Fil-Am attorney general issues alerts to protect undocumented immigrants
LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued two consumer alerts to protect the state’s undocumented immigrants from scams and remind them about their immigration rights.
The alerts also serve as a reminder that state and local authorities are barred from assisting federal agencies, such as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with deportations and other enforcement.
“State and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes,” one of the alerts stated.
“California law expressly prohibits
Doctors issue warning due to rising HMPV cases in US and China
by
DOCTORS from the U.S. and other Western countries called on China to share more details regarding its rising HMPV cases.
The Daily Mail says Beijing is yet to comment on the viral footage of overcrowded waiting rooms and wards on social media.
Nevertheless, Dr. Jacqueline Stephens, a senior lecturer in public health at Flinders University in Australia allayed concerns of a potential global outbreak.
“I think we’re just more cautious of outbreaks now,” she said. “Everyone is hypervigilant, and you hear this term ‘human metapneumovirus’ and it sounds
poor Filipinos rise to 63% in Dec 2024, says SWS survey
by Faith argosino Inquirer.net
MANILA — The number of Filipinos who see themselves as poor rose to 63 percent in December 2024, higher by four percent from the figure recorded in September of the same year, the latest Social Service Stations (SWS) survey showed.
Based on the survey results released
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 63 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, 11 percent as borderline (in between poor and not poor), and 26 percent said they are not poor.
According to SWS, the December 2024 percentage of self-rated poor families is the highest it recorded since the 64 percent in November 2023.
MANILA — The Philippine tourism industry achieved its highest-ever revenue in 2024, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) reporting approximately P760.5 billion in earnings, marking a 9.04 percent increase from 2023.
Tourism Secretary Christina GarciaFrasco announced the milestone on Jan. 5, attributing the success to strategic policies, expanded air connectivity and sustained efforts to promote the country’s unique destinations.
The figure was 9.04 percent higher than the record of inbound tourism earnings worth P697.46 billion in 2023, as well as up by 26.75 percent from P600.01 billion
‘systems in place’ amid report of Chinese hacking on PH
by Jason sigales Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the public that “systems are in place” to detect and deter cyber attacks, following a report claiming that Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached the Office of the President. United States-based Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday morning that three
of its informants had revealed a new breach flagged last August, targeting the Philippines’ executive branch and involving documents related to the West Philippine Sea dispute.
When asked by the media to comment during a briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, Jan. 7, the AFP neither confirmed nor denied the report.
Instead, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel
u PAGE 2 u PAGE 2
Dale arasa Inquirer.net
California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Sunita Sohrabji photo
by Mark ernest Villeza Philstar.com
Self-rated poor Filipinos rise to 63%...
PAGE 1
“The estimated numbers of Self-Rated Poor families were 17.4 million in December 2024 and 16.3 million in September 2024,” the report reads.
“The percentage of respondent households rating themselves as poor was applied to the Philippine Statistics Authority mediumpopulation projections for 2024 to arrive at the estimated numbers of SelfRated Poor families,” it adds.
On the other hand, the
number of Filipinos who placed themselves in the borderline category slightly decreased from the 13 percent recorded in September 2024 and 12 percent in June of the same year.
The report also revealed that it took a sharp decline from the 30 percent recorded in March last year.
The tally of Filipinos who rated themselves as not poor likewise decreased from the 28 percent logged in September 2024.
SWS said it conducted
the survey during the fourth quarter of 2024 from December 12 to 18 using face-to-face interviews with 2,160 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide.
Of this figure, 1,080 are in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila), and 360 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The SWS added that sampling error margins were marked at ± 2 percent for national percentages, ±3 percent for Balance Luzon, and ±5 percent each for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao. n
DOT: Tourism industry achieves highest...
worth of income in 2019 or a year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the DOT was short of the 7.7 million foreign travelers that it targeted to achieve in 2024, based on projections stipulated in the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028.
South Korea remained the Philippines’ top source of foreign tourists, with 1.57 million arrivals in 2024, accounting for 26.46 percent of total market share.
The increase was driven by strategic marketing initiatives, enhanced cultural exchanges during the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Philippines’ growing reputation as a destination for incentive travel.
The United States ranked second with 1.08 million visitors, with nonstop flights from San Francisco and Seattle to Manila contributing to this growth.
Japan showed a significant 22.84 percent increase in arrivals, reaching 444,528 visitors.
Campaigns and partnerships with Japanese travel agencies heightened interest in the Philippines as a destination.
Doctors issue warning due to...
PAGE 1 kind of scary.”
What do we know about the growing HMPV cases?
On December 27, 2024, Reuters reported that Chinese authorities are monitoring the country’s increasing human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases.
Health officials have assured the public that the outbreak is nothing unusual, and the risk of another COVID-19 pandemic remains low.
Unfortunately, China’s lack of transparency resembles the early moments before the 2019 global crisis, causing many to fear another from HMPV.
Worse, the Daily Mail reported that the United States has been experiencing more cases.
Its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1.84% of weekly tests returned HMPV positive as of December 28, 2024.
1 PAGE 1
China, though still below pre-pandemic figures, registered signs of recovery with 313,856 visitors, up from 264,922 in 2023.
Increased direct flights and the introduction of a cruise visa waiver program bolstered these numbers, the DOT said.
Australia (299,286) and
Canada (269,300) rounded out the top five, with Taiwan (213,833) and Singapore (198,471) showing strong growth due to enhanced connectivity and markets like diving and English language learning.
The Middle East also posted notable gains, with the United Arab Emirates achieving a 668.34 percent recovery rate compared to 2019.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia showed significant rebounds, reflecting increased air connectivity and heightened interest in the Philippines as a leisure destination.
Other fully recovered markets post pandemic included Hong Kong (106.79 percent), Italy (143.02 percent), Spain (111.08 percent) and New Zealand (100.50 percent).
The DOT said 70 percent of tourists in 2024 were repeat visitors. Tourists reportedly stayed an average of over 11 nights, compared to nine nights in 2019.
“It is clear that the Philippine tourism industry is not only bouncing back but also evolving and expanding, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic stability and growth,” Frasco said.
“This achievement is not just a statistic; it translates to thousands of jobs created for Filipinos, fostering economic resilience and enabling families to thrive.
The tourism sector has become a crucial engine for economic development, providing livelihood opportunities for many, especially in our rural and underserved areas,” she said.
The agency has yet to reveal its target of international visitor arrivals for 2025.
Previously, Frasco declared the DOT has “graduated from measuring tourism merely on the number of people arriving but rather on the more important numbers.” (with Ghio Ong)
In response, CDC officials confirmed to USA Today that it closely monitors China’s HMPV outbreak:
“CDC is aware of reported increases of HMPV in China and is in regular contact with international partners and monitoring reports of increased disease.”
“These reports are not currently a cause for concern in the U.S.”
What is the human metapneumovirus (HMPV)?
China’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the first HMPV cases
were recorded in 2001.
Its main transmission method is via droplets or aerosols from coughing and sneezing. Also, close contact with infected people may cause transmission.
The U.S. Cleveland Clinic lists the following symptoms:
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Wheezing
• Fever
• Rash
The Daily Mail adds that more severe symptoms, such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, may occur.
Moreover, children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are more likely to develop these serious complications.
HMPV cases are usually mild, so its exact death rate is unknown.
In 2023, China’s CDC explained the fatality rate caused by the virus:
“Children, immunocompromised populations, and the elderly are susceptible, and they are more likely to be co-infected with other respiratory viruses.”
“In susceptible individuals with underlying medical conditions, HMPV infection can lead to death.”
