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1 VOL IX NO EAST DESERT INN ROAD SUITE 304B LAS VEGAS, NV PH: PH seeks new markets amid sea dispute with China MANILA, (Mabuhay) - - The Philippines needs to develop new overseas markets so that a maritime standoff with China, which has thrown relations into PESO - U.S. DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AS OF MAY 17, 2012 P Source: Bangko Central ng Pilipinas IMMIGRATION CORNER EB5 Investment Visa - The Golden Ticket Full Story on Page 23 turmoil, does not take a toll on tourism and fruit exports, a senior official said on Thursday. China has tightened quality controls on Philippine fruit and cut the number of tourist visits to the Philippines, moves which will likely have a limited impact on the economy, Arsenio Balisacan, the new economic planning secretary, told reporters. He is the first member of the economic team to talk about the impact of the BUSINESS More on Page 4 Aquino assures sarisari store owners of continued government assistance Full Story on Page 25 MAY 18-24, 2012 President Aquino III, accompanied by Puregold Chairman Lucio Co, Puregold Vice Chairperson Susan Co, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Dir. Gen. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva and Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Chairman Jose Pardo, tours and inspects booths during the 7th Puregold Tindahan Ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention with the theme: Team Puregold! T.E.A.M. Panalo! (Talagang Enjoy Ang Mag-negosyo Kasama and Always Panalo!) at the World Trade Cebter along Gil Puyat Avenue Extension corner Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. The annual holding of the convention which started in 2006, shows Puregold s track record of helping the sari-sari sector. As a result, the convention has become bigger, and more substantive and colorful, attesting to the determination of Puregold in empowering Tindahan ni Aling Puring members and helping fully develop their entrepreneurial skills. (MNS photo) 01 MAY indd 1 5/17/2012 9:19:51 PM

2 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 MANILA, (Mabuhay) - Kaya Natin! lead convenor Harvey Keh is facing possible contempt charges for submitting documents to the office of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile documents on Chief Justice Renato Corona alleged $2 million dollar accounts. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he felt insulted after Keh submitted the documents, allegedly from an anonymous source, to his office while being covered by a news crew of ABS-CBN. I am ordering you to show cause why you should not be cited for contempt by this impeachment court. You are trying to influence this court by bringing these documents. I did not open it. I did not read it because it is a very I do not know what these documents Witness Keh faces contempt over papers had, he told Keh. Enrile said he found no reason why Keh would bring the documents to his office instead of submitting it to the Ombudsman where he had already filed a complaint against Corona. He said the presence of the TV crew seemed to be an attempt to ensure that the contents of the documents would be publicized. I felt insulted and offended as a presiding officer and I am ordering you to show cause why you should not be cited in contempt, he said. Keh apologized for his actions and said he did not mean to offend the Senate President. I would like to express my sincere apologies if you felt insulted, he said. Asked why he did not British rock singer Morrissey, the former front man of the alternative rock group The Smiths, wears a Philippine Flag around his waist as he belts out a song during his concert in Manila, Philippines. Morrissey recently sent a letter on behalf of Manila-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III urging him to send Vishwamali ( Mali for short), a lone Asian elephant at the Manila Zoo, to a sanctuary. (MNS photo) bring the documents to the Ombudsman, he said: I thought the Senate would be the office would be in a best position to evaluate this document. He also denied bringing a TV crew with him, saying that an ABS-CBN news team was already waiting for him at the Senate. Keh earlier told ABS-CBN News he received anonymous information that Corona owned $2 million in foreign currency accounts in several banks. Who is Mr. Anonymous? Meanwhile, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago scolded Keh for acting on anonymous tips while not bothering to verify them first. You are not even a witness and you are foisting yourself as a complainant before the public. What kind of good governance are you trying to promote? You are acting on anonymous sources. Every time there is something that requires identification of the source, the prosecution says there is no source. It came anonymous. Anonymously. Who is Mr. Anonymous? Because I want to ask the PNP and the AFP to issue an arrest order against him. Why is there a proliferation of Mr. Anonymous in this archipelago? And you are the head of something that promotes good governance? That s your idea of good governance? You act on anonymous complaints. You do not even bother to examine for yourself with your own brains whether these complaints are fair or not? Santiago questioned Keh s assertion that Kaya Natin has over 1,000 members all over the country. You are trying to mislead Continued on page 8 01 MAY indd 2 5/17/2012 9:19:57 PM

3 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 3 5/17/2012 9:20:01 PM

4 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 month-long standoff over a shoal in the South China Sea. The dispute has fuelled concern in the region over China s growing assertiveness in waters believed to be rich in oil and gas. China said on Thursday the Philippines had to send a clear signal if it wanted to repair relations. As of now, we are likely to see modest effects (on the economy), but we need to intensify our efforts to diversify our trade with other countries, Balisacan said when asked about the impact of the dispute on trade. So whether or not this event with China occurred, we should have been diversifying our exports. China is the Philippines third-biggest export market after Japan and the United States, accounting for around 14 percent of total shipments in the first quarter of this year. It also ranked fourth in foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines in the March quarter, government data showed. China stopped a shipment of Philippine bananas in March, a month before the sea spat on the Scarborough Shoal erupted, after it found pests. Since then it has imposed stringent quarantine rules on other Philippine fruit. Banana exporters were given until June 1 to comply with the new rules, said Steve Antig, executive director of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association. HEADLINES PH seeks new markets amid sea dispute with China The Philippines has been exporting bananas to China for over a decade but it was only this year it had encountered quarantine issues, Antig said. Clarito Barron, head of the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry, said he would ask for clarification from quarantine officials, as there were no problems with shipments to Japan and South Korea. Barron said the country was now looking at other markets for its fruit including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Italy, France and Britain. Last week, Philippine civil society and political groups staged a peaceful but noisy anti-chinese protest which prompted the Chinese embassy in Manila to advise its citizens to stay indoors. That also led to Chinese travel agencies suspending tour packages to the country. In the popular resort island of Boracay in the central Philippines, tourism officials said daily arrivals of Chinese tourists had fallen to low double or single digits since Friday s protest from more than 400. It is not something that will cripple our tourism industry at this point, but it does not mean we don t have to pay attention to the issue, Balisacan said. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday the Philippine government had to show it wanted to repair relations. We demand that the Philippines send a clear and unified signal about bilateral relations, creating conditions for an earnest and serious dialogue between our two sides, ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily briefing in Beijing. We have noted the Philippines statements about attaching importance to developing bilateral MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- The appointments of two special envoys to the People s Republic of China is a gesture of the government as both countries are embroiled in the Panatag Shoal dispute, a Palace official said. During the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the Philippines is not confined to a single level of relation with China and has been exploring other areas of common interest. We have different levels of exchanges or rather relations with China. We re not only confined to a situation that is very prominent right now, which is the Panatag Shoal standoff, Lacierda said. We have several levels of relationships with them and these are levels that we are emphasizing. As you see, we have the cultural, we have business, and we have tourism, he stressed. China is a vast country and the Philippines needs special envoys in the absence of an ambassador as President Benigno S. Aquino III looks for one. Designating an ambassador would Continued from front page relations, and we hope that the Philippines will take practical steps to create the necessary conditions and a healthy atmosphere for improving relations and protecting cooperation. (MNS) Designation of special envoys to People s Republic of China a gesture to fix relations, Palace says take some time, Lacierda explained and an appointee must undergo confirmation before the Commission on Appointments. The President appointed Cesar Zalamea, who is known to have extensive contacts in China, Lacierda said adding that the President asked him to be the country s special envoy to actively seek out Chinese investors. The Chief Executive also designated Domingo Lee to get the support of the Filipino business community and the Filipino-Chinese community as well as to persuade a greater number of Chinese tourists to come to the Philippines, Lacierda said. According to Lacierda, there are around 800,000 Filipino tourists going to China and 200,000 Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines. We would like to explore all avenues of our relationships not only to focus on the contentious one. And as we ve always stated, we believe that insofar as the Panatag Shoal standoff is concerned, we are actively seeking a peaceful resolution, he said. (MNS) President Aquino receives UN official in Malacanang MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), paid a courtesy call on President Benigno S. Aquino III in Malacanang on Thursday to convey his support to the government s population management program. Dr. Osotimehin is visiting the country May to meet with stakeholders to mobilize support for the country to achieve its targets for the Millennium Development Goal 5 with three years left to the 2015 deadline. During his meeting with the President, Dr. Osotimehin expressed the continued support of UNFPA to the Continued on next page 01 MAY indd 4 5/17/2012 9:20:03 PM

