022324- San Diego Edition

current intimate partner,” said Dr. Anita Hargrave, Assistant Adjunct Professor at UCSF. Last month, to better understand the experiences of IPV survivors currently experiencing homelessness, the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative released Toward Safety, a report analyzing IPV data from June 2023 in the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH) — the largest representative study

SAN FRANCISCO – Experts confirm that immigrants – long coping with social and economic challenges – have been struggling with loneliness, a condition often hidden and dismissed as a passing emotion.

In fact, says Dr. Jei Africa, director of the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services division at the San Mateo Health System, loneliness if unaddressed may lead to serious adverse physical health outcomes or worse.

“According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, the mortality impact of loneliness has a similar effect as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is associated with greater risks of dementia, stroke, anxiety and premature death,” Africa said at the Feb. 12 meeting of the Daly City Council where San Mateo County’s second largest city voted unanimously to pass a resolution declaring loneliness a public health crisis.

“It is this reason why we should pay attention to it and find ways to increase social connection among individuals, families and communities,” stressed Africa, a Filipino American and San Mateo County’s foremost authority on mental health. “Loneliness is a complex issue. When we say it’s a public health crisis, (we add that) it

 PAGE 4

well as congressional inquiries in the Philippines, spoke of a supposed plot hatched by the American government and aided by President Marcos to have him killed.

In a 36-minute voice recording uploaded on YouTube, Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus

Marcos stands rm: No ICC probe into PH war on drugs

by ALEXIS ROMERO Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not changing his stance that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines despite a recent poll suggesting that the majority of Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the tribunal

on its probe on the deaths tied to the previous administration’s drug war.

Speaking to reporters in Manila on Tuesday, February 20, Marcos said that the ICC can produce as much evidence as it wants, but it cannot act upon it in the Philippines because of jurisdiction-related questions. “No. It’s not about the

 PAGE 3

Pacquiao too old for Olympics – IOC

by NIEL VICTOR C. MASOY ManilaTimes.net

THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied the bid of eight-division boxing world champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to compete in the Paris Olympics.

In response to the Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) appeal to allow Pacquiao to fight in the Games in July, the IOC stressed that he is five years above the 40-year-old age limit. “Too bad our beloved boxing icon is disqualified because of his age and that everyone needs to go through qualifiers, in all sports, to be able to participate in Paris,” said POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. James McLeod, IOC director

for National Olympic Committee Relations, wrote the response to the POC request.

“The only valid boxing qualification system for Paris 2024 is the one approved by the IOC Executive Board in September 2022 published and distributed to NOCs and boxing national federations on 6 December 2022,” McLeod said in his letter.

“This includes the age limit of 40,” McLeod said.

One way that Pacquiao could qualify for the Olympics is under the Universality rule, but that option has also been ruled out.

The Universality rule exception cannot apply to national Olympic committees (NOCs) with an average of more than eight athletes in individual sports/

 PAGE 2

Christ (KOJC) sect based in Davao City, projected himself as a persecuted man standing up to foreign oppressors.

Citing “reliable sources in the State Department,” he said the United States was orchestrating a plot to assassinate him.

The Senate earlier issued a subpoena for Quiboloy  PAGE 2

DTI says Marcos’ overseas trips starting to ‘yield results’ amid growing foreign investments

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pitches to world leaders during his overseas trips have started to bear fruit, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

In a statement, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual cited the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which said foreign direct investments (FDI) inflows in November 2023 rebounded by 27.8% amounting to $1 billion, bringing the 11-month net FDI inflows to $7.6 billion.

“Indeed, we are making it happen in the Philippines. The pipeline of projects initiated during President Marcos Jr.’s presidential visits, along with the goodwill fostered, is starting to yield tangible results, as shown by the latest FDI report from BSP. From January to November last year, we observed a substantial rise in FDIs in manufacturing and a significant surge in FDIs originating from Germany,” Pascual said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported last week that investment pledges from foreign sources  PAGE 2

PH, US Air Force conduct next phase of 3rd joint patrol

by JOHN ERIC MENDOZA Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Air Force conducted the next phase of the third joint patrol in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, February 19. The PAF and the United States Pacific Air Force carried out the Combined Air Patrol as the second phase of the 3rd Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the country’s

exclusive economic zone.

Joining the patrols were PAF’s three FA50s and one B-52H bomber aircraft from its U.S. counterpart.

Their patrol covered areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro.

“This cooperative activity aims to bolster cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and their U.S. counterparts, thereby enhancing interoperability between  PAGE 2

Cardinal Tagle inducted to French Legion of Honor

by JEROME ANING Inquirer.net

CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle, the highest-ranking Filipino prelate serving in the Vatican, has been inducted to the French Legion of Honor, the highest recognition France bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals.

In ceremonies held in Rome on Thursday, February 15, Tagle was cited for his “remarkable career as a man of the Church at the service of the common good,” the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and Radio Veritas said in their respective news sites.

The Filipino prelate is pro-prefect of the dicastery for evangelization, one of several administrative institutions under the Roman Curia, or central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church.

Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor is conferred on individuals for making significant Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle CBCP photo

 PAGE 4

Manny Pacquiao works out in General Santos City as part of buildup for his upcoming exhibition match against Thailand’s Buakaw Banchamek on April 20, 2024, in Bangkok.

Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao

Quiboloy in hiding, claims...

to appear on March 5 before the committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality. The panel, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, is looking into allegations that he sexually abused female members of the sect.

The House of Representatives is also requiring his presence on March 12 before the committee on legislative franchises, which is investigating the KOJC-owned Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) for alleged violations of the terms of its franchise.

Quiboloy, a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, did not say whether he would honor or ignore the subpoenas, but denounced the proceedings for being intended to “demonize me and destroy my reputation.”

He explained that because of the threat to his life, he had chosen not to appear in public.

In his message, he said he was “in our compound here in Tamayong,” a rural village in Davao City.

Instead of having him arrested, U.S. authorities were allegedly planning to “enter my compound and they will have me kidnapped … or they will have me murdered.”

He also accused President Marcos of having “connived” with the Americans to carry out the plot.

“You have given me to the hands of the Americans,” he said of Marcos. “They are just waiting for the right opportunity to kidnap me, or kill me, or assassinate me.”

Quiboloy is facing a string of criminal charges in the United States. In 2022, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a poster marking him as a “wanted” man for alleged participation in “a labor trafficking scheme that brought (his) church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, do-

nations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

According to the FBI, Quiboloy was also charged with conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

On Wednesday, Quiboloy said he had waited for the U.S. government’s request to have him extradited so he could challenge the accusations before its own justice system.

But U.S. authorities changed their strategy, he said.

He said he would “not allow myself to be arrested,” but later added that should authorities enter any of the KOJC’s 11 compounds, “we will resist but not (turn) violent.”

He lamented that Marcos had supposedly allowed the Americans to conduct operations against him even after he supported his presidential bid in 2022.

“I will not honor you, I will not respect you because you did not honor me, you did not respect me,” Quiboloy said, addressing the president.

He went on to describe the current national leadership as “an evil and unrighteous administration.”

Speaker responds

“I will lead so that we can once again have freedom… I will stand and I will lead this country for justice and fear of God, [and] to bring back our freedom and security from the hands of foreigners [just like] how Rizal and Bonifacio sacrificed their lives,” Quiboloy said.

He called on Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin, to resign “because my voice will not be silence[d] until you are gone from power.”

In a statement, Romualdez denied Quiboloy’s claims that he and Mr. Marcos were privy to an assassination plot against him.

The House leader stressed that

while he was aware of the “gravity of the accusations” against Quiboloy, “the Philippine government and its officials, including myself and [President Marcos], operate within the bounds of our Constitution and laws.”

He also denied the televangelist’s claims that they were working with the FBI to have him killed, saying these were “unfounded and divert attention from the serious legal matters at hand.”

Romualdez urged Quiboloy to address the issues against him “through the proper legal channels and respect the legal processes in place,” referring to the subpoenas issued by both the Senate and the House.

At the Senate, Hontiveros on Wednesday threatened to not only cite Quiboloy in contempt but also order his arrest if he would continue to ignore the upper chamber’s latest subpoena.

“Our next hearing is on March 5 and if Mr. Quiboloy does not show up, I will cite him in contempt and have him arrested,” said Hontiveros. “All that is being asked of you is to face the legal process, including the process of Senate investigation.”

Facing justice

Sought for comment on Quiboloy’s accusations, the U.S. Embassy in Manila would not confirm whether the U.S. government had asked for Quiboloy’s arrest or extradition, referring questions about “legal proceedings” to the U.S. Department of Justice.

But the embassy said it was “confident” that Quiboloy would be brought to justice for “serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old,” for more than a decade.

“He is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. We are confident that Quiboloy will face justice for his heinous crimes,” U.S. Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay said in a statement on Wednesday. g

Pacquiao too old for Olympics...

and boxer Eumir Marcial.

Marcial made the Olympics for being a finalist in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, finishing with a silver. The Hangzhou Asiad served as a qualifying event for the Paris Games. g

DTI says Marcos’ overseas trips starting to ‘yield...

surged 127.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to P394.45 billion.

The president earlier justified his overseas trips as an opportunity to attract investments to the country.

“My primary interest is to try and make our country an investmentfriendly place,” Marcos said in an earlier statement.

Meanwhile, ING senior economist Nicholas Mapa said the recent laws passed by the Congress that ease foreign restrictions in investing in various sectors in the country has helped in bringing in more foreign investors into the country.

“The Philippines just has a good story to tell in terms of growth outlook. The government should

PH,

work ways to lower inefficiencies, infrastructure, lower power costs.

I think all those will go hand-inhand in bringing or increasing our attractiveness as an FDI destination,” Mapa said.

“Certainly, the presidential visits have been impactful for the Philippine economy, signaling to both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors alike the government’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for economic prosperity. The Philippines has become a premier investment destination for foreign businesses in Asia,” he added.

The DTI chief earlier said that Marcos targets the Philippines to be the second top destination of FDIs in Southeast Asia by the end

of his term in 2028.

“We will keep our momentum to make more investments happen in the Philippines by turning investment pledges from presidential visits into reality. Each presidential visit is important and sets a foundation for us to build a pipeline of investment opportunities that will translate to job generation for our countrymen,” Pascual said.

