040624 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

“The Philippine Embassy reminds the public to be vigilant against scam artists and fraudsters, and social media trolls and impersonators claiming to be officially sanctioned or falsely representing the Philippine Embassy, Consulates General, the Ambassador and/or the Consuls General,” states the advisory dated April 3.

“These fraudulent activities and statements usually use misleading and false account names, and/or email addresses.”

The advisory reminds the public that the embassy and the Philippine ambassador only uses the following official and verified emails, Facebook, X and Instagram accounts. You may visit the Philippine Embassy website to find the embassy’s official emails, social media accounts and contact information.

The meeting comes against a backdrop of skirmishes between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, where

the two countries have contested maritime claims. The U.S. is redoubling efforts to improve longstanding ties with regional allies such as the Philippines and Japan, in an effort to counterbalance an increasingly aggressive China.

Beijing recently accused Washington of using the Philippines as a "pawn" in the dispute over the South China Sea.

 PAGE A2

STIGMA around Alzheimer’s disease — the second-leading cause of death in California — prevents many communities from getting help.

In response, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is launching Take on Alzheimer’s, a new campaign to reduce the stigma by teaching Californians how to spot the disease and what to do after a diagnosis.

At an Ethnic Media Services briefing, CDPH, Alzheimer’s experts and community workers statewide shared what they’ve learned about addressing taboos around Alzheimer’s and related forms of dementia in communities including Latino, Black, AAPI and LGBT+.

Taking on Alzheimer’s

The disease is the leading cause of death for adults 85 and older in California, the state with the largest concentration of older adults — “and as our population continues to age, we expect these numbers to grow,” said CDPH clinician Dr. Lucía Abascal. Even within such a widespread disease, “big disparities exist. Communities of color are more likely to develop it.”

MANILA — Then President Rodrigo Duterte used the arbitral tribunal ruling to assert the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea in his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Duterte’s ex-spokesperson and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo underscored this detail on Friday, April 5 amid growing condemnation of the alleged deal that the former president made with China regarding the West Philippine Sea. “Nag-uusap po kami kagabi (Thursday,

April 4) ni President Duterte, inaalala namin ‘yung exchange nila ni President Xi. Naalala ko, maganda ‘yung usapan nila, bandang huli pinasok niya ‘yung usapan nila sa arbitral ruling,” Panelo recalled during a press conference in Club Filipino in San Juan City. (President Duterte and I were talking last night (Thursday, April 4), and we remembered the exchange between him and President Xi. I remember they had a good talk, later he included in their talk the arbitral ruling.) Panelo was referring to Duterte and Xi’s bilateral meeting in Beijing in 2019. However, according to Panelo, Duterte’s

THE Philippines cannot close its eyes to what is happening in the West Philippine Sea, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, as he underlined the importance of the trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines and the United States in maintaining peace and stability in the region. During a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya in Malacañang, the president raised the need to find a way to maintain regional peace and at the same time respond to the actual situation in the disputed waters.

"When it comes to foreign policy and that we analyze geopolitics, this is the most important thing, that we must find a way to keep it (West Philippine Sea) at peace," the president told Kazuya. "However, we also have to

MANILA — Real estate and retail tycoon Manuel Villar has maintained his position at the top of the country’s richest list. The chairman of the Villar Group sustained his spot as the country’s wealthiest man in the Forbes 2024 World’s Billionaires list, ranking No.

Domagoso is the only other potential newcomer at the 11th spot. Reelectionist Senators Francis

WASHINGTON – The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. has issued an alert warning the public against scammers who claim to represent the embassy, consulates, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez and consulate officials.

Marcos: Trilateral cooperation needed...

respond to the actual situation on the ground. They cannot cover our eyes and pretend that nothing happened."

Manila has been calling out Beijing over what it said was unabated aggressive action by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia around disputed features inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

In the latest incident last month, Chinese coast guard vessels used water cannon to block another mission to resupply the Philippine military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

Following the incident, Marcos said the Philippines will implement "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."

China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea, has accused the Philippines of encroaching on its territory.

On Thursday, April 4, the president reiterated that the prime objective was to keep the South China Sea an area where "there is freedom of navigation and trade."

"That's all we wish for and so we are happy that once we try to do that, we have you as part of it," he said. Marcos also said he considers the trilateral agreement one of the "building blocks" of peace and stability in the region.

He emphasized the need to modify the way the Philippines and Japan interact with one another, since there are now "additional dimensions" to the relationship, including security and defense.

Japan remains one of the Philippines' closest partners in terms of development assistance, maritime security, and trade and investments.

In February 2023, Marcos met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.

Kishida reciprocated by flying to Manila last November.

A month later, Marcos was back in Tokyo for the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Japan Commemorative Summit.

"Our bilateral relations with Japan are strong, and we are confident that it will remain so with Ambassador Endo Kazuya alongside us," Marcos said in a

separate statement. The Philippines and Japan celebrated 67 years of diplomatic relations on July 23, 2023, and 12 years of a Strengthened Strategic Partnership since 2011. Marcos is bound for Washington on April 11 to meet with Kishida and U.S. President Joseph Biden. On Friday, April 5, Foreign Affairs Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Affairs Hans Mohaimin Siriban made it clear that the summit is "not directed at any country" but is primarily focused on economic cooperation.

During a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang, Sibiran said the three leaders will discuss the recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea.

"Of course, we will continue to call [for] peace and stability and that the recent incidents [be] resolved in a peaceful and diplomatic manner," he said. Siriban emphasized that the Washington meeting is not aimed at "poking the bear," although the three countries have expressed concern about China's growing aggressiveness in the region.

"This trilateral cooperation is not directed at any country. It is, really, a deepening of existing strong bilateral alliances that we have had and, of course, if you look at the areas of discussion that are being looked at, the primary focus, really, is on economic cooperation — building on economic resilience," Sibiran said.

"This trilateral meeting is a natural progression of the three parties' existing robust, excellent, bilateral cooperation: their enduring friendship and alliance, shared values, shared interest, and shared respect for the rulesbased international order," he

said.

Siriban said the Philippines is willing to engage relevant stakeholders in addressing the situation in the region, particularly the developments in the South China Sea.

"We have continuing dialogues with our neighbors. This trilateral summit is one of those dialogues and consultations that we have," he said.

Siriban said the Philippines is also looking at cooperation with Japan and the U.S. in tackling climate change.

"The Philippines is one of the countries most severely affected by climate change so we are looking at actions, at activities that help address and mitigate the impact of climate change, and help the Philippines adapt to climate change," Sibiran said.

"We are looking at clean energy, cooperation on clean energy, green energy, renewables. We're also looking at expanding our cooperation on important industries for the Philippines, such as critical minerals and semiconductors," he added.

But security issues would definitely not take a backseat in the meeting, he said.

"The security environment will also have to be taken into consideration because for economic resilience and economic growth to happen, we also have to take into account the peace and security of the region," Siriban said.

Marcos will also meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and American business leaders during his trip.

The president last visited Washington in May 2023, becoming the first Philippine president in over a decade to step inside the White House. 

Año said. "For the meantime, we will fight for our rights, we will make sure we are protecting our territorial integrity and ensuring our sovereignty in our exclusive economic zone," he added. 

Duterte asserted West PH Sea ruling...

assertion of the July 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration award changed Xi’s mood. “Nagulat kami sa reaction ng mama (Xi), nung kabila. Sabi niya: ‘Do not force that, because if you force that, there will be trouble.’ Shocked kami lahat eh,” he further said. (We were surprised by Xi’s reaction, the other side. He said: ‘Do not force that, because if you force that, there will be trouble’. We were all shocked.) Also during their phone conversation on Thursday night, Panelo said Duterte denied making an agreement with China

regarding the West Philippine Sea, contradicting his fellow Duterte administration colleague, Harry Roque, who made the bombshell revelation in late March. “Kahit na (Even) after [the talks with Xi Jinping], walang nangyaring ganoon (there was no such a thing),” he likewise said.

“Eh kami na ngang Cabinet members vina-validate namin ang sinabi ni Presidente Duterte eh (Us who are Cabinet members are even validating what President Duterte said),” he added, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año is the latest Cabinet official from the Duterte administration to

deny the existence of the “gentlemen’s agreement” to supposedly maintain a status quo in the West Philippine Sea. Año served as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government after serving as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief under the Duterte administration.

Beijing continues to assert it owns almost the entire South China Sea, including most of the West Philippine Sea, even if such a claim has been effectively invalidated by a July 2016 international tribunal ruling that stemmed from a case filed by Manila in 2013. 

Breaking cultural stigmas around...

A recent CDPH report found that by 2040, the number of California adults living with the disease will have increased by 127%, or nearly 1.6 million.

Take on Alzheimer’s, the first-ever statewide Alzheimer’s campaign, aims “not only to raise awareness that this disease is a big problem and getting bigger, but also to shift misperceptions around it by working with community organizations statewide,” she continued.

“The earlier this progressive disease is diagnosed, the more doors it opens to combat its impacts, but many fear the stigma a diagnosis comes with,” Abascal added. “Alzheimer’s is not a person’s fault and it’s not a normal part of getting old — it’s a disease and must be treated as such by linking people to care. We don’t want communities to wait 10 years to get the help they can get right now.”

