Asian Journal March 18-24, 2016 Edition

Msgr. Gutierrez The Visit Arts and Culture Entertainment

Christ’s Dark Nights: Consolation by Negation— p. 10 The road to Baguio and the “Golden Buddha” — p.2 Zena Babao: Healing for our beloved land — p. 8 Kapuso dramas to air in Mexico and Canada — p. 16 March 18-24, 2016

Economic prosperity under Marcos ‘a myth,’ says solon $81-M bank heist money trail hits dead end in casinos

Rappler.com | MANILA, 3/15/2016 – Philippine authorities were not able to trace the exact location of the $81-million stolen money from Bangladesh Bank's account, citing the country's "strict bank secrecy and weak anti-money laundering act (AMLA)" as hindrances to reach a meaningful probe. After 5 hours of questioning, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday, March 15 got frustrated with Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Jupiter, Makati City branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito

and RCBC president and CEO Lorenzo Tan for invoking bank secrecy and their right against self-incrimination. Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Julia Bacay-Abad also expressed her frustrations during the hearing, conceding that "the money trail ended at casinos. It's a dead end. Non-inclusion of casino in AMLA just increased the probability of money laundering in the Philippines." The law, which was first introduced in 2001, left casinos off

Mary Grace Natividad Poe Llamanzares is a natural-born Filipino citizen,” Carpio declared. Rule 12, Section 1 of the SC Internal Rules requires that all decisions and actions in court cases “shall be made up upon the concurrence of the majority of the Members of the Court who actually took part in the deliberation on the issues involved and voted on them.” For a case where all 15 justices voted, at least eight votes are needed to achieve a majority ruling. Manuelito Luna, lawyer of

"These days Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is vividly depicted in Mel Gibson’s blockbuster film, ‘The Passion of Jesus Christ’. Many are moved by Christ’s sufferings including Filipino Catholics who have been fully aware of them since childhood.” BySimeon G. Silverio, Jr. Publisher & Editor The San Diego Asian Journal The Original and First Asian Journal In America San Diego, California April 10, 2004

O

n Good Fridays, some Filipinos all over the Philippines would fulfill their religious vows by physically punishing or hurting themselves as a penance for their sins. Others would do so in gratitude to God for fulfilling their wishes; like the time when they vowed to God that if He would heal their sick child, they would undertake such a sacrifice on Good Fridays,

The Good Friday sacrifice or "Penitensiya (penitents)” was done in various ways. Many would walk half-naked in the street as they struck their backs with small branches of trees for hours till blood would cover their body.

When I was in the province of Marinduque for a Holy Week vacation with a friend. I witnessed some people cutting the skin at the back of the penitents with a razor blade so that blood could easily ooze out when the back is struck with a whip. Others would carry a wooden cross for miles in the heat of the sun. In an ironic way, some people avoided much suffering by putting wheels at the end of their wooden cross. The most notorious Good Friday spectacles were staged in towns of San Fernando, Pampanga and Angono, Rizal where people were actually nailed to a cross as fulfillment of their religious vows! Solemn Good Friday

People were supposed to observe solemnity on Good Fridays. Television stations and movie theaters ( Continued on page 6 )

( Continued on page 6 )

Duterte to crush land-grabbers victimizing OFWs -- PDP spox MANILA, Mar 16 (Mabuhay) -- A presidency by PDP Laban standard-bearer Rodrigo Duterte shall provide socialized housing for homeless Filipinos, but will not condone illegal settlers, especially those with connections to land-grabbing syndicates. PDP Laban spokesperson Atty. Paola Alvarez stressed this today, saying Duterte and his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano shall put a stop once and for all to those who, illegally and oftentimes by the use of force, take

Penitensia, Senaculo, Siete Palabras and other Filipino traditions

( Continued on page 4 )

‘Poe citizenship hangs’ Philstar.com MANILA, 3/14/2016 – The issue of Sen. Grace Poe’s citizenship and how it affects her eligibility for the presidency is apparently not yet over despite the Supreme Court (SC)’s ruling last week favoring her presidential bid. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said in his 55-page dissenting opinion that there was no majority ruling on Poe’s qualification as a natural-born citizen because the SC’s voting on the issue of citizenship was 7-5-3. “What is clear and undeniable is that there is no majority of this Court that holds that petitioner

Holy Week Memories

the land of others, including those owned by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). "OFWs are the most vulnerable to the nefarious activities of illegal settlers with ties to syndicates according to reports and complaints reaching the office of Senator Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III," said Alvarez. "Our OFWs work long years on foreign soil only to find out that the properties they've bought ( Continued on page 12 )

Encinitas is the site of the future Divine Mercy Shrine.

The site is on Encinitas Blvd., east of I-5, about a mile and a half from Moonlight Beach and two miles south of the Paramhansa Yogananda Self-Realization Center. If you would like to know more about the project, please contact Zarina Cruz at [email protected] or check for updates on www.divinemercyhills.org, the official website of the Divine Mercy Hills Foundation of Southern California (DMHFSC).

Jesus I Trust In You!

Filipinos in U.S. laud the late Senator Jovito Salonga Inquirer.net | SAN FRANCISCO, 3/15/2016 — U.S.-based Filipinos extolled the late Senate President Jovito Salonga, who passed away at 95 on March 10

as a towering fighter for democracy, in the Philippines and while he was in exile in the United States. Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara,

sister of Salonga’s contemporary Senator Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino Jr., fondly recalled that Ninoy called Salonga “Prof,” a sign of ( Continued on page 3 )

Inquirer.net | DAVAO CITY, 3/18/2016 —Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Thursday described as a myth claims that there was economic prosperity during the Marcos regime. “The country’s foreign debt skyrocketed from $599 million in 1966 to $26.7 billion in 1986. We are so sunken in debt that we have been paying the Marcos debt for the past 30 years since the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship. We will be paying the Marcos debt, which mostly went to their own pockets, until 2025, or almost 40 years after Edsa,” he said. Zarate said the possibility of Sen. Ferdinand Marcos winning the vice presidency in the coming May elections is a tragedy. “It is utterly repugnant that another Marcos is attempting to recapture Malacañang. It is as tragic as it is reckless, especially since Sen. Bongbong is not only unapologetic—even defensive— of the many sins of his father’s regime. “He even refuses to acknowledge the gross abuses during the time of Martial Law,” Zarate said in a statement. “Marcos attempts to rewrite history for his family’s selfserving interest. His propaganda machinery, aided by the lack of historical consciousness in our education system, has spun a fairy tale of better times during the dictatorship. However, by all indicators, it was one of the darkest times in Philippine history,” he said. The militant lawmaker said many families lost their best and brightest sons and daughters fighting the regime that violated democratic rights, plundered our coffers and abused the rights of the people. “Marcos is not the answer to a more democratic, equitable and just society. He represents the worst of state terrorism, plunder and tyranny,” he said. “We must never forget, we must teach the next generations of Filipinos not to let the remotest possibility of another Marcosian era to blacken our nation’s history,” he said. Nico Alconaba, Inquirer Mindanao

Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hand are crowned with mercy. -- Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul (Diary #301)

Future Site of the Divine Mercy Shrine Encinitas CA GPS 701 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas 92024 or Google “Divine Mercy Shrine Encinitas” for directions to site.

A project of the Divine Mercy Hills Foundation of Southern California (DMHFSC), a 501(c)3 non profit. Mission Statement. The DMHFSC is dedicated to the design, development, and maintenance of a Divine Mercy Shrine located in Encinitas, CA. for the purpose of spreading to an aching world the Divine Mercy message and devotion. To draw people of all nations, cultures, and beliefs to a vessel with which they are to keep coming in prayer for graces to the fountain of mercy - the Image of the Divine Mercy. For meditational and contemplative prayers venerating this image with trust in our Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I promise that the soul that will venerate this Image will not perish. I also promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory... By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls." Through this shrine we shall proclaim to the whole world God's unfathomable Mercy.

Preliminary Architectural Concept by DOMUS Studio

Visit www.divinemercyhills.org

Page 2

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

The Road to Baguio and the

“Golden Buddha”

Chapter 30 of the book, "The Visit & Other Treasured Memories" by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

It was December 26, 1995, the day after Christmas. My family and I woke up late after staying up the night before savoring the joys of Christmas in the Philippines with relatives. The rest of the people in Manila had gone back to work, although the holiday spirit would hang in the air till a week after New Year’s. But for my Filipino American family from California, we were still onl vacation as we recovered from lost sleep by sleeping in the morning after. At ten in the morning, I was surprised to find everyone dead asleep in our hotel room even though my wife’s two uncles were on their way to pick us up for our

The Visit _

planned trip to Baguio, the mountain resort city some 600 kilometers from Manila. After contending with Manila’s notorious congested traffic during out first week, I realized we could make the most of the remaining week of our twoweek vacation by going out of the city. This way, my American-born daughters would get to enjoy the countryside, breathe fresh air, and visit my wife’s relatives in the north. I knew that I could not drive all the way from Manila to Baguio and then to Ilocos Norte for a good 1,000 kilometers away on the country’s narrow, two lane highways. Although I had been driving in the Philippines for fifteen years moving to the United States, I realized I would not want to risk relearning the intricate tricks of Manila’s driving techniques after being way for so long. Ac-

customed to the wide streets and orderly traffic in California, I worried I could no longer squeeze the vehicle in between those on Manila’s streets, with at most three inches of space to spare. Hearing about my predicament, my wife’s uncle, who had traveled the country before retiring, gave up his planned activities for the week and volunteered to drive us. Another uncle was invited to join the party, and I borrowed my mother’s van for the trip. At exactly eleven o’clock, the telephone rang. The two uncles were already at the hotel lobby as we had agreed, but the vacationers were still getting ready. Ready to go, I alone went down to invite the two for breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. It took another thirty minutes for my wife and three daughters to get downstairs. Then they of course had to ( Continued on page 3 )

March 18-24, 2016

Gawad Kalinga 2016 Summit

Gawad Kalinga Visionary and Founder Tony Meloto (middle) is surrounded by social enterprise advocates from GK-eRotary led by Ernie Delfin and officers from the Orange County based chapter. Delfin (second from left) will be leaving for the Philippines to attend to several club projects, The photo was taken during the GK Summit in Los Angeles on March 11-13, 2016.

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March 18-24, 2016

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Filipino student creates DIY Star Wars BB-8 Droid

Jovy Salonga’s scarred left eye by Benjamin Pimentel, INQUIRER. NET | MANILA, 3/15/2016 --

J

ovy Salonga’s greatness was, in a way, symbolized by his scarred left eye.

my book, “U.G. An Underground Tale,” about the life and times of activist Edgar Jopson. I knew the senator, who was then in his mid-80s, was a very busy man, and I was expecting him to write a short essay of no more than 700 words. But Jovy Salonga didn’t take the assignment lightly. And he had a lot to say. His foreword was more than 6,500 words long, a detailed review and critique of “U.G. An Underground Tale.” My book delves into allegations about the CPP’s role in the Plaza Miranda, including how it troubled Ed Jopson when he was already a ranking Party member.

It was the result of a cynical act of political violence which highlighted his wisdom and courage in dealing with a major political force: the Left. We should revere Salonga not just because he helped lead the fight against dictatorship and for Philippine sovereignty. He was also a visionary leader who, Good News Pilipinas | MANILA, Some of the household items Casimiro throughout his career, worked with and 3/15/2016 — Angelo Casimiro, a used were canvas as fiberglass, half a inspired young Filipino progressive 17-year-old De La Salle University Christmas ball for the eye, a deodorant activists — even those from a movement student, made a fully functional, life cap for the mic, an old router antenna whose leaders once tried to kill him. size, and smartphone operated BB-8 for the antenna, and roll-on deodorant Salonga was one of the victims of the using only household items and Arduino balls for BB-8’s mechanism. He only infamous bombing at Plaza Miranda in circuitry. spent approximately Php5,700 for the 1971, the attack that killed nine people BB-8 is the charming orange droid whole project, certainly cheaper than the and wounded hundreds of others. Among from the latest instalment of Star Wars Sphero miniature BB-8 toy that costs those who died was a 10-year-old boy Episode VII: The Force Awakens. The around $210 in the Philippines. selling cigarettes at the Liberal Party mitdroid quickly captured a lot of attention Casimiro is a National Robotics ing de avance. from the Star Wars fandom, including champion, competed in the Google SciFor years, many believed it was part of Casimiro, who admitted to not being a ence Fair and the International Robotics a series of terrorist attacks unleashed by fan of the franchise until he saw the latOlympiad. He has been making DIY Ferdinand Marcos as a way of later justiest episode. gadgets since he was only 4. He said that fying the declaration of martial law. Casimiro told GadgetMatch, a multianyone, if they follow the instructions he Then, in 1986, came stunning allegaplatform technology network, that seeing put up on instructables.com, can make tions that the Communist Party leaderBB-8 in the film was like love at first their own life size BB-8. He also posted ship, including founder Joma Sison, were sight because the droid was so adorable a video on his own YouTube channel behind the bombing. and that its spherical design intrigued showing the making of BB-8’s body Salonga himself publicly blamed Sison him. Casimiro’s BB-8 does not have a up to the programming of the software for the Plaza Miranda bombing in his voice command nor a hologram feature used to control the droid. The video has 2001 memoir “A Journey of Struggle and In his foreword, Salonga writes: “The like the one in the film, however it does earned over 100-thousand views since its Hope.” book says that if the accusations are true, make droid sounds, rolls and patrols. January posting. Sison dismissed Salonga’s claim as the then the debate over the bombing – the result of “an obsession” and “a psychobiggest unsolved crime in the Philippine logical problem.” “I think he’s so driven history–– ‘also highlighted an ironic by his obsession that he is unwittingly twist in modern Philippine history: it saddened by the passing of “a exculpating Marcos,” he told the Philipmeant that Marcos, who is remembered very good man who was a very pine Daily Inquirer. as one of the most ruthless liars in the ( Continued from page 1 ) The idea that Salonga would be so integral part of contemporary country’s history, was actually telling the obsessed with a serious allegation that truth when he denied having anything to history, a very valiant defender of respect and admiration for the lathe would include it in his own memoir is do with the attack.’” democracy, an institution when it hard to accept. ter’s intellect and role as one of “I have quite a different interpretacomes to human rights, and the Ninoy’s lead lawyers during his Like the two other giants of the antition––there is very little difference between Marcos and Joma Sison: Both “kangaroo trial” before a military struggle for freedom and dignity.” dictatorship opposition, Senators Jose Diokno and Lorenzo Tanada, Salonga “Having participated in those struggles had been playing God. In a sense, both tribunal during Martial Law. was a renowned intellectual and refor democratic rights, I am saddened to were terrorists, as defined by the CPP/ “I remember Jovy (Salonga) as see a good man die,” Bensurto intimated. spected scholar. NPA itself. As the book reminds us: ‘The one of the leaders of the opposiKa Jovy took scholarship and writing “His legacy includes all the things that radicals who joined the CPP and the he fought for, democracy, human rights, seriously. I realized this 10 years ago tion forces who fought against New People’s Army viewed armed strugwhen he agreed to write the foreword for freedom, human dignity, these are values gle as the highest form of sacrifice for the tyranny of dictatorship, both that we will continue to hold dear to our in the Philippines and during his hearts and continue to fight for and enexile in the U.S. He was a man sure not to lose again. This is something Senator Raul Manglapus) and a founding conscientious objection to martial rule, of principle and vision, qualities we will carry in the next decades or so chairman of Ninoy Aquino Movement contrary to the current attempts of and have to fight for and exert a lot of that seem to be in short supply (NAM), recalled that Salonga was a gue- twisting history that the dark era of the effort to preserve. The whole country rilla fighter maltreated in prison during Marcos conjugal dictatorship was the among those who are in the poand the next generations will forever be the Japanese occupation. ‘golden age’ in our country.” litical arena. He will be missed,” grateful to him and he has our love and “We deeply mourn the loss of a fellow Alvarez recalled that under a restored shared Kashiwahara. admiration.” freedom fighter against a home grown democracy, Salonga vigorously asserted Asian Weeklyin Newspaper in Southern & San Diego’s Most Widely Circulated Asian-Filipino Newspaper Senator HehersonCalifornia Alvarez, erstwhile PhilippineFirst Consul-General oppressor,” Alvarez said in an email Philippine sovereignty, helping terminate secretary-general of the Movement 550 East 8th Street, Suite 6, National City CA 91950 • message. Tel. (619) 474-0588 Fax (619) 474-0373 “The clarity of•his democratic the U.S. bases agreement. San Francisco Henry Bensurto for Free Philippines (MFP also led by vision was the spine for his vigorous “He impressed me as an intelligent Jr. believe the whole country was man with high principles and integrity,” said attorney Ted Laguatan who worked closely with Salonga in uncovering Advertisement for Bids “the billions (of dollars) stolen from the Filipino people by the Marcoses,” Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will receive sealed bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services to: preparing the mechanism for the search REMODEL WOODSHOP FOR CCTE FABRICATION AND DESIGN LAB AT UNIVERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL “even before the dictator’s downfall. He devoted his entire life to public service A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on MARCH 24, 2016 in front of the main office of University City High School, 6949 Genesee and continued even after the serious Avenue, San Diego, CA 92122. PLEASE SEE BID FOR DETAILS (No.CZ-16-1073-29). injuries he suffered in the Plaza Miranda bombing. Truly an admirable man.” GENERAL CONTRACTORS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO INVITE SUBCONTRACTORS TO SITE VISITS. Rodel Rodis, also an attorney and an All bids must be received at or before 1:00 p.m. on APRIL 8, 2016, at the Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Department, 2351 Cardinal Lane, INQUIRER.net columnist said Salonga Bldg. M, San Diego, CA 92123, at which time bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. w was his inspiration in becoming a lawyer: “I knew he topped the bar in 1944 Under Public Contract Code 3400, the District has made a finding that the following particular materials, products, things, or services are desand that he went to Yale.” ignated by specific brand or trade name in order to match other products in use on the particular public improvement either completed or in the “I met him personally in 1986 after he course of completion: Specification Section 28 31 11 Digital Addressable Fire Alarm was appointed by President Cory Aquino as chair of the Philippine Commission The project estimate is between $1.1 million and $1.5 million. This is a PSA project and requires prequalification.. The District requires that on Good Government (PCGG) tasked Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid with the recovery of the billions of dolopening and contract award: B. lars Marcos and his cronies stole from All late bids shall be deemed non-responsive and not opened. Each bid shall be in accordance with all terms, conditions, plans, specifications and the PH government. He came to San any other documents that comprise the bid package. The Bid and Contract Documents are available in three formats, hard copy, CD, or online from Plan Well. Hard copy bid documents are available at ARC Document Solutions, LLC, 1200 4th Avenue (4th and B Street), San Diego, CA Francisco and I met him as a volunteer 92101, phone number 619-232-8440, for a refundable payment of Three Hundred Dollars ($300) per set; CD’s are available for a non-refundable PCGG attorney,” Rodis said. charge of $50. Payments shall be made by check payable to SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. If the payment for Bid and Contract Rodis recalled that Salonga went Documents is refundable, refunds will be processed by the District only if the Bid and Contract Documents, including all addendums, are returned to Pasadena and interviewed Marcos intact and in good order to ARC within ten (10) days of the issuance of the Final Bid Tabulation. Online documents are available for download paramour Dovie Beams about what she free of charge on PlanWell through ARC. Go to www.crplanwell.com, click on Public Planroom, search SDUSD (Questions? 714-424-8525). knew of the Marcos wealth. Beams told All bids shall be submitted on bid forms furnished by the District in the bid package beginning March 15, 2016. Bid packages will not be faxed. them that she didn’t know that much SENATE BILL (SB) 854 REQUIREMENTS: Effective July 1, 2014, no contractor or subcontractor may be listed on a bid proposal, or awarded because barely got out of the country Stark To: Judishe a contract for a public works project (awarded on or after April 1, 2015) unless registered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) SDUSDtried to get her killed. after Imelda pursuant to Labor Code §1725.5 [with limited exceptions from this requirement for bid purposes only under Labor Code §1771.1(a)]. This “I got to know him personally and I project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the DIR. Prime contractors must add the DIR Registration Number for each From: was impressed by the sharpness of his of their listed subcontractors to the Subcontractors List AND submit a certificate of registration for their own firm and those of their listed GEN SILVERIO intellect and inspired by his passionate subcontractors upon request by the District. Failure of the bidding prime contractor to list their subcontractors DIR Registration Number on the Subcontractors List at time of bid will result in rejection of their bid as non-responsive. love of our country. He was a patriot of Refer to the following DIR Website for further information: www.dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/PublicWorks.html Herewith proof of the first order,”isRodis said. For her part, author,adeditor and journalyour classified for PREVAILING WAGES: Prevailing wage requirements apply to all public works projects and must be followed per Article 17 of the General ist Gemma Nemenzo believes that if publication in the Asian Conditions of this bid. Senator Salonga set as the standard PROJECT STABILIZATION AGREEMENT (PSA): This project is subject to the Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) adopted by the Journal. Please was proofread by which Filipinos choose their leaders, Board of Education on July 28, 2009. The complete agreement is available for viewing and downloading at www.sandi.net - Proposition S & Z. it and fax back the DISABLED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PARTICIPATION PROGRAM: Pursuant to Resolution In Support of Service Disabled no one in the current crop of politicians correction Veterans Owned Businesses (SDVOB) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) approved on May 10, 2011 by the Board of Education, would pass. if any or call the Bidder is required to satisfy a minimum DVBE participation percentage of at least three percent (3%) for this project. In compliance with us“He forwas yourtheapproval. last of theThe great statesmen, this Program, the Bidder shall satisfy all requirements enumerated in the bid package. ad is tentatively scheduled along with Senators Claro M. Recto, Each bid must be submitted on the Bid Form provided in the bid package and shall be accompanied by a satisfactory bid security in the form of Lorenzo Tanada, in Jose W. Diokno — to be published the either a bid bond executed by the bidder and Surety Company, or a certified or cashier’s check in favor of the San Diego Unified School District, people who made us proud at a time in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of their bid value. Said bid security shall be given to guarantee that the Bidder will execute the contract as specified, within five (5) working days of notification by the District. AJ-CA_03.18.16 when being a legislator issuewas of considered The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any irregularities or informalities in any bids or in the bidding. No bidder may a sacred trust, not a means to plunder or the Asian Journal if we withdraw his bid for a period of 120 days after the date set for the opening of bids. For information regarding bidding, please call 858-522-5831. to abuse.” PRE-QUALIFICATION OF BIDDERS: Pursuant to Public Contract Code (PCC) §20111.6, each contractor wishing to bid as a prime to the receive your approval on District for projects estimated at $1,000,000 or over, or any subcontractor performing the license classifications of A, B [if performing the work of] time. At $4 per line C-4, C-7, C-10, C-16, C-20, C-34, C-36, C-38, C-42, C-43 and/or C-46 wishing to submit a bid to a bidding prime contractor must be prequalified 8 x 2 x 10 lines, it costs in order to bid. Contact Glenda Burbery at [email protected] to request a pre-qualification questionnaire. Completed questionnaires must be

Filipinos in US

Asian Journal

submitted to the District no later than 10 business days before the bid opening due date. Any questionnaires submitted later than this deadline will not be processed for this Invitation for Bids. The District encourages all general contractors bidding as a prime contractor, and all MEP subcontractors to request a questionnaire, complete it and submit it as soon as possible SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Arthur S. Hanby, Jr., CPPO, C.P.M., CPPB, A.P.P Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Officer Strategic Sourcing and Contracts Dept.

