weekend balita december 29, 2012

See 4.7M SETTLEMENT, page 5

HONG KONG, China, Dec 26, 2012 (AFP) – A new video emerged on Wednesday of an Australian man kidnapped by suspected Muslim extremists in the Philippines more than a year ago.

Warren Rodwell, from Sydney, was seized from his home in the southern Philippine town of Ipil on December 5, 2011.

It was believed that he was taken by the Abu Sayyaf group, which he confirms in the new video.

The SITE monitoring group said the one

minute and 57 second clip had been posted on a YouTube channel linked to Abu Sayyaf.

In it, Rodwell says the date is December 16, 2012 and holds a newspaper from the previous day. He says he was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf 54 weeks ago.

He last appeared in a video in May that was believed to be dated from the end of March. In another video in January, reportedly sent to his Filipina wife Miraflor Gutang, Rodwell said his captors were

A worker makes fi recrackers at a makeshift factory in Bocaue town, Bulacan province, north of Manila December 26, 2012. (MNS photo)

MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – The Aquino admin-istration has appealed to the public to refrain from using dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics to prevent injuries and loss of lives during the New Year celebration, a Palace official said.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda made the appeal during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday following the report of the Department of Health (DOH) that there were already victims of firecrackers even before the New Year’s revelry. From December 21-26 this year, there were a total of 71 fireworks-related injuries and one stray bullet case. However, the DOH stressed that the

number of cases is 33% lower compared to the same period last year. According to the DOH, there were no deaths reported. Last year for the same period, there were 108 fireworks-related injuries: 99 from fireworks, 8 from stray bullets, and 1 from firecracker ingestion. “If I remember, ang sabi ng Pangulo (Benigno S. Aquino III) noon, kung sana imbes na magpaputok manood na lang tayo, mag-gather tayo sa common areas to watch fireworks. Marami pong fireworks on display this coming New Year so ‘yun po ang gawin sana natin,” Lacierda said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is strictly en-forcing the law on

President Benigno Aquino III in a recent visit to a Convergys call center, Philippines’ largest call center fi rm. Call center expected revenues may reach $8.4 billion this year with 493,000 people employed.

MANILA, Dec 26, 2012 (AFP) – The peso’s rise is hitting call centers in the Philippines, handicapping the global leader in the lucra-tive business as it combats a challenge from top rival India, industry officials said Wednesday.

Forty percent of the members of the Business Processing Associa-tion of the Philippines had cancelled expansion plans and an equal number reported losing business to other destinations, the industry group said. Nearly half disclosed in a group survey that they were having trouble meeting revenue targets because of the strong peso, it said in a statement.

The association said the local currency had become uncompeti-tive compared to the rupee in India, the Philippines’ main rival for outsourced business services.

Filipino parking attendant Dioscoro Tocong (left), who was suspended by AMPC System Parking Company (AMPCO) for a minor mistake, now gets a share of the $4.7 million settlement. Tocong and his co-workers were represented by co-lead counsel Atty. Joe Sayas (right).

LOS ANGELES – When Fili-pino parking attendant Dioscoro Tocong was suspended by AMPC System Parking Company (AMP-CO) for a minor mistake, he got to thinking about the parking giant’s labor practices.

While waiting for his reinstate-ment, Tocong, who worked at the Grove parking facility in Los An-geles for eight years, approached other employees about his con-cerns about the company’s labor practices. He discovered that many of his co-employees had the same complaints, particularly on overtimes and meal breaks.

Realizing that he and other AMPCO workers were being shortchanged by the company in unpaid overtimes and denied or broken meal breaks, Tocong approached well-known Filipino litigation attorney C. Joe Sayas Jr. to seek his help in seeking justice against the company.

Parking employees get $4.7-M settlement in class action suit

Video shows Australian kidnapped by ‘Abu Sayyaf’

Aquino appeals to all Filipinos to refrain from using fi recrackers

Strong currency hurts PHL call centers

DEC. 29, 2012 - JAN. 4, 2013VOL. XX, NO. 47

The result: AMP-CO agreed to pay $4.7 million to thou-sands of employ-ees in settlement of the workers’ com-plaints.

Atty. Sayas, co-lead counsel in the class action suit filed by the employ-ees against AMPCO and its parent corpo-ration, ABM Indus-tries, one of the big-gest facility service contractors in the United States, said the two companies finally agreed to a settlement recently after more than five years of litigation.

“The settlement was the re-sult of prolonged arms-length negotiations between the parties, made after years of hard-fought litigation, including extensive

discovery, multiple motions, a certification battle that went fa-vorably for the employees, and drawn-out mediation and settle-ment process” Atty. Sayas said.

In the class action suit, which consolidated four related cases

See VIDEO SHOWS, page 5

See FIRECRACKERS, page 5

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MANILA, Dec 25, 2012 (AFP) – A top Philippine communist rebel with a $128,000 bounty on his head was arrested on Tuesday, the military said.

The arrest of Filemon Mendrez, the country’s sixth most-wanted man, comes amid a Christmas ceasefire and as the government and rebels are engaged in high-level peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies.

Mendrez, a key New People’s Army rebel leader, will be held without bail and is due to stand trial, an army statement said, but details on the criminal cases against him were not disclosed.

The interior ministry had placed a 5.25 million peso ($128,000) bounty on his head, it added.

Major General Jose Mabanta, the army chief of the central Philippines, described the arrest as a “law enforcement” action that had no bearing on the peace negotia-tions and the Christmas truce, which began

last week.“Law enforcement operations shall con-

tinue even as we observe a suspension of offensive military operations and ceasefire. This is part of (the army’s job) of protect-ing communities, government and private establishments,” he added.

The Maoist rebels have been waging an armed rebellion to seize power since 1969, and more than 30,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the government.

The military estimates the current NPA strength at about 4,000 fighters, signifi-cantly down from more than 26,000 at its peak in the late 1980s.

The chief government peace negotiator met his communist counterpart in the Neth-erlands last week, 13 months after Manila rejected rebel demands that earlier led to the talks being suspended.

The truce lasts until January 15, and the negotiators said they agreed to meet again early next year.

MANILA, Dec 22, 2012 (AFP) – The Philippine government said Saturday it would never share power with communist rebels after they proposed an alliance in a bid to end a decades-long insurgency.

The rebels said they had called this week during peace talks in the Dutch city of The Hague for the alliance to undertake programmes aimed at ending the insurgency that has left tens of thousands dead.

Chief rebel negotiator Luis Jalandoni said such programmes would include agrarian reform, rural development and industrialisation.

But the government peace negotiating office said in a statement: “The (govern-ment panel) will never agree to establish a coalition government or a power-sharing arrangement with” the National Democratic Front, the rebels’ political wing.

It also denied there had been any discussion of a possible coalition when the government panel met with NDF negotiators in the informal, so-called “special track” meeting in the Netherlands.

“The matter on coalition government was never discussed in the recently con-cluded informal meeting on the special track. There was no such offer made by the NDF,” the office said.

During the meetings, the two sides agreed to a 26-day nationwide ceasefire from December 20 and to hold further talks on peace, human rights, land reform, and national industrialisation.

This week’s meeting marked the resumption of talks after the Communist Party of the Philippines, the biggest group in the NDF coalition, pulled out of talks in November 2011 after Manila rejected rebel demands.

The two sides resumed low-level “backroom” negotiations in June.The communists have been waging an armed rebellion to seize power since 1969,

and more than 30,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the government.The military estimates the current strength of the communists’ guerrilla force at

about 4,000 fighters, significantly down from more than 26,000 at its peak in the late 1980s, when the rebels also engaged in failed peace talks with Manila.

New People’s Army amazons are part of NPA’s fi ghting units as posted in their website www.philippinerevolution.net where it says “the NPA recognizes the importance of women in launching the revolutionary armed struggle.”

MANILA, Dec 22, 2012 (AFP) – The Philippines has passed landmark legisla-tion that criminalizes state abductions, a presidential spokeswoman said on Sat-urday, in a move hailed by human rights groups.

Under the new law “enforced disappear-ances” – abductions carried out by security forces usually targeting anti-government activists and critics – will be treated sepa-rately to kidnapping and offenders could face life in prison.

Human Rights Watch welcomed the new law, saying it was “the first of its kind in Asia and a major milestone in ending this horrific human rights violation”.

Under the legislation the military can no longer cite the so-called “order of battle” – a list of supposed communist insurgents that until now was used to justify holding a person.

The law also prohibits secret detention facilities and authorizes the government to conduct “regular, unannounced... in-spections of all places of detention and confinement”.

Human rights group Karapatan says on its website it has documented 12 enforced disappearances since Aquino became president in July 2010, with more than 200 recorded during the rule of his predecessor Gloria Arroyo.

President Benigno Aquino approved the legislation late Friday, spokeswoman Abigail Valte said, amid a growing outcry over the abductions.

She said both government employees and ordinary people were now required to

report cases of enforced disappearances.“The important thing is that we now

have a duty to report if we know of any case of enforced disappearances. It also provides for the creation of an updated list of all the people held in our detention facilities,” she said.

Human Rights Watch said: “This law is a testament to the thousands of ‘disap-pearance’ victims since the Marcos dicta-torship, whose long-suffering families are still searching for justice.”

Congressman Edcel Lagman, who authored the bill, said the new law would force government officials who are accused of enforced disappearances, to report if they are holding anyone.

“The law seeks to end impunity of of-fenders even as it envisions a new... breed of military, police and civilian officials and employees who respect and defend the human rights and civil liberties of the people,” he said.

“Disappearances” of activists rose sharply after then-president Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972. Although Marcos was toppled in a popu-lar revolt in 1986, activist groups say the abductions still continue.

Communist guerrillas have been wag-ing an armed rebellion in the Philippines since 1969 and more than 30,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the government.

The military estimates the current strength of the guerrillas at about 4,000 fighters, significantly down from more than 26,000 at its peak in the late 1980s.

Top NPA rebel arrested

MANILA, Dec 25, 2012 (AFP) – Eight people were killed and thousands left home-less as two fires struck the Philippine capital on Christmas Day, with one of the blazes sparking a riot in a slum, officials said.

Seven charred bodies, all believed to be from one household, were recovered after a blaze razed a row of old apartments in northern Manila at dawn, fire officer Francisco Mabunga told AFP.

The cause of the blaze, which broke out as the metropolis of 14 million people held Christmas Eve parties that lasted until dawn Tuesday, is under investigation, officials said.

“They are all believed to be from a family that owned the apartment row and lived in one of the units where the fire was suspected to have started,” Mabunga added.

A second blaze broke out at a sprawling shantytown, sparking riots that left one man dead and lead to two suspected rioters being arrested, said Manila fire marshal Santiago Laguna.

“They (residents) started grabbing hoses from our firefighters, who could not do anything as they feared for their own safety,” Laguna said in a radio interview.

He said a man was beaten up and later died from his injuries in the melee as the blaze consumed the shantytown in the San Juan district. Arson is believed to be the cause of the blaze.

Laguna said residents were apparently angered by the delayed arrival of firefighters. He said the emergency workers could not get their fire trucks through narrow streets jammed with parked vehicles.

Volunteer firefighter Willy Tiongson, his bloodied head wrapped in a bandage, told GMA television that his team was met with a shower of rocks and other projectiles as they drove into the slum.

The shantytown blaze left some 2,000 families homeless, Laguna said, adding that equated to around 8,000 people without a roof over their heads at Christmas.

An AFP photographer on the scene saw hundreds of people left homeless huddled on the floor of two basketball courts nearby.

PHL rejects ‘coalition’ with communist rebels

Eight dead, thousands homeless in fi res

PHL criminalizes state abductions

MANILA, Dec 28, 2012 (AFP) - The Philippines on Friday said it “strongly objects” to China’s deployment of a new patrol vessel in the South China Sea, where the two countries have a seething maritime territorial dispute.

Such patrols will not boost China’s claim to the disputed territory where the two countries have had a standoff since April, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a statement.

“The Philippines strongly objects to the Chinese patrol of Philippine maritime domain in the West Philippine Sea,” the statement said, using the local name for the South China Sea.

It called on China to respect the country’s “territorial sovereignty and EEZ”, referring to the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said on Thursday an ocean-going patrol vessel equipped with a helipad would be deployed to the South China Sea, the first of its kind in the area.

In late November, China said it had granted its border patrol police the right to board and turn away foreign ships entering the disputed waters, raising fears of a confrontation.

Both the Philippines and China have overlapping claims over parts of the South China Sea, a major shipping route that is also believed to hold vast mineral resources.

PHL objects to new Chinese gunboat


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MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – Han Kook Nam, a businessman from South Korea, arrived in Manila on Thursday to spend the rest of the holidays with his wife and chil-dren, who have settled here for their studies.

He wasn’t expecting a warm welcome. But shortly after going through the immigra-tion counter at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, a group of people hung a garland around his neck, and a banner welcoming him as the 1,000,000th Korean visitor to the Philippines this year was unfurled.

Han, still feeling tired from his flight, looked pleasantly surprised as the terminal erupted in cheers while a band played native Filipino music.

“Maayong hapon (Good afternoon!),” Han said in Bisaya during a press conference.“Thank you for welcoming each Korean visiting the Philippines,” he later told re-

porters.As the 1 millionth Korean visitor to the country in 2012, Han was given free accom-

modation at Shangri-La hotels in Manila and Cebu, a business class plane ticket to Seoul from Philippine Airlines, and a tour package from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The DOT considers Han’s arrival a milestone for the Philippines’ tourism industry.

South Korea has been the largest source of tourists for the Philippines in recent years, said Tourism Undersecretary Daniel Corpuz.

In 2011, Koreans topped the list of tourists in the Philippines, followed by the Japa-nese and Americans.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the number of Korean tourists in the country reached about 922,000 from January to November, and was forecast to hit a million before the year ends.

DOT officials attribute the surge in tourists to the new tourism campaign, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

Bengzon expects the number of tourists, especially from South Korea, to increase further.

“We’re very confident that we will hit the 2 million mark by the year 2016,” he said. “We continue to improve air access into the country. Capacities are expanding as we get more hotel and resort investments. And of course, we have stepped up our marketing and promotions in Korea as well as other markets.”

Han has been to the Philippines many times in the past, and even studied English here. While maintaining his business in Seoul, he often comes back to the Philippines to visit his family and take a vacation.

Han considers the Philippines his second country. What particularly makes him enjoy his stay here, he said, are the people.

“People are smiling all the time here. You have good mood. They don’t hurry. They know how to enjoy their life,” he said. (MNS)

PHL welcomes 1 millionth Korean visitor this year

BY M. JEGATHESANGeorge Town, Malaysia, Dec 23, 2012 (AFP) - Like many Japanese mothers, Ritsuko

Kawasaki fretted over the health and safety risks of remaining in Japan after 2011’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.

So in August she and her two boys moved to the Malaysian island of Penang under a government long-stay program that aims to lure foreigners – and their money – to the country.

“I don’t think I want to return to Japan. Life here in Penang is so comfortable,” said Kawasaki, 43.

With its warm climate, political stability and modern economy, Malaysia has drawn 19,488 foreigners to settle in the country since launching the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program 10 years ago.

MM2H and similar schemes in Thailand and the Philippines have traditionally targeted western retirees in the hope they will settle down and boost the economy.

But program officials say Asians are now the typical applicants, led by post-quake Japanese and increasingly affluent Chinese.

A total of 2,387 MM2H applicants were approved in 2011, and the government is targeting 3,000 for 2012, officials say.

The Malaysian incentives include a ten-year multi-entry visa, tax exemption for remittances of offshore pension funds, the right to open a business, tax-free purchases of locally made cars, and other enticements.

Applicants, meanwhile, must deposit a certain amount of money in a local bank ac-count -- $50,000 for MM2H—in return for a life under the sun.

For Britons Keith and Adrienne Francis, sunshine was the clincher as they mulled whether to settle back in England after Keith’s 2004 retirement from 35 years in the Hong Kong police force.

“Look at the UK, it is dull and cold,” Adrienne said as the couple sipped sweet milk tea in an Indian restaurant in Georgetown, Penang’s British colonial-era capital.

Their other options had included the Thai resort Phuket.“I didn’t like Phuket because of the bars,” she said of its bawdy nightlife.The couple said Muslim-majority Malaysia was attractive due to its high living

standards, lack of political upheaval seen often in its neighbors, quality medical care and widely spoken English.

Under MM2H, retirees also can own freehold property and land – although some restrictions apply – a key factor for the Francises, who shuddered at the thought of a costly and cramped retirement nest in Hong Kong.

Home is now a spacious 2,500-square-foot (232-square-metre) seaside Penang condo they bought in 2004 for $182,000.

But increasingly it is Asians, and particularly Chinese and Japanese, driving the so-called “silver” market – business opportunities linked to seniors – says Janice Chia, managing director of Singapore-based consultancy Ageing Asia.

She said by 2050 Asia will account for an estimated 63 percent of the world’s senior citizens, who will become increasingly important to economies, especially as medical advances extend lifespans.

“Traditionally, MM2H has attracted Western retirees, but there will be greater move-ments of Asian retirees to Southeast Asia,” where they “can stretch their retirement dollar,” Chia said.

Siti Nani Shaarani, director of MM2H, said its applicants are now led by China, Japan, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom and Iran.

The Philippine Retirement Authority cites a similar mix of origins for the nearly 21,000 people now in its retirement incentive program, led by China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

England, America and Germany still top Thailand’s long-stay scheme, which approved 35,488 applicants in 2011, according to Thai immigration figures.

Coming to Malaysia was a big leap for Kawasaki, who speaks only Japanese. She likes that her two boys, nine and three years old, are learning English in school.

But Malaysia’s relative safety appealed to her the most. The country is seismically stable and free of the typhoons that annually rake east Asia.

“A month later (after the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami), I visited Miyagi prefecture to witness the damage. I was totally shocked by the extent of the destruction,” the former career consultant said.

Asia’s long-stay schemes lure


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4.7M SETTLEMENTFrom page 1against AMPCO and ABM, the employees, led by Joaquin Diaz, a cashier at the AMPCO parking facility in Glendale, California, made the following claims: (1) failure to pay compensation for missed meal and rest periods; (2) failure to pay overtime; (3) failure to pay minimum wage; (4) unfair competition; (5) nonpayment of wages; (6) waiting time penalties; (7) failure to keep and furnish accurate wage statements; and (8) civil penalties under the Private Attorney General Act.

