China pursuing huge South China Sea land reclamation: US Pacifi c Fleet commander

By Dan De LuceWashington, United States

(AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – China has dramatically ramped up its land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea this year, build-ing artifi cial islands at an unprec-edented pace to bolster its territo-rial claims in the disputed area, US offi cials said Friday.

The rapid construction of ar-tifi cial islands in the strategic waters comes to 2,000 acres (800 hectares), with 75 percent of the total in the last fi ve months, offi -cials said.

“China has expanded the acre-age on the outposts it occupies by some four hundred times,” said a US defense offi cial.

The United States did not en-dorse land reclamation by any of the countries with territorial claims in the South China Sea, but “the pace and scale of China’s land reclamation in recent years dwarfs that of any other claim-

ant,” the offi cial said.The South China Sea is home

to strategically vital shipping lanes and is believed to be rich in oil and gas. Washington is concerned China’s efforts carry a military dimension that could un-dermine America’s naval and eco-nomic power in the Pacifi c.

The commander of the US Pa-cifi c Fleet, Admiral Harry Harris, said in March that China is “cre-ating a Great Wall of sand.”

US offi cials released the recla-mation estimate as the Pentagon issued its annual report to Con-gress on the state of China’s mili-tary, which repeated accusations that Beijing was staging cyber at-tacks to scoop up information on American defense programs.

The report also warned that China has made major strides with a range of satellites as well as anti-satellite jammers, saying it now had “the most dynamic space program in the world to-day.”

China blasted the US report on Saturday, expressing opposition

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(OTTAWA, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III reviews the honor guards during the welcome ceremony at Rideau Hall for his State Visit to Canada. (MNS photo)

U.S. soldiers try to start a fi re with bamboo sticks during a jungle training exercise in Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 17, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Samantha Van Winkle

Manila, Philippines (AFP) Sun-day 5/10/2015 – The Philippines’ navy chief said Sunday it would hold a joint exercise with Japan in the South China Sea, but empha-sised the collaboration was unre-lated to China’s land reclamation efforts in the disputed waters.

Two warships from the Ja-pan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will take part in the exercise with a single Philippine ship after making a port call in the Philippines this month, said Vice Admiral Jesus Millan.

“This is a port call, a regular port call of the Japanese navy and while they are here, it would be good if we can practice this code of unplanned encounters at sea,”

he said.The exercise will take place

just outside the former US naval base of Subic, off the archipelago’s west coast, he added.

The Japanese vessels would be leaving Subic while a Philippine ship was heading there under the training scenario, he said.

Millan said Japanese and Phil-ippine sailors would have an op-portunity to “compare notes” dur-ing the exercise, but stressed it had nothing to do with the Phil-ippines’ territorial dispute with China over confl icting claims to large parts of the sea.

The Philippines has been seek-ing closer ties with regional allies

Hanoi, Vietnam (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – Vietnam has carried out signifi cant land reclamation at two sites in disputed South China Sea waters, recent satellite pictures show, but analysts say the scale of the work is dwarfed by that of China.

The images, taken late last month by DigitalGlobe and shown on the website of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and In-ternational Studies (CSIS), show

land expansions at Sand Cay and West London Reef, both part of the Spratly Islands chain and oc-cupied by Vietnam.

“Between August 2011 and February 2015 signifi cant up-grades were made to (Sand Cay),” CSIS said, noting the island’s land mass had expanded from 41,690 to 62,970 square meters.

Vietnam also appears to have added “defensive structures,” including trenches and gun em-

placements, it said.At West Reef – which is part

of the London Reefs group of western Spratly Islands – some 65,000 meters of land have been reclaimed with new structures, including a harbor, being added, it said.

The work appears to have be-gun in August 2012, CSIS said, long before Beijing launched a fl urry of reclamation projects last

Islamabad, Pakistan (AFP0 Saturday 5/9/2015 – Three ambas-sadors to Pakistan who survived a helicopter crash that killed seven people have described the terrify-ing moment the aircraft span out of control before slamming into the ground and catching fi re.

Testimonies of diplomats on board from Malaysia, Argentina and the Netherlands released by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Saturday also unequivocally bol-stered government and eyewit-ness statements that the disaster was an accident rather than an act of terrorism.

Malaysia’s envoy – who was himself injured in the crash – described how the journey had gone to plan until they were due

to land at their destination in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.

“After arriving at Gilgit air-port everything went well except for the last few minutes, when the helicopter went into a spiral, round and round and round, and there it hit the ground,” Hasrul Sani Mujtabar said.

“I saw the pilot was killed, some others died instantly and I was in middle. Then a few man-aged to escape but the fi re was very strong,” with smoke quickly fi lling the helicopter, he said.

The helicopter was one of three carrying a delegation of ambassa-dors to inspect projects on a three-day trip to the region, where they were set to meet with Prime Min-

Los Angeles, 08 May 2015 – The Philippine Consulate Gener-al in Los Angeles joined other col-leagues in grieving the untimely demise of Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Hon. Domingo D. Lu-cenario, Jr. due to a helicopter crash incident in the Naltar Val-ley area of Pakistan.

Ambassador Lucenario togeth-er with Norwegian envoy Leif Larsen and the wives of the Indo-nesian and Malaysian were part of a foreign diplomatic group from Islamabad to attend the launch of a Tourism project.

Ambassador Lucenario was a career ambassador who served

(OTTAWA, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III views the offi cial gifts at the Large Drawing Room of the Rideau Hall during the dinner reception for his State Visit to Canada. Also in photo are David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston. (MNS photo)

Los Angeles, United States (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 - 00:37 GMT | 359 words

Floyd Mayweather has branded Manny Pacquiao a “sore loser” and a coward and says he won’t delay his planned retirement to grant the Philippine icon a rematch next year, in an apparent U-turn.

And he dismissed Pacquiao’s claim that he had been carrying an injury in Saturday’s one-sided win for Mayweather, the American calling it “Excuses, excuses, excuses.”

Mayweather took his unbeaten record to 48-0 in Las Vegas with a 12-round unanimous decision over Pacquiao in a welterweight world title bout that will go down as the most lucrative in boxing history.

In an interview recorded this week to be aired on Showtime tele-vision on Saturday, Mayweather says he did text ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that he would grant Pacquiao a rematch – but he has changed his mind.

The 38-year-old says he couldn’t detect any physical problem for Pacquiao during the bout, after which the Filipino and his camp said he was suffering from a right shoulder injury.

Montreal, Canada (AFP) Fri-day 5/8/2015 – Canada and the Philippines announced they will begin discussions over increas-ing commerce between the two nations by lowering trade barri-ers, offi cials from the two govern-ments said Friday in Ottawa.

The negotiations are part of a push by Canada to develop bi-lateral economic agreements in Asia as progress has slowed on the twelve-country North Amer-ican-Asia Pacifi c trade accord, known as the Trans-Pacifi c Part-

US confi rms what PHL claims

Vietnam reclaiming land in South China Sea: report

Diplomats speak of Pakistan helicopter crash terror

PHL ambassador to Pakistan dies in helicopter crash

No trash talk, but PHL, Canada to launch free-trade negotiations

PHL, Japan to hold joint naval exercise in S. China Sea

Mayweather U-turns on rematch with ‘coward’ Pacquiao

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Miss Philippines-Earth 2015 candidates perform a dance number Thursday at the poolside of the Diamond Hotel in Manila during the press presentation of the pageant. The 41 candidates will take part in the 15th edition of the pageant on May 31 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City. (MNS photo)

Sorsogon, Philippines (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – Hundreds of people fl ed their homes on the slopes of a rumbling Philippine volcano on Friday as authorities warned of rain-driven mudfl ows from an approaching typhoon that could bury them alive.

On Sunday, Mount Bulusan re-mained on Alert Level 1 even as no volcanic quakes were recorded by the National Disaster Risk Re-duction and Management Council in the last 24-hours.

In its update, the NDRRMC also said human activity and movement within the 4-km Per-manent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano are prohib-ited.

Residents in valleys and near bodies of water near Bulusan must stay alert against possible sediment-laden stream fl ows and lahar should there be heavy and prolonged rainfall.

On the other hand, PAGASA division head Esperanza Cayan-

an earlier warned residents that Typhoon Dodong may exacerbate mudfl ow from Bulusan as the cy-clone draws near Sorsogon where the volcano is located.

Evacuation activities in towns near Bulusan began on Friday, as the vol-cano spewed ash and emitted smoke. (MNS)Around 500 residents of farming villages around Bulusan volcano, many of them children and elderly women, boarded army trucks clutching sleeping mats and bags of clothes as Typhoon Noul bore down on the area.

“I have no choice but to evacu-ate. I may not be strong enough to outrun the mud fl ows,” 66-year-old housewife Dolores Guela told AFP.

Offi cials said she and her meningitis-stricken nine-year-old granddaughter would be among about 1,000 people taken to tem-porary shelters to wait out the wrath of Noul, which was forecast to bring heavy rains in the region from late Friday.

The typhoon was gusting at up to 185 kph (115 mph) and experts warned debris from two recent ash explosions could rumble down the slopes of the 1,559-metre (5,115-foot) volcano.

State volcanologists subse-quently raised Alert level 1 – the lowest in a fi ve-step warning sys-tem – on Bulusan.

Minor ash explosions alone would not normally prompt an evacuation, but authorities or-dered one nonetheless because of the threat of mud fl ows from the approaching storm.

Bulusan, on the southeastern tip of the main island of Luzon, is about 400 kilometeres (249 miles) south of the capital, Manila.

It is among the country’s 23 ac-tive volcanoes.

Noul would be the fourth major storm or typhoon to hit the Phil-ippines this year. The disaster-prone nation is lashed by an av-erage of 20 each year, routinely killing hundreds of people.

MANILA, May 9 (Mabuhay) – President Aquino has appoint-ed Assistant Solicitor General Sarah Jane Fernandez as associate justice of the Sandigan-bayan.

Malacañang said the appointment papers of Fernandez, dated May 8 and signed by Execu-tive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., has been sent to Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Fernandez will replace Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Greg-ory Ong, who was dis-missed last year over his supposed links to al-leged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

The high court found Ong guilty of gross mis-conduct, dishonesty, and impropriety. (MNS)

Cotabato, Philippines (AFP) Sunday 5/10/2015 – One of the key defendants in the Philippines’ worst political massacre returned home to a hero’s welcome on Sun-day following his release on bail after fi ve years in prison.

Sajid Ampatuan, whose politi-cally-infl uential family is suspect-ed of ordering the murder of 58 people in the southern island of Mindanao in 2009, was greeted by hordes of supporters and a huge feast at the home of a political ally in the troubled region.

