Filipino advocates condemn ICE detention conditions, call out PH gov’t for inaction
FILIPINO migrant advocates from the Tanggol Migrante Campaign denounced the inhumane conditions in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers and the lack of response from the Philippine government during a virtual press conference held on Wednesday, February 5.
The conference came in the wake of recent ICE raids targeting Filipinos, including the detention of multiple caregivers in the Chicago area. Advocates underscored the urgency of addressing these violations and called on the Philippine Consulate to take decisive action in protecting overseas nationals.
Nerissa Allegretti, President of the National Alliance for Filipino
Fil-Am attorney general vows to protect health care amid Trump’s funding freeze
“AS California goes, so goes the nation,” said state Attorney General Rob Bonta — and in the face of federal funding cuts, that goes for health care too.
As President Donald Trump realizes his campaign promises with a near-daily blitz of executive orders and funding cuts that put Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the chopping block, California isn’t backing down — and other states are following suit.
“The chaos flooding us is their strategy, and as we see more, protecting the state’s decision to expand its Medicaid program to all low-income residents, regardless of immigration status, is a top priority,” said Bonta at a February 4 panel on health and politics held by Insure the Uninsured Project in Sacramento.
“We will vigorously defend against any new federal policies that
by AJPress
A BIPARTISAN group of United States lawmakers are reintroducing a bill that would speed up the visa process to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families.
The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025, reintroduced by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), along with
Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), seeks to expedite the visa process for these long-separated families.
“Despite the service and sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who bravely fought on behalf of our country during World War II, many of these veterans still haven’t been able to reunite permanently with their loved ones in the U.S.,” said Hirono in a statement. “The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would help expedite this process so these veterans can finally be reunited with their families. These soldiers served our country with honor and courage and this bill is an important step towards helping them receive the benefits
deserve.”
candidates hit campaign trail
PHILIPPINE candidates for the 2025 general election took their advocacies to the people on Tuesday, February 11 as the 90-day campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups began.
The administration's Senate slate, under the banner of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, officially launched its campaign in Ilocos Norte, rallying support in the political stronghold of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.
President Marcos himself led the campaign kickoff at the province's
centennial arena to endorse a powerhouse lineup of senatorial candidates under the Alyansa banner.
Sen. Imee Marcos, who earlier declined the endorsement of her brother, was also present during the rally.
Aside from Senator Marcos, the administration's Senate slate also included former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Lito Lapid, former Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Sen. u PAGE 3
RECIPROCAL tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump said he would announce this week could disrupt Philippine exports, analysts warned on Tuesday, February 11. The move will be particularly damaging for the country, Moody's Analytics economist Sarah Tan told The Manila Times, "because duties levied on U.S. imports are higher than the tariffs on Philippine imports imposed by [the] U.S.”
If the United States aligns its tariffs accordingly, she added, the cost of Philippine exports to the U.S. will rise, making these less attractive to American buyers.
"More broadly, President Trump's state commitment to respond to any retaliatory tariffs creates uncertainty in the global economy," Tan also noted. She said that this would dampen capital investments and slow mergers and acquisitions
MANILA— If the midterm elections were to be held today, incumbent ACT-CIS party list Rep. Erwin Tulfo would top the senatorial race while ACT-CIS would rank first among all party list groups, based on Pulse Asia’s latest “Pulso ng Bayan” PreElectoral national survey. The results of the survey conducted from Jan. 18 to Jan. 25 showed that Tulfo was the favorite among 62.8 percent of respondents who
said they would vote for him in the May 12 national and local elections. He was followed by Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who was in second to third place with 50.4 percent potential votes, and former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, in second to fourth place with 50.2 percent potential votes.
In third to eighth place was Tulfo’s older brother, Ben, with 46.2 percent of potential voters. Sharing fourth to eighth
MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will commence after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address, according to Senate President Francis Escudero.
Escudero confirmed this in a press conference on Monday, February 10 when he was asked when the “actual impeachment trial” against the country’s second-top leader would begin.
“Most likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions — after SONA. SONA, I think it is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,” he told reporters. u PAGE 4
US senators reintroduce...
The legislation aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by exempting the children of naturalized Filipino World War II veterans from existing visa quotas, removing the decades-long backlog that has kept them apart.
Nevada, home to one of the largest Filipino American communities in the country, stands to benefit significantly from this legislation.
“Filipino veterans served our country admirably during World War II, but outdated laws have prevented them from reuniting with their loved ones in the United States,” said Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), who helped introduce the legislation. “I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to expedite visa processing for the children of these heroes to ensure they can reunite. I’ll always push to honor our veterans for their service to our nation.”
More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought under the American flag during World War II, answering the U.S. call to defend the Philippines and the Allied cause. However, despite their bravery and sacrifices, these veterans were denied U.S. citizenship and military benefits due to the Rescission Acts of 1946, which stripped them of the same rights granted to other Allied soldiers.
It was not until 1990 that President George H.W. Bush granted citizenship to approximately 26,000 Filipino veterans, but the law
failed to extend citizenship or residency rights to their children. As a result, many families remained separated, with visa applicants often waiting decades due to immigration caps.
To address this, in 2016, Senator Hirono successfully advocated for the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole (FWVP) program, allowing veterans to temporarily reunite with their adult children and other close relatives. However, FWVP did not provide permanent residency solutions, and the backlog continued.
The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025 provides a long-term fix by ensuring these children can obtain green cards without being subjected to global visa limits.
The bill enjoys bipartisan and bicameral backing, with co-sponsors in both the Senate and the House, including Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
In the House, Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) have also signed on in support.
“The Filipino veterans who fought for their homeland and for the Allied cause in World War II are seeing their
numbers dwindling and have been patiently waiting for the time when they can finally reunite with their loved ones,” said Representative Ed Case. “As these veterans near the end of their lives, they deserve the certainty of a non-revocable permanent solution.”
The bill has been supported by Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, Church World Service, Filipino Young Leaders Program, Human Rights First, Immigration Hub, Interfaith Welcome Coalition - San Antonio, Japanese American Citizens League, Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), National Immigration Forum, Pilipino Workers Center, PWC, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, UndocuBlack Network, Veterans for American Ideals, Wind of the Spirt Immigrant Resource Center. If passed, this legislation would mark a historic step in recognizing the sacrifices of Filipino WWII veterans by ensuring their families are finally given the chance to reunite in the United States. As the number of surviving veterans dwindles, lawmakers and advocates stress that time is running out to grant these families long-overdue justice. n
Filipino advocates condemn ICE detention...
Concerns (NAFCON)
USA reported that ICE raids have been sweeping through Chicago, which she described as “ground zero” for mass deportations under Trump’s immigration policies. The said ICE raid on January 24 at a suburban care home included eight
Tulfos, Go, Sotto top Pulse Asia Senate...
place were incumbent Senators Pia Cayetano with 46.1 percent and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. with 46.0 percent. Next were Sen. Imee Marcos with 43.3 percent and former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson with 42.4 percent, who were ranked fourth to 12th place.
Television personality Willie Revillame was in the seventh to 13th spot at 41.9 percent, followed by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, and former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, all sharing the seventh to 14th spot with 41.2 percent, 41.1 percent, and 40.6 percent, respectively.
Sen. Gringo Honasan and former Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos shared the 16th to 18th spot with 25.2 percent and 24.8 percent, respectively.
Mind made up
The survey also showed that with over three months to go before the May national elections, half of the registered voters had already picked the senatorial candidates they would vote for, with 72 percent of respondents in Mindanao and 64 percent in the Visayas having a complete slate of 12 candidates.
On the other hand, awareness of the party list system at the national level was recorded at 79 percent.
of one seat, with varying percentages for the number of additional seats.
Other party list groups with a chance of getting one seat were Ako Bicol (3.32 percent), PPP (2.52 percent), Malasakit@Bayanihan (2.46 percent), Asenso Pinoy (2.44 percent), Duterte Youth (2.38 percent), Agimat (2.06 percent), and Gabriela (2.06 percent).
Filipino caregivers, six of whom were detained and deported without a judicial warrant within a 24-hour turnaround while two of them were able to show proper documentation. “It was very quick. It was truly what President Trump wanted—expedited. There was no warrant given,” Allegretti said, emphasizing that caregivers and other migrant workers remain at the highest risk. “Many of them are only trying to pursue livelihood for themselves and their families, and are already taking up backbreaking work to do so.”
Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar was in the ninth to 14th spot with 38.4 percent, while Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid took the 10th to 14th spot with 37.7 percent.
