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Raffy, Sara top choices for 2028 presidential race – survey

The Albany Medical Center system, which includes their hospital, is leaving the Klions’ Humana plan — or, depending on which side is talking, the other way around. The breakup threatened to cut the couple’s lifeline to cope with serious chronic health conditions.

MANILA — Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque clarified on Tuesday, April 2 that ex-President Rodrigo Duterte made no specific “agreement” on Ayungin Shoal. He reiterated that the pact made with China was to “respect the status quo” in the entire West Philippine Sea. Roque’s clarification came after former presidential adviser Salvador Panelo claimed that Duterte “did not

Fil-Ams, Indian Americans have lowest poverty rates among Asians in US

Study shows that 1 in 10 Asian Americans live at or below the poverty line, but poverty rates vary widely depending on the country of origin

LOS ANGELES – Asian Americans are often portrayed as financially successful when compared with other racial groups, but a new report, released this week by the Pew Research Center, shows that 1 in 10 people of Asian descent live at or below the poverty line.

The report shows that more than 2.3 million Asian Americans – or about 10 percent – lived in poverty in 2022. However, the poverty rates vary widely across the different countries of origin, according to the Pew Research Center’s analysis of US Census Bureau data.

Burmese (19%) and Hmong Americans (17%) were among the Asian groups with the highest poverty rates – while Filipino (7%) and Indian Americans (6%) were

From New York to Las Vegas: Filipino Food Month lineup of events unveiled

by ian laqui Philstar.com

among the groups with the lowest poverty rates.

The report drew from 18 focus groups with participants from 11 Asian groups in different regions across the United States, as well as census and survey data.

Key facts about Asian Americans living in poverty

1. About 10 percent of Asian Americans overall live in poverty, but poverty rates vary widely depending on the country of origin.

Burmese (19%) and Hmong Americans (17%) were among the Asian origin groups with the highest poverty rates. Meanwhile, Filipino (7%) and Indian Americans (6%) were among the groups with the lowest poverty rates.

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THE month of April heralds the arrival of Filipino Food Month, promising a series of festivities that celebrate the rich tapestry of flavors and the vibrant cultural heritage of the Philippines.

Mike Ang, a board member of the Filipino Food Movement (FFM), officially kicked off Filipino Food Month events last week in New York with a simple happy hour at the Gugu Room in the Lower East Side.

“We have events here on the East Coast and on the West Coast, really bringing this whole country together through Filipino food,” Ang expressed.

“By participating in our stamp program and passports, you can get an opportunity to win two round-trip tickets to the Philippines from anywhere domestically here in the U.S.”

Apart from the grand prize, there are various other prizes up for grabs. Ang urged everyone to visit the Filipino Food Movement website for more information about the events taking place nationwide.

“We’re encouraging you guys to post, and for restaurant owners, please visit our website and sign up to participate so that

we can get our community out there, get people out there to try our food, and possibly win some really, really fun prizes,” he emphasized.

Ang mentioned that this month’s theme will highlight the versatility of the Filipino coconut, offering coconutrelated dishes, desserts, and products such as coconut rum, coconut oil, and more.

In New York, one of the highlights of the month will be FFM‘s collaboration with the James Beard Foundation called “Merienda.” This event will be held at the James Beard Platform, and will showcase some of NYC’s finest Filipino chefs, including Top Chef alums Dale Talde and Leah Cohen, fashion-forward Woldy Reyes, up-and-coming LJ Almendras, entrepreneur Diana Manalang, and James Beard finalist Nicole Ponseca serving delectable food and drinks.

Throughout the month, the Philippine Consulate General in New York has organized various events, including popups and marketplaces selling Filipino food.

One of these events is ‘HANDOG: An Exquisite Showcase of Filipino Flavors and Festivities,’ to be held on

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BART Klion, 95, and his wife, Barbara, faced a tough choice in January: The upstate New York couple learned that this year they could keep either their private, Medicare Advantage insurance plan — or their doctors at Saratoga Hospital.

Klion refused to pick the lesser of two bad options without a fight. He contacted Humana, the Saratoga hospital, and the health system. The couple’s doctors “are an exceptional group

Philippine Supply Vessel Unaizah May 4 en route to Ayungin Shoal for

a Rotation and Resupply Mission was water cannoned by the China Coast Guard. Screengrab from Armed Forces of the Philippines video posted on Facebook/File photo

Raffy, Sara top choices for 2028...

Sen. Grace Poe leading with 35 percent, followed by Senator Marcos with 16 percent, former Senator Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Robin Padilla with 14 percent, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri with seven percent, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro with four percent and Romualdez with one percent. Respondents also mentioned other names as potential candidates for vice president, such as Tulfo, Sen. Bong Go, Hontiveros, former Senator Francis Pangilinan, Duterte, her brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Pulse Asia has yet to issue an

At the Senate, Zubiri dispelled rumors that he will seek public office in 2028. Zubiri thanked Pulse Asia for including him in its last survey for the next vice presidential race as he assured the public that his four remaining years of public service will be dedicated to uplifting the lives of every Filipino through meaningful legislation. “However, to dispel any

rumors that may arise, I would like to make it clear that I will not be running for any public office in 2028 and I am, in fact, contemplating my retirement from almost 30 years of politics,” Zubiri said.

The senate president thanked “my kababayans from Mindanao and the Visayas for their support, making up 14 percent and 8 percent of my Pulse Asia numbers, respectively.” n

Duterte-China deal covers entire WPS not...

enter” any gentleman’s agreement.

In an interview over SMNI on Monday, April 1, Panelo said he talked to Duterte twice during the Holy Week and the former chief executive categorically denied having made such a pact with China.

“I’ve been avoiding that Ayungin Shoal like a hot potato because I know it’s a very hot topic, so I did not make an agreement with anyone,” said Panelo in a mix of English and Filipino, quoting Duterte. Panelo likewise claimed that whoever is spreading that such an agreement exists is lying, adding that that person probably wants “publicity for himself.” Roque, in an interview with ANC’s Headstart on Tuesday, agreed with some points made by Panelo. He, however, maintained that Duterte had an agreement with China.

“There is no specific agreement on Ayungin. The gentleman’s agreement is to respect the status quo on the entire West Philippine Sea dispute. That is correct and I do not deny that,” said Roque. “So, that is why I am, in fact, surprised that what has been coming in the media is a sell out of sorts. Why? Did we lose territory? Did we lose [BRP] Sierra Madre? Did the [former] president order the removal of BRP Sierra Madre? Certainly not,” he noted. “The agreement is on how to manage the entire dispute in the West Philippine Sea and not

specifically on Ayungin,” he added. Roque earlier told the media that Duterte’s agreement – which called for the Philippines to refrain from constructing and repairing installations in the area — was “non-binding” and could not apply during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s tenure.

Pinoys overseas reminded to register...

April 2, the Comelec held the second round of bidding for the procurement of

Fil-Ams, Indian Americans have lowest...

2. A third of Asian Americans, 25 and older, who live in poverty have a bachelor’s degree. Among non-Asians who live in poverty, only 14 percent have a bachelor’s degree. Asian Americans with at least a bachelor’s degree are still less likely to live in poverty (5%) than those with less formal education (13%).

3. Nearly 6 in 10 Asian Americans who live in poverty are immigrants. Only a few of these immigrants speak English proficiently.

Among Asian immigrants living below the poverty line, 44 percent are proficient in English while 61 percent of immigrants living above the poverty line speak English proficiently.

5. Fresno, California (19%), Buffalo, New York (18%) and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (15%) are among the metro areas with the highest poverty rates among Asian Americans. Still, Asian Americans who live in poverty largely reside in places with larger Asian populations than these metro areas.

6. Around 8 in 10 Asian adults who live in poverty (79%) have experienced financial challenges in some way in the past 12 months, according to a Pew Research Center survey of Asian adults conducted in 2022 and 2023. Among the specific financial challenges they faced: 57 percent of Asian adults living in poverty were unable to save for emergencies; 42% had trouble paying their bills; and 38% have received food from a food bank or charitable organization.

or employment. Nearly half of respondents said they also sought government assistance on a local, state or federal level. Meanwhile, 19 percent of respondents said they have never asked or received support from the government, nor from religious institutions or community organizations.

8. Roughly half of Asian Americans who live in poverty (47%) say the American dream is out of reach, but others say they have achieved it (15%) or are on their way to achieving it (36%). Asians living above the poverty line are more optimistic about their chances of achieving the American dream: 26 percent say it is out of reach for them, while 27 percent say they have achieved it and 46 percent say they are on their way to achieving it. Learn more about Asian Americans’ experiences with economic hardship in this data essay and short film. (Nimfa U. Rueda/Inquirer.net) n From

4. About 1 million Asians who live below the poverty line are located in 10 US metropolitan areas. In fact, more than 500,000 live in just three metropolitan areas: New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

7. A majority of Asian adults who live in poverty (61%) have turned to family or friends for help with bills, housing, food

From New York to Las Vegas: Filipino...