“It’s a mix of emotions. I’m happy now but I’m sad because my dad and siblings are still in prison,” he said.

They are also on trial for the killings that shocked the world.

The court granted Sajid Am-patuan a provisional release in March, ruling against the govern-ment which wanted to keep him in prison along with more than 100 other suspects in the slaugh-ter.

Sajid is a son of Andal Ampat-uan Sr., a Muslim political clan leader accused of masterminding the massacre in his southern bai-liwick of Maguindanao province on November 23, 2009 in a bid to

crush an election challenge from a rival political clan.

Nine Ampatuan clan members are among 111 people detained for the mass killings that includ-ed 32 media workers, making the attack one of the deadliest ever recorded globally against journal-ists. Despite the government’s ef-forts, the court allowed Sajid to post bail. The bail petitions for the other Ampatuans are still pending.

Sajid continued to maintain his innocence and expressed concern for relatives still imprisoned.

“The life inside the jail was so diffi cult. It is hot and crowded in-side. But because of the help of Allah, I managed to survive,” he said.

While the case drags on in court, four people who had already given evidence or were scheduled to testify, as well as three rela-tives of potential witnesses, have been murdered over the past few years.

Many question whether justice can ever be achieved.

The Philippines has long been blighted by a “culture of impuni-ty” in which the powerful believe they can commit crimes like mur-

der and escape unpunished.President Benigno Aquino, who

was elected on a reformist plat-form in 2010, had vowed to fi ght this culture but there are fears the trial will still not be complet-ed before his term ends in 2016.

Meanwhile, Malacañang on Monday appealed to members of the House of Representatives’ ad hoc panel which scrutinized the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to consider peace in Mind-anao, as the committee prepares to vote on the controversial mea-sure.

“Today, the 75-member ad hoc panel of the House of Representa-tives is expected to begin voting on the provisions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. We have every hope that they will vote for peace, which is the foundation of unity and progress,” presidential spokesman Sec. Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

Lacierda also maintained that President Benigno Aquino III is determined to push for develop-ment in Mindanao.

“The welfare of our brothers and sisters in Mindanao has al-ways been part of the administra-tion’s agenda of inclusive growth.

Hundreds fl ee rumbling Bulusan volcano

Aquino appoints new Sandiganbayan associate justice

Ampatuan Massacre key suspect gets hero’s homecoming?

By Mynardo MacaraigManila, Philippines | AFP |

Sunday 5/10/2015 - 12:54 GMT – Typhoon Noul slammed into the northern tip of the Philippines Sunday, triggering warnings of possible fl ash fl oods, landslides and storm surges and prompting almost 3,000 people to fl ee their homes.

The storm hit Cagayan prov-ince late Sunday afternoon and was expected to move north to-wards Japan, the government weather station said.

The civil defense offi ce said there were no immediate reports of storm-related deaths but the typhoon knocked out power in much of the province, making it diffi cult to get data.

Meteorologists said Noul’s movement slowed slightly before reaching the Philippines, but it also strengthened to pack gusts of 220 kilometers (137 miles) per hour.

In Taiwan, authorities warned sailors of strong winds and high waves and evacuated almost 1,000 tourists from an island off the southeast coast.

“This is a very dangerous storm. It is the strongest so far this year,” said Rene Paciente, head of the Philippines’ marine weather division.

More than 1,680 people in Ca-gayan were evacuated from coast-al villages before the storm hit and the exercise was continuing, said Norma Talosig, regional civil defense chief.

“They have to evacuate to high-er ground, not in their village. They are being assisted by the lo-cal governments using buses and trucks, even ambulances,” she told AFP.

More than 2,000 were expected to fl ee but Talosig expressed fears some people would refuse to go due to complacency.

“The weather was good there earlier so it was a bit hard to get the message out,” she said.

“Some people were worried about the security of the belong-ings they may leave behind. We have been trying our best, aim-ing for zero casualties but our ef-forts will be useless if some people don’t listen,” she added.

Over 1,200 other people evacu-

ated their homes in the neighbor-ing province of Isabela as a pre-cautionary measure before the storm, the civil defense offi ce said.

Take no chancesNational civil defense chief Al-

exander Pama said that given the possibility of storm surges of up to two meters (6.5 feet), they were taking no chances.

“There is no exact science in this. So we will stay on the safe side” by ordering evacuations in vulnerable areas, he said.

“Even as we speak, our armed forces are already moving... to help in the evacuation. So too are our police forces who are conduct-ing evacuations in their munici-palities,” he told reporters.

Storm surges – tsunami-like waves generated by powerful ty-phoons – have become a major concern during storms.

In November 2013 storm surg-es were the main killers as Su-per Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the central Philippines, leaving more than 7,350 people dead or miss-ing.

Several hundred people living in a farming hamlet below the restive Bulusan volcano on Luzon were also evacuated due to fears that rain would mix with volcanic ash on its slopes and form deadly and fast-moving mudfl ows.

The civil defense offi ce also cited numerous areas that could be hit by landslides or fl ash fl oods due to the “heavy to intense rain-fall” brought by the typhoon.

The government suspended ferry services in affected areas and some domestic fl ights were also cancelled.

About 20 typhoons and storms hit the Philippines each year, many of them deadly.

In Taiwan nearly 1,000 tourists had been evacuated from scenic Green Island by noon, an offi cial from the county government said.

“Tourists would otherwise be stranded there for at least two days,” he said.

All ferries and fl ights to Green Island and another tourist at-traction, Orchid Island, were sus-pended and people were urged to stay away from coastal areas. The storm was expected to pass to the east of Taiwan on Monday.

Thousands fl ee as typhoon hits Luzon

MANILA, May 8 (Mabuhay) – New Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Sheriff Abas is a nephew of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal.

According to new Comelec chairman Andres Bautista, this was confi rmed to him by no less than Abas himself.

Bautista said he met with Abas last Wednesday. Abas was not able to attend the en banc session on Tuesday as he was still in Cotabato at the time.

“Ang sabi niya sa akin, yes. They’re related, pamangkin daw siya,” Bautista said.

“He is a lawyer by profession. He graduated from Ateneo de Davao [University]. I think he’s 36 or 37 years old. He’s currently working with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) sa Cotabato,” he added.

Iqbal, for his part, on Thursday refused to confi rm or deny his relationship with the newly-appointed commissioner of the poll body, saying the matter is a non-issue.

“’Sa aking pananaw po, it’s not an issue whether he is my neph-ew,” Iqbal said. “I don’t want to answer that because it would lead to something. Pardon me for not answering questions regarding this.”

He nonetheless stressed that there is nothing wrong if a neph-ew of his gets appointed to a sensitive national post.

“Makikita natin dito, sa palagay nating pamangkin ko siya, na talagang mature ang democracy dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano earlier alleged that the real name of the MILF chief negotiator is Datucan Abas, which Iqbal also did not confi rm or deny. (MNS)

New Comelec commissioner is Iqbal’s nephew

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OPINIONMANILA, May 8 (Mabuhay) – Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin

on Friday expressed concern over China’s alleged claiming of airspace over disputed territories in the South China Sea.

“Ito ay cause for concern sapagkat parang pina-practice ng China na meron nang ADIZ (air defense identifi cation zone) although wala pang formal declaration,” Gazmin told reporters.

He said the Philippine government is monitoring the supposed move of China and will inform the appropriate agency about it.

“So this is part of our effort to monitor, we continue to move around and see their action and have this reported to the proper agency for its proper action,” Gazmin said.

During Thursday’s hearing in the Senate on the recent Chinese rec-lamation activities in the South China Sea, Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez said Air Force planes conducting patrol over the disputed area were told over the radio in six separate incidents that they were fl ying on a Chinese “military security area.”

Gazmin said they have advised Air Force pilots not to be bothered by China’s alleged action.

“Ang directive natin [ay] continue yung kanyang normal na trabaho, hindi dapat natatakot sa mga babalang ganito,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Angelito De Leon, Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for operations, echoed Gazmin’s statement that they have instructed pilots not to mind the incident.

“The practice sabi nga ni secretary is the pilot was advised to con-tinue its normal mission, hindi po nababago yun,” he said.

He added they will also continue to monitor the happenings at Subi Reef where China also has reclamation work, stressing that they are prepared for any eventuality.

“We are prepared. We are prepared with our contingency plans right now, but of course we are monitoring and the Department of Foreign Affairs will take charge of it... Appropriate measures have been taken by DFA naman,” De Leon said.

The Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan have overlapping claims over parts of the South China Sea.

China has been conducting reclamation work over the islands they were claiming and even shoo fi shermen, particularly from the Philip-pines and Vietnam, away from the islands. (MNS)

MANILA, May 8 (Mabuhay) – Senate President Franklin Drilon said Friday there is no more time and budget left in the Aquino ad-ministration to hold a referendum for a Constitutional Convention as proposed by Senators Teofi sto Guingona III and Aquilino Pimentel III.

“Medyo gahol na sa panahon ito at wala nang budget,” Drilon said in a radio interview.

“Pag nagkaroon ng referendum - ayan po ay sang-ayon sa ating Sa-ligang Batas na magkaroon ng referendum at konsultahin ang taum-bayan – unang-una ay kailangan natin ng malaking pera o malaking budget, for a nationwide consultation or referendum. Pangalawa, wala na tayong panahon,” he explained.

Drilon said if his colleagues wanted to debate on whether there is a need for a Constitutional Convenstion, they can do so even without a public consultation.

“Kami po ay kinatawan ng taumbayan, at ayon sa Saligang Batas, two-thirds ng buong Kongreso at ng Senado ay puwede nang magpasya at magpatawag ng isang Constitutional Convention kung saan ang isang delegado ay pwedeng i-elect sa May 2016,” he said.

“Pero kung gagawin pang referendum ay gahol na tayo sa panahon, wala po tayong budget,” he reiterated.

The Constitutional Convention is one of the three modes allowed to amend the Constitution. The other two are people’s initiative and con-stituent assembly. Under the people’s initiative, an amendment may be proposed by the people through a petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters, while under a constituent assem-bly, Congress may propose amendments upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members.

Guingona, Pimentel resolutionOn May 5, Guingona and Pimentel fi led Senate Resolution 1308 urg-

ing members of Congress “to submit to the electorate the question of calling for a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments or re-visions to the 1987 Constitution.”

They said various business organizations and research groups have identifi ed provisions in the 1987 Constitution that need to be revised to address expanding global demands, as well as, economic and political realities. “The radical revision in the constitutional structure is a task better given to a constitutional convention, whose members shall be chosen by the people, rather than to a constituent assembly, composed of members of Congress who currently wield political power,” they said.

