Msgr. Gutierrez Spiritual: Triumphant in Suffering – p. 10 Ernie Delfi n “Goldcrowdfunding”: 21st Century fundraising – p. 6 Ofelia Dirige Health: A Strategic Farewell to FilAm Wellness Center – p. 4 Arts & Culture 2015 SantaCruzan in Balboa Park: Search for Reyna Elena – p. 3 March 27-April 2, 2015 The original and first Asian Journal in America San Diego’s rst and only Asian Filipino weekly publication and a multi-award winning newspaper! Online+Digital+Print Editions to best serve you! 550 E. 8th St., Ste. 6, National City, San Diego County, CA USA 91950 | Ph 619.474.0588 | [email protected] | Follow us on Twitter @asianjournal | www.asianjournalusa.com Philippines pushes for single e-commerce platform within ASEAN Philstar.com | MANILA, Miriam endorses Manny Pang- 3/26/2015 (Xinhua) - The Fantasy Land Department of Trade and ilinan for president Industry (DTI) said today that Rappler.com | MANILA, this point that she mentioned it will propose a single e- The Wayward Train commerce platform for micro, 3/24/2015 – After heading Pangilinan, who was in the By Simeon G. Silverio, Jr. utility, telecommunication, audience to hear her speak at small and medium enterprises and media companies, should the University of the Philip- (MSMEs) within the ASEAN tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan pines. Chapter 17 of the book, “Fantasy Land” By Simeon G. Silverio, Jr., Publisher & Editor, in the upcoming Asia-Pacifi c lead the Philippines as well? “I want you to think about Asian Journal San Diego, the Original and First Asian Journal in America Economic Cooperation Senator Miriam Defensor Mr Manny Pangilinan as pres- (APEC) ministerial meeting to Santiago used her leader- ident of the Philippines,” she he anti-graft campaign of Pablo Nolasco be held in Boracay Island. The ministerial meeting ship talk at a Maynilad event said on Wednesday, March 25. turned out to be a mess. He literally dubbed as “APEC Ministers to crack water jokes, and to Responding to Santiago’s speech, accused the whole offi cialdom of the Pangilinan told reporters that he was not T Responsible for Trade” to be endorse the chairman of the sure if the senator was just joking. government of corruption. For who among water services company for held in May will discuss is- “I respect her opinion. That is her those who had served the government for years sues affecting MSMEs and the president in 2016. opinion but it is not mine,” Pangilinan would not be tainted with wrongdoings? The Using her trademark said. way they do business across culture of corruption in Fantasy Land’s bureau- punchlines, Santiago said that Before Santiago’s speech, the law- the ASEAN. maker met with Pangilinan for about 20 cracy had been prevalent since the country’s “We already have ideas Filipinos must choose lead- minutes at a holding room. Pangilinan ers based on merit and not beginning that it had become a way of life. we can agree on identifying just mass appeal. It was at (Continued on page 9) Being incorruptible had become an exception e-commerce platform to be to the rule. used by MSMEs across APEC There is a Fantasy Land saying that nobody economies,” DTI secretary Gregory L. Domingo said. PNoy laments how Senate, BOI who had touched a sooty clay pot would have a The proposed platform outlines cus- clean hand. That was the case among Fantasy Land’s government employees. And when toms rules and procedures and regula- ‘speculated’ about his role in Pablo Nolasco and his team took a look at the lifestyles of top government offi cials, be tions for the rules of origin (ROO). “MSMEs are having a hard time ex- Mamasapano mission they President Lino Majeras’ allies or enemies, almost everyone had assets that did not porting. A single platform wherein they add up to their offi cial earnings. Senators, congressmen, governors, mayors and top of- can book their sales and with links to by Andreo Calonzo, GMA side on the matter. fi cials of government corporations and departments owned a lot of properties with their logistics will boost MSME trade across News |SILANG, Cavite, “Ang ikinalulungkot ko, the region,” said Domingo. 