030224 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

iRehistro for overseas voting registration form now available

WASHINGTON – The iRehistro application form is now accessible for the online completion of the overseas voting registration form 1 (OVF1), the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., has announced.

The embassy reminds the public that iRehistro is not an online registration system. It is used to fill out and generate the OVF1 with a QR code. Prospective applicants will need to appear personally at the embassy to sign and submit their completed printed forms.

After entering all the needed information, the applicant must:

1. Save a copy of the system-generated PDF file containing the accomplished OVF1 on their device.

2. Prepare a printed copy, which will serve as the form that needs to be personally submitted to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., along with the other requirements, for the processing of the application as per Sec. 6 of

WHILE the world’s largest higher education system – California’s community colleges –continues to expand its curriculum, lawmakers are expanding ways for students to access it.

At a press conference at East Los Angeles College on Feb. 22, local state Assembly representative Miguel Santiago presented the latest of the “California College Promise” measures he initiated in 2017.

This one, AB2093, the “Tuition-Free Bachelor’s Degree,” would allow the state’s 116 community colleges to forgive tuition and fees for low-income, first-time, full-time California resident students all the way as they pursue a four-year degree.

Earlier iterations of Santiago’s “Promise” programs have provided this kind of support for students’ first year of community college (AB19, 2017), then their second year (AB2, 2019), and boosted student access in other ways, such as giving disabled students more time to complete their degrees via lower per-semester course load requirements to maintain eligibility.

Alberto Roman, president of the host college campus in Monterey Park (Los Angeles County), opened the presentation

 PAGE A4

Romualdez was in Manila as a guest speaker at the general membership meeting of the Consular Corps of the Philippines.

“These are things that are being used by them for economic coercion. That’s always in the table. That’s why we’re working double time in trying to look for other markets just in case,” he said in a chance interview. “We want to engage more countries to have more of our products initially. But the P1.7 trillion U.S. investment to Manila would counter any economic coercion from China.”

He said that the P1.7 trillion has been

MANILA — No one is out to assassinate Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday, February 28, as he denied the former’s claim that there is a kill plot against him.

The Senate is investigating allegations that Quiboloy and other leaders of his group sexually abused their members while the House of Representatives is conducting an investigation on the alleged violations of his television network Sonshine Media Network International.

Quiboloy is also facing criminal charges in the United States.

“No one wants to assassinate him,” Marcos said, laughing off Quiboloy’s claim that he and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos are conniving with the U.S.

“Why would he be assassinated? There’s no reason — why would anyone want him dead?” he added.

The president said Quiboloy should face congressional inquiries to refute the allegations hurled aaginst him.

“I would just advise him that if he wants to say anything, he has an opportunity in the hearings both in

MANILA — An economy stimulated by foreign investments could lead to the generation of more local jobs so that Filipinos will no longer seek work abroad, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) said during deliberations of Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 by the House of Representatives’ committee of the whole on Wednesday, February 28. “Economic liberalization will mean more foreign investments, and OFWs will come home. Foreign investors are welcome in other countries. In the Philippines, they are

not welcome,” former OFW Orion Dumdum told lawmakers.

“The lack of foreign direct investments creates joblessness and other pressing social issues. The lifting of these restrictions will bring the jobs to the Philippines,” he said, calling on congressmen to remove the protectionist policies in the 1987 Constitution.

“The effect of reducing foreign equity restrictions is the strongest, denoting its relatively greater importance as a statutory barrier for investors,” Dumdum said, quoting the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which has ranked the  PAGE A2

by ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net

MANILA

“I would like the president

to seek the advice of his legal counsel,” said Duterte in a press conference on Tuesday, February 27. “Kung ano ang sabihin ng mga abogado niya sa Malacañan, sundin niya. Ako, I can take care of my own,” he added.

(Whatever his lawyers in Malacañan advise him, he should follow it. As for me, I can handle

by JULIE M. AURELIO Inquirer.net

TODAY, that peace, that stability, and our continued success, have come under threat President Marcos told Australians that Filipinos were again “on the front line” as they were during World War II when their countries fought on the same side against a common enemy to defend regional peace and stability.

Marcos said in a speech to the Australian Parliament on Thursday, February 29 that he was thankful for Australia’s support in the Philippines’ maritime dispute in the South China Sea, clearly referring to the conflict with China without naming the Asian superpower.

“We have long known that our prosperity and

development are anchored on the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific. Today, that peace, that stability, and our continued success, have come under threat,” Marcos said.

With its nine-dash-line demarcation, China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, waters within Manila’s 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ). A July 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling nullified China’s claims and upheld Philippine sovereign rights over its EEZ, but Beijing rejected the award. Over the years, China has increased incursions into Philippine waters and imposed control over vast Filipino fishing grounds, including the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

 PAGE A2

PH Ambassador to the U.S.

Jose Manuel Romualdez Philstar.com photo

President

Envoy: US to invest P1.7

“programmed and approved.”

“This is just one of the many potential investments that will be coming our way. And the United States is very committed to this,”

Romualdez said. U.S. businessmen, he added, are diversifying and will invest in infrastructure, energy, artificial intelligence, health care, manufacturing and semiconductor.

He said that Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia are “very aggressive” in wooing U.S. investors.

“We will be left behind if we don’t move quickly,” Romualdez said. 

PH again on front line like in World...

The president said that the Philippines will continue to defend its maritime sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

‘Not one square inch’

He likened the current Philippine situation to World War II, as the country “now finds itself on the front line against actions that undermine regional peace, erode regional stability and threaten regional success.”

“I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory,” he said to loud applause. “The challenges that we face may be formidable, but equally formidable is our resolve. We will not yield.”

Australia, one of the Philippines’ Indo-Pacific defense allies, is fully aware of Chinese activities in the South China Sea.

Canberra has been among the most vocal critics of China’s sweeping claims to the strategic waterway and the actions of Chinese ships that undermined the safety of Filipino vessels in the West Philippine Sea, including those involved in the resupply of Philippine military outposts in those waters.

“We draw strength from the consistent and unequivocal support of Australia and the international community for the lawful exercise of our rights, which have been settled under international law,” Marcos said.

“On behalf of the Filipino people, I thank you, Australia, for standing with the Republic of the Philippines.”

He stressed that the security and continued prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, relied upon the establishment and protection of a rules-based international order.

“The protection of the South China Sea as a critical global artery

is crucial to the preservation of regional peace. And I dare say of global peace,” Marcos said.

He said nations must “uphold, preserve, and defend” the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) as the “constitution of the oceans.”

1 of only 2 VFAs

The president pointed to the strategic partnership of Australia and the Philippines forged last year as vital to protecting peace and stability in the region.

Australia is one of only two countries with a visiting forces agreement (VFA) with the Philippines that facilitates joint military and humanitarian aid operations. The other is the United States, the Philippines’ defense treaty ally.

The three countries conducted joint military exercises last year where Australia’s biggest warship, the HMAS Canberra, participated.

“We must protect the peace that we fought for during the war and have jealously guarded in the decades since. We must oppose actions that clearly denigrate the rule of law,” Marcos said. Peter Dutton, the leader of opposition lawmakers in Australia, praised the president’s defense of the “rules-based international order.”

“These words of yours encapsulate an imperative for all nations who cherish peace, prosperity and preservation of civilization itself,” Dutton said.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed that Unclos was “not an abstract notion or a theoretical question.”

“Freedom of navigation is fundamental to our sovereignty, our prosperity, our security and our territorial integrity,” Albanese said.

The president spoke to the Australian lawmakers before flying back to Manila from a twoday state visit highlighted by the signing of three memorandums

of understanding (MOUs) on maritime cooperation, cybersecurity and competition laws.

Marcos said the MOUs were in addition to more than 120 deals with Australia on defense cooperation, air services, education, research, and scientific and cultural cooperation.

Marcos said his talks with Albanese centered on ways “to maximize the enhanced status of relations between our two countries” in defense, maritime cooperation, nontraditional security concerns, trade and investment, development cooperation, multilateral collaboration, and people-topeople linkages.

‘Strategic partner’

“Defense and security remains a key area of cooperation between the Philippines and of Australia. We look forward to amplifying our joint activities and the capacity-building efforts in this regard,” he said.

Albanese expressed optimism for what the two nations “can achieve together” under their strategic partnership, adding that Australia was “honored to count the Philippines as a close friend and strategic partner.”

“I’m pleased that we are working actively to build a peaceful region where international law is respected and waterways are open for trade,” he said in a joint press statement.

Ties between the Philippines and Australia have expanded in recent years.

According to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australia’s official aid to the Philippines would increase to over A$89.9 million from 2023 to 2024 to support programs on inclusive economic growth, education, training and scholarships, disaster and climate resilience, and peace and stability in Mindanao.  PAGE A4

More jobs to keep overseas Pinoy...

Philippines as among the most restrictive economies.

PAGE A1 time that he has deviated from that position,” he said. Salceda also said that while Congress has amended certain laws, the changes were insufficient to attract foreign investors because of restrictions in the Constitution.

“That’s the reality, even the Joint Foreign Chambers have repeatedly said they want these restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution out. These restrictions are very discouraging for their countries. These restrictions have to go,” he added.

Dumdum, one of the resource persons invited by the House committee of the whole, represented the Constitutional Reform and Rectification for Economic Competitiveness and Transformation Movement.

RBH7 that the House is deliberating on for economic Charter change may spur the infusion of massive foreign capital, generating jobs so that Filipinos will no longer leave for greener pastures abroad, according to Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo.

For his part, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda underscored the importance of updating several provisions in the 1987 Constitution that stalled economic growth.