They added that the calling of a Constitutional Convention to pro-pose amendments to or revisions of the Constitution is the least di-visive and the most transparent, exhaustive, and democratic way of achieving much-needed constitutional reforms.

The senators said the Congress can either directly call a constitu-tional convention by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, or submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention by a majority of all its members.

They said that to dispel any doubts that the constitutional reforms are being sought to advance political and economic interests of a cho-sen few, it would be more prudent, participatory, and democratic to submit to the electorate the question of calling such a constitutional convention. They proposed that the should the electorate favorably de-cide to one one, the election for delegates be conducted simultaneously with the May 9, 2016 elections to defray the cost of a separate election. (MNS)

MANILA, May 9 (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III on Friday expressed grief over the death of Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Domingo Lu-cenario Jr. in a helicopter crash.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Op-erations Offi ce head Herminio Coloma Jr. said Aqui-no and his delegation learned of the tragedy while in Ottawa, Canada.

“He (Aquino) said that the Philippines lost an outstanding career diplomat who served his country with distinction for nearly three decades,” Coloma said.

Coloma added Aquino “conveyed his sympathy and condolences with Ambassador Lucenario’s fam-ily.”

Aquino is on a three-day state visit to Canada.

Chopper crashLucenario was among the seven people killed in

a military helicopter crash on Friday in northern Pakistan. The victims were on their way to inspect development projects there.

Also killed were ambassador of Norway and the wives of the Malaysian, Indonesian ambassadors and the pilots and crew of the chopper.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was trav-eling to the mountainous northern region of Gilgit on a separate aircraft to launch two projects when the accident happened. He returned to Islamabad, his offi ce said.

Military spokesman Asim Bajwa said in Twitter posts that initial information indicated the cause was a technical fault.(MNS)

Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has fi led a resolution directing the Senate to conduct a full review of the country’s efforts against human traf-fi cking to prevent another case similar to that of Mary Janes Veloso.

In his Senate Resolution No. 1325 fi led last May 6, Marcos asked the appropriate committee to conduct a review of Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Traffi cking Act of 2012 and the performance of the Inter-Agency Council Against Traffi cking (IACAT).

”Review is not only timely but also critically important to ensure that Mary Jane Veloso’s case would be an isolated one and the last of its kind,” Marcos said.

He noted that most convictions involving hu-man traffi cking involved domestic cases, hence the need to up the ante on cases involving cross-border traffi cking as exemplifi ed by the Veloso case.

“There is an urgency to this proposal for a thor-ough review of the expanded anti-traffi cking law considering that there are 92 other Filipinos on death row in other parts of the world for various crimes, and we need to determine whether some of them may also have been victims of traffi cking in persons” Marcos said.

The resolution formalizes the senator’s earlier call for such a review after the last minute-reprieve granted to Veloso by the Indonesian government

to enable her to testify against her alleged illegal recruiter.

Veloso was sentenced to death by the Indone-sian government for bringing in over two kilos of heroin to that country in 2010.

She claimed, however, that Ma. Kristina Ser-gio, who recruited her to work as domestic helper, tricked her into carrying the suitcase packed with illegal drugs.

Following the fi ling of criminal charges against Sergio and her partner Julius Lacanilao in connec-tion with Veloso’s case, several other complainants against them have surfaced.

Marcos cited the need to review IACAT’s perfor-mance to enhance its capability to provide assis-tance and protection to victims of traffi cking.

The senator noted that since 2011, the United States government has classifi ed the Philippines in the Tier 2 category, referring to countries that have shown signifi cant but not overwhelming progress in the fi ght against human traffi cking.

“It is important that the Philippines show fi rm, consistent and unquestionable resolve in protect-ing the welfare of migrant Filipino workers and ensuring their safety when seeking jobs abroad, from time of recruitment to onsite services, as well as towards future reintegration and reunifi ca-tion with their families back home,” Marcos said. (MNS)

Washington, United States (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – The United States expressed concern Friday over reports China has used a powerful censorship tool dubbed “Great Cannon” to attack websites around the world.

Researchers reported in April that the “Great Cannon” is an online attack system used to hijack web traffi c and enforce the country’s broad censor-ship of information online.

The system was used to shut down websites aimed at helping Chinese bypass the country’s extensive online restrictions known as the “Great Firewall,” experts said.

“We are concerned by reports that China has used a new cyber capability to interfere with the ability of worldwide internet users to access content hosted outside of China,” State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said following a question about the program.

Rathke said the cyber attack manipulated Chi-nese web traffi c and “and turned it into malicious traffi c directed at US sites.”

“We have asked Chinese authorities to investi-gate this activity and provide us with the results of their investigation,” he said.

Experts at the University of Toronto reported on the Great Cannon last month, noting denial of ser-vice attacks carried out by the system.

The report supported claims by an activist orga-nization which said China was seeking to shut down its online service that offer ways to access content from blocked websites.

Great Cannon gives China cyberattack capabili-ties similar to the US National Security Agency’s Quantum program, revealed in documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, experts said.

By Boonradom ChitradonBangkok, Thailand (AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 –

Thailand’s junta chief Friday called for Malay-sia and Myanmar’s help in stamping out the region’s thriving human traffi cking trade as the UN warned migrant crossings in the Bay of Bengal have dramatically spiked.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said he is seeking a three-way meeting with the neigh-boring countries before the end of May follow-ing the discovery of remains from dozens of mi-grants in southern Thailand.

In recent years tens of thousands of Rohing-ya Muslims, mainly from Myanmar but also more recently from Bangladesh, have braved the dangerous sea crossing to southern Thai-land, with many headed for Malaysia and be-yond.

The recent discovery of migrant graves and a network of secret jungle camps run by people smugglers in Thailand’s deep south has embar-rassed the kingdom and highlighted its central role in a grim trade in which offi cials have long been accused of complicity.

“We are the middle country, what should we do?” Prayut told reporters.

“They (the migrants) have to pass Thailand on the way. But the third country doesn’t want to accept them (either),” he added.

Prayut, who took over in a coup nearly a year ago, suggested offi cials across the region were benefi ting from the trade.

“There have been evil people as well as the authorities. But without the authorities joining in, it wouldn’t happen,” he said, adding corrupt offi cials should be “got rid of”.

His comments came as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said an estimated 25,000 Rohingya and Ban-gladeshis have taken to boats in the fi rst three months of this year – double the number over the same period in 2014.

“Based on survivor accounts, we estimate that 300 people died at sea in the fi rst quarter of 2015 as a result of starvation, dehydration and abuse by boat crews,” the refugee agency said in a statement Friday.

‘Beatings, executions and rapes’ - The UN added that the most common route

used by gangs was to ferry migrants by boat to Ranong province in southern Thailand and

drive them by road to a network of hidden camps on the southern border with Malaysia.

“Conditions in the smugglers’ camp are hor-rifi c,” the statement read.

“Beatings are common and there are reports of rapes. Those who try to escape risk being shot.”

Highlighting the regional nature of traffi ck-ing, Bangladesh police on Friday said three people-smugglers were gunned down by offi -cers in a border region close to Myanmar.

Offi cials accused the men of smuggling thou-sands of people in recent years via networks that spread into Myanmar and Thailand.

A day earlier labour rights group Tenaganita said interviews with survivors indicated Ma-laysians were also involved in human smug-gling and ran secret prison camps.

Authorities in Kuala Lumpur have yet to re-spond to the allegations.

The discovery of the skeleton-fi lled graves at remote jungle camps on Thailand’s southern border with Malaysia was made during a re-cent crackdown that comes at a crucial time for the kingdom.

Last summer the US relegated Thailand to the bottom of its list of countries failing to tack-le modern-day slavery.

The next State Department report on hu-man traffi cking is expected imminently and Thailand has lobbied Washington against its inclusion in the lowest tier, insisting it is now clamping down.

Regional police offi cial Major General Pu-thichart Ekachant told AFP nine people have now been arrested in the last week on suspi-cion of running people smuggling rackets, in-cluding a senior municipal offi cial in Padang Besar who turned himself in on Friday.

More than 50 police offi cers, including se-nior offi cials, have been transferred from their posts for complicity or turning a blind eye to the trade.

Meanwhile dozens of suspected migrants have been rounded up in southern Thailand, some of whom were abandoned by smugglers.

Police in Songkhla province Friday told AFP 65 suspected Bangladeshis had been discov-ered near a rubber plantation in Rattaphum district trying to make their way to Malaysia.

Gazmin: China’s claiming of airspace over disputed territories a ‘cause for concern’

Drilon: No more time and budget for ConCon

Aquino mourns death of PHL ambassador in Pakistan crash

Bongbong seeks review of anti-traffi cking campaign to prevent another Mary Jane Veloso case

US ‘concerned’ over reported Chinese global censorship tool

Thailand calls for Malaysia, Myanmar help in halting traffi cking

Visit www.usasianpost.com Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 THE US ASIAN POST4

ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 1, 2015 – Southern California Edison (SCE) today celebrates its business and com-munity partnerships in the Asian com-munity at its 10th annual Asian Ameri-can Pacifi c Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration at SCE’s Energy Education Center in Irwindale.

Ted Craver, chairman, president and CEO of Edison International, the parent company of SCE, will speak at the event, which brings together Asian businesses and community part-ners, recognizes AAPI energy-effi cient champions and highlights SCE’s part-ners with its mission to give back to the communities it serves.

This year’s award recipients are Foreign Exchange, RePET Inc., Asian Pacifi c Community Fund and Chinese American Construction Professionals.

Ted Nguyen, a national award-win-ning social media, public relations and marketing communications profession-al, is the keynote speaker. “Celebrating Business & Community Partnerships,” with a special focus on giving back, is this year’s theme.

“Our Asian American Pacifi c Is-lander Heritage event celebrates our cultural diversity and the achievements of Asian-American business and com-munities partners,” said Lisa Cagno-latti, vice president of SCE’s Business Customer Division and Customer Ser-vice Safety. “It’s also an opportunity for Southern California Edison to show our appreciation to the communities we serve.”

Receiving SCE’s 2015 Energy Effi -ciency Participation Award are:

Foreign Exchange, a new clothing

company with more than 30 stores in California, including nine in SCE’s ser-vice territory.

Foreign Exchange has played a proactive role in energy savings and its participation in SCE’ Energy Effi -ciency Express Solutions program has led to reduced electricity usage and in-centives.

RePET, Inc., a recycling center, that has maintained corporate values in re-ducing costs by saving energy and im-proving safety.

