Weekend Balita October 10, 2015

By Nimfa U. RuedaLOS ANGELES – President Obama

this week honored Filipino-Americans who “helped build and defend” the United States at the first ever cele-bration of Filipino-American History Month at the White House.

In a message that was read before some 200 Fil-Am elected officials and community leaders attending the event in Washington DC, Obama acknowl-edged the contributions of thousands of Fil-Ams who fought for the US in World War II.

He also recognized the Fil-Ams who led the fight for better conditions and wages for Filipino and Mexican farmworkers in Delano, California in the ‘60s and early ‘70s.

The three-hour event, hosted by The White House Initiative on Asian Amer-icans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs)

and the White House Office of Public Engagement, was streamed live.

Nani Coloretti, the highest ranking Fil-Am in the Obama administration, was the keynote speaker.

“You know, it’s a good indicator that you’ve arrived when you don’t only have your own month but that the White House is saying they want to celebrate it too,” said Coloretti, deputy secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Coloretti credited her Filipino grandfather, who was a labor organizer in Hawaii, for inspiring her commit-ment to public service.

Game changers“Fifty years ago, courageous farm-

workers in Delano helped bring about progress that would forever change the labor movement, both within the

Filipino-American community and for our community as a whole,” Obama said in his message.

It was the first time a US president publicly acknowledged the role of the Fil-Am farmworkers led by labor lead-er Larry Itliong, whose contributions to the farm labor movement have been overlooked in US history.

Many Fil-Ams welcomed Obama’s statement. “It certainly establishes Filipino-Americans as game-changers in the American Labor movement, a fact we have been aware of since their pioneering victories in Hawaii, Seattle and Stockton decades before,” LA-based artist and community activist Eliseo Art Silva said.

“(Obama) has acknowledged that Filipino-Americans have added a major chapter in the American story and has

Melissa Ramoso, deputy district director for California State Senator Ted W. Lieu and former state chair of the California Democratic Party, chats with musician Apl.de.Ap during a break at the White House event.(courtesy of Melissa Ramoso)

MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – The Philippines on Friday said it is con-firming a plan by the United States to deploy warships near China’s artificial islands off the contested South China Sea.

“We are aware of the reports on this matter and are seeking validation from the US side,” Foreign Affairs Spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message.

In a move seen to challenge Chi-na’s sovereignty over a huge swath

of the resource-rich waters, an Amer-ican defense official quoted by the Financial Times said US military ves-sels will sail “within 12-nautical-mile zones” on Beijing-claimed territories “within the next two weeks.”

No official confirmation has been released by the Pentagon on the reported plan, although the US has conducted a survellance flight last May near China’s man-made islands, prompting the Chinese Navy to issue

Policemen bring one of the passengers to safety during a hostage-taking incident inside a bus in Manila on Thursday. Policemen killed the suspect after he took a student hostage inside a public bus that was passing through Taft Avenue in Manila. (MNS photo)

By Abner Galino

A 9-year-old Filipino-American girl from Pasadena is currently making ripples in the figure skating scene here in southern California.

Sofia Frank, a preliminary figure skater, current-ly holds the Sandy Gollihugh Future Star Trophy for a sterling performance at the 2015 Pasadena Figure Skating Club Open Competition. She recent-ly placed second at the 2016 Southern California Inter-Club Invitational Series where she competed

Sofia Frank, a preliminary figure skater, currently holds the Sandy Gollihugh Future Star Trophy for a sterling performance at the 2015 Pasadena Figure Skating Club Open Competition. She recently placed second at the 2016 Southern California Inter-Club Invitational Series where she competed against 17 top divisional point earners of the previous year’s skating competitions season.

Sen. Joker Arroyo will always be known as among the pioneers and champion of human rights advocacy and a freedom fighter. He defended and handled human rights cases. This was the official statement released by his colleague, Senator Chiz Escudero.

“Together with the freedom-loving Filipinos, we express the gratitude of the Filipino nation for his sacrifices and

those of his family members offered to make a better Philippines,” Escudero said on the passing of Sen. Arroyo, who died after an “unsuccessful operation” in San Francisco early this week.

Escudero, who is running for vice president with fellow Sen. Grace Poe, also said, “We cannot repay his sincer-ity, courage and fortitude and strength amid challenges he had encountered

while serving the parliament of the streets and the halls of Congress and Senate.”

Arroyo has a long history of these traits by handling more human rights cases than any other lawyer from 1972-1986. A graduate of the UP College of Law and the Ateneo de Manila, his meteoric rise to national conscious-

Fil-Am girl shines in SC figure skating scene

Obama honors WWII Fil-Am soldiersFilipino Labor leaders also cited in White House event that kicked off Fil-Am History Month

Joker Arroyo, champion of human rights: Chiz

US to sail near China’s ‘new’ islands

See OBAMA HONORS, page 6

See JOKER ARROYO, page 6

See US TO SAIL, page 6

See FIL-AM GIRL, page 6

VOL. XXIII, NO. 36 LOS ANGELES THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FILIPINO-AMERICANSOCTOBER 10 - 16, 2015

Marian Rivera:Bobo sa Englishlanguage?

See MARIAN RIVERA page 17

2 Visit www.Balita.com Weekend Balita, Sat.-Fri., October 10 - 16, 2015 Balita

3Visit www.Balita.comBalita Weekend Balita, Sat.-Fri., October 10 - 16, 2015

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MATTERS

Singer and comedienne Elizabeth Ramsey, who was dubbed the country’s “Queen of Rock and Roll,” passed away on Thursday. She was 83.

The sad news was confirmed by her daughter Jaya via a Facebook post.

In her personal account, Jaya said: “Mama Beth is now with our Lord... 83 years has been full. Love and laughter, she has given not just our family but the whole nation.” Just last August, Ramsey was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center after she suffered a stroke.

In her post, Jaya thanked those who have been praying for her mother.

“Thank you for your love and prayers and I rejoice because she passes in her sleep. In peace. In God’s loving arms. Bye mama, until we meet again. I love you forever. Thank you Jesus,” she said.

Ramsey got her biggest break in show-biz when she joined the singing contest of the noontime show “Student Canteen” when she was just a teenager.

After winning the contest, Ramsey became a performer at the Manila Grand Opera House. She then transferred to the Clover, where she worked with some of the country’s top comedians at the time like Aruray, Balot and Casmot. (MNS)

Elizabeth Ramsey dies at 83

shouldn’t have a problem.The next question is whether you have

clear title to your car. If you have pledged your vehicle as security for a debt, or if you are financing or leasing a vehicle, you have three options for secured car loans when you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

REAFFIRMATION.Reaffirm: A reaffirmation agreement is

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Reaffirmed debts are not discharged, the debt survives the bankruptcy. If you do not make your car payments after you reaffirm the car loan the car lender can repossess the car and sue you for the deficiency balance. After the finance company repossesses the car they will sell the car at the auto auction. Usually the finance company does not get enough money from the auction to pay off your loan.

This shortfall is called a “deficiency” and you would still be legally obligated to pay the creditor the deficiency balance. As you can see, the decision to reaffirm your car loan is a serious financial matter.

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REDEEM.In Chapter 7, you have the right to

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Car Leases in Chapter 7 BankruptcyIf you are leasing your car when you file

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Car Loans in Chapter 13 BankruptcyChapter 13 bankruptcy is powerful tool

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Car Leases in Chapter 13 BankruptcyYou car lease cannot be paid through

the Chapter 13 Plan you devise with your bankruptcy attorney. You can “assume” the lease and continue making the monthly payments.

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MANILA, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) -- The United Nationalist Alliance has formally asked Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan to be its vice presidential candidate in the 2016 elections.

In a statement, UNA president and Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said UNA’s selection committee offered Hona-san to become the running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay after consultations with party leaders. Tiangco touted Honasan as a champion of the rights of masses and uniformed personnel, having served sever-

al years as a legislator and soldier.“Sen. Honasan brings to the tandem his

long years of service and experience as a soldier and a legislator. He has championed the rights of the urban poor and farmers, and promoted the welfare of the masses, government workers, and our men and women in uniform,” he said.

Tiangco said the tandem of Binay and Honasan “highlights UNA as a party com-mitted to uplifting the lives of the poor, upholding democracy and restoring the dignity of every Filipino.” (MNS)

MANILA, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) -- Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s de-cision to join the 2016 vice presidential race will benefit the Filipino electorate, a Malacañang official said Tuesday.

In an e-mailed statement, Communica-tions Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the now five-way race among Senators Marcos, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Anto-nio Trillanes IV, Alan Peter Cayetano and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo offers voters a wide range of candidates.

“Senator Marcos joins a robust field of vice presidential hopefuls...Our people are provided with a wide latitude of choice and an opportunity to compare platforms for governance and track records,” said Coloma.

“We trust that the sovereign electorate will choose the most qualified and most competent among the aspirants,” he added.

The ruling Liberal Party (LP) is push-ing for the vice presidential candidacy of Robredo. She is running alongside standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Robredo declared her vice presidential bid on Monday.

Later that day, Marcos also declared his bid for the same post, claiming that Davao

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has promised to support his bid.

“I flew to Davao City on Wednesday and consulted with Mayor Rodrigo Dute-rte. He was gracious enough to promise me his support should I decide to run for Vice President. I too will support Mayor Duterte if and when he runs for President,” Marcos said.

Marcos is the son and namesake of the late strongman, Ferdinand Marcos.

One of the popular opposition leaders during the Marcos-led Martial Law era was President Benigno Aquino III’s father, the late Senator Ninoy Aquino.

Aside from Robredo and Marcos, other vice presidential hopefuls are: Escudero, who is the running mate of Sen. Grace Poe; Cayetano and Trillanes.

Cayetano, Marcos and Trillanes, all members of the Nacionalista Party, have declared their intention to seek the vice presidency even without a presidential standard bearer.

Another senator, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, said he is open to be the running mate of Vice President Jejomar Binay al-though no final decision has been arrived at yet. (MNS)

MANILA, Oct 8 (Mabuhay) – Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will file her certificate of candidacy for the congressional seat of the 2nd district of Pampanga next week.

Lawyer Raul Lambino, an official of Arroyo’s Lakas CMD party, said he is preparing Arroyo’s nomination. Arroyo is up for one more term in the 2016 elections.

“Pagkakaalam ko, magpa-file siya para sa kinatawan ng ikalawang distrito ng Pampanga under Lakas CMD. Pine-pre-pare ko na ang kaniyang CONA (certifcate of nomination and acceptance) as official candidate of LAKAS.”

Arroyo, who is detained on a plunder charge for the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds, need not personally file her candidacy.

“Most likely, isa sa staff namin based sa Pampanga [ang magpa-file]. Hindi pa niya

sinasabi anong date.”Lambino said Arroyo has yet to pick

the presidential candidate she will back in the elections, and that Lakas has no party choice yet. So far, the Lakas members have individual preferences, he said.

Lakas chairman Danilo Suarez is backing Vice-President Jejomar Binay. Lambino himself is backing Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who has yet to finalize his plans.

“Walang party stand kung sino susupor-tahang president. Wala pa rin ako napipili, hindi pa officially nagdedeclare.”

Lambino believes Duterte will declare his plans anytime before the filing of COCs next week.

“I don’t have any solid information,” he said, however.

Lambino said in the last election Ar-royo, scored more than 96% of the votes

MANILA, Oct 8 (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Thursday said that while it “takes note” of the opinion of a United Nations (UN) body on the con-tinued detention of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it cannot interfere in an ongoing judicial proceeding.

In its opinion released on October 2, the five-member United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Deten-tion urged the Philippine government to reconsider Arroyo’s bail plea “in accordance with the relevant interna-tional human rights standards and to accord Ms. Arroyo with an enforce-able right to compensation… for the deprivation of liberty which already occurred.”

Communications Secretary Her-minio Coloma, Jr. said the Philippines is a signatory to international conven-tions on human rights, and as such, it ensures that all individuals are accord-ed due process under existing laws.

He said Arroyo has been accorded such due process and availed of the

necessary legal remedies under Phil-ippine laws.

“It must be noted that there is an ongoing judicial process in the PH courts, which has sole jurisdiction to decide on such matters. The PH government or any international body, for that matter, cannot interfere nor influence the course of an independent judicial proceeding,” said Coloma.

Arroyo faces plunder charges at the Sandiganbayan which is a non-bail-able offense.

She has been under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City since 2012 for a plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-mil-lion intelligence funds of the state lottery firm during her presidency. She is undergoing treatment for a spine disease.

“The PH takes note of the Opinion of the UN WGrp on Arbitrary Deten-tion and will prepare an appropriate response, according to WGAD’s rules,” Coloma said.(MNS)

in her district. They have no information yet who will be running against Arroyo.

Arroyo has been unable to attend ses-sions at the Lower House because of her detention. Lambino, however, said this did not stop her from doing her work.

“Despite the fact that she cannot attend session, marami siyang pina-file na bills. Most of the bills are significant kaya

maraming napapa-approve sa committee level, na-approve sa 3rd reading.

Even some bills alam ko pinag-uusapan sa Senate.”

Arroyo is a member of two commit-tees in Congress: Energy and Trade And Industry. Arroyo authored 53 measures and co-authored 207 others in the 16th Congress. (MNS)

Gloria Arroyo to run for third term in 2016 election

UNA formally asks Honasan to be Binay’s running mate

Bongbong Marcos in 2016 VP race good for voters – Palace exec

Palace hands off on Gloria Arroyo’s hospital detention


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CAMARINES SUR, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) -- A day after Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo declared her candidacy as the vice presidential bet of Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Mar Roxas, indepen-dent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe attended the World Teacher’s day event at the Jesse Robredo Coliseum in Naga City minus her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero.

Poe was escorted by Camarines Sur Governor Luis Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte and his father, former Governor Luis Ray-mund “L-Ray” Villafuerte, who declared their support for the senator.

The younger Villafuerte, however, said in an interview that they will support a Poe-Robredo tandem.

In a separate interview, Poe answered “bakit naman hindi?” when asked of the possibility of two women eventually lead-ing the country.

