GLADYS, KEEMPEE, TERRI IN LA & SAN DIEGO THIS AUGUST!

On August 3, 4, and 5, the sky will lack five stars!







Chuchay

These five stars, GMA PINOY TV’s artists’ comedienne extraordinaire Gladys Guevarra, multi-awarded comedian and matinee idol Keempee de Leon, stand up comic, singer, and now vice mayor Teri Onor together with phenomenal chanteuse Dessa and Star for All Genders Joseph Gelito, will give Los Angeles and San Diego the funniest, rib-tickling, side-splitting, and a not-to-be missed comedy concert ever in D’ BARKADS Live!

Gladys Guevarra a.k.a. “CHUCHAY,” is a world-class singer, stand-up comedienne, TV host, and actress.

She has an extraordinary talent and flair for comedy whether on TV, stage, or the movies. Her impeccable timing for comedic antics makes her Philippines' “premier comedienne extraordinaire.”

Gladys has a natural gift to mimic and impersonate controversial celebrities, politicians, and presidents through the different characters she alone can outstandingly personify.

Amongst the character she has created, Gladys is best known for the persona character Chuchay, the funny yet charming character she first debuted on TV’s Eat Bulaga which later was made into a daily TV situational comedy series in Magic Kamison that capitulate her to TV land’s Superstar comedienne.

As host, she was seen regularly in the daily noontime variety show Eat Bulaga and has regular evening shows at Zirkoh in Timog, Zirkoh-Greenhills, and Klownz Comedy Bar and Restaurant in Quezon Avenue and Klownz Angeles where she continuously reign supreme as the “Stand-up Comedy Queen.”

Last May 2007, she was a gargantuan hit in Edison , New Jersey when she graced the two-day festivities of the Phil-US Expo ‘07 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center at Raritan Center together with actress Ara Mina and actor Dennis Trillo. She was so funny that the audience gave her thunderous standing ovations.

D’BARKADS Live is on Friday, August 3 at the Madonna Hall of St. Genevieve Church in Panorama City , on Saturday, August 4 at the Grand Theater inside the Los Angeles Trade Technical College , and on Sunday, August 5 at the San Diego National Guard Armory.

D’BARKADS Live is brought to you by St. Genevieve Church as part of their fund-raising efforts, Polaris Media & Marketing, GMA Pinoy TV, and Liveline Concepts & Productions in cooperation with the Law Offices of Jemela Nettles, Wilshire Travel Center, M.A.R.C Medical & Skin Care Clinic, Nita’s Restaurant, Neubloom Skin Care, Caring Hands Health Care Staffing and Services, Marissa Entertainment, Simple Elements, and Asian American People’s Journal.

Other sponsors of D’Barkads Live are San Fernando Valley Balita, MANILA-U.S. TIMES, Carousel Pinoy, Mayflower BBQ Seafood Restaurant, Chow Fun, Kalesa Grill, Mike’s Lechon, Balita Media, Asian Journal, Siklab, and Mygringos.com.

For tickets for the Los Angeles shows please call Marissa Entertainment at (818) 219-2009, Rico Hech at (626) 251-5794, Jan Lopez at (661) 400-6606, Jay Inoue at (626) 926-0924, Liza Leoncio at (818) 636-2350 and Art Bernado at (818) 268 8601, Jeff David (909) 282 – 8925.

For tickets for the San Diego show, please call John Morante (858) 603 – 4266, Bong Cura (858) 397 – 3202, Art Ignacio (619) 920 – 3401, Mike Torres (619) 808 – 1909/ (619) 315 – 0045, Nanshi Ignacio (619) 757 – 7433, Stephen Nicolas (619) 823-2522, and Marissa Entertainment (818) 219 - 2009.

For information, please log on to http://www.polarismediamarketing.com/.

Keempee de Leon

Teri Onor

American Heart Association rapid access journal report:

Diet and regular soft drinks linked to increase in risk factors for heart disease

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Drinking more than one soft drink daily — whether it’s regular or diet — may be associated with an increase in the risk factors for heart disease, Framingham researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

“We were struck by the fact that it didn’t matter whether it was a diet or regular soda that participants consumed, the association with increased risk was present,” said Ramachandran Vasan, M.D., senior author of the Framingham Heart Study and professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. “In those who drink one or more soft drinks daily, there was an association of an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome.”

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors including excess waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL “good” cholesterol) and high fasting glucose levels. The presence of three or more of the factors increases a person’s risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Prior studies linked soft drink consumption to multiple risk factors for heart disease. However, this study showed that association not only included drinking regular calorie-laden soft drinks, but artificially sweetened diet sodas as well, researchers said.

“Moderation in anything is the key,” said Ravi Dhingra, M.D., lead author of the study and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School . “If you are drinking one or more soft drinks a day, you may be increasing your risk of developing metabolic risk factors for heart disease.”

The Framingham study included nearly 9,000 person observations made in middle-aged men and women over four years at three different times.

