asian journal january 4-10, 2013 edition

Top CEOs bullish on the Philippine economy in 2013

January 4-10, 2013

(Continued on page 14)

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January 4-10, 2013


Miriam: Yes to divorce law, no to abortion


Amazing Future Revealed .. p 16

Our Life of Gold, Frankincense, and

Myrrh .. p 9

Zena Sultana BabaoMsgr. Gutierrez Ben Maynigo2013 Mobile Apps Showdown .. p 14



DFA reiterates Phl sea rights


A Historical Novel by Dr. Ed GamboaInspired by a True Story ....

Chapter 24. Meeting with the Politburo

Hunt for Marcos loot goes on

The Dark Nights of Father Madrid

Anne Hathaway: I can’t compare to Lea Salonga

ABS CBN News | MANILA, Philippines, 12/19/2012 – Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday said she sees noth-ing wrong with pass-ing a strict divorce law but noted she is against legalizing abortion.

Santiago, a supporter of the recently passed reproductive

health bill, said she equates abortion with the crime of murder.

“Abortion, never. I am a very avid supporter of RH, but I will defi -nitely fi ght to the death against abortion as a lawyer, not neces-

sarily as a religious person. I equate it properly with the

ABS CBN News | MANILA, Philippines, 11/13/2012 – While she was preparing to sing the ballad “I Dreamed A Dream” for the

movie version of the musical hit “Les Miserables,” Hol-lywood actress Anne Hatha-way admitted that her singing couldn’t compare to that of Filipino Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga.

In the cover story for the December issue of Vogue, Hathaway, who plays Fan-tine in the movie – the same role performed by Salonga on Broadway and on the 25th anniversary concert of “Les Miserables” – said her most daunting challenge in

Anne Hathaway

Good News Pilipinas | MANILA, 1/3/2013 -- The Aquino government has described 2012 as one of the best years ever for the Philip-pines with economic growth expected to surpass the tar-geted 5 to 6 percent and the stock market ending the year on a 38th record high, making it the second best performing market in Asia behind Thai-land.

But 2013 promises to be even better, according to the CEOs of some of the coun-try’s largest corporations who are already looking forward to even faster economic growth and the Philippines fi nally getting investment-grade status, which is expected to pave the way for more foreign investments to pour into the country.

“This year’s good econom-ic fundamentals—benign in-fl ation, high foreign exchange reserves and low interest rates—provide a good spring-board for a rosy 2013 outlook. Hopefully, this translates into another credit rating im-provement that would put the country to investment grade, something we haven’t seen in at least the last three decades. Having this upgrade could help change people’s percep-tion outside the country on the Philippines as a place to put in their investments, which is the only economic indicator that we are not doing as well,” said Holcim Philippines CEO Ed Sahagun. Benign growth fairies

An equally optimistic An-tonio Moncupa Jr., president and chief executive offi cer of EastWest Bank, noted that the “growth fairies seem to be favoring the country.”

“We made our plans for 2013 on the premise that the Philippine economy will do well. And we believe we stand on good foundation. We hear, feel and see our loans-and-deposits customers on how well their businesses are doing. We expect the macro numbers—gross domestic product growth, loans-to-GDP ratio, the fi scal defi cit, govern-

by Ranier Allan Ronda, Philstar. com | MANILA, Philippines, 12/30/2012 - The Department of Foreign Af-fairs (DFA) yesterday reiterated the Philippines has exclu-sive right to explore and exploit “all types of resources” in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), par-ticularly in areas within the country’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights to explore and exploit all types of resources in its continen-

tal shelf within 200 nauti-cal miles measured from the baselines in the western side of the

Philippine archipelago,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

By Christine O. Avendaño, Dona Z. Pazzibugan, Norman Bordadora, Philippine Daily Inquirer | MANILA, 1/3/2013 -- Sen. Joker Arroyo, the executive secretary when President Corazon Aquino is-sued her fi rst executive order that created the Presidential Commission on Good Gov-ernment (PCGG) in 1986 to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses, and other lawmakers are supporting the PCGG recommendation to wind down its work as it has outlived its usefulness.

Other lawmakers and a group of victims of human

rights violation during the 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos object to the abolition of the PCGG. They said dis-solving the commission would send the signal that those in power could commit crimes and get away with it.

Although Edwin Lacierda, spokesperson of Mr. Aquino, said that the President was still studying the recommen-dation to abolish the PCGG, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the “mindset” of the President was that the commission need not continue its work.

At a news conference at

the PCGG headquarters on Wednesday, chairman Andres Bautista said his proposal to Malacañang was to transfer the prosecution of Marcos ill-gotten wealth cases to the DOJ and to transfer the se-questered assets to the Depart-ment of Finance.

The PCGG made the rec-ommendation in January 2011 as part of its 100-day accom-plishment report.

“Our recommendation was to wind down work, to turn over cases to the DOJ and the sequestered assets to the

It was bound to happen. Sooner rather than later. It was inevitable. It was a no brainer.

He was smart, inventive, creative. He was charismatic. He worked hard, was dedicated beyond reproach. He took on whatever tasks were assigned to him, oftentimes going beyond the call of duty. And, he accomplished all his assignments well. Everyone loved George.

Eddie got the Philippine Airlines tickets, the red eye to Manila. Eddie was the contact. He was no ordinary sacristan, certainly not the clueless Sancho Panza he had appeared to be. He had been the strategic mole, so to speak. His role before the massacre may have been unclear and behind the scenes, but now he defi nitely was one of the more active and effective agents of the insurgency.

Two years to the day of his defection, George found himself sitting in the center of the room, en-circled by ranking members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Everyone knew why the erstwhile Fr. George Madrid was there. The question was how important a rank or position the party would bestow on him.

One or two veteran members were not absolutely sure if the man before them was a double agent. Why, in the world, would a priest give up his enviable position to huddle with the poor masses, risking starvation and death? On the other hand, why would the Catholic Church bother infi ltrating the Communist Party? Were the government and the church in cahoots?

These two wily members played devil’s advocates for over an hour. They delved into George’s personal life, asking all sorts of

January 4-10, 2013Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.com

Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.comJanuary 4-10, 2013

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DISPUTED SEAPhilippine NewsVisitor Name: reyjun Visitor Email: [email protected]: News & Features - Philippine NewsArticle: Filipinos in US launch essay contest on disputed seaArticle Link: http://asianjournalusa.com/clients/asianjournalusa/fi lipinos-

in-us-launch-essay-contest-on-disputed-sea-p12679-67.htmOpinion:hmm.. i guess that we have a dignity to get what we have and of course it

is ours... i know that the west phillippine sea is now a controversial issue especially in media that philippines and china makes their protocol that

who's country who are west philippines sea and the truthy is the scarbour-ough shoal is ours....

CHRISTMAS STORY DOWN AT THE PIERAt Large by Miles BeauchampVisitor Name: BAJVisitor Email: [email protected]: News & Features - AT LARGE by Miles Beauchamp, PhDArticle: A Christmas Story: Down at the PierArticle Link: http://asianjournalusa.com/clients/asianjournalusa/a-christ-

mas-story-down-at-the-pier-p12778-81.htmOpinion:Loved that wonderful Xmas story! Don’t think I’ve ever read one having to do with an elf!

MOVIE NI NORA AUNORShowbiz Watcher by Ogie CruzVisitor Name: Ronaldubai Visitor Email: [email protected] Menu: Filipiniana & Philippine Radio - Showbiz Watcher by Ogie CruzArticle: Movie ni Nora Aunor, Nangulelat Sa MMFF !!! Article Link: http://asianjournalusa.com/clients/asianjournalusa/movie-ni-

nora-aunor-nangulelat-sa-mmff-p12781-174.htmOpinion:Isa lang ang ibiga sabihin ng pangungulelat ng Thy Womb, laos na talaga

si Nora Aunor.Imagine, more than a year ang promotions nito pero nilayuan pa din ng publiko. Meaning, hindi na talaga makababalik na si Nora sa dat-ing kasikatang pinabayaan niya!

When USCIS Denies Your PetitionImmigration 911 by Atty Susan V Perez• [email protected] 14 • if i am out of the country while 751 is denied, will they let me

reenter- it was denied because they did not receive my documents- although i have a tracking number to show it was received.

Caridad Sanchez: - “Hindi ako Mestiza!”Balik Tanaw by Romy Protacio• [email protected] sanchez is the judi dench and maggie smith combined of philip-

pine cinema...Correcting Your Philippine Birth Certifi cate

Phil-Am Law 101 by Atty Rogelio Karagdag, Jr.delia • [email protected] 19 • Hello atty, Matagal na ako nakahiwalay sa asawa ko since 1982

at meron kami 3 anak, andito lahat sa akin..Gusto ko sana tanggalin ko na apelyido sa asawa ko . Please give me some advise ...

NSO Still Drafting Rules for RA 10172PhilAm Law 101 by Atty Rogelio Karagdag, Jr.Link: http://asianjournalusa.com/nso-still-drafting-rules-for-ra-p12573-

162.htmVisitor Name: Denise• [email protected] is it that eventhough this Republic Act No. 10172, which amended

several provisions of Republic Act 9048 has been approved,when I inquired in our Cityhall,they said they don’t have the memo yet and I still need to pay to have my gender changed. I have all the proof and documentation but they said it will still take several months to be processed... is this only press release?

Dear Denise,

Thank you for your email asking why the local civil registrar is taking too long to enforce the provisions of RA 10172.

As we discussed in a later article entitled “NSO Still Drafting Rules for RA 10172” (please click this link: http://asianjournalusa.com/nso-still-draft-ing-rules-for-ra-p12573-162.htm) there is a need for Malacanang to come out with an Administrative Order to lay out the specifi c process by which RA 10172 will be implemented. True, we now have RA 10172 in effect, but without the AO, the NSO and the LCRs will have no guidelines to follow. So, while we understand your frustrations, it is better for you that your LCR will have these guidelines at hand when you fi le your petition. Otherwise, there will be a lot of confusion which will result to longer delays.

Again, thank you for your email and for reading the Asian Journal.

Sincerely,

Atty. Karagdag

Letters to the EditorRead previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-

journalusa.comLaw Offi ces of Chua Tinsay & Vega

www.ctvattys.com

by Atty. Dennis ChuaLegal Buzz

Read Atty. Dennis Chua’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

By: Dennis E. Chua, Esq.

Children who are under the age of 21 years old are included in the petitions fi led by their grandparents, uncles and aunts for their parents. However, since these petitions usu-ally take a long time before the pri-ority dates become current (between 10 to 20 years depending on the preference category), most of these children fi nd themselves unable to immigrate with their parents to the US once they reach the age of 21. Their parents would have to fi le a separate immigrant petition for them so that they could join their parents in the US. These children would then have to wait another 10 to 12 years before they can be reunited with their parents.

With the recent decision of the Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in the case of Osorio vs. Mayorkas, these children would no longer have to wait for a very long time to rejoin their parents in the US. The Court has allowed these children to recapture the priority dates of their parents’ previous petitions resulting in a drastic reduction of the waiting period. The following case sce-narios will best illustrate this latest ruling of the Court of Appeals.

• Dionisio’s US citizen sister fi led a petition for him in 1989. At the time, Dionisio’s daughters were ages two and four. By the time Dio-nisio’s priority date became current in 2012, his children were already over 21 and thus were not able to immigrate with Dionisio to the US. Upon his arrival to the US, Dionisio petitioned for his children. Under the current processing time for peti-tions fi led by green card holdres, the children would have to wait for at least 10 years before they can join Dionisio. With the recent decision of the Court of Appeals, the children would no longer have to wait for ten years. They can recapture the priority day of Dionisio which is the year 1989 and since the priority date is already current, they will be able to immigrate as soon as the petitions fi led for them have been approved.

• Zenaida was the benefi ciary of a petition fi led by her mother in July 22, 1992. At the time the petition was fi led, Zenaida had two children ages 15 and 18. When the petition became current in 2012, the children were already over 21. With the recent ruling, Zenaida’s children would not have to wait for ten years to join her. Like Dionisio’s children, they will be able to immigrate as soon as the petitions fi led for them have been approved.

This recent ruling of the Court is a welcome development. It is a humane interpretation of the Child Status Protection Act which helps reunite families who have been long separated in their pursuit for a better life.

Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV) - a full service law fi rm with offi ces in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento and Manila. The information presented in this article is

for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; (916)509-7280 [email protected].

New Court Ruling Benefi ts Aged Out Children

Opinion

By Cesar D. Candari, MD. FCAP Emeritus

Dr. Jose Rizal Day Revisited (Dr. Jose Rizal Speech,

Philippine-American Community of San Diego County, Incorporated ,

Decembr 30, 1991)

BY: CESAR D. CANDARI, MD., FCAP EMERITUS | Henderson, Nevada

Today we commemorate the death of Dr. Jose Rizal – to pay homage to the memory of this great man who gave his life for our beloved country, the Philippines, on December 30, 1896. He is one of the greatest Fili-pinos who ever lived at a time when the Philippine Islands was under the oppressive rule of the Spanish regime.

I could speak of many interesting subjects about our national hero, Dr. Rizal. He was a poet, a linguist (22 languages), and philosopher, patriot and martyr, a physician and an oph-thalmologist, an artist and a sculptor, an agriculturist and a surveyor, and a teacher, a novelist, a world traveler and an international fi gure. Today,


(Continued on page 17)Follow Asian Journal on Twitter @asianjournal(Continued on page 19)

ROOM FOR RENTQuiet Neighborhood in National City. No smoking. No drugs.

619.746.3416

In the News

A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Program in San Di-ego, California on Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, 2013, at the Council of the Philippine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (COPAO) Cen-ter, 832 “E” Avenue, National City, CA 91950. Service Hours will be from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The consular outreach program is being undertaken in coopera-tion with COPAO..

The following consular services will be rendered:

1. Applications for Electronic Passport (ePassport) (Cost: $60), to be returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.

2. Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to Republic Act 9225 or Dual Citizenship Law (Cost: $50). Oath-taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants.

3. Applications for Report of Marriage & Birth (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.

STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (by following the applicable scheduling steps below) AND WITH COMPLETED DOCUMENTS ONLY. NO WALK-IN APPLICANTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED.

Appointment Scheduling Steps for ePassport Applicants

1. Visit the Philippine Consulate web-site (www.philippineconsulatela.org) to download and accomplish the ePassport application form; and,

2. No later than January 21, 2013 or until the Consulate receives 280 applica-tions, whichever comes first, send an advance copy of the completed ePassport application form and data page (bearing the name and photo) of the expired or expiring passport to the Consulate (Attn: National City Outreach) by fax (213) 639-0990. Thumbprints (if needed) and signature must be affixed and all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.

Note: a. Personal appearance is required in

all cases (including applicants who are 65 years old and above and minors who are below 18 years old).

b. Do not bring passport pictures. Passport pictures are to be taken by the

Philippine Consular Outreach in San Diego Jan. 26 & 27, 2013

SDG&E Completes Renewable Power Purchase Agree-

ments With Diverse Business Enterprise

Participation SAN DIEGO, Dec. 17, 2012 – San

Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced that it has success-fully completed two new long-term power purchase agreements in Impe-rial Valley totaling 40 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy with diverse business enterprise (DBE) participation. The first contract is DBE-owned via a partnership between Regenerate Power and DBE supplier Tallbear Solar. The second contract is with a partnership between 8minutenergy and Ge-stamp Solar, who has committed to contracting 50-percent of the project costs to diverse-owned businesses.

“SDG&E has made a concerted effort to increase the number of diverse-owned suppliers we do busi-ness with in electric procurement,” said Matt Burkhart, SDG&E’s vice president of electric and fuel pro-curement. “We look forward to con-tinuing to expand DBE participation in our procurement portfolio as we meet our retail customers’ needs.”

The first of the agreements is a 20-year contract with Tallbear Seville LLC to purchase 20 MW from the Seville solar power facility northwest of Brawley in Imperial County. When completed in 2015, the Seville project will be comprised of photovoltaic single-axis modules and the power will be transported to SDG&E’s customers across the 117-mile Sunrise Powerlink transmission line, which was put into service this past June.

“Regenerate Power and our DBE affiliate Tallbear Solar are proud to sign this landmark agreement with SDG&E for the Seville Solar

By Riza T. Olchondra, Philippine Daily Inquirer | MANILA, 1/2/2013 -- The Philippines is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for rare earth elements, or REE—a major component of electronic products.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said the government had earmarked an initial budget for REE development work, with the exploration phase to begin sometime in the next three months.

“The budget of P500,000 is just for fieldwork this year,” MGB direc-tor Leo Jasareno said in a phone interview.

Additional resources would be al-located when an agreement has been signed with a technical partner. The Philippines is considering partnering with China.

The MGB has already found potential areas to explore, and these areas are also close to copper-gold mines. Palawan and Mindanao have

been identified as the best places to start, but authorities have yet to de-termine if there are enough resources in those areas for commercial pro-duction, MGB said.

Last year, the country’s plan to produce REEs stalled after Beijing reneged on earlier commitments to help Manila despite several “remind-ers” by the MGB. This came amid a dispute between Manila and Beijing over the Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Before the dispute, Manila and Beijing were set to sign a deal to jointly explore for rare earth elements.

Producing rare earth elements became a serious consideration for many countries last year when China decided to cap exports. At the time, the Chinese Commerce Ministry announced an initial cut of 27 per-cent in its exports quota for 2012, reportedly as part of a crackdown on illegal mining of rare earth oxides.

In search of rare metals, PH leaves no stone unturned

China controls 97 percent of REE supply globally and has been reduc-ing its export quota to secure greater control over pricing, thus leading to a surge in prices over the past two years, according to observers.

Consulate. c. The applicant must wear decent attire

(no sleeveless and/or collarless attire) and without eyeglasses/colored contact lenses.

d. No facial piercings allowed. Appointment Scheduling Steps for

Dual Citizenship Applicants 1. Visit the Philippine Consulate web-

site (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the Dual Citizenship Application form;

2. Complete the Dual Citizenship Ap-plication form; and,

3. No later than January 21, 2013, or until the Consulate receives 100 ap-plications, whichever comes first, send an advance copy of the completed Dual Citizenship application form and support-ing documents to the Consulate (Attn: National City Outreach) by fax (213) 639-0990. Other than the thumbprint and photo which will be done on site, all per-tinent data on the application form must be completed. Otherwise, incomplete forms will not be processed.

Note: 1. Oath-Taking will be scheduled on the

same day for qualified applicants. 2. Applicants should take their oath

as Dual Citizens in DECENT ATTIRE. The Consulate shall refuse oath-taking to applicants wearing inappropriate outfits such as sleeveless shirts, skimpy clothes, shorts, sandos or slippers.