5 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA UN...cont d fr. prev. pg. Philippine government s goal of improving the lives of Filipinos through a population management strategy that includes responsible parenthood and informed choices. The UNFPA head is also scheduled to meet with ambassadors from the UN donor countries and international development agencies to secure their commitment for the attainment of MDG 5, which is least likely to be achieved by the Philippines by He will also meet key members of the Cabinet, civil society organizations, youth leaders and legislators, and visit the survivors of Sendong who remain in tent cities in Cagayan de Oro. Dr. Osotimehin s visit coincides with UNFPA s celebration of its 40-year presence in the country, supporting the government in its efforts to enable Filipinos to exercise their right to reproductive health. UNFPA has been in the Philippines since 1969 with the first UNFPA Country Programme of Assistance starting in From 1972 to 2011, UNFPA has invested some P6.2 billion to support government s poverty reduction programs that include family planning, safe motherhood, gender equality, and population and development. For the current 7th Country Programme which started this year and ending in 2016, around P1.2 billion has been raised, with the possibility of more funds to be mobilized. Aside from the Philippines, Dr. Osotimehin is also visiting South Korea, Thailand and China as part of his Asian tour. With Dr. Osotimehin were UNFPA Representative to the Philippines Ugochi Florence Daniels, and UNFPA chief of staff Delia Barcelona. Cabinet officials who joined the President include Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Presidential Assistant for Muslim Concerns Undersecretary Busran-Lao. (MNS) BFAR starts monitoring fishing ban in West Philippine Sea MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- Philippine fishery authorities started monitoring Wednesday a fishing ban in parts of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources dispatched a ship to the area Yasmin to monitor the compliance of local fishermen with the ban. BFAR head Asis Perez said the ship will also keep watch over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal area, the site of a month-old standoff with China. Perez said he has issued a directive to BFAR regional directors to remind fishermen in their areas of responsibilities not to fish in the area. China also started implementing Wednesday a similar fishing ban as part of its annual ban that lasts until August 1. The Philippines refused to recognize the Chinese ban. We do not recognize China s fishing ban in as much as portions of the ban encompass our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)... However, (President Benigno Aquino III) has decided that in view of the accelerated depletion of our marine resources, it would be advisable for us to issue our own fishing ban for a period of time to replenish our fish stock, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario had said. Taiwan scholar claims fishing ban can calm PHL- China row Meanwhile, a Taiwanese scholar claimed a fishing ban in areas of the West Philippine Sea might calm the month-old row between the Philippines and China over the Panatag Shoal. Song Yann-huei, convener of the South China Sea research group based at the Academia Sinica, said the calling of the ban may be Beijing s strategy for calming the dispute, Taiwan s Central News Agency reported. CNA quoted him as saying that while the disputes had triggered protests by both sides, both Beijing and Manila know such a conflict sparked by nationalism will not serve any of them well. He also said he believes there will not likely be military conflict between China and 5 the Philippines during the moratorium period. China earlier announced a two-and-a-half month fishing moratorium in the South China Sea, starting May 16 and ending August 1. The Philippines announced its own fishing ban Monday. The standoff between the Philippines and China started in early April when Philippine Continued on next page 01 MAY indd 5 5/17/2012 9:20:05 PM

6 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 MANILA, (Mabuhay) -President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new judges to the lower courts in various cities and municipalities in the country, a Palace official announces. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made the announcement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday. The Chief Executive signed on May 11 the appointment letter of Judge Juvencio S. Gascon as the presiding judge of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 68. He earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the East in 1984 and passed the Bar Examinations in He served as San Fernando City (La Union) Regional Trial Court Judge since 2009 until his appointment. Judge Gregorio L. Vega. Jr. was appointed by President Aquino to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch military forces spotted Chinese fishermen gathering marine species from the area. But before the crew of a Philippine Navy vessel could make arrests, Chinese vessels blocked its path. China refers to the shoal as Huangyan Island. The CNA also quoted Song as saying the Philippines and China may be expected to reduce their direct conflict over the disputed shoal as they Aquino appoints new judges to lower courts BFAR...cont d fr. prev He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines in 1971 and was admitted to the Bar in Prior to his appointment, he served as Sinoloan (Laguna) Regional Trial Court Judge since President Aquino also appointed Judge Jennifer Albano Pilar to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 164. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the San Sebastian College in She graduated salutatorian and was admitted to the Bar in She served as Agoo (La Union) Regional Trial Court Judge since 2007 until her appointment. Other presidential appointees are the following: - Judge Joseph A. Elmaco as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 36 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Siliman University try to resolve the problem through diplomatic negotiations. Some 820,000 square km of sea area in the region are covered by the Chinese fishing ban. On the other hand, Song said the sovereignty dispute may not end soon with the Philippines likely to raise the issue to the security dialogue platform of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. (MNS) in 1982 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Bindoyoayungon- Manjuyod in Negros Oriental since 2006 until his appointment. - Judge Cenon Voltaire B. Repollo as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Xavier University, Ateneo De Cagayan in 1997 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental since 2006 until his appointment. - Judge Sisinio C. Virtudazo as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 4 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Bohol in 1982 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. He served as Executive Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1 in Tagbilaran City. - Judge Alexader Nicandro V. Acosta as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Cebu City, Cebu. He graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of the East in 1996 and was admitted to the Bar in He worked in the Department of Justice -National Prosecution Service in Cebu City as Prosecutor. - Judge Ma. Lynna Pacamalan Adviento as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 58 in Cebu City, Cebu. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of San Carlos in 1991 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. She worked as Attorney in the Securities and Exchange Commission, Legislative Consultant from the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cebu City and Partner in Tanco & Partners Law Offices. - Judge Constantino F. Esber as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 37 in Caibiran, Biliran. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Leyte Collges in 1986 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as Clerk in the Commission on Elections in Leyte, Trial Attorney in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Leyte and Public Attorney in the Public Attorney s Office and Prosecutor in the Office of Public Prosecutions both in Leyte. - Judge Mory A. Nueva. as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 in Gamay, Northern Samar. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Divine Word University in 1994 and was admitted to the Bar in He served as Legal and Collection Officer, Legal and Administrative Officer in Herway, Inc., Legal Officer of the AMA Computer College and lawyer in the Capoquian and Nueva Law Offices. - Judge Tarcelo A. Sabarre Jr. as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Basey, Samar. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Divine Word University in 1984 and was admitted to the Bar in He Continued on page 8 01 MAY indd 6 5/17/2012 9:20:07 PM

7 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 7 5/17/2012 9:20:09 PM

8 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 the Filipino public with your prestige and your influence only on the basis of numericality, only on the basis of numbers. What is your proof that you have these many members? I will have my staff check if you have 1,000 members because a person governed by ethics would not do the things that you have done, giving those alleged documentary evidence to the Senate President when you should know as a layman that no person is allowed Keh...cont d. fr. page 2 to influence a judge in the course of the proceedings, she said. Small lady recalled Sen. Bongbong Marcos noted that there are now several ways in which seemingly anonymous documents end up in the hands of the prosecution. He recalled the small lady who allegedly gave documents to Oriental Mindoro 2nd Rep. Reynaldo Umali and the unknown source who gave the same documents to Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Jorge Bolet Banal. Keh said the documents were left in the mail slot in the Kaya Natin! Office in Barangay Loyola Heights in Quezon City last May 3. He said the documents were placed in a brown envelope and was addressed to him. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, asserted that Keh was lying when he said that he was not seeking publicity when he got the papers on Corona s alleged bank accounts. Sinungaling ka, he said. Keh had admitted that he texted a tabloid reporter and told a broadsheet reporter about the documents. He denied, however, fabricating the document to discredit Corona. Hontiveros: I didn t know about $10M Another hostile witness, former Akbayan congresswoman Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, also testified on Day 39 of the impeachment trial. In her testimony, the former Judges...cont d from page 6 served as Special Prosecutor in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Region 8 in Tacloban City and taught law in the universities. - Judge Romeo D. Tagra as Judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 273 in Marikina City. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of San Carlos in 1992 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. He served as Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Calbayog City in Samar since 2010 until his appointment. - Judge Giovanni E. Palma as Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Manaoag, Pangasinan. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the San Sebastian College -Recoletos in 2000 and was admitted to the Bar in He worked as Court Attorney IV at the Court of Appeals and governnment corporate attorney at the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. (MNS) congresswoman said she and several others signed a complaint asking the Ombudsman to investigate 18 bank accounts allegedly owned by Corona, including one account which allegedly contained $700,00. Our purpose in writing her is to ask the Ombudsman to investigate the dollar accounts, she said. She said she filed the complaint after the Supreme Court temporarily stopped Philippine Savings Bank from revealing the contents of Corona s dollar accounts in the impeachment trial. She denied that the complaint alleged that Corona owns $10 million in dollar deposits. She also said no one ordered her group to file a complaint against the Chief Justice before the Ombudsman. Sen. Santiago did not pose any question to the former congresswoman. Instead, she praised Baraquel for being one of the staunchest allies of Sen. Pia Cayetano and myself in our epic struggle to pass the Reproductive Health Bill. She also noted Baraquel very nearly became senator in the 2010 elections, and there is still a very strong possibility that she may soon join the Senate in the very near future. Baraquel came in 13th place, losing the last Senate slot to his coalition ally, Teofisto TG Guingona III. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 8 5/17/2012 9:20:12 PM