While Congress is still debating whether to amend the Constitution to further relax economic restrictions, the economist said addressing other challenges in doing business in the country can also drive the country’s attractiveness as destination for foreign investments. (Philstar.com)

US Air Force conduct next phase...

its Air Forces,” the PAF said. This activity is the continuation of the third MCA conducted last Feb. 9 over the West Philippine Sea.

Joining the first leg of the MCA were Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and AW109 Helicopter, together with the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s USS Gabrielle Giffords embarked with an MH-60S SeaHawk helicopter.

Two Chinese Navy vessels observed the drills as was China’s wont since its warships and air-

craft were also spotted on previous MCAs. The second MCA of Manila and Washington was conducted last month, while the first-ever joint patrol was held in November 2023. Such patrols were conducted amid tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.

The regular rotation and resupply mission of the country to the BRP Sierra Madre — a Navy ship grounded in Ayungin Shoal since 1999 — became the flashpoint of tension between Manila

and Beijing. In 2023 alone, the China Coast Guard (CCG) resorted to the usage of military-grade lasers once and water cannon at least four times against Philippine vessels doing resupply missions to the Navy outpost.

The CCG also routinely blocked and conducted what the Philippine government deemed to be “dangerous maneuvers” against its vessels.

Several incidents between Filipino vessels and CCG have also occurred in Scarborough Shoal. g

SPECIAL GUESTS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. believes there is still a great potential for the Philippines and Hawaii to expand their trade cooperation. The president made the remark as he welcomed the Honolulu City Council delegation and participants of the 31st Trade Mission of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) and Hawaii Philippines Business Economic Council (HPBEC) during their joint courtesy call in Malacañang on Thursday, February 22.

Malacañang photo

PAGE 1 PAGE

What’s safer for domestic violence survivors...

of homelessness since the mid1990s.

This new report found that 40% of participants reporting IPV in the six months before homelessness reported violence as a reason for leaving their last housing, while 20% said it was the primary reason.

IPV “is particularly dangerous for those at the economic margins,” said Hargrave. “Many survivors reported that relatively modest amounts of financial support could have helped them avoid homelessness — which left them even more vulnerable to increased violence, as 42% of IPV survivors prior to homelessness experienced it unhoused as well.”

73% of those who reported IPV before homelessness believed that a $300 to $500 monthly subsidy would have kept them housed for at least two years, while 83% believed that a one-time $5,000 to $10,000 lump sum would have, and 92% believed that a housing voucher limiting rental contributions to 30% of their income would have.

95% of all survivors said high housing costs were a barrier to regaining housing.

In short, “Many IPV survivors are forced to choose between a rock and a hard place: enduring violence at home or risking

homelessness,” said Hargrave.

“You can’t address the link between IPV and homelessness without addressing the need for permanent affordable housing.”

Rising IPV and homelessness in New York City Domestic violence has particularly been on the rise in New York City, where 40% of women and children in homeless shelters are there because of IPV.

“Despite New York City making progress in reducing other forms of homicides, domestic violence homicides persist, and continues to disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic women,” said Jennifer White-Reid, Chief of Staff at Urban Resource Institute (URINYC), which provides transitional housing for thousands of domestic violence survivors and homeless families.

Between 2021 and 2022, IPV homicides increased 29% citywide, 225% in Brooklyn and 57% in the Bronx. Key to stopping this cycle is education including “violence prevention and healthy relationship education programs for youth, and trauma-informed behavioral intervention accountability programs for individuals who have caused harm,” said White-Reid.

In February 2023, URINYC advocated for the passage of a state bill redefining domestic

violence under the New York City Human Rights Law to include economic abuse, which includes coerced debt and gives victims expanded protections.

Just as crucial is economic investment, including housing support and IPV-related debt prevention, she explained: “Economic abuse, experienced by 98% of survivors, often serves as a primary reason they stay or return to an abusive partner.”

URINYC also offers workforce development, employment assistance and affordable housing services including People and Animals Living Safely (PALS).

“We learned that 50% of survivors would not leave a dangerous situation if they could not take their pets with them,” said White-Reid. “PALS is the only dedicated program in New York City, and among a few nationally, allowing domestic violence survivors to live and heal together with their pets as they work to achieve economic stability.”

A firsthand experience

Without resources like these, “I chose homelessness over returning to abuse,” said Desiree Martinez, who was unhoused for five years in Fresno, California until 2016 due to IPV.

“Lacking insurance after a mental breakdown, I was

2024 Presidensyal na Primaryang Eleksyon

Boboto para sa presidente? Ang inyong rehistrasyon para sa pampulitikang partido ang tutukoy kung sinong mga presidensyal na kandidato ang makikita sa inyong balota. Matuto nang higit pa sa sdvote.com.

Bukas Araw-Araw ang mga Vote Center mula Ika-24 ng Pebrero – Ika-5 ng Marso.

BUMOTO!

MAS MARAMING ARAW. MAS MARAMING PARAAN.

INYONG MGA OPSYON SA PAGBOTO:

IPAKOREO ITO.

Kumpletuhin ang inyong balota sa ginhawa ng inyong tahanan. Pirmahan, at petsahan ang inyong sobreng pagbabalikan, i-seal ang inyong nakumpletong balota sa loob, at ibalik ito sa pamamagitan ng U.S. Postal Service - hindi kinakailangan ng selyo!

How California has captured water from storms

SACRAMENTO – California is taking advantage of this year’s storms to expand water supplies, building off of last year’s actions to capture stormwater. Last year, the Newsom administration’s actions resulted in three times more groundwater recharge capacity than would have otherwise occurred. Since 2019, the Governor has allocated $1.6 billion for flood preparedness and response, part of the historic $7.3 billion investment package and to strengthen California’s water resilience.

Here’s what the state is doing this year to capture water:

• 45 billion gallons: That’s how much water California has either permitted or is working to permit for groundwater recharge, enough for 1.3 million Californians’ yearly usage – all during this wet season alone.

• Capturing 95% of stormwater runoff: The state-funded Santa Anita Dam captured 95% of the stormwater runoff to groundwater recharge facilities in the San Gabriel River Watershed.

• Nearly $1 billion to capture more water: California has distributed nearly $1 billion to support 13 recharge, recycled water, and other stormwater capture projects that will add more than 28 billion gallons to the state’s water supplies every year.

• Better stormwater capture: California has invested more than $160 million to capture, store, and reuse stormwater runoff – helping local governments like Los Angeles County bolster their stormwater infrastructure.

Here’s what the state did last year to boost California’s ability to capture water:

• Expanding supply & storage by 358 billion gallons: California bolstered supply and storage through groundwater recharge and other projects, enough for 2.2 million households’ yearly usage.

• Executive orders & legislation to capture & store more water: During last year’s storms, Governor Newsom signed executive orders and legislation to accelerate stormwater capture to boost groundwater recharge and other conservation measures.

• More groundwater recharge & stormwater capture: The state is expanding groundwater recharge by 180 billion gallons in potential capacity – streamlining permits and $1 billion for groundwater recharge projects.

But more water storage is needed – if the Delta Conveyance Project was in effect, this year alone it could have captured 148 billion gallons of water; the Sites Reservoir could hold enough water

Marcos stands firm: No ICC probe into...

PAGE 1

evidence, it’s about the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines,” the president said when asked if there is still a possibility that he would change his mind about the ICC if he sees more evidence.

“It opens (a) Pandora’s Box because it’s still those questions of jurisdictions and sovereignty that I haven’t yet seen a sufficient answer for. Until then, I do not recognize their jurisdiction in the Philippines... That seems to be the only logical conclusion that you can come to in that situation,” he added.

Marcos’ predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been accused of committing crimes against humanity over his controversial drug crackdown that left more than 6,000 suspects dead. In 2021, an ICC pretrial chamber allowed an investigation into the drug war, saying the legal element of the crime against humanity of

murder under the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the court – has been met.

The Philippines ratified the statute in 2011, but Duterte withdrew the country from the treaty seven years later.

The former chief executive has insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over him and that he would only answer his accusers before a local judge.

Late last month, Marcos said that the Philippine government won’t lift a finger to help the ICC with its investigation on Duterte’s war on narcotics.

He added that an ICC investigation poses a “threat” to Philippine sovereignty. While Marcos does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, a survey by OCTA Research conducted from Dec. 10 to 14 indicated that 55 percent of adult Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the tribunal on its probe of the drug war while 45 percent are not in favor of the idea.

More than half or 59 percent

of adult Filipinos are in favor of the Philippines rejoining the ICC, while 41 percent are against it.

Last month, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a fierce critic of Duterte, said ICC probers visited the Philippines to conduct interviews on the anti-drug campaign. Officials have not confirmed the alleged visit of ICC investigators.

Pressed if he approves of the presence of the ICC in the Philippines, Marcos replied: “I don’t approve or deny. You know, they haven’t done anything illegal.”

“Once they do, of course, we will do something about it but ... we’re an open country, we’re not a closed country,” he added.

In a recent interview, the chief executive said that ICC representatives can come as “ordinary people,” but the government would make sure that they do not come into contact with any state agency.

(With reports from Sheila Crisostomo and Jennifer Rendon)

IHULOG ITO.

BUMISITA.

Ibalik ang inyong balota sa alinmang opisyal na mga ballot drop box ng Tagapagrehistro sa buong county na magsisimula sa Martes, Ika-6 ng Pebrero hanggang sa Araw ng Eleksyon, Martes, Ika-5 ng Marso. Iwasan ang mahahabang pila sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng benepisyo sa maagang pagboto! Simula Sabado, Ika-24 ng Pebrero, magbubukas araw-araw ang mga vote center mula ika-8 ng umaga hanggang ika-5 ng hapon hanggang Lunes, Ika-4 ng Marso. Sa Araw ng Eleksyon, Martes, Ika-5 ng Marso, ang mga oras ng botohan ay mag-iiba mula ika-7 ng umaga hanggang ika-8 ng gabi. Humanap ng ballot drop box o vote center na malapit sa inyo sa sdvote.com

‘KALESA’. Newly refurbished “kalesas” or “karitelas” (horse-drawn carriages) wait for local and foreign tourists along Plaza Roma in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, Feb. 21. The “kalesa” was a mode of transportation during the Spanish colonial period. PNA photo by Ben Briones

‘Epidemic of loneliness’ affects...

will also take a public health solu-

tion of us working as a community toward prevention and early intervention.”

Africa was referring to the “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned about in an urgent advisory last year.