NO. CZ-16-1073-29

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the revolution. But they also embraced another basic principle: taking up arms must never include acts of terrorism. Bombing a demonstration and killing innocent civilians were unacceptable.” This brings us to one of the things I admire most about Salonga: Despite what he discovered about the bombing, despite the physical damage the crime caused to his face, he never launched into a sweeping condemnation of the young activists who aligned themselves with the Left. He never resorted to the mean-spirited red-baiting that other small-minded politicians who endured what he did would have done. Jovy Salonga had such an powerful intellect, and had such a huge heart, that he saw clearly that the rank-and-file activists of the Left did not share the capacity for dogmatic violence of the movement’s leaders. In fact, he didn’t just accept the young activists, he helped celebrate their heroism. Salonga became a prominent supporter of Bantayog ng Mga Bayani where many of the progressive activists, including

Edjop and others who joined the UG movement, have been honored for their sacrifices. In his foreword, Salonga demonstrated a deep understanding what moved these young Filipinos to take the radical path — and of the limitations and pitfalls of the road less traveled. “In my view, Christians in the Philippines where massive, grinding poverty exists and where the yawning gap between the many poor and the few rich has been worsening, may fall under three categories: Those who were so enamored by armed struggle to liberate the exploited poor they soon forgot the abiding presence of God in their lives; those who isolate themselves from the cause of the poor and the helpless and build their own private stairway to heaven. They prefer to just pray and worship God in adoration and praise; those who place God at the center of their lives and at the same time come to the succor of the poor, the wounded and the powerless.” Visit the Kuwento page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/boyingpimentel On Twitter @boyingpimentel

Submit your nominations for AARP’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards WASHINGTON, D.C., March 18, 2016 – There are only two weeks left to submit your nominations for AARP's Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Hero Awards. Acknowledge the hard-working staff and volunteers of non-profit organizations now until March 31, 2016 at AARP’s AAPI Community Facebook page. “We encourage everyone to nominate the passionate and committed individuals in our community for their work helping older adults,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “This award is our way to say thank you to individuals who are making the lives of our older adults better. This award is also an opportunity to inspire others to work for or to volunteer time assisting our elders.” To submit a nomination, visit facebook.com/AARPAAPICommunity to fill out the online form. Eligible nominees include any employee or volunteer of a non-profit organization that serves Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders age 50-plus. Nominees can be any age and ethnicity. Finalists will be chosen from the submitted nominees and featured on a Facebook photo album for open voting. Users can “Like” the finalist to cast their vote during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. Three heroes will be announced in June, and they and their organizations will each receive a cash prize of $1,000. For more information about how AARP

The road

( Continued from page 2 )

eat their breakfast first, and the planned departure at eleven o’clock became delayed till one o’clock. I relaxed as our vehicle passed the boundary of Metro Manila and Bulacan. It would be open country from then on as we traversed the Northern Diversion highway up to Dao, Pampanga, From there, we had to take the old and narrow McArthur Highway,.the only highway traveling north before the North Diversion freeway was built in the late 1960s. Our anticipated “smooth ride” turned to a big hassle, however, when we reached the end of the freeway. Still devastated by the Mount Pinatubo eruptions in 1990, Pampanga was inundated with lahar, the sandy material spewed by the volcano, which burned several towns. When I first visited the area in 1991, I could only see the protruding rooftops of some houses in some barrios. In 1995, dikes were being built to prepare for the rainy season, as the resident’s predicament was far from over. Traffic had to be diverted to small streets, and our vehicle again crawled inch by inch just like in Manila. Exasperated, I pulled down the glass window because the vehicle’s air conditioner had been turned off to prevent the engine from overheating.

helps Asian American & Pacific Islander families get more out of life, visit aarp. org/aapi, facebook.com/AARPAAPICommunity and @AARPAAPI. About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

What would have taken us thirty minutes to speed through took us ninety. I saw rivers being dredged and roads cleared for lahar. I thought of a friend who once told me, “in every calamity, there is an opportunity.” He had cited the examples of several people amassing fortunes during the times of calamity. One example is the Kennedy family in Boston, Massachusetts, which made its fortune when the patriarch, Joseph Kennedy, allegedly turned to bootlegging during the time of prohibition. During wartime, some people made a good deal of money in the black market while the population suffered. And during the Mt. Pinatubo devastation, there were again many who suffered – from the loss of life and home – yet some politicians grew rich overnight. They were given the tasks of distributing the government-allocated funds as well as private contributions to alleviate the plight of the victims. Not all of the money found its way to those in need. The contracts of the construction of the dikes, for instance, were given to those willing to give kickbacks to the public officers in charge. The dikes, which were made of poor quality materials so that contractors could make money after sharing their profit with the crooked officials, gave way the very first time a typhoon hit the place. In Ambles province alone, the government allocated ( Continued on page 6 )

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Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

March 18-24, 2016

Health & Wellness

How-to guide to prescribing exercise for chronic health conditions

ScienceDaily.com | 5/15/2016 -- "Many doctors and their patients aren't aware that exercise is a treatment for these chronic conditions and can provide as much benefit as drugs or surgery, and typically with fewer harms," states lead author Dr. Tammy Hoffmann, Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Robina, Australia. According to the authors of the review, exercise is often underprescribed in favour of pharmaceutical or surgical solutions, despite exercise having similar efficacy. Lack of awareness among physicians and patients about the effectiveness of the different types of exercise, poor descriptions of exercises in studies and lack of training for health care practitioners are factors affecting underprescription. "Unless clinicians can access sufficient details about exercise interventions to prescribe them, they either guess at how to use them or do not use them at all," writes Dr. Hoffman with coauthors. "Even when a family physician may not

$80-M bank heist

( Continued from page 1 )

the list of entities required to report suspicious transactions to the AMLC. (READ: How Bangladesh Bank dirty money easily got into PH)

"What is important here is that casinos should be covered by AMLC. You see, we are having a difficult time with the investigation now. Other nations are now saying: Philippines, you are too risky to deal with. You have very weak AMLA laws," Senator Teofisto Guingona III told reporters after the hearing. Senator Sergio Osmeña III, author of AMLA, said: "It's like we are far from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel... It is high time to revisit AMLA and bank secrecy laws." AMLC member and Insurance Commissioner Emmanuel Dooc said a stronger anti-money laundering law should be implemented to reach a meaningful probe. "Now we are faced with the questions: Is the inclusion of casino operators necessary in our AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism) regime? The thing speaks for itself," Dooc said during the hearing, "The lesson we learned from this recent episode is unmistakable: We have to put more teeth in our laws to stop criminal elements from exploiting the deficiencies in our system," Dooc added. ‘RCBC allowed it' During the Senate probe, Guingona revealed that RCBC allowed the withdraw-

be involved in delivering the exercise intervention, they should know the main elements of an evidence-based exercise intervention so they can discuss with patients and refer appropriately." The review, based on recent evidence, presents exercise by disease type in easy-to-read boxes, listing the type of health care provider to administer the exercise, materials needed, benefits and other information such as contraindications. Some exercises can be prescribed by family physicians, while others need referrals to health care professionals who have specific expertise in exercise therapy. Some examples:

Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip: muscle strengthening, aerobic and range-of-motion exercises to help alleviate pain and improve function in people of all ages Low back pain: individually supervised exercise sessions by a physioal of some $81 million funds suspected to have been stolen from Bangladesh Bank’s accounts even if it received a stop payment order from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on February 8, a banking holiday in the Phiippines. It was on February 5 when RCBC received the suspicious funds, Guingona said. (READ: RCBC manager invokes right vs self-incrimination at Senate probe) "On the morning of February 9, the first banking day, you should have seen the stop payment request. But apparently it was not honored because the funds were withdrawn," Guingona told Tan before the hearing. Citing documents filed by AMLC with the courts, Guingona said, "RCBC responded to the Bangladesh Bank's stop payment request at 7:45 pm of February 9. That was the end of the day already." The senator moved forward by asking Tan: "Would you care to explain why the stop payment request – which should have been honored at the very start of the banking day – was not honored?" But Tan invoked his right to bank secrecy and declined to reveal details of the transactions made. "Sorry, your honor. I cannot confirm or deny this request specific to this transaction," Tan told Guingona. Guingona further asked Tan if RCBC’s head office sent the stop payment order to Deguito. "Again, your honor, I’m precluded because of bank secrecy. But as a general rule, these orders are sent by the head office to the branch manager," Tan replied. (READ: Ex-S&R owner to sue RCBC manager over heist)

therapist over 8-12 weeks with both a supervised component and home-based exercises Prevention of falls: supervised group or individual exercises by a physiotherapist or trained health professional with home exercises to improve balance, strength and coordination. Exercises for COPD, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease and heart failure are also included in the how-to guide. "Exercise is an effective but neglected treatment for many chronic conditions," write the authors. "However, similar to surgery, exercise is not a single entity but must be tailored to the condition. If exercise interventions are not implemented in a manner that is consistent with how they were used in trials (e.g., at a lower intensity, shorter duration or with different components), the fidelity of the intervention is compromised, and clinicians and patients cannot expect to realize outcomes similar to those achieved in the trials."

The chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee then asked Deguito how such huge funds easily coursed through the bank despite indications from the Federal Bank that the transactions were illegal. "February 9 was a banking day. That was a Tuesday. $81 million was still there in the accounts," said Guingona. "On February 9, all the $81 millon was withdrawn. Did you not have a stop payment request on February 9?" he asked Deguito. But just like Tan, Deguito also invoked the Bank Secrecy Law and her right against self-incrimination, as AMLC has filed a case against her. (READ: RCBC manager, others face anti-money laundering complaint) "But I’m willing to answer questions only in a closed-door executive session," she said. 'Dead end' Bacay-Abad said the stolen funds were moved to 4 RCBC bank accounts that were opened in May 2015 and had remained idle until the transfers were made on February 5, 2016. The accounts were named under Michael F. Cruz, Jessie C. Lagrosas, Alfred S. Vergara, and Enrico T. Vasquez, who were later found "fictitious." After the transfer to the 4 bank accounts, Bacay-Abad said the funds were immediately withdrawn and deposited under the account of Filipino-Chinese businessman William S. Go, who was also at the Senate and denied any involvement. He claimed he never opened a bank account in RCBC Jupiter, Makati ( Continued on page 5 )

‘Ultra-processed’ foods make up more than half of all calories in US diet And contribute 90 percent of all dietary added sugar intake

ScienceDaily.com | 3/14/2016 -- Ultraprocessed’ foods make up more than half of all calories consumed in the US diet, and contribute nearly 90% of all added sugar intake, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open. Ultra-processed foods include mass produced soft drinks; sweet or savoury packaged snacks; confectionery and desserts; packaged baked goods; chicken/ fish nuggets and other reconstituted meat products; instant noodles and soups. To assess the contribution of ultraprocessed foods to the intake of added sugars in the US diet, the researchers drew on dietary data involving more than 9000 people from the 2009-10 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an ongoing nationally representative cross sectional survey of US civilians. They looked at the average dietary content of added sugars and the proportion of people who consumed more than 10% of their total energy intake--the maximum recommended limit--from this source. Ultra-processed foods made up over half of total calorie intake (just under 60%) and contributed almost 90% of energy intake from added sugars. Added sugars represented 1 in every 5 calories in the average ultra-processed food product--far higher than the calorie content of added sugars in processed foods and in unprocessed or minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients, including table sugar, combined. A strong linear association emerged between the dietary content of ultraprocessed foods and the overall dietary intake of added sugars. Furthermore, the proportion of people exceeding the recommended upper limit of 10% of energy from added sugars was far higher when ultra-processed food consumption was high, rising to more than 80% among those who ate the most ultra-processed foods. Notably, only those Americans whose ultra-processed food consumption was within the lowest 20% had an average daily added sugar intake that fell below the maximum recommended limit. Several leading health bodies, including the World Health Organization, the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, ( Continued on page 8 )

Honoring Dr. Riz A. Oades’ outstanding work with Kalusugan By Dr. Ofelia Dirige This week we remember the birthday anniversary of the late Dr. Riz Oades, Founder and First President of Kalusugan Community Services (KCS), born March 27, 1935 and passed away October 8, 2009. He would have been 81 years old if he were alive today. Many articles have been written about several aspects of his life and contribution by Dr. Dirige and several of his longtime friends but none had really highlighted the pioneering work that he has done with KCS. The first article was a personal profile of him as a friend and colleague. The second one were several reviews of the most popular book he had written, “Beyond the Mask: Untold Stories of U.S. Navy Filipinos” published in 2005 and used as a textbook in Asian Studies at SDSU. The third article was about his personal attributes compared to Dr. Jose Rizal. A comprehensive biography of his life and accomplishments was attached to the third article and will also be included in one of the subsequent articles. HIS ROLE IN KALUSUGAN’S SUCCESS To Kalusugan, Dr. Riz Oades was a pioneer, organizational leader, strategist, mentor, historian and journalist. To the Filipino American community, he was a leader, nationalist, advocate, opinion maker, book writer, teacher, and a popular friend. This article will pertain to his role in KCS. PIONEER: Kalusugan was first founded as a coalition in 1992, named Project Kalusugan, to conduct an assessment of the health needs of the community. It was funded by the California Department of Health Services as one of the coalitions to help reduce the health disparity of ethnic groups from the mainstream population. He was one of the four individuals that led the coalition: representing San Diego State University was Dr. Riz Oades, Department of History & Dr. Ofelia Dirige, Graduate School of Public Health, Division of Maternal and Child Health. The other individuals were Paul Ones, President of the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) and Joel San Juan, Executive Director of Operation

Samahan. It was a bold step to form a coalition and make it work but it was very successful in mobilizing the FilAm community. Inspite of its success, the coalition decided to disband and go on their own due to conflict of interests. The SDSU group and Paul Ones continued the coalition and decided to become a 501 (c) (3) organization and renamed it Kalusugan Community Services in 1995. ORGANIZATIONAL LEADER AND STRATEGIST: Through the leadership of Dr. Oades and Dr. Dirige the organization grew in the number of grants, staff, funding, and programs from 1995 to 2009. One of the first project funded by the State was the Gang Violence Prevention Project instituted at Bell Junior High and Challenger Middle School in Mira Mesa. At that time, gang violence was rampant among FilAm teens and parents were worried about the situation. The community sponsored forums to help parents cope with the situation. This project also was started and was successful in its approach such that both the forums and the project may be instrumental in the decline of gang violence since that time till the present. Another early project we had that led to the start of our nutrition projects was NUTRI-FIT, funded by the California Adolescent and Nutrition Fitness project. This was designed to reduce the risk factors for heart disease and stroke through health education of elementary and middle school students, parenting workshops, and community outreach. It was held at Bethune Elementary School and Chula Vista Middle School. Subsequent programs included the 5 A Day Power Play Campaign funded by the State Cancer Prevention program that encouraged children to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day; and Project LEAN that worked at Southwest High School to encourage healthy eating and physical activity among youth. There are other smaller projects after that time but they will not be mentioned here due to lack of space but will be put together in greater detail in a book to be written by Dr. Dirige. These projects led ( Continued on page 13 )

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California Communities

California AARP FoundaWomen’s Chotion Tax-Aide rus Scholarship Provides Free Award Tax Assistance Auditions are underway for the 47th and Preparation annual California Women’s Chorus Vocal Music Scholarship Awards. They will be held March 19th at Clairemont Lutheran Church on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Students MUST have pre-registered with the Scholarship Committee at [email protected].

San Diego Music Leaders will serve as adjudicators. They are: Dr. Stanley Wicks, Music Director of First Church in the Valley, Dr. Randall Tweed, Choral and Orchestral Director for Grossmont College and Mrs. Nancy Gray, Retired Award Winning Choral Director for Poway High School. Auditions will include one classical piece and one modern. Three top candidates will be chosen to receive a minimum of $1500.00 each toward their music studies. All applicants must be enrolled in a vocal music study program and planning a career in music – teaching, performing, composing, directing, etc. Scholarship winners will perform for the public as part of the California Women’s Chorus Annual Public concert which, this year, will be held in San Diego at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel Pavilion on Aero Drive, May 1st at 2 pm. Tickets are available thru Arts Tix and with Pay Pal at sweetharmonychorus.com. A group ticket price is available – a block of ten tickets for $10.00 each. At the door - $20.00, seniors and students $15.00. The theme for the concert this year, which will include a combined chorus of roughly 200 women from choruses around the state, is “…. Regards To Broadway”. The program features classic Broadway hits such as Cabaret and There’s No Business Like Show Business to current hits like Already Home and Children Will Listen. Come and support music programs in our local community by helping these young musicians continue their studies. Visit cwchorus.com for more information.

$80-M bqnk heist ( Continued from page 4 )

City branch. The funds were converted into pesos and delivered in cash tranches to a WeiKang Xu by remittance firm Philrem Service Corporation, the remittance firm's president Salud Bautista told the Senate. A representative of Solaire Resort and Casino confirmed this and said Xu is a registered junket casino operator. When asked where the stolen money is now, Bacay-Abad said "the last information we have is that it ended in casinos, which are out of our jurisdiction." 'Issue not helping' For Espenilla, this latest money laundering case "is not helping" the Philippines address its problematic reputation abroad. "The issue here is that those banks operating under their own anti-money laundering laws... What happens is they make this decision to close down accounts of Philippine remittance companies," Espenilla said. "Under their laws, banks have the right to determine the risk coming with their partnership with certain businesses." Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes said on the sidelines of the hearing that his country "still hopes to recover the funds." With just a little information bared, Guingona set the next Senate hearing on Thursday, March 17. – Rappler.com

Three

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The GameDay Sports Bar & Grill has 39 wide-screen TVs, including 5 90-inch TVs, bar-top slot machines, a stadium sized menu, over 30 beers on tap, the Party Pit complete with three blackjack tables, an extensive collection of sports memorabilia – and a high-energy atmosphere. Sycuan’s intimate 457-seat entertainment venue, Sycuan Live & Up Close, features national musical acts and comedians year-round. Open 24 hours daily. For additional information visit www. SycuanCasino.com

New Citizens Elect to Exercise Their Voting Rights

To find a Tax-Aide location near you offering assistance in other languages, visit www. aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 1-888-AARPNOW AARP Tax-Aide sites are open and ready to help people prepare their tax returns. Some sites offer assistance in additional languages, including Chinese, Tagalog, Korean, and more. WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2016 – This year, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low- to moderate- income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to the older population. Taxpayers do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has more than 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers. There’s no fee and no sales pitch for other services and AARP membership is not required. Some locations offer assistance in additional languages, including Chinese, Tagalog, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese. “Our bilingual volunteers generously give their time to help taxpayers who don’t speak English or speak English as a second language prepare their returns,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP Vice President of Multicultural Leadership, Asian American and Pacific Islander Audience Strategy. “We need more bilingual volunteers so if you can help translate, please join our Tax-Aide volunteer team so that we can expand our services to Asian American & Pacific Islander communities.” In 2015, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide’s 35,000 volunteers have provided 2.6 million people with free tax help. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure their knowledge of revisions to the U.S. tax code. Taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $250 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). For more information on documents to bring to the tax site or to locate an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, visit www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888-227-7669). AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS. About AARP Foundation AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they ( Continued on page 8 )

For these people, a new U.S. citizenship means new rights - including the right to vote. County Registrar of Voters staff is on hand at Golden Hall to sign up new U.S. citizens. Are you a citizen? Make sure you're exercising your right, too! Visit sdvote.com for more.-- San Diego County News Center

Hippity Hop to 7 Egg Hunts at County Parks

San Diego County News Center | SAN DIEGO, 3/9/2016 -- Get your basket ready! County Parks is offering seven different egg hunts around the County in the next two weeks. That means thousands of eggs for the picking. The big bunny himself may also make an appearance so have your camera handy too! The fun begins Saturday, March 12 at San Dieguito County Park. Three other egg hunts will get rolling the following weekend and another three the weekend after that. Saturday, March 12 Spring Eggstravaganza San Dieguito County Park 10 a.m. - noon

A neurofeedback

( Continued from page 14 )

vated other regions involved in learning and experiencing rewards, confirming that, at least in the short term, the brain changes its activity more broadly as a result of neurofeedback. Adcock said one caveat of the study is that the team has not tested whether the neurofeedback drove changes in behavior. The group is working on those studies now and also plans to conduct the same study in participants with depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund, and the Dana Foundation.

