-porters in the administration’s thanksgiving party held Wednes-day night, June 1.

Roxas and Robredo expressed gratitude to their supporters pri-or to the campaign season and post-election.

Robredo whose daughters Aika, Jillian, and Tricia are pres-ent in the celebration, thanked her supporters for joining her and Roxas’s campaign journey.

“Alam niyo po noong patapos na ‘yung kampanya, nag-uusap po kami ni Secretary Mar, sabi po namin siguro sawa na kayo sa amin, palagi niyo po kam-ing napapanood. Pero ngayong gabi po, matabang-mataba po ang aming puso na kahit po tapos na ang eleksyon, ‘yung pagmamahal niyo po sa amin buong-buo pa din,” Robredo said to cheers and applause from the crowd.

“Nakikita po namin ang mga expression ng inyong pagmama-hal at suporta sa Facebook, sa Twitter, sa Instagram, maram-ing-maraming salamat po dahil iyan po ang nagpapalakas ng aming loob. Sa ngalan po ng ak-ing pamilya, siyempre po pati ni Secretary Mar, gusto po naming paabutan kayo ng aming buong-pusong pasasalamat at hindi niyo po kami iniwan sa laban mula

noon hanggang ngayon at sana, pati na po sa darating na pana-hon,” she added.

For his part, Roxas recognized his supporters who wore yellow shirts and gestured the “Laban” sign proudly.

“Itong dilaw, itong ‘Laban’ sign, hindi ko pag-aari, hindi kay Leni, hindi kay Noynoy. Ito ay pag-aari ninyong lahat, ng sam-bayanang Pilipino,” Roxas said in his speech.

“Kaya natutuwa ako na sini-celebrate ninyo ang pagsuot ng dilaw, at ang ‘Laban’ sign dahil ibig sabihin engaged kayo, may malasakit kayo sa ating bansa, sa ating mga kababayan, sa ating mga komunidad, sa ating kapwa. Hindi lang pansarili, hindi lang ako, pero sa lahat,” he added.

Meanwhile, LP chair President Benigno Aquino III also graced the event and thanked the sup-porters by serenading them. He joined Roxas and other members

of his Cabinet in singing their favorite videoke songs, “Can’t Smile Without You”, “Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko,” “September,” “Buttercup,” and “Always Some-thing There To Remind Me,” among others. He also sang his father’s signature song, “The Im-possible Dream.”

The LP’s thanksgiving cel-ebration party was held at its headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City. A mass was held before the party.

Among the LP members and Cabinet officials who attended the Mass and event were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soli-man, Public Works and High-ways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Interior Secretary Mel Sarmien-to, and former Justice secretary, now Senator-elect Leila de Lima. LP endorser Ramon Bautista was also present in the thanksgiving celebration.

Vice President-elect Leni robredo and Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas

Supreme Court affirms case vs Janet NapolesTHE Supreme Court (SC) has

given the Sandiganbayan the au-thority to proceed with the trial of alleged “pork barrel” scam queen and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

The green light came after the tribunal affirmed findings of probable cause against Napoles in connection with charges of plunder, malversation and graft against the businesswoman be-fore the anti-graft court Sandi-ganbayan.

During deliberations of the SC en banc on Tuesday, May 31, it junked petitions for certiorari by

Napoles in three separate cases and gave credence with prima fa-cie evidence found by the Office of the Ombudsman against her.

Napoles had sought to annul and set aside a joint resolution of the Ombudsman, alleging it was issued with grave abuse of discretion.

The SC ruled that the petitions should be dismissed for lack of merit.

It pointed out that it is within the powers of the Ombudsman to investigate and file the necessary cases if it found probable cause.

The SC said it cannot interfere

with findings of the Office of the Ombudsman in the exercise of its investigatory and prosecutory powers.

“The power to determine whether a complaint is sufficient in form and substance is lodged with the Ombudsman, who may continue with the inquiry or dis-miss [the complaint] outright. The exercise of this power is rarely disturbed in view of this court’s policy of non-interference in the Ombudsman’s exercise of its investigatory and prosecutory powers,” it added. (Jomar Can-las/ManilaTimes.net)

Senator-elect Gatchalian faces criminal charges for P780-million bank deal

MANILA—The Office of the Ombudsman announced Wednesday, June 1 that it has found probable cause to file criminal charges against former Local Water Utilities Administra-tion (LWUA) official Prospero Pi-chay Jr. and corporate executives of WELLEX Group Inc. (WGI), including Senator-elect Sherwin Gatchalian in connection with the anomalous acquisition of Ex-press Savings Bank Inc. (ESBI) in 2009.

Gatchalian, Pichay and 24 others were indicted for three counts of graft, three counts of malversation and violation of the General Banking Law of 2000 and the Manual of Regulation of Banks.

The charges involve LWUA’s acquisition of ESBI, a local thrift bank based in Laguna owned by the Gatchalian family, WGI and Forum Pacific Inc.

The Office of the Ombuds-man reported that the LWUA Board approved the acquisition of ESBI in March 2009 without the approval of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Fi-nance (DOF) and the Office of the President.

The LWUA Board, then head-

by Patricia Lourdes Viray Philstar.com

Senator-elect Sherwin Gatchalian greets members of the media ahead of the Commission on Elections ceremony proclaiming the 12 new Philippine senators on May 19. Philstar.com photo by AJ Bolando

ed by Pichay, approved the ac-quisition despite audit findings that the bank was insolvent after suffering substantial net losses and capital deficits from 2005 to 2009.

The DOF also objected the acquisition of the bank as it was inconsistent with the rationaliza-tion and streamlining of the gov-ernment corporate sector.

“(I)n view of the bank’s pre-carious financial standing at the time of the sale, the windfall received by herein private re-spondents must be deemed un-warranted benefit, advantage or preference,” Ombudsman Con-

chita Carpio-Morales said in a statement.

Morales noted that the govern-ment lost at least P80 million in the questionable acquisition of the bank.

“(T)he injury suffered by the government due to the respon-dents’ actions is undeniable, as it deprived the government of the opportunity to use the illegally expended funds to instead fund the agency’s lawful projects, not to mention the shares purchased by LWUA from FPI and WGI are now worthless, ESBI having been shuttered due to severe financial distress,” Morales said.

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JUNE is here! The season of weddings and new beginnings unfold as the days get warmer and lon-ger. It is unfortunate, though, that half of the mar-riages these days end in divorce. It does not have to be that way. It should not be that way.

I just attended a beautiful wedding in New York where my husband and I were privileged to be Ni-nong and Ninang. The priest left a message that will forever play beautiful music to my ears to re-mind me about two things we need to say to our spouse as we renew our marriage vows each new day we are blessed to share together: “ I love you.” “I need to be loved by you.”

I also came across this article online via Disci-pleship Nation. Let me share the gem of this piece. May it be a blessing to you wherever you may be in your relationship:

The best marriage advice ever Choose to love each other even in those mo-

ments when you struggle to like each other. Love is a commitment, not a feeling.

Always answer the phone when your husband/wife is calling and when possible, try to keep your phone off when you’re together with your spouse.

Make time together a priority. Budget for a con-sistent date night. Time is the “currency of rela-tionships” so consistently invest time into your marriage.

Surround yourself with friends who will strengthen your mar-riage and remove yourself from people who may tempt you to compromise your character.

Make laughter the soundtrack of your marriage. Share moments of joy, and even in the hard times, find reasons to laugh.

In every argument, remember that there won’t be a “winner” and a “loser.” You are partners in everything so you’ll either win to-gether or lose together. Work together to find a solution.

Remember that a strong marriage rarely has two strong people at the same time. It’s usually a husband and wife taking turns being strong for each other in the moments when the other feels weak.Prioritize what happens in the bedroom. It takes more than sex to build a strong marriage, but it’s nearly impossible to build a strong mar-riage without it!

Remember that marriage isn’t 50-50, divorce is 50-50. Marriage has to be 100-100. It’s not split-ting everything in half, but both partners giving everything they’ve got!

Give your best to each other, not your leftovers after you’ve given your best to everyone else.

Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need to compare your life or your marriage to any-one else’s. God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!

Don’t put your marriage on hold while you’re raising your kids or else you’ll end up with an empty nest and an empty marriage.

Never keep secrets from each other. Secrecy is the enemy of intimacy.

Never lie to each other. Lies break trust and trust is the foundation of a strong marriage.

When you’ve made a mistake, admit it and hum-bly seek forgiveness. You should be quick to say, “I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

When your husband/wife breaks your trust, give them your forgiveness instantly which will pro-mote healing and create the opportunity for trust to be rebuilt. You should be quick to say, “I love you. I forgive you. Let’s move forward.”