Allegretti also talked
Also notable were former Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who took the 15th to 16th spot with 29.1 percent, and Bam Aquino took the 15th to 18th spot with 27.4 percent. Former
Based on the survey results, among the 155 party list groups, about five have a chance of securing the maximum number of seats. These were ACTCIS (with a preference of 7.96 percent), 4Ps (7.42 percent), Tingog (6.29 percent), Uswag Ilonggo (4.83 percent), and Senior Citizens (4.44 percent). Each group was assured
The survey used in-person interviews among 2,400 adult Filipinos nationwide. It had a margin of error of plus-or-minus 2 percent for national percentages, plus-or-minus 6 percent for Metro Manila, plus-or-minus 3 percent for Luzon outside Metro Manila, and plus-orminus 4 percent for both Visayas and Mindanao. Of the top 14 senatoriables, 10 are from the administration coalition Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas. Go and Dela Rosa are running under former President Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino while Revillame and Ben Tulfo are running as independents. (Inquirer.net)
Fil-Am attorney general vows to protect...
PAGE 1
interfere with state laws and state-funded Medicaid.
Regardless of who’s in the White House, we’re going to keep moving forward,” he added.
Medicaid is the country’s largest health insurance program, covering nearly 80 million Americans.
In 2023, US Medicaid spending was $871.7 billion, with $591.4 billion, or nearly 68 percent of that, from federal funds.
Overall, Medicaid represents nearly $1 out of every $5 spent in the U.S. Bonta said that California was poised to repeat and, if needed, surpass actions taken during the first Trump administration, including instigating a Supreme Court lawsuit upholding the ACA; defending state sanctuary and vaccine mandate laws; and obtaining court injunctions that put stops on public charge, “a cruel policy designed to force immigrant families to forego public programs like health care out of fear that it will jeopardize their immigration status.”
An executive order issued by Trump on Jan. 27 — which attempted to disrupt health care spending and other federal programs like food, housing and child health, all totaling nearly $3 trillion — was sued the next day by 22 Democratic state attorneys general, including Bonta.
On Friday, February 7,
U.S. district court judge John McConnell Jr. granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from freezing those federal loans, grants and aid to 22 states, until McConnell can hear the states’ request for a longerterm block.
A hearing date is not yet set.
These attempted freezes also accompany Trump’s campaign promises to end enhanced ACA subsidies which, passed under Biden and set to expire at the end of 2025, cut premium payments nearly in half for millions of Americans and doubled enrollment, especially in red states.
“Health has become more politically determined than ever. We’re making sure that our patients know that they should vote, because it’s going to impact their health,” said Louise McCarthy, president and CEO of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), a coalition of 118 clinics serving two million patients annually and one in three Medi-Cal enrollees in LA County.
“Medi-Cal saved my own life,” she continued. “In 1996, I was in the hospital in Fairfield, California with a $22,000 bill. PreACA, I narrowly qualified for emergency Medi-Cal, and it took the bill away. Without that, I wouldn’t be a homeowner, an employer
or a taxpayer at my level. Healthcare transforms lives, and so does voting to keep it.”
“Eight years ago, folks stopped coming in for visits. They were afraid to enroll in coverage, even to drop their kids off at school. And now, we’ve lost our sensitive location status, which makes it even more challenging,” she continued. “They gave us the plan in Project 2025, and now they’re executing it. Our challenge now is to support people who are rightfully afraid to leave their homes.”
On Jan. 21, the Trump administration ended a 2011 policy that had protected sensitive locations — including hospitals, schools, churches, funerals, weddings and public demonstrations nationwide — from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations like undocumented immigrant arrests.
“We use the word ‘coup’ about other countries, never about ourselves, because we’re exceptional, it would never happen here. But it’s absolutely happening here,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance, a coalition of 50 community-based organizations serving 1.6 million AAPI, or 16 percent of LA County.
“Misinformation is free, while reliable information is behind a paywall. If you know your rights, share that knowledge. We share it in our health clinics, we host ICE workshops, and it works,” she continued.
Kulkarni cited as an example ‘border czar’ Tom Homan’s comments on CNN that late January ICE raids in Chicago were not as successful as expected due to immigrant education.
“They’re attempting to weaponize the ways we protect ourselves, even the words we use to describe ourselves,” added McCarthy. “What happens after this depends on who controls the narrative, and that depends on who’s the most unified.”
(Selen Ozturk/Inquirer.net)
PH candidates hit campaign...
Bong Revilla, former Senate President Tito Sotto, Sen. Francis Tolentino, former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.
Campaign manager and Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said the Alyansa was not just a slate of candidates but a coalition of experienced leaders committed to real solutions.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Tiangco said that each candidate on the slate has a proven track record and was ready to work alongside the Marcos administration to advance crucial reforms.
With 434,114 registered voters, Ilocos Norte remains a critical base for the administration, which is looking to leverage Ilocano unity to build momentum ahead of the midterms.
"This is not just a campaign launch — it's a reaffirmation of our commitment to build on the progress we have made under President Marcos Jr.," Tiangco said.
"Ilocos Norte has always been a cradle of transformative leadership, and from here, we are sending a message: to continue delivering results for every Filipino," he added.
As the campaign trail heats up, Tiangco said Alyansa would highlight its candidates' qualifications, achievements and shared
vision of governance, positioning itself as the team that will deliver real results for the Filipino people.
He said that Alyansa was framing itself as the ticket that will champion economic recovery, inflation control, job creation and government efficiency — key issues that will shape the May 2025 midterm elections.
Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of the Marcos family, served as a symbolic starting point for the Alyansa campaign, reinforcing its strong ties to the administration.
The Ilocos Norte campaign launch marked the beginning of an aggressive nationwide push to introduce the Alyansa slate to voters, with upcoming sorties scheduled across key provinces and regions.
Alyansa will also hold rallies in Iloilo City, Carmen in Davao del Norte and Pasay City, representing three other major regions in the country.
If elected, Binay on Tuesday vowed to push for better health care and education and to increase the purchasing power of workers by removing taxes on overtime pay and 13th month pay.
Binay bared her social agenda on Tuesday, the start of a 90-day campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups for the May 2025 elections.
"When government gives
priority to better health and education, our people become more productive. And by removing taxes on overtime pay and 13th month pay, we help spur economic growth by increasing the purchasing power of our workers," Binay said in a statement.
On her first day on the campaign trail, Binay proposed a comprehensive health care program that would provide free medicines and pharmaceutical products for hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and other diseases.
Binay said she also wanted to provide free and unlimited dialysis and chemotherapy, promote preventive care, and improve health facilities, especially in the provinces.
Makabayan in Manila
Meanwhile, the Makabayan Bloc kicked off its rally in the Kartilya ng Katipunan shrine in Manila early Tuesday morning, promising to end "rotten politics" in the country.
In its opening statement read by ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, the group said that it is beginning its campaign inspired by the ideals of Andres Bonifacio and other heroes.
The group said that its campaign will be "different" from the traditional campaign that uses billions of pesos and government machinery. n
The Makabayan bloc kicks off its campaign at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Feb. 11, 2025. In attendance were Arlene Brosas, Jerome Adonis, Alyn Andamo, Ronnel Arambulo, Teddy Casino, Mimi Doringo, Mody Floranda, Danilo Ramos, and France Castro. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene H. Dilan
Ysabel Jurado, LA’s first Fil-Am councilmember, sworn into office
by Klarize Medenilla AJPress
HOUSING rights attorney
Ysabel Jurado was sworn in as a Los Angeles City councilmember on Saturday, February 1 during a public ceremony at the historic LA Central Public Library.
Jurado, 35, is the first councilmember of Filipino descent. She represents the city’s District 14 (CD 14), a vastly diverse region of the city that includes downtown LA (including Skid Row), Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, and much of Northeast LA.
Her parents were immigrants from the Philippines who migrated to Los Angeles with very little money—a core part of Jurado’s family history that colors much of her political ideology.
“Today is a moment to celebrate our collective commitment to usher in a new era centered around community and grounded by our integrity,” Jurado said at the packed Mark Taper Auditorium, which included supporters, other elected officials, and members of CD 14, as well as Jurado’s family, many of whom traveled from the Philippines.
During her speech, Jurado thanked her supporters and volunteers and celebrated the diversity of those who helped her get elected. She said that given the recent tumult of natural disasters and the new presidential administration’s attack on marginalized communities, she promised to stay true to her progressive ideals
“With the backdrop of the fires and also the national political agenda we need unity more than ever,” Jurado said.
Present at the ceremony were prominent local figures
including LA Mayor Karen Bass and legendary labor activist Dolores Huerta.
“It’s moments like this that we need leaders like you who keep her eyes on the prize,” Bass told Jurado during her speech.
In her speech, Huerta— who founded the National Farm Workers Association and helped organize the historic Delano grape strike of 1965—honored not just the Filipino organizers she worked with, like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, but also those who fought for the U.S. during World War II.
“That courage from the Filipino legacy continues down to Los Angeles City Council with Ysabel Jurado, who represents, not just the Filipino community but all communities,” said Huerta, who administered Jurado’s taking of the oath of office.