Appointment Scheduling Steps for Report of Marriage (ROM) & Birth (ROB)

1. Visit the Philippine Consulate web-site (www.philippineconsulatela.org) and print the ROM or ROB form;

2. Complete the ROM or ROB form; and,

3. No later than January 21, 2013, send an advance copy (one set only) of the completed form and supporting docu-ments to the Consulate (Attn: National City Outreach) by fax (213) 639-0990. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

Information FOR ALL APPLI-CANTS

The Consulate regularly updates the appointment schedule posted on the web-site upon receipt of completed applica-tions. The final list of all applicants with confirmed appointment schedule will be posted at the Consulate’s website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) by January 24, 2013.


ASIAN JOURNALThe fi rst Asian-Filipino weekly in Southern California

An award-winning newspaper & San Diego’s most widely circulated Asian-Filipino newspaper!

Ashley SilverioAssistant Editor

In Pursuit of ExcellenceEugenio “Ego” Osin, (1946 - 1994)

Joe Cabrera, (1924 - 1996)Soledad Bautista, (1917-2009)

Dr. Rizalino “Riz” Oades, (1935-2009)

The Asian Journal is published weekly and distributed in all Fili-pino & Asian communties in San Diego County. Print publication date is every Friday of the month. Advertising deadline is Wednesday prior to publication date at 5 p.m. For advertising rates, rate cards, or in-formation, call (619) 474-0588. Subscription by mail is available for $50 per year (56 issues). The Asian Journal is not responsible for unso-licited manuscripts and photographs but welcomes submissions. Entire content is © 2012 copyrighted material by Asian Journal. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without specifi c permission from the publisher.

Genevieve SilverioManaging Editor

Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.Publisher & Editor

Miles BeauchampAssociate Editor

Santi SilverioAssociate Publisher

At Large...

Miles is Assistant to the Dean and Assistant Professor in the Shirley Hufstedler School of Education at Alliant International University where he teaches new media and diverse writing courses. He has been with the Asian Journal since the 1990’s.

by Miles Beauchamp, PhD

Perspectives

by Dr. Ofelia Dirige Founder, President & CEO Kalusugan

Community Services. www.fi lamwellness.org

Contemporary Asian American Issues

Guest Writer: Ryan Adviento

In today’s society, there are a variety of different forms of enter-tainment that people can choose from. They range from going out on a jog, reading a book, playing video games, going to movies and con-

certs and so much more. I, however, personally choose sports, and more specifi cally the martial arts.

Just like any other hobbies, in martial arts, there are many types but the ones I tend to enjoy and have attempted to study was arnis, judo and jiu jitsu. Arnis including Eskrima and Kali are umbrella terms for the traditional martial arts of the Philippines that emphasize weapon-based fi ghting with sticks, knives and other bladed weapons.

My father, who introduced me to these martial arts when I got older, taught me by teaching what he learned in the classes he was enrolled in and through what his relatives in the Philippines taught him. Unfortunately, due to my busy

lifestyle, I only have time to practice what I have learned on the weekends and sometimes during the late hours of the day when I come home from school and/or work.

However, I make sure that when I do practice, I take everything and every aspect of what I am learning seriously. Since I do not always have the ample time to actually practice what I have learned physically, I take what I can and go above and beyond what is expected to learn

in the gym. I watch instructional vid-eos, documentaries, and even look up articles on the histories of martial arts. In doing this, I can fi gure out what new moves or techniques I want and/or need to focus for the next time I go to the gym. Learning the moves, the techniques, and even the history of the martial arts, helps me to understand even more why I chose this as my hobby and why I love it so much. The martial arts I study have taught me so much about myself and who I am today. Some of the biggest reasons I practice martial arts is for self-discipline, self-respect, and to be able to not only defend myself but others as well, and even to release my stress.

Although I speak so highly of martial arts, it has not always been my favorite pastime. During my childhood, I was more interested in watching television; basically I was not effi cient with my time and it was always squandered. However, I do not regret it because when I was “wasting” my time, I found some of my favorite shows and movies that I still love today. There were pro-grams like TGIF, Thank Goodness It’s Friday, and 1 Saturday Morning which had some of my favorite TV shows. When I was not watching my favorite TV shows, I was watch-ing Disney movies. Disney movies were a big part of my childhood. I would sing along with the songs and even pretended to be the characters from the movies. The days I loved the most were the days I would be watching TV and movies with my family, most of the time on Friday and Saturday nights.

During my teenage years, my

favorite entertainment was wrestling and grappling. This was the time when my admiration for martial arts really grew. In high school, I did wrestling for two years; this af-fected my health and academics in a positive way. I would be practicing every day after school for four hours with my teammates. The reason I did wrestling was because I needed a sport for college and also because my friends were in it and they re-ally encouraged me to join. After wrestling, I did not want the rush I

got from it to end. With that said, I started to look more into martial arts, more specifi cally, the Filipino mar-tial arts. After a little bit of research, I found “arnis.” Finding arnis as my new form of entertainment changed my time from the television screen to the computer screen. Watching YouTube videos on how to do moves and techniques really helped me to learn the art form. Looking up arnis started to increase my knowledge of my culture. This widened my research on the computer to not only arnis but also even the actual Fili-pino culture itself. At home, I would read books and research online, and because my sources were limited, I would also go to the library to get books on Filipino culture. Today my entertainment is basically a com-bination of everything from arnis, wrestling, and also researching my Filipino culture online or in books from the library.

I have never really wished to do

something else because I do things as I please. If I ever want to change or increase my entertainment, I just do it and usually when I do that it’s something related to the previous thing. In terms of entertaining my-self, I do not really have any dreams except that whatever it is, I would like it to be something positive and helpful to my health, just like wres-tling and martial arts. As I have got-ten older, I have noticed that I must fi nd new ways to entertain myself to help me progress in my life. But for now, like I said, I will continue to do as I please.

Ryan Adviento is a fourth year stu-dent at San Diego State University majoring in Criminal Justice. He is a student of Dr. Dirige in Asian Studies 460, “Contemporary Issues in Filipino American Communities” during Fall 2012.

***WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!MAY 2013 BRING YOU THE

BEST IN LIFE: GOOD HEALTH, PROSPER-

ITY AND BLESSINGS BEYOND COMPARE.

MAY GOD BLESS!

Martial Arts: My Favorite Entertainment

Ryan Adviento

In 2012, I wrote a total of 84 articles. Of these, 50 were published under my weekly regular column entitled, “Take It From My Barber”, while 34 came under my other weekly technology column, “Tech IT From My Barber”.

All my articles were published by the Asian Journal USA out of San Diego, California both in print and online. The print edition is distributed mostly in Southern California where most of the Filipinos and Asians are located. The online edition is, of course, available worldwide on the website www.asianjo-urnalusa.com

Google BlogSpot also publishes the same articles under my blogs: “Take It From My Barber” (www.benmaynigo.blogspot.com); and “Tech IT From My Barber” (www.benmayigo23.blogspot.com). I chose to publish under Google for the benefi t of those who are search-ing or “googling” any of the topics discussed in my blogs.

I also make them available as My Notes on Facebook originally for the benefi t of friends and relatives. But upon request of some friends, I was asked to make them “public” so they can be shared with others. I did.

I do not have an accurate feedback on how my articles are doing re readers of the Asian Journal print and online editions. My friends, relatives, and town mates of Rosales, Pangasinan, Philippines tell me that copies in nearby Seafood City have always run out since my column started. Of course, it could also be because those who do not like my column make sure that the paper is not made available to others. This hap-pened a lot during the Marcos Martial Law years.

Regardless, it was still fl attering to know that many always look forward to reading my column if “available”.

There is a way of obtaining feedback on Facebook via the “Likes”, “Men-tions”, “Comments” and Messages.. The feedback is still inaccurate because there is no indication as to how many of your friends or users have actually read or browsed your article.

The Google BlogSpot presents a dif-ferent story. It gives me the number of those who actually read my posts. So , after checking my posts, it was interest-ing to note that quite a number actually read my columns.

For 2012, here are the most widely read of my articles:

• Propaganda Movement in the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries, (7/13/12)

• Corona’ Revised Story: D in D, D to D, and D of D (2/23/12)

• Product Reviews (2/13/12)

• Miriam Santiago: Impeach-ment’s Aleng GAGA (5/13/12)

• Tech Tools vs. Poverty (7/13/12)

• Corona: The $10-Million Man (5/3/12)

• Charina Corona: No Dummy, Dummy or Both (3/30/12)

• AURA: CJ Corona Impeach-ment Trial (2/28/12)

• Battle Against Poverty I (6/12/12)

• Enrile: Martial Law and Truth (10/17/12)

• Mr. Palengke in DILG (8/29/12)

• IT in Government(4/4/12)• Battle Against Poverty (Final)

(7/4/12)• Olympic Memories in GB:

GB, GB, GB, GB, GB & GB(8/8/12)• Corona as Interpreter of Law

(5/31/12)• SALN Laws: Mala Prohibi-

ta (4/20/12)• Battle Against Poverty II

(6/14/12)• Analysis: Romney’s Target

Electorate (9/26/12)• Right To Cover Your Ears

(3/6/12)

• Holy Week To Remem-ber (4/8/12)

In 2011, the TOP 20 were the follow-ing:

1. P-Noy, POGI, Pinoys (9/20/11)

2. Conrado F. Estrella: Hero and Pride of Rosales, Pangasinan (6/1/11)

3. Heroes Ilocanos Can Be Proud Of (5/31/11)

4. Marcos Fake Medals Redux II(5/3/11)

5. Marcos Fake Medals Redux IV (5/16/11)

6. Letter to President Noynoy Aquino (6/8/11)

7. Land of Bondage, Land of the Free, Land of No Bail Bond (11/30/11)

8. Is Marcos a Hero? (5/20/11)9. Marcos Fake Medals Redux

I(4/27/11)10. Marcos Fake Medals Redux

III (5/10/11)11. Marcos: To Be or Not To Be

@LNMB II (4/22/11)12. Honoring Manang Ruth and

Manang Loreto (7/13/11)13. Marcos: To Be or Not To Be

@LNMB (4/15/11)14. Letter to VP Binay on Marcos

Burial at LNMB (4/24/11)15. Gift of Time, Gift of Family

(7/20/11)16. Lucky 9, Cloud 9, Love Po-

tion Number 9 (10/13/11)17. Maria Mabilangan Haley:

Model in the Strictest Sense (9/14/11)18. Consumer Electronics 2011

(1/5/11)19. GBU: Goal to Have a Good

GOAL (9/9/11)20. Sana, SONA, South China,

Saan Na (9/27/11)I wrote a series of articles on several

topics that I felt were of interest to my readers. In 2012, the specifi c topics were: Corona Impeachment Trial; Battle Against Poverty; London Olympics; U.S. Presidential Elections; PNoy and his Administration, and Consumer Electronic Products that I called “Little Miracles”.

As gleaned from the TOP 20 of 2012, although my article on the Propaganda Movement: 19th, 20th, & 21st Centuries topped the list, many from the series made it to the top. Notable were the Corona articles, the Anti-Poverty Series, and the Consumer Technology write-ups.

Similarly, in 2011 I also wrote a series of articles that I felt dominated the minds of prospective readers. I was right because many of them made it to the TOP 20. The article on PNoy, POGI, and Pinoys was Number One while my tribute to my town mate Conrado F. Estrella was Number Two, but you can see that the topic on Marcos as a fake hero with his fake medals dominated the readers’ interest. This was preceded by the discussion and corresponding interest on whether Marcos should be buried as a hero at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.

As I reviewed them, I thought that as we enter the New Year, those who missed reading any or some of the articles, may want to join the other read-ers who either got informed, educated or even entertained by accessing the articles.

By typing or copying and pasting the titles of the articles on Google, Yahoo, or Bing, you should be able access them either from Asian Journal USA website or the Google Blog.

During the holidays, I was able to par-ticipate in lively discussions of certain popular cable shows with the younger generation. These shows included Newsroom, Game of the Thrones, Boardwalk, Homeland, Treme, Revolu-tion, and Dexter.

My secret? I caught up by watching all the episodes of all of the seasons of all the shows. For one show, it took me all night and part of the day!

Things we do to be “IN”, “COOL”, or even “HOT”! :)

2012 Column/Blog Reviews

ROOM FOR RENT Quiet Neighborhood in National City. No smoking. No drugs. 619.746.3416

2013? How did this happen?2013. Can you believe that it’s

been 13 years since the big furor over 2000? Yep, we’re now 13 years past the start of the new millennium and the world is still here. But more than that, we’re past the time when the Mayan calendar said we’d end. So far human race is winning and all the doom-sayers are wrong. I know there are those who like to run around talking about Armageddon and were probably disappointed a little bit, but too bad. That’s what they get for forecasting doom in-

stead of going to the movies.

That was then, this is now

People are creatures of habit and so, just like so many years past, many of you probably made New Year's resolutions. We make those resolutions for many reasons, some for no other purpose than to at least feel good until we break them. Heck, I don’t need a reason to feel terrifi c: we survived another election year. I’m good.

So what were your resolutions? Did you resolve to lose weight?

Love your neighbor? Walk 15 miles a day? Well I hope you keep them but just in case you don’t (or already haven’t) I’m proposing a few resolu-tions that you can use to replace your extremely diffi cult ones.

Easy New Year's resolutions (mostly) worth keeping

1. Remember to turn off the lights (okay, this is a personal issue coming from a parent of kids who haven’t yet realized that a light switch works both ways)

2. Eat slightly healthy food (why get carried away, right?)

3. Drink plenty of fl uids – of one sort or another.

4. Get better at your job – what-ever that job happens to be

5. Be cool (yes, you can be cool past 19. It’s not easy, but it’s pos-sible)

6. Yes, it is7. Go somewhere8. Do something (yes, I know this

is vague so it ought to be easy)9. Watch TV10. Don’t watch more TV11. Read the newspaper12. Read this newspaper13. Be grouchy14. Be grouchy some more15. Eat breakfast16. Eat lunch17. Eat dinner18. Do not confuse any of the

meals above with eating hot dogs in movie theatres. That just doesn’t count. Ever.

19. Kiss someone20. Kiss someone again21. Kiss someone you know this

time22. Be nice before noon (it

shouldn’t be that diffi cult if you try hard enough)

23. Take a vacation24. Pay for the vacation (yes, this

is harder)25. Let someone else pay for the

vacation (see time-share promotions)26. Take another breath27. Smile at someone who doesn’t

expect it (oh, go ahead, just mess with them)

28. Frown at someone who doesn’t expect it (unless they're big, have lots of tattoos, wear chains around the neck and drive a Harley)

29. Make sure your health insur-ance is paid up (see number 28 above)

30. Pay the electric bill early (Got-cha! Just seeing if you were still awake. Ignore this one)

31. Go somewhere that’s not in a travel brochure

32. Help someone fi nd something33. Stay in bed longer 34. Ignore the laundry35. Ignore the kids36. Ignore your husband or wife,

signifi cant other, boyfriend, girl-friend or me. Heck, just ignore someone – you’ll feel better and af-ter all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

37. If you do #36 above don’t mention my name – I don’t need the phone calls

38. Demand peace worldwide39. Work for peace worldwide40. Strive for peace worldwide41. Decide to do something you’ve

never done before42. Decide to actually have fun

while doing number 41 above43. Be nice to your boss44. Be nice to your employees45. Be nice to yourself46. Just...be nice47. Don’t let the word “election”

cross your lips for two years48. Be glad you’re alive 49. Be glad someone else is alive 50. Go back to school. There's

probably no better time than during a recession to get more education, get a new education, or get retrained. Strive to keep yourself up to date and relevant for jobs and the job market

51. Create an electronic social identity and use it - make sure you know how to use all the important social media sites to your advantage (employers want employees to be up to date)

52. See what's out there in this great big world - and enjoy it

Okay, there you have 52 New Year's resolutions that might stand a chance of seeing more than the day or two of use your original ones did. And please don’t thank me – the fi rst half of my New Year's resolution for 2013 has now been completed. The second half? To do everything I can to keep guns out of schools. Care to join me?

Happy 2013! I hope that the com-ing year is great beyond measure.

New Year's Resolutions



by Atty. Susan V. Perez

Immigration 911

Read Atty. Susan Perez’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

Work Visas/Green Cards thru Employment• Family Visas• Student, Trainee, Tourist, Investors, Visas • Reinstatement of Petition • Deportation Defense• International Adoption• Appeals, Motions to Reopen/Reconsider• Battered/Abused Spouse• I-601 Waivers (Hardship)• Consular Support in Manila•

IMMIGRATION (619) 819-8648Speak directly with an Attorney

The Law Offi ces of SUSAN V. PEREZ offer the following services:

We also handle ALL PHILIPPINE cases and have an offi ce in Manila to service your needs there.

*Susan Perez is a licensed attorney both in the State of California and the Philippines. She has eighteen (18) years of combined experience in both jurisdictions in the areas of Immigration, Family, Appellate, Juvenile Dependency, Civil, Criminal, Labor, Contracts, Tax, and Business Law. She is also admitted to practice before the Ninth Circuit of the Court of Appeals, and the District Courts of Southern California and Central District of California.

Nagsasalita ng Tagalog asin Bicol.

By Appointment only from 9:00 to 5:30, Monday thru Friday.

San Diego Offi ce: Manila Offi ce:625 Broadway, Suite 1015 Suite 2502-A East TowerSan Diego CA 92101 Philippine Stock Exchange CentreTel. No. (619) 819-8648 Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig CityFax No. (619) 923-9555 Tel. Nos.: (632) 687-2565 / 687-9851 Email: [email protected] Fax No.: (632) 687-2565

Atty. Susan V. Perez

Visit our website: www.law-usimmigration.com

"Se Habla Espanol"

Hunt for Marcos loot

(Continued from page 1)

Privatization Management Of-fice,” Bautista said.

“But in no way have I said we’re ending the hunt for the Marcos ill-gotten wealth. I didn’t say that. I believe that that should continue because a substan-tial portion (of the ill-gotten wealth) remains unrecovered,” he said.

Winnowed by time Arroyo said the PCGG had outlived

its purpose and it was about time the Department of Justice (DOJ) took over its cases.

“[Its] mandate has run its course. It is problematic whether the government can gather additional evidence after 26 years. The main task of the PCGG—to gather evidence and build up the cases—has been winnowed by time,” Arroyo said in a statement.

“The position of the PCGG makes practical sense,” Arroyo said.

Sen. Francis Escudero, the chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, saw no reason for the PCGG to stop going after Marcos’ alleged ill-gotten wealth unless it could no longer prove a claim against the late dictator’s estate.

Escudero told the Philippine Daily Inquirer the PCGG’s difficulties were a lame excuse to wrap up its mandate af-ter 26 years of going after the supposed multibillion-dollar loot of the Marcoses and their cronies.

Lame excuse “That it is difficult should not be an

excuse if there is indeed a cause of action. Nobody ever said that it was go-ing to be easy,” Escudero said in a text message.

“That’s a lame excuse unless they are throwing in the towel and saying that they can’t prove the cases versus the Marcoses anymore,” Escudero added.