In the same interview on ANC, Roque said there was also a water cannon incident during Duterte’s time and this occurred in Ayungin Shoal.

“That was when the matter of delivery of supplies and repair materials came about. But I remember distinctly and I was there when the [former] President showed his anger to the Chinese ambassador: ‘Make sure that not one of my soldier dies, because if even one of them dies then it would become a different pattern,’” he recalled the former president saying. Roque admitted he is not certain whether or not the Philippines proceeded to deliver construction materials to BRP Sierra Madre after the water cannon incident during Duterte’s time.

But he also explained that the grounded BRP Sierra Madre would certainly have collapsed without these materials.

“The difference is we did so discreetly if we must have brought [construction] materials because for as long as the Chinese believe that the delivery consists only of water and food, then, they will not object,” said Roque. n

April 5 and 26, 2024in collaboration with Hotel Edison. Handog will spotlight a variety of special Filipino food items and products at the lobby of Hotel Edison, with the showcase aligning with this year’s Filipino Food Month theme, “Kalutong Filipino, Lakas ng Kabataang Makabago.”

According to the consulate’s announcement, guests of this event are encouraged to immerse themselves in the diverse and vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine, ranging from delectable snacks to artisanal crafts. The event promises to offer a glimpse into the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines, right in the heart of New York City.

Ang expressed gratitude to the attendees and the event partners for their support. He encouraged guests to visit the Filipino Food Movement website, tag friends, and share recipes and experiences. Filipino Food Month, as proclaimed by Presidential Proclamation 469 in 2018 serves as an annual initiative to promote, preserve, and transmit Filipino culinary traditions to present and future generations.

The Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, spearheaded efforts to declare the month of April as Filipino Food Month to further recognize the importance of safeguarding culinary heritage amidst globalization. This year, FFM aims to host over 100 local and international events across various venues, including food festivals, cooking demonstrations, contests, exhibitions, and immersive cooking workshops. n

This week, San Francisco welcomed the festivities with a kickoff reception on Wednesday, April 3 at the Philippine Center. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Filipino American restaurants, chefs, and food enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting lineup of events, including a kick-off ceremony on April 15 at Truffles n Bacon; Restaurant Week with 15+ local Filipino-owned restaurants highlighting coconut in an exclusively curated dish from April 20-28; and Filipino Food Month Grand Finale celebration on April 29.

Raffy Tulfo and Sara Duterte Philstar.com photos

Villar patriarch places 190 in... Your doctor or your insurer...

his son Manuel Paolo.

The former legislator also possesses four other publicly traded companies, which include mall operator Vistamalls, home improvement chain AllHome, supermarket chain AllDay Marts and Premiere Island Power REIT.

In June 2022, the company introduced VistaREIT, a real estate investment trust, with an initial collection of 10 shopping malls and two office towers, according to Forbes. Villar is the husband of Sen. Cynthia Villar and the father of Sen. Mark Villar and Rep. Camille Villar (Las Piñas). It could also be recalled that Villar ran for president during the 2010 elections but lost to former President Benigno Aquino III. Villar also became the former speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2000 during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.

In the Top 50 billionaires in the Philippines, meanwhile, Villar ranked second next to the Sy Siblings who has a combined wealth of $14.4 billion (P812,476,800,000).

However, the Sy siblings were ranked individually in the world list. Villar was followed by Enrique Razon ($8.1 billion) and Ramon Ang ($3.4 billion). Forbes reported that the

number of billionaires worldwide has increased to 2,781,141 more than last year.

This growth comes despite geopolitical unrest and ongoing inflation concerns as their wealth expands. n

Four years after shelter-in...

Four years later, people’s lives are largely free of the extreme public health measures that restricted them early in the pandemic. But COVID misinformation persists, although it’s now centered mostly on vaccines and vaccinerelated conspiracy theories.

PolitiFact has published more than 2,000 fact checks related to COVID vaccines alone.

“From a misinformation researcher perspective, [there has been] shifting levels of trust,” said Tara Kirk Sell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “Early on in the pandemic, there was a lot of: ‘This isn’t real,’ fake cures, and then later on, we see more vaccine-focused mis- and disinformation and a more partisan type of disinformation and misinformation.”

Here are some of the most persistent COVID misinformation narratives we see today: A loss of trust in the vaccines COVID vaccines were quickly developed, with U.S. patients receiving the first shots in December 2020, 11 months after the first domestic case was detected. Experts credit the speedy development with helping to save millions of lives and preventing hospitalizations. Researchers at the University of Southern California and Brown University calculated that vaccines saved 2.4 million lives in 141 countries starting from the vaccines’ rollout through August 2021 alone. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention data shows there were 1,164 U.S. deaths provisionally attributed to COVID the week of March 2, down from nearly 26,000 at the pandemic’s height in January 2021, as vaccines were just rolling out.

But on social media and in some public officials’ remarks, misinformation about COVID vaccine efficacy and safety is common. U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has built his 2024 campaign on a movement that seeks to legitimize conspiracy theories about the vaccines. PolitiFact made that its 2023 “Lie of the Year.”

PolitiFact has seen claims that spike proteins from vaccines are replacing sperm in vaccinated males. (That’s false.) We’ve researched the assertion that vaccines can change your DNA. (That’s misleading and ignores evidence). Social media posts poked fun at Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce for encouraging people to get vaccinated, asserting that the vaccine actually shuts off recipients’ hearts. (No, it doesn’t.) And some people pointed to an American Red Cross blood donation questionnaire as evidence that shots are unsafe. (PolitiFact rated that False.)

Experts say this misinformation has real-world effects.

A September 2023 survey by KFF found that 57% of Americans “say they are very or somewhat confident” in COVID vaccines. And those who distrust them are more likely to

This is what it takes to take on Alzheimer’s.

It’s not easy to accept that memory loss that disrupts daily life could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Or that two-thirds of people diagnosed are women, including Asian American and Pacific Islander women.

But we can watch for signs in ourselves and others. And reduce our risk by staying active and lowering blood pressure.

Because we have what it takes to take on Alzheimer’s.

of caregivers and have made it possible for us to live an active and productive life,” he wrote to the hospital’s CEO. He called his wife’s former employer, which requires its retirees to enroll in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan to receive company health benefits. He also contacted the New York StateWide Senior Action Council, one of the nationwide State Health Insurance Assistance Programs that offer free, unbiased advice on Medicare. Klion said they all told him the same thing: Keep your doctors or your insurance.

With rare exceptions, Advantage members are locked into their plans for the rest of the year — while health providers may leave at any time.

Disputes between insurers and providers can lead to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving the plans. Insurers must comply with extensive regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including little-known protections for beneficiaries when doctors or hospitals leave their networks. But the news of a breakup can come as a surprise.

In the nearly three decades since Congress created a privatesector alternative to original, government-run Medicare, the plans have enrolled a record 52% of Medicare’s 66 million older or disabled adults, according to the CMS. But along with getting extra benefits that original Medicare doesn’t offer, Advantage beneficiaries have discovered downsides. One common complaint is the requirement that they receive care only from networks of designated providers.

Many hospitals have also become disillusioned by the program.

“We hear every day, from our hospitals and health systems across the country, about challenges they experience with Medicare Advantage plans,” said Michelle Millerick, senior associate director for health insurance and coverage policy at the American Hospital Association, which represents about 5,000 hospitals. The hurdles include prior authorization restrictions, late or low payments, and “inappropriate denials of medically necessary covered services,” she said.

“Some of these issues get to a boiling point where decisions are made to not participate in networks anymore,” she said.

An escape hatch

CMS gives most Advantage members two chances to change plans: during the annual open enrollment period in the fall and from January until March 31.

But a few years ago, CMS created an escape hatch by expanding special enrollment periods, or SEPs, which allow for “exceptional circumstances.”

Beneficiaries who qualify can request SEPs to change plans or return to original Medicare.

According to CMS rules, there’s an SEP patients may use if their health is in jeopardy due to problems getting or continuing care. This may include situations in which their health care providers are leaving their plans’ networks, said David Lipschutz, an associate director at the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

Another SEP is available for beneficiaries who experience “significant” network changes, although CMS officials declined to explain what qualifies as significant. However, in 2014, CMS offered this SEP to UnitedHealthcare Advantage members after the insurer terminated contracts with providers in 10 states.

When providers leave, CMS ensures that the plans maintain “adequate access to needed services,” Meena Seshamani, CMS deputy administrator and director of the federal Center for Medicare, said in a statement.

While hospitals say insurers are pushing them out, insurers blame hospitals for the turmoil in Medicare Advantage networks.

“Hospitals are using their dominant market positions to demand unprecedented double-digit rate increases and threatening to terminate their contracts if insurers don’t agree,” said Ashley Bach, a spokesperson for Regence BlueShield, which offers Advantage plans in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington state.

Patients get caught in the middle.