Be patient with each other. Your spouse is al-ways more important that your schedule.

Model the kind of marriage that will make your sons want to grow up to be good husbands and your daughters want to grow up to be good wives.

Learn from other people, but don’t feel the need

to compare your life or your marriage to any-one Else. God’s plan for your life is masterfully unique!

Never talk badly about your spouse to other people or vent about them online. Protect your spouse at all times and in all places.

Always wear your wedding ring. It will remind you that you’re always connected to your spouse and it will remind the rest of the world that you’re off limits!

Connect into a community of faith. A good church can make a world of difference in your marriage and family.

Pray together. Every marriage is stronger with God in the middle of it.

When you have to choose between saying noth-ing or saying something mean to your spouse, say nothing every time!

Never consider divorce as an option. Remem-ber that a “perfect marriage” is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.

(Writer: Unknown)* * *

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

Best advice to those getting married (& those who want to stay married)

CHANGE is indeed coming. The transition of power to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has become more apparent even in the incoming 17th Congress.

Turncoats

In the House of Representatives, a Congress shake-up is currently ongoing after several members of the ruling Liberal Party have decided to curtail its “Tuwid na Daan” (Straight Path) engagement for Duterte’s PDP-Laban Coalition. Several elected congressmen and congresswomen have also de-cided to jump ship from their respective parties to support the incoming president.

According to Inquirer.net, other parties have gravitated towards PDP-Laban, namely the Nation-alist People’s Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, National Unity Party and the 45-member party-list coalition. They are expected to enforce Duterte’s platforms with laws to rein corruption and criminality in the coun-try.

Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who led the House speakership in the 15th and 16th Congress under the Liberal Party, has conceded and joined the minority.

“I will join the minority, I have no idea how many are joining it,” he said after at least 80 of the the 116 elected Liberal Party members have decided to transfer to PDP-Laban.

“He was elected by the people and the expecta-

tions are high. We will give the new President all the chances to make good on what he has been saying, as along as it is within the Constitution and legal limits,” Belmonte said re-ferring to the incoming administra-

tion. Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, who have chosen

to remain with the minority, vowed to oppose any radical change that Duterte wants to impose, namely death penalty and the federal form of gov-ernment.

“Being in the minority will be difficult and lonely but this is the course that I must take towards the path of improving the political consciousness of our people,” Erice said.

The Philippines has three branches of govern-ment: the executive (President), the legislative (Congress consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives) and the judiciary (Supreme Court and all other courts). Each department has a distinct and essential role in the function of the government, and was established under the Con-stitution.

The separation of powers was created to ensure cohesive central government supported by three integral and independent divisions with divergent

Editorial

powers and responsibilities. They work together to make the country run smoothly and to assure that the rights of citizens are not ignored or disal-lowed.

Even with the luxury of their independence, these three departments operate with built-in checks and balances to prevent concentration of power in any one branch, to protect the rights and liberties of

citizens, and to avoid Constitutional crisis. Filipinos expect these three great departments to

work together to solve the country’s much bigger problems. Enhancing such cooperation among the branches may be achieved by meeting regularly to discuss issues and be involved in addressing key problems facing the nation. For the benefit of their people, a compromise is mandatory. (AJPress)

Gel SantoS-ReloS

The Fil-Am Perspective

GReG B. MacaBenta

Street Talk

Foxes guarding the hen house

REMEMBER “C5 at Taga”?For the benefit of those with

short memories, in January 2010, with the presidential campaign in full swing and Sen. Manny Villar leading in the surveys on presi-dential aspirants, the Senate de-bated a report recommending the censure of Villar “for improp-er and unethical conduct.” Villar, who owns one of the biggest real estate development conglomer-ates in the country, allegedly channeled public works funds to build a C5 extension through his firms’ property.

According to media, Villar used his position as Senate Fi-nance Committee Chairman and as Senate President to benefit his firms at the expense of the Filipino taxpayers: “The report said the government spent P6.2 billion on the C-5 road extension project, including the realigned P4.28 billion for the extension project, the P1.8 billion spent for the original project but was wast-ed due to the realignment, and the reportedly overpriced pay-ment of P141.2 million in right-of-way payments for Villar’s real estate companies.”

It was a classic case of the fox guarding the hen house.

A mischievous wordsmith promptly punned Villar’s cam-paign slogan, “Sipag at Tiyaga” (Industriousness and Diligence) into “C5 at Taga” – “taga” being a Tagalog idiom for getting a cut or making money out of some-thing.

Villar lost to a candidate per-ceived as his exact opposite, that is, a virtual Knight in Shining Ar-mor, Benigno S. Aquino III (iron-ically, Aquino lost much of that luster during his tenure).

Now comes president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, he who rode to victory as another Knight in Shining Armor, vowing to slay the dragons of criminality and corruption, even if he has to dump the thieving corpses into the Manila Bay. And what has been one of his first acts as presumptive dragon-slayer? He announces the appointment of newly reelected congressman Mark Villar, son of the elder Vil-lar, as Secretary of the Depart-ment of Public Works and High-ways (DPWH).

Remarked a pundit, Duterte is sending the Villars back to the hen house. The appointment has disappointed many of Duterte’s trusting supporters who voted for him on the promise of “change.” They now have the uneasy feel-ing that they have been short-changed.

Of course, Duterte’s near-fa-natical loyalists are bristling at what they call “premature judg-ing” of their idol. They insist that things will eventually work out well and that Duterte will take

his oath of office with a team that is capable, qualified and raring to deliver on his promise of dra-matic reforms.

To be fair, none of the an-nounced “appointments” may be considered final. Duterte has been known to do a mul-tiple about-face on his campaign vows, decisions and policy state-ments, and there is every pos-sibility that his more sensible advisers will make him see the light. And speaking of seeing the light, one of Duterte’s closest friends and a generous financial supporter has taken a dim view of the appointments.

Mike Abe, speaking on behalf of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, has characterized Duterte’s process of selecting key officials as “turo-turo” (literally, point-point):

“’Turo-turo lang. O, ikaw ang secretary dito, ikaw ang may ha-wak dito. Nawala na ‘yung pros-eso. ‘Yun ang ikinagugulat ng mismong malalapit kay Mayor,” Abe told Rappler.” (It’s just point-point. You be secretary here, you be in charge of this. There is no process. That’s what shocked those close to Mayor.)

One would have expected some kind of formal vetting pro-cess for something as important as selecting individuals for some of the most important positions in government. For perspec-tive, following is what prospec-tive appointees to high-level US government positions have to go through, as digested from an of-ficial document:

“CALLED TO SERVE: THE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINT-MENT VETTING PROCESS The rewards of public service as a high-level presidential appointee include the opportunity to serve one’s country, pursue important policy goals, and help shape his-torical events. In order to serve as a presidential appointee, how-ever, candidates must first suc-cessfully navigate two complex political processes: nomination by the President and confirma-tion by the United States Senate. Both processes entail extensive vetting of professional creden-tials and a host of personal back-ground issues.

“Top Five Vetting Priorities (of) Individuals who are inter-ested in a presidential appoint-ment are

1. Tax Issues (including pay-ing employee taxes for undocu-mented nannies)

2. Ethics and Financial Disclo-sure Requirements.

3. Litigation, investigations, and other legal proceedings.

4. Publications and Organiza-tional Affiliations.

5. Medical, Family, and Per-sonal Issues.”

If the same vetting process were to be applied in Duterte’s selection of cabinet appointees, would Mark Villar qualify? Con-flict of interest would certainly be a major issue.

For that matter, would lawyer Salvador Panelo, who appears to have been tapped as presiden-tial spokesman, be considered acceptable? Panelo’s reportedly weird sartorial tastes and lack of charm in dealing with the media may be the least of his problems.

Worst of all is that he is the de-fense lawyer of the Ampatuans in the case involving the massacre of 57 persons in Maguindanao, 32 of them journalists.

And talk about conflict of in-terest, how about conflict of na-tional security interests?

Duterte has announced his in-tention to reserve four key cabi-net portfolios for nominees of the Communist Party of the Phil-ippines-New People’s Army: the Department of Labor and Em-ployment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Environment and Natural Re-sources (DENR).

More than the other cabinet offices, these four are primar-ily populist and would seem to be ideal for a group that has its roots in the masses. Assuming that the CPP and the NPA, after decades of conflict with the gov-ernment, are still as ideologically committed to correcting social injustice and uplifting the lives of the working class, it is doubtful that it has reversed its avowed goal of overthrowing the govern-ment and curtailing US influence on our country’s economic, po-litical and military affairs.