AMPCO operates about 750 parking facilities in California, which range from retail complexes to airports. The company employs hourly employees in non-exempt positions at these various locations, including valets, attendants cashiers, and maintenance workers.

Joe Sayas and Randy Renick were appointed co-lead counsel for the consolidated action. The case was mediated by one of California’s leading class action mediator, Mark Rudy. A settlement conference was later held before the Los Angeles Court’s Complex Action Department judge, the Hon. William Highberger. The Hon. Jane Johnson granted final approval of the settlement. “Class actions in employment cases like this one benefit employees not only in terms of paying back wages due. It also changes employers’ wage practices and make them conform with the law, further benefitting employees in the long run. Our law firm is happy to have served the interests of employees in the class actions that we have prosecuted,” Atty. Sayas said.

“Overall, the settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate, and in the best interests of the settlement class, in light of all facts and circumstances revealed by the parties’ extensive discovery, and the inherent risks and uncertainty of further litigation, including potential appellate issues relevant to this wage-and-hour action,” Atty. Sayas said.

“We are thankful to Atty. Sayas, his staff and his co-counsels. They were very helpful throughout the case, and never failed to update us on its status. He went well prepared to every meeting between the company’s lawyers and our counsels. He is truly a super-lawyer,” said Tocong, who is now back as a check-in service attendant at the Burbank Airport, where he worked as a scanner before he transferred to AMPCO.

The Glendale-based Atty. Sayas, who was designated Super Lawyer in February by Super Lawyer and Los Angeles Magazine, has won over $50 million in recoveries for his clients over the course of his 25 years of law practice.

VIDEO SHOWSFrom page 1demanding US$2 million in ransom.

At the time, Philippine authorities said it was possible Rodwell was being held by the Abu Sayyaf, an Islamic extremist group founded in the 1990s with seed money from Al-Qaeda.

firecrackers and pyrotechnics, Lacierda said“At kung gagamit ng paputok, sana ‘yung mga recommended (safe products) lang – may sinabi

ang PNP. But the PNP on its own is also going on a campaign against the more fatal and more powerful firecrackers which do inflict damage on the citizens,” he said.

Lacierda stressed that the government continues to step up its campaign against dangerous firecrackers and pyrotechnics for the safety of the public.

FIRECRACKERSFrom page 1


MANILA, Philippines (December 26, 2012) – Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Ronnie Ricketts has vowed to strengthen its Zero Piracy Campaign especially with the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in full swing. In a report by ABS-CBN News, Ricketts said that while their information cam-paign by means of distributing shirts and button pins has been effective, it is the cooperation of some Muslim merchants in Quiapo that will reduce the prolif-eration of pirated CDs of MMFF entries. According to the OMB Chair, their agency has been in constant communication with Quiapo Muslim leader Camad Panganda-

man and that they have been cooperative with the campaign. “Tuluy-tuloy [pa din] ang pag ikot natin hanggang matapos ‘yung festival,” Ricketts said.

In a separate interview aired on “TV Pa-trol” recently, Ricketts said it is also their aim to solve piracy of Pinoy films abroad.“Piracy is not just a local problem, it’s a worldwide problem eh. And with TFC (The Filipino Channel) partnering with us, yung message namin will be sent all over the world,” he explained.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has announced their target gross for this year’s MMFF: He sees a P700-mil-lion gross at the end of the festival, what with

Philippine Optical Media Board Chairman Ronnie Ricketts and his team led all the fl oats recently at the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival Parade which partners with OMB on the war against piracy. ABS-CBN’s TFC is the global partner of OMB in the anti-piracy awareness campaign worldwide. (Photo from OMB)

the entries’ “quality” and “combination.” A day after the MMFF opening, “Sis-terakas” of ABS-CBN Star Cinema and Viva Films emerged as the unofficial top grosser with P40.7M, followed by “Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at Si Ako” (P31.6M), “One More Try” is at No. 3 (P13.2M), “Shake, Rattle

and Roll 14: The Invasion” (P10.7M), “The Strangers” (P4.8M), “El Presi-dente” (P4.2M), “Sosy Problems” (P2.8M) and “Thy Womb” (P911M).Winners in this year’s MMFF will be named at the Awards Night on Dec. 27 at the Meralco Theater. (Jecelyn V. Macahin-dog, www.mb.com.ph)

OMB pushes anti-piracy campaign worldwide

MANILA, Dec 27, 2012 (AFP) – The death toll from a tropical storm that hit the central Philippines on Christmas Day has risen to 11 with thousands more forced out of their homes by landslides and flooding, officials said Friday.

Tropical Storm Wukong has caused new destruction just weeks after Ty-phoon Bopha hit the south of the country, flattening whole communities and kill-ing more than 1,000 people.

Most of Wukong’s victims died from drowning, while three died when a tree fell onto their home, according to the of-ficial disaster monitoring council, which added that two people remained missing.

It said that more than 13,000 people were in evacuation centres due to flood-ing and landslides caused by the latest storm, which affected the islands of Samar, Leyte Cebu and Panay.

But regional disaster officer Celeste Milan expressed confidence the death toll would not rise much higher as people had taken precautions, with some hav-ing evacuated their homes before the storm hit.

“It won’t be like Bopha. This was more just rain. Bopha was a super ty-phoon. This (Wukong) was just a tropi-cal depression,” Milan said.

Wukong weakened as it blew out westward to the South China Sea.

Relief efforts are still ongoing in areas of the southern Philippines where whole towns were wiped out by Bopha, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year.

The Philippines is hit by about 20 major storms or typhoons each year that occur mainly during the rainy season be-tween June and October. Tropical Storm Wukong left six people dead and two missing as it cut through the central Phil-ippines, following devastating Typhoon Bopha that killed hundreds earlier this month, officials said Thursday.

The toll from the latest storm was relatively low as the public, alarmed by the huge number of fatalities left by Bopha, were quick to take precautionary measures, civil defence chief Benito Ramos told AFP. “They were all aware that a typhoon was coming.”

Storm leaves 11 dead in PHL

MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – Aman Futures Inc. President Fernando Luna finally surfaced today after three months in hiding. He is wanted for his role in the P12 billion pyramid scam which broke last September.

Luna showed up at the Department of Justice (DOJ) today together with his wife Nimfa and lawyer Tersendo Poloyapoy. He filed his counter-affidavit before a special panel of prosecutors created exclusively for Aman Futures cases.

Luna is one of 42 respondents in the case, which has received thousands of complaints from investors who were duped after the company shut down last September 26.

But Luna said he was also a victim of Aman Futures owner Manuel Amalilio, just like 15,000 other investors who were not able to recoup their investments after Amalilio flew to Malaysia three months ago.

Luna said he went into hiding not because he’s guilty, but because he needed to protect himself and his family from numerous death threats he has been receiving after the company shut down in Pagadian City.

“Kahit saan na lang kami, kahit saan makatulog, mga anak ko hindi makakain ng maayos,” Luna said, as he recalled the hardships they went through in the past three months.

He added, “Sinira nila (investors) mga bahay namin, wala kami mapupuntahan, kaya nagtago na kami.”

Luna claimed that it was the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Phil-ippines (ISAFP) which helped him escape from Pagadian at the height of investors’ backlash, when an angry mob was ready to kill him and his family.

Aman Futures president: I was just a driver


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MANILA, Dec 26 (Mabuhay) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front will lay down its arms only after the Bansamoro government is in place, its chairman said in an article posted on a Malaysian news site Tuesday.

MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad told Malaysia’s state-run Bernama news agency the issue of decommissioning MILF fighters’ firearms is still under discussion with the Philippine government.

In the Bernama interview posted on Malaysia’s The Star, Murad also said the decom-missioning of firearms should also involve government militias as well.

“They (militia) should also be subjected to decommissioning (of firearms),” he said.Government and MILF negotiators signed last October 15 a framework peace agree-

ment that promises to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with a Bangsamoro political entity.

On the other hand, Murad said the relevant parties need to create the proper situation on the ground first, before starting the decommissioning of firearms.

He said Mindanao residents would not need to carry firearms if there was prevailing peace and security on the ground.

Also, Murad said he expected government forces to evenly distribute its soldiers throughout the country as provided by the framework agreement, and reduce the number of personnel stationed in Mindanao. (MNS)

Doctors display medical equipments used to treat patients sustaining from fi recracker-related injuries, as they prepare for the upcoming New Year celebrations in a hospital in Manila December 27, 2010. (MNS photo)

MILF to lay down arms only after Bangsamoro gov’t in place

MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – There is no political harassment in President Benigno Aquino III’s six-month suspension of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Malacanang said on Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also told reporters that innuendoes from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) “[fell] flat” on their faces because the adminis-tration has “so much credibility.”

In reference to Liberal Party president Mar Roxas, UNA said yesterday the people of Cebu know that “Mar-tial” law is already being implemented there due to the harassment received by their ally in the hands of Liberal Party stalwarts.

Lacierda claimed that Cebu is up and running. “The martial law scenario is only in the minds of those who mounted that propaganda, the business of governance continues in Cebu.”

Asked to differentiate Garcia’s suspension from the previous suspensions of local of-ficials, he only said, “the big difference is the credibility of the Aquino administration.”

Lacierda was reminded that President Aquino’s mother, former President Cory Aquino, supported then Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay’s defiance of his suspension by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He refuted observations that the administration has double standards in imposing disciplinary actions on local officials who are allied with the administration and those allied with the opposition.

Lacierda stressed that they have always encouraged Garcia to secure a restraining order from the Court of Appeals. Garcia remains holed up at her office, waiting for a halt order from the appellate court.

Lacierda noted that Caloocan Mayor Recom Echiverri was able to secure one when he was about to be suspended.

Padaca caseHe also dismissed comparisons between Garcia’s case and the case of Comelec

Commissioner Grace Padaca, who was escorted by Roxas when she posted bail before the Sandiganbayan.

Lacierda said it was the anti-graft court that should be asked why its arrest order was not implemented.

Echiverri and Padaca are both members of Aquino’s Liberal Party, while Garcia is with Binay’s UNA.

Lacierda also shrugged off former President Joseph Estrada’s criticism that Garcia’s suspension was un-Christian since it came during the holiday season. He said there was just an order that needed to be implemented.

Meanwhile, he also dismissed the Garcia family’s criminal case against Roxas and some local PNP officials for the alleged theft of some rented tents outside the provincial capitol. “Everyone knows a criminal offense is committed personally.”

Palace shrugs off ‘MAR-tial’ law innuendo from UNA

MANILA, Dec 26 (Mabuhay) – As part of the Aquino administration’s efforts to be prudent spending, the moratorium on hiring additional personnel in government offices remains enforced until their respective rationalization plans have been approved, the Department of Budget and Management said.

The moratorium covers the hiring of new contractual employees and consultants, according to the a Dec. 18 department circular.

Some positions such as teaching and medical personnel are the exemption to the rule, the department noted.

“The temporary suspension shall not apply to teaching positions, medical and allied medical items in hospitals and other medical facilities servicing agency clients as well as to uniformed positions in the Departments of National Defense, the Interior and Local Government, Transportation, Communications and Environment and Natural Resources,” the circular read.

However, filling vacant positions in government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations will continue, circular also said.

According to the latest Civil Service Commission data, there were 1.3 million gov-ernment personnel as of end-June 2010.

The moratorium continues until the agencies have submitted their respective ratio-nalization plans, the department added. (MNS)

Hiring freeze on govt consultants, contract workers still in place, says Budget Dept.


SANAA, Dec 24, 2012 (AFP) – Ye-meni security services freed a Filipina nurse two hours after she was kidnapped in Sanaa, state news agency Saba re-ported Monday, adding that her abduc-tors have been arrested.

“Security services arrested two out-laws after they kidnapped a Filipina national late on Sunday in the capital Sanaa,” Saba quoted an interior ministry spokesman as saying.

The men were arrested within two hours of carrying out the kidnap, the source said, identifying the woman taken hostage as 20-year-old Annie Jones, a nurse at a government hospital

in Sanaa.She was released unharmed, accord-

ing to the spokesman.No details were immediately avail-

able on the identities of the kidnappers and the reasons behind the abduction.

The kidnap was the second of foreign-ers in Sanaa within a 48-hour period.

Security forces are still searching for two Finns and an Austrian who were

kidnapped, suspectedly by Al-Qaeda-linked gunmen, in the capital on Friday.

A security official had last week warned that Al-Qaeda had threatened to kidnap foreigners and to stage bank hold-ups if the authorities fail to release members of an imprisoned network.

Hundreds of people have been ab-ducted in Yemen over the past 15 years, many of them by members of the coun-

try’s powerful tribes who use them as bargaining chips in disputes with the authorities.

Almost all have been freed unharmed.But Al-Qaeda is also held responsible

for abductions in Yemen, including that of a Saudi diplomat, Abdallah al-Khalidi, who remains in the hands of the extremist network since his kidnapping on March 28 in Aden.

Filipina nurse freed after brief abduction in Yemen

MANILA, Dec 26 (Mabuhay) – Vice President Jejomar Binay appealed to Filipinos for donations to raise P44 million in blood money for a Filipino facing execution in Saudi Arabia.

Binay, the presidential adviser for Overseas Filipino Worker concerns, said OFW Joselito Zapanta has until March 2013 to raise the amount.

“Our generosity especially during this season of sharing will go a long way in saving this young man’s life. As we celebrate the Yuletide season, may we remember the true spirit of Christmas and share the love, hope, goodwill, and peace to everyone,” he said in his Christmas message posted on his Facebook account.

Zapanta, 33, went to Saudi Arabia in 2007 to work as a tile setter. He killed his Sudanese landlord after an altercation in 2009.

“Joselito’s mother is a 50-year old housewife with her own health problems while his father is a part-time carpenter whose age makes it difficult for him to compete for scarce jobs,” Binay said.

Binay noted that a “Good Samaritan” has donated P1 million while 400 OFW families in a Christmas party organized by the Blas F. Ople Center donated P7,900.

He said the P1-million donation of the “kindhearted private individual” was immediately deposited in a Saudi bank account opened by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh for this purpose.

Even the Pampanga provincial government has been raising

funds for Zapanta, a resident of Bacolor town in Pampanga, he added.

The Philippine government has deposited in Saudi Arabia the equivalent of P4 million, the standard allotted for blood money cases that qualify for government assistance.

Binay also said officers of the Philippine Embassy and the De-partment of Foreign Affairs who have met and spoken to Joselito “attest that he is a changed man who has repeatedly sought the forgiveness of the aggrieved family and that of his own.”

Earlier, a Saudi court affirmed Zapanta’s death sentence by beheading and the family of his victims demanded the equivalent of P50 million to secure their forgiveness.

He was scheduled for execution last November but efforts by President Benigno Aquino III, Binay and the Philippine Embassy led to the lowering of the amount to P44 million and a four-month stay of execution.

“While we welcome the reduction and the additional time within which to raise the amount, we must admit it is still a sub-stantial amount,” Binay said.

Meanwhile, Binay also asked for prayers for all OFWs, espe-cially those who will spend Christmas away from their loved ones.

“May the Lord bless them and their families and always keep them safe,” he said. (MNS)

VP Binay seeks help in raising P44M blood money for Pinoy in Saudi


PROTECTING EMPLOYEE &

CONSUMER RIGHTS

BY C. JOE SAYAS, JR.

In 2012, more employment laws were passed to take effect in 2013. These include:

No Employer Snoop-i n g o n P e r s o n a l S o -c i a l M e d i a A c c o u n t s The new law forbids employ-ers from requiring employees to provide their usernames and passwords to access personal social media. Employers are prohibited from discharging, disciplining, or otherwise re-taliating against employees who refuse to comply with an employer’s unlawful demand. However, employers are allowed to request usernames and passwords to access employer-issued electronic devices.

S a l a r y o f a N o n - E x e m p t E m p l o y -e e D o e s n o t I n c l u d e O v e r t i m e P a yThe payment of a fixed salary to a nonexempt employee is deemed to compensate only for the employee’s regular, non-overtime hours, regardless of any pri-vate agreement to the contrary. Explicit mutual wage agreements that purport to pay a fixed weekly salary to non-exempt employees to cover the overtime hours worked is unlawful.

Whist l eb lower Protec t ions Expanded The law protects and provides incentives for employees who oppose or report their employers for making false claims for money, property, or services to the state. The new law allows contractors and agents, as well as employees, to bring claims under the statute and share in any recovery. The anti-retaliation protection is ex-panded to include anyone who tries to stop violations.

E m p l o y e e s H a v e t h e R i g h t t o C o p i e s o f t h e i r P e r s o n n e l F i l e Employers must respond in 30 days to written requests from current and former employees, to inspect and/or

receive a copy of their personnel records. Previously, employees only had the right to “inspect” their personnel files but not obtain copies, except for documents they signed. The new law requires employers to main-tain a copy of each employee’s personnel records for a period of not less than three years after termination of employment.

Confusing Pay Stubs Entitle Em-ployees to Penalties from Employers An employee is deemed to “suffer injury” if 1) the employer fails to provide a wage statement, 2) if the employer fails to pro-vide the legally required information or 3) the employee cannot “promptly and easily

determine” from the wage statement alone the missing information, and would have to refer to other docu-ments or information to understand their pay stubs.

Breastfeeding Protected Under Sex Discrimina-tion Law

Employers must accommodate lactating mothers with break time and a private area for expressing milk. Under existing law, sex discrimination includes discrimination concerning gender, pregnancy, child-birth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth. The new law adds breastfeeding and related medical conditions as protected under sex discrimina-tion laws.

[C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is trial attorney who has obtained several million dollar recoveries for his clients against insurance companies and employers. He has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, featured in the cover of Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Verdicts and Settlements, and is a member of the Million Dollar-Advocates Forum. He is a gradu-ate of Georgetown University Law Center Washington, D.C. and the University of the Philippines. Visit his website at www.joesayaslaw.com or contact his office at (818) 291-0088 for a no-cost inquiry.]