“It feels like the powers that be are playing chicken,” said Mary Kay Taylor, 69, who lives near Tacoma, Washington. Regence BlueShield was in a weeks-long dispute with MultiCare, one of the largest medical systems in

Real estate magnate Manuel Villar Philstar.com photo

Your doctor or your insurer...

Scripps Health has left nearly all the area’s Advantage plans. In North Carolina, UNC Health and UnitedHealthcare renewed their contract just three days before it would have expired, and only two days before the deadline for Advantage members to switch plans. And in New York City, Aetna told its Advantage members this year to be prepared to lose access to the 18 hospitals and other care facilities in the NewYorkPresbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center health system, before reaching an agreement on a contract last week. Limited choices Taylor didn’t want to lose her doctors or her Regence Advantage plan. She’s recovering from surgery and said waiting to see how the drama would end “was really scary.” So, last month, she enrolled in another plan, with help from Tim Smolen, director of Washington’s SHIP, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program. Soon afterward, Regence and MultiCare agreed to a new contract. But Taylor is allowed only one change before March 31 and can’t return to Regence this year, Smolen said. Finding an alternative plan can be like winning at bingo. Some patients have multiple doctors, who all must be easy to get to and covered by the new plan. To avoid bigger, outof-network bills, they must find a plan that also covers their prescription drugs and includes their preferred pharmacies.

“A lot of times, we may get through the provider network and find that that’s good to go

but then we get to the drugs,” said Kelli Jo Greiner, state director of Minnesota’s SHIP, Senior LinkAge Line. Since Jan. 1, counselors there have helped more than 900 people switch to new Advantage plans after HealthPartners, a large health system based in Bloomington, left Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans. Choices are more limited for low-income beneficiaries who receive subsidies for drugs and monthly premiums, which only a few plans accept, Greiner said.

For almost 6 million people, a former employer chooses a Medicare Advantage plan and requires them to enroll in it to receive retiree health benefits.

If they want to keep a provider who leaves that plan, those beneficiaries must forfeit all their employer-subsidized health benefits, often including coverage for their families.

The threat of losing coverage for their providers was one reason some New York City retirees sued Mayor Eric Adams to stop efforts to force 250,000 of them into an Aetna Advantage plan, said Marianne Pizzitola, president of the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, which filed the lawsuit. The retirees won three times, and city officials are appealing again.

CMS requires Advantage plans to notify their members 45 days before a primary care doctor leaves their plan and 30 days before a specialist physician drops out.

But counselors who advise Medicare beneficiaries say the notice doesn’t always work.

“A lot of people are experiencing disruptions to

their care,” said Sophie Exdell, a program manager in San Diego for California’s SHIP, the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program. She said about 32,000 people in San Diego lost access to Scripps Health providers when the system left most of the area’s Advantage plans. Many didn’t get the notice or, if they did, “they couldn’t get through to someone to get help making a change,” she said.

CMS also requires plans to comply with network adequacy rules, which limit how far and how long members must travel to primary care doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other providers. The agency checks compliance every three years or more often if necessary.

In the end, Bart Klion said he had no alternative but to stick with Humana because he and his wife couldn’t afford to give up their retiree health benefits. He was able to find doctors willing to take on new patients this year. But he wonders: “What happens in 2025?”

This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF— an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. (By Susan Jaffe/ California Healthline) n

Four years after shelter-in...

identify as politically conservative: Thirty-six percent of Republicans compared with 84% of Democrats say they are very or somewhat confident in the vaccine.

Immunization rates for routine vaccines for other conditions have also taken a hit. Measles had been eradicated for more than 20 years in the U.S. but there have been recent outbreaks in states including Florida, Maryland, and Ohio. Florida’s surgeon general has expressed skepticism about vaccines and rejected guidance from the CDC about how to contain potentially deadly disease spread.

The vaccination rate among kindergartners has declined from 95% in the 2019-20 school year to 93% in 2022-23, according to the CDC. Public health officials have set a 95% vaccination rate target to prevent and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. The CDC also found exemptions had risen to 3%, the highest rate ever recorded in the U.S.

Unsubstantiated claims that vaccines cause deaths or other illness

PolitiFact has seen repeated and unsubstantiated claims that COVID vaccines have caused mass numbers of deaths.

A recent widely shared post claimed 17 million people had died because of the vaccine, despite contrary evidence from multiple studies and institutions such as the World Health Organization and CDC that the vaccines are safe and help to prevent severe illness and death.

Another online post claimed the booster vaccine had eight strains of HIV and would kill 23% of the population. Vaccine manufacturers publish the ingredient lists; they do not include HIV. People living with HIV were among the people given priority access during early vaccine rollout to protect them from severe illness. COVID vaccines also have been blamed for causing Alzheimer’s and cancer. Experts have found no evidence the vaccines cause either conditions.

“You had this remarkable scientific or medical accomplishment contrasted with this remarkable rejection of that technology by a significant portion of the American public,” said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

More than three years after vaccines became available, about 70% of Americans have completed a primary series of COVID vaccination, according to CDC figures. About 17% have gotten the most recent bivalent booster.

False claims often pull from and misuse data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The database, run by the CDC and the FDA, allows anybody to report reactions after any vaccine. The reports themselves are unverified, but the database is designed to help researchers find patterns for further investigation.

An October 2023 survey published in November by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found 63% of Americans think “it is safer to get the COVID-19 vaccine than the COVID-19 disease” — that was down from 75% in April 2021.

Celebrity deaths falsely attributed to vaccines

Betty White, Bob Saget, Matthew Perry, and DMX are just a few of the many celebrities whose

deaths were falsely linked to the vaccine. The anti-vaccine film “Died Suddenly” tried to give credence to false claims that the vaccine causes people to die shortly after receiving it.

Céline Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and an infectious disease specialist, said these claims proliferate because of two things: cognitive bias and more insidious motivated reasoning.

“It’s like saying ‘I had an ice cream cone and then I died the next day; the ice cream must have killed me,” she said. And those with preexisting beliefs about the vaccine seek to attach sudden deaths to the vaccine.

Gounder experienced this personally when her husband, the celebrated sports journalist Grant Wahl, died while covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Wahl died of a ruptured aortic aneurysm but anti-vaccine accounts falsely linked his death to a COVID vaccine, forcing Gounder to publicly set the record straight.

“It is very clear that this is about harming other people,” said Gounder, who was a guest at United Facts of America in 2023. “And in this case, trying to harm me and my family at a point where we were grieving my husband’s loss. What was important in that moment was to really stand up for my husband, his legacy, and to do what I know he would have wanted me to do, which is to speak the truth and to do so very publicly.” Out-of-control claims about government control

False claims that the pandemic was planned by government leaders and those in power abound.

At any given moment, Microsoft Corp. cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates, World Economic Forum head Klaus Schwab, or Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, are blamed for orchestrating pandemic-related threats.

In November, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) falsely claimed Fauci “brought” the virus to his state a year before the pandemic. There is no evidence of that. Gates, according to the narratives, is using dangerous vaccines to push a depopulation agenda. That’s false. And Schwab has not said he has an “agenda” to establish a totalitarian global regime using the coronavirus to depopulate the Earth and reorganize society. That’s part of a conspiracy theory that’s come to be called “The Great Reset” that has been debunked many times. The United Nations’ World Health Organization is frequently painted as a global force for evil, too, with detractors saying it is using vaccination to control or harm people. But the WHO has not declared that a new pandemic is happening, as some have claimed. Its current pandemic preparedness treaty is in no way positioned to remove human rights protections or restrict freedoms, as one post said. And the organization has not announced plans to deploy troops to corral people and forcibly vaccinate them. The WHO is, however, working on a new treaty to help countries improve coordination in response to future pandemics. (Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu/KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

HOT BUSINESS. Jaime Romarez, a fish cracker maker in Bato Toril, Davao City, says on Wednesday, April 3 that his business benefits from the hot temperature as it accelerates the drying of fish. The crackers also contain spices and flour. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Dateline PhiliPPines

3 Filipinos hurt in Taiwan quake now safe - DMW

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed on Thursday, April 4 that three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan were hurt in the powerful earthquake that hit the island early Wednesday, April 3.

During a press briefing, DMW officer-in-charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the three OFWs sustained minor injuries and are now safe.

“There are three reported injuries, no fatalities, no major injuries to Filipinos and we hope it stays that way,” Cacdac said.

He said two of them reside and work in Taoyuan, on the Taipei County side, while the other one is from Yilan County, which is adjacent to Hualien, where the earthquake epicenter was located.

He said one of the victims bore a minor head injury when debris from the ceiling hit him, while a female OFW had swollen hands when they slammed into a door. Both were briefly hospitalized and discharged. Meanwhile, Cacdac said the third victim fainted, probably from stress, but did not sustain any major injury.

He said the victim is still in the hospital for medical precautionary measures only, and expressed hope that she will soon be discharged. Meanwhile, Cacdac said the three victims will receive action fund assistance, and psycho-social counseling if needed.