In a statement released by Escudero, he said various Bicolanos aiming for govern-ment positions is a source of pride for the people of Bicol.

In her speech before around 15,000 teachers from the Camarines Sur Division of the Department of Education, Poe said she knows their plight, noting that she formerly worked as a pre-school teacher.

She told them that salaries of teachers should be continuously increased. “Napa-panahon na na bigyan kayo ng tulong,” said Poe.

Poe was greeted at the airport upon her arrival by her relatives led by her grandaunt Aida Kelley Yuboco, the sister of Fernando Poe Jr.’s mother.

The senator then hopped from one

broadcast station to another where she was interviewed about her platform as a presidential candidate.

She also dropped by the Archbishop’s Palace and met with Archbishop Rolando Tirona.

She also graced the gathering of provin-cial members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) organized by its party provincial chair, 1st District Rep. Nonoy Andaya.

Poe told local officials that she hears their problems on infrastructure and disas-ter preparedness, among others.

Andaya said at least three of the five districts in Camarines Sur, with a voting population of more than a million, are their stronghold areas. He said these areas will be solid for the Poe-Escudero tandem.

He conceded that the 3rd District, which includes Naga City, will be strongly supporting its current Liberal Party (LP)

congresswoman, Leni Robredo.In her speech, Poe thanked the local

members of the NPC, the former political party of Escudero. “Matagal ko nang kasa-ma si Chiz at marami akong natutunan sa kanya na kabutihan,” she said.

Poe ended her day in the province in a meeting with a huge crowd of local officials allied with the Villafuertes at the Camarines Sur Convention Center in Pili town.

Grace campaigns in CamSur without Chiz

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Wednesday apologized for the Playgirls’ performance during a Liberal Party event in Laguna last week.

Tolentino apologized to his mother, presidential aspirant Mar Roxas, La-guna Rep. Benjie Agarao and to the Liberal Party for the performance of members of the sexy dance group on September 30.

“Pinaaabot ko po ang paghingi ng pang-unawa, paghingi ng kapatawaran doon sa mga ating nasaktang grupo ng kababaihan dahil sa sitwasyong nangyari sa Sta Cruz, Laguna. Nag-ing kamalian ko at tinatanggap ko ang hindi pagpigil doon sa naging performance ng mananayaw dahil ako ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan doon sa naturang lugar,” Tolentino said during the launching of three Pasig River ferries at the Guada-lupe station in Makati City.

He added: “Kung na-offend ko po ang grupo ng kababaihan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa pamilya ni Congress-man Benjie Agarao, sa mga kaibigan natin sa Laguna.

Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking nanay na nasaktan din, sa Par-tido Liberal, kay Secretary Mar Roxas na hindi dapat madamay ang kanyang pangalan.”

The Playgirls performed after the oath-taking of new LP members. The event’s emcee announced that the sexy group’s performance was a gift of To-lentino to Agarao, which the MMDA chairman had denied.

MMDA’s Tolentino apologizes for Playgirls performance


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OBAMA HONORSFrom page 1

FIL-AM GIRLFrom page 1

US TO SAILFrom page 1

JOKER ARROYOFrom page 1

indeed arrived as dynamic and dignified Americans and no longer the Little Brown Brothers of the past.”

Community leader Melissa Ramoso, who attended the event, said the inaugural celebration of Fil-Am History Month at the White House “recognized and celebrated our successes, but also reminded us that we should be furthering our communi-ty’s potential especially in positions of leadership.

Recognizing the Fil-Am WWII vet-erans, Obama said: “Seventy years ago, the United States and our allies overcame forces of tyranny and oppression that threatened not only the Pacific but the entire world – a victory made possible in part by thousands of Filipino-Americans who fought for our nation but who for far too long were denied the compensation they had earned.”

“This month, we honor the Filipi-no-Americans who have worked to build

ness started when he challenged before the Supreme Court of the Philippines the constitutionality of Proclamation No. 1081 imposing martial law.

Thereafter, he joined other lawyers in questioning before the Supreme Court: 1) the ratification of the Marcos dictated 1973 Constitution; 2) Amendment 6 that empowered President Marcos to exercise law making powers alongside the Batasang Pambansa; 3) the power of military tri-bunals to try civilians. Senator Arroyo’s brilliant skills as a trial lawyer was demon-strated when he helped defend political detainees such as Ninoy Aquino, Eugenio Lopez, Jr., Serge Osmeña III, Jose Ma. Sison, Jovito Salonga, Nene Pimentel, Eva Kalaw, Renato Tañada, Eduardo Olaguer and many others.

As a freedom fighter, Senator Arroyo has had his share of physical and mental tortures having been incarcerated in a military stockade, gassed, injured and

hospitalized during protest rallies. During the snap elections in 1986, he served as counsel of Mrs. Corazon Aquino. He, likewise, co-founded MABINI and FLAG together with other human rights lawyers. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, Senior Lawyers Division.

After EDSA I, he held various post in the government service first as Executive Secretary in the Aquino cabinet from 1986 to 1992, then as Chairman of the Philippine National Bank and as Executive Director for the Philippines in the Asian Develop-ment Bank from 1986 to1990.

Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday mourned the death of former Senator Joker Arroyo, whom he called a “dear friend, a mentor and a brother.”

“The death of Joker leaves me with a deep sense of personal loss,” Binay said in a press statement. “The nation has lost a patriot and a true Filipino. I have lost a dear friend, a mentor and a brother.”

Binay and Arroyo were both part of a group that fought the Marcos dictatorship.

and defend our country, and we reflect on the moments that have changed the course of the American story,” he added.

Serving as panelists at the event were White House Executive Chef Cris Comer-ford, musician Apl.de.ap, transgender singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, model Geena Ricero, comedian Jo Koy and Pixar Animation Studios Co-director Ronnie del Carmen. Billy Dec, presidential adviser on AAPIs, served as the moderator.

Jason Tengco, deputy director for the White House Initiative on AAPIs, and Mel Orpilla, national president of the Filipino American National Historical Society, delivered the welcome remarks.

The event, which kicked off nationwide celebration of Fil-Am History Month, fea-tured performances by Apl.de.ap, Jessica Reynoso, The Filharmonic and the Pilipino American Cultural Arts Society.

The US Congress passed a resolution in 2009 officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month.

against 17 top divisional point earners of the previous year’s skating competitions season.

The previous year was exceptionally fruitful for Sofia wherein she landed first place finishes at the Golden West Champi-onship, Glacier Falls Preliminary Dramatic Showcase and the Southern California Open Championship. That same year, Sofia bagged the third place at the Showcase for Skaters.

Sofia is looking forward to a suc-cessful campaign at the Skate SWP 2016 Non-Qualifying Championship and the 2016 Southwest Pacific Regionals Non-qualifying Championship.

The young skater excels in Axel, Dou-ble Loop, Double Toe and Combination Biellman Spin which in layman’s terms means jumps, spins, speed, strength, flex-

ibility and graceful movements on ice.Just like all athletes dedicated to their

craft, Sofia’s achievements could have not come forth without discipline and deter-mination. The girl skates six days a week. But honing a top-level skill in skating requires additional training time off the ice too, which should give us a glimpse on the physical, mental and emotional toughness of this young girl.

Knowing that most girls her age are mostly preoccupied with less significant matters at this moment in their lives, Sofia is already looking forward to landing her first triples by age 11, which she believes would pave her road to the Olympics.

But, of course, Sofia is a girl. She loves the outdoors, the beach and whizzing down a zipline. She watches Austin and Ally on TV and listens to Taylor Swift.

And Sofia also craves for Pinoy food because… Pinay.

warnings to the crew of a US P8-A Pose-idon aircraft.

Competing claims by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan to the South China Sea, a strategic waterway sitting atop huge gas and oil deposits, have sparked occasional violence and now regarded as a potential regional flashpoint for armed conflict.

Although the US is not a party to the disputes, it has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of navigation, trade and peace and stability in the South China Sea, where a bulk of the world’s trade pass.

The Philippines has struggled to deal with the territorial disputes by raising the issue in international tribunal and trying to modernize its weak military, but it decided to seek a legal option through arbitration,

saying it’s a durable solution that is accept-ed internationally.

Meanwhile, at least 60 members from the Philippine and United States Marine corps conducted mock operations against terrorists in the municipality of Ternate, Cavite as part of the 2015 Philippines Am-phibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX).

The joint forces did an amphibious raid where a military vessel, two rubber boats and two riverine crafts were used.

In the mock scenario, some soldiers were deployed from the military vessel and used the rubber boats and riverine crafts.

They got off near the shore and swam toward the beach, then proceeded to the target area, supposedly a hideout of a terrorist group.

A coordinated attack was done by the soldiers to neutralize their target. They then went to the extraction point and completed the mock mission successfully.


MANILA, Oct 8 (Mabuhay) – Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on Thursday said the importation of Canadian waste to the Philippines was a violation of the Basel Convention, and that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now having bilateral consultations with the Canadian government on how to address the issue.

Del Rosario made the statement when asked about the issue during the Senate hearing on the P20.56 billion proposed 2016 budget of the DFA.

“First, the trash is neither toxic or haz-ardous; second, it is a violation of domestic law, two cases have already been filed against the importer, and it is a violation of the Basel Convention,” he said, adding that he has conveyed the violation formally to Canada including a first person note and a phone call on its foreign minister.

He said the DFA has consulted the Ba-sel Secretariat regarding the issue and it advised the two parties to seek a resolution in a bilateral level.

“We continue to have bilateral consulta-tions with the Canadian government to find a solution. We just want to point out that the Basel Convention urges parties to seek bilateral resolution as a primary approach,” Del Rosario said.

The Basel Convention, in which both Canada and the Philippines are signato-ries, states that in the case of an illegal movement of hazardous or other waste, the State of export shall ensure that the waste in question are:

(a) taken back by the exporter or the generator or, if necessary, by itself into the State of export, or, if impracticable,

(b) are otherwise disposed of in ac-cordance with the provisions of this Con-vention, within 30 days from the time the State of export has been informed about the illegal traffic or such other period of time as States concerned may agree. To this end the Parties concerned shall not oppose, hinder

Canada’s trash violated int’l treaty

MANILA, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) -- The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on Tuesday granted the motion of Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. to leave his detention for five days to undergo dental procedures. In a short hearing on Revilla’s motion Tuesday morn-ing, Sandiganbayan First Division chairman Associate Justice Efren Dela Cruz declared in open court that the division resolves to grant Revilla’s motion “for humanitarian consideration.”

Revilla, an accused in the alleged pork barrel scam, was allowed to leave his deten-tion on October 10, 12, 15, 17 and 19 at 2 p.m. to undergo dental procedures at the Gan

Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC) located at the ground floor of The Residences, Greenbelt Center in Makati. The court has yet to issue a formal ruling as of posting time.

In his motion dated October 1, Revilla said his personal dentist at the GAOC, Dr. Kristine Shieh, has advised him to undergo additional treatment following the dental surgical procedures he underwent last month. The court last month allowed Revilla to un-dergo various dental surgical procedures also at GAOC such as irrigation of tooth canal, suture or stitches removal, and impression and adjustments of upper and lower stayplate dentures.

MANILA, Oct 8 (Mabuhay) – The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) called out the government for supposedly failing to tackle the pressing problem of smug-gling, particularly in agriculture products.

The alliance, which counts the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) among its members, criticized Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for being “the biggest obstacle” to bringing smugglers to justice.

SINAG Chairman Rosendo Co cited the case of businessman Davidson Bangayan who is accused as being the big-time rice smuggler known as David Tan.

In January last year, FPI Chairman Jesus Arranza submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) documents showing that Bangayan and Tan were one and the same person.

But the case remains pending with the DOJ despite the pieces of evidence that sup-posedly warrant the filing of charges against Bangayan.

“Ano pa ang kulang na ebidensya? Wala na akong maisip pa... Kailangan pa bang makitang may pasan siyang bigas?” Arranza told reporters on Thursday.

Bangayan has denied the allegations.The DOJ needs to establish a probable cause only to elevate the case to the courts,

which have discretion over matters pertaining to evidence, lawyer Virginia Laxa Suarez said during the same briefing.

“Kailangang magpaliwanag ang DOJ dahil masama itong mensahe. Bakit kapag big-time smugglers ang involved, mabagal ang hustisya?” United Broiler Raisers’ Association President Elias Inciong said.

De Lima is expected to step down from the Justice department in order to pursue her senatorial bid in the 2016 elections.

“We are happy not because we are supporting her candidacy but because the biggest obstacle in bringing smugglers to justice will soon be out,” So said. (MNS)

Industry group hits gov’t inaction on agriculture smuggling

Sandiganbayan allows Bong Revilla to leave detention for 5 days

RIP, Senator Joker Arroyo. The last time I saw him was at the reunion of Malacanang reporters who covered President Cory Aquino. I made a very quick trip to Manila April this year to attend the event. He wore a fiery bright orange shirt...fiery, like his fighting spirit when he was a fearless human rights lawyer. – Nimfa Rueda, US correspondent for Philippine Daily Inquirer and Balita Media contributor (second from right)

or prevent the return of those wastes to the State of export.

Del Rosario, during the hearing, told the Finance Committee under Senator Loren Legarda that the interagency meeting held on October 1, 2015 affirmed the decision to continue to engage Canada for a bilateral solution on the trash issue and to monitor the ongoing cases.

The agencies that led the meeting were the Department of Environment and Nat-ural Resources, Bureau of Customs, and Department of Justice.

Mag

Life and Leisure News for Filipino-Americanswww.usasianpost.com

Tayo!For more news & information,

DFA chief says Canadian waste importation to PHL Basel Convention


By: Atty. Ray BulaonFINANCES

YOURMINDING

savings. The recent recession only added to their existing debt. Some have taken money out of their retirement plans in order to avoid bankruptcy. Others continue to drain their life savings hoping that things will soon get better.

What I have learned as a bankruptcy attorney over the last 18 years is that hope is not a good plan. There is nothing wrong with hoping for the better, of course. But hoping without acting will not change anything in your life.

