Asian Journal January 21, 2011 edition

The Sentinels by Davidson at Del Sur Grand Opening

Jan. 29... p 12

God Sees What is Hidden from Man... p 11

(Continued on page 19)

Warning: The California Department of Real Estate has not examined this offering, including but not limited to the condition of title, the status of blanket liens of the project (if any), arrangements to assure project completion, escrow practices, control over project management, racially discriminatory practice (if any), terms, conditions, and price of the offer, control over annual assessments (if any), or the availability of water services, utilities, or improvements. It may be advisable for you to consult an attorney or other knowledgeable professional who is familiar with real estate and development law in the country where this subdivision is situated.

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why not try government ser-vice now?” said Brillantes, after he was sworn in Sun-day as the poll body’s new chairman.

“I didn’t ask for this [post], and it is something I can’t resist,” quipped Bril-

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January 21 - 27, 2011

New HomesMsgr. Gutierrez Ogie CruzBaron, itinanggi

binastos si Cherry Pie! ... p 18

By Maria Eleanor E. Valeros

Filipinos have a better chance of surviving three world crises climate change, the peak oil crisis, and an un-folding economic crisis with our frugal lifestyle of utiliz-ing for example the small CR water dipper; our innovation of an efficient non-rail trans-port system with vehicles like the trisikad; and our culture where family, community and church are emphasized over consumption.

Dr. Glen Green, a pro-fessor at the University of San Carlos, Departments of Biology and Architecture, as well as a student of Planetary Sciences, discussed in a forum our adeptness at survivability which when magnified on a global scale would pressure developed countries to “catch up to Cebu and the Philip-pines.”

“The Filipino has a bet-ter chance of prospering in the future, not just in terms of sustainability, but more importantly in survivability, which is the call of our pres-ent times. Cebu’s low-tech developments, and the less wasteful Filipino lifestyle can help us all move away from fossil fuel-dependent develop-ment. Filipinos have the skills to overcome the ill effects of climate change, and survive oil scarcity, and a potential fall of the world economy,” Dr. Green pointed out in his presentation supported by reports, statistics and all sorts of graphs.

Green emphasized small Filipino success stories that make us rich.

“If you think we Ameri-cans are rich, you’re wrong. You are far richer than us by leaps and bounds. The US is the biggest user of the world’s resources, and it’s the biggest debtor nation on the planet.

Pinoys more likely to survive this century amid crisisCOMPLICATED AFFAIRS

Good LifeBy Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.

Publisher & EditorAsian Journal San Diego

The Original and First Asian Journal in America

Chapter 1

“My wife is divorcing me,” Danny told his friends Bobby and Mandy over lunch at an Italian restaurant in San Diego, California.

“Why only now?” Bobby asked.Danny knew it was a joke, but his friend’s question was actually legitimate. For years,

he had been unfaithful to his wife and she knew it. An incurable gambler, he could not hold on to a steady job and financially depended on her to support their family of five children. Mandy could relate to Danny’s experience. He too was a gambler, a vice they had picked up as teenagers in high school. Like Danny, his wife divorced him due to his womanizing ways and financial imprudence. Luckily for him, he would find a second wife whom he had learned to love and from whom he learned financial responsibility.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have another chance,” he as-sured his friend. “Look at me.”

Bobby, a doctor, didn’t care for Mandy’s com- parison. He believed Mandy was just lucky to have met a good second wife able to help him change his ways for the better. Her mother had paid him to marry his daughter who could then get a green card and live in the United States with her son from a previous relationship.

“Is there a way you can save your marriage?” he asked his friend.

“I don’t think so,” Danny replied. “She had enough.”“But you have been womanizing for years,” Mandy reminded

him. “And she had always forgiven you.”“This time, it’s different.”“Why?”“Remember Mercedes? My Mexican girlfriend? I had introduced the two of you at the

Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana?”“Yes.”“She just gave birth to a daughter.”

“How did that happen?”“I don’t know. She just called me up out of the blue and told me she was pregnant with my child.”

“How did your wife hear about it?”“Mercedes left a message

at our home which my wife intercepted.”

“How stupid can one be?”“She didn’t know I was

married. I told her I was single.”

“How stupid are you? Why did you give her your home

phone number?”“I didn’t. She must have got-

ten it from the phone book.”“Now what?” Bobby asked his

Rita Andrews, immediate past president of the Council of Phil-ippine American Organizations (COPAO) inducted the Council’s officers for 2011-2012. Shown taking their oath of office are (l-r) Merly Ferrer, president; Rudy D. Liporada, vice-president for op-erations; Directors Gloria Aspiras, Ronaldo Dinogan, Jun Mata-ban, Arlito Reclosado, Virgil Yalong, Rosalina Idos, Fred Gallardo, and Glenn Abille. (Photo by Zeny Ply.) See story on page 6.

Marita Ferrer Still COPAO Prexy

Jesse Edep, GMANews.TV

The web is abuzz with

news and comments about Sixto Brillantes Jr., the newly appointed head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The public is eager to know: who is Brillantes and why was he chosen to replace former Comelec chairman Jose Melo?

Brillantes Jr. is a vet-eran election lawyer, a bar topnotcher, and a son of a former Comelec commis-sioner.

The 71-year-old lawyer believes that public service would be the best way to cap his career.

“I’m already retiring so

Who is Comelec’s Sixto Brillantes Jr.?

Atty, Sixto Brillantes Jr. was sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice Antonio Nachura as the new Chairman of the Commission on Elections of the Philippines.

Page 2 January 21 - 27, 2011Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.com

By: Father Shay Cullen

The much heralded with-drawal of US combat troops from Iraq “as promised and on schedule”, as President Ba-rack Obama said last August is a step in right direction towards disengagement of the United States of America from that war torn and rav-aged country.

While it’s a small political victory for President Obama in achieving a draw-down of troops while leaving 50,000 to hold together the shaky disunited ruling fractions. Iraq is far from the free, peace-ful, democratic fantasy that Former President George Wil-liam Bush promised the world when he foolishly declared “mission accomplished’, a few weeks after the US troops took Baghdad. His decision to invade Iraq was made under pressure from the US oil and military-industrial complex was based on the pretext that there were weapons of mass destruction threatening Eu-rope. That war has brought intolerable suffering to the people of Iraq.

Half a million innocent Iraqis died, maimed and thousands more in exile the basic infrastructure sill in a shambles, the nation can be said to be worse off now than before Bushes and Blare’s war. Elections have been held in Iraq but now six months later, the contentious tribal and religious fractions cannot agree to form a government. It has given al-Qaida cause to further destabilize Iraqi with a new rash of horrific bomb-ings.

One has to admire Presi-dent Obama for his persistent pursuit of peace through di-

The War That Never Ends plomacy as he said last June, in a speech where he outlined his national security strat-egy to the American people: “Our long-term security will not come from our ability to instill fear in other people, but through our capacity to speak to their hopes”. He pointed to the present threats that had to dealt with: nuclear prolifera-tion, climate change, home grown terrorism, economic meltdown and domestic pov-erty in the United States.

He inherited two wars and an economic disaster. He is up against the most vitriolic republican party that resents his very existence and is hell bent to prevent him, the first black president, and an highly intelligent and educated one at that, from achieving any-thing positive. He will indeed, in time, prove them wrong and his administration has made enormous strides in his first 18 months in office. The passing of health care and financial regulation laws that eluded every president before him in recent history is a ma-jor achievement.

His policy of engag-ing with enemies instead of threatening invasion and war has won him friends in Asia and the Middle-East. His initiative to get the Palestin-ians and the Israelis talking is also a political positive despite the hard lien positions of both sides. While he may not achieve much with Iran or North Korea, he is succeeding in developing positive rela-tionships with India, China and Russia. Afghanistan is now the next focus and the withdrawal date has been set.

In the Philippines, a tra-ditional positive relationship


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Law Offices of Chua Tinsay & Vegawww.ctvattys.com

by Atty. Aurora Vega-Buzon Esq.Legal Buzz

Read Atty. Aurora Vega’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

Public Law 111-83 signed by President Obama on October 28, 2009 permits the approval of a visa petition for an alien who is seeking an immigration benefit through a deceased qualifying relative.

Who are covered? Imme-diate relatives (spouse, parents and minor children of US Cit-izen); Principal beneficiaries of approved or pending fam-ily preference visa petitions (F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4) and their spouses and minor children (known as derivative beneficiaries); Principal ben-eficiaries of approved or pend-ing employment-based visa petitions and their spouses and minor children (derivative beneficiaries); Beneficiaries of Refugee/Asylee petitions, approved or pending, and their derivative beneficiaries; and Aliens granted status as derivative “T” or “U”; and the spouse and minor children of an alien granted asylee status – these are the classes of aliens covered by the new law. But to be covered by the

Your petitioner dies - are you covered by the new

law? Surviving relatatives of deceased petitioner, Part II

law and claim the immigration benefit or visa, you must be in the United States when your qualifying relative died and must continue to re-side in the U.S. when your case is decided.

And who is the deceased “qualify-ing rela-tive” that an alien can claim a benefit from – in the case of a family-based pe-tition, it’s the pe-titioner or principal beneficiary; in the case of an employment–based petition, it’s the principal beneficiary of the immigrant worker peti-tion or labor certification; in a refugee/asylee petition, it’s the petitioner; in a “T” or “U” visa, it’s the principal alien entitled to the T or U status; and in a derivative asylee peti-tion, the principal asylee.

Here are several examples:Your U.S. citizen spouse

filed a petition for you in September 2010 (before the law was passed), 1 week after getting married. He was deployed in November 2010 and was an unfortunate ca-sualty in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan before Christ-mas. You are scheduled for an interview this January 2011 for his spouse petition and your adjustment application. Are you covered by this law? Yes. His I-130 spouse peti-tion will be converted to your own I-360 widow(er) petition even if you were married for less than 2 years - the normal length of marriage required for widow(er) petitions. The same is true if you arrived in the U.S. as a K-3 spouse.

Your husband is on an H-1B visa and you and your 3 minor children are here on H-4

visas. Your

spouse’s EB-2 immi-grant worker petition was

filed by his employer in November

2010 and is pending. He died of a heart attack 2 weeks ago. Can his immigrant worker petition be approved? Yes, an immigrant worker petition can still be approved notwithstanding the death of the principal benefi-ciary, assuming all the basic requirements have been met (employer’s ability to pay, job is properly an EB-2 position and your husband was quali-

fied for the position). If his employer decides to withdraw the immigrant worker petition because of his death, the with-drawal will not be honored by USCIS because the employer no longer has any legal inter-est in the immigration of the principal beneficiary’s widow and children.

Your brother’s petition was approved in 1990 and you have submitted all your papers and paid all your affidavit of support and visa fees to the National Visa Center last De-cember for yourself, spouse and 1 child who is now 20 y/o. Your brother died Janu-ary 12th this year, can you still get your visas from the U.S Embassy when you are called for an interview? No, un-fortunately, the law does not cover you because you were not in the United States when your brother died. Your case is for a humanitarian rein-statement.

There are various other scenarios covered by Public Law 111-83 which will be fur-ther discussed in Part III. To assess your particular situa-tion and to know whether you are covered by the law, you need to consult an attorney.

Atty. Aurora Vega-Buzon is a partner in Chua Tinsay & Vega, A Professional Legal Corporation (CTV) - a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Philippines. The informa-tion presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; [email protected]

Page 3Asian Journal - (619) 474-0588 Visit our website at http://www.asianjournalusa.comJanuary 21 - 27, 2011

SAN DIEGO, 1/21/2011 -- A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los An-geles will conduct a Consular Outreach Program in National City, California on FSaturday and Sunday, February 5 & 6, 2011, at the Council of the Philippine American Organi-zations of San Diego County, Inc. (COPAO) Center

832 “E” Avenue, National City, CA 91950. Service Hours will be from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (February 5, 2011) and 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Feb-ruary 6, 2011). The consular outreach program is being undertaken in cooperation with the Council of the Philip-pine American Organizations of San Diego County, Inc. (COPAO) and the sponsorship of Western Union.

The following consular services will be rendered:

1. Applications for Elec-tronic Passport (ePassport) (Cost: $60), to be returned to the applicant by mail at an ad-ditional cost of $6.

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

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

4. Notarization of docu-ments (Cost: $25) will be accepted but this will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail at an additional cost of $6.

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

1. Appointment Scheduling Steps for ePassport Applicants

a. Visit the Philippine Consulate website (www.philippineconsulatela.org) to download and accomplish the ePassport application form; and,

b. No later than February 1, 2011 or until we receive 200 applications, whichever comes fi rst, send an advance copy of the completed ePass-port application form and data page (bearing the name and photo) of the expired or expiring passport to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Thumbprints (if needed) and signature must be affi xed and all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.

Note: 1. Personal appearance is

required in all cases (includ-ing applicants who are 65 years old and above and mi-nors who are below 18 years old).

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

3. The applicant must wear decent attire (no sleeveless and/or collarless attire) and without eyeglasses/colored contact lenses.

4. No facial piercings al-lowed.

2. Appointment Schedul-ing Steps for Dual Citizenship Applicants

a. Visit the Philippine Con-sulate website (www.philip-pineconsulatela.org) and print the Dual Citizenship Applica-tion form;

b. Complete the Dual Citizenship Application form;

Philippine Consular Outreach – February 5 & 6, 2011

and, c. No later than February

1, 2011, send an advance copy of the completed Dual Citi-zenship application form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Other than the thumb-print and photo which will be done on site, all pertinent data on the application form must be completed. Otherwise, incomplete forms will not be processed.

Note: 1. Oath-Taking will be

scheduled on the same day for qualifi ed applicants.

2. Applicants should take their oath as Dual Citizens in DECENT ATTIRE. The Con-sulate shall refuse oath-taking to applicants wearing inappro-priate outfi ts such as sleeve-less shirts, skimpy clothes, shorts, sandos or slippers.

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

a. Visit the Philippine Con-sulate website (www.philip-pineconsulatela.org) and print the ROM or ROB form;

b. Complete the ROM or ROB form; and,

c. No later than February 1, 2011, send an advance copy (one set only) of the complet-ed form and supporting docu-ments to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

4. Appointment Schedul-ing Steps for Notarization of Documents

a. No later than February 1, 2011, send an advance copy of the document to be nota-rized to the Consulate by fax (213) 639-0990.

Information For All Ap-plicants

The Consulate regularly updates the appointment schedule posted on the web-site upon receipt of completed applications. The fi nal list of all applicants with confi rmed appointment schedule will be posted at the Consulate’s website (www.philippinecon-sulatela.org) by February 3, 2011.

All applicants are required to PERSONALLY APPEAR during their appointment time for data verifi cation, fi nger printing and photo/signature capture and must bring all original documents.

All applicants are advised to transact their business di-rectly with Consulate offi cials and not through travel agen-cies.

Fees Fees must be paid in

person at the scheduled ap-pointment. The Consulate will only accept payments in cash, postal money order or ca-shier’s check. Personal checks will not be accepted.

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

- Dual Citizenship : $50 processing fee

- Civil Registry : $25 processing fee + $6 for docu-ments to be returned to the applicant by mail

- Notarization of Documents: $25 processing fee + $6 for documents to be returned to the applicant by mail

Contact Information

For information on con-sular matters, interested parties may contact Mr. Eric Sierra at Tel: 1-213-637-3028 or Email: [email protected]. For informa-tion on the venue and similar details, contact Merly Ferrer at 619-606-6475. -- Public Relations, COPAO-San Diego, Tel # 619-477-4090

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by Dr. Ofelia Dirige Founder, President & CEO Kalusugan Community Services

Contemporary Asian American Issues

Read Dr. Dirige’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

Perspectives

ASIAN JOURNALThe first Asian-Filipino weekly in Southern CaliforniaAn award-winning newspaper, it is San Diego’s most

widely circulated Asian-Filipino newspaper!

Ashley SilverioAssistant Editor

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

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

Dr. Rizalino “Riz” Oades, (1935-2009)

The Asian Journal is published weekly and distributed in all Asian communties in San Diego County. Publication date is ev-ery Friday of the month. Advertising deadline is Thursday prior to publication date at 5 p.m. For advertising rates, rate cards, or information, call (619) 474-0588. Subscription by mail is available for $50 per year (56 issues). The Asian Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs but welcomes sub-missions. Entire content is © 2009 copyrighted material by Asian Journal. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced without specific permission from the publisher.

Genevieve SilverioManaging Editor

Simeon G. Silverio, Jr.Publisher & Editor

Miles BeauchampAssociate Editor

Santi SilverioAssociate Publisher

At Large...

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

by Miles Beauchamp

What is it with hair? We spend billions of dollars every year coloring, straightening, perming, weaving, cutting, lengthening, plugging, and on and on.

We have hair transplants, we buy pills to take, lotions to rub on, wigs and hair pieces to wear, and that isn’t the tip of

the iceberg, so to speak.For whatever reason, a

great deal of our identity is somewhat made up from our hair. Sad? Yes, but true.

Cut, perm, or both?