9 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA PNoy: CHED still monitoring nursing schools MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- President Benigno Aquino on Thursday said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will continue to monitor the performance of nursing schools and the quality of their programs. In a speech during the 18th founding anniversary of CHED, the President noted that more than 80 nursing schools had a low passing rate of 30% or below in licensure examinations from 2000 to CHED has since closed down a number of nursing schools for offering substandard programs. Nasa Kongreso pa lang po tayo, kapansin-pansin na ang pagsulpot ng mga nursing schools pero tila wala naman ditong napupulot na dunong ang mga estudyante. Namimirata sila ng mga guro mula sa mas kilalang paaralan, pero dahil nga puro tsamba naman ang kanilang sistema, hindi naman makapasa sa licensure exams ang kanilang graduates. Para bang ginagatasan lamang nila ng matrikula ang mga magulang na nagkakandahirap magtrabaho. Mantakin po ninyo, mahigit walumpung paaralan ang may 30% o mas mababa pang passing rate sa nursing licensure exam mula noong 2000 hanggang 2010, Aquino said. Para proteksyunan ang mga estudyante at mga magulang sa ganitong kalakaran, inatasan natin ang CHED na tutukan at bantayan ang mga paaralang may mababang passing rate sa nursing licensure exam at may mapupurol na programa. The President witnessed the signing of the Covenant on Philippine Public Higher Education wherein the presidents of 110 state universities and colleges of the Philippines promised, among others, to improve the quality and standards of education and maximize the generation of their resources. Also witnessing the signing were CHED chair Patricia Licuanan, Senate committee chair on education Edgardo Angara, and House committee chair on higher and technical education Sonny Angara. Aquino said that the government is also addressing job mismatch to ensure that graduates can easily find jobs. Nagtutulungan na rin po ang DOLE, TESDA, CHED at DepEd, upang siguruhing ang mga bakanteng trabaho ay pupunan ng mga graduate na may sapat na pagsasanay. Bago pa pumasok sa kolehiyo, tinutukoy na ang mga industriyang mangangailangan ng manggagawa, upang umangkop ang kaalaman ng mga graduate na papasok sa ating labor force, he said. Saying that having a good education is key to a successful future, President Aquino stressed his administration has increased the budget for basic education and state colleges and universities. He said for basic education the budget rose to P238.8 billion in 2012 from billion in State-owned universities and colleges, meanwhile, are getting an additional P4.2 billion in The government is also set to implement the K to 12 program this school year. (MNS) MAY indd 9 5/17/2012 9:20:13 PM

10 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Aquino assures education remains top priority of his administration MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- President Benigno S. Aquino said that education and the institutionalization of educational reforms remains his administration s top priority in order to ensure that Philippine education becomes at par with world standards and so that Filipino students will have a fighting chance to land a job of their choice after graduation. In his speech keynoting the 18th Founding Anniversary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at its main office in Quezon City Thursday, the President assured that the government would continue to pour the much needed funds so that these reforms, such as the improvement of a school s infrastructure, equipment, facilities and wages may be implemented. He noted that among the moves that the government was making to improve education was the yearly increases his government was putting intto the budget on education since he assumed office: P175-billion in 2010, billion in 2011 and for 2012, a hefty 36.5 percent increase to P238.8-billion. He added that this year marked the implementation of the Department of Education s K to 12 basic education program that required all students to undergo a year of kindergarten and two additional years of secondary education in order to better prepare them for the world. Ang gusto natin, makapalag ang ating mga graduate sa pandaigdig na merkado at hindi ito mangyayari kung pipiliting isiksik ang mga kaalaman sa loob ng sampung taon ng basic education, the President said. The President also announced that a supplemental budget of P4.2-billion has been allocated for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for their use to improve their delivery of education to students. At heto na nga po ang good news para sa inyong sektor: karagdagang P4.2 billion po ang inilaan natin para sa ating mga SUCs. Sa tulong ng mga katuwang na ahensya, gagamitin ang pondong ito sa pagpapaunlad ng mga pasilidad at imprastraktura, sa pagtataguyod ng mataas na kalidad ng pagtuturo, at pagkakaloob ng mga scholarships, the President said. Ang gusto natin: mapakarpintero man, mananahi, mekaniko, doktor, guro, inhinyero, o abugado anumang pangarap ng ating kabataan nabibigyan sila ng kakayahan upang panghawakan ang sariling tadhana, he added. The President then implored the help of CHED and its employees to join government efforts to improve further the educational system in the country so that the benefits of these reforms will AMLC must explain CJ bank data: UP prof MANILA, (Mabuhay) - The Anti- Money Laundering Council (AMLC) must explain how it generated and vetted data on Chief Justice Renato Corona s 82 dollar accounts, which allegedly contained $12 million in fresh deposits, University of the Philippines professor Prospero de Vera III said on Wednesday. De Vera said the AMLC must be able to back up its report on Corona s accounts, which was presented by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in the impeachment trial. AMLC can clarify a lot of the issues which the Ombudsman is in no position to explain because she is not from AMLC. How the information is generated and vetted - only the AMLC knows how it is done, he said. De Vera said the AMLC does not have a good track record, citing its failure to run after erring government officials during the Arroyo administration. Remember the AMLC does not have a good track record in the past. Many accusations have been raised during the Arroyo administration where the AMLC was silent, or did not do anything, did not go out and investigate and you have an Ombudsman who never used those powers to investigate either, he said on ANC. We cannot even attach a face redound to all. Napipitas na nga po natin ang mga bunga ng pagtahak sa tuwid na landas. Nakita naman po ninyo kung paano nagbubuhos ng suporta ang inyong pamahalaan sa sektor ng edukasyon; ang tangi po nating hinihiling ay ang inyong pakikiisa sa tuwid na landas, at pagsiguro na ginagampanan ninyo nang husto ang inyong mga tungkulin, the President said. Gumigising at bumabangon na ang Pilipino. Kasama po natin sila: Itinitindig natin ang isang makatarungan at maunlad na Pilipinas. Ito ang ating ipapamana sa mga susunod na salinlahi: Isang lipunan kung saan ang mga pangarap ay abot-kamay, isang sistema kung saan walang naiiwan, at isang bayan kung saan panlahat ang kasaganahan, he added. (MNS) READ MORE NEWS ONLINE Read about the latest news from the Philippines and around the globe. Log on the internet and visit our new website : com to this AMLC. It is surprising for an office that is so powerful and where public interest is so important at this point of our political history, we have faceless institutions who don t speak. So it is logical therefore that people become suspicious and the only way to clarify this is for AMLC to show up and explain, he added. Breath of fresh air The UP professor, meanwhile, described as a breath of fresh air Ombudsman Morales investigation into Corona s alleged dollar accounts. He said Morales actions are vastly different from her predecessor s, Merceditas Gutierrez, who never even lifted a finger to investigate erring public officials. De Vera said the Corona trial is actually being sidetracked by highly politicized issues such as the extent of the powers of the Ombudsman. He said that under the law, the Ombudsman is supposed to have extensive powers to investigate all public officials, being the watchdog agency of government. On the other hand, he admitted that the timing of the Ombudsman s investigation might be questioned by some quarters. Whether the timing was proper is a gray area. Whether the actions are supposed to be used for another impeachment complaint is another one, he said. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 10 5/17/2012 9:20:16 PM

11 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA The Wisdom of God s Creation Man and woman have a unique flaw, yet that flaw is a gift from the creator. What is that flaw in creation you may ask? That flaw, although a gift from God Himself, is the gift of free will. Each of us, regardless of age, gender, race or religion, have the gift to choose our own actions, the paths in life s journey we choose to travel. Virtually everything we choose to do in life will determine our successes and our failures be it in our personal health, education, or the fact we experience prosperity in abundance, or sheer poverty. Based on our personal choices, we determine our own destinies. A very beautiful and meaningful quote, from an anonymous source, sheds much light on this message. Always remember, your true beauty is from within. No matter what methods you use to beautify your physical body on the outside, if beauty is lacking on the inside, your physical beauty enhancements are only visible to you. If your heart is filled with envy, hate, jealousy and ugly unhappy thoughts, it will discolor your aura for all to see. What you thought yesterday, will live today. What you think today, will live tomorrow. If you truly want to live a life filled with good health, physical beauty, joy and happiness, and the pleasures of material wealth, then you must think only of that which is beautiful, and beautiful you will be. It is not uncommon for me to see patients that have undergone breast enhancement surgeries, banding of the stomach, cosmetic surgeries, and frequent complete make-overs in an effort to be beautiful on the outside. A huge segment of the population, men as well as women, are sold a bill of goods that they must look like Barbie or Ken and it is all about sex appeal. Charles Dickens wrote; Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers and famous preservers of youthful good looks. Obviously the surgical make-overs can do nothing to fulfill inner happiness and contentment if these were lacking in the first place. The patients I see that are so consumed with looking good on the outside, frequently pay a very huge price beyond the dollars for the loss of physical and mental health, in their misguided pursuit of being sexy and glamorous. Our thoughts, good or bad, do indeed become real. And if a person lacks inner happiness, then those thoughts that become words, that become stuff, are not going to be provoking joy and happiness. It is evidenced today, more so than ever in history that people are motivated by fear, greed, ego, and as a consequence, are unhappy and too frequently on some form of psychotic drug, illegal drug, alcohol abuse, sugar addictions and prone to follow the advice of a beauty-consultant to do make- overs to lift their self esteem Only to discover that now they have big boobs and are still miserable! The bottom line, seeking solutions, they turn to the wrong advisors and buy into someone else s solutions to issues that do not provide the cure, or solutions to the problems they desperately want resolved. I frequently have to remind my patients, I do not have all the answers, no human has all the solutions, therefore in all things, seek the mind of God in His Written Word before buying into any protocol. Dr. Tilden put it most clear and precise when he wrote the following. From the very beginning of time man has looked for a savior; and when not looking for a savior, he is looking for a cure. He believes in paternalism. He is looking to get something for nothing, not knowing that the highest price we ever pay for anything is to have it given to us for free. Instead of accepting salvation, it is better to deserve it. Instead of buying, begging or stealing a cure, it is better from the beginning to stop building disease. All disease is of man s own building, and one worse thing than the stupidity of buying a cure is to remain so ignorant as to believe in cures without looking to the cause. The false theories of salvation and cures has built man into a mental mendicant, being a slave to a profession that has neither worked out its own salvation from disease nor discovered a single cure in all the HEALTHY HABITS Sir Dr. Thomas E. Stone, HD, CNHP Author, Lecturer age long period of man s existence on earth. I can sum up Dr. Tilden s thoughts by merely saying; there are only two things one must do in life, (paying taxes is not one of them). You have to die eventually, and until you do die, you have to live first. You make up all the rest, you and you alone, get to fill in the space of events leading up to that last breath of life. This brings us back to the free choice thing that in God s wisdom He gave us as a gift that allows us to, in Frank Sinatra s words, I did it my way. Salvation is indeed a free gift, Christ makes it available to everyone. The cure? It is not to be found in a pill, nor in any form of medicine or therapy that is not found in the Book of Life. Therefore, if you are on a quest to find the fountain of youth, and regain your health and youthful vitality, you need Continued on page MAY indd 11 5/17/2012 9:20:17 PM

