STEALING FREE NEWSPAPER IS STILL A CRIME !

AB 2612, PLESCIA CRIME Duterte jokes: PH a Chinese province WEEKLY ISSUE 70 CITIES IN 11 STATES ONLINE Vol. IX Issue 463 1028 Mission Street, 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103 Tel. (415) 593-5955 or (650) 278-0692 February 22 - 28, 2018 Duterte’s crack against using condoms criticized

PH NEWS | A2 by family planning, women’s rights advocates By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent Ethics charges vs. De Lima Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Pres- Trillanes, Lacson dropped ident should stop making thoughtless, reckless and irresponsible statements at the expense of public health. “It’s not pleasurable if there’s con- dom? President Duterte seems to be overly concerned with pleasure. There is nothing pleasurable or funny about the rise in our cases of HIV and teen pregnancy,” said Hontiveros. By disapproving of condoms as a PH NEWS | A3 safe and reliable form of contracep- tion, Hontiveros said, “the President is Team USA beats Slovaks denying the public the widest array of options to plan their families, protect in Olympic hockey themselves from sexually transmitted (L-R) : Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Human Rights Watch’s Carlos Conde and Gabriela Sec. Gen. Joms Salvador diseases (STDs) and curb the growing (Photos: www.asiantribune.com / www.hrw.org / www.newstalk990.com) number of teenage pregnancies.” Hontiveros, chairperson of the In a country like the Philippines To illustrate his point after saying His latest wisecrack elicited laugh- Senate Committee on Women, Chil- where more than 10,000 people are that the use of condom is not pleasur- ter from returning overseas workers dren, family Relations, and Gender infected with Human Immuno-defi- able, Duterte pretended to eat candy from Kuwait as he commented on Equality, said that the President’s pub- ciency Virus (HIV) and where four out with the wrapper on. family planning and contraception, ar- lic disapproval of condoms also put the of 10 teenagers are mothers, President “May pills libre.... Huwag ‘yang guing against the use of condoms as an burden of family planning on women. Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks against the condom kasi hindi masarap ‘yang option but women and human rights “The President’s statement is a SPORTS NEWS | A5 use of condom is “no laughing matter.” condom,” said Duterte. advocates were outraged about it. TO PAGE A7 Trump backs new checks Rise of armed conflict risks seen as U.S. on gun buys Illegal dumping of sewage, floods from warship operates in disputed waterway typhoon create ‘cesspool’ in Boracay By Daniel Llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent By Lara Climaco | FilAm Star Correspondent

Years of aggressively marketing Boracay Island as the ultimate happen- ing place for all sorts of travelers has come to a head with President Rodrigo Duterte describing the famous tour- ist destination a “cesspool”. He meant LEGAL & LAW | B4 it literally, because some establish- ments have reportedly been dumping The many talents untreated wastewater into the island’s of Bruno Mars tranquil waters. The Department of Environment DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu and Natural Resources (DENR) has so (Photo: www.angminero.com) far issued notices of violation to 51 es- tablishments. The Agency is monitor- comply with the law, or else face clo- ing 300 establishments for compliance sure. The remedy is either to connect (L-R) PH Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana and USS Carl Vinson with the Philippine Clean Water Act of to the sewage treatment plant of Bora- (Photos: www.arabnews.com / www.nationalinterest.org) 2004, which requires establishments cay Island Water Company (BIWC) or With China’s military now able States, Philippine Ambassador to and households alike to dispose their install their own wastewater treatment to match the firepower of the United TO PAGE A7 septic waste to a treatment facility. facilities. The DENR has noted that ENTERTAINMENT | B7 Violators are given two months to TO PAGE A7 Selection of new major Indon prez confers highest award on top cop Dela Belo clinic padlocked for selling telco player delayed Rosa, intending to duplicate his anti-drug strategy unregistered cosmetic products By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent By William Casis | FilAm Star Correspondent By Lara Climaco star, “ their highest honor given to FilAm Star Correspondent The Philippine Food and Drug Ad- government officials. ministration (FDA) padlocked a Belo Indonesian President Joko Giving the potential new major Medical Group (BMG) clinic pharmacy Widodo presented to Dela Rosa the player (NMP) in the telecommunica- in Alabang, Muntinlupa City for selling “Bintang Bhayangkara Utama,” the tions industry a fighting chance is 11 cosmetic and drug products not highest medal for the National Police. more important than sticking to the registered with the FDA. Widodo previously expressed his March deadline set by President Rodri- A surveillance video of a second intention to duplicate the Philippine go Duterte, according to Department test-buy operation conducted by FDA (L-R) INP Gen. H. Muhammad Tito Karnavian police strategy to solve his country’s of Information and Communications operatives showed a clinic cashier and PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa drug menace. Technology (DICT) OIC-Sec. Eliseo Rio getting one of the products worth PHP (Photo: www.pinoytrending.altervista.org) It was reported in a Jakarta Post Jr. who has clarified that it wasn’t a 22,000 (US $440) from the pharmacy. Considering Philippine National report that mentions awards for the “hard and fast deadline” to begin with. TO PAGE A7 Thus, DICT and the National Telecom- Police (PNP) Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” police chiefs of the Philippines, Aus- munications Commission (NTC) will dela Rosa a rock star, the Indonesian tralia and Singapore, Gen. H. Dra. Vicki Belo TO PAGE A7 Police awarded him a “meritorious service TO PAGE A7 (Photo: www.belomed.com) A2 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 ph news Palace aide says ‘fake news’ Duterte’s comment to make PH a Chinese province maybe a joke abound to incite Edsa revolt but implies policy leaning towards Asian giant – geopolitics expert By Daniel Llanto | FilAm Star Correspondent

By Corina Oliquino | FilAm Star Correspondent A Senate inquiry into the alleged unholy interest of special MANILA – President Rodrigo Du- borough Shoal in the South China Sea. China assistant to the president Chris- terte joked about making the Philippines “I respect Xi Jinping, they assured us In an interview with GMA News’ topher “Bong” Go in the procure- a province of China at an event on at- they will not build anything on Scarbor- Balitanghali, geopolitics expert Jay Ba- ment of Navy frigates diverted to tended by Filipino-Chinese businessmen ough,” Duterte said at the anniversary tongbacal said President Duterte’s joke the proliferation of “fake news” last February 19. celebration of the Chinese Filipino Busi- about the Philippine becoming a province which Go claimed were fielded In a report by ABS-CBN News, Chi- ness Club according to The Philippine of China is an indication of his “adminis- to incite people into launching nese Ambassador to the Philippine Zhao Star. tration’s policy to favor the Asian giant.” another Edsa revolt in time for Jianhua, who was at the same event, “(Xi) is a man of honor. They can Batongbacal said that although Du- Assistant to President Christopher the February 25 people power ‘Bong’ Go interpreted President Duterte’s joke as an even make us ‘Philippines, province of terte’s remark was made in jest, it should (Photo: www.reuters.com) anniversary. indication of wanting to have closer ties China,’ we will even avail of services for not be ignored by the public. Go said the “fake news” or between the countries. free,” Duterte said. “Well, siyempre biro lang naman baseless news reports are directed President Duterte’s joke comes amid In jest, President Duterte even said, ‘yan... Ganon pa man makikita natin na at the President and his administration to provoke people to launch public outcry over China’s naming of five “If China were a woman, I’d woo her.” doon sa malawakang polisiya ng pamaha- another Edsa revolt. undersea features in the Benham Rise (or In a report by The Philippine Star, in laan para nga masyadong kumikiling tayo “Inuudyukan ang Pilipino na mag rebolusyon kasi malapit Philippine Rise). the same speech, President Duterte said sa China,” Batongbacal said. na yung Edsa anniversary,” he said. “Alam nyo nagsalita na ang Filipino with 16 million votes, hanggang ngayon ang popularity ni In a Facebook post, geopolitics he was even willing to share the Philip- “Ang taong-bayan hindi dapat President Duterte 80 percent kasi alam ng tao nagtatrabaho sya. expert Jay Batongbacal said the In- pines’ oil to China. pinapalampas ang mga ganyang biro no, Hindi pa ba sapat ito na mandato ng Pilipino?” ternational seryosong ikaw “Inuudyukaan nila na mag-Edsa III. Sa tingin nyo ba mag- Hydrographic ang pinuno ng papaloko pa ang mga sundalo? Alam naman nila na mahal ng Organization bansa. Wala Pangulo ang kasundaluhan,” Go said. (IHO-IOC- akong nadinig Go hit news outlets and a blog for publishing “malicious” GEBCO) has na presidente articles that he said encourages Filipinos to overthrow President approved last ng ibang bansa Duterte. year the names na nagbibiro During the Senate inquiry into the controversial procurement proposed by ng ganyan,” of Navy frigates, Duterte’s longtime aide criticized a Rappler article China for the Batongbacal titled “AFP, DNP assure Robredo: No support for revolutionary underwater added. government,” published November 8, 2017. features. Batong- Go slammed Rappler for only publishing Robredo’s side with- In another bacal noted out asking for the statements of Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and a report by that foreign Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Armed Forces chief of staff. GMA News, in policy analysts “It’s very malicious. They sowed intrigue among Lorenzana, its application would not take Guerrero and the President so that boss would get angry at them,” to the IHO in President Du- he said in Tagalog, labelling the article “fake news.” The Rappler story was about the assurance given to Robredo 2014, China terte’s remarks by Lorenzo and Guerrero that they would not be supporting moves claimed it “dis- seriously to declare a revolutionary government — an idea floated and then covered” three considering later disavowed by Duterte. of the features his fondness Several news agencies, not just Rappler, also published reports during a 2004 for cracking on the Defense officials’ reassurances. Go also condemned a blog survey of the jokes in his for posting a story that he said incites people to revolt. He cited “Li Hao of the speeches. M.C.I. Wordpress’ post titled “Secretary Delfin Lorenzana: The China Navy Batongba- Man Who Could Lead EDSA III; He Betrayed Duterte Twice for the Hydrographic President Rodrigo Duterte cal also urged Country — a Marked Man of Malacañang Hitman.” Office.” (Photo: : Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)) the president It insinuated that Lorenzana “will take an appropriate action “The two to be prudent against the administration” in the future. other features, with his words The blog is owned by a certain Lulu Mendez, who posted a China claimed in a separate application “You are already rich and besides, as he was speaking in behalf of the Phil- disclaimer that “views expressed here are those of the author and two years later in 2016, were ‘discovered’ we are already a province, province of ippines and the Filipino people. do not necessarily reflect the truth” on the post that was cited by by the same ship during the same survey Philippines, Republic of China. The near- “Ang Pangulo ay nagsasalita para sa the presidential aide during the Senate hearing. in 2004,” according to GMA News report. est is Fujian,” President Duterte said, sambayanang Pilipino so ‘yung mga biro Another blogger, Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson China has named the five features as: reiterating that the Philippines can get na ‘yan baka nga seryosohin ng ibang of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, has called • Jinghao Seamount two-thirds of the oil while China can get bansa, kung di siya seryosohin baka for the declaration of a revolutionary government in the past but this call was in favor of the Duterte administration. • Tianbao Seamounts, both located one-third because it is already rich. pagtatawanan na lang which means na Go insisted that he was dragged into the frigate controversy to some 70 nautical miles east of Cagayan; President Duterte also admitted that tayo ‘yung buong sambayanang Pilipino bring the Duterte administration down after Rappler and Inquirer • Haidonquing Seamount further China is “building military facilities in ang pinagtatawanan kaya nakakahiya din published reports of his alleged meddling in the procurement of east at 190 nautical miles; the West Philippine Sea,” the area in the ‘yun,” Batongbacal said. frigates. • Cuiqiao Hill and South China Sea being claimed by the Batongbacal also warned the Philip- “Perhaps, this is really the intention to block the implementa- • Jujiu Seamount, both form the cen- Philippines. pine government to be careful and vigi- tion of this important security program and ensure this administra- tral peaks of the Philippine Rise undersea President Duterte said he is con- lant when forging agreements or partner- tion will fail. But we will not allow them to win because the truth is geological province itself. vinced, however, that the military instal- ships with the Chinese. on our side,” he said. According to GMA News’ report, the lations are not intended for the Philip- “Sa tingin nila makukuha nila sa Go also labeled as “malicious” the stories of Inquirer titled IHO approved China’s name proposals pines. China ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng “Palace had special interest in Navy’s selection of weapons system even if the United Nations Commission “It’s really intended for those who Pilipinas, in terms of infrastructures, supplier” and Rappler titled “Bong Go intervenes in PHP 15.5 bil- on the Limits of the Continental Shelf China thinks will destroy them and that finance kaya binubuksan nila lahat ng lion project to acquire Philippine warships.” had already granted the Philippines “full is America. We are not part of it,” Presi- pinto para makapasok ang China... Dapat “They hadn’t even confirmed that I intervened when they said territorial claim” to the Philippine Rise dent Duterte said. tingnan natin ang long-term implica- ‘intervened’,” he said. in 2012. “There’s negotiations for joint ex- tions, magiging impact nito sa ating Go then advised detractors of the administration to just wait In the same event, Duterte even ploration. Can you beat that? Ignore the kaligtasan, sa ating status... sa ating for their time as he promised that both of them would return to praised China’s leader, Xi Jinping, argu- missiles there. They are not for us,” he independence,” Batongbacal said. Davao when the President’s term ends in 2022. He lamented at ing that Beijing has vowed not to build a added. how “fake news” is being used in an alleged attempt to sow in- trigues among the military and the President. man-made island on the disputed Scar- Duterte’s jokes imply policy favoring February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star A3 ph news Senate committee junks ethics charges vs. De Lima, Trillanes, Lacson By William Casis | FilAm Star Correspondent

The Senate ethics committee right now. The rules are clear,” set a trend prospectively that and House Committee on Justice when she was justice secretary. er Nicanor Faeldon in September last February 20 junked ethics said Lacson. will allow naman the chamber Chairman and Oriental Mindoro De Lima welcomed the last year. cases filed against two opposition “She has not violated any to assert its independence as Rep. Reynaldo Umali filed in dismissal of her cases. She will Faeldon urged the Senate to senators and a member of the Senate rule nor it is related to an the last bastion of a pluralistic December 2016 the complaint mark on February 24 her first penalize Lacson for dragging his majority bloc in the Senate due official act as a senator so on that democracy and start protecting against De Lima whom they year of illegal arrest and unjust name into the massive corrup- to various reasons. note. If there’s a motion, I will its members against abuse of claimed “clearly interfered” in detention. tion at the Bureau of Customs. Cleared of ethics charges support to dismiss outright the discretion or authority,” further the House inquiry into the al- “I thank my colleagues for He also filed a complaint against were Senators Leila de Lima and case against de Lima as filed by stated Honasan. leged illegal trade inside Bilibid. standing up for reason and the Trillanes for accusing him of Antonio Trillanes IV, both strong our counterparts in the House,” Sotto earlier objected to the “This is a clear case of con- clear provision of the rules. It being involved in the PHP 6.4- critics of President Rodrigo Du- billion shabu shipment from terte, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Xiamen, China. Due to lack of jurisdiction, Drilon also sought to dis- the committee headed by Major- miss the ethics cases filed against ity Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto the two senators. III unanimously approved Senate In the case of Trillanes for Minority Leader Franklin Dri- “malicious” accusations hurled at lon’s motion to dismiss the case Faeldon, Drilon noted the former filed by House of Representatives Customs chief also made “very leaders and the two cases filed by malicious” statements against presidential spokesman Harry some senators. Roque and lawyer Abelardo de “You know, Mr. Faeldon Jesus against De Lima. does not exactly come to the The complaints against De committee with clean hands. We Lima stemmed from her alleged have this doctrine in law, he who advice to her former bodyguard/ comes to court must come in driver Ronnie Dayan not to at- clean hands,” Drilon said. tend the House investigation into “If anyone has abused his her alleged involvement in the right to criticize public officials, proliferation of illegal drugs at Faeldon is as guilty as anybody,” the New Bilibid Prison when she he also said. was justice secretary. In a privilege speech in In seeking the dismissal of August 2017, Lacson accused Fa- De Lima’s cases, Drilon cited her eldon of allegedly receiving PHP pending cases in courts and the 100 million as “welcome gift” committee’s lack of jurisdiction when he assumed the BoC post. over the alleged violations. (L-R) Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and Sen. Leila De Lima This allegation was the subject “She did not violate the (Photo: www.pinoytrending.altervista.org) of Faeldon’s complaint against Senate rules and it is not related Lacson. to De Lima’s official function. We added Lacson. dismissal of De Lima’s charges tempt of the power and authority is now evident, as I’ve always “It’s clearly a forum shop- moved for the dismissal of the Sen. Gringo Honasan also and recommended to just archive vested in the House of Represen- maintained, that the cases filed ping. The privilege speech is a case without prejudice to reviv- backed the dismissal of the them. He mentioned about the tatives,” said the House leaders. against me were frivolous and subject of an investigation by ing the case in the future,” Drilon charges against De Lima “in the possibility that the criminal case The complained was based were merely filed to harass me,” the blue ribbon and therefore told the Senate panel. spirit of humanity.” against De Lima might progress. on De Lima’s alleged attempt to she said. whether or not the allegations Sen. Panfilo Lacson sec- “What else can we do to But the committee gave prevent her former driver and “I hope that somehow I have are true remains to be tackled in onded Drilon’s motion, saying De Senator De Lima?” he asked. De its nod to Drilon to dismiss the lover Ronnie Dayan from attend- proven my doubters and detrac- the committee report of the blue Lima did not violate any Senate Lima has been detained at the charges without prejudice to ing a congressional probe. Dayan tors wrong. From the very start, ribbon committee.” rule or was not performing her PNP Custodial Center in Camp re-filing them or to filing of a new earlier told the House justice I have always kept my innocence Drilon’s motion was imme- duty as a senator when she sup- Crame over drug charges. complaint against de Lima committee that De Lima advised and in due time, hopefully soon, diately seconded by other com- posedly gave the advice to Dayan. “So, in the spirit of human- Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, him to snub the invitation of the I will be