There are at least nine bil-lion different ways to cut hair.

And that’s just a conserva-tive estimate. There may be a gazillion more, but after a while counting becomes a bit tiring. Plus, I’ve never been good at math and after a few dozen, who cares anyway?

With all those different ways to style hair, how does one choose the right one? As far as I can determine, there are just a few acceptable ways to pick the right “look.” They are:

1. Browse through the hundreds of old and somewhat newer style magazines in the salon (although new is better than old unless you want to end up looking like your best friend’s father or mother - re-member that person?) Like I said, keep the style magazine new;

2. Take in a picture of your favorite singer or television star. You won’t end up look-ing like that but self-deception always helps in fashion, grooming, and relationships (never mind that last one – I’m sure s/he really does love / like / tolerate you);

3. Offer a vague descrip-tion to the stylist of how you want it to look as you stare at him/her in the mirror. Neither of you will probably end up happy with the style, but at least you didn’t have to cut out pictures from magazines;

4. Let the stylist choose (they like this because they can be artistic and they don’t have to worry about creating your particular dream. On the other hand, they hate this because then the result is all on them);

5. Go with what you’ve al-ways had. This is the easiest, the simplest, the most stress free. It can also be the least imaginative, behind the times, dull cut there is but at least no thought was involved (and

we all like that from time to time).

So after you have the style chosen, there is still color (if you want to change it, high-light it, or cover the gray or purple). Not everyone does color their hair, of course, but most at least think about it at some point, and enough do to make it a billion dollar indus-try.

Cutting and coloring

may be fine, but what if you don’t have enough?

If you think that you’ve been losing your hair, you have been. If you think that you’re going bald, you are. All people lose hair as they age - no big deal. That is un-less you’ve been losing it pre-maturely (for most guys, pre-maturely means before eighty years old). And if you’ve been losing hair, or indeed have lost every last strand of it, you’ve been thinking about ways to get it back, or at least cover up the loss. Now it’s time for the creams, the pills, the hairpieces, the wigs.

Yes, there are some medi-cines that can work, at least some of the time, for some people. Yes, it’s expensive. But for hair? Many men will gladly pay the price.

But what if the drug won’t work for you? There is still the tried and true toupee, the hairpiece, the wig. You can purchase some hairpieces for as low as twenty dollars (yes, they look it) and the price can go to the thousands (and can actually look pretty good. We can still spot them of course, but with the good ones we don’t laugh quite as loudly when you leave. It’s nothing personal - we’re just bored).

Some hairpieces can ap-pear fairly life-like. But it depends on the hair, the

Hair, simply hairA billion strands, a billion dollars

designer, the color and how that color matches and blends with your own. Here’s a clue men: if you are over forty (and especially over sixty) add gray to the wig. Natural hair on men after their fifties and even earlier generally has some gray in it. Natural hair is not always the same shade of one dark color.

Here are another couple of things about hair. If your eyebrows are dark brown, don’t color your hair platinum blonde. If your hair is red, don’t color it platinum blonde. Dark brown or red eyebrows underneath bright blonde hair look absurd. So do blonde eyebrows underneath dark hair. Remember; match the hair to the eyebrows unless you’re going for that particu-lar look…and you’re under thirty.

Men, if the color of the hair on your chest, arm, legs and beard is gray, or partially gray, don’t have solid black or brown hair. This screams insecurity. Ever see a guy at the beach and whatever hair he has on his body is gray and the hair on his head is solid black? Yes, the women on the beach are laughing.

If you are going to have hair transplants, find the best doctor on the planet. Nothing looks more absurd than poorly done hair transplants. Well done trans-plants can indeed

look fairly natural (note, that the operative words there are “well done.” The job need to be well done – as in excellent, as in expensive and worth every penny, as in artistic, as in you want to kiss the mirror every time you walk by one). Got it? You want an excellent doctor, a brilliant doctor, a genius of a doctor. Remem-ber, people see your head first. The idea is to never give them a reason to laugh. Never, never, never. Ever.

Finally, if you’re tired of trying everything, and you just want to be done with it, go for the bald look. A num-ber of women have mentioned that they think it’s sexy. But if you do go for that look, please remember to shave it everyday. Razor burn from stubble on the top of the head is not cool.

A friend of mine finally did the bald look. He’s happy with it. Yes, he does say that shaving takes a bit longer every day, but when comparing that to coloring, toupees, weird styles, and all the money he’s spent over the past thirty years (he started going bald in his teens) he says he couldn’t be happier. And apparently some women think he looks sexier. If he had known that thirty years ago he could have bought a Lamborghini with the money he would have saved.

A physical activity work-shop was conducted on the above topic at Kalusugan’s FilAm Wellness Center last Thursday, January 13, from 9:00 to 11AM. Seniors from Horizons Adult Day Care, Granger Apartments, FilAm Women’s Club, community residents, staff and volunteers from KCS were present. The facilitator was Larissa John-son, Physical Activity Coordi-nator with the Network for a Healthy California.

As people age, their par-ticipation in physical activ-ity diminishes and that is detrimental to their health and well being. It is impor-tant for seniors to be active and to maintain their SAS (stretching, aerobic activity & strength). SAS is a play on words and according to the dictionary “sassy” means lively and spirited. For this workshop we want seniors to be sassy through SAS. This workshop discussed the benefits of physical activ-

Seniors with SAS(STRETCHING, AEROBIC ACTIVITY,

AND STRENGTH)

by Larissa Johnson and Dr. Ofelia Dirige

It is important for seniors to be active and to maintain their SAS.There are 1440 minutes in everyday… schedule 30 of them

for physical activity!

ity (SAS), basics of physical activity, and the fundamentals of SAS. It gave the basics on how to get seniors up and moving in a safe and effective way and how to make changes successfully.

Benefits of Physical Ac-

tivity There are many benefits to

physical activity (PA) and this is the reason why we all need to do it.

Reduces the risk of • dying of coronary heart disease.Decreases the risk for • stroke, colon cancer, diabetes & high blood pressureControl of body • weight.Maintain healthy • bones, muscles and joints.Reduces falls among • older adults.Helps to relieve the • pain of arthritis.

Reduces symptoms of • anxiety and depression.

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines

There are new recommen-dations for active adults based on the 2008 guidelines.

Seniors especially 65 years or older should avoid inactiv-ity. Some physical activity is better than none.

At least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate intensity exercise OR

75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) a week of vigor-ous intensity aerobic physical activity.

Moderate activity in-cludes ballroom and line dancing, biking on level ground or with few hills, canoeing, general gardening (raking, trimming shrubs), sports where you catch and throw ball (baseball, softball, volleyball), tennis (doubles), walking briskly and water aerobics.

Vigorous activity in-cludes aerobic dance, bik-ing faster that 10 mph, fast dancing, heavy gardening, hiking uphill, jumping rope, martial arts, race walking/jogging/running, swimming fast or swim-ming laps, tennis singles, and sports with lots of sunning (basketball, soccer).

The above can be • spread out in episodes of at least 10 minutes and spread out through-out the week. Muscle strengthening • activities that are mod-erate or high intensity and involve all major muscle groups on two

or more days a week. The Basics: Remember the

following when doing PA:

It’s not about being • thin. It’s about being FIT (there is a differ-ence).Activity doesn’t have • to be strenuous for you to get benefits.You can realize the • same benefits in 30 minutes of walking as in 15 minutes of jog-ging

AND

We • need to change our sedentary habits. HOW? By any means necessary.

Seniors Need SAS

A. Stretching for Flexibil-ity- One can do basic stretch-es, Yoga, Pilates & Tai-Chi.

B. Aerobic Activity for

Cardiovascular Health- The exercises below for seniors are featured in the FitDeck Cards that can be ordered on line at www.fitdeck.com; call toll free 800-226-6022 or 858-453-6644; fax (858) 408-3820; or mail at FitDeck, Inc, P.O. Box22774, San Di-ego, CA 92192-2774. Cost is $16.95 including shipping.

Brisk walking- 3000 steps in 30 minutes.

Water AerobicsChair AerobicsLine DancingBreathe & Sweat

Here are two Household Exer-

cises:

1. I DREAM OF JEAN-NIE

Sit up straight at the edge of your chair.

Fold your arms like Jean-nie (one arm on top of the other folded & straight on

your chest).Slowly twist to one side

while keeping your knees pointing forward.

Slowly twist to the other side.

Repeat 15 times each side (30 total).

2. STORKBend your right knee back,

stand on left leg.Hold this position for 30

seconds.Repeat the same position

with left knee bent and stand-ing on the right foot.

Repeat each leg again for 30 seconds.

C. Strength Training-Muscular Strength

This can be done by:Dynabands or resistance

bandsChair ExercisesLifting Simple ObjectsOther Weight Training

Exercise Related Soreness

After doing some of the exercises you may feel sore-ness. Acute soreness occurs during or immediately follow-ing exercise but goes away after 1-2 minutes of rest. If discomfort persists, stop.

Delayed Soreness occurs

24-36 hours after workout. It is part of a normal response to body’s adaptation to exercise. However, this leads to greater muscle strength.

Making Changes

Physical activity can and should be part of our everyday life, at home, work and play.

Changing behavior of everyone else starts with ….YOU! Walk the Talk!

Keep it fun—Remember

how to play.

Keep it Positive- There’s a Huge Component of Self-Esteem Involved. “You are Worth It” and

Do it For You.”Keep it Safe. Go slow with

some clients (if you have any).

Encourage them to consult a physician.

Complete a Liability Form.Baby steps count.

***

Larissa Johnson is Physi-cal Coordinator and Com-munity Youth Organization Coordinator for the Network for a Healthy California. She can be contacted by calling (619) 681-0676 or sending email to [email protected]

***

FREE WORKSHOP “HEALTH CARE REFORM

AND IMMIGRATION”Date: January 18, 2011,

TuesdayTime: 6:00-7:30 PM

Place: FilAm Wellness Center1419 East 8th St., National

City, CA 91950

This workshop will be on the new health care reform and also immigration issues affecting pregnant immigrant women, women who are vic-tims of domestic violence and how their status affects their health reform eligibility.

Sponsored by the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Net-work, Kalusugan Community Services and ACCESS. For information call the FWC at (619) 477-3392.


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Law Offices ofA. Erwin Bautista

Attorney at Law

550 E. 8th St. #11National City, CA 91950

(619) 474-7755 • Fax (619) 474-0051

24 HOUR REMITTANCETel: (619) 336-1112

Hours: 9-6 M to F • 9-1 Sat.

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– Produce, Seafood, Meat –Open 7 Days a Week • 8:30 am - 7:30 pm

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• C L O S E D O N M O N D AY S •

Fried Chicken and Filipino Cuisine None Can Compare.

Comevisit us!

Tuesdays & WednesdaysBUY ONE & GET ONE

50% OFF ONFRIED CHICKEN

from 11:00am to 2:00pm ONLY**Some Restrictions apply. Void on holidays and special days like Valentines Day, Christmas Day, Father’s Day etc.

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(619)474-9640 • 550 E. 8th St. #17

MSC Physician Billing Services, Inc.

500-600 E. 8th St. National City, CA 91950 (7-Blocks East of I-5)

(619) 474-2300

MANANSALAINSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES

• BOOKKEEPING • TAX PREPARATION •• NOTARY PUBLIC •

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TEL: (619) 477-9709RES: (619) 428-4191

SUITE # 2

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(619) 477-8613

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Pan-de-sal Bakery& Barbeque

Coming soon!Expansion &Frozen Yogurt

Coming soon!Expansion &Frozen Yogurt

600 E. 8th St., Suite # 3

Of fice: (619) 477-0940Fa x: (619) 477-1024email: [email protected]

Your Key to the Filipino Community

NEW!

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

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

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

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

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

Nagsasalita ng Tagalog asin Bicol.

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

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

Atty. Susan V. Perez

Visit our website: www.law-usimmigration.com

"Se Habla Espanol"

by Atty. Susan V. Perez

Immigration 911

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

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Under our immigration laws, when the petitioner dies, an approved I-130 is auto-matically revoked. On Octo-ber 29, 2009 President Obama signed Public Law 111-83. Section 568(d) and (e) of this law is now section 204(l) of the Immigration and Nation-ality Act (INA). The new section 204(l) changes the governing law with respect to an alien who is seeking an immigration benefi t through a deceased “qualifying rela-tive.” It permits the approval of a visa petition as well as any adjustment application and related application, if the alien seeking the benefi t resided in the United States when the qualifying relative died and continues to re-side in the United States on the date the decision on the petition or application. The new section applies to both family and employment-based petitions. On December 16, 2010, USCIS issued a policy memorandum (PM) clarify-ing certain issues regarding the new section 204(l). The PM applies to any case adju-dicated on or after October 28, 2009, even if the case was fi led before October 28, 2009. The PM is 16 pages long and I will discuss only issues which I believe my readers would be interested.

What will happen to those cases that were denied before October 28, 2009, and the

Policy memorandum for resurrecting petitions when

the qualifying relative has diedbasis of the denial was the petitioner’s death? Will the new section 204(l) apply? According to the PM, the alien may fi le, with the proper fi ling fee, an untimely motion to reopen a petition, adjust-ment application, or waiver application if new section 204(l) would now allow ap-proval of a still-pending or ap-plication. “Untimely” means beyond the statutory period for fi ling a motion to reopen which is 30 days. If a peti-tion or application was denied on or after October 28, 2009, without considering the affect of the new law, USCIS must, on its own motion, reopen the case for a new decision in the light of section 204(l). If USCIS won’t reopen despite repeated requests, the alien’s remedy is to fi le an action for mandamus.

Section 568(d)(2) of Public Law 111-83 stated that new section 204(l) does not limit or waive any eligibility re-quirements or bars to approval of a petition or application other than the lack of a quali-fying relative due to the quali-fying relative’s death. Thus, no other eligibility require-ments are changed by the en-actment of section 204(l). For example, if the benefi ciary of the I-130 petition entered the United States without inspec-tion and admission or parole, he or she remains ineligible to


Food for thoughtRead previous articles by visiting our website at www.asian-

journalusa.com

As the Bamboos Sway

Read Rudy Liporada’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Rudy D. Liporada

Wait until you read about the Pig!

If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of cof-fee.

(Hardly seems worth it.)If you broke wind con-

sistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is pro-duced to create the energy of an atomic bomb..

(Now that’s more like it !)The human heart cre-

ates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet.

(O.M.G.!)A pig’s orgasm lasts 30

minutes.A cockroach will live nine

days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy.)

(I’m still not over the pig.)Banging your head against

a wall uses 150 calories an hour (Don’t try this at home, maybe at work)

The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male’s head off.

(Honey, I’m home. What the...?)

The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It’s like a human jumping the length of a football field.

(30 minutes. Lucky pig! Can you imagine?)

The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.

Strange facts(What could be so tasty on

the bottom of a pond?)Some lions mate over 50

times a day.(Too much work, pig still

wins!)Butterflies taste with their

feet.(Something I always

wanted to know.)The strongest muscle in the

body is the tongue.(Hmmmmmm.......)Right-handed people live,

on average, nine years longer than left-handed people.

(If you’re ambidextrous, do you split the difference?)

Elephants are the only ani-mals that cannot jump.

(Okay, so that would be a good thing)

A cat’s urine glows under a black light..

(I wonder how much the government paid to figure that out.)

An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

(I know some people like that.)

Starfish have no brains(I know some people like

that too.)Polar bears are left-handed.(If they switch, they’ll live

a lot longer)Humans and dolphins are

the only species that have sex for pleasure.

(What about that pig??, Do the dolphins know about the pig?)

“You know, when I was on stage before, they tell me I am pretty. They do not say I am a good singer,” the lady in her early 70’s said. She had a one man keyboard with percussions, a saxophonist and a lead guitar backup. She and her band set the party I was invited to in a frenzy of cha-cha, boogie, tango, and modern swing rock and roll.

“But you are a good singer,” I said. What I mean was her voice projection ap-peared like she was a post war success in the singing industry in the Philippines during her time. The lines on her fore-head and the slight quiver on her lips also failed to hide a mestiza face that could have also launched a thousand ships. For her voice, she could have been a Joey Albert or a Yolly dela Torre (Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas) whose successes in the Islands were cut short when they migrated abroad. And, boy! Could this lady sing!

“I only started to love sing-ing when I came to the United States,” she said.

“Somehow I find that rath-er hard to believe. It appears to me that you had loved sing-ing since you were born.”

She smiled. Then her face contorted to squeeze tears to flow. She wiped them and sniffed. “You are very nice,” she said. “I do not know why I feel like I can tell you this but, really, I used to hate sing-ing. I was forced into it.”

In between sobs, she con-tinued.

“During my teens, I was forced to be the breadwin-ner for the family. My father was tortured by the Japanese and was unable to work. My mother was a plain housewife. Everyone in the family said I could sing. A manager of a club in Dewey Boulevard said I was pretty. So, there I was.”