Through its partnership with SCE via its Energy Effi ciency/Demand Re-sponse programs, RePET has installed more effi cient lighting and is currently enrolled in SCE’s Real Time Pricing program.

SCE’s Community Partnership Award goes to the Asian Pacifi c Com-

munity Fund (APCF), which is focused on transforming lives and meeting the diverse needs of the AAPI community.

To date, APCF has awarded $3 mil-lion to its affi liate agencies and other community organizations, enabling culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate services to enhance the lives of 225,000 people annually in 27 Asian and Pacifi c Islander languages, in addition to English and Spanish.

SCE’s Diverse Business Enterprise Award will be given to the Chinese American Construction Professionals, which enhances members’ competi-tiveness in local and global markets, facilitates professional and business networking opportunities and serves the community while nurturing the fu-ture of construction professionals.

Jestin Ma, a freshman at Stanford

University, will share his experiences as a 2014 Edison Scholar and the re-cipient of a $40,000 scholarship.

He is studying computer science and engineering and is a graduate of San Gabriel High School.

NBC4 Southern California reporter Hetty Chang will serve as emcee. A na-tive of Southern California, Chang is an Emmy Award-nominated journalist who covers the Long Beach and South Bay communities. About Southern California Edison

An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 mil-lion via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

ROSEMEAD, Calif., May 4, 2015 – If there’s a season for everything, May begins the usual peak months for power outages caused by metallic bal-loons. And this year, those outages are already up 55 percent and at an all-time high for the fi rst three months of any year.

With this happening even before the tradition-ally most active months for balloon-related outag-es around Mother’s Day, graduations and proms, Southern California Edi-son (SCE) urges its cus-tomers to always keep those balloons secured to a weight as required by California law and to nev-er release them outdoors. This is especially vital since SCE has had 182 outages through March compared to 118 last year at that point.

“Keep them indoors if possible, but the best way to prevent them from fl oating dangerously away

outdoors is by keeping them tied to that weight or something else sturdy,” said Don Neal, SCE direc-tor of Corporate Environ-mental, Health and Safety. “Not doing so can lead to serious injuries, property damage and outages.”

Injuries and property damage can potentially occur when the balloon contact leads to downed power lines.

May and June have long been the worst months for balloon outag-es, with 35 percent (230) of SCE’s 656 balloon out-ages last year occurring in these months.

Since 2010, SCE has consistently suffered about one-third of its bal-loon outages in May and June — twice the number on average than the next two months.

During National Elec-trical Safety Month, SCE recommends some tips for handling metallic bal-loons:

Do not attempt to re-trieve a balloon – or any foreign object – tangled in power lines.

Instead, call SCE at 800-611-1911 and report the problem.

Never tie a metallic balloon to a child’s wrist. If the balloon comes into contact with electricity, it will travel through the balloon and into the child, possibly causing serious injury or even death.

Never attach streamers to any balloon – latex or metallic.

When done with them, puncture the balloons or cut the knot to keep them from fl oating away.

If you see a downed line or dangling wire – even if it appears not to be live – don’t touch or ap-proach it and call 911 im-mediately.

More on metallic bal-loon safety can be found at on.sce.com/staysafe. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

SCE celebrates Asian American Pacifi c Islander Heritage Month

Secure means safe when it comes to metallic balloons for moms, grads and proms

LOS ANGELES – City and federal offi cials have announced the fi rst annual Tap Water Day LA at the Balboa Sports Center in Encino, celebrating Los An-geles’ clean, reliable drinking water.

Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero, Chief Sustain-ability Offi ce Matt Petersen, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Di-rector of Water Quality Albert Gastelum were joined by rep-resentatives from the U.S. En-vironmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the State Water Resources Control Board, LA County Public Health, Ameri-can Water Works Association (AWWA), and the LA Depart-ment of Recreation and Parks in unveiling new, city-wide drink-ing water stations for the enjoy-ment and health of all residents.

In many parts of the world, access to clean, safe drinking water is a luxury, but one that many people in Los Angeles may take for granted.

No single factor has been as important to the establishment

and growth of Los Angeles as water.

Tap Water Day LA reminds us all of the importance clean drinking water plays in our lives and that our city’s complex plan-ning, treatment and monitoring infrastructure should be a focal point of our civic pride.

“I commend the Department of Water and Power and Recre-ation and Parks for spearhead-ing Tap Water Day. LADWP works hard to ensure our drink-ing water meets EPA health-based standards and the Safe Drinking Water Act, which safeguards tap water,” said Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero. “At home, we hardly give it a thought as we turn on our fau-cets, but as the drought contin-ues and our population grows, it is important for people to use our drinking water resources wisely and not waste them.”

“Every day, LADWP delivers 550 million gallons of the high-est quality water at the lowest possible cost to our 4 million customers in LA,” said Albert Gastelum, LADWP Director of

Water Quality. “We want the public to know that our drinking water is protected by hundreds of employees who manage our treatment processes, operate and maintain our treatment fa-cilities and vigilantly monitor and test the water we serve.”

The new drinking water sta-tions unveiled today will be placed in a variety of locations in all of the council districts throughout the city where resi-dents can fi ll up their reusable water bottles with clean, cool, refreshing drinking water.

Free reusable water bottles were distributed to the public at the event for a ‘Water Toast’ celebrating the many benefi ts of pure, clean refreshing tap water.

“Tap Water Day is a call to action to remind us to trust, drink and celebrate the tap and be a champion of local drinking fountains” said Evelyn Wendel, Founding Director, WeTap.

The fountains not only pro-vide drinking water for resi-dents, but also serve as symbols of the expansive system supply-ing water.

Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Barbara Romero, Chief Sustainability Offi ce Matt Petersen, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Director of Water Quality Albert Gastelum were joined by representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the State Water Resources Control Board, LA County Public Health, American Water Works As-sociation (AWWA), and the LA Department of Recreation and Parks in unveiling new, city-wide drinking water stations for the enjoyment and health of all residents.

LA celebrates TAP Water Day to highlight benefi ts of city’s clean drinking water

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 Visit www.usasianpost.com 5

By Ivan CouronneWashington, United States

(AFP) Saturday 5/9/2015 – The 11 million undocumented immi-grants in the United States don’t vote, but they have children, sib-lings or cousins that do, and Hill-ary Clinton is courting their sup-port.

The Democratic presidential candidate has singled out immi-gration as a key campaign issue in her bid for the White House in 2016. She is looking to set herself apart from her Republican ri-vals on the matter, and has even said she wants to go further than President Barack Obama to se-cure legal status, and citizenship, for millions of undocumented im-migrants, most of which are His-panic.

The move is a strategic one: securing the Hispanic vote could be what Clinton – or any candi-date—needs to become president in the next election.

In 2012, the Hispanics made up 10 percent of the vote, com-pared to only two percent in 1976.

In recent elections, they have shown an increasing preference for the Democratic Party. Obama won the 2012 race with 82 percent of the minority vote, including 71% of the Hispanic vote.

Sitting with a group of undoc-umented students this week in Nevada, Clinton made her stance clear, calling on Congress to adopt comprehensive immigration re-form and create a path to citizen-ship for the youths and millions of others like them.

She promised to do more than Obama, who used executive ac-tion last November to bypass Congress and approve measures to protect about four million un-documented foreigners from de-portation. Clinton said she was ready to use executive action to shield many more.

Republicans immediately ze-roed in on this to attack Clinton as a hyper-partisan Democrat.

“She is running even further to the left than Barack Obama,” Whit Ayres, Republican pollster and adviser to conservative presi-dential hopeful Marco Rubio, told AFP.

“Executive actions on immigra-tion are exactly the wrong way to solve a broken immigration sys-

tem. If anything we need more bipartisan approaches to address-ing a broken system, not declara-tions of unilateral action,” said Ayres.

‘Howling for impeachment’Clinton’s stance will matter

even more in states with a large Hispanic population, such as Ne-vada and Florida.

But Republican rivals hope the move will come back to bite her.

“This is just one more issue that she’s going to have to an-swer for in the general election,” Glen Bolger, Republican pollster and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, told AFP.

“If Republicans started to do major policy making by executive action, the Democrats would be howling for impeachment,” Bol-ger said.

However, Republican presiden-tial candidates are aware they cannot ignore the immigration question, a key issue for Hispanic voters.

Ayres predicts that Republi-cans will need much more than 40 percent of the Hispanic vote in next year’s election to win, a sub-stantial hike from the 27 percent that Republican candidate Mitt Romney clinched in 2012.

Republicans focus on a precon-dition for reform, that the long border with Mexico should be bet-ter secured. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, the fi rst to join the 2016 White House race, once proposed to triple the number of police along the border.

But none has offered any kind of substantive plan on immigra-tion reform.

Rubio, the Florida Senator whose parents immigrated from Cuba, has previously supported comprehensive immigration re-form but has since backpedaled.

He acknowledges that 11 mil-lion people cannot simply be de-ported, but now insists on secur-ing the border fi rst, indefi nitely delaying any action on legal sta-tus.

Jeb Bush, who is expected to announce his White House bid, remains somewhat ambiguous.

He prefers to talk about legal immigration, and has proposed reducing family-based immigra-tion, removing the sibling cat-egory preference, to increase the

number of permanent visas for skilled immigrants.

But Bush, whose wife was born in Mexico, has adopted a more compassionate tone to discuss the lives of immigrants who take risks to cross the border.

“We’re going to turn people into

Republicans if we’re much more aspirational in our message, and our tone has to be more inclusive as well,” he said last month.

But Hispanic hopes, at least for the moment, seem to remain in the Democrats’ camp.

Asked by Pew in 2014 “which

party do you think has more con-cern for Hispanics/Latinos?”, half of the Hispanic respondents said Democrats.

Only 10 percent thought Re-publicans cared more, and 35 per-cent said there was no difference between the parties.

By Dan De LuceWashington, United States

(AFP) Friday 5/8/2015 – The US military bolstered security at bases across the country Friday after the FBI voiced concern that Islamist extremists could target troops or police offi cers.

The head of US Northern Com-mand, Admiral William Gortney, ordered the heightened alert “as a prudent measure,” Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven War-ren said. The move, he said, was designed “to remind installation commanders at all levels within the NORTHCOM area of respon-sibility to ensure increased vigi-lance in safeguarding of all DoD (Defense Department) personnel and facilities.”

This raised the offi cial alert

status one notch higher on a fi ve-point scale, from the fourth level “Alpha” to the third level “Bravo,” which the military describes as an “increased and predictable threat of terrorism.”