Psycho-social counseling is also available to all OFWs in Taiwan affected by the earthquake Cacdac said it was fortunate that the earthquake struck the central eastern side of Taiwan, far from the areas where most OFWs work and live.

However, he said around 5,000 Filipinos are in the area where the earthquake struck, with around 1,400 in Hualien County. He said DMW is in close coordination with Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Chairperson Silvestre Bello III and his team, regarding assistance that will be provided to the OFWs.

On Wednesday, the DMW activated its 24/7 Taiwan Quake Help Desk for OFWs and their families. The Philippine-based 24/7 Help Desk may be reached through hotline numbers 8522-3663 / 8376-6352 / 8426-0833 / 8293-9155 / 8252-1972; mobile numbers +63 919 067 3975, or via email at repat@dmw.gov.ph. Taiwan hotline numbers are +886 932-218-057 in Taipei; +886 988-976-596 in Kaohsiung; and +886 966-537-732 in Taichung.

As of Wednesday, Cacdac said they have received calls asking about the situation of their relatives who are based in Taiwan.

Data from the Taiwan Ministry of Labor show that as of February 2024, there are 159,480 Filipinos in Taiwan, 150,666 of whom are OFWs. (PNA) n

‘Balikatan’ intensifies AFP capabilities to defend territory

MANILA – This year’s “Balikatan” military exercises with the U.S. forces will showcase the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) capabilities as it shifts towards the so-called “Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept” (CADC) or the strategy that aims to defend the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“This ‘Balikatan’ will be a showcase of our capabilities in performing our mandate in accordance with the CADC na bagong nilabas na ng (recently issued by the) Department of National Defense (DND), so that means that our exercises, our defense concepts have to go beyond 12 nautical miles for us to protect our national interest within our territory, within our territorial waters and also within the EEZ,” the exercises’ executive agent Col. Michael

Logico said in an interview over radio station DZBB on Thursday, April 4.

Logico said the objective of the “Balikatan” exercise is to ensure that both Filipino and American troops understand each other’s doctrines and capabilities.

“(And) when the time comes that we have to go to work together, we will be very confident in the capabilities of our treaty allies,” he said.

Logico said the equipment, acquired in the ongoing AFP Modernization Program, will be utilized in this year’s “Balikatan”.

“So once again, we will see the participation of our antisubmarine warfare capabilities, our anti-air, or anti-missile capabilities also, kasama na dyan yung (this also includes our) ground self-propelled

artillery, yung (and) our aviation assets,” he added. The CADC aims to develop the country’s capability to protect its entire territory, including its EEZ, to ensure that the next generation of Filipinos will be able to enjoy its natural resources.

“In plain language, we are developing our capability to protect and secure our entire territory and EEZ in order to ensure that our people and all the generations of Filipinos to come shall freely reap and enjoy the bounties of the natural resources that are rightfully ours within our domain,” DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier said.

This year’s “Balikatan” will take place from April 22 to May 8. Some 11,000 American

Biden, Xi discuss PH, Taiwan, Ukraine

PRESIDENT Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first direct talks on Tuesday, April 2 since meeting in November, with Biden looking to keep tensions from mounting ahead of Taiwan’s presidential inauguration in May.

Biden used the call to emphasize “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea,” the White House said in a statement.

In Manila, a statement from the Chinese embassy said Biden had assured Xi that the U.S. does not want to start a new Cold War with China. The embassy said it was Biden who asked for the phone conversation.

Xi urged the U.S. not to support Taiwan independence, the embassy said. It added that “if the U.S. side is willing to seek mutually beneficial cooperation and share in China’s development dividends, it will always find China’s door openl but if it is adamant on containing China’s hi-tech development and depriving China of its legitimate right to development, China is not going to sit back and watch.”

In response, the Chinese embassy said Biden reiterated that “the United States does not seek a new Cold War, its objective is not to change China’s system, its alliances are not targeted against China, and the U.S. does not support ‘Taiwan independence,’ and the U.S. does not seek conflict with China.”

Biden and Xi agreed in November to reopen military communications and cooperate to curb fentanyl production. They had not spoken on the phone since July 2022. After November’s meeting, Biden told reporters he had not changed his view that Xi is a dictator, a comment that irked China.

China regards Taiwan, a self-governed island with democratic elections, as part of its territory and recently dropped language about a “peaceful reunification” from its budget. Taiwan strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims and says only the island’s people can decide their future.

Taiwan’s current Vice President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing views a separatist, won the presidency in January and Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan ahead of the inauguration in May.

Biden and Xi also discussed concerns over China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, its economic trade practices, human rights abuses in Xinjiang and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the White House said.

The U.S. president also warned Beijing over escalating confrontations in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely, in conflict with international law.

A senior administration official had said earlier that Biden would express concern over “destabilizing PRC actions in the South China Sea, including the dangerous recent action of the PRC Coast Guard against routine Philippine maritime operations.”

Rebounding relations

Biden and Xi have continued their talks looking to smooth over a rocky period in relations that took a turn for the worse after a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon transited the United States and was shot down by a U.S. fighter jet last year. Relations have shown signs of improvement in recent months as both sides took steps to re-establish channels of communication after ties between the two global superpowers sank to their lowest levels in decades. n

by Michael Punongbayan, Marc Jayson cayabyab Philstar.com

COOLING EFFECT. An officer at the Quezon City Police District Station 10 custodial facility makes sure inmates are comfortable on Wednesday, April 3. The months April and May are usually the peak of the Philippines’ hot dry months, made worse this year by El Niño. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Features OpiniOn

Foreign trade barriers

INSTEAD of declaring war on pollster Pulse Asia over its latest survey showing 88 percent of Filipinos opposing Charter change, congressmen can read the report of the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, which details foreign trade barriers in 59 markets including the Philippines. The USTR report, released on March 29, covers significant barriers overseas to U.S. foreign direct investment, exports of goods and services, and e-commerce export markets.

In the Philippines, the USTR cited “pervasive” corruption as a “longstanding problem” in both national and local government agencies, with the Bureau of Customs meriting special mention. While recognizing the BOC’s modernization program, launched in 2021 to address corruption and efficiency problems, the USTR noted reports of “widespread corruption and irregularities” in customs processing, valuation, inspection and testing of certain products along with inconsistent fee assessments.

Editorial

Published annually since 1985, the USTR’s latest National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers also stated: “Both foreign and domestic investors have expressed concern about the lack of transparency in judicial and regulatory processes. Investors have also raised concerns about courts being influenced by bribery and improperly issuing temporary restraining orders to impede legitimate commerce.”

The report did mention restrictions in the Constitution on foreign ownership and the practice of certain professions, which hinder U.S. investments in the Philippines. But the report

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

IN a statement issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and posted on X last Thursday, March 28, he unequivocally affirmed the sentiment of Filipinos that “…we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience” in the face of relentless bullying and harassment by Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea. We received hundreds of messages worldwide expressing full support to the Philippines, inspired by the president’s message which all found inspiring and powerful.

So let me share President Marcos’ post in full: “Over the course of these past days, I have met with and spoken to our country’s National Security and Defense leadership. They have made their considered recommendations and, through exhaustive consultations, I have given them my directives.

“I have also been in constant communication with representatives of relevant

also cited recent laws relaxing these restrictions. Opponents of the latest push for Charter change have cited these laws in arguing that restrictive economic provisions can be corrected through legislation, with no need for Cha-cha. What cannot be corrected, either by Cha-cha or additional legislation, is the corruption cited in the report. The BOC in particular has been consistently ranked in all surveys as one of the most corrupt government agencies. But even during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, whose promise to kill, kill, kill was no mere hyperbole, corruption continued in the BOC, with even illegal drugs being smuggled into the country by the ton. Judicial and regulatory corruption, long cited by foreign investors as a serious problem in this country, also cannot be corrected by Cha-cha or legislation, unless Congress wants to increase the penalties for graft. Corruption may be eased if politicians – including lawmakers – are prohibited from having any say in the system of appointment and promotion in the judiciary. But will Congress members agree to lose this power to make members of the judiciary beholden to them?

allies, partners and friends in the international community.

“They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our Sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

“I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed.

“Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia.

“We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends, but we will not be cowed into silence, submission or subservience. “Filipinos do not yield.”

While we will continue to do whatever we can to find ways and means to peacefully resolve the situation in the West Philippine Sea, the latest incident involving a civilian

There are tough laws against corruption in this country, with a detailed code of conduct and ethical standards for government officials and employees.

Filipinos will not yield

charter boat on a mission to deliver food and other provisions for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal that was hit by CCG water cannons – resulting in heavy damage to the boat and injuries to three navy personnel aboard the vessel – shows the hypocrisy of our neighbor in the north who claims to be “professional, restrained, reasonable and lawful” when its actions clearly demonstrate otherwise.

The continuing aggression displayed by China has caused the gravest concern among members of the international community who have strongly voiced their overwhelming support for the Philippines, among them Australia’s Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu, who said her country shares “serious concerns” about the “dangerous conduct by China’s vessels” and noting that this is “part of a pattern of deeply concerning behavior.”