While the NPA invokes an ideology that resonates with the poor, with labor and with the landless in the rural areas, the cadres are in fact operating in a manner no different from the Mafia, engaging in the protec-tion racket and making millions in the process. This should be apparent to Duterte because, ac-cording to a report, “The NPA obtains significant amounts of

money from the Davao region. The military estimates that the NPA collected 39.5 million pesos ($890,000) there in 2010, nearly half of the 95.5 million pesos ($2.15 million) it raised from rev-olutionary taxes throughout the country during the year. Most of the funds are collected in the Compostela Valley, where there are many mines. In 2009, the military estimated that the prov-ince could provide the group with as much as 20 million pesos ($460,000) per month.”

According to the same report, “the NPA has increased (the) tax levied on mining companies from 15 million pesos ($340,000) to 20 million pesos ($450,000) a month.”

Imagine how it will be when the CPP and NPA assume con-trol of the DOLE, DSWD, DAR and DENR budgets. Without discounting the temptations for personal enrichment, there exists the very real prospect of raising billions to pay for troops and armaments to match the firepower of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Just as serious a threat is the increased capabil-ity offered by the key posts to win the battle for the hearts and minds of the masses.

Indeed, placing these depart-ments under the control of a group sworn to overthrow the government is not just assigning the foxes to guard the hen house, it is allowing a Trojan horse to be wheeled right into the center of power.

The latest news is that Jose Maria Sison has signed an “in-terim peace agreement” with

PAGE A7

OC/IE ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 3-9, 2016(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com A�Dateline PhiliPPines

Joma Sison OK with Marcos burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani

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Inquirer.net

Foxes guarding the hen housethe Aquino government that the incoming Duterte administration can simply ratify. It is interesting to note that this is the first time that Sison has agreed to sign such an agreement and that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has not even made an issue of the NPA remaining in America’s roster of terrorist organizations.

With a foot in Malacanang – as Duterte promised Sison be-fore the elections – why, indeed, would the CPP-NPA or the NDFP care about being in America’s shit list? In fact, their attitude is the other way around. This early, they are now demanding that Duterte should put the US in the Philippines’ shit list. As a first step. they want Duterte to rescind the Enhanced Defense Coop-

eration Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). In other words, Yankee go home. You can almost hear China’s officialdom cheering in the background and speeding up preparations for total control of the South China Sea.

As the soap opera cliff hanger would intone, “Abangan ang su-sunod na kabanata.” (gregmaca-benta@hotmail.com)

Marcos wishes Robredo well...what he described as an unusual-ly high number of “under-votes” for vice president—supposedly 3.902 million. He said such phe-nomenon was very strange and unusual for elections with high turnout of voters. “We deserve an explanation on this matter,” he said.

Garcia said they are in the process of gathering affidavits

of witnesses to alleged incidents of cheating.

He said they are gathering more details on reports of mal-functioning of several canvassing and consolidation systems (CCS) and vote counting machines (VCMs).

He added their IT experts have also presented technical information that may be useful if they decide to file an election

protest.He said the rules of the can-

vassing do not allow these “evi-dence” to be presented before the NBOC.

Garcia added such electoral protest would likely focus on results in the Autonomous Re-gion in Muslim Mindanao and the Visayas where most of the “under-votes” for vice president were reported.

FOR COMMISSION on Elections Chair Andres Bautista, the claim of vote manipulation in Quezon prov-ince was unbelievable as the Auto-mated Election System had many safeguards against fraud.

Bautista also questioned the timing of the charges—three weeks after the May 9 elections and on the day the winners of the presidential and vice presidential races were to be proclaimed by Congress.

“What immediately entered my mind was they were too late the hero. If they really had evidence of fraud, why did they come out only now?” Bautista said.

He said the claims of the three “whistle-blowers” were “hard to believe” given the checks and bal-ances the Comelec had instituted to ensure an honest and credible election.

Among these were the Comelec website that allowed the public to view “near real time” the election returns transmitted by the 92,509 clustered precincts nationwide, and the receipts issued by the vote counting machines that allowed voters to double check their bal-lots, he said.

“There were many checks and balances, several safeguards. That’s why I cannot believe these kinds of accusations,” Bautista said.

Pastor “Boy” Saycon Jr. of the Council for Philippine Affairs had brought the supposed witnesses, their faces covered, to the Senate on Monday, May 30 before the proclamation by Congress of the election winners—Rodrigo Duterte for President and Leni Robredo for Vice President.

Saycon had hoped they would be able to tell their story to Sena-tors Sergio Osmeña III, Teofisto Guingona II and Nancy Binay. But the three senators were not around so one of the three witnesses spoke to the media instead.

The witness claimed they ma-nipulated the vote count in Que-zon on orders of an unnamed Liberal Party (LP) official. He said they rigged the votes to benefit administration standard-bearer Mar Roxas and his running mate Robredo.

They also alleged that Sen-ate President Franklin Drilon, the LP vice chair, benefited from the cheating. Drilon topped the sena-torial race.

On Tuesday, May 31, Drilon told reporters he did not want to waste time on the allegations.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chair of the committee on electoral re-forms and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Au-tomated Election System, said he would rather that the allegations of vote count manipulation made by three supposed witnesses be investigated by the Comelec.

Pimentel said there was no time for the Senate to investigate the allegations as the 16th Congress was closing next week.

But Pimentel said he found the witnesses’ story implausible.

by aRieS JoSeph hegina Inquirer.net

‘Cemetery a misnomer; mostly soldiers, traitors buried there’

COMMUNIST Party of the Phil-ippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison has said it is a non-issue for him and the National Democratic Front of the Philip-pines if the late President Ferdi-nand E. Marcos will be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Speaking at a rare press confer-ence in Quezon City on Thursday, June 2 via Skype, Sison said that he approved of the interment of Marcos in the said cemetery be-cause the place did not live up to its name of being a burial ground

for national heroes.He said historically, Libingan

was a former cemetery for mem-bers of the American and Philip-pine military.

“Ang palagay ay mga tunay na bayani talaga yung nasa Libingan na ’yan. Pangalan lang ’yan eh. Kailan ba in-adopt yung pangalan na yan? Karamihan [ng nakalib-ing diyan ay] mga Usaffe (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) at mga sundalo ng reaksyu-naryong hukbo,” Sison said.

“Si Marcos, kahit pekeng sun-dalo siya sa matagal na panahon, ay totoong sundalo siya noong panahon ng Bataan. So puwede siyang ilibing diyan.”

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has justified his decision to accord Marcos a hero’s burial by saying that the former dictator used to be a soldier.

“In addition to being a Presi-dent, he was a soldier. So ’yung sinabi mo noon (na) dinakip ng martial law, nandiyan ang korte. (So those who were arrested dur-ing the martial law, the courts are there for you),” Duterte said.

Sison, however, said he still sympathized with martial law vic-tims who oppose the said move.

“Pero nakikisimpatya naman ako doon sa may ayaw kasi ’yun ang presumption, na mga bayani talaga ang nakalibing diyan,” he said.

Sison said it would be fitting for Marcos to be buried there as the late dictator would be in the company of past presidents who were “traitors” to the Filipino people.

“Bagay na magkatabi-tabi yung mga taksil sa bayan. Si Marcos, bagay na itabi kay [Elpidio] Quiri-no na corrupt din,” Sison said.

Three Philippine presidents are buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani: Quirino, Carlos P. Garcia and Diosdado Macapagal.

Asked about the NDFP’s stance on the issue, spokesperson Fi-del Agcaoili backed Sison in not treating the Libingan ng mga Bayani as a hallowed ground for heroes.

He said the controversial issue would not derail the long-stalled peace talks between the NDFP and the Philippine government.

“Calling it a Libingan ng mga Bayani is a misnomer. It is not go-ing to be an issue that will break peace negotiations between us and Duterte,” Agcaoili said.

PAGE A6

PAGE A5

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose maria “Joma” sison

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista

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the asian journal entertainment magazine june 3-9, 2016

may 30-june 5, 2014www.asianjournal.com

2

june 3-9, 2016 2

For the Lav of Charo Santos

Nico Bolzico and Solenn Heussaff

by Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

Notable female entrepreneurs sharekeys to succeeding in today’s marketplace

event drew in over 200 guests who listened to the four speakers: Tina Aldatz,a co-founder and CEO of Savvy Travelers; Hannah An, founder and CEO of The District by Hannah An; Ferial Moloo, founder and CEO of 365HANGERS; and Kalika Yap, founder and CEO of Citrus Studios, LuxeLink and the Waxing Company.

Supporting Asian female entrepreneurship is more important than ever, Jayme Hu of US Bank noted in her welcoming remarks, and the panel sought to promote that conversation.