Offi cials said most of the ad-ditional security measures would likely not be readily apparent to the public, apart from perhaps more bags being searched or ID cards being checked at base en-trances.The move came after two men att

empted to storm an exhibition on Sunday showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in a Dallas suburb. The two heavily-armed gunmen were shot dead by a local police offi cer before they could approach the building where the event was being held.

Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said on Thursday that the two as-sailants had been “inspired” – but not directed – by the Islamic State group to stage the failed attack.

“The decision to do this now is informed by a generally height-ened threat level,” Warren told reporters.

“We’ve seen what happened in Texas. We’ve seen other social media and Internet-based discus-sions and threats. We have de-tected a general increase in the overall (threat) environment.”

FBI Director James Comey re-portedly said on Thursday that authorities were concerned about the IS group encouraging attacks on “the uniformed military and law enforcement” via online pro-paganda.

The Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has singled out immigration as a key campaign issue in her bid for the White House in 2016.

Seeking Hispanic vote, Hillary Clinton defends illegal immigrants

US moves to bolster security of military bases across the nation

Aegis to perform in concert, Sept. 19 at Pala

Aegis

PALA, CA, May 11, 2015 – AEGIS, one of the Philippines’ top pop rock and pinoy rock groups, will perform in concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, September 19, in Club Infi nity at Pala Casino Spa & Resort.

AEGIS was formed in 1995 and has topped the Filipino charts with “Luha” (Tears), “Halik” (Kiss) and “Basang-basa sa Ulan” (Drenched in the Rain.”

AEGIS7 p.m., Saturday, September 19Club Infi nityPala Casino Spa & ResortTickets: $98, $78Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., Fri-

day, May 15, with no service charge, at the Pala Box Offi ce in the casino, or call 1-877-WIN PALA (1-877-946-7252). Tickets also are available at Star Tickets, 1-800-585-3737, or www.startickets.com.

Pala is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/Riverside, take I-15 to Highway 76 east fi ve miles; from Los Angeles County and Orange County, take I-5 south to Highway 76 east, then travel 23 miles. Pala is 15 miles north of Escondido, 12 miles south of Temecula.

Address: 11154 Highway 76, Pala, CA 92059

Telephone: 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-946-7252)

Web site: http://www.palacasino.comAdditional Shows Coming to Pala and

the new Starlight Theater:Two of Southern California’s top tribute

bands, Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen, and Zeppelin USA, a tribute to Led Zeppe-lin, will christen the new venue on opening night at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 23. Tick-ets are $12 in advance and $14 the day of the show. The schedule includes:

Creedence Clearwater Revisited, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater, 8 p.m., Friday, May 29. Tickets, $50. $45, at www.startickets.com

Theresa Caputo, 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 1, Events Center (SOLD OUT)

Oak Grove Benefi t Concert, 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 5, Infi nity Lounge. Featur-ing America Idol Alums Lee DeWyze, El-liot Yamin, Blake Lewis and Didi Benami. General Admission tickets, $15, at www.startickets.com.

Whitesnake, Britain’s legendary heavy-metal group will make Pala a stop on its 2015 tour, 7 p.m., Saturday, June 6. Tick-ets, $70, $60, $45, at www.startickets.com

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, 8 p.m., Friday, June 12. Tickets, $105, $95, $75, at www.startickets.com

Chubby Checker, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 27. Tickets, $45, at www.startickets.com

Cheech and Chong with WAR and Special Guest Shelby Chong, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 11. Tickets, $72, $62, $52, at

www.startickets.comAlice in Chains, the Seattle heavy-met-

al rockers will make Pala a stop on its 2015 tour, 8 p.m., Friday, July 17. Tickets, $80, $70, $60, at www.startickets.com

Aaron Lewis, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 25. Tickets, $50, $40, at www.startickets.com

Huey Lewis and The News, one of America’s great rock and roll bands, 8 p.m., Thursday, July 30. Tickets, $72, $62, $47, at www.startickets.com

Russell Peters, one of Canada’s top co-medians, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 8. Tickets, $70, $60, $50, at www.startickets.com

Rock of the 70’s featuring The Guess Who, Ambrosia, Firefall, Al Stewart, 8 p.m., Friday, August 28. Tickets, $50, at www.startickets.com

YES & Toto, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sep-tember 5. Tickets, $85, $75, $60, at www.startickets.com

Rascal Flatts, 8 p.m., Friday, September 25. Tickets, $150, $125, $100, at www.star-tickets.com.

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood Two-Man Show, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oc-tober 10, Events Center. Tickets start at $39.50 at www.startickets.com.

About Pala Casino Spa & ResortPala Casino Spa & Resort includes a Las

Vegas-style casino with 2,000+ slot ma-chines, 87 table games and 15 poker tables; a 507-room hotel; a 10,000-square-foot, full-service spa and salon that features 14 treatment rooms; a state-of-the-art fi tness center; swimming pool with 12 private pool-side cabanas, and dual-temperature out-door whirlpool hot tub. Pala also offers 11 restaurants and 40,000 square feet of meet-ing and convention space. Pala Casino Spa & Resort is an AAA Four-Diamond Award winner for 12 consecutive years. Its state-of-the-art Pala Spa was named the one of the Top 10 spas in California, one of the Top 10 in the casino industry and one of the Top 100 in North America for 2014 by Spas of America. Pala Spa also was named the number one spa on the West Coast and one of the top 100 spas in the United States.

Visit www.usasianpost.com Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 THE US ASIAN POST6

Two lucky raffl e winners will see Lani Misalucha perform live at Pechanga Resort & Casino on May 22, 2015.

The winners – Lourdes Q. Garcia and Avelino Ang, whose names were chosen from several raffl e participants, are among the latest of lucky participants who have seen live concerts of Filipino artists in the prestigious resort located just south of Los Angeles.

The raffl e contest begun last April 11 and ended on April 29. Entry forms were submitted via email at advertising@balita.com where all the participants did was to put “LANI” as subject and with their complete name, age and phone number in order for their name to be included in the raffl e drawing.

In the raffl e, contestants were asked to answer the two trivia questions about Lani Misalucha.

The questions were: What was Lani Misalucha called since she arrived in Las Vegas in 2004?

What is the name of the Ha-waiian troupe performing with Lani Misalucha in Las Vegas?

Filipino recording artists Lani Misalucha and a special guest performer are coming to the Pechanga Resort & Casino The-ater on May 22, 2015.

Both well-known stars, Lani Misalucha is known as the “Si-ren of the Las Vegas Strip” after a long time headlining residency.

Lani Misalucha is a Filipino singer now based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dubbed “Asia’s Nightin-gale,” she is a multi-faceted artist, from pop, rock, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues and operatic arias.

Having moved to Las Vegas in 2004, Misalucha became the fi rst Asian to headline a main show-room of the Las Vegas strip per-forming with Hawaii’s Society of Seven at the Jubilee Theater of Bally’s.

Since then, Misalucha has been called “New Siren of the Strip.” In March 2008, Misalucha was voted “Best Singer” in the “27th Annual Best of Las Vegas” poll by the Las Vegas Review Journal. Misalucha recently returned to the Philip-pines to great fanfare to release

her seventh studio album, The Nightingale Returns: Lani Mis-alucha Sings the Greatest Filipi-no Songbook.

Recently, this special perform-er together with Lani Misalucha and Martin Nievera headlined the very successful New Year’s Eve Countdown for Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila. Other upcom-ing events at Pechanga Resort & Casino include:● May 15 - Bellator MMA ● May 22 - Lani Misalucha

with Special Guest ● June 5 - Peter Frampton &

Cheap Trick ● June 6 - 7th Annual Micro-

brew & Craft Beer Festival ● August 23 - Diana Krall About Pechanga Resort & Ca-

sinoPechanga Resort & Casino of-

fers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experi-

ence anywhere in the country. Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort & Casino provides an un-paralleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay.

Offering more than 3,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 517 hotel rooms, dining, spa and champion-ship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort & Casino fea-tures a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community.

Pechanga Resort & Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño In-dians. For more information, call toll free 1-877-711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort & Casino on Facebook.com/Pechanga and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

Lucky winners picked to see Lani Misalucha live at Pechanga Some students to visit the

ocean for fi rst time on May 14, 2015

Kids Ocean Day is the culmination of a year-round school assembly pro-gram by the Malibu Foundation for En-vironmental Education to teach school kids about how litter fl ows from our neighborhoods to the ocean, thereby killing marine life and polluting food resources.

To enhance the lesson, more than 3,500 students from more than 30 Los Angeles-area schools will be taken to the beach for a clean-up and to partici-pate in an aerial artwork, designed by a Los Angeles student and brought to life by aerial artist John Quigley.

Kids Ocean Day will be celebrated on May 14, 2015 at Dockweiler State Beach.

Kids Ocean Day is the creation of Malibu Foundation for Environmental Education founder Michael Klubock. Michael started Kids Ocean Day 22 years ago as a way to bring his school

assembly program into the real world. The one-day cleanup event motivates the students of Los Angeles to care about their environment and involves them in community service, while in-stilling good habits and stewardship. Bringing Los Angeles school children to the beach helps put them in touch with nature, while challenging them to recycle, reduce litter and participate in cleaning up their environment.

For many of the young people, Kids Ocean Day is their fi rst time at the ocean. The wonder and beauty of the coast, combined with a mission to protect the natural world, is a profound experience.

Kids Ocean Day is sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Stormwater Pro-gram, a project of the Bureau of Sanita-tion, the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works, as well as the California Coastal Commission, Keep LA Beauti-ful and Spectral Q.