New year, new laws to benefi t California employees MANILA, Dec 26 (Mabuhay) – Saudi Arabia remained the

top destination for overseas Filipino workers in the 11 months to November even as the oil-rich nation issued a temporary ban on domestic workers from the Philippines, according to the Philip-pine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

In a briefing over the weekend, POEA Hans Leo Cacdac said deployment to Saudi Arabia reached around 1.3 million, getting the bulk of the 1,460,097 Filipinos sent for work overseas from January to November this year.

“Middle East remains to be the predominant destination for Overseas Filipino Workers [OFWs] and this will continue in the next three years,” said Cacdac.

Other than Saudi Arabia, some of the favorite destinations of OFWs include United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, Kuwait, Taiwan, Italy, Bahrain and Malaysia, the official added.

Cacdac said land-based workers comprised 75 percent of the total deployment for the period, with the remaining accounted for by sea-based workers.

Noting that the government has been steadfast in seeking agreements with host governments to protect the rights and wel-fare of Filipino workers, particularly the vulnerable domestic help-ers, Cacdac said the Philippine government has signed this year 17 labor agreements with host governments of Filipino workers.

These include agreements with Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon and a labor mobility communiqué with British Columbia, Canada.

Cacdac said that while the government prefers to increase deployment of highly skilled workers and professionals, host countries that hire Filipino domestic workers will have to adhere to the Philippines’ reform package that guarantees the protection of rights and welfare of the domestic workers.

Saudi Arabia temporarily stopped hiring new domestic workers from the Philippines for more than a year from July 2011 after the Philippines imposed strict requirements for employers including a minimum $400 monthly salary and provision of employers’ residence and background information.

The temporary ban on new hires for Filipino domestic help-ers was lifted in the second half of this year after the Philippines and Saudi Arabia signed the Standard Employment Contract agreement. (MNS)

Saudi received bulk of 1.4-M OFWs deployed in 2012 – POEA

MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – Nine out of 10 Filipinos are looking forward to 2013 with hope, but that hopefulness fell to a record-low in cyclone-ravaged Mindanao, accord-ing to a new survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The SWS survey, conducted Dec. 8 to 11 this year, showed that the number of those who were hopeful – 92 per-cent – was just three percentage points below the record-high 95 percent in 2002 and 2011.

In a news release posted on its web-site on Friday, SWS said “Hopefulness of the New Year is widespread across all areas, but is noticeably lower in Mindanao than in Metro Manila, Bal-ance Luzon and Visayas.”

Parts of Mindanao had been rav-aged by recent cyclones, including Pablo (Bopha) and Quinta (Wukong). In particular, Tropical Cyclone Pablo had devastated Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

SWS noted that hopefulness for the New Year in Mindanao declined by nine points to 85 percent in 2012, much lower than the 94 percent level in 2011, and 89 percent in 2010.

The 85 percent level of hopefulness in Mindanao in 2012 is the lowest recorded since the 84 percent level recorded in 2005.

In the other parts of the country, hopefulness was measured at: 96 percent in Balance Luzon; 93 percent in Metro Manila; and 93 percent in Visayas.

The SWS survey used face-to-face

interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages applied to the survey.

New year hope, Christmas happi-ness

The SWS said the Filipinos’ level of hopefulness for the New Year was higher than the people’s expectation for a happy Christmas.

Out of the 64 percent who expected a happy Christmas this year, about 95 percent looked forward to 2013 with hope.

On the other hand, out of the nine percent who were expecting a sad Christmas this year, 78 percent are hopeful and 19 percent are fearful of the coming 2013.

The SWS noted that hopefulness about the coming year has customar-ily been at high levels, starting at 87 percent when it first polled about it in December 2000, and at 88 percent in December 2001.

In December 2002, New Year hope reached 95 percent, but declined to 90 percent in December 2003, and fell to 81 percent at the end of December 2004.

New Year hope rebounded to 85 percent in 2005, remained flat at 91 to 92 percent in the next three years. It further declined to 89 percent in 2009 before recovering to 93 percent in 2010 and to 95 percent in 2012.

FearfulnessNot all adults are full of hope for

YEAR OF THE SNAKE: A man is seen wrapped with pythons, some which include the Albino Burmese Python, as part of a show celebrating the coming Year of the Snake in the Chinese calendar, while spectators look on, in Malabon city, north of Manila December 28, 2012. (MNS photo)

SWS: 92% of Pinoys look forward to 2013 with hope

the New Year. Some are entering 2013 with fear rather than hope.

In Mindanao, about 14 percent of the respondents were looking forward to 2013 with fear.

This was almost three times more than the 5 percent level of fearfulness recorded in 2011, the SWS noted

The survey question on hope versus fear about the New Year was patterned after the polls conducted annually by the Allensbach Institute of Demoskopy in Germany.

The surveys are completed each December in the Federal Republic of Germany, with 2,000 respondents per survey.

The SWS noted that in Germany, where the survey question originated, those expressing hope ranged from 31 to 58 percent from 1990 to 2009.

Hope highest among classes A,B, and C

New Year hope is widespread across socio-economic classes, the SWS said.

SWS said 100 percent of those who belong to middle-to-upper classes A, B, and C are full of hope for the com-ing year.

In contrast, only 93 percent of the so-called “masa Class D” and 89 percent of the “very poor” Class E were full of hope for the coming year. (MNS)


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CONSUMER MATTERS

BY ATTY. PAULALLEN

Chapter 13 can be a last, and sometimes the only chance to save your home. But when is Chap-ter 13 the right choice?

First, some basic facts about what a Chapter 13 can and cannot do. In most cases, a Chapter 13 won’t change the regular monthly payment you are required to make on your home mortgage (or mort-gages, if you have more than one). Chapter 13 will not change the interest rate on your mortgage, or stop an adjustable rate from increasing your pay-ment, or prevent a balloon payment from coming due.

Shortly after filing Chapter 13, you will be required to resume making regular payments. In addition to making regular mortgage payments, you will be required to begin making payments on the mortgage arrears. This can be amortized over 60 months. That means that each month, you will make one regular mortgage payment, plus an amortization on the accumulated delinquency. The upside is that the bank must accept this plan, ordered by the court. The downside is, you must resume payments.

So, if you fell behind on your mort-gage payments because you were out of work for a while, or you had unexpected expenses, or your income was interrupted by a tax levy, wage garnishment or the like, Chapter 13 may be what you need. Chapter 13 will allow you to catch up over time, even though your mortgage company had been demanding immediate payment of the entire past-due amount. If you fell behind because you were overextended on other obligations, like car loans and credit card debts, Chapter 13 may allow you to

In foreclosure? Then consider a Chapter 13!restructure your debt so that you can afford your mortgage payments.

On the other hand, if your mortgage is behind because you just don’t have sufficient income to make the payments, Chapter 13 may not help. Your budget may be too tight because of loss of employment, a dis-ability, or because the repayment terms of your

mortgage have changed. If your income has decreased, or if your mortgage payment has been adjusted upward, you may not be able to take advantage of Chapter 13 unless you are able to make up your budgetary shortfall by, for example, restructuring other obligations.

However, if your home is worth less than you owe, a bankruptcy filing provides a golden opportunity, it stops a foreclo-sure, and gives us time to apply for a loan modification, that could include debt for-giveness on past dues, plus a modification of the entire loan amount to current fair market value. This is not a guarantee for everyone, but it illustrates the point out that we have achieved amazing results for many other clients.

Chapter 13 can be a valuable tool to save your home, negotiate a loan modi-fication, and to restructure other debt. An honest review of your situation, including the realities of your budget, is vital to determine the feasibility of a successful Chapter 13 Plan.

For a free consultation on how Chapter 13 can work for you, contact the Law Of-fices of Paul M. Allen, at the Glendale of-fice: (818) 334-5445, or in Cerritos, (562) 356-5462. Attorney Paul Allen will meet with you and discuss your options.

MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – Three newly refurbished air assets and 12 M-35 trucks were formally turned over to the Philippine Air Force, in a simple ceremony and blessing at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The three aircraft includes one C-130 cargo plane, one Huey helicopter and one Cessna weather plane.

According to Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol, this is the first locally maintained air assets in the country and is part of the P579.4 million in country C-130 Depot Maintenance Capability project using available manpower and resources.

Vice commander Major Gen. Raul Di-matatac said that the Air Force was able to save P55 million with the project.

At present the Air Force now has three C-130 cargo planes which are considered the workhorse of the air fleet especially during times of disasters.

Okol also said that the newly commis-sioned C-130 plane is scheduled to fly to Davao this afternoon to bring relief goods to typhoon victims.

While the 12 newly refurbished M-35 trucks acquired by the Air Force from the US government is scheduled for distribu-tion for the various air force units. (MNS)

Air Force receives trucks, refurbished C-130 plane

MANILA, Dec 28 (Mabuhay) – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of graft and malversation charges against retired national police chief Avelino Razon Jr. and 22 other police officials for the alleged anomalous repair and maintenance of light armored vehicles in 2007.

“The government suffered injury in the amount of P409,740,000, representing the cost of the highly irregular four transactions,” the Ombudsman said in an e-mailed statement.

It said based on the investigation conducted by the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices, there was “irregularity in the bidding process, awarding of contracts and utilization of funds intended for the repair/refurbishment of 28 V-150s (light armored vehicles)” of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The results of the investigation were contained in a 108-page joint resolution where the respondents were found to have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), and Malversation through Falsification.

The Ombudsman also alleged that the respondents “circumvented” the law to take private firms Serpenair, Enviro-Aire, Evans, RJP, Dex-Lan and RKGK En-terprises as the direct suppliers.

Enviro-Aire Inc. was previously linked to the allegedly overpriced purchase of 75 defective rubber boats in 2008.

“The said companies were given unwarranted benefit, undue advantage or preference as the contracts were awarded to them despite non-compliance with law and without actual delivery of goods and services at the time of payment,” the Ombudsman said.

Private individuals Oscar Madamba, Harold Ong, Tyrone Ong, Pamela Pen-sotes, Evangeline Bais, Artemio Zuniga, Gigie Marpa, Marianne Jimenez, Rasita Zaballero and Carmencita Salvador will also be charged in relation to the alleged irregularity, the Ombudsman said.

The Ombudsman also ordered the dismissal – or a fine equivalent to one year salary if the penalty of dismissal can no longer be served – of PNP Resident Commis-sion on Audit supervising auditor Jaime Serrano in connection with the same case.

Charges recommended vs ex-PNP chief Razon, 22 others over ‘anomalous’ V-150 repairs


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BY RAY ANDRES

AROUNDTOWN

What do people from Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador, Venezuela and Tobago, Thai-land, Guatemala, Equador, Costa Rica and the Philippines have in common? They are countries where people are the happiest.

I n a r e s u l t of a just released s u r v e y conduct-e d b y G a l l u p Poll in-volving 1 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e in each o f 1 4 8 countries last year on the question of whether the respondents “were well-rested, been treated with respect, smiled or laughed a lot, learned or did something in-teresting and felt feeling of enjoyment the previous day”, 85 percent of those polled in Panama and Paraguay said yes”. The list of happy people was followed closely by El Salvador, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Guatemala, the Philip-

pines, Ecuador and Costa Rica.The Philippines ranked ninth on the

list with seven of the world’s 10 countries with the most upbeat attitudes located in Latin America.

The world’s happiest people are sur-

prisingly not in the richest country in the world, in a country with highest life expectancy or in a country where a big percentage of its population are college graduates.

Guatemala, for example, occupies the

Pinoys among happiest people on earth

2013 ABAOC INDUCT: California’s 40th District Rep. Ed Royce administers the oath of offi ce of the offi cers and members of the board of directors – Cheryl Chang, James Valle, Sun Hai Ahn, Gloria C. Rull and Mai Vang Exequiel - of Asian Business Association of Orange County at its 17th Annual Gala Night at the Magic Kingdom Ballroom of Disneyland Hotel recently.

seventh position in countries with positive emotions in spite doing poorly in tradi-tional measures that include a composite of life expectancy, education and per capita income.

Guatemala is a country torn by decades of civil war and gang-driven criminality that makes it the highest in homicide rates in the world.

Guatemala has lot in common with the Philippines for having a “culture of friendly people who are always smiling” despite the many problems both are facing.

Poverty-stricken ones are often awash in positivity, or at least a close semblance of it.

Wealthy nations, on the other hand, sit low on the list making a strong statement to the fact that “prosperous nations can be deeply unhappy ones”.

The wealthy and orderly city-state of Singapore is a country where the people are unlikely to be reported to have positive emotions. Singapore joins Germany and France who tie with Somaliland for the 47th place. The list of nine least positive countries did not come as surprise when it included Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Haiti. The roll of least positive countries included Armenia, Georgia and Lithuania which occupy the lowest spots.

Feeling unhappy is part of the national mentality in Armenia whose people “like being mournful because of many upheav-als and avoid sharing their problems with others”.

The Gallup poll has revealed in the list of happiest people “the culture of focusing on friends, family and religion despite the grindingly difficult tasks of daily living.”

Calamities have been perennial visitors in the Philippines. One has only to observe the “smiling” faces of those affected by these calamites as they line up for relief goods to come to a conclusion that no ty-phoons, floods and any form of hardships can take away their ability to smile that enable them to see the light ahead.

This outpouring of optimism coupled with their resiliency have been the sources of their strength to face the future and rise up as many times as they are besieged.

Joy and happiness spring from a deeper spiritual relationship and that depth is what keeps the Filipinos anchored.

A Blessed and Happy New Year to All.


from LONDON to PARIS

BY MYRNA AQUITANIA

LIGHTHOUSEAs the year 2012 comes to an end, I am person-

ally looking forward to a brighter 2013 ahead of us., though in hindsight, we won’t stop praying for all those kababayans devastated by typhoons back home, particularly “Sendong” last January , where our group, the Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles (est. 1978) Inc. held a successful fundraiser to benefit NUJP colleagues and their families displaced by such a ca-lamity. Like ‘Sendong” we will again be supportive of relief efforts being done to the communities hit by the recent typhoon “Pablo.”

Though I am thankful for the overwhelming passage of the RH Bill, in my previous articles, I have been proposing and wishing that in order to curb overpopula-tion back home, the Philippine government should encourage adoption as an alternative, to grow our economy and to lessen the burden of unwanted children being brought up in poverty, disease and malnutrition. Unlike the recent adoption ban in Russia, I hope

the Philippines gets a chance to open up their strict laws to give these children the chance of belonging and being raised by loving families.

“On a personal note, I am wishing lov-ing thoughts particularly to the following girlfriends: to Ruby Bernabe-Merrill, an avid golfer for continuing on with her weekly game of golf; to Conchita “Ebit: Rivera for her grace in using her dancing shoes whenever she can; to May Gose, who was the former UP-PGH Medical Direc-tor for her remarkable strength in rais-ing her children; to Melinda “Peachy” Lorenzana of the famous Lorenzana “Patis” clan, for her endless antique col-lection; to Loowee Manacsa, who despite losing her Mom still sends us samples of her delicious pastries and to Bles Quintil-lan, who remains the corporate lawyer of a multi-national healthcare agency for breaking the glass ceiling in a corporate world. To all of you my girlfriends, may the Lord above continue to shower His blessings on you!”

On a more exuberant note, I wish my son Christian and his family who will be moving into their first starter home on New Year’s day, many blessings for finally fulfilling their “American dream!” To my other son, Michael may he continue on with his outstand-ing achievement in his chosen IT profession. To my only daughter, Marissa who just celebrated her birthday amongst friends in scenic Lake Tahoe, may this coming year become the start of a prosperous Urban Planning carreer for her. And finally, to my other son Jonathan who is a devoted Dad to his three kids, may his enterprising skills as a clothing entrepreneur find his way to the ladder of success he’s been aiming for.

Good wishes also go to my Pinay/Chinese doctor, Jacqueline Wong for expanding her medical practice in a predominantly Chinese neighborhood, whose patients are given the careful and caring medical needs they seek for and to MaryAnn Ramos-Samadi for her continued noble fundraising effort to annually help the needy families in her hometown of San Miguel, Bulacan.

On a final note, it is without saying that we all should thank this paper’s publisher, Balita Media Inc. for without their vision, we won’t be able to share the community news and ideas to all of you, dear readers. Wishing you all a joyful and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Personal wishes for the New Year

Avid golfer Ruby Bernabe-Merrill

Shown in a rare gathering (from left): Mian Gancayco, Ebit Rivera, Myrna Aquitania and Peachy Lorenzana.

By Lolly AcostaDoes the rising cost of residences in the

city make your dream of having a house of your own vanish as the days, months and years go by? Despair not, for believe it or not, there is a dream location waiting for you at a first class community along Daang Hari in Alabang. It is aptly named “Versailles”, after the famous palace in France, and its stunning main entrance is but a prelude to the elegance palpable throughout its 75-hectare expanse.

There are many things that make Versailles irresistible to people of good taste. First and foremost is the aesthetic value offered by the whole property, from its impos-ing black-and-gold main gates to its state-of-the-art clubhouse. Masterfully crafted Mediterranean-inspired homes are thoughtfully designed and laid out along wide roads that make for easy navigation.

Another surprising asset of Versailles is its accessibility. You would perhaps think that a place so pristine and naturally-blessed would be hundreds of miles away from where the action is. Versailles is only a five minute drive from Alabang Town Center. In the prestige neighborhood, too, are Madrigal Business Park, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Alabang Golf and Country Club, Woodrose School, De La Salle Zobel, Filinvest Corporate City, and just over the fence, so to speak, is the South Expressway!

Versailles’ designer and builder is Palafox Associates, a name so trusted and respected in architecture that their stamp of approval assures clients of satisfaction for life

And just how “affordable” is Versailles? The same amount that may buy you a one-bedroom 45-square-meter condo unit in the A-one districts of Metro Manila will get you a 320-sqm lot with a European-style, ready-for-occupancy house in Versailles.

There are six house models to choose from: Therese, Adelaide, Antoinette, Sophie, Amelie and Elisabeth, each of which boasts of the

Versailles: Irresistible to people of good taste

A luxurious entrance awaits would-be property owners at Versailles.