In a statement, angry victims of mar-tial law said the proposal to wind down the hunt for the late dictator’s embez-zled billions would give the signal that people in power could commit crimes with impunity.

“We cannot just forgive and forget what the Marcoses did to us, nor must the Aquino government stop pursu-ing justice for martial law victims and the rest of the Filipinos,” Selda, an anti-Marcos activist group, said in a statement.

DOJ ready De Lima said that the PCGG “cannot

exist forever” and that it had a “limited lifetime.”

She said the DOJ was ready to take on any remaining work of the commission.

“If there is still residual work that the PCGG has to do, it has to be taken over by a competent office or competent authority. So if it’s the DOJ, we can always do that if that will be the plan,” De Lima told reporters.

She said the DOJ would study if there was a need to create a unit for this.

There was also a need to study the PCGG’s performance, on why no favorable ruling was made on some big cases. “We need to review where were the shortcomings, what cases need to be pursued,” the justice secretary said.

Arroyo said that while the recovery of ill-gotten wealth, mandated by Cory Aquino’s EO Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, was a valid advocacy, the PCGG’s mandate was “time-limited by the very nature of the campaign.”

Good run He noted that Congress had extended

the life of the PCGG quite a number of times.

“It was one of the centerpieces of Cory’s crusade for good governance. And the campaign has had a good run,” Arroyo said.

“Now, the thrust of the work has become the humdrum of legal work, essentially dealing with litigation. It is about time the work is devolved to the Department of Justice,” he added.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson agreed with Bau-tista’s recommendation to Mr. Aquino that the commission start winding down its operations since going after the Marcos wealth had ceased to be cost-effective.

Bautista also cited the return to power of former First Lady Imelda Marcos as Ilocos Norte representative, and Marcos’ children Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as senator, and Imee Marcos as Ilocos Norte governor which doesn’t make the PCGG’s job any easier.

Bautista reiterated the government would not abandon the ill-gotten wealth cases against the heirs and cronies of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos even in the event of the PCGG’s abolition.

200 cases pending About 200 ill-gotten wealth cases

against the Marcoses and their cronies are pending in the antigraft court Sandi-

ganbayan.Bautista said the commission would

likely not file new cases due to the dif-ficulty of getting evidence and witnesses against the Marcoses and their cronies more than a quarter of a century after the dictatorship was overthrown in 1986.

Since its creation, the PCGG has re-covered P164 billion (about $4 billion), less than half of the $10-billion fortune believed to have been amassed by the Marcoses.

The single biggest recovery was made last year—P70 billion worth of coco levy funds from the sale of the gov-ernment’s 24-percent stake and other dividends in San Miguel Corp.

Bautista acknowledged that the PCGG had no idea how much remained unre-covered of the wealth illegally amassed by the Marcos family and their cronies.

“As in any ‘catch-me-if-you-can’ situation, the longer you take to get your target, the lesser the opportunity becomes as the quarry manages to dig deeper,” said Lacson.

Lacson said that with the alleged mis-management of the PCGG through the years, the commission was bound to fail.

Should Mr. Aquino heed Bau-tista’s recommendation, he would need Congress to pass a law abolishing the agency.

Bill to abolish pending In fact, efforts to abolish the PCGG

are underway in the House of Repre-sentatives, following the filing of a bill seeking to transfer part of its responsi-bilities to the DOJ.

House Bill No. 4049 has been pending in the committee on government reorga-nization since January 2011.

Under HB 4049, “the powers and functions of investigations and prosecu-tion of criminal (cases) exercised by the PCGG shall be transferred to the Department of Justice.”

Civil cases would be handled by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. These would include the “management, administration and the disposition of the assets, as well as the sequestration of the properties consid-ered to be ill-gotten.”

“More than 20 years and four adminis-trations have passed, and the PCGG has not produced significant accomplish-ments that would justify its continued existence,” said the explanatory note of the bill, which was jointly introduced

Aliens who have been present in the United States unlawfully

sometimes face inadmissibili-ty bars when they are trying to legalize their status. The stat-ute defines unlawful presence as an alien who is present in the U.S. after the expiration of period of stay authorized by the Attorney General or is present in the U.S. without being admitted or paroled. Additionally, the inadmis-sibility bar only applies to those aliens who have been in the U.S. an accrued unlawful present after April 1, 1997.

The Secretary of Homeland Security announced today, January 2, 2013, the posting of a final rule in the Federal Register that reduces the time U.S. citi-zens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouse, children, and parents), who are in the process of obtaining visas to become lawful permanent resident of the U.S. under certain circumstances. A good example is: Maria, a Mexican national, came to the U.S. crossing the border or without inspection. A year later she married a U.S. citizen. The U.S. citizen spouse filed I-130 petition for Maria to legalize her status. She needs to file an application I-601 waiver to waive her unlawful presence before she can get her legal permanent resident status. Under current law, Maria must leave the U.S. and obtain an immigrant visa abroad or in Mexico. The final rule establishes a process that allows Maria to apply for a provisional unlawful pres-ence waiver before she departs the U.S. to attend immigrant visa interviews in her country of origin. The process will be effective on March 4, 2013. Accord-ing to Secretary Napolitano the final rule facilitates the legal immigration process and reduces the amount of time that U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives who are in the process of obtaining immigrant visa.

Another example is: Jocelyn, a Filipino citizen, came to the U.S. on

a visitor visa on June 2000. She was authorized to stay until December 2000. Jocelyn did not leave the U.S. until January 2002. Since Jocelyn holds a multiple visitor visa, she was able to return to the U.S. in December 2003. Jocelyn married a U.S. citizen and ap-plied for adjustment of status. Under our immigration laws, individual who have accrued more than six months of unlawful presence while in the U.S. must obtain a waiver to overcome the unlawful presence inadmissibility bar before they can return to the U.S. after departing to obtain an immigrant visa. Therefore, Jocelyn needs to file I-601 waiver to waiver her unlawful presence. Under the existing waiver process, Jocelyn cannot file a waiver application until she appear for an immigrant visa interview at the U.S. embassy in the Philippines and the Department of State has determined that she is inadmissible. Under the final rule, Jocelyn must still depart the U.S. for consular immigrant process, but she can apply for a provi-sional waiver before she departs for her immigrant visa interview abroad.

A successful I-601 waiver case re-quires not only good arguments but also credible, well organized, and presented evidence. It is necessary to prove that: 1) the qualifying relative would suffer extreme hardship if he or she move to the applicant’s country; AND 2) the qualifying relative can’t simply remain in the U.S. without the applicant. The term “extreme hardship” means over and above the normal hardship the qualifying relative would experience if the applicant’s visa is denied. The fol-lowing are examples of good argument to support an extreme hardship case: serious medical problem of the U.S. citi-zen qualifying relative, minor child from a prior relationship and the noncustodial parent does not consent to the child being taken to the alien’s home country, domestic violence concerns, racism or security risk abroad, and unavailable career.

We welcome your feedback. If you have any immigration questions, please feel welcome to email me at [email protected] or call 619 819 -8648 to arrange for a telephone consultation.

Final Rule on Processing I-601 Hardship Waiver Will Take Effect on March 4, 2013.



PHL Sea RightsBook � e Dark Nights of

Father Madrid

Selection

a historical novel byDr. Ed Gamboa, MD


Author’s note: August 21, 1983. Exiled Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, the charismatic opposition leader, arrives at the Manila International Air-port to a returning hero’s welcome. Escorted by government soldiers, Ninoy is summarily shot to death as he steps on the tarmac… Kumander Gusi watches the TV coverage of the assassination while recovering from wounds sustained during an encounter with commandos of the Philippine Constabu-lary. Years earlier, Gusi was the newly-ordained and affable Father George Madrid whose social justice work among oppressed farm workers (sacadas) in the parish of Santa Lucia eventually led to his defection to the Communist Party of the Philippines. In short order, the rebel priest had risen to the rank of commander of the dreaded New People’s Army. In this chapter, Fr. George Madrid is summoned to a meeting by the Central Committee of the Commu-nist Party of the Philippines.

Chapter 24: Meeting with the Politburo

Read previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-journalusa.com

by Atty. Rogelio Karagdag, Jr.Member, State Bar of California & Integrated Bar of the Philippines

Phil - Am Law 101The DFA made the reaction to the

report that China’s state-controlled China National Offshore Oil Co. Ltd. (CNOOC) has started the operation of an oil fi eld in disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.

“No country can conduct oil exploration in the Philippine conti-nental shelf in the West Philippine Sea without the permission of the Philippine government, as provided for under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Hernandez added.

A report of the state-owned China Daily over the weekend said the CNOOC announced on Friday the operation of the oil fi elds in the con-

incriminating questions. In the end, nobody bought into their conspiracy theory. From all indi-cations, Fr. George was simply a dedicated priest whose eyes were open to his people’s conditions. His heart was in the right place. When the time came, he saw the futility of his church’s efforts in alleviating the lot of the sacadas. He took his chances with the peo-ple’s revolutionary movement. He saw that the insurgency move-ment was, unlike his church, embedded in people’s lives.

Yes, communism was an atheistic movement. Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Mao -- they were not fans of orga-nized religion. But then Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and the Dalai Lama, even while their hearts and souls belonged to the masses, had no aversion for church matters either.

“Good morning, Padre George,” the chairman started. “May I call you that?”

“George lang po, Mr Chairman.” he replied.

“Very well, George. What is your

vision for our country,” the chairman cut to the chase.

“No more than yours, or anyone in this room, Mr. Chairman -- the liberation of our people.”

“And how do you propose to ac-complish that vision?”

“By adopting the principles and strategies of Mao Zedung.”

“Which ones, may I ask?”“Strategic defense, strategic stale-

mate, strategic offensive.” George did not miss a beat. Everyone in the room knew exactly what he was talking about. They had all read, and reread, Mao’ s classic “Protracted People’s War.”

Strategic defensive -- the time frame when the revolutionary move-ment was biding its time and fo-cused primarily on building strength -- was the longest of Mao’s three stages. It was subdivided into “early substage” and “advance substage.” The Philippines, of course, was in the early substage. A lot of work lay ahead.

Strategic stalemate, Mao’s second stage, was when the armed strength and supporting elements of the revolutionary movement was equal

to that of the enemy (the Philip-pine government). This stage of the people’s war, if managed appropri-ately, was a relatively short period.

Strategic Offensive, when the weakened enemy or government was put on the defensive, was the third stage and the ideal end point of the revolutionary process. In Vietnam, the “Tet Offensive” was the turning point of the revolutionary struggle of the Vietnamese people. It signaled the transition from second to third or fi nal stage, from strategic stalemate to strategic offensive.

The meeting was mere ritual, noth-ing more. The Central Committee, if anything, considered George a gift from heaven, if there was a heaven. George Madrid, ex-Catholic priest, henceforth Comrade Gusi, newly-appointed military commander of the Central Visayas Revolutionary Committee, would not only be an important asset of the revolutionary movement, he would be a slap on the face of the Catholic Church. And serve notice to the populace at large that one of their very own had seen the light of day.

###To be continued...

The author welcomes comments, corrections, suggestions, etc. from Asian Journal readers. These may be included in the novel’s fi nal ver-sion. Please send your remarks to [email protected]. Thanks!

Copyright. E. Gamboa


619.746.3416

tested waters.In a statement, the CNOOC said

both oil fi elds are located in the Pearl River Estuary Basin.

The report said the Panyu 4-2/5-1 fi eld, one of the two oil fi elds, is expected to reach its peak output level in 2014.

The CNOOC owns 75.5 percent of the fi eld, while Burlington Resources China Llc. owns the rest.

The other fi eld was identifi ed as Liuhua 4-1. The company owns it completely and expects its production to peak next year.

In June, the CNOOC announced it would open nine new blocks in the South China Sea to bids for explora-tion and development.

The DFA spokesman, however, failed to answer yesterday if the area where the new CNOOC oil fi eld is located was within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday re-iterated the Philippines has exclusive right to explore and exploit “all types of resources” in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), particularly in areas within the country’s 200 nauti-cal mile exclusive economic zone.

“The Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights to explore and exploit all types of resources in its continental shelf within 200 nautical miles measured from the baselines in the western side of the Philippine archipelago,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

The DFA made the reaction to the report that China’s state-controlled China National Offshore Oil Co. Ltd. (CNOOC) has started the operation of an oil fi eld in disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea.

“No country can conduct oil exploration in the Philippine conti-nental shelf in the West Philippine Sea without the permission of the Philippine government, as provided for under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” Hernandez added.

A report of the state-owned China Daily over the weekend said the CNOOC announced on Friday the operation of the oil fi elds in the con-tested waters.

In a statement, the CNOOC said both oil fi elds are located in the Pearl River Estuary Basin.

The report said the Panyu 4-2/5-1 fi eld, one of the two oil fi elds, is expected to reach its peak output level in 2014.

The CNOOC owns 75.5 percent of the fi eld, while Burlington Resources China Llc. owns the rest.

The other fi eld was identifi ed as Liuhua 4-1. The company owns it completely and expects its production to peak next year.

In June, the CNOOC announced it would open nine new blocks in the South China Sea to bids for explora-tion and development.

The DFA spokesman, however, failed to answer yesterday if the area where the new CNOOC oil fi eld is located was within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

All parents love their children, but because each child is special,

they treat them differently. The independent child re-ceives less attention while the sweet one gets spoiled. The intelligent son reaps kudos, but the lazy one gets scolded. The older children do the chores, while the bunso gets to play. As parents themselves are human beings, they have their own personalities which may fi t into some of their children’s. For instance, an adventurous father tends to be closer to a son who shares the same interest in sports, or camping, or mountaineering. Thinking that their parents are playing favorites, some siblings become envious.

Remember the biblical story of Joseph the Dreamer, youngest son of Jacob, whose brothers sold him to slave traders? The situation becomes more complicated when the children grow up and start their own families. Prodded by their spouses, the jealousy becomes more intense, until siblings fi ght each other and even their parents.

Our hypothetical this week involves the two sisters. Their family owns several lots in the Philippines. Both of them became nurses and were able to immigrate to the United States. After becoming U.S. citizens, they petitioned their parents to join them. Their other siblings stayed behind as it takes a much longer time for them to immigrate. Instead, their parents petitioned them the moment they set foot in America.

As immigrants, the parents have no choice but to stay long in the United States. The two sisters were kind enough to support all their needs, including their plane fares during their yearly vacations to the Philippines, and even the fees for their siblings’ petitions. The parents felt very grateful and decided to return the favor by deeding some of their Philip-pine properties to the two sisters. The parents thought that the other children would not mind. But they were wrong. The other children learned about the transfer soon after their migrated to the United States. Prodded by their spouses, they got hurt and thought that their parents were playing favorites. They expressed their frustration and threatened to sue unless they also get an equal share of the other properties. The parents refused because they will have nothing left for themselves. What does Philippine law say about this?

First, it depends on whether the deed to the two sisters was a donation or a sale. If it is a sale, then Philippine law says that during their lifetime, the parents are free to dispose of their properties. The legal basis for this rule is Article 777 of the Civil Code which states that “(T)he rights to the succes-

sion are transmitted from the moment of the death of the decedent”. This means that during the lifetime of the parents, the children do not have any right over their parents’ properties. Instead, what they have is only an inchoate interest, corresponding to their legitime. We explain this below.

In case of a donation, the rule is a little bit different. While the parents can still freely dispose of their properties during their lifetime, there is a limitation. “No person may give or receive, by way of donation, more than he may give or receive by will” (Article 752). Thus, the donation must not reduce the legitime of the heirs. Article 886 of the Civil Code defi nes legitime as “that part of the testator's property which he cannot dispose of because the law has reserved it for certain heirs who are, therefore, called compulsory heirs.” Not all heirs are compulsory; they are limited to chil-dren, parents and widows (Article 887, Civil Code). The amount of legitime depends on how many and which heirs are alive at the time the decedent died. It may be one-half, one-third, one-fourth, or equal to those of the other heirs. Fur-thermore, “only those who at the time of the donor's death have a right to the legitime and their heirs and successors in interest may ask for the reduction of inoffi cious donations” (Article 772, Civil Code). Thus, if a son predeceases his parents, he has no legitime, unless he has his own heirs. This relates to Article 777 (above) which says that the right of an heir arises only at the time of the decedent’s death.

We hope we are not confusing you with all these references to various provisions of the Civil Code. Just re-member, the rule is that children (or any other heir for that matter) do not have rights until their parents die. The only exception is when their parents donate and that donation affects their legitime. So what happens now? Do we revoke the donation to the two sisters?

The answer is no. Amidst this entire hullabaloo, the disadvantaged children’s recourse is not to invalidate the dona-tion, but to run after the other proper-ties, or to seek reimbursement from the favored children. This, of course, can be done only after their parents’ death. The procedure is outlined in the other provi-sions of the Civil Code, but we refrain from citing them as they are too confus-ing or, worse, too boring for the reader.

Atty. Rogelio Karagdag, Jr. is licensed to practice law in both California and the Philippines. He practices immigra-tion law in San Diego and has continu-ously been a trial and appellate attorney in the Philippines since 1989. He travels between San Diego and Manila. His of-fi ce address is located at 10717 Camino Ruiz, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92126. He also has an offi ce in the Philippines at Unit 230, Manila Executive Regency, 1200 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila, with telephone numbers (02)3537047 & (02)5221199. Please call (858)348-7475/(858)536-4292 or email him at [email protected]. He speaks Tagalog fl uently. Articles written in this column are not legal advice but are hypotheticals intended as general, non-specifi c legal information. Readers must seek legal consultation before tak-ing any legal steps.

Parents Gave Away Properties To Some Of Their Children


Read Monsignor’s previous articles by visit-ing our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Msgr. Fernando G. Gutierrez

Lower Your Nets Balintataw

Read Virginia Ferrer’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Virginia H. FerrerBalintataw

Spiritual Life

©2012 Virginia H. Ferrer. All rights reserved.

About the Author: Virginia H. Ferrer is a Retired Filipino Language Teacher at Otay Ranch High School in Chula Vista.


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Ang Pinakamagandang Bulaklak (2)

Naglaho na nga ang kulay ng hawak niyang bulaklakdahang-dahang inabot sa akin ng munti n'yang paladminabuti kong tanggapin para umalis na agadat nang mapag-isa na lang ako na siya kong hangad.

Malayo pa sa kamay ko nang ito'y kanyang bitawanang hawak na bulaklak na sa akin ay inaalaynahulog sa lupa na hindi niya namamalayannuon ko natanto mata pala niya'y walang linaw.

Aking dinampot sa lupa ang bulaklak na nahuloginilapit ko sa ilong ko at inamoy, sininghotat ang natitirang bango ay akin paring sinimotsalamat sa bata at siya ay umalis, tumalikod.

Heto, ako pala itong bulag sa katotohanan sa nangyayari sa paligid na mga simpleng bagay sa aking pagkakaupo bata'y muli kong natanawmay bulaklak na muli para sa isa pang nilalang.