12 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 FOOD AND LIFESTYLE The Thrill of the Grill (Family Features) Grilling season is here, and that means it s time to get fired up for the smoky flavor of your favorite foods cooked in the great outdoors over charcoal. These grilling recipes were created by chefs from all over the country who participated in the Choice Steak Challenge to find out who has the best steak-grilling chops. Their recipes feature Walmart Choice Premium Beef, as well as delicious sides to try with each dish. Only one in five steaks is good enough to earn that label of distinction, and shoppers who aren t satisfied with their purchase only need to bring back the receipt for a full refund. The Key to Great Grilling Build the Right Fire - Use different briquet arrangements depending on what s going on the grill. * Thinner pieces of meat respond best to high temperature, direct-heat grilling, which requires spreading the coals out evenly across the grate. * Thicker pieces of meat cook beautifully all the way through, without burning on the outside, with a two-zone fire. * Stack briquets to one side of the grate for high and low temperature zones. Begin cooking directly over the coals until the outside of the meat has reached the desired doneness; then move the meat to the other side of the grate (the low temperature zone) to finish cooking. Find more recipes, tips and information at Grilled T-bone with Everglades Rub Makes: 4 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes 4 Walmart Choice Premium T-bone Steaks Dry Rub 1 head roasted garlic (roast garlic in oven until golden brown and soft to mash) 4 tablespoons Everglades seasoning (available at Walmart) 1 teaspoon coffee, ground 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon dry thyme 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Combine all dry rub ingredients. Set aside. Rub each steak with an equal Continued on page MAY indd 12 5/17/2012 9:20:21 PM

13 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 13 5/17/2012 9:20:23 PM

14 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Grill Recipe...cont d. fr. page 12 portion of roasted garlic paste on front and back. To prevent burning, do not get garlic paste on bone. Divide dry rub seasoning for four steaks and thoroughly rub each steak. Place in food storage container in refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours. This can be done up to one day in advance. Preheat grill using Kingsford charcoal, until briquets are consistently ashed over. Remove steaks from refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Put steaks on grill; leave in one position on direct heat for 4 to 5 minutes, rotating to get nice grill marks and even flavor profile. Follow this timeline for medium rare. Recipe created by Chef Eric Lackey of Flamestone American Grill in Oldsmar, Fla. on behalf of the Walmart Choice Steak Challenge presented by Kingsford charcoal and Coca-Cola. READ MORE NEWS ONLINE Read about the latest news from the Philippines and around the globe. Log on the internet and visit our new website : look no further than your inner person. The cure is always found in evaluating the choices you made that led up to the cause of the problem. Healthy Habits is more about providing solutions, and we do so not in placing the priorities in selling you stuff. All of the products of Healthy Habits are unique, and our philosophy as well as our business model is to create within every person that WOW factor that brings about your happy factor! All of the unique product offerings of Healthy Habits come with an unconditional 90 day complete happy guarantee, or unconditional money back guarantee. And along with our unique Quantum compensation plan, can assure you a avenue to financial freedom. If what I have shared with you in Healthy Habits...cont d fr. page 11 this week s advertisement information format resonates with you, and you want to know more, please do not procrastinate, contact us immediately for a private or public presentation. In truth, God never made a mistake, and the wisdom of His creation is that everything He made was perfect. If by choice you blemish that which is perfect in His eyes, you cannot argue with His wisdom to give you that option. In closing, these Words from 3 John 2; Minamahal, aking idinadalangin na sa lahat ng mga bagay ay guminhawa ka at bumuti ang iyong katawan, na gaya ng pagginhawa ng iyong kaluluwa. Healthy Habits could very well be your opportunity for complete health, and personal prosperity! 01 MAY indd 14 5/17/2012 9:20:25 PM

15 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA BUSINESS Sharon denies KC real mom ENTERTAINMENT of Miel, Miguel MANILA, (Mabuhay) --- Actress Sharon Cuneta denied that KC Concepcion is the real mother of Cuneta s youngest daughter Miel and adopted son Miguel. Ang daming tsismis! I m sure narinig ni yo na si Miel ay hindi ko daw anak, kung hindi anak ni KC na pinagtatakpan ko. So naglagay ako ng unan noon at nagpanggap ako na ako ay buntis. Yun pala si KC, nasa Paris siya noon, ay nagdadalantao at tapos pag-uwi ng bata kunwari inako ko ako ang ina, Cuneta said. Mayroon naman ngayon si Miguel daw ay anak naman ni KC, ang aking inampon na 2 years old. Nagtataka naman ako? Kailan ba lumaki ang anak ng tiyan ko, she added. Cuneta talked about the issue as she recalled the pain brought by her bashers on microblogging site Twitter. Over 34 years you can not break me, haters. You can not break my spirit. You can not take away my happiness. And if you think that by bashing me on Twitter or in any other venue ay mawawalan na ako ng gana ay iniyak ko na yan. Dahil ang importante sa akin ay ang nagbibigay sa akin ng importansiya at pagmamahal. Do not stop me from inspiring my followers, Cuneta said. The singer-actress said she joined MANILA,(Mabuhay) -- Three months after giving birth, actress Kristine Hermosa finally shared how much she enjoys her new life as mom to firstborn Ondrea Bliss. Hermosa and husband Oyo Boy Sotto shared how their little baby girl changed their lives. The couple said Ondrea Bliss Orille-Sotto, who was born on December 26 of last year, is an answered prayer from God. Nakaplano na yun. Gusto na rin talaga namin. Hindi naman talaga natin Twitter believing that it would help her since she d been through a lot of changes from her personal life to her career. I thought it would be a nice thing to do also kasama ng bagong panimula. While it has been a very meaningful and fulfilling relationship so far with my tweeties, inaamin ko na mayroon talagang hindi ko kayang palampasin, Cuneta said. Gusto ko lang i-share sa inyo yung ibang hindi ko kayang palampasin na sa totoo lang po lumaki ako na yung ibang salitang ginamit na Tagalog ay hindi ko narinig. Sa 46 years ng buhay ko ay hindi ko naririnig. Ang iba ay naririnig ko pero hindi sa circle ko tulad ng I hope you will hit by a bus over and over again tapos may mura pa. She said what hurt her most as a mother was the allegation that her eldest daughter is an abortionist. Kasi ang pinalalabas si KC daw ay yun (abortionist) na parang tinolerate ko daw, she said. (MNS) Kristine Hermosa shares joys of motherhood alam kung kailan tayo magpi-preggy. Kahit pa iplano niyo pa, at i-try niyo ng i-try gumawa, kung hindi pa rin talaga time ni God na bigyan kayo ng anak, it won t happen din naman. Nang dumating si Ondrea, it was time na rin at ibinigay talaga ni God, Hermosa said. Tin said raising her own child is so much different from taking care of her younger siblings. Siyempre iba kapag mom ka kasi you have to know yung tamang medicines, tamang vitamins. Kailangan mo silang dalhin sa pedia every month. Yung mga kapatid ko naman, nandoon naman yung nanay ko (mommy Alma). Sa mga kapatid ko piling pili ang contributions ko sa pag-aalaga sa kanila. Sa kanilang dalawa (Kiel and Ondrea), talagang all-out ako (sa pagiging ina). Hermosa said that she s also lucky to have a sister-in-law like Danica who s always there to guide her. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 15 5/17/2012 9:20:33 PM

16 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Sam denies rumored romance with Derek MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- SAM Pinto admitted that she was irked by reports linking her to Derek Ramsay s breakup with actress Angelica Panganiban. Sam said she was surprised with the reports, adding she only worked with Ramsay once for an October fest commercial of San Miguel, which they both endorse. Sam believes the issue started when she said she planned to spend her Holy Week in Australia. I was interviewed. Where will I go for the Holy Week? Then I said I might go to Australia, which I never did, she said. Derek spent his Holy Week with friends in Australia, where he met Hollywood actor Zac Efron, whom he played golf with. I didn t meet Derek there because I was in the Philippines That was the story, period. I never hang out with him, said Sam. Sam also said she received a lot of tweets accusing her as the third party. Ang daming nag-bash sa akin because they were all assuming it was me. Everyone was like ikaw pala yung dahilan kaya nag-break sila ni Angelica, she said. They (Derek and Angelica) never talked to me because in the first place, there s really nothing to talk about because nothing really happened, Sam added. She also dismissed reports that she had a romantic relationship with Pinoy Big Brother co-housemate Paul Jake Castillo. She added that she s not dating actor Aljur Abrenica as well. I m very single and very happy. Aljur is like a brother. He s fun to be with. Sam was in Boracay for the summer weekend activity of GMA-7. (MNS) Derek Ramsey Derek confirms breakup with Angelica MANILA, (Mabuhay) -- Actor Derek Ramsay finally admitted that he and long-time girlfriend Angelica Panganiban already called it quits. Guys we truly appreciate all your concerns. Even though Angel and I are no longer together we still have the utmost respect for one another, Ramsay said in his official Twitter account on Monday. There was no wasted time. I loved every minute we had together, he added. Ramsay s previous remarks only referred to a cool off in his five-year relationship with Panganiban. Ramsay also denied that third party caused the breakup. He stressed that the issue linking him to actress Sam Pinto is not true. He also belied report linking Panganiban to her newest leading man John Lloyd Cruz. No truth to the rumors about Sam Pinto and I. We did a commercial last year but that s it. Let s respect Sam and stop all these rumors, he said. Guys please don t believe any of the rumors about Angel and John Lloyd. They did scenes for a movie and that s it. That s the truth, Ramsay said. (MNS) Rhian not afraid to visit Mo Twister s turf RHIAN Ramos will still visit New York City this June even though controversial ex-boyfriend Mo Twister is already based there. The actress is set to take part in a GMA Pinoy TV event with other Kapuso artists. According to Rhian, there s no chance of any encounter between her and Mo and she will definitely avoid the radio personality if such meeting will take place. I m thinking na malaki yung Continued on page MAY indd 16 5/17/2012 9:20:43 PM