Yesterday, I was counseling a man who got into serious debt by borrowing from

several payday loan companies. And in case you didn’t know, payday loans are the worst- they should be illegal, in my opinion. They charge people outrageous interest rates and ask for a substantial amount of their paycheck. Get one or a few of these and you will be buried in a deep financial hole in no time. You can never borrow your way out of debt. A lot of people have tried and failed. If you want to get out of debt, you need to stop borrowing and find a way to resolve your current debt situation. To do anything else is a sure path to bankruptcy.

Most people are unaware that most re-tirement plans (example: IRA’s and 401K plans) are 100% protected in bankruptcy. So if these are the only assets you have, why drain your retirement savings and leave yourself with nothing when other op-tions to get out of debt are available? I am not suggesting that people should just take the easy way out and file bankruptcy every time they have debts that they cannot pay. In my opinion, bankruptcy should always be a last resort. But in situations where it is your only solution, you will be thankful we have federal laws in this country that can give you a new chance to rebuild your finances and your life.

Be informed about your options. Stop listening to your family and friends who know nothing about the legal aspects of your situation. It’s your life and it’s your business. They mean well, I’m sure, but they could be the worst source of legal advice when your financial future is at stake. When you’re sick, you go to a doc-

tor. When you have legal problems, you should go to an attorney who can evaluate your case and recommend possible options. Nothing replaces professional, competent advice from an attorney who understands the laws and how they could be used for your best interests.

Since 1997, I have helped thousands of clients get out of debt in order to live more financially secure lives. Let me help you determine if bankruptcy is right for your situation or if other options are available in order for you to avoid it. Call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free office consultation. We have offices in Los An-geles, Pasadena, Cerritos and Valencia.

(None of the information herein is in-tended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has success-fully helped more than 5,000 clients in finding solutions to their debt problems. To schedule a free attorney consultation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

Don’t let your debt problems drain your family’s savingsI hear this all the time. People who are in debt are barely making

it by living paycheck to paycheck so how can they even think about saving for the future? Are you in this situation right now? If so, you need to do something about it or you will never be able to get ahead financially.

According to a recent study, one out of five families owes more on credit cards and other unsecured debt than they have in

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) today announced the launch of Go Human, a community outreach and adver-tising campaign with the goals of reducing traffic collisions in Southern California and encouraging people to walk and bike more. Appearing on freeway billboards, buses and bus shelters, the Go Human campaign is a collaboration between SCAG and the health departments and transportation com-missions from six counties in the region – Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.

“Increased safety is a value that guides our commitment to improving mobility in the 21st century,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Go Human is an exciting, unprecedented effort, with the participation of many cities and counties, to deliver an important message about our vision to keep people safe – no matter how they choose to get around.”

California has the nation’s highest num-ber of fatalities involving people walking and bicycling, and traffic collisions are one of the top causes of injury and death in the Southern California region. Go Hu-man raises public awareness of the rules of the road through English and Spanish advertising on radio, billboards, buses, bus stops and social media.

Go Human utilizes a series of ads where figures in everyday road signs are replaced with images of real people walking and bicycling. By conveying that these aren’t just signs, Go Human reminds us that our actions and decisions, when driving, walking and bicycling, impact real people.

The Go Human campaign comes at a time when the nature of streets and types of travel on them is changing dramatical-ly. Bicycling across Southern California increased 70 percent between 2007 and 2012, and in places like Santa Monica, where growing demand has been matched with investment in bike facilities, bicycling has increased more than 300 percent. In-vestment in walking and bicycling infra-structure is anticipated to grow with more than half a billion dollars being invested across the region by 2020.

“Three years ago our region adopted a transportation plan that doubled investment in active transportation, and our cities and counties are making good on that com-mitment,” said Hasan Ikhrata, SCAG’s Executive Director.

“Not only do we have cities like Los Angeles launching its Vision Zero initiative and new mobility element, but there are dozens more.

Go Human provides the education, awareness and encouragement to accom-

pany the changes that we are all starting to see in our communities and on our streets.”

More than half of the 191 cities in the Southern California region have been pursuing funding opportunities to create safer and more attractive streets for walk-ing and biking. The growing emphasis on active transportation is driven in part by local leaders’ interest in improving public health. The region’s population suffers from high chronic disease rates related to physical inactivity such as obesity and hy-pertension. Many doctors and public health experts, including the Surgeon General of the United States, are encouraging people to walk more.

“Sedentary lifestyles have had a pro-found impact on health and have contrib-uted to the rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in our communities to-day, leading to premature death and the loss of many years of life. Engaging in regular physical activity such as walking or bicy-cling helps maintain a healthy body weight, provides major protective effects against obesity and chronic disease, and improves mental health and quality of life,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Interim Health Officer for Los Angeles County.

“Go Human not only reminds us to look out for one another on the road, but also encourages us to unplug, walk a little bit more and bike a little bit more in our local communities. This will benefit our health and the local economy, too.”

By encouraging Southern Califor-nia residents to walk and bike more, SCAG’s Go Human Campaign plays a key role in this transformation. As cities around the world have shown, walking and bicy-cling are an efficient means to move people and connect commuters to public transit. In the SCAG region, approximately 38 percent of all trips are less than three miles, a distance that can easily be covered walk-ing or bicycling. Go Human encourages residents to consider walking or bicycling for these short trips.

The Go Human campaign is funded by a $2.3 million grant from the 2014 Cali-fornia Active Transportation Program. In addition to the advertising campaign, Go Humanwill roll-out a series of events in partnership with local communities across the region beginning in May 2016. These events will include open street gatherings and demonstration projects designed to allow residents to temporarily envision and experience roadways that are designed for people and not just cars.

These events will also create opportu-nities for residents to provide input and improve the quality of life in their neigh-borhoods.

Southern California encourages residents to ‘Go Human’


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BARRISTER’SBy: Kenneth Reyes & Darrick Tan

CORNER

What immigration petition and applica-tions can a conditional permanent resident file? Can a conditional permanent resident file an immigrant petition for a qualifying relative? Other than the requirement to file a joint petition or a waiver, a conditional permanent resident does not affect any as-pect of the immigrant’s immigration status. The conditional permanent resident may file an immigrant petition for any qualify-ing relatives such as family based second preference as any permanent residents. 8 CFR 216.1. 8 CFR 216.1 provides …” Unless otherwise specified, the rights, privileges, responsibilities, and duties which apply to all other lawful permanent residents apply equally to conditional permanent residents, including but not limited to the right to apply for naturaliza-tion (if otherwise eligible), the right to file petitions on behalf of qualifying relatives, the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in ac-cordance with the immigration laws, such status not having changed;…” However there is one exception to a conditional permanent resident’s ability to petition, the conditional immigrant cannot petition for another spouse in the second preference within five years of first immigrating to the US as a conditional permanent resident unless the first marriage was terminated by death of the other spouse or the petitioner shows the USCIS that the earlier marriage which was the basis of the conditional green card was not a sham. This rule ap-plies even after the immigrant’s condition

has been removed.In addition to filing immigrant petition,

a conditional immigrant may also apply for naturalization three years from the date the immigrant received the conditional perma-nent residence. A conditional immigrant may apply for naturalization even if the I-751 joint petition is pending. Howev-er, the naturalization application cannot be approved before the joint petition is approved.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only gen-eral, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be antic-ipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Im-migration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at [email protected]. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA. Visit www.kenreyeslaw.com for more information.

Can a conditional greencard holder file an immigrant petition?

Beneficiary spouse of marriage based immigrant petition’s where the marriage was less than 2 years old at the time of the immigrant visa or status was approved are issued a 2 year conditional green card. In order for these immigrants to obtain their permanent green card, the immigrant has to either file a joint petition to remove the conditional permanent resi-dence before the end of the 2 years or file a waiver.

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) -- At least 12 labor groups on Wednesday filed be-fore the Office of the Ombudsman a joint criminal complaint against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino over the controversial dance performance of a girl group during the oath-taking of some mem-bers of the Liberal Party (LP) last week.

In their 10-page complaint, leaders of various labor groups charged Tolentino with violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and violation of the Magna Carta of Women.

“Women, in the persons of the ‘Play-girls’ were completely discriminated by allowing them to portray obscene show in public, which is scandalous, contrary to good morals, good customs, public policy and public interest,” a copy of the complaint read.

The complainants alleged that it was Tolentino, as the chairman of the MMDA, who should be held accountable over the incident as he has the power to stop the show.

“Public officials and employees be-having with decency and in pursuing good morals, good customs and sensitivity, should not incite, encourage or tolerate acts that appeal to prurient interest or those that are deemed dirty and intended to arouse sexual cravings more particularly in public event and setting,” the complaints said.

“Tolentino et al, evidently violated this by encouraging, bringing about and allowing the subject obscene show for public viewing,” the complainants added.

The complainants also cited media reports that it was Tolentino himself who brought the Playgirls to the event as a “sur-

prise gift” for Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao.Tolentino, meanwhile, issued an apol-

ogy for the performance of the sexy group Playgirls during the LP event.

“Pinaaabot ko po ang paghingi ng pang-unawa, paghingi ng kapatawaran doon sa mga ating nasaktang grupo ng kababaihan dahil sa sitwasyong nangyari sa Sta Cruz, Laguna. Naging kamalian ko at tinatanggap ko ang hindi pagpigil doon sa naging performance ng mananayaw dahil ako ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan doon sa naturang lugar,” To-lentino said during the launching of three Pasig River ferries at the Guadalupe station in Makati City.

He added: “Kung na-offend ko po ang grupo ng kababaihan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin.

Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa pami-lya ni Congressman Benjie Agarao, sa mga kaibigan natin sa Laguna. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking nanay na nasaktan din, sa Partido Liberal, kay Secretary Mar Roxas na hindi dapat madamay ang kanyang pangalan.”

“Muli hindi ko nakontrol, hindi ko napigilan ang naturang insidente na sa aking paniniwala at paniniwala rin ng iba ay ginagawa rin naman sa araw-araw sa harap ng milyyun-milyon sa telebisyon,” he said.

‘Undue patronage’The complainants said the act of giving

and receiving “undue patronage” or gift is also prohibited under RA 6713.

“The act of giving and consequently accepting the ‘surprise gift’ in the form of the Playgirls by Tolentino et al is clearly a case of giving and accepting, directly or indirectly a gift, seemingly motivated by impure motives,” the complainants said.

Complaint filed vs. MMDA chair Tolentino over Playgirls performance


Fright-filled “Halloween Horror Nights” was announced by Universal Studios Hol-lywood recently. The theme park guests will be treated to an “extreme fear destina-tion” which features horror-filled mazes, a terror tram experience and awesome hip-hop dance show from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, November 1st. The event starts each night at 7:00 pm but closing hours vary each night throughout the event.

The horror-filled maze was inspired by visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, who directed, co-wrote and produced Universal Pictures feature film “Crimson Peak.” This three-dimensional film was designed to have theme park guests” expe-rience an actual replica of the film, while they spiral through the chilling maze and into the footsteps of the film’s lead character, Edith Cushing, as she ventures from her home in America, to the decaying and haunted Allendale Hall mansion in a remote English countryside.”

The legendary Guillermo del Toro’s vision of “Crimson Peak” as a gothic romance, stars Tom Huddleston, Jessica

Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam/ In producing the film, Mr. Del Toro was quoted saying “ I am a devoted fan of Universal Studios’ ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ and I am honored to partner with them to create a real-life version of ‘Crimson Peak’.”

A terror-filled series of unnerving scare zones will infiltrate “Halloween Horror Nights” designed to provoke an unrelenting sense of fear to terrorize guests as they navigate through the darkness from one terrifying maze to another.

Aboard the “terror tram” on the other hand, guests will be “transported and immersed at the mercy of affected vigi-lantes looking to annihilate people by the thousands.”

Finally, not to be missed is the amazing award-winning hip hop dance group, the Jabbawockeez, whose highly acclaimed Las Vegas show is internationally recog-nized. They will bring their “innovative choreography, synchronized style and sig-nature white masks in an electrifying new show” exclusively created for Universal

GDT-Murdy review Crimson Peak maze at HHN 2015.

Universal Studios Hollywood presents ‘Halloween Horror Nights’

Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights.”For those of you who want to experience

terror-filled fun on Halloween, log on to

Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights” website at: www.halloweenhorror-nights,com/hollywood. (Myrna Aquitania).

Application period runs through Feb. 1 for the Edison Scholars Program

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Oct. 1, 2015 — Edison International’s $1.2 million Edi-son Scholars Program, which helps high school seniors realize their dreams of attending college and pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), announces the start of its 2015-16 application period running today through Feb. 1.

Thirty high school students in Southern California Edison’s (SCE) service territory are each awarded a $40,000 scholarship paid over four years. Since 2006, Edison International, SCE’s parent company, has

awarded nearly $4 million in scholarships to more than 490 Edison Scholars.

“Our Edison Scholars Program helps low-income and underrepresented stu-dents pursue studies in science, tech-nology, engineering and mathematics,” said Tammy Tumbling, SCE’s director of Philanthropy and Community Investment. “Twenty-first century careers and profes-sional opportunities will be enhanced by young people with STEM expertise, so we strongly encourage high school seniors from SCE’s service area who qualify to apply for the Edison Scholarship.”

Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or above and either live in or attend public or private high schools in SCE’s service area. High school seniors must demon-

Edison offers $1.2-M scholarship program to HS seniorsstrate financial need and plan to be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, computer

engineering, industrial engineering, com-puter sciences/info system, environmental engineering or environmental sciences at a four-year college or university.


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SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith urges Californians to get the influenza (flu) vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

“Unlike some other infections, a person with influenza may be contagious and infect others before they have or show any symptoms,” said Dr. Smith. “Annual vaccination is the most reliable way to protect against infection and, therefore, stop transmission of influenza to others.”

Each year, flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitaliza-tions and thousands or sometimes tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. To reduce this threat, CDPH recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women.

Two of this season’s vaccine components, the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains, have been updated to match the viruses Californians are likely to face during the upcoming flu season.