Arts and crafts, moon bouncing, games and two egg hunts at this County park in Del Mar. One hunt will be for ages 1 to 5 years old, the second for children ages 6 to 12. Keep your eyes peeled for those special golden eggs this year! Parking is $3. Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 Spring EGGucation San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center 1 – 4 p.m. A traditional egg hunt and a look at the sorts of critters that hatch from eggs like reptiles, birds and insects. Kids can also get their faces painted and take part in a trivia hunt along the loop trail for a chance at winning some candy-filled eggs. Saturday, March 19 Annual Egg Hunt and Breakfast Spring Valley Community Center 8 a.m. Breakfast 10 a.m. Egg Hunt A hearty pancake breakfast starts the day off right for the annual egg hunt at the Spring Valley Community Center. Sausage, juice, coffee and milk are also

on the menu and the food is all served by the Spring Valley Kiwanis Club. The egg hunt is sponsored by the Spring Valley Community Center Booster Club. $4 ages 2 – 11 $5 ages 12 and up $5 photos with the bunny Sunday, March 20 Spring Eggstravaganza El Monte Regional Park 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Egg hunts, egg decorating and more at this park in Lakeside. The El Monte rangers will be on hand for some fun facts about eggs and they’ll also talk about some of the wildlife at the park. Pack a lunch and have a picnic while you’re there. Parking is $3. Saturday, March 26 Annual Egg Hunt and Breakfast Fallbrook Community Center 7:30 – 11 a.m. The bunny starts this day off early with breakfast at the Fallbrook Community Center and you can too. The Fallbrook Firefighters Association will be serving up pancakes. Once everyone is fortified, let the egg hunting begin! Afterward,

stick around for some fun games and contests. $4 up to age 11 $5 age 12 and over $2 photos with the bunny Saturday, March 26 Spring Eggstravaganza Dos Picos County Park 10 a.m. – noon The bunny also plans to hop on over to Ramona that morning for Dos Picos’ Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Bring the whole family and don’t forget your baskets. The egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp. The event is free but donations are accepted. Parking is $3. Saturday, March 26 Spring Eggstravaganza Louis A. Stelzer County Park 10 a.m. - noon The bunny will sure be busy that Saturday! He’ll also make an appearance at the Spring Eggstravaganza at Stelzer County Park in Lakeside. Be sure your kids meet him if they’re not too busy picking up one of the more than 2,000 ( Continued on page 7 )

References: • Jeff J. MacInnes, Kathryn C. Dickerson, Nan-kuei Chen, and R. Alison Adcock. Cognitive Neurostimulation: Learning to Volitionally Sustain Ventral Tegmental Area Activation. Neuron, March 3, 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.02.002

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March 18-24, 2016

Perspectives

hour of his death, Jesus Christ would utter his last words: "Ama ko, naganap na ang lahat (My father, everything is done!)!” These days Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is vividly depicted in Mel Gibson’s blockbuster film, "The Passion of Jesus Christ”. Many are moved by Christ’s sufferings including Filipino Catholics who have been fully aware of them since childhood. God is dead

Penitensia, Senaculo, Siete Palabras and other Filipino traditions ( Continued from page 1 )

only showed religious programs or movies. Some were closed the entire day. Hence, on Good Fridays, people never got tired of watching such religious classics like "The Ten Commandments,” "Ben Hur,” "Marcelino Pan Y Vino,” "Sta. Rita de Casia,” "The Greatest Story Ever Told,” "The Bible,” and others. Old folks discouraged the young from

undergoing long trips or travel on Good Fridays lest they would meet an accident. We young kids were told not to climb trees for we would fall from it. We were also discouraged from swimming in the river because according to the barrio folks, the river was full of blood of Jesus Christ. People who participated in the sacrifice of the penitents vowed that their wounds were miraculously healed as soon as they swam in

the river. Visita Iglesia On Good Fridays, many Filipinos observed the custom of "Visita Iglesia,” the practice of visiting as many churches as possible to reflect on the death of Jesus Christ. In accordance with the teachings in the Bible, people were not allowed to eat meat on Good Fridays. One of my aunts in the province used to buy a sack of fresh oysters in the nearby Hagonoy town of Bulacan as part of the Good Friday lunch feast of our clan, which we

ate under a star apple tree outside the house, picnic style. As early as ten o’clock in the morning on Good Fridays, we would start listening to the "Siete Palabras (Seven Words)” on the radio. It is a narration of the last moments of Jesus Christ, highlighted by the seven last words before he died. Every one of us knew this story by heart, but we listened to it on Good Fridays to reflect on the last moments of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. By three o’clock in the afternoon, the exact

Small town America Live in a small town? Yeah, right

S

o, how was your weekend? Feel like a trip to a small town?

Oh sure, the thought of a small town, a place where everyone knows everyone else, a place where it’s normal to wave not only at neighbors but also at your electric meter reader, seems wonderful. But it’s not. No, it most definitely is not.

One of the problems is there’s no such thing as a good restaurant in a small town. This doesn’t mean that there never have been any good restaurants; it’s just that there aren’t any when you’re there. Small towns have something known as greasy spoons - a little mom and pop kind of place that serves standard small town fare. Breakfast consists of eggs with assorted kinds of undercooked meat, white bread toast, grape jelly for that toast and greasy fried potatoes. A variation on the above small town breakfast would be pancakes or a waffle

From this time to the rest of the afternoon, it usually got to be boring for us kids for we were prevented from playing and having fun "because God is dead!” From the time Christ died up to his rebirth on Easter Sunday, his images in all churches would be covered with a violet veil. In the evening of Good Friday, we would watch the "Senaculo,” the passion play of the life of Jesus Christ performed by town people in the town plaza. Holy Week would end joyously on Easter Sunday when Christ would come to life again. In the early morning of that day, the ritual of "salubong” would be held. The image of the Virgin Mary, with a black veil covering her face and head, would be taken out of the church, followed by a procession of women with lighted candles. The image of Jesus Christ depicting his rebirth would also be taken out followed by a procession of men. It would take the route opposite that of the Virgin Mary. At a designated place in one part of the town, the two would meet, and an angel or a dove would remove the veil of the Virgin Mary to signify the end of her mourning and the two images would go back to the Church together. A little girl sitting on a chair suspended from an arch usually played the "angel”. If a dove was used, it was tied to a long stick used to scoop the veil of the Virgin Mary. Easter Sunday, my mother always insisted, was Christmas day, because Christ was born again. It is called "Pasko ng Pagkabuhay(Christmas Rebirth). That meant all of our family members should be at our parents’ home in Quezon City to share the Sunday lunch. We do not get any Christmas gifts though, probably because gift giving once a year maybe more than enough for my dearly beloved mother. -AJ

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Poe citizenship

( Continued from page 1 )

former senator Francisco Tatad, one of four petitioners seeking Poe’s disqualification, has taken Carpio’s dissent as cue in their plan to appeal the SC ruling. “Only seven justices or less than the majority of the SC voted to declare Poe presumptively natural-born. It binds no one; it cannot become part of the law of the land or jurisprudence,” Luna said in a statement. The justices voted 9-6 last Tuesday to grant the petitions of Poe seeking to overturn the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rulings disqualifying her from the presidential race for material misrepresentation on both her citizenship and residency eligibilities. But Carpio said only seven of the nine justices in the majority ruling were of the opinion that foundlings like Poe are considered natural-born citizens. They were Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Lucas Bersamin, Jose Perez, Jose Mendoza, Marvic Leonen and Francis Jardeleza. Bersamin and Mendoza concurred with the majority ruling, but did not qualify their concurrence as to whether they also agree with the findings on Poe’s citizenship and residency eligibilities. Two other magistrates, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Benjamin Caguioa, joined the separate dissenting opinion of Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo that the SC should not rule on the citizenship issue on this case. They held that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion since Poe did not make deliberate misrepresentation on her 10-year residency status, but there is no need for the SC to determine the eligibility of Poe on the citizenship requirement under the Constitution. Carpio was joined by four other magistrates – Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Bienvenido Reyes – in his dissenting opinion that Poe is not a natural-born Filipino and also lacks the residency requirement. ‘Basis should be 15’ Luna questioned the explanation of Sereno in her concurring opinion that the basis in counting the majority should only be 12 and not 15 since the three who voted not to rule on the citizenship issue should not be counted. ( Continued on page 10 )

with or without bacon or sausage. Lunch is hamburgers, various sandwiches, over or undercooked french fries, and a salad (maybe). Or there is the “special of the day” - often meatloaf, catfish, hamburger steak, or similar which includes soup or salad, drink and dessert. Then there is dinner. Oh, yes, dinner. This meal will often have some sort of steak or pork chop that requires rigorous chewing, fried chicken, fried fish, a baked potato until they run out at which time they will substitute mashed and, perhaps, one or two “ethnic” dinners, things like enchiladas, pork fried rice, or “Hawaiian Ham Steak.” Shudder. And pretty much every single restaurant in that small town will have nothing more than variations on that menu. Yes, you will find the usual fast food restaurants near a freeway exit – McDonald’s, Burger King, Jack-in-the-Box, KFC and the like, but who wants to eat that all the time? Nevada Most of the casinos and hotels in Nevada offer really inexpensive meals – especially breakfast. A few are great, most are okay, but some are generally not that good (yuck!). The old saying still holds true, you get what you pay for. That’s not to say that you can’t get good food in a casino or hotel – you can. There are a great many terrific restaurants in casinos but you need to go to those particular restaurants – not just the usual buffet. And pay for it – don’t expect a great dinner for $1.99. The casinos in the town near where my family and I stayed on a past trip do not have particularly good food…at all. Open a good restaurant? You’ll be run out of town! Getting back to small towns, if you’ve ever returned to a village you liked what did you notice about the restaurants? Were they the same? Did new owners take over? Was there a real estate office in the location? What did you see? In the town we visited we noticed that a restaurant we had eaten at during our last visit, and one we were sure our son would like because of the decor, was no longer there. Oh, the name was the same, but the interior and the menu were altogether different.

Now by a different menu I don’t mean that the food was different, I just mean that the design was different. The food was pretty much the same - bad. The burgers were grotesquely over cooked and the French fries were grotesquely under cooked. Even the server noticed how under-cooked the potatoes were. She apologized and gave us a piece of pie, but lunch was ruined and we left hungry. Trust me; old pie doesn’t make a good dessert. We’ll try again The restaurant we ate at the next day, another one we had eaten at on earlier trips, proved more dismal that the first, just generic bad food. There is bad food; there is generic food; generic bad food is in a class of its own. Yes, I know that owners must watch the bottom line and restaurants can be tough places to make money. But one of the first lessons that should be learned is: Poor food and poor service equals an empty restaurant. Not in casinos, of course, because people flock to places they can gamble. In small towns there is just not enough traffic or customers to be too creative (or so the belief goes), however, serving fresh food, quickly, is not a great challenge. Some places manage to do it and turn a decent profit. And the others get sold or go bankrupt, or they just quietly close when McDonald’s, KFC, Denny’s or one of the other national chains opens their doors. I imagine that on my next trip to the mountains I’ll see some new restaurants or new owners of old ones. I hope the new owners can learn from the mistakes of the past and serve food worth putting on a plate. If not, I do believe that I’m going to quit going to small towns and stick to cities, places where cooking is not an impossible art. Hey, life is too short to eat bad food or drink bad wine in a bad establishment. It just is. Disabled Literature Available from Amazon at HYPERLINK "http://tinyurl.com/DisLit1" http://tinyurl.com/Dis-Lit1 and Barnes & Noble at HYPERLINK "http://tinyurl.com/DisLit2" http://tinyurl.com/Dis-Lit2

Divine Mercy Shrine in Encinitas, California

www.divinemercyhills.org

Be part of the story.

Clinton Sweeps Super Tuesday 3

M

y favorite statistician and political analyst Nate Silver has once again proven to be on the mark in so far as his projections on the Super Tuesday 3 (March 15th) primary elections are concerned. Way before the event, I checked his projections: (Chance of winning, based on state polls, national polls and endorsements) 1. In the Florida primary, Hilary Clinton has a greater than 99% chance of winning. Clinton 64.9% Sanders 32.1% 2. In the Illinois primary, Hillary Clinton has an 88% chance of winning. Clinton 51.8% Sanders 44.1% 3. In the Missouri primary, Hillary Clinton has a 54% chance winning. Clinton 48.8% Sanders 48.0% 4. In the North Carolina primary, Hillary Clinton has a greater than 99% chance of winning. Clinton 60.8% Sanders 36.2% 5. In the Ohio primary, Hillary Clinton has a 95% chance of winning. Clinton -54.1% Sanders -43.1% The Super Tuesday 3 primary elections had the following results: 1. Florida: Clinton: 64.4% Sanders: 33.3% 2. Illinois: Clinton: 50.5% Sanders: 48.7% 3. Missouri: Clinton: 49.6%

The road

( Continued from page 3 )

two carabaos for each Negrito family, the aborigines in the mountains forced to go down to the lowlands when the volcano erupted. Some corrupt government officials gave each family one sickly carabao instead of two healthy ones, and pocketed the rest of the money. It was almost four o’clock in the afternoon when we got out of the traffic bottleneck. We were back on McArthur highway in Capas, Tarlac, when the sight of the rows of makeshift nipa hut restaurants along the highway boasting such delicacies as broiled catfish and mudfish made us quite hungry. It had been a while since I had tasted such a staple. When we tried it at a fast food mall during one of my earlier visits, I was disappointed because the catfish tasted like gas, for it was broiled over a gas stove. This time, I was sure that it would taste great as it was boiled over a charcoal stove the way it should be done. The experience, howeve,r was not without disappointment. While the food was great, with authentic native dishes served as the cool countryside wind swept our faces inside the open-air eatery, swarming flies dampened out pleasure. When they wanted to relieve themselves, my daughters refused to use the dirty and rather archaic toilet facilities. Other than that, however, it was a positive experience, one that I would like to try again in the future. As we passed the town of Capas, Tarlac, I took advantage of the occasion to once again give my American daughters a lecture on Philippine history. “This is one of the most historic places in the country,” I told them. “This is where American and Filipino soldiers who surrendered or were captured by the Japanese invading forces in Bataan during World War II were brought on a death march.” “Why was it called a ‘death march?” my youngest asked. “The prisoners were forced to walk for more than fifty kilometers even though they were weak, wounded, tired and hungry. If they passed out be the side of the road, the Japanese soldiers would kill them by sticking bayonets in their chests. That is why many did not survive that aptly named ‘death march.’” “Isn’t that cruel and against the law?” she persisted. “Yes,” I replied, “But during wartime, one cannot complain.” After passing two more towns, the travelers encountered another major inconvenience. This time, the almost immovable traffic was on MacArthur

Sanders: 49.4 4. North Carolina: Clinton: 54.6% Sanders: 40.8% 5. Ohio: Clinton: 56.8% Sanders: 42.7% For the above results, Clinton and Sanders were allocated the following number of delegates: 1. Florida allocated Clinton additional 148 delegates while Sanders got 65. 2. Illinois allocated Clinton additional 88 while Sanders obtained 67. 3. Missouri allocated Clinton additional 43 while Sanders got 43. 4. North Carolina allocated Clinton additional 67 while Sanders got 46. 5. Ohio allocated Clinton additional 89 while Sanders obtained 46. The target number of delegates to be obtained to be nominated is 2,383. After the recent allocation stated above, Clinton’s delegates now number 1599 while Sanders has 844. An analysis of the projections and the corresponding results most recently show the amazing accuracy of the forecasts. I have followed the work of Nate Silver for sometime now. In fact, I won a couple of dinners for correctly predicting the results of the 2012 U.S. Presidential elections. I intend to use his tools again for the 2016 Presidential elections! highway itself as the oncoming traffic blocked the entire space, including the side roads. It took us almost an hour or so to squeeze through a kilometer’s distance. What was surprising was there were to be no cause for it except the disorderly behavior of the vehicles, with only one traffic cop manning the intersection. Tricycles blocking the road further contributed to the chaos. By then, dusk had already settled. The day was clear when we encountered the bottleneck, and our headlights were on by the time we passed through it. “Now that it is dark, don’t expect to see the Marcos monument anymore,” our uncle, told us. It was quite a disappointment for me. The last time I went to Baguio, I still had to pass through Kennon Road, the dangerous zigzag road along the mountainside. In the 1980s, the dictator Marcos constructed the Marcos highway, which was less steep and went around the mountains. Off to one side, by the foot of the mountain, he constructed a huge monument depicting his own head protruding from the cliff, much like the Mt. Rushmore monuments of U.S. presidents. It was an ego trip that a dictaor, who was getting away with everything at the expense of his constituents, forced on the Filipino people. When his regime was toppled, many Filipinos wanted the monument removed because it reminded them of the oppression inflicted by the Marcos dictatorship. A group of protesting mountain people tried to destroy it with dynamite but only succeeded in damaging a small portion. Then president Cory Aquino ordered it to be guarded by round the clock security because she wanted to preserve the monument; after all, it had cost millions of dollars of the people’s money. It wasn’t that she did not want to waste the money already spent; she just wanted the place to become a tourist spot to generate revenue in the locality as well as remind the people of the excesses of the Marcos regime. The trip along the Marcos highway was uneventful. It was already pitch-dark all the way, we could only see trees and a few people on the roadside illuminated by our headlights. Certainly, I missed the old Kennon road, which was part of the fun of going up to Baguio. Traversing the zigzag road by the side of the mountains, up or down, was always an exhilarating experience. During the 1950s, a few vehicles fell off the road, resulting in injuries and even deaths. When a friend drove down the Kennon Road, the brakepads of his new Toyota car burned because he kept stepping on ( Continued on page 10 )

March 18-24, 2016

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

Page 7

Pusoy

A Novel by Rudy Liporada Read previous articles by Rudy Liporada at ww.asianjournalusa.com

Chapter 20 – Lenlen Baguio City - 1974 Pusoy – A Novel By Rudy D. Liporada

“They are here? They have arrived?” Herminia, one of Maring’s nieces was animated.

“Yes,” Romy said as he dropped the luggage unto to the floor of the sala. He led four men carrying other luggage including four balikbayan boxes into the house of. “They are right behind us.” Herminia rushed into the kitchen. Food ingredients are being prepared by Conchita, cousins and other aunties. Maring, in apron, is boiling chicken. “Aunty Maring, Aunty Maring, they are here,” Herminia said. “Already?” Maring said, stirring the pot. “Yes, Aunty. The 'balikbayans' are here.” Maring gestured to another niece to take over what she is boiling. After removing her apron and washing her hands, she hand combed her hair. She then proceeded towards the sala with Conchita following her. Shortly, Elenita and a Caucasian male came in. After eleven years in the United States, Elenita had gone home to the Philippines for a visit along with her husband, John. Elenita rushed to hug Maring, “I missed you, mommy,” she said. “Welcome, anak,” Maring said. “I terribly missed you, too.” They were unmindful of the children and others who are now gawking at John, amused of his being an Americano. One of them is eight-year old Lenlen, Romy's youngest daughter. With her sleet eyes, she appeared to be winking at John. She was in very old clothes that are relatively bigger in size, showing to be hand me downs. John was smiling at the children, showing elation, when Elenita pulled his arm. “Mommy, this is John.” “I know, I know,” said Maring. I know him from the pictures. “Welcome, anak.” Reaching for the hand of Maring and

bowing to place the back of her hand unto his forehead, John said “Magwandwang hap-pon pow, Mom.” Almost everyone around laughed in amazement and impressed. Only Lenlen just looked on. “Ay! Tenk yu! Bless you. Wilcam to your house,” Maring managed to say. “Shalamat pow. Mahal kow kayo,” John said. Again almost everyone, still impressed and laughed. Lenlen just kept looking on. Elenita continued to introduce everyone to John. “This is Conchita, my oldest sister,” she said. Lenlen was now holding at Conchita’s hem. “Ah! My oldest but young looking hipag,” John said. “Ay! Tenk yu,” Conchita manage to say. “So, this must be Lenlen,” John said winking at Elenita. “Yes, yes,” Conchita said. “Lenlen, make mano to Uncle John,” she said nudging Lenlen towards John. Without hesitation Lenlen grabbed John’s hand and made the mano. “Mano po, uncle,” she said in her no shyness voice. “God bless you,” John said, again winking at Elenita. The introductions continued until Sebio sauntered into the sala from out of a room. “And there is your dad,” Maring said. Elenita rushed to hug Sebio. She was almost in tears. “I missed you, dad,” she said. “Oh! Dad, I really missed you.” Taking a step back after the tight hug, she said “But I am so glad that you look so good.” “Well, I am glad that you are home,” Sebio said. Glancing at John, “Hello there, son. Welcome to the Philippines.” “Thank you,” said John, offering his hand to shake. “I am honored to finally meet you, dad.” “Okay, settle down and rest. I have to go back to the kitchen,” said Maring. Herminia, show them to their room. “Yes, aunty,” Herminia and gestured at the men to bring Elenita and John’s baggage into a room. In the room, laying down for a short rest, John said “I already like Lenlen.” Do you really think we can adopt her? Elenita replied “I don’t see any reason why Kuya Romy and Ate Conchita should refuse.” -30-

Complete

( Continued from page 14 )

Besides saving your attention span, dumbphones come with other upsides as well. For starters, the devices themselves are significantly cheaper than their highpowered smartphone counterparts and their data plans only cost a few dollars a month. What’s more, dumbphones eliminate the temptation to continually upgrade your device to the latest and greatest. If all you want to do is make calls and send text messages, you don’t need a phone with a built-in heart rate monitor or a screen that will scroll automatically as you read. Dumbphones also provide more security and privacy than smartphones. Many high-level executives prefer the dumbphone because it poses less of a security risk if it’s lost or stolen. Think about the amount of sensitive data you keep on your smartphone — bank account info in your banking apps, emails, stored passwords, etc. A person with malintent could do a lot of damage if they got ahold of your phone. And if you’re concerned about corporations or the government tracking your every movement around the globe, dumbphones lack GPS. If switching to a dumbphone seems like the best option for you, here are a few to check out: Samsung Jitterbug Nokia 106 Blu Tank II Doro PhoneEasy (according to rumors that Cal Newport has heard, this is a popular phone with business executives) Emporia Essence Plus (made for seniors, so it has a giant SOS button on the back in case you’ve fallen and can’t get up) Making Your Smartphone Dumber After seriously considering ditching the smartphone, you’ve decided owning a dumbphone just isn’t going to be a viable option for you. Maybe your work requires you to answer email from your phone and use other apps. Or maybe you like being able to snap high-quality pics of your kids using your phone’s built-in camera. Completely understandable.