Recognizing the multicultural makeup of CD 14, Huerta said, “We have all of these colors in [CD 14] that forms a rainbow that will be the light that we need to go through these difficult times that we’re facing, and we need leaders like Ysabel
Jurado who understand that.”
As a housing rights attorney, Jurado fought against gentrification and advocated for permanent solutions to the ongoing housing crisis in LA.
LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who is also Filipino American, told LA This Week that he is “so excited to share this space with her as one of our elected officials. Ysabel is out here fighting for the people.”
“She’s inspirational, and I’m positive she’ll actually represent the people in City Council, something that so many [city leaders] failed to do,” Bianca Torre, a Filipina American student at USC who canvassed for Jurado in the fall, told the Asian Journal.
In addition to her plans to expedite housing solutions and providing resources for the city’s homeless population, one of Jurado’s first projects as city councilmember has been to renovating the Benjamin Franklin Public Library in Boyle Heights. She also introduced a motion to address street lighting issues across CD 14. n
Filipino advocates condemn ICE detention...
about two recently arrested Filipino women who remain unaccounted for as advocates struggle to determine their whereabouts. A health worker affiliated with Tanggol Migrante reported the incident, which happened in Albany Park on February 3, noting that bystanders were too afraid to intervene. Witnesses overheard four agents asking the women if they were U.S. citizens before taking them away in a “dark van with Homeland Security markings”. Efforts are underway to identify their names and locate their detention center.
PH government’s response under fire
The press conference took place a day after Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs
Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega claimed that no undocumented Filipinos had been arrested under the Trump administration. This assertion was strongly refuted by the advocates and community organizers, who cited numerous cases of detentions and deportations.
“I am painfully frustrated when I saw that article that said there are no Filipino immigrants during Trump’s crackdown. It’s not true, it is happening in Chicago,” Allegretti said.
Kort M. Lee, an attorney with the Mission to End Modern Day Slavery (MEMS) Legal Network, condemned
the Philippine government’s inaction. “In instances where Filipinos have sought out support from the Philippine Consulates for Assistance to Nationals (ATN) funds, they’ve been ignored without response or given false promises. I would go as far as to call it reckless behavior.”
Heightened fear Filipino communities in the U.S. are experiencing heightened anxiety in the wake of aggressive immigration enforcement.
“At first, many were not so worried, but now we are really seeing people more anxious and afraid because Trump is actually implementing what he said he would do,” said Angela Albay of Anakbayan Inland Empire. “Filipinos are not showing up to work because they are afraid of threats of raids. Youth are also afraid to go to school in case ICE shows up.”
Atty. Lee also highlighted the additional vulnerability of queer and transgender Filipinos. “There are queer and trans Filipinos in the Northeast experiencing similar things—paranoia, not going out in public. All federal facilities are expected to house people according to assigned sex at birth, leading to transwomen—Filipinas— facing an additional layer of fear due to the mistreatment they would likely face.” Ligaya Jensen, a Filipina migrant detained by ICE for over six years at the Eloy
As
AS reports of alleged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings flood social media and new interactive mapping platforms, immigrant rights advocates are urging people to verify claims before posting.
Posts documenting suspected immigration enforcement have been spreading online since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, whose administration has reportedly directed ICE to set quotas for arrests. Trump also ended policies that prevented immigration officers from arresting immigrants at sensitive locations like schools and churches.
On Jan. 26, Homeland Security Investigations’ L.A. office posted on X that it was working with local ICE and DEA partners to conduct “enhanced law enforcement operations” in line with Trump administration priorities.
Well-intentioned, unverified and unclear posts documenting immigration activity can lead to “fear and hysteria,” said longtime community activist Carlos Montes, and in turn, “people don’t take the kids to school, don’t go to work, don’t go out shopping.”
“It creates this semblance of paralysis in the community,” said Montes, a member of social justice group Centro CSO.
Groups like Centro CSO and Legalization For All have shared guides for the public to grasp how to film immigration enforcement activity ethically and to recognize the differences between raids, checkpoints, and arrests.
They urge the public to take photos or video from a safe distance without exposing the identities of those being targeted and to take note of exact date, time, and location. Some guides recommend against livestreaming to avoid creating unnecessary fear if the event is not an immigration operation.
An illustration by Barrio Drive titled, “Spread Power Not Panic,” urges the public to report ICE sightings to local
rapid response networks.
The Los Angeles Rapid Response Network has been in place since about 2006, but it has taken on an added sense of urgency after Trump was elected president in November.
Led by the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the network is seeking volunteers to help verify reports of immigration activity.
CHIRLA’s spokesman Jorge-Mario Cabrera said the public should share their documentation with the network by calling their hotline at 888-624-4752. He urges people to be as descriptive as they can in their reporting. Once they receive a report, the network activates volunteers to investigate and determine if it needs to send an attorney or case manager to the scene, Cabrera said. By publicly posting unverified reports, Cabrera said, “We’re then spreading panic and we are assisting in the psychological warfare that the Trump administration is pursuing.”
“We should be spreading information about ‘Know Your Rights,’” Cabrera said. “We want to help the community empower themselves.”
On the Eastside, the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network was recently reactivated and also offers a rapid response team. People can call (323) 805-1049 to report a suspected ICE sighting.
A new interactive mapping site called People over Papers displays a map of the United States dotted with pins of anonymous users reporting immigration activity in several states like Alabama, Texas and California. It urges people to use the information “with caution and account for human error,” and to crossreference with state or local rapid response networks.
Pins in L.A. County on People over Papers range from an alleged sighting of a federal immigration vehicle near a popular shopping center to a photo of a text thread detailing a suspected raid in a warehouse.
People Over Papers
appears to have gone live last week on the digital platform Padlet. Celeste, a user on TikTok, says the site emerged after she and other TikTok creators began collecting ICE activity on a Google spreadsheet. Celeste requested her last name remain private for security reasons. The Beat has not independently confirmed the ownership of the account. The mapping tool began without any restrictions, allowing anybody to submit and automatically publish a sighting, said Celeste. Moderators now review submissions before publishing.
Users are asked for the time and location of their sightings, as well as to detail the number of vehicles they’re documenting and to describe the kind of uniform or clothing officers are wearing.
Pictures or videos can be uploaded. Some submit photos of other social media postings from Snapchat, TikTok, or Instagram alleging ICE sightings.
As of Wednesday, Celeste said a team of about 25 volunteers was moderating submissions. “Hopefully this reduces false reporting, duplicate reporting, inappropriate reporting,” she said.
The work has been exhausting, Celeste explained, with hundreds of submissions arriving daily since the tool went live. “I can’t guarantee that those are all accurate; some of these are just alleged sightings,” she said.
With time, Celeste hopes to improve the process of removing spam or false reporting.
The work is personal for Celeste, who comes from an immigrant household.
“Right now, this is a team of people that have come together with this cause in our heart, that we want to help, and provide assistance, and we’re doing that with the labor of love,” she said. “In the future we’re going to be more organized and we’re going to be able to set it up in a way that is sustainable.”
(Ethnic Media Services)
Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment...
Earlier, Marcos said that he would willingly call a special session of the Senate to tackle the impeachment of Duterte if the upper chamber asked for it.
But Escudero, in the same presser, said he has no intentions of requesting for a special session, maintaining that “it is not one of the reasons” to call for such a thing.
Detention Center in Arizona, described the persistent climate of fear faced by detainees and revealed through a phone call with members of the network that there is a climate of anxiety that detainees face under the Trump administration.
Speaking via phone, she stated, “Every single day people are scared that their name will be called. We need to have some kind of empathy for our experiences, and know we are human beings too.”
Albay criticized the Philippine Consulate’s failure to support detained Filipinos.
“We want the consulates to be active in reaching out to Filipinos in detention and respond to Filipino nationals in distress,” she said. “People are being held in torturous conditions. That’s why we demand that Ligaya be released immediately. We demand a full pardon to stop her deportation.”
The recent deportations bring the total number of Filipinos deported under Trump’s administration to over 30 within his first two weeks in office. Advocates are urging both the U.S. and Philippine governments to take immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of Filipino migrants and as raids continue and deportations rise, community organizers vow to persist in their fight for justice and humane treatment. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)
“Dagdag pa rito, sino pa ang may gusto na mag special session kami at mag trial kami bago mag election? Sino ba ang humihiling nun? Sino? Hindi, sino nga? Yung pro. Sabi ko na, sinumang pro or anti VP Sara hindi namin papakinggan,” said Escudero.
(Apart from this, who else is calling for a special session, urging us to conduct the trials before the election? Who is asking for it? Who? Those who are pro-impeachment or anyone against the impeachment of the vice president will not be considered and heard.)
He likewise argued that previous impeachment complaints that reached the Senate were tackled thoroughly, and wondered why there’s a need to alter that practice.