Last month the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors became the first county leadership in the nation to declare loneliness a public health crisis per proposal of Supervisor David Canepa, who represents District 5, encompassing Colma, Brisbane, parts of South San Francisco and South San Francisco, and all of Daly City.

Daly City, home of the highest concentration of Filipinos on the U.S. mainland, followed suit, becoming one of if not the first U.S. city to adopt the measure. The Feb. 12 resolution directs the city’s leaders to find solutions to the national concern.

Staggering statistics

“We cannot ignore the statistics – loneliness exists in our city. Declaring loneliness a public health crisis brings awareness and opens up new opportunities to collaborate and partner with the County, as well as local non-profit organizations,” Mayor Juslyn Manalo said in introducing the resolution.

Over half of Daly City’s residents are foreign born and almost 20 percent are 65 years or older, Leilani Ramos, assistant to the City Manager, said in a presentation preceding the resolution vote, to highlight the impact of loneliness on her city’s population. The pandemic exacerbated the situation, she said, with older immigrants saying they had never felt lonely, she said, until the height of the worldwide calamity.

Older immigrants from foreign countries are “particularly susceptible to loneliness, attributed in part to shifts in language, cultural norms, social networks and

experiences of racism and/or discrimination,” she cited “national research” results.

San Mateo County statistics reflect the same, said Africa.

“In our 2022 Quality of Life survey we found that about 45 percent experienced some sort of isolation,” said the doctor of psychology who earned his undergraduate degree in UP Manila. He and his team noted the “staggering increase of 16 percent” of residents who said they had no one to turn to in the past month” despite having been in a “crowd of people earlier but at the end of the day” find themselves alone or lonely.

“That’s really concerning for us,” he emphasized.

Africa, who headed the County of Marin BHRS prior to taking his current post, said “men, adults with lower socioeconomic-economic status, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, LGBTQ+ folks and people living in North County often reported that they don’t have any social connection or any network.”

Presenter Dr. Hakan Ozcelikh, professor of management for the College of Business at Sacramento State University defined loneliness as “an unpleasant emotional condition that creates psychological, physiological, physical, and sociological effects, causing people to behave in ways that are self-defeating.”

It is “a social phenomenon that needs immediate attention,” he concluded.

Spurring social connections

Exercising cultural humility, Africa said his team is in the very early but vigorous stage “in this work to embed and integrate what Murthy has shared about the 6 pillars” or strategies to combat loneliness and isolation.

The county is already in the midst of collaborative projects involving BHRS, Aging & Adult Services (AAS) and Public Health & Policy to address the issue, said Africa.

Ongoing is a project to “con-

nect people digitally, give access to technology – especially older adults – so they can be connected” to their peers even if they’re geographically separated or distant.

AAS provides trainings on technology in Tagalog, Spanish, Cantonese and English to “decrease the digital divide.”

Another connectivity channel is the “friendship line” run by the Institute of Aging that Africa said received 1,000 calls from July through December 2023 and made calls to the same number the same period.

Recognizing the high susceptibility of older adults to loneliness, BHRS conducts a suicide prevention program to “raise awareness of folks about the science of mental health,” and as an added benefit “give opportunities to come together, relate to each other, especially those affected or interested.”

“We fund peer counseling services provided by Peninsula Family Service,” said Africa, who shared a program that trains FilAms to become counselors for isolated Fil-Ams, as it does for Chinese, LGBTQ+ and English-speaking people, in groups or as individuals.

“We can invest in policies and infrastructures that bring people together, create events and opportunities that foster connections, but we can also start individually in our own lives, with our own personal relationships,” he told Inquirer.net USA after the council meeting.

“We can reach out to family, friends, even the ones who are doing well. We can work on destigmatizing loneliness by talking about it and engaging in conversations by acknowledging that many people are lonely and isolated.”

In other words, never underestimate the power of a simple phone call, an email or a text because it can make a difference in the quality of life for someone battling loneliness. (Cherie M. Querol Moreno/ Inquirer.net)

How California has captured water from...

PAGE 3

to serve 7.5 million people for an entire year.

These winter’s storms are another example of California’s changing climate and shifts from one extreme to another. California has gone from a historic 3-year drought to historic snowpack last year, to a series of very

intense, warmer, wetter storms that are bringing more rain than snow. As of Wednesday, February 21, the statewide snowpack is 85 percent of average for this date, and 67 percent of its April 1 average, which is considered the peak snowpack for the season. As outlined in Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy,

these kinds of extremes are why we need to continue to invest and be ready with water management strategies like stormwater capture, groundwater recharge, and recycled water to ensure that our water supply remains safe and reliable in a changing climate. (Gov. Newsom’s Office Release)

Meet the young basketball athlete geared up to play in Manila with Fil-Am team

She’ll be playing in tournament competing against 32 international teams

by Mary Villegas Inquirer.net

BASKETBALL is as illustrious as adobo and lumpia are in the Philippines. Filipinos have these intrinsic skills on the court whether at home or abroad and Fil-Am basketball player Alayna

Petalber is here to prove not just her roots but also her talents. From Fil-Am science achievers to basketball prodigies, Filipinos abroad sure know how to herald greatness in their chosen fields.

Petalber, a senior from Boylan isn’t just sunk in her books — she’s also hitting shots and

dreaming big. Her after-school schedule?

Gearing up to represent the Filipino American team in a tournament in Manila. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” said Petalber, sharing her excitement.

Playing internationally isn’t u PAGE 7

What’s safer for domestic violence survivors...

among them.

desperate for assistance at a local mental health office but ended up being confined as they deemed me at-risk,” continued Martinez, who is now Executive Director of homelessness advocacy nonprofit We Are NOT Invisible. “National hotlines directed me to county resources, yet there was limited local support. After not meeting the criteria for a bed at a domestic violence shelter, I found myself at a homeless shelter sleeping on the floor amongst others,” added Martinez, who suggested that shelters reserve beds for domestic violence survivors, given the high prevalence of homelessness

“It’s especially dangerous for women to survive the streets,” she said. “In Fresno County there was a lot of sex trafficking, a lot of drugs. You stay up all night in order not to be raped. You have nowhere to change, no shower, no heat. You don’t feel like a female. You’re scared constantly and all you want is shelter — no wonder a lot of people choose to go back home.”

“The shelter’s gender restrictions left me exposed to the streets once again, surviving on a fixed disability income while facing steep rents,” Martinez explained. “If it wasn’t for a 30% income affordable housing voucher, I

would still probably be on the streets, and who knows what would have happened to me. Yet, I’m nervous every year because the rent continues to increase, but the voucher does not.”

“You flee an abusive relationship because you want safety, but being unhoused makes you vulnerable to thousands of strangers. For a time, I’d ended up going back because I’d rather be abused by one I knew,” she added. “We need to educate people about what’s happening to us in the streets — that we’re good people too who just want a permanent home.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)

Cardinal Tagle inducted to...

PAGE 1

contributions in their fields.

Radio Veritas quoted Tagle as saying: “I interpret this not so much as a recognition of my personal work, but as an affirmation of the mission of the whole Church called evangelization.”

“This recognition impels us to consistently and joyfully share Jesus and His gospel to all peoples through word, prayer, and the service of charity and human development,” he added.

“I accept this recognition in the name of the countless men and women who have served and continue to serve the evangelizing mission of the Church,” Tagle said.

“They are legion! In a special way I thank the priests, religious men and women, societies of apostolic life, mission societies from courageous lay people from France who have gone to the ends of the Earth to proclaim the Gospel,” he said.

‘Soul and heart’

French Ambassador to the Holy

See Florence Mangin gave Tagle, 66, his insignia for the rank of officer of the Legion.

Present during the ceremony were Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Myla Grace Macahilig, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Nathaniel Imperial, Tagle’s brother Manuel, and Fr. Gregory Ramon Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, the Italian college for Filipino diocesan priests. Mangin cited Tagle’s “journey marked by concern for the poorest people and … his multiple efforts to help vulnerable children in Manila,” where he served as archbishop.

“It is this journey, these commitments of yours, these qualities of soul and heart that the French Republic wishes to salute and honor by elevating you to the rank of Officer of the Legion of Honor,” she said.

The CBCP said the diplomat noted Tagle’s social projects and advocacies in the Philippines, such as his programs for victims

of violence and drug addiction as well as his commitment to migrants and victims of natural disasters.

Foundation

Gaston was quoted by Radio Veritas as saying that the French government particularly noted Tagle’s support for the AnakTulay ng Kabataan (Anak-TnK) Foundation, which helps homeless and impoverished children and their families in Metro Manila.

\With an international network of volunteers, Anak-TnK was founded in 1998 by French Jesuit priest Jean-Francois Thomas. It is currently led by Fr. Matthieu Dauchez.

The Legion of Honor citation also gives recognition to Tagle’s leading role in the Church’s mission of evangelization assigned to him by Pope Francis in 2019, Gaston added.

Tagle served as Bishop of Imus, Cavite, from 2001 to 2011. He was the Archbishop of Manila in 2019 when appointed to the Roman Curia. g

Dateline PhiliPPines

Biden’s trade team to visit PH

by Javier Joe ismael ManilaTimes.net

UNITED States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said on Friday, February 16 that President Joe Biden would send a delegation to Manila to advance trade relations between the two countries.

The delegation, led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, would arrive in Manila in early March for the Presidential Trade and Investment Mission from March 11 to 12.

“President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had announced that he will send a Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, Philippines to enhance U.S.

companies’ contributions to the Philippines’ innovation economy, connective infrastructure, clean energy transition, critical minerals sector, and the food security of its people,” White House National Security Council spokesman Adrienne Watson said in a statement. The visit, she added, would reinforce the Philippines’ position as a key hub for regional supply chains and high-quality investment. Watson said the trade mission was part of Biden’s commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to advance U.S.-Philippines economic ties and labor rights. Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez

earlier said that a representative of the U.S. International Development Financial Corp. (DFC) would be part of the mission.

The U.S., Romualdez said, has offered assistance for the stalled Mindanao Railway Project with possible financing from the DFC.

Biden’s trade mission comes after the signing of the 123 Agreement that would pave the way for nuclear power collaborations between the Philippines and American firms.

The 123 Agreement, signed in November 2023, allows the direct transfer of nuclear information, material, equipment, and components between the two countries. g

59% of Filipinos back PH rejoining ICC

by red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

NEARLY six out of 10 Filipinos are in favor of rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC) and are urging the government to cooperate in the tribunal's investigation of former president

Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs, an OCTA Research survey released on Sunday showed.