vindicated from all the mittee members present during “We can act on it right here, ity, maybe this might possibly Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, panel in relation to its investiga- fabricated charges, especially the the hearing. tion on the prison drug trade. drug cases, filed against me,” she Lacson, a committee mem- The panel also dismissed added. ber, was also present in the hear- De Jesus’ complaint which was The same committee also ing but inhibited from partici- based on President Rodrigo Du- unanimously rejected the cases pating in the proceeding by the terte’s allegations that De Lima against Trillanes and Lacson filed complaint lodged against him. was involved in drug operations by former Customs commission- A4 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 ph news of the President to hear their concerns. Presidential Communica- Duterte offers bounty to indigenous tions Operations Office Sec. Mar- tin Andanar said the President tribe for every NPA rebel killed was “serious” about the bounty offer, noting that this was just By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent part of a “psy-war” and meant to “incentivize” indigenous people. President Rodrigo Duterte the NPAs of using the Lumad to insurgency campaign threatened He said that this was also a offered the Lumad PHP 20,000 fight the government. to wage a tribal war to avenge way for the President to engage for each New People’s Army The President said he would the killing of Mampaundag and the rebels in a “psy-war” follow- (NPA) guerrilla they kill and arm the Lumad and deploy them his son. ing the pronouncement of Com- vowed to train them as the militia to hunt down “those who killed Last February 9, the In- munist Party of the Philippines Pasaka Confederation Chairperson Kerlan Fanagel group Citizen Armed Forces their comrades.” digenous Peoples Mandatory leader Jose Maria Sison that their (Photo: www.davaotoday.com) Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in He was referring to the re- Representative (IPMR) of the 50 guerilla fronts would kill one order to fight the communist cent killing of a tribal leader Datu Mamanwa Tribe in Alegria, Su- soldier a day. tion of violence that has driven corporations. insurgents. Banadjao Mampaundag and his rigao del Norte identified Dakula Andanar explained that this thousands of natives to flee their The leader of the umbrella “You want money? For every son Jhonard inside their home Guillermo Tiambon, shot dead in could just be the President’s way communities to avoid getting organization of 39 Lumad groups NPA that you can kill, you Lumad in Sitio Igang, Barangay Palma front of his family in their farm of matching Sison’s threat to kill caught in the crossfire between from an area that extends from who would become CAFGU, I’ll Gil in the town of Talaingod, at Sitio Palo 10, Barangay Camp a soldier a day,” he said. government forces and commu- the Caraga region to Central pay you,” Duterte told the non- Davao del Norte on February 4, Edward. The Philippine government nist insurgents. Mindanao branded “alarming” Muslim indigenous people. which the President blamed on The victim’s daughter said and communist rebels tried to Pasaka Confederation Duterte’s plan for the Lumad. He also offered to train them the NPA. her father received death threats end the decades-long insur- Chairperson Kerlan Fanagel “He’s now using the Lumad for three months as a militia The Eastern Mindanao Com- from the NPA for being an active gency through peace talks during warned that bounty would lead to as bait. What kind of solution group, after which they would be mand said the rebels allegedly advocate of peace and develop- Duterte’s more than one and a more killings of Lumad, espe- would it bring?” he commented. given firearms to use in fighting strafed the house of Mampaun- ment. half years in office but they failed cially those tagged as communist Instead of ending the insur- the rebels. dag using a vehicle to appear they On February 8, Lumad after they accused each other of insurgents or sympathizers of the gency, he said, giving the Lumad “I’ll give a reward to those were soldiers. They also attempt- leaders in Talaingod launched staging armed attacks. communists. a prominent role in fighting the Lumads who become CAFGU, for ed to ambush the responding a protest seeking justice for the The Philippines has recently “It’s not the responsibil- guerrillas would further divide every NPA you kill I’ll pay you ambulance to rescue them. killing of the Mampaundags. classified the NPAs as a terrorist ity of the Lumad to run after the natives. PHP 20,00 per head. Anyway, The communist rebels have Last January 31 to Febru- organization, a tag that its lead- insurgents,” said Fanagel, who He said the solution to the the government has money,” he never denied nor owned up to the ary 1, Lumad leaders from four ers have denied. is a B’laan. He said the govern- communist insurgency is to deal said. killings. Lumad leaders support- regions in Mindanao convened But Duterte’s bounty offer ment should protect them from with its roots, like poverty. He has repeatedly accused ing the government’s counter- in Davao City upon the initiative has raised fears of an escala- those causing suffering, like large

SELECTION OF NEW Miguel Corp],” Rio said on Fa- ing regulatory requirements, government last February 6, the capability; no liability with the ment with a government finan- ... FROM PAGE A1 cebook after uploading the draft such as the mandatory 15-day same day Duterte reportedly NTC, meaning no existing obli- cial institution. Its commercial joint memorandum circular on notification before any govern- warned “do not f*ck with gov- gations on regulatory fees and operations must start within 12 take the time to conduct public the NMP bidding that was also ment policy can take effect, ernment” and cursed profusely charges; and not be related to months from the date of award consultations on draft guide- published on the DICT website. must also be followed. He said during a Cabinet meeting. the PLDT or Globe groups, the and within five years, cover at lines issued February 19 on the The DICT’s new timetable Ramon Jacinto, presidential as- The reverse bidding process duopoly that each holds at least least 80 percent of chartered NMP bidding. includes a second stakeholders’ sistant on economic affairs and disclosed last month by Rio on 40 percent market share. cities, as well as provincial capi- “It is the decision of DICT/ consultation on February 27 information technology, agreed. his personal Facebook page has The winning NMP will be tal cities and towns. NTC that the instructions of the and a public hearing on March “We brought this to the at- been formalized in the draft assigned frequencies within the Assigned radio frequen- President can be best served by 6. tention of the President, and he MC. The selection committee ranges of 700 MHz, 850 MHz, cies are subject to an automatic waiting for a few weeks more “At least 300 participants, was not so particular with the will evaluate bids based on the 2100 MHz and 2010 MHz; recall for any regulatory breach to encourage more contend- consisting of local telecom- deadline as long as the selec- net present value of the com- and the 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHs, 3.5 or a failure to maintain the pre- ers to participate which will all munications players, embassy tion process is successful within mitted investment for five years GHz and 10.5 GHz. It will be scribed debt-to-equity ratio. undergo a selection process that representatives, and the media, a reasonable period. He was and the net book value of exist- required to post a performance Aside from DICT and NTC, will ensure that the third telco will be invited to provide inputs more concerned in getting back ing telco facilities. bond equivalent to 0.005 of its proposed signatories to the player can effectively compete on the draft MC before it will the frequencies to be awarded To qualify for the bidding, committed investment for the joint memo circular are the with Globe (Telecom) and be finalized and take effect by to the third telco player, and it a company or consortium must first five years, which is subject Department of Finance and the Smart (Communications) and the first week of March,” DICT was here that he was emphatic be 60-percent Filipino owned to forfeiture if actual annual in- National Security Council. not just end up being gobbled announced on its website. that PLDT give it back soon- and have a net worth of PHP vestment fails to reach amounts by the duopoly, as what hap- In his Facebook post, Rio est and not wait for the March 10 billion. Its congressional committed. The NMP must also pened to other telcos like Digi- explained that industry players deadline,” Rio said. franchise must be valid until maintain a 70:30 debt-to-equity VISIT tel, Bayantel, Cure, Eastern, and found the end-March deadline The PLDT group returned December 2023. The party ratio and deposit 30 percent of WWW.FILAMSTAR.COM more specially the SMC [San “so tight and unrealistic.” Exist- the frequencies at no cost to the must also have proven technical its annual committed invest- FilAm Star Classifieds (650)278-0692 . (415)593-5955

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CALL TO ADVERTISE 1-415-593-5955 X141 February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star A5 sports Artist Peter Max honors the U.S. Ski Team and their amazing feats at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics news For the past five decades, car. Max has been official artist blasted home by Mark Arcobello Peter Max’s art has been part for six GRAMMY Awards, five for a 3-0 US lead. of the fabric of American pop Super Bowls, the NHL All-Star Slovakia responded on culture - from his numerous Game, the 2000 World Series, a power-play goal by Peter museum and gallery exhibi- the 2000 Kentucky Derby, the Ceresnak with 3:06 remaining tions to a giant Moscow Music U.S. Winter Olympics, World in the second but Garrett Roe Peace Festival stage, a six- hun- Cup USA, the Indy 500, the answered with 10:08 remaining dred-foot-long Woodstock ’99 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and and Donato tucked the puck in- Music Festival stage, a two- many other notable events side the near post with 3:14 left. hundred- fifty-foot-long bill- in sports and music. Max’s “It shows how strong and board flanking the U.S. Pavilion portraits have honored U.S. how resilient a team we are,” at the World’s Fair in Seville, Presidents, foreign dignitaries, Zapolski said. “We had our best Spain, the hull of a giant Nor- rock stars and jazz musicians, period of the Olympics in the wegian Lines cruise ship, and movie stars and sports icons. third.” Dale Earnhardt’s NASCAR race Donato, 21, shares the USA rips Slovakia to reach Olympic Olympic goals lead at four with Russians Ilya Kovalchuk and hockey quarter-finals Kirill Kaprizov. US top scorer Ryan Donato Ladislav Nagy was whistled for “He’s a tough kid and you Cavs, Warriors ready to chase in NBA’s sprint to the finish and goaltender Ryan Zapolski flattening Zapolski, who was see how much of a natural scorer LeBron James had a trophy added new pieces around him Washington and Indiana, and rose after being flattened to lead slow to rise off the ice. he is,” Terry said. “When you’ve in his hands and a smile on his earlier this month, and there’s not positioning to be settled down the the United States over Slovakia “He hit my head and got a guy that fast and skilled face. a lot of time left to build champi- bottom of the bracket, where Mil- 5-1 and into the Pyeongchang That was Sunday at the All- onship chemistry. waukee, Philadelphia and Miami Olympic men’s hockey quarter- Star Game, when James again The Cavs went into the hold the final three spots. finals on Tuesday. rose above the NBA’s best in win- break with four straight wins, But the biggest ques- Harvard University star ning a game and MVP honors. but they’re still just third in the tion might be the Celtics, who Donato scored two goals and What he really wants is to be conference and couldn’t gain any slumped into the break with three Zapolski made 22 saves to spark celebrating in the postseason, not ground on the Raptors, who have straight losses after leading the the Americans, who haven’t midseason. won seven straight to pass the conference most of the season, taken Olympic gold since 1980, The NBA’s sprint to the fin- Celtics. Toronto is an NBA-best and now have one team ahead of into a last-eight clash Wednes- ish begins Thursday with James 24-4 at home and could make the them and another behind that has day against unbeaten Czech riding high but starting again Cavs’ NBA Finals plans difficult if the momentum. Republic. from back in the pack as Cleve- they have to go through Canada. “The Raptors have been “We came in feeling con- land tries to catch Toronto and “We would hope so, but playing really well. Cleveland fident about not going home. Boston in the Eastern Conference. we’ve got to get there,” Raptors has been playing really well. But Putting goals in makes us feel “We just added four new All-Star guard Kyle Lowry said. we’ve got to get back to playing a lot more confident,” Donato (Photo: www.cbssports.com) guys before the break, and we “We’ve got to finish the season really well, too,” the Celtics’ Jay- said. “The chemistry is nice and have a lot of work to do,” James strong.” len Brown said. “So as the season is kind of meshing.” said. “So I really don’t like to Much of the work is already moves forward, we’re looking Donato, who also netted pinched my neck,” said Zapol- with a shot like that, you have think that too far ahead. But done, since the NBA’s earlier start forward to getting back to the top obviously winning championships to this season means teams are spot.” two goals against Slovakia in a ski. “It was a little bit of a scary a good chance it’s going in the is what it’s all about. That’s what well beyond the midway point Same with the Warriors, who 2-1 group-stage victory, blasted thing.” net.” this league is all about and hope- of their schedules. They will were hurt by the longer-than-usu- a rebound into the far top corner That gave the Americans a Now the Americans must fully at the end of the road then have about 25 games remaining, al time it took to reach the break. 96 seconds into the second pe- two-man power play and they recover in less than a day to face I have the Cavs there to actually with so much to sort out in both They were just 6-4 in their last 10 riod to put the USA ahead 1-0. converted just 18 seconds in a Czech squad seeking its first compete for one, to be in a finals conferences. games and at 44-14 already have Slovakia responded 26 sec- when James Wisniewski, a Ger- Olympic gold in 20 years. representing the East.” It’s a two-team race at more losses than they averaged onds later with a body-slamming man League defenceman whose “It’s a big ask but we will The Golden State Warriors the top of the West but things over the last three seasons (13). retaliation sequence as Michal father Jim was quarantined with make a good run at it,” US for- are also in the unusual position of are tight well beyond that. San Coach Steve Kerr made it Cajkovsky was sent off for 25 the norovirus, scored to provide ward Chris Bourque said. pursuers, after red-hot Houston Antonio is just percentage points clear that his team needed a rest minutes for a blow to Donato’s a 2-0 US edge. Later qualifying games passed them for the league’s best ahead of Minnesota for third and now that the Warriors had it, head. “It was huge for our con- Tuesday include South Korea record with 10 straight wins lead- while still hoping Kawhi Leonard they’re ready to try to reel in the “I just dipped my head for fidence going into tomorrow,” against Finland, Slovenia against ing into the All-Star break. But returns from his thigh injury, and Rockets. a second to look at the puck and Wisniewski said. “We’re getting Norway and Switzerland against nobody would count out the War- it’s a gap of only 4 1/2 games from “We’ve got 20-something looked up and had an elbow in better and better.” Germany. riors, not with their star-studded there to 10th place, where the games before the playoffs to chase my mouth,” Donato said. “It Strong and resilient Also already into the group that has won two of the last Utah Jazz have won 11 straight. another championship,” All-Star didn’t feel good. It felt like it US college star Troy Terry quarter-finals are the Olympic three titles. The East has a close race for Stephen Curry said. “So, ready to might have broken my nose, but collected his third assist with Athletes from Russia, two-time Cleveland is the unknown, fourth place and home-court ad- hit the ground running when we it didn’t. I’m OK now.” 6:30 remaining in the second defending champion Canada and even with James. The Cavaliers vantage in the first round between get back.” (inquirer.net) At the same moment, period, his centering pass unbeaten Sweden. (AFP) A6 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 opinion Street Talk PerryScope The travails of a presidential spokesperson ‘The U.S. is under attack!’ GREG B. MACABENTA final say. The fall of the Roman Empire “Hoy, gago, pagagandahin mo lang ang salita PERRY DIAZ Sad to say, what’s happening to America today In a moment of ko para maging disente, pero huwag mong baba- is not unlike what happened to the Eastern Roman pique, I recently posted on guhin ang ibig kong sabihin, intiendes????” (Hey, Last January, CIA (Byzantine) Empire in 1453 A.D. when Constanti- social media that I always idiot, just make my language more decent but don’t Director Mike Pompeo met nople fell to the Ottoman Empire. But the fall of the thought Harry Roque, change the meaning, understand???). with Russia intelligence Byzantine Empire started to happen long before the spokesman of President Well, maybe I’m giving Duterte too much credit officials in Washington, Ottomans took over the empire. Rodrigo Duterte, was for all the inane statements of Roque. I frankly DC. Two of them, Sergey The fall of the Western Roman Empire began “marunong” (intelligent). suspect that his recent rationalization for China’s Naryshkin, the head of in 410 A.D. when the Visigoths successfully sacked And I added: “Bobo pala.” assigning Chinese names to certain features in Ben- Russia’s Foreign Intelli- Rome. In 455 A.D., Rome was again raided, this (It turns out, he’s dumb.) ham Rise, sounds too much like vintage Roque. gence Service or SVR, and time by the Vandals. Finally, in 476 A.D., the Ger- I’m taking that back. I Roque reasoned that such Chinese terms as Alexander Bortnikov, who manic leader Odoacer staged a revolt and deposed don’t think Roque is dumb. His academic credentials “mami,” “siopao,” and “hototay,” are generally ac- runs the FSB, which is the the Emperor Romulus Augustulus. From then on, no are impressive and so is his track record as a lawyer. cepted by Pinoys but that hasn’t given the Chinese main successor to the Soviet-era security service, the Roman emperor would ever again rule from a post So, how do you explain such naïve (at best) exclusive ownership of the Binondo edibles. KGB, met with Pompeo. The head of Russia’s mili- in Italy, leading many to cite 476 A.D. as the year the or idiotic (at worst) statements in a media inter- Sen. Ping Lacson was obviously having difficul- tary intelligence, the GRU, also came to Washington; Western Roman Empire suffered its deathblow. view concerning China’s construction of “artificial ty holding his temper when he chided Roque for the however, it is not clear if he met with Pompeo. Pax Americana’s decline islands” in the West Philippine Sea? I’m quoting the analogy. Said Lacson: “It’s probably a matter of time Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D- Basically, the Western Roman Empire was news item verbatim: before we see Chinese structures on more artificial N.Y.) had pressed the Trump administration to weakened due to several reasons, two of which were “MANILA, Philippines – While China’s island- islands. Damn us! Are we this helpless?” explain a report that Moscow’s foreign intelligence similar to Pax Americana’s decline. The first was building in the West Philippine Sea may be wor- Honestly, Senator Lacson? director entered the United States last week despite overexpansion and military overspending. Rome’s risome now, one day, the Philippines will ‘thank’ The president of the sovereign Republic of the being subject to sanctions. Interestingly, Narysh- territories covered a lot of ground, all the way to China for them. Philippines thinks so. He thinks we are this helpless. kin’s entry into the U.S. occurred a day after the Britain where Rome had to maintain large number “This was what Presidential Spokesperson Kaya, bow na lang ng bow, to use “Swardspeak.” (in- Trump administration said it would postpone the of troops just to keep the enemy at bay. As more and Harry Roque said during an interview with Franco cidentally, I believe the senator’s surname, Lacson, imposition of new sanctions against Russia, which more funds