Flu can cause severe disease across all ages. According to the California influ-enza surveillance report recently published, there were 78 influenza-associated deaths reported in persons under 65 years of age in California during the 2014-15 influenza season.

Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, Californians should also:– Stay home when sick– Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly dispose of the used tissue– Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand

sanitizer– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouthDr. Smith encourages Californians to contact their health care provider, physi-

cian office, clinic or pharmacy about obtaining the flu vaccine. Some local health departments may also offer low- or no-cost flu immunizations. For more information about the flu visit the CDPH influenza web page.To find a flu vaccine location near you, visit www.flu.gov.

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency recently settled with Arvin Community Services District (ACSD), located in Arvin, Calif., for arse-nic violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. ACSD has agreed to provide residents with alternative water until they are found to be in compliance and will pay a penalty of $14,750.

In October 2008, EPA issued an order requiring the system to meet the arsenic maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 parts per billion (ppb) no later than December 2010, and was granted an ex-tension to December 31, 2014. However, data from arsenic monitoring taken in 2014 showed that the system remained out of compliance with arsenic concentrations as high as 31 ppb.

ACSD recently installed three drink-ing water vending machines at its district office, located at 309 Campus Drive that will each provide 650 gallons per day of drinking water to customers. This service is currently available and was funded by the state of California. As part of the order, these vending machines will be available 24/7 at no direct cost to the public and shall be maintained to provide alternative water to ACSD customers until the system has returned to compliance with federal

drinking water standards.In addition, ACSD is required to com-

plete an Arsenic Mitigation Project which includes the drilling and completion of two new groundwater wells. If arsenic should be found above the MCL at the new wells, ACSD will be required to install arsenic treatment that will deliver drinking water to its customers below the arsenic MCL.

ACSD must also provide milestone updates to EPA for the mitigation project, provide EPA with quarterly progress re-ports and participate in quarterly meetings with EPA and the California State Water Resources Control Board on its progress towards compliance.

Arvin Community Services District serves an average of about 20,000 year-round residents daily through more than 3,700 connections located in the City of Arvin and surrounding Kern County. The system’s source of drinking water is groundwater from seven wells that serve single and multiple family residential units, commercial, and industrial customers.

Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and causes several adverse physiological effects. For more information on the Safe Drinking Water Act, please visit: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/index.cfm.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the launch of a national public education campaign to prevent and reduce tobacco use among multicultural youth who identify with the hip-hop peer crowd ‒ a group that is often hard to reach and frequently exposed to pro-tobacco images and messages. While multicultural teens identify with more than one group, the FDA is focusing on those in the hip-hop peer crowd because research estimates that they are more likely to use tobacco than other youth.

“Unfortunately, the health burdens of tobacco use disproportionately affect mi-nority teens – particularly African Ameri-can and Hispanic youth,” said Jonca Bull, M.D., the FDA’s Assistant Commissioner for Minority Health. “The ‘Fresh Empire’ campaign will help reach teens at a key point in their lives when experimenting with smoking can lead to addiction.”

The “Fresh Empire” campaign, which targets youth ages 12-17, works to associate living tobacco free with a hip-hop lifestyle

through a variety of interactive marketing strategies, including the use of traditional paid media, engagement through multiple digital platforms, and outreach at the local level. The ads, and particularly the local events, feature community influencers who reinforce that tobacco use is not a part of the hip-hop lifestyle.

The ads will air nationally for the first time in conjunction with the 2015 BET Hip-Hop Awards on October 13.

“We know from our research that re-maining in control is an important pillar of hip-hop culture. But smoking represents a loss of control, so tobacco use is actually in conflict with that priority,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “The ‘Fresh Empire’ campaign underscores that important mes-sage to hip-hop youth, empowering this at-risk peer crowd to live tobacco free.”

Fresh Empire’s messaging reflects hip-hop ideals such as being authentic, powerful, confident, fashionable, creative and trendsetting.

U.S. EPA orders kern county public water system to reduce arsenic in drinking water

FDA launches national public education campaign to prevent and reduce tobacco use among multicultural youth

Now is the time for a flu shot


OPINIONMANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) – Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary

Albert del Rosario lamented that no country is stopping China from its “expansionist” moves in the disputed South China Sea, as he warned of “chaos” and “anarchy” if Beijing will continue to ignore the rule of law.

“It is disconcerting that nobody is stopping them,” Del Rosario said in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, which was published on Oct. 5.

Del Rosario admitted that the Philippines tried to enlist the backing of other countries sympathetic to its cause, but the support “was not sufficient,” prompting Manila to resort to arbitration before a Nether-lands-based tribunal to try to declare China’s massive sea claim illegal and a violation of international law.

The court is expected to decide this month if it has jurisdiction on Manila’s case against China.

“If the rule of law is not adhered to, you will have chaos and anar-chy. It will be the rule of law versus the rule of the jungle. Effectively, you will have a region where might is right and where coercion is an acceptable dispute settlement mechanism,” he said.

Although the US, Manila’s key military ally, “has endeavored to strengthen its allies in the region to address common challenges,” its support is limited to training and equipment.

The Philippines, likewise, failed to get full backing from all mem-bers of the Association of South East Asian nations, of which it is a member, along with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“China exercises great influence in our region,” Del Rosario said.The South China Sea disputes has tested the unity of the more

than four-decade-old regional bloc. While some members like the Philippines and Singapore are aligned with the US and other Western countries calling for a rules-based and multilateral approach in solving the disputes, other members aligned to China like Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar toe Beijing’s line either by not openly backing a multilateral approach or opposing it outrightly.

The resource-rich waters, home to a chain of more than 100 islands, shoals, reefs and coral outcrops, are being claimed nearly in its entirety by China, saying its claim is indisputable and anchored on history. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also contesting ownership in part or in whole to the waters.

China’s aim in the South China Sea, Del Rosario believes, “is to fulfill their expansionist agenda.”

“They obviously have one [agenda],” he said. “It is both economic and military. It’s economic because there is now competition in the world for resources. It is military because they are trying to establish defense corridors. They want to be a maritime power but to be that, you need your own lake. We think they have selected the South China Sea as their lake.”

Tensions in the South China Sea, parts of which is referred to as West Philippine Sea by Manila, heightened anew and came to public attention after it was revealed that China has built artificial islands with buildings and at least two runways on seven formerly submerged reefs in the contested waters.

The Philippines and Vietnam—two of the most vocal claim-ants—also accused China of incursions, harassing its fishermen and sabotaging oil explorations in areas that they say are well within their maritime boundaries.

Del Rosario said China’s aggressive actions should be a concern to all nations.

China expansionist moves ‘disconcerting’: DFA

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) – Former Senator Joker Arroyo died on October 5 following an unsuc-cessful heart operation in the United States, former Senator Rene Saguisag confirmed.

Saguisag described Arroyo’s passing as a “shocker,” noting he did not know that Arroyo was brought to the US. He said they last communicated in January this year.

“Nabasa ko sa emails ko, hindi nag-succeed ‘yung heart operation... Medyo mahirap paniwalaan, napakalakas, young-looking. It was a shocker,” Saguisag said.

“As of now, basta ang alam natin dinala sa Estados Unidos at doon yumao [si Senator Joker Arroyo],” he added.

Saguisag said he last met with Arroyo last Jan-uary during the arrest of suspended Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, their mutual client, over alleged corruption.

“Nung arestuhin si Junjun... sinamahan ako ni Joker... In a matter of hours, nakinig si Koko Pimen-tel at si Sonny Trillanes,” Saguisag said of Binay’s eventual release.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is the chair-man of the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee that is investigating the alleged corruption involving the Binay family, with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as one of its members.

Arroyo first made his mark as a human rights lawyer who challenged before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of Proclamation 1081, which imposed Martial Law.

During the dictatorship, he also defended several political detainees in court, among them slain Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., former Senators Jovito Salonga, Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., and Eva Estrada-Kalaw, Eugenio Lopez Jr., Senator Sergio Osmeña III, and Jose Maria Sison.

He served as the counsel of Ninoy’s widow, Cory, during the 1986 snap elections.

With a new government following the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, Cory appointed him as executive secretary. He then went on to become chairman of the Philippine National Bank and executive director for the Philippines at the Asian Development Bank. Arroyo began serving in Congress as the representative of Makati in 1992, where he stayed for three terms.

As his tenure there came to an end, he became lead prosecutor in the impeachment trial of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

He was elected to the Senate in 2001 and served as chairman of several committees, including the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, until his last term ended in 2013.

At Congress, he was known to be one of its thriftiest members, maintaining this reputation for some 20 years.

At the Senate, his expenses paled in compari-son to those of his colleagues. Records from the Commission on Audit in 2010 showed that he spent P16.65 million then. Reports also said he did not collect his share of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). (MNS)

Joker Arroyo’s passing a ‘shocker’

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) – Amid the negative issues being linked to his name and family, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday maintained that he is lucky to be a Marcos.

“I’m thankful that I’m a Marcos. I congratulate myself for choosing my parents very well,” Bong-bong said during a news forum in Quezon City when asked if he thinks that being a Marcos is a burden.

He added that being a Marcos has given him an advantage.

“Ang bait ng taumbayan sa amin. I think overall, I grew up to a privileged childhood because I am a Marcos. I was able to go to go to a good school be-cause I’m a Marcos, I was able to enjoy the support of many people. It is all clear to me, it was a lucky thing to be born a Marcos,” he said.

Asked if he does not regret being under the shadow of his father, the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the senator said: “It is inevitable, he cast a very big shadow.”

“He was a product of another time and I am a product of another generation. There would be a

difference, what they are is not for me to judge,” he said.

Asked on the supposed crimes of his father, Bongbong said he will leave those matters to the historians to analyze and make judgment on.

“I’m a public servant. All I do is what people ask of their public servant, program, policies to improve their lives…actual solutions to the problems faced by Flipinos everyday,” he said.

On Monday night, Bongbong declared his bid for the vice presidency in the coming 2016 national elections. Bongbong said he will support Davao City Rodrigo Duterte in case the latter finally decides to seek the highest elective post in the country next year. Bongbong is from the Nacionalist Party, whose two other members - Sens. Antoniot Trillanes IV and Alan Peter Cayetano - have also declared their intention to seek the vice presidency in 2016.

A day after Bongbong declared his candidacy, however, human rights victims during the Marcos regime vowed to campaign against the younger Marcos’ candidacy.

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) – Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao said he will give his full focus on being a senator should he win in the 2016 elections.

Pacquiao said he will work harder should he win, recognizing the much bigger responsibilities that a senator handles.

“Kaya po ako natagalan magdesisyon is because of that. Kapag magdecide ako - although nag-decide na nga ako - ang inisip ko, kapag pumasok ako kailangan seryoso, walang absent, palaging papasok, dahil buong bansa ang responsibilidad mo,” the boxing champ said.

Pacquiao’s announcement of his senatorial bid did not sit well with some of his fans, who believe he is not capable of handling the tasks of a lawmaker. His frequent absences at the House of Representa-tives is not helping him defend his track record as a politician.

Pacquiao said despite his frequent absences, he never took his constituents for granted.

“Nagkakataon na may fight ako, so nasa training ako. Kailangan 3 buwan training ko, so hindi ako nakakapasok,” he said.

“Pagbalik ko may inaasikaso ako sa distrito, nag-aasikaso ng project. Kahit di pera ng gobyer-no, sarili nating pera ang mga project doon. I’m

sure ang Sarangani ang magpapatunay na marami tayong nagawa.”

Pacquiao said he is eyeing one more fight before the 2016 elections.

“I’m 37 years old. I’m not saying I’m retiring, siguro may fight pa isa before the election,” he said.

Pacquiao said the country needs a leader who is sincere.

“Ngayon ko nabuo ang desisyon na kailangan ako ng tao, ng sinserong lider na talagang ang pagtulong sa kapwa ay totoo,” he said.

Pacquiao is listed among the probable winners in both the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia pre-elections surveys.

In the SWS survey, Pacquiao was ranked 9th (30%), while in Pulse Asia, he landed in the 7th to 11th places (39.6%).

Pacquiao, however, said his good showing in the surveys was not his main consideration for running.

“Hindi ako nagbe-base sa survey. Ang akin ay yung from the bottom of my heart, gusto ko makat-ulong sa tao kaya ako tumakbo. Iyun ang goal ko,” he said.

The fighting congressman has yet to decide what party he will join in 2016, although he was seen at the launch of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.(MNS)

Bongbong: I’m lucky to be a Marcos

Pacquiao: No more absences if I win


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We’ll start with a basic refresher on credit and credit scores, and then delve into what goes into calculating a credit score.

The most prevalent third-party provider of credit score algorithms is the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). Fannie Mae and Fred-die Mac require the use of FICO scores on loans delivered/sold to them; the Federal Housing Administration also requires the use of FICO scores on loans it will insure. Different FICO algorithms exist, depend-ing on the type of credit requested and the lender’s preference. The majority of mortgage lenders use a FICO score-based algorithm.

FICO’s algorithm assigns credit scores in a range from 300 to 850. The higher the credit score, the better the consumer’s access to credit. Likewise, the lower the credit score, the worse the consumer’s access to credit.

Lenders use credit scores to measure a consumer’s likelihood of paying (or defaulting) on a mortgage loan, called creditworthiness. Other factors considered in a consumer’s creditworthiness include employment history and cash reserves. A consumer’s creditworthiness sets the bar for whether and how much a lender is willing to lend and at what rate.

Establishing a FICO scoreBefore a FICO score can be established,

a consumer must have:one reportable account at least six

months old; orone undisputed account which has been

reported to FICO in the last six months; andno report on record that the consumer

is deceased.

Under the classic FICO score algo-rithm, only traditional credit accounts are considered. Traditional credit accounts are accounts reported to the credit bureaus such as credit cards, bank accounts and loans. Cell phone accounts, utilities and rental payments are non-traditional credit accounts. Non-traditional credit accounts are not reported to the credit bureaus or considered in the classic FICO score algo-rithm. So, the classic FICO score calcula-tion does not reflect the positive impact of timely rental payments or utility payments.