See VERSAILLES, page 18


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HONOLULU – Sen. Daniel Inouye, the leading voice of the Philippines in the United States Congress, was laid to rest here today with Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. joining President Barack Obama and other ranking American officials in bidding farewell to the Hawaii legislator.

“It was a very fitting tribute to a great man, an extraordinary American patriot, and the most respected Asian-American to have served in the US Congress,” Ambas-sador Cuisia said.

Among those who joined members of Senator Inouye’s immediate family in the ceremonies at the National Memorial Cem-etery of the Pacific aside from President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Senators Daniel Akaka and Mazie Hirono, Congresswomen Coleen Hanabusa and Tulsi Gabbard and Pacific Command Chief Adm. Sam Locklear.

Also present were several members of the Cabinet and of the US Senate and House of Representatives as well as sur-viving members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who saw action with Senator Inouye in Europe in World War II.Aside from Ambassador Cuisia, the other foreign dignitaries present were former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae and Consul General Julius Torres of the Philippine Consulate General in Hawaii.

“The Philippines and the Filipino people are eternally indebted to Senator Inouye,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he paid tribute to the late Medal of Honor re-cipient who was responsible for obtaining recognition and compensation for thou-

sands of Filipino World War II veterans.“It was indeed an honor to have worked with him in a number of issues involving the Philippines,” he said.

The Philippines demonstrated the high regard it placed on Senator Inouye with no less than Foreign Affairs Sec-retary Albert F. Del Rosario attending the memorial services for the legis-lator at the US Capitol on Thursday.Secretary Del Rosario, who developed a deep friendship with Senator Inouye during his term as ambassador to the US, imme-diately flew to Washington upon learning of his death from respiratory complications on Monday.

He was invited by Senator Inouye’s family to sit with them during the entire ceremony.“It was an honor for me to have been able to pay my final respects and bid farewell to such a giant of a man,” Secretary Del Rosario said before leaving for Damascus on Thursday.

“Senator Inouye will always be remem-bered for his strong support for the Philip-pines. With his unexpected passing, we lost our leading champion in the US Congress.”Ambassador Cuisia himself attended the Capitol ceremonies as well as the memo-rial service at the National Cathedral where President Obama and former President Bill Clinton were among those who paid tribute to the late senator.

In today’s hour-and-a-half service in Hawaii, Admiral Locklear, Senators Reid and Akaka, Brig. Gen. James Hirai and Senator Inouye’s Chief of Staff Jennifer Sabas paid tribute to the late lawmaker’s selfless service to his countrymen and his courage, humility, leadership and dignity.

The ceremony was capped by the rendi-

tion by the Celtic Pipes and Drums of Hawaii of “Danny Boy,” one of Senator Inouye’s favor-ite songs; the playing of “Taps” by Montana Sen. Jon Tester; a 19-gun salute; and a fly-by four F-22 jetfighters.“It was very solemn and impressive,” Am-bassador Cuisia said in describing the memo-rial service that was attended by more than 1,000 people.

Ambassador Cuisia bids fi nal farewell to Senator Inouye

Pres. Noynoy Aquino conferred the Order Sikatuna award to the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in April, 2011.


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VERSAILLESFrom page 17


OPINION

Balitaw w w. B A L I T A . c o m

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PublisherBALITA MEDIA INC.

CEOLuchie Mendoza AllenEditor

Rhony Laigo

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For editorial: Have a story tip, letter to the editor or suggestion? Email [email protected] or [email protected]. Mail your letter to: Editorial Department, Balita Media Inc., 520 East Wilson Ave., Glendale, CA, 91206. Submissions must include full name, mailing address, and contact numbers. All contributions are subject to the paper’s editorial standards. For advertising: Email [email protected].

Balita Media Inc., the leading source of news and information for the Filipino American community, publishes Weekend Balita circulated in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and the Inland Empire and US Asian Post. Views and opinion expressed by contributing writers and syndication partners are solely theirs and do not necessarily refl ect that of the publishers. All advertising materials are subject to the paper’s editorial standards and discretion. They do not necessarily refl ect the view of the publishers. All rights reserved. Reprints of materials published in the newspaper should have the explicit permission of Balita Media Inc.

Circulation ManagerRonnie Villo

MANILA, Dec 24 (Mabuhay) – More Filipinos would prefer good health over money for this year’s Christmas, a survey by pollster Social Weather Stations revealed. SWS, which released the results of its survey Sunday evening, also said 64 percent of Filipinos expect a “happy” Christmas while 9 percent expect a “sad” holiday season.

“The percentages of those who prefer to receive non-material gifts for Christmas rose from 33 per-cent in 2011 to 46 percent in 2012. Notably, those who wish for good health increased from 17 percent last year to 25 percent now,” it said.

On the other hand, the SWS noted a record-low expectation of a happy Christmas in Mindanao, several parts of which are still reeling from the ef-fects of Typhoon Pablo, which left more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds still missing.

SWS conducted the survey from Dec. 8 to 11, us-

ing face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

It had sampling error margins of +/-3 percent for national percentages and +/-6 percent for area percentages.

Health over moneyThe survey asked respondents the open-ended

question, “Ano po ang inyong pinaka-gustong re-galo na matanggap ngayong darating na Pasko?”

It said 46 percent mentioned non-material gifts, including: good health (25 percent), with people saying, “Good health at humaba pa sana ang buhay ko” and “malusog na pangangatawan ng buong pamilya”; and family togetherness this Christmas (14 percent), with responses including, “Kaming pamilya ay magkasama-sama sa Pasko at meron kaming handaan” and “Gusto ko lang magkakasama kaming pamilya ngayong Pasko”.

MANILA, Dec 27 (Mabuhay) – The list of achievements and reforms implemented by Presi-dent Benigno S. Aquino III in 2012 should silence all skeptics and doubting Thomases on his ability to rid government of its deeply entrenched image of corruption and lead the Filipino people to inclusive prosperity and justice, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Thursday.

In a statement, Lacierda said President Aquino’s achievements for 2012 to establish lasting peace, boost investments in infrastructure and people, and further strengthen the economy have all contributed to making the Philippines a “bastion of stability and good governance.”

“When the Filipino people gave an overwhelm-ing mandate to President Benigno S. Aquino III in 2010, there were those who remained skeptical of the extent of reforms that can be instituted, given the entrenched culture of corruption and mistrust of government,” Lacierda said.

“The many achievements of the Aquino admin-istration in 2012 should put those doubts to rest. At home and around the world, the Philippines has become recognized as a bastion of stability and good governance. Through hard work, deft decision-making, and intense political will, the President has laid down the foundations of justice and inclusive growth. Through it all, he continues to clean house, eliminate waste, and put primacy on restoring public trust in our institutions,” he added.

On establishing lasting peace, Lacierda said, the President led the “all out justice” stand to attain enduring peace in Mindanao through the signing of the Framework Agreement between the govern-ment and the MILF and by instituting reforms in the Judiciary beginning with the appointment of new Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

Lacierda added that the signing into law of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances Act, the first of its kind in Asia, which criminalizes the unlawful arrest of civilians and ensures the preserva-tion and protection of every Filipino’s civil liberties, clearly demonstrates the President’s commitment to human rights.

“Through these reforms, we are strengthening a system where the law serves the people and works towards their full development. Without doubt, we are moving towards a society where fairness reigns—fueled by a people empowered by its gov-ernment,” Lacierda said.

On boosting investments in human and infra-structure capital, Lacierda pointed out President Aquino’s directive to spend more towards education, health, and poverty alleviation.

“Agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (which spearheads the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program,) have all experienced sharp increases in their budget, proving the President’s resolve to lift our countrymen from the margins of society,” Lacierda said.

On strengthening the economy, Lacierda noted the Philippines’ strong growth and stable inflation despite the uncertainties of the global economy. This was marked by the Philippine GDP growth for the 3rd quarter in 2012 of a two-year high of 7.1 percent – the highest in Southeast Asia, and among the top performing economies in Asia.

He said that the “the Philippine Stock Exchange index this year broke record high after record high, soaring above expectations and breaching the 5, 800 mark.”

These positive indicators, he said, are all the results of President Aquino’s fiscal discipline, re-forms to ramp up quality public spending, and heavy invested in both social and physical infrastructure.”

“This is manifested in the 2.006-trillion peso General Appropriations Act for 2013, 10.5 percent higher than the 2012 budget. The 2013 GAA contin-ues the Aquino administration’s tradition of an on-time passage of the budget-eliminating leak-prone reenactments and showing the determination of government to ensure that every peso of the budget is spent wisely,” Lacierda said.

“Not only is the President enjoying the highest sustained public approval ratings in history—he is also being recognized by the international commu-nity as a true leader in foreign affairs. The Philip-pines has taken the lead in upholding a peaceful, multilateral, and consensus-driven diplomatic ap-proach as regards territorial disputes. In this regard, President Aquino has stood his ground thus gaining the admiration of his fellow leaders in the global arena,” he added.

Lacierda stressed that 2012 has been the “best year” for the Philippines and sees 2013 as another banner year with “more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause.”

“While these past two and half years have been a period of continued renewal for the country, 2012 in particular has been a year of rebuilding and res-toration. This year we saw the full effect of politi-cal will used correctly and for the right purposes, knowing that power is merely lent by the people to their leaders to ultimately serve the country’s best interests. By all indicators, this was the best year for the Philippines in a long time, a time for celebration and pride for the reclaimed standing of our country as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other rising nations of the world,” Lacierda said.

“In 2012, we turned the corner, fixed the dam-age wrought by the crooked ways of the past, and established further that the straight path is the only way forward. Despite the tragedies that have vis-ited the country in 2012—from natural disasters to the untimely demise of a beloved reformist—the Filipino people have shown that their spirit cannot be broken. As the administration embarks on 2013, there is all the more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause,” he concluded. (MNS)

MANILA, Dec 26 (Mabuhay) – Presidential spokesper-son Edwin Lacierda said the government will let the New Year pass before any further action is taken in connection with the standoff in Cebu.

Lacierda did not elaborate as to what he meant by “further action.” He only wished both suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale a merry Christmas.

Malacanang, meanwhile, assured coalition partners amid their parties figuring in legal cases in Pangasinan and Cebu.

Lacierda pointed out that the cases of Pangasinan Gov-ernor Amado Espino and Garcia arose from specific cases and do not, in anyway, show an attempt to diminish the role of coalition partners.

Espino was slapped with criminal cases for alleged in-volvement in jueteng, while Garcia was ordered suspended by the Office of the President for an administrative case.

Garcia is chair of the One Cebu Party and a member of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Espino is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which has partnered with Liberal Party (LP).

Garcia’s case has led to a standoff at the provincial capitol since the governor refused to leave office literally despite the assumption of her vice governor as officer in charge of the provincial capitol.

Lacierda maintained Magpale has already taken control of the business of governance since all legal orders and approvals for expenditures are now subject to her approval.

UNA blasts LP’s power tripUNA today strongly criticized alleged violations of the

law and the abuse of power by the LP in Cebu.UNA Secretary General Toby Tiangco said the LP has

committed “glaring violations of the law and clear abuse of power” in attempting to enforce the suspension order on Garcia and install Magpale, who is a member of the ruling party led by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

“The LP-affiliated Vice Governor closed down two media outlets on flimsy grounds. The police erected barricades and deployed hundreds of armalite-wielding policemen to the capitol. Supporters of the Governor and even employees were prevented from entering the grounds. They were not even allowed to bring in food that they have prepared,” Tiangco said.

Tinagco added: “As Vice President Binay himself pointed out, there is no need to arm the policemen with armalite rifles since it was a peaceful assembly.”

UNA earlier said the LP had converted the provincial capitol into a garrison.

Tiangco added that Vice President Jejomar Binay, for-mer President Joseph Estrada and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile visited Garcia to show their support. (MNS)

Palace: No need to rush next move in Cebu standoff Achievements and reforms should put

to rest all doubts on Aquino – Lacierda

SWS: Pinoys prefer health over money for Christmas


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LOS ANGELES, Dec 26, 2012 (AFP) – Los Angeles’ no-questions-asked gun buyback event, where weapons could be exchanged for up to $200, was held Wednesday, five months early after the Connecticut school shooting.

Gun owners could take their arms to one of two locations in return for a $100 grocery store gift card for handguns, rifles and shotguns, or a $200 card for automatic weapons.

“Cities and states must join with the federal government to do everything we can, as quickly as we can, to keep our communities safe,” said LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“It is absolutely critical to provide Angelenos with concrete actions they can take today to make our city safer tomorrow,” he added.

Villaraigosa brought forward the date of the event, usually held in May, following the December 14 shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, in which a gunman killed 26 people including 20 young children.

LA’s fourth annual Gun Buyback Program, held in May this year, netted 1,673 fire-arms, a four-year low. The tally included 53 assault weapons.

Critics question the effectiveness of gun buyback events, arguing that the weapons surrendered tend to be the least likely to be used in criminal activities, such as guns

which are old or malfunctioning.“The theory underlying gun buyback programs is badly flawed, said a 2004 National

Academy of Sciences study, “Firearms and Violence: A Critical Review.”“The empirical evidence demonstrates the ineffectiveness of these programs,” it

added.

LA holds gun buyback early after Sandy Hook shooting

Not many people know that parents can transfer their retirement accounts such as 401k and IRA to their children tax free. For instance, you have a 401k of $150,000. At the age of 65, you transfer the 401k to your son and your son keeps the $150,000 as a 401k in your name in his custody but owned by him. There is no transfer tax on this transaction. But let’s say that your son has made some wrong financial decisions and has borrowed too much money on his credit cards and decides to seek Chap-ter 7 bankruptcy relief. On his Chapter 7 petition he declares on schedule B that he has two retirement accounts, one is his own PERS from the city, the other the $150,000 401k that he inherited from you. On schedule C, he exempts both retirement accounts. Naturally, the Chapter 7 trustee objects to the claim of exemption for the $150,000 and argues that the $150,000 is not exempt because it is a 401k that was inherited therefore the retirement exemption does not apply. Who is correct?

Section 522(d)(12) of the bankruptcy code exempts “Retirement funds to the extent that those funds are in a fund or account that is exempt from taxation under section 401, 403,408,408A, 414,457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. In other words, these are accounts which have been certified by the IRS to be retirement accounts. Let’s say the $150,000 is in cash wrapped in saran wrap and hidden behind your restroom water closet.

This may qualify under provisions of the 1100 A.D. British Internal Revenue Code, but it certainly will not qualify as a retirement account under the American Internal Revenue Code of 1986. If your 401k plan is prepared by a person who failed all his math subjects in high school and college and whose college degree is in physical education with a minor in yoga, you may think you have a 401k plan, but that plan probably would not be one that is approved by the IRS under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Normally, 401k plans are prepared by actuaries. Actuaries are people who do not need to look at their fingers and toes to count, and they know how many strands of hair they have on their heads at any given time by extrapolating the number or hairs they were born with. If Mayans had actuaries, they would have known that December 21, 2012 was not the end of the world, that’s how accurate at math actuaries are.

The Mayans obviously ran out of fingers to count because as Mel Gibson (Apocalypto) knows very well, Mayans have a history of cutting heads from necks for the flimsiest of reasons. “What, you failed to file your 302 A.D. Mayan income tax return? Off with your head!”

In Re Seeling, in May 2007, the debtor inherited half of a tax deferred annuity ac-count. She rolled the proceeds of the annuity into an IRA in the decedent’s name for her benefit. Four years later, the debtor filed for Chapter 7 relief. She scheduled the IRA, which was then worth $52,975, and claimed the full amount as exempt pursuant to Section 522(d)(12). The trustee objected to the claim of exemption arguing that the money lost its status as “retirement funds” when it was rolled over into the IRA. The court disagreed and overruled the trustee’s objection. To qualify for the Section 522(d)(12) exemption money must be “retirement funds”, and be held in an account exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code sections 401, 403, 409, 408A,414,457 or 501(a) but the court found that Section 511(d)(12) does not specify for whose retirement the money must be set apart. “This Court finds itself in agreement with what appears to be a consensus. Individual retirement accounts are tax exempt under 26 U.S.C.∫ 408 and accordingly are exempt under the Bankruptcy Code, pursuant to Section 522(d)(12). The Bankruptcy Code requires no forensic analysis in order to determine from where those funds arose…”

Lawrence Bautista Yang is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has been in law practice for thirty years. He specializes in bankruptcy, business and civil litigation and has handled more than five thousand successful bankruptcy cases in California. He speaks Tagalog and looks forward to discussing your case with you personally. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 1000 S Fremont Ave Bldg A-1 Suite 1125 Unit 58 Alhambra, CA 91803.

Is inherited IRA exempt in bankruptcy?BANKRUPTCY

BY ATTY. LAWRENCE YANG

Los Angeles, 20 November 2012 – The Philippine Consul-ate General in Los Angeles will be closed on the following holidays:

Date (Day) Holiday1 January 2013 (Tuesday) New Year’s Day21 January 2013 (Monday) Martin Luther King DayRegular consular services will resume on the next business

day: 2 January 2013 and 22 January 2013, respectively.In emergency cases, the Duty officer can be reached at tele-

phone number (213) 268-9990.

Philippine Consulate closed on New Year’s Day, MLK Day


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The Department of Health (DOH) today signed Administrative Order No. 2012-0030, Guidelines on Foreign Surgical and Medical Mission Programs in Support of Universal Health Care/Kalusugan Pangkalahatan, in the conduct of foreign surgical and medical missions (FSMMs) as a major component in the success of the current DOH thrust of Universal Health Care (Kalusugan Pangkalahatan).According to Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona, FSMMs play an important role in the delivery of health care services, especially in attaining Universal Health Care. FSMMs are activities where medical interventions and/or surgical services are provided to selected un-derserved areas and communities by a foreign individual or organization in partnership with a local government unit, nongovernment organization, hospital or medical society. FSMM can either be a One-Time Conduct of medical Mission or an “Adopt-A-Hospital” Program.Ona added that FSMMs shall be implemented as a means of attaining and en-suring a more accessible quality and appropriate health services for the poor. It should complement, rather than duplicate existing government health programs. Its success needs the cooperation and collaboration of different stakeholders like Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Department of Interior and Lo-cal Government, local government units, and non-government organizations.In 2011 alone, 154 mission of varying nature were conducted in different parts of the country.