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the event, please visit, http://kids-oceanday.org/volunteer

Long Beach, Calif. – May 9, 2015 – Formula DRIFT presented by GoPro returned to Road Atlanta for Round 2: Road to the Championship. Aurimas “Odi” Bakchis in the Feal Suspension / ARK Performance / Nitto Tire Nis-san 240 SX takes the victory for his fi rst Formula DRIFT win of his career and rises to the top of the standings.Round 2: Road to the Champion-ship was a night of upsets as the top qualifi ers failed to move past the early rounds of the competition. The action packed event provided the fans with a competitive atmosphere that kept them on their feet throughout the night. 240,000 fans tuned in to watch the competition unfold on the Livestream broadcast during the event weekend.“This season thus far has been very competitive,” says Jim Liaw, Presi-dent of Formula DRIFT. “The com-petition is as tough as ever as can be proven by all the upsets tonight. It will be exciting to watch how the season unfolds especially as we head into a brand new venue at Orlando Speedworld for the next round.”The semi-fi nals were a challenge for both defending champion, Chris Fors-berg in the NOS Energy Drink / Han-kook Tire Nissan 370Z and Ken Gushi in the GReddy Racing / Hankook Tire

Scion Racing FR-S as their battles were too close to determine a defi nitive winner by the judges, leading to multi-ple one more time battles. During their third battle, Gushi edged out Forsberg with his close proximity on his chase run giving him the win, while Forsberg inches his way up the rankings to third place. The Finals pitted Gushi and Bak-chis. Bakchis’ speed was too much for Gushi as he took an early lead in his lead run, which lead to his fi rst For-mula DRIFT victory and moves him into fi rst place in the standings. Gushi found the podium for the fi rst time since the 2009 season and moves into fi fth place overall. “It feels great to get my fi rst win,” said Aurimas Bak-chis, winner of Round 2: Road to the Championship. “Road Atlanta is my favorite venue and I’m super stoked to continue the momentum I set in Long Beach. Currently sitting in fi rst for the Championship and it feels amazing!” The 2015 Formula DRIFT season will continue to Round 3: Uncharted Terri-tory on June 5-6 and for the fi rst time be held at Orlando Speedworld. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and fi nd Formula DRIFT on Insta-gram, Facebook and Twitter. Tune into Formula DRIFT on CBS Sports and check your local listings for airtimes.

Thousands of LA Students ‘Unite for the Ocean’ in this Year’s Kids Ocean Day

Aurimas ‘Odi’ Bakchis moves into fi rst place in the standings after topping Formula DRIFT Round 2

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 Visit www.usasianpost.com 7

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James Reid and Nadine Lustre are not giving in to public pres-sure to take their relationship to the next level.

Reid and Lustre agreed that they are fortunate to have the support of their fans even though they know that they are just close friends.

“For me, as long as we are working together like this, I don’t think it’s a good idea [that we take our friendship to the next level],” Reid said. “The relationships that go through showbiz never work out.”

“What we have is great. Why spoil it?” the actor added.

Reid and Lustre were launched as a love team in 2014. Since then, they have appeared in a number of TV shows and in two movies, which were both blockbuster hits.

Their third movie together, “Para sa Hopeless Romantic,” is set to hit theaters on May 13.

Lustre describes “Para sa Hopeless Romantic” as “more re-alistic” than “Diary ng Panget” and “Talk Back and You’re Dead.”

“Kasi ito, according to (writer) Marcelo (Santos III), nangyari talaga siya. Makaka-relate ‘yung mga hopeless romantic, ‘yung mga takot magmahal, mga ini-wan, mga gustong balikan sila,”

she said.Aside from their movie, Reid

and Lustre will also headline the upcoming television series “On The Wings of Love.”

“Super excited po ako. Ito kasi medyo forte ko. Balik ako sa rom-com dito. Kasi with drama, medyo nahihirapan ako kasi I’m really a very positive person.

As much as possible, ayaw ko pong umiiyak ako. Basta I’m su-per excited. Mas magle-level up kami ni James dito. Mas mature ng konti ‘yung roles namin. It’s something to look forward to, it’s something new,” Lustre said. (MNS)

Young stars Iñigo Pascual and Julia Barretto are open to the pos-sibility of falling in love with each other.

For a start, they said they re-ally enjoyed working together on the upcoming movie “Para sa Hopeless Romantic,” which is top-billed by the love team of James Reid and Nadine Lustre.

“Naa-appreciate ko talaga na he’s in my life kasi I have that person that I can run to,” Barretto said.

“Kung ganito siya as a friend what more kung boyfriend na siya?”

For his part, Pascual said, “The thing about Julia is that we are so much alike na we know how to deal with each other.”

“Para sa Hopeless Romantic” will open theaters nationwide on May 13.(MNS)

Mother’s Day is shaping up to be extra special for Heart Evan-gelista this year.

Just days before Mother’s Day, which this year falls on May 10, Evangelista posted a photo of her mother Cecile Ongpauco teaching her how to make polvoron.

Photo from Heart Evangelista’s Instagram

“Nothing beats learning moms secret recipes,” the actress wrote, even using the hashtag #barrio-fi estababy. The Ongpaucos own the chain of Barrio Fiesta restau-rants. Evangelista also uploaded an old photo of her mother with the caption: “My beautiful mom-my.”

For more than a year, Evange-

lista was estranged with her par-ents due to her relationship with Senator Francis Escudero, whom she married last February.

In May 2013, the Ongpauco couple even called a press confer-ence to express their strong disap-proval of the actress’ relationship with the lawmaker. They eventu-ally reconciled in August 2014 af-ter Escudero proposed to her.

Despite this, her parents did not attend the couple high-profi le wedding last February 15 at the posh Balesin Island Club. the ac-tress’ parents decided not to at-tend the ceremony.

Her father, Reynaldo Ongpau-co, wrote her a letter which was read during the reception. (MNS)

Another member of the Padilla family has joined the entertain-ment industry.

JC Padilla, the younger broth-er of the Daniel Padilla, was launched by ABS-CBN’s Star Mu-sic as one of its new artists who is part of the album “OPM Fresh.”

But unlike his brother, JC said that he only intends to pursue a music career. “Singer lang forev-er,” he said. JC is the son of Karla Estrada with Pearl of the Orient vocalist Naldy Padilla.

Although Daniel also sings, JC pointed out that their singing styles are actually different.

“Siguro masabi ko lang na dif-ference naming – hindi ko naman nilalayo ‘yung boses ko and hindi ko rin naman ginagaya [’yung bo-ses niya]. Pero siguro [magkaiba] talaga ‘yung style,” he said. “Hus-

ky ng boses ko. Mas clean kay kuya. Mas pang-pop ang boses niya.”

Asked if he sought any advice from Daniel or his mother, JC said: “Bilin nila na i-enjoy ko lang ‘yung bless-ings na du-madating sa akin and stay humble.”

JC said he will do his best to make a name for himself and use his brother as his inspiration, adding that he just feels blessed to be given an opportunity like

this.“Napakasaya ko po kasi fi rst

time ko ito pero sobrang nerbyos kasi fi rst time ko din mag press conference. Sobrang saya na may halong kaba pero enjoy naman,” he said. (MNS)

Kapuso star Miguel Tanfelix still wants to achieve many things that’s why his love life takes a back seat for now.

Miguel admits having crush on his “Once Upon A Kiss” leading lady Bianca Umali but he is not in a hurry to pursue her, even after their teleserye ends today.

“Minsan sumasagi sa isip ko (na ligawan) pero hindi po muna kasi hindi iyon ’yung priority ko,” Miguel shared.

While Miguel has been under pressure to level up their friend-ship, with Bianca even admitting in previous interviews that she admires him, he is still bent on fo-cusing on his career fi rst.

“Pini-pressure na kami sa paligid namin na, ‘Ligawan mo iyan.’ Pero hindi ako magpapa-apekto kasi gusto kong maging businessman. Gusto kong maging pi-loto,” he said. “Darating ’yung tamang time pero hindi muna talaga ngay-on. Kasi kaming dalawa, alam namin sa isa’t isa na hindi po iyon ’yung priority naming dalawa,” he further clarifi ed.

The 16-year-old actor likes Bianca’s beauty and kindness. They have got-ten closer and more com-fortable with each other having worked together in several shows, in-cluding “Basang Sisiw,” “Niño,” “Ismol Family” and “Paroa: Ang Kwento Ni Mariposa.”

“Siyempre po may turning point din naman iyan. Si Bianca, ’yung personality niya, walang hindi nagkakagusto doon. Isa ako sa mga lalaki na iyon. Siyempre crush ko si Bianca,” he said.

Miguel added, “Closer kami ngayon kasi halos araw-araw kaming mag-kasama. Madami na ka-ming things na nalaman sa isa’t isa. Nakapunta din kami sa iba’t ibang lugar na magkasama like sa Bohol and Davao. Ma-sarap sa pakiramdam.”

That said, Miguel shared he and Bianca regularly contact each other even during their days off.

Why James, Nadine won’t take friendship to next level

James Reid and Nadine Lustre

Julia appreciates having Inigo in her life

Julia Barretto

Love life not a priority for Miguel Tanfelix

Miguel Tanfelix

Heart Evangelista, mom reconcile?

Daniel Padilla’s brother launches music careerHeart Evangelista

JC Padilla

Visit www.usasianpost.com Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 THE US ASIAN POST8

MOTORING May 7, 2015 (Relaxnews) – A

new survey conducted by the Col-lege of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University fi nds that 84% of consumers want parental con-trols to be standard features on the next generation of cars.

Of the 1000 adults polled for the study, limiting a car’s speed, curfew time and being able to program how many passengers it could carry were the most wished for parental controls -- cited by 84% of all respondents, 87% of women and 91% of those aged 66 or over. However, limiting the

geographical region in which a car could travel (61%) and a screen for displaying text messages from anxious parents (60%) were also popular.

In 2013 alone, 2,524 US teens died in vehicle accidents and in recent years car companies have been starting to offer paren-tal control features on some of their cars. For example, the Ford MyKey option allows parents to pre-limit a car’s speed and the volume at which the music can be played before handing it over to another driver.

Tokyo, Japan (AFP) Saturday 5/9/2015 – Jap-anese automakers Toyota and Mazda are consider-ing a comprehensive tie-up in environmentally-friendly technology amid tightening regulations to cut greenhouse gas and tough emerging market competition, a report said Saturday.

The two companies are in the fi nal stages of talks on the planned partner-ship, the Nikkei business daily said, adding that the two “intend to reach an accord in principle soon”.

Under the partner-ship, Toyota plans to supply fuel cell and plug-in-hybrid technology to Mazda, which has lagged in electric-vehicle tech-nology, the newspaper said.

In return, Mazda will consider offering its pro-prietary “Skyactiv” green technology to Toyota, which it hopes to use to grow its line of fuel-effi -cient gasoline and diesel vehicles.

The two automakers will also consider coop-erating in other areas, including Mazda’s pro-curement of commercial vehicles from the Toyota group and joint purchas-ing of auto parts, it add-ed.

The two fi rms have previously worked to-gether in several fi elds and achieved some posi-tive results.

Toyota provided hy-brid-vehicle technology to Mazda in 2010, while Mazda agreed in 2012 to supply subcompact cars from a Mexican plant to Toyota.

The latest alliance is part of an effort to jointly address strict global en-vironmental rules, the Nikkei said.

In 2018 environmen-tally-conscious California plans to push automak-ers to boost sales vol-ume for electric and fuel cell vehicles, while Chi-na and other emerging economies are also set to strengthen environmen-tal regulations.

Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda are considering a comprehensive tie-up in environmentally-friendly tech-nology. ©Gleb Predko/shutter-stock.com

US drivers will say ‘yes’ to autonomous cars...for their kids

Japan’s Toyota, Mazda eye green alliance: report

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Over 80% of adults want parental con-trols on cars. ©Zurijeta / shutterstock.com

THE US ASIAN POST Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 Visit www.usasianpost.com 9

FAMILY FEATURES

Widely recognized as portable and tasty, grapes are an easy way to enjoy an extra serving of fruit.But not only are grapes a super snack, they’re aterrific fresh ingredient to enhance any meal.

Yes, with a burst of juicy flavor, fresh grapes can makegood-for-you foods taste even better. Vibrant color, crunch and a light touch of sweetness make them an unexpected butappealing addition to countless dishes.

These recipes show how grapes balance the distinct flavorof Brussels sprouts; complement smoky mozzarella; provide a palate-pleasing texture to tofu kabobs and complement theglobal flavors of a Thai salad.

In addition to great taste and versatility, grapes are alsohealthy. They are a natural source of antioxidants and otherpolyphenols, which contribute to a healthy heart.

For more recipes featuring delicious and nutritious grapes,visit www.grapesfromcalifornia.com.

Tofu Grape Kabobs Servings: 4

2–3 tablespoons minced jalapeno2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce2 teaspoons brown sugar1 teaspoon grated ginger1 pound firm tofu, cut into 12 chunks 2 cups green California grapes2 cups steamed brown rice2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Heat grill to high. In small bowl, mix jalapeno, soy sauce, sugar and

ginger, and toss. Add tofu and mix. Thread tofu and grapes onto 4 skewers. Grill 2–4

minutes or until heated through. Divide rice among 4 bowls, top with skewers and

sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutrition information per serving: 271 calories; 6 g fat (.8 g saturated fat); 20% calories from fat; 14 g protein; 42 g carbohydrate; 3.5 g fiber; 0 mgcholesterol; 207 mg sodium.

A Handful of Health� One serving of grapes is 3/4 cup and has just

90 calories, no fat, no cholesterol and virtuallyno sodium.

� Grapes are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols, which help make grapesa heart-healthy food.

� They are an excellent source of vitamin K,which is critical for healthy blood clotting, andmay play a role in bone health.

� Grapes contribute to heart health by promotingthe relaxation of blood vessels to help maintainhealthy blood flow and function.

Sweet Summery SnackFrozen grapes are the perfect cool down when the weathergets hot. Just rinse, pat dry and place in the freezer forabout 2 hours.

Shrimp Thai Salad Servings: 4

3 cups shredded savoy cabbage

2 cups bean sprouts, rinsed1 1/2 cups green California grapes,

halved1 large cucumber

1/4 cup lime juice3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar2 tablespoons brown sugar3 tablespoons minced shallots1 tablespoon safflower oil1 red Thai chili, thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups cooked medium shrimp3 tablespoons coarsely chopped

cilantro 3 tablespoons Thai basil, torn

Combine cabbage, bean sprouts andgrapes in large bowl. With vegetablepeeler, peel cucumber into long thinstrips and put on top.

In small bowl, combine lime juice,vinegar, sugar, shallots, oil and chili.Pour over vegetables and mix well.

Divide among 4 serving plates, topwith shrimp and sprinkle with cilantroand basil.

Nutrition information per serving:186 calories; 3.5 g fat (.2 g saturatedfat); 16% calories from fat; 14 g protein;28 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 0 mgcholesterol; 146 mg sodium.

Grape and SmokedMozzarella Flatbread Servings: 4

2 large wholegrain flatbreads or naan (about 8 ounces)

1 1/4 cups grated smoked mozzarella

3 cups arugula1 cup sliced red, green and

black California grapes1 tablespoon extra-virgin

olive oil1 small clove garlic, minced

SaltFreshly ground black pepper

Heat broiler to high. Place flatbreads on baking sheet and

broil until crisp and lightly browned,about 2 minutes. Turn and cover withmozzarella. Broil until melted, about2–3 minutes.

While mozzarella is melting, tosstogether arugula, grapes, olive oil,garlic, salt and pepper. Place on top of flatbreads and cut into wedges.

Nutrition information per serving:323 calories; 14.5 g fat (6 g saturatedfat); 38% calories from fat; 16 g protein; 37 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 19 mgcholesterol; 626 mg sodium.

Sweet and Savory Garlic Ginger Brussels Sproutsand GrapesServings: 4 (1/2 cup each)

1 pound Brussels sprouts2 tablespoons extra-virgin

olive oil1 cup halved red California

grapes1/4 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced2 tablespoons fresh ginger,

grated2 teaspoons Dijon mustard2 teaspoons honey1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Cut off woody stem on each Brusselssprout and remove any tough or bruisedouter leaves. Slice sprouts very thinly to make mound of feathery ribbons.

Heat olive oil in large skillet overmedium-high heat. Add sprouts, grapes,salt and pepper to skillet and saute 3–4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, ginger, mustard, honeyand vinegar to pan. Continue to sauteapproximately 1–2 minutes, until sprouts are tender and bright green in color.

Turn off heat and add walnuts to pan.Gently mix to combine.

Nutrition information per serving: 210 calories; 12 g fat (1.3 g saturatedfat); 48% calories from fat; 6 g protein;23 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 0 mgcholesterol; 236 mg sodium.

Visit www.usasianpost.com Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 THE US ASIAN POST10

(Relaxnews) – Giorgio Armani celebrated its 40th anniversary last week with a celebratory run-way show and some sumptuous new beauty looks.

Models at the event to mark the opening of the house’s new Milan exhibition space Armani / Silos sported a whole range of bold looks to go with their outfi ts, which offered a retrospective on 40 years of fashion from Armani Privé.

International makeup artist Linda Cantello created a con-trast between the makeup and the clothes with a “smokey nude” beauty look. Here’s how she did it:

BaseTo achieve the effect, Cantello

prepped the models’ skin with “Crema Nera Acqua Pantellaria” and “Crema Extrema Texture Légère”. She then applied the brand’s “Crema Nuda” foundation

for a smooth and even base, before highlighting and concealing with “High Precision Retouch” and add-ing blush to cheeks with “Eye & Brow Maestro” in the shade “Au-burn” (the product was also used to thicken and bolden brows). A swish of “Luminous Silk Powder” in shade no.2 set the base.

EyesCantello brushed Eye & Brow

Maestro in the tones “Wenge Wood” and “Sand Blond” along eye sockets and defi ned peepers with the brand’s “Smooth Silk Eye Pencil” in “Brown Black” be-fore going over it with the Eye & Brow Maestro in Wenge Wood to soften the effect.

Finishing touchesA few layers of “Black Ecstasy” mascara and a slick of “Rouge d’Armani Lipstick” in the shade “Gio40” wrapped up the look. “Night Viper” nail polish from the

“Nail Lacquer” collection provided the fi nal fi nishing touches to the aesthetic.

Armani 40th birthday makeup look. ©Ar-mani. All rights reserved.

How to recreate the beauty look from the Armani birthday show

(Relaxnews) – American researchers have shed light on the divide between the desire to go on a diet to lose weight and the follow through. According to this study, if a diet doesn’t take into account alimenatry preferences it will more likely than not end in failure.

Scientists from the University at Buffalo and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have concluded that, though a large part of American society makes an effort to lose weight, most people fail in their endeavor.

With more than 160 million overweight or obese people, the US is the country most affected by this public health crisis, and this re-sults in 16% of deaths nationwide being related to diet and physi-cal activity.

And yet, according to the study, nearly one third of adults cur-rently follow some kind of diet to control or lose weight. Few suc-ceed.

“There is clearly a disconnect if we have a majority of the popu-lation that has tried to lose weight and a majority of the popu-lation that is overweight,” says Marc Kiviniemi, a public health researcher at the University at Buffalo. “People are planning to diet and trying to diet, but that’s not translating into a successful weight loss effort.”

The researchers analyzed people’s decision making process re-garding their health and tried to understand what factors actually drive people’s behavior, especially when deciding to go on a diet. Many issues, from biological to environmental, determine effective weight control, but how people manage their own behavior is a big piece of that puzzle.

Kiviniemi also states that “It’s not just the knowledge of what we’re eating, but consideration of how we’ll feel having decided to eat those foods.”

Though dieting is a process that involves a plan to change eating habits followed by modifi ed behavior in accordance with that plan, according to Kiviniemi and his co-author Carolyn Brown-Kramer of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, when it comes to making a food choice and deciding to execute the plan, feelings guide behav-ior.

The study underlines the fact that how you feel about what you are eating has a determining effect on the success of your diet.

The researchers’ conclusions also highlight the fact that depriva-tion diets or diets based on food choices that ignore people’s prefer-ences are practically doomed to fail from the start. In fact, “the de-privation experience is miserable. If you didn’t associate negative feelings with it to start, you will after a few days,” says Kiviniemi.

It’s also important to distinguish between behavior that requires effort and that which come naturally.

In the end, according to this study, it would be preferable to eat the healthiest foods that you enjoy, and that it is also essential, before beginning any diet, to evaluate your capacity for overcoming obstacles.

The study highlights the fact that between deciding to go on a diet and succeed-ing in your goal, there is a divide that can be explained by our behavior. ©Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com

Why successful dieting is so complex

(Relaxnews) – What do Simon Cowell, Jason Segel and Leonar-do DiCaprio all have in common (apart from global fame and for-tune)? They all boast a ‘Dad Bod’.

A what-bod, you cry? Well, al-low us to explain: the Dad Bod is the latest trend for the male phy-sique.

Where once women craved six-packs that could grate cheese and biceps the size of tree trunks, now a cuddly torso and gentle paunch is all that’s required, according to a blog post written by US student Mackenzie Pearson that has since gone viral.

In her post, Mackenzie de-scribes the Dad Bod as “a nice balance between a beer gut and working out”. She continues: “The dad bod says, ‘I go to the gym oc-casionally, but I also drink heav-ily on the weekends and enjoy eat-ing eight slices of pizza at a time.’ It’s not an overweight guy, but it isn’t one with washboard abs, ei-ther.”

Mackenzie argues that the physique is a hit with women because it is non-threatening, comfortable to cuddle up to and honest in the sense that it prob-ably won’t undergo any drastic transformation within the next 20 years (note: you don’t have to be a

father to have a Dad Bod; in fact it is perfectly acceptable to have one when you’re still in your twen-ties). “While we all love a sculpted guy, there is just something about the dad bod that makes boys seem more human, natural, and attrac-tive,” she states.