Asian American stigma

“There’s often much stress involved with care in Chinese and Vietnamese communities, because caregivers — typically daughters aged 40 to 60 — are sandwiched between caring for the parent as well as their own children,” said Dr. Dolores Gallagher Thompson, professor emerita at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

“A common feeling reported by Asian caregivers is depression, partly associated with filial piety,” said Thompson, who has worked with Asian caregivers for over 30 years. “Younger and middleaged caregivers may not fully endorse this traditional concept, because it involves conflict in juggling multiple roles … to treat individuals with dementia, you need to treat the family as a unit, because the disease affects everyone.”

“Educating the family that dementia is a neurological condition, not a psychiatric condition, is key,” she continued.

“In traditional Chinese writing, the character for ‘dementia’ is the same as that for ‘crazy,’ and this attribution often escalates the stigma. To fight it, we teach caregivers how to respond to problem behavior in ways less stressful for everyone involved, and how to include them in the family by focusing on what they can still do — if they can’t make rice alone, they can make it supervised or wash the dishes.”

“Often unique to the experiences of Vietnamese communities is war-associated PTSD,” Thompson added. “This can make seeking and giving care even harder than it already is, and our programs for the Vietnamese

community encourage them to share their experiences, how they’ve coped with them, and how it might impact their caregiving.”

Latino stigma

In the Latino community, “stigma is alive and well,” said Dr. María Aranda, USC professor of social work and gerontology, and executive director of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. “Memory loss is typically a topic that does not make dinnertime conversation.”

“There’s societal stigma, where there’s a high price put on people’s intellect and ability to compete, alongside a personal fear that the person with the diagnosis will be treated differently,” she continued.

“This stigma prompts a ‘cocoon experience’ where Latino families protect the individual against more stigma so much that they miss out on an early diagnosis of dementia, and getting the care they need,” said Aranda.

“Due to less access to timely, accurate information to prevent and manage memory declines, especially among monolingual Spanish speakers, there’s a polarized spectrum where Alzheimer’s is seen as part of a severe psychiatric disorder like psychosis on the one hand, and as apart of normal aging on the other,” she added. “While age is the biggest risk factor, it doesn’t mean everyone who reaches a certain age will have it.”

LGBT+ stigma

Out of an estimated 2.7 million LGBT people in the U.S. over the age of 50, 7.4% pf lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults have dementia “and that number is increasing,” said Lunae Chrysanta, training manager at Openhouse SF, which provides caregiver training and community support for LGBT individuals.

“The same elders who were pathologized for most of their life — from the Lavender Scare of the 50s, through the civil rights movements of the 60s and 70s, to the collective trauma of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in the 80s and 90s — may feel, as they age, like they’re losing the independence that they fought so hard for,” he continued.

Alongside stigma around Alzheimer’s itself, “fear of discrimination stops many LGBT older adults from seeking the care that they need,” Chrysanta explained.

An estimated 40% of LGB and 46% of transgender older adults don’t disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to doctors because they fear it will affect quality of care.

In a New York study of over

3,500 LGBT older adults, 8.3% reported neglect or abuse from their caregivers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Because LGBTQ elders often find chosen families after facing rejection from biological families, “family structures in the LGBT community often look different than cisgender and heterosexual family units,” Chrysanta continued.

“Many of our elders are aging at the same time as their loved ones and find themselves being caregivers while also needing that support themselves,” he said. “For us, developing intergenerational mental health programs and 110 units of affordable housing has been key to reducing barriers to support. Our elders with dementia shouldn’t feel like they need to hide their true selves again by going back into the closet.”

Black stigma

Older Black Americans are twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia compared to older whites.

Both stigma and the belief that memory loss is a natural part of aging prevents them from seeking the care they need, said Petra Niles, senior manager of education & outreach for African Americans at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.

Although 65% of Black Americans say that they know somebody with Alzheimer’s or dementia, half report experiencing discrimination while seeking care for someone who has it; only 53% believe that a cure would be distributed fairly, without regard to race or ethnicity; and 55% think that significant loss of cognitive abilities is a natural part of aging rather than a disease.

“It’s important for this community to have a good relationship with a physician they trust, who will respond to their concerns and not just say that dementia is a normal part of aging,” explained Niles. “There are warning signs like memory loss, getting lost, issues with finances, repeating stories. You shouldn’t have to wait for these symptoms to worsen before getting help.”

“Alzheimer’s stigma not only prevents our community from getting help, but from sharing that diagnosis with friends who can help — and less help adds on stress for the caregiver,” she added. “We’re hearing about many who have died in the throes of caregiving. As long as we don’t stop the stigma, even trying to get help can endanger your health.”

FOR Cindy Westman, $30 buys a week’s worth of gas to drive to medical appointments and run errands. It’s also how much she spent on her monthly internet bill before the federal Affordable Connectivity Program stepped in and covered her payments.

“When you have low income and you are living on disability and your daughter’s disabled, every dollar counts,” said Westman, who lives in rural Illinois.

More than 23 million lowincome households — urban, suburban, rural, and tribal — are enrolled in the federal discount program Congress created in 2021 to bridge the nation’s digital connectivity gap.

The program has provided $30 monthly subsidies for internet bills or $75 discounts in tribal and high-cost areas.

But the program is expected to run out of money in April or May, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

In January, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asked Congress to allocate $6 billion to keep the program running until the end of 2024. She said the subsidy gives Americans the “internet service they need to fully participate in modern life.”

The importance of high-speed internet was seared into the American psyche by scenes of children sitting in parking lots and outside fast-food restaurants to attend school online during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that same period, health care providers and patients like Westman say, being connected also became a vital part of today’s health care delivery system. Westman said her internet connection has become so important to her access to health care she would sell “anything that I own” to stay connected. Westman, 43, lives in the small town of Eureka, Illinois, and has been diagnosed with genetic and immune system disorders. Her 12-year-old daughter has cerebral palsy and autism.

She steered the $30 saved on her internet toward taking care of her daughter, paying for things such as driving 30 minutes west to Peoria, Illinois, for two physical therapy appointments

each week. And with an internet connection, Westman can access online medical records, and whenever possible she uses telehealth appointments to avoid the hour-plus drive to specialty care. “It’s essential for me to keep the internet going no matter what,” Westman said.

Expanding telehealth is a common reason health care providers around the U.S. — in states such as Massachusetts and Arkansas — joined efforts to sign their patients up for the federal discount program.

“This is an issue that has real impacts on health outcomes,” said Alister Martin, an emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Martin realized at the height of the pandemic that patients with means were using telehealth to access COVID care. But those seeking in-person care during his ER shifts tended to be lower-income, and often people of color.

“They have no other choice,” Martin said. “But they probably don’t need to be in the ER action.” Martin became a White House fellow and later created a nonprofit that he said has helped 1,154 patients at health centers in Boston and Houston enroll in the discount program.

At the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, a federal grant was used to conduct dozens of outreach events and help patients enroll, said Joseph Sanford, an anesthesiologist and the director of the system’s Institute for Digital Health & Innovation.

“We believe that telehealth is the great democratization to access to care,” Sanford said. New enrollment in the discount program halted nationwide last month.

Leading up to the enrollment halt, Sen. Peter Welch (DVt.) led a bipartisan effort to introduce the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act in January. The group requested $7 billion — more than the FCC’s ask — to keep the program funded. “Affordability is everything,” Welch said.

In December, federal regulators surveyed program recipients and found that 22% reported no internet service before, and 72% said they used their ACP-subsidized internet to

“schedule or attend healthcare appointments.”

Estimates of how many lowincome U.S. households qualify for the program vary, but experts agree that only about half of the roughly 50 million eligible households have signed on.

“A big barrier for this program generally was people don’t know about it,” said Brian Whitacre, a professor and the Neustadt chair in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University.

Whitacre and others said rural households should be signing up at even higher rates than urban ones because a higher percentage of them are eligible.

Yet, people found signing up for the program laborious.

Enrollment was a two-step process. Applicants were required to get approved by the federal government then work with an internet service provider that would apply the discount. The government application was online — hard to get to if you didn’t yet have internet service — though applicants could try to find a way to download a version, print it, and submit the application by mail.

When Frances Goli, the broadband project manager for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho, began enrolling tribal and community members at the Fort Hall Reservation last year, she found that many residents did not know about the program — even though it had been approved more than a year earlier.

Goli and Amber Hastings, an AmeriCorps member with the University of Idaho Extension Digital Economy Program, spent hours helping residents through the arduous process of finding the proper tribal documentation required to receive the larger $75 discount for those living on tribal lands.

“That was one of the biggest hurdles,” Goli said. “They’re getting denied and saying, come back with a better document. And that is just frustrating for our community members.”

Of the more than 200 households Goli and Hastings aided, about 40% had not had internet before.

In the tribal lands of Oklahoma, said Sachin Gupta, director of government business 

de Castro, Leyte 4th District

Rep. Richard Gomez, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., former Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas 2nd, former Anakalusugan Representative Michael Defensor, and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

In a statement, Tulfo said that he is grateful for the overwhelming support and trust given to him in the OCTA survey, noting that he was "humbled" to witness a high level of confidence in his capacity to serve.

However, he said he will continue to focus on his role as the representative of the ACT-CIS party-list.