“So, what’s wrong with that? That is very noble

Ms. N, the Lady Who Hated to Sing

of you, isn’t it?”“But I had no passion for

it. I did not have the confi-dence and on the stage, I was actually nervous and could not emote properly the songs I was singing.”

“That is not what I hear now,” I said.

There was a brief silence punctuated by another tear flow and sniffs.

“I did not have the confi-dence because I was abused as a child.”

I squinted in disbelief.“Oh! No. Not that kind of

being abused although I was close to being raped several times.”

“You know you better elaborate so you clear my mind on what you really mean by abused,” I said.

“For the most part, my mother never praised me for anything. To her, I never did anything right. Even when I was already earning for the whole family, I was never good for anything in her eyes. For everything I did, I felt hollow inside. I was empty.

“And just to show you how my parents did not care for me, tell me if this is a right thing for parents to do. See, my father who was a principal joined the guerillas when the Japanese came. I was six at that time. I remember so that he could smuggle his pistol across Japanese sentries, he would stitch it inside a pil-low for me to cuddle. When, eventually, he got caught, my mother made me bring buried notes in pots of rice. Would parents who care for their children endanger their lives? While there were nice Japa-nese officers who actually pat my head saying I was cute, I was actually deathly nervous when my parents let me do those things. I was a kid and I was already a nervous wreck.”

“But most actors I know have had negative expe-riences from which they draw

their emotions when they act,” I said. “Could it be that that is why you could sing with all your projected feelings now?”

“Maybe, but that is not how it was when I was singing in the Philippines. Besides, as I’ve said, they, specially the men were more concerned with my looks than my singing.”

“How so?”“You know, there would

be these icons in Manila who would almost always ask me on dates. They would parade their cars in front of the club and ask me to select which car I would like. Others offered me houses, even in Forbes Park.”

“I guess I can’t blame them.”

“But I was conservative. Not only that. As I’ve said, even if I was pretty, I felt ugly inside because my hurts and insults I received made me feel so. I felt like those men were only after what they could get from me as a wom-an and not because of myself.

“You know that even dur-ing my breaks from singing, I would just stay in the corner, not even going to the rest-room, holding my pee, being afraid that I might be raped in the restroom.”

“So, what made you like singing now?”

“Eventually I sang in Olon-gapo, met and, though I was still very young, married this Filipino navy guy. He brought me here in the United States. Free from the pressures of my family, I felt like I was liberat-ed. Not knowing initially what to do, I went back to singing

and really found out for my-self that I really had the talent. Slowly, I gained confidence and started to enjoy it.”

Today, Ms. N, like most Filipinos who immigrate into the United States has a com-fortable life in San Diego. She has acumens like houses, business establishments, and cars. She is very active in several civic organizations and contributes in any way she could. And she had put a band to sustain what to her now is just a hobby. Oldies and Filipinos songs – she belts them all and with gusto.

Looking back at what she had been through, she con-cludes that even if one has talents, one cannot be coerced to exercise them. Passion drives the talents through. Nonetheless, she also agrees that if one is bestowed with talents, one must use them. Otherwise, the Lord will take them away.

In a little while, Ms. N excused herself from our brief talk. “Our break time is up. We have to go back on stage again.”

As soon as she belted out “I’m so young and you’re so old, please Diana I’ve been told…,” the floor rocked, im-mediately filled with swinging partners to the boogie beat.

I was once again mesmer-ized by her singing until a lady pulled me to the dance floor and I found myself gy-rating, swaying, with my feet stumping with the beat – my whole being enveloped by the voice of the Lady who used to hate to sing.

By Ardee Lee

Marita Ferrer entered her second term as president of the Council of Philippine American Organizations when she took her oath of office together with a new batch of officers for the Council last January 17, 2011. To serve with her for the years 2011 to 2012 are Myra Lopez, Execu-tive Vice President; Normita Atangan, Vice President for Finance; Rudy D. Liporada, Vice President for Operations; Arnel Encabo, Treasurer. Directors include Gloria P. As-piras, Nita Barrion, Ronaldo Dinogan, Fred Gallardo, Nedy Lao, Jun Mataban, Crisabel Ramos, and Arlito Reclosado.

With a 27 board of direc-tors representing various Filipino American organiza-

Marita Ferrer still COPAO Prexytions in San Diego, COPAO is a collaborative wing with which ethnic preservation of culture, social and other services are coursed through for Filipino Americans in the area. Notable among its ac-tivities are the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day preceded by a Filipiniana featuring a popularity contest for Miss Philippines and her other titled consorts. Philip-pine consular outreach pro-grams like passport and dual citizenship processing are also coursed through the Council. It is also a charter member of the National Federation of Fil-

Rita Andrews, immediate past president of the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) inducted the Council’s officers for 2011-2012. Shown taking their oath of office are (l-r) Merly Ferrer, president; Rudy D. Li-porada, vice-president for operations; Directors Gloria Aspiras, Ronaldo Dinogan, Jun Mataban, Arlito Reclosado, Virgil Yalong, Rosalina Idos, Fred Gallardo, and Glenn Abille. Photo by Zeny Ply

ipino American Associations. This year, it also spearheaded a groundbreaking celebration of Rizal Day.

During this tax season, it will also continue its Volun-teer Income Tax Assistance program where COPAO will undertake tax preparations for free.

Founded in 1967, the COPAO seeks to empower the Filipino American or-ganizations in San Diego through unity in diversity while ensconced within the mainstream American cultural environment.

In its initial board meeting, the Council has set its direc-tions for the year with prepa-rations for the Philippine Fair already at the fore. Committee for the fair is headed by Rudy D. Liporada with Nedy Lao, Jun Mataban, Ludy, Sally Idos, Josie Rabelas, Ronaldo and Remarie Dinogan as members. More volunteers are needed for the other com-mittees to be formed. Those wanting to serve are enjoined to call Merly Ferrer at 619-606-6475 or Rudy D. Lipo-rada at 858-722-1465. Photo by Zeny Ply


LAW OFFICES OF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Born in the Philippines (Cavite)

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

Business days Monday to Friday

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We can help you stop worrying about your legal problems.

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Bankruptcy AssistanceLoan Consolidation

CAMBRIDGE, MA – (Jan., 6, 2010) – Wouldn’t it be nice to cruise through life in a Nissan JUKE? We think so, which is why SCVNGR—the social game all about go-ing places, doing challenges and earning rewards—has partnered with Nissan to build the “Juke The City” chal-lenge. Starting January 3, anyone living in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco can complete chal-lenges at select places with SCVNGR Rewards for the chance to win a Nissan JUKE (and unlock other place-specifi c rewards along the way).

“Nissan products are innova-tive, bold, stylish and fun!” said Jon Brancheau, Vice President Nissan Market-ing, Nissan North America, Inc. “The new 2011 Nissan JUKE shakes things up, so we’re turning to SCVNGR to shake things up on the mar-keting end by building into their game layer a unique and entertaining set of location-based challenges that can lead to a host of great rewards.”

By playing SCVNGR, anyone can earn instant rewards—like cameras and iPods— and become eligible for the grand prize by visiting the 20 locations throughout each city, trying new things and completing culture-themed challenges. Some of the fun and social challenges on SCVNGR that can get you

SCVNGR and Nissan Team-Up to Bring

“Juke The City” Challenges to Four U.S. Cities

rewards include:“Juke Box:” Earn three

points just by perusing the records on a juke box and naming the song that would top the charts on your driving playlist.

“Try Everything:” Earn two points for serving up plates (tapas style) at a restau-rant and snapping a photo of the

ta-ble.

“Think Small:” Earn three points for snapping a 1cm portion of a mural at one of the local places.

“We’re revved-up to be working with Nissan to cre-ate challenges that are fun, engaging and potentially very profi table for consumers,” said Chris Mahl, SVP & Chief Brand Alchemist at SCVNGR. “Challenges at locations with earned rewards extend brands in a very powerful way.”

“SCVNGR delivers phe-nomenal game-generated engagement that can suc-cessfully reach multicultural consumers,” said Danielle Austen, Managing Partner at Team Ignition, an agency targeting Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Ameri-

cans that has partnered with Dieste for this initiative. “Lo-cation-based apps are taking off. SCVNGR’s social game engine provides a fantastic, new approach for consumers to engage and interact with the Nissan brand.”

If you think you have what it takes to win the new Nissan JUKE, start now by down-loading the SCVNGR app for iPhone or Android. The Nissan JUKE has an I-CON system that allows for 3 driv-ing modes: Normal, Sport and Eco. Choose your favorite mode and do fun challenges on SCVNGR at underground record stores, cool coffee

shops, vintage clothing boutiques, and the best-

kept secret restaurants. At each place you can earn points to unlock rewards and extra chances to win the Nissan Juke. For more informa-tion about the “Juke The City” challenge,

please visit: www.juketh-ecity.com.

About SCVNGRSCVNGR is a game.

Playing is simple: Go places. Have fun and share with your friends. Check-in, snap pics, do the social check-in or try a challenge! Everywhere you go, you’ll earn points and start unlocking real-world rewards at over 12,000 locations (think free ice cream!). SCVNGR makes it easy to share where you are and what you’re up to with your friends on SCVN-GR, Facebook and Twitter. Start playing SCVNGR by downloading our free iPhone & Android app. SCVNGR is funded by Google Ventures and Highland Capital Part-ners. Visit www.scvngr.com to learn more.

About Nissan North

AmericaIn North America, Nissan’s

operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate fi nancing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nis-san Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environ-mental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infi niti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.Infi nitiUSA.com.

(San Diego, CA – Janu-ary 14, 2011)***The Work at Home Business Expo (WaHB Expo) will bring together thousands of experienced professionals and career seek-ers at the Del Mar Fairgrounds March 5-6, 2011. The WaHB Expo will feature more than 100 home business models, resources and workshops designed to give the necessary tools on starting and running a successful home business. This is a unique opportunity for anyone hesitant to invest in a home business model. The event layout will lend to a casual, friendly atmosphere so attendees can meet and get to know small business owners and fi nd a business they are passionate about. Anyone can become part of one of many success stories like Stella & Dot, which was started as a small home jewelry busi-

Industries Downsizing/Outsourcing Fuels the

Home Business Revolution Work at Home Business Expo Set for March 5-6 in Del Mar, CA

ness. Since then, it has grown and received attention from celebrities and national media including Marie Claire, Oprah magazine, In Style and the View just to name a few.

The fl exibility of the work at home business models is perhaps one of the most at-tractive elements of starting a home business. There are numerous home businesses to choose from that will fi t any desired lifestyle. Whether someone is looking to work full time, part-time or maybe just a few hours a week for that extra income there is full freedom to choose your own hours. Gabrielle DeSantis-Cummings, one of the found-ers and owners of Gigi Hill bags comments on WaHB Expo, “Work from home Expo’s, such as the WaHB Expo, offer women the op-portunity to think outside the box and see opportunities for themselves they never knew existed.” Gigi Hill bags, was started by two moms a little over four years ago, and has been steadily growing offer-ing high quality, stylish bags that are at the same time func-tional and convenient made to fi t any woman’s lifestyle.

The WaHB Expo will feature a number of business workshops hosted by experi-enced small business profes-sionals on a wide variety of topics, including: managing and growing a home-based business, home offi ce tips, taxes and legal issues, market-ing and fi nancial resources. “In these economic times, in-dividuals need to know there are options out there,” com-

ments Michelle Bergquist, award winning CEO, Author and Small Business Consul-tant. “There are many tal-ented, skilled people that have lost their jobs and self-em-ployment is a viable option.” Most home based businesses have a low startup cost and are low risk which makes it easy to make anyone’s dream of owning a business of their own come to fruition.

Admissions are $10 or $8 advance online, and children 12 and under and military with ID are free. The admis-sion fee can be applied to an investment in a Home Based Business program, product, or service with participating exhibitors making the event entirely free to the public.

For more information visit www.wahbexpo.com.

CALEXICO, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection offi cers conducting inspections at the Calexico downtown port of entry yesterday arrested an 85-year-old man after they found 217 pounds of marijuana hidden in the truck he was driving.

Wednesday afternoon at about 2:30 p.m., the 85-year-old driver of a white 1993 Nissan stake bed pickup truck entered the Calexico border station for inspection. During an interview with a CBP offi cer, the offi cer noticed discrepancies with the truck, so he pulled it and the driver aside for a more in-depth examination.

Offi cers conducted a physical inspection and canine screening of the truck, resulting in the dis-covery of 35 wrapped packages of marijuana, valued at $98,800, in a compartment in the bed of the pickup.

The man, a resident of Calexico, Calif. was arrested for the alleged smuggling attempt.

CBP seized the marijuana and conveyance.

CBP Finds 85-Year-Old Man with Marijuana at

Calexico Port


I always believed, and I even wrote about this, that it would take a magic wand or a miracle to make a ma-jor change in one’s political, economic and social life both in style and substance, I also said that the closest thing to magic and miracle would be what I called “mind-boggling technologies.”

This is why I like at-tending conventions, shows and exhibits like the annual International Consumer Elec-tronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is to witness the new products, technolo-gies and discoveries that will affect people’s lives being demonstrated and exhibited. They are as I described, “little miracles” on earth.

Counted as one of the 140,000 industry profession-als attending and living wit-nesses to these “little mira-cles”, I was indeed lucky to be able to take advantage of this opportunity annually for many years. Only a stroke that paralyzed half of my body and the retirement of Bill Gates somehow de-motivated me from attending. Having recov-ered and now following the works of Apple’s Steve Jobs and Google’s Eric Schmidt in the technology fields, I am back going to these confer-ences of “miracle workers”.

I will be writing more

Las Vegas stranding, blessing in disguise and luck beyond love

about these “little miracles” in the immediate future but I would like to focus first on something that brought me blessing and luck. The Lord’s Prayer says, “Give us this day our daily bread.” I only prayed for a little bread but instead, from a classmate Elvie and her husband Jun Sicam, a town mate (Herman Caoile and spouse), relatives (George, Raul & Consuelo Gorospe & spouses/sweet-hearts) and business associ-ates, I was offered ALL YOU CAN EAT (Japanese, Filipino, and American – Prime Rib Steak, Pork Ribs, Seafood, Vegetables, Fruits) at differ-ent times daily. How LUCKY could one get?

“Lead us not into tempta-tion” is also from the Lord’s Prayer. Las Vegas is the enter-tainment capital of the world and also famous for being a “sin city”. None believe me, not one even dared to “lead me into temptation.” The closest thing to what could be described as biblical sin or succumbing to temptation is my eating “apples” ala Adam and bananas ala Eva prior to the major meals of which I partook as little as I could, relatively speaking.

As I wrote in my Facebook status update while in Las Vegas, I was stranded because my flight was cancelled due

to the snow storm in the East Coast. A friend on Facebook described it as a “blessing in disguise” and I “should not come back to this frigid place at this time”. Many Facebook friends advised me to make the most of it and enjoy. Of course, one made sure that I should go to the gym regular-ly, another reminded me of the food that I should avoid, also one warned me of gaining weight, and most importantly, “bring home winnings”.

I have always considered myself the luckiest man on earth having married a very beautiful, loving, very smart

and the nicest woman on this planet. I have also been gifted with great loving children who always shower me with nice and useful presents dur-ing Father’s Day and on my birthday. Coupled with great loving friends and relatives everywhere, I am what you would call “LUCKY IN LOVE”.

Making the most of it,

I really did. When in Las Vegas, entertainment also means playing the cards or other forms of gambling. With some money remaining from my budget that included a check that I received from my Asian Journal USA Publisher, I decided to try my luck also in this field. So I went around the casino tables and stopped at one table playing the 3-Card Poker. To win against the dealer, you play your 3 cards against those of the dealer. To play for the bonus which includes the jackpot amounting to tens of thou-sands of dollars, you use your

3 cards and the 2 cards on the table. To win the total jackpot, you must have a Royal Straight Flush. To win 10% you must have a Straight Flush.

I observed first, studying the odds and the 3 players on the table; a Chinese

and 2 Mexican Americans. As I watched, I noticed that the Mexican had a Full House and won $300 in one deal. Then, a couple of deals later, the Chinese also had a Full House and won $300. So I thought that this table was a lucky table for players. I decided to sit down and play. After a few deals netting me over a hundred dollars, the

“LUCK BEYOND LOVE” finally came. First, I got 4, 7 & 8 of the same suit as my 3 cards which means a Flush and based on the odds was already a winner. Then the 2 cards were shown on the table – 5 & 6 also of the same suit as my 4, 7 & 8. It was a Straight Flush. Then there was shouting and cheering not just in our table but also in the neighboring tables. The win-nings, after tipping the dealer who looked Ilocano and the other 3 players, was not much but certainly enough to pay for all the expenses incurred during my trip including my extended stay and for watch-ing the Terry Fator (America’s Got Talent Champion) Show, for me to buy some of the “miracle devices” and partly pay off my credit cards. There was a little red tape. I had to sign some IRS forms, I

was given a W2-G doc for the withholding (25%), an Of-ficial Winner Certificate and an invitation to the Annual 3-Card Poker Championship this coming spring with 3 nights comp.

