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FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

US embassy ‘confident’ Quiboloy will face justice for his crimes MANILA — The United States is confident that controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy will eventually face the charges filed against him in the U.S. In a statement on Wednesday, February 21 the United States Embassy in the Philippines said Quiboloy will face justice for his “heinous crimes.”

This comes after the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Founder accused the United States government of plotting to “eliminate” him with the help of the Philippine government — accusations he spouted after being summoned by the Senate and the ‘KALESA’. Newly refurbished “kalesas” or “karitelas” (horse-drawn carriages) wait for local and foreign tourists along Plaza Roma in House of Representatives.

Earlier this week, Quiboloy Kingdom of Jesus Christ church founder Apollo Quiboloy 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 Pastor Apollo Quiboloy / Facebook u PAGE 2

Biden’s trade team to visit PH

USA

by Javier Joe ismael

DATELINE What’s safer for domestic violence survivors: Home or the streets?

ManilaTimes.net

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

AT a Friday, February 16 Ethnic Media Services briefing, domestic violence prevention advocates and a formerly unhoused survivor discussed how domestic violence often leads to homelessness and shared firsthand experiences of homelessness as a result of IPV. The impact of domestic violence on homelessness Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), involves “violence, abuse or aggression committed by a former or 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 u PAGE 3

‘Epidemic of loneliness’ affects Fil-Ams 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 u PAGE 2

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson

ManilaTimes.net file photo

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. u 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 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 u PAGE 5

Marcos not changing stance on ICC by alExis roMEro Inquirer.net

MANILA — 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 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 pre-trial chamber allowed an investigation into the drug war, saying u PAGE 2

Emmanuel ‘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

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 u PAGE 2

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Marcos not changing stance...

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From the Front Page

PAGE 1 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 antidrug campaign. Officials have not confirmed the alleged visit of ICC investigators.

Pressed if he approves of the presence of the ICC

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Philstar.com file photo

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)

HATCHLINGS FREED. American tourists release to the sea 91 sea turtle hatchlings at Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, Punta Dumalag, Davao City on Monday, Feb. 19. Since the park’s launch in 2014, some 8,945 pawikan hatchlings have already been released to raise awareness on the importance of environmental conservation and preservation.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

US Embassy ‘confident’ Quiboloy...

PAGE 1

was slapped with a subpoena order by both chambers of Congress after he snubbed committee hearings related to KOJC and the television network it owns, SMNI. Quiboloy’s 37-minute audio message posted on social media on Wednesday alleged that the Philippine government, including lawmakers, are plotting to kill him and his church leaders.

Quiboloy also alleged that a “rendition” would be conducted on him.

The U.S. embassy reiterated that Quiboloy has been responsible for several rights abuses and is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list.

“For more than a decade, Apollo Quiboloy engaged in serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, and he is currently on the FBI’s Most Wanted List,” the U.S. embassy said.

“Questions about legal proceedings should be directed to the U.S. Department of Justice,”

the U.S. Embassy in Manila added.

Quiboloy, who was indicted by a California court in 2021 for allegedly conspiring to engage in sex trafficking, has an active arrest warrant in the U.S. issued on Nov. 10, 2021, according to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's website.

The U.S. Department of Treasury in 2022 blocked Quiboloy's assets over what it described as "serious human rights abuses" committed by the preacher. (Philstar.com)

Biden’s trade team to visit...

PAGE 1 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. n

Pacquiao too old for Olympics...

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PAGE 1 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/disciplines at the last two editions of the Games.

The Philippines had an average of 16 athletes in the last two Olympiads, having sent 13 to the 2016 Rio Games and 19 to the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Only four Filipinos have

qualified for the Paris Games.

World No. 2 pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena was the first qualifier, followed by gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, 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. n

‘Epidemic of loneliness’ affects...