In a “snapshot in time” at baseline, the researchers found that individuals consuming one or more soft drinks a day had a 48 percent increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome compared to those consuming less than one soft drink daily.

In a longitudinal study of participants who were free of metabolic syndrome at baseline (6,039 person observations), consumption of one or more soft drinks a day was associated with a 44 percent higher risk of developing new-onset metabolic syndrome during a follow-up period of four years.

The researchers also observed that compared to participants who drank less than one soft drink daily, those who drank one or more soft drinks a day had a:
· 31 percent greater risk of developing new-onset obesity (defined as a body mass index [BMI] of 30 kilograms/meter2 or more);
· 30 percent increased risk of developing increased waist circumference;
· 25 percent increased risk of developing high blood triglycerides or high fasting blood glucose;
· 32 percent higher risk of having low HDL levels.
· A trend towards an increased risk of developing high blood pressure that was not statistically significant.

Researchers then analyzed a smaller sample of participants on whom data on regular and diet soft drink consumption was available from food frequency questionnaires. Participants who consumed one or more drinks of diet or regular soda per day had a 50 to 60 percent increased risk for developing new-onset metabolic syndrome, said Dhingra, who is also an attending physician at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in New Hampshire . “It didn’t matter whether it was a diet or regular soft drink.”

“Results also don’t appear to be driven by the dietary pattern of soft drink users, i.e, by other food items that are typically consumed along with soft drinks,” Vasan said. “We adjusted in our analyses for saturated fat and trans fat intake, dietary fiber consumption, total caloric intake, smoking and physical activity, and still observed a significant association of soft drink consumption and risk of developing the metabolic syndrome and multiple metabolic risk factors.”

One explanation is that the fructose corn syrup in regular soft drinks causes weight gain, and can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes, Vasan said. “But then you would expect to see an association with regular soft drinks, but not diet soft drinks. Our findings suggest that this is not the case.”

Another possible explanation is that consuming more liquids is associated with a lesser degree of dietary compensation. Usually if you eat a large meal, then you’re inclined to eat a smaller amount at the next meal, Vasan said. But liquids don’t have the same degree of compensation as solids. If you drink a large amount of liquids at a meal, you are more likely to eat a larger amount at the next meal (compared to what you would eat had you consumed more solids at the prior meal).

Other theories are that the high sweetness of diet and regular soft drinks makes a person more prone to eat sweet items, or the caramel content in soft drinks may promote development of advanced glycation end products, complexes of sugars that can result in insulin resistance and can cause inflammation in experimental studies.

“These are all theories, and experts debate their importance,” Dhingra said. “Our study was observational, and so right now all we demonstrate is an association. We have not proven casualty.”

Dhingra and Vasan called for further studies to replicate the results and to understand the mechanisms driving this association before recommendations can be made.

Other researchers included Thomas J. Wang, M.D.; Caroline S. Fox, M.D.; Lisa Sullivan, Ph.D.; Ralph B. D’Agostino, Ph.D.; James B. Meigs, M.D., M.P.H.; J. Michael Gaziano, M.D., M.P.H. and Paul F. Jacques, Ph.D.

American Heart Association statement on Framingham Study on soft drink consumption

PASADENA, CA -- An observational study by Framingham researchers that showed an association with higher risks of developing the metabolic syndrome and multiple metabolic risk factors among people who consumed more than one diet or regular soft drink a day is being published today in the rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors including excess waist circumference, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL “good” cholesterol) and high fasting glucose levels. The presence of three or more of the factors increases a person’s risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

This study may raise some questions among consumers about health risks associated with drinking soft drinks. Since this is an observational study, it is important to note that the study does not show that soft drinks cause risk factors for heart disease. It does show that the people studied who drank soft drinks were more likely to develop risk factors for heart disease.

However, it is possible that other factors could explain this relationship. Often people who drink soft drinks also eat and drink more calories, saturated fat and trans fat and less fiber and dairy products. Also, these people tend to be less physically active. This was true among the subjects in this study.

While the authors did account for these aforementioned diet and lifestyle factors in the analysis, it is possible that other lifestyle factors still account for the measured increase in risk factors leading to heart disease. As the authors note in the study, more research is needed to understand these associations before any recommendations can be made to the public.

Diet soda can be a good option to replace caloric beverages that do not contain important vitamins and minerals. The American Heart Association supports dietary patterns that include low-calorie beverages like water, diet soft drinks, and fat-free or low-fat milk as better choices than full calorie soft drinks.

Bossi released after 6-week ordeal; ‘I’ve forgiven my captors’

FR. GIANCARLO BOSSI

LANAO DEL NORTE -- Looking thin and haggard, Italian priest Giancarlo Bossi said Friday that he had forgiven the men who kidnapped him and kept him captive for almost six weeks.