3/26/2015 - President Be- imbis na magtanong sa akin children going to expensive schools abroad. How could these offi cials afford such assets The Philippines will suggest an nigno Aquino III on Friday ay naglagay ng ispekulasyon and expenses? Nolasco asked himself. His own people were puzzled why he was asking MSME with shipments of $2,000 or less such a question, when in fact, it was a common occurrence that people took it for granted, be exempt from the ROO, since ROO lamented how the Senate and ang mga gumawa ng ulat. rules apply to countries of regions with the police’s Board of Inquiry Maitatanong nga po natin: like it was normal for government offi cials to live beyond their offi cial pay. The answer, existing free trade agreements. supposedly resorted to “spec- Paano naman makakatulong which was obvious to everyone, was that the offi cials were involved in graft; which was Domingo pointed out that many of ulations” about his role in the sa paglilinaw ng isyu kung the reason why they spend millions of pesos just to get elected to a public offi ce. How the MSMEs see the infl ux of goods and services in their own markets, but fi nd deadly January 25 Mamasa- hula ang gagamitin imbis na else could they recover their investments and make up for their hard work if they do not it very diffi cult to take advantage of the pano operation. facts?” Aquino asked. commit graft and earn extensive profi ts for the endeavor? If they were to depend on their free trade agreements because of the In a speech at the Philip- He nevertheless said that the Senate salaries alone, no one would pursue a government position. very cumbersome rules and procedures. and the BOI reports affi rmed facts on For instance, there was a movie actor who won a governorship of a province merely because of his popularity as a pine National Police Academy the operation that he earlier stated, par- graduation rites, Aquino said celebrity. After holding on to such a post, his three term limit had expired. Like everybody else who would not give up ticularly the lack of coordination during the post, he tried to establish a political dynasty by grooming his son for the position while he pursued the offi ce of a he was saddened by the fact the mission. senator. The son won but when he was defeated in the next election by a priest who ran on anti-corruption platform, it that the bodies that probed the “Sumasang-ayon po ang dalawang bloody incident did not get his (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 2) Pulse Asia: Aquino no longer most Singapore PM Lee Kuan Yew thoughts on the PHL By Camille Diola, Philstar. modern society.” Lee recounted an event approved, trusted top offi cial com |MANILA, 3/23/2015 During his life, Lee openly following the assassination by Louis Bacani, Philstar. is now behind Senate Presi- — The death of Lee Kuan shared his thoughts about the of Senator Ninoy Aquino in com | MANILA, 3/26/2015 dent Franklin Drilon and Vice Yew on Monday reminded world, nations, especially Sin- 1983 and international out- - President Benigno Aquino President Jejomar Binay, who the world of the Singaporean gapore’s neighbors, including rage that resulted in foreign III is no longer the most ap- saw slight changes in their founder’s accomplishments the Philippines. banks blocking all loans to the proved and most trusted top ratings. before, during and after his In his book “From Third Philippines: offi cial after suffering the big- Four months ago, Aquino was the term as prime minister. World to First,” Lee shared [Philippine President Ferdinand most approved and most trusted govern- Lee was hailed by the lessons on development, Marcos] sent his minister for trade and gest ratings decline among the ment executive. industry, Bobby Ongpin, to ask me for fi ve highest government ex- “President Aquino experiences sig- Philippines’ foreign ministry diplomacy, policy-making, a loan of US$300—500 million to meet ecutives, according to the new nifi cant changes in his performance and as a “visionary statesman” history, culture and domestic the interest payments. I looked him trust ratings between November 2014 and an inspiration to the affairs. straight in the eye and said, ‘Will never Pulse Asia survey released on and March 2015; the other top govern- world for building Singapore, He also wrote about build- see that money back’. Thursday. ment offi cials of the country register On coup attempts during Corazon Results of the March 2015 minimal movements in their national formerly a sleepy port, “into ing Singapore’s ties with the survey showed that Aquino (Continued on page 3) an economic powerhouse and Philippines. (Continued on page 8) Page 2 Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.com March 27-April 2, 2015 mitted suicide, with his parents, perhaps Ne-Yo debuts latest single in- under pressure, publicly supporting the Look beyond findings. The son is now a congressman Our Life & Times from their family’s bailiwick and is eye- your noses, spired by lovin’ lyrics submitted A Monthly Forum hosted by and for the Fili- ing a senatorial post in the next election. pino American Community of San Diego There are many ways government of- people by fans at Los Angeles concert ficials could make money beyond their legitimate salaries. Those who worked HEART & MIND By Paulynn P.