PAGE 1 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 will also take a public health solution 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, at-

tributed 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 “connect 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 Fil-Ams 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)

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ConGen Ferrer explores opportunities for partnership with San Leandro mayor

SAN LEANDRO – In his first official visit to this East Bay city, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer met with San Leandro Mayor Juan González III at the City Hall on February 8, 2024.

During the meeting, both sides took the opportunity to discuss possible areas of cooperation between the City of San Leandro and the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. Mayor González discussed his plans for San Leandro, and ongoing initiatives that highlight the transition of the local economy from basic manufacturing to biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and food innovation.

The two officials also discussed the revitalization of the sister city cooperation between San Leandro and the Philippine city of Naga, Camarines Sur, and the path towards enhanced economic and cultural cooperation between the two cities.

Mayor González noted the significant Filipino American population in San Leandro, and the presence of several Filipino restaurants. He encouraged San Leandro Mayor Juan González shows Consul General Neil Ferrer some of the important San Francisco PCG photos the consulate’s participation developments in his city. in the annual Cherry Festival, which attracts a big crowd, including the Filipino American community in San Leandro, to promote tourism spots in the Philippines, and the services the consulate offers.

Consul General Ferrer welcomed the mayor’s invitation to the Cherry Festival and to other activities, including meeting San Leandro’s business community and visiting Gate 510, the city’s innovation and biotech hub.

Consul General Neil Ferrer (right) discusses possible areas of cooperation between the Consul General Ferrer consulate and the City of San Leandro with Mayor Juan Gonzalez III. expressed optimism about the future of Philippines-U.S. relations. “The Consulate will continue to engage and partner with forward-looking cities such as San Leandro that will further strengthen the economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties between our two countries,” the Philippine Consul General said.

Close to 11,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans call San From left: Fil-Am San Leandro Human Services Commissioner Zachary Borja, San Leandro Leandro their home, according Mayor Juan González III, Consul General Neil Ferrer, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, and Consul to the latest U.S. Census data.

(PCGSF Release) Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil.

PRICE HIKE. A sports utility vehicle refuels at a gas station along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Oil companies increased gasoline prices by P1.60 per liter, diesel by P1.10 per liter, and kerosene by P1.05 per liter.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

What’s safer for domestic violence survivors...

PAGE 1 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 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 traumainformed 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 u PAGE 5

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5

Emma Malabuyo gains Olympic Meet the young basketball athlete geared qualifying points with gymnastics silver up to play in Manila with Fil-Am team

by June naVarro

but wound up better than the 12.630 bronze routine of Spain’s Laura Casabuena.

Aside from the glittering silver medal, Malabuyo earned her first 25 Olympic qualifying points for Paris.

“If she continues getting medals in the other legs of the World Cup, Emma could gain that spot in the Olympics,’’ said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

The four-leg series is a qualifier for the Paris Summer Games in July and Malabuyo should maintain her pace in succeeding stops to be held in

Cottbus, Germany (Feb. 22-25), Baku, Azerbaijan (March 7-10) and Doha, Qatar (April 17-20).

OBSESSED with an inclusion Only the top two athletes for in the Paris Olympics, Emma each apparatus in the World Malabuyo carried herself a step Cup series will secure spots in closer to that goal at the 2024 the French capital as stipulatFIG Artistic Gymnastics World ed in the Olympic Qualification Cup Series.

World Cup Ranking.

The 21-year-old floor exerMalabuyo, a former member cise specialist from California of the United States national displayed the flair and resilteam for five years before joinience needed to impress the ing the Philippine squad last judges in bagging the silver year, also claimed a silver medmedal at the world apparatus al in the floor at the 2023 Asian meet in Cairo, Egypt.

Artistic Gymnastics ChampionMalabuyo tallied 12.670 ships in Singapore. behind gold medalist Mana She was an alternate in the Okamura of Japan (13.070) U.S. team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) standout is eager to accompany fellow gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in Paris after both qualified through the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium last year.

“We already have two (in Paris) with Carlos and Aleah. We’re hoping that Emma could join them,’’ said Carrion.