were funneled into military spending, Mabanta, a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, is also Chinese in origin). Congress sought in bipartisan legislation last year. infrastructure fell into disrepair for lack of funds. on Wednesday, February 7. But the travails of Roque are normal for anyone Schumer told reporters: “The Trump administration Isn’t that what’s happening to the U.S. right now? ““There will come a time when China’s might who would echo the thoughts of a boss who runs his must immediately come clean and answer ques- The second was due to government corruption has ceased, when we will have to thank them for mouth before his brain is in gear. tions. Which U.S. official did he meet with?” [Source: and political instability that are precisely what the those islands,’ he said. In a TV interview, former US Vice-President Politico.com/Schumer presses Trump on report that U.S. is going through today. If Rome’s sheer size ‘“Clearly, eventually, those artificial islands Joe Biden described President Donald Trump as Russian under sanctions entered U.S.] made it difficult to govern, ineffective and inconsis- will be ours if we can ask China to leave,’ he added, “having difficulty with precision in his statements.” The top-level Russian visit was looked upon tent leadership only served to magnify the problem. maintaining that only the Philippines can legally Biden was struggling to be politically correct, suspiciously. But regardless what purpose the Rus- Being the Roman emperor had always been a par- build artificial islands.” of course. What he really meant was that Trump has sian master spies had behind their mysterious visit ticularly dangerous job, but during the tumultuous The hope that China can be asked to leave terri- difficulty telling the truth. to the nation’s capital, it alarmed the U.S. Senate. second and third centuries it nearly became a death tory it has grabbed couldn’t possibly be the opinion But being untruthful is only half of the problem Last week, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee sentence. Civil war thrust the empire into chaos, of someone who used to teach Constitutional Law that press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has to conducted a hearing and invited Pompeo and the and more than 20 men took the throne in the span at the University of the Philippines and finished cope with. Trump also flip flops like a pair of rubber of only 75 years, usually after the murder of their nation’s other intelligence chiefs to testify, including his Master of Laws degree at the London School of slippers, shifting his position on issues based on predecessor. The Praetorian Guard -- the emperor’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Dan Coats, Economics. what his supporters on Fox News urge him to say, personal bodyguards -- assassinated and installed FBI Director Christopher Wray, and National Secu- Sen. Grace Poe’s remark that Roque’ statement think or do. new sovereigns at will, and once even auctioned rity Agency (NSA) Director Adm. Mike Rogers. was “wishful thinking,” was rather benign. Idiotic In her daily White House press briefings, Sand- the spot off to the highest bidder. The political rot Mysterious visit is not even a good enough description of such gross ers has to struggle to make sense of the specious also extended to the Roman Senate, which failed to All of the intelligence chiefs were of the com- naivete. rationalizations made by Trump, as well as those temper the excesses of the emperors due to its own mon belief that the Russians are a security threat There can only be one explanation for this that she apparently has to conjure by herself. When widespread corruption and incompetence. As the to the U.S. But it was DNI Coats who spelled it out seeming lapse of lucidity on the part of Roque. He the members of the White House press corps keep situation worsened, civic pride waned and many Ro- clearly and loudly, “The United States is under at- was simply echoing the opinion of his boss, Duterte. getting back at her on a sticky issue, she snaps at man citizens lost trust in their leadership. [Source: tack!” It is likened to the Japanese sneak attack on In that context, hoping that China might them, pivots, passes the blame on to other parties, Wikipedia/history.com] Pearl Harbor in 1942. But it’s a new kind of warfare, someday willingly walk back on its territorial grab- or shifts the topic away from the issue at hand, or Trump budget deficits never before tested in the battlefield. And the Rus- bing is not as bizarre as Duterte’s recent “joke” that simply ignores the questions and moves on to other With the excessive military spending that Presi- sians appear to be ahead in the game. China might want to make the Philippines one of its topics. dent Donald Trump has earmarked in his budget and And if they continue to penetrate the U.S.’s provinces. Many times, the equivocation (at best) and the the $1.5-trillion tax cuts for the wealthy that he rail- defenses, it could lead to the destruction of the U.S. In this Chinese Year of the Dog (in Tagalog, lies (at worst) are glaring. Concerning the resigna- roaded through a Republican-controlled Congress, as a superpower. It could disable the country’s Taon ng mga Tuta), one can almost see poor Harry tion of accused wife-beater, Rob Porter, the assistant who do you think would suffer from the humongous power grid, which could render the country politi- Roque asking his boss how he can explain the latest of Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly, Sanders had budget deficits and the $20-trillion debt? cally impotent, economically inutile, and militarily presidential foot-in-mouth gaffe. difficulty reconciling the facts with the White House What’s happening to the U.S. government under worthless. “Sir, what do I tell the media? Shall I say you fiction that Porter was asked to resign “within a few President Trump reminds us of the Roman Emperor In his testimony, Coats said that “Russia, China, were just joking?” hours” after reports on his legal problems had been Nero, who fiddled while Rome was burning. Isn’t Iran and North Korea pose the greatest global cy- “Of course, I was joking, p—ng ina!” found out. it bad enough that Trump is playing golf while the berthreats, but terrorists, criminal organizations and “Pero sir, that joke may not have been politi- In fact, according to the FBI, the complete White House is burning, scandal after scandal? even individuals are engaging in cyberoperations as cally correct!” protests Roque. report on Porter had been submitted by the agency well.” He added: “Russia is likely to continue to pur- The recent indictment of 13 Russians by the “Gago! Anong korek-korek? Basta’t sabihin mo to the White House months earlier but certain sue cyberactions against the U.S. “using elections as Special Counsel Robert Mueller signifies Russia’s joke only, tapos!” individuals in the White House had chosen to ignore opportunities to undermine democracy, sow discord attempt to change or manipulate the outcome of the And so, poor Harry Roque, as a loyal presiden- them. When confronted with this, Sanders pivoted and undermine our values.” 2016 U.S. presidential election in favor of Donald tial spokesman, may be expected to translate into and accused the FBI of not doing its job. That, of Coats also mentioned that North Korea’s con- Trump, who won the electoral votes but lost the more respectable language the mindless profan- course, was an outright buck-passing lie. The FBI tinuing nuclear ambitions would pose the greatest popular vote to Hillary Clinton by more than three ity of his boss, as follows: “While there are clear only submits its findings and leaves it to the govern- threat in terms of weapons of mass destruction in million votes. advantages in closer bonds between the Philippines ment department concerned (in this case, the office the coming year. Other nations considered as threats Looking back at history, DNI Coats’ warning to and China, it was obviously in the spirit of friendly of the chief of staff) to act on them. But Sanders, with weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are Russia the U.S. Senate may have reminded him when the and harmless good humor that President Rodrigo confronted with her weaseling, brazened it and then and China. However, Russia and China don’t have to Visogoths were at the gates of Rome: “Rome is under Duterte made that statement about the Philippines changed the topic. resort to using WMD. They have taken long strides attack!” the Praetorian Guard sounded the alarm. becoming a province of China.” You can almost see Sanders arriving home at in the development of cyberspace technology, elec- Indeed, what’s happening to the Trump administra- Hopefully, in giving that official explanation, the end of the day and being asked by her husband: tromagnetic radiation, and electronic warfare. tion has an eerie similarity to the year 410 A.D. when Roque will not commit a Freudian slip and mutter “How was your day, honey?” But nothing could be easier for the Russians the Visigoths sacked Rome. Rome never regained its under his breath: “Dati na naman, eh.” (It already “As usual, dear. I had to take the bullet for than to penetrate America’s weakened political supremacy. Thus, the decline of the Western Roman is). President Pinocchio.” structure, which if they succeeded would hasten the Empire had begun. At any rate, what choice does Roque have? A But the bottom-line is that both Roque and destruction of Pax Americana, not unlike the demise However, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) job is a job and as spokesman of the president, he is, Sanders are probably very well paid. In the case of of Pax Romana that had spanned 206 years from 27 Empire continued to exist for another 1,000 years. in effect, only a microphone or a megaphone, magni- Roque, I believe he has his eyes on the Senate and B.C. to 180 A.D. However, historians have ques- It’s a feat that no empire on Earth had duplicated, fying and making public the words and thoughts of will therefore take any bullet (virtual) for Duterte, in tioned when Pax Romana actually ended? Many including modern-day empires that thrived for just a his current employer. order to be well-positioned. believe that it ended long before Rome fell, begin- few years. The U.S. is now 242 years old, which begs Do official spokespersons have a right to ex- But he had better hope that his friends in China ning in the reign of Augustus Caesar and extended the question: Is the U.S. going through what Rome press their own views? Technically, no. If they want do not also decide to assign a Chinese name to him. through the reign of subsequent emperors until the had gone through during the time of Nero? to do that, they must first resign. Of course, they can Something like, Hally Loque. death of Nero in 68 A.D. ([email protected]) argue or reason with the boss, but the latter has the ([email protected])

school have described the “chaotic” scene to local media. “I just ran. I had my book bag on my back, As I See It just in case I got shot in the back,” one student told CNN. “I saw some bodies. It wasn’t good,” another The Opinions expressed by our writers and Schools need stricter security check, stiffer gun control law student told West Palm Beach’s WPTV. “We hear contributors do not in any way reflect the ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO bullets coming closer and closer to us, and then we opinion of the management of Fortune News just hear kids screaming,” a ninth-grade student Media Inc. Are our schools safe? people were killed outside the building and one told Miami’s WPLG news station. “This teacher was How about our students Fortune News Media Inc. person was killed in the street. Then the suspected apparently trying to help a student and got shot,” the Publisher and school staff? gunman entered one of the school buildings where, student added. In the light of the according to police, he continued his shooting ram- Florida Governor Rick Scott said the shooting Harvey Barkin current school violence page with a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle. He eventually Editor-in-Chief was “absolutely pure evil”. He also said there was that happened in Florida fled the scene but was later taken into custody in a “a time” to talk about gun control when questioned Edwina Aniag claiming 17 people dead, neighboring town shopping. The shooting took place by reporters on Wednesday. US President Donald Vice President for Marketing and Operations parents are apprehensive in the town of Parkland which is about an-hour drive Trump offered his condolences to the families of the Gary De Guzman about the safety of their from Miami in Southeast Florida. Marjory Stoneman victims. He said: “No child, teacher or anyone else Vice President for Community Relations children and school ad- Douglas High School, the place where the shoot- should ever feel unsafe in an American school” but ministrators are likewise ing happened, is a public school with about 3,000 Florida students, parents and residents don’t want Anchet Manosca worried about their students and staff. In fact, the students. Creative and Production Manager condolences and excuses but an honest to goodness whole American people are concerned about their In an article written by Kyle Griffin, he identi- revision of the gun control law which the President Atty. Crispin Lozano safety! We can’t fault them because the incident may fied the suspect as 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz. He was didn’t even mention in his message. He just centered Dr. Philip Chua / Rodel Rodis happen not only in educational institutions but to charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder on on mental illness. Ben Lou / Perry Diaz any institution or any compound for that matter, just Thursday morning. Police say Cruz was armed with In a CNN broadcast by Emanuel Grinberg and Federico Espiritu / Elpidio Estioko like what happened in Las Vegas, which is the worst a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle and carried “multiple” Eric Levenson, said Florida Gov. Rick Scott ordered Columnists mass shooting ever killing 58 innocent people watch- magazines with him. He was also equipped with a gas government flags flown at half-staff through Monday Macon Ramos-Araneta ing the live country music concert at that time! mask and smoke grenades. in honor of victims of the shooting. Anxious family Corina Oliquino / Lara Climaco I was shocked because we just held an active According to officials, Cruz was expelled from members commented, “This has been a day where Daniel Llanto shooter drill in our school two weeks ago and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for disci- we’ve seen the worst of humanity. Tomorrow is Correspondents drill went well, although some students didn’t partic- plinary issues. They did not specify when he was gonna bring out the best in humanity as we come Ann Gauna ipate seriously. I also learned that Marjory Stoneman expelled or the details of his expulsion. Perhaps, together to move forward from this unspeakable Marketing Associate Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida where the this was one of his motives in carrying out the mass tragedy”. shooting happened, had just had their active shooter shooting because officials went through Cruz’s social Jho Bule Aside from our prayers and condolences, we drill the day before the shooting. Immediately after media account and found “disturbing” posts. “We Photographer need stricter gun control which Congress must initi- finding out of the shooting, I discussed the incident have already begun to dissect his websites and things ate right now! The problem is, most of our lawmak- Glenda Bule in the classroom and tied it up with our recent active on social media that he was on and some of the ers, even the President for that matter, are beholden Event Coordinator shooter drill and realistically assessed the situation. things... are very, very disturbing,” Sheriff Scott Is- to the National Rifle Association (NRA). Actually, we The Florida shooting was considered one of rael said late on Wednesday. On Thursday, the leader are not asking them to severe their relationships with FilAm Star is published weekly the deadliest mass shooting in US history. Suspect of a white supremacist group in Florida confirmed by Fortune News Media Inc. NRA, but to impose stricter measures, so we can be Nikolas Cruz was charged with 17 murder counts and Cruz was a member. That is very disturbing and a www.filamstar.com sure that people will be having a hard time possess- multiple attempted murder cases. During the shoot- closer look on the group’s activities need to be scruti- ing firearms due heavier background checks. As of Headquarters: ing, at least 17 people were dead, 16 students and one nized because, who knows, more will come… now, firearms are going to the wrong persons and 1028 Mission St., 2/F, assistant coach. Inside the school, a number of unverified videos they have easier access to them. We need stronger San Francisco, CA 94103; Police say the suspect began shooting outside at the time of the shooting have been circulating on laws to prevent them from acquiring them. We were Tel. (650) 278-0692 or (415) 593-5955 the school on Wednesday just before dismissal at social media. In one video, people are screaming informed that the alleged shooter has fire automatic about 2:40 pm local time and instantly, at least two Email: [email protected] “Oh my God!” as gunshots rang out. Students at the TO PAGE A7 February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star A7 DUTERTE CRACK AGAINST tongue that speaks so vilely at us.” RISE OF ARMED CONFLICT with a missile defense system. ... FROM PAGE A1 Carlos Conde of the Human Rights Watch ... FROM PAGE A7 “Whereas before the South China Sea was (HRW) said Duterte’s advice against the use of dominated by the U.S. 7th Fleet, now the Chinese virtual insistence that women should continue to condom demonstrates a “reckless disregard” for China Chito Sta. Romana said the possibilities navy is starting to challenge the dominance,” Sta. carry the burden of family planning alone,” she the health of Filipinos. of a “miscalculation” and armed conflict become Romana said. “I think we will see a shift in the said. Instead of criticizing condoms as a pleasure higher in the disputed South China Sea which balance of power.” “This contradicts one of the aims of the inhibitor, he said Duterte should take meaningful may be triggered by such incidents as the current “It is not the case that the South China Sea is Reproductive Health Law, which he claims to action to protect the health of Filipinos by back- patrol run there of a major U.S. warship. now a Chinese lake, not at all,” Sta. Romana said. champion, to ensure equality in responsibility as ing urgently needed policy changes to expand the At a news forum called Kapihan sa Maynila, “Look at the U.S. aircraft carrier, it’s still going far as family is concerned. This is unacceptable. accessibility and use of condoms in the Philip- Sta. Romana said this can happen since China through the South China Sea,” he added, refer- Men must also do their share and be at par with pines. is now militarily stronger to challenge the U.S., ring to the USS Carl Vinson. women in sharing our family planning duty,” “For Duterte’s supporters, the comment was which used to be the dominant power in the stra- Sta. Romana compared the two powers to Hontiveros stressed. just the latest of his ‘humorous asides’ – like tegic waterway. In effect, China can now do more elephants fighting and trampling on the grass and “He wants us take him seriously but not liter- when he supposedly wisecracked about emulating than protest what it sees as unwarranted U.S. said: “What we don’t want is for us (Philippines) ally. What does that even mean? Who interprets Hitler in enshrining mass murder as state policy intrusion into an Asian conflict. to be the grass.” him best? So sino mag-aadjust, ang 100 mily- or joshed about the gang rape and murder of an Beijing made such threatening noises as the It was noted at the news forum that the ong mamamayan ng Pilipinas o siya? When he Australian nun,” noted the HRW researcher. nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier Trump administration has outlined a new secu- decided to run as President, his responsibilities “But it’s irresponsible for the Philippine sails the waters also known as West Philippine rity strategy that emphasized countering China’s were clear,” she said. president to downplay the importance of con- Sea. The U.S. forces said they are undeterred by rise and reinforcing the U.S. presence in the In- “As the highest leader of the land, he is ex- doms at a time when the Philippines is experienc- China’s military build-up on man-made islands in do-Pacific region, where Beijing and Washington pected to make intelligible public statements that ing the fastest growing epidemic of HIV in the the South China Sea and will continue patrolling have accused each other of stoking a dangerous promote progressive