"My commitment to advocating for the interests and well-being of the Filipino people remains unwavering through my work in the House of Representatives. I assure you that I will continue to dedicate myself tirelessly to addressing the critical issues facing our nation and upholding the principles of good governance and public service," Tulfo said. Tulfo also led in the Pulse Asia senatorial survey conducted from March 6 to 10, 2024, where 57.1 percent said that they would vote for him in 2025.

The survey had 1,200 respondents with a national margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. 

of $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion.

Tied at No. 2,545 with Susan was budget carrier, retail and property tycoon Lance Gokongwei, who also has a net worth of $1.1 billion.

Sy-Coson at No. 1,438 with $2.3 billion and Elizabeth Sy at No. 1,545 with $2.1 billion. Property tycoon Andrew Tan is at No. 1,623 with a net worth of $2 billion, followed by Jollibee Group founder Tony Tan Caktiong at No. 2,152 with a net worth of $1.4 billion.

The husband-and-wife tandem of Lucio and Susan Co of retailer Puregold ranked at Nos. 2,410 and 2,545, respectively, with net worth

Completing the Filipino billionaires in the list is William Belo, founder home improvement and construction supply retailer Wilcon Depot, who was at No. 2,692 with a net worth of $1 billion.

The 38th annual World’s Billionaires list, the definitive ranking of the world’s richest people, featured a record-high 2,781 billionaires. This year’s list has 141 more billionaires than last year and 26 more than the previous record set in 2021.

Overall, French luxury goods titan Bernard Arnault topped the ranking for the second consecutive year after his net worth expanded by 10 percent to an estimated $233 billion. He was followed by Elon Musk with an estimated net worth of $195 billion and Jeff Bezos with $194 billion.

Completing the top five were Mark Zuckerberg with a net worth of $177 billion and Larry Ellison with $141 billion.

“The world’s billionaires are richer than ever. Collectively, they are worth a record-breaking $14.2 trillion, up by $2 trillion from our 2023 list and $1.1 trillion above the previous record, set in 2021,” Forbes said. 

May magagandang rate, guaranteed delivery, at walang hidden fee, samahan ang milyon-milyong nagtitiwala sa Remitly kapag nagse-send ng pera sa mga kaibigan at pamilya.

Heat protections for California workers are in limbo after Newsom abandons rules

by ANGELA HART AND SAMANTHA YOUNG KFF Health News

SACRAMENTO

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration has abandoned proposed protections for millions of California workers toiling in sweltering warehouses, steamy kitchens, and other dangerously hot workplaces — upending a regulatory process that had been years in the making. The administration’s eleventhhour move, which it attributed to the cost of the new regulations, angered workplace safety advocates and state regulators, setting off a mad scramble to implement emergency rules before summer.

But it’s unclear how, when, or if the emergency rules will come down, and whether they’ll be in place in time to protect workers from the intensifying heat.

“It’s the administration’s moral obligation to fix this,” said Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, a former state lawmaker and the chief officer of the California Labor Federation, which represents more than 1,300 unions. “There needs to be emergency regulations or legislation quickly, because we can’t stop summer.”

California has had heat standards on the books for outdoor workers since 2005, and indoor workplaces were supposed to be next. The proposed standards would have required work sites to be cooled below 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present and below 82 degrees in places where workers wear protective clothing or are exposed to radiant heat, such as furnaces. Buildings could be cooled with air conditioning, fans, misters, and other methods. The rules would have allowed workarounds for businesses that couldn’t cool their workplaces sufficiently, such as laundries or restaurant kitchens.

Despite concerns from the administration, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved the rules at its March 21 meeting, prompting a tense political standoff between workplace safety advocates and Newsom, the second-term Democratic governor who has sought to elevate his national profile and

claim progressive leadership on climate change and worker rights — key platforms for the Democratic Party.

State Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer said the issue isn’t the state’s ballooning budget deficit — estimated between $38 billion and $73 billion — but a legal requirement to nail down the cost of the rules to the state government.

“It wasn’t, ‘We’re trying to sink these regulations,’” Palmer said.

Palmer said the administration received a murky cost estimate from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation indicating that implementing the standards in its prisons and other facilities could cost billions. The board’s economic analysis, on the other hand, pegged the cost at less than $1 million a year.

“Without our concurrence of the fiscal estimates, those regulations in their latest iteration will not go into effect,” he said.

According to Corrections spokesperson Albert Lundeen, the rules would entail major spending that could require the legislature to fund “extensive capital improvements.” He added that the agency is committed to discussing “how these regulations could be implemented cost-effectively at our institutions to further bolster worker safety.”

Board members argue the state has had years to analyze the cost of the proposed standards, and that it must quickly impose emergency regulations. But it’s not clear how that might happen, whether in days by the administration or months via the state budget process — or another way.

“This is a public health emergency,” said Laura Stock, a board member who is also an expert on workplace safety and health at the University of California-Berkeley.

Newsom spokesperson Erin Mellon defended the move to halt permanent regulations, saying approving them would be “imprudent” without a detailed cost estimate. “The administration is committed to implementing the indoor heat regulations and ensuring workplace protections,”

she said in a statement. “We are exploring all options to put these worker protections in place, including working with the legislature.”

Only Minnesota and Oregon have adopted heat rules for indoor workers. Legislation has stalled in Congress, and even though the Biden administration has initiated the long process of establishing national heat standards for outdoor and indoor work, they may take years to finalize.

Seven workers died in California from indoor heat between 2010 and 2017. Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and kidney failure. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, 1,600 heat-related deaths occurred nationally, which is likely an undercount because health care providers are not required to report them. It’s not clear how many of these deaths are related to work, either indoors or outdoors.

The process to adopt California’s indoor head standards started in 2016 and involved years of negotiations with businesses and labor advocates.

Several board members acknowledged that they were frustrated by the administration’s lack of support when they adopted the regulations in March — after their meeting was temporarily halted by angry, chanting warehouse workers — knowing they would not go into effect. Instead, they said, they wanted to amplify pressure on Newsom.

“Every summer is hotter than the last, and workers who aren’t protected are going to suffer heat illness or death,” said Dave Harrison, a board member and powerful union leader with Operating Engineers Local 3. “Our hope was that the vote would be symbolic in sending a message to the state government that, listen, this is important, so we decided to vote on it anyway and put it back into the state’s court.”

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. 

End of internet subsidies for low-income...

and economic development at internet service provider Centranet, years ago the funding may not have mattered. “But then COVID hit,” Gupta said. “The stories I have heard.” Elders, he said, reportedly

“died of entirely preventable causes” such as high blood pressure and diabetes because they feared COVID in the clinics.

“It’s really important to establish connectivity,” Gupta said. The end of the discounts will “take a toll.”

MARINE LIFE. Idle fishing boats are moored at Laguna de Bay in Muntinlupa City on Thursday, April 4. The Laguna Lake Development Authority assigned 4,876 hectares to small fisherfolk and 4,324 hectares to private operators. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

DAVAO CITY — Apollo

Quiboloy is now a “fugitive from justice” after evading arrest warrants served by a joint team of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). “He may not have been arrested, but he will be considered as a fugitive from justice based on the warrant of arrest issued by the court,”

NBI Davao region chief Arcelito Albao told “Storycon” on One News on Wednesday, April 3. While the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) ministry was nowhere to be found, Albao said the joint team did not have a hard time entering Quiboloy’s compound at the “prayer mountain” in Davao. Quiboloy is still in the country as his cars, helicopters and planes are still in the area, Albao told Storycon. He said Quiboloy’s personnel told the joint team that they had not seen the pastor for several days. Teams have been deployed to hunt down Quiboloy and five of his associates who were ordered arrested by a Davao court on charges of child and sexual abuse, Albao said.

Ordered arrested together with Quiboloy were Jackielyn Roy and Sylvia Cemanes as well as Ingrid, Cresente and Paulene, all surnamed Canada. Cresente and Paulene Canada along with Cemanes were preparing to post P80,000 bail following their arrest at the Jose Maria College campus and the Samal and Tamayong properties of the KOJC. Albao told The STAR that Roy and Ingrid were reportedly hiding with Quiboloy as they are his personal assistants.

Brig, Gen. Alden Delvo, Davao region police director, said Cresente surrendered to the NBI while Pauline and Cemanes sent surrender feelers.

Baguio issued another warrant against the respondents on charges of child and sexual abuse as provided under the same law.

In a two-page order, the Davao RTC said that as early as March 14, it found probable cause to issue a warrant against Quiboloy.

However, Quiboloy’s counsel filed a motion to defer or suspend proceedings and asked the court to hold the issuance of an arrest order.

The court said it granted Quiboloy’s motion as his camp filed a motion questioning a resolution issued by the Department of Justice, which indicted the religious leader and five others of child abuse.

Warrants served Delvo said the warrants were given to Kathleen Kaye Laurente, one of Quiboloy’s lawyers.

He said he urged Laurente to advise Quiboloy to surrender.

Delvo said the cases against Quiboloy and his co-accused are bailable: P200,000 for the sexual abuse and P80,000 for child abuse.

Delvo said Quiboloy has to be physically present for the booking procedures.

Aware that Quiboloy has security escorts of his own, Delvo urged followers of the religious leader not to resort to violence and let justice take its course.