However, when such bills are delin-quent, they may be reported to the bureaus by those creditors as delinquencies. If the accounts go into collection or become so delinquent a judgment is recorded against the consumer, they have an adverse effect on a consumer’s credit score.

Weighing credit historyThe classic FICO score is determined

based on the following approximate as-pects of a consumer’s credit behavior:

– 35% is based on payment history, including public records such as bankrupt-cies, judgments and liens and payment his-tory including delinquencies, how severe the delinquencies are, and how long ago they occurred;

– 30% is based on amounts owed, including the number of accounts with balances, and the – proportion of credit lines used or installment loan balances outstanding;

– 15% is based on length of credit his-tory, including time since an account was opened and time since there was activity on the account;

– 10% is based on new credit opened, including the number of recently opened accounts in proportion to the existing accounts, the number and timing of re-cent inquiries and the re-establishment of positive credit history following payment problems; and

– 10% is based on type of credit used, including the percentage difference in types of accounts, e.g. credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, mortgages, etc.

FICO provides the scoring formula in a “black box” (meaning the bureaus do not have access to the proprietary algorithm) to the three credit bureaus. The three bureaus in turn subject an individual’s credit history to the encoded formula which determines the credit score.

The bureaus then market and sell the resulting scores as a service to lenders (FICO receives a royalty each time a credit score is calculated).

Thus, scores vary across the three bu-reaus, depending on the debt information each has on file for an individual. Lenders buying the score then use this information to the extent they wish in their mortgage underwriting decisions. Typically, lenders pull credit scores from all three bureaus usually use the middle score to set the score they will consider for use in analyzing the individual seeking a loan.

Thanks for your inquiries and com-ments, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group, call Ken at 562-508-7048 or write to [email protected].

Understanding your credit score and how FICO is calculatedLenders rely heavily on credit scores to make their lending deci-

sions, be it on a mortgage, a credit card or a car loan. Most consumers know they have a credit score, and their general use, but few consider the nuts and bolts behind the score — that is, until they have applied for loan and been denied or received sub-opti-mal terms! Thus, understanding credit and credit scores is intrinsic to understanding loan products.

Washington, United States | AFP | Monday 12/29/2014 - Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton remains the woman most admired by Americans, followed by television icon Oprah Winfrey and Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, polling agency Gallup said Monday.

Clinton, a likely 2016 US presidential candidate, won the honor for the 13th year in a row, earning 12 percent of the votes.

Winfrey garnered eight percent, while five percent chose 17-year-old Yousafzai, who survived being shot by the Taliban and went on to win the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for promoting child education rights.

President Barack Obama was the most admired man, earning 19 percent of votes, followed by Pope Francis on six percent.

For the last seven decades Gallup has asked Americans who the men and women are that they admire most, anywhere in the world.

The question is open, a polling technique that appears to reward the long-standing fame of public figures such as Queen Elizabeth.

Hillary Clinton, who was been in the public eye since the early 1990s, has won the honor a total of 19 times since 1993.

Obama has been the most admired man for the past seven years. According to Gallup, the sitting US president almost always ranks first.

The poll was conducted between December 8 and 11 among 805 adults in the United States. Its margin of error is four percentage points.

Clinton, Oprah women most admired by Americans: poll


HEALTH & BEAUTY

Thursday October 8 2015 (Relaxnews) – An American study has found that stress in adolescent rats better prepares them for adulthood.

A rat exposed to stress during ado-lescence is better equipped for handling challenges of adult life, according to researchers from Penn State University.

A number of studies have focused on this subject and the consequences of stress related to poor environmental conditions or intimidation or abuse in children and teens. Results have shown that this kind of environment could be associated with behavioral changes as well as changes in the cognitive and physiological abilities of teenagers, however very few longitudinal studies exist on the subject.

To better study this phenomenon on an-

imal subjects, the researchers chose rats as they have a short lifespan, making it easier to identify long-term effects of stress.

The study consisted of exposing rats to different levels of frequent and erratic physical and social stress over a period of time equivalent to that of adolescence. The rats were placed in cages of reduced size, tilted or overcrowded. They were also socially isolated from each other and sub-ject to predatory sounds and smells. After five weeks, the researchers subjected the animals to a series of tests in both standard and high-stress conditions to identify the durable effects of stress and evaluate their capacity to resolve tasks.

When the rats were subjected to stress-ful conditions, the adult rats that had ex-perienced similar conditions during their

The researchers concluded that growing up in a stressful environment can better prepare rats for a stressful living environment. ©SVLuma/shutterstock.com

Does being exposed to stress during teen years prepare one for adult challenges?adolescence showed a tendency to forage for food sooner than other rats and visited 20% more food patches.

This group of subjects obtained 43% more food than rats that had not been previously exposed to stress. Exposed to standard, stress-free conditions, the same rats took their time to forage for food while their counterparts began searching for food sooner.

The results, published in the October edition of the journal Animal Behavior indicate that these animals solved problems and tackled obstacles more efficiently in stressful situations. They also presented no cognitive decline.

The research team outlined that un-

predictability was at the core of the experiment. “Unpredictable stress can have dramatic and lasting consequences, both for humans and free-living animals. Unpredictability is part of what can make stress so toxic. You don’t have control over your environment, you don’t have control over what’s going to happen next, you’re not able to predict it,” outlined Lauren Chaby. Although exposing the rats to stress during adolescence better prepared the rats for the unpredictable aspect of stress, there may still be a cost in the longer term, both for animals and humans, noted the researchers, who hope the results can help provide insights for approaches to studying adolescent stress in humans.


ENTERTAINMENTAiko Melendez’s friends are hoping she

doesn’t get brokenhearted again.She reportedly is seeing a new guy.

She’s quite fond of him, and even her family likes him.

His name is Mario Claudio and he is from Spain. He stays in Cebu, where he has a construction business.

It was four years ago when Aiko called it quits with a politician from Bulacan.

She didn’t deny to her friends that she was hurt deeply when she and the politico broke up. Aiko was first married to Jomari Yllana, who is the father of her son, An-drei, now 15 years old and studying at the Ateneo de Manila.

When her marriage to Jomari was annulled, she married Martin Jickain, the father of her daughter, Marthena.

Aiko is currently busy with two proj-ects, the series, “Story of Us,” with Kim Chui and Xian Lim, and the indie movie, “Balatkayo.” (MNS)

Zsa Zsa Padilla and her boyfriend, re-nowned architect Conrad Onglao, are still looking for a venue for their wedding next year, according to the singer’s daughter Karylle.

“Nakakatuwa kasi they are seeing where they want to get married ganyan,” Karylle said.

“The other day we had dinner and wala, I just feel, I’m really, really happy for the two of them.”

Asked if the wedding will be in Paris, Karylle said: “Nag-tour sila. Pero hindi na ako mag-a-announce sila na lang. Nagha-hanap sila kung saan ba talaga nila gusto.

... Basta ayaw ko na ako mag-a-announce. I will leave that to the bride and groom.”

In a previous interview, Onglao revealed that it has been his dream to re-marry and to hold a grand wedding in Florence, Italy.

Karylle said she finds Onglao consider-ate and thoughtful.

“He showed me the ring, kahit picture lang. And shini-share niya ‘yung mga preparations niya for the surprise,” Karylle said.

Karylle is the eldest daughter of Padilla, who has two other daughters, Nicole and Zia, with the late veteran comedian Dol-phy. (MNS)

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) -- Now that Coco Martin is turning 34 on his birthday on November 1, friends are urging him to find a girlfriend.

“Para next year, when you turn 35, ikakasal na kayo,” they goad him.

Coco himself agrees that he should start looking for a bride. He has invested his earnings well. Thus, he can afford to support a family.

As “King of Teleserye” on ABS-CBN, he is never without a project. He is currently playing the title role in “Ang Probinsyano,” a series which have been adapted from the film, “Ang Probinsyano” of Fernando Poe, Jr.

Coco plays a policeman in the series, a dream role for him as he has always dreamt of joining the force.

Playing his lola is no less than FPJ’s widow, Susan Roces, who volunteered for the role.

Maja Salvador and Bela Padilla are Coco’s leading ladies. (MNS)

MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) -- Five months after her wedding, Bossa Nova Queen Sitti launched her album “Singles Bossa Nova Trio.”

“Sobrang saya ko na makapaglabas kami ng bagong album this time, ‘yung compositions ko ang bida sa album na ito,” Sitti told members of the entertainment media during the CD launching.

The singer said her newest CD, with its carrier single “Ligaya,” is the last album she recorded before she tied the knot with Joey Ramirez last May 29.

Sitti admitted that there’s been lot of changes in her life after her wedding but stressed that she still has time for her music.

“I feel deeper, parang mas may kabuluhan lahat, may hugot lahat, mas masaya, mas panatag,” she said.

“What I love about my husband is he still pushes me to work, to sing. So kung mawawala man ako ng ilang linggo for his work ay nakakabawi naman sa singing ko....Whatever I do, he will support [me], [he’s] very supportive,” added Sitti.

Asked when she and her husband will have a baby, the singer said: “Kapag ib-inigay ni Lord, go!” (MNS)

Friends urge Coco Martin to find girlfriend

Coco Martin

After wedding, Sitti launches new album

Aiko finds new love

Aiko Melendez

Zsa Zsa, BF still looking for wedding venue


MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) -- Who knew a failed romance could lead to deeper friendship? Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado broke up in 2011 because of a small disagreement that escalated into a bigger fight. These days, they are enjoying each other’s company doing triathlons and shows here and abroad.

Both welcome their rekindled friend-ship made easy by the fact that they now know each other’s flaws.

“Siyempre matagal na din naman ’yun. Kumbaga marami kaming natutunan and alam na namin kung bakit nangyari ’yun,” Dennis said.

However, Jennylyn maintained that they have set limitations. “Kumbaga may mga bagay na alam na namin sa sarili namin na hanggang du’n lang. May mga bagay din na alam mong hindi mo na kailangan sabihin kasi nasa tamang edad na rin kayo,” she said.

Believing everything happens in God’s perfect time, Jennylyn said, “Hindi mo dapat pinipilit ang mga dapat mangyari eh.

Kailangan mo siyang intayin kasi darating yan sa tamang panahon. Katulad nu’ng sa amin (Dennis), nagkasalubong lang kami tapos nagbatian lang.”

For his part, Dennis simply let go of past heartaches happened and moved on. “Mahirap din kasi ’yung may dala kang mabigat sa pakiramdam na feeling mo kailangan tanggalin,” he said.

With each of them putting their focus on their child, Dennis noted, “Mag-a-asa-wa pa rin naman ako pero gusto ko ’yung nagawa ko na lahat. Gusto ko kasi na kahit ’di na ako magtrabaho eh, enough na ang lahat para sa family ko.”

Fortunately for him, his family has not put pressure on him to settle

down.“Na-experience na kasi nila ’yung apo

nila kaya walang pressure,” he said, refer-ring to his eight-year-old son with former girlfriend Carlene Aguilar.

Jennylyn, on the other hand, has set her priorities and believes marriage will come at the right time.

Following the success of “Heneral Luna”, actor Mon Confiado confirmed that he will once again take on the role of Emilio Aguinaldo in the next two movies of the film production outfit Artikulo Uno.

“In fact, trilogy itong gagawin ng Luna team ng Artikulo Uno. After nito ay Gre-gorio del Pilar. And after that, Manuel L. Quezon. At ang common denominator ng trilogy ay si Aguinaldo,” Confiado said.

“At sinabi ng aking direktor na si Jerr-old Tarog na ako ang mag-a-Aguinaldo sa lahat ng films na ito sa grupo nila, sa team na ito,” he added.

The actor said he is excited to be part of the two other historical films.

“Mas interesting ‘yon dahil ‘yung Gregorio alam natin na involved din si Aguinaldo diyan, mas war picture ito. ‘Yung Manuel L. Quezon, alam natin na medyo political. Alam natin na si Manuel L. Quezon ang naging kalaban ni Aguinal-do sa eleksyon at natalo si Aguinaldo, so interesting,” he said.

Confiado, who has been receiving praise for his performance as Aguinaldo in “Heneral Luna” starring John Arcilla, admitted that he is overwhelmed by the public’s support for the movie.

“Talagang overwhelmed at ako ay naging parte ng ‘Heneral Luna’... Parang binago niya ang way of promoting a film, kasi Facebook ang bumuhay sa promotion niya, at ibang klase rin ‘yung reception ng mga tao. Kaya talagang nakakagulat, hindi namin ini-expect na magiging blockbuster siya sa ganoong paraan,” he said.

He went on to note the different ways his character is perceived in the film.

“Siyempre ‘yung character ko as Emilio Aguinaldo, medyo controversial kaya nakakatuwa ‘yung reaction ng mga tao. Nag-ikot-ikot kami sa maraming, maram-ing sinehan. Paglabas, nagagalit sila sa akin pero nagpa-picture sila at pinupuri nila. So as an actor, achievement ‘yun na i-portray ko nang maganda ‘yung character ni Emilio Aguinaldo,” he said.

Aside from “Heneral Luna”, Confiado is also part of the indie film “Iisa,” which is an official entry to this year’s QCinema International Film Festival.

Directed by Chuck Gutierrez, “Iisa” also stars Perry Dizon, Angeli Bayani, Jess Mendoza, Mitch Valdez and Rio Locsin. (MNS)

Single and raising her seven-year-old son, she says her ideal future beau is some-one who understands her line of work.

“’Yung makakasundo ko at susupor-tahan ’yung mga ginagawa ko kasi mas

Jennylyn and Dennis are thankful for the positive response of the intriguing story of their teleserye “My Faithful

Husband.” The story hinges on a love triangle

involving Emman (Dennis), a devoted hus-band and doting father; Mel (Jennylyn), his loving and hardworkingn but ambitious wife; and Mel’s former boyfriend (Mikael Daez), who comes back into her life and makes her question her feelings. (MNS)

Actor Derrick Monasterio has made the transition from teen star to more mature ac-tor. With it comes a physical transformation that is nothing to scoff at.