“Bakit ko iibahin ang pagtrato dito sa impeachment complaint na ito? Hindi ito espesyal. Hindi ito kakaiba. Ang tingin dapat namin dito ordinaryong
impeachment complaint lamang laban sa isang impeachable officer,” said Escudero.
(Why would we change our treatment to this impeachment complaint? This is not special. This is not different. We only consider this an ordinary impeachment complaint against an impeachable officer.) n
PH hit seen from reciprocal...
PAGE 1 as businesses adopt a waitand-see attitude.
Trump, who kicked off a trade war this month by announcing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China, on Monday, February 10 fired another salvo by raising tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
He also reiterated plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on other countries within two days, and said that he was looking at raising duties on cars, pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips.
The Philippines is the world's ninth-largest chip exporter according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, with the semiconduc-
tor sector the country's largest export industry.
Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the reciprocal tariffs would hit key exports, including electronic products that account for over half of total merchandise shipments to the U.S. Also likely to be affected are shipments of ignition wiring sets, other manufactured goods, coconut oil, machinery and transport equipment.
"[Reciprocal tariffs] could slow down international trade between the U.S. and the Philippines ... [and] would make Philippine exports to the U.S. more expensive," Ricafort said.
Beyond bilateral trade, he noted that a broader slowdown in global trade was possible, indirectly affecting Philippine exports, particularly those that serve as inputs in global supply chains linked to U.S. markets. The U.S. was the biggest buyer of Philippine-made goods as of December last year, having purchased $947.77 million or 16.8 percent of total exports. Electronics remained the country's top export, accounting for $2.80 billion or 49.6 percent of total exports during the month. Manufactured goods and coconut oil followed at $355.36 million and $283.56 million, respectively. n
Los Angeles Councilmember Ysabel Jurado of CD14 takes the oath of office, administered by labor activist Dolores Huerta, on Saturday, February 1 during a community swearing-in ceremony in at the Central Public Library in Downtown LA. Photos courtesy of Los Angeles Council District 14
Los Angeles Councilmember Ysabel Jurado of CD14 (center left) is joined by Dolores Huerta (left), LA Mayor Karen Bass (center), former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido (center right), LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia (2nd row, center), and members of the City Council and community leaders during Jurado’s swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, February 1. and activists,
DAteline PhiliPPines
Impact of US aid freeze on PH: It’s small anyway
by Cristina eloisa baClig Inquirer.net
MANILA
— In a major policy shift, United States President Donald Trump ordered a suspension of U.S. foreign aid, a move that has profound consequences for many countries, including the Philippines.
The abrupt halt to funding affects ongoing development programs, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response efforts — raising serious concerns among international organizations and aid recipients.
The decision, which comes just weeks into Trump’s new term, signals a broader reevaluation of U.S. foreign assistance priorities.
Rooted in his “America First” policy, the suspension reflects Trump’s longstanding stance that U.S. taxpayer dollars should be primarily used for domestic needs rather than foreign assistance.
He has frequently criticized foreign aid as “wasteful spending” that does not directly benefit American citizens.
However, analysts warn that cutting aid programs may backfire, affecting not only millions of recipients worldwide but also the United States’ geopolitical influence, particularly in regions where American assistance has historically countered the growing presence of China and other global powers.
The Philippines, a key U.S. ally in Southeast Asia, stands to lose a significant source of financial and humanitarian support should this suspension extend beyond the initial 90day review period.
What is USAID?
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the primary U.S. government agency responsible for delivering civilian foreign aid.
Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy through an executive order, USAID was designed to promote economic development, global stability, and humanitarian assistance in countries recovering from war, natural disasters, and economic distress.
Since its founding, USAID has played a crucial role in addressing major global challenges. Some of its most significant contributions include:
• The Marshall Plan’s Legacy: Although USAID itself was created after the Marshall Plan, it carried forward similar economic assistance programs that helped rebuild war-torn Europe after World War II.
• The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR): Launched in 2003, this initiative has provided more than $100 billion to combat HIV/AIDS worldwide, saving millions of lives.
• Global food security programs: USAID has led global food assistance efforts, providing millions of tons of food aid to faminestricken regions in Africa and Asia.
• Disaster response and reconstruction: The agency has responded to some of the world’s worst natural disasters, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, by providing immediate relief and longterm rebuilding efforts.
• Democracy promotion: USAID has supported initiatives to strengthen democratic institutions, promote free elections, and fight corruption in many developing countries.
For over 60 years, USAID has been an indispensable partner in the development and funding of infrastructure projects, education programs, disaster resilience efforts, and health initiatives in the Philippines.
The agency’s presence has helped alleviate poverty, improve governance, and strengthen disaster preparedness in one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.
Why is USAID being suspended?
Shortly after his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order freezing all U.S. foreign assistance for 90 days, pending a comprehensive review of foreign aid policies.
The order stated that the “foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values” and that they “serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries.”
According to the Trump administration, the goal is to reassess aid spending to ensure it aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda. The executive order directs USAID and the State Department to evaluate whether existing programs provide tangible benefits to U.S. interests. Consequently, the order declared that “no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the president of the United States.”
The administration has cited concerns that foreign aid is often misused, either through bureaucratic inefficiencies or corruption in recipient countries. Trump’s allies argue that billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled into nations that do not provide reciprocal benefits to the U.S., further justifying the aid freeze.
During his confirmation hearing before the PAGE 7
by Dianne Sampang Inquirer.net
MANILA — Providing food or drinks to supporters during campaign sorties is prohibited, Commission on Elections (Comelec)
Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Tuesday, February 11, the start of the campaign period for Senate and party-list group seat aspirants
“Bawal po ang pagpapakain, yan po ay nakalagay mismo sa batas. Bagamat po naaawa kami sa mga umaattend pero yan po ang nakalagay sa batas, dapat sundin ng mga kandidato at partidong politikal,” Garcia said on he sidelines of the kick-off of “Oplan Baklas” (Operation Dismantle) (Feeding [of supporters] is not allowed because the law says so. While we pity those who attend, that is what the law states, and the candidates and party-lists
must abide by it.) Garcia said this is a mandate under the 1985 Election Code or the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
“Yun ang sinasabi natin, 1985 Election Code po yan at wala po tayong magawa sapagkat kahit matagal na batas na, hindi pa po nababago ang batas,” Garcia added.
(That’s what we are saying, the 1985 Election Code and we can’t do anything about it because it has been a law for a long time already and it has not been amended.)
Meanwhile, receiving campaign souvenirs such as ballers, caps, and t-shirts are allowed as long as the candidates sought permission from the Comelec to distribute them. At the kick-off of “Oplan Baklas,” Garcia also said that poll bets who will not dismantle illegal campaign materials within three days will face election offense or disqualification.
Garcia noted that campaign materials are considered illegal if they do not follow appropriate sizes, are not made of the right materials, and are posted in electric posts or trees.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 11111, election propaganda must be made of cloth, paper, cardboard, or any recyclable materials. n
Article X, Section 89 of the OEC states that “[i] t shall be unlawful for any candidate, political party, organization, or any person to give or accept, free of charge, directly or indirectly, transportation, food or drinks or things of value during the five hours before and after a public meeting, on the day preceding the election, and on the day of the election; or to give or contribute, directly or indirectly, money or things of value for such purpose.”
OPiniOn FeAtures
HOPE springs eternal
THE official campaign period for the midterm elections starts today for the national races. As in previous electoral exercises, stakeholders are again working for HOPE – honest, orderly and peaceful elections. Unfortunately, there has always been a yawning gap between the aspiration and reality.
The start of the campaign period means the Commission on Elections finally has authority to regulate the conduct of the campaigns of candidates for the Senate and the party-list system.
Editorial
There’s a lot to regulate. Electoral anarchy has descended on the land, thanks to selfserving legislation and the interpretation of laws by the Supreme Court. Across the country, campaign materials of “unli” sizes have been inflicted on the public. Billboards and streamers are displayed everywhere, on vacant lots, walls and fences of public and private structures alike. Campaign materials dangle from electric posts, trees and utility wires, assaulting environmental laws and aesthetics.
Local government officials, who should be regulating the display of such materials using laws against littering and the display
OVER the past two and a half weeks since President Donald Trump took his oath of office as the 47th President of the United States, we’re very pleased to note that our relationship with the U.S. is very positive and continues in its upward trajectory. While there are some issues surrounding the relationship – with one of them obviously involving the new U.S. government’s immigration policy which may affect many Filipinos in the United States – we are confident that our longstanding alliance and special relations will enable us to resolve these concerns in a positive and mutually satisfactory manner.