“Based on data from an article published in Lancet Global Health in 2021, one percent of acute lower respiratory infection-related deaths in children under age five can be attributed to HMPV.” n
AFP assures ‘systems in place’...
Margareth Padilla said, “Cyber attacks are a daily occurrence, and what is important is that we can detect and we can deter these attacks.”
“We have intrusion detection systems in place and intrusion prevention systems that are in place,” she explained.
Padilla added that the
AFP has coordinated with various agencies and allies, integrating cybersecurity into military exercises.
“In terms of the AFP, we have been trying to tweak our organization to the contemporary new challenges which is very heavy na rin ( also ) on cyber,” Padilla said.
“As you have witnessed, in the past months, we
have activated our cyber command; kasama na din diyan ( that is also ) in tandem with our intelligence command,” the AFP spokesperson added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved a six-year plan last April to strengthen the security and resilience of Philippine cyberspace. n
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on December 19, 2024.
Photo by Ryan Baldemor / STAR
Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, spokesperson of Armed Forces of the Philippines, speaks to the members of the media during an AFP press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City in this file photo taken on August 20, 2024.
Photo by Arnel Tacson/ Inquirer.net file photo
Fil-Am NFL star earns spot in 2025 Pro Bowl Games Biden administration bars medical debt from credit scores
by Mary Villegas Inquirer.net
GREEN Bay Packers
running back Josh Jacobs has secured a spot in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games scheduled to take place next month.
The Filipino American NFL star has been voted to the 2025 Pro Bowl – for the third time in his NFL career and the first time representing the Packers.
A dynamo on the field and a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense, Jacobs is only the fourth Packers running back to achieve this feat in the last 25 years.
Jacobs’ teammates Rashan Gary and Xavier Mckinney will join him at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida. To celebrate this achievement, Packers posted a congratulatory message on
Instagram.
Josh Jacobs’ sensational launch
His 2025 Pro Bowl selection arrives amid a stellar debut season with the Packers. Despite their loss last week, the 25-yearold running back matched a franchise record with seven consecutive games showcasing a rushing touchdown.
Achieving the distinction of being the fifth player in franchise history to rush for over 1,200 yards in a season, Jacobs completed a total of 14 rushing touchdowns this year.
Reflecting on this season, Jacobs told SI News, “Man, it’s weird. It’s like bittersweet for me. Obviously, it’s good – I’ve had a good year and things like that – but when I look back on myself and
grade myself, there’s so much out there that still can be had for me and even for this team.”
Born to a Filipina mother, Lachelle Jacobs, and an African American father, Marty Jacobs, the NFL star has always embraced his diverse roots.
His identity and heritage have given him a distinct perspective and the drive to accomplish more and leave a mark on the league.
“For me, it’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed my time and I try to leave my mark and my legacy here. I’m going to continue to keep trying to do that,” Jacobs added.
Jacobs’ transfer to the Packers this season was driven by a few factors: a reunion with former Raiders special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, a lucrative deal and a chance to join a young growing team.
Bisaccia described him as someone with a “unique, dynamic personality.”
“He has a tremendous sense of empathy for someone else’s story, regardless of who they are or what their walk is in life. He’s always pleasant as a person,” Bisaccia said.
Jacobs’ 2025 Pro Bowl selection further solidifies his place among the NFL elites and sets him up for even greater success in the future. n
Biden bans new offshore drilling along most US coasts, Trump vows to reverse action
LOS ANGELES – President
Joe Biden Monday withdrew areas offshore, including those in the Pacific Ocean along the Southern California coast, from all future oil and natural gas leasing.
While the decision was celebrated by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to reverse the action.
“Hundreds of miles of California’s iconic coastline is now fully protected from expanded offshore drilling, thanks to today’s action by President Biden,” Newsom said in a statement reacting to Biden’s action.
“For decades, we have led the fight to protect the Pacific Coast and the millions of
Californians who call these coastal communities home.
“We thank the BidenHarris Administration for taking this bold action that will pay dividends for generations to come. New offshore drilling has no place in California, and the president’s action strengthens our work to protect the coast.”
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said Monday’s action recognizes that the environmental and economic risks and harms that would result from drilling in the areas outweigh any limited fossil fuel resource potential.
“President Biden’s actions today are part of our work across this administration to make bold and enduring
by Noam N. Levey KFF Health News
THE federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday issued new regulations barring medical debts from American credit reports, enacting a major new consumer protection just days before President Joe Biden is set to leave office.
The rules ban credit agencies from including medical debts on consumers’ credit reports and prohibit lenders from considering medical information in assessing borrowers.
These rules, which the federal watchdog agency proposed in June, could be reversed after President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20. But by finalizing the regulations now, the CFPB effectively dared the incoming Trump administration and its Republican allies in Congress to undue rules that are broadly popular and could help millions of people who are burdened by medical debt.
“People who get sick shouldn’t have their financial future upended,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in announcing the new rules.
“The CFPB’s final rule will close a special carveout that has allowed debt collectors to abuse the credit reporting system to coerce people into paying medical bills they may not even owe.”
The regulations fulfill a pledge by the Biden administration to address the scourge of health care debt, a problem that touches an estimated 100 million
Americans, forcing many to make sacrifices such as limiting food, clothing, and other essentials.
Credit reporting, a threat that has been wielded by medical providers and debt collectors to get patients to pay their bills, is the most common collection tactic used by hospitals, a KFF Health News analysis found.
The impact can be devastating, especially for those with large health care debts.
There is growing evidence, for example, that credit scores depressed by medical debt can threaten people’s access to housing and drive homelessness. People with low credit scores can also have trouble getting a loan or can be forced to borrow at higher interest rates.
That has prompted states including Colorado, New York, and California to enact legislation prohibiting medical debt from being included on residents’ credit reports or factored into their credit
scores. Still, many patients and consumer advocates have pushed for a national ban.
The CFPB has estimated that the new credit reporting rule will boost the credit scores of people with medical debt on their credit reports by an average of 20 points.
But the agency’s efforts to restrict medical debt collections have drawn fierce pushback from the collections industry. And the new rules will almost certainly be challenged in court.
Congressional Republicans have frequently criticized the watchdog agency. Last year, then-chair of the House Financial Services Committee Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) labeled the CFPB’s medical debt proposal “regulatory overreach.”
More recently, billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump has tapped to co-lead his initiative to shrink government, called for the elimination of the watchdog agency. “Delete CFPB,” Musk posted on the social platform X. n
changes that recognize the impact of oil and gas drilling on our nation’s coastlines,” Haaland said in a statement Monday, Dec. 30.
“Friday, Jan. 3, the president is taking action that reflects what states, tribes and local communities have shared with us — a strong and overwhelming need to support resilient oceans and coastlines by protecting them from unnecessary oil and gas development.”
The memoranda issued by Biden withdraw significant portions of the Outer Continental Shelf from future oil and natural gas leasing, including the entire U.S. Pacific and Eastern Atlantic coasts, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the remainder
enforcement from inquiring about a person’s immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes.”
The sanctuary state law –also known as the California Values Act – that took effect in 2018 limits cooperation by local government agencies with federal immigration authorities.
“No matter who is in the White House, in California, we will continue to lead with California values,” Bonta said in a statement.
“California is the most diverse state in the nation, and immigrants are the backbone of our economy, history and culture. We will not be caught
flat-footed if the Presidentelect follows through on his threats of mass deportation.”
The Filipino American attorney general said the alerts are intended to help California immigrants better understand their rights and protections under the law and avoid immigration scams “by those seeking to take advantage of fear and uncertainty resulting from the President-elect’s inhumane threats of mass detention, arrests and deportation.”