The 20-year-old Kapuso heartthrob has been making heads turn with his chiseled physique, a result of persistent hard work. Derrick also modified his diet to achieve his form. “I avoided fatty foods, hindi ako nagle-lechon. Chicken lang na walang balat tsaka isda,” he shared.

The gambit has paid off. During his participation at the Cosmopolitan Car-nival – formerly the Cosmo Bachelor Bash – recently at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, Derrick’s appearance elicited loud screams from the women in the audience.

“Matagal po (akong nag-prepare), mga four months,” the young heartthrob said. “’Tsaka kung dati siguro once a week lang akong pumupunta sa gym, ngayon, ‘nung nalaman ko na kasali ako mga thrice a week na po siguro.”

Showing less skin than some model and celebrity participants that took the ramp, Derrick explained, “Hindi mo kailangang magpasilip para maging hot ka eh. Kahit nga naka-sando lang kaya ko silang tal-bugan eh.”

He added, “’Tsaka bata pa ako eh. Sig-uro next time ’yung ganun kapag medyo

veteran na ako sa showbiz. ’Yung mala-Jay Manalo na, (mala-)Tom Rodriguez.”

To add to Derrick’s roster of calo-rie-burning activities, he says he is also trying his hand at dancing.

“(Pero) kailangan pang pakuluan ’yung katawan ko, matigas pa eh,” he joked. “But for a change nga po sana, gusto kong sumayaw.”

Enjoying his stay in the business, Derrick attributes his ongoing success as much to his determination as to luck. “Kasi hindi ko naman talaga ine-expect ito. Nagulat din po ako kasi nag-bunga ’yung paghihirap ko.”

Derrick was taken off GMA’s “The Half Sisters” but, he clarifies, not because he has been a cause of delay in production.

“’Yung show po originally was for 10 months, ’yun lang dapat ’yung itatagal niya, eh na-extend po. Eh, ako naka-book

na po akong trip sa ibang bansa. Kapag nagpa-cancel ka ang mahal. So ’yun, they had to take me out; nothing personal naman,” he said.

The importance of the trip to him cannot be discounted. He plans to see his father, George Crimarco, a lawyer who is based in the States. “Madalang kami magkita. He’s busy kasi, madami kaso (hinahawakan),” he said.

“’Yung tatay ko ano eh, parang ang daming problema sa buhay. Hindi ngumun-giti. Pero andun naman ‘yung pagmamahal niya sa amin, nakita ko naman,” he added.

His said his dad has stopped supporting him and her sister when he joined show business. However, “When I asked for a graduation gift, binigyan ako ng $6,500.”

These days, Derrick is still seen on “Vampire Ang Daddy Ko” but he plans to lay low for awhile.

Dennis and Jennylyn: Moving forward

Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo.

Getting physical with Derrick Monasterio

Derrick Monasterio

Mon Confiado to portray Aguinaldo in 2 more films

Mon Confiado






on who among them owns the right to be called “the best” at “The Main Event 2 – Timeless is slated on October 23 at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Glendale at 100 Glenoaks Boulevard, Glendale 91202 starting at 8 p.m.

Obregon and Zuñiga have mellowed over the years since their first encounter at the then Rizal Theater in Makati de-lighting their audience kind of music and were joined in the stellar confrontation by Nanette Inventor, who refereed the first fight and the known boxing commentator, the late Joe Cantada, The crowd was left hanging as the “bout” ended with no clear winner except the fans who loyally rooted for their favorites.

Throwback to July of this year, a re-match at the 800-seating capacity Grand Ballroom of the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, a venue in Buena Park thought to be large enough to accommodate both fans of the protagonists, after a grueling two and a half hours skirmish, the remained unsettled.

Their followers and fans “cried for more blood and settle the score once and for all”.

Still fuming and with adrenaline pump-ing, Obregon and Zuñiga will face each other once again in a continuing duel for supremacy.

The Main Event 2 is expected to be more “entertaining” as the two musical gladiators battle it up backed up by years of experience in their fields.

Zuñiga , more mellowed and crispier in his style, will bank on his more than 20 years experience under his belt honed up by his gigs in the best night spots and concert venues in his native Philippines and in the U.S. and Asian countries.

Obregon, for his part, still pumped up by his love for his craft, promises a more mellowed performance buttressed by his spiritual orientation that has made him more appreciative of his God-given talent and which he now uses to glorify the Lord.

FACCOC Officers: Shown are the officers and members of the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization after the recent election – Andy Z. Edralin, Gloria A. Rull, (past president), Jaril Tudio, Current President Elena Lapid-Salonga, Natividado Maneja, Cristina Espiritu, Mariver Diaz, Roger Ledina, Edwin Baloloy (incoming president), and Edith Andres (past president).

Main Event 2” in Glendale: Nonoy Zuñiga and Julius Obregon and Nonoy Zuñiga will try to settle “who’s best” in their second rematch at “The Main Event 2 (Timeless) at the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Glendale on October 23.in a musical rivalry to determine who reigns supreme in the music genre. Joseph Gelito (at center) will referee the fight for the second time.

God’s Grace Christian Church Milestone: The spiritual home of Filipino American Christian community in Bellflower celebrated its 19th year of faithfulness and service to the Lord last September 27. The local church looks forward to a greater height of service as it enters its second decade.

Obregon vs. Zuñiga Main Event 2 Promises ‘More Sparks’Musical icons, Master Bal-

ladeer Julius Obregon and No-noy Zuñiga ” will try to settle

Los Angeles, Oct. 5, 2015 – A unique collection of personal essays titled Portal (Gateway to Adventure) will be launched on October 11, 2015, Sunday at 3 in the afternoon at the posh Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, California.

Forty-three stories by forty-three women who are all graduates of St. Theresa’s College, an exclusive girls’ school in the Philippines, once run by Belgian nuns, are contributors to this epic anthology. The stories of the 380-page tome carry one theme – a place, city or country that serves as a portal or gateway that triggers memo-ries of events, epiphanies or victories. Some writers wrote of adventures of love, reconciliation, spiritual rebirth, forgiveness, achievements - even of mountains and birds.

Half of the Portal writers reside in Manila, while the other half come from all parts of the USA, even Aus-tralia and Canada. One contributor is a nun, also a Theresian, but now based in Taiwan. There are 25 graduating batches from three branches of St. Theresa’s Col-lege – Manila, Quezon City and Cebu City - that are represented in Portal.

A cross-section of the writers’ ca-reers reveals the Theresian spirit to serve. Some writers are former judges, lawyers, doctors, nurses, government appointees, religious ministers and ser-vant-leaders. Some continue to be writers, counselors, athletes and entrepreneurs.

Portal (Gateway to Adventure) was col-lected and edited by Marily Orosa, a writer of creative non-fiction and founder and president of Studio 5 Designs, a pioneer in the field of graphic design in Manila.

Apart from Portal, she has pub-lished many award-winning coffee table books and corporate collaterals for a sterling list of clients. Orosa is also an alumna of St. Theresa’s College. The book will be launched in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto and Manila in 2015 and in other key cities in 2016.

43 stories by 43 women by former Theresians

SACRAMENTO – AB 573, legislation authored by Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside) and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), was vetoed by the Governor today. This bill would have provided critical financial aid relief to California students who were harmed by the abrupt closure and questionable practices of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., more commonly known as Heald, Everest, and Wyotech.

“I am extremely disappointed by the Governor’s decision to let down thousands of California students,” said Medina, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. “These students, through no fault of their own, are still left with insur-mountable debt and unfulfilled dreams of attaining a career. The students harmed by Corinthian deserve a second chance at a college education and I plan to revisit this issue next year. We simply cannot turn our backs on these students.”

AB 573 received unanimous bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate. The legislation would have provided assistance to former California Corinthian students seeking to discharge their federal and private loans, as well as restore up to two years of Cal Grant and California National Guard Education Assistance Award eligibility.

California had 13,000 students enrolled in Corinthian institutions at the time of closure. The federal student loan debt of these California students could exceed $300 million. This bill would have provided $1.3 million in legal assistance grants to help students navigate the loan forgiveness and tuition recovery process.

Assemblymember Medina proudly represents California’s 61st Assembly District, which consists of Riverside, Moreno Valley, and Perris.

Brown vetoes bill ‘designed’ to help students whose schools suddenly shuts down

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AROUNDBy: Rey Andres

TOWNthe score that brewed for three decades

His music reaches out to his audience in a more profound way to communicate his message.

The Evangelist/Pastor whose singing style have been influenced by the likes of musical heavyweights like Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennette and Matt Monroe promises a surprise delightful repertoire for the weekend crowd who for years have remembered his renditions of “The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”, “How Can I Tell Her”, “Song Lucky”, and other favorites.

Zuñiga , on the other hand, also prom-ises an unforgettable evening of music and fun with his own inimitable singing style which will take his fans to travel down memory lane with classics in the like of “Kumusta Ka?”, “Doon Lang”, and “Love Without Time”.

Main Event 2 in the U.S. will have a multi-talented performer Joseph Gelito referee the musical skirmish. Gelito also refereed the first encounter of the musical giants in the first edition of the Event in Buena Park.

The musical extravaganza will also feature Tanya Varona and Audrey Villaluz.

8two8 Productions, LLC and Only Son Productions, LLC are producing the show.

For tickets, please call Randy Laguerd-er: (562) 397-3372, and Naty Almanza (562) 226-6769 or visit their website at www.universe.com/themainevent2.

21st Annual Gala for Fil-Am Chamber Filipino American Chamber of Com-

merce of Orange County will hold its 21st Annual Awards Gala on October 17 at the Wyndham Anaheim Resort in Garden Grove, an occasion which will also install in office its new set of officers.

The annual event which this year will bring its guests to a casino experience with “Monte Carlo Night” setting complete with casino games which will also include dinner, special performances and presen-tation of awards to outstanding Filipino American entrepreneurs in three categories - Start Company of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and the Maharlika Award for outstanding contribution to the Filipino community.


By: Atty. Lawrence YangBANKRUPTCY

Attention all Alhambra residents – Free Oil Filter & Motor Oil Recycling Event! Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new Oil Filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. So don’t miss out – we’re making it easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.

Saturday, October 24, 2015; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; AutoZone; 1100 W. Commonwealth Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803,

Filter, motor oil recycling in Alhambra Oct. 24

Client 1: Garment FactoryClient presents himself as a businessperson, who has been in the

garment business since 2002. He has a factory with ten employees where he pays his sewers a little over the minimum wage. When business was good, his factory was humming along. Orders for his

Business owners seek bankruptcy relief

garments were pouring in. He never did have enough capital to operate his business so at first he relied on credit cards. When that was not enough, he was able to get several small business loans from com-mercial banks. When that was not enough, he got a hard money high interest loan of $200K. Unfortunately, he also personally guaranteed each and every loan that the company got. Lately, the business has not been able to pay the debts on time, and he’s been getting a lot of collection letters and phone calls. Several letters threatened lawsuits.

I asked him if the business was still profitable. He said no. It’s been losing 4 to 5K a month. He said just to continue operating and meet payroll, he had to get a HELOC against his residence for $80K last month. It looks like his back is against the wall. To make matters worse, two material suppliers have filed lawsuits abroad against him and the business to collect $60K each of invoices that have not been paid for six months. I then proposed a Chapter 11 only if he thought that the business could later on turn a profit if reorganized. He said he didn’t want to do the business anymore and wanted a peaceful life now that he was 65. He wanted to close the business.

The problem of course is that he had personally guaranteed all the debts of the business. This means that pretty soon, all of the creditors of the business will be suing him to collect on his personal guaranty.

We added up the business debts that he guaranteed and came out with a total of $500K! Client was personally on the hook for half a million for the debts of business.

After analyzing his financials and as-sets, fortunately for client, I told him that he could do a Chapter 7 to wipe out the $500K without any risk of losing his house and all of his personal assets. Since he was 65, his homestead exemption is $175K. With the $80K HELOC he got last month, his equity in the house was $150K, which is well within the exemption amount. But he can’t get rid of the $80K of HELOC since that’s a voluntary mortgage on his house.

He asked if he could go into business again after the bankruptcy? I said “Yes, certainly.” He would be debt free once the discharge is entered, and his credit score will increase every year.Client 2: Coffee Shop

Client presents himself as a relatively new businessperson. He bought a retail outlet in a mall serving “Boba drinks” and other desserts. He started only two years ago. He got a 2nd mortgage from his house of $40K to buy the improvements and equipment from the previous owner. He also signed a new lease with landlord for 5 years at $3K a month. Unfortunately, gross receipts were just a little over $3K a month. Therefore, buying the business was

as part of President Obama’s Executive Actions on immigration. In July 2015, the White House issued a report entitled “Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st Century,” which reiterated the President’s desire to implement a parole program for Filipino WWII Veterans. The report recognizes the “ultimate sacrifice” of the approximately 260,000 Filipinos who were “soldiers in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East and as guerilla fighters during the Imperial Japanese occupation of the Philippines.”

It is estimated that approximately 26,000 Filipino soldiers were eventually granted US citizenship. Because the struggle for US citizenship took so long, though, many Filipino WWII Veterans who relocated to the US were faced with the hardship of being separated from their children. As US citizens, Filipino WWII Veterans are able to file visa petitions for their children. However, children who are over age 21 are left behind waiting several years to obtain their visa and be reunited with their parent. For those who are single, the wait is about 14 years. Children who are married are subjected to an even longer wait of about 22 years.

The report states that there are “approxi-mately 6,000 Filipino American World War II Veterans still alive in the United States today, many of whom require the care and assistance of their families and greatly desire to have their family members in the United States during their final days.” To

Filipino WWII Veterans: Family Reunification on the horizonOn October 2, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security

(DHS) formally announced the upcoming implementation of a parole program that will help reunite certain family members of Filipino WWII Veterans. Given the great sacrifices that Filipino WWII Veterans have endured, the program is significant in as-sisting them and their families deal with the hardships that separation from loved ones causes.