“For the president to come out in support of Charter change despite his usual reservation on such matters (like the 1986 revolt), clearly shows that he sees this as urgent and of the highest national interest. This is the first

Voter disenfranchisement

The simultaneous holding of the plebiscite for Charter change and the midterm elections could lead to longer queues and the disenfranchisement of voters, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) warned.

“Should the plebiscite and the midterm elections be held simultaneously, we should be mindful to ensure that the voting process and experience is as facile and as streamlined as possible since any additions, changes to the system could result in longer voting time, longer lines and possible disenfranchisement,” PPCRV national media and voters education director Ana de VillaSingson said. She also suggested that a study be conducted to determine the length of time required by a voter in casting a ballot, especially since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be introducing new vote counting machines in the coming May 2025 polls.

Last week, the Comelec

announced it awarded the P17.8-billion contract to procure 110,000 vote counting machines to the joint venture of Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. Its partners for the poll automation project are the Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corp. and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies Inc.

To have a plebiscite separate from the elections would also only entail additional cost to the government. It was earlier reported that holding the referendum before the May 2025 elections would require the government to spend between P12 billion to P14 billion.

“The plebiscite is akin to an election. And while it is the best way to determine the voter’s will, separate activities could be costly and difficult to operationalize,” she added.

As to the proposal to include a “rider question” in the 2025 election ballots asking the public if they are in favor of easing foreign investment limits on public utilities, higher education and advertising, Singson said that there should be an information dissemination campaign to help voters understand the effects of changing the Constitution. 

the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story,” Marcos said.

The president warned that the situation would only get worse if Quiboloy would continue to hide and skip the hearings as he could be cited in contempt.

of the situation.

But

Prospective applicants will need to appear personally at the embassy to sign and submit their completed printed forms.

The deadline for overseas voting registration is Sept. 30, 2024. More information on overseas

Inquirer.net photo

voting registration is available at https://philippineembassy-dc.org/ overseas-absentee-voting/. 

Marcos to Quiboloy: Face Congress...

Quiboloy earlier accused the president and the first lady of colluding with authorities from the U.S., where he is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

PAGE

During his visit to the Philippines in September last year, Albanese announced a five-year program to help reduce violent conflict in PH again on front line like in World... iRehistro for overseas voting registration form... Republic Act No. 10590. No personal data will be saved or retained on any server after using iRehistro. In case the system-generated PDF file is deleted or lost, the applicant has to repeat the process to generate another OVF1. Under Republic Act No. 9189, as amended by Republic Act No. 10590, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least 18 years of age on May 12, 2025, and who are registered overseas voters, may vote for senators and party-list representatives during the overseas voting period for the 2025 Philippine National Elections from April 13, 2025 to May 12, 2025. PAGE A1

In November 2023, Canberra and Manila held their first joint sea and air patrol of the South

for charges of human trafficking and sexual assault, among other violations.

Quiboloy has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; and bulk cash smuggling.

A federal warrant was issued for his arrest on Nov. 10, 2021. 

China Sea. Military ties between the two countries date back to June 1943, when eight Australian servicemen helped Filipino guerrillas in TawiTawi. 

TAX CAMPAIGN. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region 6 Director Renato Molina (7th from left), Assistant Regional Director Saripoden

Yancy Lim

California considers ‘tuition-free bachelor’s...

PAGE A1

by touting new BA programs in community colleges that will help meet the demand for health care professionals.

To help students earn these degrees, he said, is to help ensure equal opportunities for all, including low-income and underrepresented.

of Arts” degrees – AAs –and a pathway to four-year baccalaureate (BA) programs offered by the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) systems.

But dozens of the 116 accredited community colleges up and down the state now also offer a variety of BA programs, such as four within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), in biotech, aeronautics, dental hygiene and respiratory therapy. With those who choose not to go to college citing the cost as a primary reason for the decision, Santiago said, “We’re moving students out of systemic poverty, one student at a time.”

Santiago was LACCD board president prior to being elected to the state Assembly in 2014 and is currently challenging incumbent Kevin De Leon for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council. He addressed the gathering in both English and Spanish.

“We’re doing (President Joe) Biden one better,” he said, referring to the president’s dogged accumulation of loan forgiveness victories.

The day before, in Culver City (Los Angeles County), Biden had announced canceling $1.2 billion in debt for 153,000 people who had been paying off loans of $10,000 or less for a decade or more. The move brings the total forgiven under his administration to $138 billion for almost 4 million Americans, despite conservative-leaning court and Congressional Republican opposition to his original plans to forgive more than $400 billion of student debt.

He’s done so by such things as addressing failures in the current system to deliver on promises to students pursuing careers in public service, for instance, teachers, first responders and government workers, and by helping people defrauded by schools that closed or otherwise cheated them.

AB2093, co-authored by Santiago and Assembly colleague Sabrina Cervantes of Riverside County, allows the state’s community college districts some discretion in how they use the funding, if they accept it at all.

For example, instead of waiving tuition fees up front, some might choose to pay back fees after the coursework is completed.

Or schools could choose to provide help with other student costs such as transportation, child care and books, or fund college preparedness programs, current LACCD board president Nichelle Henderson said.

So far, she said, California College Promise has helped nearly 150,000 students, including 36,000 in LACCD.

The funds already exist within the community college system, Santiago stated. The measure is simply an exercise in funding those who need it most, he said, “the students!”

Besides, James McKeever, AFT 1521 Faculty Guild president said, given the increasing need for workers with bachelor’s degrees and the decreasing percentage of the workforce that has one, and the finding that 95% of Californians who’ve earned BAs at community colleges stay in their communities, the state will soon enough recoup its investments in education via taxes paid by those higher-earning workers.

He recalled a time when higher education in California truly was free.

But, he said, public universities began charging tuition soon after the 1947 Mendez v. Westminster ruling in California, which said Latino students were being discriminated against under the pretext of language differences.

The ruling set a precedent for the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling ending school segregation nationwide.

The problem, McKeever said, is that the loan forgiveness programs only “kick the can down the road,” with the CSU system currently considering 30% tuition increases.

“Education is the most democratic thing we can do,” said Francisco Rodriguez, LACCD chancellor. And California College Promise students, he said, “earn degrees at a higher rate and transfer at a higher level and rate.”

“Report after report suggests that we have a shortage of baccalaureate degree earners in California. It’s the ticket out of poverty, the great equalizer.”

“An education fuels a strong economy,” Rodriguez said.

“Education can make the difference between an individual participating in the economy or being left out on the margins.”

“Call your legislators!” Santiago urged. (Mark Hedin/ Ethnic Media Services)

Ex-Pres. Duterte to...

PAGE A1

my own.)

Duterte had this to say even after Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV previously asserted that ICC investigators are already on the verge of issuing an arrest warrant against the former president as the main accused, along with Senator Bato dela Rosa and Vice President Sara Duterte as the secondary and tertiary accused.

Duterte then went on another tirade against the ICC, questioning where they were when the country was suffering from illegal drugs.

“Anong pakialam nila? When my country was being eaten by drugs and everything, andito ba sila?” said Duterte.

(What do they care? Were they here when my country was being plagued by drugs and everything?)

“Pakialam kayo ng pakialam, hindi naman kayo nakakatulong. Look, idiot, if you are not really an idiot, because you are an idiot, sino ba naman gustong pumatay sa kapwa tao niya? Kung may gusto man ako patayin, kayo. Kayong mga pumunta sa bayan ko,” he added. (You keep meddling even if you’re not contributing anything.

Look, idiot, if you are not really an idiot, because you are an idiot, who in their right mind would want to kill their fellow human beings? If I had anyone in mind to be killed, it would be you. Those who came to my country.)

Meanwhile, Marcos previously asserted that the Philippine government will not assist in the ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s drug war.

He also recently expressed that there is no chance for him to change his mind when it comes to allowing the ICC to conduct a probe into the war on drugs, adding that not even evidence could change his mind — as it was a question of ICC’s jurisdiction which the country is no longer a part of since 2019.

Government records show that at least 6,200 drug suspects have died in legitimate anti-drug operations, but many human rights groups claim that the actual number of individuals slain during the drug war can be between 12,000 and 30,000.

Bantog (3rd from left) and agency’s employees conduct a public announcement on the filing of annual income tax return at the BIR building in Intramuros, Manila on Friday, March 1. BIR encourages taxpayers to meet the April 15 deadline. PNA photo by

Mindanao and improve livelihood in the area with a A$64.5-million peacebuilding fund.

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. An elderly citizen goes around the “Lugud” Lenten exhibit at Riverbanks Center in Marikina City on Thursday, Feb. 29. The exhibit is spearheaded by the San Jose Manggagawa Parish of the city and features 58 images from Tondo, Manila; Taytay and Cainta, Rizal; and Marikina.

NAIA Terminals 2

by LUISA CABATO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 2 and 3 are now free from bed bugs, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) head executive assistant Chris Noel Bendijo said on Friday, March 1. The pronouncement was in relation to social media posts where passengers complained of getting bed bug bites in the terminals’ rattan and gang chairs.

MIAA earlier issued a statement apologizing to the passengers and ordering an inspection and enhanced

and 3 now free from bed bugs

sanitation in the terminals. Asked over a Radyo 630 interview if the airport chairs are now “surot-free”, Bendijo answered yes. “We have examined, we have inspected our seats, safe po ang ating mga upuan,” he added. (We have examined, we have inspected our seats, and our seats are safe.)

All rattan chairs, which are exclusive to Terminal 2, were also pulled out and will be replaced with gang chairs from other terminals. “‘Yun pong sa Terminal 2, lahat po ay pina-pull out na po ni GM [MIAA General Manager Eric Ines]. Based dito sa initial recommendation ng ating pest

control service provider, pati na rin ng ating terminal manager, mukhang medyo permanent muna na hindi ibabalik ito pong mga rattan chair,” Bendijo said, noting that rattan chairs are prone to bed bug infestation.