Malabuyo finished seventh in the qualification round of the floor in Cairo before vaulting herself to the podium.

Joining Malabuyo at the Cottbus phase of the series are men’s artistic gymnasts Miguel Besana (vault) and Ivan Cruz Emma Malabuyo, Japan’s Mana Okamura and Spain’s Laura Casabuena.

Photo by Coach Clifford Parks (floor exercise). n Inquirer.net

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 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 among them.

“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

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 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 facing steep rents,” Martinez redefining her playbook in the explained. “If it wasn’t for a 30% income affordable housing basketball scene averaging 12.3 voucher, I would still probably points per game combined with be on the streets, and who knows her killer moves and as Boylan’s what would have happened to 3-point shooter. me. Yet, I’m nervous every year because the rent continues to increase, but the voucher does not.”

“You flee an abusive PAGE 1 relationship because you want AW109 Helicopter, together with safety, but being unhoused the United States Indo-Pacific makes you vulnerable to Command’s USS Gabrielle Gifthousands of strangers. For a fords embarked with an MH-60S time, I’d ended up going back SeaHawk helicopter.

Two Chinese Navy vessels obbecause I’d rather be abused by one I knew,” she added. “We served the drills as was China’s need to educate people about wont since its warships and airwhat’s happening to us in the craft were also spotted on previstreets — that we’re good people ous MCAs. The second MCA of Manila too who just want a permanent home.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic and Washington was conducted last month, while the first-ever Media Services)

What’s safer for domestic violence survivors...

PAGE 3

In mid-March, she’ll be playing in the Manila Live tournament competing against 32 international teams

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Alayna Petalber

Photo from Instagram/@alayna.petalber

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 Philippines 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. n

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. n

PH, US Air Force conduct next phase...

6

Features

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FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Finally, a world-class airport?

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.

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

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.

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 Montalbo on the strength of complaints filed by government ownership. In August last year, the MIAA employees, hundreds of whom Chiong had Office of the Ombudsman fired Cesar Chiong as reassigned.

For the public, the main concern is whether the MIAA chief and assistant general manager Irene

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

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)

US-PH-Japan trilateral security cooperation essential

Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez 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

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

Public Lives Randy david 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

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

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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7

CHR to launch alert system Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps for journalists under attack

by Claire Mondares ManilaTimes.net

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.” n

PH Senate, House issue subpoenas to Quiboloy by tina SantoS Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Senate and the House of Representatives each summoned Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) sect, to appear in their respective inquiries on the allegations against him and his Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

“Yes, the subpoena against Apollo Quiboloy is out. No matter how loud the political noise is, the stronger call for justice should prevail,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said on Monday, February 19.

Hontiveros warned Quiboloy that a subpoena was “stronger than an invitation” and “he needs to follow it,” or he might risk being found in contempt of the Senate and face arrest.

Hontiveros thanked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for signing the summons against Quiboloy, who has snubbed both inquiries by the two chambers.

The House, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, released its subpoena on Monday requiring

Quiboloy’s presence at the March 12 hearing of the legislative franchises committee.

The panel is investigating SMNI’s alleged violations of the terms of its franchise, including making threats against a lawmaker and spreading disinformation.

Still in the country At a briefing after the Senate hearing, Hontiveros noted reports last week that Quiboloy had already left for China.

But Bureau of Immigration (BI) legal division chief Arvin Cesar Santos told the panel there were no records of Quiboloy leaving the Philippines since his last return on July 22, 2023.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed this: “As per record, he is in the country.”

Also on Monday, Hontiveros’ committee heard more testimonies from former KOJC members alleging physical and other forms of abuse by Quiboloy or his associates, as well as possession of weapons.

One witness, “Rene,” whose real name was not disclosed to protect his identity, said he had worked as a landscaper at Glory Mountain compound— Quiboloy’s “prayer mountain” near Mt. Apo.