17 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 17 5/17/2012 9:20:46 PM

18 FOOD AND LIFESTYLE PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, MAY indd 18 5/17/2012 9:20:58 PM

19 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 19 5/17/2012 9:21:01 PM

20 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, MAY indd 20 5/17/2012 9:21:09 PM

21 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA 01 MAY indd /17/2012 9:21:24 PM

22 el PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 Zanjoe: Relationship with Bea better than ever MANILA, (Mabuhay) - Following issues that have rocked several celebrity couples recently, actor Zanjoe Marudo vowed to stick with girlfriend Bea Alonzo. Bea, hindi tayo maghihiwalay, pangako yan, Marudo said. Just recently, it was reported that celebrity couple Shaina Magdayao and John Lloyd Cruz have already called it quits. Actor Derek Ramsay, meanwhile, admitted that he and girlfriend Angelica Panganiban have agreed to a cool off. Marudo revealed their relationship is even getting better than ever. Maganda, maayos, namumulaklak, he said. Meanwhile, Marudo said he is excited with the upcoming reunion movie of Alonzo and long-time love team partner John Lloyd Cruz. Marudo said he does not mind if his girlfriend will have steamy scenes with Cruz in their upcoming project. Fan ako ng John Lloyd-Bea, he said. Dati naman na nilang ginagawa yon. Marudo also said he is eagerly waiting for Alonzo s and Cruz s upcoming television series. (MNS) Rhian...cont d. from pg. 16 city sana kung alam niya na andun ako, eh, lumayo na diba (I m thinking the city is big if he knows I m there, I hope he ll avoid me), she said. Rhian also revealed that she was advised to get a bodyguard just to ensure her safety. The actress jokingly said co-actor Aljur Abrenica will be with them during the US trip, so someone will definitely protect her. But the actress said she is still considering the advice. With all the controversies brought by her relationship with Mo, Rhian wishes all the issues to end. I m sure darating din yung day na sasabihin ng judge na panalo ako. Tapos magiging okay na ako (time will come that the judge will tell me that I win then I ll be okay), she said. She also reiterated that Mo never called her to say his apologies on what took place for the last couple of months. Weird nga kasi yung mga nababasa ko ngayon, parang wala daw siyang kinalaman. Sobrang he feels sorry daw na may lumabas ganunganun, (It feels weird that I get to read things that he has nothing to do with the issue), she said. Rhian will be joined by her handler and mother during the US trip this June. (MNS) 01 MAY indd 22 5/17/2012 9:21:29 PM

23 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA EB-5 Investment Visa The EB-5 Visa provides the easiest path for foreign investors to live and work or retire permanently in the United States. For foreign investors seeking the freedom and flexibility to live and work or retire in the United States or to give their children an American education, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program provides the easiest path to U.S. Green Cards. The Green Card provides Permanent Residency in the United Statesfor foreign investors, their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21. The EB-5 investment visa eliminates the usual requirements of having family connections, attending school, securing a job or running an actively traded business. That is why it is the perfect vehicle for foreign investors to live in the United States and provide an American education for your children and making it possible for a secure and enjoyable retirement for you and your spouse. The EB-5 Investor Program was established in accordance with a Congressional desireto stimulateu.s. economic activity and create U.S. jobs in exchange for giving eligible foreign investors the opportunity to become lawful permanent residents. For foreign investors who wish to live, work or retire in the USA and can afford to invest $500,000 to $1,000,000, the EB5 investment visa is an opportunity worth considering. Professionals, business people, foreign students, retirees and current nonimmigrant visa holders are among people that have chosen to take advantage of the EB-5investmentvisa opportunity. These are the steps in the EB-5 process: Document the Legal Source of your Investment Funds Investigate Your Investment Choices Choose your Investment Apply to become an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Apply for your two year green card for you and each family member Maintain the Investment Create 10 U.S. Jobs Apply to remove the 2 year condition for your green cards. There EB-5 immigrant visa benefits include: A direct route to a Green Card No day-to-day business management with the regional center investment Permanent residency in the United States for you, your partner and any children under 21 Live, work and retire anywhere in the United States Become a U.S Citizen after 5 years of being a green card holder No Quota Backlogs - There are many delays and backlogs for employment and family based green card categories but there is no backlog for the EB-5 Visa Investor category. No Sponsor Needed - Foreign investors use their own personal funds and do not require sponsorship from either an employer or a family member. Thousands of foreign investors have taken advantage of the EB-5 opportunity. Over 80% of EB The Golden Ticket investors successfully get their green cards. This rate is expected to increase as the United States Citizen and Immigration Service assigns more agents to process EB-5 applications and intensifies its inspection and review of IMMIGRATION CORNER By: Atty. Scott Helsper approved regional centers. There are 10,000 EB-5 visas available each year. So far that limit has never been reached and there is no waiting period for an EB-5 visa. This may change in the future as more investors from the Philippines and around the world are choosing this method to obtain green cards for themselves and their families. We hope that this has been helpful but keep in mind the information in this article is not intended to be legal advice. If you have legal questions regarding the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, please give us a call at (702) or us at [email protected]. It will be our pleasure to help you. READ MORE NEWS ONLINE Read about the latest news from the Philippines and around the globe. Log on the internet and visit our new website : philippinetimesnevada.com 01 MAY indd 23 5/17/2012 9:21:33 PM

24 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 OPINION BY: CESAR D. CANDARI, MD., FCAP EMERITUS Henderson, Nevada (In my article last week, PINOY PRIDE CELEBRATION-ASIAN PACIFIC HERITAGE MONTH I wrote, ( As Fil-Am community grows in number, they also become active in matters that impact the lives of the people. What a great CHANGE and improvement in our quest to be recognized by state, county and city government. Filipino empowerments are in our dreams, goals and aspirations. ) The sophisticated education and cultural awareness of increasing numbers of Filipinos in America and in the advent of Information Age have helped us being recognized in the mainstream. We are doing it in Las Vegas, Nevada. The leaders of NaFFAA NV have come of age serving the community in greater manner with messianic zeal, passion and total devotion. The indispensable role of many Filipino American writers, intellectuals wage ongoing promotions with collective voices heard loud and clear by the American public and city government. Thus far, we have survived and managed to keep our image as competent leaders. I truly feel that we should continue to strive to maintain our parity with our American counterparts. Yes, there is still plenty of room for improvement and pave us to a brighter tomorrow. The socio-cultural associations we organize enhances Filipinos positive image and becomes a source of selecting a minority when mainstream and governmental political leaders need to find a representation from the Filipino American community. This is empowerment. It is a contemporary buzzword. Its modern use originated in the civil rights movement, which sought political empowerment for its followers. It is important to understand that basically we are an ethnic minority. We must be proactive in creating a positive change and empowering the Filipino American community through the political process. Participate in political action activities that create a strong and effective voice for the Filipino American Community Empowerment and the Filipino Community that it represents. We must support the efforts of Filipino Americans leaders in this community in achieving fair and more equal representation for EMPOWERMENT their community in politics. It s time we walk the talk when it applies to building political empowerment within the Filipino Americans. My question: Any Filipino American has ever been elected to the Nevada State Assembly a body representing a state that is home to increasing number of American of Filipino heritage? The are 87,000 now Filipino Americans in Clark county according to recent 2010 census. I will repeat what I said before: to wit: from ethnic to mainstream, we must show our skills, our experience and expertise to promote our visibility, heritage, improve our image in the community and our place in American Society. Modesty aside, I have been in state and city positions of what one may call a product of political empowerment. I was in a Filipino American Community of San Diego County with the largest Pan-Asian ethnic subgroup of an estimated 100,000 Filipinos. How I wish to stay humble or demure, albeit as I see it I can sing my own praises. Not really to brag. Simply to inspire and spur all leaders and for community to reflect how empowerment can be achieve, breaking barriers, gaining respect and achieving acceptance from mainstream America. CALIFORNIA BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINER FIELD COMMISSIONER (ORAL/ CLINICAL EXAMINER) On September 26, 1978 barely eight years in my practice in San Diego, this author was honored to be appointed as Field Commissioner under the State Medical Board of California. This appointment involved conducting the oral and comprehensive clinical examination process (Examiner) to candidates applying for licensure in California to both Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) and American doctors from other states. It was my understanding I was the first Filipino American physician appointed to this position in the State of California under Governor Jerry Brown s administration. This empowerment given to a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG) was unexpected. I served for more than twelve years, until I relinquished my position. In January 1989, a city position I received was as follows: BOARD OF GOVERNOR CITY COMMISSIONER SAN DIEGO STADIUM AUTHORITY In February 1989, the Filipino American newspapers reported: The large Filipino American community of more than 130,000 the largest Asian group in the County of San Diego, rejoices in the naming of Dr. Cesar D. Canadair by the City Council of San Diego to the board of governors of the Jack Murphy Stadium Authority. He will serve for four years. I was on the floor during the session of the city council, with the active endorsements of council members Bob Filner, Abby Wolfsheimer, Linda Bernhardt, John Hartley and Wes Pratt. Wolfsheimer made the nomination, presided by the San Diego city Mayor Maureen O Connor. The late Ernie Flores, Jr. editor and publisher of Filipino Press, a Filipino community newspaper in San Diego, stated: Dr. Candari has the distinction of being the first Pan-Asian to be named to the prestigious board. The board makes policies for the San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, where events like football s Super Bowl and the San Diego Padres games were held. In a press interview, I stated that now was the right time for Filipinos to participate and be represented in the policy-making body of the city. A Filipino businessman commented: It is an honor for the Filipinos here in San Diego to have one of their own people contributing major decisions that affect the profitability of San Diego s famous stadium, a major source of revenue for the city. He further added: Dr Candari s evident visibility in the city and state s political arena has been producing positive image results for Filipinos everywhere. How I functioned and contributed to the city s profitability was an exciting experience for a Filipino American physician. I met a number of politicians and businessmen in the city and befriended Alex Spanos, the CEO and owner of the San Diego Chargers. It was four years of loyal and dedicated service to the City. LIAISON FOR ASIAN COMMUNITY I served for Congressman Jim Bates in 1982 as liaison for the Asian Community in San Diego and as a member of the Asian-American Advisory Committee. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California s 44th congressional district from I was able to connect with him regarding the situation of discrimination on Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs). Eventually, all of our concerted efforts against discrimination of FMGs led to the passage of an anti-discrimination legislation signed into law in the Health Profession Reauthorization Act. It was community leadership, visibility, stature, recognition and involvement in politics and mainstream America that catapulted me to the prestigious positions. We must establish a political clout whether we like it or not. Politics play a major role in American way of life. Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve. ~Napoleon Hill 01 MAY indd 24 5/17/2012 9:21:34 PM