(At Terminal 2, all rattan chairs are ordered to be pulled out by GM [Miaa General Manager Eric Ines]. Based on the initial recommendation of our pest control service provider and our terminal manager, it seems that these rattan chairs will not be brought back permanently.)

MIAA will also be exploring procurement options for additional chairs in the airport, which will be discussed later today, he added. 

by ELIJAH FELICE ROSALES Philstar.com

MANILA — This is the best time for flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to sell a portion of the company, as investors are attracted to buy into it with travel and tourism picking up momentum, according to analysts.

In a text message to The STAR, Philstocks Financial Inc. assistant research manager Claire Alviar said PAL could use the resurgence of the aviation industry to raise fresh funds for future projects.

“Injecting fresh funds into the company would be beneficial to meet the growing demands in air travel and create more earnings opportunities for PAL,” Alviar said.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said PAL could capitalize on the global recovery of travel and tourism in its plan to pick up a new investor.

Limlingan noted that multiple airlines are giving out bonuses, hinting that aviation is becoming a profitable business again.

“I know the travel industry is strong (given that) Singapore Airlines paid eight months in bonus to their staff last year. If PAL is looking to expand, it might still be a good time,” Limlingan said.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort expects PAL to gain market interest if it decides to proceed with its sale of shares, saying the economy in general

is growing, and this benefits companies planning to sell.

“Economic, industry and market conditions have improved recently. So are the valuations and the selling prices,” Ricafort said.

An earlier report by The STAR indicated that taipan Lucio Tan is reviving a longstanding plan to turn over a significant stake in the flag carrier to another investor.

The Tan family is reportedly open to selling as much as 25 percent of the airline, acknowledging the possibility that investors will be attracted to buying into PAL for its financial potential.

PAL’s parent PAL Holdings Inc. turned up respectable numbers in recent quarters.

Based on latest figures, PAL Holdings doubled its profit to P15.16 billion in the nine months to September 2023, as revenue jumped by 38 percent to P134.58 billion.

The flag carrier generated P120.08 billion from passenger operations, flying 11 million guests during the period.

PAL placed a P177-billion order last year for nine Airbus A350-1000, as it prepares for a return to Europe by 2025, signaling the confidence of the airline in the recovery of air travel.

Trustmark Holdings Corp., an LT Group company, owns 76.9 percent of PAL Holdings, while the rest is divided into the following shareholders: public (10.3 percent), ANA Holdings Inc. (9.5 percent) and others (3.3 percent). 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for AE117449 - Metro B and D Lines Audio Frequency Track Circuit and Interlocking Relay Logic Rat the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/ Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. All proposals must be submitted to LACMTA in one of two ways, either (1) in sealed envelopes by mail or hand delivered to the address above, or (2) electronically via email to bids@metro.net. All proposals must be received on or before 2:00 PM Pacific Time on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. Additionally, it is recommended that proposer’s email(s) are sent with a Delivery and Read receipt for their records. Lastly, proposers should

AS the Philippines and Australia entered into agreements covering the maritime domain, cyber and critical technology, and effective implementation of antitrust laws and policies of both countries, China on Thursday, February 29 warned against actions undermining the stability in the Indo-Pacific region. "The South China Sea is

generally stable. Relevant countries' maritime security cooperation should not undermine other countries' interests or disrupt regional peace and stability," said Mao Ning, deputy director of the Information Department of the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement shared by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines.

In his address before the Australian Parliament in Canberra, President Ferdinand

"Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday sought the support of Australia and other allies in its maritime disputes with China, saying the Philippines is on the frontline against actions that undermine peace and stability in the region and vowing that the country would not yield.

Marcos said he would not allow any foreign power to take "even one square inch" of the country's territory, and that the Philippines remained firm in defending its sovereignty. 

PH sees potential in trilateral cooperation with India, Japan

MANILA – The Philippine government sees “numerous opportunities” in a possible trilateral partnership with Japan and India, one that is focused on both maritime security and economic development.

In a Stratbase ADRI forum in Makati on Friday, March 1, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro expressed optimism this possible arrangement would thrive as the countries share a similar geographic make-up and location in the Indo-Pacific.

“In concrete terms, the confluence of the two seas can be construed as a natural connection that paves the way for the intersection of interests and goal congruence among the varied actors in the Indo-Pacific,” she said referring to the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.

“The prospect for triangular cooperation between the Philippines, India and Japan falls neatly into this narrative. This partnership can help drive the economic engines of these countries towards shared economic prosperity in the region,” she added.

Apart from maritime security, the diplomat said this would also strengthen cooperation on green transformation and infrastructure connectivity, which would result in increased intra-regional trade and travel mobility. Manila only has two active trilateral partnership —one with the United States and Japan, and the anti-piracy and counterterrorism-focused tie-up with Malaysia and Indonesia. In a separate interview, Lazaro said forging a similar kind with India and Japan would still have to go through a series of discussions and process before it can be formalized.

Meanwhile, she said Manila wants to initiate a bilateral maritime dialogue with India at a Track 1 or governmentto-government level “in due course”.

As Manila and Tokyo already have an existing mechanism for maritime talks, the official believes a Track 1 with India would make it easier to forge a Philippine-India-Japan trilateral cooperation in the future.

The Stratbase forum explores the prospects of a triangular

partnership between the three states, especially on ways it can ensure maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kenichi Matsuda, for his part, believes the proposal would further support Japan’s vision of a Free and Open IndoPacific (FOIP).

“Guided by the spirit of cocreation, a triangular partnership between the Philippines, India and Japan can bring about a nexus of sustainable and collaborative efforts that may shape the future of the Indo-Pacific region in the coming years,” he said. Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran, meanwhile, said stakeholders must assess what this kind of cooperation can really bring into the table and start first on “workable ideas”.

“Our three Indo-Pacific democracies, the logic of our engagement is clear, but the test for us, as we walk the talk would be to develop small, workable projects that each of us can build and create the public opinion and political support to build this into a larger idea,” he said. (PNA)

PH creates 1st Guinness record on most variety of pork dishes served

MANILA – The Philippines on Friday, March 1 created the Guinness World Record for the most variety of pork dishes on display, the first in such category.

Guinness official adjudicator

Sonia Usjirohochi said a total of 313 unique pork dishes were served by the participants.

The announcement of the world record coincided with the celebration of National Hog Day at Gateway 2 in Cubao, Quezon City.

"More than 323 have participated in this festival, each bringing unique pork dishes nationwide," National Federation of Hog Farmers vice chairman Alfred Ng said.

The participants included restaurant owners, chefs, culinary schools and students, and cooking moms.

"We're hoping that the hog festival could intensify tourism in the country, focusing on our rich tradition of cooking Filipino dishes using pork," he said.

He added that the festival also allows hog producers to connect and network with the institutional market like restaurants and hotels to reduce the importation of pork. The festival runs from March 1 to 5. The culminating event will be held at the Marikina Convention Center. Faster recovery Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., meanwhile, assured the hog industry of the government's support, particularly in speeding up its recovery against the effects of African swine fever (ASF).

In a statement, Laurel said it is imperative to ensure early detection and swift response to control its spread.

"Our immediate focus involves reinforcing biosecurity measures, enhancing quarantine protocols, and implementing robust sanitation practices in hog farms nationwide to prevent further

outbreaks," Laurel said as he joined the celebration of Hog Festival 2024. He also underscored the need to work with technical and industry experts, as well as with counterparts abroad to maximize innovative solutions and apply their best practices against ASF.

"Extensive public awareness campaign is a priority to educate farmers, industry stakeholders, and the public about preventive measures against ASF. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and through awareness, we aim to empower everyone to contribute to the eradication of ASF,” he added.

Likewise, Laurel vowed to continue financial aid and recovery programs for affected farmers.

In September last year, the country's total inventory of pig heads dropped to 9.86 million, lower than 10.1 million pig heads in the same period in 2022. (PNA)

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

send a verification email to the named Contract Administrator of the RFP after the email submission(s) of proposal to bids@metro.net. The verification email should indicate that a proposal has been submitted by Vendor Name for RFP# on X number of emails.

A virtual Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 1:30 PM via TEAMS. See solicitation for details.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Ernesto Deguzman at deguzmane@metro.net.

3/2/24

CNS-3787999#

ASIAN JOURNAL

(L.A.)

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

‘Now is best time for PAL to sell’

what Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri had announced the previous day: a preference for holding any plebiscite on Charter change simultaneously with the midterm elections in May 2025.

Fielding media questions prior to his departure for Australia, President Marcos said holding a plebiscite on Cha-cha before the 2025 elections would be costly and complicated. The message should be clear enough for those trying to stampede the nation into amending the Constitution ASAP ostensibly to lift restrictive economic provisions.

Editorial

amendments by the fourth quarter of the year. That will provide sufficient time for the Comelec to prepare its presentation of the proposed Charter amendments for ratification in a nationwide plebiscite alongside the May 2025 elections.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia estimated that holding a plebiscite separately and earlier than the midterm polls would mean an additional P13 billion in expenses.

Garcia has said the Comelec is ready to hold the plebiscite simultaneously with the midterm elections.

The president has reportedly said he wants the Senate to take the lead on Charter change. The chamber has yet to finalize its rules for Cha-cha deliberations. Senators hope to start plenary debates on the proposed changes before the president’s State of the Nation Address in July. They reportedly aim to finalize the proposed

The Senate and the House of Representatives are in disagreement over the mode of voting in case Congress convenes into a constituent assembly. A House-backed signature campaign for a people’s initiative is pushing for joint voting that will effectively marginalize the Senate, burying the voice of 24 senators under whatever the super majority in the House wants. People’s initiative proponents say they are keeping the signature gathering alive.