policy-making and positive Asia-Pacific region,” he further stated. the strategic, disputed waters wherever “interna- military build-up and fought for wider influence. behavioral change, especially those concerning “Condoms also have an important role in tional law allows us.” Washington stakes no claims in the disputes public health,” she added. assisting the 81 percent of Filipino women who Lt. Cmdr. Tim Hawkins told reporters aboard but has declared that their peaceful resolution Hontiveros is the author of Senate Bill No. want to delay or prevent child-bearing and in the USS Carl Vinson that the Navy has carried out and the maintenance of freedom of navigation 376 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Bill helping to reduce the country’s high maternal routine patrols at sea and in the air in the region are in its national interest. U.S. officials have said which seeks a comprehensive, inclusive and local- mortality rate,” he added. for 70 years to promote security and guarantee American warships will continue sailing close to ized response towards HIV-AIDS. He emphasized that while policies restricting the unimpeded flow of trade that’s crucial for Chinese-occupied features without prior notice, She also filed Senate Bill 1482 or the Teen- access to condoms threaten public health, inter- Asian and U.S. economies. placing Washington in a continuing collision age Pregnancy Prevention Act, which calls for the national law obligates states to ensure access to “International law allows us to operate here, course with China’s interests. development of a National Program of Action and condoms and related HIV prevention services as allows us to fly here, allows us to train here, al- President Duterte’s policy of befriending an investment plan for the prevention of teenage part of the human right to the highest attainable lows us to sail here, and that’s what we’re doing China has worked, Sta. Romana said, citing pregnancy. standard of health. and we’re going to continue to do that,” Hawkins Beijing’s decision to lift its blockade around the Gabriela Secretary Gen. Joms Salvador said He likewise cited the International Covenant said on the flight deck of the 95,000-ton warship, Philippine-occupied Ayungin (Second Thomas) Duterte’s insistence on using pills or injectables on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which which anchored at Manila Bay while on a visit to Shoal, where the Philippine military could now is an eager act of wresting away from women the was ratified by the Philippines in 1974, which di- the Philippines. freely send new supplies to Filipino Marines right to make scientifically informed decisions on rects governments to take steps necessary for the “We’re committed,” Hawkins told reporters. guarding the disputed area. matters concerning their own bodies, their repro- prevention, treatment, and control of epidemic “We’re here.” China has also allowed Filipino fishermen ductive health and the family planning method diseases including HIV/AIDS. Ambassador Sta. Romana said the balance into another disputed area, the Panatag (Scar- most suitable to them -- matters that should nei- Since assuming the presidency in 2016, of power has shifted with the two global powers borough) Shoal, after Duterte visited Beijing ther be unjustly anchored on a president’s whim Duterte has shrugged off outrageous and irre- vying for control of the waters, adding the Philip- and raised the issue with Chinese President Xi nor dictated by business deals between govern- sponsible comments, including telling a group of pines should not get entangled in the increasingly Jinping. ments and pharmaceutical companies. Indian and Filipino business leaders in New Delhi tense maritime rivalry. Duterte has been criticized for his seem- She said Duterte’s “neo-Malthusian” stance in January that he would like to attract visitors to China claims practically the entire South ingly defeatist position in bilateral relations with on population control denies government ac- the Philippines by offering “42 virgins”. China Sea, where the Philippines, Vietnam, Ma- China, which has fortified man-made islands countability on the state of poverty and jobless- His latest comments came only days after laysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping west of the Philippines’ coast despite protests and ness among majority of Filipinos. women’s and human rights groups condemned claims, and it has built seven mostly submerged an United Nations arbitral award favoring the “Women’s poverty is a direct result of neo- the former provincial mayor for encouraging sol- reefs into islands that reportedly could be used as Philippines. liberal economic policy impositions that have for diers to shoot female rebels in their genitals. forward air naval bases and have been installed decades allowed foreign and local oligarchic con- The United Nations reported that the Philip- pines has the highest HIV infection growth rate in trol of the resources of country. Duterte continues ILLEGAL DUMPING OF SEWAGE ing livelihood and jobs to Filipinos from all over the Asia-Pacific region. At the end of 2016, there this policy by freezing workers’ wages, legalizing ... FROM PAGE A1 the country. We have continuously expressed our labor contractualization, and stunting farm were 10,500 Filipinos infected with the HIV, a frustration and dismay over the lack of atten- significant increase from 4,300 in 2010. production. Population control will not solve the some establishments took to illegally connecting tion given by the national government and other Meanwhile, according to the United Nations problem where the masses lack resources because to a BIWC drainage system that was intended offices concerned for the island of Boracay. Now Population Fund (UNFPA), Teenage pregnancy a few oligarchs have them in abundance.” only for rainwater. These illegal connections that Malacañang is keen on fixing Boracay, we are remains to be a concern in the Philippines. She said, “With Duterte’s foul and uncouth caused the drainage pipes to overflow and the hopeful that Boracay’s issues may finally be ad- A study conducted in 2013 revealed that 57 mouth, and his equally repulsive economic poli- untreated wastewater to be discharged directly to dressed as agencies and departments concerned out of every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 were preg- cies such as the recent TRAIN taxation scheme, Boracay beach. will be pressured to urgently fix the island’s prob- nant. In 2008, that ratio stood at 53 for every women, who already bear the face of poverty and Frequent flooding has also plagued the island lems,” it said in the statement. 1,000. It said that the Philippines is the only suffer the worst forms of oppression and exploita- since the onslaught of Typhoon Urduja last De- Aside from the illegal dumping of sewage country in Asia and the Pacific which has not seen tion in Philippine society, can only look at darker cember. into the sea, these problems include the dete- a decrease in teenage pregnancy in the last two times ahead. We have had enough, we have no “Let this Boracay issue serve notice to local rioration of the materials recovery facility in decades. other recourse but to fight back and sever the governments, businesses and residents of other Barangay Manoc-Manoc into an open dumpsite, tourism destinations to strictly follow all our lease arrangements that are disadvantageous to BELO CLINIC PADLOCKED Puno said some of the skin-care firm’s employees laws. Let us not allow the other beautiful and indigenous people, and structures breaching the ... FROM PAGE A1 face contempt or obstruction of justice charges pristine islands in the country to suffer the fate of 30-meter easement from the shoreline and others for their refusal to allow FDA agents to inspect Boracay,” DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu was quoted in illegally built in forestland zones. The unauthorized products BMG, owned by their clinic and pharmacy. an agency press release issued February 14. “The compliance of the local government of celebrity plastic surgeon Vicki Belo, allegedly “The Belo Medical Group’s pharmacy is The DENR secretary is grappling with a six- Boracay to R.A. 9003 (the Ecological Solid Waste sold in the clinic include: ZO Medical by Zein under the FDA’s jurisdiction and we have legal month deadline issued by Duterte two weeks ago Management Act of 2000) will also be evaluated. Obagi, MD Glycogent Exfoliation Accelerator 10% authority to enter and inspect it, in reasonable at a Cabinet meeting. If the appropriate clean-up There are too many resorts and people in Boracay concentration, ZO Medical by Zein Obagi Foama- hours and manner, by our inspectors. They can does not happen, the entire island will be closed that the island has gone beyond its carrying ca- cleanse Gentle Foaming Cleanser for all types, ZO be cited for contempt or obstruction of justice for down, the President warned. pacity,” DENR Undersecretary Jonas Leones, also Medical by Zein Obagi Oclipse Sunscreen/Primer their refusal,” she said. This threat of a shutdown has “deeply Cimatu’s spokesman, was quoted in a separate SPF 30 Protection, Belo Illuminating Cream The FDA earlier ordered the BMG to stop alarmed” local establishments, according to the agency press release last February 6. Alpha Arbutin+Liquorice, Belo Prescriptives selling 11 of its unregistered skin care products Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), which describes Cimatu has called on the local government of Keralyt 2 Cream, ZO Medical by Zein ObagiMD after FDA operatives conducted surveillance and itself as the biggest business organization in Malay, Aklan to step up to its responsibility over Melamix Skin Lightener & Blending Creme Hy- test-buy operations in its clinic in Alabang in Boracay that has been around for more than Boracay, where he intends to impose a morato- droquinone USP 4%, ZO Medical by Zein Obagi Muntinlupa City last February 16. 20 years. The group welcomed the six-month rium on the construction of new buildings and MD Melanin Skin Bleaching & Correcting Creme Puno said the FDA’s stamp of approval was ultimatum issued by Duterte, but wondered if the the opening of new establishments. Hydroquinone USP 4%, Belo Prescriptives Acne meant to ensure that all food, drugs and cosmetic President was fed unverified data. Accused violators could have their water Astringent, Belo Prescriptives Belo White, Belo products that are being sold in the market have “While indeed there are many violators, most connections cut off as soon as this week. Illegal Prescriptives DLC Peeling Creme and ZO Medical the government stamp of approval as safe for of the island’s business establishments are strictly structures will also be demolished. by Zein Obagi MD Cebatrol. public use or consumption. in compliance with prevailing ordinances and “The local government of Malay has direct ju- Retired Police Gen. Allen Bantolo, chief of the She added: “The manufacture, importation, regulations. BFI sees it unjust to close the entire risdiction and supervision over Boracay. It is the FDA Regulatory Enforcement Unit, said the prod- selling or offering for sale of cosmetics products island at the expense of the compliant establish- primary government unit responsible in ensuring ucts didn’t go through the registration process of without FDA approval or found to contain harm- ments,” BFI said in a statement issued February that all laws, environmental or otherwise, are the FDA. ful or toxic substances is in direct violation of 12. executed and followed,” Cimatu was quoted in the “What this means is that they’re not autho- Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as the Still, it is an opportunity to finally address February 14 press release. rized. She should have waited for the process of FDA Act of 2009, and Republic Act No. 7394, festering issues. “It has long been the plea of the “We have to go back to the core of the prob- the FDA to finish so that they will be allowed to otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the business sector through the BFI that Boracay be lem which is the strict enforcement of all existing sell,” he said. Philippines.” given the attention it so rightfully deserves, being laws and the protection of the environment,” he He said all drugs and cosmetic products Puno also advised the public to purchase only the country’s premier tourist destination, gener- added. should undergo certification from the FDA to DFA-registered food, health and beauty products. ating PHP 56 billion in tourism receipts, provid- ensure that they are safe for public use. “The consumers can look for the FDA registration The FDA filed administrative charges against number on the products’ label. If they can’t find describe a reduction in the number of deaths AS I SEE IT BMG last week for selling the unapproved prod- those markings, we urge the public to report to us resulting from police operations as an ‘improve- ucts and may also file criminal charges for the the sale and distribution of those products,” she ... FROM PAGE A6 ment,’” said the group. clinic staff’s alleged refusal. said. In a television interview, CHR spokesperson firearms. How did he acquire them? Earlier, FDA Director Gen. Nela Charade Jacqueline de Guia said there House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Califor- was an improvement in the police Oplan nia Democrat, said in a statement that it is time for INDON PREZ CONFERS against humanity for inciting and instigating kill- Tokhang (knock and plead), the campaign to per- action. “Congress has a moral responsibility to take ... FROM PAGE A1 ings linked to the war on drugs,” HRW’s Deputy suade drug users to kick the habit and surrender. common-sense action to prevent the daily tragedy of Asia Director Phelim Kine said. Artikulo Tres also warned CHR’s comment gun violence in communities across America,” she Muhammad Tito Karnavian of the INP said “the He said the government data shows that could be misinterpreted by perpetrators of said. “Enough is enough.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Re- awards were given to them for their intensive col- 4,021 suspected drug personalities have been extra-judicial killings as a “go-ahead” signal to publican from Kentucky, did not mention guns as he laboration (with the National Police) in combat- killed in police operations from July 1, 2016 to continue. February 8, 2018. The number killed in vigilante- said the Senate would observe a moment of silence at ing terrorism.” “We insist that killing people without due noon. “To say that such brutal, pointless violence is style killings are highly contested but human Karnavian lauded Dela Rosa in his speech process is wrong. You never unwittingly com- unconscionable is an understatement,” he said. during the awarding ceremony. Dela Rosa was rights organizations estimate it to be at least mend your police force when it cuts down the rate Trump, who has largely focused on mental honored for his contribution to the security of the 12,000. of this illegal activity even by 99.99 percent. In all health as a cause for mass shootings dismissing ques- Philippines and Indonesia. He noted that Dela Rosa’s award is the latest cases, you condemn it,” asserted the group, which tions about gun control, pledged that his adminis- “To the very famous and popular General move of Indonesia that has consistently praised defended political detainees during the adminis- tration would work with state and local officials on Bato, thank you for your rock star-like inspiration the anti-drug operations of the Philippines. In tration of the senior Ferdinand Marcos. improving school safety, saying: “It is not enough to the Indonesian national police and the Indo- September 2016, the country’s National Narcotics “To those advocating for human dignity, that to simply take actions that make us feel like we are nesian people on how to fight the war on drugs,” Agency head Budi Waseco called on Indonesian is demoralizing,” the group added making a difference, we must actually make that he said. cops to adopt Duterte’s style. Dela Rosa, who was supposed to retire on difference.” I think, we can make that difference by Dela Rosa, speaking to reporters from the January 21, had been ordered by President Ro- imposing stricter gun control and also implementing Indonesian capital, Jakarta, thanked Indonesia Despite Indonesia’s “sinister slide” into drigo Duterte to serve as the head of the country’s stricter school security measures. If we need to do in- dividual check on students and staff entering school President Joko Widodo and Karnavian for be- a Philippine-like style, Kine insisted that the police force until April 21. premises, we need to do that. In fact, it would be bet- ing recognized as the “Ultimate Defender of the government should rally against the gruesome With the extension of his term, the PNP chief killings under the Duterte administration. ter to do spot check of staff cars, so with student cars. Peace and Protector of the People.” vowed that more drug personalities would be While most schools are doing this, they do it only for “Indonesian President Joko Widodo should Through a video message, Dela Rosa told arrested. staff. They need to include students’ cars in the spot Philippine Defense reporters based in Camp join calls for a United Nations-led international He is set to become the next head of the check. This way, we can deter students bringing in Crame, Quezon City: “Thank you for this award investigation into the Philippine drug war rather Bureau of Corrections after his retirement from firearms in their cars. and this will inspire me more to exert more effort than honoring one of its chief architects,” Kine the PNP. The bottom line is: We need stricter gun control in our drug war.” also said Dela Rosa has been heavily criticized for lead- law and stiffer school security check/measures to But Human Rights Watch (HRW) described As this developed, Artikulo Tres, a group of ing the government’s war on drugs, which has keep our schools safe! Its high time Congress must as an insult to the victims of the Philippine war human rights lawyers, blasted the Commission on killed over 12,000 individuals — including minors wake up and do their job to keep people alive! Don’t on drugs the conferment of an award to Dela Human Rights (CHR) for lauding an “improve- — according to rights watchdogs. wait for the next school shooting to happen! Do it Rosa. ment” in how the PNP conducted its anti-drug The government disputes these numbers and now! “That’s a perverse assessment of a Philippine campaign. only counts a little over 4,000 “drug personali- (For feedbacks, comments… please email the government official implicated in possible crimes “We find it disturbingly inappropriate to ties” killed in police operations. author @ [email protected]). A8 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 business & Dollar outflows from PH unabated in January tech news Hard currency continued from deficit to surplus and vice for the same period. to flow out of the country in the versa from month to month. At this level, the dollar re- first month of the year due in part The central bank said that serves represent more than ample to the central bank’s efforts to outflows in January 2018 stemmed liquidity buffer and is equivalent smoothen out volatility in the peso mainly from its “foreign exchange to 8.2 months’ worth of imports and the government’s payments of operations” and payments made of goods and payments of services Itama po natin! its foreign loans. by the government for its maturing and primary income. It is also Ang ating lesson, Ibahin ang tuso dahil As such, the equivalent to 5.9 BEN LOU country’s overall times the coun- kay hirap maloko. Q: A hotel balance of pay- try’s short-term At Debt Aid Consulting, we pride our- ments position external debt where I checked in selves with providing only Federal Trade in January 2018 based on original demanded a deposit Commission compliant programs. Our pro- posted a deficit maturity and 4.3 of $100 for liquor grams are here to help you get out of debt of $531 mil- times based on in the fridge if I end sooner than later and we do not send your lion, higher than residual matu- up drinking any but information outside of the country. the $9 million rity. deficit record in At the end I didn’t. When I If you need help in getting out of pay- checked out they said the same month of 2017, the day loans, or any other unsecured debts, last year, the country had that it will be credited back to my credit call Debt Aid Consulting. We have free Bangko Sentral ng $81.5 billion card which still hasn’t happened. The hotel Credit Repair while and after your program. Pilipinas said on worth of foreign is so far from me so how can I contest that? We do not use call centers which keeps Monday. currency re- A: A client called me to ask for advice your information safe. We have a new The January serves serving as regarding a hotel in Manila, Philippines program that reconstruct debts for half of level stands at (Photo: www.scmp.com) a buffer against already half of the $863-million who did not return the deposit of $100 what you would pay our competitors. We back to his credit card. They claim he used the central bank’s balance of pay- also provide legal assistance that keeps forecast for the entire year of a foreign exchange obligations. ments deficit during the same liquor from the fridge in his room but ac- collectors away. We take Federal Credit $1-billion deficit in the balance of These were offset by net period. cording to the caller he did not. The best Unions, Military Debts, Payday loans and payments, which is the aggregate foreign currency deposits of the The central bank expects the way to handle this kind of transaction is to high interest personal loans in our program net value of all dollar flows into government and income from the BOP deficit to hit $1 billion this give cash as a deposit so when you check too. This is exclusively available for Debt and out of the Philippine economy BSP’s investments abroad during year, and the peso-dollar exchange out, you can get cash back. If you use a Aid Consulting clients. None of our com- for all types of transactions with the month in review. rate to range between P49-P52 foreign entities. Depending on the Meanwhile, the final gross from 2018 to 2019. (Daxim L. credit card for a deposit, then, you become petitors provide this program. You are well at their mercy because they can turn it ebb and flow of foreign currency international reserve level as of Lucas / inquirer.net) protected. transactions during the war, how- end-January 2018 reached $81.2 around and claim what they are claiming We only provide Federal Trade Com- ever, the BOP position can swing billion, reflecting the BOP position now and you have no way to disprove that. mission compliant programs. Debt relief If you use a credit card as a deposit, this are companies who charge non refundable steps you can do: upfront fees are in violation of the ban. Go PH still lags in internet service 1) Make sure to have someone check it with Debt Aid Consulting! at the hotel counter when you checkout. Do not fall for marketing gimmicks The Philippines saw improve- 4G network during a given period In the Philippines, LTE usage ments for both 4G availability and of time. remains relatively small, given 2) If they claim no one is available to saying that they have the right program for check it, have the manager write you a note speed although most of its neigh- 4G availability in the Philip- that the service is limited by the you. Most marketing companies only have bors in the region remained ahead pines was better than Myanmar, handsets that can use 4G frequen- that you have not used any if he does not one program and will enroll you in that pro- by those measures, the latest but behind close neighbors such as cies. PLDT’s Smart Communica- want to check it and issue you a receipt for gram whether it fits you or not. So beware! crowdsourced survey by OpenSig- Vietnam (71.3 percent), Indonesia tions recently estimated that about the credit. Ben Lou at your service! I have over nal showed. (72.4 percent), Malaysia (74.9 per- 40 percent of its customers with 3) You can call your credit card com- 30 years of real financial experience. If OpenSignal’s newest State cent) and Thailand (85.6 percent). access to mobile internet do so on pany and ask them to reverse those charges you would like sound financial advice, call of LTE report, which covered 88 LTE availability was the best in an LTE-capable device. countries in the fourth quarter of South Korea at 97.5 percent. Overall, OpenSignal con- for the same reason. us at Debt Aid Consulting. We do not use 4) Next time, use cash as a deposit so 2017, focused on 4G or LTE, which The report showed that 4G cluded that LTE speeds around call centers like Financial Rescue. No one local players PLDT Inc. and Globe speed in the Philippines went the world have hit a “plateau” of you can get it back when you check out. has the right to put your information at Telecom have been rolling out ag- higher to 9.5 megabits per second, 45 Mbps. 5) Always use reputable hotels so this risk. Say no to LLC corporations in Canada! gressively since 2016. versus 8.24 Mbps in the third “The industry is still waiting does not happen again. Debt Aid Consulting is the first and only According to the report, 4G quarter of 2017. The country on that spark that will push speeds People who are very trusting of people Filipino debt restructuring company incor- availability in the Philippines stood ranked No. 85 out of 88 countries beyond 50 Mbps on a national are the ones who are always calling me to porated in the US and Canada. at 63.7 percent versus 58.8 percent in terms of LTE speed. level,” OpenSignal noted. “That during the previous period cover- It was faster than Indonesia spark will come, and it will likely ask for advice on how to reverse the actions Now serving the Caribbean Islands! they did and in most cases the process of ing the third quarter of 2017. In (8.9 Mbps) but behind Thailand come sooner rather than later as Tawag na po sa 1-888-341-5234 at tutu- the current edition, the Philippines (9.6 Mbps), Malaysia (14.8 Mbps) operators embrace the latest itera- reversing them is very tedious. The best is lungan po namin kayo. stood at 75 out of 88 countries. and Vietnam (21.5 Mbps). Singa- tions of LTE-Advanced technol- to always protect yourself by being proac- Itama po natin ang mali! Availability refers to how pore topped the list with a speed of ogy.” (Miguel R. Camus / inquirer. tive. Nothing bad can happen to you if you consistently a user could access a 44.3 Mbps. net) are always on the defense. February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star A9 world news UN demands end to targeting civilians Palestinian leader goes to the UN to counter in Syria enclave after 100 die U.S. on Jerusalem The UN has demanded an Alaa al-Din, a 23-year-old Ghouta started spreading, people Palestinian leader Mahmud United Nations of bias against it, estinian refugees (UNRWA). end to the targeting of civilians Syrian in Hammuriyeh, said ci- living close to the rebel enclave Abbas will urge world powers would be reluctant to accept any Trump has accused the in Syria after a heavy bombard- vilians were afraid of a potential started packing their bags. at the UN Security Council on other mediator than the United Palestinians of “disrespecting” ment killed at least 100 civilians government ground offensive. Jawad al-Obros, 30, said he Tuesday to stand up to the US States. the United States when Abbas re- in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, as “Ghouta’s fate is unknown. was looking to move to a hotel decision to recognize Jerusalem Israeli Ambassador Danny fused to meet US Vice President regime forces appeared to be pre- We’ve got nothing but God’s in the western sector of the city as Israel’s capital and establish a Danon will also address the Mike Pence during his visit to the paring for an imminent ground mercy and hiding out in our to escape his home in an east revamped peace process. council. region last month. assault. basements,” he told AFP. Damascus neighbourhood that President Donald Trump’s New phase of struggle “We give them hundreds The escalation came as Wailing children has been regularly hit by rockets decision to move the US embassy Abbas’s spokesman Nabil of millions of dollars in aid and pro-government forces were also Shelling also hit the town from Ghouta. to Jerusalem infuriated the Pal- Abu Rudeina told state media support,” Trump said, before expected to enter the northern of Douma, where an AFP cor- “We’re tired of this situ- estinians who declared that the that a “new phase of struggle has warning “that money’s not going Kurdish-controlled enclave of respondent saw five toddlers ation. It seems that there’s no United States could no longer started” as the Palestinians seek to them unless they sit down and Afrin, to take a stand against a brought to a hospital, covered in solution but a full-blown military play a role as lead mediator in to protect their claim to Jerusa- negotiate peace.” month-old Turkish assault. dust and wailing uncontrollably. one,” he told AFP. the Middle East peace process. lem. Abbas will also meet with Held by rebels since 2012, The hospital was full of More than 340,000 people The stage will be set for a The Palestinians see East UN Secretary-General Antonio Eastern Ghouta is the last oppo- distraught civilians -- one father have been killed since the civil tense face-off with US Ambassa- Jerusalem as the capital of their Guterres but no separate meeting sition pocket around Damascus slapped his forehead after finding war erupted in 2011 after pro- dor Nikki Haley, just weeks after and President Bashar al-Assad his two dead children. tests against Assad’s government she launched a scathing attack on has deployed reinforcements in Most of Eastern Ghouta is were brutally crushed. Abbas and accused him of lack- an apparent concerted effort to held by two Islamist factions, It has since evolved into a ing the courage needed for peace. retake it. while jihadists control small war that has carved up the coun- Addressing the council for As a barrage of air strikes, pockets including one directly try into rival zones of control the first time since 2009, Abbas rocket fire and artillery slammed adjacent to the capital. among the regime, rebels, jihad- will call for a new collective into several towns across Eastern The Observatory and Syrian ists and Kurdish forces. approach in a bid to salvage Ghouta on Monday, the United daily newspaper Al-Watan had The Kurdish People’s Pro- the two-state solution to the Nations warned that the target- said negotiations were under way tection Units (YPG) control the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said ing of civilians in Eastern Ghouta for the evacuation of jihadists northwestern region of Afrin, Palestinian ambassador Riyad “must stop now”. from Eastern Ghouta. target of a month-old assault by Mansour. “It’s imperative to end this But the escalating bombard- the Turkish army and allied Syr- Abbas “will say that after senseless human suffering,” Pa- ment suggests the regime might ian rebels. the 6th of December with regard nos Moumtzis, the UN’s Regional opt for a ground assault instead, Ankara sees the YPG as to Jerusalem, that now is the Humanitarian Coordinator for the monitor said. a “terror” group linked to the time for a collective approach,” the Syria Crisis said. Government troops carried Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Mansour told AFP. The Britain-based Syrian out a relentless five-day bombing which has waged a deadly insur- This could lead to a stepped Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas Observatory for Human Rights campaign on the enclave earlier gency in southeastern Turkey up role for the other four perma- (Photo: www.me-confidential.com) said at least 100 civilians, 20 of this month that killed around since 1984. nent council members - Britain, them children, were killed in the 250 civilians and wounded The YPG has controlled France, China and Russia - or future state and UN resolutions is planned with Haley, who has bombardment, the highest death hundreds. Afrin since 2012, when Syrian an expanded diplomatic quartet call on countries to refrain from energetically defended the US toll in the enclave since early After days of relative calm, troops withdrew from it and with Arab countries and others. moving their embassies to the decisions on Jerusalem and the 2015. the government sent more than other Kurdish-majority areas. The Middle East quartet city until its status is resolved in funding cuts. “The regime is bombing 260 rockets crashing into the Syrian state media said currently is made up of the Unit- an Israeli-Palestinian deal. Haley told the council last Eastern Ghouta to pave the way enclave on Sunday. Monday that pro-regime forces ed States, the United Nations, the In December, the General month that peace will not be for a ground offensive,” said The regime is keen to regain were preparing to enter the area European Union and Russia. Assembly voted 128-9, with 35 achieved “without leaders with Observatory head Rami Abdel control of the area to halt deadly to “join the resistance against the Mansour said the Security abstentions, to reject the US de- courage” and warned the United Rahman. rebel rocket and mortar fire into Turkish aggression”. Council - as the highest authority cision to recognize Jerusalem. States “will not chase after a The main opposition Na- Damascus. Turkish Foreign Minis- on matters of international peace That vote in the 193-nation Palestinian leadership that lacks tional Coalition, which is based About half a dozen rockets ter Mevlut Cavusoglu warned and security - should come up assembly came after 14 of the 15 what is needed to achieve peace.” in Turkey, denounced the “war hit the capital on Sunday night, against any intervention in sup- with a new multilateral initiative council members voted in favour The United Nations granted of extermination” in Eastern Gh- AFP correspondents said. State port of the YPG, saying it would and said the United States would of a similar measure. The United Palestine the status of a non- outa as well as the “international news agency SANA reported that not prevent Ankara from press- not be sidelined. States vetoed that draft resolu- member observer state in 1992, silence”. one person was killed. ing on with its offensive. In this new approach, the tion. but an upgrade to full member- It also accused regime ally More than 20 civilians “If the regime is entering United States “will not have the Abbas’ address to the coun- ship would require unanimous Russia of seeking to “bury the have been killed by rebel fire (Afrin) to oust the PKK, YPG, only control. They will be part of cil comes as the Trump adminis- backing from the Security political process” for a solution to this month alone in regime-held there is no problem. But if they the collective process for sure,” tration is preparing a new peace Council. the conflict. Damascus. are entering to protect the YPG, said Mansour. plan even though chances for Diplomats said they were no An AFP correspondents saw Regime to enter Afrin? then no one can stop us and “The bottom line is we want agreement appear dim. plans for the time being to seek residents of Hammuriyeh rush- All was quiet in the capital Turkish soldiers,” he said. (AFP) a new active process,” he said. Tensions have also flared full UN membership, a move that ing indoors in panic at the first on Monday but since rumours of Israel, which often accuses over the US decision to cut would certainly face a US veto. sound of jets. an imminent assault on Eastern the European Union and the funding to the UN agency for Pal- (AFP) A10 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star B1 stargazer Peter and the Starcatcher Catching the Pan prequel By Harvey I. Barkin FOSTER CITY – Peter Pan is one of the most enduring characters of fantasy. Ever since his character appeared in J.M. Barrie’s novel at the turn of the 20th century, Pan has been featured in plays, silent film, Disney animated films, live action films (including one directed by Steven Spielberg and starring the late Robin Williams) and not just one TV series. In fact, in 1928 Peter Pan became a peanut butter brand and, in the mid-1980s, was a syndrome categorizing men who have never grown up. Peter and the Starcatcher Director and playwright Jef- Soon to be Captain Hook, Black Stache (Will Springhorn Jr.) carried by frey Lo said, “I think, for many people, Peter Pan embodies Smee (Dan Demers) Mark & Tracy Photography

(First row from left:) Lawrence-Michael Arias as Fighting Prawn, Sean Okuniewicz as soon to be Peter Pan, Nicole Bruno as Captain Scott, David Blackburn as Slank, Tasi Alabastro as Alf, (second row from left:) Adri- enne Kaori Walters as Lift Captain and Brittany Marie Pisoni as Hawking Clam Mark & Tracy Photography

Captain Scott (Nicole Bruno in the background) and soon to be Captain Ted (Wes Gabrillo at left), Prentiss (Drew Reitz at center) and soon to be Hook, Black Stache (Will Springhorn Jr. in the foreground) Mark & Tracy Peter Pan (Sean Okuniewicz at right) Mark & Tracy Photography Photography the feeling of childhood. Probably because, literally, he is Pan flying. But the over-all effect lends an urgency for the going to stay a child forever.” audience to tap into their dormant imagination instead of Lo lead a talented cast of actors including other fellow CGI to do it for them. Filipino-Americans: Tasi Alabastro (as Alf and other char- The Hollywood Reporter said it was “rich in antic humor acters), Lawrence Michael Arias (as Fighting Prawn), Nicole and theatrical invention.” Entertainment Weekly said it was Apostol Bruno (as Captain Scott and others), and Wes “an absurdly funny fantastical journey!” The story happened Gabrillo (as Ted) in the first in a series of novels by humor sometime near the end of the 19th century but the not-quite- columnist and author Dave Barry and thriller author Ridley Captain-Hook’s character made reference to a Michael Jack- Pearson. son video – it was full of that kind of anachronisms. Peter and the Starcatcher premiered last January 18 and Watching Peter and the Starcatcher after seeing Peter ran until February 4 at the Hillbarn Theater. The original Pan is like watching Episode 1 The Phantom Menace after play won five Tony Awards in 2012 for Best Performances by seeing Star Wars. You find out how Peter Pan and Captain a featured actor in a play, Best Scenic Design of a play, Best Hook came to be. Peter Pan gets the prequel treatment. It’s Molly Aster (Adrienne Kaori Walters) and soon to be Peter Pan (Sean Oku- Costume Design of a play, Best Lighting Design of a Play and story-telling from hindsight. niewicz) Mark & Tracy Photography Best Sound Design of a play. But the view from Lo said, “Peter and the Starcatcher is an entirely unique hindsight could sometimes piece of theater from the other, more traditional adaptations be cluttered. In Starcatcher, of the Peter Pan character. The play is written to be per- it’s alluded that Peter Pan’s formed as a truly ensemble piece that celebrates the power magical abilities came from that a community of artists have when they work together “star stuff” as against the to create a story. With that, our production really leans into fairy dust in the Barrie the idea that we have a band of artists who are using their stories. Much like Batgirl resourcefulness, creativity and comedic magic to create this (played by Alicia Silver- hilarious world of Peter and the Starcatcher.” stone) was established to What Lo described is a sort of theater improv called be Alfred’s niece in Batman story theater. In Peter and the Starcatcher, the actors took and Robin when many dark turns narrating the story and played other roles. For exterior knight fans know that Bat- scenes, one of the actors waved a model ship. There were no girl is actually Commissioner men in black re-arranging props. The cast did the transition Gordon’s daughter. to the next scene ingeniously by artfully replacing the simple Lo casted for the whole props or performing a number. The ocean was a long white show. About the four Pinoys fabric pulled at both ends by the actors. What look like red playing British characters, crepe paper simulated blood spurting out of a severed hand. he said, “I do think that Chairs and tables re-arranged made for different interior bringing any sort of diversity scenes. The setting was Victorian England but Peter Pan in background and perspec- wore sneakers. tive to any piece of art does No, it was not an el cheapo production. It was minimal- certainly make for a richer, ist narrative for an intensely compelling story-telling. On more interesting final prod- one hand, story theater is perfect for school productions and uct.” some trauma survivors for social healing. But on the other, it All four performers have is a powerful tool of persuasion used by salesmen and busi- quite a bit of experience, ness leaders. with Arias having the most. Think of Peter and the Starcatcher as a powerful presen- Lo eyes Bruno “to be a rising tation without Powerpoint. Without fx, prosthetic applianc- star who has done amazing es, arias with killer hooks and moving stage sets, the actors work since finishing high worked harder to pull the audience into their story. Kind of school last year.” hard when there’s not even a body harness to simulate Peter B2 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 Lucky Chances welcomes Year of the Dog with a Bang Lucky Chances Casino in Colma City barked into the Year of the Dog with the traditional Dragon Dance and fireworks spreading good cheers and prosperity to its patrons last Feb. 20. The annual Chinese culture awakened the spirit of fortune as the five dragons of great power, dignity, fertility, wisdom, and auspiciousness danced around the property ending the festivities at the parking lot with the lighting of the fireworks to wave off bad spirits and misfortunes. Management and staff of Lucky Chances wishes everyone a good and prosperous Chinese new year !