25 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA Aquino says retail convention serves to further strengthen industry players and stockholders role in nation building and progress President Benigno S. Aquino III lauded the holding of the 7th Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, saying the event provided industry players, members and stockholders a chance to improve and manage more effectively their businesses for increased profits through exchanges and interactions with experts, top managers and producers. In his speech keynoting the event, the President also said the retail convention showcases the important role retailers and small store owners play towards nation building and progress. Sa ika-pitong pagkakataon, muling magsisilbing entablado ang programang ito upang kilalanin ang President Benigno S. Aquino III assured sari-sari store owners, micro, small and medium enterprise advocates and entrepreneurs of continued government support in their endeavors in order for them to effectively run their respective businesses. In his speech keynoting the 7th Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari- Sari Store Convention held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Wednesday, the President told the participants that they could count on the government as a partner in the mahalagang papel ng mga negosyante ng micro, small and medium enterprises sa kaunlaran ng ating ekonomiya (For the seventh time, this program will once again serve as a stage to recognize the valuable role of businessmen from the micro, small and medium enterprises in economic progress), the President said. He pointed out that the retail industry plays a significant role in the nation s overall economic health as it comprised 13 percent or P1.3-trillion out of the Philippines P9.7-trillion gross domestic product (GDP) for Tandaan po natin: marami sa sektor na ito ay nagmumula sa micro, small and medium enterprises, o sa mga maliliit na negosyong tulad ng mga sari-sari store (Let us remember: a lot of those from this sector come from micro, small and medium enterprises, in other words, small businesses like sari-sari stores), the President said. He added that because of this important role, retail companies such as the Puregold Price Club, Inc., owner of the famous retail chain Puregold and lead convenor of the event, has provided its members, store owners and stakeholders a chance to improve on their business. Dito, personal niyong makakaharap at makakausap ang mga kapwa ninyo negosyante, maging ang inyong mga trade suppliers at product manufacturers. Pagkakataon po ito para makipag-ugnayan at magbahagi ng mga ideyang pangkaunlaran sa isa t isa (Here, you can personally face and BUSINESS speak with your fellow businessmen, as well as your trade suppliers and product manufacturers. It is an opportunity to communicate and impart ideas that will enrich one another), the President said. Sa pamamagitan naman ng mga training, seminar, at workshop, maaaring mapayabong ang inyong kaalaman at kakayahan sa pagnenegosyo. Matuturuan kayong mas maging epektibo na sa tamang pamamalakad ay mapalago ninyo ang inyong mga tubo (Through trainings, seminars and workshops, your knowledge and ability to do business may be enhanced. You will learn that running a business more effectively will greatly improve your earnings), he added. Aquino assures sari-sari store owners of continued government assistance upliftment and betterment of their lives. And this, the President said, has started with the easing of requirements needed to put up a small business. He pointed out that the usual practice of having to go from office to office just to get the required papers to register a business has now been made easy through the Philippine Business Registry and Business Name Registration System. Hindi po ba t noon, kulang na lang ay tumambling ka patungo sa iba t ibang opisina, sa iba t ibang sulok ng ating mga bayan para lang makakuha ng mga papeles tulad ng PAG-IBIG at SSS? Imbes na gobyerno po nung araw ang tutulong sa inyo, parang sila pa ang naghahatid ng perwisyo. Ngayon po, napabilis na natin ang mga proseso para sa business registration sa pamamagitan ng ating Philippine Business Registry at Business Name Registration System (In the past, processing of papers in agencies like PAG-IBIG and SSS required numerous procedures from different offices. Instead of the government helping you, it seemed like it was responsible for bringing in difficulties. Now, business registration process has become more efficient through the Philippine Business Registry and Business Name Registration System), the President said. He added that the simple task of getting a business permit is now undergoing tweaking and fine-tuning in order to make it easier. Mayroon na rin po tayong SME Continued on next page 01 MAY indd 25 5/17/2012 9:21:36 PM

26 COMMUNITY PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 President Benigno S. Aquino III has certified as urgent the Sin Tax Reform Bill that seeks to increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol products. Kakapirma ko po ng certification na urgent (I have just certified it as urgent), the President announced during his exclusive interview with Bombo Radyo Philippines aired on Wednesday morning. House Bill 5727 or Sin Tax Reform Bill was recently passed by the House Committee on Ways and Means. The bill, authored by Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, will restructure alcohol and cigarette taxes. The President said that the measure will strengthen the current tax structure and will also help the tobacco farmers to sell their products for more competitive prices. Yung sitwasyon ho sa tobacco, for instance, ay nagkaroon ng merger yung dalawang dating magkalaban, naging isa na lang na malaki. At Aquino certifies as urgent Sin Tax Reform Bill yung batas, yung kasalukuyang batas, sinisigurado ang monopolya nitong kaisa-isang natira. Parang nadi-discourage yung lahat ng ibang mga players na pwedeng maging competitive. Ang epekto po sa magsasaka, iisa lang ang bebentahan... paano mo mapapaangat ang presyo ng ibebenta mong produkto kung iisa lang ang bumibili? Talagang magkakaroon tayo ng sitwasyon na ayaw mo, huwag mo (In the situation of tobacco, for instance, there was a merger--the two previous competitors became one big company. And the current law ensures the monopoly of this remaining player. Others, which have the potential to become competitive, are discouraged. The effect to farmers is that they could sell to only one buyer... how could you manage to increase the price of your product if there is only one who will purchase it? In effect, we have a take it or leave it situation), he explained. President Aquino added that the restructuring of the sin tax system will bring in additional revenues to the government that can be used to fund public healthcare and provide livelihood assistance to farmers. Now, ang paniwala namin, pagtaas nitong buwis na ito dadagdag ng mga 33 billion pesos ang paghahatian ng lahat ng tobacco-growing areas at naka-earmark na (In our understanding, increasing this tax will add 33 billion pesos which can be divided among tobacco-growing areas, which has been earmarked), he said. Pero mapupunta ito doon sa health-related na activities at meron din para sa pagsuporta sa livelihood nitong mga magsasaka na nandyan sa tobacco (It will go to health-related activities and also in support for the livelihood of farmers in the tobacco industry). In short, tinutulungan natin yung magsasaka in the sense na merong ibang bibili ng tobacco mo, hindi ulitin ko nga hindi ho iisang grupo. Iisa na lang ang bumibili ng tobacco at pwede niyang sabihin kung ano ang presyo niya at wala kang pupuntahang iba (In short, we are helping the farmers in the sense that there will be a different market for their tobacco. When only one group buys your tobacco, s/he can demand his price since you could not go anywhere else to sell it), he added. The President said that the measure will also create a more level playing field in the tobacco market adding that the bill will also discourage alcohol and tobacco use. Tapos ito nga ho, sin product, ako po y aminado naninigarilyo ako, gusto rin nating i-discourage dahil malaki ang gastos sa health nito at isama na rin natin yung inumin (I admit that I also smoke, and it is a sin product, we want to discourage the use of alcohol and tobacco use due to its effects on health), he said. SARI-SARI...continued from prev. page Caravans na nag-iikot sa iba t ibang rehiyon ng bansa upang mahikayat ang ating mga kababayan na magnegosyo o kaya ay mapalago ang kanilang kasalukuyang negosyo. Sa katunayan, mula po Abril ng 2011, umabot na sa dalawampu t apat na lugar sa iba t ibang panig ng bansa ang nabisita ng naturang Caravan. Halos labing-walong libong Pilipino po ang nakiisa sa atin dito (We also have SME Caravans that travel in different regions to encourage our fellowmen to do business or enrich their current business. In fact, the Caravan has visited twenty-four places around the country since April Almost eighteen thousand Filipinos are showing their cooperation in this endeavor), he added. The President said that the easing of rules and requirements of putting up a business in the country has been felt around the world and is seen with the increasing confidence international business communities have on the country to invest here. Maging ang ibang bansa, ramdam na rin ang pagbabago sa Pilipinas. Dahil sa mabuting pamamahala, patuloy na tumataas ang kumpiyansa ng mga negosyante lokal man o dayuhan na mamuhunan sa atin pong bayan (Other countries are feeling the change in the Philippines. Through good governance, businessmen continue to increase their confidence in our country--local or international), the President said. He enjoined all Filipinos to make their dreams for themselves and their families a reality by investing their skill anjd fortitude in becoming a business owner and entrepreneur. Ang pangarap, magsimula man sa pira-piraso, ay posibleng makamit kapag tinambalan ng sigasig at pagsusumikap. Sama-sama po nating paunlarin ang ating bayan tungo sa mas masaganang kinabukasan (A dream may start out as something small, but it is possible to reach it if you put in perseverance and hard work. Let us together improve our country towards a more prosperous tomorrow), the President said. 01 MAY indd 26 5/17/2012 9:21:38 PM