Whether the public pronouncement of President Marcos on Cha-cha will end the Congress feud remains to be seen. If economic Cha-cha pushes through, it will be the first time that the Constitution ratified in 1987 would be amended. Precedents are being set, and the process of amendment will

be as critical as the amendments. Senators have set a more realistic timeline for economic Chacha, allowing for thorough public discussions

and gathering of inputs from various sectors. In changing the basic law of the land, it’s prudent to move with deliberate speed.

(Philstar.com)

TIDES are turning against those who instigated the war on drugs under the previous administration. Despite President Marcos’ pronouncement that he will “not lift a finger” to assist the International Criminal Court in its probe on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity, recent events have pointed to growing apprehension in the Duterte camp. The ongoing rift between the Dutertes and Marcoses further creates a fragile situation that will keep the drug war instigators constantly on their toes.

Undoubtedly, the arrest of Duterte and his ilk would be a big step toward justice for the drug war victims and their aggrieved families. But beyond Duterte’s arrest, there are critical issues fundamental to moving past the war on drugs. First, we must have a thorough accounting of the harm caused by this war; second, a progressive drug policy alternative must be laid out, and finally, we need to change the narrative toward a more humane approach to substance abuse.

Any effort for reform must start with a clear and honest assessment of what happened previously. The death toll is a common way to start. The number of deaths alone is

“GENERAL Romulo, how right you were at Bandung! And how wrong was I,” Jawaharlal Nehru reportedly lamented during his twilight years, when recalling a spirited debate with the legendary Filipino diplomat at the Bandung Conference in 1955. Both eloquent and selfassured, Nehru and Carlos P. Romulo had diametrically opposed conceptions of Communist China.

While Nehru saw Beijing as a fellow victim of Western imperialism, Romulo saw nothing but the “new empire of communism on which we know the sun never rises.” While Nehru saw China as a potential ally in his quest to carve out a “third way” beyond the United States-led West and Soviet-

enough to trigger outrage, although as the corpses piled up, the staggering numbers slowly lost their shock value. Near the end of Duterte’s term, only the organization Dahas continues to keep tabs on the death toll. Sadder still is the fact that the killings are just a sliver of the harm done. Children have to bear the trauma of seeing their fathers shot. Distrust prevails in barangays where neighbors and local officials listed “drug suspects” in their own community. Professional groups who were expected to push for an evidence-informed health policy fell silent, with some subscribing to the hegemony on substance use.

Much of the harm can hardly be quantified. But unless we attempt to have a government and civil society review of the war on drugs, we run the risk of leaving these societal wounds gaping and historical accounts twisted in the future. Civil society organizations would agree that there is always a better policy alternative to prohibitive and punitive approaches toward people who use drugs.

As someone who observes the drug policy space, I know that different stakeholders have different approaches. Some groups would advocate complete abstinence from drug use as the ultimate goal, while some would focus more on reducing the harm associated with it. Others will frame drug use as a mental health problem

that requires treatment, while some would think twice before calling nonproblematic drug use a pathology. As we move past the drug war approach, there is a need to get these ideas openly discussed rather than sitting alongside each other in harmony without a clear and nuanced direction for reform.

Recent conversations on amending Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act as facilitated by the United Nations Joint Programme for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Philippines provide a good starting point. While doing so, we need to recognize that in most instances, these differences are not mutually exclusive. Having open conversations can be a starting point for building consensus. Lastly, there must be a deliberate effort to change the narrative around substance use and get the public onboard.

Remember how people cheered when Duterte promised to kill the “addicts”? Public opinion has not changed significantly since then. In tirades between former and current presidents where one accused the other of drug use, it doesn’t take much for the internalized stigma on drug use to resurface. This highlights the need for a strong narrative change initiative to reframe how the issue of drugs is perceived by Filipinos. The toolkit for responsible drug reporting released by the Drug Policy

Reform Initiative is a good step toward changing how stories are told by the media. Knowing that policymakers are sensitive to public opinion, drug reform advocates must work toward shifting the public perception on drug use toward more humane approaches. This will prevent a repeat of a Duterte-like drug war. There are many problematic aspects in the current approach to drug use, and stakeholders might not have the ready

solutions to all these challenges.

But one thing is clear: Jail Duterte, but continue to work harder to end the drug war. Start with coordinated efforts by civil society toward a rights-based approach to substance abuse.

Only when we have reversed the multiple harm caused by drug use, institutionalized a more progressive policy, and substantially changed perceptions on it at the community level can we start thinking that the war on drugs

has ended. (Inquirer.net)

* * *

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.

* * * RJ Naguit is a medical doctor currently studying health policy, planning, and financing at the London School of Economics and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is a member of Akbayan Party and a volunteer for the International Drug Policy Consortium and Release.

led East, Romulo was deeply suspicious of Mao’s intentions. It didn’t take long before Nehru was proven wrong in the most devastating fashion. In 1962, China brutally exploited the longrunning Indian-Pakistan conflict in order to press its advantage in contested Himalayan borders. India’s defeat was reportedly so comprehensive that had the People’s Liberation Army decided to march to New Delhi itself, it would have probably met minimal conventional resistance.

At this moment, Nehru’s India was doubly trapped. On one hand, it found itself encircled by a burgeoning Sino-Pakistani alliance. Moreover, New Delhi ended up relying on Moscow for the bulk of its advanced weapons systems—a crucial development that would shape its defense and foreign policy for the next half a century and beyond. So far from acting as a global pillar of a “nonaligned

movement,” India ended up both vulnerable to China’s predation as well as highly dependent on the Soviet Union, thus setting the stage for decades of strategic animosity with fellow democracies in the West. This partly explains why today’s India has not only refused to join Western democracies in anti-Russian sanctions, but has gone so far as actively abetting Putin’s regime through expanded energy and defense ties.

Amid the ongoing “New Cold War,” the spirit of the Bandung Conference is back with vengeance. All of a sudden, it’s fashionable to talk about the “Global South”—a more politically correct version of the Cold War-era “Third World”—and new iterations of “nonalignment,” namely actively refusing to side with one superpower against the other.

In New Delhi, they often speak

of “multi-alignment,” while in Southeast Asia we often use the term “bamboo diplomacy.” In Central Asia, which is in the midst of yet another “The Great Game,” they speak of “multi-vector” foreign policy. To be fair, there is a sound logic to this approach, something that I discussed with global experts during a recent event in Washington, co-organized by the Atlantic Council and the Keough School of Global Affairs.

As veteran Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan put it, “We have concerns about both certain aspects of Chinese behavior and certain aspects of American behavior.” Thus, in a world of “multiplicity of interests,” it makes sense for Southeast Asian nations to maintain an optimal level of balance in their relations vis-àvis superpowers. Nevertheless, not making a choice is a choice in itself. In fact, often what we see

is not judicious hedging or balancing strategy by postcolonial nations, but instead, what can be best described as “strategic polyamory”: namely, naked opportunism and crudely transactional relationship with both superpowers.

Lest we forget, post-colonial nations have extremely divergent geopolitical and institutional attributes. In Southeast Asia alone, Singapore’s room for autonomous strategic behavior is far larger than, say, Laos or Cambodia, which are deeply dependent on Chinese largesse.

As for the Philippines, we are just too geographically close to Taiwan and geopolitically tethered to America, a treaty ally, to be totally neutral on cross-straits developments. Not to mention, we have direct territorial disputes with China—but not with the West.

The likes of Malaysia have benefited from large-scale Chinese investments, while

the Philippines has so far been a victim of Beijing’s pledge trap, namely empty pledges that enticed geopolitical subservience under the gullible Rodrigo Duterte presidency. In short, we need to be extremely judicious when we deal with the superpowers, making sure we avoid “false equivalence” as well as mindless promiscuity. Otherwise, we might end up alienating both superpowers at our own peril. Crucially, we should not allow China to weaponize the Global South discourse to conceal its hegemonic ambitions. After all, isn’t chair Xi Jinping more of the “Mao with the Money”? (Inquirer.net)

* * * 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.

* * *

rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

Lawmakers see bene ts of PBBM’s foreign trips

AnaKalusugan

"He is the

of the country

when he goes there, he has to lend credibility to his word," Reyes said in a press conference.

He said that over a one-year time period from November 2022 to November 2023, the country has registered an increase of 28.7 percent in foreign direct investments.

"So hindi lang travel-travel ito (this is not just merely traveling) There is also a tangible result already into the economy because he is telling every country he comes in that the Philippines is actually ready to work together with the rest of the world," Reyes said.

He said the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, is pushing for institutional changes through the passage of priority bills that encourage economic growth

and foreign investments. South Cotabato Rep. Peter Miguel, for his part, said Marcos is bringing and promoting the Philippines as a product with his visit to Australia. Miguel said the recent moves in Congress to propose amendments to the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution signals foreign investors that the country is easing its investment rules and is ready to open up the economy.

"Siguradong magpupuntahan lahat dito because our market is so big. Doon pa lang with a hundred million population and with the capability ng mga Filipino, matatalino tayo, magagaling tayo magtrabaho, marunong tayo umingles, yung labor natin hindi naman ganun kataas (I'm sure a lot of investors would flock in because our market is so big. With a hundred million population, with the capability of Filipinos --we are intelligent, hardworking, English proficient, and with our cheap labor), so we can expect the deluge of foreign investors for their own global market)," he said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) earlier reported that around USD14.2 billion worth of investment commitments from President Marcos' foreign trips in the past 16 months have begun turning

up as of December 2023.