Do you think my luck stopped there? First, I found out that my wife’s stocks of MGM which owned Circus, Circus Hotel where I stayed and The Mirage where I saw the Terry Fator Show, was up significantly since she pur-chased them . Second, despite my willingness to pay for more leg room, I was given by Jet Blue 1st row seats (longest leg room) without additional fee on my way back to Wash-ington, D.C.

As somebody said, “You may not get everything that you want. But sometimes, it is preferred that you get what you need.”

adjust unless he or she has the benefit of section 245(i) of the INA. However, USCIS has determined that section 204(l) does give USCIS the discre-tion to grant a waiver or other form of relief from inadmis-sibility to an alien describe in this section, even if the quali-fying relationship that would have supported the waiver has ended through death. Note that it is not necessary for the waiver to have been pending with the qualifying relative died. In the case of a ben-eficiary who entered without inspection and admission, he or she can apply for I-601 waiver as form of relief from inadmissibility.

If the alien has an ap-proved I-130 and his or her petitioner died after October 28, 2009, but the priority date is not current at this time, will the new section 204(l) give him or her the ability to adjust status? Can the alien wait in the United States while waiting for the immi-grant visa to become imme-diately available? An alien may not apply for adjustment before an immigrant visa is “immediately available.” An alien whose petition has been approved or reinstated under the new section 204(l), but who is not eligible to adjust, would not be precluded from applying for an immigrant visa at a consular post abroad. The approval of a visa peti-tion under section 204(l) does not give an alien who is not eligible for adjustment of status, and who is not in some other lawful immigration status, a right to remain in the United States while awaiting

Policy memorandum for resurrecting

petitions when the qualifying relative

has died


(Continued from page 5)


“There are no illegitimate children - only illegitimate parents” [Judge Léon R. Yankwich]

Dear Atty. Karagdag,

I am a teenage father. While we were still very young and high school stu-dents in Manila, my girlfriend gave birth to our son. I was happy but at the same time nervous. Our parents were angry at us. I did not want to leave my girlfriend as I loved her very much. However, in the end, our parents prevailed. We separated. My girlfriend gave birth without me at her side. I felt ashamed and guilty. I tried to make up by visiting her and our son in their house, but it was very difficult. My parents were always guarding my every movement, while her parents would not allow me inside their house.

Soon, my petition came and I migrated to the United States, studied here, and met another girl who is now my

Illegitimate Dad Wants His Child to Have His Surname

wife. We have two children of our own, but I could not stop thinking about my first born. I was able to see my son when I vacationed in the Philippines. My girlfriend now has a fam-ily of her own. She married a better man who under-stands her situation and now even allows me to see the son that I had abandoned.

I was able to finally gather enough courage to tell my wife about my past. Surprisingly, she understands and encourages me to do my duties as a father. She even tells me to petition my son so he can have a better future in the United States.

I learned that my name does not appear in my son’s birth certificate. Instead, his father’s name appears as “unknown”. This hit me hard.

I silently cried realizing how hard my son’s life has been growing up not only without a father but more so without an identity.

I owe it to my son not only to be named as his father in his birth certificate but also for him to carry my name. Is this possible, Attorney? If so, please advise me on how I can do this most quickly.

Thank you,

Guilty Dad

Dear Guilty Dad,

Your name is not in your son’s birth certificate because, as you admitted, you were not at your girlfriend’s side when she gave birth. Philippine civil

registry law requires that the illegitimate father must give his consent for his name to be placed in

the birth certificate as the child’s father. In fact, the back page of the birth certificate contains an affidavit of consent for the

illegitimate father to sign. (Note:

No such requirement is needed for legitimate

children.) Besides, I suppose that your girl-

friend’s parents were so mad at you that they did not want their family to be tarnished by your name, without realizing the terrible effects it would have on their own grandson.

You did not say when your child was born. This used to be relevant because it would determine if the child could use the father’s surname or not. Under the Civil Code, a child could carry his father’s last name, as long as his illegitimate father acknowl-edges him. However, this right was removed on August 3, 1988 when the Family Code took effect. Under the Family Code, even if the illegitimate father acknowledges the child, he could not give his last name to the child.

Fortunately, Senator Ramon Revilla – confessed il-legitimate father to numerous children – came to the rescue and sponsored Republic Act 9255, which allowed children to use the surname of their il-legitimate father provided that the father has acknowledged the child, thus amending Ar-ticle 176 of the Executive Or-der No. 209 (Family Code of the Philippines). Although RA 9255 took effect on March 19, 2004, it applies to all children born before or after that date.

The procedure is simple. You do not need to go to court. The process is entirely administrative in nature. You may not even need an attor-ney to assist you. All that you will need to do is to go to the Local Civil Registrar Office

where your child was born and they will let you sign the required forms, including the Affidavit to Use the Surname of the Father (AUSF). You will also need to execute a public document either at the back of the Certificate of Live Birth or in a separate instru-ment. If your son is over 18 years old, he needs to give his consent. The entire process should be quick, except per-haps the waiting time for the amended birth certificate.

It will be helpful to the intended immigrant petition if your son already has your surname. One very important requirement in petitioning children is that the illegitimate father must have shown an active concern for the child’s support, instruction and gener-

al welfare. Giving your name to your son will show that you care for him. Of course, you must also show that you have cared in other ways, such as through financial assistance, moral and emotional support, constant communication, etc. The USCIS is rather strict in reviewing petitions filed by illegitimate fathers, so we ad-vise you to engage the servic-es of a competent immigration attorney to assist you.

Sincerely,

Atty. Karagdag Atty. Rogelio Karagdag

, Jr. is licensed to practice law in both California and the Philippines. He practices immigration law in San Diego and has continuously been a

trial and appellate attorney in the Philippines since 1989. He travels between San Diego and Manila. His office address is located at 10717 Camino Ruiz, Suite 131, San Diego, CA 92126. He also has an of-fice in the Philippines at 1240 Apacible Street, Paco, Ma-nila, Philippines 1007, with telephone numbers (632)522-1199 and (632)526-0326. Please call (858)348-7475/(858)536-4292 or email him at [email protected]. He speaks Tagalog fluently. Articles written in this column are not legal advice but are hypotheticals intended as general, non-specific legal information. Readers must seek legal consultation before taking any legal steps.

Read previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjo-urnalusa.com

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

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

journalusa.com

1. In a resort while ordering for lunch, we asked the waiter what their specialty was, and he answered what sounded like, “stupid pusit”. When we asked him to describe it, he pointed the item on the menu: “stuffed pusit”.

2. I went to a turo-turo to buy tapsilog. I told the wait-ress my order & she replied, “mam, stereo po ba?’. I got confused & askd her, “ano yun?”. She took out a styro plate & told me, “mam, eto po. Pag takeout, nilalagay namin sa stereo-powm” .

3. A friend ordered coffee, “Miss, isang coffee without creamer”.

The waitress answered “Sir, wala kaming creamer. Milk ang gamit namin. Ok lang ba sa inyo kung coffee without milk nalang?”

4. My very fat and sweaty friend ordered from the waiter, “Isang lechon manok, dalawang order ng chicken skin, apat na stick ng isaw, dalawang stick ng tenga ng baboy, isang sisig…AT…

Waiter moments - only in the Philippines

isang Diet Coke.” The waiter was shocked and said, “Ano, nagda-diet kayo?”

5. I called the waiter and said, “Bakit ganito ang ulam, walang lasa! Wala ba kay-ong cook dito?” The waiter replied, “Wala po kameng COOK dito, PIPSE lang! PIPSE!”

6. A friend ordered chicken in a resto. When he got his order, he found that there was no fork. So he asked the wait-ress, “Ba’t walang fork?” The lady answered angrily, “Ba’t ka naghahanap ng fork, eh diva cheeken ang order mo?”

7. I am working in a restaurant as a waitress. One day, I had a foreigner guest w/ his Filipina girlfriend. The foreigner ordered first, “One rib eye steak , medium.” Then the Filipina ordered, “Rib eye steak also, small.”

8. After paying at a fast food, the cashier cheerfully said,

“Here’s your BELL, enjoy your MELL!”

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today opened the 2011 tax filing season by announcing that taxpayers have until April 18 to file their tax returns. The IRS reminded taxpayers impacted by recent tax law changes that using e-file is the best way to ensure accu-rate tax returns and get faster refunds.

Taxpayers will have until Monday, April 18 to file their 2010 tax returns and pay any tax due because Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15. By law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all tax-payers will have three extra days to file this year. Taxpay-ers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file their 2010 tax returns.

The IRS expects to receive more than 140 million indi-vidual tax returns this year, with most of those being filed by the April 18 deadline.

The IRS also cautioned taxpayers with foreign ac-counts to properly report in-come from these accounts and file the appropriate forms on time to avoid stiff penalties.

“The IRS has made im-portant strides at stopping tax avoidance using offshore accounts,” said IRS Commis-

RS Kicks Off 2011 Tax Season with Deadline Extended to April 18; Taxpayers Impacted by Recent Tax Breaks

Can File Starting in Mid- to Late Februarysioner Doug Shulman. “We continue to focus on offshore tax compliance and people with offshore accounts need to pay taxes on income from those accounts.”

The IRS also reminded tax professionals preparing returns for a fee that this is the first year that they must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Tax return preparers should register immediately using the new PTIN sign-up system avail-able through www.IRS.gov/taxpros.

Who Must Wait to File

For most taxpayers, the 2011 tax filing season starts on schedule. However, tax law changes enacted by Con-gress and signed by President Obama in December mean some people need to wait until mid- to late February to file their tax returns in order to give the IRS time to repro-gram its processing systems.

Some taxpayers – includ-ing those who itemize deduc-tions on Form 1040 Schedule A – will need to wait to file. This includes taxpayers impacted by any of three tax provisions that expired at the end of 2009 and were re-newed by the Tax Relief, Un-employment Insurance Reau-thorization, and Job Creation Act Of 2010 enacted Dec. 17.

Those who need to wait to file include:

· Taxpayers Claiming Item-ized Deductions on Sched-ule A. Itemized deductions include mortgage interest, charitable deductions, medi-cal and dental expenses as well as state and local taxes. In addition, itemized deduc-tions include the state and local general sales tax deduc-tion that was also extended and which primarily benefits people living in areas without state and local income taxes. Because of late Congressional action to enact tax law chang-es, anyone who itemizes and files a Schedule A will need to wait to file until mid- to late February.

· Taxpayers Claiming the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction. This deduc-tion for parents and students – covering up to $4,000 of tuition and fees paid to a post-secondary institution – is claimed on Form 8917. However, the IRS emphasized that there will be no delays for millions of parents and students who claim other education credits, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit extended last month and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

· Taxpayers Claiming the Educator Expense Deduc-tion. This deduction is for kindergarten through grade 12 educators with out-of-pocket classroom expenses of up to $250. The educator expense deduction is claimed on Form 1040, Line 23 and Form 1040A, Line 16.

In addition to extending those tax deductions for 2010, the Tax Relief, Unemploy-ment Insurance Reauthoriza-tion, and Job Creation Act also extended those deduc-tions for 2011 and a number of other tax deductions and credits for 2011 and 2012 such as the American Op-portunity Tax Credit and the modified Child Tax Credit, which help families pay for college and other child-related expenses. The Act also pro-vides various job creation and investment incentives includ-ing 100 percent expensing and a two-percent payroll tax reduction for 2011. Those changes have no effect on the 2011 filing season.

The IRS will announce a specific date in the near future when it can start processing tax returns impacted by the recent tax law changes. In the interim, taxpayers affected by these tax law changes can start working on their tax returns, but they should not submit their returns until IRS systems are ready to process the new tax law changes. Ad-ditional information will be available at www.IRS.gov.

For taxpayers who must wait before filing, the delay affects both paper filers and electronic filers. The IRS urges taxpayers to use e-file instead of paper tax forms to minimize confusion over the recent tax law changes and ensure accurate tax returns.

Except for those facing a delay, the IRS will begin accepting e-file and Free File returns on Jan. 14. Additional details about e-file and Free File will be announced later this month.

Many Ways to Get As-sistance

The IRS is also continuing to focus on taxpayer service. Taxpayers with questions should check the IRS website at www.IRS.gov, call the IRS toll-free number or visit a taxpayer assistance center.

This is also the first filing season that tax packages will not be mailed to individuals or businesses. There are still many options for taxpayers to get paper forms and instruc-tions if they need them. In recent years, fewer and fewer taxpayers received these mail-ings. Last year, only 8 percent of individuals who filed tax returns received tax packages in the mail. Taxpayers can still get any forms and instructions they need online at www.IRS.gov, or they can visit local IRS offices or participating libraries and post offices.

In addition, individuals making $49,000 or less can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program for free tax preparation and, in many cases, free electronic filing. Individuals age 60 and older can take advantage of free tax counseling and basic income tax preparation through Tax Counseling for the Elderly.

IRS Free File provides options for free brand-name tax software or online fillable forms plus free electronic filing. Everyone can use Free File to prepare a federal tax return. Taxpayers who make $58,000 or less can choose from approximately 20 com-mercial software providers. There’s no income limit for Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS pa-per forms, which also includes free e-filing.

Check for a Refund

Once taxpayers file their federal return, they can track the status of their refunds by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, located on the front page of www.IRS.gov.

Taxpayers can generally get information about their refunds 72 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of their e-filed returns, or three to four weeks after mailing a paper

return. Taxpayers need to provide the following infor-mation from their tax returns: (1) Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Iden-tification Number, (2) filing status, and (3) the exact whole dollar amount of your antici-pated refund.

If the U.S. Postal Service returns the taxpayer’s refund to the IRS, the individual may be able to use “Where’s My Refund?” to change the address the IRS has on

file, online. Also, taxpayers may complete a Form 8822, Change of Address, and send it to the address shown on the form. They may down-load Form 8822 from www.IRS.gov or order it by calling 800-TAX-FORM. Generally, taxpayers can file an online claim for a replacement check if more than 28 days have passed since the IRS mailed their refund.

AMERASIAN CUISINE


Spiritual Life

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

by Msgr. Fernando G. Gutierrez

Lower Your Nets Balintataw

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

by Virginia H. Ferrer

©2010 Virginia H. Ferrer. All rights reserved.

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

Kailangang HarapinMalalapot na pawis ang siyang gumising sa akinsa aking mahimbing na pagtulog sa gabing malalimagad akong tumayo’t kumuha tubig na inuminat para mahimasmasan sa masamang pangitain.

At ang nag-uunahang pumasok sa aking isipanano na nga ba ang mga nagawa kong kasalananat mayroon ba akong mga nagawang kabutihantiyak na mayroon naman, marahil lamang ay kulang.

Mayroon mga bagay noon ‘di pinahalagahanipinag-kibit-balikat ko lamang ang iba namanat mayroon din naman ako na pinanghinayangankaya ngayon heto na ako at nag-aalinlangan.

Ano nga ba ako kahapon, ano ba ako ngayonnagbago na raw ako, wika ng mga kaibigankung ano ang dumating hindi ko dapat talikuranwala akong kailangan, wala akong aasahan.

At kung anuman ang para sa akin ay naghihintaywalang katanungan at walang pag-aalinlanganmay takot man ako ay haharapin ng buong tapangang lahat ng ito bago man lamang ako mamatay.

Joke of the week: Rick was an inveterate fisherman, well known for exaggerat-ing the size of “the one that got away.” But there came a day when he actually caught two enormous flounders. He immediately invited a few friends over to dine, and then tried to figure out how best to serve the fish. “If I use both,” he told his wife, “it will seem ostentatious.” “Why not serve a piece of each?” she suggest-ed. “No, if I cut them up, no-body will believe I caught two giant flounders. Rick racked his brain. Then he had an idea. The guests were seated at the table, when their host strode in with a platter, holding the biggest flounder they’d ever seen. Suddenly Rick stumbled and fell. Everyone cried out in dismay as the fish crashed to the floor, but Rick quickly brushed himself off. “Dear,” he called out to his wife, “bring in the other flounder!”

Scripture: First Reading: Isaiah 8: 23-9: 3. The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali had been among the first to fall to the Assyrian might. The prophet however envisions the end of darkness and gloom because God will deliver his

God sees what is hidden from man

people from their distress when the light shines forth to bring joy and exultation. Sec-ond Reading: Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17. Many Corinthians welcomed the good news that Paul brought to this communi-ty. Many became true believ-ers. Yet in spite of the mani-fold blessings the Corinthian Christians have received, they were divided because of their loyalty to various leaders. The apostle reminded these Chris-tians that their faith is not due or rests on the charisma of their leaders, such as Paul himself, Peter, or Apollos, but on the meaning and power of Christ’s cross. Gospel: Mat-thew 4: 12-23. Connecting the first reading with the Gospel, the evangelist sees Christ as the light that dispels away darkness. Following Jesus is not to be attributed to any human element, but on God’s choice.