Malalim kong pinag-isipan ang pangyayaring iyonna siya ngang nagbukas ng isipan kong nakatikomsa isang katotohanang nagdulot sa 'kin ng leksyonang magpasaya ng 'yong kapwa daig pa sa pagtulong.

Joke of the week: The lion was proud of his mastery of the animal kingdom. One day he decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was king of the jungle. He was so confi dent that he bypassed the smaller animals and went straight to the bear. “Who is the king of the jungle?” the lion asked. “Why, of course, you are,” the bear replied. The lion gave a mighty roar of approval. Next he asked the tiger, “Who is the king of the jungle?” The tiger quickly responded, “Every-one knows that you are, oh mighty lion.” Next on the list was the elephant. “Who is the king of the jungle?” the lion asked. The elephant immediately grabbed the lion with his trunk, whirled him around in the air fi ve or six times and slammed him into a tree. Then he pounded him onto the ground several times, dunked him under water in a nearby lake and fi nally dumped him out on the shore. The lion — beaten, bruised and battered — struggled to his feet.

“Look,” he told the elephant, “just because you don't know the answer is no reason to get upset.”

Scriptures: First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6. For the people in exile a new day has dawned. Jerusalem, brought to its knees by the Babylo-nian conquest, is encouraged to “rise up in splendor,” because its dark night of suffering is ending and the Lord is appearing in glory. Finally, the exiles bearing the wealth of na-tions are going home to worship the Lord. Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6. A passage from this Letter stresses the inclusion of all people, especially the Gentiles, within the new saving mystery of God’s love manifested in Jesus Christ. This Feast of the Epiphany has an “evangelizing” element attached to it, because it narrates the initial conversion of non-Hebrews, the Gentiles, and pagans that the magi represent. Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12. Symbols found in ancient roman coins point out that the constellation

Aries was used by pagan astrologers to represent Judea. Astrologers of the time, such as the magi, identi-fi ed the birth of the Messiah to be in Judea or Aries. Armed with their astrological knowledge, the magi found complete guidance and revela-tion from the Hebrew Scriptures. Following the instruction given them by the Hebrew chief priests and scribes, they followed the Star that led them to where the Child was: at Bethlehem of Judea.

Refl ection: We know ourselves to be biologically and religiously de-pendent. Our parents provide us with care and life; as religious people we profess our dependence on God. This dependence is both a charac-teristic and one of the strengths of childhood (Whiteheads, Season of Strength). One grows into a mature person by the way he embraces this dependence in childhood. Early in his childhood years, a person can escape this dependence by asserting himself too soon in life, and thereby miss the strength that comes from this dependency. This means of parenting is considered modern. The person of this type is an individu-alist and a self-made man who is over-cautious in his relationships and affections. On the other hand, an individual can remain shackled to this dependency for a long period of time and fearful of venturing beyond the world of childhood, loses the opportunity of growing in wisdom and acquiring new strength in the new world. This type of parenting is called traditional or helicopter parenting. Holding on to his child-hood dependence, this type does not have self-confi dence and acts “childish” in many ways. According to the Whiteheads, a well-balanced individual, whose childhood de-pendence prepares him rightly for the life ahead, is one who becomes strong enough for others to depend on him even as he remains capable of depending on others.

A child is always the center of attraction in every gathering. A child

noticeably stands out even among adults. A child is always a beauti-ful person to watch, because he/she reminds us of our own childhood. Poets, philosophers, and popes have dreamt of going back to their childhood days. A child reminds us of our own vulnerability, innocence, playfulness, and dependence on our parents, loved ones and God. Because as children we experienced that to be strong we have to be de-pendent on others, we want children of our times to be equally strong in dependency. We do not want to keep them with us always when their time has come to part our company so as not to stifl e their free spirit and independence. At the same time, we do not want to let them loose from our tender loving care, if they are not well prepared to face the outside world. Paradoxically, they should be independent and standing on their own feet as mature persons, but wisely as “little children” dependent on others and us.

THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (Greek word epiphaneia for revela-tion or appearance) is the manifesta-tion of God’s saving action in Jesus Christ. The Gospel does not give the names of the magi nor suggest that they are three. Traditionally, they were considered to have originated from Babylon, Persia, and Yemen. An Armenian tradition named the Magi of Bethlehem as Balthasar of Arabia (Africa), Melchior of Persia (Europe), and Gaspar of India (Asia). One thing is sure: they came to do homage to The Child Jesus and present him their gifts. According to tradition, the magi presented gold as a symbol of kingship, frankincense or incense as a symbol of deity, and myrrh, an embalming oil, as a symbol of sacrifi cial death. Other interpretation described the gifts generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.

The Holy Child’s manifestation is not only the appearance of the Savior to all nations, but also a time for us to stir to life once again “the little child” in each of us. As our Father, God loves us, his “little chil-dren.” Yes, we are weak and fragile, like little children, but we are strong before the Lord, because we have our charisma as gold offering, our prayer life as frankincense, and our vulnerability and problems as myrrh. Dependent on God for his grace and on others for their love, we are strong enough for others to depend on us. That is spiritual maturity. Stir to life “the little child” in you, and you stir to life “the little child” in your neighbor’s.

Quotation of the week: “May each Christmas, as it comes, fi nd us more

and more like Him who at this time became a little child, for our sake; more simple-minded, more humble, more affectionate, more resigned, more happy, more full of God.” John Henry Newman.

Epiphany

Our Life of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Vulnerable, Like a Bird

Life is precious. Not because it is

unchangeable, like a diamond, but because it is vulnerable, like a little bird. To love life means to love its vulnerability, asking for care, atten-tion, guidance, and support. Life and death are connected by vulnerability. The newborn child and the dying elder both remind us of the precious-ness of our lives. Let's not forget the preciousness and vulnerability of life during the times we are powerful, successful, and popular.

Daily Meditation, January 3, 2013. Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc.

Mary's Maternity and Faith Elicit

Our Veneration (I)The divine maternity is the main

reason behind Marian devotion: This is apparent in Elizabeth's and

John the Baptist's attitude at the time of the Visitation (Lk 1:39-45), which is re-ally the extension of the Annunciation:

- John the Baptist leaps for joy be-cause he is fi lled with the Holy Spirit

- The Holy Spirit puts Elizabeth in contact with the mystery of Mary's maternity

- Elizabeth recognizes Mary as the Mother of the Lord

Mary's motherhood gives rise to our veneration:

- Hers is a virginal motherhood: Mary is a virgin (Lk 1:27) who affi rms, “I have no relations with a man” (Lk 1:34)

- Hers is a royal motherhood: her son

is descended from David and his reign will have no end. He accomplishes the promises of Nathan (2 Sam 7) and the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14, having in com-mon God's unilateral initiative and his fi delity. As the Mother of the Davidic Messiah, Mary is the queen mother to whom are paid the homage and venera-tion of the whole messianic people. The Prince to be born of her isn't just son of David, but the Son of God (we notice the progression between Lk 1:32 and Lk 1:35)

- Hers is a maternity made possible by the action of the Holy Spirit, who by his divine power takes the Virgin Mary under his shadow, like the cloud which used to cover the Ark of the Covenant and brought with it the Lord's presence

Such a virginal, royal, and divine maternity, the work of the Holy Spirit, is the object of an awe-fi lled veneration on

the part of Elizabeth and the Church: “And how has it happened to me that

the mother of my Lord would come to me? And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfi llment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” (Lk 1:43-45).

-- Fr. Ignazio Calabuig (former Presi-dent of the Marianum †2005).



Global Filipinoby Doris C. Dumlao, Phillipine

Daily Inquirer | MANILA, Philip-pines, 12/6/2012—Tycoon Henry Sy has boosted his portfolio of shop-ping malls in mainland China with the opening of SM City Chongq-ing in southwest China on Friday, the group’s fi fth in Asia’s largest economy.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. disclosed on Thursday that SM City Chongq-ing, located in the Yubei district, has a gross fl oor area (GFA) of 149,080 square meters, 85 percent of which has already been awarded to various tenants. The new mall is a one-build-ing structure with fi ve levels.

The group’s four earlier shop-ping malls in China were located in Xiamen, SM City Jinjiang, SM City Chengdu and SM City Suzhou.

“We are very pleased to open our fi fth mall in China, SM City Chongqing, as we provide mall-go-ers with a one-stop shopping, dining and leisure destination. We believe Chongqing is a signifi cant market given the city’s huge population and its attractive growth prospects. As we learn more about the market and gain acceptance in China, we intend to penetrate other cities that show promising economic progress. After Chongqing, the pipeline includes the launching of Zibo and Tianjin in 2014,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said in a press statement.

SM Prime said that with its strate-gic location and transport accessibil-ity, the new mall will serve a popula-tion of about 30 million residents in the city of Chongqing and offer a mix of local and international stores. The major tenants are Vanguard Supermarket, SM Department Store and Wanda Cinema. Junior ten-ants include Vero Moda, Only, Jack & Jones, Starbucks, Watsons and Kidswant.

The company described the exterior design of SM City Chongq-ing as featuring fi sh scale panels accentuated by lightings while its interior “has slanted glass panels that defi ne lobbies that help create grand entrance ambiance.”

Chongqing has several economic

and technological development zones and is a major railway hub. The city also boasts of cultural heritage and natural attractions, and is the starting point for the Yangtze River cruise, which explores the im-pressive scenery of China’s famous Three Gorges.

SM City Chongqing is the sixth SM mall to be opened by SM Prime this year after SM City Olongapo in Zambales, SM City Consolacion in Cebu, SM City San Fernando in Pampanga, SM City General Santos in South Cotabato and SM Lanang Premier in Davao. This completes its programmed expansions for 2012.

SM Prime now has a total of 51 SM malls in the Philippines and in China, with a combined gross fl oor area of 6.3 million sqm.

SM opens 5th mall in China

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Asian Journal San Diego

ABS-CBN news.com | MANILA, Philippines, 12/13/2012 – What are the most original and creative local products sold online today? Shop-ping website Multiply Philippines recently announced its Top 30 picks.

The 30 products on fashion, food and beverage, and home and family care are part of this year’s Multiply Origination Awards, which aims to recognize original ideas in the e-commerce space.

These include:

Original Fashion Forward Idea

1. Honey Badger Bags of Honey Baby

2. Manila Sole Shoes of Manila Sole

3. Cabo Feather Maillot of Soak Swimwear

4. Macy Satchel5. The Weekend bag of The School

of Satchel 6. Smart Passport Folio of The

School of Satchel

7. Butter Tint of Bare Naturals8. Under the Sea Charm Bracelet

of Trinkets for Keeps9. Customizable Wire Hangers of

Anagon Collection10. USB Camera Necklace of

Tuesday Freya

Most Original Gourmand Idea

1. Chuco Portrait of Chuco Art2. Enchanted Hand-tied Purple

Bouquet of Sweet Blooms3. Paris Halloween Treat Basket of

Sweet Blooms4. Pineapple Vinegar of World Fair

Trade Asia5. Crispy Tahong of World Fair

Trade Asia6. Trigona Sugar Bag of Milea Bee

Farm7. Cake Clothes Line Design of

Sweet Success8. Decorated Cake with 3D De-

signs of Cake Avenue Bakeshop9. Dainty Vanilla I Love You

Cookies of Kela’s Kitchen and Keepers

10. 60% South Cotabato-Coco Regular Mini Crave of Risa Choco-late

Most Original Mommy Manage-ment Idea

1. Hoot Hats of Honey Baby2. Sniffl es Balm of Milea Bath and

Body Wellness Essentials3. Milea Baby Nappy Balm of

Milea Bath and Body Wellness Es-sentials

4. Mommy Patch Anti-Mosquito Rescue Sticks of Mommy Patch

5. BCV Tank Top of Mommy Matters

6. Momease Diaperbag Converter of Mommy Matters

7. Mommy Mundo’s Mom 24/7 Planner of Mommy Matters

8. The Proud Mama Reversible Nursing Cover of Proud Mama Store

9. Tee Hee Shirts of Proud Mama Store

10. Shoo Fly Insect Repellant Home Spray of Indigo

“Multiply has been the home of Filipino online entrepreneurs and witness to the inventiveness and ingenuity of Filipino Inter-net merchants, and our platform has been host to some of the most original products we have ever seen; it is only appropriate that we recognize our talented and creative merchants,” Multiply Philippines country manager Jack Madrid said in a press statement.

The shortlisted items will be reviewed by a panel of experts based on the strength and innovativeness of the product concept, perceived value and marketability.

The judges in this year’s Multiply Origination Awards include Madrid, GoNegosyo founder and RFM Corp. chief executive offi cer and president Joey Concepcion; Sulit.com.ph co-founder and managing director RJ David; Banco De Oro’s senior assistant vice president for e-com-merce lending Cofa Gutierrez; and Chuvaness.com founder and lifestyle blogger Cecile Van Straten.

Aside from the judges’ scores, the public can also vote for their favorite product online at http://origination.multiply.com/#8 until December 20. The votes will contribute 30% to the fi nal score of each fi nalist.

On January 14, 2013, three win-ners will be named in this year’s Multiply Origination Awards and will each receive an “online business package” worth P200,000 which includes a Samsung Galaxy SIII, a Cherry Superion Tablet, a Smart Bro Pocket WiFi, a Gold Package from Sulit.com.ph worth P100,000, and digital advertising and billboard exposure from Multiply.com, among others.

Multiply PH lists ‘most creative’ products sold online

MANILA, Philippines – The humble bibingka, a Filipino rice cake, is one of the “most traditional” holiday treats in the world, accord-ing to a travel magazine.

Travel + Leisure included bibingka in its “World’s Most Traditional Hol-iday Foods” list, putting it alongside dishes from Japan, China, Russia and Sweden, among others.

In an article on Travel + Leisure’s website, writer Howie Kahn recom-mended buying bibingka at the stalls near Lourdes Church in Quezon City.

Bibingka is a yellow rice cake traditionally made from rice fl our, eggs, milk and sugar. It is brushed with butter, topped with either salted egg or cheese, and served with niyog (grated coconut).

The sweet and salty bibingka has a soft and fl uffy texture similar to puto, another Filipino rice cake, and is eaten warm.

Most Filipinos prefer buying bibingka because making one can be time-consuming. The traditional way of cooking this rice cake requires a terra cotta pot lined with banana leaves, heated coals, and lots of patience and energy.

Aside from bibingka, other holiday treats included in Travel + Lei-sure’s list are mushroom soup with zaprashka from Russia; tourtiere (ground, minced or cubed meat packed into a pie crust and served with ketchup or savory fruit relish) from Canada; curry devil (chicken, cocktail sausages, cabbage and cucumbers stewed in a spicy rempah gravy) from Singapore; toshikoshi soba from Japan; sarmale (cabbage rolls packed with pork, beef and rice and boiled in tomato sauce) from

Bibingka among world's

most tradi-tional holiday

foods

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EntertainmentShowbiz Watcher

Read Ogie Cruz’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Ogie Cruz

FELD ENTERTAINMENTJob No.:

Engagement City:

Media:

Insertion Date(s):

Ad Size:

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DD220649San Diego, CA4c News Ad

5.875” x 5”ENTERTAINMENT

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Get Tangled In The Fun!

Opening Night Tickets $10!*JAN.

23 – 27

Buy tickets at disneyonice.com, Ticketmaster.com,

Retail Locations, Valley View Casino Center Box Office or call 1-800-745-3000

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Wed. JAN. 23 � 7:00 PM

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Hair donations accepted at Mas-ter Cuts Salons in select West-

field Malls, along with Suite b in Solana Beach, Saturday, Jan. 12

from noon to 4:00 p.m.WHO/WHAT: In honor of the

new skating production Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream featur-ing Disney’s newest princess – the long golden-haired, Rapunzel from “Tangled,” Disney On Ice is inviting the community to participate in a heartwarming hair donation cam-paign to benefit Wigs for Kids, an organization that helps hundreds of children every year that are suffer-ing from medically related hair loss. Join us and donate your hair (at least 10"-12" long).

Select Master Cuts Salons (in select local Westfield Malls), along

with Suite b salon in Solana Beach, will be providing the salon services for the event on Saturday, Jan. 12 from noon to 4:00 p.m.

The first 15 hair donors to regis-ter at each location will receive a Rapunzel necklace and two tickets to see Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in San Diego, January 23-27, 2013.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 12 from noon to 4:00 p.m. / *Media is asked to arrive at 11:30 a.m. to check-in

WHERE: Westfield Plaza Bonita, Westfield Parkway Plaza, AND Suite b Salon in Solana Beach

Master Cuts Plaza Bonita3030 Plaza Bonita Road, Suite

Disney On Ice Partners Up With Wigs For Kids To Make Dreams Come True In A Heartwarming Hair Donation Campaign

ABS-CBN News' Korina Sanchez, Balitang America's Yong Chavez among winners of Media Newser Philippines'

Top Media Stories of 2012

Media Newser Philippines (Medi-aNewser.com) unveiled its Top Me-dia Stories of 2012 and two media personalities from ABS-CBN made it to the list: Korina Sanchez of ABS-CBN News Manila and Yong Chavez of ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) Balitang America.

Excerpts from MediaNewser.com: KORINA SANCHEZ - ABS-CBN

News' Chief Correspondent Korina Sanchez experienced sort of a rebirth in 2012 after conducting an inter-view with Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. While her Sunday show Rated K still struggled in the ratings, the last quarter of the year proved to be kind to Sanchez, as her program gained her international accolade being “Highly Commended” as Best Current Affairs Presenter in the New York Festivals.

YONG CHAVEZ - For much of 2012, the news has been saturated with news of our Filipino kaba-bayans who have made waves in the international scene. We saw three Filipinos giving pride to our great nation — Jessica Sanchez of American Idol, Cheesa Laureta of The Voice and Jason Farol of Duets. Sanchez in particular was the most talked-about, drawing attention after her live performances on American Idol. Among the Big 3, it was ABS-CBN News which landed exclusive

By Ogie Cruz

Habang nagrereklamo si Mad-am Auring dahil ginawa siyang katatawanan ni Marc Logan sa Tv Patrol kamakailan, eto isang bagyo ang unang pumasok sa Pilipinas na may pangalang “Auring” na signal no. 1 nag-decide kami na magbigay

ng aming showbiz predictions 2013.Yes ,naniniwala kami na lalong

iinit ang rivalry nina Vilma Santos at Nora Aunor sa taong ito, dahil

hindi rin ganon naging kasuwerte si Ate Guy dahil hanggang ngayon kulelat pa rin ang movie niya na “Thy Womb” kahit sabihin pang nanalo siya ng Best Actress sa Metro Manila Film Festival.

Samantalang ang Vilma ay never na naging kulelat ang movie nito sa naturang festival kapag kasali ito ,at

kumita ng malaki ang “The Healing”

Showbiz Predictions : Sino Ang Mangunguna Sa Taong 2013 ?