The DTI said the investments came from 46 projects that are already operating or have registered with investment promotion agencies.

“Our dedication to turning investment pledges into reality is unwavering. We also leverage each presidential visit as a springboard for building up a pipeline of investment opportunities and making the Philippines as investment destination of choice,” DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement.

The DTI said 16 of the projects are in the manufacturing sector, 10 are information technology and business process management (ITBPM) projects, and nine are renewable energy.

Japan and the United States are the largest sources of the investments, with 21 and 13 projects, respectively.

“Foreign investors are still conducting pre-implementation and planning activities in their respective countries for the remaining 102 projects involving USD58 billion investment pledges,” the DTI said.

The DTI added its establishment of the One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI) helped accelerate the investments of foreign pledges. (PNA)

MANILA — Four in 10 adult

Filipinos expected the Philippine economy to pick up in the next 12 months, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll released on Thursday, February 29.

Citing its December 8 to 12 survey, SWS said 40% of adult Filipinos were optimistic that the country's economy would improve.

More Filipinos, or 44%, believed it would stay the same, while 10% said it would worsen.

The resulting net optimism score was +30, classified by SWS as "very high." The score was lower than the "very high" +35 recorded in September 2023.

"It has been at very high levels since March 2023, following a decline from the excellent levels from December 2021 to December 2022," the polling firm said. SWS noted that the net optimism score fell to "very high" +30 from "excellent" +41 in Luzon areas outside Metro Manila and to "very high"

+32 from "excellent" +41 in Mindanao. However, the score rose to "very high" +36 from "fair" +16 in Metro Manila and to "high" +25 from "fair" +15 in Visayas. Net score optimism was highest among those who either graduated from college or took post-graduate studies at "very high" +35, followed by those who either finished junior and senior high school, completed vocational school or attended college at "very high" +34, those who either finished elementary or had some high school education at "high" +24, and those who either had no formal education or attended elementary at "high" +22.

A recent SWS survey showed that the number of Filipinos expecting the quality of their lives to improve in the next 12 months dropped to 44%, down from 48%.

According to SWS, net economic optimism was higher among personal optimists at "excellent" +56 than those who said their personal lives would stay the same at "fair" +15. Among personal pessimists, it

Foreigners not allowed to sit on Maharlika board - DOJ

MANILA — Malacañang cannot appoint foreign nationals as independent directors of the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), according to the legal opinion from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

Referring to the 1987 Constitution in its seven-page legal opinion, the DOJ said that public officers and officials are required to be Filipino nationals and must maintain allegiance to the state at all times.

“[A] foreign national does not owe any allegiance to the Philippines and its Constitution. Hence, we are of the opinion that a foreign national cannot be legally appointed by the President as an Independent Director of the MIC,” the agency’s legal opinion dated February 19 read.

The DOJ’s legal opinion is a response by Usec. Raul Vasquez to Presidential Management Staff Head Elaine Masukat, when the agency was

asked its expert thoughts on appointing foreign nationals on the board that governs the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) as its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) has no mention of the independent director’s nationality.

The legal opinion from the DOJ, issued by Usec. Raul Vasquez in response to a question from Presidential Management Staff Head Elaine Masukat, addresses the appointment of foreign nationals to the board overseeing the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF). The question came up because the nationality of the independent director is not specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the fund.

The Justice department reminded the Palace that the MIF is a government-owned and controlled corporation that was made through legislation, thus making the independent directors public officials. (Ian Laqui/Philstar.com)

was at "extremely low" -37. The survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults, with a margin of error of ±2.8% for national percentages and ±5.7% for regional breakdowns. 

Contract Administrator of the RFP after the email submission(s) of proposal to bids@metro.net. The verification email should indicate that a proposal has been submitted by Vendor Name for RFP# on X number of emails.

A Pre-Proposal conference will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 10:30 AM, virtually via TEAMS. See solicitation for details.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Ernesto Deguzman at deguzmane@metro.net.

3/2/24

CNS-3787575#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

If your business accepted Visa and/or Mastercard between 2004 - 2019, you’re now eligible to claim your share of a $5.5 billion Settlement. Claim your share now.

Merchants (business owners) who accepted Visa and/or Mastercard at any time from January 1, 2004, to January 25, 2019, are eligible to claim their share of a $5.5 billion Settlement.

Visa and Mastercard and their issuing banks (the “Defendants”) are alleged to have violated the law because they wrongfully inflated Interchange Fees. Defendants say they have done nothing wrong. They claim their business practices are legal.

After years of appeals, the Settlement is now final, and Claim Forms are now being accepted. If you do not file a claim, you will not receive a Settlement Payment.

Claim Forms are now being mailed to more than 15 million merchants. Even if you do not receive a Claim Form in the mail, you may still be eligible, and you should visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com to get more information about the Settlement. The deadline to file a claim is May 31, 2024. You can file your claim online at the website. Or, if you prefer, you can get a paper Claim Form at the website or by calling 1-800-625-6440. Assistance with preparing your claim is available at no cost to you from the Class Administrator and Class Counsel.

Submitting your claim online can take less than five minutes.

STEP ONE:

Scan the QR code to go to www.PaymentCardSettlement.com

STEP TWO:

Provide the information requested about your business.

STEP THREE:

Submit your claim! Your claim process is now complete. To

Do

visit www.PaymentCardSettlement.com

California State Assembly candidate Jessica Caloza sits down for a one-on-one interview with Attorney Michael Gurfinkel on a special encore episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

Diego Loyzaga admits Sofia Andres is his TOTGA

By anne PasaJol Inquirer.net got away?” Melendez asked, to which he swiftly answered, “Sofia Andres.”

DIEGO Loyzaga revealed he considers actress Sofia Andres as his “TOTGA,” or “the one that got away,” further admitting he committed a “really big mistake” when they were still together. The actor said this in response to a “Truth or Dare” question from actress Aiko Melendez, as seen in an interview vlog on the latter’s YouTube channel on Thursday, Feb. 29. “Barbie Imperial, Franki Russell, Sofia Andres, Julia Montes—sino sa kanila ang matuturing mong the one that

Kasi ang laki talaga ng pagkakamali ko do’n kay Sofia. I wish it didn’t happen,” he explained. “I’m very open naman about it, that I made a really big mistake. I was a kid; I was 20 or 21 years old.”

While Loyzaga opted not to expound on the mistake he made, he underscored that he’s happy for Andres because she is living the life she dreamt of when she was younger.

“I’m so proud. I’m so happy for her. I remember when we

Tribute to a film icon: Gloria Romero feted by co-celebrities

by Jessica ann evangelista Inquirer.net

FOLLOWING her star-studded 90th birthday celebration last December, Gloria Romero was again greeted by a gathering of industry personalities who paid tribute to the Philippine film and television icon.

On Wednesday, Feb. 28, cocelebrities of the veteran actress gathered at the Manila Hotel to give tribute to Romero. The gathering was initiated by her good friend and fellow actress Daisy Romualdez.

In a report by TV Patrol, the movie queen was seen so moved by the presence of her

Diego Loyzaga and Sofia Andres Photo from Instagram/@diegoloyzaga

California State Assembly...

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 goodpaying jobs, and build a better life. “It’s not about one of us, it’s

Fil-Am twins amaze on ‘The Voice’ with One Direction cover

THE 25th season of reality competition show “The Voice” had quite the premiere following the participation of teenage Filipino-American twins Justin and Jeremy Garcia from California.

For their Blind Audition, the 17-year-old twins performed an arrangement of One Direction’s “Story Of My Life” with Jeremy initially playing the keyboard.

Just eight seconds into hearing Justin’s voice and Jeremy on the keys, returning coach Chance the Rapper hit his “I want you” button to face the duo, which even caught host Carson Daly by surprise.

Veteran coach John Legend and debuting coach Dan + Shay — the

show’s first coaching duo — took note of the twins’ harmonizing which led to another returning coach Reba McEntire hitting her button, much to the enjoyment of the Garcia family in attendance. After some consideration, Dan + Shay also hit their button in time to see Justin and Jeremy perform the song’s pre-chorus.

The present audience cheered and clapped throughout the chorus, but ultimately John was the only coach not to press a button.

“You got the duo thing down Dan and I talk a lot of the same time sometimes. Man, that was a fantastic performance,” Shay began his critique. “From the first time I heard you guys

harmonizing and I found out it was two people, I was like ‘We gotta turn around, that sounds amazing’.”

In a further attempt to sway the twins to their team, Dan joked their duo chairs were tailor-made for them.

Chance praised the Garcia twins as super developed though pointed out portions in the performance where they got pitchy but regained control.

John explained he didn’t turn his chair because he believed the singing could have been a little tighter but still expressed his excitement for them.

Reba’s pitch was her family background of singers and seeing the Garcias shared enthusiasm when looking at each other while singing.

Shay countered by also saying he came from a family group of singers until John pointed out both Reba and Shay left their respective family groups, and Reba calmed things down by striking a cowbell.

Justin and Jeremy eventually chose to be on Team Dan + Shay, making the twins the duo’s first artists, and were given welcome T-shirts. (By Kristofer Purnell/ Philstar.com)

Diego Loyzaga admits...

were together pa, the things that she has now, ‘yun ‘yung mga binabanggit niya nung time na ‘yon na sana magkaroon siya and she has everything now,” he said. When asked if the two of them have seen each other after they called it quits, Loyzaga said they never had the chance.

“I remember the last time I saw her, I went to where she was and I tried to seek closure. This was a long time ago,” he added.