The question then becomes how do you take advantage of all the benefits that come with your smartphone while not getting

sucked into the smartphone-checking habit? The answer is to make your smartphone dumber. Below I show you various ways how. Change Your Smartphone Settings to Make Your Smartphone Dumber The first tactic you can use to make your smartphone dumber is changing settings on your phone so that it acts more like a dumbphone. This can be done by turning off notifications as well as your cellular data and wifi. Turn off notifications. The easiest thing you can do to instantly reduce the itch to check your smartphone is to turn off notifications. One of the things that makes these devices so irresistible to check are the pings, buzzes, and flashing lights that go off whenever you get a new email or someone has commented on your Instagram pic. They’re like Pavlovian bells that condition you to immediately pick up your phone as soon as the little light starts flashing. The conditioning can get so deep that you may find yourself constantly glancing at your phone in mere anticipation of incoming notifications. It’s hard to be present and focused on the task at hand when you’re eyeing your smartphone every ten seconds. You can curb this technological salivation by getting rid of notifications. Within every app on your phone, you have the option to turn notifications on or off. App makers prefer that you turn notifications on because it means you’ll check their app more frequently. Consequently, many apps are designed to automatically opt you into notifications and require you to manually opt out. Go through all your essential, yet distracting smartphone apps and turn off the notifications. This includes email and messaging apps. You’ll be amazed how this one little change will dramatically reduce how often you check your smartphone. Without the buzz or flashing light, there’s no cue for you to check your phone. Instead, you’ll check it whenever you consciously decide to. Turn off cellular data and wifi. Let’s assume you’ve turned off notifications, but you still have the itch to pick up your phone to check email or other apps. You can change the settings on your smartphone to make it temporarily dumb for certain periods of time. All you need to do is turn off your cellular data and wifi. When you turn these services off, you’ll still be able to make calls and send simple text messages. You just won’t be able to refresh your email inbox, or check Instagram or Snapchat, or send or receive pics via text messaging — you know, the really distracting things on your smartphone. Turning off wifi is easy to do on both iPhone and Android. Figuring out how to turn off cellular data can be a little trickier, so follow the links below for instructions on how to do so on both operating systems: The downside of this method is that it’s pretty easy to circumvent. If you really want to check your email or Instagram feed, all you have to do is turn your cell data and wifi back on. But for many people, simply adding in this small buffer lessens the temptation to check their phone all the time. Human beings are lazy. Knowing that you’ll have to mess with your phone’s settings to get your smartphone fix will make it more likely that you won’t even bother. This is a good tactic to use during study or “deep work” sessions or when you simply want to choose certain time periods as “no smartphone time,” like when you get home from work or on a Tech Sabbath. You can speed up the dumbification of your phone in Android by using the Automate app and creating a workflow that will automatically turn off cell and wifi data at certain times or when you arrive at home from work. Sorry iPhone users — nothing like this exists for you. Won’t People Be Annoyed With Me If I Don’t Respond to Them Right Away? If you’re a diehard smartphone user, your big concern with turning off notifications and dumbifying your phone will likely be: “But I need to know as soon as I get an email or text. I’ve got to respond to it right away.” But this is mostly bull. While the immediacy of digital communication has conditioned us to feel that all dispatches are urgent, the vast majority are not. Even in business, most email can wait an hour or two (heck, most email doesn’t need a response for an entire day — if ever!) before it needs a response. And if it’s truly urgent and important, or a genuine emergency, the person can just call you. The same goes for personal text messaging. I know there’s an expectation that you should respond to texts right away or within a few minutes, but in my experience, most text messages aren’t urgent or important. It’s mainly idle chit-chat — sharing some good news, planning a weekend dinner, sharing funny pics or links. And once you start responding, it’s hard to stop. It puts you in a state of constant divided attention throughout the day. Don’t do that to your brain. Turn off the text notifications and only check your phone during certain windows, not because a ping has conditioned you to check it. To the extent that you can, you need to control your attention, rather than letting others control it. I know being less responsive may come off as rude to some, but if you want to have a more focused and less distracted life, you need to be a little harder to get ahold of. Some entrepreneurs and execs who only check their email/phone at certain times have an auto-response that lets the sender know about their policy. But I always feel this need to announce your freedom from your phone comes off as self-important and unnecessary. The expectation of an immediate response is unwarranted in the first place, and there’s no need to explain yourself. While at first your associates and friends will likely be a little peeved that you take so long to respond to texts and emails, they’ll eventually come to get a feel for your new phone checking rhythms and habits and will adjust their expectations accordingly.

Hippity Hop

( Continued from page 5 )

eggs that will be hidden at the park. Hunts will be separated by age groups. The first will be for children up to 2 years old. The second for children from 3 to 5 years old and the third for kids 6 and older. A $1 donation for each egg hunter would be appreciated. Parking is $3.

Page 8

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

March 18-24, 2016

Arts & Culture

Complete cast and creative team announced for Nick Payne’s smash Broadway Hit Constellations Israel Reynoso (Scenic Design), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Bradley King (Lighting Design), Fitz Patton (Sound Design), David Huber (Vocal Coach), Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Annette Elena Nixon (Production Stage Manager).

Healing for our Beloved Land America’s greatest need these days is the spiritual healing of our souls and our land. Our beloved country has a long history of Christians who have cried out to God in times of greatest need. God promises real change if we simply humble ourselves in repentant prayer before Him. God’s chosen people, back in the Old Testament days, asked for forgiveness by repenting of their transgressions. In the form of prayers, they said, “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. Lord, forgive us.” Americans through the ages have done the same. From the Catholic martyrs who laid down their lives to take the gospel to this nation – to the Pilgrims who covenanted with God before stepping foot on these shores – to the Puritans who turned to God when there was an Indian uprising, drought and hardships – to the Founding Fathers, and our governing officials and citizens throughout the ages who have turned to God for divine protection – our nation’s history is full of examples of people and communities crying out to the Almighty for help and deliverance. This nation has a strong heritage of faithful men and women who have gone before us and have given us a Biblical foundation like no other nation on earth has experienced since the Jewish nation of antiquity. As a result, this nation has experienced the blessings of God like no other nation. Sadly, we have drifted away from that solid foundation of hearing and obeying God’s word. Our country’s leaders and their atheist and socialist cohorts and the liberal media have chosen to get away from the Creator of Life and from His commandments. They are even trying to eradicate the mention of God from our schools and from our daily lives. They have eschewed traditional morals. We have abortion on demand and have slain over 55-million preborn children simply because these children were an inconvenience to their parents; or maybe because some simply desire to experience the pleasure of physical intimacy without the resulting consequences.

Obedience is a long-term commitment. It is interesting that the length of Noah’s obedience to God (i.e., 120 years of building the Ark) was greater than today’s expected lifetime. Gladly, some Christian churches have selected day of national prayer and repentance. This call to prayer is nothing new. It follows many Biblical principles and historical examples that led to a national spiritual revival. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer. On that day, President Lincoln said: “It is the duty of nations as well as men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” Let us make a commitment to ask for God’s forgiveness so He can give us back what we have lost. Let us choose to come back to God with humility and repentant prayer. Let us make a concerted effort to cross all denominational, cultural, political and racial barriers and cry to the Almighty for forgiveness, spiritual healing of our souls, and continued blessings for our land.

Promised Land

“Betel Nuts & Other Stories” by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

Entertaining and easy-to-read short stories inspired by a Filipino’s experience in growing up in the Philippines.

Excerpts from the book

One day, however, the duckling went inside an opening under the house. Borobot waited for it to come out but it did not. He kept waiting even when it got dark, but there was no sign of the duckling. When his father came home that evening, he told him about his missing duckling. His dad took a flashlight and pointed it toward the opening. He inserted a long stick inside and tried to stir it. They could hear some squealing but no quacking. Finally, his dad told him the bad news: “The rats have eaten your duckling.” Borobot cried and cried for a very long time. – from Chapter 2 – Childhood Tales

by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

From where he sat, he could tell Juanita had just bathed. Her hair was still damp and the fragrant scent of her cheap bath soap wafted through the air. She hardly noticed him as she was minding her own business. While he pretended to be concentrating on his reading, he would occasionally take a sneak peak at her, feasting his eyes on all of her seductive beauty. For a hot-blooded fourteen-year-old, she was not just an object of curiosity. – from Chapter 9 – Fragrant Scent of Bath Soap And All

“Let me make this clear with you again,” Ditas once told Romy when he accosted her while tipsy from drinking with friends nearby. “I will never marry you even if you are the last man on earth.” The friends laughed hard and Romy retreated in shame. The next day he left town and she didn’t hear from him until she received a letter from the United States Naval Base in San Diego from her jilted suitor, now a member of the U.S. Navy. – from Chapter 5 - The Last Man On Earth

“Is this your first time riding an airplane?” her seatmate, a woman in her fifties, asked Isabel. “How did you know?” “Because you’re holding your bag tightly and you look scared. And also, that huge envelope in plastic bag contains the x-ray film carried by first time immigrants.” Isabel sheepishly smiled. – from Chapter 12 – Land of Milk and Honey

Ultra processed

( Continued from page 4 )

SIMEON G. SILVERIO, JR.

“Philippine Homecoming & Other Memories” An entertaining and easy-to-read account of a Filipino American’s homecoming to the Philippines and the interesting memories it triggered.

BETEL NUTS & S O Excerpts from the book

Seeing the Philippines for the first time after many years would give any former resident a “culture shock.” The roads, which looked to be wider before, appeared narrow. The buildings and the streets, which were dilapidated and dirty before, looked more dilapidated and dirty now. – Chapter 2 – Balikbayan Culture Shock All of a sudden, the small kids from before were now grown up. Their faces had changed, yet somehow looked familiar. Some of his relatives who lived in a compound beside them had already died. Gone forever during a span of just ten years were his maternal grandmother, three uncles, two aunties and two cousins. – Chapter 3 – Like A Video Tape Experience Their vehicle moved towards the man and again they asked: “Boss, alam mo ba ang bahay ni Maning Bakla (Boss, do you know the residence of Maning, the homosexual?)?” The man looked serious and glumly said: “Yes, I am Maning, what do you want?” They were embarrassed as they were sure that Maning did not appreciate the unsavory nickname. – Chapter 6 – Maning Bakla And the Duty Free Shops In Manila There was a full moon above, and they could see its reflections on the water as the waves slapped on the sand. They could feel the cool breeze kiss their face, the warm water wet their feet. On that cold December evening in Maryland Beach Resort in Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines, they wanted to freeze time and enjoy every moment of their stay – Chapter 10 – Nasugbu Market Place And The IUD BBQ Manila Mayor Antonio Villegas proved to be an innovative mayor; for example, he introduced the free elementary and high school education in the city, the first of its kind in the country. He was also a poet in the vernacular; at every opportunity, he would recite or talk in the form of a poem he himself composed. In answer to his critics, he once said: “Marami ang nagtatanong kung bakit ako tumutula, bakit, ang tula ba ay masama (Many are asking why I am reciting a poem, why, is a poem bad)?” Chapter 17 – When “Gatpuno” Villegas warmed his “Salumpuwit” at Maharnilad Their playmates from the barrio were cautious and made a sign of the cross when passing ant hills, which they would call “nuno sa punso”. They would reverently say, “Makikiraan, po (Please allow us to pass!)!” Chapter 31 - Nuno Sa Punso And Other Weird Provincial Experiences The boys, usually five at a time, would line up and march without their pants towards the rice fields at the back of the house. They would pass by a guava tree, pull out several leaves and wash them in the artesian well. Once in the field, the quack doctor would hammer a stake into the ground made of a branch of a guava tree with the other end bent towards the boy. – Chapter 34 - Circumcision: Why Do Some Boys Walk Bow-Legged During Summertime In The Province?

PROMISED LAND “Betel Nuts & Other Stories” by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

Entertaining and easy-to-read short stories inspired by a Filipino’s experience in growing up in the Philippines. Excerpts from the book If there is a person that can aptly be called “the son of a bitch”, which in Pilipino, is synonymous to the phrase,

Philippine Homecoming’s Cherished Memories by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

An entertaining and easy-to-read account of a Filipino American’s homecoming to the Philippines and the interesting memories it triggered. “Complicated Affairs” By Simeon G. Silverio, Jr. The colorful and incredible story of a Filipino American’s complicated affairs.

Excerpts from the book: How did you know Richard?” she asked. Danny was fast to the draw. “I produced his shows there,” he lied. He could see Menchie, the movie star, was impressed. “And I can also produce your show,” he continued the charade. She was pleased. “Do you think people will pay just to watch me? “Why, are we going to charge them?” he asked instead. Menchie was aghast, but realized he was joking. She hit him on the shoulder. He knew the ice was broken. – Chapter 2 : Movie Star “So how are you doing?” Danny was pleased to hear from Juanita. “I am okay, how about you?” “So-so,” he replied. “I’ve missed you,” his playboy persona took over again. “Really?” she asked. “I have something to tell you.” “What? “ Danny was rejuvenated. He had not dated for a while and was eager to do so. He saw an opportunity with Juanita. “I just gave birth to a baby girl.” “Congratulations,” Danny said. “Are you sexy again?” He was hoping to renew their relationship but was unsure about it since she was with her husband. Juanita did not answer his question; instead, she said, “And it’s yours.” – Chapter 3 :Another Child “This is Mindy,” Diaz introduced a pretty twenty-five year old girl to him when he arrived at the dock. “She’s Digna’s sister.” Mindy shyly extended her right hand which Danny shook. He noticed that Digna was teasing her sister, as though there was a pre-arranged plan between Diaz and the two girls unbeknownst to him. Later on, during the course of the fishing trip, he discovered the plan: Digna wanted Danny to hook up with her sister. “Marry my sister,” Digna told him as they ate lunch aboard the boat in the middle of the bay. “So she can migrate to America.” She knew Danny was a divorced American citizen. – Chapter 5: Gone Fishin’ Danny called up his friend Pepito and asked for ideas on how to best help Kate. Pepito was the brother of his comedian friend, Elvis, one of the top entertainers in the Philippines at that time. “Jackpot ka, pare (You’ve got a jackpot, friend),” Pepito told Danny. “She is a gold mine.” “What do you mean?” “We can set her up with rich Chinese men playing at the casinos and charge them at least 50,000 pesos to spend the night with her. I am sure many of them would be willing to spend that much just to be with a beautiful white girl like Kate. We will get our commission afterwards.” – Chapter 8 : Leading Lady After Danny gave him her name, the clerk spent a few minutes in the computer. “That’s it,” the clerk said afterwards. “She has pension due her, and you are entitled to it!” Danny was surprised. He didn’t expect this bounty. “How much do you think you will get?” the clerk asked him. Danny was hesitant to give him an amount. He was happy to get $100 a month. That would go a long way especially if one was living in the Philippines. “One hundred dollars,” he answered. “That’s way too low, make it higher.” “Three hundred?” “Way too low.” “Five hundred?” “Still very low.” “How much?” he finally asked. “Try fourteen hundred dollars.” He could not believe what he heard. – Chapter 9 : Windfall

My Sons, Da, and Old Wicked Songs. He received his M.F.A. in directing from Boston University, where he was awarded the prestigious Kahn Directing Award. In 1990, Seer was invited to return to Boston University’s School for the Arts as an Associate Professor of Acting and Directing. He has been Director of the Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program since 1993 and is the University’s current Chair of Theatre. In 2010, he was awarded the Craig Noel Distinguished Professorship. Constellations is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Alan Benaroya, Bob and Reneé Wailes, and US Bank. TICKETS to Constellations start at $29 and are on sale to the general public now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Performances begin on April 9 and continue through May 8. Performance times: Previews: Saturday, April 9 at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. Opening Night is Thursday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. Regular Performances: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. There will be a Wednesday matinee performance on April 27 at 2:00 p.m. and no matinee performance on Saturday, April 30. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors, military members, and groups of 10 or more. Additional events taking place during the run of Constellations include:

was aghast, but realized he was joking. She hit him on the shoulder. He knew the ice was broken. – Chapter 2 : Movie Star

Excerpts from the book

Seeing the Philippines for the first time after many years would give any former resident a “culture shock.” The roads, which looked to be wider before, appeared narrow. The buildings and the streets, which were dilapidated and dirty before, looked more dilapidated and dirty now. – Chapter 2 – Balikbayan Culture Shock

There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. The Balboa Park valet is also available during performances, located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit www.TheOldGlobe.org/Directions.

Tidbits from this book your inquiring mind wants to know:

How did Amalia Fuentes get her last name?

Get all the answers in this book, “Balik Tanaw:

The Filipino Movie Stars of Yesteryears”!

To order a copy, send $13.95 (mailing cost included) to Asian Journal San Diego. 550 East 8th Street, Suite 6, National City, CA 91950 Tel. (619) 474-0588 For more information, e-mail [email protected] To order copies through the Internet, go to amazon.com, go to “books”, go to “advance search” and type name of author, SIMEON SILVERIO, and follow instructions.

PHILIPPINE

HOMECOMING’S CHERISHED MEMORIES

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Magre-reklamo pa, itong tao sana Nguni’t itong boss, medyo napika pa Kaya’t itong tao, kagyat umalis na Sa bintana’ng daan, lumipad pagdaka HEEEEHAAWWWW!!!

COMPLICATED AFFAIRS

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Through a special arrangement with the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe evening ticket-holders have the opportunity to pre-purchase valet parking in the Zoo's new employee parking structure. With a drop-off point just a short walk to the Globe, theatregoers may purchase fast, easy, convenient valet parking for just $20 per vehicle per evening. Pre-paid only, available only by phone through the Old Globe Box Office. Call Today: (619) 234-5623. For more information: http://www.theoldglobe.org/tickets/parkingvalet.aspx.

Tula ng mga Piling Katatawanan

nario May isang dumating, nag-prisinta

SIMEON G. SILVERIO, JR.

INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Tuesday April 12, at 5:30 p.m. The seminar series features a panel selected from the current show. Reception at 5:00 p.m. FREE SUBJECT MATTERS: Saturday, April 16 Following the 2:00 p.m. performance, explore the ideas and issues raised by the production through brief, illuminating post-show discussions with local experts. FREE POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, April 19 and 26, and Wednesday, May 4 Discuss the play with members of the cast and crew following the performance. FREE

How many children does Tessie Agana have? Who are the two movie star cousins of Robert Arevalo? Whose autograph of a famous comedian Perla Bautista sought that led her to become a movie star? What physical attributes did Bernard Bonnie have that made him a top sprinter in college? Who is the other movie star brother of Robert Campos? By Joe Cabrera Who was the Manila couturier that Excerpts from the book instrumental in making Charlie Mayrong isang tao, ito’y “impresa- was Davao a movie star? rio” Who was the top actor Myrna DelNa ang hanap buhay, maglabas ng gado had an affair with that produced floor show a love child? Minsa’y nag-advertise, ng bihirang Who was the legendary actor who akto gave Dolphy his first break in the movies? Na naiba naman, diyan sa ordi-

Excerpts from the book: How did you know Richard?” she asked. Danny was fast to the draw. “I produced his shows there,” he lied. He could see Menchie, the movie baga star, was impressed. “And I can also Ang mga ibon daw, kanyang naproduce your show,” he continued the gagaya charade. She was pleased. “Do you Kay daling gawin niya, ang sabi sa think people will pay just to watch kanya me? “Why, are we going to charge Marami na ko nyan, alis ka na muna them?” he asked instead. Menchie

Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

Cutting back on the consumption of ultra-processed foods could be an effective way of curbing excessive added sugar intake in the US, conclude the researchers.