In the "Tugon ng Masa" survey held from Dec. 10 to 14, 2023, 59 percent of the respondents said they were in favor of the Philippines rejoining the ICC, while 41 percent were not.

OCTA said the respondents were provided an explanatory card with the basic definition of the International Criminal Court and its functions to inform all of its respondents regarding the question.

Respondents in Luzon were u PAGE 7

CHR to launch alert system for journalists under attack

by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Commission of Human Rights (CHR) is set to formally launch a platform for journalists to report threats and attacks in a bid to ensure the safety of media workers in the country.

In a statement, the CHR said that “Alisto! Alert Mechanism” seeks to “provide a concrete platform where it may directly respond to attacks and threats against media workers.”

According to the commission, the initiative aligns with its commitment to implement the Philippine Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists, a roadmap to promote the protection of media workers and safeguard press freedom in the country.

“In a time where it is now apparent that the defenders

of truth also need defending, the conversation on fostering a safe working environment for journalists should also be making headlines on our screens as we scroll through the news and commentaries,” the CHR said.

The Philippines is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with fatal attacks frequently targeting those outside the capital region. Since 1986, 199 journalists have been killed in the country, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

Government agencies like the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) further endanger journalists by falsely accusing them of supporting or being involved in the communist armed struggle, exposing them to both physical and online attacks.

NUJP chairperson Jonathan de Santos called the alert system “a good first response to threats” that may serve as a deterrent to further attacks and harassment.

“We hope that engagement with the CHR and government agencies will lead to a safer environment for media workers, and, just as importantly, an end to the culture of impunity on attacks against journalists,” De Santos told Philstar.com.

The CHR urged other government agencies to address the challenges faced by journalists and implement adequate mechanisms that guarantee a safe work environment.

Early this month, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan said that some initiatives of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) were “not enough.” g

Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps

by Claire Mondares ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) issued personalized stamps and commemorative cover for former Senate president and now Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile (JPE).

In celebration of his 100th birthday on February 14, the stamp was unveiled at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang during a lunch party hosted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. During his stint as acting head of the Insurance Commission, he was instrumental in introducing amendments to the rules and regulations that are still included in the current Insurance Code of the Philippines.

He likewise served as acting Customs commissioner, acting finance secretary, chairman of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of the Philippines, and defense secretary under Marcos Sr.

JPE spent four terms in the Senate and became the 21st Senate president during the 15th Congress from 2008 to 2013.

He also served one term in the

Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps ManilaTimes.net photo

House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995 as a representative of Cagayan's first district.

In 2022, at the age of 98, Enrile returned to government service as the chief presidential legal counsel.

PHLPost said the basis for

the issuance of the personalized stamps to Filipino centenarians is Republic Act 10868, or the "Centenarian Act of 2016," which honors and grants additional benefits and privileges to Filipinos who reach the age of 100. g

THE Philippines was one of the first countries in Asia to have a modern airport. Since the 1960s, however, the country has fallen in its standing in the region, from being the second most progressive economy after Japan to being a laggard. These days the country trails the founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in terms of many economic and human development indicators.

The deterioration is reflected in the principal gateway to the Philippines, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. While the country’s neighbors competed to have the best airport in the world, travelers listed the NAIA among the worst. The reputation improved with the opening of the more spacious NAIA-3, but 2023 opened with a massive power outage that crippled the airport.

Editorial

Logistics Inc. and RLW Aviation Development Inc., won the bid by offering the highest revenue share for the government, at 82.1 percent. This was more than double the 33.3 and 25.9 percent proposed by rival bidders GMR Airports Consortium and the Manila International Airport Consortium of companies owned by the country’s top tycoons, respectively.

So people are keeping their fingers crossed that privatization will be the answer to airport woes.

On Friday, February 16, the Manila International Airport Authority or MIAA announced a winner in the bidding for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of the NAIA: San Miguel Corp. SAP & Co. Consortium, which includes South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp.

Korea’s Incheon airport has been consistently ranked among the world’s best international gateways by the global aviation industry. Skytrax ranked Incheon fourth in the 2024 list, after Singapore’s Changi, Hamad in Qatar and Japan’s Tokyo-Haneda.

SMC SAP & Co., which also includes RMM Asian

DURING the state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines last November where he delivered a speech before a joint session of Congress, he highlighted the trilateral cooperation between the United States, the Philippines and Japan to protect the freedom of the South China Sea. “In order to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, multi-layered cooperation among allies and like-minded countries is crucial,” Prime Minister Kishida underscored, outlining efforts to “protect the maritime order, which is governed by laws and rules, not by force.”

In the most recent briefing paper issued by a good friend of mine and our embassy, director of the Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Greg Poling with research associate Japhet Quitzon titled “Sustaining

Public Lives

R

THIRTY-EIGHT years have passed since we Filipinos stumbled upon a peaceful way of toppling down an entrenched dictatorship.

We called it “people power,” a massive protest gathering of people in a public place in sheer defiance of the coercive power of established authority.

The world hailed it not just as a model for getting rid of dictators but as an alternative to bloody revolutions and the unending cycles of violence they typically unleash.

To say that EDSA was a miracle is just a shorthand way of accounting for the idealism, the faith, and the courage that animated the mammoth crowd at its peak. No doubt, not a few went to EDSA merely out of curiosity.

But their being in the crowd— discussing the significance of rapidly unfolding events and wondering how all these will affect the nation as a

Questions have been raised on the feasibility of the 82.1 percent revenue-sharing scheme offered by the winning bidder. Unless the award of the contract is challenged, however, the concession agreement is expected to be signed on March 15, with the winner taking over NAIA management by September this year. The SMC-led consortium must pay P30 billion upfront and P2 billion annually. The contract for the project runs for 15 years, which may be extended by 10 years.

There are also questions on the extent of the authority of the private consortium to reorganize personnel at the airport, which will remain under government ownership. In August last year, the Office of the Ombudsman fired Cesar Chiong as MIAA chief and assistant general manager Irene

Montalbo on the strength of complaints filed by MIAA employees, hundreds of whom Chiong had reassigned.

For the public, the main concern is whether the

private consortium can deliver on its promise of turning NAIA into a world-class airport. Filipinos are sick of having the country’s main gateway classified as one of the world’s worst. (Philstar.com)

the U.S.-Philippines-Japan Triad,” China’s “aggression in the South China Sea and increasingly aggressive posture toward Taiwan” was highlighted as it continues to “pose a threat to the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The brief delved on how the triad can better coordinate on a range of issues that include “Beijing’s illegal behavior in the East and South China Seas and possible Taiwan contingencies.”

Exhorting the U.S., Japan and the Philippines to “urgently strengthen their partnerships with each other, reinforce the importance of cooperation and assess the role their alliances can play in ensuring regional security,” the brief provided a keen and clear-sighted assessment of the shared challenges, areas of cooperation as well as vulnerabilities that have to be addressed not only in terms of defense and security but economic as well.

“In the face of shared challenges, Japan has become an important security partner to the Philippines,” the document noted, giving attention to a “reciprocal access agreement” (RAA) between Japan and the Philippines which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had described as “extremely

significant,” saying it will bring “greater capacity to maintain peace in the South China Sea” and will also provide “greater capability in terms not only of security, but also in terms of disaster preparedness.”

According to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Japan and the Philippines are fast-tracking the RAA (which is similar to the Visiting forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States) that will lay the groundwork for bigger military exercises between Japanese and Philippine troops and would also allow Japanese military personnel access to the Philippines for training and support.

“Crucially, the three partners should also have economic plans in place, including supportive measures to help sustain the triad’s economies, especially the Philippines’ shock-sensitive economy,” the brief said, noting that as an archipelagic state, “the Philippines is exceedingly vulnerable to external shocks –any disruptions in the country’s energy and supply chains would not only complicate everyday function within the country but impact the ability of both the Philippines and the United States to conduct security

operations from the country.”

Considering the vulnerability of the Philippines to energy and supply chain shocks, Greg says the U.S. and its allies should ensure that the Philippine economy remains robust. The U.S. should deepen its economic relationship with the Philippines and “do more to encourage U.S. investors to take a serious look at the increasingly open Philippine economy, including by lifting travel advisories to Davao and other safe areas of Mindanao, and encourage the development of local manufacturers and industries, supporting the Philippines’ domestic ability to pursue its national security aims,” the recommendation went.

Our economic team at the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC has been actively engaging with key U.S. officials and various business groups to explore areas of economic cooperation and bring focus to key sectors such as agriculture and clean energy, among many others. In Washington, we regularly interact with the Japanese ambassador.

Aside from aiding the Philippines in exploring more reliable energy options, the U.S. and Japan are providing

support to the Philippines in modernizing our armed forces.

“Though military aid is crucial, the United States and Japan should also assist the Philippines in growing homegrown defense industries, aiming to provide jobs and increase the country’s capacity for homegrown self-defense. The Philippines currently has very few domestic defense manufacturers,” the briefing paper underscored. Another key finding highlighted in the brief are disinformation and misinformation operations that are proving to be among the greatest challenges facing allied cooperation in the region. Particularly worrying are the “disinformation and proChina narratives circulating on Philippine airwaves and cyberspace” that “exacerbate the issue and threaten to disrupt a national effort to prepare the country against a contingency in the South China Sea. These information operations promoting pro-China content are rampant throughout cyberspace, downplaying aggressive Chinese behavior and placing the blame instead on the United States or even the Philippine Coast Guard.”

To counter such

disinformation, the triad should create “a unified front through harmonized messaging and coordinated anti-disinformation campaigns,” the paper pointed out, as this “limits China’s ability to wedge the triad apart. Countering Chinese disinformation in all three countries with credible, accessible and fact-based reporting will help delegitimize Chinese narratives aimed at dividing public opinion.”

Like others in our government, I have been occasionally targeted by a smear campaign through fake memos, spurious emails and absurd messages from bogus senders, obviously in an attempt to picture me as a U.S. paid hand.

I have only one message to these agents of disinformation: The relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines has never been better, and I will vigorously continue working to help ensure that our alliance remains solid, strong and stable. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

EDSA people power and the United States

whole—gave them a sense that they were in the middle of something historic.