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from My Barber

by Benjamin Maynigo

Top CEOs bullish on PH economy


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Earth-friendly Tech

An international team of chemists, physicists, and engineers has, for the fi rst time, developed a silicon-based optical fi ber with solar-cell capabili-ties that is capable of being scaled up to many meters in length.

The research opens the door to the possibility of weaving together solar-cell silicon wires to create fl ex-ible, curved, or twisted solar fabrics.

The fi ndings by the team led by John Badding, a professor of chemistry at Penn State University build on earlier work addressing the challenge of merging optical fi bers with electronic chips -- silicon-based integrated circuits that serve as the building blocks for most semicon-ductor electronic devices such as so-lar cells, computers, and cell phones.

Rather than merge a fl at chip with a round optical fi ber, the team found a way to build a new kind of optical fi ber -- which is thinner than the width of a human hair -- with its own integrated electronic compo-nent, thereby bypassing the need to integrate fi ber-optics with chips.

To do this, they used high-pressure chemistry techniques to deposit semiconducting materials directly, layer by layer, into tiny holes in opti-cal fi bers.

Now, in their new research, the team members have used the same high-pressure chemistry techniques to make a fi ber out of crystalline silicon semiconductor materials that can function as a solar cell -- a photovoltaic device that can gener-ate electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct-current electricity.

“Our goal is to extend high-per-formance electronic and solar-cell function to longer lengths and to more fl exible forms. We already have made meters-long fi bers but, in principle, our team’s new method could be used to create bendable silicon solar-cell fi bers of over 10 meters in length,” Badding said.

“Long, fi ber-based solar cells give us the potential to do something we couldn’t really do before: We can take the silicon fi bers and weave them together into a fabric with a wide range of applications such as power generation, battery charging, chemical sensing, and biomedical devices,” he added.

Badding explained that one of the major limitations of portable electronics such as smart phones and iPads is short battery life. Solar-boosted batteries could help solve this problem.

“A solar cell is usually made from a glass or plastic substrate onto which hydrogenated amorphous silicon has been grown. Such a solar cell is created using an expensive piece of equipment called a PECVD reactor and the end result is some-thing fl at with little fl exibility. But woven, fi ber-based solar cells would be lightweight, fl exible confi gura-tions that are portable, foldable, and even wearable,” Badding explained.

This material could then be con-nected to electronic devices to power them and charge their batteries.

“The military especially is inter-ested in designing wearable power sources for soldiers in the fi eld,” Badding added.

The team members believe that another advantage of fl exibility in solar-cell materials is the possibility of collecting light energy at various angles.

“A typical solar cell has only one fl at surface. But a fl exible, curved solar-cell fabric would not be as dependent upon where the light is coming from or where the sun is in the horizon and the time of day,” Badding said. -- Link: http://mytechnol-ogyworld9.blogspot.in/2012/12/fl exible-and-wearable-silicon-solar.html?m=1

Flexible and wearable sili-con solar-cell

fabrics may soon become

reality

ment revenue collections—to continue showing good num-bers,” Moncupa said.

“Overall, we expect the momen-tum of domestic demand and the country’s good macroeconomic numbers to outweigh the uncertain-ties in Western economies. Given our positive economic outlook, we will proceed with our expansion programs,” he said.

2013 election boostAccording to Moncupa, the 2013

midterm elections should give the economy—which the government expects to grow by between 6 and 7 percent—an added boost as it will provide another opportunity to pump-prime the economy with increased expenditures.

Jose Concepcion III, CEO of food and beverage giant RFM Corp., and Partho Chakrabarti, president of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines made the same prediction.

Concepcion said 2013 would be a “super year” for the Philippines, partly because elections will help boost consumption. As a result, the stock market should hit even more records in 2013, he said.

Chakrabarti said the overall optimism of the population would result in increased investment and spending, by both companies and individuals.

“Confi dence will continue to in-crease in 2013 and should be higher than 2012. The increased activities around the elections will further stimulate the economy in the fi rst half,” said Chakrabarti, who also predicted that the beverage industry will grow at a faster rate in 2013 than has been seen over the past two years.

Riza Mantaring, CEO of Sun Life Financial Phil., gave a similarly rosy projection for the Philippines in 2013, saying that the economy would continue to “grow strongly” because of strong domestic con-sumption.

“It is already the third largest of the $1 trillion-plus Asean consumer market, and we expect to continue to move up as we have a young and

still growing population with grow-ing purchasing power,” she said.

San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang said the economy will continue to become strong mainly because “investors believe in our President and his good image.”

Continuing investor interestThe Philippine Chamber of Com-

merce and Industry (PCCI), the largest umbrella organization of more than 30,000 enterprises in the country, also projected a stronger Philippine economy in 2013 because of two signifi cant events in 2013—the midterm elections next May and the start of the second term of US President Barack Obama in January.

“The Philippine economy in 2012 has shown resiliency and strength amid the economic crisis in Europe and territorial disputes in the region. This is mainly due to our govern-ment’s effective fi scal management policies which created a stronger-than-expected investors’ interest in the Philippines,” said PCCI presi-dent Miguel Varela.

The United States will still infl u-ence the Philippine economy as it remains among the biggest sources of investments and also among the biggest markets for Philippine goods, the PCCI said.

Varela said now would be the per-fect time to pursue more reforms and start developing domestic industries.

The PCCI stressed the need to fi ne-tune policies to support pro-grams that will revive a weakening industrial sector. It urged the govern-ment to carry out more support in terms of infrastructure, incentives and market linkages in the agricul-ture sector. It also pushed for the implementation of various public-private partnership(PPP) projects, which are supposed to anchor government and private sector co-operation in important development programs.

Overall, the PCCI sees brighter prospects in 2013 in the face of the continuing interest of fund managers and investors alike in the Philip-pines.

“Given the signifi cant milestones we have achieved in assisting poten-tial investors in the country and if we are to base on the various delega-tions and missions we received or organized this year, coming from countries like India, China, Russia, Bahrain, Turkey, Taiwan, Korea,

Japan, among others, we defi nitely see a string of investment interest and opportunities in the country. Our assessment is that the economy is headed toward the right direction,” it said.

Continue reformsMaynilad Water Services CEO

Ricky Vargas also stressed the need to continue the reforms and to pursue projects to maintain growth, especially the PPP infrastructure projects.

“Our country needs infrastructure investments that will support busi-nesses and improve lives. If the gov-ernment can fast-track PPP projects next year, then we may see an even more vibrant Philippine economy in 2013. We are already on the right path. We just have to stay on track and move faster so more Filipinos can experience fi rsthand what prog-ress feels like,” said Vargas, add-ing that 2013 marks the start of its “expansion era” for Maynilad.

“Additionally, while the daang matuwid (straight path) strategy of the government has been successful in curbing graft and corruption in the bureaucracy, there is a need to further strengthen the implementa-tion of this strategy. Otherwise, the gains achieved in the last few years could be undermined or negated,” Vargas stressed.

Guarded optimismManila North Tollways Corp. CEO

Ramoncito Fernandez looks forward to 2013 with “guarded optimism.”

“The national economy is poised to repeat its growth but to sustain that growth, the country needs more foreign direct investments and infra-structure spending,” he said.

Mantaring said there were exter-nal factors to watch out for as these could derail growth in 2013.

“In terms of risk, a growing economy usually attracts infl ation, but we feel the government has put in place enough measures to mitigate this risk at the moment. An abrupt appreciation of the peso is also a threat to the business process outsourcing sector as it lessens its competitiveness.

“External threats such as the US fi scal cliff, the lingering euro debt crisis and an economic slowdown in China can also negatively impact our economy, particularly the export sector,” she said.

However, Mantaring expects that

the Philippines, Thailand and Indo-nesia would not be as affected by a global economic slowdown as their economies are consumption-led. The expected increase in govern-ment spending will also help support growth, she said. (Story courtesy of Tina Arceo Dumlao of the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

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Combine that with daily exercise. When your body has energy, you can be more active and exercise will develop your muscles, which helps to burn off even more calories.

5. Challenge to Mental Health

Unhealthy dieting is challenging for your mental health. Many people feel grumpy and irritable when they are hungry. Not getting enough calories, not having enough energy to carry out daily tasks, feeling dizzy and nauseous can all combine to push some extreme dieters into feelings of deep sadness or even depression.

The best way to avoid the conse-quences of unhealthy dieting is to establish healthy eating patterns. Do this gradually. Identify aspects of your diet that you want to change and work on one component at a time. Reduce calories gradually. Ex-ercise more. Address your emotional needs. Over time, you will see the pounds fall off and stay off in the long term. -- Link: http://mytechnol-ogyworld9.blogspot.in/2012/12/5-consequences-of-unhealthy-dieting.html?m=1

5 Consequences of Unhealthy ..


One of the events produced and managed by Living in Digital Times at the Inter-

national CES every year, Mobile Apps Showdown is one show that I never miss attending.

This is because I enjoy watching the contestants demonstrate their new and amazing mobile apps in front of a large audience. The Ten Best Mobile Apps have been preselected before the actual show, so we expect all of them to be of great value as they show off.

Here are the 2013 Mobile Apps Show-down Finalists:

1. iMeet

iMeet® lets you have face-to-face video meetings when you can’t be there in person.

Meetings don’t always happen in an offi ce or in front of a computer. Today, we’re always on the go — and iMeet is as mobile as you are. Whether you’re on your iPad®, iPhone® or Android™ device, you can have highly productive meetings with all the key features and functionality of your iMeet room right in the palm of your hand.

- Easily host or attend meetings on the go

- See everyone in your meeting- Access and present fi les stored in the

cloudPlus, with the new Auto-Connect™

feature, iMeet instantly connects your audio so you can talk right through your mobile device without dialing in.

2. MindMeld

MindMeld is the fi rst voice and video calling app that actually understands your conversation, making it effortless to fi nd and share related information as you talk. MindMeld lets anyone make high-quality calls with up to 8 people using their iPad. Unlike any other calling app,

MindMeld actually understands what you say and proactively fi nd relevant pictures, videos, articles and documents from your social graph or across the web. MindMeld also makes sharing effortless by letting you share anything with a single swipe.

MindMeld is powered by Expect Labs’ Anticipatory Computing Engine. Two years in development, this unique plat-form continuously analyzes the last 10 minutes of any conversation to anticipate the information you may need in the next 10 seconds.

3. My Disney Experience

My Disney Experience – Walt Disney World is the very best way to

plan your visit to Orlando, navigate the park, & maximize the magic while en-joying all that Walt Disney World has to offer! Featuring brand-new Walt Disney World® maps, offi cial Disney Parks-provided wait times, FASTPASS® return times, ability to book dining reserva-tions, details about nearby characters, attractions, entertainment, park hours and schedules, and more!

• New Here & Now feature, which instantly shows attractions and events closest to your current location

• Explore Walt Disney World attrac-tions, including descriptions, images, and height requirements

• Locate nearest restrooms, baby care centers, concierge, and other Guest Services

• Browse dining options including Table Service and Quick Service restau-rant locations

4. My Script Calculator

With MyScript® Calculator, perform mathematical operations naturally using your handwriting.

**The Free handwriting calculator for your device**

Easy, simple and intuitive, just write the mathematical expression on the screen then let MyScript® technology

perform its magic converting symbols and numbers to digital text and deliver-ing the result in real time.

The same experience as writing on paper with the advantages of a digital de-vice (Scratch-outs, results in real time).

Solve mathematical equations by hand without actually having to crunch the numbers yourself.

BENEFITS AND FEATURES– Works on your iPhone, iPad or An-

droid smartphone or tablet- Portrait and landscape operation]– Redo and undo functions

5. NIVPAT

Intelligent garment recognition mobile social networking.

NIVPAT allows you to socialize both in person and over television with sec-ond screen interaction. Events, concerts, schools, sports games, meet and fi nd out about people without talking to them. Game changer powerful computer vision technology.

Mobile advertising of sponsors in each reading. Link virtual games to real life interaction. Developed at ETH in Zurich Switzerland, world leading high tech computer vision institution.

6. Runtastic Fitness App

Challenge yourself to reach previously unattainable fi tness goals with the new runtastic Fitness App Collection! The Fitness App Collection consists of four apps which focus on important, station-ary exercises, including: push- ups, sit-ups, squats, and pull-ups.

The apps are specifi cally designed to increase your strength and stamina, all the while providing you with easy-to-follow instructions and a long-term goal. Whether your goal is to complete 50 sit-ups or 100 squats, runtastic offers you unique training plans and day-by-day training guide-lines to get you there! Using your smartphone’s built-in sensors, repeti-tions are counted automatically and you’re alerted when you’ve reached your goal.

Need motivation? No problem! The voice coach will keep you going as you earn badges and shatter personal records. You can also share progress and challenge your friends to a little friendly competition.

7. Sales Navigator

Sales Navigator is the fi rst iOS ap-plication that enables individuals and organizations to improve productivity by

2013 Mobile Apps Showdown

integrating their contacts, locations, and calendars.

Sales Navigator lets users view their day’s appointments as a route using Apple Maps and identifi es clients or prospects in the vicinity that may be scheduled in along the way. Users see the time needed to get to and from ap-pointments, and which routes are the fastest. Users can easily modify plans as appointments and activities change in real time.

Sales Navigator enables users to assign contacts to groups that can be identifi ed with customizable pins.

Contacts can be grouped by priority/location, or by using the Filter function, they can choose to view specifi c groups on their map. Users can also send emails to contacts and view contacts’ websites from within the application. A VoIP call-ing feature for the iPad and integration with Salesforce.com are enhancements planned for early 2013. Sales Navigator helps users clearly see the “Who, Where and When” of their busy day.

8. SecuraFone

SecuraFone® Health combines GPS tracking, 24/7 emergency response, and remote monitoring of vital signs to deliver individualized mobile health and safety solution. The app offers an easy-to- understand dashboard provided by the “band-aid-like” SecuraPatch. These vitals, your location, speed and head-ing can be seen remotely by caregivers, doctors or others who have rights to access this information. Alerts can be

setup with high and low thresholds for each vital. The person with the app can call for help to an emergency monitoring center by holding the SOS button for 3 seconds. Vitals can be viewed in real-time or historically by pressing on each dashboard icon. Historical information for each vital is shown in the near past for up to 5 minutes, over the last hour, or over the past 24 hour period. Individual-

ized emergency care no longer means you cannot remain independent, mobile and able to live an active life.

9. SWYPE

Swype is a living and learning four-in-one keyboard that allows users to simply and easily input text to their touchscreen mobile device, delivering an amazingly fast, fl exible, and accurate experience. Users have the option to Swype (by sliding a fi nger or stylus from letter to letter – and only lifting a fi nger between words) type, write or speak with the power of Dragon Swype “learns” each individual user’s text input style and builds a personal language model, get-ting smarter after every use!

The latest version of Swype beta features:

•Living Language: Crowd-sourced language additions to user’s dictionaries

•Smart Editor: Cutting-edge predictive language models

•Dictionary Backup & Sync: Sw-ype now backs up and syncs a user’s personal dictionary across any of their mobile devices, so a personal Swype ex-perience is available on any device they use •Swype for Tablets: Three different keyboard layouts

10. Unifi ed Remote

Unifi ed Remote is an app that lets you control your entire Windows computer from your Android and Windows Phone device. In short, it turns your device into a WiFi or Bluetooth remote control for

all the programs on your computer. It is easily the most feature-fi lled PC remote available. With our app you can control a wide range of applica-tions, including simple mouse and keyboard, media players, and even external hardware, including support for TellStick, USB-UIRT (IR Blaster), and NFC tags.

What started out as a hobby project by two university students as now turned into a profi table business, with the free version nearing 1.5 million

downloads, and the full version ranked as one of the top tools and as one of the top grossing apps for Android.

The descriptions of each of the prod-ucts come from the developer. Since I will be part of the judging audience, I will wait for the products to be demon-strated before I could aptly describe their use and features. I look forward to the MOBILE APPS SHOWDOWN!




Health and Wellness

Unhealthy dieting can result in numerous undesirable consequences. Going on an extremely low-calorie diet that is devoid of nec-essary nutrients can not only sabotage your dieting ef-forts in the long run, but it often results in un-intended health consequences as well. Here are fi ve con-sequences of unhealthy dieting.

1. Binge Eating

Unhealthy diet-ing can result in

feelings of

deprivation. If you cut your calories excessively,

eliminate all of your favorite foods and eat very little food that delivers much needed nutrition, the conse-quence is often a need to make up for everything you missed out on.

Binge eating is sometimes the outcome of having gone too long without necessary nutrition and calo-ries. If you consistently skip meals when on a diet, it is possible to feel deprived and eat many more calories late at night, especially if you’re unable to fall asleep from intense hunger.

2. Muscle Loss

Unhealthy dieting practices that

don’t incorporate enough protein can lead to unwanted muscle loss. Your body needs protein to build and repair tissues, and carry out a large number of processes. When you

don’t consume enough protein in your diet, your body will con-sume its own muscle mass.

3. Fatigue and Nausea

Some unhealthy dieting practices involve extreme calorie reduction. Juice fasts

where you go for weeks with-out consuming solid foods often

result in undesirable side effects. Fatigue, nausea, dizziness and

headaches are common consequences of

these un-healthy diets.

4. Eventual Weight Gain

The chal-

lenge with unhealthy diets is that they usually cannot be sustained in the long term. You may be able to survive on a short term basis on an extremely low-calorie diet, but eventually you will have to resume eating regular meals. When you go on an extreme diet, you don’t have the opportunity to gradually develop habits that will sustain you in the long haul.

It is much healthier and you will see greater results in the long term if you adjust your diet gradually. Instead of cutting thousands of calo-ries on a daily basis, fi nd ways to cut a few hundred calories each day.

5 Consequences of Unhealthy Dieting We all know which foods to avoid

(right?). Despite the alluring appeal of Oreos, Mountain Dew or McAny-thing, processed foods provide little nutrition and a whole lot of risks. But when it comes to the good stuff — what are the best foods to put into our bodies? While experts all agree we need a variety of foods for a healthy diet, do you know which are the healthiest of the bunch? The answers may surprise and delight you.

1. Spirulina: While the thought of eating lake algae might gross you out, spirulina is actually pretty tasty, especially blended into a smoothie or hidden in a chocolate bar. It has more antioxidants than any other food on earth and is loaded with protein and minerals, making it the most nutrient dense food.

2. Kale: According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, kale is the most nutritious food, loaded with minerals, vita-mins, fi ber and amino acids, as well as important antioxidants that reduce infl ammation and can prevent can-cer. It’s also delicious and an easy to prepare, versatile food.

The 8 Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on Earth

3. Hemp Seeds: What do you get when you combine protein, fi ber, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals? Hemp, of course. This easily digest-ible seed is versatile, easy to use and extremely tasty, too.