Kicking off the panel, Farzana Nayani, programs and membership director of the ABA, asked each speaker to detail her “origin” story and family values, given that they all came from immigrant backgrounds.

Kalika Yap, who was born in Quezon City, Philippines, shared that her family moved to the United States after Martial Law was declared.

“It was very difficult for my family to transition from being in the Philippines to Hawaii,” she said. “I just realized how lucky and fortunate I was to make it to the United States.”

She moved to California with a boyfriend in the early 90s and was told to look for a job once the relationship ended weeks later. She would take a bus to an internet cafe in Venice, where she started building and coding websites. It soon turned into a venture of selling website hosting plans door to door — picking up sales strategies from her father who sold encyclopedias and vacuum cleaners when she was growing up.

From there, Yap went on to establish Citrus Studios, an award-winning digital agency for corporations, institutions, museums and universities.

A serial entrepreneur, Yap is also the inventor and patent design owner of Luxe Link, a fashion accessory hook for purses. The idea came when she was traveling in Italy and ate at a small Michelin-starred restaurant, where she was given a big hook to keep her purse off the floor.

“The reason why I [initially] put my bag on the table was because my grandmother always said, ‘pursue on the floor means money out the door,’” she said. “I saw this weird looking meat hook and I didn’t think I would carry this gigantic hook in my bag, although it’s very functional. I attempted to create this hook that would fold.”

For Tina Aldatz, a tumultuous childhood and turn of events led her to pursue a career in the fashion industry and find voids in the market, which eventually turned into two business ideas.

“I decided to take another path [when] my environment was changed because of the

circumstances,” Aldatz said.She didn’t finish high school

and has been working full-time in the fashion industry ever since at companies like Victoria Secret and BCBG Max Azria before launching her own business. Despite her lack of formal education, her experiences working have earned her an “MBA from the school of hard knocks,” Aldatz said.

Along with her best friend and business partner Margarita Floris, Aldatz started Foot Petals, a line of designer insole cushions for women’s high heels. The concept went on to become a multi-million dollar company that garnered recognition from Inc. 500 as one of the “500 fastest growing companies in America.”

“...I invented [it] walking through New York City because coming from California, we don’t walk. I tried to walk in high heels and I designed designer foot cushions [as a result],” Aldatz said. “That company was sold for $14 million to a publicly-traded company and now we’ve just launched our second company here in California.”

After that venture, Aldatz and Floris found that there were not a lot of options for beauty wipes, especially for women who travel frequently; thus Savvy Travelers was born.

“We created a niche after finding a void in the market. Disposable individually-wrapped wipes, specifically for women, is what we’ve curated in a collection for Savvy Travelers,” Aldatz said.

Ferial Moloo also narrated her immigration story from Pakistan to the United States. From her parents, she learned the importance of education and hard work.

“It’s been an amazing journey and you know, going to school and growing up here

and learning from my parents, it’s all about working hard. I saw my mom working two…three jobs and never taking life easy. It wasn’t given to us on a plate,” she said.

After consulting for non-profit organizations for years, Moloo shifted gears to the fashion industry and launched fashion technology platform 365HANGERS in 2010.

“The concept was, the way consumers act and react with brands and products, I thought was going to change very significantly when social media -- being a key driver -- and with that in mind, I wanted to test the market. I was looking at where the gaps are and where is social media being used and how it can be used better. That’s when I picked fashion,” she said, noticing that fashion brands would not show clothing on models of different shapes and sizes.

365HANGERS was supplemented with a fashion app, Style Scavenger, which was acquired in 2015.

Apart from the fashion-related ventures shared by the other speakers, Hannah An spoke about how she and her family became well-known figures in the restaurant industry.

When her family moved from Vietnam to San Francisco, her grandmother Diana bought a small 20-seat diner and opened Thanh Long.

“It’s her spirit, courage and entrepreneurship that I think that led my family to [where we are] today,” An said.

She added, “From that point on, my family [went] into the restaurant business and it grew from 20 seats to 40 seats to 60 seats to 80 seats to 160 seats in that one one location. In 1991, that’s when we started our new

restaurant concept, it’s called Crustacean. I really believe in business that you have to work very hard, but it’s also about the right timing and about how lucky you are.”

Today, the An family is at the helm of a multi-million dollar restaurant empire with brands such as Crustacean in San Francisco and Beverly Hills, Anqi in Orange County and Tiato in Santa Monica.

In addition to the family-owned restaurants, An opened up her own restaurant, The District by Hannah An, which seeks to fuse Vietnamese cuisine with global influences. From this concept, An said, the lesson of finding the right timing resonated with her.

The four women also shared their best advice for fellow female entrepreneurs.

“Sometimes you have a good idea but you can’t wait because there are billions of people out there and you have to act on it right away,” An said.

Yap emphasized the importance of supporting a passion with a business plan because without one, it’s just “an expensive hobby.” Further, finding the right people and establishing core values within the company sets the tone for the kind of operations and clients you attract, Yap noted.

For Aldatz, she said “know what you’re good and not good at.” Similarly, Moloo, said “Be prepared to let go of what’s not working; keep what’s making it profitable.”

In disclosing their paths of success, these women are champions of encouraging more women to start businesses of their own and inspire changes in their respective communities and industries.

AT the tail end of Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month, the Asian Business Association (ABA) of Los Angeles hosted its third annual Women Business Pioneers Symposium, featuring a panel of four women who have achieved success in the fashion and lifestyle industries.

Photos by Paige Golestan/Paigeworks Photography

Kalika Yap Hannah An Tina Aldatz Ferial Moloo

Victor Parker, district director of the Small Business Association (SBA)’s Los Angeles Office, and Farzana Nayani, programs and membership director of the ABA.

Kalika Yap, Tina Aldatz, Farzana Nayani, Hannah An and Ferial Moloo

by bayani san DiegO Jr. Inquirer.net

AND we thought these twin worlds would never meet.

Indie stalwart Lav Diaz described working with ABS-CBN executive Charo Santos as “really cool.”

The two collaborated on “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” which also features John Lloyd Cruz, Nonie Buencamino and Shamaine Buencamino.

While her co-stars have previously worked with Lav, it’s a first time for Charo, who is making her big-screen comeback after a 17-year absence. (Also in the cast are Michael de Mesa and Cacai Bautista.)

Lav recalled that he and Charo got to talk about the possibility of working together during the victory party for his latest film, “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis,” which won the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the Berlinale last February.

(Charo and sister Malou Santos, through ABS-CBN’s film arm Star Cinema, acted as co-producers and distributors of “Hele.”)

“At the time, I was in the process of doing a trilogy on

reclusion perpetua—stories on the subject of life sentence,” Lav recounted.

The film’s existential discourse depicts “prison as a metaphor for the curse of living or life as a metaphor for prison.”

“I have two stories already—one will be shot in December [this year to] January of next year,” he noted.

After that initial meeting with Charo, Lav related, “The story of ‘Ang Babaeng Humayo’ just flowed naturally.”

He volunteered that Leo Tolstoy’s short story, “God Sees the Truth but Waits,” was “a big inspiration.”

“It just came to me. I wrote the storyline and sent it to [producer] Ronald Arguelles of Cinema One and Charo. They liked it,” he remarked.

He feels it’s important to tell this story. “Existence is so fragile. At the end of the day, we know nothing,” he said. “The film’s story is simple and, at the same time, very complex.”

He explained: “It’s about life… existence. So where’s the logic of living? One may also look at the story as yet another forum in pushing cinema’s greater role of trying to find philosophical truths.”

Held at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, May 26, the sold-out

Charo Santos and Lav Diaz in Mindoro Inquirer.net photo

Toni Gonzaga reveals plans for her babyby bOt glOriOsO

Philstar.com

TONI Gonzaga and husband director Paul Soriano are hoping to find out the gender of their first child when the former undergoes an ultrasound anytime this month. Toni, who is now on her fifth month of pregnancy, is wishing for a boy while direk Paul is hoping for a girl.

“I want a boy kasi s’yempre wala akong kapatid na lalaki at si Paul naman lima silang lalaki kaya ayun nag-kukulitan kami na gusto ko lalaki at s’ya naman babae,” shared Toni before the start of the “Home Sweetie Home” taping inside the Studio 5 of ABS-CBN. “But, of course, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl. What’s important is for our baby to be healthy. We are thankful to God for this blessing.”

The Kapamilya actress cannot also be thankful enough for having successfully coped with the discomforts of the first trimester of pregnancy. The queasy feeling made her impossible to attend to her showbiz commitments. Toni took a break from her hosting chore in “ASAP” and the remaining taping

Toni Gonzaga vows to be a hands-on mom to her and husband Paul Soriano’s first child

days of her and Piolo Pascual’s TV series “Written In Our Stars” were rescheduled. “It will be our first time together in a soap; nahihiya nga ako kay Piolo for the delay.” (Piolo, according to recent reports, is willing to wait for Toni’s return after she gives birth.)