27 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 27 5/17/2012 9:21:38 PM

28 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 LOCAL STUDENT JOHN MARQUEZ RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR Beacon Academy of Nevada student recognized for superior academic achievement by The National Society of High School Scholars ATLANTA, GA The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) today announced that Beacon Academy Of Nevada student John Marquez from Las Vegas, NV, has been selected for membership. The Society recognizes top scholars and invites only those students who have been achieved academic excellence. The announcement was made by NSHSS Founder and Chairman Claes Nobel, s senior member of the family established the Nobel Prizes. On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that John has demonstrated to achieve this level of academic excellence, said Mr. Nobel. John is now a member of a unique community of scholars a community that represents our very best hope for the future. Our vision is to build a dynamic international organization that connects members with meaningful content, resources, and opportunities, stated NSHSS President James Lewis. We aim to help students like John build on their academic successes and enhance the skills and desires to have a positive impact on the global community. Membership in NSHSS entitles qualified students to enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, publications, participation in programs offered by educational partners, online forums, and personalized recognition COMMUNITY items, and publicity honors. Formed in 2002, The National Society Honor of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and encourages members of the organization to apply their unique talents, vision, and potential for the betterment of themselves and the world. Currently, there are more than 530,000 Society members in over 160 countries. NSHSS provides scholarship opportunities for deserving young people. For more information about NSHSS, visit NORTH LAS VEGAS CITY WALK TO TAKE THE PULSE OF BUSINESS IN THE CITY North Las Vegas, NV In an effort to gauge the health of business and industry in the City, North Las Vegas officials and business leaders plan to visit with business owners and workers, during the second City Walk on Monday, May 21. A total of four City Walks are planned, one in each of the City Council wards. We want to hear from the people who have invested in our City and are making every effort to keep our economic engine running, Ward 1 Councilman Robert Eliason said. We want to know what we can do better and what we have done right to ensure a business-friendly climate that encourages existing business to stay and keep people employed, and new ones to come to create new jobs. The City Walk will be conducted by the City s Economic Development Division and the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Participants in Monday s event will convene at 9 a.m. at Vino s Restaurant inside the Cannery Casino, 2121 E. Craig Road. They will be grouped into nine teams, and each team will be assigned to a different target area within Ward 1. The teams will spend about two hours in their respective areas, then reconvene for a debriefing at Spaghetti & Company, 5585 Simmons St., at the southwest corner of Anne Road and Simmons. New Event! SummerFest Heats Things Up In Henderson With Celebration of All Arts All The Time! Henderson s latest addition, SummerFest, will kick off summer vacation with a celebration of All Arts All the Time!. The new event will sizzle with a variety of performing and visual arts demonstrations, children s activities, concerts and more, courtesy of RagTag Entertainment. Admission is complimentary. Fit for all ages, SummerFest will feature appearances by performers from award-winning shows on the Las Vegas Strip, including Cirque du Soleil, amongst many others. In addition, the festival will showcase a variety of local and national artists, each of which will present such entertaining acts as Broadway musicals, plays, slam poetry and dance shows. Other SummerFest activities will also incorporate recycled art displays, live action painting, make & take crafts, educational visual arts exhibitions and kids interactive station, amongst other exciting festivities. For additional information on SummerFest, visit HendersonLive. com or call the City of Henderson Cultural Arts & Tourism Department at (702) Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. WHEN: Friday, June 8, 5 p.m. 10 p.m. Saturday, June 9, 2 p.m. 10 p.m. WHERE: Henderson Events Plaza 200 S. Water Street Water Street District 01 MAY indd 28 5/17/2012 9:21:43 PM

29 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA Candidate Jonathan Friedrich is running for Assembly District 10 which has been re-configured and now has a large number of Asian voters within its boundaries. Friedrich was an unpaid lobbyist in the 2011 Legislative session representing thousands of people living in Homeowner Associations trying to push back or change proposed new and harsher laws that would have been hurtful to owners these Associations. He helped author Assembly Bill 448 sponsored by Assembly Munford. This Bill offered wide reaching protections to homeowners and was approved unanimously by the Assembly but never made it to the Senate. In addition Friedrich spoke out against the unjust rate hike that NV Energy proposed in October 2011 and has been an opponent of the installation of Smart Meters which he feels will increase electric bills when Time of Day Rates will be approved. His commitment to making State agencies and their officials Accountable is an on going struggle which he tackles constantly. He would be a refreshing breath of fresh air in the 2013 Legislative session. He has lived in Las Vegas for almost 10 years and taught for several years at CSN. Las Vegas City Council Approves New Bill That Will Expand Community Gardens Gardens Will Now Be Allowed In Certain Residential, Commercial And Industrial Zoning Districts At today s Las Vegas City Council meeting, the council approved a bill that will allow community gardens in certain residential, commercial and industrial zoning districts throughout the city. This bill, which was sponsored by Ward 5 Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow, was sparked by the very successful Vegas Roots Community Garden (formerly the Tonopah Community Garden), and the fact that other people are interested in establishing Los Angeles, - A team from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles will conduct a Consular Outreach Program in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 2012: Location :3778 South Maryland Parkway, Space 650, Las Vegas, NV (next to Marshalls Store and behind IHOP Restaurant) Service Hours :9:00 am 5:00 pm The consular outreach program is being undertaken in cooperation with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Nevada (UPAAN) headed by Ms. Beth Ilagan, President; The Boulevard Mall and Western Union. The following consular services will be rendered: Applications for Electronic Passport (epassport), to be returned to the applicant by mail. Applications for the retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship pursuant to Republic Act 9225 or Dual Citizenship Law. Oath-taking will be scheduled on the same day for qualified applicants. Applications for Report of Marriage & Birth will be accepted but these will be processed in Los Angeles and returned to the applicant by mail. Application for Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (by following the applicable scheduling steps below) AND WITH COMPLETED DOCUMENTS ONLY. NO WALK-IN APPLICANTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED. Visit the Philippine Consulate website ( community gardens in their neighborhoods, as well. This bill promotes healthy neighborhoods and helps to provide food for low-income individuals. The bill would allow weekly sales of goods from that garden. Community gardens are becoming more prominent in Las Vegas due to the trend of leading a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Residents want to grow fresh fruits and vegetables near their home, and this bill will allow CONSULAR OUTREACH May for that use to be expanded, Councilman Barlow said. It is my hope that more people will get involved with their neighborhoods and consider taking part in a community garden. READ MORE NEWS ONLINE Read about the latest news from the Philippines and around the globe. Visit our new website : philippinetimesnevada.com and print the application form; Complete and submit the application form; and, no later than 21 May 2012 or until we receive 100 applications, whichever comes first. Send an advance copy of the completed Dual Citizenship application form and supporting documents to the Consulate by fax (213) or by at [email protected]. Other than the thumbprint 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. Info FOR ALL APPLICANTS The Consulate regularly updates the appointment schedule posted on the website upon receipt of completed applications. The final list of all applicants with confirmed appointment schedule will be posted at the Consulate s website ( by 22 May All applicants are required to PER- SONALLY APPEAR during their appointment time for data verification, finger printing and photo/signature capture and must bring all original documents. All applicants are advised to transact their business directly with Consulate officials and not through travel agencies. For information on consular matters, interested parties may contact the Philippine Consulate (Attn: Las Vegas Consular Team) at (213) or via at consular.outreach.lv@ gmail.com. 01 MAY indd 29 5/17/2012 9:21:49 PM