The parole program was first mentioned in November 2014

accomplish this, the DHS is now actively in the process of implementing the parole program.

The program will allow certain family members, such as the children of these Veterans, to expeditiously obtain a tempo-rary visa known as parole so that they can “provide support and care to their Filipino veteran family members who are U.S. citizens or LPRs.” Similar reunification programs have been implemented in the past, such as the Cuban Family Reunifica-tion Parole Program and Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program.

The DHS is now putting together the application requirements and process. It will announce the implementation of the parole program one it has been finalized. Applications can only be filed at that time.

The parole program is a significant recognition by the US government of the great contributions that Filipino WWII Veterans and their families have provided. Although this benefit is long overdue, the nearing implementation of the program is greatly heralded so that the Filipino WWII Veterans can finally be together with their loved ones once again.

For further information, please sched-ule an appointment with an attorney at Aquino & Loew, Certified Immigration Law Specialists; (888) 797-1140 or (626) 799-3089; [email protected]. Please also visit Aquino & Loew at www.aquinoloew.com, watch us on Kababayan Today every 1st Tuesday, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and read about

a very bad decision. To continue operating for 2 years, he borrowed $80K of credit card debt.

He hasn’t paid the rent for two months and has just received a letter from the land-lord saying that if he does not update the rent by Oct. 30, landlord will file a lawsuit for eviction and demand the entire balance of the rent of $108K. He asks if landlord can do this? Of course he can. Since client breached the contract, landlord can acceler-ate the rent for the next 3 years and demand payment of the entire balance of $108K! So, with the lease balance of $108K, plus credit card debt of $80K, client needs to wipe out $188K of unsecured debt to get his fresh start in life without accumulated debt.

He decides that Chapter 7 will provide him the relief from the consequences of a bad business decision. I assured him that it was the right thing to do. After all, Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy when his first business venture failed. So, I said, you’re in good company because Disney is so successful now worldwide and does billions of $ of business yearly de-spite the fact that Mr. Disney also filed for Chapter 7 relief at the start of his business career. It gave him the fresh start that he needed and it will give client the fresh start without accumulated debt that he needs.

Client 3: Health Care FacilityClient presents herself as the owner-op-

erator of 3 health care facilities with 12 employees. The make a long story short, the business has been losing patients. In addition, Medicare demands a reimburse-ment for overpayment of $150K. She’s also borrowed last resort high interest loans for $100K for payroll, and has been

looking for investors for new money to continue operating. I suggested a Chapter 11 reorganization because the facilities had equity of about $300K altogether and they do have some interested investors who have the funds to put in but need a little more time and convincing. Chapter 11 is the ideal solution.

Even if you don’t have a business, you may have racked up credit card and other debt over the years. If you’re stuck in the minimum monthly payment mode, you will never pay them off. So, now is the time to seriously consider a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 to give you a fresh start without accu-mulated debt. You owe it to yourself and your family to put yourself in firm financial footing now for future prosperity by getting rid of accumulated debt now. Call my office for an appointment and I will interview you personally.

“BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE AFRAID OR TERRIFIED BECAUSE OF THEM, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD GOES WITH YOU; HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FOR-SAKE YOU.” DEUTERONOMY 31:6

Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in Law practice for thirty years. He specializes in Bankruptcy, Business and Civil Litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave, MAILSTOP 58, Building A-1 SUITE 1125, Alhambra, CA 91803 OR at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789.

us on Yelp. Aquino & Loew also handles family law and criminal matters. Provid-ing Personalized Service Nationwide & Abroad Since 1996.


COMMUNITYBy DAN NINO

Cerritos, Calif. – Seventy years after the liberation of the Philippines which started in Palo, Tacloban, Leyte from the Japanese occupation, one of the liberators who participated in the battle of the Phil-ippine Sea and later waded towards the shore with Pacific Supreme Commander Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur, then 21-years-old Kenneth L. Jahnke is still alive and kicking and enjoying the twilight of his life with the Happy Seniors of Cerritos Association.

Commander Jahnke, who will turn 92 on March 11 next year, was awarded a plaque of recognition by the Happy Seniors of Cerritos composed mostly of Filipino-Americans on Oct. 1 at the Pat Nixon Senior Center in this city. The plaque reads, “Plaque of Recognition is presented to Kenneth L. Jahnke in honor and recognition of his dedicated service to the U.S. Military under the command of Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur who landed in Palo, Leyte, Philippines on Oct. 20, 2044 during the World War 11. Thus, liberating the Philippines under the Japanese occu-pation. This, therefore led to the granting of Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946 by the United States of America.”

The plaque was signed by the Honor-ary Commodore of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary Felix B. Lopez, Major Jose Armin Reyes, a U.S. Army veteran who is also the president of Southern California Philippine U.S. Veterans Asso-ciation, Dr. Carlos P. Manlapaz, founding president of Ilocano National Association of America and Rev. Eduardo Nalundasan

Yu, president of Happy Seniors of Cerri-tos Association.

Mr. Jahnke now married to a Filipina physician after he was widowed, started his military career in the U.S. Navy on March 11, 1941 at age 17. After basic training at the Navy Training Station in San Diego, California, he was sent to Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and became a crew member of USS Oklahoma in September 1941. He fondly recalled with a boyish laughter, “My entry level salary then was only $19 a month. Thereafter, it was increased to $21 a month when I served in Pearl Harbor.”

On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Army attacked the fleet of ships in Pearl Harbor which caused a great deal of dam-age including his ship USS Oklahoma. Three battleships were sunk. After the attack, the injured six-footer young lad was airlifted to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Long Beach for further medical treatment from shrapnel injuries.

His arms and legs were almost am-putated. After he was discharged from the hospital, Mr. Jahnke enrolled at the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey Army Base in San Francisco, CA. While studying there, Jahnke learned Tagalog and Visayan languages before going on to Officer Candidates School. After three months, he became a naval officer.

After serving on various ships during the war years, he was assigned to serve under Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur until 1946 making good use of his Philippine language skills. The U.S. forces occupied

Pictured are officers and members of Happy Seniors of Cerritos Association led by its President Eduardo Nalundasan Yu who conferred on retired U.S. Naval Commander Kenneth L. Jahnke (middle standing in coat) his Plaque of Appreciation as part of the liberating forces that waded ashore with Pacific Allied Supreme Commander Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur in Palo, Leyte, Philippines on Oct. 20, 1944. Photo: Dan E. Nino

Gen. Mac Arthur’s aide received recognition from Filipino seniors

the Philippine Islands until 1945 where the esteemed five-star general and liber-ator made his famous speech, “People of the Philippines, I have returned.”

In retrospect, the retired naval com-mander who is still sprightly and regularly attends dancing parties with his Filipina wife Dr. Carmen Santamaria said, “It was an honor to be with the commander of the Allied forces on that historic day on Leyte Beach.” He waded on the shore on the left side of Gen. Mac Arthur with such Philippine government luminaries like Gen. Carlos P. Romulo and the late President Sergio Osmena. He recalled that he got sick of malaria while in the Philippines.

After the war, Mr. Jahnke also served in police action duties in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as full commander in 1965 with a rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade, one step above ensign or equiva-lent to Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.

When asked what does he attribute for his longevity, his quick retort was, “I’m married to a beautiful and lovely Filipina lady physician and I do plenty of dancing with six senior associations based in Cer-ritos, Anaheim, Westminster, Buena Park,

Fullerton and Garden Grove.” He added spiritedly, “You keep young

that way.” Other officers of Happy Seniors of

Cerritos Association where the honoree is closely associated with include Adoracion Magajes, vice president; Perlita Ramis, executive secretary; Emma B. Chuping-hong, treasurer; Augusto Valino, auditor; Lou Trerotola and Estefania Wiegman, PROs; Margie Arellano and Nehrie Poda-ny, Affair Coordinators; Tomasa Sagubo and Carlos Caranza, Sgt.-at-Arms;

The Board of Directors are Emelita Segales (chairperson); Gloria Magadia (vice chairperson); Chit Yokohama (sec-retary); Dan Barrera, Cristina Samonte, Lili Mayor, Luzon Arbizo, Ben Velasquez and Eduardo Nalundasan Yu with Minda Pleta and Linda Bautista as advisors.

The Happy Seniors of Cerritos As-sociation meets every first and third Thursdays of every month for dancing and fellowship with a live band.

On his dutiful service and involve-ment with the Filipino community both overseas and back home, Jahnke said, “I really love the Filipino people. They are great people.”

Lakewood, CA – The La Union Asso-ciation of Southern California is celebrat-ing its 51st year and Golden Anniversary with a dinner-dance on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at the Lakewood Country Club in this city.

City of Walnut Councilmember and four-time Mayor Antonio “Tony” Carta-gena, it the guest speaker.

Founded on May 31, 1964 in Los Angeles, the La Union Association of Southern California, formerly La Union Association of Los Angeles, is an orga-nization of immigrants from the province of La Union, Philippines, who now live in Southern California. It is one of the oldest Filipino-American organizations in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Founder and first president was the late Sisenando “Sammy” T. Delmendo, World War II U. S. Army veteran and Los Angeles civic leader.

The co-founders were: Johnny Fan-gon, Felix Soriano, Glicerio “Glen” Rilloraza, Faustino Marquez, Florence Flores, Jovita Soriano, Elisa Mangrobang, Bonifacio Florendo, and others.

The association was formed to help defray the burial expenses of a new immi-grant-provincemate, whose family stayed behind in La Union. It was born amid an

upwelling of hope that the better nature of man would prevail.

The association has grown and is still growing. It has come a long way, ever since the founders “passed the hat” around. It has had the services of ten presidents, some of whom have occupied the office at different intervals.

It has held five beauty contests, the candidates of which trace their roots to the Province of La Union.

The current officers are: Paterno B. Aspiras, president; Christie A. Garcia and Arturo J. Villanueva vice presidents; Concha M. Aspiras, secretary; Gloria S. Harris, treasurer; Francisco C. Villanueva, auditor; Alexander Basallo and Philip Dumbrique, peace officers, and Rosalinda B. Ancheta, public relations officer.

Members of the Board of Directors are: Zoilo Ancheta, Julie L. C. Dumbriqque, Rodolfo Garcia, Revelina Licudine, Ra-mon Pulido, and Fred Rivera, Sr.

Preparations for the celebration are now in full swing. Dinner-dance tickets sell at $40 each (if paid by Oct.15), $45 each (if paid by July 1). For reservations/more details, please call up Arturo Villan-ueva at (310) 850-2788 or Christie Garcia at (3100 257-0057. DJ Jun to provide the music.

La Union Association of Southern California celebrates 51st year and Golden Anniversary


FOOD & DINING

Wagyu beef wrapped onigiri uses delicious Mochi Mugi barley for a quick and easy meal.

Hakubaku’s Mochi Mugi is the number one barley brand in Japan*. It pairs well with many kinds of food, and one easy way you can enjoy it is by simply adding it to rice before cooking. Did you know that barley contains four times as much fiber as brown rice**?

That is twenty-five times more than white rice! Barley also contains both insol-uble and soluble fiber, which work together to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and help improve your overall health. Hakubaku’s Mochi Mugi is a wonderful complement to Wagyu beef, as you will see in the recipe provided.

Try Wagyu beef wrapped onigiri using delicious Mochi Mugi barley for a quick and easy meal!

Wagyu Beef Wrapped OnigiriIngredients3 cups rice1 packet Hakubaku Mochi Mugi

4 servings of thinly sliced wagyu beef for sukiyaki

Choice of seasonings (salt, pepper, and/or soy sauce)

1 pk shiso leaf for garnish (optional)Recipe1. Prepare rice according to package.2. Before setting rice to cook, add one

packet of Mochi Mugi and an additional ½ cup of water. Let cook and mix well.

*Note: Be sure to add an additional ½ cup of water for every packet of Mochi Mugi used.

3. Roll the rice mixture into bite-sized rice balls.

4. Wrap each rice ball with thinly sliced Wagyu beef. Depending on the size of the rice ball, you may use one or two pieces of beef.

5. Pan fry the wrapped rice balls until the beef turns brown.

6. Season the rice balls with your choice

Wagyu Beef Wrapped Onigiri

of salt, pepper, and/or soy sauce.7. Place each rice ball on a shiso leaf

and serve!

* Source: Intage, Inc. - SRI Data 2015** Japanese Food Composition Data-

base 2010

Sunday September 27 2015 (Hong Kong-AFP) – From Champagne shaved ice to bamboo charcoal-flavored ice cream, desserts in East Asia are coming into their own as ever-more inventive chefs look to satisfy the region’s increasingly adventur-ous diners.

While Michelin-starred restaurants have long served the foodies of Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong, recent years have seen a boom in high-end eateries offering nothing but puddings.

Add the ability to share snaps of dessert delights on social media, and you have a recipe for sugared success.

“Hong Kong people like beautiful things and uploading photos of beautiful

things to social media,” says Bong Kwok, owner of so-called “dessertaurant” ATUM which opened last year. “Desserts can be very refined, which encourages people to share them online.” Small, family-run cafes selling only traditional desserts like black sesame seed soup have been popular in the one-time British colony for decades.

Where in many Western cities, diners might stay in one restaurant all evening, Hong Kong’s specialized venues and com-pact layout encourage customers to move around for their meals, says Kwok.

“It might be a luxury but people are willing to pay a little bit for enjoyment” and to relieve the pressure of living in Hong Kong’s hot house environment, says

the chef – whose popular bamboo charcoal ice cream with raspberry sorbet and dark chocolate chips sells for a cool HK$130 (US$17).

Sitting up at a bar table overlooking the open kitchen, Matthew Ip and girlfriend Sophie have skipped their main course and come straight for ATUM’s “Improvisation” dessert for two – HK$348 – to celebrate her birthday.

In front of them, a chef covers the table with a black mat and, after a short conversation about their prefered flavours, decorates the surface with sweets, sauces and sherbert –

before pouring unfrozen ice cream into a bowl of misty liquid nitrogen, where it

solidifies in seconds.- Dynamic food culture -“We’re flexible, we have a dynamic

food culture,” says marketing-worker Ip, 30, after photographing his meal from various angles and handing his phone to the chef so he and his girlfriend can pose with their pudding.