Reflections: The name Galilee is derived from the Hebrew galil that means “something round/circular.” This term became a proper name, “the land of Galilee.” Galilee, though small, was densely populated. It was also the most fertile region

of Palestine. Fishing was the most important industry in Galilee, since fish was an important staple diet of both rich and poor people. Of all parts of Palestine, Galilee was most innovative and open to new ideas. The Galileans were known for their quick temper and courage. These Galileans were ready to follow a leader who could lead them. This is probably one of the reasons why Jesus withdrew from Nazareth to begin his mission in Galilee.

How often do we hear the phrase, “God’s way is not man’s way”? This dictum becomes more evident in the Gospel passage for this Sunday. Jesus did not choose literate, influential, and well-known men to be his follow-ers. He chose rather ordinary, simple, and unlearned fisher-men. He saw in Peter, An-drew, James and John what ordinary eyes could not see: the willingness of these men to be transformed by his mes-sage. Yes, they would fall to weakness, even to the point of denying him and running away from his company when he needed them, yet at the end of the day, they would die for him. All that Jesus needed from them is their willing-ness to be his followers; he would take care of the rest. These apostles must have heard already something about Jesus. There was no hesita-tion on their part. The Gospel says, “at once they left their nets, immediately they left their boats,” to describe the drastic actions of the apostles. Conversion to Jesus means to part ways with our old self, and assume a new and trans-formed life.

Jesus chose these men not according to human standards, but on God’s. These men are humble and simple folks who have a place for God in their hearts. It takes one to know one. These men saw in Jesus something that other men did not see. This ability is by virtue of God’s grace that enables the apostles to see in Jesus something that they have never seen before. The simplicity of Jesus captivated these men. He did not sweep them out of the feet with the mighty force of lightning. Truly, in the simplest and humblest ways God appears to us. Jesus was a child who made Herod trembled. Jesus was meek and humble as he died on the cross. Yet beyond his cross and the grave lies eternal life. To the skeptics he died as a criminal, but to one centurion, “he is truly the Son of God.”

My birthday is before the end of this month. More important than my birth is my ordination to the priesthood forty-five years ago. It is a humbling experience to be chosen as Christ’s priest. I am

Novena to Saint Jude

Oh Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue, rich in miracles, near Kingsman of Jesus Christ and faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recoursed from the depth of my heart and humbly beg, to whom God has given special great power, to come to my assistance in my present, in return I promised to make your name known and cause to be invoke. ( Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys and 3 Glorys for nine consecutive days, publication must be promised.) St. Jude, pray for us all who invoke your aid. (This novena has never been known to fail.

PersonalPrayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit thou make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal. You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with you and my love ones in your perpetual glory, Amen. A Person must pray this 3 consecutive days without stating one’s wish will be granted no matter how dif-ficult may be. Promise to publish this soon as your favor has been granted.

Maria, Nigel, Bo Maria, Nigel, Bo

still puzzled as to why God chose me to be a priest with all my shortcomings and fail-ures. All I know is that God sees in me what I don’t. He knows I have a flawed char-acter, but his abundant grace keeps me going. I whole-heartedly thank the Lord for His gifts of life, of recovery from my illness, and most importantly of the ministry to serve Him and His people as a priest. I know that my words are insufficient to thank Him, but always “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Quotation of the week: “Here below to live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” John Henry Cardinal Newman.

lantes.

From Erap to Ampatuan

He is, without doubt, one of the most visible election lawyers these days.

He started becoming an active practitioner on elec-tion laws in 1984, with clients from all over the country.

Brillantes was the lead lawyer of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

He also exposed the al-leged cheating maneuvers of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to win the 2004 elections. Arroyo’s rival, the actor Fernando Poe Jr., was a former client of Bril-lantes.

He also served as defense counsel for Andal Ampatuan Sr., purported mastermind of the Maguindanao massacre.

Among the cases he won at the Supreme Court was the

Who is Comelec’s

Sixto Brillantes Jr.?


disqualification case filed by Raul Lee against Juan Frival-do, whom Brillantes repre-sented, for the 1995 Sorsogon gubernatorial race.

In 1990, Brillantes also won a case against Haydee Yorac, who was then desig-nated as acting Comelec chief. The High Court ruled in favor of Brillantes and said Yorac’s assumption of the post was unconstitutional.

Cojuangco connection

Brillantes — a son of for-mer Ilocos Sur Governor and Comelec Commissioner Sixto Brillantes Sr. — obtained his bachelor’s degree in law at

San Beda College of Law and graduated class valedictorian.

In 1965, he ranked 7th in the bar examinations.

A year later, Brillan-tes began working as a legal researcher at the Court of Appeals.

From 1978 to 1986, he served as legal counsel of the Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. Group of Companies. Cojuangco ran during the 1992 presidential elections but lost.

In 1986, he became the managing director at the Brillantes, Nachura, Navarro, Jumamil & Arcilla Law Of-fices and went on to become a senior partner in his law firm.



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beleaguered friend.“I guess we’ll divide our

property.”“What property? Did you

even own any?” Bobby asked. He knew Danny hardly worked when he was married and did not finan-cially contribute to his marriage.

“It doesn’t matter,” Mandy in-terjected. “In California, all con-jugal properties must be divided equally among the partners.”

He was right. But his friend Danny still did not get anything from his wife when the divorce was finalized.

“WHY?” Mandy asked Danny the next time they met.

“It turned out the house and cars my wife had bought were in her parents’ name. I guess she was playing it safe in case we ever separated.”

“That’s not right,” Mandy insisted. “You should sue.”

“My lawyer advised me to let it go. In the first place, there was not much property to divide, just a house and two old cars. In the second place, I didn’t contrib-ute in buying those properties. I didn’t work, remember? I would just be taking away assets that would otherwise go to our kids. Finally, my lawyer told me I was lucky my ex-wife did not ask for child support and alimony, know-ing I could not afford to give her anything.

COMPLICATED AFFAIRS

Good Life

Philippine Stories

Read Sim Silverio’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

by Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

Indeed, Danny’s ex-wife was a highly paid accountant in the County of San Diego. She was the sole supporter of the fam-ily, the breadwinner, and was financially well-off even without Danny’s help.

“Maybe she was also worried I might not be able to support my Mexican baby in Tijuana.”

TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DIVORCE, Danny’s new daugh-ter was baptized. He went to Ti-juana with his sister and brother-in-law where the ceremony was held in a small chapel, followed by a reception in a restaurant. Beforehand, Danny’s sister, who stood as baptismal sponsor, gave him her $500-pakimkim (baptis-mal gift money) which he used for expenses.

“Nadagdagan na naman ang mga anak mo (You have a new addition to your children),” her sister reminded him, used to Danny’s errant ways. “Kaya da-pat magsumikap ka, magbago ka na (You should work harder and change your behavior).

Danny’s girlfriend, Mercedes, was very hospitable to his rela-tives. Her parents owned several businesses in Tijuana and she too did not demand financial support from Danny.

At first, Danny religiously visited his newborn daughter across the border. He enjoyed his new situation in life: a divorced father with no financial respon-

sibilities to his kids doing what he pleased. Like a bachelor with no worries, he was free again and could spend most of his time at the racetracks in both Tijuana and San Diego.

“PARE, DID YOU KNOW THAT JOCKEY DIAZ is in Los Angeles?” Mandy told his friend Danny while they were at the race track.

“Really?” Danny was excited to hear the news. Jockey Diaz had been one of the top jockeys in the Philippines, idolized by most racing enthusiasts.

“What is he doing in the U.S.?” Danny asked Mandy.

“A top government official in the Philippines brought Diaz here so he could ride the race horse which the official owned in Santa Anita Race Track in Los Ange-les.”

Through a friend, Danny asked Mandy, to invite Jockey Diaz to San Diego so he could give his idol a tour. Diaz came and was grateful for the hospital-

ity. During a private moment, Diaz revealed the official who had brought him to the U.S. was not treating him properly. He slept on a coach in the garage of the official’s house and was physically uncomfortable staying there.

“Why don’t you stay in my apartment?” Danny asked. “I can take you to Los Angeles when-ever you are scheduled to ride in a race.”

His hospitality endeared Danny to Jockey Diaz. Upon Diaz’ return to the Philippines, he told his friend: “Pare, visit me in Manila. I will give you tips so you can make some money.”

The offer was precisely what Danny wanted at that stage of his life. There was nothing much going for him in San Diego. Save for occasionally seeing his children with his ex-wife and girlfriend in Tijuana, all he did was hang out with friends and go to the races. The races in the area were seasonal, not all-year round like in Manila. In Manila, there were two race tracks, one in San Lazaro Hippodrome and another in Santa Ana, and both held races alternately every Wednesdays and weekends. He would have plenty of opportunities to satisfy his vice and make sure money to boot.

JOCKEY DIAZ RETURNED THE FAVOR TO HIS FRIEND. He let Danny stay in his condo unit in the tourist area in Ermita, Manila. Being one of the top

jockeys in the country, Diaz was enjoying much popularity and wealth. He had several mistresses with whom he had children, not to mention his legitimate ones. The fees he got as a jockey were nothing compared to the winnings he had earned in the races. He made more money if he deliberately lost a race that he was favored to win by secretly betting on his opponents. The bigger odds against him winning gave him greater returns. Be-cause of his dominance, he could dictate the outcome of the races; thus, he always knew who would win for he controlled the game. Danny relished this so much. As promised, Diaz would tell him where to bet and he would always win, making good money. Their friendship strengthened as the jockey found Danny a good and enjoyable company. They spent time together as Danny became the jockey’s constant companion. After more than a month in the country, it was time for for Danny to return to San Diego. But with the blessings of Diaz, Danny postponed his return trip to enjoy the good life that his friendship with this new-found buddy could offer in Manila.

(To be continued)


Committed to conservation from the beginning, Del Sur is an innovative, eco-friendly master-planned community that consistently meets and ex-ceeds environmental require-ments. By following guide-lines by The Sierra Club and Leadership in Energy and En-vironmental Design (LEED) Del Sur has become a leading example for sustainable com-munities.

Green From Day One: Del Sur Master-Planned Community in North County Leads

Region in Awards for Sustainability

The impact of these green practices is prevalent through-out the community, from mandatory recycling and con-servation requirements for builders to a community-wide recycling program. Plus the recycling and reusing of con-struction waste in the commu-nity allows over 92% of waste to be diverted from the land-fill. Plus, drought-resistant landscaping has been utilized throughout 50% of the com-munity, which, when paired with water saving efforts in the homes, could potentially save up to 40,000 gallons of water per home, per year.

Notable green awardsThe Ranch House – Cer-

tified LEED Platinum, U.S. Green Building Council

2008 California Water Award

2007 Governor Award for Environmental and Economic Leadership (GEELA)

2006-2007 Recycler of the Year by the City of the San Di-ego Environmental Services Department

2006 Smart Growth Proj-ect by Urban Land Institute (ULI)

SAN DIEGO, CA, 1/21/2011 -- The first eight homes by Da-vidson Communities at The Sentinels at Del Sur will be re-leased for sale at 9 a.m. on Sat-urday, Jan. 29, according to the Del Mar-based homebuilder. In addition, a grand opening for the new-home neighborhood will be celebrated with music and refreshments from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Homes at The Sentinels by Davidson are highlighted by sin-gle-level living, including first-floor master suites. Now under construction, this first phase features west-facing home sites with canyon and sunset views.

“Inspired by rustic Tuscan hilltowns and nicely positioned at the top of Del Sur, The Senti-nels showcases inspiring vistas of the surrounding rolling hills of La Jolla Valley,” said Bill Da-vidson, President of Davidson Communities.

The distinctive two- and three-story residences at The Sentinels reflect today’s life-styles and include three to four bedrooms, 3.5 to 4.5 bathrooms and range from 2,772 to 3,329 square feet. The home sites span

from 6,972 to 16,823 square feet and prices are planned from the $700,000s.

Redesigned interiors by Da-vidson offer more windows and bedrooms, as well as options-intense master bathrooms and kitchens. Exteriors feature pri-vate interior courtyards and inviting rear patios that set the scene for elegant indoor/out-door living and entertaining.

A limited collection of Sen-tinels homes will be built by Davidson Communities at Del Sur. For more information, visit the sales office at 15682 Bel-taire Lane, San Diego, or call 858-756-4283. Information also is available via email at [email protected].

Homes at The Sentinels by Davidson are within walking distance of numerous Del Sur amenities, including neighbor-hood parks with pools, play-grounds, picnic areas and barbe-cues. Located within the Poway Unified School District, Del Sur is also convenient to two new schools, Del Sur Elementary and Del Norte High.

The Sentinels is Davidson’s second neighborhood in Del Sur. The builder also built Kens-ington at Del Sur.

Headquartered in Del Mar, California, Davidson has been building high-quality homes of architectural distinction for Cal-ifornia consumers since 1978. Information on Davidson Com-munities is available online at www.davidsoncommunities.com. (See Advertisement on Page 24)

The Sentinels by Davidson at Del Sur Grand Opening Jan. 29


EntertainmentMovies to Watch

(Following are movies now showing or soon to be shown in San Diego.)

by Simeon G. Silverio Jr.

3492810/28/09

IW Group

01 100 240 Con JC F-I

X CS3 CS4 CS3

SAN DIEGO, CA – Janu-ary 12, 2011 – On the same day the Harlem Globetrot-ters announced they will implement the first ever 4-point shot into the game of basketball, they added a second game in San Diego due to high demand for tickets to the first game.

The game-changing innova-tion of the

Harlem Globetrotters add second game in San Diego - will bring first-ever 4-point shot to Valley View Casino Center on Feb 25 & 27

4-point shot will be on display when the Globetrotters take on the Washington Generals at Val- ley View Casino Cen- ter (formerly

San Diego Sports Arena) on Fri-

day, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. and the newly added game on Sunday,

February 27 at 7:00 p.m.

“In response to popular request from customers & friends Jochi Resto Grill Filipino Cuisine is now open for business at their new location at 289 E. Orange & Melrose Chula Vista, CA 91911 (619) 426-7801. Feature story to appear in next week’s issue of the Asian Journal . (Photo by Conrad Reloj) Contact [email protected] to feature your business.

Tickets for both games start at $20.00 and are on sale at www. Harlemglobetrot-ters.com, the Valley View Casino Center’s box office or by phone, at 619-220-TICS. Information on group and scout tickets can also be found at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

The Globetrotters, who have contributed more innova-tions to the game of basketball than any other team in history, have implemented the 4-point shot as part of all of its games on the team’s 2011 “4 Times the Fun” North American tour, the team’s record 85th season of touring.

“The Globetrotters have been at the forefront of bas-ketball’s evolution through-out the sport’s history,” said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “From the alley-oop to the slam dunk to the behind-the-back pass, the Globetrotters have long brought innovations to bas-ketball that are now staples of the game, and we’re confident the 4-point shot will change the game of basketball going forward.”

Throughout the 2011 North American tour, which will travel to 220 cities in 46 U.S. States and six Canadian provinces between December 26 and April 17, every Globe-trotters game will now fea-ture two designated 4-point shooting spots on each side of midcourt, each located 35 feet from the basket (the spots are 12 feet beyond the NBA’s offi-cial 3-point line). The 4-point option is expected to further open up the playing floor for the Globetrotters as well as their opponents, the Generals, and is expected to generate

even more high-scoring action and competitive play.

“Bring it,” said Washing-ton Generals President Red Klotz, whose team has not beaten the Globetrotters since January 1971, when Klotz himself sank a game-winning shot in Martin, TN. “Long-range marksmanship is a Gen-erals trademark, and we’ve already installed several new plays to take advantage of the 4-pointer. If anything, this only makes us stronger.”

“I only wish they had this shot when I was playing,” said Globetrotter Legend Curly Neal, one of only five Globetrotters in history to have his jersey number re-tired. “I could have lit up that scoreboard all night long.”

Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Howard Johnson Hotels, America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, Greyhound Lines and Spal-ding, the Original Harlem Globetrotters continue a world famous tradition of ball han-dling wizardry, basketball art-istry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages.

Throughout their history, the Globetrotters have show-cased their iconic talents in 120 countries and territories on six continents, often break-ing down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans—among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents—over more than eight thrilling decades.

Jochi Resto Grill Opens in Chula Vista

Basketball’s most prolific innovators push sport forward once again with 4-point shot

What’s New in Your Neighborhood?

In the award-winning Japanese animated feature Summer Wars, Kenji is a teenage math prodigy recruited by his secret crush Natsuki for the ultimate summer job—passing himself off as Natsuki’s boyfriend for four days dur-ing her grandmother’s 90th birthday celebration. But when Kenji solves a 2,056-digit math riddle sent to his cell phone, he unwittingly breaches the security barricade protecting Oz, a globe-spanning virtual world where mil-lions of people and governments interact through their avatars, handling ev-erything from online shopping and traffic control to national defense and nuclear launch codes. Now a malicious AI program called the Love Machine is hijacking Oz accounts, growing exponentially more powerful and sowing chaos and destruction in its wake. This intriguingly intelligent cyberpunk/sci-fi story is a visual tour-de-force, with the amazing world of Oz as the highlight. Like the Internet as conceived by pop artist Haruki Murakami, Oz is a hallucinatory pixel parade of cool avatar designs, kung fu jackrabbits, toothy bears and a bursting rainbow of colors. Directed by Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time). In English. www.gkids.tv/summer-wars/

This film is Rated PG by the MPAA. Running time 113 minutes.