30 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, 2012 ABIDING IN JESUS PRODUCES FRUITS THAT LASTS By: Sis. Jojo Dasmarinas AMEN Ministry Int l God created men in His image and likeness.god s goal is for us to be with Him in heaven,thoughwe were given free will to choose our path. We can choose to have a joyful and fruitful life with Him or have earthly happiness to enjoy our fleshly desires. Our flesh is weak and Satan uses that weakness to entice us to the ways of the world, so when we successfully take hold of our desires and feel good about it, we are deceived. God promised to save us from evil and He puts all His power so we can live victoriously. He gives us all the resources we need, to live a life of fullness, distinction of character and spiritual maturity to be a living witness of His goodness and mercy for His glory, but we seldom recognize them. It s a free gift to grab and go for it. If we don t, we live a life of waste, missing what is precious than gold. Our gospel for today, John 15:1-8 statesjesus claims that He is the true vine by which all branches get their substance to live. Jesus is the root of the vine while the believers are the branches, who are weak and insufficient to stand by themselves but, they will be strong if they are connected to the root that diffuses the sap to them, making them flourish and fruitful. The root is unseen just like how we don t see Jesus but He feeds us the spiritual food, pays our spiritual debt, and gives us knowledge and assets to be godly and good. He gives us our needs; He waters, cultivates, harvest and also gives us the mercy and tenderness to go on. When we allow our faith to build up, it wouldn t bring us down or motivate others negatively. When we choose to be in Him, take hold of His hand in faith and live a life that pleases Him by adhering to His words and not our personal pride, will and dilemmas. We grow and mature because the Holy Spirit will give us what we need to succeed, so we have no excuse not to grow. We will have lives that bring about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control flowing in through us. A true follower to the true vine must be willing to pursue, endure and grow so the Holy Spirit can flow in and in return, giveaway what was given to...take hold of His hand in faith and live a life that pleases Him others. God watches and cultivates us to bear more fruit for Him to make us pure. He will prune and purge us like refining gold through fire. He takes away what hinders us to grow; our fears and frustrations or anything that s messing us up. Our faith in Him will fill us up with His love so we can embark on our victory over evil. We will grow stronger over the tough stuff in our life. With Jesus, the great hope is still to come. Our passage says that Jesus expects His believers to bear fruit that would last. But how do we bear fruit? Jesus said; if we abide in His words and remain in Him, we are saved. When we are saved, Jesus will send His advocate; the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us in our difficulties. There are so many things around us that can hamper our walk with God. Jesus will cleanse us of these because He wants to lift us back in a position where we can receive His light so that we can grow. It could be painful, but I assure you that He is never closer to us when His purging is upon our lives. His touch, no matter how it may hurt, is an assurance that we are His and cares for us. Jesus wants us to realize that apart from Him, we are nothing and we can t do anything. If we yield ourselves to Him and allow Him to live in us, that s when fruit happen in our life. We were created to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God. Being fruitful is being holy, and in order for us to live in His spirit, we must learn the secrets of fruitfulness. Abiding in Him, by following His commands through learning and studying His words produces the love of God in us. Then, we learn to love God above all things and love others as we love ourselves. The fruit will be produced and seen through our change of attitude that comes from inside and revealed outside by our actions that glorify God. This may sound difficult but in actuality, it s not. I warn you though that while it s simple it is costly. It will cost you to give up the love of the world, thus making God your priority. There s a sad fact though that we must recognize: not all branches of the vine bear fruit at the same level. Jesus deals with every single branch but some of us falls, becomes unfruitful and barren. But let s not get weary and fear not, for God will lift us back in an effort to challenge; sometimes in a form of chastisement to encourage repentance, hence more growth. When we decide to stay separate from God and let anything consume us, we won t produce the fruit God desires us to have, thus God will let us go and if this happens, we loss fellowship and reward thus we will be lost forever. The advice is, instead of running away from God, come back, turn towards Him and renew that lost fellowship. He is always ready to accept you back. Keep the relationship with Him to where there is life and power of God in your life. Let s not have the emptiness when we can have fullness and reward of eternal life. Let s desire to have a place in heaven and reward of salvation. Read Sis. Jojo s column or past archives online by visiting our website: and click on Life and Inspiration tab Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10 01 MAY indd 30 5/17/2012 9:21:51 PM

31 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA Thinking Hoodies P Prosecutors on Thursday made public a trove of evidence used to justify murder charges against Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman, including a police report that concluded the encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman. The evidence including 183 pages of documents, witness statements and other material was released Thursday to news organizations and other requestors by special prosecutor Angela Corey s office, who has charged the 28-year-old Zimmerman with second-degree murder in the killing of 17-year-old Martin on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla. Also included was a document explaining what material was withheld. An initial review of the evidence, which was provided to Zimmerman s attorney early this week, uncovers documentation that will be helpful to both prosecutors and the defense. An autopsy by the Volusia County Medical Examiner on Martin s body found that the teenager was killed by a shot to the heart and that traces of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana -- were found in Martin s blood, though below the level that medical studies indicate would have caused performance impairment. But the documents give contradictory assessments of how far away Zimmerman was when he shot Martin. Lab tests by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement s Orlando operations center concluded that residue tests on Martin s sweatshirt were consistent with a contact shot that is, one in which the muzzle of the weapon is physically touching the victim. But the autopsy report from the Volusia County (Fla.) Medical Examiner s office reached a different conclusion based on examination of the wound itself, saying, This wound is consistent with a wound of entrance of intermediate range. The report doesn t define intermediate range. In another report, a police officer responding to the shooting said that after Zimmerman was handcuffed, he saw that his back appeared to be wet and was covered with grass, and that he had suffered a bloody nose consistent with Zimmerman s account that he was attacked by Martin. A photo showing Zimmerman s bloodied head also is included in the report, as is a paramedic s reports saying that he had a 1-inch laceration on his head and forehead abrasion. Another police report indicated that Zimmerman, had called Sanford police on at least four previous occasions while residing in the Retreat at Twin Lakes gated community in Sanford, and in each case the suspicious person was a black male. Investigation reveals that on Aug. 4, Aug. 5 and Oct. 6, 2011, and on Feb. 2, 2012, George Zimmerman reported suspicious persons all young black males in the Retreat neighborhood to Sanford Police Department, it said. According to records checks, all of Zimmerman s suspicious persons By: Max Miller-Hooks call while residing in the Retreat neighborhood has identified black males as the subjects. Zimmerman himself was on a prescription for Tamazepam, according to the paramedic s incident report reproducing his medical records. (Tamazepam is also known as Restoril and is prescribed for anxiety and insomnia.) Read the police reports and other documentary evidence read what was excluded from the release and the reasons it was withheld another police report indicated that Sanford police thought Zimmerman was at fault, even though they let him go after questioning him. Investigation reveals that Martin was in fact running generally in the direction of where he was staying as a guest in the neighborhood, it said. An eight-page summary of the evidence against Zimmerman released earlier this week listed 50 possible law enforcement witnesses -- including 18 Sanford police officers as primary witnesses, including lead Investigator Chris Serino -- and 28 civilian witnesses, including Martin s brother, mother and father, Zimmerman s father and two of his friends. Twenty-two other potential civilian witnesses were not identified. Zimmerman s attorney, Mark O Mara, acknowledged receiving the materials Monday on a website his office set up to release information from the case Zimmerman s, but said, Please remember and understand that it is inappropriate for us to comment on particular pieces of evidence. Zimmerman shot Martin during a confrontation inside the Retreat at Twin just us Lakes community, while the teenager was visiting his father s fiancée. The shooting came after Zimmerman called 911 reporting that Martin was acting suspiciously, as if he was on drugs. He later told police that he shot Martin in self-defense, after Martin punched him and pushed him to the ground. Police initially failed to arrest Zimmerman or charge him with any crime because Florida s Stand Your Ground self-defense law allows the use of deadly force whenever someone feels threatened with serious bodily injury. But after questions about possible racial motivation for the slaying, a special prosecutor took over the case and, on April 11, Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder. Zimmerman, who pleaded not guilty to the charge [Source: MSNBC. com] My opinion It is time for us to put on our thinking hoodies folks. It wasn t racially motivated. I am reading the same info as everyone else. He could have been tired of the issues in the surrounding area. We do not know anything about the demographics of the housing complex in which Trayvon was visiting. Let us get off of it because if he was a racist, does it add more evidence of guilt? Zimmerman is up for 2nd degree murder. At this time, all the questions should be pointing to the authorities. With such a lack of professionalism in handling this case thus far, there should have been some resignations. There are only a handful of scenarios here. They can blame it on the rain; I blame it on poor policing. 01 MAY indd 31 5/17/2012 9:21:53 PM

32 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY 18-24, MAY indd 32 5/17/2012 9:21:54 PM

33 MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA KAILANGAN MO BA NG MABILIS NA SERBISYO PARA MAGPADALA SA PILIPINAS? Halina at magpadala gamita ang FedEX/UPS/DHL International Service dito sa PostNet! Kaparehas ang Presyo sa Online Prices. Tanggapin ang $5 na diskuwento. Hindi na kailangan ng kupon! Banggitin lang ang patalastas na ito sa inyong pagbisita sa PostNet! Kami ay inyong matatagpuan sa loob ng Smith s sa Maryland Parkway at Sahara. Tel S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV MON-FRI SATURDAY SUNDAY 10AM - 5PM 10AM - 1PM CLOSED Let the Community know about your upcoming events. Find us on facebook/ptsnv, become a fan and post your event. ADVERTISE with US! Call NOW!!! 01 MAY indd 33 5/17/2012 9:21:58 PM

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35 ENTERTAINMENT MAY 18-24, 2012 PHILIPPINE TIMES OF SOUTHERN NEVADA MAY indd 35 5/17/2012 9:22:12 PM

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