Loyzaga and Andres were former onscreen partners. One of the projects in which they starred together was the 2017 TV series “Pusong Ligaw.” Andres is now in a relationship

with her non-showbiz boyfriend Daniel Miranda, with whom she shares her daughter Zoe.

On the other hand, Loyzaga, who earlier said he’s “single” as of the moment, has a daughter named Hailey with yoga teacher Alexis Suapengco. He clarified that while their relationship has no label, he and Suapengco are on good terms. g

Coachella Valley Filipino Festival honored at Palm Springs City Hall

ON February 12, 2024, the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission held its “Promoting Universal Human Rights Close to Home” ceremony at Palm Springs City Hall where seven people and two organizations were recognized and awarded the Community Service Award for their contributions to promoting and protecting human rights, social progress, better standards of living, and equality. One of the organizations that was recognized was the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival Committee who spearheaded the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival that took place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on October 8, 2023, which was attended by thousands of residents and visitors from throughout Southern California. Palm Springs Human Rights Commissioner Bobby Rimas stated that “the Human Rights Commission recognized all the festival organizers for their dedication and tireless work bringing this incredible event to the Coachella Valley. Their vision for the Filipino Festival not only celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Filipino community, but also promoted cross-cultural understanding, tolerance, and appreciation. A variety of organizations, including Bayanihan Desert, National Alliance of Filipino Americans, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, and the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, all came together to collaborate in the true spirit of human rights. For their tireless efforts in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where people from all parts of the Coachella Valley could experience the best aspects of Filipino culture, the Human Rights Commission honored all the individuals and organizations associated with last year’s Coachella Valley Filipino Festival with the 2023-2024 Community Service Award.” Michael Milan and Lauren Wolfer represented and accepted the award on behalf of the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival Committee that was presented by Palm Springs Human Rights Commissioners Bobby Rimas and Hugo Loyola.

Michael Milan and Lauren Wolfer gave a brief acceptance speech to the joyous crowd regarding their gratitude and thankfulness to all those who made the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival a reality and to expect another festival in the future. Commissioner Bobby T. Rimas stated that “it was an honor to present the Community Service Award to phenomenal individuals who promote inclusion and diversity.” Brad Prescott, Dee Dee Wilson Barton, LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert, Rabbi Dr. Jules Long, Tom Oliver & Matthew Stocker, Tommi Rose, and Willie Rhine were also awarded the Community Service Award at Palm Springs City Hall.

In addition to being a Commissioner for the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, Mr. Rimas is an Associate Professor at California State University, Los Angeles and a Board Member for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Lambda Alumni Association. He is also a Paralegal at the Larson LLP law firm, an Adjunct Instructor at West Los Angeles College and serves as Chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for the Stonewall Democratic Club. Mr. Rimas graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in History from UCLA and a Master of Legal Studies degree, cum laude, from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.  He is the Past Chair/President of the UCLA Pilipino Alumni Association and Past President of the Los Angeles Paralegal Association.

The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission was established in 1992 with a mandate to promote and protect the diversity and to enforce human and civil rights, provide public education, and issue policy recommendations on civil and human rights. To further the mandate, the commission advises and makes written recommendations to the Palm Springs Mayor, City Council, and City Manager concerning the implementation of programs and practices deemed by the commission to be necessary. g

Filipino American twins Justin and Jeremy Garcia Photo from Instagram/@justinjeremygarcia

Palm Springs Human Rights Commissioner Bobby Rimas (center) presents the Community Service Award to Michael Milan (left) and Lauren Wolfer (right), representatives of the Coachella Valley Filipino Festival Committee.

FASAE SoCal presents donation check to FUSION at UC Irvine

IRVINE – The Filipino American Society of Architects and Engineers of Southern California (FASAE SoCal) President Peter Magno and Vice President/ PresidentElect Ethel Rubio visited the Filipinx Undergraduate Scientist-Engineers in an Organized Network (FUSION) at the University of California in Irvine, California for the formal donation check presentation for $1,300.00 on Saturday, February 24, 2024. President Magno presented the donation check to FUSION at UCI President Rose Absin to help fund this year’s FUSION Engineering Project (FEP): Mobile Gesture-Controlled Robotic Arm.

According to engineering student FEP Co-Directors Justine Obedencio and Daniel Reyes during their presentation, the funds requested will help cover the

cost of materials that will be used by five FUSION student member teams to build their versions of the robotic arms project. The afternoon’s program

OVERVIEW

included an informative presentation on Sustainability in Infrastructure presented by FASAE SoCal VP Ethel Rubio who is a credentialed sustainability professional. She ended the presentation by encouraging engineering students to acquire their ENVISION Sustainability Professional credentials and incorporate sustainability in their capstone projects.

This is a meaningful culminating activity for both FASAE SoCal and FUSION at UCI to end the National Engineers Week, which was celebrated from Sunday, February 18 to Saturday, February 24, 2024. It was a great opportunity to have an informal conversation between the students and the profession. FUSION members from various engineering programs were represented at this important gathering.

The Filipino American Society of Architects and Engineers of Southern California is a nonprofit professional organization whose mission is “to advocate and promote the advancement and professional growth of the Filipino American Architects and Engineers for the public good.”

For more information about the Filipino American Society Architects and Engineers of Southern California, please visit www.fasae-socal.org. g

Program & Membership Manager

The Asian Business Association (ABA) is one of the largest Asian-American professional organizations in the Greater LA area with over 1,200 members strong, serving mainly Asian Pacific American small business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs all working toward the same goals. Our lean & mean team is backed by an incredible Board of Directors and distinctive Corporations who all support supplier diversity. Our efforts are exhibited in the numerous educational & fun networking events we put together throughout the year that help connect people and encourage business development. The association is looking into adding a new ambitious, talented, & vibrant individual to support the association’s existing members and more importantly, to secure new members that would benefit from ABA’s programs and events.

Program & Events

An ideal candidate will lead the organization’s events and programs that serve to both engage current members and to attract new members as well as to build relationships with sponsors/ corporations and key community partners. The candidate must be available to work some evenings. Some travel may be required. Along with the Executive Director, candidate will:

● Lead event logistics planning and event program planning which includes coordinating with the event venue, communicating with speakers, and supporting registration and creating the program book

● Speak on the behalf of the organization at internal and external events

● Create email marketing and digital / print marketing material for organization and events

● Perform general office duties including answering telephones and moving materials to and from events

Desired Skills and Qualities

● Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, organize multiple project deadlines

● Ability to take criticism and think collaboratively with multiple stakeholders

● Effective interpersonal, oral and communication skills to interact with a variety of diverse personalities

● Impeccable project management skills

● Proven ability to compose documents and communicate orally in correct English

● Proficiency working with: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Database Software, email marketing, graphic design software and social media

● Show sensitivity and interest to multicultural issues

● Willingness to talk through disagreements and openly discuss ways to improve the organization

● Interest in all aspects of event planning is a plus

● Bilingual is a plus

● Sense of humor is the office is a plus

● Enjoys Asian food and boba is a must

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary range: $45,000 - $58,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include medical, paid holidays, sick and personal leave. This is a full time position. We offer an amazing opportunity to connect and support the local business community, a great work environment, and a warm, fun & supportive team environment. Flexible schedule. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and 3 references to Human Resources at hr@abala.org, emails only; doc. or pdf files. No phone calls please. Applications will be accepted until filled.

767

Hill Street, Suite 308 ǀ Los Angeles, CA 90012

Yael Yuzon proposes to wife Karylle on ‘It’s Showtime’

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

SPONGE Cola frontman Yael Yuzon proposed to wife Karylle on live television.

In an episode of “It’s Showtime,” the hosts congratulated Karylle for the success of Filipino rock opera ballet “Rama Hari.”

Yael then appeared on stage, surprising Karylle.

“I’m very proud as your loving husband,” Yael told Karylle.

Vhong teased Yael, “‘Di ba, Yael, 10 years na kayo?” “Magti-10 years na kami na kasal. And alam mo, ‘yung thing kasi na alam mo kasal na kayo ng 10 years, parang mas naa-analyze mo ‘yung mga things through the ups and downs, mostly ups, pero sa mga downs mas naa-analyze mo ‘yung mga things,” Yael answered.

Tapos kung sigurado ka back then, mas sigurado ka na now kasi meron na tayong 10 years together. Pero meron akong hindi nagawa before. So, I’m gonna do it now,” he added.

The singer then bent his knee as he held the ring.

“Will you marry me again?” Yael asked Karylle.

“Yes,” she answered.

Pokwang teases upcoming Cannes Film Festival short film

by JeSSica ann evangeliSta Inquirer.net

ACTRESS-COMEDIAN Pokwang revealed she has an upcoming drama short film that is set to premiere in this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

During a guest appearance on Jovi Vargas TV on Thursday, Feb. 29, Pokwang shared that one of the projects that fans can look forward to is her next film that will debut at the international film festival, although she hasn’t revealed much detail yet.

Coming from the success of her Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Becky and Badette” with another renowned comedian-actress, Eugene Domingo, Pokwang said that she is about to make one of her dreams come true when she attends Cannes in May. Attend ka doon sa red carpet, kita mo ‘yung mga Hollywood star. Isa rin ‘yon sa mga pangarap ko na matutupad,” she said.

Aside from the upcoming short film, the comedienne teased that she also has a new television series that she cannot reveal just yet. For now, she asked the fans to continue watching her ongoing series, which are the variety show “TiktoClock” and the sitcom “Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa,” led by real-life couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.

Latest addition

Pokwang is set to be added to the growing list of Filipino talents trying to make a mark in the international industry, such as Lovi Poe who also has an upcoming independent film “Bad Man” that is set to open in Hollywood.