He said he once saw the KOJC leader carrying with him “a big bag loaded with different kinds of guns, which he would lay on the ground inside a tent beside his mansion.”

The witness also claimed he was slapped and beaten by Quiboloy whenever he was displeased with his work. He also said he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a high-ranking KOJC official.

Grandson Testifying via live stream from a Philippine Embassy in an undisclosed country, another witness, “David,” who claimed to be a grandchild of Quiboloy, said he was detained and tortured, along with several others, after he was accused of being in a romantic relationship, which the organization prohibited.

“They put me in a cell… They put chili in our eyes… they put chili in my genitals,” an emotional David said, adding it was Quiboloy who ordered it.

In the Jan. 23 hearing, three women, including two Ukrainians, accused Quiboloy of sexually abusing them as a form of religious sacrifice.

Quiboloy has denied the claims and challenged his accusers to file criminal charges against him. n

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

Juan Ponce Enrile’s personalized stamps

Senate and became the 21st Senate president during the 15th Congress from 2008 to 2013.

He also served one term in the 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

ManilaTimes.net photo

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. n

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Friday, February 23, 2024

INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E

Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes witness Ria Atayde, Zanjoe Marudo engaged Senate pass Eddie Garcia bill, honor ‘Rewind’ by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net

by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

THE Senate passed on a third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2505 or the Eddie Garcia Bill, named after the veteran actor who passed away last 2019.

Garcia was 90 years old when he died days after he suffered an injury on a production set, leading to a call for improved safety protocols for the film, television, and radio industry.

The bill passed the Senate on a final reading last February 19 with several celebrities present to witness the passage, including Iza Calzado, Ricky Davao, Randy Santiago, Tirso Cruz III, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, celebrity couple Marian River and Dingdong Dantes, and Garcia's wife Lilibeth Romero.

Three of the bill's co-authors are actors themselves, namely, Robin Padilla, Lito Lapid, and Bong Revilla, while two are children of veteran actors — Grace Poe (daughter of Ferdinand Poe Jr.) and Jinggoy Estrada (son of Joseph "Erap" Estrada).

Among the bill's provisions are a normal eight-hour work or up to a maximum of 14 hours or a total of 60 hours in a week and specific provisions on social welfare benefits and insurance from work-related incidents or deaths.

It also guarantees opportunities for gainful employment and decent incomes and protection from abuse, harassment, hazardous conditions, and economic exploitation.

Once signed into law, the government will then establish a Movie and Television Tripartite Council composed of individuals

Celebrity couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes at the Senate.

Star Cinema photo

Photo from instagram/@dongdantes

from the government, employers, and workers in the entertainment industry.

On the same day, Padilla issued Senate Resolution No. 909, which recognized the box office success of "Rewind" starring Rivera and Dantes — the couple's first feature film in over a decade.

The film featured at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival and went on to become the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, earning P902 million at the

global box office.

"This achievement is a testament to the return of a vibrant and flourishing Philippine film industry — attributed to the hard work and commitment of artists, writers, directors and all members of the production teams," Padilla said in the resolution.

Joining Rivera and Dantes for the recognition at the Senate was director Mae Cruz Alviar and other members of the film's production team.

Pepe Herrera has a real-life ‘Sassy Girl’ 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, 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

CELEBRITY couple Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo delighted fans on Tuesday, February 20 with the announcement of their engagement.

Atayde, 31 and Marudo, 41, took to Instagram to share the good news, sharing a series of travel photos, along with a close-up shot of Atayde's hand proudly displaying a sparkling diamond ring.

"Forever sounds good [white heart emoji] [ring emoji,]" wrote Atayde in the caption.

To which Marudo sweetly replied, "And tastes even better [white heart emoji]."

The actor then also posted a photo on his Instagram story kissing the actress on the cheek while laying in bed and wrote in the caption, "Hi fiancé [waving hand emoji]" Their joint post garnered congratulatory messages from their family and friends.