The colorful and incredible story of a Filipino American’s complicated affairs.

Complicated Affairs

the American Heart Association, and the US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee have concluded that excess added sugar intake increases the risk not only of weight gain, but also of obesity and diabetes, which are associated with a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, and tooth decay.

Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

One evening, when Romy and his friends were drinking in the house, Ditas showed Andy the photo of Isabel. “Check her out, Andy,” she told him. “She’s looking for a boyfriend here in America.” “No way,” Andy replied. “I know what she’s up to. She will just marry and leave me once she gets her green card.” “But she’s very pretty,” Romy told his friend. “With your looks, you can never have a wife as beautiful as her.” – from Chapter 8 – Pretty Girl’s Photo

by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

The clash of two cultures, Filipino and Mexican, had taken its toll. He grew weary of the enchiladas, tacos, burritos and other Mexican dishes she prepared repeatedly. He longed for the Filipino dishes from his native land that he would always eat as a child. Teresa would not let him cook his favorite adobo and tuyo (dried fish) due to their stinking up the house. When he brought her to the Philippines, Teresa refused to stay and sleep in their house in the barrio. “It is hot and there are lizards on the ceiling,” she complained. – from Chapter 3 - Trophy Wife

Promised Land

Excerpts from the book

“You must join the U.S. Navy so we can live abroad,” Isabel often told her boyfriend Lando as they walked in the park, weaving dreams for their future together. He would just shrug his shoulders in response. – from Chapter 1 – Her U.S. Navy Dreamboat

SIMEON G. SILVERIO, JR.

Excerpts from the book “You must join the U.S. Navy so we can live abroad,” Isabel often told her THER TORIES boyfriend Lando as they walked in the park, weaving dreams for their future together. He would just shrug his “the son of a whore” (“anak ng puta”), shoulders in response. – from Chapter it would be Tikboy. Tikboy was one 1 – Her U.S. Navy Dreamboat of Eric’s playmates on Platerias Street where Eric lived with his family on the second floor of his father’s printing business in Manila in 1957. SIMEON G. SILVERIO, JR. Tikboy’s mother, Purita, worked as a prostitute in a brothel across the street from Eric’s house. – from Chapter 6 - Just Like Any Mother Everyone was looking up at the top of an electric post, where sparks of light shone bright against the dark of the night. When the firemen trained the spotlight to the top of the post, they saw a body of a man lying on a wood across the post. It was Fred, the drunkard pimp. Without anybody noticing, he woke from deep slumber and this time, successfully climbed the top of the post. He was electrocuted while celebrating his feat. – from Chapter 15 – A Day In The Life Of The People Of Platerias Street

“Promised Land” by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

Complicated Affairs

Philippine Homecoming

By the time they reached Platerias Street, everything was quiet. There was hardly a soul in sight; it was ten minutes past midnight. Narding frantically ran inside the brothel in search of Clarita, but he was told the Chinese took her just ten minutes before. He ran outside towards P. Paterno Street. Finding no speeding taxi, he ran back towards Carriedo Street, turned right towards Rizal Avenue, hoping the taxi holding Clarita had broken down. Finally, a loud, agonizing cry was heard all over in that quiet neighborhood of Quiapo. – from Chapter 11 – True Love

Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

The inspirational and difficult journey of two Filipino cousins marrying U.S. Navy personnel for migration and financial purposes. As a piece of the Filipino-American experience, this story also applies to the lives of all people. If there is a person that can aptly be called “the son of a bitch”, which in Pilipino, is synonymous to the phrase, “the son of a whore” (“anak ng puta”), it would be Tikboy. Tikboy was one of Eric’s playmates on Platerias Street where Eric lived with his family on the second floor of his father’s printing business in Manila in 1957. Tikboy’s mother, Purita, worked as a prostitute in a brothel across the street from Eric’s house. – from Chapter 6 - Just Like Any Mother

( Continued from page 5 )

PROMISED LAND, the inspirational and difficult journey of two Filipino cousins marrying U.S. Navy personnel for migration and financial purposes. As a piece of the Filipino-American experience, this story also applies to the lives of all people.

SAN DIEGO (March 14, 2016)— The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team of its production of Nick Payne’s smash Broadway hit play Constellations, arriving April 9, directed by the Globe’s own Richard Seer. Constellations will play April 9 – May 8, 2016, in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Previews run April 9 – 13. Opening night is Friday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and are on sale to the general public now. Physicist Marianne meets beekeeper Roland at a party. They hit it off … or perhaps they don’t. One of them is married … or maybe they’re both single. Nick Payne’s Constellations takes this chance encounter between two lost souls and opens the door to the infinite possibilities of their relationship. Breathlessly navigating through the spellbinding and romantic journey of being in love, Constellations looks at how the tiniest change in the details of our lives can lead us on completely different paths. The Old Globe favorite Richard Seer returns to direct this exciting new play that The New York Times called “Sexy. Sophisticated. Gorgeous. This story of parallel universes is universal in every sense of the word.” The cast of the two-hander includes Christian Coulson (Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Journey’s End on the West End) as Roland and Victoria Frings (Broadway’s An Enemy of the People, Off Broadway’s Tales from Red Vienna and Martin Luther on Trial) as Marianne. The creative team includes David

(Continued from page 1)

AARP

face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is a charitable affiliate of AARP. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.

GLOBE FAVORITE RICHARD SEER TO DIRECT CHRISTIAN COULSON (Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets) And VICTORIA FRINGS (An Enemy of the People). PERFORMANCES BEGIN APRIL 9, WITH OPENING NIGHT ON APRIL 14

Now Available: Books by Asian Journal San Diego Betel Nuts & Other Stories

These days, men can marry men, and women can marry women. Some churches have been willing to stay inside their four walls and let the United States go to Hell in a hand basket. Should we wonder then that our country and our people are now experiencing difficulties? We will reap what we sow, says the Bible. There are consequences for every action. God has given us the freedom of choice. Some choices bring joy, others lead to problems. Some choices cause pain and sorrow, yet they help us to learn and grow and make better choices in the future. Living with the consequences is one of the best ways to become more responsible. This is true in all aspects of our life – be it personal, political, or spiritual. Most often we worry too much about details in our lives over which we have no control, while neglecting specific areas that are under our control, like at-

titudes, relationships and responsibilities. We often build monuments to ourselves – expensive clothes, big homes, fancy cars, and high-paying jobs – to call attention to our achievements. These may not be wrong in themselves, but when we use them to give us self-worth they take God’s place in our lives. When we stop making choices in God’s direction, all that is left is to make choices in the wrong direction. No problem in life is too complicated if we allow God to help us. God is the only one who has the ability and power to meet our everyday needs. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11-13, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

“Whenever Rick Seer directs at the Globe, it’s a cause for celebration,” said Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “That he’s directing this smart, absorbing, and moving play is an extra special delight. Constellations is a remarkably sophisticated work about time, destiny, and the happenstances that accumulate to define our lives. It’s the kind of insightful, beautifully written work that exemplifies the state-of-the-art in contemporary playwriting, and the kind of play I am proud to share with San Diego audiences. Christian Coulson and Victoria Frings are tremendous talents, and together with Rick, they are sure to make a memorable night in the theatre.” Nick Payne (Playwright) is the playwright of Constellations (Royal Court Theatre, Duke of York’s Theatre), If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet (Bush Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company), Wanderlust (Royal Court Theatre), an adaptation of Sophocles’ Electra (Gate Theatre), One Day When We Were Young (Paines Plough/Sheffield Theatres, Shoreditch Town Hall), Lay Down Your Cross (Hampstead Downstairs), The Same Deep Water As Me (Donmar Warehouse; 2014 Olivier Award nomination for Best New Comedy), Blurred Lines (The Shed and the National Theatre), Incognito (Bush Theatre), and The Art of Dying (Royal Court Theatre). His film credits include The Sense of an Ending, an adaptation of Julian Barnes’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel (BBC Films/ Origin Pictures). His television credits include “The Secrets” (Working Title TV for BBC One). Payne has received the 2009 George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright, 2012 Harold Pinter Playwright’s Award, and 2012 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play for Constellations. Richard Seer (Director) is an awardwinning director and actor who has directed and/or performed on Broadway, Off Broadway, on film and television, and in over 70 productions at regional theatres in this country and Great Britain, including The Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the Goodman and Huntington Theatre Companies. He originated the role of Young Charlie in the 1978 Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Hugh Leonard’s Da and received the Theatre World Award for his performance. At The Old Globe, he has directed productions of Quartet, Other Desert Cities, God of Carnage, Life of Riley, The Last Romance, The Price, Romeo and Juliet, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Trying, Fiction, Blue/Orange, All

Balik Tanaw: The Filipino Movie Stars of Yesteryears by Dr. Romy Protacio

____ Promised Land by Simeon G. Silverio Jr. ____ Betel Nuts and Other Stories by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr. ____ Philippine Homecoming’s Cherished Memories – by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr. ____ Complicated Affairs by Simeon G. Silverio, Jr. ___________ Total number of books Times $13.95 each (mailing cost included) ______________ Total Cost Fill out form below and send it together with check payment payable to: Asian Journal San Diego, 550 East 8th Street, # 6, National City, CA 91950 Full Name: ______________________________ Address: _______________________________ City: ___________________________________ State: ____________ Zip: __________________

Lives and Loves of the Filipino Movie Stars of Yesteryears

March 18-24, 2016

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

Girls more dependent on smartphones than boys, survey finds

Page 9

Lifestyle

Throwaway culture can include friendships, researcher says According to a new study from the University of Kansas appearing in the journal Personal Relationships, the mindset that objects are disposable extends to social ties. "We found a correlation between the way you look at objects and perceive your relationships," said lead author Omri Gillath, associate professor of psychology. "If you move around a lot, you develop attitudes of disposability toward objects, furniture, books, devices -- basically whatever merchandise you have at home, your car even." In four separate studies, Gillath and co-author Lucas Keefer of the University of Dayton tied the view that objects are disposable to an attitude that social relationships also could be replaced. Subjects online and on campuses completed questionnaires measuring willingness to dispose of objects or relationship partners. Other subjects were primed to imagine scenarios that involved the probability of relocating. Among the studies' main findings:

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@ heraldcorp.com), Korea Herald | SEOUL, 3/15/2016 -- Female students were found to be three times more prone to smartphone addiction than their male counterparts, according to a new survey. Nearly 6 percent of students were at high or potentially high risk of addiction, according to the survey of 1,600 students conducted late last year by Gangbuk I will Center, a public institution to fight Internet addiction. This broke down into 8.3 percent of female students and 2.8 percent of male students. These students at high risk are hooked on mobile devices an average of 7.8 hours on weekdays and 9.8 hours on weekends. When cut off from the devices, addicts show symptoms of withdrawal, nervousness and tolerance to overuse and experience difficulty in daily life, according to the National Information Society Agency. Around 70 percent of addicts use smartphones mostly for chatting on mobile messengers. “So far addiction to online games or the internet has been a problem largely with male youth. But when it comes to smartphones, girls are exposed to a higher risk,” the agency said.

By age, middle school students showed the highest rate of addiction with 8.5 percent followed by elementary and university students, with 5 percent each, and high school students, 4.7 percent. The survey also showed a link between mental health and overuse of mobile devices. Of those who had deep depression, 14.5 percent were addicted to their smartphones, while the rates were 7.9 and 3 percent, respectively, for those with mild symptoms of depression or no depression. Of those with severe anxiety, 21 percent were at risk, while 13.3 percent of those with high anxiety and 4 percent of those without anxiety were found to be addicted. Setting a time limit and regular checks are seen as effective in preventing addiction, but more than half of parents do not control their children’s smartphone use. “The city will step up efforts to reduce smartphone addiction among youth with monitoring, counseling and programs for parents,” said Byeon Taesoon, the director of the city government’s children and youth division.

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The perception of objects as disposable is associated with perceiving friends the same way. A personal history of greater mobility is tied to a higher readiness to dispose of objects and also close social ties like friendships and romantic relationships. Increasing the sense of residential mobility also boosts a person's willingness to dispose of both objects and personal relationships.

Pope Francis’ guide to avoiding a ‘throwaway culture’

by Mary DeTurris Poust, Our Sunday Visitor | 8/21/2013 -- It doesn’t require much imagination or study to recognize that Pope Francis’ definition of modern society as a “throwaway culture” is spot on. We live in a world where everything is seen as disposable, replaceable or temporary, and overflowing landfills aren’t the only obvious signs. We can look at figurative pathways strewn with broken relationships, forgotten people, abandoned beliefs and dilapidated dreams to find the far-reaching effects of the throwaway mentality. In the quest for bigger, better, faster, flashier, we have lost sight of what really matters. Since the start of his papacy, Pope Francis has focused on the many different facets of this throwaway perspective, challenging Catholics and the larger world to shun the pop-culture quest for more, more, more in favor of solidarity — with creation, with our poorer brothers and sisters, with the weak, the elderly and the most vulnerable. And while it all sounds beautiful, true and necessary, it can be hard to live for even the most committed believer. Where do we begin? How do we live in solidarity with the poor when we’re just trying to pay our own bills and get the kids to school? What does it mean to live a life of abundance that has nothing to do with material wealth? It all runs counter to what our culture tells us is the purpose of life and the definition of success. But when we break it down, we realize there are practical things we can do daily that will pave the way for the “garden” Pope Francis has asked us to plant, tend and nurture through stewardship. Right stewardship of our planet is certainly not a new concept. In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Christian life strives to order this world’s goods to God and to fraternal charity” (No. 2401). Both Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Blessed John Paul II emphasized this same need and God-given call during their papacies. The world now, though, seems a little more receptive to the idea and a little more ready to take on the hard work it requires. Perhaps it’s the way the message is crafted. Perhaps it’s simply a sign of the times, a world weary from a lifetime of empty promises and constant striving. Whatever the reason, Pope Francis’ message seems to be striking a chord not only with Catholics, but with the media and the general public. “What seems to be happening with Pope Francis is not so much that he is saying things about stewardship that are novel, but that there is a generally more receptive atmosphere toward what he is saying,” said Woodeene Koenig-Bricker, author of “Ten Commandments for the Environment: Pope Benedict XVI Speaks Out for Creation and Justice” (Ave Maria, $15.95). “John Paul II, for all of the wonderful things he said on so many topics, tended to become categorized in the public mind by his teachings on the theology of the body. Benedict was viewed through the lens of liturgy and other topics. Francis hasn’t become caught in a narrow category yet, so his words on stewardship are being heard as if they were completely new. However, they are, indeed, based and grounded in Church teaching and the words of his predecessors.”

Brazil A farmer stands amidst a burned area in the Amazon forest in Brazil. CNS photo via Reuters by Paulo Whitaker So if stewardship is a deeply held Catholic belief and challenge, what does

it mean for us in our day-to-day lives? According to Margie Puerta Edson, executive director of the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Tucson Stewardship and Charitable Giving, it starts with ( Continued on page 13 )

The new research extends work conducted in the 1930s by psychologist Kurt Lewin, who compared social ties in Germany and the U.S. "This isn't a new idea of the United States as a mobile country -- for many people here, moving up means moving around," Gillath said. "If you're willing to move for school or a job, you have a higher chance of being successful. But we're saying it also makes things superficial and disposable. It might be fine to have disposable diapers but not disposable friendships." Gillath's scholarship centers on close relationships and their psychological underpinnings. He is the lead author of a new book, "Adult Attachment: A Concise Introduction to Theory and Research," coming out this spring. He said his current study points to a mobile society characterized by disposability, which tends to promote superficiality over profounder human relationships. "If you know you're moving and develop the idea that everything can be replaced, you won't develop same strong and deep ties," Gillath said. "We're suggesting this is a broad phenomenon where we all tend to look at relationships to co-workers, friends and social network members as replaceable. Even in romantic relationships, when I ask my students what would they do when things get difficult, most of them say they would move on rather than try to work things out, or God forbid, turn to a counselor." He said such attitudes take a toll on the overall quality of people's lives and our society. "Research suggests only deeper highquality ties provide us with the kind of support we need like love, understanding and respect," Gillath said. "You need these very close ties to feel safe and secure and function properly. If social ties are seen as disposable, you're less likely to get what you need from your network, which can negatively affect your mental and physical health as well as your longevity." -- ScienceDaily.com

Page 10

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

March 18-24, 2016

Spiritual Life

March 20: Passion/Palm Sunday

Christ’s Dark Nights: Consolation by Negation Joke of the week: A newly-employed villager was very weak in English. Once he asked his more educated neighbor to draft an application asking for casual leave for a day as he was down with fever. The neighbor dictated the application in the following words: “Respected Sir—I am suffering from fever, I may kindly be granted casual leave for today only.” He kept a copy of his application for subsequent use. Later, on the eve of his sister’s marriage, he wrote an application on his own. It read as follows: “Respected Sir—As I am suffering from my sister’s marriage tomorrow, kindly grant me casual leave for the next two days.” Scriptures: First Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-7. By the time this Third Servant Song of Second Isaiah was written, the exiles had been in Babylon for two generations. The exiles had become accustomed to the Babylonian pagan values and cultures. They concluded that God had forgotten them in spite of the prophet’s continuous assurance that their exile would come to an end. Many of them assumed their conquerors’ values and worshiped their gods. Undeterred by the exiles’ loss of hope and trust, the prophet, in contrast, knows from his heart that God in the end would prove him right in keeping his faith in God. Second Reading: Philippians 2: 6-11. The author stresses three movements that characterize Jesus’ crisis: entrance, duration, and exit. Christ’s pre-incarnate existence as Son of God shows his preparatory entrance to crisis. He voluntarily gave up this control and became a suffering servant who was subjected to the power of evil (entrance to crisis). Precisely, because Christ’s was obedient until death, he gained a new and sublime control and was exalted by his Father (exit and glory). Gospel: Luke 22: 14-23: 56. Each of the four evangelists has different views of Jesus’ death. Matthew’s Passion narrative, the longest of the four, portrays the people as responsible for Jesus’ death. Mark presents a rejected and humiliated Jesus who in the end was vindicated by God, the Father. Luke uses the Passion as an occasion to showcase divine forgiveness and compassion. John’s version of the Passion exalts Jesus as a royal figure whose throne is the Cross.

The road

( Continued from page 6 )

his brakes instead of using the engine breaks while going downhill. Occasionally, pebbles from small landslides would drop from above and hit our vehicles–but that was part of the excitement. When a big earthquake hit Baguio during the 1980s it killed hundreds of people, including the wife of former Central Bank governor Jamie Laya. At that time she was attending a conference when several buildings collapsed. Landslides closed Kennon road. For months Baguio was isolated from the outside world as it could only be reached by air through a long circuitous road by foot at its backdoor. It was then that Marcos decided to speed up the construction of his highway. What angers and surprises me the most is that years after the dictator had been toppled and his abuses exposed, both his own name and the names of his family members have remained on many roads and streets in the country. Aside from the Marcos highway, there are several streets and public parks named after his wife Imelda and his father, Mariano Marcos – whom the guerillas beheaded for being a traitor. There are even streets named after his mother, the notorious “Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos.” Critics had accused the old woman of stealing the infamous Golden Buddha, a multimillion dollar treasure filled with precious stones. It came from Malaysia and its finger, [jlv1] fortune hunter Rogelio Roxas, by Japanese commander Yamashita with the help of a Marcos uncle, then Baguio judge Pio Marcos. If I were Cory Aquino, my first act would be to replace the names of these public landmarks, so that we would cease honoring the traitors and plunderers of the country. But then as they say, the Filipinos have a very short memory. While South Koreans jail and execute their dictators, the Filipinos elect their family members and cohorts into Congress. - AJ (To be continued)

Reflection: Pain and suffering are inescapable in this life. There are two ways to face trials and difficulties: 1) a quickfix way. By this way, pain is dodged and it leaves one bitter with unresolved emotional and psychological issues. A marriage may end up in divorce after divorce due to unresolved issues. 2) The proper way is through agony at Gethsemane and Calvary: pain brings compassion and stronger character. There is no quick fix, gestation through cleansing pain brings out the best results. After Good Friday comes the glory of Easter. Only pain can mellow the soul in suffering for pain purifies it, like child weaned from the breastfeeding, no matter how painful it is for both child and mother, yet in the end the child matures. Psychology calls this oxymoron as positive disintegration. It is addition by subtraction, ascent through descent. The dark nights of geniuses and mystics show this to be true: Beethoven was mute, deaf (tinnusitis) and blind when he composed his musical masterpieces, namely the Fifth Symphony (in C minor), equally as great as Handel’s Messiah, the Ninth Symphony (in D minor) and the Missa Solemnis. Teresa of Calcutta experienced doubt, loneliness, and abandonment. God seemed absent, heaven empty, and bitterest of all, her own suffering seemed to count for nothing, “. . . just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really existing.” Ignatius of Loyola suffered “desolation” and later “consolation”. Theology describes this phenomenon as apothatic: to experience God by negation; veiling the divine glory in a dark “cloud of unknowing.” Karl Jaspers, suggests that the journey to full maturity lies in “the norm of night” and not just in “the norm of day”; the Jewish scriptures assure us that certain deep things can only happen to the soul when it is helpless and exposed in “the desert” or “the wilderness”. After Jesus felt abandonment by God at Gethsemane and Calvary, he turned his desolation into complete abandonment to God. “Into your han ds.” Postscript: The Novena to the Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday, March 25, and ends on April 2, 2016. Quotation of the Week: “Nothing great was ever done without much enduring.” St. Catherine of Sienna.

establishing Filipino blood lineage since citizenship accorded to foundling is presumed. “Any person who claims to be qualified to run for the position of president of the Philippines because he or she is, among others, a natural-born Filipino citizen, has the burden of proving he or she is a natural-born Filipino citizen. Any doubt whether or not he or she is natural-born Filipino citizen is resolved against him or her. The constitutional requirement of a natural-born citizen, being an expressed qualification for election as president, must be complied with strictly,” he explained. He also noted that the country is not bound by international laws on foundlings. “There is no international treaty to which the Philippines is a contracting party, which provides expressly or impliedly that a foundling is deemed a natural-born citizen of the country in which the foundling is found. There is also obviously no international treaty, to which the Philippines is not a party, obligating the Philippines to confer automatically Philippine citizenship to a foundling at birth,” Carpio said. Carpio also expressed the belief that allowing a naturalized citizen to run for president and possibly lead the country’s military sets a dangerous precedent. “Otherwise, a natural-born Filipino citizen who has absolutely renounced and abjured allegiance to the Philippines and pledged sole allegiance to the United States, undertaking to bear arms against any foreign country, including the Philippines, when required by US law, could still become the Commanderin Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by performing a simple act – taking an oath of allegiance before a Philippine public official – to reacquire natural-born Philippine citizenship. The framers of the Constitution, and the Filipino people who ratified the Constitution, could not have intended such an anomalous situation,” he said. Carpio joined Del Castillo’s position that Poe would not meet the 10-year residency requirement before the May polls. De Castro, in her separate dissenting opinion, said the majority ruling would amend the 1935 Constitution, which was in effect when Poe was born in 1968, as it effectively adds “foundlings found in the Philippines whose parents are unknown” in the enumeration of naturalborn citizens. “This amendment of the Constitution by the judicial opinion... is based mainly on extralegal grounds and a misreading of existing laws, which will have unimaginable grave and far-reaching dire consequences in our constitutional and legal system and national interest,” she said. Del Castillo, for his part, warned that non-Filipinos may misuse a favorable ruling on foundlings to the detriment of national interest and security. He pointed out that these individuals might use the ruling to obtain Filipino citizenship or natural-born status and wreak havoc on the nation. “Our country must not only be defended and protected against outside invasion, it must also be secured and safeguarded from any internal threat against its sovereignty and security,” he stressed.