Judge Dante Baguio of the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 ordered Quiboloy and five others arrested on charges of violation of Republic Act (RA) 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Law.

In issuing the arrest warrants, the Davao RTC said “more than reasonable time” had since lapsed, yet it has not received any resolution on the motion for reconsideration filed by the camp of Quiboloy. “The court, mindful of the equally situated rights of both the prosecution and defense – which may include, among others, the speedy disposition and trial of cases, either of which or both –said right imposes an imperative task that this court is indebted to fulfill,” the court said. “As what was earlier determined upon judicious examination and perusal of information where it found probable cause, let the warrants of arrest already issued be implemented immediately,” it added.

The respondents are also facing charges of qualified human trafficking as provided under Section 4(a) of RA 9208 before a Pasig court, which has yet to issue a warrant of arrest against them.

Quiboloy is also wanted by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged involvement in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the U.S. through fraudulently obtained visas.

He reportedly forced church members to solicit donations for a bogus charity. The donations were reportedly used to finance church operations and the lavish

77 percent, Metro Manila at 71 percent, Mindanao at 69 percent and rest of Luzon at 67 percent. By social class, it was selected the most urgent among those in the socioeconomic class E at 73 percent, followed by those in class ABC at 71 percent and class D at 69 percent.

Following inflation in the list of most urgent concerns were increasing the pay of workers (36 percent), fighting graft and corruption (26 percent), creating more jobs (25 percent), providing assistance to farmers (19 percent), addressing hunger

(17 percent), providing support to entrepreneurs (14 percent), stopping the destruction of the environment (11 percent) and fighting criminality (11 percent).

of plus/ minus 2.8 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. 

These were followed by equal enforcement of the law (10 percent), reducing taxes (10 percent), defending the integrity of Philippine territory (nine percent), promoting peace (eight percent), protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (five percent) and preparing for terrorist acts (four percent).

Only one percent of the respondents said that Charter change is among their urgent concerns.

Separate survey results released by Pulse Asia late last month found that 88 percent of the respondents oppose Charter change at this time.

Some 14 percent said the Constitution may be amended some other time, while 74 percent said the Constitution should not be amended now nor any other time.

Only eight percent supported amending the Constitution at this time.

Pulse Asia’s non-

commissioned Ulat ng Bayan survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Quiboloy’s happy days are numbered, now that the Davao RTC issued a warrant for his arrest. Philstar.com file photo

OPINION FEATURES

IF the government wants to improve its track record in capturing fugitives, it should enforce laws against obstruction of justice as well as harboring criminals and persons with pending arrest warrants.

Ricardo Zulueta, trusted aide of former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag, had been wanted by authorities since being tagged as a prime participant in the 2022 murders of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and an inmate in the New Bilibid Prison. The nation next learned of Zulueta’s whereabouts only this year when he was reported to have died of heart failure on March 15 at the Bataan Peninsula Medical Center in Dinalupihan town where he was reportedly brought by his brother. Who helped Zulueta evade arrest for over a year? Equally important was his cause of death, with the Department of Justice indicating suspicions of foul play. Zulueta was crucial in directly linking Bantag to the murders.

Editorial

On Friday, April 5, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation raided two houses of Bantag in Laguna and Caloocan City to serve the warrant for his arrest, but failed to find the accused mastermind of Lapid’s murder. Bantag, a former official of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, is surely getting help in evading arrest. He may also be hiding in

Glimpses

JOSE MA MONTELIBANO

I FIRST wrote about the conflict between the Philippines and China over disputed territory 12 years ago. The trigger then was the unilateral and aggressive act of China in a forceful takeover of Scarborough Shoal. These are excerpts from that 2012 article of mine: “It is, in fact, China with whom we have ties not just historical but physical as well. We are literally neighbors, and we have substantial blood ties. We should be the best of friends, not adversaries. But there is strategic circumstance, tremendous wealth and vital resources in the long area west of the Philippines, from Scarborough Shoal to Sulu, including the lands of Palawan and Western Mindanao. These represent sea lanes that are crucial to international trade and military sea and air movements. These represent $26 trillion worth of oil and gas deposits which could last beyond

Sketches

IF Apollo Quiboloy had not gotten the goat of the House of Representatives, the Senate and presumably the Marcos 2.0 administration, would he be on the run now, among the nation’s most wanted as an accused sex offender and human trafficker? Quiboloy’s fate is another illustration of the weakness of the rule of law and the capricious nature of Philippine justice.

In February 2022, after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation released its most wanted poster featuring Quiboloy, the pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), The Name Above Every Name Inc., was often seen in public with then president Rodrigo Duterte. Nothing legally wrong with that; to this day, the U.S. government has not sought the extradition of Quiboloy in connection with the charges for which he is wanted by the FBI. (The U.S. reportedly wants Quiboloy to finish his legal issues first in the Philippines.) But being part of the close circle of the Philippine president at the time gave the pastor an air of being untouchable.

plain sight, with certain authorities looking the other way, like retired Army General Jovito Palparan Jr.

After three years in hiding, Palparan was arrested in August 2014 in a house in crowded Sta. Mesa, Manila by a composite team of the NBI and the military’s Naval Intelligence Group. A regional trial court in Bulacan had ordered his arrest in December 2011 for kidnapping, serious illegal detention and the disappearance of students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno.

Dubbed the “butcher” by human rights activists, Palparan was suspected to have been harbored by persons or groups who lauded his campaign against communist insurgents. He is serving a life sentence without eligibility for parole in Bilibid, but there was no attempt to go after anyone who helped him during his three years in hiding. This failure to penalize persons who harbor fugitives guarantees that the illegal act will continue. With people seeing no accountability for obstruction of justice, authorities will face a tough time catching fugitives. (Philstar.com)

West Philippine Sea, patriotism, betrayal

a hundred years. And these represent, not just $26 trillion, but oil and gas that are vital to production and consumption, more importantly, to the peace of mind of superpowers We are talking about the security of nations, not just their prosperity. If China, or America, believes that what we have beneath the sea or the land is in their interest to have or to control, there will be no right or wrong to guide their action, only success.

It is a timely moment to accept reality with more clarity and less wishful thinking. Our fate is truly, and ultimately, only in our hands. Our sovereignty, our independence, our freedom, these will not be gifts from superpowers, they will be fruits from our blood, sweat and tears. If we are not willing to give all, we will not be able to keep all.”

That was in 2012 and a big change has happened since then. China is still the bully and continues to disrespect us when it comes to the West Philippine Sea. It has expanded its bullying beyond Scarborough Shoal, of course, and now centered

Quiboloy must be so close to Duterte that the former president has offered to serve as administrator of the KOJC estate in case the pastor is unable to perform this role.

As we are seeing in the Senate, Quiboloy has many other friends in high places, who can save him from what he probably considers as the humiliation of being publicly grilled by lawmakers.

Like other leaders of the religious right, Quiboloy has unabashedly used his ministry (and his Sonshine Media Network International, according to those miffed by SMNI) to wield political influence. He supports candidates during elections and reportedly lends his private aircraft to politicians in need. It’s the kind of support that earns strong loyalty in our society where gratitude carries a lot of weight.

Quiboloy enjoyed formidable clout in the previous administration, when he was perceived to be openly thumbing his nose at the FBI while canoodling with his BFF Duterte. * * *

Today, the pastor has lost his invincibility. Quiboloy still has loyal, influential friends, who won’t do anything that will harm him, but he has even more influential enemies. He is no longer

around the Spratly Islands. Every time we send a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre which remains grounded in a submerged reef there, China attacks us with aggressive maneuvering of its naval and maritime ships – plus shooting water cannons or beaming laser lights at our ships.

All of the above provocative actions are on top of harassing our fishermen who have been traditionally plying their trade there.

The biggest change, though, from 12 years ago is the South China Sea Arbitration Ruling made on July 16, 2016, going against major elements of China’s claim including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters. The Hague-based decision constituted under the UNCLOS declared that China’s claim of historical rights to resources falling within the invisible demarcation “has no basis in law and is without legal effect.”

The ruling also upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive

untouchable.

As of Thursday, April 4, the pastor remained in hiding somewhere in his “prayer mountain” in Davao while five of his aides had either surrendered or were arrested and then freed after posting bail of P80,000 each. That’s peanuts for a man who tools around in his own jet, but another arrest warrant for him may not allow bail: the one issued by the Senate for contempt. Quiboloy’s lawyers are said to be negotiating with Senate representatives (or else preparing a legal challenge) to prevent his arrest and detention at the Senate.

Congressmen, who have revoked SMNI’s franchise, say the network has been used by Rodrigo Duterte and his minions to lambast the Marcos 2.0 administration and insult the House, starting with its leader who is seen as the likely rival of Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 presidential race.

Being closely identified with the Dutertes, who are openly calling for the replacement of President Marcos, there is nothing now that should stop prosecutors from finally bringing Quiboloy and his alleged cohorts to justice.

The indictments against Quiboloy in the Philippines are serious: human and child sex trafficking. The charges in the

economic zone.

For the last 8 years, 6 under Rodrigo Duterte as president and 2 years so far under the presidency of Marcos, Jr., China has knowingly committed all sorts of physical intrusion into our waters, the West Philippine Sea, in a show of force – even against international laws. For all practical reasons, China is an invader, an interloper, a bully using superior force to intimidate and curtail the freedom of the Philippines to exercise control over the West Philippine Sea.