These areas include National Capital Region, Cebu, Bataan, South-ern Leyte, Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Abra, Quezon, and Sorsogon.During the implementation of some FSMMs, some challenges have been noted like proper identification of deserving areas where these missions are most needed, lack of structured programs for sustainability and continuity of care, and the need to en-hance procedures and processes for faster facilitation and coordination of the FSMMs.The DOH created an FSMM unit under the DOH-Bureau of International Health Co-operation (BIHC) and is currently setting-up an interactive website to facilitate FSMM applications.

DOH issues guidelines on foreign surgical and medical missions

(As many are preparing for the implementation of OBAMACARE, there may be developments that may not have been captured in this article. Please expect a lot of these new (and exciting) changes in how the nation procures health care for its people.)

One of the mandates of OBAMACARE is the establishment of an “EXCHANGE” – a Web-based health insurance supermarket. Exchanges are sup-posed to help individuals and business owners use new tax subsidies to buy from a menu of affordable, high quality health coverage by October 1, 2013. The Exchange plans are expected to start taking effect January 1, 2014.

The Center for Consumer Information and Insur-ance Oversight (CCIIO) is the agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that is tasked to oversee major OBAMACARE implementation activi-ties. They work with the States to ensure that the Exchanges are operational by January 1, 2014. Mr. Gary Cohen, former deputy commissioner of California Department of Insurance, is CCIIO head.

Some States need the Federal government to set up the Exchange for them. Others, like the State of California, are setting up the ExChanges on their own. Still others who have been ambivalent, the Federal government is expected to stand by to provide some fallback assistance to ensure that State Exchanges are operational by January 1, 2014 (Federal-State partnership). After all, EVERYONE is expected to have a health insur-ance, OR PAY A FINE, unless one is exempt.

The Exchange in California will be known as the “CALIFORNIA HEALTH BEN-EFIT EXCHANGE”. The State is making detailed plans to set up in time a state-run, state-based Exchange program for individuals called “COVERED CALIFORNIA” and an Exchange program for small employers called “SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH OPTIONS PROGRAM” (SHOP).

This early, many insurance carriers are busy packaging “essential health benefits”(EHB) to sell through the Exchanges. A qualified health plan (QHP) that sells coverage through an Exchange can offer up to four (4) “metal levels” of coverage rang-ing from a Bronze-level Plan, which would cover 60% of the actuarial value of the EHB package, to a Platinum-level Plan, which would cover 90%. (In addition to Silver and Gold, a Young Adult plan is also expected to be included.)

Many employers are setting up self-insured plans, where they assume the financial risk related to health insurance rather than transferring that risk to an insurance company in a fully-insured plan. In a similar vein, the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has proposed regulations to set up a Multi-State Plan Programs (MSPP) so individuals will have access to plans similar to Federal Employees’ Plans.

There are so many different components to the health exchange system. The Exchanges are supposed to be equipped to help individuals who are eligible for government health programs, such as Medicaid (MediCal in California) to enroll, in addition to helping users find commercial coverage.

Federal grants are available for states to set up the Exchange. In addition, the Federal Exchange will charge plans a user fee of up to 3.5% of premiums on (QHP) plans, it was announced. State-based Exchanges will devise their own formula for funding. The DHHS provides consumer support with a live chat system and a call center. It will develop a website where consumers may compare plans and enroll.

The States will mainly use “Navigators” to educate their constituents. This is a new “job concept” and job descriptions, qualifications, and compensations will vary by State. Guidelines on regulations to set up this position have been announced to be out soon. In the state of California, “Assisters” will be working side by side with “Navigators”

BY MON MONSALUD

SENIOR BENEFITS CORNER

Obamacare: The ‘Exchange’ in the Exchange’s outreach and education program. It is my hope that federal and state workers will be able to work together synergistically to effect real health care reform.

The coming year will be exciting times for the US as the nation gears up for new developments that will radically transform how we secure health care. OBAMACARE will not just mean major changes; it will be an upheaval in the US health care systems. The whole world will be watching!

A happy new year to everyone! You may reach me at 323-535-7373 or e-mail at: [email protected]. About the author: LEO MONSALUD hails from Sta. Cruz, Zambales where he obtained his elementary

education. He went to high school at Mary, Help of Christians – a minor seminary run by the SVDs (Societas Verbi Divini). He obtained his AB (economics) at the University of Manila (cum laude). He studied for his MBA and LAW at the University of the Phil-ippines (UP). He worked for the largest pharmaceuticals company in Southeast Asia, United Laboratories, INC. (UNILAB) where his last position held was vice-president/general manager of a product division. He was a joint venture partner at the San Miguel Corporation in an agribusiness project. He is presently contracted with life and health insurance and annuity companies. He holds a CA license #0G55218. He also holds a Non Resident License # 837521 for the state of Nevada.


FAMILY FEATURES

Citrus fruits are popu lar as snacks or sidekicks in the lunch box,

but they can bring a whole lot more to the family table.

With their sweet-tangy taste, juicy good ness and sunny colors, grapefruit, oranges and tangerines from Florida can be enjoyed in all kinds of dishes. Whether you use grapefruit juice in a milkshake, orange zest in baked goods, or tangerine slices in a stir-fry, there are plenty of ways to serve up some sunshine.

“Try cooking muffi ns in grapefruit rinds that have been halved and hollowed out,” suggested Justin Timineri, Executive Chef and Culinary Ambassador, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Or lightly grate the outer peel of citrus and use it when you’re cooking — the natural oils in the peel really enhance a dish.”

These recipes show you just some of the ways you can use delicious and healthy Florida citrus in your kitchen. For more recipes and ideas, visit http://bit.ly/fl oridacitrus.

Single Serve Fruity PizzaYield: 1 servingKids Can: This is fun for kids of all ages to make. Older kids can help slice, with supervision. 2 tablespoons light cream cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 9-inch whole-wheat pita bread 1 Florida orange, peeled and sectioned 1/4 cup Florida strawberries, sliced 1/4 cup Florida cantaloupe, sliced 1/4 cup Florida blueberriesCombine cream cheese and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until well blended. Spread over pitas. Decorate with fruit by creating fun faces and patterns.

Citrus Dream MilkshakeYield: 4 servingsKids Can: Younger kids can pour and push the blender button. Older kids can make this by themselves. 1/2 cup Florida orange juice 1/2 cup Florida grapefruit juice 1/2 cup low-fat milk 1 tablespoon sugar 2 drops vanilla extract 4 cups icePour orange juice, grapefruit juice, milk, sugar and vanilla extract into a blender with ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass, add a straw and serve. Garnish with sliced fruit.

Chef Justin Timineri


FOOD & DINING

Citrus and Honey Butter PancakesYield: 4 to 6 servingsKids Can: Younger kids can measure, pour and mix. Older kids can cook the pancakes, with supervision. 3/4 cup Florida orange juice 1/2 cup honey, divided 1 lemon, zested 1 egg 3/4 cup whole-wheat fl our 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal, fi nely ground 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder Pinch of sea salt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened Vegetable oil for cooking Preheat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium-low heat.

In medium-sized mixing bowl, combine orange juice, 1/4 cup honey, lemon zest and egg. Use a whisk to make sure ingredients are mixed well.

In separate mixing bowl, combine dry ingredi ents (fl our, cornmeal, baking powder and salt). Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients using whisk to make sure mixture is combined.

In small bowl, combine softened butter and remaining honey, and set aside.

Add small amount of vegetable oil to pre heated pan or griddle. Using a 1/4 cup measure

“C” Why Vitamin C

Is So Good for YouCitrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C. Why is vitamin C important? It does a lot in your body: Helps heal cuts and wounds Keeps your teeth and gums healthy Helps your body absorb iron Is needed to make collagen in

bones, cartilage, muscle and blood vessels

Sweet Tangerine Beef and Vegetable Stir FryYield: 4 servingsKids Can: Gather and measure ingredients; mix the sauce. Older kids can help slice, with supervision. 1 1/2 pounds beef, sliced thin 1 bunch scallions, sliced 3 tablespoons fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped fi ne 1 sweet red bell pepper, sliced thin 1 Florida tangerine, zested and juiced, separated 2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon light low sodium soy sauce 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 Florida tangerines, peeled and sectioned Cooked brown riceIn medium sized mixing bowl, combine beef, scallions, ginger, bell peppers, tangerine zest and cornstarch. Mix ingredients well to coat.

Preheat a large sauté pan over medium high heat.

In small mixing bowl combine tangerine juice, soy sauce and sugar. Stir ingredients until sugar is dissolved.

Add vegetable oil to preheated sauté pan. Carefully add beef mixture to pan. Cook while stirring constantly until the beef is browned and slightly crispy.

Add soy sauce mixture and cook until sauce is thickened.

Toss in fresh tangerine segments and serve over brown rice.

for each pancake, carefully pour batter into pan or griddle.

Cook pancakes until they start to bubble on the uncooked side, about 2 to 3 minutes. When the bubbles start to appear, fl ip each pancake in the pan, and let cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat cooking procedure until all the pancake batter is cooked. Serve pancakes warm with the honey butter.

Keep pancakes warm on a cookie sheet in a 200°F oven until you are ready to serve.


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Starting off the day with a latte isn’t just a way to get a quick morning pick-me-up — it’s a way to get a quick boost of nutrients. A latte can deliver a full serving of milk’s nine essential nutrients, including

calcium, vitamin D and potas sium. It also has eight grams of high-quality protein in eight ounces — even more than an egg.

Being your own barista lets you customize your morning latte — and save money. Here are some tips and latte recipes to help you get the day off to a great start.

Tips for Steaming Milk Always start with cold milk.

If using a steam wand, experiment with the depth of the wand and how close it is to the edge of the milk container. Where you place the wand affects the milk’s texture.

It takes practice to get an even texture, so be patient and enjoy your experiments.

If you don’t have a steam wand or milk frother, you can steam milk on the stove top.

Put cold milk in a sauce pan — making sure there’s room for the foam.

Put the stove burner on low heat. (If you’re using an electric stove, heat the element before putting the pan on it.)

Whisk the milk. Whisk faster as the milk heats.

Don’t let the milk boil.

Once you have enough foam, remove the pan from heat.

Create a Custom LatteYou can fi nd fl avored syrups at many grocery stores. Use a shot glass measuring cup marked with ounces to help you get just the right amount of syrup.

You can also fi nd great fl avors in your spice cabinet. Try cinnamon, nutmeg, and even pumpkin pie spice in your latte.

For a really decadent fi nish that won’t add fat, top your latte with a little nonfat whipped topping and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.

You can fi nd more tips and recipes for lattes and other coffee drinks at www.MilkMustache.com.

Latte LoveMakes 1 serving, 8 ounces of milk per serving

1 ounce sugar-free chocolate sauce1/2 ounce sugar-free peppermint syrup1 cup fat free milk2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee IceCombine chilled espresso or coffee, milk and syrups in a tall glass fi lled with ice and stir well.

Nutrition: 140 calories; 0 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 8 g protein; 25 g carbohydrates; 0 g fi ber; 140 mg sodium; 300 mg calcium (30% of daily value).

Morning Pick-Me-UpMakes 1 serving, 8 ounces of milk per serving

1/2 ounce sugar-free caramel syrup1/2 ounce sugar-free hazelnut syrup1 cup fat free milk2 shots espresso or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffeeSteam together milk and syrup. Pour heated, fl avored milk into a mug and add brewed espresso or coffee. Spoon a thin layer of foamed milk over beverage. Drizzle with caramel if desired.

Nutrition: 80 calories; 0 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 8 g protein; 13 g carbohydrates; 0 g fi ber; 130 mg sodium; 300 mg calcium (30% of daily value).


ENTERTAINMENTDespite the success and all the blessings she’s been receiving, young actress Julia

Montes admitted that she sometimes misses her simple life.“Siguro ‘yung minsan kasi kapag artista tini-treat ka ng iba, tini-treat ka ng espesyal.

Minsan nami-miss ko ‘yung normal ka lang. ‘Yung hindi ka tinitignan as artista. Minsan kasi awkward ‘yung feeling na papaupuin ka dahil artista ka yung ganoon,” Montes said.

She added: “At saka nami-miss ko din ‘yung nakakapag-church ako every Sunday.”After starring in “Mara Clara,” Montes further gained popularity when she did the

phenomenal series “Walang Hanggan” opposite Coco Martin.Currently, Montes is gearing up for a movie with Martin and is also promoting the

independent film “The Strangers,” an official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

In the interview, Montes also shared her feelings about turning 18 in March.

“Excited po on parang dahil magbi-birthday ako pero kinakabahan ako dahil 18 na. Pero sa akin, baby pa din ako,” Montes said.

Asked if she will finally entertain suitors when she turns 18, Montes replied: “Ewan ko lang po kay Lola (Flory Hautea) ko.”

Montes, who’s now being linked to Martin and Enchong Dee, said she is happy right now.

“Okay po ako, happy po ako. Happy kasi maraming sumusuporta sa family, happy dahil hindi ko ini-expect na nandiyan pa din sila what-ever happens,” she said. (MNS)

Julia Montes misses the simple life

After being together for more than three years now, actor Dingdong Dantes admitted he is hoping to settle down with girlfriend Marian Rivera “very soon.”

Dantes said he has not yet asked for Rivera’s hand for marriage but it is his dream for them to get married.

“Siyempre it is my dream to have that very soon. There’s a proper time for that and I’m hoping na makarating na tayo very soon. Wala pang pamamanhikan,” he said.

Dantes, who is busy promoting his upcoming movie “One More Try” for Star Cinema, said they are just enjoying their time together since their respective work schedules are equally hectic.

“Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yung short trips. Minsan nga kahit ‘yung sa eroplano lang, masaya na ako doon eh,” he said.

Just recently, their relationship was plagued with rumors after the actor got linked to TV host-actress Isabelle Daza.

Dantes, however, assured everyone that his relationship with Rivera has only gotten stronger.

“In fact, we’ve never been this happy. Confident naman kami sa relationship namin, that we’re stronger now than we were before,” he said.

Apart from Dantes, “One More Try” also stars Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo. An entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, the movie opens in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day. (MNS)

Julia Montes

Dingdong hopes to marry Marian ‘very soon’

On January 18th and 19th at 8pm the “Megastar” of the Philippines, Sharon Cuneta will perform at the world-renowned Pechanga Theater. The performance will also feature a guest performance by Sha-ron’s eldest daughter, KC Concepcion. In recent times, Pechanga Resort & Casino’s Theater has given host to a multitude of talented Filipino performers; in November, veteran Filipino actor Richard Gomez and OPM legend Rico J. Puno gave masterful performances to the Pechanga Theater audience. Now, for a two-night limited en-gagement, Sharon Cuneta and her daughter KC Concepcion will treat the audiences to an eclectic night of music.

Sharon Cuneta, who is commonly referred to as “Mega”, is arguably one of the most legendary figures in the Filipino entertainment industry and has been for several generations. Most notably, she is known for her extremely successful career as an actress, having been nicknamed the “Box Office Queen” of Philippine cinema; regardless, she has also enjoyed a success-ful career as a singer, TV host, and a public personality. During her musical career she has recorded 40 albums, many of which have become contemporary and classic hits both in the Philippines and internationally.

Sharon Cuneta’s performance will also feature her daughter, KC Concepcion. KC, like her mother, has become an entertain-ment phenomenon in the Philippines with a successful career as an actress, singer, MTV Asia host and also as a National Ambassador Against Hunger for the UN’s World Food Program. This performance will undoubtedly satisfy the desires of fans that are interested in either classic or contemporary OPM genre.

Tickets are available at the Pechanga

Sharon Cuneta with special guest KC Concepcion at Pechanga Resort & Casino

Box office or online at www.Pechanga.com/tickets.

Experience it all at Pechanga Resort & Casino

As the largest casino in the Western U.S., Pechanga offers an all-inclusive AAA Four-Diamond luxury resort in the heart of Southern California’s Wine Country of the Temecula Valley. With more than 3,800 slots, 130+ table games, and a 54-table poker room, the resort boasts the soar-ing elevation changes of the Journey at Pechanga course, ranked as the 4th “Best New Course You Can Play” by GOLF Magazine in 2009. The 445-acre resort also includes a full-service spa, featuring a couple’s massage suite; nine award-winning restaurants and a 24-hour food court; superstar concerts in its theater; a comedy club; world title boxing events;

and three clubs and lounges, including Silk, the largest nightclub in Southern Califor-nia. Come experience it all at Pechanga Resort & Casino!

Luxury Tour Bus daily departureTake a ride on their comfortable and

convenient buses that frequent Pechanga Resort & Casino every day. For more in-formation please call: 1-877-711-2win or visit website at www.pechanga.com

Address: 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592.

After being together for more than three years now, actor Dingdong Dantes admitted he is hoping to settle down with girlfriend Marian Rivera “very soon.”

Dantes said he has not yet asked for Rivera’s hand for marriage but it is his dream for them to get married.

“Siyempre it is my dream to have that very soon. There’s a proper time for that and I’m hoping na makarating na tayo very soon. Wala pang pamamanhikan,” he said.

Dantes, who is busy promoting his upcoming movie “One More Try” for Star Cinema, said they are just enjoying their time together since their respective work schedules are equally hectic. “Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yung short trips. Minsan nga kahit ‘yung sa eroplano lang, masaya na ako doon eh,” he said.

Dingdong hopes to marry Marian ‘very soon’


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Since it is chemical-free, many people seemed to have some questions about Keratin. Now, I’ll answer some of questions that I get the most.

First of all, Brazilian Keratin is made by flowers, trees, fruits, all natural ingredients, this won’t damage your hair, and in fact, this will repair your damaged hair (by highlights, too much use of straigtner and et cetera).

Second, Keratin Treatment lasts 3-4 months, of course, I would say it depends on the condition of individual hair. And unlike magic straight which you can just touch up the roots, you have to do it all over.

Third, After Keratin, we STRONGLY recommend to use keratin shampoo and conditioner to make your shiny hair last longer. Or, you can use such shampoos that don’t have chloridized natrium in it. Also, we recommend not to wash your hair for 48-72 hours after Keratin.