Bossi, 57, seized outside his parish in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay, on June 10, was turned over to a local politician Thursday night in Karumatan, Lanao del Norte, following negotiations with his Islamic rebel captors.

Bossi told a press conference at Camp Edgardo Batenga in Zamboanga City he has not only forgiven his captors but felt no rancor against them.

He said he lost tens of pounds (4.5 kilograms) after surviving on a diet of salted fish and rice.
The priest wiped away tears as he explained that he was forced to hike at gunpoint through jungles as his captors sought to evade the military hunting for them.

“I used to smoke a lot,” Bossi said, running his hand through his grey beard.

“Then one night we were walking . . . climbing a mountain. When we reached the top of the mountain my breathing was very heavy. So I said to myself I have to stop smoking.”
He said he was forced to board a boat which brought him to nearby Lanao del Norte.
“We changed hiding places sometimes, walking up mountains and crossing fields but we never strayed from there.”

“I memorized their faces and said, ‘If I see any of them around I will go to the police and tell them, ‘That is one of my kidnappers,’” he said.

At Camp Batenga Bossi had noodles for breakfast, which the priest said that it was his first “decent” meal for weeks.

“My plan is to go back to Payao. My heart is still in Payao. As a father, I think I have to go back to my children,” Bossi later said in a new conference aired over ANC.

The priest apologized deeply to the family of the 14 Marines that were killed, 10 of whom were beheading while searching for him in Basilan on July 10.

He said in a television interview that he was treated fairly well by his captors.
Bossi said his kidnappers told him they were members of Abu Sayyaf. But police said Friday that the abductors were members of a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Bossi said his abductors were taking orders from an unnamed person by mobile telephone and were seeking a P50 million ransom to raise money to prepare for an unspecified rebel operation.

“I was the means to get a ransom. That’s what they told me,” he said.
Police insisted no ransom was paid, and Bossi said he did not see any exchange of money.
Bossi said he was released by his kidnappers on the birthday of his 87-year-old mother who is in Italy.

Despite his ordeal, Bossi said he intended to return to his parish where he has worked for a decade.

“My plan from the beginning was to go back to Payao and tell the people that I’m still alive,” he said, wiping away tears and with his voice breaking. “My heart is still in Payao.”
Bossi also said he would visit families of 14 slain Marines.

Later Friday Bossi met with President Arroyo in Malacañang.

He said the President had congratulated him on his courage during his lengthy ordeal.
The President had earlier issued a statement saying: “We rejoice over the safe release of Father Bossi. We thank our soldiers, police and concerned civilians who valiantly worked for his freedom.”

Administration and opposition congressmen commended the safe release of Bossi.
Zamboanga Rep. Antonio Cerilles said Bossi’s release could help the government identify if his abductors were from the Abu Sayaff, the MILF or some other criminal elements.
“That will facilitate efforts to bring them to justice,” Cerilles said.

“Bossi’s case is pure and simple kidnapping. The brutal murder of 14 of our Marines is a separate matter which has to be resolved between the MILF and the AFP or via the negotiating table. The death of soldiers is a cruel reality in a war but it’s a different matter when they are beheaded and mutilated,” he pointed out.

Opposition Rep. Roilo Golez of Parañaque was impressed with the police and the military for their “excellent, patient handling of the negotiation and safe release of Bossi.” -- AFP, Anthony Vargas, Maricel V. Cruz, Efren L. Danao and PNA

Justin Celebrates 3rd Birthday

JUSTIN PECAYO

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Justin Tyler Pecayo celebrated his third birthday at their residence here last June 15, one day after the birthday of his Dad, Joseph. It was a double birthday celebration to the satisfaction of all the attendees.

Justin and his younger brother, Brandon, were joined in by their cousins Katelyn and Lauren, daughters of Adam and Liza P. Banz.

from left: Justin, Katelyn, Lauren & Brandon

WELLS FARGO Launches Enhanced REmittance Service; Offers Zero Dollar Transaction Fee

Zero dollar transaction fee available to Wells Fargo customers making account-based transactions through September 30, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) said today that Wells Fargo ExpressSendSM customers with qualifying accounts now can have transaction fees discounted or waived and have more choices in how they remit money to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, China, Vietnam, India and the Philippines.

Key features of the new Wells Fargo ExpressSend service are:

* Wells Fargo customers can have the remittance transaction fee discounted or even waived if they send money directly from their eligible Wells Fargo checking or savings account. All customers using the account-based service can have zero dollar transaction fees as part of the new service introduction through September 30, 2007.

* Customers will have greater flexibility in remittance transfer methods, which enables them to remit funds faster, more conveniently and safer to friends and families overseas. The remittance transfer choices now include: account to account, account to cash, cash to cash, and cash to account.

* Those receiving funds in Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala can now receive their money as soon as the same day it is sent. Recipients in China, India, Vietnam, and the Philippines can now receive their money as soon as the next business day.