In other words, we are at war, in an undeclared war but a war nonetheless. It is a war we cannot control because we never asked for it, and we never did anything to violate any international treaty, not even a treaty with China. It is only a war we are forced to fight like cornered rats to save our divine and internationally legal heritage, our land and waters that give us life, and our freedom and independence.

Let me repeat my words of 12 years ago, to wit: “If we are not willing to give all, we will not be

U.S. are worse.

*

* *

To refresh your memory, here’s what’s on the FBI most wanted document: Apollo Carreon Quiboloy… is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders. Members who proved successful at soliciting for the church allegedly were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to continue soliciting in the United States year-round. Furthermore, it is alleged that females were recruited to work as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” for Quiboloy and that victims prepared his meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called “night duty.”

Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and

able to keep all.”

So let us now discuss the most important value in the context of the ongoing conflict with China – the patriotism of Filipinos. Our strongest armor is our patriotism, and our greatest enemy is our unwillingness to express it in the worst of times.

I know there are traitors in our midst, I know we even see and hear them every so often trying to placate our indignation and promote the interests of the enemy above ours. But traitors are a consequence of war, mostly driven by greed. Filipinos betrayed Filipinos under all colonial masters – our history books or hometown legends can affirm that. There will be some who will, if not yet by now, sell their souls and the countrymen to China. We must be watchful and we must not be fooled by them.

Patriotism is not taught in an ROTC course. It is taught from birth, by the example of role models. For the child, it begins at home. For the nation, it begins at the top, from our national leaders and cascades all the way to our barangays. Maybe,

Filipinos have been experiencing a long period of peace, and our leaders themselves have been lulled to believe that patriotism is automatic. It is not; not without its role models to keep it fresh and alive.

But since the revival of ROTC has been pushed by some national leaders, I would expect them to be the primary role models of patriotism. China today is openly and aggressively committing disrespectful and bullying acts against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. The first to defend our territory and to condemn the aggression of China must be our leaders – especially those who used patriotism as their reason for wanting to bring ROTC back.

Meanwhile, we Filipinos must be alert, vigilant, understand what China is doing to us, and prepare to test our own patriotism. And beware of betrayal and traitors in our midst. (Inquirer.net)

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

coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy;

Preacher Apollo Quiboloy Photo from Facebook/Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy

Marcos wants holistic plan to solve Metro Manila tra c woes

by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

“comprehensive” solution to the country’s traffic woes and has directed agencies to come up with work adjustment plans, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said. “What the president really wants is a comprehensive, holistic approach to solving the traffic problem – not the piecemeal approach as has been the case all these years,” Balisacan said.

He cited the need to look at intermodal transport systems and see how they operate efficiently as a whole. He noted that the government is building a subway, expressways and bridges linking provinces.

Such projects, he said, have to be seen in the context of all other transport systems including bicycle lanes, motorcycle lanes and feeder roads, as well as the location of industries and residences.

“If there is a chokepoint in one, it affects the whole system. That’s why we really look at it as a system. And that’s the direction of the president,” Balisacan said.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said the government has several ongoing infrastructure projects connecting Metro Manila cities to nearby provinces, including the North-South Railway project linking Metro Manila to Bulacan, Pampanga and Laguna; the Central Luzon Expressway connecting North Luzon Expressway, and the BataanCavite Interlink Bridge.

A 2018 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency estimated that traffic congestion in Metro Manila is costing the Philippines P3.5 billion a day. Metro Manila also emerged as the metro area with the worst traffic congestion in 2023, the traffic index of digital navigation site TomTom showed. According to the index, driving ten kilometers in Metro Manila took about 25 minutes and 30 seconds last year, 50 seconds

slower than in 2022.

A total of 117 hours were lost per year during rush hours in the area while the average speed during those times was just 19 kilometers per hour.

Big-ticket road projects in April

Three big-ticket roadworks projects are expected to start this month, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) The EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City would be retrofitted starting April 25 and is estimated to be finished in 11 months.

The decks, or the platforms where vehicles pass through along a flyover, will be demolished and replaced with new ones, a DPWH representative explained. DPWH said there was a need to repair the EDSA-Kamuning flyover to prevent potential damage and casualties in case a strong earthquake hits.

However, the DPWH will implement partial closure of the flyover which means that one lane would remain open to motorists while the remaining lanes would be off-limits for the repairs.

The flyover along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City will also undergo repairs for three weeks starting April 5 and will also be under partial closure.

Portions of Roxas Boulevard in the cities of Manila and Pasay will also undergo road reblocking and installation of drainage systems starting April 5 which are expected to be finished in 150 calendar days.

Since it is used regularly by trucks, Roxas Boulevard needed an upgrade to its concrete pavements from the current 23 centimeters to 24 centimeters, according to the DPWH.

Additionally, the DPWH would also perform road reblocking in portions of Tandang Sora Avenue, Bonny Serrano Avenue, IBP-San Mateo Road, Luzon Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Payatas Road and G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, EDSA in Mandaluyong City, and Roxas Boulevard in Pasay and Manila from April 5 to 11, if ever the government declares the latter date a holiday.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) allowed the DPWH to perform all the projects round-the-clock, and expects construction to be finished earlier than their respective target dates.

“These projects are necessary for the safety of our motorists and they should not be delayed,” MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes said. Artes vowed the MMDA would put in place measures to prevent roads from getting congested, causing traffic jams, due to the road projects. He also assured the public that the MMDA would study traffic management plans that will be implemented during the constructions, including designation of Mabuhay lanes or alternate routes, zipper lanes, and road clearing operations to “minimize the inconvenience on motorists.” 

Manhunt on for Apollo...

lifestyles of church leaders.

A California judge ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.

Among the cases filed against Quiboloy before a U.S. court involved conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children and cash smuggling.

Happy days numbered

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Quiboloy’s happy days are numbered, now that the Davao RTC issued a warrant for his arrest.

Hontiveros said that aside from the Davao court, almost all institutions in the Philippines are moving to hold Quiboloy accountable.

“The PNP in Davao has expressed willingness to work with other law enforcement agencies in arresting the Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader. I am confident that this will be fulfilled and Quiboloy will be caught,” Hontiveros said.

“Once he is arrested, the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality will expect his appearance in our next hearing,” she added.

She called on Quiboloy to stop acting, saying he has done a lot to skirt the law. “He should cooperate and properly answer the accusations hurled against him. If he had done no wrong, there’s no need for him to hide,” Hontiveros said.

She thanked Quiboloy’s alleged victims for fighting back to obtain justice.

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro commended the issuance of an arrest order against Quiboloy.

“It is good that the original Joint Resolution dated 29 June 2020 issued by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City, which dismissed the complaints for rape, qualified human trafficking and child abuse, has been overturned by the Department of Justice,” Castro said.

She said this means the DOJ is finally “seeing the alleged crimes of Quiboloy in a new light.”

“We hope it would act swiftly to deliver justice to Quiboloy’s victims,” she added.

“We stand in solidarity with the victims and advocates seeking justice in this case. It is imperative that the legal process moves swiftly to ensure that those responsible for heinous crimes are held accountable and that justice is served,” she maintained. 

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.

success story shows how love found a way, on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

Jaclyn Jose’s final TV project ‘Sellblock’ to premiere at Cannes

By Hans Carbonilla Inquirer.net

was just on March 2 when award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose, born Mary Jane Guck, passed away at the age of 60, reportedly due to myocardial infarction or a heart attack.

the contribution of the Cannes Best Actress awardee to the industry never wavers, as her presumed final television project “Sellblock” is slated to make its debut at Cannes, according to Deadline. The Filipino prison drama, produced by Manila-based BlackOps Studios Asia and directed by filmmaker Pedring Lopez, offers a gritty portrayal of one of Asia’s largest drug empires operating within a maximum-security prison in the Philippines.

With Jose starring alongside “Basurero” and “Siargao” actor Jericho Rosales, “Sellblock” holds the potential to be an important part in Jose’s celebrated career, tragically cut short in March.

The ensemble features industry’s best, including Rosales and Jose themselves, along with Empoy Marquez, Ronnie Lazaro, Mon Confiado, Sylvia Sanchez and Ria Atayde.

Reflecting on his experience with “Sellblock,” Rosales expressed enthusiasm for the project, as told by the American entertainment site, emphasizing its immersive nature and the caliber

The series, scheduled for three seasons with the first season comprising eight episodes, was reported to have completed principal photography and is now heading to MIPT, the Spring International TV Market with LA’s Blue Fox Entertainment handling distribution.

of talent involved. “Sellblock is more than just a series,” shared the actor. “It’s an immersive experience that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Working alongside such a talented team has been an absolute privilege, and I can’t wait for viewers to see the magic we’ve created.”