Superior Court Judge keynotes Batangas city affair

Judge Benjamin T. Reyes II with the 2018-2019 Officers and Board Members of the Batangas City-Sto. Niño Devotees Association. Kneeling (l. to r.) Cecil Zaraspe, Ardie Perez, Philo Mendoza and Incomineg Vice President Romel Chozas. Standing (l. to r.) Bernie Ayap, Out-going President Rod Reyes, Bayani Baliwag, Melvin Macat- angay, Malou Atienza Cuasay, Judge Reyes, Incoming President Delia Godoy Montano, Bobby Reyes, Christian Buquid and Clarito Agustin. Not in the picture is Board Member Danny Maneja. Recently appointed Supe- patron and protector of Batan- The association offi- rior Court judge Benjamin T. gas City. cers for 2017-2018 are: Rod Reyes II of the Superior Court of The program was opened Reyes-President, Delia Godoy California, Contra Costa County with a welcome speech by Presi- Montano-Vice President, Ardie was the guest of honor of the dent Rod Reyes. To complement Perez-Secretary, Rozel Perez- Batangas City Sto. Nino Devo- the Mardi Gras theme, the fiesta Treasurer, Clarito Agustin- (L-R) Dustin Chase - LC Operations Manager, Tricia Castellanos - President Fortune Players Group, Remil tees Association during its 39th attendees were entertained with Auditor, Christian Buquid- Medina- VP Fortune Players Group, Helen Fisicaro - Colma City Mayor, Edward Lee -LC Food and Beverage Manager, Kyle Alegrete - LC Shift Manager annual Sto. Nino fiesta held a lively Samba dance featuring Press Relations officers and JJ January 16, 2018 at the Holy the Samba Conmigio Dance Minioza, Legal Counsel. The Spirit Parish Center in Fremont, Troupe attired in colorful Mardi oterh members of the Board of Ray Satorre heads the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center 2018-2020 California. Judge Reyes deliv- Gras costumes. Other feature Directors are: Cecil Zaraspe- ered a very inspirational speech of the fiesta was the parlor Immediate Past President, The Pilipino Bayanihan Rebortura. regarding his experience as a games participated by old and Sylvia Atienza, Bernie Ayap, Resource Center (PBRC) On-going general projects lawyer and is looking forward to young adults members of the Bayani Baliwag, Ching Calucag, recently elected the Officers of PBRC are as follows: Filipino serve the Superior court of the association. The association also Malou Atienza Cuasay, Melvin & Board of Directors with Martial Arts, Cultural Dance State of California. tendered a seven course dinner Macatangay, Philo Mendoza Planning Commissioner Ray Group, Tai Chi, Ballroom Dance The Mardi Gras theme for buffet catered by Tasetebuds of and Bobby Reyes. Satorre as the President. Also Class, Pilipino Class, Legal the fiestas filled to the hilt with San Bruno and complemented The program also featured elected are: Helen Casaclang as Immigration Clinic and Medi- association and their families with two lechons and the sought the introduction of the incom- Vice President, Rebecca Ayson cal Mission. The PBRC Board as well as guests. The fiesta was after Kalderettang Batangan ing officers for 2018-2019 led as Secretary and Arsenio del meeting is every First Monday ushereduin in with a thanksgiv- prepared by the association by Incoming President Delia Rosario as Treasurer. Board of the Month. ing mass celebrated by Fr. Ken master chefs. The program Godoy Montanao. After which of Directors: Perla Ibarrientos, The Pilipino Bayanihan Re- Sales, Pastor, and Holy Spirit timeline was successfully su- the oath office for the the newly Monica Abello, Walter Batara, source Center (PBRC) is located Church which was followed pervised by Cristina Reyes, Pro- elected officers was adminis- Marico Enriquez, Michael Pan- at 2121 Junipero Serra Avenue, by the traditional Karakul in gram Chairperson and Emcee tered by the Guest of Honor gilinan, Dorie Paniza, Ed Rosete Daly City, CA. homage to the Sto. Nino, parish for the evening. Turner Judge Benjamin T., Reyes II. and Program Coordinator, Liza February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star B3 community Jane Kim announces San Francisco Loves Clean Streets initiative awareness SAN FRANCISCO – Mayoral candidate Jane Kim recently an- them cringe and it hurts business,” said Adam Mesnick, owner of Deli nounced her plan to address the rising public health crisis caused by Board. “I know Jane Kim and I know that she fully understands what the deteriorating cleanliness of San Francisco’s streets – San Francisco this crisis means to our city and business owners like me. Jane Kim is Loves Clean Streets. my choice because she’ll take on this big challenge and win – like she’s “As the Supervisor for District 6, I am very aware of this growing done so many times for San Franciscans.” problem and I’ve pushed hard for more resources to help clean up our Supervisor Jane Kim is currently pushing to increase funding for streets. As your Mayor, I will make cleaning up our streets a top prior- street cleaning by $2.5 million over the next four months to expand the ity for San Francisco,” said Kim. “Through increased coordination and city’s capacity to clean and maintain San Francisco streets. management of City resources, we can expand our capacity to clean our As our Mayor, she will take three immediate steps to address this streets and address one of the gravest public health issues facing our problem: City.” • Partner with non-profit groups and Community Benefit Data compiled by the city indicates that over the last three years, Districts to greatly expand deployment of neighborhood streets teams there has been an acute up-turn in reports of trash, human waste, which employ homeless individuals to help clean the streets while needles, glass and other materials in the city’s streets. This trend has providing them with job training skills and income. the potential to become a public health crisis. Recently, San Diego com- • Double the number of “Pit Stops” in high problem areas to batted a severe outbreak of Hepatitis A – which claimed the lives of 20 reduce public urination and defecation and cut the risk of disease and people and infected 578 others. Kim understands this is an urgent mat- pilot programs to encourage business owners to make their restrooms ter for San Francisco and has worked to provide emergency funding to available to the public. clean streets this year. Her San Francisco Loves Clean Streets plan will • Appoint a Clean Streets Director to align actions among all help expand cleaning efforts and work towards preventing waste from departments responsible for public up-keep and public health. This being disposed of on our streets in the first place. Read more about the special projects head will report directly to the Mayor to provide maxi- initiative below. mum accountability and responsiveness in City Hall. SF Mayoral candidate and Supervisor Jane Kim (second from right) “As a business owner, I can tell you that first impressions are ev- As Mayor, Kim will continue to focus on fixing this grave public speaks before a crowd in San Francisco promoting her advocacy for erything. When people see trash outside a store or restaurant, it makes health, environmental and safety matter. cleaner city streets County of Santa Clara requests info on Census citizenship question and privacy concerns 7 Lakes of Norcal installs new officers In its 36th Anniversary Cel- SANTA CLARA COUNTY – issues, and take steps to ensure an accurate and fair count. ebration, the 7 Lakes of Northern The County of Santa Clara’s Office “The Constitution requires that the decennial Census be California will be celebrated in style of the County Counsel recently conducted in a manner that yields an accurate count of all people in as the officers and members will filed a formal request under the the United States. Because the Census is critical to setting political take their oath of office to serve the Freedom of Information Act representation at all levels of government, an accurate Census is two year term. (FOIA) for information regarding the bedrock of fair political representation,” said County Counsel “I am so proud and gladly will the U.S. Census Bureau’s possible James Williams. “The Census Bureau must provide information relinquish my duties, responsibili- ties and obligation as the current inclusion of a question regarding on the steps that it will take to ensure that every person is counted president of this prestigious organi- citizenship on the 2020 Census. fairly and response rates are not suppressed.” zation, the 7 Lakes of Northern Cali- Charito Benipayo The request also seeks infor- The U.S. Constitution requires the federal government to fornia”, to the abled, dedicated and The entrée is a combo of mation on how the Bureau plans conduct the decennial Census, next slated for 2020, which must lovely officer, Charito B. Ticzon,”, steak and salmon, which cost only said Maricris Benitez, the outgoing to protect the privacy of individuals who respond to the Census. provide an accurate count of every person in the United States. $65.00 per person, after all, this president. “It’s our responsibility as a County to educate residents about The Census is critical to county residents’ political representation; sumptuous menu is captivating The Induction of Officers will the Census. Everyone has a right to be counted so we can be fairly it is the basis for allocation of seats in the U.S. House of Repre- and soothing to those with discrimi- be held at the prestigious, Em- represented in Congress and receive federal funding for housing sentatives, and for how district lines are drawn. Census data also nating tastes. bassy Suites on 901 Calaveras Blvd, 7 Lakes is a non-profit and transportation projects,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor set the baseline for the distribution of federal funds to the County Milpitas, California, with the vice organization with a 501©(3) tax Cindy Chavez. “Our residents have legitimate fears about whether and communities nationwide for health care, education, housing, consul general of San Francisco, exempt status and donations is tax the Census will include a question about citizenship, and how their roadways, and other critical services and resources. Ms. Raquel Solano as the Induct- deductible to the extent of the law. privacy will be protected.” ing Officer. The organization was founded by The event’s theme is “ A Night Recently, the federal government suggested that it may include the native of 7 Lakes in San Pablo in Hollywood,” and the guests are a question asking about responders’ citizenship on the 2020 Cen- City, Laguna, the late, Dr. Mario requested to dress in formal, Hol- sus. Experts have emphasized the potential dampening effect of Borja, who was the first founding lywood style evening gowns, as the such a question on Census response rates in diverse communities president Red Carpet will enhance the guests Proceeds of this event are like Santa Clara County. entrance as they take their thread doled out to club’s charitable In addition, concerns about whether data collected by the showcasing their elegant gowns and projects, and to those underprivi- Federal Census Bureau will remain private are also expected to their escorts in their tuxedo or coat leged children, and those who are negatively affect participation in the Census. As a result, there are and tie outfit. The Syn- otherwise called, people without. thesis Band is the official orchestra serious questions about whether the federal government will fulfill For membership and , which will surely entice everyone its constitutional duty to provide an accurate count. further information, or to make to hit the shiny, beautiful and large The County intends to use the requested information to reservation , please contact: , and Embassy Suites grandball- provide accurate information to residents about these important 408/430/7830. room. B4 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 legal & law USCIS finalizes guidance on signature requirements With limited exceptions, USCIS no longer More immigration restrictions accepts Power of Attorney signatures WASHINGTON —U.S. Citizenship and coming under President Trump Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today ATTY. CRISPIN CADAY LOZANO that petitioners and applicants who seek immi- gration benefits must provide a valid signature The Republican Congress is trying to limit the ability of U.S. citizens on forms submitted to the agency. In an effort to and Permanent Resident to petition for their parents, their adult sons protect and safeguard the nation’s immigration and daughters and their brothers and sisters. This is what they termed system and those who benefit from it, power of “chain migration”. With Congress and Senate in the hands of the Re- attorney signatures will no longer be accepted. publicans, these plan is very possible under the Trump Administration. If forms are filed by a corporation or other legal In the last session of the Senate, this plan was presented in exchange for entity, they must be signed by an authorized the legalization of the Dreamers, but the Senate were not able to reach a person. The new policy is effective March 18, deal. 2018. additional changes such as providing that an In another front, President Trump released his formal budget re- This final policy memorandum updates authorized signatory must be employed by the quest to Congress for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, which doubles down on his an interim memorandum that outlined the petitioner and that USCIS may reject a form aggressive immigration enforcement agenda. elements of a valid signature and permitted submitted with a faulty signature instead of of- The proposed budget seeks to fund the border wall, as well as increase funding for immigra- entities that filed petitions with USCIS to use fering the opportunity to fix the deficiency. tion enforcement, detention, and deportations. Much of it mirrors the yet-to-be-passed FY 2018 the signature of an individual based on a power USCIS will publish revised instructions for funding request, which has left Congress passing multiple continuing budget resolutions in order of attorney. Because of concerns about consis- individual forms to clearly specify the applicable to fund the government for weeks or months at a time. tency and program integrity, USCIS reversed signature requirements. USCIS will also address Typically, when a president submits their budget request for the upcoming year, it marks the the interim memorandum’s policy on power of requirements for electronic signatures in future start of the annual process where Congress introduces bills to fund the government for the year attorney signatures. guidance. ahead. In March, Congress traditionally begins holding hearings and writing appropriations bills The prohibition on power of attorney For more information on USCIS and its to fund the different government agencies, with the 2019 FY officially beginning on October 1, signatures does not affect signatures on behalf programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on 2018. of individuals younger than age 14 or those Twitter (@uscis), YouTube (/uscis), and Face- The president’s FY 2019 budget request includes massive increases to immigration enforce- with disabilities. The final memorandum makes book(/uscis). ment, $1.6 billion of which would go to constructing 65 miles of new “border wall system” in South Texas. The White House says this $1.6 billion is part of an overall request of $18 billion they believe is needed to build the entire border wall system. There is also a $211 million request to recruit, hire, and train 750 more Border Patrol agents, Trump backs improved background checks on gun buys a move toward fulfilling President Trump’s 2017 executive order calling for 5,000 additional hires to the agency. US President Donald Trump signaled support that “we’ll be talking about gun laws as time goes The budget also includes a massive increase in the number of detention beds, asking Con- Monday for improving background gun checks by.” gress to fund 52,000 detention beds next year. In recent years, Congress funded the Department amid mounting pressure for reform in the wake of After the Parkland shooting, he emphasized of Homeland Security to maintain an average of 34,000 immigration detention. Last year, that the Florida school shooting, as the accused gun- the need to deal with mental-health issues, while number rose to an average of 38,000 beds, but Trump’s budget would drastically ramp it up man appeared in court. castigating the FBI for missing warning signs nearly 40 percent to these historically high levels. Nikolas Cruz, charged with killing 17 people, about the shooter. To make sure those detention beds are filled, the budget request also seeks an additional sat silently with his head bowed during a proce- The president initially made no mention of $571 million to hire 2,000 additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel, as dural hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in what guns, drawing an angry reaction from Demo- well as 1,300 additional support staff. Last year, the president asked Congress to fund an addi- is expected to be a lengthy and emotional pros- crats and angry Floridians. Chuck Schumer, tional 1,000 ICE agents, to no avail. ecution. the Senate Democratic Finally, like last year, the budget requests a nearly 20 percent increase in immigration court Wednesday’s minority leader, noted funding to pay for 75 additional immigration judge teams. rampage at Marjory that Trump’s proposed Note: This is not a legal advice and presented for information purposes only. Stoneman Douglas High 2019 budget would SUCCESS STORIES School in nearby Park- actually cut spending on 1. For the week ending February 9, 2018, we received approvals of one I-485, one N-400, one land, Florida has ignited the background check I-90 and one I-751. protests by students who program. 2. On January 12, 2018, we received an approval of immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate survived the onslaught Even one of the Manila for an alien who applied for I-601-A as one who entered as a seaman. and renewed calls for most shocking mass 3. On January 10, 2018, we received an approval form USCIS of a self petition for abused changes in US gun laws. shootings of recent years spouse based on same sex marriage. Cruz, 19, was able -- the 2012 attack on a 4. On January 3, 2018, we received an approval from the Immigration Court for a waiver of to legally buy an AR-15 Connecticut elementary misrepresentation for a client who was charged with misrepresentation in marriage; semi-automatic rifle school that left 20 young 5. On December 15, 2017, we received an approval from USCIS for an adjustment of status despite numerous red children and six adults for same sex marriage for an applicant who entered without inspection but has Sec. 245 (i). flags that nonetheless dead -- brought little (Photo: www.fbi.gov) 6. On November 16, 2017, we received an approval from Immigration Court for a waiver of failed to prompt action legal change, though misrepresentation for entering as single daughter of U.S. citizen but actually married. by state and federal Connecticut and a hand- 7. On October 25, 2017, we received an approval of I-485 adjustment of status for our client agencies. ful of other states toughened their gun laws. who has a DUI but has proof that he has cleared his record. The White House indicated that Trump is ‘A real, genuine effort’ 8. On October 20, 2017, we received an approval of naturalization for a client who was receptive to a bipartisan proposal that would But there are some indications that the lim- granted a waiver of misrepresentation in Immigration Court. require more prompt reporting to a national ited steps Trump backs might succeed. 9. On October 16, 2017, we received from USCIS an approval for an adjustment of database of offenses that would bar an individual The NRA says it has “long supported the status for same sex marriage, after two scheduled interviews. from buying a firearm. inclusion of all legitimate records in the National 10. On October 9, 2017, we received an approval from USCIS for adjustment of “While discussions are ongoing and revisions Instant Criminal Background Check System.” status for a client who entered as a seaman but has Sec. 245 (i) eligibility. are being considered, the president is support- Gun control advocates also back the bill spon- 11. On October 2, 2017, we received an approval of adjustment of status from USCIS for a cli- ive of efforts to improve the federal background sored by Senators Joh Cornyn, a Republican, and ent who entered without inspection but has Sec. 245(i). check system,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Chris Murphy, a Democrat. They came together 12. For the week ending September 15, 2017, we received three Immigrant Visa Approvals in Sanders said in a statement. after a gunman killed 26 people at a Texas church U.S. Embassy Manila for three applicants who entered as seaman under the Provisional Waiver The legislation, however, does not address in November. Program. the broader, divisive issue of permissive gun laws “This is a real, genuine effort from people If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find under the Second Amendment of the US Consti- who couldn’t be further from each other on the a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation. tution, which protects the right to bear arms. other side of the aisle,” a Coalition to Stop Gun Crispin Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Student protests Violence official told The Atlantic magazine. Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. He specializes Chanting “Shame on you, Shame on you,” And the impassioned calls for change from in immigration law and personal injury. For free consultation email or call ([email protected] / about 100 students from area high schools Parkland shooting survivors -- photogenic young 1-877-456-9266) gathered outside the White House and staged a people who say they can no longer put up with “lie-in” to press demands for change. the inaction of older generations -- have kept the “More Guns, More Murder,” read one of the issue alive. signs carried by demonstrators. “We need to do something,” 17-year-old Da- Maya Smith, 15, said she fears for her life vid Hogg, a shooting survivor, told CNN. “Con- when she walks into school “because the govern- gress needs to get over their political bias with ment won’t decide that my life matters as much each other and work toward saving children’s as the right to bear arms matters.” lives.” “We as students shouldn’t be worrying about CNN is holding a town hall meeting on being shot in our school,” said high school junior Wednesday with the victims’ classmates, parents, Juneau Wang. community members and Florida politicians. “Students should be worrying about a bad The students’ cries for action would appear to test grade, not the fact that someone could walk enjoy broad support. in with an AR-15 any time during the school day.” A Quinnipiac University opinion survey in After earlier mass shootings, Trump has said November found that support for universal back- little about guns, focusing instead on the mental ground checks had reached an all-time high, with health of shooters. Following the October 1 attack 95 percent of voters favoring such checks.. (AFP) in Las Vegas that left 58 people dead, he said only