“All I can attend to now is this (‘Home Sweetie Home’). I still have to bear the mild headache sometimes and the weight gain that is rapidly increasing. I am now 16 lbs. heavier. Before, I only

weighed 100 lbs. and the doctor said it’s normal for me to balloon to 125 to 130 lbs.”

Toni went on to share her and Paul’s reaction when they learned that she’s pregnant. “We were shocked. I was expecting to shed tears or jump in joy just like what we usually see on TV or in movies but nothing like that happened. You know that we originally planned to have a baby after a year of marriage but really, it is God’s plan that prevails and we are happy with His gift.”

These days, Toni is “still having mixed emotions” due to hormonal and physiologic changes. These changes greatly affect her mood and she likened them to “feeling crazy because sometimes, I feel like crying while on other days, I am extremely happy.”

There are times, too, when Toni gets insecure with her physicality. Her posture changed when she started to grow a baby bump, increasing the curvature of her back. Good thing, Paul never fails to give emotional support to his wife.

“Whenever I tell Paul that I now look like (a mascot with the

Continued on Page 4 Continued on Page 3

june 3-9, 2016 3www.asianjournal.com

‘Badjao Girl’ thanks Allah for family’s new life, blessings

Ruffa Gutierrez wants to settle down in ‘perfect time’

by Delfin T. Mallari Jr. Inquirer.net

BlessinGs have poured in for 13-year-old Rita Gaviola, known online as the “Badjao Girl,” after her photographs went viral on the internet and brought unexpected changes into her and her family’s life.

“i thank Allah for all these blessings,” she said. she also expressed gratitude to photographer Topher Quinto Burgos, who posted her photos on his Facebook account. “if not for his photos, all of these would not have happened,” she said.

Burgos took the photos while she was begging on the streets of lucban town in Quezon province during the Pahiyas Festival last month. The photos were shared across different social media platforms by netizens who admired her beauty and raised awareness on the plight of her fellow Badjao.

Gaviola has been receiving shoes, clothes, school supplies, money and educational scholarship as gifts from individuals and corporate sponsors, according to her

guardian, evelyn Jane Ana, a resident of the coastal village of Barra in lucena City.

“she’s very thankful. Her dream of helping her family is now being fulfilled,” Ana said.

Despite the attention, Ana said Gaviola, an incoming Grade 6 student, was focused on finishing her studies.

Mayor Roderick Alcala, who earlier promised to help the girl finish school, also gave her father, Danny, a job at the city government’s general services office. “Danny promised that he will no longer allow any member of his family to return to the streets to beg,” Alcala said.

The Gaviola family has been included in the next batch of beneficiaries of the city government’s housing project for its employees.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic

Resources has started the groundwork for its project to distribute fishing boats to the Badjao community in lucena. its director, Asis Perez, earlier promised to provide them boats so they could fish and provide for their needs.

Badjao families would also receive fishing gears and other materials for boat building.

The Badjao, known as “sea gypsies,” are originally from the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, sulu and Basilan, and some coastal towns of Zamboanga del sur province.

Rita Gaviola, after a makeover, in an image posted on the Facebook page, “Badjao Girl.” Photo by Topher Quinto Burgos

RuFFA GuTieRReZ is open to the idea to get married again.

The former beauty queen is in a relationship with non-showbiz partner Jordan Mouyal for more than two years now.

“As of now hindi ko pa siya naiisip, but i know someday i want to grow old naman with someone, right?” she said in an interview on Thursday, June 2, organized by Cosmo skin.

“i’m sure one day, when it’s the right time, the perfect time. Why rush di ba?” she added.

Ruffa’s marriage before with businessman Yilmaz Bektas didn’t work out, especially after she was

allegedly abused physically.so if she decides to marry

again, she promised “i won’t let that happen again in my life and kailangan siguradong-sigurado ako.”

When it comes to having kids, Ruffa said she still can ovulate, making it possible for her to get pregnant.

Although sometimes she thinks about having kids again, she admitted having second thoughts since “i’m not getting any younger, am i ready to have a little kid?”

Ruffa has two daughters with Bektas. (Philstar.com)

Ruffa Gutierrez said she wants to get married for the right reasons, and wants to make sure that her next marriage will work. Philstar.com photo by Joyce Jimenez

Toni Gonzaga reveals plans for...protruding tummy), he always assures me with, ‘For me, you are the most beautiful. i am so proud of you,’” related Toni, who wants her husband to be by her side every so often.

in preparation for the coming of her baby, Toni is reading three books on pregnancy — What to expect, Baby 101 and Babywise — from cover to cover. “i also have an app on my celfone called What to expect.”

Her friend Jolina Magdangal gifted her with a speaker which Toni can put on her tummy for her baby to listen to classical music for brain development.

“i’d like my baby to grow up in the same way that my parents brought me up. i think i will be the disciplinarian. Lahat ng inalagaan ko, from my sister Alex to some of my cousins, sobrang madisiplina ako sa kanila,” Toni answered when asked about plans for her baby.

Meanwhile, Toni’s character Julie in “Home sweetie Home” also prepares for the coming of her and husband Romeo’s (played by John lloyd Cruz) firstborn after almost three years of marriage. “it’s amazing that my role coincides with the state of my life so there is no need for me to act pregnant. But you know, based on the story, Julie is really set to get pregnant this year since everyone is expecting for them to

have a child after a year or two of marriage.”

in fact, everyone will be surprised to discover Julie’s sensitive condition in the show’s episode airing on June 4 when Julie is rushed to the hospital due to a minor accident that left her right ankle red and swollen. everyone, including Romeo, suggests to have her ankle checked through X-ray but the doctor says it is not possible because she is pregnant. Of course, Romeo is overjoyed upon hearing the good news.

How is John lloyd as expectant dad Romeo?

“He’s very caring and even off-cam he is concerned with my condition. My husband was teasing me that every Tuesday

(taping day of ‘Home’), lloydie is my husband.”

she continued, “ever since ‘Home sweetie Home’ started, several milestones happened to my life. During the show’s first year, i got engaged to Paul then on the second year, i got pregnant and now that it is entering the third year, i’ll be having a baby. Sakto din sa story ang mga nangyayari sa buhay ko.”

But whether she likes it or not, Toni will take a temporary hiatus from showbiz once her date with the stork is confirmed. she is expected to give birth in september.

“i don’t mind playing mother roles when i come back. in fact, i have a child in ‘Written in Our stars.”’

From Page 2

With Home Sweetie Home co-star John Lloyd Cruz during a taping break on the set of the ABS-CBN Saturday night sitcom.

june 3-9, 2016 4www.asianjournal.com How Martin Nievera connects to the public

by Boy ABundA Philstar.com

He is probably the only person in the business who admits he has a big mouth, and that occasionally, it can get him into trouble.

But after more than 30 years in showbiz, Martin Nievera has come to realize that it’s all part of the effort of celebrities to “connect” with the public, and that if there are bashers and critics, well, they’re simply part of the territory, and he has to accept them.

“Seems to me that in this day and age, we have no excuse not to talk or communicate with our fans and bashers,” notes Martin.

Yes, it can be painful sometimes. especially for someone who would rather be private. “When I do or say anything in public I am hit and questioned on social media, leaving us usually private people out in the open and vulnerable to every painful and positive word. I didn’t have this kind of closeness that I do now thanks to social media, but there is definitely a price to pay.”

Does he engage with his bashers and critics, or has he learned to simply ignore them?

“Haters gonna hate, but we are only human so I answer as a human not as a superstar. It’s a losing battle I know, but I am only getting into this whole high-tech way of communicating and sometimes I say too much. I am learning.”

Despite these occasional skirmishes on social media, Martin finds himself in a relatively good place for the remainder of 2016. His international career has been pretty steady, what with at least two concerts a year on the Las Vegas strip. Locally, he has been doing a lot of big and small shows that keep him busy as well as creative, including a recent benefit show for epcalm, or the erwin Piedad Cabanag Adult Leukemia Ministries.

Now known as the ePCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines, it is the first and only Christ-centered non-stock, non-profit organization in the country focused on extending timely, personalized, practical and family-oriented support to leukemia patients, and their families. Martin

Ngayon” and contains OPM classics like, “Bato sa Buhangin,” “Paraiso Parisukat,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Hindi Kita Malimot,” just to name a few. There is even a version of the Visayan classic “Usahay.”