"Yaaaay love you guys! [white heart emoji]," Atayde's sister-in-law Maine Mendoza commented. "[Red heart emohi] love you two!" actor- Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo announce their engagement on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Photo from Instagram/@ria Congressman Arjo Atayde also said.

"Congratulations Ri and Z!" shared Joshua Garcia. Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee, "Ayaaaaan na," wrote Angelica Panganiban. among many others.

"Ily both!!! congrats and best wishes z and riri!!!!"

Atayde and Marudo worked together in the Janine Gutierrez said. fantasy television series "My Dear Heart" in 2017 Gary Valenciano also said, "OMG!!!!! My heartfelt and have since become close friends. congratulations go out to the both of you!!!!! God Rumors of them dating began in August bless you @ria @onlyzanjoemarudo."

2022 when they were spotted at a restaurant in Also sharing their heartfelt messages were Gela New York with some friends. Atayde's mother, Atayde, Maris Racal, Lovi Poe, Elisse Joson, Toni veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez confirmed their Labrusca, Yassi Pressman, Raymond Gutierrez, relationship in October of the same year.

Manila mini-reunion of the Folientes of Polillo, Quezon 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

to laugh. But she is more serious Mini-reunion in Manila Bay of the Foliente family members from the Los Angeles area, San than me. It’s a very grounding Francisco Bay Area, Melbourne (Australia) and various parts of Metro Manila in early 2024. experience when we are togethBEING a family man, Pepe er.”

Herrera is always eager to come Following “My Sassy Girl,” home after taping days to spend “I Am Not Big Bird,” and “Remore time with his wife, Sarah wind” (where he won Best Mallari, and their kids — threeSupporting Actor award at the year-old daughter Payapa and 2024 Manila International Film newly-born son Pepito.

Festival held in Los Angeles for “(I’m) always looking forward portraying Lods), Pepe will apevery day, every night, always pear in the Philippine version of looking forward to going home South Korea’s “What’s Wrong to my wife and my two kids. My with Secretary Kim” series and love language is the sense of Ang Parokya ni Edgar’s musical smell. Feeling ko nga aso ako “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.”

First cousins who used to be playmates as kids before. Every time I kiss my wife Given his successful projects were reunited in Manila: Engie del Rama (LA), Tomoko Foliente (Melbourne, Australia; and my children, may kasamang and accolades, does he considGreg Foliente (Melbourne) and Majela Foliente originally from Japan) with niece Hannah singhot. It’s home, it’s warm,” er this time as the peak of his Foliente (Manila).

Lai (SF Bay Area). the actor-comedian told select career? “No,” remarked Pepe. leadership, economic, and the gobernadorcillo functioned press during a Star Magic press“We are just starting. The best judicial administration.

The as a port captain. They were con. is yet to come. That’s why I idolgobernadorcillo was the leader appointed through an exclusive Besides making people laugh ized the likes of Meryl Streep of a town or pueblo (people or nomination provided by the on stage and on screen, the Tobecause they don’t stop learnpopulation). In a coastal town, Spanish law. Their term of office lits of “Rak of Aegis” is also a ing. There’s something new to lasted for two years. funny guy at home. learn every day even if you are The position of a gobernadorcillo On how he is being a dad, 99 years old already.” was honorary and mandatory in he is a little bit of everything Pepe earlier revealed that he order to afford him those valid — serious type, joker and disbattled with depression in 2017 exemptions signified in the ciplinarian. “But mas ako yung and took a break from showbiz Philippine law. At the end of his good gab. My wife is more disshortly after. “I have that kind of biennial term he would enter and ciplinarian. Although when I see insecurity (apprehensions if he form part of the principalía, and that, for example, it’s normal for still will have a showbiz career was entitled to enjoy the honors kids na nakakasakit na, dun na after taking a break). But when and preeminence inherent to ako pumapasok to remind Pay. I gained clarity again after gothis state. This “mayor”, who “The kindest way possible na ing dun sa isang holistic center, was at the same time “justice hindi naman yung finding the in New Life, wala ng ganung of the peace” and port captain, balance na you are not enabling insecurity. I just want to reconwas directly responsible to the the destructive habits but at the nect with people. That’s what’s governor of the province in the same time, my main goal is to on my mind, I miss people, my exercise of his office. teach her na hindi maka-develop friends and my colleagues.”