flee their homes to survive. As they arrive in large Help on the way? numbers, many of them will land in immigration Despite the recent ruling facing young im- Kids in Court – alone and powerless courts around the country – without any ad- migrants today, there is a current bill in Congress By Johnson Lazaro equate representation. called “Fair Day in Court for Kids Act” accord- “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to ing to Human Rights Watch. The act that would Controlled chaos a federal case that held that since immigration me ...” mandate court-appointed counsel for children, no Courtrooms are made to reflect the power of court proceedings are considered civil cases According to Stanford University Immigra- matter the charge, civil or criminal. the law and of the state – the stern guy in a long rather than criminal, there is no constitutional tion Clinic, the present government believes that With only kids to represent themselves in dark robe sitting behind a high desk, the flags right to an attorney. recent arrivals of children and their families are Immigration Courts, there will be mass deporta- floating behind him, the secretaries flanking him, The consequence of this ruling is that ex- not entitled to any immigration relief. Yet, with tions, sending these children back to the violence the big police officers lurking everywhere. perienced and seasoned prosecutors are pitted a little bit of legal help, studies have shown that and the drugs and the gangs they are running Courtrooms are often controlled chaos – the against young and helpless children in court. The many recent arrivals would legally qualify for from. This is tantamount to the U.S. delivering lawyers flitting around talking to clients, the children don’t stand a chance. These hearings are refugee status, or some type of special status, sentences of gang-slavery or gang-death on a clerks milling in and out of side doors, the public incredibly complex and some judges even have especially for certain vulnerable juveniles. massive scale. The undefended youngsters seem flowing in from the back to fill the gallery, the difficulty explaining the proceedings to adults, let Also, Stanford indicates that many low-cost to be the criminals here. underlying feel of tension. alone to children. Nationwide, there are thou- or non-profit immigration organizations are oper- Into this extraordinarily busy and confusing sands of children in immigration courts. The end ating at capacity and unable to take many new milieu, throw a youngster, and have him or her result may very well be the mass deportation of cases in the wake of the ruling. Many people who looking up – alone – at a judge, while being told bewildered youngsters. are in removal or deportation proceedings are that he or she must return to a place where crime CJ’s Story – join or die pretty much destitute and cannot afford an attor- and poverty and death prevail. CJ filed for asylum when he was 13, claiming ney. Courts often have to ask pro bono attorneys Sorry, kiddo! that he feared persecution because a gang from to represent them. The phones at my office are On January 29, in a case concerning a young Honduras was trying to recruit him. When he already jammed with people requesting low or fellow named CJ (alias), the U.S. Ninth Circuit resisted the gang, his life was threatened. The boy free legal services. Courts ruled that children who enter the coun- came to the U.S. with his mother and ultimately This ruling may mean that thousands of chil- try illegally with their parents have no right to a appeared in immigration court without an attor- dren will have to represent themselves in immi- government-appointed lawyer in immigration ney. Denied a stay of deportation, the gangsters gration courts. Despite the recent ruling, it seems court. are probably at CJ now – to join or die. the Department of Justice has been deporting The ruling held that neither the Due Process Imagine living in a town that is controlled kids without benefit of attorney since 2014, ac- Clause of the Constitution nor the Immigration by a bunch of drug-dealing murderers. The drug cording to Immigration Rights Advocates. The & Nationality Act creates a categorical right to and gang wars in Guatemala, Honduras, and El rule of law is essential but there must be some court-appointed counsel. The court relied on Salvador are forcing kids and their families to compassion behind the law. Answers from LAST WEEK’S Krosword February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star B5 health & 5 ways to fight fatigue and energize your life Feeling tired is a common complaint people Stop burning the candle on both ends. Dr. lifestyle express. Sometimes the self-description morphs into Gupta says fatigue is often directly related to sleep “I feel tired all the time,” and experts say that’s when deprivation. “When you sleep is when most of your extreme tiredness becomes better known as fatigue. healing takes place,” Gupta says. “Without enough Fatigue, when someone lacks energy and feels sleep, your immune system breaks down. It’s recom- exhausted mentally or physically, can negatively mended you get 6-8 hours of sleep per night.” Health@Heart impact performance at work, family life, and social Get regular exercise. Gupta stresses that no relationships. Often, it is not a medical issue, but matter how busy people are, they need to make one that can be reversed by a lifestyle change. time for exercise on a regular basis, ideally for 20 Self-induced cancer “People would be amazed at how much energy to 30-minute sessions a minimum of four times per PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS they’d have and how much better they’d feel if they week. “Regular exercise helps regulate your mood, treated themselves better,” says Dr. Raj Gupta makes you sleep more soundly and erases the little In the book on have increased 600% (www.drrajgupta.com), founder of Soul Focus Well- mistakes in our diet,” Dr. Gupta says. disease prevention at Smokers have three times risk of dying from ness Center and author of Wellness Center Solution: Body adjustments. The body can come more the cellular (DNA) level, heart attack How Physicians Can Transform Their Practices, alive with a chiropractic alignment that provides entitled, Let’s Stop “Kill- Tobacco use is the leading cause of prevent- Their Income and Their Lives. proper functioning. “Chiropractic adjustments to ing” our Children, I have able deaths “We all have busy lives, but there are simple the spinal column relieve the pressure of a choked or highlighted tobacco and Smoking kills 250 daily ways to not let your schedule overwhelm you and pinched nerve caused by the rotated vertebra,” Dr. alcohol as the two major At least 250 Filipinos die each day, yes, each make your health suffer as a consequence.” Gupta says. “A chiropractic adjustment increases causes of most maladies day, or about 90,000 a year, from smoking-related Stress, Dr. Gupta says, can lead to fatigue one’s vitality and turns up their energy.” known to man, including illnesses, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic symptoms such as a craving for sweets and salty “Living life with zest, vitality and complete cancer. diseases, and cancers, especially lung cancers. foods, difficulty sleeping and irritability. He suggests health is easier than you think,” Dr. Gupta says. “By Besides those two In Malaysia about 10,000, and Vietnam at least five ways to fight fatigue and regain energy: managing these five simple aspects, one can main- risk factors, I pointed out that other unhealthy 40,000, die annually from tobacco-related condi- Run on the right fuel. A busy lifestyle can lead tain a healthy, fulfilling life.” lifestyle behaviors and habits immensely contrib- tions. Indonesia’s death toll is the worst: 400,000 to fast food or carry-out. Therefore, preparation About Dr. Raj Gupta ute to the development of many illnesses. The a year. is important, Dr. Gupta says. “Your energy and Dr. Raj Gupta (www. main ones among those are diet (too much food The sad fact is that official global tobacco production are directly proportional to how you fuel drrajgupta.com), who intake) and (too little or no) exercise. youth survey has revealed that the “smoking your body,” he says. “Always be thinking about what has more than 20 years A report in New York published a new study prevalence among Filipino youth had jumped fand you will be eating later. Ideally, your diet should experience as a chiro- of cancer in the United States, which showed that extrapolated to go even higher. consist of eating approximately five times a day with practor, is the founder “nearly half (50%) of cancer deaths were caused by Obviously, for political correctness and a combination of complex carbohydrates – fruits of Soul Focus Wellness smoking, poor diet and other unhealthy behav- expediency, majority of our legislators in Congress and veggies – and lean protein.” Center. He also is the au- iors.” That’s even less than what has been reported prefer to protect the tobacco industry and allow Cut caffeine, add water. Research indicates too thor of Wellness Center more than three decades ago. Smoking had slowed tobacco to continue to kill our people. What money much caffeine causes fatigue in some people. The Solution: How Physicians down in the United States while obesity has dra- from the tobacco lobby can do! stimulation wears off and more caffeine is needed to Can Transform Their matically gone up. Smoking kills. It is that plain and simple. produce the feelings of energy and clear-headedness. Practices, Their Income and Their Lives, and of “Forty five percent of cancer deaths and 42 There is no more doubt today that tobacco (ciga- Dr. Gupta recommends cutting back on all things the forthcoming book, From Health Club to Health percent of diagnosed cancer cases could be at- rette smoking) is the predominant cause of lung containing caffeine – coffee, tea, chocolate, soft Care: How Gym Owners Can 10X Their Income. He tributed to modifiable risks factors,” according cancer, besides other malignancies and cardiovas- drinks. Also, water should be the preferred liquid. “A has been featured in US News and World Report to this study. This means the risk factors were cular diseases that maim, kill men and women and person is recommended to drink half their weight in Health, Woman’s World Magazine and The New not inherited or genetic, basically the result of hurt our society, especially our children. In the ounces per day,” Gupta says. “You can be dehydrat- York Daily News. He has a doctorate in chiropractic unhealthy behavior and habits, like sedentary life, United States alone, almost half a million die each ed and not even know it.” from Life University. lack of exercise, eating a lot of red meat, not eating year from smoking-related illnesses. These are pre- enough vegetables and fruits, eating processed ventable deaths! Demographic studies have shown meats, alcohol abuse, sun exposure, and worst, that smokers are about 10 times more prone to die Hormone changes could increase asthma risk in women smoking. Regretably, most of these deaths were premature deaths than non-smokers. This un- preventable! necessary loss of lives is at an immense direct cost A new United Kingdom study has suggested noted that the link between asthma and these hor- In 1981, a British research revealed that more for non-smokers in terms of increased health risks that fluctuations in female sex hormones could play mones still remains unclear. than 2/3 (or more than 66 percent) of cancer from passive smoking, in higher health insurance a role in the development of asthma and allergies in They also added that as the relationship be- deaths were due to those factors. Smoking was the premiums and taxes, not to mention personal and women, possibly explaining the differences between tween asthma and hormonal drugs such as HRT and number 1 risk, causing 29 percent of deaths, fol- family tragedies in all shapes and forms. men and women in the incidence and severity of the contraceptives is unclear women should continue to lowed by excess weight at 6.5 percent as a cause of As we have alluded to in a previous column, condition. take medications as prescribed by their GP. death, and alcohol use at 4 percent. secondhand smoke is even more dangerous. In- Carried out by researchers from the Univer- “In carrying out this systematic review, we not- “Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from nocent bystanders are forced to inhale cigarette sity of Edinburgh, the major review analyzed more ed that there were many differences between studies sunlight or tanning beds was associated with 96 smoke at their workplaces or in public places, thus than 50 studies which together looked at more than investigating hormonal treatments in terms of the percent of skin cancers in men and 94 percent in increasing their health risk. The Environmental 500,000 women with asthma from puberty to 75 type and dose of hormone, and the way patients took women,” according to the new study. Protection Agency engineers have shown that years of age. the treatment. This made it difficult to draw firm Scary Data on Smoking even the best available ventilation and air-moving The results showed a link between asthma conclusions from the results. We are now undertak- There are 4000 chemicals (600 of them poi- equipment were unable to reduce carcinogenic symptoms and key changes in a woman’s life such as ing a project to clarify the role of contraceptives and sons, 69 cancer-causing) in every stick of cigarette, puberty and menopause, with women who started HRT in asthma and allergy symptoms,” commented (cancer-causing) air contamination to a safe level toxic chemicals like those found in paint stripper, their periods before turning 11 years old and those lead researcher Nicola McCleary. for a non-smoker sharing work space with a ha- toilet cleaner, rocket fuel, lighter fuel, chemicals entering menopause found to have a higher risk of Although the team stressed that more research bitual smoker. in moth balls, the poison used in the gas chamber, developing asthma compared to those who started is needed, they noted that further studies could help Why governments around the world allow and and other toxins. menstruation later or who were pre-menopause. explain why asthma is more common in boys than protect an industry that victimizes and hooks their Smoking causes almost 1/3 of all cancer Irregular periods were also found to be associ- girls in childhood, but more common and more se- young, poisons and kills their people, is incompre- deaths in the world ated with a higher rate of the condition. vere in teenage girls and women following puberty. hensible, however you look at it. Smokeless tobacco - 50 times worse than Many women also reported that their asthma Asthma affects more than five million people in If you think about it, our government and regular cigarettes symptoms change with their menstrual cycle, which the U.K. It is a respiratory condition which can cause those of other nations are peddling drugs (albeit Passive smoking - responsible for about the team suggested may be due to fluctuations in serious difficulties breathing and is often associated addictive tobacco is a milder killer substance) in 6,000 lung cancers among non-smokers and levels of hormones such as estrogen and progester- with allergies. the name of profit, wantonly sacrificing their citi- 35,000 deaths from secondhand smoke-related one. The results were published in the Journal of Al- zens’ health and future, shortening people’s lives, The onset of menopause also causes estrogen lergy and Clinical Immunology. (inquirer.net) diseases per year causing trillions of dollars or more of expenditures and progesterone levels to vary; however, the team More than half a million are killed each year for research as to how to fight the habit, how to in the USA alone by smoking-related illnesses; 10 cure the tobacco-induced illnesses, including heart times more than car accidents; 12 times more than disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, AIDS etc. This is plain stupidity. And a lot more than all the military casualties The solution is obvious: Eliminate the cause, HOROSCOPE in all wars in this century put together the poison! Then, we don’t have to do expensive http://www.starlightastrology.com One person in the USA dies of a heart attack researches looking for the “antidote” or finding the every minute (mostly smokers). cure, etc. Eliminating the cause would even reward Aries Libra One dies of other smoking-related illness us these added bonuses: a smokeless society, a (Mar. 21- April 20) (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) every 3 minutes! healthier citizenry, a nobler nation, and a less You may find out that someone has not been Do not get upset over trivial matters. Try Smoking has orphaned billions of children polluted environment, ecologically friendlier to completely honest with you. Too much work looking into new ways to make extra money. around the globe, greater than all the wars com- Mother Earth! and no play will not only result in fatigue and Problems with your boss could lead to bined has caused Unfortunately, the senseless global smoke- unemployment. You will reach the most people if frustration but also loneliness, too. Reevaluate Smokers die 13-14 years earlier than non- filled “killing field,” protected by governments, like your position and make decisions about your you speak out at an organizational function. smokers in the Philippines, will continue. We, The People, future goals. It’s time you let your true feelings Your lucky day this week will be Thursday. Risk of dying from lung cancer among smok- should be fuming mad! out. ers compared to non-smokers: 22 times greater in Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. Scorpio Visit philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) men and 12 times greater among women gmail.com Taurus Don’t let yourself get rundown. Don’t let your Since 1950, lung cancer deaths among women (Apr. 21- may 21) friends talk you into taking time off. You must act It’s a favorable time for real estate, quickly. Elders may need your help. investments, and moneymaking opportunities Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. to be successful. Try to iron out any friction KrosWord Answers to this week’s Krosword over money with your mate or conflicts could Sagittarius (Source: Classic Pilipino Krosword, as edited by Ramon S. Lorenzo) on NEXT WEEK’S issue prevail. You may have a problem with coworkers (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) if you try to tell them what to do. Follow your gut You may not be that popular at home but you feeling regarding your business ventures. should be able to shine at social gatherings. You Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. may find yourself changing crowds. Travel will be in your best interest regardless of whether it Gemini is business or pleasure. Secret enemies will be PAHALANG (May 22-June 21) eager to spread rumors about you. You’ll be able to discuss your ambitions with Your lucky day this week will be Friday. 