At this point, Martin is hoping that what remains of 2016 will be just as productive for him. “I am contracted to do two concerts at the M resort and Casino on the Las Vegas strip on June 11 and again on Oct. 15. I am all over the world for The Filipino Channel (TFC) promoting Kapamilya happiness everywhere. I plan to do my part on ‘ASAP’ every Sunday that I am needed. In between all that, I will be heavy into promoting the new CD and have offers to perform in other casinos all over America as well as corporate shows here and there. I want to work on a new CD of original songs as well as go on tour with my son Robin.”

Martin plans to just keep singing and performing. Singing

is my job,” he says. “I would like to think I am as needed in

this very moody industry as I need it. I am still in it to win it. I love my job I love to sing and

perform. Television for me is a blessing and a bonus. Just give me a stage and a microphone even with

just a flashlight. I will sing.”

has performed for them numerous times and says he’s always glad to do so.

“I have been with the epcalm family for quite some time now and every time they need a project that inspires, educates and heals, I am their in-house singer. The people at epcalm are on a mission to help learn more about leukemia and want to build a facility that will house families dealing with the grief and challenges this cancer comes with. Dr. erlyn Demerre and her epcalm team have been passionate about this mission and I am honored to be part of it,” he says.

Martin also had a brief stint on “I Love OPM” which he describes as a very fun show to be part of. “What made it even more special was the fact it was a pet project of my home network ABS-CBN and not the usual franchise show from another country. It was heartwarming to see how foreigners from all over the world not only love original Pinoy music, but also our country and countrymen.”

Speaking of OPM, Martin has just released a new album that is 100 percent OPM. The album is titled “Kahapon

For the Lav of Charo...He is familiar with Charo’s

body of work as an actress. “I saw her old movies: Mike de Leon’s ‘Itim’ and ‘Kisapmata,’ Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s ‘Brutal’ and eddie Romero’s ‘Aguila.’”

Charo won best actress in the Asian Film Festival for “Itim,” which

was released in 1976.On the set, he saw how

“committed” the actress was to her character. “She really prepared for the movie.”

Setting it in Mindoro, Charo’s home province, was serendipitous.

“Charo asked where I intended to shoot the film. I told her I was

thinking of Mindoro. That was when she told me that she’s from Calapan,” he said.

Mindoro was a dream for Lav. “My faith in the Filipino became stronger during filming,” he pointed out. “Old Pinoy values are intact in Mindoro. People are kind. Sobra.”

He noticed that many business establishments did not need security. “The resort we stayed in [during the shoot] didn’t have guards. The hotels where we stayed during preproduction didn’t have guards, either. everything was open.”

At one point, the crew misplaced a “bundle of production money, but a gardener returned the envelope.”

“The cash was all there. The people have integrity. They still trust their fellow man,” he waxed poetic.

Lav, who envisions a four-hour running time for the film, is now neck-deep in the editing process.

There is talk of entering it in a festival, here or abroad, maybe the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“People worked hard to make it,” Lav said. “We didn’t make the film for any festival. We’re cool if they’ll invite it, though.”

From Page 2

KRISTINe Hermosa is about to make an acting comeback!

The former Kapamilya actress will star in a TV show in GMA, together with her husband Oyo Boy Sotto.

The announcement was made by the actress in her Instagram account on Wednesday, June 1, with a simple caption “abangan.”

The show is titled “Hay Buhay,” which will replace the Saturday night sitcom “Vampire ang Daddy Ko” which stars Vic Sotto with his son Oyo, Philippine entertainment Portal reported.

Kristine’s last TV show was ABS-CBN’s “Noah,” which starred Piolo Pascual. (Philstar.com)

Kristine Hermosa returns to acting via GMA show

Kristine Hermosa with husband Oyo Boy Sotto

Martin Nievera

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Piyesta Pinoy BolingbrookPlease join us on Saturday, June 4 for the 3rd Philippine Fest Celebration (Piyesta Pinoy

sa Bolingbrook) at the beautiful Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center (375 W. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook, IL). This year’s event will include a variety of food vendors, business, merchan-dise, and non-profit organizations, as well as hours of dance, games, and musical entertain-ment, including special guest performances. The Philippine American Cultural Foundation (PACF) is proud to promote and share our rich Filipino cultural heritage and traditions in America. Your participation and support are always valuable and critical to the survival of PACF and its programs. For more information, or to volunteer, perform, exhibit, or donate, please visit www.piyestapinoy.net, or email Piyestpinoy@gmail.com.

JUNE 4

Missionary Society of St. Columban Dinner-DanceThe Missionary Society of St. Columban will hold its annual dinner dance event on June

4th, 6pm, at the Friendship Auditorium (3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90941). Organized by the Dancing for the World, an affiliate of the Columbans, will celebrate the “Year of Mercy” to echo and emphatically support the call of Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year. This year is very important to be responsive to the call of the church and be faithful to the mission of God because God is by nature merciful. Thanks to the many dedicated mission-aries, priests, sisters and lay missionaries who responded to the call of God and live among the poor to make a difference and allow God’s mercy to flow into the hearts of those they minister. For more information, please visit www.columban.org. The Dancing for the World event on June 4 is also an opportunity to meet supporters, donors and friends to thank them for their valuable contribution to the Columban mission. Event will include delicious food, ballroom dancing, and fabulous raffle prizes. (For this year, the first prize will be a cruise for two to Mexican Riviera. The second prize is a Flat screen TV. The third prize is a Tablet.) There are many amazing prizes available for all lucky winners. The dinner dance ticket is $40.Reserve your tickets now or before May 15. For information and tickets please contact Carmencita Enriquez (213) 880-5075 or Ariel Presbitero (323) 691-5262, or at: 2919 Moss Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Thank you in advance on behalf of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and the Dancing for the World committee members. Please con-tinue praying for all Columban Missionaries all over the world and the success of this event.

Pechanga Bus tripThe Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO), a 501c(3) non-

profit organization, will host a bus trip to Pechanga to raise funds for its scholarship. There will be two locations for pick up and drop off: First pick up is at 10:45 am; drop off at 8:30 pm at Carson Civic Center, 801 East Carson Street, Carson. The second pick up will be be-tween 11:15 to 11:30 am; drop off at 8 pm at Angels Stadium Metrolink, 2626 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim. Tickets are $35 and include games and a light breakfast while en route to Pehcanga. For more information, contact Pauline at igorott@yahoo.com.

Philippine Independence Day celebrationThe Philippine Independence Day Foundation in conjunction with the City of Carson

and GMA Pinoy TV will hold the 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration at Vet-erans Park and Sports Complex, 22400 Moneta Avenue, Carson, CA 90745. The event is celebrated yearly in the City of Carson and is attended by thousands of Carson residents, as well as people from different parts of Southern California. The celebration will take place from 8am to 6pm. For more information, call (310) 549-3111.

JUNE 1 1

YFPA Annual Scholarship Gala 2016Your Filipino Professionals Association (YFPA) will hold its Annual Scholarship Gala with

the theme: “Collaboration is the New Bayanihan’” on Sunday, June 5, 6pm, at the Watts Room, Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. The event is to award YFPA Scholarship program recipients. For tickets: www.YFPASF.com/events.html.

JUNE 5

Installation of OfficersThe City of San Fernando La Union of Northern California Association USA, a social

non-profit organization, will hold a dinner and dance fundraiser event to install its officers for 2016-18. CSFLU aims to socially reunite Friends and Families living in Northern Cali-fornia through scheduled fundraisers, camping, picnics, family events, programs and local community projects. Its mission is to uplift and enrich the living experience through social, moral, ethical and spiritual support in Northern California and in the City of San Fernando La Union Philippines. The event will take place at Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, 32083 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587. For more information, contact Jake Valdez at (408) 768-1209 or jake4realestate@yahoo.com.

Kalayaan Incorporated celebrates the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence

On June 11, from 6 p.m. to midnight, at the Concourse Hotel, a Hyatt Affiliated Hotel, Los Angeles International Airport, Kalayaan Incorporated will stage its annual gala dinner ball with Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim as the guest speaker. Attendees will hear his farewell words of wisdom as he ends his term in Los Angeles on June 30. At the helm of the freedom day commemoration are President Josie E. de Jesus, event chair, and Vice President Jose Relson Banas, co-chair. Emcees are Lydia V. Solis and Noel S.V. Omega. Program Director Ted Benito and Program Committee Chair Zeny Sabocor will have a high-spirited presentation from endearing singers Manny Evaldez, Sam Santiago, and Christine Love. PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company, the Filipino-American Musical En-semble, a rondalla group, and the Fil-Am Choir of St. Pius V of Buena Park, Calif., promise an enchanting evening for attendees. And be carried away with the music from Bits N’ Pieces Band. For more information, contact Gil Mislang (562) 417-6772 or Lydia V. Solis lvsolis@aol.com.