* Customers will also receive increased information when they complete a transaction in a Wells Fargo’s banking stores, including details about the remitter, the beneficiary, how and where funds are sent, the fee, how much money the beneficiary will receive, foreign exchange (FX) rate (if applicable) for the transaction and the Foreign Exchange Margin (estimate of the amount of revenue Wells Fargo earns on the foreign currency conversion).

“Most Latin American and Asian countries have significantly large unbanked consumer populations and eliminating the bank account requirement for the receiving country makes it much easier for recipients to get their money,” said Daniel Ayala, head of Wells Fargo’s Global Remittance Services. “Based on our tests and pilots, account-to-cash will be the preferred choice for our customers. This opens the service for use by a large number of remitters whose friends and family overseas (beneficiaries) do not have bank accounts in their home country. ”

"Appleseed commends efforts to provide consumers with more complete pricing and transaction information," said Betsy Cavendish, executive director of Appleseed, a network of public interest law centers in the U.S. and Mexico advocating for improved financial access for consumers. "It's only fair that people sending money know how much their relatives will be able to pick up and when the funds will be available." Wells Fargo is a participant in Appleseed's initiative to create a "Fair Exchange" brand, which would make it easier for consumers to shop for the best remittance deals by providing upfront pricing disclosure.

"Remitters have generally benefited from a sharp reduction in remittance costs in the past few years. Yet, the lack of pricing transparency has remained a cause of frustration among them,” said Gwenn Bézard, Aite Group research director. “By overcoming some of the technical and risk issues related to disclosing the foreign exchange fee upfront, Wells Fargo is making an important contribution to making the remittance industry truly consumer-friendly. By introducing account-to-cash remittances, Wells Fargo is also sharply increasing the relevance of banks to remittance senders."

Wells Fargo offers international remittance services to the top seven (Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and China.) immigrant remitting segments in the Wells Fargo banking states. It began offering the International ATM Remittance Account for customers sending money to the Philippines in 1994 and launched the InterCuenta Expressâ consumer remittance product to Mexico the following year.
Wells Fargo ExpressSend is a patent pending service.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $486 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest credit rating from both Moody’s Investors Service, "Aaa,” and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, “AAA.”

About Appleseed
Appleseed, a non-profit network of 16 public interest law centers in the United States and Mexico , identifies and addresses social injustices. Appleseed Centers bring together volunteers from the legal, business and academic professions to devise structural solutions to problems in such areas as education, health care and immigrant rights. For more information, visit: http://www.appleseednetwork.org/ <http://www.appleseeds.net/>

About Aite Group
Aite Group is a leading independent research and advisory firm focused on business, technology and regulatory issues and their impact on the financial services industry. It was founded by leading industry experts in Banking and Securities & Investments. Aite Group brings together a team of business strategy, technology and regulatory experts to deliver comprehensive, timely, and actionable advice to financial institutions and technology vendors. It seeks to become a true partner, advisor, and catalyst by exchanging ideas and challenging basic assumptions to ensure that our clients always stay one step ahead of the competition.

GMA to push polls automation at her SoNA

By GENALYN D. KABILING















PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President George W. Bush nod at each other.

MANILA -- President Arroyo will push for the automation of the country'selectoral system when she delivers her State-of-the- Nation Address(SoNA) at the opening of the 14th Congress on Monday, July 23.

The President has acknowledged that electoral reforms, particularlythe poll computerization, are essential to political stability afterpast elections have been plagued by fraud and violence.

"Our political system is not working well. So in myState-of-the- Nation Address, I will be talking about legislationtowards electoral reforms technology, again, using technology toimprove our electoral system," she said in an interview with Reutersnews agency last Saturday in the Palace.

In her annual speech before the two houses of Congress on July 23, thePresident said she will also promote the allocation of "more money forneutral observers" as well as strengthening political parties in the country.

"The problem with our electoral system is that while our economy isvery well into the new economy, our electoral system is still manual.So we really have to bring that to the 21st century," she said.Mrs. Arroyo said she intends to modernize the polls in time for the2010 elections, admitting that electoral reforms have been long overdue.

"I've wanted to have automated elections since it was one of my10-point programs, when I did my inauguration in 2004. I still want todo that, and we hope we'll be able to do that before the end of myterm," she said.

Early this year, Congress passed a law on automated elections, but theCommission on Elections claimed it was too late to implement it forthe May 14 mid-term polls.

The administration suffered a crushing defeat in the last senatorialrace, but won majority of the seats at the House of Representativesand local governments. The May polls were also marred with highincidence of violence, as well as cases of cheating, mostly in theprovinces.

The President is expected to outline the government's program for theyear in her annual speech at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday.

Aside from poll reforms, Arroyo said she would also discuss hereconomic blueprint as well as additional investments in education andother social services.

She will also tackle the government's initiatives for peace anddevelopment in Mindanao, including the fight against terrorism.

Asia's 10 Biggest Billionaires

They led Asia's transformation from an impoverished backwater at the end of World War II to the main growth driver in today's global economy. But they're not getting any younger.