4 ways to keep the devil away

Not only will they keep the devil from having power over you, you will be on the pathway to holiness by Philip Kosloski After an exorcism, how does a person keep the devil from coming back? In the Gospels we read a story that describes how a person who was exorcised was then visited by a whole host of demons, and sought to reenter in a more forceful way (cf. Matt. 12:43-45). The rite of exorcism only expels demons from a person; it does not keep them from coming back. In order to ensure that the devil does not return, exorcists recommend four ways that will keep a person’s soul at peace and in God’s hands: Frequent the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist The most common way a demon can enter into someone’s life is through a habitual state of mortal sin. The more we divorce ourselves from God through sin, the more susceptible we are to a demon’s attack. Even venial sin can chip away at our relationship with God and can expose us to the enemy’s advances. Confession of sins, then, is the primary way we have to put an end to our life of sin and start out on a new path. It is no coincidence that the devil relentlessly tried to scare St. John Vianney away from hearing the confessions of hardened sinners. Vianney knew a big sinner was coming to town if the devil harassed him the night before. Confession has such power and grace that the devil must flee from a person who frequents that sacrament. Along with confession, the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is even more powerful in driving away the influence of the devil. This makes perfect sense as the Holy Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ, and demons have absolutely zero power in front of God himself. Especially when the Eucharist is received in a state of grace after confession, the devil simply has no place to go but back from whence they came. St. Thomas Aquinas confirmed this in his Summa Theologiae when he wrote, “[The Eucharist] repels all the assaults of demons. Hence Chrysostom says: ‘Like lions breathing forth fire, thus do we depart from that table, being made terrible to the devil.’” Consistent Prayer Life A person who frequents the sacrament of confession and the Eucharist must also abide by a consistent daily prayer life. The key word is consistent! This puts a person in a daily state of grace and relationship with God. A person who regularly converses with God should never be afraid of the devil. Exorcists always suggest to possessed persons to abide by strong spiritual habits, such as frequent reading of Scripture as well as praying the rosary and other private prayers. Having a daily schedule of prayer is most beneficial and keeps the demons at bay.

Dapat (1) hindi ka lamang dapat na nabubuhay dapat din na ikaw din ay gumagalaw hindi ka lamang dapat na nakikinig dapat din ika’y kanilang naririnig hindi ka lang dapat na sumasang-ayon dapat ibigay mo rin ang iyong tulong hindi ka lamang dapat nagsasalita dapat mong rin itong isinasagawa hindi ka lamang dapat na gumagasta dapat ay nag-iimpok ka ng maaga hindi ka lamang dapat na nag-iisip dapat kumikilos ka rin ng mabilis hindi ka lamang dapat na gumagawa, dapat na ikaw ang laging halimbawa hindi ka lamang dapat namamahagi dapat nakikita iyong mga gawi hindi mo lang dapat pinag-iisipan, dapat mong ring siyang pinagtitiwalan hindi ka lamang dapat nagpapatawad, dapat mong kinakalimutan ng ganap

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Fasting This advice comes straight from the Gospels, when Jesus said to his disciples, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). Each of us must discern to what kind of fasting we are called to practice. For us who live in the world and have many responsibilities (such as our families) we cannot fast so much as to neglect our own vocation. At the same time, if we are to keep the demons away, we must challenge ourselves to fast beyond giving up chocolate for Lent. Sacramentals Exorcists not only use sacramentals (the rite of exorcism is a sacramental) but advise possessed persons to frequently use sacramentals. They are a powerful weapon in the daily fight to keep the devil from ever coming back. Exorcists suggest such sacramentals as

blessed salt and blessed water not only be kept at home but to be brought along wherever a person goes. Even sacramentals such as the brown scapular have great power over demons. Venerable Francis Ypes recounted how one day his scapular fell off. As he replaced it, the devil howled, “Take off the habit that snatches so many souls from us!” If you want to ward off any evil powers, take seriously these four methods. Not only will they keep the devil from having power over you, you will be on the pathway to becoming a saint. Philip Kosloski is a writer and blogger. His blog can be found at philipkosloski. com. - See more at: http://aleteia. org/2016/03/14/4-ways-to-keep-thedevil-away/#sthash.NDp8wvVS.dpuf

Poe citizenship

( Continued from page 6 )

“In the TRO, the voting was 12-3. The voting to grant or not to grant petition was 9-6. Hence, the basis for computation for the number of majority should be 15 and the majority should be 8,” Luna pointed out. Luna said they would appeal the majority ruling, which he alleged “is diametrically opposed to the Constitution, the rules, and the rulings in Reyes v. Comelec and Cerafica v. Comelec, among others.” “The seven justices practically rewrote the Constitution through a judicial opinion resulting in the impermissible discrimination of half-bloods, those whose mothers are Filipinos and covered by the 1935 Constitution,” he argued. In his dissent, Carpio said the majority ruling provided an “anomalous situation” beyond the intent of the framers of the Constitution. “The election process becomes a complete mockery since the electorate is mercilessly offered choices which include patently ineligible candidates. The electorate is also needlessly misled to cast their votes, and thus waste their votes, for an ineligible candidate,” he added. He centered his dissent on the issue of Poe’s citizenship, reiterating she is not a natural-born Filipino, both as a foundling and a former American citizen. “To allow a person, who is found by the Comelec not to be a natural-born Filipino citizen, to run for president of the Philippines constitutes a mockery of the election process. Any person, who is not a natural-born Filipino citizen, running for president is obviously a nuisance candidate under Section 69 of the Omnibus Election Code,” Carpio said. He also rebutted the majority opinion that Poe does not have the burden to prove her being natural-born by

Visit www.divinemercyhills.org.

Joinmore us forinformation the 13th of the prayerslike consisting of the Way of For or to time, talent For more information orifMonth ifyou youwould would like todonate donate time, talent the Cross, the Holy Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet from 2:00 and treasure to the project, visit or and to the project, visitwww.divinemercyhills.org www.divinemercyhills.org pm totreasure 3:00 pm.Cruz, For driving directions, GPS 701 Encinitas Blvd, or email Zarina President of the DMHFSC at [email protected] email Zarina Cruz, President of the DMHFSC at [email protected] Encinitas CA to find the site. Arrive early and refreshed. or call 619.890.2789. or callwalking 619.890.2789. Wear shoes. No amenities or restrooms on site.

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* Divine Mercy Shrine Encinitas is a project of the Divine Mercy Hills Foundation of Southern California The Divine Mercy Hills Foundation of Southern California is dedicated to the design, development and maintenance of a Divine Mercy Shrine for the purpose of spreading to an aching world the Divine Mercy message and devotion. This shrine will draw people of all nations, cultures and beliefs to a vessel with which they are to keep coming in prayer for graces to the fountain of mercy — the image of Divine Mercy. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

March 18-24, 2016

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

Page 11

Housing & Real Estate

More Than Half of Renters Plan to Keep Renting Majority of Boomers, Millennials and Gen Xers View Renting as More Affordable Than Homeownership

group most likely to become homeowners (56 percent), followed by Gen Xers (49 percent), younger Millennials age 18-24 (44 percent) and Baby Boomers (31 percent).

Freddie Mac | MCLEAN, VA-(Marketwired - Mar 16, 2016) - Despite rent increases and feeling burdened by their finances, 70 percent of renters currently feel renting is a more affordable choice than homeownership, according to a Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) survey [PDF], and 55 percent plan to keep renting in the next three years. When looking across the generations, the views are similar with 70 percent of Millennials, 61 percent of Gen Xers and 73 percent of Baby Boomers thinking that renting is a more affordable choice for them. "Renting is becoming a popular choice among many age groups," said David Brickman, executive vice president of Freddie Mac Multifamily. "While most renters still have favorable views toward homeownership and aspire to it, many choose to rent because they view it as more affordable and a better fit for their lifestyle right now." For the Freddie Mac quarterly online survey of renters conducted in January and February 2016, 46 percent say renting is a good choice for them now regardless of whether they plan to buy or believe they will be able to afford to do so. The perception is even more positive among Millennials with 54 percent saying renting is a good choice for now.

Many renters who plan to buy in the next three years still indicate they have financial hurdles to overcome which include: Affording a down payment (36 percent) Not a good enough credit history (35 percent) Not making enough money (30 percent) Carrying too much debt (23 percent) Popular Reasons for Renting

Future Home Buyers Similar to what was seen in the October 2015 survey [PDF], renters of single-family homes are the most likely home buyer, with 52 percent stating they plan to purchase a home in the next three years, compared to 36 percent of apartment renters. A closer look shows that older Millennials age 25-34 are the

38 Percent of 87 Local Markets Analyzed Reached New Home Price Peaks in 2015;

Home Sales Volume at NineYear High, Distressed & Short Sales at Eight-Year Low;

Cash Sale Share at Seven-Year Low, FHA Buyer Share at Four-Year High;

RealtyTrac | IRVINE, Calif. – Feb. 4, 2016 — RealtyTrac® (www.realtytrac. com), the nation’s leading source for comprehensive housing data, today released its Year-End 2015 U.S. Home Sales Report, which shows that U.S. home sellers in 2015 realized an average price gain since purchase of 11 percent ($20,378), the biggest average price gain for U.S. home sellers since 2007 — an eight-year high. The 11 percent average price gain in 2015 marked the second consecutive year where U.S. home sellers realized an average price gain following six consecutive years where U.S. home sellers realized average price losses. “With some local market exceptions, the 2015 home sales data paints the picture of a properly functioning U.S. housing market where homeowners can once again count on real estate as an appreciating asset — a long-touted axiom soundly debunked as ironclad truth between 2008 and 2013,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. “This return to consistent home price gains for sellers should reinforce confidence in real estate in 2016 and produce another year of solid sales volume as homeowners cash out their equity gains.” Among 155 U.S. counties analyzed for the report, those where 2015 home sellers realized the highest average price gains were San Mateo County, California, in the San Francisco metro area (65 percent average home price gains for 2015 home sellers); Alameda County, California, also in the San Francisco metro area (64 percent average gain); Santa Clara County, California, in the San Jose metro area (63 percent average gain); Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area (52 percent average gain); and Multnomah County, Oregon, in the Portland metro area (49 percent average gain). Home sellers in 2015 realized average home price losses since purchase in 19 of the 155 counties analyzed (12 percent), led by Mobile County, Alabama, in the Mobile metro area (16 percent average home price loss for 2015 home sellers); Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in the Cleveland metro area (13 percent average loss); Baltimore City County, Maryland in the Baltimore metro area (13 percent average loss); Burlington County, New Jersey, in the Philadelphia metro area (12 percent average loss); and Montgomery County, Ohio, in the Dayton metro area (9 percent average loss).

Renters continue to indicate their choice to rent is influenced by more than just financial reasons, that lifestyle preferences also are a factor. The most popular reason for younger Millennials is that renting allows them to save money (42 percent), followed by it being their best option for their lifestyle and age (39 percent). Gen Xers top reason is that renting gives them freedom from home maintenance (28 percent), followed by not wanting the responsibilities of owning a home (24 percent). Close to four in ten Baby Boomers say they rent because they do not want to worry about home maintenance (41 percent), do not want the responsibilities of owning a home (37 percent) and renting is the best option for their lifestyle and age (37 percent). Many renters also report that they do not intend to move even if their rent has increased. "Almost half of all renters whose rent rose in the last two years say they like where they live and will stay regardless of rent increases," Brickman said. Aside From Cost, Safety is Key

When Choosing a Rental When cost is taken out of the equation, about half of the decision in choosing a rental property is influenced by both the safety and convenience of the location. Among all age groups, the most important considerations in choosing a rental are: Safety and security (27 percent) Convenient location (19 percent) Size (13 percent) Privacy (12 percent) Pet friendliness (12 percent) Additional details about the research [PDF], including charts, are on the Freddie Mac website. Survey Methodology Harris Poll on behalf of Freddie Mac conducted an online survey within the United States via its QuickQuery product to get adult renters' perceptions about renting. The most recent survey was conducted between January 26 and February 1, 2016, among 4063 adults aged 18 and over of which 1,527 were renters. The previous survey was conducted October 8-12, 2015, among 2,020 adults ages 18 and older, of which 703 were renters. Millennials are defined as ages 18 to 34, Gen Xers are 35 to 49 and Baby Boomers are 50 to 68. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. Freddie Mac Multifamily helps ensure an ample supply of affordable rental housing by purchasing and securitizing mortgages on apartment buildings nationwide. The loans range from $1 million to several billions and roughly 90 percent support rental units for lower income households. Freddie Mac securitizes about 90 percent of the multifamily loans it purchases, thus transferring the

vast majority of the expected credit risk from taxpayers to private investors. Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation's residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four home borrowers and is the largest source of financing for multifamily housing. Additional information is available at FreddieMac.com, Twitter @FreddieMac and Freddie Mac's blog FreddieMac. com/blog.

U.S. Home Sellers in 2015 Realized Biggest Price Gains Since 2007 91 percent of markets post year-overyear increase in median home price

The U.S. median home price at the end of 2015 was $206,500, up 10 percent from a year ago. December was the 46th consecutive month with a year-over-year increase in the U.S. median home price. Among 87 major metropolitan statistical areas analyzed for the report, 79 (91 percent) posted a year-over-year increase in median home price at the end of 2015. Among the nation’s 46 markets with a population of at least 1 million, those with the biggest year-over-year increase in home prices were St. Louis (19 percent increase), Raleigh, North Carolina (17 percent increase), Detroit (17 percent increase) and Tampa (15 percent increase), with Denver, Seattle, San Jose and Providence, Rhode Island, all posting increases of 13 percent. “The drop in short sales, REOs, foreclosures, and institutional investors can all be attributed to the rapid price growth we continue to see in the greater Seattle area,” said Matthew Gardner, chief economist at Windermere Real Estate, covering the Seattle market. “Market values have simply increased to a point whereby it’s unlikely that we’ll have much distressed supply growth other than as a function of banks working through old inventory. This has also had an impact on distressed home prices which are unsurprisingly on the rise due to woefully low inventory levels and buyer competition.” “Residential housing across most of the metros in Ohio experienced double-digit increases in median prices for 2015, proof positive of an Ohio housing market that is in a stable growth trajectory for the future,” said Michael Mahon, president at HER Realtors, covering the housing markets of Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati, where median home prices increased 12 percent year-overyear, the ninth-biggest increase among markets with a population of at least 1 million. “Higher median prices mean increased equity for many homeowners, which will likely lead to an increase in eligible move-up buyers for 2016. While the luxury market over $500,000 was fairly flat in 2015, we are forecasting a stronger demand in this price range for 2016 that will further drive sales prices upward across many of these same metros for the coming year.” Houston largest of eight markets to post annual decrease in median home price Eight markets among the 87 analyzed for the report (9 percent) posted a yearover-year decrease in median home sales price at the end of 2015, and Houston was the only market among the 46 with a population of at least 1 million to post a decrease (down 2 percent in December from a year ago). The other seven markets posting a year-over-year decrease in median home price were Bridgeport, Connecticut (down 8 percent), Winston-Salem, North

Carolina (down 6 percent), Dayton, Ohio (down 5 percent), Augusta, Georgia (down 4 percent), Little Rock, Arkansas (down 1 percent), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (down 1 percent), and York, Pennsylvania (down 1 percent). Markets with the biggest month-overmonth decrease in median home price in December were Flint, Michigan (down 8 percent), Augusta, Georgia (down 8 percent), Tulsa, Oklahoma (down 6 percent), Provo, Utah (down 5 percent), and Nashville (down 5 percent). 38 percent of markets hit new all-time home price peaks in 2015

Among the 87 metropolitan statistical areas analyzed for the report, 33 (38 percent) posted new all-time highs for median home prices in 2015, and 20 of the 46 metro areas with a population of at least 1 million (43 percent) posted new all-time highs for home prices in 2015 (see table below for full list). Among the 46 markets with a population of at least 1 million, those with home prices still furthest below previous peaks were Las Vegas (34 percent below previous peak in June 2006), Birmingham (31 percent below previous peak in July 2007), Orlando (31 percent below previous peak in June 2006), Miami (28 percent below previous peak in June 2007), and Chicago (27 percent below previous peak in July 2007). Home sales volume reaches nine-year high A total of 3.1 million U.S. existing single family homes and condos sold in 2015, up 7.5 percent from 2014 to the highest level since 2006, when there were 3.4 million single family and condo sales (nine-year high), according to the public record real estate deed data collected by RealtyTrac in nearly 1,000 counties nationwide. Among 207 metropolitan statistical areas with at least 100 single family home and condo sales, 74 (36 percent) reached a nine-year high in sales volume in 2015 while 39 metros (19 percent) reached 10-year high, including Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Tampa, Denver and Columbus, Ohio. “South Florida real estate recorded one of the beat years since the Great Recession with a strong double-digit, yearover-year price gain,” said Mike Pappas, CEO and president of Keyes Company, covering the South Florida market. “We are seeing a pick-up in millennial buyers, who are taking advantage of the FHA low down payment options. We are continuing to see dramatic decline in the hangover distressed market. This all adds up to a healthy 2016.” Distressed sales and short sales combined drop to eight-year low Distressed sales (in-foreclosure and bank owned) and short sales combined accounted for 17.3 percent of all sales in 2015, an eight-year low.

States with the highest share of distressed and short sales combined in 2015 were Illinois (28.1 percent), Florida (26.4 percent), Maryland (24.7 percent), Nevada (21.7 percent) and Connecticut (20.7 percent). Among metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000 those with the highest share of distressed and short sales combined were Atlantic City, New Jersey (34.2 percent), Orlando (31.1 percent), Tallahassee, Florida (31.1 percent), Rockford, Illinois (31.1 percent), and Gainesville, Florida (30.8 percent). Bank-owned (REO) sales accounted for 8.7 percent of all U.S. single family and condo sales in 2015, down from 11.1 percent in 2014 and down from 12.2 percent in 2013 to the lowest level since 2007, when bank-owned sales accounted

for 8.1 percent of all sales. The peak in share of bank-owned sales was 2009 at 25.2 percent. Sales of homes in the foreclosure process but not yet bank-owned accounted for 3.5 percent of all U.S. single family and condo sales in 2015, down from 4.6 percent in 2014 and down from 5.4 percent in 2013 to the lowest level since 2007, when 2.8 percent of all home sales were properties in the foreclosure process. The peak in the share of U.S. in-foreclosure sales was 2010 at 8.7 percent. Short sales of homes not in foreclosure or bank owned accounted for 5.1 percent of all U.S. single family and condo sales in 2015, down from 5.4 percent in 2014 and down from 6.4 percent in 2013 to the lowest level since 2008, when 3.3 percent of all home sales were short

sales. The peak in short sales was 2012 at 8.1 percent. A short sale is when the sales price of the home is less than the combined amount of loans secured by the home. Cash sale share drops to seven-year low All-cash buyers accounted for 30.1 percent of all U.S. single family home and condo sales in 2015, down from 31.6 percent in 2014 and down from 35.6 percent in 2013 to the lowest level since 2008. The peak in share of cash sales was in 2012 at 36.3 percent. States with the highest share of all-cash buyers in 2015 were Florida (50.4 per( Continued on page 12 )

Page 12

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

March 18-24, 2016

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

CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY Using the rosary beads, recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one I Believe in God. On the Our Father beads say this prayer, which was given by Our Lord to St. Faustina (1905-1938). Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

Medal of Honor recipient credits St. Michael Prayer for protection

On the Hail Mary beads say: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. In conclusion say three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Only a mortal sin Meditation: June [July] 15, 1937. Once, I learned that I was to be transferred to another house. My knowledge of this was purely interior. At the same time, I heard a voice in my soul: Do not be afraid, My daughter; it is My will that you should remain here. Human plans will be thwarted, since they must conform to My will (Diary, 1180). When I was close to the Lord, He said to me, Why are you afraid to begin the work which I have commanded you to carry out? I answered, “Why do You leave me on my own at such times, Jesus, and why do I not feel Your presence?” My daughter, even though you do not perceive Me in the most secret depths of your heart, you still cannot say that I am not there. ... My daughter, know without doubt, and once and for all, that only mortal sin drives Me out of a soul, and nothing else (Diary, 1181). My Prayer Response: Lord Jesus, may I always be faithful to Your will, even when I am not aware of Your presence. Protect me from mortal sin that would drive You out! *Diary passages with bolded words are Jesus speaking. Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. Excerpted from Divine Mercy Minutes with Jesus: Praying Daily on Jesus’ Words from the Diary of St. Faustina by Rev. George W. Kosicki, CSB © 2010 Marian Press

Prayer to St Michael the Archangel

S

t. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.Amen..