Lastly, For the best result, if you want to color or coat your hair with Keratin, we recommend to color or coat your hair first, then you can do Keratin Treatment on the same day you color your hair. However, if you did Keratin already, and you want to color your hair, wait 2 weeks, then color your hair, that is a smart way that we recommend.

Brazilian Keratin, unlike regular Magic Straight, doesn’t take that much time. It only takes 1-2 hours and you experience the most shiny, healthy hair that you never experienced before for 12-16weeks.

If you have curly hair, damaged, or messy hair, try Keratin Treatment and save your time in the morning.

For healthy, strong hair, you can do magic straight first, then do Keratin, that is another option.

If you have any questions at all, or you have problems and need help, please consult with us, get the best advice from Parkjun’s Beauty Lab professionals, and have gorgeous hair.

When it comes to hair, make-up, skin care, and medical massage therapy Park

Jun’s, which is South Korea’s most famous beauty salon, is a cut above the rest. Little wonder it is the Number One selling hair design franchise in the global market. It’s branches are all over the world – in the Philippines, Paris, London, Vancouver, China, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and here in Southern California.

The reason why Park Jun’s excellence is known far and wide is because of its impeccable service and professionalism. Before Park Jun’s hair designers are accepted into the job, they are taught cutting edge techniques from Korea.

“They have to have many experiences in order to work in the field,” said Alice, who owns the Sherman Way shop. “Park Jun’s hair designers truly do have different techniques that we taught them from Korea.”

Park Jun’s prides itself as hair and makeup artist of the reigning “Miss Hi-Teen Korea” winner, and other Filipino-American celebrities.

The Park Jun’s Van Nuy’s branch is located at 17613 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406. Tel. 818-757-0675; 818-757-0680. Website: www.parkjun.com.

BY ALICE SHIN

HAIRSOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS

Our customers’ questions for Brazilian Keratin Treatment

When it comes to skincare, women and men are taking serious aim at enlarged pores.

“The obsession over pores has increased given the link between pore size and skin radiance. Everyone knows that the smaller the pore, the younger, tighter and healthier skin looks,” says board-certified derma-tologist Dr. Jody Levine. While we can’t change our genes, Levine confirms there is hope for keeping enlarged pores at bay. “Properly caring for your skin and follow-ing a dedicated skincare regimen is a must in the battle against enlarged pores.”

Pore size is exacerbated by dirt and oil—both of which lead to inflammation and acne—so keeping skin clean is es-sential.

Take aim at skin imperfections“Your skin needs to breathe, so remem-

ber to wash your face each morning and night to remove oils, makeup and so on,” she advises. “Avoid using harsh soaps on your face, as abrasive products can ag-gravate skin.”

Dr. Levine recommends a targeted regimen from Algenist Skincare’s Multi-Perfecting Collection for the ongoing treatment of pores. “The Pore Corrector Concentrate is a must-have for tightening pores, reducing discoloration, smoothing roughness and refining skin texture.” Inde-pendent clinical testing found the product smooths skin texture by 24 percent and decreases pore size by 10 percent.

It’s available at www.Algenist.com, Sephora and QVC. (NAPS)

For smooth, fl awless skin, treat pores properly. Photo: iStockphoto.com/svetikd.


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1) Exchange (J-1), Religious Workers (R-1, EB-4)

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PERSONAL INJURYAuto / Bicycle / Motorcycle AccidentsSlip / Trip and Fall AccidentsDog BitesBus / Train Accidents

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ESTATE PLANNING• Wills And Living Trust• Power of Attorney• Health Care Directives• Transfer of Property into Trust

BANKRUPTCY• Chapter 7• Chapter 13• Emergency Filings

We are now living in the worst economy since the Great Depression. With millions of people being unemployed and struggling with foreclosure, debt problems have become common. Of course, debt is a very personal matter so most people don’t talk about it. You may not realize this but chances are that someone close to you, perhaps a family member, a friend or a co-worker is seriously struggling with debt at this moment and have not told anyone about it. They seriously need help but don’t even know where to begin.

Like most people, you’ve worked hard, paid your taxes and have done your best to pay all your bills

on time. But at some stage in life, all of us get into debt. Money problems can easily overlap into other areas of our lives. Many people feel hopeless and powerless over their debt problems. I have seen marriages become unstable and relationships destroyed forever. If you are currently in debt, rather than allowing your money problems to affect your life in such a dramatic way, filing for bankruptcy protection may help you get your life back on track.

If your liabilities exceed your total assets, you’ve suffered a job loss, are facing foreclosure or have bills you can no longer afford to pay, Congress has enacted bank-ruptcy laws that can help you get your finances in order. I know that the mere thought of bankruptcy makes most people nervous so they avoid exploring their options until it’s too late. I find this unfortunate because in a lot of cases, people could have turned their situation around much sooner had they taken the time to find out what their legal rights are. Some people wait too long to file bankruptcy even when it is their only op-tion. In the process, they use up hard-earned assets like their retirement plan, savings accounts, etc. but in the end they realize that this was nothing more than a temporary fix to a lingering problem.

If you’ve come to the end of your financial rope and don’t know what else to do, it is time to face your debt problems with dignity and do what your situation calls for. I am not saying that bankruptcy is for everyone but after being a bankruptcy attorney for almost 14 years now and having represented thousands of clients in bankruptcy, what I have seen is that oftentimes, bankruptcy is THE ONLY WAY for most people in debt to get a fresh start when they are in over their heads in debt. If bankruptcy is the best option for you, you don’t need to keep living paycheck to paycheck while digging a deeper financial hole every single month. Yes, bankruptcy may be a scary thing for a lot of people who don’t understand the process but once you’ve taken the time to find out how it works and how it could help you get out of debt, you may realize that it’s actually not as difficult as you first may have thought.

Dealing with financial problems can result in stress, fear and embarrassment. Maybe you hesitate seeing an attorney for fear that you will face criticism. Remember this: With the current economy in turmoil, more and more people are filing for bankruptcy protection so you are not alone. The stigma that once surrounded bankruptcy has almost disappeared. Once you consult with a bankruptcy attorney, you may soon discover that the law is actually on your side and that you just need to let the legal process work for you.

To schedule a free consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. We have of-fices in Glendale, Cerritos, West Covina and Valencia.

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situ-ation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

Are you feeling hopeless about your debt problems?MINDING YOUR

FINANCES

BY ATTY. RAY BULAON

Is there a difference between a bank loan officer and a mortgage broker? Nowadays, bank loan of-ficers don’t have generalized rates, meaning if you call a major bank loan officer in one branch for a loan quote, you could possibly shop the same bank but different branch and get a different price quote? Why is that, loan officers are driven by sales commissions and sales quota, does not matter if it’s the largest bank you are talking to, all loan officers will price your rates and fees slightly different, so make sure you do your homework and shop your best rates and fees.

If you are looking for a mortgage, you may have been advised that it’s better to go through a mortgage broker. This seems to make sense. After all the broker works with mortgages all the time. So of course the broker knows more than you. Brokers are experts, aren’t they? Especially now, mortgage brokers have to have a license called NMLS which some banks don’t require their loan agents to have, therefore speaking to a educated and well trained loan officer or broker is critical to your next 30 days process to closing on a home loan.This is generally true. But it doesn’t mean that you have to accept everything the bro-ker says, or be completely uncritical. There are some things you need to look out for.• At one time just about anyone could set up as a mortgage broker. Now brokers have to be regulated by the NMLS (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System) go to their website to check on brokers licenses : mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/

All brokers are supposed to offer advice and a recommendation. Beware of a mortgage broker who claims only to offer information. This may be to forestall potential complaints.• Be extremely wary of a broker who encourages you to bend the truth in order to get the mortgage you want. It’s part of the mortgage broker’s job to make sure you get a mortgage which you can afford and which is right for your circumstances.• Some mortgage brokers will tell you that they are “Direct Lenders” when they only in fact mortgage bankers or brokers.

Direct lenders nowadays to me does not mean a thing, it really only means the direct lending company is funding the loan under their name temporarily. Sooner than later all loans are sold in the secondary market and then your servicers will take over.

A mortgage broker who works on a commission basis may seem cheaper. But can you really be sure that the broker is recommending the product that is best for you, rather than being swayed by the commission? Of course most brokers are honest and genuine. And they are actually bound by their professional code to give the advice that is in the client’s best interests. But if this is a worry for you, choose one that operates on a fee basis.• If you do use a mortgage broker who operates on a fee basis, avoid one who expects you to pay the bill before completion of the transaction. This can cause problems if things change or break down later on. Check at the beginning when the broker expects

How to pick your mortgage broker

See KEN GO, page 33

MORTGAGE UPDATE

BY KEN GO


• Notice of Intent to Deny/Revoke• Fiancé & Spouse (K1/K3)• Student Visas (F1/M1)• J1 Waiver (212e)• Visitors (B1, B2)• Crewman & Transits (C1, D1)• Battered Spouse/Child (VAWA)• Child Status Protection (CSPA)• Removal of Conditions (I751)• Citizenship and Naturalization• All other Related Matters

• Request for Evidence (RFE)• Labor Certification (PERM)• Nurse and P.T. Petitions• Specialty Workers (H1B)• Treaty Traders & Investors (E)• Adjustment of Status (I485)• Family Petitions (I130)• Employment Petitions (I140)• Intercompany Transfer (L1)• Extraordinary Ability (O1)• Investor Visa ($1M. $500K)• Artists & Athletes (P1, P3)• Religious Workers (R1)• AAO Appeals & MTR

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(626) 240-4688 www.dandrealaw.com • [email protected]

Washington D.C. Bar • American Bar Association • American Immigration Lawyers Association • Federal Bar Association • Orange County Bar • Los Angeles County Bar

FREE CONSULTATION

The year 2013 is almost upon us and it is time to look forward and make plans for the upcoming year. Will 2013 be the year you resolve your immigration problems? Will 2013 be the year you consult an ex-perienced and knowledgeable immigration firm about your immigration rights in the U.S.?

The future for immigrants in the U.S. is full of hope. Obtaining permanent resident status or becoming a U.S. citizen is a distinct possibility for many people. However, too many people are afraid to confront their immigration problems and seek help. Many of these people mistakenly believe that their case is hopeless because they entered the U.S. under an assumed name, or because they overstayed their allowable time in the U.S. by several years. Other people mistakenly believe they have no options because their U.S. citizen spouse has died, or they are simply afraid to apply for U. S. citizenship because of a prior criminal conviction. Regardless of a person’s individual circumstances, what everybody has in common is that they have created a life for themselves in the U.S. and they want to continue that life.

However, since problems don’t resolve themselves, continuing to live in the U.S. may only be possible if you confront your immigration problem. The first step is to consult a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney.

A good immigration lawyer will be able to tell the non-citizen what options are avail-able to them. Relief is available for many immigration problems. In fact, thanks to certain changes in 2012, more help is now available than it has been in many years.

One big developments in 2012 was the creation of Deferred Action for Childhood Ar-rivals (DACA). DACA is targeted to young people that were brought to the U.S. by their parents before they turned 16-years-old. If a person qualifies for DACA, they will be entitled to deferred action and work authorization for two years.

A second major change concerns the Child Status Protection Act (CPSA). In an exciting victory for Reeves & Associates and the members of the class action, the 9th Circuit, the court found that, under CSPA, derivative beneficiaries may recapture the earlier priority date of petitions filed for their parents. This ruling holds great promise for the reunifica-tion of parents and children.

There are also many other immigration problem where relief may be available. Non-citizens who entered with a false name in their passport may be eligible for a waiver of that misrepresentation if they have a parent or spouse who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The non-citizen must show that their parent and/or spouse will suffer “extreme hardship” if the non-citizen is forced to return to their home country.

Another common problem occurs when some people obtain their green card by lying about their marital status. Here, again, it may be possible to obtain a waiver if the non-citizen has a parent, spouse, or son or daughter who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. They may be able to keep their green cards and even become U.S. citizens if they can show that they have more favorable than unfavorable facts in their case.

Waivers are also available for both green card holders and those with no status who have criminal convictions.

However, you can’t receive any of these benefits if you don’t apply for them and you can’t apply for them if you don’t know they exist. The only way to know if you qualify for an immigration benefit is to consult an experienced and knowledgeable immigration attorney.

Hopefully 2013 will bring far reaching beneficial changes for immigrants. But some immigrants need not need to wait any longer. Existing law may afford them an avenue for relief that will help them keep their resolution to resolve their immigration problem in 2013!

Robert L. Reeves, who is board-certified, has been specializing in immigration law for more than 30 years. He has a national reputation as an immigration rights advocate and has successfully represented more than 18,000 immigrants at the CIS and hundreds more in the United States federal courts. He is licensed to practice law before the U.S Supreme Court, the U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, several U.S. District Courts and California State Courts. Reeves has represented clients in numerous landmark immigra-tion cases that have set new policies regarding CIS action and immigrants’ rights. His many successes have been published in Interpreter Releases, Immigration Briefings and AILA Monthly, which are nationally recognized immigration periodicals widely read by immigration lawyers, State Department and immigration officials. His cases are also cited in textbooks as a guide to other immigration practitioners. His offices are located in Pasadena, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Makati City. Tel. no.: 1-800-795-8009; e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.rreeves.com.

Resolve to solve your immigration problems in 2013

BY ATTY. ROBERT L. REEVES

IMMIGRATIONSOLUTIONS


Establishing parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610.

Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child.

A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girl-friend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby’s life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because

her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend.One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration

of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33.

Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611:

(a) He and the child’s natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court.

(b) Before the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true:

(1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce.

(2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation.

(c) After the child’s birth, he and the child’s natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true:

(1) With his consent, he is named as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate.(2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court

order.(d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural

child.(e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages

in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child’s father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative.

(f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied.

An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who

has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.Ct. (Jerry K.)(1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877

The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets preg-nant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage.

This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612. Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute’s underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675.

Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may

BARRISTER'S CORNER

BY KENNETH REYES & DARRICK TAN

How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried

See REYES, page 33


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be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.

This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of South-western University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Admin-istration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail [email protected] or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

REYES

KEN GO

From page 32

From page 30the fee to be paid.

Experience mortgage brokers are a big help they can source out different lenders to find a suitable financing package for you.

Make sure you not only feel comfort-able but confident that your mortgage bro-ker can deliver and close your loan on time.

Buying a house now will be a great focus for the coming years due to the Real Estate market showing traction.Always remember you are the customer. Don’t let yourself be over-awed by the broker’s expertise.

A good mortgage broker will always

be happy for you to check everything and ensure that everything is being done in your best interests.

Most important advice for you to follow, get all the fee and rate quotes in writing and make them guarantee it. Ken Go a mortgage Broker for 26 years and have gone thru market ups and down, will have a lot of experience to share with you and knowledge to lead you to the right direc-tion in home financing. ' For more help or inquiries, call Ken Go at (562) 697-7028 or write to [email protected] NMLS #238636.

Answer: Yes. You would have to fall under the definition of a minister and be petitioned as an R-1. A minister is defined as: (1) Fully authorized and trained in religious denomination to conduct religious worship and perform other duties usually performed by clergy of denomination;

(2) Is not a lay preacher or a person not authorized to perform clergy’s duties;

(3) Performs activities rationally related to being a minister; and

(4) Works solely as a minister in the U.S. which may include incidental administrative duties. May be part-time (20 hours per week)

Deacons, practitioners of Christian Science and officers of the Salvation Army may be deemed ministers.

Question: I know somebody who is not a priest, but want to be petitioned in an R-1 capacity. Can this be done?

Answer: Yes, if you meet the requirements for a Religious Worker. This would be defined as:

(1) Member of a religious denomination for at least 2 years immediately preceding the time of application for admission that has a bona fide nonprofit religious organiza-tion in the U.S.;

(2) Must be coming to work at least in a part-time position (20 hours);Must be coming to perform a religious vocation or occupation in either a professional

or nonprofessional capacity.Question: What is considered a religious occupation?Answer: The duties must primarily relate to: (i) a traditional religious function and

be recognized as a religious occupation within the denomination; (ii) clearly involve inculcating or carrying out the religious creed and beliefs of the denomination; (iii) not include positions that are primarily administrative or support such as janitors, mainte-nance workers, clerical employees, fundraisers, person solely involved in solicitation of donations or similar positions but may include incidental administrative duties to religious functions; and (iv) not be solely for religious study or training for religious work, although a religious worker is not barred from such training or study.

Question: What is a religious vocation?Answer: A form of lifetime commitment through vows, investitures, ceremonies or

similar indicia to a religious way of life such as nuns, monks, and religious brothers and sisters. Distinguished from secular members of the denomination.

Question: What is considered a religious occupation?Answer: The duties must primarily relate to: (i) a traditional religious function and

be recognized as a religious occupation within the denomination; (ii) clearly involve inculcating or carrying out the religious creed and beliefs of the denomination; (iii) not include positions that are primarily administrative or support such as janitors, mainte-nance workers, clerical employees, fundraisers, person solely involved in solicitation of donations or similar positions but may include incidental administrative duties to religious functions; and (iv) not be solely for religious study or training for religious work, although a religious worker is not barred from such training or study.

Question: How do I get petitioned for an R-1?Answer: The employer files the I-129 with attestation and supporting documenta-

tion. You cannot self-petition like special immigrants. Department of State no longer

grants an R visa without an approved I-129. However, an approved petition is prima facie evidence of entitlement to R-1 status and a consular officer should refer cases to USCIS for reconsideration “sparingly.” Before requesting review of the I-129 by US-CIS the consular officer “must have specific evidence of a requirement for automatic revocation, misrepresentation in the petition process, lack of qualification on the part of the beneficiary, or of previously unknown facts, which might alter USCIS’s finding...”