Exclusive Engagement Opens Friday, January 21stLandmark’s Ken Cinema

4061 Adams Avenue – (619) 819-0236

In this unique ghost story set on the beautiful Peruvian coastline, a mar-ried fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town’s rigid traditions. Miguel (Cristian Mercado), a handsome, young and beloved fisherman, and his beautiful bride, Mariela (Tatiana Astengo), are about to welcome their first child. But Miguel harbors a secret. He’s in love with Santiago (Manolo Cardona), a painter who is ostracized by the town because he’s both agnostic and gay. When Santiago drowns acciden-tally in the ocean’s strong undertow, he cannot pass peacefully to the other side. He returns after his death to ask Miguel to look for his body and bury it according to the rituals of the town. Miguel must choose between sentencing Santiago to eternal torment or doing right by him and, in turn, revealing their relationship to Mariela—and the entire village. Winner of the World Cinema Audience Award (Drama) at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Javier Fuentes-León. (Fully subtitled) www.undertowfilm.com

This film is Not Rated by the MPAA. Running time 100 minutes.

Exclusive Engagement Opens Friday, January 07thLandmark’s Ken Cinema

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(619) 474-0588

Advertise in the Asian Journal call: (619) 474-0588

PNS -- A $50-MILLION damage suit has been filed against former President Jo-seph Estrada, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and several other people before a United States court in connection with the murder of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in Novem-ber 2000.

Dacer’s daughters Carina and Sabina filed the dam-age suit in San Francisco for compensatory and punitive damages, and following the “cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment, torture, and extra-judicial killing of their father,” the sisters said in a statement.

The other defendants in the case are Reynaldo “Butch” Tenorio, former chief execu-tive of the Philippine Games and Amusements Corp.; busi-nessman Dante Tan, former police Senior Supt. Michael Ray Aquino, former police Supt, Glenn Dumlao, and for-mer police Chief Insp. Vicente Arnado.

Tan was implicated in the BW stock manipulation scandal, while Aquino is still detained in a US prison and waiting for a court decision on his extradition case.

The Dacer sisters cited the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Torture Victim Protection Act, both American statutes, as their basis for filing the dam-age suit.

They said the statutes allowed US courts to hear cases of human rights abuses brought by foreign citizens against the officials of a for-eign government for conduct committed anywhere in the world.

Salvador Dacer’s clients had included many of the top figures in Philippine politics, and notably Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada. He and his driver were ab-ducted in Makati City and

Dacers file $50-m damage suit against Estrada,

Lacson over dad’s slaywere later executed, and their vehicle dumped.

Lacson, a former chief of the National Police and former head of the defunct Presiden-tial Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, was tagged as one of the masterminds of the killings.

He flew to Hong Kong two days before the filing of a case against him in a Philippine court. Myra Fernandez, then presiding judge of the Re-gional Trial Court Branch 18, issued a warrant for his arrest on Feb. 5, 2010.

The Justice Department

gave credence to the affidavit submitted by former police officer Cezar Mancao II, the physical evidence gathered from the scene of the crime, and the affidavits of the other witnesses in the case. Mancao accused Lacson as the one who had ordered the execu-tion of Dacer and his driver.

The Justice Department recommended no bail for Lacson. It said the senator could not invoke parliamen-tary immunity from arrest and detention as that applied only to crimes that were punish-able below three years in jail. He faces up to life in jail if proven guilty.

Lacson aside, 21 former policemen and civilian agents of the defunct police task force have been charged in court in connection with the case.

PNS -- THE Overseas Workers Welfare Adminis-tration has proposed a P50-thousand credit line be made available for each returning Filipino worker.

OWWA chief Carmelita S. Dimzon said that a priority bill has been sent to Congress for the funding of the credit line which will provide a soft loan and credit assistance package for returning workers who are prone to the effects of the global financial crisis.

Last Wednesday, OWWA reported to the Overseas Workers Affairs committee of the House of Representatives that it has loaned a total of P 205 million last year to 4,474 OFWs needing the loan to augment their livelihood.

The OWWA Administrator said that the soft loans were given to OFWs who were laid off to help them restart their livelihood over again.

To qualify for the loans, the borrowers have to attend short courses on financial literacy, small scale manufacturing and

OWWA offer P50-k credit package for returning OFWs

product retailing sponsored by the welfare administration.

Dimzon said that she had found success stories in the re-integration of dispossessed families back to society mak-ing them productive members of their communities because of the soft loans.

The soft loans entail only an interest of five percent pay-able in two years with a three-month grace period before the first intallment gets paid.

Dimzon said she had briefed Congress in 2009 lob-bying for the passage of this bill and similar bills have al-ready been filed by congress-men Juan Edgardo Angara, August Syjuco Jr., and Igna-cio Arroyo, Jr.

House Committee chair manparty-list Rep. Walden F. Bello said there have been a significant number of dis-placed worekrs returning home and the government can source funding from the sale of government-owned corpo-rations and other assets.


Street Poetry

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

by Michael R. Tagudin

©2010 Michael R. Tagudin. All rights reserved. About the Author: Michael R. Tagudin Educated as an engineer in the Philippines, the City of Los Angeles employee hopes his legacy of poems will provoke a dialogue about the human condition. He is donating the proceeds from the book “Crushed Violets” to the “Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Traffi cking (CAST)”, a non-profi t that provides public awareness and advocacy efforts against human traffi cking in the City of Angels. To learn more, visit www.castla.org. To help, call the CAST 24 hour hotline 888.KEY.2.FRE(EDOM) or 888.539.2373. Contact [email protected] for more information about ordering the book “Crushed Violets.”

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LifestyleRead J’Son’s previous articles by visiting our website at www.

asianjournalusa.com

by Joe Son

Advertise in the Asian Journal, call: (619) 474-0588

Destination UnknownWhat is certain?What is certain about life?to some the world is fl atthe beginning and the endis nothing more thanour own perceptionour interpretation...of the momentum of what life really is!but really there is only the forward movementthe uncertainty of the certain!beyond the dragon’s head we navigatelike Vikings of old relying on charts...charts comprehending the unknownuncertain yet certain in our mind’s eyeevery thing is okay...land in sight...safe harbors coming soon...in the theaters of our minds...the movie reels...our world a refl ection of our own perceptionwhen things do fall our way...or against our way....the angle of our sails adjust to the fl uidity of times...with you destination unknown...rough waters...strong winds!I seeking prevailing winds to my favor...longing for stability in movement with yourealizing safe harbors are a luxury...of what was...and what is now!because with you...there is only movement!movement of being forward!where the present unknowingly becomes the past...we move forward!this our destiny...always is!

Community and business leaders of San Diego headed by Ms. Merly Ferrer, COPAO President, supported by the Gawad Kalinga and the Filipi-no Language Classes of Miss Jackie Magat, Ms. Boodgie Arce of UPAASD, Ms. Nita Barrion, Pol Carpio, and Lita Martin of PASSCO, Aurora Cudal, NAAFA Chair Re-gion 10, and other concerned citizens joined the fl owers and wreath laying of Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument in front of Seafood City Supermarket at Plaza Boulevard, National City in commemoration of the National Hero’s death an-niversary last December 30, 2010.

During the presentation of beautiful and exotic fl ow-ers and the wreath laying, brief speeches were made remembering the ideals and heroic deeds of this Filipino patriot. This was followed by a three hour historical program opened to the pub-lic, highlighting the life and works of Dr, Jose Rizal at the FAVA Hall in Market St., San Diego which started at 5:30 pm. The program started with

Dr. Jose Rizal... The National Hero!

Caption: Some San Diego community leaders attended the fl owers and wreath laying of Dr. Rizal’s monument, in photo are from left, Pol Carpio, Joe Son, Lita Martin; Mrs. Philippine Faire 2010, Cathy Miranda; MIss Teen Philippine Faire 2010, Rollie Santos and Fermin Caparas.

both National Anthem sung by Nita Barrion followed by invocation of Aurora Cudal, welcome remarks Boodgie Arce, chair of the affair, dance perfomance of the Gawad Ka-linga and the Filipino Classes of Jacke Magat, special song by Ms, Genesis aka Patricia Javier, recitation and transla-tion of “Mi Ultimo Adios, special performance by Ang Lahi, the Joe Nicolas por-trayal, as the playboy side of Rizal and the fashion show girls depicting Rizal’s lovers, the audience participation of questions and answers about Jose Rizal with prizes, a mes-sage from guest speaker Arlie Racaza ended by the closing remarks from COPAO Presi-dent Merly Ferrer.

The program was full packed with some San Di-ego and Filipino community, business and political leaders, foremost was San Diego City Councilman Carl De Maio, Julio De Guzman, Mr. Ador Idos and Mrs. Rosalino Idos, Ms. Maripaz Alvero Vigo, Ms. Haley Domingo, Ms. Christi-anne Dayawon, Femie Cupit, Nedie Lao and many others.

Merly Ferrer, COPAO Presi-dent and Boodgie Arce, chair of the affair, wish to thank all those who volunteered for the stunning success of the Jose Rizal death commemora-tion and special thanks to all San Diego and National City restaurants and bakeries who donated sumptuous food to the delight of all attendees.

A brief review of Rizal’s Philippine studies included Madrid, Spain, where he con-tinued his studies at the Uni-versidad Central de Madrid earning a degree of Licentiate in Medicine. It was noted, that he also went to Paris to further his studies and earned a second doctorate degree at the University of Hedelberg.

Rizal was also known as a poet, essayist, diarist, novelist and a correspondent, propa-gandist and good conversa-tionalist learning for at least

ten different languages Unlike Andres Bonifa-

cio and the Katipuneros, Dr. Jose Rizal was against armed revolution against the Spanish colonizers, but he was consid-ered seditious by the Span-iards because of his writings, the noted El Filibusterismo and Noli Me

Tangere depicting the op-pression of the Filipino people and the tyranny and injustices of the Friars. He was briefl y imprisoned and on Decem-ber 30, 1896, he was shot at the Bagumbayan by a fi ring squad from the 70th Magel-lan Regiment composed of Filipinos. Rizal became our National Hero since 1901 as declared by Governor William Howard Taft. He topped the list to be our National Hero from among others including Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini and Emilio Aguinaldo.

Brillantes served as the general counsel of the politi-cal party Nationalist People’s Coalition, which Cojuangco heads as chairman emeritus, from 2001 to 2006.

Since 2006, he has been a legal consultant of the United Opposition, which was creat-ed by Vice President Jejomar Binay to unite all politicians against then-President Arroyo.

Groundwork for 2016 polls

In a radio interview on Monday, Brillantes said he has let go of all pending cases he was handling as an election lawyer.

“Nag-withdraw na ako sa law offi ce ko before I took my oath of offi ce kaya hindi na ako myembro ng law fi rm na humahawak ng mga kaso,” he said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

“Kung nasa Commission ‘yan, di ako pwede bumoto at mag-i-inhibit na lang ako sa lahat na mga kasong yan,” he added.

Brillantes said his fi rst priority is to ensure clean and honest elections in the Au-tonomous Region in Muslim

Who is Comelec’s

Sixto Brillantes Jr.?


Mindanao in August this year.His next priority will be to

lay the groundwork for clean automated elections in 2016, he added.

Weighing in on criti-cisms that Brillantes might not be able to resist politi-cal pressure from his former clients, election activist Mon Casiple wrote in his blog: “As Comelec chair, he can decide to be either a hero or a villain–there’s no middle path unfortunately.

“As electoral reform stake-holders or as simply Filipino voters, we should give him his chance. He has the qualifi ca-tions, he has the qualities, he has the public pledge to do good–I think it’s too early to make judgments,” Casiple said. – VVP/YA, GMANews.TV


(619) 702-3051

Light &Shadows

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

by Zena Sultana Babao

George E. Vaillant, M.D. Director, The Study of Adult DevelopmentProfessor of Psychiatry, Harvard

Medical School

What do we do when some-one we love starts to walk down the corridors of dark-ness, helpless and alone? We dread the day when we are no longer useful to society, when we are reduced to a life of meaningless existence, with a dark past and an even darker future.

Three unmarried sisters, all nearing their twilight years, lived in the same house. One evening after dinner, the old-est sister said, “I think I’m going up to take a bath.” She filled the tub with water, and wondered aloud, “Am I about to take a bath, or did I just take one?”

Some minutes later, the middle sister said, “What’s taking her so long? I better go up and check on her.” Half-way up the stairs, she said, “Am I going up, or am I com-ing down?”

The youngest sister said, “Oh boy, am I glad I’m not se-nile! Knock on wood!” She knocked on the wooden din-ing table three times and that startled her. She exclaimed, “Is someone at the door? Or is it me?”

That is funny, but when memory starts to fade, and it is you, or someone you love is involved, it’s not a laughing matter anymore. It becomes serious, not to mention embar-rassing and frustrating.

When we get old, things that were so easy to remember when we were young now take time to recall. There’s only so much our brains can hold on to. So we ask, “Is lose of memory a normal part of aging, or is it something more?

Some of us have experi-enced those humbling mo-ments (often referred to as “senior moments”) when we can’t remember the names of acquaintances and distant relatives anymore. Often we forget where we left our car keys and our eyeglasses. Sometimes we drop by a gro-cery store to buy some needed items, and without a list we easily forget what those items

How to Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay

are.This is normal, because as

we get older, our brains work less efficiently. It’s not just aging which makes the mem-ory falter. There are other causes of memory lapses. Stress is a leading cause of forgetfulness. Because we are thinking of other matters, our focus is off. Fortunately, when the stress is alleviated, normal memory returns.

Other causes of memory loss are depression, lack of sleep, poor or incorrect diet, and alcoholism. When mem-ory loss persists, and starts to affect everyday life, then there is cause for alarm. It could be the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease – an incurable and progressive illness that robs its victims of a lifetime of memories.

Alzheimer’s can lead to senile dementia. It is ir-reversible because the brain cells die. Victims of this disease suffer not only loss of memory, but also disorienta-tion, difficulty in speaking, and physical disabilities. This disease can strike anyone without distinction or respect for status. Former President Ronald Reagan is a case in point. It was so sad to see the charming, witty and very elo-quent “Great Communicator” replaced by the shadow of his former self.

We can’t possibly know the depth of pain and anguish this illness brings until it hap-

pens to our loved ones. Can you imagine waking up one morning and your loving par-ent, or your spouse, asks you “Who are you? Have I met you before?”

When someone you love starts to walk down the corri-dors of darkness, helpless and alone, all you can do is give your love, care and support. What if it happens to you? We dread the day when we are no longer useful to society, when we are reduced to a life of meaningless existence, with a dark past and an even darker future.

The Harvard Medical School did a long-term study about aging well, directed by Dr. George E. Vaillant, Profes-sor of Psychiatry at Harvard, and author of Living Well and several other books. Over 800 men and women were closely studied from their teen years until they were in their 80’s. Over the years, these people were given tests, physically examined by doctors, and interviewed by psychiatrists. The findings of the doctors and psychiatrists were then evaluated.

The Study of Adult Devel-opment was a medical rarity because it examined the lives of the well, not the sick. Then Parade magazine reported the findings after interviewing Dr. Vaillant. A major finding is that good genes do not ac-count for better aging. Nei-ther did income. The study disputed the assumption that decay comes with aging. Ad-vancing age may impair some motor skills, but maturity can make people even sharper.

The Harvard study recom-mends the following to keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay:

Live a Full Heart. Look towards the future. Antici-pate, plan and hope. Have a sense of gratitude, forgive-ness and optimism. See the glass as half-full instead of half-empty. Practice empa-thy. Step into someone else’s shoes and see how others feel.

Say “No” to Nicotine. Those who quit the habit be-fore they are 50 are as healthy as those who never smoked. Too much nicotine can re-sult in premature aging, even death.

Learn to roll with the punches. Cope up with stress. Make lemonade out of lemons. Keep your sense of humor. You will enjoy life better if you can take the ups

and downs of life.

Say “No” to alcohol. So-cial drinking is okay. A little bit of it could even be medici-nal. But too much will impair your mind and body.

Keep your weight down. Obesity leads to all kinds of diseases, like diabetes, high blood pressure and Alzheim-er’s. Obesity is the number one health problem in Ameri-ca today.

Work on having a strong marriage. A good marriage contributes to a long and healthy life. If your marriage is a little bit rocky, work on it. If your marriage is starting to go down the drain, seek out-side help. Marriages improve

with time, if you are willing to work out the bumps.

Exercise and go on a diet. Work out in the gym three to five times a week. Sweating it out improves the body as well as the mind. Eat healthy food, not junk. And take some supplements. They are good for you!