“My office will continue to use the full force of the law and every tool at our disposal to protect the rights of California’s immigrants,” he added.
The alerts remind the immigrant community about their rights, including access to emergency medical care, securing housing without sharing their immigration status and a workplace free of harassment and discrimination. Immigrants are advised to seek legal assistance only from lawyers, accredited representatives and recognized organizations who can represent them in immigration court. Immigration scams may be reported to local district attorneys, the county department of consumer affairs or the Federal Trade Commission. n
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau headquarters in Washington. J. David Ake/Getty Images
Photo from iam_joshjacobs/Instagram
Features OpiniOn
The post-POGO road map
Or so the government hopes.
That is, of course, if our law enforcers were to do a proper job of cracking down on the weaselly characters who continue to run illicit operations nationwide despite the POGO ban declared by President Marcos during his third State of the Nation Address last year.
Editorial
Which is why it’s comforting — though not entirely reassuring — to hear government officials discuss the road map for the postPOGO Philippines that we were promised following the lapse of the Dec. 31 deadline for the cessation of offshore gaming activities.
On New Year’s Day last week, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra spoke of his office’s tasks ahead, including the revocation of all birth certificates fraudulently obtained by foreigners and the seizure of assets they might have acquired illegally in the country.
“The first order of the day is to take possession of and control over [their
OVER the holidays, I took a short break from the cold weather in Washington, DC with time to play golf in West Palm Beach, Florida where the weather was exceptionally wonderful. I played at the exclusive Trump International Golf
properties],” the official said, while admitting that: “At this time we have no definite figures on the aggregate value of these assets.”
True scale of POGO scourge
Guevarra’s declaration is certainly a welcome step in the effort to rid the country of this years-old plague. Unfortunately, the second part of his statement inspires little confidence that such a process would be systematic and thorough, as it appears that the government has not even begun to grasp the true scale of the POGO scourge.
Congressional investigations have shown that thousands of foreign nationals, particularly Chinese, obtained false Philippine birth certificates to acquire official documents which enabled them to engage in activities restricted to Filipinos, such as purchasing land, starting businesses, or even running for public office — like dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who is now
Club where obviously, one needs to be invited to play, even more so to become a member.
Next to the Trump International Golf Club is Palm Beach where one of President Trump’s homes, Mar-a-Lago, is located. Today, it can very well be considered as the center of power and wealth in the United States. Mar-a-Lago was once owned by wealthy socialite and heiress to
widely suspected of being a Chinese citizen. Such transgressions spawned the web of criminal activities associated with POGOs, from scamming, money laundering, and human trafficking to kidnapping, extortion, and violence.
Online gaming operations had existed in the country since 2003, but it was only during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s
administration that the government pursued them as revenue sources in earnest, prompting the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to issue operational guidelines for POGOs in September 2016. Billions in revenue for Pagcor At its height, the industry employed 118,239 people and generated P8.02 billion
Building on past relationships
the Post Cereals fortune, Marjorie Post. Palm Beach, a barrier island, is also where the Kennedys had a home. JFK actually spent some time there before and during his short presidency.
After my golf game, I was extremely pleased to have a conversation with President Trump. I congratulated him for his decisive win, and told him I was looking forward to working once again with his administration.
I presented my credentials in November 2017 to President Trump right after he came from Manila for the 31st ASEAN Summit, where I had the chance to first meet him.
During the congratulatory phone call that we arranged for President Marcos, the U.S. president-elect inquired about PBBM’s mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, whom President Trump met in
New York many times in the past. Undoubtedly, the call was a great opportunity for PBBM to re-establish personal connections with the incoming U.S. president. Building on past relationships we have developed with those who were in office during the first Trump administration will surely put us on the right track in continuing our strong alliance with the United States.
Talking to some of the people around President Trump, it is clear the 47th president is very keen on making sure America will be on top of the game when it comes to AI technology. Many of the tech billionaires have already met with the incoming president, among them Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI’s Sam Altman
right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.
Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an a greement to continue publication.
Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion
Rice imports hit record high in 2024
by Jasper emmaNueL arcaLas Philstar.com
MANILA — Total rice imports last year rose to a new all-time high of almost 4.7 million metric tons (MT) as the country turned to foreign supplies to plug its shortfall in domestic stocks and temper retail prices of the staple.
The country’s rice imports in 2024 reached 4.68 million MT, nearly 30 percent higher than the 3.61 million MT recorded in 2023, based on Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) data.
Vietnam remained as the country’s top rice supplier, cornering three-fourths of the total import volume or about 3.56 million MT. It was followed by Thailand at 598,157 MT and Pakistan at 283,517 MT.
The country also imported rice stocks from the following countries: Myanmar, India, China, Japan, Cambodia, Taiwan, Italy and Spain.
Government officials earlier attributed the increase in rice imports to the need to beef up domestic supplies amid the extreme weather conditions faced by farms in the first half of last year.
The lowering of rice tariffs to 15 percent from 35 percent, as ordered by President Marcos through Executive Order 62, also contributed to the increase in import volume as it encouraged private
entities to purchase more abroad.
The economic measure was meant to temper and prevent further spikes in retail rice prices that have been identified as one of the culprits behind faster inflation in the country last year.
The country’s annual average inflation last year slowed down to 3.2 percent from six percent in 2023 caused by lower increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Rice inflation alone has been on a downward trend since it peaked at 24.4 percent in March last year.
The country’s rice inflation in December 2024 settled at 0.8 percent, the slowest rate in three years, based on PSA
data.
However, the average annual rice inflation last year was estimated at 15.8 percent, faster than the 8.1 percent recorded in 2023.
In a related development, nationwide rice inventory as of Dec. 1 last year expanded by more than a third on an annual basis to a two-year high of over 2.5 million MT, according to the PSA.
In its latest report, the PSA said the country’s rice stocks reached 2.55 million MT, about 34.5 percent higher than the 1.89 million MT recorded in December 2022.
The latest rice inventory was the highest in two years or since the 2.65 million MT recorded in November 2022.
“Month-on-month, the volume of rice stocks inventory
Biden bans new offshore drilling...
of the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area offshore Alaska.
The withdrawal areas encompass more than 625 million acres — and represent the largest withdrawal in U.S. history.
The withdrawals are expected to help protect coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and local economies — including fishing, recreation and tourism — from oil spills and other impacts of offshore drilling.
“My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses, and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs,” Biden said in a statement.
“It is not worth the risks. As
the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren.”
In an interview Monday morning with conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt, President-elect Donald Trump — who has vowed to expand domestic oil drilling — quickly condemned the move and said he would reverse Biden’s action when he takes office.
“I see it just came over that Biden has banned all oil and gas drilling across 625 million acres of U.S. coastal territory,” Trump said.
“It’s ridiculous. I’ll unban it immediately. I have the right to unban it immediately. What’s he doing? Why is he doing it? … We have oil and gas at a level that nobody else has. And we’re going to
The post- POGO road map...
PAGE 6
for Pagcor. But this came at a tremendous cost.
Based on data from the Philippine National Police, the peak of POGO activities in 2019 coincided with a rise in crimes associated with their operations. “As of May 2024, POGO-related crimes have victimized 2,320 Filipinos (40 percent of the total victims) and 1,945 Chinese nationals (34 percent),” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said at a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute in December.
From a high of 298 licensed POGOs in 2019, the number had dwindled to 17 by Dec. 10, all of which were expected to cease operations at the end of 2024, according to Pagcor chair Alejandro
Tengco. It can’t be denied that some progress has been made in the effort to rid the country of POGOs. For one, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Gilbert Cruz noted a remarkable decline in one of the social ills that flourished with POGOs — digital fraud: “Last year, the number of victims who reported scams reached over 100,000. Now, it’s almost none.”