1. Li Ka-shing

Age: 78

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Net Worth: $23 billion

A high-school dropout, Li got his start selling plastic flowers in Hong Kong in the 1950s. He is now considered one of the most powerful figures in Asia and is the largest operator of container terminals, a major electricity and cell-phone supplier, a retailer and real-estate developer. Named 'Asia's Most Powerful Man' by Asiaweek in 2001, Li recently announced a plan eventually to donate a third of his wealth to charities.

2. Makesh and Anil Ambani

Ages: 49 and 47, respectively

Citizenship: India

Net Worth: $20.1 billion and $18.2 billion, respectively

The feuding sons of Reliance Industries founder Dhirubhai Ambani, Mukesh and Anil split up the family fortune after the death of their father in 2005. Mukesh took over Reliance Industries and the oil-refining subsidiary, Reliance Petroleum, while Anil heads the family's telecom, finance and power interests.

3. Lee Shau Kee

Age: 79

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Net Worth: $17 billion

The real-estate mogul is the second wealthiest person in Hong Kong and the 22nd richest person in the world, according to Forbes. He made his fortune as the founder of Henderson Land Development.

4. Stanley Ho

Age: 85

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Net Worth: $7 billion

Stanley Ho's casino empire in Macau dominated the local gambling industry for decades. Ever since the market opened to outsiders seven years ago, Ho's interests have faced heavy competition from some of the biggest Las Vegas players. Outsiders now control 54 percent of the market.

5. Robert Kuok

Age: 83

Citizenship: Malaysia

Net Worth: $7 billion

Kuok got his start trading rice, sugar and wheat flour in Malaysia and Singapore in the early 1950s. He now heads the Kuok Group, a multinational conglomerate with interests ranging from shipping and real estate to media. Kuok also owns sugar and oil plantations and controls a hotel empire that includes the famous Shangri-La.

6. Wang Yung-ching

Age: 90

Citizenship: Taiwan

Net Worth: $5.1 billion

With only an elementary-school education, Wang has built Formosa Plastics into one of Asia's biggest petrochemical producers. He's the oldest Asian billionaire on the latest Forbes list.

7. Lim Goh Tong

Age 89

Citizenship: Malaysia

Net Worth: $4.2 billion

The Genting Group founder is a former public-works contractor who turned an idea for a hilltop resort into one of the world's most successful casinos. In 2006, his company won a project to develop a high-end gaming and entertainment resort on the Singaporean island of Sentosa.

8. Nina Wang

Age: Died in April at 69

Citizenship: Hong Kong

Net Worth: $4.2 billion

After winning a long legal battle against her father-in-law for control of her late husband's estate in 2005, Wang's fortune made her Asia's richest woman. When she died in April, she left that fortune to her longtime feng shui master, paving the way for a likely legal battle with her family.

9. Lee Kun Hee

Age: 65

Citizenship: South Korea

Net worth: $2.9 billion

The mastermind of Samsung's emergence as Asia's most valuable listed electronics company, Lee has landed in legal jeopardy for attempting to pass control to his son without fully paying inheritance tax. (The complex transaction, in which 39-year-old Jay Lee paid just $2 million for shares worth a hundred times as much at today’s valuation, is still being litigated.) Even if judges rule in Samsung’s favor, the Lees look certain to lose half their empire when its financial flagship, Samsung Life, eventually goes public, because new regulations bar a single entity from controlling listed companies.

10. Chung Mong-koo







Age: 69

Citizenship: South Korea

Net Worth: $2.2 billion

In 1999, Chung took over Hyundai Motors from his late father, founder Chung Ju-yung, and helped the company triple sales. Now he and the company are caught in scandal: Chung was sentenced in February to three years in prison for embezzling corporate funds. He is appealing that conviction.


* All net-worth figures from Forbes. Newsweek International Editionhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19746875/site/newsweek/

BREAKING NEWS - The Big Scoop

Issue No. 45 NEWS WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR

The fight for benefits for Filipino veterans took a surprising turn when Congressman Bob Filner denounced an Arlington, Virginia man for perpetrating what he called a scam. The San Diego lawmaker is finishing up the House version of a bill granting full equity benefits to all Filipino veterans, whether in the US or in the Philippines.

CONGRESSMAN BOB FILNER SPEAKS OUT:

Exposed: Virginia-Based Lobbyist Tagged

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ

REP. BOB FILNER

SAN DIEGO - Congressman Bob Filner (D-51st District) assailed the practice of a Filipino American lobbyist of collecting fees from Filipino veterans for a service his office gives for free, saying it was "a scam" that bilks them of government monetary assistance.

"It's terrible, what he's doing," said the San Diego lawmaker, pointing to the highly-visible Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans (ACFV)based in Arlington, Virginia, which boasts of having 4,000 members.