Never stop learning. People who continue to learn have a longer lease on life. No matter how old you are, it’s never too late to learn more. Your most productive years are when you are no longer that young. Abraham Lincoln always had a sharp mind because he was a prolific reader!

the availability of an immi-grant visa. Simply put, the alien should go home and wait there until his priority date be-comes current unless the alien has the benefit of 245(i).

Did the alien accrue unlawful presence if he or she remained in the United States after his or her adjust-ment of status was denied before October 28, 2009? The answer is “NO”. If USCIS grants, under section 204(l) of the INA, a motion to reopen a Form I-485 that was denied, the Form I-485 will, once again, be pending, and is deemed to be pending from the original date of fil-ing. Thus, reopening a Form I-485 under section 204(l) of the Act will cure any unlaw-ful presence that may have accrued between the original denial and the new decision. The result is that the alien will not have accrued any unlaw-ful presence from the original filing of the Form I-485 until there is a final decision after reopening on the Form I-485. For example,

How does one determine whether an alien “resided” in the United States when the qualifying relative died, and whether the alien con-tinues to reside in the United

Policy memorandum for resurrecting

petitions when the qualifying relative

has died(Continued from page 8)

States? A person’s residence is his or her principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent. If the alien’s residence was in the United States at the required times, the alien resided here. The statute does not bar an alien who was actually residing abroad when the qualifying relative died from proving that the alien still resided in the United States. Also, section 204(l) does not require the alien to show that he or she was, or is, residing here law-fully. However, execution of a removal order terminates an alien’s residence in the United States. For example, the alien was on a brief travel to the Philippines when the qualify-ing relative died. The alien should still be considered as residing in the United States when the qualifying relative died.

What if the principal ben-eficiary was residing in the United States but his deriva-tive beneficiaries were resid-ing in their home country

when the qualifying relative died, can the derivative ben-eficiaries be included in the petition or application? Ac-cording to the PM, the spouse or child of the principal alien can accompany or follow to join the principal alien. If any one beneficiary of a covered petition meets the residence requirements of section 204(l) of the INA, then the petition may be approved, despite the death of the qualifying rela-tive, and all the beneficiaries may immigrate to the same extent that would have been permitted if the qualifying relative had not died. It is not necessary for each beneficiary to meet the residence require-ments in order to have the benefit of section 204(l).

Does section 204(l) apply to K-1 or K-3 visa holders? No, it does not apply to K-1 or K-3 beneficiaries. But in the case of a K-1 nonimmigrant who marries the petitioner within 90 days of admission, the K-1 nonimmigrant and any K-2 children may obtain adjustment of status by fil-ing Form I-485, just as they would have been eligible for adjustment of status without Form I-130, if the petitioner had not died. In the case of K-3 or K-4 nonimmigrant, the Form I-130 filed for K-3 is converted to a Form I-360 upon the citizen’s petitioner’s death. The K-4 can then ac-company or follow to join the K-3 based on that Form I-360. Both the K-1 and K-3 will lose their eligibility for adjust-ment of status if they remarry before they obtain the LPR (Legal Permanent Resident) status.

We welcome your feed-back. If you have any im-migration questions, please feel welcome to email me at [email protected] or call 619 819 -8648 to arrange for a telephone con-sultation.


By Dr. Cesar D. Candari40th in a series of articles

It is a shock and discon-certing to know that the APPA is on the verge of insolvency. The House of Delegates take notice of this serious problem and will do within our power to help correct it. We must, however, know the facts and let us learn from this mistake. There is nothing more that can be undone. It’s water under the bridge so to speak. How-ever, please realize that the HOD possesses that power to reset the direction of this organization. The council and officers, as you and I know, have that fiduciary responsi-bility and accountable to this problem. That is what a non-profit corporation is all about. At the moment, this is not the time for condemnation. We must put our heads together and organize an immediate and long range measures for economic recovery. First long range solution: - rebuild the image of APPA. I borrowed these words from many APPA leaders. It is a must because APPA is loaded with much internal discord. Any more discord in this organization especially at this time of financial fiasco, will surely boost the fires of apathy to this organization. I would like to let you know that there are close to two dozens of resolu-tions to be addressed today in the House, many of which are financial enhancement pro-grams for APPA. Thanks to the brilliant contributions of altruistic concerned delegates. Secondly, let us change the direction and the priorities of this organization. The problems of our finances are the fruits of distorted priori-ties. No more of the grand-standing, temper the social activities and the so-called “palabas”(show off) simply to outshine the previous affairs. I blame the administrative management of the APPA in this current financial fiasco to the senior officers, the pre-vious President, Executive Director and others. APPA must be operated like a busi-ness; re-orient our goals and priorities. Let us not forget that APPA was founded to protect, preserve and promote the image of the members and unify the Filipino Physi-cians in America. We cannot unite these physicians if we ourselves in the leadership are divided.

In conclusion, I will do the

From Antique to America: Memoirs of a Filipino American Doctor

On the Verge of Insolvencybest he can to implement the policies established by the house, correct any flaws in our bylaws. I have only 275 days to do all these- but your speaker assures you that no one shall e tolerated to break any of our rules and constitu-tion and bylaws of this or-ganization. We have indeed an imperfect system- but we must nevertheless be demo-cratic in our dealings- that I will do and you can depend on it. I thank you.

On November 4, 1991, as Speaker of the House, I wrote a letter of memorandum to the members of the HOD, the Presidents of PMA Compo-nent Societies, and the officers and members of the Executive Council. The subject was a partial report of the Speaker of HOD Session in the Fall Meeting on October 26, 1991. It took place in Taj Mahal, At-lantic City, N.J. three months after I was elected as Speaker. The following are excerpts of my letter:

The fall meeting of the HOD in Atlantic City on Oc-tober 26, 1991 was the busiest one-day meeting on record. The House adopted policies on a wide variety of internal issues and concerns that are of critical importance to the survival of APPA.

The APPA treasurer, Dr. Max Basco, has informed the House of Delegates that the association as of October 21, 1991 (after the July 1991 convention in Atlantic City) is in a state of insolvency. Financial crisis rocks APPA’s stability and viability.

In response to this emer-gency situation, the House carefully deliberated and ap-proved the treasurer’s pro-posed budget of $36,000.00. This total appropriation was intended to fund the remain-ing nine (9) months’ opera-tional expenses of the present administration. It equated to a monthly expenditure alloca-tion of $4,000.00. In its legis-lative capacity and profound concern to facilitate APPA’s economic recovery, the House thereby counseled APPA’s ad-ministrative officers to please adhere strictly to the approved budget! “Belt tightening” was a must if APPA was to sur-vive.

I know that this is not a time to condemn or reprove but rather a time for compas-sion and understanding and for unity and cooperation. However, knowledge of why and how this financial disas-

ter happened is of paramount importance to the members in general and to the House of Delegates in particular. Identifying the cause will enable the HOD to formulate policies that will prevent the recurrence of the deficiencies in the administrative manage-ment of the association. After all, the officers and leaders of APPA are answerable and accountable to all the APP A members. I certainly hope that explanations will come later. Meanwhile, time is of the es-sence here. APPA must sur-vive this crisis! We must have money now to continue the operation of the central office.

Realizing the importance of maintaining the central of-fice, the House of Delegates in its Resolution #22 affirmed and re-affirmed once and for all the permanency of the APPA’s central headquarters. The proposed budget submit-ted by the council did not explicitly include the rental for the central office. It was in this context that the House approved a motion that the monthly rental of the APPA office was to be temporarily subsidized by the concerned officers and members of APPA through our HOD Office De-velopment Fund.

I also sent a memorandum on November 5,1991 to Dr. Reynaldo Landero, Chairman and Budget Committee of the House of Delegates. The memo stated: … the budget you submitted for the House of Delegates was not dis-cussed in the Fall Meeting of October 26, 1991…In order for the House of Delegates to formulate and recommend policies to correct ad prevent the recurrence of the defi-ciencies in the administrative management of this associa-tion, we must know how and why this financial disaster happened. Therefore I am instructing your committee to look into this matter and re-port back to me as the Speaker as soon as possible.

In March 1992, the Sec-retary of the Executive Of-fice informed me that an instruction from the President prohibited the personnel to mail my letter regarding the approval of resolution #18/91 to the HOD members. I wrote a nice letter to the President informing him that I wrote to him about this matter on February 25,1992 but he had not responded.

In my letter to the Presi-dent, I stated, “Your action

baffles me for I cannot think of a single valid reason why you would bar the implemen-tation of a resolution that was duly approved by the HOD. I am therefore writing you to ask for a formal explanation.

As the policy-making body of APPA, the HOD has the function and the duty to make policies through resolutions. Along with many others, Res-olution #18/91 was presented, discussed and approved by the HOD during the fall meeting. I have double-checked this resolution and there is nothing in it that violates our Bylaws, which would be the only rea-son that this resolution may be rendered invalid and therefore may not be implemented.

As Speaker, I am duly bound to implement this resolution. I might also point out that as President of APPA and chairman of the Executive Council, it is your primary duty, per our Constitution and Bylaws, to implement the pol-icies approved by the HOD. It could be that you do not personally agree with this par-ticular resolution. I also add that I may not be in complete agreement with a particular resolution, but it is not for you and me as individual officers of APPA to block or stop any policy that has been approved by the HOD. That would be a grave violation of the Consti-tution and Bylaws.

Therefore, kindly enlight-en me on the reason for your action so that I can pass it on to the HOD.

For whatever reason, I had noticed an adversative tone of the President of the Execu-tive Council against the HOD, particularly the Speaker of the House. It may be due to the intent of the Speaker to “call to arms” so the HOD could get away from its ‘second hand status’ as it had been known throughout the years in the annals of APPA.

These were my busiest months of participation in the APPA. There were exchanges of letters between the Presi-dent of the Executive Council and myself as Speaker. The President wrote back in repre-hensible chutzpah.

In the meantime, the previous APPA election for the President-elect in the last annual convention in Atlantic City, N.J. in July 1991 was a close one with the difference of only four votes. Dr. Rey Lee-Llacer lost to Dr. Vi-jungco in the election by the “electoral college” which he considered a rigged election process. The post election re-port of the current Credentials Committee of the HOD de-tailed how the current power structure manipulated the electoral process by adding and changing delegates whom

they ensured would vote for the candidate they supported.

Since I was a candidate for Speaker, for the sake of impartiality, I excused myself from being the chairman of the Credentials committee. The Speaker assigned Dr. Raf-finan to take my place. Re-grettably, the senior officers of the Executive Council were manipulators . They disre-garded the Rules of the House of Delegates declaring that no such rules existed.

Although in principle Dr. Lee-Llacer did not lose in the election, he did not consider running again. A member of the AAPA said, “APPA could not afford to lose talent in the caliber of Rey, especially through the manipulation of the election process that is in clear violation of the APPA Constitution and Bylaws and the Rules of the House of

Delegates.”Due to the above flawed

and politically devious act, a civil suit against APPA was filed on April 24, 1992 in the Superior Court of the Dis-trict of Columbia, Case No. 92-CAO5743. It declared that the past election of the President-elect was null and void, to set aside the elec-tion result for president elect, and to hold a new election. It was at the time of my term as speaker when this legal di-lemma happened. As speaker, I became an expert witness for the plaintiff simply to testify to the existence of a ratified Rules of House of Delegates.

(To be Continued)

To order this book, “From Antique to America: Memoirs of a Filipino American Doc-tor”, call (619) 474-0588.

still continues as American troops continue to train Phil-ippine troops and even per-haps engage al-Qaida linked extremists in Southern Mind-anao.

In Iraqi, the United States presence, power and control is far from ended. In fact, the US is determined to continue to control it and protect the con-troversial 20 year oil extrac-tion and distribution contract signed by the Iraqi govern-ment last year with Anglo-American oil companies. As forecast in a previous column, this was the long term goal of Bush’s war. This has huge

strategic value. Oil is power and British, American control of 60% of the Iraqi oil fields is a challenge to the price fixing tactics of the OPEC cartel. If they can get it flowing and lower the price of oil, the world economy might quickly recover.

There are still 94 US Military bases to protect key installations and especially the oil fields. These troops are supported by 11,000 foreign mercenaries and thousands of contractors operating in a sup-porting role. The occupation has succeeded and continues under another name. Every-thing else has failed, security, civilized life, the rights of women and children are de-nied and murder, torture and illegal detention goes on as before. The Iraqi people have to get together and retake their own country.

The War That Never

Ends (Continued from page 2)


Read Romeo Nicolas’s previous poems by vis-iting our website at www.asianjournalusa.com

Ni Romeo Nicolas

Mga Tulang Tagalog

Mariing itinanggi ni Baron Giesler na binastos o hinawa-kan niya ang boobs ng pre-myadong aktres na si Cherry Pie Picache.

Nagtataka si Baron at kung bakit siya inakusahan ng pambabastos samantalang ang role niya sa naturang eksena ay isang unggoy na nagwawala.Itoy nangyari sa taping ng “Noah” ng channel 2 kamakailan kung saan siya inireklamo ni Cherry Pie.

Kesyo lasing daw ang na-turang young actor ng gawin ang taping nagalit pa daw at nagwala ito sa ibang staff dahil sa reklamong sinabi ng premyadong actress.

Samantalang nagdisisyon naman ang naturang istasyon na tanggalin na ang nasabing actor sa teleserye dahil inasal nito at pambabastos.Por-mal naman na inireklamo ni Cherry Pie Picache si Baron sa PAMI (Professional Artists Management Incorporated), isang samahan ng mga Talent Managers.

Hinamon naman ni Baron na ipakita ang video na kung saan nangayari ang eksena na inaatake niya ang mga tao, samantalang ang role niya ay nagwawalang unggoy na nangho-hostage ng mga tao.

Parang nanay ko na si Cherry Pie, paano raw niya magagawa yun at sa isang kagalang-galang na babae. Dagdag pa nga niya kaibigan daw niya ang anak nito kaya imposible na pagnasaan niya ang nasabing aktres.

Lagi na lang daw siya inaapi at hindi binibigyan ng pagkakataon na maka-pagbago, mahal daw niya ang kanyang mga katrabaho kaya hindi siya marunong mambastos,paliwanag pa ni Baron.

Pero iba naman ang panini-wala ni Cristy Fermin, kail-angan magbago na si Baron dahil mas malala pa ang problema nito kaysa sa isang drug addict na puede pang magamot,pero ang malugnok sa alak kailangan matagal talaga ang toxic na natitira sa katawan para layuan ang ganitong bisyo.

Marami na raw ang nagpa-payo kay Baron, pamilya nito at ang mga friends sa show-biz pero balik pa rin ito sa pag-inom ng alak na nagdudu-lot sa pagkawala nito sa sarili.Isa raw si Direk Mario J. Delos Reyes ay napagod na sa

Baron, itinanggi binastos si Cherry Pie!!!

Baron Giesler

pagpapayo sa naturang actor na iwasan na ang pag-inom ng alak, kaso tuloy pa rin sa bisyo si Baron.

Nakakalungkot naman ang nangyayari kay Baron, dalawa pang kaso ang hinaharap niya sa kasalukuyan dahil din sa pambabastos,itoy kaso doon sa anak nina William Marti-nez at Yayo Aguila at yung isa naman ay isinampang kaso ni Yasmien Kurdi.

Ewan namin kung may maniniwala pa kay Baron Giesler sa mga paliwanag niya, na hindi siya marunong mambastos.Tigilan mo na ang pag-inom, walang magandang ibubunga sa ‘yo yan !!!

RICO PUNO AT HAJJI ALEJANDRO LALONG UMIINIT ANG PERSONAL NA ALITAN. Dating mag-kakasama sa The Hitmakers sina Rico at Hajji kasama sina Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuniga at Marco Sison .

Nagsimula raw ito dahil sa grupo nila, mayroon daw na hindi napagkasunduan ang dalawa hanggang sa umalis na sa grupo si Hajji kaya hindi siya nakasama sa “Win na Win”.

Kaso hanggang sa kasa-lukuyan, may patutsadahan ang magkabilang kampo, na kapag nagkita ang dalawang ito tiyak may mangyayaring gulo.Hindi pa rin maliwanag kung anu ang kanilang hindi napagkasunduan pero hang-gang ngayon matuturing nila ang bawat isa na mortal na magkaaway.

Sana maayos naman nilang dalawa ang kanilang con-flict, huwag ng umabot pa sa dimandahan.

HINDI SI WILLIE RE-VILLAME ANG TINITIRA NGAYON NI JOEY DE-LEON KUNDI SI SHALANI SOLEDAD. Kung dati mortal

Cherry Pie Picache

na magkaaway sina Joey at Willie, si Joey puro tira ang ginagawa kay Willie noon.Ngayon iba na ang nangya-yari, si Shalani ang parati nitong ginagaya sa “ Eat Bulaga”.

Si Shalani Soledad ay ang kasalukuyang host ng “Will-ing Willie” at dating kasin-tahan ni Pres. Noynoy Aquino para sa mga hindi nakakak-ilala na mga pinoy dito sa Amerika.