In 1893, the Maura Law was ng shame. As much as possible, Meanwhile, Pepe had worked passed with the aim of making we don’t want to restrict her.” with Enrique Gil in the raunthe municipal governments in the The star of the Philippine adchy comedy film “I Am Not Big Philippine Islands more effective aptation of South Korea’s hit Bird.” and autonomous. One of the film “My Sassy Girl,” opposite When queried if he noticed changes that this law brought Toni Gonzaga, shared that his something about Enrique being about was the reorganization affected by the breakup rumors of certain structures of town going around with Liza Sobergovernments, among which was ano, Pepe said, “Hindi naka-afthe designation of town head’s fect because I see Enrique’s love title, that is, gobernadorcillo, also and concern for Liza. He is very as capitan municipal, effective proud of what Liza achieved 1895. especially with ‘Lisa Franken- Collage of the Foliente Family mini-reunion in Manila Bay in January 2024. stein.’

“He has nothing but good things to say about Liza. So kung anong sabihin niya sa amin, tinatanggap namin but napapansin ko hindi naman nakaka-apekto sa trabaho. Enrique is blooming based on my observation. He is doing good.”

“For me, of course,” Pepe said when asked if he believes the LizQuen — or as their reelto-real love team is called — is still together. “Whatever it is Pepe Herrera holds Star Magic presscon after starring in successive films ‘Rewind,’ ‘My Sassy that he (Enrique) tells us, we beGirl’ and ‘I Am Not Big Bird.’

Philstar.com photo lieve him.”

Some of the ladies of the Folientes of Polillo.

by Charmie Joy Pagulongo Philstar.com

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San Mateo County Clerk offers extended calendar hours for marriage services

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024

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Four dates remaining – February 24, April 2, April 4 and April 24

REDWOOD CITY – For those looking for an auspicious day to tie the knot, look no further. The Department of the Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County is ready to celebrate 2024 with a procession of new marriages. The department’s office in Redwood City, located on the first floor of the 555 County Center Building, will extend its calendar hours on February 24, and April 2, 4, and 24 to perform in-person civil ceremonies for couples wanting to marry on any of these special days; it has already done so last February 2 and February 14 (Valentine’s Day). Wedding ceremonies will be performed at the department’s Clerk-Recorder’s Office every half hour, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Although Valentine’s Day is the most popular wedding day of the year, this year there are five more days that couples may consider extra special,” according to Mark Church, San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer.

“February 2, 2024 (02022024), February 14 (Valentine’s Day), February 24, 2024 (02242024), April 2, 2024 (04022024), April 4, 2024 (04042024) and April 24 (04242024) are very special days, and we will be extending our calendar hours to accommodate the increased demand for wedding ceremonies,” stated Church.

The County Clerk’s average number of weddings is four per day, which can double on the auspicious days. These special days are expected to be fully booked for the 2024 celebration.

San Mateo County offers a 25-minute civil wedding ceremony, which provides unique amenities not typically found in a standard rented location.

For an additional fee of $50, the Clerk-Recorder’s

Office provides a webcast service so that the ceremony can be seen electronically by invited loved ones viewing from anywhere in the world. Online guests will receive an e-mail invitation with instructions for a live viewing of the ceremony. The fee for the webcast includes a USB of the wedding ceremony. A long stem red rose will also be presented to all couples who will wed on these special days.