At the onset, the general tenor has been very cordial and pleasant, beginning with that congratulatory phone call to then president-elect Donald Trump by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who
The Long View
Manuel l. Quezon III
THE story goes something like this. When Roberto Romulo, who was a former IBM executive was secretary of Foreign Affairs, excited staffers presented an ambitious computerization plan during a departmental budget review. The famously peppery Romulo took one look at their presentation and asked, “But what about the typewriters? What do you do when there’s a brownout? This is the Philippines, you fools!”
True or not, I was reminded of that story as the world’s been both astounded and horrified by the dismantling of the United States government going on under the auspices of Elon Musk, who cleverly transformed an obscure office, the U.S. Digital Service, into the United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service, and subsequently sent agents
of outdoor advertising materials, are often the ones leading the space polluters. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which could invoke environmental laws in going after the polluters, has washed its hands of the issue.
The Comelec has a lot on its plate, apart from dealing with campaign litter. It must monitor campaign spending and battle disinformation and other malicious campaign-related content online, now facilitated by artificial intelligence. It must confront vote-buying in the time of e-wallets. It is again working with the uniformed services to prevent election violence, which has undermined every electoral exercise in this country.
In working for HOPE, the Comelec will need all the help it can get. Rival candidates can watch each other’s camps for possible electoral violations. The Comelec is
encouraging the public to alert the poll body about violations on the display of campaign materials in public spaces as well as possible vote buying and the abuse of state resources for personal or partisan purposes. Honest, peaceful elections have been
elusive in a country where thievery by public officials has become institutionalized, but people cannot give up and hope springs eternal. HOPE is best realized with public cooperation and citizen vigilance against efforts to undermine the vote.
Continued upward trajectory: US-PH relations under Trump
expressed his “continuing desire to strengthen” the relationship between the two countries which is “as deep as can possibly be” because it has been in existence for a very long time.
Subsequently, the call of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to our Foreign Affairs Secretary Ricky Manalo – actually one of the first phone calls made by the former senator as Secretary of State – was also very encouraging, with the U.S. Cabinet Secretary reiterating the ironclad commitment of the U.S. to the Philippines under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, along with an exchange of views on how security cooperation and economic ties can be expanded for shared prosperity.
This was followed by our inperson meeting with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, as well as Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Alex Wong and National Security Council Senior Director for Asia Ivan
Kanapathy at the West Wing of the White House.
Just last Thursday, February 6, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an introductory phone call with Secretary Teodoro to discuss the alliance and the importance of reestablishing deterrence in the South China Sea by working with allies and partners. Like State Secretary Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth also reaffirmed the “ironclad commitment” of the United States to the 1951 MDT and its importance in maintaining “a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
What was also significant was the discussion about enhancing the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines – which is another positive sign that the support for our AFP modernization program will continue, among them the $500-million long-term military financing for the Philippines, which is an initial tranche as we will continue to work with our friends from both sides in the U.S. Congress who all
support this initiative.
On the economic front, the balance of trade between the U.S. and the Philippines has generally been in our favor, considering that the U.S. continues to be our largest export market, and the trade imbalance has not been very big, unlike other countries such as China, for example.
Before proceeding to Manila, I joined a luncheon forum where former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross was one of the guests, together with former National Security Advisor Ambassador Robert O’Brien. Both men, who served under the first Trump administration, told us that nations that have a good relationship with the U.S. on the aspect of defense and trade will always be favorably looked upon by President Trump – unlike some nations that they feel are “taking them for a ride,” so to speak, charging high tariffs for American goods entering their countries.
We have been doing the rounds not only in Washington, D.C. but
in other states as well, interacting with business leaders and university students taking up foreign relations and diplomacy to strengthen not only our people-to-people ties but our economic relations to elevate the profile of the Philippines. During an event arranged by the East-West Center in Washington on the growing trilateral partnership between the United States, Japan and the Philippines and how consequential this is for the Indo-Pacific, I spoke about the Reciprocal Access Agreement signed last July between the Philippines and Japan, mirroring the Philippines-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement that facilitates joint military training and exercises. I underscored that the U.S. and Japan have committed to bolstering the Philippines economically through initiatives that include coordinated infrastructure development along the Luzon Economic Corridor together with other likeminded partners, supporting the efforts of the Philippines
to become economically resilient to withstand economic coercion.
There are so many things in the pipeline that we have been working on not only with regard to defense and security cooperation but on the economic aspect as well. As a matter of fact, we had a visit from a private American businessman who paid a courtesy call on the President – which is another encouraging indication that the Philippines is still very much in the radar of potential investors.
We will also be hosting a reception for the U.S.Philippines Society (USPS) co-chaired by the highly respected diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte, and Ayala head Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. Since its founding, the USPS has been a bridge connecting both nations to ensure continuity in the relationship from one administration to another – building on whatever has been achieved to make it
Not friends, not partners, not even allies
to barge into government offices to seize control of their computer systems, putting payroll and human resources into the hands of an agency meant to do to bureaucrats what Musk has done to the private sector: slash and burn at warp speed. Beds were moved into the DOGE office so Musk’s team of young programmers can work 24/7, a frenetic, private sector pace bureaucracy, which clocks out at regular hours and doesn’t work weekends, can’t match. It sure couldn’t happen here! But it’s happening in Washington. The Guardian reports that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the world’s biggest donor and provides 42 percent of the world’s humanitarian assistance (a staggering percentage). If you still suffer from the delusion that things on the internet last forever, the disappearance of data on the Philippines, such as Mindanao programs,
should finally disabuse you of that notion. All that’s left of what USAID once upon a time used to do (to the tune of at least $100 million a year: Rappler reports us being “the secondlargest recipient of USAID funding in the East Asia and Oceania region”), is the ghostly presence of cheerful press releases on the U.S. Embassy website. (But for how long?) For once, our usually infinitely resourceful man in Washington, Babes Romualdez, seems at a loss. He’d been able to nimbly position the Philippines positively in terms of defense and the economy, but like everyone else, he seems blindsided by the sudden U.S. decision to suspend foreign aid pending a review, which has now become a kind of deathwatch as people place bets on how much longer USAID has left to live.
Considering Americans are a giving culture, what accounts for this sudden revocation of the post-World War II donor policy of the
U.S.? In trying to describe Trump’s might makes right, go it alone unless there’s a transaction mindset, most analysts have described it as his being an isolationist. It’s not that, per se, writes Jennifer Mittelstadt who calls it Trump’s being a “sovereigntist,” instead. At the heart of such thinking, which dates back to opposition to Woodrow Wilson’s proposing American membership in the postWorld War I League of Nations (itself the failed precursor of today’s United Nations), is a rejection of international organizations because they diminish national sovereignty (consider Brexit).
When Malaysia cut the umbilical cord of Moro rebels because continued conflict risked spreading to Sabah, USAID was instrumental in helping to build up civil society not just in Moro areas but in warlorddominated Mindanao in general. Indeed, as civil society in general has withdrawn from active political involvement, it’s
In 1997, ironically during a journalist’s trip to Seoul, Washington, and Pearl Harbor cosponsored by the State and Defense departments, a senior Korean editor took me aside and advised me in a low voice, “Never trust the Americans.” It’s a fundamental lesson that non-Americans who like to believe they are “friends, partners, allies,” can once again be told by America’s enemies to take to heart.
* * * 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.
been the American umbilical cord that has kept NGOs viable. It helped ensure a steady investment in boring democracy- and economiccompetency-building activities as our political class spent more and more of its time and energy in a kind of arms race with voters, who have become increasingly mercenary even as leaders have run out of ideas (but not appetite). What now? Like the media, NGOs are going to discover that even if they die, no one, relatively speaking will miss them. There will be many celebrating their demise along with the evaporation of American soft power. As former President Rodrigo Duterte used to say, with contempt, the American idea of official hospitality was coffee and a donut while— and here, his expression would become dreamy—the Chinese laid out lauriats for officials. Two decades ago, a Chinese Filipino civil society leader from Mindanao told me that when the U.S. ambassador went to their part of Mindanao, it was like “a visit of a governorgeneral,” practically “an armed invasion,” while the Chinese ambassador, by way of (a very pleasing) contrast, would make a point of visiting Chinese business associations and give them gifts of motorcycles— without preaching.
* * * Email: mlquezon3@gmail.com; Twitter: @mlq3
Babe’s Eye View
BaBe RoMualdez
(Philstar.com)
Impact of US aid freeze on PH...
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the administration’s approach to foreign aid, stating:
“Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”
Additionally, some administration officials have suggested that funds allocated to foreign nations should instead be redirected to bolster domestic programs, such as infrastructure, border security, and economic stimulus efforts.
Critics of the freeze, including bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress and international aid organizations, argue that the decision was made hastily and without proper consultation with agencies overseeing these programs.
They warn that a prolonged freeze could have catastrophic consequences, particularly in countries heavily reliant on U.S. aid for food security, health programs, and disaster recovery.
“Humanitarian and development assistance accounts for only around one percent of the federal budget; it saves lives, fights diseases, educates millions of children, and reduces poverty,” Oxfam America President & CEO Abby Maxman explained in a statement.