LACFAEA to celebrate 118th Philippine Independence DayThe Los Angeles County Filipino-American Employees Association is all set to celebrate

the 118th Philippine Independence Day on June 11 at the Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Rob-les Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101. Music will be provided by The Midnight Motion Band. For more information, please call Rosalinda Vangie Cruz (661) 406-5136; Edwin Martinez (818) 438-6517 or Tony Millonado at (818) 515-2147.

7K Fun RunLife Steps Foundation presents its first annual Social Dynamics 7K Fun Run to be held in

San Francisco on June 11. The starting line will be located between Lake Merced Boul-evard. and Sunset Boulevard. Parking will be available. Registration fee is $40; there is an optional pledge of $10 per mile. The registration fee includes snacks, water, a medal and a fun run t-shirt. Proceeds from the fun run will benefit adults with development disabilities and behavioral challenges who require assistance and supervision. Interested participants may to sign up by visiting the website: http://www.lifestepsfoundation.org. Donations and pledges are also accepted via their website. For more information, contact Stephen Victori-ano at (650) 259-1808.

42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of PeñafranciaUnited Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) invites everyone, Bicolanos, devotees and friends

to come and celebrate the 42nd annual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivities will start on Sept. 9, with the translacion at 5pm at the Immaculate of Mary Church (4954 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029. A nightly novena Mass follows from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16 at 6 PM except on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 3:30 PM and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2;30 PM and culminates on Saturday, Sept. 17, with the ninth day novena at 8am, foot & fluvial procession at 9 AM, and a Concelebrat-ed Mass at 10 am at Lincoln Park, 3501 Valley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90031. Main celebrant will be HE Most Rev Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon. For details, please call Lanie Ber-rei (818) 281-3169 or Gene Leano (818) 439-6896.

SEPTEMBER 8-17

It’s a girl for Chynna Ortaleza, Kean CiprianoGMA Network actress Chynna

Ortaleza and Calalily frontman and actor Kean Cipriano are expecting a daughter.

In a post on social media site Instagram, Chynna announced the gender of their first child.

“I love you, my little girl! I feel safe that you are secure,” she wrote in her post.

The celebrity couple tied the knot last year and kept their married life private. In April this year, Cipriano confirmed reports that his wife was pregnant, days after his father passed away. (Gianna Francesca Catolico/Inquirer.net)

by Joyce Jimenez Philstar.com

Julie Anne San Jose graduates from college

AfTer staging a successful 10th year anniversary conert, Julie Anne San Jose has bagged another achievement.

The Kapuso singer-actress graduated from college at Angelicum College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.

four days before her graduation, Julie Anne posted her graduation photo, and on the caption recalled how she “juggled work and studies, yet managed to survive. I definitely have to say that it’s all worth it.”

She also related that in her four and a half years in college, “I’ve learned that it pays not to worry so much about where you ranked but rather think about the joy you get with what you do.”

“There will always be tough times, regrets and failures as well as success, reward and happiness.” she added.

She then thanked everyone who helped and supported her as she balanced her work and studies.

“It’s been a long road but with hardwork and patience, anything is possible. This is certainly a huge milestone.. The tassel’s worth the hassle,” she concluded.

Julie Anne San Jose graduates from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts at Angelicum College.

Queens give back: Bb. Pilipinas winners reach out to Tondo students

by yuJi Vincent GonzalesInquirer.net

DeSPITe their busy schedules, the newly crowned winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2016 pageant took time to share their blessings and inspire school children as they graced a back-to-school outreach program in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday, June 1.

Miss Universe Philippines Maxine Medina, Bb. Pilipinas-International Kylie Verzosa, Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental Jennifer Hammond, Bb. Pilipinas-Supranational Joanna eden, and Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Nicole Cordovez joined about 200 kids at the basketball court of Barangay 128 in Balut, Tondo and led the distribution of school supplies and snacks.

But more than the food and material gifts, Medina said what made them happier was to be able to give hope to the kids in the slum area and inspire them

that they can be whatever they dream to be.

“Napakasaya ko kasi first of all, ito po yung advocacy ko talaga, to give hope to these children and education na rin,” Medina told reporters.

Verzosa said it was a pleasure making the kids smile with little things that the more privileged take for granted.

“When I’m with kids I just feel really good and whatever message they give me, a simple hug or smile, it makes me happy na. These are the simple things that make me happy,” she said.

for Cordovez, who hailed from the community and initiated the project, returning to her roots and being able to give back to people close to her heart was a very emotional and significant moment.

Cordovez, who works at the Department of finance, is a member of non-government

organization Iris Philippines which helps women and children. The Tondo outreach was done in partnership with the said NGO and ice cream brand Dairy Queen.

The queens also instilled to the kids the importance of quality education in achieving one’s goals.

“Kanina sinabi ng mga bata, may mga gustong mag-doktor, mag-nurse, maging beauty queen and all, so isang edge nila kung meron silang good education, and that’s the reason kung bakit namin ginagawa yung outreach program na ‘to,” said Hammond.

“Whatever field they want to get into, education is so important to build a foundation for the kids. Visiting here and just being here and to see how they get happy with such simple things make us happy. We have a great platform to share the importance of education,” eden added.

Bb. Pilipinas queens Kylie Verzosa, Eden, Hammond, and Medina distribute snacks to school children in Tondo. Inquirer.net photo by Yuji Gonzales

KAPAMIlyA love team James reid and Nadine lustre posed for a glitzy and steaming-hot cover of a fashion magazine, after they revealed the status of their relationship last february.

for the magazine’s 21st anniversary in June, Preview “previewed” its two-fold cover featuring the couple on social media site Instagram.

“It’s our 21st birthday and we’re ready to run away with Nadine lustre and James reid. Decked out in louis Vuitton, see #JaDine in a fashion story like no other,” the post read.

Preview’s issue spots on JaDine’s fashion story, as well as the much-awaited “behind-the-scenes” of their book “Team real”, which was already sold out prior to its release.

Adding to the “kilig” photos, Preview uploaded a youTube video on Tuesday, May 31 highlighting the runaway-themed photoshoot of lustre and reid.

‘JaDine’ poses for magcover as official couple

by Gianna Francesca catolicoInquirer.net

Chynna Ortaleza and Kean Cipriano

june 3-9, 2016 6www.asianjournal.com

‘Heneral Luna’ debuts online via Filipino movie-streaming site Cinetropa

Call for applications for the 5th Filipino-American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPRO)

WATCH FIRST ONLINE STREAMING OF HUGELY SUCCESSFUL EPIC

Cinetropa.Com, the first exclusively Filipino-movie streaming site, is celebrating the philippine independence Day with the first global streaming of the commercial and critical hit, “Heneral Luna”, starting June 2.

the world will now get to see the movie online in HD for php 288 and $6.99 for those watching outside the philippines. those who watch the hugely successful action epic at Cinetropa will also get to watch two other movies for free—“K’na the Dreamweaver” and “Bonifacio: ang Unang pangulo (the First president)”. this promo is only available until the end of the month.

“Heneral Luna” was the official philippine entry to the oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category last year and has become the most successful independent Filipino film of all time.

Set during the philippine–american war, the epic film recounts the heroic yet tragic story of General antonio Luna, commander of the philippine revolutionary army and its most brilliant Filipino general, who faced an enemy more treacherous than any foreign colonizer: his own countrymen.

Directed by Jerrold tarog, the film stars award-winning actor John arcilla as General Luna. the producers of “Heneral Luna”, artikulo Uno, decided to stream the movie online for Filipinos and even non-Filipinos to commemorate philippine independence Day on a global scale.

two of the inspiring patriotic

Filipino movies that will be free for “Heneral Luna” ppV customers are “Bonifacio: ang Unang pangulo (the First president)” and “K’na the Dreamweaver”.

an official entry to the 2014 metro manila Film Festival (mmFF), “Bonifacio” won more than 20 awards, including Best picture from the mmFF, FamaS and the pmpC Star awards as well as five Gawad Urian nominations.

the producers, tuko Film productions and Buchi Boy Films, have since re-edited the film and created a more lucid and powerful international version of the feature. tuko Film productions and Buchi Boy Films are also the same team behind “Heneral Luna”.

“K’na the Dreamweaver” is a timeless fable set in the world of the t’bolis, one of several ancient tribal cultures that survived in mindanao, in the southernmost part of the philippines.

Directed by ida del mundo, the award-winning love story tells the tale of a young t’boli princess who must choose love or the reconciliation of her village’s warring clans, which has separated the t’bolis into two villages on the north and South banks of Lake Sebu.