When they found themselves standing their ground against the tanks that Marcos had sent to disperse the crowd, they surely must have felt that they were not merely witnessing history; they were actually making it. This was a transformative experience.

But so complex was the mix of forces and motives that formed and propelled people power that it was impossible to predict where it was headed. A lot initially depended on the readiness of those who came early to defend the protest space they occupied. Their expectation was that the longer they stayed, the greater would be the likelihood that many would come and join them. Even as they steeled themselves for the assault that was to come, they also hoped that those who were ordered to disperse them would hesitate to attack unarmed and defenseless citizens. As naïve as these hopes may have been, they were not

entirely off the mark. The people knew that, through the eyes of the foreign correspondents who had descended upon EDSA, the world was watching. In particular, America was watching. The question was whether then United States President Ronald Reagan, who was known to be a close personal friend of the Marcoses, would countenance the use of state violence to suppress the swelling antiMarcos crowd.

The sentiment at EDSA at that time was that if Reagan had his way, he would not hesitate to publicly support the Marcos regime’s claim to legitimacy.

But one thing was also clear: American public sentiment, as seen in the mainstream U.S. media and in the views of some outspoken members of the U.S. Congress, had turned resolutely against Marcos.

The manifest venality of the dictatorship so outweighed longstanding worries about a communist takeover if Marcos fell from power that the U.S. felt it necessary to nudge

Marcos to change if he wanted to survive.

I don’t think anyone knew at that point how the impasse was going to be resolved. As the EDSA crowd grew in size, the energy that animated people power reverberated in major capitals around the country as well as in Philippine embassies abroad.

At the same time, the motley group of renegade soldiers that had gathered around Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile was gaining support with the defection of sections of the country’s armed forces. These parallel developments brought up the question of whether what was happening was a military coup or a civilian uprising.

It was probably both at the beginning—two agendas racing against one another— but in the end the duality was resolved in favor of a purely civilian political order.

The resolution, however, did not come immediately with the departure of Marcos or the swearing in of Cory Aquino. It came only at the

end of a protracted political process punctuated by several coup attempts and Cabinet reshuffles.

Because America had played an outsize role in our nation’s history, it was natural for people on both the right and left to believe that the EDSA events were being orchestrated in accordance with an American script. That belief not only underestimates ordinary people’s capacity for heroism and patriotism but it also exaggerates the monolithic nature of U.S. power.

Nowhere perhaps is the ambivalent character of American foreign policy more evident than in the divergent opinions that attended the crafting of a suitable approach to the crisis brought about by the standoff at EDSA in the aftermath of the snap election of February 1986.

The most complete reference for this period is former U.S. secretary of state George P. Shultz’s memoir, titled “Turmoil and Triumph,” published in 1993. Chapter 31 is all about people power in

the Philippines and the critical days that led to the departure of the Marcos family from Malacañang and their exile to Hawaii.

Uppermost in the minds of America’s top officials was how to prevent the real possibility that the crisis in the Philippines would lead to civil war. They feared that in such a war, the fledgling democratic movement that had grown around Aquino would at once be sidelined by the more organized armed communist movement. America’s military bases in the Philippines would be imperiled. There was no choice but to get Marcos to agree to a peaceful democratic transition, but getting there was far from easy. The breakthrough came on Feb. 24, when Marcos telephoned Sen. Paul Laxalt to say he was “willing to bargain.” Laxalt told him that “power brokering won’t work,” and advised him that he should “cut and cut clean.” (Inquirer. net) * * * public.lives@gmail.com

ECO

DOTr assures PH aviation’s sustained compliance with int’l standards

MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured the country’s continued compliance with international aviation standards towards better travel experience and cost-effective cargo transport.

During the opening of the Philippine pavilion at the Singapore Airshow on Tuesday, February 20, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said international aviation standards ensure efficient operations and highlight the demand for more aviation training in the country.

“I therefore invite aviation schools as well as air cargo integrators to consider locating in our strategically located and fully supported air hubs to take advantage of our economy’s sharp growth trajectory,” Bautista said.

He showcased the recent recognition of the training center of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) as an “Asian center of excellence” by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Bautista said improved training is necessary

due to developments in the country’s aviation industry, such as the successful bidding for the modernization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the successful operations of Clark International Airport (CRK) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport by private operators.

In particular, he said the operations of the CRK will make the Clark Special Economic Zone a “mega-logistics hub with its infrastructure flagship programs, transforming it as a leading regional aerotropolis within the next five years.”

In addition to these large airports, the DOTr continues to improve regional airports throughout the country.

The Singapore Airshow, held at the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore, is a gathering of high-level government and military delegations as well as corporate leaders around the world.

It showcases leading aerospace companies as well as new budding players in the field of international aerospace and defense markets. (PNA)

59% of Filipinos back PH rejoining ICC

the "most in favor" (65 percent) of the Philippines returning to the ICC, followed by Mindanao, 51 percent. Conversely, 49 percent of Mindanao respondents said they were not in favor of the Philippines returning to the ICC, followed by 35 percent in Balance Luzon. Socioeconomic class ABC

support for the Philippines' return to ICC was at 67 percent, while support from those belonging to Class D was at 42 percent.

Divided by region, Northern Mindanao respondents had the highest support at 92 percent, while the Davao Region had the lowest at 10 percent.

On the question of whether the government should cooperate with the ICC in the investigation

of the drug war, 55 percent said they were in favor, while 45 percent said they did not want the government to cooperate.

Balance Luzon respondents had the highest support for cooperation at 65 percent, while Mindanao had the lowest at 42 percent.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. g

Advertisement for Bids Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for: CC24-0842-50-00-00 SINGLE POINT OF ENTRY AT 10 SITES

A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024, outside the main office of Gage Elementary School, 6811 Bisby Lake, San Diego, CA 92119. Upon completion of the first site, contractors shall proceed to the following sites in the order listed: Patrick Henry High School, 6702 Wandermere Drive, San Diego, CA 92120, Millennial Tech Middle School, 1110 Carolina Lane, San Diego, CA 92102, and Normal Heights Elementary School, 3750 Ward Road, San Diego, CA 92116. Prime contractors must be present at all 4 sites in order to bid on this project. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on MARCH 22, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl. com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CC24-0842-50-00-00 Single Point of Entry at 10 Sites. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $1 million and $1.1 million, inclusive of allowances. This is a PSA project and requires prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CC240842-50-00-00.

Advertisement for Bids

SD#0305

Notice is hereby given that the San Diego Unified School District, acting by and through its governing board, will electronically receive bids for the furnishing of all labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and services for:

CC24-0941-23-00-00 Security Fencing and Single Point of Entry at Ballard Center and Cabrillo Elementary School

A mandatory site visit is scheduled at 1:00 PM for Cabrillo Elementary School outside the main office of 3120 Talbot Street, San Diego, CA 92106 and 2:00 PM for Ballard Ctr 2375 Congress Street, San Diego, Ca 92110 on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans.com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on MARCH 14, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl.com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number CC24-0941-23-00-00 Security Fencing and Single Point of Entry at Ballard Center and Cabrillo Elementary School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $500,000 to $545,000. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: B, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction

CC24-0941-23-00-00

More investments, upskilled Filipinos seen with economic reforms

MANILA – The amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution are vital in attracting more foreign investments and upskilling Filipino workforce, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday, February 20.

“We just want to get those amendments incorporated into the Constitution to improve the chances of investment and upskilling of our people,” Marcos said in a media interview on the sidelines of an event at the Metropolitan Theater in the City of Manila.

Marcos said consultations on proposed Charter reforms have already been done “months ago,” adding that the Senate is now taking the lead in introducing amendments to the Constitution.

Aware of persistent calls for him to interfere to resolve the Senate and the House of Representatives’ differing views on Charter change, Marcos said he has been doing it “quietly” and “without any fuss.”

“Between the two houses, they

will come to an agreement then that will be the way we’ll do it,” he said. “It’s really a storm in a tea cup because this has been decided very long ago from both the leaders of both houses… You know, what for me is more important than to make these proclamations, pronouncements, what’s more important is to get it done,” Marcos added.

Last month, Marcos said he is in constant communication with lawmakers and legal luminaries to get their insights on the proposed reforms to the Constitution.

House leaders on Monday filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7, seeking amendments to certain provisions of the Constitution. RBH7 is similar to Senate’s RBH6, particularly Articles XII (National Economy and Patrimony), XIV (Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports), and XVI (General Provisions).

The proposed changes under

RBH7 aim to address restrictions on foreign ownership of public utilities, educational institutions, and advertising industries. Legislated wage hike viable At the House of Representatives, PBA partylist Rep. Margarita Nograles said a legislated wage increase will be viable if constitutional amendments are introduced to attract more foreign investments. She said the financial burden for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) associated with the proposed PHP100 wage hike can be countered by amending the economic provisions of the Constitution to allow more foreign capital. "Sana nga po magkasundo na po ang Senate at tsaka Congress at magawa po natin ang trabaho natin with regard to the economic provisions… (Hopefully, the Senate and House would agree and work together with regard to [amending] the economic provision),” she said in a press conference on Tuesday. (PNA)

Meet the young basketball athlete...

PAGE 4

something she had imagined.

“Not a lot of people from a small town in Rockford get this opportunity. It’s nice I can combine both basketball and my family together,” added Petalber.

Joining forces with the Fil-Nation Select team for the Manila Live tournament in mid-March, she will make a statement as the team gears up for the competition featuring 32 teams worldwide. How this Fil-Am basketball player started as a sharpshooter

In 2022, Petalber was already redefining her playbook in the basketball scene averaging 12.3 points per game combined with her killer moves and as Boylan’s 3-point shooter. She’s also got her defenses all up when she’s on the court. “When the ball is in my hands, the pressure is always on the defense,” shared Petalber.

From being a competitive gymnast to a basketball sensation, her journey is nothing short of phenomenal. She was first spotted at an AAU tournament in Chicago then a coach eventually

invited her to a global summit in Texas before playing in Mexico for Fil-Am Select. But for every good plot, there’s a plot twist (and sometimes setbacks) — she broke her ankle from playing kickball before the playoffs in Mexico. “I was completely heartbroken,” confessed Petalber.

But with her resilience, owing to her Filipino roots, she came back undeterred — and thanks to her Filipino parents who are both physical therapists. She healed in no time and returned to court.