Sa naturang show ni Willie, ganon pa rin ang pag-host ni Shalani na mabagal magsalita kahit ang lahat ng nasa paligid niya ay nagkakasiyahan na at sumisigaw.Maihahambing nga siya sa namayapang Kuya Cesar sa am radio, na sobrang bagal magsalita.

Kaya ngayon ginagaya siya ni Joey magsalita at gina-gawang katawatawanan ang kanyang hosting ability.Ewan ba namin at hanggang ngayon wala pa ring improvement si Shalani, parang hindi siya bagay sa show ni Willie.

Dapat sa kanya sa “Maa-laala Mo Kaya” kagaya ng ginagawa ni Charo Santos, para kasi na may sarili siyang daigdig.Hindi siya bagay sa show.Pwes kung hindi nyo pa siya kilala, abangan nyo na lang ang TV5International na sa April na raw ito mapa-panood sa buong mundo na kung saan nandun ang show na “Willing Willie”.

MAGALING DAW ANG MEGASTAR AT BABALIK NA ITO SA “STARPOWER”.Hindi totoo ang unang na-babalita na dahil sa pagkatapi-lok nito sa kanyang birthday concert,matatagalan daw ito makabalik sa kanyang tv show.

Mariing itinanggi ito ni Sharon Cuneta, at hindi dahil sa pagkabagsak niya kaya siya namahinga .Wala naman daw naging epekto ang nangayri iyun sa kanya at hindi rin totoo na napilayan siya.

Mahirap kasi kapag lagi kang diet, at hindi ka gaanong kumakain siempre madali kang mapagod ‘yan dahil wala kang full energy.Pinipilit kasing pumayat ni Megastar, kaya ganon ang naging resul-ta.Tigilan na ang hindi pag-kain Ms. Sharon Cuneta para hindi tumaas ang pressure ng dugo mo, ikaw rin baka kung anung sakit pa ang makuha mo pa dyan dahil sa diet.

PINAGTATAWANAN ANG RELASYONG PIOLO PASCUAL AT KC CON-CEPCION.Marami pa rin ang hindi naniniwala na mag-boyfriend na sina Piolo at Kc, habang ang dalawa naman e wala namang pag-amin na sinasabi patungkol sa kanilang relasyon.

Anu ba talaga ang totoo Piolo Pascual at maraming nahihiwagaan sa mga sinasabi mo about Kc kapag naiinter-byu ka sa Tv?

Ayon pa sa mga kapatid namin sa panulat, habang na-kikinig kami sa kanilang radio show sa DZME nina Alex Datu at Ismaeli Favatini. Ang kwento nila ay tungkol noong kayo pa ni Judy Ann Santos.

May instant daw na si Judy Ann ay may binubuhat na malaking maleta, ni hindi mo raw tinulungan pero kapag nasa harap kayo ng camera ang sweet-sweet mo daw kay Judy Ann.

Anu ba ang totoo Judy Ann Santos at hindi kayo nagkatu-luyan ni Piolo Pascual ?

Ang “PEKENG” KaugalianAng ugali natin ngayon, sa bayan na sinilangan,Parang ‘di na magbabago, sa takbo ng ating buhay.Kalinisang mapapansin sa may loob ng tahanan,Kakaiba sa harapang, BASURA ang naka yangyang.

Mga taong DEBOTO raw, sa mahal na “Black Nazarene”,Hindi ako magtatakang mga PEKE ang layunin.Kung malinis yaong puso at ang dasal, mataimtim,Sana’y lugar ng Nazarene, malinis ding lilisanin.

Kasabihang ang malinis, ‘di dapat na bahagi lang,Kungdi linis masasabing, “inside and out” walang kulang.Kung ang bawat pagdarasal pawang PAKUNWARI lamang,Kahit kayo ay gumapang ang BIYAYA ‘di kakamtan.

Batikos ni: Romeo S. NicolasBocaue, Bulacan1/14/2011

Grand Opening of Dr Tess Dermatology & Cosmetic

Center La JollaJoin America’s Favorite

Dermatologist, Dr. Tess Mau-ricio on Thursday, Jan. 27 as she opens her 3rd location for medical and cosmetic derma-tology services at 7630 Fay Avenue in downtown La Jolla.

The open house will begin at 6:30 pm, Thursday, Jan. 27 and the grand opening event will include live demonstra-tions, informational seminars, raffle prizes, appetizers and special discount offers for those in attendance.

Dr. Mauricio is a world recognized expert in helping patients look and feel their best. Her treatments improve the quality of life of her patients as they report having more confidence and self es-teem. Patients can achieve the look they’ve always wanted utilizing state of the art tech-nology for the face and body, many of which Dr. Mauricio has helped pioneer.

“I’m very proud to an-nounce the opening of our La Jolla center,” says Dr. Tess Mauricio. “We’ve helped so many people in San Diego with our Scripps Ranch and Escondido centers. Expand-ing to La Jolla will allow us to service those living in the coastal areas and globally. We are so pleased that our open-ing corresponds with the New Year, when so many people are making their resolutions, because we can help women and men present the world their very best and achieve their goals.”

Dr. Mauricio will provide both medical and cosmetic

dermatology services in her La Jolla center and will con-tinue to take PPO insurance to provide care for patients who want an expert’s touch for acne, skin cancer, mole checks, rosacea and other skin diseases.

Dr. Mauricio is a Board Certified Dermatologist, published author, renowned speaker and physician educa-tor. She has educated thou-sands across the globe in technologies she has helped pioneer, including Refirme, Triniti, Matrix RF, Velashape, Lipolite laser lipo, VASER liposelection, MIXTO frac-tional CO2, Tickle Lipo and continues to be at the fore-front of technological ad-vances as a leader in her field. She is a graduate of Stanford University School of Medi-cine and Summa Cum Laude graduate of UCSD. She is a Past President of the San Di-ego Society of Dermatologic Surgery.

Piolo Pascual and Judy Ann Santos

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01/21/10

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CITY OF SAN DIEGOPublic Utilities Department

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALFOR

Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System (H115284)

The City of San Diego (City) is requesting proposals from highly qualified project implementation and man-agement firms for consultant services for Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System (H115284).

It is the policy of the City to provide equal opportunity in its project implementation and management profes-sional services contracts. Toward this end, proposals from small local businesses, disadvantaged businesses and disabled veteran, women and minority owned businesses are strongly encouraged. Prime consultants are encouraged to provide subconsultant opportunities or joint venture with these firms. The City endeavors to do business with firms sharing the City’s commitment to equal opportunity and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, medi-cal condition or place of birth.

This project has a voluntary Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE)/ Emerging Local Business Enterprises (ELBE) Participation Level (SLBE/ELBE) goal of 20%. SLBE/ELBE goals are achieved by contracting with SLBE and ELBE firms as defined in the following website, http://www.sandiego.gov/eoc/boc/slbe.shtml. At-tainment of the SLBE/ELBE goal is strongly encouraged, but strictly voluntary.

The City of San Diego will ensure that full access to programs, services, meetings and activities comply with Section 504, Title V, of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990, Public Law 101-336.

In-depth knowledge and a strong understanding of the local environment, and a local presence for interfacing with the City’s project management staff are essential to the successful completion of this project. The proposal must address the consultant’s knowledge and understanding of: the City and other local agencies regulations and policies; local environment; and local building codes and other criteria. The proposal must also address how the consultant plans to interface with the City’s project management staff and the consultant’s workforce in San Diego County.

All proposals submitted must be in full accord with the Request for Proposal (RFP) which can be obtained by requesting the RFP via email from John Mendivil, Consultant Services Coordinator, at:

[email protected] of San Diego, Purchasing & Contracting Department

1200 Third Avenue, Suite 200San Diego, CA 92101.

When requesting the RFP, please refer to the specific project title and number, Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System (H115284). For questions about RFP procedures please call John Mendivil at (619) 235-5855.

A voluntary pre-proposal meeting will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011, 11:00:00 AM, at Bridgepoint Building, Wada - Large Conference Room 8A, 600 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101. It is strongly recommended that all interested parties attend. For more information, assistance, to request an agenda in alternative format, or to request a sign language or oral interpreter for the meeting, please contact David Akin, at 619-980-1685 at least five working days prior to the meeting to ensure availability.

Proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, February 25, 2011, at the location stated in the RFP. This RFP does not commit the City to award a contract or to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal pursuant to this RFP. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this RFP. The City also reserves the right to revise this RFP, including but not limited to the pre-proposal con-ference date and the proposal due date. If the City revises the RFP, all RFP holders of record will be notified in writing by the City.

Summary Scope of ServicesThe proposer shall describe their experience and methodology that demonstrates their approach and expertise in performing the following functions: 1. Management of the AMI provider/installation contract, 2. Redesign of City of San Diego business policies and practices to gain the benefits of AMI and 3. Assessment and Revi-sion of Water Conservation strategies. The remainder of the Scope of Services is contained in the Request for Proposal for Implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) System (H115284), as Exhibit A to the Draft Agreement.

You have proven to have lived lives that cost much less in a much more efficient and humane way. In the States, I and most everyone else lived a life with too much waste and excess and it took me to marry a Filipina to realize that I can live without the expen-sive toilet paper for example by using a little water dipper. Now I know that toilet paper is an inferior method, and I’ll never go back to that,” Green shared this anecdote to the delight of legal and environ-mental management students who gathered recently for the forum at the Buttenbruch Hall, University of San Carlos Main Campus.

“Cebu has a diverse and efficient public transportation system, perhaps the most ef-ficient non-rail system in the world. Filipinos have invented many kinds of vehicles like the motorella, the tricycle, and the trisikad which needs no fossil fuels at all, and of course the multicab which I think is a good candidate for the label “car of the future”. Why? Because the Filipinos have designed the multicab to seat 18 people, three times as many people as when origi-nally built,” he added, earning a chorus of laughter from an obviously amused audience.

“And there’s the karaoke/videoke which is a cheap but healthy form of family entertainment. This shows how the Philippines is rich in social capital, the connec-tion between people. The Philippines may trail much of the world in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), but that is not a good measure of national success because it disregards human well-being and the environmental costs of consumption. But Filipinos are world leaders in a better measure of success, in terms of HPI (Happy Planet Index),” Green noted.

“HPI measures how ef-ficient a country is in con-verting resources into human well-being. The Philippines leads most countries,” he further said. By the way, the Philippines takes 17th spot in the Happy Planet Index, while the US ranks 150th.

He implied that the Fili-pino’s early exposure to a modest way of living is itself the model for today’s need to adapt to a world experiencing extreme weather patterns, fac-ing resource scarcity with the imminent peaking of world oil production as fossil fuel resources are finite; and the faltering economies of devel-oped nations like the US, Ja-pan and the European Union, which are highly dependent on fossil fuels and have huge

Pinoys more likely to survive this century amid crisis

(Continued from page 1) debts.Contrary to the standard

materialistic and wasteful development Americans have grown up with; Filipinos who are used to living in bamboo and nipa houses can eas-ily shift back to being “low-tech.”

“Low-tech is nothing to be ashamed of. Low-tech is best. It’s less expensive and more resilient,” Green stressed.

Other mitigation measures the Filipinos are good at is shifting to renewable energy sources from fossil fuels, like harnessing more geothermal power. Cebu now gets 70-per-cent of its electricity from geothermal power. Also, using natural ventilation in place of more expensive air-condi-tioning units like the passive cooling method adopted by Engr. Nestor Archival in his A House Close to Nature in Barangay Talamban. The Col-lege of Architecture and Fine Arts building, USC Talam-ban Campus, and the Elicon Hotel and Café are other good examples. Natural lighting can be used instead of light bulbs; rainwater harvesting instead of groundwater pump-ing; groundwater recharge to prevent runoff from impervi-ous surfaces; natural farming instead of fossil-fuel based agriculture like the Natural Farming Project of Fr. Do-mingo Saladaga of the Laray Parish; productive landscap-ing instead of landscaping “just for looks”; bio-digestion instead of dumping of human waste onto rivers; and ver-miculture instead of dumping biodegradable waste in land-fills/dumpsites.

“Filipinos are most likely to survive this century, how-ever, survival skills need to be taught because most Filipinos are not aware of these solu-tions. Survivability needs organization and discipline,” Green further said.

He laments over the fail-ure of academe so far to strengthen non-fossil fuel-based education. “Creating a survivable future is the solu-tion. However, not even the schools have fully emphasized the need for students to switch from a mentality of GDP to HPI; for a need to help spread the word that a simple thing like white roofs lead to cool homes which are more eco-nomical and comfortable.”

Natural farming can also be embraced (Green argues for a 90-percent conversion to microbe-based Natural Farm-ing System agriculture); the building of biogas digesters for all the piggeries of the city to remove piggery waste/odor and use the created meth-ane for alternative fuel; and adopting urban gardens to cut down by 50 percent Cebu’s

imported food needs and to reduce costs.

There is also the lack of replication of Barangay Luz’ very successful waste-to-profit project. This is seen to eliminate 60 percent landfills/dumpsites and create fertilizer profits. As for rain harvesting, cisterns are still not taken seri-ously enough so far.

Green also proposes a Cebu building rebirth with the goal to retrofit 50 percent of building with natural ventila-tion and natural lighting and other “Green Architecture” ideas; with the country’s blessed location on the Ring of Fire, it could double pro-duction of geothermal power; the power of trees to sequester carbon and to cover ten times as much space and cool Fili-pino cities. Harder but worthy goals of cutting automotive oil use by 50 percent by using natural gas, biofuels and com-pressed air; the harnessing of wind power more to increase national production tenfold; and enhance charcoal cooking by planting and maintaining huge plantations for fuel are also advocated by Dr. Green.

After presenting the bad news that despite discussions on sustainability, the world continues to live lifestyles highly dependent on fossil fuels and consumption grow-ing faster than production, Dr. Green posed the follow-ing options: We can either exercise our freewill now for a voluntary transition before 2030 away from fossil fuels to renewable energy (at about the same time the global coal production may peak) by getting away from our 90-per-cent importation of oil and coal (75-percent); or kicking and screaming by 2050 as we can’t anymore afford to purchase the remaining scarce fossil fuels with the rich na-tions enjoying access to it and the last of growth; or greet 2080 “not with a bang but a whimper” when all the worlds fossil fuels are gone.

Moreover, Green pointed out that the 500th anniversary of Magellan’s arrival in Cebu is 2021. A “world’s fair” on survivability could showcase Cebu’s projects, which could be big enough to impress hu-manity but “low-tech” enough to be affordable.

“As with the other world expositions, Cebu can use the 10-year run-up to the celebra-tion with a mission to reduce emissions and emphasize the need to start conversion from fossil fuels immediately,” he said.

Dubbed Cebu-WISE 2021 or World Ideas for Survival Expo, it would utilize a struc-ture called the Spirit of Unity Shrine as the focal point to sell the idea to the world. Like Seattle’s Space Needle and Paris’ Eiffel Tower, (structures built during previ-ous world expos) the Shrine would depict Lapu-Lapu’s sword, Magellan’s cross as a symbol of Christianity in

the Far East, and the crown of the Sto. Niño. The moun-tains near Cebu are seen as ideal location for the shrine. When viewed from the side, the sword enters the earth to conform to a passage in the Book of Isaiah: “The sword is beaten into a plowshare.”

“Most Filipinos haven’t re-alized that they can now lead the planet if they make the ef-

fort. You are the ones you’ve been waiting for. Despite the bad news, the good news is that it is not yet the end of the world but maybe the begin-ning of a deeper awakening,” Green concluded.

(Story courtesy of FREE-MAN)

SAN DIEGO – January 18, 2011 – After San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) alerted their customers three months ago to be aware of someone posing as an em-ployee of SDG&E demanding credit card numbers over the phone, fraudulent phone calls continue against Hispanic and Asian small businesses in San Diego. The imposter tells the business owner that if they do not provide them with a credit card number to pay their bill, they will immediately turn off

Small Hispanic and Asian businesses continue to fall victims to person

claiming to be from SDG&Etheir power.

Businesses continue receiving these calls and, unfortunately, some have provided their credit card information to this im-poster. SDG&E wants to again alert customers about these fraudulent calls in an effort to prevent them from becoming victims. The company assures custom-ers that SDG&E will not proactively contact them and ask for credit card in-formation over the phone.

SDG&E custom-ers must not provide any financial information by phone unless they have initiated the conversation. If you have received this kind of call and believe you might have been a victim of fraud, please contact SDG&E’s Customer Service line immediately at 1-800-411-7343.

SDG&E is a regu-lated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 mil-lion consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help our

customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.


A Rare Collection of Homes. An Even More Rare Opportunity.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From either the 5 Freeway or the 15 Freeway, take the Ted Williams Freeway (56) and exit Camino Del Sur. Proceed to Paseo Del Sur and turn right. Follow the signage to the Sentinels sales office. Price is subject to change without notice. Square footages are approximate.

Experience elegant, single-story living at Davidson Communities’

collection of 17 luxury homes at Sentinels in Del Sur.

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It’s as if our architects read your mind – and your heart. SentinelsDEL SUR

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