Like Ambassador Yu, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke also expressed their concerns and called for all parties to respect and uphold international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

which is “the basis for peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya reiterated that “Japan stands in solidarity with the Philippines,” while European Union spokesperson Peter Stano called for restraint while expressing concern that the “succession of repeated dangerous maneuvers, blocking and water-cannoning from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia against Philippine vessels… constituted a dangerous provocation” that “put human lives at risk, undermine regional stability and international norms and threaten security in the region and beyond.”

UK Ambassador Laure Beaufils also condemned the harassment, saying it has endangered lives and resulted in significant damage to a civilian vessel, while U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson reiterated U.S. support for the Philippines, saying China’s “interference with the Philippine freedom of navigation violates international law and threatens a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Canadian Ambassador David Bruce Hartman urged a peaceful resolution of disputes

in accordance with international law, and at the same time spoke against “dangerous maneuvers and the repeated use of water cannons” that “endangered lives and pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.”

India’s top diplomat Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed his country’s willingness to support the Philippines in upholding its sovereignty and recognized the validity of the July 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, including its so-called nine-dash-line, as without legal basis.

Members of the media – in particular the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) – also called out China and condemned the “false, baseless claims” that journalists are being made to “manipulate” videos “to make sensational news and project the Philippines as a victim” – calling the accusation a “barefaced lie.”

FOCAP said it “takes deep offense at the insinuation that the press is a ‘troublemaker’ and in cahoots with the government to forward a political agenda,” saying that the statements by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson

and embassy are “an insult to the integrity of journalists and an alarming attempt to muzzle an independent press.”

Over the centuries, the Philippines has faced so many challenges, carving its own destiny as a nation that is able to take its rightful place among other nations in the world.

As we continue to face these serious challenges to our sovereignty and sovereign rights, we should all take pride in the indomitable spirit and determination that our forefathers displayed, calling to mind the blood they shed and the sacrifices they made to give us the freedom and independence that we are enjoying today. The president has taken a firm stand – we will not yield and will not give up even one square inch of our territory.

Now more than ever, true Filipinos should unite and stand behind our beloved country.

(Philstar.com)

God bless the Philippines!

Critical questions for Cha-cha proponents

agree”—not a very convincing stand on agreement, which is usually typical of many people who are unsure of their answers, and could be attributed to their lack of knowledge on the issue.

that 67 percent were against changing the Charter at the time the survey was conducted.

The latest opinion poll on whether Filipinos favor amending the Charter showed that 74 percent are opposed to it at this time. This result riled up the pro-Cha-cha members at the House who hurled their strong opinions against it. Some cited another survey that contrasted with the Pulse Asia survey results.

Tangere, a marketing research firm established in 2018, released a similar survey showing that 14 percent “strongly agree” and 38 percent “somewhat agree” with constitutional amendments. Their survey was done through random selections of those who have mobile phones. But take note that the greater percentage just expressed “somewhat

THE first day of April saw an “onslaught” of verbal tirades against the results of the survey conducted by Pulse Asia on whether majority of Filipinos are in favor of Charter change (Chacha) at this time. Members of the House of Representatives, especially the loudest pro-Cha-cha ones, need to know about the history of Pulse Asia and this survey. Questions related to amending provisions in the 1987 Constitution have been run for the last 20 years, according to professor Ronald Homes, Pulse Asia president. He explained this in an interview after some of the loudest Cha-cha proponents in the House expressed doubts, even questions on the survey’s methodology. They even claimed that some of the questions in Pulse Asia’s latest survey were “biased and leading.”

On the other hand, Pulse Asia has been at the forefront of innumerable opinion surveys since its establishment in 1999, through the initiative of professor emeritus Felipe Miranda of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. Their surveys have stood the test of credibility and substantive content, including timeliness and relevance.

In June 2018, Pulse Asia ran a survey on whether Filipinos favor Cha-cha when then President Rodrigo Duterte was strongly pushing to change our system of government from unitary to federal. According to the position paper by professors of UP’s Department of Political Science, the 2018 survey showed

Of this total percentage, 37 percent were against Cha-cha “now and in the future” and 30 percent were against it “now but maybe open to it sometime in the future.” Additionally, only 18 percent favored Cha-cha “now” while the remaining 14 percent were undecided.

In that same survey, only 74 percent claimed to have very little to no knowledge at all of the Constitution, and 69 percent said they have very little knowledge of what a federal system of government is.

Another Pulse Asia survey in September 2022 also showed that Cha-cha was not an urgent concern, belying claims that there was a “huge public clamor” to amend the Constitution to address “present-day realities.”

In that survey, respondents did not include Cha-cha as one of

the country’s urgent national concerns. The top issues and concerns mentioned had to do with how the government controls inflation, creating more jobs (especially good-paying and stable ones), and, more importantly, fighting graft and corruption in government.

Based on these and other survey results, UP Diliman political science professors argued that “any attempt to amend the Constitution or change the Charter requires prior consultative and deliberative processes involving a genuinely informed citizenry.

The claim that there is public clamor for constitutional change remains unsubstantiated.”

If there are restrictions on foreign investments to make our economy grow, why is President Marcos justifying his 22 foreign travels (so far) to entice foreigners to put their investments here? Is he not promoting a violation of these restrictions? Who will really benefit if all our resources are gobbled up as raw materials for foreign companies to invest in? (Inquirer.net) * *

Perhaps our honorable representatives need to answer some critical questions: Will changing the Constitution’s economic provisions especially on the restrictions of foreign investments really lead to a major change in the quality of life of more than 22 million Filipinos out of more than 100 million people? Have foreign investments in the Philippines been impeded because of these economic provisions?

What’s lacking is proper implementation. Also lacking is blind justice that exempts no one from the full force of the law. (Philstar.com)

Bohol governor appeals

Chocolate Hills resort closure

by Marc Jayson cayabyab Philstar.com

MANILA — Bohol Gov. Erico

Aumentado on Wednesday, April 3 appealed the closure of resorts built at the Chocolate Hills natural monument, which he said deprived residents of livelihood.

“The closure of resorts, while a victory for environmentalists, also casts a shadow on the livelihood of those employed there and the economic aspiration of the local community,” he told senators.

“This is a brutal reminder that every environmental decision is also a social one, affecting real people with real needs,” he added.

He was referring to the closure order issued against Captain’s Peak Resort in Sagbayan, Bohol, a swimming resort built at the foothills of Chocolate Hills despite its protected area status.

Aumentado attended Senate hearings on the illegal construction of resorts and structures at Mt. Apo Natural Park in Mindanao and Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in Bohol, which are legislated protected areas.

The hearings were conducted by the joint Senate environment and local government committees.

If the policy on protected areas will be for absolute prohibition of structures on protected areas at the expense of local tourism, “private owners” in the area should be compensated as they could no longer “benefit from their land,” Aumentado said, referring to titled owners of land in a protected area. The Land Registration Authority earlier said there are 5,652 titled properties spanning 7,860 hectares at the Chocolate Hills. “Before this area was declared a protected site, there were communities and farmland already. These are places where they were born. These are their homes going back several generations,” Aumentado added.

If development is allowed, the governor said “guidelines should have no room for ambiguity,” especially on the roles of Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) members who are tasked to safeguard these sites. “The challenge is to protect the environment while nurturing the social fabric of our societies,” he said. Aumentado’s statement did

not sit well with Sen. Cynthia Villar, who presided over the hearing.

Villar expressed confusion over local government units seemingly prioritizing development over environmental protection.

She recalled that Aumentado, as then Bohol congressman, pitched Chocolate Hills to be among legislated protected areas enshrined in the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas Systems law when it was passed by Congress.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) should have protected the Chocolate Hills as it is responsible for issuing environmental compliance certificates (ECC), she noted.

DENR regional offices seem to be one of the weak links in the agency’s protection mechanisms as they are remiss in their duty to preserve protected areas, she said.

Sen. Nancy Binay, chair of the Senate tourism committee, said the local government cannot feign ignorance on the need to preserve Bohol as a protected area after undergoing the process of being declared a UNESCO Global Geopark. Bohol is the only Philippine tourism area to secure the coveted title.n

Senate probe of Duterte, Xi agreement sought

by bernadette e taMayo ManilaTimes.net

SEN. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros wants the Senate to probe the reported “gentleman’s agreement” between former President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping that stopped the repair of the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

The senator filed a resolution seeking an

investigation into such an agreement, as admitted by lawyer Harry Roque Jr., Duterte’s former spokesman.

“This ‘gentleman’s agreement’ is treasonous,” said Hontiveros as she filed Senate Resolution 982 seeking the investigation. The BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned naval vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal to serve as a “constant Philippine government

‘Balikatan’ intensifies AFP...

soldiers and support personnel are expected to participate in the annual military exercise along with 5,000 Filipino troops. Aside from the United States, other participants in this

year’s “Balikatan” include the Australian Defense Force and the French Navy who will be deploying one frigate. Logico said 14 countries will be sending military observers to witness this year’s “Balikatan”.