Now, prepping to visit the Phil-

ippines for the first time in four years, it will be more than just a game to her — a homecoming with a chance to reconnect to her heritage and show her basketball prowess.

Looking forward to representing not just her roots but also Boylan and the Midwest, she mused, “It will be nice to go back there, see my parents’ home, relax, and play basketball.”

As this Fil-Am basketball player suits up for the international stage, the world better be ready for another basketball prodigy. g

SD#0304

Alayna Petalber

Photo from Instagram/@alayna.petalber

SAGO located at 485 S. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024.

Registrant: O’Frank, LLC,

personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

Date: 03/27/2024

Time: 1:30 P.M. Dept.: 502 Address of court: 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Branch Name: Central, Probate If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

ESTATE of: KENNETH D. HUDSoN STEvEN R. BURlINgHAM 88544 gARY, TIll, BURlINgAHAM, & lYNCH 1380 lEAD HIll BlvD SUITE 200 RoSEvIllE, CA 95661 PUBlICATIoN DATES: 02/16, 02/23, AND 03/01/2024 AJ 1350 AJSD 1350

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9001913

New Bay Terrace Board & Care located at 6191 Parkside Ave, San Diego, CA 92139.

Registrant: Honesto Aguinaldo, 6191 Parkside Ave, San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/24/2012.

Signature: Honesto

Aguinaldo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/25/2024. AJ 1335 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9000459 Bamboo Spa & Massage at 5276 Baltimore Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942.

Registrant: Wangcassidy INC, 18289 Bunny Dr, Jamul, CA 91935.

This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Xue Wang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/08/2024. AJ 1339 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23/2024. AJSD 1339

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9002679

Modestly Her located at 4611 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Khadija Qumane, 4611 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/30/2023.

Signature: Khadija Qumane. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/05/2024.

AJ 1344 02/09, 02/16, 02/23, and 03/01/2024.

OF

VIP Massage located at 9923 Campo Rd. Ste A, Spring Valley, CA 91977. THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME REFERRED TO ABOVE WAS FILED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ON: 08/18/2021, and assigned File no. 2021-9018238 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Dirk Langer, 9923 Campo Rd. Ste A, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This Business is Conducted by: An Individual Signature: Dirk Langer. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/23/2024. AJ 1336 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

NO. 2024-9002319

My Way Trucking at 42502 Royal Saint James Dr, El Cajon, CA 92019.

Registrant: Sameer S. Rizko, 42502 Royal Saint James Dr, El Cajon, CA 92019.

This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/01/2017.

Signature: Sameer S. Rizko.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/31/2024. AJ 1340 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23/2024. AJSD 1340

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9002117

Baddie Tooth Gems located at 2667 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Mina Adelaida Mendoza, 1160 Hollister St. Apt 6, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2023.

Signature: Mina Mendoza. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/29/2024.

AJ 1345 02/09, 02/16, 02/23, and 03/01/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9001660

VIP Massage located at 9923 Campo Rd. Ste A, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

Registrant: Danny To, 9923 Campo Rd. Ste A, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/23/2024.

Signature: Danny To. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/23/2024.

AJ 1337 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9001821

E3J Construction And Electric located at 1543 Max Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: E3J Group INC, 1454 Melrose Ave Ste 1-252, Chula Vista, CA 91911. This business is conducted by A Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Joy Pizarro Estrelon. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/24/2024. AJ 1342 02/09, 02/16, 02/23, and 03/01/2024. AJSD 1342

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9002905

Thanh Tinh Chay Restaurant located at 4591 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115.

Registrant: Helen Green Inc, 4591 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. This business is conducted by An Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/06/2024. Signature: Thanh Nong. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/29/2024.

AJ 1346 02/09, 02/16, 02/23, and 03/01/2024

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9002121

Global Visioneers at 406 Milagrosa Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Sanja Yizhen Jing, 406 Milagrosa Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by An Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/29/2024.

Signature: Sanja Yizhen Jing. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/29/2024.

AJ 1338 02/02, 02/09, 02/16, and 02/23/2024.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9002673

Dent Fix located at 4252 40th Streets, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Ismael Venegas Paco, 1451 S 45th Apt 203, San Diego, CA 92113.

This business is conducted by An Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/05/2016.

Signature: Ismael Venegas Paco. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/05/2024.

AJ 1343 02/09, 02/16, 02/23, and 03/01/2024. AJSD 1343

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2024-9002352

Tiny Homes For Me located at 5021 Capehart St, San Diego, CA 92117.

Registrant: JETGO LLC, 5021 Capehart St, San Diego, CA 92117. This business is conducted by A Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2024.

Signature: Jetarut Bunditwong. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/31/2024.

AJ 1347 02/09, 02/16, 02/23, and 03/01/2024.

DUNE’S BEAST RETURNS

Dave Bautista: Unleashing beast mode on and o the screen

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

DAVE Bautista, a towering presence both on-screen and in real life, has carved his path in Hollywood with an unapologetic embrace of his Filipino-Greek heritage.

The wrestler-turned-actor is set to reprise his role as Glossu “Beast” Rabban Harkonnen in “Dune: Part Two,” joining returning stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, and Javier Bardem with new additions to the cast that include Florence Pugh and Austin Butler. The highly anticipated film is scheduled to hit theaters on March 1, 2024. In an interview with the Asian Journal, Bautista reflects on his journey, diversity in the industry, and the joy of playing the bad guy.

Inspiring diversity and inclusion Bautista, considered a role model for aspiring actors with diverse backgrounds, emphasizes the importance of inclusion and diversity.

“Diverse is my love language,” he told us, reflecting on his own struggles to find role models growing up. His journey, shaped by being a person of mixed race raised by a lesbian single mother, fuels his commitment to breaking barriers in the entertainment industry.

“I know a lot of my life I never really knew where I fit in. It was hard for me to feel like I fit in because I didn’t have those role models,” he shares.

Bautista believes that focusing on inclusion and representation is not just a social responsibility

but a personal one, resonating with his own experiences.

In an interview with GQ

Bautista, whose mom is Greek and dad is Filipino, shared his pride in three tattoos. One on his upper left arm are the flags of the Philippines and Greece placed side-by-side. On his left elbow, he has three yellow stars and the sun from the Philippine flag. The black-colored Philippine sun surrounds an Eye of Providence on his chest.

From hero to villain: Embracing the dark side Having portrayed both heroes and villains, Bautista finds playing the antagonist more fun and challenging as a performer. He draws parallels between his wrestling career, where he embraced the role of the “bad guy” to enhance the hero’s narrative, and his love for portraying villains on the big screen.

“I think, you know, the root of me. I’m a good person, I’m a nice person. I’m a kind person, and I take pride in that. But it’s fun playing the bad guy,” he shares. Bautista’s journey in Hollywood showcases his versatility and willingness to explore different facets of his craft.

Dune: A Timeless Tale with Timely Themes

Discussing his role in “Dune Part Two,” Bautista emphasizes writer and director Denis Villeneuve’s dedication to staying true to Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel and the fan base. He encourages audiences to appreciate the storytelling and visual representation while acknowledging that political

interpretations are inevitable.

“People shouldn’t lose sight of the entertainment value of this and look at this as just beautiful storytelling,” he urges. Bautista credits Villeneuve’s commitment to the source material, creating a cinematic experience that aligns with the novel’s essence.

“Dave is excellent. We spend more time with Beast Rabban—let’s just say, he does not have a good time in ‘Part Two!’” Villeneuve said. “He’s humiliated, he’s struggling with the Fremen, and we see this is a character who is reaching his limit, panicking and losing control of Arrakis.”

Collaborating with Austin Butler and Filipino Martial Arts

Austin Butler, a new addition to the cast said, “I had a blast playing villainous characters with Stellan Skarsgård and Dave Bautista, they are both such sweet and funny guys and they welcomed me with open arms.”

Bautista on the other hand describes the experience of working with Butler as a blessing. He praises the younger actor’s talent and genuine nature, emphasizing the importance of feeling at ease with co-stars.

Viewers will experience an adrenaline-fueled cinematic showdown as Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides confronts Butler’s treacherous and bloodthirsty Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in an epic duel, a highlight that’s more than worth the price of admission. The intensity builds the moment the actors utter the words, “May thy knife chip and shatter.” This nailbiting scene isn’t just a spectacle; it’s a heart-pounding experience that elevates the entire movie as the choreography unfolds like a mesmerizing dance, capturing the intricacy and intensity that makes this duel truly unforgettable.

“It was really about trying to find Feyd’s fighting style, and if Paul has training in the Atreides and Fremen way of fighting, how does Feyd’s differ? And I trained vocally as well. And once I saw myself in the mirror and I didn’t have any hair, and I had the black teeth... You start to see the transformation, and that just becomes a blast, because

Pepe Herrera has a real-life ‘Sassy Girl’

by CHARMIE JOY PAGULONGO Philstar.com

always eager to come home after taping days to spend more time with his wife, Sarah Mallari, and their kids — threeyear-old daughter Payapa and newly-born son Pepito.

“(I’m) always looking forward every day, every night, always looking forward to going home to my wife and my two kids. My love language is the sense of smell. Feeling ko nga aso ako before. Every time I kiss my wife and my children, may kasamang singhot. It’s home, it’s warm,” the actor-comedian told select press during a Star Magic presscon.

Besides making people laugh on stage and on screen, the Tolits of “Rak of Aegis” is also a funny guy at home.

On how he is being a dad, he is a little bit of everything — serious type, joker and disciplinarian. “But mas ako yung good gab. My wife is more disciplinarian. Although when I see that, for example, it’s normal for kids na nakakasakit na, dun na ako pumapasok to remind Pay.

“The kindest way possible na hindi naman yung finding the

balance na you are not enabling the destructive habits but at the same time, my main goal is to teach her na hindi maka-develop ng shame. As much as possible, we don’t want to restrict her.”

The star of the Philippine adaptation of South Korea’s hit film “My Sassy Girl,” opposite Toni Gonzaga, shared that his daughter is his “my real-life sassy girl.”

“She’s very loving but cariño brutal sometimes, just like her mom. They both like offensive humor,” he told The STAR. “We have this game na papaluin niya ako, then she would tell me, ‘I want aray, aray si daddy.’ She really likes it. ‘Pag napapalakas na masakit na talaga.”

If his children will show interest in showbiz just like him in the future, Pepe said he will support their chosen career paths. “Of course, (but) we will still establish boundaries… But if they want to perform in theater, TV or films, I will not stop them, definitely.