“Heneral Luna” and “Bonifacio” even carry seven or more subtitles, including Chinese, english French, italian and Spanish for its growing global audience.

other films streaming at Cinetropa include King palisoc’s crime drama, “tandem”, which won the Silver remi in the Suspense/thriller category of the 49th Worldfest Houston

international Film and Video Festival, held recently in texas.

the more recent films of Clodualdo del mundo Jr. (screenwriter of such classics as “maynila Sa Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Kisapmata”) are also at Cinetropa. these are “pepot artista”, “made in Singapore” and “paglipad ng anghel (Flight of an angel)”. also available are the acclaimed LGBt documentary titled “Jazz in Love”, the Coco martin-starrer “Jay”, and the controversial feature “mnL 143”.

Cinetropa is the only movie-streaming site in the market exclusively dedicated to Filipino films. aside from independent titles, the site will soon showcase classic Filipino favorites. With a starting rate of USD$3.99 in the US and other countries, and pHp190 for philippine-based viewers, film enthusiasts can now enjoy a wide range of Filipino movies in HD online.

Unlike illegal and other streaming sites, Cinetropa is backed by Filipino independent producers and investors, with the purpose of providing local filmmakers more exposure for their films on a global scale both for Filipinos and non-Filipinos discovering or exploring philippine cinema and culture.

Cinetropa.com is made possible by the help and support of FDCp (Film Development and Council of the philippines).

For more details and updates on upcoming movies, visit cinetropa.com. on Facebook, Cinetropa is at https://www.facebook.com/cinetropa/.

Monette

AdevA MAglAyA

ImmigrantLiving: 101 and Beyond

(Part 1 of 2)tHat scene in one of the

Harry potter books where eerie sounds and strange occurrences caused by a ghost in residence were coming from — of all places— the toilet stalls, in Hogwarts is not all that original. Because it happened years ago, not as fiction but as part of reality — my reality, that is.

Just for kicks during my halcyon days as a full-time working /full-time grad student at the University of the philippines long ago, i had agreed to act as medium for a séance or a hypnotic session to conjure or call the spirit or spirits that were causing a disturbance. i took over from another medium in a previous session weeks earlier conducted by a Jesuit priest from the ateneo, Fr. Bulatao. there were repeated paranormal disturbances at the old building where i worked, a stone’s throw from the institute of mass Communication (now called by another name) where i was a grad student at night while working during the day as a full time research associate of what was then the institute of environmental planning, now called the School of Urban & regional planning. that haunted building has been razed and there stands a newer multi-story building.

at night, the custodian claimed that when all the rooms were locked up and no one was inside, there were eerie noises that would make the hair on the back of one’s neck stand on end. the occurrences were so frequent and so disruptive, ignoring them and pretending life was normal was no longer an option. Someone finally did something about it and called on Fr. Bulatao to help shed light on the mysterious goings-on at the institute. i simply avoided the rest rooms and steered away from isolated areas of the

the curious case of Stephen C. Davis: a ghost story

“…In memory of one American soldier …”

building and never stayed in the building past sundown.

professor Cynthia turingan was the first medium. Under hypnosis, she revealed that an american soldier, an enlisted man, by the name of Stephen Davies (his name was spelled with an e in the surname) was murdered at the location right smack dab where the building stood. Details of a murder story flowed out of her like a gusher. But then it came to an abrupt halt when the door to the room where the session was being held, for no apparent reason, suddenly burst open. the medium snapped out of the hypnotic trance feeling extremely limp and exhausted as though she had traveled many miles across a desert. i stood up and with a nonchalant shrug of my shoulders calmly closed the door.

Dissatisfied with the aborted session, the group decided to hold another. professor turingan was unavailable for the next session and i was drafted to act as medium, a role which i accepted on a lark and a dare.

there was a thunderstorm raging outside but i don’t remember much of what i said when i went on a trance. i do remember feeling very light, as though weightless, while someone gently whispered things to my ear. Later, i learned that under hypnotic suggestion, i was instructed to go back to 1945, the year that the medium revealed when the alleged murder of the american soldier occurred.

i described the place as i saw it — an open field, a moonless night, quonset huts and a heavy sense of foreboding in the air. During the session, the same

Stephen Davies revealed the name of his murderer. He said he was hit on the head by a piece of wood while he was out on patrol one night and was robbed of his money. the ghost revealed details about his murderer: his assailant’s name, the exact address where he lived, describing him as an old man by that time, languishing in jail for other crimes he committed and that the house where the murderer used to live on J.p. rizal Street in makati was eventually destroyed by fire.

He was asked about the name of his wife and where she lived, questions upon questions which the ghost said were “not important” but pressed further, he said that his wife had remarried and pleaded not to bother his wife anymore. He said that he was not the only spirit hovering in the area and that there were many others. asked about how he felt, he said that he was lonely and that he just wants to be remembered. over and over again, he said he wanted to be remembered. He ignored questions about his past brushing them aside for the one thing he wanted — that he be remembered. His bones, he said, lay scattered and mixed with the soil in the same area which was leveled years earlier by a bulldozer. the ghost of the dead soldier requested that a mass be said on a sunny day in his remembrance — a request the group readily granted him. Shortly after, the eerie occurrences seemed to stop. (To be continued)

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

WaSHinGton, DC—the search is on for the ten (10) outstanding next-generation Filipino-americans who will participate in the 5th annual Filipino-american Youth Leadership program (FYLpro), which will be conducted in the philippines from 24 november to 02 December 2016.

Launched in 2012 as a youth-oriented project of philippine ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and madam ma. Victoria J. Cuisia, FYLpro aims to tap outstanding young Filipino-americans who possess a sincere desire to be engaged in their respective communities and be a part of the philippines’ growth story. the annual immersion program in the philippines will afford them the opportunity to meet and dialogue with the highest officials and policymakers of the country, leaders of industry, legislators, media, artists and cultural experts, entrepreneurs (both traditional and social), as well as innovators in different fields.

the philippine embassy and Consulates General in the United States will conduct the search in the States under their respective jurisdictions for individuals who meet the following criteria:

• no younger than 25 years old and no older than 40 years old by 24 november 2016, the first day of the 2016 immersion program;

• ready and capable of traveling to the philippines, arriving in manila by Wednesday, 23 november 2016 and departing no earlier than 02 December 2016;

• Demonstrated leadership skills within their school, community, workplace or other areas of involvement; and

• Have potential or demonstrated involvement in the Filipino Community, or in issues and/or activities that align with the interest of the Filipino-american community or the philippines.

For the first time since FYLpro’s establishment, the application process is made accessible online through http://

fylpro.org/apply/. the deadline for the submission of complete application is Sunday, 24 July 2016 at 11:59pm (Hawaii-aleutian time Zone).

in partnership with the ayala Foundation inc. (aFi) and the FYLpro alumni association, the 5th FYLpro hopes to continue to attract more high-performing young Filipino-american leaders who will be among the movers and shakers in the Filipino-american community. much of the participants’ expenses, including airfare, accommodations, local transportation, and meals will be shouldered by program sponsors.

“now on its fifth year, FYLpro has proven to be quite effective in grooming new leaders who will shape the future not only of the Filipino-american community, but also of philippines-US relations. the forty alumni have spearheaded many impactful projects and i strongly encourage all qualified young Filipino-americans to add to their number,” ambassador Cuisia said.

Judy ann Santos, 4 other pH entries win int’l cookbook awards

KapamiLYa actress and mom Judy ann Santos was elated to find out that her cookbook “Judy ann’s Kitchen,” launched in June last year, won an award in the Gourmand World Cookbook awards 2016.

Judy ann, 38, snagged the third spot in the “Best authors and Chefs outside europe” category. the actress posted her victory on social media site instagram with the caption, “oh my!!! tumalon ang puso ko!! never really expected this…But, oh wow! i am beyond grateful!! to the whole team who helped in making my dreams come true…Cheers to us!”

Gourmand international is an international award-winning body that recognizes the “cream of the crop”

of cookbooks, wine books, food blogs and cooking television shows. over 205 entries are featured by Gourmand international yearly.

Four other Filipino cookbooks received awards from Gourmand international: “Food Weights and measures” by maria Christina G. aquino and Janine Sigaoat (Best authors and Chefs, professional Category), “panaderia” by amy Uy and Jenny orillos (3rd place, Bread Category),

“50 Years maya Kitchen Culinary arts” ( Best Cooking Schools Category) and “Sweet temptations” by editha Singian, (2nd place, pastry Category). (Gianna Francesca Catolico/Inquirer.net)

Judy Ann Santos

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Customer Salesand Service

Representative

june 3-9, 2016 7www.asianjournal.com

june 3-9, 2016 8www.asianjournal.com