These countries include Japan, South Korea, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Germany and New Zealand. (PNA) n

‘Happy days over for Quiboloy’

SEN. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros said Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s “happy days” are numbered after a Davao court issued a warrant of arrest against him for sexual abuse.

The Davao Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of Quiboloy and five others for violating Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.

The Senate on March 19 ordered the arrest of Quiboloy, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) leader, for unduly refusing to appear, despite due notice, before the hearings of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Jan. 23, Feb. 19 and March 5, 2024.

Hontiveros, chairman of the Committee on Women, said some former female KoJC members claimed that he raped them. Some male members said he forced them to beg in the streets and malls.

She said the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Davao earlier expressed willingness to work with other law enforcement agencies to arrest Quiboloy.

“I am confident that it will be fulfilled and Quiboloy would be arrested,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Wednesday, April 3.

She said that once he is arrested, the committee will expect his appearance at its next hearing.

“I also call on Quiboloy not to resort to

drama,” she said in Filipino. Hontiveros said Quiboloy, who claimed to be the “appointed son of God,” should cooperate and properly answer the accusations hurled against him. She lauded the courage of the alleged victims of Quiboloy’s sexual abuse in coming forward to seek justice.

Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired general Robert Ancan recently said Quiboloy could be arrested at “any moment.”

Ancan, in a chance interview, said the TV evangelist’s arrest would be coordinated with the PNP. The detention room “is ready” to accommodate Quiboloy, he added.

Once Quiboloy is under Senate custody, only his lawyer and immediate family would be allowed to visit him, Ancan said.

Senate panel to Quiboloy: Show cause in 48 hrs vs arrest

Meanwhile, two lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc lauded the issuance of the arrest warrant against Quiboloy.

In a statement, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said the issuance of the arrest warrant by Judge Dante Baguio of the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 12 for Quiboloy and five of his associates was an “important step” in obtaining justice for his victims.

She expressed satisfaction that the original resolution of the Office of the City Prosecutor that dismissed the rape and human trafficking

by bernadette e taMayo and red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

‘Happy days over for... Senate probe of Duterte, Xi agreement...

presence in the area,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. This was in response to China’s “illegal occupation” in 1995 of Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.

“It is our duty to fortify the BRP Sierra Madre. Without it on Ayungin, we effectively give way for China to illegally occupy what is ours,” Hontiveros said.

“If we stop reinforcing the Sierra Madre, we not only lose a crucial, strategic outpost but also

fail to defend our sovereignty,” she said. “While China, in any case, will most likely attack our resupply missions en route to Ayungin, this sham of an agreement only gave Beijing more ammunition to assert her baseless claims,” Hontiveros said.

She said that if the agreement is confirmed to be true, it would be “tantamount to a surrender of Philippine sovereignty.” The senator said that National Security Council Assistant

Director General Jonathan Malaya claimed that the agency was not aware of such an agreement. Malaya said that Roque should explain the circumstances of the deal and how it was brokered, considering its implications for national security.

“China is already all around us — in telecoms, national grid, in the seas — and Duterte empowered China even more with the agreement he entered into [with Xi],” Hontiveros said.n

complaints was overturned by the Department of Justice. Lawmaker to Quiboloy: Show up at House hearing “Finally, the department is seeing the alleged crimes of Quiboloy in a new light, and we hope that it will act swiftly to deliver justice to Quiboloy’s victims,” Castro said.

Gabriela Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas said the charges against Quboloy are “deeply troubling” as they involve

allegations of sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment within his organization.

“It is a stark reminder of how individuals who hold power and influence often exploit and abuse the vulnerable. For far too long, Quiboloy managed to evade justice, shielded by his connections and the protection of former President Rodrigo Duterte.” Brosas said.

She said that Quiboloy evading justice for years raises serious questions about

the “network of enablers and powerful individuals who may have been directly involved in helping him conduct his illegal activities.”

“An investigation must be conducted not only into his crimes but also into his connections, as it is inconceivable that he could have avoided accountability for so long without active assistance from influential figures who are aiding and abetting him,” Brosas said. n

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ANNOUNCEMENT / LEGAL SERVICES

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A mandatory site visit is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2024, outside the main office of Patrick Henry High School, 6702 Wandermere Dr, San Diego, CA 92120. All attendees must preregister with the District prior to attending the site walk at sandiegounified.org/sitewalks. The Bid and Contract Documents may be downloaded free of charge at the District’s online Planroom at sandiegousdplans. com. All bids must be received electronically via PlanetBids before 1:00 p.m. on APRIL 25, 2024. Prime contractors interested in submitting a bid must go to tinyurl. com/SDUSD-PlanetBids then search under “Bid Opportunities” for “Invitation number” CP24-0938-05-00-00 Asphalt Repairs at Patrick Henry High School. For new vendors, please register under “New Vendor Registration.” The project estimate is between $820,000 and $880,000, inclusive of allowances. This is not a PSA project and does not require prequalification. The District requires that Bidders possess any of the following classification(s) of California State Contractors License(s), valid and in good standing, at the time of bid opening and contract award: A, C-12, or other appropriate license, subject to District approval. SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, George A. Harris III, Director, Fiscal Controls and Information Systems, Facilities Planning and Construction CP24-0938-05-00-00.

Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos share love story highlights

Philstar.com

HOURS pass like minutes when you are in love. This is true in the case of Gabbi Garcia and boyfriend Khalil Ramos who have been together for seven years now. “Time flies so quick, kami hindi namin nararamdaman na seven years na pala kami,” declared Gabbi whose romantic ties with Khalil officially began in 2017. “Life is beautiful, very happy. We’re good.”

What makes them happy, Khalil added, “are the smallest things, the biggest things every day and even the slightest reward we’ve given ourselves is what makes us smile.” Looking back at the beginning of their relationship, Gabbi and Khalil ruminated on their most memorable moments.

For Gabbi, nothing beats their first date with her parents dropping her off at the restaurant where Khalil was waiting. “It’s such a wholesome relationship na first date pa lang, he already met my parents.” Her parents didn’t make Kahlil by Boy aBunda

feel nervous at all “because they were actually very kind to me that they allowed me to take Gabbi home that night,” shared the actor. Their first out-of-the-country experience was the second most memorable for Khalil. Gabbi was quick to tell that they were accompanied by her sister since her parents were strict. What Gabbi considered the third highlight of their romance was their trip to New York and Canada last year, “and this time, we’re just the two of us. Iba na, seven years na,” she laughed. Ang pinaka-special doon would be the Jasper trip. It’s a six-hour drive from Calgary going to Jasper. Nasa gitna kami ng kawalan — with the moose, the bears, the deers. Khalil was driving for six long hours and

Patrick Garcia reveals Anne Curtis gave him his first ‘basted’ experience

ACTOR Patrick Garcia revealed that Anne Curtis was the first girl who rejected his romantic advances. During his guesting with “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Patrick was asked by the show’s host Boy Abunda, “Unang nambasted sa ‘yo?” “Si Anne Curtis!” Patrick answered. Anne is now married to restaurateur-content creator Erwan Heussaff and they have a daughter, Dahlia. Patrick, meanwhile, is married to Nikka Martinez and they have four children: Michelle, Chelsea, Francisca and Enrique. He also has a son with actress Jennylyn Mercado named Alex. n by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com Litrato

it’s the most beautiful drive ever because we discovered a lot (about) each other. Gabbi found Khalil as the most patient human being. “He’s so patient that I couldn’t believe how he was able to stand me in that six-hour drive.”

Khalil affirms the ability to laugh with each other is a true sign of vitality in a relationship.

“(During the trip) I was able to validate the thought that I had the most fun (time) with her. She’s the most fun person I know that anywhere and everywhere we go, na pa kahit nasa wilderness kami or walang masyadong tao, when we’re together, we have fun,” said Khalil.

Having worked together for the first time in a movie, LSS (Last Song Syndrome), was memorable for Khalil given that it’s his first time to see Gabbi at work “because I didn’t know what she’s like in her workspace.

I didn’t know her as Gabbi Garcia.

I got to know her first as her true self Gabriella Louise Lopez. So, it’s very different and we were scared to work together.”

Another highlight of their u PAGE 10

Dani Barretto says

B in her “Bare It All” podcast episode entitled “The Difference Between Utang na Loob and Giving Back,” uploaded on Spotify last March 29.

“I’m a mom now. I can say that. I’m required to give my kid the life that she deserves right now until she’s able to do it on her own,” she stated.

“Let’s say she has her own family, I can’t require my kid na ‘Kailangan mo akong bigyan ng allowance kasi pinaaral kita.’ At one point, you have to fly,” she added.

While some agreed with Barretto and shared her sentiment, there were others who believe the opposite.