“As early as now, nakikitaan ko na si Pay eh. She likes to perform. There are a lot of videos of her singing, doing interpretative dance, in front of the mirror also, she’s happy making different facial expressions. Actually,

then you can lose yourself in it,” Butler said.

“I knew the fight scenes were going to be really taxing, and I wanted them to feel powerful, so we trained a lot. We did a lot of Kali, which is Filipino stick fighting, and a lot of knife work,” he added.

Reflecting on Butler’s training in Kali, Bautista expressed his love for it, highlighting its presence in Hollywood for decades.

“I love it. Now people are actually recognizing it for what it is,” Bautista noted, emphasizing that Filipino Martial Arts have been contributing to cinematic fight scenes for years. His personal favorite is Kali, appreciating its versatility with empty hand or knife techniques.

Notes from Denis: A validation of trust

Receiving notes from his director is a source of immense joy and genuine excitement, making Bautista feel validated in his career choices. This validation is particularly significant, considering the challenges he faced in earning the trust and belief of others in the industry.

Reflecting on their collaborative journey, he acknowledges the initial challenge of earning Denis’s approval for a character in their first film together. Despite Denis not seeing him for the role initially, Bautista persevered, earning the trust and subsequently gaining robust support from the acclaimed director.

“To feel like I’m collaborating with him, we’re investing, we’re talking about a character, it just feels like… I feel validated,” Bautista shared.

As Dave Bautista steps back into the shadowy realms of villains in “Dune Part Two,” he carries with him more than just the weight of Beast’s ferocity.

He’s a beacon for aspiring actors, an advocate for diversity, and a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. With his unapologetic approach to life

and craft, he continues to leave an indelible mark on Hollywood embracing challenges and bringing authenticity to every role he undertakes.

people say that she is like my junior, so hindi malayo (it’s not far-fetched).”

As a husband, Pepe is still on “a learning process” of being one. He considered his other half his “greatest teacher.”

“I can confidently say that I am a better person and becoming a ‘betterer’ person because of her,” he stated. “Marami na siyang nabasag na mga childish behavior ko. Until now, I still learn from her. And every day I am trying to be a better husband, better listener, to be present every time I’m with her.

“My wife is very grounded. I love trying new things and my wife also likes comedy. She likes to laugh. But she is more serious than me. It’s a very grounding experience when we are together.”

Following “My Sassy Girl,” “I Am Not Big Bird,” and “Rewind” (where he won Best Supporting Actor award at the 2024 Manila International Film Festival held in Los Angeles for portraying Lods), Pepe will appear in the Philippine version of South Korea’s “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” series and Ang Parokya ni Edgar’s musical “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.”

Given his successful projects and accolades, does he consider this time as the peak of his career? “No,” remarked Pepe. “We are just starting. The best is yet to come. That’s why I idolized the likes of Meryl Streep because they don’t stop learning. There’s something new to learn every day even if you are 99 years old already.”

Pepe earlier revealed that he battled with depression in 2017 and took a break from showbiz shortly after. “I have that kind of insecurity (apprehensions if he still will have a showbiz career after taking a break). But when I gained clarity again after going dun sa isang holistic center, in New Life, wala ng ganung insecurity. I just want to reconnect with people. That’s what’s on my mind, I miss people, my friends and my colleagues.”

Dave Bautista

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Seniors face challenges at Pueblo, Del Monte

CAGAYAN

but senior participants will find reaching the greens challenging.

“You better use one club stronger in every approach,” said Dan Salvador III of Tagaytay Midlands who sampled the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Monday, February 19. “The winds are heavy.”

Dry conditions make the fairways firm but Pueblo’s greens are unpredictable. Some are receptive and others are not.

Players, however, praise the pristine conditions of the greens at Pueblo and at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Groundskeepers at Pueblo did a good job rehabilitating the greens which a few months ago had brown patches.

While the bombers off the tee will have wider fairways to deal with at Pueblo, it is the opposite at the tree-lined old course known for being home to two of the country’s greatest golfers – Frankie Minoza and the late Celestino Tugot.

Dan Cruz said Del Monte favors players who hit their drivers straight.

“I spent a lot of times, punching shots under the trees,” he said during his practice round on Tues-

February 20.

day, February 20. Julius Bautista, one of Del Monte’s top amateurs who will see action next week, said the greens are hard, advising players to hit it short and let the ball roll into the green. “Puwede tirahin ang green kung ang pin nasa likod,” Bautista said. The city rolled out the red carpet for the event’s diamond anniversary as it hosted a welcome dinner at the Mallberry Hotel on Monday. Participants were treated to an evening of cultural dances highlighted by the performance of the city’s young dancesport athletes. The seniors’ competition was scheduled to kick off on Thursday,

February 22 with Luisita defending its title against the souped-up teams of Canlubang and Manila Southwoods, and the dangerous Del Monte squad.

The 75th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by diamond sponsors Mastercard and Asian Journal.

Platinum sponsors include Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Araw Hospitality while gold sponsors are Tanduay and Asia Brewery.

Joining the event as silver sponsors are ABS-CBN Global, Radio Mindanao Network and Philippine National Bank.

VISA is a minor sponsor while Must Glow is joining as a donor.

Manila mini-reunion of the Folientes

AS a pre-taste of a planned grand reunion in early 2025 of the Foliente clan from the island of Polillo in the province of Quezon, family members from the Los Angeles area, San Francisco Bay Area and Melbourne in Australia had a mini-reunion in Manila Bay together with their relatives in the Philippines on January 14, 2024.

The progenitor of the Folientes of Polillo was Sabas Foliente, a businessman and trader originally from the Bicol region who married Felixberta Pinta Pumarada in the latter part of the 1800s. Felixberta was one of eight children from the Pumarada clan, a long-established family (and perhaps could be considered “local”) in Polillo with some also established across the Polillo Straight in Infanta, Quezon. Sabas Foliente was a former “gobernadorcillo” of the Polillo municipality during the latter phase of the Spanish rule (the title and scope of responsibilities and authority of the gobernadorcillo have similarity to the role of mayor today**).

**From Wikipedia https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gobernadorcillo

The gobernadorcillo (literally “little governor”) was a municipal judge or governor in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined charges or responsibilities of

leadership, economic, and judicial administration. The gobernadorcillo was the leader of a town or pueblo (people or population). In a coastal town,

the gobernadorcillo functioned as a port captain. They were appointed through an exclusive nomination provided by the Spanish law. Their term of office lasted for two years.

The position of a gobernadorcillo was honorary and mandatory in order to afford him those valid exemptions signified in the Philippine law. At the end of his biennial term he would enter and form part of the principalía, and was entitled to enjoy the honors and preeminence inherent to this state. This “mayor”, who was at the same time “justice of the peace” and port captain, was directly responsible to the governor of the province in the exercise of his office.

In 1893, the Maura Law was passed with the aim of making the municipal governments in the Philippine Islands more effective and autonomous. One of the changes that this law brought about was the reorganization of certain structures of town governments, among which was the designation of town head’s title, that is, gobernadorcillo, also as capitan municipal, effective 1895.

Minding Your Finances

THE IRS is the worst creditor you can possibly have. It’s always bad news when you find out that you owe taxes, and it’s even worse when you don’t have the money to pay.

Some people erroneously believe that if they can’t pay what they expect to owe when they file their return, that they can just file for an extension and get more time. Wrong. While an extension does provide you some additional time to file your return, it doesn’t extend the deadline to pay what you owe. Let me explain.

First, if you don’t file your tax returns on time, you get hit with failure-to-file penalties. The penalty is 0.5% for each month that the tax is not fully paid. Second, the longer your taxes remain unpaid, interest on the amount will also continue to pile up. Currently, that interest is about 7% per year. So, the sooner that you pay, the less money that you need to fork out to pay your tax bill. Unfortunately, depending on how much you owe, you may require a long repayment plan that lasts for several years. That means a lot of your payments will go to penalties and interest, making it difficult for you to end your IRS nightmare sooner that you’d like.

The IRS offers several payment

If you just found out that you owe the IRS and can’t pay

options. Usually, the IRS will ask you if you can pay within 120 days. If you cannot pay within that period, you can request an installment agreement. Your monthly payment will depend on your income and expenses, and you may need to submit a collection financial statement unless the amount owed is less than $10,000. Once your request is approved, you can always pay it off sooner. But going forward, you need to remain compliant as long as the agreement is in effect. That means you need to file your tax returns in a timely manner and that you can’t have another tax bill going forward that you can’t pay. Otherwise, the IRS will cancel your original agreement and you will need to re-negotiate a new installment agreement.

If you qualify for tax debt forgiveness, you can reduce your tax debt significantly. This is called an “Offer in Compromise” where the IRS, believing that you will never be able to pay the entire amount based on your income and assets, agrees to take what you can afford and cancels the rest of your tax liability. Before applying, the IRS requires that you have filed all your tax returns and so if you have any years where you did not file a return, you need to file those first before the IRS will even talk to you.

Some people will sell assets, borrow money, dip into their

retirement plans, etc. just to get their taxes paid off quickly because they don’t want to deal with tax liens, bank levies, or wage garnishments by the IRS. While it is a good idea to get the IRS out of your life as soon as you can, some of these options are not necessarily the best. For example, if you tap into your retirement plans to pay the IRS, you may incur tax penalties for early withdrawal on top of the taxes that will be due next year on the amount you are withdrawing (i.e., pre-tax money). In other words, you are simply robbing Peter to pay Paul by exchanging one tax bill for another.

If you owe the IRS, the State, EDD or State Board of Equalization, my office can help you find the best solution to resolve your tax liability. You will never have to speak with the IRS again. I will review your case and help you make the best decision for yourself and your family.

* * * 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.

* * * None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.  Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE  1-866-471-8272. (Advertising Supplement)

Health@Heart OSA & elixir of life

PhiliP S. ChuA md, FACS, FPCS

MY wife, Farida, and I have just been on a river cruise on the Vikings to historic Rouen, Omaha Beach, Normandy, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Paris, where the Faculty of Medicine at the University in Paris-Cite conducted valuable research on the effects on the brain of snoring with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) (prolonged breath-holding while asleep), with the following findings:

• “Those who snore can be aging their brains by years and hurting their brain health by depriving themselves of oxygen and getting deep sleep. Loud snoring and obstructed breathing, often caused by sleep apnea, can lead to higher chances of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or overall cognitive decline:

• Deep sleep is one of the best indicators of sleep quality and the study found that for every 10% decrease in deep sleep, the white matter hyperintensities increased, equivalent to the brain aging 2.3 years.