“You can have dim sum at midnight and ramen in the morning, if you want. In the West I think there’s more a fixed perception of what you eat and when.

“Dessert’s not normally included in a meal -- it might be at the end of a big feast but it’s not an everyday thing -- so it’s not so strange to come out and have only dessert.”

Just desserts: The rise of East Asia’s pudding places


MOTORINGTu e s d a y

O c t o b e r 6 2015 (Relax-news) – One of the quick-est, most fe-rocious and surprisingly practical and f o r g i v i n g s p o r t s c a r s ever built is racing towards the automotive exit.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is no more. Once 1600 specially built and indi-vidually numbered models have found a home in the US, the company is officially pulling the production plug, globally.

The Lancer Evolution Final Edition will be available in a white, red, blue or grey exterior paint finish and will get a host of not-so-subtle extra details such as a black painted aluminum roof, dark chrome wheels, and black accented bumper and air scoop.

But over its 10 generations, a complete lack of subtlety has always been the car’s raison d’être and the reason why petrol heads in Europe and Japan and gearheads in North America love it so. With its huge rear wing, massive side skirts and vents, this is a car that has the performance to match its outrageous looks; that outguns most European sportscars in a straight line; that can comfortably complete a rally stage thanks to cutting-edge four-wheel drive and stability control systems; and then complete a trip to the closest supermarket.

Alongside the Subaru, the Evo became known as one of the fastest cars in the real world – taking potholes, speed bumps and

hairpins without as much as a twitch of the steering wheel.

Under the hood the Final Edition gets a 2-liter four-cylinder engine but it’s one that’s been sufficiently turbocharged and intercooled to deliver 303hp and, if you’re handy with wrenches and management systems, that output’s simply the start. The latest special edition on sale in the UK and Japan (already sold out) offers over 400hp from the same powerplant.

Keeping things under control, the spe-cial edition model also comes with two-piece Brembo brake rotors and Bilstein shock absorbers all around.

The interior carries a prominently placed plaque with the car’s model number alongside other extras such as red-stitched sports seats, and black headliner and sun visors. “With its incredible combination of power, agility and Super All-Wheel Control, the Lancer Evolution is one of the most well-known sports sedans and is revered by ‘gearheads’ around the globe,” said MMNA executive vice president, Don Swearingen. “The Final Edition model pays homage to Evo’s remarkable place in automotive history and takes it one step further as the most powerful mass-produc-tion Lancer Evolution ever built.”

The 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Final Edition. Just 1600 models are being produced. ©Mitsubishi

Bidding a fast and furious farewell to the Mitsubishi Evo

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct 6, 2015 – Af-ter a major refresh for 2015 that brought a new powertrain, significantly enhanced exterior and interior styling and a long list of new standard and available features, the 2016 Honda CR-V returns with a new Special Edition (SE) trim and a lineup with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $23,595.1

The new Special Edition CR-V is positioned above the LX trim by adding larger 17-inch alloy wheels with an exclu-sive two tone finish, second-row and rear

privacy glass, and security system. With only an $800 premium over the LX, the SE represents a high-value proposition for the premium look and additional feature content.

In addition to the highly prestigious Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year hon-or, the refreshed 2015 CR-V garnered nu-merous industry accolades. These include:

2015 ALG Residual Value Award: Best Compact Utility

2015 Kelly Blue Book Best Buy: Small SUV/Crossover

Americas best selling SUV continues market leadership with introduction of new Special Edition 2016 Honda CR-V

Kelly Blue Book 2015 Top 10 Best Resale Value award

U.S. News & World Report, 2015 Best Cars for Families, compact sport utility vehicle award

Cars.com/USA Today/”Motorweek” 2015 Compact SUV Challenge winner

Parents magazine and Edmunds.com 10 Best Family Cars for 2015, best crossover

AutoPacific 2015 Vehicle Satisfaction Award

The CR-V is a perennial favorite of American car buyers and at nearly 3.5 million units sold since its introduction in 1997, it is the segment’s best-selling model of all time2.

In fact, CR-V is the best-selling SUV over the past two decades3. Since its in-troduction in October 2014 the refreshed 2015 CR-V has been on a record breaking sales run with nine of the last 12 months being best individual sales months for the model and August ranking as CR-V’s all-time best month with sales of almost 35,000 units.

The 2015 model also contributed to the best ever annual sales of over 335,000 CR-Vs sold in 2014.

With year-to-date sales through Sep-tember 2015 far surpassing the same period a year ago, CR-V is poised to set another all-time annual sales record and is on its way to six straight years of sales growth and four straight years of record-setting annual sales. Moreover, CR-V is the best-selling SUV in America to millennial buyers4.

The new Special Edition (SE) trim is positioned between the LX and the EX and is available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) versions. Together with the top-of-the-line Touring version introduced last year that includes the Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies, CR-V is now available in 12 trim/wheel drive versions.

Colin Hemphill, Sales Manager, Eugene Castro, Ben Miranda and Marcial Tagao of Cerritos Mitsubishi. Call them now at 1-888-835-6136.


$3,650 due at signing


In the late 1930’s busi-nessman/entrepreneur B. Y. Lam (the father of current DCH Chairman, Shau-wai Lam), established a trading company in Shanghai which rapidly expanded in Hong Kong naming it the Dan Chong Hong (DCH) Limited company. Eighteen years lat-er, in 1948, Mr. Lam opened their American subsidiary DCH (USA) in New York City. This particular branch specialized in commodity trading and importation of food and clothing.

However, after almost 29 years in the import food/clothing and commodity trading market, the Lam fam-ily decided to shift their business focus on the automotive dealership market. Subsequently, in 1992, the Lam family partnered with the Wing On Group of Hong Kong and jointly, they acquired the American subsidiary, DCH (USA), right after its Hong Kong parent was sold to another company.

Through its tenacity, the DCH Group

now has 27 new car and used car dealer-ships in New York, New Jersey and Cal-ifornia, where they specialize in offering and marketing “distinguished” automo-bile brands such as: Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Kia, Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Scion and Toyota.

Currently, the DCH Auto Group is the largest automotive group in New Jersey and is among the top ten auto groups in the U.S. today, in terms of new vehicle retail sales. They have also received numerous awards inside and outside the auto industry

for exceptional sales and service, as well as for contributions to business and the community.

Their dealership covers the heavi-ly-populated Filipino areas of Southbay such as: Carson, Wilmington, Lomita, Lawndale, Hawthorne and Long Beach.

At DCH Toyota of Torrance, they offer new and certified pre-owned Toyota and Scion vehicles, as well as other cars such as Mercedes Benz, BMW, Ford, Nissan and Honda, all of brands of which are the

top choices for the Filipino-American mar-ket. The dealership in Torrance is headed by a seasoned General Manager Chris Hunter, who has quite a lengthy career in the automotive business, and an equally knowledgeable professional Filipino Sales Director in the person Loyd Aler. And to serve the huge Filipino-American population in and around Southbay Lloyd employs the expertise and support of four kababayans, Sales and Leasing Consul-tants Philip Rivera, Edgar Relova and JP

Jun Royo and Family with his newly-bought pre-owned Chevy Van with the help of Loyd Aler of DCH Toyota of Torrance.

Loyd Aler with Nile Villanueva, Sales Manager of DCH Toyota of Torrance. Nile is the new addition to dealership’s Filipino Department. Call them at toll free at 888-311-0102.

Panganiban with the new addition Sales Manager Nile Villanueva.

Both Chris Hunter and Loyd aim to introduce not only DCH Toyota of Tor-rance’s topnotched vehicles but also their sales staff’s outstanding and friendly customer service.

DCH Toyota of Torrance is located at: 2909 Pacific Coast Highway, Torrance, CA. 90505; Tel. No: 888-311-0102.

DCH Auto Group rises to prominence and expansion

Monday October 5 2015 (Relaxnews) – A major focus for Nissan at this year’s Tokyo motor show (October 29-November 8) will be communicating with a genera-tion of consumers that has always lived in a world dominated by the worldwide web and, more importantly one that is approaching driving age.

And Nissan believes that when they’re ready to take their driving test, the Teatro for Dayz concept is the sort of car that they’ll want to own.

“Designing a car to appeal to the gener-ation we call ‘share natives’ required us to intentionally not use knowledge and tried-and-true approaches we had amassed,” said Executive Design Director Satoshi Tai. “For example, through design we typically try to convey a sense of acceler-ation, power, or supreme quality. But these values do not resonate with share natives. If anything, such car traits just call to mind old-fashioned technology that bears little relevance to their lives.”

So what started as a clean-sheet design has ended up in completed concept form as a blank canvas. The response that Nissan wants to provoke from older generations is “Is this really a car?” because on the outside, it’s decidedly oblong while inside it is simply two rows of white seats, a white shelf where a dashboard would usually be located plus a steering wheel and pedals.

And that’s because the interior can be customized to suit the mood, pretenses and interests of the occupants. “The interior can be visually altered according to one’s mood, for playing games, and in the blink of an eye to surprise friends. What Teatro for Dayz is, how it’s used, and what it could become are all up to the share na-tive’s imagination,” said Tai.

Traditional switchgear obstructs projec-tions, so all of the typical controls needed in a car.

Can Nissan connect with the next generation with its Tokyo concept?



By Myrna Aquitania For more than thirty years, Wondries

Toyota’s “community-based service has made them number one in customer ser-vice,” said Paul Luong, Fleet Sales Man-ager, who has been with the company for almost 22 years.

He said he likes working at Wondries because along with his partner, Quang Huynh, who has also been with the com-pany for 20 years, collectively, they serve the various ethnic nationalities in the com-munity such as the Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Filipino, Armenian, Greek and the Hispanic market.

As part of the Wondries Group of car dealerships, Wondries Toyota prides itself by participating at numerous communi-ty-based festivals in and around the San Gabriel Valley area, such as the Moon Festival in Arcadia, Greek Festival in Rose-mead, Cinco de Mayo in El Monte and the Lunar New Year in Chinatown.

As a recent Toyota owner, though this author didn’t buy the vehicle from their dealership, personal experience mattered and as such, their customer pick-up and drop-off complimentary service on sched-uled free maintenance check-up times have been more than satifactory if not topnotched.

For potential car owners looking for a variety of features such as energy - saving vehicles, Paul Luong stressed that Won-dries Toyota offers Hybrid choices such as: the Camry Hybrid, the Avalon Hybrid, the RAV 4 Hybrid and the Highlander Hybrid. Likewise, they also offer three choices on the Prius models: Prius C, Prius V and the

Prius Plug-In.Occassionally, Mr. Luong says that they

promote monthly specials as well as vari-ous rebate programs depending on the date of a customer’s purchase. Most recently, Wondries Toyota promotes the College Graduate Financing Program because they understand that “going to college can be tough on the pocketbook.” Their College Graduate Financing Program includes the following:

* Competitive APRs on all new untitled Toyota vehicles and Toyota Certified used vehicles;

* $750.00 rebate when they purchase or lease on select new untitled Toyota Camry ( excludes Hybrid model) Corolla, Prius (excludes

Plug-in Hybrid), Prius C, Prius V. RAV 4 (Gas only), Tacoma or Yaris ( be-tween June 2, 2015 and January 4, 2016).

Finally, Paul Luong added that “giving priority to customer service” is definitely Wondries Toyota’s philosophy. That’s certainly more than enough reason why “ their dealership has actually lasted through the test of time.”

As part of their outstanding customer sales and service, Paul Luong and Quang Huynh have teamed up with Alex Almal-vez, a kababayan who can respond to cus-tomer’s inquiries in your native Philippine language.

For more information on the various Toyota vehicle choices, visit Wondries Toyota at: 1543 W. Main St., Alhambra, CA. 91801 or call: 626/414-2528 (Paul); 626/524-0579 (Quang) or 818/653-4410 (Alex). Visit their website at: www.won-driestoyota.com.

Wondries Toyota’s community- based service makes them #1 through the test of time

From left Quang Huynh, Alex Almavez and Paul Luong of Wondries Toyota. Visit them today at Wondries Toyota or give them a call at 626/414-2528 (Paul); 626/524-0579 (Quang) or 818/653-4410 (Alex).

(Relaxnews) – After a cautious, secre-tive start, Japan’s biggest car company is opening up about its plans to build self-driving cars and is demonstrating its progress to date.

Like all major automakers, Toyota has been developing and researching active safety and semi-autonomous driving sys-tems for a number of years, yet until now, it didn’t like to talk about it.

However, on Tuesday the company made its first public demonstration of its Highway Teammate technology which essentially takes over driving duties under highway driving conditions, but then hands the controls back to a flesh-and-blood driver when in other situations – hence the name.

The specially adapted Lexus GS, which took to Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway, is capable of maintaining lane discipline, of merging onto and exiting the freeway and has the processing power and smarts to make decisions about the best course of action – be it slow down, stay in lane or perform an overtaking maneuver.

Toyota is aiming to bring a form of this technology to its real-world production vehicles before 2020, the year that Tokyo

plays host to the Olympic Games. And it’s by no means the only Japanese company working to make an automotive statement in time for the world’s greatest amateur sporting event.

Robot Taxis, a joint venture between DeNA Co and ZMP Inc, is hoping to start testing an autonomous car in Kanagawa from March that will be able to chauffeur tourists to and from the Olympic stadium in time for the opening ceremony.

In Europe, development of autonomous driving technologies is well underway and October has already seen two self-driving world firsts. On Friday, a Mercedes-Benz Actros became the first autonomous truck to take to the public highway, driving along the A8 between Denkendorf and Stuttgart airport. “[This] is a further important step towards the market maturity of autono-mously driving trucks—and towards the safe, sustainable road freight transport of the future,” said company board member Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard of the feat.

While in neighboring France on the same day, a prototype car developed by Peugeot Citroen traveled the 580km be-tween Paris and Bordeaux without human assistance.

Toyota on fast track to autonomous vehicles







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Weekend Balita October 10, 2015