“I prayed the St. Michael prayer while moving into the toughest missions I faced,” Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. said in his acceptance speech for the Medal of Honor, “and it does start by saying ‘St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection…’” The Medal of Honor is the U.S. military’s highest honor, given for acts of braver above and beyond the normal call of duty. Byers received the award for “his valiant rescue efforts during a hostage situation in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2012.” He explained the importance of his Catholic faith. “Hand in hand with my family is my faith. While it has had a more quiet aspect of my life, it has always played a significant role.” “I grew up Catholic and continue to grow in my faith, thanks especially to my brother, Trevor. He taught me to turn my heart and soul to Christ when I have strayed or lost my way. Prayer has always provided calm amidst chaos for me.” He told how he came to have a particular devotion to St. Michael the Archangel during his first deployment to Iraq. “On my first deployment to Iraq, some 11 years ago, I arrived in [the] country, and I saw another SEAL, standing there with a St. Michael the Archangel patch on his shoulder. I’m not sure what drew me to it, but I walked up to him and

asked him if I could have it. He was leaving the combat zone and made it through a safe deployment, so he was absolutely willing to give it to me. He handed it to me without hesitation.” “I’ve worn that patch on my kit on every single mission I’ve ever been a part of.” “On that day in December 2012 – the day you heard recounted several times about my team, and the way we carried out the mission to rescue [an] American hostage – on that day, just like every day, I prayed. I prayed on the way to my target, and again I prayed over my brother Nicholas Checque, for his soul, as he gave his life to save another American.” He also humbly deflected special credit for the brave act that earned him the medal, saying, “I want to emphasize that I’m no different than any one of my teammates. I’m certain that any one of them would have taken the same exact actions I did that day. I’ve seen countless heroic acts in my time working with the nation’s most elite operators.” “May God bless you,” he said in closing, “and may St. Michael the Archangel protect our warriors in battle. Long live the brotherhood. Thank you.”

U.S. home

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cent), Hawaii (42.5 percent), Michigan (39.4 percent), Alabama (39.2 percent), and Georgia (38.9 percent). Among markets with a population of at least 1 million, those with the highest share of all-cash sales in 2015 were Miami (55.2 percent), Tampa (48.5 percent), Orlando (44.5 percent), Memphis (44.2 percent), Jacksonville, Florida (42.4 percent), Detroit (41.1 percent), Las Vegas (37.9 percent), Raleigh, North Carolina (37.7 percent), Atlanta (37.6 percent), and Cleveland (36.5 percent). FHA buyer share reaches four-year high FHA buyers (typically with low down payments) accounted for 15.7 percent of all U.S. single family home and condo sales in 2015, up from 12.5 percent in 2014 and up from 12.6 percent in 2013 to the highest level since 2011. The previous peak in share of FHA buyers was 2009 at 23.9 percent. States with the highest share of FHA buyers in 2015 were Utah (30.3 percent), Wyoming (27.3 percent), Indiana (27.2 percent), Idaho (26.4 percent), and New Mexico (24.4 percent). Among markets with a population of at least 1 million, those with the highest share of FHA buyers in 2015 were Salt

Three senior men are talking about their problems, but the oldest guy has them all beat! Three men were discussing aging at the nursing home. “Sixty is the worst age to be,” said the 60-year-old. You always feel like you have to pee. And most of the time, you stand at the toilet and nothing comes out!” “Ah, that’s nothin’,” said the 70-yearold. “When you’re seventy, you can’t even crap anymore. You take laxatives, eat bran, you sit on the toilet all day and nothin’ comes out!” “Actually,” said the 80-year-old, “Eighty is the worst age of all.” “Do you have trouble peeing too?” asked the 60-year-old. “No, not really. I pee every morning

at 6:00. I pee like a racehorse on a flat rock; no problem at all.” “Do you have trouble crapping?” “No, I crap every morning at 6:30.” With great exasperation, the 60-year-old said, “Let me get this straight. You pee every morning at 6:00 and crap every morning at 6:30. So what’s so tough about being 80?”

Lake City (30.8 percent), RiversideSan Bernardino (26.4 percent), Kansas City (26.2 percent), Indianapolis (25.7 percent), San Antonio (24.4 percent), Houston (23.1 percent), Sacramento (21.6 percent), Phoenix (21.2 percent), Dallas (21.2 percent), and Las Vegas (21.0 percent).

ties in a calendar year. REO sale: a sale of a property that occurs while the property is actively bank owned (REO). In-foreclosure sale: a sale of a property that occurs while the property is actively in default (NOD, LIS) or scheduled for foreclosure auction (NTS, NFS). Short sale: a sale of a property where the sale price is less than (short) the combined amount of loans secured by the property.

Institutional investor share drops to all-time low Institutional investors purchasing at least 10 properties in a calendar year accounted for 2.7 percent of all U.S. single family home and condo sales in 2015, down from 5.8 percent in 2014 and down from 7.6 percent in 2013 to the lowest level since 2000, the earliest year RealtyTrac has data for institutional investors. States with the highest share of institutional investor purchases in 2015 were Georgia (5.9 percent), Ohio (4.3 percent), Louisiana (4.2 percent), Alabama (4.0 percent), and Nebraska (3.9 percent). Among markets with a population of at least 1 million, those with the highest share of institutional investors in 2015 were Memphis (7.3 percent), Jacksonville, Florida (6.8 percent), Atlanta (5.8 percent), Tampa (5.5 percent), New Orleans (5.1 percent), Cincinnati (5.1 percent), Charlotte (4.4 percent), St. Louis (4.4 percent), Cleveland (4.3 percent), and Columbus, Ohio (4.3 percent). Report methodology The RealtyTrac U.S. Home Sales Report provides percentages of distressed sales and all sales that are sold to investors, institutional investors and cash buyers, a state and metropolitan statistical area. Data is also available at the county and zip code level upon request. The data is derived from recorded sales deeds, foreclosure filings and loan data. Statistics for previous quarters are revised when each new report is issued as more deed data becomes available for those previous months. Median sales price is calculated based on the sales price on the publicly recorded sales deed when available. If no sales price is recorded then the purchase loan amount is used to calculate median price, and if no purchase loan amount is available, the property’s Automated Valuation Model (AVM) at time of sale is used to calculate the median price. Definitions All-cash purchases: sales where no loan is recorded at the time of sale and where RealtyTrac has coverage of loan data. Institutional investor purchases: residential property sales to non-lending entities that purchased at least 10 proper-

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About RealtyTrac RealtyTrac is a leading provider of comprehensive U.S. housing and property data, including nationwide parcel-level records for more than 130 million U.S. properties. Detailed data attributes include property characteristics, tax assessor data, sales and mortgage deed records, distressed data, including default, foreclosure and auctions status, and Automated Valuation Models (AVMs). Sourced from RealtyTrac subsidiary Homefacts.com, the company’s proprietary national neighborhood-level database includes more than 50 key local and neighborhood level dynamics for residential properties, providing unrivaled pre-diligence capabilities and a parcel risk database for portfolio analysis. RealtyTrac’s data is widely viewed as the industry standard and, as such, is relied upon by real estate professionals and service providers, marketers and financial institutions, as well as the Federal Reserve, U.S. Treasury Department, HUD, state housing and banking departments, investment funds and tens of millions of consumers.

Duterte

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with money earned from their blood, sweat, and tears had been taken over by illegal settlers," added Alvarez.

Alvarez said that Sen. Pimentel, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, has emphasized that while all Filipinos must be afforded roofs over their heads, this should not be accomplished by trampling on the rights of legitimate property owners. The lawyer lamented that land-grabbing victims are ironically prevented by law, specifically Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Housing Act of 1992, from getting back what is rightfully theirs. A provision of the law, which stipulates that illegal settlers to one's land cannot be removed unless government has provided them a relocation site, has been abused by so-called "professional squatters" to stay on land- grabbed properties. "If Duterte and his vice presidential running mate, Alan Peter Cayetano, can ( Continued on page 14 )

March 18-24, 2016

Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

Pope Francis

( Continued from page 9 )

our baptism and is “fundamentally the work of the Spirit. “As Catholics we are called to live joyfully and generously and to see every aspect of life as gift from God,” she said. “When you start to understand the enormity of this concept, you start to understand that we are connected through the universal Church. You then begin to understand that stewardship isn’t about ‘things’ but about the Spirit acting, transforming, each of us and the world. I think this is what Pope Francis is trying to teach us.” In his June 5 general audience, Pope Francis addressed this concept and laid down a challenge that brings together the separate pieces of Christian stewardship: “I would therefore like us all to make the serious commitment to respect and care for creation, to pay attention to every person, to combat the culture of waste and of throwing out so as to foster a culture of solidarity and encounter,” he said. Let’s look at each of those pieces more closely. Responsible Consumption “Everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!” In the homily at his inaugural Mass, Pope Francis emphasized the need for all humans, not just Christians, to be “protectors” of creation, setting the stage for what would become a central theme of his early papacy. This role as protector does not simply mean buying “green” or recycling plastic. Instead, it goes far beyond those simple eco-friendly practices to a deeply human level — being protectors of each other, as well as the physical world. “It means respecting each of God’s creatures and respecting the environ-

ment in which we live,” Pope Francis said. “It means protecting people, showing loving concern for each and every person, especially children, the elderly, those in need, who are often the last we think about. “It means caring for one another in our families: husbands and wives first protect one another, and then, as parents, they care for their children, and children themselves, in time, protect their parents. It means building sincere friendships in which we protect one another in trust, respect and goodness. In the end, everything has been entrusted to our protection, and all of us are responsible for it. Be protectors of God’s gifts!” Learning to be a protector starts within, the pope explained, urging people to first protect themselves against hatred, envy and pride, which become the seeds for larger sins and bad intentions. He echoed this sentiment when he quoted Mother Teresa in a homily at World Youth Day in Brazil, telling the 3 million young people gathered for the July 27 prayer vigil on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro that the starting point is not some far-off country, person or government, but every individual. “You and I are the starting point,” he said. “This woman (Mother Teresa) showed determination! She knew where to start. And today I make her words my own and I say to you: Shall we begin? Where? With you and me!” Puerta Edson told Our Sunday Visitor that stewardship is “an act of conversion of the heart. “When the heart responds to the call to discipleship and turns toward stewardship in all aspects, it is impossible to be controlled by negative emotions. Envy, pride and hatred have the same source — they are about fear. If you are fearful, you tend to hoard things, thinking there won’t be enough ‘stuff’ for you. “But if you can control this tendency, then you open yourself up to seeing that good stewards actually have abundance

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in their lives,” she said. “Knowing the gifts that you have been given are from God, to be shared and returned to God with increase is certainly an interior disposition. I think this is why we sometimes have trouble truly living as stewards — we think the external actions are the point when in fact it is what happens inside — our transformation and response to God’s call to us.” Of course, Pope Francis has also addressed the very real and specific issues of environment and caring for creation because, in the end, it’s not enough to simply cultivate an interior attitude of protection and caring. It must spread outward into the larger world. In Brazil he focused especially on the Amazon Basin, where destruction is wreaking havoc, especially in the lives of the poor. “The Church’s presence in the Amazon Basin is not that of someone with bags packed and ready to leave after having exploited everything possible. The Church has been present in the Amazon Basin from the beginning, in her missionaries, religious congregations, priests, laity and bishops and she is still present and critical to the area’s future,” Pope Francis told the bishops of Brazil when he met with them July 28, challenging them to make the area into a “garden” rather than allow it to be “indiscriminately exploited.” Similarly, at his June 5 general audience, he began by saying, “I want to focus on the issue of the environment,” and again used the image of transforming the world into a garden that is habitable for everyone. “Benedict XVI has recalled several times that this task entrusted to us by God the Creator requires us to grasp the pace and logic of creation,” Pope Francis said. “Instead we are often guided by the pride of dominating, possessing, manipulating and exploiting; we do not ‘preserve’ the earth, we do not respect it, we do not consider it as a freely-given gift to look after. “We are losing our attitude of wonder, of contemplation, of listening to creation and thus we no longer manage to interpret in it what Benedict XVI calls ‘the rhythm of the love-story between God and man.’ Why does this happen? Why do we think and live horizontally. We have drifted away from God, we no longer read his signs.” Culture of encounter “A person dying is not news, but if the stock markets drop 10 points it is a tragedy! Thus people are disposed of as if they were trash.” Pope Francis makes the link between what he calls “human ecology” and “environmental ecology,” stressing the need to cultivate human relationships and to walk with our less fortunate brothers and sisters as part of our call to be good stewards of God’s creation. “Fraternity” is a word that surfaces again and again in Pope Francis’ homilies, speeches and impromptu remarks, but it was given an official stamp of approval last month when it was declared the theme of the 2014 World Day of Peace, which will be celebrated Jan. 1. In announcing the theme, the Vatican stated that the theme was designed to highlight “the need to combat the ‘throwaway culture’ and to promote instead a ‘culture of encounter,’ in order to build a more just and peaceful world.” What does a “culture of encounter” look like? According to a Vatican statement it means giving the world “a more human face” by seeing each other as brothers and sisters and not as burdens, especially those who are poor and in need of our help. “The culture of personal well-being leads to a loss of the sense of responsibility and fraternal relationship,” the Vatican said in a statement announcing the theme, adding that when people are not seen as “being like us” they can often be viewed as being against us. “It is no longer man who commands, but money, money — cash commands,” Pope Francis said in his June 5 general audience. “If you break a computer it is a tragedy, but poverty, the needs, the dramas of so many people end up becoming the norm. … A person dying is not news, but if the stock markets drop 10 points it is a tragedy! Thus people are disposed of, as if they were trash.” So this idea of fraternity, of solidarity is not separate from or added onto the notion of protecting creation but is woven into the fabric of stewardship. It does not matter if we plant a vegetable garden, reduce our carbon footprint and buy organic if we are not also equally concerned — or more concerned — with the poverty and the desperate need in the world around us, whether it is in the inner city a few miles away or in an African village across the sea. “Scripture tells us that God created the moon, the stars, night, day, plants, animals and then human beings. It is human beings that God gave responsibility for ‘care’ of everything else in creation as well as care of each other,” said Linda Perrone Rooney, author of “Walking the Disciple’s Path: Eight Steps That Will Change Your Life and the World” (Ave Maria Press, $13.95). “It’s about seeing oneself in solidarity with all else that exists. When we reach this kind of spiritual perspective on life and our relationship to life, then we naturally are more respectful of every facet of life and most especially other human beings, whose dignity is foremost in God’s heart.

“Our respect leads us to be mindful of how we then care for life — our own, creation, our relationships with others, the needs of others especially the poor and marginalized,” Perrone Rooney told OSV. “It isn’t about talking the talk; it is about walking in solidarity with all of life and giving care as we are able with our resources, gifts and unique claims on grace.” In probably one of the more unexpected statements he’s made, Pope Francis even tied the care for others and this idea of “encounter” to the waste of food, saying that throwing food away is like “stealing from the tables of the poor.” He encouraged people to address the issue of food waste as a “vehicle of solidarity” with the poor. Culture of solidarity “We must never allow the throwaway culture to enter our hearts, because we are brothers and sisters. No one is disposable!” Those words and similar statements on caring for the poor have made headlines because they sound so radical to our modern ears. But they take us right back to the Gospel, to the words of Jesus, to St. Francis of Assisi and other great saints and sages over the centuries who stood in the public square and reminded us of our duties as Christians — right up to our modern-day popes who have challenged us to do the same. In American culture, there is a move toward “downsizing” and “decluttering,” simplifying and getting “back to basics.” And while that’s all well and good, what Pope Francis is saying is that those things don’t really hold, don’t really transform unless they are linked to solidarity with others — with a concern for humanity and the planet that is rooted in God, not in a cleaner house or a smaller credit card bill. “The culture of selfishness and individualism that often prevails in our society is not ... what builds up and leads to a more habitable world: rather, it is the culture of solidarity that does so,” Pope Francis said on a visit to the Varginha favela in Brazil on July 25. “We must never allow the throwaway culture to enter our hearts, because we are brothers and sisters. No one is disposable! Let us always remember this: Only when we are able to share do we become truly rich; everything that is shared is multiplied!” In Rome on Aug. 4, in an Angelus address after his return from World Youth Day, Pope Francis spoke about the need for all people — but particularly young people — to turn away from the materialism that is rampant in the culture and to embrace a life grounded in something deeper. “The encounter with the living Christ in his great family, which is the Church, fills hearts with joy, for it fills them with true life, with a profound goodness that endures, that does not tarnish,” Pope Francis said, warning against the “poison of emptiness which creeps into our society based on profit and possession and on consumerism which deceives young people.” True wealth, Pope Francis continued, is not found in things devoid of real meaning and value but in the love of God shared with others. In American culture, especially, where people find status in the things they own, that message can be tough to hear. Does it mean you can’t have an iPhone or a new car or nice clothes? Is that attempting to “serve two masters,” as Scripture warns is impossible? It’s not the smartphone that’s inherently bad, however, but rather the obsessive need to have the best and latest version of it and to never have it far from reach. You can own a smartphone — or whatever “luxury” item is your particular poison — as long as it doesn’t own you. And, of course, the same holds true for the many other things that have a basis in materialism even if they don’t break the bank: an addiction to the daily Starbucks latte, for example, or the need to buy copious lottery tickets or to book one vacation after another. Chances are, even if those things aren’t costing too much in dollars and cents, they may be costing us in other ways. These ways may pull us away from Christ and away from a connection to the joys and sufferings of others people who perhaps could use some of our time, attention and, yes, money. Life in balance “Do not bury your talents! Set your stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, the ideals of service that make your talents fruitful.” Materialism can come into play not just in what we buy, but in how we use our time, especially in a world where endless media and electronic entertainment threatens to distract us from more serious pursuits. We hardly have to be serious all the time, but we do have to consider where we’re putting most of our time and energy. Are we staring at a screen for hours on end, ignoring real-life encounters with family and friends in favor of texting or Facebooking? Or are we wandering the local mall in pursuit of something to make us feel complete or fulfilled? We’re called to live life in balance. When Pope Francis returned to Rome from World Youth Day, the first thing he did was visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major to offer a prayer to the Blessed

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Honoring

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to two of the largest programs of KCS: “ Siglang Buhay: Food and Fitness Cancer Prevention” funded by the California Cancer Research program for a million dollars to reduce cancer risks in FilAms through nutrition and physical activity. The FilAm Wellness Center was also at this time built through funding from the California Wellness Foundation and The California Endowment. The Healthy Eating and Active Living Campaign was conducted at the Center to help restaurant and grocery owners sell and prepare healthy dishes for the FilAm community. This was truly the “Golden Age of KCS. In all the above, Dr. Oades managed, participated and was very supportive of all the projects as well as the nutrition/ physical activity ones. Through meetings with staff and the Board of Directors, he managed to oversee the activities of the Center such that work was done efficiently and effectively. He also mentored staff to be motivated in their work and to be diligent in fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Thus, during his time,

we were able to accomplish much. HISTORIAN AND JOURNALISTWhile programs are going on Dr. Oades has been documenting them by writing about it in the Asian Journal and other newspapers—Filipino Press, Mabuhay News and Philippine News and World Report. Thus, it will be easy for Dr. Dirige to put together a book on Kalusugan as he has written most of it already and it will just be a matter of compiling them. HIS FOURTH FAMILY- KALUSUGAN MEMBERS Dr. Riz Oades has four families—his original family, two other families, and Kalusugan. Of course, one of his most loved families are members of KCS. He spent 17 years of his life developing KCS together with Dr. Dirige and Paul Ones, Co-Founders. In the early years as well as in the later years he spent more time with KCS that his other three families. He was so dedicated to his work with KCS, helping write grants, managing programs and enjoyed working every moment of it. Even now, the community is still grieving his loss. He and Paul Ones worked together tirelessly as officers of COPAO enhancing the Filipino image. May Riz continue to be in our memory as a role model of someone who was so dedicated to his pioneering work of an organization that we hope will continue long into the future even after he is gone. We remember his legacy this year by creating the Dr. RIZ A. OADES SCHOLARSHIP Endowment Fund so young people can remember him and follow in his steps to do something good for the FilAm community. KUDOS to Him! To be Continued: His role in the community. MESSAGES FROM SDG&E Spring Forward With Energy Savings! Times are changing!! Don’t forget to set your clocks one hour ahead when Daylight Saving Time begins on March 13th. Also, SDG&E’s rates will change starting in April 1, 2016. SDG&E customers will see a new two-tier electric rate structure in their energy bills. For more information about the rate structure and what it means to you, please go to this link: HYPERLINK "http:// www.sdge.com/RateReform/" sdge.com/ RateReform/ This spring, SDG&E customers can go green by taking advantage of a number of tools to help manage energy use and costs such as: Get rid of the paper! SDG&E’s My Account is an easy & secure way to manage your energy account online and on your smartphone. With My Account, you can pay bills online, analyze your bill, view your energy use & discover ways to save energy and money in your home. HYPERLINK "http://www.sdge. com/residential/pay-your-bill" sdge. com/residential/MyAccount Find energy savings at home! Complete an energy survey for a customized report and savings tips. HYPERLINK "http://www.sdge.com/save-money/ solutions-your-home/your-home-cansave-you-money" http://www.sdge.com/ save-money/solutions-your-home/yourhome-can-save-you-money This spring, SDG&E wants everything coming up roses in your yard. Building a deck? Planting a tree? Installing a fence or mailbox? Dial 811 before you dig! Why? There are utility lines underground all over San Diego. Watch this video for more information: HYPERLINK "http://www.sdge.com/safety/ gas-safety/dial-811-you-dig" sdge.com/ safety/gas-safety/dial-811-you-dig Remember, dial 811 before you dig. HYPERLINK "https://twitter.com/ search?q=%23espsdge" #espsdge