Ceremony reservations are required in advance, including reservations for the officiant’s availability. Couples can make prior arrangements with the County Clerk for the ceremony to be performed by a person of their choice — a friend, family member, or colleague — who must be an ordained officiant or deputized by the County Clerk. The chapel is located at 555 County Center, First Floor, in Redwood City. The small room has eight (8) seats, and the occupancy limit is 25 occupants (Deputy Marriage Commissioner/Officiant of Marriage, Bride, Groom, and 22 additional guests [including the witnesses]).

Hopeful couples are reminded that a marriage license is required for a wedding to be performed.

The license application may be completed in the Clerk-Recorder’s Office (public terminals are available) or be submitted online. The couple must appear in person before the County Clerk and provide a valid government-issued ID to obtain a marriage license. The marriage license application process takes about 30 minutes and costs $79 for public or $80 for confidential, plus $17 for a certified copy.

To schedule your special wedding ceremony, please visit the County Clerk’s website at https:// apps.smcacre.org/marsched/schedule.aspx.

(San Mateo County Release) OPEN CALL FOR CURATORIAL PROPOSALS. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco would like to inform Filipino nationals, including dual citizens, of the open call for curatorial proposals for the Philippine participation in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale (“Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale” or PAVB) in 2025. The Venice Biennale is an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice, Italy, and is considered the first of its kind in the world. The PAVB is an opportunity for the Philippines to reaffirm its presence in the international contemporary art scene since the country’s first participation at the prestigious event in 1964, led by National Artists José Joya and Napoleón Abueva. Filipino citizens who are architects, curators, practicing artists from the different disciplines, urban planners, ecological activists, geographers, historians and critics of space, heritage workers, and others are encouraged to contribute to the discourses on architecture, taking into consideration pressing global challenges, embracing sustainable and resilient design principles, fostering inclusivity and social responsibility in the built environment, and pushing the boundaries of architectural creativity. Proposals should be grounded in research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Interested participants may wish to visit the PAVB website, https://philartsvenicebiennale. org. Further guidelines about the proposal submissions may be accessed via the following link: https://e.pcloud.link/publink/ show?code=XZCfWeZoBlHCEdNFFLywdELoqYXRYe52u4y&f bclid=IwAR2xJoBVWMFkm-ATtelP7lbZ1VrqQBB1xzUYZIzI18QW7jFEb7JLcCfL6c. The accomplished Curatorial Proposal Form and all other documents must be sent via email at info@philartvenicebiennale.net, with the subject heading “Curatorial Proposal Archi2025”, by April 30, 2024.

Image courtesy of San Francisco PCG

JESSICA CALOZA IS ATTY. GURFINKEL SPECIAL GUEST ON CITIZEN PINOY. Citizen Pinoy host, Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right), features as his special guest, dedicated public servant Jessica Caloza (left), who is currently running for the California State Assembly. They will discuss vital issues, including Caloza’s stand on immigration, among other things. Watch this enlightening and encouraging episode featuring proud Filipino immigrant Jessica Caloza, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday, February 25 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

California State Assembly candidate Jessica Caloza sits down for a one-on-one interview with Attorney Michael Gurfinkel on a brand-new, special episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday WOMEN’S rights advocate, daughter of working-class parents, and proud Filipino immigrant, Jessica Caloza, is running for California State Assembly, and on Sunday, February 25, she sits down for an exclusive oneon-one interview with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

Caloza served as an education policy advisor to President Barack Obama, was L.A. Public Works Commissioner, and is currently California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Deputy Chief of Staff. She will talk about her family’s immigration story and will discuss, in-depth, her stand on immigration and those issues affecting immigrants.

Jessica wants all families to have the same opportunities hers did: to work hard, get good-paying jobs, and build a better life.

According to Caloza, “It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us.”

Watch the inspiring story of Jessica Caloza on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy on Sunday at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo.

Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

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FEBRUARY 23-29, 2024 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Your San Mateo County breaks ground by Minding Finances declaring loneliness a public health crisis

Supervisor Canepa calls on state to create Minister of Loneliness position

REDWOOD CITY – In a groundbreaking move, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Vice President, David J. Canepa, spearheaded a historic resolution declaring loneliness a public health crisis. The county has become the first in the nation to take such a decisive step in recognizing the profound impact of loneliness on the well-being of its residents.

As part of this initiative, Supervisor Canepa is advocating for the establishment of a Minister of Loneliness position within the state of California, aligning with successful models implemented in the United Kingdom and Japan.

Supervisor Canepa emphasized the urgency of tackling loneliness and its potential to lead vulnerable individuals towards homelessness, citing the recent one-day homeless count in the county as evidence. He stated, “Loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection can have profound health impacts. While

there may be no cure, there are tangible ways we can make a difference by extending love, support, and genuine help to our neighbors, older adults, and families.”

Drawing attention to the alarming fact that loneliness can have health consequences equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, Canepa stressed the need for statewide action. He urged the state of California to follow the lead of the United Kingdom and Japan by establishing a Minister of Loneliness.

The recent Surgeon General Advisory issued by Dr. Vivek Murthy further underscores the severity of the loneliness crisis, emphasizing its profound impact on mental, physical, and societal health. In San Mateo County alone, 45% of residents reported experiencing difficulty with isolation and loneliness, with certain demographic groups facing heightened challenges in accessing social support networks.

Supervisor Canepa's bold res-

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Vice President David Canepa File photo/www.smcgov.org

olution sets the stage for broader discussions on the role of government in addressing social isolation, mental health, and fostering stronger community bonds.

As the nation watches, San Mateo County stands at the forefront of a transformative movement to prioritize mental health and well-being for all. (Supervisor Canepa’s Office Release)

Atty. RAymond BulAon 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

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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)

Seniors face challenges at Pueblo, Del Monte

Madame Miriam Ferrer (standing, right) welcomes Legion of San Francisco Consular Corps members.

Ferrer hosts Chinatown walking tour led by Fil-Am Julie Hudson

SAN FRANCISCO – Miriam M. Ferrer, spouse of Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, hosted a walking tour of San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown for the Legion of The San Francisco Consular Corps (LSFCC).

The tour was led by Julie Zarate Hudson, a Filipino American who is a long-time volunteer and coordinator with the San Francisco City Guides. Through Hudson’s expertise and knowledge, LSFCC members were able to explore San Francisco Chinatown’s bustling streets and appreciate its rich multicultural history and tradition.

In her welcome remarks, Madame Ferrer expressed her gratitude to members of the LSFCC for their participation and enthusiasm to learn about the importance of the shared experiences of immigrants in San Francisco including Filipinos who account for the second highest number of Asian immigrants in California.

Highlights of the tour included visits to historic landmarks, such as Portsmouth Square, and famous alleyways adorned with colorful murals such as Ross Alley, known for the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, and Wentworth Alley, nicknamed Salted Fish Alley for the salted fish sold there in the late 1800s.

Hudson highlighted the struggles of immigrant communities, primarily young Asian girls, that

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The fairways are rolling fast in both courses that will be used for the 75th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships 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-

Players have their photos taken by a caddie during a practice round for the 75th PAL Interclub golf tournament championships at the Del Monte Golf Club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on Tuesday, 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.

Fil-Am SF City tour guide Julie Hudson (4th from right) leads Chinatown Walking Tour for Legion of San Francisco Consular Corps.

were forced into white slavery in the late 1800s and the displacement of elderly Filipinos and Chinese immigrants in the 1970s from the International Hotel

building in Chinatown.

The tour finale was a lighthearted gathering for lunch, featuring the seasonal Dungeness crab at a local restaurant. (PCGSF Release)

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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 George Sio Goking, Limketkai Luxe Hotel GM Jerome dela Fuente, PAL Express president Rabi Ang, PAL tournament executive committee member May Flores, PAL VP for planning Christoph Gaertner, and PAL vice president for security Teddy Quinzon.

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