Foreigners unaccounted for
For its part, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has commenced the tedious job of tracking down tens of thousands of foreign POGO workers and deporting them. Last week, bureau spokesperson Dana Sandoval
reported that of the 33,000 foreigners who worked for legitimate POGOs, some 22,000 had departed the country voluntarily. In December, another BI official disclosed that of the 11,000 awaiting deportation, “less than a thousand” remain unaccounted for.
Left unsaid was the fact that many POGOs were never legitimate in the first place. Fly-by-night POGOs are now camouflaged as restaurants, resorts, or hotels in various parts of the country, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. One can only imagine how this is possible without the protection of local power brokers, criminal syndicates, or worst, public officials. (Inquirer.net)
Building on past relationships...
PAGE 6 and not the least a close adviser and friend of the president, Elon Musk.
President Trump also appointed Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (under the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy) to work alongside “AI and crypto czar” David Sacks, posting on X that the focus will be on “ensuring continued American leadership in AI and help shape and coordinate AI policy across government…”
PAGE 10
take advantage of it.
And when I see somebody saying he’s going to ban 625 million acres, he doesn’t know what that is. He doesn’t even know what 625 million acres would look like. And we can’t let that happen to our country. It’s really our greatest economic asset and we’re not going to let that happen to our country.”
According to the Department of the Interior, oil production in 2024 is at an all-time high on federal lands and waters.
The Outer Continental Shelf produced about 675 million barrels of oil and 796 billion cubic feet of gas in the fiscal year 2023. It accounted for nearly 14% of all oil production and 2% of natural has production in the United States.
The Western and Central Gulf of Mexico areas are responsible for nearly all of oil and gas production. (CNS)
An article published in cio.com says Krishnan’s approach “aligns with Trump’s second-term emphasis on reinvigorating U.S. dominance in emerging technologies. The policy Krishnan helps craft could significantly impact enterprises – particularly those in tech, media and manufacturing –as they navigate AI integration into their operations.”
The U.S. leads in AI technology, outperforming every other country by “significant margins” and “leads in virtually every pillar,” producing the highest quality AI research and building the most notable machine learning models in 2023, according to Stanford University’s Institute for HumanCentered Artificial Intelligence.
In San Francisco, driverless taxis also known as “robotaxis” are becoming prevalent while in New York, preparations are underway for commercial electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft or air taxis that would make people travel from one end to another without the hassle of traffic. The Downtown Manhattan Heliport will also be getting a major facelift to become a hub for eVTOL operations, giving a peek of the future with urban air transport.
The United States is also ahead when it comes to the use of drones in the military, with several American companies leading the pack such as AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies, among several others. Unlike their commercial counterparts that are primarily used for aerial photography, delivery and recreation, military drones can perform a wide range of tasks like
intelligence gathering, reconnaissance and aerial surveillance, operating with maximum efficiency and at high speeds.
In 2017, President Trump created the Drone Integration Pilot Program under the Department of Transportation that allowed private companies to work with local government agencies to safely test new technologies and accelerate drone integration into the National Airspace System. As then-Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao explained it, the DIPP supports President Trump’s commitment to “foster technological innovation that will be a catalyst for ideas that have the potential to change our day-to-day lives.”
It was also during the first term of President Trump that the U.S. Space Force was established as part of the Department of the Air Force. Led by the Chief of Space Operations, the mission of Space Force is to secure America’s interests “in, from and to space,” and its core function is to maintain space superiority and defend against space and counterspace threats.
President Trump’s establishment of the U.S. Space Force dovetails with the vision of President Ronald Reagan, who spoke of space being the next frontier during his State of the Union address in 1984, saying, “America has always been greatest when we dared to be great. We can reach for greatness again. We can follow our dreams to distant stars, living and working in space for peaceful, economic and scientific gain.” Clearly, the future of our planet in keeping peace on earth will be decided in space. There is no doubt President Donald Trump is heading in that direction in projecting the power and might of the United States. Evidently, the decision of President Marcos to continue strengthening our relationship with the United States is not only correct –but also puts us on the right side of history.
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *
Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Rice retailers manage their stalls at Marikina Public Market on January 7, 2024. STAR / Michael Varcas
Dateline philippines
AFP vows loyalty to flag after Marcos revamp of NSC
by Nestor corraLes Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday reiterated its pledge of loyalty to flag and country amid speculations of a rift within its ranks following a presidential order removing Vice President Sara Duterte from the National Security Council (NSC).
The military “remains a united and professional organization, loyal to the flag, the Constitution, and the Filipino people,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.
“It strictly adheres to the chain of command and is committed to serving
PH sports mourns death of SEA Games gold medalist Mervin Guarte
by mark GioNGco Inquirer.net
MANILA – Philippine sports mourned the tragic death of bemedalled athlete Mervin Guarte on Tuesday, January 7. Guarte was reportedly stabbed to death in his sleep at a friend’s house early Tuesday morning in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
“The Philippine sports community mourns the untimely death of Mervin Guarte, a longtime member of the national team and a multimedalist from the Southeast Asian Games. Rest in peace! Thank you for your service to the country, Mervin!” the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) posted on social media Tuesday.
Two-time Olympian and pole vault star EJ Obiena also paid a tribute to his “friend” Guarte, who won two gold medals in obstacle course racing at the Southeast Asian Games.
“I just learned the devastating news of the shocking death of my friend and National Teammate Kuya Mervin Guarte,” Obiena said. “May his soul rest in peace, and I am sending my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. What a tragedy. Only 33 years old.”
“This is another poignant reminder to us all,
that we must embrace every day as a gift; as tomorrow is never guaranteed. Blessed to have shared the track with you. Rest well my friend.”
The 33-year-old Guarte also won SEA Games medals as a middle-distance runner before trying his hand and achieving more success as an obstacle course racer in 2019.
“Rest in peace kuya idol,” said Kaizen dela Serna, Guarte’s fellow SEA Games gold medalist in obstacle course racing, on an Instagram story. n
Mervin Guarte wins gold in Obstacle Course Race men’s individual 5km x 20 event of 30th SEA Games at Filinvest, Alabang. INQUIRER photo / Richard A. Reyes
Solons seek 'more time' to endorse impeachment complaint vs VP Sara
by DomiNique NicoLe FLores Philstar.com
MANILA — House lawmakers asked for “more time” to evaluate their potential endorsement of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said.
“Well, those are the House members who requested that I'll give them some more time to either endorse one of the three complaints filed earlier, or endorse another complaint, and that will constitute the fourth impeachment complaint,” he said in an interview with ANC Headstart on Tuesday, January 7.
Velasco also suggested the delay in endorsements may be due to lawmakers weighing the potential impact their support could have on the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
So far, three impeachment complaints have been lodged against Duterte, all citing betrayal of public trust as one of the grounds and alleging her office's misuse of confidential funds.
The first complaint, endorsed by Rep. Perci Cedaña (Akbayan Partylist), was filed on Dec. 2, 2024, followed by a second on December 4, backed by Makabayan lawmakers.
The third complaint, endorsed by Reps. Gabriel Bordado (AAMBISOWA Party-list) and Lex Colada (Camarines Sur, 3rd District), was filed on December 19, a day after Congress adjourned.
Meanwhile, Velasco earlier said the anticipated fourth impeachment complaint was based on information he received from members of the House majority.
Asked why the three existing complaints have not been referred to the House Speaker, Velasco explained that he is waiting for the fourth complaint to ensure all cases are reviewed together, avoiding a focus solely on the current submissions.