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Asian Journal San Diego | 619.474.0588 | www.asianjournalusa.com

March 18-24, 2016

Trends

The Complete Guide to Breaking Your Smartphone Habit

A neurofeedback technique for self-motivation — Kurzweil AI Newsletter fMRI visual feedback reinforces pleasurable brain sensations March 15, 2016 This illustration shows an experiment in which subjects received real-time feedback during an MRI scan that showed activity in a reward center of their brain. Without feedback, they were unable to reliably increase activity in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA, in red), but the fluctuating thermometer helped them learn and adopt effective strategies by thinking about motivating themselves. Their self-generated boosts in VTA activation then worked even after the thermometer display was removed. (credit: Jeff MacInnes, Duke University) Duke University scientists have developed a “neurofeedback” technique to improve self motivation by manipulating specific neural circuits using thoughts and imagery. (Neurofeedback is a specialized form of biofeedback that can help generate strategies to overcome anxiety and stress or to cope with other medical conditions.) “These methods show a direct route for manipulating brain networks centrally involved in healthy brain function and daily behavior,” said the study’s senior investigator R. Alison Adcock, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and associate director of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience in the Duke University Institute for Brain Sciences. Triggering pleasurable brain sensations The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which measures changes in blood oxygen levels, allowing more precisely localized measurements of brain activity than with EEG. Specifically, the study focused

on the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a small area deep within the brain that is a major source of dopamine, a neurochemical well known for its role in motivation, experiencing rewards, learning, and memory. The VTA area is also implicated in the drug and natural reward circuitry of the brain. It is important in cognition, motivation, orgasm, and intense emotions relating to love. According to Adcock’s previous research, when people are given incentives to remember specific images, an increase in VTA activation before the image appears predicts whether the participants are going to successfully remember the image. In the new study, described in the March 16 issue of the journal Neuron, the team first encouraged participants in the scanner to generate feelings of motivation — using their own personal strategies — during 20-second intervals. They weren’t able to raise their VTA activity consistently on their own. But when the scientists provided participants with neurofeedback from the VTA, presented in the form of a fluctuating thermometer, participants were able to learn which strategies worked, and ultimately adopt more effective strategies. Compared to control groups, the neurofeedback-trained participants successfully elevated their VTA activity. Participants reported using a variety of different motivational strategies, from imagining parents or coaches encouraging them, to playing out hypothetical scenarios in which their efforts were rewarded. The self-generated boost in VTA activation worked even after the thermometer display was removed. The neurofeedback training also acti( Continued on page 5 )

by Brett and Kate McKay, A Man’s Life (www.theartofmanliness.com) | 2/22/2016 — Smartphones are magical. A device that’s small enough to fit in your pocket, allows you to instantly communicate with virtually anyone on earth, take breathtaking photos, and access humanity’s collected knowledge. Amazing! But like any magical implement, the smartphone’s power can be so consuming that all you want to do is stare into its comforting, glowing, little screen and cling to it like Gollum does his “Precious” in The Lord of the Rings. Unsurprisingly a growing number of people feel disconcerted with the insatiable pull their phones exercise on them, and are unhappy with the amount of time and attention they give to these devices in return. When I talked with professor Cal Newport on my podcast about what smartphones are doing to our minds, the discussion seemed to really resonate with a lot of you. I received a sack full of letters from readers sharing their frustration with their smartphone use and how it’s hurt their relationships, and gotten in the way of not only doing productive and meaningful work, but being fully present in their lives. Many of you also wanted to know the names of the apps I mentioned on the podcast that I personally have found helpful in managing my own smartphone use. Today I’ll share those apps, while also laying out a more encompassing guide to breaking the smartphone habit. While putting certain access blockers on your phone can be a great help, you also have to take a truly holistic and intentional approach to maintaining a healthy relationship with your phone. Below I present such a game plan with all the tools and techniques you might consider implementing in order to get a handle on your smartphone habit. I really couldn’t find a comparable resource online, so I’ve made this article pretty robust, with ideas that can work regardless of your situation in life, how you want/need to use your smartphone for business and pleasure, and which phone you use. For ease in sorting through it all and figuring out which approach might work best for you, I’ve 1) created a flow chart, and 2) offered a summary of what I’ve done in my own life to drastically reduce the amount of time I spend on my smartphone; hopefully it will give you a better grasp of how these apps and techniques

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can be implemented. Let’s get started, beginning with why you might consider limiting your smartphone use in the first place. The Negative Effects of Chronic Smartphone Use For many folks, checking and twiddling with their smartphone has become a habit boarding on addiction. Many would shrug off this ubiquitous habit as simply a harmless distraction from boredom, and certainly smartphones can be a big positive in our lives — a source of both entertainment and a nearly indispensable tool for business and communication in the modern world. Yet research shows that heavy smartphone use can also have a deleterious effect on several different aspects of our lives: Loss of empathy and connection with others. In Reclaiming Conversation, MIT professor Sherry Turkle highlights research that communication mediated through smartphone screens makes us less empathetic. Texting can be convenient, but we lose the inflections, tone, and facial expressions that are so key in our bonding with and understanding others. (For even more insight on this topic, check out my interview with her on the podcast.) Heck, research shows that simply having a smartphone in our line of sight causes us to pay less attention to the people we’re with and keep our conversations more superficial; when there’s a good chance we’ll be interrupted, we don’t see the point in trying to connect with someone on a deeper level. While there are lots of factors contributing to the increasing sense of loneliness in Western society, growing smartphone use has certainly played a role. Loss of sleep. According to surveys, 44% of those 18-24 say they fall asleep with their smartphone in their hand, and a quarter say, “I don’t sleep as well as I used to because I am connected to technology all the time.” Smartphone use can negatively impact your sleep because its blue light messes with your circadian rhythm, and its pings can awaken you after you’ve dozed off; 4 in 10 adults and teenagers say they’ve checked their phone in the middle of the night after getting a notification. If you’re anxious about how someone’s going to respond to your text, you may also simply have trouble putting the phone aside and falling asleep in the first place. Loss of focus and the ability to do deep, meaningful work. Even though one of the original selling points of smartphones was their ability to help us get work done on the go, they’re ironically one of the greatest inhibitors of our productivity. In Deep Work, Cal Newport makes the case that smartphones, along with other digital devices, are training our brains to be constantly distracted. The pings and buzzes of smartphone notifications condition us to stay in a state of divided attention; we can never truly immerse ourselves in a task because there’s a chance we’ll miss something on our phones. Newport highlights research showing that even when chronic smartphone and computer users shut everything off so they can focus on a single task, the habit of operating with divided attention is so ingrained in their brains, they still have a hard time concentrating. In other words, smartphones atrophy our ability to think and work deeply. Loss of the ability to be fully present in your life. More people reach for their smartphone first thing in the morning than their significant other. People spend an average of 8 hours a day on their laptops and smartphones, and 81% say they have their phone switched on all the time. Over half of Millennials say they

Duterte

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reclaim our streets from criminals and drug fiends in three to six months, then there's little doubt that land-grabbers have reasons to be afraid," said Alvarez. "But Congress must work closely with the next administration to plug loopholes in laws that are being exploited by illegal settlers and land-grabbers," she added. Alvarez cited a case in Antipolo City where the Engineering Office issued last year a notice of violation of Presidential Decree Section 301 in relation to Section 309 of the National Building Code against a certain Commodore Daniel Trinidad Delgado for not having a building permit. Both the Antipolo Mayor and Assessor have stated that Delgado is not a real estate taxpayer in Antipolo and does not own any land in Antipolo. Delgado and Rachel Mabaggu, his alleged land seller, claim that they own vast tracts of land in Antipolo. But the Land Registration Authority has stated that the land title number that Rachel Mabaggu allegedly owns does not exist. In fact, Mabaggu and her hus-

check and use their phone “constantly.” Each time you look down at your phone’s screen, you’re not looking at something else in your environment. You’re not looking at your kids, or the beautiful scenery on a trip, or the friend who’s sitting right across from you. You’re not present. By giving your phone hours of your life, day after day, what might you be missing out on? How to Break the Smartphone Habit Are you tired of being unable to really engage in conversations with your friends because you’re always checking your phone? Do you feel guilty about how often your kids catch you staring at a screen when you should be interacting with them? Are you sick of ending each day bemoaning your utter lack of focus and productivity at work, and how little progress you’re making on your goals? While the bad news is that chronic smartphone use can have a negative impact on your life, the good news is that research demonstrates that the restless, distraction-producing itch they exercise on us can be reversed. It just takes some work and discipline to get a handle on your habit. Here’s how to do it: Perform an Audit on Your Cell Phone Use The first step in breaking the smartphone habit is to measure how much time you’re actually spending on your phone throughout the day. Seeing how you’re using it will allow you to make more intentional and mindful decisions about the kind of relationship you want to have with your phone. Heck, just seeing hard numbers on how much time you’re spending on your phone can affect your use. When I saw that I checked my smartphone 100 times in a day, I immediately started checking it less. Thanks to a few apps out there, auditing your smartphone use is pretty easy. Android has more robust tracking apps than the iPhone thanks to the openness of the Android platform. So you’ll find that most of the apps I list are Android (this will be a re-occurring theme). Many of them not only track your smartphone time, but can also help you manage that time, which will come in handy in “dumbifying” your phone, which we’ll discuss below. Auditing Apps Available for Both iPhone and Android Checky. This app shows you how many times you’ve checked your smartphone a day and allows you to compare stats day to day. While it doesn’t show you how much time you’re spending within each app on your phone, just seeing how many times you pick up your phone and swipe the unlock screen can provide some much-needed perspective on your smartphone use. Auditing Apps Available for Android Only RescueTime. RescueTime is a paid service that allows you track how much time you spend on certain websites and even how long you use certain apps on your computer and smartphone. You simply create an account with RescueTime, install the app on your smartphone, and the software takes care of

the rest. At the end of each week, RescueTime will send you an email report that gives you a breakdown of how much time you spent within each app on your smartphone. BreakFree. BreakFree tracks app usage on your smartphone. It will even send you notifications if it thinks you’re checking your smartphone too much. Besides the app tracking, BreakFree has tools to help you curtail smartphone usage by turning off its notifications and wifi at set times. QualityTime. QualityTime is another Android app that tracks app usage and gives you detailed breakdowns of how much time you’re spending on each. You can set time limits for each app and QualityTime will send you a warning when you’re getting close to your limit. You can even block certain time-wasting apps. Auditing App Available for iPhone Only Moment. While Moment doesn’t tell you how much time you’re spending within each app on your iPhone, it gives you an overall look at how much time you spend on your phone each day. Moment allows you to set time limits on your iPhone usage, and once you reach it, the app will block you from using your device. Pick a tracking app and use it for a week. Use your smartphone as you usually do (though, that’s hard because once you start observing a particular behavior, that behavior typically changes). By the end of the week, you should have a rough idea of how often you’re checking your smartphone and exactly how you’re using it. Going Nuclear, or Getting a “Dumbphone” Alright. It’s been a week, and you have a good idea of how much you’re using your smartphone and what apps you’re using. Maybe you’re so appalled by the results of your smartphone audit that you decide the best course of action is to completely chuck your smartphone altogether and downgrade to a rudimentary “dumbphone” that just allows you to make calls and send simple text messages. If that’s what you decide to do, you’ll be in good company. In recent years there’s been a burgeoning “dumbphone movement” in which individuals deliberately choose to opt out of the culture of hyper-connectedness by using cell phones that looks like the one you owned back in 2001. By eliminating the ability to access apps on their phones, these retronauts eliminate the temptation to constantly check them. Ironically, many of the developers and business execs in Silicon Valley who are making addiction-inducing smartphone apps, count themselves as members of the dumbphone movement. By going with the dumbphone, they’re better able to focus on the work of making you less focused. They’re like junk food execs who want to get you hooked on Doritos, but eat a clean paleo diet themselves!

band, Bernando, are in the list of squatting syndicates as reported by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). Although Delgado does not have lawful ownership of land in Antipolo City, he has gates, fences, and a 2-storey house of approximately 400 square meters or 4,000 square feet built in the area. There are more than 700 parcels of land in Kay Ugat and Everly Subdivision that Delgado claims he owns.

helpless. To date, no one wants to help them and the land grabbers are still there. Zosimo Laurel Contreras is asking: Where is justice and the rule of law in the Philippines? There's only one conclusion here: Philippine authorities are scared of the land grabbers. The Antipolo city prosecutor is still in the process of raffling off the case for trial. But it has been 60 days and the case has not yet assigned up to now. Delgado did not attend the preliminary investigation and arraignment although he was called twice to appear before the Antipolo City Prosecutor. This shows that Delgado utterly disrespects the law. Senators Pimentel and Cayetano, and Mayor Duterte are well aware of the problem, according to Alvarez, and the three intend to do something about it through close legislative-executive coordination.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also owns two parcels of land in the area, so BSP could be considered a landgrabbing victim too. The first property has Property Identification Number (PIN) 008-0427-275 and Tax Declaration No. AR 008 15004 while the second property has Property Identification Number (PIN) 008 0448 207 and Tax Declaration number AR 008 15247. Another victim of landgrabbing is Zosimo Laurel Contreras, grandson of President Jose Laurel and first cousin of the late VP Salvador Laurel. His property is in Tagaytay. At Laurel Contreras' testimony in the hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress, he said that he sued and won. He added that the land grabbers were evicted by the court but after few days the land grabbers came back and told him: Sue us again. The Laurels went back to Philippine authorities and they were

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Daily Mail picks PHL as Asia’s next must-see destination

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June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election MAGPAREHISTRO PARA MAKABOTO.

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y of Count iego San D Good News Pilipinas | LONDON, 3/15/2016 — United Kingdom’s Mail Online recently posted an article calling the Philippines, Asia’s new must-see destination is the Philippines… complete with thriller Manila and 7,000 perfectlypreserved paradise islands.” The article by Peter Lloyd listed the reasons why the Philippines should be on the traveler’s list, posting anecdotes and pictures from his travels in the country. The UK publication highlighted the South East Asian archipelago’s 7,000 isles with its stunning remote islands. The writer encouraged visitors to enjoy the capital city of Manila for all its hustle and bustle, even accepting the notorious epic traffic saying, “the adrenaline-inducing roads were surprisingly entertaining thanks to inventive ways

locals out-smart their tail-backs with jeepneys – Manila’s death-defying buses (military jeeps left-over by US troops following the Second World War).” Photos of the Philippine jeepney were captioned with, “The thriller that’s Manila: The city’s famous Jeepney buses – old US military trucks from WW2 – ensure the capital’s roads are never dull.” Another street scene was captioned, “Traffic: Famed for its epic gridlock, the adrenaline-inducing transport system is an unlikely (but must-see) tourist trap.” The writer spoke of the multiple offerings of culture, shopping and nightlife with VIP beach breaks. Lloyd recommended going beyond Manila and praised the country’s idyllic islands which he said, “feel truly secluded and untouched.”

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He recommended visitors see the islands of Bohol, Panglao, and Palawan. Lloyd wrapped up his anecdotes by saying he discovered the magic of the Philippines in the “heady combination of the people and the place.” “Yes, it’s true that Asia’s more commercial offerings may have long enjoyed their moment in the sun, but – when it comes to the Philippines – their time is most definitely now.”

BUMOTO SA PAMAMAGITAN NG KOREO.

Maaari ninyong matanggap ang inyong mga balota at iba pang mga materyales sa eleksyon sa koreo sa pamamagitan ng: (1) pagkumpleto ng kard ng aplikasyon sa likod ng inyong ihemplong balota (2) pagtawag sa Tagapagrehistro ng mga Botante at humiling ng isang kard para maging botante ng pagboto sa koreo, o (3) pagsulat ng inyong sariling kahilingan Ang mga kard o aplikasyon ay dapat ipadala sa San Diego County Registrar of Voters, 5600 Overland Ave. San Diego, 92123. Ang aplikasyon na na-i-fax ay tatanggapin din. Ang numero ng fax ay 858-694-2955. Ang nakasulat na kahilingan para sa isang balotang pangkoreo ay dapat may pangalan ninyo, nakarehistrong adres sa San Diego, pirma at adres kung saan ipapadala ang balota. Ang huling araw para humiling ng isang balotang pangkoreo para sa Pampanguluhang Primaryang Eleksyon ay sa Martes, Ika-31 ng Mayo, 2016.

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Entertainment

Kapuso dramas to air in Mexico and Canada Filipino viewers but more importantly, among foreign viewers as well. We are fortunate to have steadily grown our market in Asia and Africa, and are looking forward to closing more deals in other territories,” she adds. Barcelona also revealed that Papua New Guinea and Turkey have expressed interest in both GMA’s canned titles and drama formats. “In territories that do not have a tradition of acquiring foreign content or in countries where foreign content forms a very small percentage of the programming grid, we offer our drama formats which they can produce with their own local artists,” she says. “Syndicating Filipino content inter-

nationally is not easy as there is much competition. However, the demand is steadily growing and this is why my team and I exert much effort to deliver only the best to all our clients,” Barcelona relates. This year, GWI marks an important milestone as it celebrates its 20th year in the industry. Through GWI, GMA’s content has become widely available in most of Southeast Asia and in select countries in Africa such as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. GMA’s programs are also sold in Hawaii and Canada and soon in Eastern Europe. (30)

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Casino Awards $1.25 Million, $660,000 and $89,770 jackpots (El Cajon, CA) – March 16, 2016 –Sycuan Casino has been especially lucky lately. Three San Diegans hit the jackpot, literally, at Sycuan Casino recently. The first lucky winner walked away with over $660,000 in winnings after playing on the casino’s Mayan Chief Machine. Then just over a week later another lucky guest hit an enormous $1.25 million progressive jackpot on the popular Wheel of Fortune machine. And this past Friday, a third patron hit an incredible $89,770 Bingo Green jackpot. “We love it when our guests are on a winning streak. It really enhances the already fun vibe on the casino floor,” said John Dinius, general manager at Sycuan Casino. “And while we have tons of jackpots daily, these recent huge winnings have made for a really exciting couple of weeks – what a great way to start off the year. Our only question now is, who’s next?” Sycuan Casino is home to 2,000 lucky slots and over 40 table games in both smoking and nonsmoking environments. The casino also offers a poker room, a wide variety of dining venues including Paipa’s buffet, GameDay Sports Bar & Grill and Wachena café, the 457-seat Live & Up Close entertainment venue and more. About Sycuan Casino Sycuan Casino began as a humble Bingo Palace back in 1983. Now, 32 years later it has become a community landmark. Undergoing a massive renovation in 2012, Sycuan now features 2,000 exciting reel and video slot machines, more than 40 gaming tables, poker, bingo and a variety of restaurants to choose from. Non-smokers will also enjoy over 800 slots and table games in the comfort of San Diego’s first and largest fully-enclosed non-smoking room – complete with its own separate entrance and Paipa’s Surf & Turf buffet. ( Continued on page 5 )

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A localized version of Munting Heredera (Little Heiress) will be produced by Mexican company Telefilm Atlantico S.A., who acquired the program’s format through GWI’s license agent in South America, Latin Media Corporation. Considered as one of the Network’s most successful dramas, Munting

Heredera, which tells of a grandmother’s search for her heiress, is the first GMA scripted drama to be produced in Latin America. Meanwhile, major Canadian broadcasting company Rogers Media Inc. acquired a package of Kapuso titles in high definition that will air on their free TV channel. These include My Destiny, Second Chances (Another Chance), and Beautiful Strangers, among others. “GMA Worldwide continues to be the company of choice for Filipino content,” says GWI Vice President Roxanne J. Barcelona. “Our presence in various territories proves that our content is relevant and favored not just among

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Viewers in Mexico and Canada are set to enjoy a premium selection of drama programs from the Kapuso Network. This was made possible by GMA Worldwide, Inc. (GWI), a wholly owned subsidiary of GMA Network that syndicates its content to the international market.

March 18-24, 2016