In a rare display of contempt, Filner said Lachica was "the one who sold us out" in congressional deliberations by pruning down veterans' demand for full equity to the detriment of the great majority of veterans in the United States and the Philippines.

"He (Lachica) lives off these vulnerable people," Filner said on Thursday (July 5) during a meeting in his office with Col. Romy Monteyro, adviser of the Filipino World War II Veterans Foundation of San Diego, and Commander Manuel B. Braga, who heads the group.

Filner took the occasion to acknowledge Monteyro, chair of the recently-formed congressional lobby group NAFVE (National Alliance for Veterans Equity), as his "dancing partner" -- his metaphor to describe the significant role he plays in the ongoing campaign to secure full benefits for all Filipino veterans currently in the United States and those in the Philippines.

"Lachica is in some scams," Filner stressed. "He's doing what I do for free; what the Department of Veterans Affairs do for free. It's ridiculous," he added.

Contacted for comment, Lachica said he had been sick and pointed to the ACFV vice president for membership, Franco Arcebal, in Los Angeles to answer the interview questions.

This reporter has held on to the story for almost a week to afford him the chance to clarify the issues. On the deadline set for him to reply, which was Tuesday, July 10, Lachica said: "been down w/ allergies & bronchitis for a few days".

Lachica had been expected in San Diego on Saturday, July 7, for a meeting with his supporters. Those who went to the meeting said Lachica didn't show up.

Nonetheless, the attendees raised some money, as they were apparently told by Lachica, for air fare to Washington, DC supposedly for the signing of the bill approved by the Senate committee.

"Pipirmahan na daw ni President Bush (the president will sign the bill)," one of the veterans said, quoting what they had been told would happen on July 27. But the legislation is not up for signing until the Senate and House versions were reconciled into one.

Lachica's known contacts in San Diego, notably Joann Fields of the local chapter of National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), did not reply to queries. Fields recently led a group of Filipino veterans in a candlelight vigil apparently to seek divine help for the veterans benefits.

Monteyro said he has told Filipino veterans: "Don't pay him (Lachica). The service (he's doing) is free, absolutely free."

Information from veterans who declined to be identified said they were asked to pay $100 for membership plus the occasional costs of his travels and lobbying. They also disclosed that as executive director of ACFV, Lachica receives a salary.

Bobby Reyes, a son of a veteran who lives in Los Angeles, said he was a "victim" of what he calls the "ACFV scam". He recalled an event in San Francisco in March 2002 when he and several others gave $100 each as life-time membership fee in the ACFV.

After that, he said he never heard again from Lachica and his ACFV.

Reyes said he has "personally interviewed some Filipino-American veterans in Los Angeles and they claimed that they had been contributing $10 to $20 per month per head to Mr. Lachica to fund his so-called lobbying activities in the District of Columbia."

"So far," he continued, "Mr. Lachica has produced not even a single financial report about his and the ACFV fundraising activities."

In the many years that Filner has advocated for Filipino veterans, this is the first time that he took a direct swipe at one of the most visible lobbyists for the cause. "It's a scam," he said of Lachica's work."The Filipino veterans don't need Eric Lachica. He lives off these vulnerable people," Filner emphasized. He asked that Lachica makes an accounting of the monies he collected from veterans.

Lachica is perhaps the most-photographed son of a veteran who has taken an active role in the fight for benefits. His success in lobbying is in getting what critics called "bread crumbs" -- paltry doleouts for the short haul and small panacea to ease temporary hardships.

Filner said Lachica's insistence on getting these sets of benefits for the veterans has given other lawmakers a "convenient cover" to diffuse the demands and lower them instead of providing full equity benefits.

"Now we have to compromise with the compromise after he sold us out," Filner stated.

At one point during the meeting, Filner referred to Lachica as "toxic" to the cause, meaning he has poisoned and undermined the efforts of groups bigger than his ACFV, whose president, Patrick Ganio Sr., is considered the nominal head.

Sometime ago, Lachica testified that veterans in the Philippines needed only $200 to survive, a statement that cheapened the veterans themselves and their cause, according to Filner.

Both Lachica and Ganio are being blamed for the failure of the US Senate Veterans Affairs Committed headed by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to pass a full equity bill for all the Filipino veterans.

Filner said he is preparing the House version of a bill similar to what the US Senate Veterans Affairs committee under Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) has reported out last week, which provides full equity benefits for US-based veterans.

San Diego veterans commander Manuel B. Braga, meanwhile, said he had apprised NaFFAA chair Alma Q. Kerns about Lachica's activities when she showed up at a veterans meeting in San Diego hosted by the Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO), which is itself mired in monetary scandals.

"I told her that Lachica is a fake and he's doing all these dubious things," Braga said in an interview. To which Kerns reportedly replied: "So what I'm hearing is correct," according to Braga. He said they were conversing in the presence of Col. Monteyro.

For its part, NAFVE has launched a nationwide drive to raise $100,000 to cover campaign costs, office expenses and salaries of two legislative consultants to drum up support for the equity bill, according to Jon Melegrito, co-chair of NAFVE's steering committee.