“The House members are interested that whatever complaints they will file or they will endorse will be referred to the Speaker
at the same time, you know, one package,” he said, emphasizing the need to give incoming complainants a fair chance.
Fast-tracking the impeachment process
In the meantime, Velasco said the three existing complaints could still be consolidated into one if the endorsers reach an agreement before they are transmitted to the House Speaker.
Makabayan lawmakers said on Monday, January 6, they invited other endorsers to a meeting on Wednesday, January 8, to align efforts urging the House leadership and Marcos administration to advance the impeachment process.
Should they reach an agreement, Velasco said the fourth impeachment complaint would be considered the second impeachment complaint.
He also mentioned that lawmakers who endorsed the three complaints have been gathering signatures from members of the lower chamber to expedite the process.
Impeachment process
This would prevent delays in deliberations, which require the Committee on Justice to submit its report and recommendations to the plenary within 60 session days.
Following that, a vote is held at the plenary, and one-third or 103 of all House members must approve the resolution for it to proceed to trial in the
AFP vows loyalty to flag after Marcos...
PAGE 9
81 s. 2024 on Dec. 30, 2024, removing the vice president and former presidents from the NSC, which advises the president on national security matters. The order was made public only on Friday, January 5.
The vice president has so far remained mum over the issue.
On Saturday, January 4, the Office of the vice president issued a brief statement when asked for Duterte’s comment: “The vice president is already aware of the said matter. We’ll keep you posted.”
Aside from the vice president, former presidents, including her father Rodrigo Duterte, and her family’s ally Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, were among those removed from the NSC.
Senate.
However, Velasco said there are only 15 session days left before the 19th Congress makes its final adjournment in June.
“So for 15 session days, it will be very difficult to process… That whole process, if it will take place, that will need more than 18 session days,” he said.
This explains the signature drive led by Makabayan lawmakers.
Velasco said that if 103 House members endorse a complaint, it will bypass the Committee on Justice and other processes in the lower chamber.
“Well, under our House rules, any of the complaints will be able to garner one-third of the House members, which means 103 House members. Then, that we may call it the express, you know, the pass-struck fruit,” he said.
How many session days left
The House Secretary General has 10 session days from receiving the impeachment complaints to include them in the Order of Business for referral to the Committee on Justice.
Velasco told Philstar. com that four session days have passed since the first complaint was filed. One session day may be equivalent to multiple days, he clarified in a message.
When the House resumes its session on January 13, it will mark the fifth day, and Velasco will have five session days left to refer the complaints. n
the advisory body and who he wants to listen to regarding national security (matters),”
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said in an interview with radio dwIZ.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also believed it was the president’s prerogative but acknowledged that it might have been an offshoot of the falling out between the Marcoses and the Dutertes.
“As the second highest elected official of the government, the vice president’s views are important and the president should also consider them,”
Gatchalian said in a separate radio interview.
“Sara’s removal, as well as her father (former President Rodrigo Duterte) from the NSC only shows that as the year is just beginning, so too is the struggle between the most prominent political dynasties in our country,” Castro said.
‘Political survival’
“This is not just about national security, this is about political survival,” echoed Colmenares. “These kinds of moves show … how far warring political dynasties would go for power while the ordinary Filipino suffer from poverty.”
The Inquirer had reached out to Arroyo’s camp for comment but has yet to hear back as of writing.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año earlier said reconstituting the NSC was a necessary move to enhance the formulation of policies affecting national security.
He also noted that previous chief executives, including the president’s father, as well as Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, and even Arroyo herself, have reorganized the NSC composition.
Presidential prerogative
Año, who is also NSC director general, said the Administrative Code of 1987 vests the chief executive with the continuing authority to reorganize the administrative structure of the Office of the President which the agency is a part of.
Two administration senators, meanwhile, backed the order saying it is the president’s discretion.
“It’s up to the president who he wants to include in
7
recorded an increment of 3.6 percent from the previous month’s inventory of 2.46 million metric tons,” the PSA said Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The higher nationwide rice stocks were driven by higher supplies recorded in the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses and commercial entities.
More than half of the recorded inventory or about 59.1 percent came from commercial sector while
“But we know the real situation in our country. We know what happened in 2024. I think that’s one of the reasons why the president decided to reorganize the NSC,” he added, referring to the vice president’s online news conference in November last year where she claimed to have talked to someone to kill Marcos if she was assassinated. She later said she was misinterpreted.
Family feud
Gatchalian also said it would have been better if former presidents were still allowed to sit in the council because their experience and knowledge would be vital in providing Mr. Marcos with informed opinions on national security issues.
Opposition figures identified with the Makabayan bloc said the development reflects the deepening rift between the Marcos and Duterte families.
In separate statements, ACT
Teachers Rep. France Castro, Bayan President Renato Reyes and former lawmaker and lawyer Neri Colmenares said EO 81 demonstrated the “ugly face of elite politics and served no real purpose apart from gaining an upper hand on each other.”
They warned that the NSC reorganization might signal deeper problems with the administration. Reyes said the sudden reorganization “may signal fears of a possible rift within the military establishment,” a claim that the military has dismissed.
Nevertheless, Colmenares said, wavering allegiances within the military “could have serious implications for the country’s stability.”
Ultimately, Reyes said, it does not matter who sits in the body as “the Filipino people cannot expect any real change as the body is sworn to defend the rotten status quo against the interests of the Filipino people.”
“Things are not going to change whichever politician sits on the council. The country’s security framework will remain aligned with imperialist interests. Human rights violations will also continue. What is interesting to us is how the dynamics of these contradictions expose the bankruptcy of the politics of the ruling elite,” Reyes said.
He urged Filipinos to “take it upon themselves to struggle for genuine political change that is not beholden to any of these political factions.”
(With reports from Kathleen De Villa, Marlon Ramos and Krixia Subingsubing)
35.2 percent came from households and 5.6 percent were from NFA warehouses, according to the PSA.
Rice stocks in commercial entities expanded by 77.1 percent year-on-year to 1.51 million MT from 851,880 MT on the back of higher import volume.
Meanwhile, rice inventory in NFA warehouses more than doubled to 144,050 MT from 57,130 MT driven by better palay procurement performance.
Household rice stocks, however, fell by nine percent year-on-year to 897,920 MT from 986,780 MT, based on PSA data.
“In comparison to the November 2024 rice stocks levels, increments were noted from the commercial sector by 6.3 percent and in the NFA depositories by 1.7 percent,” the PSA said.
“Meanwhile, rice stocks inventory from the households decreased by 0.4 percent,” it added. n
Vice President Sara Duterte faces the media at the headquarters of the Office of the Vice President, hours after holding a thanksgiving lunch with them, Dec. 11, 2024. Philstar.com / Martin Ramos
COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Citizen Pinoy kicks off the new year with inspiring employment petition success
THE new year has Citizen Pinoy opening with an encore episode that highlights how petitioning family members as employees can transform lives — both for those in the U.S. and their loved ones in the Philippines. Ana, a busy hotel executive and devoted mom, petitioned her Tita Susan as a housekeeper to balance her demanding career with quality family time. Inspired by Citizen Pinoy, Ana's decision freed her schedule, enhanced her family life, and increased her earning potential.