4. Chocolate: Yes, you read right. Cacao beans are so nutrient-dense that scientists haven’t even begun to identify all the benefi ts in the little bean yet. Don’t grab a Snickers though—the good stuff is found only in raw cacao beans or nibs (or really, really dark chocolate). Minerals, vitamins and tons of antioxidants are great for your heart, skin, and release chemicals in the brain that make you feel like you’re in love.

5. Broccoli: Mom was right, you should eat your broccoli if you want a healthy digestive system and to de-crease your risk of cancer. Broccoli has a wide range of yumminess too, from soups and stews to stir fry.

Cacao fruit (top) and kale (bottom)



cal resolution of the problems that the Spaniards abused the Filipinos. These are social commentaries on our country, the Philippines, which formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent among peaceful reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against the Spanish colonial authorities. These writings gave him “immortality in the eyes of his people and com-patriots, but made him a target of ecclesiastical vengeance.”

Several years ago, we gained our independence from the United States of America. This was a product of our natural quest for freedom that we inherited from our forefathers, the courage and wisdom of Lapu-Lapu, and the bravery and nationalism of Dr. Rizal. I suppose no one ever dreamed that you and I shall be here in this land of Milk and Honey talking about this great history. We have so far enjoyed the blessings of not only the freedoms and democracy of our adopted coun-try, America, but we are also blessed with the opportunities, achieved suc-cess and affluence in our lives.

While he was away from his coun-try his clarion call was to inspire his kababayans to be aware, to be engaged, and to be involved in the events happening in the Fatherland.

Let me remind you, that achiev-ing and restoring democracy is not enough. We must also have economic freedom; we must have economic power and justice for our countrymen. This was what Dr. Jose Rizal stood for. At age nineteen as a third-year medical student in Manila, the young Jose formed a university fraternity called El Compañerismo to promote civic and patriotic edu-

cation, mutual aid, and coopera-tion. While in Madrid , Spain, he again did this time, put fuel on the spirit of PATRIOTISM and sense of pride and purpose in his Filipino co-students. He dreamt the dreams of FREEDOM in the Philippines as enunciated by the tenets of the French Revolution, that of Lib-erté, Égalité, Fraternité; (“Liberty, equality, fraternity (brotherhood)”, - the national motto of France. We must learn from Dr. Rizal who championed the tenets of UNITY. In fact when Rizal was elected responsible (chief) of the associa-tion of Filipinos in Madrid during his college days over his colleague, Marcelo H. del Pilar, who wanted the position very much, he abdicated the position in favor of del Pilar and stated, “I do wish you to give your full support and cooperation to my dear colleague Marcelo. Let us be united in our efforts to liberate our country”.

We are now living in America but why is it important that we talk about the Philippines this day in memorial of the death of Dr. Rizal? It is because what is good for the Philippines is good for every Fili-pino wherever he/she is. While we concern ourselves with helping our countrymen and their ills, we must also develop our Filipino American community here in its economic, political, and social aspirations in this country. There is much to be done if we are to forge our Filipino American Community into a strong, cohesive force that can speak with one voice on matters that concern us all. Rizal wrote article El Amor Patrio (Love of Country), sent to the Philippines from Spain, again

Showbiz Watcher(Continued from page 11)


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Mga Tulang Tagalog

by Romeo Nicolas

Beautiful story.... makes you understand that things hap-

pen for a reasonThe brand new pastor and his wife,

newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw their church, it was very run down and needed

much work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their first service on Chrismas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls,painting, etc, and on December 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving rainstorm - hit the area and lasted for two days.

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed that a local business was having a flea market type sale for charity, so he stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful,handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth

with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.

Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials 'EBG' were crocheted into it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria .

The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria .

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.

Her husband was going to follow her

the next week. He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.

The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home. That was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.

What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he wasn't leaving.

The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to one that his wife had made years ago whenthey lived in Aus-tria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?

He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again in all the 35 years between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier.

He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apart-ment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmasreunion he could ever imagine.

True story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says God does work in myste-rious ways. I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today, to guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you. His

promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares we know He will see us through.

So when the road you're traveling seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying and God will do the rest. Pass this on to those you want God to bless and remember to send it back to the one who asked God to bless you first.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the fol-lowing small prayer for the person who sent this to you.

Father, God, bless all my friends and family in what ever it is that You know they may be needing this day! May their lives be full of Your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with You. Amen.

The Tablecloth


Candari

as a pedagogical tool we reminisce Dr. Jose Rizal as our champion of PATRIOTISM, FREEDOM and UNITY. This is a topic that always seems to come up whenever I am honored with an invitation to speak. This was the first of two speeches that I was invited by the Philippine-American Community of San Diego County, Incorporated.

My agnate great-great-grandfather, Vicente Rendon Gella (24 June 1856 – 24 April 1926), maintained a close friendship with Jose Rizal during his college years when he studied law at the University of Santo Tomas and finished the course in 1885. He communicated with Rizal even when Rizal was already overseas. Evidence of this can be found with the letter he sent to Rizal dated 30 June 1882. Part of the letter read as follows:

“If the absence of a son from the bosom of his esteemed family is sad, no less will be that of a friend who, being very dear to all of us who has had the honor of being called his friends and comrades, now is away; from us seeking the welfare that we all desire. Had it not been for that, the separation would have been more painful for the distance that separates us. May God help you for the good that you do to your fellow countrymen.”

To begin, allow me to share with you an event in our history of how we, Filipinos, came about to know

democracy and freedom through our forefathers and through Dr. Rizal. As a descendant of a noble Malayan race, we must be proud of being able to savor Democracy as established in the legends- ‘Code of Kalantiaw’ and the ‘Code of Sumakwel’ many centuries after Democracy was born in 510 B.C.

in ancient Greece. We must be proud of the legacy left behind by our national heroes, particularly the bravery and national sentiment of Dr. Rizal. We must be proud of our heritage. We must adapt to the vari-ous cultural climates that we have been exposed to and have culled the best from each of these divergent cultures.

We commemorate this event every December not only to showcase the bravery and wisdom of Rizal who died for our country but also to reaffirm our love for freedom and democracy.

I mention tidbits of histori-cal legacies because I believe that awareness of our common ancestry and culture could lead us easily to develop values that could integrate into a community. These values will bind us together as Filipinos where the words “Bayanihan” and “Katipu-nan” (togetherness) have inspired and spirited our people in forging the Philippines into a great nation. It was Jose Rizal, as a political figure, initiated a civic organization-La Liga Filipina, that subsequently gave birth to the KATIPUNAN led by Bonifacio and Aguinaldo. He was a proponent of institutional re-forms by peaceful means rather than by violent revolution. The general consensus among Rizal scholars, however, attributed his martyred

death as the catalyst that precipitated the Revolution in the Philippines.

Among men of wisdom and legendary heroes, Jose Rizal stood tall with Demosthenes of Greece who shouted against the Macedo-nian conquest, with Victor Hugo of France who defended the Magna Carta, with Abraham Lincoln of the United States of America who abolished slavery. Jose Rizal bravely exposed and fought the repressive Spanish rule and paid with his life that very day on December 30,1896, three hundred years after the Span-ish domination of our country. The fight for freedom, human rights and UNITY in this world is never end-ing. All these speak of the inherent desire of men, of peoples of the world, be it in the prehistoric days or in the atomic/nuclear and cyber age, their desire to be free.

Our forefathers down to Dr. Rizal wielded their pens and swords in their quest for freedom from the Spanish conquerors. The hero-con-temporaries of our past, with Rizal as the towering figure, exemplified the essence of Democracy divinely gifted with the boon of UNITY that solidifies its whole fabric. At age eighteen, Jose Rizal in a prize-win-ning nationalistic poem addressed to the Filipino youth entitled, A la Juventud Filipina, he called upon them as the fair hope of the Father-land, challenging them to higher aspirations, and to unshackle their chains in order to build nationhood. We must never forget of the two novels he wrote, that 170 passages in the Noli Me Tangere ( Touch Me Not) and 50 passages in the El Filibusterismo (the Subversive) to fight for our rights and the politi-

enunciated his PATRIOTISM. But first, we must rise above the

divisive elements of our Filipino heritage. We must simply learn the true meaning of Bayanihan (working together), the embodiment of what a true Filipino like you and I should be and what Dr. Rizal is all about, thereby build a solid and strong Filipino-American community. If Dr. Jose Rizal is reincarnated, this is what he is going to say: the Filipinos in America must also be prepared to fully support and assume leader-ship roles in achieving the inevitable destiny of the Philippines. I would like to think that the legacy of Rizal has influenced the Filipinos to an appointment with destiny. This is a responsibility that every Filipino must take.

On the eve of his execution, while confined in Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote “Último adiós” (“Last Fare-well”), a masterpiece of 19th-centu-ry Spanish verse. His last word- to die is to rest-mamatay ay ganap na katahimikan.

Many more moons have passed over Chidlawan. The ex-

citement of the NPAs’ coming and the landing of the big bird of the goberno soldiers had been relegated to memory.

The roosters crowed everyday at the designated modes of the sun at the skies. The elders pounded their beetle nuts, chewed their mam-ma at the opportune times and splattered the grounds with globules of red sputa.

Nothing was changing with the changing of the times in the village.

The echoes of the mountains had also been silent. No news, clear or fuzzy, came from any nook or glen or dale.

Until……the echoes from the moun-

tains were not only whispers. They rumbled, incessantly reverberated to all the ears not only of the villagers

of Chidlawan but throughout the mountains of the Great Cordilleras.

The echoes speak of huge iron ca-rabaos called traktors and buldosers. Their iron hooves rolled, smashing through trees deep into the forests. They roared, growled and snapped, leaving trails of stumps and crushed rocks. They grumbled, swerved, and snorted, eating the grounds with iron toothed mouths. They clanked, rumbled and leveled the grounds, leaving giant caterpillar looking tracts.

The boars and deer scampered away to other forests. The birds flew away in search of new branches far away.

The echoes bellowed that the Great Crying Anito, the River Arak-O will be contained in a giant pi-nged. The very source of life, from where everything begins, the greatest gift of the gods will be dammed.

(Next chapter – Noel explains the negative impact of the dam project)

Chapter 26 - A Disturbing Echo

sa 2012.Balita pa namin,mismong si Gov. Vilma ang tumanggi para makasama sa isang movie ang Superstar,kesyo hindi pa raw napa-panahon. How True ?

Siempre, tiyak bubulusok pa rin sa taong ito ang Kris Aquino na hang-gang ngayon ay Top Grosser ang movie niya sa Metro Manila Film Festival na “Sisterakas” na kumita ng 231,878.445.67.Pumangalawa naman ang “Si Agimat,si Enteng…” 104,458,871.19,pumangatlo ang “One More Try” na may kita na 91,278,399.20 at pang-apat ang “Shake,Rattle…” na may kita na 34,582,606.14.

Kay Vice Ganda naman,still may mga susunod pa rin itong mga mov-ies na papatok sa takilya.Wala pa rin itong makakatapat.Si Angel Locsin naman, walang duda na siya pa rin ang no.1 sa mga talents ng chan-nel 2 pagdating sa mga teleserye.Bea Alonzo,medyo hindi magig-ing maganda ang taong ito para sa kanya.

Si Piolo Pascual naman, patuloy na ang paglubog nito at magiging supporting na lang ito sa mga Tv teleserye o Movies.John Lloyd Cruz , siya pa rin ang favorite leadingman at pinaka-successful sa male Talent ng ABS-CBN.

Sarah Geronimo,eto ang panahon na mai-inlove na at sasawayin na ang kagustuhan ng kanyang ina but still papatok pa rin ito sa takilya ang mga movies niya.Si Sharon Cuneta,palagay namin babalik ito sa Kapamilya Network.Samantalang si Maricel Soriano naman,mild lang ang magiging kasikatan nito at may time na supporting lang ito sa mga movies niya.

Marian Rivera,mananatiling reyna pa rin ng channel 7 at hindi maaa-gaw ang kanyang korona.Dingdong Dante,malamang lilipat na ito sa channel 2 at iiwan ang GMA. Coco Martin, still siya pa rin ang flavor of the month sa taong ito at marami pang teleserye ang magagawa nito.Eto bale ang pinaka mahigpit na makakalaban ni John Lloyd Cruz sa pareho nilang istasyon.

Judy Ann Santos naman for 2013, still the same pa rin ang mang-yayari sa career niya tulad last year. Si Claudine Barretto, wala na,mahihirapan na itong makabalik sa dati niyang kasikatan.

Between Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes,prediction namin mas aangat si Julia Montes.Mas papatok ang mga teleserye nito at mas maga-gandang role ang makukuha nito sa movie.Derek Ramsey, mawawala ito sa limelight kapag hindi ito bumalik sa channel 2.Tuloy tuloy na manana-himik ang career nito sa paggawa ng mga movies, at hosting na lang ang pagkakaabalahan nito.

Kay Manny Pacquiao naman, ayaw namin na lumaban pa siya ulit

kay Marquez baka may malung-kot na mangyari sa kanya kapag tinuloy pa rin niya ‘yun. Sana wala ng Pacquiao-Marquez V, tulad din ng asawa ni Marquez na si Erica, ayaw na niya ang another match ng dalawa.Time para magpahinga muna si Pacman para sa amin.

Predictions namin ito para sa taong 2013,happy new year sa lahat.

MICHAEL LAYGO CONCERT SA MCDINI’S !!! Nakita namin

Sige Na NgaPayag na ako na maghintay, kahit anong tagal ito,Kahit ano pang dahilang maitago ang totoo.Hangga't ako'y umaasa na 'di naman bigo ako,Handa ako na maghintay 'yan ang sabi ng puso ko.

Mayrong tatag ang damdamin simula ng mahalin sya,At ito ang aking pasiya sa tunay kong nadarama.Kahit mayrong agam-agam biguin ng aking sinta,Mahalin sya'y ligaya ko, 'di nga lang nya nakikita.

Tatlong taon ang nagdaan patuloy syang sinusuyo,Sa kabila nitong agwat, ako ang nasa malayo.At sa sampung libong milyang nasa barkong hindi biro,Halos itong aking liham tanging lama'y aking puso.

Patuloy ang pagtanggap nya ng maraming mga liham,At pati na ang kartero, hanga saking guhit kamay.Ang disenyo'y kakaiba bawat liham, bawat araw,Ito'y dulot ng damdaming ukol lang sa minamahal.

Siya lang ang inspirasyon ko sa sandali ng pagtulog,Kahit walang tugong tanggap ang mundo ko'y umiinog.Patuloy na umaasa, patuloy syang iniirog,Tanging 'yan lang ang alam ko, ang mahalin sya ng lubos.

Matapos ang anim na buwan na dagdag sa tatlong taon,'Di na ako nakatiis, dinalaw na sya noon.Kasabika'y labis-labis, umasa sa siyang tugon,Ang tugon nya ako'y bigo at tanong ko'y bakit ganon?

Sadyang ayaw nga pala nya sa tulad kong isang “sailor”,Kasabihang bawat bansa, kalaguyo'y naroroon.Sinabi kong 'di totoo't sinaysay ko ang kahapong,Kay tagal kong nagtitiis maghintay sa kanyang tugon.

Pahimakas na paalam na sana'y lumigaya sya,Sa piling ng masasabing mapalad na sumisinta.Kahit man lang kalahati ng pagtinging taglayin nya,Sapat-sapat na ring siya'y sa piling nya lumigaya.

Masama ang aking loob, nagpasiyang magpaalam,Na balak pang ang inang nya'y dalawin sa pagamutan.Pagsapit ko sa PGH ay gulat kong nasumpungan,Naroroon mandin siya na sa aki'y naghihintay.

Hindi ko sya kinikibo habang ina'y kausap ko,Na bakas ang aking lungkot babalik sa aking barko.Naging wika ko na lamang, sadyang bigo na nga ako,Gagawin kong sa USA maghanap ng maging nobyo.

At ng ako'y magpaalam, gumawa sya ng paraan,Pinahabol ako mandin sa kaniyang kasambahay.At matimtimang nagusap sa tunay na kalagayang,Ayaw niya na makitang labis akong nagdaramdam.

Inamin kong lahat-lahat na ako ay binata pa,At alam din naman niyang “best friend” ko ang kanyang kuya.At muli kong pinagtapat na sadya na mahal ko sya,Sagot niya'y “SIGE NA NGA”, ang mundo ko ay sumaya.

“SIGE NA NGA” ang katagang sa akin ay 'di lang GINTO,Kungdi tugon sa pag-ibig at tagal kong panunuyo.Sa pagsubok sumalunga at hindi rin napagupo,Apatnapu't tatlong taon, kami pa rin, totoo po.

Tula sa tunay na buhay ni:Romeo NicolasBocaue, Bulacan12/31/2012


All applicants are required to PERSON-ALLY APPEAR during their appoint-ment time for data verifi cation, fi nger printing and photo/signature capture and must bring all original documents. All applicants are advised to transact their business directly with Consulate offi cials and not through travel agencies.

Fees Fees must be paid in person at the

scheduled appointment. The Consulate will only accept payments in cash, postal money order or cashier’s check. Personal checks will not be accepted. Payments should be paid directly to the collecting offi cer/cashier of the Consulate during the outreach program and inside the venue only. Please be informed that the Consulate has not authorized other people or entities to collect fees for all consular services rendered.

- ePassport: $60 processing fee + $6 for passports to be returned to the applicant by mail

- Dual Citizenship: $50 processing fee - Civil Registry: $25 processing fee +

$6 for documents to be returned to the applicant by mail

Contact Information For information on consular matters,

interested parties may contact the Consul-ate (Attn: Consul Charmaine Serna-Chua) at 213-639-0980 or 213-637-3004.. For information on the venue and similar details, contact Merly Ferrer at 619-606-6475 or Den Dominguez at 619-477-4090. Public Relations, COPAO-San Diego Tel # 619-477-4090

COUNCIL OF PHILIPPINE AMERI-CAN ORGANIZATIONS

OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, INC. P.O. BOX 1504, National City, CA

91951-1504 Telephone: 619-477-4090

PH Consular ..(Continued from page 5)

LAW OFFICES OFE.B. ALEJO“20+ Years Experience”Been living in San Diego since 1977

Attorney is available daily on regular business days at the San Diego Offi ce

*Member, California State BarLicensed to practice before the US Federal District CourtSouthern California and California Supreme Court

*Author,”How to Apply for the US Tourist Visa” as listed by worldwide bookseller Amazon.com Bookstores

*Former San Diego Regional Coordinator for U.S. Immi-gration Amnesty for Catholic Community Services, Catholic Diocese of San Diego

*Legal Advisor, Los Chabacanos of Cavite CityAssociation, Inc., San Diego, California

*Juris Doctor law degree, University of San Diego (1985),Diploma; Oxford Institute on International and Comparative Law (USD), Oxford, England (1984);Bachelor Degree, University of Southern California (1983);Montgomery High School, San Diego (1979)

*Born in the Philippines (Cavite)

For your convenience, walk-ins acceptedespecially between 2:00pm – 8:00pm

Business days Monday to Friday

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Today’s Lifestyle


ABS CBN ...(Continued from page 11)interviews with the three, thanks to their Los Angeles correspondent Yong Chavez.