Answer: The employer must then file the attestation by authorized official of the religious organization showing that: (i) the employer is a bona fide nonprofit religious organization or affiliate of one and is tax exempt; (ii) the beneficiary has been a member of the denomination for at least 2 years and is otherwise qualified for the position; (iii) the number of members of the religious organization; (iv) the number of employees who work at the same location and a summary of their responsibilities. USCIS may request a list of all employees, their titles and duties and employment description; (v) number of R-1 or Special Immigrant visa or status holders employed within last 5 years; (vi) number of NIV and IV applications filed in last 5 years; (vii) title and detailed description of position offered; (viii) salaried or nonsalaried compensation in position; (ix) employ-ment will be at least 20 hrs per week; (x) location of employment; and (x) applicant will not be engaged in secular employment.

Question: Can my spouse and children come to the U.S. when I get my R-1?Answer: Yes, they will receive an R-2. Subject to same time limits as principal, and

also may obtain benefit of recapturing time out of U.S. However, they cannot accept employment. R-2s “are not required to demonstrate a residence abroad which they have no intention of abandoning.”

Brian D. Lerner is an Immigration and Naturalization Attorney. He is a Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law as Certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Lerner is married to a Filipina and has been helping Filipinos immigrate to the United States for nearly 20 years. His firm represents clients in Deportation/Removal proceedings, does Waivers, Appeals, Naturalization, Adjust-ments, Criminal Relief, Citizenship, Consulate Processing, Work Permits, Investment Visas and all other areas of Immigration and Naturalization Law. You can go online to www.californiaimmigration.us and get a free consultation or call us at 800.819.0149 or at (562) 495-0554 for an in-person office consultation. Atty. Lerner has two offices in Southern California: Los Angeles – at the Philippine Village located at 4515 Eagle Rock Blvd., Ste. 104, Los Angeles, CA 90041 (323-454-7591) and in Long Beach – at 3233 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803 ( 562-495-0554) and also in the Philippines at Unit 3D, ABBA 1 Building 5756 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati, Philippines 1200 (63) 882-3941.

BY BRIAN D. LERNER

IMMIGRATION TODAY

Question: I am a priest. Can I get a visa to come to the U.S.?


CHOIceIMMIGRATION CORNER

BY ATTY. PAUL CHOI

(Paul Choi is an immigration attorney and professor of law located at 16000 Ventura Blvd. Ste 1201, Encino, CA. 91436. Atty Choi will answer all questions regarding immigration and naturalization for free. Address questions to [email protected] or telephone 818 714-2226. Atty. Choi is pleased to announce that his administrator is Philip Abramowitz .)

Question: I filed a visa petition for my step-child who lives in Manila last year. It has been pending at the USCIS for almost a year when I finally received a reply. It was not an approval but rather a document called a Request for Evidence. It asks me for more documents such as my marriage certificate, divorce certificate, birth certificate of my step son and an explanation how I received my greencard. This is a lot of information to submit and the USCIS only gave me less than 90 days to reply. What happens if I do not reply on time? Why did I receive this document? Does this mean that my case will be denied? If I reply, will I receive an approval from the USCIS?

Answer: Requests for Evidence or RFEs are usually sent by the USCIS after the filing of a petition or application for immigration benefits because the USCIS has determined that either the petitioner or beneficiary has not provided sufficient proof to warrant approval or it has ques-tions regarding the submission.

To avoid the RFE, it is best to be sure that you carefully and fully prepare the USCIS applica-tion and the required supporting documentation. Before completing or submitting an immigration form, it is always recommended to carefully read and follow the instructions that are provided with the form. The instructions are the guidelines that the USCIS uses to adjudicate the application so it is very important to follow these instructions. They are also available at www.uscis.gov.

On the other hand, putting irrelevant and unnecessary information in your application or petition can harm you. Professional help in preparing your case is sometimes a good idea. A knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney can make sure that your application is properly prepared and ready for submission and approval.

However, if you do receive a RFE, here are some tips on replying to the RFE so your petition has the best chance of being approved.

Read the RFE carefully Having dealt with so many RFEs, we have noticed that many people do not want to read

the RFEs carefully or they simply do not understand the lingo. If you do not understand all the questions or statements, you may wish to ask for professional assistance. However, usually if you reread the RFE several times and note each and every request, you are off to a good start. It is important not to overlook any of the requests of the USCIS. If you submit only some of the documents or evidence requested, your petition could be denied. In short, be thorough in your reply. Do not leave anything out or you risk not fully responding to the USCIS request which the USCIS can take as avoidance of the issue and use it as grounds for denial.

Do not panic when you receive the RFE An RFE does not mean that your case will be denied. It usually just means that the USCIS

has more questions or is seeking additional documents. If you fully comply, your case has a good chance of approval if the application is meritorious. RFEs are common tools in the USCIS toolbox and are provided for by regulation. Their purpose is to give you a second chance to fix any errors or omissions in your application. Use this oportunity to your advantage. You should not panic. On the other hand, you shouldn‘t take it lightly. Be sure to timely comply or have a good reason why a full response is not necessary and explain this in your reply.

Do not miss the deadline when answering the RFE Answer your RFEs on time. Indeed, many people believe that they can request additional

time to answer their RFEs. Unfortunately, USCIS has not been giving additional time to answer RFEs. Missing the deadline will most likely result in a denial. At this point, you may have to file an appeal, a motion to reopen the case, or refile if possible. Therefore it bears repeating: Do not be late. It is also a good idea to respond using an overnight service such as FEDEX or UPS or USPS and request confirmation of delivery so there is no issue that you did not reply. I have seen instances where the USCIS claimed it never received a reply and denied the application. Keep receipts.

Do not file the RFE in parts Many people think that they can answer part of the RFE and then wait for USCIS to ask for

more. Unfortunately, the way USCIS functions, it rarely sends another RFE. In short, you have one chance; give it your best shot. Therefore, it is essential that you answer all the questions as concisely as possible and provide all the evidence requested of you at the same time. Failure to do so will probably result in a denial.

Organize your answer in a clear manner Remember you are not writing an essay. Stay concise and to the point. The officers who

read your reply have hundreds of files on their desks. They want to read it and move on to the next case. Make sure you document your answer with exhibits. If possible include a table of contents for ready reference.. Write your RFE in a way that’s easy to navigate. Keep in mind that an actual person will be reading your RFE. Hence, the more understandable your RFE, the better your chances for approval.

Consider Using a lawyer to answer, if the RFE is too complicated Using a lawyer can sometimes make a difference. Often times RFEs have important points of

law which need to be addressed by someone with legal knowledge. The issuance of the RFE can be a hint that your application or petition is deficient by law and that you are headed for denial. Take this notice as a wake-up call and be sure you have covered all the required bases to have your petition approved. A good place to start is at the USCIS website where it gives instructions for the form you filed. Be sure to carefully read the instructions to make sure your application is not deficient. Keep in mind that often a denial of your case can result in a permanent ban. Be thorough.

Remember to put the colored paper at the top of your answer Most RFEs are sent in colored paper (usually blue). It is essential that this cover letter goes

above all your answers including the cover letter. Failure to do this might delay your case or even possibly lead to a rejected case. The USCIS uses the barcode and case number to route your reply to the correct officer. Don’t lose this paper and include it in your reply.

Make sure you are mailing to the right address The RFE will indicate where you should mail your answer. Make sure you are mailing it to

the right address. If you fail to comply, the answer will probably be lost and you may get a denial. Be polite when answering Last but not least, be polite when you write your response. I have seen cases where the person

answering will be insulting USCIS because they have either asked for something already submit-ted or asking for clarification in a non relevant matter. Remember, many cases are decided by the discretion of the adjudicating officer. Answering in a polite and civilized manner can go a long way towards helping your case.

The above are just a few points to remember when answering an RFE. Unfortunately, there are many other issues to consider in your answer. The moral to the story is to take the RFE seriously and be sure to reply completely in a timely manner. Your reply can mean a prompt approval.

(Paul Choi will answer all questions regarding immigration and naturalization for FREE. Address questions to [email protected] or call 818 714-2226. He is located at 16000 Ventura Blvd. Ste. 1201, Encino, CA. 91436. Phil Abramowitz can be reached at [email protected] or on his cell at 818 324-8110)

When the USCIS has more questions: The Request For Evidence and how to respond so you get an approval


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MOTORINGGM has announced that the next-generation Chevrolet

Camaro will be assembled at the Lansing Grand River (LGR) Assembly Plant in Lansing, Michigan. This deci-sion is based on a comprehensive business case.

Lower capital investment and improved production efficiencies were key factors in the business case. The Camaro is the only rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicle built at Oshawa.

Assembling the next-generation Camaro at LGR con-solidates the RWD assembly with the Cadillac CTS and ATS. As a result, GM will continue to deliver top-quality vehicles as efficiently as possible.

GM will continue to meet the production targets agreed to with the Canadian and Ontario governments during the 2009 restructuring.

Production of the current generation Chevrolet Camaro will continue on the flexible manufacturing line at Oshawa Assembly until the end of the current product lifecycle. The Buick Regal continues to be produced there, and GM recently invested $185 million to support the launch of two new products on the flex line as well: the all-new Cadillac XTS and the next-generation Chevrolet Impala scheduled to launch in 2013.

In addition, GM recently announced it will add a third shift to support the launch of the new Impala there. The consolidated line at Oshawa Assembly will continue to produce the current generation Chevrolet Impala and Equinox until June 2014.

New Camaro modelsThe 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1’s supercharged 6.2L

engine is SAE-rated at 580 horsepower (432 kW) and 556 lb.-ft. of torque (754 Nm) – making it the most-powerful production Camaro ever.

The ZL1’s outstanding power is complemented by advanced powertrain and chassis technologies, including exclusive Performance Traction Management and third-generation Magnetic Ride Control.

“The Camaro ZL1 delivers supercar performance and technology in the sports-car segment,” said Al Op-

penheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “For sheer power, the ZL1 delivers more horsepower than a Ferrari 458, more torque than an Aston Martin DB9 V12, and a better power-to-weight ratio than a Porsche 911 Car-rera GTS.

“The Camaro ZL1 also features exclusive chassis and traction technologies,” Oppenheiser said, “to offer the best of all worlds – including balanced handling for the track, acceleration for a drag strip, and the comfort of a daily driver.”

The most-powerful production Camaro everThe 2012 Camaro ZL1’s surpasses the advertised power

of the legendary 1969 Camaro ZL1’s 427 cubic-inch big block by more than 150 horsepower (112 kW) – while meeting modern emissions requirements. And, the new ZL1 is backed by General Motors’ five-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

“The torque is going to make the ZL1 a car you won’t want to get out of,” said John Rydzewski, assistant chief engineer for small block engines. “Not only will the ZL1 have more power and torque than the competition, we’re making it available with an optional automatic transmis-sion, to appeal to a wider group of sports car enthusiasts.”

But while we wait for the Chevrolet Spark EV, brand new Chevrolet vehicles, which are just as fuel efficient and very reliable in safety and performance, are ready for the taking at the Win Chevrolet car dealership in the City of Carson, located in Southern California.

A word of advice for us kababayans: Let us stop for a moment and think of the most revered American muscle car…Camaro.

Sounds right, doesn’t it. Our dream car in the Philippines is available here all the time at Win Chevrolet.

Yes, Camaro is a Chevy. And owning one is ac-tually very easy. For one, it is one of most-sought after American muscle cars on the planet. As a better perspective, the owner of Papa John’s Pizza once sold his Camaro to start his pizza business, which has grown to be the number 1 pizza chain in the world behind Pizza Hut and Dominoes.

But the meat of the story is that he had to buy back the same old original Camaro that he had once sold as a payoff for his own hard work. It

can be described in one word: Trophy. Owning a Chevrolet Camaro is like winning big and it is your great prize.

All you have to do is visit our kababayans Freddy Salanguit and Abel Payo at Win Chevrolet.

Of course, our kababayans at Win Chevrolet can also show you why Silverado, Equinox and Tahoe are the best in their respective class. Not to mention that the number one sports car in the world – Corvette – is also available for those who want a taste of the original American tradi-tion as far as fast cars are involved.

Meanwhile, the name Silverado alone is synonymous to a hardworking pickup truck, a favorite among the average Joe in the U.S., which is what we Filipinos are also known for: skilled workers who are used to pulling up our sleeves and getting our hands dirty.

It may be a sedan, but the Cruze is sporty yet is a gas-saver. Its 6-speed manual transmission 2013 model can run up to – OMG! – 36 miles per gallon (highway) while the ever-reliable Malibu, despite is size and automatic transmission, can cruise up to 34 mpg.

Whatever vehicle you need, Win Chevrolet has it. All you have to do is call Freddy or Abel at 888-717-6199 and you’ll be on your way to owning another piece of American tradition. Win Chevrolet is located at 2201 E. 223rd Street Carson, CA 90810. Call our kababayans now and test drive a new Chevy…like the new Camaro!

Next-generation Chevy Camaro to be built in the U.S.

Win Chevrolet Sales Consultants Freddy Salaguit and Abel Payo are kababayans.


TORRANCE, Calif. Dec. 19, 2012 – The all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan was one of two midsize sedans to earn an overall GOOD rating in the aggressive, new small overlap frontal crash test conducted by the Insur-ance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Under the more stringent testing guidelines by the IIHS, the new small overlap frontal crash test—sometimes called a “narrow offset” test – is designed to replicate what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole. Additionally, both the 2013 Accord Sedan and Coupe are among the first vehicles in the industry to earn the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the IIHS.

As a manufacturer, American Honda leads the industry with three TOP SAFETY PICK+ vehicles which include the 2013 Accord Sedan and Coupe and 2013 Acura TL. Ad-ditionally, thirteen 2013 model year American Honda ve-hicles earned TOP SAFETY PICK status: Honda Civic Se-dan; Fit; Crosstour; CR-V; CR-Z; Insight; Pilot; Odyssey; and Ridgeline; plus the Acura ILX, TSX, MDX and RDX. All models earned the top rating of GOOD in all four rating areas by the IIHS, including the more rigorous roof-strength test.

“The all-new 2013 Honda Accord lineup offers a dis-tinct advantage among mainstream competitors in its class by achieving the highest possible rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product plan-ning and logistics at American Honda. “As one of the industry safety leaders with eleven 2013 Honda models and five 2013 Acura models achieving TOP SAFETY PICK status, American Honda offers a well-rounded lineup of vehicles that are not only fuel efficient and fun-to-drive, but that also offer top safety ratings.”

Beginning with the 2013 Honda Accord, Honda is applying the second generation of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™ II) body structure to its models. This reinforced front frame structure provides

further enhanced frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique crashes. The result of these ef-forts provides the capability for the Accord Sedan to achieve a GOOD rating in the new IIHS small overlap frontal testing.

The new IIHS test is more challenging, as it requires additional vehicle cabin structure and front structure outboard of the main frame rails—the primary energy absorbing structure. Through the re-engineering of the vehicle structure, Honda has incorporated enhancements that minimize the possible adverse effects on handling and ride comfort, fuel efficiency and overall body vibration, while increasing the safety performance of the vehicle for its passengers.

Standard safety equipment on all Honda and Acura models include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (some vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor as well); dual-stage, multiple-threshold front air-bags; and a driver’s side airbag.

All 2013 Honda and Acura models earning recognition from the IIHS, with the exception of the Ridgeline, utilize the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.

Honda has a long history of leadership in the devel-opment and application of advanced technologies and designs to enhance the safety of all road users, including automobile occupants, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians. The company operates two of the world’s most sophisti-cated crash test facilities and is responsible for numerous pioneering efforts in the areas of crashworthiness, airbag technology, collision compatibility and pedestrian safety. This commitment to safety is rooted in Honda’s goal to be a company that society wants to exist, and it complements

2013 Honda Accord sedan is a top performer in aggressive new IIHS Test Earning Top Safety Pick+ RatingAmerican Honda leads industry with three Top Safety Pick+ rated vehicles; 16 American Honda models named Top Safety Pick

CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has seen a pair of its 2013 vehicle offerings – the versatile and stylish Lancer compact sport sedan and the dynamic Out-lander Sport compact cross-over – named by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as “Top Safety Picks.”

For the sixth year in a row, the Mitsubishi Lancer compact sport sedan* (including Sportback 5-door) joins the elite group of 2013 model vehicles that meet the Insurance Institute’s rigid vehicle crash test-ing criteria in order to be called an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” The 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the company’s varied model lineup as it achieves a lofty EPA-rated 34 mpg highway (DE and ES models with the 2.0-liter engine).

And for a second year in a row, the Mitsubi-shi Motors’ made-in-America five-passenger 2013 Outlander Sport compact crossover makes the grade as an IIHS “Top Safety Pick.” With a MSRP starting price of only $19,170, the 2013 Outlander Sport achieves an impressive EPA-rated 31 mpg highway.

To commemorate Mitsubishi Motors’ arrival to American shores some 30 years ago, the company has created a special dynamic-look-ing version of its compact crossover vehicle with the arrival of the 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition model at Mitsubishi dealers nationwide this March. The eye-catching 2013

Outlander Sport Limited Edition features blackout side mirrors, center bumper, wheel arch trim and roof rails, argent chrome alloy wheels, power driver’s seat and special “Limited Edition” badging.

Two-tone Dove Grey and Black leather-clad seats are also available. Vehicle performance is enhanced by a new engine balancer shaft that provides smoother and quicker ac-celeration.

For those who are loyal or have been wanting to own a Mitsubishi, you can now avail of your favorite Mitsubishi brand by visit-ing Cerritos Mitsubishi where our kababayans will help you choose the right car for you, whether it’s the Mitsubishi I, Outlander, Lancer or other Mitsubishi vehicle.

Come and visit our kababayan Mark and his Fil-Am crew at the Cerritos Mitsubishi To Mark and his crew if you are a kababayan that means you are extra special. Even their market-ing thrust is anchored on that magical Tagalog word. They have a Kabayan Price.

“We have the best lease payment program, we offer huge discounts on many of our mod-els,” said Mark.

“And for new immigrants, first time buyers, and those without credit or are now having a bad credit just like everybody else, approval is not a big deal. We have a way of doing it.” Along with Angelo Munoz and Eugene C., Mark backstops the sales operation for the Filipino market. Call now toll free at 1-888-887-6090 to get the same Number 1 customer service from our very own kababayans.

GSM Mark Mercado of Cerritos Mitsubishi

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer and Outlander Sport models named Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Picks

The versatile and stylish 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer compact sport sedan has been named “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). (PRNewsFoto/Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.)