In 2020, Tita Susan moved to America, and four years later, Ana once again sought the help of leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel to bring over Susan's husband, Tito Nelson, as a FollowTo-Join (FTJ) based on her employment petition of her Tita . Nelson arrived in September 2024, receiving his green card and a fresh start. This episode highlights the life-changing impact of employment petitions of family members — providing a brighter future PAGE 12
CITIZEN PINOY WELCOMES 2025 WITH ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY ON AN ENCORE EPISODE THIS SUNDAY. This is the inspiring story of Ana (3rd from left), a busy hotel executive, who petitioned her Tita Susan (2nd from left) to help at home as a housekeeper. This decision, inspired by the long-running immigration show, allowed Ana to balance her career and family life while increasing her earning potential. Four years after Tita Susan’s move to the U.S., Ana once again sought leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel’s (right) help to bring over Susan’s husband, Tito Nelson (left), as a Follow-ToJoin (FTJ) under Ana’s petition of her Tita. Nelson arrived in September 2024, showing how employment petitions of family members can transform lives and fulfill dreams. Be sure to watch this success story on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, January 12 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.
(Advertising Supplement)
Health@Heart Alcohol – shortens life
PhiliP S. Chua, md, FaCS, FPCS
THE abuse of alcohol is the leading risk factor for disability and premature death in the world. Besides tobacco and other harmful agents, alcohol is the most common cause of many illnesses in our midst, cancer included. Alcohol-related deaths claim almost 178,000 lives each year (488 deaths per day) in the United States alone. Annually, there are at least 13,500 deaths from alcohol-associated vehicular accidents in the USA. Worldwide, it kills around 2.6 million annually. Besides the health and psychological impairment among drinkers, the abuse impacts negatively on the family members and society in general. Among the mortalities are also those who die of alcohol-related cancers and drunk drivers.
While having a glass of wine with dinner was accepted in the past as disciplined libation, like my old favorites Martini, Pinot Noir (which usually has 25 percent Syrah in it) and Cabernet Sauvignon (which normally contains 25 percent Merlot in it), today any amount of ethanol (ethylene alcohol) has been found to be associated with increased risk for developing cancers of
the oral cavity, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and breast. The higher the intake, the greater the risk. Those with liver cirrhosis from alcohol also have higher risk for hepatoma (liver cancer). Regular alcohol intake also shortens life span.
New clinical randomized studies show there is no SAFE level (not even one drink) of alcohol intake.
Any toxic agents?
The following toxic and carcinogenic (cancer-causing) contaminants are found during fermentation and production: hydrocarbons, phenols, nitrosamines, and asbestos fibers. Obviously, those who imbibe lightly would get only a smaller dose of the toxic agents and those who drink a lot would get a much higher dose of the cancer-causing agents. Even the smaller dose could be damaging to some individuals. A little poison is still poison.
What is the standard?
There is no more “safe standard” of drinking alcoholic beverages today. It used to be one drink for women who were not pregnant and two drinks for men. Even this minimum was found to be associated with cancer risk and other morbidities.
How much is too much?
Moderate drinking was defined by the U.S. federal
guidelines as up to one drink per day for women (who are not pregnant) and up to two drinks per day for men. That was then. New finding: Any alcohol intake, even one glass of wine or a shot of whiskey, etc., increases cancer risk in the long term and shortens longevity.
What is the evidence for cancer link?
There is an overwhelming consensus, based on extensive studies, that clearly links alcohol intake to the increased risk for cancer of those organs listed above. The National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers alcoholic drinks as human carcinogen (cancercausing agents). Cancer is the second most common cause of deaths (1 in 4) in the United States. There were over 2 million cancer cases in 2024, with 611,720 deaths. About 3.5 percent of cancers deaths in the United States is associated with alcohol. How about alcoholtobacco combo?
Smoking, even one cigarette or cigar a day, a week or a month, is dangerous. Each person reacts differently to toxic agents. The combination of alcohol and tobacco (two common cancer-causing agents with countless toxins in them) exponentially increases the risk for cancer, pulmonary, cardiovascular,
Piolo Pascual celebrates being single for 13 straight years
MANILA — Kapamilya actor Piolo Pascual revealed that he has been single for 13 straight years.
In his recent interview with Toni Gonzaga, Piolo said that he's enjoying life being solo.
"Wala naman e. May love life ba ako? Ang tagal na rin, e, hindi ko na alam 'yung love life. Napaisip ako doon, ah," he said.
Piolo said that he's not looking for a relationship because he enjoys being single and not thinking of anyone.
"Sinabi sa akin ni Pastor Julius, the more you stay single, the more you’re gonna enjoy it, the more you’re not going to look for it," he said.
"For 13 years, single ako. Love life ko talaga 'yung trabaho ko e," he added.
"Ayaw mo na ng full-on commitment?" Toni asked Piolo.
"Not for now. I mean, you know, I’m at a point in my life… busy pa ako sa career ko Totoo kasi, you know, I love being single. I don’t see the point of being with someone, especially now, because I’m so busy with work," he answered.
and metabolic illnesses. How dangerous are energy drinks?
All energy drinks as advertised (a combination of coffee and alcohol) are unhealthy and dangerous, resulting in some reported deaths around the world. The caffeine in this concoction masks the effects of alcohol and the person’s level of intoxication. Deaths have been reported among energy drink consumers. Those consuming any alcoholic drinks are twice as likely to ride with a driver who are intoxicated and be victims of rape and accidents. Women have slower metabolism for alcohol because, compared to men, they have lower water content in their body, and therefore, alcohol stays in their system less diluted, and longer. For energy drinks, the risk for developing cancer could be dose-related also as noted below.
What are the specific organ risks?
Persons who imbibe 50 or more grams of alcohol per day (about 3.5 more drinks a day) double or triple their risk for cancers of the head and neck (mouth, throat and voice box), and esophagus and liver (especially those with hepatitis B or C, which are primary causes of liver cancer themselves). Women who have 3 drinks a day have 1.5 times higher risk than
"I’m always with friends. I’m always with my family. And it’s not something that, you know, I look for because nasanay na, e," he added. He, however, said that he is not closing his doors for a new relationship.
When asked for qualities he is looking for in a future girlfriend, Piolo said: "Christian muna Dapat Kristiyano ka." "Family-oriented. Tapos siyempre dapat mabait, hindi 'yung full of herself, hindi rin 'yung me, myself and I," he added. n
nondrinkers for developing breast cancer. The study of 28,000 women in the United Kingdom shows that low to moderate intake of alcohol (for every 10 grams) had a 12 percent increase in the risk for breast cancer. Having 3.5 drinks a day increases the risk for colorectal cancer by one and a half times (almost doubled) compared to nondrinkers or occasional (social) drinkers. Any proven benefits of alcohol?
As far as cancers are concerned, there are two malignancies where consumption of alcoholic beverage appears to show 15 percent decrease (compared to nondrinkers) in the risk for their development: renal cell (kidney) cancer and nonHodgkin Lymphoma (NHL), as shown in multiple studies and meta-analyses. Does abstinence reduce cancer risk?
Yes. The reduction in the risk after cessation from drinking is not immediate. It can take up to 15 years before the cancer risk is reduced to the level of nondrinkers. This is the reason why the best strategy is not to drink alcoholic beverage at all. Many beverage companies are now into non-alcoholic drinks. It’s fun to drink, especially socially. But the risk of cancer and shortened longevity are not worth the transient “high,” from alcoholic drinks. Let’s enjoy life healthfully to the maximum period of time.
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
* * *
The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle, to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable to or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
* * *
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, U.S. senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, scientists, and educators. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Amazon. com (“Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
providers, right after TV
Piolo Pascual
Star file photo
From left: Tito Nelson, Tita Susan, Ana and Atty. Michael Gurfinkel
Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, January 12 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite
Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com
ABS-CBN ‘not
aware,’ but grateful for 5th franchise renewal attempt
by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net
ABS-CBN expressed its gratitude to Albay Representative Joey Salceda for his efforts in filing a franchise renewal bill for the media giant, more than four years after its shutdown in May 2020.