With anticipation building ahead of its Cannes debut, “Sellblock” promises to be a compelling addition to the television landscape, offering viewers a journey into the heart of intrigue and suspense as they uncover one of Asia’s largest drug empires. g

Is it hard to do comedy? Pinoy comedians weigh in

By Hans Carbonilla Inquirer.net

MORE than making people laugh, comedy is an art that involves wit, quick thinking, and knowledge of your target audience. But comedians, including Mitch Valdes and Eugene Domingo, have different points of view when asked if it’s hard to do comedy. The question of whether it’s hard to make people laugh started when Michael V admit-

ted it’s “difficult to elevate the standards of Philippine comedy” due to restrictions in October 2023. Joey de Leon echoed this sentiment when he stressed “jealous people think they’re a

The late Jaclyn Jose Photo courtesy of Blackops Studios Asia

in

Alden Richards surprises Kathryn Bernardo during a

Cecile & Mighty and Junior New System performed at a jam-packed 1810 Studio

In the Mix

Photos

Kathryn Bernardo, Alden Richards make fans swoon

By CHRISTINA ALPAD ManilaTimes.net

WHILE still officially not a love team, much more an item, Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards — dubbed as KathDen by their online shippers (fans who push for their team up) — are already making them swoon with their sweet photos and videos surfacing on the internet. Bernardo and Richards first worked together in the 2019 blockbuster hit movie "Hello, Love, Goodbye."

It all started with Richards joining Bernardo's star-studded yacht

Another common comment said, "They might not be in a relationship but we can't deny their chemistry."

These sightings were enough for their fans to root for a new project featuring #KathDen. With "Hello, Love, Goodbye" earning more than P800 million in the box office, fans said it was time for a sequel to the movie.

Bernardo announced her separation from her former on-andoff-screen partner Daniel Padilla in November last year. 

from Instagram/@boopyap party for her 28th birthday celebration. Also sighted were their other "Hello, Love, Goodbye" co-stars. Then a video of Richards shyly singing "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang" with Cacai Bautista also appeared. The 32-year-old blurted out after his performance, "Happy Birthday, Kath. Hindi ko ginagawa 'to (I don’t normally do this)." As if that Palawan party was not enough, Richards was also spotted days after at a post-birthday surprise party for Bernardo. The actor made a grand entrance while carrying a giant bouquet of roses and a gift from French luxury brand Baccarat for the actress. "My #KathDen heart," many fans posted.

LONGTIME singing and magic

duo Cecile & Mighty with special guest world-renowned hip hop dance group Junior New System staged an unforgettable magic show for parents and relatives of their students and magic enthusiasts alike at their jam-packed magic and dance studio at 1810 Studio at Lomita last Saturday, March 16.

They showcased their signature magic tricks with their celebrated singing and sword-swallowing act while their students, composed of Magical Margaux, Mattie and Doria, performed magic tricks they learned at the school. Magician and host Raul also executed some wizardry for everyone to witness.

Having the passion for entertaining and performing live, the well-traveled performing duo was officially created in April 2012 although they have known each other since their college days. Combining their talents in a unique and entertaining way, Cecile & Mighty have captured a diverse audience around the world. Cecile & Mighty are multi-awarded garnering awards such as Best Magician in Thailand 1999 and 2020, Outstanding Entertainers at the Bayanihan Awards, and as one of the Outstanding Filipino Entertainers in the U.S. 18TEN Studio is a place where Cecile & Mighty created classes for Magic and Dance. It’s a venue where the duo organizes and produces shows to support the nonprofit organization Demilo Foundation, Inc. It’s an organization founded by Mighty to honor the legacy of his late father who was a famous international magician and sword swallower in Asia during the ‘70s.

Following the footsteps of his late father and grandfather, Mighty founded the nonprofit with the mission of teaching the next generation of performers in magic along with singing and dancing. Young and aspiring entertainers can be trained and can get support to enhance and develop their talents in entertainment. They offer classes for all ages and gender, as well as special needs individuals as well.

Cecile & Mighty have been exemplary supporters of new talents getting them to perform on stage. An example of this goodwill is sponsoring performers from the Philippines such as Junior New System (JNS) who in turn assists in programs and classes at 18Ten Studio.

Junior New System, a dance group from the Philippines, entered America’s Got Talent for the first time in Season 13. They recently returned to the stage of America’s Got Talent Fantasy League.

Performing for an enthusiastic crowd at the jam-packed studio, Junior New System reinvigorated everyone’s energy with their

acrobatics

heart-pumping music. Originally formed by their manager Marcial Visda in 2019 when the members were in their early teen years, Junior New System is comprised of 11 members: Jevin Valencia, Jascel Valencia, Jerome Valencia, Jerolle Valencia, Mark John Almeria, Eugene Fabon, Charles Bautista, Jasper Ortiz, Philip Del Mundo, Mark Jorque and Christian San.

Hailing from Sampaloc, Manila, its members are all from very humble backgrounds who participated in local dance competitions in their town and eventually in various parts of Luzon. JNS began its foray into the international dance competition world in 2015 at Asia’s Got Talent in Singapore. They soon became a local favorite in TV shows in the Philippines, Hong Song, Malaysia and Singapore.

In 2015, they received an Aliw Award for Best Dance Company and a People’s Choice Award for Best Dance Performing Group in 2016. That same year, JNS participated in the very prestigious World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in California where the group took home gold

medals in all the categories in which they competed. They were the 2016 Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World.

Fast forward, they have joined America’s Got Talent twice and have placed in the semifinals, and most recently, they took part in America’s Got Talent Fantasy League.

Most of the members are now living in the U.S. and have become dance instructors, vloggers and influencers in their own right.

One member, Jascel Valencia, recently released a self-composed single entitled “Isang Beses” (One Time). Jascel was a former trainee of Ppop group Top Class Five. Cecile & Mighty are looking forward to holding more shows locally in Southern California and well as internationally. They are inviting everyone to save the date and come to their Halloween show on October 26 at

Photos by Mic Diaz

Photo by Mic Diaz high-powered dance moves,

and

post-birthday celebration

Manila.

screengrabbed

James Reid, Issa Pressman enjoy Bali on first anniversary

awareness,” Pressman, for her part, wrote.

@reid_visuals

In a September 2023 interview, Reid declared that he was “very in love” with Pressman, describing her as the “sunshine who lights up [his] day.”

In a separate statement, Pressman said that they were “obsessed” with each other. “He always made me see the positive in every single negative, you know, and that brought up the positivity in me,” she said of Reid. “But I’m happy. We’re happy.”

The actor’s mother, Marcela MacDonald, also approves of Pressman, saying the latter is kind. “James is James… Whatever his decision, happy ako para sa kanya.” g

Dani Barretto says giving back to parents should be voluntary, not obligatory

By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

DANI Barretto aired her sentiment about a child’s act of giving back to their parents, saying it should be done out of love and own will, not out of obligation. The celebrity mom spoke about the subject with social media personality Chardie B in her “Bare It All” podcast episode entitled “The Difference Between Utang na Loob and Giving Back,” uploaded on Spotify last March 29. 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.

“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.

Parokya ni Edgar is now a musical

By BaBy a. Gil Philstar.com

THERE is a new musical coming out soon and it is “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: the Parokya ni Edgar Musical,” which as that title clearly says is made up of the music of the band Parokya ni Edgar (PNE).

What is Buruguduystunstugudunstuy? I do not know although I hope I got the spelling right. The song is now several years old, but I am still stumped by the spelling and worst, the meaning. I wonder what was going on in the heads of the members of Parokya ni Edgar when they thought of that title. Maybe more than what was going on when they named themselves Parokya ni Edgar. Come to think of it, who was Edgar and what on earth is Buruguduystunstugudunstuy?

Given that, it can be said that the PNE was a band that never pretended to be profound or even a tad serious when they presented their music to the listeners of 1996 with the first album Khangkhungkhernitz. They were in fact, daring enough to be the first cross-dressers in the local music scene.

After the sleek pop hits of the ‘80s, the ‘90s turned out to be a great time for Pinoy bands. Remember that back then there was the Eraserheads, a group on an exploration kick, alternately daring with Pare Ko and poignant with Ang Huling El Bimbo. There was also Rivermaya that went for love songs, Hinahanap-hanap Kita and the big anthemic moments, Liwanang sa Dilim and Kisap-mata Parokya ni Edgar though was different. Members Chito Miranda,

Gab Chee Kee, Buwi Meneses, Darius Semana, Dindin Moreno and Vinci Montaner just wanted to be crazy and have fun, albeit sometimes of the satiric kind.

After the title of that debut and tunes like Buloy and Maniwala Ka Sana, the naughtier Buruguduystunstugudunstuy, came as no surprise at all. Besides, the album included hits like Harana, Please Don’t Touch My Birdie, Sampip, Silvertoes and others. Those songs made it easy for listeners to accept whatever nonsense PNE offered because the guys made altrock crazy and loads of fun. More fun then, and of course, memories of that goofy time are what we can expect from, here goes that title again, “ Buruguduystunstugudunstuy , the Parokya ni Edgar Musical.” Writer Rody Vera took on the task

of making head and tail of the wacky output of PNE to turn it into something for the stage. The others out for the ride are Newport World Resort’s Full House Theater Company, the same group which gave the local stage the successful Eraserheads musical, “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”

Aside from Vera, the creative team consists of director Dexter Santos, and Full House artistic directors Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo and Michael Williams. Ejay Yatco is musical director and Stephen Vinas is choreographer.