"This is a one-time fundraiser for this year's campaign only," he explains, assuring that names of donors and an income/expense report will be posted as a guarantee of transparency.

Melegrito said NAFVE has so far collected "about one fourth" of its target.

Retired US Colonel Frank B. Quesada, a veteran and staunch advocate for full benefits, ridiculed Lachica and Melegrito, calling them "pretenders."

"What is this clown (referring to Melegrito) talking about?" he asked.

Quesada also claimed that Lachica "has been banned by the Department of Justice from interfering with veteran's affairs here and in the Philippines."

Representatives Filner, (Mike) Honda and (Darrell) Issa, and Senators (Daniel) Akaka and (Daniel) Inouye have distanced themselves from these clowns knowing the truth about them," Quesada said.

Congressman Bob Filner discusses the veterans equity bill with his acknowledged "dancing partner" Col. Romy Monteyro during a meeting at his congressional office in Chula Vista, California on Thursday, July 5. At the same function Filner denounced Eric Lachica of the America Coalition for Filipino Veterans.

Are KIM and GERALD too Good to be True?

KIM















GERALD

MANILA – They’re PBB Champs, stars of ASAP ’07 and the central point of ABS-CBN’s mind-boggling drama, Sana Maulit Muli.

Teen idols, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson have been gracing billboards, airwaves and magazines together since they’ve become one of the Philippine’s hottest pairs. Thanks to TFC, their presence has been heavily felt in hundreds of thousands of homes throughout the United States .

They’re currently labeled as “Kimerald,” and have been followed by media as a couple in a fashion slightly similar to Hollywood ’s “Brangelina.” With such a large focus on Kim and Gerald as a couple, some doubt how genuine their relationship may be. A friend of Gerald shared that he’ll be traveling to California next week, the first week of July -- with Kim.

BEA

JOHN

Conservative fans can be rest assured, the teen-idol couple won’t be doing anything outrageous like eloping. Kim and Gerald are simply crossing the Pacific Ocean to reach out to Teleserye fans with friends, Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz at the Grove of Anaheim on July 8, 2007.

The special event, “Teleserye
Fever”, was created by All Access Promotions, with fans in mind. Instead of mounting a regular concert where the
audience just watches, this is an actual show where fans are able to interact with the artists and be entertained. “There have been countless concerts. We enjoy concerts very much. But ‘Teleserye Fever’ doesn’t just highlight the performers, it bridges the performers and the audience together.

“This is the first show that was created with you as the central focus in mind,” explains Maricel Flores of All Access. She continues, “there are so many questions fans want to ask about what happened or what will happen in Maging Sino Ka Man, Sana Maulit Muli and Rounin. Televiewers also want to know what is really the score between the love teams. ‘Teleserye Fever’ will help them get answers to those questions, plus more!”

Are Kim and Gerald too good to be true? Only the two of them really know the real score. Maybe they’ll share the truth with us at “Teleserye Fever” on July 8. Maybe we’ll be able we will learn more about them ourselves when we watch the show.

For tickets to the special event made possible by All Access, ABS-CBN Direct, the Law Offices of Johnny Ascano, Forex, Robertson Honda, Inspired Madness Cologne by Martin Nievera and DP Magazine, call 818-395-9941. MANILA-U.S. TIMES, through http://manilaustimes.blogspot.com/ supports the “Teleserye Fever.”

Have any questions for Kim and Gerald? Let All Access know when you call, they might be able help get the answer.

Myrna Keyes: Glowing With Full Contentment In Life; Lives Closer To God

BOB AND MYRNA KEYES

By Johnny M. Pecayo

COSTA MESA , CA " A devout Catholic, Myrna Keyes is silently making waves in the Filipino American community.

I owe my good life and all the attendant blessings I now possess through the guidance of Jesus. I really worked hard for them, Myrna told the MANILA-U.S. TIMES when interviewed. “But they did not come via a silver platter. I work hard for them and, despite the many struggles and negativities, I was able to hurdle through and ended up having the best, and I am very proud about my personal accomplishments, Keyes added.

Parenthetically, Myrna reveals: Life is not just having all the material comforts provided by the spouse. It's love, respect for each other, togetherness, peace of mind, faithfulness, loyalty, and happiness we share to one another from God. The Joy of Life comes from God and God is Love.

Keyes appreciates little things, including meeting people like you, like Mattie Revolinski, and a few others, she said during the exclusive interview.

Born and grew up in Manila on May 15, 1950 to Eleuterio Rosales Suayan, a U.S. Army who passed away in 1952, who hailed from Lemery, Batangas; and Rufina Miguel Suayan, who hails from Antique, Panay Island, as Myrna Miguel Suayan, she first married Elizalde Morga from Rosario, Cavite and maintains good relationship and respect for each other, even without any communication. The marital union between Elizalde and Myrna was blessed with a son, Christened Jose Jonjie Elizalde Suayan, now a dentist. Jonjie used his Grandfather's family name when he applied for U.S. citizenship.