Salceda filed a House bill calling for the renewal of the media giant’s legislative franchise to “construct, install, operate, and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations” across the country on Tuesday, January 7.
The Albay representative’s bill marks the fifth attempt to seek the media giant’s franchise renewal through a House bill after Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. (Camarines Sur’s 3rd District), Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro’s 2nd District), Makabayan bloc lawmakers Raoul Manuel, Arlene Manuel, and France Castro, and Rep. Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur’s 2nd District).
On the same day, ABSCBN thanked Salceda for his efforts to bat for the media giant’s franchise renewal in a statement. It also expressed its gratitude to the lawmakers who filed for similar franchise renewal
ABS-CBN released a statement on Tuesday, January 7, after Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed a bill calling for the renewal of its franchise.
bills before the House.
“While we were not aware of Rep. Joey Salceda’s filing of a bill to grant a broadcast franchise to ABSCBN today, we are deeply grateful for his support and belief in [our] contributions and mission to serve the Filipino public,” it said.
ABS-CBN’s free TV and radio channels were forced off-air in May 2020 after the National Telecommunications
from ABS-CBN Corporate Communications
Commission (NTC) denied the renewal of its franchise, which took place under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Since then, ABS-CBN’s head of TV production Laurenti Dyogi said in March 2023 that the media giant has been operating as a “content creator,” and is set on bringing its content to various platforms including former network rival GMA.
Enrique Gil open to do reunion project with Kathryn Bernardo
by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com
MANILA — Enrique Gil is open to do a reunion project with Kathryn Bernardo.
In an interview with the media during the red carpet of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival awards night last December 27, Enrique said there are no offers yet but he is willing to reunite with his "Princess and I" co-star.
Kathryn and Enrique were the young stars who were launched in the 2012 romance-fantasy show about a fictional kingdom that has been searching for its long-lost princess who was found in the Philippines.
“I’m not sure about that. I haven’t heard about that. But I’m always open to anything, of course,” he said.
Enrique became a fullfledged film producer this year with his own production company Immerse Entertainment. He said that he is still open to do a love team projects.
“I’m not naman saying
Lea Salonga recalls fear of being labeled ‘bold star’ after ‘Miss Saigon’
by JeSSica ann evangeliSta Inquirer.net
BROADWAY superstar Lea Salonga revealed that one of her concerns when she agreed to star in the musical “Miss Saigon” was being branded as a “bold star” upon playing the role of Kim.
In the teaser of her interview on PBS’ “Finding Your Roots,” Salonga admitted that the Filipino audience is “conservative,” and her taking up the role of a 17-yearold prostitute might have given a “not so wholesome” impression.
“I was really concerned with how conservative audiences in the Philippines were going to take it, because my career up at that point was just very wholesome. And I was a child entertainer and performer. I was about to turn the page in a really big way. Because back home actors, especially actresses, you were really either wholesome or really not,” she recalled.
“There was no gray area. Yeah, like, am I going to be like what they called a ‘bold star’? Am I going to be branded as that? A bold star, that’s what they were called. And then I realized, in the West, the gray area was where a lot of actors resided,”
Despite the fear, Salonga eventually took up the role of Kim in London’s West
in 1989, which gave her a historic Best Actress in a Musical win from the 1990 Laurence Olivier Award, followed by a Tony Award after she returned to the role for Broadway, making her the first woman of Asian descent ever to win the trophy. Salonga was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the Broadway production of “Les Misérables” and Fantine in its 2006 revival.
Photo
Composite image of Kathryn Bernardo (left) and Enrique Gil (right) STAR / File, Photo release
ABS-CBN’s headquarters in Quezon City Inquirer File Photo
Lea Salonga Photograb from YouTube/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. the theater star continued.
End
FOR Pres. Joe Biden’s remaining days, how I wish to have been given the opportunity to tour the White House in Washington, D C. My dream is to cover White House events as a journalist.
To President Biden, many thanks for serving the American people for four years with selfless dedication, determination and integrity.
* * *
As a journalist and columnist for the Asian Journal’s LA Edition (my columns are reprinted in the Asian Journal New York and New Jersey, Northern California, San Francisco, Las Vegas and San Diego editions), my legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
I also write for Balikbayan Magazine, Police Files Tonite and Daily Tribune newspaper. I was a correspondent for the defunct Far Eastern Economic Review in Hongkong (I interviewed Asia’s first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri), The Japan Times newspaper and The Japan Times Weekly in Tokyo, Japan, and the Gulf News and the Emirates Inflight Magazine in UAE.
I topped the 2024 Science Journalism Forum’s leader
I wish to cover the White House
board and this year it will be held in UAE. I have been active in doing charitable works as a journalist, helping the marginalized sector of our society. I also received the 2024 Amerika Prestige Award for Inclusive Media Excellence Award in excelling in inclusive reporting and advocacy, particularly focusing on issues, stories, and triumphs of persons with disabilities.
I embody the spirit of quiet heroism — a life dedicated not only to uncovering truths but also to giving voice to the voiceless. As a correspondent, I have tackled some most pressing issues. I have broken down complex socio-economic topics with insight and empathy, shining a light on the triumphs and struggles of the people. Every article I write is an opportunity to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard. Journalism is not just about reporting; it’s about standing up for the truth. * * *
I miss my former boss Dr. Luis Calingo, the late president of Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga. He was president of Woodbury University in Burbank, California and executive vice president and chief academic officer of Dominican University of California in San Rafael, California.
I was lucky that I was under his direct supervision. Whenever he told me to report to his office, I was amazed by the brilliance
and innovativeness of his mind. He taught me lots of things in life as an educator and leader. He was an internationally tested, visionary leader who was grounded in deep ethical beliefs and drove transformative organizational quality with nearly flawless execution.
* * *
Welcome to year 2025! I randomly asked four persons to answer two questions: (1) What are your plans/projects in 2025?; and (2) Any insights/learnings on the past year?
Here are their replies: Arienne Calingo, a beauty queen, communications strategist, artist and writer: (1) “I’m kicking off 2025 with a work trip to Kenya, followed by a week in Paris, France for self-care and quality time with my mother. I feel incredibly
blessed that my work allows me to integrate my passions for writing, design, and education while engaging with communities abroad. As someone with a genuine interest in traveling and exploring other cultures, I’m also hoping to visit Dublin in Ireland, the Philippines, London in England, and Japan later in the year. Outside of work, I’m excited to continue nurturing my love for art.
In 2024, my artwork was exhibited for the first time at the South Bend Museum of Art (Indiana) and in Chicago. I look forward to creating pieces that are inspired by social justice and human rights issues and submitting my pieces to more exhibits across the United States. I am also writing a personal article about my faith journey, which I plan to submit for publication this year. Lastly, I’d like to focus on reaching my fitness goals and further exploring my musical abilities. This year, I hope to produce music or collaborate with musicians to expand my creative endeavors.” (2) “I’ve come to understand the profound power of letting go. It takes courage and strength to let go of people,
imagined potentials, and opportunities that were never truly meant for us. If someone chooses to walk out of your life, hold the door open with grace and let them go. If an opportunity you poured your heart into ends in rejection or failure, embrace the lesson it offers and trust that something better lies ahead. Have faith in what’s meant to be. You will be redirected to what is truly right for you.”
Milaflor Mahinan, a retired teacher in science at Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Manila: (1) “I intend to travel throughout the Philippines to discover its abundant beauty and rich resources and to visit my relatives in the U.S.” (2) “Despite an injury, I was able to join the convention for retired teachers, the Philippines Alliance of Retired Educators, which is organized nationwide for GSIS teacher-retirees. One of the objectives of PARE is to increase the pension of all retired educators and additional benefits similar to those in the active services.”