Then there are the characters, which interestingly are all based and named after those that Parokya ni Edgar created in their songs. Kyle Napuli, Marynor Madamesila, Tex Ordonez-De Leon and Natasha Cabrera play the roles of Aiza, Jen, Norma and Girlie. Noel

Comia is Tikmol, Nicco Manalo is Mang Jose, Jasper Jimenez is Tito Ralph and the one expected to be a true showstopper Pepe Herrera as Mr. Suave. The story of “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy” centers on four women in search of themselves and what the world has to offer them. Though from diverse origins, fate brings them together and they help each other find acceptance, love and happiness with the music of PNE as the soundtrack of their search.

And among these songs are Harana, Bagsakan, Gitara, Halaga, Buloy, Inuman Na, Silvertoes, Sorry

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.

“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 ng mga magulang natin para sa atin, normal naman po na magpasalamat tayo, nai-spoil natin ‘yung magulang natin for it. I am for that,” she said. She further noted that she respects and has 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. g

from Instagram/@chitomirandajr

James Reid and Issa Pressman Photo from Instagram/@pressmanissa

By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

JAMES Reid and Issa Pressman flew to Bali, Indonesia, and had a nature trip to celebrate their first anniversary as a couple. Reid and Pressman gave a glimpse of their celebration through their respective Instagram pages on Thursday, April 4. The pair were seen trekking, enjoying a dip at a falls, visiting what appears to be a water temple, and having a meal at a pool. “…One,” Reid’s brief caption read. “Oneness [and]

Fan account

also greeted the couple via the comments section, then received a response from the actor-musician. Reid and Pressman made their romance public in March last year after they attended Harry Styles’ concert together.

Dani Barretto

Photo from Instagram/@danibarretto

Judge Rohanee Zapanta, DEI VP Bianca Nicole Nepales inspire and empower at FWN event

tion, unveil their journeys, laden with groundbreaking insights, challenges, and narratives that redefine the essence of diversity and inclusivity. “Pinay Power” is not just an event; as espoused by FWN, is a movement towards weaving a fabric of society that recognizes and amplifies every woman’s narrative.

of who is getting invited, who is doing the invite, who can afford to come, who cannot come and what do we do about that?”

She continued, “DEI are the feelings that we create. What does freedom feel to you or to me? DEI did not just come about in 2020 but the history that we were born into in this country. History tells us we are empowered.

ble spirit and the remarkable dynamism of Filipina leaders like Zapanta and Nepales who navigate uncharted territories and advocate for a world where various perspectives are embraced and cherished. These vanguards, from diverse realms such as politics, entertainment, business, governance, and educa-

Nepales, 34, a graduate of UC Berkeley (BA) and Loyola Marymount University (MA), emphasized, “I am not trying to bring you into a racist system or asking you to assimilate. I am trying to co-create new models of freedom for us all.”

She pointed out that if the event happened during the years of our manongs and manangs, the women would be seated at the back of the room while the men would be in front. “We should be aware

“Equity is recognizing the pattern of who is allowed to succeed and who doesn’t. And inclusion is how we enable ourselves to succeed in our most authentic ways. How do you navigate not just being included but also opening the door for other generations to come?”

Nepales summed it up by stressing that it all boils down to our core values. “I love learning with our values, our terms, our kapwa, our advice. My parents did the work and it is my job to continue their work. As you arrive, I arrive, we all arrive. Who am I here for? I am here for the storytellers so I know the impostor syndrome goes away. What is your mantra, what is your core? We center on kapwa which is our shared inner self and we tie that all together with diwa or consciousness. So we have to learn how to move from hiya to diwa on our terms.”

I good enough? Should I really be here? Why am I here, when I can be over there?

Being able to overcome that to understand that I will be oftentimes the only one but if I am not there, who will be? But then you also ask yourself, what am I bringing to the table? And once you get a seat at the table, be aware that closed mouths never get fed. I am never going to get fed if I don’t ask for it.” She added, “We should find the connection and how to relate. We are here not to impress someone but how I can be memorable because you can relate. I am because you are. That is kapwa. We share our truth with others and how I have seen it.”

The event was organized by

our own authentic voice, to help normalize inclusion and belonging of all people in our society.

“Thank you so much to Judge Rohanee Zapanta and VP Bianca Nicole Nepales for sharing their thoughts and wisdom. Now that we have filled our cups and nourished our souls from being together, we are ready once again to go out there to be included and to include. Because if we don’t, who will?

“Thank you to everyone who attended the event, for sharing their voices, for their eagerness to kapwa. Our cups runneth over.” g

Judge Rohanee Zapanta, Edith Winterhalter, Janet Nepales, Bianca Nepales, Benel Se-Liban Photos by Ruben V. Nepales

JUDGE Rohanee Zapanta, the second Filipina to be appointed to the San Diego Superior Court, and Bianca Nicole Nepales, the vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Lionsgate, were the featured speakers at Filipina Women’s Network’s (FWN) “Homage to the Filipina Voices: Igniting Transformative Change in Celebration of Women’s History Month,” held recently at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles. FWN honors the indomita

Bianca Nicole Nepales

FWN speakers Judge Rohanee Zapanta and Bianca Nepales pose before the FWN event poster.

FWN event organizer Edith Winterhalter Rohanee, for her part, pointed out, “The biggest challenge on my journey to the bench was really all in my head. Am

Edith Winterhalter and Benel Se-Liban. Winterhalter said, “The FWN event, ‘Homage to Filipina Voices’ in celebration of Women’s History Month, brought together Filipinas to engage in the conversation of the need to tell our narrative, in

YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding. This is usually the most difficult period of a person’s life. Finally, time heals all pain. You and your spouse get tired of bickering and being mean to one another that you both decide to compromise each other positions and resolve all issues in your divorce case through settlement. Shortly thereafter, the divorce judgment is finally entered by the Court and you get a sigh of relief. Later you discovery that “Oops!,” your ex-spouse had community asset and/or debt that was left out of the divorce judgment. This may be a pension, retirement account, a hidden bank account, or a piece of real estate property which was not divided in the judgment. What is one to do in this situation? The answer can be found in California Family Code §2556. California Family Code §2556 provides “In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for nullity of marriage, or for legal separation of the parties, the court has continuing jurisdiction to award community estate assets or community estate liabilities to the parties that have not been previously adjudicated by a judgment in the proceeding.”

California Family Code §2556.

Dealing with assets omitted in a divorce case

Even if the parties did not expressly reserve jurisdiction on that piece of asset, the Court retains the power to divide a specific property if there is a community interest in it. The Court’s “continuing jurisdiction” over omitted community estate assets or debts is invoked by filing a post judgment Motion, or Request for Order in the divorce case. Family Code §2556 provides “A party may file a postjudgment motion or request for order in the proceeding in order to obtain adjudication of any community estate asset or liability omitted or not adjudicated by the judgment.”

The postjudgment partition of the unadjudicated community estate claims is properly entertained by the court even absent an express reservation of jurisdiction in its prior judgment. Marriage of Moore & Ferrie (1993) 14 CA4th 1472, 1483, 18 CR2d 543, 549, fn. 9. The postjudgment motion is available to any omitted asset or debt not adjudicated by the divorce judgment. However, Family Code §2556 does not extend to division and adjudication of any separate property. Marriage of Klug (2005) 130 CA4th 1389, 1396, 31 CR3d 327, 331–332 If an asset was partially omitted, the Court can still divide and adjudicate the portion that has been omitted postjudgment under

Stell confirms solo projects, new SB19 office

by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

SB19's Stell said he and his group members are working on their solo projects as they are set to end their "Pagtatag" world tour with a two-night concert in May. Stell faced the press at the recently concluded 1st Billboard Philippines Women in Music event where he was invited as one of the presenters.

"There's something to look forward to dahil nagsimula na rin 'yung mga solo projects," he shared. He did not specify what these solo projects are. Stell, together with Ken, Josh, Justin and Pablo, are also gearing up for their two-night concert on May 18 and 19 in Araneta Coliseum after almost a year of touring SB19's Stell Photo from Instagram/@stell16_

the world with their "Pagtatag" concerts.

"It's something that you should also look forward to because it's a special day for us to celebrate and express how thankful we are sa mga fans namin," Stell said. SB19 also opened their company, 1Z Entertainment's new office. IZ's new office includes a dance studio and a recording studio, which were recorded and vlogged on SB19's YouTube channel. Pinaka-best po talaga 'yung office kung saan makakagawa pa kami ng magagandang music, for artistry din talaga. Ang pinakabest investment ay 'yung mga nai-pundar namin para sa sarili namin para ma-expand pa namin kung ano 'yung feeling namin na makakatulong maparinig sa global, 'yung tunog ng Pinoy," Stell said.

Pastor’s Notes

ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas

GREETINGS on this Second

Sunday of Easter, designated by the Church as Divine Mercy Sunday! We continue to celebrate the blessings of new life and renewed hope through the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

This Sunday’s (April 7) Scripture Readings depict new relationships that formed within the early Christian community. In the Acts of the Apostles, it is written, “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own; instead, they shared everything they had in common.” While this lifestyle within the early Christian community may

Communal peace

sound utopian or unrealistic, given human frailties evident even in communal regimes, it is possible that their way of living was untouched by competitive, comparative, or egoistic tendencies. Their community life was peaceful and harmonious because the Holy Spirit instilled values of tenderness, kindness, respect, compassion, and care for one another within them.