For the complete story, visit http://www.medianewser.com/2013/01/a-look-back-top-media-stories-of-2012.html?m=1

About Media Newser PhilippinesFounded in 2010, Media Newser

Philippines (MediaNewser.com) began as a hobby and has evolved into the leading weblog delivering the news and state of Philippine TV News. It features program reviews and analysis, as well as giving its readers all the latest news in Philip-pine broadcast news.

kamakailan ang singer na si Michael Laygo sa Mcdini’s last Sunday. Siya po ang nagpasikat ng kanta na “Minahal Kita”, medyo tumaba na siya ngayon.

Sabi nga niya,iniwan niya ang kanyang singing career sa Pilipinas 7 years ago na nang mag-join siya sa Society of Seven na nakabase sa Las Vegas.Pero alam nyo ba , bago siya tumulak papuntang Amerika, isang album pa ang nagawa niya.

Para sa kanya,tama lang ang naging disisyon niya na iwan ang Pilipinas dahil mas maganda ang

career niya sa ngayon dahil marami siyang mga singing engagement sa U.S.Mas mahirap daw kung nasa Pilipinas pa rin siya hanggang ngay-on, dahil hindi raw niya gusto ang kalakaran doon.Kesyo kung hindi ka raw hawak ng isang network, tiyak magiging suporta ka lang nga mga bagong sulpot na singer.Goodluck Michael Laygo sa career mo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLESSJA MORALES !!!Last Saturday nakaaten kami sa 18th Birthday ng singer na si Alessja Morales , dahil na rin sa invitation ng kanyang ina na si Ms. Yolly Nieves Morales.

Bonggasious ang Birthday Party ni Alessja, talagang ginastusan ang debutante ng kanyang parents na ginanap sa Anchors Catering & Conference Center.Dinaluhan talaga ng maraming tao, at very elegant ang preparation ng party.

May nag-wish pa nga na sana raw makapasok sa American Idol si Ales-sandra Joy Morales ,tunay niyang pangalan.Actually,ilang beses na rin namin nadinig ang boses ni Alessja,may ibubuga ito sa pag-awit. Sana nga, siya na ang susunod sa yapak ni Jessica Sanchez.

Belated Happy Birthday Alessja, maraming salamat sa invitation nyo !!!

Showbiz(Continued from page 16)


619.746.3416

Filipino techno-entrepreneurs are gearing up for the country’s fi rst-ev-er Technology Business Incubators Forum set to kickstart at Cebu City in December 7, 2012.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the event is envisioned to be an avenue for harping on the achievements of people involved in various aspects of a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) as sharing of best practices among the successful techno-entre-preneurs.

To facilitate the legwork for the project, the DOST has teamed-up with two of its line agencies, the Technology Resource Center (TRC) and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Resource and Develop-ment (PCIEERD).

TRC Director General Dennis L. Cunanan explained the Technobiz Incubator Forum is expected to help expedite the formal consolidation of TBI practitioners into a proactive sector, keenly in sync with global

Philippines’ First Technobiz Incubator Forum

trends and in full engagement with government.

“In so far as the TBI sector is con-cerned,” Cunanan said “the forum is anchored on the idea of setting our best foot forward, through a collec-tive sharing of learning and insights, imbued in a sense of community.”

Through this pooling of experi-ences and insights, it is expected that a realistic assessment of the country’s chances in TBIs area can be charted. Cunanan said this would help facilitate a more enlightened and responsive policy making at the helm. On another note, he said that such a body of insights would make studying successful TBI’s in other countries more meaningful and pro-ductive. “We would then really be able to do a better comparative study of our TBIs against the experiences of technopreneurs in other countries, sift through the available data and fi nd out where our strategic strengths are as well as our vulnerabilities”, he said.

Community Volunteer

Erlindo “Earl” Duka passes

away

SAN DIEGO, CA – Filipino American Community Volunteer Er-lindo “Earl” Duka passed away last December 22 of cardiac arrest at the Alvarado Hospital after a lingering illness. He was 66.

Born on October 23, 1946 in the Philippines, Earl was the second child of Exequiel and Valeriana Duka (both deceased). He was survived by his brothers and sisters, namely: Teresita D. Adriano (Philip-pines); Evelyn D. Soriano (San Diego); Exequiel Duka Jr. (Phils.); Moserrat D. Fernandez (Phils.); Vir-ginia D. Calpito (S.D.); and Daniel S. Duka (S.D.), in addition to his long-time girlfriend Letty S. Bustria, niece, nephews and other relatives. His brother Emerson was deceased.

Earl fi nished his schooling at Baguio Central School (elementary), Baguio City High School, University of the Philippines in Baguio and in Diliman where he took up Pre-Med, Political Science and Journalism.

He worked at the Law Offi ce of Senator Salvador “Doy” Laurel and at the Philippine Consulate in Japan where he learned to speak Nip-pongo. He eventually migrated to San Diego, California, where he was a community volunteer, writer and translator.

Earl, as he was fondly called by his friends, was a quiet and smart guy. He will be missed. May his soul rest peacefully on his eternal life.

Viewing of his remains will be held at the Glen Abbey Mortuary Main Chapel on Bonita, Road, Bo-nita, California on Saturday, January 5, 2013 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. while the funeral service will be on Sun-day, January 6, 2013 at 11 a.m.

For more information, please call his sister Virginia at 619.657.9950.

In Catholic Italy there are fewer and fewer marriages, and there are some who see in this the umpteenth sig-

nal of the advent of a post-Christian era. An analysis of the current "signs of the

times" and how the Church is interpreting them

by Sandro Magister

ROME, December 30, 2012 – A strong indicator of secularization in countries of ancient Christian tradi-

tion is the decline in sacramental marriages.

Italy too is glaringly marked by this decline. The 2012 edition of the “Annuario statistico italiano," published in recent days by the ISTAT, has documented that for the fi rst time, in northern Italy, civil marriages have surpassed religious marriages, in the proportion of 51.7 against 48.3 for every hundred mar-riages.

But this does not mean that mar-riages at city hall are marking a “vic-tory” over marriages in church. Both of them, in fact, have diminished in number with respect to the previ-ous year. And civil marriages have

declined even more than religious: down by 7.3% for the former, and down by 4.6% for the latter.

For civil marriages, the decline is very steep. After many years of un-interrupted growth, since 2008 they have done nothing but diminish. The demographer Roberto Volpi com-mented in the December 28 issue of “il Foglio":

"If one takes into account that in civil marriages there is a higher proportion of second marriages – of those who, being divorced, cannot marry in church – it becomes clear how among those who are marrying civilly for the fi rst time the plunge is even more severe. The truth is that in Italy one no longer gets married

at all: neither in church nor at city hall.”

With regard to marriages celebrat-ed, then, Italy no longer represents an “exception” with respect to other countries of advanced seculariza-tion. On the contrary, its marriage rates are now among the lowest in Europe: with only 3.6 marriages a year for every thousand inhabitants, compared to 4.7 for the European Union as a whole.

In the two wealthiest regions of Italy, Lombardy and Emilia Ro-magna, the marriage rate is even lower than 3 per thousand, half of that of the Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Sweden, Finland.

It is no surprise, then, that the hierarchy of the Church is in alarm over this decline of marriage, both religious and civil, which is all the more startling when it occurs in countries of more deeply rooted Catholic tradition.

It is an alarm that affects pasto-ral strategies. That imposes new refl ections. Like those made below

The Year in Review. And Predictionsby Francesco Arzillo, an ad-ministrative magistrate with extensive philosophical and theological expertise.

Arzillo demonstrates among other things how the pontifi cate of Benedict XVI – especially in the homilies – is addressing the crisis of marriage and other “signs of the times” with a style similar to that of the Fathers of the Church, capable of “keeping together the radical essentiality of the foundation of the faith and the dynamics of contempo-rary society.”

Link: http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350393?eng=y

A Seminar for Women Business Owners

SAN DIEGO—December 30, 2012— NAWBO San Diego will continue its seminar series on Janu-ary 11 with a presentation from Rae Majors-Wildman, business coach: "Fairytales Do Come True: The 3 essential keys to creating your dream life.” The seminar will be held at Brandman University, 7460 Mission Valley Road, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

During this interactive workshop, you will learn:

• The #1 key that will keep you for having the life you deserve

• How to dream and design your life using goal-setting techniques

• How following your passion is the keys to your prosperity

• Rae’s AH-Has…learning this has changed her life FOREVER!

Rae Majors-Wildman has been trained by some of the best in the business from Chet Holmes, a man who ran over 7 divisions for Warren Buffet's partner Charlie Munger to Anthony Robbins and John Assaraf. She has successfully coached every business from start-up at the ground-level to Fortune 100 companies earning over $10 million dollars in sales. Rae is the author of the best-selling book The Juggling Act - A

Step by Step Guide For Balancing Your Business and Your Life.

NAWBO members have the option of attending this seminar for free (without lunch) or $10 (with a box lunch). The fee for visitors (which includes lunch) is $25.

Registration is available through noon on January 10 at www.nawbo-sd.org.

About NAWBO San Diego

NAWBO San Diego is one of 80 U.S. chapters of NAWBO, a national non-profi t organization of more than 7,000 members that represents women business owners across all industries. Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their business-es by sharing resources and provid-ing a single voice to shape economic and public policy. For more informa-tion, visit nawbo-sd.org.

###

Fairytales Do Come True: The 3 essential keys to

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THE FIAT OF THE ETERNAL FATHER

say every morningMy Beloved Father, Thy will be

done on earth as it is in Heaven .Be Thou my Father. Be always my Eternal Father. Do not leave my soul . Do not abandon me . Do not leave me out of Your sight, my Father,for I am Your child, whom You have created to please You, to adore You, to honor You, living my days as You have given me the license to live it. (I offer up this Fiat through Mary, to Jesus, to You, Eternal Father]

“Day after day, my children, say that in your mind. That will be the way you will say your FIAT to your Father. And I your Father will open My arms like this (and He stretched out his arms) and I everyday will gather you in My arms and I will hold you and I will rock you as your BELOVED MOTHER (Blessed Mother) rocks each baby in her arms. For yes, you are My children. Remember the FIAT of each day as you live. As you do this from the beginning of the day, I promise you, My children, I guar-antee you I will cover you in My arms. I will send you My angel s with St. Michael to protect you and all the saints of your baptisms and of your devotions to be with you during the day to guide you and assist you. I promise you, you will feel the power of My great LOVE for you that I will send you day in and day out. But you have to offer me - everyday - as you get up in the morning - that FIAT.” -- Mary’s Call, 12400 Olive • Kansas City, MO 64146. 816-942-9783 • Fax 816-942-4313 • [email protected]

“The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death (754).” -- Words of Jesus in the Diary of St. Faustinaespecially at the hour of their death (754).” -- Words of Jesus in the Diary of St. Faustina

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCYUsing the rosary beads, recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one I Believe in God.

On the Our Father beads say this prayer, which was given by Our Lord to St. Faustina (1905-1938).

Eternal Father, I o�er You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

On the Hail Mary beads say:

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

In conclusion say three times:

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

The Hour of Great Mercy

At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion,

particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great

mercy. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in

virtue of My Passion (Diary, 1320). -- Divine Mercy in My Soul: Diary of Saint Faustina

Kowalska

You expired, O Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls and an ocean of mercy

opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable

Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon

us. O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of

Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You. Amen.

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Laughing MatterRead previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-

journalusa.com

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Asian Journal San Diego

Street Poetry

Read about Michael’s upcoming book of poems “Crushed Violets” by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Michael R. Tagudin

©2013 Michael R. Tagudin. All rights reserved. About the Author: Michael R. Tagudin Educated as an engineer in the Philippines, the City of Los Angeles employee hopes his legacy of poems will provoke a dialogue about the human condition. He is donating the proceeds from the book “Crushed Violets” to the “Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Traffi cking (CAST)”, a non-profi t that provides public awareness and advocacy efforts against human traffi cking in the City of Angels. To learn more, visit www.castla.org. To help, call the CAST 24 hour hotline 888.KEY.2.FRE(EDOM) or 888.539.2373. Contact [email protected] for more information about ordering the book “Crushed Violets.”

Light &Shadows

Read Zena Babao’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Zena Sultana Babao


619.746.3416

While conducting some business at the Courthouse, I overheard a lady, who had been arrested for assault-ing a Mammogram Technician, say, "Your Honor, I'm guilty but, there were extenuating circumstances."

The female Judge said, sarcasti-cally, "I'd certainly like to hear those extenuating circumstances." I did too, so that I listened as the lady told her story.

"Your Honor, I had a mammogram appointment, which I actually kept. I was met by this perky little clip-board carrier smiling from ear to ear and she tilted her head to one side and crooned, "Hi! I'm Belinda! All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown. Everything clear?"

I'm thinking, "Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science."

Belinda then skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors. With the right side fi nished, Belinda fl ipped me (literally) to the left and said, "Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?" Fine, I answered.

I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remain-ing circulation in my legs and neck to fi nish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defi ed grav-ity (with my other breast wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when I heard and felt a zap!

Complete darkness, the power was off! Belinda said, "Uh-oh, main-tenance is working, bet they hit a

snag." Then she headed for the door.

"Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?" I shouted.

Belinda kept going and said, "Oh, you fussy puppy, the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back."

Before I could shout NOOOO! She disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, "maintenance men Extraordinaire" found me, half-naked with part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life and the other part smashed between glass!

After exchanging a polite "Hi, how's it going" type greeting, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off.

Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible, "Uh, yes, I did but thanks anyway."

"OK, you take care now" Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin. Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, "Oh I am sooo sorry! The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?"

And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps..."

The judge could hardly contain her laughter as she said "Case Dis-missed".

Case Dismissed

by Representatives Sergio Apostol and Pedro Romualdo.

“Through these years, the work performed by the commission is not commensurate to the annual expenses needed to maintain the offi ce. The time is ripe to abolish the PCGG in line with the cost-saving efforts of the govern-ment.”

To block abolition Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares

assailed Bautista, saying the PCGG should continue going after the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

“They owe it to the victims of human rights violations during Marcos’ time and the Filipino people,” he said in a statement.

“The lesson to be learned if the search

for the Marcos wealth stops is crime pays and if you steal big, you can get away with it,” he added.

Colmenares said his party-list group would block efforts to abolish the PCGG in the House.

“They should still go after the Mar-coses whatever happens. The ill-gotten wealth should be returned to the people. PCGG offi cials and prosecutors who weakened the cases should be pros-ecuted,” he said.

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Oca-mpo, one of the victims of martial law, said the President should veto a plan for the PCGG to wind down the chase for the Marcoses’ plundered wealth.

Principles of Edsa I Ocampo said the PCGG should

continue its task, but also said it must receive clear support from the adminis-tration.

“By abandoning the pursuit of ill-gotten wealth and the prosecution of the Marcoses, the government is aban-doning the principles of Edsa people

power,” he added.Audit assetsIn the event that Congress decides to

abolish the PCGG, Escudero wants an audit of all the assets sequestered by the commission.

“There have been pending bills in Congress seeking its abolition but not without a proper accounting of all the assets that the PCGG sequestered since its creation,” Escudero said.

“What’s sad is that recovered assets were again stolen,” he added.

Bautista himself acknowledged the alleged mishandling of the commission through the years.

“These accusations (against the com-mission offi cials) are not without basis. They were in charge of guarding the chicken coop and some of them helped themselves to the eggs,” Bautista was quoted as saying. With reports from Christian V. Esguerra, TJ Burgonio, Leila B. Salaverria and AFP

Hunt for Marcos loot

By Zena Sultana Babao Why do we exist? Is there a

reason, a purpose, for our life? Do you see the purpose for your own life with all its ups and downs, and its mixture of joys and sorrows? Do you sense lasting value in its toil, challenges, and uncertainties?

These questions have baffl ed the greatest thinkers and philosophers down through the ages. We ponder the meaning of life and think about the purpose of our existence.

Just why were you born? King David of the Old Testament

did, three thousand years ago. He considered the apparent insignifi -cance of human beings when com-pared to the vastness of the night sky and the star-studded expanse overhead.

Notice the thoughts he recorded in Psalm 8:3-4: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fi ngers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?”

David wondered why, considering the magnifi cent and vast universe, God is so concerned with human beings and their future. He realized that, within the larger scope of the vast heavens, we can appear to be insignifi cant. Yet he perceived that, in the plan of the great Creator God, no part of God’s physical creation even begins to compare with His purpose for human beings.

Understanding that only God can reveal His purpose for creating us, David continued his refl ection on the destiny of man: “For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and you have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen – even the beasts of the fi eld, the birds of the air, and the fi sh of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:5-8)

David was refl ecting on the dominion God gave mankind at cre-ation to rule over all the earth. He realized that God has granted people the capacity to manage a signifi cant part of His creation – our planet and its wonders.

But he knew that much more was to come!

David’s words in Psalm 8 explain the more that was to come. Indeed, as David gazed at the celestial gran-deur overhead, he may well have recalled God’s amazing proclama-tion given through Moses that “the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven … the Lord God has given to all the people under the whole heaven as heritage. “(Deuter-onomy 4:19)

This is astounding to contemplate! These verses reveal that man was created to share dominion with God over the entire created universe. Yet this is only one aspect of an even greater reality.

In all of God’s physical cre-ation, He made only mankind in the image and likeness of Himself. He gave only to mankind the dominion or rule over His creation. And God

has planned for us an unfathomable destiny!

The apostle Paul said of God’s marvelous plan, “This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to his own holy people.” (Colossians 1:26)

Throughout the ages the over-whelming majority of people have failed to grasp the amazing future God has in store for those who develop a proper relationship with Him. As the apostle Paul put it: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

The Scriptures tell us that our des-tiny can exceed everything we could imagine in our wildest dreams!

A prophetic passage gives us our fi rst clue to our fantastic future. Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, it tells us that a time is coming when “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” It adds: “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righ-teousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2-3)

This is just a hint of the amazing future God has planned for us – to live forever, shining in glory like the stars!

The Scripture reveals that our only hope for eternal life is being resurrected from the dead in a trans-formed body just as Jesus was. The Bible also makes it clear that being resurrected to immortality comes only through the gracious mercy of God: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) XXX

Amazing Future RevealedThe Other

i am being ...being bleedmy strength waning...every step...every step on this journeytowards the end.....there has to be a bang of some sortjust like in the beginning...light and shadow at once being createdinterwined with each other...like twins!some what together withincomplimenting one anotherand i...am being bleedcausing my strength waning for you to feast uponthe drama...the saga....how we promote the wanton...wanton celebration of us ...our...thoughts...emotions...actions...ever amplifi ed by light and shadowsand such...that they have been with usin the beginning of everythingin light...in shadowsfeast of us for the elementsever amplifi ed in usfor themour thoughts...our emotions...our actions...in wanton celebrations...i am being bleed...my strength waning....feast of lights...feast of shadows...I AM FEAST!