At a tender age of seven, way back in the Philippines , Myrna learned to give change to our customers in my Mom's retail store, Aling Pinang's Sari-Sari Store. She learned life the hard way. She baby-sat for food for her neighbors. She baby-sat for FAMAS Awardee Boy Actor Sherman Manahan who worked for the deceased Fernando Poe Jr. She ran errands for bookies (neighbors) at the San Lazaro Hippodrome, the reason why she can't be a gambler. I saw how they suffered losing all their monies.

At the age of 12, Myrna was the youngest to graduate and to go up onstage to receive a Certificate from the training conducted by the Philippine Red Cross, to take care of the Tuberculosis victims.

In Olongapo City , Philippines , Myrna did many odd jobs -- from dishwasher, cashier, manager, and Public Relations Officer, trouble-shooting for her American Boss businesses, who was married to the beautiful daughter of one of the Generals in the Philippines , selling stateside goods, handicrafts, and other merchandise.

Olongapo City is very memorable to her. It was in this city where she met Bob Keyes, who would eventually become her second husband. Myrna is happily married to Bob Keyes, with whom she is blessed with two grown-up children -- Joseph Terry Keyes, 30 years old, and Manager / Supervisor at Fry's Electronics. He is a Computer Specialist, (my computer doctor). The youngest is Candice Keyes Lind, holder of a degree in Bachelor of Science in Anthropology which she obtained from the University of California-Irvine. She is an elementary school teacher in Boston Massachusetts , and is married to Mr. Lind who obtained a degree in International Economics from Harvard University .

Dr. Jose Jonjie Elizalde Suayan, Myrna's eldest son, resides in Pismo Beach , and owns two dental clinics -- Oak Park Dental/Orthodontics Clinic At Oak Park, near Arroyo Grande, California ; and Family Dentistry in Santa Maria , California . He is 38 years old, single, and a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California-Irvine (UCI). He also obtained another degree “ Dental Surgery/Orthodontics “ from the University of San Francisco Medical School (UCSF).

Bob and Myrna visited the Philippines last in January 2002, to bury my youngest brother (from my real dad) who was murdered by a drug addict.

Affiliations, Community Involvement

Myrna S. Keyes is the Charity Director for 2007-2008 with the Pacific Coast Corvette Club; and President of North Star Lion's Club 2007-2008. Before assuming the presidency, she was North Star Lions Club's Second Vice President and Director 2006-2007. She was also a Pre-school Teacher; Orange County Child Care Association's Executive Board as Assistant Director 2004-2005; Active member of the Federation of Filipino Rosary Group, Orange County ; Social Activity Director 2004-2005; Chairperson 1985-1997 of Newport Beach/Costa Mesa Rosary Group; and Adviser, Rosary Group Newport Beach / Costa Mesa 1997.

I am a volunteer to my parish Church , St. John D' Baptist Catholic Church, in Costa Mesa , where I will remain one forever as long as I'm needed, Myrna confided.

Myrna is the owner of a child care provider, Miss Myrna's Child Care.

Bob and Myrna arrived in Costa Mesa on December 13, 1984 from the Philippines . They own two houses. Their son, Joey, resides at the other house also in Costa Mesa .

I always say, "Hey Dude!", as we hang out at Corona del Mar Beach and Newport Beach , with our children Jonjie (the dentist), Joey, Candice and her husband, and Bob. They're boogie boarders/surfers. I used to also, but not anymore, as I do Yoga and water aerobics now at the 24-hour fitness. I love to dance Hawaiian, Tango, Swing, Cha-Cha, etc., and I enjoy listening to the music. I love to sing in the bathroom only. Number One in my life is God, the rest comes after Him. I thank God for everything, and I am very thankful and grateful that I am blessed by Jesus, Myrna confides to the MANILA-U.S. TIMES.
Born with a green thumb, Myrna planted 52 Banana fruit-bearing trees at their backyard while Bob planted Sago and Palm trees. We never run out of fruits which we harvest from time to time from our backyard. I love the garden and green plants. They are pleasant to my eyes, Myrna proudly relates.

MYRNA S. KEYES (3rd from left), in abre-siete with Sen. Francis Kiko Pangilinan, Keynote Speaker at the 109th Anniversary celebration of the Declaration of Philippine Independence June 9 at the Long Beach Convention Center, under the auspices of Kalayaan of Southern California, Inc. Also in photo (from left) are: Consuelo Balagtas and Bob Keyes. "Should Kiko decide to run for President, we will go home and campaign for him, chorused Bob and Myrna. " MUST PHOTO BY BHETH EDRA

CANDICE KEYES' Graduation photo with Mom, Myrna Keyes.

MYRNA KEYES and Friends.

JOHN and MATTIE REVOLONSKI, Myrna's best friends