“Suspending and ultimately cutting many of these programs could have life or death consequences for countless children and families who are living through crisis. Suspending it casts uncertainty over all [U.S.] humanitarian and development programming, which makes aid experts unable to effectively plan or operate,” Maxman added.
Further, foreign policy experts caution that halting aid may create an opportunity for geopolitical rivals, such as China and Russia, to step in and exert greater influence in regions that have historically depended on U.S. assistance.
“The sea dispute will certainly become a bargaining chip in U.S. relations with China, especially in regard to trade and tariffs. Everything is on the table to be bargained because Trump is no cold warrior. He is a deal maker who may even sell his own mother,” Roland Simbulan, a retired professor of Development Studies and Public Policy and chair of the Center for
People’s Empowerment in Governance, told the South China Morning Post. Simbulan noted that this approach could be advantageous for the Philippines, as it may lead to a reduction in military tensions between the two superpowers, shifting their interactions toward pragmatic negotiations and strategic compromises rather than an arms race.
How much has the U.S. spent on foreign aid?
The U.S. has been the largest single donor of foreign aid globally, allocating substantial resources annually to tackle global crises and foster economic development. In 2023, the US disbursed a total of $72 billion in foreign assistance, with funding distributed across 209 countries and regions.
This substantial allocation included approximately $58 billion for economic development and $14 billion for military aid. The U.S. supported over 20,000 projects globally, spanning sectors such as health care, education, climate resilience, and governance.
That same year, Ukraine was the largest recipient of U.S. aid, receiving $16.62 billion in economic and military support as it continued to face a continuing invasion by Vladimir Putin. Israel followed with $3.31 billion, primarily in military assistance to ensure regional stability.
Ethiopia and Jordan received $1.77 billion and $1.72 billion respectively, with funds focused on food security, economic development, and military needs. Egypt secured $1.45 billion, mainly for military aid, while Afghanistan received $1.27 billion to support post-conflict recovery.
Other significant recipients included Somalia with $1.21 billion for humanitarian relief and Nigeria with $1.01 billion for health care and security challenges.
USAID assistance to PH
Since 2001, USAID has distributed over $473 billion globally, with disbursements steadily increasing from $7.2 billion in 2001 to a record $43.7 billion in 2023. These funds have been essential in addressing pressing global challenges, including pandemics, humanitarian crises, and economic development.
In 2023 alone, USAID allocated $18.35 billion to economic development, $11 billion to humanitarian assistance, $7.78 billion to health programs, and $3.56 billion to operational and program support. Additional resources were
directed toward governance, education, and security initiatives.
The Philippines has been a key recipient of USAID aid since the agency’s establishment. Over $5 billion in assistance has been provided to the country since 1961, with $2.81 billion disbursed between 2001 and 2023. Annual disbursements during this period typically ranged from $100 million to $200 million, supporting disaster recovery, health care, education, and governance reforms.
In 2023, the Philippines received $198 million (approximately P11.1 billion) in USAID assistance, with a large portion allocated to disaster response and health care programs.
USAID has played a crucial role in supporting the Philippines during times of crisis. Following Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013, it provided $143 million — around P8 billion — in emergency relief to rebuild homes, infrastructure, and livelihood. Beyond disaster response, the agency has funded programs to boost economic opportunities in underserved areas and strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
Health initiatives have been a key focus of USAID’s work in the Philippines. The agency has led efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis while promoting family planning, community-based drug rehabilitation, and mental health awareness.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID provided critical resources, including vaccines and medical equipment, to support the country’s response.
From 2018 to 2023, the agency invested over P14.6 billion, approximately $260 million, in health programs, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to improving public health in the Philippines.
What’s next?
Despite widespread concerns over the suspension of U.S. foreign aid, the Philippine government has sought to downplay its potential impact. Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega expressed confidence that the country would not be significantly affected, noting that U.S. assistance has been relatively small compared to broader economic engagements.
“And while the U.S. involvement in our economy as a trading partner is still very high, I think even with the freeze, it’s not like it’s going to severely affect us because the aid packages from the U.S. are small right now,” said De Vega.
Similarly, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan acknowledged that while the U.S. has historically been an important provider of grants, the suspension is unlikely to cause major disruptions to the Philippine economy.
“Not so much directly. And in the short term, much of our loans now are with other countries and multilateral institutions,” Balisacan said.
He added, “If you are talking about the economy, that’s a small part.”
USAID Mission Director in the Philippines Ryan Washburn reaffirmed that the country remains a priority for U.S. assistance despite shifting budget priorities under the Trump administration.
“There are always difficult budget environments and a new administration changes budget priorities, but we understand that Asia and the Philippines will remain a priority in the new Trump administration,” Washburn said last January 15. n
by
MANILA — Former Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday, February 10 kicked off her congressional bid by celebrating her freedom, by finally campaigning in person, rather than as a standee.
De Lima made the pronouncement in a speech during the kickoff proclamation rally of senatorial candidates Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino at the Dasmariña Arena in Cavite.
“Malaya na ako, andito na ako (I am finally free, I am here),” exclaimed De Lima during her speech.
“Napakasarap mangampanya na hindi ka na standee (it feels great to campaign in person this time and not as a standee),” she added.
De Lima was detained for over six years from February 24, 2017, over what she and her camp tags as “trumped up” charges.
She was only finally freed
when she was granted bail on November 13, 2023.
Even while detained, De Lima ran for reelection in 2022, and campaigned for then-Vice President Leni Robredo who was running for president and Pangilinan for vice president.
Despite losing in the previous elections, De Lima—this time seeking a congressional seat as Mamamayalang Liberal partylist’s first nominee—once again called on the voting public to vote for her.
According to De Lima, her, Pangilinan and Aquino’s election bid represent the nation’s fight for justice and the pursuit for true leadership.
“Alam naman natin kung sino ‘yung mga naghahari-harian, hindi sila humaharap sa katotohanan, sa mga congressional hearings… mga guilty sila!” said De Lima in the same speech.
(We know who these rulers are, they don’t face the truth, nor the congressional
hearings… they are guilty!) She then vowed to champion the marginalized sectors in Congress and called on voters to bring back both Pangilinan and Aquino to the Senate.
“Kami ang sasangga sa mga nangaapi sa mga nasa laylayan; ang magiging malakas at matapang na boses para sa mga marginalized sectors,” De Lima said, referring to herself and fellow nominees Teddy Baguilat and Erin Tañada.
(We will support those who are oppressed and those who are at the bottom; will be the strong and courageous voice for the marginalized sectors.)
“Ibalik din natin sila Kiko Pangilinan [at Bam Aquino] sa Senado, sila ang karapat-dapat sa Senado,” she adds.
(Let’s also bring back Kiko Pangilinan [and Bam Aquino] to the Senate, they are the ones deserving to be in the Senate.)
ZaCarian sarao Inquirer.net
Erin Tañada, Leila De Lima and Teddy Baguilat formalize bid for House seats. Inquirer.net file
photo by John Eric Mendoza
VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL
Pinoy artist Ez Mil on his way to conquer the global stage
by Boy aBunda Philstar.com
I’M extremely proud of Ez Mil, who is ready to conquer the global stage with his music. I first met the young musician during the 2021 The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards, which was held at the Carnegie Hall in New York City. I have been hosting the prestigious event for the past 12 years.
Ez Mil was a TOFA awardee for youth in 2021. I had this gut feel that he was going to be a big star the moment I saw him perform his hit song Panalo. He received a standing ovation from the Carnegie audience. The formal affair paved the way for my first interview with Ez Mil on “The Interviewer,” which can be viewed on the Boy Abunda Talk Channel. The episode was aired in November 2021. The interview took place at the house of my good friend Elton Lugay, the executive producer and founder of TOFA.
Ez Mil was shy and humble throughout the conversation. We talked about his exciting journey while making his way around the American music scene. I asked Ez who his musical influences are. He replied, “Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, Gloc 9, saka si Dello po.” The stars have aligned in his favor as he is now under contract with global superstars Eminem and Dr.
My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)
RogelIo ConstantIno MedIna
DEMI Moore has been one of my favorite actresses since I saw her in the romance-thriller 1990 film “Ghost,” also starring Whoopi Goldberg and Patrick Swayze.
In the film “The Substance,” she won at the Golden Globes this year as best actress.
I am hoping and praying Demi will capture the Oscar’s best actress accolade this year.
* * * Foremost Filipino glass sculptor Ramon Gahol Orlina celebrated his 81st birthday recently at Two Roxas Triangle in Makati City.