Barretto then made a clarification on her point in a separate video, stressing she didn’t say that one should not give back or support their parents when they’re older.

A highlight from the episode— which bannered the phrase “Toxic Filipino Culture: Utang na loob sa magulang”—was then shared by Barretto on her TikTok page, earning mixed reactions from netizens. “Hindi ka pwedeng magkaroon ng utang na loob sa isang bagay na dapat nilang gawin para sa’yo,” Barretto said in the clip. “The other things maybe, like maybe they sacrificed this to be able to give you this life—I get na utang na loob na fact ‘yon But kasi, there are some people that uses that against people. Parang ‘Pinaaral kita, pinaganito kita, ganyan so dapat ganito ‘yung binibigay mo sa akin,’” she continued. Barretto underscored that it’s the parents’ responsibility to provide for their children, and that this should not be used against the latter to force them to support their parents financially.

Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia have been together as boyfriend and girlfriend for seven years now. Photo from Instagram/@khalilramos

Dani Barretto Photo from Instagram/@danibarretto by anne PaSaJol Inquirer.net

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City of San Diego receives national award for commitment to energy efficiency

US Department of Energy honor bestowed at 2024 summit

SAN DIEGO – With a goal of removing natural gas from all city facilities by 2035, the City of San Diego was honored on Wednesday, April 3 for its innovative zero emissions municipal buildings policy during a Department of Energy summit in Washington, D.C.

The city received the Better Practice Award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of its Better Buildings Initiative at the 2024 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit. This competitive nationwide award recognizes San Diego’s success in implementing energy efficiency and decarbonization practices.

San Diego’s Zero Emissions Municipal Buildings and Operations Policy (ZEMBOP) project was selected for its efforts to meet the city’s ambitious Climate Action Plan targets. Among them, the city has:

• Established a goal of zero emissions in all municipal buildings by 2035.

• Set a target to remove natural gas from 50% of municipal facilities by 2030 and all municipal facilities by 2035.

• Made plans to transition all of its municipal fleet vehicles to zero emissions vehicles by 2035.

& Operations Policy (ZEMBOP) which establishes a framework to ensure the city leads by example in decarbonizing the municipal building sector. The policy’s goals will be achieved by prioritizing proven energy efficiency strategies, eliminating the use of non-emergency fossil fuel systems, requiring electric vehicle charging and requiring renewable or zero-carbon energy to power municipal building operations.

This award was given to the city for its outstanding performance in the DOE’s Better Climate Challenge, which challenges organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% within 10 years.

“Partners in the Better Climate Challenge are industry leaders in energy efficiency and decarbonization,” said Carolyn Snyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Buildings and Industry at the U.S. Department of Energy. “As a winner of a Better Practice award, the City of San Diego has demonstrated an innovative pathway to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions that other organizations can learn from.”

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For the first quarter of her book release”, she is pleased to announce that up to $4 from each sale of this will be donated to organizations that help end child hunger. Not only do you get an award-winning sales guide to help your business, but you also help feed a child who’s hungry. For every $50 donated, up to 500 children are fed. Statistics from www. worldhunger.org show that:

County blood drive celebrates 40 years of saving lives

ON Tuesday, April 2 the county kicked off its 40th annual blood drive, an event that has grown to become one of the largest donor events of its kind in the region.

In partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank, the county this year has added two more sites, bringing the total to 24 locations where people can sign up to donate in April.

Last year county employees donated 435 pints of blood, enough to save more than a thousand lives. This year’s goal is 501 pints of blood. Each one-pint bag has the potential to help up to three people.

“The blood donated saves lives,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “It is critically needed by those experiencing complications of childbirth, newborns in the NICU, persons with cancer, and those suffering traumas such as burns or serious accidents.”

Health and Human Services Agency Interim Director Dr. Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., has seen the impact donors make in his professional, and personal, life.

“I got a phone call and knew in that moment my mother needed to get to a hospital immediately,” McDonald said. “Those doctors and the blood transfusion she received made it possible for her to be with us today.”

As an emergency physician, McDonald knows how critical it is to have a diverse supply of blood.

“Certain blood types and surface proteins are unique to specific groups,” he said. “Matching your ethnic background to a donor can lessen the likelihood of a reaction from a blood transfusion.”

To champion expanded blood donations, the county and Blood Bank three years ago created the Community Guardians Program.

In the last two years 12 Live Well San Diego partner organizations have joined the Community Guardians Program, stepping up to promote donations.

“Our partners at San Ysidro health hosted blood drives in their San Ysidro and El Cajon locations, collecting over 100 pints of blood in San Diego’s most diverse communities,” County Assistant Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Tuteur, M.D. said. “The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, engaged, educated, and motivated their 2,500 members and more than 300,000 employees to donate blood. We appreciate everyone’s support and welcome more organizations to sign on as partners.”

The Blood Bank said it faces pressures daily to meet the local need for blood.

“The San Diego Blood Bank currently is low on most types and must collect more than 350 pints of blood every day just to meet our region’s growing need for blood and blood products,” said San Diego Blood Bank CEO Doug Morton. County employees are dedicated to supporting the local blood supply, and in the case of Mary-Huyen, Cecilia, and Sara, found themselves or a loved one on the live changing side of donations. Everyone is welcome, including non-County employees, to sign up to donate.

Blood Drives at County of San Diego Locations

• Fallbrook Community Center | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/79863

Monday, April 8, 2024 | 11:00 pm – 4:00 pm

• County of San Diego – Department of Public Works | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/79806

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:00 pm

• Lakeside Branch Library | Book your appointment at https:// www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/80286

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 11:00 am – 4:30 pm

• East Region Live Well Center | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/79811

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• North Central Family Resource Center | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/77939

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• Edgemoor Hospital DPSNF – Santee | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/79807

Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• South Region Live Well Center | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/79808

Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

• Vista Library | Bookl your appointment at https://www.mysdbb. org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/80175

Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

• County Health & Human Services – Lemon Grove | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/79824

Friday, April 12, 2024 | 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

• North Inland Live Well (Escondido) | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/79865

Monday, April 15, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

• South Eastern Live Well Center (Lemon Grove) | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/80267

Monday, April 15, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

• County of San Diego HHSA – North Central/Residential | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/ drive_schedule/79866

Tuesday, April 16. 2024 | 8:00 am – 1:30 pm

• Live Well Support Center – Seville Plaza | Book your appointment

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“This is a tremendous honor and we are delighted to be recognized national leaders in addressing climate change,” said Alyssa Muto, Director of the city’s Sustainability and Mobility Department. “This is the culmination of many years of work by our staff and other city departments, as we move toward a more sustainable, livable future for San Diego.”

In October 2022, the San Diego City Council adopted the Zero Emissions Municipal Buildings

The DOE’s Better Buildings Initiative is a partnership of over 900 organizations, including more than 90 state and local governments, pursuing energy, waste, water and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The partners demonstrate and share successful strategies to overcome common barriers and inspire others to make significant progress in energy efficiency and decarbonization. This collaboration serves to advance energy independence and propel our nation toward a clean energy future.

(City of SD Release) n

EDD online application now available in top eight languages

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, March 28, the Employment Development Department (EDD) announced that it has further expanded language access options in its myEDD online portal and UI Online for individuals to apply for unemployment benefits via applications translated into Armenian, Korean, and Tagalog. “Through EDDNext we continue improving the customer experience, including better service for California’s diverse communities,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “This major boost to customer service will help millions of Californians in the top eight most frequently spoken languages,” Farias added.

Unemployment customers will also receive timely updates about the status of their claim and payment notifications delivered via email or text message in their preferred language.

The additional language options are available when applying for unemployment benefits through UI Online after logging into myEDD. Next, EDD will be adding language enhancements for the disability or Paid Family Leave applications and Benefit Overpayment Services.

Applying for unemployment benefits online

EDD customers must first create a myEDD account and then register for UI Online, the fastest and most convenient way to apply for benefits and manage an unemployment claim. For languages other than English, customers should select the globe icon at the top of the myEDD login page, revealing a menu of language options (see the following image). Customers are encouraged to indicate their preferred written and spoken language when applying online, which helps the Department to better serve customers seeking multilingual services.

Unemployment customers can get answers to their questions and complete most claim-related tasks through UI Online. Within UI Online, customers can certify for their bi-weekly benefit payments,

check payment information, reopen an existing claim, update contact information, reschedule an eligibility phone interview, and send secure messages to unemployment customer service representatives.

The EDD has also established dedicated phone lines in the top languages for unemployment customers who need assistance navigating the claim process.

EDD language access initiatives

Expanding UI Online access adds to the Department’s previously announced efforts to better serve limited English proficient (LEP) individuals –people whose primary language is other than English or have limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English, including deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The EDD has already:

• Established a Multilingual Access Advisory Committee that will advise on language considerations that affect people seeking and receiving EDD services.

• Opened an EDD Language Access Office directed by its Language Access Officer.

• Increased its website’s translated content, including vital information about all EDD programs, forms and publications, and contact information, as well as providing access to interpreters in over 200 languages at no cost.