• The same 10% reduction of deep sleep was also associated with reducing the integrity of axons, and that decrease was similar to the effect of the brain appearing 3 years older.”

These findings were published in Neurology on May 10, 2023.

CPAP versus Inspire

The gold standard in the management of Obstructive Sleep

Apnea is called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, using a CPAP machine to force air into the airway (inflating the throat area) to keep it open (unobstructed by a flimsy soft palate, uvula, and the tongue), allowing the person to breathe normally, getting enough oxygen into their lungs. The dangerous breath-holding could occur dozens, or even more than a hundred, each night. CPAP induces good restful sleep, reduces tiredness, accidents due to sleepiness, and lowers the risk for heart attack, stroke, dementia from insufficient oxygenation.

The principle of CPAP was introduced in 1912, using positive pressure during lung surgery. It only became popular in 1965, since Obstructive Sleep Apnea was first recognized as a disease entity. There are about 936 million adults in the world with OSA. It is now used by at least 33 million people in the USA, including President Biden, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Shaquille O’Neal, William Shatner, Toni Robins, Randy Jackson, Regis Philbin, etc.

In 2014, The U.S.-FDA approved a surgically implanted device called Inspire. It works by electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve (tongue) to keep it from falling back and blocking the airway, which is also accomplished by CPAP with inflation using positive pressure air, without surgery.

Inspire is used only as an option for those who cannot tolerate CPAP because of the original full facemask used, but today there are comfortable nasal pillows and

nasal masks that do not cover the whole face. CPAP is more consistent in its performance, compared to Inspire’s 70-80 percent success rate.

Beware of media Ads conveying half-truths. Always do due diligence. Dr. Google is on duty 24/7.

MedWalk and brain health

A healthy diet, in this case, the Mediterranean Diet, and active lifestyle, like walking daily, lowers the risk of dementia (7th leading cause of death) and cognitive impairment.

A combined study, called “MedWalk,” that was just completed in 2023, revealed following a MedWalk program diligently could reduce Alzheimer’s dementia and decline in cognition.

These findings are so far as important to the whole world, where there are 55 million cases of Alzheimer’s, about 10 million a year, or one case every 3.2 seconds. The prevalence: Finland has the highest (54.56 cases per 100,000 population), United Kingdom (42.70), the U.S. (33.26, currently 6.7 million cases), and the Philippines (10.6 per 100,000, currently about 1 million cases).

The M-Diet

The diet based on the historic eating habits of people who live around the Mediterranean Sea, which the American Heart Association recommends for cardiovascular health, features the following: High intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and legumes, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry, non-tropical vegetable u PAGE 11

• If you had damage from the Jan. 22 severe storm and flooding

• Your area/county.

The FEMA online application will have three

sections:

• You will confirm what damages or expenses you had from the flooding and what assistance you need.

• You will be taken to login.gov where you can create a new account or sign into an existing account.

• You will be returned to disasterassisstance.gov to complete your application and send it to FEMA. (Milo Loftin/County of San Diego Communications Office)

of Polillo, Quezon

Mini-reunion in Manila Bay of the Foliente family members from the Los Angeles area, San Francisco Bay Area, Melbourne (Australia) and various parts of Metro Manila in early 2024.

Collage of the Foliente Family mini-reunion in Manila Bay in January 2024.

Tomoko Foliente (Melbourne, Australia; originally from Japan) with niece Hannah Foliente (Manila).

First cousins who used to be playmates as kids were reunited in Manila: Engie del Rama (LA), Greg Foliente (Melbourne) and Majela Foliente Lai (SF Bay Area).

PAL INTERCLUB CEREMONIAL TEE-OFF. Howard Lance Uyking, Philippine Airlines assistant vice president for brand management, hits the ceremonial ball ushering in the PAL Seniors Interclub golf team championships in Cagayan de Oro City. Others in photo are (from left) PAL vice president for sales Salvador Britanico, Pueblo de Oro general manager Kits Penga, Del Monte golf chairman Robert Wapano, Cagayan de Oro councilor

Goking, Limketkai Luxe Hotel GM Jerome dela Fuente, PAL Express president Rabi Ang, PAL tournament executive committee member

for

Christoph Gaertner, and PAL vice president for security Teddy Quinzon.

UP atmospheric physicist takes to the skies with NASA: Monitoring air quality on NASA817

to observe the atmosphere and detect various pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, carbon dioxide, and methane, which are not usually locally measured above the ground.

specifically the NASA DC-8 plane — is an airborne science laboratory based in NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California. It is flown to other parts of the world to gather data to support the research and experiments undertaken by the global scientific community.

The objective of this particular series of flights with the Filipino team, consisting of DENR-EMB, the Manila Observatory, and Dr. Bagtasa, was to assess the air quality of multiple Asian cities by utilizing satellite remote sensors and air quality models. With the equipment of the modified Douglas DC-8 jetliner, they were able

“The purpose is to improve our understanding of the dynamics of air pollution in the region,” Dr. Bagtasa said. With the Filipino team, they were able to help plan the flights by providing air quality and weather forecasts. They also provided insights into local weather patterns, drawing from Dr. Bagtasa and the Manila Observatory’s recent publications and expertise in contextualizing the data being collected.

The experience NASA817 flew four times to the Philippines on February 6, 7, 11, and 13, and for each flight, there were a few available seats for observers. Dr. Bagtasa and scientists of the Manila Observatory and DENR joined different flights, and of the 8-hour experience, the plane would constantly change

altitudes from 1000 ft to 10,000 ft, then back again, to gather more data at different levels of elevation throughout the region.

“In almost any airplane ride, we encounter some brief bumpy to very bumpy, turbulent moments, right? Imagine that happening for 8 hours — the flight was brutal. I guess mainly due to the low-altitude nature of the flight,” Dr. Bagtasa commented. “And to make it more exciting, I experienced the hardest of hard turns and rolls in an airplane during the flight.”

With humor, he also went on to say, “Most of the researchers on the plane wear some transdermal patch behind the ear for motion sickness. I didn't, and I was in the backmost seat. After around 5 to 6 hours into the flight, considering that I've been on probably >100 flights in my lifetime, it was my first time to throw up in a plane ride.”

Despite the bumpy ride, the

flights are crucial to the campaign, ASIA-AQ. NASA’s project presents an avenue for international cooperation, partnering with local scientists, researchers, and experts to implement a unified strategy across various Asian nations in addressing not only regional air quality concerns but also gaining a broader understanding of the interpretation of satellite data and air quality modeling.

Dr. Bagtasa and the Manila Observatory partnered with the DENR to join the flights to provide their local knowledge on the air pollution of the country. While the data gathered on these trips are still being processed and have yet to be published, NASA817 will now move on to South Korea, taking measurements in Taiwan on the way. After Seoul, it will then fly to Malaysia and Thailand. After the ASIA-AQ campaign, the NASA DC8 will be retired. (Maria Alexandra Marmol)

Government impersonators mail fake notices to business owners

YOU’VE heard about scammers who pose as government workers, calling to demand your money or information. But imposters are running scams by mail too. They’re sending fake forms and letters from madeup agencies to small business owners and demanding payment ASAP. Here’s what to know and do if you get a letter like this.

The fake government letters have agency names that include words like “United States,” “business regulation,” and “trademark” to make them seem legitimate. The letters lie to you, saying it’s time to register or renew a business license or trademark, sending you to a website that

asks for your license, Social Security, EIN, and credit card numbers. Usually, the letters warn about fines if you don’t respond fast.

If you get a letter that looks like it’s from the government and demands money or information, stop. It could be a scam. Before you do anything:

• Find out if the agency is real before you respond. Go to USA.gov to verify the names and contact information of federal, state, and local, government agencies. Don’t use any websites or phone numbers listed in the letter.

• Know that the government will never ask you to wire money with services like Western

Union or MoneyGram, or pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a payment app. Only scammers will, because it’s hard to track that money, and hard to get it back.

• Check out the advice at Scams and Your Small Business in English, Spanish, and other languages.

If you spot a scam like this, tell the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud. ftc.gov. Find out what to do if you paid someone you think is a scammer, or if you gave a scammer your personal information by visiting https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/ what-do-if-you-were-scammed. (Bridget Small/Consumer Education Specialist, FTC)

OSA & elixir of...

oils, and nuts; consume limited added sugars, stay away from sugary beverages (soft drinks), high sodium, highly processed deli foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats.

The Harvard School of Public Health emphasized the importance of healthy fats, like olive oil, nuts, avocados, and oily fish (anchovies, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, stripe bass, black cod, blue-fin tuna, cobia, for brain-healthy omega-3). It advises the public to eat red meat only occasionally, and get their protein from fish, seafood (at least two times a week), and small amounts of poultry, eggs, and dairy.

The main source of liquid should be water, and, as per the traditional Mediterranean Diet, a small glass of red wine, with lunch and dinner is fine. All the above should be paired with daily physical exercises, like brisk walking as the basic, and an overall wholesome lifestyle and behavior; no smoking, no alcohol abuse, or use of illicit drugs.

The M-Diet has been associated with great benefits to cardiovascular and brain health.

The 7-country study revealed that dietary patters in the M-Diet, and in Japan in the 1960s, these diet patterns were shown to lower the rates of coronary artery disease and all-cause mortality.

A meta-analysis of several independent studies posted in March 2023, with a pooled

sample of more than 70,000 female volunteers, has found that, by adhering closely to a Mediterranean Diet, women reduced their risk of cardiovascular diseases by 24 percent and their risk of death from any cause by 23 percent. Women are more compliant with diet instructions than men, the reason the studies chose women as their subjects.

The fable that the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, who died at age 47 from an Indian poison arrow, was searching for the “elusive” Fountain of Youth for decades around the world in the mid-1500 has been debunked. Anyway, that “phantom rejuvenating spring,” the “elixir of life,” has always been here: It’s called “a healthy lifestyle.”

* * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. * * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

Dr. Gerry Bagtasa with a crew member of the NASA DC8. Photos courtesy of Dr. Gerry Bagtasa

Flight path of the 8-hour trip around Metro Manila and surrounding regions flying alternately between 1000 ft and 10,000 ft.