Just recently, Liza Soberano made her

Hollywood debut with “Lisa Frankenstein” and was also invited to attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG-Awards) that took place on February 25.

Ruby Ruiz is also trying to carve a name for herself in Hollywood after starring in the Amazon Prime Video series “Expats,” with Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman.

After her breakout role in “Triangle of Sadness,”

Dolly de Leon also continues to uplift Filipino talents, as she is currently filming her next Hollywood project, “Nine Perfect Strangers,” with Kidman.

Filipino talents are sure to continue uplifting the local film and television industry by trying to participate in the international arena. g

Celebrity couple Yael Yuzon and Karylle Photo from Facebook/It’s Showtime

Karylle and Yael tied the knot in a private ceremony in

Jane Rockstar’s rst gospel-themed concert highly successful

Janella Salvador, Win Metawin’s movie to premiere at Asian Film Awards

by ANNE PASAJOL Inquirer.net

“UNDER Parallel Skies,” which stars Janella Salvador and Thai actor Win Metawin, is the first Philippine cross-country film to have its world premiere as part of the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong.

This was announced by film director Sigrid Bernardo through her Instagram page on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

WSDM Productions staged its first-ever concert topbilled by local Filipino American gospel singer Jane Magan Chang, also known as Jane Rockstar, at The Noypitz in Cerritos last Sunday, February 25.

In her first major concert dubbed as “Jane Rockstar, Destined,” Jane conquered the stage and left her audience speechless in a night of inspiring worship music coupled with OPM classics.

Joining Jane were the stunning and exceptional contemporary dancer and fitness coach Didi Caneda, the romantic balladeer and Registered Nurse Michael Jurolan, and the 1st runner-up of Mrs. Asia USA 2023 and singing realtor Czarina Umali Au.

Worship leaders from Jane’s church community Embrace Serve and Gather Team accompanied Jane as if music from the heavens filled the jampacked gathering spot this side of the South Bay. Jane brought the house down with songs by Cece Winans and other songs of reverence backed up by three singers, a saxophone player, a guitar player and a keyboardist.

Michael Jurolan gave an astounding rendition of Gary Valenciano’s hit song “Take Me

Out of the Dark” while Czarina Umali captivated the audience with her version of her favorite singer Regine Velasquez’s song “Dadalhin.”

Founder of WSDM Water and now concert producer JayR Vienes Datu, in his first venture as a producer, aims “to revitalize our communities that we serve one sip at time and now one song, one person and one moment at a time.”

WSDM (Words and Songs with Divine Meaning) Productions works toward providing an avenue for up-and-coming artists to share and showcase their talents, inspiring people and letting people know that they matter and their story matters. An open mic segment capped the night to further edify the many artists that were in attendance such as Japanese jazz singer Setsuko Hata, classicallytrained singer Imogen Atangan, and Jane’s vocal coach Erneville Vinculado.

Several business leaders who supported the show such as Faith Bautista of National Diversity Coalition, Siray Kong of Ounsiray, Javier Suarez of Fast Fix Jewelry and Repairs, Phyll Valencia of Valencia Financial Advisors, Katherine Bercasio of KBercs Click, Abigail Castillo and Vince Roxas of Viabox, Nonie

Belarmino or iDance

Productions, Dr. Aluning of Carson

Dental

is ‘Destined’ to do what she does best — giving glory to her Creator through her music.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * *

micdiazpresents@gmail.com

“‘Under Parallel Skies’ becomes the first Philippine cross-country film to have its world premiere in Hong Kong as one of the special events of the prestigious 17th Asian Film Awards (AFA),” she said.

“The gala will happen on March 11 at APM in Kwun Tong. Following the gala, the film will have its Hong Kong premiere at the B+ cinema,” she added.

Aside from Bernardo, Salvador and Metawin, executive producers from production company 28 Squared Studios, members of the AFA committee, the film’s partners and select

guests of honor will also be in attendance at the Hong Kong event. Salvador also shared the announcement on her Instagram page, adding: “Hope you’re ready to meet Iris and Parin!”

has a significant role in the story of his life. Rumors of Salvador and Metawin, who gained a following in the Philippines after his hit boy love series “2gether: The Series,” joining together in a project first sparked in June 2023. The production company confirmed the project a month later. 

SB19’s Justin is carving a path of his own with ‘Surreal’

by HANNAH MALLORCA Inquirer.net

JUSTIN de Dios can instantly catch anyone’s attention. His breathtaking aura as one-fifth of SB19 is hard to miss — but “Surreal” is his way of allowing listeners to see how breathtaking the world can be from his point of view. Thus, the dreamlike vibe of the song and the visuals which reflect his own imagination.

But beyond his superstar status, he’s someone who loves Grass-type Pokemon and movies under the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. So much that it translated into his identity as an artist and a creative.

“Ever since noong bata pa ako, may something special sa’kin ang trees, forests, grass — even pati sa Grass Pokemon. I don’t know why but there’s something about it. Even the movies na pinapanood ko, nagagandahan ako kapag ang setup ay nasa gubat o bundok.” he told INQUIRER. net in a one-on-one interview held hours before a private launch for his solo debut.

In the hours leading up to the private launch, Justin confessed he was nervous about striking out on his own, veering from the comfort of his group. But he said he’s faithful to SB19’s motto to “get in the zone” to free himself from the nerves. But from the looks of his cream polo, brocade vest, and dark brown pants, the spray of flowers on his buttonhole was enough hint of how he wanted to establish himself as a solo artist. Labor of love “Surreal” was a labor of love done with the help of people close to Justin. The lyrics were written by the SB19 member himself while the melody was produced by Radkidz, a producing duo composed of Pablo and his brother Josue. Meanwhile, Stell was one of the content producers and the makeup artist for the music video — where some of its scenes were shot in Atok, Benguet, and Seoul, South Korea.

“In terms of the concept, binalikan ko ‘yung mga creative thoughts ko from before and ideas [until deciding] na ito ‘yung visual na gusto kong gawin. With the help of my friends and my cocreative director, na-build namin ang concept,” he said.

But before its release, Justin had already

Justin of SB19 made his solo debut with “Surreal.”

Tribute to a lm icon: Gloria...

PAGE B1

“Maraming mga family na nagmamahal sa akin. They take care of me, lalo na yung anak ko’ng si Marites,” the movie icon added.

The event, hosted by Butch Francisco, was enlivened by

touching performances from Vina Morales, Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, Marisa Sanchez, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Carol Banawa, Dulce and Romero’s grandson Chris.

Amy Perez and Boy Abunda also came on stage to share their stories about the award-winning actress. Others in attendance included industry luminaries

Divina Valencia, Marissa Delgado, Pepito Rodriguez, Liza

Lorena, Nova Villa, Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Tessie Villarama, Imelda Ilanan and Tina Loy.

As attested by the tribute, Romero’s contribution to the entertainment industry is indeed imprinted not just on the people who are close to her but also on her admirers who had the opportunity to witness the movie icon’s remarkable presence on screen. 

EMPLOYMENT FOR RENT SERVICES

Thai actor Win Metawin and Janella Salvador Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/28 Squared Studios

Care and Andrew Ernacio of Auto Detail Nation, among other sponsors, were present. As the show ended, one can see and can definitely agree that Jane, along with the help of her fellow artists, her worship community, and everyone who assisted with the show,

Fil-Am gospel singer Jane Magan Chang, who is also known as Jane Rockstar. Photos by Robert Ryan

Guest performer Czarina Umali sings a Regine Velasquez song.

Guest singer Michael Jurolan sings a Gary V classic.

Contemporary dance and fitness coach Didi Caneda performs on stage.

Jane Rockstar performs with the band.

WSDM Water founder and now concert producer JayR Vienes Datu says a few words to the audience. To his right is singer Michael Jurolan.

A jam-packed The Noypitz in Cerritos was the venue for WSDM Production’s first-ever concert which featured Fil-Am gospel singer Jane Rockstar.

“Salamat nang maraming marami. I miss all of them. Imagine how old I am now. Do you know how much?” she asked.

Photo courtesy of Sony Music Philippines and 1Z Entertainment been surrounded by a support network of his members, colleagues, and dedicated fans. He, of course, is “very thankful” for the love early on. “I’m super overwhelmed. Bukod sa nakikita ko sa social media ang support ng fans, even the people around me are supportive and excited. Kaya I’m very happy and nakaka-gain ako ng confidence to do this,” he said.

If the custodial parent refuses to apply for the benefits or fails to cooperate with the appropriate federal agency, the noncustodial parent may be credited towards their child support obligation for the amount of benefits that the child would have received. The noncustodial parent must provide evidence to the local child support agency indicating the amount of benefits the child would have received.

This credit is intended to help ensure that children receive the financial support they need from both parents, even if one parent is deceased or disabled. It can also help to reduce the financial burden on the custodial parent.

If you are a noncustodial parent who is receiving federal government payments on behalf of your child, you may be eligible for a credit towards your child support obligation. You should speak with an experienced family law attorney to discuss your specific case.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about California Family Code section 4504:

• The credit is not available for all types of federal government payments.

• The credit may not be available if the noncustodial parent is already receiving a credit for child support payments from another source.

Sharon

Cuneta reminds

• The amount of the credit may be limited.

If you have any questions about California Family Code section 4504, you should speak with an experience family law specialist attorney.

*

The freedom that the law provides

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas

IMAGINE a world without laws or rules governing behavior and moral conduct; it would descend into chaos. In a world where everyone acts solely in their own interests, we would all face severe consequences. Laws exist not to restrict us but to liberate us from various societal ills such as conflicts, violence, disunity, abuse, corruption, disrespect, and anguish born out of pride, self-glory, and ultimately leading to physical and spiritual decay.