• Provided customers with helpful how-to videos for UI Online in different languages. Expanding language access to California’s diverse communities is part of EDDNext. The multi-year modernization effort is dedicated to completely transforming the EDD’s customer and employee experiences based on customer research and feedback.

For more information, please visit Language Resources at https://edd.ca.gov/en/languageresources/. The EDD will share new updates regarding language access improvements in future news releases and its bi-monthly newsletter, which offers the latest information on major changes impacting EDD customers.

EDDNext is an ongoing transformation effort that includes updating online applications, contact centers, the claims process, policies, procedures, and forms, to make the EDD experience easier and

faster. It involves working with customer service experts, such as Amazon Web Services and Salesforce, to ensure EDDNext is forward-thinking and embraces the best technology and practices. Recently, the EDD started simplifying the unemployment application process by removing some questions and working on a rewrite of the application to make it easier to understand and navigate. The Department also switched benefit debit card services to Money Network which supports providing a new direct deposit option later this year. EDD has also continued to streamline benefit determinations, added customer satisfaction surveys after calls, added text message updates to State Disability Insurance claims, created a new How to Apply for Unemployment guide, launched a new shared customer portal called myEDD, launched dedicated phone lines with EDD staff fluent in California’s eight most commonly spoken languages, and created new multilingual resources pages. (EDD Release) n

“Because meron pa rin pong toxic Filipino culture dito sa ating bansa na inoobliga o nire-require nila ‘yung mga anak nila suportahan sila, buhayin sila dahil sinusumbat nila sa mga anak nila na pinaaral sila, pinakain sila, they put a roof over their heads,” she said. Barretto also deems it “unfair” for such to be used by parents against their children, who also have their own lives

or families to support as well as goals to achieve. “Giving back is because mahal mo ‘yung mga magulang mo, you want to spoil them, gusto mo silang bigyan ng magandang buhay, gusto mong iparamdam sa kanila ‘yung pagmamahal na binigay nila sa’yo. You wanna give back out of love, hindi dahil sinumbat nila sa’yo lahat,” she stated. Yung mga sakripisyo and ginawa

nothing against those who support their families, commending them for their hard work.

Dani is the eldest daughter of former actress Marjorie Barretto with actor Kier Legaspi. Dani has a daughter named Millie with her husband Xavi Panlilio. n

love story is their first kiss. It happened one evening in the poolside of a hotel. “It took five months after our first date when we had our first kiss,” revealed Gabbi. “Mga third month namin, ini-expect ko na malapit na, tapos fourth month wala pa ring kiss tapos ‘yung holding hands namin hindi pa consistent. Doon ko naramdaman na ganun pala maging conservative and I felt the respect talaga na he waited for the right moment. But I truly appreciated the gesture. I would always tell my friends that he’s so different,” she amusingly added. The couple revealed that they have already been discussing marriage as they consider it as something for a couple to normally talk about. “It’s a beautiful thing (to talk about). We have the same end

goal. Even at the start of this relationship why waste time with someone you don’t want to end up with,” said Gabbi. “From the get-go I feel like we were aligned that we want to keep this relationship special for the future,” the Sparkle GMA artist added. Gabbi also shared that she prefers an intimate, quiet wedding, and she even already has an idea of the wedding gown she would like to wear. Although they are both looking forward to ending up on the altar, Gabbi and Khalil said they still couldn’t help feeling pressure when people tell them to settle down. Thankfully, they can manage well whenever they are in that situation. “I’m approaching my 30s,” declared Khalil. “And we both see starting a family eventually.”n

Celebrate Earth Month with the county

THE County is transforming Earth Day into Earth Month by holding a series of events highlighting sustainable activities that will span through the month of April to raise awareness about environmental issues.

Earth Day, which is celebrated on Monday, April 22, connects people to the public spaces where wildlife and nature thrive. The global theme this year is Planet vs. Plastics.

Come celebrate our planet and learn how the County is working to create a greener world. Below is a list of events to add to your April calendar. Check www.sandiegocounty.gov/ earthday for specific times and locations.

Earth Fair at County Operations Center:

The Earth Day Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, April 22 at the County Operations Center, located at 5500 Overland Drive, San Diego. There will be numerous County departments with booths set up for you to learn about the ways your County makes a difference protecting and investing in our planet. The event is free and open to the public.

Tree planting and park beautification opportunities:

Join us for a morning full of park beautification projects, including tree plantings, invasive plant removal and general trash pickup. Your efforts will improve the environment in and around our waterways – part of the larger Creek to Bay Cleanup coordinated by I Love a Clean San Diego! Projects will take place from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. Advance registration is required. Materials are provided; come ready in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and wear sturdy shoes and sun protection. Don’t forget your own water bottle and gloves!

To learn more about these and other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer web page or send an email to ParksVolunteer@sdcounty. ca.gov.

Self-led activities:

There will be several self-led activities, including Earth Day arts and crafts and park ranger-led hikes. More information at www. sdparks.org.

Nature discovery tables:

Learn about local wildlife and the unique adaptations that help them survive in a variety of habitats. Our rangers will be on site to answer all your park-related questions and help you understand, appreciate and experience nature. More information at www.sdparks.org.

Step foot on a story trail:

San Diego County Library has placed colorful pages of children’s books on signs that our staff will be placing along some of our most popular parks. Visit one of the following recreation destinations during Earth Week (April 20 – 27) for a real English/Spanish literary adventure!

• Adams County Park (Valley Center)

• Dos Picos County Park (Ramona)

• Flinn Springs County Park (El Cajon)

• Lake Morena County Park (Campo)

• Lincoln Acres County Park (National City)

• Live Oak County Park (Fallbrook)

• Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)

• Otay Lakes County Park (Chula Vista)

• Pine Valley County Park (Pine Valley)

• Potrero County Park (Potrero)

• Ramona Grasslands County Preserve (Ramona)

San Dieguito County Park (Del Mar).

Celebrate our Earth at any time with other fun activities:

• Color, play games, solve mysteries, and create your own science experiments at home.

• Grow your own food at one of San Diego County’s community gardens.

• Set out on a virtual hike of San Diego trails and discover how well you know your local ecosystem.

• Discover how the County is committed to restoring equity in our communities.

• Discover culture by exploring museums, visiting global landmarks, admiring artworks, and playing games.

• Take a virtual journey around the world from your living room with 360° views of incredible landscapes.

To learn and find out more about all of these activities, visit www.sandiegocounty.gov/ earthday. (Shauni Lyles/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

County blood drive celebrates...

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 | 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

• County of San Diego – Housing and Community Development Services | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/77937

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• John F. Duffy Administration Center (Sheriff Headquarters) | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/77634

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• Probation – South Bay Region (Chula Vista) | Book your appointment at https:// www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/79821

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• San Diego Superior Court – South County Division | Book your appointment at https://

www.mysdbb.org/donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/79821

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

• HHSA – San Diego Child Welfare | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/77940

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

• Juvenile Probation Center | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/77938

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

• Julian Branch Library | Book your appointment at https://www.mysdbb.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/79867?_gl=1*coq4r0*_ga*NDA1NDI0OS4xNzA4MTA0Njc1*_ga_ H29P552F9M*MTcxMDQ1OTE5OS41LjAuMTcxMDQ1OTE5OS42MC4wLjA. Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. (Cassie N. Saunders/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

Bee safe this spring,

DURING springtime, the flowers bloom and the bees are busy. Here are some simple tips to make sure you don’t get stung. The biggest one is — do not disturb them. And if they’re already disturbed, move away to a safer location! This time of year, sightings of honey bee swarms and nests are more likely as groups of bees leave their old colonies to establish new ones, according to experts at the county’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. Bees are an important part of the environment and agriculture. They pollinate flowers to produce many of the foods we eat. But as we all know, they can act in defense of their nests and sting us to protect their young and honey.

There are many types of honey bees in San Diego. Two of the most common are European honey bees and Africanized honey bees. European honey bees are the more docile domesticated bees that are traditionally kept by beekeepers. They’re used to pollinate crops and produce honey.

Africanized bees are not used in agriculture or honey production because they tend to react defensively to common disturbances, especially to vibrations such as lawn equipment. They’re more aggressive, attack more readily in greater numbers, and chase their target for longer distances. Both types of bees can swarm or make hives, but the Africanized species swarms more often. A honey bee swarm or nest will have a distinct buzzing sound. Swarms often stop to rest and send out scouts before finding a location to permanently settle. These swarm clusters are often docile as they have no food or nest to defend, but it is still recommended to practice caution around them.

Hives, on the other hand, are a stationary nest of honey bees, where they raise their young and store their food: the nectar — which is made into honey — and pollen collected from flowers. Bees are territorial around their hive and will react defensively if disturbed.

Honey bees often nest in dark, quiet, protected places such as eaves, attics, trees, shrubbery, chimneys, gutters, abandoned vehicles, under the lid of compost piles, abandoned