* * * February is the month of love. I will feature different stories of love. I asked each respondent: (1) How do you define love? (2) Are you in love with whom and why? Their replies (the second batch) are as follows: Noted actress Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel, who is Switzerland-based: (1) “To answer your question on love, let me share the message of my husband when he was courting me overseas. According to Kahlil Gibran, love gives naught but itself and takes naught from itself, love possesses and not it would be possessed for love is sufficient unto love. When you love you should not say, ‘God is in my heart,’ but rather, ‘I am in the heart of God.’ And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must need to have desires, let these be your desires: to melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night; to know the pain of too much tenderness; to be wounds by your own understanding of love and to bleed willingly and joyfully; to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; to rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstacy;
Dre. Eminem has an eye for someone with talent like Ez Mil. The young Filipino artist is featured in the 12th album of Eminem called The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). His powerful voice can be heard on the 14th track titled Head Honcho, where he delivered some of his lines in Tagalog. I recently had a chance to meet Ez Mil again when he came home to the Philippines for a couple of days to shoot a commercial. He was still the same young man I saw backstage at Carnegie Hall. He remains shy and humble in spite of his promising music career in the U.S. Ez Mil always remembers my advice to tell his story,
which he is keeping in his heart as he navigates his way across the American music scene. He shared that Dr. Dre welcomed him by saying, “Hey, superstar,” the first time they met. I noticed that Ez Mil was looking at my trench coat, while we were having dinner with his family. I gave it to him as a gift even if he was not asking for it because I wanted to be part of his journey. Who knows if this talented musician will someday wear the trench coat in one of his pictorials?
Mabuhay ka, Ez Mil! Make Filipinos proud with your music that celebrates being a Filipino.
City of Las Vegas offers 2025 Spring Break Camps for ages 5-18
Offers 2025 Spring Break Camps for sges 5-18
Registration for no-school fun days April 18, April 28 also open
THE city of Las Vegas offers several spring break opportunities for children, including kids camp, splash camp and Vegas City Opera Music and Theater Camp, as well as no-school fun days April 18 and April 28 (when the Clark County School District has staff development days). Registration is open now for spring break camps and no-school fun days.
Youth in kindergarten through eighth grade are eligible for a week of 2025 Spring Break Kids Camp, March 17-21, at six of the city's community centers. Camp activities include ageappropriate arts and crafts, sports, games, music, life skills, nutrition, physical fitness and fun, all supervised by trained staff. Camp hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. MondayFriday. Ages and prices vary
by location. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Register online here for all spring break camps. Call 702.229.PLAY (7529) or the centers for more information and registration, or visit www.lasvegasnevada. gov/Camps.
Locations: Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 702.229.1607; $125, ages 5-11.
Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., 702.229.6374; $100, ages 5-14.
Dula Community Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, 702.229.6307. This adaptive recreation camp costs $100 for ages 6-18.
Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., 702.229.6359; $150, ages 5-11.
Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave., 702.229.2488; $100, ages 5-14. Veterans Memorial Community Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, 702229-1100; $150, ages 5-14. Splash Spring Break Camp is offered for ages 6-11 at the Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, MondayFriday, March 17-21, 8 a.m.5:30 p.m. The cost is $150/ child. This aquatic camp is packed with fun activities. Children will make crafts, learn to kayak, have daily swim lessons and free swim, learn about the four competitive aquatic sports and go on field trips to the Springs Preserve and Lorenzi Park (transportation by van). This year’s medieval theme will have crafts and games geared PAGE 9
Demi Moore predicted to be Oscar’s best actress
to return home at eventide with gratitude; and then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.”; (2) “He courted me for two years. But it was not easy for me since it was the height of my career as a theater and film artist. Finally, he proposed and sent me another quote of Kahlil Gibran on marriage. He was former festival artistic director of Fribourg International Film Festival for 15 years. We met in the Hawaii International Film Festival and I never wanted to uproot myself but we both found love and respect that we decided to be wed. In 1997 after the Cannes Film Festival, we were married. There were many adjustments but we are happy to face any challenges that come our way. Thanks and praise God for His guidance, love and compassion!”
2nd Southeast Asian Premier Business and Remarkable Achiever awardee and Better Boneless Chicken and Beyond entrepreneur Cheska Bansil Costes, who is married to Mac Costes, and they have two kids Clay and Caly: (1) “For me, love is about passion, dedication, and unconditional support. It’s the driving force that motivates me to work hard, overcome challenges, and make sacrifices for the people and things that matter most.”; (2) “I am in love with my family and my passion (my business). My family is my rock, my safe haven. They provide me with unwavering support, encouragement, and love. My family inspires me to be a better person and to work hard for them. My business is my passion. I am deeply invested in its success and dedicated to making it grow. I love the thrill of entrepreneurship, the challenge of solving problems, and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch. My business allows me to pursue my dreams, and make a positive impact. So, my love is rooted in a deep sense of commitment, responsibility, and care. I strive to nurture and grow these loves every day.”
Engineer Boyet Jose, who has been happily married to Merle Jose for 47 years, and together they have three children: (1) “For me, the example of true love is the selfless love of our Lord Jesus, who offered and sacrificed His self to save us. Love must be felt through action with a heart not by mouth, with humility. He or she can forgive and forget without resentment, helping others with no return.”; (2) “Yes, I’m always in love first to God, to my family, to my wife and children and to everybody. Life is short and I must do the right thing to save my soul and everyone’s soul.”
John Michael Gahol, married to Mercedes R. Gahol, through the test of time: (1)
“It’s an unconditional love. It’s not necessarily without expectations. It’s love that survives and thrives. A comforting love that understands.”; (2) “I have still fallen in love with my wife despite us having already seven children. She is so very understanding in many ways.”
* * * It has caught my attention and interest on women power in U.S. President Donald Trump’s Cabinet: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Next month is Women’s Day, March 8.
Ms. Leavitt, 27, a Catholic, is the youngest White House press secretary. She previously served as the national press secretary for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. She was an assistant press secretary and presidential writer during the first Donald Trump administration as well as a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a pro-Trump Super PAC.
She is married to Nicholas Riccio, a real estate developer, and she gave birth to their son on July 10, 2024. She had planned to go on maternity leave, but changed her mind after seeing the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, and resumed her professional duties. She advocates for private educa-
tion and credits her Catholic schooling (at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire) for instilling pro-life values, discipline, and the importance of public service.
On the other hand, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem served as U.S. representative for South Dakota and became the first female governor of South Dakota in 2018. Noem, a Protestant, is also a farmer and a rancher. She published her first autobiography, “Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland,” in 2022. She married Bryon Noem in 1992 in
have
Ez Mil is now under contract with global superstars Eminem and Dr. Dre. The young Filipino artist is featured in the 12th album of Eminem called The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace).His powerful voice can Head Honcho, where he delivered some of his lines in Tagalog. Photo from Instagram/@ ezekielmiller
Watertown, South Dakota. They
three children. In 2011, when Noem moved to Washington D.C. to take her congressional office, her family continued to live in a ranch near Castlewood,
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing at the White House.
Cheska and Mac Costes with their kids Caly and Clay.
Demi Moore with her famous pet Pilaf, a micro Chihuahua. Photos courtesy of Rogelio Medina
Filipino glass sculptor Ramon Gahol Orlina with his Malaysian wife lawyer Lay-Ann Lee Orlina.
Home Security Secretary Kristi Noem (extreme right) with her family.
John Michael Gahol with his wife Mercedes R. Gahol
Merle Jose with hubby Engineer Boyet Jose Renowned theater and film artist Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel with her husband Martial Knaebel, former festival director of Fribourg International Film Festival Switzerland.
AMERICANS are complaining that when they go to medical clinics or to the emergency rooms, they are seen by physician assistants or nurse practitioners, and not by physicians (MDs) anymore, unlike 3 decades or so ago. They also miss the more personal attention, focus, and neighborly demeanor from physicians attending to them these days, who are more concentrated on strict corporate-mandated recording data on their computers, spending less time looking at them in their eyes and talking to them like physicians used to in the olden days.
The golden era of personalized, friendly, dedicated medical care appears to have left our healthcare system in America and corporate impersonal practice of medicine has taken over, making healthcare more like a business than a noble art and a compassionate profession. The humanitarian aspect of medical practice has been replaced by corporate greed, whose mai n interest is to make money, keenly concerned about the bottom line.
While the technical facet of medical care in the United States is still superior to most other nations, the physician-patient relationship and quality of care have deteriorated.
Lawsuit
In 1981, as president of the Medical Staff of Saint Mary’s Hospital in Gary, Indiana and its satellite hospital in Hobart, I spearheaded the more than 250 fellow physicians of mine and filed a lawsuit against the hospital administration for illegal practice of medicine. At that time, in Indiana, only duly-trained and licensed physicians were allowed to practice medicine.