The concept was an immedi-ate hit with nicely squishy men everywhere, who took to Insta-gram without delay to show off their less-than-toned torsos and chunky arms. The account “Col-

legedadbods” has been quietly gaining momentum since the be-ginning of this year and has now become a fully-fl edged homage to regular guys in all their glory.

The positive reaction to this newfound appreciation for curvy men has reminded us all that guys, too, face an at-times unreal-istic social pressure to be buff and trim. But where will the trend take us next? Could the “Mom Bod” be the lusted-after shape for 2015? Time will tell.

A ‘dad bod’ is attractively non-threatening as opposed to a more chiseled physique. ©Olesia Bilkei / shutterstock.com

Beer bellis are in, biceps are out: Introducing the ‘Dad Bod’

(Paris, France-AFP) – Near-ly all Irish adults are likely to be overweight in 15 years’ time, said a study Wednesday that warned of a European “obesity crisis of enormous proportions”.

On current trends, some 89 percent of Irish men will be overweight by 2030, and nearly half obese, said a World Health Organization study to be presented at a Euro-pean Congress on Obesity in Prague.

This was up from 74 percent overweight, and 26 percent obese in 2010 in one of Eu-rope’s fattest nations.

Of Irish women, 85 percent are likely to be overweight and 57 percent obese by 2030, said the study, also well up on the 2010 fi gures.

The growing numbers of

overweight and obese people are a growing cause of dis-ease and disability around the world.

“Even in countries with a traditionally lower prevalence of obesity such as Sweden, obe-sity rates are predicted to rise sharply,” the congress report said.

Over a quarter of Swedish men will be obese by 2030, and 22 percent of women.

People with a BMI (body weight index, a ratio of weight to height) of 25 and higher are classifi ed overweight, and 30 and over obese.

In the UK, “one third (33 percent) of women are forecast to be obese in 2030, compared with over one quarter (26 per-cent) in 2010,” the congress press statement said.

Sixty-four percent of UK

women and 74 percent of men will be overweight in 2030.

“Overall, the data show no evidence of a plateau in adult obesity in most countries,” said the statement.

Other countries with pro-jected steep rises in obe-sity over this period include Greece, Spain, Austria and the Czech Republic, according to the study of 53 countries.

An estimated 77 percent of Greek men are predicted to be overweight by 2030 and 67 percent of women, and the pro-portion of obese men and wom-en will more than double from 20 percent to about 40 percent.

For Spain, obesity in women is set to rise from 16 percent in 2010 to 21 percent in 2030, and in men from 19 percent to 36 percent, said the statement issued by congress organisers.

Europe faces massive obesity problem: study

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NOVENA of CONFIDENCE

O Lord, Jesus Christ, to Your Most Sacred Heart I con de this intention. (Here,

mention your request) Only look upon me, then do what Your Heart decides....I

count on You...I trust in You...I throw myself at Your mercy...Lord Jesus! You

will not fail me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in You. Sacred Heart of Jesus,

I believe in Your love for me. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked for many

favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your Sacred Heart.

When the Eternal Father sees it covered with Your Precious Blood, He will not

refuse it. It will be no longer my prayer but Yours, O Jesus. O Sacred Heart of

Jesus, I place my trust in You. Let me never be confounded. Amen. -ANNA

PRAYERSPRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Holy 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. Grateful Thanks -KATHY

PRAYERS

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PRAYER to the BLESSED VIRGIN(Never known to fail)

Oh most beautiful ower of Mt. Carmel, fruit wine splendor of Heaven.Blessed

Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh

Star of the Sea. Help me and show me here you are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary,

Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the

bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. (make request). There are

none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for

us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your

hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must

publish and it will be granted to you.Grateful Thanks.-JAE

PRAYERS

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Visit www.usasianpost.com Wednesday - Tuesday, May 13 - 19, 2015 THE US ASIAN POST12

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and accusing it of distorting facts.“The US defense department’s

report on China’s military and se-curity development situation dis-torts facts and continues to play up the ‘China military threat’ cliché,” Chinese defense ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng was quoted as saying by the offi cial Xinhua news agency.

He made no direct mention of land reclamation in the South China Sea, but said China was justifi ed in upholding its sover-eignty in the area.

“The military build-up aims to maintain sovereignty, secu-rity and territorial integrity, and guarantee China’s peaceful devel-opment,” Geng said.

Previous reports have noted China’s focus on cyber and space weapons but this year’s document included a special section on the country’s massive dredging and island building in the strategic South China Sea.

At four reclamation sites, Chi-na has moved from dredging oper-ations to “infrastructure develop-

ment” that could include harbors, communications and surveillance systems, logistics support and “at least one airfi eld,” the report said.

The Chinese have excavated deep channels that could accom-modate larger ships to the out-posts, it said.

The ultimate purpose of the ef-fort remains unclear but analysts outside China say Beijing is “at-tempting to change facts on the ground by improving its defense infrastructure in the South China Sea,” the report said.

Unlike other countries making claims in the area, China at the moment does not have an airfi eld or “secure docking” at its outposts and the reclamation operations may be aimed at ending that dis-parity, it said.

The Pentagon report covered a period ending in December 2014 and it said China had reclaimed 500 acres in the disputed waters up to that point. But since then, China has conducted reclama-tion covering 1,500 acres, offi cials said.

year.The Spratlys are considered a

potential Asian fl ashpoint, and the United States and claimant nations have expressed alarm as China has embarked on massive and speedy reclamation activity.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, locking it into disputes with several Southeast Asian neighbors.

Its claims overlap those of Bru-nei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Beijing’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she had not seen the new images but said both Vietnam and the Philippines had been “carrying out massive construction on the illegally-occupied Chinese mari-time features”.

“We are deeply concerned and opposed to this,” she said.

China itself has undertaken major reclamation work on seven Spratly features in the last year.

Its island-building in the Spratlys has been seen as part of an attempt to assert its territorial claims by establishing physical facts in the water.

Fiery Cross in the Spratly Is-lands was little more than a reef until last year when China began reclamation work.

It now has a partially-fi nished airstrip with a 3.1 kilometer (1.9 mile) runway.

It also appears to be undertak-ing work at a feature known as Mischief Reef, just 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the southwestern Philippine island of Palawan.

ister Nawaz Sharif.The Pakistani Taliban had

claimed to have struck the air-craft with a ground-to-air missile hoping to assassinate Sharif.

“(Regarding) remarks and ru-mours that there was a terrorist attack or that there was sabotage, I can say 99.9 percent that they were not true, that this was a sad accident, a really unfortunate ac-cident, by a technical fault on the plane,” Argentinian Ambassador Rodolfo Martin Saravia told the air force.

Leif H. Larsen, the Norwegian envoy, and Domingo D. Lucenario Jr of the Philippines were killed along with the wives of the Ma-

laysian and Indonesian ambas-sadors, the helicopter’s two pilots and another crew member.

‘It went incredibly fast’ Dutch Ambassador Marcel

de Vink said he felt “extremely lucky” to be alive after what he had witnessed. He was described as having sustained burns to the leg and face by the foreign minis-try.

“I remember that we got into a spin and so thinking I suppose I braced a little bit for impact... af-terwards I was actually opening my eyes seeing the smoke and ex-plosions, so I was extremely lucky because it went incredibly fast,” he said.

the Philippine Government for over 35 years. During his term as Ambassador to Pakistan, rela-tions between the Philippines and Pakistan have enjoyed a robust partnership in various areas of cooperation.

Ambassador Lucenario was also the Philippines’ non-resident Ambassador to Afghanistan, Kyr-gyzstan and Tajikistan.

“Ambassador Lucenario is fondly remembered by many in the Consulate, “remarked Con-sul General Leo Herrera-Lim. “He was a friend to all of us. He served with utmost humility and passion. We are saddened to lose a valued colleague at the prime of his life” added Consul General Herrera-Lim.

A lawyer by profession, he served the Department in various capacities including assignments in Germany, Hong Kong, Aus-tralia, and as former Philippine Ambassador to Kenya with con-current jurisdiction to 12 African nations. He was the Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment program (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Pro-gram (UN Habitat).

He also served as Deputy Chief of Presidential Protocol under the Ramos Administration aside from

various positions in the Home Of-fi ce.

Ambassador Lucenario was one of the few career Filipino dip-lomats who had the rare distinc-tion of having been awarded by the President of the Philippines with three (3) major Presidential Awards, namely: the order of Si-katuna Award with the rank of Datu (Gold level) (2009), the Or-der of Lakandula Award with the rank of Grand Offi cer (Maringal

na Pinuno) (2008), and the Ga-wad Mabini Award with the rank of Grand Offi cer (Dakilang Ka-manong) (2008).

The Philippine Consulate Gen-eral offers its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of Ambassador Lucenario and those who died with him. Ambassador Lucenario is survived by his wife, Lawyer Nida Arada Lucenario and 3 children. Ambassador Lu-cenario was 54 years old.

amid what it sees as Chinese ag-gression in pressing its territorial claims. The regional giant claims most of the resource-rich waters, even reefs, shoals and cays close to the shores of its neighbors. The claims overlap those of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Viet-nam and Taiwan.

Millan said that practicing with the Japanese force would help with modernizing the poorly-equipped Philippine military, one of the weakest in the region.

China and Japan have their

own festering territorial row over the East China Sea includ-ing ownership of the Senkaku is-lands, which Beijing also claims and calls the Diaoyus.

There have been regular stand-offs in the sea and air around the contested territory.

Earlier this month, Japanese and Philippine coast guards held anti-piracy drills in the Philip-pines, the fi rst such joint exercise between the two countries follow-ing a brutal occupation by Japa-nese forces during World War II.

nership.Canada’s trade minister will

travel to Manila by the end of the month to start negotiations on the free trade agreement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said.

“We look forward to shar-ing with the prime minister the prospects of growth in the Philip-pines, particularly in the public-

private partner infrastructure programs where Canadian inves-tors may wish to capitalize,” the Philippine’s president Benigno Aquino said, describing the talks as “exploratory discussions.”

Current trade between the Philippines and Canada amounts to about Can$2 billion ($1.65 bil-lion), Harper said.

“Absolutely not,” Mayweather said. “He was fast. His left hand was fast.

His right hand was fast and he was throwing them both fast and strong.”

Although Pacquiao had ar-throscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Mayweather said his plea of injury was nonsense.

“He lost. He knows he lost. I lost a lot of respect for him af-

ter all of this,” said Mayweather.As to the fl ip-fl op on a possible

rematch, Mayweather said sim-ply: “I change my mind.

“At this particular time, no, because he’s a sore loser and he’s a coward... If you lost, accept the loss and say, ‘Mayweather, you were the better fi ghter.’”