It appears that this peace is what Jesus desires for his disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel according to John. It transcends a mere personal feeling of inner tranquility, representing a new way of relating to all of creation, others, and God—an existence marked by harmony.

By receiving the Holy Spirit and being entrusted with the tasks of forgiveness and reconciliation, the apostles will carry on Christ’s mission of bringing peace to

the world. They will heed Jesus’ call for a new way of human interaction devoid of hostility or vengeance, made possible through faith in God who safeguards all lives and identities. They would recall the act of Jesus washing their feet during the Last Supper, exemplifying the command to love one another. It is my aspiration that our parish reflects not only individual inner tranquility nurtured through prayer and worship but also communal peace fostered by love, compassion, and respect for one another.

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

*

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

Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad and Patrick

NETFLIX is set to release a heartwarming film starring popular Filipino actors Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad, and Patrick Garcia on April 12. Titled "A Journey," the film will take viewers on a road trip through Tasmania, Australia, amid a bittersweet journey.

Netflix's synopsis for the movie reads, "Three childhood friends and longtime buddies embark on a journey of their lifetime and discover painful truths about each other. For one, Kaye Abad's character refuses to go under treatment after receiving news that her cancer has resurfaced. Instead, she asks her husband and best friend to join her [on] a road trip across Tasmania, Australia, to check off items on her bucket list."

"It's not about the destination, but it's about the people you're on the journey with," Abad's character repeatedly says in the film.

Taking to Instagram, Contis recently showcased behind-thescenes photos from the movie's Manila and Tasmania legs. "Manila Leg Done.. Tasmania Australia Leg Done.. Can't wait to watch the finished product!," the actor captioned his post. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside his real-life friends on the project.

Abad, too, expressed her excitement about the film's Netflix premiere on social media, calling it a dream come true. "It was just a dream before to have a film on Netflix. Here it is, guys!!!! On April 12, on Netflix worldwide," she wrote on Instagram, sharing the film's trailer.

The actress appealed to fans for support, saying, "Sana po suportahan nyo kami [I hope you support us]."

It can be recalled that this trio of actors first gained fame togeth-

er in the hit Filipino drama series Tabing Ilog," which aired from 1999 to 2002.

Together again on Netflix over two decades later, Abad, Contis and Garcia promises to deliver an emotional and uplifting tale of friendship, dreams, and the courage to face life's challenges head-on. With its poignant storyline, the "A Journey" is expected to resonate with audiences not only in the Philippines but around the world. (ManilaTimes.net)

Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad and Patrick Garcia will take viewers on a road trip through Tasmania, Australia, amid a bittersweet journey. Photo courtesy of Netflix

Is it hard to do comedy? Pinoy comedians...

Aside from Valdes and Domingo, Smokey Manaloto, Pepe Herrera, and Marissa Sanchez expressed their varied thoughts on the art of making people laugh.

Valdes

In an interview with entertainment journalist MJ Felipe on April 3, Valdes said it’s hard to do comedy due to the “political correctness and viciousness” of certain “woke” individuals who claim they’re offended. This would prompt Valdes to channel her inner “nasty woman” and tell people not to watch instead if they find a certain punchline offensive. “Even in other countries, Dave Chappelle refuses to do shows when it’s targeted towards a certain public

“We used to enjoy those shows. We used to do political spoofs because it’s an open city,” she continued. “We used to imitate, spoof, and throw punchlines but it was never below the belt. In other words, we knew where the line was. But the rest is so much fun.”

Eugene Domingo Domingo, however, believes it’s “never hard” to make people laugh. Especially if a comedian knows their “target market” and remains authentic to their brand. “If you are authentic, it’s never hard to make people laugh. Kahit sa pinakamalungkot sa sitwasyon, basta nahanap mo ang perfect timing, mapapatawa mo ang mga tao,” she said at a “Takeshi’s Castle” press conference.

“Kahit anong edad o panahon because natural sa atin, especially for Filipinos. We love to laugh. We love having fun,” she further added.

(If you are authentic, it’s never hard to make people laugh. Even in the saddest situations — as long as you know the perfect timing — you can make people laugh. No matter how old you are or what situation you’re in, it’s natural for Filipinos as they love to laugh. We love having fun.)

Smokey Manaloto

Manaloto, who was in the same mediacon with Domingo, agreed with his “Takeshi’s Castle” co-host. The actor recalled the lessons he picked up from the late Dolphy, saying comedy is “timeless.” “Hindi mahirap magpatawa ngayon. Ang punchline na ginagamit ni Tatay noon, lagyan mo ng konting twist, applicable pa rin ngayon and it still has the same effect. Tatawa pa rin ang mga tao,” he said referring to Dolphy as his “Tatay.”

(It’s not hard to make people laugh today. The punchlines Tatay used to do before, just add a certain twist, and it’s still applicable today. It still has the same effect. People will still laugh.)

Manaloto pointed out that laughter is part of Filipino culture. “Lahat tayong mga Pinoy, hilig nating maging masaya at tumawa. Siguro sa ibang bansa, mahihirapan sila. Pero ang Pinoy, hindi mahirap patawanin kasi masayahin tayo,” he continued.

Eugene Domingo Inquirer.net

(All Pinoys love to be happy and laugh. Maybe it’s hard in other countries. But it’s not hard to make Pinoys laugh because we’re cheerful.)

Herrera Based on his experiences, Herrera said on the sidelines of Star Magic’s “Spotlight” mediacon that it’s not hard to make people laugh. However, he reminded that comedians should be in a “comfortable state” before throwing in a joke. “Hindi naman. We just have to make sure that we’re in a very comfortable state kasi kapag kinakabahan ka, mahihirapan ka talaga magpatawa. Ang importante sa comedy is bukod sa timing, dapat relaxed ka,” he said.

(Not really. We just have to be sure that we’re in a very comfortable state because when you’re nervous, you’ll have a hard time making people laugh. What’s important in comedy is aside from timing, you need to be relaxed.)

The actor-comedian also shared his “favorite mantra” to trust his gut. But there are moments he needs to ask his friends, family, wife, or handler if he’s doubting a certain remark.

“Meron akong favorite na mantra: in gut we trust. Trusting my gut feel lang. Does this feel offensive? Parang hindi naman. Pero kapag 50-50 ako, I ask my friends, family, wife, and handler then tuloy lang,” he said.

(I have a favorite mantra: in gut we trust. Just trust my gut feeling. Does this feel offensive?

Not really. But when I’m 50-50 about a certain thing, I ask my friends, family, wife, and handler then go on.)

Marissa Sanchez Sanchez credited her faith as one of the reasons she’s “more at peace” with her comedy, saying she doesn’t have to make vulgar jokes anymore. “Since I became a Christian, it’s not nice to spread the word of God and then make dirty jokes. I’m a Christian first before I’m a comedian and singer.”

“It’s no longer vulgar. It’s not that green anymore. When you do comedy, you shouldn’t do comedy. You should be natural

and I think it’s a gift. In comedy, there’s no middle impression. It’s either you’re too good or you’re too lousy,” she said at an intimate gathering.

The singer-comedienne also understood the “sensitive” sentiments regarding certain jokes, as she pointed out that “time is fleeting.”

“Ito na ‘yung age na sensitive a ng mga tao kasi tumatanda na tayong lahat. Nahahawa na rin ang mga bata ,” she said. “Sensitive ang audience ngayon kasi noong panahon natin, we’re insensitive and happy-go-lucky. Carefree tayo noon. Wala tayong technology noon.” g

lot funnier.”

Mitch

Mitch Valdes and

photos

Pepe

Smokey Manaloto

Pepe Herrera figure.”

Marissa Sanchez

Pokwang asks ex Lee O’Brian for child support

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

POKWANG directly addressed her former partner, American actor Lee O’Brian, as she demanded child support for their six-year-old daughter Malia.

Gabbi and Khalil share love story highlights

By Boy ABundA 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.

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 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.”

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.”

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.

The comedian filed in June 2023 a deportation complaint and cancellation of visa against O’Brian, claiming that he had been using a tourist visa even when he had been staying in the country for the past eight years. O’Brian, in turn, issued a counter-affidavit, but the BI released a decision in December ordering the actor’s deportation.

In the same month, Pokwang allowed O’Brian to be with their daughter, saying she did so for the happiness of Malia. g

The actress-TV host said this through the comments section of Atty. Bernice Piñol-Rodriguez’s Instagram video, in which the latter explains the right of a single mom to ask for financial support from their estranged partners, even if their child is over 18 years old. “Grabe, thank you [attorney]. Napakalaking tulong (This means a lot). God bless you po,” Pokwang wrote. About a week later, Pokwang returned to the Instagram post and commented, “Hoy, [Lee O’Brian], ano na? Panay lang party at golf kasama ng mga pokpok? Mag-support ka hoy!” (Hey, Lee, what do you plan to do? To continue partying and playing golf with your girls? Provide support for your child!) O’Brian made no immediate public response to Pokwang, just as he had done before. Pokwang and O’Brian, who had been in a relationship for around six years, welcomed Malia in 2018. The former couple confirmed their separation in July 2022.

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. (Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)

Her parents didn’t make Kahlil 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

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 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.” g

Pokwang, Lee O’Brian and their daughter Malia Photos from Instagram/@itspokwang27, @leeobrian

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

Anne Curtis and Patrick Garcia

GMA photos