Bam Aquino, a Maurice R. Greenberg world fellow at Yale University’s Jackson
School of Global Affairs and former Philippine senator: (1) “God-willing, I hope to see a return to public service this 2025!” (2) “Last year taught me: to have no fear and only faith! To make that leap with a full heart and hope. To always fight the good fight, even if against the odds, as long as it’s for the right reasons.”
Frederick Francisco, a sportscaster, basketball coach and founder of Nxt Level Basketball Academy: (1) “Being a dad for over a year, my main goal is to be able to provide better for my family and to spend more time with my kid. I also plan on focusing more on my basketball academy and my sportswear business.” (2) “Last year, I took a huge step in my sportscasting career. This year, I hope I can maintain this momentum into bigger things.”
Watch for the second batch next week.
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Frederick Francisco with his wife Hersh David Francisco and son Luka and their pets Bear-Bear, Shush and Jaxx.
Journalist Rogelio Medina (extreme right) at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
Left photo: Dr. Luis Calingo; Right photo: (from left) Dr. Luis Calingo, Rogelio Medina, and Gemeline Braga-Calingo at Holy Angel University in January 2019. Photos courtesy of Rogelio C. Medina
U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden
Rogelio Medina’s different Press IDs
Rogelio Medina’s different Press IDs Rogelio Medina’s different Press IDs
Inaugural Hearth Philippines Summit to support changemaker wellbeing in Siquijor
SIQUIJOR
– From January 14-17, 2025, the enchanting island of Siquijor will host the Hearth Philippines Summit, an inaugural gathering in partnership with The Wellbeing Project, a global network based in Madrid and Paris. This unique summit focuses on the wellbeing of changemakers — including artists, caregivers, entrepreneurs, activists, and students — who are at the forefront of driving social transformation and on evidence-based research proving that wellbeing can lead to well-doing.
Siquijor, known for its rich heritage of traditional healing, provides the perfect setting for this transformative event. Partner organizations include the Siquijor Healers Association, giving participants access to spiritual healing throughout the four-day program. This collaboration underscores the summit’s mission to create a safe space that promotes wellbeing for all, allowing changemakers to recharge,
reflect, and connect.
Notable speakers and highlights
The Hearth Philippines Summit will feature an inspiring lineup of speakers, including:
• Julia Ormond, Hollywood A-lister and former U.N. Ambassador, speaking on Winds of Change: Ar Sustainability and Social Transformation
• Gabbi Pascua, 3x Emmy-winning producer and current documentarian
• Annie Ponce, native Siquijor spiritual healer
• Monique Wilson, award-winning actress and activist; creative director of One Billion Rising
• Buji Babiera, content creator and founder of First Bike Ride.
• Sheree Gotuaco, entrepreneur specializing in Art AR.
• Chris and Corina Millado, siblings leading DIWATA, focused on embracing the wild side of women .
• Liza Maza, former Congresswoman (Gabriela Women’s Party)
• Chef Michelle Adrillana, sustainable chef, who will host the summit’s first-ever vegan boodle fight dinner on opening night.
Additional speakers include Macy Castaneda Lee, Cynthia Dacanay Jaramillo, Armand Dayoha, Adora de Vera, John Deyto, Dyan Gumanao, Via Hernandez, Steve Manzano, Obeth Montes, Mae Paner, Jethro Patalinhug, Raz Salvaria, Jojo Sescon, Joanne Suriel, and Leah Tolentino, each sharing their unique insights and personal journeys.
A global gathering for wellbeing and growth
Participants from around the world will come together to share their stories of overcoming challenges and thriving to pay it forward in their communities. The summit seeks to be a sanctuary where changemakers can explore innovative ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue, and build lasting connections to further their missions.
This groundbreaking event is made possible through the generous support of Pili Ani, Tough Banana, Scarletbox.IO, Keeping it 100 Solutions, Talang Dalisay, and Communication Arts Network.
For more information about the Hearth Philippines Summit and to register, visit lunaspilipinas.com.
Jodi Sta. Maria to focus on master’s degree in psychology, family in 2025
by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net
JODI Sta. Maria will be taking up her master’s degree in psychology, and is set to take a short break from acting after taking on the lead role in the highintensity drama “Lavender Fields.”
Sta. Maria said she will take a “short break” from acting, as she disclosed some of her plans for the year during a media junket for the revenge drama “Lavender Fields,” when asked about the milestones she wanted to achieve for herself.
“This year is a [time] for me to learn and grow. I’m starting my master’s degree in psychology and I want to focus more on family and marriage therapy. I want to make mental health accessible for all,” she told reporters.
But this doesn’t mean that she is closing her doors on acting anytime soon. She said that she has always been grateful for the opportunities she received throughout her career, noting that she wants to make a “legacy” in the industry.
“Gusto ko lang naman mag-perform and maginspire. At first, I just wanted to work because I needed exposure when I was younger. Ngayon,
since medyo nakatagal na sa industriya [at] marami nang nagawa, iniisip ko na lang is I want to leave a legacy and to take good characters,” she said.
( I just want to perform and inspire. At first, I just wanted to work because I needed exposure when I was younger. Now that I’ve been here in the industry for quite some time and I’ve done a lot of things, I just think about leaving a legacy and taking good characters.)
The 42-year-old actress then reflected that focusing on the blessings she received from her career might be a result of her maturity, as it changed her perspective on what
she wanted to achieve.
“Nag-iiba na siguro once you age, and I’m happy and thankful na at my age, kinakaya pa niya ang demand ng isang actress ( I guess things change once you get older. I’m happy and thankful that I can still handle the demand of being an actress despite my age ),” she said.
“Lavender Fields” is down to its final weeks on air, and it also stars Jericho Rosales, Janine Gutierrez, and Jolina Magdangal.
Also part of the cast are Albert Martinez, Edu Manzano, Maricel Soriano, Jana Agoncillo, Krystal Mejes, Victor Neri, Bernard Palanca, Miguel Vergara, and Marc Santiago.
Enrique Gil open to do reunion project...
PAGE 12
goodbye. I’m not saying I’m closing my doors.
In the meantime, as of now, because I’ve been doing it all my life, I think there’s a time and place for everything," he said. "This time, I really want to focus on different genres I’ve never done before.
Para masasabi ko , when I get old, at least I was able to do everything. So for now, i’m just really enjoying and playing around with
different concepts and characters. I’m just having fun,” he added.
Enrique said that he wanted to produce different genres of movies.
“ Wala pa , this is just the beginning. I was able to produce 'I am Not Big Bird,' which is a comedy. I’ve always wanted to do comedy, slapstick comedy,” he shared. “And then now, I was able to produce metastyle horror. I still want to produce traditional-style
horror movie in the future, and I have a concept as well for an action horror,” he said.
“More concepts and more comedies and, of course, I want some dramas as well in the future,” he added. “ Hindi kasi ako magaling mag-isip ng drama May mga ilang concepts na . I have a team naman Ang hilig ko kasi comedy and horror eh. And some action of course in the future,” he added.
Lea Salonga recalls fear of being labeled...
PAGE 12
The 53-year-old actresssinger is also known as the voice of Princess Jasmine from “Aladdin” and Fa Mulan for “Mulan and Mulan II.” For her portrayal of the beloved princesses, she was bestowed the honor of “Disney Legend.” Salonga recently released a new holiday album, staged a concert in Manila, and starred in the “Request sa Radyo” play alongside BAFTA nominee Dolly De Leon in 2024. n
Julia Ormond
Buji Babiera
Corina Collado
Jodi Sta. Maria. Photo from Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