SDG&E(Continued from page 19)

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Anne Hathaway(Continued from page 1)

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crime of murder,” she said.On the other hand, the

senator said she will only back a divorce law as long as it is confi ned to only two grounds – if a spouse tries to murder his/her partner or if either partner is living with another person.

“On other grounds, I don't advise it, I will not support it because it might trivialize the institution of marriage—young people might rush into marriage, particularly when they are young, and then change their minds and get a divorce. They will not have the maturity or enough patience to work on their marriage,” she said.

She added: “Right now, the mes-sage of our society is that you cannot get along, try and get used to each other. But there has to be a limit. For example, when you become homi-cidal at the sight of your spouse, it's time to leave each other.”

Santiago said she does not believe in using psychological grounds to allow divorce.

“That is a slippery slope. Once you go there, it will become open-ended. I don't think so,” she said.

She also said she expects the Catholic Church to “fi ght tooth and nail” against any move to pass a divorce law even if one’s spouse is already homicidal or is living in with another person.

She said that as a compromise, lawmakers should just adopt the grounds for annulment of the Catho-lic Church.

Some senators back divorce bill

Aside from Santiago, several sena-tors have also voiced their support for a divorce bill. At least 4 sena-tors - Francis Escudero, Pia Cay-etano, Loren Legarda, and Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III - have annulled their marriages or are undergoing the process.

Cayetano earlier said it is high time that the country pass its own divorce law. She said her own an-nulment to former husband, Ari Ben Sebastian, has yet to be completed after being separated for the past 8 years.

“I’ve talked to lawyers, and psychologists and psychiatrists, and it is so traumatic for people to go through annulment because under our Philippine law, you have to blame someone, you have to say

‘you are incapacitated,’ you are say-ing, ‘this marriage never existed,’ which is not true.'

"I mean ask anyone, I’m sure that at some moment in time, whether it was one year, or ten years, or twenty years, they loved each other. So why can’t you call it what it is? We loved each other, something went wrong, it’s done. Why will you say it never existed because, ‘hayop ka, wala kang puso, wala kang capacity?’"

The senator said the Philippines is now the only country in the world without a divorce law because of the refusal of lawmakers to face the is-sues. She said there are many wom-en who want to end their marriages to abusive husbands but cannot.

Escudero said he does not favor legalizing divorce but supports making the annulment process more affordable.

Escudero said if lawmakers continue to push for a divorce law, the measure should clarify who is the guilty spouse and disallow that person from marrying again.

"Ang nais nilang ground pag nang-gugulpi ka daw, kung lasenggo ka at kung adik, pwedeng mag-divorce. Ang problema sa divorce, pwedeng mag-asawa pareho. So yung dating nanggugulpi, iba naman gugulpihin. Yung dating lasenggo, iba naman yung kasama niya habang lasing siya. Yung dating adik iba na naman ang kasama niya habang adik siya," he said.

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Project. We look forward to working with SDG&E, the Imperial Irriga-tion District and Imperial County to realize the strategic potential of this project," said Reyad Fezzani, chief executive offi cer of Regener-ate Power and president of Tallbear Solar.”

The second of the agreements is a 20-year agreement to purchase 20 MW of energy from the Calipatria Solar Farm, also in Imperial County, from 8minutenergy Renewables’ subsidiary, 70SM1 8ME, LLC and its partner on the project, Gestamp Solar. The Calipatria project is expected to be completed in 2015, and the power from the fi xed-tilt solar photovoltaic facility will also be transmitted to SDG&E’s service territory via the Sunrise Powerlink.

“The Calipatria Solar Farm will deliver clean energy to over 9,000 households in SDG&E’s service area and create more than 50 direct and 100 indirect jobs in the Imperial Valley,” said Martin Hermann, chief executive offi cer for 8minutenergy Renewables. “We would like to thank SDG&E for their continued commitment to the Imperial Valley, where the unemployment rate is among the highest in the nation.”

Both solar projects will connect to SDG&E’s transmission grid at the Imperial Valley Substation via the Imperial Irrigation District’s trans-mission system.

In 2011, SDG&E delivered 20.8 percent of its retail sales with renew-able energy. It also signed 17 new renewable energy contracts for a combined total of 1,482 MW. This year, the company has signed 13 renewable energy contracts, bring-ing the total number of megawatts signed over the past two years to 1,879 MW.

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the movie was singing “I Dreamed A Dream,” which is probably the most recogniz-able song in the musical.

“A few weeks before we fi lmed it, I realized how I was going to have to sing it, and that it wasn’t going to be pretty,” Hathaway told Vogue. “First of all, it could never have compared with Patti LuPone or Lea Salonga or even my mom, really: powerful singers with big, beautiful voices. I knew I couldn’t offer that, but I also knew it wouldn’t be appropriate. If I went for sounding beautiful while looking like this tragic wreck, it would be ridiculous. And I saw an opportunity, because of the nature of fi lm, to just go for it and let it be alive and present and raw.”

Hathaway’s mother played Fantine in a touring production more than 20 years ago.

“I’ll never forget it—I just sat there sobbing,” she told the magazine of her mother’s performance. “And I don’t think it was just because I was watching my mother die, though that was defi -

nitely part of it. I was just so moved and felt so connected to her and the music and the whole production. I’ve been in love with the show ever since.”

Salonga, in her offi cial Twitter ac-count on Tuesday, thanked Hathaway for the kind words.

“Thank you, Anne Hathaway, for mentioning my name in Vogue in the same breath as Patti Lupone. Here's hoping our paths cross someday,” she said.

In her interview with Vogue, Hatha-way also revealed that she lost 25 pounds for “Les Miserables.” Before the start of shooting, she said she went on a “strict cleanse diet” and lost 10 pounds then followed it with “a near-starvation diet, consisting of two thin squares of dried oatmeal paste a day.”

“I had to be obsessive about it—the idea was to look near death,” she told the magazine. “Looking back on the whole experience—and I don’t judge it in any way—it was defi nitely a little nuts. It was defi nitely a break with reality, but I think that’s who Fantine is anyway.”

“Les Miserables,” which also stars Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, will hit US theaters next month.

Romania; Jansson’s temptation (a casserole of potatoes, herring, on-ions, cream and bread crumbs) from Sweden; romeritos with mole from Mexico; yebeg wot (a thick, buttery berbere-spiced stew) from Ethiopia; eel from Italy and tangyuan (stuffed rice fl our dumplings) from China.

6. Spinach: Popeye was onto something with that spinach fi xation. But skip the canned stuff and stick with fresh or frozen for an antioxi-dant, protein and fi ber-rich burst of healthy goodness. Fresh or cooked, spinach’s sweet and hardy fl avor brightens any meal.

7. Chia: The Aztec warriors may have died out, but their legacy is alive and strong in the chia seed. This yummy, unassuming ancient favorite is loaded with omega fats, protein and fi ber. Dr. Weil says it’s a better choice than fl ax because “chia is so rich in antioxidants that the seeds don’t deteriorate and can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid.”

8. Berries: Unlike other fruit, ber-ries tend to be less sugary and full of vital vitamins, minerals and those free-radical avenging antioxidants. Wild berries are always a great choice, especially black raspberries.

Link: http://refreshingnews99.blogspot.in/2012/12/the-8-most-nutrient-dense-foods-on-earth.html?m=1

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Good News Pilipinas | SINGA-PORE, 1/3/2013 - Philippine beach destination Boracay has been named favorite for relaxation (#1) and nightlife (#3) in a customer survey conducted by Asia’s leading hotel booking site, Agoda.com.

Based on feedback from over 113,000 respondents provided at the end of their stay, Agoda.com customers had the opportunity to rate the categories of Nightlife and Relaxation on a scale of 1-5, 1 being “poor”, and 5 being “excellent.”

Under the category of Relaxation, Boracay emerged as the clear top choice, beating out perennial favor-ite Bali which came in at second. Thailand beach destination, Koh Samui, rounded up the top three.

The top Nightlife spot was taken by Bangkok, Thailand’s energetic capital known for its tuk-tuk’s, temples and street food, followed by Dubai, the gleaming desert city in the United Arab Emirates, and then Boracay, famous for its white sand beaches and swaying palm trees, came in third.

Boracay is the lone Philippine des-tination that has made the top 10 for both categories. Philippine capital Manila has held a top 22 ranking in the Nightlife category, while Visayas hub Cebu came in top 19 in the Relaxation category

Below is full list of the top ten

round-up.

Boracay soars as favorite international traveler destination

Agoda.com customers rated Boracay as the number one destination for relaxation and the third best destination for nightlife.

Top destinations for relaxation: 1. Boracay (Philippines)2. Bali (Indonesia)3. Koh Samui (Thailand)4. Chiang Mai (Thailand)5. Cameron Highlands (Malaysia)6. Krabi (Thailand)7. Langkawi (Malaysia)

8. Hua Hin (Thailand)9. Phuket (Thailand) 10. Dubai (United Arab Emirates) Top destinations for nightlife 1. Bangkok (Thailand) 2. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)3. Boracay (Philippines)

4. Pattaya (Thailand)5. Tokyo (Japan)6. Phuket (Thailand)7. Hong Kong SAR (China)8. Macau SAR (China)9. Taipei (Taiwan)10. Bali (Indonesia)

by Mariella S. Bustamante, In-quirer Visayas | DUMAGUETE CITY, 12/30/2012 —The country’s fi rst medi-cal resort, owned by a former senator, is expected to rise in Barangay Bantayan in this city.

The South Sea Resort will be devel-oped into a medical resort called South Sea Medical City (SSMC) which will house a 100-bed tertiary hospital, two condominium buildings, a 200-room resort-hotel, a fi tness center, souvenir shops, swimming pools and a helipad.

The hospital will have fa-cilities for the treatment of cancer and blood diseases.

Dr. Jonathan C. Amante, SSMC board director, said the hospital would be run by physicians, pointing out that hospitals run by physicians are better managed and more progressive.

These include St. Luke’s Medical Center, Medical City and Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu. “These are just good examples of how it should be run,” said Amante.

He said the province’s three tertiary hospitals, all located in Dumaguete, were not enough to address the needs of Negros Oriental’s 1 million population.

“The hallways are crowded, and if you notice, patients just stay wherever there is available space,” Amante said. “It compromises the quality of care.”

Government offi cials and physicians in Negros Oriental gathered at the site

on Dec. 19 to bury the time capsule for the project. Construction is set to start in the fi rst quarter next year.

The majority stockholder of the proj-ect, which cost P1 billion, is former Sen. John Osmeña, said engineer Arnold Antonio, project manager.

Osmeña, who bought South Sea Re-sort from the Philippine Deposit Insur-ance Corp., planned to sell 220 shares

to physicians to make them part owners of the hospital. Each stock-holder will have one share, said Antonio.

“I believe that Dum-aguete has so much to show

and has great potential in laying down the cornerstone for medical tourism,” said Dr. Grace Valdez, licensing and medical consultant of the project.

Although foreigners are the target market of the project, Filipinos will always be given priority both as hospital patients and as customers in the resort, said Valdez.

“Previously, patients had to be sent to Cebu, but there will be radiation treat-ment made available here (Dumaguete) through the hospital,” said Dr. Bong Ro-sario, a friend of Osmeña who is helping him in the project.

Valdez added that nurses who could speak more than one language have the advantage in job openings in the hospital.

“Now is a good time to learn lan-guages,” she said.

John Osmeña’s latest: Medical resort

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu, Philippine Information Agency | TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, 3/1/2013 -- The tourism industry in Eastern Visayas is picking up and it is expected to pick up further with better infrastructure facilities making tourist destinations more accessible.

Department of Tourism Region 8 Director Karina Rosa Tiopes made the disclosure in a radio interview, saying that the tourism industry of the region is slowly gaining a steady foothold based on the improved number of tourists arrivals.

Tiopes said that based on the DOT

monitoring as of October 2012, Eastern Visayas had 270,611 tourists, both local and foreign.

“But the fi gure was based on the sub-mitted report of 80 establishments only. The region has over 400 establishments catering to tourists,” Tiopes said. Thus, she said, the actual fi gure on tourists arrivals could be higher.

Nevertheless, Tiopes said the fi gure is already close to the projected tourists arrivals for 2012 which is 393,072.

The Tourism director noted that Ta-cloban City posted the highest number of tourists arrivals, even beating its projected arrivals of tourists for the year.

DoT records reveal that for the

By Joe Son(Cebu City, December 14, 2012)- We

came! We saw! We enjoyed! Friday the 14th was a memorable day for our guests Ernesto and Imelda Singson (good neighbors) in San Diego, California and my family who travelled more than 120 kms, one way, to south Cebu, eager and excited, as fi rst time, whale watcher. My family and I have heard about the famous tourist destination in Tanawan, Oslob, Cebu, the Whale Sharks, popularly known as Butanding or (locally- Tuki), since we arrived last June, this year, but perhaps just too busy on some other priorities.

The couple came direct to Cebu from San Diego with their short vacation having a strong desire to do whale watching before going to Imelda’s place in Ormoc, Leyte, then will proceed to Ernesto’s hometown in Pangasinan. The duo had already a mind-set that their vacation will not be complete without whale watching. From Pangasinan their going back to San Diego after Christmas. The Singson’s did not just enjoy whale watching but had a great experience in swimming with the Butanding’s. Tourists are allowed to swim alongside the Tuki’s but not al-lowed to touch and feed them.

We left early in the morning from Cebu City in a two-car caravan via the South Road Properties (SRP), the reclamation project of former Mayor Tom Osmena (now congressman, running for mayor for Cebu City, next year); with two en-trances, a tunnel from the port area and a skyway from the heart of the city, stretch-ing all-the-way up to Lawa-an, Talisay. of Cebu.

Our caravan, headed by my grandniece, Mona Yrezabal, enjoyed the scenery along the coast-line while stopping almost every town and took souvenir pictures from San Fernando, Carcar, Sibonga to Dalaguete, but from Alcoy

our fi rst stop for the night, onward, we witnessed the devastation of the super typhoon Pablo, like fallen trees, few lamp posts and root crops, having three nights without lights. Early next day, we were en-route to Boljoon, then to Tan-awan, Oslob, where the Whale Sharks are. After typhoon Pablo left, big waves were still experienced, rocks are scattered all over the dirty shore. The municipality is now undergoing a massive shoreline cleaning and clearing for tourism purposes.

What attracted us, was the big sign, “Whale Watching is from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon only”. We went in to the newly built resort, the BCD’s Place. The owners, Claudio and Dorilyn Borbon, with their ever-smiling resort crews, meet and greet us with the utmost hospitality of the Cebuanos and introduced us with the group of Boatmen, the yellow team,

Butanding… gentle giant shark!

January to September period, 160,292 tourists visited the region’s capital city. The actual number of tourists arrivals for Tacloban is higher compared to the projected 123,291 tourists arrivals for the entire 2012.

Tiopes, however, said that considering Tacloban as the jump off point of tour-ists arrivals for the region, its increase on the number of tourists arrivals is expected.

“Tourists stay in Tacloban at the maximum of two days. They also travel to other parts of the region,” the DoT director said.

Tiopes said there are factors why tourists visit Tacloban more than other places in the region.

For one, she said, local government units now appear to appreciate their lo-cal tourist assets by improving them and even going to the extent of coordinating or partnering with the private sector.

The business sector, in turn, should also be credited by investing in new hotels and restaurants that serve as a magnet for tourists to visit Eastern Visayas, Tiopes said.

The various fare promotions of airline companies is another factor to consider why there is now an increased of tourists arrivals in the region, she added. (PIA 8)

Butanding (whale shark) in Oslob, Cebu

called the Tan-awan Oslob Sea Warden Fishermen Assn. (TOSWFA), and a Ban-tay Dagat representative, Robert Cuerda.

TOSWFA are divided in two groups, the feeders, who feed the Tuki’s and the boatmen, who bring tourists with their boats very close to see the Butanding. Tourists however, are given orientation on what to do by local representatives of Tourism in Tan-awan, Oslob, headed by Elizabeth Binologa, under the direct supervision of Mayor Ronald Guaren, be-fore they are brought to a close encounter of the Tuki’s.

Joey Gragantilla, a veteran TOSWFA member briefed us that there are about fi fty Whale Sharks in the area that come and go, among them are named by Marine Biologists worldwide as Ace, , 88, Joey, Evar, Rany, Roxy, Dorian, Two Lips, Lucky 7, Coco, Stranding (spot-ted in Boljoon and became famous in the internet), Cut, Big Mama and Big

Papa (the biggest of them all), Mr. Bean, Shark Eater, Bumper, Stamper, Noella, Raymond, Bulus Eye, Ripper, Bubbles and Captain Hook.

The Butanding’s has been there for a long time and was even considered by local fi shermen before, as a threat to their fi shing livelihood, until lately, when one of the fi shermen and a couple of Korean tourists incidentally feed one Butanding with small shrimps and was guided near the shoreline where it can still swim. From then on, and more than a year, the Butanding’s became a good source of local income by Tan-awan fi shermen and draw a lot of local tourists, the rich and famous from Manila including big time businessmen, movie stars and now tourists outside the country. This tourist attraction is now controlled by the mu-nicipality of Oslob and the local Tourism

industry. Experts say, the Whale Shark (Butand-

ing or Tuki), is a slow-moving fi lter feeding shark and the largest extant fi sh species. The largest confi rmed individual had a length of 12.65 meters (41.50 ft.) and a weight of more than 21.5 metric tons (47000 lb.). The Whale Shark holds many records for sheer size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the largest living non-mammalian vertebrate.

Whale Shark is found in tropical and warm oceans and lives in the open sea with a lifespan of about 70 years. Although Whale Sharks have very large mouths, as fi lter feeders they feed mainly, though not exclusively, on plankton, which are microscopic plants and ani-mals. However, documentaries showed footage of whale shark feeding on a school of small fi sh.

While in Tan-awan, Oslob Cebu, TO-SWFA are buying tons of small shrimps

from neighboring towns to sustain the feeding program of their precious Butanding’s or Tuki’s.

Photo (left):(Standing, left)- another pose and

a big smile from Ernesto and Imelda Singson with resort owner’s, the BCD”s Place, Dorie and Joe Borbon, Joe Son, (kneeling) Limbet Susada, (TOSWFA), Sente Aberion, (TOSWFA), and Dodong Cuerva,( Bantay Dagat).

Photo (right:Ernesto and Imelda Singson, tour-

ist from SanDiego, CA posed with San Diego’s Asian Journal, Feature Editor and family during their trip to Tanawan, Oslob, Cebu for an unforgettable Whale Watching experience.

Tourism industry in Eastern Visayas picking up - DOT

Lifestyle

Read Joe Son’s past articles on www.asianjournalusa.com

by Joe Son

asian journal january 4-10, 2013 edition

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