The dynamic 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has been named “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). (PRNewsFoto/Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc.)

Rod Ong (left), Junior Saldua and General Sales Manager Vic Simonian of Puente Hills.the company’s leadership in reducing vehicle emissions, improving fuel efficiency and advancing alternatives to gasoline.

Meanwhile, if you want to belong to the select group of Honda owners, all you have to do is visit the Diamond Honda of Glendale and get in touch with our kababayans, where new Honda Ridgelines and other Honda vehicles are now available.

One of the most-visited Honda dealerships, the Dia-mond Honda Puente Hills, is among the top contributors to the overall Honda sales record in Southern California, if not the entire U.S. And not surprisingly, a Filipino sales staff is one of the most active and most aggressive.

Just ask General Sales Manager Vic Simonian or Rod Ong, the finance manager; or even Junior Saldua, fleet and

Internet sales. The three belong to the dealership’s sales and leasing department, who at this very moment are bracing for the hot Summer shopping spree from the affluent Pinoys who couldn’t get enough with Honda cars. It is usually during this time of the year, they say, when old, familiar faces show up to buy new cars for new driv-ers in the family as many of our kababayans “clean their garage” so to speak.

Above all, at Diamond Honda of Puente Hills, custom-ers are treated like Diamonds!

Diamond Honda of Puente Hills is located at 17525 E.Gale Ave., City of Industry (in the Puente Hills Auto Mall, Exit Azusa Ave. off 60 Fwy). Toll free # 888.318.1554.


You can help change the future of heart health in our community. Join a Heart Walk near you and the mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

LONG BEACH November 10, 2012

Shoreline Village, Long Beach www.LongBeachHeartWalk.org

ORANGE COUNTY February 3, 2013

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim www.OCHeartWalk.org

As you are reading this, someone is having a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 killers in the U.S. and the leading health threats in the Filipino community.

Sponsored locally by

Media Sponsor

ORANGE COUNTY February 3, 2013

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim www.OCHeartWalk.org

By Nicholas ScolariVolkswagen, the name itself conjures

images of a nostalgic past, a modern, sty-listic present and a future of innovation. Volkswagen itself has, despite its foreign roots, has become an integral aspect of contemporary and historical American culture. Volkswagen, unlike many of our time’s popular brands, has undoubtedly stayed true to their roots in regards to their unique style as well as their mechanical consistency.

Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles is a testament to that tradition, craftsman-ship and loyal service that Volkswagen has provided for the greater part of the 20th and 21st century. The sales presence of both Don Dolor and Christopher Tiusiu has made Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles one of LA’s premier dealerships. More often than not, Dealerships can ap-pear mechanical, utilitarian and relatively cold, yet after having visited Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles, I can attest to its positive and welcoming environment.

The showroom, which featured the 2013 Jetta, the 2013 Passat and of course the 2013 Tiguan S, had an open, warm feel-ing. I was guided and given a detailed and relevant explanation of all of the models, making it a pleasant experience.

Essentially, the general pressure and clutter of your average dealership was non-existent, which, in all honesty is almost impossible to find in a large city like Los Angeles.

After having been shown the various models I felt I had a truly comprehensive understanding of the various vehicles. I began to think, what really sets apart the Volkswagen from its competitors.

Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles: 2013’s premiere dealership

Firstly, at least for myself, was the over-whelming feeling of Nostalgia; I can still remember my father telling stories of his road trips in the sixties and seventies with his old faithful 1967 VW Bug.

Secondly, each of these vehicles, in-cluding the 2013 Jetta, Passat and Tiguan S, seemed to have their own unique style, which exemplified the positive qualities of their vehicular class. Each of the three cars had a crisp clean feeling to them, which exhibited efficiency and comfort, a signature of German engineering. The interior controls were easily accessible and extremely user friendly, while allows one to focus upon how remarkably com-fortable the seating is; perhaps this is due to how spacious these models are or some other reason. Maybe, that is the secret to their success.

Lastly, aside from the aesthetic plea-sures and intricacies, one cannot deny the astounding MPG these vehicles get. Generally, when you hear that a vehicle gets over thirty miles per gallon that serves as a relative benchmark for efficiency; re-

gardless, Volkswagen has upped the ante. Volkswagen’s Jetta Hybrid has achieved an estimated 48-MPG highway and 42 MPG freeway with an average of 45 MPG. One could speculate this as a standalone model in regards to its fuel efficiency; yet, this is actually one of seven Volkswagen models that exceed forty MPG.

Simply put, if you are seeking fuel efficiency, then Volkswagen will not let you down. Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles provided me with not only a friendly shopping experience, but I also left with a comprehensive understanding of Volkswagen’s outstanding models. If you are looking for a stylish, fuel efficient, cost effective start to 2013, Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles should be your first stop.

Volkswagen of Downtown Los Ange-les is located at 1900 S. Figueroa St., CA 90007.

For more information on Volkswagen of Downtown Los Angeles feel free to call Don Dolor and Christopher Tiusiu at 1-888-428-4501.

Don Dolor and Christopher Tiusiu of Volkswagen Downtown LA.

FRANKFURT, Dec 14, 2012 (AFP) – Volkswagen, Europe’s big-gest carmaker, said Friday it already sold more cars in the 11 months to November than the record number seen in the whole of 2011.

VW said in a statement that total vehicle sales rose by 11.7 percent to 794,500 in November, bringing the total for the year to date up by 10.4 percent to 8.29 million units.

In 2011, the carmaker had sold a total 8.27 million vehicles world-wide.

“We have already delivered more vehicles after 11 months than during the whole of last year. That is an outstanding achievement, par-ticularly in view of the continuing difficult situation on some European markets,” said VW’s sales chief Christian Klingler.

But he warned: “Despite this year’s new delivery record we are already preparing for a very chal-lenging year in 2013.”

Latest reports indicated that Eu-ropean new car sales fell in Novem-ber for the 14th consecutive month, losing 10.3 percent on an annualised basis to 926,486 vehicles, the Eu-ropean Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said on Friday.

Results were uneven across the continent however.

Volkswagen sees record sales after strong November


JOBMARKETFor advertising, call (818) 552-4503 ext 402 • Fax (818) 550-7635 • email: [email protected]

FEMALE CAREGIVERSLive-in female caregivers for Elderly board & care facility in West Covina. Responsible, good personality. Please call (626) 826-8636.

EXPD. CAREGIVERFemale or male for FT or live-in for a Residential Care Facility for the elderly in Thousand Oaks, CA. Medical background pref'd but not req'd. (818) 422-7667 or (818) 991-7916 Loretta.

LIVE-IN CAREGIVERWill hire live-in caregiver in a six bed facility for elderly in Or-ange County. 5 Days a week. Very good condition. Please call (714) 225-3725

1 ON 1 CAREGIVINGLive-in & live-out, driving, non-driving caregivers. Must speak Englsh. Come to apply 18520 Burbank Blvd. Ste.103 Tarzana 91356. Call 818-708-8873.

CAREGIVER WANTEDFull time experienced male caregiver for board and care for elderly in Northridge . Please call (818) 436-2339.

LONG TERM CAREGIVERSLive-in, mature, can cook meals, & clean facility. Good listener, hardworker, honest, willing to learn. Long-term. References. Valley & Los Angeles. 1 (818) 585-7956.

CAREGIVERS NEEDED!

LIVE-IN CAREGIVERSImmediate hiring for 6 bed facili-ties for Elderly in L.A. County. Lit-tle or no experience needed, will train. Please call (213) 509-2000.

COMPANION/HOUSEKEEPERNeed Part-time female live in companion/housekeeper in North Hills for 75 year old male. Private bedroom and bathroom. Please call Ashley 714-720-9331.

FEMALE CAREGIVERWanted full-time / live-in female caregiver. Light housekeeping. Call Menchu 323-545-7568

CAREGIVERSA board & care for the elderly in Hacienda Heights is looking for caregivers who is responsible, caring & willing to learn. Lynn (626) 487-3348; (562)-941-4331

CAREGIVERLive-in caregiver for board and care. Call Doug (562) 688-6820

DIRECT CARE STAFFDirect Care Staff needed for DD facility. Live-in. Call Garopet (626) 354-9876.

CAREGIVER WANTEDCaregiver wanted immediately for reliever. Experienced female or male. Cheerful, loving & hard-working. Northridge, CA (818) 687-6877.

MALE CAREGIVERLive-in for board & care facility in Santa Monica City. Good Eng-lish & experienced, hardworker, with reference. Good salary. Call Noah (310) 829-4671.


CLASSIFIED ADSTEL.: (818) 552-4503 ext 402 • Fax: (818) 550-7635 • MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

JAY D' PLUMBER/HANDYMAN

Plumbing repair, drain cleaning, copper repipe, bath & kitchen, remodel hydro jetter, toilet, disposal, heating water heater, iron works, electrical & carpentry. Free estimate. (818) 730-6571

LONG BEACH APT.2 BR 1 BA in quiet 4plex. Willow St. & Sta Fe. Near bus, shopping & school. $1050/mo. + small security deposit. Call Ate Mila (626) 918-4080.

CONDO-BELLFLOWER3BR, 3BA in gated community, 1,228 sq. ft. - $1,800/mo. plus security deposit. Call (310) 639-6464 ext.110 or (310) 938-2607.

ROOM FOR RENTN. Wilton Pl. & Santa Monica Blvd. LA. Near bus stop, 2 Rooms, $500 female preferred. No parking space avail. Pls call(323) 450-9142.

HOUSE & ROOMLa Mirada - 4 BR 2 BA, 2 story, 2 garage. $1950/mo. + $1,000 deposit. Can live 2 family. Master BR, separate entrance $550/mo. incld utils. 562-972-2339; 714-614-6937.

APT. MOVE-IN SPECIALHollywood. 1 BR $1,000; Single $875 brand new hardwood r, intercom entry, a/c, TFC cable ready, gated parking, pool, near Sunset & Wilcox, no pets. Manager speak Tagalog. (323) 462-3573

BUENA PARK APT.1 & 2 BR, good location, cor of Beach Blvd. & Artesia Blvd. Call for special (562) 508-7048.

APT. FOR RENT1 Single $700/mo. Panorama near WalMart. 1 BR w/ BA $875/mo. Vineland near Sherman Way. 2BR w/ BA $1180/mo. N. Hollywood near Metro, train & buses. Filipino manager Pablo (818) 358-4814.

ROOM - $475Use own BA, nice size room. Bright & clean. Hardwood r. Free Internet, sharing kitchen. 2428 W. Ave. 33, LA. Mnts to Downtown L.A., Glendale, Hollywood. Close to frwy 2, 5, 110, 134. No pets. 626-759-2530.

ROOMS FOR RENTFurnished big rooms, gated house, free utilities except tel/cable, bus stop. $450/mo. Eagle Rock / HL Prk. (818) 390-4000; (323) 308-9217.

ROOMS FOR RENT$400 to $475 Nor thr idge, Panorama & Canoga Park. Parking, washer & dryer. Near shops, excellent area. (818) 404-5579.

WE PRINTWHILE U WAIT.

We will set up a studio and will cover your event.Just pick the photos and we will print them on the spot.

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APT. FOR RENTMove-in special. 1 BR, laundry, covered parking. Close to freeways and schools. 137 N. Rosemont Avenue (between Beverly & Temple), Los Angeles. Manager: Mercy (213) 483-5117.

ROOM FOR RENTAlexandria Ave. bet Santa Monica Blvd. & Fountain. Has own entrance. Furn w/ bed & fridge. Use of wash/dryer / kitchen. Single mature woman only. $475/mo. Call Joel 323-304-1136.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRITHoly Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for everything and con rm once more that I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen. A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how dif cult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted.- THEODORE G.

PRAYERS


With every new Subaru purchased or leased, we’re donating $250 to your choice of five charities. Get a great deal. Support a great cause. Now through January 2.

Objects in mirror are worth more than you know.

SUBARU OF GLENDALE1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204

www.SubaruOfGlendale.net

818-396-3900Subaru, Outback, Forester, Legacy and Impreza are registered trademarks. 12012 Top Safety Picks include the 2013 Subaru Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback and Tribeca. 2EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2013 Subaru Legacy 2.5i CVT models. Actual mileage may vary. 3EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2013 Subaru Outback 2.5i CVT models. Actual mileage may vary. 4EPA-estimated fuel economy for Forester 2.5X models. Actual mileage may vary. 5EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2013 Subaru Impreza 2.0 CVT models. Actual mileage may vary.

Finance Manager

Christian Marilla

Internet/Fleet Manager

Chris Garchitorena

Bobby Cheng

Sales & Leasing Consultant

“Tawag na!”

Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintenance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first.) See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverages and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 4-1-2013 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.”

2013 SUBARU

LEGACY2.5i

$ 199Per Month36 Month LEASE

2013 SUBARU

IMPREZA

$2198 down payment$0 Security deposit$199 first month payment

2.0i 4-DOOR$199

Per Month39 Month LEASE

Model Code DJD-01

$1,799 down payment$0 Security deposit$199 first month payment

Model Code DAD-02*$199 per month plus tax. 36 month closed end lease. $0.15 per mile over 10,000 miles per year. $0 security deposit. $1799 down payment excludes tax and license fees. Expires 01/02/2013.

*$199 per month plut tax. 39 month closed end lease. $0.15 per mile over 10,000 miles per year. $0 security deposit. $2198 down payment excludes tax and license fees. Expires 01/02/2013.

2013 SUBARU

OUTBACK


2.5i

Model Code DDD-02

$259Per Month42 Month LEASE

2013 SUBARU

FORESTER


2.5X

Model Code DFB-21

$199Per Month42 Month LEASE

*

Expires 01/02/2013.

$259 per month plus tax. 42 month closed end lease. $0.15 per mile over 10,000 miles per year. $0 security deposit. $1769 down payment excludes tax and license fees.

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive• 30 mpg hwy3• 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick1• Built in our zero landfill plant

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive• 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick1• 27 mpg hwy4• 170-hp SUBARU BOXER® engine

*$199 per month plus tax. 42 month closed end lease. $0.15 per mile over 10,000 miles per year. $0 security deposit. $1999 down payment excludes tax and license fees. Expires 01/02/2013.

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive• 32 mpg hwy2• 173-hp SUBARU BOXER® engine• 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick1

• Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive• 36 mpg hwy5• 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick1• Seven airbags standard

$2,028 total due at lease signing $2,198 total due at lease signing

$1,998 total due at lease signing $2,397 total due at lease signing


SPORTS

ABU DHABI, Dec 26, 2012 (AFP) – Andy Murray believes his landmark US Open triumph has lifted so much pressure off his shoulders that his path to more Grand Slam glory in 2013 is now free of self-doubt. World number three Murray became the first British man since 1936 to win a major when he defeated Novak Djokovic to clinch the US Open in September, with his triumph coming in the slipstream of his Olympic Games gold medal.

Now the 25-year-old is determined to build on his breakthrough year, starting by easing into the new campaign with a three-day exhibition in Abu Dhabi before heading to Australia for the sea-son’s first Grand Slam tournament. “In the last three, four or five years there has been significant pressure in my mind and I feel more relaxed and more relieved after winning the US Open,” Murray told the Gulf News on Wednesday.

“So I think from my side I hope to take pressure off myself and will be able to play a little bit more relaxed and hope to repeat

my Grand Slam win.“I don’t know how I will feel going into the first round of the Australian Open so it will be a new feeling for me and I just have to deal with it.”

Murray knows the spotlight will be trained firmly on him when Wimbledon comes around in June.

Fred Perry, in 1936, was the last British man to win Wimbledon although Murray came close in 2012, reaching the final before slipping to a tearful defeat to Roger Federer.

“All the players would want to win Wimbledon. It’s six months away and there can be a lot of changes in terms of sport by then and I haven’t started thinking about it right now,” Murray said.

“But you know every year when it comes around that I’m desperate to win and do well and do a bit better each year and keep improving on grass. It’s an incredibly tough event and lot of pressure during that time of the year and I always look forward to trying to win it.”

NEW YORK, Dec 27, 2012 (AFP) – Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard has been fined $35,000 for a flagrant foul against Kenneth Faried of Denver, the NBA said Thursday.

Howard was ejected in the third quar-ter of the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday after making contact with the head of a driving Faried.

Howard clearly felt the ejection was an over-reaction.

“It was a hard foul, that’s all I know,” Howard said after the game. “I’ve been fouled harder than that before and nobody ever got kicked out of the game for it, but I get penalized for fouling people hard.”

NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson announced the fine in a statement saying Howard “made excessive contact with Faried above the shoulders”.

Howard avoided a suspension, good news for a Lakers team that revealed on Thursday that Spain’s Pau Gasol has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

The team said Gasol, who recently missed eight games with tendinitis in his knees, will play despite the often painful inflammatory condition.

Meanwhile, the other team from Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Clippers, stretched their franchise-record NBA winning streak to 15 games after routing the Boston Celtics 106-77 on Thursday to The Clippers are the first team to win 15 in a row since the Celtics won 19 games straight in the 2008-09 season.

They improved to a league-best 23-6, staying atop the Western Conference ahead of Oklahoma City -- who improved to 22-6 with a 111-105 overtime victory over Dallas.

Matt Barnes led the Clippers with 21 points, making five of their 12 three-point shots.

Jamal Crawford added 17 points and Blake Griffin contributed 15 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who last lost on November 26.

Kevin Garnett scored 16 points and Paul Pierce added 12 for the Celtics, who lost for the fifth time in seven games.

The Clippers seized control early, mak-ing nine of their first 13 shots to jump out to a 21-6 lead.

The Clippers were up 82-67 going into the fourth quarter and opened the period on an 8-0 scoring run.

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 40 points, 26 of them coming in the sec-ond half, to help the Thunder rally from a 10-point deficit with 8:24 left in regulation.

Russell Westbrook scored 16 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:04 to play in overtime.

Pressure off as Murray targets more majors

Lakers’ Howard fi ned $35,000

Dwight Howard

48 Visit www.Balita.com Weekend, Sat. - Fri., Dec. 29, 2012 - Jan. 4, 2013 Balita LOS ANGELES

weekend balita december 29, 2012

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