What the hospital administrator had done was to hire outside physicians, paid them a salary, provided them free office space and other benefits as employees, to practice in Northwest Indiana (adjacent to Chicago), in competition with the members of the staff who were loyal to St. Mary’s Hospital, bringing in patients to support the hospital for decades, spending their own finances for overhead, etc. The goal of the administrator was to practice corporate medicine and make additional money from it. What the administrator did was a betrayal of the trust of
Medical practice today
its dedicated medical staff.
The profit from this illegal hospital practice venture went to St. Mary’s. Corporate practice was not legal then and the various newspapers in Northwest Indiana made that very clear. The highly publicized lawsuit was a lesson the other area hospitals heeded.
The Indiana Court was on our side and the hospital administrator was fired.
Golden era
From centuries past to the 90s was the golden era of medical practice in America, where physicians were free to practice their art and passion in medical science, and where physician-relationship was close and highly valued.
However, in the mid-60s and onwards some physicians abused the system. Medicare/ Medicaid fraud by a tiny number (no specific government data available) in the medical profession tainted the good name and integrity of the majority of physicians in the nation.
In a speech I delivered as president of the Philippine Medical Association in Chicago in 1964 at the Conrad Hilton Hotel, I severely condemned the Filipino and other physicians in the United States who were involved in Medicare fraud at the time.
Blame on MDs
The American Medical Association and its 467,679 physician members in the 1980s, who were too independent and too comfortable and who did not want to join organized medicine to make the AMA a united, powerful, political lobbying force, are to blame for the entry of corporate practice of medicine today.
As a cardiac surgeon in private practice from 1972 to 2001, I was keenly aware of the sad situation, which I had lambasted my fellow physicians for in my editorials then. One of them was entitled “Quo Vadis, Healers?,” a guest editorial in 1998 in the Indiana Medicine journal of the Indiana State Medical Association, reprinted in Unchartered Journey, in the Golden Anniversary Legacy Journal of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America in October 2022.
So, here we are today, swallowed by corporate giants, as money-makers for them, subjected to their selfish whims, even dictating to physicians on how to practice medicine, subtly coercing their physician employees to see the maximum number of patients a day, resulting in less time for each patient and over-
Andi Eigenmann, Philmar Alipayo
by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com
CHAMPION surfer Philmar Alipayo revealed that all is well between him and his fiancée, Andi Eigenmann, after a series of social media posts sparked separation rumors.
On his Facebook account, Philmar shared a video with Andi and their daughter.
"It all went way (too) far and should have been handled in private," Philmar captioned the post.
"Ok na kami sanan ok ra kami," he added.
Philmar and Andi sparked breakup rumors after they unfollowed each other on Instagram. Andi then denied cheating allegations involving her fiancé. She also clarified her earlier posts, which some online users thought were
worked, stressed-out physician employees. The change was adverse for the patients and the physicians. There are about 300 to 400 physicians who commit suicide each year in the United States.
The untenable healthcare expenditure in the nation of about $800 billion in 1991, a 14.4 percent increase from the previous year, was also a significant factor for encouraging and enabling the corporate take-over of medical practice, making physicians today their employees, in the guise of cutting medical expenditures, lowering the healthcare cost.
In 2023, the United States spent 4.9 trillion on healthcare, which was about $14,570 per person, a 7.5 percent increase from 2022. The private insurance premium today is about $8,951 for a single person and $25,572 for a family.
The people are hopeful that the Trump administration’s new healthcare policies to make it more affordable, more accessible, and more comprehensive, and the expanded use of Artificial Intelligence, will usher in a more favorable trend in healthcare delivery and medical care itself. President Trump’s legislative plan to include a blue logo (“FDA Healthy with a checkmark) on food items scientifically considered healthy by the USFDA to help guide the public in its choice with ease, is an excellent innovative strategy for better diet and health.
In the meantime, let us accept the inevitable present, be as healthy as we can be, and look forward to a more compassionate and a greater future in healthcare.
* * * 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.
* * * 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, medical missionary, 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 (Source: Wikipedia). Websites: Today.SPSAtoday.com; Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
patch things up
alluding to infidelity.
“I am fully aware that my husband never cheated on me with this girl… I am always around when they are together,” Andi said, without revealing the woman's name.
“I posted because this person betrayed me, encourages my husband to break up with me during every fight even when I also tell my side of the story to her,” she added. She also commented on the "spontaneous love couple tattoo" between Philmar and the woman, whose identity was revealed by netizens along with photos of their matching tattoos.
St.
New data platform incorporates clinical and genomic information from thousands of cancer survivors
SCIENTISTS from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have announced the first data portal for sharing and analyzing pediatric cancer survivorship data. The portal integrates data involving whole genomic sequencing, treatment exposure and outcomes — creating an unprecedented research system that houses 400 million genetic variants from over 7,700 childhood cancer survivors.
The portal is free to use and open access as a part of the St. Jude Cloud ecosystem. Research at St. Jude has been instrumental in increasing childhood cancer survival rates over the past 61 years, and today approximately 85 percent of childhood cancer patients in the U.S. are successfully treated and alive five years post-diagnosis.
This growing population of survivors is at risk of developing a wide range of adverse health effects that can be linked back to their cancer or its treatment. Such outcomes include premature mortality, organ dysfunction, secondary cancers and psychosocial challenges, among others. By studying this unique population of childhood cancer survivors, investigators can gain insight into how to best tailor therapy up-front and provide screening and support later in life to avoid adverse outcomes.
“With the portal, with just one click, you can make new discoveries,” said co-corresponding author Jinghui Zhang, PhD, St. Jude Department of Computational Biology. “In the past, people would
spend weeks downloading, analyzing, organizing and summarizing data into figures — now you can do all that in just minutes.”
Some new findings from the data in the Portal include:
• Platinum chemotherapy has been used for decades to treat cancer and is known to cause hearing damage, but the data in the portal were able to show that not all types cause the same amount of damage.
• Gene mutations are associated with placing cancer survivors of African ancestry at greater risk for developing heart disease later in life.
• A novel association was discovered between mental health, age and limb amputation. Receiving an amputation at an older age (teenage compared to earlier childhood) is associated with increased resilience against poor mental health.
“There are half-a-billion clinical data points in the portal, hundreds of terabytes of genetic data supported by dynamic and interactive visualization analysis,” said Xin Zhou, PhD, St. Jude Department of Computational
Biology.
“We aren’t just sharing data,” said Yutaka Yasui, PhD, St. Jude Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control. “We are facilitating the analysis and visualization of data and making it free to anyone — that’s a tremendous resource for the cancer survivorship community.”
About 15,000 children are diagnosed with pediatric cancer each year in the United States. The most common childhood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, and brain tumors. However, there are over 100 different types of cancers that occur in children.
Danny Thomas, the son of immigrant Lebanese parents, founded St. Jude in Memphis in 1962 to care for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs or ability to pay. In October, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was recognized as one of the top 10 pediatric cancer hospitals for the 17th straight year by U.S. News & World Report.
(St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Release)
City of Las Vegas offers 2025 Spring Break...
toward the nautical and historical education. Youth should bring a dry towel, a swimsuit, a change of clothes (including closed-toe shoes), a sack lunch, two snacks, sunscreen and a bag for all belongings daily. Advance registration is required and open now online and at the pool. Call 702.229.6309 for more information. Registration also is open now for ages 12-18 for the Vegas City Opera Music & Theater Camp. Co-sponsored with Vegas City Opera, the camp offers a vibrant musical theatre and opera focus, with a special opportunity to be part of the SHERO Shield National Awareness Campaign. Participants will work on songs, scenes and new works around anti-trafficking campaigns as well as favorite opera and musical theater. The camp will be Monday-Friday, March 17-21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 Brush St. The cost is $250/ youth for the full week. Campers should bring lunch, snacks and water bottles each day. For more information, email GingerL@VegasCityOpera. org. Register online here.
No-School Fun Days
A full day of fun, recreation and enrichment for ages 5-14 will be offered April 18 and April 28 at six city of Las Vegas community centers, when the Clark County School District (CCSD) has staff development days. Ages and prices vary by location. Online registration for no-school fun days is open now. Note that no-school fun days are subject to change, based on CCSD calendar changes. No-school fun days are offered Friday, April 18; and Monday, April 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following centers: Adaptive Recreation program for ages 6-18 at Dula Community Center, 451 E.
Bonanza Road, 702.229.6307 at $20/day per person. Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., 702.229.6374; $20 per day, ages 5-14. East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 702.229.1515 at $20/day per child, ages 5-11. Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., 702.229.6359 at $35/day per child ages 5-11. Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 702.229.1607; $35/day for ages 5-11. Veterans Memorial Community Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, 702.229-1100 at $35/day per child ages 5-14.
Andi Eigenmann Photo from Instagram/@andieigengirl
Co-corresponding authors of the Cancer Discovery paper on the St. Jude survivorship portal (L to R): Xin Zhou, PhD, Jinghui Zhang, PhD, and Yutaka Yasui, PhD. Photo courtesy of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