Our first reading from the Book of Exodus, 12:1-17, recounts God delivering His commandments to the people of Israel. The paramount law He establishes for them is, “I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; you shall have no other gods before me.” This law serves as a constant reminder of the freedom from slavery bestowed upon them by God and

fans:

Money amounts to nothing if we’re unhealthy

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

SHARON Cuneta recalled how she shifted to a healthier lifestyle when she turned 50, saying this decision “changed” her life and improved her well-being.

The Megastar, who has been vocal about her health ordeals, underscored the importance of prioritizing one’s health, through a vlog on her YouTube channel on Wednesday, Feb. 28. “I lost weight when I decided I really wanted to change my life and my outlook on health, and improve the way I live every day,” she said.

The veteran actress-singer then spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a “wakeup call” not just for her but for the public as well. “It showed us the reality of the old saying na gamit na gamit na pero totoo, ‘yung ‘health is wealth,” she stated. “Because kahit nga naman ano ang pag-aari mo, kahit gaano ka kayaman o kaligaya sa buhay mo, kung hindi okay ang health mo or you don’t make it a priority, it amounts to nothing—everything na meron tayo—if we’re unhealthy.” (It showed us the reality of the old and very common saying: “Health is wealth.” Because

underscores their allegiance to the God who rescued them, affirming their commitment to serve solely Him and not other deities. This initial commandment, constituting a covenant between God and humanity, lays the groundwork for the remaining Ten Commandments, all of which revolve around the principles of respect and protection for one another: “Honor your father and mother...You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” By upholding these commandments faithfully, individuals can experience peace, harmony, and justice in their communal lives.

Jesus came to perfect the commandments, known collectively as the Law, by anchoring them in the most essential virtue: love. All commandments, laws, or rules find their true fulfillment through our deep love for God and one another. Jesus demonstrated this by obediently submitting to the will of the Father out of love and unity with Him. By assuming human

form, proclaiming His Father’s teachings, enduring suffering, and sacrificing himself for us, Jesus epitomized obedience to the      Father. Through this obedience, we are liberated from sin and granted the promise of eternal life. This paradoxical aspect of God’s wisdom, as highlighted by Paul in the upcoming Second Reading, underscores the profound nature of divine love. The Church, with its comprehensive set of rules and laws, is not only rooted in love but also in principles of justice and mercy. These regulations seek to foster harmony and peace in our lives, guiding us towards a collective flourishing. Let us liberate our minds from narrow and pessimistic views of biblical and ecclesiastical laws and regulations. Instead, let us perceive them through the lens of the freedom and peace they offer.

* * *

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.

* * *

Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

SB19’s Justin is carving a...

Doing his best Justin is aware that adjusting as a solo act is normal. “As an artist, nag-start ako with SB19 so now in my solo path, I need firsthand experience and adjustment,” he said after asking what this moment meant to him as an artist. “I’m nervous because all eyes are on me and I’m doing this alone. Siguro ang pinakatinatry kong gawin as a soloist [is to enter into this mindset na] gusto ko ang ginagawa ko.”

But the singer-songwriter and creative knows he’s “not perfect.” Still, he wants to show the best sides of himself as a solo act.

“I want to do my best. I know that I’m not perfect in doing things — I don’t expect myself to be perfect. But ang [iniisip ko is] masaya ako, pinapasaya ko ang mga tao, at nage-enjoy ka

sa ginagawa mo. You do your best even if you’re not perfect,” said Justin.

As a member of SB19, it’s normal for Justin to share his creativity with the world. But he makes sure to find a balance between keeping what he wants to have for himself and what he opts to share with the public.

Following the quintet’s debut in 2018, he’s also busy behind the scenes as the group’s creative director. He’s also the CEO of his own brand, Visar Society. Parang wala nang balance,” he said before laughing when asked how he manages to balance between doing his job and staying true to himself.

Siguro the work na binabalance ko is when I go public. Medyo exhausting din kasi when say, pupunta ka sa shoot, so ‘yun ang mahirap ibalance. Some of our work, nagagawa sa bahay. Actually,

minsan nakakapaglaro pa nga ako while working,” he said before laughing again.

The topic of balance also applies when it comes to handling constructive criticism and praise. Justin says anyone would know if a compliment is “genuine or not,” which allows him to rely on his own instincts.

Mafe-feel mo siya,” he said matter-of-factly. “For me, most of the time, ina-accept ko naman ‘yung alam kong genuine kasi cino-compare ko siya side-byside sa constructive criticism.” And for Justin, this is one of the things that helps him in bringing his creative ideas to life.

“Cino-compare ko siya side by side kung magme-make sense,” he said. “Mas ita-try ko silang intindihin and to connect the dots. I weigh both of them, and dapat silang pinapakinggan.” g

Atty.

ARE you having problems paying your debts? Are creditors calling you day and night threatening you with a wage garnishment, repossession, or foreclosure? Are you starting to feel hopeless and depressed about your situation and don’t know where to turn for help?

We are living in tough financial times. Economists are foreseeing a recession right around the corner. Soaring gas prices, businesses still struggling from the pandemic shutdowns, a lot of people who resorted to using credit cards to stay afloat while unemployed during the pandemic – these are just some of the causes of the financial hardship that a lot of people are experiencing. Or perhaps you may have suffered a job loss, foreclosure, lawsuit, divorce. or other unexpected calamity and you now find yourself overwhelmed with debt. You realize that your debt problems are not simply going to go away unless you do something about them but just don’t know where to start.

You have the right under federal law to file bankruptcy and get immediate relief from debt. Bankruptcy is nothing more than a legal remedy that allows you to regain control of your finances so that you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible. Of course,

How bankruptcy can get rid of your financial stress

it is not the answer to all financial problems but when appropriate for your situation, it may be the only way for you to get out of the mess you’re currently in.

Although Congress has passed tougher bankruptcy laws over the years, debt relief is still available – whether they are wiping out debts under Chapter 7, or reorganizing under Chapter 13. Depending on your circumstances, your debts can be wiped out under Chapter 7 in only a few months, or the Court may ask you to repay your creditors with lower monthly debt payments over a 3- to 5-year period. Either way, the goal is to help you recover financially and help you start a new life free from the burden of excessive debt.

and whatever little they have, they are often protected by the exemption laws in bankruptcy.

So, it is a misconception that “once you file bankruptcy, you will automatically lose everything.” The truth is that most people keep everything they have (homes, cars, bank accounts, retirement plans, etc.) and they lose nothing at all. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your case

Although Congress has passed tougher bankruptcy laws over the years, debt relief is still available – whether they are wiping out debts under Chapter 7, or reorganizing under Chapter 13.

Briefly, Chapter 7 allows you to cancel or discharge your debts but in return, you must give up whatever non-exempt assets you may have. The good news is that most people don’t have much

and help you plan so that you can maximize your exemptions and claim the full benefits allowed by law. Chapter 13, on the other hand, is a debt reorganization or debt consolidation plan. The court requires you to submit all your income information as well as a monthly budget to assess your ability to pay. Your Chapter 13 plan payments will be based on the surplus income as determined by the Court.

Chapter 13 allows you to keep valuable property such as your

home or car (although you were behind on your mortgage and car payments at the time of filing) and will stop foreclosure and repossession immediately on the day your case is filed. Credit card debts are included in your monthly payment under Chapter 13, and, in most cases, they can be significantly reduced or even totally eliminated.

The only way to know if bankruptcy is right for your situation is to consult with a professional who has the knowledge and experience to advise you regarding your options under bankruptcy law. If you need debt relief, it is unnecessary for you to continue suffering under the huge burden of debt when the solution you need may be right under your nose. If anything, at least find out if bankruptcy is for you. Do it 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)

‘Sam Milby, Catriona Gray facing some challenges’

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

SAM Milby and Catriona Gray’s Cornerstone Entertainment talent agency set the record straight over the split rumors surrounding the celebrity couple.

In a statement released on Wednesday, February 28, Cornerstone admitted that Sam and Catriona are facing challenges in their relationship.

“We at Cornerstone, as the talent management agency representing artists Sam Milby and Catriona Gray, would like to address the recent rumors surrounding their relationship,” the statement read.

“While it is true that Sam and Catriona are currently facing some challenges in their relationship, they are actively working on resolving these issues together,” it added.

The talent management asked everyone to give the couple a chance to fix their relationship.

“We kindly request that everyone respect their privacy during this time as they navigate through this situation. We appreciate the concern and well-wishes from all those who have shown support for the couple,” it said.

Breakup rumors between Sam and Catriona began when eagle-eyed social media users noticed that Catriona was no longer wearing her engagement ring in some events.

The two, however, were still always seen together with their friends on social media. g

Sharon Cuneta reminds...

whatever you own, however rich or happy you are with your life, if you don’t have good health or if you don’t make it a priority, it amounts to nothing—everything that we own—if we’re unhealthy.)

Opening up more on her realizations during the pandemic, she continued, “Sabi nila, most health conditions are caused by stress so you have to be careful about that.”

“Finding this out really made me appreciate that I thought of shifting to a healthier lifestyle. I was 50 when I made that decision,” she looked back. “I wanted to create a better version of myself and that was exactly eight years ago.”

Cuneta earlier appealed for prayers as she disclosed that some aspects of her body’s condition had worsened, and that she had to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

In her most recent health update, she revealed she has been undergoing physical therapy because her leg has been in pain and that she has been limping for more than a month. g

Sharon Cuneta Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/Sharon Cuneta Network

Celebrity couple Sam Milby and Catriona Gray at the ABS-CBN Ball 2023 Philstar.com photo