1 Karugtong ng bituka your mate. You may be thinking of starting your 8 Estado sa America own business. Enlist the aid of family members Capricorn 9 Tahimik and consider the feelings of your mate. Your (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) 11 Simbolo ng Tantalum family may not be pleased with your decisions. Don’t let your partner get you going. You are 13 Plano Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. best to travel or attend lectures or seminars. 14 Dugong-maharlika Your lover may disappoint you in such a way 16 Pagsunog o pagpapaitim Cancer that estrangement will follow. You’re best to sa ginto (sinaunang (June 22-July 22) channel your energy into work. Ideas may sound Tagalog) Organize your house and be sure to include good, but be careful if people are just looking for the whole family in the projects you have set out handouts. 17 Minsan pa to do. You just hate waste, and when someone Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. 18 Kalat na kalat else costs you dearly you see red. You could be 21 Kaibigan sa Frances cornered, so be prepared to tell the truth. Refuse Aquarius 23 Ms. Macuja, balerina to let others make unrealistic demands of you. (Jan. 21.- Feb. 19) 25 Birhen Your lucky day this week will be Sunday. You will profit from home improvement 27 Ms. Nikki, singer projects and real estate deals. Try not to skirt 28 Alaska: daglat Leo issues if you think you’ll hurt some one’s 29 Mambabatas (July 23-Aug 22) feelings. Think of changes to your home that 31 Makina Be careful not to hurt someone’s feelings. will please and add to everyone’s comfort. Try to Listen to the advice given by others. It’s time to think things through. 32 Paraan ng pagbigkas get yourself back on track. Elders may need your Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday. help. PABABA Your lucky day this week will be Saturday. Pisces (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) 1 Bintog 7 Pinagtabasan ng kahoy nagbibigay babala na may Virgo Drastic changes regarding your personal 2 Pinakatimog na bansa sa 10 Paggiling parating na bagyo (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) attitude are evident. People trying to entice you gitnang America 12 Pet 22 Uri ng halamang palay Get together with people who stimulate you to join in will be less than trustworthy. You can 3 Nakalalasing 13 Dahong medisinal 24 Varyant ng salsa mentally. Real estate should be lucrative for you. make financial gains if you are prepared to take a 4 Tit for ___ 15 Diyos ng pag-ibig sa 26 Sabik na paghihintay Don’t let yourself get rundown. Take a close look risk. Someone you work with may be emotional. 5 Tawag sa rehiyon ng Sinaunang Romano 27 ___de coco Your lucky day this week will be Friday. at contracts and agreements that have been Bikol 19 Puerto____ ng Oriental 30 National Association of offered to you. Your lucky day this week will be Monday. 6 Sakit na nagdadala ng Mindoro Realtors leptospirosis 20 Uri ng ibon na ang huni ay B6 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 entertainment Morissette’s 1st Big Dome concert Agot Isidro: It’s a citizen’s right and duty to give feedback to the gov’t Amplify the good and reject the bad,” said Agot Isidro when the Inquirer asked what advice an acid test of her drawing power she could give to younger celebrities who have a Over the past few years, seeing and hearing me sing in me quite nervous. But it would large following on social media. Morissette Amon has managed person is different.” be amazing to share my talent Agot admitted to being the subject of negative to cultivate a formidable pres- Morissette, who finished with people at that big a place,” comments for posting online her opinions—both ence online, thanks to her viral first runnerup in TV5’s “Star Morissette said. good and bad—on a number of burning issues. song covers—particularly, those Factor” and competed in the “I don’t mind that I’m “Make a stand in whatever way you can. You recorded live inside the bus- first season of ABS-CBN’s “The having this big break only now. can’t just not speak up when you know that wrong turned-recording booth of the Voice of the Philippines,” took If it came earlier I feel like I things are being done. You have to take notice of FM radio station Wish 107.5. home six trophies at this year’s wouldn’t be ready for it,” she the bad, constructively,” said Agot during a recent The said. “But visit to the Inquirer office in Makati City. young vocal- I am now, Agot and young actress Gabby Padilla were ist’s version because I the celebrity storytellers at the Inquirer’s Read- of Little Mix’s had been Along session this month. The session, sponsored power ballad through by Ayala Foundation, carried the theme “Love for “Secret Love a lot and Country.” Song” alone experi- “I understand if the young ones choose to has amassed enced more keep quiet, because some of them have a lot to over 60 mil- things. And lose. I, on the other hand, am much older and lion views on now I get really don’t care [about bashers] anymore; but YouTube. Her to have my I would have been as vocal when I was younger, renditions of moment.” given the chance,” the singer-actress pointed out. Phil Collins’ “But Interestingly, Agot said a lot of the negativ- “Against All of course, ity merely happened online. “I can still go out Odds” and Sia’s it’s always without feeling any danger for my life. There were “Chandelier,” a learning countless times when I would have people come meanwhile, process. up to me to say ‘thank you’ for speaking up,” Agot have 34 and 21 And I don’t noted. “But the one piece of advice I will treasure the million views, want to She said having bashers did not deter her most: ‘Wherever you are—be it in theater, film or respectively. stop there. from making her opinions known. “I person- television—remind yourself why you’re there, that On top of I want to ally handle all my accounts. I’ve blocked a lot is to act and tell a story.’” that, Moris- continue of them (bashers) already, especially those who The actress took up theater arts and media sette is also a making are really rude. I’ve done this to keep them from education in college, and appeared in a number of favorite among progress committing a sin against God at my expense,” she plays, including Atlantis Productions’ adaptation YouTube’s as an artist quipped. of “Matilda.” On the big screen, she played lead in community of and to keep Agot, however, said she only chose which the 2016 indie films, “Repleksyon” and “Sin-o ang “reactors,” or exploring issues to react to. “It has to be something that is Tiktik?” vloggers who what else important to me,” she stressed. “I just want for In TBA’s “Goyo,” Gabby plays Dolores, the film them- Morissette Amon I can do,” things in our country to work right. Besides, it is younger sister of Remedios, who is the love inter- selves doing (Photo: www.pinoyistics.blogspot.com) added the also a citizen’s right and duty to give feedback to est of the film’s lead character, Gregorio “Goyo” commentary singer, who the government.” del Pilar. while watching also dreams On the big screen, Agot was recently featured “There used to be a misconception in text- performance of becoming in the screen musical “Changing Partners,” di- books that Dolores was Goyo’s girlfriend. They videos. Wish 107.5 Music Awards, a concert director in the future. rected by Dan Villegas. Agot is also a regular cast found a handkerchief with her initials, and But does internet populari- including Artist of the Year. She described “Made” member of ABS-CBN’s afternoon drama series, they assumed that she and Goyo were having a ty necessarily translate to actual But regardless of her (call 9115555) as a “powerful” “Asintado.” relationship when, actually, Dolores was just her ticket sales? In that regard, coming show’s turnout, Mor- concert “packed with surprises” For Gabby, a celebrity’s personal stand on so- sister’s messenger,” Gabby said. Morissette’s first major solo issette said, the fact that she and will feature repertoire that cial issues “has to be solid … I’m very vocal about “It was in further research for the film that concert, “Made”—to be held at would be performing in one of will include songs that people my opinions, but I recognize that having a bigger they found this to be true … we find that there are the Smart Araneta Coliseum the country’s most important wouldn’t necessarily expect audience is a responsibility.” other things to be learned about our history,” she tomorrow—will be an acid test performing venues is in itself an from her. Challenging role said. of sorts of her drawing power. accomplishment to be proud of “I will do songs I don’t usu- Gabby, who has managed to successfully “Getting a role in ‘Goyo’ is a big deal,” Gabby “That’s one of my wor- and grateful for. “A dream come ally get the chance to perform. cross over from theater to film, will soon be seen added. “I remember watching ‘Heneral Luna’ as ries,” she admitted in a recent true.” I will highlight my journey in Jerrold Tarog’s big-budget historical film, a fan. I was already acting but I didn’t imagine interview with the Inquirer. “As a probinsyana from through music, and maybe do “Goyo.” myself being part of it. Fast forward to a year or “A lot of people are more into Cebu, just hearing about some dancing, too,” she said. “Veteran theater actors would tell me, ‘Keep two later, I’m part of the team that has the same social media these days. But I’m ‘Araneta Coliseum’ was al- (Allan Policarpio / inquirer. doing theater!’ While my mentors in film would aim as I do—to tell a story.” (Marinel R. Cruz / really pushing myself… I want ready a big deal. And the mere net) say, ‘Make more films. There will be more oppor- inquirer.net) to convince and tell people that thought of singing there makes tunities for you here,’” Gabby told the Inquirer. February 22 - 28, 2018 FilAm Star B7 entertainment Arnold Schwarzenegger named to ‘Kung Fury’ cast Template for other Fil-Am or Pinoy talents Fil-Ams and Filipinos are over the moon worldwide, making him one of the best-selling due to Bruno Mars’ “dominance” at the recent artists of all time. 2018 Grammy awards, with multiple trophies Adding to his “24-karat” stellar cachet is the for his album, “24K Magic” and singles “24K fact that he’s had seven No. 1 Hot 100 singles, at- Magic” and “That’s What I Like,” including the taining his singular success faster than any male Album and Record of the Year honors. artist since Elvis Presley! The fact that Bruno is “just a pint-sized guy For his part, Bruno attributes his standout from Hawaii” makes his “towering” achievement success to his Pinay mom, a dancer, and his over some of the biggest stars in the music biz percussionist Puerto Rican dad. truly inspiring for other “pint-sized” but “unli” He also cites his Hawaiian roots—but, on talents—especially since quite a number of them, “Saturday Night Live,” make no mistake, he in the Philippines and elsewhere, look a lot like forthrightly and proudly declared, “I am Fili- him! pino!” Just goes to prove that, when it comes to But, he reserves his best praise for his late talent, potential and actual achievement—like mother, who migrated from the Philippines to age, height is just a (vertical) number! More to the aspirational point, Bruno’s Grammy and other feats offer up a template for other ambitious and determined Pinoy singers to make it big internationally. First indicative input: note that our homeboy’s professional profile cites him, not just for his pipes and grooves, but also as a songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer and choreographer. Smorgasbord of skills If you want to make it big in the biz, Arnold Schwarznegger therefore, make it a point to offer up (Photo: www.cheatsheet.com) a varied and versatile smorgasbord of skills, to make your “package” more at- Action hero actor of the 1980s and ’90s, Ar- Thundercops, attempt to stop the Kung Fuhrer and tractive to producers and viewers. nold Schwarzenegger, is joining the cast of action another mysterious villain from getting their hands It also helped Bruno a lot that he comedy “Kung Fury II,” a feature-length sequel to on the ultimate weapon. was raised by a family of musicians, so 2015’s cult hit short. Schwarzenegger would play a role not found in he began performing at a very young age. As with the free 2015 short “Kung Fury,” the original short, that of the US president, accord- So, when he moved to Los Angeles Swedish creative David Sandberg returns as direc- ing to The Hollywood Reporter. after high school, he had already racked tor, producer and star for a feature-length riff on For the original “Kung Fury“, Sandberg, a up extensive experience in performing the titular time-traveling kung fu cop. commercial and music video director, used his pro- that served him well in the brutally com- Together with the producers from 2017’s duction expertise to create a VFX-heavy, stunt-lad- petitive playing fields of La-La-Land. $700m-grossing Stephen King adaptation “It,” en blast of nostalgia and satire; posted to YouTube Less than a decade ago, his pro- Sandberg has recruited David Hasselhoff, Michael after a 2015 Cannes Film Festival presentation, duction team made incipient waves in Fassbender, and now Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Kung Fury” rocketed to double-digit views within the biz by coming up with the singles, The “Austrian Oak” (and ex-Governor of the week. “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B., and “Billion- California) was synonymous with the action movie David Hasselhoff, made famous with his long- aire” by Travie McCoy. genre in the 1980s and ’90s thanks to leading role running stints in TV series “Knight Rider” and then Bruno Mars Aside from being featured on hooks appearances in the “Conan the Barbarian” and “Baywatch,” cameoed in the original short as the (Photo: www.fanpop.com) “Terminator” franchises, as well as “Commando,” AI operator of Kung Fury’s sports car, then sang in both discs, he became recognized as a “Predator,” and “Total Recall.” the theme tune “True Survivor” and starred in its solo artist—especially with his debut solo This feature-length version of “Kung Fury” official music video. album and the singles, “Just the Way is due to go into production mid-2018, with the Michael Fassbender was added to the cast in You Are” and “The Lazy Song.” Hawaii: project being presented to prospective distributors a February 12 announcement, the Irish-German Wasting no time to follow up on those hits, “She taught me to love— she’s with me ev- at the European Film Market, running alongside actor having broken through with “Inglorious his second album, “Unorthodox Jukebox” was erywhere I go. Nothing matters in this world but the Berlin International Film Festival February 15 Basterds” and gone on to make multiple appear- No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2012. family!” How indubitably Pinoy! to 23. ances in the “X-Men” and “Aliens” franchises. Only his third studio album, “24K Magic” It’s to his credit that Bruno’s mom taught Set in 1985 Miami, it follows police officer (inquirer.net) (2016) ended up ruling over the recent Gram- him the right things—no ningas cogon attitude, Kung Fury as he and his unit of elite enforcers, the mys—a portrait of a young, driven talent in a no crab mentality, no urong-sulong, bahala na, great, big hurry! “colonial” claptrap—just the best Filipino traits Even more impressively, in less than a and qualities that really count! (Nestor U. Torre decade, Bruno has sold over 130 million albums / inquirer.net) B8 FilAm Star February 22 - 28, 2018 entertainment Look: Iza Calzado, Gina Alajar, direk Dan Villegas Standup comedian Russell Peters’ Filipino connection among big winners in 34th Star Awards With his irreverent style of observational humor that The 34th Philippine touches on different racial ste- Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star reotypes and quirks, Russell Awards for Movies held last Peters has become one of the night at the Newport Perform- most popular standup comedi- ing Arts Theater in Resorts ans around the world, selling World Manila was the usual out stadiums in such cities as sumptuous, star-studded af- New York, Sydney, London, fair. Leading the roster of win- Singapore and Toronto. ners is no other than actress The 47-year-old perform- Iza Calzado, who won the ma- er, who’s known for teasing jor “Movie Actress of the Year” and engaging the crowd in award for her daring role last silly, spontaneous banter year in “Bliss”, Jerrold Tarog’s during his routines, is also the psychosexual thriller. first comic to have a special on Calzado’s fans were the entertainment streaming ecstatic of her win after she service Netflix. bested fellow veteran actresses An “equal opportunity Agot Isidro, Sharon Cuneta, offender,” Peters often pokes Alessandra De Rossi, Maja fun at the quirks of people of Salvador, Kim Chiu and Jodi different nationalities—and Sta. Maria for the coveted Filipinos are no exception. prize. Izadoration, a fan page In his previous routines, the devoted to Calzado, posted a comic had joked about the picture on Instagram today Filipinos’ English accent, of Calzado posing with her undying love for karaoke, the trophy. city traffic, and the sing-song Apart from being one manner with which they greet of the winners, Calzado also foreigners. hosted the awards night with After his packed show in Russell Peters good friend and actress Judy Manila in 2016, Peters is set to (Photo: www.recordsonrepeat.com) Ann Santos. return to the country, this time tural stereotypes, which can be don’t joke about is religion. Apart from Calzado, vet- for his “Deported” world tour, a touchy subject. How do you People are willing to die for eran actress and director Gina on March 10 at the Philippine make sure you don’t cross the their religion, so … that’s it! Alajar won the prestigious International Convention line? I don’t set out to offend. Just religion. “Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista” Center Plenary Hall. Mounted If someone is offended, that A comedian can’t be award. Alajar shared a video by Ovation Production, the has more to do with them and censored. It’s their job to talk of it on her Instagram page Iza Calzado gig is expected to feature new how they’re processing what about the world and how they today; she is seen sitting right (Photo: www.listal.com) material (call 470-2222). I’m saying, as opposed to what see it. It’s their point of view next to son and actor Geoff Best Indie Movie, Best Screen- Actress of the Year” award, but Inquirer’s email interview: I’m actually saying. and, hopefully, it’s funny! Eigenmann. play, Best Editing, Best Music, as host, she still turned heads The Filipino culture is a How does it feel having You’re part of a new series As she is announced win- and Best Director at the 2018 and broke necks last night in staple in your routine. Did a diverse audience and see- on Netflix, “The Indian Detec- ner, Alajar stood from her seat Star Awards!” Villegas gushed her gorgeous navy ensemble. you have Filipinos around you ing them relate to stories tive.” How would you compare and made her way to the stage, on Instagram last night. Being named “Female Star of growing up? I grew up with that aren’t necessarily theirs? doing standup and TV work? stopping every now and then “Maraming salamat PMPC!!! the Night” just fit the bill. them in the city of Brampton I have been told that what Acting isn’t hard. It’s fun, for kisses and handshakes Nakalimutan ko pasalamatan “About last night!” Chiu in Ontario, Canada. My best people are responding to in but it’s time-consuming. And from the audience. ang cast pagakyat sorry kina- wrote on Instagram today. friends were Filipinos, so I got my shows is how similar all when you’re on the set for 14 Last night was a major bahan ako. Alam niyo naman “Thank you PMPC for hav- to learn a lot about the culture the cultures actually are. hours, it starts to feel like real feat, too, for director Dan love ko kayo.” (Thank you very ing me as one of your hosts!! and the community. I have a Is there a topic that you work! Villegas — partner of fellow much, PMPC. I forgot to thank Congratulations to all the Filipino goddaughter (Yes, I’m personally consider off-limits? Comedy is my calling and director Antoinette Jadaone the cast when I went up on winners!!!” a ninong!) I don’t change my mate- I love it, but I enjoyed making — who bagged four major stage, sorry, I got nervous. You Congratulations are most I love the Filipino people. rial according to where I am. “The Indian Detective” and the awards for his film “Changing know I love you.) definitely in order for last And like the Indians, they’re Obviously, I like to make local movies I’m in that are coming Partners”. Kim Chiu may have lost night’s victors. (Cody Cepeda everywhere in the world. references, as well. out this year. (Allan Policar- “#ChangingPartners won to Calzado for the “Movie / inquirer.net) You tackle racial and cul- But the one thing that I pio / inquirer.net)